TownTalk: Masonic Home For Children At Oxford Has New CEO In Time For 2025 Homecoming Oct. 10-11

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The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford is having its annual Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 11. This year’s event marks the end of one administrator’s tenure and the beginning of new leadership. But no matter who’s at the helm, one thing’s for sure: MHCO is a place where children are nurtured and loved.

Kevin Otis had served for 13 years as MHCO administrator. Upon his retirement, Chris Allabaugh has been named the home’s chief executive officer. A welcome reception will be held Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Cobb Center on the MHCO campus, located at 600 College St., Oxford. The public is invited to drop in and welcome Allabaugh as he begins his new role. He will offer brief remarks at 6 p.m.

“I am excited to be here,” Allabaugh said. “The Masonic Home has a long, long history for doing good things,” and he added that he is looking forward to building on that history. He said the home had flourished under Otis’s leadership. “He built a solid, solid foundation that we can grow and build upon.”

Allabaugh said the team that makes up the staff at the home are dedicated to their mission. “They are world-class at what they do,” he said, adding that part of his job is “to clear a way for them to be able to do their work.”

Part of that work is what goes into the Homecoming celebration, which includes a parade on the campus at 11 a.m., barbecue cook-off and live music and carnival games for the kids.

Otis said folks should arrive on campus by 10 a.m. so they can get parked and ready for the day’s activities. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the parade, which Otis said “isn’t a real long parade, but it’s a really good parade.”

Barbecue plates are $10 and can be purchased beginning about 12 noon. And The Band of Oz takes the stage at 12:30 p.m. There are complimentary amusement rides, tours and more for participants of all ages.

Homecoming is a way for the home to say “thank you” to alumni, Masons and to the community for its support over the years.

The current residents help out, Otis said. They get to enjoy the day’s activities, but they also help get things set up and you’ll see others in the parade – from JROTC to the Homecoming float.

“It really is a celebration of the kids of today,” Otis said.

The children who reside at the home are resilient, Allabaugh said. “They’re incredible. They just need a fighting chance at being a kid…(I’m) confident that we will continue to do that.”

He said he looks forward to meeting people in the coming days and weeks – and hopes to get started this weekend at the Homecoming festivities.
“I am just thrilled to meet the people of Oxford this weekend…saying thank you for the support they’ve given over the years,” Allabaugh said.

Check out the complete Homecoming schedule at https://mhc-oxford.org/

 

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TownTalk: Abria’s Chase Foundation Extends Support To Those Dealing With Grief

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Join Abria’s Chase founders Ayana and June Lewis for Testimonial Tuesday on Facebook Live to hear stories from those who have suffered life-altering experiences and how they have worked through challenges to come out on the other side.

The Lewises established the Abria’s Chase Foundation in the wake of a tragic housefire that claimed the lives of their children, Abria and Chase, in November 2009.

The week of Oct. 5-11 is Fire Safety Week, and the Lewises said their mission, through the foundation, is to try to help others.

“We didn’t want this to happen to anybody else,” Ayana said on Monday’s TownTalk. “We wanted to help others…we wanted to do the preventive end,” she said. In partnership with the American Red Cross and the local fire department, Abria’s Chase provides and installs free of charge smoke detectors and batteries. Call 252.430.9913 to learn more about how to sign up for this program.

But that’s not all Abria’s Chase offers. The Lewises started a support group in 2010 for parents who have experienced the loss of a child.

“June and I had one another to depend on and lean on,” Ayana explained, and they wanted to provide a similar support to others who may need it.

“It was such a big help for us, as well as the men and women,” Ayana said. The Loss of A Child Support Group meets on the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m.

A support group for young people meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, too. It’s a time when children can come together and learn coping skills to help them navigate through the grief process.

As the holidays approach – often, the most difficult time for those who grieve the loss of a family member – they open up the support group to provide grief support, not just for parents but to families who may be interested in participating.

June encourages men experiencing loss or grief to reach out for help.

“It can be a hard thing for a man to communicate feelings,” June said. But talking to someone can help. “It really makes a huge difference,” he said.

The Lewises compare unexpressed feelings to an unopened soda can. The can holds pressure, and if it’s not used properly, the contents can get on things it was not intended to get on, June said.

