19th Annual Turkey Trot For ACIM Nov. 28

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It’s almost time for the 19th annual Turkey Trot in downtown Oxford to benefit Area Congregations in Ministry, the local food bank in Granville County.

This fun run/walk is held on Thanksgiving morning – Thursday, Nov. 28 – and sends participants along a 2-mile route along College Street to the campus of the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford and back to Oxford United Methodist Church, the event organizer.

Admission is at two cans of food or other non-perishable item for ACIM. Monetary donations also will be accepted.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of Oxford United Methodist Church, with welcoming remarks shortly before the 9 a.m. start.

Families are encouraged to participate and everyone is welcome! Push little ones in strollers, bring your dogs on leashes and dress up in your favorite costume to add some holiday flair.

Granville Parks And Rec Mini-Grants For 2025-26 Application Period Begins Dec. 1

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-Information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

The Granville County Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee will begin accepting 2025-26 mini-grant applications on Dec. 1, 2024,  through January 31, 2025.

Eligible entities include Granville County local government entities that do not have an established recreation department or staff, as well as registered 501(c)(3) non-profit  organizations located within the county, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. The maximum grant amount for the local government entities is $20,000; maximum funding available for nonprofits is $10,000.

The grants will be used to facilitate the development and support of active and passive recreation and leisure activities for county residents. “The funding helps further the County’s reach in providing recreational amenities to a broad spectrum of residents, particularly in areas of the county that are underserved or those that have not received prior funding,” stated Deputy County Manager Korena Weichel. “The Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee is grateful to the county board of commissioners for continuing to provide  funding for this important program over the past several years.”

Projects previously funded include playground equipment at Jack Day Community Park in Stem, facility improvements at South Granville High School in Creedmoor, a picnic shelter at the Grassy Creek Community Center and benches for the Butner Community Association. Signs are erected at project sites to inform residents  that their county tax dollars helped provide the amenities.

Review and download program guidelines and application at  https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/recreation/recreation-grant/ Printed copies may also be obtained from the Granville County Planning Office located at 122 Williamsboro St., Oxford.

All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025. Complete submission requirements and instructions are included in the program guidelines.

To learn more about this grant opportunity, contact Deputy County Manager Korena Weichel at 919.603.1366 or email korena.weichel@granvillecounty.org.

 

NCDOT

Eight-Month Detour Begins Monday As Bridge Replacement Begins On Ed Harris Road

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A section of Ed Harris Road in Granville County will be closed beginning next week as a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation replaces a bridge.

The bridge over Tabbs Creek, which was built in 1955, will close Nov. 4 for demolition and replacement, according to NCDOT spokesperson Kim Deaner.

The new structure, part of a $1 million project, will be wider and taller to better withstand future flooding. Construction is expected to take about eight months.

During the closure, drivers will detour onto Dorsey Road, N.C. 158, and Watkins Road to reconnect with Ed Harris Road.

Drivers should plan for longer commutes and use caution when traveling near the work zone.

NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension “Winter Webinar” Series Discusses Small Ruminants

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If you’ve always wanted to learn about goats and sheep and what kind of care they need, join the N.C. Cooperative Extension for its “Winter Webinar” series.

There are five different webinars that will take place via Zoom, and each one discusses different aspects of the care and management of small ruminants.

The first webinar is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 7; webinars will be held monthly through March. Each session has a unique registration link.

Register here: https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/categories/agriculture-food/animal-agriculture/

The sessions are listed below:

  • Nov. 7 – Goats 101 covers basic nutrition, health and management
  • Dec. 5 – Hoof health, prevention and treatment of common hoof issues
  • Jan. 9 – Opportunities with sheep and solar farms
  • Feb. 6 – Livestock guardian animals – considerations and challenges
  • Mar. 6 – Pasture management for small ruminants

Contact your local extension agent to learn more.

  • Vance County: 252.438.8188
  • Granville County: 919.603.1350
  • Warren County: 252.257.3640
  • Franklin County: 919.496.3344

TownTalk: More Treats Than Tricks in Granville This Halloween

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Granville County Tourism Development Authority Director Angela Allen has some advice for folks gearing up for a lively holiday season – buckle up! The ride is just beginning in Oxford and across the county.

