The name Blacknall may be a familiar name in the area – there’s Blacknall Cemetery in Henderson, a historic home in Durham called Blacknall House and another cemetery in Kittrell. These are all vestiges of a once-prominent family whose members have played a role throughout the history of what is now Vance, Franklin and Warren counties.
WIZS’s Bill Harris and North Carolina Room Specialist Mark Pace took a look Thursday at the Blacknall family history, filled with some triumphs but rife with tragedy as well.
“They were very well read, very literate people,” Pace said, adding that in those days, such prominent families felt “a certain moral and civic duty to make the world a better place – they were soldiers and writers, movers and shakers in the community.”
There was Col. Charles Blackwell, who raised a regiment in Franklin County to fight in the Civil War. He died in 1864 after being wounded in the battle at Winchester, VA.
He was captured not once, but twice, during his military service, Pace said. He was part of a prisoner exchange deal after being taken to the Old Capitol prison near Washington.
One of Col. Blacknall’s children was Oscar William Blacknall, who was born in Kittrell, apparently under a dark cloud.
His success as a businessman allowed him to pursue literary interests and more, Pace noted.
In 1888 he established Continental Plant Company, a nursery business known especially for strawberries.
But Oscar may be best remembered for the Kittrell Hotel, Pace said. It was the first summer resort in North Carolina, established in 1858. If stayed in business throughout the Civil War, closing in 1873.
It catered to Southerners, who came to enjoy the hotel’s amenities – including a ballroom, billiard room, bowling alley and, of course, the water from Kittrell Springs.
During the Civil War, the hotel was used as a hospital. The Confederate soldiers buried in Kittrell died at Kittrell Hotel.
Blacknall’s wife was also his double first cousin – he married his uncle’s daughter. Of their seven children, one died as an infant, two committed suicide, the oldest died of tuberculosis and daughter Kate died at Blacknall’s own hand.
Seems he got up from the midday meal on Saturday, July 6, 1918, shot his wife first, then took aim at his 24-year-old daughter before taking his own life.
Thomas Blacknall was from another branch of the Blacknall family. He owned a slave, also named Thomas, who became the patriarch of the African American branch of Blacknalls. The white Blacknall held in such high regard the Black Blacknall that he allowed him to sell his wares (he was a blacksmith and bellmaker), allowing him to eventually buy his and his children’s freedom.
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SportsTalk: Vance County High Prepares For Football Season
/by Bill HarrisSchool may be out for the summer, but that doesn’t mean Vance County High School Athletic Director Ray Noel is taking it easy. Camps are taking place in the coming weeks for soccer, basketball and volleyball. This week the Viper’s football team is participating in a 7 on 7 camp at NC State.
“It’s an opportunity to work on passing and defense,” Noel said. One of the teams Vance County has faced is Sanderson. The Vipers prevailed in that contest but they also have to face Northern Durham and Chambers from the Charlotte area. It’s a great opportunity for the kids to get some touches on the football according to Noel. Turnout for these offseason camps and workouts has been strong. “We’ve had good numbers at workouts with 50 to 60 kids,” Noel said.
While losing their starting quarterback to graduation, Noel said to expect big things from Taeshawn Alston and Javon Vines-Holder this season. Upcoming 7 on 7 camps will be held at Winston-Salem State and St. Augustine’s.
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“Pop The Hood” – Brakes
/by Laura Gabel— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.
It’s important that our vehicles go when we step on the gas, but it’s just as important that they stop when we apply the brakes.
Drivers who hear a scraping or grinding sound when braking should take heed: It could mean your brakes need some attention. Ignoring it could only make the problem worse, so Michael Puckett, manager of Advance Auto Parts on Raleigh Road, recommends getting it checked out.
Those sounds could mean the brake pads or shoes need replacing or the rotors need turning.
“It could be the brake pads have gone down to the metal,” Puckett explained, adding that if the rotors have been damaged beyond the point of being turned, they’ll need replacing.
