McGregor Hall to Transform Into Christmas Wonderland for Holiday Spectacular

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

Back by popular demand, the Christmas Wonderland Holiday Spectacular will bring cheer to McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Monday, December 16, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Wonderland is quite simply one of the most delightful and enchanting Christmas shows ever. Featuring glittering costumes, a dazzling cast and the highest kicking chorus girls this side of the North, this performance is pure holiday magic!

Tickets for this event may be purchased by:

DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

New VGCC Scholarship Honors Maria Parham Guild Gift Gallery Volunteer

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Volunteers from the Guild Gift Gallery at Maria Parham Health recently presented $25,000 to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund to create a new scholarship. This scholarship — the 14th established by the Guild Gift Gallery in recent years — honors the memory of one of the volunteers, the late Vernell Champion of Henderson.

Champion passed away in November of 2018 at age 76.

In front, from left: Guild Gift Gallery volunteers Claire Catherwood, Tricia Kleczek, Gean Bobbitt, Charlotte Ayscue and Beverly Parrish. In back, from left: VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson with volunteers Fern Ellington, Stephanie Stringer, Pat Ayscue, Shaaron Reynolds, Betty Abbott, Jean Hutchins and Ralph Hutchins. Not pictured: volunteers Shannon Clark, Carol Pegram, Margie Moss, Gail Malone, Jean Norwood, Debra Smiley, Cathy Nowell, Judy Campbell, Sylvia Anderson, Linda Washburn and Anne Bunch. (VGCC photo)

“Vernell was one special lady,” her fellow gift shop volunteer Cathy Robertson remembered. “Vernell was a valuable asset to the Guild Gift Gallery for more than eight years. She was a loyal volunteer, always ready to lend a helping hand anytime, and she was a special friend to all who knew her. She was an active member of Victory Baptist Church and also of South Henderson Pentecostal Church.”

The new gift continues a tradition of the organization’s generous support for education. The volunteer-operated Guild Gift Gallery offers convenience items and gifts as a service to both patients and visitors at the hospital. Profits from sales are used to provide scholarships to people preparing to enter the health care professions.

The new VGCC scholarship will assist deserving students in programs such as Nursing, Radiography, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology.

“Vance-Granville continues to be grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Guild Gift Gallery,” said Eddie Ferguson, VGCC’s endowment fund director. “We’re honored that we get the opportunity to celebrate the life of Mrs. Champion in this way, by helping students achieve their educational goals for years to come.”

Because the “Vernell Champion/Guild Gift Gallery at Maria Parham Presidential Scholar Award” scholarship is endowed, it will be awarded in perpetuity.

“Mrs. Champion’s legacy of volunteer service will be an inspirational example to students who receive a scholarship in her name, as they prepare to serve in the health care field,” said Dr. Rachel Desmarais, the president of VGCC. “Thanks to volunteers like Mrs. Champion, the Guild Gift Gallery makes a significant difference in our community by supporting students in their pursuit of rewarding careers.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,700 scholarships to students since 1982.

Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education.

For more information, please call (252) 738-3409.

Reminder: Warrenton Christmas Parade This Saturday!

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy the Rotary Club of Warrenton

The 2019 Warrenton Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 14 beginning at 5 p.m. on Main Street in Historic Downtown Warrenton. The parade is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Warrenton and the Town of Warrenton.

In case of rain, the parade will be held Sunday, December 15 beginning at 5 p.m.

Parade lineup will be emailed to participants at least the day before the event, explaining how the lineup will work and encouraging participants to arrive no later than 4 p.m.

McGregor Hall to Offer Three Performances of ‘Black Nativity’

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will feature three presentations of “Black Nativity” this weekend: Friday, December 13 & Saturday, December 14 at 8 p.m. and a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Black Nativity is a heartfelt musical presenting a fresh, new way to relive the birth of Jesus Christ. Based on the poetry of Langston Hughes and favorite gospel songs, “Black Nativity” leads us back to the manger through the rhythm of drums, the feet of high energy dancers and the souls of passionate storytellers.

Tickets may be purchased by:

DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

‘Merry Grinchmas’ to Offer Holiday Goodies, Photo Op With the Grinch Himself

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy the Warren County Memorial Library

The Warren County Memorial Library will host a Christmas event for the entire family on Saturday, December 21, 2019.

Bring your family, friends and a camera to capture pictures with the Grinch from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

“Enjoy holiday stories and plenty of fun…cookies and books for everyone!”

This event is sponsored by The Friends of the WCM Library.

