Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Community Partners of Hope

Community Partners Of Hope Seeks Program Manager For Freedom BRIDGE, Set To Open Nov. 3

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Community Partners of Hope is looking for a part-time program manager for its new ministry, Freedom BRIDGE, which is being established to help people affected by or at risk of opioid use disorder.

Find details about the job and a link to the application at https://www.cp-hope.org/freedombridge

BRIDGE, which stands for Building Recovery Intervention Development Growth Empowerment, is scheduled to open on Monday, Nov. 3 at 12 noon. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at 936 W. Andrews Ave., right beside Vance Recovery.

Freedom BRIDGE will offer clients the support they need to heal and thrive, through accessible classes, compassionate counseling, prevention programs and recover services.

In addition to serving clients, Freedom BRIDGE will also provide services to client family members.

Email partners@cp-hope.org to learn more.

TownTalk: DMV Commissioner Offers Insight, Updates To Increase Customer Satisfaction

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When Paul Tine stepped into his new role as the state’s DMV commissioner back in May, he knew his role was largely to steer the department through some upgrades and challenges that presented lots of roadblocks to customer service. Hours of waiting in line just to get in the door and impossible-to-get appointments were common complaints, and Tine said he and his team continue to work to make things better.

“Demand is certainly high,” Tine said on Wednesday’s TownTalk, “based on population and the Real ID initiative.”

He acknowledges the need for greater efficiency with internal processes, including upgrading and replacing the record-keeping technology that DMV uses. Customers expect a strong platform, he said, and he hopes to deliver before too long. He said he hopes to award by year’s end a contract to modernize the DMV technology. Until then, Tine and the DMV staff are constantly looking for ways to improve customer satisfaction.

The COVID-19 era requirement that customers make appointments is over, and walk-ins are welcome any time. Tine said 87 percent of clients are walk-ins these days, with the other 13 percent making appointments to conduct their business at DMV.

Moving toward more online transactions is helping ease the crunch at brick-and-mortar DMV offices, and there’s a new queueing system in place that allows customers to wait in their vehicles or other locations nearby instead of braving adverse weather conditions while they wait to get inside the DMV office.

“You can wait wherever you like,” Tine said, and a quick text message from DMV will let customers know when it’s their turn for assistance.

Thanks to more funding from the state legislature, Tine said more examiners have been hired – “the majority of those people in 30 days,” he said. The department is clearing a backlog of employee training by shifting to “in the field” training, which allows employees to serve while they are learning, he said.

Having third-party contractors step in to provide services is proving to be beneficial, too. There are self-serve kiosks in selected areas of the state, and a recent announcement that teen drivers can take their driving tests with a driver education group are just two examples of this partnership.

“We’re hoping to have that first certificate coming in the office any day,” Tine said.

The vast majority of North Carolinians will have to conduct business with the DMV at some time or another, and Tine said he’s sure about one thing:

“Our customers do not care about me…they care about that person they talk to in the office, on the phone, and how good our website is.”

Visit www.ncdmv.gov to learn more.

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McGregor Hall 2025 Live Series Lineup!

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This year’s McGregor Live! series includes something for everyone – from a revenge-seeking barber to a performing dog troupe, with some Christmas tunes, beach music and the Wizard of Oz thrown in for good measure.

The McGregor Live! series package is $135, which Mark Hopper said represents a 25 percent discount from the single-ticket prices.

The season kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 1 with a four-show run of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

This Stephen Sondheim classic won multiple Tony awards in 1979, Hopper said. “This one has a thriller of a story,” he said.

The local production features a 22-member professional orchestra and a cast and crew of about 60.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, with Sunday matinees on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9.

The stage welcomes ‘Plaid Tidings’ for performances on Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec.  20.

This show tells the story of four young men who form an a capella “doo wop” group that performs all your Christmas favorites, Hopper said. With an air of nostalgia, the show makes lots of references to bygone days when celebrities like Ed Sullivan and Perry Como entertained families with TV specials and radio tunes.

The Wizard of Oz On Ice is an interesting addition and came to be because the team at McGregor Hall is thinking outside the box. The performance is Saturday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m.

“There is no way we could afford this as a one-off, meaning a single performance,” Hopper explained. Plus, there’s the whole issue of “ice.”

A California-based company is going on a national tour of the production, which is a reimagined production of the classic story about the girl from Kansas who found her way to the Emerald City.

“We worked out a deal with them to come and do their technical rehearsals here, and in exchange we’re going to get to enjoy a show that otherwise would be way, way, way beyond our reach. This is a really high-end professionally done show with all the characters you know and love – this will be a great, great family show,” Hopper said.

Then, on Feb. 15, the Chairmen of the Board will come to Henderson, bringing with them that toe tappin’ sound that makes you want to get up and dance. Most of the band members are not original members, but Hopper said they all knew the great General Norman Johnson. The band’s current vocalists and band members are real stewards of the band and the music it’s known for, from “You’ve Got Me Dangling On A String” to “Carolina Girls” and more.

