VGCC Honors 2019 Retirees at Holiday Event

/by

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

-Information courtesy Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College honored five employees that retired in 2019 at a holiday event held on Thursday, December 12 in the VGCC Civic Center.

Retirees and their years of service to VGCC included Phyllis Bynum, 14 years of service; Faith Harris, 14 years of service; June Kersey, 8 years of service; Tina Moll, 14 years of service and Vickie W. Watkins, 14 years of service.

Fellow VGCC employees spoke on behalf of the retirees and thanked each for their hard work, commitment, and invaluable contributions.

Vance-Granville Community College honored five employees that retired in 2019 at a holiday event held on Thursday, December 12 in the VGCC Civic Center. (Front row, left to right): Phyllis Bynum, VGCC President Rachel Desmarais, Ph.D., Faith Harris. (Back row, left to right): Tina Moll and Vickie West Watkins. Not pictured, June Kersey. (VGCC photo)

NC Dept of Agriculture

NCDA&CS Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients

/by

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

-Press Release, NCDA&CS

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced recipients of over $1.3 million in funding from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding will be used for projects that enhance the quality of specialty crops grown in North Carolina.

North Carolina’s specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass and sod, and nursery and greenhouse crops. Grant proposals were submitted by nonprofit organizations, commodity groups, government agencies and universities.

Some of the funding went to support the N.C. Good Agricultural Practices Program and the N.C. Water Analysis Program. Carolina Farm Stewardship received funding for its project called “Increasing Competitiveness: Food Safety and Quality.”

In addition, N.C. State University received funding for the following 10 research projects:

  • Attract and Kill for Managing Brown Marmorated Stink Bug;
  • Breeding Flavorful Disease Resistant Strawberry Cultivars;
  • Comprehensive Christmas Tree Management Using Drones;
  • Elongate Hemlock Scale and Fraser Fir;
  • Heirloom–Type Tomato Hybrids for Niche-Markets;
  • Hemlock Restoration in Nurseries and Landscapes;
  • Horizontal Planting to Improve Sweet Potato Production;
  • Improving Field Production of Grafted Tomatoes;
  • Postharvest Disease Control for Export Sweet Potatoes;
  • Tulip and Dutch Iris Extended Storage

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is administered by the department and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the 2018 farm bill. More information about the program is available at www.NCSpecialtyCropGrant.org.

McGregor Hall to Transform Into Christmas Wonderland for Holiday Spectacular

/by

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

/by

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!

/by

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’

/by

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

/by

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.

/by

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

/by

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

/by

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.