People who provide care to family members or loved ones with chronic conditions like dementia can face relentless challenges, running the gamut from finances to time management.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, in partnership with Dementia Alliance, will offer resources and services to caregivers that may prove useful in overcoming some of the challenges that go along with caring for family members with long-term health issues.
The conference is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center, according to Michael Patterson, KTCOG family caregiver specialist. Registration is $10 for family caregivers and $25 for professional caregivers.
Professional caregivers can receive 1.5 continuing education credit. Register at www.dementianc.org/2025henderson. Patterson said walk-up registrations also will be taken the day of the conference.
“This is a great opportunity for our caregivers to receive resources, services and skills they need to support their caregiver journey,” Patterson said on Monday’s TownTalk.
The guest speakers include Michael Lewis, chief behavioral officer and senior financial advisor at Family Legacy Financial Solution, Dr. Delon Canterbury, a pharmacist consultant at GeriatRx, Inc. and Lisa Levine, executive director at Dementia Alliance.
Patterson said the half-day conference will give participants a chance to hear from experts that he said may be outside the traditional box of resources as they gain knowledge and make connections with local resources and services.
A caregiver’s main concern is on the safety, health and well-being of the care recipient, Patterson acknowledged, but finding support for that care provider is also very important, according to feedback he’s gotten as he networks throughout the KTCOG service area.
“Finances is a big challenge for our family caregivers,” Patterson said, so the session on financial resources is an important topic. The majority of those caregivers are providing that care for free – and it’s something that they may choose to do for their loved ones, but it can have an impact, he said, affecting personal and work lives.
Canterbury’s session will focus on how to be an advocate for loved ones when it comes to medications they are taking. The concept of “de-prescribing” focuses on reviewing medicines, understanding particular side effects and making sure a patient isn’t being over-prescribed.
The final session of the conference will turn to a lighter side of caregiving, highlighting the importance of self-care with a segment called Laughter Yoga.
Caregiving can be an emotional journey, Patterson said, and caregivers must balance, as best they can, caring for their loved one as they care for themselves.
It’s important to “bring joy to yourself and to those around you,” he said.
Once a family member has gotten a diagnosis of dementia or other long-term health condition, it’s also important to be proactive in setting up a process for care.
“The longer you wait, the more stressful it can be to try to find resources,” Patterson said.
To learn more, contact Patterson at 252.436.2040 ext. 6072 or by email at mpatterson@kerrtarcog.org
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(Original post just above made Oct. 27, 2025)
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Who: Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments
What: Kerr-Tar Family Caregiver Conference
When: Thursday, November 13 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Where: Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center
Additional Details: Dementia Alliance of NC. Hear from Director of Dementia Alliance, Lisa Levine, and from Pharmacist Consultant, Dr. DeLon Canterbury. Learn practical skills for engaging and supporting those living with dementia, and how to care for yourself in the process. A Family Caregiver Ticket is $10 – For those caring for someone living with dementia, neighbors, friends, students, clergy and anyone else who would like to attend. Limited scholarships available. Professional Caregiver Tickets are $25. Breakfast and refreshments will be provided. To learn more about how to sign up, please reach out to Michael Patterson at (252) 436-2040 ext. 6072 or email mpatteron@kerrtarcog.org.
(Original post just above made Oct. 23, 2025)
Kerr-Tar Family Caregiver Conference November 13
/by Laura GabelPeople who provide care to family members or loved ones with chronic conditions like dementia can face relentless challenges, running the gamut from finances to time management.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments, in partnership with Dementia Alliance, will offer resources and services to caregivers that may prove useful in overcoming some of the challenges that go along with caring for family members with long-term health issues.
The conference is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center, according to Michael Patterson, KTCOG family caregiver specialist. Registration is $10 for family caregivers and $25 for professional caregivers.
Professional caregivers can receive 1.5 continuing education credit. Register at www.dementianc.org/2025henderson. Patterson said walk-up registrations also will be taken the day of the conference.
“This is a great opportunity for our caregivers to receive resources, services and skills they need to support their caregiver journey,” Patterson said on Monday’s TownTalk.
