Granville Co. Librarians Announce Exciting New Year’s Initiative, Upcoming Events

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Granville County Library System staff Ashley Wilson, Adult Services Librarian, and Amy Kemp, Children’s Librarian, were the guests of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

With four branches, including the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, the South Branch in Creedmoor, the Berea Branch and the Stovall Branch, the library system offers a variety of programming and initiatives for the communities it serves.

The newest initiative, referred to as “New Director, New Year,” forgives library fines accrued prior to January 1, 2019, and fees prior to January 1, 2018. Amnesty has also been granted on all lost and missing books.

“We’ve received excellent feedback and we are getting our materials back,” said Wilson. “We feel there are people who felt driven away from the library because of an unpaid fee or a lost book. We want to invite everyone back to the library system.”

No refunds will be given for fines or fees previously paid.

Ashley Wilson (left), Adult Services Librarian, and Amy Kemp (right), Children’s Librarian for the Granville County Library System, discuss upcoming and ongoing library events on WIZS’ Town Talk program. (Photo Credit: WIZS)

The library system has also recently launched a new webpage that provides detailed information regarding upcoming programs and events as well as operating hours and locations for all four branches.

When asked about the part a physical library plays in the new digital age, Kemp responded, “There used to be more public community places; a lot of that has died away. We hold on to the library as one of the last true community spaces.”

Wilson said a love of reading often brings people in, but she has an answer for those who are hesitant. “For anyone who says they don’t like to read, I always say it’s because they haven’t found the right book yet.”

In addition to a large selection of written material, the Granville County library branches offer meeting rooms for community groups, computers and computer training, children’s services for education and entertainment and much more.

“I often hear people say that libraries are going out of style, but I don’t think that’s the case,” said Kemp.

“I think it’s a false, dirty rumor,” laughed Wilson. “It’s absolutely not true! Our circulation and door count have been up at all four branches.”

To keep the branches open and thriving, Kemp said it is important that others help spread the word on library offerings and upcoming events.

Wilson added that volunteers play a large role and that the library could always use “another people person.”

Supporting the library by becoming a member of the Friends of the Library program is also encouraged. Membership dollars from this program, along with money raised at various books sales throughout the year, help fund library programming.

Children’s Programming:

  • A new series of STEAM programming (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) is now available for kindergarten through 5th graders every Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Thornton Library. Each week, children will enjoy hands-on exploration of a new STEAM topic.
  • Storytime for toddlers and preschoolers is held at all four branches. Please check the website for days and times by location.
  • A “Teen Book Club” meets at the South Branch at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Teens can talk about what they are currently reading, swap recommendations with friends and enjoy snacks. An “arts and crafts” time is also offered for teens every third Monday of the month at the South Branch. Call (919) 528-1752 for details.
  • LEGO Club is held at the South Branch in Creedmoor on the second and fourth Monday of each month and at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Play begins at 3:30 p.m. at both locations and is open to kindergarten through 5th graders.

Upcoming Events for Adults:

  • Trivia Night with Tobacco Wood – Thurs., Jan. 30
  • Romantic Reading with Cynthia Abbott – 2 p.m., Sun., Feb. 10 – Thornton Library
  • Buck Meek and Twain Folk Rock Bands – 6 – 8 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 21 – Thornton Library
  • Dr. Christine Darden, American mathematician and inspiration behind the book and movie “Hidden Figures” – Sun., March 3
  • Shannon Christmas – DNA/Genealogical expert, 4 DNA kits to be given away – Sat., March 30

To find out more on upcoming events, complete a volunteer application or join Friends of the Library, please visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/.

To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here. 

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Granville Co. Board Calls Special Meeting on Broadband RFPs

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

NOTICE of SPECIAL MEETING

All interested persons please take notice that the Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center located at 4185 Highway 15 South, Oxford.

The purpose of the special meeting is to review Broadband RFPs (Requests for Proposals).

