TownTalk: Author Rosetta Canada-Hargrove Publishes Two Books

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It was when she first moved to the Henderson area, some 40 years ago, that Rosetta Canada-Hargrove started writing her first book. But, as with so many people, “life” intervened and papers and notes got put away in boxes for later.

As it turns out, “later” was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her husband and daughter encouraged her to pull out those boxes of paper and give it a whirl.

Now living in the Triad area, Canada-Hargrove has published not one, but two works of fiction. And they are part of a trilogy, so she’s gathering steam to create the third – and final – installment.

The first book, “Urban Beginnings,” is a short novel – only about 50 pages, she said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

“After Urban Beginnings,” published just last month, weighs in at 170 pages.

Inspired to leave a legacy for her grandson, Canada-Hargrove said she started putting the pieces of the first book together. Both books are works of fiction, but they both contain messages that resonate with many people who find themselves in difficult relationships.

The story line has Kingston, a woman in her mid-20’s married to the love of her life, Giovanni, who Canada-Hargrove describes as a “womanizer.”

But Giovanni’s family was mixed up in the Mafia and Kingston decides to move South where things should be better.

Only they weren’t.

The message in the second novel is simple: “A person does not have to stay in a situation,” she explained. Kingston stays with her first husband “because he has some issues, but she is just an enabler,” Canada-Hargrove said.

Book Number Three, as yet untitled, has been in the works for a few weeks now. “It’s going to bring everything together,” its author promises. “I wanted to do it in three parts to keep people in suspense,” she said.

People have sent her messages thanking her for writing on the topic. And while she said the topic isn’t explicitly domestic violence or abuse, she wants readers to have a takeaway that they don’t have to stay in a relationship that is unhealthy.

It’s a dramedy, she says of the trilogy. “There’s comedy in there, there’s tears in there,” she said.

The books are available on Amazon.com.

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The Local Skinny! 100 Deadliest Days

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Sandwiched in between two national holidays – Memorial Day and Labor Day – is a period of about 100 days that parents of teen drivers never want to commemorate: During those three or so months have proven to be the deadliest for teen drivers.

During the summer months, teen drivers find themselves with more time on their hands – school is out, and they may be driving to summer jobs or be a taxi service for younger siblings.

In 2021, NCDOT statistics show almost 14,000 car crashes involving teens during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, resulting in 36 fatalities.

The state’s graduated driver license program includes measures that can help new drivers, including restricted nighttime driving and non-family passenger limits.

Of course, experienced drivers of a particular age may have had those same restrictions placed on them by their parents before the graduated driver license system began, and parents today can still be a positive influence on their children when they get behind the wheel.

The top factors for crashes are speeding, lane departure and distracted driving.

Be a good role model for your children and follow all the safety tips: don’t text and drive, even if you’re using the phone to navigate or change the music you’re playing.

Read more at https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/safety/driving-safety/Pages/teen-driver-safety.aspx

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Vance County United Way Grant Applications Due June 10

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The United Way of Vance County’s 2024 grant application period is now open. Deadline for submission is close of business on Monday, June 10, 2024, and grants are planned to be awarded by the end of June.

According to information from Grants Committee Chairperson Sheri Jones, the turnaround time is quick, but the application is straightforward.

Agencies eligible to apply for the grants must be a 501( c ) 3 not-for-profit with an IRS tax exempt status and licensed under the 1975 solicitation of Charitable Funds Act unless specifically exempt, Jones noted.

Applicants may contact Secretary/Treasurer Jane Haithcock at 252.432.3778 or unitedwayofvance@gmail.com.

The plan is to interview eligible applicants on June 17 and announce grant awards on June 27.

Completed applications must be mailed to United Way of Vance County, P.O. Box 1352 – not dropped off at the office – or email scanned applications to unitedwayofvance@gmail.com.

If mailing a hard copy to P.O. Box 1352, Henderson, NC 27536, the application must be received by the 5 p.m. Monday, June 10 deadline as well.

