Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Vance County Tourism

Vance County Tourism Director Nancy Wilson Retiring End of March

By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire

After 20 years of service, Nancy Wilson, the long-serving director of the Vance County Department of Tourism, is looking forward to retiring at the end of the month.

“I’ve been working all of my life,” said Wilson. I’m ready to retire.”

Wilson’s career in tourism began in 1998 when she was hired as a contractor by the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission (EDC). According to Wilson, the first assignment given to her was to increase the number of fishing tournaments held at Kerr Lake. “At that time, we were not competitive with South Hill or Clarksville, VA,” Wilson said. “I had to beg the tournament directors to give us a chance; please just let us host a tournament and see how it goes.”

Wilson’s efforts paid off by way of an increase in fishing tournaments, including high dollar $100k tournaments such as the Fishing League Worldwide (FLW). “When it showed up on the front page of USA TODAY that Vance County hosted a tournament, it was great publicity for us and was worth all of the time and effort,” said Wilson.

In addition to fishing tournaments, Wilson has also been instrumental in increasing tourism at Kerr Lake thanks to the addition of a Fourth of July fireworks display. “We never had a firework display around the lake area and I thought we needed to entertain our visitors while they were there,” said Wilson. “That’s one of the biggest holidays for the parks.”

Wilson knows from experience how special the fireworks are for many visitors. “People start calling the tourism office as soon as the fireworks are over wanting to know the date for next year’s show so they can book their campsite.”

A success since its inception 20 years ago, the patriotic fireworks are held on the Saturday closest to the 4th of July to better accommodate visitors’ schedules.

Wilson is also proud of creating the Parade of Lights on Water, a floating parade featuring Kerr Lake’s best-decorated boats. A staple for several years, a decline in participation led to the cancellation of the event.

Another one of Wilson’s successful endeavors is the annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine and East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame event held each fall. What started as a small gathering of friends grew into the economic boom that it is for Vance County today.

“It started as a group of people meeting at my house. Then we had to move it to the community building at Satterwhite Point because it kept growing and people were coming from everywhere,” Wilson said. “I thought about it for a long time and thought I could make a tourism event out of it.”

Wilson presented her idea of combining a car show and a drag car hall of fame to the Henderson-Vance EDC Board and they implemented the first event in 2001.

The exact economic impact of events such as fishing tournaments, Fourth of July events and Show, Shine, Shag & Dine is hard to calculate, but the increased spending on gas, hotel rooms, restaurants and entertainment are a huge boost to the local economy.

According to Wilson, visitors come from all over the country to attend these events, thanks in part to a strong, nationwide advertising campaign that includes multiple publications. “We advertise in recreation magazines, recreation guides, motorsports magazines, car show magazines, at welcome centers, in airports, online, on the radio and in print,” said Wilson.

When asked what advice she has for the next tourism director, Wilson said they’ll have their own ideas that will bring value to the area.  She said, “I’m sure they’ll put their own twist on it and do what they think is best. If I can help in any way, I’ll be glad to.”

Wilson plans to remain active in the Roanoke River Basin Association, an organization that she feels is vital to the lake area. “I will continue to serve on the association and try to keep the County informed on issues,” Wilson said. “It is so important. That water is like liquid gold.”

As for life after retirement, Wilson says it will be a continuation of traveling all over the country, playing with cars and attending car shows.

“I don’t have a bucket list,” Wilson said. “People say when they retire they will do this or that, well, I’ve already done all of that.”

News 03/13/18

Vance County NC

March 15, 2018 is Next Vance County Commissioners’ Meeting Date

The Vance County Commissioners’ meeting previously scheduled for tonight has been postponed until Thursday, March 15 at 6:00 p.m. due to inclement weather.

City of Henderson Logo

March 19, 2018 is Next Henderson City Council Meeting Date

The Henderson City Council meeting previously scheduled for this evening, March 12, 2018 was postponed until Monday, March 19, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. because of inclement weather.

News 03/12/18

News 03/09/18

News 03/08/18

News 03/07/18

News 03/06/18

Remembering Former Henderson Mayor Robert Gill “Chick” Young, Jr.

By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire

The local community was saddened to learn recently of the passing of Chick Young, former long-serving Henderson mayor, on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the age of 84.

Young’s service to the office of mayor began in 1979 and continued for 24 consecutive years until 2003 when he decided not to seek reelection.

