VGCC Drama students to present ‘canine’ comedy
— courtesy VGCC
Vance-Granville Community College Drama students will soon entertain audiences with a modern romantic comedy about a marriage — and a dog. “Sylvia” will be staged on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson, Nov. 16-19. Performances begin on Thursday, Nov 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2.
Sylvia, by the late American playwright A.R. Gurney, tells the story of a married couple, Greg and Kate, who have moved to Manhattan after 22 years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection, while Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog.
The comedy premiered in 1995 with Sarah Jessica Parker in the title role. At the time, a New York Daily News critic called it “one of the most involving, beautiful, funny, touching and profound plays I have ever seen,” while another reviewer called it a “mad comedy” and “howlingly funny.”
The play includes some adult language and themes.
Students in the cast include Samantha Hines of Henderson as Sylvia in Cast A, Faith Orr of Henderson as Sylvia in Cast B, Jordan Bunting of Rocky Mount as Greg, Brittney Patterson of Henderson as Kate, Nick Kurtz of Durham as Tom, Jamie McGinn of Wake Forest as Phyllis, Allison Hines of Henderson as Leslie in Cast A and Chadstity Copeland of Henderson as Leslie in Cast B. Cast A will perform on Thursday night, Friday night and the Saturday matinee, while Cast B will perform on Saturday night and the Sunday matinee.
Betsy Henderson, the VGCC Theatre Arts/speech instructor and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, directs the play.
Other members of the crew include students Angel Sizemore of Oxford (Production Stage Manager/Assistant Director), Brian Johnson of Creedmoor (Assistant Stage Manager and Projections), Megan Kokus of Rougemont (Head Costume Designer), Mary Parrish of Henderson (costumes), Yazi Majette of Henderson (costumes), Carleigh Gupton of Henderson (costumes), Carol Swain of Henderson (Head of Props), Amanda Cease of Henderson (Props), Chakiria Thorne of Henderson (Props), Evan O’ Geary of Henderson (Head of Hair/Make-up), Rosie Kanouff of Kittrell (Hair/Make-up), and Camden Jones of Henderson (Lighting/Sound Operator).
Admission is $15 for the general public, and $10 for students and VGCC employees.
Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by making reservations. For more information and to reserve seats, contact Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3371.
–VGCC–
(VGCC is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)
CHAMBER’S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST
— courtesy of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER’S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING BREAKFAST
Wednesday, November 22
Oxford Baptist Church’s Family Life Center
~ Sponsored by BRIDGESTONE ~
Non-perishable food donations requested for ACIM
The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Thanksgiving Breakfast is being held Wednesday, November 22, at 7:30 am in the Family Life Center of Oxford Baptist Church, Main Street, Oxford.
Bridgestone’s continued sponsorship of this annual event spans 25+ years. The November Thanksgiving breakfast began as an industry-sponsored breakfast, and Bridgestone has graciously remained the event supporter for all these years. The Chamber is grateful to Bridgestone plant manager Mark Highland and his staff for continuing their support and sponsorship.
This year’s guest speaker is Bailey Alston – a local, Vance County athlete and a business and community supporter and promoter of substance abuse prevention through his speaking engagements at churches, local schools and community events. “Very early on, Bailey discovered that being tall and having long arms enhanced his ability to run faster and jump higher than his older siblings, neighborhood friends, and in fact, most kids his age and older. It was clear that God had gifted him with amazing athletic abilities. He excelled at recreational football and basketball while participating in the Henderson Parks & Recreation competitions.” Following graduation from Vance Senior High School, he was honored to receive a full scholarship to play for Fork Union Military Academy. His success leading Fork Union lead to him becoming “heavily recruited by Wake Forest, Kansas, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Rutgers University. After one season at Rutgers and coaching staff changes, Bailey transferred to Liberty University. As a Junior and senior, he ranked nationally in the top 10 scoring . . . and Bailey was named ‘All American’ his senior year.
Bailey has a heart and passion for not only athletics but for his community and giving back.” His own personal story is very heart-warming and is perfect for a Thanksgiving Breakfast.
Attendees may expect the usual Southern buffet breakfast, prepared by volunteer men at Oxford Baptist. No one will leave hungry as we depart to begin the Thanksgiving holiday celebration!
Although there is no charge to attend the breakfast, attendees are requested to bring non-perishable food donations (canned food) for Area Congregations In Ministry (ACIM).
The School of Graphic Arts/Masonic Home for Children is continuing its tradition of providing attendees with desk calendars for the new year. Also, the Chamber will be officially kicking off its promotion for the National SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – SHOP LOCAL – SHOP GRANVILLE by providing attendees with Shop Small tote bags filled with “goodies”, gift certificates, etc. from Granville County Small Businesses. This annual event is Saturday, November 25th.
Reservations are REQUIRED with one of the Chamber’s offices by November 17th to Wanda, 693.6125 or Toni Anne, 919.528.4994; wanda@granville-chamber.com, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.
