TownTalk: Music, Peppers, Pumpkins And More In Granville County

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What do hot peppers, pumpkins and live music have in common? They’re all going to be featured in festivals and events over the next couple of months in Granville County, and Tourism Director Angela Allen shared all the details on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

Main Street in downtown Oxford transforms into a music venue on Friday, Aug. 9. Soule and the Super Band will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, get comfy and enjoy the tunes.

A couple of weekends after that, music lovers can head over to the Armory at the corner of MLK Jr. Avenue and Spring Street for the inaugural Next Door Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 17.

The festival will take place outside on the grounds of the Armory, Allen said. and will feature six bands performing from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Allen said the music festival gained traction after several local business people were tossing ideas around, and the next thing she knew, the idea became a reality. There will be more than a dozen vendors on site with collectibles, toys and games available on festival day. And, she explained, festival proceeds will go to a local charity.

It’s not too early to mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 21, either. That’s the day the annual Creedmoor Music Festival is scheduled to take over downtown Creedmoor, providing lots of music genres from gospel to country and everything in between.

And any time is a good time to visit Cedar Creek Gallery outside Creedmoor, Allen said. The gallery is open seven days a week, and on Aug. 23, visitors will get to see the gallery’s 2024 crop of glass pumpkins, created by local glassblowers. Lisa Oakley’ is set to unveil her limited-edition pumpkin that weekend, as well.

There will be glassblowing demonstrations going on outside, and hundreds of pumpkins ready for purchase in the front room of the gallery through Oct. 31.

Destinations like Cedar Creek Gallery have long drawn visitors from outside Granville County, and Allen said she is pleased to see a similar trend at other events that have taken root over the years throughout the county.

“Thirty or forty percent of the crowd may not even be from Granville County,” she said. She’s delighted to see more people that she doesn’t know at festivals, concerts or retail establishments because it means that more folks are coming from farther away.

Take the annual Hot Sauce Festival, for example.

“It’s the coolest thing that’s SO hot in Granville County,” Allen said. And this year, the festival will span two days – Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7. AND, Allen said, organizers have added a salsa category to the competition.

But that’s not the only new addition. The Friday events run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature glow-in-the-dark putt-putt, vendors and music as a lead-in to the daylong Saturday activities – which this year will stretch from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Kids can enjoy a rock-climbing wall, carnival rides and games in the Fiery Fun Zone, she said.

Adventurous souls can sample all the pepper-inspired tastes, from craft beer to ice cream.

Allen won’t be participating in the popular pepper eating contest, “but I’m brave enough to watch it,” she quipped.

Hot sauce enthusiasts from all over show up for the festival, she said.

“This is the hot spot,” she said.

Visit www.visitgranvillenc.com to learn about all the upcoming events throughout the county.

(This is not a paid ad, but Granville Tourism does advertise on WIZS.com.)

Granville County Public Schools

GCPS, Library System Team Up With $400K Digital Divide Grant Funding

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Granville County Public Schools and the Granville County Library System are teaming up with a project that will benefit students and library patrons, with help from a $400,000 Digital Champion grant.

The grant comes from the N.C. Department of Information Technology, which has awarded more than $30 million to fund 63 projects across the state in an effort to bridge the digital divide.

The two Granville County entities will use the money to refresh student laptops and to expand technology-based paid internships for GCPS high school students, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin, as well as purchase devices for checkout and use through the Granville County Library System and secure mobile Starlink internet access for the rural library branches and other parts of the county with limited internet access.

Library Director Will Robinson called the partnership a “wonderful opportunity,” noting that the Digital Champion grant will allow the library to expand its digital resources and ensure that patrons and students “have access to essential technology and online information regardless of their background or financial situation. By bridging the digital divide, we empower our residents with the tools they need for education, employment and personal growth.”

GCPS Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne said the funding will help prepare students to use technology in the workplace more effectively.

