Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Granville Tourism Authority Offers Mini-Grants To Help Local Groups With Events

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The Granville Tourism Development Authority is accepting grant applications for the upcoming fiscal year through April 21.

This mini-grant program helps Granville County organizations and agencies promote and market events and activities, all of which encourage tourism and bring visitor dollars to the community, explained TDA Director Angela Allen. The idea is to provide some direct funding up front for an organization to have an event that can grow and become sustainable in the future. Any approved funding should be considered as a supplemental resource only, Allen said.

Eligible organizations include Granville County-based community groups, nonprofit organizations, municipalities or recognized communities located within Granville County.

A for-profit group may apply for grant funding only if the event’s proceeds go to a community-supported organization, Allen said.

“Priority will be given to products that encourage out-of-county visitors, with primary consideration given to those that promote the Granville TDA’s mission of marketing the area as a travel destination,” Allen said in a statement. A “visitor” is defined as someone who travels from more than 50 miles away to attend an event or activity by the tourism industry.  Events planned for off-peak times may receive higher priority.

The maximum request is $5,000 and any request may not be greater than 25 percent of the total project budget. Included with the request can be a one-time artist/entertainment allowance of up to  $1,000.

The Granville TDA board of directors will review applications and will make recommendations for approval during their June board meeting. Award recipients will be notified after July 1, 2023, when the new fiscal year begins.

Applications are available online (www.granvillecounty.org/visitors/tda-mini-grant-2023-2024) or through the Granville County Tourism Development office, 124 Hillsboro St. in Oxford. Contact For more information, contact Angela Allen at 919.693.6125 or angela.allen@granvillecounty.org

Upcoming Blood Drives – Sign Up To Donate And Get A $10 Gift Card

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There are several blood drives coming up in the area, and the American Red Cross is asking individuals to “spring” into action to donate life-saving blood, plasma and platelets.

As an extra incentive, all those who register for one of the upcoming drives will receive a $10 Visa prepaid card as well as a chance at winning a $3,000 Visa card, which five lucky donors in March will receive.

Blood and platelets remain at risk of running low, and donors are crucial to helping the Red Cross avoid a blood shortage in the weeks to come.

Donors of all blood types, especially type O donors and platelet donors, are encouraged to make and keep appointments to donate. Book a time to give by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

When donors lend an arm this month, the Red Cross will lend a hand. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma during March will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email. Plus, they’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card – which could help toward expenses like gas or groceries. There will be five lucky winners. Details are available at rcblood.org/help.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 16-31:

Vance:

 

3/28/2023: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Rd.

3/30/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

 

Granville:

 

3/24/2023: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave., Creedmoor

 

Franklin:

 

3/28/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd., Louisburg

3/31/2023: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., State Employees Credit Union, 28 Burke Blvd., Louisburg

 

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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.

 

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

West End Baptist

West End Baptist Collection Point For Baptist Children’s Homes Food Roundup Through Mar. 27

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The North Carolina Baptist Children’s Homes Annual Food Roundup is officially underway, and organizers invite churches and individuals to participate again this year by purchasing food and gift cards to support the drive.

West End Baptist Church, 619 Dabney Dr., is again identified as a collection point for Vance, Granville and Warren counties, according to information from Jerry Parrish.

Volunteers will be on hand at the church between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to accept donations.

A letter containing details of the food drive, as well as a list of needed items, has been sent to local churches, Parrish said. The food list also will be posted on the group’s Facebook site and on the website for the Baptist Children’s Home. Visit www.bchfamily.org/events and scroll down to Food Roundup.

The list is below as well, or copies also are available for pickup at West End Baptist.

The drive concludes on Monday, Mar. 27, so there’s still plenty of time to drop off donations.

“When children go into the Baptist Children’s Homes, it is obvious they have gone without food, without love and without hope,” Parrish said. “One of the first ways (the) children learn that they are loved is when their cottage parents serve them the regular meals they could not count on before arriving. By filling their plates, you fill their hearts,” he said.

Rosalyn Green: 2022 John Penn Citizen Of The Year

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She grew up in Granville County, and like so many other young people, Rosalyn Green flew the coop when she had the chance. But chickens, they say, always come home to roost. And that’s just what Green did. Granville County is better for her return.

Green was surprised last week when she was named the John Penn Citizen of the Year during the annual Granville Chamber of Commerce banquet at The Barn at Vino in Stem.

“I was so shocked,” Green said in an interview with WIZS News. “I had no idea (they) were giving me an award.”

In fact, she was almost a no-show for the awards ceremony. See, one of her sisters had been in hospital and there was just a lot to deal with.

