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-Press Release, Granville County Government
With the installation of a quilt block on a historic tobacco barn, the Granville Athletic Park (GAP) is now included on the Quilt Trails of the Tar and Roanoke Rivers.
The block was installed this past Saturday by the Franklin County Arts Council, connecting the GAP and Granville County to a heritage trail that meanders through eastern North Carolina. A description of the block and a brief history of the park will now be included on a travel guide that takes visitors on a cultural journey from one block to the next, county by county.
“Quilt blocks blend history, culture and community, and help tell the stories of the sites where they hang,” says Franklin Arts Council Director Ellen Queen. “Each block has been carefully designed or chosen to trigger the story of the family home, business or historical site where it resides.”
Pictured with the new quilt block at Granville Athletic Park are Michael Felts, County Manager; Angela Allen, Granville Tourism Development Authority Director; Sue Hinman, County Commissioner; Ellen Queen, Director, Franklin Arts Council; and Zelodis Jay, Granville County Commissioner. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
The trail includes Franklin, Vance, Warren, Wake, Nash, Martin, Pitt and Granville Counties. This is Granville’s second block to be included on the trail. One has also been installed at a private residence in Oxford but is not available for public viewing.
The barn quilt featured at the Granville Athletic Park is easily visible from the main parking lot and walking trail, with a design that reflects the community’s efforts to preserve the property where the block now hangs.
In 1989, the state of North Carolina had joined a multi-state compact with a goal of building five hazardous waste incinerators for private company ThermalKEM. The following year, a list of 18 potential locations had been narrowed to two, with one being in Granville County.
When concerned citizens learned of the state’s intentions, they took action. Oxford attorney John Pike secured a loan from Adams Tobacco Company to purchase the 48-acre Ellok Jones farm, a tract of land in the middle of the proposed 580-acre incinerator site off Belltown Road.
“Barrister’s Block” has been added to the Quilt Trail of the Tar and Roanoke Rivers and can be seen on the barn along the GAP’s walking path. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
Pike then sold $5 ownership shares to thousands of local residents as well as to shareholders around the world. Future negotiations with approximately 8,000 property owners, some living as far away as the Soviet Union and South America – in addition to public protests and the possibility of multiple lawsuits – resulted in the eventual elimination of Granville County as a possible site.
On May 21, 2004, the acreage once proposed as the location for a hazardous waste incinerator was dedicated as the Granville Athletic Park and Jonesland Environmental Preserve. Encompassing 69 acres, today’s GAP is the largest recreational park in the county and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities for residents and for visitors.
The fitting “Barrister’s Block” quilt design is a tribute to the successful community campaign to preserve the land on Belltown Road. As the role of a “barrister” is to serve as a courtroom advocate, Attorney John Pike – with the support of Granville County citizens – was an advocate for preserving the land. The red and white colors of the quilt block are a nod to the Granville County flag.
This project was partially funded through a mini-grant provided through the Granville Tourism Development Authority.
“The Quilt Trails are a great way for visitors to find Granville County,” said Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen, “and, once they are here, they can explore local restaurants, shops, galleries and more. We’re proud to be a part of this heritage trail and to be able to tell the background story of this part of our county.”
To learn more about the Quilt Trail of the Tar and Roanoke Rivers, which is the only trail of its kind in the eastern part of the state, please visit granvillecounty.org for a link to the Franklin Arts Council’s online trail guide and to their website.
TownTalk Audio 8-26-20: Mail-in Voting
/by John C. RoseMail-in Voting Topic
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Local News Audio 8-26-20; Downtown Parking, Covid, Corbitt
/by John C. RoseDr. Stephen Pearson, chairman of the Downtown Development Commission, on downtown Henderson parking
Covid-19 community spread
Corbitt Preservation Association
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VGCC Students Recognized at Virtual Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony
/by WIZS StaffTHIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Vance-Granville Community College held a Pinning Ceremony for the Practical Nursing Class of 2020 using Zoom on July 29, 2020, at 6 p.m. Twenty-two students successfully completed the program in the summer semester.
Since an in-person ceremony could not be held, students chose to have a virtual ceremony. Family and friends were able to watch the ceremony live, and the recorded ceremony can be viewed on Youtube using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO9cFSz74sU
Dr. Rachel Desmarais, VGCC’s president, and Dr. Levy Brown, VGCC’s Vice President of Learning, Student Engagement, & Success, greeted the graduates and those who have supported them while they have been in the Nursing program. Both pointed out how needed nurses are in the healthcare field during the current pandemic. Jessica Price, Class President, congratulated her classmates and noted that 2020 is “the year of the nurse.”
