July 2022

JULY 2022

5

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ANNUAL

and the winners are ...

EXCELLENCE IN ARTS

INSPIRING COACH

DYNAMIC ENTREPRENEUR

OUTSTANDING FIREFIGHTER

DISTINGUISHED POLICE OFFICER

BEST HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

LEGEND AWARD

SPIRIT OF THE COUNTY

NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR

RISING STAR

VETERAN SERVICE AWARD

EXEMPLARY VOLUNTEER

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We are proud to partner with UNC Health in the mission to improve the health of the people of North Carolina and bring even more expert care close to home.

Slow down, appreciate life and

Live Easy!

Enjoy neighborhood socials, food trucks, community events, and making new friendships. As the seasons change enjoy miles of walking trails and golf cart friendly streets that connect directly to onsite shopping, dining, and medical facilities. All with NO CITY TAXES! THE LIVING IS EASY AT FLOWERS PLANTATION.

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

6-37

4 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

Johnston Now Honors Winners Announced

24 40 42

Flowers Plantation Newsletter Award-winning author teaches local writers Calendar of events

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[PUBLISHER] column

HAPPY PEOPLE MAKE BETTER EMPLOYEES I don’t have many heroes, In his usual patient way, but my Uncle Eddie was one he explained that he liked of them. One of the many buying lunch because it things I took away from him made everybody happy. He was his idea behind business believed, rightly I think, that lunches. happy people were better He owned a car lot, and employees. They treated RANDY CAPPS if you were working and ate customers better, and they randy@johnstonnow.com lunch on-site, he bought it. took more pride in the You were welcome to leave business. and go get lunch on your own, but most Besides, he said with a grin, “How long days we’d do a lunch order, sit around does it take us to eat lunch?” he asked me. together and eat it.

“About 15 minutes,” I said.

This was a good deal for me, but as a Understanding my new affinity for teenager, my love of capitalism started to business, he taught me my first lesson in grow. So, after going to get the order and owning one. He explained that, if five seeing what it cost, I asked him why he people would normally get an hour each bought lunch for everybody. for lunch, but instead took 15 minutes,

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TEAM Volume 6, Number 8

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then you’re recouping some of what you spent on the food in labor costs.

He even grabbed a pad of paper and did the math for me. It was more than 30 years ago, but I’ve never forgotten it.

That’s why, if you drop by Johnston Now around lunchtime you’ll see us sitting around the table having lunch together. It’s where we try to find out what kind of cake David likes (since he’s new) or try to get Mike to try Chinese food.

Three decades later, our lunch bills are a lot higher than my uncle’s were, but everything else I learned that day in his office is still the same.

Happy people do make better employees. And I’m grateful for the advice.

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WWW.SMITHFIELD-NC.COM/JOBS [ JULY 2022 ] | 5

Excellence in Arts

Evelyn Wool Sponsored By:

Farm life proves to be inspiring for Excellence in Arts Award winner

By RANDY CAPPS

T

he idea of leaving the hustle and bustle of the Northeast behind and trying out life on a farm is hardly

new.

But the journey from New York City to Connecticut to a picturesque farm outside of Selma has been anything but standard for Evelyn Wool and her family.

In the process of learning how to raise goats and run a farm, Wool sharpened her writing and drawing abilities. It’s for her contributions in that area that she’s been named the 2022 Johnston Now Honors Excellence in Arts Award winner.

“With a lot of planning and intention, but also a little bit of right place, right time, good fortune,” she said of ending up in Johnston County. “We actually made the move after my husband was transferred down here by his company at the time. We had been talking about what we wanted to do in our next phase of life. We were done with the really cold, really disastrous weather situations, and we were thinking we’d like to try a different part of the country.

“I really love Johnston County. I feel 6 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

like I came to a place where I could call home almost immediately. In setting up our farm we had no fences, no shelters, and my husband learned how to do some of the building things. Our neighbor behind us would see him working and come over with a giant backhoe and say, ‘Hey, can I help you push in fence posts?’

Just from that, ‘Hey, can I give you a hand? Welcome!’ It felt very comfortable that we were in the right place.”

That’s how the Wool Family Farm came to be. And, as it turns out, farm life provided plenty of artist inspiration.

“The farm has provided an endless supply of stories, and I’ve only scratched the surface of what I’ve actually been able to take the time to write down,” she said. “Right from the start, I had a bunch of encouragement from my friends and co-workers back up north. They said, you know, ‘We want to see what’s going on.

Send us stories.’ So, one of the very first things I did was set up a magazine-style website (evelynwool.com) that people could see what we were doing. I had several crazy adventures right from the beginning.

So, I started writing stories as best I could.”

Wool has always enjoyed writing, even if the lion’s share of her ability had to be channeled into a more structured format.

“I’ve really been writing my whole life,” she said. “I really enjoyed creative writing when I was in school. Then I decided to pursue what I thought would be kind of the best thing for me career wise, which was industrial engineering. With that, my creative writing went to formal, reportwriting style. And I was kind of in that mode for my entire career until we came down here. It was a challenge to get back into creative writing. It really was.”

She managed it, and thanks to a little help from the Johnston County Arts Council, she learned how to illustrate, too.

“A couple of my stories, I started thinking in the back of my mind, might make good children’s books,” she said.

“But I didn’t really have any idea how to go about creating a children’s book. I didn’t want to just go and hire somebody to illustrate, not knowing if what I wanted to do was going to turn into anything.

And I got introduced to the Arts Council artists early on. It was a goat friend, who had a friend who was on the council and

said, ‘Hey, let me introduce you. I think these ladies do a weekly paint group, and I think you could go learn a thing or two.’

“I sat there for an entire year, and I sketched out some animals and said, 'This is what I’m thinking about doing; this is kind of my story. How do I do this?' They would give me little hints on how to draw things. We’d talk about colors and how to paint. The whole time I was thinking, ‘this is great, but it’s going to take me a lifetime to get good enough to turn this into a book.’

Finally, I was able to get to the point where I had enough sketches and I had my first story and I put them together.”

That story, “Mischievous Misty,” is also her favorites.

“The characters are based on me and my goat, Misty,” she said. “She was one of my first five goats, which was kind

of a crazy thing to do — five goats at one time. But Misty was always right by my side.

Everything that happens in the book was exactly true in life. I just kind of strung together the events. The idea there was that Misty taught me how to pay attention and figure out how to fit my work, my chores, in with the goats so they would be happy and content and want to play with me, but not be getting in my way the whole time.”

Her granddaughter, Eve, has also been a good source of literary material. That’s how “Eve’s Big Day on the Farm” came to be.

“She’s so much fun,” she said. “She’s been coming to the farm since she was 6 months or so old, right after we got past the first couple of lockdown phases for COVID and we could visit a little more freely. She would come into

the goat yard with me, and we’d just kind of sit down and let the animals come around.

She is really funny because she likes to do the work with the goats. She likes to watch the milking ... but she’s kind of arm’s length when it comes to the animals. She likes to look at them, but ‘don’t get too close to me.’”

Before COVID, Wool was able to visit area schools and share her stories with school

children.

“That’s one area that I’m really passionate about is education,” she said. “I really thought that, at the very least, my books would be for my children and my grandchildren. If I’m able to share them with a wider audience, then all the better.”

To learn more about Wool’s book, or the Wool Family Farm, visit evelynwool.com or thewoolfamilyfarm.com.

[ JULY 2022 ] | 7

Inspiring Coach

Deron Donald Sponsored By:

Inspiring Coach honoree builds Smithfield-Selma football program by investing in his players

By RANDY CAPPS

Z

ero, zero, one, one, one, two and eight.

Those aren’t someone’s lucky lottery numbers, they’re the season win totals for the Smithfield-Selma football team for the last seven seasons. For the last two seasons, played in the spring and fall of 2021, the Spartans were under the direction of Deron Donald.

Donald’s team finished 8-4 in the fall, reached the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and won the most games in a season at the school since 2005. It’s for that turnaround, and a few other reasons, that Donald was selected as the 2022 Johnston Now Honors Inspiring Coach Award winner.

“Just the love of the game,” he said, when asked about his start in coaching.

“After my professional career kind of came to a conclusion, and even before then, I just loved working with young people.

I started working at the YMCA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in around 2000. I 8 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

just always had a passion for working with young people. With that, and my love of the game of the football, (coaching) just kind of made sense to me.

“It’s ministry for me. Just being able to pour back into young people through athletics. For me, that’s one of the things that kind of pushed me into coaching.”

Donald arrived at SSS in time for the spring 2021 season after coaching most recently at E.E. Smith in Fayetteville. He knew Cumberland County well, having played his college football at Fayetteville State, but was eager for a new challenge.

“SSS has been an awesome place,” he said. “The diversity of it, being in Johnston County, learning different things in a different environment — sometimes you need that to grow. Sometimes, you can be in a place so long you become comfortable because you’re familiar with it. This has been an opportunity to kind of challenge myself, to take on a job. I don’t call it a bad situation, I call it an opportunity.”

After a 2-3 start to the season, the

Spartans finished the campaign with six wins in their last seven games to complete a remarkable turnaround.

“Going into the situation, we just wanted to lay the foundation,” Donald said. “I felt like laying the foundation, providing the structure and the discipline — the rest would take care of itself.

Sometimes, it’s like building a house.

