July 2023

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and the winners are...

EXCELLENCE IN ARTS

INSPIRING COACH

DYNAMIC ENTREPRENEUR

OUTSTANDING FIREFIGHTER

DISTINGUISHED POLICE OFFICER

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JOHNSTON NOW HONORS WINNERS ANNOUNCED

TABLE OF

26 28

4 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

Patriotism: A Practice Pine Level celebrates 150th anniversary

29

North Johnston graduate earns Sam Narron Award

32

Kenly Public Library receives grant

[ PUBLISHER ] column

July issue:

OUR MISSION, SHOULD WE CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT…

I

f you’re reading this, then and the last two interviews everything I’m about to are scheduled for today. So, if describe turned out OK. If everything goes perfectly, all you’re not, then I’m basically of the editorial content for the writing a diary entry.

July edition will be done by the As I write this, it’s June afternoon of June 6, which is eight 5. It’s nine days until the days until the deadline.

Randy Capps magazine goes to press on That’s about half the story. randy@johnstonnow.com June 14, which sounds like The rest of the magazine is plenty of time. But hum the advertising, and I’m told that “Mission Impossible” theme in your head about 25 percent of the ads are ready. This and hear me out. isn’t terrible, since holes can be left in the Ten of the 12 Honors stories are written, layout and filled in later on down the line.

YOUR JNOW

TEAM Volume 7, Number 8 A Shandy Communications, LLC publication

Publisher Randy Capps

General Manager Shanna Capps

randy@johnstonnow.com

shanna@johnstonnow.com

Marketing Representative Wanda Sasser wanda@johnstonnow.com

But still, the window is a little tight. Toss in the fact that the Norwegian Escape leaves Miami on Sunday, June 10, with Shanna and me on board, and I’m a little nervous.

Last month, it took our design folks eight days from the time when we finished the last editorial file to them sending the files to the printer.

So imagine Mike in the role of Tom Cruise, cutting the red wire on a bomb just before the timer hits zero, speeding the completed magazine on its way to printed glory.

Figuratively speaking, of course.

Marketing Representative Justin Roy

Editor Mike Bollinger

justin@johnstonnow.com

mike@johnstonnow.com

Office Manager Terri Atkinson

Advertising Operations Manager Kayla Stott

Website Designer David Osorio

terri@johnstonnow.com

kayla@johnstonnow.com

david@johnstonnow.com

919-980-5522 • www.johnstonnow.com • Facebook.com/JohnstonNow • 1300 W. Market Street, Smithfield, N.C. 27577 • hello@johnstonnow.com Johnston Now Magazine is a monthly publication of Shandy Communications, LLC for our Johnston County neighbors. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent by the publisher. Advertisers take sole responsibility for the validity of their advertisement. ©2023 Johnston Now. All rights reserved.

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK!

WWW.SMITHFIELD-NC.COM/JOBS [ JULY 2023 ] • 5

HONORS EXCELLENCE IN ARTS

Patricia Goldsmith

By RANDY CAPPS

S

mithfield resident Patricia Goldsmith spent decades teaching graphic design and offset printing in Pitt and Wake County schools, touching countless lives and fanning the flames of a host of artistic visions along the way.

It’s for her own talent, and her pouring into her students, that she’s been named the 2023 Johnston Now Honors Excellence in Arts Award winner.

Were it not for the kindness of others, however, it might not have happened at all. Growing up in Atlantic City, she wasn’t expecting to have the means to attend college.

“I grew up Catholic,” she said.

“Went to 12 years of Catholic school. I lived across the street from a Methodist church, and I socialized with those kids a lot growing up. At the 11th hour, they gave me a $300 scholarship to go to school.”

There wasn't a spot available for her in the New Jersey area, but a brother-in-law stationed at what was then known as Fort Bragg suggested East Carolina.

And off she went.

At first she wanted to go into chemistry, but didn’t enjoy the math that was involved.

“I was visiting the art department one day, and I was

6 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

looking around,” she said. “I had never had any courses in art, but the instinct was there. I was looking and I was thinking, ‘that looks like fun.’ I went to the dean, and typically you’d need a portfolio, but I talked to him and said, ‘just let me take one or two courses and see how it goes.’ I got A’s and changed majors. That was it.”

Goldsmith’s mother had a high school diploma, but her father did not. He was self-taught, however, and not entirely thrilled with her choice of majors.

“When I told him I was majoring in art, he had a hissy fit,” she said. “But when I told him I wanted to be a teacher, it was ‘let me introduce you to my daughter, the teacher.’”

“They both gave me that work ethic that I tried to give to my students, too. It’s so important.”

She taught graphic design at North Pitt High School for 11 years, then spent the next eight as the production manager for the N.C. Catholic Newspaper.

“I had one of the first MacIntoshes that Steve Jobs ever made in 1983,” she said, overseeing the paper’s modernization and the transition from typewriters and paste up to computers.

She spent a year writing grants and working with

Retired educator has spent lifetime experiencing and sharing the arts Goodwill Industries of Wake County before going to work at Athens Drive in 1990 and teaching graphic design and offset printing there for 20 years.

“Having paid for my education, I was determined to teach for at least one year to prove to myself I could do it,” she said with a laugh. “And the rest is history. It just fit like a glove. It wasn’t so much the subject matter. It was just being with the kids and teaching them and watching them grow into something. Passing along not just art or graphic design or the skills of offset printing, … but life skills. Hopefully, somewhere along the way, it served somebody well.”

She retired in the summer of 2010, and has spent that time seeing the world.

“I drank tea in the Dalai Lama’s living room,” she said.

“He wasn’t there, of course.”

This includes an impressive list of famous museums, too.

“Each museum has a different speciality,” she said. “It’s not like going up to Washington to the Smithsonian.”

She was especially struck by Picasso’s “Guernica,” which she saw in Madrid at the Prado.

“You see it in a book, and it’s like this big,” she said, holding her hands a few inches apart.

“But it’s this massive wall.

And the imagery that portrays the suffering and the war and all those things going on was poignant.”

She also enjoys gardening, photography, the Red Hat Society and — of course — dabbling in graphic design for churches and nonprofit organizations.

One of those retirement projects was documenting the sanctuary mosaics built for Saint Ann Catholic Church, which isn’t far from her home in Smithfield.

Mosaic artist Jorge Luis Piña Rosales built the mosaics piece by piece in Mexico, numbered them and shipped them to the church.

The entire process is captured in a Shutterfly book, which includes Goldsmith’s writing, photography and design.

It’s one of many Shutterfly books that she’s made, since she does them for all of her travels — which most recently includes Bosnia and the surrounding countries that once formed Yugoslavia.

“Don’t wait until you retire to travel,” she said. “It opens your mind.”

As that trek from Atlantic City to Greenville did for her and countless others.

We are proud to have two teammates named winners in the 2023 JNOW Honors Awards!

When excellence in the job performance of any of our teammates is recognized, our entire team takes pride in how it reflects on all of us.

Congratulations Kyle McDermott and Dr. Octavio Cieza. Thank you both for representing UNC Health Johnston in such a positive, professional way.

Kyle McDermott

Octavio Cieza, MD Best Healthcare Professional

Vice President - Support Services

Spirit Of The County Award

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HONORS Inspiring Coach honoree finds his true calling with Miracle League

INSPIRING COACH

Monty McLamb

By MIKE BOLLINGER

T

he fun had gone out of coaching for Monty McLamb. Then, he saw a segment on television in 2008 that started him on the road to regaining that fun.

He found that joy through the formation of the Miracle League of Johnston County, and because of that work he has been named the Johnston Now Honors Inspiring Coach Award winner.

He had coached his two sons in various sports beginning when they were about five years old. “I was the typical dad coach. When they got to high school, I kind of bowed out of coaching them since they had their high school coaches,” he said. “I really didn’t have anything to coach, so I stayed out a year.”

Then, he was asked to coach in a youth league by parents of some of the players. “People were yelling at the umpires and the kids. The fun had been taken out of it,” McLamb said.

The TV segment McLamb saw was about Miracle League, a league that helps children with disabilities and special needs enjoy baseball. “I got in touch with them in Conyers, Ga. A lady named Diane talked to me and looked up information on Johnston County. She said, ‘You need one’, and sent me the information,” he said.

The concept of the Miracle League of Johnston County was born.

From there, McLamb said he contacted some people he knew through church and school activities, and they sat down one day and came up with a plan to start raising money.

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“My Sunday School class was the first people I told about it,” he said.

Attorney Emery Ashley volunteered to do the legal work. “He got us set up,” McLamb said.

In 2009, the local league was incorporated. “We hit the ground running,” McLamb said.

At first, he said the goal was to raise $10,000. Then, following a presentation to the Smithfield Civitan Club, he spoke with a representative from the Partnership for Children of Johnston County, which was trying to raise money to build a park for children with special needs.

“We decided to combine forces to build a Miracle League field and a special needs park.

Suddenly, we were looking at a $1 million budget,” McLamb said. “We started raising

money in 2011. The Town of Smithfield provided the land for the field (at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center), but we couldn’t break ground until we had the money.”

Finally, through fundraising efforts and state grants, construction began in 2017.

In April 2018, the park and the field were opened.

“We had a crowd of about 400 people at the opening,” McLamb said.

The league had been playing at the community park in Smithfield since 2010 on a regular baseball field.

“We learned quickly the facilities were not compatible.

Wheelchairs don’t roll well on dirt and walkers are very hard to navigate. We played eight years on regular fields,” McLamb said.

He was quick to point out that without the volunteers that come out every Saturday, the Miracle League could not operate. “Our league survives on volunteers. BB&T (now Truist) provided our first set of volunteers and gave us a donation,” McLamb said.

At the first game in 2010, there were 12 players. The season that finished this year, there were 78. “The league is designed for ages 5-18, but we don’t turn anybody away,” he said.

According to McLamb, there were more than 200 volunteers who helped this season. Between 30 and 40 are needed for each game. “You’re volunteering to help, but when you leave, you realize they (the players) have helped you,” he said. “We have high school kids who come out every week.”

Later this year, another fundraising effort will begin.

“We are going to try and raise about $150,000. When we built the field, we maxed out our finances. We are at the farthest point on the SRAC property. We want to build restrooms and a small picnic area. Our plan is to sit down with parents and come up with ideas to raise money,” McLamb said.

