First Saturday in June Declared Public Arts Day in Warren Co.

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

Two local government entities have passed resolutions to annually recognize the first Saturday in June as Public Arts Day. The initial request for the Town of Warrenton to consider a public art day resolution came from the Town of Warrenton’s Quilters Lane Committee and was supported by the Warren County Arts Council.

A resolution was drafted by Mayor Walter Gardner with input from both committees. The Town of Warrenton Board of Commissioners passed a resolution at their March 19 board meeting, and the Warren County Board of Commissioners passed their version at an April 2 board meeting.

The resolutions also acknowledge the work that the Quilters Lane Committee is doing in downtown Warrenton to revitalize the town through public art and to recognize the rich and diverse heritage of the quilting arts in Warren County.

The resolutions encourage artists and others to observe Public Arts Day with appropriate activities. The inaugural Public Arts Day will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018. The Quilters Lane Committee plans to display the quilt squares in downtown Warrenton on the Courthouse grounds. Additionally, a new sculpture, Garden Whispers, created by Michael Layne will be installed. This event is in conjunction with the Warren County Arts Council and Working Landscapes, a Warrenton-based non-profit.

Follow the Quilters Lane Committee, Working Landscapes, and the Warren County Arts Council on Facebook for more information.

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Lake Gaston Association 2018 Survey

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

The Lake Gaston Association Board has been working to fulfill their mission to “identify lake issues affecting our members and pursue resolution with the responsible organizations.”

In their efforts to serve property owners in the community as the “Primary Voice on Lake Issues,” they need to hear from you. They want to understand and represent your collective thoughts, and this will help the LGA with future actions they take.

The LGA has posted their 2018 Survey on their website at www.lakegastonassoc.com and invites the Lake Gaston community to participate. On their home page click on the yellow LGA 2018 Survey. It is not necessary to be a LGA member to take the survey.

A paper copy can be requested by calling (252) 586-6577 or 1-888-586-6577.

The survey must be completed no later than Thursday, May 31.

Annual Warren Co. Chamber Meeting Set for Thurs., June 14

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

— by Craig Hahn

One of my favorite events of the year connected with the Chamber is our Annual Meeting. Not only is it a chance to enjoy a great meal with some wonderful people, it’s also a chance for us to celebrate Warren Couny, our strong business community and the things we’ve accomplished over the past year.

Now, when I joined the Chamber in 2015 our Annual Meeting was in October…even though our year runs from July through June. As we started 2018 I asked our Board of Directors why we held the meeting in October instead of near our fiscal year start…and we couldn’t come up with a reason.

So, to help kick off your Summer and to begin a new tradition, our Annual Meeting is going to be held on Thursday, June 14 this year. This year’s meeting is sponsored by our long-time supporters at Maria Parham Health of Henderson. The Social Hour will be sponsored by Warren Estate.

We have a treat for you in our location for this year’s meeting: The Old Cotton Gin at the corner of Franklin & Hall Streets in Warrenton. I know you’re going to be blown away by the incredible renovations that Anne & Tommy have done over the past 1.5 years. Dinner will be catered by Honey’s Kitchen…a local chef that is becoming the favorite for a number of groups hosting events here in Warren County.

The time is 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. and tickets are the same as 2017…$25 each. Look for your official invitation, more details and tickets to go on sale later this week. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in 3 weeks!

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Warren County Animal Ark FREE Rabies Shots

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

If you’re a Warren County Resident, then the Warren County Animal Ark is offering FREE Rabies Clinic on Saturday, June 2 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lions Den Parking Lot at 429 W. Ridgeway Street in Warrenton.

You must show proof of residence.

Dogs and cats do not have to be current on rabies vaccinations but need to be over 3 months old. All dogs must be leashed and all cats in carriers.

This FREE rabies clinic is provided by the Warren County Animal Control and Shelter.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Announcing Warren County’s First Annual BBQ Cookoff!

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

On Saturday, June 2, 2018,  the Stone Square Lodge of Warrenton will host the first ever Warren County Cookoff on the Historic Courthouse Square in Warrenton. This family-friendly event will feature music, games and of course lots of great food.