“It also allows us to further impact our community in our partnership with the Granville County Library System. All Granville County citizens deserve reliable access to technology and broadband. We look forward to seeing how this funding will positively impact our schools, students, and Granville County citizens,” Winborne said.

Area August Blood Drives

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The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets as the summer continues. Type O blood donors are especially needed to help keep hospital shelves stocked through August.

Anyone who donates blood or platelets during the month of August will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details.

 

Make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

 

Upcoming blood drives by county:

Vance

Henderson

8/1/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

Granville

Oxford

8/15/2024: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ernest F. Hart American Legion Post 90, 914 Williamsboro St.

Warren

Warrenton

8/12/2024: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Warren County Armory Civic Center, 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E

Franklin

Louisburg

8/2/2024: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Senior Citizens Center, 279 S. Bickett Blvd.

Online Workshops In August Designed To Support Caregivers To Those Living With Dementia

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Two chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association in North Carolina are partnering with the Parkinson’s Foundation Carolinas to host a series of free virtual weekly education workshops to help those who are providing care for family members or others living with dementia.

The series is titled The Empowered Caregiver and it is designed to help caregivers by sharing activities they can apply to their specific situations.

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease and the most common cause of dementia. Parkinson’s disease dementia also falls under that umbrella term. While the disease states are different, there are similarities in caring for both forms of dementia.

“Our latest Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report shows that dementia caregivers in North Carolina face significant emotional, physical and health-related challenges as a result of caregiving,” said Christine John-Fuller, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter. “Dementia is also common for individuals in later stage Parkinson’s. Our goal with this collaboration with the Parkinson’s Foundation is to offer tools and education to help caregivers feel supported and see pathways forward.”

The Empowered Caregiver education series will be offered via live webinar each Thursday in August from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. -with each week covering a new topic.

Building Foundations of Caregiving – August 1

Explores the role of caregiver and changes they may experience building a support team and managing stress.

Supporting Independence – August 8

Focuses on helping the person living with dementia take part in daily activities, providing the right amount of support and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations.

Communicating Effective – August 15

Teaches how dementia affects communication, including tips for communicating well with family, friends and health care professionals.

Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors – August 22

Details common behavior changes and how they’re a form of communication, non-medical approaches to behaviors and recognizing when help is needed.

Exploring Care and Support Services – August 29

Examines how best to prepare for future care decisions and changes, including respite care, residential care and end of life care.

“We are excited about this partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association because no matter the disease, care partners need help,” says Diana Parrish, senior advancement director, Carolinas Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “As a care partner for 19 years, we have found that the Parkinson’s Foundation’s resources, services, and programs have helped us on this journey!”

There is no charge to participate, but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link for the series. To sign-up, visit tinyurl.com/CaregiverAugust or call 800.272.3900.

Drought? What Drought? WIZS Listening Area Removed From ‘Abnormally Dry’ Status

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Given the recent downpours, showers and afternoon and evening thunderstorms, the WIZS listening area no longer is in the “abnormally dry” status posted by the North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council.

Just last week, most of the state was experiencing some level of drought conditions, according to NCDROUGHT.ORG, but since then, that level has decreased, thanks to substantial rainfall. Only five counties remain in severe drought, with 30 counties still in moderate drought and 47 others in the abnormally dry category.

Rainfall totals vary widely across the four counties, with some areas reporting 1-inch, 2-inch, even 5-inch totals just in the last week.

The rain has been a welcome sight for farmers with crops in the field. Hopefully, corn and bean crops in the southeastern portion of the state have gotten some relief as well.

Aug. 6, 7 Forums To Provide Updates On Broadband Internet Expansion

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– information courtesy of the Office of N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon

N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon has scheduled upcoming forums – one in Vance County and one in Granville County – to provide updates on the status of expanding broadband internet across the counties he serves.

Leaders from the N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity will provide in-person updates on the state’s efforts to close the digital divide, according to a press statement from Sossamon’s office.

The Vance County forum will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Perry Memorial Library from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny will be the speaker.

