TownTalk: Foundation Continues The Work Of Mary Emma Evans

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If her mother were still alive, Phyllis Evans said she would not be giving high marks to the city – or to its residents – for its level of cleanliness.

But a foundation named for the late Mary Emma Evans is trying to do its part to make things better and cleaner in Henderson, one litter sweep at the time.

Mary Emma Evans served the South Henderson area as a Ward 1 representative on the Henderson City Council. She died in 2011, and the same year family members formed a foundation to keep her memory alive.

Daughter Phyllis and granddaughter Phylicia spoke with John C. Rose on Monday’s TownTalk to provide an update on what the foundation has been doing and continues to do in her name.

“I know Mama is shaking her head,” Phyllis said, on the condition of many city roadsides that she sees strewn with litter.

Although she and a cousin routinely venture out along roadsides in South Henderson to clean up, the foundation sponsored a cleanup day in late January to come out in force to make a difference. Couldn’t make it to the January cleanup date? Not to worry – they plan quarterly cleanups along the portion of Dabney Road by Aldi’s, extending toward Hicksboro Road near St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. That is the stretch of road that will be designated by NC DOT for the Mary Emma Evans Foundation’s Adopt-A-Highway sign.

Evans’s mother championed, among other things, the efforts of the Clean Up Henderson Committee, during her time on the City Council. “I know my mom would be happy to see our city clean,” Phyllis said.

But the foundation also extends its work to caring for the people that live in the community, too, and it has partnered with other community agencies on various outreach projects over the years.

Now, however, they’ve got their own community basketball team that practices a couple of times a week.

Phylicia said there are probably 50 or more youth that live in the South Henderson area who can walk to the outdoor courts at the former Salvation Army facility.

“They walk to the courts, Phyllis said, “or they’ll meet us at the foundation site on Alexander Avenue and we’ll transport them.” They practice on Wednesdays now at the Henderson Family Y and on Sundays at Aycock Recreation Center.

There may be a dozen or more who show up for practice, but Phyllis said even if there were more, the foundation would find a way to transport them all.

Partnerships strengthen a community, and Phyllis said her mother would be proud of what is being done in her name.

“We’re coming together with love,” she said, adding that Henderson is a beautiful place to live.

She just wants to keep it beautiful – to honor her mother’s memory and for others to have a sense of pride about where they live, work and play.

“We know that’s what mom would want us to do,” she said.

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TownTalk: The Reconstruction Era In Vance, Granville And Warren Counties

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Driving past historical markers that dot the roadsides in the area give motorists a brief glimpse into some of the well-known people that have lived, worked and died nearby.

But anyone who wants to take a deeper dive into those people memorialized on the historical markers need only ask Mark Pace, North Carolina Room specialist at Thornton Library in Oxford.

Pace joined WIZS’s Bill Harris Thursday for the tri-weekly history program on TownTalk and they discussed some prominent African Americans who influenced the political scene after the end of the Civil War.

Henry Plummer Cheatham, for example, has a historical marker along NC 96 in Oxford, which reads: “Born into slavery. U.S. Congressman 1889-1893. Superintendent of Colored Orphanage of N.C. 1907-1935. Grave 8/10 mi. N.E.”

But a marker cannot include all the accomplishments of someone like Cheatham, and of others who played a role in the politics of North Carolina during Reconstruction, which Pace said was basically between 1865 and 1900.

Vance County was formed during this period – 1881 – and until 1900 “every single representative in the state legislature from Vance County was African American,” Pace said.

This area had the highest number of free blacks in North Carolina at one point, somewhat of an anomaly that wasn’t seen in other parts of the state or in Southside Virginia.

Pace posited that this could be due to the fact that a Virginia law requiring anyone who bought their freedom had to leave the state within 90 days.

This core of free Blacks in the area opened up opportunities – educational opportunities, economic opportunities and political opportunities.

Cheatham, for example, was born in 1857 on the Cheatham plantation located off Highway 158 west of Henderson, went to Shaw University and by the age of 29, was elected to Congress. His sister-in-law was married to George White, another influential politician of the day.

White defeated Cheatham and went on to serve the “Black Second” district in the U.S. House from 1897 to 1901. He was the last black Southerner in Congress for 72 years.

That is what White’s historical marker says. It was erected in New Bern in 1976.

