TownTalk: Business Spotlight – Vanco Crawl Space

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Will Bumgarner said the work his team at Vanco Crawlspace and Restoration does isn’t glamorous or fancy. In fact, he described it as dirty, nasty work. But it’s good, honest work, he said. And when homeowners or business owners need professionals to take care of problems under their homes or businesses, Vanco is the one to call.

Vanco Crawlspace and Restoration is the newest member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, and Bumgarner said he’s been in business for about 4 ½ years. The company’s general manager is Angel Perez.

The company has two teams that do all kinds of work in crawlspaces from insulation and sump pumps to foundation drainage, mold remediation and installing dehumidifiers.

“Pretty much anything that’s underneath a house, we handle,” Bumgarner said during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Chamber office.

They’re based in Henderson and serve Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties, but they also do work from Greensboro to the coast.

“My game plan is to provide that (top) level of service for Henderson so the citizens of this county don’t have to look elsewhere,” Bumgarner said.

Sam Seifert, a member of the Chamber board, was among a handful of local dignitaries on hand to welcome Bumgarner to the Chamber.

Seifert said he’d recently had to go under his own house and said he’d likely be calling Vanco soon. “I appreciate you and Angel who are doing that kind of work,” Seifert said. “I appreciate keeping it local.”

Call Vanco Crawlspace and Restoration at 919.999.9572 or visit www.vancocrawlspace.com to learn more.

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Estate Sale To Benefit American Cancer Society In Full Swing Through Saturday, July 19

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To some, she’s Sally Garrett. Others call her Frances. And sometimes it seems like she’s doing the work of two people – or more. But whatever name she answers to, rest assured that she’ll tell you right quick why she enjoys raising money for the American Cancer Society.

Garrett is a five-time cancer survivor, she told WIZS’s Scout Hughes when he sat down to talk with her during the estate sale, going on now at the former INCO building at 602 S. Garnett St.

She was doing some research after completing treatment for her third bout with cancer, and she said, “Every treatment that I had at that time had been funded or partially funded by the American Cancer Society,” and that’s when she decided to do something to help keep that research going.

Each year, a representative from each Congressional district goes to Washington, D.C. to present their checks from fundraising efforts.

And last year, this Congressional district was the largest contributor, she said.

The estate sale concept is part of the success, she noted. Auctions had sort of run their course, she said, and once the idea of having an estate sale format gained traction, they were off to the races.

“We just did great,” she said. “We made $14,000 that first sale and that really fired us all up…we can do this!”

She said it speaks well of the community the size of Henderson and Vance County that she and her team of volunteers can raise that kind of money. “It all comes from friends getting together and doing something we love,” she said.

Not to brag, but Sally & Friends was the top fundraiser group at last year’s Relay for Life in Granville County with $30,000 going to the cause to find a cure for cancer.

“You have an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life,” Garrett said. “We don’t know who this money is going to help, but it’s going to help somebody…it could be my family, your family or somebody across the world.”

The sale is scheduled to continue through the week, but Garrett said it would depend on how many items are left and how many people are coming in to shop.

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The following was the original post of this story on Friday, July 11, 2025:

Come check out the items up for grabs at the annual estate sale to benefit the American Cancer Society. Sally Garrett and Friends are conducting the sale, which kicked off Thursday and continues through the weekend.

Stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and then 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The sale picks up again on Tuesday, July 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and could continue as long as Sunday, July 20, depending on how sales go, said Frances Garrett, one of the organizers.

This is the second year for the sales, said Chuck Martin, another volunteer who helps with the sale. The items are donated by people who may be downsizing or who have things left from other sales. This sale takes place at the former INCO building, located at 602 S. Garnett St, and features furniture, home furnishings and more.

Visit https://www.estatesales.net/ to see photos of the featured items.

“Every dime goes to the Cancer Society,” said Martin. “Sally Garrett represents the American Cancer Society and assures that all money raised is accounted for and deposited with the state ACS in Raleigh,” he added.

The building space is donated by Jason Stewardson.

