Warren County Middle School Presents ‘Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR.’ April 30

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Warren County Middle School is the place to be for a special kind of lesson designed to entertain as well as teach – and who knows, some members of the audience may even be humming along when they hear familiar tunes from their youth.

It’s a production of Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR., which hits the stage for two shows on Thursday, Apr. 30. – one at 10 a.m. and a second at 6 p.m.

The doors will open about a half hour before each show, which will be held in the WCMS gymnasium. Seating is first-come, first served.

This high-energy production brings history, grammar, science, and math to life through music, movement, and imagination, creating an experience that is both educational and entertaining for audiences of all ages.

Under the direction of Warren County Schools Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Nichole Gibbs—WCMS Theatre Arts Teacher and Artistic Director of “Warrior Drama,” students have spent weeks preparing a show that highlights the power of creativity in the classroom.

Inspired by the iconic, Emmy Award-winning Schoolhouse Rock series, the performance features beloved classics like “I’m Just a Bill,” “Conjunction Junction,” and “A Noun Is a Person, Place, or Thing.” For many, it’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane. For students, it’s a fresh and engaging way to connect with core subjects, just in time for End-of-Grade testing.

The story follows Tom, a nervous first-year teacher, who is visited by the lively Schoolhouse Rock crew. Through music and imagination, he learns how to connect with his students and transform learning into something unforgettable.

Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a suggested donation of $5 or more for adults and $2 or more for children. Donations will be accepted at the door, and all proceeds will support the WCMS Theatre Department, helping sustain and grow arts education opportunities for future students.

With more than 135 students involved, this production reflects dedication, collaboration, and creativity at its finest. The 10:00 a.m. performance is ideal for daytime attendees, while the 6:00 p.m. show offers a convenient option for families and community members after work.

Guests are encouraged to park in designated school parking areas and enter through the gymnasium entrance. Early arrival is recommended, especially for the evening performance.

For additional information or if there are community organizations interested in supporting the cast with rehearsal snacks or providing a meal on the day of the show, they are encouraged to contact Nichole Gibbs at ngibbs@warrenk12nc.org or 252.257.3751 ext. 5249.

TownTalk: Warren County Farmers Market Season Kicks Off April 25

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In her role as manager of the Warren County Farmers Market, Tamara Small has many tasks and logistics on her to-do list this time of year: with Opening Day less than two weeks away, Small no doubt is arranging details with vendors, scheduling special activities, cooking demonstrations and more.

But Small draws comparisons with her present role to her previous work in the health care industry.

She said the farmers market provides people a way to make healthy choices and provide nutritious food for them to eat.

“It’s like preventative care what I do now, that’s how I like to think about it,” she said on Wednesday’s TownTalk.

The market kicks off on Saturday, Apr. 25, and Small said she welcomes patrons back to the parking lot of the Warren County Health Department, 544 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton.

For now.

If all goes as planned, the market will close for the season in mid-November at its brand-new location. The new market is scheduled to be completed in August, she said, and when it’s finished, the market will move just up the road to its new spot at 429 W. Ridgeway St. The theme for Opening Day is pollinators, and a group of Master Gardeners will have a butterfly release at 10 a.m., Small said. Customers can put their names in a bucket for a chance to win a pollinator basket, filled with goodies for pollinators and people, alike.

Right now, expect to find cool-weather produce like lettuce, radishes and the like. As spring moves into summer, expect different produce, as well as eggs, honey and meats. There also will be fresh baked goods, and unique arts and crafts for purchase. The market will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and vendors accept a variety of payment methods.

Of course, they prefer cash, Small said, but some vendors take cards and other cash apps. WIC and SNAP EBT is accepted, too, and Small said a double up food bucks program will be in effect for those SNAP EBT customers. “If you spend $20, we’ll give you an additional $20,” she explained.

There are programs for seniors and for children, too.

“I think that is a wonderful asset, a great benefit for people,” Small said of the various benefit programs that are accepted at the market. “It makes fresh, nutritious food available for everyone, no matter how they’re paying for their food.”

