Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Joyce Dewitt ‘Thrilled’ to Return to Role in ‘A Waffle House Christmas’

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Henderson’s own downtown development director Kaine Riggan and special call-in guest and actress Joyce Dewitt were on air for Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

Riggan, writer, producer and director of the musical comedy “A Waffle House Christmas,” announced that the play will be performed at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson for one night only – Saturday, December 1, 2018 – at 8 p.m.

According to Riggan, approximately 600 of the 1,000 available tickets have already been purchased, and he hopes to see it become a sold-out performance. “I hope it happens for McGregor Hall and for downtown Henderson. That’s our crown jewel!”

The musical, which was first commissioned by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission in 2006, will feature five of the principal actors for the December performance, including Dewitt as Waffle House waitress Rita and country singer T. Graham Brown. Auditions for local actors to round out the cast were held last week.

Dewitt, most well-known for her role as Janet on the sitcom “Three’s Company,” said she was excited to return to this role. “In this case, I had done the play before with Kaine and I know that he is a very wonderful director and I know that he gathers terrific actors together. So the idea of coming back and doing this with a number of wonderful people that I did it with in Nashville was thrilling.”

The setting for the musical is a Waffle House in both the middle of nowhere and in the middle of a blizzard on Christmas Eve. The regular staff and customers are stranded there along with outside visitors. What unfolds are a few secrets, surprises and heartfelt human connections.

“The wonderful thing about these characters that Kaine has written is that they are so human, but what’s going on in their personal story is so meaningful,” said Dewitt. “The audience can relate to each of them.”

“It’s my favorite kind of material – funny, funny, funny – but also, at times, catching and poignant.”

According to Dewitt, when she is first approached about a role she asks herself if she believes in the material and if she can deliver the material in a way that will relate to the audience. She is pleased to have found both in this role.

“When the audience is walking out of the theater, what have we given them? What is in their heart? I genuinely believe this play is a perfect Christmas gift to give the audience.”

To give the gift of this play to yourself and/or a loved one, purchase tickets by:

DROP IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

 To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here.

Henderson Institute Historical Museum to Host ‘Great Gatsby Gala’ at KLCC

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-Information and flyer courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson Institute Historical Museum will host their annual holiday party featuring “Great Gatsby Gala – Roaring Twenties” on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The event will be held at Kerr Lake Country Club – 600 Hedrick Dr., Henderson – with music provided by “Just Friends.” Cost is $30 per person and includes food, drinks and a chance to win prizes.

Roaring ’20s attire is encouraged but not required. Please RSVP by Friday, November 23 to Edna at edsco1128@gmail.com or Edith at edcarr953@gmail.com.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Yoga, Slide N Glide & Youth Basketball Extended at Aycock Rec. Center

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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Beginning Yoga: Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department is offering another session of Beginning Yoga. These sessions are based on Basic Yoga techniques to inspire physical, mental and spiritual peace from within. Classes are offered on Thursday nights from 6:15 – 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 or lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us.

Slide N Glide:  Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department is offering another session of Slide N Glide. Slide N Glide is a program for participants that are interested in learning new and old line dances. This program is designed for participants to have fun while they exercise. Classes are offered on Tuesday nights from 6:15 – 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 or lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us.

Youth Basketball:  Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department’s basketball registration has been extended until Sunday, November 25, 2018.  For more information, please contact Steve Osborne at 252.438.2670 or sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us or Victor Hunt at 252.438.3408 or vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us.

Vance County NC

Leah Hinton to Perform at ‘A Night of Jazz Benefit Concert’

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-Information courtesy Leah Hinton

Singer/songwriter Leah Hinton will be performing with a jazz band at the “A Night of Jazz Benefit Concert” on Friday, November 16 at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Crossroads Event Center, 945 W. Andrews Avenue, Henderson, with funds raised benefiting charitable causes.

Cost is $15 for singles and $25 for couples. For more information, please call (252) 572-2681.

News 11/12/18

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H-V Chamber Logo

H-V Chamber of Commerce Seeking Nominees for Citizen of the Year

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce’s Sept./Oct. “Focus” Newsletter

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for the 2018 Citizen of the Year.

