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Northern Granville Senior Center to Present Dementia Workshop

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Caring for a loved one or assisting a friend who is living with dementia can be challenging. For those who need a helping hand, the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina has scheduled a two-part Community Dementia Workshop, to be held at the Northern Granville Senior Center in Stovall, on Tuesday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 27, 2019, from 10 a.m. until noon.

These sessions will explore what is happening when signs of dementia are present, how to better communicate with someone who has dementia, ways to better understand changes that may occur, and how to be better prepared to be a partner in care.

This workshop is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is requested for the two dates scheduled. For more information or to register, contact Phyllis Blackwell, Senior Center Manager, at 919-693-3383.

The Northern Granville Senior Center is located at 118 Highway 15 North in Stovall and is one of three senior centers in Granville County, with additional centers in Oxford and in Creedmoor.

Summer Civic Leadership Program Participants Recognized

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-Press Release, Granville County Government 

The five high school students selected for participation in Granville County Government’s Summer Civic Leadership Program have completed their summer rotations among county departments and with community partners. Now in its twentieth year, the program helps give insight into how local government operates and how it impacts the community and its residents.

Participants Sarah Elliott, Tanaura Harrison and Akoya Penny-Campbell (students of Granville Early College High School); Anthony Goreman (homeschooled); and Brooklyn Pridgen (J.F. Webb High School) were selected out of a pool of 15 applicants, which has been described as a “competitive” application process.

Program participants Anthony Goreman, Brooklyn Pridgen, Tanaura Harrison, Akoya Penny-Campbell and Sarah Elliott are pictured at the Aug. 5 meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners. (Granville Co. Govt photo)

Each rising high school senior followed “tracks” that focused on general government, human services, public safety and community services while learning how each department works together to benefit local residents.

At the August 5 meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners, these summer interns made a group presentation about their experience and their “take-aways” from the program.

As the only male participant, Goreman noted that he enjoyed the opportunity to work with the “amazing” people who “keep Granville County running safely and smoothly.” “Everyone was very welcoming and helpful,” he added.

Fellow intern Tanaura Harrison agreed. “I enjoyed interning for the different departments and being able to see how each department individually functions but also how they all work together,” she said. “In all, I truly enjoyed my experience.”

Each participant has been awarded educational assistance in the amount of $1,400.

“This program is not only a great opportunity for our young leaders to learn about careers in local government and the impact of local government, but it’s also a good lesson for our staff,” said Granville County’s Management Analyst Charla Duncan, who facilitated this year’s program. “We can see our roles through the eyes of our young citizens, and that’s an important lens to look through.”

Students interested in participating in next year’s Summer Civic Leadership Program can look for announcements beginning in March of 2020. To learn more, contact Duncan at 919-603-1639 or charla.duncan@granvillecounty.org.

Oxford Board to Consider Funding for Wheelchair-Accessible Playground Equipment

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

As an add-on agenda item to their Tuesday, August 13 meeting, the City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will consider accepting the Granville County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Grant award for purchase and installation of a “Cruiser Inclusive Rocker” at Hix Playground.

On July 3, 2019, the Granville County Board of Commissioners approved a $19,500 allocation made by the Granville County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for the ADA Rocker Project. The City of Oxford Finance Department received the grant funds August 12, 2019.

The “Cruiser Inclusive Rocker” is the first piece of equipment at a Granville County playground that allows users to incorporate a wheelchair during play. The Cruiser is both wheelchair accessible and accessible by children of all abilities at the same time.

The “Cruiser Inclusive Rocker” is the first piece of equipment at a Granville County playground that allows users to incorporate a wheelchair during play. The Cruiser is both wheelchair accessible and accessible by children of all abilities at the same time.

