Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

McGregor Hall’s Diversity

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From gospel music with The Hoppers and local group Unashamed Southern Gospel Quartet, to the Broadway musical The Buddy Holly Story, to the North Carolina Symphony, the new Performing Arts Center McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson has something for everyone.

Its executive director Tommy Deadwyler wants the public to know there will be a great deal of diversity in the performances and artists it has to offer Henderson and the surrounding areas. The new center has a chance to greatly impact our economy here. It’s about putting people in restaurants and hotels and revitalizing downtown Henderson.

Board member Mark Hopper said, “To be able to impact Henderson’s economy with the performing arts is just phenomenal and I’m really excited about that. In fact, I had nine calls in under three hours alone for restaurant recommendations the night of the Buddy Holly Story Musical. It’s quite inspiring that this facility was built on donations alone. Absolutely no city or county money was used whatsoever.”

It isn’t expected that Vance County will be able to support the center alone, but retirees in the southern Virginia Lake Gaston and Kerr Lake areas who drive right past Henderson on the way to Durham could attend a Broadway show for a fraction of the cost. The goal is for McGregor Hall to be a regional facility.

Chairman of the McGregor Hall Board John Wester said, “Most Broadway shows are at least $85 a ticket and that’s on the lower end. Once you add on gas, dinner in Raleigh or Durham, and parking, well it just makes so much more sense to stay right here in your hometown and see a great show for far less money.”

McGregor Hall doesn’t intend on competing with the DPAC in Durham, but it does have some wonderful upcoming performances to offer:

April 9: NC Symphony

April 30:  Vivace, a pop & classical vocal quartet out of Vancouver, Canada

June 18: The Manhattans with NC Music Hall of Famer Gerald Alston & Henderson native Dwight Fields

May 20: The McCartney Years – a Wings Tribute Band

July 7-9: The Henderson Rec Players – Fiddler On the Roof

September 17: Sandi Patty’s Farewell Tour – Contemporary Christian singer and 5 time Grammy Award winner (we are the only theatre in NC to have her!)

The response from the community thus far has been fantastic, and not only does the center have an opportunity for an economic impact on Henderson but has already offered educational opportunities. On March 8, 960 school children from Vance and Granville counties had the opportunity to see the NC Symphony’s performance for kids. Deadwyler said, “I was very impressed by the children’s behavior and the fact that so many of them dressed up for the performance. They were very engaged and excited to see the orchestra perform.”

Reverend Frank Sossamon, who was the Master of Ceremonies on the center’s opening night, echoed this sentiment when he said, “The new Performing Arts Center McGregor Hall is such a breath of fresh air for Henderson. It will allow the community to be exposed to various artists and performances that will challenge our citizens and young people to strive for more through education. We had a great response and large turnout on opening night. It was just a wonderful overwhelming experience.”

Another plus, McGregor Hall Gallery will also have meet and greets with the performers and a cocktail hour before performances.

For rental rates contact Tommy Deadwyler. (The Gallery is also available for rent at a reduced rate for non-profit groups)

For tickets call: 252-598-0662 or purchase online at: www.McGregorHall.org. (Ticket prices vary according to the show.)

The Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday 1pm to 5pm and two hours before show times.

Staff Writer – WIZS

Former Superintendent Shearin Has Died

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Dr. Norman Shearin served as Superintendent of Vance County Schools from January 2003 until his retirement in April 2011.

Public Information Officer Terri Hedrick released the information this morning by email.  Dr. Shearin passed away late Tuesday.

Hedrick said, “He indeed made his mark here in Vance County, including leading the re-establishment of Western Vance High as an alternative high school and the construction of Clarke Elementary.”

Visitation is scheduled at 12:00 pm, Friday, March 25th, at the Kure Memorial Lutheran Church followed by the funeral at 1:00 pm.  The church address is 117 3rd Avenue, Kure Beach, NC. Burial will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens, 306 Bradley Drive, Wilmington.

Condolences to the family at https://www.andrewsmortuary.com/ — Andrews Mortuary & Crematory Valley Chapel of Wilmington.

Dr. Shearin’s obituary can be found on the Andrews Mortuary web site or as it appeared in the Wilmington Star-News online.