This annual award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of Henderson and Vance County. In order to be considered for this award, the nominee must be a resident of the Henderson-Vance County community, should be someone who enjoys a reputation for continuous community service in areas such as civic involvement, quality of life improvements, supportive of business and economic development and humanitarian issues. This contribution must be outside the realm of the individual’s occupation.

Citizens and Chamber members are encouraged to nominate persons they feel are deserving of this recognition. Nomination forms are available at the Chamber and should be submitted in writing to the Chamber office by Friday, December 28. The award will be presented at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Banquet on January 31st at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

For information or a nomination form, contact the Chamber at 252-438-8414 or e-mail john@hendersonvance.org.

Vance County Logo

Wilder, Unopposed Vance Co. Commissioner, ‘Feels the Need to Continue Getting it Right’

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Vance County Commissioner Gordon Wilder was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss his recent unopposed run for a third consecutive term on the Board.

“I’m no politician. That’s not in the Wilder DNA,” Wilder said. “I’ve been fortunate to be elected by the people for a third time now.”

The most recent election saw Wilder, a commissioner since 2010, run unopposed in District 3, with fellow incumbents Dan Brummitt and Tommy Hester also running unopposed.

“I think the three of us who ran unopposed certainly feel the need to make sure we continue getting it right and continue to do the right things,” said Wilder.

When an unidentified caller to Town Talk asked Wilder why people in the community shy away from running for elected positions, Wilder explained that while the reasons vary, it is often the case of talk but no action.

Wilder also recognized the difficulties some may have in fulfilling the mid-day meeting requirements of the position. “You’d have to have a very understanding boss,” chuckled Wilder.

In discussing other election results, Wilder said the commissioners are looking forward to working with newly elected Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame and will “fully support him to every extent possible.”

According to Wilder, the citizens of Vance County had three good candidates for sheriff to choose from in Curtis Brame, Charles Pulley and Allen Simmons. “I know all three candidates and I’m very proud of them. I coached Curtis in high school and have been bird hunting with him. I think he’ll do a great job.”

Wilder also piggybacked on a Town Talk discussion earlier this week with Dennis Jarvis, II, director for the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, concerning phase III of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park.

Earlier this year, Vance County received a $2.45 million grant from the Rural ReadySites program for development and expansion of the industrial park located at the intersection of Bear Pond Road and US-1 Bypass in Henderson.

The grant money will cover development costs to include construction of a new roadway and extension of water and sewer infrastructure through the site. The land will be zoned for light industrial and general commercial use.

“The State told us that we needed to have land ready, buildings ready and infrastructure ready for jobs to come in,” Wilder explained. “Our focus right now is on phase III of the industrial park and bringing more jobs into Vance County.”

While constructing a building is not presently on the agenda, according to Wilder, plans are in place to invest in land and infrastructure.

“The land is up for sale,” said Wilder. “We hope that people will invest and build their own building. I’m not sure the county commissioners or the County needs to be in the real estate business.”

To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here.

‘Vance Virtual’ Labs Officially Open in Vance County Middle, High School

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Schools hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies at Vance County Middle School and Vance County High School on November 9 to officially open the schools’ “Vance Virtual” or “V2” laboratories.

The laboratories, located in the schools’ media centers, feature approximately 24 digital learning stations each for students to engage in interactive three-dimensional instruction using special computer software applications (like the ones found on this website)in a wide range of subject areas including science, health and geography.

The establishment of the laboratories is being made possible through a $400,000 grant awarded to the school system from the Golden Leaf Foundation. The grant was awarded during last school year and following the completion of construction work the laboratories are now open.

Vance County Board of Education member Ruth Hartness watches as Vance County Middle School students explain how they are using the zSpace digital student learning center and three-dimensional software application in the new Vance Virtual lab in their school. (Photo: VCS)

“Vance Virtual” has the largest number of zSpace digital learning stations of any school system on the East Coast of the United States and one of the largest deployments of the stations in the nation.

