Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Optimist Club Essay Contest Open; Deadline Feb. 2, 2024

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The Optimist Club of Henderson’s essay contest is now open! The deadline to submit entries is Feb. 2, 2024.

This year’s theme is “Optimism: How It Connects Us,” and Diane Barberio said the contest is open to any Vance County resident who is a student in primary or secondary school under the age of 19 who hasn’t completed high school.

First prize is $150; second prize is $125 and third prize is $100. The first-place winner advances to the district level for an opportunity to receive a $2,500 scholarship prize.

Entries can be dropped off at Schewel’s Furniture, 940 S. Beckford Dr. with Charles Hearn.
For more information, contact Barberio at optimist2324essay@gmail.com or visit the club’s Optimist Club of Henderson Essay Contest Facebook page.

Dec. 12 Program To Discuss Supporting Children Of Incarcerated Parents

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As part of its continuing Community Information Series, Baskerville Funeral Home is the location for a program to support children whose parents are in prison or are set to be released from incarceration.

Our Children’s Place of Coastal Horizons Program Director Melissa Radcliff will lead the discussion titled “Invisible Sentence: Recognizing, Supporting and Advocating For Children of Incarcerated and Returning Parent” on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

The funeral home is located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.

The program is free and open to the public.

SportsTalk: Area Schools Getting Winter Sports Underway

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Area schools are now getting winter sports underway.  At Vance Charter School basketball has just started, according to athletic director Lance Stallings.  They’ve only played two games this year including Wednesday’s game against Granville Central.  The boys were unable to pull out a victory but the girl’s team did.  There’s no rest either as Vance Charter will return to the court Friday taking on Falls Lake in the first home game of the season.  “Regardless of the sport or the time of the year Falls Lake is well prepared,” Stallings said.  “It’s a Green Out Game.  We will raise awareness about school violence,” Stallings added.

Meanwhile Stallings says they have approximately 10 students on this year’s swim team which has its first meet on December 7th.  Additionally, cheer leading will be headed to a competition event Saturday at the Raleigh Convention Center where they will face off against ten other area schools.

It’s much the same at Crossroads Christian as the Colts basketball teams are off to a terrific start.  The boy’s team is undefeated at 5-0 and are ranked #1 in the state and the girl’s team is 3-1 and ranked third in the state.  Alyssa Phillips leads the girls team who will play Lawrence tonight.  The boys return to action Saturday against St. Thomas with seniors Ben Gladdio and Robert Jenkins leading the way.

“If we win both games, I will have 400 career wins,” said Scottie Richardson. Richardson, in addition to his athletic director duties also coaches basketball at the school.  The Colts will also play against 11 other teams in the Battle of the Bull tournament at Falls Lake over the holidays.  Once those holidays are over spring sports will begin workouts at both Crossroads Christian and Vance Charter.

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TownTalk: Vance County Schools Gets Federal Money To Focus On Teacher Recruitment, Retention

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Vance County Schools is among close to a dozen school districts across the state to receive part of $24 million in federal grants over the next three years to focus on teacher recruitment and retention.

VCS Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett said the district is among eight districts working with a Raleigh-based nonprofit called The Innovation Project for this particular grant award, which will be about $3.6 million for the next three years from the U.S. Department of Education.  TIP is kicking in money, too, Bennett said on Thursday’s TownTalk. The total VCS can expect to receive over the next three years is about $12.5 million.

The district plans to hire eight instructional coaches and also will name 16 lead teachers – one at each school – to help provide support, feedback and suggestions to colleagues.

“It’s a difficult time to find teachers,” Bennett said, and rural communities often struggle, even in the best of times, to hire educators.

The grant money will be used to enhance support for teachers – in the form of peer support – but also to enhance teacher salaries and allow for sign-on bonuses.

Smaller districts often can’t compete with larger, more urban districts that entice teachers with higher salaries, bonuses or supplements. But Bennett said VCS has “to focus on some of the  other benefits,” such as increased and meaningful support from coaches and colleagues. “that is a good retention tool,” she said.

