Take Back North Carolina Initiative Press Conf

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Wednesday afternoon at 3:30, the United States Attorney’s Office conducted a press conference at the Henderson Police Department. The audio of the press conference is available here. Discussed was the beginning of a new initiative to combat violent and drug crime in the Eastern District of North Carolina. This initiative will bring the full weight and resources of the federal court system in the fight against crime in the counties of Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and all the counties of the Eastern District of NC in partnership with the District Attorneys’ offices and federal, state and local law enforcement. The initiative will also focus on the alarming level of opioid use and the deaths associated with it. The speaker was United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. and in attendance were the Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin County sheriffs as well as the Police Chief of Henderson, Oxford and Louisburg. Also present were the District Attorney for the 9th Prosecutorial District and the ADA. According to what was said at the press conference, the goal is to reverse the trends where violent crimes and drug-related deaths have shot up in the last couple of years both in North Carolina, specifically the Eastern District, and across the nation. Higdon said opioid use is higher in eastern NC than the rest of the state. He essentially said the federal government in recent years had stopped using all its tools to prosecute the worst offenders and charge them with the worst crime. He said the work was already underway and through cooperation among law enforcement agencies and local and federal prosecutors, the goal was to significantly reduce crime by getting the worst offenders in federal court as fast as possible. He said when death was involved in a drug case, a federal court can us a 20 year mandatory sentence. He said when a gun is in the possession of the offender five years can be added to the sentence, and that goes to seven years if the gun is brandished and 10 years if the gun is discharged. He said there would be a 14-day plea deadline, and it was best if the offender plead guilty to reduce his/her sentence and because the penalties would be consistent for offenders and the punishment would fit the crime. Crimes against a law enforcement officer would be given a priority. He said there would be seizure of assets – cash, car, house, business. He said the federal courts would be going after medical professionals who administer drugs inappropriately. He said he hoped to deter crime rather than have to prosecute.

Warren County Logo

Warren County Farmers Market Now Open!

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-Courtesy of Chamber Connections, the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County’s weekly newsletter

The Warren County Farmers Market is now open!

Here’s a little of what you’ll find in 2018:

Produce – Spring onions – Turnip greens – Purple kale – Bok Choy – Small organic freshly cut Nozaki Chinese cabbages – Lettuce  Plants – Pineapple Sage – English Lavender – Thyme – Tri-Color Sage – Oswego Tea – Blood Sorrel – Peppermint – French Tarragon – Stevia – Fraises Des Bois – Eggs – Chicken – Duck Meat -Steaks, roasts, a variety of beef sausages and ground beef – Whole chickens as well as skinless, boneless breasts and skinless legs/thighs; Sauces – Curry (Hot and Mild) – Jerk (Hot and Mild) – Brown (Hot and Mild); Baked goods – Blueberry crumb cake – Lemon pound cake – Chocolate pound cake with lemon drizzle – Old-fashioned pound cake – Cheese bread – Cranberry/orange muffins – Brownies – Banana nut bread.

Syrups – Honey – Blackstrap molasses; Flowers – Flower bouquets – Shasta Daisy potted plants – Planted bulbs of Stargazer & Casablanca Lilies – Flower Photographs; Framed Poetry; Crafts Fit of Pique Garden Pots, including Strawberry Jars; Diffuser brackets; Dog Treats – Organic and All Natural Biscuits, Crunchy Peanut Butter and Bacon Cheddar Barley Bones including a “Lucky Buck” for $1 discount on future Farmers Market purchases.

If you have any questions, please call Danylu Hundley at 252-213-1795. The Warren County Farmers Market is located in Historic Downtown Warrenton in the BB&T parking lot at the corner of Macon & Bragg Streets and open Saturdays from 8 a.m. – Noon. Looking for more information? Call 252-257-3640 or visit www.warrengrowers.com.