Reminder: Raleigh Ringers to Bring Holiday Cheer to McGregor Hall This Fri.

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center will be filled with the sounds of the holidays this Friday, December 6, 2019, with a special one-night performance by The Raleigh Ringers. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

As seen annually on UNC-TV!

The Raleigh Ringers’ holiday handbell concert runs the gamut of song selections from old yuletide favorites to Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” score and other sounds of the season.

Tickets may be purchased by:

DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

(This is not a paid advertisement)

NC Community College Educators Attend Regional Seminar at VGCC

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College recently hosted a regional seminar for educators from a number of North Carolina community colleges on the subject of “active learning.” The event was presented through a partnership with the National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development (NISOD) at The University of Texas at Austin and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE).

Earlier this year, VGCC was one of just 10 colleges across the country that were selected to host one of these credit-bearing regional seminars, which support faculty use of evidence-based teaching practices.

“It was great to see talented faculty members expanding their knowledge to enhance teaching, learning and the student experience,” remarked VGCC Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement & Success Dr. Levy Brown.

Laurie Pendleton, the Executive Director of Assessment at ACUE, served as the presenter for the training. “I really enjoyed helping faculty at Vance-Granville Community College and colleges throughout the area engage in learning to fine-tune their use of active learning strategies,” said Pendleton, a veteran teacher and professional development specialist.

Active learning is generally defined as any instructional method that engages students in the learning process, with activities that emphasize interaction, participation and critical thinking.

“It is always exciting to work with faculty who are so invested in the success of their students, and I look forward to hearing how the participants bring these research-based practices back to their students,” Pendleton added. “Vance-Granville Community College was an exceptional host, and both NISOD and ACUE appreciate their careful planning, participation and support throughout the day.”

Petra Kohlmann, Partnership Director for ACUE, also participated in the seminar at VGCC. “It was a pleasure to be with faculty at Vance-Granville Community College, as well as ACUE and NISOD colleagues, as we learned together about ways to engage students in large classes through active learning techniques,” Kohlmann said. “Being part of a ‘classroom of instructors’ is always an invigorating experience, and I look forward to more opportunities to share ACUE’s research-backed teaching practices with Vance-Granville.”

Edward J. Leach, the Executive Director of NISOD, thanked VGCC faculty and staff for their help co-hosting the event. “VGCC has raised the bar when it comes to providing an excellent learning experience for Seminar participants!” Leach said.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Peak-Season Soil Testing Period Opens Nov. 27

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, NCDA&CS

Harvest of crops across North Carolina has been ongoing for months and weather has generally been favorable for growers, unlike the wet months of the fall of 2018 after Hurricane Florence. The soil lab has already analyzed over 123,000 samples this fiscal year and many more samples will soon be coming over the next few months.

“The peak-season period this year begins Wednesday, Nov. 27, and will continue through Tuesday, March 31, 2020,” said David Hardy, chief of soil testing.

During the peak-season fee period, the cost of soil testing is $4 per sample. The fee originated in 2013 to encourage earlier sampling in the fall, one of the busiest times of the year for the lab. Outside of the peak season, soil testing is free to growers and homeowners. Soil samples are not accepted from out-of-state.

“Over the years, the lab has used the peak-season funds to automate and increase its efficiency to deliver soil test reports in a more timely manner,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The lab continues to do a super job for our growers. Up until about a week ago, the turnaround time for a grower to receive his report after sample submission was two weeks. This allowed growers with interest in wheat to get the crop in the ground as planned and for others, the ability to spread lime early for the upcoming 2020 crop.”

Access to the Eaddy Building for sample drop-off will be limited so growers need to keep this in mind. This year the gate will be closed during the Thanksgiving holiday ─ Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 2, at 6 a.m. During the peak-season period, sample drop-off times will be between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. There will be no after-hours drop-off of samples during peak season.

Growers are encouraged to submit sample information forms online. They can also pay peak-season fees with a credit card using a secure online payment service called PayPoint. Online submissions can be accessed through the PALS homepage at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/PALS/ after a user account is established under the Utility link. Up-to-date turnaround times can also be found at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/PALS/.

If faster turnaround time is needed, the lab offers an expedited soil testing service on a limited basis. Growers can purchase expedited shippers, which can hold up to 36 soil samples, for $200 each while supplies last. The service guarantees a seven-business-day turnaround time if the lab is contacted and notified 24 hours in advance of the quantity being delivered. Otherwise, the guaranteed turnaround time of two weeks upon delivery at the lab is offered. These guarantees exclude the Christmas season. Unused expedited shippers can be used in following years.