 

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Vance County Logo

TownTalk: Tax Revaluation Currently Underway

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Vance County is in the middle of a tax revaluation process – something that state law requires happen at least once every eight years.

Vincent Valuations is the company contracted to complete the work of assessing the 26,000 parcels of property and the buildings that are on them.

According to County Manager Jordan McMillen, about 20,000 parcels have been completed, leaving about 6,000 to go. The company is finishing up their work in the city limits now, and then will come the task of estimating the values of the parcels.

Tax values went down after the last revaluation in 2016, but McMillen said he anticipates values will increase in the current revaluation, based on an improved economy.

The bottom line is this: will the tax bill you get in the summer of 2024 be more than you currently pay?

Just because values of parcels go up, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll pay more in taxes, especially if the tax rate goes down. The idea is to evenly distribute the tax burden across all property owners.

About a year from now, those tax bills will be generated and property owners will have the chance to appeal the valuation next April or May.

County leaders are already working on the 2023-24 budget, and the revaluation plays a role in creating that budget.

To make a long story short, the impact to your wallet is about 15 months away.

 

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TownTalk: Two Found Dead On Gholson Avenue

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UPDATE 5:30 p.m. Tuesday:

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow identified the two victims who were found Tuesday morning in a car parked on a city neighborhood street.

Kentrell Venable, 18, was the driver of the car, Barrow said in a live interview during the 5 p.m. WIZS Local News broadcast Tuesday.

Quavon Champion, 20, was found in the rear passenger seat.

Police are still trying to establish a timeline to determine when the two were killed, but he said he believes they were shot in the car, which had been stopped on the side of Gholson Avenue.

The police are working with the State Bureau of Investigations, and Barrow said, “None of the victims live on that street. They came to that location, stopped in the road, on the side of the road.”

When asked about surveillance video, Barrow said, “We are currently looking through some of that information and some of that data.”

The suspect or suspects are believed to have been with the victims in the car, the shots were fired and then the suspect(s) left on foot.

If anyone has more information about this incident, please contact Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or P3 app, call the police department at 252.438.4141, or on Facebook or Instagram.

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UPDATE 10:30 a.m. Tuesday:

Henderson police are investigating the deaths of two men whose bodies were found earlier today inside a car on Gholson Avenue.

In a brief press statement issued about 10 a.m. today, Police Chief Marcus Barrow said officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Gholson Avenue at 8 a.m. to check on a suspicious vehicle.

When officers arrived, they found two male individuals seated in the vehicle deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. Barrow said he believes the individuals were shot from inside the vehicle. The identities of the individuals have not been released, pending positive identification and notification of families.

If anyone has more information about this incident, please contact Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers at 252.492.1925 or P3 app), call the police department at 252.438.4141, or on Facebook or Instagram.

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TownTalk: Andy Perkinson Reflects On Public Works Service

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Growing up, Andy Perkinson watched his daddy work tobacco. By watching, and working, he developed a strong work ethic. But he also listened to his father, who told him to find a job that had some benefits and some retirement.

“I listened to him,” Perkinson told John C. Rose on Monday’s TownTalk. “I’m grateful that I did.”

Perkinson, who turns 51 next month, recently retired from a career with the City of Henderson.

He started out in 1993 as a maintenance worker. But when he officially retired on Jan. 1, held the position of public works director.

“The city was good to me,” Perkinson said, but added that he felt he also was good to the city. “Whatever I did, I did it with my whole heart,” he said.

City employees are responsible for everything from maintaining city cemeteries to fixing broken water mains, with lots of other things in between.

All the city’s department heads have great responsibilities, he said, it’s the public works director that responds to calls for service from everywhere.

A city’s public works director has got “everybody to worry about – police, fire, recreation,” Perkinson said.

The utilities and public works groups were combined under previous city manager Frank Frazier, which Perkinson said was a way to get employees cross-trained so they could multi-task or fill in where needed.

Whether dealing with a water main break or other problem that is going to result in an interruption of service, Perkinson said often the actual repair was the easy part.

“The repair isn’t the hard part,” he said. “It’s getting to it.”

Placing a call to 811 is a critical step to knowing where all the other utility lines are located. Having the right inventory in the warehouse is another key component to timely restoration of the service.

