September 2018

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SEPTEMBER 2018 | Your Community. Your Neighbors. Your Story.

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A Few Minutes Spent Now For A Prostate Screening, Can Give You Years To Spend In The Future.

If you’re between the ages of 45 and 75, please come take advantage of a FREE PSA Blood Test during the month of September!

Check in at our registration desks at the hospitals in Smithfield or Clayton anytime.

www.johnstonhealth.org/prostateawareness


Benson

69 year tradition

Mule Days September 20 23, 2018 A family fun tradition in Benson, North Carolina Mule Competitions & Race • Arts & Crafts • Dances Carnival Rides • Parade • Bluegrass Show • Vendors Concert featuring Ronnie McDowell • Arts on Main SRA Rodeo

September 21-24 FRI & SAT- 7:30p SUN - 2p

For more information BensonMuleDays.com 919-894-3825

SEPTEMBER 2018 | 3


ON THE COVER Marian Keen and Amy Wilson pose inside Cleveland Family Health.

YOUR J-NOW

TEAM Volume 2, Number 10

Publisher Randy Capps

randy@johnstonnow.com

General Manager Shanna Capps

shanna@johnstonnow.com

14-18 Creative Consultant Ethan Capps Advertising Consultants Jess Barbour, Gordon Becton and Tasha Ellington Creative Director Frank Spurlock Advertising Designers Jess Barbour and Ali Kabrich Editorial Consultants Mike Bollinger and Rebecca J. Blair Office Manager Katie Crowder Delivery Specialist Jennifer Littlejohn 102 N. Main St., Four Oaks, N.C. 27524 919-980-5522 www.johnstonnow.com hello@johnstonnow.com Facebook.com/JohnstonNow Johnston Now Magazine is a monthly publication of Shandy Communications, LLC for our Johnston County neighbors. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written consent by the publisher. Advertisers take sole responsibility for the validity of their advertisement. ©2018 Johnston Now. All rights reserved.

4 | JOHNSTON NOW

PAGE 5

HEADING BACK TO MY ROOTS

PAGE 6

RYDER’S RACE SET FOR NOV. 10

PAGES 10-11

NEWS FROM YOUR NEIGHBORS

PAGES 12-13

2018 SUMMER FUN PHOTOS

PAGES 19-22

HARVEST FESTIVAL GUIDE

PAGES 36-37

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

‘WHITE LIQUOR AND WHITE LIES’

24


FROM THE PUBLISHER

Heading back to my roots I had a gut punch of a reality check earlier this summer when I realized that I wrote my first newspaper story in September 1993. Let me save you some math and say that it was 25 years ago. Now, it softens the blow a little to say that I was a senior at Marion High School when the journey began. But my first byline came in the Marion Star and Mullins Enterprise, covering the Swamp Foxes’ first home football game. To tell the truth, I started loving high school football long before that. I grew up going to games at Fox Field, watching my hometown team run the wishbone. Randy Capps I used to sit in class and draw up the plays I saw on Friday nights. When I got to randy@johnstonnow.com high school, I asked my Psychology teacher, who was also the offensive coordinator, why he didn’t throw more passes to the tight end. “When you throw the ball, three things can happen — and two of them are bad,” he said. That was my introduction to coach speak, a language in which I am now fluent. I learned it from covering games all over North and South Carolina for a quarter-century. I’ve dialed it back in recent years, and a few months ago, I had decided to take the year off from the prep football scene. Then, the phone rang. My friend Rick Heilmann, owner of Country Superstars 102.3, was looking for a color guy for the Johnston County High School Football Game of the Week. Believe it or not, during my Bo Jackson-like media career, I’ve done radio, too. This fall, I’ll be doing it again alongside Chris Edwards, the voice of Duke baseball and many other things. So, if you can’t make it out to a game on Friday nights, give us a listen. I promise not to bring up the wishbone too often.

