Tag Archive for: #towntalk

Town Talk (07/30/19): Recovery Volunteers Reunite Lost Pets With Family

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Tracey Dreibelbis and Mary Paschall, local MAR (Missing Animal Response) trained volunteers, were on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss their lost pet recovery process.

Dreibelbis, who also volunteers at the Granville County Animal Shelter, said she began the MAR training process for lost pet consultants in 2015 and received her completion certificate in 2016.

Her love for animals and the satisfaction of reuniting pets with their loved ones fuels her drive. “Once you find a match and you get a pet back home, it snowballs and you have to keep doing it,” Dreibelbis said.

Paschall, a Vance County native, met Dreibelbis last year when the two helped recover a dog that was involved with a transport escape on I-85.

“It’s been fun and I’ve enjoyed being involved,” said Paschall. “In the past, if I saw a lost dog along the road, I would stop and wonder why I could never get them to come to me. Then I had my training and I realized there are certain techniques involved; you just can’t go after a dog.”

Recently, Paschall was instrumental in locating “Titan,” a Shiba Inu that went missing after a car accident on I-85 southbound in June.

After seeing a Facebook posting about Titan’s situation, Paschall reached out to the dog’s owner Cecilie Taylor who lives in Apex.

“I started working with Cecilie to put out flyers and put up posters around the area,” said Paschall. “Then we set up a feeding station and heard nothing for several days.”

After a few days with no leads, Paschall said she received a text that there was a sighting of Titan. She then drove over to the area, spoke to another volunteer and, surprisingly, Titan “poked his head out.”

Using techniques she learned in MAR training, including remaining calm and using treats to pique the dog’s interest, Paschall was able to safely secure Titan and contact Taylor with the good news.

“It was a nice reunion to see,” said Paschall. “We got it on video. It was the way you want it to turn out.”

To hear the interview with Dreibelbis and Paschall in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Town Talk 07/29/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS: Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm; Town Talk M-F 11am

Town Talk is a public affairs presentation of WIZS News.

Town Talk 07/26/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Town Talk 07/25/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Town Talk (07/24/19): Jason Spriggs Discusses Henderson City Council Campaign

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Jason A. Spriggs, candidate for the Henderson City Council’s 4th Ward At-Large seat, was the guest of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk.

A resident of Turner Avenue near downtown Henderson, Spriggs is running against incumbent George Daye in the October 8, 2019, City of Henderson election.

Spriggs, who said previous discussions with Daye led to his interest in Henderson’s political scene, expressed his surprise that Daye filed for reelection.

“George Daye filed on the very last day,” Spriggs said. “We didn’t expect it. From every City leader and County leader that I spoke with, he was not expected to do so. This is kind of where we’re at; this is politics, so we continue our campaign.”

Filing for the October 8 election began Friday, July 5 at 12 p.m. and ended on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 12 p.m. Offices that will be on the ballot include Mayor, 1st and 2nd Ward seats and 3rd and 4th  Ward At-Large seats.

With no one filing for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat by the July 19 deadline, the State Board of Elections approved an extension that began Monday, July 22 and ends Friday, July 26, 2019, at 12 p.m.

Growing up in a small town in Louisiana, Spriggs, who has called NC home for 20+ years now, said he is familiar with the rural way of life and understands the importance of local connections and personal relationships.

“In a small town, if they don’t know you – and I mean have eaten with you or have attended church services with you – you’re going to have some issues with not only getting known but also getting the support.”

Not being as well known around town is one reason Spriggs said his 2015 campaign for the Henderson City Council’s 3rd Ward At-Large seat was, ultimately, unsuccessful.

Spriggs said he and his family’s establishment in the community has grown in the past four years and believes his ideas, coupled with suggested solutions, make him the right person for the job.

“The things that are going on in Henderson are not things that city leaders can take lightly,” said Spriggs. “A lot of youth are dying, residents are struggling to keep water and lights on and residents are struggling with addiction. No matter who I talk to, the first thing they say is ‘if they would just pick up this trash.’ The conversation then proceeds to crime and drugs. Those are the top three things.”

Conscious of budget constraints, Spriggs suggested using existing City resources and personnel to provide street litter cleanup on a weekly or biweekly basis.

He also referred listeners to his website at www.jason4henderson.com for more information on his campaign and a more extensive list of his ideas for improving Henderson.

(This is not a paid political advertisement. WIZS is in communication with incumbent George Daye to participate in a similar interview.)

To hear Spriggs’ Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Town Talk (07/23/19): H-V Chamber Welcomes Familiar Face to President Role

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss her new position and vision for the organization.

Beginning her third term as the head of the chamber, Burgess’ first official day serving under the title of “president” was July 22, 2019. She previously served as executive director from 1982-88 and 1995-99.

Burgess succeeded Vanessa Jones, who served as interim president in the months following former president John Barnes’ resignation earlier this year.

In discussing her local connections, Burgess said she is excited the chamber’s board chose a Henderson native as their leader.

“I live in Vance County and I love Henderson,” Burgess said. “I love where I live. This is my hometown and I’m proud of it.”

For her first task, Burgess said she and chamber staff will be focusing on membership. “We are going to look at who is a member and who is not a member. We want to reach out to those who maybe couldn’t afford the membership dues when they first opened but are a little more established now and could benefit from our services.”

As far as current members, Burgess said she wants to introduce herself, or in some cases reintroduce herself, encourage continued community involvement and to set the tone for her “hands-on approach” to the chamber’s mission.

