When you make friends as infrequently as I do, you have to make time for the ones you already have. That’s how “Friendsgivingmas” came to be.
As the name implies, it’s a gathering that sits between the last two major holidays of the year where we visit my South Carolina-based friends for a meal and fellowship.
On this chilly December morning, this year’s edition is fresh in my mind. There was a moment as we were sitting around
a kitchen table, catching up on what’s been happening in five different families over the course of the past year, when we collectively had an epiphany — and not a very good one.
The only times we had seen the hosts in the last year were for the funerals for their fathers.
Now, I’ve known some of these people since I was 10. I was there for the births of their children, and back when Y2K
was a thing, we spent that New Year’s Eve in my living room. You know, just in case.
But, while we used to get together for birthday parties, it’s tragedies that tend to bring us together these days.
We laughed about it as best we could, and resolved to find happier reasons to drive down I-95.
It’s a reminder that tomorrow is not assured, and to embrace the time you have.
And that’s why even though I’m not sure if “Friendsgivingmas” can be held in July under the same name, we’re sure going to give it a try.
There are times
I wonder if owning cars is really worth it.
They are, in some ways, like people. They can be cantankerous, hard to get along with, stubborn and the older they get, the more they break.
I have two of them. This is not by design, one was a retirement gift. I really don’t mind the routine maintenance part, since as with any machine maintaining them properly helps them last longer.
One is a 2016 and the other is a 2003. If it matters, the 2003 was a retirement gift from the publisher of the newspaper I retired from in August 2021. It was a company car, which means it has been driven by lots of people and its maintenance
history is probably not the best. The 2016 only had 4,700 miles on it when I got it, so it has been driven by me for the large majority of its life.
On a recent morning, I got in the newer one to head to the office, and the engine light was on. This was, of course, concerning. It was especially concerning since I was planning to leave the next morning to drive six hours and visit friends in the mountains of Virginia.
Fearing the worst, I took it to a repair shop on the way in. They plugged in a device that tells them why the light is on, then calculated the cost of the repairs. As I waited for the shop owner to emerge from his office, I had visions of spending a huge amount of money or not being able to take my trip.
Thankfully, the repairs were done quickly and for less than $100, even though I pulled in off the street without an appointment. Hats off to Stan’s Auto in Four Oaks for taking care of me and my problem promptly.
The problem was a valve that releases gas fumes. Who knew cars even had such a thing?
With the 2003, things tend to be more mechanical than that. The last thing with it was a stuck brake caliper, which ate up the brake pad because the brake wouldn’t release. Fortunately, when brake calipers do such a thing, they make a gosh awful noise. That caused me to have it fixed before even more things got damaged.
For some reason, this got me to thinking if there was a formula that calculated how old a car is in human years. I know, this is weird, but bear with me.
As it turns out, there is such a formula, which is available
at www.jalopnik.com. It’s relatively simple. I’ll use my two as examples. You take the mileage on the odometer and divide it by the model year.
So, for the 2003, that would be 240,000 divided by 2003. That reveals the car is about 120 years old in human years. At that age, breakage should be expected, I guess.
For the 2016, the formula is 63,500 divided by 2016. That one is about 31.5 in human years, so it should have lots of life left.
I’m not sure how accurate this is, but it was interesting to find out. I know how I feel some days at 63, so it’s no wonder the 2003 is a little stubborn some days at the equivalent of 120. People tell me I’m quite stubborn and cantankerous at 63.
I wonder what I’ll be like at 120?
Like no other month, January is about keeping promises. Yes, naturally, what comes to mind is the question of how well we keep (or do not keep) our newly minted New Year’s resolutions.
It is the time when we resolve to adopt nobler habits, like, say, bettering our mind by reading more or vowing to volunteer more time or money to worthy causes. (My husband, Bob, is still working on the one about eating pizza only once a month.)
But wait, January is about keeping promises for another reason, particularly for those who are residents of Johnston County! Keeping promises is a way of being dependable, and it just so happens that Johnston County Public Schools has been featuring “dependability” as January’s character trait of the month for more than 20 years.
Many, if not most, residents of Johnston County have children or grandchildren in the public school system; yet I’d be willing to bet that most have gone years without being
prompted to pay much mind to these lofty concepts of character and virtue.
Don’t be ashamed, you are in good company. During my 14 years as an instructional assistant with JCPS, whenever I asked teachers, administrators, and board members if they knew which character trait was being featured in any given month, they were stumped every time!
