VGCC alumna and Henderson City Council member encourages Adult Basic Skills graduates
Graduates of Vance-Granville Community College’s Adult Basic Skills programs were challenged to believe in themselves and to continue their education, as an alumna who is now a member of the Henderson City Council offered encouragement at commencement exercises on May 5.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was sitting in the same spot that you all are sitting in,” Melissa Elliott told the graduates, who were among those students who have completed either the Adult High School Diploma program or the High School Equivalency program in the past year. “Back then, I didn’t know if I was capable of doing anything, but 25 years later, I’ve conquered four degrees, and I’m working on my doctorate right now.”
As the principal commencement speaker, Elliott, in her first term on the Henderson City Council, urged the new graduates to enroll in a curriculum program at VGCC immediately, just as she once did in the Criminal Justice program. Her associate degree from the community college paved the way for Elliott to continue her education, serve in various capacities in law enforcement and start her own non-profit organization, Gang-Free, Inc.
“I encourage people to go to Vance-Granville, because I know that the people here care about you,” she said. “They love you and they want you to succeed…. I was catapulted into my educational career through this institution. This is just the beginning of where you can go, but you have to believe in yourself.”
Elliott asked the graduates to focus on three P’s: perseverance, patience and perception. “Perseverance means you will continue even with the wind against you, but you still move forward,” she said. “You all evidently have patience, because you are here.” As for perception, she said, “Sometimes, our perception is totally off, and we begin to believe that we can’t do it. Well, I want you to believe that you can do it, you can have it, and you will be it! I want you to get that down in your heart. You can become absolutely anything your heart desires.”
Speaking on behalf of the graduating students during the ceremony was Melissa Pearce of Franklinton. She said it was “a miracle” that she was standing in that position as a graduate. At age nine, Pearce was seriously ill and was in a coma for 48 hours. “I stayed in the hospital for two weeks recovering,” she said. “After being released from the hospital, I had a really hard time learning and remembering things, and still do to this day.”
School was always difficult and frustrating for Pearce, and eventually, she dropped out. Pearce married and had three sons, but she always felt the need to go back to school to obtain a high school diploma. Twice, she started but did not finish.
“Once my boys were all in school and didn’t need me during the day, I started to think again about education and all of the benefits associated with education,” she said. “I decided to try to get my GED again, but this time, I created a six-month game plan.” She went to class four days a week for five months at VGCC’s Franklin Campus, and then in the sixth month, took all four of the required tests. “I worked hard and stayed focused and had two amazing teachers who helped me and encouraged me to not give up,” Pearce recalled.
“Within one month’s time, I had passed all my tests and received my GED in March 2016! I did it! I want my children to know even with all the obstacles that stood in my way, I never gave up. I may have lost focus on my education, but it was all worth it to raise my family. Now that I have regained my focus on my education, I plan to keep pushing myself and reaching for the stars!”
Pearce is now enrolled in the VGCC Early Childhood Education program, starting in the summer term. “My goals are to one day become a director of a day care to provide the care and support that all children need,” she said. Pearce urged her fellow graduates, “Don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how long it takes.”
In welcoming remarks, VGCC Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Dr. Angela Ballentine congratulated the graduates. “You have passed the tests. You have completed your work,” she said. “It may not have been easy, but it has been worth it, because tonight, you can celebrate a great achievement.” Ballentine, too, urged them to continue their education at VGCC. “We will help you make the transition to college, and we will advise you as you dream, design and discover new pathways and new possibilities,” she said.
Following Elliott’s address, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, praised the graduates and applauded the Basic Skills faculty for preparing students to succeed. “The diploma you receive tonight will allow you to begin to realize your dreams,” the president said. “You are now able to further your education, start a career, and become a lifelong learner.” As an extra incentive for graduates to move on to the next level of education, she announced that each would receive a certificate worth free tuition and fees for one semester of courses in curriculum programs at VGCC, absorbing costs not covered by federal financial aid.
After VGCC Adult Basic Skills department chair Greg Nash announced the candidates for graduation, Dr. Ballentine assisted President Williams in presenting diplomas.
A note from Citizens Aligned
The Henderson City Council will have a public hearing on their proposed 2016-17 budget, this Monday at City Hall at 6:00. We believe it is very important for all citizens to know what is happening in their town and how their money is being spent. Do you agree?
People are always asking us how they can help and we so appreciate it. If you are interested in making our city a better place to live, we ask that you attend this very important meeting. We can’t stress its importance!Together, ALIGNED, we can make a difference.
There is power in numbers.
Thank you for your continued support!
Heidi
Hope
Tommy
Fire at Historic Middleburg Community House
Saturday night shortly before 9:00, there was a fire at Middleburg Steak and Seafood. No one was injured.
