VGCC Drama students present Shakespeare spoof

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via Andrew Beal

Theatre lovers will soon be able to enjoy all 37 of William Shakespeare’s plays in one evening — sort of — at Vance-Granville Community College.

Drama students will present “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)” on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson, Nov. 5-8. Performances begin on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; and on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2.

The play features three overachieving actors attempting to perform the entire Shakespearean canon in 97 minutes. Fast-paced, witty and physical, it is an evening of laughter for Shakespeare lovers and haters alike. The three actors play all of Shakespeare’s characters with help from numerous funny costume changes and props. Due to the nature of the humor, the play is recommended for ages 14 and over.

Written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, founding members of the “Reduced Shakespeare Company,” “The Compleat Wrks” was first performed in 1987. The London Evening Standard called the play “wildly imaginative, thoroughly affectionate to its source material and, above all, infectious fun.”

Students in the cast are Jordan Bunting of Macon, Spencer Nunn of Warrenton and Lee Powell of Oxford.

Betsy Henderson, the VGCC Theatre Arts/speech instructor and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, directs the play. Jason Sharp serves as the technical director. VGCC staff member and alumna Tia Garren of Henderson is the assistant director. Other members of the crew include students Chris Nicholson of Bullock, Jerome Bulluck of Henderson, Brittany Patterson of Henderson, Helen Claiborne of Oxford and Jessie Hartley of Oxford.

Admission is $10 for the general public, and $5 for students and VGCC employees. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by making reservations. For more information and to reserve seats, contact Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3371.

Shoes for Rescues

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You may notice a new billboard if you travel south on U.S. 1 Bypass in Henderson.  Local business WW Properties has once again donated a billboard for a civic cause.

Tracy Dreibelbis of Animal Advocates Coalition tells WIZS News the billboard came about when the coalition “said yes to the kindness of a local businessman who had billboard space and a passion for the long overdue new (animal) shelter scheduled to soon break ground on Brodie Road.”  She said photographer Tara Lynn of In Between the Blinks Photography and an unnamed professional designer helped with the billboard which “gives a hopeful glimpse into a brighter future for the homeless pets of Vance County.”

Animal Shelter Billboard Oct 2015

The present Vance County Animal Shelter stands today at 165 Vance Academy Road, much the same as it did when it was built in 1978.  The shelter, according to Dreibelbis, has not seen any renovation, remodeling or expansion in the last 36 years.  She said, “Charles Boyd and his family donated five acres of land to Vance County almost five years ago to house a new shelter.  Soon, the vision and efforts of many will become a reality.”

The new shelter is expected to be about 8,000 square feet and will include more kennels, a separate intake/exam room, meeting and education space and a separate reception area.  This, according to Dreibelbis, will give the present staff, headed by Chief Frankie Nobles, the needed room to work.

To learn more, visit Friends of the Vance County Animal Shelter on Facebook or go to www.vancecountyanimalshelter.com.

Animal Advocates Coalition Launches Shoe Collection Drive to Raise money for Homeless Pets                     

Shoe donations will also support micro-enterprises in developing nations and reduce what goes into landfills

The Animal Advocates Coalition is conducting a shoe collection drive from October 15 through December 14, 2015 to raise funds for homeless pets.  Animal Advocates Coalition will earn funds based on the number of pairs of shoes collected as Funds2Orgs will purchase all of the donated goods.  Those dollars will benefit the homeless pets of Vance, Granville, and surrounding communities.  Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used or new shoes at any of these drop off locations: WIZS Radio, 535 Radio Lane, Henderson; Butner/Creedmoor News – Creedmoor;  Granville Sr. Center – Oxford and Shear Magic – Henderson.  If you have a large quantity of shoes, the Animal Advocates Coalition will pick them up from your location.  They will also have a collection barrel at the Nov. 14th Hazardous Material Collection Day at the Granville Convention & Expo Center – Oxford.

To help rescued cats and dogs, Funds2Orgs will donate $1,000 to the Animal Advocates Coalition if at least 2,500 pairs of shoes are collected.

All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise partners in developing nations.  Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa. Proceeds from the shoe sales are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send to her son to law school.

“We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Tracey Dreibelbis. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like donate to us and help those less fortunate become self-sufficient.  It’s a win-win for everyone.”