The Halloween fun cranks up with downtown Oxford’s “Spooktacular” beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. Kids in costumes can collect treats from participating merchants and businesses throughout Williamsboro, College, Hillsboro and Main streets.

“As the candy starts to give out, you can transition to Main Street for family activities,” she said. There will be vendors and more along Main Street to continue the festivities until about 8 p.m.

The towns of Creedmoor and Butner also will have trick-or-treat activities available. Visit downtown Creedmoor from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to get treats from downtown merchants. The town of Butner will host the first “Track-n-Treat at the Butner Athletic Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For all those who like scary stuff, you’ve still got time to get tickets to the Granville Haunt Farm. They’ll be open on Halloween from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and then again on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2. Check the website for times and prices.

Other activities include:

  • Friday, Nov. 1 – Cluck ‘N Shuck Oyster Roast, an annual event of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce. Call 919.693.6125 for tickets. Leon Nixon Catering provides steamed oysters, fried chicken, shrimp and fish with all the sides. It’s an all-you-can-eat food fest from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 2 – The Hub on Main’s Craft and Brew Holiday Festival. Free event, but you must purchase a ticket to sample beers from the dozen or so breweries that will be represented. Festival is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Check out The Hub on Main Facebook page to purchase tickets.
  • Sunday, Nov. 3 – Wedding and Event Expo at Creedmoor Community Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is a donation of non-perishable food items or toiletry items that will be donated to Families Living Violence Free. All types of venue representatives, photographers, caterers and more will be in one place to discuss your upcoming wedding plans or other special occasion. Purchase a $10 tasting ticket to sample foods, or go for the $20 ticket which includes a VIP bag along with the tastings.
  • Saturday, Nov. 9 – Operation Green Light celebration and Veteran’s Day Parade in downtown Oxford. Activities begin at 12 noon to honor military veterans. The parade begins at 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 9 – Holiday Extravaganza Parade in Stem – Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas parade, all in one event. The parade begins at 2 p.m. on East Tally Ho Road, with special guest Miss Teen North Carolina Kamryn Hollowell.
  • Saturday, Nov. 9/Sunday, Nov. 10 – Holiday Open House at Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy hot cider and cookies as you browse the handcrafted décor and other unique gifts in the gallery. Visit with Santa from 12 noon to 3 p.m. each day.
  • Monday, Nov. 11 – Butner Veteran’s Day Observance – 11 a.m. at Soldier Memorial Sports Arena.

Check out all the things going on across Granville County at www.visitgranvillenc.com.

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Granville County Sheriff

Granville Co. Sheriff’s Office Hosts Representatives From Mexican, Guatemalan Consulates Saturday, Oct. 26

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Representatives from the Mexican and Guatemalan consulates took part in an information program hosted by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office Saturday, Oct. 26. – the program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the sheriff’s office, 525 New Commerce Dr., in Oxford.

The event was designed to provide details the consulates offer, including citizenship applications, passport renewals and guidance on legal and social services, according to a press statement from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

There were other area resources available, too, including representatives from Families Living Violence Free – Granville County’s domestic violence and sexual assault crisis agency.

Also on hand was N.C. Stop Human Trafficking, a group that fosters awareness on the issue of human trafficking and collaborates with other organizations to fight this global challenge.

TownTalk: Masonic Home For Children Homecoming Recap

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The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford welcomed throngs of visitors to its campus last weekend for annual Homecoming festivities, which included activities for the kids, live music, food and tours of some of the facilities.

And don’t forget the parade, said MHCO Administrator Kevin Otis.

“The weather cooperated and a lot of people seemed to really have a great time,” Otis said Wednesday on TownTalk.

A couple of dozen barbecue teams got all set up on Friday in advance of the Saturday cookoff, which began shortly after the traditional parade.

The parade route, however, wasn’t the traditional march down College Street onto the campus – this year’s parade was contained on the campus itself. And Otis said it all worked out fine.

“It was a very good parade, with a lot of people coming to watch it,” he said.

“The entire parade route, even though it was short, had a lot of people” lining the drive to check out all the entries.

Otis was pleased with the community support, from school bands and Scout groups to dance teams and cheer squads.

Visitors got a chance to tour the chapel, museum galleries and even one of the residential cottages. Otis said he has received positive feedback from those who said they appreciated learning more about the children’s home and what it offers young people and families.

