The Local Skinny! Things To Know
The Local Skinny! today features a number of news items and events coming up. These items may be seen daily by clicking on PSA’s in the top navigation bar here on WIZS.com. Today’s post is audio only. Click Play.
The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville: Canadian Immigrants
We’ve learned from history lessons in school about immigrants who traveled from faraway places, their worldy possessions often fitting in a small suitcase, passing by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor to begin their new lives in America.
But did you know that there was a contingent of immigrants who came here after the end of the Civil War to what is now Vance County – all the way from…Canada?
A local man named Samuel Jones Parham got into the real estate business at a time when land prices had tanked as a result of the breakup of the huge plantations during Reconstruction.
Although Parham wasn’t single-handedly responsible for “the Canadian invasion,” Mark Pace quipped, he did go to an area in central Ontario to talk up the great land deals in the area.
“He made a connection in central Ontario,” Pace told Bill Harris on the Around Old Granville segment Thursday’s The Local Skinny! To be specific, he sold land to several families in the towns of Hamstead and St. Mary’s.
Pace said 25 families – for a total of about 400 people – relocated from Canada to Vance County between 1871 and 1873. The majority of these immigrants were first-generation Canadians whose families had come from Scotland, Pace said.
Scotland and Canada both were subjects of the British Crown back then, Pace reminded, and there was a lack of land ownership. “The motivation (to immigrate) was to own your own land,” he said.
Most of the families settled along Sandy Creek, between Vicksboro and Epsom, he said. Families with last names like Buchan, Dickie, Fox, McMillan, Pyree, Stewart and Smith were among those who came south to the United States with the dream of owning property.
“Some of their great- and great-great-grandkids are still here today,” Pace said.
Interestingly enough, there began a reverse migration of sorts back to the same area of Ontario – thanks to a crop called tobacco. Tobacco was being planted – and harvested – in that same area, and many people from here would go back to Canada to work during the growing season.
Samuel Parham died in 1880; his widow died in 1903. Although her husband was a mayor of Henderson, her name is perhaps better known because the original hospital in Henderson was named in her memory: Maria Parham.
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Home And Garden Show 03-16-22
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
- Check moisture level of garden soil before tilling that soil
- Finish up your pruning chores, fruit trees, grape vines, broadleaf evergreens.
- Vegetables you can now plant: Arugula, asparagus, snap beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, kale, leeks, bulb onions, Irish potatoes, turnips.
- Treat lawns for broadleaf weeds.
- Garden Tiller won’t start roll it out into sunshine for about a hour this should help it start better
- Apply crabgrass preventer.
- We have excellent gardening publications at Cooperative Extension
- Make a light application of fertilizer to tall fescue, especially if you missed the February application
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The Local Skinny! Gang Free Inc. To Host Sip And Paint Vaccination Clinic
Gang Free, Inc. is sponsoring a COVID-19 clínica de vacunación on Saturday, Mar. 19 at Satterwhite Point’s Glass House. The clinic is sponsored through a partnership with Raleigh-based Healthier Together and Spanish speakers are especially invited to come out and enjoy being outdoors for a “Sip and Paint” event.
Anyone interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine is welcome to sign up, according to Melissa Elliott, founder of Gang Free, Inc. Call her at 252. 425. 5220 to get registered.
There are still some appointment slots open for the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 269 Glass House Road.
Even if you’re fully vaccinated and boosted, there are slots available to come out and paint and enjoy the beauty of the lake.
New cases are going down, Elliott told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny!, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to let down our guard.
“We still have to be cognizant that this virus is still alive and still infecting individuals,” she said.
“We just want to make sure that we’re doing our part.”
Gang Free has spearheaded 70-plus vaccination clinics, and continues to distribute N-95 masks and rapid COVID tests to the community.
People with underlying health conditions are still especially vulnerable to COVID-19, and sometimes it’s those folks within marginalized populations that remain hesitant to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“When people understand the information – once they understand why it’s important,” she said, they often change their minds. “When that virus attacks your body, it’s hard to fight back on your own,” Elliott said, referring to those with underlying health conditions.
“It IS your choice,” she emphasized, “but let me give you enough information to let you think about it.”
