The Local Skinny! The Viking Experience

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The Vikings are coming, the Vikings are coming – back. For the second annual Viking Experience, that is, to be held Mar. 25 and 26 at The Barn at Vino in Stem.

Hanna Reid, co-owner of the company that is part history lesson, part entertainment and part immersive experience, spoke with Bill Harris on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Last year’s event was such a success, they’ve upped their game for this year, Reid said.

“We were packed out last year,” she said of the interest and attendance. “We didn’t quite expect to grow out of the Expo Center in just one year.”

But folks came from as far away as Ohio and from all up and down the East Coast to attend the two-day event. And so far this year, things are shaping up for another successful event.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. each day; Saturday’s program ends at 6 p.m., with a dinner theater at 6:30 p.m. Activities end at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Day passes are available ($18 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday), or you can choose a $30 weekend pass. There are several add-on tickets available that get you into extra activities like “the fairy experience,” escape room and fight pits, Reid explained.

And of course, there will be vendors everywhere, selling craft items, as well as local food and drinks.

There will be music, education classes, dancing, and a family friendly theatrical day court program for everyone to enjoy. She said her mom (the other co-owner) counted up and close to 500 people, from performers and vendors to volunteers and support crew, will join forces to put the weekend events together.

“It’s a really humbling thing to see how many people make this event,” Reid said.

A cast of at least 30 will be present over the course of the weekend to act out a storyline that has Queen Hanna the Red (Reid) confront another warlord who fancies conquering the Queen’s land.

With one foot in the history and the other in fantasy and entertainment, The Viking Experience is sure to delight.

Visit www.thevikingexperiencenc.com to purchase tickets online and avoid the lines that weekend.

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Computer Classes Aimed At Senior Adults

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Rebuild Communities NC is partnering with AARP’s Senior Planet to provide free ccomputer classes for anyone over 50 who wants to improve their knowledge about using computers, whether it’s for work or for pleasure.

The free classes are from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and most take place at Vance-Granville Community College, although the Perry Memorial Library will host several sessions, according to information from Edy Thompson, executive director of Rebuild Communities NC.

There have been sessions on using Google Workspace and understanding how cloud storage works, for example.

Here is a list of upcoming classes and their location:

  • Mar 14 – Google templates – VGCC
  • 21 – Introduction to Zoom hosting – VGCC
  • 23 – P2P payments – Library
  • 28 – topic to be decided – VGCC
  • 30 – topic to be decided – library

Call 252.915.1663 or email info@RebuildCommunitiesNC.org to learn more.

TownTalk: Spring Events In Granville County

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Anyone who attempts to keep up with Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen better be wearing a good pair of sneakers. Or better yet, roller skates. Between now and the end of April, she’ll be putting a lot of miles on her car to attend all the events scheduled for Granville County.

“We’ve got tons of stuff going on,” Allen told Bill Harris on Thursday’s TownTalk. “We’ve got some very creative people around here in Granville County – and they love spring.”

From egg hunts to traditional Scottish games, there’s something for residents and visitors over the next couple of months. “We do have so many people come to visit,” Allen said, adding that Granville County “may be small, but it’s definitely mighty and definitely welcoming to anyone who wants to come and have a good time.”

Kicking things off on Saturday, Mar. 11 is Spring Fling at the Orpheum in downtown Oxford.

This event is free to attend, but Allen said VIP ticketholders get a swag bag filled with items from downtown merchants as well as a mimosa and front-row seats to the fashion show.

Local is the name of the game at this event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

The fashion show includes the latest trends from downtown retailers C2, Nan’s Fashions and Bobo’s.

Here’s a rundown on the other upcoming events:

Saturday & Sunday, Mar. 25-26 – The Viking Experience at The Barn at Vino in Stem. This is the second year that the Vikings invade Granville County, featuring 30+ cast members who will be in character both days to interact with those in attendance. There will be food and craft vendors on site, and lots of opportunities to participate. Weekend passes are $30, with daily passes available as well. Day passes for Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. events are $18; Sunday events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and  tickets are $15. Special activities like “Viking in training fight pit” and an escape room require an extra fee.

Folks came from all over the country for last year’s event, Allen said. “I’m excited to see it again and (see) what they’ve added for this year.”

Friday, Mar. 31

Cedar Creek Gallery opens its studios and then plans to be open for the next two weekends, offering demonstrations in glass blowing, pottery and woodturning, just to name a few. There will be live music and different food trucks each day of the festival, rain or shine.