You're getting that foundation done, and then you might have a date when you say it’s going to be done. But then you get rain. The weather may be bad, so there might be a delay. You may have a time when the weather’s not as bad, and you might get done a little sooner. But the main thing is get the foundation done.

I think we did a great job of coming in and doing that, and the byproduct was winning the eight games this year. And we expect to continue going up that slope.

“I wouldn’t say I had a time frame on it, but I knew that we would get better.

Eight wins in year two? We’re grateful for it, but my goal was to make the playoffs.

And we were able to accomplish that, and

on top of that, we were able to win a home playoff game against a cross-town rival (South Johnston). That was like the cherry on top.”

Like any coach, Donald likes to win. But the wins and losses are only part of the story.

“Of course you want to win games,” he said. “When you work hard, you want to reap the harvest and the fruits of your labor. It could be a team that’s winning all these games, but if your kids aren’t going to class or they’re being negligent in the building or in the community, what good is it? My thing is build young men first. Try to work on their character, their integrity. We all sin and come short of the glory. None of us are perfect.

But we’re going to chip at it every day, as men, as coaches and as a program to try to be the best that we can be. If we stumble along the way, we’ll

try to fix those issues, get back up and keep treading in the right direction.

“One of the things for me is, growing up, my mom was a single parent. So having mentors that poured into my life, coaches, helped me grow and learn what it was to be a young man. We know in our society today there’s a lot of young people who don’t have that positive male (role model) in the home. We are privileged to be able to work with so many young people, and we’ve seen great outcomes and people’s lives have changed.

Just because somebody was there to push them, hold them accountable and love them at the same time. So, it’s been a blessing.”

Donald is quick to credit his players for the revitalization of the Spartan football program.

“I’m really thankful for the senior group we just had,” he

said. “Those guys really paved the way for us to have the success that we had. George Brewer did a great job for us. He played quarterback his junior year, but when Dashawn (McCullough) came in, he didn’t complain. He said, ‘Coach, I’ll play receiver and outside linebacker.’ And he was an all-conference player this year. He was great for us, and he earned a scholarship to play at UNC Pembroke.

Those were the things that made us so dynamic. We had guys that were selfless that played. Like Luke Jenkins, who was thinking about giving it up but came back and was the Special Teams Player of the Year for the Quad County 3A. Those guys set the frame work for who we are and where we want to go.

Hopefully, (the rising seniors) will take the baton and run with it.”

[ JULY 2022 ] | 9

Dynamic Entrepreneur

April Stephens Sponsored By:

Dynamic Entrepreneur honoree growing her business and serving the county

By MIKE BOLLINGER

A

pril Stephens is working to grow her real estate business and also to make sure growth in Johnston County is managed properly.

Stephens is owner of The April Stephens Team, working in residential and commercial real estate and is a Johnston County commissioner, having been appointed to the board in April.

As part of her business, she recently started The REal School. “We teach new and existing agents what they need to be successful,” Stephens said. “We will offer pre-license, post-license and continuing education agents need to maintain their license.”

Stephens has been in real estate for 16 years and has owned her own company for 10. The April Stephens Team serves Johnston, Cumberland, Harnett, Nash, Sampson, Wayne and Wake counties.

“Our team is strategically placed. We just opened a new office building in January in the 40/42 area,” she said.

Before becoming a real estate agent,

10 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

she served four years in the U.S. Army National Guard as a combat medic.

Stephens was a paramedic who trained combat lifesavers. She also scheduled helicopter missions, mostly for community events. After she had her daughter, she left the Army and was an office manager for a general contractor.

“I loved every part of it. They sent me to real estate school at night. I got my license and worked for RE/MAX and owned a RE/MAX and excitedly transitioned to EXP the last two years,’ Stephens said.

One of the main pieces of advice she has for anyone looking to buy or sell a home is to go with experience. “Make sure you work with an experienced professional. Especially in this market, make sure your agent is educated. That’s why the REal School is one of my passions,’ she said.

“I pride myself on mentoring other agents. I have mentored agents for years.

Your job as a leader is to train other leaders. To get where you’re going, you need to turn around and help the next

person in line,” Stephens said.

Her husband, Brian, works with the real estate company and is CFO. Their daughter, Abby, is a junior in college in Nashville, Tennessee.

“My success has been driven by being surrounded by other successful people, such as my teammates,” Stephens said.

There are currently 17 agents on her real estate team with 10 in the new homes division.

Stephens said she was very pleased to learn of her nomination as Dynamic Entrepreneur. “I’m shocked, honored and absolutely grateful. I have always believed in the power of hard work and cannot believe I am being rewarded for it,” she said.

As a county commissioner, Stephens recognizes how Johnston is growing and wants to work toward controlled growth. “It’s very interesting and exciting to see Johnston County recognized for the wonderful community it is. People are right to love such an amazing area. We’re not going to shut the gate,” she said.

She said housing inventory levels in Johnston are “historically low.” There are, however, a good amount of new construction homes, she noted. “We are five years behind where we should be with the new construction we have on the market. We are continuously looking for new ways to help clients,” Stephens said. “We are creating new programs and options in order to meet clients where they are. The influx of people from other states offers new challenges and opportunities.”

Stephens, who has been a county commissioner for about three months, will be on the ballot in November. “I want to be transparent with the community. The public doesn’t always understand how the various entities in county government work. I want the taxpayers to know

what goes on with the board of commissioners, the board of education and the planning board,” she said.

She said she wants to work on developing a strategic growth plan for the county that focuses on smart growth.

“We need to have growth in areas that make sense and maintain the integrity of the county. I call it ‘thriving through tradition,’” Stephens said.

While the county can’t stop growth, she said, the look and integrity of the county can be maintained. “We need to be thoughtful about where development is coming,” Stephens said. “Who knows better than a real estate agent why people move in and move out?”

During her time on the board, Stephens said she has been impressed with the county’s employees. “I’ve

been blown away by some of the county departments.

The public needs to be aware how the county operates,” she said.

Stephens said she became a county commissioner “for the servant’s part, not for political reasons.” “I wanted to serve the community and have a voice. I’ve served on several boards in several capacities and have watched county board and planning board

meetings for fun for a while.

If you want a seat at the table, you have to volunteer,” she said.

The inspiration to become a commissioner came from her grandmother, who ran for the county board in Northampton County 20 years ago and was the first woman there to force a runoff election.

For more information about Stephens’ real estate business, visit www.aprilstephens.com.

[ JULY 2022 ] | 11

Outstanding Firefighter

Barry Stanley Sponsored By:

Outstanding firefighter honoree knew his calling from a young age

By MIKE BOLLINGER

F

our Oaks Fire Chief Barry Stanley has wanted to be a firefighter almost as long as he can remember.

“When I was in first grade, 5 or 6 years old, my neighbor’s house burned. The fire department came out, and all I can remember is talking with the firemen and holding one of their helmets. It was extremely heavy,” he said.

That experience may have sown the seeds for Stanley to become a firefighter, but he said a high school friend who was on the Benson Fire Department really “got the ball rolling and made me want to join.” He applied to the Four Oaks Fire Department as soon as he turned 18. He was still a senior at South Johnston High School at the time.

“I went off to N.C. State. I was finally accepted to the department when I was 20 years old. It took me two years to get off the waiting list,” Stanley said.

As it turned out, when he joined the department there was a special connection to the fireman whose helmet he held as a young child. “I found out when I got on the chief, Gerald Lee, was the fireman

12 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

whose helmet I held that day when my neighbor’s house burned,” Stanley said.

Before becoming chief in Four Oaks, he served as lieutenant and assistant chief. In addition, from 2003-05, he was a fulltime firefighter in Morrisville. In addition to his duties with the fire department, Stanley is also the Four Oaks public works director. “Between my full-time job with the town and the fire department, I stay busy. I have a lot of good employees,” he said.

Stanley has been chief since May 2007 and first joined the department March 13, 1995.

He and his wife, Cheryl, have been married for 21 years. They have four daughters, Sarah, 18; Aileen, 16; Katie, 14 and Beth, 12. “My wife is very supportive and understanding. There have been many times we have been getting ready to go out and I have had to leave, and there have been many times we have been out to eat or doing something and I have had to get up and leave,” Stanley said.

His children are following in his footsteps. Sarah is a firefighter, Aileen is a cadet and Katie is about to join the department as a cadet. He said Sarah has

shown the most interest in firefighting so far. She was introduced to the life of a firefighter at a very young age.

“When we brought her home from the hospital, we got a call for a structure fire.

That was literally her first stop when we left Raleigh and headed home,” Stanley said. “She got a taste of it early. That also sums up how great my wife is about the fire department.”

Firefighting is not the same as it was when he joined the department in 1995.

“It has changed, that’s for sure,” Stanley said.

The department’s budget has increased about three and a half times since 1995.

“The cost of everything has risen. The engine we bought shortly before I got on cost $130,000. The last one we bought in 2020 cost $575,000. When I started, I was one of 26 volunteers. Now, I’m one of 80 volunteers,” he said. “There was one Four Oaks station when I started. There are two today. The fire department has made a lot of good progress. That’s due to there being a lot of good people surrounding it. It is definitely not a one-man show. We have so many good volunteers.”

He said Four Oaks VFD is now in

good shape when it comes to equipment. “Our oldest engine is a 2000. That’s a good place to be,” Stanley said.

On average, he said, between fire and emergency medical calls Four Oaks responds to an average of 8090 calls a month.

