-Information and photo courtesy Frank Wiggins, Headmaster, Kerr-Vance Academy
Lane White, a senior at Kerr-Vance Academy, signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Chowan College. Pictured with Lane are his mother Sallie, father Chris, and coaches Mike Rigsbee and Todd Wilkerson.
Lane will begin his studies at Chowan in the fall.
-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce’s Sept./Oct. “Focus” Newsletter
The 81st Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at the VGCC Civic Center.
This year’s keynote speaker is Allison Capps, Assistant District Attorney for North Carolina’s 9th Prosecutorial District.
Allison Siler Capps grew up in Belmont, NC. She attended Peace College and received a B.A. in Psychology. Following Peace, she attended the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University where she received her law degree.
She began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in the 2nd Prosecutorial District, working for just over a year. She returned to the 9th District, (Granville, Vance, Franklin and Warren counties) where she had interned while in law school and currently serves.
As a part of the DA’s office, she has tried over 20 jury trials, ranging from DWIs to First Degree Murder cases and everything in between. She has received numerous awards from Crime Stoppers, NC Gang Investigators Assoc. and others.
Mrs. Capps is an active member of Delrayno Baptist Church, President of the Board of Directors for the Granville Education Foundation, participates in the Girls on the Run Program and in the NC Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. She resides in Oxford with her husband, Jason, and their son, Luke.
Presenting Sponsor for this special annual event is Duke Energy. Gold sponsor is Maria Parham Health and Silver Sponsors are BB&T, MARS Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC# 6091; Bronze Sponsors are Benchmark Community Bank and Express Employment Professionals; Contributor Sponsor is CenturyLink and Advocate sponsor is Union Bank.
Seating for dinner will be promptly at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be available for $35 each or a table of 10 for $320. Contact the Chamber at 252-438-8414 to purchase tickets, for more information or for sponsorship opportunities.
-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, Market Manager, Vance County Regional Farmers Market
This Saturday’s market will be your last opportunity to purchase locally grown fresh produce to enhance your Thanksgiving feast! Saturday is also our annual Handcrafted Holiday Market, so you will find lots of unique gifts, decorations and goodies for the holidays as well!
Our local farmers will have a variety of fall produce including apples, beef, beets, butter beans, butternut squash, cabbage, collards, eggs, eggplant, fresh herbs, mixed greens, mustard greens, onions, pork, potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, turnip greens, and sweet potatoes.
You will also find baked goods, local wines, canned vegetables, chow-chow, sauces, jams, preserves, honey and molasses.
Don’t forget to add a couple of bottles of wine to your shopping list to enjoy with your turkey and fixings or as gifts for special friends!
Meet and mingle with your friends and neighbors in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere while you shop. Be sure to ask the vendors about their produce and products and leave knowing you have purchased the freshest foods and most unique crafts our area has to offer.
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. off of Beckford Dr. and is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. through December 8, 2018.
Contacts:
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188
**VCRFM accepts and welcomes SNAP/EBT**
(This is not a paid advertisement)
-Information courtesy the Vance County Arts Council Facebook page
The Vance County Arts Council presents “Tidings of Comfort and Joy” with Christmas music to soothe the soul on Saturday, November 24, 2018, at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center. Music begins at 4 p.m. and admission is free.
Performers include “Brotherhood,” gospel recording artist Lynn Cooper, recording artist Ezekiel Taylor, Stella Jones, the Shiloh Baptist Liturgical Dancers, Marjorie Lewis, Tiffany Barnes, Alice Sallins, “Royalty” and “Small Wonder.”
Platinum sponsors are the North Carolina Art Council and Dr. Alice Clark Sallins. Bronze sponsors are Curtis Ellis and Michael Ellis.
-Information courtesy Angela Crawford, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church
Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate its 147th Church Anniversary on Sunday, November 18, 2018, at 11 a.m. during morning worship service. The theme for this year’s celebration is “God’s Grace.”
The guest speaker for the occasion is Bishop Richard Batts of Higher Faith Tabernacle in Henderson. The public is cordially invited to attend. The church is located at 2464 Rock Mill Rd. in Henderson. Dinner will be served.
