West Craven @SGHSVikingFB (South Granville)

— by Jeff Jenkins, WIZS

West Craven at South Granville — Friday, November 16, 2017

Looking very much like a Team of Destiny, the undefeated Vikings of South Granville started their 2AA playoff run last Friday with a 41-21 victory over Washington County in Creedmoor. Washington was the #14 seed in the 2AA East bracket, with an overall regular season record of only 4-7; but to their credit, the 21 points they scored on the Vikings was 2.5 times the average points allowed by South Granville per game this season, and they held the Vikings to 8 points for the entire second and third quarters. But South Granville scored 20 points in the final quarter to put the game away, gaining 503 total yards in the process, with 446 of those yards on the ground from scrimmage.

This Friday, the #3 seed Vikings will keep the home field advantage when they face the #6 seed, West Craven. The visiting Eagles, from Vanceboro (just north of New Bern) are in the same conference as Washington, the Eastern Carolina 2A, and will have about a 300 mile round trip tonight. The Eagles finished the regular season 6-5 overall, but took their league championship with a 5-1 conference record and a 25-23 upset win over Kinston, which finished 9-3 on the season after losing their first round playoff game last week. West Craven scored 47 points in their regular season win over Washington, but they averaged only 24 points per game on offense on the season as a whole, including last week’s 28-7 opening round win over Richlands. The Eagle defense has allowed 23 points per game, revealing a weakness on defense that South Granville will try to exploit with their bruising ground game.

So tonight will be a battle of two conference champions, and the South Granville Vikings should keep that in mind. However, that is about all these teams seem to have in common, since, South Granville is 12-0 on the season, averages scoring 43 points per game, and allows their opponent to score under 9 points per outing.

Granville County Logo

TIMBERLAKE TO COVER HOLIDAYS AT OXFORD LIBRARY WITH PHOART™ EXHIBIT

— courtesy of Granville County and the Granville County Library System from R F Timberlake

Granville Native to Show & Share Art Exhibit on Display at Richard H. Thornton Branch

If you ask North Carolina artist R F Timberlake, as he says Frank to family and friends, how he got into producing fine digital art prints, he’ll tell you this yarn, “My fourth-grade teacher at Stovall, the very famous Katherine Royster told me that if I didn’t focus on business that I’d end up making license plates! Recently, after producing the print, Red Boats of Beaufort, I made my wife a custom license plate featuring that print. It hit me, Mrs. Royster was right. I am blessed to have had enough business to create and support my love art and to create PhoArt® for me and others to enjoy.”

You can visit the Richard H. Thornton Library branch of the Granville County Library System from November 15, 2017 until January 15, 2018 to see over 30 colorful prints from various locales including a few special Granville County and Kerr Lake prints. Several of the prints will be shown publicly for the first time at the Oxford library. “We are extremely pleased to offer Mr. Timberlake’s innovative approach to visual art that captures things and places that are special to him in a classical sort of way,” said Carly Cox, Adult Services Librarian. “We’re thrilled to hold a “Meet the Artist” reception a few days after the exhibit opens on Sunday, November 19th from 2:00-4:00 PM here at the Thornton branch, and we invite our library patrons and the public to come see this art and talk the artist.”

“Mr. Timberlake and his Shutter Art Gallery will give away a yet, unnamed print, from the Down East – Outer Banks Collection. Visitors who come to the reception and properly register with us will be eligible to win the print which we will draw for at the conclusion of the reception,” added Cox. The signed and numbered print will be on display at the reception.

R. Frank Timberlake told WIZS News that this print, “Ups and Down of Fishing Atlantic,” will be given away at the conclusion of the “Meet the Artist” reception on November 19th 2-4PM.

Timberlake and his gallery will also donate 20% of any prints sold during the Granville library exhibit that can be attributed by local address or if people call or email including GRANVILLE LIBRARY.

Born in Oxford, Timberlake was raised in Stovall and Grassy Creek. He’s a familiar face in the area visiting and being a frequent camping visitor. He is a cofounder of the 550+ member Kerr Lake support group, Kerr Lake Park Watch. Timberlake is a former news broadcaster and broadcast owner and is president of the award-winning advertising & PR firm, R F Timberlake & Company, Inc., that he and wife Linda founded 27 years ago. Their home, office and studio are in eastern Wake County. They have four sons, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“I didn’t like my painting. I wanted realism and I got impressionistic,” says Timberlake. “So, I worked, studied, got tutoring to improve my photography and then I incorporated digital technology to create PhoArt® which is simply making a photograph appear that it is painted and it’s a lot more detailed than people might think. My wife and business partner of 41 years, Linda, said that I should show and share my art. I did as she said and wham, it took off!” The artist adds that producing digital fine art allows him to take on more projects in a variety of locations.