According to Hundley, “Our vendors will be excited to see you, and we hope that you will enjoy seeing “seasoned” vendors and meeting new ones! We are excited that our market is growing this year and will continue to grow as the season moves forward. Come out and support your Warren County farmers and craftspeople. We have been hard at work during the cold weather in preparation for YOU!”

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Warren Co. Chamber of Commerce Office Moving

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In the next several weeks, the office of the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County will be moving just down the block and across the street. The new location will be at 131 South Main Street – in the Warrenton Insurance building.

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)

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Vance County Regional Farmers Market Opens Sat. (WOW!!!)

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— submitted by Tracy Madigan, Market Manager

Farmers Market Begins 2018 Season This Saturday

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will begin its 2018 season Saturday, April 21 with their second annual Spring Fling Produce, Plants & Crafts market. Featuring over 30 vendors, the market will have a variety of local spring produce, baked and canned goods, garden plants, herbs, flowers and vegetables, locally raised beef, pork and eggs plus lots of unique craft items. The event will be at the VCRFM, 210 Southpark Dr. from 8am to 2pm.

Granville County’s Harvey Hills Farm, a certified nursery, will have an assortment of herbs and vegetables for planting in your own garden including several types of heirloom tomatoes. They also sell flowers for your gardens as well as hanging baskets and potted plants. Co-owner Carrie Harvey will be on hand to offer planting advice and share her extensive horticultural knowledge. Robert and Nancy Ohlmann of Apple Hill Farm in Granville County will be bringing leafy greens and spring vegetables. The Ohlmann’s also have bedding plants and flowers. New this year for Apple Hill Farm, Nancy will be selling her handmade craft items. Bill and Camille Graves of Stone Bridge Farm will have everything you need for a delicious salad including kale, spinach, swiss chard, several types of lettuce, eggs and even some horseradish to add zing. Relatively new to our area, Bill & Camille chose Vance County for their home after retiring and began a whole new career as specialty farmers! In the few short years they have been establishing Stone Bridge Farm, they have accomplished amazing things growing distinctive, unconventional produce. If lucky, you may even be able to get some duck eggs at their booth. The Short’s Family Farm will be bringing sweet potatoes, potatoes and green house tomatoes. Depending on the weather, they may have strawberries and a few other surprises. Be sure to stop by their booth to congratulate Will on his baseball scholarship to Barton and see how much taller Hampton has grown! Don’t forget to grab some fresh local shitake and oyster mushrooms for your salad from Henderson Natural Farm. Located in Norlina and owned by James and Earlean Henderson, Henderson Natural Farm specializes in organically grown mushrooms. James offers cooking ideas and recipes centered on his delicious mushrooms. He can also enlighten you on the many healthy and nutritional benefits of mushrooms which are popular stir fried, grilled, sautéed and in soups. Calvin Adcock of Adcock Farm in Vance County has an array of canned vegetables, jellies, preserves, sauces, chow-chow, honey and fresh seasonal vegetables. Try some of Calvin’s mouthwatering products and you will see why he was chosen 2017 Vance County Small Farmer of the Year. The Vance County Master Gardeners be in attendance with an information booth, ready to answer your gardening questions or assist with planting needs.

Looking for great local meat to go with your spring vegetables and salads? The VCRFM has it! JW Creek Farms in Granville County specializes in pasture raised beef and free range chickens. Owner Janice Murphey and her husband William raise Angus Herefordshire beef. From ground beef, ribeye steaks, and tenderloins to Osso Bucco, beef kabobs, London Broil and everything in between, JW Creek Farms has the beef! Let William explain the advantages of eating pasture raised beef and share cooking instructions. Having trouble finding safe eggs at the supermarket lately? Not to worry, JW Creek has plenty of fresh safe local eggs available. Are you looking for a Boston Butt, pork tenderloin, or savory pork chops? Faulkner Family Farms sells local, pasture raised pork products including bacon, sausages and kielbasa. Located in Vance County, the Faulkner Family Farm has been in the Faulkner family since the 1870’s. The seventh generation of Faulkners currently live and work on the farm. Operated by Don Faulkner, Jr., son Gray and nephew Steven Jones, FFF offers a variety of summer and fall vegetables in addition to their pork products. They will be selling their pork at the Spring Fling Saturday and will add vegetables and melons to their offerings as the season progresses. Dixon and Sons Farms, located in Granville County, is a GAP and Organic Certified 200 + acre family farm. Owners Jason & Terry Dixon grow strawberries, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, deer corn and pasture raised pork. This Saturday the Dixon’s will be selling their pork and, if ripe, their locally famous strawberries. Yum!

