Enjoy Highland Games In Oxford Saturday, Apr. 30

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The Central North Carolina Highland games will be held on Saturday on the campus of Central Children’s Home. Traditional Scottish athletic events like “tossing of the caber” will be demonstrated by skilled athletes from all over, and it’s all for a good cause.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the children’s home. And if there happens to be a kilt hanging in your closet, you’re welcome to wear it Saturday. The daylong event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen said it will be a fun time to watch and learn.

Tickets are $20 for those 16 and older; those 15 and under are admitted free. Contact event organizers at GamesAnnouncer@gmail.com.

Just what exactly IS a caber? It looks like a telephone pole and it weighs more than 150 pounds. And people toss it in the air and flip it so that it lands perpendicular to the ground. If that sounds a bit much, there’s also the N.C. Sheaf Toss Championship that will take place that day. That event involves throwing a 16-pound bundle of twine over a high bar.

The athletic events won’t be the only draw, however. A number of pipe bands will be performing, incorporating the sounds of bagpipes with drums and precision marching.

“If music and movement is your thing then you’ll want to take in the Celtic dance exhibition,” Allen said. “We’ve all heard of Riverdance. This will give you a chance to see individual dancers up close as they present traditional steps and dances,” she added.

There will be plenty of food and drink on hand throughout the day as well.

Visit www.visitgranvillenc.com for the schedule of events. The children’s home is located at 211 W. Antioch Dr., Oxford.

Equine Nutrition Workshop May 3 At Granville Livestock Arena

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Area horse owners are invited to attend a workshop next week to learn more about what equines need to eat to maintain good health.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 at the Granville livestock arena, 4200  Cannady Mill Rd.

Topics that will be discussed include understanding hay analyses and various supplements that are on the market to improve everything from a horse’s coat to strong hooves as well as reducing stress and improving gut health.

Feeding horses is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Just like people, different types of horses require different types of nutrition. Athletic horses that compete in events may require feed that is totally different from other equines that may be used for the occasional trail ride. Learn more about equine nutrition at the workshop, hosted by the cooperative extension agencies in Warren and Granville counties.

Registration is required by Sunday, May 1.

To register, CLICK HERE.

Or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-does-your-horse-really-need-tickets-292592440867

 

Granville County Library System

Granville Library Patrons Have New Self-Checkout Kiosk Option

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Visitors to a couple of libraries in the Granville County Library System (GCLS) surely have noticed the newly installed self-check kiosks that provide contactless checkout of books and other materials.

Patrons of the Thornton Library in Oxford and the South Branch in Creedmoor have bibliotheca’s selfCheck 500s to assist them in checking out materials, thanks to a $17,775 grant from the State Library of North Carolina and the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA

Whether patrons want to avoid the line at the circulation desk or simply want to maintain privacy about the materials they are checking out, a simple scan of their library card is all that’s needed to check out books and other items, according to information from the library. Of course, library staff will be available to assist if patrons need help navigating the self-checkout process.

“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Granville County Library System has looked for ways to modernize and make library operations safer through technology,” Library Director Will Robinson said in a press statement.

The self-checkout system improves library operations and minimizes contact between staff and patrons, Robinson said. And using federal COVID relief funds instead of local tax dollars was a great way to make operations more efficient while giving patrons additional choices on how they access our  materials and services, he added.

The State Library of North Carolina received funding as part of the federal government’s investment in museums and libraries through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provided additional funds to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support vital library programs and services in local communities. LSTA grants are awarded in response to specific needs of public, academic, and community college libraries. These federal funds are investments that help libraries deliver relevant and up-to-date services to their communities.

The grants are made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-250229- OLS-21).

Free Pop-Up Medical Clinic Coming To Henderson May 14-15

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Vance Charter School is going to be the site for an upcoming pop-up free medical clinic for residents in the Henderson and Vance County area.

The clinic is part of Remote Area Medical (RAM), an organization whose mission is to provide quality medical care by health professionals to those underserved and uninsured populations. The RAM chapter at Duke University has enlisted its members to organize and finalize plans for the weekend clinic.

Some of the procedures that will be done include general exams, women’s health exams, dental fillings, cleanings and extractions and eye exams – with eyeglasses made on site.

Doctors, nurses, dentists, optometrists and other health professionals will see patients on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, beginning at 5 a.m. each day.

Clinics have historically serviced between 200 and 2000 community members over a single weekend, according to Rishabh Jain, a Duke University senior who is one of the organizers for the local event.

Jain said RAM appreciates local collaborators Dr. Brian Mathis of Vance Charter School, Capt. Derrick Smith of the Henderson Salvation Army, and Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt of the Duke Department of Medicine to host a clinic to serve central North Carolina.

