The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville: Tiny Broadwick

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She was a little bit of a thing, but Georgia Ann “Tiny” Broadwick achieved some larger-than-life accomplishments in her day.

All of 4-foot-8 and 85 pounds, Broadwick had been married, given birth to a child and had jumped out of a hot-air balloon by the time she was 15, according to Mark Pace, who shared details about the Granville County native’s life and career on Thursday’s Around Old Granville segment of The Local Skinny!

She was born in 1893 to tobacco farmers, but her parents moved to Henderson when she was 7 and went to work in the local cotton mill.

She went to see Charles Broadwick’s air show near Raleigh and the rest, as they say, is history.

Pace said she faced trials and tribulations in her early years. “She Literally lived life on the edge,” he said. But when she saw Broadwick’s show, she walked up to him and said “I want to jump out of a balloon.”

Broadwick took her in, became her mentor and basically adopted her. They toured the country for many years and Broadwick was known as the “world famous jumping doll,” Pace said. At age 15, she became the first female to jump from a balloon and then an airplane.

Broadwick wowed the public with his airborne acrobatics, but he also had an eye for business. He associated himself with pilot and aviation Glenn Martin – the Martin of what would become Martin Marietta – and it is during that association that Tiny Broadwick really got her name on the map.

Charles Broadwick was pitching his parachute idea to the Army and Tiny demonstrated how they could be used. During her first jump, the static line got tangled up – that’s the line that literally tethered the parachutist to the airplane – she decided to ditch it on her final jump and essentially did a free fall. But she had a cord attached to the parachute that she herself could deploy, and in so doing she invented the ripcord.

But Broadwick didn’t get a patent on the ripcord, so they missed an opportunity to make money from it.

She died in 1978 at the age of 85 and is buried in Sunset Gardens in Henderson. Her great-granddaughter, Bonnie Young Ayscue, wrote the foreward for a recently published book that includes stories of Tiny Broadwick. The book, published in March 2022, is titled “Ladies of Skydiving A Comprehensive History: Volume One The Early Years” by Robert V. Lewis.

 

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Investigation continues in report of armed suspects inside local Walmart

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Henderson police continue to investigate following a report Tuesday of possible armed suspects inside the local Walmart. So far, no arrests have been made in the case.

Police were called to the Walmart, located at 200 N. Cooper Dr. at about 4:15 p.m. on a report of possible armed suspects inside the store.

The first officers arrived on the scene at 4:17 p.m. The store was evacuated while a search of the building was conducted, according to information from Chief Marcus Barrow. Upon review of surveillance video, it was determined that three individuals suspected in the incident had left the store before the first officers arrived.

The store since reopened as investigators follow up on leads.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police department through Facebook Messenger, the P3 app, Crime Stoppers, or by calling our main line 252.438.4141.

HPD: 3 Arrested On Drug Charges

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Henderson police arrested three men earlier this week on various drug charges following a search at a home on Eastside Drive.

Police officers served a narcotic search warrant on Monday, May 16 at 803 Eastside Dr. and seized several semi-automatic weapons, 520 dosage units of heroin and drug-manufacturing equipment, according to a statement from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

On May 16, 2022, Officers of the Henderson Police Department served a narcotic search warrant at 803 Eastside Drive Henderson, North Carolina in response to a drug complaint.
Arrested in connection with the investigation were Demazhae Perry, 19, Tyrone Rogers, 36, and Waynemon Bullock, 34.

Perry was charged with two counts of trafficking heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sell, deliver Heroin, felony possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and one count of maintaining a vehicle/dwelling place for a controlled substance.
Perry received a $1,036,000.00 secured bond due to his previous post-trial releases on multiple other pending charges, Barrow noted.
Rogers was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by felon, felony possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a vehicle/dwelling place for a controlled substance. Rogers was placed under a $39,000 secured bond.
Bullock was charged with one count of possession of a firearm by felon and was placed under a $30,000 secured bond.
Anyone with information about any ongoing criminal activity is asked to contact the Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or P3 phone app, or contact the police department at 252.438.414 or via Facebook or Instagram.

