Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival coming up July 8th

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by Craig Hahn

It’s one of my favorite events of the year…the Annual Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival. Join your friends and neighbors on 8 July from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Departments for this iconic festival. Enjoy cantaloupes, Brunswick stew, hot dogs and festive refreshments. Come see historical displays, kiddie rides, horseback rides, local entertainment and crafts! This event is free!

You can start the morning with a run in the Ridgeway 5K races. For information and registration, visit the Ridgeway Historical Society’s website. This race starts at 8:00 a.m. and the entry fee is just $25.00. You can also contact Tommy Tucker at 252-213-0429 or tucthm@aol.com.

The Ridgeway Historical Society promotes the history of Ridgeway and its people. It hosts the annual Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival and Ridgeway 5K run as well as other fundraising events. It operates a museum of the history of its people and of the area.

See you on the 8th on US 1 in the heart of Ridgeway!

Local Teachers Attend Summer Professional Development Training

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

June 20, 2017 

Career and Technical Education teachers in Vance County Schools are joining their counterparts from Granville, Franklin and Warren counties in a three-day “AMSTA Summer Cruisers” professional development training this week.

The educators are shown in the accompanying photo as they worked on an activity during their “Lean Manufacturing” training today in the Vance County Schools’ Administrative Services Center.

They began the training on June 19 and toured the Dill Air Controls and Revlon manufacturing plants in Granville County. They also heard presentations on youth services and how to best prepare students to be career and college ready. In addition to the manufacturing training session today, they also are touring the bioMerieux plant in Durham County. They will conclude their participation in the AMSTA event tomorrow at Franklinton High School in Franklin County, where they will meet with state commerce officials and listen to educational presentations including a session entitled, “School Choice and the Impact on Public Schools.”

Missing Teenager Reported in Henderson

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The Henderson Police Department request your assistance in locating the following missing person.

BRANDON WILLIAMS
Age 16
DOB 04/20/2001
Black Male
4’ 5
100 lbs
Black hair/ Brown eyes
Last scene 06/09/2017 around 8:00AM

VGCC to offer Enrollment Day on June 29

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Vance-Granville Community College will hold “Enrollment Day” on Thursday, June 29, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., at all four of its campuses.

During those extended hours, VGCC admissions, financial aid and advising staff members will be ready to assist anyone who is interested in enrolling at the college for the Fall 2017 semester, which starts on Aug. 14.

Students are encouraged to pre-register at www.vgcc.edu/enrollmentday.

Refreshments and free VGCC t-shirts will be available for incoming students on Enrollment Day while supplies last.

VGCC’s Main Campus is located on Poplar Creek Road in Vance County (about midway between Henderson and Oxford) at the intersection with Interstate 85 (Exit 209).

The Franklin County Campus is located just west of Louisburg on N.C. 56.

South Campus is on N.C. 56 between Creedmoor and Butner.

The Warren County Campus is located at 210 West Ridgeway Street (U.S. 158 Business) in Warrenton.

Registration for classes at VGCC is ongoing, through Aug. 10. For more information on enrolling for the fall, call (252) 738-3234 or visit any campus.

–VGCC–

Troxler encourages horse owners to vaccinate against EEE

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RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging North Carolina horse owners to have their animals vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis.

“Triple E is a mosquito-borne disease that causes inflammation or swelling of the brain and spinal cord in equine and is usually fatal,” Troxler said. “The disease is preventable by vaccination.”

There were nine recorded cases of EEE in horses in North Carolina in 2016, but the mild winter could cause that number to go up this year, State Veterinarian Doug Meckes said.

Symptoms of EEE include impaired vision, aimless wandering, head pressing, circling, inability to swallow, irregular staggering gait, paralysis, convulsions and death. Once a horse has been bitten by an infected mosquito, it may take three to 10 days for symptoms to appear.

“If your horses or other equine animals exhibit any symptoms of EEE, contact your veterinarian immediately,” Meckes said.

