Granville Recreation Grant Application Window Open Through Jan. 31, 2023

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The Granville County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee is accepting applications for the 2023 recreation mini-grant cycle. The application period will close at 3 p.m on Jan.31, 2023.

Submitted requests may not exceed $25,000, according to information from county public information officer Terry Hobgood. Applicants must be a government entity or a non-profit organization. While it is not mandatory that the non-profits have 501c-3 designation, it is encouraged.

The programming funds are used to facilitate the development  and support of active and passive recreation and leisure activities for Granville County residents. The objective is to make these activities available to as many residents as possible, and to include a broad spectrum of  participants, especially in areas of the county that are underserved by recreational opportunities (such as the southeastern portion of the county) or areas have not received prior funding. Recreation programming should seek to serve all age groups. The Granville County Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee bylaws  prohibit discrimination in the use of funds.

The grant application is available at https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/recreation/recreation-grant/ or request a paper copy from the Granville County Planning Department in Oxford.

Applications should be submitted by email to:

justin.jorgensen@granvillecounty.org, or in person/by mail to the Granville County Planning Department, 122  Williamsboro St., P.O. Box 877, Oxford NC, 27565.

To learn more about this grant, contact Justin Jorgensen, senior transportation planner, by phone at 919.603.1332 or by email at justin.jorgensen@granvillecounty.org.

Don’t Fall Victim To Fraud – Attend “Scam Jam” Dec. 5 At Person Co. Senior Center

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The Person County Senior Center in Roxboro is the site of the upcoming 2022 Scam Jam event, sponsored by the Kerr-Tar Agency on Aging, on Monday, Dec. 5.

What’s a Scam Jam? It’s a collection of educational presentations designed to help consumers learn about different types of scams and frauds, and how to keep from being a victim, according to Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, KTCOG’s communications coordinator.

Whether it’s consumer fraud, identity theft or telemarketing fraud, guest speakers will help educate attendees about how to spot, avoid and report such activities. The event starts at 1:30 p.m., with presentations beginning at 2 p.m.

Among those scheduled to speak are N.C. Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey, Ann Elmore, agency legal consultant with the N.C. Dept. of the Secretary of State and Kevin Roberson, NC senior Medicare Patrol director and SHIIP compliance officer.

The Scam Jam is free and open to anyone in the five-county area that KTCOG serves, including Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person counties.

Refreshments will be provided.

The Person County Senior Center is located at 87 Semora Rd., Roxboro.

TownTalk: Ragland Produces Christian Stage Play

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Connie Ragland’s newest play is called “This Is Why We Don’t Come To Church,” and it premieres on Saturday, Dec. 10 in the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

The Christian stage production takes a somewhat satirical look at a serious topic – attitudes about church.

Have you ever known a “pew-owner” – that person who gets into a snit when someone else is sitting in “their” pew? Or have you seen churchgoers shun someone simply because they didn’t dress the right way for church?

Ragland said that these behaviors may contribute to a decline in church membership, and she said her play is going to poke a little fun at some stereotypes.

Things have shifted in the church and in the country, Ragland told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s TownTalk. Whether it’s because churches had to close their doors during COVID-19 and embrace virtual services, or whether it’s for other reasons, church membership is down, she said.

The play’s title, she said, “is a way to grab your attention and say ‘hmmm, I wonder what that’s all about,” Ragland said.

The play includes plenty of local talent, but some cast members are traveling from as far away as Winston-Salem and Elizabeth City.

“There’s something in it for everyone,” Ragland said. “A lot of the cast are millennials,” she said, with other age groups and generations represented as well.
With a blended cast representing a wide range of ages, she said “everyone will get something out of this show.”

As she was writing the play, she said a particular person’s name popped into her head for a particular role. She called that person, who immediately accepted, saying she had been searching for a way to return to the stage.

“I’m just overwhelmed with joy when people say ‘yes’ to me,” Ragland said, “that people want a part of something of this nature.”

The play is made possible thanks to a joint effort with Connie Ragland Productions, Youth Christian Center and its board, led by Delthine Watson “to help bring positive things back to the community.”

Formed several years ago by the Rev. Eddie Williams, the Youth Christian Center’s mission is to educate and inspire young people, whether they’re learning the finer points of etiquette or how to tie a necktie.

“We’re excited – we’ve got more rehearsals coming up, but the general feeling is yes, we’re ready to get the message out there,” Ragland said.

The play is for the whole family. “It will make you laugh, cry and think,” Ragland said.

Tickets are $15 for youth and and $25 for adults. Purchase them at eventbrite.com or call Vincent Ragland at 252.213.2095. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local charities.

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Boys and Girls Clubs

Put Donation To BGCNCNC On Your “To-Do” List

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The Thanksgiving holiday kicks off in earnest a season of giving, and there are several different ways to make donations that will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina in the coming days and weeks.

