-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.
When retired plumber Bob Demarco relocated from Maine to Warrenton, N.C., in 2012, he found “the perfect place for me to serve and be able to use the talents and gifts God has blessed me with.”
That place? Rebuilding Hope.
“I was immediately embraced by so many exceptional men and women who mentored and directed me to serve in several different capacities, including plumbing, welding and construction. I took an instant liking to my newfound hobby and even started publishing some battery backup sump pump reviews on the internet,” Bob says.
Bob says he connected with RHI through a member of Central Baptist Church, where he and wife Chris were attending.
Bob Demarco named Rebuilding Hope’s April 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)
“I reached out to Charles Granger, asking if he might know of a need as I had a stove and refrigerator to donate,” he says. “Charles told me of Rebuilding Hope and explained the mission and work. It was amazing that God delivered me to Rebuilding Hope so quickly.”
Bob says that “the work I have done at Rebuilding Hope has been the most gratifying and fulfilling work I have ever done.
“One of my favorite events is Kids Camp where I teach younger boys and girls plumbing and drywall construction.”
One camper, Bob says, really paid attention.
“My heart was touched by a young boy who after class went home and looked under the kitchen sink and, with amazement, asked his mom and dad if they knew they had pipes there.”
Now a resident of Johnston County and a member of Wilson’s Mills Baptist Church, Bob continues his volunteer work at RHI.
Recently, his skills were put to use plumbing bathrooms and showers for second-floor bunk rooms.
“To volunteer at Rebuilding Hope fills the needs of the community and fills my soul and heart,” says Bob, who’s affectionately known as “PlumBob.”
At his new church, Bob serves on the Community Service Committee and in the prayer ministry. He also works with Serve the Need of Johnston County, whose work is similar to that of RHI.
In leisure time, Bob says he enjoys reading and drumming.
He and Chris have five children, 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
New Hope Elementary to Receive $500 Kohl’s Grant
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Vance County Schools
There were five Kohl’s employees who traveled from their store in Durham to spend about half of the school day helping students and teachers in their classrooms on March 14.
As a result of the employees’ assistance with students and teachers at New Hope Elementary School, Kohl’s will award the school the grant funding.
Kohl’s employees, wearing their blue volunteer t-shirts, are shown in the two accompanying photos as they work with students in their classrooms. Kohl’s staff helped students with reading and math assignments during their volunteer time at the school. The volunteers worked mostly with small groups of students in classrooms in grades 3-5 at New Hope.
Principal Harold Thompson, Jr. said the Kohl’s employees were a great help during the approximately four hours they were at the school. He noted that New Hope students always enjoy having adults to come into their classrooms to assist them with their work.
(Photo courtesy VCS)
(Photo courtesy VCS)
Masonic Home Welcomes Volunteers for 8th Annual ‘Great Landscape Day’
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Jennifer Cufalo, Financial Development Assistant, Masonic Home for Children at Oxford
The Masonic Home for Children at Oxford will hold their 8th Annual Great Landscape Day on Saturday, April 13, 2019.
Individual and group volunteers are invited to share in a day of fellowship that will improve the appearance of the children’s home. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
When: Saturday, April 13, 2019 (no rain date – call for updates)
Where: Campus of Masonic Home for Children – 600 College St. in Oxford, NC
Schedule: 7:30 – 9 a.m. – continental breakfast for participants; 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – landscaping event on campus; 12 p.m. – lunch and conclusion of event.
Participants must RSVP on or before Friday, April 5 to indicate their interest and must include the number attending. To RSVP or for more information, contact MHCO at (919) 603-3930 or email jcufalo@mhc-oxford.org.
2019 N.C. Strawberry Season Underway
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, NCDA&CS
April signals the start of strawberry season in North Carolina, and local growers are expecting a very good crop that should last through Memorial Day.