News 03/24/16

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Connect NC bond and Kerr Lake

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(Full Press Release)

CONTACT: Frank Timberlake (919) 269-4300

info@kerrlakeparkwatch.org

CONNECT NC BOND PASSES – WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN WE EXPECT AT THE 7 NC KERR LAKE STATE RECREATIONS AREAS?

News about what is going on with NC State Parks out of Raleigh is rare, even hard to get.  And now that there is big news like the passage of the Connect NC bond, those of who ardently support the parks on the shores of the John H. Kerr Reservoir are wondering about the plan for expenditures and improvements on the North Carolina side.

“We’re wondering if there will be opportunity for public input as to what things are needed at the SRA’s (state recreation areas).  Historically, NC State Parks have operated in a vacuum passing down already decided policies from Raleigh, said Kerr Lake Park Watch spokesman Frank Timberlake, adding, “I think I can count on one finger the number of press releases or meeting invitations we’ve had from the Division of State Parks in recent years.  They’re certainly not famous for seeking public involvement.  But mark this; we intend to be involved, visible and vocal on the expenditure of these funds, maybe the last dollars of their type for quite some time.”

Timberlake said that the support group is generally pleased with the passage of the $2 Billion Connect NC bond (last week).  North Carolina’s infrastructure has been crumbling for some time.  A big concern is that NC State Parks is that the system has been acquiring more and more land areas without committed development funds to provide more and improved visitor services.

“Our biggest concern now is how the $100,000,000 will be split up among parks and the state zoo.  Larger and more pertinent than that split is determining what amount of bond funds will come to the seven state recreation areas that NC STATE Parks operates on Kerr Lake.  Transparency has not happened as no known groups including Kerr Lake Park Watch have been asked by the Division of State Parks on how the public, who use the seven parks, think they should be improved,” said Timberlake.

Kerr Lake Park Watch wants to see a survey of campers and others who use the parks about their views and some public input meetings.  Kerr Lake Park Watch will now start digging through the bureaucracy to find these answers and to bring them out to view for our members and the public.

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(Press Release provided by Kerr Lake Park Watch) – kerrlakeparkwatch.org/ – facebook.com/KerrLakeParkWatch

VGCC holds Summer Term New Student Orientation sessions

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 Registration for classes and orientation sessions for new students have begun for the Summer 2016 term at Vance-Granville Community College, which starts Monday, May 23. Students who wish to enroll at VGCC starting in the Fall 2016 semester may also attend one of the orientation sessions for summer.

Attending an orientation session is required for all new students who wish to enroll in any of the college’s curriculum programs, and for students who are returning to VGCC after being away for three or more years. Students must also meet with an advisor or academic/career coach before registering for classes.

To attend an orientation session, a student must sign up in advance by visiting orientation.vgcc.edu.

VGCC now offers orientation in both an online and a traditional face-to-face format. In either format, orientation sessions help students learn where to find resources on campus or online, including how to register for classes through WebAdvisor.

Face-to-face orientation sessions are scheduled at VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County on Tuesday, March 29, at 9 a.m.; Tuesday, April 19, at 9 a.m.; Thursday, April 21, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, May 10, at 9 a.m.; and Thursday, May 12, at 2 p.m.

At the Franklin County Campus near Louisburg, orientation sessions are scheduled on Tuesday, March 29, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, April 12, at 2 p.m.; Tuesday, April 19, at 5 p.m.; and Tuesday, May 3, at 9 a.m.

Orientation sessions are scheduled at VGCC’s South Campus, located between Creedmoor and Butner, on Wednesday, April 6, at 9 a.m.; Thursday, April 14, at 2 p.m.; and Wednesday, May 4, at 9 a.m.

Students who want to attend a face-to-face orientation session at the Warren County Campus in Warrenton should call (252) 257-1900 for more information.

Registration for summer classes is set to end on Thursday, May 19. College officials encourage students to apply for admission, attend orientation/advising, and register for classes as early as possible. Course schedules are now available online at schedules.vgcc.edu.

All summer curriculum courses are eight weeks in length and will end on July 25. The VGCC course selection for this summer’s term is more robust than in years past, including a variety of online and on-campus sections.

Summer term offers opportunities for eligible high school seniors to get a head start on college by taking courses through the Career & College Promise (CCP) program. University students may also use the summer to earn transferable credits while they are at home.

The tuition payment deadline is Thursday, May 19, by 5 p.m., if paying in person, or by midnight, if paying online through WebAdvisor.