“If we didn’t have it in the warehouse and couldn’t fix it, it means people would be without service for an extended time,” Perkinson said.

Handling administrative tasks as public works director probably wasn’t tops on Perkinson’s list of things to do, but he did them, and credited the city staff for incredible support while he was learning the role.

Mayor Eddie Ellington reflected on Perkinson’s time with the city.

“I tell you, we already miss him,” Ellington said in a recent interview with WIZS News. “Andy was a guy (who) would delegate, but he would also get his hands dirty,” the mayor said.

Ellington said he happened to stop by the site of a city repair crew and asked where Perkinson was. “He pops up out of the ditch and says ‘I’m right here,’” Ellington said with a chuckle.

 

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Fire Chief Steve Cordell

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Celebration of Life Audio Feb. 2, 2023

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TownTalk: February-March Events In Granville County

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From handcrafted coffee mugs to murder mystery dinners, Granville County has a wide range of events to please just about everyone, including prospective brides and individuals who want to immerse themselves in a “Viking experience.”

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen took a deep breath before reeling off a plethora of upcoming events scheduled for the next couple of months across the county. No need to take notes – find details of all the events at https://visitgranvillenc.com/

Here are some highlights:

  • The CupFull show at Cedar Creek Gallery runs through 26. The Creedmoor gallery will have hundreds of functional – and decoratef – handcrafted mugs and cups for sale. The gallery, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., features local artists, as well as craftspeople from across the state, region and nation. Visit www.cedarcreekgallery.com to learn more.
  • It’s a “Party with a purpose,” Allen says, as Mardi Gras returns to Oxford on Friday, Feb. 17 at The Orpheum. This fundraiser benefits the local Boys & Girls Club and returns after a COVID-induced hiatus. Tickets are $75. Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres from local eateries and beverage tickets. A cash bar is available. Cocktail attire suggested – Mardi Gras mask optional. The popular selfie station will be open for photos!
  • The next night, Saturday, Feb. 18, head on over to Thorndale Oaks for a “Death by Disco” murder mystery dinner theater. Dig back into your clothes closets for those vintage 1970’s outfits – you know you’ve got ‘em. The fun is from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. “While you’re eating and having a good time, you’ll be part of a murder mystery,” Allen said. After the mystery has been solved, participants can show some of those smooth ‘70’s moves on the dance floor. Tickets are $75. Call Thorndale Oaks at 919.603.3701 to reserve your seats, and Allen recommends that those calls be made sooner rather than later. “I think this one will fill up fast,” she said. “This one is flat-out fun.”
  • Another fundraiser on the horizon will benefit our furry friends, Allen noted. The Puppy Love Quarters Auction takes place on 25 at The Barn at Vino. Bring your quarters and plan on having some food and fun from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., all to benefit the Dogs Deserve Better Piedmont nonprofit organization. A couple of food trucks will be selling food and there will be vendors on hand from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • A big event will be held Saturday, Mar. 4 at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center designed to provide some one-stop shopping for anyone planning, well, a big event. It’s called the Wedding and Event Expo, and Allen said it will bring a variety of planners under one roof to help anyone planning a special occasion, whether it’s a wedding, an “over-the-top birthday celebration,” anniversary or family reunion.

Representatives from local venues will be present during the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. event, as well as rental companies, balloon artists, invitation and cake designers – just about anyone who can provide a service for individuals planning a celebration.

Tickets are $10. Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/ and find a link to the wedding and event expo for details.

  • The Vikings are set to invade again this year as The Barn at Vino hosts the two-day “Viking Experience” on 25-26. “This is one of the most unique festivals we have in Granville County,” Allen said, with more than 30 characters in full costume interacting with participants throughout the two days of fun, merry-making that provide an “immersive experience through interaction,” according to the group’s website. Visit https://www.thevikingexperiencenc.com/ for ticket information.

Find details about these events – and more – at https://visitgranvillenc.com/

 

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TownTalk: Helping Care Givers Of Those With Dementia

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Professional caregivers and family members who care for loved ones with dementia can attend a workshop later this month at Vance-Granville Community College to learn about ways they can manage their roles.

Michael Patterson is a family caregiver specialist with the Kerr-Tar COG, the agency sponsoring the event on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The daylong workshop is $15 for individuals who are caring in some capacity for a family member with dementia and $40 for professional caregivers.