As she begins her fourth year as market manager, Small said she is happy to see people come out to the market, being outdoors and enjoying a community gathering space.

“It’s a place that you look forward to going on a Saturday morning,” she said. The market is a family-oriented destination, and a fun place to spend some time on the weekend.

Last year, Small said about 6,000 people visited the market during the season, averaging about 200 people each week.

“Those are great numbers,” she said. She wants this year to be even better.
We want more people to be aware about the Warren County Farmers Market. We have so much to offer, it’s a great place to be.”

Customers enjoy making connections with their food, she said. The vendors who sell on Saturdays at the market are the ones who actually grew the food. It’s interesting to find out how far (or how near) the vendors traveled to get their goods to market.

Vendors put their heart into what they’re doing, Small said. “They’re very particular about what they grow and how they grow it.” Keeping sales local has a positive impact on the local economy – another plus.

The market may be a little bit different each week, depending on what special activities are planned. Small said there will be cooking demonstrations each month, and there will be honey tastings and face painting on Opening Day, she said.

“I just really like to bring the community together and embrace that togetherness in a healthy way,” Small said. “We’re outside, we’re eating good, we’re laughing, we’re talking…we’re just having a good time. It’s the best place to be on a Saturday morning.”

Follow the market on social media and find links to vendor applications, weekly newsletters and more. For more information, contact Small at 252.2131.7216 or the Warren County Cooperative Extension at 252.257.3640.

 

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TownTalk: Pink With A Passion’s Cancer Walk Coming April 18

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The color pink isn’t listed among the seven “official” colors of a rainbow, but you can bet that it will be well represented in this year’s 5th annual Pink With A Passion cancer walk on Saturday, April 18 at the Warren County Recreational Complex.

This year’s theme for the daylong event is “Many Colors, One Cause,” and organizer Amena Wilson wants participants to come out sporting t-shirts in all colors of the rainbow.

Although its origin is with breast cancer, Wilson said the non-profit organization wants to show support for people, no matter the type of cancer they may be dealing with.

“We all walk together and look like a big, beautiful rainbow,” Wilson said on Monday’s TownTalk.

Last year, more than 400 people came out for the event. Wilson said they need everyone to register for the event, whether they plan to walk or just come out to enjoy the activities.

There’s a link to the registration page at www.pinkwithapassion.org.

On-site registration begins at 9:30 a.m. for those who may not be able to complete the online registration. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. and there are plenty of activities to take part in following the walk, she said.

Walkers will be encouraged by the cheerleaders from Warren County High School and Warren County Middle School, adding another festive touch to the morning’s activities.

A Kid Zone will have a bouncy house, inflatables, face painting and more, and there will be numerous food trucks with everything from Mexican food, burgers and ‘dogs, ice cream and more.

Saxophonist Gregory Amos will provide entertainment as well as offer his testimony about his own breast cancer diagnosis.

The Envision Diagnostics mobile mammogram bus will be onsite this year as well to provide as many as 30 mammograms free of charge. Call 877.318.1349 to schedule an appointment.

It’s a day of hope, healing and unity, Wilson said. It’s a celebration of strength, a tribute to survivors and a powerful reminder that no one fights alone.

Wilson, herself a cancer survivor, said there’s something very powerful about hearing a survivor’s testimony that gives hope and inspiration to those who are undergoing treatment.

“It helps calm their nerves when they talk to someone who has already gone through it,” she said. “It helps calm them to know that they went through what I went through. And they’re ok.”

There will be a special survivors’ tent to honor those who have beaten cancer; a memorial table with candles and a special board to post prayers, names and words of encouragement also will be available to remember those who lost their fight.

The event is free and open to the community to join in to show support for all those along their journey to fight cancer.

Donations can be made via Cash App at PWAP1. The name of the organization’s treasurer, Barbara Baker should appear to confirm that the donation goes straight into the PWAP business account. Checks also are accepted and can be mailed to Pink With A Passion, P.O. Box 315 Warrenton, NC 27589.

The Warren County Recreation Complex is located at 840 US-1/158, Warrenton, NC.