Stanley said he was surprised when he learned of his nomination. So surprised, in fact, he almost didn’t respond to the email telling him about the honor. “My initial thought was not to respond to the email. I’m not the type who likes attention. My wife spoke to me, and in the end responding felt like the right thing to do,” he said.

There was another reason he almost didn’t respond.

“A lot of the time at the fire department, we have some pranksters. I thought for a short time somebody might be playing a joke on me,” he said.

“It’s definitely an honor that somebody pays attention to the time and service that you put into being a member of the fire department,” he continued.

Stanley is also involved in his church, Work Center Church in Dunn.

Seeing people after he has helped them is one of the things Stanley says is most gratifying about his fire department work.

“When we get a call for a health emergency, and you get to see the person weeks or months down the road and get to see them with their family, those mean the most to know you have helped that person have more time with their loved ones. I’ve had several calls like that throughout my career,” he said.

And, it appears Stanley and his family are well on their way to serving Four Oaks and the surrounding community for years to come.

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Distinguished Police Officer

TJ Mims Sponsored By:

Distinguished Police Officer honoree goes above and beyond the call of duty

By RANDY CAPPS

H

ow does a man who doesn’t swim well and never really wanted to be a police officer wind up in a boat attempting a water rescue after a vehicle crash?

If you’re TJ Mims, the answer comes from a desire to help people. That desire makes him a fine choice for the 2022 Johnston Now Honors Distinguished Police Officer Award.

“I had no interest,” he said. “A lot of people you talk to would say that ‘I always wanted to be a cop.’ Or, ‘My dad was a cop.’ I had no interest at all. I thought people who were cops were brave, but I didn’t think there was any way I could do that. Long story short, (during my internship in Zebulon) I did my first ride along. I rode with a guy named Nate Brown. He’s retired now, but I rode with him and I just saw the reaction to him.

All the kids running up to his car, wanting stickers and getting high fives from him.

They just wanted to hug him. It wasn’t at all what I thought it was. I thought it was just, you know, getting in fights and getting shot at all day. It was the complete

14 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

opposite. The town just loved him. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was, and the more I went on ride alongs and got to hang out with a lot of cops, I just fell into it.”

Mims, a Wendell native, earned a degree in criminal justice from East Carolina University. He thought he was going to be working in Zebulon, but fate had other plans for him.

“I had to do an internship in order to get my degree,” he said. “So I went to Zebulon Police Department. I actually had a lot of fun and met a lot of cool people there. They pretty much wanted me to be a police officer there. They paid for me to go through the academy and took care of everything. Right before I graduated, the position they had for me (got frozen). So I pretty much was out of a job. One of the guys in Zebulon, Jason Bridges, his dad was Wayne Bridges, who was chief in Clayton at the time. They got to talking, and Clayton had just opened up a position. My name was put in the hat, and here I am.”

He joined the Clayton Police Department in 2013, and his job has changed along with the town over the last decade.

“When I first came on, I was a brandnew, green rookie,” he said. “I just got

promoted last year to sergeant, so now I’m a supervisor. It’s changed pretty drastically.

I went from being on the bottom of the totem pole to running a whole squad. ... I do less reports, but more admin stuff.

“I truly love what I do. I love helping people. Most of the people we deal with, it’s pretty much their worst day. Helping people out when they need it the most is a big deal to me. I have people I dealt with in my first year as a cop that still remember me to this day. ... I’ve had people thank me for saving them, just from words of encouragement and trying to help them.

Just simple things. Over time, what keeps me going is still helping people.”

That’s exactly what he was doing the evening he found himself paddling a boat.

In January, Mims and three fellow officers were honored by the Town of Clayton with the Life Saving Award for their response to the situation.

“They picked on me about that,” he said.

“I’m going to be honest with you. I’m not a very good swimmer. Not the best.”

Mims and his fellow officers were on duty when the call came in for a single-car crash, in which the car had run off the road and hit a tree before landing on its roof,

blocking both lanes of traffic.

Mims arrived and, after finding two small children inside the car, he was told by a passerby that the driver had run away from the crash site.

“When I got to the end of the street, I heard a splash,” he said. “I knew there were ducks back there, so I thought it was a duck. Because, who jumps in the water? I started to walk away, but something told me to check behind the house.”

After getting permission, he went around back. Flashlight in hand, as it was getting dark by that point, he started scanning the area.

“I heard, ‘Help,’ real faint,” he said. “I turned around and saw somebody’s hand pop out the water. I thought, ‘There’s no way. They’re in the middle of the pond.’”

Officer Banks arrived, and asked permission from the home owners to borrow a

boat. He dumped the water out and hopped in. Despite his feelings about the water, Mims got in, too.

“I don’t think I had ever mentioned to anybody that water’s not my thing,” he said. “Watching the camera footage later, I assumed I was terrified, saying crazy stuff.

But I sounded a lot more calm than I thought I was. So we paddled out to the middle, and by the grace of God, she didn’t tip the boat over. We pulled her in the boat and paddled back to shore.”

Mims recalls these details as calmly as one might go over a grocery list. Ask him about his family, however, and his face brightens.

“My favorite person is my little girl, Journey,” he said.

“That’s my baby. She’s 2 years old, and when I’m not at work and I’ve got her, that’s what I’m spending my time doing.”

[ JULY 2022 ] | 15

[ JULY 2022 ] | 17

Best Health Care Professional

Judy Williams Sponsored By:

Outstanding Health Care Professional honoree takes winding career path

By RANDY CAPPS

W

oody Allen once said that, “if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”

Judy Williams can’t help but chuckle at the career path she’s traveled, and despite the twists and turns, her 19 years of exemplary service as a hyperbaric technician in the UNC Health Johnston Wound Care Center has earned her recognition as the 2022 Johnston Now Honors Outstanding Health Care Professional Award.

“I have a long history with health care, but everything I do I just say that God has put me on the path,” Williams, a native of Micro, said. “In school, everything I took was business and accounting. That was my focus. I was going to be an office person.

Back in the '90s, someone at a rest home needed help terribly. I had taken a friend there to apply, and they hired her on the spot and said, ‘Do you want to work, too?’ I was like, ‘No,’ but fast forward and I did go to work there part time. My husband was overseas in Desert Storm, so that put that in motion. I started working there. I learned a lot, and went and got 18 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

my CNA. It just built from there.

“I got into EMS. My brother had gotten into fire and EMS from his teen years. I had learned enough health care and been around him long enough that (I decided) to volunteer. So I did that for some years.”

She was working with Dr. Manmohan Singh when the wound center opened in 2003, and another twist of fate changed her career course once again.

“I have a lot of students that come through, and I have to say — since I have no other explanation for it — that my job is a God-given job,” she said. “When the wound center opened, (Dr. Singh) was chosen to be medical director. I worked with the staff at Johnston Health to get him credentialed to do that. And I was asked if I was coming with him. I was like, ‘No, I’m going to stay here and run the office.’ They just kind of kept on, ... I had applied for the front desk, and when I went in for my interview, the director said, ‘You have a lot of medical background.’ And by that point, I did.

Nearly 10 years.”

The hospital had a different job in mind for her, one in hyperbarics.

“I remember it so well,” she said. “I gave her a look and said, ‘What is that?’

I had no idea what it was. She explained it to me, and said they’d take care of everything.”

Everything included a two-week training course at Ohio State University, and after 19 years on the job, she could easily teach that class.

“Out here, we breathe 21% oxygen,” she said. “When the patients are in the chamber, they’re breathing 100% (oxygen). And it’s pressurized, so it shrinks down the oxygen molecules and they attach to the red blood cells and help the wound to heal faster. It grows new cells, helps kill bacteria and reduces edema (swelling).

“I love doing what I do because I get to connect with the patients. My patients come every day, Monday through Friday.

They’re in the chamber for two hours a day, and they come for six to 12 weeks.

So, we build a relationship, we build a bond. Talking every day, I get to hear about their families. I get to know them.

It’s not just ‘Room so-and-so down the hall needs something.’ It’s a person.”

She’s thankful that the hospital allows

her to work in that type of environment.

“It’s just a good place to work,” she said. “They look after the employees. Tom Williams is the type of person that I feel like could email him directly if I needed to. My field is specialized, and there’s not many that do that. So, I’m kind of in my own area in the wound center.”

When she’s not helping patients in the Wound Care Center, she’s helping to fight food insecurity in Johnston County.

Her husband, Ray, leads the Homeless Outreach Ministry at the Temple Dream Center, and that has helped her put her office and business background to good use.

“I had no idea what that looked like for me,” she said.

“All the food was moved to our house. So, we had to take care of the packing of

the food, keeping up with donations and how much food goes out. That became my part. The computer job of keeping up with it all.”

The program distributes about 50 meals twice a week, and it has been a rewarding experience for her.

“The more we do it, the more enjoyment I get out of it,” she said. “Being able to help those are in need.

This really aggravates me.

You hear, ‘They need to get a job.’ Well, some of them are working. But they’re working minimum-wage jobs, and they can’t make it.”

In addition to her career and ministry work, Williams enjoys singing as a member of the Johnston County Community Choir. She lives in Micro with Ray, and the couple has two children, Tim and Alicia and six grandchildren.

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[ JULY 2022 ] | 19

Legend Award

Robin Sanders Sponsored By:

Legend Award winner looks to lift up others

By MIKE BOLLINGER

R

obin Sanders has spent the majority of his life looking to make others feel better about themselves.

