Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am-1pm.
  • The Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association will meet on Monday, August 10th at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • The Fall Vegetable Garden will take place on Monday, August 17th at 6:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Start planning your fall garden on paper now. Locate sources of transplants, seed.
  • Start preparing for lawn renovation 1, soil test 2, and purchase a variety of seeds needed.
  • Now would be a great time to take soil samples if you are planning a lawn renovation.
  • Take out any vegetable plants that have finished production. Compost if not showing signs of disease.
  • Do not let weeds mature to seed.
  • When canning and freezing vegetables, contact Cooperative Extension for updated information.
  • Keep rain gauges cleaned after every rain and record the amount of rain in your garden journal.
  • Continue your fruit spray program according to product directions.
  • Harvest early in the day and get vegetables under refrigeration as soon as possible.
  • Get your vegetable publications from Cooperative Extension.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! With Summer Programming A Big Success, Perry Memorial Library Staff Prepare For Fall

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Fresh off a jam-packed summer program, Melody Peters sums up the seven-week period filled with theater troupes, music, birds of prey and – of course – reading in just a few words: “Whew! it was a whirlwind!”

But a whirlwind in the best ways possible, said Peters, Youth Services Librarian at Perry Memorial Library.

More than 2,500 people attended 67 – 67! – different programs. In addition, 167 participants in the summer reading program got weekly prizes in exchange for turning in reading logs.

“It was just a fantastic summer reading program,” Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “I am thrilled with the turnout, with the new families, with the old families…just a really great program.”

And while August is a time when Peters and the library staff can take a short rest before the fall programming begins, they’re not ones to be idle. “We’re still moving behind the scenes,” she said.

There may be some quality vacation time between now and Labor Day, but the library remains open and Peters said library representatives go to many of the area back-to-school events and open houses before the new school year begins later in the month.

And then there’s putting the finishing touches on planning for the fall programming – this is the time of year that Peters and others on the staff look at the last quarter of the year – December will be here before you know it!

Visit www.perrymemorial.org to find out about all the programs and services available at Perry Memorial Library.

 

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VGCC Foundation Craft Fair Vendor Deadline Sept. 25 For Oct. 9 Event

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— Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation will host the 4th annual “Fill the Pantry” Craft Show on Friday, Oct. 9, from 2–7 p.m. inside the VGCC Civic Center in Henderson.

This popular community event brings together local artisans, crafters, and vendors for an afternoon of shopping, creativity, and giving back. Proceeds from the event will directly support the VGCC Food Pantry, which provides essential resources to students facing food insecurity across Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.

The Foundation is currently seeking vendors to participate in this year’s event. Booth spaces are available for $25 for each 10′ x 10′ space ($50 for a 10′ x 20′ space), plus a donated item to be used for raffles. This event offers an affordable opportunity for local businesses and creators to showcase and sell their products while supporting a meaningful cause.

“The ‘Fill the Pantry’ Craft Show continues to grow each year, thanks to the incredible support of our community,” said Angela Douglas, Food Pantry assistant. “This event not only highlights local talent but also helps ensure our students have access to basic needs so they can focus on their education and future success.”

Community members are encouraged to attend, shop, and support the cause. A wide variety of handmade goods, crafts and unique items will be available. The entry fee for shoppers is three canned goods or non-perishable items.

To register as a vendor, complete the online interest form at https://bit.ly/4vQVsyR. Please note vendors will not be considered registered unless they have paid before the deadline of Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Vendors must offer items for sale.

For additional information or questions, please contact Angie Douglas douglasa@vgcc.edu or 252.738.3323.

(This news text above was originally published July 17, 2026.)

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Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

The Local Skinny! Live Music at the VCRFM this Saturday

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<Embedded Facebook Post Showing Farmers Market on Aug. 1, 2026>

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Original Post July 28, 2026:

This Saturday, Aug. 1, the Vance County Regional Farmers Market is offering up a little musical food for the soul to go along with all that fresh produce, yummy baked goods and colorful cut flowers, courtesy of Mysti Mayhem.

The Durham-based singer and songwriter brings her unique sound of soulful blues to the market for a performance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Market Manager Stephen Wolf said folks are in for not just a musical treat, but a culinary one as well.

Mayhem’s husband is going to conduct a cooking class that involves making homemade mozzarella and different types of pesto.

Having live music is just one way Wolf wants to try to attract new visitors to the market. He’s been in the job close to a month now, and he said he’s pleased with the level of vendor participation and patrons.

And on days when there’s special entertainment, like this Saturday, the market will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving customers an extra hour to shop.

