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Black History Month, Local Authors & More Part of Granville’s Feb. Events

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

Don’t miss these exciting events happening in Granville County:

“MY FORMER LIFE,” a program offered through Granville County Senior Services’ Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program, continues on Friday, Jan. 31 with guest speaker Tyson Laney, who will share his life experiences as a Vietnam Combat Veteran, N.C. Wildlife Officer, private investigator and musician. He may even share a song or two! This FREE program is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Granville County Senior Center, 107 Lanier Street in Oxford. Contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for more information.

ADULT CRAFTERNOONS will be held at all branches of the Granville County Library System in February as participants learn to make wax melts. Sessions will be held at the Thornton Library in Oxford on Feb. 3 (6:30 p.m.), at the South Branch in Creedmoor on Feb. 4 (6:30 p.m.), at the Berea Branch on Feb. 6 (5:30 p.m.) and at the Stovall Branch on Feb. 10 (2 p.m.) Registration is recommended so that materials can be reserved. Call Adult Services Librarian Stefani Perry at 919-693-1121 to reserve your seat!

FEBRUARY IS “BLACK HISTORY MONTH!” The Granville County Library System will celebrate this annual observance with two free programs on African-American Voting Rights, presented by Sallyann Marable Hobson. On Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m., learn more about Granville County and Post Civil War North Carolina at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor, followed by programs on Feb. 12 (2:20 p.m.) and Feb. 24 (6:30 p.m.) at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford. The 2020 theme for Black History Month is “African-Americans and the Vote.” All are welcome to attend.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Line dancing classes are scheduled for Saturdays during the month of February at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Instructed by Tracie Green, classes will be held at 10 a.m. and at 11 a.m. through Feb. 29. Contact Marilyn Howard of the Creative Lifelong Learning program (919-693-1930) for details! All ages are invited to participate.

LOCAL AUTHOR DISCUSSIONS are scheduled at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on Feb. 1 and on Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. On Feb. 1, meet Brenda Yancey, author of “After Cancer: A Family’s Journey to Normalcy.” Yancey will discuss how a stage 4 cancer diagnosis changed the life of her family forever and how faith helped her family through this crisis. Dr. Jason Miller will follow on Feb. 16 with a discussion of his new novel “Langston Hughes,” which provides insight on Hughes’ works, as well as his influence on the Civil Rights movement. Contact Adult Librarian Stefani Perry at 919-693-1121 for more information.

UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE programs are being offered through Feb. 18 at the Granville County Senior Center, 107 Lanier Street in Oxford. Instructed by the Families Living Violence Free organization, these informative sessions are being held each Tuesday from 1 until 2 p.m. and are open to the public at no charge. Participants will learn about healthy relationships, personal boundaries, how children are impacted and more. Call Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for details.

AMERICAN MAH-JONGG is a card game that derives from the ancient Chinese and is increasing in popularity. The game of skill (and luck) is being taught by Joyce Martin on Mondays during the month of February at 3:15 p.m. at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. There is no fee to attend this class. Contact CLL Coordinator Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for details. (Limit 8 players).

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Granville Commissioners’ Retreat Scheduled for Jan. 30-31

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold a retreat on Thursday, January 30 and Friday, January 31, 2020, at the Granville Expo & Convention Center – 4185 Highway 15, Oxford.

The January 30 session will be a dinner meeting held from 4:30 – 9 p.m. The January 31 session will be an all-day meeting from 8:15 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Retreat Agenda includes:

Thursday, January 30, 2020

1. 4:30 p.m. – Call to Order, Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance

2. 4:35 p.m. – Welcome and Comments from Board Members

3. 5:00 p.m. – Dinner and Presentation by Fred Johnson (during dinner starting @ 5:15 p.m.)