It’s easy to see working with Miracle League has become McLamb’s passion.

“You get addicted to it.

Parents are surprised when I tell them I don’t have special needs kids,” he said.

After the Miracle League started, his wife, Kim, became certified in teaching children with special needs. She did so until her recent retirement from Four Oaks Elementary School.

“It can be tough to get out of bed on a Saturday morning, but when the first

kid gives you a hug, it’s game on. Parents have told me I treat their kids just like kids.

That’s the purpose of the league, they’re just kids on a baseball field,” McLamb said.

“You’d be surprised at their personalities. They’re just out there to have fun. That’s what I like most about it.”

McLamb credited the people of Johnston County for getting the Miracle League

off the ground and keeping it running.

“We owe all of this to the generosity of Johnston County.

We may be the fastest growing county in the southeast, but people still believe in people.

When somebody needs help, we still help them out,” he said.

For more information about the Miracle League of Johnston County and how to help, visit www.miracleleaguejc.com.

[ JULY 2023 ] • 11

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[ JULY 2023 ] • 13

HONORS Dynamic Entrepreneur honoree uses her businesses to help others

DYNAMIC ENTREPRENEUR

Kaylee Stavlas

By MIKE BOLLINGER

I

t’s not always the case that a high school sophomore devotes a good portion of their time and energy toward helping others.

Kaylee Stavlas is that case.

Her desire to help people started when she was only eight years old. “I saw a video of Haitian children suffering from malnourishment. They were so hungry they were literally eating mud cakes,” Stavlas said.

Moved by that video, she started a business making “mud cookies.” She rallied her friends, and with help from them and her mother, Laura, ended up raising more than $1,000. That money, she said, was enough to provide food, water and education for Haitians for a year.

This, and other projects she has taken on since, are the reason Stavlas has been named the Johnston Now Honors Dynamic Entrepreneur Award winner.

“I want to give back. That has always been important to me,” she said.

Stavlas has also started NEX GEN CEO, a program that empowers the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs to use their businesses for good. Through NEX GEN CEO, she has visited several schools in Johnston County and surrounding areas and is working with the Johnston County Board of Education to get

14 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

clubs established in schools. Her mother is the co-founder of NEX GEN CEO. “I try and teach them how they can be the change through their businesses,” she said. “We are targeting diverse communities, minorities and the disabled. One of our main goals is to be inclusive to all.”

NEX GEN CEO recently hosted Smithfield’s first Student Business Fair. For this effort, Stavlas received a proclamation from Smithfield Mayor Andy Moore declaring the day of the event “Next Generation Entrepreneur Day.” The business fair was designed for students to showcase their businesses and sell products for profit and social impact. “It went really well. Like any event, there were a few issues. A lot of people bought from the student vendors,” Stavlas said. “It was a really cool event overall.”

Laura Stavlas noted there were 17 students from 15 schools participating. Approximately $200 was raised through the event, and that money will go toward scholarships. “We are grateful to the Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center for partnering with us and helping us put on the event,” she said.

Kaylee also runs a business called Amazon Angels Boutique.

With the help of her grandmother, Maria Vango O’Brien, she paints designs on the backs of denim

jackets. All proceeds from that business go toward a tribe living in the Amazon Rain Forest. “They were dying due to a lack of safe drinking water. We’ve been able to provide nine different wells for them,” Kaylee said.

She is also an author. She has written a children’s book, “You Can Change the World,” and she and her mother are working on a book entitled “Beyond Imagining.”

The subtitle of that book is “10 steps to unlocking the greatness inside you and your business.”

The children’s book is available on Amazon.

“Beyond Imagining,” when published, will hopefully help young entrepreneurs with starting their businesses. Kaylee said she hopes to get the book into local schools once published. “This book will help them to deal with any hardships along the way.

Being an entrepreneur is not always a walk in the park,” she said.

While still in high school, she is also taking classes through Southeastern University. “I’ll be able to go into college as a junior. I want to be a corporate lawyer and own my own law firm, and that takes three extra years of school so I wanted to get a head start,” she said.

She is already working toward her law career by serving as a teen attorney in the Durham Teen Court. “It’s an actual court.

I help other teens toward getting

community service instead of juvenile detention,” Kaylee said.

At the Student Business Fair, a panel of judges chose the best of the student entrepreneurs.

One of those judges was Miss Carolina’s Teen Kerrigan Brown.

Kaylee, the reigning Miss Smithfield’s Teen, traveled to High Point in June for the Miss Carolina’s Teen pageant in the hopes of following in Brown’s footsteps.

She has been taking opera lessons since last year, and planned to put those lessons to use as her talent for the competition. If she won the competition (which took place before this was published) she wanted to implement NEX GEN CEO clubs in schools in all 100 counties in the state to work with young people wanting to start businesses.

Her message to young entrepreneurs was simple.

“In many ways, there is no such ways as failure. Failure is another driver to success. The only time there is failure is giving up. In any business, you have to keep persevering. Some days, you will make a lot of money and other days you will have zero profit,” Kaylee said.

For more information about NEX GEN CEO, visit www. nexgenceo.org, follow them on Instagram at @nexgenceoclub or email nexgenceoclub@gmail. com.

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[ JULY 2023 ] • 15

HONORS OUTSTANDING FIREFIGHTER

Alan Johnson

By RANDY CAPPS

A

lan Johnson grew up in Benson, started volunteering at the fire department in 1996, joined the staff as an engineer in 2002 and became the town’s chief six years later.

That public service, and a healthy dose of community spirit makes him a good choice for the 2023 Johnston Now Honors Outstanding Firefighter Award.

Of course, much has changed in Johnston County during his 15-year tenure as chief. But Johnson’s approach isn’t all that different these days.

“There’s a lot more traffic and houses,” he said. “Benson hasn’t changed as much as some other places in the county, but we can tell it’s coming.

“We have much better equipment than we did then.

We have more paid staff, but we tend to have fewer volunteers. We’ve been fortunate over the years to get grants to get better equipment.”

Many people want to climb the ladder in firefighting, moving on to bigger cities and larger departments. But not Johnson.

16 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

“I’ve never been anywhere else,” he said. “Never looked anywhere else. … I love people, and I love helping people. I love the community.

I love Benson, that’s the main thing.”

That spirit shows up in the efforts of the entire department, which now carries an insurance rating of 2, which saves business owners and residents money on their insurance bill.

While that’s an important achievement, it doesn’t overshadow the personal touch that Johnson brings to the job.

“We’re right there at I-95 and 40,” he said. “Someone there has gotten in a wreck on the way to the airport, I’ve put them in the truck and taken them to the airport so they could get there in time. I’ve taken people to rent cars in Fayetteville or Raleigh. … I tell them that if my wife and boys were off somewhere, I would hope somebody would do the same for them. That’s kind of the way I was raised.”

With his strong Benson roots, it’s only natural that Johnson would want the fire department to be closely connected to the town as well.

Benson native blends community spirit, professionalism into firefighting career “Loretta (Byrd) always keeps us busy with community events,” he said. “She always thanks me, but I always tell her I don’t mind. Anything going on, we try to show up because we’re part of the community.

From our side, being seen is important. A lot of people don’t realize we’re there until they really need us. But, if we can get out there and be seen, people know we’re here.

“When somebody calls 911, to me, it might not be that bad. But to them, it may be the worst day of their life.

You’ve got to have that trust. If something’s wrong with your house, they’re letting you go in there. … It’s a big trust thing.

The more we can be seen, meet them, talk to them, I think the better off we are.”

The Benson Fire Department

handled 1,374 calls last year, and is pacing ahead of that figure so far in 2023. Johnson believes that it takes a special kind of person to serve.

“Just anybody can’t be in the fire service,” he said. “They’ve got to want to. It’s got to be in your heart to go out and help people. Because you’re working for a municipality or the government, you’re not going to get rich. You’ve got to have the passion, but it’s very, very rewarding when you get to help somebody in need.

“Without the volunteers, none of this would be possible.

They help keep it all together.

They’re our numbers when something happens. .. They’re the grease in the wheel that keeps it going.”

Some people would say the same thing about the chief.

HONORS

Distinguished Police Officer honoree committed to community policing in Four Oaks

DISTINGUISHED POLICE OFFICER

Stephen Anderson

By RANDY CAPPS

S

tephen Anderson was sworn in as Four Oaks Police Chief on March 9, 2015, and a week or so later, a writer from what was then known as the Four Oaks Journal was in his office to write a story for the first edition of the new magazine in town (May 2015).

Anderson spoke of his small town roots in nearby Grantham, his commitment to community policing and how you “could take a peaceful approach to solving a big problem.”

Fast forward more than eight years, and Anderson is still approaching police work that way. That communityfocused approach is why he’s this year’s Johnston Now Honors Distinguished Police Officer Award winner.

“Our community has grown and flourished a whole lot quicker than I imagined,” he said. “As a chief you set goals as to where you want to see the department go as the town grows, and my end-ofcareer (goals)? I’ve changed those twice because of how fast we’re growing. But we still have that small town feel, and community policing is where it’s at.”

The department has grown from five officers to 11 now, with one being a part-time code enforcement officer, but the priorities haven’t changed all that much.

“My door when I walk in, it’s open,” he said. “And it’s open for anybody. … It’s like a lot of anything you do in life. You can focus on the negative, or you can focus on the positive. Yeah, there may be a handful of negatives, but don’t let it blind you to the amount of positives. Folks really do appreciate what you do. I have kids growing up in this world, so we have to have law enforcement.

“That’s the thing that those of us who have been around for a while, when a younger officer comes in, no matter how they might have been raised, we try to show them the proper way to work from your heart. Not always just from your mind. Sometimes, people are having a rough day. And it doesn’t always have to end with a ticket.

You can give a warning.

Sometimes, open your ears a little bit and listen instead of talking so much.”

One of the passages from the 2015 article reads: “We just want people to know

we’re there for them. They can call us. It doesn’t have to be a negative thing — they could just need someone to talk to. … In these bigger towns and cities, they’re so fast paced that sometimes, before you get a chance to think about what’s going on, it’s all over. Here, it’s not

that way. Being able to know everybody and call folks by name means a lot to me.”