Currently, they’re seeking vendors and sponsors. Judging will take place to determine the best beef, chicken, ribs, BBQ & specialty food. For more information contact Jonte Hawkins @ 252-767-4051 or via email at jontehawkins@gmail.com.

Here are the details from their website:

This competition is open to anyone who wants to see if they are the best. There will be five categories:

 Chicken

 Beef brisket

 Ribs (Pork and Beef)

 Barbecue (Pork)

 Specialty items

Also, there will be a People’s Choice award where people will vote for the best in each category. This event is still in the planning stages. Vendor and competition applications are available…

1. Go to the Contest Registration or Vendor Application link by clicking here

2. Print Registration

3. Applications may be mailed to the address listed on the form (but email is faster and ensures a better probability of securing a spot)

4. If you are submitting your application via email, send in your application then purchase a vendor space via Paypal link on each registration page.

To stay up-to-date on the latest details, visit the Warren County BBQ Cookoff website by clicking here.

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Andrew Willis & Friends to Perform at Cherry Hill

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

Andrew Willis, professor of music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, will return to Cherry Hill on Sunday, May 20, 2018. Dr. Willis has performed on the Steinway grand piano at the antebellum plantation concert site a number of times. Initially coming to Cherry Hill to preview his renowned “Focus On Piano” series, Dr. Willis in recent years has brought his finest graduate students to perform with him.

This year all five of the students are in the UNC-G Doctoral Program and were selected by Dr. Willis for their outstanding keyboard talent as well as their potential for professional success in the coming years.

The students are from several countries including the United States, and all have won awards from universities and competitions around the world. They will perform compositions by Chopin, Debussy, and three 20th century composers. Dr. Willis, assisted by one of the students, will play Robert Schumann’s “Introduction and Allegro appassionato, Op. 92.”

The performance will begin at 3 p.m., and admission will be taken at the door. The cost for adults will be $10, students $5, and children 12 and under will be admitted at no charge. A reception will follow the concert, and the entire 1858 house will be open for viewing.

For further information, visit the website www.cherryhillconcerts.com or telephone 252-257-5259.

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VGCC Plans Science Camp for Middle School Students

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Registration ends on Friday, May 18, for the 2018 edition of Vance-Granville Community College’s Science Camp for local middle school students. The camp will be held Monday through Friday, June 11-15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Rising sixth, seventh and eighth-graders from Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties are invited to participate in the week-long camp, now in its eighth year.

Sessions will be taught by faculty members from the VGCC Science Department and other college programs.

Above: Middle School students who attended the 2017 Science Camp work with VGCC Science Department Chair Steve McGrady to conduct an experiment using red cabbage during a session on chemistry. (VGCC photo)

“We encourage young people in our service area to take advantage of this great opportunity to explore the world of science,” said VGCC Science Department Chair Steve McGrady. “We will have fun, hands-on activities that involve various sciences and allow campers to explore STEM career fields such as biotechnology, electronics and pharmacy. Our outstanding VGCC faculty members collaborate each year to make this a learning experience that is unlike anything available in our four-county area.”

The cost to attend the camp is $125, which includes lunch each day and a camp T-shirt.

Parents can now register their campers online at www.vgcc.edu/camps. For more information, contact Steve McGrady at (252) 738-3339 or mcgradys@vgcc.edu.

“Discover History Worth Repeating” in Warrenton

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

— by Craig Hahn

Discover History Worth Repeating is up and running in Edenton, Halifax and Warrenton. This program is a unique collaboration of three historic North Carolina towns coming together in a joint effort to market and promote themselves as connected tourist destinations. Involving elected officials and staff, the common thread among the three towns is a strong core of history and historic sites that are significant not only to the state but to the entire nation.

On occasion, it is important to repeat significant events of the past and each town has examples to “Discover History Worth Repeating”. Edenton with its Tea Party was home to a political protest organized by women in response to the Tea Act, passed by the British Parliament in 1773. Halifax with its Resolves was the site of the first official action by an American Colony calling for independence from Great Britain. Warrenton, home of the “first” architect of North Carolina, Jacob Holt, blended architectural styles while sending his workforce of sixty craftsmen to build colleges in Raleigh, Oxford and Randolph County.

