In honor of April 7-13 as National Library Week, Mark Pace, North Carolina Room Specialist at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, was the featured guest on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.
A part of the Granville County Library System since the early 1960s, the North Carolina Room’s primary mission is to preserve and maintain materials for historical and genealogical research in the present-day county of Granville and adjacent counties.
“We are a regional history center. Granville County formed in 1746 and is a ‘mother’ county. Warren, Vance, Franklin, parts of Orange and Person and present Granville were all once part of the original Granville County,” Pace explained. “We seek to preserve the materials that are relative to the cultural and historical flavor of old Granville County.”
According to Pace, genealogical records ranging in date from 1746 to present day include wills, deeds, marriage records, court records and cemetery records.
Such information can be found on the approximately 600 microfilm reels of newspapers, dozens of large size genealogy charts and 175 scrapbooks – some dating to the late 1800’s – that are a part of the Room’s collection.
“I always tell people that when you start researching your genealogy, you’re going to find something that you don’t like. On the other hand, you find out things about your ancestors that make you proud,” said Pace.
In addition to microfilm and charts, the 900-square-foot room inside the Thornton Library is also home to an extensive photography collection, personal papers and 4,500 books and volumes specific to local history.
“We have received some good collections recently, specifically a photography collection of 4,500 images given by the family of J.B. Clay, a local photographer in Oxford from the mid- 1950s to the mid-1990s. This new donation serves as the largest known photo collection relative to Granville County to date,” Pace said.
Donated materials from the public, including family bibles, photos and letters, are essential to the mission of the North Carolina Room, according to Pace.
“We rely heavily on what people donate to us or bring and let us copy. You can’t go out and buy these types of things. The public is always encouraged to bring by any items of local historical significance for us to copy and keep a record of, no matter how obscure those items may seem.”
Although its primary function is genealogical, Pace said the North Carolina Room meets patron needs for inquiries into historical environmental site surveys, high school reunions, local government requests, church histories and more.
While the majority of visitors are Granville County residents, Pace reported that up to 40% live outside of the area, including residents of other states and countries. “In just this year alone, we’ve had visitors from 35 different states and from far away as Great Britain and Jamaica.”
Pace, a Henderson native and college history major, said his passion for historical events and documents began with the Henderson High School fire of 1968.
“I was eight-years-old and my father taught school there. I remember it vividly. He got home late that night and I begged him to take me back to the school to let me see it. The next day, I saved the newspaper articles about the fire. After that, I would save other newspaper articles of historical events. In the late 1960s/early 1970s, there was a lot going on.”
In his Town Talk interview, Pace relayed many interesting historical facts about both Granville and present-day Vance County, including what he considers Granville’s most significant contribution to the world marketplace – flue-cured tobacco.
“The land in the southern part of Granville County was so good for growing flue-cured tobacco that a group came from Australia in the 1890s and loaded up dirt from Granville County and had it shipped back to Australia to see if they could grow it there. Of course, it didn’t work,” laughed Pace.
To hear the Town Talk interview with Mark Pace in its entirety, including more interesting historical facts on Granville and Vance County, please click here.
The North Carolina Room is located inside the Richard H. Thornton Library at 210 Main St. in Oxford. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays from Memorial Day until Labor Day).
North Carolina Room Preserves Historical Flavor of ‘Old Granville County’
/by Kelly BondurantIn honor of April 7-13 as National Library Week, Mark Pace, North Carolina Room Specialist at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, was the featured guest on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.
A part of the Granville County Library System since the early 1960s, the North Carolina Room’s primary mission is to preserve and maintain materials for historical and genealogical research in the present-day county of Granville and adjacent counties.
“We are a regional history center. Granville County formed in 1746 and is a ‘mother’ county. Warren, Vance, Franklin, parts of Orange and Person and present Granville were all once part of the original Granville County,” Pace explained. “We seek to preserve the materials that are relative to the cultural and historical flavor of old Granville County.”
According to Pace, genealogical records ranging in date from 1746 to present day include wills, deeds, marriage records, court records and cemetery records.
