https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Home-and-Garden_new030321.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2024-10-02 13:13:342024-10-02 13:14:21Home And Garden Show
In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Infinite Possibilities is hosting a candlelight vigil Thursday in Warrenton to remember victims and survivors.
The statistics are sobering: in the United States, a person suffers domestic violence every 73 seconds and 1 in 6 women has been sexually assaulted or has been the victim of an attempted sexual assault.
Vanessa Henderson serves as an advocate at Infinite Possibilities, which serves Vance and Warren counties.
Henderson and others provide people with a safe place to discuss their situations and what they need to do to get out of danger.
The candlelight vigil will begin Thursday, Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Warren County Courthouse square, Henderson said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
“Every year we remember and honor the victims and survivors of domestic violence,” she said. Following remarks from community leaders including the mayor and sheriff, Henderson said participants will light candles and observe a moment of silence for those who have died at the hands of domestic violence or are survivors.
This year, Henderson estimates that her office in Warrenton and the Vance County location has helped close to 300 clients – that’s almost one person a day. And she hears from others in the community about how grateful they are for the services – and hope – that Infinite Possibiities provides.
The services are free and confidential and include everything from helping clients understand the court process to obtain protective orders and “no contact” orders to developing a safety plan to safely leave a violent situation.
“The most dangerous time for someone in a domestic violence situation is the time when they’re leaving,” Henderson said. “We do safety planning to help them leave safely.”
In addition to helping clients arrange getting to a safe place or shelter, Infinite Possibilities also offers assessments and counseling when clients are ready to leave an abusive situation.
“We are here to help them, in a safe environment,” she said.
Call the Henderson office at 252.431.1926 or the Warrenton office at 252.257.1044.
Vance County Clerk of Court, the Hon. Henry Gupton, invites the community to come to the courthouse parking lot Tuesday and Wednesday to help fill a trailer with donations bound for hurricane-ravaged western North Carolina.
Gupton told WIZS News Monday that he’s coordinated with Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame to get an enclosed trailer – and he wants to pile it high with any type of supplies that will help in the clean-up efforts from last week’s weather disaster.
Any non-perishable food item, paper products, cleaning supplies and, of course, drinking water, will be helpful. The events brought by the effects of Hurricane Helene in the North Carolina mountains have taken dozens of lives, and that toll is likely to climb as rescue efforts continue.
If you find you can’t get to the parking lot to drop off your donation, give Gupton a call at 252.430.5130 and he’ll arrange to have it picked up.
Gupton said he’s coordinating with the state association of clerks of court to make the trip to deliver the donated items, which will end up in Henderson County, south of Buncombe County, one of the hardest hit areas; he’ll be stopping in Orange and Iredell counties along the way to pick up donated items there.
Gov. Roy Cooper has activated the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at the United Way of North Carolina and Duke Energy Local Government and Community Relations Manager Beth Townsend said Duke Energy is matching the first $100,000 in donations that come to the relief fund. Visit United Way of North Carolina (unitedwaync.org) to donate.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/henry-gupton_020321a.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2024-09-30 13:52:072024-09-30 18:20:55Trusted Way to Help Western NC with Henry Gupton
With family, friends and colleagues looking on, W. Rodwell Drake, M.D. – Roddy – became the most recent recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Rep. Frank Sossamon presented Drake with the framed award Thursday morning on behalf of N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper.
“It’s important to recognize people who have served us and served us well,” Sossamon said in remarks before presenting the award. “Dr. Drake is one of those who’s made an impact,” he said.
Recipients of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine are selected for long-standing service to their community and to the state. Sossamon said he’d heard Drake characterized as “’the epitome of what a family physician should be’ – what a compliment,” he said.
Drake grew up in Warren County and long-time resident of Henderson, practiced medicine at Henderson Family Medicine from 1975 to 1991, when he became director of the Granville-Vance Health District.
After the ceremony, he told WIZS News that he appreciated hearing all the kind comments that came from long-time friends and from family members.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” Drake said, but “the real satisfaction is in knowing that you’ve done a good job and that you’ve been supported by a good team of workers and support from friends and others in the community that makes it all possible.”
He retired from his role as GVPH director in 2012, but Drake currently serves as interim medical director in Nash County.
“I’ll always be involved,” he said. “It’s in my blood…that’s just the way it is. Medicine has been an important part of my life.”
Friend and local attorney Jerry Stainback read a resolution that he crafted to honor the occasion, signed by several dozen friends and colleagues, to recognize Drake for “his lifelong work and standard of work, and that his friends, colleagues and coworkers desire to honor him for his outstanding achievements as a friend to all whom he meets” and for “unfailing and faithful service to his community and State.”