Last weekend’s rainy weather didn’t dampen attendance, he said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

There were more than 500 shoppers from Vance and other nearby counties, he said.

“Everyone is seeing the importance of shopping local,” he said, adding that he wants that sentiment to continue to grow.

From produce, fruit, baked goods and farm-raised meats to cut flowers and handicrafts, the market’s vendors provide a wide variety of products for customers to enjoy.

“I’ve gotten so much great feedback from the shoppers and vendors alike,” Wolf said, expressing their satisfaction with turnout and advertising, all to support the “eat local” philosophy.

Another way to support the “eat local” phenomenon with younger customers involves using technology. And QR codes.

Tech-savvy customers can create a personal QR code to get their names in the bucket for a raffle at the close of the season, Wolf said. There’s also a loyalty program that will reward repeat customers with a branded, reusable shopping bag after three trips. Customers who shop at the market five times will earn a little off their total shopping bill, he explained.

Of course, the QR code may not appeal to everyone and that’s fine, too.

While it’s one way to see how many visitors the market has on a given day, Wolf said he’d continue to use that ancient, muscle-powered device known as the handheld clicker.

“I will definitely still be operating the clicker,” he said.

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am-1pm.
  • Cooperative Extension has your planting guide for your fall garden.
  • Start preparing for lawn renovation 1, soil test 2, and purchase a variety of seeds needed.
  • Now would be a great time to take soil samples if you are planning a lawn renovation.
  • Start planning your fall garden on paper. Locate transplants and seed sources.
  • Keep your garden notebook updated.
  • Take rest breaks and drink water when doing garden chores.
  • Keep rain gauges cleaned after every rain and record the amount of rain in your garden journal.
  • Continue your fruit spray program according to product directions.
  • Harvest early in the day and get vegetables under refrigeration as soon as possible.
  • Get your vegetable publications from Cooperative Extension.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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The Local Skinny! Local Safety Investments From New State Budget

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The long-awaited state budget that Gov. Josh Stein signed into law earlier this month includes $40 million to provide a one-time $1,750 bonus for sworn local law enforcement officers.

The $34 billion budget includes double-digit salary increases for officers in several different branches of state agencies – 16.2 percent for SBI and ALE officers, 15 percent for N.C. State Highway Patrol officers, and 13 percent for correctional officers, according to a press statement. Probation and parole officers will get a 6.5 percent pay raise.

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame told WIZS News Monday that the topic of bonuses had been discussed at the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association conference, and said he surely hopes they come through.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow told WIZS News Monday that the department had gotten some guidance about the bonus program from the SBI, which will be administering the distribution of funds.

“The SBI is currently implementing the program through a phased registration and certification process, and the Henderson Police Department is awaiting additional guidance regarding the next steps for participation,” Barrow stated.

Based on the information provided by the SBI, local law enforcement officers generally qualify for the one-time $1,750 bonus if they:

  • Were sworn local law enforcement officers as of June 30, 2026;
  • Are employed by an eligible North Carolina county or municipal law enforcement agency;
  • Meet the statutory eligibility requirements established in Section 41.3 of Senate Bill 257; and
  • Are certified as eligible by their employing agency through the SBI registration and certification process.

While the possibility of this bonus – which will be considered taxable income – had been discussed for some time, it was not something many local agencies truly expected to become a reality, Barrow noted.

“The Henderson Police Department believes this action reflects the State of North Carolina’s recognition of the significant recruitment and retention challenges facing local law enforcement agencies and serves as a meaningful expression of appreciation for the dedicated men and women who have remained committed to serving their communities despite increasing workloads, staffing shortages, and the growing demands placed upon the profession,” Barrow stated.

The governor joined law enforcement officials and specialized units including the Selective Enforcement Unit and K-9 teams at Raleigh Police Department’s Special Operations Division recently to highlight the state budget’s investments in public safety, including the largest pay raises to law enforcement in recent state history.

“Law enforcement careers are demanding and sometimes dangerous, but they are so important and rewarding,” Stein said. “We must do everything in our power to support those who keep North Carolinians safe. With this state budget, we are sending a clear message that we value our law enforcement officers and are investing in the next generation of North Carolinians who choose a career to keep people safe.”

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The Local Skinny! Back to School Events For All

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There are a lot of events geared toward school that will start back up soon for students in our area. The audio embedded below, as well as info at wizs.com/psas, includes Vance County Public Schools and numerous other local organizations.

