Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

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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The Local Skinny! Around Old Granville: Canadian Immigrants

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We’ve learned from history lessons in school about immigrants who traveled from faraway places, their worldy possessions often fitting in a small suitcase, passing by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor to begin their new lives in America.

But did you know that there was a contingent of immigrants who came here after the end of the Civil War to what is now Vance County – all the way from…Canada?

A local man named Samuel Jones Parham got into the real estate business at a time when land prices had tanked as a result of the breakup of the huge plantations during Reconstruction.

Although Parham wasn’t single-handedly responsible for “the Canadian invasion,” Mark Pace quipped, he did go to an area in central Ontario to talk up the great land deals in the area.

“He made a connection in central Ontario,” Pace told Bill Harris on the Around Old Granville segment Thursday’s The Local Skinny! To be specific, he sold land to several families in the towns of Hamstead and St. Mary’s.

Pace said 25 families – for a total of about 400 people – relocated from Canada to Vance County between 1871 and 1873. The majority of these immigrants were first-generation Canadians whose families had come from Scotland, Pace said.

Scotland and Canada both were subjects of the British Crown back then, Pace reminded, and there was a lack of land ownership. “The motivation (to immigrate) was to own your own land,” he said.

Most of the families settled along Sandy Creek, between Vicksboro and Epsom, he said. Families with last names like Buchan, Dickie, Fox, McMillan, Pyree, Stewart and Smith were among those who came south to the United States with the dream of owning property.

“Some of their great- and great-great-grandkids are still here today,” Pace said.

Interestingly enough, there began a reverse migration of sorts back to the same area of Ontario – thanks to a crop called tobacco. Tobacco was being planted – and harvested – in that same area, and many people from here would go back to Canada to work during the growing season.

Samuel Parham died in 1880; his widow died in 1903. Although her husband was a mayor of Henderson, her name is perhaps better known because the original hospital in Henderson was named in her memory: Maria Parham.

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McGregor Hall

McGregor Hall Presents “Living with Ruthie Mae” Sunday At 2 PM

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Tickets are still available for Sunday afternoon’s performance at McGregor Hall of Garrett Davis’s play “Living with Ruthie Mae,” and patrons are reminded that the mask mandate has been lifted for indoor spaces.

The show had to be rescheduled from mid-January, and all tickets from that original date will be honored with the same seat selection. The show begins at 2 p.m.

“Living with Ruthie Mae” is a comedy about that one sweet family member who doesn’t know when to go home – the most recent work of the North Carolina playwright – and features Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls and American Idol finalist Scott Savol.

According to information from McGregor Hall, “per our local and state health guidelines, we are no longer requiring masks to be worn in our facility. However, we do encourage our patrons to exercise their personal judgment on what is best for the health and safety of you and your family when visiting McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.”

Visit https://www.mcgregorhall.org/ to purchase tickets online.

Corbitt Trucks

TownTalk: Corbitt Preservation Event To Be Held On April 9

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When he looks at one of those old Corbitt trucks, Charles Powell sees so much more than an old vehicle that just happened to be manufactured right here in Henderson in the early part of the 20th century – he sees, in his words “magnificent pieces of equipment.”

Powell, president of the Corbitt Preservation Association, and plenty of other Corbitt Truck enthusiasts are looking forward to gathering again in a few weeks to share their love of the locally produced vehicle with others.

There will be a Spring Fling and Open House on Saturday, April 9 in the area of the Bennett H. Perry Museum, which also is home to the preservation association. This is the 20th year for the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

“You can’t just look at it as a hunk of metal,” Powell told John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk. What some may see as utilitarian vehicles of a bygone era, Powell and other Corbitt truck fans see as history on wheels.

There will be some Corbitt trucks parked along Church Street in front of the museum so folks have a chance to see them up close.

The preservation association was all set to have the open house last year, but COVID-19 quashed those plans. Powell said the open house for the museum is a great way to let the community know that the museum is here for them to enjoy.

“I think everybody’s ready to get out,” Powell said. “People have been inside for so long – I think they’re really going to like these events.”

There are half a dozen or so car shows or other similar events across the state that Powell and others either drive or trailer some of the old Corbitts to, including the Got To Be NC festival in Raleigh and another at the Transportation Museum in Spencer, near Salisbury.

“It takes quite a bit to get these vehicles loaded up and hauled to a show,” Powell explained. Some of the vehicles are between 70 and 100 years old, so driving them is often out of the question.

Some of the ones who have loved and cared for the vehicles are getting older, too, he said. He’d love to attract some younger folks to become members of the preservation association. Membership dues were waived during the pandemic and Powell said anyone interested in becoming involved need do nothing more than show up at a meeting – the next one is May 15 – or come out to the spring fling and sign up.

Find the group on Facebook at Corbitt Preservation Association or at https://corbitttrucks.com/

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Grace Ministries

TownTalk: GRACE Ministries Plans A Day Of Worship And Fellowship

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Jamie Elliott is looking forward to being able to gather outside Saturday afternoon to share some fun activities with his congregation and the larger community.

Elliott told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk that he plans to continue the “Day of Church And Community Fellowship every third Saturday of the month at the Grace Ministries Burr Street location.

“We’re trying to have local churches and the community come together,” Elliott said, to “be involved and see what’s going on” with church programs and out in the community.

The day will begin with breakfast and a women’s ministry, followed by a quick lunch and then a children’s ministry program from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The day’s activities conclude with supper and a live music concert. Bring a lawn chair, Elliott said, to be able to sit back and enjoy the music.

Folks are wanting to get back outside and enjoy each other’s company, he said. The last two years of COVID-19 restrictions have eased recently, which makes events like this a bit safer to have.

All are welcome, Elliott said. He’s just hoping for a good turnout for an event that he said he invites the community to come out and be a part of the fellowship and worship opportunity.