Dr. Erica Jastrow, Department Chair of Nursing/PN Program Director (for SimLab Coordinator Mrs. Brande McILroy), recognized students graduating with honors (a GPA of 3.5 or higher). This is an important accomplishment, as the PN program is a challenging program with class, lab, and clinical components.
Those recognized include Beverly Frierson and Garikayi Nyakudya. Beryl Ogachi was recognized as the graduate with the highest GPA in the class. Mrs. Patsy Pegram, Nursing Instructor, shared the story of the VGCC Nursing Pin, and graduates were then “virtually handed” their pins by Dr. Jastrow. As each graduate received their pin, they shared their appreciation to family, friends, and the faculty for their support during their time in school.
After receiving their pins, the graduates recited the Nursing Pledge (written by Beverly Hansen O’Malley, RN) with Mrs. Kathy Bray, Nursing Instructor. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Anna Seaman, ADN Program Head, presented the class as official graduates of the Practical Nursing Class of 2020.
Many of the graduates plan to return to VGCC for the LPN to ADN Transition program, which is a one-year program in which current LPNs can return to college to earn their Associate Degree in Nursing to become Registered Nurses. The program starts in the summer semester. Current LPNs interested in the Transition program can contact Ms. Seletha Pherribo at pherribos@vgcc.edu for more information.
The graduates recognized were Sade Hunt of Butner; Ronald Kurui and Cavine Otieno, both of Durham; Jessica Price of Franklinton; Jessica Faulkner, Milton Harper, Jessica Martin, and Lizeth Nieto Mata, all of Henderson; Doanita Williams of Louisburg; Angela Grissom of Oxford; Rahabu Fraser, Jennifer Laney, Patricia Makori, Garikayi Nyakudya, Beryl Ogachi, Zipporah Omambia, Ibrahmia Pouye, and Jonique Whitaker, all of Raleigh; Kelley Lynch of Roxboro; Cheyanne Riley of Stem; Ashely Bass and Beverly Frierson, both of Youngsville.
Edmonds Tennis & Education Foundation to Launch Scholarship Program With Ribbon-Cutting
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to recognize and launch the Edmonds Tennis & Education Foundation’s Endowment-Scholarship Program on Thursday, September 3, 2020, at 4 p.m.
The outdoor ceremony, hosted by Jerry and Dorcel Edmonds (ETEF President and Vice-President) will be held at 127 Willow Creek Run, Henderson. Participants are asked to wear a mask; safety guidelines will be followed.
The Edmonds Tennis & Education Foundation (ETEF) is a nonprofit 501c3 youth development organization established in 2018. It is a subsidiary of the Willow Creek Tennis Retreat, based in Henderson, and aligned with the US Tennis Association.
The Foundation is dedicated to using the game of tennis to provide academic and athletic opportunities for under-resourced youth throughout rural NC, primarily focusing on youth between the ages of 5-18.
The ETEF Endowment has a goal of providing $2,500 in scholarships (5 @ $500) annually to deserving high school graduates continuing their education at an NC-based institution of higher learning.
Local COVID-19 Statistics; GVPH Updates Online Data Dashboard
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health
GVPH has updated the way data is shared on its website. Please visit GVPH’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard (click here) for tables and graphs that will be updated daily.
The following is an update for COVID-19 spread and response in Granville and Vance County as of August 25, 2020. Granville Vance Public Health numbers correlate with the NC Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NCEDSS) data.
The county case numbers reported on the NC county map from the NC Department of Health and Human Services may differ from the ones reported locally as they are updated at different times and may change once residence is verified.
Granville County
1,470 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 1,470, 834 are community-spread cases located across Granville County. Of those 834, 663 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,470, 514 cases are affiliated with the prison system in Granville County and 366 of those 514 have been released from isolation.
Of those 1,470, 122 are associated with outbreaks at long term care facilities including 19 at Murdoch Development Center, two at Central Regional Hospital, one at Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center, 92 at Universal Health Care and eight at Granville House.
Of the 122 cases in long term care facilities in Granville County, nine have been released from isolation.
12 individuals in Granville County are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 40 deaths in Granville County: four in the community, one associated with Central Regional Hospital, one associated with Murdoch Development Center, 13 associated with Universal Health Care, and 21 associated with the Bureau of Prisons Federal Correctional Complex.
Unfortunately, a recent death associated with Murdoch Development Center has been reported: a 71-year-old female passed away on August 25, 2020.
