Remembering Thurston “TJ” Julius
Please click to play audio as WIZS remembers Thurston “TJ” Julius for his impact on his community, for his professionalism and for his wit.
The Local Skinny! Boys & Girls Club Giving Youth A Brighter Future
The Boys & Girls Club of North Central North Carolina has its main club site for Vance County at 212 N. Clark St. in Henderson, but with some financial support from a 21st Century Grant, two satellite clubs are up and running at two elementary schools in the county.
Ronald Bennett serves on the group’s corporate board. He said Wednesday’s Be Great Breakfast fundraiser was a big success, thanks to caring people in the community. “It was a good turnout for a great cause,” he said.
The new program sites are at Carver Elementary and New Hope Elementary. “We are excited that we were able to open the two rural sites,” Bennett told Trey Snide on Thursday’s The Local Skinny! segment. He said folks in the communities around the schools are happy that there is club programming available to students who live out in the county.
The breakfast netted about $15,000.
“It just shows that there are committed people right here in the community that pitch in and make a difference,” Bennett said. Donors got to show their support via their pocketbook and they got a good breakfast, to boot. The breakfast was held at Henderson Country Club.
CEO Donyell “DJ” Jones was the keynote speaker for the morning’s event. Jones came on board about a week before the pandemic shut everything down, and although things had to look a little different, the clubs across the five counties served by BGCNCNC found ways to provide services.
Vance’s Youth of the Year Keyon Tunstall also shared his story at the breakfast. He started coming to the club at age 5, Bennett said, and now has a leadership role there. As Youth of the Year, he received a $1,000 scholarship that he can use at the school of his choosing.
Bennett said he got to know Tunstall last year when they were both working at the club to distribute hot meals. “He is a great young man with a very bright future,” Bennett said.
Home And Garden Show 11-3-21
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
- Compost leaves please DO NOT BURN THEM!
- Continue planting trees and shrubs. Dig a planting hole that’s 2 or 3 times as wide as the rootball, and no deeper than the rootball.
- Have Frost Protection materials ready projected forecasts for lows will be in the 30’s
- Plant spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. If the bed has not been fertilized recently, mix some into the planting site first.
- Harvest your sweet potatoes today if possible you do not want sweet potatoes that have been exposed to frost.
- Even perennial flowers can be planted now. The tops will die off over the winter, but the roots will continue to grow and the plant will come back strong next spring.
- Winterize any equipment that may have water in it.
- Many plants can be divided now, giving you a free way to expand your plantings or share with friends. Possibilities include daylily, hosta, iris, liriope, and many perennial flowers.
- Do not leave pet food outside it will attract wildlife. Skunks, raccoons, opossums.
- Monitor lawn for cool season weeds through the fall and winter. It’s best to treat them as they appear.
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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 November 2, 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 November 2, 2021
Name of the Company: Cordell’s Lawn Care
Jobs Available: Looking for new team members. Must be motivated with good customer service. Experience is a plus but willing to pay the right person. Offers paid holidays and vacation pay. Pay based on experience
Method of Contact: Contact Steve Cordell at 252-492-9381
Name of the Company: Vance County Social Services
Jobs Available: Multiple positions open
Method of Contact: Please go to county website at www.vancecounty.org for more information
Name of the Company: Servpro of Franklin Vance and Granville Counties
Jobs Available: Staff to clean up and restore homes and businesses related to water damage, fires and mold. On- the- job training is provided
Method of Contact: Stop by the office at 260 Industry Drive off Ross Mill Rd. near Lowe’s or call 252-433-005
Name of the Company: Ahner Security, Inc.
