TownTalk: City Council Votes 5-1 Allowing Workshop To Teach Day Trading

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In a 5-1 vote, the Henderson City Council approved a motion that will allow Mayor Melissa Elliott to take part in a “train-the-trainer” session to teach day trading.

Council Member Sam Seifert cast the dissenting vote and Council Members Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel were not present at the special called meeting, announced on Friday, Aug. 29 with the intent of going into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

The meeting lasted just over an hour and the closed session never happened. According to the city’s website, Tuesday’s meeting is the 10th special called meeting of 2025.

Elliott said the grant opportunity comes from the African American Mayors’ Association, which will allow for up to 10 city residents, selected by a committee, to learn the ins and outs of day trading, using $100 of “free” money that is all part of the grant.

Council Member Tami Walker expressed reservations about the program, but she ultimately voted in favor of the city participating. Walker also asked to be included on the committee that will select the individuals who will participate. Elliott said she didn’t have exact dates, but said she would get the dates and send them to the Council.

Much of the meeting was contentious, with Elliott and City Manager/Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry talking over one another and arguing the finer points of mayoral roles and responsibilities versus those of the city manager.

Elliott said she checks the city calendar before scheduling meetings in the Council Chambers; Kingsberry said he needed some notice about any meeting that will be held on city property since it will involve city staff and facilities.

“The city manager doesn’t have power over elected officials,” Elliott said.

And Kingsberry’s response was that he manages City Hall. “I don’t have a problem with you holding things,” he said, adding that “you can’t just commandeer a space in the City Hall.”

We still need to know when it’s going to be.”

Elliott did agree to providing a two-week advance notice to Kingsberry when the Council Chambers would be reserved for a training or a meeting that Elliott schedules.

The City Council is set to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 for its regular monthly meeting.

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HV Chamber Recognizes 2025 Leadership Vance Class At Annual Graduation Banquet

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The 2025 Class of Leadership Vance had its graduation ceremony last week, adding 17 individuals to the roster of graduates that has successfully completed the annual program hosted by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

Representatives from a wide range of entities – from banking to local government, nonprofits and the faith community – make up the latest group to take part in the comprehensive program that serves as a way to network with others while learning about the county in which they live and work.

The banquet took place on Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Henderson Country Club. Members of the class shared details about the project they undertook as part of the program, and shared a video that showed highlights of their time together.

Here’s a list of the 2025 class and the organization/workplace each represents:

Judy Ayscue – Benchmark Community Bank

David Caudle – Henderson Family YMCA

Tyler Davis – The Daily Dispatch

Jamie Dittmeyer – City of Henderson

Joseph Coleman Falkner – Paddle Consulting Group, LLC

Victoria Glasscock – KerrTar Regional Council of Governments

Darryl Jones – Community Partners of Hope

Hassan Kingsberry – City of Henderson

DeVona E.Kittrell – Vance County Tax Office

Katie Lee – Vance Recovery

Penny McGhee – CornerClean, LLC

Ferdinand Rouse – Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission

Dr. Abidan Shah – Clearview Church

Angela Simmons – Vance-Granville Community College

Charles Turrentine, Jr. – Exquizid Cuts/Pathways 2 Peace

Amber Varner – First National Bank

Donna Young – Maria Parham Health

Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners Of Hope To Launch ‘Freedom B.R.I.D.G.E.’ With Opioid Settlement Funds;

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Community Partners of Hope has been awarded $140,000 from the City of Henderson’s opioid settlement fund and soon will begin a new ministry called “Freedom B.R.I.D.G.E” that will include a community resource center.

B.R.I.D.G.E. stands for Building, Recovery, Intervention, Development for Growth and Empowerment and CPOH board co-chair Jane King said the nonprofit organization is accepting applications for a program director for the new ministry, which will connect individuals affected by opioid use disorder with the support they need to heal and thrive.

The program will use a comprehensive support system ranging from classes and counseling to prevention programs, recovery services and programs for families and friends of clients as well.

The part-time director will report to the CPOH board and will work 12 noon to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Find the application at www.cp-hope.org/freedombridge.

TownTalk: Granville County Spicing Things Up For September

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If you’ve driven around downtown Oxford recently, perhaps you’ve noticed the street decorations and banners that have been installed, creating a festive atmosphere to usher in the 19th annual N.C. Hot Sauce Contest and Festival.

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said this is the second year that the hot sauce festival will be a two-day affair, with evening music and other activities kicking off on Friday, Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 13 is a full day of all-things-hot-sauce, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

“Things are getting hot and spicy in downtown Oxford,” she said.

More than 300 vendors will be set up throughout downtown to share samples of their sauces, rubs, jams, jellies and more that they’ve created with peppers. “It’s a foodie paradise,” Allen said.

Some vendors have participated 15 years or more, and they’ll set up their tents and tables alongside others who may be new or nearly new to the experience. They come from all over the state and elsewhere to share their creations with pepper enthusiasts who like a little – or a lot – of kick in their salsas and sauces.

Peppers may take center stage for the host sauce festival, but pumpkins are also a favorite for fall.