Vance County
836 positive test results for COVID-19.
Of those 836, 711 are community-spread cases located across Vance County. Of those 711, 577 have been released from isolation.
Of those 836, 125 are associated with outbreaks at congregate living facilities including 49 cases associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, 17 associated with Senior Citizens Home, and one with Alliance Rehabilitative Care (ARC). The outbreak at Pelican Health nursing home is no longer active.
Of the 125 cases in congregate living facilities in Vance County, 44 have been released from isolation.
Five individuals in Vance County are hospitalized.
There have been a total of 42 deaths in Vance County: 14 associated with the Pelican Health nursing home outbreak, 12 associated with Kerr Lake Nursing Home, two associated with Senior Citizens Home, and 14 in the community.
WIZS Note: According to the provided data, there are 134 total known active cases in the Vance County community and 171 in the Granville County community at this time (excluding congregate living numbers).
Additional Information
The number of those who have been ‘released from isolation’ is determined by the CDC Guidance for discontinuation of isolation for persons with COVID-19.
Please visit www.gvph.org/COVID-19/ for the latest information from Granville Vance Public Health and to sign up for daily email updates.
HVRPD: Fortnight Deadline Extended; Virtual Painting & Youth Outreach Programs Offered
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department
The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department announces a few upcoming events, including:
Virtual Project Youth Outreach: Project Youth Outreach focuses on interpersonal skill-building, life skills, and guided growth activities that will contribute to a more positive self-image, enhanced academics, better decision-making and acceptable behavior.
Join us by logging on to Facebook Live on the Henderson Vance Youth Services page. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 p.m. beginning Tuesday, August 25, 2020, and ending Thursday, October 22, 2020.
For more information, please contact Shantel Hargrove at (252) 430-0382 (shhargrove@ci.henderson.nc.us) or Jaleel Johnson at (252) 431-6099 (jjohnson@ci.henderson.nc.us).
Fortnite Tournament-Extended Registration: Want to win some V-Bucks? Play in the first Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks online single-elimination Fortnite tournament. Youth ages 7-17 team up with three of your friends in a Battle Royal match. Each player on the winning team of the tournament will win 2,800 V-Bucks.
Registration has been extended until Sunday, September 6, 2020, online at https://hvrpd.recdesk.com/. The cost is $8 per team. For more information, please contact Darius Pitt at (252) 438-3408 (dpitt@ci.henderson.nc.us).
DIY Fluid Painting: Join HVRPD Live on the Henderson Vance Facebook page on Tuesday, September 22, October 6, October 20 and October 27, 2020, at 11 a.m. Each Live session will walk you through each step of a different style of fluid painting.
Tune in to Henderson Vance Facebook Live on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, at 11 a.m. for a complete list of supplies or contact Tyler Terry at (252) 438-2670 (tterry@ci.henderson.nc.us).
Granville Athletic Park Site of Newest Addition to Regional Quilt Trail
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Press Release, Granville County Government
With the installation of a quilt block on a historic tobacco barn, the Granville Athletic Park (GAP) is now included on the Quilt Trails of the Tar and Roanoke Rivers.
The block was installed this past Saturday by the Franklin County Arts Council, connecting the GAP and Granville County to a heritage trail that meanders through eastern North Carolina. A description of the block and a brief history of the park will now be included on a travel guide that takes visitors on a cultural journey from one block to the next, county by county.
“Quilt blocks blend history, culture and community, and help tell the stories of the sites where they hang,” says Franklin Arts Council Director Ellen Queen. “Each block has been carefully designed or chosen to trigger the story of the family home, business or historical site where it resides.”
Pictured with the new quilt block at Granville Athletic Park are Michael Felts, County Manager; Angela Allen, Granville Tourism Development Authority Director; Sue Hinman, County Commissioner; Ellen Queen, Director, Franklin Arts Council; and Zelodis Jay, Granville County Commissioner. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
The trail includes Franklin, Vance, Warren, Wake, Nash, Martin, Pitt and Granville Counties. This is Granville’s second block to be included on the trail. One has also been installed at a private residence in Oxford but is not available for public viewing.
The barn quilt featured at the Granville Athletic Park is easily visible from the main parking lot and walking trail, with a design that reflects the community’s efforts to preserve the property where the block now hangs.
In 1989, the state of North Carolina had joined a multi-state compact with a goal of building five hazardous waste incinerators for private company ThermalKEM. The following year, a list of 18 potential locations had been narrowed to two, with one being in Granville County.