Even though JCPS signals the importance of character building by devoting a whole month to a character trait, character is not actually an official part of the curriculum. There is not a person or department in charge of character education. Heck, a list of the character traits could not even be found on the school system’s website until I mentioned it to a board member who quickly arranged to have the list posted.
If you look it up, you will find it residing awkwardly on the Public Information page without reference to which trait is assigned to which month. I do not want to disparage the school system when, as I have
seen from the inside, they get a lot of things right.
I am merely making a point that I believe is very critical to the well-being of our children and our society. The subject of character has been fading to a very weak signal in our children’s schooling during a time when ethics and integrity are rapidly disintegrating from the culture.
We need to be innovative and intentional about how we impart values and character to our children. To that end, I am hoping that this column, as it
will cover the JCPS character traits by the month, will be instrumental in promoting a community dialogue based on something that we can all get behind – the thing that can unite us, no matter our differences of race, politics, religion, gender, sexual orientation or what have you.
The more we pay attention to and demonstrate virtuous character, the better it will flourish. Can we depend on you? ⋆
Next Month: Fairness
doesn’t mean giving up hope.Qarol Price is a writer and educator. She has taught philosophy to children in Johnston County Public Schools and in Harlem in New York City. She is a resident of Selma.
Keeping promises is a way of being dependable
SELMA – Ad Venture Development, LLC, recently announced its first retail tenants at Eastfield, a planned mixed-use development in Selma.
Hobby Lobby, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, Marshalls, Ross, Burlington and Five Below will be the first tenants in Phase 1 of a 200,000-square foot retail development in Eastfield, located at exits 97 and 98 off Interstate 95.
“We’re very excited about it,” AdVenture Development President Kevin Dougherty said. “It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been moving dirt, moving roads and putting utilities in, but it’s great when the tenants start to commit. … They recognize the opportunity that Selma and Johnston County present.”
Construction will begin in spring 2023 with planned opening dates in 2024. Eastfield is a 3 million-square foot master planned, mixed-use development comprised of a business park, retail, medical, coworking, hospitality, entertainment as well as senior and residential living on approximately 400 acres of land.
The time frame for AdVenture Development’s plans for Eastfield, and other projects in the area, was affected by COVID. Despite some delays, Dougherty and his team kept moving forward.
“It is frustrating,” he said. “People don’t realize the level of detail and the amount of time, energy and risk involved in this business. COVID was a very difficult time. For our existing tenants, we had to amend every lease. We were ready to do this a year
a mixed-use development in
ago, but with the supply chain and the state of the economy, it wasn’t time.
“It’s been a difficult time, but the good thing is that we’ve got a lot of great relationships with the Town of Selma and with the county, and all our partners in this project remained positive. The need and the void that we were serving was still there.”
Recently completed projects in the development include Shield Republic, Carolina Wholesale Flooring and Old North State Food Hall at Triangle East Collaborative and Do Good Foods at Eastfield Business Park. Eastfield Coworking, an event/conference center and a new Marriott Springhill
Suites are in the works for 2023.
“The idea that a group of friends or family members can all have their choice of cuisine in one place is a gamechanger,” Dougherty said of the food hall.
There are loads of moving parts, and plenty of work yet to be done, but those two exits on I-95 are going to look a lot different in a few years than they do today.
“The goal is to deliver a product that Selma and Johnston County are proud of and happy to have,” he said.
To learn more about Eastfield and AdVenture Development, LLC, visit adventuredev.com.
“The goal is to deliver a product that Selma and Johnston County are proud of and happy to have.”
FOUR OAKS — Carpentry is in Jack Littleton’s blood. That is why it is no surprise, except to him, that he was named Construction Trades Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Home Builders Association.
A native of Benson and a graduate of South Johnston High himself, Littleton’s love of carpentry began at an early age. When he and his family moved to Benson from the country, his dad bought a 100-year-old house. He got to help renovate and remodel that house, which Littleton lives in today.
“My dad fixed everything.” Littleton said. “From electrical, to plumbing, to car motors.”
As a student at South Johnston High, he took four years of carpentry. “I’ve always looked back at that as another catalyst or spark that pushed me towards carpentry and construction as a career,” he said.
Littleton credits his teacher, Lloyd Rhodes, as a hands-on teacher. “We didn’t have textbooks when I took carpentry, and now there is a full curriculum,” he said.
