Tag Archive for: #thelocalskinny

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Great Events To Kick Off 2026 At Perry Memorial Library

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The holiday decorations are down, the kids are back in school and winter programming at Perry Memorial Library is returning to full swing. Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters and staff welcome patrons of all ages to the library for some social interaction and literacy fun.

Mother Goose Storytime fans can return Thursday morning, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. Later that afternoon, kids can enjoy Lego Fun from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. One scheduling note is the Thursday afternoon story time, Peters said. She is pushing the start time back to 4:30 p.m., which she hopes will be a friendlier time for families with children.

Speaking of fun, Fun Fridays launch this Friday, Jan. 9.

Baby Rave runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the youngest kiddos, 0-2. There’ll be dancing and movement to music, complete with party lights and bubbles, Peters said.

The morning morphs into Parachute Play at 11:30 a.m. for a half hour of games and songs for children ages 3-5.

Fridays are busy at the library, with the Home School Social Hour cranking back up at 1 p.m.

This program helps connect homeschooling families – adults and children alike – allowing them to meet new people while they get together to share resources and other areas of interest.

Peters said she hears from homeschooling families routinely who want to find ways to connect with others. “If you’re new to the area, you may not know others nearby,” she said.

  • Pajama Story Time is another favorite for families who may not have time during the day because of work or school commitments.

It’s a short program, just 30 minutes or so, but Peters said it’s all about parents and children engaging in the story together.

The program begins at 6:30 p.m. and continues on Jan. 13, Feb. 3, Mar. 3 and April 7.

  • Teddy Bear Storytime kicks off the new program year on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 3:30 p.m.
  • Drop off your favorite stuffed animal or “lovey” at the library between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23 to take part in the “Teddy Bear Sleepover,” Peters said. Kids often ask what happens at the library at night, she said. “The animals take over the library, and we get to see the fun that they have,” she added. Lovey pickup is on Sunday, Jan. 25 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Check out all the library’s programs and activities at https://www.perrylibrary.org.

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association will meet on Monday, January 12th, 2026 from 7pm-9pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Review your 2025 garden journal Check what went well and not so well.
  • What are your Garden resolutions for 2026?
  • Check your compost pile and turn it if you haven’t done so recently.
  • Continue to plant trees and shrubs.
  • Consider constructing a small greenhouse or coldframe.
  • Visit a public garden/arboretum over the holidays to see which plants look good during the winter.
  • Get your piedmont planting guide now.
  • Inventory your seed before purchasing more seed.
  • Soil sample now to improve your 2026 garden.
  • Remember to use the proper personal protective equipment when doing winter chores.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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The Local Skinny! Second Annual ‘Catfish Drop’ To Usher In New Year At Satterwhite Point

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Looking for something fun to do with the family to say farewell to 2025, usher in the New Year and still be able to be home in your jammies – or decked out in your finest party duds – well before midnight?

Check out the Catfish Drop at Satterwhite Point on Kerr Lake from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

It’s the second annual Catfish Drop – Vance County Tourism’s Pam Hester hailed last year’s event as an unparalleled success.

“It’s going to be an afternoon, early evening of fun family event for everybody,” Hester said in an interview with WIZS earlier this year.

In addition to food trucks, music by DJ Jay, face painting and bouncy houses, Hester said they’ve added The Mike Davis Experience, miniature golf to the list of activities for families to enjoy before the catfish makes its descent to mark the beginning of 2026, albeit a few hours early.

A fireworks display will cap off the day’s activities.

Hester said Mike Davis will perform from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. “He is a one-man show, but he sounds like you’re listening to a full band,” Hester said in an interview earlier this year. “He can sing anything from Merle Haggard to KISS.”

 

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is closed for the season. Thanks to all customers and vendors for a successful year in 2025!
  • Soil Samples are $4 per sample, Don’t guess soil test!
  • Check your compost pile and turn it if you haven’t done so recently.
  • Check local nurseries for sale items.
  • You can continue to plant trees in your landscape.
  • Visit a public garden/arboretum over the holidays to see which plants look good during the winter.
  • Review your 2025 Garden journal for what was successful and what was not very successful.
  • Remember to check your natural Christmas tree for water every day.
  • A small backyard greenhouse can help you jump start your 2026 garden.
  • Remember to use the proper personal protective equipment when doing winter chores.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is now closed for the season. Thanks to all customers and vendors for a successful year in 2025!
  • Soil Samples are $4 per sample, Don’t guess soil test!
  • Use foliage from your Landscape to make festive decorations.
  • Check your compost pile and turn it if you haven’t done so recently.
  • Check local nurseries and garden centers for gift ideas and hints to Santa.
  • You can continue to plant trees in your landscape.
  • Visit a public garden/arboretum over the holidays to see which plants look good during the winter.
  • Clean old nests out of bird houses.
  • Remember to check your natural Christmas tree for water every day.
  • Do not use salt on your drive, use sand or cat litter for added traction.
  • Remember to use the proper personal protective equipment when doing fall chores.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Wrapping Up 2025 at Perry Memorial Library

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As 2025 winds down, Perry Memorial Library Youth Services Director Melody Peters reflects on successes throughout the year as patrons, staff and the community celebrated the library’s centennial.