Vance County Fire Chief Chris Wright said, “The fire started in the kitchen in the wall behind the cooking grill and went straight up the wall and got into the attic access on the second floor and traveled down a little ways before they were able to catch it.”
With the age of the building and how much wood is present, the chief agreed, when asked, that the establishment was lucky.
Wright offered no damage estimates on the building, but he said, “About 20 percent of the building was damaged though.”
There is no time table for reopening the restaurant this soon, but the owners have expressed appreciation and other kind words on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
The initial dispatch of fire fighters was Drewry Fire Department, Vance County Fire Department and the Cokesbury Fire Department. The Vance County Rescue Squad responded as well. There was mutual aid from the Bearpond, Ridgeway and Soul City fire departments.
As many Vance and surrounding county residents know, the restaurant is housed in the Middleburg Community House, which was constructed in the early 1930s as a Civil Works Administration project.
Local Restaurants Serving Locally Grown Food
This is the second article of our three-part series on Buying Local. Our last feature focused on the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. You can search for that piece by typing Farmers Market into the WIZS.com search box. This piece will take a closer look at some of the independently owned restaurants in our area that serve dishes made with produce from local farmers.
Our first local supporters are Warren County native Carla Norwood and Gabe Cumming, Director and Assistant Director of Working Landscapes which is a produce processing plant in Warren County and parent to Foodworks, a farm to table café on Warrenton’s Downtown Main Street.
They work with over 39 farmers to bring the area food that is locally grown. The non-profit Working Landscapes was founded in 2010. During the 2015-2016 school year it served fresh chopped produce to over 30,000 school children in northeast North Carolina. Norwood said, “Our organization is committed to building distribution routes so it’s easier for local schools to get produce from here rather than say somewhere like California.” A lot of times the food served in schools comes from far away because it has to go through specific distribution routes.
Local growers who want to make their crops available to the school system must complete one of the many Health and safety courses and also go through a process known as GAP (Good Agricultural Practices), a state requirement for all produce that will be served in school cafeterias. Growers are also required to produce a farm safety manual and have their farms inspected by the Department of Agriculture.
*The Foodworks Café is a quaint and cheerful little spot in Warrenton’s downtown Main Street where 95 percent of the goods sold are locally grown and made from scratch right in the back kitchen. Customers can eat in the café or purchase food to take home and cook. Norwood said, “All of our beef and pork are pasture raised and our coffee beans are from Hillsborough. We want people to think about where their food comes from and how it was raised. It’s very simple, but society has gotten away from that. We would love for folks to give us a try.”
While visiting the restaurant for this article, I bought lunch to go at The Foodworks Café and for about the same price you would pay for a large size extra value meal, I had an egg salad sandwich with a side of chips, sweet tea with lemon, hot blackberry cobbler with fresh cream on top and a side order of hummus that came with enough carrot sticks that I was able to share a few with my horse after I got to the ranch! The café also serves local NC beers and wine. Norwood said, “We challenge people to ask where the food in the restaurant they’re eating in comes from. It’s about being able to live in a rural area and having a better quality of life through food and education. I think we can make good things happen here. It’s about community and economy as much as it is about food.”
*Just around the corner off of Main Street in downtown Warrenton is local restaurant Robinson Ferry. Michael Ring is the General Manager and Chef there. When asked about what produce the restaurant serves that is locally grown, Ring said, “It’s not always easy to do local in a restaurant because consistency in flavor is key, but we always try to buy from the Farmers Market or local farmers whenever produce is in season. Food simply tastes better when eaten within 12-14 hours of being picked. With grocery stores, there’s no telling how long an item has been on the shelf.” 
The Ferry recently featured radishes in a radish green slaw because they were in season at the market. They also create some incredibly beautiful vegetarian dishes for those who don’t eat meat or are looking for a healthier alternative. Ring said, “When you’re buying local vegetables, it’s easy to be inspired by them to make a visually appealing as well as delicious dish. I feel good about paying a local farmer rather than getting a product from say South Carolina. It’s just good business. The money stays in your county.”
Some items Robinson Ferry gets locally on a regular basis are duck eggs from Before & Afton, antibiotic and hormone free chicken from local Vance County supplier Henderson Fruit & Produce, and lettuce from G & D Produce. Ring said, “Buying local transfers to the chef, then to the plate, then to the customer who feels good about what they’re eating and in turn what their money is going towards.”
Other restaurants in our area that serve some percentage of locally sourced foods are Harvest in Oxford, with anywhere from 8-10 local farmers depending on the season. The Hardware Café in Warrenton purchases their lettuce from a local farmer there, and Nunnery Freeman Barbecue in Henderson uses cornmeal made in Kittrell, NC.
To find and support more farmers in your area visit your local Farmers Market!
*Farmers can feel free to contact Robinson Ferry or Foodworks Café to see if they might have need of any produce.
