Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

The Local Skinny! Hundley Details Warren Co. Farmer’s Market Opening

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The Warren County Farmers Market kicks off its 2022 season on Saturday, April 30. Vendors will be set up at the Warren County Health Department from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and market manager Danylu Hundley invites shoppers to show up and shop local, rain or shine.

“Everything is truly local,” Hundley told John C. Rose on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny! Locally grown strawberries are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is available at the Warren County farmers market.

In addition to seasonal vegetables, the market offers local beef, pork and chicken, as well as a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, from vegetable starts to Japanese maple trees.

Hundley said she anticipates the number of vendors will grow as the season continues. Many vendors are back this year, and there are several new ones, including Mom’s Creative Décor and More. This vendor joined for the Christmas season last year and brings her handcrafted home décor items this year as a regular vendor.

The local garden club will be on hand, selling plants to support various beautification projects in the county and recyclable tote bags will be given away on Saturday. The tote bags were purchased with microgrant money provided by Duke Energy Foundation through a partnership with Working Landscapes.

Some vendors are accepting debit and credit cards this year, Hundley noted, but cash is still king at the farmers market.

Shoppers also will find locally sourced shiitake mushrooms and baked goods like pound cakes and breakfast cookies when they visit the market.

And grits made from heritage Jimmy Red corn will be available for purchase as well.

Whether it’s a bag of heritage grits or a flat of vegetable plants, there’s something for every taste at the Warren County Farmers Market.

“We have lots planned and look forward to seeing a big turnout,” Hundley said.

The market sets up shop each week at the county health department, 544 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton.

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TownTalk: Pop Up Medical Clinic Coming To Henderson May 14 & 15

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The campus of Vance Charter School will be a beehive of activity in a couple of weekends when it hosts a pop-up clinic to provide free medical care to anyone in the community.

Yep, that’s right. Free medical care, ranging from general physical exams to dental and vision care. The clinic will see patients beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 14 and again at 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 15 at VCS, located at 2090 Ross Mill Rd.

Did we mention that it’s free? Patients who wish to get a tooth filled or get new glasses need only show up. Services are first come, first served, and two of the clinic organizers spoke with John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk to provide details.

The pop-up clinics help people from falling through the cracks in the medical system. No id? No problem. No insurance? No worries. The parking lot will open at midnight on Friday, May 13. The process is as simple as showing up and waiting in line.

That’s the message from Duke seniors Rishabh Jain and Rishi Dasgupta, who have worked for months with a team of dozens of other volunteers to bring the Remote Area Medical (RAM) to the Vance County area.

“It’s been absolutely incredible to get the level of support in the community,” Jain said. Capt. Derrick Smith with the local Salvation Army was instrumental in connecting the clinic organizers with Dr. Brian Mathis at VCS, who offered the campus as the site for the clinic.

RAM, a major nonprofit provider based in Tennessee, has been hosting pop-up medical clinics across the Southeast for four decades; this clinic marks the seventh clinic that the Duke organizers will have visited since they first got involved with RAM.

Originally planned to be held in Durham, the organizers switched gears when they realized that there were underserved areas – especially in the area of vision and dental care – so close to Durham.

That’s when plans to host a clinic outside the Durham area took shape.

There will be numerous community organizations at the 2-day clinic to share resources and information. Patients may combine medical services with either vision or dental on one day, but they are not able to combine vision and dental, because of the high volume expected. Patients who need vision and dental care can return on the second day of the clinic.

Patients also will get an information sheet to help them access follow-up care if necessary and both organizers said they have identified health care professionals in the area who have agreed to do the follow-up care at a reduced fee or at no cost.

The clinic is completely staffed with highly qualified professionals who volunteer their services. The providers at the Henderson clinic are coming from across the country to participate.

Jain and Dasgupta expect to see hundreds of patients during the clinic, and Dasgupta said ithe stories of the patients that stick with him – people’s faces who are relieved of pain from an infected tooth or the delight of seeing clearly after being fitted with eyeglasses, Dasgupta said

his experiences have been rewarding and fulfilling.