If the vehicle pulls to the right or left, it could be a sign that the brake calipers need work.
A lot of times the configuration is brake shoes on the back with pads on the front, but if you don’t know exactly what you need, the team at Advance Auto can help. With just a little information about your vehicle, or the VIN, customers can find exactly the right parts for their project.
Many parts manufacturers are making brake pads and shoes from ceramic these days, which can mean they last longer.
The staff at Advance Auto keeps safety first, Puckett said, and will help educate customers about specific parts for specific needs. If you use your truck for towing, you may need a certain type of brake pad or shoe.
Once your vehicle repair has been made, it’s important to do a road test to make sure the problem has been resolved. Steps to ensure safety during a repair and afterward are what Advance Auto is all about.
Visit https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/ to learn about the complete line of parts and services available at Advance Auto Parts.
The information contained in this post and its associated audio is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS. Safety First! Always seek proper help. This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.
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TownTalk: Around Old Granville
/by Laura GabelThe name Blacknall may be a familiar name in the area – there’s Blacknall Cemetery in Henderson, a historic home in Durham called Blacknall House and another cemetery in Kittrell. These are all vestiges of a once-prominent family whose members have played a role throughout the history of what is now Vance, Franklin and Warren counties.
WIZS’s Bill Harris and North Carolina Room Specialist Mark Pace took a look Thursday at the Blacknall family history, filled with some triumphs but rife with tragedy as well.
“They were very well read, very literate people,” Pace said, adding that in those days, such prominent families felt “a certain moral and civic duty to make the world a better place – they were soldiers and writers, movers and shakers in the community.”
There was Col. Charles Blackwell, who raised a regiment in Franklin County to fight in the Civil War. He died in 1864 after being wounded in the battle at Winchester, VA.
He was captured not once, but twice, during his military service, Pace said. He was part of a prisoner exchange deal after being taken to the Old Capitol prison near Washington.
One of Col. Blacknall’s children was Oscar William Blacknall, who was born in Kittrell, apparently under a dark cloud.
His success as a businessman allowed him to pursue literary interests and more, Pace noted.
In 1888 he established Continental Plant Company, a nursery business known especially for strawberries.
But Oscar may be best remembered for the Kittrell Hotel, Pace said. It was the first summer resort in North Carolina, established in 1858. If stayed in business throughout the Civil War, closing in 1873.
It catered to Southerners, who came to enjoy the hotel’s amenities – including a ballroom, billiard room, bowling alley and, of course, the water from Kittrell Springs.
During the Civil War, the hotel was used as a hospital. The Confederate soldiers buried in Kittrell died at Kittrell Hotel.
Blacknall’s wife was also his double first cousin – he married his uncle’s daughter. Of their seven children, one died as an infant, two committed suicide, the oldest died of tuberculosis and daughter Kate died at Blacknall’s own hand.
Seems he got up from the midday meal on Saturday, July 6, 1918, shot his wife first, then took aim at his 24-year-old daughter before taking his own life.
Thomas Blacknall was from another branch of the Blacknall family. He owned a slave, also named Thomas, who became the patriarch of the African American branch of Blacknalls. The white Blacknall held in such high regard the Black Blacknall that he allowed him to sell his wares (he was a blacksmith and bellmaker), allowing him to eventually buy his and his children’s freedom.
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WIZS Radio Local News Audio 06-15-23 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
Library Closed Monday, June 19; Juneteenth Celebration Downtown Saturday, June 17
/by WIZS StaffMonday is June 19 and Perry Memorial Library will be closed that day in observance of Juneteenth, when enslaved people in Texas received word of their emancipation.
The Civil War had ended, the Emancipation Proclamation issued and Union troops traveled widely throughout the Confederacy spreading the word that slavery was over and enslaved people were free.
But that news didn’t make it to Texas until June 19, 1865 – hence the name Juneteenth.
The Juneteenth festival will take place in Henderson in the area around the county courthouse on Saturday between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Enjoy all the activities, from live music to food trucks, children’s events and vendors of all types.
