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Youth Honor Band Concert Friday, Feb. 2 At VGCC Civic Center

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Vance Granville-Community College will host its second annual Youth Honor Band concert on Friday, Feb. 2 at the college’s Main Campus Civic Center in Henderson.

Last year’s inaugural event was for musicians from local high schools, but it was so successful that this year’s concert will include musicians from several local middle schools as well, said VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

The participants, representing schools in Vance, Granville and Franklin counties, were nominated by their respective band directors for their musical talent and passion. They will gather for the first time to rehearse Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. They’ll come together for the concert at 6:30 p.m.

The performance is free and open to the public; family, friends, and community members are encouraged to come support these talented students and the schools they represent, Cissel stated.

This event was planned by a committee comprised of faculty and staff from VGCC, area band directors, area school administrators, local business owners and other community members. Brian D. Miller, VGCC music instructor and Community Band director, will lead the high school band; Sherri M. Damon, music instructor at Oxford’s Credle Elementary School, will lead the middle school band.

The student musicians will learn new songs especially for this event. Music selections had not yet been finalized at the time of publication, but event organizers offered a preview of what songs attendees might hear: “The Tempest” (Robert W. Smith), “Bach: Two Joyous Chorales” (arr. Anne McGinty), “Military Escort march” (Harold Bennett), “American Youth Overture” (Floyd St. Clair), and “Air for Band” (Frank Erickson).

To learn more about the VGCC Honor Band or Fine Arts at Vance-Granville Community Colleg, contact  Betsy Henderson, department chair of Fine Arts & Humanities, at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or 252.738.3371.

Alyssa Blair Joins Franklin Co. Economic Development Dept.

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Alyssa Blair is joining Franklin County’s Economic Development Department as an economic development specialist.

Blair begins her new role in Franklin County on Feb. 5, following more than four years with the City of Oxford, where she had most recently worked as the city’s downtown development director.

“I am thrilled to join a strong, developing team and to not only work alongside dedicated individuals but to also serve the Franklin County community,” Blair said in a press release issued Tuesday by Franklin County Public Information Officer James F. Hicks, III.

In her role as downtown development director, Blair oversaw the NC Main Street Program in Oxford and had also been executive director of the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation. Before that, she was a communications specialist for the city.

“The diverse experience Alyssa brings will be of great value to our business community and the economic development initiatives for Franklin County,” said Franklin County Economic Development Director Barbara Fiedor. “We are excited she will be joining our team and look forward to her arrival.”

Blair has a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a dual master’s degree in public administration and conflict management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Konstanz in Germany. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from the UNC School of Government in Chapel Hill.

TownTalk: Events In Granville County

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Most coffee and tea drinkers have a favorite cup they reach for each day, but there’s a good chance they’re always looking for that “next” perfect vessel for a morning brew or afternoon cuppa. Cedar Creek Gallery in Creedmoor has an exhibit called “CUPful – Celebrating the Daily Ritual” that will run through Feb. 25 to showcase handcrafted pottery from near and far.

Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen shared a laundry list of upcoming events in the area, from Creedmoor and Stem to Oxford.

Visit https://cedarcreekgallery.com/ to learn more.

On Friday, Feb. 9, the Orpheum in Oxford will transform to host a local version of Mardi Gras, a fundraiser for the Granville County unit of the Boys & Girls Club.

“It is a party with a purpose,” Allen said. Things crank up at 6:30 p.m. to welcome partygoers for an evening of fun, complete with heavy hors d’oeuvres, music and a silent auction.

Tickets are $75.

Wear your favorite cocktail attire, a Mardi Gras mask, she said, “and you know there’s gonna be some beads there,” she said.

The next evening, Saturday, Feb. 10, Thorndale Oaks is hosting a murder-mystery dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. The evening’s theme is “A Country Fried Caper,” Allen said, and the evening will include a cast of characters that could best be described as a group of “ off-the-wall country music stars,” one of whom will not make it through the evening.

Tickets are $65 and includes a full dinner. Allen said the evening’s events unfold throughout the different dinner courses.

Call Thorndale Oaks at 919.603.3701 to reserve your seat at the table.

If whodunits aren’t your style, perhaps a quarter auction to support the local Dogs Deserve Better organization is more to your liking. The “Puppy Love” fundraiser will be held at The Barn at Vino on Feb. 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This event has proved to be quite popular, Allen said, and she recommends getting your tickets soon. Find a link to purchase tickets at https://visitgranvillenc.com/

“It’s a wonderful organization and every year, they show these fur babies some love,” she said. In addition to a couple of food trucks on site to satisfy everyone’s appetites, there will be 65 different raffle baskets available, a 50/50 raffle and additional vendors who will be selling different items through the evening.