“What we’re doing is helping families in need,” he said, whether it’s caring for children while parents work to get back on their feet or grandparents who become guardians of their grandchildren.

Otis said cottage parents co-parent with biological parents or guardians to make sure the children’s needs are being met while in residence at the home.

But there also is an independent living program for young adults ages 18-21 who may be struggling to make it on their own. They get set up in their own apartment while learning how to become independent.

“We’re doing a lot of good work and not just for local kids, but all over North Carolina.

Learn more at 919.693.5111 or visit https://mhc-oxford.org/.

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Granville County Library System

Granville Library Gets $15K Grant To Preserve Oral Histories Of Local African American Educators

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The Granville County Library System was recently awarded a $15,000 grant from the Council of Library and Information Resources to digitize and make available a trove of recorded interviews of African American educators by local businessman and historian James Eddie McCoy.

McCoy recorded more than 240 hours of conversations with the Granville County educators between 1981 and 2016 which “explore the challenges and joys of teaching during the decades of school segregation and the coming of integrated public schools,” according to a press release from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

The grant funds will enable the library system to digitize and preserve McCoy’s interviews and circulate them to all users as early as 2025. Copies of the recordings will be deposited at N.C. Central University for students and researchers to access. The digitized content will be available nationally and globally through the library’s partnerships with DigitalNC and the Digital Public Library of America.

McCoy’s oral histories capture the story of Granville County’s African American educators, who, like their counterparts in other areas, did much more than teach reading, writing and arithmetic. They shared their history and worked to foster pride and self-esteem, stimulate civic awareness and encourage political engagement.

The preservation project began in September and runs through August 2025. Completed digitized materials will be turned over to the Granville County Library System as part of the 2025 celebration of Juneteenth, scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Richard H. Thornton Library.

As part of the celebration, two noted authors and scholars of the period are scheduled to participate. Dr. Jarvis Givens of Harvard University, author of “Fugitive Pedagogy” (Harvard University Press, 2021) and Dr. Leslie Fenwick of Howard University, author of “Jim Crow’s Pink-Slip” (Harvard Education Press, 2022) will be on hand and their books will be available for purchase.

Visit https://granville.lib.nc.us to learn more about the library’s branches, services and programs.

 

“Keeping The Farm” Topic Of Oct. 29 Workshop In Oxford

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Come to a “Keeping the Farm” workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 29 to learn more about topics from taxes to land conservation practices.

The free, half-day workshop begins with registration at 8 a.m. at the Granville

County Convention & Expo Center, 4185 US Hwy. 15, Oxford.

The goal of the workshop is to provide information to farm and forest landowners about stewardship and preservation.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/keeping-the-farm-workshop-tickets-1004492111947?aff=oddtdtcreator.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Grant Funding Available To Preserve Farmland Through Agricultural Easements

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Landowners interested in preserving farmland through agricultural conservation easements can apply for grants through a state trust fund. The application period is open now and ends Jan. 17, 2025.

County governments and conservation nonprofit groups can apply for farmland preservation grants from the N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund; property owners work with county governments or land trusts to apply for the funding, according to information from the office of N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

“A growing population and increased development continue to put pressure on family farms,” Troxler stated. “Agricultural conservation easements are the best tool to preserve farmland. I encourage farmers and landowners across the state to work with local partners and apply for grant funding to become North Carolina Forever Farms.”

Grants are available for agricultural conservation easements on working farms and forests; to support public-private enterprise programs that promote profitable and sustainable agricultural, horticultural and forestland activities; to develop agricultural plans; and to create Agricultural Growth Zones that enhance local investments in farmland preservation.

If awarded a grant in which the application requests funds for the conservation easement purchase value, landowners will be compensated for the purchase of the development rights.

During the most recent grant cycle, the N.C. ADFP Trust Fund awarded $18.2 million to protect working farms and forests, support county farmland preservation efforts and promote agricultural enterprises.

Agricultural conservation easements not funded in the previous grant cycle are encouraged to reapply for funding. Reapplications must notify the Farmland Preservation Division via online form.

A new online grant portal will be used for Cycle 18 applications. Grant applications, rules and information packets are available online at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/farmland-preservation/applicants. For more information, call the Farmland Preservation office at 919.707.3074.