Employment Opportunities Marketing and Communications Specialist

Physicals | Disease Management Services Vaccinations | Well-Woman Exams | Medically Supervised Weight Loss | Aesthetics Services

Nicole Smith, FNP and Marian Keen, MMS, PA-C

Part-time Lifeguard(s) Part-time Lifeguard - Police Officer Part-time Lifeguard - Police Officer Utility Line Mechanic Sanitation Equipment Operator • Sanitation Worker Utility Line Mechanic

www.Smithfield-nc.com/Jobs Job descriptions and applications available at Smithfield Town Hall, www.smithfield-nc.com/jobs or by calling 919-934-2116. The Town of Smithfield is an ADA/EEO Employer.

Marian Keen, PA-C, leads Cleveland Family Health and performs all patient care. Nicole Smith, FNP is a board certified family nurse practitioner. They both have years of experience and are committed to getting to know each and every patient they work with, which is why so many families wouldn’t consider entrusting any other provider with their care.

22 Shipwash Drive, Garner, NC 919.213.8094 - clevelandfamilyhealth.com

Get up to date Town news, council meetings and event announcements with just one click!

www.Smithfield-NC.com (Click Town TV) SEPTEMBER 2018 | 5


Ryder’s Race set for Nov. 10 By Randy Capps Ryder Wells suffered severe injuries after being attacked by dogs in Raleigh on Thanksgiving 2015, but the Cleveland community is rallying together to help him and his family. The latest effort is “Ryder’s Race,” a 5K in the Cleveland area set for November 10 with all proceeds benefiting the Ryder Wells Benefit Fund. Charlie Carden, who owns Charlie’s BBQ & Grille on Cleveland Road, and Mike Allen, owner of Carfix on Mast Drive in Garner, have been spearheading the effort to raise money for Ryder over the past few months, and Marian Keen, co-owner of Cleveland Family Health, decided to get involved as well. “I said to Mike, ‘I don’t know Ryder, but hey, I’ve done a 5K once, I can do it again. What do you think about doing a 5K?’” Keen said. After consulting with Carden and the family, an idea was born, with Keen organizing the event and Allen helping to secure sponsors. “We need runners,” she said. “What is a 5K if you don’t have any runners? … We’ve made some great progress. We’ve got some radio stations and some other people out there promoting it. Everybody’s sharing it. “We won’t know until the day of the race how many runners we’re going to have. We’re going to hope for 500, and expect no less than a hundred.”

Keen also credits Chris Ellington, chief of the Cleveland Fire Department, for helping with the route and for supporting the event. “And I knew none of these people a year ago,” she said. “Everybody in the community has made the 5K planning so easy. We’re very excited about the event. … We’re going to have a lot of fun that day. I told (Ryder’s) mom the other day, ‘the race isn’t just about raising money. We want to raise money, but its

also an opportunity to raise awareness about animal safety and what to do in those instances.’ “But the biggest reason is to lift Ryder up. Let Ryder feel like he is just the absolute most important person in this community, because when somebody goes through that type of trauma … to know that everyone is supporting you and rooting for you? How good is that going to be for that little boy?”

RYDER’S Race November 10th, 2018

5k Run/walk

Join us for a fun run! All proceeds go to Ryder Wells Benefit Fund. https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Clayton/RydersRun5k

Want to help? Visit the race site at bit.ly/2B0JKKQ to sign up or to become a sponsor. Donations for the fund are also welcome at Charlie’s BBQ & Grille, Carfix and Cleveland Family Health. 6 | JOHNSTON NOW


It’s back-to-school time!

Get the kids out of bed with... The Alarm Clock on Wheels!

105 S. Third St., Smithfield, NC 919-333-5252 www.oakcitycollection.com

The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation is pleased to bring you Rhythm & Brews! Join us on September 21st for a fun night of singing and dancing in the street, fun games and activities for all ages, and craft beer and wine!

Fajitas served with the highest quality meat! Now featuring organic vegetables!

KIDS EAT FREE EVERY SUNDAY!

Live music by The Conspiracy will start at 7:00 p.m. in the 100 block of S. Third Street. Bring a lawn chair and your family and friends; this is a FREE concert for all ages! Drinks will be available from Double Barley Brewing, Deep River Brewing Company, other local breweries, and SoDoSoPa.

Drinks not included.