During the summers, Littleton would work construction jobs, but he wasn’t measuring or cutting wood. He was handing up sheets of plywood to the carpenters, which took a lot of strength and perseverance.
His favorite thing about carpentry is the whole process from beginning to end, and the things that have to happen to make it come together. In fact, he said he used to lay in bed at night thinking about how to build something. “You’ve got to be able to visualize and put things together in your head,” Littleton said.
Once he graduated from high school, Littleton went to Johnston Community College, taking all of the required college courses. Then he transferred to the
University of North Carolina-Wilmington to study earth science. It took him no time to discover that carpentry was more than a trade to him. “I knew that (earth science) wasn’t my calling,” Littleton said.
The entire time he was in college, Littleton worked in construction. Once he was back in Benson he continued with his love of carpentry. His grandfather was a finish carpenter and recommended he do the same. He told Littleton that even if it was raining or really hot outside, he would always be able to work inside doing trim work. “That was my path,” he said.
He worked on custom homes for a while and then started his own business. “I do not mind work,” Littleton said. “I love to see things get done.”
In 2008, Littleton’s path took a turn and he began working with Johnston County Public Schools as a construction and carpentry teacher at Smithfield-Selma High, where he taught for seven years.
Then, Littleton’s path came full circle. He was offered a job as the core and sustainable construction and carpentry teacher at his alma mater, South Johnston High. It was a no-brainer for him.
“Who wouldn’t want to go to their home school?” he said.
Littleton has been happily teaching at South Johnston High for nearly eight years now. His favorite thing about teaching is the
reward he gets from seeing students succeed. “There’s a lot of things that people don’t know about carpentry,” he said.
Littleton believes that carpentry holds the potential to unlock something in each student that may set them on a career pathway, just as it did for him. His classes aren’t just about cutting wood. He knows that it takes more than one skill to thrive in the real world.
Carpentry helps students in the real world by teaching employability skills such as critical thinking skills, time management and communication skills. “Communication is a huge skill to have for any job,” he said.
One thing that is absolutely necessary in carpentry is a strong math skill set. Students work a lot with fractions, and Littleton has had several students who have struggled with fractions at the start of the curriculum. He worked with those students and they became proficient through carpentry. “That’s a big reward,” said Littleton.
Another big reward for Littleton is when students want to know how to do something. He loves to share his passion with anyone who is interested. “It makes you feel great,” he said.
That’s why, two years ago, when Sherry Pinney-Phillips, executive officer for the Johnston County Building Industry Association, sent an email to all of the JCPS carpentry teachers asking them what they
needed and how JCBIA could help, Littleton immediately responded.
He asked for some safety glasses, thinking he might receive a handful. Littleton was ecstatic when, not long after, he received a donation of 100 pairs of high-end safety glasses. “People don’t do that,” Littleton said.
Additionally, Pinney-Phillips and JCBIA donated a great deal of lumber to South Johnston. Littleton circled back to those all-important communication skills. “I answered her when she reached out to us,” he said.
Littleton was so grateful for the donation because he realized that Pinney-Phillips understood that the construction teachers at JCPS are
teaching the next generation of skilled trades workers. “They donated a lot to our program, and really helped us a lot,” he said.
Pinney-Phillips and Amy Cox, JCPS career development coordinator, developed a working relationship, and they were the ones that nominated Littleton for the award. “I caught wind that I had been nominated,” he said.
Towards the end of the 2021-2022 school year, he found out about the nomination when South Johnston Principal William Weaver, who Littleton touted as a big supporter of the program, and Pinney-Phillips came to his class. His class is not your typical “sit in the classroom” style of teaching. Littleton and two other students were on top of the roof of a building they had built, putting on shingles.
Pinney-Phillips and Weaver asked him to come down, and then told him that he had been nominated for the award. Littleton was excited and humbled. Then he sort of forgot all about it as summer came around.
The first day after summer break, Littleton checked his staff mailbox, and it was full as they typically are at the beginning of the year. But within the stack of regular mail there was a nice envelope with the return address of the NCHBA.
He went to his classroom, opened the envelope, and was shocked to see that he had been named the Construction Trades Teacher of the Year. “I was not expecting it at all,” Litteton said.
The first thing he did was call his wife, Stephanie, who is a firstgrade teacher at Four Oaks Elementary. Littleton was so in awe and humbled that he didn’t even feel like it was real.
He is friends with the other construction teachers around JCPS, and knows how hard they work. “I share it with them as well,” Littleton said.