“I’ve always been a people person. I try to always have positive energy that people can feed off of,” he said.

Sanders is a floor tech at UNC Health Johnston, where he has worked for three years. He retired from the Johnston County school division after 33 years and has been a minister for 20 years.

“I think I can somehow feel a person’s spirit. I just know when you’re up and when you’re down,” he said. “I can tell when someone is having a bad day.”

When he knows someone is going through a tough time, Sanders said he tries to sit and talk with them. He said he tries to guide them in the right direction and give the best advice he can.

He said he got this trait from his family.

“My mom, dad and brothers all have been people persons. They never met a stranger,” he said.

As a minister, Sanders said he is under the leadership of Bishop Terrance Jenkins

20 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

at Interstate Ministries in Clayton.

“During my 20 years as a minister, I’ve always tried to be able to help people and talk to people when they need it,” he said.

Through the church men’s ministry, Sanders has been involved in helping to feed the homeless. Before the pandemic, he said the group would visit homeless people once a month and provide food for them. “We’re trying to get that back to the way it was before the pandemic and get that back going,” he said.

While employed by the school system, he started the choir at South Johnston High School. The choir was a part of his efforts to help mentor young people. “I’ve tried to be involved in children’s lives in elementary and high school,” Sanders said.

Sanders also applies that mentoring and leading to his own family. He and his wife, Yolanda, have five children: sons Brandon and Jarell and daughters Rashonda, Latika and Shakirah. In addition, he and his wife have six grandchildren. “I try to lead by example and show them they can do the same thing,” he said.

Now that he’s working at UNC Health Johnston, he says it is still his mission to be involved in people’s lives when they need it. “I just love giving back. People have helped me down through the years, and I strive to turn that around and give back to others,” he said. “I try to look at life in a different realm. I see a need, and I try to help.

Sometimes, you have to put yourself last and put other people first.”

While grateful to be recognized, Sanders said it is not his way to seek the spotlight.

“I try to stay behind the scenes. I don’t care about the spotlight. I just do what I do and try to bring joy to people,” he said.

He said he was surprised to learn he would receive the Legend Award. “It’s an honor for someone to see that in you and think that you deserve to be honored in that way. I don’t take it for granted,” Sanders said. “I’m just thankful for the opportunity to be recognized and that someone appreciates what I have done to make an impact in their life.”

Sanders also makes time for one more important task. “I stay busy spoiling my grandchildren,” he said.

[ JULY 2022 ] | 21

Spirit of the County

Marilyn Pearson Sponsored By:

Spirit of the County honoree had her role change dramatically during the pandemic

By RANDY CAPPS

B

eing director of public health for Johnston County has always been an important job, but not always one that came with much notoriety. Thanks to the pandemic, that’s no longer the case.

During the past two years, Dr. Marilyn Pearson has become a bit of a public figure. Her response and handling of the crisis under unprecedented scrutiny makes her an ideal choice for the 2022 Johnston Now Honors Spirit of the County Award.

Pearson came to Johnston County in 1998 after undergraduate work at Clemson and medical school at the University of North Carolina.

“I finished my residency in Charlotte, and I always knew I wanted to work with under-served populations, so when I was looking for a job, I looked at places like health departments or community clinics,” she said. “My husband is from this area, so that’s one of the things that 22 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

brought me back this way. I actually did one of my rotations at the health department with Dr. (Leonard) Woodall.

They weren’t in the new building, they were in the old building at the time. He said, ‘We’ve got a new building coming, so you really want to come.’ I enjoyed that rotation, and I felt like this was an area that I would enjoy and be able to serve the population I wanted to serve.”

Her drive to help in those areas stems from her childhood in Manning, South Carolina “I grew up with not a lot,” she said.

“My parents worked two jobs, and up until middle school, we didn’t have indoor plumbing. I tell people if you haven’t been to an outhouse, you have to use one to understand what they are. But my parents were ones who tried to set examples and help people when they could. So I always wanted to be one who could provide for and help people. I didn’t see the doctor much when I was younger, but I did (see

one) a few times. Dr. (Robert) Jackson was very nice, and when I saw what he did, I felt like it was something I could do.”

She spent her first seven years at the health department getting to know her new community, and its doctors.

“I came to the health department and I was the first physician they hired to run their primary care clinic,” she said. “At that time, I was seeing patients in the clinic, but also doing in-patient work, taking care of patients at the hospital. I shared call with a few physicians around the county, like Dr. Renee Watson. We’re close friends, having shared call all those years. ... As the only doctor in a practice, it’s hard to take call every day.

“When Dr. Woodall decided to retire, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be health director. I didn’t know much about what the health director did. I did a little research and decided that, I could have a bigger impact than (I could) just one-onone seeing patients individually. I thought

I could really make some decisions that could help the community. So, I applied and I was the one they chose.”

She took the role in October 2005, a time in which Johnston County’s rapid population growth was just beginning.

“The population has boomed,” she said. “That’s been a big thing. The importance of partnerships has really come to the forefront. Not just in the pandemic. Even in 2005 when I became health director, and realizing the changing landscape in health care ... in behavioral health and medical care, looking at things that affected everyone’s health — and not just things at the doctor’s office.

“When I became health director we started thinking about those things. Do we have places for people to exercise?

Where people work, and trying to get more involved with employers. It was really kind of an epiphany for me.

Every decision that we make is a health decision. I tell the commissioners that now. Looking at the bigger picture, our population started changing some.

Our businesses started changing, and

I think that’s affected how our county is moving forward. ... The changes I’m seeing are not just in the population, but in the ways that people think about health and the way we deal with health.”

As much as the community changed in the first 15 years of her tenure, it pales in comparison to the impact that COVID-19 had.

“For years we did pandemic tabletop exercises (on pandemics), thinking ‘Ah, it’s not going to happen,’” she said. “As a matter of fact, we did one in January 2020 at JCC with all of our community partners — emergency management, the schools, all of us were there — talking about how we would respond to a pandemic, forming partnerships, etc. And then in March, wow, it happened. Nothing ever happens like you plan it, but the important thing was we had formed partnerships.

When I needed something, I could call somebody and they knew who was calling. Or, if they needed something, they could call me and I would know who they were. ... People can’t always

say yes to everything, but if you have a relationship with them, you can work things out and compromise.”

Those partnerships, and a fair amount of media interviews, changed the perception of public health as whole — and of her role in particular.

“I think one of the things about public health that I realized is we’ve always been in the background,” she said. “You can’t count how many people’s lives we’ve saved. You can’t count them. You don’t know. This put public health at the forefront. We were the face of everything, the good and the bad. People didn’t know who I was before the pandemic. Now? Everybody knows my face. Not that I wanted them to, but now everybody does. Which is good and bad. It gives me a platform to, at least, encourage people to do some things and work with people to try to improve the health of everybody in our county.”

Pearson and her husband, James McLean, have two children. Jadyn is a recent graduate of Corinth Holders while JR is a rising freshman.

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[ JULY 2022 ] | 23

Slow down, appreciate life and

Live Easy!

Enjoy neighborhood socials, food trucks, community events, and making new friendships. As the seasons change enjoy miles of walking trails and golf cart friendly streets that connect directly to onsite shopping, dining, and medical facilities.

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BEDFORD - MATTAMY HOMES This neighborhood features floor plans from 2,230 to 3,000+ sq ft with 3 to 6 bedrooms and 2.5 to 3.5 baths. Call Jamie Matala at 919-314-7564 or Stephanie Vidal at 919-697-9044 for current pricing.

FORREST - MERITAGE HOMES This neighborhood features floor plans from 1,658 to 2,697 sq ft with 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2.5 to 3.5 baths. Call 1-855-632-0076 for more information. Only a few homes remaining. Move-In Ready!

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COMMUNITY

AT FLOWERS PLANTATION

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS

WINE WEDNESDAYS

SALSA DANCE LESSONS

Enjoy a movie under the stars! Join us for family movie nights. There's no better way to spend time with friends & family.

Remember to bring a blanket & chair!

On Wednesdays we drink wine!

Our signature monthly social will be returning this summer under our brand new pavilion!

Learn basic salsa steps with international dance instructor, Jenny Geska! For singles or couples. Refreshments will be served before the start of class.

Upcoming: July 7 | 7:30pm Feature Film: Up

Upcoming: July 6 & August 3 | 6-8pm

Upcoming: July 29th | 6-7:30pm

UPCOMING SHOWS SPARE CHANGE | JULY 24

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT FLOWERS CROSSROADS Flowers Plantation is excited for the return

Our first concert of the summer concert

of our concert series. We will be bringing

series will be Night Shift. Night Shift is a

concerts to the Flowers Crossroads for

6-piece band providing non-stop dance, pop,

three months this summer. Food & alcohol

rock, and cover music with both Male and

will be on site for purchase, along with

Female vocals and tight harmonies and spot

vendor booths. We invite our residents

on leads. Dance, Party, Classic Rock, Motown,

and neighbors to join us for a fun, quality,

Pop, Cover band based in Raleigh, NC.

family time. Don't forget to bring your lawn chair! We look forward to seeing you at the Crossroads!