4. 6:25 p.m. – Break

5. 6:40 p.m. – Update from Municipalities

A. Mayor Bobby Wheeler & City Manager Korena Weichel

B. Mayor Casey Dover & Mayor Pro-Tem Susan Cope

C. Mayor Janet Parrott

D. Mayor Jackie Sergent & City Manager Alan Thornton

E. Mayor Terry Turner & Town Manager Tommy Marrow

6. 7:40 p.m. – School System Update on School Social Workers or Other Matters

7. 8:00 p.m. – Break

8. 8:15 p.m. – Legislative Issues & Update

A. Senator Mike Woodard

B. Representative Larry Yarborough

C. Representative Terry Garrison

9. 9:00 p.m. – Recess

Friday, January 31, 2020

1. 8:15 a.m. – Breakfast & Networking Opportunity

2. 8:45 a.m. – Call to Order

3. 8:50 a.m. – Presentation from Masonic Home for Children Oxford

4. 9:00 a.m. – Economic and Development Services

A. Economic Development (10 minutes)

B. Planning & Zoning (15 minutes)

C. Building Inspections (10 minutes)

D. Construction Administration (15 minutes)

5. 9:50 a.m. – Break

6. 10:00 a.m. – Law Enforcement Center Project Update

7. 10:35 a.m. – Animal Management Update

8. 11:00 a.m. – Social Services Update

9. 11:25 a.m. – Senior Services Update

10. 11:50 a.m. – Lunch, Discussion & Break

11. 12:45 p.m. – Board Comments from Lunch with Department Heads

12. 1:15 p.m. – County Administration Update

A. Budget Calendar Review & Review of Process

B. Review of Financial Condition & Debt

C. Local Economic Trends & Conditions

D. Review & Discussion of Open Projects

E. Strategic Plan Update

13. 2:35 p.m. – Break

14. 2:45 p.m. – Follow-Up Discussions from Retreat Items and Key Take Away Items

15. 3:15 p.m. – County Manager Recap

16. 4:00 p.m. – Adjourn

Yancey Shares Family’s Cancer Journey With New Book

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville County’s own Brenda Yancey is the first author scheduled for a series of book discussions at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford during the month of February. This book signing and special program will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 1.

Author Brenda Yancey with her recently-published book “After Cancer: A Family’s Journey to Normalcy.” (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)

Yancey’s book, “After Cancer: A Family’s Journey to Normalcy,” describes how her family depended on their faith to guide them through one of the darkest times in their lives. After her husband Larry received a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer in 2008, the Yanceys’ world was turned upside down. The life her family once knew, she said, was over – and a “new normal” was expected as family members struggled to accept the diagnosis and the impact it made on each of their lives.

“Every person has to make the decision to do what he (or she) feels is best, and what they feel God is leading them to do,” Yancey says in her book. “Every person is different, and each has to do what it takes to handle the situation.”

When the couple received the diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Yancey describes their reaction on hearing the news. While she fought back tears she had promised would not come, her husband was quiet as he carefully listened. “Okay,” she wrote. “We are going to trust God and take him at his Word.”

Through this newly-released book, Yancey tells the touching story of the support of her close-knit family and friends, the perseverance of her husband as he fought his battle with cancer and survived, and the choices she had to make concerning her own health. The book was written, she says, to encourage and help build up the faith of others who may be facing their own health battles. On Saturday, she will be sharing her own family’s experiences and signing copies of her work after the discussion.

“Life is good for us because we wake up every morning having a new appreciation for life,” she concludes. “When you come out of an experience like this, you see life totally different, and you understand that life is precious.”

A second local author discussion is scheduled for Saturday, February 16 with special guest Dr. Jason Miller. Miller will be introducing his latest novel, “Langston Hughes,” and will be providing insight into Hughes’ life as the first black author in America. This program will also begin at 2 p.m.

The Richard H. Thornton Library is located at 210 Main Street in Oxford and is one of four branches of the Granville County Library System. For more details about the Local Author Discussion series, contact Stefani Perry, Adult Librarian at 919-693-1121. To learn more about upcoming events scheduled at all four library branches, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us.

Granville County Tourism

Granville Tourism Development Authority Offers Grant Opportunities

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The Granville Tourism Development Authority (GTDA) is now accepting grant applications for the upcoming fiscal year.

The primary purpose of the GTDA’s mini-grant program is to assist Granville County organizations and agencies in the promotion and marketing of events and activities that encourage tourism and create an economic impact from visitor spending. The goal is to help stimulate events/activities that can grow and eventually thrive on their own merit, without direct funding. Any approved funding should be considered as a supplemental resource only.

Applicants eligible for grant funding must be a Granville County-based community group, nonprofit organization, county municipality or recognized community within the county lines. For-profit groups cannot apply for grant funding unless the event’s proceeds will go to a community-supported event.

Projects to be considered should encourage out-of-county visitors, with primary consideration given to those that promote the GTDA’s mission of marketing the area as a travel destination. (The tourism industry’s definition of a “visitor” is an individual trekking outside of 50 miles to attend an event or activity.) Events planned for off-peak times may receive higher priority.

Total funding of any event, project or program will not be greater than 25 percent of the total project budget and will not exceed $5,000. Included with the request can be a one-time artist/entertainment allowance of up to $1,000.

Grants applications will be accepted until April 3, 2020, for inclusion in the upcoming fiscal year (July 2020 through June 2021). The GTDA Board will review applications and will be prepared to make recommendations for approval during their May board meeting. Award recipients will be notified after July 1, 2020, when the new fiscal year begins.