Meckes recommends that equine owners talk to their veterinarians about an effective vaccination protocol to protect horses from EEE and another mosquito-borne disease, West Nile virus. The combo vaccination initially requires two shots, 30 days apart, for horses, mules and donkeys that have no prior vaccination history. Meckes recommends a booster shot every six months.

Mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days, so removing any source of standing water can reduce the chance of exposing animals to WNV or EEE. Keeping horses in stalls at night, using insect screens and fans and turning off lights after dusk can also help reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Insect repellants can be effective if used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

People, horses and birds can become infected from a bite by a mosquito carrying the diseases, but there is no evidence that horses can transmit the viruses to other horses, birds or people through direct contact.

Tammy Care Takes Home Maria Parham Health’s 2017 Mercy Award

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Maria Parham Health recently announced that Tammy Care has been recognized as the hospital’s 2017 Mercy Award winner. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of LifePoint Health’s hospitals who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded.

The Mercy Award is an annual recognition program established in 2002 to honor the life of Scott Mercy, LifePoint’s founding chairman and chief executive officer. The award is considered the highest honor a LifePoint employee can receive.

“At Maria Parham Health, we share LifePoint’s commitment to Making Communities Healthier, and we recognize this is supported by the good work and service of our employees on and off the job,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “We are extremely proud to recognize Tammy Care for her efforts on behalf of our patients and our community. She goes above and beyond each and every day to ensure that every person she encounters receives the highest level of care and compassion.”

Tammy and her family moved to Henderson in 1999. She has been employed at Maria Parham Health for ten years and is an active member on many committees in the hospital including Sepsis, Infection Prevention, Emergency Management and Cardiac/Stroke Accreditation. Giving back to her community and volunteering for the betterment of others are two very important components to her lifestyle. Care prepares and serves meals the 2nd Sunday of every month to those in need, and every summer her and her husband take a week to work with middle and high school students on annual mission trips. Care is also active in many organizations in the community including the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, Llocal high school swim teams, and the local men’s shelter.

Each hospital winner, including Care, will be considered for LifePoint’s 2017 company-wide Mercy Award. The company-wide winner will be announced this summer and honored during a ceremony in Nashville, Tenn., in August, to which Care and all hospital winners are invited to attend.

Master Gardener Program June 2017

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— written by Paul McKenzie
— courtesy Vance County Cooperative Extension

You might think you would need to be a master of gardening to become a volunteer in NC Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Program. Not true! The training we provide gives you everything you need to join our team. Once trained, you will be prepared to help out with our demonstration gardens, youth education projects, community outreach, gardening newsletters and much more. You will also join a group of very friendly people who love to keep on learning. You can learn more and meet some of our members at the following events:

  • Open House in Warrenton on June 13th, 11 am to 1 pm at the NC Cooperative Extension Office (158 Rafters Ln. in Warrenton).
  • Open House in Henderson on June 27th, 11 am to 1 pm at the NC Cooperative Extension office (305 Young St. in Henderson).
  • Information table at the Warren County Farmers Market on June 10th.
  • Information table at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market on June 17th.

Get more information and fill out our “interest” form at https://go.ncsu.edu/mgvw. Or you can email paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or call 252-213-6095.

—
Paul McKenzie
Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties
NC Cooperative Extension
305 Young St., Henderson, NC 27536
158 Rafters Ln., Warrenton, NC 27589
https://www.ces.ncsu.edu
252.438.8188 (Vance) 252.257.3640 (Warren)
@pgmckenzie

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Boys and Girls Club Recognizes 2017 Graduates

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Dre’ Terry will graduate with the Class of 2017, on June 9th, 2017 from Roanoke Rapids High School.  Dre’ will be graduating as a member of DECA and the National Honor Society.  Dre’ plays football, basketball as well as runs track, all while maintaining a 3.8 GPA.  The talented football and basketball player will be majoring in Mathematics, with a minor in Coaching at Chowan University.  Dre’ has signed a letter on intent to play football for Chowan in the fall.  Dre’ has been a member of the Boys and Girls Club since he was in elementary school..  We are so very proud of Dre’.