The Parks and Recreation Department will also purchase and install a “Touch & Play Piano panel” and a drum panel as part of the playground improvement. The music panels are accessible and will allow children of all abilities to experience and enjoy the benefits of music. The panels aid in the development of fine motor skills & control including coordination and balance.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends accepting and utilizing the grant funds within the fiscal year 2020 for the purchase and installation of the “Cruiser Inclusive Rocker” at Hix Park Playground.

Reminder: ‘Alive After Five’ Set for Downtown Creedmoor This Thursday!

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s second Alive After Five event of 2019 will be held Thursday evening, August 15, from 5:30 until 8:30 pm in the parking lot at VanNess Chevrolet, downtown Creedmoor.

Join the Chamber as we celebrate our 16th year of AA5 events with incredible entertainment and concessions provided by Chamber members – Chick-fil-A, Williamson’s Country Store and Grill, Coca-Cola and Long Beverage.

Music will be provided by the popular “The Attractions Band,” which originally formed in 1965 when “a group of teenagers from Burlington formed a local band in the basement of a music store.”

The band went on to “open for and were the backup band for well-known performers such as ‘The Tams,’ Clifford Curry, Jimmy Ruffin, ‘The Fifth Dimension’ and ‘The Platters.’”

As the group’s members headed off to college and to the Vietnam War, the original band fell apart.

During the summer of 1999, and after 30 years, a reunion of the band was organized and once again, “The Attractions” were all together.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Chamber staff Toni Anne Wheeler and Wanda Garrett are recruiting volunteers to assist in several capacities for the AA5 event – check-in table, Coca-Cola wagon and beverage stations. Volunteer times are 5 to 7 p.m. and 7 until 9 p.m. A free t-shirt to be worn while volunteering is “yours to keep.”

Please contact a Chamber office to volunteer – Toni Anne Wheeler @ 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda Garrett @ 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.

The Chamber looks forward to seeing everyone August 15!

KING MICHAEL: McGregor Hall to Pay Tribute to Jackson, the ‘King of Pop’

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

“KING MICHAEL: A Spectacular Tribute to the King of Pop” will be performed at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.

From early moments with his brothers to his stratospheric rise to become the greatest entertainer of all time, this sensational tribute will include all Michael Jackson’s most popular songs.

Performed by a LIVE band, dancers, and backup singers, this stunning spectacle will bring to life the energy and charisma for which KING MICHAEL was so famous.

Tickets 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)

Brides on Wheels

Wedding Vendors Invited to Granville Tourism’s ‘Brides on Wheels’ Meeting

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

Granville Tourism Development Authority will host a meeting on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the 2020 Granville Brides on Wheels tour. The meeting will take place at Best Western Butner Creedmoor Inn, located on 2578 W Lyon Station Road in Creedmoor.

All Granville County and surrounding area wedding vendors and venues are welcome to come to the meeting.

For more information, please contact Angela Allen, Tourism Director, at 919-693-6125 or angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.

One of VGCC’s Earliest Graduates Establishes Scholarships

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Almost half a century after he enrolled at the school that is now Vance-Granville Community College, Steve McRavin is giving back by establishing a pair of scholarships for today’s students.

Along with his wife, Patti, McRavin recently created annual scholarships through the VGCC Endowment Fund in memory of several of his family members.

Steve McRavin graduated VGCC with his vocational diploma in Automotive Mechanics on August 22, 1971 – the college’s first graduating class for curriculum programs. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

The Allen and Margaret Jones/Lucy Jones Allen Scholarship in Nursing is named for his grandparents and his eldest aunt, Lucy, who was a nurse. In awarding this scholarship, preference will be given to second-year Associate Degree Nursing students and students who are single parents.

Meanwhile, the Howard and Thelma “Kitty” McRavin Memorial Scholarship in Automotive honors the memory of his parents. VGCC will prioritize students in the Automotive Systems Technology, the current name for the program from which McRavin graduated, for this scholarship. In both cases, other eligibility requirements will apply.