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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance 3-15-22
Jobs in Vance this week focuses on openings with Vance County. To apply for any of these jobs visit https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/human-resources/. The following positions are currently available:
Deputy Tax Assessor
Tax Office
Rate of Pay: $48,504 – $50,916
Details: Open Until Filled
SW I A/T (FLOATER)
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $42,504 – $44,616
Details: Open Until Filled
SOCIAL WORKER II SENIOR CENTER
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $37,236 – $39,108
Details: Open Until Filled
HUMAN RESOURCE AIDE-SENIOR CENTER
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $20,100 – $21,108
Details: Open Until Filled
Social Worker II
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $37,236 – $39,108
Details: Open Until Filled
Program Assistant V (Senior Center)
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $28,596 – $30,036
Details: Open Until Filled
Kitchen Worker
Detention
Rate of Pay: $13.98
Details: Continuous Posting
Processing Assistant V
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $28,596 – $30,036
Details: Open Until Filled
Building Codes Enforcement Officer
Planning & Development
Details: Open Until Filled; Salary is Negotiable based on Experience & Trade Certifications
SW II CHILDCARE/EMERGENCY INTAKE
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $37,236 – $39,108
Details: Open Until Filled
Library Assistant (PT)
Library
Rate of Pay: $11.00
Details: Open Until Filled
Permits Technician
Planning & Development
Status: Accepting Applications
Details: Open Until Filled – Previous applicants need not re-apply – Salary $29,880, neg. based on experience
Deputy Register of Deeds
Register of Deeds
Rate of Pay: $28,596 – $30,036
Details: Open Until Filled (Do Not Reach out to anyone in the Register of Deeds Office regarding this position; Do Not reapply if applied previously)
Telecommunicator I
Emergency Operations
Rate of Pay: $32,640 – $42,420
Details: Salary Negotiable; Based on Experience. If previously applied and still interested, you will need to reapply. Open Until Filled
SW III FOSTER CARE/ADOPTIONS/LINKS
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $40,668 – $42,696
Details: Open Until Filled
INCOME MAINTENANCE CASEWORKER III
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $34,104 – $35,808
Details: Open Until Filled
SW IA/T / CPS
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $42,504 – $44,616
Details: Open Until Filled
INCOME MAINTENANCE CASEWORKER II
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $31,236 – $32,796
Details: Open Until Filled
PROCESSING ASSISTANT IV
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $26,448 – $27,756
Details: Open Until Filled
SOCIAL WORK SUPERVISOR III (ADULT SERVICES)
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $48,504 – $50,916
Details: Open Until Filled
IM Supervisor II (Family/Children Recertifications Medicaid)
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $37,236 – $48,408
Details: Open Until Filled
Fire Engineer
Fire
Rate of Pay: $37,236 – $39,108
Details: Open Until Filled
STAFF DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST I
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $37,236 – $39,108
Details: Open Until Filled
EMT – Paramedic (P/T)
EMS
Rate of Pay: $16.97
Details: Open Until Filled (6 Positions) (Hours Vary)
EMT Basic
EMS
Rate of Pay: $29,880 – $31,392
Details: Open Until Filled (3 Positions)
EMT – Paramedic
EMS
Details: Open Until Filled (4 Positions) New Pay Scale
Community Paramedic
EMS
Rate of Pay: $41,616
Details: Position is Open Until Filled
SW SUPERVISOR III (Foster Care)
Social Services
Rate of Pay: $48,504 – $50,916
Details: Closing Date: Until Filled
Detention Officer
Detention
Rate of Pay: $33,432 – $35,088
Status: Until Filled
Details: www.vancecountysheriff.org for application
Firefighter/Fire Engineer (PT)
Fire
Rate of Pay: $12.32
Details: Open Until Filled
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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Thursday in Downtown Henderson
Shamrocks on Breckenridge is just a few days away – come to downtown Henderson on Thursday, Mar. 17 to enjoy food vendors and entertainment to observe St. Patrick’s Day!
Amanda Ellis, chair of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission, reminds everyone to wear green to add to the festive atmosphere on Breckenridge Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The band Purple Admonition is scheduled to perform, as well as a 6:30 show by the Ballet Arts “Cloggers,” Ellis said.
Food trucks from RJ Wings & Things and Big Rob’s Fred Robertson will be on hand, as well as Ryan Ball’s Kona Ice. Sandra Abbott and Westwood Church will have beverages.
The Arts Council will have cards for attendees to go on a scavenger hunt. Those who complete the card will get a prize.
Participating vendors include:
Participating vendors include:
- H.A.P.E. & The Gateway Center – Tracy Moseley & Heather Joi Kenney
- Gang Free, Inc. – Melissa Elliott
- Turning Point Community Development (Mobile Learning Lab) – Chalis Henderson & Kate Delahanty
- Vance County Tourism – Pam Hester
- Vance County Sheriff’s Office – Curtis Brame & Debbie Scott
- Granville-Vance Public Health – Gerald McNair
- Perry Memorial Library –
- Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers – Frankie Nobles
- Franklin-Granville-Vance Partnership – Smart Start – Gary Daeke
- Henderson Family YMCA – Christine Bennerson
- Henderson-Vance Downtown Development – Tracy Madigan / Amanda Ellis
- Vance County Arts Council – Alice Sallins
- Henderson-Vance Parks and Recreation – Kendrick Vann
The Local Skinny! Nothing Bugs Mark Harrison
It wasn’t a lifelong fascination with bugs or a high school biology insect collection project that catapulted Mark Harrison into the pest control business, but here it is, more than four decades later, and Harrison remains the chief Whitco “Bug Warrior.”
Harrison visited with Bill Harris as part of the Business Spotlight of The Local Skinny! Harrison and his son run Whitco Termite and Pest Control, based in Henderson.
“I would like to say it was always my life plan to be in the pest control business,” he told Harris Thursday. “But I kinda fell into it.”