Plenty of things are different in Four Oaks than they were in 2015, but that at least, remains the same.

“I still love what I do,” he said. “Been doing it 17 years now, and I still love it.”

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HONORS BEST HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL

Dr. Octavio Cieza

By RANDY CAPPS

P

art of the nomination for Dr. Octavio Cieza, who specializes in infectious diseases in the UNC Health Johnston system, was written by a nurse who works with him and reads as follows: “Dr. Cieza is kind, caring, intelligent and works hard to collaborate with staff daily to treat his patients individually to meet their needs. I cannot recommend a better provider to uplift in our community.”

That’s why Dr. Cieza is this year’s choice for the Johnston Now Honors Best Healthcare Professional Award. ”I did not expect it,” he said.

“I’m going to thank her again.”

Dr. Cieza is a native of Peru, and a graduate of the National University of San Marcos in Lima. It was there that the idea of practicing medicine in the U.S. was born.

“It was the way of destiny to come (here),” he said. “When I was in medical school, there was a medical mission team from Ohio that came to Lima.

I had the time to meet them, and it kind of was a link (to the United States). It was a very long journey to make. You finish medical school, then you have to take the boards. Passing the medical boards was not really that hard, but the language is the main barrier.”

18 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

He learned English while in medical school, had a residency in Ohio and the University of Illinois-Chicago for six years, had a year of HIV training in Houston and spent some time practicing in an underserved community in Barnwell, S.C., before moving to Johnston County in 2007.

With many other options available, Dr. Cieza decided to concentrate on infectious diseases.

“My answer was simple,” he said. “When you’re doing your internal medicine and you’re about to finish, that’s when you choose. … There was a report at the time that the happiest doctors worked in infectious diseases. It said specifically, ‘you will not be rich, but you will be happy.’ To me, that made sense.

I’m not here to make money. I wanted to be happy and fulfilled.

I do not regret it.”

The field of study covers plenty of ground.

“It’s nothing fancy,” he said. “It’s not just sexually transmitted diseases. It’s COVID, monkeypox, tuberculosis, hepatitis, bone infections, obesity with poorly controlled diabetes — we have many conditions that make you have serious infections we need to treat.”

The pandemic was a trying time for everyone, especially those working in healthcare.

Healthcare award winner values lessons learned from the pandemic

“For COVID, we were really, really busy,” he said. “We were dealing with some shortcomings from the government. We could have done better in many ways.

But we survived. But we all lost.

I don’t know any family that wasn’t touched by COVID. But we made it.

“We had one of the best survival rates in the state. All of the hospital units were full. We didn’t sleep. I got maybe one or two hours at a time.”

He believes that COVID provided a couple of valuable lessons.

“We learned that information that you get can be very dangerous if it comes from the wrong place,” he said. “We lost a lot of patients because of bad information. Anti-vaccine and all those things. … The other thing we learned is that we really have to work as a team. The whole

community, the whole hospital, everybody pitched in to help.”

Treating HIV patients has always been a priority for Dr. Cieza, and he says that treating it has come a long way during his career.

“HIV treatment has been one of my specialties,” he said. “HIV is one of those conditions that sounds bad in the community, but the medicines and the government funding for research, it has improved many things. HIV treatment is easy these days. Literally, patients take one little pill a day, and the survival rate is better than diabetes, better than high blood pressure.”

The smile on his face as he shared that fact lends credence to the report he read back in medical school. Maybe infectious disease doctors are just happier.

HONORS LEGEND AWARD

Dr. P. K. Vyas

By MIKE BOLLINGER

F

rom arriving in the United States with $29 in his pocket to establishing a thriving medical practice in Benson, the Johnston Now Honors Legend Award winner has accumulated quite the list of accomplishments.

Dr. P. K. Vyas landed in Lumberton in 1982 as a student, mainly because his in-laws at the time lived there. He went on to Cooke County Hospital in Chicago to perform his residency before returning to North Carolina. He worked for a time with a doctor in Fayetteville before moving to Benson to work with a doctor there. That partnership lasted 11 months until February 1987.

He then decided it was time to start his own practice, Eastern Carolina Medical Center. One of the reasons behind starting the practice was to serve people who had to travel for care.

“I was the only internist in Benson at that time. We have taken care of thousands of patients since I started. We now have three total providers,” Vyas said.

The Dr. P. K. Vyas Community Park in Benson bears his name.

“They came to me when they didn’t get enough funding for the park. What I funded, the state matched. I was the largest contributor, and they put my name on it,” he said. “Benson had no park before it was built.

We are trying to add tennis and pickleball courts now.”

When Dunn needed a recreation center, Vyas was asked to help. He stepped up to the plate, and the City of Dunn Dr. P. K. Vyas Recreation Center was established.

He is also a big supporter of the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, and the family room there is named after him. In addition, he donated $1 million to the Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, and the anatomy lab there is named for him. He also supports the Harnett Health Foundation.

In addition, he has purchased ambulances for Johnston County EMS to have in Benson. “EMS asked for help when they needed a new truck. Of course, I work closely with EMS, so I paid for it,” Vyas said.

The food pantry in Benson serves about 500 meals per day, and Vyas is a supporter of that as well. He also funds scholarships for students who want to study in health-related fields at South Johnston, Midway and Triton high schools.

Vyas supports productions at the Benson Little Theater and Benson Singing Grove as well.

“Anything the town of Benson needs, they always come to me and I support as many events as I can,” he said.

In 2011, he added a pharmacy to the practice. “That has been

Legend Award winner continues supporting his community

the best thing I did. We have pharmacists on call 24 hours a day.

People can call us and they don’t end up waiting in the emergency room,” Vyas said. “We also have employees who help patients get drugs at no cost. We provide about $5 million per year in free medications.”

This year, he received the North Carolina Department of Transportation Extra Mile Award.

“We gave more than 70,000 COVID vaccines to employees across the state,” he said.

Vyas said he is grateful for what he has and what he has been able to accomplish. “Number one, I give credit to God. Also, the people of these three counties (Johnston, Harnett and Sampson) have supported us. I also credit my employees. I have a great staff. I’m blessed to have a wonderful staff,” he said.

Eastern Carolina Medical Center was able to open a new office in 1991 with on-site labs, X-rays and ultrasounds, and then additions in 1999 and 2004 brought physical therapy, CT scanning, nuclear stress testing and many specialty services to the practice. ECMC was named Benson Business of the Year in 2011.

One main philosophy, Vyas said, drives the way he practices medicine. “I try to remember what I don’t know and refer patients when needed. I never want to act like I know it all,” he said.

As if running a medical practice and endlessly supporting his

community isn’t enough, Vyas finds time to be an avid tennis fan. “(Roger) Federer, always,” he said when asked about his favorite player. He said he has been to the U.S. Open several times and hopes to travel to Wimbledon this year.

He also sings at weddings as well as engagement, anniversary and birthday parties.

“I want to sincerely thank the people in the area that have supported me all these years. I owe my practice to the people of Johnston, Harnett and Sampson counties. About 90 percent of my practice comes from these counties,” Vyas said. “They have had faith in me and put their lives in my hands.”

Vyas said he has no intention of stopping his support of the community or practicing medicine. “I will continue to support projects in Benson. As long as they meet my criteria, I will support them,” he said.

His 66th birthday was June 6.

“Most practitioners would be looking to retire at this point in their career and life, but I have no interest in retiring. As long as my mind and body hold out, I will continue to do what I love, which is care for patients,” Vyas said.

Continuing to support the community and work at his practice is fitting for Vyas, because longevity is one of the things of which legends are made.

[ JULY 2023 ] • 19

HONORS SPIRIT OF THE COUNTY

Kyle McDermott

By MIKE BOLLINGER

K

yle McDermott has been giving his time to his community in Johnston County for 40 years through organizations such as the Johnston Health Foundation and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce.

For this longtime work, he has been chosen as the Johnston Now Honors Spirit of the County Award winner.

He began his community work in 1983 as a volunteer with the United Way. After serving with the United Way until the mid 1990s, he began working with the Johnston County Educational Foundation. In 1992, he was asked to help with the formation of a foundation for the county’s hospital. “I continue to be involved with the hospital foundation,” he said.

With the Clayton chamber, he has chaired the annual golf tournament and assisted with many projects out of the public eye. “I prefer to work behind the scenes,” he said.

McDermott is now in his seventh year on the Clayton Chamber board. He serves as vice-chair this year, and next year will take over as chair.

In addition to his community involvement, McDermott has worked for UNC Health Johnston for almost 40 years.

20 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

He will celebrate his 40th anniversary Aug. 15. He started there as the director of environmental services and is now site administrator for the Clayton hospital, serving in various positions along the way.

While work keeps him busy, he said it’s not hard to find time to help in the community.

“I like to be involved with things and work with people who have a passion for things in the community,” McDermott said. “Being part of the bigger picture is extremely rewarding.

I just really enjoy being around people and doing things.”

He oversaw the construction of both phases of the Clayton hospital. He said the need for another facility besides the one in Smithfield was driven by the rapid growth in the Clayton area. “The population growth of that part of the county demonstrated a need for a healthcare facility. It was a good business decision as well.

There were a lot of people who were going to Raleigh for basic care. When we put the hospital there, they no longer had to do that,” McDermott said.

He said his love of service comes from his father, who was a Marine pilot in Korea. “In civilian life, he decided to bring up his boys in that fashion at home,” McDermott said.

Spirit of the County winner has worked in the community for more than 40 years From his mother, he said, he took her desire to make sure everyone else was taken care of. He credits his wife, Irene, for being able to continue his community work. “I’m extremely fortunate to have a wife who supports me in the way she does. There are a lot of work hours and community activity hours,” McDermott said.

He and his wife have two children, son Hasten and daughter Kylie Cox, who both live in Johnston County. They have three grandchildren.

McDermott worked with organizing and starting the Johnston Health Foundation.

“We worked on getting community leaders together. It was a matter of getting the right people and getting community backing to support the hospital.

The foundation financially helps support it,” he said.

Once organized, the foundation turned to raising money to support the hospital.

It also helped start the SECU Hospice House. McDermott said the Johnston Health Foundation provides more than $500,000 per year to support patients and help with needed capital equipment purchases.

