Tag Archive for: #oxfordncnews

Rotary Clubs and Community Volunteers Work to Reduce Hunger

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On November 19th the Rotary Clubs of Oxford, Henderson, Roxboro and the Kerr Tar Region are joining together to produce Emergency Food Boxes (EFB) for the food insecure in our area.  The Rotary clubs will be joined by an estimated 100 volunteers from schools, sororities and other community organizations to produce the boxes.

During the November packing event, 1,200 EFBs will be produced, providing more than 25,000 meals for agencies serving the food insecure, including:  ACTS and Vance County Senior Center in Vance County, and Safe Haven, Christian Help Center and a church-based food bank in Person County.

Another packing event will be held on January 21, 2017, producing an additional 1,200 boxes supporting agencies in Granville County.  Each EFB contains individual bags of rice, beans and dehydrated vegetables, enough food to make 21 meals and feed a person for a week.  More importantly, the box includes illustrated cooking instructions in English and Spanish and menus to feed a family of four for just $75 a week.

Food insecurity is a significant problem in our area, where an estimated 20% (21,000) of the population does not always know where they will find their next meal.  Together, the November and January packing events will provide more than 50,000 meals at a total cost of $12,000.

The Emergency Food Box project was funded by the Rotary Clubs of Oxford, Henderson and Roxboro and Rotary District 7710.  The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford generously provides storage and production facilities and volunteers to make this project possible.

For more information, contact OxfordNCRotaryClub@Yahoo.com

Two longtime members retire from VGCC endowment board

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John K. Nelms and Julia Ann Taylor, both of Oxford, recently announced their retirement from the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund Board of Directors, effective in December.

Nelms has been on the board of directors since 1978. Among his numerous contributions to the Endowment Fund, Nelms created the Mary Ruth Nelms Presidential Scholar Award in 2009 in memory of his late wife of 61 years. The Endowment board also created a Presidential Scholar Award in his honor in 2011.

When the college was still young, Nelms — then the director of the Granville County Economic Development Commission — was instrumental in getting his county involved in supporting what was then Vance County Technical Institute. He persuaded Granville County commissioners to join Vance County in funding the school and in locating its main campus near the county line between Henderson and Oxford. Nelms served on the VGCC Board of Trustees in an advisory capacity from 1971 until 1973, and as an active member from 1973 until 2005. He was its chair from 1983 through 1984 and from 1999 until 2003. Nelms was named VGCC’s first (and to date, only) Trustee Emeritus upon his retirement.

Taylor, meanwhile, has served on the Endowment Fund board since 1985 and has been the board’s secretary for all of those years. She is responsible for endowing the college’s Grace Hamme Jester Presidential Merit Award scholarship, in memory of her aunt, and she helped, along with other family members, to endow the Joseph and Carrie P. Hamme Presidential Merit Award. Active in her community, Taylor served on the Granville County Planning Board for 28 years — the longest period of service of any resident on any Granville County board — while also volunteering with the local historical and genealogical societies. Both Taylor and her husband, Dr. Richard Taylor, received the John Penn Citizen Award from the Granville County Chamber of Commerce in 2015.

The board of directors oversees the Endowment Fund Corporation, a nonprofit organization established in 1976 to seek and receive scholarship funds and other contributions for the college. The most recent additions to the board include Clay Frazier of Henderson, the president of Universal Leaf North America, U.S.; Darryl Moss, the mayor of Creedmoor; and Josh Towne of Henderson, the owner/operator of the Chick-fil-A franchise in Henderson.

Other current board members include Robert L. Hubbard (the vice-chair), Julius Banzet III, Sarah Baskerville, Jim Chatman, Rep. James W. Crawford, Jr., Dr. Ben F. Currin, L. Opie Frazier, Jr., Rev. Dr. Richard M. Henderson, T.S. Royster, Jr., Donald C. Seifert, Sr., and Todd Wemyss. As president of VGCC, Dr. Stelfanie Williams chairs the board.

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 8,800 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff. Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education. For more information about the Endowment Fund, call (252) 738-3409.

Granville Chamber’s Thanksgiving Breakfast to Feature Duke Chapel’s Oscar Dantzler

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Thanksgiving Breakfast is being held Wednesday, November 23, at 7:30 am in the Family Life Center of Oxford Baptist Church, Main Street, Oxford.

Bridgestone’s continued sponsorship of this annual event spans 25+ years.  The November Thanksgiving breakfast began as an industry-sponsored breakfast, and Bridgestone has graciously remained the event supporter for all these years.  New Bridgestone plant manager Mark Highland will be attending his first Thanksgiving Breakfast event with his staff.

This year’s guest speaker is a recent recipient of Duke University’s “highest honor for distinguished service:  the University Medal, a prize previously won by a physicist, a state House speaker and an Olympic coach.

Dantzler has been custodian for Duke Chapel for 19 years.  He has seen his role at Duke as not just the Chapel custodian, but also as a caretaker of the University and its students.  Dantzler has long worked to keep the Chapel clean and organized, but he considers his unofficial duties – advising students, befriending visitors and passing along wisdom – to be just as important,” according to an article in the Duke Chronicle.