Such information can be found on the approximately 600 microfilm reels of newspapers, dozens of large size genealogy charts and 175 scrapbooks – some dating to the late 1800’s – that are a part of the Room’s collection.
“I always tell people that when you start researching your genealogy, you’re going to find something that you don’t like. On the other hand, you find out things about your ancestors that make you proud,” said Pace.
In addition to microfilm and charts, the 900-square-foot room inside the Thornton Library is also home to an extensive photography collection, personal papers and 4,500 books and volumes specific to local history.
“We have received some good collections recently, specifically a photography collection of 4,500 images given by the family of J.B. Clay, a local photographer in Oxford from the mid- 1950s to the mid-1990s. This new donation serves as the largest known photo collection relative to Granville County to date,” Pace said.
Donated materials from the public, including family bibles, photos and letters, are essential to the mission of the North Carolina Room, according to Pace.
“We rely heavily on what people donate to us or bring and let us copy. You can’t go out and buy these types of things. The public is always encouraged to bring by any items of local historical significance for us to copy and keep a record of, no matter how obscure those items may seem.”
Although its primary function is genealogical, Pace said the North Carolina Room meets patron needs for inquiries into historical environmental site surveys, high school reunions, local government requests, church histories and more.
While the majority of visitors are Granville County residents, Pace reported that up to 40% live outside of the area, including residents of other states and countries. “In just this year alone, we’ve had visitors from 35 different states and from far away as Great Britain and Jamaica.”
Pace, a Henderson native and college history major, said his passion for historical events and documents began with the Henderson High School fire of 1968.
“I was eight-years-old and my father taught school there. I remember it vividly. He got home late that night and I begged him to take me back to the school to let me see it. The next day, I saved the newspaper articles about the fire. After that, I would save other newspaper articles of historical events. In the late 1960s/early 1970s, there was a lot going on.”
In his Town Talk interview, Pace relayed many interesting historical facts about both Granville and present-day Vance County, including what he considers Granville’s most significant contribution to the world marketplace – flue-cured tobacco.
“The land in the southern part of Granville County was so good for growing flue-cured tobacco that a group came from Australia in the 1890s and loaded up dirt from Granville County and had it shipped back to Australia to see if they could grow it there. Of course, it didn’t work,” laughed Pace.
To hear the Town Talk interview with Mark Pace in its entirety, including more interesting historical facts on Granville and Vance County, please click here.
The North Carolina Room is located inside the Richard H. Thornton Library at 210 Main St. in Oxford. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays from Memorial Day until Labor Day).
Justice Dept. Files Lawsuit Against Warren Co. Board of Education
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, U.S. Dept. of Justice
The Department of Justice announced that it filed a complaint today in federal court against the Warren County, North Carolina, Board of Education (Warren County), to protect rights guaranteed to an Army Reservist, Command Sergeant Major Dwayne Coffer (CSM Coffer), by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. of the Eastern District of North Carolina.
CSM Coffer’s job as Dean of Students at Warren County Middle School was eliminated while he was on active duty. According to the lawsuit, Warren County violated USERRA by demoting him to Physical Education Teacher at Northside Elementary School instead of reemploying him in a job that is comparable to Dean of Students.
“The freedoms we enjoy as Americans are dependent on the selfless duties performed by members of our Armed Forces,” said Dreiband. “When our Country calls servicemembers to duty, its laws, enforced by the Department of Justice, protect their civilian jobs.”
Higdon explained, “The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act protects the brave men and women who serve our Country, and the Department of Justice is committed to enforcing USERRA when it is violated. Members of the Army Reserve, like Sergeant Major Dwayne Coffer, are often called away from their civilian jobs in order to provide the security upon which our nation depends. They should not have to fear losing their jobs when they answer that call.”
The Complaint seeks to reinstate CSM Coffer into a proper reemployment position and recover CSM Coffer’s lost wages and other benefits and other remedies. In 2012, the United States Department of Justice sued Warren County when it failed to renew the employment contract of CSM Coffer following a different period of military service.
