Images Johnston County, NC: 2009 by Journal Communications

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OF JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

OPRAH EATS CHEESE RINGS Local food products draw national attention

STRUMMIN’ IN SELMA Region becoming a hub for musical entertainers

Life’s an Uphill Climb Legend Park challenges bikers SPONSORED BY THE JOHNSTON COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

2009 EDITION | VOLUME 4 TM

OF JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 6

LIFE’S AN UPHILL CLIMB Outdoor adventure abounds at parks and natural areas.

JOHNSTON COUNTY BUSINESS 20 Bring on the Business Growing companies ﬁnd support and incentives

22 Biz Briefs

STRUMMIN’ IN SELMA Looking for live music? Johnston County is a growing hub for entertainers.

OPRAH EATS CHEESE RINGS Locally made food products attract national attention.

24 Economic Proﬁle

D E PA R TM E NT S 4 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Johnston County culture

16 Portfolio: people, places and

PLENTY TO DO AT THE PARKS A new aquatics center will add to the region’s family fun.

BRINGING LESSONS TO LIFE Arts council enhances school classes with hands-on culture.

events that deﬁne Johnston County

25 Education 29 Health & Wellness 35 Community Proﬁle: facts, stats and important numbers to know

This magazine is printed entirely or in part on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

ON THE COVER Legend Park in Clayton Photo by Ian Curcio

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Sit back and enjoy a preview of Johnston County amenities. Explore its landscapes, cultural offerings, food and fun. See its downtown, neighborhoods, parks and attractions. Experience the history, hot spots and local happenings. Johnston County is rated L for Livability.

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What’s More lists, links and tips for fo orr newcomers o n new

OF JOHNSTON COUNT Y SENIOR EDITOR REBECCA DENTON COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, JESSY YANCEY ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER MATT BIGELOW STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS HOLLIE DEESE, RENEE ELDER, JOE MORRIS, JESSICA MOZO, BETSY WILLIAMS DATABASE PROJECT MANAGER YANCEY TURTURICE DATA MANAGER RANETTA SMITH REGIONAL SALES MANAGER CHARLES FITZGIBBON INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER DESHAUN GOODRICH SALES SUPPORT MANAGER SARA SARTIN SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN M CCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN SMITH PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, ALISON HUNTER, JESSICA MANNER, JANINE MARYLAND, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER WEB PROJECT MANAGERS ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC MARCIA BANASIK, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITORS/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS, BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/COMMUNITY KIM MADLOM MANAGING EDITOR/CUSTOM KIM NEWSOM MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, RICHIE FITZPATRICK, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS SALES COORDINATOR JENNIFER ALEXANDER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Images of Johnston County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce 1115 Industrial Park Drive • Smithfield, NC 27577 Phone: (919) 934-9166 • Fax: (919) 934-1337 www.smithfieldselma.com VISIT IMAGES OF JOHNSTON COUNTY ONLINE AT IMAGESJOHNSTONCOUNTY.COM ©Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

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MOVING PICTURES

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VIDEO 1 INSIDE LOOK Join us on a virtual tour of Johnston County through the lenses of our award-winning photographers at imagesjohnstoncounty.com.

SEARCH OUR ARCHIVES Browse past content by section or search for specific articles by subject. INSTANT LINKS Read the entire magazine online using our ActiveMagazine™ technology and link instantly to community businesses and services.

VIDEO 2 GET IN GEAR Experience the thrills of Legend Park’s mountain bike trail at imagesjohnstoncounty.com.

VIDEO 3 ALL ABOUT AVA

EVEN MORE Read full-length versions of the magazine’s articles; find related stories; or read new content exclusive to the Web. Look for the See More Online reference in this issue.

Take a quick tour of the Ava Gardner Museum at imagesjohnstoncounty.com.

A GARDENER’S PARADISE In many ways, we live in a plant paradise here in North Carolina. We have abundant rainfall and a long growing season that favors good plant development. Find out more at imagesjohnstoncounty.com.

BARBECUE: A SIMPLE SOUTHERN PLEASURE One of the simple pleasures of Southern dining is the down-home barbecue experience. No matter where you go, you’re bound to ﬁnd barbecue prepared just right. Get a taste of regional cuisine at imagesjohnstoncounty.com.

A B O U T T H I S M AG A Z I N E Images of Johnston County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Johnston County Association of Chambers of Commerce and its member businesses. In print and online, Images gives readers a taste of what makes Johnston County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.” – Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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Ava and More Ava Ava Gardner’s heyday was the 1940s and 1950s, but she’s still a popular figure today. The Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield memorializes the Hollywood screen legend, who was born in 1922 in Brogden near Smithfield. The museum welcomes about 40-50 people a day, with most of them visiting from out of state. Gardner, who was married to Hollywood husbands including Frank Sinatra and Mickey Rooney, was buried in 1990 at Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield.

Let’s Get to Work Interested in a better-paying job? The Johnston County Workforce Development Center in Clayton prepares people for biotechnology, business and industry careers. The $4 million educational and technical skills training facility opened in 2005 to help tap people’s potential and to further recruit top companies to the county. Through a one-semester program, the center has already prepped more than 600 people for the pharmaceutical sector alone.

WATCH MORE ONLINE | Take a quick virtual tour of the Ava Gardner Museum at imagesjohnstoncounty.com.

Johnston County | At A Glance POPULATION (2006 ESTIMATE) Johnston County: 157,437 Clayton: 13,842 Smithfield: 12,271 Selma: 6,779 Benson: 3,374

Johnston County

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Raleigh

LOCATION Johnston County is in east-central North Carolina, about 30 miles south of Raleigh. BEGINNINGS Johnston County was formed in 1745 and named after Gabriel Johnston, a royal governor of the state. The town of Smithfield was officially chartered in 1777, and the town of Selma was chartered in 1873.

Clayton 301

Cleveland Area

JOHNSTON

Kenly

Selma Smithfield

40 301

Four Oaks 70

Benson 701

FOR MORE INFORMATION Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce 1115 Industrial Park Drive P.O. Box 467 Smithfield, NC 27577-0467 Phone: (919) 934-9166 Fax: (919) 934-1337 www.smithfieldselma.com

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SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Johnston County at imagesjohnstoncounty.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.

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Almanac

Fast Facts Q Johnston County is the nation’s largest grower of sweet potatoes, and the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission is headquartered in Smithfield.

Plenty in Store Old is news in the Selma Antique District. Shoppers will find more than 100,000 square e feet of antique shops and malls all within walking distance nce of each other on a picturesque 1950s streetscape. Items for sale are sure to please a range of shoppers – from the casual antique browser to the serious collector. ctor. The uptown Selma district is even billing itselff as “The New Antique Center of the South.” Shops in the district include Antique Wish, Keepsake Corner, rner, Railroad Street Antiques, The Treasury and TWM M Antique Mall.

Q The Battle of Bentonville in 1865 was considered the last major battle of the Civil War. A re-enactment every five years brings about 30,000 people to the county.

Taking a Tour of the Past

Q The county has more operating farms – 1,200 – than any other in the state.

Here’s a kind of museum you won’t find everywhere. The Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly showcases agriculture as it appeared in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Artifacts on display include household goods, clothing, agricultural tools and a hands-on children’s exhibit. Visitors can tour a restored farmstead, and displays cover medicine, education, religion and other aspects of rural life. The museum is open seven days a week.

Q The county has 10 municipalities: Benson, Clayton, Four Oaks, Kenly, Micro, Pine Level, Princeton, Selma, Smithfield and Wilson’s Mills.

All About Benson If you have any questions about Benson, this is the place to go. The Benson Museum of Local History collects, preserves and displays artifacts and photographs that depict the community’s interesting history. The museum on East Church Street is open to the public one afternoon each week. The museum is housed in the Benson Municipal Building, which formerly housed Benson High School and is now home to the museum. It’s also home to the town municipal offices, the local court, the Benson Police Department and the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce.

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Q Pharmacist Lunsford Richardson grew up near Selma in the mid-1800s, and he developed the formula for the cold salve called Vicks VapoRub.