 

TownTalk: The Importance Of Arts Alive For Children

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It’s still a few weeks away, but Andrew Markoch said this year’s Arts Alive 2022 is on track to provide some wonderful entertainment – all courtesy of more than 200 students of Vance County Schools.

Markoch is director of fine arts and physical education for VCS and he said the 6th annual event is set for Saturday, April 9 at McGregor Hall and the Center for Innovation. Markoch spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk about Arts Alive and the positive effects of arts education in other areas of study.

The last in-person Arts Alive performance was in 2019; the annual show was all set for auditions in 2020 when COVID-19 shut everything down. “We had to do the safe and smart thing at that time,” Markoch recalled.

This year, artists’ creations will be displayed at McGregor Hall, musical and stage performances will take place there as well, beginning at 7 p.m. The gallery opens at 4 p.m. and that’s when tickets also will be available for purchase. Tickets are $5.

Markoch said he encourages anyone who wants to come out and enjoy visual arts or performing arts to join the VCS family on April 9. “You will not be able to not smile and enjoy yourself,” he said. “These are our kids that are doing this,” Markoch said. “They’ve put time into this artwork and the performers have worked hard for this moment on stage.”

Visit www.vcs.k12.nc.us and click on the Arts Alive link to learn more.

Markoch said to expect artwork in various media – from crayons and markers to digital media 3-D formats.

He predicted between 70 and 75 stage performers and another 80-90 different student artists’ work on display in the art gallery.

Markoch said he is happy to be able to use the Center for Innovation to host the various master classes that will be available during Arts Alive – a wide variety of providers are scheduled to be on hand to conduct classes that range from introduction to band and orchestra to dance, among others. Durham-based KidzNotes will be on hand with music sessions for the youngest learners, he said.

“Pretty much name it and we have a provider providing it on that day,” Markoch said.

Whether it’s music, art or theatre, the arts helps children to develop and strengthen in other academic areas.

“The arts affects everything,” he said. Vance County school officials, as well as the school board, continue to make the arts a priority, which he greatly appreciates.

“Even throughout the pandemic, the emphasis on arts education in our county wasn’t going to suffer – because it’s good for our kids,” Markoch said.

Arts educators teach other subjects through their curriculum, and support development of social emotional character as well. “In order to create art, there has to be a discipline that goes with it – a type of focus and energy, and almost single-mindedness,” Markoch said. Those traits transfer to other areas of academic life, he said.

 

 

 

Home And Garden Show 03-16-22

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Check moisture level of garden soil before tilling that soil
  • Finish up your pruning chores, fruit trees, grape vines, broadleaf evergreens.
  • Vegetables you can now plant: Arugula, asparagus, snap beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, kale, leeks, bulb onions, Irish potatoes, turnips.
  • Treat lawns for broadleaf weeds.
  • Garden Tiller won’t start roll it out into sunshine for about a hour this should help it start better
  • Apply crabgrass preventer.
  • We have excellent gardening publications at Cooperative Extension
  • Make a light application of fertilizer to tall fescue, especially if you missed the February application

 

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TownTalk: Brent Montgomery Remembered With Walk And Run

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A year ago, the Henderson community and beyond was reeling from the news that NC Hwy. Patrol Trooper Brent Montgomery had died of COVID-19 at the age of 50. Today, on the one-year anniversary of his death,  family, friends and are law enforcement officials turned out to remember Montgomery and all he meant to the community.

A contingent of walkers and runners set out from Kerr Lake Country Club Tuesday morning to make the 4.40-mile trek to Skipper’s Forsyth’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant and WIZS’s own John C. Rose chatted with participants before, during and after the walk/run.

Heather Montgomery said the past year had been a trial, but added that her family’s support system has been strong since her husband’s death a year ago.

“It means a lot,” Montgomery said of today’s event. “I know he’s looking down and he’s loving this.”

The 4.40-mile route is a nod to Trooper Montgomery’s call number with the NCSHP – it was C440. A coincidence that it’s 4.4 miles from their home to one of his favorite restaurants? Heather Montgomery said she didn’t think so. “That number means a lot to us,” she said.

Brent’s father, Larry Montgomery, said he was glad to see the turnout for the event, adding that he really respects the people who showed up.

His son did so much to help his family and others – “he had a way about him that just stands out among people,” the elder Montgomery said.

Alan Ellis of Skipper’s Forsyth’s Bar-B-Q said he and Brent were good friends growing up. “It’s an honor and a privilege” to remember his pal. Half the restaurant was reserved for the participants to gather for a meal to culminate the event. “I miss him every day,” Ellis said.

It’s not unusual for law enforcement officials to gather together for a meal, and Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said the law enforcement community is like “a great big family.” Remembering one of their own with an event such as this is very meaningful, Barrow said.

“Brent meant a lot to a lot of us – he means a lot to this community,” he added.

First Sgt. Jeff Rowan of the Highway Patrol spoke with WIZS at KLCC before the event kicked off. He said an event in memory of Montgomery is very fitting. “This run is in memory of a great guy,” Rowan said. “We’re prepared for it and excited to get it started.”

Randy Owen also referred to the strong bonds among the brotherhood of law enforcement personnel. Owen said community leaders like Ellis who step up to provide food for first responders or others who protect the community are very much appreciated.

Trooper Elliott Fuller spoke with WIZS shortly after completing the 4.4-mile route. He runs a lot to keep in shape, but “this run is different for what it means,” Fuller said. “The reason why we’re running is what makes it important.” Brent was a guy that everybody loved – he was just a good people person…an overall good guy.”

What better way to remember their family member, friend and colleague than over a meal at a restaurant that was one of Brent’s favorites.

A community of people trying their best to honor someone gone way too soon.

 

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