Applications are available online or through the Granville County Tourism Development Office, 124 Hillsboro Street in Oxford. Visit www.granvillecounty.org/visitors/ to access the application or to learn more about grant requirements and/or the review process. Those interested may also contact Angela Allen, Tourism Director, at 919-693-6125 or angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

Granville County Public Schools

‘Kitchen Table Conversation’ to Focus on GCPS Strategic Plan

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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

Please plan to come out and join the discussion during Granville County Public Schools’ “Kitchen Table Conversation” on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. The event will be held at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford from 6 until 8 p.m.

The discussion will focus on the district’s Strategic Plan and critical topics related to the success of GCPS.

This event is open to the community; everyone who has a vested interest in the school district is welcome.

Fairytale Characters to Take Over McGregor Hall!

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center is gearing up for its presentation of “Into the Woods,” a fully staged Broadway-style musical presented with a live, professional orchestra.

Evening performances include Sat., February 1, Fri., February 7 and Sat., February 8 at 8 p.m. Matinee performances will be offered at 2 p.m. on Sun., February 2 and Sun., February 9, 2020.

Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece “Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, entwining the classic stories of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood with an original story about a baker and his wife wishing to start a family and live a more wonderful life. The moral of this story? Be careful what you wish for!

Tickets for this event may be purchased by:

DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Granville Commissioners Call Special Meeting on JTOH Lease Appeal

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

Notice of Special Meeting

All interested persons please take notice that the Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at 4 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center located at 4185 Highway 15 South, Oxford.

The purpose of the Special Meeting is to continue the hearing on the appeal requested by Oxford Preparatory School pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (N.C.G.S.) 115C-218.35.

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VGCC Continues Enrollment Growth Trend

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is celebrating good news to begin 2020. The fall 2019 semester that recently ended brought growth in enrollment along with an 11% increase in course hours completed in both credit (curriculum) and non-credit programs.

In addition, the college has started the new spring semester off seeing an increase in credit program enrollment over the same time last year.

As of the beginning of the spring semester in January, VGCC had 2,939 students enrolled in curriculum programs. That represents an 8% increase compared to the beginning of the spring 2019 semester when enrollment stood at 2,719.

A significant source of the increase was enrollment by high school students in the Career & College Promise program. There were 4.6% more of those students enrolled than there were at the beginning of spring 2019.

“We are excited about the increasing number of students who have chosen VGCC to pursue their higher education and prepare for a successful career,” said Dr. Levy Brown, the college’s vice president of learning, student engagement and success. “Student access, retention and career preparation are embedded in our daily work, and it shows!”

“We attribute this growth to a lot of collaboration among our talented faculty and staff across our four campuses,” added Kali Brown, VGCC’s dean of student access and support. “This is a collective effort, and we are glad to see outstanding things happening at VGCC under the leadership of President Desmarais. The college will continue to collaborate internally and externally to provide a top-notch educational experience.”

Established in 1969, VGCC offers more than 40 credit programs, in which students work toward certificates, diplomas and degrees. Area residents and businesses can also take advantage of a variety of continuing education/job training opportunities, as well as the High School Equivalency and Adult High School Diploma programs. High school students can get a step ahead by starting their college education early with VGCC courses.

The college has four campuses – one each in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties – and offers online programs, as well. The new “Vanguard Flex” program is offering flexible, hybrid schedules in the evenings and weekends on the Franklin Campus in Louisburg, to accommodate schedules for adult learners.

Additionally, VGCC has classes starting in February and March for students to enroll in our 12 and 8-week term options.

For more information about the college, visit www.vgcc.edu.

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Plenty of Community Events Offered in Granville This Winter

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

JOURNALING FOR BEGINNERS is being offered at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on Saturday, Jan. 25. Sharon Swanson, an award-winning essayist and Manager of Arts and Health at Duke University Hospital in Durham, will provide information on how regular expressive writing can improve overall health, mood and working memory while reducing stress. The session is scheduled for 2 p.m. Contact Adult Librarian Stefani Perry for details at 919-693-1121.

UNDERSTANDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE programs are being offered through Feb. 18 at the Granville County Senior Center, 107 Lanier Street in Oxford. Instructed by the Families Living Violence Free organization, these informative sessions are being held each Tuesday from 1 until 2 p.m. and are open to the public at no charge. Participants will learn about healthy relationships, personal boundaries, how children are impacted and more. Call Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for details.

LOCAL AUTHOR DISCUSSIONS are scheduled at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on Feb. 1 and on Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. On Feb. 1, meet Brenda Yancey, author of “After Cancer: A Family’s Journey to Normalcy.” Yancey will discuss how a stage 4 cancer diagnosis changed the life of her family forever and how faith helped her family through this crisis.

