Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

Granville Brimming With Holiday Happenings

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Granville County Tourism Director Angela Allen said the county is brimming with activities as December ushers in the Christmas holiday season – and things get underway today in Oxford with the city’s traditional Lighting of the Greens festivities.

At 4 p.m., there will be activities for children, musical performances, food vendors and more, Allen said on Thursday’s TownTalk. After the ceremonial Lighting of the Greens occurs at 6:45 p.m., followed by the Christmas parade at 7 p.m. Head for Main Street in front of the courthouse to take part in all the pre-parade action. Check out the city’s Facebook page for a rundown of events.

“It’s a great time to gather with family and friends,” Allen said. “You are definitely going to get into the Christmas spirit here in Granville County.”

The town of Butner is also light things up this evening, with Christmas in the Park at Gazebo Park. Parents, bring the kids between 5:30 and 6:45 to come visit with Santa, and then at 7, the park lights will be displayed for all to enjoy.

Not to be outdone, the city of Creedmoor is sponsoring a program at 7 p.m. at the recreation center, 108 E. Wilton Ave. Allen said there’s a promise of some hot cocoa and maybe even a bonfire to gather around as a variety of local choirs perform.

“You definitely have an opportunity to welcome the season,” Allen said, no matter where in the county you choose to be.

Other events of note include:

Dec. 3

  • Creedmoor Christmas parade – 11 a.m., downtown Creedmoor
  • Butner Christmas parade – 2 p.m.
  • Holiday Gala at The Orpheum in Oxford – black tie affair with proceeds to benefit Hope House, Oxford. Go to The Orpheum’s Facebook page or pick up tickets at The Hub on Main in person or via the Facebook page.

Dec. 4-6

  • Granville Little Theatre’s radio play production of “A Christmas Carol – 7 p.m. each night at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co.

Dec. 7

  • Cocoa with Santa at The Barn at Vino, Stem. There will be vendors on hand from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Santa’s rolling in on a fire truck at 2 p.m., ready for a photo with the kids. Free to attend, but a professional photographer will be taking pictures with Santa for purchase. Check Eventbrite online and look for “Cocoa with Santa and Vendor Fair” for details.

Dec. 8

  • Downtown Oxford’s after hours “Jingle and Mingle” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visit participating merchants and restaurants to take in some holiday shopping and sipping. Check Oxford’s Facebook page for updates leading to this event.

Dec. 10-12

  • Delrayno Baptist Church’s annual “Back to Bethlehem” drive-through live Nativity. Open each night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 10

  • Carlee Farms in Stem is having its Holiday Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • “Jingle Jangle Bazaar” at the Stem Ruritan Club. More than 40 vendors will be on hand with holiday gifts galore from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. And there may be a visit from St. Nick himself!
  • Grassy Creek Christmas parade – 2 p.m.

And sometime during the holiday season, be sure to check out the Granville Christmas Farm. If you visited the Granville Haunt Farm around Halloween, the address will be familiar – 4534 Hwy. 15 South. But that’s where the similarities end, Allen said, because Grey Blackwell and his crew have gone from scary to Merry!

This drive-through lights display has all the traditional themes: “all the things that you love so much about Christmas,” she said. This is the first of what Allen said she hopes becomes an annual event, creating “another great tradition that we do for the holiday.” The Christmas Farm began the day after Thanksgiving and will continue through Jan. 1.

Visit https://visitgranvillenc.com/whats-happening/ for a complete listing of events coming up.

Granville Recreation Grant Application Window Open Through Jan. 31, 2023

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The Granville County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Advisory Committee is accepting applications for the 2023 recreation mini-grant cycle. The application period will close at 3 p.m on Jan.31, 2023.

Submitted requests may not exceed $25,000, according to information from county public information officer Terry Hobgood. Applicants must be a government entity or a non-profit organization. While it is not mandatory that the non-profits have 501c-3 designation, it is encouraged.

The programming funds are used to facilitate the development  and support of active and passive recreation and leisure activities for Granville County residents. The objective is to make these activities available to as many residents as possible, and to include a broad spectrum of  participants, especially in areas of the county that are underserved by recreational opportunities (such as the southeastern portion of the county) or areas have not received prior funding. Recreation programming should seek to serve all age groups. The Granville County Parks, Greenways, and Recreation Advisory Committee bylaws  prohibit discrimination in the use of funds.

The grant application is available at https://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/recreation/recreation-grant/ or request a paper copy from the Granville County Planning Department in Oxford.

Applications should be submitted by email to:

justin.jorgensen@granvillecounty.org, or in person/by mail to the Granville County Planning Department, 122  Williamsboro St., P.O. Box 877, Oxford NC, 27565.

