The Local Skinny! Bullock’s Engraving: Going Strong Since 1973

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Michael Lassiter has been working at Bullock’s Engraving for 34 years.  That’s a long time and it’s even more impressive when one considers that Lassister is only 42 years old.  That means he started with the business when he was 8 years old.

Ron and Grace Bullock started the business in 1973 and were located for many years in the Henderson Mall. Lassiter’s dad worked for the mall and that meant the younger Lassiter spent a lot of time there. Additionally, the Bullocks were Michael’s God Parents.  “I was always in the store anyway,” Lassiter said on Monday’s Local Skinny! program. He apprenticed under Ron Bullock for many years learning all he could about engraving and the business.

He now owns the business but Grace Bullock can still frequently be found at the business lending a hand as needed. Lassiter says that all engraving is done on site and includes engravable gifts, awards and more.  If it can be engraved, Lassiter says they can do it.

While there may be other businesses that do engraving work in the area, Lassiter says none have been around as long as Bullock’s. The business has had three locations over its 49 years: The Henderson Mall, Corbitt Hills, which is where B B & T is now located and Corbitt Depot at 1630 Parham Street.

Lassiter says the moves have been the toughest part of his 34 years.  “Most people think you’ve gone out of business,” Lassister said when the store has moved.  They’ve now been at the Corbitt Depot for about 17 years and he plans on keeping the store in its current location for as long as possible.  “Henderson has potential,” Lassiter said.

Bullock’s Engraving has a showroom that is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4:30pm and at other times by appointment. The phone number is 252-492-7011, and they are on Facebook at facebook.com/BullocksEngraving and the web at www.bullocksengraving.com.

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The Local Skinny! Public Hearing Jan. 3 To Begin County Budget Discussions

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Updated 01-04-22 at 12:30 p.m. —

Kelly H. Grissom – Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board of the Vance County Board of Commissioners – informs WIZS, “A 10-day notice is required for public hearings.”

She said, therefore, that a new notice would be prepared on the pre-budget public hearing and that the public hearing would be postponed until the February meeting.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

Update 01-03-22 at 1:30 p.m. —

The Vance County Board of Commissioners’ meeting was rescheduled for Monday, January 10th at 6:00 p.m. due to inclement weather.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

The Vance County board of commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 to hear from residents about the 2022-23 budget.

This “pre-budget” public hearing will be held in the commissioners’ meeting room at 122 Young St. and is scheduled to begin shortly after 6 p.m., according to information from County Manager Jordan McMillen.

This is the first of two public hearings to hear from residents about suggestions and priorities for the upcoming budget.

The county manager is scheduled to submit a recommended budget in May. The second public hearing is planned for June 6, 2022 and then the board must adopt a final budget no later than July 1, when the new fiscal year begins.

Home And Garden Show

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What an odd weather forecast for the end of December and the start of January.  Temperatures have been well above normal with 70 plus degree highs this week and mid 70’s projected into the weekend before reality returns the first of the week with high temperatures on Monday staying in the 40’s but what can this unseasonable warm spell do to plants that have been dormant for winter?  Wayne Rowland with the Vance Co. Extension Service discussed that on the Home and Garden Show today (Wednesday) as part of the Local Skinny!  Rowland said that the warmth can effect many plants causing them to break dormancy. However, since we are still quite early in the winter season and the projected return of more normal temperatures next week damage to plants is not a major concern even if dormancy is broken.

“It’s a very unusual warm period,” Rowland said. “If it were to last two weeks it could be detrimental to plants,” Rowland continued. Rowland explained that any plant that has broken dormancy would return to that state once colder weather resumes.

One plant that may suffer are azaleas. Some people have reported that their azaleas are starting to bloom. Rowland says that since azaleas only have one set of blooms that these plants would have less blooms in the spring.

Wayne Rowland can be heard on Home and Garden Show along with Paul McKenzie every Wednesday at 11:30am as part of the Local Skinny! and the Vance Co. Cooperative Extension Report can be heard at 11:50am on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday on WIZS.

