TownTalk: Duck Derby

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This year’s Duck Derby to benefit Franklin/Granville/Vance Smart Start is shaping up to be another successful event and Gary Daeke, one of the fundraiser organizers, said he’s pleased to note that there will be a full-on street festival for families to enjoy.

The fun begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Henderson on Saturday, Sept. 17. There will be a couple of food trucks, lots of children’s activities and then the race will be at 2 p.m., Daeke told John C. Rose Thursday on Town Talk.

“The ducks have been selling really well,” Daeke noted. They usually sell about 2,500 of the rubber ducks, that will drift down a short-lived “river” created along Garnett Street – compliments of the Henderson Fire Department’s fire hoses. Daeke said Greystone Concrete Products graciously provides the equipment that mixes up the ducks and then dumps them across the starting line to begin the race.

There will be a bounce house and a slide, and Daeke said the kids always enjoy donning fire helmets and having a little fun with the fire hose.

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The prize for having the winning duck is $1,000. Chick Fil-A for a year is the prize for second place, and the third-place winner will receive a Sheetz gas card. The duck that comes in last gets a prize, too – $100. Tickets are available now from any FGV staffer or board member, but they also will be available until about 1:30 p.m. on the day of the derby.

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Although FGV had the Duck Derby last year, COVID-19 restrictions meant they couldn’t have the full-blown festival. This year, though, brings a return to previous years festivities. Daeke said there should be an area filled with non-profit organizations and agencies available to provide information about resources in the community.

When children and families visit these tables and booths, they’ll get signatures on a scavenger hunt card that will be redeemed for perhaps an ice cream or a sno-cone, he said.

Visit www.fgvsmartstart.org to purchase a duck and to learn more about services of FGV Smart Start. Or call the office at 252.433.9110 to find out more.

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Nella Roo’s in Downtown Henderson, NC

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For the past couple of years, Heather Ruth Hodge has been putting things together to bring her to this place – both literally and figuratively.

Hodge’s family calls her “Roo,” and that’s half the name of her new boutique that has opened on Garnett Street. The first half of the boutique’s name is an homage to her grandmother, Nell, whose own business was situated in downtown Henderson near where Nella Roo’s is today.

Hodge was surrounded by family, friends and plenty of local well-wishers at the ribbon-cutting Thursday morning. The site of the former Carolina Bed Center at 319 S. Garnett St. now sports a different look, and it’s a welcome look for local officials who celebrate downtown revitalization efforts that bring in new businesses like Hodge’s.

In her remarks during the ceremony, Hodge recalled a couple of years ago when she “felt the spirit of the Lord” calling her back to her hometown. “I’m so excited to see where it can go and what it can become,” she said of Henderson and the whole downtown area.

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Her grandmother, Nell Wiggins, owned Nell’s Boutique just a couple of doors down from Nella Roo’s in the late 1970’s and early ‘80s. Hodge said she is so happy when customers come in and tell her how much they loved shopping at Nell’s. “She was a huge inspiration for me,” Hodge said.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said he remembered going to Nell’s with his mom when he was a child and getting into a little bit of trouble for his behavior. But, he said, Nell told his mom it was ok, he was just having a little fun.

Leo Kelly, Chairman of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, said he remembers Wiggins as an artist. He said he planned to bring one of her pieces – a painting on slate – for Hodge to hang at her new store.

“I think this gives new life to downtown,” Kelly said, adding that Nella Roo’s will serve to draw other businesses to Garnett Street storefronts.

“You’re our catalyst, our leader,” said Tracy Madigan with the Downtown Development Commission. New businesses serve to increase pride in the downtown area, and Madigan said people who own buildings downtown are wanting to fix them up to further improve the area.

Chamber Board Chair Ronald Bennett said things are looking up for Henderson. “Henderson’s coming back,” Bennett said. “Thank YOU for choosing to come back.”

Visit https://www.nellaroos.com/ to learn more.