In his role as district health director, Drake said he always tried to make sure he made the community a priority. But over the years, he had the chance to participate in a number of statewide committees and played a large role in creating guidelines and decision-making.
Gov. James B. Hunt appointed him to the N.C. Advisory Council on Cancer Coordination Control, and he served two four-year terms working with Dr. Joseph Pagano of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer He also was a steering committee member at the N.C. Institute of Medicine to develop a 10-year plan to improve health outcomes.
Lisa Harrison, who succeeded Drake as GVPH director, also served on that steering committee. In the nomination letter, Harrison wrote, “We all applaud Dr. Drake. We appreciate his dedication to the health of others and to the health of these rural communities. His leadership still makes such a positive difference.”
Harrison brought greetings Thursday morning from the health department – and a card signed by many staff members – and said she is grateful for “all of the wonderful things that Dr. Drake has done to keep communities healthy.”
In his remarks to those gathered, Drake said a community is strengthened by all its connections. “It takes a strong community to make good things happen,” he said. “I am so connected with all of you, not only in work, but in board work and tremendous long-lasting friendships.”
As the ceremony was winding down, Drake stood at the podium a second time to exercise his new authority as a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine – the privilege to recite the state’s toast whenever and wherever he so chooses.
Here’s to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,
Here’s to “Down Home,” the Old North State!
(WIZS News would like to credit and thank Jean Thompson, Dr. Drake’s sister, with providing additional help to WIZS for this story and for the pictures you see.)
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Dr.-Roddy-Drake-092624b.jpg294560Laura Gabelhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngLaura Gabel2024-09-26 20:20:432024-09-27 15:45:46Dr. Roddy Drake Recipient Of Order Of The Long Leaf Pine
In observance of National Fire Prevention Month, the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, along with Abria’s Chase Foundation and the Henderson Fire Department, present a Lunch and Learn at Station #1 on Thursday, Oct. 3 beginning at 12 noon.
The deadline to sign up is Monday, Sept. 30, so please call the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 or email Tanya Wilson at tanya@hendersonvance.org to register.
Ayana Lewis of Abria’s Chase Foundation said their mission is to prevent others from experiencing the tragedy she and her family endured because of a house fire. Two of the couple’s children perished in a 2009 housefire.
Since 2010, the nonprofit helps provide smoke detectors, support groups and other resources to families who have found themselves in need.
Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale said he and his staff strive to engage the community about smoke alarms, including talking with residents who live in areas with a higher instance of fires In addition to making sure homes have working smoke alarms, Twisdale said he and fellow firefighters remind people about the proper use of drop cords and safe placement of supplemental heat sources like space heaters.
Fires that involve cooking account for half of all fires nationwide, he said, adding that “local numbers reflect that also. Never leave cooking appliances unattended,” he warned.
Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson commended the fire department for the excellent job its members do to educate schoolchildren and called on business leaders and others to come learn what the fire department offers as a way to further prevent fires.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/hv-chamber-560x294-1.jpg294560WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2024-09-26 13:52:462024-09-27 15:53:49The Local Skinny! Fire Prevention Lunch And Learn Oct. 3
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Extension:
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is only open on Saturdays now. 8am-1pm.
Pesticide Disposal Day going on right now at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. They will there until 3pm.
Fall Vegetable Garden Workshop on September 30th, at 6:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. Led by Wayne Rowland.
Register for this workshop by calling the Vance County Cooperative Extension at (252) 438-8188.
Now is a good time to order your Spring Flowering Bulbs.
There is still time to renovate your Tall Fescue Lawn. From now until October 1st. Use a 3-variety fescue mix when renovating.
If you haven’t applied your fertilizer to your Tall Fescue Lawn, you need to apply one pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet by the end of this month.
Check you crops for insects.
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Home-and-Garden_new030321.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2024-09-25 15:56:122024-09-25 16:14:07Home And Garden Show
Summer gardens may be giving us the last produce of the long-growing season, but there are still plenty of choices at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
Market Manager Pat Ayscue said, “The summer season is winding down but thankfully since we are a regional market, there are still late summer veggies filling the farmer’s table.” Customers can still find butterbeans, field ripe tomatoes and those most sought-after purple hull peas, she said.
“Also, hats off to our farmers many who planted late crops when the rains came again after the long dry spell,” which created some extra bounty to share with customers on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The fall crops are coming in, too – tender collards, turnip greens, fall apples and grapes of many varieties, Ayscue said.
But there’s more than just fresh produce at the market. Local raw honey is available every Saturday, Ayscue said, and “Hidden Acres will be joining us with their pasture raised beef, chicken, lamb, pork and farm fresh eggs. Stop by and say hi and let them tell you all about their products,” she said.