“There should be plenty of berries this year despite a wet and cold first quarter in 2019,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We encourage consumers to visit a pick-your-own farm, go to a farmers market or stop by a roadside stand to get the freshest berries available.”
Consumers also can find locally grown strawberries in grocery stores and restaurants by looking for the Got to Be NC logo. The Got to Be NC program is the official state identity program for N.C. agricultural products, and lets consumers know they are buying a product grown, raised, caught or made in North Carolina.
North Carolina is the fourth-largest producer of strawberries in the nation, with about 1,100 acres harvested across the state. Growers have already started picking in Eastern North Carolina. Piedmont growers will begin picking in mid-April and growers in the mountains should start by the first of May. The peak of the season is traditionally Mother’s Day.
The department and the N.C. Strawberry Association will celebrate with two Strawberry Day events in May. The first event is at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh on May 2 and at the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax on May 3. Both celebrations include a strawberry recipe contest, ice cream samples and a visit by Suzy Strawberry.
More information about the strawberry industry is available at www.ncstrawberry.com. Consumers interested in finding a you-pick strawberry farm near them can go to www.gottobenc.com.
Hinton to Perform at Henderson Institute Museum in Honor of Jazz Month
/by WIZS Staff-Information and flyer courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
In celebration of April as Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), the Henderson Institute Historical Museum will feature singer, songwriter, musician and entertainer Leah Hinton on Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 6 until 9 p.m.
Cost is $25; refreshments will be served.
The museum is located at 629 W. Rockspring St. in Henderson, NC.
Contact the museum at (252) 430-0616 for ticket information.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Rebuilding Hope Names Bob “PlumBob” Demarco April’s Spotlight Volunteer
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc.
When retired plumber Bob Demarco relocated from Maine to Warrenton, N.C., in 2012, he found “the perfect place for me to serve and be able to use the talents and gifts God has blessed me with.”
That place? Rebuilding Hope.
“I was immediately embraced by so many exceptional men and women who mentored and directed me to serve in several different capacities, including plumbing, welding and construction. I took an instant liking to my newfound hobby and even started publishing some battery backup sump pump reviews on the internet,” Bob says.
Bob says he connected with RHI through a member of Central Baptist Church, where he and wife Chris were attending.
Bob Demarco named Rebuilding Hope’s April 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)
“I reached out to Charles Granger, asking if he might know of a need as I had a stove and refrigerator to donate,” he says. “Charles told me of Rebuilding Hope and explained the mission and work. It was amazing that God delivered me to Rebuilding Hope so quickly.”
Bob says that “the work I have done at Rebuilding Hope has been the most gratifying and fulfilling work I have ever done.
“One of my favorite events is Kids Camp where I teach younger boys and girls plumbing and drywall construction.”
One camper, Bob says, really paid attention.
“My heart was touched by a young boy who after class went home and looked under the kitchen sink and, with amazement, asked his mom and dad if they knew they had pipes there.”
Now a resident of Johnston County and a member of Wilson’s Mills Baptist Church, Bob continues his volunteer work at RHI.
Recently, his skills were put to use plumbing bathrooms and showers for second-floor bunk rooms.
“To volunteer at Rebuilding Hope fills the needs of the community and fills my soul and heart,” says Bob, who’s affectionately known as “PlumBob.”
At his new church, Bob serves on the Community Service Committee and in the prayer ministry. He also works with Serve the Need of Johnston County, whose work is similar to that of RHI.
In leisure time, Bob says he enjoys reading and drumming.
He and Chris have five children, 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 04/01/19
/by LarryNews 04/01/19
/by Larry15 Local Educators Complete Vance Co. Teacher Executive Institute Program
/by WIZS Staff-Press Release, Vance County Schools
An outstanding group of 15 educators with Vance County Schools were honored during the evening of March 28, for their successful completion of the Vance County Teacher Executive Institute (TEI) program for the 2018-2019 school year.
They were each presented framed certificates for completion of the program.
An audience that included the educators’ special guests and each of their principals gathered to recognize their achievements.