Contact the Agronomic Services Division at 919-733-2655 for questions regarding the peak-season soil testing fee, online sample submission or the purchase of expedited shippers.

NC Medicaid Data Shows Progress in State’s Opioid Epidemic

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-Press Release, Duke University Communications

A new analysis of North Carolina Medicaid data finds that, while important progress is being made in combatting the state’s opioid epidemic, more work is needed to increase the rate at which Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) receive effective medications to treat it.

The research is summarized in a Health Affairs blog published today.

The study was conducted by researchers at Duke University and the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill with support from Arnold Ventures.

The resulting white paper and data supplement, which presents information at the county level, identified some encouraging trends in the North Carolina Medicaid population. For example, fewer Medicaid enrollees are using prescription opioids overall. Fewer enrollees are receiving prescription opioids in combination with other medications that are known to increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. Importantly, the rate of opioid overdoses also has declined.

However, according to the researchers, the number of Medicaid enrollees with a reported diagnosis of opioid use disorder went from just over 27,000 in 2013-2014 (representing around one percent of the study population) to more than 45,000 by 2017-2018 (or nearly two percent of the study population). This growth is cause for concern, but it may be a reflection of clinicians increasingly identifying and addressing opioid use disorder, the authors conclude.

Fortunately, the number of Medicaid enrollees receiving medications used to treat opioid addiction increased significantly during this same period. But the treatment rate has not kept up with the rising number of people with opioid use problems. Despite absolute gains in the number of people receiving treatment from 2014 to 2017, the treatment rate has actually declined slightly.

“Overall, we are seeing important improvements in the number of Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder who receive treatment, reflecting significant federal and state investments in this area. However, the rate of growth of OUD in the population is outpacing the treatment rate,” said Principal Investigator Aaron McKethan, PhD., a core faculty member at Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy and Adjunct Professor of Population Health Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine.

The scientific literature indicates that people with opioid use disorder have better outcomes if medication therapy is ongoing and long-term. However, “roughly half of NC Medicaid enrollees who initiate buprenorphine therapy for OUD remain on therapy for at least six months, suggesting that even patients who get treatment face challenges staying on it,” according to Marisa Elena Domino, PhD, a research fellow and Principal Investigator with UNC’s Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and a professor of health policy and management at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Nationally, retention rates among those receiving medications to treat opioid addiction are generally quite low, and relapse is a recognized part of the disease and recovery process.  The fact that half of NC Medicaid enrollees with OUD who initiate medication treatment remain on the medication for at least six months can be viewed as positive compared to national benchmarks. However, it likely means that less than half of treated enrollees with OUD receive continuous treatment long enough to produce the best outcomes. Clearly, more work is needed to close these gaps.

This study focused only on the state’s Medicaid program, which covers health care for more than 2 million low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities throughout North Carolina.

According to McKethan, “To put these Medicaid findings in context, in North Carolina, about half of people coming to the emergency department for opioid-related overdoses are uninsured. Only 20 percent of uninsured/self-pay people with OUD have received outpatient treatment for their addiction in the past year, roughly half the Medicaid rate. To be sure, Medicaid is an important medical safety net that is also crucial in the ongoing fight against the opioid epidemic throughout North Carolina.”

Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging Offering Caregiver Vouchers

THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Harvey Holmes, family caregiver resource specialist with the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging, appeared on WIZS’ Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

The agency offers aging and adult services to residents in Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Person counties.

With November’s designation as both National Family Caregivers Month and National Alzheimers Disease Awareness Month, Holmes was on the program to discuss Kerr-Tar’s caregiver voucher program.

To assist with the heavy financial burden of providing care to a loved one, Kerr-Tar will reimburse caregivers up to $750 in eligible out-of-pocket expenses within 90 days of incurring the charge.

Eligible expenses include hiring in-home assistance such as a nurse, CNA, neighbor or relative (who does not live in the home) to care for a loved one.

“Caregiving is extremely expensive,” said Holmes. “With the voucher program, you get to choose who you want to be in your house. More importantly, you get to choose who the recipient is comfortable with.”

To learn more about the voucher program, please contact the Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging at (252) 436-2040 or email Holmes directly at hholmes@kerrtarcog.org.

Additional information can be found at www.kerrtarcog.org or on the agency’s Facebook page (click here).

To hear the interview with Holmes in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk. Holmes’ segment begins at the 17:50 mark.