Faith Dove

Town Talk 08/20/20: Community Mourns Death of Ian Simmons, VGCC President’s Son

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In a special edition of WIZS Town Talk aired live on Thursday at 11 a.m., community leaders expressed support and sympathy for Vance-Granville Community College President Rachel Desmarais. Desmarais’ oldest son Ian J. Simmons passed away as the result of a car accident on Tuesday.

In a joint statement released by VGCC Vice President Dr. Levy Brown and Board of Trustees Chair Danny Wright, Desmarais is fondly referred to as “an outstanding leader, educator, community member, spouse, and mother who embodies both the mission and vision of Vance-Granville Community College.”

The statement continues, “The Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff are fully committed to ensuring that our students continue to receive an excellent education while our president takes the necessary time needed with her family. As her college family, we will get through this difficult time together while showing love and support for our president and her loved ones.”

Click here to read the full statement.

Community leaders called-in to Town Talk to express their condolences and to reflect on Dr. Desmarais, her role in the community and her family.

Dr. Jerry Edmonds – vice president of Workforce Development and Community Engagement at VGCC

“We, as a community college, are so saddened and devastated to learn of the passing of Ian. We appreciate all the outpouring of support. As a small community, this is really a testament to Dr. Desmarais and the fact that she is really engaged in our community.”

Edmonds said Ian was a student in VGCC’s Bioprocess Technology program, and that his younger brother Conall is a student at Vance County Early College High School, housed on VGCC’s campus.

“We have students on campus that are hurting because they sat side-by-side with Ian in classrooms and labs. We also have faculty and staff that taught Ian that are mourning over the loss of a student. We’ll get through it as a community and as a family.”

Eddie Ellington – mayor of Henderson

“I consider Dr. Desmarais a friend, a colleague and a community partner. Losing a child is the most tragic thing that can happen to any parent. Myself and the City of Henderson express our deepest sympathy to her family.

Dr. Desmarais, if you are listening, or if you listen to this later, please know you’re in our hearts, and we are here for you.”

Michele Burgess – president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

“On behalf of the Henderson-Vance Board of Directors and staff, I wanted to say how sorry we all are. We are all in shock; it’s just tragic news. We offer her our sympathy.”

On a personal note, Burgess said Desmarais, who is a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, often spoke about her sons, a bond the two women share.

“She, in conversation, even from the very first day we met, loved to talk about her family and her children. It was a close-knit family, and she often shared fun things about her boys. I have a son also, so we connected on that level as well. I just wanted to say how sorry I am about it.”

Gordon Wilder – chair of the Vance County Board of Commissioners

“On behalf of all the commissioners, I want to express our sadness and our shock at the passing of Dr. Desmarais’ son. We want to give the family our condolences and whatever support we can offer at this time.”

Nancy Wykle – publisher of The Daily Dispatch

“Dr. Desmarais has so quickly become such a fundamental part of our community fabric and has such a vision for where we can go. I think we, as her community family, grieve with her, and we want to wrap our arms around her and her family as they struggle through what no parent ever wants to imagine.

We want her to know that we are here in whatever way she needs us, and we are sending love, sympathy and prayers to her and her family.”

John Charles Rose – WIZS

“We just want Dr. Desmarais and her family to know how special they are here in this community. There are a lot of important partners here in this area. Dr. Desmarais and VGCC, in a lot of ways, are an umbrella that encases all of us because it is an institution of higher education that gives people opportunities to succeed in all areas. A lot of that would be true with any president of a community college, almost generically. Guess what? The word of the day for Dr. Desmarais is not ‘generic.’ The word of the day – in addition to ‘love’ and ‘support’ is ‘organic.’

Dr. Desmarais, the people that called [WIZS Town Talk] today care about you beyond your profession. Thank you for being here. On behalf of an entire community, we hurt for you today; we pray for you today; our love for you grows deeper today; we remember you today; we pray for your son and family today.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

David Cooper

Town Talk 08/19/20: David Cooper Named VCS Director of Transportation

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

David Cooper, the recently named transportation director for Vance County Schools (VCS), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Cooper, who has served VCS as assistant principal at both Aycock Elementary and Henderson Middle School, and, prior to, taught for twelve years at Dabney Elementary School, said he brings his experience in building relationships and respect to his new position.