WIZS Staff Writer – Jo Smith
Meet Me In The Street Concert
2016 MEET ME IN THE STREET CONCERT SERIES
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce will hold its first concert of the Meet Me in the Street series tonight — Friday, May 20, 2016 from 5:30-8:30 pm.
“The Konnection Band” will be in town.
This band is a local favorite and is one of the East Coast’s premier party bands, specializing in a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R&B, Beach and Oldies.
The concert is free to the public and will be held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets in downtown Henderson.
Hurricane Preparedness 2016
Note: You can always return to this article by entering Hurricane Preparedness in the WIZS.com search box. Information provided by Brian Short, Director – Vance County Emergency Operations.
“The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season is about to begin. Are you prepared?”
The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1st of each year and ends on November 30th. The Vance County Office of Emergency Operations wants to make sure that you and your family are prepared for whatever this season brings our way.
May 15th through May 21st has been designated National Hurricane Preparedness Week for 2016. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is once again promoting a “Weather Ready Nation”.
Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. If you live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, you need to be prepared. Even areas well away from the coastline can be threatened by dangerous flooding, destructive winds and tornadoes from these storms. The National Hurricane Center issues watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather.
Each year, Dr. William Gray and his team at Colorado State University produce a report that contains information on the projected outlook for the upcoming season. This year is forecast to be an average year according to Hurricane Experts.
“We anticipate that the 2016 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have approximately average activity. The current weakening El Niño is likely to transition to either neutral or La Niña conditions by the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. While the tropical Atlantic is relatively warm, the far North Atlantic is quite cold, potentially indicative of a negative phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation. We anticipate a near-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted. The tropical and subtropical Atlantic are also quite cool at present. We anticipate a below-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted,” said Dr. William M. Gray, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University.
The Atlantic Basin Seasonal Hurricane Forecast for 2016 is as follows:
| Number of Named Storms: | 13 |
| Number of Hurricanes: | 6 |
| Number of Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): | 4 |
While the prediction for the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season is “Average,” the prediction for this season does show a notable increase over last year.
“The time to prepare is now, well out in front of peak hurricane season,” said Brian K. Short, Director of Emergency Operations for Vance County. Keep in mind that it only takes one storm to cause significant impact. Communities and individuals are expected to be self sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days) following the impact of a hurricane. “If the impact is severe enough, it may potentially take outside help that long to get here,” Short said. “By taking the time to gather up a few basic necessities now, you will enable your family to weather the storm and the aftermath until help can arrive.”
In the event that a storm should threaten our area, The Vance County Emergency Operations staff will get important information out and will keep the public informed of our preparedness activities. Like us on Facebook to stay up to date on severe weather and coordination activities.
Smart phone users can also download a free app from ReadyNC.org. This app provides a great deal of information regarding storm preparedness as well as current road conditions, local weather, power outages and storm shelters that are open just to name a few. Follow the link below to get this free app.
https://www.readync.org/EN/DOWNLOADAPP.html
For more information about how you and your family can prepare for severe weather including hurricanes visit our website at:
https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/emergency-operations/
While you’re there, be sure to visit our community alert and notification section to sign up for CODE RED, our emergency alert and notification system. NOTE: if you have a land line phone you are most likely already in the CODE RED system. Please add your cell phone if you would like to receive real time alerts on your mobile phone or device.
Or visit Vance County Emergency Operations on Facebook
You can also call our office at 252-438-8264
Recommended Family Preparedness Items
The best time to assemble a three-day emergency supplies kit is well before you will ever need it. Most people already have these items around the house and it is a matter of assembling them now before an evacuation or State of Emergency order is issued. Stocking up now on emergency supplies can add to your family’s safety and comfort during and after a disaster. Store enough supplies for at least three days, preferably seven days, in one place.
Start with an easy to carry, water tight container – a large plastic trash can will do, or line a sturdy cardboard box with a couple of trash bags. Next gather up the following items and place them in your kit:
Essentials
- Water – 1 gallon per person per day (a week’s supply of water is preferable)
- Water purification kit or bleach
- First aid kit and first aid book
- Pre-cooked, non-perishable foods, such as canned meats, granola bars, instant soup & cereals, etc.
- Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier, soap, baby powder, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices
- Non-electric can opener
- Anti-bacterial hand wipes or gel
- Blanket or sleeping bag per person
- Portable radio or portable TV and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Essential medications
- Extra pair of eyeglasses
- Extra house and car keys
- Fire extinguisher – ABC-type
- Food, water, leash and carrier for pets
- Cash and change
- Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes
Sanitation Supplies
- Large plastic trash bags for waste, tarps and rain ponchos
- Large trash cans
- Bar soap, shampoo and liquid detergent
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Feminine hygiene supplies
- Toilet paper
- Household bleach
- Rubber gloves
Don’t forget your pets when getting prepared!!!