Jobs Available: Alarm Technicians Needed. MUST be able to pass a drug test and background check. Experience preferred but not required
Method of Contact: If interested contact office at 438-7181 or go by 5799 US-1 Bypass in Henderson
Name of the Company: Vance County Sheriff’s Department is urgently hiring
Jobs Available: 3 Deputies, 1 Investigator, 2 School Resource Officers, 1 Office Administrative Assistant and 10 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
Name of the Company: Turning Point Community Development Corporation
Jobs Available: Executive Assistant, Academic Coach
Method of Contact: For more information call Chalis Henderson at 252-621-5190 or go to www.turningpointcdc.org
Name of the Company: Vance County Schools
Jobs Available: Health Science Education Teacher (CTE) High School and Middle School Family and Consumer Science (CTE) Hight School and Business Finance & Marketing Teacher (CTE) Stem Early High School. Applicants must hold or be eligible to obtain a NC Teacher License and have a minimum bachelor’s degree
Method of Contact: for more information please go to the Vance County Schools website
Name of the Company: Kerr-Tar Council of Governments
Jobs Available: Is currently seeking energetic, self -motivated, detail oriented candidates for the position of Aging Specialist
Method of Contact: Please email a cover letter, resume and references to info@kerrtarcog.org by November 15, 2021
Name of the Company: Champion Heart and Vascular Center
Jobs Available: Is looking for a Physician’s Assistant
Method of Contact: For more information contact office at 252-572-4223
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.
The Local Skinny! Economic Incentive Grant to M. R. Williams
County Approves More Than $126,000 In Economic Development Incentive Grant Funding To M.R. Williams, Inc.
The Vance County commissioners on Monday approved more than $126,000 in economic development incentive grant funding for local wholesaler M.R. Wiliams, Inc., which is planning to embark on a $4 million capital improvement project.
M.R. Williams, Inc., located at 230 Raleigh Road in Henderson, plans to add 20,000 square feet of freezer space, as well as expand the warehouse and office areas.
The business currently employs about 250 people, and expects to be able to add at least 25 employees by the time the project is completed.
The grant, which totals $126,821, would be distributed basically over a 5-year period and is part of an effort to support economic development in the county – especially the creation, maintenance and retention of jobs, according to the agenda packet information. The grant specifies certain criteria that the company will have to comply with to continue to receive the funding. The project is estimated to add at least $4 million in real property improvements.
The grant will provide financial support to a local business that has a positive impact on the local economy and is designed to be an incentive for businesses like M.R. Williams to stay in the area and continue to provide jobs for the community.
The Local Skinny! Vance Furniture Celebrates 80 Years
Eighty years ago, in 1941, Henderson’s population was just under 8,000. The U.S. was finally climbing out of The Great Depression. The attack on Pearl Harbor was less than two months away which would bring about World War II. Amid all of this, Vance Furniture Company opened its doors.
And 80 years later those doors remain open, welcoming customers into the tallest building in Henderson. It’s no skyscraper, but the five-story building does offer a unique shopping experience, complete with an antique elevator, said owner Craig Bailey.
Bailey spoke with John C. Rose on Thursday prior to The Local Skinny! broadcast segment, which can be heard below, following a Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting to mark the 80th anniversary of the independently owned and operated business located in the iconic building on 325 S. Garnett St.
Bailey said longtime business partner Sam Harper has been serving customers at Vance Furniture for almost 60 years – that’s at least four generations of customers, he said.
“It’s quite an accomplishment to have made it this long,” Bailey said of the family business.
The business model is simple: “We honestly want to help our customers find the items that will make their homes better,” Bailey said.
People come into the store, and instead of seeing one big showroom full of furniture, they get to travel on the elevator to each different level as they search for that perfect piece of furniture.
The furniture is carefully placed to create vignettes and themes to give customers an idea of how the pieces would look in their homes. “We get to know our customers one on one,” Bailey said, as they browse throughout the building with its tin ceilings and hardwood floors.
Eighty years is a long time to do business, and Bailey said they’ve had to change with the times, too. Recent delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have created wrinkles in delivery times, he said. What used to take 4-6 weeks now takes twice as long, if not longer, he said.
Providing customers with quality service and the custom orders Vance Furniture specializes in is just one reason the business has continued to be successful.
And being around for eight decades is a perfect time “to pause and recognize where you’ve been and the people who’ve helped you over the years,” Bailey said. Despite the ebbs and flows over the years, being in downtown Henderson has been a positive experience. And Bailey said he believes the downtown area is on “the precipice of becoming a viable shopping area once again.” New interests, new people with a great vision are all positive signs for the whole community, he said.
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Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden
On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
Make a compost bin if you don’t have one.
As stem and foliage of perennial flowers and ornamental grasses begin to die off, consider leaving them standing through the winter.
Use PPE equipment when doing landscape chores. Eye protection, hearing protection.
If you’ve never tried battery powered lawn and garden equipment, take a fresh look at the offerings. Battery tech has improved significantly and the equipment is very quiet.
