KVA’s Early Learning Center Gains Full Accreditation Status From Cognia

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— information courtesy of Kerr-Vance Academy

The Early Learning Center at Kerr-Vance Academy has earned full accreditation status by Cognia, an internationally recognized education accrediting body.

The ELC is for children from 18 months of age through 4 years, according to information from KVA Head of School Matthew McLaughlin.

In a press release announcing the news, McLaughlin stated that KVA’s K-12 program has maintained accreditation for more than 50 years, and with the addition of the ELC, it becomes the only fully accredited Early Learning Center in the area.

“This accomplishment reflects our deep commitment to educational excellence and holistic growth from the very beginning of a child’s development,” McLaughlin said.

“We’re proud to provide families with an exceptional foundation of learning that supports every stage of their journey.”

The accreditation process includes areas such as curriculum, staff expertise and dedication to continuous improvement.

McLaughlin stated that it also solidifies the school’s reputation as a leader in early childhood education across the region.

For more information about the KVA Early Learning Center and enrollment opportunities, visit www.kerrvance.com.

TownTalk: Henderson City Council July Meeting, Investigations Coming

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The Henderson City Council met Monday night for its regular monthly meeting to conduct routine city business but then went into closed session to discuss a personnel matter.

Mayor Melissa Elliott said she would entertain a motion to go into closed session.

The Council did vote to adjourn into closed session, which had not been included on the agenda that was sent to the press and posted on the city’s webpage.

Upon returning to open session, it was learned that Mayor pro tem Garry Daeke and Councilperson Geraldine Champion will work together to be the liaisons for separate, independent, third-party investigations that will be taking place into two matters: one involving employee surveys pertaining to the mayor and a second that involves accusations made against the manager.

The Council voted unanimously to make Daeke the liaison between the council and the two independent, third-party investigating entities that will look into the matters.

Champion requested that all information that is learned during the investigation be shared with the entire council, to which Daeke replied that would certainly be the case.

The procedure of discussion and voting got a bit complicated when Elliott suggested that Champion join Daeke as a liaison, but that suggestion did turn into what happened.

It’s unclear whether there was an addendum to the original motion or whether a secondary motion was made to include Champion as a liaison. Nevertheless, the vote was 6-2, with Council members Lamont Noel and Sam Seifert voting against the motion.

No further details were discussed about who will conduct the investigations, when they will commence, how long they should take or when results will be available.

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! July Is Poppin’ With Activities At Perry Memorial Library

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The Perry Memorial Library is filled with books and other reading material for patrons to enjoy, but reading and literacy find their ways into so many aspects of summertime activities, books are just the beginning of the fun!

If you missed Tuesday’s 4 p.m. Color My World In Comics program with Curtis M. Harvey, Jr., there’s one more chance to learn about his book, “The Perfect Pair,” which he wrote and illustrated.

Harvey will be back for the finale of the Vance County Reads program on July 29, according to Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters. The event is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Please register at Signup Genius or simply go to https://www.perrylibrary.org/home and find the flyer that has the link and a QR code.

Peters reeled off a dizzying number of programs and events that are coming up in the next couple of weeks as summer stretches into late July and August.

“We are just having such a great turnout for our programs,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on the Tuesday segment of The Local Skinny! program.

She prepared staff for the several hundred or so kiddos that were going to be coming through the library Tuesday for the various programs that are taking place.

She said she was expecting at least 50 young people for the Color My World in Comics, during which Harvey, who grew up in Henderson, would discuss how he came to write and illustrate the children’s book that was published in 2024.

The Vance County Reads programs culminates at the end of July with Harvey and local author Angie Ellington, author of “Autumn at Apple Hill.” Peters said multiple copies of both books were available in places all over the county for residents to pick up, read and either keep or return for others to enjoy.

Having homegrown authors come back and share their experience is important, she said. “They do want to give back,” Peters said. “It’s a good way to have an impact on your community.”

Families can come to the library on Sunday, July 20 for another installment of Family Story Time. The upcoming theme is Crayons, in keeping with the Color My World summer reading theme, and Peters said there will surely be creative crayon art activities following the story.

Thrilling Thursdays offers something for all ages at the library, Peters said.

There’s a 10 a.m. story time for groups and homeschoolers, then there’s a repeat at 11 a.m. during the Mother Goose Story Time for the general public.

Then, come 3:30 p.m., there’s a quick story time for busy families on the go – a story and bubbles and, boom! you’re back out the door, Peters said.

The LEGO Club cranks up at 4 p.m. and the Teen Space opens its doors at 4 p.m. for gaming and snacks.

And if that’s not enough, there’s one more free movie scheduled for Tuesday, July 22 at 11 a.m.

The final installment is Sonic3, another in the adventures and misadventures of that iconic video game character as he takes to the Big Screen once again.