Vance County Adopts Budget; Fire Study Coming
/by John C. RoseThe Vance County Board of Commissioners adopted the upcoming fiscal year 23-24 budget Wednesday afternoon. The special called meeting led to a 6 to 1 vote to adopt the budget as presented by the county manager.
Immediately after the budget was approved, the board adopted a motion which freezes the four empty, full time Vance County Fire Department positions and stops funding of any new capital expenses. That motion carried 5 to 2.
After about 90 minutes of meeting time and some heated discussion, it’s clear that a fire study is coming. And unlike some meetings that see motions, seconds, discussion and votes on topics, several sequences were gone through like that. In the process, two motions and seconds were withdrawn and another voted down.
In the short term with the likelihood that the study will take up to 90 days to complete once started, some commissioners and citizens may draw the conclusion that a reasonable compromise was reached.
From the angle of the fire service, which has been closely discussed publicly and by the citizenry in the last 35 to 40 days, there is a general maintaining at this point of the status quo. With the budget in place, a freeze in place, and the study coming, the board, with a great deal of county staff help, has preserved its option to act on the study, including amending the budget.
After the meeting, Finance Director Katherine Bigelow said, “What is being approved is freezing the four vacant Vance County Fire Department positions and their capital expenses consisting of turnout gear and fire boots, for example,” as she went over some items with WIZS.
Interim County Manager Scott Elliott said, “At the July 10 meeting, staff will bring forth the proposed scope of the work to be conducted by the fire study and seek board approval and for execution of a contract,” as he spoke to WIZS.
The roughly $57.5 million budget calls for no increase in the property tax, holding at 89 cents per $100 valuation, as well as appropriating more than $1.8 million from the fund balance to plug a gap between expected expenses and expected revenues. The proposed budget is 4.5 percent more than the 2022-23 budget.
The budget does increase part time firefighter pay to $15 per hour from $14. The $16 amount was part of the public safety committee recommendation and that recommendation was not included in the budget.
The “reorganization” of the Vance County Fire Department is not occurring at this time.
Vance County Fire Chief Chris Wright remains the Vance County Fire Marshall at this time.
Granville Animal Shelter Gets $10K Grant From Petco Love
/by WIZS Staff-information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood
Granville County Animal Management has received a $10,000 grant investment from the national nonprofit Petco Love in support of their lifesaving work for animals in Granville County.
Petco Love is a national nonprofit leading change for pets by harnessing the power of love to make communities and pet families closer, stronger and healthier. Since its founding in 1999, Petco Love has invested $350 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. And Petco Love helps find loving homes for pets in partnership with Petco and more than 4,000 organizations across North America — like the Granville County Animal Shelter — with 6.7 million pets adopted and counting.
“Our investment in Granville County Animal Management is part of more than $15M in investments recently announced by Petco Love to power local organizations across the country as part of our commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” said Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love. “Our local investments are only part of our strategy to empower animal lovers to drive lifesaving change right alongside us. We recently launched Petco Love Lost, a national lost and found database that uses pet image technology to simplify the search for lost pets.”
“We are so thankful for the continuing support provided by Petco Love to help the Granville County Animal Shelter in its mission to protect the animals of our community,” said Commissioner Sue Hinman, who also serves on the Animal Control Advisory Committee. “Our staff will utilize this generous grant to enhance our spay/neuter program, provide heartworm treatment to dogs, and pay for emergency veterinary care. This is such an awesome gift from Petco Love and we hope they know how grateful our community is to be included in this grant award.”
The Granville County Animal Shelter operates Tuesday through Saturday, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for all services. For more information, call 919.693.6749 or visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/granville-county-animal-management/animal-shelter/.
Learn more about Petco Love by visiting https://petcolove.org/.
N.C. First Lady Kristin Cooper Stops In For A Visit On 100-County Tour
/by Laura GabelNorth Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper paid a visit to downtown Henderson today as part of her statewide tour to visit all 100 counties.