Attendees may expect the usual Southern buffet breakfast, prepared by volunteer men at Oxford Baptist.  No one will leave hungry as we depart to begin the Thanksgiving holiday celebration!

Although there is no charge to attend the breakfast, attendees are requested to bring non-perishable food donations (canned food) for Area Congregations In Ministry (ACIM).

The School of Graphic Arts/Masonic Home for Children is continuing its tradition of providing attendees with desk calendars for the new year.  Also, the Chamber will be officially kicking off its promotion for the National SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY – SHOP LOCAL  – SHOP GRANVILLE by providing attendees with Shop Small tote bags filled with “goodies”, gift certificates, etc. from Granville County Small Businesses.  This annual event is Saturday, November 26th.

Reservations are REQUIRED with one of the Chamber’s offices by November 20th to Wanda, 919.693.6125 or Toni Anne, 919.528.4994; wanda@granville-chamber.com, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Express Employment Celebrates 15 Years

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The HVCC Board and staff along with the Granville Chamber celebrated Express Employment Professionals 15 years serving the Local Community With a Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, September 22nd at 10:00 AM.  The Oxford Express Employment Professionals office celebrated its 15 years in business-year anniversary on August, 6 2016 said Hal Muetzel, franchisee of the Express office.

“The people and businesses of Oxford have made these last 15 years great ones,” said Muetzel. “We have enjoyed helping area businesses and job seekers with all their staffing needs, and we look forward to many more successful years.”

The Oxford Express Employment Professionals franchise began operation in August 6, 2001 at 219 Granville Corners in the former Walmart Shopping Center and relocated downtown to Main Street in Oxford in 2011. The office serves the Granville, Vance, Person Warren, and Alamance Counties in North Carolina and the South Hill, VA area with temporary help and direct hire employees in a variety of fields, including administrative, commercial, data processing, medical, technical, sales, marketing and more. The Oxford office, located at 124 Main Street is currently accepting applications.

Express is on a mission to put a million people to work annually. With offices in the U.S., Canada and South Africa, Express put a record 500,002 people to work in 2015. For more information, call (919)693-1730 or visit ExpressPros.com/oxfordnc.

Breaking News in Mysterious Granville County Death

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The death of Lillian Terry of Bullock has officially been ruled “asphyxiation from drowning,” according to Granville County Sheriff Brindell B. Wilkins, Jr. and the findings of the Medical Examiner’s Office in Raleigh.

Mrs. Terry’s body was discovered on Saturday evening, October 15th after the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to her residence at 9524 Farrow Lane. Tenants who rented the upstairs garage apartment of the Terry home reported finding Terry floating face down at the shoreline of the lake behind her home and alerted authorities through a 911 call. The call came in at 4:20 p.m. Saturday.

Wilkins stated that Hurricane Matthew may have played a role in Terry’s death.

“The water was still high after the storm, and we believe Terry was attempting to get out to her boat dock, which was about 40 yards out in the water,” Wilkins said. “She had on chest waders when she was found.”

Due to the condition of the body when it was discovered, it was estimated that Terry’s body had been in the water for several days, Wilkins added. The water surrounding the dock at that time (Saturday) was also estimated at about seven feet deep.

Lillian Terry was the wife of John Terry, who was reported missing by a co-worker in September of 2015. A UPS employee, Mr. Terry did not show up for his shift and had not reported for work in three days when his disappearance was reported to authorities last year. His whereabouts, according to Wilkins, are still unknown.

“We have been proceeding with caution in investigating this case, ” Sheriff Wilkins said on Wednesday. Because of the circumstances surrounding this entire investigation, we had to look at all possibilities to eliminate any questions that may have arisen around this particular incident.”

The autopsy report released from the Medical Examiner’s Office this week has led Wilkins to the conclusion that no foul play is suspected in Mrs. Terry’s death.

No details have yet been released concerning funeral arrangements.

Candidates Forum to be held at Granville Expo Center

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The Granville County Human Relations Commission, The League of Women Voters Unit of Granville County and the Granville County Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a Candidate Forum. Candidates who have filed for the 2016 November elections have been invited to participate.

The forum will be held Tuesday evening, October 11. The intention for the Forum will be to allow each candidate a few minutes to introduce themselves. Following, the candidates will participate as a panel to answer prepared questions asked to the panel by the moderator. Panels will be determined based on the number of candidates participating. Granville County Tourism Development Authority Director Angela Allen will be the moderator for the event.

The public is invited to arrive at 6 pm to enjoy light refreshments and conversation prior to the candidate panels beginning at 6:30 pm.

 

VGCC Culinary Arts student reflects on national competition

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Dustin Gregory of Oxford, a student in the Culinary Arts program at Vance-Granville Community College, is back on campus after representing not only his school but the entire state of North Carolina in a nationwide competition.

Gregory competed at this summer’s SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. He qualified for the competition by winning the top prize in Culinary Arts at the state-level SkillsUSA conference in April, and became the first student from VGCC to take part in a national SkillsUSA contest.