There will be extensive COVID-19 protections in place, including HEPA-filtered dental bays, hospital-grade disinfecting protocols and temperature screening and social distancing of waiting patients.

“Patients will never be asked any questions about insurance status—all are welcome,” SS said in an email to WIZS News. “We believe this will be a great initiative that brings diverse cohorts of the Henderson community together.”

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess said business/professional sponsorship opportunities are available now.  “Your financial assistance is needed, and you will see a direct return on your investment to this special cause with marketing and promotional signage, social media ads, your business name on volunteer t-shirts, and in media news releases,” Burgess said in a statement to WIZS News.

The payments can be made to Vance Charter School, and funds will be used to help cover hotel rooms for four nights for more than 30 volunteers who come in early and stay late to set up the tents, medical equipment, tables/chairs, and clean to prepare for the two-day event.

“Our Chamber’s theme for 2022 is ‘A Year of Community’ and what better way to bring our community together to help provide needed medical care for our citizens,” Burgess said.

She said many local medical professionals will be assisting in the event, as well as other area non-profit groups.

Vance Charter: https://portal.icheckgateway.com/VanceCharterSchool/

There is a drop-down box that indicates whether you want to pay by check or credit card, and then just click on Henderson RAM.  If you prefer to drop off your corporate/personal check, you can do so at Vance Charter School on Ross Mill Road in Henderson.  Please indicate that it is for the Free RAM clinic.

Learn more about RAM at https://www.ramusa.org/

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Announces Second Year Of Downtown Revitalization Grant Program

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Duke Energy Foundation continues its commitment to help downtown communities across the state through a program poised to award $500,000 in downtown revitalization grants.

The application process is open now, according to Duke Energy District Manager Tanya Evans, and this grant cycle marks the second year to support local businesses through the Duke Energy Hometown Grant Revitalization Program.

In 2021, the foundation provided $1.5 million to more than 380 small businesses across the state as a way to support small business recovery since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press statement, hometown revitalization grants will be awarded in 20 communities across the state. Each community could receive as much as $25,000, Evans said.

Small businesses will partner with a local 501c3 organization, which will create a microgrant program that small businesses will be able to access.

Microgrants may range from $500 to $2,500 per individual business, according to information from Duke Energy. The grant application is open now through May 31, 2022 and is available at duke-energy.com/2022. Grant decisions will be announced in August.

Nonprofits that participated in the 2021 program are not eligible to apply in 2022, Evans said. Working Landscapes in Warren County administered the microgrants in 2021.

“The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to small businesses, and reminded us all how important they are to creating and sustaining vibrant downtowns,” said Stephen De May, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. In a written press statement, De May continued by saying “Our hometown revitalization grants were very well-received across our communities last year. We hope this new wave of funding will continue to help local businesses and storefronts recover from a difficult few years and position them for a more prosperous future.”

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts, and is funded by Duke Energy shareholder dollars. Learn more at duke-energy.com/foundation.

NC DOT

NC DOT Spells Out Rules For Placing Campaign Signs

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As the political campaigning heats up in advance of the upcoming May 17 primary election, drivers are likely to see candidates’ campaign signs along roadsides. State laws govern where the signs may – and may not – be placed, and NC DOT has the authority to remove signs that are in violation of proper placement.

Anyone other than DOT employees who removes – or vandalizes – campaign signs could be subject to a Class 3 misdemeanor citation from law enforcement, according to a press statement released this week by NC DOT.

Campaign signs can remain in place for 10 days after the May 17 primary election. Signs still in the right-of-way after May 27 are in violation of state law, and the NCDOT is authorized to remove and dispose of them.

It is  General Statute 136-32 (b) which states that political signs, if properly placed, are allowed on the NC DOT right-of-way until May 27.

“NCDOT has the authority to remove any signs that violate the general statute, create safety hazards for travelers or interfere with maintenance operations. NCDOT employees may remove signs that are illegally placed within the state right-of-way, as time permits. The signs are normally taken to local maintenance offices where they will be stored until claimed,” according to the press statement.

Restrictions regarding sign placement include:
•    Whoever places a sign is required to get the permission of any property owner of a residence, business or religious institution fronting the right of way where a sign would be placed;
•    No sign is permitted in the right of way of a limited-access highway such as an interstate;
•    No sign can be closer than 3 feet from the edge of the pavement of the road;
•    No sign can obscure motorist visibility at an intersection.
•    No sign can be higher than 42 inches above the edge of the pavement;
•    No sign can be larger than 864 square inches; and
•    No sign can obscure or replace another sign.

Oxford Logo

Oxford FD Receives Higher ISO Rating

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The city of Oxford has announced that its fire department has received a new rating following a recent inspection, which places it among the top 12 percent of all rated fire departments in the state.