Granville Co Sheriff

Granville Co. Sheriff’s Office to Hold Relay For Life Stew Sale

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page

The Granville County Sheriff’s Office will hold a Stew Sale to raise funds for Relay For Life on Friday, February 8, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost is $7 per quart. Pick up locations include:

Granville County Sheriff’s Office – Parking lot on Watkins St. in Oxford

Sheriff’s Satellite Office – 1546 South Campus Dr. in Creedmoor (NC 56 by VGCC’s Creedmoor Campus)

Preorders call (919) 693-3213 or (919) 528-9489.

Proceeds will be used for cancer research, education and advocacy.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Terry Garrison

Terry Garrison, NC House Rep. & Local Business Owner, Talks MLK Legacy

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District 32 NC House representative and local businessman Terry Garrison was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the day’s remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Observed the third Monday of January each year since 1986, the federal holiday honors King near his actual birthday of January 15. Many churches and community organizations in the local area held celebrations and events in remembrance both today and over the weekend.

Garrison, who attended both the Granville County Human Relations Annual Fellowship at Oxford Baptist Church and an MLK remembrance celebration at Spring St. Missionary Baptist Church in Henderson early Monday morning said the messages were very similar – keeping the dream alive.

“The message focused on the efforts we need to put forward to help fulfill the dream,” said Garrison.

Garrison said he personally became aware of King around 1955 during the events of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama. “King was an icon, a prophet, a Moses of the 20th century,” explained Garrison. “He is, what I consider, to be the father of the civil rights movement.”

In addition to being perhaps the most famous figure in the movement, Garrison reminded listeners that King was also a minister who preached a message of “justice, equality, peace and love.”

“King was a minister of the gospel and preached about loving God and loving your fellow man. There’s only one supreme being. There’s no man who is a supreme being, only God. Mankind was made from one clay; we all have the same blood. Once we embrace and begin to love and respect each other, we can get a lot of things done and put favoritism aside,” stated Garrison.

To do his part to help fulfill King’s dream, Garrison said he serves in leadership roles with several organizations that assist the African-American community, including the Henderson-Vance Black Leadership Caucus, where he serves as president.

“The Black Leadership Caucus focuses on helping blacks and persons of color get elected to office who are focused on helping improve the quality of life for all citizens, particularly the African-American community,” said Garrison “I take a lot of pride in working with that organization.”

Garrison also works with the NAACP and other community organizations to “to help people register to vote, feed the hungry and help those with housing issues.”

For more information on these organizations, Garrison invites you to contact him by phone at (252) 432-3577 or (252) 438-6363.

To hear the interview with Terry Garrison in its entirety, please click here. Garrison’s portion of the Town Talk segment begins at the 11:05 mark.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

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-Press Release, NC Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting grant applications for the 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Applicants have until 5 p.m. on March 1, 2019, to apply.

“Specialty crops make up a significant portion of the state’s $87 billion agriculture industry and we would like to see this area of production grow,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Grant requests of up to $200,000 can be made through this program.”

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops including floriculture.

Grants are not available for projects that directly benefit or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual. Applications must include biographical sketches on each person responsible for developing and implementing the project. In addition, applications must include at least one letter of support for the proposed project.

Applications are open to state and local governments, academic institutions, nonprofit associations, producer associations, community-based organizations and other specialty crop stakeholders. Interested parties can apply as single entities or in combined efforts.

For grant guidelines and an application, go to www.ncagr.gov/markets/scgrant. For questions, contact Sarah Pearce at 919-707-3158 or by email at sarah.pearce@ncagr.gov.

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Granville Co. Board to Hear Presentations, Make Appointments at Jan 22 Meeting

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

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

Agenda items include:

Consent Agenda

1. Contingency Summary

2. Minutes

Recognitions and Presentations

3. Presentation – Juvenile Crime Prevention Council

4. Presentation – FY 2017-2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Audit

Public Comments

5. Public Comments

Appointments

6. Opioid Advisory Committee

7. Senior Services Advisory Committee

8. Granville County Library System Board of Trustees

9. Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee

10. Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee

County Manager’s Report

11. County Manager’s Report

County Attorney’s Report

12. County Attorney’s Report

Presentations by County Board Members

13. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

14. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

15. Closed Session as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4) – Economic Development

*Please note that County of Granville offices will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019, in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.  