But Chamber Director Lauren Roberson pulled out all the stops. It’s not every day that Rosalyn Green can be surprised. No subterfuge was involved, but suffice it to say that Roberson wanted to make sure the honoree was going to show up.

In hindsight, Green said, it was a little suspicious: Roberson had asked her to represent Leadership Granville at the annual Chamber meeting. Anybody could have done that, Green recounted during an interview with WIZS News. And then another friend had called her, inquiring about her plans. Dubious, as Green would later remark.

But she was still in the dark about being the center of attention until 2021 recipient Mark Pace stood at the podium to introduce the 2022 award winner and said something about “writing grants” for the Shaw Museum in Oxford.

“I don’t think she realizes how much she does and how much of an impact she has on people,” Roberson said in an interview following the event. “It’s very endearing. She is such a genuine and kind person. She truly loves her community and wants to be involved in making it a better place.”

 To be honest, Green prefers to work “under the radar,” whether it’s collecting food from local grocery stores to deliver to Area Congregations In Ministry -Granville County’s food bank – or writing grants for the G.C. Shaw Museum in Oxford.

When she returned to Granville County n 2008, following a successful career in Washington, DC as a computer programmer with the U.S. Census Bureau, Green jumped in – feet first – to give back to the community.

At the urging of a fellow Leadership Granville colleague, she began working with the bookstore associated with St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. When the Rev. Harrison Simons suggested that she be added to the payroll, she reminded him that she was retired. “I get to come in and leave when I want to,” she recalled saying to him, adding: “I had a good time.”

And the bookstore enjoyed increased sales from all of her friends coming in to buy books, she added.

To this day, Green enjoys doing that behind-the-scenes work that serves to propel her community forward. She’d have it no other way.

The Local Skinny! The Viking Experience

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The Vikings are coming, the Vikings are coming – back. For the second annual Viking Experience, that is, to be held Mar. 25 and 26 at The Barn at Vino in Stem.

Hanna Reid, co-owner of the company that is part history lesson, part entertainment and part immersive experience, spoke with Bill Harris on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Last year’s event was such a success, they’ve upped their game for this year, Reid said.

“We were packed out last year,” she said of the interest and attendance. “We didn’t quite expect to grow out of the Expo Center in just one year.”

But folks came from as far away as Ohio and from all up and down the East Coast to attend the two-day event. And so far this year, things are shaping up for another successful event.

Activities begin at 10 a.m. each day; Saturday’s program ends at 6 p.m., with a dinner theater at 6:30 p.m. Activities end at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Day passes are available ($18 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday), or you can choose a $30 weekend pass. There are several add-on tickets available that get you into extra activities like “the fairy experience,” escape room and fight pits, Reid explained.

And of course, there will be vendors everywhere, selling craft items, as well as local food and drinks.

There will be music, education classes, dancing, and a family friendly theatrical day court program for everyone to enjoy. She said her mom (the other co-owner) counted up and close to 500 people, from performers and vendors to volunteers and support crew, will join forces to put the weekend events together.

“It’s a really humbling thing to see how many people make this event,” Reid said.

A cast of at least 30 will be present over the course of the weekend to act out a storyline that has Queen Hanna the Red (Reid) confront another warlord who fancies conquering the Queen’s land.

With one foot in the history and the other in fantasy and entertainment, The Viking Experience is sure to delight.

Visit www.thevikingexperiencenc.com to purchase tickets online and avoid the lines that weekend.

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TownTalk: Spring Events In Granville County

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Anyone who attempts to keep up with Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen better be wearing a good pair of sneakers. Or better yet, roller skates. Between now and the end of April, she’ll be putting a lot of miles on her car to attend all the events scheduled for Granville County.

“We’ve got tons of stuff going on,” Allen told Bill Harris on Thursday’s TownTalk. “We’ve got some very creative people around here in Granville County – and they love spring.”

From egg hunts to traditional Scottish games, there’s something for residents and visitors over the next couple of months. “We do have so many people come to visit,” Allen said, adding that Granville County “may be small, but it’s definitely mighty and definitely welcoming to anyone who wants to come and have a good time.”

Kicking things off on Saturday, Mar. 11 is Spring Fling at the Orpheum in downtown Oxford.

This event is free to attend, but Allen said VIP ticketholders get a swag bag filled with items from downtown merchants as well as a mimosa and front-row seats to the fashion show.

Local is the name of the game at this event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

The fashion show includes the latest trends from downtown retailers C2, Nan’s Fashions and Bobo’s.