Saturday, Apr. 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Carlee Farms “Eggstravaganza” eaturing local food and craft vendors, as well as a photo session with the Easter Bunny and a petting zoo. Admission to the event is free; proceeds benefit Tar River Elementary School.
  • “Paws for Granville” 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Barn at Vino. Dinner, silent auction and musical entertainment to benefit the Humane Society and the Granville County Animal Services. Tickets are $35 and available on the Paws For Granville Facebook page.

Sunday, Apr. 2, 1-3 p.m.

            3rd annual Easter Egg hunt at The Barn at Vino. No charge to attend, but $15 per child to participate in egg hunt, which includes a photo with the Easter Bunny. Kids 3 and under will have a special spot roped off for them and the kids 4 and older will be in a larger area. Look up the event on Eventbrite or find out more information on the Barn at Vino Facebook page.

Saturday Apr. 8, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

            Jimbo’s Backyard BBQ at The Barn at Vino. Tickets $15, $30 for People’s Choice. Proceeds benefit Wreaths Across America. Find ticket info on Jimbo’s Backyard BBQ or the Barn at Vino Facebook pages

Food  and vendor trucks will be on site, and beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Saturday, Apr. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Granville Gardeners present the 2nd full-fledged expo at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center. What began as an herb sale a few years ago has become a daylong event that includes workshops and demonstrations, as well as dozens of craft vendors and local growers who share information about plants and gardening.

Celebrate Earth Day at the Expo. Learn more at www.thegranvillegardeners.org

Saturday, Apr. 29, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Oxford Main Street Art and Wine, featuring live music and a whole mix of craft vendors, artists and wine tasting. The event is free, but tickets are required for the wine-tasting. Beer and wine are available for purchase at The Hub on Main.

Allen said she likes the experience of mixing culture and art with this event.

Saturday, Apr. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Come to the campus of Central Children’s Home, 211 W. Antioch Drive, Oxford for the 2nd annual Central Carolina Highland Games. “This one’s for all my Braveheart fans,” Allen said. This daylong series of Scottish athletic events, from caber toss to stone’s throw, features pipe band performances and traditional Scottish dancers.

What’s a caber, you ask? Here’s Allen’s explanation: “I am talking about a huge big tree that people sign up to throw across a field,” she said.

Admission is free, and parking is $20. Proceeds benefit the Central Children’s Home.

Visit https://www.centralhighlandgames.com/ to learn more.

There’s so much planning and organizing that goes in to making these events happen, Allen said. “It’s pretty awesome to see this displayed in our community.” People get to “have fun, give back and learn something new.”

And, as always, find out more about all the things going on in Granville County at Allen’s webpage, www.visitgranvillenc.com

 

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Rosalyn Green Named 2022 John Penn Citizen Of The Year

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-information courtesy of Lauren Roberson, executive director of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce

A Granville County native who returned home to live was named the 2022 John Penn Citizen of the Year at Monday’s Granville County Chamber of Commerce membership meeting and banquet.

Rosalyn Green was honored as a tireless community volunteer who has invested herself into the community where she grew up. Mark Pace, the 2021 award recipient, presented the award during the event, held at The Barn at Vino in Stem.

This is the 42nd year of the award, given each year to a county citizen who has given his or her time in a volunteer capacity to enhance the quality of life in Granville County, according to a press release from Lauren Roberson, executive director of the Granville Chamber of Commerce.

L-R: Lauren Roberson, Mark Pace, Rosalyn Green, Reba Bullock

It was the 81st anniversary of the annual meeting and banquet, which featured a meal by Strickland Farms Catering and a program that highlighted the Chamber’s work in 2022 and its vision for the year ahead.

Pace is the North Carolina Room Specialist at the Thornton Library in Oxford, kept the winner’s name under wraps as he began his presentation.

“Synonymous-having the same meaning as another word or phrase in the same language,” he stated. “Here are some words and phrases synonymous with the person we acknowledge this evening: mentoring youth, mental health advocate, church service, child advocacy,  Cooperative Extension Service, Leadership Granville, George C. Shaw Museum, Mary Potter, and one near and dear to many–preserver of history.”

Green’s friends and compatriots in her volunteer endeavors, know that she has a heart for service, Pace continued. She serves on many boards in the county and volunteers at countless non-profits  including ACIM, CCM, the Chamber, DOEDC, and the Mary Potter Club, just to name a few.

“It is an honor to know and work with Rosalyn Green. She is one-of-a-kind and Granville County is blessed to have her.”