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You

Can

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Canoe? BAIT YOUR HOOK FOR OUTDOOR FUN AT PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS

STORY BY RENEE ELDER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

ountain-bike riders at Legend Park face a tough series of jumps, switchbacks and even a death pit – features that have helped make this 8-mile run a big hit with area riders. After entering a hardwood forest, the trail follows along a creek bed and crosses a rock garden. Riders must rise to the challenge as they bank, dip and climb their way toward the summit. “I like to burn a loop around lower trails then head to the upper trail,” says one rider who reviewed the trail for a mountain-biker Web site. “The mix of steady uphills and winding single-track downhills will always keep you

working,” says another rider. “Kudos to the guys who built it!” The Clayton Parks and Recreation Department owns the trail, but it was developed largely through the volunteer efforts of local mountain bikers who initially approached the city about the surplus tract of land beside Legend Park’s new ball field. “It was just a great area in the woods to build a bike trail,” says Susan Jenkins, a member of the Legend Park staff. “We see riders of all ages. More adults than you might think.” Lots of volunteer labor went into what is now a favorite recreation spot for bikers from North Carolina and beyond. There’s no fee to ride, and the trail is open from 8 a.m.

What’s Online On nliin

WATCH MORE ONLINE Experience the thrills of Legend Park’s mountain-bike trail in our video at images johnstoncounty.com. Watch this and other quick videos in the Interactive section.

Chris Johnson canoes on the Neuse River in Smithfield with his 9-year-old daughter, Carolyn, and his 13-year-old son, Quinton. The Neuse offers a smooth, steady float.

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“Mountain-bike riders at Legend Park face a tough series of jumps, switchbacks and even a death pit – features that have helped make this 8-mile run a big hit with area riders.”

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to 11 p.m. daily. If hiking or fishing is more your speed, Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center is a great resource. “We have about 20 miles of trails, and all are hikeable,” says James Sasser, director of the center. “Some are for horseback riding and bike riding as well.” The center is located on a 2,856-acre tract near Four Oaks that was donated to Johnston Community College by board member and philanthropist Rudolph Howell. The acreage includes several ponds, and the center is in the process of building a 75-acre lake. “We have people come out to walk their dogs, go picnicking, bird watching or general wildlife viewing,” Sasser adds. “Fishing is pretty popular as well.” Outdoor programs range from classes on building birdhouses to bird-banding projects and nighttime wildlife observation hikes. Overnight camping spots are available, along with two furnished and stocked cabins. Sections of Howell Woods can also be used for hunting on designated weekends. Those who enjoy a little outdoor competition can find what they’re looking for at Community Park in Smithfield. Popular attractions here include baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, swimming, disc golf, bocce, horseshoes and shuffleboard. “We also have a half-mile and a mile walking track, and we’re building a new

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recreation and aquatic center,” says Laura Crumpler, programs supervisor for the Smithfield Parks and Recreation Department. The scenic Neuse River, which runs from the Falls Lake to the Pamlico Sound, draws paddlers from across the state. Many describe the Johnston County section as the most picturesque part of the trip. Paddling the Neuse is a popular activity for groups and families, as the water is smooth and the scenery bucolic, says Johnny House, owner of Neuse Adventures Canoe and Kayak Rental in Clayton. You’ll find a smooth and steady ride that offers plenty of time to appreciate lush natural surroundings. “It’s pretty rural along the way,” House says. “You’ll see a lot of country, a lot of woods.” Of course, enjoying the Neuse doesn’t require a canoe trip. Just head to Town Commons in downtown Smithfield, where the Neuse River Walk was built in 2003. It’s a perfect spot for strolling, picnicking or fishing on the banks of the river. Town Commons is also the site of the annual Ham & Yam Festival that takes place the first weekend in May.

Left: Allen Tutt rides his mountain bike at Legend Park in Clayton.

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Love Music For the

JOHNSTON COUNTY IS A GROWING HUB FOR ENTERTAINERS

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

wo nights a week, the quiet streets of small-town Selma – with its charming antique shops and country cafés – transform into a major entertainment destination as busloads of visitors pour in for the American Music Jubilee. Similar to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and the myriad of gospel, country and comedy shows that light up the strip in Branson, Mo., the American Music Jubilee is a fun-packed, two-hour variety show that takes place in Selma’s historic 560-seat Rudy Theatre. “It’s kind of a Las Vegas ‘Hee Haw,’ ”

Mementos from the American Music Jubilee Right: The show takes place at the historic Rudy Theatre.

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says Spook Joyner, American Music Jubilee founder and guitarist. “It’s got a lot of glitz, glamour and costume changes, but it also has slapstick comedy, old country, new country, fifties, gospel and patriotic music.” Joyner founded the American Music Jubilee in 1998, and in its short history the show has become a favorite with tour groups and church groups from around the region and beyond. “People thought it wouldn’t last here in Selma, but we’re only a mile off I-95, so people continuously stop to see us,” Joyner says. “The first night we opened, people were lined up down the street to get in. Now people all over the United States know about this little show in Selma.” The American Music Jubilee features a cast of 12 talented musicians and comedians. The show content changes three times a year, and the Christmas season is always a hit.

“During our best Christmas season, we entertained more than 21,000 guests,” Joyner says. “We’re still doing very well. We work very hard at improving the quality of the show, and we continue to change the costumes, the characters and the comedy.”

were only about 200 people in attendance and three to five choirs,” says Danny Mack Holland, president of the State Annual Singing Convention. Today the singing convention attracts between 50 and 65 Southern gospel choirs and more than 4,000 spectators. “There’s a good following because Southern gospel is what we listen to in this area, and people from ages 25 to 95 love it,” Holland says. “People grew up with it and love to sing it. Our mission is to keep the tradition of Southern gospel music alive. We hope to carry SPOOK JOYNER this event past the AMERICAN MUSIC JUBILEE FOUNDER 100-year mark.” Nearby Benson is also drawing music In Smithfield, Johnston Community lovers by the thousands. Every June, the College hosts the popular Country Music town hosts the State Annual Singing Showcase, a bimonthly show that allows Convention, a local tradition since 1921. local singers to perform with a live band It is now the oldest-running outdoor in a professional setting. Clay Aiken – gospel-singing convention in the nation. “American Idol” contestant turned music “The first year, the convention was star – got his start emceeing and held in a tobacco warehouse, and there performing at the JCC Country Music

“People thought it wouldn’t last. ... Now people all over the United States know about this little show in Selma.”

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Showcase as well as in smaller venues in Benson and Dunn. With two professional recording studios in town, musicians in Johnston County have the chance to record their own albums. Master Trax Recording Studio in downtown Selma offers a large tracking room, a separate drum/isolation booth and a lounge where clients can relax between recording sessions. Joyner also owns a 28-track recording studio inside Rudy Theatre, where he records gospel, rock and country groups and arranges projects for different artists. Joyner says the best thing about making music in Johnston County is the opportunity to provide visitors with a great experience and show them plenty of Southern hospitality. “I started playing guitar with my dad when I was 6, and the older I got, the more the passion grew,” he says. “Today, seeing people enjoy what I do – there’s not a better feeling in the world.”

Musicians can record their music at two recording studios in Selma.

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Handmade Homegrown

LOCALLY MADE FOOD PRODUCTS DRAW NATIONAL ATTENTION

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STORY BY JESSICA MOZO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

n the 1850s, Ginny Johnson’s great-grandmother made drawing attention. Campbell owns Jenny’s Sweet Creations, a extraordinarily delicious cheese rings from simple popular bakery specializing in handmade candies, butter ingredients – flour, cheddar cheese, margarine and spices. mints, fudge, cookies and more than a dozen different flavors So when Johnson’s friend was looking for homemade of decorated cakes. cheese straws to sell in her Raleigh gift shop, Johnson dug out “We make red velvet, coconut, pineapple, Hershey-bar her family’s 150-year-old recipe and whipped up several cake, pound cake, lemon, fresh strawberry and a really rich batches. Soon she was making them in bulk for parties. peanut butter brownie cake with homemade peanut butter icing, When orders for the cheese chocolate ganache and ground rings became overwhelming, peanut butter cups,” Campbell Johnson took an early retirement says. “We can make about anyfrom her job at a Raleigh airthing. We add new flavors as port and launched her business, customers request them.” Ginny O’s Cheese Rings Inc., In Smithfield, Carolina Packers in Selma in 2003. Inc. makes high-quality Bright “I was working on airplanes Leaf brand hot dogs, bologna, during the day and baking the smoked sausage and spicy Red cheese rings when I got home at 2 Hots – shorter and thicker than a a.m.,” she says. hot dog, with a touch of heat. GINNY JOHNSON Word really began to spread “The hot dogs are what we’re OWNER, GINNY O’S CHEESE RINGS about the addictive snack when best known for,” says Jimmy Oprah Winfrey’s magazine featured Butler, sales manager for Carolina the cheese rings in a 2003 issue after Johnson sent five pounds Packers Inc. “It’s a unique blend of herbs and spices that of them to the talk show host and media mogul. And the rest, makes our hot dogs special, and they have half the fat of other as they say, is history. hot dogs on the market.” Johnson still bakes the cheese rings fresh to order, though Other food and beverage products made in Johnston a machine allows her to turn out between 25,000 and 30,000 County include 13 varieties of wine at Hinnant Family rings a day. Vineyards, and traditionally milled mixes for muffins, In nearby Benson, Jenny Campbell’s sweet treats are also hushpuppies and pancakes at Atkinson Milling Co.

