The Local Skinny! Vance Granville Community Band Plans Christmas Concert

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Press “pause” on your holiday decorating and shopping for about an hour on Monday, Dec. 12 and head over to McGregor Hall – Brian Miller says you won’t be disappointed.

Miller conducts the Vance Granville Community band, which will be performing a free community concert beginning at 7:30 p.m.

He understands the importance of timing – he’s been a high school band instructor for 30 years – and he said he always remembers advice his Mom gave him: “Keep it short. Make the audience want more, not wish the thing were over,” he told John C. Rose on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

“We’re not going to keep you long,” Miller said, adding that the performance would be “an evening of nostalgic enjoyment.”

Selections include holiday music, but there are sure to be some toe-tappin’ favorites, including some good ol’ fashioned band marches and an overture based on folk songs from Mexico as well. And who knows? Miller said there just may be a special visitor at the end of the concert.

“We’re a very traditional band playing very traditional music,” Miller said, adding that “bands should play marches and traditional things – things that sound good!”

The band consists of about 30 members, and Miller said they’re always looking for more.

“We’d love to have you join us,” he said. Ages range from students all the way up to “folks in very much their adult years.”

Practice takes place on Monday evenings, from 7 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. and will resume after the holidays at VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson.

 

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TownTalk: Aycock School Festival of Lights is This Week

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Aycock Elementary’s 3rd annual Festival of Lights is almost here! The campus transforms into a glittery, shining drive-through experience sure to put folks in the holiday spirit.

Whether you prefer Who-ville or Polar Express, Aycock Principal Kristen H. Boyd said there’s something magical about the lights display. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s a really fun time,” Boyd said in a recent interview. The two-night event kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 7 and continues on Thursday, Dec. 8, with vehicles driving through from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This event is free and open to the community; donations will be accepted, with proceeds going to the festival of lights fund, as well as supporting various school clubs for the students.

Boyd said some of the school’s clubs include a garden club, an Imagineering club, as well as clubs for art and engineering.

Some display favorites are back – like Who-ville and Polar Express, but a new display called Santa’s Workshop will make its debut in this year’s event.

Vehicles will enter via the Aycock Rec Center, Sandlin noted, adding that there’s a specific traffic pattern to follow that will weave onlookers through the various light displays.

Boyd said turnout was great the past two years, and she hopes this year’s festival of lights will be bigger and better attended than ever.

The festival of lights is a way to give back to families in the community, and it’s also a time to give folks a chance to experience the result of teachers’ collaboration.

 

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TownTalk: Sheriff Curtis Brame Sworn In; Begins Second Term

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Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame officially began his second term of office today, after a swearing-in ceremony that took place at the Vance County Courthouse at 11 a.m. Monday.

The oath of office was administered in the presence of retired judge Randolph Baskerville.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow was one of the speakers during today’s swearing-in ceremony. He said he is proud of their close working relationship when it comes to protecting Vance County and Henderson and keeping residents safe.

In his remarks, Barrow said he picked up on a theme that Baskerville had mentioned in his remarks at the beginning of the ceremony: Character, the judge said, is doing the right thing when nobody is looking.

“I wanted to build off of what the judge had said,” Barrow told WIZS News by telephone Monday. So he added, “Character is doing the right thing when everybody is looking.”

He said that is what Brame does – he makes decisions that the public may not understand, but it’s “still…the right choice, even though it might not be the popular choice.”

“Sometimes we can’t tell the public why we make the decisions we make,” Barrow said.

In previous interviews with WIZS News, Brame has said his office needs more funding to try to fill job openings, and he has been vocal about the need for a new jail. He also has strongly stated to the community that parents need to play a role in the lives of youth in the area, and helping to keep them out of trouble and off the radar of law enforcement.

 

 

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Landscape Design

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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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Henderson Physician Installed as President of State Association of Family Physicians

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Shauna Guthrie, MD, MPH, FAAFP, a Henderson family physician, is the new president of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians.

Guthrie was installed last weekend at the association’s annual meeting in Asheville, which was attended by more than 700 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students, according to a press statement from NCAFP

She will serve a one-year term, according to information released Friday.

In her inaugural address to NCAFP members, Guthrie stressed the versatility of family physicians. “I just really love being a family physician,” she said. “There are so many roles we can play, scopes we can practice, and places we can go…. We are family physicians. We are smart enough to manage complicated patients but can still explain concepts in a way non-doctors can understand; we try to see the whole picture; and we’re nimble enough to change entire workflows when global pandemics happen so we can still care for our patients. We are unique unicorns, and we get to do the coolest things.”

Before coming to North Carolina, Guthrie was an active member of the New Hampshire Academy of Family Physicians, where she served as the resident representative to the board. She has been on the board of the NCAFP for the past seven years and this year served as the president-elect of the NCAFP Executive Committee. She enjoys giving back to the profession by teaching medical students and residents.