2023 Chamber President Reba Bullock had encouraging words in her remarks to the group. “Everyone, this is just the beginning of an exciting, productive and successful year within the Granville County Chamber of Commerce. We as a collective body will continue to collaborate with various organizations in our county to maximize services to Chamber members, to be a resource to those who are considering making our county their home for personal and business reasons, and to make Granville County an even better place to live, work and grow successful businesses!”

The Chamber Board of Directors acknowledges the following businesses for sponsoring the event:

Presenting Sponsor:  Spectrum Medical Solutions

Gold Sponsor: Duke Energy

Silver Sponsors: Carolina Sunrock, CertainTeed  and Granville Health System;

Bronze Sponsors: Lewis Electric of Oxford and Wake Electric Membership Corporation

Green joins Pace and previous recipients, listed here in alphabetical order:

C. Adcock, Gary L. Bowman, Dr. Joseph Colson, Hubert L. Cox, Jim Crawford, Johnsie C.  Cunningham, Hugh Currin, Sr., Nancy W. Darden, Leonard M. Dunn, Carlene Fletcher, Stan Fox, Laura Seifert Gabel, Hubert Gooch, Dr. John B. Hardy, Jr., Boyce Harvey, Rev. G. C. Hawley, Robinette Husketh,  Mildred A. Jenkins, Tom Johnson, Paul Kiesow, Doan and Bette Laursen, James and Mary Ann Lumpkins,  John D. Mackie, J. Medford, Dr. Jimmie V. Morris, Annette Myers, John King Nelms, Dr. Roy Noblin, Dr.  David Noel, Leonard Peace, Sr., Gladys Satterwhite, Harold Sherman, Rev. Harrison Simons, Tom Speed, Marshall Tanner, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Taylor, Steve Timberlake, Virginia Tuck, Xavier L. Wortham, L. Clement Yancey.

Three Face Murder Charges In February Killings

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Three people have been arrested and charged with murder after two men were found dead in a vehicle in a Henderson neighborhood last month.

On Monday, Henderson police, along with officers from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Police Department and the SBI made the arrests, according to information from Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

Antonio Ray Townes, 29, and Shyheem Burton, 27, both of Vance County, were arrested, along with Tiffany Greene, 30, of Oxford.

Each faces two counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of Kentrell Venable, 18, and Quavon Champion, 22. The men were found in a car parked on Gholson Avenue in Henderson on Feb. 7. Both men had been shot.

The suspects have been remanded to the custody of the Vance County Detention Center without bond pending future court proceedings.

Red Cross Announces March Blood Drive Dates

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The American Red Cross has announced several opportunities to donate blood across the four-county area in March, which also marks the 80th annual observance of the national organization.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the original proclamation in 1943, but the American Red Cross was established more than 140 years ago by Clara Barton, a nurse who tended wounded soldiers during the Civil War. In 1869, she learned about the Red Cross during a trip to Switzerland and subsequently founded the American Red Cross in the United States.

Whether it’s donating blood, setting up emergency shelters and providing emotional support to those whose lives have been affected by storms, fires or other natural disasters, the American Red Cross honors the legacy of its founder.

“When help can’t wait during emergencies, people in North Carolina rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need,” said Barry Porter, regional CEO of  American Red Cross North Carolina. “This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all those who make our mission possible during this year’s Red Cross Month celebration. You can join in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”

If you can’t donate blood or platelets, you can always donate money or volunteer your time. Visit redcross.org to learn more. Later this month, on Mar. 22, the organization celebrates Red Cross Giving Day, a campaign designed to raise money to help provide shelter, food, relief items and support to individuals who have suffered disasters large or small.  Visit redcross.org/givingday to give.

Blood drives happen all year long, but when individuals donate blood, platelets or plasma in March, they will receive by email a $10 Visa prepaid card. And they also will be automatically entered for the chance to win a $3,000 Visa prepaid card.

Consider signing up for one of the following local blood drives:

Vance County

  • Friday, Mar. 17: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Maria Parham Health, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.
  • Tuesday, Mar. 28: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Rd.
  • Thursday, Mar. 30: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

Granville County

  • Friday, Mar. 24: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave., Creedmoor

Warren

  • Saturday, Mar. 11: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Reverend C.H. Building, 130 Saponi Trail, Warrenton

Franklin

  • Tuesday, Mar. 28: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd., Louisburg
  • Friday, Mar. 31: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., State Employees Credit Union, 28 Burke Blvd., Louisburg
Oxford Prep School

SportsTalk: Hammett Optimistic About Oxford Prep Spring Sports

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Oxford Prep Athletic Director John Hammett’s teams are coming off a strong winter sports season. Both boys and girls basketball teams made the state playoffs and, for the first time in school history, a swimmer made the State meet.  According to Hammett, “We have a good group of girls who got better as the season went along,” in reference to the girl’s basketball team. Now Hammett turns his attention to spring.  The baseball team at Oxford Prep is off to a strong start defeating Granville Central this week 14-3 but, with only one senior, they are very young.  “Health is a big challenge because we only have  11 players,” Hammett said.