USERRA protects the rights of uniformed servicemembers to retain their civilian employment following absences due to military service obligations and provides that servicemembers shall not be discriminated against because of their military obligations. The Justice Department gives high priority to the enforcement of service members’ rights under USERRA. Additional information about USERRA can be found on the Justice Department’s websites at www.justice.gov/servicemembers as well as on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) website at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/userra.
This case stems from a referral by the U.S. Department of Labor, at CMS Coffer’s request, after an investigation by the DOL’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. The case is being handled by Deborah Birnbaum in the Employment Litigation Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike James in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
CropCheck Program Now Available to Farmers of Cotton, Corn & Soybeans
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, NCDA&CS
This year, farmers can add CropCheck, a pilot program offered by Field Watch, that allows growers to map small grain/commodity crops by herbicide-resident traits. Crops include cotton, corn and soybeans.
It’s been three years since the online mapping programs Driftwatch and BeeCheck were launched in North Carolina. Since then, it has become a valuable online tool for beekeepers, specialty crop growers and pesticide applicators. All registries are free and easy to navigate.
“This program is about increasing communication and awareness between beekeepers, growers and pesticide applicators,” said Pat Jones, deputy director of pesticides programs. “Since April of 2016, North Carolina growers have mapped more than 10,000 acres of specialty crops. We hope to see the same enthusiasm and support from our small grain/commodity crop growers.”
CropCheck allows the farming community to be aware of specific herbicide-resistant traits of crops in neighboring fields and then adjust their spray program to minimize the effect of herbicide drift to these important small grain crops. Labels of the new herbicide products containing dicamba require growers to monitor nearby susceptible crops through a state-sponsored program like CropCheck.
Growers, beekeepers and pesticide users can access CropCheck, DriftWatch and BeeCheck at www.ncagr.gov/pollinators. The website offers detailed instructions on how to sign up and use the mapping tools.
Producers of high-value specialty crops, such as tomatoes, tobacco, fruit trees, grapes and vegetables, can map their sites and provide contact information about their operation on DriftWatch. Using BeeCheck, beekeepers map their hives online using pins and half-acre circles and can choose which details of hive information are displayed on the map.
Driftwatch is also North Carolina’s Sensitive Crop Registry, which is required by product label to be checked before making an application of the new dicamba products, such as Engenia, Extendimax, and Fexipan.
FieldWatch Inc. is a nonprofit company created to develop and expand the operation of the DriftWatch Specialty Crop Site and BeeCheck Apiary registries. To date, 21 states and a Canadian province use the program. CropCheck is currently offered in three states, including North Carolina, for the 2019 growing season.
This program was purchased with a grant from the N.C. Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund. It is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to protect and increase valuable pollinators in the state.
Vance Co. Schools: Early Release Day, Spring Break Reminders
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Vance County Schools
April Reminders:
Friday, April 12, 2019, is an early release day for Vance County schools. Elementary schools dismiss at 12 p.m. and middle and high schools dismiss at 12:15 p.m. Early College follows its regular schedule for Friday.
Spring break for students is April 15 – 19. All Vance County schools and school system offices are closed on Friday, April 19 in observance of the Easter holiday.
Embrace Henderson Spectacular: FREE Family Fun Day at SaddleRock Farm!
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Jackie Ayscue, New Sandy Creek Baptist Church
The Embrace Henderson Spectacular, an annual FREE Family Fun Day sponsored by the Embrace Henderson Committee and the Child Evangelism Fellowship, will be held Saturday, May 4, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at SaddleRock Farm, 1786 Weldon’s Mill Road, in Henderson, NC.
It is a day filled with games, horse rides, music, bounce houses, slides, Sno Cones, popcorn, drinks and lots of fun! Everyone is invited to attend!!
Granville County Sheriff’s Office Announces Teen Law Academy
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Granville County Government
Granville County Sheriff Brindell Wilkins, Jr., in partnership with Granville County Public Schools, the U.S. Army National Guard and the Boy Scouts of America, announces the formation of the 2019 Teen Law Academy for high school students ages 15 to 20 years of age.