Applications must be completed in their entirety to be accepted.

VCS Begins Graduations; 202 Graduate from VCHS, Early College At 6 PM

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-information courtesy of VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin

Graduation season is officially underway in Vance County Schools, as Vance County High School awarded 202 students with their high school diplomas on Friday, May 24, 2024, in the Vance County High School stadium. The ceremony began at 9 a.m. Posting of Colors was presented by the North Carolina 81st Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard.

Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III shared words of encouragement to the graduating class, and VCHS Class of 2024 graduate Chedaria Turner delivered the farewell address to fellow classmates.

Turner shared a moment of gratitude to those who have impacted the lives of the Class of 2024, expressing that “Your belief in our dreams has been our strongest foundation.”

She continued by stating that the door to their futures had opened, the knob has twisted and opened “to a future where we will prosper and come out stronger than any others before or behind us.” She finished her words to her fellow graduates with well wishes, sharing “May your future play out to its fullest extent.”

Students were presented their diplomas by Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III, Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, and Randy M. Oxendine, VCS Board of Education Chair.

Vance County Early College graduation will take place today at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center at Vance-Granville Community College.

AdVance Academy graduates on Friday, June 14 at 3 pm. followed by Vance Virtual Village Academy at 6 pm. The ceremonies will be held  at the Center for Innovation and require a ticket to enter. There’s a livestream link on the VCS webpage: https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/

 

Congratulations, Vance County High School Class of 2024!

VCHS Class of 2024 Fast Facts: 

  • The following seniors enlisted in the military:

○ Dalton Black (U.S. Army)

○ Sarah Baldwin (U.S. Army)

○ Joshua Hicks (U.S. Army)

○ Na’Sean Jones (U.S. Air Force)

○ Ashley Yancey (U.S. Air Force)

○ Kimora Allen (U.S. Navy)

○ Jaliah Snickles-Fields (U.S. Navy)

○ Tony Bolanos-Armas (U.S. Marine Corps)

 

  • 36 students graduated with distinction:

○ 17 seniors graduated Cum Laude (weighted GPA 3.25-3.5)

○ 15 seniors graduated Magna Cum Laude (weighted GPA 3.6-3.9)

○ 4 seniors graduated Summa Cum Laude (weighted GPA 4.0+)

  • Students graduated with a variety of honors, including:

○ North Carolina Scholar

○ National Beta Club

○ President’s Award for Educational Excellence

○ President’s Award for Achievement

○ Music Honors

○ Council on International Exchange

○ Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Scholar

○ International Cultural Exchange Service

 

Follow Vance County Schools on social media to see photos from the graduation exercises.

Kerr Lake Country Club

Chamber Member Spotlight: Kerr Lake Country Club

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– This post sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce 

Kerr Lake Country Club is celebrating 60 years! Since the mid-1960’s, this semi-private club has been a destination for families and individuals who want to enjoy a round of golf, a game of tennis or who just want to relax poolside.

Located at 600 Hedrick Drive off Satterwhite Point Road, KLCC offers a variety of membership levels: family memberships include unlimited golf and full pool/tennis, and there are single memberships, young adult memberships, and pool-only memberships so you’re sure to get the best package to fit your needs.

The beautifully manicured golf course is open to the public, accepting green fee play, and is a favored course that attracts golfers from surrounding counties as well.

Call KLCC at 252.492.1895 to learn more. Jan DeMarco is the club manager.

This thriving local business is a proud member of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, which recently featured the club in its Chamber Member Spotlight. Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson thanked KLCC for being a supportive member of the Chamber and Ronald Bennett, board member of the HV Chamber of Commerce presented the spotlight award and expressed gratitude for their longevity in providing great opportunities for locals as well as bringing tourism to Vance County. Bennett also wished them many more years of success ahead.

Vance County Schools Earns National Beta District Of Distinction Honor

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Vance County Schools has been named a 2023-2024 National District of Distinction by the National Beta organization, the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America.

