Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Rebuilding Hope Names Bob “PlumBob” Demarco April’s Spotlight Volunteer

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-Information courtesy Rebuilding Hope, Inc. 

When retired plumber Bob Demarco relocated from Maine to Warrenton, N.C., in 2012, he found “the perfect place for me to serve and be able to use the talents and gifts God has blessed me with.”

That place? Rebuilding Hope.

“I was immediately embraced by so many exceptional men and women who mentored and directed me to serve in several different capacities, including plumbing, welding and construction. I took an instant liking to my newfound hobby and even started publishing some battery backup sump pump reviews on the internet,” Bob says.

Bob says he connected with RHI through a member of Central Baptist Church, where he and wife Chris were attending.

Bob Demarco named Rebuilding Hope’s April 2019 Volunteer of the Month. (Photo Credit: RHI)

“I reached out to Charles Granger, asking if he might know of a need as I had a stove and refrigerator to donate,” he says. “Charles told me of Rebuilding Hope and explained the mission and work. It was amazing that God delivered me to Rebuilding Hope so quickly.”

Bob says that “the work I have done at Rebuilding Hope has been the most gratifying and fulfilling work I have ever done.

“One of my favorite events is Kids Camp where I teach younger boys and girls plumbing and drywall construction.”

One camper, Bob says, really paid attention.

“My heart was touched by a young boy who after class went home and looked under the kitchen sink and, with amazement, asked his mom and dad if they knew they had pipes there.”

Now a resident of Johnston County and a member of Wilson’s Mills Baptist Church, Bob continues his volunteer work at RHI.

Recently, his skills were put to use plumbing bathrooms and showers for second-floor bunk rooms.

“To volunteer at Rebuilding Hope fills the needs of the community and fills my soul and heart,” says Bob, who’s affectionately known as “PlumBob.”

At his new church, Bob serves on the Community Service Committee and in the prayer ministry. He also works with Serve the Need of Johnston County, whose work is similar to that of RHI.

In leisure time, Bob says he enjoys reading and drumming.

He and Chris have five children, 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

News 04/01/19

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15 Local Educators Complete Vance Co. Teacher Executive Institute Program

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

An outstanding group of 15 educators with Vance County Schools were honored during the evening of March 28, for their successful completion of the Vance County Teacher Executive Institute (TEI) program for the 2018-2019 school year.

They were each presented framed certificates for completion of the program.

An audience that included the educators’ special guests and each of their principals gathered to recognize their achievements.

Those educators honored included: Angela Cusaac of Vance County High School and the school system’s Teacher of the Year; Christine Francis of Vance County High School; Davia Johnson of Vance County Middle School; Sherrie Evans-Bailey of AdVance Academy; Oscar Suarez of Early College High School; Tammy Barrow of STEM Early High School; Jessica Ayscue of Aycock Elementary School; Patricia Harris of Carver Elementary School; Kristy Martin of Clarke Elementary School; Pat Hughes of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School; Cherie Dixon of L.B. Yancey Elementary School; Taylor Evans of New Hope Elementary School; Jhaneille Downer of Pinkston Street Elementary School; Kimberly Holtzmann of Dabney Elementary School; and Vanessa Davis of Zeb Vance Elementary School.

The Vance County Teacher Executive Institute graduates for 2018-2019 include, from left, Jessica Ayscue, Tammy Barrow, Pat Hughes, Sherrie Evans-Bailey, Oscar Suarez, Patricia Harris, Jhanielle Downer, Davia Johnson, Cherie Dixon, Taylor Evans, Kristy Martin, Kimberly Holtzmann, Vanessa Davis, Christine Francis and Angela Cusaac. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Katie Eddings, a teacher at Lee County High School and the current N.C. North Central Region Teacher of the Year, was the featured speaker for the event. Eddings talked with the honored educators and guests about her passion for teaching and urged them all to focus on developing positive relationship with students. She also asked them to use their commitment to children to push for positive changes in public education and our society today.

The Vance County Teacher Executive Institute has been offered to local public school educators since 1993. The program is presented each year by the Vance County Public School Foundation and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. Vance County Schools is a sponsor and partner for the program. TEI is a professional development program for public school teachers, counselors and media specialists. It is designed to bring local educators and business leaders together to form strong relationships so that they can work together for the betterment of our students and future leaders.

Corporate sponsors this year for Teacher Executive Institute included: Duke Energy, Satterwhite Point Marina, Walmart Distribution Center #6091, KARTS, Quick Print, Vance County Farm Bureau, J.M. White Funeral Service, Henderson Family YMCA, The Daily Dispatch, Golden Skillet, Maria Parham Health, Chick-fil-A of Henderson, Wayne and Susan Adcock and Barnett Properties.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

VCRFM to Hold ‘Pesticide Disposal Day’ for Unneeded, Old Chemicals

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties, NC Cooperative Extension

Do you have lawn, garden or farm chemicals you no longer need? Do you have products more than three years old? Protect your family, your pets and the environment by bringing unneeded chemicals to our pesticide disposal day.

