Oxford Provides a ‘Snow Place Like Home’ Themed Holiday Experience

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-Information courtesy the City of Oxford website

Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation (DOEDC), in partnership with the City of Oxford, Granville County Public Schools and Granville Health Systems, invites the community to come and celebrate the magic of a themed holiday and Christmas season with “Snow Place Like Home, Oxford, NC”.

Beautiful banners, created by the School of Graphic Art at the Masonic Home for Children, will be visible in many downtown businesses around town in support of our holiday theme.

Additionally, in support of this theme, DOEDC has partnered with Granville County Schools asking for students’ “snowflake” artwork. This fun student art will be displayed in several downtown businesses to create a “Student Art Walk.” This partnership with Granville County Schools generates and instills “community pride” with Granville County’s youngest holiday-loving citizens.

In support of these students and their individual art, we invite community members, parents and grandparents to stroll around downtown in search of your student’s art. Once you find their art, take fun pictures and share with others inviting them to come and see the joyful display around downtown. The banners and student art will be up through Wednesday, December 26.

Make plans now to gather in downtown, create a unique family memory and find your student’s snowflake in honor of “Snow Place Like Home, Oxford, NC.”

For more information on the “Snow Place Like Home” theme, along with additional events, please visit the “Snow Place Like Home” Downtown Oxford Facebook page by clicking here.

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Granville Co. Board of Commissioners to Attend Regional Broadband Presentation

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, County of Granville

PUBLIC NOTICE

A quorum of the Granville County Board of Commissioners may be present on Thursday, November 29, 2018, for a presentation on regional broadband hosted by Kerr-Tar Council of Government. The presentation will begin at 5 p.m. at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Government’s Administrative Offices, 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson.

For more information, please contact the County Manager’s Office at 919-693-5240.

VGCC Trustees Narrow Presidential Search To Three Finalists

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s Board of Trustees has narrowed the search for the college’s next President to three candidates.

A search committee composed of six board members recommended five candidates from among nearly 90 applicants for the position, and the full board selected these finalists:

  • Dr. Rachel M. Desmarais of Clemmons, who is currently serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem;
  • Dr. Quentin J. Johnson of Mooresville, currently vice president of Student Support Services at Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro; and
  • Dr. Melanie W. Thornton of Albany, Ga., the vice president of academic affairs at Columbus Technical College in Columbus, Ga.

The action came Monday, Nov. 19, at the regular bimonthly meeting of the board on the college’s Main Campus.

Following protocol established by the North Carolina Community College System, the trustees now present the finalists to the State Board of Community Colleges for vetting. The three candidates will be invited to the college for public forums individually on Nov. 30, Dec. 3 and Dec. 4.

“We are extremely pleased with the quality of the candidates who are interested in the position, and we are confident that we are on track to select an excellent leader to carry our college into our 50th year and beyond,” said Danny W. Wright, chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees. “We want for Vance-Granville a president with visionary leadership and a commitment to student access and success and economic development in the communities we serve.”

The board plans to have the new president in place early in 2019.

Invitations to the forums are being sent to county officials, school officials, area chambers, and VGCC faculty and staff, among other groups. The public is invited to attend. The forums will be held in the Civic Center on the Main Campus. Each will begin at 12:15 p.m. Dr. Johnson is scheduled to speak at the Friday, Nov. 30, forum; Dr. Thornton, on Monday, Dec. 3; and Dr. Desmarais, on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Dr. Desmarais earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Instructional Design and Technology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., in 2015. She earned her Master of Science degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Bachelor of Music degree from Mars Hill College. She was an Aspen Institute Community College Excellence Presidential Fellow in 2017-2018. She has been with Forsyth Technical Community College since 2002, starting as a department chair before becoming a vice president in information services and in planning.

Dr. Johnson earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md., in 2010. He earned his Master of Arts from Bowling Green State University and his Bachelor of Science from Defiance College in Ohio. Prior to beginning work at Guilford Technical Community College in July 2012, he worked with Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College in West Virginia in 2011-2012 and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore from 2004 to 2011.

Dr. Thornton earned her Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum Studies from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga., in 2007. She received her Education Specialist degree from Troy University in 2002, two Master of Education degrees from Georgia Southwestern State University in 1995 and 1997, and her Bachelor of Science degree from Albany State University in 1991. Prior to going to Columbus Technical College in 2013, she was vice president for Academic Affairs at Okefenokee Technical College in 2012-2013, and Dean and Professor of Reading at Darton State College in Albany, Ga., in 2007-2012.

The Board of Trustees began accepting applications for the position on Oct. 8 with a deadline of Nov. 9 for applications and nominations. A nationwide search was conducted under the guidance of the firm of Executive Leadership Associates (ELA) LLP of Emerald Isle. ELA, described as “a consortium of former North Carolina community college presidents who are committed to ensuring that our internationally recognized community college system continues its proud tradition of excellence,” was selected by the Board of Trustees at its Sept. 17 meeting. The firm helped the Trustees by creating the presidential profile of the ideal candidate needed, guiding the search process, and recruiting and screening applicants, as needed.

