Veterans Dog Walk at Vance Co. Animal Shelter

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The Vance County Animal Shelter, located at 1243 Brodie Rd in Henderson, will host a Veterans Dog Walk on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The public is welcome, with veterans and first responders strongly encouraged to attend. Participants will be walking and interacting with selected shelter dogs in an effort to provide companionship and trust-building activities.

The event, titled Paws, Tails and Boots, was founded by veteran and Vance County Animal Shelter volunteer Mark Ferri. Ferri began the program in 2016 as a way to raise awareness of the mental health issues faced by veterans.

According to Ferri, the event has grown with the support of both the Vance County Animal Shelter and Chief Frankie Nobles. “Frankie and his staff are like family to me,” Ferri said. “I couldn’t do it without them.”

Ferri believes that the veterans and dogs interact so well because “both of us have had traumatic experiences, both of us need help and both of us need each other.”

By working together, Ferri believes that the interaction is beneficial and healing to both human and dog. “When you take a dog for a walk, the veteran engages with the public, gets out of their shell and builds trust,” said Ferri. “The animal also enjoys the walk and builds trust in humans as well.”

While there, Ferri and other participants will be encouraging others who are eligible to commit to adopting a shelter animal, be it dog or cat.

According to Ferri, the only thing you need to do to participate in the event is to “bring some good walking shoes and a good attitude.”

For more information on the Vance County Animal Shelter and their services, please visit their website at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal%20control/.

Northern Vance High School Honors Graduation Marshals

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

Juniors who attend Northern Vance High School were honored on Friday, April 13, 2018, at a reception for their selection as graduation marshals for the Class of 2018.

The students were selected based on their outstanding academic achievements.

Northern Vance’s graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2018, beginning at 12 p.m. in the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson.

 

Those who will serve as graduation marshals include: front row – from left, Billy Zheng (lead marshal), Tomesha Jefferson, Matthew Munn, Ryan Stainback, Destinee Bullock and Briana Sulyans. Back row – from left, Anterrahn Harris, Brittany Kersey, Jaida Lewis, Alex Machado, Breana Williams and Tierra Bullock.

Southern Vance High School Honors Graduation Marshals

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

Students who are juniors at Southern Vance High School and have qualified as graduation marshals for the Class of 2018 due to their outstanding academic performance were honored at a reception recently at the school.

Southern Vance’s graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018, beginning at 8 a.m. in the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson.

Those who will serve as graduation marshals include: first row – from left, Madonna Baselios, Mya McKnight, Shel’Nyia Hargrove, Miracle Chin, Tar’Naja Thorpe and April Pendergrass. Second row, from left, Eleodoro Nunez Aldana, Gabriela Ventura, Wendy Portillo and Robert Susewell. Unavailable for the photo were Shannon Riggan, Deana Hawkins and Aaliyah Simril.

City of Henderson Logo

Boards & Commissions Committee to Meet Friday, April 27

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-Submitted by Esther J. McCrackin, City Clerk, City of Henderson

As of 4/27/18, this meeting has been CANCELLED and will be rescheduled for a later date.

The Boards and Commissions Committee of the Henderson City Council will meet on Friday, April 27, 2018, at 2 p.m. in the large conference room at City Hall, 134 Rose Avenue.  The purpose of the meeting is to consider applications for various citizen committees.  The public is welcome to attend.

News 04/25/18

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Henderson-Vance Spring Litter Sweep Week: April 23 – 28, 2018

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The Henderson-Vance Spring Litter Sweep Week is being held in conjunction with the state-wide litter sweep week Monday, April 23 through Saturday, April 28.

Terri Hedrick, chair of the Vance County Appearance Committee, was recently on air to encourage all citizens of Vance County to spend time outdoors this week improving the community by cleaning up trash and debris.

“We ask all who are able to participate to please clean up around homes, churches, neighborhoods and local schools,” said Hedrick.

Approximately 35 Adopt-a-Highway programs will be participating throughout the week and mowing is scheduled for many roadways.

Gloves and orange trash bags are available for interested participants throughout the week at the City Operations Center at 900 S. Beckford Drive and at the Vance County School’s Administrative Office at 1724 Graham Avenue in Henderson.