Vance Shelter Needs Supplies
The Vance County Animal Shelter is in need of supplies. If you are attending “Dog Walk For Veterans” on Saturday, or not, you can still stop by, check out the shelter, see about volunteering and drop of supplies.
For more about “Dog Walk For Veterans” — click here.
Frankie Nobles, the chief animal control officer for Vance County, told WIZS News the shelter’s wish list of needed items includes: fleece blankets; dog/puppy beds; rubber/plastic chew toys; non-clumping cat litter; kitten food (small bites); milk replacer for kittens/puppies; laundry detergent; blue dawn dish soap; kitchen trash bags; flea/tick meds, sprays; gallon ziploc bags; XL dog crates; and bleach.
@NorthernVanceFB @SVHS_Athletics
It’s the big game, the Optimist Bowl, and you need to be there in person at Southern Vance High School. Like and share on Facebook, Tweet your friends, bring a neighbor. And, if you can’t make it to the game, be sure to listen live on 1450 AM WIZS and online at wizs.com. Click on Listen Live!
Pregame show at 6:45 p.m. and the kickoff follows at 7 p.m.
Scouting Report by Jeff Jenkins
Northern Vance at Southern Vance — Friday 11/3/2017
Friday’s Optimist Bowl will feature the leading passer in the Northern Carolina 1A/2A Conference, Southern Vance’s Elijah Stewart (1999 yards), and the league’s leading receiver, Raider WR Kyree Ford (692 yards). On top of that, Southern RB Tyrese Henderson is number 2 in rushing yardage (1065), Number 5 in total TDs (12), and number 4 in total points scored (80). Raider DB Malik Boyd has 4 interceptions – good enough for 3rd in the conference. With an even 5-5 overall record, and a 4-3 winning record in the conference (currently 5th place), a win tonight for Southern Vance will probably not lift them into the playoffs, but a Raider victory would result in an overall winning record for the first time since 2011, as well as taking the Optimist trophy back from the Vikings, who won the match-up 27-6 last year.
Northern Vance pales in comparison to these impressive stats: The Vikings and new head coach Antwain Cook had a difficult time overcoming the loss of Stewart and Ford, who both transferred to Southern Vance when former Viking offensive coordinator Darry Ragland took the Raider head coach position. Northern’s Coach Cook, who was the defensive coordinator for Northern before his promotion to the top job, did not find a consistent quarterback until sophomore Samien Burell took over the signal calling and the Vikings began to avoid shutouts (they failed to score in 3 of their first 4 games). Northern got their first victory in week 7 over 1A conference member Louisburg, failed to defeat the other 1A member Granville Central the next week , but then caught fire last week for their second win, a 33-13 thrashing of J. F. Webb in Oxford. This surge of offense is great for the 2-8 (2-5) Vikings, but it remains to be seen whether it will be too little / too late against the Raiders. Both teams allow opponents an average of 28 points per game, but Southern scores 30 per game, while Northern has averaged just under 10 points per game.
In the past 10 years, this rivalry has been pretty close: Southern Vance holds a 6-4 lead in the series for that period, but Northern has the largest margin of victory with a 42-0 victory in 2008. Since 2013, the teams are locked at 2-2, with Northern holding the trophy from last year’s victory.
Shop with a Cop 2017
Press Release – November 1, 2017
For the 2017 Holiday Season, the Henderson Police Department and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office have partnered with the Vance County Department of Social Services to assist children and families in the City of Henderson and Vance County during the holiday season through the “Shop with a Cop” program.
Funds raised through the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce “Shop with a Cop” raffle and by generous donors will be used to help underprivileged children and struggling families who otherwise would go without during the holidays. Individuals and families selected will have the opportunity to “Shop with a Cop” with one of Henderson’s and Vance County’s law enforcement officers.
Individuals or families wishing to participate in the “Shop with a Cop” program can pick up applications on November 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 13th at the front desk of three locations: the Henderson Police Department at 200 Breckenridge Street; the Vance County Sherriff’s Office at 156 Church Street; and the Department of Social Services at 350 Ruin Creek Road, Henderson.
Completed applications must be returned to any of the three pickup locations no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, November 13th, 2017.
Completing a referral does not guarantee assistance.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Dog Walk For Veterans
Mark Ferri is a local volunteer at The Vance County Animal Shelter. He joined WIZS for TownTalk Today at about the 11:40 a.m. Mark in the show. He is also a veteran.
It turns out that walking a dog is both good for the animal and good for the person, especially as it can help ease the mind of a veteran who may be suffering from any number of stresses.
For whatever reason or for no reason other than wanting to volunteer, you can walk a dog at the shelter too.
Dog Walk For Veterans (and others) is this Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. The shelter is located at 1243 Brodie Road in Henderson. 252-492-3136.
It is anticipated that this walking program will both increase volunteerism at the shelter as well as adoptions.
Online – https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal-control/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfVanceCountyAnimalShelter