Jamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
We continue our conversation about responsibility and basic life skills.
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Frances Garrett is not one to rest on her laurels – actually, it seems like she’s not one to rest at all when it comes to raising money to support the work of the American Cancer Society. For the second year in a row, Garrett and her team of faithful volunteers was recognized at a gathering in Washington, D.C. for their fundraising efforts.
The cancer society has a representative in every Congressional district in the nation, Garrett explained on Tuesday’s TownTalk with Scout Hughes.
Last year, the group presented more than $30,000 to fight cancer. “We did better than that this year,” she said, with a total of $45,080 to the society’s Cancer Action Network.
And the cherry on top is that Garrett was named to the inaugural CAN Fundraising Hall of Fame.
About 750 advocates like Garrett raised more than $900,000 in 2024-25, and this year’s goal is a modest $1 million.
Garrett said she’s ready to do her part. The first estate sale of the new fundraising year begins Thursday, Oct. 16 at 602 S. Garnett St.
That’s the weekend of the annual car show in downtown Henderson, and Garrett said the sale will begin two days beforehand so local shoppers can stop by before parking spots are gobbled up by the car show.
Come by anytime Thursday through Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and then again on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
How does Garrett and her team do what they do? “It’s our people supporting us by coming in and buying,” she said. She also said folks regularly contact her about making donations in memory of friends or family who have lost their battles with cancer.
“My dream and hope is that we can help at least one person have a better life,” Garrett said.
The sale will take place in a building owned by Jason Stewardson, who Garrett said has been most kind in donating for their use.
“We couldn’t have done anything without him,” she said. “He has been remarkable for us.”
There are lots of Christmas decorations and many items of interest, from home décor and furniture to kitchen ware and children’s toys.
To learn more, contact Garrett at 252.425.8852.
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— information courtesy of Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer Donna Young
Maria Parham Health celebrated the reopening of its Radiation Oncology Department on Oct. 10, marking the culmination of several months of renovations and significant technology upgrades aimed at elevating cancer care in the region. The event welcomed community members, hospital staff and local leaders to tour the updated facility, which now houses a state-of-the-art linear accelerator and offers expanded treatment options including Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.
The upgraded linear accelerator represents the latest advancement in external beam radiation therapy, delivering high-energy X-rays or electrons with exceptional precision to target cancerous tumors while preserving healthy surrounding tissue. The new technology’s ability to rotate around the patient and integrate advanced imaging sets a new standard for patient care and comfort in radiation oncology.
“Bringing this level of technology to Maria Parham Health is a major step forward for our patients and our community,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “We are proud to now offer cutting-edge treatments like SBRT, which not only improves outcomes but also reduces treatment time and enhances quality of life for our patients. This reopening represents our continued commitment to innovation, excellence, and compassionate care.”
As a Duke LifePoint hospital, Maria Parham Health benefits from its affiliation with Duke Health, ensuring that patients have access to the same high-quality, evidence-based cancer care found at larger academic centers—delivered conveniently close to home by trusted local providers.
SBRT is a highly specialized form of radiation therapy that allows for the delivery of larger doses of radiation over fewer sessions—typically between one and five—compared to traditional therapy that may require daily treatments for several weeks. The precision of SBRT is made possible through advanced imaging and targeting technologies, helping to spare healthy tissue and reduce side effects.
Guests at the reopening also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Ryan Fecteau, MD, PhD, Maria Parham Health’s new Radiation Oncologist. Fecteau brings a wealth of clinical expertise and a compassionate, patient-centered approach to the team, further enhancing the cancer care services available to patients in the region.
The celebration took place in a setting adorned in pink, honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month and reaffirming the hospital’s dedication to comprehensive, community-based cancer care.
The Henderson City Council approved on Monday a design for the veteran’s memorial that will be installed in front of the police station.
Hartwell Wright with American Legion Post #60 described the memorial to Council Members and said he expects the cost to be in the range of $150,000.
The memorial will be solid granite and will have six sides – one side for each branch of service, Wright explained.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to make it Henderson-specific,” he said, but the memorial will not include the names of individuals. The plan is to create another granite wall, along the order of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., to put those names.
“We hope you’ll be as excited as we are to recognize our veterans,” Wright said.
And with the hefty price tag, he said fundraising will begin as quickly as possible.
Planners had hoped to be able to use the stone memorials that had been installed at 110 Young St. in this memorial, but they just won’t work out, Wright explained. Instead, those stones – which were provided by the American Legion, will be placed on display on the Post 60 property on Garnett Street.
In-person early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 16, in the runoff election for Henderson City Council Ward 4 seat. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, when the towns of Kittrell and Middleburg also will hold municipal elections.
Only voters who reside in Henderson’s Ward 4 are eligible to cast ballots in the runoff between incumbent Ola Thorpe-Cooper and challenger Catherine “Kitty” Gill.
Early voting will be held at the former Eaton Johnson Middle School, 500 N. Beckford Dr., from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Thursday, Oct.16, and subsequent weekdays through Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 at 3 p.m.
Ward 4 residents who vote on Nov. 4 should cast ballots at their polling precincts which include Sandy Creek, Central, Northern Vance (campus of Vance County Middle School) and South Henderson. These four precincts are the only sites that will be open on Nov. 4, Rawles said.
Polling sites across the county will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Vance County Board of Elections Chair Susan Floyd reminds voters that they will be asked to show a photo ID before casting their ballot. All voters will be allowed to vote with or without ID. Voters who lack ID can get one for free from their county board of elections. Find out more at https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id
Voters can find out if they’re eligible to vote in 2025 by going to the State Board’s Voter Search tool, available at ncsbe.gov.