By donating shoes to the Animal Advocates Coalition “Shoes For Rescues” the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives.

The Animal Advocates Coalition can be contacted via email at AnimalAdvocatesGC@gmail.com.

Local organizations interested in learning more about conducting a shoe drive of their own can visit Funds2orgs.com.

 

VGCC to hold Business Technologies Fair

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Vance-Granville Community College will hold its second annual “Business Technologies Fair” on Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Attendees will learn about VGCC’s programs that provide training for careers in fields related to business and information technology, including Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Technology Integration, Entrepreneurship, Global Logistics & Distribution Management, Medical Office Administration, Office Administration, Paralegal Technology and Simulation & Game Development.

At the same time, visitors to the fair will have the opportunity to talk about career pathways with representatives of employers who frequently hire graduates from these programs.

For more information, contact Carl Hann at (252) 738-3295 or hannc@vgcc.edu.

VGCC names two educators to leadership roles

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via Andrew Beal

Along with the start of the fall semester at Vance-Granville Community College came new leaders for two academic programs.

William Clements of Raleigh became the new Program Head/Instructor for Criminal Justice Technology, while Faith Harris of Norlina, a Computer Education instructor, was promoted to the position of Program Head of Computer Education.

Clements came to VGCC from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Douglas, Ga., where he had been a Criminal Justice instructor since 2011. Previously, he worked in the correctional systems of both Georgia and North Carolina, as an educator, counselor and probation officer. Clements earned a bachelor’s degree in justice studies at Georgia Southern University and a master’s in forensic psychology at Walden University. He is currently continuing his studies at Walden to earn a doctoral degree in public administration.

The VGCC Criminal Justice associate degree program prepares students for careers in the local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections, and security fields. Emphasis is on criminal justice systems, criminology, juvenile justice, criminal and constitutional law, investigative principles, ethics and community relations. Additional study may include issues and concepts of government, counseling, communications, computers and technology. VGCC also offers a certificate in Criminal Justice & Special Populations. For more information, contact Clements at clementsw@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3242.

Harris has been a community college instructor for the past 15 years, including service on the faculty at VGCC and at Piedmont Community College. She is also a graduate of VGCC, where she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Computer Programming. Harris went on to complete a bachelor’s degree at Barton College and a master’s degree in Information Systems Security at Colorado Technical University. Before becoming an educator, Harris spent many years in management at Roses Stores. At VGCC, she has administered the Microsoft IT Academy program that allows students to earn a number of different industry-recognized certifications.

The Computer Education department provides instruction for students enrolled in virtually any program at VGCC, and offers the associate degree in Computer Technology Integration (with tracks in IT Support, Networking & Security Technologies, and Web Design & Support). VGCC also offers a degree in Simulation & Game Development in partnership with Wake Technical Community College. For more information, contact Harris at harrisf@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3235.

“We look forward to continuing to grow and develop the Criminal Justice and Computer Education programs under the leadership of William and Faith, who bring experience and enthusiasm to their students,” said Angela Gardner-Ragland, VGCC’s dean of business and applied technologies. “Their excellent programs provide students with the skills they need to succeed in career fields that are in constant demand, both locally and around the world.”

World Class

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Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Henderson will host the 14th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine and The East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame & Reunion.  These world class events are presented by The Vance County Department of Tourism, and director Nancy Wilson.

Follow the links, look at the pictures, go be part of it, and decide for yourself.  Anywhere in downtown Henderson will do because nearly all of downtown Henderson will be engulfed with cars, people, food and entertainment.  And don’t overlook Sunday’s East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame events at Vance Granville Community College.  You could even argue without the hall of fame legends, this would be just another downtown car show.ECDTHOF2015

It’s about fun, nostalgia and prestige, and it’s about tourism.  As tourism in Henderson and Vance County continues to develop, citizens here are not only left with positive things to do, but the tourism dollars left behind by our guests.  The hotel/motel taxes are huge to our County.  Tourism can spawn economic development and accelerate the intense desires of many to revitalize historic downtown areas.

The party starts Friday, October 16 at 11:00 A.M. with a barbecue cookout at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake.

Saturday, October 17 is the big show day, when antique, classic and nostalgia drag cars line the streets downtown.  Registration is from 7:30 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. and $25.00 for judged cars and $20.00 for non-judged cars.