Talking to someone – to relieve that pressure – can create positive, healthier outcomes.

Abria’s Chase Foundation has a cheer competition fundraiser coming up on Nov. 15 at 5 p.m.

All proceeds go to helping the foundation continue its work to provide support to the community. Ayana said there’s still time to enter the competition. Call 252.430.9913 to learn how.

To learn more about the organization, visit http://www.abriaschasefoundation.org/

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The Local Skinny! Central Station Marks Fire Safety Week With Open House Oct. 9

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There’s just something about a shiny, red fire engine that kindles excitement, from young children to older folks who are still kids at heart. And on Thursday, Oct. 9, the community is invited to come take an up-close-and-personal look at Central Fire Station’s newest piece of equipment – Engine No. 1 – as part of an Open House in observance of Fire Safety Week.

But that’s not the only thing to enjoy, said Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds. There will be pizza, Edmonds said, along with other fire safety demonstrations during the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. open house at Central Fire Station, located at 211 Dabney Dr.

You can learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher and learn techniques for safely exiting a burning structure in the “Smoke House,” a mobile training trailer that teaches how to get low and crawl in a smoke-filled space.

This year’s Fire Safety Week theme is “Charge into Fire Safety,” which Edmonds said puts an emphasis on those rechargeable lithium ion batteries that find their way into so many household items these days.

“You’d be surprised how much stuff in your house runs off lithium ion batteries,” he said, stressing the importance of their proper use and disposal. It’s important to buy, charge and recycle batteries safely, he said.

The fire station always welcomes visitors, but the Open House will provide opportunities for learning about safety and how to respond in case of an emergency.

Learn more about Fire Safety Week at https://www.nfpa.org/

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Pine Bark Beetles

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Pine Beetles can devastate Pine trees quickly check your trees at least twice a year.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Reminder About Precinct Changes In Advance Of Oct. 7 Election

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— information courtesy of Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles

A reminder to Henderson voters planning to go to the polls on Tuesday, Oct. 7 – there are a couple of different polling places as a result of precinct consolidation.

According to information from Vance County Board of Elections Director Haley Rawles On behalf of the Vance County Board of Elections, the following changes are in effect:

  • North Henderson 1 & East Henderson 1 voters will now vote at Central Henderson (the gym on the former Eaton Johnson campus), 500 N. Beckford Dr.
  • Hilltop & South Henderson 2 voters will now vote at South Henderson (Perry Memorial Library), 205 Breckenridge St.

These changes are permanent, Rawles said and will apply to the upcoming nonpartisan municipal election and all future elections.

Another reminder from Rawles: Only residents living within the City of Henderson are eligible to vote in the city election. Voters living in Vance County but outside the city limits are not eligible to vote in this election.

Updated voter cards were mailed to all voters affected by the precinct change, and Rawles said anyone with question should call the Board of Elections office at 252.492.3730 or visit ncsbe.gov to check their voter information.

SportsTalk: Vance County Football starts conference play on Friday

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UPDATE – FINAL SCORE 

Wake Forest 53

Vance County 0

RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK 

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With five games behind them, the Vance County Vipers are headed to Wake Forest Friday to take on the Wake Forest Cougars. Both teams are 1-4, and Vipers Head Coach Aaron Elliott said he expects the Cougars are hungry for a win, just like his guys.

The Vipers are coming off a bye week, and Elliott told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and George Hoyle Thursday that having a few extra days to prepare was a good thing. Plus, it gave his team a little extra time to get over some injuries.

In fact, Elliott said Friday’s matchup will mark – knock on wood –  the first time all season that everybody’s fully healthy when they take the field at Trentini Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Although the last four games have resulted in losses for the Vipers, Elliott said he’s confident that facing those tough non-conference teams will pay off now that conference play is on the doorstep.

He borrowed a term he heard another analyst use and called the Vipers at this point in the season “battle tested.”

Two teams in the conference with better records than the Vipers include Franklinton High at 4-1 and East Wake at 2-3. Elliott takes it in stride. “None of those teams have played a Jordan. None of those teams has played a Northeastern,” he said.