Some upcoming events in March include:

  • Saturday, Mar. 2 – Spring Granville Wedding and Event Expo – Creedmoor Community Center. Donations for ACIM food bank will be accepted during this event, so bring a can of food or other shelf-stable food to contribute to this worthy cause.
  • Saturday, Mar. 16 – Granville Ambulance Chase and Food Truck Rodeo – After a hiatus due to COVID-19, Granville Health System is bringing this fun event back to Oxford. Walk or run and then kick back for food and live music. Visit ghsambulancechase.org for all the details.
  • Saturday, Mar. 16 – Head over to Thorndale Oaks to catch comedian Dan Grueter. Visit the Thorndale Oaks Facebook page to get tickets. There will be appetizers available and a cash bar.
  • Saturday and Sunday, Mar. 23, 24 – the third annual Viking Experience, which will take place at The Barn at Vino from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Participants can immerse themselves in all things Viking. People have come from all across the country to attend this two-day event, Allen said. Visit https://www.thevikingexperiencenc.com/
  •  for details about ticket prices, schedules and more.

The county’s tourism website, www.visitgranvillenc.com has a complete listing of all the events happening in and around Granville County.

 

 

The Local Skinny! Rebuilding Hope Uses Crosses To Help Get The Message Out

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In the February newsletter, local nonprofit organization Rebuilding Hope shines a spotlight on a volunteer whose creativity adds a special touch to the work that goes into building wheelchair ramps and other home repair projects across the area.

Van Splinter makes wooden crosses, which the Rebuilding Hope volunteers have been distributing when they’ve gone out into the community to do their work.

“From the beginning of the ministry we’ve presented a Bible,” Rebuilding Hope coordinator Randolph Wilson said in the newsletter story. “The generosity of Van Splinter has added greatly to the ministry.”

Splinter, himself retired from his job in construction, said he heard about Rebuilding Hope and its mission when Wilson came and spoke at Splinter’s church, Rock Spring Baptist Church, in Townsville.

He estimates that he’s given away as many as 500 of his hand-crafted crosses, each about a foot tall, and he keeps a good supply in his truck to give away. He’s also made a smaller version for each active member of his church.

The crosses are made from scrap lumber, but he also makes flags, serving trays, cutting boards and more that he sells. He puts all his proceeds from sales of those items toward buying more materials.

You can find Splinter most Saturdays at his roadside stand in Townsville.

Learn more about Rebuilding Hope at  www.Rebuildinghopeinc.org.

CLICK PLAY!

 

NCDOT

Perry Town Rd. Bridge Remains Closed Until NC DOT Replaces, Widens

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-information courtesy of Crystal Smith, Senior Assistant to Warren County Manager

 

The bridge on Perry Town Road was shut down in November 2023 after the N.C. Dept. of Transportation declared it unsafe for traffic.

Since then, NC DOT has developed a plan to replace and widen the bridge, known as Bridge 126, according to information from Warren County leaders.

However, in order to begin construction, Warren County Public Utilities will need to relocate a portion of the 8-inch water main line that runs parallel to the bridge.

Warren County advertised for bids to complete the project, which closed on Jan. 18, 2024. If the county receives sufficient bids, the awarded contractor can begin relocating the water line after Feb. 19, 2024. At this time, NC DOT has not stated how long this water line relocation and the bridge replacement will have the road closed.

Granville Chamber Banquet Mar. 11

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce annual membership meeting and banquet is coming up on Monday, Mar. 11, 2024.

This year’s banquet will be held at The Barn at Vino in Stem, according to information from Chamber Executive Director Cynthia Ratliff. The recipient of the annual John Penn Citizen of the Year and the Small Business of the Year will be announced at the banquet – the deadline to nominate is fast approaching – submit completed forms before 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Tickets for the banquet are $60 each for Chamber members and $70 for prospective members; Tables of eight are available for $460. Reserve your spot now by purchasing tickets at

https://granville-chamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/4901

Here are links to the nomination forms:

2023 John Penn Citizen of the Year Award

 2023 Small Business of the Year Award 

Submit completed forms to the Chamber via email at   cynthia@granville-chamber.com or drop them off at the Chamber office, 124 124 Hillsboro St., Oxford, before 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8.

 

Hiring Event Jan. 31 At Butner’s C.A. Dillon Juvenile Detention Center

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The North Carolina Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will host a hiring event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 at C.A. Dillon Regional Juvenile Detention Center, located at 100 Dillion Dr., in Butner.

The division is seeking applicants to fill juvenile justice officer positions at C.A. Dillon. Applicants for these positions may qualify for a $3,000 sign-on bonus and are eligible for inclusion on a step pay plan that includes annual salary increases.

JJDP will be conducting in-person interviews and making on-the-spot recommendations for hire. Applicants will be able to apply on-site; applicants also can apply online prior to the event.

To learn more about juvenile justice careers available statewide, visit www.ncdps.gov/jjdpcareers.

H-V Chamber Banquet Mar. 7; Citizen of Year Nominations Due Feb. 2

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The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce will host its annual banquet on Thursday, Mar. 7. Sponsorships are available and tickets may be purchased now for the event, the theme of which is Past, Present, Future, according to Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson.

