TownTalk: VV Show’s Varonica Mitchell Works With Game Changers For Community Event

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Varonica Mitchell, that local 12-year-old social media sensation with her own online show is paying a visit to Henderson Sunday, July 16 to take part in an event sponsored by Game Changers and iDance Praise Academy.

There will be games for the kids, as well as food, clothing and school supplies that will be distributed – all free of charge, said Mitchell, who was a guest on Wednesday’s TownTalk.

She’ll have a “meet and greet” with her fans, with photo ops, selfies and autographs with the star of “The VV Show” throughout the event, which stretches from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the iDance Praise Academy, located at 902 Dorsey Ave., Henderson.

It’s just a way for her to give back to all her supporters, she said, which now number more than 1 million on various social media platforms. “They’ve helped me out…they uplift me,” she said. “I thought it was a good idea to give back to the community.”

She’s accomplished a lot in just a short time, and has been featured in movies, commercial ads and magazines, not to mention headlining events all over and being honored with awards on major platforms for her acting, her community service and her comedy/social media show, according to information from “The VV Show” marketing manager M. Davis.

Come be a part of the fun and speak with the young lady who’s capturing hearts with her insight and comedy all over social media.

Visit The VV Show – YouTube to see what VV’s up to.

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VGCC Franklin Campus Site Of Training Hub Designed To Bridge ‘Digital Divide’

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-Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Residents of Franklin County and other surrounding communities will soon have a new resource to help them succeed in an increasingly digital world.

DigitalBridge, a digital workforce development initiative of Wake Forest-based Wireless Research Center, has partnered with Vance-Granville Community College to launch a new training hub at the college’s Louisburg campus. Together, the institutions will bridge the digital divide for underserved local communities through accessible technology and training.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Vance-Granville Community College to support our communities,” said Erica Hixon, DigitalBridge executive director. “We are proud to join the community of resources to assist students and employers.”

DigitalBridge’s model is designed to deliver fast-track certifications and connect people directly to job opportunities. The initiative offers more than 130 courses and certifications for digital-skills training and certifications, provided at no cost to residents. Participants receive digital training, coaching, and job pairing matched to individual goals; in-person or remote learning at their own pace; and assistance from a career coach to guide their efforts.

Partnering with DigitalBridge is a natural extension of the college’s commitment to support residents of its four-county service area. While a degree or similar credential can open doors of career opportunity for many people, others might be better served through different forms of education, such as those provided by DigitalBridge.

“VGCC actively seeks out new ways and new partners to reduce the opportunity gap in our communities,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC president. “Digital literacy and technology skills are still areas where we see those opportunity gaps. We are excited to partner with DigitalBridge to support opportunity to better jobs in our service area.”

Starting mid-July, DigitalBridge representatives will be available at the Franklin Campus open computer lab each week Tuesdays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The new partnership will officially launch Thursday, July 13 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at VGCC’s Franklin Campus, located at 8100 NC 56 Highway in Louisburg. In addition to representatives from the college and DigitalBridge, local leaders and government officials are invited to attend.

 

WRC is an independent nonprofit founded in 2010 to serve as a catalyst for collaborative innovation and technology-led economic development to improve communities. Today, WRC’s core initiatives are designed to improve wireless technologies, accelerate technology startups, support entrepreneurs and spur economic development through education programs and digital job skills training. For more information, visit www.wrc-us.org and www.mydigitalbridge.org.

For more information about VGCC and its programs, visit www.vgcc.edu.

TownTalk: Twisdale Takes Over As Fire Chief

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Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale said he learned at an early age the importance of service to others and being responsible for nurturing growth.

Those childhood lessons are paying dividends as Twisdale takes the helm as the city’s new chief.

As a youngster, growing up on the family farm, he was exposed to things that have helped him through the years – “Be responsible for things. Plant a seed and see where it goes,” he said.

Twisdale was a guest on Tuesday’s TownTalk and shared his story that started on the family farm in the Granville County community of Bullock.

He’s had mentors within the fire service, but it was his grandfather – a volunteer at the Bullock station – who started it all.

“I looked up to him,” Twisdale said, adding that his grandfather showed him the importance of “being part of the community and giving back. He enjoyed doing so.”

So Twisdale decided to follow in his granddad’s footsteps and he joined the ranks of volunteers at Bullock.

