TownTalk: Holiday Happenings In Granville County

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‘Tis the season for Christmas parades, chats with Santa, and holiday shopping. Granville County is gearing up for events all across the county, and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen said there’s something for everyone, from Creedmoor to Grassy Creek and everywhere in between.

Allen spoke with John C. Rose and Bill Harris on Wednesday’s Town Talk and rattled off a list of  events sure to keep folks entertained while getting into the Christmas spirit.

Here’s a rundown of activities and events:

  • Nov. 19-20 – 12 noon to 6 p.m. – The Barn at Vino will host Jimbo’s Fall Backyard Barbecue Competition fundraiser to benefit Wreaths Across America. The competition features 25 teams that will be vying for top honors in grilling chicken, ribs and more. Visit The Barn at Vino’s Facebook page or Eventbrite page to register to be a people’s choice judge. There will be music and entertainment throughout the day.
  • Harvest, a farm-to-table restaurant in Oxford, is taking orders for Thanksgiving. From whole meals to individual items to take home and bake or to reheat, visit the restaurant’s Facebook page or find it on Instagram to place orders by Nov. 19
  • Strong Arm Baking in downtown Oxford is taking orders through this weekend for pickup next week or arrange for a porch drop.
  • Saturday, Nov. 20 – Falls Lake Academy vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 20 – Carolina Cotton in downtown Creedmoor will host a holiday Sip and Shop. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Drinks, snacks, door busters and door prizes offered.
  • Friday, Dec. 3 – Lighting of the Greens in Oxford at 6:45 p.m. followed by Oxford Christmas parade at 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Dec. 3 – Christmas in the Park, town of Butner. Children can visit with Santa from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Christmas music will follow and the town’s Christmas tree will be officially lighted at 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Butner Christmas parade
  • Friday, Dec. 3 – City of Creedmoor’s tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. at the new community center. Student choirs will be performing and Santa will drop by.
  • Saturday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. – Creedmoor Christmas parade
  • Sunday, Dec. 5 – The Barn at Vino will host “Cocoa with Santa” from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children will get a chance to take a photo with Santa, decorate Christmas cookies and more during this 4th annual event. Additional vendors will be on hand to add some holiday shopping opportunities.
  • Saturday, Dec. 11 – Carlee Farms Holiday Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa and his elves will be at the market, along with more than 30 vendors in this fundraiser event to benefit the Stem Volunteer Fire Department and EMS. A silent auction and a toy drive are just some of the activities.
  • Saturday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. – Grassy Creek Christmas parade
  • Dec. 11 – 13 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Delrayno Baptist Church’s annual live nativity called “Back to Bethlehem.” There is no cost to participate, but donations are accepted. Enter from Delacroix Street across from Granville Medical Center to begin the drive-through event.
  • Saturday, Dec. 11 – The Orpheum in downtown Oxford is having a holiday gala to benefit the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford. Black tie and fancy dress is encourage for this event; a noted mixologist will be on hand to craft cocktails for this event.
  • During the month of December, the Oxford Arts Center is having several classes for participants to create holiday décor. Visit their Facebook page and the Eventbrite page to learn more and to register.

The website visitgranvillenc.com has details about these events and more.

 

School Board Approves One-Time Bonus Payments For GCPS Employees

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The Granville Board of Education approved one-time bonuses totalling more than $1 million for almost 900 permanent, full- and part-time employees of Granville County Public Schools, as well as additional bonuses for bus drivers.

The board decided on the retention bonuses at a work session held Monday. The bonus pay – projected to cost $1.1 million – comes from federal COVID relief funds. Permanent, full-time employees will get a one-time bonus payment of $1,000, and permanent part-time employees will get a one-time bonus of $600.

In addition, bus drivers will get an additional $250 for driving a morning, afternoon or regular double route, according to information from the school district.

Bonuses will be paid on Jan. 14, 2022. To be eligible for the extra payment, workers must be employed with the school district as of Nov. 1, 2021 and must continue to work through the end of the school year.
All eligible employees must complete an opt-in form agreeing to the terms of the bonus.  The superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent and executive directors will not receive the bonus payment.