Harvest sweet potatoes before frost.
Be sure to remove gas from any equipment that will not be used over the winter.
If you have areas in your garden or lawn that don’t produce well take a soil sample you may have a pH problem or a nutrient deficiency.
Consider doing some basic maintenance to lawn and garden power equipment before storing for the winter so you’ll be ahead of the game next spring. Oil change, spark plugs, air filters, etc.
Have your frost protection materials organized and ready for when we have our first frost.
Planting time is now! Add new trees and shrubs to your landscape.
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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 October 26, 2001. 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 October 26, 2021
Name of the Company: Vance Charter School
Jobs Available: High School Science Teacher
Method of Contact: Please call Brian Mathis at 252-431-0440
Name of the Company: Vance County Social Services and Detention Center
Jobs Available: Multiple positions open
Method of Contact: Please go to county website at www.vancecounty.org for more information
Name of the Company: Servpro of Franklin Vance and Granville Counties
Jobs Available: Staff to clean up and restore homes and businesses related to water damage, fires and mold. On- the- job training is provided
Method of Contact: Stop by the office at 260 Industry Drive off Ross Mill Rd. near Lowe’s or call 252-433-005
Name of the Company: Variety Wholesalers, Inc
Jobs Available: Buyers Assistants and Merchandise Analyst positions located at 218 S. Garnett St. Henderson and Help Desk Analyst and Technical Service Specialist positions located at 1000 Facet Road, Henderson
Method of Contact: Interested applicants can apply online at indeed.com
Name of the Company: Vance County Sheriff’s Department is urgently hiring
Jobs Available: 3 Deputies, 1 Investigator, 2 School Resource Officers, 1 Office Administrative Assistant and 10 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
Name of the Company: Turning Point Community Development Corporation
Jobs Available: Executive Assistant, Academic Coach and Instructional Assistant
Method of Contact: For more information go to www.turningpointcdc.org
Name of the Company: Golden Skillet Restaurant
Jobs Available: Customer Oriented Cashier and Quality Focused Kitchen Staff
Method of Contact: to inquire and pick up an application stop by 444 Dabney Drive in Henderson
Name of the Company: Select Tissue of NC
Jobs Available: Class A CDL Truck Drivers
Method of Contact: Please apply through NC Works
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.
The Local Skinny! Person Co. Regional Job Fair
The Kerr-Tar Region Council of Governments will host a job fair on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021 in Person County and Kerr-Tar officials say it’s a great chance for job-seekers to meet prospective employers.
Adam Perkins, business services representative for the five-county Kerr-Tar agency, told John C. Rose Monday that more than 20 employers will be on hand in Roxboro for the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Huck Sansbury Recreation Complex, 425 Long Ave. in Roxboro.
“Bring your smile, dress the part and bring your résumé,” Perkins said on Monday’s The Local Skinny! segment.
The NC Works Career Centers provide services to the community, from opportunities for those looking for work and a job pool for employers looking to fill open positions.
Previous job fairs have been held across the five counties, and employers like Versatrim, Plastic Ingenuity, Durham Public Safety, Person Memorial and Durham Coca-Cola are just a few of the businesses and industries that will be on hand Friday.
Perkins said he and other staff from NC Works will be on hand Friday. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” he said. He and others will be available to answer questions and inform the participants how NC Works can help.
The job fair offers a chance for folks to “come out, walk around, network, (and) meet people,” Perkins said. And it’s a chance for employers to see you at your best, he added.
A main focus of NC Works is service to the community, he said – helping employers find workers and helping workers polish their resume or provide training to qualify them for specific jobs.
The NCWorks Career Centers are located at 111 Hilltop Village in Oxford, 857 Beckford Drive in Henderson and on the campus of Vance-Granville Community College in Warren County. Perkins invited anyone interested in learning more about services to just drop in. “Our doors are always open,” he said. If you have questions or need assistance, “just walk in and we’ll be glad to help,” Perkins added.
NC Works offers specific programs to help veterans, as well as those who may have trouble finding a job because they have a criminal record. Most employers use background checks as part of the application process, but some employers may be willing to hire ex-offenders.
The NC Works re-entry program may be able to help those who are having difficulty finding work. “There may be some employers who are following a different model,” Perkins said.
