TownTalk: Rodeo This Weekend at Franklin Brothers Nursery Sunday, March 16

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Franklin Brothers Nursery is hosting a rodeo this weekend, featuring barrel racing and more. Thomas Franklin said it’s wholesome entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

And Franklin has plans for more shows in the future – it’s all part of an overall vision to make the best use of the property.  This is just the beginning, he said on Tuesday’s TownTalk.

Barrel racers of all ages are invited to come out and take part in the show, which will begin at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 16 at 9 a.m. with a barrel racing exhibition. Cowboy Church starts at 11 a.m. and the different classes – including barrels, pole bending, speed barrel goat tying and dummy roping – begin at 12 noon.

This show is part of the Taylor Digh Series and barrel racers compete at various TD-sanctioned shows to earn points.

Digh is a trainer from Benson who trains a lot of horses and trains a lot of kids to be competitive in the classic rodeo event that involves horses and riders speeding around a set of three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern.

His own daughter, Bailey, participates in the TD series and Franklin said as a parent, he couldn’t be happier about seeing her go do her best at what she loves to do in a competitive environment and then step back and be able to socialize with others in a healthy, outdoor setting.

“We’re looking forward to a wonderful show,” he said, adding that he expects anywhere from 50 or 60 to as many as 100 competitors to attend. Some competitors are competing for points and prizes that will be awarded at the end of the season, but anyone with a horse is welcome to trailer it over and compete on Sunday.

There will be additional prizes – saddles and other tack, and more – that will be given as prizes in each division of the barrel race classes: PeeWee, Elementary, Middle School, High School and Open (which is for youth of any age as well as adults).

Admission is $3 and there’s a $5 entry fee for riders.

Franklin said it’s thrilling to watch the riders “ripping through an arena, spinning around barrels.”

For the uninitiated, barrel racing involves a horse and rider running around three barrels set up in the shape of a triangle. The horse/rider team runs around each barrel to create the cloverleaf pattern. The team that does it the fastest without knocking over a barrel is the winner.

There will be food trucks on site as well on Sunday, and Franklin said the plan is to have more shows in the future.

For more information about the TD Series, contact Dye at 704.689.3013.

For more information about Sunday’s event, contact Franklin at 919.702.3839.

Franklin Brothers Nursery is located at 3193 Vicksboro Rd.

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The Local Skinny! Shaw Alumni Event Coming March 29

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Join area alumni of Shaw University at an event designed to celebrate education, faith and community impact on Saturday, Mar. 29 in Henderson.

The Granville, Vance and Warren alumni chapter invites the community to Shaw Day, which organizers say will promote support and awareness.

“This is your chance to support students of Shaw University, engage with inspiring leaders and make a difference,” according to information from Jake Hargrove, himself a 1983 graduate of the university, located in Raleigh.

“We’re looking forward to a wonderful day,” Hargrove said, adding that he hopes that other churches will get involved in the event, organized as a way to encourage prospective students to consider Shaw when they’re making decisions about college, raising money as well as awareness for the university, which was established in 1865.

The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church, 511 Orange St. in Henderson.

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TownTalk: Fuqua Receives Recognition from City Council

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Henderson’s Finance Director Joey Fuqua received some special recognition at Monday’s City Council meeting for excellence in financial reporting.

And though it was more a formality than anything else, Fuqua was officially sworn in as finance director – before Council Member Tami Walker read a proclamation expressing gratitude on behalf of the Council for the work done by Fuqua and his staff. He’s been the city’s finance director for about 10 years.

“Thank you for your financial leadership and your excellence in financial reporting for the last eight years,” Walker said in remarks before she read the proclamation.

The 2023 budget marks the 8th year that Fuqua and his department have received a certificate of excellence in financial reporting from the Government Financial Officers Association.

In addition to preparing the city’s annual budget, Fuqua and his team provide financial services and support city departments, manage revenue collections and disbursements and oversee purchasing functions, Walker noted.

Fuqua also has “emphasized commitment to addressing budget constraints,” Walker said, and helps the city by planning with long-term financial responsibility in mind.

Fuqua accepted a certificate, a bouquet of cut flowers and a standing ovation from the City Council members, Mayor Melissa Elliott and city staff at the meeting.

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Attracting Wildlife To Your Garden

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On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Michael Ellington:

We explore a few options for attracting wildlife to your garden and reminds listeners of upcoming education and volunteer opportunities.

Farmers Market Community Garden Volunteer Form – go.ncsu.edu/vcrfmgarden

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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: Vance County Board of Commissioners; Economic Development Incentives

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved putting up more than $43,000 in matching funds as part of an economic incentive package for a company that recently announced its plans to locate in Triangle North Campus near I-85 and Poplar Creek Road in Vance County.

The commissioners’ meeting included a public hearing about the proposed incentives; no members of the public spoke either for or against the plan, which was presented by Vance County Economic Development Director Ferdinand Rouse.

“Project Pinpoint” involves a commitment from Syntec Precision Technology Corp. within five years of locating in the county to invest $10 million in business personal property and create 61 new full-time jobs, with an average salary of just over $46,000.

In support of this investment, Vance County is offering several incentives, according to information in the agenda packet:

  • Vance County tax incentive grant based on taxes paid for business
    personal property, not to exceed $166,390.86;
  • $200,000 Building Reuse Grant with a required $10,000 Vance County match; and
  • $100,000 One NC grant with a required match of $33,333.33 Vance County match.

The matching grants come from N.C. Department of Commerce. The arrival of this company is expected to stimulate significant investment in the local economy, generate new jobs with competitive wages, and foster economic growth and development opportunities for the county.

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The Local Skinny! VGCC Foundation Fundraiser Saturday, April 5 At HighRock Farms

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Join The VGCC Foundation at the second annual wine tasting gala and silent auction fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, from 6 – 9 p.m. to help support students facing unforeseen financial crises.

The event’s theme is  “Unlocking Possibilities: You Are Key,” and will take place at HighRock Farms in Granville County.

Unexpected burdens can easily derail some students. Through initiatives like a food pantry, emergency assistance, transportation vouchers and career closet, The VGCC Foundation steps in to meet students’ basic needs when the unexpected gets in the way of their academic progress, according to information from VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel.

Now in its second year, the wine tasting gala and silent auction features an array of wineries showcasing their signature wines including reds, whites, bubbly and more. Guests will enjoy a buffet of foods including chicken, beef, and more (as well as tea and water), while The Hub will offer a variety of beer and wine for purchase by the glass.

Attendees will receive a souvenir wine glass and have the option to purchase their favorite finds. In addition, a variety of silent auction items will be on display for bidding throughout the evening. Also added this year is a Wine Pull and various raffle opportunities. A short program showcasing students who have benefited from donor contributions will open the evening, and local students will provide the event’s entertainment.

HighRock Farms, located at 2317 Enon Road outside Oxford, is owned by Beth and Dave Hollister.

Dress for the evening is business attire.

Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased through The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation office. Only 150 tickets will be sold, so be sure to get yours early! To purchase tickets online, visit www.vgcc.edu/the-vgcc-foundation-online-gifts and enter “Gala” in the Designation box. To purchase tickets using any other method, please email foundation@vgcc.edu or call 252.738.3264.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Edibles In the Landscape

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On the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report from Wayne Rowland:

Wayne discusses growing edibles in your landscape to increase your food supply.

The Vance Warren Beekeepers Association meeting will be on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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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