Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

TownTalk: Oxford Gets Ready For Hot Sauce Festival

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There’ll be a hot time in O-Town this weekend as the 18th annual Hot Sauce Contest and Festival takes over downtown streets for an expanded two-day event.

Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said this year’s festival kicks off Friday, Sept. 6 and continues for a full day of activities the next day that includes live music, food vendors, crafts and more.

Vendors will be set up Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to showcase their goods, Allen said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. There will be live music by Gump Fiction, which she describes as a cover tribute band playing tunes from the 1990’s and 2000’s. There also will be an 18-hole glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course set up near Little John Street.

If that’s a little too staid for your tastes, step right up to the Flying Hatchet and try your hand at ax throwing.

There will be more live music throughout the day on Saturday, and all eyes – and taste buds – will be focused on the pepper-eating stage from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. to see which pepper-eating contestant can outlast other competitors.

This year, the local cooperative extension agency is getting in on the action by sponsoring a pepper decorating contest, Allen said. It’s just another example of how the community comes together to support the festival.

“At the root of it, it’s all about community,” she said.

But it’s also about the peppers. Granville County’s own Bailey Farms is the largest pepper distributor on the East Coast, so when Julia Overton originally hatched the idea of a pepper festival almost two decades ago, the pepper was an easy choice.

It’s gone from a small gathering in the basement of Stovall’s (now The Hub on Main) to a two-day street festival that brings pepper-loving people from all over to sample, shop and enjoy sauces that range from mild to wild.

“We’ve gotten over 200 entries of sauces,” Allen said, and judges have narrowed down their choices. In addition to the traditional categories of sauces, bbq sauces and spices and rubs, this year’s competition includes a category for salsa.

More than 50 of the sauce-related vendors will be at the festival, so folks can sample different products to find the perfect one for them.

Allen said this annual gathering is really becoming an event for foodies and for producers not just from Granville County, but from across North Carolina.

“It’s going to be a pretty awesome weekend in Granville County,” Allen said.

Visit www.nchotsauceandfestival.com for a complete schedule of events.

 

CLICK PLAY!

 

VGCC Logo

VGCC “Fill The Pantry” Craft Show Set For Saturday, Oct. 12; Vendor Registration Open Until Sept. 20

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The second annual “Fill the Pantry” Craft Show is set for Saturday, Oct. 12 at Vance-Granville Community College.

Organizers are looking to build on the success of last year’s event, which brought together more than 40 vendors at the VGCC Civic Center on Main Campus in Henderson. This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Vendor registration is open now – simply complete the interest form found here: https://vgcc.jotform.com/232125467677059. The registration fee is $25 for each 10-foot by 10-foot space. This fee is non-refundable and vendor registration will be considered complete when the fee is paid.

Vendors will be asked to donate an item from their inventory to be added to the list of raffle items that will be given away throughout the event.

The cost of general admission is 3 canned food items, non-perishable goods or paper products that will be used to replenish the VGCC pantry for students.

Craft show organizers request that all vendor registration payments be made before the Friday, Sept. 20 deadline.

For more information about this event or the Vance-Granville Community College food pantry, please contact 252-738.3323 or douglasa@vgcc.edu.

Granville County Library System

Summer Reading Program Participants Log 4,873 Hours

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– information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

 The 2024 Summer Reading Program was a huge success at all four branches of the Granville County Library System. Hundreds of Granville County residents of all ages participated in this annual program with the goal of lessening the summer learning gap and ensuring that there are opportunities for fun, educational activities during the summer months between school academic years.

During the 2024 Summer Reading program, 468 kids registered to participate and track their reading hours. Of those who registered, the total reading hours logged was 4,873; more than 10 hours of reading per participant. In total, the library checked out over 5,000 children’s and young adult books. The library system also offered 112 children’s programs this summer attended by 3,327 people. Adult programming was also a big hit this summer with 879 adults attending 52 programs and events.

