Tag Archive for: #hendersonnews

Sixteen Graduate from Prestigious Vance County Teacher Executive Institute

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

March 17, 2017

Sixteen Vance County Schools educators were honored during the evening of March 16 for their completion of the prestigious Vance County Teacher Executive Institute program.

The graduation dinner and ceremony were held at the Henderson Country Club.

The Teacher Executive Institute (TEI) is presented each year by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and the Vance County Public School Foundation as a leadership program for local public school educators. Participants go through four all-day sessions during the school year that are designed to bring them together with local business leaders to discuss their common interests and partnership in educating local youth to be future members of our workforce and future community leaders.

Educators honored for completing this year’s program include: Facetia Branch of Carver Elementary; Shannon Bullock of Clarke Elementary; Jennifer Coleman of E.O. Young Jr. Elementary; Jill Coleman of Aycock Elementary; Valerie Hairston of Zeb Vance Elementary; Regina Hilliard of E.M. Rollins Elementary; Kevin Johnson of New Hope Elementary; Sharita Jones of L.B. Yancey Elementary; Melodie Kernahan of Southern Vance High; Mieya Petitt of Eaton-Johnson Middle; Kedecia Stewart of Pinkston Street Elementary; Orlando Terry of STEM Early High; Tracy Thorpe of Northern Vance High; Donna Vann of Dabney Elementary; Thomas Venetta of Early College High; and Adith Williams-White of Henderson Middle.

The TEI graduates are shown in the accompanying photo as they are joined by the Chick-fil-A Cow, wearing his graduation attire. Chick-fil-A of Henderson is one of about 20 business sponsors for the program. Shown with the graduates are Miles Macleod, N.C. North Central Region Teacher of the Year, standing at far left, and Dr. Trixie Brooks, assistant superintendent for Vance County Schools, standing at far right. Macleod was the featured speaker for the evening and Brooks assisted in presenting each graduate with a handsome framed certificate.

Shown in the photo are, seated from left, Adith Williams-White, Regina Hilliard, Mieya Petitt, Facetia Branch, Kedecia Stewart and Sharita Jones. Standing from left are, Miles Macleod, Valerie Hairston, Jill Coleman, Shannon Bullock, Tracy Thorpe, Orlando Terry, Melodie Kernahan, Kevin Johnson, Jennifer Coleman, Thomas Venetta, Donna Vann and Dr. Trixie Brooks.

Glen Raven joins VGCC as partner in Apprenticeship program

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The Glen Raven, Inc., site in Norlina recently became the third area manufacturer to join Vance-Granville Community College in the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP), a partnership that seeks to provide new opportunities for local students and to prepare a skilled workforce.

Representatives of VGCC and of the two other local NCTAP members, Oxford-based Dill Air Controls Products and Revlon, recently visited Glen Raven’s Warren County location to discuss the partnership with Robbie Earnhardt, owner of Wake Forest-based Superior Tooling and chairman of the apprenticeship program.

Typically starting in the 11th grade of high school, NCTAP is a four-year program that leads to a student obtaining an associate degree at the community college and paid, on-the-job training at the participating employer. Eligible students’ VGCC tuition will be covered by a waiver from the state of North Carolina. After they graduate from high school, students in the program will be employed full-time by the company.

NCTAP works to recruit, select and induct the participating students, Earnhardt explained. “This is a successful program at helping companies find the right people to fill their jobs because of the rigorous selection process,” he said. “We find students who are responsible and dedicated.”

Earnhardt said that NCTAP was inspired by a similar apprenticeship program in Charlotte. “Apprenticeship programs are really taking off all over the country,” he noted. “We’re currently trying to find more partners and to communicate the value of apprenticeships to high school students and their parents. We know that students who are accepted will eventually help spread the word to their classmates about this opportunity for a debt-free education coupled with a good job.”

Todd Wemyss has been the Norlina site manager for Glen Raven since 1998, and said that this would be his plant’s first experience with apprenticeship, but not his company’s. “The company has apprentices at other locations, both domestically and internationally,” Wemyss explained. Their plant in Burlington has an apprenticeship program, for example, and Glen Raven is interested in expanding such partnerships.

“We have very specific types of equipment here, so one advantage of the program is that an apprentice would be able to come in and learn how to use this particular equipment and be ready to work,” Wemyss said. “That kind of knowledge is difficult to find. This apprenticeship program would broaden our in-house technical capabilities.”

Wemyss serves on the VGCC Endowment Fund board of directors and lauds the longstanding partnership between his company and the community college. “Over the years, VGCC has helped us in numerous ways, including holding mini-seminars on site as well as both continuing education and curriculum courses that our employees attend.” He added that “Vance-Granville continues to help us move forward, and encouraging us to join the apprenticeship program is just the latest example. We’ve grown together.”

