March 2023

INSIDE:

My Kid's Club groundbreaking

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.

When anniversary trips turn into content

SAN PEDRO, BELIZE — I've been lucky enough to do a little traveling, but I've never actually gotten to use an international dateline. It's nice to still be checking journalistic boxes at this point in my life.

Shanna and I took a trip recently in celebration of our 23rd wedding anniversary, and as the aforementioned dateline suggests, we

found ourselves on Ambergris Caye, an island off the coast of Belize.

For reference, it's southwest of Florida and a few hundred miles south of Cancun.

Without getting too deep in the magazine weeds, our 2023 deadlines are tighter than last year's, so our vacation took a week away from my editorial process.

looking around the Caribbean (or in this case, Caribbean adjacent) for

Volume 7, Number 4

the perfect, not-too-expensive spot to spend our rapidly approaching golden years.

Belize ticks a lot of boxes. English speaking? Check. Good currency exchange rate? Yep. Proximity to beaches? On paper, sure.

Before I tell you everything I love about Belize, and there's quite a bit, I have to tell you why we've crossed Ambergris Caye off the list.

It's an island with no beaches. Sure, you can jump on a golf cart and drive for 45 minutes to Secret Beach, which as one of the only beaches on the island and one that's heavily populated with tourists, is probably misnamed.

In our journey to Lamanai, our tour guide shared that, for beaches, you have to hit the southern tip of the mainland. I'm intrigued, because the people of Belize are wonderful.

Everywhere we went, we made friends. I don't want to get him in trouble by naming him, but one of the front desk clerks at Alaia Belize drove us around San Pedro on a golf cart. We hit a farmer's market where Shanna bought a unique and oddly-shaped cutting board, he took us for ceviche (raw shrimp or fish in citrus juice) and got us a bag of jicama (an edible root that takes on the flavor of the things you marinate it in).

Another one of the guys, Jesus, told us about his place on the water and all the plans he had for building a dock in front of it. His eyes lit up when he told the story of one of his friends from Colorado bringing him some snow, since he had never before seen any.

We had tea in the morning at a shop that only takes cash, Belizean or American, run by French-Canadian expats and that place is across the street from a local restaurant that serves johnnycakes. Good luck finding a chain store or restaurant in San Pedro. It's all local, though an American eye can see the humor in the Marbucks coffee shop or Patz Cafe.

I really appreciate the time and guidance the SBC provided in helping me start my small business. We have been blessed with customers, business referrals, awesome reviews, and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

My favorite part of the trip was going to Lamanai, which is loosely translated from the Mayan for submerged crocodile. It's a bit of a hike, though.

As the crow flies, it's only about 50 miles from San Pedro to the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. But we had to take a van to the airport, take a 20-minute flight back to the mainland, ride in another car for about and hour and 15 minutes before taking an hourlong boat ride down the New River, or as the Mayans called it, the River of Strange Faces, before reaching the ruins.

Lamanai was built around 1500 BC and was occupied for more than 3,000 years before being abandoned in approximately 1600 AD. The main attractions are the Mask, Jaguar and High Temples, and even today, the site is still being excavated.

It's amazing to stand there and realize that, thousands of years ago, a thriving civilization once inhabited an area that has since been almost buried by the surrounding jungle.

For a history nerd like myself, it was quite a day.

As usual, the work piled up while we were gone, and the first workday back on the job was a Monday in every sense of the word.

And then I remembered something. The fact that I can string sentences

together — and am lucky enough to have married a marketing genius — means that I get to walk around ancient Mayan ruins and then turn it all into content.

That's not too shabby, my friends.

Personalized

Keep that elephant out of the cotton field

Every state has some laws that were once on the books for a reason, but remain there now and have become outdated and are just plain odd.

North Carolina is no exception, and in my continuing effort to learn more about the state I decided to look and see what some of those might be. Bingo is a popular fundraiser for many organizations. However, if you host a bingo game, you cannot serve alcohol. In addition, the game cannot last more than five hours. It might be quite entertaining to see a crowd of intoxicated people try to play Bingo, but don’t do it.

I’m sure if you have a cotton field, in this day and time you use a tractor to plow it. If you do still plow it the old-fashioned way and use farm animals, make sure you don’t use an elephant. Mule, sure. Elephant, illegal. This is punishable by a fine.

Kitchen grease, particularly bacon grease, is a staple of Southern cooking. I remember both my grandmother and my mother having a container of it at all times. It is against the law in North Carolina to steal cooking grease. This law was enacted in 2012 since leftover grease can be used to make biodiesel to heat homes and fuel specially-equipped vehicles.

If you see a sign on someone’s land telling you not to take their pine straw,

don’t do it. This is a felony in North Carolina. As many pine trees as there are around here, surely you can find some that doesn’t belong to someone else.

It’s a traffic offense to drive on the sidewalk in North Carolina. I guess enough people did this to make it necessary for the state to put this on the books. So much for the bumper sticker, “If you don’t like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk.” I don’t know if parking on the sidewalk is classified as driving on the sidewalk, but there are an awful lot of people in one of Johnston County’s towns who park with two wheels on the sidewalk.

In Forest City, it is against the law to enter the town in a car without calling the town office first. Do they post signs to this effect? Do they provide a space for people to pull over and call them?

In Asheville, it is illegal to sneeze on a city street. Better take that allergy pill.

In Kill Devil Hills, you must have both hands on the handlebars when riding a bicycle. Is this to prevent people from riding into the ocean?

In Zebulon, it is illegal to walk along the top of a water tank. I think if anyone has the nerve to climb one of those things, they should be allowed to walk on it.

In Rocky Mount, residents are required to pay property taxes on their dogs. Do they assess these by age? Is a labrador worth more than a chihuahua because it’s bigger?

In Winston-Salem, be careful of the age at which you allow your child to apply to college. If they are seven or younger, it’s illegal for them to apply. Is this a problem there? Does Wake Forest get that many applications from child prodigies?

In Dunn, be careful what you decide to do if stuck in traffic. You can’t play dominoes, hopscotch or Chutes and Ladders there while in a traffic jam. I’ve always wanted to get out of the car and play hopscotch while hung up in traffic, but I’ll make sure never to do this in Dunn.

And last but not least, it’s illegal in this state to sing off-key. Just make sure you have your act together before you go to karaoke, and everything will be fine.