Of course, a check mailed to BGCNCNC, P.O. Box 176, Oxford, NC 27565 is always welcome, said CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones, and something for individuals to consider on Giving Tuesday, coming up next week.

Jones said a link will go live on BGCNCNC’s Facebook page Wednesday to make a donation quick and easy.

There are two toy drives underway as well – one in Oxford by Will Jakes, whose Edward Jones office collects new, unwrapped gifts for club members in Granville County.

Jones said the Zeta Alpha chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity is sponsoring toy drives across the counties that have clubs as well. “They are really committed about spreading the love and supporting the counties,” Jones said.

Following is a list of collection locations and deadlines:

  • Vance County – Beckford Medical Center, 176 S. Beckford Drive, Henderson. Deadline is Dec. 16.
  • Granville County – Bobo’s Menswear, 216 M.L.K. Jr. Blvd, Oxford. Deadline is Dec. 20.
  • Warren County – Henderson and Henderson Dentistry, LLC, 516 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton. Deadline is Dec. 19.
  • Franklin County – Franklinton Town Hall, 101 N. Main St., Franklinton. Deadline is Dec. 15.

Through generous donations from the community last year, Jones said every club member received a gift for Christmas.

He said he hopes that financial contributions come in between now and the end of the year to help “give us a leg up in 2023.”

Whether it’s a check in the mail, a click on the Facebook page or a gift for a child, Jones said efforts from a caring community “truly make a difference for our young people.”

Kitchen Safety Tips For Thanksgiving Weekend Cooks

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Kitchens everywhere are gearing up for the Main Event – roasting turkeys for Thanksgiving. And home cooks, whether experienced or new to preparing holiday dinners, need to remember a few safety tips to keep from becoming a Thanksgiving Day statistic.

According to data from National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving Day represents the leading day of the year for home cooking fires. Between three and four times as many cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day as a typical day of the year.

“Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday, with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, along with lots of guests, entertaining, and other distractions in the home that can make it easy to lose sight of what’s on the stove or in the oven,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires, so we strongly encourage people keep a close eye on what they’re cooking and to minimize the likelihood of getting distracted.”

NFPA data shows that cooking was the leading cause of reported home structure fires and civilian fire injuries and the second-leading cause of civilian fire deaths and direct property damage, on annual average between 2015-2019. On Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,400 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2019, reflecting a 228 percent increase over the daily average.

“The good news is that the vast majority of cooking fires are preventable,” said Carli. “By taking simple steps and precautions to minimize the likelihood of having a cooking fire, everyone can enjoy a festive, fire-safe Thanksgiving.”

Following are tips and recommendations from NFPA to help people cook safely this Thanksgiving:

  • Never leave the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. Some types of cooking, especially those that involve frying or sautéing with oil, need continuous attention.
  • When cooking a turkey, remain at home and check it regularly.
  • Make use of timers to keep track of cooking times, particularly for foods that require longer cook times.
  • Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.
  • Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.
  • Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
  • Keep children at least three feet away from the stove. Kids should also stay away from hot foods and liquids, as steam or splash from these items could cause severe burns.

In addition, NFPA strongly discourages the use of turkey fryers that use cooking oil, which can cause devastating burns. For a safe alternative, NFPA recommends purchasing a fried turkey from a grocery store or restaurant or buying a fryer that does not use oil.

White House Announces 6-Week Media Blitz To Encourage COVID-19 Vaccine, Boosters

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The Biden Administration has announced a six-week campaign through the end of the year urging Americans to get their updated COVID-19 vaccine. With winter and holiday gatherings right around the corner, more Americans getting their updated vaccine will help avoid thousands of preventable COVID-19 deaths.

Whether you’re watching a World Cup soccer match or visiting the local health department, expect to be informed – often – about the benefits of getting COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to promote community health. Ad campaigns and public service announcement across multimedia outlets and platforms are going to focus on senior adults and populations hardest hit by COVID-19.
More than 70,000 locations are offering the updated COVID-19 vaccines – the Granville-Vance Public Health has both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent boosters, which GVPH Director Lisa Harrison said protects against the omicron variant. But this is the time for providers to think outside the box with pop-up clinics and other mobile settings in rural and remote areas.

HHS will continue direct outreach in communities with community partners and messengers to provide easy access to updated COVID-19 vaccines and information on the benefits of vaccination.

The new enforcement guidance ensures nursing homes are offering updated COVID-19 vaccines and timely treatment to their residents and staff, according to the White House press statement. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires nursing homes to educate their residents on the benefits of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccinations and to offer the vaccines to their residents. CMS will issue guidance today reminding health care providers of this requirement. In its guidance, CMS will make clear that nursing homes with low vaccination rates will be referred to state survey agencies for close scrutiny, and that facilities that do not comply with the requirement to offer and educate on the benefit of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccinations will face enforcement actions, including the need to submit corrective action plans to achieve compliance.