During his years working with the Clayton Chamber, the number of activities and programs it has been able to provide have grown. He credits

executive director Dana Wooten for much of that growth.

“The chamber has really helped increase the value of Clayton businesses, both downtown and around town.

It has really taken off in a positive way. We work closely with the town of Clayton and other Johnston County chambers,” McDermott said.

“Dana and the board do a great job. They have developed strong relationships with other chambers and businesses throughout the county.”

He gives credit to UNC Health Johnston for allowing him to be involved in the community. “I have been extremely fortunate to be allowed to participate in all these outside functions by the hospital leadership all during my tenure. They have seen the value of employees participating. I have been in the right place at the right time,” McDermott said.

“The relationships I’ve been able to build over 40 years is not something you can measure. I think it’s just something that was meant to be,” he continued.

McDermott said he intends to continue helping in the community as much as he can as long as he can. That desire helps show why he embodies the “Spirit of the County.”

HONORS Temple Dream Center helps local residents ‘Dream Big’

NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR

Yvonne McCarthy

By RANDY CAPPS

B

efore Yvonne McCarthy ever gets out of her car, you can get an idea what she’s about.

There’s a “Dream Big” license plate on the front of her vehicle and a “DreamCTR” vanity plate on the back.

As executive director of the Temple Dream Center in Selma, and one of the driving forces behind its creation locally, that’s on brand. “Dream Big” also appears on the brochure, which describes the array of services the organization offers people in need.

Because of that vision, and its execution, the Temple Dream Center is the 2023 Johnston Now Honors Nonprofit of the Year Award winner.

McCarthy’s journey, from Minnesota to West Virginia to Johnston County, is a story of God’s timing.

“I was in West Virginia and Pastor John Ekland, who is our recovery pastor at the church, was there. … We were on a retreat and the theme was ‘What is the Dream that God Put Inside You?’ What are you supposed to do?

“Right before that, I kept hearing ‘dream center, dream center.’ So, I Googled it and found the L.A. Dream Center, which is in the old City of Angels Hospital.

I didn’t really know what that meant, but I went on the retreat, and we were supposed to come

up with that dream, and I said, ‘I think I’m supposed to start a dream center.”

It took eight years, but the door finally cracked for her in 2017.

“When I got here, Pastor Rodney Pearce said, ‘I didn’t say you could start a dream center, I just hired you as my operations director,’” she said. “I said, ‘dude, there’s no way I moved all this way and I’m not starting a dream center.’”

The Dream Center network is committed to meeting the needs of the communities it serves, whatever they may be.

“Dream centers are basically an outreach to the community,” McCarthy said. “If you look at dream centers across the nation, it could be anything from an after-school program, a food pantry, there’s one in DC that does a fine arts program for underprivileged children — it depends on what your community needs.”

Locally, helping survivors of domestic violence became the top priority.

“We met with Kay Johnson, who runs Harbor of Johnston County, and asked what was the biggest need, and she said transitional housing,” McCarthy said.

“So, when women are in danger, they leave in the middle of the night. Police are sometimes involved, and then

they get to a shelter. They go to the shelter, they’re working on a few things and getting some healing. When they leave the shelter, hopefully the next step is going to some friend’s or family’s house and do some couch surfing — just trying to figure out how to get their life together. From there, that’s when we want them.”

The Temple Dream Center offers a one-year program that provides housing while survivors of domestic abuse can heal, go back to school and achieve a level of financial stability.

“The number one reason women go back to their abusers is financial,” McCarthy said. “They just can’t afford to live on their own.”

As of January 2023, the Transitions program has provided 3,300 safe nights for its residents.

It’s a mission that has special meaning for McCarthy.

“I married an abuser, my first marriage,” she said. “Emotional abuse is something people tend to discount. If they don’t see a black eye, they say, ‘oh, he just has an anger problem.’

“And one of the women I met when I first came here to start it, she had been in a very abusive relationship, physically. So, we both kind of had that heart and thought about what we experienced and survived and thought about how cool it was to be able to pour into women who had that same situation.”

Since its inception, the center has expanded to offering a food pantry, clothes closet and neighborhood ministries.

It’s all part of a dream that grows a little each day.

Want to donate or volunteer?

Visit templedreamcenter.org.

[ JULY 2023 ] • 21

HONORS RISING STAR

Spencer Kirby

By RANDY CAPPS

I

f one grows up in a family of racers, the odds of that person becoming one improve.

So the notion that Spencer Kirby races motorcycles isn’t all that surprising in a vacuum, but toss in the fact that she’s a 12-yearold girl, and the story becomes a little more unique.

Despite only a couple of years experience, Kirby already owns eight first-place finishes in the South East Flat Track Association and was the SEFT/ West Coast Hot Shoe Rookie of the Year.

She’s going places — fast — and is the 2023 Johnston Now Honors Rising Star Award winner.

“One day, we went to a race and it was cool,” she said. “They told me that my grandfather raced the same type of racing, and I just wanted to carry that on.”

It turns out that her father, grandfather and greatgrandfather were all flat-track racers, which is why No. 67 is the family number and adorns the front of Spencer’s bikes.

“I kept going, and it was just really fun,” she said. “It’s something I like to do.”

Her father, Josh, also races in the SEFT events, as does her brother and grandfather. Right now, the series is on a summer

22 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

break. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done.

“Right now, we’re just building bikes,” he said. “Doing a little work on hers, tearing apart another one to get them all ready for the next stuff.

“We have a limited budget compared to some of the guys we race against. We’re trying to save money for a trailer.”

Spencer lives in Smithfield, and the fact that she’s homeschooled helps make the balance between schoolwork and racing more manageable.

“It’s not too much,” she said.

“Homeschool isn’t like eight hours a day. I just get that over with, load up the bikes, rest that night and then go.”

When she’s not kicking up dirt on a flat track, she enjoys boxing.

She’d like to race professionally someday, or perhaps become an interior designer.

She doesn’t shy away from the fact that most of her competitors are boys, either.

“I like racing boys,” she said.

“It’s fun. There’s no difference either way. Apparently, it’s not a very girly sport.”

“I think flat track is the great equalizer,” Josh said. “There’s no difference between female and male racers. There are some little girls who have just started, and famous ones like Jess Reynolds, who’s a bit of an inspiration for her.

Family racing tradition passed down to 12-year-old Rising Star Award winner “This community that we race with, they couldn’t care less. You don’t get the typical ‘you got beat by a girl’ kind of thing. It really is a good group of people. When we first started going, we’d have random people come up and give us tips and hints. In other sports they aren’t going to share anything.”

Recently, she received her first bit of formal training on sliding the bike without using your foot. This allows for more speed and, not surprisingly, less control.

“I have to try to fight her from riding in the neighborhood,” he said. “Our big disadvantage is that we don’t get to practice like we wish we could. Financially, it’s just a heavy cost.”

The sliding lesson was quite the adjustment for both father and daughter.

“I went into the woods,” Josh

said. “I missed the turn and went right in the woods.”

She’s also learning to ride a two-stroke, rather than a fourstroke bike.

“A four-stroke (engine) has more dependable power,” he said. “A two-stroke has a power valve, so when you kick in and that valve opens, it’s like a punch of power. So, knowing when that is can be important.”

She’s had some crashes, including one in her first race, but nothing to steer her away from the sport.

“I’ve had some crashes, but I’d never rethink it,” she said.

“It’s too fun. I get hurt, but I’ll get up and redo it.”

It is, after all, a family tradition.

To keep pace with Spencer, follow Spencer Kirby Racing on Facebook.

HONORS Britt works hard to serve his fellow veterans

VETERAN SERVICE

Tom Britt

By MIKE BOLLINGER

T

om Britt has lived in Johnston County since 2008, and he has spent those 15 years working to serve his fellow veterans in multiple ways.

Because of that service, Britt is the recipient of the Johnston Now Honors Veteran Service Award.

“Once you’re a veteran, you’re a veteran for life. If I’m able to do it (help veterans), I’m going to do it. We’ve lost too many veterans I was friends with.”

Britt served in the U.S. Army from May 27, 1966 until May 26, 1969. He was a Specialist 4 when honorably discharged.

For the first year and a half, he served at a base in Northfield, Minn. “We were in the middle of a cornfield. It was supposed to be secret, but people knew we were there,” Britt said.

He was a computer operator on the Nike Hercules System, which was a surface to air missile system used for medium to high altitude air defense.

“The Nike Hercules system became obsolete, and the base closed,” Britt said.

When that closure happened, Britt received orders to head to Bamberg, Germany to serve with a howitzer unit. While there, he was the driver for the

battery commander. “I had top secret clearance, and they needed someone with that clearance to be the battery commander’s driver because he carried the code book. I kept his Jeep ready to go and was available whenever he needed to go somewhere,” he said.

Britt says the best thing about his military career is not something he accomplished while in service. “I met my wife (Eleanor) crossing a bridge in Northfield. We’ve been married 55 years. She went to Germany with me. She’s my biggest asset and my biggest supporter,” he said.

The Britts stayed in Minnesota until he retired, then they moved to Johnston County. It was not long after that his veteran service began.

“I was at a church program in Four Oaks and Gertrude Beaver, who was the American Legion Auxiliary president, asked all the veterans to stand up. I did, and she cornered me after the program and I joined the American Legion,” he said.

He has served six terms as president of Four Oaks American Legion Post 346.

He is now in his second term as finance officer. He led the post’s Memorial Day program this year and oversees all the

financial aspects of the post.

Britt is a member of the American Legion Riders group based in Dunn. The American Legion Riders provide motorcycle escorts for the remains of service members from airports to cemeteries or funeral homes.

He has been riding motorcycles for more than 60 years. “I had a motorcycle before I had a driver’s license.

I had a baby Harley I bought when I was 14 years old with babysitting money,” Britt said.

Eleanor is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and Britt helps with the auxiliary’s bargain house.

“They take donations, and they sell what they get and then donate to help veterans. Every penny that comes in goes to help a veteran in some form or another,” he said.

He is now serving his second three-year term on the Johnston County Veteran Services Advisory Board.

“We assist veterans with any problems they might have and help them to get things they need,” Britt said.