The guest speakers include Michael Lewis, chief behavioral officer and senior financial advisor at Family Legacy Financial Solution, Dr. Delon Canterbury, a pharmacist consultant at GeriatRx, Inc. and Lisa Levine, executive director at Dementia Alliance.
Patterson said the half-day conference will give participants a chance to hear from experts that he said may be outside the traditional box of resources as they gain knowledge and make connections with local resources and services.
A caregiver’s main concern is on the safety, health and well-being of the care recipient, Patterson acknowledged, but finding support for that care provider is also very important, according to feedback he’s gotten as he networks throughout the KTCOG service area.
“Finances is a big challenge for our family caregivers,” Patterson said, so the session on financial resources is an important topic. The majority of those caregivers are providing that care for free – and it’s something that they may choose to do for their loved ones, but it can have an impact, he said, affecting personal and work lives.
Canterbury’s session will focus on how to be an advocate for loved ones when it comes to medications they are taking. The concept of “de-prescribing” focuses on reviewing medicines, understanding particular side effects and making sure a patient isn’t being over-prescribed.
The final session of the conference will turn to a lighter side of caregiving, highlighting the importance of self-care with a segment called Laughter Yoga.
Caregiving can be an emotional journey, Patterson said, and caregivers must balance, as best they can, caring for their loved one as they care for themselves.
It’s important to “bring joy to yourself and to those around you,” he said.
Once a family member has gotten a diagnosis of dementia or other long-term health condition, it’s also important to be proactive in setting up a process for care.
“The longer you wait, the more stressful it can be to try to find resources,” Patterson said.
To learn more, contact Patterson at 252.436.2040 ext. 6072 or by email at mpatterson@kerrtarcog.org
CLICK PLAY!
(Original post just above made Oct. 27, 2025)
********************
Who: Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments
What: Kerr-Tar Family Caregiver Conference
When: Thursday, November 13 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Where: Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center
Additional Details: Dementia Alliance of NC. Hear from Director of Dementia Alliance, Lisa Levine, and from Pharmacist Consultant, Dr. DeLon Canterbury. Learn practical skills for engaging and supporting those living with dementia, and how to care for yourself in the process. A Family Caregiver Ticket is $10 – For those caring for someone living with dementia, neighbors, friends, students, clergy and anyone else who would like to attend. Limited scholarships available. Professional Caregiver Tickets are $25. Breakfast and refreshments will be provided. To learn more about how to sign up, please reach out to Michael Patterson at (252) 436-2040 ext. 6072 or email mpatteron@kerrtarcog.org.
(Original post just above made Oct. 23, 2025)
SportsTalk: Vipers Football Prepares for Round 1 vs. South Johnston
/by Laura GabelUPDATE – FINAL SCORE
South Johnston 47
Vance County 7
Vipers finish the season at 2-9
RECAP MONDAY ON SPORTSTALK
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When Vance County Vipers Head Coach Aaron Elliott took a look at the state playoff bracket, he counted nine – NINE – of the 10 teams the Vipers had faced during the regular season.
And that 10th team that didn’t make the playoffs? In Elliott’s opinion, it should have. They’ve got the best quarterback in the state, he said of the Knightdale Knights.
The Vipers travel to Four Oaks Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup against the South Johnston Trojans in the first round of the 6A state playoffs.
“We’ve got teams in the state that have more wins than we do, and they’re sitting at home this week,” Elliott told WIZS’s Scout Hughes and George Hoyle on Thursday’s SportsTalk.
The Vipers had stiff competition through the regular season, and Elliott said that was by design.
“We wanted to win a playoff game,” he continued. “We were tired of being successful and then losing out in the first round (of playoffs). I feel real good about us being able to compete.”
Although the regular season ended with a loss to the Franklinton Red Rams, Elliott said he was pleased with the team’s effort, especially in the first half.
“We’ve just got to do that for a whole four quarters,” he said.