“I was working on airplanes during the day and baking the cheese rings when I got home at 2 a.m.”

Ginny Johnson of Selma started Ginny O’s Cheese Rings Inc. with a 150-year-old family recipe. Left: Jenny’s Sweet Creations in Benson specializes in homemade candies, cookies and more than a dozen flavors of decorated cakes.

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Portfolio

IAN CURCIO

READ MORE ONLINE | Check out the shopping opportunities at Carolina Premium Outlets in Smithfield at imagesjohnstoncounty.com.

To promote family play, the Neuse Golf Club in Clayton has developed a fast-tee course designed for beginners.

Keeping Golfers on Their Tees PINE HOLLOW, RIVERWOOD AND THE NEUSE GOLF CLUBS OFFER PLENTY OF OPTIONS

ith golf courses and clubs Pine Hollow, Riverwood and the Neuse in Johnston County, there are plenty of options to challenge avid golfers and make a nice family outing for more casual putters. At the Neuse Golf Club, the focus is on the fairways, says Steve Ostroff, club manager. “We’ve changed some of our mowing practices around certain areas to make things a little more challenging, a little more scenic,” Ostroff says. “The course is just in great shape, and we’ve got a lot of people who come out from around Raleigh and Durham to play it.” 16

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The Neuse, which opened in 1993, is a semi-private club that has been ranked No. 1 in terms of value for the money by Golf Digest. The magazine also ranked the course in the top five for conditions and among the top 10 for service and pace of play. To keep that buzz going, Ostroff and the club staff work on the course and keep the facility involved in the community. “We do a tournament every year in relation to Sept. 11,” Ostroff says. “We get a lot of sponsorship from the community, and the teams represent our local firefighters, police and EMS people. A cup is presented to whichever

organization the winning team represents. It’s not expensive, and we sell out every year.” The Neuse Golf Club has also ramped up its younger-player efforts, developing a fast-tee course designed for juniors and beginners that comes with its own scorecard and rules. The fast-tee course can be played by adults as well as their children. “We wanted something that would make us more family friendly, and we do some tournaments with our full membership on those tees – parent/ junior events so the whole family can play together,” Ostroff says. J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENNIS SARGENT

Track Gears Up for Expansion

ith a new owner and plans for expansion and more community interaction, it’s a busy time at Southern National Raceway Park. Southern National, which opened in 1993, was sold to Del Richards in July 2008 when former owner R. Kirk Leone decided to exit the business. Richards had to step in pretty quickly at the 4/10-mile, high-banked track, as the USAR Hooters Pro Cup, Crane Cams 250 and Allison Legacy Series took place just a few days later. But it’s all part of the game for Richards, and the opportunity was just too good to pass up. “My wife and I looked at five tracks over the past two years, and I didn’t want to be up and down the highway nine months out of the year with a team,” he says. “My farm’s only 25 minutes away from here. We don’t have to uproot ourselves.” The track’s asphalt was designed by Francis Tuttle, the designer of Talladega, Texas World Speedway, Ford Test Track and Toyota Test Track’s asphalt, and the infield offers complete tire and tech facilities with scales, fuel and driver/ crew showers. The track is available for rent for testing programs, and it offers 149 permanent trackside parking spaces for tailgaters. While he can’t divulge specific improvements for the raceway, Richards says he plans to expand the park and work with Wilson, Johnston, Wake and Franklin counties on a variety of initiatives. “It’s a beautiful facility, an awesome facility, and it’s one of the best short tracks in the country,” he says. “All it needs is a little polishing, and we’re working on that.” Del Richards has big plans for Southern National Raceway Park.

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a great place

JOHNSTON COUNTY

TO WORK

AND PLAY!

JOHNSTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Cookie Pope,

Jeffrey P. Carver

CHAIRMAN

W. Ray Woodall Wade M. Stewart, VICE-CHAIRMAN

DeVan Barbour

Allen L. Mims, Jr.

Tony Braswell

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Portfolio

Club Has Crowds Laughing Out Loud W

hen stand-up comedian Matt Mayle decided to cut back on traveling, that didn’t mean he wanted to quit his night job. He just decided to keep his comedy closer to home. Mayle and his wife, Tonia, opened Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club in Clayton in February 2008. With shows four nights a week, lunch during the week and a lounge that’s separate from the club itself, the business has been going gangbusters on all fronts, Mayle says.

“Clayton’s growing, so I think we’re on the front of something big here,” Mayle says. “I’ve worked everywhere in the last 10 years, and I know from working in smaller towns that the people are really nice, and they’re appreciative of the acts that are brought to them. That’s the vibe here, and we always have people thanking us after the show for putting all this here. I know most of the people who come here on a first-name basis, and I like that.”

He has had no trouble pulling in top acts to the new club, despite the area’s relatively small size. “Comics go where the money is, and we book through the Comedy Zone, an agency that’s been around for 30 years,” Mayle says. “All our comics have television credits. They may not be celebrity comics, but they’re all national touring comics. Now we’re looking more at celebrity comics, and seeing how many tickets we can sell. We only have 150 seats, so we don’t compete with the bigger comedy clubs near here.” With sold-out shows two or more nights a week, there’s no doubt that the Johnston County crowd likes to laugh. “We are an entertainment venue,” Mayle says. “The comedy club is first and foremost, but we’ve got some nights where people just come into the lounge to watch a game, or they just come in for lunch. People can come in for the show, for dinner, for a drink or all three – we’ve got lots of options. It’s all been very positive so far.”

Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club hosts national touring comics four nights a week at the 150-seat venue.

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Flowers Plantation is a 3,000-acre planned residential community.

PHOTOS BY IAN CURCIO

Rural Living, City Appeal

lowers Plantation may be 3,000 acres of planned residential living, but it still looks much as it did in 1905 when Joshua Washington Flowers purchased the Dr. Watson farm. The land eventually passed to Joshua Percy Flowers, who owned the property from the 1920s to 1982. Flowers is a local legend around Johnston County, and the community on his former estate has been slowly building and expanding since the mid-1980s. The chief goal of the developer has been to maintain the rural, farm-like atmosphere. This was made possible by a development company’s singular vision, including a master plan that calls for new buildings to resemble existing historical structures while providing the amenities that people demand, say Holden Royall and Chris Walters of the plantation’s marketing division. “Johnston County is growing in such leaps as a result of its close proximity to the Research Triangle and Raleigh,” Royall and Walters say. “Flowers Plantation has 3,000 contiguous acres beginning along the Neuse River and falling east to the banks of Buffalo Creek. The beautiful landscape of Johnston County, with streams and the river, made perfect areas for the pedestrian and biking trails which connect from one neighborhood to the next.” More than 2,000 property owners now live in the community, which includes the Pineville Club Spa and the Dr. Watson Inn, a historic bed-andbreakfast establishment. Two elementary schools operate within Flowers Plantation’s borders – East Clayton Elementary, which opened in 1996, and River Dell Elementary, which opened in 2003. – Stories by Joe Morris J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

I M AG E S J O H N S T O N C O U N T Y. C O M

Business

I M AG E S J O H N S T O N C O U N T Y. C O M

J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

Bring

on the

Bus ness

GROWING COMPANIES FIND SUPPORT, INCENTIVES

STORY BY BETSY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN CURCIO

hen Michael de Sherbinin opened the pages of a Southern Living magazine in 2006, he was surprised to find an article about The Pound Cake Company in Benson. De Sherbinin – the economic development professional in Johnston County – immediately called Jan Matthews-Hodges, founder and owner of the pound-cake business, to see how the county could help. Less than a year and several thousand dollars in assistance later, The Pound Cake Company relocated to a former school cafeteria with 18 employees – and with plans to add 18,000 square feet and 26 more employees. It’s really an American success story. She enjoyed baking pound cakes and won the grand prize at the North Carolina State Fair. In 2005, she started her own bakery in a tiny, 800-square-foot storefront in downtown Benson. “The magazine article led to us meeting with the local economic development group, grant writers and our town officials,” Matthews-Hodges says. “It turned out there was an old school that qualified for the rural redevelopment building program with the state of North Carolina. The town is giving me 31 months of free rent, the state has paid for repairs, and USDA is supplying matching funds. It has been surprising to realize they have that much trust and faith in what we’re doing.” Now Matthews-Hodges and her team – most of whom are residents of the surrounding neighborhood – are supplying high-end cakes and breads to Fresh Markets. And plans are in the works to feed the upscale Whole Foods grocery network and military commissaries. For de Sherbinin and his economic development team, it’s not surprising that companies are finding Johnston County to be fertile ground for their growing businesses. “We have a lot of interesting and dynamic things that go on here and are supported by the local business community and by the local governments,” de Sherbinin says. “We keep upgrading our transportation arteries, we have a very diverse housing stock with entry-level homes and million-dollar estates, and a unique quality of life that is attracting a variety of retail investment.”