Come see John Livingston and Tennessee Thunder, Larry Lombardo and his Jenkins car, Motown Missile, Sox Cars, fuel dragsters and many more.

Stay on Sunday, October 18, for the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Awards presentation ceremony from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. where they honor drivers from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

It’s all free and open to the public.  Call 1-866-438-4565 for more information.  Full schedules available in the links above.

Also, Friday afternoon at 2:00 P.M., the City of Henderson and the Corbitt Preservation Association will open the Bennett H. Perry Jr. Museum for the very first time.  You can also listen to the Thursday, October 15th edition of TownTalk on WIZS for more details.

A full Corbitt display can be seen in downtown Henderson this Saturday, October 17 at the corner of Montgomery and Williams Streets, as part of the 14th Annual Show, Shine, Shag and Dine presented by Vance County Tourism.

Small Business Summit and Expo to be held October 20 at Warren County Armory

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via Andrew Beal

The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center has announced the complete lineup of presenters for the fourth annual Small Business Summit and Expo, which will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Warren County Armory Civic Center in Warrenton.

The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Warren County Center, and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center are partnering with the college to organize the event, which has the theme, “Weaving the Fabric of a Thriving Economy.” CenturyLink is the presenting sponsor. Other co-sponsors are Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, The Warren Record, Hundley’s Greenhouses, Inc., The Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, 1450 AM WIZS, the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, The Daily Dispatch and WARR.

The summit kicks off with a keynote address during lunch by Susan E. Harris, owner of Quilt Lizzy in Warrenton. Her discussion is entitled “Why Your Small Town is a Great Place to Do Business.”

For the rest of the afternoon, attendees can choose from among several breakout sessions being held simultaneously.

During Session 1, from 1:15 until 2:15 p.m., the choices are: “Creative Opportunities for Arts and Crafts Businesses in the Community” with professional artist and educator Theresa Brown; “Making Your Business Model Work in a Small Town” with Warrenton town manager Robert Davie; and “Turning Your Passion Into a Business” with Adam Fields, owner of AF Wake & Wakeboard World Champion.

Session 2, from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m., offers these options: “Farm to Fork Enterprise” with Crystal Smith and Paul McKenzie of N.C. Cooperative Extension and Gabe Cummings of Warren FoodWorks; “Emerging Consumer Markets for Agriculture” with Debbie Hamrick, Director of Specialty Crops for the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation; and “Social Media: The Black Hole” with Dave Blodgett of Buggs Media.

For the third and final session (3:45 until 4:45 p.m.), attendees will select either “Financing Opportunities for Small Businesses” with Barry Ryan of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center and Lou Grillo of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments; “USDA Loans & Grants Program” with Rhonda Pope, USDA Farm Service Agency’s Strike Force Coordinator and County Executive Director at large, Michelle Winslow, Dock Jones and Rob Satterfield, all of USDA/Farm Service Agency, and Lyn Millhiser of USDA/Rural Development; or “Social Media: The Black Hole” with Dave Blodgett of Buggs Media.

Between breakout sessions, attendees can browse through booths set up by representatives of various resources for small businesses. These include CenturyLink, Carter Bank & Trust, Ag Carolina Farm Credit, N.C. Rural Center, North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Warren County, Warren County Economic Development Commission, USDA, Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments, Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, Vance-Granville Community College, Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center, Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, North Carolina Farm Bureau, North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development, The Daily Dispatch, WARR, and The Warren County Chamber of Commerce.

The purpose of the Small Business Summit and Expo is to engage, empower and enrich participants to help make their small businesses more successful. “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.

Lunch is provided free of charge by CenturyLink to the first 50 registered participants. After that point, lunch is $10.

For more information, call Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or e-mail her at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers

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If you are:

  • A family or professional caregiver of a dementia patient
  • A member of the clergy, a student, or a volunteer desiring dementia education
  • A professional in need of 5 Continuing Education Units
  • A person with a desire to learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of dementia

Alzheimer’s Conference Schedule

Sign up for the 8th Annual Alzheimer’s Caregiver Education Conference to be held at Vance-Granville Community College in the Civic Center on Thursday, October 15, 2015 from 8am-4pm.  Lunch will be served.