For more information, contact VGCC at studentsuccess@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3330, or visit any campus.

News 03/23/16

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LimBionics Ribbon Cutting

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A ribbon cutting was planned for today at 10 a.m. to celebrate LimBionics Prosthetics and Orthotics becoming a Chamber member and to showcase the business and all that it has to offer. LimBionics is located at 851 S. Beckford Drive, Suite B in Henderson.

Brittany Stresing is owner and lead practitioner and has been treating patients in Durham, Oxford, Henderson and surrounding areas for years. Now open in Henderson, LimBionics is proud to offer award winning Prosthetic and Orthotic care to the residents of the area.

Stresing is the only prosthetist in the area to have the elite title of Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. She also won 2015 Female Entrepreneur of the Year as well as 2015 Healthcare Hero Rising Star awards.

LimBionics prides itself on patient-based and individualized care for those who have lost a limb and need a prosthetic limb, those dealing with diabetes, drop foot, stroke, arthritis, spina bifida, injury and much more.

For more information , call 252-430-6538 or email them at henderson@limbionics.com

(Information published for news purposes with information provided within a bio from The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.)

Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration

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Parents of children who will be entering pre-kindergarten and kindergarten for the 2016-2017 school year may now register their children for enrollment at any Vance County Schools elementary school.

Children who will be four years old on or before August 31, should apply for pre-kindergarten and children who will be five years old on or before August 31, should register for kindergarten.

Applications for pre-kindergarten for the upcoming school year are now available at any elementary school or by going to the school system’s website at www.vcs.k12.nc.us and downloading the necessary forms.

Parents are encouraged to register their children early.

Special registration events for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten also will be held at each school during the week of April 11-15.

(VCS Press Release)

VGCC’s new ‘VanGuarantee’ to help area residents afford higher education

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Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, announced a major new commitment yesterday to eliminate financial barriers to higher education for residents of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties.

President Williams said a new need-based scholarship program, called the “VanGuarantee,” is designed to cover tuition, student fees and textbooks for eligible students whose financial needs are unmet by federal financial aid and other means of support. She made the announcement at a meeting of the VGCC Board of Trustees and was joined by school superintendents and members of the boards of education from the four counties served by the college.

VGCC already has a robust, almost 40-year-old Endowment Fund that provides primarily merit-based scholarships.

“The VanGuarantee program enhances our college’s commitment to supporting deserving students, particularly those who demonstrate the greatest financial need, because we do not want the cost of attendance to be a barrier for any student at any stage,” Dr. Williams said. “We want to guarantee that every student in our community who wants to earn a college degree can do so.”

Making the VanGuarantee possible is a $1.6 million bequest to VGCC from the estate of Wilbert A. Edwards. The gift, announced in 2015, is the second largest in the history of the college. A resident of Oxford at the time of his death in 2001, Edwards was a native of Vance County and a decorated World War II fighter pilot. In addition to the VanGuarantee, funds from the Edwards estate are being used for faculty development and for college facilities.

In its scope, the new program is believed to be unique in the North Carolina Community College System. As policymakers and students have expressed growing concerns about the rising cost of college, VGCC joins colleges across the country in creating innovative “promise” or “guarantee” programs to make education more affordable and accessible.

Some colleges have made such commitments only to recent high school graduates, but the VanGuarantee applies to all students in the four counties, reflecting VGCC’s longstanding tradition of helping adults retrain for new careers at any age, Dr. Williams explained. Nevertheless, she encouraged 2016 high school graduates to take advantage of the new opportunity to obtain a debt-free college education.

Among the eligibility requirements for the VanGuarantee, students who reside in the college’s service area must enroll in at least nine credit hours per semester in any VGCC curriculum program. They must first apply for and meet the eligibility requirements for federal and state financial aid programs. Next, they will apply for endowed VGCC scholarships. When students still lack the funds to pay for their education after exhausting those and other sources, the VanGuarantee program will help to fill the gap. That makes the program an example of what is often called a “last-dollar scholarship.”

The VanGuarantee will be available in the fall 2016 semester, which starts in August. All residents of the four counties served by the college, regardless of their age or whether they have attended VGCC before, may benefit if they meet the eligibility criteria. Once enrolled in the VanGuarantee program, students must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) to continue receiving the scholarship.

For more information on the VanGuarantee, students can visit www.vgcc.edu/fao/vanguarantee.

News 03/22/16

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