Henderson’s McGregor Hall Transforms Into A Winter Wonderland
— courtesy mcgregorhall.org
Meet Santa & His High-Kicking Friends On December 5th For A ‘Branson-Styled’ Holiday Showcase
HENDERSON, N.C. — Get in the spirit of the holidays on Tuesday, Dec. 5, as the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center transforms into the North Pole to present CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND, a holiday spectacular.
On tour from its year-round performances at The King’s Castle Theater in Branson, Mo., CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND features a highly acclaimed song and dance troupe produced by Spirit Productions and David King of the mega-hit-musical Spirit of the Dance.
Doors will open for this family-family event at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
For this one-night-only show, the production will bring its full cast, sets and scenery to McGregor Hall’s stage. This includes 24 singers and dancers who will present more than 1,000 glittering costumes and more than a dozen holiday tunes.
Guest will enjoy more than a dozen holiday songs, including all the favorites from “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” to “Silent Night” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
“This is the type of high-quality, grand-scale production that McGregor Hall was built for,” said Mark Hopper, Vice President of the McGregor Hall Board of Directors.
“CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND is quite simply one of the most delightful and enchanting shows coming to this region during the holidays,” Hopper added. “From the glittering costumes, a dazzling cast and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the Mason-Dixon Line, your entire family can start Christmas in style as Santa and his merry helpers take you on an unforgettable nostalgic journey.”
Hopper also advised that seats are limited, suggesting that patrons purchase tickets in advance as the theater is expected to sell out.
Tickets are on sale for $35 or $30 plus sales tax. Group and student rates are available.
Tickets 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. The Box Office is located at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson. The Box Office can also be reached by phone by calling (252) 598-0662. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.McGregorHall.org by using the secure and trusted purchasing platform, eTix. Online fees apply.
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(McGregor Hall is an advertising client of WIZS.)
Local Salvation Army Kettle Drive Needs You
Captain Rick Langley, of the local Salvation Army, told WIZS News:
“The Salvation Army is in need of bell ringers for the rest of the Christmas season. If you need to make some extra cash for the season we will pay 8.00 an hour, or if you have some extra time and would like to volunteer, we could really use you. We have empty locations because we do not have people to put there. You can call our office at 252-438-7107 anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to schedule or to get additional information. Thank you very much.”
Andrews Ave. Corner Store Robbery Suspect Arrested
Press Release – Tuesday, November 29, 2017
On November 22, 2017, Howard Perry Junior, 50, of Rocky Mount, NC was charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon for the November 7, 2017 robbery of the Corner Store, 929 W. Andrews Ave, Henderson. During the incident the suspect took an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency and fled the area on foot. During the course of the investigation, Howard Perry Junior was identified as the suspect. Howard Perry Junior received a $250,000 secured bond and remains in the Durham County Jail.
HPD Photo – Howard Perry Jr.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
HPD Bank Robbery Color Photos from Nov 14th
HPD Photo – Bank Robbery Suspect – Nov 14, 2017
HPD Photo – Bank Robbery Suspect – Nov 14, 2017
Press Release – Tuesday, November 14, 2017
On Tuesday, November 14, 2017 around 11:47 AM members of the Henderson Police Department responded to Carter Bank and Trust, 300 Dabney Drive Ext. Henderson, NC in reference to an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers attempted to locate the suspect, but after an extensive search were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect is described as a 20-30 year-old black male; approximately 6’2” in height; with some minor facial hair on his chin. Suspect was described as wearing a black and gray hoodie. Suspect displayed a handgun and stole an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The Henderson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in this case. If you have knowledge of who the suspect is or know of his whereabouts you are asked to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Callers may also call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or by using the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device. Callers may remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers offers a reward up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Teamwork and Good People Means New Jobs in Vance
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper came to Henderson today to announce Mako Medical Laboratories is opening a facility in Vance County. At a 1 p.m. press conference inside the former Harperprints building on Industry Drive, Cooper said he was proud to announce 153 new, good paying jobs were coming to Henderson and Vance County. Average income will be about $52,000.
Governor Cooper said Mako was investing 15 million dollars here because of people like the many gathered in the room and the availability of workforce.
He said it was a team effort to bring Mako here and mentioned the City of Henderson, Vance County, Economic Development of Vance County, Vance Granville Community College and the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Cooper said the people of North Carolina are going to see more development like this because of the strengths of a rural area and because North Carolina has the right people.