When concerned citizens learned of the state’s intentions, they took action. Oxford attorney John Pike secured a loan from Adams Tobacco Company to purchase the 48-acre Ellok Jones farm, a tract of land in the middle of the proposed 580-acre incinerator site off Belltown Road.
“Barrister’s Block” has been added to the Quilt Trail of the Tar and Roanoke Rivers and can be seen on the barn along the GAP’s walking path. (Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt.)
Pike then sold $5 ownership shares to thousands of local residents as well as to shareholders around the world. Future negotiations with approximately 8,000 property owners, some living as far away as the Soviet Union and South America – in addition to public protests and the possibility of multiple lawsuits – resulted in the eventual elimination of Granville County as a possible site.
On May 21, 2004, the acreage once proposed as the location for a hazardous waste incinerator was dedicated as the Granville Athletic Park and Jonesland Environmental Preserve. Encompassing 69 acres, today’s GAP is the largest recreational park in the county and provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities for residents and for visitors.
The fitting “Barrister’s Block” quilt design is a tribute to the successful community campaign to preserve the land on Belltown Road. As the role of a “barrister” is to serve as a courtroom advocate, Attorney John Pike – with the support of Granville County citizens – was an advocate for preserving the land. The red and white colors of the quilt block are a nod to the Granville County flag.
This project was partially funded through a mini-grant provided through the Granville Tourism Development Authority.
“The Quilt Trails are a great way for visitors to find Granville County,” said Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen, “and, once they are here, they can explore local restaurants, shops, galleries and more. We’re proud to be a part of this heritage trail and to be able to tell the background story of this part of our county.”
To learn more about the Quilt Trail of the Tar and Roanoke Rivers, which is the only trail of its kind in the eastern part of the state, please visit granvillecounty.org for a link to the Franklin Arts Council’s online trail guide and to their website.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland 08-25-20 – Wild Turkeys
/by CharleneListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 2 PM Monday – Thursday.
Town Talk 08/25/20: Henderson-Vance DDC Chair Discusses Downtown Parking
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
Dr. Stephen Pearson, chair of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission (DDC), appeared on WIZS Town Talk Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Pearson discussed the status of parking in downtown Henderson, addressed safety concerns and shared ideas for improving the traffic flow.
When parking along the main strip on Garnett Street is full, Pearson reminded listeners that many side streets in the downtown area offer public parking as well.
In addition, the lot located near the railroad track that runs behind downtown businesses contains 150 available public parking spots.
parking and downtown improvements.MP3
Pearson said he doesn’t see walking a short distance to downtown attractions as a deterrent. “By having them park in another place, it forces them to go by other stores and see other things they can do in downtown.”
The DDC’s Economic Vitality Committee is currently in talks of adding public parking signs to downtown, as well as reexamining the flow of traffic, according to Pearson. “They are looking at switching street signs around, so instead of coming down Garnett Street and being pushed away from public parking, people would be pushed towards public parking.”
Calling plans informal at this time, Pearson said the DDC is also discussing the possibility of removing parking spaces and adding a median down the middle of Garnett Street. “This could help control traffic and bring the speed back down to 25 miles per hour,” explained Pearson. “It would force people not to park on the roadway but instead use the designated parking lots.”
Pearson, along with wife Amanda, also co-owns Sadie’s Coffee Corner in downtown Henderson. In addition to making people more aware of public parking options, Pearson said tackling the “myth” of downtown crime is also a major consideration in the revitalization of the area.
“I believe the myth of downtown being murder mayhemville is a crock,” said Pearson. “We’ve [Sadie’s] have been down there a year now. We know everyone on that street. All the vendors get along well, and we all talk to each other. I think Chief Marcus Barrows and the Henderson Police Department have done an absolutely fantastic job, and it’s very safe. Until people get over the blown-out hype and stop spreading the myth, it’s not going to change. That’s one of the things we are fighting with the DDC: getting rid of that perception and building consumer confidence back in our downtown.”
To hear the interview in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
Corbitt Preservation Association’s Annual Truck Show & Reunion Canceled
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL
-Information and flyer courtesy Kenneth Stegall, The Corbitt Preservation Association
The Corbitt Preservation Association’s 19th Annual Corbitt Truck Show and Reunion scheduled for October 17, 2020, has been officially canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time in 19 years that the show will not be held.
Kenneth Stegall, with the Corbitt Preservation Association, asked everyone to stay safe and said, “Let’s beat this COVID so that we can continue life as we used to know it.”