Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

Oxford’s CultureFEST Postponed; New Date Set For May 2023

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This Saturday’s CultureFEST in downtown Oxford has been rescheduled, thanks to the likelihood that the area will be dealing with the remnants of Hurricane Ian, now poised to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast tomorrow.

Two of the event organizers  – Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent and Ajulo Othow – were on TownTalk Monday to spread the word about the event, which was going to mark its second year of being held in the parking lot at Littlejohn Street.

Sergent contacted WIZS News Tuesday morning to share the news of the postponement.

“We have made the difficult decision to cancel and postpone until next May,” Sergent said.

With weather forecasts predicting that North Carolina will be hit with heavy rains from the storm, it was a case of better safe than sorry.

Chamber’s 2022 ‘Alive After Five’ Concert Finale Thursday In Downtown Oxford

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The final Alive After Five concert of the 2022 season is set for  Thursday, Sept. 29 in the Littlejohn parking lot in downtown Oxford.

The band “Spare Change” takes the stage at 5:30 p.m., according to information from Granville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lauren Roberson. The event is free – bring a lawn chair, your dancing shoes and enjoy three hours of music in the cool fall weather.

Food vendors will be on hand, including Southern Snow Company, and Smoken Souls BBQ, along with Tobacco Wood Brewing Co., The Hub on Main, Coca-Cola and Long Beverage.

Beverage tickets are available for purchase at check-in sites located at Littlejohn and Gilliam streets. There will also be face painting and chalk for entertainment for the children, so bring the family to enjoy the free community event.

 

 

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TownTalk: CultureFEST To Liven Up Downtown Oxford (POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 2023)

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UPDATE NOON 9-27-22:

DUE TO FORECAST WEATHER EVENTS, CULTUREFEST ORGANIZERS HAVE MADE THE “DIFFICULT DECISION TO CANCEL AND POSTPONE UNTIL NEXT MAY.”

BE SURE TO READ THE FOLLOWING UPDATED NEWS TEXT:

This Saturday’s CultureFEST in downtown Oxford has been rescheduled, thanks to the likelihood that the area will be dealing with the remnants of Hurricane Ian, now poised to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast tomorrow (Wednesday).

Two of the event organizers  – Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent and Ajulo Othow – were on TownTalk Monday to spread the word about the event, which was going to mark its second year of being held in the parking lot at Littlejohn Street.

Sergent contacted WIZS News Tuesday morning to share the news of the postponement.

“We have made the difficult decision to cancel and postpone until next May,” Sergent said.

With weather forecasts predicting that North Carolina will be hit with heavy rains from the storm, it was a case of better safe than sorry.

ORIGINAL STORY 9-26-22:

The parking lot at Littlejohn Street will be the site for the second annual CultureFEST on Saturday, Oct. 1 in downtown Oxford.

The sights and sounds are local, to be sure, but the flair – and flavor – of the event is international, as dance groups representing the diversity of cultures are featured or all to enjoy. In addition to the dance performances, there will be food trucks and children’s activities during the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Two of the event organizers spoke Monday with John C. Rose on TownTalk. Ajulo Othow expressed appreciation to the City of Oxford and the Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation for their collaboration and partnership to make CultureFEST a downtown event.

“Our goal is to grow this event from year to year,” said Oxford Mayor Jackie Sergent. “We’re excited about the opportunity to bring people from a variety of backgrounds…to enjoy all the different things that culture brings to the table.”

At 11:30 a Hawaiian dance group kicks off a slew of performances that will take the stage through the course of the afternoon. “They did a wonderful job setting the tone last year,” Othow noted. A new group representing the Haliwa Saponi tribe will join this year’s event, and there will Orgullo y Alma Latina presenting traditional dances of Guerrero, Mexico, and the Carolina  Indian Arts performing dances from the Punjab region of India. The African American Dance Ensemble and the Cane Creek Cloggers also will perform.

“It’s going to be a wonderful day!” Othow said. “We’re excited about all of the different performers.”

It was Othow’s mother, the late Dr. Helen Othow, who founded the John Chavis Historical Society and it was this group that started the festival, but it was last year that CultureFEST was held in downtown Oxford for a larger audience.

