Tag Archive for: #towntalk

TownTalk: GEF Hosts “Arts In Bloom Gala” April 28

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There’s a certain satisfaction artists have when they create something that others also admire and appreciate – “budding” artists (pun intended) in Granville County will have the chance to experience that feeling of satisfaction next month at the Granville Education Foundation’s Arts in Bloom Gala and Silent Auction.

GEF Executive Director Jennifer Cufalo Carpenter invites the community to come out to The Granville Museum, 1 Museum Lane in Oxford, beginning Thursday, April 28 to see local students’ artwork. Carpenter spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk about the event, which is the first of its kind offered by GEF.

She and Amy Rice, GCPS’s STEAM coordinator (STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) both said they are excited about the event, which will culminate on May 3 at 4 p.m. when the winners of the silent auction will claim their art.

Carpenter said GEF came up with the idea “to showcase (student) talent, promote the visual arts and to give back to the community.”

She said that all schools located in Granville County have been asked to submit at least three items to be included in the art exhibit and silent auction, which will include students in grades K-12.  It will be a distinct opportunity for students to be able to see others appreciate, enjoy – and bid on – their artwork, she said.

Rice, whose career in education began as a Science teacher at J.F. Webb High School, said that, for her, “the most exciting part is to showcase the talent of our students.”

Teachers bring the completed artwork to Rice at GCPS Central Services. “I love seeing the artwork as it comes in,” she said.

A teacher recently brought in some entries and commented to Rice that this event allows students to feel successful. Not all students make the A honor roll, Rice said, and the art gala is an important way for students to demonstrate talent in areas other than academics.

Arts in Bloom kicks off with a light reception from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 28. The event continues on Sunday, May 1 and concludes at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3.

Musical entertainment will be provided on Apr. 28 by students of Granville Central High School musical director Joshua Carter, himself a recipient of three GEF mini-grants in 2021-22 totaling more than $7,000.

The GEF awards grants to Granville County educators who submit applications for projects to enrich and enhance their students’ educational experience. GEF also funds cultural arts programs that bring in the arts to schools in the county.  Carpenter said the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on the cultural arts arm of GEF programming, but she is happy to report that it will resume this spring.

The art submissions are not limited to paintings or drawings, Carpenter said, adding that students may choose to create in any medium – “we wanted to allow the kids to be creative,” she said, adding that entries could be as varied as crochet, quilting or beadwork.

Proceeds provide resources and enrichment programs for students in all Granville County schools.

There are sponsorship opportunities available for Arts in Bloom, too – $500 Rose event sponsor, $250 Daisy supporting sponsor and $100 Tulip featured sponsor. The deadline to submit sponsorships to GEF is April 7. Details about sponsorship and more can be found at www.GranvilleEdFoundation.org.

Email Carpenter at GranvilleEdFoundation@outlook.com or phone 919.693.7047.

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TownTalk: Fentanyl Is Killing America’s Future – Young People

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Patricia Drews is on a mission – it’s a mission that won’t bring her daughter back, but she is determined to try to help other families learn more about what she calls drug-induced homicide that took the life of her only child.

Her daughter, Heaven, died in 2019 – one of approximately 200 young people dying each day back then in the U.S. from opioids. That figure has doubled to about 400 a day as the opioid epidemic rages. The NC DHHS reported Monday that an average of nine North Carolinians died each day in 2020 as a result of a drug overdose – a 40 percent increase from the previous year.

Drews has written and published a book titled Death of America’s Future: China’s Fentanyl that she said should be available for purchase by the end of the week. It is a compilation of more than 80 accounts – including the tragic story of her daughter Heaven – of families that have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning.

“I wanted a mother’s perspective,” she told John C. Rose on Tuesday’s Town Talk, “of losing a child.” The first 50 copies of the book, which she paid for herself, should be available this week on Amazon. It was expensive endeavor, Drews noted, but if the book sales do make a profit, she wants to donate the proceeds to several different organizations, including Lost Voices of Fentanyl, a national organization with more than 10,000 members.

The book contains a color photograph of every mother and child, which was important to Drews so she could show families as they had once been – “that they lived, they loved, they laughed,” she said.

