TownTalk: FSU Alumni Bronco Round Up And Send Off Happens July 22

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The local chapter of Fayetteville State Bronco alumni is having its annual Roundup and Sendoff later this month which serves as a way to reconnect with fellow graduates and to wish current students luck as they continue – or begin – their studies at the Fayetteville school.

Alumnae Tannis Jenkins and Katrina Tunstall were guests on Monday’s TownTalk and shared details of the event, which will begin at 2 p.m. on July 23 at Fox Pond Park Shelter 1.

There will be food, fun and fellowship, and FSU alums from the four-county area are encouraged to RSVP Jenkins at 252.213.5977.

“This is a good way for the students who are going to FSU for the first time to connect with people in the area,” Jenkins said. It’s important for college students to have a support system, especially when they may be away from home for the first time.

Current students who attend the July 22 Roundup can learn more about the chapter’s scholarship, which Tunstall said is open to anyone in the four-county area. It is awarded each spring for the upcoming semester.

Students that find themselves in financial straits during the semester can reach out to anyone in the chapter – whether they need some help with purchasing books or other school-related items, the chapter is a resource.

“That’s our goal – to help kids…be successful at Fayetteville State,” Tunstall said.

They have reactivated a mentorship program to connect local alums with current students; mentors keep in touch with students to make sure they have what they need and don’t fall through the cracks as they continue their studies.

The alumni chapter also participates in community events like parades, she said, and work with admissions reps when they meet locally with high school students who may be interested in the school.

Both Jenkins and Tunstall graduated from FSU as transfer students.

Tunstall said her college experience began at Xavier University in New Orleans, but she found it wasn’t a good fit for her.

“Fayetteville State was just the right size, the right distance from home,” she added.

Jenkins concurs. “It was very nurturing,” she said, and it helped her on her career path that led her to school counseling in several N.C. counties, including Vance and Warren.

Fayetteville State is “like a small town in a big city,” she said.

Learn more about Fayetteville State University at https://www.uncfsu.edu/.

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TownTalk: Changes Coming To FNS And WIC Programs

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Recipients of WIC and SNAP benefits can expect to see some changes to the programs, now that exceptions brought about by the federal public health emergency have ended.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services administers both programs – WIC stands for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It is also called Food Nutrition Services, or FNS.

According to information from NC DHHS, more than 260,000 North Carolinians are currently enrolled in WIC, and about 1.6 million North Carolinians currently receive FNS benefits. Beneficiaries in the WIC and FNS programs should take action to keep their contact information up to date with these programs and be on the lookout for official mail, emails or texts from the programs.

Some of the restrictions were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when supply chain disruptions created shortages in WIC-eligible foods such as particular types of milk, yogurt and whole grain breads. After Aug. 1, substitutions will end. Families can access their WIC shopping list or access the BNFT® app to identify which food benefits are on their eWIC card.

A full list of approved brand, size and form of foods that can be purchased with WIC can be found on the NC WIC Program Shopping Guide; individual products can also be scanned at the store using the BNFT® app to check for eligibility.

For more information about the WIC program, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwic.

Some changes in North Carolina include:

Six-month recertifications: Most households again will need to recertify every six months to continue receiving FNS benefits. FNS beneficiaries will receive their recertifications in the mail, and it will indicate the date by which they need to submit the recertification to their local Department of Social Services.

Suspensions of claims collections: Some North Carolina households have received FNS overpayments. While repayments were suspended during the PHE, these overpayments are now to be repaid by the beneficiaries through a repayment plan with their local DSS. FNS beneficiaries will be notified if there are new overpayments that must be repaid and will receive instructions about how to make payment arrangements.

Three specific groups of FNS recipients will also be uniquely affected by the end of the PHE:

College Students: The exemption for college students is no longer available. During the PHE, students with $0 family contribution noted on their FAFSA could receive FNS benefits.

Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents: An ABAWD is a FNS applicant or recipient who is between the ages of 18-49, physically and mentally capable of employment and not responsible for or living in a household with a minor child. With the conclusion of the PHE, the ABAWD time limit on benefits goes back into effect, meaning ABAWDs can receive FNS benefits for only three months in a three-year period unless certain extra work requirements or exemptions are met.

Individuals with class H or I felony convictions: A substance abuse assessment will again be required for anyone convicted of a class H or I felony as part of the eligibility process. Individuals will be required to complete the assessment at application or their next recertification.

For more information about the FNS program, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/fns. To apply for benefits online, visit epass.nc.gov.

To learn more about additional food resources, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/foodresources.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Children’s Events At Perry Memorial Library

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Perry Memorial Library’s summer programs continue this week with a variety of fun and games, according to Children’s Service Director Melody Peters.

Bring the kids and enjoy a movie Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., then stay for a game of BINGO, Peters said during a conversation recorded with WIZS co-host Bill Harris that was played on-air Monday during The Local Skinny!

The movie, Big Hero 6, is a 2014 animated movie that includes robots, good guys and bad guys.

Stay for BINGO at 4:30 p.m. and kids might just learn a little math, Peters said, because this BINGO is all about money.

In these days of debit cards and online payments, Peters said children often miss out on learning about money, specifically coins.

This program is for children in grades K-12, and there will be more difficult BINGO cards for the older players, she said.

Then, on Thursday, the weekly storytime will have a summertime theme.