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8am-1pm
  • Reduce disease pressure in your garden by removing diseased leaves or the whole plant. Do not put diseased plants in your compost pile.
  • If going on vacation, have someone harvest your vegetables while you are away.
  • Now would be a great time to take soil samples if you are planning a lawn renovation.
  • Service your mower according to the owner’s manual.
  • Start planning your fall garden on paper.
  • Take rest breaks and drink water when doing garden chores.
  • Keep rain gauges cleaned after every rain and record the amount of rain in your garden journal.
  • Continue your fruit spray program according to product directions.
  • Harvest early in the day and get vegetables under refrigeration as soon as possible.
  • Get your vegetable publications from Cooperative Extension.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Wrapping Up July at Perry Memorial Library

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Kids are really gonna “dig” Bright Star Theatre Company’s program at Perry Memorial Library on Tuesday, July 28 when Dr. Sarah Tops brings her quirky curiosity to the stage as part of the summertime “Dig Into Reading” program.

Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said this Asheville-based touring company performs all over the country and Tuesday’s show at 10:30 a.m. is going to be all about dinosaurs as a way to cap off the special summertime activities.

“Live theater is really great to be able to offer and show children,” Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Later on that day, at 4 p.m., kids of all ages are invited to visit with North Carolina author Kamal Bell, who will share his book “Akeem Keeps Bees!”

“It’s just such a great story,” Peters said. The book is about a boy named Akeem who helps his dad with bees, from their arrival to finding the queen, and then harvesting honey and preparing the hive for winter.

Bell owns Sankofa Farms, LLC in Efland. Besides being a farmer and an author, he’s a motivational speaker who works to create and maintain a sustainable food source for minorities in and around Durham and Orange counties.

In 2025, the North Carolina Humanities selected the book for its Great Reads from Great Places program to represent the state in the youth category at the Library of Congress National Book Festival.

The library ends up the week with off-site activities, including a Read-Out at Chestnut Street Park on Wednesday, July 29 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Attendance was great at the last read-out, she said – between 30 and 40 people showed up to read together. In addition to free books and coloring sheets for the kids, there will be time to just enjoy the playground equipment at the newly renovated park.

The Mother Goose Story Time is convening at Kerr Lake State Recreational Area at Satterwhie Point at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 30.

It’ll be a Pops at the Park kind of a program, Peters said. Freeze pops, that is.

Come on out and enjoy some time at the Glass House on Kerr Lake.

To learn more about these programs and all the programs and services at Perry Memorial Library, visit www.perrylibrary.org.

 

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Vance County Logo

TownTalk: Vance County Water District Offers Debt Forgiveness Program For Eligible Customers

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The Vance County Water District has a forgiveness program in place in an effort to help residents with outstanding balances erase that debt and tap on to the water line.

Enterprise Fund and Special Projects Director Frankie Nobles said the water bill forgiveness program will erase 75 percent of the customer’s outstanding balance.

“We’re trying to help some customers that want water but they haven’t paid their $30 a month fees like they should have,” Nobles said.

These customers started the process to tap into the water line once it was available, and that’s when they began receiving that monthly $30 accessibility fee.

For whatever reason, there are customers who didn’t complete the process to tap into the water line, but they kept accumulating the monthly accessibility fee.

Now – several years later, in some cases – customers find themselves with outstanding balances.

Nobles said customers who are interested in completing the process to tap into the county water line can pay 25 percent of what they owe and they’ll be connected.

The offer will be in effect through March 2027.

The county also has slashed the normal $1,795 tap fee down to $125, which will remain in place until the current water expansion project in Kittrell is completed. Nobles said should be in mid-September 2026.

The Kittrell expansion is the fifth phase the county has undertaken to try to get more water throughout the county. Nobles said more than 23.6 miles of water line is involved. A final total won’t be available until the project is completed, he added, but the price tag is more than $10 million.

“We’re getting there,” he said. “It just takes a while to get it done because of the cost.”

Nobles said the county initially loses money, but added that as more customers come on line, the county can make that money back. “That’s what we’re trying to do, add customers to our system and that really helps cover all of our costs.”

He gets calls each week from residents who have problems with their wells and ask about county access to provide clean drinking water.

“We want to be able to help the citizens in the community that do want water and (who) are having issues with their well,” he said. “We want to help as much as we can.”

The county contracts with Envirolink to handle repairs, leaks, and meter installation. Contact Envirolink at 252.235.4900 or toll-free at 888.754.9878 to learn more. The email is customerservice@envirolinkinc.com

Nobles said he also is available to try to help answer residents’ questions. Contact him at 252.738.2005.

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(The above audio and text originated on WIZS May 20, 2026.)