“We are so incredibly grateful for our dedicated employees,” said Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean. “We know how difficult things have been for our educators recently, and we wanted to find a way to reward those who continue to be loyal to GCPS.  While they deserve far more, we are pleased that we can direct a portion of the federal COVID funds allocated to our district for this important effort. We hope this modest bonus will be received along with our sincere gratitude and appreciation for our excellent employees.”

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Oxford Lands Fla.-Based Frozen Foods Facility, Adding 24 Jobs

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A Florida-based frozen food company has chosen Oxford as the site for a production facility that is expected to bring 24 jobs to the area. Gov. Roy Cooper’s office made the announcement Monday and said the company will invest $5.7 million to relocate a production facility.

Meel Corp, a frozen food company based in Miami, will create 24 new jobs in Granville County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5.7 million to relocate a production facility in neighboring Granville County.

Meel Corp supplies healthy frozen foods through its own brand and private labels. For more than 40 years, the family-owned business has sourced, developed, processed and packed organic and conventional fruits, vegetables, and frozen convenience products. Meel’s expansion to North Carolina will include a state-of-the-art packing and cold-storage facility and will continue to source some products from North Carolina.

“We are glad to welcome Meel Corp to North Carolina,” Cooper said in a press release. “Our state has the best business climate, the hardest working employees, the agricultural legacy, the central east coast location and the great quality of life that will make this company successful here.”

“We’re beyond excited about our move to North Carolina.  With the supply chain plagues and labor issues that surfaced after COVID, North Carolina represents an ideal geographical location for us – bringing us closer to our national customers and their delivery points,” said Michael Iaslovits, President of Meel Corp. “Our company name – MEEL is an assembly of the first letters of our family members – we’re happy to bring our family business to North Carolina, where we will hire new employees and expand our family!”

Although wages will vary by position, the average annual salary for all new positions is $48,500 and will create a potential payroll impact of nearly $1.2 million per year. Granville County’s average annual salary is $42,326.

“North Carolina is a national leader in food and beverage processing,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Meel’s decision proves that North Carolina has a winning recipe for success – a strong supply chain, transportation infrastructure, and a diverse pipeline of talent, that we’re committed to further developing.”

A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Meel’s relocation to North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment.  All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“This is a great economic development win for our community and the entire state,” said N.C. Representative Larry Yarborough. “We appreciate Meel and every partner on the local and state level that helped recruit the company to our region.”

“Granville County continues to attract successful food processing companies,” said N.C. Senator Mike Woodard. “The people of Granville County welcome these new jobs and are eager to support the company’s continued growth here in North Carolina for many years to come.”

Joining the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were key partners in the project that included the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Vance-Granville Community College, Kerr-Tar Council of Governments, Granville County, Granville County Economic Development, Granville County Chamber, Granville County Public Schools, the City of Oxford, and the NCWorks Career Center Oxford.

NC Coop Extension

Tobacco Growers Vote Nov. 18 On Whether To Continue Check-off Program To Fund Research

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Update 11-19-21

Paul McKenzie, agriculture agent for Vance and Warren counties, said the results will be available the week of Nov.22.

••••••••••••••

Area tobacco growers join others across the state this week to vote whether to continue a self-assessment of 10 cents per 100 pounds of flue-cured and burley tobacco sold to support tobacco research and education.

The vote will take place on Nov. 18, and Paul McKenzie, agriculture agent for Vance and Warren counties, said a two-thirds vote in the affirmative will mean that the check-off program will be good until 2027.

The check-off program started in 1991 and allocates more than $200,000 annually to tobacco-related research and extension projects at N.C. State University. State law requires a referendum be held every six years.

“This referendum is important to the future of tobacco production in North Carolina,” said Sonia Murphy, president of the N.C. Agricultural Foundation and state check-off coordinator. “Federal funding for tobacco research ceased in 1994, and state support has declined in recent years due to state budget reductions.

“I encourage tobacco growers to vote on this important check-off,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “A two-thirds majority of votes is needed to pass the assessment, so be sure to cast your vote.”