J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

It’s also attracting the attention of developers such as the Keith Corp., the largest developer in Charlotte. “They have teamed up with our office to market and plan the Four Oaks Business Park, designed much like a park they did in Lincoln County that now has more than 3,000 jobs and 4 million square feet of space,” de Sherbinin says. The park, which offers one of the finest distribution sites for the hot Raleigh market, is at Exit 87 on Interstate 95’s newest interchange. While location is important, a meaningful incentives package helps the community seal important deals like an Ashley Furniture distribution center and a high-tech Novo Nordisk operation. And The Pound Cake Company, which goes through more than 90 dozen eggs a day.

Ashley Furniture is planning a new distribution center. Left: Jan Matthews-Hodges owns The Pound Cake Company.

I M AG E S J O H N S T O N C O U N T Y. C O M

STAFF PHOTO

Business | Biz Briefs

Neuse Adventures Canoe & Kayak Rentals offers self-guided two- and five-hour canoe trips down the Neuse River.

ROW YOUR BOAT If floating a boat floats your boat, then look no further than Neuse Adventures Canoe & Kayak Rentals, a one-stop service for getting you out of the rat race and down the river. Owner Johnny House set up shop in Clayton about four years ago, and his business offers two- and five-hour trips, depending on how much time you’ve got. The trips are self-guided, but House says that the gentle Neuse is nothing to be afraid of – whether you’re an experienced paddler or new to the whole scene. Local folks may well represent his fastest-growing business segment. “I had a couple the other afternoon bring some sandwiches and just float down the river, looking at the wildlife,” he says. “They said that this was the most fun they’d ever had, practically in their own backyard.” Visit www.neuseadventures.com for more information. WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME The Cleveland Emporium has been a family-run business since the 1940s. And in a world of chain retailers, don’t 22

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look for that to change. “We know everyone’s name when they come in, and we treat them like a neighbor,” says David Wells, the store’s owner. “We’re the only locally owned store in the area, and we live here, our kids go to school here. It lets everyone in Cleveland know that we’re invested in the neighborhood.” Wells is the third generation of his family to operate the store, which his mother’s parents purchased in 1947. A new building next to the original was built a few years ago to house the store, and the former building is now the home of The Annex, a gift shop and homedécor center run by Wells’ wife Marlo. TODAY’S MOVIE, YESTERDAY’S PRICE Everything old is new again at the Howell Theatre, which was built in downtown Smithfield in 1935. The theater has seen its share of ups and downs, but now it’s bustling with activity as a secondrun movie house and community gathering place. Since 1996, the Howell has been owned and operated by Mickey Buffaloe, who offers recent-run movies for a $2

admission charge. The four screens (two in former balconies) are just some of the Howell’s many amenities. “We cater to families, so I play as many family movies as I can mixed in with other stuff,” Buffaloe says. Visit www.howellmovies.com for more information. FOLLOW THE SIGNS If a roadside advertisement catches your eye, chances are it’s the handiwork of Interstate Outdoor. The family-owned company operates out of Selma, and it has more than 800 displays in eastern North Carolina. After 15 years in business, the biggest challenge is keeping up with demand and new technology, says company Vice President Warren Stancil. “We’ve got billboards in 28 counties, and now we’re putting up digital boards,” Stancil says. “Most people like them because one advertiser can rotate many ads in their slot. It just gives them a lot of options.” In addition to billboards, Interstate Outdoor offers media-planning services that allow customers to work out an J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

advertising budget and target specific markets. The company has a site-lease service, so it can lease or purchase signs in other areas. Interstate Outdoor also has a full-time installation crew, and it constantly monitors its locations to ensure that any lighting issues or other damage is promptly repaired. Visit www.interstateoutdoor.net for more information. THE DOCTORS ARE IN Looking for one-stop family medical care? Then swing by East Carolina Medical Center in Benson. The practice, which opened its doors in the mid-1980s, offers a full array of treatments and services, says Office Manager Paulette Kennison, who helped found the clinic along with Dr. P.K. Vyas and Licensed Practical Nurse Linda Allen. The facility now has multiple physicians, therapists and more than 50 others on staff. The medical center offers multiple diagnostic services, including radiology and ultrasound testing, as well as full cardiac lab and nuclear medicine departments. On-site services include acute and chronic pain management, bone-density testing, CAT scans, digitally computerized X-rays, EKGs, mammograms, MRI, ultrasound, stress testing, a sleep-study lab and much more. Visit www.ecmedcenter.com for more information. OUT OF THE WOODWORK For more than 40 years, Conestoga Wood Specialties has been making wood doors and other components for the cabinet industry. Its seven plants around the United States serve many customers and markets, and the facility in Kenly is a key player in the company’s supply chain. “They do a lot of finishing there, both cabinet doors and components like door frames and panels,” says Jeff Eichenseer, director of marketing for Conestoga’s custom division. “They also produce a line of doors with some exotic and domestic veneers, as well as front frames – all kinds of cabinet components. But the big thing there is the manufacture of dovetail drawer boxes, which is one of our very high-end products, with a lot of craftsmanship involved.” – Joe Morris J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

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Business | Economic Profile

JOHNSTON COUNTY BUSINESS CLIMATE Johnston County is a part of North Carolina’s “Triangle Region,” located only 29 miles from Research Triangle Park. The area offers a diversified economy and high-tech jobs.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

Company/Product or Service Johnston Co. Schools/Public school system

Number of Employees 3,000+

DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES

Talecris Biotherapeutics/Pharmaceuticals Johnston County/Government

1,500+

15 miles

Johnston Community College/Education

1,200+

Raleigh, N.C.

Johnston Health/Health care, hospital

260 miles

1,800

1,100

Wal-Mart Stores/Discount retailer

1,000

Caterpillar Inc./Construction equipment

1,000

Washington, D.C.

Sysco/Food distribution

500

410 miles

Novo Nordisk/Pharmaceuticals

400

Atlanta, Ga.

PGI Nonwovens/Fabric

400

Get the facts:

ASC Signal/Satellite systems

200

Precision Air Flanders/Air filters

300

Sona BLW Precision Forge/Metal forging

300

Carolina Packers/Meat processing

200

Smithfield Foods/Food distribution

200

Environ OPW/Flexible underground tubing

200

Carolina Custom Assemblers/Electrical assembly

200

Mortex/Children’s clothing

200

TT Electronics (AB Shallcross)/ Automotive electronic resistor

200

imagesjohnstoncounty.com

LABOR FORCE Johnston County (2008) Annual average labor force 77,072 Annual average employed 73,483 Unemployment rate, 4.7% Source: North Carolina Employment Security Commission

JOHNSTON COUNTY GROSS RETAIL SALES 2007-08 Johnston County, $1,101,195,577 Smithfield, $355,193,876 Selma, $74,596,542 Clayton, $208,220,110

MORE EO ON ONLINE imagesjohnstoncounty.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

PROPERTY TAX RATE Johnston County 78 cents per $100 valuation

I M AG E S J O H N S T O N C O U N T Y. C O M

J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

Prescription for Growth Johnston Health launches $144 million project

An Easy Sell Quality of life, career opportunities attract skilled physicians

YOUR NEW HEALTH CARE SYSTEM Special Advertising Section

Johnston Health

A new five-story patient tower will include spacious inpatient suites and bay windows. Below: Tower construction begins.

Prescription for

Growth

JOHNSTON HEALTH LAUNCHES $144 MILLION EXPANSION PROJECT

roviding health care in one of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest-growing counties is a tall order, and the Johnston Health team has spent the last five years planning, reviewing trends and holding town hall meetings to design a program that is as dynamic as the communities it serves. The result is a comprehensive, $144 million expansion and construction plan that will deliver top-quality health-care services to residents throughout the Johnston County area. As part of this expansion program, Johnston Medical Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Smithfield will soon offer spacious inpatient suites.

