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Henderson City Clerk Retiring After 12 Years

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Henderson City Clerk Esther McCrackin is retiring effective Monday, Oct. 31 after 12 years of service to the city in that role.

Mayor Eddie Ellington called her a “mother figure” to all who work at City Hall who, with “grit and grace” showed her passion for the city. She kept everyone on the right track, “sometimes being tough but always from the heart, never losing sight of the ‘mission at hand,’” he said.

Ellington reflected on the first day he met McCrackin. “I knew right away her devotion and the expectations of me,” he said in a statement to WIZS News Monday. “Back in 2015, coming in as a new mayor of the city and still to this day being no different, she has always been a voice of reason, offering encouragement and guidance, while keeping the wheels turning. She was the calm in many storms and in times of much needed support. She believed in me and reminded me not to govern on emotion but by policy and procedure,” he said.

Now, seven years later, Ellington said McCrackin is “a remarkable lady and I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to her.”

City Manager Terrell Blackmon said Monday that McCrackin was a valuable staff member. “I was honored to work with her my first three years here as manager,” Blackmon said in an email.

Blackmon said since the clerk is appointed by the City Council, he has been directed by the mayor and council to advertise the position for 30 days to both internal and external candidates. “After the job closing date, the HR director and I will vet those applications and make recommendations of two to three finalists that the council will interview and then ultimately make an appointment,” Blackmon explained.

TownTalk: Huggins To Appear As Ariel At McGregor Hall

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As opening night approaches for McGregor Hall’s production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” Victoria Huggins may be the first to say she’s leading a charmed life.

After all, she’s been preparing for the lead role of Ariel in the upcoming stage performance, but that’s not an unfamiliar place for her to be in – she also portrayed Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” which ran at McGregor Hall in 2018. And she wore a crown in real life just a few years ago, when she was Miss North Carolina.

Huggins spoke with John C. Rose on Monday’s TownTalk and said she is thrilled to be back at McGregor Hall performing in another Disney classic.

Tickets are available at https://www.mcgregorhall.org/ for the six performances Oct. 28-30 and Nov. 4-6. Tickets for a special event for young people, “Under the Sea,” also are available. That event will be held Saturday, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at McGregor Hall. Tickets are limited, so make your purchase soon!

Schoolchildren from across the state will get first peek at the show with two performances on Thursday – both of which are sold out, Huggins said.

“For some, it will be their first theatrical performance,” she said of the audiences that will be entertained on Thursday.

Ariel will be at Chick-fil-A in Henderson on Tuesday, Nov. 1 for a meet-and-greet of sorts, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. No purchase is necessary, and children will have a chance to have their pictures taken with the beloved Disney mermaid.

For Huggins, the chance to play a second Disney protagonist has been nothing short of magical.

“I have admired these characters my entire life,” she said. Like so many other young boys and girls, Huggins said she learned wonderful life lessons from watching Ariel and Belle – “they continue to teach us as we become adults,” she said.

Everybody loves Ariel for so many reasons, Huggins explained. “She was courageous to follow her dreams…we all relate to her,” she said.

Huggins was Miss North Carolina in 2017-18 and she said that she recently completed her master’s degree from UNC-Pembroke debt-free because of the scholarships she received.

She now works for the NC Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, her own dream being realized because she is turning a passion into a career. Huggins is keenly interested in the influence of music and the therapeutic effect it has on Alzheimers patients.

Call the McGregor Hall box office at 252.598.0662 to learn more.

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Discolored Water? Simple Fix For City Customers

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 – Courtesy of the City of Henderson:

City crews have repaired a water leak on Ruin Creek Road which may result in some households and businesses experiencing a discoloration of water from taps and spigots.

According to information Monday from the City of Henderson, simply allowing the water to run for a period should clear up any discoloration.

If this does not correct the problem, city water customers should call 252.431.6030 to make a report.

For more information, contact the Public Services Department at 252.431.6030.

 

Burgess Stepping Down From Chamber In December

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What candidate would be able to satisfy – exceed, even – the qualifications for a job description that could read something like this:

Enthusiastic, motivated individual needed for full-time position. Work includes night meetings, weekend catchup and early morning events. Constant desire to make improvements in the community. People-person skills a must.

That wouldn’t be the easiest job to fill, but that’s just what Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce leaders are faced with, following the announcement that President Michele Burgess is retiring at year’s end.

Burgess possesses all those qualifications, and then some. And though she said she will miss the people she’s had the pleasure to work alongside since July 2019, she said she looks forward to having more family time – especially with two young grandchildren.