“We are always thinking of ways to keep our community engaged and the summer provides a unique challenge and opportunity,” said Will Robinson, Director of the Granville County Library System. “The Summer Reading Program is a great way to continue learning and keep kids active and engaged while school is out. We know that everyone is busy with family and community activities, but these statistics show how much Granville County residents value their library and are eager for activities to participate in. A special thank-you goes out to our Children’s Librarians, Amy Carlson and Amy Kemp, for the time and effort they spend planning and carrying out this program. Their hard work certainly has paid off!”

Some of the featured programs this summer included the Star Lab Mobile Planetarium, Mario Kart Tournaments, Japanese Taiko Drumming, Girls in STEM, and a “truck rally” at the Granville Athletic Park. Many of these events attracted hundreds of attendees each.

Even though the Summer Reading Program is over, there are programs for all ages nearly every day at the Granville County Library System’s four branches, located in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall and Berea.

For more information about services and programs offered by the Granville County Library system, visit the library website at https://granville.lib.nc.us.

Granville Senior Center To Host ‘Nifty 90s’ Event Sept. 18

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Calling all nonagenarians! The Granville County Senior Services wants to honor YOU at the upcoming Nifty 90s event at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center.

The annual celebration, which will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 18, includes dinner and entertainment as a way to honor Granville County residents who are 90 years of age or older.

Doors open at 4:15 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:15 p.m.

Please register no later than Monday, Sept. 9 if you’re planning to attend. The Nifty 90s event is free for all those who are 90 or older; guests under 90 may attend for a cost of $10.

Call the Granville County Senior Center to register at 919-693-1930.

For more information about all of the programs offered by Granville County Senior Services, visit the Granville  County website at https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/senior-services/ or follow Granville County Senior  Services on Facebook.

NC Dept of Agriculture

Certified Organic Producers Eligible For Cost-Share Program Up To $750

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– information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Organic growers in North Carolina can apply for partial reimbursement of the cost of becoming certified or for recertification through a program offered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Growers certified or recertified between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024, can apply for assistance through the program, according to information from the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“Applicants can be reimbursed up to 75 percent of the cost of organic certification per category,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and I would encourage growers and handlers to submit their applications early.”

Under the grant, operations can be certified and reimbursed in four separate categories: crops, livestock, wild crop and handler/processor. The maximum reimbursement per category is $750.

The program is for the 2023-24 season and is funded through a $135,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 31.

To apply, growers must provide a completed application, along with detailed invoices/statements from the certifying agency listing all National Organic Program certified costs, proof of payment, a substitute W-9 form and a copy of your certificate or letter from your certifier if this is a new certification. All charges must be for USDA organic certification. The application can be downloaded at

https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/marketing/marketing-grading-services. Growers can also apply through their local Farm Service Agency office.

Application and required documents can be mailed, faxed or emailed to the NCDA&CS Organic Certification Cost Share Program, Attn. Heather Lifsey. For questions, contact Lifsey at 919.749.3337.

Granville Health System Announces 2024 Sam Perry Scholarship Winners

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 – information courtesy of Granville Health System

The Granville Health System Foundation has announced names of three recipients of the 2024 Sam Perry Scholarship, awarded to high school graduates who are pursuing careers in the field of health care.

Jenna Radford, Caelyn Bunn and Gracie Bullock, all of Oxford, have been selected to receive the award, now in its 14th year, according to Granville Health System Communications Specialist Dori Koinis.

Radford, daughter of John and Lisa Radford, is headed to East Tennessee State University with plans to pursue a career as a mental health nurse practitioner.

Bunn, daughter of Brian and Christy Bunn and a graduate of Vance Charter School, will attend UNC-CH  to major in Sports Science with plans to pursue a career as a physical therapist.

Bullock, daughter of Kenneth and Kristi Bullock, is a graduate of Oxford Preparatory School and Vance-Granville Community College and will attend UNC-CH to major in Nursing with plans to pursue a career as a family nurse practitioner.

In 2009, the Granville Health System Board of Trustees and the GHS Foundation Board of Directors established a scholarship fund in honor of Sam Perry, a physician’s assistant whose specialized medical care earned him deep respect from both patients and peers throughout his career at Granville Health System.