“We are so grateful to the City of Oxford and the DOEDC for seeing all of the ways in which our community is on display – valuing culture, different ways of performance, dance and music.”

Folks can get a close-up view in demonstrations including tortilla making, glass blowing and the art of karate.

The Food trucks also will serve food representative of a variety of cultures – from the Soul Food of Butner’s Tru Soul to Mexican food provided by Mixed Cultures and Truly Delicious Jamaican-style food, there will be something for everyone.

The St. Cyprian’s Drummers will provide entertainment and if folks recognize some familiar faces in the bluegrass band that will accompany the Cane Creek Cloggers, they will have correctly identified Tim and Brenda Currin of Granville County.

Sergent said CultureFEST is a way to experience different cultures and to break from a natural tendency to stay in our own comfort zones. “We owe the existence of this event to Ajulo’s mom, who always wanted us to do more,” Sergent said, “pushing us to make us do (and) be more than we had been.”

Helen Othow died in January 2022 at the age of 89. There will be a special tribute to her life and legacy during Saturday’s event.

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Granville County Library System

Granville Libraries Offer Programs For Children Of All Ages

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-information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood

 

 The Granville County Library System is ready to serve residents with a full schedule of programs for the 2022-23 school year. After another successful summer reading program, programs aimed at pre- and school-aged Granville residents are back at all four library branches. Check out the recurring programs hosted by the Library System below to make plans for your children throughout the school year.

Storytime (ages 0-6): Young children and their caregivers enjoy stories, rhymes, games, songs, crafts, and interactive learning at the library. Storytime is offered Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the South Branch Library, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Richard H. Thornton Library, and monthly on Fridays at 11 a.m. at the Berea Branch Library.

LEGO Club (ages 3-12): Unleash your LEGO creativity! This weekly drop-in program will allow children to create LEGO masterpieces with materials provided by the library. Imagination is required! Lego Club meets Mondays at 4 p.m. at the South Branch and Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m. at the Thornton Library.

Craft Hour (ages 5-12): Get creative, explore different art mediums, and take home a new project every week! Craft hour occurs on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. at the Stovall Branch Library.

STEAM (ages 5-12): Have you ever wondered how bridges are built or how airplanes fly? Have you ever asked yourself what electricity is or why volcanoes spew lava? Well, if you’re in elementary school, come join us each week as we explore the curious world of science through hands-on experiments. Get creative, get innovative and get ideas for making our world a better place! STEAM meets weekly on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at the South Branch and weekly on Thursdays at 4 p.m. at the Thornton Library.

Art Fusion (ages 5-14): Do you know someone who lives and breathes art? Join us as we dive into art history and practice different art techniques created by famous artists throughout history! Art Fusion meets monthly on the second Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Thornton Library.

Code Ninjas (ages 5-18): Learn how to code your own animations and games using SCRATCH, a program created by MIT to teach kids how to code! Code Ninjas meets monthly on the fourth Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Thornton  ibrary.

Battle of the Books Book Club (ages 9-17): Part book club. Part competition. All fun! Pick one of three book options to read, then chat about it with friends. Test your knowledge with a Battle of the Books style trivia contest! Battle of the Books Book Club meets monthly on Thursdays at 4 p.m. at the South Branch.

Teen Time (ages 12-18/grades 6-12): Grab your friends and join us for art projects, Cooking 101, monthly

challenges, theme nights, book clubs, and more! Teen Time meets Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. at the Thornton Library.

Game On! (ages 13-18): Board games, card games, video games, and puzzles! Get your game on at the library! “Game On!” meets on Fridays at 2:30 p.m. at the South Branch.

For a full calendar of events, make sure you visit the Granville County Library System website  (https://granville.lib.nc.us/) and check out all the other programs and services offered across the Granville  County Library System.

Berea Branch Library (1211 US Highway 158, Oxford): Tuesday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Thursday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Oak Hill Express Library (8061 NC Highway 96 North, Oxford): Lockers and book return open 24 hours a day. Deliveries occur on Tuesday.

Richard H. Thornton Library (210 Main Street, Oxford): Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

South Branch Library (1550 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor): Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Stovall Branch Library and Express Library (300 Main Street, Stovall): Monday – Wednesday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Express library lockers and book return open 24 hours a day.

