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-Information courtesy Liberty Christian Church
Liberty Christian Church, Hwy 39 South in Epsom, will hold an All-You-Can-Eat Pancake & Sausage Supper on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
The cost is $8 and the meal will be served from 5 until 8 p.m.
The public is invited to attend.
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Tracy Madigan, market manager for the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (VCRFM) appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
At a recent vendors meeting, the date for the grand opening of the 2020 VCRFM season was set for Saturday, April 25. “We are getting 2020 in order and are looking forward to seeing new and returning vendors and customers,” said Madigan.
Celebrating the seventh season of the market at the 210 Southpark Drive location in Henderson, the festivities will kick off on opening day with a Spring Fling featuring spring produce and a craft show. For the Spring Fling date, market hours will be 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Following opening day, the market will be open on Saturdays only through May from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Beginning June 3, the market will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. before returning to Saturday only hours for the fall season beginning in October.
The addition of Wednesday hours during the peak season offers customers a mid-week and weekend day to select from a wide variety of fresh local produce, beef, pork, eggs, homemade baked goods, craft items and much more.
With an estimated 7,300 customers in 2019, many from the regional area of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties as well as Mecklenburg, VA, Madigan hopes that some of the new offerings for 2020 will draw an even larger crowd this year.
To better serve those who may work on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays during regular market hours, VCRFM will offer “twilight markets” this summer during the peak produce season. The twilight markets will be open on Tuesday, June 30 (right before July 4 holiday) and Tuesday, July 28 from 3:30 until 7:30 p.m.
Also new for 2020, VCRFM will sponsor a watermelon contest. Dates are still to be determined, but Madigan said to plan on growing your watermelons now and expect judging to be held in early to mid-August. The person who brings in the largest watermelon will win a $100 gift certificate to Franklin Bros. Nursery donated by Gene Matthews of JASM Family Farms.
According to Madigan, the VCRFM offers an open, friendly environment where, in addition to selling great products, vendors are happy to speak with customers and provide tips on the best way to prepare selected items.
When not in use as the farmers market, the building is available for private rental for civic events, meetings, parties, family reunions and more.
To stay up-to-date on VCRFM events and happenings, please visit the market’s website and Facebook page.
To hear the interview with Madigan in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on the 2/19/20 Town Talk.
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-Press Release, Vance County Sheriff’s Office
On Thursday, February 20, 2020, at 1 p.m. the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested the second suspect, Raeshon Marquice Dunston, age 23, for an Attempted Armed Robbery on February 13, 2020, at Kittrell Food Mart, 1243 U.S. Highway 1 South, Kittrell, NC.
Dunston’s bond was set at $25,000.00. His court date is set for March 16, 2020.
This investigation is continuing.
Raeshon Marquice Dunston (VCSO photo)
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-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent, Aycock Recreation Center
The City of Henderson Fire Department, the Vance County Fire Department and the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department will offer a FREE Junior Firefighter program for ages 11-15 this spring. The program will run April 6-8, 2020, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
This program is designed to enhance career awareness, personal development and the understanding of fire safety.
Participation is open to the first 15 youth who preregister. Participants must register at Aycock Recreation Center (307 Carey Chapel Rd. in Henderson) by Sunday, March 15.
Please contact Tara Goolsby at (252) 438-3948 or tgoolsby@ci.henderson.nc.us or Tyler Terry at (252) 438-2670 or tterry@ci.henderson.nc.us for more information.
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-Information courtest Maria Parham Health
Maria Parham Health will hold a Quarter Auction & March Madness Buffet Fundraiser for Relay For Life on Friday, March 27, 2020, at the Aycock Recreation Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are available for $20 person and seating is limited to 100. Ticket includes one paddle, dinner, drink, dessert and door prize entry. Extra paddles can be purchased at the event for $5 per paddle.
Tickets can be purchased by calling Kimberly Smith (252-436-1656), Hope Breedlove (252-436-1605), Amanda Wilkins (252-436-1615) or Cassidy Grissom (252-436-1544).
There will be a silent auction throughout the quarter auction. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite ACC jersey or shirt.
The Aycock Recreation Center is located at 307 Carey Chapel Rd in Henderson.
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Mark Hopper, operations director of McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center and chair of the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Thursday at 11 a.m.
Hopper discussed McGregor Hall’s recent open-ended request for funding from the City of Henderson and Vance County, supporting the proposal with information gleaned from a recent economic impact study completed by the Municipal Research Lab at NC State University.
With an operations budget of approximately $500,000, Hopper said the center is maintained by one full-time employee, three part-time employees with a combined 20 hours per week and the help of volunteers who “go above and beyond.”
“That is an extremely lean budget for a facility like ours,” Hopper said. “Most facilities like ours our operating in the $800,000 to a million-dollar budget range.”
Providing a brief history of the building of McGregor Hall, Hopper explained that the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation fundraised for the $9 million center. Six months before opening, one pledge fell through, according to Hopper, and the Center owes a remaining $2.9 million through a low-interest USDA loan with an approximate annual payment of $124,000 a year.
The center is now requesting assistance from the City and County to offset this debt payment every year. An exact dollar amount was not specified in the request.
Hopper said McGregor Hall, with seating for 1,000, is breaking new ground as the only performing arts center in the state with over 750 seats not connected with an educational institution that does not receive any kind of municipal funding.
While McGregor Hall staff and volunteers are proud of being a pioneer of sorts, Hopper said management of debt, City and County funding and increased staffing are essential for continued growth and sustainability.
“Our primary goal is not really an artistic one,” Hopper expressed in a sentiment that he has shared in previous interviews with WIZS. “Our primary purpose in our formation was an economic one. We intended to be an economic stimulus in downtown Henderson.”