Taproom Draft and bottle beer, wine, board games, and darts!

Wednesdays: Trivia 7pm Fridays: Live Music 7pm Sundays: Yoga & Mimosas 10am

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For more information about Downtown Smithfield events and businesses, visit www.downtownsmithfield.com.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | 7


5 ways moms and dads can whittle away stress Submitted by Dr. Matt Thompson, Align Family Chiropractic

There I was lying across the couch, completely exhausted, with a to-do list a mile long. But at least the kids were in bed for the night.

those not-so-healthy options. Can you go from three sodas per day to one, then to zero? What about eliminating pop tarts or sugary cereal from your breakfast?

Now if I could only muster up the energy to knock off a few things on my check list, get to bed at a decent time and hopefully get at least some sleep so I could have a little energy for tomorrow.

Whatever processed or unhealthy food that is a vice for you is a great target at this point. Mom and Dad can certainly jump full force into changing nutrition, but that can be overwhelming, and ultimately short-lived. Beginning slow and steady, developing a rhythm within your family routine, and scaling up as you go will be the most successful way to approach nutrition with most families.

If this sounds like you or your spouse, take a deep breath — there’s hope! As Americans, we have more stress in our lives than at any other point in history. When we encounter stress, a certain part of our nervous system is triggered, called the fight/flight response. It is a state of survival meant for acute moments, such as a bear chasing you or your child running for the street. The problem occurs when stress builds up, and we get stuck in this stress-response state. Over time, we become sick, our bodies begin to break down and eventually we develop aches and pains. Stress is a broad term, but can be separated into three categories: emotional, physical and chemical. It’s not just the stress you currently have, but every stress you’ve ever been through. I’m going to share with you five easy ways every parent can whittle away stress. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but if you adopt even one of these strategies, your body will begin to move out of a state of surviving and into a state of thriving. Just imagine if you adopt all five. The first strategy is to set aside three minutes every evening to pick the top priorities for the next day. Write them down on a post-it note, in your planner or phone or even on your bathroom mirror with a dry-erase marker. Staying focused on the top item on your list will allow you to accomplish what is truly important and not get lost or overwhelmed. When that item is checked off, move on to the next one. Additionally, take 15-30 minutes each weekend to look ahead to the next week. Take this time to determine priorities for the week, look at schedules, meal plan, etc. Be consistent and watch the stress begin to lift. Next, addressing what we put into our bodies on a daily basis will drastically reduce our stress and increase our energy and our mood. Nutrition can be overwhelming, so keep it simple with the long game in mind. The easiest step is to add something healthy first. Commit to drinking a certain amount of water per day (fruit-infused water is easy and fun), adding one piece of fruit per day, adding three salads per week, switching to organic and nonGMO items or trying one new healthy recipe per week are all great places to start. This also works with your children as well. Little ones model what parents do, so you’re leading by example and really leaving a great legacy. Once you get into a rhythm, begin scaling up by adding more healthy items to your meals and snacks. The next step with nutrition is to begin eliminating

The third strategy for whittling away stress is to get off the electronic devices and spend quality time with your family or friends. It is well-documented that screen time can impair both the structure and function of your brain, essentially taking the brain and body into a more primitive, stress-response state. Screen time is inevitable, but moving in a direction of less screen time can benefit everyone. Instead, go for a walk with your family, play a board game, have family coloring book time or eat dinner together at the table. One of our favorite ways to connect is with an impromptu dance party. Crank some tunes and watch the smiles grow and the stress melt. Taking time for self care, our fourth tip, is often one of the last things on a parent’s mind. We’re always focused on our kiddos, or others. However, coffee alone on the patio, a book in the bath tub, a night out with a spouse or friends, a trip to the salon or any hobby that you really enjoy can help shift your brain into a state of relaxation and balance. Just be consistent! Our last strategy is to care for the one body system that literally controls all cells, tissues, organs, systems and functions in your body — your nervous system. Your brain communicates with your body through your nervous system. This is how your brain is able to control your heart, lungs, muscles, immune system, digestion, self-healing, reaction time, performance, recovery, etc. When stress is too great at one time, or usually over the course of time, it wreaks havoc on our nervous system. Instead of communicating like high speed internet, our nervous system begins communicating at dial up speed. When your brain and body aren’t communicating properly, your body begins to break down and you become fatigued, sick, can’t handle stress properly and eventually develop aches and pains. It is important to find a professional who not only works to help you feel better, but someone who works to balance your nervous system so that your body functions at a high level and you can handle the stresses that life constantly throws at you. In our practice, we have special digital technology that can measure and track the health of your nervous system and its ability to handle stress. We are offering a special of 80% off to Johnston Now readers for our thorough assessment, including the digital neurological scan to assess the health of your nervous system and its ability to handle stress. Any money that we collect from this will be donated to Partnership for Children of Johnston County.