The Granville County forum will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7, also from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Granville County Expo Center. NCDIT Broadband Infrastructure Deputy Director George Collier will be the guest speaker.

To date, the Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has awarded more than $500 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to deploy high-speed internet infrastructure across North Carolina. This funding also supports initiatives to help residents afford internet access, obtain digital devices, and access digital literacy resources.

Specific to Granville and Vance counties, nearly $12 million has been awarded for projects connecting 5,828 homes and businesses. Highlights include:

  • Fybe: Awarded $1.8 million in June through the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program, with an additional $1.8 million from Granville County and over $1.5 million from Fybe, to expand high-speed internet to 1,720 homes and businesses in Granville County.
  • Spectrum: Awarded $4 million in CAB funds in 2023 to connect 1,530 homes and businesses in Granville County.
  • Brightspeed: Received $4 million in Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants to connect 1,914 homes and businesses in Granville County and nearly $2 million to connect 664 locations in Vance County.

Granville County Schools have also benefited from these efforts, recently receiving $400,000 to expand device lending programs, offer digital literacy training led by student interns, and establish community Wi-Fi locations through the division’s Digital Champion grant program.

Attendees at both sessions will have the opportunity to ask questions about the state’s broadband initiatives and individual projects aimed at bringing high-speed internet service and digital literacy resources to their county.

KTCOG Hosting Family Caregiver Conference Aug. 6; Focus On Dementia Care

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The Kerr Tar Family Caregiver Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6 and registration is now open for family caregivers and professionals who are interested in learning about caring for individuals with dementia.

The half-day conference begins at 9 a.m. with check-in, breakfast and networking at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center Auditorium.

The conference is presented by Dementia Alliance of North Carolina. Melanie Bunn, a registered nurse and dementia care specialist with the alliance, is one of the speakers along with Michael Patterson, KTCOG’s family caregiver specialist.

Family caregivers can register for $10; professional caregivers register for $25 and have the opportunity to earn three continuing education unit credits.

Visit www.DementiaNC.org/2024Henderson to register online or contact Lisa Levine  at 919.832.3732 to register by phone. Walk-in registrations are welcome on the day of the conference.

Visit www.kerrtarcog.org to find out about all the programs and services the KTCOG provides across Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person counties.

Distinguished Alumni Award Due To VGCC Foundation Board By Aug. 31

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The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation board is seeking nominations for its third annual Distinguished Alumni award. Nominations are due by Aug. 31.

Throughout its 55-year history, VGCC has served the citizens of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, preparing them for careers and further secondary education in dozens of certificate and curriculum programs.

Many alumni of VGCC have gone on to make significant impact in their communities and careers. Two years ago, the Vance-Granville Community College Foundation began recognizing one outstanding VGCC alumnus each year with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes and honors outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their community, college or career. Mara Shelton was the 2022 recipient; Dr. Priscilla Chavis-Lockley was honored in 2023.

Alumni who have completed a diploma or degree program at VGCC are eligible for the award. Current VGCC Foundation Board members are not eligible. Selection will be based on the following criteria:

  • Exhibits outstanding leadership and character
  • Achieved significant accomplishments in career area
  • Exhibits outstanding service to the community
  • Supports VGCC in some capacity

Visit www.vgcc.edu/foundation to complete the nomination form or request one via email at foundation@vgcc.edu. Please note that nominees remain nominated for three years after the receipt of their nomination.

The award will be presented during the annual the VGCC Foundation Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Sept. 26.

Granville County Names Stacy Hicks To Lead 911 Emergency Communications Dept.

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– information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

Stacy Hicks has been appointed to lead Granville County’s 911 Emergency Communications Department. Hicks joined Granville County government in 2006 as a telecommunicator and has held a variety of positions in the department over the past 18 years.

“I’m honored to have been selected as Granville County’s 911 Emergency Communications Director,” said Hicks.  “The eighteen years I have spent serving the citizens of Granville County has only reinforced how critical the 911 center is for the safety of our community,” she said in a press release issued Thursday.