The series finale features a man and his mutts – Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix, to be precise.

Join the fun on Sunday, Apr. 26 at 3 p.m. as Peers puts his pups through a series of challenging and hilarious tricks. This group has performed its slapstick comedy routine at Ringling Brothers & Barnam and Bailey Circus and on the David Letterman show. You won’t want to miss it!

Find out more at https://www.mcgregorhall.org/shows-events.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Forest Property Boundaries

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Knowing your correct forest property boundaries can save you time and money.

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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Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Saturday, Oct. 25 Is ‘Pumpkin Day’ At the Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

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Saturday, Oct. 25 is Pumpkin Day at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, pumpkins and mums will be raffled off every 15 minutes, so be sure to stop by for a chance to win!

According to Market Manager Pat Ayscue, there will be plenty of pumpkin-themed activities for the kids to enjoy, including using cookie cutters to create their own unique style of fall masterpiece.

EBT is accepted and matched with Double Bucks as long as funds are available.  Children still get a $5 token each visit through October.

The market is filling up with fall produce including turnip salad, cabbage and broccoli, not to mention other goodie like local honys and fresh pies and pasture-raised pork, chicken and lamb.

There are plenty of handcrafted treasures including quilts, wooden ware, pottery and holiday wreaths, perfect for gift-giving or decorating your home.

Come on out for Pumpkin Day – you’ll be glad you did.

The market hours are Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through Dec. 13.

Maria Parham Health ‘Trunk Or Treat’ Oct. 28

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This is the fifth year that Maria Parham Health is hosting its Trunk or Treat for the community, but it’s the first time that costumed kiddos will get to walk through instead of riding through in vehicles.

Hospital organizers say they’re looking forward to being able to dial up the fun by interacting more closely with trick-or-treaters from the community during the event, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Medical Plaza, 120 Charles Rollins Rd.

Originally launched as a drive-through in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trunk or Treat  provided a safe, CDC-compliant way for children and families to celebrate Halloween. Trick-or treaters stayed in their vehicles while receiving candy from costumed staff and volunteers  stationed along a designated route.

“With the significant decrease in COVID cases in our area, we felt it was time to bring back that face-to-face community spirit,” said Donna Young, public information officer for Maria Parham  Health. “We’re excited to welcome families back in a more interactive and festive setting.”

This year, guests will park in the gravel lot behind the hospital and walk down to the Medical  Plaza at 120 Charles Rollins Rd., where the main event will take place. Hospital staff will decorate their vehicles and don creative costumes to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. In addition, community organizations are invited to join in by decorating their own vehicles and passing out treats.

Adding to the fun, live music will be provided by local band Man Up, who will entertain guests with spooky rock tunes that blend Halloween flair with a youthful energy.

The event promises to be a safe, family-friendly celebration full of treats, laughter, and community engagement — a tradition that continues to grow year after year.

For more information or to register your organization to participate, please contact Donna Young  at donna.young@lpnt.net.

TownTalk: ‘Break the Silence, Stop the Violence’ Event at Clearview Church Oct. 25

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So often, victims of domestic violence suffer in silence, too ashamed or embarrassed to seek help or support to lead them out of an awful situation. But Debbie Scott, domestic violence educator with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, wants them to know that they are not alone, and that help is just a phone call or a conversation away.

That’s the message of the 7th annual ‘Break the Silence, Stop the Violence’ domestic violence awareness event that is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. at Clearview Church in Henderson.

Scott and other victim advocates have planned an afternoon of speakers who work in law enforcement and advocacy to shed more light on domestic violence and where victims can go to get help.

In addition to several speakers lined up for the event, Scott said others will share their own experiences with domestic violence. “We will have two very powerful testimonies,” she said, adding that she considers it a blessing to work with strong advocates like the women who will share their stories to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thanks to a supportive community and a lot of hard work, Scott said the number of domestic violence or dispute calls coming into the Vance County 911 center dropped 11.5 percent from the previous year.

Between Oct. 1, 2024 and Oct. 1, 2025, 911 received 1,041 calls related to domestic violence or domestic disputes. The previous year’s total was 1,177. Sexual assaults dropped by 1 – from 46 to 45, but Scott said any step forward is progress.

“Our statistics in Vance County are changing,” Scott said. “We are changing the narrative…we can break the stigma. We can break the shame.”

The Oct. 25 program is going to be a combination of education, awareness and celebration, she said.

Contact Scott at 252.738.2235 or by email at dscott@vancecounty.org

 

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Community Information Series: GED/Second Chance Workshop Oct. 14

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The upcoming Community Information Series topic is a GED/Second Chance Workshop titled “It’s Never Too Late to Learn.”

The community is invited to attend the event on Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Baskerville Funeral Home chapel. The funeral home is located at 104 S. Chestnut St., Henderson.

Learn about opportunities to complete your GED, continue your education, and take the next step toward your goals. Representatives from TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers and Piedmont Community College will be available to share information on academic advising, career workshops, and free assistance with college applications, testing, and financial aid.

For more information, call 252.430.6824.