Sunday, June 26th | 4:00 - 6:30pm Lawn Plaza: 67 Crossroads Way Clayton, NC 27527

BAND OF OZ | AUGUST 28

THE GROCERY BAG

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4879 NC Hwy 42 E, Clayton, NC 27527 919-553-4088

Nonprofit of the Year

Junior Women's League of Smithfield Sponsored By:

Nonprofit of the Year helps to meet community’s needs

By MIKE BOLLINGER

T

he 88 members of the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield are constantly working to make sure as many needs as possible in Johnston County are met.

“We work to fund programs that don’t necessarily get attention from other organizations,” President Kelly Blanchard said.

The JWL partners with the Partnership for Children of Johnston County, Harbor of Johnston County, the Johnston Health Foundation, the Miracle League of Johnston County, the Me Fine Foundation, My Kid’s Club and the SECU Hospice House of Johnston Health. “We’ve had the same partners from the beginning. As the county grows, the needs of our partners grow,” Blanchard said.

The JWL has chosen food insecurity as the group’s focus topic. Blanchard said members have come up with several ideas and ways to help. One of those ways has been to build “blessing boxes.” These 30 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

boxes are located at the Benson, Clayton (stations 1 and 2), Kenly, Meadow, North Side Fire and Rescue Station 1 (Archer Lodge), North Side Fire and Rescue Station 2 (Thanksgiving), Pine Level, Selma and Smithfield fire departments.

People can put donations of nonperishable food and other items in the boxes, and those who need help can take what they need.

“This program has really expanded.

Schools and churches are also putting them out on their own,” Blanchard said.

Seeing that children needed a good source of protein, the JWL started its Peanut Butter Buddies program. In the beginning, the goal was 900 jars. The first year, 3,300 jars were collected. This year, the organization collected 4,932 jars of peanut butter.

They were distributed to the 23 county elementary schools that participate in the Backpack Buddies program, five middle schools and My Kid’s Club.

Members have put together a cookbook for women at Harbor of Johnston County, a domestic violence and assault agency, to help the women with making affordable

meals using the resources they have. In addition, JWL has started Fostering With Dignity. Through this program, members raised money and packaged duffel bags that were given to foster care children.

The group made 260 bags. “Some of these children come to care with little or nothing,” Blanchard said.

Through another JWL program, older children can get clothes from a clothes closet established at the county department of social services. The organization’s Adopt a Golden Angel program saw members sew caddies to give to older people that included adult coloring books, back scratchers and other items. Also helping foster care children and senior citizens is the Letters from Santa program. Santa Claus sent letters to 195 foster children and 125 senior citizens through this effort.

“We have two big projects that are our major fundraisers. We have Touch A Truck in the fall and Big Night Out in the spring. The money raised goes to community impact grants. Since the League’s establishment in February 2016,

it has awarded more than $139,000 in grants to county non-profits and student scholarships,” Blanchard said.

The $1,000 scholarship is offered to a female graduating senior at SmithfieldSelma High School. “Students apply through the Johnston County Educational Foundation. We not only look at grades, but also at community involvement. We are looking to expand next year to give at least one more scholarship to female students from throughout the county,” Blanchard said.

Since the very beginning, the JWL has had a winter coat program for children in My Kid’s Club and the Partnership for Children of Johnston County. This past winter, members provided 124 winter coats. “Our membership donates the coats. Some members did seek coats from outside the organization,” Blanchard said.

JWL is frequently contacted by other organizations with a surplus of items to see if the group can distribute them to those in need. “At Christmas, an organization contacted us and said it had more items than it could use. We

distributed those in the community. We have people contact us all the time and ask us if we could donate their surplus items to community programs,” said Vice-President of Public Relations Lisa Bland.

Working with other women’s organizations, the need for a diaper closet in Johnston County was identified. “This far exceeded expectations. We donated 31,000 diapers and 30,000 wipes through this program,” Blanchard said.

The JWL also facilitated and sponsored a women in agriculture panel, Ask a FarmHER, in cooperation with the JoCo Grows Agriculture Committee and the Johnston County Farm Bureau Young Rancher and Farmer program.

The group has also sponsored candidate forums during elections. “We look for ways to help women develop professionally and to highlight what women can bring,” Blanchard said.

Future projects include the continuation of Career Days with My Kid’s Club. “These have been phenomenal. We are trying to get more

engaged with young people in the county,” Blanchard said.

The JWL is accepting new members through July 31. Bland noted the group offers a partial membership scholarship for those who want to join but may need it. The group is open to women age 22 and older. “We have members up to age 70. It’s not just a young women’s group. Everyone has something to offer,” she said.

“We have women from all over the county and also women who work in Johnston County. They offer many different perspectives and many ways to meet needs,” Blanchard said. “We hope to continue to grow our membership and help support women of all ages. We also want to branch out and allow nonmembers to attend meetings and see our different programs and see if they want to join. We need to figure out how to embrace the next generation of women.”

For more information about the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield, visit www.jwlsmithfield.com or on Facebook at Junior Women’s League of Smithfield, NC.

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[ JULY 2022 ] | 31

Rising Star

Courtney Lassiter Sponsored By:

Rising Star Award winner credits International Baccalaureate program for her growth as an artist

By RANDY CAPPS

A

nyone who’s changed schools knows how difficult it can be. But for Courtney Lassiter, transferring to Smithfield-Selma for the International Baccalaureate program turned out to be a positive.

So much so that she’s been named the 2022 Johnston Now Honors Rising Star Award winner.

“The IB program was a complete blessing,” she said. “I’m so thankful for all of the opportunities that I’ve been able to get through the program. I don’t know if I would have had as many opportunities (without it). It wasn’t even something that I knew about until eighth grade, but then I just decided that this was the direction I needed to go. It was kind of tough leaving all my friends and everyone I had known to that point, but when I came to Smithfield-Selma, I immediately found new friends. I’m so thankful and if I

32 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

didn’t have the support of the IB program behind me, I don’t think I’d be sitting here today.”

As part of the IB program, Lassiter has hit her stride as an artist. She recently completed a mural for the SSS cafeteria, won the 2022 7th Congressional District Art Competition with a painting called “Blue Ridge” and has had pieces on display in Fuquay-Varina, Atlanta and Massachusetts.

“Congratulations to Courtney on being this year’s winner of the Congressional Art Competition,” Rep. David Rouzer said in a press release. “I’m very proud her talent will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol where visitors from around the country will be able to view her artwork alongside the others from congressional districts nationwide.”

In addition to her visual arts abilities, she also won first place in the Early College Academy’s Poetry Out Loud competition and second place in the

Original Poem category.

“I’ve drawn my whole life, but I only got serious about it in sixth grade,” she said. “I started out wanting to be a computer programmer, but over the course of my life that’s gradually changed to wanting to be a gallery artist. I have a lot of stuff going on lately. Because I put in the work to get myself out there.

I really feel like that’s coming back to me now.”

Like any artist, Lassiter has plenty of peers who inspire her work.

“When I was first getting into high school and I had one of my first nice Honors Art classes, I did a lot of research into Georgia O’Keefe’s work,” she said.

“I really loved her stuff, and I definitely take a little bit of influence from her in my nature paintings, like the one that won the Congressional Art Competition.

It was a painting of a white-tailed deer to represent the theme of North Carolina.

A lot of the work that I do, I’m inspired

by horror artists. There’s one in particular, he’s a manga (comic/graphic novels) artist from Japan named Junji Ito. He’s a big inspiration of mine who draws and illustrates manga.”

Considering that O’Keefe’s “Jimison Weed/ White Flower No. 1” sold for about $44 million in 2014, there’s money to be made as a gallery artist.

Still, Lassiter has a plan B that includes a career in graphic design.

“I think that’s something that’s still enough in the realm of art that it would give me the freedom to enjoy my career,” she said. “Since I’ve been young, I’ve always said that I’d rather make less money in a job that I love than make more money and hate it.”

She’s ambitious in her college aspirations as well.

“My preferred choice right now is actually Duke,” she said. “I really hope that I’m able to get in. I know it’s an extremely selective college, but it’s also very prestigious. My second choice is probably N.C. State, because they have a really good art program.”

Lassiter lives in Four Oaks with her mother, Suzie, father, Anthony, and her brother, Riley.

You can see her work at courtneylassiterart. wixsite.com/portfolio or check out her online business, Courtney’s Tears, at jewelrydepop.com/ courtneystears.

[ JULY 2022 ] | 33

Veteran Service Award

Robert Boyette Sponsored By:

Veteran Service Award honoree continues to work for those who served

By MIKE BOLLINGER

R

obert Boyette may have retired from the military, but he hasn’t retired from helping veterans.

After retiring from the U.S. Army and Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel with 30 years of service, Boyette is now the veteran service officer for Johnston County. “I do whatever I can do to help veterans every single day,” he said.

Boyette served from 1985-2015. He served in Iraq, Fort Benning, Fort Stuart and Fort Gordon in Georgia, Fort Irwin in California, Fort Bragg in North Carolina and in Washington, D.C. “I started as an E-1 private when I was 17 years old. My first job was to do whatever I was told, no questions asked,” he said.

After becoming a commissioned officer, he was a platoon leader, company commander and a brigade operations officer for air operations. From 2003-05, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He started there as a training officer for the Iraqi military and ended up as a brigade operations officer. “I coordinated air space to meet the needs of our soldiers. I would call in close air support. Anything that 34 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

had to do with anything flying in the air, I coordinated it,” Boyette said.

Every day in Iraq was different. “I would fly in a helicopter, and some days it would be fine and some days it wasn’t.