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

  • Get ready to start your 2022 garden journal
  • Cooperative extension has Carolina Lawns publication that will give you information A to Z in lawn care
  • Start planning your 2022 garden on paper now have a garden plan.
  • Check Your trees health,with the leaves off the trees you can see any damage
  • How current warm temperatures can affect your plants
  • Inventory your seed before ordering more seed.
  • Start preparing your seeding equipment for growing transplants
  • Build a small greenhouse or cold frame to raise your own transplants for 2022

 

The Local Skinny! Henderson Oxford Airport Flies High

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Chris Welsh likens the Henderson-Oxford Airport to a rest area along the interstate – when a traveler needs to stop, that blue road sign announcing that a rest area is ahead is a welcome sight.

Welsh and his wife, Amanda, have been the fixed-base operators at the airport for the past several years, and he said things are – pardon the pun – looking “up.” Traffic at the airport with its 5,500-foot-long runway is up, he said. And he points to a few reasons for why that is so.

Because the couple can offer maintenance on the aircraft – which other local airstrips do not provide – Welsh said pilots will fly in if they need to get something like a landing gear tire fixed.

But he also said they have seen an increase in small planes coming in since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think a lot of businesses have started (using private aircraft) since COVID – we’re seeing more 4- and 6-seaters coming in for business,” he told John C. Rose today during Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “And Mako is flying all the time – at least three or four times a week, and I know they’re coming out here at night,” Welsh added, even though he and his wife typically are not there for their arrival.

The pilots communicate on the radio frequency, follow standard traffic patterns, land and then just park the aircraft and follow the sidewalk to the building and parking lot beyond.

Since beginning their jobs there, the Welshes have overseen a couple of project completions, including a runway lighting upgrade and an extra row of hangars, where 10 additional planes now call home.

Some larger aircraft also have flown in – like a King Air 12-passenger turboprop – that previously had used the airstrip in Clarksville, VA. But that runway was shortened by 900 feet recently, which makes landing a larger aircraft a bit more difficult.

“The landing is usually more of the problem,” Welsh said, “because you have to slow down, right?”

Revlon flies a Gulfstream aircraft that is similar in size to a commuter plane, Welsh said. It uses the airport regularly, along with private travelers.

“You could probably land a 737 here,” he said. The problem, however, comes after the landing. “It’s probably too heavy for the pavement,” and then there’s the issue of what kind of vehicle would be available on the ground to tow it.

That rest-area concept Welsh alluded to plays into the airport’s support role for nearby Raleigh-Durham International, which could divert aircraft to the Granville County airport if the need arises.

Raleigh has a couple of flight schools, and Welsh said more student pilots are using the local runway in their training.

“In the first 10 or 15 hours of learning, you don’t need any distractions,” Welsh said. He is a seasoned pilot himself and he also has a commercial license to operate a drone.

“If you’re practicing repetitive landings, you can do three or four here in an hour,” he noted. A student pilot would get half that amount at RDU – and they’d have the added stress of watching for incoming aircraft using the same runway.

Welsh said the airport is home to a couple of flying club airplanes – a Cessna and a Piper – that are based here as part of the RDU flying club. “You can join the club if you’re not a pilot,” Welsh said. “It’s basically the cheapest way to rent an airplane.” Individuals can use the planes to accumulate training hours toward their license, rent it to fly over the lake or take it to the beach for a couple of days. The planes can stay gone overnight, he said, but most of the time they’re tucked back in the hangars after each outing.

Visit www.flyhnz.com to learn more.

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The Local Skinny! Louisburg College Graduate with Vance Co. Roots Honored

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A Long Island, NY councilman with local ties got a surprise on Veterans Day from a VFW post whose members he had come to honor for their service.

During his summer vacations to visit his grandmother in Townsville, it’s probably safe to say that Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews didn’t imagine the career path that would take him to Glen Cove, NY on Long Island and playing a role in the politics there.

Those summers in Townsville, which he referred to as “away camp,” were spent working in the tobacco fields. He graduated from Louisburg College in 1981.

In 2020, he was elected to the Glen Cove City Council, which is where VFW Post 347 is located. In recent years, Stevenson-Mathews visits with the local post on Veterans Day to thank them for their bravery and dedication in service to their country, according to a press release about the turn of events for Stevenson-Mathews.