Funds from the check-off are allocated by the N.C. Tobacco Research Commission, whose membership includes the Commissioner of Agriculture, the N.C. Farm Bureau Federation president, the N.C. State Grange president, the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina president and the chairman of the N.C. Tobacco Foundation.

Ballots will be available for tobacco growers at county extension offices on Nov. 18.  Contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension office for specific information regarding polling locations and times.

Vance County Extension – 252.438.8188.

Granville County Extension – 919.603.1350

Warren County Extension – 252.257.3640

Franklin County Extension – 919.496.3344

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

John Penn Citizen Of The Year Nominations Open; Due To Chamber By Jan. 4, 2022

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for the annual John Penn Citizen of the Year award, given to a local citizen for outstanding service to the community.

John Penn was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and he lived in Granville County and was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775.

Chamber members are invited to nominate individuals who have contributed to the local community. According to the nomination form, the nominee’s employment may be related to the individual’s accomplishments, but they should be separate and apart from their work duties.

Nominations are due to the Chamber office no later than Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. A committee will review all applications and the winner will be announced at the annual Chamber banquet.

The nomination should contain evidence of the nominee’s positive impact on the community and should contain the areas that the nominee is active – town, county, church, civic group, schools, recreation – as well as any specific action and involvement that is directly related to the nomination.

Download the application at https://granville-chamber.com/member-services/john-penn-citizen-year/ or contact the Chamber at 919.693.6125.

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Joint Commissioners, School Board Meeting Cancelled; Commissioners Still On For Nov. 15 at 7 P.M.

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The joint meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the Granville Board of Education, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 at 2 p.m., has been cancelled, according to information received from Debra Weary, clerk to the board of commissioners.

The commissioners will meet on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. for the regular scheduled meeting.

 The commissioners meet at the Granville Expo & Convention Center, 4185 Highway 15, Oxford.

The district boundary map will be on the agenda for consideration at the Nov. 15 meeting.

Contact Weary at debra.weary@granvillecounty.org or 919.603.1607 for more information.

South Granville Rotary Collecting Items For Holiday Gift-Giving To Senior Adults

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The Rotary Club of South Granville County needs the community’s help to bring some holiday cheer to senior adults in the area.

The goal is to distribute 125 gifts at a drive-thru event on Dec. 3 at the Granville County Senior Center. The event is for senior adults who attend South Granville Senior Center activities, according to Club President Angela Allen.

Sign up to collect one or more items (in increments of 25) on the club’s Signup Genius page:

www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4aaeac23aafc1-granville1

All donations must be collected and delivered by November 30, 2021. Donations may be dropped off on Tuesdays at the weekly Rotary Club meeting. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. at South Granville Country Club, 2539 Sam Moss Hayes Rd., Creedmoor.

Other drop-off locations in Creedmoor include:

  • Creedmoor Community Center, 108 E. Wilton Ave., Tuesdays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Instructions for dropoff will be posted at the entrance.
  • Mule Town Veterinary Hospital, 413 N. Main St., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays 12 noon to 8 p.m.

For more information, email angela.allen@granvillecounty.org or phone 919.725.6486.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

TownTalk: Lisa Harrison Praises Area Healthcare Workers; Appears Before Congress

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If you receive a postcard in the mail from Granville Vance Public Health in the next little bit, Lisa Harrison surely would appreciate it if you agree to help out with a project that is currently underway in the two-county area.

Harrison, GVPH director, said the health department is conducting its community assessment to solicit information from residents about what is foremost on their minds with regard to health issues.

She told John C. Rose on Town Talk Wednesday that the health district is going to be sending out postcards to about 4,000 individuals – chosen at random – to complete an online survey that will be used to complete the community health assessment.

In addition, there will be two focus groups held next week – one at Gang Free Inc, 940 County Home Rd., Henderson on Nov. 16 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and a second at Oxford United Methodist Church, 105 W. McClanahan St., Oxford on Nov. 17 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For the past several years, the health department has focused on mental health, substance abuse, youth well-being and access to health care services. Results from the current community assessment will help inform the direction for county health professionals to take over the next several years. Harrison said she wants the public to say “what we should spend our time and money on in the next three years.”

