Labor Day weekend not only marked the traditional end of the high season along North Carolina’s coast, but also a change in the kind of vacationer and the length of their stay. Kids are back in school, so vacationers are often coming just for the weekend – rather than the week. Reservations around Labor Day were more nightly than the traditional weekly, according to Joel DeMonbreun of Oak Island Accommodations. “We’ve got a lot of folks coming down just for …
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USA Today: N.C. State Fair among nation’s bes
The North Carolina State Fair is on the “State Fair Round-up“of the best state fairs throughout the country, as reported by USA Today. The N.C. State Fair is cited for its full slate of entertainment, family-friendly activities, such as the Village of Yesteryear, and countless colorful agricultural exhibits, such as the Field of Dreams and a Flower and Garden Show. The theme for this year’s fair (Oct. 17-27) is “North Carolina’s Homecoming” to reflect the fact that people from all …
Thursday Open Line
A device that many of us line up to use every few days or weeks was first unveiled on this date in 1885 — the gas pump. Sylvanus Bowser of Fort Wayne, Indiana made the pump for a customer to dispense fuel for lamps and stoves. As one might expect, the advent of automobiles spurred the development, popularity and distribution of the gas pump. Eventually, the inventor’s name became a generic term for a fuel dispenser, and gas pumps in …
Perry Memorial Library September Programs
The Perry Memorial Library has a full slate of programs scheduled for September. Mother GooseA fun time of stories and activities for pre-K children.Thursdays at 11 a.m. Teen time in the MakerSpaceA special time for teens to put their creativity to good use in the library’s new MakerSpace.Thursdays from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Basic Computer Skills ClassLearn the basics of using a computer.Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Reading with CleoCome and read with everyone’s favorite dog, Cleo!September 10 and September 24 at …
Triangle North Healthcare Foundation Makes History, Approves Grants
In historic action taken at its board meeting on Friday, August 23, Triangle North Heatlhcare Foundation launched its position as a regional grantmaker and approved funding for ten projects that will impact the health and wellness of individuals in Vance, Warren, Granville, and Franklin counties. Over $175,000 in grants were approved by the Foundation Board for a variety of projects that will meet the funding priorities that were set earlier this year. Those priorities are: Chronic Disease Prevention Reproductive Health …
City of Henderson Recruiting for Chief of Police
The City of Henderson has begun its recruitment process for the next Chief of Police. Ms. Becky Veazey, President of the MAPS Group via the NC League of Municipalities, is serving as consultant and facilitator of the process. One of the initial steps in the recruitment process is to obtain input from City Council, Police Department personnel, community leaders and the community-at-large through focus group meetings. The meetings have already begun within the City, and the community meeting is scheduled …
Butterfield Cheers TIGER IV Grant to Complete Center Streetscape and Union Station Projects in Goldsboro
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today cheered the U.S. Department of Transportation’s award of a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) IV grant to the city of Goldsboro. The much-needed $10 million grant will be used to complete the Gateway Transfer Center Project, the Center Streetscape Project, and the Goldsboro Union Station Multimodal Transportation Facility, all already underway. “This award is the culmination of many years of efforts to fund this project,” said Butterfield. “This investment in …
Tar River Center for History and Culture Sponsors Two Events in September
LOUISBURG, N.C.—The Tar River Center for History and Culture (TRCHC) at Louisburg College will sponsor two public events in September 2013. On Thursday, September 19, the Center will host a strategic planning session at 7:30 p.m. in the Louisburg Training Center of the Police/Fire Complex (located off of Wade Avenue in Louisburg). During the session, citizens from throughout Franklin County and the region will have an opportunity to express their hopes and dreams for how the Tar River Center and …
Wednesday Open Line
Today is the 232nd anniversary of the founding of Los Angeles by Felipe de Neve, the Spanish governor of California. It was a small village of just 12 families, but was given the name “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels.” The town had grown to some 650 residents when the Mexican Revolution overthrew Spanish colonial rule in 1821. California was among the territories ceded to the United States in 1848 after the Mexican-American War, and became …
Tuesday Open Line
Football season is soon to be in full swing again. Colleges have already begun playing, and the National Football League season starts on Thursday. For many years, it was believed the first professional game took place on this date in 1895 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. It was considered professional because one player was paid the sum of $10. However, recent research determined that the first professional game took place in 1892 in Pittsburgh. There, a Yale All-American named Pudge Heffelfinger received …