A final hurrah happens not at the library but at the Community House at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 31 – everyone’s welcome for freeze pops and Mother Goose story time.

Peters thanks the Kerr Lake State Parks folks for partnering again this year to make this event possible. There’s no entry fee associated with the story time – just tell the person at the gate that you’re coming to the Mother Goose Story Time!

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/home for a complete listing of programs, activities and more that the library offers.

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Great Southeast Pollinator Census

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Michael Ellington, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Today I’m speaking about the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a citizen science effort that can change the world. I’ve also shared reminders for related events.

Pollinator ID Workshop

go.ncsu.edu/pollinatorid

Great Southeast Pollinator Census

www.gsepc.org

Harvesting Healthy Habits

go.ncsu.edu/hhhvc

Heirs Property Gathering

go.ncsu.edu/vcheirsproperty

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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TownTalk: Business Spotlight – Vanco Crawl Space

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Will Bumgarner said the work his team at Vanco Crawlspace and Restoration does isn’t glamorous or fancy. In fact, he described it as dirty, nasty work. But it’s good, honest work, he said. And when homeowners or business owners need professionals to take care of problems under their homes or businesses, Vanco is the one to call.

Vanco Crawlspace and Restoration is the newest member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, and Bumgarner said he’s been in business for about 4 ½ years. The company’s general manager is Angel Perez.

The company has two teams that do all kinds of work in crawlspaces from insulation and sump pumps to foundation drainage, mold remediation and installing dehumidifiers.

“Pretty much anything that’s underneath a house, we handle,” Bumgarner said during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Chamber office.

They’re based in Henderson and serve Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties, but they also do work from Greensboro to the coast.

“My game plan is to provide that (top) level of service for Henderson so the citizens of this county don’t have to look elsewhere,” Bumgarner said.

Sam Seifert, a member of the Chamber board, was among a handful of local dignitaries on hand to welcome Bumgarner to the Chamber.

Seifert said he’d recently had to go under his own house and said he’d likely be calling Vanco soon. “I appreciate you and Angel who are doing that kind of work,” Seifert said. “I appreciate keeping it local.”

Call Vanco Crawlspace and Restoration at 919.999.9572 or visit www.vancocrawlspace.com to learn more.

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Estate Sale To Benefit American Cancer Society In Full Swing Through Saturday, July 19

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To some, she’s Sally Garrett. Others call her Frances. And sometimes it seems like she’s doing the work of two people – or more. But whatever name she answers to, rest assured that she’ll tell you right quick why she enjoys raising money for the American Cancer Society.

Garrett is a five-time cancer survivor, she told WIZS’s Scout Hughes when he sat down to talk with her during the estate sale, going on now at the former INCO building at 602 S. Garnett St.

She was doing some research after completing treatment for her third bout with cancer, and she said, “Every treatment that I had at that time had been funded or partially funded by the American Cancer Society,” and that’s when she decided to do something to help keep that research going.

Each year, a representative from each Congressional district goes to Washington, D.C. to present their checks from fundraising efforts.

And last year, this Congressional district was the largest contributor, she said.

The estate sale concept is part of the success, she noted. Auctions had sort of run their course, she said, and once the idea of having an estate sale format gained traction, they were off to the races.

“We just did great,” she said. “We made $14,000 that first sale and that really fired us all up…we can do this!”

She said it speaks well of the community the size of Henderson and Vance County that she and her team of volunteers can raise that kind of money. “It all comes from friends getting together and doing something we love,” she said.

Not to brag, but Sally & Friends was the top fundraiser group at last year’s Relay for Life in Granville County with $30,000 going to the cause to find a cure for cancer.

“You have an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life,” Garrett said. “We don’t know who this money is going to help, but it’s going to help somebody…it could be my family, your family or somebody across the world.”

The sale is scheduled to continue through the week, but Garrett said it would depend on how many items are left and how many people are coming in to shop.

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The following was the original post of this story on Friday, July 11, 2025:

Come check out the items up for grabs at the annual estate sale to benefit the American Cancer Society. Sally Garrett and Friends are conducting the sale, which kicked off Thursday and continues through the weekend.

Stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and then 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The sale picks up again on Tuesday, July 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and could continue as long as Sunday, July 20, depending on how sales go, said Frances Garrett, one of the organizers.

This is the second year for the sales, said Chuck Martin, another volunteer who helps with the sale. The items are donated by people who may be downsizing or who have things left from other sales. This sale takes place at the former INCO building, located at 602 S. Garnett St, and features furniture, home furnishings and more.

Visit https://www.estatesales.net/ to see photos of the featured items.

“Every dime goes to the Cancer Society,” said Martin. “Sally Garrett represents the American Cancer Society and assures that all money raised is accounted for and deposited with the state ACS in Raleigh,” he added.

The building space is donated by Jason Stewardson.