To learn more about this grant, contact Justin Jorgensen, senior transportation planner, by phone at 919.603.1332 or by email at justin.jorgensen@granvillecounty.org.

Choosing The Right Christmas Tree For You

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With those Thanksgiving leftovers slowly clearing out of refrigerators, thoughts turn from one holiday season to the next. And for many, that means choosing and decorating a Christmas tree.

Some households choose to blend the two seasons, trimming the tree as soon as the Thanksgiving table has been cleared. Others, however, prefer to wait until the calendar turns to December to begin decorating their homes for Christmas.

Choosing a Christmas tree can be a lot of fun for families – whether you go to a choose-and-cut farm or wander among the plentiful firs and pines that wait to be chosen in lots that pop up at this time of year.

Vance County Cooperative Extension’s Wayne Rowland has a few tips to keep in mind when selecting a live tree:

  • Decide where the tree will be placed – if it will be in a corner, you don’t necessarily need a tree that looks good from all sides. You may need to look for a #1 premium grade tree if all sides of the tree will be visible.
  • If you choose a balled and burlap tree to plant in your landscape after the holidays, remember to choose a type that will live in this climate. Pines, cedars and cypress may fit the bill.

Keep the trees well watered while they are being displayed in the home – it will help them stay fresher longer. Remember, however, that cut trees will dry out in heated homes, so look for the freshest ones. Close floor vents that may be near the tree and consider putting up the tree in a cooler part of the house to extend the tree’s freshness.

Almost all counties in North Carolina can grow Christmas trees, but the popular Fraser firs can only grow in the mountains and are shipped nationwide.

In addition to the Fraser fir, other native grown trees include white pine, Virginia pine, red cedar and Leyland Cypress. The different species of trees have different characteristics, so be prepared to consider what’s important to you in the tree you choose: is it foliage density, color or fragrance that you most desire?

Plenty of growers have their own retail lots during the holiday season, and there are many charitable organizations and civic groups that use Christmas tree sales as fundraisers.

But choose-and-cut farms offer families an“experience” that could include activities for everyone to enjoy.

Learn About TROSA’s Recovery Program At Dec. 13 Event

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Jesse Battle is senior director of community partnerships for TROSA, a multi-year recovery program for individuals with substance use disorders.

Battle will be in Henderson on Dec. 13 at Baskerville’s Funeral Home Chapel to speak about TROSA, which stands for Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers.

The program begins at 6 p.m. and will be held at the funeral home, located at 104 S. Chestnut St., according to information from Charlie Baskerville, Jr.

TROSA, a cost-free option for all North Carolinians, serves as a national model for recovery programs. Founded in 1994, TROSA is an award-winning and licensed multi-year residential program providing care for men and women with substance use disorders for more than 25 years.

TROSA is a free treatment program and participants do not need insurance.

Designed to take two years to complete, the TROSA program gives residents the time, tools and services to learn and practice living in recovery, according to written information provided by TROSA.

Participants receive housing, meals, clothing and essential daily-care items during the program, and also get vocational and life skills training opportunities, medical care – including dental and vision care – as well as counseling and daily therapeutic activities and mentorship opportunities.

To learn more about TROSA, call 833.408.7672 or visit www.trosa.org.

 

 

NCWorks

TownTalk: NCWorks Job Fair

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The NC Works Career Center is having an end-of-year career fair on Friday, Dec. 9 at its new location, 826 S. Garnett St. More than a dozen representatives from numerous employers will be on hand to share information with individuals looking for employment.

“This will be a fun and exciting event and the perfect way to start a new career before the holidays,” said Desiree Brooks, business services manager for KTCOG workforce development board.

The job fair will be held in the parking lot of the agency’s new facility, and will include employers from manufacturing, health care, IT and more.

The event will be held from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and features employment opportunities across the five-county region served by Kerr-Tar: Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person, Brooks said in an email to WIZS News.

 “There will be opportunities for everyone,” Brooks said. “If anyone needs additional assistance, they can easily access the new NCWorks Career Center and learn about additional services while they are there.” She said employers are eager to meet qualified candidates and discuss what they do and the positions they have available.

Brooks said RJ’s Grill will be on hand with food to purchase

For more information about NCWorks, visit www.facebook.com/NCWorksKT

or www.kerrtarworks.com or phone the NCWorks Career Center at 252.598.5200.