Young was born in Vance County in 1933 to the late Robert Gill Young and Helen Goodwyn Young. He graduated from Henderson High School, and later, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in business administration.

Shortly after graduating college, Young joined the United States Navy, serving four years of active duty and 26 years in the Naval Reserves before retiring with the rank of captain.

Soon after returning to Henderson in 1960 to enter business with his father, Young opened a life and health insurance agency.

In addition to his business, Young was active in the community, serving as president of the Henderson Jaycees, chairman of the Henderson Recreation Commission, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation.

He also served on the Board of Directors and several committees of The North Carolina League of Cities. Upon his retirement, Young was presented The George Rose Watkins Jr. Citizen of the Year Award and was also presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the governor of North Carolina.

Young is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Knott Young, two sons, three grandsons and three great-granddaughters.

Donald Seifert, a retired Henderson businessman, Vance Granville Community College Trustee and longtime friend, grew up with Young and remembers him fondly. “Chick loved his family, he loved his church, he loved his community and he loved his country,” said Seifert. “The fact that he served as mayor for as long as he did is evidence of his love for his community.”

George Watkins, past president of Rose Oil Company and community leader/advocate, remembers a man that was more than a friend, “Our families vacationed together for 48 years. He was more like a brother than a friend.”

In speaking on his tenure as mayor, Watkins explained that Young was a big support, along with the City of Henderson, in the building of the new H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.

In an on-air interview with WIZS, Seifert also mentioned Young’s support in the efforts to bring recreational opportunities to the area. “Chick was instrumental in bringing recreation to Henderson and in getting Fox Pond Park and the Aycock Recreation Center developed,” Seifert said.

Eric Williams, former City Manager, who served the majority of his tenure under Young, spoke on the impact Young had on others. “Chick stands out at the very top of the list of public officials that I have worked with,” Williams said. “He was extremely gifted at bringing people together.”

Williams stated that Young’s enthusiasm and love for the community were contagious. “He was the area’s biggest cheerleader. He was constantly promoting the history and vitality of his hometown,” said Williams.

Fellow former Henderson Mayor James D. “Pete” O’Geary, who served two terms, spoke of Young as a man of great integrity. “I met Chick in 1981 when I served on the City Council. I was always inspired by him and how he handled the office of mayor. He was so dedicated and set a great example for the staff at City Hall and the community,” O’Geary said.

Years later, when O’Geary ran for mayor and won, Young shared words of wisdom. “I’ll never forget the time he visited me at home after the election. He told me that the mayor is the number one elected official to this city,” said O’Geary. “He told me that I would set the example, not only for the City Council and staff, but for everyone. He said that the life that you live will be a life that people look at and remember.”

Dianne White, who worked as City Clerk with Young for 15 years, shared her thoughts on Young’s character. “He was highly respected by many organizations,” said White. “Our Mayor Young was approachable and helped many citizens. He will always be remembered kindly.”

Former Henderson City Attorney John Zollicoffer remembered Young’s easy-going and calming nature. “When he was mayor, people would come to the City Council upset about something and he would patiently listen and then reassure them on what he knew could be done, or if it couldn’t be done legally, he’d calmly explain why,” said Zollicoffer. “You could just see their anger dissipate. He was oil on the waters as far as calming people and viewing things in a rational light.”

Young’s friends and colleagues also remember a man that loved sports, especially golf, football and Carolina Tar Heel basketball. “He loved to play golf, especially in retirement, but only during the week. He saved the weekends for family time,” said Seifert.

Cam Ford, preacher of New Horizons Baptist Church in Oxford, was a fellow golfing buddy of Young. “I met some of the finest people and best friends of my life at Henderson Country Club and I would certainly count Mayor Young in that group,” said Ford. “I enjoyed getting to know him. He is the absolute epitome of a Southern gentleman.”

In remembering Young as a beloved mayor, businessman, community leader and friend, Watkins echoed the sentiments of many, “Chick was the best mayor that we ever had. I’m going to miss him.”

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at 2 p.m. at The Church of The Holy Innocents by the Rev. Donald A. Lowery. A reception will follow in the Great Hall of the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Church of The Holy Innocents, 210 Chestnut Street, Henderson, NC 27536 or to the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, PO Box 769, Henderson, NC 27536.

(The obituary provided by J.M. White Funeral Home contributed to this story.  The full obituary can be seen online by clicking here.)