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www.johnstonhealth.org

“Each suite is large – almost 300 square feet,” says Johnston Health President and CEO Kevin Rogols. “These modern suites will feature private bathrooms, bay windows and futon sleepers so that loved ones can stay with the patient the entire time they are there, if they wish. Each one will also have a dinette area, and we will offer 24-hour room service.” Flat-screen TVs and anterooms where nurses or family members can talk privately will complete a space that is designed around the comfort and hospitality that patients and family members deserve, Rogols says. New operating rooms, a new intensive care unit, a larger cafeteria and an inviting new entrance are planned as part of the five-story, 150,700-square-foot tower that will house the 101 patient rooms. “Our goal is to meet the health-care needs of the residents of Johnston County and to have our hospital come to the tops of their minds and awareness when it comes to finding a health-care provider,”

Rogols says. “We plan to be in all corners of Johnston County meeting the needs of our residents.” Construction on the Smithfield tower is expected to be completed in December 2009, Rogols says, and renovation of the existing hospital – built in 1951 – will begin after that. Concurrent with the new construction in Smithfield is a new 51,000-square-foot medical center on a 75-acre tract in fast-growing Clayton. Johnston Medical Center–Clayton will feature an emergency department, a diagnostic imaging suite, operating rooms and lab services. Walk-in clinics and doctors’ offices are also sprouting up throughout the county. Another plus: The projects are environ mentally friendly. A new central energy co-generation plant will have the ability to provide power back to Smithfield, Rogols says, and the entire Clayton medical center project will feature a green campus. “This was a collaborative decision with leaders in the Clayton community,”

he says. “Together, we talked about the development of our 75 acres in addition to the property we have along the Highway 42 corridor, and there was a great level of interest from leaders to have a green focus. Johnston County is an absolutely beautiful county, and we’re supportive of anything we can do to sustain its beauty.”

This special section is published for Johnston Health by Journal Communications Inc.

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

For more information, contact: Johnston Health 509 N. Bright Leaf Blvd. • Smithfield, N.C. 27577 Phone: (919) 934-8171 • Fax: (919) 989-7297 www.johnstonhealth.org ©Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this special advertising section may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. On the cover: Mother and baby in the Women’s Pavilion Photo by Todd Bennett

Changing With the Times JOHNSTON HEALTH BUILDS ON LEGACY OF INNOVATION AND SERVICE

he face of Johnston Health has changed through the years, but its commitment to growth and innovation remains constant. Johnston Memorial Hospital, built at a cost of $1.25 million, opened its doors in December 1951 with 51,000 square feet and 100 patient rooms. High demand soon prompted the hospital to add a five-story, 18,000-square-foot wing in 1958, followed by another twice the size in 1965. A new mental health building was constructed in 1974, offering an inpatient unit operated by the hospital and an outpatient clinic run by the county. In 1984 the hospital added 52,000 square feet, providing space for an additional 64 patient rooms, a new lobby, operating rooms and related services. The 1990s focused on an expanded outpatient

facility and a new emergency department. The new millennium has brought about the greatest change – the construction and expansion of a Women’s Pavilion, cardiac catheterization lab and major renovations to the shuttered Burlington Industries plant just across the street from the hospital. Known as Johnston Health Medical Mall, this refurbished building houses the HealthQuest Wellness Center and Johnston Medical Associates–Smithfield. A vacant suite was recently remodeled to relocate the offices of QuikMed Urgent Care. By 2010, the new addition to Johnston Medical Center–Smithfield and Johnston Medical Center– Clayton will be open and serving the health-care needs of thriving, vibrant and growing communities.

A healthier tomorrow begins today.

Johnston Health

An Easy Sell CAREER OPPORTUNITIES, QUALITY OF LIFE ATTRACT NEW PHYSICIANS

ohnston Health is leading the way in recruiting new doctors and specialists to the county, with more than 30 new doctors joining the organization in the past 18 months. Once prospective physicians visit the community, it’s an easy sell, says Dr. Eric Gloss, vice president of medical affairs for Johnston Health. He has been in charge of physician recruitment since March 2007. “This area is very desirable, with excellent schools, a university environment and a location that is close to a major metropolitan area,” Gloss says. “The climate is great, and we’re close to the ocean, close to the mountains. Even with more than 150,000 residents in the county, it still seems rural. Traffic is no big deal here. It’s a beautiful area.” Many top-notch physicians already call Johnston County home. “We have excellent physicians,” Gloss says, noting that two cardiologists on staff are ranked among the nation’s top

100. “We offer medical expertise that is close to home, with doctors who are providing outstanding care, and we continue to add to that.” Johnston Health has created some innovative physician-recruitment tools to make the decision to relocate to Johnston County even easier. It offers assistance through three models – hospital employment, a solo practice or assistance with joining an existing medical practice. As a hospital employee, the doctor receives all the benefits of salary and insurance without the headaches of owning and running a small business. If a physician chooses the business model, the hospital will fund the start-up with the doctor’s commitment to remain in the community for three to five years. Liz Thurston, the staff physician liaison on board since July 2008, works to spread the word about Johnston Health and helps make doctors’ lives easier.

“Her role is to help promote the hospital and let the doctors know about new hospital services – and generally make it easier for the doctors to do their jobs,” Gloss says. “Her background is in information technology, so she works with them to set up systems that allow them to get lab results right within their offices, among other things.” Office space has been a concern in the past, but Johnston Health is addressing that through renovation of existing space and construction of new buildings, including a 60,000-square-foot office condominium in Clayton, additional leased space at The Summit in Clayton and additional doctors’ offices and a walk-in clinic in the Medical Mall across the street from Johnston Medical Center–Smithfield. With so much under way, Gloss sees a bright future for Johnston Health. “I look forward to adding more physicians and meeting the needs of our communities,” he says.

Dr. Eric Gloss, center, heads up physician recruitment. Michael Weir, left, and Kathy Kokosza help set up and manage practices.

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A Calm Place to Heal MURAL HELPS PUT CHILDREN AT EASE

Mother/baby couplet care allows mothers to keep babies in the rooms with them.

Off to a

Great Start WOMEN’S SERVICES DEPARTMENT EXPANDS, ADDS CARE OPTIONS

aving a baby is one of the most special moments in a woman’s life, and the professionals in the Women’s Services Department at Johnston Medical Center–Smithfield work hard to give new families the best experience possible. “We have a very dedicated staff of caring doctors and nurses who are all prepared to deliver exceptional nursing care to our patients,” says Jackie Ring, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for JMC–Smithfield. “Many of our nurses are cross-trained in that they can deliver the baby, take care of the postpartum needs of the mother and work with the newborn in the nursery.” If the newborn goes to the nursery, that is. With the recent expansion of the Women’s Pavilion – a project pushed up when almost 1,400 babies were born there in fiscal year 2007 – more women are choosing to keep their babies in the rooms with them. It’s an experience known as mother/baby couplet care. “Our nurses are trained to take care of both patients,” Ring says.

This allows the new mother to bond with her baby while having the safety net of a professional helper. The Women’s Pavilion, built in 2001 and expanded in 2008, has a separate entrance and is easily accessible. On the horizon for JMC–Smithfield could be the development of a Level II infant nursery. “We are limited with what we can do at the present time if we have a premature infant,” Ring says. “If we can obtain Level II certification, then we can do a lot more for the sick babies and keep family members from having to leave their community.” Ring is also involved in the planning of women’s services at Johnston Medical Center–Clayton, which will include sophis ticated diagnostic imaging equipment and technology. “My dream is to have a program of comprehensive services for women,” she says. “We want to have a center where a woman can get a mammogram, an ultrasound, an MRI or the stereotactic breast biopsy procedure and have answers within 48 hours.”

visit to the hospital can be a scary experience for a child, but Johnston Medical Center– Smithfield has created a serene environment to help young patients feel more at ease. The pediatric suite has been transformed into a beach scene, from a tiled floor that resembles sand and water to walls painted with palm trees, beach houses and sea dwellers. At the end of the hall is the real thing – a saltwater tank full of fish that delights patients and their parents. “Our patients just love it,” says Jackie Ring, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer. “Kids need a special place because their care is so specialized. They get to feed the fish, and they love watching them. They don’t want to leave!” The re-do was created by local artists who are health-care professionals affiliated with the hospital, and it’s part of JMC–Smithfield’s emphasis on pediatric services. Three new pediatric hospitalists are now on board, joining a staff of specially trained nurses and pediatricians.

Kids love the colorful beach scenes.

A healthier tomorrow begins today.