Drews said 104,000 young people in the United States died from drugs, and the numbers just keep climbing, she said.

Drews draws a clear distinction between a drug overdose versus the lethal opioid poisoning responsible for the deaths of so many young people. “Yes, they made a choice to experiment,” she said, “but they did not choose to die. The drug dealer that sold them that fentanyl made that choice for them.”

Raising awareness is critical to keeping young people safe – “we need to educate ourselves and we need to educate our children,” Drews said.

In December 2019, North Carolina enacted a law that allows prosecutors to charge drug dealers who illegally sell a controlled substance that causes someone’s death. The “death by distribution” act carries a penalty of up to 40 years in prison.

Her daughter’s case remains active, she said. “I refuse to let it go – they need to be held accountable.”  Her daughter died in January 2019, just months before the new law went into effect that December.

“But there’s no statute of limitations on homicide,” she said.

To learn more about how to purchase a copy of the book, visit the local Forgotten Victims page on Facebook or contact Drews directly at 252. 204.9611.

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TownTalk: Embrace Henderson Event Is Only A Few Weeks Away

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After a COVID-19 delay, Embrace Henderson’s Family Spectacular is returning to Saddlerock Farm on Saturday, April 9 for a fun-filled event for children and adults.

Embrace Henderson’s Kevin Kilgore told WIZS that the group is glad to get back to its mission of coming together to host events, revivals – and the Family Spectacular – after a two-year COVID-19 break.

The Spectacular will be held at Saddlerock Farm, 1786 Weldon’s Mill Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“It’s the only event that we’ve scheduled this year…because it’s outside, it felt like it was a good place to start back,” Kilgore said.

The 2022 event marks the 10th anniversary of the Spectacular. Kilgore said previous events have had right around 1,000 in attendance. “I’d love to have twice that many, but we’re comfortable with the number of adults and kids that do come,” he said.

There will be horse rides, hayrides, bouncy houses, children’s games, an illusion show, just to name a few. There also will be sno cones, popcorn and drinks to enjoy.

The event is absolutely free, Kilgore said.

Embrace Henderson was formed in 2010 when a group of individuals and various churches joined forces to be able to bring events, revivals and events like the Family Spectacular, all while spreading God’s Word.

The local group is partnering with Bob Fowler’s Child Evangelism Fellowship and Scott and Karen Lamm with LammEvents.com to bring all the activities to Vance County next month.

“There’s no way we could do this without either of them,” Kilgore noted.

TownTalk: Stay Safe With The 9pm Routine

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It’s just good sound advice, but coming from Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow, getting into a #9PMRoutine, it sure sounds like something everyone in the area should pay attention to.

Barrow joined John C. Rose on Town Talk to discuss how a few simple steps at the end of each day could give residents peace of mind about their safety.

“We’re supposed to feel safe in our homes,” Barrow said. A nationwide campaign that is #9PMRoutine reminds folks to lock their vehicle doors, close and lock exterior doors of the home and turn on exterior lights to keep yourself from being an “easy victim” of crime.

Grownups may remember growing up in a time where nobody locked their car doors and may not have even locked their doors at night, but they also didn’t have all those shiny, portable electronic devices – GPS systems, cell phones, computers – that are easy targets for theft.

The main idea of the #9PMRoutine is just that – getting people in a routine that they remove their valuables from their cars and remove the temptation for would-be thieves.

“Portable things that you can easily walk away with that have value” are what thieves are looking for, Barrow said.

Additionally, he said his department gets lots of calls about firearms being stolen from vehicles. Barrow suggests that those gun owners who support the Second Amendment right to bear arms also need to know the responsibilities associated with that right.

“Be responsible about how you leave it in your vehicle,” he said.

Visit the Henderson Police Department’s Facebook page to learn more about the #9PMRoutine.

Corbitt Trucks

TownTalk: Corbitt Preservation Event To Be Held On April 9

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When he looks at one of those old Corbitt trucks, Charles Powell sees so much more than an old vehicle that just happened to be manufactured right here in Henderson in the early part of the 20th century – he sees, in his words “magnificent pieces of equipment.”