Vance County Primary Election Results

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The Vance County portion of the May 17, 2022 primary saw final, unofficial results in less than two hours after the polls closed at 7:30 p.m. and two challengers in the winners column.

Not a situation of being too close to call but indeed a situation of being very close was Sean Alston’s 270 votes to Gordon Wilder’s 260 votes for Vance County Board of Commissioners District 3.

After learning of Alston’s victory, the incumbent candidate Wilder told WIZS News when asked about a recount, “I think it would be wise to do so.”

As there is no Republican challenger in November for this County Commissioners seat, the primary outcome is in effect the election.

As for the City of Henderson Alderman At-Large 2nd Ward, incumbent William T. Burnette was unseated by challenger Lamont Noel. Noel earned 765 votes to Burnette’s 632. That’s close enough for a recount according to elections officials, but when asked Burnette said to WIZS News, “With Mr. Noel winning 45 percent of the votes, I don’t think a recount is necessary.”

As the City election is a non-partisan, municipal election, it too is the election despite otherwise being at the same time as the primary.

Incumbent candidate and Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame will be able to continue to seek office in the general election after defeating challenger Sterlin Walker in the Democratic primary. Brame earned 3,232 votes to Walker’s 867.

Brame will be challenged in November by Republican Patrick Bailey who defeated Jonathan Collier. The Bailey and Collier totals were 760 and 433 respectively.

The other closely contested race was for Vance County Clerk of Superior Court. In the Democratic primary, incumbent Henry Gupton received 2,138 votes while challenger Amanda Burnette received 1,930. As there is no Republican challenger, it is a successful re-election bid for Gupton.

The other contested Henderson City Council seat was for Alderman At-Large 1st Ward where incumbent Sara Coffey defeated challenger Clementine Hunter 1,416 to 246.

Otherwise, in purely local Vance County races, Garry Daeke was unopposed for City of Henderson Alderman 3rd Ward and received 257 votes, and Ola Thorpe-Cooper was unopposed for the City of Henderson Alderman 4th Ward seat. She received 310 votes.

Town Talk: First Fruits Farms Balloon Festival

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Jason Brown’s faith has led him to do some interesting things since he retired from his NFL football career and he and his family have used their farm in Franklin County to do everything from growing and giving away produce to transforming an old dairy barn into a wedding venue.

And on Memorial Day weekend, visitors will have a chance to cast their eyes to the skies for the second annual Memorial Balloon Festival at First Fruits Farm.

The Vance County native said there could be as many as 35,000 to 40,000 people in attendance during the four-day event, which kicks off on Friday, May 27 and ends on May 30. He spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk about what’s in store at the farm, located at 2805 E. River Rd. in Louisburg.

The festival is a way to honor veterans and those who served in the military, and Brown said the event has special meaning for him. His brother, Lunsford, was killed while deployed to Iraq in 2003. And again this year, Brown said there will be a Gold Star reception for families like his who have lost a loved one. More than 100 Gold Star families attended last year’s event. “There is comfort and strength” for the families to be together, “to share love and their experience with one another,” Brown said.

Visit https://ncmemorialballoonfest.com/the-venue/ to purchase tickets and see a complete schedule of events for the weekend festival. There will be fireworks displays, balloon rides and tethered balloon rides and family fun for everyone.

“It’s an opportunity to bring the community together at a time when there’s so much divisiveness,” he said. The festival will provide a time for fellowship, as well as food and some good entertainment. Brown said some folks spend more than one day at the festival so they can take their time and soak in all the activities and performances.

Brown said God pointed him to farming and agriculture, something he said his time on the football field didn’t exactly prepare him for. “As long as there’s faith – that’s what’s most important.”

It’s a long way – literally and figuratively – from the football fields of the NFL to the sweet potato fields of Franklin County, but Brown said God continued to order his steps to make his dream a reality.