Christopher Blue has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 7 years. As a member Chris has participated in all programs offered. Chris is a member of the 2016 & 2017 African American Quiz Bowl Team, the Keystone Club President, & the 2016 & 2017 Youth of the Year. Chris has earned a position at the Boys & Girls Club as an activity leader. Chris graduated from Vance Granville Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Arts and Science on May 12, 2017 and from Vance County Early College on May 26, 2017. Chris plans to attend Fayetteville State University pursuing a degree in Pre-Dentistry.

Timothy Terry joined the Boys & Girls Club on his 18th birthday and considers it the biggest mistake of his life. Tim regrets not joining the club at an earlier age. While at the Boys & Girls Club Tim worked hard not just at programs but being a leader. As a result of his hard work and leadership Tim earned a position as an Employee. As an employee Tim has created a program Called NBA at the Club. NBA @ The Club allows older members to mentor younger members using the sports of basketball and cheer leading. One of the main focuses is to teach the importance of being a student athlete. Tim graduated from Vance County Early College on May 26th and is on his way to Shaw University to major in Recreation Management and minor in Computer and Information Sciences.

Jaylil Majette has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 6 years. As a member Jaylil participated in various programs and Trips. Jaylil was a member of the first place 2015 and 2017 African American Quiz Bowl team. He was also a member of the 16-18 Boys & Girls Club traveling basketball Team. Jaylil is undecided as to where he will be attending this fall but has been accepted to Greensboro College, Pfeiffer University and is awaiting on acceptance letters from Fayetteville State University, and Elizabeth City State University. Jaylil will graduate from Vance County Early College on May 26, 2017.

Ileq Jones has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 9 years. As a member Ileq has participated in all programs offered. As Ileq got older his involvement in athletics took him away from the Club but he always kept up his membership so that he could attend when he could. Ileq will be graduating from Southern Vance High School on June 10, 2017 with plans to attend the North Carolina Central University pursuing a degree in Engineering. Ileq has recently been accepted into the Stem program for Engineers to get hands on experience and college credits starting in June.

Kristofer Taylor has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 9 years. As a member Kris has participated in all programs that the club has offered. Kris has been a member of the Keystone Club (leadership club), and traveling basketball team. Kris will be graduating from Northern Vance High School on June 10, 2017 with plans to attend East Carolina University pursuing a degree in Sports Medicine & Business.

Quincy Henderson has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club for 5 years. Standing 6’4” he is known as “Teddy” the Teddy Bear. Quincy has been the alternate for the 2016 & 2017 African American Bowl teams and one of the biggest cheerleaders for the 16-18 traveling basketball team. Quincy will graduate Southern Vance High School on June 10, 2017 with plans to attend Vance Granville Community College to pursue a trade in welding.

Lawrence Hodge an Army Vet and 911 first responder came to the Boys  & Girls Club Franklin County Unit as a volunteer looking to help mentor our youth and support Great Futures. While volunteering Lawrence was attending Vance Granville in pursuit of an Associates in Applied Science-Health and Human Services. Somewhere along the way a kitchen manager position at our Vance County unit opened up and Lawrence was the right person to fill it. Lawrence is responsible for preparing food everyday for 3 of our clubs in Vance, Granville, and Franklin counties.

On Friday, May 22, 2017 Lawrence graduated with an Associates in Applied Science-Health and Human Services and walked across the stage with his two children also graduating. We are so proud to have our staff member reach his fullest potential.

Lawrence Plans on pursuing his dream of educating the public about the Prevention, Intervention, and Education of Domestic Violence. He will use his knowledge and business “Real Men Against Domestic Violence”  to make a difference for victims everywhere.