The Lego club continues to meet on Thursday afternoons as well. The fun begins at 4 p.m.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn more.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Spiders In Homes

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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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Now’s The Time To Think About Entering A State Fair Exhibit

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-information courtesy of the N.C. State Fair Press Office

October seems a long way off, but for anyone interested in entering any of the competitions at the annual N.C. State Fair, fall is just around the corner.

The fair is slated for Oct. 12-22 in Raleigh and its Competitive Exhibits Coordinator John Buettner wants to make sure all prospective exhibitors have plenty of time to check out rules and deadlines for all the different exhibit categories.

Whether it’s culinary arts, handicrafts and hobbies, livestock exhibitions, horticulture or something else, there probably is a competition for most everyone to enter.

“We have a lot of classic categories and even a few new categories for competitions, and only a few require an entry fee” Buettner stated. Now is the time to read about competition rules and deadlines.

“With 4,027 classes of competitions available for entry, there is truly something for everyone. We love to see all of the talent in our state, so don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of one of North Carolina’s most cherished traditions,” he added.

To enter a competition, go to ncstatefair.org and click on competitions. The website offers a guide to all competitions, events and attractions visitors can expect during this year’s fair. Entrants can start registering online now. The deadline for submitting entries is Sept. 15, but don’t hesitate to enter in your preferred competitions early.

All contest entrants are required to submit W-9 forms along with their entry submissions. This ensures that necessary tax-related information is collected from participants. Guides and sample forms can be found on the Fair’s official website, ncstatefair.org.

The N.C. State Fair works with ShoWorks, a data management software, to compile entries. Entry forms can be mailed in or entered using the ShoWorks website or app.

“We are always excited to see what competitiors bring each year,” Buetnner said. “Whether it’s your first time entering or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s a great idea to get started early on your entries.”

Granville Hosts Five-County Beef Tour July 21

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Granville County is hosting the 2023 Five County Beef Tour on Friday, July 21. Participants will visit several spots across the county to learn about different aspects of cattle production.

Registration is open until July 14, according to information from Kim Woods, livestock agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Granville Center. The counties that rotate hosting the tour are Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Wake, but participants from other counties are welcome to attend.

The tour will begin at 8 a.m. at the Butner Bull Test Station, 8800 Cassam Rd., Butner. The second stop will be Mill Creek Farm, owned by Randy and Barbara Guthrie. The Guthries have a heifer development program.

The final stop will be High Rock Farm, owned by Beth and David Hollister. The Hollisters have a stocker/finisher operation.

The group will have lunch at High Rock, during which

Evan Davis with NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation Division is scheduled to discuss farmland preservation. The tour should conclude around 2 p.m.

Carpooling is encouraged.

Pre-registration is required. Contact Woods at kim_woods@ncsu.edu or 919.603.1350 to learn more.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5-county-beef-tour-tickets-650768063797.

Maria Parham Health Releases 2022 Economic Impact Report

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-information courtesy of Donna Young, Maria Parham Market Coordinator, Communication and Marketing

Individuals depend on Maria Parham Health to provide health care and other services ranging from emergency room visits to outpatient rehabilitation therapy and cancer care.

In addition to the health care, however, the hospital also affects the economic health of the community in the way it supports local endeavors. When it’s all added up, the report concludes that MPH is responsible for a total of $66,180,877, from donations to local non-profits and tax payments to providing care to those who can’t afford it and adding more than 70 new providers to its campus.

Maria Parham has published its 2022 community benefit report, which outlines the various ways the hospital continues to invest in the health and economic vitality of the Henderson/Vance County community as part of its mission of making communities healthier®, according to Donna Young, MPH market coordinator, communication and marketing.

“For more than 97 years, Maria Parham Health has been proud to call Henderson/Vance County our home, and as a leader in our community, we are continually seeking ways to make a positive impact for those we serve,” said Bert Beard, MPH chief executive officer

“This year’s report underscores our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality care possible – both inside and outside our hospital walls.”

Maria Parham Health’s 2022 community benefit report highlights its continued efforts to meet the growing healthcare needs of its community through welcoming new providers, adding and expanding service lines and continually investing in its facilities and healthcare technology. For example, in 2022, Maria Parham Health added 73 providers in cardiology, oncology, internal and emergency medicine, pathology, telemedicine, anesthesiology, general surgery, rehabilitation, radiology and behavioral health; and made nearly $3.6 million in capital improvements, including new equipment like workstations in the pharmacy, an energy study for more efficiency, and updated endoscopy and communications equipment.

Additionally, Maria Parham Health made a donation of more than $57.2 million in health services to those in need, demonstrating its continuous commitment to ensuring everyone has access to care, regardless of their ability to pay.

Maria Parham Health is also devoted to creating environments where providers want to practice, and employees want to work. In 2022, the hospital distributed more than $64,700,00 in salaries, wages and benefits for its more than 700 employees, while contributing more than $68,000 in professional development and tuition assistance so all its employees can have the opportunity to learn, grow and improve the care they provide their patients.

Last year, the organization paid $8,519,012 in local and state taxes, while also continuing its support of local activities and organizations committed to serving the region, including ACTS of Vance County, United Way, Vance County Relay for Life, Crimestoppers, and more.

“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community who entrusts us with their care and for the hard work and dedication of our providers, employees and volunteers who make it all possible,” said Beard. “As we continue our recovery from the many industry impacts of COVID-19 and look ahead to the future, we remain committed to honoring our legacy while further enhancing the many ways we serve our neighbors and communities.”

View the complete report at  https://www.mariaparham.com/community-benefit-report