This year, he arrived at the post for the ceremony with “I’m Proud to be a Veteran” lapel pins, which he distributed to each member present, the statement explained. In a surprise twist, prior to the start of their standard service, it was the councilman who was celebrated. The VFW members surprised Stevenson-Mathews with a plaque honoring him for his meritorious and distinguished service to their post.

“I was truly surprised and humbled to be presented with such an important and distinguished honor,” said Stevenson-Mathews. “To be acknowledged by veterans, who sacrificed so much in their own lifetimes is a true honor and will be something I will always cherish.”

Stevenson-Mathews is a public relations consultant as well as an acting and vocal coach and he recently created a Facebook page for the local VFW. He also was one of the first on the scene recently when the post building caught fire. The Facebook page has allowed the post to garner support – and the funds – needed to rebuild, according to VFW member and trustee Joseph Moores.

“Gaitley has been a tremendous help to all veterans, especially our VFW Post 347,” Moores stated.  “He touches base with us before important meetings to ensure our voice will be heard. Gaitley is a loyal friend and we wanted everyone to know how much we appreciate him.”

Stevenson-Mathews, a native of Red Springs, NC, grew up with a strong sense of civic duty, faith, and commitment to community. His family also served in the military. His brother, retired Colonel J. Hunter Mathews, Sr., served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. His father, James H. Mathews Sr., who is originally from Townsville, NC, served in the Navy during World War II and his mother, Jean Gaitley Mathews, served in the Cadet Nurse Corps.

Stevenson-Mathews has not forgotten his North Carolina roots. “I continue to draw on the inspiration of my professors at Louisburg College and thanks to having spent summers in Townsville (NC) as a young teenager, I am appreciative for having seen and learned the value of hard work and of supporting family and community.” “I will always value my years growing up in North Carolina,” said the councilman.

“I knew both of Gaitley’s parents,” said Louisburg resident and former Louisburg College professor Janet Taylor.  “It does not surprise me at all that Gaitley is so committed to his community on Long Island. He was certainly raised with a strong sense of the importance of serving others.

Stevenson-Mathews is the son of the late Jim and Jean Mathews of Red Springs, the nephew of Doris and Lewis Reavis of Warrenton and of the late Alma and Richard Mathews of Henderson, and the grandson of the late Martha Catherine Riggan Mathews of Townsville.

The Local Skinny! Gear & Beer Brings Something Different To Downtown Henderson

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Curious about why there’s a kayak hanging out on Garnett Street? Stop in to Gear & Beer, a new business in downtown Henderson.

The “beer” part of the name requires no explanation, but just what kind of gear are we talking about?

Carol Terwilliger spoke with WIZS’s Trey Snide on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny! to tell folks what to expect when they stop in to her store, located at 234 S. Garnett St. Her establishment is featured in the recurring “business spotlight” segment.

The gear on the shelves includes anything campers or other lake visitors may need, from toothpaste to kayaks.

With Kerr Lake a short trip away from the downtown area, Terwilliger wanted to provide a store that has all those lake essentials, as well as a few extras.

As for why she chose downtown to locate her retail space, she said, “I could really see the potential” of downtown Henderson and she said she wanted to do her part and to be a part of the revitalization effort.

It’s an easy drive for campers to come pick up gear and it’s also a fun place to come enjoy some down time after work.

She’s just finished a lounge area in the back, where patrons can sip a craft beer and play Giant Jenga, Connect Four and corn hole.

Speaking of craft beer, Terwilliger said that the store will feature a different North Carolina brewery each quarter. This quarter, it’s Gizmo Brew Works from Umstead Industrial Park near Research Triangle Park

There are 10 different varieties available for purchase.

The store is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit www.gearandbeernc.com to learn more.

The Local Skinny! Granville Co. Appoints New Sheriff

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John Blackwell Hardy, III was appointed (today) Monday to be the Granville County Sheriff by the board of commissioners, but part of the terms of his appointment include him not running for sheriff in 2022 and not publicly endorsing any candidates for the seat.