 

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Home and Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

 

  • Check local nurseries and garden centers when purchasing holiday decorations and gifts
  • If you think any shade trees need work, make arrangements now. But DO NOT TOP.
  • If you have put up a natural christmas tree check water reservoir each day for water and keep it full with water that will keep your tree fresh and keep it from trying out and becoming a fire hazard
  • If you are installing a row of shrubs as a screen, consider using multiple species. This is less risky than putting all your eggs in one basket.
  • You can make holiday decorations from cuttings from your landscape plants. Ex hollies, magnolia, Pine cuttings, pine cones
  • Take an inventory of leftover seeds and make sure they are stored in a suitable location (cool and dry).
  • Soil Sample Peak season fee starts Dec 1 $4 per sample 7 week analysis time.
  • Christmas gift idea: PPE for your loved one! Chem resistant gloves, eye protection, hearing protection.
  • Make a compost bin if you don’t have one already
  • Add some berry producing native shrubs to your landscape to help birds through the winter.

 

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TownTalk: Raleigh Ringers Coming To McGregor Hall

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The Raleigh Ringers are coming to McGregor Hall this weekend for a weekend performance at McGregor Hall. Director David M. Harris and the group of musicians have performed in 39 states, Canada and Europe, delighting audiences with music throughout the year.

But when Harris realized there was an opening in the schedule, he called Mark Hopper. And the rest, as they say, is history. The Raleigh Ringers concert is part of the McGregor Alive! Series.

The Raleigh Ringers performed at McGregor Hall in 2019, and Harris told John C. Rose on TownTalk Wednesday that he was impressed with the acoustics, as well as the overall beauty of the performing arts center. “We were anxious to come back,” he said.

“It’s not often we have a Christmas slot open,” Harris explained, and he and his fellow ringers have a short trip for the Sunday performance. Doors open at 1 p.m. and the concert begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at https://www.mcgregorhall.org/

The concert will include some holiday standards, including “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Do You Hear What I Hear?” juxtaposed with “Blue Christmas” and selections popularized by Siberian Orchestra.

Also in the repertoire are a couple of songs especially written for handbells.

Harris said the group has played original music written by Henderson’s own Dr. Phil Young, who Harris called a “pioneer” in the area of handbell music.

The Raleigh Ringers began in 1990, when different church handbell choirs formed a loose network and would have a summer concert at the end of their performance season.

Once dependent on the kindness of retirement centers for storage of their equipment, the Raleigh Ringers now has its own building where they can keep their bells and all the other things needed for concerts, as well as having their own practice space.

“Ringers can come in off hours and work on their parts,” Harris said, on top of the three-plus hours a week that the whole group comes together to practice.

For those who may not know too much about handbells, there’s more to a performance than just ringing a bell, Harris said.

“There’s so much choreography,” he said, and ringers need to know all their roles, whether it’s moving different bells for other ringers to use during a song, or exactly which ringer is going to turn the page of music.

“All of that has to be worked out well in advance,” Harris said.

Part of the mission of the Raleigh Ringers is to provide education about the instruments to their audiences. Members of the audience often are invited to the stage after the concert to try their own hand at handling the bells, from the giant ones at one end of the table to choir chimes at the other.

Handbell ringers play in coordination with other ringers to produce a complete line of music, unlike other musicians – like pianists – who play the complete line of musical notes to create the desired music.

For Harris, this is just a part of what sets handbells apart from other musical instruments, and he said it’s part of their mission to educate the community about this particular type of music.

“It’s such amazing teamwork when a piece comes together,” he said.

Visit www.rr.org to learn more about Raleigh Ringers.

 

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Don’t Fall Victim To Fraud – Attend “Scam Jam” Dec. 5 At Person Co. Senior Center

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The Person County Senior Center in Roxboro is the site of the upcoming 2022 Scam Jam event, sponsored by the Kerr-Tar Agency on Aging, on Monday, Dec. 5.

What’s a Scam Jam? It’s a collection of educational presentations designed to help consumers learn about different types of scams and frauds, and how to keep from being a victim, according to Kenia Gomez-Jimenez, KTCOG’s communications coordinator.

Whether it’s consumer fraud, identity theft or telemarketing fraud, guest speakers will help educate attendees about how to spot, avoid and report such activities. The event starts at 1:30 p.m., with presentations beginning at 2 p.m.

Among those scheduled to speak are N.C. Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey, Ann Elmore, agency legal consultant with the N.C. Dept. of the Secretary of State and Kevin Roberson, NC senior Medicare Patrol director and SHIIP compliance officer.

The Scam Jam is free and open to anyone in the five-county area that KTCOG serves, including Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person counties.

Refreshments will be provided.

The Person County Senior Center is located at 87 Semora Rd., Roxboro.

Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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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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