Since joining the county as a telecommunicator, Hicks has progressed through the Emergency Communications ranks serving as a Telecommunication Supervisor, Emergency Medical Dispatch Coordinator, Training & Quality Assurance Coordinator and Operations Manager.  Hicks most recently served as the Interim 911 Emergency Communications Director.

“While running a 24/7 public safety operation is challenging, I’m confident in our staff’s training and abilities. We hope all citizens and visitors to our county have peace of mind that when they are dealing with an emergency that a calm and professional voice will answer when they call 911,” Hicks said.

Hicks holds an Associates degree in Business Administration from Vance-Granville Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from UNC-Greensboro. She is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Public Administration program at East Carolina University.

Hicks has received numerous national and  state certifications including the National Emergency Number Association Emergency Number Professional,  Advanced Level Emergency Medical Dispatch Quality, Emergency Fire Dispatch Quality, Association of Public  Safety Communicators Communications Training Officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency National  Incident Management System Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce, North Carolina Division of  Criminal Information Operations, and the National Association of Counties Performance Leader Master  Certificate.

The 911 Emergency Communications Center is located in the Granville County Law Enforcement Center at 525 New Commerce Dr. in Oxford.

Triangle North Business Park Among Top 15 In State For Economic Development Prospects

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Granville County’s Triangle North Business Park has been included among the top 15 locations in the state best positioned to successfully serve major advanced manufacturing projects as part of the state’s Selectsite Readiness Program.

The SRP was created by the General Assembly in 2023 to support the development of sites that will increase the  state’s competitiveness for new or expanded major manufacturing projects in key industries, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina contracted with Site Selection Group, a national site selection firm, and Thomas & Hutton, a full-service engineering and design firm, to evaluate sites across North Carolina to determine those best positioned to serve potential advanced manufacturing  projects.

Triangle North Granville was submitted and approved from among 60 sites that were being considered using criteria including technical/engineering assessments, evaluation of workforce availability, site development costs and overall operating costs.

“Having Granville County and Triangle North recognized by EDPNC as a top fifteen site for economic development is a huge win for our community,” said Tim Karan, chair of the Granville County Board of Commissioners. “Granville County is, and will remain, a top choice for industries seeking to locate or expand in  North Carolina. Being added to the SRP shows the effects of Granville County’s investment in Triangle North to enhance thoughtful and desirable economic development opportunities for our citizens.”

In recent months, Granville County has begun to install water and sewer infrastructure to make Triangle North more desirable to industrial development and has entered into a contract with Portman Industrial, LLC for the sale of 127.16 acres in Triangle North. Portman plans to construct buildings totaling 940,000 square feet, which will be built to accommodate targeted industries that will bring higher tax values and higher paying jobs to the county. Portman Industrial plans to complete the construction of both buildings by early 2026. Vance-Granville Community College is also moving forward with plans to construct an Advanced Manufacturing Center at Triangle North.

The fifteen sites added to the North Carolina SRP are:

  • Triangle North Granville Business Park – Granville County
  • Claremont International Rail Park – Catawba County
  • Triangle Innovation Point West – Chatham County
  • Reedy Fork Industrial Site – Guilford County
  • Crown Industrial Site – Guilford County
  • US 301 Industrial Site – Halifax County
  • Ferncliff Park – Henderson County
  • North Carolina Global TransPark North Site – Lenoir County
  • Holly Shelter Business Park – New Hanover County
  • Farmville Corporate Park – Pitt County
  • Energy Way Industrial Park – Richmond County
  • Expressway Commerce Park @ Monroe South – Union County
  • Camp Helix – Wake County
  • ParkEast Ivey Site – Wayne County
  • Carolinian Innovation Park – Wilson County

For more information about the SRP, read the full report at the EDPNC website https://edpnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SRP-Report-and-Cover-Letter-FINAL-07.01.2024.pdf.