He needed a job back in 1976, and answered an ad for a termite technician. And the rest, as they say, is history. He obtained his pest control license and in 1987 formed a business partnership with Aaron Whitley of Rocky Mount. They rented a small space in Henderson and then five years later purchased their current location, 123 E. Belle St.
Eighteen years ago, he bought out his business partner and now he and his son run the business.
The Whitco Bug Warriors team conducts quarterly pest control appointments with clients as well as termite control. They also can perform work in crawlspaces to eliminate humidity problems, he said.
One employee – a termite expert – has worked with Harrison for 25 years.
“I would match him up against any termite man in the state of North Carolina,” he said, (and) his customers would agree with me.”
Fire ants are becoming more of a problem in the area, and they get calls to treat athletic fields.
“We do a lot of football fields,” he said. The last thing a football player wants is to get tackled and land on a fire ant hill.
Harrison said ants in general are probably the most worrisome pest that this area deals with, but they don’t generate as big an “eww” factor as another pest that Harrison and his crews tackle: Bedbugs.
There is one team member whose sole job is working to eradicate bedbugs, he said.
“It’s the most difficult problem that people face – I would say it’s impossible to get rid of them yourself,” he said of a bedbug infestation. “Oh yeah, it’s big time.”
Secondly, the treatment isn’t cheap, so not everyone can afford to call a professional.
That means everywhere they go, they’re taking bedbugs with them – ‘cause they’re great hitchhikers.
Peak time for bedbug calls are after holidays, when people have either traveled or have had people come stay with them.
To learn more about the services they offer, contact Whitco at 252.492.2818 or visit their website www.whitcobugwarriors.com.
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Home And Garden Show 03-09-22
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
- Repot houseplants, dust them with soft moist cloth
- When growing seeds indoors check the media before watering. If the media has moisture check the next day before watering.
- Finish up your pruning chores, fruit trees, grape vines, broadleaf evergreens.
- Bring indoors any plants that you placed outdoors ex houseplants Saturday projected low 21F
- Write out a monthly plan in your garden notebook and keep your journal up to date
- We have excellent gardening publications at Cooperative Extension
- Get your lawn care equipment ready now.
- Always check moisture level of garden soil before tilling that soil
- Plant berries, or maybe next year.
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The Local Skinny! Business Spotlight: Wedding Bells And More At Hudson Manor
Spring is in the air and many plan weddings this time of year. However, according to Melissa Cogliati, owner and operator of Hudson Manor in the Moulton Community in Franklin County, anytime of the year seems to be good for the sound of wedding bells.
Hudson Manor is a rather imposing house built around 1911 by Charlie Thomas Hudson, but by 2004 it had begun showing signs of decline. Cogliati and her husband were looking to get out of Raleigh for something more rural where he could concentrate on catering and cooking and she could start a wedding venue when they found the home. The house needed some work. A rear section that was added in the 1970’s was removed and the front porch was rebuilt to the original specifications. The Cogliati’s later added to the rear portion of the house so they could live there. Along with them came children and parents. “It’s a family compound,” Cogliati said on the Business Spotlight segment of The Local Skinny!
Improvements have continued with the addition of a wedding chapel which allows Hudson Manor to host weddings no matter what the weather. “We had a wedding in the snow,” Cogliati said. This would have been a few weeks back on one of those wintery weekends. She described that wedding as particularly beautiful. She has had couples from Vance, Warren, Granville, Franklin and other surrounding counties to book the venue for weddings, but Hudson Manor does more than just get people hitched. Last year Hudson Manor hosted a bluegrass festival, and they are available for fundraising events. Hudson Manor is open all year round.
If you have a wedding or fundraising event you can find out more information at www.thehudsonmanor.com.
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The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance
The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for March 8, 2022). The Chamber compiles the information, and it is presented here and on the radio. Contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 438-8414 or email christa@hendersonvance.org to be included.
Name of the Company: First Citizens Bank
Jobs Available: Bank Senior Sales and Service Representative, Bank Operations Services Supervisor
Method of Contact: For more information to ncworks.gov or contact your local NC Works Career Center
Name of the Company: Ameristaff
Jobs Available: Extended Care Services Coordinator, Forklift Operator
Method of Contact: For more information to ncworks.gov or contact your local NC Works Career Center
Name of the Company: Vance County
Jobs Available: Full time Custodian, Permits Technician and Human Resources Aide (Senior Center)
Method of Contact: For more information to ncworks.gov or contact your local NC Works Career Center
Name of the Company: Kerr-Vance Academy
Jobs Available: Looking for the next Head of School to start between now and July 2022
Method of Contact: If interested please call 252-492-0018
Name of the Company: Benchmark Community Bank
Jobs Available: Relationship Teller – Henderson Branch
Method of Contact: For job description and how to apply go to https://bcbonline.applicantpro.com/jobs/
Name of the Company: Vance County
Jobs Available: Vance County has multiple openings for The Sheriff’s Office Detention Center, Department of Social Services, The Senior Center and more
Method of Contact: Visit the county website at http://www.vancecounty.org
Some of these businesses are present or past advertisers of WIZS. Being an ad client is not a condition of being listed or broadcast. This is not a paid ad.
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