This event will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market – 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC.

We will accept all pesticide products, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc. in original, labeled containers. Both liquids and solids (e.g. granules, powders) are acceptable. For large containers (e.g. 5 gallons or more) or large quantities, please call in advance.

We CANNOT accept fertilizer, paint, solvents, gasoline, household cleaners, or other household hazardous waste.

This service is offered at no charge in cooperation with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. For more information, e-mail paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or call (252) 438-8188.

Dabney Elementary Students Welcome Baby Chicks Into Their Classrooms

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Four weeks ago second graders and their teachers at Dabney Elementary School welcomed chicken eggs into their classrooms. Now, they have baby chicks hopping around in their incubator containers.

The learning experience has been a great one for the students and a truly collaborative effort among the four second-grade teachers.

Second-grade teacher Kerianne Owen began the project and got her colleagues, Kimberly Holtzmann, Trish Burroughs and Ellen Harris, to join in. The eggs were donated by a local farmer and the project was sponsored through the Vance County 4-H, with lots of help from Lina Lue, the local agricultural extension agent.

The students can easily answer questions about the process, including how they rotated the eggs three times a day for 21 days and made sure the eggs were always kept warm in the incubators. They can discuss how the chicks made their way out of their eggs and how they have changed in the few days since they hatched.

The chicks’ journey at Dabney Elementary is coming to an end. This week, they will be taken home by Owen and Holtzmann, who plan to raise them on their farms.

“The children have been so excited through this whole process,” Owen said. “Each day, they would come into the classroom and go over to the incubator to say hello to the chicks, even when they were still inside their eggs. Once we saw them starting to peck their way out of their shells, the students’ enthusiasm really went up.”

“This has been an amazing learning experience for our students,” Holtzmann added. “We as teachers have learned, also. It was quite a bit of work to care for the eggs, make sure they were turned enough times each day and kept warm enough. Now that they are out of their shells, the children have learned how to feed them and give them water.”

Of course, the students have given all of the chicks names. They’ve watched them go from “wet gooey messes” as one student described as they hatched, to now “furry” cute things ranging in color from dark brown to yellow.

The students say they will be sad to see the chicks leave their classrooms, but they’re looking forward to Owen and Holtzmann sharing pictures of the chicks as they grow into adult chickens.

Kerianne Owen, a second-grade teacher at Dabney Elementary, watches with four of her students as nine baby chicks move around in the incubator in her classroom. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Kimberly Holtzmann holds one of the 10 baby chicks in her classroom as some of her second graders take turns petting the chick. (Photo courtesy VCS)

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Board of Commissioners to Hold Monthly Meeting – April 1

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-Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Clerk to Board/Executive Asst., County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday, April 1, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, 122 Young Street, Henderson. The Invocation will be given by Pastor Carolyn Roy, Plank Chapel United Methodist Church.

Agenda items include:

Recognition of Leadership Vance Participants

1. Public Comments (for those registered to speak by 5:45 p.m. – speakers are limited to five minutes)

2. Public Hearing 6:00 p.m. Planning Board Ordinance Amendment Jordan McMillen, County Manager

3. Appointment 6:15 p.m. Angie Blount, County Planner Rezoning Request – Case RZ20190214-1 Between US 1 Hwy and Edwards Road Parcel 0456 06008

4. Appointment Angie Blount, County Planner Text Amendments to Zoning Ordinance Accessory Structures

5. Appointment 6:30 p.m. Terri Hedrick, Appearance Commission Roadside Litter

6. Water District Board a. Monthly Operations Report

7. Committee Reports and Recommendations a. Planning/Environmental Committee – RV/Camper Use Regulations – Zoning Amendment b. Public Safety Committee – Addressing Ordinance c. Properties Committee – Farmer’s Market Rental Rate – Selection of Architect – DSS Relocation – Henderson Middle School – Asbestos Abatement/Demolition – County Owned Property

8. County Attorney’s Report a. REO Property – Bid Acceptance Resolutions – Lot 38 Freedom Lane – Parcel 0541D01034 – Lot 6 Big Ruin Creek Lane – Parcel 0404 03029 b. REO Property – New Offer – 435 N. Chestnut Street – Parcel 0098 07016

9. County Manager’s Report a. Fireworks Permit – Tourism b. 2020 Census c. FY19-20 Budget Update

10. Consent Agenda Items a. Budget Transfers b. Tax Refunds and Releases c. Monthly Reports d. Minutes

11. Miscellaneous a. Appointments

12. Closed Session a. Economic Development Matter

Please click here to view current and prior Board agendas.