Mako CEO Chad Price also thanked the local Salvation Army. The Salvation Army significantly reduced its asking price for the Harperprints building. Price said, “Our experience in Vance County has been world class.” He said, “Everything we do is about making an impact.” He spoke of a year-long process and traveling the country looking for a site before settling on Henderson.
Mako is apparently a fast growing company with another location in North Carolina as well as New Mexico. The company also seems rather entrepreneurial and several folks have mentioned the company’s involvement and philanthropy in and around its home communities and beyond.
Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said it was “teamwork and the result is progress.” He said the folks here have continued to believe in Henderson.
Vance County Board of Commissioners Chair Dan Brummitt said the mere fact that the Governor is here reinforces the whole idea. Brummitt said Mako was the fastest growing company in the Triangle in the last two years and was voted the best place to work in the Triangle. He said, “We see you as a great fit for our community.”
Earlier in the day at 11:30 a.m., both the Henderson City Council and the Vance County Commissioners met in their respective meeting rooms and held public hearings and voted on economic development incentives to help Mako in the local endeavor. No members from the public spoke, and the votes passed without opposition.
If you combine local Vance County and City of Henderson upfront incentives, tax grants for the next three years and additional tax rebates through 2025, the grand total city/county investment is $763,050.
In addition, Vance County officials say they expect to flow additional N.C. Commerce funds and grant funds from Golden Leaf through the county’s budgets totaling another estimated $750,000 in the coming years.
Other general terms of the agreement must be met as it pertains to the number of jobs, salary and the fact that Mako must remain in the county for at least a 10 year term otherwise incentives can be taken back.
The following information is from a prepared press release:
Henderson, North Carolina – Vance County and the City of Henderson are pleased to announce that Mako Medical Laboratories will invest $15.39 million and create 153 jobs in Vance County over the next five years. Mako will occupy the former Harperprints Printing Company Building which has been vacant since 2012.
Local economic development officials along with the City of Henderson and Vance County began working on the project in late September. The Mako Medical Laboratories expansion was in competition with other locations in the Southeast and the Midwest that included Louisiana, South Carolina, and Ohio. The Henderson facility will allow Mako Medical to expand its laboratory operations, warehousing, and courier services, the major thrust of their expansion needs. The new Henderson facility will also serve as a blood testing lab which will allow Mako Medical to process blood samples for doctors, medical facilities, and hospitals across the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic.
Commissioner Tommy Hester, chair of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission (EDC) is pleased with the announcement. “What a great day it is to be in Henderson and Vance County, North Carolina! As Chairman of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission and on behalf of the commission, it is my pleasure to welcome all of you here for this momentous occasion. Today is about jobs and the future of this great community and the future of this great State of North Carolina.”
Vance County Commission Chairman Dan Brummitt feels the community and the region will benefit from the investment being made by Mako Medical, “We are impressed with your hiring of ONLY Veterans in your logistics and procurement team, and we see why you’ve won numerous awards including best place to work in the triangle among others. Beyond these accolades,
when our local team met with you initially, we were blown away not only by the success you are having, but by the way you support over 470 non-profits and charities in and outside of the communities you work in and over 60 missionaries worldwide. We see you as a great fit for our community and we welcome you!”
City of Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington presented Mako with a proclamation on behalf of the City and welcomed Mako to the community, “having Mako Medical Laboratories become a part of our community alongside our other businesses continues to give our citizens a hope and vision for the future. Today exemplifies what teamwork is all about and the result is progress.”
Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen spoke of the teamwork involved in recruiting Mako to Henderson and Vance County. “In a small community, recruiting jobs and investment takes teamwork. This announcement would not have been possible without a great collaboration between the City of Henderson and Vance County working in concert with the many community
partners such as the Salvation Army, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, Vance-Granville Community College and others. Having Mako choose this community speaks volumes to the relevance of Henderson and Vance County as a regional center for business and as the leading edge of the
research triangle.”
Governor appoints VGCC President to commission
— courtesy of VGCC News Release on 11-27-17
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, to the Governor’s Commission on Access to Sound, Basic Education. The Commission, which the governor created through an Executive Order, will focus on the critical importance of North Carolina meeting its duties under the state constitution as underscored by the landmark court rulings in Leandro v. North Carolina and Hoke County Board of Education v. North Carolina.