So in summary, don’t get drunk at the bingo game, head for karaoke and sing offkey and then plow your cotton field with an elephant.

Mike Bollinger mike@johnstonnow.com

▸ Smithfield-Selma High School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme senior Courtney Lassiter won first place in the Johnston County Poetry Out Loud competition. Lassiter memorized and performed two poems for this competition: “Epitaph” by Katherine Phillips and “A Song: Lying is an occupation” by Laetitia Pilkington. Lassiter is also this year’s runner up in the original poetry competition for her poem “The Handing.” She advanced to the state Poetry Out Loud competition. From left are SSS teacher Greer Suggs, Lassiter and SSS teacher Gwendolyn Sullivan. (Photo submitted by Smithfield-Selma High School)

AdVenture Development wins SPACE award

Submitted by ADVENTURE

DEVELOPMENT

SELMA — Adventure Development, LLC, has received a Triangle Business Journal 2023 SPACE award for Top Hospitality/ Entertainment Development.

The recent awards ceremony celebrated the best in Triangle commercial real estate. AdVenture Development was recognized for its Old North State Food Hall property that opened in Johnston County in August 2022. The food hall brings together 10 vendors offering a variety of delicious cuisines to locals as well as leisure and business travelers along the heavily traveled I-95 corridor, the East Coast’s halfway point between Portland, Maine and Miami, Fla.

In addition to vendors serving a mix of international cuisines, guests can enjoy Longleaf Tavern, a lively and welcoming full-service bar featuring the best of North Carolina’s beer, cider, wine and spirits, along with national brands. The Longleaf Tavern also offers two private meeting rooms.

AdVenture Development President Kevin Dougherty said, “We are honored to be recognized with this coveted SPACE award. We appreciate all the support we received from state and local leaders over the years that helped contribute to the success of this project,” said AdVenture Development President Kevin Dougherty.

The Old North State Food Hall is one of the first pieces completed in Eastfield, a 3 million-square foot master planned, mixed-use development featuring a business park, retail, medical, coworking, hospitality and entertainment as well as senior and residential living on approximately 400 acres of land.

To learn more about AdVenture Development, LLC, Old North State Food Hall and Eastfield, visit www.adventuredev.com.

▸ AdVenture Development was honored with a SPACE award by Triangle Business Journal for its Old North State Food Hall property in Selma.

A Matter of Principle: Got it together? you

By QAROL PRICE

At age seven, before I knew the name for it, I experienced a sort of glitch-inthe-Matrix.

It was one of those stunning moments that stayed forever etched in my memory. You might say it was a bewildering “a-ha” moment. It happened one morning in my secondgrade classroom.

Students were working quietly at their desks on math problems the teacher had written on the chalkboard. It was so quiet you could hear the birds chirping through the closed windows.

Then, from out of the dull silence ripped a ghastly expletive: “Oh, #@*%!” The epic moment was quickly followed by an eruption of gasps and giggles as all eyes landed on the teacher who had sprung to her feet dripping of coffee. Before she could say

anything, a boy in the back of the class reacted immediately to her vulgar tongue.

“Hey, how come you can swear but we get in trouble if we do it?” I expected her to pull the “grown-up card,” but her actual response was, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Well! She might as well have flipped us off! Instead of admitting her mistake or apologizing for it, she professed this double standard. I guess it was “Rules for thee but not for me.”

Soon after, I learned the name for this glitch of logic. It is known as hypocrisy. But to be fair, our poor humiliated teacher just had herself a momentary lapse. No need to call her a hypocrite. It was just a moment in time when she couldn’t keep it together and “lost it.”

A momentary loss of integrity. Yes, this was a two-for-one object lesson at our teacher’s expense. (And we thought we

were just learning math!) This incident, all those years ago, has in a small way helped me understand what integrity is.

Your words should be consistent with your actions. You should “walk the talk,” or “put your money where your mouth is.”

When these things are in alignment, they are integrated into a whole, making it “wholesome,” complete. When our body (actions), mind (beliefs) and soul (will) are in agreement – that’s integrity. When they are not in agreement – we dis-integrate.

It is certainly prudent to be mindful of how well we are walking our own talk –everything starts with minding

ourselves. But it is also our duty to keep an eye on the major-league hypocrisies that affect us all. We should not tolerate, for instance, the actions of leaders who would dictate policies that they themselves do not follow. But it comes full circle! If we gripe about their lack of integrity while lacking it ourselves, guess what? We are doubly hypocritical!

I doubt you can say it better than the sage Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj did: “You must attend to the way you feel, think and live. Unless there is order in yourself, there can be no order in the world.”

⋆ Next Month: Courage

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.

My Kid’s Club celebrates groundbreaking

Submitted by MY KID’S CLUB

SELMA — My Kid’s Club, a Johnston County non-profit providing services for local youth, held a ceremony recently to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new My Kid’s Club SECU Community Clubhouse at 609 N. Pollock Street.

The organization lost its home to Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and completed a $3 million capital campaign dating back to early 2020. MKC has been running the club from a local elementary school campus since the previous facility was destroyed.

MKC’s new 5,000-square foot building will be sited on its original property, adjacent to Selma Elementary School. The facility will enable MKC to expand its capacity for countywide youth participation, serve as a central hub of operations for club activities and support virtual learning and satellite programming at several other site locations.

“We cannot thank My Kid’s Club enough, the sponsors that you see here that have brought this all together for our Selma community, our Johnston County community, our North Carolina community and the community all over to educate our youth and build our future,” said Selma Mayor Byron McAllister.

“This project is a testament to our community’s commitment to providing our young people with the resources and opportunities they need to grow and thrive. I would especially like to thank Leo Daughtry. He continues to lead by example through his continued

service to Johnston County,“ said N.C. Rep. Larry Strickland. “I look forward to seeing the smiles on the faces of the children as they will finally have a club to call their own.”

“There is so much power in the school systems and communities when we work together,” said Dr. Eric C. Bracy, superintendent of Johnston County Public Schools. “These children are our why and the reason we get up every day. Selma has some amazing things happening and this is one of them. Johnston County Public Schools supports this organization in all ways and we are excited for the future.”

“SECU provided My Kid’s Club with a $500,000 challenge grant to build a new, much larger facility,” said Bob Brinson, board chair of the SECU Foundation. “My Kid’s Club accepted our challenge and with the help of many, they are a shining example of what can be accomplished when people come together to benefit the community. We are excited to be part of today’s groundbreaking and celebrating success.”

Additional speakers at the event included My Kid’s Club Board President William White, Pastor Todd Daniels of Selma Baptist Church, North Carolina State Director of USDA Rural Development Reginald Speight and Austin Barnhill of Barnhill Contracting Company.

After-school programs and summer camps provided by My Kid’s Club lay the foundation for youth to grow through opportunities for academic success with an emphasis on the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics fields of study, civic engagement and promoting healthy living habits to achieve their potential as responsible and caring citizens.

"Do unto others as you want them to do to you." (Matthew 7:12). We strive to be excellent at what we do to honor God, and love our neighbors.

We're half-way to Mule

Saddle Up for the Benson Chamber's Reverse Raffle the Band of Oz

Friday - March 17, 2023

The Barn at Broadslab (4676 Hwy 50 South - Benson, NC)

No Reserved Seating • $100 Ticket Admits Two Doors Open at 5 PM • Dinner at 6 PM Drawing at 6:30 PM • Dance from 8 - 11 PM

Creating a Better Work/Life Balance

1. Healthy boundaries are HEALTHY! It’s OK to say no. Reflect on your personality and determine if you are a yes person. Yes people are wired to want to help others. This is a good thing!

But just like my grandma used to say, even too much of a good thing is still TOO MUCH. Many of us are juggling so many balls that if one more is thrown into the mix, we might drop them all. Start small and practice setting healthy boundaries by saying no to at least one thing this month that you otherwise would have said yes to - knowing it would cause stress to try and fit it in your schedule. We can say no politely to one more church volunteer request, one more activity request by your child, one more assignment asked of you by a coworker, one more friend request.

2. Self care is NOT selfish! You cannot give what you do not have. We must take time to pause in this fast-paced society to care for ourselves. Think of the oxygen masks on the plane. The flight attendant tells us to place the mask on ourselves first, so that we can receive oxygen and be available (alive) to attend to those seated beside us. You must put on your oxygen mask first.

3. Use your support network! You might think you are Superwoman or Superman. But you are not! Oftentimes it does take a village, especially if you are in the thick of child rearing. Create a support network if you do not have one. Join a church group, join a volunteer group, join a Meet Up, join a neighborhood group or join others at work. Practice vulnerability and ask for what you need. Then, return the favor.

Make 2023 the year you find more balance in work and life. We all know that this life can pass like the blink of an eye. You don’t want to miss it, right?

Call one of our caring and qualified licensed therapists today to help create balance in your life or achieve your New Year’s goals.

SELMA — Thanksgiving Elementary third-grade teacher Nicole Humphrey has figured out the secret of how to capture her students’ attention, and it’s as easy as opening a book.

Humphrey was named the 2023 Share the Magic Foundation Educator of the Year by the Share the Magic Foundation. “I’m completely shocked!” she said. “It’s an incredible honor.”

She learned about the award with fanfare befitting a celebrity. That fanfare included a top secret surprise coordinated by Principal Chad Jewett, her husband, teachers and faculty along with the entire third grade class, a.k.a. The Buffalo Bookworms.

Although the award was a surprise to Humphrey, it wasn’t for Jewett. He has known Humphrey from the beginning of her career with Johnston County Public Schools, and it was immediately apparent that she was special. He has watched her foster relationships with her students, and believes she embodies all of the characteristics of a good teacher. “She truly has a heart for the kids, and the kids have a heart for her,” Jewett said.

A native of Johnston County, Humphrey’s love of reading began early on in life. She

Thanksgiving Elementary teacher recognized with national award

Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

accolades, he considers a love of reading to be one of his greatest achievements.

was that child reading under the covers with a flashlight, when she was supposed to be sleeping.

Humphrey has been a teacher with Johnston County Public Schools since 2007 serving in various roles. This is the fifth year that she and her students have participated in READBowl, a free global reading competition where PK-8 aged teams around the globe compete to read for the most minutes.

She stumbled upon the event when her mentor suggested finding a reading competition as a way to keep her students excited about reading. A quick Google search led her to “Read with Malcolm.”

Initially, Humphrey was intimidated by the fact that READBowl is a global competition, however, as she continued reading, she learned that it was free. “I was so excited to be able to participate,” Humphrey said.

Share The Magic Foundation was founded by 2017 Super Bowl champion, children’s book author and literacy advocate Malcolm Mitchell. As a wide receiver for the University of Georgia and the New England Patriots, Mitchell received numerous awards during his athletic career. However, with all of those

A struggling reader himself, Mitchell entered college barely able to read. While he was receiving attention on the field for his athleticism, no one knew that he had “The Giving Tree" and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar" in his backpack to help him become a better reader.

So in 2016, Mitchell founded the Share the Magic Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of reading and book ownership. The organization is especially geared towards helping striving and below grade-level readers who are at risk of academic failure.

The Foundation’s Read with Malcolm literacy initiatives are aimed at inspiring positive attitudes towards reading through in-school programs and national virtual reading challenges.

“I am proud to honor Nicole as Educator of the Year," said Mitchell. “Nicole is a key asset to our organization. Her dedication to her students and to their reading embodies our mission, and her passion is contagious. Thank you, Johnston County Public Schools, for such a great teacher,” Mitchell said.

Literacy is important to Humphrey, not only for the students that already have a love for reading, but for the ones who aren’t great readers. Her joy comes from being a

▸ Thanksgiving Elementary third grade teacher Nicole Humphrey was named 2023 Share The Magic Foundation’s Educator of the Year.

part of their journey as readers, and opening doors for those students.

READBowl challenges children to find creative ways to read. One fun exercise Humphrey did with her students involved turning down the classroom lights, and letting them read their books with finger lights.

While that was exciting, the lesson that came before the activity was more powerful. Humphrey asked her students what the little light on their fingers symbolized. After some discussion, the class came to the conclusion that reading lights the path to your future.

Humphrey’s passion for reading flows into her students. She encourages them to hold reading in high regard, and reminds them that their reading journey is just beginning, and it’s fun.

“She is that teacher you would want your kid to have, because you know that they are going to be loved and cared for in the classroom,” Jewett said.

During the READBowl competition, students can be seen reading at lunch, and even during recess. The one thing that really makes her heart swell with pride is when she gets feedback from parents.

For Humphrey, that is more powerful than hearing from other teachers, because it means their love of reading has spilled over into their home life. “It has become a part of their daily rhythms,” she said.

Parents have sent her pictures showing the family reading together. She’s also gotten photos of students reading in the most unlikely places, like hanging upside down on monkey bars with a book in hand.

This is not the first time that Humphrey and her students have been in the spotlight. In 2020 and 2022, her third grade students were crowned “World Champions of Reading” during the foundation’s “READBowl” Global Reading Competition, in which more than 400,000 students have competed.

Humphrey doesn’t participate in READBowl for the competition, but for the joy she sees in her students’ faces when they begin to develop a love of reading, especially the ones who have a hard time

with reading. “The children learn how to get lost in a book, and reading becomes magical,” she said. “For me, this is magical.”

Not only does Humphrey participate in READBowl, the annual free virtual reading challenge of Share the Magic Foundation, but she also serves on the organization’s Educator Advisory Panel.

Through her participation in the Foundation’s Read with Malcolm literacy programs, her students have increased their reading scores.

Overall, the third graders at Thanksgiving Elementary have shown tremendous growth in reading scores after READBowl. “Ninety-five percent of our kids met or exceeded growth,” Jewett said.

So far this year, the “Buffalo Bookworms” third grade team has read 798,438 minutes. Humphrey was honored during Mitchell’s Share the Magic Foundation’s Annual Gala and Fundraiser in Atlanta.

Partnering with Share The Magic Foundation and READBowl has done a lot more than just transform Humphrey’s students into readers. “My biggest thing, above all else, is for my students to believe in themselves and to believe they are capable.” she said.

For more information about Share The Magic Foundation, visit www. readwithmalcolm.com.

▸ From left, Thanksgiving Elementary School Principal Chad Jewett, Nicole Humphrey surrounded by her husband and two sons, Area Superintendent Patty Whittington and North Carolina Department of Instruction Section Chief Tonia Parrish celebrated Humphrey being named the 2023 Share The Magic Foundation Educator of the Year.

▸ Thanksgiving Elementary School thirdgrade teacher Nicole Humphrey and her husband talk with Share the Magic Foundation founder Malcolm Mitchell after Humphrey was named the 2023 Teacher of the Year by the foundation.

“I am proud to honor Nicole as Educator of the Year," said Malcolm Mitchell . “Nicole is a key asset to our organization. Her dedication to her students and to their reading embodies our mission, and her passion is contagious. Thank you, Johnston County Public Schools, for such a great teacher.”

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Development specialist named Ambassador of the Month

Submitted by UNC HEALTH JOHNSTON

SMITHFIELD — UNC Health Johnston has recognized Amanda Johnson, the development specialist for the Johnston Health Foundation, as Ambassador of the Month for January.

During a recent presentation, UNC Health Johnston CEO Tom Williams said Johnson is dependable, hard-working and knowledgeable about the foundation’s operations, funds and events. “She continually strives to improve processes and knows how to get things done,” Williams said. “Even in stressful times, she is gracious and helpful.”

Before joining UNC Health Johnston five years ago, she worked as a communications manager for country clubs, first in Charlotte and later in Raleigh. Earlier, while a student in a graduate program at the University of South Carolina, she interned for a hospital foundation and felt inspired to pursue a career in philanthropy.

In her current role, Johnson says she most enjoys the sense of community. “I like dreaming up concepts and working with teammates and volunteers to promote and put on an event or campaign,” she said. “While I’m not directly involved in clinical operations, I know I’m helping patients.”

Johnson says it’s rewarding to have purpose in her job. “I’m working in the community where I grew up and feel deeply rooted,” she adds. “I want to see the health of the people in our communities improve.”

Hom� Improvemen� Don� Righ�!!!

She grew up in Meadow and graduated from South Johnston High School.

Through her work, Johnson says she’s gained a deeper appreciation for every department of the hospital, from behavioral health to hospice. Out in the community, she is vice president of fund development for the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield. In 2021, the organization named her Woman of the Year.

In her spare time, Johnson enjoys bargain hunting and traveling. She and her husband, Matt, live in Clayton and have two sons, Jude, 5, and Cole, 2.

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

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

and much more!

"Do unto others as you want them to do to you." (Matthew 7:12). We strive to be excellent at what we do to honor God, and love our neighbors.

▸ Amanda Johnston, development specialist for the Johnston Health Foundation, is the UNC Health Johnston Ambassador of the Month for January. From left are Johnston Health Foundation Director Allison Strickland, Johnson, UNC Health Johnston CEO Tom Williams and UNC Health Johnston Vice-President of External Affairs April Culver.

KENLY — G-Force Robotics, an all-girl robotics team, recently visited GlendaleKenly Elementary to show third, fourth and fifth grade students the robot that they built, named Electra.

Helen Rouse, a third grader at GlendaleKenly Elementary, was amazed at the size of Electra. She thought all it was going to do was just drive around, but when the team members explained how it could shoot a ball, she was sold.

Even more amazing for Rouse was the fact that only girls built Electra. Before entering the auditorium for the demonstration, she thought boys would be telling her about the robot.

“I never thought girls could build it,” she said. “I was so surprised!” Rouse is now inspired to build a robot of her own. Her brother already has Legos, and builds small robots that fit into a pocket, so she has a head start.

G-Force was founded by three high school girls who were on a community middle school robotics team together. They wanted to be able to develop their skills in engineering and business on a team that focused on robotics, and left the social pressures of regular high school at the door.

They knew other girls in the area wanted this too. They formed G-Force Robotics in April 2022, and had a full team roster with girls from eight different schools by June 2022.

The Johnston County-based team is comprised of JCPS students from Clayton High, Corinth-Holders High and Johnston

All-girl robotics team sparks interest in STEM

Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

County Early College as well as from private schools and homeschool academies.

Sloan Mann is one of the founding members, and a ninth grade student at Clayton High. Mann has been a part of For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology for five years.

She knows that for some students, seeing the robot and then thinking about having to build something similar in just eight weeks can be intimidating, but Mann stands firm that anyone can do it. “I hope they’re inspired, I hope they’re encouraged, and I hope it pushes them to do something in STEM,” she said.

The goal of G-Force is to provide young women with a safe space to explore their talents, creativity and interests, while learning hands-on skills to design industrial-sized robots for global competition.