July 24 Workshop To Discuss Land Ownership, Preservation And Heirs’ Property

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The N.C. Cooperative Extension, in partnership with faculty and staff at N.C. State University, N.C. A&T State University, the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute and other entities, will host a workshop about land ownership rights, heirs’ property and land preservation.

The daylong workshop is free – includes lunch – and is scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 24 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson.

This is an educational workshop designed to share information about land ownership rights, land use, as well as land preservation.

Register for the workshop at https://go.ncsu.edu/vcheirsproperty.

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Native Plants

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Planting native plants can improve your landscape while helping the environment.

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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NCDMV Offers 2-Year Extension For Driver License Renewals

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— information courtesy of the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles

North Carolina drivers have two extra years to renew their driver licenses, thanks to Senate Bill 391 and efforts by the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles reduce wait times and long lines at DMV offices across the state.

The new law went into effect July 1, but there are some exceptions that drivers need to know about: the law is only for Class C licenses, which is the standard passenger vehicle license, and it’s for in-state driving.

The moratorium, in effect through Dec. 31, 2027, applies only to Class C licenses and allows continued in-state driving privileges during the two-year grace period, according to information from the NCDMV. “Expired licenses will not be valid for any purpose other than establishing the license holder’s driving privilege, including identification purposes and air travel, and may not be recognized by other states or federal entities. The moratorium does not apply to commercial driver licenses, or any licenses that are suspended, revoked, or cancelled,” the NCDMV statement read.

“Thank you to the Legislature and Governor for this temporary measure to provide flexibility for North Carolina drivers while we work to address the increased demand for our services,” said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. “Customers may present expired Class C licenses for in-state driving privileges only if the expiration date is July 1, 2025, or later. However, we advise our customers to renew their licenses to ensure they remain valid for identification purposes, including to fly, rent a car, get a bank loan, fill a prescription and have documents notarized.”

Saturday Service Hours Resume at 20 Locations

Beginning again this weekend, and through Aug. 23, NCDMV will offer walk-in services at 20 locations on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., no appointment needed. Available services include driver license and ID card renewals, duplicates, address changes, REAL ID issuance, and road tests for those who have completed knowledge and written tests.

Before visiting, check if your needs can be met online. NCDMV provides many services digitally, such as license and ID renewals, duplicates, address changes, and voter registration applications. Visit https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/online/Pages/default.aspx to find out if you can conduct your business online instead of heading to the local DMV office.

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Schedule from Then to Now

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SportsTalk 12:30 p.m. M-Th

Scout Hughes and George Hoyle talk about the Vance County football schedule for 2025, in comparison to 2024. The guys also discuss a few of Vance County’s opponents from a historical perspective.

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Masonic Home for Children

MHCO Gala Features UNC Basketball Legend Phil Ford

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The 3rd annual charity gala for the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford was a success by all accounts. Attendees enjoyed fellowship over the course of the evening, and the live and silent auctions proved a fun way to raise money to support the children and families that MHCO serves.

But credit long-time Mason Gene Cobb with landing the guest speaker for the evening. They’d known each other since college, when Cobb was manager of the basketball team.

The school? Carolina.

The speaker? None other than Number 12 himself, Phil Ford.

“He kept the stats my senior game against Duke,” Ford told WIZS. In fact, Cobb presented the UNC legendary point guard with that stat sheet, along with a piece of the net that was cut down in that 87-83 win over the Blue Devils in Carmichael Auditorium in 1978.

“He’s a great friend…he’s been a Mason for years and he asked me to speak,” Ford continued.

MHCO Marketing & Events Coordinator Charlie Roberson said, “His heartfelt words, shared wisdom, and connection to The Masonic Home for Children made the evening even more impactful and inspiring for all who attended.”

Ford said he’d visited the Oxford home to spend time with the kids there when he was at Carolina, and later when he was playing pro ball.

“Any time you can do something for kids, or do something for someone else that really can’t do anything to pay you back,” Ford said, you will reap rewards later.