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Two Warren County High School Students Selected To Attend Governor’s School This Summer

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Two Warren County Schools students have been selected to attend North Carolina’s Governor’s School this summer.

Jahari Walker of Warren County High School and Kmira Richardson of Warren Early College High School, were chosen from more than 1,800 nominees from across the state to participate in the month-long enrichment program, according to information from Warren County.

Jahari will attend Governor’s School East, which will be held at Meredith College. He will focus on Natural Science, engaging in an immersive curriculum designed to deepen his understanding of scientific concepts while also participating in interdisciplinary studies, including critical thinking and societal exploration.

Kmira will attend Governor’s School West at Greensboro College, where she will study Social Science. Her program will challenge her to analyze complex social systems while also expanding her perspective through courses centered on philosophy and self-awareness.

The North Carolina Governor’s School, the oldest program of its kind in the nation, offers a four-week residential experience that emphasizes intellectual growth, creativity, and collaboration. Students are not only immersed in their chosen disciplines but are also encouraged to explore new ideas, engage in meaningful dialogue, and build connections with peers from across the state.

Both Walker and Richardson will attend the session scheduled from June 21 to July 18, 2026, where they will participate in a dynamic academic environment designed to stretch their thinking and inspire future pursuits.

Their selection is a proud moment for Warren County Schools and a reflection of the district’s commitment to nurturing talent and preparing students for success beyond the classroom.

TownTalk: Around Old Granville – Lost and Forgotten Communities

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People find all kinds of items when they clean out parents’ and grandparents’ attics that can provide insight into bygone times – diaries, vintage clothing and photographs all provide glimpses into the past.

But what about whole communities? Once-vibrant places where folks could go for mail, fabric for new clothes and other provisions?

Communities literally got “on the map” because of post offices, general stores and churches.  But road construction and, more importantly in and around the area known as Old Granville County, railroad construction, are what determined a community’s ultimate rise or decline.

WIZS’s Bill Harris and local historian Mark Pace ran through a list of forgotten and almost-forgotten communities, in Thursday’s Around Old Granville segment of TownTalk. Some of those spots in the road are marked with signs – like Huntsville in Granville County – but places like Monroe in the northeast corner of Warren County live on mostly in historical accounts.

This community, named for President James Monroe, got on the proverbial map when a ferry operator named Robinson offered for sale a hundred or so 1/4 -acre lots in that vicinity. He sold a third of them right quick – for the tidy sum of between $35 and $150, Pace said.

The stagecoach stopped there and numerous notables of their day stopped in for visits. There was U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Marshall, for example, and Vice President Aaron Burr, whose name would become forever remembered for killing his political rival Alexander Hamilton in a duel.

There was only one thing missing from Monroe, however, Pace said.

“The railroad didn’t come through,” Pace said. “And that was the end of Monroe.”

As Monroe, went, so went other small communities that started off in relative prosperity but were doomed because the Raleigh & Gaston didn’t come near.

Take Bunn, for instance, in Franklin County. “Old” Bunn is located a little to the east of present-day Bunn. “When the railroad came through, Bunn moved a mile or so to the east, Pace explained.

And then there’s Lynesville, a precursor to Townsville in Vance County. The railroad moved it a little to the west, drying up Lynesville and giving new life to the unincorporated town that remains today.

And before there was Henderson, there was Chalk Level, which boasted a stagecoach stop, a store and more. It was the mid-1830’s when Lewis Reavis gave land for the right-of-way for the railroad that created a dead end for Chalk Level. The train depot was basically in Reavis’s front yard, Pace said. The advent of the railroad created economic prosperity for what would become Henderson and signal a death knell for Chalk Level.

There are still signs for Tally Ho in Granville County, and there’s a Tally-Ho Road, but when the Stem family gave land for the railroad, Tally Ho died off while the town of Stem gained traction.

Before there was an Oxford, there was a community called Harrisburg, Pace said. Harrisburg played a role during the American Revolution as a gathering point for American supplies.