According to information from VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin, the local school district is the only district in the state to receive the award, and one of only 64 districts nationwide. The award is given to those districts who offer National Beta in all schools in their district, and who induct qualifying students in all eligible grades – grades 4‐12.

Through the exceptional efforts of Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, club sponsors and deserving Beta members, Vance County Schools has flourished since the district’s initial Beta charter. This national award speaks to the district’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership development and service involvement, and illustrates their dedication to preparing students for college, and career readiness. The students in their district understand the importance of these qualities and exemplify the Beta motto, Let Us Lead by Serving Others.

The National Beta organization is committed to providing students with a positive experience in a supportive manner in grades 4-12. The organization recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community, and fosters leadership skills.

Award recipients received a National Beta District of Distinction award to proudly display at their district office. In addition, National Beta District of Distinction principals received a plaque to display at their school.

The Vance County Schools Beta Club district sponsor is Andrew Markoch, Director of Fine Arts and Physical Education.

For more information about National Beta, visit www.betaclub.org

TownTalk: Around Old Granville: A Day At The Lake

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Kerr Lake will be the destination for many boaters and campers over the long holiday weekend, but the area surrounding – and under – the man-made lake has been attracting people for literally hundreds of years.

Stately homes sitting on impressive tracts of land belonging to families with names like Hargrove and Henderson, made way for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project. The lake, no doubt, has unrivaled recreational value today, the fertile lowlands created by Nut Bush creek as it makes its way to the Roanoke River provided farmers the perfect spot for tobacco and other crops.

One of those stately homes was Hibernia, built by the Hargrove family in 1798. The house was torn down in 1955, said local historian and N.C. Room Specialist Mark Pace. Few photographs exist of the plantation home, but remnants remain – if you know where to look.

Pace and WIZS’s Bill Harris recently accepted an invitation from Parks Superintendent Bill Stanley to come explore some of the less-traveled parts of the lake, which has nine state-maintained parks along its North Carolina shoreline.

“We went looking for the remains of Hibernia,” Pace said on Thursday’s Around Old Granville segment of TownTalk. “It was one of the more impressive old houses” in the area, he noted. And the two intrepid explorers are pretty certain they found the exact spot where it once stood.

Back then, family homes usually had a family cemetery nearby and so when the Corps was planning to build the lake, the cemeteries’ contents had to be moved. The family plots were moved to a new family cemetery and those of the enslaved people were moved to a couple of different churches nearby.

The earliest gravestone is from 1843, but the enslaved people’s graves were marked only with fieldstone.

In addition to the original house location, they also found the well, the kitchen foundation and a large, brick-lined pit that most likely was the ice house.

Moving over to Satterwhite Point, the duo explored a spring that had been discovered in the 1970’s at the J.C. Cooper campground. It likely was used for nearby Ashland, which was built by the Henderson family in 1740.

“What amazed me is how clear…and cool the water was,” Pace said. “It could have been

the reason why the Hendersons built the house where they did.” There’s a tulip poplar tree still there that possibly predates the house, Pace said.

 

Do you have memories of the area around Kerr Lake before there was a lake? Call Pace at 919.693.1121.

 

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Bug And Tar Removal

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For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

As the weather heats up heading into summertime conditions, it’s a good time to give a little extra attention to your vehicle’s exterior. That sunshine that feels so good can really do a number on your car’s paint, especially if you let dead bugs and road tar residue hang around too long.

Those insects that get stuck in your car or truck grill are unsightly, sure – like when you’ve got a bit of food stuck in your teeth – but did you know that the acidic nature of bugs and the materials in road tar can create bigger problems?

The folks at Advance Auto can steer you to the right product to get rid of bugs and tar before they cause damage.

Whether you choose a preventative product like a prewash or simply a product that is sure to remove the surface gunk, remember that what you want to do is to break the bond between the gunk and the surface. Especially when you’re dealing with a painted surface, it’s important to choose the right product that is designed to target the specific problem.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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