Granville Co. Teacher of the Year Named WRAL’s Teacher of the Week

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-Information courtesy Granville County Public Schools

The Granville County Public School System is proud to announce that Mrs. Kimberly Allison, a math teacher at GC Hawley Middle School and GCPS’ 2018 Teacher of the Year, was recognized as WRAL’s Teacher of the Week.

Allison’s students say her “fun personality” and willingness to help everyone make her deserving of this recognition.

Be sure to check out WRAL’s video of Allison receiving her recognition here: https://www.wral.com/i-enjoy-her-fun-personality/18128653

Granville Crime Stoppers

Motor Vehicle Break-In at Davis Chapel Baptist Church

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-Information courtesy Granville County Crime Stoppers

On Sunday, January 6th, 2019, at 12 p.m. an unknown black female driving a gray 4-door Chevrolet Cobalt vehicle with a Texas license plate was seen breaking into a 2000 Ford Explorer located in the parking lot of Davis Chapel Baptist Church located off Grassy Creek Road in Bullock, NC.

Anyone with information, please call Granville County Crime Stoppers at 919-693-3100.

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Granville Co. Library System to Forgive Library Fees, Fines

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Government’s Facebook page

The Granville County Library System recently announced that it is forgiving all unpaid library fees accrued prior to January 1, 2018, and all library fines accrued prior to January 1, 2019. No refunds will be given for fees or fines previously paid.

Calling the initiative “New Director, New Year,” the system will also grant amnesty on all missing items that are returned.

This forgiveness policy applies to all four branches served by the system including the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, South Branch Library in Creedmoor, Stovall Branch Library in Stovall and Berea Branch Library in Oxford.

For more information on the four branches, including locations and hours of operation, please click here.

Registration Underway for 9th Annual Warrenton Junior Firefighter Competition

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-Information courtesy John W. Franks, Chief Advisor, Warren County Fire Explorers

The Warren County Fire Explorers are now accepting registrations for event sponsors and vendors for its 9th annual Warrenton County Junior Firefighter Competition to be held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Warren County Recreation Complex in Warrenton, North Carolina.

The Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition is North Carolina’s biggest junior firefighter competition which attracts hundreds of teenaged firefighters plus their parents, advisors, and supporters from as far away as Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida, and Texas. Last year eleven different North Carolina counties were represented in the competition. An appearance from Duke Life Flight’s medical helicopter and rope demonstrations by the REDS Team from Wake County made it another very enjoyable year as well!

New For 2019:

  • Bronze Sponsor Level – based on the feedback we received, we added another sponsorship level. We now have a Bronze Sponsor level at only $125 for businesses that have a desire to help the Warren County Fire Explorers but don’t want a lot of costly complimentary bonuses in return. The Bronze level sponsors (1) get their name & logo and link on the competition webpage; (2) their name & logo on the Sponsor/Vendor Flyer; (3) they may contribute to the team welcome bags; and (4) business is recognized at the Friday evening social and at the Saturday field competition for sponsoring the competition.
  • Competition Website – We have added the Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition to the Warren County Fire Explorer website (https://WarrenCoJrFireFighters.ScoutLander.com) where teams, sponsors, and vendors can get information and download forms. Sponsors receive their name, logo and link displayed on the website.
  • Sponsor/Vendor Flyer – Sponsors and vendors will have their name & logo printed on full-color flyers distributed to the teams and other solicitations.
  • Food Vendors – Again, based on the feedback we have received, all food vendors will be grouped together in or near the upper parking lot this year.

Click here to view the Sponsor & Vendor Registration Form for more details. Please note that the form and payment must be received prior to Friday, March 29, 2019, to ensure that banners, printings, shirts, etc., are ordered in time for the competition. If you have further questions, please contact Lisa Pitzing at Liss.Pitzing@gmail.com or (252) 213-3815.

NOTE: The Warren County Fire Explorers is a county-wide coed career education program for youth 14 to 20 years old. The purpose of the program is to expose youth to firefighting, EMS, and public safety at an early age and to prepare members for a career in emergency services.

The Warren County Junior Firefighter Competition is hosted annually by the Warren County Fire Explorers as its primary fundraiser for the year. Proceeds from this event go directly to the Explorer Post to cover operational costs and to pay for their training and educational needs.