G-Force Robotics is a rookie FIRST Robotics competition team that includes young women, grades 9-12 and their coaches and mentors. Currently, there are nine team members, and they are passionate about building robots.

Electra, which was inspired by Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Model 10 Electra, and the team have been busy going around the community to teach others about robotics. They also talk about what it means to be a girl in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, otherwise known as STEM.

As part of their community outreach, G-Force has a program called “Be That Engineer.” The team buys books about girls in STEM, and has female engineers from large corporations sign and leave encouraging notes on the inside of each book. Some of the corporations are Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin and NASA, just to name a few. Glendale-Kenly Elementary is the fourth school in JCPS where G-Force has donated a book.

The team donated the book “Ellie Engineer” to Glendale-Kenly Elementary. Ellie is an engineer with a tool belt strapped over her favorite skirt. She invents and builds amazing creations in her backyard workshop. Together with her best friend Kit, Ellie can make anything.

Glendale-Kenly Assistant Principal Tamara Brock organized the event. She was exploring different ways that could build different learning opportunities within the school day for the students, and found out about G-Force.

“It was very important to have this team visit Glendale-Kenly Elementary because we wanted to give our students and teachers the opportunity to see that there are so many different, innovative ways that we can expose our students to learning,” Brock said.

Brock had G-Force come to the school to show the children connections between science and STEM, and give them something in which to aspire. The other goal was to show girls, in particular, that they can do anything they set their minds to.

Shannon Mann is the head coach and president of Johnston County STEM Girls Initiative 501c3. She is a former FIRST Lego League coach and judge, and FIRST Robotics Competition mentor.

Mann is also a public affairs officer for the Department of Defense Massachusetts Institute of Technology Artificial Intelligence Accelerator. Mann has served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for 32 years, and holds degrees in communications and marketing.

She said they want to expand the outreach to include all of Johnston County. Additionally, the coaches and members are working on getting the program on the national level.

On March 11-12 Clayton High School will participate in a state robotics competition, featuring more than 30 other teams from around the state. The event will be hosted at Rolesville High School.

Principal Kelly Holland knew this would be a great opportunity for the children to see science in a different way. She especially loved the fact that G-Force would come to the school, bring the girls who actually built the robot, and show them what it could do.

During the presentation, one G-Force team member shared that she is aspiring to develop video games. Holland said, “I saw the kids’ faces light up.”

▸ Clayton High ninth grader and a founding member of G-Force Robotics, Sloan Mann, shares her experience building a robot to the third, fourth and fifth grade students at Glendale-Kenly Elementary.

Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue is a nonprofit, all-volunteer animal welfare organization.

There is nothing more rewarding than making the last years of a senior pet's life the best it can be. It is an honor to be there when they cross the rainbow bridge.

Top-notch Pressure Washing

Commercial & Residential Houses, Offices, Decks, Driveways, Concrete and Much More!

▸ The Benson Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon cutting for CrossFit MTA, located at 701 S. Wall St. in Benson. Front row from left are Paul Dunn, Jaymes Elliott, Zack Johnson (co-owner), Johnson’s daughter Mary Scott, Amanda Johnson (co-owner), Finn Patrick, Fox Patrick, Cody Patrick (co-owner) and Joey Maples. A large group of customers and well-wishers also attended the event. (Photo submitted by Benson Area Chamber of Commerce)

SMITHFIELD — Leaders from across Johnston County business, government, education and community development circles gathered in Smithfield recently for the unveiling of a comprehensive strategy for the county’s workforce development.

The full report can be seen at https://www.growwithjoco.com/ workforce-plan/ and is the result of four months of surveys, focus groups, face-to-face interviews, data gathering and best-practices research organized under the auspices of the Johnston County Workforce Alliance, a program of the county’s Office of Economic Development.

“We’re all now in post-post-COVID and beginning to see what changes came out of the pandemic might become permanent,” said Ted Abernathy, founder of Economic Leadership LLC, a Raleigh consulting firm hired to forge the strategy. Abernathy discussed demographic, economic and workforce trends that are impacting, and will continue to impact, employers in the county.

Some of the trends, such as a declining labor force participation rate, mirror those of the nation, while others – record-setting population growth, for example – are outliers. Demographers project the number of Johnston County residents will grow by more than 40 percent by 2042, roughly twice the rate of North Carolina, itself fast-growing, as a whole. “You’re the exact opposite of what’s going on nationally,” Abernathy told the gathering.

Domestic migration, as well as international immigration, are behind the County’s growth. “One reason people move is to lower their cost

County leaders gather for strategy unveiling

Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

of living,” he said, noting that the pandemic had sparked a wave of movement from large expensive metro areas to smaller, more affordable communities. COVID also pushed people out of the workforce – perhaps permanently.

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell recently stated that some two million U.S. workers had retired earlier than anticipated, Abernathy said. Data also point out that people have been leaving small firms to work for larger companies. “We start from that context,” Abernathy said.

Johnston County’s labor force participation rate – that share of the working-age population either employed or searching for a job – was below the figures for both the state and the U.S., suggesting older workers were dropping out of the labor market in higher numbers here. “How do you get people on the sidelines back into the game,” asked Abernathy, whose career in economic development included roles at Durham County, Research Triangle Regional Partnership and the Southern Growth Policies Board.

▸ Ted Abernathy, founder of Economic Leadership LLC, a Raleigh consulting firm, developed a strategy for workforce development in Johnston County and recently presented that strategy to a group of business, government, education and community development leaders.

▸ A large group of leaders from all facets of the community gathered recently to hear a strategy for workforce development.

Programs designed to provide re-skilling to individuals in their 40s and 50s might draw some back to the workplace, he said. Abernathy’s data analysis also uncovered a high number of self-employed individuals. “They work for themselves,” he said.

Among his recommendations is that Career and Technical Education programs include entrepreneurial training. His research confirmed the rich diversification of the county’s industrial base: job growth is hitting across biopharma, production tech, heavy machinery and logistics – all “tradable” economic clusters that pull in outside wealth. But “non-tradable clusters,” more localized activities like healthcare, education and construction, are also seeing growth. “Both types of jobs are important,” Abernathy said.

Stakeholder interviews, surveys and focus groups held across the county last fall identified deficits in the “soft” skills of the workforce — reliability, communications and interpersonal skills, for example. Just more than half those participating indicated concerns about “work ethic.”

