Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

TownTalk: Local Author Michael Elliott To Hold Book Signing

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Oxford native Mike Elliott has fond childhood memories of the Richard Thornton Library – it’s a place he frequented after school and he said it’s where he got to discover all kinds of wonderful music. Oh, yeah, books, too. But also albums. Stacks and stacks of record albums, he said.

Elliott returns to Thornton Library this Saturday, Oct. 8 to talk about his new book called “Have A Little Faith: The John Hiatt Story,” a biography of legendary singer-songwriter John Hiatt.

Elliott, a former staff member here at WIZS, told Bill Harris Tuesday that the library was a place “near and dear to my heart…where I got to discover all kinds of wonderful music.”

And from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, he’ll be reading from his own book, entertaining questions about it and signing books that will be available for sale. Now out in paperback, the hard cover was released in September 2021.

Hiatt may not be a household name to some, but his songs surely are recognizable. Artists from Bonnie Raitt to B.B. King have sung the lyrics he’s penned since he came onto the music scene in the early 1970’s. “He has written so many songs that people will know,” Elliott said. “So many people have done John Hiatt music.”

Interestingly enough, it was a “horrible” song that first caught Elliott’s attention. Although he didn’t like the lyrics he was listening to on one of those college stations in the mid-‘80’s, he was drawn to the voice singing it. Elliott said he remembered thinking “This song’s terrible, but I love that singer” with the bluesy voice.

Fast forward to another Hiatt song called “Slow Turning,” and it hit Elliott that both songs were performed by the same guy. On a subsequent visit to Henderson’s Nits, Nats, Etc. was where Elliott said he found “Bring The Family,” which he called “an amazing album…that made me a fan for life” of Hiatt’s music.

“He’s a brilliant lyricist,” Elliott continued, with an ability to take the mundane and create sweet perspectives on everyday life. Hiatt’s lyrics are quirky, but not maudlin, he said.

Hiatt turned 70 in August, Elliott said, and he had a chance to sit and chat in person after a recent performance at Carolina Theater in Durham. The initial interviews for the book had to be done over the phone because of COVID, but Elliott said he caught a show in Ft. Lauderdale and then “was thrilled to finally be able to meet in person.”

What’s next for Elliott?

In addition to the regular contributions to numerous online and print publications, Elliott said he’s narrowing down topics for his next book.

“I’ve got some irons in the fire,” he said, adding that the next book will more than likely be a biography, again with a music theme.

Learn more at https://michael-elliott.com/

 

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Hispanic Heritage Festival Moved To Sunday, Oct. 9

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The second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the area near the police department and library on Breckenridge Street. The event was moved from Saturday to Sunday because of a conflict with a previously scheduled event at McGregor Hall.

Melissa Elliott, Henderson City Council member and president of Gang Free, Inc. said the stage is set to provide the community with the sights, sounds and flavors of different Hispanic/Latino cultures – just a week later than planned.

The local Arts Council is sponsoring some of the entertainment scheduled, Elliott told John C. Rose Wednesday. There will be dancers performing traditional dances from Colombia and Mexico, she said, and numerous area restaurants will be providing food.

The event is free to the public. “We’re going to go out and have some fun,” she said, adding that it’s important to continue the momentum from last year’s festival and “celebrate everyone that lives, works and plays in our community.”

The popular electric bull will be back for anyone adventurous enough to climb aboard and then try to hang on, and there will be face-painting and other tamer activities to participate in, she added.

Mayor Eddie Ellington is scheduled to issue a city proclamation observing Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. The festival falls right in the middle of this national observance, which satisfies Elliott’s quest for diversity and educating and empowering everyone in the community.

TownTalk: ‘Hungry Heroes’ Event Coming To Henderson Nov. 5

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When it comes to barbecue and the obligatory banana pudding that accompanies it, Amanda Riggan knows not to underestimate folks in Vance County and the surrounding area. And when that barbecue and puddin’ is prepared to raise money to support a worthy cause, Riggan knows she can count on locals to be supportive.

Riggan is the founder of Hungry Heroes, and she and her team of volunteers will be at the Vance County Rescue Squad on Saturday, Nov. 5 with their grills fired up and serving spoons dishing up sides – including her mom’s cold banana puddin’ – to feed all first responders, military personnel and veterans.

She told John C. Rose Monday that she and her team have fed a couple of thousand people at a single event, and she is planning to serve between 500 and 800 next month between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the rescue squad facility on Maynard Road.

