Community
INFINITY DIVAS: Giving Back in Style
What began as a line dance ensemble for a holiday show three years ago, blossomed into Infinity Divas, a group of extraordinary women dedicated to empowerment, sisterhood, and cultivating strong connections in the community.
In December 2018, they were asked to perform at a Christmas program in Weldon, NC titled, Dancing with Mr. Caine and needed to think of a name.
Connie Montague, the group president, credits Anita Moss (Vice President) with naming the group. Moss shared that, they are “a group of ladies that’s not related by blood, but the Love in our hearts binds us together Infinitely.”
The Sisterhood includes Montague; Moss; Talya Somerville (Secretary); Jackie Brown (Treasurer), Tomeka Talley, Cherilyn Hendrick, and Sandy Dunston.
Since their inception, the Infinity Divas have been on a charitable crusade to “create a strong connection with the youth and seniors” and “empower other women and families by providing resources that will help with giving back to the community.”
Their philanthropic feats have included:
They have also used their platform to bring awareness for Breast Cancer and Alzheimer’s.
This past holiday season, the group treated the residents of Warren Hills, Boyds, and Alpha Magnolia Gardens with over 160 fruit bags and gifts like skull caps and throw blankets.
The looks on the residents’ faces let us know they were well received! Everyone was so appreciative and so are we!
Not only are they making a difference in the community, but they are also preparing the next generation of “Mini Divas.”
Teach them while they’re young. MINI DIVAS, Aliyah Alston and Alani Montague Smith helped deliver gifts to the residents at Alpha Magnolia Gardens.
Montague stated none of it would be possible without their sponsors, Drewery Trucking, Bre-zel Logistics, Carol Montague Davis, and Ray and Maggie Harris (Comfort Home/Harris Trucking/The Deck Entertainment Complex) for hosting all of their events and being one of their biggest supporters.
Infinity Divas preparing gifts // 📷 Infinity Divas Facebook page
The Infinity Divas have become a force in a short amount of time. Much like the name, it is their love and willingness to give freely to others without return that exhibit the spirit and good nature that uplifts the Warren County community, now and forever in the hearts they’ve touched.
If you would like to assist the group in their charitable efforts, they can be reached at (252)213-3037 or (848)250-9405 or via email at infinitydivas [AT] gmail.com.
Follow the Infinity Divas on Facebook.
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INFINITY DIVAS (front l-r): Talya Somerville, Tomeka Talley – back (l-r) Sandy Dunston, Jackie Brown, Anita Moss, Cherilyn Hendrick, Connie Montague// 📷 Infinity Divas Facebook page
Community
Green Rural Redevelopment Organization Launches Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute, Will Host Rural Food Forum
The 2023 Rural Food Forum to convene subject matter experts at Vance-Granville Community College January 12.
The Green Rural Redevelopment Organization, with the help of the honorable Eva Clayton, is set to launch the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute and host the inaugural Rural Food Forum scheduled for Thursday, January 12, at 8:30 a.m. at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.
The Green Rural Redevelopment Organization (GRRO), founded in 2012 with a vision to revitalize rural communities across NC and focus on poverty, food insecurity, and chronic health issues, is excited to launch the new Institute named in honor of board member and the first African-American woman to represent North Carolina in Congress Ms. Eva Clayton.
“I am a Board Member of GRRO and continue to be impressed with its founders Ardis and Henry Crews. I believed in the vision and mission of the Institute and how it could help rural communities across North Carolina,” said former Congresswoman Clayton. “I want to play a significant role in its success. The data in most rural counties in North Carolina clearly show high levels of food insecurity, poor health indicators, weak school systems, and weak economies. Rural North Carolina is home; I care and have a responsibility to help make it a healthy, better educated, more prosperous, and engaging community where I can.
The launch of the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute will take place during the organization’s inaugural Rural Food Forum on Thursday, January 12.
The forum will convene leaders, community members, rural farmers and a host of influential guests to discuss existing programs, resources and opportunities to address challenges and solutions to create sustainable economic growth in rural communities through the creation and increased utilization of rural farming and equitable food systems.
