Town Talk 02/25/20
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews
Aycock Rec. Center to Offer Spring Water Aerobics
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Program Superintendent, Aycock Recreation Center
The Aycock Recreation Center will offer spring water aerobics classes for both swimmers and non-swimmers from April 1 through June 30, 2020. Classes will not be held on April 10 or May 25.
Classes will combine low and high impact exercises with a focus on strength building, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and having fun!
Classes will be offered Monday – Wednesday – Friday from 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.; Tuesday – Thursday from 7:15 to 8 p.m.
The cost is $1 for members and $2 for non-members.
Contact:
Lauren Newlin, Aquatics Program Supervisor
lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us ~ (252) 438-3160
Town Talk 02/24/20: Jarvis Discusses Focus 20/20 Economic Takeaways
THIS STORY IS PRESENTED IN PART BY DRAKE DENTISTRY
Listen live to WIZS Town Talk on 100.1 FM/1450 AM at 11 a.m. all this week as Dennis Jarvis, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission (Mon); Eddie Ellington, mayor of Henderson (Tues); Michele Burgess, president of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce and Diane Cox, executive director of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (Wed); and Pam Hester, director of Vance County Tourism (Thurs), discuss the local economy and last week’s regional economic development summit.
Dennis Jarvis, director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, appeared on WIZS Town Talk Monday at 11 a.m.
The first in this week’s Town Talk series featuring community leaders, Jarvis addressed last Thursday’s Focus 20/20, the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments’ Economic Development Summit held at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in downtown Henderson.
Despite the predicted snowy weather, Jarvis estimated over 300 attended the summit, including representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and the local governments of Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren and Person counties.
“We had good participation regionally and great participation locally in the 27536 and 27537 zip codes,” said Jarvis.
Keynote speaker for the event was Doug Griffiths, author of the bestselling book, “13 Ways to Kill Your Community.” Griffiths works with communities across the US and Canada to identify and overcome challenges that prohibit sustainability and economic growth.
Among the takeaways from the event, Jarvis said Henderson and Vance County will need to respond proactively to a national decline in its three largest economic sectors: manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare. “There is a precipitous drop on the national and state level for these three sectors. We have to be cognizant moving forward of how we parlay this 10 years from now versus today.”
Jarvis said despite that challenge, both the service and retail sectors in Vance County have rebounded significantly in recent years as evidenced by the opening of Biscuitville, Sadie’s Coffee Corner, Planet Fitness, Aldi and Badcock Home Furniture, among others.
Starbucks, Harbor Freight Tools and Popeyes are also in the works for Henderson, with Popeyes and Harbor Freight slated for the old Henderson Mall location on Dabney Drive, according to Jarvis.
To hear the interview with Jarvis in its entirety, including more on the local economy and takeaways from the Focus 20/20 summit, go to WIZS.com and click on Town Talk.
The Kingsmen & The Perrys to Perform Gospel Hits at McGregor Hall
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center
The Kingsmen and The Perrys, two gospel music greats, will be performing at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 20, 2020, at 7 p.m.
For more than half a century, no group has secured such a far-reaching legacy as The Kingsmen. Through the late 1970s and 1980s, they recorded hit after hit, including “Old Ship of Zion,” “Beautiful Home,” and “Saints Will Rise.” In 1981, “Excuses” became The Kingsmen’s biggest hit of the era, steady at number one for 18 months, making it the longest-running number-one song in Southern Gospel Music History.
If you have ever seen The Perrys in concert, you have undoubtedly sensed the power and conviction with which they sing. From the high-octane, hand-clapping hit, “I Wish I Could Have Been There,” to the anointed anthem, “If You Know Him,” the Dove Award-winning group has been delivering soul-stirring performances across North America for nearly five decades.
Tickets for this event may be purchased by:
DROP-IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m
CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)
CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)
(This is not a paid advertisement)
Liberty Christian Church Announces All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Supper
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-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.
Spring is Coming! Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market Announces 2020 Opening Day
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.
Second Suspect in Kittrell Food Mart Armed Robbery Arrested
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-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)
FREE Henderson Junior Firefighter Program Open to First 15 Participants
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-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.
MPH Relay For Life Team to Hold Quarter Auction, March Madness Buffet
100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-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.
Town Talk 02/20/20: Hopper Discusses McGregor Hall’s Municipal Funding Request
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.