Sponsors for the job fair include Vance-Granville Community College, Piedmont Community College, Person Economic Development and Roxboro Chamber of Commerce.
In email correspondence after the interview, a full list of employers planning to attend was provided – Ameristaff; Capstone Logistics; Corning; Dialight; Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Co.; Educational Opportunity Center; Gate Precast; Hire Dynamics; Ideal Fastener; Louisiana Pacific; Lowe’s; MGM Products; Murdoch Development Center; North American Aerodynamics; NC Dept. of Public Safety; Person County Government; Person Memorial Hospital; Plastic Ingenuity; Polywood; Regal Driving Academy; Spuntech; Versatrim; Vocational Rehabilitation; Walmart Distribution; We Move.
Visit kerrtarworks.com to learn more.
The Local Skinny! Warren County Tops State In Growth Of Visitor Spending – Two Years Running
Pandemic or no pandemic, the numbers don’t lie – for the second year in a row, Warren County has grabbed the top spot in the state for growth in visitor spending, according to an annual report released by N.C. tourism officials.
The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
Warren County Community and Economic Development Director Charla Duncan points to several reasons why her county has shown positive growth when other counties are posting negative figures, not the least of which is Warren County’s relative proximity to major cities like Richmond, VA and the Raleigh-Durham area, she told WIZS News.
“Warren County has opportunities for day trippers, weekenders, and repeat visitors, and our local economy benefits from that,” continued Duncan.
People tend to overlook the quality of life in a rural county, she said. It’s not less quality of life, but it is a different quality of life that Warren County offers, Duncan said. “I think that people have looked for that a little more over the past year or so. Folks are having a chance to understand what we know to be true.” There’s a lot going on, she said, “it’s just a different kind of thing going on around here.”
“We are fortunate that Warren County’s travel and tourism industry has been able to demonstrate such resilience during a difficult year,” Duncan said. “Individually, many of our businesses have certainly experienced similar challenges as other small businesses across America during this pandemic. The strength in Warren County, particularly during 2020, is that our natural and cultural assets are a stable, safe, and desirable resource for visitors.”
It may be challenging to discern whether the $49.6 million spent in Warren County in 2020 is from visitors, tourists or simply residents who are spending more time within Warren County, Duncan noted. It’s probably a mixture of all three groups.
Duncan said a quick look at sales tax figures show that spending in the county is going fairly well. Gas sales, food and beverage sales, as well as retail and certain recreational spaces all contribute to the numbers, but whether those sales can be tied to a true tourist or a true visitor may be more difficult to track, she said.
Despite this, Duncan said, “this is our second year in a row topping the state in growth. We saw a lot of growth between 2018 and 2019, and the pandemic wasn’t in play.”
Warren County was the only county in its region to see growth; all other counties in the North Central region saw a decrease in visitor spending. The region includes Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Orange, Person, Vance, and Wake counties, according to a press release from Warren County Manager Vincent Jones.
Of the $49.6 million related to visitor spending, $12 million came from lodging, $15.5 from food and beverage, $6.7 from recreation, $4.8 from retail, and $10.6 from transportation, according to the statement.
In addition, people who have vacation homes or retirement homes on both Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston may figure in the positive numbers for Warren County since the onset of the pandemic. “If they were going to be allowed to work from home, they were going to do it from their lake house,” Duncan said.
The appeal of agritourism and agribusiness also contributes, she said. For example, Seven Springs Winery near Norlina opened for business right about the time that the pandemic was shutting everything down.
“That business has been incredibly successful, despite challenges that face small businesses. People were looking for more things to do outside, she said, and Seven Springs provides that opportunity. “They opened up at a time when that was a sought-after thing,” she added. “They’re a great asset for us. They are achieving their dream – they have a great story to tell.”
“It is great to see this positive news, as we adjust to the long-term impact of the pandemic,” stated County Manager Vincent Jones. “We hope that this new energy we are seeing as people discover and rediscover the charm of Warren County is sustained going forward.”
According to Visit NC date, the Warren County travel and tourism industry directly employees 231 people; this is an increase in employment related to visitor spending since 2019. The total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Warren County in 2020 was $10.1 million.
In 2020, state tax revenue generated in Warren County totaled $1.6 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. Approximately $3.4 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.
The breakdown by county is available at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association.
Warren County has seen an increase in visitor spending every year since 2016.