In addition, he has served as president of the Johnston County Veterans Council, which is made up of the various veteran services organizations in Johnston County. That group has

representatives from organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and the Marine Corps League.

As a volunteer with the State Employees Credit Union Hospice House, Britt works to have a program for veterans when they enter hospice care there. “We recognize them as a veteran and give them a certificate and a U.S. flag and the flag from their branch of service. We sing “America the Beautiful” and say a prayer over them. A lot of that is for the families,” he said.

Britt has also recently completed training to volunteer at UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield to visit veterans when they are in the hospital.

In addition to his military service, Britt has earned another title. At a town council meeting, then-Mayor Linwood Parker appointed him as the “General of Four Oaks” to recognize his work with veterans.

“I love my small town,” Britt said.

Not only does he love his town, but through his work his love for his fellow veterans is evident. “I love my fellow veterans — period,” he said.

[ JULY 2023 ] • 23

HONORS EXEMPLARY VOLUNTEER

Jeanelle McCain

By RANDY CAPPS

I

t’s not often that someone with “attorney” and “lobbyist” on their resume becomes known for giving back to their community.

“Christian” and “servant” might not be on her resume, but they both can be used to describe Jeanelle McCain. With that spirit, McCain has made a profound impact on her community, and for that, she has earned the 2023 Johnston Now Honors Exemplary Volunteer Award.

“I was raised with parents who served,” she said. “They served in the Optimist Club, at church, they served the community.

My mother was a teacher, and she tutored. So, I grew up with that example of servanthood, and that God expects that of us. He calls us to do that.”

A graduate of the University of North Carolina and Wake Forest Law School, McCain worked in public affairs for a firm representing Carolina Power and Light in South Carolina for 16 years. It was an environment that

24 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

she learned to navigate, one handshake at a time.

“It’s all about building relationships,” she said. “I learned from a wonderful man, Governor Hunt’s former lobbyist Zeb Alley, he was all about building relationships. And that’s how I always approached the lobbying world.

Building relationships with Democrats, Republicans, people on the other side of my issue. … Finding a common interest.

“In the volunteer world, I really saw after my career a need to serve. When you’re so focused on your career, you feel like you don’t have any time to do anything. But then, (later I) felt like, OK, I’ve been given this time, and I wanted to use it to the glory of God.” When her husband passed away in 2013, McCain sought a different career path that included more service-oriented work with nonprofit organizations.

After many years living in the Columbia area, McCain decided to move to Benson.

“I had no family in South Carolina, and I was ready to get back close to my parents as they were aging,” she

Building bridges, relationships prove key for Benson resident’s volunteerism said. “So, I came back in 2016. Even though I didn’t grow up in Benson, it’s home. With my grandma and grandpa, I spent a lot of time here.”

In 2019, she became the executive director of the Benson Area Ministerial Association.

“I loved it,” she said. “I loved the churches. We have a very generous community in Benson. I’m no longer officially the executive director, but I’m still involved in all the activities.

Primarily, I work with the food pantry. That’s my passion, my priority with my community service.”

The food pantry operates on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, and it services about 125 families each time. More than 8,000 people were fed last year through the pantry.

“There’s a lot of need, as far as the food pantry goes,” she said. “We have an amazing group of volunteers and an amazing group of churches that volunteer each time. Our number of families have increased over the past few months, and the amount of food that we’re getting from the food bank

in Raleigh has decreased.

But Benson being a very generous community, the schools, the churches, the businesses have all done food drives and really helped us sustain and be able to serve the families in a mighty way.”

McCain has served in other ways as well, including a tutoring program, the Optimist Club, the Four Leaf Clover Program, the Benson Community Thanksgiving Lunch and an array of activities with the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m just really grateful,” she said. “You never do these things for praise, so it’s very humbling. I do urge folks to find a place in your community where you see a need, and just go and help. Don’t think that you have to have a lot of money or a lot of time. But everyone has some sort of talent or gift — God gives us all some kind of gift.

And, I just urge people to go and serve in any way.”

Want to help the Benson Area Ministerial Association? Email them at bamaministry@gmail.com.

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Are you stuck in an attachment style?

Attachment theory is a framework for understanding personality development and process of being. Attachment styles refer to how people think about and behave in a relationship, and are categorized by secure vs. insecure. Attachments begin in Laura Walters, childhood, and can impact LCMHCA adult relationships throughout the lifespan.

Secure attachment displays effective coping skills to manage conflict; these individuals are committed to their relationships but independent.

Insecure attachments can be identified by distrust of relationship, fear of rejection and/or abandonment, uncomfortable with emotions and conflict, difficulty expressing wants and needs, and difficulty setting healthy boundaries.

If you are interested in your attachment style, you can begin taking the How We Love Quiz (https://howwelove.com/love-style-quiz/) to start understanding how your childhood experiences are impacting your relationship. Attachment styles can change, and secure attachments are achievable. If you or someone you know is experiencing conflict in relationships, contact One- Eighty Counseling to start working on your secure attachment today!

GARNER • CLAYTON • CARY • RALEIGH • HOLLY SPRINGS • WILMINGTON 26 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

PATRIOTISM:

A PRACTICE

By QAROL PRICE

“

Patriotism must be founded on great principles and supported by great virtue.” — Henry IV of England.

School is out for the summer for Johnston County Public Schools, but attention to character is still in session as we find that Patriotism is being featured in the month of July.

To their credit, the school system has appointed an official character trait for all months of the year, including this month when classrooms are vacant!

Though they won’t be seeing patriotic-themed bulletin boards in classrooms and hallways, students will, nonetheless, be left to make some kind of sense of the red, white and blue holiday hoopla that breaks out all around them in July.

American flag-themed plates, napkins, swizzle sticks, beach towels, hats, jewelry, cakes, pies and breakfast cereals, all in their own way, celebrate national pride.

And if those visuals were not enough, the day literally ends with a bang — several colorful ones — to give proof “that our flag is still there!”

What can a child surmise about the carnival-like atmosphere surrounding the Fourth of July?

My own childhood memories recall the joy of gathering with friends and family to swim, play lawn games, sing and dance together and chow down on copious amounts of grilled burgers and hot dogs. Those times left a great impression on me and were about as transcendent as it gets for a kid.

At age six, I understood that we were celebrating our country’s birthday, but little did I know that all the merriment and fireworks are about something deeper — as holidays usually are.

Independence Day, most certainly, is a high holy day for patriotic American citizens.

It has all the earmarks of the holiest of holidays. The word “holiday,” in fact, means “holy day,” which signifies a religious or sacred anniversary that is often accompanied by a festival.

Traditionally, holidays are not just days off from work; they are days of reflection upon the principles that are in play for the occasion. Independence Day is a sacred anniversary for many reasons, one of which is the fact that the very identity of our nation is composed of noble principles set forth in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

When we venerate our country, we are not venerating our government or its leaders; we are venerating the principles that our government is sworn to uphold, principles that men have died for, principles which ultimately must be protected by We the People, lest tyranny rule the nation.

True patriots do not have blind allegiance to their country.

They serve the country’s ideals whether or not their current government does.

The Bill of Rights Institute put it well when they stated: “The maintenance of our republican government requires the people be vigilant, informed, and virtuous, ensuring that governing institutions are directed towards their right ends. Good habits, or virtues, promote self-government and help guarantee that communities orient themselves towards advancing the spirit of a common purpose.”

Vive la Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness! ⋆ Next Month: Self-Discipline

Qarol Price is a writer and educator. She has taught philosophy to children in Johnston County Public Schools and in Harlem in New York City. She is a resident of Selma.

Smithfield-Selma students awarded first JoCo TEACH scholarships Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

▸ Smithfield-Selma High seniors Carter Clever, left and Lilly Johnson each received Johnston County Public Schools’ first JoCo TEACH scholarship at a special check presentation at the school.

S

MITHFIELD — SmithfieldSelma High School seniors Carter Clever and Lilly Johnson each received Johnston County Public Schools’ first JoCo TEACH scholarships at a special check presentation at the school recently.

The Johnston County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the creation of a scholarship for the Johnston County Teaching Educators And Coming Home program at their November 2022 meeting. The scholarships awarded Clever and Johnson $30,000 each towards their pursuit of higher education.

“We are incredibly proud of these young people,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy.

“It’s humbling to see our own students vested in education and our school district. Today was a great day in Johnston County Public Schools.”

Johnson and Clever will each receive $10,000 per year for up to three years. When a student

receives the JoCo TEACH scholarship, they make a threeyear commitment to JCPS that, upon graduation from college, they will come back and teach in JCPS for a minimum of three years.

“The JoCo TEACH program was a wonderful opportunity for me,” said Clever. “One thing I would share with my younger peers in the program is to be dedicated to your studies.

You’ll make great friends here, but make a commitment to your education and try to keep a balance between your friends and your studies and you’re sure to be successful.”

Established in 2019, JoCo TEACH is a program designed to invest in and recruit diverse students seeking a degree as educators. It provides a seamless pathway for students to earn their Associate Degree in Science in Teacher Education through Johnston Community College while attending a traditional public high school.

Clever and Johnson are among the first group of students to graduate in the JoCo TEACH program, and are able to apply the scholarship money to the college of their choosing. They were awarded the scholarship in front of their family, their classmates in the JoCo TEACH program, JoCo TEACH Coordinator Suzanne Sweat, Smithfield-Selma High Principal David Allen, Smithfield-Selma High staff, JCPS Superintendent Bracy and Johnston County Board of Education Chair Lyn Andrews.

“I want to encourage other people to take advantage of this program and to always work with the people who are around you,” said Johnson.

“My classmates were vital to my success in this program

and I am thankful for this opportunity.”

The JoCo TEACH program is the first of its kind in North Carolina and serves as a pilot to help train rising educators who will return to JCPS to serve as teachers. There are currently 50 students enrolled in JoCo TEACH. JCPS is the only traditional public school system in North Carolina with a program of this magnitude.

“We are incredibly proud of these students,” said Sweat.

“We’re leaders in the district for future educators, and we want to make sure they want to come back and teach here with us one day.”