The home is the #1 place youth access alcohol.
Take the pledge, learn how to secure alcohol in your home, and request a free cabinet lock today!
It’s never too early to start the conversation.
Talk to your child about the dangers of underage drinking including the negative impact on the developing teenage brain.
Set clear guidelines about the expectations in your home.
johnstonsup.org/ talk-it-up-lock-it-up/
When there is alcohol in the home, secure and monitor it.
Take inventory and regularly check any alcohol in the home.
Make sure alcohol is not easily accessible by putting it in locked spaces.
SMITHFIELD — FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6004 f(x) Robotics recently hosted its first annual fall festival and chalk walk competition.
The event, entitled “Fox Fall Festival,” was held along South Third Street and East Market Street in Downtown Smithfield. Participants in the chalk walk displayed their artistic talents by decorating the sidewalks of South Third Street.
There were about 40 drawings along the street by artists ranging from age four to adulthood. The themes of the art pieces were creative and varied, including animals, nature, and inspirational quotes.
The Fox Fall Festival supported the team’s initiative to use robots to help exceptional children with dexterity limitations experience drawing and writing. The team has called this endeavor “Project FOX,” which stands for Focus On deXterity.
The assistive robot is a small bot with a carousel and a 3D-printed hand-holding device on top. The carousel allows 360-degree motion of the device while the robot follows a black line on square pieces of plywood. There are various letters, shapes and numbers that the robot can trace while guiding the child’s hand along with it.
Local elementary schools will be the first recipients of these robots. The team, based out of Smithfield-Selma High School, showcased the Project FOX robot to the public at the Fox Fall Festival.
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FIRST Robotics Competition Team 6004 f(x) Robotics hosted its first annual fall festival recently. The festival supported the team’s initiative to use robots to help children with dexterity limitations experience drawing and writing. The team is pictured with Team 3737 Roto Raptors, which also displayed its robot and supported the festival.
“The Fox Fall Festival was a tool to bring a community together, to gather support and spread awareness in our community for students and adults with dexterity limitations and most importantly having fun doing so,” said coach David Brook.
In addition, they showcased their full-scale robot which they used to compete in the 2021-2022 FIRST FRC competition season. Another local FRC team, Team 3737 Roto Raptors, also participated in showcasing their robot and supporting the event.
For more information about FRC Team 6004, f(x) Robotics, email them at frc.team6004.robotics@gmail.com or visit their website at frc6004.com.
Submitted by SMITHFIELD-SELMA HIGH SCHOOL
ALEIGH — Smithfield-Selma
“Over the Edge” is a fundraiser to support Special Olympics North Carolina. As a Unified Champion School, it was only fitting that Smithfield-Selma High participate.
Unified Spartans is a club at SSS whose mission is to facilitate the inclusion of all students in school activities to encourage growth and acceptance. The club demonstrated their inclusive youth leadership abilities by raising money to send Allen and Rose over the edge.
Rallying support from the community and sponsoring a bake sale helped students with and without intellectual disabilities meet their fundraising goals, raising more than $2,500.
When Allen and Rose descended down the building together Saturday morning, they showed that having a friend can help you face complex challenges.
LAYTON — United Community Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Lindsay Wilson as vice-president, commercial relationship manager to its team in Clayton.
In this role, Wilson will be responsible for cultivating relationships with business owners across Johnston County and providing clients with the best funding and comprehensive services to grow and operate their businesses successfully.
“We are excited for Lindsay to join our team. She brings a wealth of knowledge of the North Carolina market and the commercial banking and lending sector,” said Brent George, senior vice-president, commercial relationship manager at United Community Bank. “Additionally, Lindsay is an active member of her community which aligns perfectly with our culture here at United.”
Wilson comes to UCB with more than 10 years of banking experience. Previously, she served as the assistant vice-president, business development officer for PNC Bank and regional financial wellness consultant
at Truist. Her experience includes acquiring and fostering new relationships with commercial and corporate entities by delivering industry-specific expertise and consultative solutions to satisfy client needs.
“After dedicating many years to the Triangle market, I am thrilled to now serve in the county I call home,” Wilson said. “I look forward to investing my time into building new relationships with local businesses and providing a strong partnership as they continue to grow. It’s an honor to represent United and I’m thankful for the opportunity to join this dynamic team.”
In her community, she is on the board of directors of the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield, where she works closely with nonprofit organizations to prioritize the fight against food insecurity and provide resources to improve the lives of women and children throughout Johnston County.