Some days weren’t eventful, and the next day you would wonder if you were going to come home,” he said. “It was just not a conventional war. There were no front lines. I was never in imminent danger for any extended period of time. I wasn’t out on the ground kneeling in doors. I was providing air support for those who were.”

“We were shot at a few times,” Boyette continued. “Most of the time, you didn’t know where it was coming from. It was not engagement, they shot and ran. They didn’t stand and fight. The worst thing was the IEDs. I was blessed never to hit one while I was there. We did lose some troops from that.”

The best thing about the military, he said, is being part of a team and learning how important teamwork is. Boyette said about 1% of Americans join the military. “The other 99 percent is missing a great blessing. I think society would be different if 99 percent of people were

veterans. When you served with someone, it didn’t matter what color a person was or what their gender or religion was. There comes a time when those things are not important,” he said. “I wish there were more veterans involved in politics.”

When the time came to retire, Boyette said he hated to leave. “At some point in time, you have to let someone else come in,” he said.

Becoming the county’s veteran service officer was a natural next step. “I wanted to find something to be involved with that 1%,” he said. “I get to have conversations with them every day. I was blessed to spend all that time in service, and I am blessed to still be able speak the jargon with those who served. It’s a language all its own. Some people come in the office I haven’t seen in 20 years.

And even if you don’t know them, you know them.”

When he was a junior in high school, he realized his parents wouldn’t be financially able to send him to college. “I knew it would take money we didn’t have.

I realized my father and grandfather had served in the Army. It didn’t hurt them, so I tried it,” Boyette said.

In the Army, he said he received the guidance he needed. “I had to grow up,” Boyette said.

He attended college while in the military. “The military kept pushing me in the right direction. I got my associate’s degree, then they told me I needed to do more to make sure I would get promoted, so I got a bachelor’s, then I went on and got a master’s,” he said.

After about two years, Boyette said, he decided to make the military a career.

“After training, you have to do your little piece to make the puzzle work. I didn’t want to get away from that,” he said. “The only regret I have is I wish I had stayed longer.

I enjoyed all of it, from the beginning to the very end.

I made a lot of good friends there.”

His last job in the military

was to inform families about casualties. “It was a job I never wanted. I’m glad it was the last job I had because I might not have stayed if it had been the first one,” Boyette said.

While in Iraq, he served in the First Infantry Division. His father served in Vietnam and his grandfather in World War II. “My father was also in the First Infantry Division. We had the same patch,” he said.

He and his wife, Sandy, have been married for 14 years. He has a stepdaughter, Emma, who will attend N.C. State in the fall, and a daughter, Taylor. He and his family spend time on veteran-related activities such as putting flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day. Boyette is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5886 in Smithfield and American Legion Post 109 in

Benson.

He said he was “a bit surprised” to learn he would receive the Veteran Service Award. “There are 14,000 veterans in Johnston County.

Why would anyone choose me? There are many that are much more deserving than me. I’m humbled, honored and surprised. I’m fortunate someone thought enough of me to make this recommendation. This is not

Lane & Associates Family Dentistry

an award for me, it’s an award for the 14,000 veterans in Johnston County,” Boyette said.

For more information about the Johnston County Veterans Service Office, visit johnstonnc.com under “departments,” email Veterans@johnstonnc.com, call 919-989-5067 or visit the office in the Johnston County Land Use Center at 309 E. Market St. in Smithfield.

PROUD SPONSORS

[ JULY 2022 ] | 35

Exemplary Volunteer

Leigh Hudson Sponsored By:

Exemplary Volunteer honoree is dedicated to serving community

By MIKE BOLLINGER

F

rom being a volunteer fireman to his long-time involvement in Rotary International, Leigh Hudson has served his community for many years.

“Being a volunteer fireman was how I first got involved in service,” Hudson said. “I was raised in my family’s hardware store in Garner that was in the same block as the fire department. As I got more involved in the business, I couldn’t leave any more to answer calls, so I left the fire department.”

After leaving the fire department after 11 years, Hudson said he missed being of service to the community. He decided to join Rotary as a way to continue that service, and joined the Garner Rotary Club in 1981 before transferring his membership to the Clayton Rotary Club in 1986 when he opened a second hardware store in Clayton.

He said being in business has shown him the need to help people. “In the hardware business, you have to help people. It’s something I can’t not do,” Hudson said.

Hudson said he was originally attracted

36 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

to Rotary by knowing some of the Garner club members and what they brought to service in the community. As a young business owner, he said he was able to learn from some of the other members.

He has served as president of the Clayton club in 1989-90 and 2009-10.

While president of the Clayton club, the club picked up the balloon festival that used to be held in Clayton and put that on for two years.

At one point, the Clayton club was in danger of extinction before Hudson led the effort to rebuild it. It had dwindled to 19 members. “We were down to 19 old guys having dinners together,” he said.

Under Hudson’s leadership, membership increased from 19 to 45 from 2008 to 2010. He also chartered a new Clayton Mid-Day club during that time. As a result of those efforts, he was asked to serve as a Rotary assistant governor in 2010 and was then governor of Rotary District 7710 in 2013. He followed that with five years as district membership chair, has served as PolioPlus chair and now chairs the district learning resources committee. He and his wife, Pug, are Rotary Foundation Level 3 Major

Donors, Bequest Society members and members of the Paul Harris Society.

He has served as Zone 33 assistant Rotary coordinator and continues to learn and teach Rotary as a facilitator and board member and is currently the immediate past chair of the Mid-Atlantic Rotary Leadership Institute. He received the Rotary Foundation PolioPlus Regional Service Award in 2017 and the Rotary International Service Above Self Award in 2021.

Hudson also was chairman of the Johnston County Drug Action Committee from 1990 to 2000. At first, he said he said he would attend a monthly meeting. His involvement quickly expanded from that, and he became part of an effort that took about 65 young people off the streets of Clayton and drastically reduced the drug problem there. Part of that effort was coordinating open gyms on Friday and Saturday nights. “I saw a need in the community, and I couldn’t walk away from it,” he said.

For leading that effort, Hudson received the N.C. Governor’s Crime Prevention Award and the Clayton Chamber of

Commerce Citizen of the Year Award. Also, as part of the drug prevention effort, he wrote a successful grant in conjunction with Johnston County Youth Services.

Hudson is the chair of JoCo Flags for Heroes, a Rotary Club project. “Flags for Heroes came out of nowhere.

We couldn’t have our spaghetti dinner, our spring fundraiser.

Our president, a 21-year Marine veteran, thought we could do it. We hoped to do 200 the first year and we did 500. This year, the third year, we will have more than 1,500 flags,” he said.

The flags are displayed on fields at UNC Health Johnston in Clayton and Smithfield. The project is a joint effort between the Clayton Rotary Club, Cleveland School Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Central Johnston County.

Individual, corporate, corporate gold and corporate platinum sponsorships are available. Proceeds from the sponsorships allow the three clubs to fund community service projects, including scholarships for high school seniors and worthy causes such as Stop Soldier Suicide.

“This is a service project for the community. We had no idea we would have to move them to the main fields when we started it. We have tables set up and people like to sit and talk. It has turned into something big. We have to keep riding that bus now, we can’t jump off,” Hudson said.

He and Pug have one son and three grandsons. Hudson is a graduate of Garner Senior High School and the University of North Carolina.

He said he is grateful for the two locations of Hudson’s Hardware and Outdoor

Equipment. “I’m happy we have been able to survive the onslaught of big box stores,” Hudson said.

The Clayton Rotary Club also organizes the Clayton Christmas Parade and works closely with the chamber of commerce. “We have a great relationship with the chamber. We help them with everything,” he said.

Hudson said he is pleased to be recognized as part of

Johnston Now Honors. “I’m honored. You guys do a great job for Johnston County. This is a special community. I’m honored to represent Rotary more than anything else.

Rotary has opened the door for me to do the things that I enjoy,” he said.

For more information about JoCo Flags for Heroes, visit www.claytonrotaryclub.org or the Facebook page at JoCo Flags for Heroes.

We are proud to have two teammates named winners in the 2022 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 Judy Williams and Robin Sanders. Thanks for representing UNC Health Johnston in such a positive, professional way.

Judy Williams

Robin Sanders

Hyperbaric Tech Therapeutic Wound Center-Smithfield

Floor Tech Environmental Services -Clayton

Best Health Care Professional

Legend Award [ JULY 2022 ] | 37

JWL's 7th Annual Big Night Out On Saturday, May 21, the Junior Women's League of Smithfield presented a check for $5,000 to ReEntry Family Services and for $3,000 to Johnston County Blessing Boxes at JWL's Big Night Out 2022. The success of this event would not have been possible without our community sponsors, membership, and local businesses who gave of their services and financial support.

ReEntry Family Services will now be able to expand their “Towards No Drugs” program--encouraging children in our county to stay on a path of success, deterring interaction with the court system and steadying a direction towards healthy decisions.

Johnston County Blessing Boxes will use funds to stock inventory for the ten Blessing Boxes throughout the county, which supply free non-perishable goods to feed those in need. A community effort of this size helps us have a tremendous impact in Johnston County, putting our community first. Thank you to all who had a part in BNO 2022. We could not have done this without you.

Community Involvement

Membership Scholarship Opportunity We are pleased to offer four partial membership scholarships for the 2022-2023 League Year, in an effort to promote inclusivity for league members. The purpose of membership scholarships is to create opportunities for those women in our community who would like to make a difference in Johnston County but cannot join the League due to financial hardship.

