School Entry Controls at Six Pilot Schools
Starting this past Monday, May 16, six Vance County Public Schools initiated a pilot program for building access. The new Access Control System in place requires all visitors during the school day to identify themselves before being allowed into the school.
The schools include: Aycock, New Hope, L.B. Yancey, Henderson Middle, STEM Early High and Northern Vance High.
Visitors now have to enter the front main entrance of each school. Each visitor will be required to press a button on the new Access Control box (shown in the cover photo) near the main entrance door, say his/her name and why he/she is visiting plus show a valid photo ID on the camera on the box. School office personnel will respond once the button is pressed and will talk with visitors to get the required information. Visitors can then be “buzzed in” through the main entrance.
Anyone planning on visiting these six schools through the end of this school year is reminded that they must have their photo ID with them to enter the building. Arrangements can be made at the school to get photo IDs for those who do not have them.
School office personnel can help visitors with any questions about this new school entry system.
53rd Annual Henderson Shrine Fish Fry
The local Henderson Shrine Club is raising money for Shriners Hospitals for Children today. This is the 53rd straight year for the event.
Most important on the minds of the many Shriners and citizens interviews during “TownTalk” today is helping a crippled or burned child at one of the 22 Shriners Hospitals. Second, but equally important on the minds of everyone interviewed, was the overwhelming community support the Shrine Club Fish Fry has received through the years.
Your support comes in the form of an $8.00 plate of freshly fried whiting fish, cole slaw, boiled potatoes, and hush puppies. If you eat in, a drink is included. There is drive-thru service available out front, right where they are preparing all the food.
The location is Raleigh Road just across the road from Supply Line Country Market and very near the Pete Smith Shell Quick Lube.
The mood of the event is one of joy. It is a joyful occasion to raise money, with a goal of exceeding last year’s proceeds of $11,000.00, it is a joyful occasion to contribute to society by helping children, and it is a joyous occasion to see and socialize with family, friends and members of the community.
As was pointed out, a number of Vance County children have benefited from the care received at Shriners Hospitals, which is absolutely free of charge and often times includes transportation and accommodations.
If you do not know the name of a local Shriner and would like to apply for help, Donald Seifert has offered his name and number which which is 252-438-8355. If you prefer to call a toll free number in the United States, then call 800-237-5055.
Hendersonian Gerald Alston Returns To Perform With Grammy-Winning Group The Manhattans
Legendary Rhythm and Blues group The Manhattans, featuring lead-singer Gerald Alston, will perform at the newly opened McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson, N.C., on June 18th at 8 p.m. Born and raised in Henderson, Alston has been singing with The Manhattans since 1970 and led the group to several chart-topping hits like the Grammy-winning song Shining Star.
The son of the Rev. J.B. Alston and Geraldine Harrison of Henderson, Alston was inspired by music at an early age, singing both gospel and secular music with his group The New Imperials. Along with his musically talented father, Alston’s uncle is the late Gospel-music great Johnny Fields of Henderson, a founding member of the group 5 Blind Boys of Alabama, and his aunt Shirley Alston-Reeves of Henderson is the lead singer of The Shirelles, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group. Along with earning a Grammy for the song Shining Star, Gerald Alston was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2015 after his 45-year career with The Manhattans as well as numerous solo records.
On June 18th, Alston will once-again perform in his hometown of Henderson as the lead singer of The Manhattans. “This concert is expected to be a sold-out show,” said Tommy Deadwyler, executive director of the newly opened McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in Henderson. “We are thrilled that Henderson’s new performing arts center allows us to host Gerald and his group within his hometown and we know the community is especially excited about this concert.”
ABOUT THE CONCERT: The Manhattans featuring lead-singer and Henderson-native Gerald Alston will perform at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center (PAC) on June 18th at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. The 1,000-seat, state-of-the-art McGregor Hall PAC opened in February 2016 as part of Henderson’s revitalized downtown. Media passes available upon request. For interviews and more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or email him at tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org.