A North Carolina native, Wilson earned her bachelor’s degree in human resource management from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She resides in Smithfield and enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing on the beach in her free time.
“We are excited for Lindsay to join our team. She brings a wealth of knowledge of the North Carolina market and the commercial banking and lending sector.”
CLAYTON — The Town of Clayton will be replacing the three bridges located along the Clayton Riverwalk on the Neuse Greenway near Riverwood at the start of next year.
Construction is expected to begin this month and should be completed no later than May. The contractor for the project, Crowder Construction Co., has begun some preliminary work in the area, so visitors to this portion of the greenway will notice some additional signage and erosion control measures already in place.
To minimize the impact of this project on the community, town staff is working with the neighboring Riverwood Athletic Club Homeowner’s Association to create a temporary detour while the bridges are replaced. The route of the recommended detour will be displayed at both of the main closure points on the greenway. A portion of the detour does include travel along a low-traffic neighborhood road, so the public is encouraged to exercise caution while accessing the detour.
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Clayton officials note all three of the bridges being replaced have reached the end of their useful life. Their replacement is necessary to maintain a safe greenway.
▸ Jonathan Wuntke, an emergency department tech in Smithfield, was named the UNC Johnston Health Ambassador of the Month for October. From left are Tracey Carson, vice-president of clinical operations; Ruth Marler, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer; CEO Tom Williams, Wuntke, Leah Garner, director of emergency services and Ruth Jordan, manager of emergency services.
Submitted by UNC HEALTH JOHNSTON
▸ Aimee Wehner, a cardiac recovery nurse in Smithfield, was named the UNC Johnston Health Ambassador of the Month for November. From left are Tracey Carson, vice president of clinical operations; Brenna Stanley, manager of the Second Bright Leaf nursing unit; CEO Tom Williams, Wehner and Ruth Marler, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer.
SMITHFIELD — UNC Health Johnston has recognized Jonathan Wuntke, an emergency department tech in Smithfield, as Ambassador of the Month for October, Aimee Wehner, a cardiac recovery nurse in Smithfield, as Ambassador of the Month for November and Steven Hicks, department secretary for behavioral health, as Ambassador of the Month for December.
During a recent presentation, CEO Tom Williams said Wuntke greets teammates by name and always with a smile and encouraging words. “He is genuinely proud to work at UNC Health Johnston,” Williams said. “He holds teammates accountable for practicing Carolina Care and for having a positive attitude.”
Wuntke, who has worked in the emergency department for about 18 years, says he likes the noise, the fast pace and the variety of tasks. He has never missed a day of work. “I enjoy learning new things and working with the doctors,” he said.
Recently, Wuntke had the opportunity to use his emergency skills outside the hospital. He was playing tennis at Lake Wilson Tennis Club when a man collapsed on the next court. Wuntke did chest compressions and used the club’s automatic external defibrillator to shock the man’s heart back into rhythm. He survived and was transported to a hospital where he received two heart stents.
Wuntke says the grateful patient texted him the next day to say thanks. And ever since, the ED tech has shared his story in hopes of encouraging others to learn lifesaving skills. “That was somebody’s dad, somebody’s son,” Wuntke said. “I think of how all of our patients
▸ Steven Hicks, department secretary for behavioral health, was named the UNC Johnston Health Ambassador
the Month for December. From left are Dr. Uzma Faheem, psychiatrist; Shelly Malone, director of behavioral health; Ruth Marler, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer; CEO Tom Williams, Hicks, Elizabeth Lowenhagen, manager of behavioral health and Amy Hamby, vicepresident of clinical operations.
belong to someone’s family, and so it matters that we do our best.”
Wuntke says it’s also important at work to boost spirits among teammates. “It’s a long day, so I try to make people feel good,” he said. “If people feel appreciated then I think they do more.”
Wuntke grew up in Fayetteville and now lives in Goldsboro. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis, riding bikes along the Neuse River trail and spending time with family and friends. Before giving up running, he completed six marathons, two of which were the Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Va. Williams said Wehner helps out wherever she’s needed in her home department on Second Bright Leaf and is always upbeat and positive. “She’s best described as ‘selfless’,” he said. “As soon as she gets to work, she looks for ways to help others. And she’s always a strong advocate for her patients.”
Wehner, who joined UNC Health Johnston four years ago, says the hospital is her favorite of all the places she’s worked during her 17 years of nursing. “I love everybody, my manager, my teammates and all the other departments. I’m so happy to be here,” she said.
