Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Encouraging Fathers to Read at Perry Memorial Library

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Mother Goose Story Time, make way for what Youth Services Director Melody Peters hopes will become another mainstay offering at Perry Memorial Library: It’s Papa Bear Story Time, and it’s making its debut on Monday evenings beginning June 1.

Mother Goose Story Time has been around for decades, Peters said. The 11 a.m. time slot on Thursdays is popular with the 0-5 crowd and their caregivers and isn’t going anywhere.

“I am really excited to offer another program that I hope will become a staple,” Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! “I don’t want to leave dads out. Dads are really important.”

Like Mother Goose, Papa Bear is a 30-minute program geared to children 0-5, but it’s also a time when dads, stepdads, granddads, uncles and anyone who is a father figure, really, to find community with others.

Peters said she would love to have some of those father figures be guest story readers, too.
“It’s really important for kids to hear different tones, different voices,” she said. Research shows that hearing those diverse voices supports emergent literacy in children 0-3.

Peters invites father figures and the children in their lives to “Donuts with Dad” on Saturday, June 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“I know Saturdays are busy,” she said, but she hopes dads will stop by between sports, errands and other activities to hang out at the library and refuel with a tasty donut.

The library is celebrating student achievement with an “Honor Roll” wall, which Peters hopes to fill up with examples of students’ accomplishments this school year.

Children are invited to bring their report cards in to the library, get a little prize and have their names added to the wall.

Peters said she got the idea from a student who’s a “regular” at the library.

“He was so proud to show me his report card,” she said. It’s important to show children that there are plenty of folks beyond family who care that you do your best and stay in school.

The Honor Roll Wall will get updated quarterly, she said.

“School needs to matter to everybody,” Peters said, adding that young people need to know that their community supports them and celebrates their accomplishments.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to see a complete listing of programs and activities at Perry Memorial Library, located at 205 Breckenridge St., Henderson.

 

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TownTalk: Business Spotlight – The Assurance Group

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As an insurance professional and Medicare benefits coordinator with the The Assurance Group, Dr. Almice Floyd Gill has the knowledge and experience to help individuals understand their choices when it comes to Medicare options.

In her role as an insurance broker, she can help clients as they consider all the different choices that are available, from health insurance to life insurance.

Gill branched out into Medicare in 2018, she said on Tuesday’s Business Spotlight.

“There were so many things that I didn’t know,” she said, as she pursued her license. Besides being licensed in North Carolina, she holds licensure in South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Indiana.

“We have to make sure we stay on top of what’s going on with Medicare and HIPPA,” she said. Staying updated on all the latest information means that education is a big part of what she does as a broker, and it’s what she focuses on with her clients.

There is no cost for a consultation, Gill said, and she’s happy to meet over the phone, in person. She’ll even make a home visit, if that’s what the client needs.

One of the aspects of her work that brings her the most pleasure is simply helping people understand what programs they qualify for.

“Whatever the customer needs, that’s what I focus on,” she said. As a broker, she said she has the flexibility to “find the best rates and look for what’s best for the client.” Plus, she said, “I’m here…I’m local. I don’t just write policies and then walk away.”

Besides health insurance, Gill helps clients understand the value of having life insurance and hospitalization insurance, both of which come in handy.

Life insurance is something that doesn’t have to be expensive and it’s something that you should consider when you’re young and healthy.

“You don’t have to have a million dollars of life insurance, or even 100,000,” she explained. Even a $10,000 or $20,000 policy – which would cost probably in the $40-$50 a month range – would help family members with final expenses upon the death of the policy holder.

She said she wishes she’d thought more about having a life insurance policy when she was younger. It’s something an employer may offer, she said. “but when the job ends, the life insurance ends, along with other benefits.”

At the end of the day, Gill said, she really and truly enjoys helping people. “I love it when I see the light bulb go off when people see they are eligible for other benefits.”

Call or text Gill at 252.701.6720 or email her at

adfloydgill@assuregrp.com

 

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Cooperative Extension with Michael Ellington: Dealing with a Drought

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It doesn’t take a TV weather forecaster or phone app to tell us what’s staring us right in the face: We’re in a major drought and we’re racking up historic rainfall deficits. Area farmers as well as plain ol’ homeowners are putting a lot of stock in the prediction for chances of rain beginning Thursday, but N.C. Cooperative Extension agent Michael Ellington has some short-term and long-term suggestions to help conserve water, that precious natural resource.

The grass crunches under our feet, and the land is definitely parched.  Ellington reminds homeowners of a few conservation tips that serve us well whether we’re in drought conditions or not. The county isn’t under any water restrictions, but conserving water is always a good idea.

Change how and when you water – it’s better to water in the early morning, not in the heat of the afternoon when a lot of the moisture evaporates before getting to roots, where it’s needed most.

Raise the blades of your mower – your grass can look a little bit shaggier until we get some good, soaking rains.

And if you’re thinking about spraying those pesky weeds with a chemical herbicide, think again, Ellington said.

The effectiveness of systemic herbicides is “drastically reduced” during drought conditions. And that’s because plants are in drought mode themselves. “When the water is scarce, they activate natural survival mechanism to conserve every single drop of moisture they have,” Ellington explained.

Their waxy coating thickens and their pores close, effectively shutting down the plant.

“So, if you’re spraying systemic herbicides right now, you are wasting time and money,” he said.

Consider reducing the amount of turf grass in your landscape and opt instead for drought-tolerant, native plants, grasses and perennials. Their root systems are deeper than turf grass root systems. Native trees like white oak and Eastern red cedar are good options if you want to add some trees to the landscape.

Visit the Memorial Garden located at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market to get some ideas and inspiration for plant species that thrive in this area. The Extension Master Gardeners maintain the garden and are on site on the second and fourth Saturdays when the market is open. They’re very knowledgeable and always happy to answer questions.

There’s a specialized weather station at the farmers market that provides real-time weather updates.

Ellington said it’s a great tool to help track rainfall, temperature, wind and get local conditions in real time. Find it at https://ambientweather.net/

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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The Local Skinny! Henderson Looking for Downtown Advisory Board Members

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Henderson-Vance County Downtown Development Commission Director Tracy Madigan spoke to the Henderson City Council recently about some ideas she got from attending a Main Street conference in New Bern.

No matter whether it was explicitly expressed or presented in a more subtle manner, Madigan told Council members that the conference had a message about partnerships and working together, particularly with county commissioners and staff, as a key component to progress.

“The county is one of our strategic partners,” she said at the May Council meeting, adding that it seemed like every session she attended mentioned the need for cities and counties to work together when it comes to downtown development and, in Henderson’s case, revitalization.

“Downtown development is economic development,” she said.

When prospective businesses visit the area, the downtown is an area they’ll often visit. A revitalized, vibrant downtown helps economic development in the city, the county and the region, she said.

Among the ideas Madigan discussed is creation of a Friends of Downtown committee, which would bring together a group of volunteers to work with the downtown development board to work on goals, needs and objectives.

With different levels of membership, the committee could be a funding stream that could be used for programs or initiatives.

Another session Madigan attended talked about the value of investing in downtown parks and greenspaces. People want to be near parks and greenspaces, which could create increased property values and attract businesses and residential development.

Henderson’s downtown business district is dotted with buildings that are included on the state and national historic registers, and there are historic tax credit programs available to help rehab those structures that may have fallen into disrepair or just need some TLC.

A prime example is the First National Bank building, she said. Municipalities can’t apply for the grants, but other entities could, qualifying for an additional discount because of Vance County’s Tier 1 designation.

This would be another example of partnering with private investors to convert downtown buildings to retail or mixed use, which wouldn’t cost the city any money, but it would encourage private investment. “That’s where we’re going to get our downtown rebuilt…through  public/private partnerships.”

There’s something called a municipal service district that could be established, Madigan said. The idea could probably be used in Henderson’s Main Street designated area. Property owners within the district would pay an additional property tax – an amount that would be set by the City Council with input from city staff – that would generate funds to be used solely for improvements within that particular district, such as improved streetscapes, sidewalks, lighting and marketing, Madigan said.

There’s an appeal for additional Downtown Advisory Board members, preferably individuals with professional backgrounds in business, finance and development. Interested individuals are asked to submit applications to City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell by Wednesday, May 27 at 5 p.m. via email at TraceyKimbrell@henderson.nc.gov or Madigan at 252.425.0844.

 

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TownTalk: McGregor Hall’s Summer Lineup Sizzles With Wide Range Of Performances, Concerts

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Country Music’s Shenandoah Coming to Henderson, NC and McGregor Hall

Activity at McGregor Hall is brisk these days, with recent and upcoming commencement exercises, not to mention dance competitions – both of which bring in plenty of folks from near and far to the 1,000-seat performing arts venue.

And McGregor Hall’s executive director and artistic director, Mark Hopper, is no stranger to the hard work that goes along with making sure patrons and performers alike have a positive experience when they’re here.

“We’re going non-stop right now,” Hopper said. But he’s confident that it’s going to pay off – the upcoming lineup features a couple of big-name musical groups, following on the heels of the annual theatrical productions.

Hopper told WIZS Monday he’s thrilled to welcome two musical groups to perform later this summer: the hit country band Shenandoah will perform on Saturday, Aug. 15 beginning at 7:30 p.m. And then, on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m., Henderson welcomes back one of its own, Gerald Alston and his group The Manhattans.

Hopper was fairly giddy at the prospect of having both groups booked.

“Gerald Henderson – and I’m not being hyperbolic,” Hopper said on Monday’s TownTalk “is one of the finest men I have ever met in my life.” He called Alston “a proud ambassador” for Henderson who “desperately wants his hometown to succeed.”

The Manhattans concert is presented in partnership with the Henderson Institute Alumni Association’s 50th anniversary reunion and is just one of numerous events that will take place in the area over that weekend.

