@VanceCoSchools Youth Empowerment Academy

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— courtesy Vance County Schools — VCS Photo

Randall Q. Bullock, a Vance County native now living in New Jersey and mentoring young men, spoke to male students in the school system’s Youth Empowerment Academy on November 3.

Bullock talked with the six students, who are in the academy on long-term suspension from their middle schools, about their focus on the important things in life and about making good decisions.

He explained to the students that he moved to Vance County at an early age and attended school at New Hope Elementary, Eaton-Johnson Middle and the former Vance Senior High School, now Northern Vance. Bullock stressed to the students that he wanted to tell them his story to help them for their futures. He said he always loved playing football in school and continued playing football when he completed high school at Ravenscroft, a private school in Raleigh. After graduating from high school in 1984, he attended the University of Virginia where he played on the varsity football team.

“I enjoyed my time playing football,” he explained. “I was a wide receiver in college and I played, but I think back even now on what I could have done more at that time to improve and be better. Would it have made a difference in my future? Could I have actually played in the NFL?”

Bullock admitted he didn’t work as hard as he should have in college. After completing his time at Virginia, Bullock moved to New Jersey where his father lived.

He said he eventually realized he needed a plan for his life and that he needed to “look at the big picture.”

“That’s what I want you to do,” he told the students. “Look at the macro, your big picture for your life and where you want to go. You can also look at the micro, which is what you want to do for right now.”

He emphasized to the students that they need to make good decisions now and work to get back on track with their school work and their behavior.

“You are hurting your life resume,” he said. “You must get an education to be successful and you must stay out of trouble.”

Bullock talked with the students about Booker T. Washington, who transformed himself from a former slave to a successful businessman and is known today as one of the most influential African-Americans in our history. He also told the students the story of Ben Carson, a national leader among brain surgeons who ran for U.S. President in the 2016 election. Carson was raised in poverty by his mother, but with her always pushing him and his brother to do well in school and get a good education he overcame many obstacles and is a very success African-American today, Bullock added.

Bullock was brought to the academy by Dr. Ralphel Holloman, coordinator of the academy, to mentor the young male students. He plans to visit the students each month and continue to work with them as a positive, adult role model. Bullock said he is in Henderson about every three weeks visiting and assisting his mother who still lives here. He also plans to bring additional speakers with him when he visits with the students.

 

Home and Garden Show 11/07/17

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News 11/07/17

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VGCC Drama students to present ‘canine’ comedy

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— courtesy VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College Drama students will soon entertain audiences with a modern romantic comedy about a marriage — and a dog. “Sylvia” will be staged on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson, Nov. 16-19. Performances begin on Thursday, Nov 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2.

Sylvia, by the late American playwright A.R. Gurney, tells the story of a married couple, Greg and Kate, who have moved to Manhattan after 22 years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection, while Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog.

The comedy premiered in 1995 with Sarah Jessica Parker in the title role. At the time, a New York Daily News critic called it “one of the most involving, beautiful, funny, touching and profound plays I have ever seen,” while another reviewer called it a “mad comedy” and “howlingly funny.”

The play includes some adult language and themes.

Students in the cast include Samantha Hines of Henderson as Sylvia in Cast A, Faith Orr of Henderson as Sylvia in Cast B, Jordan Bunting of Rocky Mount as Greg, Brittney Patterson of Henderson as Kate, Nick Kurtz of Durham as Tom, Jamie McGinn of Wake Forest as Phyllis, Allison Hines of Henderson as Leslie in Cast A and Chadstity Copeland of Henderson as Leslie in Cast B. Cast A will perform on Thursday night, Friday night and the Saturday matinee, while Cast B will perform on Saturday night and the Sunday matinee.

Betsy Henderson, the VGCC Theatre Arts/speech instructor and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, directs the play.

Other members of the crew include students Angel Sizemore of Oxford (Production Stage Manager/Assistant Director), Brian Johnson of Creedmoor (Assistant Stage Manager and Projections), Megan Kokus of Rougemont (Head Costume Designer), Mary Parrish of Henderson (costumes), Yazi Majette of Henderson (costumes), Carleigh Gupton of Henderson (costumes), Carol Swain of Henderson (Head of Props), Amanda Cease of Henderson (Props), Chakiria Thorne of Henderson (Props), Evan O’ Geary of Henderson (Head of Hair/Make-up), Rosie Kanouff of Kittrell (Hair/Make-up), and Camden Jones of Henderson (Lighting/Sound Operator).

Admission is $15 for the general public, and $10 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.

–VGCC–

(VGCC is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)

CHAMBER’S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST

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— courtesy of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER’S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST

Wednesday, November 22

Oxford Baptist Church’s Family Life Center

~ Sponsored by BRIDGESTONE ~

Non-perishable food donations requested for ACIM

The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Thanksgiving Breakfast is being held Wednesday, November 22, at 7:30 am in the Family Life Center of Oxford Baptist Church, Main Street, Oxford.

Bridgestone’s continued sponsorship of this annual event spans 25+ years.  The November Thanksgiving breakfast began as an industry-sponsored breakfast, and Bridgestone has graciously remained the event supporter for all these years.  The Chamber is grateful to Bridgestone plant manager Mark Highland and his staff for continuing their support and sponsorship.