In addition to Cedar Creek Gallery’s glass pumpkin patch in the front gallery on exhibit through October, there are a couple of harvest festivals that will be popping up across the county for folks to get their fall “fix.”

  • Sept. 14 – Carlee Farms Harvest Festival, hosted by Kissing Booth boutique. More than 25 vendors will have fashion, homemade crafts, seasonal décor and treats available
  • Sept. 27 – Harvey Hills Farm’s Harvest Days each weekend through Oct. 26. Festive vendor market featuring fall produce, décor, pumpkins and mums
  • Sept. 27 – Indian Branch Farm hosting Roots and Rows from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with more than 65 vendors featuring fashion, home décor, seasonal treats and more

Allen said farm festivals provide authentic experiences for people to meet farmers and craftspeople responsible for things we eat and things we put in our homes.

“It’s really awesome to go into these festivals and meet the people that actually make these things,” she said.

But it’s not all hot sauce and fall festivals in Granville County, she said. The city of Oxford has recently renamed the auditorium located in City Hall, and “The Ox” is set to host a varied lineup of live entertainment and performances through fall and into December.

The Granville Arts Council is bringing Red Bird Theater back, this time for a production of the play Revolution, on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m

Then, on Sept. 10, it’s “The Bad Moms of Comedy,” with a 7:30 performance.

Beach music fans will be happy to know that The Drifters are set to perform on Nov. 1 and then there are a couple of Christmas shows scheduled – Dec. 1 it’s Celtic Angels and Dec. 14 Nashville Nöel.

Check out https://visitgranvillenc.com/  to learn about all the events taking place across Granville County.

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Spectacular Specials in September at Perry Memorial Library

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Just as we’re getting a taste of cooler weather, Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said fall programming is heating up big-time at Perry Memorial Library.

The long-popular Mother Goose Story Time launches its familiar half-hour programming on Thursdays, followed by a community play time.

Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! Henderson enjoys a long history with the story time, so when she arrived on the scene a few years ago, it was a no-brainer that the program would continue.

It’s a really nice way to build that community for kids who don’t have a daily preschool experience, she explained. And she’s noticed that it’s a nice way for moms to connect and make new friends, too.

Thursdays are jam-packed with activities for children of all ages – including a 3:30 p.m. story time for children in grades K-3. This program is designed for “families on the go,” Peters said.
“They come in but they don’t have a lot of time,” she said. Still building literacy, the kids hear one book, play for a bit with some bubbles, and then skedaddle.

Some may head off to the Lego program at 4 p.m. or watch their older siblings go to Teen Time in the Maker Space.

Fun Fridays happen on first Fridays of the month and come in a close second to the Thursday whirlwind programming. The 10:30 a.m. Baby Rave for infants 0-2 is a continuation of a fun summer program that parents wanted to keep around.

Then from 11:30 to 12 noon, ages 3-5 can enjoy Parachute Play. The Fun Fridays are scheduled for Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.

And Home School Social Hour begins at 1 p.m. There’s no registration for this program, Peters said, which provides an opportunity for different home school groups of all sizes to come in and share some time together.

The Life Skills program for teens kicks off a three-month program on the second Tuesday of the month with a “Money Matters For Teens” The sessions are Sept. 11, Oct. 9 and Nov. 13 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Get the kids in their pj’s and to the library for Pajama Story Time this fall, too. The first one is tonight at 6:30 p.m., and future story times are Oct. 7 and Nov. 4.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/home to learn about all the programs and activities at the library.

 

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Cooperative Extension with Wykia Macon: Smart Food Storage for Hurricane Season

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Dr. Wykia Macon, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

We talk about storing food during hurricane season.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Why Soil Test

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Soil testing can improve your plants growth.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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YMCA

YMCA Executive Director Paul Ross Leaving After 11 Years

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— information courtesy of the Henderson Family YMCA

The Henderson Family YMCA on Thursday announced the resignation of Paul Ross as Chief Executive Officer, effective this fall. After 11 years of dedicated service to the YMCA, Ross has accepted the position of Executive Director with the Triangle North Healthcare Foundation.

During his tenure, Ross guided the YMCA through growth, expanded community programming, and strengthened partnerships. Under his leadership, the YMCA has deepened its impact across Vance County and the surrounding region, furthering its mission to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

“Paul’s vision and leadership have positioned the Henderson Family YMCA for a bright future,” said Vanessa Jones, Chair of the YMCA Board of Directors. “He has led with dedication, strengthening our programs, expanding partnerships, and ensuring the Y remained a cornerstone of health and wellness in this community. While we will certainly miss his leadership here, we celebrate his transition to Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, where he will continue to advance the same goals of improving health and quality of life across our region.”

Jones also highlighted the alignment between the two organizations: “The Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, which focuses on improving health and wellness across our region, has already committed support for the YMCA’s upcoming campus expansion and renovation. This project will enhance our facilities, expand services, and ensure the YMCA remains a vital hub for the community for generations to come. The collaboration between our organizations highlights the shared mission we pursue.”

The YMCA Board of Directors has begun the process of planning for a smooth transition in leadership. In the meantime, staff and volunteers remain committed to delivering the high-quality programs and services the community expects and deserves.