And he ran across an instructor named Steve Cordell who shared with him about being a career firefighter. As a 20-something, Twisdale acknowledged that it sure sounded more exciting than sitting behind a desk all day.

Since then, there have been many classes and many mentors who have helped Twisdale on this career path.

It will be his turn now to help other firefighters as they pursue their goals and dreams.

Twisdale said he hoped to name a deputy chief soon. “We’ve opened it up to internal applicants,” and that continues for another week. The department’s career ladder structure helps firefighters determine next steps and pathways for success.

“I anticipate having a good pool of applicants coming through,” he said. There will be an interview team assembled to ensure transparency in the selection process, although Twisdale will make the final decision.

Chief Cordell and retired Chief Danny Wilkerson were instrumental in instilling pride into the department, and Twisdale said he intends to keep it going for the future.

“I want to keep the pride and dedication and professionalism that our department has, and expand and grow as the city grows,” he said.

The department enjoys an ISO rating of 2, and is as close to a 1 rating as is possible. What stands in the way, Twisdale said, are two areas that the department and the city are aware of and are working on – increased staffing and a new fire station.

As battalion chief, Twisdale had to make sure fire calls were answered efficiently and effectively. In his new role as chief, he is responsible for more of the administration of the fire department. But efficiency and effectiveness remain top of mind, he said, and he plans to lead by example.

“I consider myself a servant leader. We all are here for the common good and to support one another…we want to look after our folks, our citizens – every time we go out the door.”

 

 

TownTalk: FSU Alumni Bronco Round Up And Send Off Happens July 22

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The local chapter of Fayetteville State Bronco alumni is having its annual Roundup and Sendoff later this month which serves as a way to reconnect with fellow graduates and to wish current students luck as they continue – or begin – their studies at the Fayetteville school.

Alumnae Tannis Jenkins and Katrina Tunstall were guests on Monday’s TownTalk and shared details of the event, which will begin at 2 p.m. on July 23 at Fox Pond Park Shelter 1.

There will be food, fun and fellowship, and FSU alums from the four-county area are encouraged to RSVP Jenkins at 252.213.5977.

“This is a good way for the students who are going to FSU for the first time to connect with people in the area,” Jenkins said. It’s important for college students to have a support system, especially when they may be away from home for the first time.

Current students who attend the July 22 Roundup can learn more about the chapter’s scholarship, which Tunstall said is open to anyone in the four-county area. It is awarded each spring for the upcoming semester.

Students that find themselves in financial straits during the semester can reach out to anyone in the chapter – whether they need some help with purchasing books or other school-related items, the chapter is a resource.

“That’s our goal – to help kids…be successful at Fayetteville State,” Tunstall said.

They have reactivated a mentorship program to connect local alums with current students; mentors keep in touch with students to make sure they have what they need and don’t fall through the cracks as they continue their studies.

The alumni chapter also participates in community events like parades, she said, and work with admissions reps when they meet locally with high school students who may be interested in the school.

Both Jenkins and Tunstall graduated from FSU as transfer students.

Tunstall said her college experience began at Xavier University in New Orleans, but she found it wasn’t a good fit for her.

“Fayetteville State was just the right size, the right distance from home,” she added.

Jenkins concurs. “It was very nurturing,” she said, and it helped her on her career path that led her to school counseling in several N.C. counties, including Vance and Warren.

Fayetteville State is “like a small town in a big city,” she said.

Learn more about Fayetteville State University at https://www.uncfsu.edu/.

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TownTalk: Changes Coming To FNS And WIC Programs

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Recipients of WIC and SNAP benefits can expect to see some changes to the programs, now that exceptions brought about by the federal public health emergency have ended.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services administers both programs – WIC stands for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children and SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It is also called Food Nutrition Services, or FNS.

According to information from NC DHHS, more than 260,000 North Carolinians are currently enrolled in WIC, and about 1.6 million North Carolinians currently receive FNS benefits. Beneficiaries in the WIC and FNS programs should take action to keep their contact information up to date with these programs and be on the lookout for official mail, emails or texts from the programs.

Some of the restrictions were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when supply chain disruptions created shortages in WIC-eligible foods such as particular types of milk, yogurt and whole grain breads. After Aug. 1, substitutions will end. Families can access their WIC shopping list or access the BNFT® app to identify which food benefits are on their eWIC card.