That reality has become a hybrid of sorts – growing produce that he gives away with the help of hundreds of volunteers each season. He said “some of the most awesome people give up a Saturday morning” to dig, collect and distribute the hundreds of thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes that provide a healthy food to those in need. “They truly are the salt of the earth,” he added.

Volunteers are vital during harvest time, and Brown said there’s room for additional volunteers to help at the balloon festival, too. Visit the webpage to learn how to register, but Brown said in exchange for four hours of service, volunteers will get free admission and parking to the festival. And a cool t-shirt.

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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 05-17-22

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for May 17, 2022. The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email Michele@hendersonvance.org to be included.

Name of the Company: Vulcan Materials Company

Jobs Available: General Laborers Needed.

Method of Contact: Apply through the NC Works Office at 857 S Beckford Drive, Suite G in Henderson. Or call 252-438-6129.

 

Name of the Company: Jersey Mike’s Sub Shop, Soon To Open.

Jobs Available: Full-time and part-time applicants are needed immediately.  Looking for applicants of all ages, good work ethic, willingness to learn new skills, and be a strong member of the team.

Method of Contact: Apply online at jerseymikes.com website and search for Henderson 27536 location on drop down menu.  Or send your resume to hendsubs@gmail.com.

Name of the Company: Jersey Mike’s of Henderson

Jobs Available:  Assistant Manager Position is now open.  Work directly with restaurant owner Tom Freeman at the Beckford Avenue shopping center location.  Opening June 8.

Method of Contact: Apply online at jerseymikes.com/careers.  Or email resume to hendsubs@gmail.com.

 

Name of the Company: Sam’s Furniture and Mattress Center

Jobs Available: Office Manager Position Open.  Potential for growth in the company.  Salary begins at $14 an hour.  Full-time. Duties include:  maintain daily reports & organize daily files in use with our company software & computer systems; assisting customers applying to purchase and completing the transaction; assisting management with store presentation and store cleanliness. Monday thru Friday 8am – 5pm with hour lunchbreak, off on Wednesdays, and able to work Saturdays 8am – 3 pm.

Method of Contact: Bring resume and apply in person at 515 South Garnett Street in downtown Henderson.

 

Name of the Company:  For Your Occasion Event Rentals

Jobs Available:  Multiple Positions Available:  Part-time Event Coordinator; Linen Attendant; and Driver/Installer for family-oriented event rental company.  Flexible work schedules, Monday – Friday and occasional weekend work.  Comparable hourly wages and friendly work environment.

Method of Contact:  Email:  info@fyoeventrentals.com or call 252-492-9800.

 

Name of the Company: Edward Jones, Beckford Drive Location in Henderson, NC.

Jobs Available:  Opening for a Branch Office Administrator (job#68078BR).  Edward Jones provides a comprehensive 6-month training program and an experienced peer to help mentor you as you learn the job requirements.  Benefits are provided.  Looking for candidates who can work independently, proficient in current and new office technology, willingness to learn how financial services/markets work, and ability to provide excellent customer service.

Method of Contact: Apply online at edwardjones.com/careers, or apply through your LinkedIn account.

 

Name of the Company: Walmart Distribution Center, 680 Vanco Mill Road in Henderson, NC

Jobs Available: Freight Handler/Order Fillers.  Full Time.  10-12 hour shifts.  $17.55 – $23.55 an hour.  Prefer candidates with 1 year or more warehouse experience.

Method of Contact: Apply through Indeed.com website or online at www.careers.walmart.com.

 

Name of the Company:  Hoyle’s Tire and Axle

Jobs Available: Tire Technician.  Full-time and Part-time workers needed.  Duties include mounting tires, inspecting tires, unloading trucks, and repairing tires.  Hours are Monday-Friday, from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm.  Paid vacation, holiday pay, health benefits, and overtime available.

