Volunteer award
nominees sought
Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 Governor's Volunteer Service Award. The awards program, created by the governor in 1979, recognizes North Carolina's most dedicated volunteers. Through the years, the award has been bestowed on thousands of North Carolinians who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local community.
Each county selects up to 10 individuals, businesses, groups/teams and one paid director of volunteers to be recognized for their contributions to their communities. One will be nominated for the Governor's Medallion Award for Volunteer Service, which is awarded to the top 20-25 volunteers in the state. A local committee evaluates the nominations.
Nomination forms are available in Franklin County at the Cooperative Extension Center and can also be found at www.volunteernc.org. Nomination forms are due by Feb. 6, to the Franklin County Center of N.C. Cooperative Extension office, 103 South Bickett Blvd., Louisburg.
They can also be emailed to charles_mitchell@ncsu.edu. For questions, call Cooperative Extension at 919-496-3344.

Tobacco and GAP meeting
Join N.C. Cooperative Extension, Franklin County Center, Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m., at Franklin Plaza, 279 S. Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, for the Upper Middle Belt Tobacco & GAP meeting. Lunch will be provided. Two Hours Of NODX NCDA&CS Pesticide Credit. Soil Fumigation training will be offered following lunch. Registration required at https://go.ncsu.edu/uppermiddlebeltgap2026
For more information, contact the Franklin County Cooperative Extension office 919-496-3344, Extension Agent Matthew Place.

Oath of office rescheduled
The Franklin County Board of Education had been scheduled to meet next Monday, Jan. 26 to administer the oath of office to Dr. Nakia Hardy, the county district's new superintendent.
However, predictions of impending bad weather lasting into next week caused school officials to reschedule the event.
The swearing in was reset to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the former school board meeting room on West River Road.
(That was after this edition of The Franklin Times was to go to press so coverage of the swearing in will be in the Jan. 29 edition.
Dr. Hardy will be taking over the district's top job following the retirement of Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, whose last day was in December, 2025.

Library's February programs slated
If you're 55+ and like to read in community you could take part in the Page Turners Book Club hosted by the library at the Louisburg Senior Center! The next meeting is 10 a.m. Monday, Feb 2.
There will be a special, Valentine's themed Baby & Me Storytime and Craft for pregnant or parenting teens (19 years old or younger) beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Franklinton Library. It's a free event.
Ever wonder where your family fits into the grand tapestry of American history?
The library is holding introductory workshops on genealogy. The workshop will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Louisburg library; at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 12 at the Franklinton library and at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Bunn library.

Civitan plans a Friendshp Dance
The Cypress Creek Civitan Club has scheduled its annial Friendship/Special Needs Dance for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14.
The dance is free -- with pizza and refreshmenrts provided.
All exceptional children ages 10 and up and their family members are invited.
The dance will be held in the New Vision Building behind the Baptist Church, 205 E. Jewitt Avenue, Bunn.
RSVP with number of attendees to: Shyrl 570-428-3204 or Nancy 607-349-9407.