And he’d been in negotiations for about a year to get Shenandoah booked. As luck would have it, the group’s agent lives in Raleigh. This is the group’s only appearance in North Carolina, Hopper said. And tickets are selling fast.

“This is the biggest act we’ve had in our 10 years,” Hopper said, adding that “it’s a band that anybody who cares anything about country music will know well.”

By the time Shenandoah takes the stage, however, two of the three scheduled theatrical shows will have taken place, and Hopper and the more than 300 volunteers that support McGregor Hall are already busy preparing.

Coming up on June 26 is “Anastasia – The Musical,” which is the culmination of the children’s theatre camp. Under the direction of Jo Ellen Nowell, a group of about 50 young people – rising 3rd graders through rising 11 graders – will tell the story about the fall of Russia’s czar.

“It’s going to be a great performance,” Hopper said, noting that the audience will be dazzled by the beautiful sets, music, costumes and the actors themselves. “We have some remarkably talented young people,” he said.

Rehearsals begin June 1 for “Hello, Dolly!” one of Broadway’s most popular productions that featured Carol Channing as Dolly Levi.

“Hello, Dolly!” runs for two weekends in July – July 18-19 and July 25-26.

With a cast of 76 and a full orchestra, this classic musical brings together relative newcomers and actors with professional experience for four performances.

Novices are on stage with people “who literally have been on Broadway and have been professional touring actors,” Hopper said. It’s important to foster interest in the arts in the community, especially with young people, he said. They try to find roles for everyone who comes out to audition.

“It’s our way of giving access to the stage,” he said. “It’s hard to know that you’re passionate about something or that you have talent for if you don’t know it exists. So we work hard to give access to the stage.”

The choreographer has worked for years with the Miss North Carolina pageant and Ira David Wood’s perennial favorite “A Christmas Carol” in Raleigh.

“This is going to be first rate,” Hopper said.

The Henderson Rec Players are mixing it up a bit with the August performance of “the Complete History of America (Abridged).

“This one is a scream,” Hopper said, noting that it’s a tongue-in-cheek satirical look “that crams about 500 years of history into an hour and forty-five minutes.”

It’s also going to be presented as theater-in-the-round, which will have the audience in raised seating on the stage with the cast.  There are three performances planned Aug. 28-30 and is in partnership with the Vance County American 250 committee, he said.

Visit www.mcgregorhall.org to find a complete listing of dates and times for the upcoming performances. Purchase tickets online or visit the box office Monday-Friday between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Irrigation Systems

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Wayne Rowland, on the Vance County Cooperative Extension Report:

Irrigation can save vegetables during drought conditions.

Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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The Local Skinny! Maria Parham Franklin Hosting ‘Stomp the Stigma’ 5K May 30

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Lace up your running – or walking – shoes for the second “Stomp the Stigma” 5k on Saturday, May 30 in Louisburg to support mental health awareness and care for mental health treatment.

Not feelin’ it for the 5k?

There’s a Family Fun Run and a Kids Dash, too, thanks to event organizers from the Maria Parham Franklin campus, where the focus is on mental health and behavioral health.

Emilee Johnson, vice president of operations at Maria Parham, said this year’s event is shaping up to be another success.

May is National Mental Health Awareness month, a time when mental health professionals emphasize the normalization of seeking help when it’s needed.

Last year’s inaugural event raised about $5,000, Johnson said. “This year we want to do a lot more,” she said on Thursday’s The Local Skinny! This year’s recipient again is First in Families of North Carolina, a local nonprofit that supports people receiving mental health care.

They’ve been able to touch many lives through last year’s donation, Johnson said and they’re very excited and very supportive of this year’s fundraiser.

The stigma that needs stomping is the stigma around mental health and people’s reluctance to talk about it, learn about it and seek treatment for it.

Morgan Barnes, MPH’s manager of Human Resources, said “I feel that mental health is not a ‘someone else’ issue.” It affects us all, she said, from family and friends to co-workers. Whether identified as stress, anxiety, burnout or something else, there are resources available to support and promote positive mental health.

Making treatment more of the norm goes a long way to stomp the stigma, Johnson said. “We’re really excited to do something that benefits the community.”

Mark Speed returns this year, bringing his DJ skills to the day’s activities. Speed is a big proponent of the hospital, Johnson said. “He brought a lot of fun and energy last year to the crowd” she added. Having 150 participants join in the fun last year was a good start. “If we could double that, that would be amazing,” Johnson said. The event provides a fun activity for the community to participate in and also helps support a great cause, she added. “It’s a win all around.”

Everyone who registers at least two weeks before the event will get a t-shirt and swag bag. Register at https://runsignup.com/. There’s also a place on the event’s link to sign up as a volunteer. Register at least two weeks before the event to get a volunteer t-shirt.

The race route takes participants from the hospital, through the town’s historic district around Louisburg College and the downtown area and then back to the hospital, located at 100 Hospital Dr. off Hwy 39.

It’s designed for fun, but for those with a competitive edge, awards will be given to the top three male finishers and top three female finishers. The first 150 to cross the finish line will get race medals.

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(This content was originally published on May 7, 2026.)