Enhance your farmers market meal of fresh spring produce and meats with a bottle of wine from Vance County’s sole winery, Backroad Farms and Vineyard. Owners Dr. Eric & Deborah Price will be offering their Hicksboro Red and Williamsboro White estate wines at Saturday’s Spring Fling. This will be vintner Eric’s second year of making and selling wine, though Deborah has been tending the vines for about eight years. After many years away as a business professional, Deborah is now the fourth generation in her family to farm the lands of Backroad Farms and Vineyard. A former Master Gardner, Deborah grows seasonal vegetables and fruits. In addition to having kale, Muscadine grape cider and grape juice, Muscadine salsa, dried lavender and honey from BFV’s hives, Deborah, also a talented craftswoman, will be offering some of her crafts. Look for her luffa sponges and other surprises. Be sure to take some local wines home and raise a glass toasting spring and all the wonderful goodies available at your farmers market.

Finish off your farmers market meal with delectable sweets available at Spring Fling. Our beloved Ada Clifton of Ms. Ada’s Baked Goods, a VCRFM icon, will be selling her scrumptious baked goods at Saturday’s Spring Fling. Known for her pies, sweet breads, rolls, jellies and preserves, Ms. Ada is sure to have something for everyone’s sweet tooth. Wake County’s Cakes Delish will be on hand offering their melt-in-your-mouth good cupcakes. Baker Bertha Cepeda creates a variety of cupcakes with original flavors, often using seasonal fruits. Cakes Delish is a small family bakery specializing in custom cakes and cupcakes. Stop by their booth and have Bertha’s son, Sam, assist you in your selection. He can also take custom cake orders for every “delish-ious” occasion. Henderson’s own Yummy Little Cakes will be bringing a plethora of sweet treats to Spring Fling. Owners Valerie and Woody Davis offer mini-loaves, scones, muffins, cupcakes, miniature Victoria sponge cakes and miniature Battenberg cakes.