Steve McRavin grew up on a small farm in Williamsboro, and took automotive classes at Vance County High School. Upon graduating from high school in 1970, young Steve wanted to continue learning and was excited to learn that the new Vance County Technical Institute would soon start offering automotive mechanics as one of its very first curriculum programs.

That summer, McRavin worked for a local construction company. “By coincidence, one of the jobs I worked on was helping to build the automotive and welding shop at Vance County Technical Institute,” he said. “I knew then for certain that the automotive program was going to be a reality! I got to meet Dr. Greene [the school’s first chief academic officer] when he would come out and look at the progress on the buildings, and I told him I would be enrolling that fall.”

Taking classes on that original campus – the former Maria Parham Hospital building – McRavin studied under the head of the new automotive program, the late Thomas Welch, whom he describes as “a great man.”

McRavin graduated with his vocational diploma in Automotive Mechanics on August 22, 1971, in the school’s first graduating class for curriculum programs. He then worked at the local Firestone until he was drafted in 1972 into the United States Army. He served in military intelligence for the next two decades, much of that time stationed in West Germany.

McRavin continued his education while in the service, obtaining an associate’s degree in automotive technology and a bachelor’s degree in workforce education/development because he knew he wanted to work in education in some way after his military career ended.

He retired at the rank of First Sergeant in 1992 and started working at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington.

Steve McCravin (right) and Patti McCravin (center) receive the President’s Lifetime Circle recognition as part of the South Pudget Sound Foundation. (Photo courtesy VGCC)

Even after all those years, McRavin credited the inspiration for his new career to Mr. Welch. Starting as a lab technician for the SPSCC automotive department, McRavin served in a variety of roles: teaching automotive classes, advising students, and overseeing recruiting. He retired from the college as a full-time administrator but continues to teach there part-time.

McRavin said the new VGCC scholarships are his way of giving back to a school and a community that had helped him. The local community still includes a number of his relatives, and he has returned to visit from time to time. Describing himself as a “country boy from Vance County,” McRavin also wants to inspire today’s youth to take advantage of educational opportunities, as he did. “It’s not where you start – it’s where you end up,” he said. “You never know where you’re going to go.”

He is also not the only member of his family to benefit from the college. “One of my daughters, Gillian McRavin Johnson, graduated in 1991 from the VGCC Associate Degree Nursing program,” McRavin said. “She raves about the program at Vance-Granville to this day.” Currently a registered nurse in the state of Washington, Johnson is working on becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

McRavin’s wife, Patti, has also worked in higher education and non-profit community groups during her career.

Currently residing in Spanaway, Washington, the McRavins said that they both have a passion for higher education, because education changed the course of their lives. They have also established scholarships at South Puget Sound Community College.

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vance-Granville Community College, it is extremely gratifying that one of our first alumni, and someone who literally helped build the foundation of our institution, has reached out from across the country to pay forward what he received,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president. “We appreciate Steve and Patti’s service to education and their generous support of our students.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,400 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.

NCDOT

Proposed Widening of Creedmoor Road to be Discussed at Public Meeting

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-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Transportation

The N.C. Department of Transportation will host a public meeting later this month to discuss two concepts being considered to widen Creedmoor Road (U.S. 50) between Interstate 540 to north of N.C. 98 from a two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway.

The goal of the project is to ease congestion, increase access and safety, and enhance mobility to provide an improved north-south connection in the region.

The first concept would incorporate Reduced Conflict Intersections. An RCI would control the direction that motorists going onto Creedmoor Road from side streets could travel, greatly reducing the chance for crashes on the main road, and often improving travel time through the corridor. The other concept features traditional intersections. The preferred alternative may include elements of both the traditional and RCI designs, based on comments received.

Two options are also being considered for the Creedmoor Road interchange at I-540. One would improve the current diamond interchange, while the other would reconfigure it to a Diverging Diamond Interchange.