Update: Water Situation in Henderson

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM CITY MANAGER FRANK FRAZIER

CITY OF HENDERSON, NC

TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2017

THE KERR LAKE REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM IS NOW PUMPING FINISHED WATER AT ITS NORMAL RATE.  MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION HAS BEEN LIFTED; HOWEVER THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

BASED ON THE CONTINUAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PUMP RUN FAILURE IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE SCADA (SUPERVISORY CONTROL AND DATA ACQUISITION) SYSTEM.

VGCC Golf Tournament sets new record with more than $116,000 raised

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Vance-Granville Community College’s 33rd annual Endowment Fund Golf Tournament, presented by Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, hit a new record total by raising $116,675 to help fund scholarships for deserving students and support the mission of the college. That result surpassed the $104,160 generated in 2016, in what was previously the highest-grossing golf tournament in VGCC history.

A total of 161 golfers formed 41 teams to play in either the morning or the afternoon round on May 2, 2017, at Henderson Country Club.

“We are so appreciative of all the golfers and sponsors who demonstrated their commitment to education and economic development again this year,” said VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams. “Such strong community support made this our most successful tournament ever and beat our previous fundraising record for the sixth consecutive year. Since 1985, VGCC golf tournaments have now raised more than $862,000, making a significant impact on our students and our college.”

At the dinner held to round out the day, players received trophies as they also took home an assortment of door prizes and participated in a silent auction. VGCC student Evan O’Geary of Henderson, who is also the reigning “Miss Henderson,” expressed her thanks to those who participated in the tournament.

In the morning round, the team of Jordan Peterson, Michael Patterson, Tim Gemmell and Billy Gillispie took home the “first net” trophy.

The team of Xavier Wortham, Cecil Lockley, Darryl Moss and Mike Bonfield won “second net.”

The “first gross” trophy went to the AAA team of Hal Finch, Kyle Holtzman, David Thomas and Blair Thomas.

In the afternoon round, the Union Bank team, which included John Burns, Gene Edmundson, Andrew Byrd and Carlston Harris, finished with the “first net” score.

The team of Jan Fletcher, Steve McNally, George Foster and Steven Brame won “second net.”

The “first gross” trophy in the afternoon went to the Institutional Interiors team of Tim Hill, Billy Stanton, Macy Foster and George Watkins.

Dennis Daniel took the longest-drive prize on Hole 1 in the morning round, while Tripp Watkins of the Rose Oil team had the longest drive in the afternoon.

David Rigsbee of the Durham Coca-Cola team won the closest to the pin prize on Hole 11 in the morning, and Chris Cheever of the MR Williams team took that honor in the afternoon round.

Numerous companies and individuals supported the VGCC tournament as sponsors. In addition to presenting sponsor Santa Fe Natural Tobacco, the “Premier Sponsors” included Ardagh; Charles Boyd Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC; Bridgestone; Carolina Commonwealth; Coldwell Banker Advantage; Duke Energy; Durham Coca-Cola; First Citizens Bank Investor Services; Glen Raven; Maria Parham Health; Novozymes North America, Inc.; Private Wealth Management of N.C.; Robling Medical; Rose Oil Company; Union Bank; Universal Leaf North America U.S., Inc.; and Wester Insurance Agency.

Platinum sponsors were Altec; CertainTeed; Granville Health System; HD Supply; Institutional Interiors; Inter Technologies Corporation; K-Flex; Kilian Engineering; MR Williams; Park Automation; Sullins Engineering; The Athlete’s Foot; Vanco Outdoor Equipment; and Variety Stores, Inc.

Gold sponsors for the tournament were Carolina Sunrock; Encore Technology Group; Golden Skillet; Ted’s Catering Service; and Winston International.