As one of 27 culinary competitors from across the nation, and the only one from a North Carolina college, Gregory was given a box of ingredients and specific rules to follow as he created a soup, salad and two entrees in a limited amount of time. His dishes, all prepared in a little more than five hours, started with a tomato soup topped with a poached egg. His salad included mixed greens with fried chicken livers and a honey Dijon vinaigrette. Gregory said that the requirement to use chicken livers seemed to “stump” many of the competitors. “I put it on the salad, and I wasn’t the only one,” he noted with a laugh.

The two entrees he prepared were airline chicken with roasted potatoes and haricots verts, followed by beef shank braised in a demi-glace with a mushroom au jus sauce, couscous and lentils, and sautéed squash with red pepper. In the end, Gregory did not medal, but he viewed the experience as a positive one. “I’ve always liked competitions,” he said. “It can only make you better, and it builds character. Just to be able to make it to that level, to represent your school and your state, is a really good feeling.”

Gregory was accompanied to Louisville by his Culinary instructor, Chef Teresa Davis, as well as VGCC Dean of Business & Applied Technologies Angela Gardner-Ragland, Public Services department chair Steven Hargrove, Business Technologies department chair Spring Tucker, Applied Technologies department chair Keith Shearon and Cosmetology program head Tomeka Moss. “We are so very proud of him,” Gardner-Ragland said. “It was a great experience that he can put on his resume.  He represented VGCC and the state of North Carolina very well.”

“Everyone from Vance-Granville was very supportive,” Gregory said. Davis, in particular, helped him prepare after they arrived and learned what ingredients he would have to use, but she could only watch during the actual competition. Gregory not only had to compete in the skills competition but also had to take written tests, in which he used the knowledge he has gained in his two years as a VGCC student.

Gregory expressed his appreciation to US Foods and other friends of VGCC who made donations to help sponsor his trip to the conference.

With his VGCC Culinary classes complete, Gregory is currently finishing up some general education courses on a part-time basis, with plans to graduate in 2017. Meanwhile, he continues to work at the award-winning Angus Barn restaurant in Raleigh as a sauté cook. Gregory is thinking about continuing his education to complete a bachelor’s degree in the culinary field. “I originally enrolled in this program because I wanted to open up a restaurant on the coast,” he said. “I’d still like to be my own boss, but right now, I’m focused on my education. The higher your education is, the more things will fall into place.”

SkillsUSA is a partnership of secondary and post-secondary students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA chapters help students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations excel. Among the benefits to VGCC students are opportunities to participate in competitions, which are designed by industry experts and showcase the nation’s top career and technical education students.

For more information about the Culinary Arts program, contact Chef Davis at davist@vgcc.edu or (919) 690-0312.

Granville Chamber to hold Business-After-Hours with local car dealer

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Granville County Chamber member Oxford Car & Truck will be hosting the Chamber’s monthly Business-After-Hours Thursday evening, August 25th from 5:30 ‘til 8:30 pm, at their 1010 Linden Avenue, Oxford location.  Owner Eddie Caudle and his staff are looking forward to hosting this evening event, and to providing an opportunity for networking, food and entertainment following a busy work day and leading into the weekend.

Expect delicious hors d’oeuvres, prepared by Chamber member Ted’s Catering, beverages and entertainment provided by a local DJ while networking with business associates and community leaders.

Please reply to one of the Chamber’s offices the number from your business or organization who plan to attend – wanda@granville-chamber.com, 919.693.6125 or tawheeler@granville-chamber.com, 919.528.4994 by August 19th.

Granville Sheriff’s Office asks for your help in convict escape

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The Granville Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance in locating Stephen Royster Hicks, DOB 11/5/80. Stephen Royster Hicks escaped custody while attending court at the Granville County Courthouse. Hicks is currently serving time for three counts of Larceny of Motor Vehicle, Assault and Battery with the DOAC in the Caswell Correctional Center in Blanch, NC. He is also facing a future sentence of 15 years for a 2015 Burlington Bank Robbery.

Stephen Royster Hicks was last seen driving a 2013 Mustang GT Royal Blue in color. Possibly still in the local area. Granville County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Hicks’ younger brother, Thomas Hicks, for assisting in the escape. Please notify the Granville County Sheriff’s Office at 919-693-3213 or Granville County Crimestoppers 919-693-3100.

Granville Chamber to host New Teacher Breakfast

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce and Granville Health System are sponsoring the annual New Teacher Breakfast on Friday, August 19th at 7:30 am at Granville Central High School, 2043 Sanders Road, Stem. This event welcomes and recognizes new employees to the Granville County School system and allows them an opportunity to meet local elected officials, as well as  business and agency leaders in Granville County.

Presiding will be Angela Allen, President of the Granville Chamber, with remarks from Dr. Lee Isley, CEO, Granville Health System.

Granville County Chamber banks, real estate, and insurance members are invited to set up business displays to provide information for the newcomers. Chamber of Commerce member businesses contribute items for gift bags for the 100 new teacher employees.  Businesses interested in donating gift bag items should contact either of the Chamber’s offices – Toni Anne Wheeler, 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com or Wanda Garrett, 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com.