In addition to cardiac recovery patients, Wehner takes care of patients under observation, others who are recovering from stroke and those who need outpatient infusions. She also precepts nursing students from Johnston Community College.
She grew up in Boston. After earning her nursing degree from North Shore Community College, she worked at hospitals in San Diego, North Dakota and Idaho in areas such as labor and delivery as well as medical and surgical.
Wehner started out with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and ended up working in advertising. But she wasn’t happy sitting behind a computer. After some reflection, she decided to take a class to become a certified nursing assistant, and loved it, she said. Soon afterward, she enrolled and was accepted in the nursing program at the community college. “I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Wehner said. “Nursing is what I was meant to do. And I love all of it.”
She and her husband, Thomas, live in Newton Grove and have four sons, ranging in age from 6 to 13.
Williams said Hicks is courteous, friendly and professional, and enjoys resolving issues. “He strives for excellence, leads by example, and wants to provide the very best patient care,” he said.
Hicks, who joined Johnston eight years ago, is also the department’s safety officer and a key liaison to the county court system. In addition, he tracks and stores the belongings of patients during their stay, and works to ensure that the department gets adequate supplies, linens, meals and trash pickups on a timely basis.
“I enjoy multi-tasking and tackling a variety of tasks during my day,” Hicks says. “I get satisfaction from seeing patients get better and from working as a team to make a difference.”
Williams says Hicks, a certified nursing assistant, encourages and supports patients, helps them while they are in crisis, and celebrates with them when they accomplish goals. “Because he builds beneficial therapeutic relationships with patients, he can tell if they are upset, not eating or behaving differently,” Williams said.
Before coming aboard, Hicks worked as an emergency room technician at WakeMed in Raleigh and as a customer service representative for a private lab. But he found his passion working part time as a mental health technician at Holly Hill. It lead him to seek a full-time position at Johnston.
Hicks recently completed an associate degree in psychology and is planning to work toward a bachelor’s degree in health care management.
Hicks and his wife, Rachel, a nurse, live in Clayton and they have a grown daughter and granddaughter. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family.
Through the ambassador program, Johnston recognizes teammates who go above and beyond the call of duty. They deliver quality care, foster teamwork and offer excellent service.
In addition to a designated month-long parking space, Wuntke, Wehner and Hicks each received eight hours of paid time off.
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
Thursday, Jan. 5, 6 p.m.
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→ The Clayton Center
An opening reception for an art exhibit by artist Kenneth Eugene Peters and photographer Al White will be held in the Clayton Center Gallery. Peters will be showing 22 of his recent paintings. The public is invited to the reception. Dress is casual. The exhibit will be up from Jan. 5-31.
Thursday, Jan. 5, 6:30 p.m.
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→ Robbins Nest, U.S. 70A, Selma
Classic Antique Power Inc. will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at Robbins Nest Restaurant. Classic Antique Power is a nonprofit organization that works to restore antique power equipment and promote farm heritage. For more information, visit www.classicantiquepower. com.
Friday, Jan. 6, 6:30 p.m.
⋆ January Paint and Sip
→ Artmosphere Community Arts Center, Raleigh Road, Clayton Come out to paint a colorful winter landscape. Participants will receive step-by-step instructions. All materials are included. Feel free to bring refreshments such as wine or other beverages and enjoy responsibly. Masks are currently optional. Disposable glassware is available. For tickets, visit artmospherecac.coursestorm. com/course/paint-and-sipjanuary1.
Saturday, Jan. 7, 1 p.m.
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→ Moveology Inc., E. Main Street, Clayton
The Trailblaze Challenge is more than a hike. It’s more than a fundraiser. It’s a oneday endurance experience that challenges participants to tackle 26.5 miles of the Sauratown Trail in one life-changing day. Trailblaze Challenge caters to all levels,
from novice to advanced outdoor enthusiasts, with the ultimate goal of helping Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina grant wishes to children with critical illnesses. The hike experience will include a specialized training program with bi-weekly group training hikes, support and coaching from hike leaders and Make-A-Wish staff, hotel accommodations on hike weekend and more.
Friday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m.
⋆ SHEESH in concert
→ Corked & UnTapped, E. Main St., Clayton
SHEESH will perform at Corked & UnTapped on Friday, Jan. 13 from 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 8:30 a.m.
⋆ Wildlife Habitat Management Series
→ Howell Woods, Devil’s Racetrack Road, Four Oaks
Howell Woods will present a Wildlife Habitat Management Series Saturday, Jan. 14 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per module or $25 for all three modules. There will be a 30-minute lunch break at noon. In module 1, Woodland Management, learn how you can manage any size of woodland to increase its function and value for whatever wildlife species you might be interested in. In module 2, Fallow Field and Cropland Management, some of the easiest and most beneficial management techniques can be accomplished in fallow fields, idle areas, ditch banks and the borders and transition areas of cropland. Learn how activities with minimal impacts can be one of the best things for wildlife, when and when not to do certain practices, the good, the bad and surprising value of some plants, what herbicides to use and their ability to control unwanted vegetation. Finally, in module 3, Food Plots and Other Wildlife Plantings, the participant will learn how to decide what is best for their property and skill level, and how to plant that clover plot, crabapple hedgerow or plum thicket and maintain it over the
seasons and years to come. For more information, call 919-9380115, email jtastoske@johnstoncc. edu or visit johnstoncc.edu/ howellwoods.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m.
⋆ Milltown Java Jog
→ Milltown Java, Center St., Princeton
Milltown Java is pleased to host its annual Java Jog 5K and breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 9 a.m. A portion of this year’s race proceeds will go to Hope Center Ministries, an alcohol and substance abuse recovery program. As always, race participants will be able to share a complimentary breakfast following the race. Packet pick up will be available Friday, Jan. 13 from 6:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. or at the outside registration table on race day beginning at 7 a.m. The registration fee is $35. To register, visit runsignup.com/Race/NC/ Princeton/MilltownJavaJog.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m.
⋆ CrossFit MTA Grand Opening
→ CrossFit MTA, Wall St., Benson CrossFit MTA will hold its Grand Opening Saturday, Jan. 14, featuring a Benson Area Chamber or Commerce ribbon cutting, a free kids workout, a free adult workout, a Fragile Flower Barbell Club merchandise booth, the 2nd Street Coffee & Cafe coffee trailer and a raffle and door prizes.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m.
⋆ Sideline Bluegrass in concert
→ The Rudy Theatre, Selma Steve Dilling and Skip Cherryholmes are joined by Jamie Harper, Nick Goad, Andy Buckner and Kyle Windbeck to make up Sideline Bluegrass. Each has a commitment to working as one unit to deliver high-energy, innovative, hard-driving, varietypacked entertainment night after night throughout Sidelines' lengthy tour schedule. For tickets, visit rudytheatre.com.
Saturday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m.
⋆ Confederate Railroad in concert
→ The Clayton Center
Confederate Railroad will perform Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. at The Clayton Center. They first rolled onto the national country music scene in the early 90s with their unique style and sound. Headed by founder and frontman Danny Shirley, the former backup band for both David Allan Coe and Johnny Paycheck got their big break by signing with Atlantic Records. The first single from their debut album, “She Took It Like A Man,” went to No. 26, and the next two singles, “Jesus and Mama” and “Queen of Memphis,” went to the top of the charts. For more information, call 919553-1737 or email eventinfo@ townofclaytonnc.org. For tickets, visit theclaytoncenter.com.
Friday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m.
⋆ Paul Reiser performance
→ The Clayton Center
From standup to “Stranger Things,” Paul Reiser is one of Hollywood’s most prolific talents and he shows no signs of slowing down. He will perform Friday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. at The Clayton Center. The star of “Mad About You,” “Diner” and “The Kominsky Method” is among the Top 100 Comedians of All Time named by Comedy Central and, most recently, received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method.” For more information, call 919-553-1737 or email eventinfo@townofclaytonnc. org. To purchase tickets, visit theclaytoncenter.org.
Friday, Jan. 20, 8:30 p.m.
⋆ SHEESH Duo Live
→ Tap It Bar, Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield
The SHEESH Duo will perform at Tap It Bar, 526 S.Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield, Friday, Jan. 20 from 8:30 p.m. until midnight.
Saturday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m.
⋆ Breastfeeding Support and Information
→ Align Family Chiropractic, U.S. 70 Business, Clayton
Join Align Family Chiropractic Saturday for this valuable discussion with special guest Heather Carreon. Carreon is an independent lactation consultant and experienced nurse. Whether on your fourth breastfed baby, or you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, this class is for you. They will discuss the benefits of breastfeeding, strategies to have a successful breastfeeding experience and what to do when breastfeeding isn’t working. For more information, call 919-5854885.