“We’ve limited 200 issues of any print, and that adds a touch of exclusivity,” says the artist. Although he offers prints on fine linen, smooth and textured papers, unframed, Timberlake’s chosen presentation is “gallery wrapped” meaning the canvas is stretched around a wooden frame, backed and prepped for hanging. Those prints have museum backing and four coats of museum, archival art lacquer to prevent UV damage and fading. Another very unique point, for example, is that three people can purchase consecutively numbered prints and all three can be assorted sizes, a somewhat unique offering, even though the three prints are signed and numbered. All of the prints on display at the Thornton branch will be “gallery wrapped.”

“I have art in museums and some locations in Virginia, but it means the world to me to be able to come home to Granville County and to present my art to so many friends, both old and new! We’re even going to have a few prints for people to see and to promote the exhibit in the beautiful new Stovall library branch, added Timberlake.

The R F Timberlake PhoArt® exhibit can be seen during regular library hours through January 15, 2018.

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Families Living Violence Free

Domestic Violence 101

WIZS News has been asked to announce the following courtesy of Families Living Violence Free in Oxford:

Peggy Roark
Adult & Empowerment Services
Sexual Assault Advocate & PREA Coordinator
Families Living Violence Free
125 Oxford Outer Loop Road
PO Box 1632
Oxford, NC 27565
Email: Proark@flvf.org
Office: 919-693-3579
Crisis: 919-693-5700
Hispanic Crisis 919-690-0888
Website: www.flvf.org
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Giving Voice and Support to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victims
Granville Crime Stoppers

Granville Crimes Late Oct, Early Nov 2017

— courtesy Granville County Crime Stoppers

Sometime between Saturday, October 21st and Sunday, October 22nd, 2017 an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of a residence located off Old Roxboro Road, Oxford , NC and criminally removed a Craftsman generator from underneath an open shed.

Sometime between Wednesday, November 1st, 2017 late evening and Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 early morning hours an unknown person or persons unlawfully went upon private property of Oxford Mini Mart convenience store located off Williamsboro Street, Oxford, NC and forced entry into the store, which caused criminal property damage. Also, criminals removed cash money and two cash boxes from the cash register. A Nissan Altima vehicle silver in color was involved in this incident.

If you have information concerning these incidents, please contact the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at 919-693-3213 or call Crime Stoppers 919-693-3100.

THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AUTHORIZED THE PAYMENT OF A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST/INDICTMENT(S) OF PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CONCERNING THESE CRIMES OR ANY OTHER SERIOUS CRIME(S) IN GRANVILLE COUNTY. YOU ARE ASKED TO CALL THE GRANVILLE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS IN OXFORD AT 919-693-3100.

Houston Astros Carlos Díaz Visits Granville Central High School

— courtesy Granville County Schools

The Spanish students at Granville Central High School recently had the privilege of listening to Carlos Díaz, Center Fielder of the Houston Astros, talk about Puerto Rico and the current crisis affecting the country. He shared places to visit, typical food, and information about the status of Puerto Rico since Hurricane María and Irma. He also shared information about being well-rounded students who are excelling in the classroom and on the field. He encouraged students that are looking to enter professional sports to make sure that they are well rounded because sports are a part of who you are, but they don’t define who you are.

Right Carlos Diaz, Left, Spanish Teacher Wendy Owens

Franklin County Logo

Franklin County Celebrates its Veterans

— courtesy Franklin County Government

Veterans will be honored November 10 with a program and luncheon

Franklin County citizens will unite Friday, November 10th to show love and appreciation for veterans in the county, state and nation who have bravely served our armed forces and to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Franklin County is stepping it up this year, celebrating veterans with both a program and luncheon in their honor! This year’s program will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the parking area behind the Hamilton H. Hobgood Courthouse Annex, 113 S. Main Street, Louisburg, North Carolina. Guest speaker will be Robert Elliott of the Veterans Farm of North Carolina. Musical selections will be rendered by the Louisburg High School Band and Chorus as well as other special musical guests. A luncheon for veterans will follow at noon. In the event of rain, the celebration will be held in the auditorium of Louisburg High School.

The Franklin County Veterans Service Office hopes citizens will attend the program to show support for military personnel both near and far and to remember many are on foreign soil fighting for the freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis.

For more information on the event, contact the Franklin County Veterans Service Office at 919-496-1939. Additional contact numbers can be obtained by visiting Franklin County’s website at www.franklincountync.us.

Royster retires from VGCC endowment board

— courtesy VGCC

T.S. “Sam” Royster, Jr., of Oxford, recently retired from the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Board of Directors.

Royster has served on the board since 1998. Among his numerous contributions to the Endowment Fund, he and his law partners established the Royster, Cross & Hensley, LLP, Academic Achievement Scholarship in 2007. He helped to arrange for another scholarship, the Harold & Helen Sherman Presidential Scholar Award. Royster is also a longtime participant in, and sponsor of, the annual VGCC Endowment Fund Golf Tournament.