The team practiced this week under the lights and Elliott said he and his staff have developed a game plan for South Johnston running back Holt Langston. Elliott said Langston is one of the fastest running backs he’s seen.
He’s brought up 16 JV players to join the team for the trip to Four Oaks, and Elliott said they’re a good group.
“They’re 110 percent effort on everything they do,” he said.
Elliott’s teams have made the playoffs each of the four years he’s been head coach, and he said he feels like the coaching staff has done a good job of preparing the Vipers for Friday’s contest.
“We just have to execute,” he said.
First Round High School Football Playoff Games in our Area:
Vance County travels to Four Oaks to take on South Johnston for the 1st round of the NCHSAA 6A State Playoffs on Friday, November 7th and you can hear all the action on WIZS 1450AM, 100.1FM, and online at wizs.com with pregame starting around 6:50 p.m. and kickoff at 7:00 p.m.
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City Council Retains Raleigh Law Group In Absence Of City Attorney
/by WIZS StaffIn a special called meeting on Wednesday, the Henderson City Council approved retaining a Raleigh law firm to provide legal counsel in the absence of a city attorney.
When the Council reconvened following a closed session, Council member Sara Coffey made the motion, seconded by Council Member Tami Walker, to retain the services of Hartzog Law Group.
In making the motion, Coffey said, “After careful consideration, talking with everyone, that we go ahead and retain the law firm of Hartzog to represent the city and get this taken care of so that we will have a law firm on hand when we need them, as we need them.”
The vote was 5-1, with Council member Sam Seifert casting the “no” vote.
Council members Garry Daeke and Lamont Noel were not present.
The city has been without an attorney since Sept. 9, when City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry’s resignation was accepted by the City Council.
According to information on its website, Hartzog Law Group specializes in employment law, municipal law and education law.
Henry A. Dennis Building Turns Green For ‘Operation Green Light’ To Honor Veterans
/by WIZS StaffFrom Nicola Goslin-Ricks, Vance County Veterans Service
The Henry A. Dennis Building in downtown Henderson will be illuminated green through the month of November as part of Vance County’s participation in Operation Green Light, a national initiative to support military veterans.
With Veterans Day next week, local residents have a chance to participate in Operation Green Light, too, by swapping out clear light bulbs for green ones to show support. The Vance County Veterans Service office is located in the Henry A. Dennis Building, 300 S. Garnett St.
It’s all part of a new initiative spearheaded by the National Association of Counties and other national organizations.
NACo President Denise Winfrey said, “Operation Green Light is a simple way to express our collective appreciation for the public service of our veterans. We encourage everyone to join us in displaying a green light for our veterans and to also reflect on how we, as a nation and at the county level, assist our military service personal back into civilian life upon completion of their service to our country.”
In addition to lighting the Henry A. Dennis Building, residents and businesses are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.
By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (November 4th – 11th ), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.
Visit naco.org/operationgreenlight for more information and links to resources available to veterans.
WIZS Radio Henderson Local News 11-07-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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Henderson Police Make Arrest In Nov. 5 Stabbing Death Of 32-Year-Old
/by WIZS StaffWIZS Radio Henderson Local News 11-06-25 Noon
/by WIZS StaffListen On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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TownTalk: Around Old Granville – Sassafras Fork Township
/by Laura GabelOK, local history buffs, here’s a question for you:
What do the Declaration of Independence, inventor of a Space-Age portable stereo and the poet Langston Hughes all have in common?
Ready for the answer?
Sassafras Fork township.
Northern Granville County residents may be more familiar with Sassafras Fork than others, but back in the 1760’s, Sassafras Fork encompassed the general area now known as Bullock, Grassy Creek, Gela, Stovall and Soudan, just across the NC/VA border.
WIZS’s Bill Harris and local historian Mark Pace talked about what that area used to look like in the recurring TownTalk segment “Around Old Granville.”
Now, here’s how those three seemingly unrelated items intersect in northern Granville County:
The town of Stovall recently held a Harvest Festival, featuring a celebration of one of its famous residents, John Penn. Penn was one of the state’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence and he moved from Virginia to North Carolina in part because there were too many lawyers where he was from in Virginia, but also because his wife’s family lived near Sassafras Fork.