And although we’re just a few days into fall, people are surely thinking about and preparing for Thanksgiving.
Sweet Inspirations is at the market every Saturday, and Ayscue said customers can begin placing holiday orders now.
EBT is welcome and stop by and ask the market manager about Double Bucks’. Follow us on Facebook! Each market day the farmers and vendors that are at the market that shopping day will be posted.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/wizsfbresize_0001s_0055_Farmers-Market-Edited-e1461854851601.png.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2024-09-24 12:06:242024-09-24 18:33:58The Local Skinny! Fall is Here at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market
Volunteers and supporters of Rebuilding Hope, Inc. are gearing up for the annual fall chicken plate fundraiser, which will be held Friday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the 414 Raleigh Road location.
Co-director Tom Willesaid the plates include half a chicken, potatoes, green beans and dessert, all for $10 each.
Call 252.438.5132 to pre-order or to get a minimum of six plates delivered to you.
“We’ll get those to you at lunch time, or break time,” Wille said. For pre-orders, “we’ll save them and you can pick them up,” he added.
But don’t wait until the last minute – they’ll be selling until 7 p.m. or until they run out.
This chicken plate fundraiser does more than just feed hungry people, Wille pointed out.
“We’re supporting the local community by doing this,” he said.
By building ramps for people with mobility issues, Wille said, they’re also helping first responders by reducing calls for help getting people in and out of their homes.
“It changes everybody’s life for the better,” he said.
“Everything we do is in the name of Christ. Because Jesus loved us first, we can go out and love those in our community.”
Charles Turrentine Jr. got word about 24 hours ago that the Chestnut Street Park renovation project is among five finalists from across the country vying for $100,000 from Bobcat Company.
The project to make improvements to the basketball courts that operate under the city’s recreation and parks department is going to be a “game-changer,” Turrentine said. And getting a $100,000 infusion of cash would be a big deal indeed.
“We need everyone to share and support and vote for the Chestnut Street Park revitalization,” Turrentine said on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
The project that gets the most votes wins, and Turrentine wants to spread the word so this local project comes out on top. Voters have to provide just a couple of bits of information to register and can cast one vote daily until the contest closes on Oct. 3.
When the project was first talked about earlier this year, Turrentine said, the costs were somewhere around $100,000 to resurface the courts, add breakaway goals and lighting. That number swelled to more like $1 million to include a playground, shelter, water and bathroom facilities and a shed roof.
Turrentine reeled off some of the rough estimates: $20,000 to resurface the courts, $30,000 for new fencing, breakaway goals at $4,000 each and lights for extra security another $60,000. And that’s just for starters.
He said Kendrick Vann and the Henderson Rec and Parks Department is a partner, and the city of Henderson has committed to put in water that will allow for restrooms.
When it’s completed, it’ll change the whole landscape, Turrentine said. “We can see what redevelopment looks like.”
Turrentine and other park supporters want the city park to be a place for the whole community to enjoy; he wants the park to be known as a nice, modernized park where everyone has fun.
But it’s going to take everyone working – and voting – collectively, he said, to make the dream a reality.
“We can change the narrative of Henderson…we can get on that one path to change the narrative.”
When the construction gets underway in January 2025 – the fencing comes down, the asphalt removed and the rebuilding begins, “everybody in the city of Henderson will be well-pleased.”
If all goes to plan, the courts will be ready for action by May 2025.
And it hopefully won’t be much longer to wait to enjoy the additional amenities that will be part of the new and improved Chestnut Street Park.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/chestnut-street-park-revitalization.jpg294560Laura Gabelhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngLaura Gabel2024-09-19 14:23:312024-09-19 15:06:51The Local Skinny! Vote For Chestnut Street Park Project To Win $100,000
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Extension:
Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Saturday from 8am-1pm.
Fall Vegetable Garden Workshop on September 30th, at 6:30pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. Led by Wayne Rowland.
Register for this workshop by calling the Vance County Cooperative Extension at (252) 438-8188.
Soil Samples are still Free of charge. Collect them now.
Now is a good time to order your Spring Flowering Bulbs.
There is still time to renovate your Tall Fescue Lawn. From now until October 1st. Use a 3-variety fescue mix when renovating.
If you haven’t applied your fertilizer to your Tall Fescue Lawn, you need to apply one pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet by the end of this month.
Check you crops for insects and maintain good weed control.
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536.
https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Home-and-Garden_new030321.jpg265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2024-09-18 15:11:592024-09-18 15:12:22Home And Garden Show