Wilton Express Library (2547 NC Highway 96 South, Franklinton): Lockers and book return open 24 hours a day. Deliveries occur Tuesday and Thursday.

Butner Inmate Gets 20 Months For 2020 Escape Attempt

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-information courtesy of the office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of NC

A federal inmate has been sentenced to 30 months for attempting to escape from the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner back in 2020.

According to court documents, Charles Asher, 62, an inmate at FCI Butner at the time of the offense, was found hiding in the bushes – and not in his designated housing unit, as required – on the compound at about 9 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2020, near the exit door of the institution.

“Asher was found with multiple unauthorized items that could be used to effectuate an escape, including: a homemade rope approximately 14 feet in length, gray gloves, a blue mattress cover, and a homemade cardboard replica handgun wrapped with black electrical tape,” according to a press statement from the office of Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Asher had pleaded guilty in June 2022 to the sole count of attempted escape from prison and U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced Asher.

Learn To Construct Livestock Fence During Oct. 25 Workshop

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The old saying that “fences make good neighbors” could be amended to “good fences make neighbors happy” to describe an upcoming hands-on workshop that involves creating a safe fencing plan for livestock.

The day-long class will be held on Oct. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Butner Beef Cattle field lab, located at 8800 Cassam Rd. in Bahama, NC 27503.

Whether you want to create new fenced pastures or just want to hone skills needed to keep fences in good order, this workshop is for you.

“A good fence is a critical component of a successful livestock operation no matter what species of animals,” according to a press release from Kim Woods and Matthew Place, livestock agents in Granville, Person and Warren counties, respectively.

The $40 cost per person includes lunch and all materials, and participants should dress appropriately for the weather and bring gloves and eye protection. There will be some indoor classroom work to discuss the economics of fencing and construction materials, as well as state laws regarding fencing. The group will then head outside and actually build a fence.

The event is sponsored by several fence product companies.

Fences keep animals in the safety of their pasture while – hopefully – keeping predators out. “Building a good fence that will last a long time is not near as easy as making the decision that you need a fence,” however. Come to the class to learn more about proper design and construction.

Visit https://person.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022-Fencing-School-Reg-8.pdf?fwd=no to find the registration page. Mail it, along with your payment, to

Granville County Cooperative Extension,

Attn: Kim Woods

125 Oxford Loop Rd. Oxford, NC 27565.

Make check payable to Granville County, with “Fencing School” in the subject line.  Registration is limited to the first 30 people in order for everyone to have adequate hands-on time with tools and materials.

To learn more, contact Kim Woods at 336.599.1195 or 919.603.1350 or Matthew Place at 252.257.3640.

The Local Skinny! Restaurant Week Comes To Oxford

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Local foodies, take note!

Next week, innovative dining experiences are a short drive away as Oxford kicks off “Restaurant Week.”

The event kicks off this Sunday, Sept. 25, with a Sunday Supper at Oxford Oaks Farm, located in Oxford Park, 3679 Oaklawn Dr., and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen told Bill Harris on The Local Skinny! Monday that the apps and drinks will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by a three-course meal at 6 that will be topped off with dessert and coffee.

This is a ticketed event and Allen said seating is limited. Visit https://strongarm.menu for details and to purchase tickets.

Q, the general manager for Tobacco Wood Brewing Co., said the idea for Restaurant Week grew out of the Quittin’ Time events that have been held in downtown Oxford for the past couple of years.

Quittin’ Time features small plates, or tapas, and patrons walk among the participating restaurants to sample food and beverages. But during Restaurant Week, each restaurant takes a turn at providing a specialty meal.

“Every restaurant in this town has superstars…who come up with some of the most creative dishes than I’ve seen in a long time – it’s gonna blow people’s minds,” Q said.

Up first is Harvest, with a prix fixe dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 27. There is a 5:30 p.m. seating and a 7:30 p.m. seating. Call Harvest this week between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at 919.603.1460 to reserve a spot.

On Wednesday, the spotlight shines on Main St. Oasis, where reservations will be accepted, but are not necessary. A Mediterranean fish dinner is the featured dish.