To learn more about the JoCo TEACH program and scholarship visit www. johnston.k12.nc.us.

when one of our own says "I do"

ERIN SCHULTZE PHOTOGRAPHY

[ JULY 2023 ] • 27

Pine Level to celebrate 150th anniversary Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

P

INE LEVEL — The small town of Pine Level is gearing up to celebrate its 150th anniversary with a series of events that will take place throughout 2023. The township was established in 1873 and with the town's rich history and vibrant community, this milestone anniversary promises to be an unforgettable experience for all who attend.

The town's celebration website, www.pinelevel150.org, serves as the hub for all information regarding the upcoming events, which include their annual Firemen’s Day, which was held on May 20, July 4 festivities, the official 150th anniversary celebration on Sept. 16, a fall festival on Oct. 28, the annual Christ-

mas tree lighting on Dec. 1 and the Christmas parade on Dec. 10.

The celebrations will include free, family-friendly activities as well as live music, food trucks, vendors and recognition of longtime businesses. For July 4 The Malpass Brothers will perform; and for the 150th anniversary celebration on Sept.

16, live beach music from The Band of Oz, The Embers and Jim Quick & the Coastline can be expected.

In addition to showcasing the town's history, the website provides opportunities for community members to participate in the events. Pine Level is currently seeking sponsors, craft vendors and food trucks for both the July 4 and Sept. 16 events. This is a great

opportunity for local businesses to support the community and gain exposure at the same time.

"We are excited to celebrate this incredible milestone with our community and visitors from near and far," said Pine Level Mayor Jeff Holt. "We encourage everyone to visit our website and learn more about the upcoming events, and we welcome anyone interested

in participating as a sponsor, vendor or food truck to apply through our website."

Pine Level's 150th anniversary celebrations are not to be missed, so everyone is encouraged to mark their calendars and join in the festivities. For more information and to apply as a sponsor, vendor or food truck, visit www.pinelevel150.org.

2023

GARNER

CLAYTON

RALEIGH

CARY / APEX

HOLLY SPRINGS

CARY / MORRISVILLE

WILMINGTON

919-772-1990 28 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

Carter Aycock receives Sam Narron Award Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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MITHFIELD — North Johnston High class of 2023 graduate Carter Aycock was recently awarded the prestigious Sam Narron Baseball Award.

▸ North Johnston High class of 2023 graduate Carter Aycock was recently awarded the prestigious Sam Narron Baseball Award.

The award celebrates a Johnston County high school senior baseball player who demonstrated a love for the game through determination, dedication and sacrifice.

Aycock is the 27th recipient of the award. He received a $500 scholarship and a recognition plaque. Additionally, his name will be placed on a plaque with past recipients which hangs in the Evander S. Simpson Building in Smithfield.

Aycock is a multi-sport student-athlete and is attending the University of Mount Olive, where he will play baseball and pursue a degree in agribusiness.

He has received several scholarships, including the UMO Scholarship, UMO Presidential Scholarship, UMO Reece Richardson Scholarship, Parrish Davis Scholarship and the

▸ Some of those who have helped Carter Aycock along are, front from left, Chuck Aycock, Carter Aycock and Kelly Aycock. Back row, North Johnston Athletic Director Jay Poole, Coach Brian Ford, Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy, Richard “Rooster” Narron, Camden Aycock, North Johnston Principal David Hawks, and Johnston County Public Schools Director of Athletics Josh Plisko.

William Grey Bailey Scholarship.

Aycock ranked 19th in his class and was active in various clubs including Future Farmers of America and First Priority, while also being the president of “The Prowl” student pep group.

The award is named in honor of Sam Narron, who was raised in the Emit community near Corinth Holders. In 1934, Narron, using most of the money he had, purchased a ticket to Hot

Springs, Ark. to attend the first ever baseball school.

The award’s namesake played and coached professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was part of two World Series Championship teams in a career that spanned from 1936 to 1964.

Narron is a member of the Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame.

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▸ The Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives recognized its 2023 Service Award recipients during their staff leadership development conference held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk.

The awards recognize those members in North Carolina and South Carolina who have achieved significant years of service in the Chamber of Commerce industry. Loretta Byrd, CEO of the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce, received her certificate for 20 years of service. Pictured are Dana Wooten, left, CEO of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and Byrd.

[ JULY 2023 ] • 29

Scenes from Derby Day

▸ Johnston Health Foundation raised more than $175,500 during its UNC Health Johnston Derby Day at Portofino Equestrian Center in Clayton. More than 800 people attended the event, which included live horse races and a Derby fashion contest. All proceeds will go toward areas of greatest patient need.

From left, Laura Hill, Lindsay Wilson, Kristen Brown and Kate Byrd, all members of the Smithfield Junior Women’s League, were among the attendees at the Derby. (Photos submitted by UNC Health Johnston)

▸ Kiwi was one of three miniature horses for petting from the Stampede of Love.

30 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

▸ Neal Holloman won first place in the Derby Dapper Fashion Contest for best dressed man.

▸ The horses and riders were from Red Mountain Hounds.

Clayton first responders implement way to help children in crisis Submitted by TOWN OF CLAYTON

C

LAYTON — The Clayton Fire Department is joining Johnston County Emergency Services- EMS Division to implement a new measure to address the comfort and security needs of children in crisis.

All Clayton fire trucks and the battalion chief vehicle will have a Carter Kit on board. A Carter Kit is a bag of sensory items clinically proven to comfort and appropriately focus children on the autism spectrum and other children or adults who become overwhelmed during stressful or traumatic events.

In November 2022, Johnston County ambulances and supervisor vehicles received Carter Kits through an Emergency Medical Services for Children grant. Additionally, Emergency Medical Services Captain and Pediatric Coordinator Allison Bissette became a certified Carter Kit instructor, enabling her to train other first responders and expand the program in Johnston County. Carter Kit training consists of two hours

of informational, hands-on and interactive training.

According to Bissette, within the first 12 hours of implementing Carter Kits on Johnston County ambulances, the tool was used on a call. In the first quarter of 2023, the Carter Kit was utilized 25 times, and not just for children. The kit has helped an adult with dementia and a veteran experiencing a PTSD episode.

“Seeing the success that EMS has had made our fire department want to learn more about the kits. The more we heard about them, the more it made sense to add them to all our trucks.”

Clayton Deputy Fire Chief Matt Sutphin said. “Having Captain Bissette available to train our staff was a great resource.”

Each kit contains a weighted blanket, noise-canceling headphones, a set of fidget toys, sunglasses and a nonverbal cue card. Each item was intentionally chosen by a neuropsychologist based on research. They are reusable, cleanable and replaceable. When a piece of the kit is used on call, it is replaced by the Carter Kit

non-profit organization free of charge.

The EMSC program’s goal is to provide Carter Kits to every EMS agency in the state, promoting the mission of improving the care of injured and ill children.

Nationwide, more than 7,000 Carter Kits have been placed into service in 35 different states.

The benefits and advantages of implementing Carter Kits in Johnston County are just beginning, Bissette said.

Johnston County Emergency

▸ The Clayton Fire Department and Johnston County Emergency Services - EMS Division display the Carter Kits now being used by first responders.

Services – Emergency Management Division has stocked kits in each of their shelter trailers, which are set up as emergency shelters following natural disasters or crises.

The Carter Kit is named after Carter Severs, an autistic child from Frankenmuth, Mich. Carter’s father, Justin Severs, is a detective with the Saginaw Township, Mich.

Police Department and wanted to help first responders interact with children like Carter when arriving at a scene.

▸ This is an example of a Carter Kit sensory bag first responders are now using to help children and others with sensory issues during an emergency.

[ JULY 2023 ] • 31

KENLY PUBLIC LIBRARY RECEIVES GRANT Submitted by KENLY PUBLIC LIBRARY

K

ENLY — Kenly Public Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries to participate in “Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities,” an American Library Association initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.

The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library install new, automatic doors and help patrons with disabilities and physical difficulties enter the library independently. “We are excited to be chosen for this impactful opportunity,” said Library Director Leigh Gotshall. “This grant will allow our library to provide something which many patrons have been asking for.

We want our patrons to feel welcome and comfortable in our space.”

As part of the grant, Gotshall will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. She will then host a conversation with residents about improving library access and use the grant funds to honor the input of the community.

Anyone interested in getting

32 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

▸ Kenly Public Library has received a grant that will allow the library to install new doors that will help those with physical difficulties access the facility. Library Director Leigh Gotshall stands at the library’s current front doors.

involved or taking part in the conversation is asked to contact Leigh Gotshall at 919-284-4217 or at kenly. library@townofkenly.com.

Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities.

Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums, take part in anti-violence activities, provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.

“Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities” is an initiative of the American Library Association in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

Johnson named Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year

Gwen Williams joins Johnston County Extension team Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

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▸ Madavia Johnson, center, a seventh grade English teacher at McGee’s Crossroads Middle School, was named Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year by Johnston County Public Schools. Semifinalists were Justin Lee, left, a career and technical education teacher at Four Oaks Middle School and Laura Lasater, a first grade teacher at Four Oaks Elementary School.

Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

S

MITHFIELD — Madavia Johnson, a teacher at McGee’s Crossroads Middle School, was named Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year

by Johnston County Public Schools. Johnson is a seventh grade English language arts and social studies teacher.

Nominated by their administrators, each of the 34 candidates went through an interview process. Recently, all 34 nominees were celebrated with a special ceremony for them and their families at Selma Elementary School.

Johnson was one of three finalists revealed at the event.

The other two finalists were Laura Lasater, a teacher at Four Oaks Elementary School, and Justin Lee, a teacher at Four Oaks Middle School.

A first-year educator, Johnson was thrilled to receive the honor. “This award means a lot to me, because it is a reflection of my love and hard work that I put towards my students,” Johnson said. “I come in

everyday with a positive attitude hoping to leave a lasting impact on them.”

In addition to the award, Johnson received $500 from Horace Mann.

Johnson is characterized by her peers as a passionate and interactive teacher who loves what she does, and loves the people she does it for, the children.

Originally from Columbus County, she began working with JCPS at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in political science from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree in management information systems from North Carolina Central University.

During the event JCPS also named two semifinalists, Lasater and Lee. Lasater is a first grade teacher and an inspiration to her students and fellow staff. As a career and technical education teacher, Lee positively impacts the lives of all those he comes into contact with on a daily basis, especially the students.