Congresswoman Eva Clayton
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our organization and the people in rural North Carolina, said Henry Crews, executive director of GRRO. “Ms. Clayton has dedicated a large part of her life to fighting for rural communities, equitable care, and access to nutritious food, and we can’t think of a better way to tap into that knowledge. The forum is how we share knowledge, resources and bring others to the table to ensure a healthier rural NC together.”
Key speakers include Stacy Dean, Deputy Under Secretary for USDA’s Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services; Debra Farrington, Deputy Secretary/Chief Health Equity Officer NC Department of Health and Human Services; Bob Etheridge, State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in NC; Dr. Norbert Wilson, Director of Duke University’s World Food Policy Center; Honorable G.K. Butterfield, Former Congressman First District of North Carolina and a host of other community leaders and advocates.
While the forum is free, registration is required to ensure adequate seating and food accommodations.
See the full forum agenda at: grronc.org/rural-food-forum
Community
What is the Average Commute in Warren County, NC
Stacker compiled statistics about the average commute in Warren County NC using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
ddisq // Shutterstock
See what the average commute is in Warren County, NC
American commutes are getting longer, with a U.S. Census Bureau report released in 2021 revealing the average one-way commute in 2019 reached a record high of 27.6 minutes. Combined with high gas prices, workers’ daily commutes are increasingly time-consuming and expensive—so much so that some are calling for commutes to count as part of the workday.
Even worse are travel times for “super commuters“—that unlucky 10% of Americans traveling more than one hour each way to punch a clock.
Stacker compiled statistics about the average commute in Warren County using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Statistics are calculated based on 2020 5-year estimates. Warren County has a longer commute than five out of six neighboring counties, with Nash County, NC having the shortest commute at 23.5 minutes.
Warren County commuting by the numbers
– Average commute: 27.4 minutes
— 9.8% higher than state average
— #29 worst commute in the state
– Workers with 1+ hour commute: 9.1%
– Workers who drive to work: 93.9%
— Workers who carpool to work: 11.6%
– Workers who take public transport to work: 0.1%
– Workers who work from home: 2.4%
– Left for work between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.: 15.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 52.1%
Commutes in neighboring counties
#1. Nash County, NC: 23.5 minutes
#2. Halifax County, NC: 24.6 minutes
#3. Mecklenburg County, VA: 24.7 minutes
#4. Vance County, NC: 24.9 minutes
#5. Northampton County, NC: 26.0 minutes
#6. Warren County, NC: 27.4 minutes
#7. Brunswick County, VA: 32.9 minutes
Counties with the best commute in North Carolina
#1. Swain County: 19.0 minutes
#2. Hyde County: 19.6 minutes
#2. Jackson County: 19.6 minutes
Counties with the worst commute in North Carolina
#1. Gates County: 36.9 minutes
#2. Currituck County: 35.1 minutes
#3. Perquimans County: 34.4 minutes
Community
Warren County Memorial Library Hosts Oasis Spaces: North Carolina Green Book Project
The Warren County Memorial Library will host the “Oasis Spaces: North Carolina Green Book Project, 1933-1966” exhibit through January 31st.
The Warren County Memorial Library will host the “Oasis Spaces: North Carolina Green Book Project, 1933-1966” exhibit through January 31st. The exhibit is made possible through a partnership with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as part of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission.
The exhibit reflects the Heritage Commission’s research about “The Negro Motorist Green Book,” which identified business that in essence served as “oasis spaces” for African American travelers during the time of segregation. The book was both a travel guide and a tool of resistance designed to confront the realities of racial discrimination in the United States and beyond. It listed over 300 North Carolina businesses including restaurants, hotels, tourist homes, nightclubs and beauty salons.
“We are pleased to present this exhibit for the community to explore a part of history that has been overlooked,” said Library Director Christy Bondy.
Oasis Spaces: North Carolina Green Book Project / Submitted photo
The library has several programs planned that accompany the exhibit including film screenings, and a virtual visit with author, Calvin Ramsey.
The Green Book Project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The Warren County Memorial Library is located at 119 S. Front St., Warrenton, NC.
For more information about the Green Book project, visit www.wcmlibrary.org.
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