Wemyss said that September of 2017 is the earliest that an apprentice could begin the program. Shaler Chewning, a trainer/auditor for Glen Raven in Norlina, added that with many workers nearing retirement at his site, as well as broadly throughout the manufacturing sector, there is a growing need for new employees with various technical skills. Most likely, an apprentice at Glen Raven would enroll in the VGCC Mechatronics Engineering Technology program, which focuses on advanced manufacturing, which is becoming increasingly computerized.

Glen Raven has 40 locations in 17 countries. Headquartered in Glen Raven, North Carolina, the company has grown from a small cotton mill in 1880 into a global leader in performance fabrics. The Norlina location proudly displays the name of the company’s flagship brand, Sunbrella. A strong corporate supporter of VGCC’s Endowment Fund, Glen Raven has endowed several scholarships for students as well as annual awards that recognize faculty and staff excellence.

“We are excited that Glen Raven is continuing to build upon its partnership with VGCC by joining us in NCTAP,” said Ken Wilson, project manager for the TechHire grant at the college and a driving force behind the VGCC “Vanguard Apprenticeship Collaborative,” which is designed to cultivate highly skilled workers for large and small companies in a number of industries. He added that VGCC recently joined the national Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium.

For more information about the apprenticeship program, high school students and their parents should talk with their school guidance counselors or contact Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3259.

–VGCC–

VGCC offers online four-week summer classes

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Students can earn college credits on an accelerated schedule at Vance-Granville Community College by taking four-week online classes this summer.

For the first time, VGCC has scheduled certain curriculum courses on back-to-back four-week schedules during the summer term. The first four-week mini-term will begin May 30 and end on June 26. Then, the second mini-term starts June 27 and ends on July 31.

Five courses are scheduled for the first mini-term: Personal Health/Wellness (HEA 110), Critical Thinking (HUM 115), Music Appreciation (MUS 110), American Government (POL 120) and Keyboarding (OST 131). All five are offered completely online. During the second mini-term, the same courses will be offered, except for Keyboarding.

Registration for these classes is currently underway, and will close on May 25 for the first session and June 23 for the second.

“This summer, students can accelerate their education in a fast-paced period of study,” said Jeffrey Allen, VGCC’s dean of enrollment and outreach. “We had a great response when we offered four-week classes for the first time in late December and early January, so we are excited about continuing to use this format to meet the needs of our diverse learning community.” He added, “These courses can give many students the opportunity to quickly make progress toward a degree.”

Not only current VGCC students, but also new students, including students at four-year universities, are welcome to enroll. Current VGCC students are encouraged to talk with their advisors to see if the four-week courses are right for them.

All the courses on the schedule except for Keyboarding transfer to most North Carolina colleges and universities. Students are encouraged to check with their four-year school of choice on transferability before registering for particular courses. New students will need to complete a VGCC application for admission first.

Financial aid is available for qualified students. For more information, contact the VGCC Financial Aid Office at fao@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3280.

For registration information, visit the Student Learning & Success Center on any VGCC campus or call (252) 738-3330.

–VGCC–

News 03/17/17

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GrassStreet Opens For The HillBenders’ During April 1st Concert At McGregor Hall

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HENDERSON, N.C. (March 16, 2017)— On April 1st, Vance County’s Bluegrass band GrassStreet will perform live on the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center as they open for The HillBenders. GrassStreet is comprised of Wayne Kinton on guitar, David Kinton on upright bass and mandolin, Ricky Hargis on banjo and Tab Kearns on dobro.

Since 2003, GrassStreet has performed across the state and region, offering a high-energy mix of original material and Bluegrass standards. The band is noted for their unique ability to cover musical styles ranging from Rock to Blues to Jazz, which sets them apart from the average Bluegrass band.

GrassStreet recently released the album “Time Moves On,” which was produced by Steve Dilling and recorded at Reminiscence Recording Studio in Henderson, N.C. Thirteen of the 14 tracks on “Time Moves On” are original compositions by the four band members collectively, drawing from personal family situations such as depicted in the tunes “Cotton Miller’s Lament,” “Time Moves On” and “Going to Caroline.” Additional favorites include the Civil War era tune “Warren County Clay,” several songs of faith such as “Look Beyond Life’s Storms,” and a song about a late night car race, “Street Fight.”

“We are pleased to have GrassStreet perform on the McGregor Hall stage for the first time,” said Tommy Deadwyler, Executive Director of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center. “Not only is it an honor to support these local musicians, but the band’s level of talent is stupendous and concert-goers will be in awe by the energy and excitement that they bring.”