On the positive side, employers were impressed with the digital skills of Johnston County workers. Most of Abernathy’s recommendations focus on strategies and programs at the K-12 and community college level. “Only about a quarter of all jobs in America need a four-year degree,” he said.

Outreach to parents is as critical as that being directed toward youth. Recommendations also include additional capacity for work-based learning, such as apprenticeships and career coaching, which provide a more externalized perspective than the guidance counseling schools have long offered. “Resources matter – whatever you have should match your expectations,” Abernathy said. “Scale whatever works for you.”

The recommendations support the county’s commitment to reducing the high number of Johnstonians who commute to neighboring counties for employment. About half the county’s workers leave daily for jobs, a data-point that leaders here hope to reduce to 30 percent by 2030.

“People prefer to work closer to where they live,” says Chris Johnson, director of the Johnston County Office of Economic Development. A “30 by 30” promotional campaign has directed commuters to digital resources to connect with Johnston County employment opportunities.

“This exhaustive work by Ted and his team, and the coming together of a broad array of Johnston County community, educational and business leaders, all fits neatly into that vision,” Johnson said. “The establishment of the Johnston County Workforce Alliance, which led this valuable initiative, moved the ball significantly up the field for us.”

Johnson said the key to the alliance’s success have been its partnerships with Johnston Community College, Johnston County Public Schools, Capital Area Workforce Development, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce, the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, the Benson Chamber of Commerce, Johnston County Visitors Bureau, N.C. Works, N.C. Department of Commerce, Johnston County Industries/NextGen and the Johnston County Partnership for Children.

For additional information about the Johnston County Economic Development Office and its activities, visit www. GrowWithJoCo.com.

▸ Shaylah Nunn Jones, a public affairs professional with Novo Nordisk, spoke during a recent unveiling of a workforce development strategy for the community.

Cleveland teacher is Beginning Teacher of Year finalist

SMITHFIELD — Johnston County Public Schools 2022

Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year Gabe Patton was one of 27 educators who were named a finalist for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching 2023 Empower NC Beginning Teacher of the Year Award.

Patton, a CTE-Aviation teacher at Cleveland High School, was named the JCPS Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year in April 2022. The title allowed Patton to move on to compete for the NCCAT Empower Beginning Teacher of the Year, which will be presented March 9 at Western Carolina University.

“Mr. Patton is an invaluable resource for the students at Cleveland High School,” said Cleveland High Principal Jenna Sauls Hairr. “He is a dedicated teacher who has brought a wealth of knowledge to our school community. We’re proud of all that he’s accomplished and we’re thankful to have in our Ram family.”

Patton is a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force. He is a lifelong learner who collaborates with other districts, the Department of Public Instruction Career and Technical Education Department and local universities in an effort to grow and expand Cleveland High’s program and generate learning opportunities for students across the state in the CTE-Aviation program.

“We appreciate the enthusiastic response from all over the state for the Beginning Teacher of the Year Award,” said NCCAT Executive Director M. Brock Womble. “These finalists provide a snapshot of the lasting impact great teachers have on our students from the first to the last day they step into a North Carolina public school. We are excited about this opportunity to honor teachers for the important work they do in our state.”

The 2023 Beginning Teacher of the Year finalists are, in addition to Patton, Alexis Alfred, Jackson County Schools; Madison Baker, Catawba County Schools; Ratasha Benton-Manley, Northampton County Schools; Christian Boletchek, Roanoke Rapids City Schools; Izabella Botello, Iredell-Statesville Schools; Karen Cardillo, Carolina Charter Academy; Jerico Carrillo, Guilford County Schools; Katelyn Clarke, Pitt County Schools; Breeana Clayton, Henderson County Schools; Jamie Conley, Brevard Academy; Kbria Filali, Pender County Schools; Hannah Fitta, New Hanover County Schools; Kirby Forbes, Lee County Schools; Samantha Fortner, Mitchell County Schools; Emily Giardina, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools; Kenna Gautier, Clinton City Schools; Ariana Hunter, Rutherford County Schools; Goodin Huss, Hoke County Schools; Tonya McGill, Cumberland

County Schools; Natalia Mejia, Cabarrus County Schools; Sabrina Moore, Mount Airy City Schools; Darbie Rash, Ashe County Schools; Nancy (Beth) Rose, Wayne County Schools; Maria Sutton, Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies; Amber White, Rowan-Salisbury Schools and Carly Wright, Thomasville City Schools.

The NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year will receive a $5,000 cash prize, participation in a GoGlobal NC trip in 2024 and instructional supply funds for their school.

The runner-up will receive a $2,000 cash prize. Finalists will receive travel expenses and substitute costs to participate in NCCAT professional development.

For more information about the NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year program, visit www.nccat.org/btoy.

Submitted by JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CALENDAR of events

March 1 and March 15, 5:15 p.m.

⋆ Knit Night

or email us at calendar@JohnstonNow.com.

→ Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library, Clayton Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library will host Knit Night Wednesday on March 1 and 15 from 5:15-6:45 p.m. Do you love to knit or crochet, or are you just starting with these crafts? The library welcomes knitters and crocheters of all experience levels to join this group. For more information, call 919-553-5542 or email cmak@townofclaytonnc.org.

Saturday, March 4, 10 a.m.

⋆ Belle of the Ball: Prom Dress Closet 2023

→ Pine Level First United Methodist Church Pine Level First United Methodist Church will hold its 2023 Prom Dress Closet Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m. until noon. All ladies getting ready for prom are invited to browse their collection of gently used, most worn only once, prom dresses. RSVP is not required. Message them on their Facebook page for more information.

Sunday, March 5, 8 a.m.

⋆ Better Together Sunday

→ Stevens Chapel Baptist Church, Smithfield Stevens Chapel Baptist Church will host Better Together Sunday on March

5 from 8-8:45 a.m. This is a special Sunday where they are inviting all of those in their online community, near and far, to join them for a special time of worship together in-person. Children’s worship will also coincide with the 10 a.m. worship service. For more information, call 252-312-3827.

Sunday, March 5, 9:45 a.m.

⋆ Survivor Sunday

→ Benson Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church

Join Benson Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church Sunday, March 5 at 9:45 a.m. for Survivor Sunday honoring cancer survivors and their families. They will have a soup and sandwich lunch afterward for donations. Those attending are asked to wear something purple to show support. For more information, call 919-894-7244.

