Tag Archive for: #thechamberofcommerceofwarrencounty

BIG DAY in Warren County 4-28-18

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— courtesy The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County | Craig Hahn, Executive Director ~ 252-257-2657 ~ info@warren-chamber.org ~ Facebook

— by Craig Hahn

April 28th is Going to be a BIG DAY Here in Warren County!
9 Events For You To Enjoy

As I’m sure you’re no doubt aware, there aren’t too many weeks here in Warren County where we can honestly say, “There’s nothing to do!” Well, just a preview, that on Saturday 28 April, this will be even more true than ever! Allow me to briefly plan a full day for you and your family…

First…start your day at the corner of Macon & Bragg Streets in the BB&T parking lot for the Warren Growers Association Warren County Farmers Market. This local market runs from mid-April thru mid-October with local fruits, vegetables, eggs, baked goods, preserves, herbs, flowers, dog biscuits, mushrooms and plenty of handmade crafts. They’ll be open from 8am until Noon to start your day.

Then…just a ½ block stroll to Main Street to watch the start of the Run Warrenton 5K Race in front of the Historic Warren County Courthouse. The Town of Warrenton, in association with Cedric King, is hosting the 6th Annual Run Warrenton 5K. This USATF Certified 5K run is through downtown Warrenton. Proceeds will support Achilles International and college scholarships for deserving students. Find out more at runwarrenton.itsyourrace.com.

Then…shortly after the final runners cross the finish line you can spend some time on the grounds of our Historic Warren County Courthouse for Spring Fest 2018. Presented by the Warrenton Revitalization Committee and sponsored by Duke Energy & Maria Parham Health, this year’s event features your favorite crafts, artisans, exhibits, fresh local vegetables, food and more! Live entertainment features the TranZition Band and GrassStreet Bluegrass Band. To stay up to date on Spring Fest and other downtown Warrenton events, like them on Facebook at Warrenton Festivals. Festivities continue from 10am until 4pm.

Then…when you need a short break from funnel cakes and delicious BBQ, head two short blocks away to the Warren County Memorial Library for the Annual Warrenton Archaeology Day from 10am until 3pm. See Native American artifacts, tools and weapons and learn about the prehistory of the region spanning over 12,000 years into the past. Free Admission for all!

Then…to explore a little more recent collection of archaeological treasure in downtown Warrenton, join the The Jacob Holt House Foundation for their first-ever “Building Warrenton: A Vacant Properties Tour.” See 9 vacant properties just waiting for the right person and a little TLC to bring even more life to downtown Warrenton.

Then…need a little time away in the country? Head north on Main Street for the day-long Warren County Junior Firefighters’ Competition at the Warren County Recreation Complex on the Highway 158 bypass. Kicking off at 8:30 with events all day until 5:00pm, see dozens of teams of Jr. Firefighters from across the country competing in firefighting skills contests. Duke LifeFlight helicopter is scheduled to make an appearance at 11:30am.

Then…back to town and a visit to the newly renovated Old Cotton Gin at the corner of Hall and Franklin Streets in downtown Warrenton. Anne & Tommy will be open from 10am until 4pm so that you can tour this new event facility and see their mini-museum inside.

Then…a short trip back to Main Street and the Main Street Kitchen at 108 South Main Street for Working Landscape’s learning event. The front of the cafe will be open that day for the duration of Springfest from 10am – 4pm with a variety of self-guided activities for kids to enjoy. There will be a community garden art project, a “book nook” with lots of books about food, plants, and farming to read, and a “Do You Know What’s In Season?” activity. There will also be a small healthy snack for kids to take with them.

And finally…to wrap up your day, buy your tickets now for the annual Inez Volunteer Fire Department Dinner & Auction at 6:00pm at the Warren County Armory Community Center. Tickets are just $50 per person and include a delicious Prime Rib dinner, open bar, DJ and dancing, a silent/live auction and the chance to help support the wonderful volunteers from Inez VFD who keep us safe 365 days a year. For tickets, see any Inez VFD member or call Linda McSwain at (919) 210-2968.

How’s that for an action-packed day! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at multiple events on 28 April!

(Not a paid advertisement.)

Warren County Beautification Committee Plans Litter Pick-Up Day

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by Craig Hahn

The Warren County Beautification Committee is planning a county-wide trash collection day on Saturday, September 16, 2017 in conjunction with NCDOT. The DOT will furnish vests, bags and some manpower. I just heard this week that bags and vests are now available at the Warren County Board of Election Office on North Main Street in Warrenton.