The Sam Perry Scholarship is awarded to Granville County residents who have been accepted into a two-year or four-year allied health program at an accredited school and who intend to pursue a career in the health care field. Programs eligible for this scholarship include various health-related specialties including, but not limited to, clinical laboratory sciences, physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiological science, pharmacy, RN, BSN, ADN, LPN, dentistry and related careers, physician, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner.

Xavier L. Wortham, GHS Foundation Board president, said this year’s winners are most deserving of the scholarship. “Each of these recipients embodies the qualities of leadership, community service and academic discipline necessary to pursue their aspirations in health care,” Wortham said. “The Scholarship Committee was highly impressed by their academic excellence, extensive extracurricular involvement, and significant community engagement, all of which surpassed the criteria for this award.”

Granville School Board Names Gwen Roulhac Principal At Early College

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The Granville County Board of Education named Dr. Gwen Roulhac as the principal of Granville Early College High School. Roulhac has more than 20 years of experience in education and has previously served schools in Orange and Durham counties as a principal, assistant principal, testing coordinator, school counselor and teacher, according to information from GCPS Public Information Officer Courtney Currin.

In a written statement, Roulhac said she was “ecstatic and humbled” to be the school’s new principal.  “I cannot wait to join the Spartan family and, together, engage in the important work that will sustain and enhance the legacy of academic and cultural excellence for which Granville Early College High School is celebrated.”

Roulhac has four degrees, all from UNC-CH – a bachelor of Arts in English, master’s in Teaching, a master’s in Guidance and Counseling and a doctorate in Educational Leadership.

She succeeds Jackie Harris, who retired at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Earlier in the summer, the board named Kellye Walton as the district’s recruitment and retention coordinator. Walton is a former North Carolina Teaching Fellow and member of the first cohort of CCP3 Principal Fellows at N.C. Central University. She earned national board certification during her 16 years in education, 10 of which have been in Granville County. In addition to being a classroom teacher, Walton has been a reading specialist, instructional coach and assistant principal. Walton holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and a master’s in School Administration from N.C. Central.

VGCC Logo

VGCC Health Sciences Programs Has Dual Pinning Ceremony for 14 Graduates

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-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

The Vance-Granville Community College School of Health Sciences’ Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing programs honored 14 students at their very first joint pinning ceremony on July 24. Family, friends, faculty and VGCC leaders attended the ceremony, which took place at the Civic Center on the Main Campus.

VGCC Vice President Kim Sepich offered a welcome and congratulations to the students upon successful completion of their programs. Dr. Mercedes Kamoru, program head for Medical Assisting, had five students honored at the ceremony. Nursing instructor Leslie Parrott had nine students honored.

Both programs had a student speaker who spoke on behalf of their peers, reflecting on their shared journey. Normalejandra Avila-Velazquez represented the Medical Assisting program, and Taushua Alston-Eaton represented the Practical Nursing program. The graduates expressed their gratitude to the faculty for their dedication and mentorship. They also thanked their families and friends for their unwavering support throughout their educational journey. The atmosphere was filled with emotion as graduates shared personal stories of their experiences and the impact of their loved ones’ encouragement.

The pinning ceremony is a rite of passage in the medical assisting and nursing profession, symbolizing the completion of rigorous training and the beginning of a career dedicated to caring for others. Each graduate was called to the stage, where they received their pin from a family member with faculty assisting them. The pins, shining brightly, represented not only the graduates’ academic achievements but also their readiness to serve with compassion and excellence.

Dr. Angela Thomas, dean of Health Sciences, led the Medical Assisting students through the Medical Assisting Creed; Dr. Brande McIlroy led the Nursing students through the Nursing Pledge and the traditional lighting of the lamps.

The pinning ceremony marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. The Class of 2024 is now ready to take on the challenges and rewards of the Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing professions, armed with the education, experience and passion to make a meaningful impact on their patients’ lives.

Those who could not attend may view the event’s livestream on the College’s YouTube page.