A map of the project area can be viewed on the NCDOT public meetings website. Area residents will have a chance to view them in detail at a meeting on Tuesday, August 13, from 4-7 p.m. at the Amran Shriners Club, 11101 Creedmoor Road, which is 2.2 miles north of the I-540 interchange.

No formal presentation will be made, but project staff will be available to answer questions and receive comments relative to the concepts throughout the meeting. The comments and information received will be taken into consideration as work on the project develops.

Anyone unable to attend the meeting can still offer comments via NCDOT’s public input portal, or by phone or email to Allison White, NCDOT project manager, at 919-707-6341 or akwhite@ncdot.gov by September 13, 2019.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in the meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Diane Wilson at pdwilson1@ncdot.gov or 919-707-6073 as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made.

Persons who have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.

Oxford Logo

Oxford Commissioners to Hear Water/Sewer System Fee Presentation – Aug. 13

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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford

The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall.

Agenda items include:

Water and Sewer System Development Fee Presentation – City Engineer, Amy Ratliff.

Consider adopting a Resolution to accept a loan and adopt a Capital Project Ordinance for the 2017 B Sewer Line Replacement Project.

Consider adopting a Resolution to partner with the US Census Bureau and the State to ensure every resident is counted for the 2020 Census.

Please click here for complete Oxford Board of Commissioner meeting agendas and minutes.

Garrison Says He’ll ‘Continue Seeking Relocation of DHHS’ to Granville County

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As stated by NC House District 32 Representative Terry Garrison in his recent newsletter message:

Passing a biennium budget during a long session and odd year of the North Carolina General Assembly is the most important work that this legislative body will do while in session. During this 2019-2020 session of the General Assembly, both chambers of the NC House and NC Senate passed its version of a biennium budget in June.

The two budget versions had differences which then required them to be referred to a Conference Committee to develop a consensus budget. A consensus budget was completed and approved largely along political party lines. As Republicans hold majority memberships in both the House and Senate, they also largely comprised the Consensus Committee. As a result, the Consensus Bill, HB 966, 2019 Appropriations Act was also approved along political party lines, on June 27, 2019.

HB 966 (Appropriations Act) did not include Medicaid Expansion which was the number one budget priority for Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and the Democratic Party. Additionally, the conference budget did not allow citizens a choice on deciding whether to invest in a bond for much-needed school construction as desired by the Governor.

Further, the conference budget provides an average of 3.8% teacher pay increase as opposed to 9.1% sought by the Governor; gives all state employees a $1,000 raise as opposed to 2% or $800 raise, whichever is greater; and provides a 1% cost of living increase for state retirees as opposed to a 2% cost of living increase sought by the Governor.

A few differences between the conference committee and the Governor’s budget are shared here, but there a number of other differences between the two budgets which were objected to by Democrats in both the House and Senate as well as the Governor.

The Republicans included a number of perks within the conference bill which mainly benefited their constituents.

The relocation of the headquarters of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to Granville County was included in the conference budget by the Senate without any special conditions. However, the House changed the relocation to the Triangle North Granville Business and Industrial site in Oxford on condition of my commitment to override the Governor’s veto of the budget. While I fully support the relocation of DHHS to Granville County, and particularly to the Triangle North Granville site, I cannot in good conscience vote to override the Governor’s veto.

Governor Cooper vetoed HB 966 as expected. The state is currently operating under a continuing budget resolution, or more specifically, operating under the 2018 budget until a new biennium budget is passed. A vote on the override of the Governor’s veto is pending and has not occurred as of this time. If an override of the Governor’s veto of budget does not occur, then the budget will have to be renegotiated until a consensus budget can be achieved.

It is my plan to continue seeking relocation of DHHS to Granville County, and particularly to the Triangle North site. While the Governor is leaning toward a study bill for the relocation of DHHS, I am optimistic that Granville County will remain the target site for consideration of such project relocation.

Further, it is my goal to advocate for more jobs and related initiatives promoted by the state within Granville, Vance and Warren Counties within this upcoming biennium.