Tri-County Shrine Club Fish Fry Wednesday in Henderson

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The local Shriners Fish Fry is this Wednesday, May 18.

This is the 58th fish fry and local Shriner Donald C. Seifert spoke with WIZS about how the event has evolved over those almost six decades as it continues to raise money for local causes as well as for Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals.

The annual event has been held in numerous spots over the years, many of them at the old Henderson Armory. Patrons had a chance to eat in or take out, as well as visit with friends from across the community.

“It’s been reshaped a bit over the last several years,” Seifert said. The fish fry is held at what he called “the Slaughter building,” located between Mako Medical and Serv Pro on Industry Drive.

Local Shriner Sherby Slaughter provides the site for the fish fry, and Seifert said last year’s take-out option proved successful.

“We just don’t have the space inside to serve patrons,” he said, “and we miss that. We do have the drive-thru set up and it’s worked well.”

Lots of planning goes into the annual fundraiser, well in advance of the event date, which traditionally is the third Wednesday in May. The gates open at 11 a.m. and the goal is to sell about 2,000 plates by the time the fish fry is over about suppertime.

Thanks to some coordination with the nearby Salvation Army, Seifert said there should be no problems with having enough fish. “The Salvation Army has agreed to let us have some reserve product in their kitchen,” he said. “If we start to run low, we’ll have easy access and have plenty of fish.”

Like many organizations, the Shrine Club isn’t as large as it once was, and members rely on volunteers to help keep things rolling on fish fry day, whether it’s delivering plates of 10 or more to area businesses or cooking and packing the food into containers, volunteers play a key role, for which Seifert says his fellow Shriners are grateful.

“My hat’s off to our volunteers,” he said.

The fish fry is a highlight of the club’s year, and its proceeds help support local causes like First Responders and as well as the children’s hospitals that the Shriners are associated with.

“There are so many good causes around, especially local causes that we feel like we’d like to help,” Seifert said. “Of course, the hospitals get a nice donation…but we try to share as best we can.”

Tickets are $10, but you don’t have to have a ticket in advance – just follow the line of traffic out to Industry Drive, pull in, pick up a plate and get a great big “Thank You” from a Shriner.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Local COVID-19 Cases On The Rise

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COVID-19 cases are on the rise across much of North Carolina, and Vance and Granville counties are no exception.

According to information extracted from the COVID-19 dashboard Granville-Vance Public Health website, the number of new weekly positive cases is on the uptick in both counties.

The most recent numbers are for May 7, with 42 cases – 2 of which are reinfections – for Vance County. That is an increase over the 26 cases reported as of April 30.

In Granville County, the May 7 number was 95, with 7 being reinfections. The April 30 number had been 75, according to the dashboard statistics.

In both counties, the number of new cases dropped to single digits in early April, but have since seen increases. Cases in both counties peaked in mid-January, with 865 cases in Vance and 1,155 cases in Granville.

Total cases since March 2020 are 11,936 in Vance and 14,536 in Granville, with deaths from COVID-19 standing at 122 in Vance and 115 in Granville.

With mask requirements now optional in many places and people gathering and congregating with less regard for social distancing, the risk for contracting COVID-19 may also increase.

If you do experience symptoms, you should get tested. And if the results come back positive for COVID-19, health professionals advise to self-isolate for 10 days.

Visit http://www.gvdhd.org/ to learn more.

 

National Police Week Observed May 11-17

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In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Michael Easley recognized the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers at the local, state and national levels. The annual observance began May 11 and continues through Tuesday, May 17.

“In taking an oath to preserve and protect, law enforcement officers put their lives on the line daily to keep our communities safe,” Easley said in a press statement released earlier this week. “We recognize and appreciate their sacrifice and commitment every day. This week, we take the opportunity, across the country, to honor those law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. We also express our deepest respect and admiration for the families of these fallen heroes.”

Based on information from the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), 472 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2021.  Of that number, 319 succumbed to COVID-19.  Nine officers have died in the line of duty in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed gratitude to the law enforcement community. “This week, we gather to pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service to our country,” Garland said.