For more on Align Family Chiropractic, visit align.family or call 919-585-4855.

8 | JOHNSTON NOW


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across the hedge. down the street. around the block.

NEWS FROM YO South Johnston High student wins prestigious baseball award Submitted by Johnston County Public Schools South Johnston High student Grant Millay was awarded the Sam Narron Baseball Award recently. The award celebrates a Johnston County high school senior baseball player who demonstrated a love for the game through determination, dedication and sacrifice. Millay is the 22nd recipient of the award. He received a $500 scholarship and a recognition plaque. Additionally, his name will be placed on a plaque with past recipients which hangs in the Evander S. Simpson Building in Smithfield. Millay posted a 1.75 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched while batting .427 with six home runs and 23 RBI. He was named Greater Neuse River Conference Player of the Year. The award is named in honor of Sam Narron, who was raised in the Emit community near Corinth Holders. In 1934, Narron, using most of the money he had, purchased a ticket to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to attend the first ever baseball school. The award’s namesake played and coached professional baseball for the Saint Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was part of two World Series Championship teams in a career that spanned from 1936 to 1964. Narron is a member of the Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sam Narron (left), grandson of the award’s namesake and pitching coach for the Potomac Nationals, and his father, Rooster Narron, present the recognition plaque to South Johnston’s Grant Millay.

For North Johnston Middle principal, it’s all about service Submitted by Johnston County Public Schools MICRO — Kenneth Sumler is a self-described nomad. He’s lived across the world, from Japan to the Middle East, the United Kingdom to South Korea, Virginia to California and many states in between. But one thing has remained constant — his desire to serve — a passion he brings to his new role as principal at North Johnston Middle. Like his father before him, Sumler joined the U.S. Air Force after high school. After serving nine years enlisted, he crossed over and became a commissioned officer from which he served another eleven years and retired after 20 years of service. During that time he completed four degrees, an associate in general education, an associate in aircraft armament, a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary social science and a master’s in aeronautical science. Sumler studied aircraft maintenance and aeronautical science to fine tune his skills, but he also studied general education because he already knew that once he retired from the Air Force he wanted a second career in education. “I had always dreamed of being an educator,” he said. “My goal was to be in the Air Force, retire and start a second career in education.” Sumler began his career at South Johnston High School as a lateral entry Air Force JROTC teacher while taking classes through ECU and UNC Asheville. While at South Johnston, it was the school administration and the Trojan staff that believed in him and inspired him to serve as an administrator. While serving in Johnston County, Sumler soon completed his Masters of School Administration Add-On through UNC Wilmington and gained a vast amount of knowledge serving as an assistant principal at SmithfieldSelma High School and then at Goldsboro High in Wayne County. “While serving as assistant principal at Goldsboro High School, I had the great fortune of dropping my son off at his middle school every morning, and then I would head to the high school,” he said. “I did not have that