Green sponsors included 220 Seafood Restaurant; Backyard Retreat Pools & Spas; Barnett Real Properties, Inc.; Bearpond Fresh Market; Burger King; CEI – The Digital Office; Cleary & Spears, DDS, PA; Dr. Ben Currin; Greystone Concrete Products; H.G. Reynolds; MARS Petcare; Mast Drug Company; Mpact Training Solutions; Nick & Sons Truck Repair; Prim Development & Residential Rentals; RFR Metal Fabrication; Southern Laundry; Vescom North America; Wake Electric Membership Corporation; Watkins Plumbing; J.M. White Funeral Service; and Keith and Stelfanie Williams.

Silver sponsors were AAA Gas & Appliance Company and Circuit Technology, Inc.

Tee box sponsors were Ahner Security; ARC3 Gases; Dr. Angela Ballentine; Banzet, Thompson, & Styers PLLC; Brame Specialty Company; Brassfield Commercial Realty; C & P Body Shop; Carolina Country Snacks; Stacey Carter-Coley; Dave Carver; Century 21 Country Knolls Realty, Inc.; City Tire, Inc.; Clayton Homes-Oxford; Comfort Zone Designers; Cross & Currin Attorneys at Law; Dave, Kay and Alexandria Currin; Dabney Drive Animal Hospital; Alex Drake, DDS, PA; Early Insurance Services, Inc.; EarlyFalsom Properties, Inc.; Encore Technology Group; Eddie and Debra Ferguson; Flowers Funeral Home; Frazco, Inc. Insurance – Real Estate; Fred’s Towing & Transport, Inc.; Granville County EDC; Hight Warehouses, Inc.; Hopper, Hicks, Wrenn, PLLC; Innovative Green Builders; Medical Arts Pharmacy; Morton and Sherman Implement Co., Inc.; Mosely Plumbing Company, Inc.; Marsha J. Nelson; One Source Document Solutions; Pete Smith’s Tire and Quick Lube; Phillips Dorsey Thomas Waters & Brafford, P.A.; Professional Pharmacy-Oxford; REW Medical Wear; Riggs-Harrod; Robco; Sam Royster, Attorney at Law; Sherman & Boddie, Inc.; Skipper Forsyth’s Bar-B-Q; Southern Educational Systems; Stainback, Satterwhite & Zollicoffer, PLLC; Sunrise Biscuits of Oxford; The Daily Dispatch; Curtis and Joanne Thompson; Vance Construction Company; Vance-Granville Deans; VGCC Communications Department; VGCC Franklin Campus; VGCC South Campus; Waste Industries, Inc.; Whitco Bug Warriors; J.M. White Funeral Service; William L. Stark and Company; and WOW Wash on Wheels.

The following individuals and businesses made contributions or other gifts to support the tournament:

Ace Hardware of Oxford; Bamboo Garden; Bojangles; Carolina Country Snacks; City Tire; Cracker Barrel of Henderson; Fastenal; George’s of Henderson; Golden Skillet; Harvest; Bob Hubbard; Ichibar; Institutional Interiors Inc.; International Paper; Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse; Nan’s Young Fashions; Pino’s; Rose Oil Company; Schewels Furniture Company; Smithfield’s Chicken ‘n Bar-B-Q;  Staffmark; Stella & Dot – Michele Burgess; Tarheel Vending and Wholesale; The Angus Barn; The Peanut Roaster; Tournament Promotions; Vance Furniture; Vanco Equipment Services; Variety Wholesalers/Roses Stores; Robert Winston; Jim Beck; Jim Crawford; Joe and Betty Jo Hamme; Ann Lee;   John Nelms; Newton Instrument Company; Revlon; Tom Robinson, Jr., CPA; Tru-Green Landscaping; Linda Weaver; and Sara Wester.

Each year, the golf tournament is the major fundraising event for the VGCC Endowment Fund, through which more than 8,800 scholarships have been awarded to students since 1982. Scholarships have been established by individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. For more information, call (252) 738-3409.

–VGCC–