Guthrie completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas and attended medical school at the Drexel University College of Medicine. She completed residency training in family medicine at the New Hampshire Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency. After finishing her family medicine residency, Guthrie stayed in New Hampshire to complete the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Leadership Preventive Medicine Residency, where she also completed her Master’s in Public Health degree with a focus on quality improvement. She recently opened her own private practice, Sunflower Direct Primary Care in downtown Henderson to provide the kind of care she has always dreamed of. She currently serves as the chief medical officer for Maria Parham Health and medical director at Granville-Vance Public Health.

Guthrie lives in Henderson, where she enjoys music, reading, cooking and caring for her dog and chickens.

“American Pickers” Returning To NC, Looking For Local Collectors

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The TV show “American Pickers” is planning a return trip to North Carolina early next year and producers are already putting out feelers in hopes of turning up some unique finds to feature on the show.

Crews are planning to film episodes of the show in February 2023, according to information from Meredith Ball, one of the show’s producers. The show, which airs on The History Channel, is a documentary series that explores the world of antiques “picking.” Crews film “pickers” as they hunt for valuable antiques across the country.

“The way we find people and collections for our show is through spreading the word far and wide so that people know we’re coming to town,” Ball stated.

“…the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics,” she continued. “Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items (with the) hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.”
One important note to consider is that the show only chooses individual collectors and do not consider stores, flea markets, museums, auctions or other retail outlets open to the public.

Private collectors or others with an “accumulation of antiques” should contact show representatives at americanpickers@cineflix.com and make sure to include your full name, city/state, contact information and a brief description of items in your collection.

Phone 646.493.2184 or click here to find them on Facebook.

Granville Brimming With Holiday Happenings

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Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said the county is brimming with activities as December ushers in the Christmas holiday season – and things get underway today in Oxford with the city’s traditional Lighting of the Greens festivities.

At 4 p.m., there will be activities for children, musical performances, food vendors and more, Allen said on Thursday’s TownTalk. After the ceremonial Lighting of the Greens occurs at 6:45 p.m., followed by the Christmas parade at 7 p.m. Head for Main Street in front of the courthouse to take part in all the pre-parade action. Check out the city’s Facebook page for a rundown of events.

“It’s a great time to gather with family and friends,” Allen said. “You are definitely going to get into the Christmas spirit here in Granville County.”

The town of Butner is also light things up this evening, with Christmas in the Park at Gazebo Park. Parents, bring the kids between 5:30 and 6:45 to come visit with Santa, and then at 7, the park lights will be displayed for all to enjoy.

Not to be outdone, the city of Creedmoor is sponsoring a program at 7 p.m. at the recreation center, 108 E. Wilton Ave. Allen said there’s a promise of some hot cocoa and maybe even a bonfire to gather around as a variety of local choirs perform.

“You definitely have an opportunity to welcome the season,” Allen said, no matter where in the county you choose to be.

Other events of note include:

Dec. 3

  • Creedmoor Christmas parade – 11 a.m., downtown Creedmoor
  • Butner Christmas parade – 2 p.m.
  • Holiday Gala at The Orpheum in Oxford – black tie affair with proceeds to benefit Hope House, Oxford. Go to The Orpheum’s Facebook page or pick up tickets at The Hub on Main in person or via the Facebook page.

Dec. 4-6

  • Granville Little Theatre’s radio play production of “A Christmas Carol – 7 p.m. each night at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co.

Dec. 7

  • Cocoa with Santa at The Barn at Vino, Stem. There will be vendors on hand from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Santa’s rolling in on a fire truck at 2 p.m., ready for a photo with the kids. Free to attend, but a professional photographer will be taking pictures with Santa for purchase. Check Eventbrite online and look for “Cocoa with Santa and Vendor Fair” for details.

Dec. 8

  • Downtown Oxford’s after hours “Jingle and Mingle” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit participating merchants and restaurants to take in some holiday shopping and sipping. Check Oxford’s Facebook page for updates leading to this event.

Dec. 10-12

  • Delrayno Baptist Church’s annual “Back to Bethlehem” drive-through live Nativity. Open each night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 10

  • Carlee Farms in Stem is having its Holiday Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • “Jingle Jangle Bazaar” at the Stem Ruritan Club. More than 40 vendors will be on hand with holiday gifts galore from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. And there may be a visit from St. Nick himself!
  • Grassy Creek Christmas parade – 2 p.m.

And sometime during the holiday season, be sure to check out the Granville Christmas Farm. If you visited the Granville Haunt Farm around Halloween, the address will be familiar – 4534 Hwy. 15 South. But that’s where the similarities end, Allen said, because Grey Blackwell and his crew have gone from scary to Merry!