Johnston Health

Specialized Care

Close to Home NEW TECHNOLOGY, SKILLED SURGEONS GIVE JOHNSTON HEALTH AN EDGE

urgery at Johnston Health has always been on the cutting edge, and these days that means using fewer knives. The health-care system’s surgeons are choosing minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques whenever possible, using the most sophisticated and precise equipment available. “The biggest trends emerging on the surgical front are minimally invasive and outpatient surgeries,” says Dr. Dennis Koffer, a general surgeon and chief of staff at Johnston Medical Center –Smithfield. “Many surgeries are now getting done with as little invasion as possible, so that the patient gets home more quickly and has a shorter, easier recovery period.” Johnston Health’s multi-million-dollar hospital-growth program includes the most advanced laparoscopic video equipment on the market. “This equipment will be standard in each of our surgical suites, as opposed to it being brought in for specific cases,” Koffer says. Laparoscopy is commonly used in procedures involving gall bladders, bowel resections, hysterectomies and appendectomies. But utilizing the latest technology is nothing new for JMC–Smithfield. “We were the first hospital in this entire area – even before the university hospitals – to use a robot in laparoscopic surgeries,” Koffer says.

Dr. Dennis Koffer operates on a patient at Johnston Medical Center–Smithfield.

It’s no wonder that Johnston Health has been exceptionally successful in recruiting a varied and highly skilled group of surgeons, Koffer says. The county’s explosive growth has increased the demand for surgeons, and specialties of those on staff include vascular and thoracic surgery, orthopedics and special partial joint replacement procedures, urology, plastic surgery, women’s services and intensive care skills – all part of an impressive array of services offered at a community hospital. “We have seen a huge increase in the volume of work we are doing,” Koffer says. “The more procedures we have, the better we get. We are offering more

services to sicker people because of the excellent professionals we have been able to bring to this community. Advanced cardiology, intensive care support, cancer patient support – we are better staffed and can deliver outstanding service.” Johnston Health offers a true community health-care system, Koffer says, and its future is bright. “The fact is that doctors are attracted to facilities as they grow, and Johnston Health is certainly growing,” he says. “We have very fertile ground to assure our doctors and surgeons of a very successful practice. We will be sending fewer patients out of our community for their health-care needs.”

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www.johnstonhealth.org

Always

Improving EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FOCUSES ON EFFICIENCY, CUSTOMER SERVICE

ith more than 50,000 patients using Johnston Medical Center–Smithfield’s emergency department every year, efficient care is critical. That’s why Christine Barrett, director of emergency nursing, is so focused on streamlining services. She has initiated several new processes to help cut down on delays, including the use of “servicespecific” carts that can be rolled to a patient’s bedside. “The service-specific carts create a universal room in the emergency department, so that if the physician is doing an eye exam or sutures or delivering a baby, the appropriate cart will just be rolled to the bedside,” Barrett says. “It makes it much more convenient than moving the patient to the service. When you create universal rooms, you create carts to go with them.” Working with Dr. Brett Cannon – a Johnston County native who is returning to the community as emergency medical director – Barrett and her staff of 80 are putting such ideas into place in anticipation of an emergency department opening in July 2009 at the brand-new Johnston Medical Center–Clayton. The Clayton emergency department will include a 10-bed unit with state-ofthe-art medical equipment to provide services for patients of all ages. With more off-site clinics affiliated with the hospital’s system, people in need of care have more options – and that should translate into fewer emergency-room visits. “We’ll see anyone 24/7, but emergency treatment is the most expensive care,” Barrett says. “We are helping people identify how they can get care efficiently if they don’t need to use the ER.”

Barrett is also initiating a concierge concept to help with patient satisfaction. “Anyone who has ever been in an emergency department knows it can quickly become saturated,” she says. “Triage nurses sort patients first based on their acuity presentation, and then a certified assistant will be in the visitor room offering blankets, fluids, taking care of family needs. You keep them busy while they’re waiting and you let them know we are there to help them.” The emergency department is shortening patient wait times by changing how information is obtained. A triage

process takes fewer than 10 minutes in most cases, resulting in more immediate patient treatment and a more satisfied patient, Barrett says. With an eye always focused on improvement, she is working to have JMC–Smithfield deemed a designated chest pain and stroke center. “We have lots of good things happening in this community,” Barrett says. “We have a very engaged nursing staff working well with these changes. I feel very good about the delivery of emergency care at this hospital.” – Stories by Betsy Williams

New processes in the emergency department are shortening wait times.

A healthier tomorrow begins today.

Johnston Health

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION For a comprehensive phone directory, visit www.johnstonhealth.org The area code for Johnston County is 919.

JOHNSTON HEALTH ADMINISTRATION EDUCATION EARLY LEARNING CHILDCARE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS HEALTHQUEST HUMAN RESOURCES MARKETING & COMMUNITY RELATIONS MEDICAL STAFF SERVICES OUTREACH SERVICES, HOME CARE & HOSPICE QUALITY MANAGEMENT

938-7114 938-7736 938-7578 938-7198 938-7581 938-7120 938-7186 938-7105 938-7560 938-7176

JOHNSTON PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN SERVICES, INC. A Division of Johnston Health JOHNSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATES – Cleveland JOHNSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATES – Kenly JOHNSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATES – McGee’s Crossroads JOHNSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATES – Smithfield

662-0058 284-4149 938-0260 938-7600

JOHNSTON SPECIALTY PHYSICIAN SERVICES, INC. A Division of Johnston Health JOHNSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATES – Hematology & Oncology (Formerly Johnston Cancer Center) QUIKMED URGENT CARE

989-2192 938-0257

JOHNSTON MEDICAL CENTER–SMITHFIELD MAIN NUMBER AMBULATORY IMAGING CARDIOLOGY SERVICES CARDIOPULMONARY REHAB CASE MANAGEMENT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT OUTPATIENT REGISTRATION PATIENT ADVOCATE PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES REHAB SERVICES SAME DAY SURGERY SURGICAL SERVICES SUMMIT SURGICAL CENTER VOLUNTEER SERVICES WOMEN’S SERVICES WOUND CENTER

934-8171 938-0467 938-7170 938-7127 938-7337 938-7135 938-7705 938-7160 938-7443 938-7138 938-7296 938-7411 938-7180 553-4367 938-7117 938-7800 938-7716

JOHNSTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

938-7169

Special Advertising Section

Education

Focus on Achievement SCHOOL DISTRICT BUILDS FACILITIES, ADDS NEW PROGRAMS

school path of study. Roberts credits Superintendent Anthony Parker with the vision to address the different needs of students. “Some may have a child, and some may be the caretaker for a parent or siblings,” she says. “So they don’t have time for traditional school because they are working.” One program is the Johnston County Middle College, which hosts high school students on the campus of the local community college. Classes run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include core high school classes and a few college courses. Growth has been steady and solid, with

Johnston County School District includes 43 schools and more than 31,000 students.

Another Public Education Option

euse Charter School in Selma is another educational option in Johnston County. Officially opened in 2007, the school – the county’s first and only free charter school – focuses on international studies, including offering foreign language as early as kindergarten. NSC provides a curriculum aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, and all students are taught foreign language. Communication, critical-

J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

six classes already graduated through the program. “It has been very successful, and the students are very much ambassadors for the program,” Roberts says. An evening academy is also in progress at the centrally located Smithfield-Selma High School for students who have dropped out or are on the verge of dropping out. And in fall 2008, students will be able to enroll in an early program at the community college that will allow them to graduate with an associate’s degree as well as a high school diploma. – Hollie Deese

IAN CURCIO

he Johnston County School District serves more than 31,000 students in 43 schools, and student achievement ranks among the top 30 percent in the state. In the past few years, the school district has added some innovative programs to ensure that all students, no matter their life circumstances, can take advantage of the public school system. “We’ve always had visionary leadership,” says Crystal Roberts, public information officer for the school district. “The current superintendent’s predecessor led the way by saying back in 1989 that we are going to have to build to stay ahead of the curve.” And build they have. Johnston County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, and the school system has built numerous facilities to house the 1,000 to 1,200 new students who enter the district every year. “Our construction program began in 1989 because we needed new buildings to handle the growth,” Roberts says. “The residents have embraced the concept of the buildings and facilities through bonds. We have spent $300 million on construction to build brand-new schools and to renovate and get rid of old buildings. You have to have an environment conducive to learning.” New programs have also been implemented to reach students who may not be following the traditional high

thinking skills, high academic standards and innovative approaches to teaching are emphasized. NCS provides instruction for children in grades K-6 during the 2008-09 school year, and it will add a grade level each year through eighth grade. Class size is around 20 students, and each teacher in grades K-2 has an assistant. Parent volunteers assist teachers in the upper grades. Any child who is a legal resident of North Carolina and has not been expelled from another school is eligible to attend this free public school. Visit www.neusecharterschool.org for more information.