Powell, president of the Corbitt Preservation Association, and plenty of other Corbitt Truck enthusiasts are looking forward to gathering again in a few weeks to share their love of the locally produced vehicle with others.

There will be a Spring Fling and Open House on Saturday, April 9 in the area of the Bennett H. Perry Museum, which also is home to the preservation association. This is the 20th year for the event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

“You can’t just look at it as a hunk of metal,” Powell told John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk. What some may see as utilitarian vehicles of a bygone era, Powell and other Corbitt truck fans see as history on wheels.

There will be some Corbitt trucks parked along Church Street in front of the museum so folks have a chance to see them up close.

The preservation association was all set to have the open house last year, but COVID-19 quashed those plans. Powell said the open house for the museum is a great way to let the community know that the museum is here for them to enjoy.

“I think everybody’s ready to get out,” Powell said. “People have been inside for so long – I think they’re really going to like these events.”

There are half a dozen or so car shows or other similar events across the state that Powell and others either drive or trailer some of the old Corbitts to, including the Got To Be NC festival in Raleigh and another at the Transportation Museum in Spencer, near Salisbury.

“It takes quite a bit to get these vehicles loaded up and hauled to a show,” Powell explained. Some of the vehicles are between 70 and 100 years old, so driving them is often out of the question.

Some of the ones who have loved and cared for the vehicles are getting older, too, he said. He’d love to attract some younger folks to become members of the preservation association. Membership dues were waived during the pandemic and Powell said anyone interested in becoming involved need do nothing more than show up at a meeting – the next one is May 15 – or come out to the spring fling and sign up.

Find the group on Facebook at Corbitt Preservation Association or at https://corbitttrucks.com/

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TownTalk: Granville Gardeners’ Expo Coming April 23

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From Master Gardeners looking for a little something to add to their flower beds to newbies just hoping to cultivate a green thumb, the upcoming Granville Gardeners’  Expo will have something for just about everyone.

From workshops and demonstrations to plants and home décor, the Granville County Expo and Convention Center on Saturday, April 23 will be filled to overflowing with vendors and others to kickstart springtime gardening projects, according to Christi Henthorn, one of the event organizers.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and it will be a time “to learn, shop and have some fun,” Henthorn told John C. Rose and Bill Harris on Thursday’s Town Talk.

The Granville Gardeners is a nonprofit organization that is filled with all different types of gardeners, from the backyard enthusiast to commercial nursery men and women. “Our job as garden club members is to help folks (find ways to) garden that fits their needs,” Henthorn said. Likewise, local vendors who will be on hand can help you decide which plants best fit the space you have.

Visit https://www.thegranvillegardeners.org/  and click on the Expo link to find the list of plants available for pre-order to be picked up on the day of the event. The link to pre-order is scheduled to go live tomorrow (Friday, Mar. 18), Henthorn said.

Some of the workshops planned for the expo include learning how to compost and putting together attractive planters

“We have some very, very experienced gardeners that have lived here their whole lives and their gardens are just stellar,” Henthorn noted.

There still is room for more vendors, with 10 x 10 spaces priced at $40. Other sizes are available as well, she said. There also are sponsor opportunities as well. Below is a list of the sponsorship levels:

  • Seed – $100
  • Sprout – $300
  • Sapling -$500
  • Bouquet – $1,000+

to learn more or send an email to granvillegardeners@gmail.com. In addition, the club phone number is 919.892.9135.

 

 

 

Christi Henthorn details the upcoming Granville Gardners Expo.

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Grace Ministries

TownTalk: GRACE Ministries Plans A Day Of Worship And Fellowship

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Jamie Elliott is looking forward to being able to gather outside Saturday afternoon to share some fun activities with his congregation and the larger community.

Elliott told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk that he plans to continue the “Day of Church And Community Fellowship every third Saturday of the month at the Grace Ministries Burr Street location.

“We’re trying to have local churches and the community come together,” Elliott said, to “be involved and see what’s going on” with church programs and out in the community.

The day will begin with breakfast and a women’s ministry, followed by a quick lunch and then a children’s ministry program from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The day’s activities conclude with supper and a live music concert. Bring a lawn chair, Elliott said, to be able to sit back and enjoy the music.