MITHFIELD — Bryant Spivey, Johnston County Cooperative Extension director, is pleased to announce that Gwen Williams has joined the staff as the Family and Consumer Sciences agent for Johnston County with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.

She will work with people of all ages and communities within Johnston County to educate and encourage healthy living and habits.

“Gwen has a plethora of programs and activities to offer to the communities of Johnston County,” Spivey said.

Williams is a graduate of Campbell University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. She is from Sanford and is familiar with the Johnston County area.

Previously, she worked as a family and consumer sciences teacher for 26 years in Harnett, Lee and New Hanover counties. She is a certified teacher in the areas of family and consumer sciences and special education.

Williams has a Natural Chef certification from Central Carolina Community College and a Culinary Nutrition Chef certification from Johnson and Wales University. She sponsored Family, Career and Community Leaders of America for more than 20 years within the schools.

In 2020, she led a high school team of four students to the North Carolina

▸ Gwen Williams has joined Johnston County Cooperative Extension as a family and consumer sciences agent.

Junior Chef Competition at Johnson & Wales University, where they finished fourth in the state.

As an experienced caterer, she is ServSafe and Safe Plates certified having worked in the food industry for 12 years. Williams worked closely with Family and Consumer Sciences agents as a Master Food Volunteer in Lee County for three years. Her passion for food preparation, nutrition, food preservation, education and the rich history of extension in North Carolina makes her a great fit for the Extension team.

“I’m excited for this opportunity to spread my love for Family and Consumer Sciences throughout the communities of Johnston County,” Williams said.

[ JULY 2023 ] • 33

Nurse practitioner named UNC Health Johnston Ambassador of Month Submitted by UNC HEALTH JOHNSTON

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MITHFIELD — UNC Health Johnston has recognized Angela Wadsworth, a family nurse practitioner in the employee health and wellness clinic, as the latest Ambassador of the Month.

During a recent presentation, CEO Tom Williams said Wadsworth provides timely care to teammates and their families by thoroughly investigating symptoms and concerns.

While she treats minor ailments such as cuts, colds and rashes, she’s also uncovered more serious health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and appendicitis, some of which required emergency surgery.

“We often receive calls and emails from thankful teammates,” Williams said.

“Because of the clinic and Angela’s support, our hospital saves about $300,000 a year in insurance claims.”

Wadsworth, who grew up in Princeton, aspired to be a doctor. While in nursing school, she worked weekends registering patients in the Smithfield emergency department. By the time she graduated in 2001, the emergency department director and team knew her so well that they gladly brought her aboard as a new nurse.

“It was always my plan to return to school,” Wadsworth said.

After completing her advanced degree and clinical training in 2010, the hospital hired her as a provider in its urgent care practice, QuikMed,

34 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

▸ Family Nurse Practitioner Angela Wadsworth is the newest UNC Health Johnston Ambassador of the Month.

From left are Employee Health Services Manager Alicia Van Camp, CEO Tom Williams, Wadsworth, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rodney McCaskill and Human Resources Executive Robert Cupp.

at Johnston Medical Mall.

Afterward, she worked in the hospital’s family and urgent care practices in Kenly and Clayton.

Since returning to the hospital two years ago, Wadsworth says she’s enjoyed seeing familiar faces and helping teammates and their families feel better. “I love that I’m taking care of people I know,” she said.

Wadsworth and her husband, Wes, live in Smithfield and have a 6-year-old and 3-year-old twins. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and time with family.

Through the ambassador program, UNC Health Johnston recognizes teammates who go above and beyond the call of duty. They deliver quality care, foster teamwork and offer excellent service.

In addition to a designated month-long parking space, Wadsworth will receive eight hours of paid time off.

919-934-6066 Mon.-Fri. 8a.m.-5p.m.

Richmond Federal Reserve CLAYTON president tours Johnston County AUTHOR WINS Virginia and West Virginia.

His ongoing outreach, unique among Federal Reserve Bank presidents, stems from the decades Barkin spent as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, which has an office in Charlotte among its locations in more than 130 cities in 65 countries.

Most of his counterparts across the Fed’s 12 districts came to their positions from academic or banking industry backgrounds and rely on other means to monitor economic ▸ During his visit to Johnston County, Thomas Barkin, president conditions. “This has been very of the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, Va., along with county helpful to us,” Barkin said. “We officials, visited Clayton residential developer RiverWild. like to hear about what’s going on in the economy.”

Much of what Barkin heard regarded the Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY ECONOMIC county’s rapid growth, strong housing market DEVELOPMENT and low unemployment. “It’s always fun to go to a place that’s winning,” he said.

OHNSTON COUNTY — Thomas I. Barkin, As far as what he sees on the economic president of the Federal Reserve Bank of horizon, Barkin says the next few months will Richmond, Va., traveled to Johnston County recently to meet with business and community reveal falling inflation levels because yearleaders as part of a two-day visit to the eastern over-year price increases will have come down from May and June 2022’s hot levels. “That’s Triangle region. put a lot of the inflation psychology to bed,” Barkin spoke to business owners about the he said. impact of inflation, workforce issues, supplyHe suspects a recession is a possibility, but chain pressures and other economic trends said it won’t be the kind of recession people on their operations. He met with industry are used to with construction, manufacturing representatives from real estate, banking, and hospitality remaining solid while construction, healthcare, agribusiness, tourism technology and professional services trim and hospitality, life sciences and advanced employee headcounts. “Every recession is manufacturing. unique, and we’ll figure the next one out.”

The meetings and tour were organized Among the stops on Barkin’s tour were by the Johnston County Office of Economic the offices of Clayton residential developer Development at the request of the Federal RiverWild, UNC Health Johnston, Caterpillar’s Reserve Bank, which operates a branch in building construction products division, Charlotte.

Kornegay Family Farms in Princeton and “It says a lot about our reputation that the Smithfield’s Ava Gardner Museum. The day Federal Reserve Bank president would ask to ended with a reception at Johnston County visit Johnston County and meet with us,” said Airport that included mayors of the county’s Ted Godwin, a member of the Johnston County 11 municipalities.

Board of Commissioners who participated Barkin also visited Wilson County. in the full day’s visit. “President Barkin was “We can never resist an opportunity to able to see a good cross-section of our highly showcase all the great things happening in diversified economy and asked a lot of really Johnston County,” said Johnston County good questions about what we’re seeing. We Director of Economic Development appreciate his interest in who we are and how Chris Johnson. “Today’s very special visit we’re doing.” accomplished that objective, but more than Barkin routinely visits communities and that we offered valuable insight that President businesses in the Federal Reserve’s Richmond Barkin can hopefully share with his colleagues District, which covers the District of Columbia, as they go about the important work of setting Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, U.S. monetary policy.”

J

LITERARY AWARD

Submitted by KAREN LAURITZEN

A

UGUSTA, Ga. — Clayton author Karen Lauritzen has won First Prize in the 2023 Porter Fleming Literary Awards through the Morris Museum of Art for her nonfiction essay “Making My Way Home.”

Lauritzen tells the story of the lives of those buried in a family cemetery on her property in North Carolina and how we Americans put death out of sight and what happens if we do not.

She is a member of the N.C. Writers' Network and the Triangle East Writers group. Her memoir “Nothing Vanishes, Memoir of a Life Transformed” was published in 2012 and her first novel “Just the Right Amount of Wrong” will be published in 2023.

The Porter Fleming Literary Competition, recognizing talented writers who reside in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, was established in 1993 by Shirley Fleming to honor her late father, noted author and artist Berry Fleming.

Funded by the Porter Fleming Foundation, the competition is organized and administered by the Morris Museum of Art. The Porter Fleming Foundation was established

by Berry Fleming in 1963 as a memorial to his father, Porter Fleming, a prominent Augustan and one of the city’s leading philanthropists.

To learn more about Lauritzen and her work, visit karenlauritzen.com and nothingvanishes.com.

[ JULY 2023 ] • 35

Add your organization’s events to the community calendar at www.JohnstonNow.com or email us at calendar@JohnstonNow.com.

For the full community calendar with hundreds of area events, visit www.JohnstonNow.com

CALENDAR of events

36 • [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

Friday, June 30, 6-9:30 p.m. ⋆ All-American Festival →D owntown Selma

Don’t miss Selma’s annual fireworks display at Blackstone Plaza. Visit www.facebook.com/ selmaparksrec to learn more.

Saturday, July 1, 6 p.m.

⋆ Clayton July 4 Celebration →D owntown Clayton

The Square to Square Independence Day Street Festival will take place on Main Street from Town Square to Horne Square. There will be games, activities, contests, a bike parade and more.

To learn more, visit www. townofclaytonnc.org/797/ Independence-Day-Fireworks.

Saturday, July 1, 5:30 p.m. ⋆ Family Fun Day → A rcher Lodge

The Archer Lodge Community Center and the Town of Archer Lodge present a 4th of July celebration. There will be skydivers and a parade followed by a food truck rodeo in the Community Center parking lot.

Live music and inflatables will also be available and at 9:30, they will light up the sky with the best fireworks show around.

Visit www.archerlodge.org/ events to learn more.

Sunday, July 2, 6 p.m.

⋆ S mithfield Independence Day Celebration →D owntown Smithfield

There will be food trucks, water wars, games, activities and live entertainment from on South Third Street in downtown Smithfield. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. The time for the fireworks could change

depending on weather conditions.

Tuesday, July 4, 6 p.m.

⋆ Benson July 4th Celebration →B enson Singing Grove

Join the Town of Benson for a 4th of July Celebration. Be sure to stick around for the fireworks at 9 p.m.

Tuesday, July 4, 7:30 p.m. ⋆ K enly Fourth of July Celebration →K enly 95 Petro, Truckstop Road, Kenly

Come out to Kenly 95 Petro and check out Kenly’s annual celebration, featuring familyfriendly entertainment before the fireworks light up the sky over I-95.

Tuesday, July 4

⋆ P ine Level Independence Day Celebration → S am Godwin Park, Pine Level

The town’s celebration is set for Sam Godwin Park on U.S. 70-A. There will be activities all day and fireworks after dark.

For more information, visit pinelevel.org.

Tuesday, July 4

⋆ C leveland Area July 4th Celebration

Cleveland’s annual Fourth of July celebration is set for Tuesday, July 4. Visit www.facebook.com/ celebrateclevelandnc for more details.

