Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Study: McGregor Hall Huge Boost For City’s Economic Health

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As McGregor Hall gears up for another jam-packed season of concerts, plays and more, its Executive Director Mark Hopper knows that a well-attended event at the downtown venue creates a big ripple effect felt throughout the city.

And Hopper has a study to back him up.

Well, it’s in draft form, but the board got the initial results at the meeting earlier this week.

“The numbers that we see, so far, are very exciting,” Hopper said during Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny.”

A previous economic impact study looked at a 12-month period during 2018-2019, and results indicated that McGregor Hall contributed just shy of $3 million to the city’s economy.

The most recent study looks at the 4-year period between 2019 and 2022 and it states that McGregor Hall contributed about $15.6 million during that time. And, Hopper reminded, two of those years the venue was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When folks come to a competition, show or concert in downtown Henderson, there’s a good chance that they’re going to find a restaurant or lodging, too, Hopper said.

Those meals and overnight stays add up over time and put more money in local businesses and tax revenues as well.

One revision Hopper and the board would like to see is a year-by-year breakdown so they can have a better idea of impact per year.

The study is looking only at McGregor Hall’s impact within the city limits, but Hopper said the county surely benefits as well and folks in the tourism department are always happy to talk up events at McGregor Hall.

“Pam (Hester) has been on our team since Day 1,” Hopper said. “She’s been a great advocate for us.”

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Coming up at the end of January, legendary beach music band The Tams will perform, followed by some beach music with a West Coast flavor when Sail On – The Beach Boys Tribute comes to town on Friday, Feb. 9.

McGregor Hall will host Contemporary Christian musician Michael W. Smith on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

“This is a big one for us – we’re on his national tour,” Hopper said.

And comedian Karen Knotts will take the stage on Sunday, Mar. 17 for a matinee performance called “Tied Up In Knotts,” a time to entertain the audience with stories about her dad, Don Knotts.

Visit mcgregorhall.org for a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets.

Home And Garden Show

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Home and Garden Show

first line of body of wordpress is always — On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • What are your garden goals for 2024?
  • Construct frames for new raised beds. Many different options are available. Aim for a rooting depth of 10 inches.
  • When ordering seed check for disease resistant varieties.
  • Prep last year’s containers for spring planting.
  • Try growing a new vegetable that you haven’t grown before ex arugula
  • Invest in lightweight row covers so you’ll have the flexibility to plant early.
  • Check stored fruits and vegetables
  • Get a good quality grow light if you will be trying to start seeds indoors.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

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Democratic Party

Gubernatorial Candidate Josh Stein ‘Meet And Greet’ Set For Jan. 24 At Perry Memorial Library

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Gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein will visit Henderson on Wednesday, Jan. 24, according to information from local Democratic Party officials.

Bad weather forced Stein’s Jan. 9 visit to be cancelled, and Vance County Democratic Party Chair Angela Thornton said she’s thrilled that Stein and his team rescheduled.

In an email to WIZS News Wednesday, Thornton said scheduling conflicts sometime prevent candidates from visiting as many places as they’d like.

“When we received confirmation (that) Vance County was in the works for his visit, we were thrilled…and are even more thrilled…that they made an effort to reschedule so quickly,” she stated.

The community is invited to come to the meet and greet event, which will be held at Perry Memorial Library. The doors will open at 5 p.m. and the program will begin at 5:30 p.m.

 

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Programs For Youngsters At Perry Memorial Library

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It may not have a fireplace for patrons to cozy up to as they peruse their books and magazines, but  Perry Memorial Library has a full schedule of programs that can be just the ticket for youngsters when it’s too cold to be outside.

Youth Services Director Melody Peters was with WIZS’s Bill Harris on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! to give a rundown of programs and activities to keep kids busy during the cold of winter.

Kids Connect kicks off 2024 next Tuesday at 4 p.m. A park ranger from the Kerr Lake will present a program -geared to the students in grades K-5 – about wildlife in the state recreation area.

“The ranger does a great job talking about the animals you might see, tracks you might see,” Peters said. Children will get to make a cast of an animal track that they can take home, she added.

Then, on Jan. 22, the inaugural “Community Read Aloud” will take place from 5:30 p.m. to about 6 p.m.

Participants of all ages, but especially new readers or struggling readers, will get a chance to practice reading aloud.
“It’s important to be read to,” Peters said, “even adults. You’re never too old to be read to.”

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With a nod to Valentine’s Day, the Found Object Art project on Feb. 13 will also include chocolate fondue.

Participants will get a chance to dip their favorite food items in the melted chocolate to create a yummy confection – think marshmallows, pretzels and more dipped in warm, velvety chocolate.

The fondue experience surely will inspire some creativity as participants create art with random items like bottle caps, string, nails, newspaper

“It’s an exploration in art” and a chance to be creative, Peters said. Found Object art begins at 4 p.m.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ for a complete schedule of upcoming events at the library.

