Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

Constructing Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) – Pilot Program in Vance Co.

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Vance County is the first recipient of a pilot program titled Constructing Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) aimed at helping local youth ages 16 – 24 earn their high school equivalency diploma while receiving hands-on job training in the construction industry.

Offered in part through the Triangle Literacy Council based out of Durham, NC, Jason Williams, program manager, was recently on air to discuss the P2P program.

“Those who participate in this program will get a national certification and learn soft skills such as interviewing techniques,” said Williams. “This program is aimed at helping young people get back on the right track, complete their education and gain job skills.”

According to Williams, participants receive $50 per week to take education classes to help them with their literacy and math skills, with the ultimate goal being to earn their high school equivalency diploma.

Through the P2P program, participants take education classes to help earn their high school equivalency diploma while constructing low-income housing through partnerships with local organizations such as the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board.

“This is a six-month, full-time program with 15 participants at a time,” said Williams. “It runs four days a week with two days dedicated to the education component and two days spent on the construction site.”

Upon successful completion of the program, participants earn a construction certificate that makes them “highly employable” and receive assistance in securing a job.

According to P2P’s brochure, participants can earn up to $200/month while attending the program, and all P2P graduates will receive a laptop upon completion of the program.

To qualify, an applicant must be between the ages of 16 and 24, not have completed a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma, or, if diploma has been earned, need help improving literacy and math skills and have an interest in learning the construction trade.

There is a one-week pre-selection screening program, including physical exercise, life skills, testing, training program and orientation.

More information about the P2P program, including an application, can be found at the Triangle Literacy Council’s website at www.triangleliteracy.org/p2p. With additional questions, please call Williams directly at (252) 204-2967.

Vance-Granville Community Band To Perform Spring Concert On May 7

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Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Variety will be the key as the Vance-Granville Community Band, under the direction of Brian D. Miller, performs its annual Spring Concert on Monday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. in McGregor Hall in Henderson.

Show tunes, marches and some classics are on the program in the McGregor location at 201 Breckenridge Street. The downtown venue has become the local home of the Vance-Granville Community Band, and the band is proud to represent the multi-county area served by Vance-Granville Community College, noted Miller.

Admission is free.

The concert will feature the famous “Entry of the Gladiators March” and Sousa’s “King Cotton March.” Miller has also programmed the rarely-heard “Tar Heel March,” a march written for the University of North Carolina in 1927.

“No concert is ever complete without a Sousa March,” Miller explained, “but in this concert, we are featuring some other great marches as well. Audiences love marches because they are traditional and are the original music written for band.”

Miller is now in his third year as director of the VGCC band. Under his direction, the Vance-Granville Band has grown numerically as well as musically and has a solid reputation in the four-county area for its musicianship, noted Betsy Henderson, VGCC’s department chair for Humanities and Fine Arts.

In addition to the marches, patrons will hear the sentimental waltz song, “Melody of Love,” which Miller describes as “good old-fashioned turn-of-the-century band music.” Band member Bob Salzmann will conduct two of his own transcriptions for band, “God’s Amazing Grace” and “Ashokan Farewell.” Associate director Tracie Winstead will conduct a medley of music from “Sing” as well as an arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s famous “1812 Overture.” The Vance-Granville Woodwind Quartet will perform on the concert as well. 

Rounding out the concert will be selections from the hit musical “Annie,” and two solo features accompanied by band: Vocalist Raynah Adams will sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and trombone soloist Tim Evans will perform “On The Road To Mandalay.” The grand finale of the concert will be the rarely-heard “Trieste Overture” by Pietro Diero. Miller comments that “this grand overture is a classic! It has all the features of the old-fashioned band overtures once performed by Sousa and Fillmore.”

Miller taught band at Louisburg High School for 20 years and, during his tenure, the band became well-known in the state for its performance of traditional band music including classical transcriptions and Sousa marches. In addition to his duties at Vance-Granville as band director and music instructor, Miller teaches band and humanities at Crosscreek Charter School in Louisburg, is the organist for Louisburg Baptist Church, plays piano often for evening services at North Henderson Baptist Church, and is the organist for Louisburg College.

“There is such a great variety of music at this concert,” Miller said. “We want a big audience. We indeed are delighted to share these musical offerings with our community and want our friends and patrons in our service area to enjoy the work of the fine musicians in the Vance-Granville Community Band.”

 

Munn Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of First Degree Murder

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-Press Release, Office of District Attorney Michael D. Waters

On Monday, April 30, 2018, during a session of Warren County Criminal Superior Trial Court, Kevin Burton Munn entered pleas of guilty in two counts of First Degree Murder. One count of First Degree Murder in the death of Vance County businessman James Thomas “Tommy” Ellington, Jr., and one count of First Degree Murder in the death of Lake Gaston resident Nancy Bowling Alford.

As part of his agreement, Mr. Munn will cooperate with authorities as to the investigation of other individuals involved in these cases, in exchange for two consecutive life sentences. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Henry W. Hight, Jr. continued sentencing in this matter.

Below are statements from the Ellington and Alford families:

“The Ellington family continues to be grateful for the dedication of local and state law enforcement working in conjunction with the DA’s office to pursue justice in Tommy’s murder case. While today’s events will not replace the void we all feel with Tommy’s loss, our prayer is that it will aid the healing process for family and friends, as well as bring more peace of mind to the community. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time.” – The Ellington Family

“The events of March 9, 2018, changed our family forever. We will forever be grateful to all of the law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to apprehend the men responsible and who continue still to work in the investigation process. We are also very thankful to the Office of the District Attorney for their dedication to this case. We know that all of these people have put us on the path toward justice and pray daily for their continued resolve to bring safety to the communities they serve.” – The Alford Family

Retired Granville Schools Leader To Address VGCC’s Basic Skills Graduates

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Dr. Dorwin L. Howard, Sr., retired leader of the Granville County Public Schools, will deliver the keynote address as Vance-Granville Community College holds commencement exercises dedicated exclusively to new graduates of Adult Basic Skills programs on Thursday, May 3. The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Those being honored at the ceremony will include students who have completed either the Adult High School Diploma program or the High School Equivalency program in the past year.

Dr. Howard, a native of Oxford, began his 37 years in education as a classroom teacher at his alma mater, J.F. Webb High School. He later became a school and district administrator, completing his career as the first African American to serve as superintendent of the Granville public schools. 

“I viewed each station in my profession as an opportunity to serve the children, their families, school district employees, and members of the community-at-large,” he said. Dr. Howard, who retired in July 2017, said, “I worked intently on creating inspiring teaching and learning environments and leading the district in a three-year positive trend in student academic achievement.”

In the 2015-16 school year, the students in his district ranked first among public school districts in the state of North Carolina in the amount of academic growth they achieved in a year’s time.

Dr. Howard earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Education from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, a Master of Arts Degree in School Administration and Supervision from North Carolina Central University in Durham, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. He also did graduate studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.

Still a resident of Oxford, Dr. Howard serves on the Oxford State Employees Credit Union Advisory Board and is a member of the North Carolina Central University School of Education Advisory Board. He is a former member of the Kerr Tar Workforce Development Board, the Granville County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Granville County Human Relations Commission.

Dr. Howard is also an ordained Baptist minister. He has pastored two churches in Roxboro and presently serves as Interim Pastor of the First Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating students during the ceremony will be Jennifer Pascual of Henderson. A native of Vance County, Pascual completed her High School Equivalency earlier this month after attending classes on the Main Campus.

She plans to enroll in classes at VGCC to become a registered nurse, following a lifelong dream of becoming a healthcare provider. After getting her Associate’s Degree in Nursing, she plans to work on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to be able to care for the sick and disabled and to educate people on disease prevention.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market Reg. Season Begins Sat. April 28

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 — submitted by Tracy Madigan, Market Manager

The Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market’s regular market season begins Saturday, April 28, 2018!

Come out, shop and visit the market at 210 Southpark Drive in Henderson. Each week the farmers will be adding more produce.

The Saturday Market features plants for the garden including vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Local crafts for your enjoyment.

In season, locally grown spring produce; hot house tomatoes, beets, sweet potatoes, kale and lettuce plus strawberries (weather permitting)!

Our beef and pork vendors will have meat for sale. Worth the trip!

Plus estate wine, canned goods and baked goods.

Beginning April 28, the Farmers Market will be open Saturdays only from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. from April 28 – May 12.

Beginning May 16, the Farmers Market will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Special Event: Our Master Gardeners will be in attendance this week providing gardening advice.

Social Media: For more information follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

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)

 

 

Health Sciences Dean Honored For Leadership At VGCC

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-VGCC Press Release

Angela M. Thomas, dean of health sciences at Vance-Granville Community College, was recently honored with the President’s Leadership Award from Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of the college.

The honor is one of three Glen Raven Excellence in Teaching and Leadership Awards presented to VGCC employees during each academic year. The others, the Faculty Member of the Year and Staff Member of the Year awards, are presented in the fall semester. Glen Raven, Inc., the manufacturer with a site in Norlina, is a longtime VGCC partner. The company’s support includes sponsoring the annual stipends to recognize outstanding VGCC instructors and staff members and endowing many scholarships for students.

President Williams praised Thomas for her dedication and commitment. “Under the leadership of Dean Thomas, our Health Sciences division has continued to demonstrate excellence in preparing students for successful careers, while also growing with the addition of three new credential offerings, including the associate degree in Histotechnology, as well as new partnerships with four-year universities,” she said. The president added that Thomas had directly led two departments during the past year, along with her duties as dean. In one case, she obtained a certification outside of her discipline (Radiography) in order to take on such a responsibility.

In accepting the award, Thomas gave credit to her Health Sciences team and thanked them for their support of her efforts to provide leadership and to assist them with their growth.  

A resident of Hillsborough, Thomas graduated with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology from Pitt Community College and a bachelor of arts in Forensic Science from Guilford College, before completing a master’s degree in Health Care Management from Ashworth College. Thomas continues to work as a radiologic technologist at UNC Hospitals.

She started her association with VGCC in 1997 as a part-time Radiography instructor, later becoming the program’s full-time clinical coordinator and then head of the program. Thomas was named VGCC’s Faculty Member of the Year in 2011. As dean of health sciences since 2013, she leads a division that includes the Histotechnology, Nursing, Human Services Technology, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technology and Radiography programs. Thomas is a graduate of the North Carolina Community College Leadership Program and completed the Executive Leadership Program through the College of Education at N.C. State University.

                                                                                                                                       Angela Thomas holds her plaque for the leadership award. (VGCC photo) 

                                                                               

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Audition Date Announced for Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat

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–Submitted by Crystal Allen, Henderson-Vance Recreation Program Supervisor

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat

Sponsored By: Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks

Audition Date: Saturday, May 5, 2018

Where: First Baptist Church – 205 W. Winder St. in Henderson (Orange St. entrance)

Time: 10 a.m.

Directed by: Jo Ellen Nowell

Contact: Crystal Allen at (252) 431-6091 or email callen@ci.henderson.nc.us for more information

Salvation Army Kettle Bell

New Salvation Army Facility to Focus on Local Youth

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The Salvation Army is in the planning phase of building a new facility on Ross Mill Road in Henderson with a focus on serving youth in the five-county area.

The facility will be located on a 40-acre lot near the new Mako Medical Laboratories facility and new Vance Charter School location.

Captain Rick Langley with the Salvation Army, who was recently on air, said a sizeable trust is allowing this dream to become a reality.

“My wife and I came to this area from South Carolina in 2012,” said Langley. “Thanks to a sizeable trust that the Salvation Army received, things have been topsy-turvy in a positive way since then. It has allowed for a lot of growth.”

With architects finalizing building plans now, the goal is to break ground this June with completion expected by summer 2019.

The facility will include a community center, gym, full-size commercial kitchen and two ball fields – baseball and soccer. “The ball fields will help youth become more involved in sports and can be used as a playing field for Vance Charter School’s home games,” said Langley.

According to Langley, the facility will also offer band lessons, drama classes, cooking lessons and Christian dance classes.

To help meet the transportation needs of those interested in using the facility, the Salvation Army has already purchased a 12-passenger van and a bus with the option to purchase up to five additional buses if the need arises.

With a focus on providing youth with fun, productive activities, the organization’s goal is to provide better options than turning to a life of crime. “We can give options,” Langley said. “The options they have now are to join a gang or do nothing. We want to give them the option to do something productive like playing an instrument or play baseball.”

While the Salvation Army is low on volunteer opportunities at the moment, plenty of volunteers will be needed when the new facility opens next year. “Lots of volunteers will be needed when the building is completed,” said Langley. “We’ll need coaches, mentors, umpires, refs and plenty more.”

Langley is certain that the new facility will uphold the Salvation Army’s mission to “preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs without discrimination.”

Mother’s Day Weekend Concert at McGregor Hall

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-Information courtesy of the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

Mother’s Day weekend concert with Terrance & Tiffany Brown at the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.

Friday, May 11, 2018, at 8 p.m.

Tickets on sale for $20 (before tax)

Dr. Terrance Brown, baritone, and Dr. Tiffany Bostic-Brown, soprano, are versatile, world-class vocalists who will present a program of Art Songs, German Lieder, Gospel and Broadway.

A native of Alabama, Dr. Brown holds a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts, and currently serves as the Chair for the Department of Music and Director of Opera at the University of North Alabama (UNA).

Dr. Bostic-Brown, originally of Virginia, currently serves on the faculty at UNA and holds a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts. She also serves as Vice President for the Walk with Me Foundation, which works to preserve culture through the visual and performing arts.

Tickets may be purchased in-person at the box office of the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson or by calling (252) 598-0662. The box office is open Monday – Friday from 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Tickets may also be purchased online by visiting www.McGregorHall.org  (use the eTix official site, online fees apply).

Doors open one hour prior to showtime. Group and student discounts are available.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Veterans Dog Walk at Vance Co. Animal Shelter

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The Vance County Animal Shelter, located at 1243 Brodie Rd in Henderson, will host a Veterans Dog Walk on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The public is welcome, with veterans and first responders strongly encouraged to attend. Participants will be walking and interacting with selected shelter dogs in an effort to provide companionship and trust-building activities.

The event, titled Paws, Tails and Boots, was founded by veteran and Vance County Animal Shelter volunteer Mark Ferri. Ferri began the program in 2016 as a way to raise awareness of the mental health issues faced by veterans.

According to Ferri, the event has grown with the support of both the Vance County Animal Shelter and Chief Frankie Nobles. “Frankie and his staff are like family to me,” Ferri said. “I couldn’t do it without them.”

Ferri believes that the veterans and dogs interact so well because “both of us have had traumatic experiences, both of us need help and both of us need each other.”

By working together, Ferri believes that the interaction is beneficial and healing to both human and dog. “When you take a dog for a walk, the veteran engages with the public, gets out of their shell and builds trust,” said Ferri. “The animal also enjoys the walk and builds trust in humans as well.”

While there, Ferri and other participants will be encouraging others who are eligible to commit to adopting a shelter animal, be it dog or cat.

According to Ferri, the only thing you need to do to participate in the event is to “bring some good walking shoes and a good attitude.”

For more information on the Vance County Animal Shelter and their services, please visit their website at https://www.vancecounty.org/departments/animal%20control/.