10 | JOHNSTON NOW

opportunity when I was active duty. I was either deployed or on a TDY (Temporary Duty). Being able to take my son to school meant and still means a lot to me and to him.” Sumler wasn’t in Wayne County for long before the opportunity to serve again in Johnston County became available, this time as a principal. “I really appreciate it because everyone has welcomed me with open arms. Now being principal here at North Johnston Middle, to serve the students, to serve the staff, to serve the community, it’s a great honor,” Sumler said. Having only been on the job since the beginning of the month, Sumler said the thing he’s been most apprecative of so far is the hospitality he’s been shown. “I’m grateful for the staff who is here because they met me and my wife with open arms,” he said. “I’m very appreciative of the fact that when I brought my son here just to see what it was like, he was amazed at the learning atmosphere. He was shocked at how large the band is, and he enjoyed interacting with the students. I’m very appreciative and thankful.” Sumler believes the greatest challenge any principal faces is living up to and fulfilling the needs of students, staff and community members. “That’s why we’re here,” he said. “We’re here to make sure the kids learn. But at the same time we have to fulfill the needs of the students, staff and the community. Because we want to make sure we are growing at a consistent pace that is going to trickle into the overall environment of the county.”


OUR NEIGHBORS New Selma principal a perfect fit for dual-immersion school Submitted by Johnston County Public Schools SELMA — It’s hard not to get into a long conversation with Maritza Rosado. The self-described chatter, who now leads Selma Elementary, loves getting to know others in candid and honest conversations. Sitting in her office in the historic Selma Elementary School building, it’s easy to hear when she talks how Rosado is making a little history herself. She is the first Latina principal to lead a school in the area. Rosado, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, still carries the accent of her childhood. “I came to the United States when I was 16. So I was older, that’s why the accent never went away,” she said. “And I don’t want it to go away because it’s a part of me.” When Rosado made the move to the mainland, she landed in the Bronx to live with her mother and stepfather. “It was a very nice part of the Bronx. It has changed a lot, but it was a beautiful building in the center of a park,” she said. “My stepdad had two jobs. He worked hard to give us a good living.” At 18, she was taking a few general education classes at a community college when an opportunity to become a dental assistant presented itself. “There was no training required, so the dentist trained me. I could walk to work,” she said. After a while, Rosado went back to school. This time she left with both a teaching degree and a master’s. “When I was younger I wanted to be a social worker. But I wanted to be a social worker because the social worker at my school was awesome,” she said. “She came to the homes. She found resources. I wanted to be a social worker because I said I want to help little girls like me when I grew up.” Rosado said she couldn’t pinpoint when she made the switch from wanting to be a social worker to a teacher, but only that she had an innate need to serve and give back. “I guess what got me into education, the short answer, is my own experiences with the public school system. How caring the teachers were. How many chances you got,” she said. Rosado believes becoming a teacher later in life helped her be better prepared to take on a classroom. “It better prepared me because I have been a parent. I have dealt with my own children. I have dealt with or interacted with my sons’ friends. So I think that when I was older I was more assertive,” she said. “I was older so I think I was able to manage things better. Still very scary.” Eventually she applied for a job in North Carolina after visiting the state and falling in love with the area. “We’re all connected, so similar. I see the food in the south, ‘oh we have something similar to that in Puerto Rico.’ I thought it was a great place to raise your children. I just loved it,” she said. She sent a resume to Wake County Schools and within 15 minutes had two emails responding to her application. By the end of the night she had accepted the job and began packing. Within 10 days from that first email, Rosado was at work in North Carolina. After several years, Rosado made the move to Johnston County where she found more opportunities for advancement. “I’d been teaching for maybe 13 years, and I’m going to be really honest, I felt as a Latina, I saw the high volume of population, and I felt maybe there’s a need for someone like me,” Rosado said of her reasoning to become an administrator.

“I just felt maybe I could help bring a different perspective into what decisions were being made or reach out to these communities that felt distant to what was happening at the school. So that was one of the motivations to do it.” Rosado’s background fits Selma Elementary perfectly. One of the more diverse schools in the district, Selma is also a full dualimmersion school in both English and Spanish. “Our dual-immersion program is about having students become bi-literate in both languages. Bi-literate, meaning students will be able to read, speak and hold academic conversation in both languages,” Rosado said. Rosado has been working to strengthen communication within the school by telling her teachers she is right there with them to support them. “I’m visible, available and anything that I’m going ask you to do I, I will do as well,” she said. “I want to continue to sustain and to build what is already here. I believe we’re a family. We’re all in this together and here just to make the community better.”