Hundreds of pop-up vaccination clinics to make it even easier for people to get their updated COVID-19 vaccines before the end of the year: National and local organizations, state and local health departments, K-12 school districts and higher education institutions, and pharmacies will continue to host pop-up vaccination clinics in urban and rural communities. Americans can also get vaccinated at ongoing events across the country run by schools, colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and state, county, research, and health fairs.

The “We Can Do This” public education campaign is airing TV and digital ads during the World Cup, as well as ads focused on reaching adults over 50 for Black, Latino, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, American Indian and Alaska Native and rural audiences.

The federal government is putting additional funding behind these efforts, including $350 million for community health centers to expand COVID-19 vaccines through mobile, drive-up, walk-up clinics with community partnerships and $125 million to get older Americans and disabled individuals vaccinated and boosted in vaccination events at senior and community centers, as well as providing transportation to help get individuals to clinics.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

TownTalk: Local Health Update With Lisa Harrison

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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought laser-focused attention to the need for community partnerships, and Granville-Vance Health Director Lisa Harrison knows firsthand the value of working together to assure overall community health.

Harrison, who recently completed her term as president of the National Association of City and County Health Officers, attended a national conference in Washington, DC, where public health officials gathered to talk about topics like vaccine equity.

“We had a really exciting day,” Harrison told John C. Rose on Monday’s TownTalk.

No matter where you find yourself – in the business world, faith community, education or simply a parent of young children, Harrison said “it’s wonderful that people are recognizing the hard work that the public health workforce commits to all the time to fight disease and promote health.”

“It doesn’t matter who you are in this community of ours, people’s health is one of the most important measures of wealth we have in this society. And I’m glad that people are realizing that there are people working hard to keep it that way,” she said.

Both Vance and Granville counties are currently enjoying low incidences of COVID-19 cases, but Harrison said flu is making its presence felt in the two counties.

“We are definitely seeing an uptick,” she said. “We need people to be washing hands and getting flu shots,” she said.

Vaccines provide protection for so many different diseases and sicknesses, she said, from shingles to COVID, childhood diseases to flu and pneumonia.

But access to vaccines still poses barriers and so she said public health professionals have to consider ways to get vaccines out into the community.

“We have to make an effort to go out into neighborhoods where transportation is a challenge for people and where there are maybe pockets of folks who don’t have the same amount of knowledge about the importance of vaccinations and staying healthy,” she said.

 

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Lighting of the Greens, Christmas Parade Dec. 2 In Oxford

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Oxford’s annual Lighting of the Greens and Christmas parade are set for Friday, Dec. 2 at 4 p.m.

The deadline to submit applications to participate is Nov. 25 at 5 p.m., according to information from the City of Oxford.

The festivities begin at 4 p.m., with the lighting of the greens at 6:45 p.m., followed by the parade at 7 p.m.

Families are invited to come downtown for ornament making, pictures with Santa, cookies, hot chocolate, performances, food and more.

Participants are responsible for decorating vehicles, tables and booths for the occasion.

Click the links below to complete the application online.

Christmas Parade Participant Application

Lighting of the Greens Application

Free Rabies Clinics In Granville For Cats, Dogs

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Granville County Animal Management will host the first of two rabies clinics tomorrow at the North Granville Senior Center in Stovall. The Senior Center is located at 118 U.S. Highway 15 S in Stovall.

Dog and cat owners can bring their pets – dogs on a leash and cats in carriers – from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, according to information from the county animal management department.

A second rabies clinic will take place at Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The fire department is located at 1680 NC Highway 96, Franklinton.

One-year doses will be available at the Stovall event, but the clinic at Brassfield FD will offer both one-year and and three-year doses. Pet owners interested in having a three-year dose administered to their dog or cat at the Brassfield event must bring proof of prior vaccination in the form of a paper certificate or official veterinary record.

For more information, please contact the Granville County Animal Shelter at 919.693.6749.

Funding and support for the rabies vaccine clinics is provided by PetcoLove, Granville County Government and the dedicated volunteers that work with the animal shelter.

City of Oxford

Donate Through Nov. 22 To City Of Oxford Annual Food Drive

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The City of Oxford is sponsoring a food drive now through Nov. 22 to support The Help Center NC.

The 4th annual Thanksgiving food drive began Oct. 24, according to City of Oxford’s Alyssa Blair.

Community residents who want to make a donation are asked to bring non-perishable food items to Oxford City Hall.

Contact Blair at 919.603.1100 to learn more.