“Working as an assistant principal, you deal with people, you deal with teachers, you deal with students and you deal with parents,” Cooper explained. “You learn how to build relationships and manage situations, which will be an asset in my work with the transportation department.”

In his years with the school system, Cooper said he also served as a bus driver and is familiar with many of the other drivers and transportation staff.

When asked about accepting a new position involving the transportation of students in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cooper laughed and said that wasn’t part of the original plan.

David Cooper was recently named transportation director for Vance County Schools. Cooper has served VCS as assistant principal at both Aycock Elementary and Henderson Middle School, and, prior to, taught at Dabney Elementary School. (Photo courtesy David Cooper)

“I interviewed for the job back in February, before the pandemic, and was hired in July after things had settled down some. I didn’t plan on going in as director of transportation in a crisis, but I’m going to take it as it is and use it as a learning experience.”

With VCS being on a fully remote learning schedule for at least the first nine weeks of the 2020-21 academic year, Cooper said the transportation department is using this time to inspect the buses and make necessary repairs.

“If you see a VCS bus driving around Vance County, don’t be alarmed,” said Cooper. “It’s just our drivers making sure they are still running. Buses are supposed to be inspected every 30 days. I have a really good group of mechanics who are doing inspections and making sure the buses are on the road. We’ve found that some buses need to be repaired, so this is a good time to do that.”

VCS has approximately 110 buses in its fleet, including activity and smaller transportation buses. According to Cooper, the average school day last year saw 73-75 buses on Vance County roadways.

Calling the decision on bus transportation once schools reopen for in-person learning a “fluid situation,” Cooper said the current discussion is to have one child per bus seat with the possibility of siblings being allowed to share a seat.

Cooper also said the school system will continue to take statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), along with guidance from other school systems currently operating in at least a partial in-person manner, into consideration before any final decisions are made.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Vance County High School

Town Talk 08/18/20: Sharrow Assumes Dual Role of VCHS Assistant Principal, Athletic Director

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Joe Sharrow, athletic director and recently named assistant principal for Vance County High School, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Serving as athletic director at Southern Vance High School, and maintaining the title after the consolidation of Northern and Southern Vance into Vance County High School in 2018, Sharrow said he has spent the past several years earning credentials and gaining experiences that will help him excel in the administrative position.

Sharrow’s new role comes at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has many school systems in NC, including Vance County Schools, choosing to operate under Plan C – fully remote learning – at least through the first nine weeks of the 2020-21 academic year.

“With all of the changes we are experiencing in our school system right now, I do believe I have a skill set that can be very beneficial from a leadership perspective,” Sharrow stated.

If adding assistant principal duties to his plate was not enough of a challenge for Sharrow, he will also have to contend with an athletic season that is vastly different from the norm.

In addition to making schedule changes to other sports, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Board of Directors voted last week to move football to the spring. The high school football regular season will now begin early February 2021, end in early April and include just seven games. Some form of a playoff is still expected and is currently under review.

Sharrow explained the NCHSAA has asked school systems to hold off on scheduling until September 4, at which time further guidance on a playoff system is expected.

Expressing concern for the health of student-athletes who have previously traveled longer distances to play in Chapel Hill, Durham, or Pittsboro, Sharrow said he supports a sports schedule that focuses on neighboring Granville, Franklin and Warren counties this year.

“I’m very much in favor of a more regional focus on our athletic schedule,” Sharrow admitted. “We need to get creative; desperate times call for desperate measures. I believe that we can make a schedule work that is regional and, quite frankly, something our community would be more interested in.”

While this year in high school athletics promises to be challenging for all involved, Sharrow said he is looking forward to tackling the obstacles while also acclimating to new responsibilities.