Folks are wanting to get back outside and enjoy each other’s company, he said. The last two years of COVID-19 restrictions have eased recently, which makes events like this a bit safer to have.

All are welcome, Elliott said. He’s just hoping for a good turnout for an event that he said he invites the community to come out and be a part of the fellowship and worship opportunity.

 

TownTalk: The Importance Of Arts Alive For Children

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It’s still a few weeks away, but Andrew Markoch said this year’s Arts Alive 2022 is on track to provide some wonderful entertainment – all courtesy of more than 200 students of Vance County Schools.

Markoch is director of fine arts and physical education for VCS and he said the 6th annual event is set for Saturday, April 9 at McGregor Hall and the Center for Innovation. Markoch spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk about Arts Alive and the positive effects of arts education in other areas of study.

The last in-person Arts Alive performance was in 2019; the annual show was all set for auditions in 2020 when COVID-19 shut everything down. “We had to do the safe and smart thing at that time,” Markoch recalled.

This year, artists’ creations will be displayed at McGregor Hall, musical and stage performances will take place there as well, beginning at 7 p.m. The gallery opens at 4 p.m. and that’s when tickets also will be available for purchase. Tickets are $5.

Markoch said he encourages anyone who wants to come out and enjoy visual arts or performing arts to join the VCS family on April 9. “You will not be able to not smile and enjoy yourself,” he said. “These are our kids that are doing this,” Markoch said. “They’ve put time into this artwork and the performers have worked hard for this moment on stage.”

Visit www.vcs.k12.nc.us and click on the Arts Alive link to learn more.

Markoch said to expect artwork in various media – from crayons and markers to digital media 3-D formats.

He predicted between 70 and 75 stage performers and another 80-90 different student artists’ work on display in the art gallery.

Markoch said he is happy to be able to use the Center for Innovation to host the various master classes that will be available during Arts Alive – a wide variety of providers are scheduled to be on hand to conduct classes that range from introduction to band and orchestra to dance, among others. Durham-based KidzNotes will be on hand with music sessions for the youngest learners, he said.

“Pretty much name it and we have a provider providing it on that day,” Markoch said.

Whether it’s music, art or theatre, the arts helps children to develop and strengthen in other academic areas.

“The arts affects everything,” he said. Vance County school officials, as well as the school board, continue to make the arts a priority, which he greatly appreciates.

“Even throughout the pandemic, the emphasis on arts education in our county wasn’t going to suffer – because it’s good for our kids,” Markoch said.

Arts educators teach other subjects through their curriculum, and support development of social emotional character as well. “In order to create art, there has to be a discipline that goes with it – a type of focus and energy, and almost single-mindedness,” Markoch said. Those traits transfer to other areas of academic life, he said.

 

 

 

TownTalk: Brent Montgomery Remembered With Walk And Run

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A year ago, the Henderson community and beyond was reeling from the news that NC Hwy. Patrol Trooper Brent Montgomery had died of COVID-19 at the age of 50. Today, on the one-year anniversary of his death,  family, friends and are law enforcement officials turned out to remember Montgomery and all he meant to the community.

A contingent of walkers and runners set out from Kerr Lake Country Club Tuesday morning to make the 4.40-mile trek to Skipper’s Forsyth’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant and WIZS’s own John C. Rose chatted with participants before, during and after the walk/run.

Heather Montgomery said the past year had been a trial, but added that her family’s support system has been strong since her husband’s death a year ago.

“It means a lot,” Montgomery said of today’s event. “I know he’s looking down and he’s loving this.”

The 4.40-mile route is a nod to Trooper Montgomery’s call number with the NCSHP – it was C440. A coincidence that it’s 4.4 miles from their home to one of his favorite restaurants? Heather Montgomery said she didn’t think so. “That number means a lot to us,” she said.

Brent’s father, Larry Montgomery, said he was glad to see the turnout for the event, adding that he really respects the people who showed up.

His son did so much to help his family and others – “he had a way about him that just stands out among people,” the elder Montgomery said.

