Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews
Henderson Man Arrested on Federal Gun Charge
On Monday, March 28, 2016, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Unit arrested a Henderson man on federal gun charges. Ismil Rasheed Jeffers, 22, 113 Breland Drive, Henderson was taken into custody on the outstanding warrant.
Jeffers has been charged after a federal grand jury handed down a one count indictment in this matter. The charges stem from an incident on October 19, 2015 in Henderson. Jeffers was placed into the custody of the United States Marshall Service pending a hearing in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Farmers Market Opens April 16th
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market opens for the 2016 season on Saturday, April 16th, and new vendors are welcome, according to Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent for Vance and Warren Counties.
In a press release McKenzie wrote, “This first class facility, located at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson, offers covered sales space, electricity and restrooms. A part-time Manager works to promote the market through various channels including traditional media, social media, signage, community events and more. Vendors are also provided with display tables for their products.”
The Market will be open on Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in April and will add Wednesday hours in May. The application fee is $30, with a daily setup fee of $10 per space.
McKenzie wrote, “Producers of fruits, vegetables, eggs, plants, meats and other farm products are especially encouraged to apply, although the market also allows the sale of baked goods, handmade crafts and certain other products.”
Complete Guidelines and an application form are available at https://go.ncsu.edu/VCRFM, or by calling Vance County Cooperative Extension at 252-438-8188. Applications may be submitted at any time, but must be received at least three business days in advance of a vendor’s first sale date.
(Information received in a press release written by Paul McKenzie.)
Former Dallas Cowboy addresses VGCC students
A former NFL defensive lineman visited the Main Campus of Vance-Granville Community College on March 16 and spoke to students, faculty and staff about his experiences and the keys to success.
Greg Ellis spoke in the VGCC Civic Center for an hour-long presentation that was sponsored by the college’s Male Mentoring Program. That program’s co-coordinator, VGCC Academic and Career Coach Anthony Pope, was Ellis’ middle school football coach in Wendell, his hometown.
Ellis recalled that Pope “was the first coach who saw athletic potential in me” and that middle school was where his football career began. Ellis graduated from East Wake High School and went on to become an All-ACC player and second team All-American at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated as the school’s all-time sack leader, even surpassing Lawrence Taylor. He earned a degree in communications studies at UNC.
Drafted as the eighth pick in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Ellis was later selected for the 2007 Pro Bowl. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury that was thought to be a career-ender, but returned to the field and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2007. Ellis played his final season with the Oakland Raiders before retiring in 2010. Today, he is the father of three children and CEO of his Texas-based multimedia production company, Play Now Enterprises.
In his remarks to VGCC students, Ellis started by focusing on “RTP,” which for him stand not for Research Triangle Park, but for “Rules, Tools and Preparation.” He explained that we all must take the time to learn the rules that govern any endeavor in order to succeed. Second come the tools. “I believe that God has put tools in all of us that will allow us to be successful,” Ellis said. “It’s up to us to figure out what those tools are, and then be willing to develop those tools. You want to become a master at whatever you are doing.” Finally, success requires preparation. “Are you willing to prepare?” Ellis asked. “That’s where most people get lost. They’re not willing to put the time and effort into becoming a good football player or a good student or a good coach or whatever it is you want to do. Most people aren’t willing to pay the price.”
Ellis went on to outline for his audience the stages of motivation, inspiration and manifestation. “Motivation is not enough,” he said. “Motivation helps us to get started, but it won’t propel us to the end.” Motivation can turn into inspiration, he explained. “Inspiration means you sacrifice and work hard, and that’s what makes you successful,” Ellis said, citing the example of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. “Jerry functions out of inspiration,” he said. “He’s a man who’s willing to burn the midnight oil.” Only through inspiration can anyone experience the manifestation of success, Ellis maintained.
One of his recent projects has been “Carter High,” a feature film based on a true story of a high school football team in Texas. Ellis was the executive producer of the movie, which stars Charles S. Dutton, Vivica Fox and David Banner. He played the film’s trailer for the VGCC audience. “It’s not just about football, it’s about making the right choices and the consequences of the decisions you make,” Ellis explained.
Supported by a grant from the N.C. Community College System, the VGCC Male Mentoring program involves an active, intensive, and engaging process of academic coaching and case management to help male students succeed. For more information on the mentoring program, contact Anthony Pope at popea@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3395, or Greg Nash at nashg@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3305.
McGregor Hall’s Diversity
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
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.
Connect NC bond and Kerr Lake
CONTACT: Frank Timberlake (919) 269-4300
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