“This was always a career goal of mine – something I wanted to try and something I believe I can do,” said Sharrow. “People in this community have come to know me as an athletics person. I do love sports and high school athletics; it’s a passion of mine. In addition, I do have a passion for education. In fact, I went to college to be a teacher. I’ve been working at the school [SVHS/VCHS] in other capacities for nine years, and I’m really excited to be able to impact our school system in another way.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Ducky Derby 2020

Town Talk 08/17/20: Rubber Ducks to Float Down Garnett St. in 11th Annual Ducky Derby

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Garry Daeke, outreach coordinator for Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start, Inc., appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.

Daeke was pleased to announce that the 11th Annual FGV Ducky Derby Race will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, in downtown Henderson, albeit with several changes in place due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

At 11 a.m. that morning, Garnett Street will be filled with a river of rubber ducks as FGV Smart Start holds its largest fundraiser of the year. With $10,000 raised at last year’s race, Daeke said proceeds from the annual event provide services for local families with children age five and younger. (Click here for article and video from last year’s event.)

All sponsors will be recognized on Ducky Derby posters, radio advertisements, newspaper articles and the FGV Smart Start website and Facebook page.

This year, with the uncertainty surrounding event-planning, Daeke explained that no individual tickets for rubber ducks will be sold. Instead, Smart Start will be securing sponsors to support this event.

Sponsorship levels are:
Super Duck – $500
Feathered Friend – $250
Quacker Backer – $100

Approximately 2,000 ducks will “race” this year, and each will represent a child enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Founded by singer and entertainer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, the Imagination Library partners with Smart Start programs to offer youth one free book a month – via mail – from birth through age five.

With 3,800 children currently registered for the Imagination Library through FGV Smart Start, Daeke said 2,000 names will be randomly selected for the available ducks. Children who are enrolled in the program in the next few weeks will also have a chance to be entered into the race.

Applications for the Imagination Library can be found at local pediatric offices, childcare centers, the Granville Vance Public Health Department, Maria Parham Health, libraries and the FGV Smart Start office.

The “lucky duck” [child] who wins the Ducky Derby will receive the grand prize of free Chick-fil-A for a year.

While individual ducks will not be available for purchase, Daeke said the public is still welcome to join the fun in-person. Social distancing and masks will be required for all participants.

“We wanted to have something for the public; so many things aren’t going to happen this fall. We decided we wanted something that we can still have and – possibly – people could come out and see,” stated Daeke.

For those not able to attend in-person, Daeke said the event will be featured live on the FGV Smart Start Facebook page. A drone fly-over is also being planned in conjunction with the City of Henderson to provide a bird’s-eye view of the activities.

While a deviation from past years, Daeke said the 2020 Ducky Derby “will be a little different but still a lot of fun.”

If interested in becoming a sponsor, to enroll your child in the Imagination Library or with questions, please call FGV Smart Start at (252) 433-9110.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Colton's Spaghetti Fundraiser

Town Talk 08/13/20: Spaghetti Plate Fundraiser Set for Three-Year-Old Colton Maddox

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Angel Hodges, the grandmother of Colton Maddox, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Hodges announced an upcoming fundraiser for Colton, a local three-year-old boy who was diagnosed with skeletal dysplasia (dwarfism) in addition to multiple other medical conditions.

According to Hodges, Colton has been hospitalized 30 times, been active in five therapies a week, sees 12 doctors regularly and has had many sedated procedures.

Each year, the family, including Colton’s mother Kelsey Maddox, also returns to Wilmington, Delaware to follow up on identifying Colton’s very rare form of dwarfism.

To help cover Colton’s medical and travel expenses, the group Colton’s Adventures will hold the Third Annual Spaghetti Plate and Silent Auction Fundraiser at Kerr Lake Country Club in Henderson on Friday, August 28, 2020. Events will be held from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The $7 meal will include spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert. Plates will be available for takeout, curbside pickup and business delivery.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Mike’s Barber Shop located at 1702 Parham St. in Henderson or at Skippers BBQ from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Plates may also be purchased at the event. For more information, please call LeAnn at (252) 432-2045 or email coltonsadventure@gmail.com.