 

VGCC Medical Assisting Class of 2024:

  • Normalejandra Avila-Velazquez
  • Kimberly Ayscue
  • Amber Bolton
  • Amaya Sneed
  • Yolanda Taylor

VGCC Practical Nursing Class of 2024:

  • Taushua Alston-Eaton
  • Alexus Barnes
  • Susan Chebet
  • Evelyn Faucette
  • Regina Nderitu
  • Enock Tanui
  • Toshiba Valentine
  • Dawn Williams
  • Jennifer Young

 

Visit www.vgcc.edu to learn more.

Pet Owners: B&B Food Products Could Pose Contamination Risk, Recent Investigation Reveals

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-information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is cautioning pet owners not to feed B&B brand pet foods, made by B&B of New Jersey, after an investigation conducted by the department’s Food and Drug Protection Division determined these raw meat-based products were manufactured and distributed without the required regulatory oversight.

During a routine inspection at Proformance Pet Supply in Greensboro, seven different B&B products were identified as missing significant portions of the product label as required under the N.C. Commercial Feed Law as well as the Federal Fair Labeling and Protection Act.

“Significant information was missing from the product label and because the pet food products contain ingredients with a potential risk of pathogen contamination, they could put your pets at risk,” Troxler said. “If you have purchased this product and still have it, please do not feed it to your pets.” Among the important missing information were the guaranteed analysis, proper feeding guidelines, quantity statement (net weight), guarantor information and intended species. In addition, these products are not registered for sale as animal food in North Carolina and it was subsequently determined that they are not manufactured under inspection by the New Jersey state regulatory agency to ensure the safety of the products, Troxler said.

These products include the following:

  • B&B Hi-Pro
  • B&B Nutro
  • B&B Special Order
  • B&B Premium
  • B&B Super
  • B&B Super Treats
  • B&B X-Factor

The products are sold frozen in a silver foil stand-up pouch with resealable closure and a white with black ink printed label attached. None of the packages are further identified by a lot code

“With a potential risk of pathogen contamination, it is important to be able to verify the products were manufactured under inspection to determine compliance with good manufacturing practices or preventive controls,” said George Ferguson, NCDA&CS animal feed program administrator. Additionally, these products lack sufficient labeling to indicate their appropriateness as a pet food and directions to ensure proper feeding which could lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Additional investigation found these products may have been distributed throughout the state and could still be available for purchase despite actions by Food and Drug inspectors to remove them from sale. “We encourage consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers and discard any of these products,” Ferguson said. “If you have any of the B&B pet food products, stop feeding it to your pets and throw it away in a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access it.”

Consumers who have had this product in their homes should clean refrigerators/freezers where the product was stored and clean and disinfect all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding, litter boxes, toys, floors, and any other surfaces that the food or pet may have had contact with. Clean up the pet’s feces in places where people or other animals may become exposed. Consumers should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the product or cleaning up potentially contaminated items and surfaces.

People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should first contact their veterinarians.

The NCDA&CS Food and Drug Protection Division encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products by calling the Animal Feed Program Office at 984-236-4820 or by emailing complaint details to the N.C. Animal Feed Program at NCFeed.Complaint@ncagr.gov.

Kerr-Tar COG Hosts Cultivate 2024 Sept. 12 At Louisburg College

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The Kerr-Tar Council of Governments is hosting this year’s Cultivate 2024 regional economic development summit at Louisburg College on Thursday, Sept. 12.

The summit will be held at the Jones Performing Arts Center on the college’s campus and begins at 8:30 a.m., according to information from local Chamber president Sandra Wilkerson.

Business leaders, elected officials and others interested in economic development across the Kerr-Tar region can register HERE; although there is no fee associated with the event, registration is required.

Keynote speaker is Jennifer Pharr Davis, an author and small business owner. Other speakers include Ryan Combs, executive director of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership and Scott Peacock, director of Tourism, Marketing & Communication for Visit NC.

In addition to the speakers, participants will have the chance to visit a trade show and hear panel discussions. The summit will discuss how rural communities can foster innovation to create thriving futures.

Jones Performing Arts Center is located at 501 N. Main St., Louisburg.

Visit  https://www.kerrtarcog.org/ to learn more about KTCOG and the programs it offers in its service area that includes Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties.