Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

VGCC Logo

Perry Memorial Library To Host VGCC Enrollment Day June 22

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– information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College is taking the show on the road – the enrollment show, that is.

Enrollment Day is set for Thursday, June 22 in Henderson and rather than having prospective students come to the college’s Main Campus, staff from Main Campus will be set up at Perry Memorial Library to assist individuals with registering for Fall 2023 classes, according to Courtney Cissel, VGCC’s public information officer.

VGCC representatives will be at the library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide information on the enrollment process, as well as the academic programs and student support services available – including financial aid. Advisors will be ready to help with registration for the fall semester, which begins Monday Aug. 14.

Both 8-week and the traditional 16-week classes will be available.

An orientation for new students will be held at 10 a.m. on June 22 as part of Enrollment Day. Orientations can be completed online on June 22 or students can arrange for an in-person orientation at a later date.

For more information about Enrollment Day, or to sign up for orientation, visit www.vgcc.edu/enrollment-day.

VGCC Graduates 45 From Nursing Program

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-information courtesy of VGCC Public Information Officer Courtney Cissel

Vance-Granville Community College presented pins to 45 graduates who earned their associate degree in nursing recently.

The May 10 event was held in the Civic Center on the Main Campus, with friends and family of the graduates in attendance.

The pinning ceremony was opened by ADN Program Head Dr. Anna R. Seaman, followed by welcoming reflections from Dr. Kim Sepich, vice president of Learning, Student Engagement, & Success, CAO. Cortney Ragan, 2021 ADN graduate and former class president, offered remarks from the perspective of a recent graduate of the program.

Nursing instructor Jamie Davis presented cords to students who participated in the VGCC Student Nurses Association. Davis also recognized students graduating with honors (a GPA of 3.5 or higher): Ashley Allen, Mariama Boye, Eunice Mwicigi, and Henry Nkenchor. Sierra Lewter was recognized as the graduate with the highest program-specific GPA.

Nursing instructor Kassie Felts shared the story of the VGCC nursing pin to the graduates and guests.  Following the story, Davis announced each graduate, including their future plans related to job acceptance as a Registered Nurse and career/educational goals. As each name was announced, Seaman presented each recipient with his or her pin. After Brande McIlroy read the story of the nursing lamp origins, the graduates joined her to recite the Nursing Pledge (written by Beverly Hansen  O’Malley, RN) by candlelight. Finally, Seaman presented the class as official graduates of VGCC’s ADN Class of 2023.

Most often associated with the nursing profession, pinning ceremonies serve to welcome Health Sciences students into their new professional community. The tradition of getting a token like a pin when starting a medical career can be traced back to the Middle Ages; the modern ceremony is modeled after one honoring Florence Nightingale in the 1860s.

YMCA

Red Cross and Local Y Team Up To Offer Babysitting Training Session

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Older siblings often have to look after their younger brothers or sisters when Mom or Dad has an errand to run. Kids looking forward to summer vacation may also be looking for ways to earn a little spending money while they’re out of school.

Whether you’re watching the neighbors’ kids or members of your own family, it’s important to know what to do if an emergency arises and you’re the caregiver.

The American Red Cross and Henderson Family Y are teaming up to offer a babysitting training session on Monday, May 29 at the Y, 380 Ruin Creek Rd.

Topics include infant and child care, safety standards, emergency care, age appropriate activities, behavioral recognition and babysitting business basics.

This training session costs $50 and is designed for youth between the ages of 11 and 15. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration ends May 28. Participants should bring a bag lunch.

Register at https://www.hendersonymca.org/events/american-red-cross-baby-sitting-course or call 252.438.2144 to learn more.

 

Upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drives In The Four-County Area

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The Memorial Day weekend kicks off the unofficial start of summer, when people’s thoughts turn to vacations and relaxing a bit from normal routines. But the American Red Cross is asking for blood donors to keep appointments on their calendars, especially during the summer months and especially near holidays.

Type O blood donors are especially needed.

Blood donations are critical for people waiting for lifesaving care. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767) to schedule a time to give.

As a small thank you, the Red Cross is giving Red Cross beach towels to all donors (while supplies last) through May 31. May donors also will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2023 MLB All-Star game in Seattle. The prize includes two tickets to the game, round-trip airfare, four-night hotel stay, $750 gift card and more.

Those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a merchant of their choice. Plus, they’ll also be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package including a projector and screen, projector tripod, smokeless firepit, Adirondack chair set and a movie night snack package.

 

Here’s a list of upcoming blood drives in the four-county area between now and June 15:

Vance

Henderson

5/30/2023: 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Central Baptist Church, 2574 Ruin Creek Rd.

6/8/2023: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

Granville

Creedmoor

5/26/2023: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Creedmoor United Methodist Church, 214 Park Ave.

Warren

Macon

6/1/2023: 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Macon Baptist Church, 159 Church St.

 

Franklin

Louisburg

6/3/2023: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd.

 

How to donate blood 

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

NC Dept of Agriculture

‘NC Forever Farms’ Program Preserves Farmlands

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-information courtesy of the N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The Farmland Preservation Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced new initiatives to celebrate farmland preservation efforts across the state.

NC Forever Farms is a program that recognizes family farms that have taken the ultimate step in protecting precious working lands that are vital to the future of agriculture in North Carolina. Through permanent agricultural conservation easements, these NC Forever Farms will always be protected from development and the threat of conversion.

Additionally, a new award has been established to recognize the exemplary efforts of individuals and groups that advance farmland preservation efforts in North Carolina. The NC Friends of Farmland Award will be given annually to “an individual or group that delivers exemplary service in the preservation of working lands in North Carolina and provides extraordinary efforts to foster the growth, development, and sustainability of North Carolina family farms.”

The inaugural NC Friends of Farmland Award was presented to Dewitt Hardee on May 19. Hardee, a Johnston County native, served as the first Farmland Preservation Director for NCDA&CS from 2006 until his retirement in 2021. Over the course of his tenure as Farmland Preservation Director, Hardee coordinated the preservation of nearly 30,000 acres of farmland.

Hardee’s farmland preservation work continues as he is now a Johnston County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor. He also works with the N.C. State Grange on farmland preservation and agricultural programs, and seeks for his farm to become an NC Forever Farm.

“A special thank you goes to the farmers, foresters, and landowners that have committed to keeping their land as a natural resource that will benefit future North Carolinians,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

“Please join me in congratulating Dewitt Hardee as the inaugural recipient of the North Carolina Friends of Farmland Award. Farmland Preservation in North Carolina requires the partnership and cooperation of many farmers, landowners, government entities, and nonprofit organizations, and there is still much work to be done.”

Landowners interested in preserving their working farm or forest can visit https://www.ncadfp.org or call 919.707.3071 for more information.

N.C. Rep Sossamon Takes Field Trip To Visit Vance County Schools

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– Information courtesy of Vance County Schools

N.C. Rep. Frank Sossamon visited several Vance County Schools recently as a participant in the first year of “Bring Your Legislator to School” Day.

Sossamon represents District SS, which includes Vance County. He visited E.M. Rollins STEAM Academy, Dabney Elementary, STEM Early High School and the district’s Center for Innovation.

Lawmakers were invited by members of the NC Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year Network, the Public School Forum of North Carolina, and bi-partisan legislative sponsors to visit schools in their respective jurisdictions and engage with school communities. Sossamon joined more than 70 fellow legislators who accepted the invitation to visit schools in their districts.

School principals, as well as Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett joined Sossamon as he toured the schools and chatted with teachers and students.

The goal of this visit was to show legislators what current state investment in education looks like in practice during the day-to-day reality of North Carolina’s elementary and secondary schools.

N.C.’s Ag Impact Keeps Growing…And Growing

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-information courtesy of N.C. Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Maybe you’ve seen the bumper sticker that reads “If You’ve Eaten Today, Thank a Farmer.”

The impact that farmers and farming have in this state is huge. And Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has put that statement in measurable terms – for the first time, the economic impact of agriculture and agribusiness industry in North Carolina has topped $100 billion.

The exact figure, in fact, is $103.2 billion.

The numbers come from Dr. Mike Walden, N.C. State University economist and professor emeritus. These numbers reflect the economic value of growing, processing and delivering food, natural fiber and forestry products, Troxler said in a press release, and were calculated using the latest USDA statistics.

“When I took office in 2005, the economic impact of agriculture and agribusiness was $59 billion and $100 billion seemed like a good goal to work toward,” Troxler said. “In 2016, I made a prediction that North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness industry would soon reach $100 billion,” he added.

“I’m proud to say that we’ve reached that goal and surpassed last year’s economic impact by more than 11 percent. Reaching this milestone is a big accomplishment for everyone in agriculture and agribusiness and proves how much we can accomplish when we are all pulling together.”

Agriculture is North Carolina’s No. 1 industry, employing about one-fifth of the state’s workforce. Last year’s economic impact figure was $92.9 billion.

“We are blessed to have a strong, resilient, and engaged agriculture community that includes farmers, agribusiness owners, commodity associations, agricultural associations and effective leadership in the North Carolina General Assembly,” Troxler said. “I can assure you we will set new goals and keep North Carolina agriculture growing.”

NC State Board of Elections

Specifics On New Voter Photo ID Rules

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In response to the state’s new voter ID law, the state board of elections has issued information that may be helpful for citizens to keep in mind before their next trip to the polls.

Voters will be asked to show a photo ID, starting with the 2023 municipal elections. A driver’s license or other photo ID will be accepted.

Those without a photo ID can get a No Fee ID Card from NCDMV and soon, it is expected that a free ID will be available from your local board of elections office.

When a voter checks in to a polling place, poll workers will ask for an ID, and they are supposed to look to make sure the photo reasonably resembles the voter; the address doesn’t have to match the voter registration records

It is important to note that all voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. Those without an ID will use the ID exception form and a provisional ballot.

For complete details, visit ncsbe.gov/voter-ID and “FAQ: Voter ID” to learn more.

Michele Burgess Named George Watkins Citizen Of The Year

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Michele Eaves Burgess has been named the George Watkins Citizen of the Year by the Occoneechee Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Burgess officially received the honor at an awards ceremony Thursday in Henderson. This award is Scouting’s premier event and major fundraiser in Vance County, and honors extraordinary community leaders in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the quality of life in the Eno River District and who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law, according to a press release issued by the Occoneechee Council.

“I am honored to be recognized by our community for my involvement and dedication to making Vance County a better place for our future leaders and today’s youth,” Burgess said in a prepared statement. “Being selected to receive this award, named for Mr. George R. Watkins, Sr., who I admire and have had the pleasure to work with for many years is very special to me. George and his family have set a positive example of how volunteerism and giving back makes such an impact.”

In presenting the award, Ronald Bennett, event chairman, praised Burgess for the energy and excitement she brought in her role as president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. She recently retired but Bennett said Vance County and the surrounding communities are better places because of her efforts through the Chamber.

Burgess has led the Chamber three different times over the years. Tem Blackburn, who shared remarks Thursday evening, was on the interview committee that chose Burgess over others. Although she had less experience than those other candidates, there was something that clearly set her apart, he said.

“In the years that followed, whenever I needed help on a project for the Library, the YMCA, the public schools, anything of benefit to the community I called Michele and I always felt she was not only glad to help, but she was so glad I had called her and asked her to help,” he said.

Nancy Bobbitt also spoke about her friend and told those gathered that Burgess “has never faltered in her love and support of this community.” Through Burgess’s leadership over the years, the Chamber established Leadership Vance and Business After Hours, Bobbitt said. And Burgess was the first Chamber executive from Henderson to graduate and receive certification from the National Institute of Organizational Management.

“She always has a smile and good word for everyone she meets,” Bobbitt said. “She has a wealth of experience and ability to lead others to do their best to make Henderson and Vance County live up to its potential.”

Blackburn said Burgess has been working on behalf of Vance County and its residents to build community. It’s a lot of work, but Burgess has a way of approaching tasks that makes them a bit more enjoyable, Blackburn said.

“Speaking for myself, and for many others who have worked with Michele over the years, she has made it not only rewarding, but great fun!”

 

 

 

Chamber’s “Local Ladies In Leadership” Program Set For June 8

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Registration is now open for the next “Women in Business” session.

Vance County Economic Development Director McKinley Perkinson will be the speaker for the second in a series titled “Local Ladies in Leadership.”

Perkinson will bring updates and information about local trends in economic development.

The lunch and learn will begin at 12 noon on Thursday, June 8, in the Farm Bureau Room at Perry Memorial Library.

This is an opportunity for women in the community to hear first-hand how the community is growing and what is in store for the future of Henderson and Vance County.

Contact Vanessa Jones, director of programs for the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at vanessa@hendersonvance.org by June 5 to register. The fee is $20 a person.

Call the Chamber office at 252.438.8414 for more information.