Wednesday, March 8, 11 a.m.

⋆ Paraquat Training

→ Johnston County Agricultural Center, N.C. 210, Smithfield

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service invites pesticide applicators to attend Paraquat training on Wednesday, March 8 at 11 a.m at the Johnston County Agricultural Center. Preregistration is not required. Please call 919-989-5380 for more information.

Thursday, March 9, 10 a.m.

⋆ Senior Craft Club

→ Clayton Center for Active Aging

The Clayton Center for Active Aging will host its Senior Craft Club Thursday, March 9 from 10-11 a.m. Join the Clayton Center for Active Aging and craft a new project each month. Crafting is a great way to improve sensory and hand/eye coordination. Participants will work together on a craft, while learning new skills and discussing helpful library resources. Registration is requested. To register or for more information, call 919553-5542 or email mjacobs@ townofclaytonnc.org.

March 11-12

⋆ FIRST Robotics District Tournament

→ Rolesville High School

Thirty-three teams from across North Carolina will compete in this high school FIRST Robotics Competition Tournament. Four teams competing are from Johnston County. The schedule and other information can be found at www. firstnorthcarolina.org.

Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m.

⋆ Identification and Management of Invasive Plants

→ Howell Woods, Devil’s Racetrack Road, Four Oaks

North Carolina has more than 1,000 plants that are not native to our state. While many cause little or no harm to our natural communities and our lifestyles, there are some that do direct and indirect damage and require active control and management. Participants will learn how to identify and manage invasive species using integrated pest management. This three-hour program will be conducted both indoors and out with live demonstrations of control techniques. Pesticide applicator credits will be available (pending approval). The cost for this program is $10. For more information or to register, visit www. johnstoncc.edu/howellwoods.

Saturday, March 11, 8 p.m.

⋆ Dailey & Vincent in concert

→ The Clayton Center Dailey & Vincent will perform at the Clayton Center Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m. Grammy, DOVE and IBMA award winners Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent (and their world-class band) offer a unique and modernized spin on American music the best of country, bluegrass and gospel this side of heaven (USA Today). Tickets are $40 not including sales tax and fees. For tickets, visit www. theclaytoncenter.com, click on the link to the show, then click on the purchase tickets link. For more information, call 919553-1737 or email eventinfo@ townofclaytonnc.org.

Sunday, March 12, 1 p.m.

⋆

Fairytales on Ice featuring Beauty and the Beast

→ The Clayton Center A performance of Fairytales on Ice featuring Beauty and the Beast will be held Sunday, March 12 at 1 p.m. at the Clayton Center. Direct from its sellout tour in Australia, the ice-skating spectacular Fairytales on Ice is touring the U.S. this year. VIP tickets are available for this event. Each VIP ticket includes orchestra seating plus the chance to watch a pre-show rehearsal viewing and pre-show meet and greet. Tickets are $45 for VIP, $27 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, plus taxes and fees. To purchase tickets, visit www.theclaytoncenter. com, click on the link for the show and then the purchase tickets link. For more information, call 919553-1737 or email eventinfo@ townofclaytonnc.org.

Monday, March 13, 3 p.m.

⋆ Adult Coloring Club

→ Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library will host its Adult Coloring Club Monday, March 13 from 3-4:40 p.m. Join their group of local creatives and work on different coloring projects each month. Learn different techniques to color. Join them as they create in a fun, safe place to learn and grow with a welcoming community. Projects and

supplies are provided by the library, but feel free to bring your own too. For more information, call 919-5535542 or email mjacobs@ townofclaytonnc.org.

Monday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.

⋆ Howell Woods Owl Safari

→ Howell Woods, Devil’s Racetrack Road, Four Oaks Howell Woods will host an Owl Safari Monday, March 13 from 7:30-9:30 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.

Thursday, March 16, 2 p.m.

⋆ Senior Book Club

→ Clayton Center for Active Aging

Visit the Clayton Center for Active Aging Thursday, March 16 from 2-3 p.m. for Senior Book Club and get ready for a great book discussion. This month’s book is “The Last Thing He Told Me,” by Laura Dave. Registration is requested at the Clayton Center for Active Aging.

To register or for more information, call 919-5535542 or email mjacobs@ townofclaytonnc.org.

Friday, March 17, 7:30 a.m.

⋆ AAAA Tarheel Chapter 2023

Golf Tournament

→ Riverwood Golf Club, Clayton

The Army Aviation Association of America will hold its 2023 golf tournament Friday, March 17 beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Riverwood Golf Club in Clayton. To register or for more information, visit the AAAA Tarheel Chapter Facebook page.

Saturday, March 18, 1 p.m.

⋆ Chili Cook-off benefiting St. Baldrick's

→ Fainting Goat Brewing Company, Benson Join Fainting Goat Brewing Company Saturday, March 18 from 1-4 p.m. as they gather to raise funds for children fighting cancer. In addition to the second annual Cornhole Tournament they will be having a chili cook-off. They are putting together a panel of judges for best overall chili and there will be a fan favorite awarded. The cost is $5 for tasting/fan voting ticket. Jimmy’s Cookin' Shack will be on-site for non-chili eaters from 1-8 p.m. They are also asking for a $5 donation per entry. Sign up at the brewery by March 15, cash only please. For more information, call 919-701-1500.

Saturday, March 18, 5:30 p.m.

⋆ Corinth Holders FFA Reverse Raffle

The Corinth Holders FFA Reverse Raffle will be held

Saturday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. The meal will last from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and the raffle will begin at 7 p.m. Each ticket will be good for two steak dinners. Tickets are $100 and only 200 tickets will be sold. Additional meals are $15 each and must be ordered in advance. Funds raised at the reverse raffle will help support the local FFA chapter at Corinth Holders High School. Visit www.facebook. com/CorinthHoldersFFA to learn more.

Saturday, March 18, 6 p.m.

⋆ Taste of Carolina

→ The Farm at 42, Selma

The Taste of Carolina, a major fundraiser of The Woman’s Club of Clayton, will be held March 18. The dining event showcases the best food from local restaurants, all in one location. Those attending will sample taste-size portions from the restaurants’ menus and participants will vote on a People’s Choice award for their favorite restaurant. Doors open at 6 p.m. with awards presented at 8:30 p.m. There will be a Silent Auction, DJ, dancing and a 50/50 Raffle. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased online at twccnc. org/special-events/ or by emailing lmascia@twccnc.org.