Robin Pate, area coordinator with Samaritan’s Purse, was on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss “Operation Christmas Child,” the global ministry’s program to provide children around the world with both fun and necessary items.
According to their mission statement, Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Operation Christmas Child,” an annual project of Samaritan’s Purse since 1993, collects small gifts and fills “shoe boxes” with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The boxes are then delivered to children ages 2-14 in war-torn and/or impoverished countries all over the world.
“We work with countries that we know have few resources for children due to famine, poverty, war or disease,” said Pate. “We always work through local churches, but distribution may happen at an orphanage or a school.”
Packaged boxes are collected predominantly in the United States and are then delivered to approximately 100 countries all over the world. Samaritan’s Purse has set a goal this year of delivering 11 million boxes. “We start distributing boxes around Christmas and continue throughout the year,” Pate explained.
Participants are asked to start with a medium-sized cardboard or plastic box and to decide whether to pack for a boy or a girl in the age range of either 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. “We ask that you select a ‘wow’ item such as a soccer ball, stuffed animal or a doll and then fill in around the box,” Pate said.
According to Pate, the number one gift for both boys and girls is a soccer ball with a pump. Other suggestions of well-received items, in addition to stuffed animals and dolls, include roll-up fleece blankets, tee shirts, polo shirts, dresses, shoes and flip-flops.
“For most of these children, it is the first gift they’ve ever received, and it may be the only gift they ever receive,” said Pate. “We ask that people consider this and send good stuff – stuff that’s not going to tear up the first time the child uses it.”
The ministry also asks that candy, toothpaste, used or damaged items, war-related toys, breakables, food, liquids and seeds not be included as these items will not clear customs.
A donation of $9 is also suggested to cover project costs including collection, shipping and distribution of boxes. Participants can even see which country received their box by giving their donation online via the ‘Follow Your Box’ link. Donations are tax-deductible.
With November 12 -19 being National Collection Week for “Operation Christmas Child,” now is the time to bring your boxes to a local drop-off site. If you do not have a suitable box, a box will be provided for you to pack your items at the drop-off location.
Local drop-off locations include:
Additional drop-off hours and locations may be viewed by clicking here.
To find out more about Samaritan’s Purse and “Operation Christmas Child” including suggestions for box items, drop-off information, videos of the fun way boxes reach children and local volunteer opportunities, please visit www.samaritanspurse.com/occ.
To hear the interview in its entirety, click here.
-Press Release, Henderson Police Department
On November 14, 2018, around 8:30 a.m., officers with the Henderson Police Department located the vehicle matching the description of the vehicle used in a string of robbery incidents throughout the region.
The officers conducted a traffic stop and the occupants were detained pending further investigation. Another individual identified as being involved in the robberies was located at an area hotel and detained.
The Henderson Police Department contacted investigators with Butner Public Safety and through a collaborative investigative effort, Quavon Henderson, 18, of 101 Dove Road Oxford, NC and Robert Dylan West, 21, of 101 Dove Road Oxford, NC were identified as the suspects involved in various robberies that have occurred in Henderson, Butner, Wake Forest, and in South Hill, Virginia.
Quavon Latrell Henderson and Robert Dylan West were identified as the suspects involved in various robberies that have occurred in Henderson, Butner, Wake Forest, and in South Hill, Virginia between Nov. 6 and Nov. 13, 2018. (Photo Credit: HPD)
These incidents occurred between November 6, 2018, and November 13, 2018.
The following charges were obtained on Quavon Henderson: three counts of felony conspiracy to commit common law robbery; two counts of common law robbery; one count of attempted common law robbery; one count of felony breaking and entering; and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor/neglect due to a two-year-old being present during the offense.
Quavon Henderson received a $150,000 secured bond pending a court hearing on November 27, 2018.
The following charges were obtained on Robert Dylan West: three counts of felony conspiracy to commit common law robbery; two counts of common law robbery; one count of attempted common law robbery; and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor/neglect due to a two-year-old being present during the offense.
Robert Dylan West received a $200,000 secured bond pending a court hearing on November 27, 2018.