I M AG E S J O H N S T O N C O U N T Y. C O M

Carolina Dental Associates Dr. Harrold Dr. Higgins

Dr. Mani Dr. Watson

545 Venture Ave. • Smithfield, NC 27577 • (919) 938-0525

www.mycarolinadentist.com

SMITHFIELD HEART & VASCULAR ASSOCIATES (Medical Care Provided By Wake Heart & Vascular Associates)

For over 12 years, we have been dedicated to providing the Highest Quality Cardiovascular Care close to home We provide a full range of cardiovascular services: • Stress Testing • Cardiac Catheterizations • Pacemakers and Defibrillators • Echocardiographic Testing • Carotid Artery Evaluation • Evaluation of Chest Pain • Peripheral Vascular Disease Evaluation • Prevention of Heart Disease

Eric M. Janis, MD, FACC Ben G. Atkeson, MD, FACC Chris Gring, MD, FACC Beth Morris, ACNP-BC Nyla Thompson, PA-C Serving Smithfield, Clayton and Benson

SMITHFIELD (919) 989-7909

CLAYTON (919) 359-0322

423 N. 7th St.

555 Medical Park Place Ste. 201

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Health & Wellness

Bringing Doctors Into the Fold JOHNSTON HEALTH’S INNOVATIVE PROGRAM RECRUITS SKILLED PHYSICIANS

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TODD BENNETT

ohnston County is the state’s fifth fastest-growing county, and a burgeoning population calls for more doctors. Johnston Health is ahead of the game, with an innovative physician recruitment program initiated two years ago. “Our current population is about 157,000,” says Dr. Eric Gloss, vice president of medical affairs for Johnston Health. “Our population will double by 2030, and with that exploding growth – and when you look at our stats – we will need over 100 doctors in the next five years or so.” The health system will help a physician set up a practice and, in return, the physician must stay in the community for three or five years, depending on the program. The system offers three models when recruiting doctors: A doctor can join the health system as an employee, join an existing practice or set up a new practice. If a physician chooses to start a new practice, Johnston Health loans the money to get started. That loan is forgiven when the physician fulfills the terms of the contract. In 2007, 10 doctors were recruited including two pediatricians, a familypractice doctor, a pulmonary specialist, a general surgeon, an orthopedic surgeon and an infectious-disease specialist. In 2008, the program recruited more physicians, including several specialists. “The whole philosophy is that we are trying to provide the community with the physicians and specialists to meet their needs in the county without them having to go to Raleigh,” Gloss says. It will also provide a larger pool of doctors who accept Medicare and Medicaid – one reason that many people drive to Raleigh now. “We are on a mission to try to improve the health of the people in our

Johnston Medical Center-Smithfield is undergoing a $75 million renovation.

community,” Gloss says. And that includes improving facilities. Johnston Medical Center–Smithfield is working on a $75 million renovation to its campus that will include construction of a five-story patient tower. Johnston Health is also building a new

medical center in Clayton that will include an emergency department, a diagnostic imaging suite, operating rooms, lab services and 20 inpatient rooms. Visit www.johnstonhealth.org for more information. – Hollie Deese I M AG E S J O H N S T O N C O U N T Y. C O M

Health & Wellness Clayton Comprehensive Dental Care Harold E. Rogers, D.D.S. â&#x20AC;˘ 319 E. Second St., Clayton, NC

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just as the eyes are the mirror to the soul, our mouths are the mirrors to our body.â&#x20AC;? We Offer: â&#x20AC;˘ Complete oral evaluation

General cosmetic and restorative dentistry for children and adults.

smile savers

â&#x20AC;˘ Diagnosis and treatment planning considering your needs and desires â&#x20AC;˘ Preventive and restorative care including crowns, bridges and partial dentures â&#x20AC;˘ Oral surgery and in-office and outpatient day surgery

Dr. Ted Rogers

â&#x20AC;˘ Root canal therapy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; joint therapy and appliances â&#x20AC;˘ Tooth whitening (in-office and take-home) â&#x20AC;˘ Oral conscious sedation â&#x20AC;˘ Laser dentistry for increased comfort and improved care

Jennifer

Donna

Kristi

Brian

Dorothy

Serving Clayton since 1983, Dr. Ted Rogers and his dedicated staff are looking forward to continuing to serve the dental needs of this community in their new location. P.O. Box 599 â&#x20AC;˘ Clayton, NC 27528 (919) 553-3173 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: (919) 553-0163

We file most insurances.

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Call today for your appointment!

(919) 550-8171 $R #YNTHIA 0RATT

Southern Village Shoppes 53 (WY 7 s 3TE 3OUTHERN 6ILLAGE s #LAYTON .#

www.drcynthiapratt.com

Save Money. Smell the Flowers.

Looking for ways to save money on gas and help the environment? The EPA wants to share some smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. Tips like making sure your tires are properly inďŹ&#x201A;ated and replacing your air ďŹ lter regularly. And where possible, accelerate and brake slowly. Be aware of your speed ... did you know that for every 5 miles you go over 65 mph, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re spending about 20 cents more per gallon of gas? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re shopping for a new car, choose the cleanest, most efďŹ cient vehicle that meets your needs. If we each adopt just one of these tips, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d get more miles for our money and it would be a little easier to smell the ďŹ&#x201A;owers. For more tips and to compare cleaner, more efďŹ cient vehicles, visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

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IAN CURCIO

Sports & Recreation

Sports leagues are popular at Smithfield Community Park, and an aquatics center will open next to the park in 2009.

Find Plenty To Do at the Parks SPORTS LEAGUES AND GREEN SPACES ABOUND THROUGHOUT JOHNSTON COUNTY

ohnston County communities offer an array of sports leagues and green spaces for families to enjoy, with numerous parks and fitness facilities throughout. A new option – the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center, scheduled for completion in January 2009 – will just add to the fun. “It is essentially a joint project between us and Johnston County schools,” says Tim Johnson, director of Smithfield Parks and Recreation. “We will build it together, operate it together and use it together.” The building will be adjacent to Smithfield Community Park and will include a suspended indoor walking track, a double gymnasium, two racquetball courts, a full-service health and fitness club, an aerobics and dance exercise area, banquet room and catering kitchen. A main feature will be the aquatics area, with an eight-lane competition pool as well as a children’s splash-and-play pool with various water features and an indoor playground. Families will be able to enjoy the facility together, especially in conjunction with the park next door. Parents can take advantage of the track at the park while their children

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participate in a game on the courts, or they can all enjoy the pool area together. “I think that the things we will offer in the center will draw families, just like the 40-acre park,” Johnson says. “We can have special events and tournaments there, and it’s going to be very affordable. Memberships and user fees will be a portion of what it will cost to be part of a private gym or health club.” For families seeking a fun educational experience, the Clemmons Educational State Forest is a great place to visit. With pine stands, hardwoods, pleasant rolling terrain, streams and rock outcroppings, the beauty of North Carolina is front and center here. About 45,000 visitors each year stroll along the well-marked trails and check out the exhibits and displays about the forest’s ecology. Some of the trees and rocks have recordings that make them sound like they’re talking – and that’s a big hit with kids. “My parents took my son last week and he loved it,” Johnson says. With so many options, residents can find plenty of different outdoor activities to keep them busy each weekend. – Hollie Deese I M AG E S J O H N S T O N C O U N T Y. C O M

Look, a tall purple rectangle!

When you talk to your child you build vocabulary, so everyday moments become learning moments. For more tips, visit bornlearning.org.

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Arts & Culture

Bringing Lessons to Life JOHNSTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL HELPS MAKE CLASSES REAL AND RELEVANT

n most schools, students learn about other cultures and concepts primarily from textbooks. But dry concepts come to life in Johnston County with help from the Johnston County Arts Council’s Artists-in-the-Schools program. “The Arts Council sets out to work in close partnership with Johnston County schools to enrich the curriculum that is already going on,” says Jessica Meadows, executive director of the Johnston County Arts Council. “We know there are limited resources our teachers have access to, so we try to take learning to the next level.” The program is designed to use the arts to reinforce and expand the basic curriculum through exposure to a variety of professional artists. “Teachers can choose from a 45-minute performance to daylong workshops, where the artists work hands-on with the students or even a week-long residency,” Meadows says. If a class were learning about African culture, the program could bring in a family for a weeklong residency to host workshops on drumming, dance, textile printing and visual arts, and to teach kids about the language and geography. “We take exposure to the arts to the next level,” Meadows says. “They are living it, and it is something they will remember for a lifetime.” Now in its 10th year, the Artists-inthe-Schools program just reached its $1 million mark in funding. “We are in every single school, K-12, and that sets us apart,” Meadows says. The program has volunteers in each of the schools who contact the artists, but the schools and teachers determine the types of programs. The arts council also promotes a variety of arts for the community, including dance, music, theater, storytelling, literary, visual and folk arts. The upcoming Big Read is a countywide project – an initiative of the National J O H N STO N CO U NT Y

Endowment for the Arts – that encourages residents to read To Kill a Mockingbird. “This will go a little further in that there is a lot of community programming, a big kickoff event, lectures, discussions, screenings, theatrical readings and all kinds of different events to get people to come out, get them

reading together,” Meadows says. Programs like these bring Johnston County together for a higher purpose, she adds. “It is a healthy, vibrant and active community when people get involved in things that are artistic and cultural.” – Hollie Deese

Victoria Hyatt Sowers teaches students how to weave using hand looms during a week-long residency at West Johnston High School.