Serving on the Trustees’ presidential search committee were Trustees Deborah Brown, chair; Herb Gregory, vice chair; N. Annette P. Myers, Abdul Sm Rasheed, Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Sara C. Wester.

Five-County Aging Agency Offers Chronic Pain/Disease Management Classes

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Representatives from the Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments (KTCOG) were on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the Area Agency on Aging’s evidence-based chronic pain and disease management programs. The KTCOG represents the five-county area of Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren counties.

Classes are currently offered to community members “age 60 and better” with chronic pain or chronic disease issues. These sessions consist of six-week, two-and-a-half hour workshops that are free to the qualifying public and their caregivers.

According to Jillian Hardin, aging director for KTCOG, classes will introduce tools that can be used to better manage pain and/or disease symptoms. “You will learn about exercise and walking,” Hardin said. “You will also learn about managing emotions because depression is a big part of chronic pain or chronic disease.”

The chronic disease self-management class, titled “Living Healthy” is currently offered at the Senior Center in Vance County for those with two or more chronic conditions. “We say you have a chronic condition if it lasts more than three months,” said Hardin. “People often say ‘I don’t have a chronic condition,’ but I have heart disease or diabetes; those are chronic conditions.”

Hardin said the importance of these classes demonstrating positive, evidence-based results cannot be discounted, “Evidence shows that when people take these six-week workshops, they have less pain, can better control their symptoms, have fewer trips to the doctor and hospital and save money in healthcare costs.”

Harvey Holmes, family caregiver specialist with the Area Agency on Aging, was also on the program to discuss the “huge” need for caregivers and caregiver support.

Holmes mentioned former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s famous quote about caregiving to sum up the importance of the role, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.”

Referred to by Holmes as the “godfather” of aging services in the five-county region, KTCOG offers services and classes to help participants cope with the emotional battlefield that is caregiving.

“You’re always going to have ups and downs, pitfalls and stumbles, and a lot of people can get discouraged,” said Holmes. “Your emotions do tend to change along the journey. Caregiving, as a whole, is a journey and the journey is different for each individual.

For more information on the chronic pain or disease classes or caregiver services, please contact the Area Agency on Aging at (252) 436-2040.

You may also call NC 2-1-1, a 24/7 information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina and supported by local United Ways and public and private partners across NC. Service is available in all NC counties.

Callers may dial 2-1-1 to obtain information on health and human services and resources within their community. The service is free, confidential, and available in most languages.

To hear the interview in its entirety, click here.

‘Shop Granville First’ on Small Business Saturday

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— Information and graphic courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com

It’s here! Shop Granville First and celebrate Small Business Saturday all across Granville County on Saturday, November 24. Get a tote bag at a Chamber office or at the Thanksgiving Breakfast to get first dibs on coupons, flyers, specials and more, and support the small business community in Granville County!

Click here to check out our Facebook video for more info!

Seiferts Honored By Family As New Scholarship Level Created At VGCC

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

As hundreds of students were being honored with scholarships at Vance-Granville Community College’s annual Scholarship Awards Dinner, the college announced the creation of a new level of scholarship and celebrated the first Presidential Excellence Award in honor of Donald and Betsy Seifert.

The new award was fully endowed with a gift of $60,000 from the family of the Henderson couple, and future student recipients will receive an annual award of $3,000 to cover tuition, books and fees at the college.

The announcement came as hundreds of scholarship donors and VGCC students gathered for dinner in the Civic Center on Tuesday, Nov. 13, to recognize more than 300 students receiving scholarships for 2018-2019.

Above, Dr. Gordon Burns, interim president of Vance-Granville Community College, and Eddie Ferguson, director of the VGCC Endowment Fund, gather with Donald and Betsy Seifert, shown holding the check in the center of the photo, and the Seifert family to celebrate the creation of the first-ever Presidential Excellence Award scholarship. From left are Dr. Burns, the Seiferts’ son Sam Seifert, daughter-in-law Jennifer Seifert, son Brent Seifert, Donald Seifert, son Clem Seifert, Betsy Seifert, daughter-in-law Donna Seifert, son-in-law Sandy Gabel, daughter Laura Gabel, and Ferguson. Unavailable for the photo was daughter-in-law Amine Seifert. (Photo Credit: VGCC)

Donald C. Seifert Sr. has been a member of the VGCC Board of Trustees since 1996 and served as the chair of the board for nine of those years. Appointed to the board by the Vance County Board of Education, he also serves on the college’s Endowment Fund Board of Directors.

“Our parents have shown us, through their good examples, that we should give back to our community,” the members of the Seifert family said in their statement announcing the honor. “They have demonstrated over and over again just how to give and why.” The statement was read by Eddie Ferguson, director of the college’s Office of the Endowment.

“Community can be defined in many ways,” Ferguson read. “Community is our home, our neighborhood, our workplace, our church and our community college. (Our parents) give – and have given – generously of their time, their talent, and their treasure for many years…. Their community is so important to them – they have dedicated themselves to their community – their hometown.”