Those educators honored included: Angela Cusaac of Vance County High School and the school system’s Teacher of the Year; Christine Francis of Vance County High School; Davia Johnson of Vance County Middle School; Sherrie Evans-Bailey of AdVance Academy; Oscar Suarez of Early College High School; Tammy Barrow of STEM Early High School; Jessica Ayscue of Aycock Elementary School; Patricia Harris of Carver Elementary School; Kristy Martin of Clarke Elementary School; Pat Hughes of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School; Cherie Dixon of L.B. Yancey Elementary School; Taylor Evans of New Hope Elementary School; Jhaneille Downer of Pinkston Street Elementary School; Kimberly Holtzmann of Dabney Elementary School; and Vanessa Davis of Zeb Vance Elementary School.
The Vance County Teacher Executive Institute graduates for 2018-2019 include, from left, Jessica Ayscue, Tammy Barrow, Pat Hughes, Sherrie Evans-Bailey, Oscar Suarez, Patricia Harris, Jhanielle Downer, Davia Johnson, Cherie Dixon, Taylor Evans, Kristy Martin, Kimberly Holtzmann, Vanessa Davis, Christine Francis and Angela Cusaac. (Photo courtesy VCS)
Katie Eddings, a teacher at Lee County High School and the current N.C. North Central Region Teacher of the Year, was the featured speaker for the event. Eddings talked with the honored educators and guests about her passion for teaching and urged them all to focus on developing positive relationship with students. She also asked them to use their commitment to children to push for positive changes in public education and our society today.
The Vance County Teacher Executive Institute has been offered to local public school educators since 1993. The program is presented each year by the Vance County Public School Foundation and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. Vance County Schools is a sponsor and partner for the program. TEI is a professional development program for public school teachers, counselors and media specialists. It is designed to bring local educators and business leaders together to form strong relationships so that they can work together for the betterment of our students and future leaders.
Corporate sponsors this year for Teacher Executive Institute included: Duke Energy, Satterwhite Point Marina, Walmart Distribution Center #6091, KARTS, Quick Print, Vance County Farm Bureau, J.M. White Funeral Service, Henderson Family YMCA, The Daily Dispatch, Golden Skillet, Maria Parham Health, Chick-fil-A of Henderson, Wayne and Susan Adcock and Barnett Properties.
VCRFM to Hold ‘Pesticide Disposal Day’ for Unneeded, Old Chemicals
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties, NC Cooperative Extension
Do you have lawn, garden or farm chemicals you no longer need? Do you have products more than three years old? Protect your family, your pets and the environment by bringing unneeded chemicals to our pesticide disposal day.
This event will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market – 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC.
We will accept all pesticide products, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc. in original, labeled containers. Both liquids and solids (e.g. granules, powders) are acceptable. For large containers (e.g. 5 gallons or more) or large quantities, please call in advance.
We CANNOT accept fertilizer, paint, solvents, gasoline, household cleaners, or other household hazardous waste.
This service is offered at no charge in cooperation with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. For more information, e-mail paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or call (252) 438-8188.
Year’s Fourth Confirmed Rabid Animal Collected in Granville Co.
/by WIZS Staff-Information courtesy the Granville County Government’s Facebook page
Granville County Animal Control reports the pickup of a raccoon near the intersection of Elam Currin Road and Pine Town Road that has tested positive for rabies. The animal was collected in a pasture with livestock.
A representative from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be advising the property owner and conducting a separate investigation of the animals that may have come into contact with the raccoon. This is the fourth confirmed rabid animal so far this year and the third rabid animal in this location in the last 14 months.
The best way to protect yourself and your animals is to make sure all of your pets have a current rabies vaccine, in accordance with N.C. law. The Granville County Animal Shelter, located at 5650 Cornwall Road in Oxford, provides one-year rabies vaccines for dogs and cats for only $6. Call 919-693-6749 for more details.