The zSpace STEM Learning Initiative represents a new direction for instructional delivery and academic outcomes for the students in Vance County. This initiative will systematically and intentionally embed the technical and essential skills into our instructional programs to ensure student readiness for the local, regional and global workforce.

The digital student-learning stations will be available for use by students in the middle school and high school, as well as the STEM Early High School.

Teachers will be trained on specific skills to utilize virtual reality technology in the delivery of their individual content areas. Wikis, blogs and an e-lesson repository will be constructed to allow teachers to share and collaborate as they train and implement new strategies.

Business and industry partners will engage with our Career and Technical Education program teachers to develop a functional profile of the worker needed to support their industry. These skills and attributes will be embedded in the core competencies and outcomes of each learning module. Students will have direct interaction with virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) software to enhance their level of knowledge, understanding and application of science, career and technology coursework.

Vance County High School students work with software applications on the zSpace learning centers in their school’s new Vance Virtual lab as the large digital screen on the wall follows their actions. (Photo: VGCC)

The school system received valuable support from the Vance County Board of Commissioners for the virtual reality project and the Golden Leaf Foundation grant funding.

“The launch of this project represents a seismic shift in the learning ecosystem of our school district,” said Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Vance County Schools. “This game-changing technology is cutting-edge and provides our students with real-world hands-on opportunities to engage collaboratively, think critically, communicate effectively and create authentically in a rigorous and challenging academic environment.

“Through our Vance Virtual Workforce Labs, we are confident that our students will leave us with the essential skills necessary to effectively navigate and compete in the local, regional and global workforce,” he continued. “This is yet another example of the academic ‘Vanceformation’ taking place in our schools and in our community. I am indeed Vance County Proud.”

“Students in Vance County Schools are ready to explore science, math and other content areas at a higher level of application in environments that are technology-based,” added Dr. Cindy Bennett, assistant superintendent for Student Services and Strategic Planning. “Vance Virtual labs will provide that opportunity with virtual and augmented reality experiences and investigations in an interactive learning environment. As educators, we continue to seek to bring the brick and mortar models of education into the 21st Century. Vance Virtual labs do just that and our students will investigate tomorrow TODAY!”

Maria Parham Health Encourages Community to Get Vaccinated

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-Press Release, Maria Parham Health

To minimize the spread of influenza this fall and winter, Maria Parham Health is encouraging all employees, medical personnel and community members to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccination for everyone six months and older, with any age-appropriate flu vaccine. If you are considering a nasal spray flu vaccine, it is important to know that this option is approved by the CDC for use in non-pregnant individuals, ages two through 49, and that there is a precaution against this option for those with certain underlying medical conditions.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself from the flu this season and, in turn, protect your family and our community from illness,” said Jeana Testerman, director of infection control at Maria Parham Health. “Vaccinations significantly decrease the likelihood of catching the flu and help minimize symptoms if you do get sick. I highly recommend that every person gets vaccinated this season to help stay healthy this fall and winter and fight the spread of influenza throughout our community.”

The best ways to protect against the flu are to:

  • Get vaccinated and encourage your friends and family to do the same, especially those at greater risk for serious flu-related complications (children younger than five, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and those with certain chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart and lung diseases and more).
  • Practice good health habits. Avoid close contact with others; stay home when you are sick; practice good hand hygiene; cover your nose and mouth with a tissue; and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • If prescribed by a physician, take flu antiviral drugs.

In order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients and to help prevent the spread of infection, Maria Parham Health also asks the community to be mindful when visiting friends and loved ones in the hospital. Specifically:

  • If you have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough or runny nose, please do not visit.
  • Remember to wash your hands before entering and exiting a patient’s room and after leaving the hospital.
  • If you are in the hospital for tests or procedures and have a flu-like illness (fever over 100 degrees with cough or sore throat), please ask for a mask. Most pharmacies have a kn95 mask for sale.

Maria Parham Health is committed to its mission of Making Communities Healthier by protecting patients, employees and volunteers, and limiting the spread of influenza in our community. For more information about the flu and effective prevention methods, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

News 11/09/18

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