“Their children, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, and grandchildren establish this scholarship to honor two special people and their commitment to the place they call home. They will, no doubt, downplay their role and the many ways they support and contribute to this community. That is who they are and that is what makes them special to us and, we hope, to their community. Those of you who have helped to create scholarships that we honor tonight, thank you. Those of you who are scholarship recipients, go and be a blessing to others in your community – however you define your community,” the statement concluded.

The announcement by Dr. Gordon Burns, VGCC’s interim president, and Ferguson was a surprise to the father and mother. As the details of the scholarship were being announced, the family members filed into the Civic Center to join them on stage.

“It’s exciting to see the bar raised in our efforts to help students receive the financial assistance they need in getting an education so that they can pursue their dreams,” said Dr. Burns. “We commend the Seifert family for their passion for community and expressing that passion through the support of our students.”

The Seiferts have one daughter and three sons, all of whom attended the event, along with their son-in-law and two daughters-in-law: Laura Seifert Gabel and husband Sandy, of Oxford; Donald C. “Clem” Seifert Jr. and Donna, of Wilmington; Brent Seifert and Jennifer, of Salisbury; and Sam Seifert of Decatur, Ga., whose wife, Amine, was unable to attend.

With the new scholarship level, the Endowment Fund now has four tiers of scholarships. In addition to the new Presidential Excellence Award, a $25,000 donation creates a Presidential Scholar Award that provides $1,250 per year to a student; a Presidential Merit Award, started with a $15,000 donation, awards $750 per year to a student; and a gift of $10,000 starts an Academic Achievement Scholarship, which awards $500 a year to a student.

The scholarships presented to students at Vance-Granville this academic year bring the total to more than 9,400 awarded by the college to date. VGCC scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

More photos: Check out our Scholarship Awards Dinner album on Flickr!

Waste Industries Announces Holiday Pick Up Schedule

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-Information courtesy Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

Waste Industries will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 22, 2018. To make up for the missed day, regularly-scheduled Thursday pick up will be done on Friday, November 23; regularly-scheduled Friday pick up will be done on Saturday, November 24.

Waste Industries will also be closed Tuesday, December 25, 2018, in observance of Christmas and Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in observance of New Year’s Day. For the time period of December 25-28, 2018, and January 1-4, 2019, regularly-scheduled pick up will be delayed by one day.

For additional information on the holiday schedule for the Vance Granville branch,  please visit the Waste Industries website by clicking here.

Oxford’s Annual Turkey Trot Scheduled for Thanksgiving Morning

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-Information courtesy Laura Gabel, Area Congregations In Ministry (Food Bank – Oxford, NC)

The 14th Annual Turkey Trot is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 22 – Thanksgiving morning – in downtown Oxford. Registration for the fun run/walk begins at 8:30 a.m. at Oxford United Methodist Church, located at the corner of College and McClanahan streets. The entry fee is two cans of food or a monetary donation for Area Congregations In Ministry (ACIM).

The route begins at the church, goes down College Street, through the campus of the Masonic Home for Children and ends at the Methodist Church. Come out for a fun morning as we give thanks while helping others!

Camp Recognized as an ‘Educator of Excellence’ at Recent Reception

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-Information courtesy Dr. Stan Winborne, Public Information Officer, Granville County Public Schools 

Robin Camp, an Exceptional Children’s Program (ECP) “Teacher of Excellence“ with Granville County Public Schools (GCPS) was recognized last week at the Educator of Excellence Reception at the ECP Conference. Camp works at Granville Central High School in Stem, NC.

Dr. Stan Winborne, public information officer for GCPS, congratulated Camp on her well-deserved honor. “Please join us in congratulating Robin. She demonstrates daily ‘Excellence and Achievement for all!’ We are so proud of her, and can’t wait to see what she does next!”

Robin Camp, an Exceptional Children’s Program (ECP) “Teacher of Excellence” with Granville County Public Schools (GCPS) was recognized last week at the Educator of Excellence Reception at the ECP Conference. Camp works at Granville Central High School in Stem, NC. (Photo Credit: GCPS)

 

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Granville Board of Commissioners to Hold Public Hearing on Economic Development

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Board, Granville County

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, November 19, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center, 4185 US Highway 15 South, Oxford.

Agenda items include:

Consent Agenda

1. Minutes

2. Contingency Summary

Public Comments

3. Public Comments

Public Hearings

4. Public Hearing-Economic Development

Solid Waste Matters

5. Litter Removal Services

Purchasing

6. Material Testing & Special Inspections for Law Enforcement Center/Animal Shelter Project

Appointments

7. Butner Board of Adjustment – ETJ

8. Butner Planning Board – ETJ Member

9. Orange Street Community Center

County Manager’s Report

10. Recap of Granville County Public Schools’ Funding History

County Attorney’s Report

11. County Attorney’s Report

Presentations by County Board Members

12. Presentations by County Board Members

Any Other Matters

13. Any Other Matters

Closed Session

14. Closed Session – Personnel