The board of directors oversees the Endowment Fund Corporation, a nonprofit organization established in 1976 to seek and receive scholarship funds and other contributions for the college. Current board members include Robert L. Hubbard (the vice-chair), Rev. Dr. Richard M. Henderson, Julius Banzet, III, Sarah Baskerville, Rep. James W. Crawford, Jr., Dr. Ben F. Currin,

Sam Royster, seated, is honored for his contributions to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund at an Endowment Board meeting. Standing behind him, from left, are VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson, board members Opie Frazier and James Crawford, VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams and board members Danny Wright and Donald Seifert. (VGCC photo)

Tanya Evans, Clay Frazier, L. Opie Frazier, Jr., Ronnie Goswick, Katharine Macon Horner, Darryl Moss, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., Marshall Tanner, Josh Towne and Todd Wemyss. As president of VGCC, Dr. Stelfanie Williams chairs the board, and Danny Wright, chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees, serves on the board ex-officio.

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,100 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 about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

–VGCC–

(VGCC is an advertising client of WIZS.)

U.S. Department of Justice

Public Returns Record Number of Potentially Dangerous Prescription Drugs

— courtesy U.S. Department of Justice

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION COLLECTS RECORD NUMBER OF UNUSED PILLS AS PART OF ITS 14TH PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

Public Returns Record Number of Potentially Dangerous Prescription Drugs

RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina and William F. Baxley, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Charlotte District Office announce that Americans nationwide did their part to reduce the opioid crisis by bringing the DEA and its more than 4,200 local and tribal law enforcement partners a record-setting 912,305 pounds—456 tons—of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites. That is almost six tons more than was collected at last spring’s event. This brings the total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 to 9,015,668 pounds, or 4,508 tons.

The Eastern District of North Carolina collected the following amount of dosage units of prescription drugs: Raleigh 8,500, Jacksonville 4,000, and Greenville 1,108. All were collected at return sites set up by the DEA in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Now in its 14th year, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events continue to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they could be stolen and abused by family members and visitors, including children and teens. The DEA action comes just days after President Donald J. Trump announced the mobilization of his entire Administration to address drug addiction and opioid abuse by directing the declaration of a Nationwide Public Health Emergency to address the opioids crisis.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—posed potential safety and health hazards.

Helping people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce the addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country due to opioid medications.

Visit Fort Lauderdale rehab to get help to remove the influence of drugs.

DEA’s next Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 28, 2018.

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Gospel Songs of Hope

— courtesy McGregor Hall

Grammy & Dove Award Winning Gospel Artist Jason Crabb To Fill McGregor Hall With Songs Of Hope During New-Album Tour Stop This Sunday

Grammy and Dove Award winning Gospel Artist Jason Crabb performs Sunday, November 12, 2017, at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson, N.C., while on a national tour following the release of his newest album “Whatever The Road.”

Crabb is the first act of the Joy! performance series package at McGregor Hall, which features a total of three shows with five well-known Christian artists and groups. Karen Peck with New River will perform on Feb. 23 and the Talleys with Tribute on April 7. With a regular ticket price of $75, the three-show Joy! package is reduced to $50.

Crabb’s performance on Sunday starts at 7 p.m. and the doors open at 6.

In recording his fifth solo album, Crabb said he poured himself into his songwriting and explored the things that matter most and the greatness of the God he serves. “You have to reach in deeper places to write music, and with songwriting you have to stay there for a little bit,” said Crabb, who co-wrote seven of the album’s 10 songs.

Working with producers Jason Ingram (who has worked with Chris Tomlin, Tenth Avenue North, Kari Jobe), and Paul Mabury (Lauren Daigle, One Sonic Society), Crabb takes a bold new step forward, not just lyrically but stylistically, and has finely honed a collection of anthems for the church that have sophisticated pop sensibilities as well as deep, substantive lyrics.

“I’ve never wanted to be pigeon-holed. I just wanted to make music,” he said. “I finally found that if you’re part of the creative process of the song, then it becomes you. With this record, I feel like it’s a little more of who I am than what I’ve been. It’s where I want to be and it’s wonderful.”

This Sunday, Crabb will unleash his passionate voice through songs that offer a strong current of hope, particularly with the song, “He Won’t Leave You There.” In the chorus, Crabb sings, “When the darkness overwhelms you and the fear just won’t subside, when your questions outweigh answers on those long and lonely nights, when you’ve got to keep on moving, He is with you in the valley of despair, and He won’t leave you there.”

Crabb explains, “I just want to encourage people and give them hope. The album is titled ‘Whatever The Road,’ and I want people to know that whichever direction or whatever road you’re headed down, God is going to walk with you.”