Bennett said the instructional coaches will have the opportunity to work with students and teachers, whether through co-teaching situations, professional development sessions and more. Ideal candidates will be professionals with a proven track record of high achievement and student progress and who possess a strong skill set of working with adults.

Principals and assistant principals can receive monetary awards in schools that achieve certain levels of student achievement.

Bennett said district leaders continue to crunch the numbers and analyze student achievement data to plot their course. “Our test data continues to remind us that we have much ground to cover,” she said, adding that schools offer tutoring and intervention during the school day, as well as after-school opportunities and transportation for those students who need it.

She said school leaders are trying to remove any hurdles to participation and be able to state that the district is providing the best educational opportunities for its students.

“Nothing changes in a year,” she said.

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The Local Skinny! Pop The Hood: Vehicle Winterization

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THE FOLLOWING IS PART OF A PAID AD AND SPONSORSHIP ON WIZS RADIO

 

It took a little while, but it finally seems like winter weather is upon us. As nighttime temperatures dip below freezing and daytime highs hovering in the 40s and 50s, it may seem an unlikely time to wash your vehicle.

But one last wash and wax can add a layer of protection against winter precipitation, not to mention the icy, salty mess that other vehicles can sling as we make our way across roads and interstates.

It’s just one area of protection your car or truck needs to keep you safe this season, and Advance Auto Parts has all the supplies you need to check off all the items on that winterization checklist.

Check your tires for excessive wear. And grab a tire pressure gauge at Advance to make sure those tires are properly inflated. As temperatures cool off, so does the air inside those tires, and you may need to add air.

District General Manager Michael Puckett invites you to stop by the Raleigh Road store or the store just off Dabney Drive if you need help to check wiper blades or batteries.

It takes just a few minutes to check a battery, and the folks at Advance will be happy to replace most vehicle batteries; some are recommended to have a professional installation, Puckett noted.

And while they don’t usually check to make sure the antifreeze is adequate for the cold weather, Puckett said he’s happy to help a customer take a look at it to tell whether it’s ok. There are several sizes of testers at Advance to help vehicle owners determine if they have the proper strength of antifreeze.

A few quick maintenance checks – with the help of the team at Advance Auto Parts – can save a wintry headache down the road.

 

For all your automotive needs, be sure to visit your local Advance Auto Parts or shop online at AdvanceAutoParts.com.

The information contained in this audio on air and online as well as the wizs.com web post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help. This is presented for its informational value only and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

 

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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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Local Non-Profit Sponsors Dec. 10 Christmas Bazaar To Benefit Victims Of Domestic Violence

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A local nonprofit organization that assists victims of domestic violence is sponsoring a Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The pop-up shop will be held at Kearah’s Place, 946 W. Andrews Ave, Suite 0, according to information from Courtney Anthony.

Interested in being a vendor? Contact Anthony at Canthony.kearahsplace@gmail.com.

Founded in 2013, Kearah’s Place provides programs including transitional housing and support services to help men and women become self-sufficient and financially independent.

Kearah’s Place can help with classes on life skills and job readiness, community referrals, and by providing basic critical needs such as healthcare services, housing, food and clothing.

Through a holistic approach to ending the cycle of domestic violence, poverty, displacement and homelessness, men and women can benefit from the programs and services they receive from Kearah’s Place.

Celebrate Christmas Bluegrass-Style At Sunday Concert At Clearview Church

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Join Jimmy and the Sound Barriers this Sunday at Clearview Church for a special holiday performance, Bluegrass style.

“Christmas Time’s A-Comin’” will begin at 6 p.m. at Clearview Church, 3485 Hwy .158 Business in Henderson.

The event is free and open to the public. A love offering will be taken to benefit Anchor of Hope, a women’s ministry whose mission is to provide for those in need with gifts of gas cards, food and blankets.

“Their mission is to make Christ visible to all, and to let them know they are not alone in the storms of life,” Barrier stated. The group donates blankets to children and to the sick as a reminder that they are being covered with the grace and love of God.