Method of Contact: Apply in person at their Vance County location 175 Bearpond Road.  Or call 252-438-2818.

 

 

Name of the Company: Woodlief’s Lawn Care

Jobs Available:  Full-time workers needed immediately for local lawn care business with continued winter work hours.  Also, looking for part-time summer workers.  Will train the right applicants who are interested in working for a full lawn care business with outdoor work responsibilities.

Method of Contact: Call Ryan Woolief, owner, at 252-432-1637 or email ryan.woodlief@gmail.com

 

 

Name of the Company:Lane and Associates Dental Office

Jobs Available: Treatment Coordinator.  Full-time.  Provide excellent customer service.  Ensure patients receive a 5-star experience beginning with check-in and follow through to check-out.  Must be skilled with current computer skills, professional appearance and manner, and excellent planning and organization skills.  High School Diploma.  Prefer dental office experience.

Method of Contact: Apply in person online at Indeed.com.  Website: https://lanedds.com/.   Office location at 900 South Garnett Street, Henderson.

 

 Name of the Company:  Select Products, paper company in Vance County.

Jobs Available:  Multiple positions open immediately:  CDL Truck Drivers, Maintenance Mechanics, Fork Lift Operators, and Order Pickers/Packers.  Full-time.

Method of Contact:Apply in person at Select Products facility, 1133 Poplar Creek Road, Henderson, across from main campus of VGCC.  Zollie Perry, Human Resources Manager.

 

Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS.  Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast.  This is not a paid ad.

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The Local Skinny! Nobles Talks Latest At The Animal Shelter

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Thanks to a local volunteer firefighter, the animals up for rescue or adoption at Vance County Animal Services may get some extra “likes” that just might land them in their furever home.

Lightning, a male lab mix, is the first animal to be named “Firedog of the Month” on the Facebook page of Watkins Volunteer Fire Department.

Frankie Nobles, Vance County’s chief animal services officer, said “there’s no telling how many people have seen him” since his picture was first posted a few days ago.

Nobles told John C. Rose on Monday’s The Local Skinny! that he gives all the credit to volunteer firefighter Justin Simmons. It was his idea to feature an adoptable pet from the animal shelter on social media to spread the word about the animals.

It’s a great way to “get the animals recognized and get them out of the shelter,” Nobles said. Just last week, the shelter took in more than 30 kittens; luckily, one rescue organization wanted every single one, and Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society was able to transport them last Friday evening.

Having volunteers like Simmons who think outside the box are certainly helpful as the shelter gets more and more animals, whether they come in as strays or as owner surrenders, as in Lightning’s case.

He said volunteers are welcome at the shelter and their efforts go a long way to socialize animals and prepare them for adoption or rescue.

“Volunteers can get out and walk them – it really helps them out a lot,” Nobles said.

He and his staff are making plans to take puppies or dogs on visits to other county offices and to get the dogs more visible in the community with walks downtown, for example.

It helps the dogs expend some energy, gets them out of their kennels for a bit and – who knows – maybe they’ll find a new home in the process.

Find a photo of Lightning on the Watkins Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page and stay tuned for the next Firedog of the Month.

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The Local Skinny! Maria Parham Health To Host Job Fair On Thursday

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Maria Parham Health is hosting a job fair from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19. There are a variety of clinical and non-clinical jobs available.

Human Resources Director Randy Toscano spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! and said job applicants could possibly be extended an offer at the job fair.

Applicants should bring a resume and may apply online beforehand, but it’s not necessary, Toscano said. There will be a computer set up in the hospital lobby to apply. There will be information tables from each department set up and the department heads will be available to speak with prospective applicants.

Among the departments that are looking to fill positions are nursing, radiology, registration and labs, he said. Individuals who are interested in a career in the health care industry are encouraged to attend. “You can walk out with a new career,” Toscano said.

There is always a need for phlebotomists, LPNs and RNs, he added, but also in non-clinical areas such as housekeeping, registration and food service.

Register online at https://www.mariaparham.com/

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