Dr. Jason Miller will follow on Feb. 16 with a discussion of his new novel “Langston Hughes,” which provides insight on Hughes’ works, as well as his influence on the Civil Rights movement. Contact Adult Librarian Stefani Perry at 919-693-1121 for more information.

LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH! Classes for beginners and beyond are offered Wednesdays through Feb. 26 at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. Instruction in “Beginner Spanish” is scheduled for 9 a.m. followed by “Conversational Spanish” at 11 a.m. Instructors are Herve Sergent and Laura Gabel. To learn more about the Creative Lifelong Learning program, contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930.

FUN WITH LEGOS! Kids up to 6th grade are invited to compete in a Lego competition on Saturday, Jan. 25. Presented by the Granville County Library System, this contest will be held at the Richard H. Thornton Library from 2 until 4 p.m., with no registration required. Those interested should check-in at the Kids Area upon arrival. Prizes will be awarded and creations will be on display. Contact Amy Carlson, Children’s Librarian at 919-693-1121.

BARN QUILT PAINTING CLASSES continue with instructor Reba McInnis. Classes are offered through the Creative Lifelong Learning Program and are scheduled Jan. 30 and Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Granville County Senior Center, 107 Lanier Street, in Oxford. Registration is required. Contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for more details and for a fee schedule.

CREATE YOUR OWN WORK OF ART with “Adult Crafternoons” at your local branch of the Granville County Library System. Sessions in Watercolor continue on Jan. 22 at the South Branch in Creedmoor (6:30 p.m.) Registration is NOT required. Contact Adult Librarian Stefani Perry at 919-693-1121 for details.

LOCAL QUILTERS, OR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN HOW, can join the Berea Library’s Quilting Club, which meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the Berea Branch, 1211 Hwy 158. For details, call 919-693-1231.

MAKE HANDMADE THANK YOU NOTES with instructor Cheryl Munro. Offered through Granville County Senior Services’ Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program, this course continues on Mondays throughout the month of January at 1:30 p.m. Registration is required. Contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for more information about this class and others offered through CLL.

T’AI CHI CLASSES are offered at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford through March 10. Instructor Peter Kay, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the Chinese art, provides instruction for beginners as well as a continuation class. Those interested should contact Creative Lifelong Learning coordinator Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930.

THE ROAD TO WORLD WAR I is a course offered through the Creative Lifelong Learning Program and is offered Mondays through March 2 at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford. The instructor is George Robinson, who provides historical information that spans from the Civil War to the firing of the first shots in “The War to End All Wars.” Call 919-693-1930 for more information.

COME SEW WITH US! Carol Montague facilitates a sewing class at the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford on Mondays through Feb. 10. Learn more about sewing machines, reading patterns and other skills while working on hands-on projects. This course is offered through the Creative Lifelong Learning (CLL) program from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Contact Marilyn Howard at 919-693-1930 for details.

Dale Folwell

Town Talk 01/23/20: NC Treasurer Folwell Assures State Pension is Secure

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

NC State Treasurer Dale Folwell appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Folwell has served as the North Carolina State Treasurer since 2017 and is the former Speaker Pro Tempore of the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Overseeing the 26th largest public pool of money in the world, Folwell explained that his office manages retirement, healthcare and pharmaceutical benefits for 900,000 state and local employees in NC.

“At the end of the day, what I like to say is that we are in the check delivery business. Every 30 days we are spending nearly $750 million. We manage an amount of money eight times that of the state budget.”

Acknowledging that, statistically speaking, 2 out of 10 Town Talk listeners most likely have something to do with the State’s pension, health and/or pharmacy benefit plan, Folwell said those involved in the system can rest assured that employee retirement plans are secure.

“The pension plan is one of the five most solvent and secure pension plans in the United States, if not the world,” said Folwell. “A rating agency just posted us as number one in the country in terms of the ability to fund the pension plan during an economic downtown.”

Reminding listeners that economic downturns are historically “when not if” occurrences, Folwell said he was confident in the strength of the State’s pension system.

On the other end of the spectrum, Folwell said the State’s health plan is “one of the most insolvent in the US. All of our efforts right now are on state healthcare costs.”

Despite rising costs, Folwell said the State is committed to keeping insurance rates as affordable as possible for employees and retirees. “We have frozen all premiums for the second straight year even in light of the fact that costs are increasing at a faster pace than the governor’s budget and legislature’s budget appropriates money to us.”

Folwell said listeners may also be interested to know that the State currently has $700 million in unclaimed property, mostly in stocks and bonds, that can be viewed at any time, by first and last name free of charge at www.nccash.com. To learn more about the Treasurer’s Office, visit www.nctreasurer.com.

To hear the interview with Folwell in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.