Cash kicks in cash Submitted by Kiesha Johnson

Cash Johnson, 5, holds his trophy for top salesman for selling the most cookie dough for the Redfield Martial Arts fundraiser recently.

SEPTEMBER 2018 | 11


Kimberly Tracy took this photo near Simple Twist Taproom.

Londyn Coley enjoyed a trip to Pullen Park. Photo by Macy Coley

Guess where Haleigh Johnson went on a church mission trip in June? Kay Pate and granddaughter, Aubrey Pate, at Shackleford Banks.

Harper Jackson, 4, enjoying the sun and sand at Holden Beach.

Photo by Amy Elkins

Photo by Brianne Jackson

Cori Loseke poses in Abaco, Bahamas. Photo by Josh Loseke

Kathleen and Jim Mooring pose with their granddaughter, Londyn Coley, at a picnic in Angier.

Kay Pate with her granddaughter, Kylie Pate, at Fort Macon.

Photo by Susan Kelly

Andrew and Foster Raines enjoy their vacation. Photo by Erika Hess

12 | JOHNSTON NOW

Harker Loseke plays at Atlantic Beach. Photo by Josh Loseke


Aaron, Mara and Layla Benson at Surf City.

Anna Price at Chimney Rock. Photo by Patrick Price

Anna, TJ and Molly Johnson. Photo by Crystal Johnson

Georgia Kate Furr poses at Tryon Palace Gardens. Photo by Ben Furr

Ethan, 5, and Carly Hughes, 2, cool off in the backyard in the Cleveland area. Photo by Nicole Hughes

Connor Fronczak, 6, tries out the pirate ship ride at Six Flags over Texas. Photo by Danielle Martin

Noah and Lily Reaves, of Four Oaks, enjoying their first beach trip of the summer. Photo by Amanda Reaves

Jackson Thomas Furr poses at Mount Mitchell. Photo by Ben Furr

Intracoastal waterway at Rich’s Inlet. Photo by Martha Stovall

Our advertising representative Jess Barbour and her husband, Quinn, celebrated their 19th anniversary in Hawaii. SEPTEMBER 2018 | 13


Cleveland Family Health offers ‘all-encompassing’ care to its patients By Randy Capps | Photos by Ali Kabrich

GARNER — After meeting Marian Keen, it doesn’t take very long to discover that she’s a blur of constant motion. She not only owns and operates Cleveland Family Health in Garner along with her husband, Dr. Stephen “Mike” Keen, but she’s also a physician’s assistant (PA-C) who works in an emergency room and urgent care clinic on weekends, the mother of five children ranging in age from 1 to 14 and a “Johnston County version of Joanna Gaines” who handled most of the décor in her office. The new look of the practice, featuring a bright, cheerful look with a healthy dose of shiplap thrown in for good measure is the most obvious change in Cleveland Family Health since she took it over in October 2015. “Aesthetically, it looks a lot better,” she said. “We came in and shut the practice down for a week and did mostly a complete (renovation). We kind of had to update it. But the biggest (change) is our services for the community now. “Prior to me taking over … there was a lot of pain management going on, which is counter to my beliefs. We want to provide whole family health, from zero to 100 that involves a lot of preventative care, screening measures, making sure that patients have access to primary care and making sure patients don’t have to wait three and four hours to be seen.” Keen has strong opinions on the current opioid crisis. Having seen the effect of those drugs during her career in medicine, she avoids prescribing them if at all possible.

