Tag Archive for: #thelocalskinny

Home and Garden Show

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

  • The “Do You Want to be a Beekeeper” Workshop will be on Saturday, January 31st, from 7pm-9pm at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • The Beginner Bee School will be on Saturday, February 14th starting at 9am at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market.
  • Start your 2026 Garden Journal.
  • Start planning your spring garden on paper.
  • Conduct a germination test on any leftover seed.
  • When ordering any seed or plants make sure they are recommended for Zone 7.
  • Order newly released seed varieties ASAP.
  • Order seed after you have completed your seed inventory.
  • Get your piedmont planting guide now.
  • Check pruning equipment. Sharpen, repair, or even replace them.
  • 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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City Council Votes To Name Police Department In Memory Of Chief Melvin G. Smith

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In a unanimous decision, the Henderson City Council approved naming the Henderson Police Department in honor of the late chief, Melvin G. Smith.

Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow made the request, which will require no money from the city – the $5,000 estimated to place signs at the front and rear entrances will come from a money generated through the taxation of unauthorized drugs seized locally.

Smith died in July 2025, but Barrow told the Council that he’d been considering the request long before.

Smith was the first Black police officer at the department, joining before the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Barrow said.

“He wasn’t just the first (Black) police officer,” he continued. He was the first sergeant, lieutenant, the first and only African American major, Barrow noted.

“He was the most qualified person for any position he held,” Barrow said. “His 50 percent was better than anybody else’s 100 percent.”

Barrow knew Smith through the Basic Law Enforcement Training classes, when Smith was an instructor and Barrow a student.

“He was kind, thoughtful…he was an educator. He wanted us to learn…He was a tough man, but a fair man.”

Barrow proposes to install a large plaque at the front entrance and a smaller version at the rear entrance – one that officers use and can see and be reminded of Smith’s legacy.

“It’s time,” Barrow said. “The police department needs a name.”

What better name than Melvin G. Smith.

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The Local Skinny! Programs, Volunteer Opportunities For MLK Day Of Service

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With the upcoming annual observance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, numerous organizations across the community have scheduled events to participate in the Day of Service that coincides with the holiday.

  • The local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is having a Jump-a-thon on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kearah’s Place, 946 W. Andrews Ave. (Suite O) in Henderson. This event is open to all ages and jumping abilities, and will include single-rope, double dutch, tricks and more.
  • Then on Sunday, Jan. 18, the Zetas will have a Finer Beginnings Community Baby Shower. This event will be held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tiffany’s of Henderson, located at 110 S. Garnett St. There will be giveaways – including a raffle for a Spectra electric breast pump – along with distribution of information on vaccinations and maternal health. The winner must be present to claim the raffle prize. For more information, email zpb1996@gmail.com or send a text message to 252.213.5552.
  • Also on Sunday, Jan. 18, the Vance & Adjacent Counties Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance will host an MLK Jr. Celebration beginning at 3 p.m. at Dickies Grove Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2996 Faulkner Town Rd., Henderson.The featured preacher is the Rev. Dr. Johnny B. Hill, pastor of Gethsemane Missoinary Baptist Church in Bunn, with appearances by VACIMA President the Rev. Charles E. Walton and Dickies Grove Pastor the Rev. Dr. Jeannette Floyd. There will be performances by the Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church Choir.
  • The Henderson Family YMCA is hosting a Rise Against Hunger event on Monday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Vance-Granville Community College Main Campus in Henderson. The goal is to pack 70,000 meals that will be sent across the world to fight global hunger. Volunteers are needed for the 10 a.m. to 12 noon shift and the 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. shift. Monetary donations are welcomed, as are non-perishable food donations for ACTS and ACIM. Visit https://www.hendersonymca.org/to register.
  • The Granville County Human Relations Commission will host its annual fellowship breakfast to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at Oxford Baptist Church, located at 147 Main St. in Oxford.  The event will feature readings from the winners of the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. essay contest. The theme of this year’s contest is “Keeping the Dream Alive: Dr. Martin Luther King’s Vision in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” Students from J.F. Webb High School, South Granville High School and Northern Granville Middle School participated in the essay contest this year. Terry Green, Chief of the North Carolina State Capitol Police, will serve as the keynote speaker. Due to space limitations, tickets are required for entry. Donations to Area Congregations in Ministry food bank will be accepted at the event. For more information about the program or to request tickets, please contact the Granville County Administration office at 919.693.5240 or email jessica.todd@granvillecounty.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.
  • Start your 2026 Garden Journal.
  • Write down garden goals for 2026.
  • Inventory your seed supply. Discard seeds 3 years or older.
  • Continue to plant trees and shrubs.
  • Consider constructing a small greenhouse or coldframe.
  • Order seed after you have completed your seed inventory.
  • Get your piedmont planting guide now.
  • Check pruning equipment. Sharpen, repair, or even replace them.
  • 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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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

Click Play!

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

Click Play!

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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