This drive-through lights display has all the traditional themes: “all the things that you love so much about Christmas,” she said. This is the first of what Allen said she hopes becomes an annual event, creating “another great tradition that we do for the holiday.” The Christmas Farm began the day after Thanksgiving and will continue through Jan. 1.

Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/whats-happening/ for a complete listing of events coming up.

Granville Recreation Grant Application Window Open Through Jan. 31, 2023

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The Granville County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee is accepting applications for the 2023 recreation mini-grant cycle. The application period will close at 3 p.m on Jan.31, 2023.

Submitted requests may not exceed $25,000, according to information from county public information officer Terry Hobgood. Applicants must be a government entity or a non-profit organization. While it is not mandatory that the non-profits have 501c-3 designation, it is encouraged.

The programming funds are used to facilitate the development  and support of active and passive recreation and leisure activities for Granville County residents. The objective is to make these activities available to as many residents as possible, and to include a broad spectrum of  participants, especially in areas of the county that are underserved by recreational opportunities (such as the southeastern portion of the county) or areas have not received prior funding. Recreation programming should seek to serve all age groups. The Granville County Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee bylaws  prohibit discrimination in the use of funds.

The grant application is available at https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/recreation/recreation-grant/ or request a paper copy from the Granville County Planning Department in Oxford.

Applications should be submitted by email to:

justin.jorgensen@granvillecounty.org, or in person/by mail to the Granville County Planning Department, 122  Williamsboro St., P.O. Box 877, Oxford NC, 27565.

To learn more about this grant, contact Justin Jorgensen, senior transportation planner, by phone at 919.603.1332 or by email at justin.jorgensen@granvillecounty.org.

Choosing The Right Christmas Tree For You

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With those Thanksgiving leftovers slowly clearing out of refrigerators, thoughts turn from one holiday season to the next. And for many, that means choosing and decorating a Christmas tree.

Some households choose to blend the two seasons, trimming the tree as soon as the Thanksgiving table has been cleared. Others, however, prefer to wait until the calendar turns to December to begin decorating their homes for Christmas.

Choosing a Christmas tree can be a lot of fun for families – whether you go to a choose-and-cut farm or wander among the plentiful firs and pines that wait to be chosen in lots that pop up at this time of year.

Vance County Cooperative Extension’s Wayne Rowland has a few tips to keep in mind when selecting a live tree:

  • Decide where the tree will be placed – if it will be in a corner, you don’t necessarily need a tree that looks good from all sides. You may need to look for a #1 premium grade tree if all sides of the tree will be visible.
  • If you choose a balled and burlap tree to plant in your landscape after the holidays, remember to choose a type that will live in this climate. Pines, cedars and cypress may fit the bill.

Keep the trees well watered while they are being displayed in the home – it will help them stay fresher longer. Remember, however, that cut trees will dry out in heated homes, so look for the freshest ones. Close floor vents that may be near the tree and consider putting up the tree in a cooler part of the house to extend the tree’s freshness.

Almost all counties in North Carolina can grow Christmas trees, but the popular Fraser firs can only grow in the mountains and are shipped nationwide.

In addition to the Fraser fir, other native grown trees include white pine, Virginia pine, red cedar and Leyland Cypress. The different species of trees have different characteristics, so be prepared to consider what’s important to you in the tree you choose: is it foliage density, color or fragrance that you most desire?

Plenty of growers have their own retail lots during the holiday season, and there are many charitable organizations and civic groups that use Christmas tree sales as fundraisers.

But choose-and-cut farms offer families an“experience” that could include activities for everyone to enjoy.

Learn About TROSA’s Recovery Program At Dec. 13 Event

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Jesse Battle is senior director of community partnerships for TROSA, a multi-year recovery program for individuals with substance use disorders.

Battle will be in Henderson on Dec. 13 at Baskerville’s Funeral Home Chapel to speak about TROSA, which stands for Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers.

The program begins at 6 p.m. and will be held at the funeral home, located at 104 S. Chestnut St., according to information from Charlie Baskerville, Jr.

TROSA, a cost-free option for all North Carolinians, serves as a national model for recovery programs. Founded in 1994, TROSA is an award-winning and licensed multi-year residential program providing care for men and women with substance use disorders for more than 25 years.

TROSA is a free treatment program and participants do not need insurance.

Designed to take two years to complete, the TROSA program gives residents the time, tools and services to learn and practice living in recovery, according to written information provided by TROSA.

Participants receive housing, meals, clothing and essential daily-care items during the program, and also get vocational and life skills training opportunities, medical care – including dental and vision care – as well as counseling and daily therapeutic activities and mentorship opportunities.

To learn more about TROSA, call 833.408.7672 or visit www.trosa.org.