“Hopefully we sell out,” Riggan said. “I just can’t wait to see everyone…I’m so excited for the community and for (my) family members to be involved and to serve.” Riggan’s parents are both from Henderson.

Veterans, military personnel and first responders eat for free, she said, but the public is invited to come and join in the fun. “For a $10 donation, plates are available to the public,” she said.

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There will be other activities for families to enjoy, including a bouncy house for the kids and plenty of items that will be raffled.

Riggan said planning is underway and she’s looking forward to being back in Henderson, but what she’s really excited about is paying tribute to the area’s first responders and to honor them for the work they do.

“It’s really cool to see the heroes behind the badge, it’s humbling to know they sacrifice their safety for us every day.”

Hungry Heroes got its start in 2018 when Riggan was trying to figure out a way to help her community deal with a tragic incident that left one law enforcement officer dead and three others wounded.

She said she got her answer after prayerfully considering her response: “Feed them,” she said.

So she did.

With a healthy boost by social media outlets, she and her pulled pork barbecue plates began showing up at events in Texas, Utah and Florida, among other places across the nation.

“Some events aren’t fun and aren’t planned,” Riggan said. One example: She and her father hopped a plane last year to feed first responders on the scene at the condominium collapse in Surfside, FL.

Riggan most recently was in Henderson to stock the refrigerators at local law enforcement agency break rooms and she has begun a “Campus Heroes” program that brings weekly hot lunches to school resource officers who don’t leave their posts while students are in school.

“We stop by and give them a hot meal as a thank you,” she said.

Visit https://www.hungryheroesbbq.com/ to learn more.

Oct. 14 Homecoming Challenge To Raise Money For VCPS Foundation

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Whether your mascot was a Bulldog, a Viking or a Raider, if you graduated from a high school in Vance County, you’ll all be supporting the Vipers during the Alumni Homecoming Challenge.

But rest assured, there will be opportunities for a little rivalry among alumni during the annual Homecoming game, which kicks off Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. in Viper Stadium, 925 Garrett Rd.

The Vipers take on Granville Central High School, and Vance County Schools’ Director of Communication & Marketing Aarika Sandlin said there will be a special way for alumni to support the school district.

Graduates of Henderson High School, Vance Senior High, Northern Vance, Southern Vance, Vance County Early College, Advance Academy, Henderson Institute, Vance Virtual Village Academy or Vance County High can drop their loose change – or better yet, folding money – into their alma mater’s jar.

A locker plate will be installed at the Center for Innovation to recognize the alumni of each school for each $100 it raises.

The Vance County Public School Foundation is sponsoring the fundraiser.

 

Warrenton Sports Bar Loses ABC Permits Following ALE Investigation

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A Warren County establishment has had its ABC permits rejected as a result of a range of incidents occurring there, from disorderly conduct and property damage to assaults and shootings.

Roxies Sports Bar and Lounge, located at 109 South Hall St. in Warrenton had received a temporary ABC permit in 2020, but that permit was revoked following a recent ALE investigation.

According to a press statement from the NC Department of Public Safety, the sports bar “has been a drain on emergency personnel,” who most recently responded to the bar on Sept. 25. At that time, “a physical altercations between patrons occurred inside the business and was pushed out into the parking lot by security personnel. Shortly after, gunshots were heard near the entrance, and two patrons sustained gunshot injuries.,” the press statement reported.

Any time there are a high number of 9-1-1 calls and violence associated with an ABC-permitted business, ALE special agents conduct an investigation, document any criminal or regulatory violations, and submit a report to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The ABC Commission then reviews the investigative report and determines if the ABC permits are to be suspended, revoked, cancelled or issued a fine.

 

Granville County Public Schools

Granville School Board Selects Helen Lindsey To Fill Vacant Seat

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A retired schools employee has been appointed to fill the unexpired term on the Granville County Board of Education.

Dr. Helen Lindsey was selected from a field of five candidates interviewed Thursday for the seat made vacant when Dr. Tom Houlihan tendered his resignation effective July 31.

Following the interviews, the board discussed the candidates before casting their votes.

“This was a very difficult process in that all of the applicants brought their own unique strengths and experiences,” said Board Chair Glenda Williams. “One thing they all had in common was their willingness to serve, and we are grateful to each of them for investing their time and effort in this process,” Williams added.