As health director, she is attuned to the programs offered and services needed in Vance and Granville counties.

But Harrison also currently serves as president of the board of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), which has taken her to conferences and meetings across the country.

She recently testified before Congress about the national shortage of health care workers and a possible loan repayment program to improve the situation.

“It was a really nice opportunity to brag on our workforce,” Harrison said. Those health care workers who have been “working at the tip of the spear” during the COVID-19 pandemic need to have advocates like Harrison representing them on the national level.

The hearing lasted about 4 ½ hours, but she said it seemed like there was bipartisan support for the loan repayment program.

The front-line workers battling COVID-19 aren’t much different from soldiers defending the country and keeping it safe. “I appreciate that there was some discussion…to protect Americans,” she added.

As for the staff at the health department, Harrison has nothing but glowing comments to share. “It’s always an honor and a privilege to talk about (them),” she said. They are dedicated to this community and so “it’s easy for me to tell that story.” The health department locations in Henderson and Oxford have extended clinic hours to make it easier for people to come after work and school to get vaccinated.

“Now’s the time” to get vaccinated, Harrison said. “We don’t want any more variants…(and) certainly we don’t want any more deaths. A vaccine is the best way to protect everybody.”

 

 

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Recycle/Disposal Event Set For Nov. 20 At Granville Expo Center

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The Granville County Environmental Services department is sponsoring a fall clean out event on Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can bring recyclable items and hazardous household items for disposal. 

The event will be held at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, located at 4185 Hwy. 15 South, Oxford.

Teresa Baker is the county’s recycling and sustainability coordinator. Items that will be collected for recycling or safe disposal include:

  • paint and paint-related materials – limit 15 paint cans per household
  • household cleaners
  • old gasoline
  • drain cleaners
  • fluorescent light tubes
  • scrap metal
  • electronics
  • batteries
  • pesticides/fungicides/herbicides
  • outdated medications, inhalers, sharps, diabetic supplies
  • ammunition
  • propane tanks
  • flares and fireworks

 

“Last year’s event was a successful one, resulting in the collection of more than 26 tons of materials for recycling and proper disposal,” Baker said. “We are looking forward to another productive collection day and invite all Granville County residents to participate.”

Baker said an on-site document shredding service also will be on site during the event and there will be a collection station for donations of pet supplies such as dog/cat food, leashes, collars, crates, pet beds, kitty litter and towels.

Assistance will be provided at each designated station for convenient unloading. For more details, please contact Baker at 919-725-1417 or at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us.

NCDHHS Info Session About Ages 5-11 Covid Vaccine

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Update 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 9 — If you did not get to listen live, it is still possible to watch it on social media.  The NCDHHS social media feed of the event is embedded here.

— press release from NCDHHS Monday, November 8, 2021

NCDHHS to Host Livestream Fireside Chat and Tele-Town Hall on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Ages 5-11 on Nov. 9

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the safety and effectiveness of the recently approved Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5–11.

NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D, will host the event and will be joined by pediatrician Rasheeda Monroe, M.D. Dr. Monroe currently serves as the Medical Director of Primary Care Pediatrics at WakeMed. She is also the Raleigh area Campus Director of the UNC School of Medicine and the Director to the Kenan Urban Scholars program at the UNC School of Medicine.

Molly Grantham — WBTV news anchor, author, speaker and mom of three children — will moderate the conversation.

The fireside chat will livestream from both the NCDHHS and WBTV social media accounts and will also include a tele-town hall feature. Households will be invited by phone to listen in and submit questions to help ensure everyone interested can participate. People can also dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext.76807#.

This event comes as the FDA recently authorized and the CDC now recommends a lower-dose Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5–11. Children are vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus just like everyone else, and the vaccine provides a safe, tested way to help keep them healthy.

To date, more than 69% of teens between the ages of 12 and 17, and 71% of adults, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Watch the livestreams on NCDHHS social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

NCDHHS fireside chats and tele-town halls are part of the state’s ongoing public engagement to slow the spread of COVID-19 and ensure equitable access to timely information, resources and COVID-19 vaccines.