Absentee ballots will be mailed to voters who have requested them. A voter can fill out an absentee ballot request at https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail or by filling out a request form provided by the board of elections office, located in the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St.
The request must be received through the website or by the Vance County Board of Elections.
Although the voter registration deadline for this election has passed, eligible individuals who were not registered by the Oct. 10 deadline may register and vote at any early voting site during the early voting period. New registrants will be required to provide documentation of their residence.
If you have questions, please contact the Vance County Board of Elections at 252.492.3730.
NC AgVentures, a program of N.C. State Extension, provides grants to the state’s farmers and to non-profit community groups that work with family farms as a way to fund agricultural project ideas that will increase farm profits. Sponsored by the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the program will award a minimum of 50 grants to independent family farms in 46 counties across the state, including Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin.
This is a great opportunity for any producer who is thinking of diversifying, improving, or expanding their farm operation.
NC AgVentures will award grants up to $10,000. Application submission begins today – Wednesday, Oct.15, with a deadline of 6 p.m. on Dec. 19.
Find details and the online application at www.ncagventures.org.
Webinars are planned still for Nov. 10 and Nov. 24 to provide additional information about the grant program and the application process.
The presentations are the same. Click the links below to register.
This weekend is your chance to get a close look at some pretty sweet rides as the 23rd annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine car show wheels in to downtown Henderson.
The fun begins on Friday, Oct. 17 with a pre-show cruise-in and barbecue at Satterwhite Point from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to information from Vance County Tourism.
This event is open to all makes and models, so come on out and get revved up for the evening cruise-in from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Big T’s Diner, 415 Raleigh Rd.
Some nostalgic ‘50s music, polished and shiny vehicles and delicious ice cream await you at Tony Sanford’s place on Raleigh Road.
The all-day car show opens up in downtown Henderson at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 and is for vehicle models 1995 and older. Come out to see a wide assortment of classic and antique vehicles. Registration will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The show car entrance is at 300 S. Chestnut St and the first 400 entries will receive a dash plaque.
Spectators can enjoy the show, including all the vehicles, entertainment, vendors and more through 5 p.m. Spectator parking can be found at 489 S. William St.
The awards ceremony will commence about 3:30 p.m. at the corner of Breckenridge and Garnett streets. There are 30 categories in this year’s competition and special awards will be given for the oldest vehicle, the one who traveled the farthest, as well as the most unique, the best engine , best interior and best paint.
The annual show is a part of the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame. The Corbitt Truck show and reunion will also take place during the car show on North Garnett Street.
No pets or exotic animals are allowed and no personal golf carts will be admitted without a permit.
Get all the details at https://www.kerrlake-nc.com/car-show.php
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Invision Diagnostics is bringing its Mammogram Bus to Aycock Rec Center on Saturday, Nov. 1 and now is the time to schedule a free mammogram. Phone 877.318.1349 to schedule an appointment. Sisters Speak Life founder Freddie Harris said six women had signed up as of Friday, Sept. 26. Sign up before Oct. 17 – they need a minimum of 15 scheduled appointments, or the bus will have to be cancelled, Harris said.
Sisters Speak Life is creating a video to help promote that Nov. 1 event. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, please send a headshot photo, along with the year you were diagnosed and a one-word description of yourself to be included in the video. In addition to the mammogram bus, there will be health-related resources for participants to learn about available services in the area.
When Harris was diagnosed with cancer, she said she found inspiration from people – family, friends and even strangers – who surrounded her with love and support.
She encourages people to come together, reach out and help each other. “It made a difference for me and I think it can make a difference for someone else.”
Join Sisters Speak Life at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 1 as participants tie pink ribbons on trees along Breckenridge Street to kick off the Pink Out campaign. Return at 5:30 p.m. for another community gathering at McGregor Hall as part of the Pink Out effort. Ribbons and t-shirts are available, too.
Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/sistersspeaklife or https://sistersspeaklife.org/
With Louisburg College’s Homecoming festivities just over a week away, college leaders, students and alumni are making special “Hurricane” preparations to enjoy time together at the historic school located in Franklin County.
Vice President of Institutional Advancement Alitha Palich outlined several activities for alums who plan to return to take part in Homecoming, from a pep rally on Thursday, Oct. 23 to the big football game on Saturday afternoon.
“We have a lot of our alumni around in this specific area,” Palich told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “We love to get them on campus as much as possible.”
The school sent out emails and postcards with details about how to let the school know they’ll be attending, but Palich said she’d gladly assist with the registration process. Just give her a call at 919.497.3325 to learn more.
The Thursday pep rally will crank up about 11 a.m. in front of the main building on campus to cheer on the football team but also to throw support behind the school’s basketball and soccer teams, too she said.
There’s a basketball game on Friday at 6 p.m. and then a big family-friendly cookout beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday. An alumni awards ceremony will take place around 12 noon.
The Hurricanes will take on the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy at 2 p.m. at Louisburg High School’s football stadium.
Palich said the 235-year college has a long history of partnering with the community – sharing the football field is just one example of how the community supports the college.
“The community supports us so much,” Palich said. “It’s always a joy to do things for the community – our students go out and do service projects,” she explained. “It’s a great give-and-take between us and the surrounding areas.”
Louisburg College is located at 501 N. Main St., Louisburg.
Visit https://www.louisburg.edu/ to learn more.
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