Hardy is a graduate of J.F. Webb High School and UNC-Chapel Hill. The board announced its selection at a special called meeting this morning (Monday). He fills the remainder of the term of Charles R. Noblin, Jr, who resigned on Oct. 27, 2021. That term ends on Dec. 5, 2022, according to county attorney Jim Wrenn.

Hardy will assume all duties and powers of the position following the administration of the oath of office.

He has served for a few months as a deputy sheriff in the Court Security Division with the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, according to a statement from Granville County, and has held numerous jobs within the  law enforcement community, including about three years in the patrol division for the Oxford Police Department, where he achieved the rank of corporal.

He received his certification in Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) from Vance-Granville Community College and has more than 25 years of military and law enforcement experience. He began his career in 1987 with the North Carolina Army National Guard. Hardy was an infantry officer in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for 17 years, achieving the rank of major.

Concurrently, through much of his time in the Army Reserve, Hardy completed 25 years of service in federal law enforcement as a correctional officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (assigned to FCC Butner) and a deputy U.S. marshal assigned to the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, County Attorney Jim Wrenn stated, “the Board of Commissioners made a concerted effort to recruit a qualified individual to shepherd the Sheriff’s Office through this transitional period until the citizens of Granville County have the opportunity to choose their preferred candidate in the upcoming elections.”

In a written statement, Wrenn said “the board of commissioners believe that John Hardy will continue his distinguished career of public service by successfully guiding the Sheriff’s Office to the conclusion of the current term in the dedicated and professional manner shown throughout his career.”

The commissioners chose Hardy based on his extensive supervisory leadership and educational accomplishments, including his distinguished service as an infantry platoon Leader with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Executive Officer and Company Commander with the 108th Training Division of the U.S. Army Reserve, acting supervisory deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service, and acting sex offender investigations coordinator and member of the Critical Incident Response Team with the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the press statement.

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The Local Skinny! County Commissioners Minutes Review

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Local meeting minutes are like a system of checks and balances.  You get a recap of news, a chance to double check anything that may have been missed and the words written as the entity in question saw it.

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Plain and simple, I love reading meeting minutes for the locally elected boards, commissions and councils … particularly for the school board, the city council and the county commissioners.

It’s to last month’s Nov. 1 Vance County Board of Commissioners meeting that we turn to today on WIZS for The Local Skinny!  Just another chance to dig around in the dirt and to learn more about what’s going on in Vance County.

These are direct quotes from the meeting minutes found online at vancecounty.org.  This is not the whole meeting minutes but rather highlights that read as newsworthy at this time.

“The Vance County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the commissioners’ conference room, Vance County Administration Building, 122 Young Street, Henderson, NC.”

…

“Public comments were heard first. Mr. Ron Regular spoke about a WRAL report regarding the Vance County’s Sheriff’s Office and the three employees who were indicted. He also stated that he would like to see high speed internet available throughout the county.

“Mr. John Miles expressed his concerns with the Sheriff’s Office continuing to pay three employees who are on administrative leave due to being indicted by a grand jury. He asked the board how long are they going to allow this to continue.”

…

“Mr. Chase Wingate with Open Broadband was next on the agenda to provide the quarterly project report for the county’s broadband initiative as well as an activity update. He explained the trouble they have had with delays in receiving equipment and stated that it was slowly improving.

“After lengthy discussion, Chairman Brummitt expressed his concerns with agreement milestones not being met. Mr. Wingate responded that he anticipates a great deal of progress to be made soon.”

…

“Committee Reports and Recommendations section

“Properties Committee – Surplus Property Offer from Vance County Schools. Mr. McMillen stated that the committee reviewed a letter from the school board seeking to surplus Western Vance School and offering the property and the old two story Eaton Johnson building to the County. Both properties are no longer needed or necessary for public school purposes, and in accordance with NC General Statute 115C-518, the school system is required to offer the properties to the county before attempting to sell the properties. The committee discussed the possibility of utilizing the Western Vance property for a rural park in the future, but did not see an immediate need for the county to take ownership of either property offered. The committee recommended providing a written response declining interest in taking ownership of either property.”

