Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: Vipers Tangle With Warriors For Final Regular Season Game

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With the Vance Co. Vipers assured of a playoff spot and at least a share of the conference championship, one could think that the Vipers would be taking it easy in the final regular season finale Friday night against the J.F. Webb Warriors. One could also be wrong. Coming off a dominant performance last week at a rain soaked Carrboro, the Vipers want to finish the regular season at 10-0 and not share the conference championship but win it outright. “We’ve had a good week of practice,” head coach Aaron Elliott said on Thursday’s SportsTalk. That may be a bit of “coach speak” that one expects but Coach Elliott isn’t letting the Vipers relax. “We needed to clean some things up on defense,” Elliott said referring to how Carrboro was able to use a short passing game to move the ball. Win or lose, the Vipers are in the playoffs. “We won’t know who we are playing until lunchtime on Saturday,” Elliott stated. The Vipers can’t look past an improved J.F. Webb team though. “They are disciplined, it’s Senior night and it’s a rivalry,” said Elliott.

J.F. Webb Head Coach Keionte Gainey echoes Elliott’s feelings about the rivalry. He knows, even in his first year at Webb, that the rivalry is important. Gainey only has a handful of seniors on his team and has, much like Coach Elliot has done at Vance County, turned the J.F. Webb program around. Webb is 5-4 this season. “It’s the most wins we’ve had since 2010,” Gainey said on Sports Talk Thursday. While that is impressive, what may be more impressive is that his players have increased their GPA from 1.9 to 3.0. He credits the team’s improvements both on and off the field to players, teachers, administration and community buying into his program.

Expect a packed house Friday night at J.F. Webb High School in Oxford. WIZS’ live coverage will begin around 6:50 p.m. immediately following the Joy Christian Center broadcast with Bill Harris and Doc Ayscue on Vance County Friday Night Football.

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TownTalk: Around Old Granville: North Carolina Furniture

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North Carolina is world-renown for many things, including its contributions to tobacco production, textiles manufacturing and the furniture industry. And while much has been written about tobacco and textiles, Granville County native and author Eric Medlin said he was somewhat surprised to learn that nobody had written a book on the history of the North Carolina furniture industry.

So he set about writing one.

“Sawdust In Your Pockets” came out last week and Medlin was a guest on TownTalk’s Around Old Granville segment Thursday to talk about how the beginnings of the furniture industry and its continued presence across the state and what the future may hold in store.

Medlin said the problem with writing the first book about a topic means that there aren’t many secondary sources to delve into when doing research. “I had to dive in and start with company records, newspapers, and things like that,” he said. He said he was fascinated to learn more about the rise of the furniture industry, the increased sophistication of the pieces that were produced and then sent all over the globe.

In the early days, the state had the three key ingredients that fueled the rise in the industry: cheap labor, access to cheap woods and access to railroad connections. Medlin cited small towns that had small furniture operations – Goldsboro and Dunn, for example – but they were overshadowed by the competition of agriculture to become leaders in the industry.

And although the manufacturing operations were called “factories,” the furniture factories weren’t like the giant textile factories with mechanized looms, Medlin said. And assembly lines weren’t the rage yet, either. The workers were equipped with basic tools like electric saws and staple guns to produce the furniture.

North Carolina, Medlin said, remains the leading furniture-producing state in the U.S., but mammoth local furniture manufacturers have scaled back in recent years, thanks to outsourcing to other countries where labor costs are lower.

The future of the state’s furniture industry, Medlin predicted, lies in the production of customized, bulky pieces – things that are not cost-effective to put in shipping containers and load on ships to sell back in the U.S.

Medlin’s book can be found on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, the University of Georgia Press and Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh.

 

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Granville Chamber’s Annual Cluck ‘N Shuck Set For Nov. 3

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The annual Granville County Chamber of Commerce Cluck ‘n Shuck is coming to the Granville Expo Center on Friday, Nov. 3.

Leon Nixon Catering is bringing the food, and we’ll provide the fun from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Be prepared for a feast of all-you-can-eat steamed steamed oysters and shrimp, as well as fried fish, fried chicken and all the fixin’s. There will be beverages and music as well, so come hungry and ready for some fun and fellowship.

If you or your business would like to be a sponsor, there’s still time – contact Chamber Executive Director Cynthia Ratliff at 693.6125 or email cynthia@granville-chamber.com

Tickets are $50. Purchase at the Chamber office, 124 Hillsboro St., Oxford. Call 919.693.6125 to reserve tickets.

State Retirees Get One-Time Bump In This Month’s Check

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Retired state employees may have noticed a slight bump in their retirement checks that hit their bank accounts today. It’s not an error; rather, it’s a one-time supplement to benefit recipients who retired on or before Oct. 1, 2023, and who are members of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, Consolidated Judicial Retirement System and the Legislative Retirement System.