Saturday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m.
⋆ Traditional Trades: Blacksmithing
→ Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Kenly
As part of their Stepping into the Past Saturday Series, one Saturday a month the Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly has demonstrations and displays of traditional arts, crafts and trades. The January demonstration will be held Saturday, Jan. 21. These
demonstrations are included with regular admission. Watch and learn about how blacksmiths made many items essential to farm life. Find more information at tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org.
Saturday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m.
⋆ Generosity Feeds Clayton
→ 12100 Buffalo Road, Clayton
Bring hope to children living with food insecurity. About 41 percent of children in Johnston County live with food insecurity. Join The Junior Women’s League of Smithfield and Generosity Feeds to create 10,000 meals for children living with food insecurity. Meal creation set-up will begin at 7 a.m. and meal creation will begin at 11 a.m. Everyone handling open ingredients will be asked to wear a mask, gloves and a hair net. For groups of five or more who wish to volunteer, complete the registration form at https://bit.ly/ feedsgroup.
Saturday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m.
⋆ Johnston County Horse Show Series Awards Banquet
→ Johnston County Livestock Arena, County Home Road, Smithfield
The 2022 Johnston County Horse Show Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. The cost for adults is $20, $10 for children 10 and under and children under 3 are free. Call or text at 910-489-8848 or email to johnstoncountyhss@gmail. com for reservations or for more information.
Monday, Jan. 23, 5:30 p.m.
⋆ Owl Safari
→ Howell Woods, Devil’s Racetrack Road, Four Oaks
Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center will host an Owl Safari Monday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join them as they search for the elusive Barred Owl. They will introduce raptors, visit the Birds of Prey exhibit, and then take a truck ride to search for these nocturnal creatures! The cost for this program is $5. For more information, call 919-9380115. To register, visit https://www. johnstoncc.edu/howellwoods/ forms/public.aspx
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→ Smith’s Nursery, Sanders Road, Benson
Come join this beginner’s class and learn how to make a 24x24 painted star barn quilt. Painted barn quilts add a warm personal touch to a barnyard, garage, shed, porch or deck. There will be plenty of colors to choose from to make your design all your own. The cost is $100, and this workshop is appropriate for ages 16 and up. To register, visit smithsnurseryinc. com/shop/barnquiltworkshopsaturday-january28th. Susie Langdon of Meadow will be instructing this workshop. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and has been honing this craft for more than 13 years.
⋆ Tom Baker and The Wild Country Band in concert
Tom Baker and the Wild Country Band will perform Saturday, Jan. 28 at The Junction, 791 Tarheel Road, Benson beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 29, 6 p.m.
⋆ Right Road Trio in concert
→ Hickory Crossroads Gospel Center, Hickory Crossroads, Kenly Right Road Trio will perform at Hickory Crossroads Gospel Center on Sunday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.
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 919980-5277.
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.
Every Wednesday, 2 p.m.
⋆ 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 919-2959163 to play. For more information, contact the center at 919-5534350.
First and third Tuesdays, Noon
⋆ 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 selfpay. 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.
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 919-5500694 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.
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.
Second Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.
⋆ 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.
⋆
→ TWCC building, Church St., Clayton
The Woman’s Club of Clayton (TWCC) is a 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.
Second Thursday, 6 p.m.
⋆ Triangle East Writers
→ 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.
⋆
→ Virtual
The Kiwanis Club of Clayton serves the community with emphasis on school youth Kiwanis programs. It advises two local high school KEY (Kiwanis Educating Youth) clubs and one elementary school club and meets each month. Visit www. facebook.com/ClaytonKiwanis to learn more.
Third Monday, 7 p.m.
⋆ 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.
⋆
→ 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, 12:30 p.m.
⋆
→ 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.
⋆ Johnston County AfricanAmerican Caucus meeting
→ 1302 W. Market St., Smithfield
The Johnston County AfricanAmerican Caucus meets every third Tuesday of the month. Attend in person or visit www. us02web.zoom.us/j/9216132965 to attend via Zoom. The Meeting ID is 921 613 2965. For more information, email AACJCDP. chair@gmail.com or call 954-6967833.
⋆
The Johnston County Republican Women (JCRW) meet on the third Thursday of each month (except in July and December). Their meeting location changes monthly. For more information email jcrwrocks@gmail.com.
⋆
p.m.
→ 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.
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
→ 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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