Participants are asked to fill their orange trash bags, tightly secure them and place them by the curb, if in the city, or by the side of the road, if in the county. Maintenance crews should collect the trash bags by next week.

The litter sweep will culminate in the annual Recycling Day at the City Operations Center on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Volunteers and vendors will be accepting, for free, a variety of recyclables including electronics, cardboard, metal, aluminum cans, plastic, glass, newspapers/magazines and other household recyclables.

Old medications, including prescription, over-the-counter and medical syringes, may also be recycled.

Shredding trucks will also be on site to securely dispose of participants’ personal documents.

Old paints will not be accepted for recycling at this year’s event; however, Hedrick reminds the community that paints that have been dried either by chemical means or by cat litter may be taken to any of the manned trash sites throughout the county.

Starting at 12 p.m., there will be a free hot dog luncheon inside the City Operations Center. Jason Brown and his Wisdom for Life Foundation and Fruit of the Spirit community group will once again be hosting this time for food and fellowship.

Brown, a former NFL player, is the owner of First Fruits Farm in Louisburg and is, according to Hedrick, a big supporter of the community, giving freely of his produce to help feed others.

Cash prizes will also be given away at the luncheon to litter sweep participants who can document they participated in the cleanup process. Participants must be present to win prizes.

Prizes include $150 for most bags of trashed filled by a group, $100 for most people in a group and $50 for the most unique item found.

To be eligible for cash prizes, participants must document how many bags of trash they filled, how many people were in their group and take a picture of their efforts, especially of their most unique item found.

Packets of information regarding litter sweep week and the forms and documentation procedures needed to be eligible for the free lunch and cash prizes are available at the Vance County School’s Administrative Office.

While Hedrick is encouraged by the efforts of the community during this week each year, she says the Appearance Committee would ultimately “like to see people cleaning up all year and stop being litterbugs.”

 

Musicians Michael Stephenson & Mark Hopper to Perform at McGregor Hall Friday, April 27

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 — Press Release submitted by McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

SPRINGTIME BECKONS WITH AN UPBEAT EVENING OF JAZZ, SPIRITUALS & LIGHT CLASSICAL MUSIC

On Friday, April 27, two of North Carolina’s very own musicians, Michael Stephenson and Mark Hopper, will join together on the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center for Sax & Piano: A Springtime Concert. Part of the Music at McGregor Series, the evening event will showcase a harmonic display of upbeat jazz, spirituals and light classical music that is sure to dazzle the spirits as spring blossoms color the streets of historic downtown Henderson, N.C.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m. Several restaurants located near the theater are scheduled to open for pre-concert dinner service.

Stephenson is the Coordinator of Music and Drama at Pitt Community College in Winterville, N.C., and a founding member of the New Century Saxophone Quartet. The Henderson native is also a former faculty member of Vance-Granville Community College, starting the Vance-Granville Community Band.

Hopper is the Minister of Music and Organist at the First Baptist Church in Henderson,  the Vice President of the McGregor Hall Board of Directors and a director with the Henderson Rec Players. He will be playing the Hall’s Steinway piano and a 1970 Zuckerman harpsichord.

“Spring has arrived and it’s the perfect time of year to dress up for an evening dinner out and jazz concert in historic downtown Henderson,” said Hopper. “Mike and I plan on playing an array of upbeat jazz, spirituals and light classical music.”

The program for Sax & Piano: A Springtime Concert with Michael Stephenson and Mark Hopper includes Sonata in C Minor, BWV 1017 by J. S. Bach; Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla; Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie; Aria by Eugene Bozza; Scaramouche, Op. 165b by Darius Milhaud; Down by the Riverside by Daniel Kallman; and Rumba by Maurice Whitney. For a full setlist, visit www.McGregorHall.org.

Tickets are on sale for $20 plus sales tax and can be purchased directly at the McGregor Hall Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. as well as 7 p.m. the night of the show. The Box Office is located at the Hall at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson and can be reached by phone at (252) 598-0662. Tickets can also be purchased online at anytime prior to a performance at www.McGregorHall.org by using the secure and trusted purchasing platform, eTix.