For most retired state employees and teachers, the Oct. 25 payment includes an additional 4 percent of their annual benefit – that amounts to $40 for a $1,000 retirement check.

These funds did not come from the Plan itself, N.C. Treasurer Dale Folwell said in a press statement. The money was appropriated by the General Assembly as a part of the budget passed earlier this month. The one-time payments will not reduce the funded ratio of the State System, Folwell noted.

This one-time supplement does not apply to benefit recipients of the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, where a benefit increase may be granted by the LGERS Board of Trustees within certain statutory limitations.

VGCC Logo

Online 911 Telecommunicator Program A New Option For VGCC Students

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Information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

 

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) has teamed up with Richmond Community College to offer a new 911 telecommunications program to residents of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.

The two community colleges recently signed an agreement which allows VGCC students to enroll in RichmondCC’s online associate degree program in 911 Communications & Operations. VGCC students will complete a majority of the core courses and the work-based learning portion of the program through RichmondCC while completing other general education requirements at VGCC.

“VGCC is pleased to partner with Richmond Community College to offer the 911 operator degree. Collaborations like these allow us to offer needed training and credentials to our community while being fiscally responsible,” said VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais.

The online degree program provides a pathway for individuals who are interested in starting a career in this field, as well as providing skills enhancement for those already working as 911 telecommunicators.

The college curriculum program was developed when the NC 911 Board reached out to RichmondCC about a need for standardization in training 911 telecommunicators, plus a need to help elevate this career field. The college worked closely with the NC 911 Board and the NC Department of Information Technology to construct the online program.

“We appreciate Vance-Granville coming on board in this collaborative career training partnership to give 911 telecommunicators, who are true public servants, better educational opportunities and career growth,” said Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RichmondCC. “We look forward to working with our neighbors in the Piedmont.”

Unique in the state of North Carolina, RichmondCC’s 911 Communications & Operations program welcomed its first class of students during the fall 2023 semester.

 

RichmondCC has been reaching out to other community colleges in the state to make the 911 telecommunications program and its resources available to more students. VGCC is the fourth NC community college to create such a partnership with RichmondCC; Bladen Community College, Gaston College, and Stanly Community College will also be extending the program to their students.

Richmond County is located near the South Carolina border; RichmondCC’s main campus is located in Hamlet, located roughly between Fayetteville and Charlotte.

For more information about the online 911 Communications & Operations associate degree, call RichmondCC at 910.410.1700. For more information about VGCC, visit https://www.vgcc.edu/.

Upcoming Blood Drives To Support American Red Cross

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The American Red Cross needs donors to sign up to give blood to help meet their goal of 10,000 weekly blood and platelet donations. To sweeten the pot, all donors who come out between Oct. 21 and Nov. 9 will get a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant of their choice. Donors also will be automatically entered to wins a $5,000 gift card; one winner will be chosen at random each week during Oct. 21-Nov. 7, Red Cross officials said. See details at RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch.

As cold and flu season quickly approaches, the Red Cross reminds donors that they can still give blood or platelets after receiving a flu vaccine, as long as they are feeling healthy and well on the day of their donation. Likewise, there is no deferral or wait time for those receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Donors have been stepping up lately, which is good, but demand continues to outpace donations and the Red Cross has several upcoming blood drives in the four-county area.

Upcoming events are noted below:

 

Henderson

10/23/2023: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Henderson Family YMCA, 380 Ruin Creek Rd.

11/7/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Maria Parham Health, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.

11/7/2023: 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Vance Granville Community College, 200 Community College Rd.

11/8/2023: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Kerr Vance Academy, 700 Vance Academy Rd.

 

Stem

10/31/2023: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Granville Central High School, 2043 Sanders Rd.

 

Louisburg

10/21/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd.

 

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  

Chamber Businesses Can Nominate Students For ‘Spotlight’ Recognition Through Oct. 31

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee continues its initiative to recognize local students who are involved with Chamber businesses – whether through volunteerism or as a paid employee.Nominations are due by Oct. 31 to the Chamber office.

To be eligible, students must be Granville County residents or attend one of the following schools: Granville Central High School, J.F. Webb High School, South Granville High School, Oxford Preparatory School, Falls Lake Academy, Granville Early College, Granville Academy, or Phoenix Academy.
Nominating a Granville County student who works for your organization will not only spotlight them, but your business as well. Once a spotlight student is chosen, the Chamber will notify your business.
The selected student will be asked to submit a short bio to be included in information that will be included in the public announcement. In addition, these students will be recognized at our Annual Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Every student who is nominated will have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship that will be awarded in June 2024 from the Chamber.
Submit nominations to cynthia@granville-chamber.com.
Find the nomination form at the following link here.

Granville DSS Director Named; Swearing-In Ceremony Oct. 16 at 4 P.M.