Now, about that Space-Age portable radio…
Pratt Winston, who died in 2024, was an entrepreneur and inventor. He created the iconic Weltron radio product line, which sold all over the world into the late 70’s.
Winston’s home, Rose Hill, originally was part of the Speed holdings, still stands.
Pace said it’s probably the oldest brick home in the area, having been built around 1834. The two-story Greek Revival-style home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Ready to make the connection between Sassafras Fork and Langston Hughes?
“Shaw School was so well known back in the 1940’s and ‘50’s, Pace said, that it was able to attract numerous speakers of some renown.
The poet Langston Hughes, of Harlem Renaissance fame, visited the school in 1953 for a poetry reading, Pace said.
At the time of Hughes’s visit, Stovall was enjoying a population of close to 500, but over time, that number dwindled.
The 2010 Census reported just more than 400 people living in Stovall, and that number dropped to 324 in the 2020 count.
But Stovall once boasted a booming economy for the times – with a funeral home, doctors, a bank, factories, lumber mill, hotel, numerous churches and a railway station. There were close to 800 people living in Stovall in the 1920’s, Pace said.
A man named John Stovall gave land to have the rail depot put on his land, which is what prompted the name change from Sassafras Fork to Stovall, he said.
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Now is the Time to Join the H-V Chamber of Commerce
/by WIZS StaffWith all the ribbon-cuttings taking place recently, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce has had to keep those giant scissors sharpened. This is a busy time for the Chamber, not just because of all those ceremonial welcomes – it’s also annual membership campaign season.
And Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s been a busy time at the chamber,” Wilkerson said on Tuesday’s TownTalk, “but it’s been a great time” as new businesses and new members come on board.
Of course, Wilkerson said, the Chamber welcomes new members any time during the year, but folks who join during the membership campaign won’t get another bill until January of 2027 – that’s like getting 15 months for 12. The current campaign runs through Dec. 19.
As Wilkerson sees it, a members’ annual dues are really an investment from members who reap the benefits of being a part of an organization that brings people from across the community together to network with each other, forming partnerships and friendships.
“You get out of it what you put into it,” she said, emphasizing that the regular get-togethers have a way of strengthening ties within the business community. “If you are one who never gets out of the office, you’ll lose some of that energy,” she said.
And the Chamber’s fundraisers also are celebrations, she said, as people come together for a common goal.
“It’s so much more for the people that come and participate,” she said.
When Wilkerson realized she needed to offer something for the members that are nonprofit organizations, the Chamber started quarterly nonprofit engagement gatherings. The most recent one had 80 people in attendance.
“It’s been very successful,” she said. They bring in speakers – some local, some from elsewhere – and learn about grant opportunities and more.
Last week’s “State Of” luncheon had more than 100 people, and Wilkerson said it’s been a popular series for the community to learn what’s up in the community and across the region.
Another Chamber-sponsored program is Leadership Vance, which brings a diverse group of people from a cross-section of the community together for a months-long program to learn about the county where they live and work.
“I’ve seen so many people in Leadership Vance,” she said, “so many that go on to become Chamber ambassadors, board members and elected officials…and a greater love for the community.”
A spinoff of that is a student version of Leadership Vance. It started a few years ago to get high school students involved in learning about and appreciating all the positives in the county. This year, 44 students applied for the program, and the Chamber loosened up the 16-participant cap to make room for 19.
“These kids can go out and spread that positivity to their peers and to their parents,” Wilkerson said.
The Chamber has its finger in a lot of pies throughout the community, but for Wilkerson, the best part about being the Chamber president is getting to spotlight local businesses. As a lifelong Vance County resident, she said it’s interesting to go into a business and sit down with people she may have known for a long time and learn all about their work and how they fit in – and give back to – the community they call home.
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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Your Circle Matters
/by WIZS StaffJamon Glover, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:
We continue our role model and mentorship series, specifically building a circle of voices that you trust around your child.
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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