Learn more about volunteering and sponsoring the clinic at www.ramusa.org or phone 865.579.1530.

Details on the Pop Up Medical Clinic coming to Henderson on May 14th and 15th.

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Cooperative Extension with Jamon Glover: Managing Parenthood, Pt. 2

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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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Supporters Of Ardagh Group Workers Rally Wednesday As Contract Negotiations Continue

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A group of about 50 people gathered outside the gates of the Ardagh Group plant on Facet Road Wednesday afternoon to show support for plant workers who are awaiting the result of contract negotiations underway between union and company officials.

Audrey Williams, recording secretary for Local 222M of the United Steel Workers (USW), spoke with WIZS News Wednesday afternoon and said the Henderson facility is among more than a dozen glass plants affected by the negotiations taking place in Pennsylvania.

Williams said there are 242 union members at the Henderson plant, and only six employees who are not union members.

“We are standing in solidarity,” Williams said. “If we don’t get a fair contract, we will stand in solidarity and strike.” The deadline is Friday evening, she added.

Alexander White, Jr. is vice president of the local 222M. He spoke with WIZS Wednesday and said details of specific demands are not being made public at this time, but union representatives are asking for a wage increase – “a fair contract,” White said. “We’re fighting for fair wages, we’re fighting for fair benefits…our holidays, our insurance,” White said.

Contract negotiations stalled recently and both parties agreed on a contract extension. That extension comes to an end on Friday, so both sides are attempting to renegotiate.

“It is a negotiation,” White said. “It’s not just demand, demand, demand. We are there to negotiate. And we hope they are there to negotiate, too.”

The rally of support was held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. so shift workers could participate if they chose to do so. The plant is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Williams said.

She estimated that of the 50 or so adults at the rally, only a small handful were not employees of the plant.

White said that the turnout should show company officials that “we are serious on our end, so they need to be serious on their end.”

Ardagh Group’s website describes the company as a global supplier of sustainable, value added, infinitely recyclable, metal and glass packaging for brand owners around the world. It operates 58 metal and glass production facilities in 12 countries and employs more than 17,000 people.

Among other items, it makes beverage cans, and containers for food, beers, wine and spirits.

TownTalk: Northeast Piedmont Chorale Presents Free Concerts

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The Northeast Piedmont Chorale is scheduled to perform two free concerts this weekend; the first one is in Raleigh and the second will take place Sunday afternoon right here at McGregor Hall in downtown Henderson.

A number of chorale members call Henderson home, including the group’s director, Cindy Edwards. Edwards, along with fellow Henderson resident and chorale baritone Tom Burleson joined chorale president Judy Miller on Wednesday’s Town Talk.

They talked with John C. Rose and Bill Harris about the upcoming performances, as well as what goes on behind the scenes to make their concerts special. The local performance is Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m.; the first concert will be on Friday, Apr. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Raleigh.

The theme of these concerts is “Home Is Where the Heart Is,” and it celebrates our nation’s history through a selection of musical renditions that highlight the arrival of the first European settlers to Lincoln’s Gettsyburg Address, as well as some familiar folk tunes – all sandwiched in between two iconic songs to begin and end the concert: “America the Beautiful” and Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.”

Edwards said the seeds for this theme were planted back in the fall of 2019, with plans for a May 2020 performance. Since it was an election year, the planners had settled on a patriotic theme. “But we know the rest of that story,” Edwards recalled, when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered theaters and cancelled performances across the globe.

Edwards said it was the opening song, “America the Beautiful,” that served as a catalyst for her and others to create the complete list of songs to include.

The particular arrangement that the chorale will perform includes narration, full orchestral accompaniment and a cappella, “which really shows off the voices” of the chorale members.

The order of the songs is intentional, she said, to tell the story of what Americans have experienced, from early settlers crossing the ocean with “Song of the Tall Ship” to Neil Diamond’s “America.” The concert uses music to portray moments in this country’s history.