“We remember the courage with which they worked and lived. And we recommit ourselves to the mission to which they dedicated their lives. On behalf of a grateful Justice Department and a grateful nation, I extend my sincerest thanks and gratitude to the entire law enforcement community.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

The names of the 619 fallen officers added this year to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read tonight (Friday, May 13) during a Candlelight Vigil in Washington, D.C., starting at 8 p.m. Those who wish to view the vigil live online can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/TheNLEOMF.

 

Online Meeting May 19 To Talk About Business Recovery Grants

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The N.C. Department of Revenue has scheduled an online information session next week to help businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic apply for Business Recovery Grant money.

The session will be held Thursday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to noon and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the grant’s Phase 2, according to Sheri Jones, VGCC Small Business Center Director. “The state is eager to distribute these funds to eligible businesses so I would encourage anyone who was in business during the pandemic to take a look at the criteria and apply – it is much broader and covers more business types in this phase, Jones said.

The deadline to apply is June 1.
To register for Thursday’s online session, go to:  NC DOR Business Recovery Grant – Program Overview & Common FAQs
The N.C. General Assembly passed the legislation and Gov. Roy Cooper signed it into law in March. The BRG issues awards of up to $500,000 to eligible North Carolina businesses that suffered substantial economic loss during the pandemic.
Two types of grants are available through the program:

  • A hospitality grant is available to an eligible arts, entertainment or recreation business,
    as well as an eligible accommodation or food service business such as a hotel, restaurant or bar (NAICS code 71 and 72).
  • A reimbursement grant is available to an eligible business not classified in NAICS Code
    71 and 72.

For Phase 2, the law was changed to make more businesses eligible for a grant. A business that received other COVID-19 relief may now be eligible for a grant in Phase 2.
Visit https://www.ncdor.gov/business-recovery-grant for more information and to apply.

Mail Carriers’ ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Event May 14

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Postal carriers deliver all sorts of mail to boxes near and far every day. But there’s a special-delivery postcard that found its way into area mailboxes recently to promote the “Stamp Out Hunger” campaign, which takes place the second Saturday in May.

That day is THIS Saturday, May 14.

The request is simple: Leave healthy, non-perishable food items by your mailbox and the person who delivers your mail will pick up your donation.

Since 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers, along with various national partners, has worked to collect food items that are donated to local food pantries.

Visit www.stampouthungerfooddrive.us to learn more.

SportsTalk: Vance Charter Womens Soccer Heads To Playoffs

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In only his second year at the helm of the Vance Charter Knights Women’s Soccer team, Coach Johnny Yount has his team in the playoffs. While he’s happy they are in the playoffs, he is aware that work is still to be done to get the team where he wants them to be. “We need to be passing better, and we have had low energy,” Yount said of his team.  The Knight’s regular season record is 6-8-3 overall and 4-5-1 in the conference. That puts them at 12th in Division 1 A East. “That’s not exactly where we want to be,” Yount said of their current position.

Throughout the season the team has relied on seniors Riley Fuller and Makenzie Montgomery. Fuller, who is playing on a bad knee, will likely have to have surgery at some point. In addition to the senior leadership, the Knights have also had solid play from freshmen Katherine Suther and Sarah Ranes. That solid play contributed to 0-0 game against the powerful North Carolina School of Science and Math. That game is one that Young points to as a highlight of the season.

One of Yount’s big keys is sportsmanship. Win, lose or draw, Yount wants his players to be able to hold their heads high. That sportsmanship will likely help these students with the lessons they learn in life long after they leave the playing field.

At this point, it might feel like they have left the playing field since they haven’t played a game in three weeks. Due to the playoff schedule changing, it has meant that the Knights have only been able to practice. With spring break, prom and the end of the school year approaching, Yount says it’s a challenge to keep kids focused. The team has been practicing three days a week and considered attempting to schedule some additional games during the layoff but a fear of risking injury in a meaningless game just prior to the playoffs made the decision not to play easier.