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VCS Announces Principals, Teachers Of The Year During Awards Ceremony

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Vance County Schools honored its 2022 Educators of Excellence at an awards ceremony on Tuesday.

Edward Ortega, principal of STEM Early High School was named Principal of the Year; Launtia Dallas of Clarke Elementary was named Beginning Teacher of the Year; Anita Griffith of Zeb Vance Elementary was named Teacher of the Year and Donald Johnson of Aycock Elementary was named Assistant Principal of the Year.

The awards were presented at the district’s annual Excellence in Education banquet at the Henderson County Club. The banquet honored teachers, staff and administrators from across the district, representing their respective schools.

Griffith, music teacher at Zeb Vance Elementary, has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Piano Performance and Choral Conducting. She has taught at the elementary, secondary and university level.

“This is an amazing acknowledgement”, Griffith said. “I am humbled to be named VCS District Teacher of the Year. Our children are so important and I will try to always do my best for them.”

Donald Johnson III (VCS Assistant Principal of the Year), Edward Ortega (VCS Principal of the Year), Anita Griffith (VCS Teacher of the Year), and Launtia Dallas (VCS Beginning Teacher of the Year)

She is a phenomenal educator and in everything she does”, said Andrew Markcoch, the Director of Fine Arts and Innovation. First and foremost, she has built relationships with the students, and has built a culture in her room at Zeb Vance that is palatable.” Anybody that walks into her room will see that instantly. [She is] a wonderful representation of the kinds of things that we do in this district in the arts.”

Dallas, who teaches second grade at Clarke Elementary, said she is “excited, elated, honored and extremely grateful to Vance County Schools for this prestigious award.

I show up every day to educate my scholars as if they had my last name,” Dallas said in a press statement issued by VCS Director of Communications Aarika Sandlin. “My desire is to serve them to

the best of my ability so that they can serve our community. I am humbled by this recognition and I’m ready to allow this fresh fire to perpetuate as I believe that our scholars deserve teachers who believe that they can learn and will not be satisfied until they do.”

Johnson took top honors as assistant principal of the year. Currently at Aycock Elementary, he began his educational journey in Granville County as a teacher and assistant principal before joining Vance County Schools in 2021.

“I am truly humbled, honored, and blessed to serve the community that I am from. As a product of Vance County, I am fortunate to be able to serve alongside an amazing group of educators, children, and families that make up our community. As I reflect on the privilege of being named the Vance County Schools’ Assistant Principal of the Year, the word that immediately comes to mind is ‘thankful.’ I am thankful to serve on a dynamic team that is committed to serving children each day to ensure that all children are given the best opportunities to learn and grow. I am thankful to continue to serve the community that made me who I am today. I am so proud of each educator in our district that invests in our students and community – they are the true heroes.”

Edward Ortega, principal of STEM Early High, said he was honored and humbled to be named VCS principal of the year. “This is a recognition of the dedication and hard work poured in over the years to make sure our students receive the quality education they deserve. I did not reach this point on my own. Since I came from Colombia in 2004, I have been blessed with mentorship and friendship of amazing educators and leaders. I am truly thankful to each one of them for the guidance, support and affection expressed along the way. I am also fortunate to work for a school district and community committed to fostering academic excellence in the county’s children and youth. I will continue to be fully committed to my passion for teaching and learning in all its forms in a school district that has become an incredibly special place for me and my family. Again, thank you Vance County Schools for this recognition. It feels amazing to be the 2022 VCS Principal of the Year.”

Ortega began his career with Vance County Schools as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. He graduated from the Universidad del Atlántico in Colombia as a Modern Languages Teacher.

“It’s an honor to celebrate all of the educators in our district, especially those recognized by their peers as Teacher of the Year and Beginning Teacher of the Year”, said Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett. “It is also exciting to be part of recognizing members of our school leadership. Vance County Schools is very fortunate to have a group of dedicated and passionate teachers and leaders who recognize that the most important part of our job is serving our children.”

Griffith and Ortega will represent Vance County in the regional competition.

Mike Waters

FRANKLIN COUNTY TRIAL WEEK RESULTS IN GUILTY PLEA IN DEATH BY DISTRIBUTION CASE

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Louisburg, NC – Defendant Aaron Lloyd pleaded guilty to death by distribution this week in Franklin County Superior Court before Judge Brian C. Wilks and received an active sentence of 70 to 96 months in the North Carolina Division of Adult Corrections (DAC). This is believed to be the first death by distribution case resulting in a guilty plea in Franklin County since the law went into effect on December 1, 2019.

“Death by distribution cases are complex, and require detailed investigation and examination of the facts as applied to the law,” said District Attorney Mike Waters. “I’m proud of the partnership between the Franklin County Sheriffs Office and the Assistant District Attorneys in Franklin County in dealing with the opioid epidemic and taking cases like these seriously.”

The investigation by the Franklin County Sheriffs Office was led by Detective T.H. Turner. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jamie Lamancusa.

(Above are the first three paragraphs of a press release from the office of DA Mike Waters.)

The Local Skinny! Home & Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN

  • Fall garden planting time is now
  • Garden food safety tip 1: Wash your hands before harvesting your garden.
  • Control weeds before they seed out
  • Garden food safety tip 2: Keep pets and wildlife out of the garden.
  • With recent rains your garden soil maybe too wet to work
  • Garden food safety tip 3: If you use manure, apply it in the fall so it has time to break down.
  • Avoid the rush and start taking your soil samples now!
  • Garden food safety tip 4: Washing produce doesn’t eliminate contamination. Prevention is the key.
  • When going on vacation, have someone harvest your vegetables for you. Let them have the vegetables.

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TownTalk: African American Cultural Museum Looking to Move Within Henderson

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When families outgrow their homes, oftentimes they look for something in the same area with more bedrooms or bathrooms to make everyone more comfortable. That’s kind of what Edith Thompson is hoping to do with the African American Cultural Museum – their Oxford Road location actually used to be a home, but the museum quickly has outgrown its space.

The museum needs more space – inside and out, Thompson told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town.

“We’re excited about the future of the museum,” she said, noting that several groups have visited and held programs there recently. But parking is an issue, she said. And so is the underground oil tank, a relic of an obsolete heating system.

So for now, the museum is on pause for groups to come and visit. And Thompson and others are hopeful to find a spot in downtown Henderson to meet their needs.

“We need more space…we need to expand to incorporate an exhibit on the Henderson community,” Thompson said. A virtual tour will be posted on the museum’s website, www.rebuildcommunitiesnc.org, in the next 30 days or so, she said. A virtual tour will have to suffice, she said, until the museum’s docents once again can entertain face-to-face tours.

Leadership vance, biz exchange for minority businesses.

“We put a lot of money into renovating this space,” Thompson said, so she and other museum supporters are disappointed to have to be looking for another space so soon.

“We do what we must,” she said optimistically. “It’s a good sign that Henderson loves us and is really embracing us.” She said educating young people is a prime mission of the museum, but museum organizers also had a vision that the museum would attract more visitors to the Henderson area.

She said the plan is to be back open in time to celebrate Black History Month 2023. “Excuse us while we take a brief hiatus,” Thompson said. “We will be back.”

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Granville DSS Opens Satellite Office In Creedmoor

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People who live in the southern part of Granville County can cut their drive time to the county’s Department of Social Services – a satellite office officially opened Monday in the Butner-Creedmoor area.

County officials had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official first day of business for the second DSS location, 2531 East Lyon Station Rd., according to information from Terry Hobgood, public information officer for Granville County.

Residents will be able to receive the complete suite of services currently offered at the Oxford office  at 410 W. Spring St. and the Child Support Office, located at 122 Williamsboro St.

Residents who live or work in  southern Granville County will now have convenient access to these vital county services, Hobgood stated.

“The opening of a Social Services office in southern Granville County aligns with Granville County’s strategic plan, which emphasizes the need to expand county services to reach residents currently underserved due to the  challenges related to transportation, high gas prices, and geographic distance from Oxford,” said Granville DSS Director Adonica Hampton. “We are excited to be able to provide this imperative resource for residents of the greater Butner, Creedmoor and Stem communities, plus any other county residents who may find it more convenient to visit this new office.”

“I could not be happier see this new Butner-Creedmoor office opened to the public,” said Social Services Board Chair, and District 3 County Commissioner Sue Hinman. “We have heard from our residents for so many years that they need more convenient access to county services. Just like we have brought other county services, like libraries and senior centers to Berea, Butner, Creedmoor, Oak Hill, Stovall and Wilton, we are now able to meet our residents where they are, in one of the fastest growing parts of our county. Any time we can make our residents’ lives easier and provide better customer service, we want to be there.”

For more information about the Department of Social Services, please visit the Granville County Website:  https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/social-services/.

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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S-Line Rail Corridor

Another Grant Means Another Step Toward ‘All Aboard’ for S-Line Rail

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Plans to bring rail service back to Henderson continue to chug along, and one city council member said he’s been pleasantly surprised at how the S-Line project is coming together.

Garry Daeke spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk about the recent announcement of a $3.4 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to complete a transit-oriented development study.

“It’s incredible that we’ve been able to get these grants so quickly,” Daeke said. The wheels of government and bureaucracy often move slowly, especially when working with multiple agencies across the local, state and federal levels, Daeke noted. But everything is running along smoothly, including a recent site visit that Daeke said proved quite positive.

“I’m real enthused about the work of DOT – how much time and energy they’ve put into this – they really want to see this fly,” Daeke said. In fact, state DOT officials held a press conference Tuesday morning in Sanford to announce the awarding of the RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Sanford is one of the stops along the proposed S-Line, which includes stops in Apex, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Henderson and Norlina to connect the Raleigh to Richmond corridor.

The City Council is “100 percent excited” about the project, which would include a train station and other possible retail and commercial projects nearby, with the prospect of providing a huge boost to the area’s economy.

The rail would serve passenger and freight traffic, both of which Henderson has experienced in the past.

For Daeke, it’s all about working together. “Collaboration is how things happen,” he said. During the recent site visit, city staff and local officials joined NC DOT staff and railroad representatives to survey existing infrastructure and to envision how the area could be transformed.

The city put up $190,000 for its part of the project, and although Daeke said it’s a lot of money, he said he believes the project will pay big dividends for the city and beyond.

The group took a look at the old First National Bank Building on Garnett Street as a possible station, and Daeke said the reviews were positive. The group took a walking tour and looked at the former bank building as they covered basically the whole block, discussing everything from loading docks and accessibility to parking lots and bike paths.

“This will be the jewel on the new line between Petersburg and Sanford,” Daeke recalled one visitor as saying.

Between the urban redevelopment plans underway and what’s going on downtown with the Downtown Development Commission, Daeke said the state and rail officials who visited were impressed with prospects for the rail hub.

“They said it would be a fantastic site for a train station,” he said, affirming what city leaders had wondered about. “It became very clear that it could work.”

What comes next?

A feasibility study, including a site assessment and preliminary engineering plans, for starters.

But the project includes much more than just situating a train station in town.

The whole notion of a “transportation hub” involves looking at how people are going to get to the station and could include projects from creating bike lanes to widening existing roads. Then there’s the very real possibility of having to build a couple of overpasses for the trains to keep road traffic moving. Where will folks park if they want to catch the train in Henderson and leave their car for a few days?

Daeke said it will be key to take a look at where people gain access to the train and make sure that the area is safe and easily accessible for the community.

“It’s definitely a bigger plan than just building a train station,” he said.

The S-Line is a developing rail corridor that will better connect rural and urban communities, improve and expand freight and passenger services, and significantly reduce rail travel times between Raleigh and Washington D.C. To learn more, visit this NCDOT webpage.

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