Libraries have transformed over the years to being so much more than just a place to check out books, and Henderson’s library is no exception. Families can come in to watch movies, like the recent showing of The Polar Express in the Farm Bureau room, bring homeschool groups in for special activities and participate in events that reach into the community.

Staff and others from the community will gather at 4:30 p.m. today Wedat the library and then set out for Garnett Street to serenade local downtown businesses with Christmas carols.

“This is a new program and I’m glad the weather’s going to be cooperating, Peters said on Tueday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

“We just want to spread the joy of the season around downtown,” she said, promoting literacy and the downtown district in the process.

It’s not unusual for the library to try new programs and events, all in the name of promoting reading, literacy and community togetherness.

Peters said she was particularly pleased with the summer program. “I was just so thrilled the way the summer reading program reached a new level of continued engagement,” she said. Community read-in events and book bins throughout county businesses filled with books for the taking were just a couple of examples of the library making new connections and reviving old connections with patrons.

“We were really busy, and that’s ok” Peters said, recalling the hustle and bustle of summer activities coming on the heels of a full calendar year filled with special events and regular monthly programming.

More than 7,000 individuals participated in the various programs the library offers, and Peters no doubt is looking for more in 2026.

Community support is critical to make sure individuals and families are aware of the programs and services the library offers.

“It really takes everybody working together promoting literacy,” she said.

we couldn’t’ do it without that comm support.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn more.

 

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Vance County Logo

The Local Skinny! Vance Co. Commissioners’ Special Called Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 16 At 4 P.M.

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The Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a special called meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. to hold public hearings on several zoning requests and to receive and potentially approve a fiscal operations policy.

According to information from Clerk to the Board Dywanda Pettaway, Board Chair Carolyn Faines called the meeting, which will be held in the commissioners’ conference room of the county’s administration building, 122 Young St.

The two rezoning requests – (ZMA25-003 & ZMA25-004) – are pursuant to Section 11.2(D)(1) of the County Zoning  Ordinance and N.C. G.S. 160D. Article 6.

Public hearings regarding the two rezoning requests will be held beginning at 4 p.m., after which the commissioners will receive an updated fiscal operations policy. The board may choose to approve this policy, which contains information detailing county procedures and policies “designed to reflect best practice, not minimum practice,” according to information from Finance Director Stephanie Williams. “The intention is to create a consistent, disciplined framework that supports the long-term financial health of Vance County,” the statement continued.

 

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • The Vance-Warren Beekeepers Association will meet on December 15th at 7pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Take inventory left over seed before ordering any new seed.
  • Use fireplace ashes as a soil amendment. 1 bushel per 1000 sq.ft.
  • Check your compost pile and turn it if you haven’t done so recently.
  • Check local nurseries and garden centers for gift ideas and hints to Santa.
  • You can continue to plant trees in your landscape.
  • Indoor plants not flowering? Try moving closer to a window or otherwise increase light.
  • Most indoor plants need repotting every year or so. Use a high quality potting mix and a slightly larger pot.
  • Remember to check your natural Christmas tree for water every day.
  • Do not use salt on your drive, use sand or cat litter for added traction.
  • Remember to use the proper personal protective equipment when doing fall chores.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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The Local Skinny! Vance County Train Derailment Spills Dog Food Supplement; No Injuries Reported

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A train derailment last week at Eastern Minerals caused a supplement used in dog food to spill, but officials said there was never any danger to the public or to the environment.

The incident occurred at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, according to CSX officials.

Clean-up of the product, a food grade Zinc used as a dog food supplement, was completed the same day that it was spilled, according to Vance County Emergency Management Specialist Willie Kearney.

Kearney said he and Vance County Assistant Fire Chief Adam Pegram met with a CSX Hazmat responder and the rail inspector to discuss details of the incident. “Everything is good to go,” Kearney said, adding that CSX representatives would most likely be invited to attend an upcoming Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting in 2026.

According to witnesses, the train derailed between the Peter Gill crossing and Eastern Minerals facility crossing on Raleigh Road.

CSX officials said one of their trains derailed three cars – two on their side, one upright – on an industry track located near Bearpond Road. No injuries were reported and no waterways were impacted.

 

 

 

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm.
  • There will be a Small Grain Referendum on December 4th at the Vance County Cooperative Extension Building.
  • Peak season for soil sample. The fees start on November 26. It’s $4.00 per sample with a turn around of 3 weeks.
  • Make a fresh cut at the base of natural Christmas trees before placing the tree in the stand.
  • Take inventory of your garden tools while you are cleaning and storing them. Do any need to be replaced before next spring?
  • Visit a local nursery to purchase your poinsettias. You will likely find a better selection of colors and sizes.
  • You can continue to plant trees in your landscape.
  • Continue composting your leaves. Do Not Burn them!
  • Double check all equipment that has held water this year. That equipment needs to be drained of all water.
  • Select greenery from your landscape to make festive holiday decorations. Ex holly, cedar, pine cuttings.
  • Check cole crops for disease and insects.
  • Remember to use the proper personal protective equipment when doing fall chores.
  • Check houseplants dust weekly with a soft cloth.
  • Check storage areas for mice.

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Building is located at 305 Young St, Henderson, NC 27536

The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr., Henderson, NC 27536

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