“As early as 1759 Harrisburg was as large and important as Williamsboro,” Pace said, referring to the once-prominent Vance County community that also fell victim to the placement of the railroad.

In Harrisburg, there was a post office, a dozen or so houses, a community center and the obligatory horse racing track, Pace said. But its exact location wasn’t really clear – until recently. He said thanks to some metal detection work and studied of historical records and deeds, Harrisburg was situated in the general area between the Oxford exits 204 and 206 along I-85.

The community of Letha south of Rocky Ford in Franklin County had a post office from 1890 to 1910. There also was Whitaker’s Mill, as well as a store and perhaps a community cemetery.

“The mill no longer stands,” Harris said, “but you can still see evidence of where the mill was. It’s one of the prettiest areas of Franklin County.”

Most likely it was the mill closing that sent Letha into relative obscurity.

Up in northern Granville County, in the Cornwall community, there was Big Rock. It had a post office from 1885 until the mid-1930’s, Pace said.

When he went off in search of any evidence of the place, Pace said he had to travel several miles through the woods on an ATV.

What did he find? Nothing really was left, he said.

Except, you guessed it – the big rock.

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Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Announces Scholarships For Students Heading For Health-Care Related Fields

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Triangle North Healthcare Foundation has established two scholarships – one for high school students heading to college and one for individuals already working in the health care field who are pursuing health-care degrees.

The Foundation is seeking students whose academic plans align with the TNHF mission – to encourage, support and invest in quality efforts that measurably improve health in the Triangle North region and a vision to live in a healthy community, according to information from TNHF Executive Director Paul Ross.

Each high school in the TNHF region, which includes Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties, will select one student to nominate for the TNHF scholarship. From this pool of applicants, the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee will select one individual from each county to receive a $4,000 scholarship.

Preference will be given to students who plan to major in a health-related field. Scholarship applications must be submitted to the school counselors by May 1, 2026.

Requirements for the scholarship recipients include:

  • A minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5.
  • Plans to pursue a career in a health-related field matching the vision and mission of TNHF.
  • Full time residence in Vance, Granville, Warren or Franklin County
  • Documented acceptance into an accredited two-year or four-year college or university
  • Copy of college acceptance letter required

Triangle North Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors also will award a $25,000 scholarship to an individual currently working in health care and currently enrolled in health degree programs for associate degrees or higher.

The recipient must meet the following requirements:

  • Currently employed part time or full time in a health-related position
  • Currently enrolled in a health-related degree program at an accredited college or university, pursuing an associate degree or higher
  • Currently enrolled in the health-related degree program at an accredited school
  • A minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5.
  • Preference will be given to applicants living and working in Vance, Granville, Warren or Franklin counties

Applications are available online at http://www.tnhfoundation.org/ after April 1,2026.

Based in Henderson, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is a regional healthcare foundation, which was established in November 2011 after Maria Parham Medical Center merged with the for-profit Duke LifePoint organization. The Foundation’s grants and scholarships are made possible by the endowment that was created from the assets of the former nonprofit hospital.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Foundation Grants Support Local Storm Preparedness

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— Information from Duke Energy

The Duke Energy Foundation is committing $500,000 in grants to support local storm preparedness across North Carolina. Eligible organizations can apply for grants of up to $25,000 now through April 30, 2026 by visiting the Duke Energy Foundation website.

Successful applications will describe pressing local preparedness needs and how the organization(s) will use the funds, according to information from Beth Townsend, Duke Energy East Region’s director of Government and Community Relations.

Examples of potential, successful proposals include:

  • Collaboration across agencies, sectors and communities in local disaster preparedness and response.
  • Innovative planning of initiatives for communities to prepare for natural disasters and extreme weather.
  • Storm readiness training, materials, kits and other community engagement and education initiatives.
  • Specialized training for first responders for natural disaster scenarios.

The application website includes information on qualifications, registering through Benevity, and step-by-step instructions. However, if you have any questions, please contact Sue Mills at sue.mills@duke-engery.com.

