March on Washington Remembered

Martin Luther King Jr.’s now-iconic “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered at The March on Washington.

As we celebrate Black History Month, please enjoy by clicking play below the first in a weekly series here on WIZS as produced by our Steve Lewis of the WIZS Weekday Wake Up!

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TownTalk: February-March Events In Granville County

From handcrafted coffee mugs to murder mystery dinners, Granville County has a wide range of events to please just about everyone, including prospective brides and individuals who want to immerse themselves in a “Viking experience.”

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen took a deep breath before reeling off a plethora of upcoming events scheduled for the next couple of months across the county. No need to take notes – find details of all the events at https://visitgranvillenc.com/

Here are some highlights:

  • The CupFull show at Cedar Creek Gallery runs through 26. The Creedmoor gallery will have hundreds of functional – and decoratef – handcrafted mugs and cups for sale. The gallery, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., features local artists, as well as craftspeople from across the state, region and nation. Visit www.cedarcreekgallery.com to learn more.
  • It’s a “Party with a purpose,” Allen says, as Mardi Gras returns to Oxford on Friday, Feb. 17 at The Orpheum. This fundraiser benefits the local Boys & Girls Club and returns after a COVID-induced hiatus. Tickets are $75. Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres from local eateries and beverage tickets. A cash bar is available. Cocktail attire suggested – Mardi Gras mask optional. The popular selfie station will be open for photos!
  • The next night, Saturday, Feb. 18, head on over to Thorndale Oaks for a “Death by Disco” murder mystery dinner theater. Dig back into your clothes closets for those vintage 1970’s outfits – you know you’ve got ‘em. The fun is from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. “While you’re eating and having a good time, you’ll be part of a murder mystery,” Allen said. After the mystery has been solved, participants can show some of those smooth ‘70’s moves on the dance floor. Tickets are $75. Call Thorndale Oaks at 919.603.3701 to reserve your seats, and Allen recommends that those calls be made sooner rather than later. “I think this one will fill up fast,” she said. “This one is flat-out fun.”
  • Another fundraiser on the horizon will benefit our furry friends, Allen noted. The Puppy Love Quarters Auction takes place on 25 at The Barn at Vino. Bring your quarters and plan on having some food and fun from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., all to benefit the Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont nonprofit organization. A couple of food trucks will be selling food and there will be vendors on hand from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • A big event will be held Saturday, Mar. 4 at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center designed to provide some one-stop shopping for anyone planning, well, a big event. It’s called the Wedding and Event Expo, and Allen said it will bring a variety of planners under one roof to help anyone planning a special occasion, whether it’s a wedding, an “over-the-top birthday celebration,” anniversary or family reunion.

Representatives from local venues will be present during the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. event, as well as rental companies, balloon artists, invitation and cake designers – just about anyone who can provide a service for individuals planning a celebration.

Tickets are $10. Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/ and find a link to the wedding and event expo for details.

  • The Vikings are set to invade again this year as The Barn at Vino hosts the two-day “Viking Experience” on 25-26. “This is one of the most unique festivals we have in Granville County,” Allen said, with more than 30 characters in full costume interacting with participants throughout the two days of fun, merry-making that provide an “immersive experience through interaction,” according to the group’s website. Visit https://www.thevikingexperiencenc.com/ for ticket information.

Find details about these events – and more – at https://visitgranvillenc.com/

 

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Clothes Moths

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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Horseowners: Annual Coggins Test Key To Reduce Threat Of Disease

-information courtesy of N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences

A total of 17 horses in nine counties across the state have had to be euthanized in the past few months to help prevent spread of equine infectious anemia. Wake County is the closest county to Vance and Granville where an infected horse has been located, according to information from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences.

In addition to Wake County, infected horses have been found in Duplin, Forsyth, Henderson, Mecklenburg, Randolph, Sampson, Surry and Yadkin counties. The majority of the EIA positive cases have been associated with unsanctioned horseracing, the press statement noted.

“All facilities where infectious horses were discovered are placed under quarantine, which restricts movement of equine,” said Dr. Catherine Harris, director of Livestock Health Programs. “The remaining equines will be observed and re-tested in 60 days. We are also monitoring neighboring facilities for the disease.”

The test for EIA is commonly called a Coggins test. There is no approved vaccine for EIA in the United States.

A Coggins clinic is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11 in Granville County. Contact the Granville Cooperative Extension office at 919.603.1350 to make an appointment for the clinic, which will be held at the Southern States in Oxford from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

EIA is an incurable disease commonly spread by biting flies or shared medical equipment between equines, such as horses, mules and donkeys. Clinical signs of EIA include fever, weakness, weight loss, anemia, edema and death. However, many infected equines may not show symptoms. All infected equine, including those that are asymptomatic, are carriers of the disease. The disease does not affect people.

There are typically a small number of cases of EIA in the United States every year, although the disease is common in other parts of the world. EIA is controlled in the United States by regular testing before traveling across state lines and/or exhibition.

To help prevent infection, follow these guidelines:

  • Use sterile, disposable needles and syringes, one per horse, for all vaccines and medications.
  • Test all horses for EIA every year, and at the time they enter a new premises.
  • Keep stables and other facilities sanitary. Regularly clean stalls and properly dispose of manure away from horse stabling areas.
  • Implement approved insect controls, such as insecticides and good drainage of standing water, to minimize fly presence.
  • Only participate in events that require evidence of negative Coggins test.
  • Isolate new horses on a property until they are tested for EIA.
  • Never mix infected and healthy animals. Do not breed horses infected with EIA.