Treat yourself, friends and family to special one-of-a-kind handmade crafts from our many talented local craft vendors. You will find crocheted and hand sewn dish clothes, wash cloths, sponges, and towels by Angelique Clay, owner of Vance County’s The Eclectic Peacock. She also hand makes scented soaps, key fobs, padded sunglasses cases, tissue pack covers and more. Also crafting with The Eclectic Peacock is Granville County artist Tammy Atkinson. Tammy’s beautiful hand painted stemware and glassware enhance any table setting and her custom wine glasses are perfect for sipping BFV estate wines! She also makes fun bow and arrows sets for children, but don’t worry, they are cloth tipped for safe play. Original wreaths and bows made by Vance County’s Laureen Wilkins may be found at Laureen’s Creations. Specializing in seasonal and themed wreaths, Laureen will also make customized wreaths to your specifications. Have a favorite sports team and want to show your support? Laureen has college and school wreaths. For beautiful decorative home products, Mill Creek Alpaca Farm in Clarksville, Va. has fused glass and stained glass products. Crafter Terry Wooten creates unique mobiles and ornaments as well as hand painted china and porcelain items. Kenneth Fuller creates furniture from barn wood and barn roof tin at his Maul-N-Wedge Barn Wood Furniture shop in Vance County. Find chairs, benches, tables, cabinets and much more at his Spring Fling booth. Peggy Trutt of Durham’s Thread’s Connected Plus Paper will have her signature handmade purses, wallets, credit card holders, bookmarks and much more at her booth on Saturday. Her creations are not only useful, but attractive and original. You will find embroidered towels, napkins, pillows, and purses as well as ceramic trivets and cup holders for your car at Creative Gifts for Missions. Owner Alice Overton of Granville County designs and makes her crafts with a special purpose in mind. She uses her proceeds to raise money for mission trips to help others. Jackie Glover of Glover Crafts will have her original boa scarves and crocheted items at her booth. She also produces necklaces, gloves, hats, and cloths at her Vance County business. You will find bird houses, bat houses, and butterfly houses at her booth too! For original artwork, greeting cards, photography, and ornaments, Boundary Waters Farm has what you need. Vance County artist, crafter and farmer, Cindy Graham uses her many talents to create items based on her surroundings. You will find animal and farm themed items at her booth plus plants, cut flowers, seasonal vegetables and pork. It may be spring, but we still have some cool weather to contend with. Make at stop at Jerri Jones’ Jerri’s Things and find that perfect hand crocheted shawl or wrap to keep you warm. Made in Vance County, wearing her creations will make you the envy of others! Adrian Varney of Vance County will have necklaces, bracelets and candles at her Pretty Tough Stuff Designs booth. Additionally, Adrian is a skilled photographer and will be offering an array of her printed and framed works for sale. For an eclectic mix of sand blasted bottles, glass blocks, glassware, repurposed cabinets & doors, customized Yeti-style cups, hand painted signs, wind chimes and bird houses, check out Junk Drawer Designs. Owner and crafter Heidi Owens of Vance County offers these items and more at her SF booth. Gorgeous handmade semi-precious gemstone and pearl jewelry created by Warren County artisan Suzanne Chiotakis may be found at her Five Crows Over Lick Skillet booth. Choose from a vast selection of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces – all individually designed and created by Suzanne. For some of the finest hand-turned wood crafts to be found anywhere, look no further than Vance County’s own Louis Sachs. Sachs Woodcrafts LLC is located on a farm in rural Vance County. Owner Louis Sachs designs and handcrafts various and unusual wood pieces into hand-turned bowls, platters, cutting boards and other unique custom pieces. No two items are alike and are designed and numbered with the wood type, adding to their character and charm. Visit Louis Saturday at his SF booth and fall in love with his work and craftsmanship. Before you leave Spring Fling, be sure to stop by the Kerr Lake Candles and stock up on hand poured candles and wax melts. Enjoy the wonderful aromatic scents of these creations by Franklin County crafter, Ed Cottle, as you unwind at home after your fun day at Spring Fling.

Press Release on Tommy Ellington’s Murder

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— press release

HENDERSON, NC – On Monday, April 16, 2018, the Vance County Grand Jury returned true bills of indictment against Kevin Burton Munn for Breaking and/or Entering, Felony Larceny, First Degree Murder and Robbery With a Dangerous Weapon in the death of Vance County businessman James Thomas Ellington, Jr. Mr. Munn is also charged with First Degree Murder in the death of Nancy Alford of Lake Gaston on March 9, 2018. These investigations are ongoing, and Mr. Munn is presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty.

Vance County Regional Farmers Market Opens 4-21-18

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— courtesy VCRFM by Tracy Madigan

Vance County Regional Farmers Market  Season Begins April 21st

Mark your calendar. We will be kicking off our 5th season at our current farmers market location. You are invited to come out and celebrate the new season!  Vance County Regional Farmers Market, 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC, Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The Spring Fling Market: Featuring numerous craft vendors, bedding plants for the garden including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and shrubs and locally grown spring produce.

There will also be baked goods, estate wine, canned goods and meat for sale.

Beginning April 28th: The Farmers Market will be open Saturdays only from 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. from April 28 – May 12.

Beginning May 16th: The Farmers Market will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

KEEP IN TOUCH on Facebook.

(Not a paid advertisement.  However, the VCRFM is an advertising client on WIZS, and you will hear this same event advertised.)