Equally talented, according to Deadwyler, are The HillBenders, which will headline the April 1st concert. Also a Bluegrass band, The HillBenders will perform their unique version of songs from The Who’s “Tommy” album, one of the biggest “Rock operas” of all time.

Originally composed by guitarist Pete Townshend, “Tommy” by The Who tells the story about a deaf, dumb and blind boy, including his experiences with life and the relationship with his family. The original album has sold 20 million copies and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for “historical, artistic and significant value.”

With a stylish mix of musicianship and rock-star vocals, The HillBenders will bring Pete Townshend’s original vision to life in a new and exciting way during the concert at McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center on April 1st at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, N.C. For more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or email him at tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org.

News 03/16/17

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Vance County Fire Department, Henderson Fire Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office Partner for Operation Medicine Drop

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Operation Medicine Drop – Dispose of Your Unused, Expired Prescriptions

Who: Vance County Sheriff’s Department, Vance County Fire Department and Henderson Fire Department

What: Prescription drug take-back event where you can safely dispose of your expired, unused prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications and keep them out of the wrong hands. Operation Medicine Drop cannot accept biohazard materials.

Where: Vance County Fire Department at 188 Bickett Street, Henderson, NC 27536 and Henderson Fire Department at 211 Dabney Drive, Henderson, NC 27536

When: March 21, 2017 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at both above locations

Why: Unintentional poisoning from prescription medications is on the rise in North Carolina. Since 1999, nearly 4,500 people have died from prescription poisoning. Operation Medicine Drop offers the public a free and convenient option for disposing of their prescription and over-the-counter medications to protect their families and the environment.

More information is available at ncsafekids.org.

Contact: Captain W.W. Bullock at the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (252)-738-2200

 

H-V Chamber Announces 2017 “Meet Me In The Street” Concert Series

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host another season of “Meet Me in the Street”, a series of concerts offered free to the local community.

The first concert for the year will be held on Thursday, May 25 and will feature “The Konnection Band”. This band is a local favorite and is one of the East Coast’s premiere party bands, specializing in a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R & B, Beach and Oldies.

The second concert is set for Thursday, June 22 and will host “Steve Owens & Summertime”. A band with a beach music focus and chart-topping songs since their start in 2011, Summertime presents a mix of Carolina Beach Music, soul and rock-n-roll.

The third and final concert of the season is on Thursday, September14 and will feature “Liquid Pleasure”. After more than two decades of bringing audiences to their feet, this band has become a multi-cultural icon. Veteran member Melvin Farrington says “We love being in touch with people like us, who love a variety of good music, and appreciate hearing it performed live”. Liquid Pleasure presents a mix of Oldies, Beach Music and Disco.

In addition to the live music and dancing, a kids section will also be included this year. So bring the whole family for an evening of food, friends and fun!

Sponsors for this year’s concert series are: CenturyLink, Duke Energy and Maria Parham Health – Gold Sponsors; BB&T, Mars Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC #6091 – Silver Sponsors; and Express Employment Professionals – Bronze Sponsor.

All concerts are free to the public and will be held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for 2 Presenting Sponsors and more. For more information, contact the Chamber at 438-8414 or annette@hendersonvance.org.

Vance County Schools to host Healthcare Info Session

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

March 15, 2017

The Vance County Schools Family Resource Center, located in our Administrative Services Center on Graham Avenue in Henderson, will host a Healthcare Information Session from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22. A registered dietitian, eye doctor and dentist will be on hand to share information with parents. The dietitian will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The eye doctor and dentist will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. All parents are invited to attend this free information session

Kerr Lake Readies For T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League Piedmont Division Opener Presented by Navionics

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WHAT: The 2017 T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournament season will open Saturday, March 25, for Piedmont Division anglers with a tournament on Kerr Lake presented by Navionics. Up to 400 boaters and co-anglers will be competing for top awards of up to $8,000 and $3,000 respectively in the one-day tournament.

WHEN: Saturday, March 25, 2017

Piedmont Division

Kerr Lake

Nutbush North

115 Jack Wade Farm Road

Henderson, N.C.

Hosted by the Vance County Department of Tourism

NOTES: Piedmont Division anglers can expect Kerr Lake to produce some sizeable bass for this BFL opener. Fans following the action will likely see competitors flipping and pitching to flooded bushes with jigs and Texas-rigged soft-plastics. A variety of moving baits including crankbaits, spinnerbaits and umbrella rigs may also play a role near wood. A five-bass limit nearing 18 pounds should be enough to take top honors at this late-March BFL event.

The 2017 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the BFL on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing.

About FLW

FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money in 2017 across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, with offices in Minneapolis, FLW conducts more than 274 bass-fishing tournaments annually across the United States and sanctions tournaments in Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show, broadcast to more than 564 million households worldwide, while FLW Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.

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