All proceeds will help pay for expenses that insurance does not cover, including equipment, travel and transportation costs. The family hopes to raise enough money to purchase a “ZipZac” for Colton – a miniature, low-to-the-ground wheelchair made for younger children with mobility issues.

“We were told that when Colton was born that he was probably only going to live for a couple of hours,” said Hodges. “So, we fully went to the hospital not expecting to bring a baby home with us, and now he’s three years old. The good Lord has answered prayers, and his little life has just been so joyous to us.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Colton Maddox (Photo courtesy Kelsey Maddox)

Colton Maddox (Photo courtesy Kelsey Maddox)

4 County Community Connections

Town Talk 08/13/20: Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Discusses Upcoming Community Fair

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Whitney Robertson, System of Care Coordinator, and Monae Davis, Member Engagement Specialist, with Cardinal Innovations Healthcare appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.

Next week, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare will hold a Four-County Community Connections Fair to provide information on available mental health resources and services for children and families in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.

Originally planned as one large, in-person event for the four-county area, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a few format changes. The fair will now be held in a drive-through format at four separate locations on either Tuesday, August 18 or Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

When and Where:

  • Granville Expo Center (Granville Co.) – Tues., August 18 ~ 2 to 6 p.m. – 4185 US Highway 15 South Oxford, NC
  • Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center (Vance Co.) – Wed., August 19 ~ 3 to 7 p.m. – 200 Community College Rd. Henderson, NC
  • Warren County Armory Civic Center (Warren Co.) – Wed., August 19 ~ 3 to 7 p.m. – 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E Warrenton, NC
  • Vance-Granville Community College Franklin Campus (Franklin Co.) – Wed., August 19 ~ 3 to 7 p.m. – 8100 NC-56 Louisburg, NC

Participating children and families will receive:

  • Drawstring bags stuffed with school supplies
  • Facemasks (Pack of 4)
  • Meals from Subway (while supplies last)
  • Flyers and videos on community providers and resources
  • Access to the virtual keynote speaker focusing on the #mentalhealthmatters theme to challenge the stigma of mental health and substance use

Sponsors: 4 County Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Team (JJBH), Vance Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Warren Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Granville Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Franklin Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Gang Free, Inc. and Cardinal Innovations Healthcare.

“A common theme we’ve found is that families don’t know about the community resources and don’t know about the providers they have access to,” said Robertson. “This is the reason the community fair was developed. We want to get the information out, and we want to engage young people and families in the community.”

For more information., please email Robertson at Whitney.Robertson@cardinalinnovations.org.

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

KLCC Wounded Warrior

Town Talk 08/12/20: Golf Tournament, Parachute Team Set for KLCC’s Re-Opening Weekend

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

Pam Hester, Frank Hester and Julia Langston, of Kerr Lake Country Club (KLCC) in Henderson, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

KLCC will host a grand re-opening event the weekend of August 22-23, 2020, to celebrate its months-long work of changing the course greens from the cool-season bentgrass to the warm-season Bermudagrass.

On Saturday, August 22, the Club will host the first annual Brotherhood of Warriors golf tournament benefiting combat-wounded veterans out of Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune.

The Brotherhood of Warriors is a non-profit organization founded by Master PGA Teaching Professional Brad Clayton. Clayton provides golf lessons at KLCC and, according to Langston, approached the club with the idea for the wounded warrior tournament. To learn more about the organization, visit www.thebrotherhoodofwarriors.org.

Prior to the tournament, a ribbon-cutting ceremony sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce will be held at 9:30 a.m., and a Special Forces Parachute Jump Team will descend around 10:15 a.m., with a landing set for 10:30 a.m.

The shotgun start golf tournament will follow at 11 a.m. A team of three golfers will be paired with a combat-wounded veteran in a Captain’s Choice format for a $300 entry fee. Participants are encouraged to create a lasting friendship with the veterans while enjoying a great afternoon of golf and fellowship.

“We are expecting to see lots of people out playing golf, enjoying the weather, getting exercise and following COVID regulations,” said KLCC President Pam Hester.