“So many people have stepped up and helped me in my life with the things that I’ve been through,” Ford said. “Coach Smith, my family. I don’t know where I would be without them.”

And that was the message that Ford had for those at the gala. “Basically, it was just thanking them for having the heart and the will to want to do something for someone else…for our fellow man,” Ford said.

Offering encouragement to others who share a passion for service and giving back to the community is a message that never goes out of style. And MHCO leadership recognized the efforts of its staff for their dedication to the children in residence, those in attendance for their support at the gala and throughout the year, and to the numerous Masonic groups and other individuals who sponsored the event.

“A special thanks goes to our generous sponsors, whose unwavering support and generosity made this event possible. Your commitment to our cause plays a vital role in ensuring that every child at The Masonic Home for Children receives the care, education, and love they deserve,” Roberson said in a press release following the event.

Sponsors include Wayne Baker, Eddie Gaskins, Luther Starling Jr., Braxton & Vickie Jones, Steve Safrit, Brandon & Terri Dunn, Larry Thompson, Larry Payne, The Herring Family, Oxford Orphanage Alumni Assoc., North Carolina Masonic Foundation, Randy Cline, Oasis Shriners, Pinnacle Financial, Patricia and Lou Smith, Amran Shriners, Sudan Shriners, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Otis, Steve Norris, Athelstan, Allan Mann, Johnny Surles, City of Oxford, Raleigh York Rite, WhiteStone Masonic & Eastern Star Community and Granville Medical Center.

To learn more about the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, visit www.mhc-oxford.org.

The Local Skinny! Vance Co. Tourism Reports Record Attendance For Independence Day Celebration At Satterwhite Point

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— information courtesy of Vance County Tourism

Satterwhite Point Park was THE place to be over the Independence Day holiday, and tourism and park officials said the daylong celebration on Saturday, July 5 brought out thousands of people to enjoy lakeside activities.

Pam Hester with Vance County Tourism called it “an unprecedented turnout,” which featured food vendors, music and more leading up to the evening’s fireworks display.

According to State Parks Superintendent Bill Stanley, “This is the first time in 10 years I can remember hitting the complete parking capacity.”

According to State Parks traffic counter, 2,167 vehicles entered the park on Saturday, July 5. Using a standard estimate of three occupants per vehicle, that means at least 6,501 people attended the park alone.

And that doesn’t count the hundreds who arrived by boat or who gathered at nearby locations to view the show.

Campsite usage hit peak levels, too, and the campground reached 100 percent capacity well before the weekend of the Fourth. A limited number of sites, typically held back for emergencies such as double bookings or maintenance issues, were also fully utilized by Saturday, according to Hester. “The strong demand reaffirms that visitors specifically plan their vacations around the annual celebration. State Parks reported approximately $28,000 in park fees collected, directly tied to the influx of holiday visitors and fireworks anticipation.”

Local vendors benefited significantly from the crowd, too. Food and novelty vendors reported selling out before the end of the evening.

Participating businesses included: Bob’s Wind Planes, Ships, and Novelties; Bun on the Run; De Tocho Morocho; DPC Concessions; Hudson’s Grill & Chili; Kernel Craze; King Southern Style Cooking; Ninja Realty; R J’s Grill; and Taba’s Facepainting.

The event would not be possible without the support of local agencies, volunteers and the community. Their collective effort delivered a safe, fun and memorable celebration for all in attendance.

  • Bill Stanley and every member of the State Parks Team go above and beyond!
  • Vance County Rescue
  • NC HWY Patrol
  • Vance County Sherrif’s Office
  • Vance County EMS
  • NC DOT
  • NC Wildlife Commission
  • NC Fire Marshal
  • Vance County Fire Marshal
  • Vance County Fire Department
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Hicksboro Fire Department
  • Vance County Commissioners
  • Chris Senter
  • A Fresh Potti
  • Warren County DOT
  • Granville County Emergency Management
  • DJ Jay
  • Pyro Shows East Coast
  • The Daily Dispatch
  • WIZS Radio
  • Tom Burleson, Graham Nobles, Larry Allen

 

 

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