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At River Birch Staffing, Inc. we hire the associates who want to work and who will do an excellent job for your company. You can trust River Birch Staffing, Inc. to present you with only the best candidates to fill your employment needs.

River Birch Staffing, Inc.

919.934.1504

| Fax: 919.934.1668 | www.willowrunvet.com

answers

Dunn, North Carolina 28334 (910) 891-HIRE (4473)

8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r. o r g

We Find the Match You Are Looking For

Complete Companion Animal Care Dr. William E. Smith Dr. Scotty A. Gibbs

Dentistry On-site Diagnostic Laboratory Elective Surgeries

Dr. Eileen P. Langdon

Orthopedic and Soft Tissue Surgeries Wellness and Preventative Medicine Digital Radiology Ultrasonography and Endoscopy

An accredited member serving Johnston County since 1952.

Intensive Care Hospitalization Boarding with Luxury Suites Microchipping

questions

Geriatric Care

Willowrun Veterinary Hospital 1417 S. Bright Leaf Blvd. • Smithfield, NC 27577 Located across from Harper’s Flea Market Mall on Hwy. 301

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Community Profile

JOHNSTON COUNTY SNAPSHOT Johnston County was founded in 1745 and was named for Gabriel Johnston, royal colonial governor of North Carolina. Smithfield is the county seat and was incorporated in 1777. The other towns developed with the coming of the railroad in the mid-19th century.

Natural Gas Piedmont Natural Gas (800) 275-6264 Telephone BellSouth, 780-2355

CLIMATE The area has four distinct seasons, with lots of warm weather and very little snow.

75.9 F Average July temperature

43.2 F Average January temperature

Embarq, 592-9111

MORE EO ON ONLINE imagesjohnstoncounty.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

4 inches Annual snowfall

48 inches Annual rainfall

155 feet

HOSPITAL Johnston Health 934-8171 www.johnstonhealth.org

EDUCATION Johnston Community College 934-3051 www.johnstoncc.edu Johnston County Public Schools 934-6031 www.johnston.k12.nc.us The district has 43 schools, including a center for gifted elementary students and a middle college high school for students who are not interested in high school’s extracurricular offerings but who plan to continue their education after high school. Johnston County Schools has 31,366 students and 4,288 employees.

Elevation above sea level

Get the facts:

ATTRACTIONS

NUMBERS TO KNOW

imagesjohnstoncounty.com

American Music Jubilee 202-9927

UTILITIES Cable Television Time Warner Cable (866) 489-2669 Electric, Water & Sewer Town of Benson, 894-4953 Town of Clayton, 553-5002 Town of Selma, 965-9841 Town of Smithfield, 934-2116

Atkinson’s Mill 965-3547

553-1930

Board of Elections 989-5095 Clerk of Court

934-3191

Ava Gardner Museum 934-5830

Cooperative Extension Service 989-5100

Bentonville Battlefield (910) 594-0789

Courthouse

989-5100

Driver’s License

934-3187

Clemmons State Forest 553-5651

License Plates

934-8707

Howell Woods 938-0115

Johnston County (water and sewer only) 989-5075

Johnston County Heritage Center 934-2836

Progress Energy (800) 452-2777

Tobacco Farm Life Museum 284-3431

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Arts Council

Registrar of Deeds 989-5160 Social Security

934-5888

Tax Office

989-5120

United Way

934-1877

YMCA

359-9622

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www.carolinapackers.com

Making Johnston County kids smile since 1941 The Bradley Corporation General Contractors

P.O. Box 1283 • Smithfield, NC 27577 Office: (919) 934-8100 Fax: (919) 934-9256 E-mail: bradleycorp@aol.com Specializing in Commercial, Industrial, Design Build Construction and Metal Buildings

Dr. Joan N. Meehan

Board Certified, Family Practice

Newborn Care Gynecological Services Pediatric Care • Geriatric Care X-ray Services • Joint Injections Basic Fracture Care Skin Surgeries (Moles, Biopsies, etc.)

DESIGN-BUILD - SINCE 1973 -

(919) 553-3900

Commercial, Medical & Industrial

100 Guy Rd., Clayton, NC 27520

1090 W. Market St. • Smithfield, NC 27577 • (919) 934-6651 www.sgcdesignbuild.com

Dr. Michael T. Capps

Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Board Certified

Deborah B. Roberson, FNP-C Certified in Family Practice

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Fax: (919) 553-0395

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Ad Index

36 Bradley Corporation

13 Campbell University

28 Carolina Dental Associates

36 Carolina Packers Inc.

C3 Century 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Suburban Real Estate Inc.

30 Clayton Comprehensive Dental Care

36 Clayton Medical Associates PA

17 County of Johnston

26 Johnston County Public Schools

C4 Johnston Memorial Hospital

23 Lakeside Properties

36 Novo Nordisk

C3 Rainbow Lanes Family Fun Center

34 River Birch Staffing Inc.

28 Smithfield Heart Associates

36 Stephenson General Contractors

30 Cynthia Pratt Family Dentistry

13 Talecris Biotherapeutics Inc.

32 Four Oaks Bank

23 Town of Benson

C2 Homestead Realty

9 Town of Selma

32 HomeTown Realty Group

19 Town of Smithfield

18 Johnston Community College

34 Willowrun Veterinary Hospital

Visit Our Advertisers Benson Chamber of Commerce www.benson-chamber.com

Spanning the spectrum of family fun! Rainbow Lanes Family Fun Center

Bradley Corporation Campbell University www.campbell.edu Carolina Dental Associates www.mycarolinadentist.com Carolina Packers Inc. www.carolinapackers.com Century 21 – Suburban Real Estate Inc. www.c21suburban-smithﬁeld.com Clayton Comprehensive Dental Care Clayton Medical Associates PA County of Johnston www.johnstonnc.com Cynthia Pratt Family Dentistry www.drcynthiapratt.com Four Oaks Bank www.fouroaksbank.com Homestead Realty www.homesteadrealtync.com HomeTown Realty Group www.hometownerealty.net

Billiards 8 regulation tables Arcade Games galore The Himalaya ride 4 party rooms Bowling 32 AMF lanes Automatic scoring Bumper bowling X-treme bowling on Fri. & Sat. nights

Snack Bar & Restaurant Special combo meals Variety of foods Banquet & Meeting Facilities Ideal for group functions & company meetings Club & organization get-togethers Receptions In-house catering Pro-shop State-of-the-art pro shop Custom fitting & ball drilling

OW LANES INB RA FAMILY FUN CENTER

850 Hwy. 42 West • Clayton, NC 27528 (919) 553-4-FUN • www.rainbowlanesclayton.com

Johnston Community College www.johnstoncc.edu Johnston County Public Schools www.johnston.k12.nc.us Johnston Memorial Hospital www.johnstonmemorial.org Lakeside Properties www.johnstoncountytown home.com Novo Nordisk www.novonordisk-clayton.com Rainbow Lanes Family Fun Center www.rainbowlanesclayton.com River Birch Staffing Inc. www.riverbirchstaffing.com Smithfield Heart Associates

Whit Whitley (Realtor, GRI, CRS) & Broker Associates Residential • Commercial • Land • Rentals

The ONLY company that has SOLD Johnston County 50 years! YOU deserve no less INTEGRITY and EXPERIENCE.

Stephenson General Contractors www.sgcdesignbuild.com Talecris Biotherapeutics Inc. www.talecris.com Town of Benson www.townofbenson.com Town of Selma www.selma-nc.com Town of Smithﬁeld www.smithﬁeld-nc.com Willowrun Veterinary Hospital www.willowrunvet.com

Suburban Real Estate, Inc.

(919) 934-4550 www.c21suburban-smithfield.com

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