Frank agreed, “The greens are in great shape, the golf course is in great shape and the weather is not too hot. It’s a great time to get out and play golf right now.”

Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, closest to the pin, longest drive, most accurate drive and longest putt on every hole. Mulligans, which are not eligible for prizes, are available to purchase by individual and by team.

Those interested in participating in the golf outing (with CDC guidelines and state mandates in place), should contact KLCC at (252) 492-1895.

After golfing, participants are encouraged to visit the various food and drink vendors that will be on-site.

Langston summed up the importance of the weekend by stating, “This will be an outing that is not only special for Kerr Lake Country Club but Vance County as well.”

To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Fearldine Simmons

Town Talk 08/11/20: In Memory of Henderson City Council Member Fearldine A. Simmons

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Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Mayor Ellington and the Henderson City Council ordered all City of Henderson flags to be lowered to half-staff beginning Monday until further notice to show respect for Council Member Fearldine Allen Simmons, of 1005 County Home Road, who passed away at her home on Sunday.

Simmons, age 73, served as the representative for the Council’s Ward 4 seat, and her term was active through 2021. She also served on the Human Resources and Land Planning Committees, as well as the 911 Board.

“It was a sad moment for us, and we shared a moment of silence at the opening of last night’s Council meeting,” said Ellington. “Mrs. Simmons was a steady voice for the City of Henderson; she thought through every vote with passion. It was a somber night for us.”

A graveside service for Simmons will be held at Sunset Memorial Garden in Henderson on Saturday, August 15 at 12:30 p.m. Arrangements are being made by Betts & Son Funeral Home.

To hear the interview with Ellington in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Henderson City Council Member Fearldine A. Simmons, of 1005 County Home Road, passed away at her home on Sunday, August 9, 2020. (Photo courtesy Allen Simmons)

 

Clay Faulkner

Town Talk 08/05/20: In Memory of Clay Faulkner

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THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY

Joe Sharrow, Vance County High School Athletic Director, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Sharrow discussed the tragic death of 2019 Vance County High School graduate and baseball player Clay Faulkner last weekend at Kerr Lake.

“This is one of those tough times that when you sign up to be in education you don’t think about having to deal with but, unfortunately, it’s part of the job,” Sharrow said. “We’ve had tragedy come through this community before, but quite frankly, this one is the hardest of my career.”

Sharrow said he shared a friendship with Faulkner, who loved baseball and never met a stranger. “Clay and I had a close relationship, but he had a close relationship with almost every person in the VCHS building. That’s just the kind of person he was. I can’t thank him and his family enough for allowing me to be a part of his life. I feel like I’m a better man for having known him.”

In addition to baseball, Sharrow said Faulkner “had an infectious personality and was the kind of kid that always made you smile.”

Faulkner was also unfailingly polite, according to Sharrow, and stood out for his manners and “yes sirs and yes ma’ams.”

Those skills served him well in his role as a server at Chick-fil-A of Henderson. His co-workers remembered him this week, among other ways, with social media tributes, signs, and a memorial in front of the restaurant.

In addition, Chick-fil-A of Henderson has announced that it will close Thursday, August 6, 2020, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to celebrate the life of Faulkner.

“Clay has been a part of the Chick-fil-A family for two years, but it’s hard to remember our team without him,” said Chick-fil-A Operator Joshua Towne. “He meant so much to our Chick-fil-A family, and I want each of our team members to have the opportunity to honor his memory and extend their sympathy to his family by attending his funeral.”

Chick-fil-A of Henderson will resume normal operating hours at 2 p.m. on Thursday, following the celebration of life for Faulkner.

While silver linings are hard to come by in this situation, Sharrow said Faulkner’s life has certainly made an impact on others. “The only positive thing that can come out of this is that we can honor his life, remember Clay for the wonderful person he was and try to live better lives ourselves.”

To hear the interview with Sharrow and WIZS staff in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.

Town Talk Logo

Town Talk 08/04/20: Aftermath of Isaias, Past Storms, General Talk

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  • Aftermath of Isaias
  • Other Storms in Past
  • Radio Announcer Talk