Scholarship applications are due by July 17, 2022 and will be made anonymous before they are provided to the Strategic Planning Committee for review.

For more information or to complete your membership application by July 31, please visit www.jwlsmithfield.com/join-jwl.

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR TEACHES LOCAL WRITERS

By GABRIELLE BRYANT

SMITHFIELD — Drafting a breathtaking novel has never been easy, and creating a well-rounded setting is even more daunting.

Luckily, award-winning author Lori Hayes broke it down in her seminar at the Johnston County Writers group’s monthly meeting at the public library in Smithfield.

Residing in North Carolina, Hayes specializes in beach romance novels.

She kicked off her writing career after her desire to write turned into endless encouragement from her family. While her son took his afternoon naps, she wrote. Years and several successful novels later, Hayes began giving her wisdom back to the community.

She has written eight books total, four of which are children’s novels under the name Lisa Morgan. Her adult fiction, the Crystal Coast series, is sprinkled with romance centered in North Carolina.

Tying in family, complex relationships, wild horses and a happy ending, the Crystal Coast tugs at the heartstrings of those who love an uplifting love story.

During her talk on June 9, Hayes instructed several local writers on how to implement the five senses into their work.

“Supersize your senses,” she said. “Elevate your writing to draw your reader into your story. I start with the setting that I love and then I decide what story I want to write.”

Hayes broke down each sense for the writers, using examples from her work to demonstrate different techniques. She began by detailing how important it is to start a draft with whatever is in the writer’s heart.

“On my first draft, I give myself permission to go from the beginning to the end,” she said. She encouraged the audience to think about how to draw (readers) in by using a blend of each sense to build up the setting.

40 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

With each sense, she provided physical examples to encourage the audience to think about every detail. From the crashing waves to the scent of the sea breeze, to the taste of the salt in the air and the feel of the boardwalk rails, Hayes showed how each quality was vital to wellwritten work.

“Look at the Carolina blue sky. The sky could be slate gray or it could have clouds in it,” she said while showing the audience a photo of a shoreline. “Sight is probably the easiest for me. I try to look for the finer details so that I can add those in my book.”

She also elaborated on how important voice is for a writer. “It’s really important to discover your voice,” she said. “Voice is a unique voice that you have that makes you different than every other writer out there.”

A part of an author’s voice comes from how they perceive their surroundings. She highlighted the importance of tuning into the environment even when you’re not writing.

In the latter half of the seminar, Hayes connected the five senses and setting with character.

“Different personalities can perceive the five senses differently,” she said. By imagining yourself as the character, you blend yourself with their senses and let

them react to the setting based on their experiences.

There are also ways to get to know your character. Hayes told the writers about her labyrinth walk technique, in which she has her students walk through a labyrinth with their characters in mind.

“All of the bends, twists and turns depict plot points in your book,” she said. Taking a meditative walk with the character in mind helps bring the writer in deeper toward their character’s thoughts and feelings. External plots are going to internally change your character.”

Hayes frequently finds herself at the beach because it is the foundation of all of her books.

“When I’m there, I write on the balcony and I’m always watching, listening, tasting, touching, trying to absorb myself in that environment.”

Hayes will be working intensively with writers at a retreat this fall on Nov. 12-17. There, aspiring authors will stay in a beachfront home in Emerald Isle.

There will be opportunities to network with other successful writers, seminars to break down crafting a book, and plenty of time to get away from the stress of everyday life while connecting one-on-one with the exquisite environment. To learn more, visit lorihayesauthor.com or email LoriHayesBooks@gmail.com.

Third StrEAT ery Downtown Smithfield's Outside Dining Room and Live Entertainment Venue

6-9pm | 100 block of S. Third Street Presented by the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation

July 15 - La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet August 19 - Blazin' Keys Dueling Pianos September 23 - Carolina Soul Band

This project was supported by the N.C. Arts council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. www.NCArts.org.

www.DowntownSmithfield.com

[ JULY 2022 ] | 41

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

Saturday, July 2, 10 a.m.

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Clayton July 4 celebration Downtown 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.

Saturday, July 2, 6:30 p.m.

All-American Festival, Selma Downtown Selma Don’t miss live music, food trucks and Selma’s annual fireworks display at Blackstone Plaza. Visit www.facebook. com/selmaparksrec to learn more.

July 5-9 9 a.m.

SNAP Junior Camp Archer Lodge Community Center It’s a “big kids” camp for our youngest learners. Come out for a specialty designed camp with little learners in mind.

This camp will have lots of movement, early math skills and lots of LEGO® building time. Kids will have so much fun that they won’t realize they are learning. The camp is designed for children ages 4-6, and the cost is $140. Learn more at www.archerlodge.org/camps.

Saturday, July 9

Cottontown 7s Rugby Festival East Clayton Community Park A full day of rugby action with food trucks and other entertainment as well. To learn more, visit www.claytonrfc.com.

Saturday, July 2, 8 p.m.

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives The Clayton Center The Grammy winning singer and song writer is putting on a show at The Clayton Center. For more information, email eventinfo@townofclaytonnc.org and for tickets, visit etix. com.

Sunday, July 3

Smithfield Independence Day celebration Downtown Smithfield There will be food trucks, water wars, games, activities and more on South Third Street. The fireworks start at 9.

Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m.

Snakes of North Carolina Howell Woods, Four Oaks In North Carolina, there are a variety of snakes in the wild. Join them as they discuss how to identify common species, if they’re venomous or not, and get to meet one in person! Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. This program is for all ages, however, children must be accompanied by an adult. This program is $5/ participant. It will be held in the Nature Center classroom.

For more information, call 919-938-0115.

Saturday, July 9, 5:30 p.m.

Monday, July 4, 6 p.m.

Benson July 4th Celebration Benson Singing Grove Join the Town of Benson for a 4th of July Celebration in the Benson Singing Grove, featuring North Tower. Be sure to stick around for the fireworks at 9 p.m.

Archer Lodge Family Fun Day Archer Lodge Community Center The Archer Lodge Community Center and the Town of Archer Lodge present a 4th of July celebration. There will be a parade followed by a food truck rodeo in the Community Center parking lot. Live music and face painting will also be there to enjoy and at 9:30, they will light up the sky with the best fireworks show around. Visit www.archerlodge.org/events to learn more.

Monday, July 4

Kenly Fourth of July Celebration Kenly 95 Petro Come out to Kenly 95 Petro and check out Kenly’s annual celebration, featuring family-friendly entertainment before the fireworks light up the sky over I-95.

Monday, July 4

Pine Level Independence Day celebration Godwin Park 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, go to pinelevel.org.

Monday, July 4

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

July 11-14 and 18-21, 9 a.m.

JCC VEX Robotics STEM Labs This camp is designed for kids ages 10-13. Cost is $175.

Complete a friendly robotics competition. Work with a team to redesign, reprogram, rebuild, and most likely repair, creating an optimal robot! In small groups kids are given a default robot configuration and then challenged to modify it to create a better performing robot. For more information or to register, visit www.johnstoncc.edu/programs, then click on “summer enrichment programs.”

July 12-16

Tobacco Farm Life Museum’s AgCamp Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Kenly The Tobacco Farm Life Museum’s annual AgCamp, sponsored by a grant from Duke Energy, will be in person once again this year. There are lots of fun activities planned including daily reading, crafting and art classes. There will also be ] exciting guests and field trips to Historic Oak View County Park and Sylvan Heights Bird Park. Cost is $100 per child, and lunch will be served daily. To learn more, or to register, send an email to visitorservices@tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org.

Monday, July 12, 8 a.m.

JCC Fundamentals of Welding and Fabrication Camp All camp attendees (ages 11-14) must wear long, untattered cotton pants, closed toe shoes, T-shirt is acceptable (all other protective equipment will be provided). Cost is $103, and you can contact Robert Long at rjlong@ johnstoncc.edu or 919-464-2284 for questions regarding this camp.

Friday, July 15, 6 p.m.

Third Streatery Downtown Smithfield Come downtown with your family, meet up with your friends, get takeout from a downtown restaurant and come out from 6-9 p.m. on Third Street to hear live music from La Fiesta, a Latin jazz quintet. You can also shop from local businesses, have a beer or glass of wine and enjoy games and special activities. You can also catch a movie or enjoy drinks at one of the restaurants or bars. The 100 block of S. Third Street will be closed, and tables and chairs will be set up in the street. Several downtown businesses will be open and have special promotions. Visit www.facebook. com/DowntownSmithfield to learn more.

Saturday, July 16, 9 a.m.

Beginner Kayak Howell Woods, Four Oaks Ever wanted to use a kayak, but don’t know where to start? This program is for you! They will cover paddling techniques and have a chance to get out on the calm waters of Swan Pond or Sand Hole Lake. Please wear water shoes and dress for the weather. This program is for ages 12 and up, however, participants aged 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult. This program is $15/participant.

For more information, call 919-938-0115.

Saturday, July 16, 10 p.m.