(This is not a paid advertisement.  However, there are other ads on WIZS Radio which are ads paid for by McGregor Hall.)

Tour De Vance Drawing Cyclists From Large Area For April 28 Bicycle Ride

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-Press Release provided by Vance-Granville Community College

The Sixth Annual Tour de Vance Bicycle Ride, scheduled for Saturday, April 28, is drawing cyclists from surrounding counties in addition to locals, organizers say.

Online registration continues through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27, but riders can also register on-site at Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus on the morning of the race, with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m.

“This is a great time to dust off your bicycle and join the ride,” said Wendy Meyer-Goodwin, who has been working as event organizer since the Tour de Vance began. “This ride has been growing steadily since its inception, drawing families and first-timers in addition to the most seasoned of cyclists for four separate cycling events.”

Proceeds from the ride this year will benefit the Endowment Fund at Vance-Granville Community College, with donations supporting scholarships for students enrolled in Health Sciences programs at the college.

“We have several options available for cyclists,” said Meyer-Goodwin. “The 10-mile route is ideal for youth, families and beginners. A 20-mile course suits riders ready for a bit more distance. Experienced cyclists can choose a 31-mile ‘Forest and Farmland’ circle route through the country or a 62-mile ‘Kerr Lake Look’ that adds to that 31-mile circle route an out-and-back spur to the lake past the Nutbush Creek State Recreation Area.”

“Along the routes, rest stops and a ‘SAG wagon’ following the last cyclist of each distance will offer support when needed,” she added. “Law enforcement will accompany riders on the 10-mile route for added excitement. Whether you are new to a bicycle or regularly put your mettle to the pedal, come join us for this fun, healthy event.”

The rides start and finish in front of the Civic Center at VGCC’s Main Campus, located off Interstate 85 and Poplar Creek Road at 200 Community College Road in Henderson.

All riders can register through the VGCC website at vgcc.edu/tourdevance.

The 10-mile ride will cost $10 for each rider. The 20-mile ride will cost $25, and the 31-mile and 62-mile (or “metric century”) rides will cost $40.

“Vance-Granville’s Endowment Fund is honored to be associated with an event that has become such a success,” said Eddie Ferguson, director of the VGCC Endowment Fund. “This bicycle ride promotes the importance of exercise and good health. We are pleased to use these proceeds to help our students enrolled in the many Health Sciences programs at VGCC.”

VGCC offers curriculum programs including Associate Degree Nursing, Radiography, Practical Nursing, Histotechnology, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology.

The 62-mile ride starts at 8:30 a.m., the 31-mile ride at 9:30 a.m., the 20-mile ride at 10 a.m., and the 10-mile ride at 10:30 a.m. Law enforcement will accompany riders on the 10-mile route.

The starting times represent a change from previous rides. Starting times are being staggered to have more riders ending near the same time, Meyer-Goodwin added.

Lunch will be provided.

Participating sponsors include Granville Vance Public Health, Carolina GI Associates PC, OmniPoint General Surgery, Barnett Properties, Spoke Cycles, Henderson Fruit & Produce, Prim Rentals, T&T Laundries, Benchmark Community Bank, Chick-fil-A, Medical Arts Pharmacy, George Watkins, The Rogers Group, AAA Gas, Chase Development, Family Eye Center, William L. Stark CPA, Dave Williams, Roberson Family Dentistry, College Station, Ted’s Catering, Robinson Ferry, Bearpond Market, Carolina Kettle, Superior Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, and Black & White Coffee.

For more information, contact Wendy Meyer-Goodwin at tourdevance@gmail.com.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

NC Coop Extension

Vance County Cooperative Extension – Weekly Parenting Tip

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-Weekly parenting tips provided courtesy of Jean Bell, Parenting Education Coordinator, Vance County Cooperative Extension

Parenting tip – week of 4/23/18

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy is a common plant in our area that can cause an itchy rash.  Remember the old saying “Leaves of three – let it be”? This is a good way to help you identify poison ivy plants. The plant has leaves that grow in clusters of three. These leaves are usually 2 to 4 inches long, and the plant can grow as a groundcover, a small bushy plant or a vine. Learn how to identify this plant to make sure your outside adventures are happy ones.

News 04/24/18

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