Here’s a rundown on the other upcoming events:

Saturday & Sunday, Mar. 25-26 – The Viking Experience at The Barn at Vino in Stem. This is the second year that the Vikings invade Granville County, featuring 30+ cast members who will be in character both days to interact with those in attendance. There will be food and craft vendors on site, and lots of opportunities to participate. Weekend passes are $30, with daily passes available as well. Day passes for Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. events are $18; Sunday events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and  tickets are $15. Special activities like “Viking in training fight pit” and an escape room require an extra fee.

Folks came from all over the country for last year’s event, Allen said. “I’m excited to see it again and (see) what they’ve added for this year.”

Friday, Mar. 31

Cedar Creek Gallery opens its studios and then plans to be open for the next two weekends, offering demonstrations in glass blowing, pottery and woodturning, just to name a few. There will be live music and different food trucks each day of the festival, rain or shine.

Saturday, Apr. 1, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Carlee Farms “Eggstravaganza” eaturing local food and craft vendors, as well as a photo session with the Easter Bunny and a petting zoo. Admission to the event is free; proceeds benefit Tar River Elementary School.
  • “Paws for Granville” 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Barn at Vino. Dinner, silent auction and musical entertainment to benefit the Humane Society and the Granville County Animal Services. Tickets are $35 and available on the Paws For Granville Facebook page.

Sunday, Apr. 2, 1-3 p.m.

            3rd annual Easter Egg hunt at The Barn at Vino. No charge to attend, but $15 per child to participate in egg hunt, which includes a photo with the Easter Bunny. Kids 3 and under will have a special spot roped off for them and the kids 4 and older will be in a larger area. Look up the event on Eventbrite or find out more information on the Barn at Vino Facebook page.

Saturday Apr. 8, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

            Jimbo’s Backyard BBQ at The Barn at Vino. Tickets $15, $30 for People’s Choice. Proceeds benefit Wreaths Across America. Find ticket info on Jimbo’s Backyard BBQ or the Barn at Vino Facebook pages

Food  and vendor trucks will be on site, and beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Saturday, Apr. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Granville Gardeners present the 2nd full-fledged expo at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center. What began as an herb sale a few years ago has become a daylong event that includes workshops and demonstrations, as well as dozens of craft vendors and local growers who share information about plants and gardening.

Celebrate Earth Day at the Expo. Learn more at www.thegranvillegardeners.org

Saturday, Apr. 29, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Oxford Main Street Art and Wine, featuring live music and a whole mix of craft vendors, artists and wine tasting. The event is free, but tickets are required for the wine-tasting. Beer and wine are available for purchase at The Hub on Main.

Allen said she likes the experience of mixing culture and art with this event.

Saturday, Apr. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Come to the campus of Central Children’s Home, 211 W. Antioch Drive, Oxford for the 2nd annual Central Carolina Highland Games. “This one’s for all my Braveheart fans,” Allen said. This daylong series of Scottish athletic events, from caber toss to stone’s throw, features pipe band performances and traditional Scottish dancers.

What’s a caber, you ask? Here’s Allen’s explanation: “I am talking about a huge big tree that people sign up to throw across a field,” she said.

Admission is free, and parking is $20. Proceeds benefit the Central Children’s Home.

Visit https://www.centralhighlandgames.com/ to learn more.

There’s so much planning and organizing that goes in to making these events happen, Allen said. “It’s pretty awesome to see this displayed in our community.” People get to “have fun, give back and learn something new.”

And, as always, find out more about all the things going on in Granville County at Allen’s webpage, www.visitgranvillenc.com

 

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Three Face Murder Charges In February Killings

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Three people have been arrested and charged with murder after two men were found dead in a vehicle in a Henderson neighborhood last month.

On Monday, Henderson police, along with officers from the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Police Department and the SBI made the arrests, according to information from Police Chief Marcus Barrow.

Antonio Ray Townes, 29, and Shyheem Burton, 27, both of Vance County, were arrested, along with Tiffany Greene, 30, of Oxford.

Each faces two counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of Kentrell Venable, 18, and Quavon Champion, 22. The men were found in a car parked on Gholson Avenue in Henderson on Feb. 7. Both men had been shot.

The suspects have been remanded to the custody of the Vance County Detention Center without bond pending future court proceedings.

Red Cross Announces March Blood Drive Dates

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The American Red Cross has announced several opportunities to donate blood across the four-county area in March, which also marks the 80th annual observance of the national organization.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the original proclamation in 1943, but the American Red Cross was established more than 140 years ago by Clara Barton, a nurse who tended wounded soldiers during the Civil War. In 1869, she learned about the Red Cross during a trip to Switzerland and subsequently founded the American Red Cross in the United States.