This year’s guest speaker is Bailey Alston – a local, Vance County athlete and a business and community supporter and promoter of substance abuse prevention through his speaking engagements at churches, local schools and community events.  “Very early on, Bailey discovered that being tall and having long arms enhanced his ability to run faster and jump higher than his older siblings, neighborhood friends, and in fact, most kids his age and older.  It was clear that God had gifted him with amazing athletic abilities.  He excelled at recreational football and basketball while participating in the Henderson Parks & Recreation competitions.”  Following graduation from Vance Senior High School, he was honored to receive a full scholarship to play for Fork Union Military Academy.  His success leading Fork Union lead to him becoming “heavily recruited by Wake Forest, Kansas, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Rutgers University.  After one season at Rutgers and coaching staff changes, Bailey transferred to Liberty University.  As a Junior and senior, he ranked nationally in the top 10 scoring . . . and Bailey was named ‘All American’ his senior year.

Bailey has a heart and passion for not only athletics but for his community and giving back.”  His own personal story is very heart-warming and is perfect for a Thanksgiving Breakfast.

Attendees may expect the usual Southern buffet breakfast, prepared by volunteer men at Oxford Baptist.  No one will leave hungry as we depart to begin the Thanksgiving holiday celebration!

Although there is no charge to attend the breakfast, attendees are requested to bring non-perishable food donations (canned food) for Area Congregations In Ministry (ACIM).

The School of Graphic Arts/Masonic Home for Children is continuing its tradition of providing attendees with desk calendars for the new year.  Also, the Chamber will be officially kicking off its promotion for the National  SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – SHOP LOCAL  – SHOP GRANVILLE by providing attendees with Shop Small tote bags filled with “goodies”, gift certificates, etc. from Granville County Small Businesses.  This annual event is Saturday, November 25th.

Reservations are REQUIRED with one of the Chamber’s offices by November 17th to   Wanda, 693.6125 or Toni Anne, 919.528.4994; wanda@granville-chamber.com, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Maria Parham Urology Open House

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— courtesy Maria Parham Health

(Maria Parham Health is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)

News 11/06/17

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Vance Shelter Needs Supplies

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The Vance County Animal Shelter is in need of supplies.  If you are attending “Dog Walk For Veterans” on Saturday, or not, you can still stop by, check out the shelter, see about volunteering and drop of supplies.

For more about “Dog Walk For Veterans” — click here.

Frankie Nobles, the chief animal control officer for Vance County, told WIZS News the shelter’s wish list of needed items includes: fleece blankets; dog/puppy beds; rubber/plastic chew toys; non-clumping cat litter; kitten food (small bites); milk replacer for kittens/puppies; laundry detergent; blue dawn dish soap; kitchen trash bags; flea/tick meds, sprays; gallon ziploc bags; XL dog crates; and bleach.

 

News 11/03/17

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Affordable Care Act Enrollment Has Started

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— press release from Legal Aid of North Carolina

Enrollment for 2018 Affordable Care Act coverage starts Nov. 1

Financial help and in-person enrollment help still available for NC consumers; Shortened enrollment period ends Dec. 15

RALEIGH • Oct. 31, 2017 – Tomorrow, Nov. 1, is the start of the Affordable Care Act’s fifth – and shortest – open-enrollment period. Consumers will have until midnight on Dec. 15 – just 45 days, which is half the length of past enrollment periods – to enroll in 2018 coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace <https://www.healthcare.gov>.

Due to the shortened enrollment period and general confusion surrounding the Affordable Care Act – a Kaiser Family Foundation study<https://www.kff.org/health-reform/poll-finding/kaiser-health-tracking-poll-october-2017-experiences-of-the-non-group-marketplace-enrollees/> found that many consumers do not know the dates for the 2018 enrollment period – it is more important than ever for North Carolina consumers to know that they can rely on an experienced, fully funded<https://www.legalaidnc.org/Pages/about-us/news/Navigator-Grant-2018.aspx> corps of Marketplace navigators to provide them with free, local, in-person enrollment help all across the state.

Consumers can schedule a navigator meeting by visiting ncnavigator.net<https://www.ncnavigator.net> or calling 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free). They can also attend one of the free enrollment events that will be held around the state throughout open enrollment (see the events listing on ncnavigator.net<https://www.ncnavigator.net/>).

Here are some other important facts for consumers to know:

* The Affordable Care Act is still the law, and Americans must be enrolled in health insurance in 2018 to avoid paying a fine.

* Subsidies to help consumers pay their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs – copays and deductibles – are still available. Nine in 10 North Carolinians who enrolled in the last open enrollment period received some financial help to cover their premium costs.

* Consumer subsidies go up or down along with premium rates, so most consumers should not feel the premium increase in their wallet.

* Consumers who already have Marketplace coverage should come back to review the new plans available for 2018, rather than automatically re-enrolling. New plans and prices are available, so consumers should make sure they are enrolled in the best plan for their family’s medical needs and budget.

* All plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace cover comprehensive care, including doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, emergency services, hospitalization, preventive and rehabilitative care, and more.

”The most important message for consumers is: do not delay!” Jennifer Simmons, director of the NC Navigator Consortium, said. “Given the shortened enrollment period, it’s more important than ever for consumers to act now. If you have questions or don’t know where to start, our navigators are here for you. Visit our website or call us as soon as possible.”

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