The break from the field will only last a couple more days. “We hope to have a home game on Monday,” Yount said on today’s SportsTalk with George Hoyle and John C. Rose.  The Knights have yet to find out who the opposition will be but should know very soon.

CLICK PLAY!

 

The Local Skinny! The Doctor Is In! Free Medical Event This Weekend

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The Vance Charter School parking lot transforms into a large waiting room this weekend as a pop-up medical clinic comes to town.

All services are free of charge, and organizers say the only thing folks need to bring may be an umbrella, as rain is forecast for the weekend. The parking lot will open at midnight tomorrow (Friday, May 13) and the clinic will begin at 6 a.m.

Rishabh Jain said the Remote Area Medical clinic will provide medical, dental and vision care for anyone who comes out – no ID is required and no proof of insurance is needed. The school is located at 2090 Ross Mill Rd.

“It’s general health and wellness that we’re trying to promote,” Rishi Dasgupta said. There will be additional resources on site – including boxes of fresh produce – for participants if they’d like them. The idea is to look at health holistically, he said.

In addition to general checkups, there will be women’s health specialists present; dental services include cleanings, fillings, extractions and X-rays and vision patients can expect to get eyeglasses after about an hour, Jain said.

Both Jain and  and Dasgupta graduated from Duke University last weekend and have helped organize the RAM clinic. Both men will be at the two-day clinic this weekend, along with more than 30 other Duke undergrads who have helped plan the event.

“These clinics promote health and wellness in the community,” Dasgupta said “Anyone is welcome at a RAM clinic.”

A patient who needs dental and vision care may need to come both days, because Jain said medical services can be paired with dental or vision services, but not both in one day.

For patients who may need follow-up care, there will be a list of resources available. “We don’t want to identify a problem and send someone home with no next steps,” Jain said.

Visit www.ramusa.org to learn more.

CLICK PLAY!

 

TownTalk: Step Back In Time Event To Be Held At Hudson Manor

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Looking for a fun family activity this weekend? The Hudson Manor in Franklin County is the site for a daylong event called Step Back in Time that has something for everyone – but especially for local history enthusiasts.

The stately home, with its sprawling grounds, has been a wedding venue for the past 18 years, and owner/operator Melissa Cogliati said she’s ready for Saturday’s activities, rain or shine. The hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and there will be food trucks, workshops and demonstrations throughout the day, live music, folklorists and much more.

Cogliati is working with the Franklin County Historic Preservation Commission to host the event, which was organized to raise money to publish a book on the county’s historic architecture.

“It seems now the weather will hold out at least until the afternoon,” Cogliati said. Vendors, musicians, and others will be located in the home’s large ballroom and protected from the elements, she noted.

She spoke with Bill Harris, who chairs the historic preservation commission, and local historian Mark Pace on Thursday’s tri-weekly history program on Town Talk.

“Rain or shine, it’s going on,” Harris said. “There are a lot of things going on.”

An architectural survey has been completed, and the commission hopes to raise the necessary funds to publish the book, which would contain information about the local architecture as well as more than 800 photos.

This ambitious project would be the first of its kind in more than 40 years, Harris said. The project lost a little momentum – and associated funding – during the pandemic and the Saturday event hopes to make up the gap in funding.

Cogliati said Hudson Manor, located at 908 Moulton Rd., Louisburg, is included in the architectural survey, and she said Step Back in Time will provide entertainment for the whole family while raising money for a good cause. She works with the county’s planning advisory board and the local tourism development authority and said she is happy to provide a spot where “we can meet our neighbors and have a little community spirit.”

Visit www.thehudsonmanor.com to learn more.

 

 

Perry Memorial Library

Friends Of Perry Library Meeting Monday, May 16

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The Friends of the Perry Memorial invites you to attend the annual meeting on Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m.

The group exists to support the library in its mission to provide the best collection, programs and service to the community in and around Henderson.

Among the agenda items are planning for summer and fall activities, including the next book sale. The group also will be electing board members.

The meeting will be held in the Farm Bureau Room at the library, located at 205 Breckenridge St.

For more information, contact friendsofperrymemoriallibrary@gmail.com