Thursday, July 13, 6 p.m.

⋆ J im Quick and the Coastline Band in concert →B enson Singing Grove

The Benson Area Chamber of Commerce’s Sundown in Downtown series presents Jim Quick and the Coastline Band on July 13.

Saturday, July 15, 9 a.m ⋆ F aith Baptist Church Vacation Bible School → F aith Baptist Church, Ricks Road, Selma

Faith Baptist Church will be hosting VBS on Saturday, July 15. Come dressed as your favorite superhero. Snacks and lunch will be provided. And since a waterslide is available, a swimsuit is recommended.

Thursday, July 20, 5 p.m. ⋆ R ockin’ on Raiford — Wild Ride in concert →D owntown Selma

Rockin’ on Raiford is Selma’s downtown summer concert series. Grab a lawn chair and check out some great food, music from local bands and a festive atmosphere.

Friday, July 20, 6 p.m. ⋆ B enson Parks and Recreation Movie Night →B enson Singing Grove

“DC League of Superpets” will be shown on Friday, July 20, at the Singing Grove. Bring a lawn chair. Popcorn and water will be provided.

Monday, July 31, 7 p.m ⋆ C lue the Play auditions →B enson Little Theater, E. Church St., Benson

Auditions for the comedy/ mystery “Clue on Stage” will be held July 31 from 7-9 p.m.

Director Matt Gore is seeking 10 adult actors who have not already auditioned. Actors will read from the script. The play will be presented Oct. 14-22. For more information visit, www. bensonlittletheater.com

RECURRING EVENTS First and Third Saturdays

⋆ Wilson's Mills Farmers Market

Homegrown vegetables, handmade crafts and household items, fresh baked goods, and more! Live music or DJ to add to the fun of shopping for all your favorite things! This event occurs every first and third Saturday now through the end of October!

NAMI Support Groups and Classes

The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free weekly support groups throughout Johnston County for both those who are in recovery with mental illness (NAMI Connection) and for their caregivers, loved ones and friends as well (NAMI Family Support). For more information on the support groups and educational classes of NAMI Johnston County, visit www. namijcnc.net, email namijcnc@ gmail.com or call 919-980-5277.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 6 p.m. ⋆ S mithfield Running Club

Join the Smithfield Running Club each week to meet new people, get back in shape, train for races and explore the growing downtown area of Smithfield.

For more information, find them on Facebook by searching for Smithfield Running Club or email smithfieldrunningclub@ gmail.com.

Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 7 a.m.

⋆ Cleveland School Rotary Club →C leveland Draft House, Garner

Cleveland School Rotary Club meets bi-weekly and serves the citizens of the 40/42 area of Johnston County and Garner.

Every Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. ⋆ S mithfield Kiwanis Club Meeting →G olden Corral, Smithfield

Come for dinner and learn about this volunteer service club with a focus on actively supporting children’s programs.

Learn about Smithfield and neighboring communities from weekly presenters.

There are community and social opportunities as well.

Visit www.facebook.com/ KiwanisClubOfSmithfieldNC to learn more.

Every Wednesday, 2 p.m. ⋆ T rivia Party →C layton Center for Active Aging

Join the folks at Clayton Center for Active Aging with trivia each Wednesday at 2 p.m. Call 919-295-9163 to play. For more information, contact the center at 919-553-4350.

First and Third Tuesdays, Noon ⋆ C layton Rotary Mid-day Club → V irtual meeting via Zoom

This small group of serviceminded individuals is very dedicated to community betterment in Clayton and Johnston County.

First and Third Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. ⋆ S mithfield Lions Club →G olden Corral, Smithfield

This group gathers for fellowship and business. The dinner is self-pay. The meal begins at 5:30 and the meeting

begins at 6. Come learn about the club and how it helps with local community service projects. For more information, contact Karen Brown at 919934-2555.

First and Third Thursdays, 6:45 p.m.

⋆ C layton Civitan Club meeting →C layton Civitan Building, McCullers St., Clayton

Join the Clayton Civitan Club for its monthly meetings. Call 919550-0694 for more information.

First and Third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. ⋆ F ellowship Masonic Lodge #84 meeting → F ellowship Masonic Lodge #84, S. Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield

Fellowship Masonic Lodge #84 meets the first and third Thursday of each month. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and visitors are welcome. The lodge will open at 7:30 p.m. For more information, email Grover Dees at gdees1@nc.rr.com.

First Tuesday, Noon

⋆ C layton Visual Arts meeting → T he Clayton Center

Clayton Visual Arts (CVA) is a nonprofit 501(3)c organization dedicated to bringing art to Clayton. Its members are artists, educators and art lovers. CVA engages and promotes the visual arts and strives to emphasize quality, diversity and accessibility to all local artists. Please consider joining and help support the arts in Clayton. Monthly meetings are the first Tuesday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. at The Clayton Center in the York Room on the second

floor. They also host monthly artist receptions on the first or second Thursday of the month from 6-7:30 p.m. at The Clayton Center. For more information, visit www.claytonvisualarts. org or contact CVA president Bronwen Fullington at bronwen. fullington@gmail.com.

Second Monday, 6 p.m. ⋆ P ACT meeting → V irtual Meeting via Google Meet

Parents of Adult Children in Transition meets the second Monday of each month. To learn more about this program which benefits families coping with special needs, contact Jeff Holland at hollandjeff@yahoo. com.

Second Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

⋆ J ohnston County Chapter of National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees meeting →G olden Corral, Smithfield

Join the Johnston County Chapter of National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees for their monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at Golden Corral. Stay up to date on the latest educational programs and federal and state legislation affecting current federal employees and retirees. To learn more, email jimnow42@gmail.com.

Second Wednesday, noon

⋆ T he Woman’s Club of Clayton meeting → T WCC building, Church St., Clayton

The Woman’s Club of Clayton (TWCC) is a nonprofit

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philanthropic organization made up of professional women who share a common goal: to work together to improve our local community, socially, physically, culturally and educationally. Please consider joining to help serve those in need of assistance.

TWCC meets at noon the second Wednesday of each month (except June, July and August). For more information visit www.twccnc.org or email sbrooks@twccnc.org.

Second Thursday, 6 p.m. ⋆ T riangle East Writers

Join a hard-working group of local writers and poets, beginner to advanced, who network, critique each other’s work, listen to guest authors and organize open mics and write-ins around the county. It’s free and open to the public. The meeting rotates to different venues around the county.

For this month’s location or more information, email facilitator Cindy Brookshire at jocowriters@gmail.com.

Every other Monday, 6 p.m. ⋆ K iwanis Club of Clayton → V irtual meeting

The Kiwanis Club of Clayton serves the community with emphasis on school youth Kiwanis programs. It advises two local high school KEY (Kiwanis Educating Youth) clubs and one elementary school club and meets each month.

Visit www.facebook.com/ ClaytonKiwanis to learn more.

Third Monday, 7 p.m. ⋆ V ietnam Veterans of America

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→ S mithfield American Legion Post 132

The Smithfield Chapter 990 meeting of the Vietnam Veterans of America is every third Monday of the month at 7 p.m.

Third Monday, 6:30 p.m. ⋆ J ohnston County Beekeepers Association meeting → J ohnston County Ag Center

The Johnston County Beekeepers Association serves beginner and experienced beekeepers with educational programs and experiences.

They teach and encourage better apiculture methods and promote cooperation and sharing among beekeepers, homeowners and farmers. The monthly meetings are free and open to everyone. For more information, visit www.jocobee. org or email JCBAPresident@ jocobee.org.

Third Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. ⋆ W idowed Persons Fellowship Group →P arkside Cafe, Pine Level

third Tuesday of the month.

Attend in person or visit www. us02web.zoom.us/j/9216132965 to attend via Zoom. The Meeting ID is 921 613 2965.

For more information, email AACJCDP.chair@gmail.com or call 954-696-7833.

Third Thursday

⋆ J ohnston County Republican Women

The Johnston County Republican Women meet on the third Thursday of each month (except in July and December). Their meeting location changes monthly.

For more information email jcrwrocks@gmail.com.

Fourth Monday, 6:30 p.m.

⋆ D isabled American Veterans meeting → S mithfield DAV, Buffalo Road

Smithfield Chapter 44 of the Disabled American Veterans meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Every Thursday, 6:45 a.m.

⋆ Clayton Rotary Morning Club → V irtual meeting via Zoom

First Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ⋆ F our Oaks American Legion meeting → A merican Legion Building, Hwy. 301, Four Oaks

All veterans are encouraged to attend the monthly meeting of Four Oaks American Legion Post 346 on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Fourth Thursday, 6 p.m. ⋆ C aring Hearts Civitan Club →C leveland Draft House, Shotwell Road, Clayton

Caring Hearts Civitan Club would like to invite anyone interested in helping others in the Johnston County area to come to its meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month, excluding July.

The club is a service-based volunteer organization that seeks members who are like-minded and would like to partner with other clubs and support worthy causes.

Dinner begins at 6 and the meeting at 7. Those interested in attending or making a presentation about their organization should email grahamhound1966@ gmail.com.

The Widowed Persons Fellowship Group, Johnston County, cordially invites widowed males and females to join them at their monthly self-pay dinner meeting. There is no charge to join their group. Come and see what they’re all about. Call 919-9653865 with any questions.

Every Thursday morning, 70 service-minded people, representing all ages, genders and races meet. Learn more at www.claytonrotaryclub.org.

Every Thursday, 6:15 p.m.

Second and Fourth Saturday

Third Tuesday

Clayton Area Toastmasters is a public speaking club in affiliation with Toastmasters International. Meetings can also be offered via Zoom if requested by a member. For more, visit www.claytontm.com.

The Twisted Willow and the Oak City Collection are hosting a farmer’s market on every second and fourth Saturday of the month until November.

Check out fresh local produce and treasures from local artisans. To learn more, text 919-817-0010 or 919-333-5252.

⋆ J ohnston County AfricanAmerican Caucus meeting → 1 302 W. Market St., Smithfield

The Johnston County AfricanAmerican Caucus meets every

⋆ C layton Area Toastmasters meetings → J CC Workforce Development Center

⋆ F armer’s Market → S . 3rd Street, Smithfield

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