The passport tour leads visitors through the participating towns and the passports are stamped at each historic, merchant, or artisan location. Hands-on activities in each town are tailored for kids of all ages: re-signing the resolves in Halifax, building architectural elements in Warrenton and cruising the bay where the Tea Party occurred in Edenton. Passport holders share their experiences online and register for giveaways and prizes.

For more information or to print a passport visit www.historyworthrepeating.org. Preprinted passports are available at any of the following locations:

Warrenton:

 Jacob Holt House – 122 S. Bragg Street

 Quilt Lizzy – 115 E. Market Street

 Town Hall – 133 S. Main Street

 Hardware Café – 106 S. Main Street

 Robinson Ferry Restaurant – 111 N. Bragg Street

 The Scarlet Rooster – 117 N. Main Street

 Friends Two – 126 S. Main Street

There are plenty of activities to do around Warrenton as part of “Discover History Worth Repeating”…

– Scavenge for relics at the Jacob Holt House.

– Build an architectural model with an artisan’s guidance at the Jacob Holt House.

– Design and make a quilt square using Underground Railroad symbols at Quilt Lizzy.

– Wander through Warrenton at your own pace and see North Carolina’s most extensive inventory of antebellum architecture in one place…start at Town Hall or the Jacob Holt House.

The website is www.historyworthrepeating.org. Great work from a number of dedicated people throughout Warrenton and Warren County!

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Norlina Market Festival Kicks Off Sat., May 19

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

The Norlina Market Festival is the biggest celebration to come to Norlina to highlight and celebrate farming and agriculture!

There will be fresh foods, produce, goods & services available from local and neighboring county farms. The celebration includes live music, fun & exciting games, arts, crafts, food trucks, vendors, fresh locally grown fruits, fresh locally grown vegetables, locally raised meats, and more!!! This family event will take place on Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Norlina Junction Park on Liberty Street near the Norlina Post Office in downtown Norlina.

If you’re interested in setting up goods for sale or to educate the participants…or if you have a food truck you’re looking to set up at the event, please contact Latarshia Turner-Brothers via Facebook or call her at (252) 425-9845. You may also email her at newlifeofwellness@gmail.com.

This Festival is a result of the Revitalization & Planning Committee for the town of Norlina. Headed up by Norlina resident Latarshia Turner-Brothers, this committee is designed to give local families an opportunity to attend events without having to leave the county.

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Warren County to Recognize Historic Communities with Signs

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

Warren County’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is moving forward with its program to preserve County history. Permanent signs will eventually be placed across the county in communities contributing to the history and development of Warren County. To date, four pilot communities have been designated: Ridgeway, Russell Union, Arcola/Bethlehem and Soul City.

Citizens seeking to be included in this new effort are still needed to form committees to research their communities’ history, select a roadside site where motorists can pull over to read the sign and to raise funds for the purchase of the signs (similar in appearance to the silver-toned signs already in the county). The County’s Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department working in conjunction with the HPC will select a company to produce the signs similar to what is done for State markers through the State Historic Preservation Office.

Signs have been researched to cost approximately $2000 and funding is available to assist the Ridgeway, Russell Union, Arcola/Bethlehem and Soul City in starting their respective efforts. Communities that raise the necessary remaining funds would need to have checks written out to Warren County General Fund and delivered/mailed to:

Warren County Planning/Zoning and Code Enforcement Department

Attn: Ken Krulik

542 West Ridgeway Street

Warrenton, NC 27589

Ken Krulik, Planning and Zoning Administrator, as staff to the HPC, shall maintain records of funds collected and from which community. In an earlier article he said “In identifying the various communities with these signs, those who visit our county and those who reside here can learn more about its history and contributions as well as how these local areas were formed. Through this new program, the HPC is working to preserve and promote these communities as well as protect our county’s cultural heritage.”

The signs will include the name of the community, historical information such as when the community was established and why it is prominent in Warren County’s history, the county seal and the county’s tourism website address, where additional information can be viewed. The HPC plans to partner on the project with the county library, which can archive additional historical information about the communities, such as genealogical research and photographs.

Community members interested in participating or getting more information may contact Ken Krulik at (252) 257-7027,    (252) 257-3037, or KenKrulik@warrencountync.gov.