For more information, please contact Melissa Catlett at Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments at 252-436-2040, or Lisa Levine at Alzheimer’s North Carolina, Inc. at 800-228-8738.

 

Vance-Granville Basketball Ready for 2015-2016 Season

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by Kevin Bullock

The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguard Basketball Team kicked off the season on October 1st with media day at Western Vance High School. Coach Michael Woody introduced the 2015-2016 version of the Vanguards to the media, and allowed questions after a 15 minute scrimmage in the Western Vance Gym. Below is the active roster for VGCC Basketball.

Aaron Robinson, Freshman, Shooting Guard, Southern Alamance High School

Alcyone Moore, Sophomore, Shooting Guard, Myers Park High School

Chris Pernell, Freshman, Shooting Guard, East Wake School of Arts

Darius Williams, Freshman, Small Forward, Carvers Bay High School (SC)

Phillip Williams, Freshman, Power Forward, Hemingway High School (SC)

Donal Gooch, Jr, Freshman, Power Forward, East Wake School of Arts

Dy’Quan Marrow, Freshman, Point Guard, Northern Vance High School

Joseph Avery, Freshman, Off-Guard, Westover High School

Raekwon Hall, Sophomore, Point Guard, Wakefield High School

TyQuon Reid, Freshman, Point Guard, Hillside High School

Tyrek Beverly, Sophomore, Off-Guard, J.F. Webb High School

Antonio Adams, Freshman, Small Forward, J.F. Webb High School

Anthony Mims, Freshman, Small Forward, Northern Vance High School

Stefan Cates, Sophomore, Off-Guard, J.F. Webb High School

Coach Woody is excited about the opener against Wake Tech, but acknowledges that they may not be Vance-Granville’s primary rival this year. Woody said, “Everybody thinks that Wake Tech is our big rival, but we’ve got Pitt circled on the calendar.” Vance-Granville will play their home games this year at Aycock Recreation Center. See their full schedule below.

 

Oct 24              Juco Jamboree (Scrimmage)                  Myrtle Beach SC                                  TBD

Oct 27              Saint Andrews University (Scrimmage)  Laurinburg SC                                       TBD

Nov. 6                      Wake Tech                 Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm

Nov. 10           Brayant Stratton         Aycock Recreation Center                6:00pm

Nov. 14                       Davidson Co. CC        Aycock Recreation Center                3:00pm

Nov. 16                        Saint Andrews              Saint Andrews                                      6:00pm

Nov. 18                      Patrick Henry CC       Aycock Recreation Center                6:00pm

Nov. 20                       Univ. of VA at Lynchburg Aycock Recreation Center                      7:00pm                                   

Nov. 24                        Richard Bland College   Richard Bland College                           7:00pm

Dec. 2              Louisburg College      Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm

Dec. 4              Pitt CC Tournament      TBD                                                     TBD

Dec. 8              Central Carolina CC      Central Carolina CC                              7:00pm

Jan. 5              USC-Salkehatchie       Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm

Jan. 7              Lenoir CC                   Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm

Jan. 11              Methodist Univ.             Methodist University                              8:00pm

Jan. 13              Patrick Henry CC         Patrick Henry CC                                 6:00pm

Jan. 18              Louisburg College          Louisburg College                                  3:00pm

Jan. 19              Lenoir CC                     Lenoir CC                                             7:00pm

Jan. 23              Guildford Tech CC        Guildford Tech CC                                3:00pm

Jan. 25              Pitt CC                         Pitt CC                                                 7:00pm

Jan. 27                        Catawba Valley CC     Aycock Recreation Center                6:30pm

Feb. 3              Richard Bland College           Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm

Feb. 5               Mid-Atlantic Christian    Mid-Atlantic Christian                            6:00pm

Feb. 8               Wake Tech CC             Wake Tech CC                                     7:00pm

Feb. 11                        Pitt CC                                    Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm

Feb. 13             Bryant/Stratton College  Bryant/Stratton College                          3:00pm

Feb. 15             Sandhills CC                 Sandhills CC                                         6:00pm

Feb. 16             Catawba Valley CC      Catawba Valley CC                              6:30pm

Feb. 23                        Guildford Tech CC     Aycock Recreation Center                7:00pm

 

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