Masonic Home for Children Holds Strategic Planning Retreat

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A Strategic Planning Retreat was held March 24-25 with almost 50 personnel, board members, alumni, community partners, and other stakeholders in attendance.

Friday evening’s activities included reflecting on MHCO’s past, sharing resident and staff experiences, discussing the current organizational profile, and analyzing where MHCO stands currently including internal strengths and weaknesses and external threats and opportunities for growth.

Saturday’s activities included envisioning the future and strategizing how to close the gap between MHCO’s operations in 2017 and vision for 2021.

Breakout groups revised the mission, vision, and quality statements and developed a new tagline. Goals, objectives, and initiatives were developed to enhance the sustainability of MHCO including utilization and stewardship of resources, community partnerships, and recruitment and retention of employees.

The strategic plan ideas will be compiled and discussed at the May meeting of the Board of Directors for feasibility and implementation.

This retreat was the first of many discussions about the bright and promising future of MHCO.

Thanks to all who attending!

Oxford Preparatory School Hosts First Summer Camp

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Open to Rising 3rd through 8th Grade Students

This will be the first summer camp offered by Oxford Preparatory School. The camp is intended for rising third through eighth grade students within the surrounding area. Camp activities will be predominantly held at Oxford Preparatory school on Landis Road. The summer camp will run from June 19th through August 4th beginning at 8:30 AM and ending at 4:30 PM. There will be a one week break observing the Fourth of July Holiday. Parents can choose to send their child for a single week, specifically themed weeks, or for the entire summer.

For more information regarding the Oxford Preparatory Summer Camp, please visit Oxforprep.org, or contact Camp Coordinator, Krystle Fraser at (919) 690-0360 extension 131.

VGCC students visit RHA patients

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A group of students from Vance-Granville Community College conducted a Valentine’s-themed community service project in February at RHA Health Services in Creedmoor.

VGCC Radiography and Human Services Technology (HST) students handed out valentines and gifts to the patients, staff and administrators at RHA. “The patients were very receptive and appreciative to receive the gifts,” according to VGCC Radiography Clinical Coordinator/instructor Stacey Soles. The VGCC Radiography Club invited Human Services students who wished to participate in the community service activity to join them. Both degree programs are based at VGCC’s South Campus between Creedmoor and Butner. Sharon O’Geary, instructor of Human Services Technology, also went with the group, and said she plans to start an “HST Club” that would participate in service projects and attend regional and national Human Services conferences.

RHA Health Services is a multi-state company providing a comprehensive network of support services for people with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities and those with mental health needs or substance use challenges.

The two-year Radiography degree program prepares graduates to be radiographers, skilled health care professionals who use radiation to produce images of the human body. For more information on Radiography, contact Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas at (252) 738-3397.

The HST curriculum program prepares students for entry-level positions in institutions and agencies which provide social, community, and educational services. VGCC offers a general HST track, a Substance Abuse track, and a Gerontology track. For more information on HST, contact Tracy Wallace at (252) 738-3519.

–VGCC–

Local Chambers of Commerce to Host Administrative Professionals Luncheon

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce, together with Franklin, Warren and Vance Chambers, and the Small Business Center of Vance-Granville Community College,  are sponsoring the annual Administrative Professionals Luncheon.

This year’s event is being held Wednesday, April 26 at noon, at Henderson Country Club.  Business owners and administrators are encouraged to treat their administrative professionals to lunch, networking and an interesting presentation in observance of Administrative Professionals’ Day.

Lunch reservations are required ~ $20/person by April 14th to either of the Chamber’s offices – 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Granville Chamber Requests Nominations for Small Business of the Year Award

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The four area Chambers of Commerce – Granville, Franklin, Vance and Warren, along with Vance-Granville Community College’s Small Business Center, are sponsoring the annual Small Business Award Luncheon May 3rd at Henderson Country Club.

The criteria is as follows:

  • Employs a maximum of 50 people
  • Member of the Chamber and located in the county
  • Viable, on-going business for three or more years
  • Provides critical service or product
  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business
  • Business is supportive of community growth sustainability
  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

Anyone may nominate a business they feel deserves recognition and meets the criteria.

Companies may nominate themselves.  Past Granville County recipients are:  Cardiovascular Care; Stovall’s Gifts;  Preferred Communications; Royster, Cross and Hensley; House of Ribeyes; Lewis Electric of Oxford; The School of Graphic Arts,  Express Employment Professionals, Oxford Ace Hardware, Creedmoor Drug Company, Whitco Termite and Pest Control, F. O. Finch Insurance Agency and Floyd Management and Realty.

Nomination forms are available from a Chamber office or from the website, www.granville-chamber.com and are to be returned to the Chamber by April 13th.

 

DA’s Office Brings in special prosecutor to prosecute DWIs

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Oxford, NC – The District Attorney’s Office, in cooperation with the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, is pleased to announce that Special Prosecutor Jonathan Evans will travel to the Ninth Prosecutorial District to prosecute DWIs.
Jonathan Evans was born in Gainesville, Florida, and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. He graduated from John T. Hoggard High School and attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Criminal Justice. He then studied at North Carolina Central University School of Law, where he participated in internships in the District Attorney’s offices in New Hanover, Durham, and Wake Counties.
Jonathan later joined the Durham County District Attorney’s office in 2014, beginning in District courtrooms and later taking on a role in Traffic court. He eventually entered the role of handling DWI and traffic-related appeals, as well as felony cases connected to impaired driving. In his current position, Jonathan will to assist Assistant District Attorneys and law enforcement across the state with experience in research, training, and litigation.