VGCC Foundation Wine Gala Supports Students Facing Barriers To Education

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The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation wine gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at High Rock Farm on Enon Road in Oxford. Proceeds from the event will help students facing financial emergencies.

Attendees will get a souvenir wine glass and the chance to sample wines from different wineries while enjoying foods that pair well with each variety.

There’s a silent auction – bidding is done online – with auction items that include vacation packages, as well as cornhole boards and chairs from the VGCC carpentry classes and other items from the school’s culinary and cosmetology departments, just to name a few.

Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased through The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation office. Only 150 tickets will be sold, so get yours now! Purchase tickets online at https://www.vgcc.edu/the-vgcc-foundation-online-gifts/. Put “gala” in the comments section and indicate how you would like to receive your tickets, said Angela Douglas, food pantry assistant administrative assistant for the Foundation.

VGCC Foundation Director Tanya Weary and Associate Director Sheri Jones say it’s important to be able to assist students when things come up that prove to be barriers to their education. In addition to administering more than 350 scholarships each year, students also have access to a food pantry, a clothing closet and can ask for help to cover unforeseen costs that pose barriers to attending class.

There’s even a program with KARTS to provide transportation to and from campus if transportation is needed.

“It’s a great night for a great cause,” Weary said. Current VGCC students will be on hand to share their stories about how these extra resources have helped them along the way.

Email foundation@vgcc.edu or call 252.738.3264 to purchase tickets or to learn more.

TownTalk: Pink With A Passion’s 5th Annual Cancer Walk Coming Up April 18

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The color pink isn’t listed among the seven “official” colors of a rainbow, but you can bet that it will be well represented in this year’s 5th annual Pink With A Passion cancer walk on Saturday, April 18 at the Warren County Recreational Complex.

This year’s theme for the daylong event is “Many Colors, One Cause,” and organizer Amena Wilson wants participants to come out sporting t-shirts in all colors of the rainbow.

Although its origin is with breast cancer, Wilson said the non-profit organization wants to show support for people, no matter the type of cancer they may be dealing with.

“We all walk together and look like a big, beautiful rainbow,” Wilson said on Monday’s TownTalk.

Last year, more than 400 people came out for the event. Wilson said they need everyone to register for the event, whether they plan to walk or just come out to enjoy the activities.

There’s a link to the registration page at www.pinkwithapassion.org.

On-site registration begins at 9:30 a.m. for those who may not be able to complete the online registration. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. and there are plenty of activities to take part in following the walk, she said.

Walkers will be encouraged by the cheerleaders from Warren County High School and Warren County Middle School, adding another festive touch to the morning’s activities.

A Kid Zone will have a bouncy house, inflatables, face painting and more, and there will be numerous food trucks with everything from Mexican food, burgers and ‘dogs, ice cream and more.

Saxophonist Gregory Amos will provide entertainment as well as offer his testimony about his own breast cancer diagnosis.

The Envision Diagnostics mobile mammogram bus will be onsite this year as well to provide as many as 30 mammograms free of charge. Call 877.318.1349 to schedule an appointment.

It’s a day of hope, healing and unity, Wilson said. It’s a celebration of strength, a tribute to survivors and a powerful reminder that no one fights alone.

Wilson, herself a cancer survivor, said there’s something very powerful about hearing a survivor’s testimony that gives hope and inspiration to those who are undergoing treatment.

“It helps calm their nerves when they talk to someone who has already gone through it,” she said. “It helps calm them to know that they went through what I went through. And they’re ok.”

There will be a special survivors’ tent to honor those who have beaten cancer; a memorial table with candles and a special board to post prayers, names and words of encouragement also will be available to remember those who lost their fight.

The event is free and open to the community to join in to show support for all those along their journey to fight cancer.

Donations can be made via Cash App at PWAP1. The name of the organization’s treasurer, Barbara Baker should appear to confirm that the donation goes straight into the PWAP business account. Checks also are accepted and can be mailed to Pink With A Passion, P.O. Box 315 Warrenton, NC 27589.

The Warren County Recreation Complex is located at 840 US-1/158, Warrenton, NC.

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