Patterson spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk and he discussed details of the regional workshop, as well as a couple of other programs that may be of interest to caregivers.

Sharing information about available community resources takes up a good bit of Patterson’s time, but that’s his job, he said.

“I like to be an asset to our caregivers in the region. Sometimes, they just need someone they can call and ask questions to,” he said.

The respite voucher is one program that caregivers can access, he said.

This program provides up to $750 that caregivers can use to pay for in-home aid assistance, so they can have a break to run errands or complete other tasks and be assured that the loved one will be cared for in his or her absence.

This program isn’t tied to family income or the person’s financial situation, Patterson said. Rather, it has more to do with the age, diagnosis and the ability of the patient to complete certain daily living tasks, which Patterson calls activities of daily living, or ADL.

Another program involves a community partnership with Harold Sherman Adult Day Care. There are scholarships available to allow patients to spend the day at the center.

“It’s been a great partnership,” Patterson said, adding that he has worked closely with its director to get the partnership established. “It’s a fairly new program and we’re excited about expanding our reach and opportunity.”

The day program enhances patients’ mental capacity and keeps them active and engaged throughout the day, Patterson said.

Dementia expert Teepa Snow will be the featured speaker at the Feb. 21 workshop, and Patterson said she will help participants fine tune communication skills with those individuals suffering from dementia.

It can often be very stressful dealing with family members and loved ones who may ask repetitive questions or exhibit personality changes as a result of their health condition. Knowing how to effectively engage with them may be helpful, he said.

Patterson said the workshop also will help caregivers learn “how to physically approach (dementia sufferers) and how to care and have compassion for those with dementia.”

Workshop participants also will learn differences between early onset dementia, as compared to mid-stage and late-stage dementia.

Learn more at www.Kerrtarcog.org and click on Adult and Aging Services in the options listed.

Email Patterson at mpatterson@kerrtarcog.

 

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TownTalk:Vance Schools Hope To Add SRO Positions Using Part Of $841K School Safety Grant

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Vance County Schools is looking at where to spend the more than $841,000 awarded to the school district as part of a statewide School Safety grant.

Rey Horner, VCS executive director of student services, said the money can be used for basic safety equipment like metal detectors, but also to implement training programs for students and to hire more resource officers.

The total amount of the grant is $841,270, Horner said in an interview that aired on TownTalk Tuesday.

The district’s secondary schools have metal detectors and also have designated SROs on campus, Horner said, but the hope is to put SROs at the elementary schools, too. There is currently one vacant SRO position, but Horner said Sheriff Curtis Brame agreed to provide one of his officers until the school district can hire a replacement.

“The goal is to provide an SRO at all of our schools,” Horner said, but he added it has been challenging so far to find qualified applicants. The grant money can be used for SROs, and Horner said the district has allocated $400,000 for additional SROs.

In light of the challenge of hiring SROs, Horner said the district has asked the Center for Safer Schools if it can use that money designated for SROs on other types of safety equipment.

“We’ve put in a request to reallocate (money) for cameras, 911 beepers – anything that can make our schools safer and more efficient,” Horner said.

There’s a plan to place additional metal detectors at the high school, and to gradually phase them in at elementary schools, he added, so students will be used to them and not feel threatened by them when they move to the middle school.

Protecting the physical safety of students and staff is of critical importance, and metal detectors are one way to filter dangerous items from being brought onto school campuses.

But medical safety also is a concern for school leaders. The schools already have automatic external defibrillators – or AEDs – but the goal is to place more than one at each campus.

In addition to equipment, Horner said the district is taking preventative measures to try to reduce students experiencing crises.

“A lot of the things that we’re seeing are coming from the outside to the inside of the school,” Horner explained. One program – Project ARROW – helps build students’ self-esteem and coping skills to deal with such issues as bullying and negative effects of social media.

Horner said Project ARROW is akin to life coaching for students, who, upon completion of the training, can render the same training to their peers.

Vance County Schools was one of 200 school districts and charter schools across the state that received part of the $74 million grant money.

Horner said the district is working hard to make sure the money is spent according to state guidelines. “With all things dealing with money, you have to be very particular,” he said. “We want to make sure it impacts the kids on the largest scale.”

 

 

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