Heavy Rainfall Creates Second Wastewater Overflow In As Many Weeks

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From the City of Henderson:

 

The City of Henderson’s Sewer Collection System bypassed approximately 51,800 gallons of untreated water on Jan. 12, 2024 due to inflow/infiltration from heavy rains.  The overflows occurred at Sandy Creek Pump Station, Julia Ave Pump Station, and several manholes including Neathery Street, intersection of N. Pinkston Street/Farrar Avenue, 1 manhole in Green Acres Outfall, East Rockspring Street, and Bridgers Street. Approximately 50,750 gallons of untreated water entered tributaries to Sandy Creek, Red Bud Creek, and Nutbush Creek. Approximately 1,050 gallons of untreated water was contained on the ground.

North Carolina General Statutes article 21 chapter 143.215.1c requires a press release for all bypasses of 1,000 gallons or more that enter surface waters.

Questions concerning this matter should be directed to Joey Long Jr – Collection System ORC at 252-226-4492, Christy Lipscomb – HWRF Director/ORC at 252-430-9387, or Public Works Director – Lee Owen at 252-431-0419.

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Maria Parham Health

MPH Volunteer Services Hosts Handbag Sale Jan. 31, Feb. 1

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Come shop for a new handbag, packpack and more at the “In the Bag” sale coming up at Maria Parham Health.

Sponsored by MPH Volunteer Services, the sale will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 31 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Thursday, Feb. 1 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to information from Volunteer Services Coordinator Lisa Radford.

The John T. Church classroom will be transformed into a showroom filled with name-brand bags, wallets, luggage, electronics and more. Many items will be priced at deep discounts – as much as between 40 percent and 60 percent.

Payments can be made in cash, or with debit and credit cards, as well as payroll deduction.

TownTalk: Martin Luther King Day Events

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As the community reflects on and commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., WIZS Radio would like to take the opportunity to offer some glimpses into the day’s activities across Henderson and how these actions support the values that Dr. King stood for.

 “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”  – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Joseph Brodie, founder of Carolina United for Change, was set up outside Perry Memorial Library on MLK Day to collect much-needed items for area homeless shelters. It’s the third year his organization has undertaken this commitment to provide personal hygiene items, toiletries and cleaning supplies for use at the shelters, and he told WIZS News Monday morning that the community is responding.

“It’s not a flood of people, but they’re trickling in,” Brodie said.

Part of the MLK observance for Brodie is getting out in the community and “doing some footwork” to keep the legacy alive, he said.

One of those foot soldiers was Shelton Lynch, pastor at Guiding Star United Holy Church of America in Manson.

“It’s very important that all of us do something to help others who are less fortunate than we are,” Lynch told WIZS News in a telephone interview from the donation site.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others’”?

More than 200 volunteers participated in Monday’s pack-a-thon for Rise Against Hunger and after one hour, the report from the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center was positive: volunteers had packed 15,000 meals, putting them on track to achieve the goal of 60,000 meals by 2:30 p.m. Monday.

Sandra Wiggins, one of the event facilitators, said the goal of raising $25,000 to fund the program also had been met. School groups and church groups from across Vance and Granville counties joined forces at the pack-a-thon to feed hungry people across the globe.

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church on Orange Street in Henderson hosted a breakfast program Monday morning titled “Living the Dream, It Starts with Me –

Spreading Hope, Courage and Unity.”

Those in attendance to commemorate and remember King’s legacy, like Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame, no doubt were inspired by the essays, poems, music and remarks from various speakers including former State Senator Erika Smith and Henderson’s own Jayden Watkins.

“That young man’s going to be a leader…he has the mental attitude to move forward,” Brame said of Watkins, the 15-year-old minister and CEO of Higher Is Waiting, a nonprofit organization. Watkins spoke on King’s impact on society and he told WIZS News Monday that he delivered a message of a need for change.

“I wanted the audience to feel empowered,” Watkins said, “and to make sure we use our voices…for equity, equality and justice for all.”

In looking out at the audience, Watkins said he saw numerous community leaders and elected officials, including Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott, N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon, Sheriff Brame and City Manager Terrell Blackmon.

He said he is pleased to see more diverse leadership on the Henderson City Council and said that he feels positive about the community and its forward movement.

“I don’t feel like we’re at a pause,” he said.

“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”

Watkins said he was honored to be among the speakers at Monday’s event and added that he was grateful for Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church for hosting the celebration, calling it “a beacon of hope and a beacon of light in our community.”

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

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The Local Skinny! Sossamon Appointed To Legislative Oversight Committee

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N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon has been selected to sit on two committees by N.C. Speaker Tim Moore, Sossamon’s office announced recently.

Sossamon, representing District 32 that includes Vance and most of Granville counties, now is a member of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and the House Select Committee on Substance Abuse.

As a member of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee, Sossamon will help shape policies and initiatives that impact the state’s transportation infrastructure, according to the press statement. The committee works to enhance and improve transportation systems across the state.

The House Select Committee on Substance Abuse plays a role in developing strategies and policies to combat substance abuse and ensure the well-being of the state’s residents. A major focus of the committee will be exploring ways to control the unregulated and untested drugs that have been created to mimic the effects of opioids that are widely available for purchase across North Carolina.

“I am honored to have been appointed to these crucial committees by Speaker Moore,” Sossamon stated. “I look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues to address the challenges in transportation and substance abuse facing our state. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of our constituents.”

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