14 | JOHNSTON NOW


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“I see what it does to people from the end that most people don’t see,” she said. “I see the patient that’s dropped off at the back door of the emergency room because they’re not breathing, and it was because they overdosed. … Or the drug-seeking behavior and the obsessiveness that it causes. It is very similar to a heroin addiction. They’ll do anything and everything to get their hands on it. They’ll come in and tell me five reasons why the need the pills, and then they’ll cuss me out because I won’t give them what they want. “Nobody goes into taking medicine thinking, ‘I’m real excited to take this Percocet so I can become an addict.’ Nobody anticipates that’s going to happen, but for some people, it’s just a trigger in their brain that’s set off. … I’ve worked in an emergency room for going on 10 years, and so I’ve seen it all and heard it all. I just refuse to be a part of it.” Her emergency room work in Harnett County at Betsy Johnson and Central Harnett Health, alongside her husband, keeps her sharp for her own patients. “I don’t try to schedule myself too much, but I do pick up shifts when there’s a need,” she said. “Also, just to keep up my skills. When you’ve worked in the same field for so many years, you just want to keep that level of autonomy. Make sure you can still drop a chest tube if you need to, or go in and deal with high acuity patients — people who are dealing with respiratory failure or heart failure.” With those tools in place, she’s looking to grow her practice.

16 | JOHNSTON NOW


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“We’re here now, and we’re providing the services that you need,” she said. “We can do everything from pediatrics to urgent care to diabetes management to aesthetics.” Aesthetics, more commonly known as med spa services, is an important part of a person’s overall health. “Health doesn’t mean just managing your diabetes,” she said. “Eighty-five percent of our life should be about eating right, exercising and taking your medications. And maybe the other 15 percent should be about feeling great and looking great on the outside. Since we provide all-encompassing care, why not help people tighten their skin, reverse acne scarring or reverse aging lines? “When we opened this practice, Amy (Wilson, practice manager) and I kind of went back and forth and decided that we really wanted to get into overall health for our patients. … I think everybody should feel good, everybody should look good and everybody should be healthy.”

For more on Cleveland Family Health, visit clevelandfamilyhealth.com or call 919-213-8094. 18 | JOHNSTON NOW


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SEPTEMBER 2018 | 23


‘White Liquor and White Lies’ details county’s history of moonshining By Randy Capps | Photos by Ali Kabrich SMITHFIELD — As long as there have been governments, there have been taxes. And since governments began trying to collect those taxes, people have looked for ways to avoid them. That’s the story of moonshine and bootlegging in a nutshell — man’s search for a good drink without the stress of reaching into his pocket. The history of the profession is on display through the end of the year at the Johnston County Heritage Center in their “White Liquor and White Lies” exhibit. Inspired by Perry Sullivan’s donation of a few items from his father, Percy Flowers, Johnston County Heritage Center Director Todd Johnson decided to create a full-blown display. “I just got into the story and realized it was a very important part of our culture that had never really been displayed or interpreted,” he said. “This is just scratching the surface. We have a fairly small exhibit space. “It does attempt to tell the story of bootleggers and moonshine culture in Johnston County. We went back to the early days, even before Prohibition, to try to trace the story.” That’s one of the misconceptions about moonshine and bootlegging. While Prohibition made the practice a necessity, the idea actually got its start in Scotland in the 1700s.

24 | JOHNSTON NOW


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“The Scots called it the water of life in Gaelic,” Johnson said. “They learned that they could distill grain for medicinal and refreshment purposes. People started making money on it, and Parliament decided that there should be a tax on spirits. So there was a similar resistance to taxation even before they came over here.” Settlers brought their stills and recipes with them when they came, and thus, an American tradition was born. Spirits became such an important part of the colonial culture that, in 1776, local leaders raised troops to send to the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, near Wilmington, by offering them payment in liquor. Some of the ledgers are on display in the exhibit. After the war, there were bills to be paid. Alexander Hamilton had the idea of taxing liquor to retire the Revolutionary War debt. “It went over like a lead balloon,” he said. “In 1791, the tax was seven cents per gallon. That was just exorbitant back then. By the time of the Civil War, it was $2. We have IRS records for Johnston County that show the few people who actually paid it.” After the War Between the States, when North Carolina re-entered the Union, the moonshining culture really took root. “After the Civil War was when bootlegging really became part of the culture here,” Johnson said. “When we went back into the Union, people were expected to pay this tax. And they did not. What blew my mind is when I found out that 90 percent of Federal revenue before the income tax came from taxes on liquor and tobacco.” Not everyone was fond of the industry. The temperance movement sought to rid the country of alcohol. Of course, with so much legal revenue at stake, it wasn’t until a national income tax was established in 1913 when the idea really started to gain traction. One of the steps towards the eventual passage of Prohibition in 1920 was the establishment of dispensaries in Johnston County. Smithfield’s dispensary opened on July 1, 1899 — ironically in the Heritage Center’s current location on the corner of Third and Market. The idea behind the dispensary, which was sort of like today’s ABC store, was to provide residents a place to purchase, but not consume, spirits. It was an effort to clean up the town, which just a few years earlier, had nine saloons within a block of the courthouse downtown. There were also dispensaries in Selma, Clayton, Pine Level, Micro and Kenly. Prohibition is where many of the better known stories began, but the exhibit traces the roots of bootlegging back much farther. “People think that bootleggers started with Prohibition after World War I, but that’s not the case,” he said. “People evaded the taxes from the very beginning. They