Crabb also doesn’t shy away from tackling tough topics such as the album’s first single, “He Knows What He’s Doing,” which was inspired by an 11-year-old fan named Lily. “Lily showed up at a concert and wanted to sing ‘Love is Stronger’ with me on stage,” Crabb recalls, smiling as he remembers their duet. “So this song is about her. She was battling cancer when we first met and she’s gone home to be with the Lord now.”

Another poignant moment on the album is the tender ballad, “Home,” which was written by Jason’s father, Gerald Crabb, a Dove Award-winning songwriter. “I had already recorded it and then grandma passed,” he says of losing his maternal grandmother, Billie Richardson, in early 2015. “When I recorded it, I didn’t know that that was going to be my song for her at that moment, but you know? I’m thankful. When I sing it, I just close my eyes and think of her in her little blue house, fixin’ everybody something to eat, but I’m not going to see her ever again like that, and that’s a big chapter closed.”

Though the album has a few heart-tugging moments, ‘Whatever The Road’ also includes the buoyant tune, “It’s a Good Life.” Stylistically, the song is reminiscent of Tom Petty’s earthy anthems, but lyrically, it’s strictly autobiographical. “If I Shout” is a vibrant celebration of how Jesus can change a life.

From inspiring ballads to jubilant, up-tempo tunes, the common denominator in every song is the passion and authenticity Crabb brings to every vocal performance. It’s a gift he’s cultivated from a young age. A native of tiny Beaver Dam, KY, Crabb rose to prominence singing with his siblings as the Crabb Family.

The talented, musically progressive family band broadened the scope of Southern Gospel music and became one of the most successful groups in the genre. When his siblings decided to pursue separate ministries, Jason released his first solo album in 2009, and it earned him his first Grammy the following year. Since then, he’s amassed numerous industry accolades, among them 21 Dove Awards, including wins in the “Artist,” “Male Vocalist,” and “Song of the Year” categories.

Crabb said he is looking forward to coming to Henderson to share his music with the area. “I love making music. I love singing. I love throwin’ down and having a blast on stage,” he said, “but what an honor it is to get to share my life in these songs.”

Tickets are on sale for $25 or $22 plus sales tax. Group and student rates are available. Tickets can be purchased directly at the McGregor Hall Box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Box Office is located at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson. The Box Office can also be reached by phone by calling (252) 598-0662. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.McGregorHall.org by using the secure and trusted purchasing platform, eTix. Online fees apply.

Those purchasing the Joy! series before the Sunday night show can also add on the Christmas Wonderland show, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 5, at McGregor Hall for a reduced price of $20.

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(McGregor Hall is an advertising client of WIZS.)

VGCC Drama students to present ‘canine’ comedy

— courtesy VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College Drama students will soon entertain audiences with a modern romantic comedy about a marriage — and a dog. “Sylvia” will be staged on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson, Nov. 16-19. Performances begin on Thursday, Nov 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2.

Sylvia, by the late American playwright A.R. Gurney, tells the story of a married couple, Greg and Kate, who have moved to Manhattan after 22 years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection, while Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog.

The comedy premiered in 1995 with Sarah Jessica Parker in the title role. At the time, a New York Daily News critic called it “one of the most involving, beautiful, funny, touching and profound plays I have ever seen,” while another reviewer called it a “mad comedy” and “howlingly funny.”

The play includes some adult language and themes.

Students in the cast include Samantha Hines of Henderson as Sylvia in Cast A, Faith Orr of Henderson as Sylvia in Cast B, Jordan Bunting of Rocky Mount as Greg, Brittney Patterson of Henderson as Kate, Nick Kurtz of Durham as Tom, Jamie McGinn of Wake Forest as Phyllis, Allison Hines of Henderson as Leslie in Cast A and Chadstity Copeland of Henderson as Leslie in Cast B. Cast A will perform on Thursday night, Friday night and the Saturday matinee, while Cast B will perform on Saturday night and the Sunday matinee.

Betsy Henderson, the VGCC Theatre Arts/speech instructor and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, directs the play.

Other members of the crew include students Angel Sizemore of Oxford (Production Stage Manager/Assistant Director), Brian Johnson of Creedmoor (Assistant Stage Manager and Projections), Megan Kokus of Rougemont (Head Costume Designer), Mary Parrish of Henderson (costumes), Yazi Majette of Henderson (costumes), Carleigh Gupton of Henderson (costumes), Carol Swain of Henderson (Head of Props), Amanda Cease of Henderson (Props), Chakiria Thorne of Henderson (Props), Evan O’ Geary of Henderson (Head of Hair/Make-up), Rosie Kanouff of Kittrell (Hair/Make-up), and Camden Jones of Henderson (Lighting/Sound Operator).

Admission is $15 for the general public, and $10 for students and VGCC employees.

Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by making reservations. For more information and to reserve seats, contact Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3371.

–VGCC–

(VGCC is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)