Pony Rides and Open House Pasture Pals Equine Rescue, 690 West Olive Road, Clayton Come and enjoy the fun for free! Find out about adoption and volunteering at the information table. Take home information to sponsor your favorite horse. Help feed the rescue. All donations are appreciated and important to the animals. It costs $1,528 per week to feed the rescue. Pony or horse Rides will be $5 (weather permitting), groom a pony for $5, go out in the pasture with a volunteer for $5, petting zoo treats will be $1, drinks and snacks will be $1, there will be volunteer crafts for sale and new Pasture Pals Equine Rescue t-shirts will be $20. For more information, email PasturePalsER@aol.com or visit www.PasturePalsER. com.

July 18-21, 8 a.m.-noon

Wrestling Camp Join Neuse Charter wrestling coach Chase Crocker for this camp. To register, visit www.tinyurl.com/e43xrfxy. The cost is $150 if you preregister and $200 the day of the camp. For more information, call 919-201-2010 or email coachcrock12@gmail.com.

July 18-21, 8 a.m.-noon

Artzy Kidz Camp Join them for a morning of crafts and fun. Camp will end with an ice cream social on Thursday, June 21 at 11 a.m.

The cost is $10 for Smithfield residents and $20 for nonresidents. Preregister at the SRAC or at www.SRACclubautomation.com.

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July 18-22, 9 a.m.

Ninja Adventure Camp Archer Lodge Community Center Sensei Wu needs you! Design a new dojo for Snapology made from LEGO® bricks and train your men to battle with the best. Go through ninja training and earn your black belt, Snapology-style. Get ready to have fun and become a Master Ninja. The event is designed for children ages 5-10, and the cost is $155. Learn more at www.archerlodge.org/camps.

July 18-22, 1 p.m.

Amusement Park Adventures Archer Lodge Community Center Design your own amusement park in this super fun program! Learn how to use LEGO® bricks and other building materials to make coasters and other awesome rides. Can you design the next Disney World? The event is designed for children ages 7-12, and the cost is $155. Learn more at www.archerlodge.org/camps.

July 19-22

JCC Chef in Training Camp Chef in Training camp teaches your rising fifth and sixth graders to have fun, eat healthy, develop or hone their cooking skills, experiment in the kitchen all in a fun way, while expanding their culinary palate. Throughout the week, attendees will learn culinary techniques from a chef and cook their own lunch daily. Cost is $123, and you can visit www.johnstoncc.edu/summercamp/camp/cheftraining.aspx to learn more.

Tuesday, July 19, 4 p.m.

Mamm & Glamm Ambulatory Imaging, N. Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield Is it time for your annual mammogram screening? Come out from 4-6 p.m. Registration is required. No walk-ins available. Screening events include a combination of breast health information, blood pressure screening, a complimentary chair massage, refreshments and a swag bag.

Call 919-938-7749 to register for an appointment.

homestead.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact them at homestead littlecreek@gmail.com.

Saturday, July 23, 7 p.m.

Austin Irby — Hot Summer Nights Rudy Theatre, Selma “Hot Summer Nights” stars award-winning Elvis tribute artist Austin Irby backed by the Spin-Outs Tribute Band with special guest Dwight Bozeman. For ticket information, visit www.rudytheatre.com.

Saturday, July 23, 8 p.m.

Community Science: Moth Night Howell Woods, Four Oaks Welcome to National Moth Week! To kick off the celebration, Howell Woods is happy to offer a public Moth Night, an evening full of nocturnal creatures, crafts, and more.

Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather.

This program is for all ages, however, children must be accompanied by an adult. This program is $5 per participant.

For more information, call 919-938-0115.

Sunday, July 24, 2:30 p.m.

Austin Irby — Gospel Concert Rudy Theatre, Selma Elvis Tribute artist Austin Irby will perform a gospel show backed by the Spin-Outs Tribute Band and special guest Dwight Bozeman. For ticket information, visit www. rudytheatre.com.

July 24-27, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Four Oaks United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School Dinner will be provided, and there will be crafts, games, science and fun! All ages welcome.

July 25-29, 1 p.m.

Rockin’ on Raiford Concert Series Downtown Selma Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live music on N. Raiford between Anderson and Oak streets. Call Selma Parks and Recreation for further information at 919-975-1411.

Creature Creator Robotics Archer Lodge Community Center In Snapology’s Creature Creator Robotics class, your animal lover will create their own animal inspired robotic models. Students will learn about gear ratio, sensors, simple machines, and programming as they build insects, dolphins, gorillas, and much more. Your child is sure to have a wild time as they build, learn, and play. The event is designed for children ages 7-12, and the cost is $15. Learn more at www.archerlodge.org/camps.

Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m.

July 25-29, 9 a.m.

Thursday, July 21, 5 p.m.

Howell Woods Summer Hike Series Join Howell Woods staff as they host group hikes on Saturdays this summer. Participants will traverse within their Habitat Diversity Trail System to learn more about local flora and fauna. Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. This program is for all ages, however, children must be accompanied by an adult. This program is $5 per participant. For more information, call 919-938-0115.

Saturday, July 23, 10:30 a.m. and noon

Goat Yoga Homestead at Little Creek, Little Creek Church Road, Clayton Goat yoga is starting up again at The Homestead at Little Creek. Classes will begin at 10:30 a.m. and noon. They partner with their friends at Victory Power Yoga in Clayton.

All events are located outside. Once participants arrive at the farm, they will have the opportunity to snuggle all the babies or catch a restroom break in the climate controlled kennel before classes begin. Mats are provided for each attendee included in the ticket price. For tickets, visit the-

Villians Edition Camp Archer Lodge Community Center In this nefarious camp, we’ll focus on the “baddies” from Star Wars®, Marvel & DC, Ninjago, Minecraft and even Harry Potter! Villain lairs, traps and mazes, mosaics portraits, and more will be covered in this light-hearted, anti-hero camp. We’ll see you on the dark side! This camp is for ages 5-12 and the cost is $155. Learn more at www. archerlodge.org/camps.

Saturday, July 30, 9 a.m.

Beginner Fishing Howell Woods, Four Oaks Join experienced staff as we cover all the basics needed to be a successful fisherman. Learn to tie knots, set up a fishing pole and how to cast and reel in the big one! Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. This program is for all ages, however, children must be accompanied by an adult. This program is $5 per participant. For more information, call 919-938-0115.

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, NC, visit www.namijcnc.net, email namijcnc@gmail.com or call 919-980-5277.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 6 p.m.

Smithfield 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 Cleveland 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.

Smithfield Kiwanis Club Meeting Golden 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.

Community and social opportunities as well. Visit www.facebook.com/KiwanisClubOfSmithfieldNC to learn more.

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

Clayton Civitan Club meeting Clayton Civitan Building, McCullers St., Clayton Join the Clayton Civitan Club for its monthly meetings. Call 919-550-0694 for more information.

First and third Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.

Fellowship Masonic Lodge #84 meeting Fellowship 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

Clayton Visual Arts meeting The 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.

Trivia Party Clayton 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

Second Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Clayton Rotary Mid-day Club Virtual meeting via Zoom This small group of service-minded individuals is very dedicated to community betterment in Clayton and Johnston County. Visit www.facebook.com/ClaytonMiddayRotary to learn more.

First and third Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.

Smithfield Lions Club Mayflower Restaurant, Smithfield This group gathers for fellowship and business. The dinner is self-pay. The meeting and meal begins at 5:30 p.m. Come learn about the club and how we help with local community service projects. For more information, contact Karen Brown at 919-934-2555.

Second Thursday, 6 p.m.

Johnston County Writers Group Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield 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. For more information, email facilitator Cindy Brookshire at jocowriters@gmail.com.

Every other Monday, 6 p.m.

Kiwanis Club of Clayton, N.C. Virtual meeting The Kiwanis Club of Clayton, N.C., 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.

Vietnam Veterans of America Smithfield 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.

Johnston County Beekeepers Association meeting Johnston County Ag Center The Johnston County Beekeepers Association serves beginner and experienced beekeepers with educational programs and experiences. We teach and encourage better apiculture methods and promote cooperation and sharing among beekeepers, homeowners and farmers. Our monthly meetings are free and open to everyone. For more information, visit www. jocobee.org or email JCBAPresident@jocobee.org.

Third Tuesday

Widowed Persons Fellowship Group Parkside Cafe, Pine Level 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.

Second Monday, 6 p.m.

PACT meeting Virtual 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.

Every Wednesday, 2 p.m.

nonprofit 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.

Johnston County Chapter of National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees meeting Golden 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

The Woman’s Club of Clayton meeting TWCC building, Church St., Clayton The Woman’s Club of Clayton (TWCC) is a

[ JULY 2022 ] | 45

Third Tuesday

Johnston County African-American Caucus meeting The Johnston County African-American Caucus meets every third Tuesday of the month. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting is a virtual one. Visit https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/9216132965 to attend. The Meeting ID is 921 613 2965.

For more information, email aacjcdp.info@ gmail.com.

Third Thursday

Johnston County Republican Women The Johnston County Republican Women (JCRW) meets on the third Thursday of each month (except in July and December). Our meeting location changes monthly. For more information email jcrwrocks@ gmail.com.

Fourth Monday, 6:30 p.m.

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

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46 | [ JOHNSTON NOW ]

Every Thursday, 6:45 a.m.

Clayton Rotary Morning Club Virtual meeting via Zoom 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.

Clayton Area Toastmasters meetings JCC Workforce Development Center 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.

First Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

Four Oaks American Legion meeting American 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.

Caring Hearts Civitan Club Cleveland Draft House, Shotwell Road, Clayton Caring Hearts Civilian 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.

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