Leading in to Friday’s game, Elliott said he and his team are excited about conference play. “We’ve talked to the kids about how our non-conference was going set us up to be ready for the conference. We’re excited to see what we can do and how much better we’ve gotten since day 1.

One of the keys to the game will be playing disciplined football, Elliott said. What he’s talking about is each player doing his job. “If each person does his job, offensively and defensively, and plays to their capability, I think we’ll be fine.”

As for the Wake Forest Cougars, Elliott said they’re a good team and are well coached. They look good offensively and defensively are pretty sound as well.

Wake Forest Head Coach Reggie Lucas, Elliott said, “knows the game of football and does a good job of coaching his guys up.”

Going head to head against teams with coaches like Lucas helps Elliott and his staff figure out what they need to work on and improve upon.

“It challenges us as coaches as well,” he said. “A lot of times you can be out-coached – and it happens…being able to see good coaches like that and coach against them – it’s fun. And we learn a lot – coaches and players alike.”

Area High School Football Games for Week 7:

  • Vance County (1-4) @ Wake Forest (1-4)
  • Franklinton (4-1) vs. Knightdale (1-4)
  • Heritage (1-4) @ East Wake (2-3)
  • J.F. Webb (3-2) vs. Carrboro (0-5)
  • South Granville (1-4) vs. Cedar Ridge (1-4)
  • Warren County (4-1) vs. Southeast Halifax (4-1)
  • Louisburg (5-0) @ Nash Central (1-4)
  • Bunn (3-2) @ ALA-Johnston (4-2)
  • Wake Prep (3-2) vs. Roanoke Rapids (1-4)
  • Mecklenburg County, VA (1-4) @ Halifax County, VA (2-3)

Vance County travels to Wake Forest High School for Week 7 of the 2025 season on Friday, October 3rd and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting at 6:50 p.m. and kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

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Marsha Overby 2025 Recipient Of VGCC Distinguished Alumni Award

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— information courtesy of Vance-Granville Community College

The Vance-Granville Community College Foundation named Marsha Overby of Franklin County as its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award as part of the annual Scholarship awards luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 25.

“Each year, we are honored to recognize one of our outstanding alumni whose journey began right here at VGCC,” said Tanya Weary, VGCCF Executive Director. “This award not only celebrates individual achievement but also inspires current students to pursue their goals with confidence and purpose.”

Overby graduated from VGCC with an associate degree in Computer Information Technology.  She has since demonstrated outstanding leadership and character throughout every facet of her life and career. Currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the State Highway Patrol, she is known for her professionalism, integrity and visionary leadership—qualities that inspire those around her and uphold the highest standards of public service. Beyond her professional achievements, Overby remains a passionate advocate for her community. She actively supports youth and community programs through her church, 4-H initiatives and the Oxford Preparatory School Board Finance Committee. Her involvement reflects a strong dedication to empowering young people, fostering creativity, and promoting leadership and service.

The VGCC Foundation hosts the scholarship luncheon annually to connect scholarship recipients with the donors who support their educational dreams. The Distinguished Alumni Award has become a highlight of the event, shining a spotlight on the lasting impact of a VGCC education.

For more information about The VGCC Foundation and its programs, visit www.vgcc.edu/foundation.

Warren Parks And Recreation Mini-Grant Application Window Open Through Oct. 31

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The Warren County Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks and Recreation Commission mini-grant application period is open through October to support community non-profit organizations in the county.

The mini-grant applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31 and should be for developing and supporting recreation amenities for county resident at satellite locations, according to information from the Parks and Recreation office.

Find the grant application at https://www.warrencountync.com/345/Parks-Recreation or obtain a physical copy from the Parks and Recreation Department at 113 Wilcox Street, Warrenton.

Submitted requests may not exceed $10,000.

Applications should be submitted by:

  • Email: brettgarrett@warrencountync.gov OR
  • In person: Warren County Parks and Recreation Office at 113 Wilcox Street, Warrenton, NC 27589 (not a mailing address) OR
  • Mail: Warren County Parks and Recreation, Attn: Brett Garrett, PO Box 835, Warrenton, NC 27589

For more information, contact Christopher Williams, Program Manager at 252.257.2272 or parksandrecreation@warrencountync.gov.