MADD’S HIGHEST HONORS TO TROOP C DISTRICT 4

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— submitted by Lorraine Watkins, MADD President

MADD’S HIGHEST HONORS BESTOWED
ON NC HIGHWAY PATROL
TROOP C DISTRICT 4

MADD’S 2017 Annual Awards Banquet was held Thursday, April 5th in Cary, North Carolina. Vance, Franklin and Warren counties “Troop C District 4,” led by 1st Sergeant Jeff Rowan, had three troopers to receive the highest honors for the number of arrests made for keeping our highways safe from drunk and impaired drivers. Flanked by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell, Col. Glen M. McNeill, State Highway Patrol Commander, a judge, district attorneys, lawyers as well as state police officers, sheriff’s and deputies and other state highway patrol officers, the “2017 Enforcer Award” was presented to three of our troopers: Trooper Joseph Thomas, 154 arrests; Trooper Joshua Southerland, 128 arrests; and Trooper Eugene Burrell, 122 arrests. These troopers will tell you it’s not about numbers but saving innocent lives from being ripped from families by senseless acts of an impaired individuals. Our sincere congratulations to all three of these deserving men for a job well-done.

The final highlight of the evening was the presentation of the “Trooper Brandon Peterson Hero Award.” This first-time award was in memory of Trooper Peterson who lost his life in 2017. 1st Sergeant Rowan and his troopers were the recipients of this prestigious award representing the sincere heartfelt compassion of an officer and his team during difficult times for the family of a lost one as well as the perpetrator.

It is very humbling for MADD of Henderson, as young as we are as an organization, to have the honor of such caring troopers at our fingertips. Thank you, 1st Sgt. Rowan, for your sincere dedication and compassion, as well as that of your troopers. It is an honor for me and our team of volunteers to initiate this program, to support you, your men and all law enforcement officers in our city and county that selflessly make the effort to keep our travels safe.

Veteran Actors Join VGCC Students In Cast For Sixth Annual Dinner Theater

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VGCC Dinner Theater — press release

Vance-Granville Community College students will be joined by veteran theater actors for the college’s sixth annual Dinner Theater production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical comedy, at the end of April.

A collaboration of Vance-Granville’s Drama and Culinary departments, the event is scheduled for the evenings of Thursday, April 26, and Friday, April 27. Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. each evening in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. Tickets are being sold online for $30 each.

Among the veterans are Brian Westbrook of Durham, who is serving as guest musical director and choreographer while also playing the role of Comfort Counselor Mitch Mahoney; Andy Dickerson of Henderson, portraying Chip Tolentino; and Peyton Grissom of Oxford, who will portray Rona Lisa Peretti.

Westbrook, originally from Henderson, studied piano in Henderson under Angela Scott and Nella Holden and theater under the direction of Dwight Pearce. He spent nine years with Shadowbox Live in Columbus, Ohio, after studying piano at Appalachian State University. He worked as a band leader, vocal coach and choreographer in Ohio in addition to performing.

Since returning to North Carolina in 2010, Westbrook has been busy in the Triangle area as well as locally. He has served as a director for the Henderson Rec Players (HRP), a choreographer for Granville Little Theater (GLT) and has performed in several shows for the Raleigh Little Theater and Theater in the Park, as well as HRP, GLT and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center. Westbrook most recently played Corny Collins in McGregor’s production of “Hairspray.” His other roles include Lancelot in Monty Python’s “Spamalot,” Beadle Bamford in “Sweeney Todd” and Cosme McMoon in Theatre in the Park’s production of “Glorious!”

He currently works as a marketing manager for the Association of International Certified Public Accountants in Durham and, for the past six years, has been singing with the Duke Chapel Choir.

“I’m so pleased to have Brian work with us on music and choreography in addition to having him take a role in this production,” observed Betsy T. Henderson, director of this Dinner Theater production who also serves as the department chair for Fine Arts and Humanities at VGCC. “It is Brian’s deeply held belief that theater can and is a catalyst for positive change in the world. Brian’s appreciation of the talent and the passion that this area can boast in theater production gives us energy as we work to provide another outstanding live show for our community.”