If anyone has any additional information related to these cases or other cases, please contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141, Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925, or use the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device. Callers may remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers offers rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspects involved in criminal acts.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, Market Manager, Vance County Regional Farmers Market
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market Handcrafted Holiday Market will be held Saturday, November 17, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. The annual event will feature some of the area’s best craftsmen, artists, bakers and farmers.In addition to fantastic fresh fall produce, meats, eggs, local honey, jams, jellies, sauces, baked goods and plants, there will be 25 craft vendors with one-of-a-kind handmade items. Find the perfect gift for that special someone, or even yourself! Peruse the vast array of unique handmade crafts including knitwear, glassware, pottery, candles, soaps, wines, wreaths, woodcrafts, jewelry, original artwork and much more.
Grab breakfast, brunch or lunch during your visit at Gavin’s Grub Hub. Chef Gavin Jackson will be serving a number of delicious meal choices to suit any palate.
Check out the array of delectable desserts entered in The Daily Dispatch’s Taste of Tri-County Dessert Contest. Entries will be on display in the farmers market classroom. The judging will be from noon to 1:00 p.m.
The fall produce season is in full swing with a variety of fresh, locally grown produce available. Apples, beef, beets, butter beans, butternut squash, cabbage, collards, eggs, eggplant, fresh herbs, mixed greens, mustard greens, onions, pork, potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, turnip greens, and sweet potatoes, are just a few of the tasty foods you will find at the market.
Fill your pantry with baked goods, local wines, canned vegetables, chow-chow, sauces, jams and preserves, honey and molasses.
Meet and mingle with your friends and neighbors in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere while you shop. Be sure to ask the vendors about their produce and products and leave knowing you have purchased the freshest foods and most unique crafts our area has to offer.
The Vance County Regional Farmers Market is located at 210 Southpark Dr. off of Beckford Dr. and is open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. through December 8, 2018.
-Information courtesy Edward Woodlief, Zeb Vance Ruritan Club
The Zeb Vance Ruritan Club will be cooking and selling Boston Butts for Thanksgiving; pre-sale only – $25.00. Orders must be in by Sunday, November 18.
They will be ready for pickup on Wednesday, November 21 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Bearpond Fire Department parking lot at 325 Bearpond Rd. in Henderson. Contact any Ruritan member or call 252-767-4044.
Proceeds to benefit local student scholarships and club projects.
While the next step in the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation’s quest to conduct an economic impact study of the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center on Henderson and the surrounding area is likely a formality, what is needed now is a contract with N.C. State University’s Department of Public Administration and its respective professors.
WIZS News conversations with Vance County Commission Chair Tommy Hester, who seems to have been the visible spearhead of this particular effort, reveal that the $17,500 to fund the study has been obtained by private, anonymous donation(s).
According to NC State representatives, the completion time for the study is estimated at four months, with the project to begin on January 7, 2019, and the final report to be submitted by May 6, 2019. Dr. Bruce McDonald and Tom White from NC State came to Henderson October 8, 2018, to discuss McGregor Hall and its impact, to learn more about the facility and to spur still more progression in the team of people, volunteers and the community at large that is supporting the facility.
The recent local production of “Beauty and the Beast” has resulted in additional widespread publicity for McGregor Hall. (Photo: WIZS)
The recent local production of “Beauty and the Beast” has resulted in additional widespread publicity for McGregor Hall for a number of reasons. The collective local and regional talent in the show and the sheer volume of people who attended the six public performances as well as additional school performances and side events exceeded 6,500 patrons.
Mark Hopper, Vice Chair of the Board for the Embassy Cultural Center Foundation and McGregor Hall, directed the play and directed the full orchestra as well. In a recent conversation with WIZS’ John C. Rose, Hopper said, “We are a community and economic organization first and foremost, and it’s exciting that citizens are starting to share our vision for what we can accomplish. Next spring, we have 11 weekends booked for regional and national dance competitions. That means that 700-900 people will arrive on Friday afternoon and stay through Sunday afternoon, with all of them eating in Vance County restaurants, lodging in Vance County motels, and putting Henderson on the map. It’s a very exciting time for McGregor Hall.”