Saturday, March 18, 7 p.m.

⋆ The Lovesick Drifters in concert

→ Rudy Theatre, Selma

The Lovesick Drifters will perform at the Rudy Theatre Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m.

The Lovesick Drifters is a Hank Williams Sr. tribute band with Garrett Newton, Lizzy Tobell, Steve Shannon, Alan Hicks and Dan O'Day bringing you a real class act in paying tribute to the one and only Hank Williams Sr., Live at The Rudy. For tickets, www.visit rudytheatre.com.

Monday, March 20, 5 p.m.

⋆ Monday Night Book Club

→ Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library, Clayton

Join Hocutt-Ellington

Memorial Library Monday, March 20 from 5-6 p.m. for Monday Night Book Club. This month’s book is “Death on the Nile,” by Agatha Christie. Book clubs are an important part of our community. They spark interesting discussions and encourage life-long learning. For more information, call 919-5535542 or email mjacobs@ townofclaytonnc.org.

Tuesday, March 21, 11 a.m.

⋆ Adult Fiction Book Club

→ Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield

The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield will host its Adult Fiction Book Club Tuesday, March 21, from 11 a.m. until noon. For more information, call 984-985-2665.

Tuesday, March 21, 5:30 p.m.

⋆ Teen Craft Makers

→ Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library, Clayton Teens, join Hocutt-Ellington

Memorial Library Tuesday, March 21 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for Teen Craft Makers. Come and hang out while making a new craft each month. Supplies and instruction included. No experience necessary. This month, participants will be playing around with watercolor salt painting. Email ptaylor@ townofclaytonnc.org to reserve your spot or for more information or call 919553-5542.

Thursday, March 23, 12 p.m.

⋆ How to Find Your Customers Using Social Media

→ JCC Small Business Center (virtual)

The Small Business Center at Johnston Community College is holding an online webinar, How to Find Your Customers

Using Social Media, Thursday, March 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Customers are the key to building a successful business and your online reputation is crucial for finding customers. Attendees must be preregistered, and must be 18 or older to attend. For this webinar, there is a twostep registration process. Once you complete your registration with the Small Business Center, you should receive a confirmation email from centeric@centeric. ncsbc.net that includes a Zoom link for the second part of the registration process. In order to receive

the video conferencing login information and guarantee your spot for the webinar, you must also register via the Zoom platform. For more information, call 919-209-2015 or 919-209-2224 or email jccsbc@johnstoncc.edu.

March 24-25

⋆ Friends of the Library, Clayton Used Book Sale

→ Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library, Clayton

There will be a Spring Used Book Sale to benefit the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library on March 24-25. The Friends of the Library use the proceeds to fund events and purchases for the Library. Friday hours are from 1-7 p.m. and Saturday’s hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m.

⋆ Skyfest North Carolina

→ Johnston Regional Airport

Skyfest North Carolina will be held at Johnston Regional Airport Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Skyfest is a community festival with aerial demonstrations, musical entertainment, static displays, kid zones and something for everyone. Tickets are $5. To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/3DCav6d.

Saturday, March 25, 1 p.m.

⋆ Fourth Annual Relay for Life Zumbathon

→ Four Oaks Fitness Center

The Fourth Annual Relay for Life Zumbathon will be held Saturday, March 25 from

1-4 p.m. at Four Oaks Fitness Center. The event is sponsored by Unity Advent Christian Church Team 43. All proceeds go to Johnston County Relay for Life. There will be multiple Zumba instructors. Door prizes will be awarded and donations will be accepted at the door. For more information, call 919222-3313 or 919-902-1232.

Friday, March 31, 8 p.m.

⋆ Gina Chavez in concert

→ The Clayton Center Gina Chavez will perform at the Clayton Center Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m. In an industry that looks to define artists, Gina Chávez refuses to fit into a box. Tickets are $25 not including taxes and fees. To purchase tickets, visit www. theclaytoncenter.com, click on the link for the show, then on the purchase tickets link. For more information, call 919553-1737 or email eventinfo@ townofclaytonnc.org.

Recurring Events

NAMI Support Groups and Classes

The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers free weekly support groups throughout Johnston County for both those who are in recovery with mental illness (NAMI Connection) and for their caregivers, loved ones and friends as well (NAMI Family Support). For more information on the support groups and educational

classes of NAMI Johnston County, visit www.namijcnc. net, email namijcnc@gmail. com or call 919-980-5277.

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

⋆ 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. There are community and social opportunities as well. Visit www.facebook.com/ KiwanisClubOfSmithfieldNC to learn more.

Every Wednesday, 11 a.m.

⋆ Story Time

→ Kenly Public Library

Check out story time at the Kenly Public Library each Wednesday. Call the library at 919-284-4317 or email kenly. library@townofkenly.com for more details.

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 919-295-9163 to play. For more information, contact the center at 919553-4350.

First and third Tuesdays, Noon

⋆ Clayton Rotary Mid-day Club

→ Virtual meeting via Zoom

This small group of serviceminded 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 it helps 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 919-550-0694 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.

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.

Second Wednesday, noon

⋆ The Woman’s Club of Clayton meeting

→ 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.

⋆ Kiwanis Club of Clayton

→ Virtual meeting

The Kiwanis Club of Clayton serves the community with emphasis on school youth Kiwanis programs. It advises two local high school KEY (Kiwanis Educating Youth) clubs and one elementary school club and meets each month. Visit www.facebook.com/ ClaytonKiwanis to learn more.

Third Monday, 7 p.m.

⋆ 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, 12:30 p.m.

⋆ 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

Hospice

see what they’re all about. Call 919-965-3865 with any questions.

Third Tuesday

⋆ Johnston County AfricanAmerican Caucus meeting

→ 1302 W. Market St., Smithfield

The Johnston County African-American 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 954-696-7833.

Third Thursday

⋆ Johnston County Republican Women 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.

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.

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 Civitan Club would like to invite anyone interested in helping others in the Johnston County area to come to its meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month, excluding July. The club is a service-based volunteer organization that seeks members who are like-minded and would like to partner with other clubs and support worthy causes. Dinner begins at 6 and the meeting at 7. Those interested in attending or making a presentation about their organization should email grahamhound1966@ gmail.com.

919.877.9959

heartlandhospice.com/Raleigh

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