…

“From the County Manager’s Report

“Vaya Health Transition and Regional Board Appointments. Mr. McMillen advised that Vaya Health anticipates finalizing their consolidation with Cardinal Innovations January 1, 2022. Vaya anticipates approval from the DHHS Secretary of their alternative board structure in the coming days. A total of 31 counties are in the Vaya catchment area and their intent is to create four regions of counties. Vance County would be in region four with Granville, Franklin, Person, Caswell, Alamance, Chatham, and Stokes County. Maps of Vaya counties and region designations were provided to the board. Mr. McMillen stated that each of the counties are to appoint two members to the regional community board and each of the four regional boards will appoint two members to the newly consolidated and reconstituted Vaya Health Board. Additionally, four members will be appointed to the Vaya Board by the Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC), one will be appointed by the DHHS Secretary, and up to eight at-large seats will be appointed by the current Vaya Board. Vaya is aiming to have the board in place by January 1st. Vance County will need to appoint two members to the regional community board at the December board meeting. One member must be a commissioner and the second member can be a commissioner, DSS Director, Health Director, Law Enforcement representative, or County Manager.

“Chairman Dan Brummitt expressed his interest in serving in this capacity.”

Home And Garden Show

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

 

THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN

 

  • Check garden tools if they need replacing add to your Christmas list

 

  • Take a critical look at your shrubbery to decide what to replace.

 

  • Water house plants with room temperature water cold tap water may put house plants in shock.

 

  • Re-pot any houseplants that have become rootbound. Most plants benefit from repotting every year or so.

 

  • Hairspray works well for keeping seed heads and dried flowers on wreaths and other decorations intact.

 

  • Wood ashes have a liming effect and can be spread lightly in the garden.

 

  • Dust houseplant leaves with a soft cloth

 

  • Be very careful when using a chainsaw.

 

  • Check water under your christmas tree each day

The Local Skinny! Jobs In Vance

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The H-V Chamber of Commerce and WIZS, Your Community Voice, present Jobs in Vance for December 14, 2021. 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.

JOB OPENINGS IN VANCE COUNTY-Week of December 14, 2021

Name of the Company: Select Products Holdings

Jobs Available : Mechanic

Method of Contact: For more information please contact your local NC Works Career Center

 

 

Name of the Company: Kerr lake Nursing and Rehad Center

Jobs Available: Certified Nurses and Assistants for all shifts, Restorative Certified Nurse Assistant for day shift, LPN/RN for second and third shifts, Weekend RN Supervisor, Weekend Treatment Nur se . Also accepting applications for an upcoming C.N.A. class

Method of Contact: If interested please call Kristy Binkley at 252-492-7021

 

Name of the Company: Benchmark Community Bank

Jobs Available: (2) Mortgage loan Officers needed to cover Virginia and Wake Forest markets. The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of 3 years of recent mortgage loan experience.

Method of Contact: To apply please go to website@ https://bcbonline.applicatpro.com/jobs/

 

Name of the Company: Brewer Cycles

Jobs Available: Set Up Technician – This is a full or part time position. Some experience is necessary and must be mechanically inclined. Must have own tools and be able to lift and/or move 50 ponds. Pay is $13.00 an hour

Method of Contact:   Applicants can fill out an application online at brewercyc/es.com or come in and fill out the application in person at 420 Warrenton Rd. in Henderson

 

 

Name of the Company:  Brewer Cycles

Jobs Available: Parts Department Associate-will work directly with walk-ins and telephone customers to help them with their parts needs. Accept cash and credit card payments for purchases and keep cash register accurate. Make sure merchandise displays are stocked and clean. Work days will be Tuesday- Saturday.

Method of Contact: Applicants can fill out an application online at brewercycles.com or come in and fill out the application in person at 420 Warrenton Rd. in Henderson

 

Name of the Company: Vance County Social Services

Jobs Available: Multiple positions open

Method of Contact: Please go to county website at www.vancecounty.orq for more information

 

 

Name of the Company: Vance County Sheriff’s Department is urgently hiring

Jobs Available: Deputies, Investigator, School Resource Officers, Office Administrative Assistant and Detention Officers

Method of Contact: For more information please contact the Sheriff’s office at 252-738-2200 or go by the office in person at 156 Church Street Suite 004, Henderson

 

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.