According to the results of McGregor Hall’s economic impact study, the center is achieving that goal. During the 12 month study period prior to April 2019, McGregor Hall was directly responsible for injecting $2.4 million into the Henderson economy and was responsible for 5.5% of all economic growth in Vance County over the past three years.
“Taking that kind of economic presence out of the Vance County and Henderson economy right now would be absolutely devastating. We want this to grow and get even bigger. We are starting to see some really exciting things going on in downtown Henderson and we feel we’ve had a big part in making that happen,” stated Hopper.
To hear the interview with Hopper in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
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-Information courtesy Dorothy Wimbush, Big Ruin Creek Baptist Church
UPDATED 03/27/20
Big Ruin Creek Baptist Church fundraiser date has changed to May 11, 2020 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at 220 Seafood Restaurant in Henderson. Eat in or take out. Tickets are still the same price of $8.00 in advance or at the door. Plates include trout, french fries, slaw and a drink is included only if you eat in. Contact Dorothy Wimbush at 252-425-7366 for advance tickets. Tickets will also be sold at the door the day of the event. Go out and enjoy!
Big Ruin Creek Baptist Church will hold a Trout Dinner Fundraiser on Monday, April 6, 2020, from 4 – 7 p.m. at 220 Seafood Restaurant, 1812 Norlina Rd. in Henderson.
Trout, coleslaw, french fries and hushpuppies will be available for $8 per plate. Plates are available for eat-in or take out. Beverage provided with eat-in meals only.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Dorothy Wimbush at (252) 425-7366.
Your support of this event is greatly appreciated.
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
-Information courtesy Citizens Aligned To Take Back Henderson, NC
Mr. George Rose Watkins received the United Way of Vance County’s Sam Watkins Visionary Award on February 18, 2020. This award was named after and is given in memory of Mr. Watkins’ twin brother, Samuel Merriweather Watkins, Jr.
Mr. George Rose Watkins received the United Way of Vance County’s Sam Watkins Visionary Award on February 18, 2020. (Photo courtesy Citizens Aligned to Take Back Henderson, NC)
The award was presented to Mr. Watkins by United Way President Jane Haithcock at the Annual Meeting and Recognition Event.
The Sam Watkins Visionary Award is given annually to an individual who is a resident of and has a passion for Vance County who is a visionary and who strongly supports Vance County and all of its citizens.
Mr. George Watkins is very deserving of this honor and from a grateful community, we say thank you, Sir!
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Kinzie Luce, Mobile Free Pharmacy Events and Volunteer manager with NC MedAssist, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Wednesday at 11 a.m.
NC MedAssist, in collaboration with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in Vance County on Friday, February 21, 2020. The event will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church – 635 S. College St., Henderson – from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medication. No identification is required and no income requirements or residency restrictions apply.
A non-profit pharmacy founded in 1997, NC MedAssist serves all 100 North Carolina counties. The charitable organization partners with Triangle North Healthcare Foundation to offer mobile free pharmacy events on a rotating basis in the local four-county area.
“Triangle North Healthcare Foundation is pleased to bring the Over the Counter Medicine Program back to Vance County,” Executive Director Val Short stated in a recent press release. “The OTC Give Away Day is expected to have a huge impact. Our goal is to improve the health of our community, one person at a time. We know that even with insurance, many individuals cannot afford OTC products.”
According to Luce, total participation in these events depends on several factors, including the weather, but the organization “brings enough medicine to serve 1,000 and hopes to distribute it all.”
Each individual can select eight items from a “shopping list” that includes allergy medicine, digestive aids, cough and cold, children’s medication, vitamins, Tylenol and Band-Aids.
“Everyone should leave with a minimum of 10-12 items,” Luce said. “They can select eight items off the shopping list, along with a few miscellaneous items.”
In addition to partnerships, Luce explained that is the hard work and dedication of volunteers that make these events possible. “We have a great volunteer base in Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin counties. We could not do what we do without them. Our volunteers are serving those that they live and work around.”
Additional volunteers age 12 and older are needed and do not require experience or medical knowledge. “Our volunteers unload trucks and stock medicine on the table,” Luce said. “This is a great way for students to get community hours that they may need for school.”
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Triangle North Healthcare Foundation at (252) 430-8532.
Information will also be available at Friday’s event regarding the NC MedAssist Free Pharmacy Program, which mails prescription medications directly to eligible participants free-of-charge.
Learn more about NC MedAssist and its programs by visiting www.medassist.org.
To hear the interview with Luce in its entirety, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, NC Cooperative Extension
Join the Vance/Warren Extension Master Gardener volunteers on Saturday, March 28, 2020, for the annual Garden Symposium entitled “Petals, Pollinators & Passerines” at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. The market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. in Henderson.
The theme this year is “conservation through gardening,” with lessons on how garden practices can help birds, bees and native plants.
Outstanding presenters include Dr. Elsa Youngsteadt, noted pollinator researcher at NCSU and author of The Bees of North Carolina; Dr. Annabel Renwick, native plants curator at Duke Gardens; and Christina Harvey with the Wake County chapter of Audubon North Carolina.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the program starting at 9 a.m. sharp. Register by March 17 for the early bird price of only $30, which includes refreshments and lunch.
There will also be an optional afternoon workshop on Upcycling which will demonstrate how to make garden treasures out of items usually found in the trash or recycling bin. Pre-registration is strongly preferred.
All the details, including the registration form, are posted at https://go.ncsu.edu/vancegarden or call the Vance County Extension Center at 252-438-8188.
The Symposium is co-sponsored by the Vance County Extension Center and the Vance/Warren Master Gardener Volunteer Association (Gardeners of Kerr Lake).