She spoke with WIZS News Friday about her previous Chamber experience – all with the local office. You see, this is her third time back. She previously held the job in the mid-1980’s and then again in the mid-1990’s.

“When it’s your hometown, you’re so passionate about it,” Burgess said. She returned in 2019 with the idea that it would be a short-term role. She said the Chamber underwent a bit of a restructure “to try to make it work a little bit better. And we were on this big roll,” she continued. Until COVID-19.

Members sought advice from Chamber officials about how to follow pandemic protocols, she said. “I feel like we did a really good job” of answering questions and keeping businesses and employees safe.

The pandemic has changed the way many organizations operate, and the Chamber is no exception. Burgess said today’s businesses may need different things from their Chamber membership, such as virtual meetings and networking events that target particular professions.

“It’s just a different world,” Burgess said.

When she leaves the office at the end of December, she said she leaves on a good note – the Chamber is functioning at a high level, and Burgess said she feels comfortable stepping down at this time.

Current Chamber Board Chair Ronald Bennett was on the board when Burgess was selected to lead the chamber most recently.

“She’s one that has her job at heart and the people at heart,” Bennett said by phone Thursday. “I can’t say enough good about what all she’s done,” he added.

A search committee is already formed to look for her successor, Bennett noted, adding that the board would be looking for additional volunteers to serve on this committee as well.

Burgess praised the Chamber board for all the support it has given her over the last few years and said she would miss those relationships. “When you have real strong leaders, you’re real thankful,” she said.

Burgess said she will continue to participate in different ways to help her community after she retires.

“I’m still going to be in the Chamber, still going to volunteer and participate,” Burgess  said.

Just maybe between visits to see the grandchildren.

 

 

Trick or Treat

Sheriff: Trick-Or-Treat With Safety In Mind

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Everyone has a role in protecting those costumed trick-or-treaters that soon will be walking along streets and in neighborhoods in search of candy to fill their Halloween sacks.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame reminds motorists who will be driving along those same streets and in those same neighborhoods to keep a watchful eye out for pedestrians. And he has some advice for parents as well, as they prepare costumes and accompany their children trick-or-treating.

“Halloween is a fun time in Vance County,” Brame said in a press statement with a long list of suggestions for holiday revelers. “But let’s make it a safe time as well.  The major dangers are not from witches or spirits but rather from falls and pedestrian/car crashes.“

The Sheriff reminds all Vance County residents to follow these tips for a safe Halloween:

Drivers should be especially careful as they enter and exit driveways, especially after the sun has gone down.

All children under age 12 should be with a responsible older youth or adult and children should always remain in groups while trick-or-treating. Wait until you get home to eat any treats, and only stop at homes that are well-lit. Never enter the home or apartment of a stranger.

Below is the sheriff’s complete list of suggestions and advice for a safe and fun Halloween:

Motorists:

  • Watch for children darting out from between parked cars.
  • Watch for children walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
  • Enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully.
  • At twilight and later in the evening, watch for children in dark clothing.

Parents:

  • While on the prowl for treats, make sure an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising children under 12.
  • Check the sex offender registry at www.NCSBI.gov when planning your child’s trick-or-treat route. You can view maps that pinpoint registered offenders’ addresses in your neighborhood and sign up to get email alerts when an offender moves nearby.
  • Plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow.  Know the names of older children’s companions.
  • Make sure older kids trick-or-treat in a group.
  • Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas and along an established route.
  • Teach your children to stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never to enter a stranger’s home.
  • Establish a return time.
  • Tell your youngsters not to eat any treats until they return home.
  • Review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian and traffic safety rules.
  • All children need to know their home telephone number and how to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.
  • Pin a slip of paper with the child’s name, address, and telephone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

Technology Tips:

  • Make sure any older children who are trick-or-treating alone have a fully charged cellphone to carry with them.
  • Be sure to check your children’s cellphones and turn tracking features off on cellphone mobile applications not solely accessed by parents so strangers will not be able to access your children’s location.
  • Parents of children who have cell phones may consider having children turn on a mobile tracking application such as Find My Friends or Life360 that allow only individuals selected by parents to safely track their whereabouts.
  • Parents of children who do not have a cell phone may consider allowing children to wear or carry a Bluetooth tracking device with controlled access to your child’s location.
  • Remind your children not to wear headphones or earbuds so they can hear cars approaching on the road.
  • Know when witches and superheroes are outside your front door by using a motion-activated doorbell or mounted cameras like Ring or Nest to notify you of their presence.
  • Also consider using motion sensor lighting around your home to keep trick-or- treaters safe and help alert you when ghosts and goblins are approaching.