News 03/29/19

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Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Granville Vance Public Health Addressing Opioid, Mental Health Issues

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Lisa Harrison, health director for the Granville Vance Public Health Department, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss current health initiatives as well as a possible relocation for the department’s Granville County office.

Buildings

With office locations in both Vance and Granville County, Harrison said the buildings of the 40- year-old health district are beginning to show their age.

“With all of the recent rain, leaks were discovered along with structural issues, particularly in the Granville County location,” said Harrison.

The Granville Vance Public Health Department’s Granville Co. building is located at 101 Hunt Drive in Oxford. Recent rain has brought to light leaks and other structural issues. (WIZS photo)

According to Harrison, Granville County Commissioners are discussing options for the health department’s Granville office, including a possible new location.

The Granville County building is currently located at 101 Hunt Drive in Oxford, while the Vance County office is housed at 115 Charles Rollins Road, across from Maria Parham Health, in Henderson.

 

Health Initiatives

Quickly adapting to the ever-changing health care needs of the local community is essential to the success of a public health department. Harrison said one example of the way Granville Vance adapts to changing needs is evident in their response to the recent opioid crisis.

According to Harrison, many factors have contributed to the crisis, including a lack of understanding of the changes in brain chemistry while on opioids, and the quickness of addiction.

“Doctors were taught ten years ago that opioids weren’t as addictive as we now know that they actually are,” said Harrison. “When I was undertaking my hypnosis continuing education, I inferred that hypnosis could be a solution to many maladies.”

Harrison also explained that a system of tying patients’ pain levels and satisfaction ratings into payments ultimately made to the hospital further added to the fallout that many communities are now facing.

“Many come to this addiction through no fault of their own. It might have happened after a surgery or after an injury playing sports in high school.

I think, as a society, we can fight this and get this right, but we are going to have to be very human and very heart-centered in how we approach it.”

For their part, the health department seeks federal grant assistance and partners with local hospitals and physician groups to provide recovery options for those addicted to opioids.

In the spirit of addressing current community needs, the health department is proud to announce that it is also a part of the “Stepping Up Initiative,” a program designed to study mental health issues, substance use and prison sentences among inmates.

“We have telehealth in all jails in the region – Granville, Vance, Franklin, Warren and Halifax. These five counties participate together as the only regional ‘Stepping Up Initiative’ group in the nation,” Harrison said.

UNC Public Television will air a segment on the “Stepping Up Initiative” and the work being done to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in local detention centers tonight (March 28) at 8 p.m.

The segment will re-air at other times over the weekend and will also be available for viewing on the UNC-TV website.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Lisa Harrison in its entirety, click here.

Grants Available From the Vance County Community Foundation

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-Press Release, Vance County Community Foundation

The board of advisors of the Vance County Community Foundation is currently accepting grant applications from area nonprofits that serve general needs in the local community.

Funds are available for nonprofit organizations that serve general community needs in Vance County. Grants will be awarded from the community grantmaking fund.

Applications are available beginning Friday, March 29, 2019. Visit our website for information about applying. The deadline for applications is noon on Tuesday, April 30.

The Vance County Community Foundation is a growing family of philanthropic funds, source of grants for local causes and partners for donors. The VCCF was founded in 1997 and is led by a local volunteer advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants and leverages leadership—all for the benefit of Vance County. VCCF is an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation. Learn more on our website.

Vance Co. Elementary Schools to Host Pre-K, Kindergarten Registration Events

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-Information courtesy the Vance Co. Schools’ Facebook Page

All 10 Vance County Schools’ elementary schools are hosting pre-kindergarten and kindergarten showcase events April 1 – 5, for registration for the 2019-2020 school year!

There will be two sessions held at each school – one session in the morning and a second session in the afternoon/evening to accommodate parents’ schedules.

The pre-kindergarten and kindergarten showcase times include:

Aycock Elementary:
April 3: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
April 4: 2-6 p.m.

Carver Elementary:
April 1: 2-6 p.m.
April 5: 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Clarke Elementary:
April 3: 4:30-5:30 p.m. and 5:45-7 p.m.
April 4: 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Dabney Elementary:
April 3: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 4: 2-6 p.m.

E.M. Rollins Elementary:
March 25-29; parents welcome during and after school

E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary:
April 2: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2-6 p.m.

L.B. Yancey Elementary:
April 3: 2-6 p.m.
April 4: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

New Hope Elementary:
April 1: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 2: 2-6 p.m.

Pinkston Street Elementary:
April 3: 2-6 p.m.
April 4: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Zeb Vance Elementary:
April 3: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
April 4: 2-6 p.m.