This free training program is geared toward those interested in a career in law enforcement, the criminal justice system, the U.S. Military or public service. Participants will engage in classroom and hands-on law enforcement activities that expose them to the rigors and demands facing today’s law enforcement officers.
Held at Granville Central High School, the Teen Law Academy is scheduled for June 16 through June 21, where those enrolled will stay on-site for the duration of the training. Certified law enforcement instructors, judges, attorneys, members of the U.S. Army National Guard and other highly-qualified career professionals will provide valuable training which will include firearms and shooting skills, crime scene investigation, K9 drug detection, high-risk felony traffic stops, physical fitness, and other topics.
Training will also include information about the roles of SWAT and special response teams, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the criminal court system, and use of the U.S. Military Apache Helicopter.
The week-long training program will end with a public graduation ceremony, where scholarships will be awarded to three participants.
Applications are being accepted until May 1 and are available through the student’s school resource officer (SRO) or school counselor. Those interested may also apply through the Granville County Public Schools’ website at www.gcs.k12.nc.us. Since space is limited, it is advised that applications be submitted early.
“We are very excited about the 2019 Teen Law Academy,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you think you have what it takes to meet the challenge of this intense, physically demanding training, we invite you to apply.”
For more information, contact Deputy Randy Christensen at 919-690-0360 (randy.christensen@granvillecounty.org) or C. Currin at 919-691-9161 (currinc@gcs.k12.nc.us).
News 04/11/19
/by LarryTown Talk 04/11/19
/by LarryCooperative Extension with Jamon Glover 04/11/19
/by CharleneHenderson City Council: Elmwood Cemetery, Food Trucks Under Review
/by Kelly BondurantCity Manager Frank Frazier was on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to provide a brief overview of the Henderson City Council meeting held on Monday, April 8.
According to Frazier, the City Council voted to table the first agenda item, a public hearing and consideration of approval that would amend the zoning map to rezone two parcels on Dabney Drive and one parcel on Lynne Avenue in Henderson to a neighborhood commercial district.
Council members voted to table the discussion on the rezoning of those parcels citing a need for additional research and information.
In new business, the City Council voted to renew the City’s contract with Waste Industries, Inc. for curbside sanitation pickup services for an additional three-year period. Waste Industries has been contracted with the City since 2010, according to Frazier.
The City Council also approved the demolition of properties at 813 Andrews Avenue, 210 Chestnut Street and 435 Chestnut Street. Frazier reported that the 435 Chestnut Street location is jointly owned by the County of Vance; discussions will be held with the County on how to proceed.
Also approved was a proposal to purchase the property at the corner of Beckford Drive and Andrews Avenue. Frazier stated this land would be used for future City redevelopment endeavors, including a potential small park.
In the accompanying work session, City Council members discussed amending the City-owned Elmwood Cemetery’s maintenance and operation codes.
Frazier said some of the codes are dated and need revising, including codes for proper barricading of open grave sites and upkeep of flowers and memorials.
To “protect the integrity and appearance of Elmwood,” Frazier said the City Council is also reviewing ways to prevent issues with leaning tombstones and memorials due to uneven grounds.
Another work session discussion – amending ordinances related to peddlers, solicitors, park concessions and food trucks – centered around the increased interest in food truck operations in Henderson.
In response to the increase in inquiries, Frazier said the City Council seeks to be proactive in establishing ordinances guiding food truck operations. City Council members have held discussions with the Henderson Police Department to determine the best way to proceed.
According to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow, proposed ordinances regarding food truck operations are fairly simple.
“My primary concern is safety and knowing who is providing services to our citizens,” said Barrow. “With food trucks, the criteria for a permit are having a certificate from the health department and having permission to set up at the location.”
The ordinance is straightforward; I did not recreate the wheel. It was pulled from other established ordinances from other municipalities. This ordinance will not be a hindrance, only a way to ensure safety for our citizens.”
Code amendments and proposed ordinances discussed at the work session will be presented to the entire Henderson City Council for review at their May meeting.
To hear the Town Talk interview with City Manager Frank Frazier in its entirety, click here.