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Churchill-Five Forks VFD Open House to Celebrate 37th Anniversary

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

You can help an incredible group of volunteers at the Churchill-Five Forks Volunteer Fire Department celebrate their 37th anniversary with an open house on Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. (rain or shine)!

There will be food and fun for all ages with demonstrations and tours; important fire, water & health safety info; a car show; Smokey The Bear; Naturalist Frank Newell & his animals and gifts for kids!

Enjoy lunch at the fire department with pork BBQ sandwiches, hotdogs, chips, drinks and desserts all for sale. And if you’d like some great barbeque for later, it’s only $8 per pound.

Join in the fun of raffles for cash prizes, quilts and gift baskets!

As a public service, the Churchill-Five Forks VFD invites you to bring in your fire extinguisher to be refilled and picked up at a later date or bring your old extinguishers for disposal.

The Churchill-Five Forks VFD is located at 1168 Churchill Road in Macon.

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Warren County Schools NASA SEMAA/STEM Program Summer Camps

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

Jerome Williams, WCS STEM/SEMAA Director, is announcing Warren County Schools NASA SEMAA (Science, Engineering, Mathematics & Aerospace Academy)/STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) in Partnership with NASA MUREP Aerospace Program @ ECSU will hold its annual summer interactive Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Camps at Warren County High School on the following dates:

 CAMP ONE – June 11 to June 15, 2018

 CAMP TWO – June 18 to June 22, 2018

 CAMP THREE – June 25 to June 29, 2018

The NASA-SEMAA program has been located in Warren County Schools since 1998. This STEM-based program has a history of providing rich and fulfilling activities for school-age students in the Northcentral region of North Carolina and South Central Virginia. Students have attended the program as far away as Baltimore, Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia.

This year the Warren County Schools NASA SEMAA program is pleased to offer students the opportunity to experience firsthand the exciting world of rocketry design, flight simulation, robot assembly, First Lego League training courses, drones design and operation, 3D printing and manufacturing technology, coding and game design, video and sound production, just to name a few.

Sessions will run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and are free and open to all students currently in grades kindergarten to 12. Free breakfast and lunches will be provided to all students in the program. Parents are encouraged to participate in some of the activities as well. Moreover, this summer the camps will have a concentrated focus on the application of mathematics in science and introduce the next generation science standard which is essential to future college and career pathways opportunities.

Bus transportation will be provided for Warren County Schools’ students. Encourage your children to attend one of these STEM camps and take full advantage of the STEM activity offerings provided this year.

Applications can be found and downloaded at the following website: wcsemaa-nc.weebly.com. Once completed it can be emailed to stem-semaa@warrenk12nc.org or mailed to the following:

Mr. Jerome Williams

Warren County SEMAA

149 Campus Drive

Warrenton, NC 27589

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

— 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

— 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

— 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!

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Warren County Animal Ark FREE Rabies Shots

— 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.

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Announcing Warren County’s First Annual BBQ Cookoff!

— 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

— 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.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

VGCC Plans Science Camp for Middle School Students

-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

— 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!