The girl’s softball team is also off to a solid start defeating Louisburg High School 6-0 earlier this week.  “They’ve got a chance to be real good,” Hammett said of the team which has quite a few returning players.  On Tuesday of next week, they will take on county rival Oxford Webb.

As for soccer, having plenty of players isn’t a problem.  Hammett said there are 23 girls on the squad.  The soccer team, unfortunately, is coming off a loss to Falls Lake.

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The Local Skinny! Wedding Expo Coming To Granville County

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The Granville County Convention and Expo Center will become a festive hub for all things celebratory this weekend when the venue reps and vendors gather to take part in a one-stop shopping experience.

The Wedding and Event Expo will take place Saturday, Mar. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $10. Once inside, brides-to-be and anyone planning a special event can talk with representatives from a variety of companies, from wedding venues to cake bakers and photographers.

Gena Stephens plans to be at the Saturday event to share information about Carlee Farms, a wedding venue that she and husband John established in 2016.

“Weddings are our biggest things that we focus on,” Stephens told Bill Harris during Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! But folks also book their facility, located in Stem, for family reunions, quinceañeros, birthday parties and more.

Carlee Farms was one of three wedding venues back in 2016, but now there are more than a dozen in Granville County alone.

And last year, Stephens said she booked nine weddings for couples who were from out of state.

“I don’t know if people have noticed, but Granville County is up and coming on so many different levels,” Stephens said.

Among the services that Carlee Farms offers bridal couples is coordination with vendors before the Big Day, to take a bit of pressure off the family and to make sure things run smoothly. “We are here to help you along the way,” she said. Stephens herself is the “day-of” coordinator, making herself the point person instead of the bride or groom.

She said she offers a list of recommended vendors to work with, but she is flexible. “I have a great recommendation list,” she said.

When she meets with couples to discuss wedding planning, she has three words of wisdom – or warning: “budget, budget and budget again.”

Say a couple has budgeted $10,000 for a wedding, Stephens said. “That doesn’t mean you spend all of it on your wedding dress.” Food and flowers can be big-ticket items, and Stephens said she tries to work with couples as they consider their options.

Stop by and chat with Stephens at the Expo on Saturday, visit www.carleefarm.com or email

gena@carleefarm.com.

 

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Families Living Violence Free

Teen Dating Violence; Domestic Violence; There is Help a Phone Call Away

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A live person will answer your call 24/7 in English or Spanish.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month and although the month is over, Families Living Violence Free offers some facts about teen dating violence that are relevant all year long.

FLVF Executive Director Peggy Roark said that violent behavior in young people usually starts between grades 6 and 12. More than 70 percent of young people between the ages of 13 and 14 “date.”

Sadly, roughly 50 percent of young people who experience rape or physical or sexual abuse will attempt to commit suicide, Roark said. And teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide and violent behavior.

Only one-third of the teens who were involved in an abusive relationship confided in someone about the violence.

If you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship, please encourage them to call FLVF at 919.693.5700, any time day or night. FLVF is FREE and CONFIDENTIAL.

In Spanish 919-690-0888.

Visit www.flvf.org to learn more.

‘Got To Be NC’ Festival A Great Spot To Display – And View – Antique Farm Equipment

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If that old tractor that your granddaddy used all those years ago still runs, whether it’s that special shade of green or red or blue, there may be a spot for it during the upcoming Got to Be NC Festival later this spring.

Festival organizers say there’s still space for those farm-equipment items that hobbyists and others can display during the festival, scheduled to take place May 19-21 at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

Organizers are on the hunt for collectors of antique tractors and farm equipment to join a display of more than 1,000 pieces of machinery. Tractors in working order also can participate in the daily tractor parade through the fairgrounds. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required.

There also are booth spaces available for N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Got to Be NC members, independent vendors and concessionaires at the festival. Applications for all vendor locations are due by April 1.

The Got to Be NC Festival is a family-friendly event that highlights the best of North Carolina agriculture. Visitors can roam through the antique farm equipment, sample and purchase locally made products at the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace, enjoy the excitement of the carnival and relax to live music on an outdoor stage.

Registration forms and vendor applications are online at https://www.gottobencfestival.com/Vendors.htm