The new commission includes experts from a wide range of fields that are relevant to education and student and school success. Dr. Williams was appointed as the representative of North Carolina community colleges. The commission will focus on key areas highlighted in the original Leandro ruling, including:
• staffing each classroom with a competent, well-trained teacher,
Dr. Stelfanie Williams (VGCC Photo)
• staffing each school with a competent, well-trained principal, and
• identifying the resources necessary to ensure that all children, including those at risk, have an equal opportunity to obtain a sound basic education.
The commission is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Nov. 30 in Raleigh. Its goal is to develop recommendations for specific actions necessary to achieve sustained compliance with the constitutional mandates established in Leandro.
“I look forward to the opportunity to work with the other leaders on this commission to identify concrete steps that our state can take to improve public education for all our young people in all corners of North Carolina,” President Williams said. “The success of our great state depends on strong K-12 schools, working in partnership with strong community colleges and universities.”
Williams became the sixth president of VGCC in 2012. Since then, she has focused the college strategically on educational excellence, continuous improvement, employee and student engagement in college life, and institutional stewardship. During her tenure, the college has added seven curriculum degree programs, secured the largest grants in the college’s history, the second-largest private donor gift, and held six consecutive highest-yielding annual golf tournaments for scholarships. With a focus on student success, the institution has improved completion rates, graduating the largest classes ever in 2015 and 2016, and initiating a private donor-sponsored college promise program called the “VanGuarantee” in an effort to make college more accessible for students with the greatest financial need.
Prior to leading VGCC, Williams served as faculty and in several administrative capacities at other North Carolina community colleges. She also currently serves as adjunct faculty for the North Carolina State University College of Education. Williams holds dual baccalaureate degrees from Duke University, a graduate degree from Western Carolina University, and a doctorate from North Carolina State University. In 2014, she was awarded the I.E. Ready Distinguished Leadership Award by North Carolina State University.
The Governor’s Commission on Access to Sound, Basic Education is the second education-related panel for which the VGCC leader has been selected in recent months. Dr. Williams was appointed to the “My Future NC” Commission by the president of the University of North Carolina, Margaret Spellings; the acting president of the North Carolina Community College System, Jennifer Haygood; and the state superintendent of public instruction, Mark Johnson.
–VGCC–
2017 Polar Express 5K
On December 9th, the Henderson Family YMCA will hold its annual Polar Express 5k event, benefiting Girls on the Run and the YMCA STRIDE programs.
Race start time is 10 a.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The course will be at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake. The entrance will be closed at 9:50 a.m. The address is 6254 Satterwhite Point Road.
Entry Fee for adults is $20 pre-race and $30 on race day. Children 13 years and under may register pre-race for $10 and on race day for $20.
The race will start and finish in the last parking lot on Satterwhite Point, down from the community building “Glass House.”
For more information, contact the Henderson Family YMCA on Ruin Creek Road, online at hendersonymca.org or call 252-438-2144.
Girls on the Run
Over a period of 10-12 weeks, girls in the 3rd through 5th grade participate in an after-school program like no other. Designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength, the Girls on the Run curriculum inspires girls to define their lives on their own terms. Throughout the season, the girls make new friends, build their confidence and celebrate all that makes them unique. The Girls on the Run lessons encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Participants explore and discuss their own beliefs around experiences and challenges girls face at this age. They also develop important strategies and skills to help them navigate life experiences. Physical activity is woven into our program to inspire an appreciation of fitness and to build habits that lead to a lifetime of health. At the end of each season, the girls participate in a Girls on the Run 5k event. Completing the 5k gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Crossing the finish line is a defining moment when the girls realize that even the seemingly impossible IS possible. For more information go to www.GOTR.org
STRIDE
STRIDE is a fun afterschool character development program for boys. The boys look forward to time with their friends and making new friends. Throughout the program, the focus is on doing one’s personal best, not competing with each other. Each STRIDE team meets twice a week for 10-12 weeks. Trained volunteer coaches start each session with an introduction of the day’s character-building lesson, followed by a warm-up, group discussion, running workout and interactive games. In each session, the boys build the stamina, techniques and confidence to run a 5K. Boys who demonstrate excellent character are rewarded with a STRIDE dog tag at the end of the lesson. At the conclusion of the ten-week session, the boys celebrate by participating in a 5K with their coaches, parents and running partners. STRIDE gives boys the opportunity to share and explore issues that they face in school, at sports, in the community and at home. They learn the importance of being a good friend, working as a team, saying no to drugs and making good decisions. We want to help boys become young men who KNOW what is right, CARE what is right and DO what is right. For more information go to www.ymcastride.org
(The YMCA is an advertising client of WIZS.)