Get ready for the Henderson Christmas parade, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. in downtown Henderson.
The holiday spirit will fill the streets as floats, cars and marching groups – all decorated for the festivities – delight onlookers.
Want to participate? You’ve got to fill out an entrant application beforehand. Contact Alice Sallins to learn how at 252.767.4579.
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Local and state officials were on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park Thursday to officially begin construction of a shell building on that campus.
“It’s a great day to see some dirt moving,” said Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen to the small group assembled on the chilly, blustery afternoon.
“This project is really about partnerships,” McMillen continued. From the city’s water and sewer extension and the nonprofit industrial park board that oversees the property to the county that is paying the bills and financing the project, McMillen said it would not be possible to build and grow without this multi-agency collaboration.
“This is a day we have anticipated for some time,” said Vance County Board of Commissioners Chair Leo Kelly. Having a shell building ready to be finished out by incoming industry puts Vance County in strong competition with other counties as companies look to locate or relocate their operations.
State legislators Lisa Barnes and Frank Sossamon, each coming off wins in the Nov. 8 midterm elections, were on hand for the ceremony. County Commissioner Tommy Hester credited Barnes for helping Vance County secure the funding for the shell building, but also for her role in getting $5 million for water projects in Henderson.
Hester also is president of the industrial park board. “Lisa stepped up and said ‘What can I do to help Vance County,’” Hester said, adding that whenever anyone asks that question, he is not shy to answer.
He said there could be a building on the site as early as January. “If you build it, they will come,” Hester told the group.
The Vance County Vipers were eliminated from the state high school football playoffs last week by Southern Durham, but the Vipers have nothing to be ashamed of after finishing 7-4. According to Coach Aaron Elliott, turnovers and weather were factors in the loss. Some of the turnovers were weather related as rain continued on and off throughout the game. Elliott also said some questionable calls were likely a factor as well. “We had a fumble recovery for a touchdown that was called back by an early whistle,” Elliott said. “It’s all part of the game,” he continued.
The Vipers will lose 14 seniors, but Elliott feels that will be overcome by incoming players from the JV squad next season. Additionally, his coaching philosophy will have a whole off-season to be absorbed by players both new and returning. “We play together as a family. When your players trust and believe in you they will do anything,” Coach Elliott said on Wednesday’s SportsTalk with Bill Harris and George Hoyle.
With both running backs and the entire offensive line returning, the Vipers will have an excellent core for the 2023 season.
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Scottie Richardson wears a couple of hats at Crossroads Christian. He is the men’s basketball coach but also oversees a very successful athletic program for the entire school as athletic director. “We are coming off of the winningest fall season in the school’s history,” Richardson said on Wednesday’s SportsTalk. From success on the volleyball court to a final four finish for the boy’s soccer team, things have been going well for Crossroads.
Winter sports are now here and Crossroads is off to a great start as both girl’s and boy’s basketball are undefeated so far this season. The boys are coming off a huge victory against crosstown rival Henderson Collegiate and are now preparing for holiday tournaments.
The Colts will be heading for Wilson for one tournament and then an MLK Event in Greene County is also upcoming.
The key to all of this success, according to Richardson, is developing younger talent and use that to build on. The Colts certainly excel at that. “Our middle school girl’s basketball team has not lost since 2019,” Richardson said. With that kind of talent rising to varsity level athletics, it’s no wonder Crossroads continues to be a team opposing coaches fear when they appear on the schedule.
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Bobby West and others at G.R.A.C.E. Ministries will be humming right along on Saturday as they serve up pre-Thanksgiving meals for the community.
The public is welcome to come to the G.R.A.C.E. Ministries location, 215 Crozier St. beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, West said Wednesday on TownTalk.
Volunteers are welcome as well, beginning about 8:30 a.m., when the group will “get prayed up” before beginning the process of fixing about 2,000 plates to feed the community.
“I need about 1,000 plates packed and gone by 10:30,” West told John C. Rose. Several churches are picking up plates that will be distributed all across the county.
Grace Baptist Church, Norlina Baptist, Tungsten Baptist and West End Baptist are helping out in this effort, and New Sandy Creek Baptist is setting up a distribution site at the former Aycock School on Vicksboro Road.
“We have one purpose,” West said, “to serve and show love to our neighbors.”
This is the sixth year that the group has provided a meal before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Individuals who wish to support this ministry can send a check to G.R.A.C.E. Ministries, P.O. Box 316, Henderson, NC 27536.
But stay tuned for other ways to help with upcoming projects like the annual toy drive, he said.
West said G.R.A.C.E. Ministries is partnering with churches in Vance, Warren and Franklin counties this year to conduct its toy drive.
Gently used toys – no plush or stuffed toys, please – will be accepted and the toy distribution will take place on Saturday, Dec. 17. Call West at 252.432.7124 to schedule a donation at his workplace or at G.R.A.C.E. Ministries.
Projects like these are considered a win-win for the community and for the volunteers.
“It’s a humbling experience when you do something good for somebody,” he said.
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The Vance County Board of Education will feature two new faces following last week’s midterm elections – Omega T. Perry and Randy Oxendine.
Perry is the pastor at Cook’s Chapel AME Zion Church and has a Sunday morning program on WIZS.
Perry ran unopposed for the school board seat, and Oxendine won the District 2 seat over his opponent Charlie Baskerville, Jr. When Oxendine’s wife, Darlynn, decided not to seek another term on the school board, her husband decided to take a crack at it.
When he spoke with WIZS News during last Tuesday evening’s election coverage, Oxendine, himself a longtime educator with Vance County Schools, said he felt like he already has established a relationship with existing board members and looks forward to his new role as board member.
“I believe I’m just stepping in and rolling with it,” he told John C. Rose about his election victory.
Of particular concern to him is the diminishing enrollment in three elementary schools in District 2 – New Hope, E.O. Young and Carver. Lower enrollments mean that teachers like the physical education teachers, for example, must travel among the three schools for their instruction.
“I would love to see more students (at these schools so) we could get more money to provide full time people at those schools,” Oxendine said.
Over their years in education, Oxendine said he and his wife have seen many high school students head off to college, where some play sports and get recognized for their efforts. One former student invited the couple recently to attend her induction into the N.C. A&T State Hall of Fame.
He said he would like to institute some type of hall of fame for Vance County, where students and athletes could be recognized for their outstanding talent and effort, “so younger people would have someone to look up to.”
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