Now’s the time to start forming your group and determining which roads you plan to clean. Questions? You can contact any committee member or Debbie Formyduval via email at DebbieFormyduval@warrencountync.gov or Frank Carpenter at the Warren DOT office.

Warren County Arts Council Accepting Subgrant Applications

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by Craig Hahn

The Warren County Arts Council, in partnership with the NC Arts Council’s Grassroots Program, is accepting applications for subgrants to be awarded to local organizations for arts programs in Warren County through August 7th.

Applications are available for non-profit organizations whose purpose is to promote and develop diverse cultural arts programming in Warren County. Application forms and grant guidelines are available at https://ncarts.org/resources/local-arts-council-resources and paper copies of the applications can be picked up at the front desk of Warren County Memorial Library or at the Grant Workshop.

All NEW applicants must attend the Grassroots Arts Program Grant Workshop to assist interested applicants in preparing competitive grants on Thursday, July 27th, 5:30 p.m. at Warren County Memorial Library.

For questions or more information, please contact Warren County Arts Council at 252-213-5172 or email victoria.l.lehman@gmail.com.

Warren Family Institute Back To School Supply Drive Thru July 31st

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by Craig Hahn

The Warren Family Institute is currently conducting a Back-ToSchool Supply Drive. You can help them by donating school supplies for the Children of Warren County. Any size donation will be greatly appreciated.

The Supply Drive goes on now thru 31 July. Items may be dropped off at the following location: 427 West Franklin Street, Warrenton (on the campus of Hawkins Ed. Ctr. Bldg. 6). Or you can call for pick-up at 252-257-1134. If you would rather donate money to buy school supplies, please mail your check to:

Warren Family Institute PO Box 150 Warrenton, NC 27589

All school supplies will be given away at various Warren County Community Events.

Thank you!

Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival coming up July 8th

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by Craig Hahn

It’s one of my favorite events of the year…the Annual Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival. Join your friends and neighbors on 8 July from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Departments for this iconic festival. Enjoy cantaloupes, Brunswick stew, hot dogs and festive refreshments. Come see historical displays, kiddie rides, horseback rides, local entertainment and crafts! This event is free!

You can start the morning with a run in the Ridgeway 5K races. For information and registration, visit the Ridgeway Historical Society’s website. This race starts at 8:00 a.m. and the entry fee is just $25.00. You can also contact Tommy Tucker at 252-213-0429 or tucthm@aol.com.

The Ridgeway Historical Society promotes the history of Ridgeway and its people. It hosts the annual Ridgeway Cantaloupe Festival and Ridgeway 5K run as well as other fundraising events. It operates a museum of the history of its people and of the area.

See you on the 8th on US 1 in the heart of Ridgeway!

New Bakery Coming to Historic Downtown Warrenton

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by Craig Hahn

You can start licking your lips in anticipation of great cakes and more when they open. I was fortunate enough to buy a cupcake from them during Spring Fest and I have to say it was like eating chocolate air…absolutely delicious!

The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County & The Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce will be at 108 South Main Street on 31 May…Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. for Bakery Pride’s Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. Join us to celebrate and enjoy some of their outstanding baking!

Entrepreneurs encouraged to dream at VGCC summit in Warrenton

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Established and budding entrepreneurs, representatives of area businesses and non-profit organizations, and a group of Warren County High School students received inspiration as well as practical advice for using technology in marketing during the Small Business Summit, held at the Warren County Armory Civic Center in Warrenton on April 6.

The summit was the fifth such free event organized by the VGCC Small Business Center, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.

This year’s event was entitled “Driving Your Business: Staying Ahead of the Curves.” The keynote speaker was Tammy Crowley-Deloatch, a nationally certified personal trainer and president of New Day Fitness in Roanoke Rapids. Her presentation was called “Put Your Dreams to the Test” and was based in part on a book with a similar title by John Maxwell.

“Most people have dreams, but they have no idea about how to achieve their dreams,” Crowley-Deloatch told the audience. Her “test” involved ten questions that each entrepreneur needs to ask in order to succeed, such as “the passion question,” which asks if the dream is compelling the dreamer to follow it. She encouraged small business owners to be responsible “dream-builders,” not merely “fantasizers.”