Costume Design:

  • Only fire-retardant materials should be used for costumes.
  • Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath.
  • Costumes should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard.
  • Make sure that shoes fit well to prevent trips and falls.
  • Be safe and be seen. If children are allowed out after dark, outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retro-reflective tape should be used to make children visible.

Face Design:

  • Do not use masks as they can obstruct a child’s vision.  Use facial make-up instead.
  • When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled “Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,” “Laboratory Tested,” “Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,” or “Non-Toxic.” Follow manufacturer’s instruction for application.
  • If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

Accessories:

  • If your child dresses up as a pirate, ninja or in any other costume that includes accessories like knives and sword, be sure accessories are made from cardboard or flexible materials.  Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.
  • Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape if children are allowed out after dark.
  • Carrying flashlights with fresh batteries will help children see better and be seen more clearly.
  • If children are carrying cell phones, remind them of the flashlight feature available on most smart phones.

While Trick-or-Treating:

  • Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.
  • While everyone is excited for candy, make sure children walk instead of run from house to house. Do not cross yards and lawns where unseen objects or the uneven terrain can present tripping hazards.
  • Walk on sidewalks, not in the street.
  • Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, if there are no sidewalks.

Treats:

  • Give children an early meal before going out.
  • Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten.
  • Wash fruit and slice it into small pieces.
  • Throw away any candy that is unwrapped or partially wrapped or has a strange odor, color, or texture.

 

Homeowners/Decorations:

  • Keep candles and jack o’ lanterns away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame.
  • Remove obstacles from lawns, steps, and porches when expecting trick-or-treaters.
  • Keep candles and jack o’ lanterns away from curtains, decorations, and other combustibles that could catch fire.

Don’t let ghosts and spirits in by leaving your home unattended.

MPH Trunk or Treat Friday, Oct. 28

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Maria Parham Health is holding a drive-through Trunk or Treat next Friday, Oct.28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the main campus on Ruin Creek Road in Henderson.

This free, completely drive-thru event is open to the public – children will remain in vehicles and hospital team members will distribute candy and treats through open car windows to ensure a safe Halloween experience.

Vehicles should enter the hospital campus via the Ruin Creek Road entrance and follow the signs to the back parking lot. MPH organizers invite other community groups to join in the fun, too.

Any civic, local government or church group that wants to participate by decorating a vehicle trunk and pass out treats should contact Ashley Downing before Tuesday, Oct. 25 at ashley.downing@lpnt.net.

The Local Skinny! Maria Parham To Host Breast Cancer Screening

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As part of its observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Maria Parham Health is offering free clinical exams to promote education, prevention and early detection.

MPH Cancer Center Director Kim Smith said staff will be available to walk participants through the process, literally greeting you as you walk into the hospital and then making sure the process goes smoothly. The screening event will take place Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be snacks and other goodies, as well as giveaways and door prizes, too, and Smith encourages women to bring their families, neighbors or anyone who may benefit.

“Knowledge is definitely power,” echoes hospital social worker Hope Breedlove. Whether the news is all good, or whether there needs to be some follow-up diagnostic care, “knowing what we need to do to be healthier gives us a sense of power in our lives,” Breedlove said.

Both women spoke with John C. Rose on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Anyone who attends the event will be seen, a doctor will discuss the results with the client and then staff will review any next steps that need to be taken. Follow-up care will be scheduled if necessary.

In addition to the exams, the event is designed to educate people about how to be healthy, Smith said. “We know that early detection is what saves lives,” she said, while stressing the importance of getting screenings done in a timely fashion.

Smith said staff will walk participants through the entire process, “and provide support every step of the way.”

This event, as with previous events, requires no advance registration and follows COVID-19 recommendations, including wearing masks to maintain a safe environment for all.

 

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Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Farmers Market Announces Holiday Market Nov. 19

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will host its annual Handcrafted Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 19, and shoppers can get a jump on the gift-giving season. The holiday market hours are from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Market Manager Pat Ayscue said this week’s frost gives a sweet flavor to those hardy leafy greens that are bound to be plentiful at the regular Saturday market – “stop by and put a smile on a local farmer’s face,” Ayscue said.

The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Producers and vendors are pulling out all the stops for the Nov. 19 market, which will feature fresh seasonal produce and locally raised beef, pork and chicken.

Additional items include local honey, as well as a variety of handcrafted items such as soaps, candles, quilts, glassware, woodcrafts, artwork, wreaths and jewelry.

“Mark your calendar for this special day and we look forward to seeing you there,” Ayscue said.