Uptown and Strong Arm team up for Thursday evening’s culinary delights. Uptown and Tobacco Wood will be featured again on Saturday evening.

Tobacco Wood is pairing the music of a jazz trio with some kitchen vibes straight out of the Delta: “we’re going to do a little Cajun Creole night,” Q said, with some specialty dishes available – think jambalaya and shrimp and grits. Guests also can choose to spice up the wings or other regular menu items with a little Cajun dry rub or Cajun sauce, Q added.

The beauty of Restaurant Week, Q said, is that patrons “have a full night to understand what each restaurant has to offer…plus more. The plus more is what you’re going to see” next week, he added.

Check out the full listing of Oxford’s Restaurant Week at Visit Granville County NC’s Facebook page.

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Military History Show Coming To Local Airport Oct. 29

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The 7th annual Military History Show will take place Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Henderson-Oxford Airport in Oxford.

The free event is open to the public and will be held 10a.m. to 4 p.m., complete with a display of military equipment, uniforms and other historical articles. Participants can bid on items during a Silent Auction and Total Flight Solutions will be on hand for helicopter rides.

All proceeds will benefit the Veterans Affairs Committee of Granville County.

Contact Harry Coombs to secure a vendor space, make a donation or to become a sponsor. At 919.691.7697 or Harry4th@centurylink.net.

The airport is located at 6514 Airport Rd., Oxford, NC 27565

LFNC Fellow Begins 1-Year Fellowship With Granville County

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As one of 23 host sites across the state, Granville County has its first participant in a leadership program that is part of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government.

The program, Lead for North Carolina (LFNC), places recent college graduates in a one-year fellowship in various municipal and county governments. Keegan Rapp, a graduate of Queens University in Charlotte, began his fellowship in August.

The Belmont, NC native said he is excited to be in Granville County.
“I became a Fellow to learn more about how local government assists people in North Carolina,” Rapp said. “I will work to boost the capacity of Granville County while elevating the county and learning its story.”

LFNC serves as a bridge between North Carolina communities and smart, passionate and committed young leaders. With the launch of its fourth cohort this year, the program has placed 74 fellows in positions with municipal governments, county governments and regional councils across the state. By recruiting, training and placing these fellows, LFNC seeks to strengthen public institutions, support local communities as it cultivates a new generation of public service leaders.

“We are excited to host Keegan Rapp as our Lead for NC Fellow,” said Assistant County Manager Korena Weichel. “Keegan will assist and learn from all county departments during his time with us. Granville County government is committed to cultivating the next generation of local government leaders as prioritized by our board of commissioners in the 2021-2025 strategic plan. Hosting a Lead for NC Fellow is a great way to gain valuable assistance for county management while also providing Keegan with an in-depth training ground to begin his  public service career.”

Of the 23 fellowship placements, 10 Fellows will serve in municipalities, eight in  county offices, and six in regional councils of government. In total, fellows’ assignments will cover thirty-seven individual North Carolina counties. Fellows will work in areas including budgeting, management, opioid response, planning, housing and economic development.

Lead for North Carolina is made possible through funding from an array of partners, including the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation, AmeriCorps, The Anonymous Trust, Golden LEAF Foundation, The Jessie Ball duPont  Fund, the North Carolina League of Municipalities, State Farm, Wells Fargo and the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

Lead for North Carolina is joined by the following founding partners: the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, the North Carolina City/County Management Association and Lead for America.

Granville School Board Set To Meet Monday, Sept. 19

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The Granville County Board of Education will meet for a regular board meeting on Monday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Mary Potter Center of Education

Public comments for the meeting can be made in person at the board meeting, or in writing by using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/y37evl6z

Comments should be submitted between 12 noon and 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting, according to a press statement from Dr. Stan Winborne, GCPS associate superintendent and public information officer. Board members will receive copies of comments; a maximum of 30 minutes in total will be allotted for public comment during the meeting.

Although seating is limited, anyone without access to WiFi may use internet services at the Richard Thornton Library, 210 Main St., Oxford, NC 27565 or the South Branch Library, 1550 South Campus Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522

Join live at https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=MDhkZj.