Dr. Lindsey will be sworn in at the next regularly scheduled meeting, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3.

The agendas, minutes and video recordings for board meetings may be found at

https://www.boarddocs.com/nc/gcsd/Board.nsf

 

News and Announcements Related to Ian

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With the likelihood of downed trees and power lines, travel could be hazardous in some areas.

If you should lose power, please do not call 911 to report it. This is not an emergency and your call could prevent someone with a true emergency from getting through.

Duke Energy District Manager Tanya Evans wrote in an information release that customers who experience an outage during a storm can report it the following ways, according to Evans.

  • Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).
  • Visit duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.
  • Use the Duke Energy mobile app – Download the Duke Energy App from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play.
  • Call the automated outage-reporting system: Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356; Duke Energy Carolinas: 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766)

Click here for more from Duke Energy.

Remember to check on your elderly neighbors, friends and family both before and after the storm to make sure they have what they need. Remember your pets and bring them indoors if possible or at least make sure they are safe outside.

When the storm is over, be careful when venturing outside particularly in areas that receive damage as unseen hazards could be present.

Not Rain, Not Wind…RHI Fundraiser a Success

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The fall barbecue chicken fundraiser was Friday.

All indications are it was a complete sell out.

Served were chicken halves, potatoes, string beans, bread and dessert for $8 per plate.

Rebuilding Hope Director Randolph Wilson reached out to WIZS Friday morning for radio announcements saying, “Our fundraiser is still on and we have drive thru pickup in the warehouse out of the rain.”

By 4:45 p.m. Friday, only 30 plates remained according to Wilson.

Here at WIZS we all enjoyed our plates and many happy people reached out about how delicious it was, including on social media.

TownTalk: Lakeland Cultural Arts Center Livens up Littleton

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Littleton, situated on the Warren-Halifax county line, has long been known to those travel there to enjoy second homes or to vacation on nearby Lake Gaston. But Lakeland Cultural Arts Center, looking especially spiffy after a recent renovation, is looking to attract more people to visit, shop and enjoy this little corner of the world.

Lakeland’s Executive Director Peter Holloway and Artistic Director John DuVall agree that, while the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to have shows, it allowed for a renovation that is nothing short of spectacular. Holloway said the pandemic afforded them the opportunity to do more planning, which resulted in more of a multipurpose facility. There’s a smaller performance space in the rear of the arts center, which gets a lot of use from students at Littleton Academy, right next door.

Lakeland Cultural Arts Center first opened in 1978, but a recent gala to celebrate the completed renovation served to mark its reopening.

Littleton native Ed Fitts and wife Deb have played a significant role in revitalizing the town of 520. “They’ve injected so much life and enthusiasm into the town,” Holloway told WIZS’s Bill Harris on Thursday’s TownTalk.

The center is actually attached to the former high school, but a brand-new lobby and art gallery provides a cohesive look to the facility.

“It’s kind of mind-blowing that it’s sitting in a town like Littleton,” Holloway said of the center, which boasts a 300-seat auditorium where patrons can enjoy concerts, stage productions and even watching films.

DuVall said volunteers drive much of the work that is done, both on stage and behind the stage.

“We need volunteers every day,” Holloway agreed.

DuVall said in his role as artistic director, he seeks to offer a well-rounded season with a variety of programming. He seeks to balance the familiar with other performances that people may not be as familiar with.

“Tuesdays With Morrie” is scheduled for two performances tonight and Saturday afternoon. The play is based on Mitch Albom’s bestseller of the same name.

Then the new hit movie “Elvis” will be shown at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Visit https://www.lakelandcac.org/ to see the full schedule of events or phone 252.586.3124.

“We’re working really hard to choose folks who’ve got an educational component,”

Holloway explained.

There often is a matinee performance that gives students the chance to experience the arts live, he added.

On Oct. 28, Mike Wiley will perform “Breach of Peace,” based on true accounts of the Freedom Rides in the early days of the civil rights movement.

The Neil Simon classic “Odd Couple” comes to the main stage in November and then pianist Robin Spielberg will perform in early December. Later that month, Holloway said the familiar “A Christmas Carol” will take the stage, but it will have a unique twist. With a nod to the radio plays of the 1940’s, a small group of actors will perform a radio play of the Dickens classic, complete with the Foley artist, whose job is to create the play’s sound effects.

“It’s a very endearing, fun, and exciting performance – a great way to see an old classic,” Holloway said.

 

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