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The Granville County Board of Social Services has announced that LaToya Davenport Toussaint has been selected to be the director of the Granville County Department of Social Services. Toussaint will be formally appointed and sworn in at a special meeting of the Board of Social Services at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center on Monday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m., and then introduced to the county commissioners on the same day at 7 p.m.

Toussaint brings more than 17 years of experience in human services in North Carolina and Florida, where she has worked in both the public and private sectors. Most recently, Toussaint was the senior deputy director of Health and Human Services in Wake County,  where she oversaw administration and operations. Before that, she worked for several years in Florida as human services administrator with Broward County, near Miami.

“I am excited and truly honored to be selected as the next Granville County director of Social Services,” Toussaint said. “I can’t wait to work alongside our dedicated and talented Social Services staff, board of Social

Services, county manager, and the board of county commissioners to support Granville County and the Department of Social Services. I’m excited to be a part of a caring and engaged Granville community.”

Toussaint is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a dual master’s degree in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.  She recently relocated to North Carolina in 2022 with her husband, Kertus, along with their eight-month-old son Austin. In her spare time, she loves to travel internationally and create new and exciting memories as a first-time mom.

“We could not be more thrilled to have LaToya come to Granville County as our new director of Social Services,” said Board of Social Services Chair and County Commissioner Sue Hinman. “She brings so much experience to this position from her time in Florida and Wake County and we know that she is the perfect person to lead this department into the future.”

Toussaint began her career in child welfare as a case manager for the Florida Department of Children and Families, working directly with children who were victims of abuse and neglect and managing various programs for community-based care agencies in foster care and adoption. Toussaint’s time in Florida allowed her to collaborate with agencies across the state along with a diverse group of community providers. She also served on local and statewide committees and work groups that continue to influence decision making across Florida.

She has been a National Peer Reviewer with Council on Accreditation since 2018, was recognized by Nonprofits First of Palm Beach County as a Rising Leader in 2016 and honored on Legacy Magazines’ 40 Under 40 list of recognized professionals from across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties in 2017.

TownTalk: October Events In Granville County

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It’s a good thing October has 31 days – any shorter, and Granville County wouldn’t be able to fit in all the activities that are planned throughout the county.

Just try to keep up with Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen as she darts from Oxford to Creedmoor to Butner to promote and attend events all through the month.

There are two ongoing weekly events that happen on Wednesdays in Oxford, Allen told WIZS’s Bill Harris on Monday’s TownTalk. Verdigris Vibe is a chance to enjoy live music from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Oxford Oaks Distillery. If you’d rather sing than listen, head over to The Orpheum on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. for karaoke night.

“These are a chance to get out and about in the middle of the week,” Allen said.

 

Here’s a list of some upcoming events happening across Granville County this month:

  • Granville Little Theater performs the Neil Simon play “Rumors.” Play runs Oct. 13-15 and Oct. 20-22, with evening performances at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. each weekend. GLT – rumors. Neil simon play.
  • Granville Haunt Farm is open on Fridays and Saturdays in October, delighting guests by the carload. Be prepared for a mix of spooky and scary entertainment, as costumed ghouls and characters from iconic movies come to life during the drive-thru experience.
  • Haunt farm. Spooky, scary.
  • Dixon Farm Pumpkin Patch, located on Hwy. 15 south of the I-85 interchange, offers a wonderland of fall activities for children of all ages! The $15 entry includes a pumpkin, as well as access to a giant corn pile, petting zoo, outdoor games and much more. The farm is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • The Orpheum is teaming up with Granville Little Theater for a “live action screening” of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26 and midnight showings on Nov. 4 and Nov. 10. Get the VIP ticket for a swag bag of props – you’ll be glad you did!
  • Pint-sized ghosts and goblins can trick-or-treat in Oxford and Creedmoor on Halloween. Take the candy stroll beginning at 3 p.m. in downtown Oxford, then head to downtown Creedmoor for trick-or-treating from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For a complete list of upcoming activities, check out https://visitgranvillenc.com/.

 

 

Masonic Home for Children

Celebrate 150 Years With Masonic Home For Children In Oxford Saturday, Oct. 14

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One hundred fifty years ago, in 1873, Mark Twain hadn’t written Tom Sawyer yet. That novel was published in 1876. The first Kentucky Derby wasn’t run until 1875. In 1873, this country’s Civil War had been over for less than a decade.

A century and a half later – 2023 – the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford celebrates its sesquicentennial and has planned special events to commemorate the occasion during the 11th annual Masonic Homecoming Festival.

The homecoming festival is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14.

The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m., followed by activities including games and activities for children, as well as tours of the campus and facilities.

The Shrine and Community parade kicks off at 11 a.m. and there will be a food truck rodeo, so come hungry and ready to enjoy some delicious food.

The BBQ contest also begins at 11 a.m. and there will be amusement rides and music starting at 12 noon.

Visit MHC-OXFORD.ORG for a complete listing of events and programs scheduled.