Chamber’s 2022 ‘Alive After Five’ Concert Finale Thursday In Downtown Oxford

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The final Alive After Five concert of the 2022 season is set for  Thursday, Sept. 29 in the Littlejohn parking lot in downtown Oxford.

The band “Spare Change” takes the stage at 5:30 p.m., according to information from Granville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lauren Roberson. The event is free – bring a lawn chair, your dancing shoes and enjoy three hours of music in the cool fall weather.

Food vendors will be on hand, including Southern Snow Company, and Smoken Souls BBQ, along with Tobacco Wood Brewing Co., The Hub on Main, Coca-Cola and Long Beverage.

Beverage tickets are available for purchase at check-in sites located at Littlejohn and Gilliam streets. There will also be face painting and chalk for entertainment for the children, so bring the family to enjoy the free community event.

 

 

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 09-27-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for September 27, 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.

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Name of Business- Community Workforce Solutions, Inc

Title of Job- Community Employment Trainer; Full time, $17-18/hour, duties may include conducting program orientation for participants entering services, review case files, determine areas of interest, and coordinate job tours. Minimum qualifications include, one year experience working with individuals with disabilities or believe that you would have a background that would bring value to this position. This position requires the use of your personal vehicle on a routine basis.

How to Apply- Fill out their application on their website at http://www.communityworkforcesolutions.com/careers.html. Send in the application along with your resume to the email address: employment@nc-cws.org.

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Name of Business- Henderson Collegiate School

Title of Job- Middle School English Teacher; Full time, Salary of $41,000-48,000, in addition they are offering a sign-on bonus of $2,000 for the 2022-23 school year. All candidates must have a bachelor’s degree. Preferred experience teaching and working in low-income community but not required.

How to Apply- Apply on company site at https://hendersoncollegiate.org/careers/.

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Name of Business- Vance County Schools

Title of Job- School Nutrition Cafeteria Assistant; Salary of $21,000-$28,000. Full time (6 hours per day). Nature of work includes prepare foods including breakfast items, meats/main dishes, breads/grains, fruits, vegetables, salads, sandwiches, soups, snacks. Serve food on line. Correctly identify reimbursable meals & snack items. Use cash register to process financial transactions. Follow written cash collection procedures. Cleaning to include washing pans, utensils and equipment. Wipe dining tables & chairs. Empty trash.

How to Apply- Apply on Company Site https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/ or Indeed.

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Name of Business- Vance-Granville Community College

Title of Job- Federal Work-Study Student Only; Part-Time, $10-12/hour. Duties may include Assisting students, answering telephones, scanning documents, Filing, Administrative duties, Preparing mailings and promotional material, and Data entry. Qualifications are must be eligible for Title IV Aid, must have financial need, must be enrolled in a least 6 credit hours each semester at VGCC, must submit a resume, and must submit a cover letter.

How to Apply- Visit company site to apply. https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/vgcceduNC/.

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Name of Business- Vance County Schools

Title of Job- High School Principal. Salary of $50,000-$65,000. Looking for an experienced secondary principal for our high school. There is a $10,000 new hire signing bonus for this position with a two-year commitment.

How to Apply- Apply at https://vcsnc.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=181.

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Name of Business: George’s of Henderson

Title of Job: Multiple Positions

How to Apply: Apply by stopping by the Restaurant to pick up an application or dropping off your resume at the Restaurant.  They are located at 210 N. Garnett St Henderson, NC 27536.

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Name of Business: Vance Chapter of Boys & Girls Club Organization

Title of Job: Part-time positions open for after-school counselors. Requirements are must love working with youth, have good reading skills, and a desire to come to work on time 2:30 – 7:00 pm Monday – Friday.

How to Apply: Apply by calling or emailing Evelyn Taylor at

252-438-5830 or etaylor@bgcncnc.com.

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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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Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

Blackmon, Kelly Bring Home KTCOG Honors From Annual Banquet

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The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments held its annual awards banquet last week and two local officials were honored for their leadership at the city and county levels.

Leo Kelly, Jr., chairman of the Vance County board of commissioners was named Outstanding County Elected Official, and City Manager Terrell Blackmon received the Outstanding Manager Award, according to information from KTCOG’s Susan Tucker.

Kelly received his award from Granville County commissioner Sue Hinman. Henderson City Council member Mike Rainey presented Blackmon with his award at the banquet, held Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Warren County Armory Civic Center. KTCOG Board Chair Walter Gardner presided over the meeting.

Tucker said 124 individuals were present for the annual banquet representing the five counties that comprise the KTCOG.

“The primary purpose of this annual banquet is to highlight the achievements of regional leaders who have been nominated by their peers/constituents for outstanding performance and contributions,” Tucker said in a statement to WIZS News Monday.

The 2022-23 officers also were installed at the banquet. The new chairman is Zelodis Jay, a member of the Granville County board of commissioners; vice chairman is Derrick Sims, a Person County Commissioner; and treasurer is Betty Wright, a Louisburg town council member.

In addition to awards received by Kelly and Blackmon, the following awards were presented:

  • Kerr-Tar Outstanding Board Member Award was presented to Betty Wright, with the town of Louisburg. Jimmy B. Clayton of Person County presented the award.
  • Outstanding Municipal Elected Official Award went to Jackie Sergent, mayor of Oxford. Oxford City Commissioner Quon Bridges presented the award.
  • Outstanding City or County Clerk to the Board award was given to Paula Pulley of Warren County. Warren County Commissioner Tare Davis presented the award.
  • The Regional Star Award was presented to David Smith of Granville County. Granville County Commissioner Tony Cozart made this presentation.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Hurricane Preparation

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Meteorologists continue to track Hurricane Ian as it makes its way toward the U.S. this week. While the exact path of the hurricane cannot be predicted, experts report that North Carolina could get heavy rains later this week as the storm breaks apart as it moves farther inland.

And although the hurricane’s path and strength can change over time, preparing your property in advance of a hurricane does not.

The key is to stay informed and updated, but also to plan ahead – to minimize wind and water damage, according to Wayne Rowland, Vance County agriculture extension technician.

Rowland shared helpful suggestions to help residents prepare for possible effects from Hurricane Ian, and other storm systems capable of producing high winds, heavy rain and flooding.

Survey the outside of your home to identify items that could become airborne in a strong wind, Rowland said. Whether it’s porch furniture, plant containers, bicycles or children’s toys, be prepared to store them as you prepare for a storm.

In addition, Rowland suggests that you make a list of larger items – think boats or small trailers in the yard – that need to be tied down or otherwise anchored in place.

And use concrete blocks instead of wooden ones to raise items off basement or garage floors if flooding is a possibility. Even better, he said, move those items to a higher elevation of the garage or home to safeguard them.

If you don’t already know, now is the time to learn how to disconnect all kitchen appliances, and move cleaners, insecticides and fuels off the floor. “Don’t store chemicals under the kitchen or bathroom sink, or on the basement floor,” he cautioned.

Any important papers, photo albums or other irreplaceable items are best moved to a waterproof and fireproof location, or should be included on a to-do checklist in advance of a hurricane or major storm system.

“Really important documents should be kept in a safety deposit box,” Rowland said. Mortgage and insurance documents, as well as household inventory lists with supporting photo and video documentation should be kept in at least waterproof containers, he said.

If you have to evacuate because you’re going to a shelter, prescription medications, cloth masks, bedding, meals, hand sanitizer, soap and drinking water are on the “must bring” list.

Be prepared to change out your old emergency water supply if needed – the rule of thumb is one gallon per person, per day of water – and a three-day supply is recommended. if it hasn’t been used Change out water supply 1 gal per person per day.

Make sure all contact information is up-to-date and that family members know the designated meeting space.

Having some cash on hand is a good idea and having vehicles with full gas tanks is recommended as well

Planning and preparation go a long way toward minimizing the inconvenience – and dangers – of a hurricane. Have a plan, follow it, and be ready.

Hurricane season began in June and ends in November.

 

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! Free Prostate Cancer Screening To Be Held At Maria Parham

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Maria Parham Health is sponsoring a free prostate cancer screening on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cancer Center Director Kim Smith and Hope Breedlove, a social worker who helps clients navigate the process of getting screened, reviewing results and understanding treatment options encourage men in the community to come take part in what they describe as a simple, and necessary, process for early detection of prostate cancer.

Smith and Breedlove spoke with John C. Rose on Monday’s The Local Skinny! and said the two-hour event is free and will observe COVID-19 safety protocols. There is no need to make an appointment – simply show up to the main entrance of the hospital, located on Ruin Creek Road.

As an added bonus, Smith said the “Strollin’ Colon” will be on hand to remind people to schedule their colonoscopies.

Over the last couple of years, regular checkups and screenings may have been postponed because of the ongoing pandemic, but Smith said it’s time to get back on schedule “we’ve got to get our screenings the way we’re supposed to,” she said.

Breedlove said her role as social worker is to help get patients registered, guide them through the process of the screening, then help get lab results out in the mail. If patients need additional follow-up care or treatment of some sort, Breedlove is available to help manage that part of the process, too.

“I get them linked up with the care they need,” Breedlove said.

Men over the age of 50 are more likely to see elevated PSAs, Smith noted. African American males are at a higher risk, and she said it is important to spread the news of the screening throughout the community.

“This is something that has to be done as (men) get older,” she said of the prostate screening.

 

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Oxford Logo

TownTalk: CultureFEST To Liven Up Downtown Oxford (POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 2023)

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UPDATE NOON 9-27-22:

DUE TO FORECAST WEATHER EVENTS, CULTUREFEST ORGANIZERS HAVE MADE THE “DIFFICULT DECISION TO CANCEL AND POSTPONE UNTIL NEXT MAY.”

BE SURE TO READ THE FOLLOWING UPDATED NEWS TEXT:

This Saturday’s CultureFEST in downtown Oxford has been rescheduled, thanks to the likelihood that the area will be dealing with the remnants of Hurricane Ian, now poised to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast tomorrow (Wednesday).

Two of the event organizers  – Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent and Ajulo Othow – were on TownTalk Monday to spread the word about the event, which was going to mark its second year of being held in the parking lot at Littlejohn Street.

Sergent contacted WIZS News Tuesday morning to share the news of the postponement.

“We have made the difficult decision to cancel and postpone until next May,” Sergent said.

With weather forecasts predicting that North Carolina will be hit with heavy rains from the storm, it was a case of better safe than sorry.

ORIGINAL STORY 9-26-22:

The parking lot at Littlejohn Street will be the site for the second annual CultureFEST on Saturday, Oct. 1 in downtown Oxford.

The sights and sounds are local, to be sure, but the flair – and flavor – of the event is international, as dance groups representing the diversity of cultures are featured or all to enjoy. In addition to the dance performances, there will be food trucks and children’s activities during the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Two of the event organizers spoke Monday with John C. Rose on TownTalk. Ajulo Othow expressed appreciation to the City of Oxford and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation for their collaboration and partnership to make CultureFEST a downtown event.

“Our goal is to grow this event from year to year,” said Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent. “We’re excited about the opportunity to bring people from a variety of backgrounds…to enjoy all the different things that culture brings to the table.”

At 11:30 a Hawaiian dance group kicks off a slew of performances that will take the stage through the course of the afternoon. “They did a wonderful job setting the tone last year,” Othow noted. A new group representing the Haliwa Saponi tribe will join this year’s event, and there will Orgullo y Alma Latina presenting traditional dances of Guerrero, Mexico, and the Carolina  Indian Arts performing dances from the Punjab region of India. The African American Dance Ensemble and the Cane Creek Cloggers also will perform.

“It’s going to be a wonderful day!” Othow said. “We’re excited about all of the different performers.”

It was Othow’s mother, the late Dr. Helen Othow, who founded the John Chavis Historical Society and it was this group that started the festival, but it was last year that CultureFEST was held in downtown Oxford for a larger audience.

“We are so grateful to the City of Oxford and the DOEDC for seeing all of the ways in which our community is on display – valuing culture, different ways of performance, dance and music.”

Folks can get a close-up view in demonstrations including tortilla making, glass blowing and the art of karate.

The Food trucks also will serve food representative of a variety of cultures – from the Soul Food of Butner’s Tru Soul to Mexican food provided by Mixed Cultures and Truly Delicious Jamaican-style food, there will be something for everyone.

The St. Cyprian’s Drummers will provide entertainment and if folks recognize some familiar faces in the bluegrass band that will accompany the Cane Creek Cloggers, they will have correctly identified Tim and Brenda Currin of Granville County.

Sergent said CultureFEST is a way to experience different cultures and to break from a natural tendency to stay in our own comfort zones. “We owe the existence of this event to Ajulo’s mom, who always wanted us to do more,” Sergent said, “pushing us to make us do (and) be more than we had been.”

Helen Othow died in January 2022 at the age of 89. There will be a special tribute to her life and legacy during Saturday’s event.

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Henderson Figures Big In 2022 Class Inducted Into Strength Sports Hall Of Fame

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The N.C. State Strength Sports Hall of Fame inducted a dozen power lifters earlier this month in a ceremony at Aycock Rec Center in Henderson, which saved drive time for most of the inductees – most of them live right here in the community.

Henderson inductees honored on Sept. 10 are Joe Daniel, William Hawkins, Bobby Jones, Harry Orr, Casey Orr, Ralph Peace, James Perry, Zelmo Perry, Dennis Renn and Jake Roberson. Paul Bossi and Ed Brooks also were inducted into the hall of fame, according to Harry Orr, who also serves as assistant director for the organization.

And Sara Coffey of Henderson was inducted, “for her commitment, volunteering to fill anything needed to help promote the sport of powerlifting,” Orr said in a statement to WIZS News.

Induction to the Hall of Fame is the highest honor given to the sport of powerlifting in the state, Orr said. “To be from North Carolina and (have) that many people from a small town like Henderson, that makes it special to all of us that live here,” Orr said.

According to its website, there are six induction criteria for candidates to be considered for induction:

  • Be a current resident of NC
  • Be at least 25 years old
  • Have a minimum of 7 years’ participating in weightlifting, power lifting, coaching, refereeing, volunteering and/or strength sports
  • Have demonstrated outstanding participation in the categories of Strength Athletes, Lifter, Coach, Referee and Volunteer
  • Must submit a written resume with details that specify reasons for the specific category that the candidate wishes to represent
  • Be drug-free, with no history of failed drug test

Orr said the organization plans to continue inducting a couple of new members each year.