“Join us as we take a walk down memory lane, get updates on the present and what we expect our future to look like in Henderson and Vance County,” Wilkerson said in information sent to WIZS News. The banquet will be held at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

The Chamber also will reveal the 2023 Vance County Citizen of the Year at the banquet. Nominations for this award will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, Wilkerson noted.

Find the nomination form here: https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Henderson-Vance-Chamber-of-Commerce-Citizen-of-the-Year-form-2023.pdf

Completed nominations may be submitted electronically to sandra@hendersonvance.org, dropped by the office, 414 S. Garnett St., Henderson or mailed to Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at P.O. Box 1302, Henderson, NC  27536

Visit the Chamber website at to download a nomination form.

The banquet is the Chamber’s biggest fundraiser; Wilkerson recognized Duke Energy for its continued role in the effort by being the presenting sponsor.

Other sponsorship levels are noted below:

Presenting Sponsor (only 1) Duke Energy $4000

  • Eight complimentary tickets, Company Banner provided by sponsor displayed, Company name on all promotional pieces, recognition during Banquet, recognition on Social Media, radio and newspaper

Gold Sponsor $2500

  • Six complimentary tickets, Company name on program agenda, recognition during Banquet, recognition on Social Media, radio and newspaper

Silver Sponsor $1500

  • Four complimentary tickets, Company name on program agenda, recognition during Banquet

Table Sponsor $1000

  • Two complimentary tickets, Centerpiece and individual attendee gift.  Company name on program agenda and recognition at banquet.

Pre-Dinner Social Sponsor $1000

  • Two complimentary tickets, signage at food and beverage table. Company name on program agenda and recognition at banquet.

Tickets are $60 each and tables of eight may be purchased as well.

The evening kicks off with appetizers served from 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. The meal catered by Cook Shack Catering, will begin at 6 p.m.

Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce

The Citizen of the Year award is presented annually by the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce to an individual whose outstanding service and dedication has made a significant contribution to the community.  Qualities and criteria looked for are as follows:

  • A person who is a resident of Vance County.
  • A person who has shown a willingness to volunteer for community organizations, giving freely of their time and talents, is enthusiastic about the community and its citizens, and who serves in positions working for the betterment of the community.
  • Someone who is dedicated to the community, lends leadership and vision, and who assists in achieving organizational goals of the community.  They may serve on service, school, church, or civic committees.
  • A person with the qualities of honesty and integrity.
  • The community work they are involved with should not be a part of their business career or paid positions they have held.

The recipient does not have to be a member of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce.  A nominee need only be nominated once to be considered.  The number of nominations received per nominee will bear no weight in their selection.

(This article was originally published Jan. 12, 2024.)

More High-Speed Internet Coming To Granville County

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-information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

The Granville County Board of Commissioners recently approved a partnership with the N.C. Department of Information Technology and Spectrum under the Completing Access to Broadband program that will provide more than 1,500 addresses across the county that currently don’t have high-speed internet access.

Granville County will pay $10,000; the state will provide $4 million and Spectrum will kick in $7.9 million to fund construction of the fiber-optic broadband infrastructure.

The locations serviced with broadband internet as part of the CAB program will be in addition to the previously announced partnership with Brightspeed under the Growing Rural Communities with Access to Technology program that will provide service to at least 1,914 addresses and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund project currently underway by Spectrum that will service an additional 1,120 addresses.

Once all three projects are completed, more than 4,564 homes and businesses will have gained access to broadband internet in rural Granville County because of funding from federal, state, and county governments combined with partnership agreements with Internet Service Providers. Additional information about these projects and a full map of the awarded addresses can be found at https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/administration/broadband-initiative/ or the NC One Map at https://www.nconemap.gov/pages/broadband.

“This partnership showcases the ongoing effort made by Granville County to ensure that our citizens have access to high-speed broadband internet,” said Granville County Board of Commissioners Chair Timothy Karan. “We are pleased to partner with Spectrum on this project that with minimal use of county tax dollars will service over 1,500 homes and businesses across the county. We will continue to work with internet service providers to ensure this vital resource is available for all who choose to live or work in our community. There are many parts of the county yet to be served and we will exhaust every possibility to make it happen.”

The areas served by the CAB project with Spectrum are spread throughout the county, with notable areas serviced including northern and western Granville County in the Berea, Cornwall, and Oak Hill communities along NC Highway 49, NC Highway 96, US Highway 158, Old NC 75, Grassy Creek-Virgilina Road, Oak Hill Road, Cornwall Road, Mountain Creek Road, Goshen Road, Old Roxboro Road, Sunset Road, Pine Town Road, Hobgood Road, Moriah Road, Range Road, Culbreth Road, and Enon Road among many others. The project will also service areas east of Oxford including Tom Parham Road and Salem Road and in southern Granville County including US Highway 15, NC Highway 50, Bryans Hill Road, Tar River Road, Smith Road, Lyon Station Road, Cash Road, Will Suitt Road, Brassfield Road and Lawrence Road among others.