The “America” piece is arranged almost exactly as Diamond performed it, she explained, but this rendition will be done with a choir, an electric bass, synthesizer and electric guitar.

The chorale members are a dedicated group of individuals that take seriously practice and rehearsals as they prepare for performances. But Miller, the chorale’s president, said the group is lucky to have Edwards as its director, citing her talent, commitment and drive which serve to make the chorale even better. “As Cindy tells us, preparation doesn’t start and stop at rehearsal,” Miller said.

As Burleson pointed out, a performance takes a lot of preparation and he said his mind has to be engaged from the beginning to the end. “The last two (songs) are as important as the first two,” he said, which requires a performer’s full attention throughout the concert. He is a relative newcomer to the chorale and said he has been impressed with the high level of professionalism among the chorale members.

Being a member of the chorale, in whatever capacity, requires dedication and commitment. And money. Members pay a small tuition to be a part of the group. But Edwards said that shows “that they love music and they want to perform it, and they are willing to commit to rehearsals and practice.”

And when that effort is combined with the talent that the chorale members possess, “it is a beautiful process,” Edwards said.

Miller said the group’s camaraderie only complements the talents of the individuals. “We sing together and perform together,” she said, “and the love of music comes through.”

Miller said Edwards reminds the group that if they really feel the music as they are singing, that feeling is conveyed to the listening audience.

It’s not just the voices of the singers that are needed for a performance – the musicians that provide accompaniment are an important part for a successful concert. Kristen Allred accompanies the chorale on piano.

“She’s been a real asset to the chorale,” Edwards said. “She does a beautiful job playing – her role is to know every note, to be able to follow the director…play the parts and to provide that support, that foundation.”

Other orchestra members also are band directors at area schools and some play at DPAC – indicating the high level of professionalism in the orchestra. “It is an inspiration to play with them because they have done their preparation,” Edwards said.

This performance will include an unusual instrument for several selections – banjo and guitar will be played by local musician Wayne Kinton.

Concertgoers are sure to recognize those songs as they are performed, including “Shady Grove,” “Shenandoah” and “Get Along Home Little Cindy,” all representative of a time when settlers were moving farther and farther West and exploring the new land that would become known as the United States of America.

One selection from Gustav Holst’s ‘Jupiter’ from The Planet Suite will be dedicated to the people of Ukraine, she said.

“This is a song that a lot of people will recognize.”

Learn more about the Northeast Piedmont Chorale, including how to make a tax-deductible donation, at https://www.npchorale.org/

 

Equine Nutrition Workshop May 3 At Granville Livestock Arena

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Area horse owners are invited to attend a workshop next week to learn more about what equines need to eat to maintain good health.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3 at the Granville livestock arena, 4200  Cannady Mill Rd.

Topics that will be discussed include understanding hay analyses and various supplements that are on the market to improve everything from a horse’s coat to strong hooves as well as reducing stress and improving gut health.

Feeding horses is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Just like people, different types of horses require different types of nutrition. Athletic horses that compete in events may require feed that is totally different from other equines that may be used for the occasional trail ride. Learn more about equine nutrition at the workshop, hosted by the cooperative extension agencies in Warren and Granville counties.

Registration is required by Sunday, May 1.

To register, CLICK HERE.

Or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-does-your-horse-really-need-tickets-292592440867

 

Home And Garden Show 04-27-22

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

 

  • Read the back of seed packets lots of useful info. Days to maturity, suggested planting depth
  • Use the NC Extension Garden Plant Toolbox to research plants before you purchase or plant them.
  • Read the label on all chemicals before you purchase them to make sure you have the right product for the job.
  • Avoid using insecticides on plants that are in bloom.
  • If you limed in the fall now would be a great time to take another soil sample to see if your ph has changed.
  • Inspect your shade and ornamental trees to see if they are fully leafed out and growing vigorously. That’s a good indicator of overall plant health.
  • Always do a walk around your lawn before mowing look for objects that can become projectiles and could damage your mower.
  • Don’t stress about lace bug damage to azaleas. They are very common and rarely have more than a cosmetic impact.