Equine owners who have concerns about their animal’s health should contact their local veterinarian.  “Contact your local veterinary practitioner for more information and to obtain a current Coggins,” said Harris. “In addition, there are several clinics and practitioners offering Coggins and vaccination clinics. These are great opportunities for horse owners to get an updated Coggins test in addition to vaccines for other diseases.” For more information about EIA or other reportable animal diseases please call the Veterinary Division at 919.707.3250 or visit NCDA&CS – Veterinary Division (ncagr.gov).

Mills Appointed To State Economic Development Advisory Council

Granville County Economic Development Director Harry Mills has been appointed to the North Carolina Economic Development Advisory Council, a statewide group that provides advisory direction and support to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

Mills was selected to represent the “North Central Prosperity Zone” along with Michael Haley, executive director of the Wake County Economic Development office.

Mills was appointed to serve on this council by the current members of the EDPNC board, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. He joins the 16-member council which represents eight “prosperity zones” across North Carolina. These zones are determined by the North Carolina Department of Commerce and subdivide the state geographically to provide localized support for economic development projects.

In addition to Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties, the North Central prosperity zone encompasses Person, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Wake, Nash, Edgecombe, Chatham, Wilson, Lee, Harnett and Johnston counties.

“I’m excited to serve on the EDPNC Advisory Council,”Mills said in a press statement. “This is a fantastic group of professionals that work to improve the economic prospects of their communities and North Carolina as a whole. So many of the projects that come to Granville County and other parts of North Carolina would not be possible without the staff and advisory board members that work on behalf of the EDPNC. I’m excited to represent Granville County and I look forward to working with this group of my peers to attract new businesses to North Carolina.”

For more information about the EDPNC, visit https://edpnc.com/.

Warren Youth Baseball, Softball Registration Open Through Feb. 28

Registration for Warren County Parks and Recreation youth baseball and softball leagues is open the month of February. The cost is $10 per person and is for young people between the ages of 4 and 17. High school students interested in registering may register up to 18 years.

Registration can be completed online at www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation.

or by stopping by the Parks and Recreation office in Warrenton, 113 Wilcox St.

For more information or register, please visit the website or call the office at 252.257.2272.

Parks and Recreation is also seeking volunteer coaches for youth basketball season. Submit volunteer application and background check online at www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation.

 

 

 

Home And Garden Show

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

  • Clean and sanitize your seedling trays
  • Buy fertilizer for the mid February application to tall fescue
  • Clean and sharpen pruning equipment. Purchase new equipment if needed.
  • Begin scouting pastures for buttercups. Treatments need to be applied in late Feb.
  • Check spraying equipment. Have one designated sprayer for Roundup.
  • Begin pruning grapevines.
  • Use landscape cloth for weed control in raised beds.
  • Learn more about Spotted Lanternfly so you can keep an eye out for it this spring.
  • Add compost to your raised beds.

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TownTalk: Helping Care Givers Of Those With Dementia

Professional caregivers and family members who care for loved ones with dementia can attend a workshop later this month at Vance-Granville Community College to learn about ways they can manage their roles.

Michael Patterson is a family caregiver specialist with the Kerr-Tar COG, the agency sponsoring the event on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The daylong workshop is $15 for individuals who are caring in some capacity for a family member with dementia and $40 for professional caregivers.

Patterson spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk and he discussed details of the regional workshop, as well as a couple of other programs that may be of interest to caregivers.

Sharing information about available community resources takes up a good bit of Patterson’s time, but that’s his job, he said.

“I like to be an asset to our caregivers in the region. Sometimes, they just need someone they can call and ask questions to,” he said.

The respite voucher is one program that caregivers can access, he said.

This program provides up to $750 that caregivers can use to pay for in-home aid assistance, so they can have a break to run errands or complete other tasks and be assured that the loved one will be cared for in his or her absence.

This program isn’t tied to family income or the person’s financial situation, Patterson said. Rather, it has more to do with the age, diagnosis and the ability of the patient to complete certain daily living tasks, which Patterson calls activities of daily living, or ADL.

Another program involves a community partnership with Harold Sherman Adult Day Care. There are scholarships available to allow patients to spend the day at the center.

“It’s been a great partnership,” Patterson said, adding that he has worked closely with its director to get the partnership established. “It’s a fairly new program and we’re excited about expanding our reach and opportunity.”

The day program enhances patients’ mental capacity and keeps them active and engaged throughout the day, Patterson said.

Dementia expert Teepa Snow will be the featured speaker at the Feb. 21 workshop, and Patterson said she will help participants fine tune communication skills with those individuals suffering from dementia.

It can often be very stressful dealing with family members and loved ones who may ask repetitive questions or exhibit personality changes as a result of their health condition. Knowing how to effectively engage with them may be helpful, he said.

Patterson said the workshop also will help caregivers learn “how to physically approach (dementia sufferers) and how to care and have compassion for those with dementia.”

Workshop participants also will learn differences between early onset dementia, as compared to mid-stage and late-stage dementia.

Learn more at www.Kerrtarcog.org and click on Adult and Aging Services in the options listed.

Email Patterson at mpatterson@kerrtarcog.

 

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