Burgess believes, much as she did in her previous chamber roles, that the key to growing the community is to think outside of the box and get creative with strategies to help small businesses. “A large majority of our members are small businesses with 50 or less, and many with 20 or less, employees,” she explained.

Acknowledging that attending popular chamber events such as Business After Hours, Meet Me in the Street and various networking sessions aren’t feasible for all business owners, Burgess said the question then becomes, “What can we do to help you?”

Some of the ways the chamber can help small businesses, according to Burgess, include offering relevant training for employees and advocating for their particular industry.

“We [the chamber] can do that,” Burgess reiterated. “We are an organization that serves businesses; it’s all about building businesses. The chamber is all about relationships.”

Further emphasizing the importance of relationships, Burgess explained the connections that are often made at H-V Chamber-sponsored events serve business leaders and their staff well in the future.

“You do business with people that you like and trust,” Burgess said. “The way to do this is to be involved in your community, and especially to be involved with your chamber.”

To hear Burgess’ Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Town Talk (07/22/19): 10th Annual Community Day to Offer Entertainment, Free Food

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Chalis Henderson was on Monday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk to discuss the upcoming 10th Annual Community Day hosted by Oasis of Hope Ministries and Turning Point CDC.

Slated for Saturday, August 3, 2019, the event will be held at 2495 US Hwy 1 – 158 Business in Henderson from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

A community yard sale will begin earlier in the day at 7 a.m.

The public is invited to enjoy fellowship, games, food, entertainment, giveaways and plenty of activities for kids.

Event sponsor Microsoft will host two STEAM tents involving digital arts and coding & gaming for interested participants.

According to Henderson, Betabox Labs and zSpace Labs will also be on hand to provide 3-D and virtual reality demonstrations.

Activities include:

Yard sale – begins at 7 a.m.

Community Day events – officially begin at 10 a.m.

Line dancing – 11 a.m.

Performance by the Vance County High School Band – 11:45 a.m.

Zumba – 1 p.m.

Comedy by Ms. Annie Perry – 1:30 p.m.

Free hot dogs, chips and water will be available to all participants. Lawrence Perry BBQ will also be on-site with meals available for purchase.

A backpack and school supply giveaway will also be held; the student must be present.

To hear Henderson’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Town Talk 07/19/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church

Town Talk: SHPHC Announces ‘For Unto Y’all’ Christmas Production – 07/18/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

The holidays may still be months away, but for Pastor Rhonda Pulley and South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, now is the time to prepare for the 12th annual Christmas Dinner Theatre.

This year’s production is titled “For Unto Y’all,” and is a retelling of the traditional Christmas story set to a Western theme.

“We’re going to use our imaginations to wonder what if Jesus was born not quite so long ago and not quite so far away in the Old West,” explained Pulley. “We’re not changing the biblical story, just changing the setting in a fun and imaginative way.”

With past Christmas productions being sold-out events, Pulley said the church included six performance dates for this year’s show. Performance dates and times include November 30, 6 p.m.; December 1, 6 p.m.; December 5, 6:30 p.m.; December 6, 6:30 p.m.; December 7, 6 p.m.; December 8, 6 p.m.

In addition to the performance, guests will enjoy a dinner consisting of prime rib, baked potato, garden salad, dinner roll, dessert and beverage – all prepared by church members. Cost per person for dinner and show is $30.

“The prime rib alone is worth the cost; it’s the best,” Pulley said.

To reserve your tickets to what is expected to be another sold-out season, please call the church office at (252) 438-3322.

The church is located at 905 Americal Road in Henderson.

To hear Pulley’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

Town Talk: Weekend Full of Events Planned for Mary Potter Reunion – 07/17/19

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

Town Talk listeners were in for a treat when Susan Rose, president of Rose Farms and Rentals, Inc. (DBA WIZS Radio) hosted today’s episode with special guest Rosalyn Green, event organizer for the upcoming Mary Potter reunion.

Founded by Dr. George C. Shaw, a Louisburg native, in 1889 to educate African Americans, Mary Potter Academy began as a boarding school before becoming a public high school, intermediate school and, most recently, middle school.

Reunion events will kick off on Friday, July 19, 2019, with a “Meet and Greet” event at Mary E. Shaw Gymnasium on Lanier St. in Oxford. The gymnasium was one of the original buildings of the Mary Potter School.

According to Green, Friday’s event will include food, music, good conversation and lots of former alumni.

Reunion festivities will continue with a parade through downtown Oxford on Saturday, July 20 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The parade is open to the public and will start and end at the George C. Shaw Museum located at 202 McClanahan Street in Oxford.

The parade will follow Williamsboro, Hillsborough and Broad Street and will have appearances by “local officials, local talent, bike clubs, car clubs and a few surprises,” according to Green.

Events will conclude with a church memorial service on Sunday, July 21 at the Timothy Darling Presbyterian Church, an establishment that also traces its roots back to Dr. Shaw, founding pastor. The church is located at 123 W McClanahan St, Oxford.

Green said Sunday’s memorial service will pay homage to those who have passed away since the last reunion, as well as recognize alumni who are veterans.

An active member and former president of the National Mary Potter Club, Green is a 1970 graduate of the last class of Mary Potter High School.

According to Green, this weekend’s bi-annual reunion will be even more poignant for alumni in light of news that Mary Potter Middle School will no longer be in operation effective with the 2019-20 school year.

For more information on reunion events or to RSVP, please call Rosalyn M. Green (301) 351-4850, Gloria G. Hawkins (919) 691-1291 or Janet Baptiste Jones (240) 447-2014. Green asks that all interested participants RSVP no later than Thursday, July 18.

To hear Green’s Town Talk interview in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.