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Granville County Library System

Granville Library Patrons Have New Self-Checkout Kiosk Option

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Visitors to a couple of libraries in the Granville County Library System (GCLS) surely have noticed the newly installed self-check kiosks that provide contactless checkout of books and other materials.

Patrons of the Thornton Library in Oxford and the South Branch in Creedmoor have bibliotheca’s selfCheck 500s to assist them in checking out materials, thanks to a $17,775 grant from the State Library of North Carolina and the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA

Whether patrons want to avoid the line at the circulation desk or simply want to maintain privacy about the materials they are checking out, a simple scan of their library card is all that’s needed to check out books and other items, according to information from the library. Of course, library staff will be available to assist if patrons need help navigating the self-checkout process.

“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Granville County Library System has looked for ways to modernize and make library operations safer through technology,” Library Director Will Robinson said in a press statement.

The self-checkout system improves library operations and minimizes contact between staff and patrons, Robinson said. And using federal COVID relief funds instead of local tax dollars was a great way to make operations more efficient while giving patrons additional choices on how they access our  materials and services, he added.

The State Library of North Carolina received funding as part of the federal government’s investment in museums and libraries through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provided additional funds to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to support vital library programs and services in local communities. LSTA grants are awarded in response to specific needs of public, academic, and community college libraries. These federal funds are investments that help libraries deliver relevant and up-to-date services to their communities.

The grants are made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-250229- OLS-21).

Free Pop-Up Medical Clinic Coming To Henderson May 14-15

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Vance Charter School is going to be the site for an upcoming pop-up free medical clinic for residents in the Henderson and Vance County area.

The clinic is part of Remote Area Medical (RAM), an organization whose mission is to provide quality medical care by health professionals to those underserved and uninsured populations. The RAM chapter at Duke University has enlisted its members to organize and finalize plans for the weekend clinic.

Some of the procedures that will be done include general exams, women’s health exams, dental fillings, cleanings and extractions and eye exams – with eyeglasses made on site.

Doctors, nurses, dentists, optometrists and other health professionals will see patients on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, beginning at 5 a.m. each day.

Clinics have historically serviced between 200 and 2000 community members over a single weekend, according to Rishabh Jain, a Duke University senior who is one of the organizers for the local event.

Jain said RAM appreciates local collaborators Dr. Brian Mathis of Vance Charter School, Capt. Derrick Smith of the Henderson Salvation Army, and Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt of the Duke Department of Medicine to host a clinic to serve central North Carolina.

There will be extensive COVID-19 protections in place, including HEPA-filtered dental bays, hospital-grade disinfecting protocols and temperature screening and social distancing of waiting patients.

“Patients will never be asked any questions about insurance status—all are welcome,” SS said in an email to WIZS News. “We believe this will be a great initiative that brings diverse cohorts of the Henderson community together.”

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess said business/professional sponsorship opportunities are available now.  “Your financial assistance is needed, and you will see a direct return on your investment to this special cause with marketing and promotional signage, social media ads, your business name on volunteer t-shirts, and in media news releases,” Burgess said in a statement to WIZS News.

The payments can be made to Vance Charter School, and funds will be used to help cover hotel rooms for four nights for more than 30 volunteers who come in early and stay late to set up the tents, medical equipment, tables/chairs, and clean to prepare for the two-day event.

“Our Chamber’s theme for 2022 is ‘A Year of Community’ and what better way to bring our community together to help provide needed medical care for our citizens,” Burgess said.

She said many local medical professionals will be assisting in the event, as well as other area non-profit groups.

Vance Charter: https://portal.icheckgateway.com/VanceCharterSchool/

There is a drop-down box that indicates whether you want to pay by check or credit card, and then just click on Henderson RAM.  If you prefer to drop off your corporate/personal check, you can do so at Vance Charter School on Ross Mill Road in Henderson.  Please indicate that it is for the Free RAM clinic.

Learn more about RAM at https://www.ramusa.org/