Crowley-Deloatch advised her audience that “we’re going to fail more than we succeed, but we only learn through failures.” She said that over her 33 years as a small business owner, “I had some growing pains but they made me stronger. It’s been a long journey but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” She concluded, “I can’t wait to see what each of you do with your dream.”

The opening session of the Small Business Summit was called “Google – Get Your Business on the Map” and was led by Craig Hahn, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County. “Google is by far the largest search engine,” Hahn said. “It’s how people find everything.” He said small businesses need to learn how to use their Google search results to bring in customers by inputting information that is up-to-date. Hahn took participants through the steps of “verifying” their listings on Google and using a free tool called “Google My Business,” which is for businesses or organizations that make in-person contact with customers.

The two other sessions at the summit were led by Chisa Pennix-Brown, CEO of Lady Bizness, based in Greensboro. Pennix-Brown teaches small business courses at community colleges across the state.

In the first seminar, “Business Apps Made Easy” (1-3 p.m.), Pennix-Brown taught participants how they can save time and money using mobile apps. She gave her audience examples of apps, almost all of which are free or have free versions, that businesses can use for graphic design, newsletters, press releases, videos, meetings and social media postings. Her second seminar was called “Facebook Made Easy.” Pennix-Brown gave the participants a step-by-step guide to creating a business page on Facebook and how to use the page to engage customers. One of the latest tools that businesses can use, she said, is “Facebook Live” video streaming. She encouraged entrepreneurs to understand their own brands. “Ask yourself, what distinguishes you from other businesses like you?” Pennix-Brown advised. She said entrepreneurs need to “sell” their own personality as part of branding. “If you have succeeded, it’s because of something in particular about you, not just your products,” she said.

CenturyLink was the summit’s presenting sponsor. Other sponsors were Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, The Warren Record, The Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, WIZS 1450 AM, The Daily Dispatch and WARR 1520 AM.

For more information about the services provided by the VGCC Small Business Center, call Director Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or e-mail her at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Warren County Seeks Help in Broadband Initiative Survey

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The Warren County Broadband Initiative is currently conducting a survey to learn about the current extent of broadband service in Warren County and to attract Internet Service Providers to the County that can offer expanded services and higher speed options. Broadband Internet access has become vital to conducting business and to education. This survey is the first step in determining what areas need service.

Warren County invites all Warren County residents and businesses to complete this survey. You can do it now online at the following location: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LQS6ZCT or pick up a survey and return to the following locations: – Warren County Memorial Library, 119 S. Front Street Warrenton – Warren County Municipal Office Building, 602 W. Ridgeway St. Warrenton – Warren County Clerk of Courts Office, 109 S. Main Street Warrenton – Norlina Town Hall, 139 Hyco Street Norlina – Warrenton Town Hall, 133 S. Main St. Warrenton – Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce Office, 2357 Eaton Ferry Road Littleton – Food Lion Grocery Store of Littleton, 2467 Eaton Ferry Road – Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, 130 N. Main St. Warrenton – WARR 1520AM, 824 US Highway 158 Business West Warrenton – The Warren Record, 112 N. Main St. Warrenton – Warren County Economic Development Commission, 501 US Highway 158 Business East (Warren County Armory Civic Center)

Granville Chamber Requests Nominations for Small Business of the Year Award

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The four area Chambers of Commerce – Granville, Franklin, Vance and Warren, along with Vance-Granville Community College’s Small Business Center, are sponsoring the annual Small Business Award Luncheon May 3rd at Henderson Country Club.

The criteria is as follows:

  • Employs a maximum of 50 people
  • Member of the Chamber and located in the county
  • Viable, on-going business for three or more years
  • Provides critical service or product
  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business
  • Business is supportive of community growth sustainability
  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

Anyone may nominate a business they feel deserves recognition and meets the criteria.

Companies may nominate themselves.  Past Granville County recipients are:  Cardiovascular Care; Stovall’s Gifts;  Preferred Communications; Royster, Cross and Hensley; House of Ribeyes; Lewis Electric of Oxford; The School of Graphic Arts,  Express Employment Professionals, Oxford Ace Hardware, Creedmoor Drug Company, Whitco Termite and Pest Control, F. O. Finch Insurance Agency and Floyd Management and Realty.

Nomination forms are available from a Chamber office or from the website, www.granville-chamber.com and are to be returned to the Chamber by April 13th.