Michael Waters

Local Small Business Summit to be held April 6th at Warren County Armory

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center has announced the complete lineup of presenters for the fifth Small Business Summit, which will be held Thursday, April 6, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Warren County Armory Civic Center in Warrenton.

The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission, and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center are partnering with the college to organize the event, which has the theme, “Driving Your Business: Staying Ahead of the Curves.” CenturyLink is the presenting sponsor. Other co-sponsors are Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, The Daily Dispatch, The Warren Record, WARR 1520 AM and WIZS 1450 AM.

The summit kicks off at 11 a.m. with an interactive session entitled “Google – Get Your Business on the Map,” led by Craig Hahn, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County. Participants are encouraged to set up a free Google/Gmail account prior to this workshop, if they do not already have one. Hahn will help local businesses “claim” their listings on the leading search engine, which will help their customers find up-to-date information. He will also review free tools that Google has available for increased visibility.

During lunch, the keynote address will be presented by Tammy Crowley-Deloatch, a nationally certified personal trainer and president of New Day Fitness in Roanoke Rapids. Her discussion is entitled “Put Your Dreams to the Test,” in which she describes a dream as “an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.” She will ask participants a series of key questions that provide a powerful learning process that greatly increases the likelihood of success in achieving their dreams.

The afternoon features a pair of interactive sessions led by Chisa Pennix-Brown, CEO of Lady Bizness, based in Greensboro. Pennix-Brown has 15 years of experience in business coaching, community outreach, and social media insight. Her most recent accomplishment is becoming the author of “The 90 Day Focus: Your Action Plan for Success.”

In the first seminar, “Business Apps Made Easy” (1-3 p.m.), Pennix-Brown will teach participants how they can save time and money using mobile apps that help with marketing, syncing calendars, saving content, and creating multiple posts on their social media accounts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their iPhone or Android phones or tablets along with their logins and passwords for existing social media accounts.

The second seminar is “Facebook Made Easy” (3-5 p.m.), in which participants will learn how to use Facebook pages to brand their businesses and engage customers. Pennix-Brown will cover how to start a page from scratch; how to schedule messages that save time; how to automate their marketing and keep people on their page; and apps that integrate to make their businesses stand out.

The purpose of the Small Business Summit is to engage, empower and enrich participants to help make their small businesses more successful through innovative marketing practices. “We welcome all aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and non-profit leaders to participate in this inspirational, educational and motivational experience with us,” said Tanya Weary, director of the VGCC Small Business Center.

All sessions during the summit are free of charge. Lunch will be provided free of charge to the first 100 registered participants by CenturyLink. After that point, lunch is $10.

For more information, contact VGCC Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Granville Little Theatre To Present Hello, Dolly!

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Greetings beloved Patrons,

We are so excited to bring Hello Dolly to the stage for you!  Our opening night is this week on Friday.  We have been busy perfecting the show, locating a new venue, and making final plans for our awesome supporters!  …  Yes, I said locating a new venue.

Unfortunately, there was a conflict with the use of City Hall Auditorium.  However, the show must go on!!!  We will be performing Hello Dolly in the auditorium of Northern Granville Middle School at 3144 Webb School Road, Oxford, NC 27525.  The up side to our last minute venue change is that we can accommodate more than double the amount of patrons!  So, please help us get the word out!  We would love to have a packed house for all shows! We appreciate you all and can’t wait to see you at the show!!!

Warm Regards,
Cast and Crew of Hello Dolly and the GLT Board Members

Details:

Hello, Dolly!
March 24th – 25th & 31st – April 1st @ 7:30 p.m. and March 26th & April 2nd @ 2:30 p.m., 2017
School Shows: March 30th @ 9:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.

​Directed by: Kevin Holmes
Assistant Director: Ben Shelton
Music Director: Joey Humbert
Choreographer: Genianne Elliott
Technical Director: Channing Elliott
Stage Managers: Ann Lawrence-Holmes & Daniel Gierisch
Set Design: Rick Lue
Creative Consultant: Mitchell W Butts
Producer: Kim Pryor
​For Tickets go to:
https://events.ticketprinting.com/event/22744

Local Blood Donation Opportunities Coming in April

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RALEIGH, N.C. (Mar. 20, 2017) – The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during National Volunteer Month this April. Donating blood is a simple way to make a profound difference in the lives of patients.

Nearly 2.8 million generous people donated blood through the Red Cross last year. The Red Cross salutes these volunteer blood donors who helped fulfill its lifesaving mission and invites others to roll up a sleeve and join them.

Bill Parr has been donating blood for more than 30 years. “I think it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do, knowing that such a simple act can have such a positive impact on another human being in a time of need,” he said.

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions. Donors of all blood types are needed this spring.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

NC

Granville

Oxford

4/10/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Oxford United Methodist Church, 105 W McClanahan St

Stem

4/5/2017: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Granville Central High School, 2043 Sanders Rd

_______________

Person

Roxboro

4/13/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Person Family Medical & Dental Center, 702 N. Main St.

_______________

Warren

Macon

4/7/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Macon Baptist Church, 159 Church Street

How to help

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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Oxford Finance Committee to Meet to Discuss Federal Interest Rate Hike

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CITY OF OXFORD

MARCH 23, 2017

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

The Finance Committee for the Oxford Board of Commissioners will meet on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 10:00 AM. The meeting will be held in the Mayor’s Conference Room, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 300 Williamsboro Street.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss with Mr. Lee Carter who is with our investment firm North Carolina Capital Management Trust, to discuss investment opportunities as the FEDs just raised interest rate.

All those interested are invited to attend.

Cynthia Bowen

Interim City Clerk

City of Oxford