The Oxford Fire Department, under the leadership of Chief David Cottrell, achieved a new rating of 3 from the Insurance Services Office, according to information from the City of Oxford. The ISO rating will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2022.  The inspection, conducted by officials with the NC Department of Insurance of the State Fire Marshal, is required on a regular basis as part of the North Carolina Response Rating System (NCRRS).

The scores range from 1 (highest) to 10 (not recognized as a certified fire department by the state). A higher rating means that a department is better equipped to respond to fires and also significantly lower homeowners’ insurance rates in their district. Among other things, the inspections look for proper staffing levels, sufficient equipment, proper maintenance of equipment, communications capabilities, and availability of a water source.

In a statement, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey congratulated Cottrell and his department for their “performance and for the hard work of all the department members. The citizens in the city of these districts should rest easy knowing they have a fine group of firefighters protecting them and their property in case of an emergency.”

 

 

Granville School Board Work Session Set For April 25

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The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a work session on Monday, Apr. 25,  at 4 pm at The Mary Potter Center for Education, 200 Taylor Street, Oxford, NC 27565.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Exceptional Children Program overview and sporting event payments, as well as receive updates regarding the 2022-2023 budget and an Athletic Grant.  Members of the public are invited to view livestream. To join the livestream meeting, please use the following link: https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.

There will be limited seating available.  However, we have partnered with the county and made arrangements for anyone without access to WiFi who wishes to livestream the meeting. They may visit the Oxford Public Library, 210 Main Street, Oxford, NC 27565, or the South Branch Library, 1550 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522, and use the libraries’ WiFi services.

The Local Skinny! Granville Gardeners Expo

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Stop by the Granville Gardeners Expo in Oxford on Saturday for a fun-filled day of plant and garden workshops, from beekeeping to composting. There will be more than 60 vendors on site at the Granville County Expo Center on Hwy. 15 south of Oxford, selling all types of plants and shrubs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christi Henthorn is one of the the event organizers and she said this year’s event is more like a home and garden festival. And, she noted, it’s “a happy accident” that the expo will take place so close to Earth Day – which is tomorrow.

“We have a ton of stuff for everyone,” Henthorn told Bill Harris on Thursday’s The Local Skinny! segment. There is face painting, a petting zoo for the children, in addition to a wide variety of demonstrations and workshops scheduled throughout the day.

Local agriculture extension agent Johnny Coley will have a Gardening 101 class at 11 a.m. to dispel fears and encourage would-be gardeners to get a garden going. Whether they are vegetables, herbs or flowers, developing a green thumb is not that difficult, Henthorn said.

Coley will offer tips and tricks for the novice gardener, but even veteran gardeners are sure to pick up a thing or to, she said.

The event is free and open to the public. Visit www.thegranvillegardeners.com to see a complete schedule of events.

The parking lot in front of the expo center is reserved for those attendees who aren’t able to walk long distances and for those who are picking up pre-ordered plants. Henthorn said all others should park in the adjacent parking lot located in front of the former tobacco facility.

Henthorn said she expected a couple thousand people for the annual event. Come early for best plant selection!

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Angela Allen Highlights Granville County Events

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The events range from gardening to Scottish games, but families looking for some upcoming outdoor entertainment need look no further than Granville County for some fun and unique activities.

Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen joined John C. Rose and Bill Harris on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny! and reeled off a variety of activities teed up for the next couple of weeks.

Here are some highlights:

• Saturday, Apr. 23: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. art and wine festival, downtown Oxford. The event is free and will feature artists demonstrating their art for onlookers to watch and learn about various media, from painting to jewelry making.

• Saturday, Apr. 23: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Granville Gardeners Expo, held at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center on Hwy. 15 south of Oxford. Shoppers can pick up herbs and other plants for sale, as well as participate in classes to learn about beekeeping, native plants and backyard composting, to name just a few. View the complete schedule at thegranvillegardeners.com.

• Saturday, Apr. 23: 4 p.m. Country and swing dancing at Cedar Grove Acres. Beginner two-step dance classes and beginner swing lessons at 6:30 p.m.

• Thursday, Apr. 28: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., downtown Oxford, sponsored by the Granville Chamber of Commerce. Music by Carolina Soul Band.

• Saturday, Apr. 30: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Granville County’s version of the Scottish Highland Games is coming to town. All proceeds from the event benefit the Central Children’s Home of North Carolina, which will be the site of the games. Dozens of athletes from across the country are coming to demonstrate a variety of classic Scottish games, thanks to organizer Buck Buchanan, owner of Lumpy’s Ice Cream in Wake Forest. He also happens to be an announcer for Scottish games and he wanted to do something to benefit the local children’s home, Allen said. Tickets are $20 for people $16 and older; younger attendees get in free. There will be bagpipe bands, Highland dancers and vendors specializing in Scottish food.

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