Dickerson is a 20-year veteran of the Henderson Rec Players in addition to performances for GLT and Temple Theatre in Sanford. Grissom has performed with both HRP and GLT and currently is serving as a board member for Granville Little Theatre. Employed as a registered nurse at Duke University Hospital in Durham, she is an alumnus of Vance-Granville’s nursing program.

Among the students in the cast from VGCC, some of them dually enrolled at VGCC and Granville Early College High School (GECHS) or Vance County Early College High School (VCECHS), are sisters Allison Hines, a “super senior” at GECHS, and Samantha Hines, a junior at VCECHS, playing, respectively, Leaf Coneybear and Olive Ostrovsky; Brittney Patterson, portraying Logainne SchwartzandGrubeniere, in her last year at VCECHS; and VGCC students Nick Kurtz, who plays William Barfee; Blake Lee, portraying Vice Principal Douglas Panch; and Evan O’Geary, playing March Park.

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has charmed audiences with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a vibrant score by William Finn, this “bee” is one unforgettable experience, critics have said.

The action in the comedy centers on an eclectic group of six schoolchildren who are vying to win the coveted spelling bee championship. The tweens candidly disclose hilarious, and often touching, stories from their home lives while spelling their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.

For the occasion, Culinary Arts is preparing a menu featuring meatloaf and vegetables, chicken pot pie and a veggie pot pie in addition to salad and desserts.

Patrons are able to choose the table and specific seats they want at the same time that they buy tickets online. The online link to the ticketing service can be found at www.vgcc.edu/dinnertheater on the college’s website.

— VGCC —

(Not a paid advertisement.)

VGCC President honors Cosmetology department

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VGCC Cosmetology — press release

The president of Vance-Granville Community College, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, recently recognized a group of faculty members for excellence by awarding the “Vanguard Cup” to the college’s Cosmetology department.

The department became the third recipient of the cup, an honor created by Dr. Williams to recognize “exceptional team performance toward the college mission, vision and strategic plan.”

In this case, the president lauded the Cosmetology faculty for their outstanding work on promoting student success on the North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners licensure exam.

“In order to help students achieve professional success, the Cosmetology department set a goal of having 90% of its students pass the state board exam,” Dr. Williams noted. “With clear strategies to accomplish this, they initiated faculty professional development to better prepare students, training videos for students, online modules for student preparation, and a mock state exam review. As a result, this past year, the department exceeded the original goal and achieved a 100% passing rate across all four VGCC campuses.”

Members of the VGCC Cosmetology faculty pose with the “Vanguard Cup.” They include, from left, instructor Wallace Evans, Warren Campus coordinator/instructor Magnolia Terry, program head/instructor Tomeka Moss and Franklin Campus coordinator/instructor Tammy Johnson-Dudding. Other instructors for the program include Vivian Smith, Rhonda Gibbs, Linda Foster, Dorothy Godfrey, Nancy Jackson, Emily Coburn and Salina Alston. (VGCC photo)

The president added, “The Cosmetology faculty are to be commended for their creativity and their commitment. The education, inspiration and support that they provide empowers students to start rewarding careers.”

“We have an exceptionally dedicated team of instructors in the VGCC Cosmetology department who work really hard to ensure our students’ success,” said Program Head Tomeka Moss, who is also a graduate of the program. “Our program’s success is without a doubt a team effort, of which I am extremely proud.”

VGCC offers diploma and certificate programs in Cosmetology, along with a Cosmetology Instructor certificate program. These curriculum programs provide competency-based knowledge, scientific/artistic principles and hands-on fundamentals associated with the cosmetology industry. Students develop their skills in a simulated salon environment at each VGCC campus, located in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties. For more information, contact Tomeka Moss at (252) 738-3357.

–VGCC–