Alan Ellis of Skipper’s Forsyth’s Bar-B-Q said he and Brent were good friends growing up. “It’s an honor and a privilege” to remember his pal. Half the restaurant was reserved for the participants to gather for a meal to culminate the event. “I miss him every day,” Ellis said.

It’s not unusual for law enforcement officials to gather together for a meal, and Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said the law enforcement community is like “a great big family.” Remembering one of their own with an event such as this is very meaningful, Barrow said.

“Brent meant a lot to a lot of us – he means a lot to this community,” he added.

First Sgt. Jeff Rowan of the Highway Patrol spoke with WIZS at KLCC before the event kicked off. He said an event in memory of Montgomery is very fitting. “This run is in memory of a great guy,” Rowan said. “We’re prepared for it and excited to get it started.”

Randy Owen also referred to the strong bonds among the brotherhood of law enforcement personnel. Owen said community leaders like Ellis who step up to provide food for first responders or others who protect the community are very much appreciated.

Trooper Elliott Fuller spoke with WIZS shortly after completing the 4.4-mile route. He runs a lot to keep in shape, but “this run is different for what it means,” Fuller said. “The reason why we’re running is what makes it important.” Brent was a guy that everybody loved – he was just a good people person…an overall good guy.”

What better way to remember their family member, friend and colleague than over a meal at a restaurant that was one of Brent’s favorites.

A community of people trying their best to honor someone gone way too soon.

 

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TownTalk: Purr Partners Helps Cats And Kittens Find Furever Homes

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Purr Partners is a local nonprofit rescue group that finds homes for cats. Co-founder Lawanna Johnson said she and her teams of volunteers work tirelessly to care for their wards, whether they come from shelters, from owner surrenders or from hoarding situations.

“Our mission has always been that we would be advocates for cats,” Johnson said. Right now, there are a little over a hundred cats that are in their care, with about 40 available for adoption at any given time.

Volunteers are caring for several feline mamas and their kittens right now, she told fellow cat lover Bill Harris on Monday’s Town Talk. And that is just the tip of the iceberg, Johnson noted, because the dreaded “kitten season” is fast approaching.

Reducing the pet overpopulation problem is also part of Purr Partner’s over-arching goal. Educating pet owners about having their animals spayed or neutered is a critical piece of the problem, she said. While there aren’t that many no-cost or low-cost programs that serve our area, there are several places that offer discounts for having animals – usually dogs and cats – spayed or neutered.

Traditionally, the county animal shelter is where unwanted animals – again, usually dogs and cats – are held until they can be adopted. But Johnson said cats are surrendered much more often and are euthanized at much greater rates than dogs.

Purr Partners uses annual data from the state Department of Agriculture to identify high-kill shelters and then work with those shelters to get cats into the rescue and try to get them adopted.

There simply are not enough homes and not enough places to house all the cats that need to find a safe place to live, she said. They don’t just get cats from shelters, Johnson said. Just one day ago, they took in six cats from the western part of the state that were removed from a hoarding situation. Since July, she said, they have gotten as many as 20 cats at once that were removed from a hoarding situation.

As a rescue organization, Purr Partners also finds itself having to say “no” to additional cats when they are tight on space. “We can’t always help,” she said. “We just don’t have enough space.”

Unaltered female felines can get pregnant every 8-10 weeks, Johnson said. With the average litter producing 4-5 kittens, it’s easy to see how important spaying and neutering becomes in the quest to reduce the unwanted pet population.

“We try to educate people on how to handle the problem,” she explained. All the cats that are adopted through Purr Partners are spayed or neutered.

Cats can make wonderful pets, Johnson said, and they surely have different personalities. Some cats are lovable, stay-in-your-lap kind of pets, while others are aloof and shun interaction with their humans. “I find them endlessly fascinating,” she said.

But Purr Partners works hard to match cat personalities with what prospective adopters are looking for to ensure that the cats find forever homes.

“We don’t adopt kittens under six months into single-cat households,” she said. “If you want a kitten, you need to get two.” Kittens need another cat to teach them manners and for socialization, she said. “There’s a reason kittens are born into litters.”

Visit https://www.purrpartners.org/ to learn more about the organization, email Johnson at purrpartners@yahoo.com and visit their Facebook page to see the cats currently available for adoption.

 

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