Whether it’s donating blood, setting up emergency shelters and providing emotional support to those whose lives have been affected by storms, fires or other natural disasters, the American Red Cross honors the legacy of its founder.

“When help can’t wait during emergencies, people in North Carolina rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need,” said Barry Porter, regional CEO of  American Red Cross North Carolina. “This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all those who make our mission possible during this year’s Red Cross Month celebration. You can join in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”

If you can’t donate blood or platelets, you can always donate money or volunteer your time. Visit redcross.org to learn more. Later this month, on Mar. 22, the organization celebrates Red Cross Giving Day, a campaign designed to raise money to help provide shelter, food, relief items and support to individuals who have suffered disasters large or small.  Visit redcross.org/givingday to give.

Blood drives happen all year long, but when individuals donate blood, platelets or plasma in March, they will receive by email a $10 Visa prepaid card. And they also will be automatically entered for the chance to win a $3,000 Visa prepaid card.

Consider signing up for one of the following local blood drives:

Vance County

  • Friday, Mar. 17: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Maria Parham Health, 566 Ruin Creek Rd.
  • Tuesday, Mar. 28: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kerr Lake Country Club, 600 Hedrick Rd.
  • Thursday, Mar. 30: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

Granville County

  • Friday, Mar. 24: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave., Creedmoor

Warren

  • Saturday, Mar. 11: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Reverend C.H. Building, 130 Saponi Trail, Warrenton

Franklin

  • Tuesday, Mar. 28: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd., Louisburg
  • Friday, Mar. 31: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., State Employees Credit Union, 28 Burke Blvd., Louisburg
Oxford Prep School

SportsTalk: Hammett Optimistic About Oxford Prep Spring Sports

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Oxford Prep Athletic Director John Hammett’s teams are coming off a strong winter sports season. Both boys and girls basketball teams made the state playoffs and, for the first time in school history, a swimmer made the State meet.  According to Hammett, “We have a good group of girls who got better as the season went along,” in reference to the girl’s basketball team. Now Hammett turns his attention to spring.  The baseball team at Oxford Prep is off to a strong start defeating Granville Central this week 14-3 but, with only one senior, they are very young.  “Health is a big challenge because we only have  11 players,” Hammett said.

The girl’s softball team is also off to a solid start defeating Louisburg High School 6-0 earlier this week.  “They’ve got a chance to be real good,” Hammett said of the team which has quite a few returning players.  On Tuesday of next week, they will take on county rival Oxford Webb.

As for soccer, having plenty of players isn’t a problem.  Hammett said there are 23 girls on the squad.  The soccer team, unfortunately, is coming off a loss to Falls Lake.

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The Local Skinny! Wedding Expo Coming To Granville County

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The Granville County Convention and Expo Center will become a festive hub for all things celebratory this weekend when the venue reps and vendors gather to take part in a one-stop shopping experience.

The Wedding and Event Expo will take place Saturday, Mar. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $10. Once inside, brides-to-be and anyone planning a special event can talk with representatives from a variety of companies, from wedding venues to cake bakers and photographers.

Gena Stephens plans to be at the Saturday event to share information about Carlee Farms, a wedding venue that she and husband John established in 2016.

“Weddings are our biggest things that we focus on,” Stephens told Bill Harris during Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! But folks also book their facility, located in Stem, for family reunions, quinceañeros, birthday parties and more.

Carlee Farms was one of three wedding venues back in 2016, but now there are more than a dozen in Granville County alone.

And last year, Stephens said she booked nine weddings for couples who were from out of state.

“I don’t know if people have noticed, but Granville County is up and coming on so many different levels,” Stephens said.

Among the services that Carlee Farms offers bridal couples is coordination with vendors before the Big Day, to take a bit of pressure off the family and to make sure things run smoothly. “We are here to help you along the way,” she said. Stephens herself is the “day-of” coordinator, making herself the point person instead of the bride or groom.

She said she offers a list of recommended vendors to work with, but she is flexible. “I have a great recommendation list,” she said.

When she meets with couples to discuss wedding planning, she has three words of wisdom – or warning: “budget, budget and budget again.”

Say a couple has budgeted $10,000 for a wedding, Stephens said. “That doesn’t mean you spend all of it on your wedding dress.” Food and flowers can be big-ticket items, and Stephens said she tries to work with couples as they consider their options.

Stop by and chat with Stephens at the Expo on Saturday, visit www.carleefarm.com or email

gena@carleefarm.com.

 

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