A full list of approved brand, size and form of foods that can be purchased with WIC can be found on the NC WIC Program Shopping Guide; individual products can also be scanned at the store using the BNFT® app to check for eligibility.

For more information about the WIC program, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwic.

Some changes in North Carolina include:

Six-month recertifications: Most households again will need to recertify every six months to continue receiving FNS benefits. FNS beneficiaries will receive their recertifications in the mail, and it will indicate the date by which they need to submit the recertification to their local Department of Social Services.

Suspensions of claims collections: Some North Carolina households have received FNS overpayments. While repayments were suspended during the PHE, these overpayments are now to be repaid by the beneficiaries through a repayment plan with their local DSS. FNS beneficiaries will be notified if there are new overpayments that must be repaid and will receive instructions about how to make payment arrangements.

Three specific groups of FNS recipients will also be uniquely affected by the end of the PHE:

College Students: The exemption for college students is no longer available. During the PHE, students with $0 family contribution noted on their FAFSA could receive FNS benefits.

Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents: An ABAWD is a FNS applicant or recipient who is between the ages of 18-49, physically and mentally capable of employment and not responsible for or living in a household with a minor child. With the conclusion of the PHE, the ABAWD time limit on benefits goes back into effect, meaning ABAWDs can receive FNS benefits for only three months in a three-year period unless certain extra work requirements or exemptions are met.

Individuals with class H or I felony convictions: A substance abuse assessment will again be required for anyone convicted of a class H or I felony as part of the eligibility process. Individuals will be required to complete the assessment at application or their next recertification.

For more information about the FNS program, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/fns. To apply for benefits online, visit epass.nc.gov.

To learn more about additional food resources, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/foodresources.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Children’s Events At Perry Memorial Library

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Perry Memorial Library’s summer programs continue this week with a variety of fun and games, according to Children’s Service Director Melody Peters.

Bring the kids and enjoy a movie Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., then stay for a game of BINGO, Peters said during a conversation recorded with WIZS co-host Bill Harris that was played on-air Monday during The Local Skinny!

The movie, Big Hero 6, is a 2014 animated movie that includes robots, good guys and bad guys.

Stay for BINGO at 4:30 p.m. and kids might just learn a little math, Peters said, because this BINGO is all about money.

In these days of debit cards and online payments, Peters said children often miss out on learning about money, specifically coins.

This program is for children in grades K-12, and there will be more difficult BINGO cards for the older players, she said.

Then, on Thursday, the weekly storytime will have a summertime theme.

The Lego club continues to meet on Thursday afternoons as well. The fun begins at 4 p.m.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn more.

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Now’s The Time To Think About Entering A State Fair Exhibit

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-information courtesy of the N.C. State Fair Press Office

October seems a long way off, but for anyone interested in entering any of the competitions at the annual N.C. State Fair, fall is just around the corner.

The fair is slated for Oct. 12-22 in Raleigh and its Competitive Exhibits Coordinator John Buettner wants to make sure all prospective exhibitors have plenty of time to check out rules and deadlines for all the different exhibit categories.

Whether it’s culinary arts, handicrafts and hobbies, livestock exhibitions, horticulture or something else, there probably is a competition for most everyone to enter.

“We have a lot of classic categories and even a few new categories for competitions, and only a few require an entry fee” Buettner stated. Now is the time to read about competition rules and deadlines.

“With 4,027 classes of competitions available for entry, there is truly something for everyone. We love to see all of the talent in our state, so don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of one of North Carolina’s most cherished traditions,” he added.

To enter a competition, go to ncstatefair.org and click on competitions. The website offers a guide to all competitions, events and attractions visitors can expect during this year’s fair. Entrants can start registering online now. The deadline for submitting entries is Sept. 15, but don’t hesitate to enter in your preferred competitions early.

All contest entrants are required to submit W-9 forms along with their entry submissions. This ensures that necessary tax-related information is collected from participants. Guides and sample forms can be found on the Fair’s official website, ncstatefair.org.

The N.C. State Fair works with ShoWorks, a data management software, to compile entries. Entry forms can be mailed in or entered using the ShoWorks website or app.

“We are always excited to see what competitiors bring each year,” Buetnner said. “Whether it’s your first time entering or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s a great idea to get started early on your entries.”