Cooper toured McGregor Hall with Director Mark Hopper and other local officials before heading to George’s for lunch and then stopping by Sadie’s Coffee Corner, Nella Roo’s Boutique and the Vance County Arts Council before departing by mid-afternoon.
“This place is absolutely amazing,” Cooper told members of the media following the tour of McGregor Hall. “I didn’t expect to see something like this…y’all should be real proud of it.”
Cooper made her way across the state not so much by geography, but in alphabetical order. “This is my 98th county,” she noted.
She said she’s had a wonderful reception everywhere she’s visited, and as a self-professed “city girl,” has learned a lot about what North Carolina has to offer.
“It’s amazing to see the pride of place that people have,” she continued. “Even cities that are struggling…have enormous pride in their community” and are willing to sacrifice to make it better.
Throughout her tour, she’s ridden ferries, climbed mountains, walked in forests and on sand dunes. And now, having completed her tour in this community, she can add McGregor Hall and downtown Henderson to the list.
Vance County’s issues surrounding public education, health care and attracting medical professionals and educators to rural areas are not unique, unfortunately, she said.
Cooper encourages individuals to get out and find destinations in the state that may be unfamiliar.
“There may be something great just around the corner from you,” she said.
TownTalk: Study Scheduled To Measure McGregor Hall’s Economic Impact
/by Laura GabelAn economic impact study conducted locally in 2019 showed that McGregor Hall brought in close to $3 million in direct revenue to the city and county – researchers conducting that study looked at receipts from restaurants, hotels and retail to come up with this figure, said Mark Hopper, McGregor Hall executive director.
Hopper said the downtown venue is a big tourism magnet that attracts people from across the state and the Southeast to attend performances, competitions and more. By late summer, a second economic impact study will be underway to measure the extent to which McGregor Hall is bringing money to the area. Hopper predicts that it could be twice the amount from just four years ago.
“We have come back with a big roar in the past year,” Hopper said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. “We’ve added a lot of rental events (and) bringing in a lot of people from outside the area – people who spend money for food, lodging and more.
Known as a spot for performances and concerts, McGregor Hall also has become a popular spot for dance competitions.
“Next year, we have 15 straight weekends of dance competitions,” Hopper said. The various events hosted at McGregor Hall serve to infuse the local economy with additional revenue, which is its main purpose.
“We are first and foremost an economic endeavor,” Hopper said. “Even before the arts.” The arts just happen to be the way McGregor Hall contributes to the local economy.
The economic impact study is a good way to measure in concrete ways how the venue is achieving its mission.
The research is expected to be conducted in late August or early September, and Hopper said he hopes to have results by the end of September. N.C. State’s Municipal Research Lab and Tom White will come back to do the second study for about half the cost of the first one, since much of the foundational work has been done already.
Measuring a venue’s economic impact is relatively easy compared to measuring the impact theater and performing arts has on the people who participate and enjoy them. Researchers can study a store’s receipts and compare them with days or weekends that competitions or events were held at McGregor Hall.
But Hopper said he can only provide anecdotal evidence of the way McGregor Hall performances have affected the lives of patrons and artists who come to the venue.
It’s not hyperbole that “theater can change lives. And save lives,” he said. So many people have found a community within the walls of McGregor Hall.
That community “starts with the way we work with people,” he added.
More than 50 children – half of whom have no experience with theater – met for the first time Tuesday to begin working on Seussical Jr., a production of a two-week long theater camp.
In just over a week, that same group of youngsters will take the stage at McGregor Hall for the opening performance.
Children from different schools, neighborhoods and backgrounds come together for the grand sum of $50 for the two-week camp, Hopper said.
“Children desperately crave communities,” he noted. We can provide a healthy community, or they’ll create their own. We’re creating community for them in the best way possible.”
That’s an impact that surely will pay its own kind of dividends.
Home And Garden Show
/by Bill HarrisOn the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.
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