VGCC offers class on Decorating Cakes with Fondant
A class being offered for the first time at Vance-Granville Community College will teach area residents how to take their cakes to another level. “Cake Decorating: Fondant” is scheduled for Tuesday evenings from 6 until 8 p.m., Sept. 10 through Oct. 15. The classes will meet in room 5227 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. Amy Purvis of Franklinton is the instructor for this hands-on course. “Fondant is somewhat like clay, but it’s made of sugar,” Purvis explained. …
VGCC classes offer instruction in Sustainable Agriculture at home
Vance-Granville Community College is offering two new personal enrichment courses to help area residents learn how to produce their own vegetables and honey. Both courses are scheduled to be held on Thursday evenings from 6 until 9 p.m., Sept. 12 through Sept. 26, on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. In “Eating From Your Backyard,” instructor Barry Barker will focus on the process of creating a vegetable garden in the backyard, discussing the different options from raised beds to …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
FESCUE CARE Best time to fertilize and sow tall fescue is first half of September. Carolina Lawns is your complete turf guide for NC, including details on selection, maintenance, and overseeding. Download it here: http://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/PDFFiles/004175/Carolina_Lawns.pdf FALL GARDEN There’s still time to plant many vegetables for a fall harvest. Here’s a link to the complete planting calendar: http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/extension/documents/AG-756.pdf AVOID PRUNING Now is not a good time to prune, except for dead, diseased or damaged branches. Otherwise, at least wait until trees …
Vance County Planning and Environmental Committee Meeting
Please be informed that the County’s Planning and Environmental Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday, September 3 at 4:00 p.m. in the County Manager’s Office. The purpose is to continue discussions on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: August in the District
As I’ve traveled throughout the district this month, I’ve heard from so many business leaders, healthcare professionals, individuals and families about their confusion and concern over Obamacare. In Sanford this week, I held the second annual meeting of my Healthcare Advisory Council where I heard from constituents in many different areas of the healthcare industry. Also this week, I participated in an energy roundtable at South River Electric Membership Corporation in Dunn and I toured Chandler Concrete Company and a …
White House: Labor Day
As a nation, we celebrate Labor Day to recommit ourselves each year to the idea that everyone who works hard in America has a chance to get ahead. It’s a goal that motivates President Obama every single day. It’s why he’s fighting for a better bargain for the middle class. Getting ahead means a good education and a home of your own. It means health care when you get sick and a secure retirement even if you’re not rich. Above …
Chamber Ribbon Cutting – REW Medical Wear and Tanning
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for REW Medical Wear and Tanning on August 6th to announce their membership with the Chamber. REW Medical Wear and Tanning has been serving the local community for over a decade. They offer the region’s largest selection of medical uniforms along with professional, occupational, and recreational shoes. The major brands that we offer in medical uniforms are as follows: Grey’s Anatomy, Dickies, Cherokee, and Koi. They have many others to choose from and as …
Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Area Hearing Center
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Area Hearing Center on August 12th to announce their new location and membership with the Chamber. Area Hearing Center is an Audiological practice specializing in Personalized Hearing Healthcare. Dr. Lara “Kotty” Gray, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology provides Audiological care throughout the four counties: Diagnostic Audiological Services; Hearing Instrument Evaluations, Fittings, Service, Repair, Batteries and Accessories, as well as Hearing Protection, Industrial Hearing Testing and Interpretation to meet current OSHA standards for Hearing Conservation. …
Local manufacturer Glen Raven awarded E3 Scholarship
Glen Raven of Norlina was recently selected to receive an “E3” scholarship through North Carolina State University’s Industrial Extension Service, based on recommendations by local partnering organizations, including Vance-Granville Community College. This scholarship will support professional assessments that can help Glen Raven save money and become more sustainable. “We are excited and honored to be the newest E3 North Carolina manufacturer,” said Todd Wemyss, the manager for Glen Raven’s Norlina site. “This partnership will bring some unique resources, services and …
Current version of GED Test near expiration, VGCC officials warn
Vance-Granville Community College is reminding area adults who have started but not completed the GED that the current version of the test, known as the 2002 Series GED Test, will expire at the end of the year. The national GED Testing Service will replace that series with a new version on Jan. 2, 2014. Students who have completed at least one part of the GED test, but not passed all five content areas, have until the end of 2013 to …