26 | JOHNSTON NOW


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called them blockaders in the early days.” The 20th century also gave rise to some of the county’s most important characters. Robert L. Flowers, who was no relation to his more famous namesake, Percy, was sworn in as a federal marshal shortly after the start of Prohibition. His obituary in the June 17, 1926 edition of the “Benson Review” read that he would often walk through Benson with “a still on one shoulder and a rifle on the other.” “My grandmother used to tell me a story about when she was a little girl,” Johnson said. “She grew up near Benson, and her grandmother always made scuppernong wine during Prohibition. She would keep it in the flour barrel. She would put a piece of wood in there and a little bit of flour on the top. “But some neighbor ratted her out, and Robert Flowers came and busted up all of her wine. She said it was like a river going through the back yard.” The liquor that wasn’t spilled wound up impounded at the courthouse, where residents could come with jars and blocks of camphor to prove they planned to use the “white lightning” for medicinal purposes and take home a free jar full. Of course, no exhibit on the history of Johnston County bootlegging would be complete without a nod to Joshua “Percy” Flowers, who “The Saturday Evening Post” called “The King of the Moonshiners” in 1958. There are other noteworthy entries in the exhibit, such as a Ku Klux Klan hood and robe from the 1920s. The Klan, in a bit of moralistic irony, was very interested in the abolition of alcohol, going so far as to visit stills to encourage moonshiners to change their sinful ways. There’s also a section of a 1792 will in which John Norris left his still and all of his whiskey to his son, Nathan. Based on one of the exhibit’s displays — a model still made by a student at South Johnston a few years ago — there’s still a bit of bootlegging going on in the county. “Let’s just say that the person who gave them the information knew what they were doing,” Johnson said. Attendance for the exhibit has been good, Johnson said. He only wishes he had more room. “It’s been good,” he said. “We have a steady flow of people coming by to see it. We just need more space, so we can have more stuff up. We’re working on that. “It’s one of those almost taboo topics that’s a very important part of our history. People like to do things that are a little bit naughty. Moonshine was one of those things that a lot of people did. It was accepted, but it was not. There probably isn’t a family from Johnston County who didn’t have some family member that was involved in this business.” For more on the exhibit, call the Johnston County Heritage Center at 919-934-2836.

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What’s new this year at Benson Mule Days? Submitted by Johnston County Visitors Bureau

BENSON — The town of Benson has a population of around 3,500, but that will swell to about 30,000 on September 20-23 for the 69th Annual Benson Mule Days celebration. A blanket of excitement covers the area as visitors converge on the downtown area and countryside, bringing horses, mules, wagons, campers and unusual equine contraptions to settle down for a four-day celebration. Campers settle in on Wednesday and Thursday as they prepare to attend the concert which will be held on Thursday night at 6 at the Benson Singing Grove on Main Street. This year’s entertainment is Nashville star Ronnie McDowell, and there is no charge for admission. On Friday, visitors can enjoy many events including the “Mule Competitions” held in the Chamber Park and Arena. They will see mule coon jumping, a mule race, Best of Show and many other events. From these competitors the “Grand Champion” is chosen and will be in the Benson Mule Days parade on Saturday. If you haven’t seen a mule competition, this is a “must see” for the whole family. Main Street will be alive with entertainment on Friday from noon until 8. New this year are tours of the last standing mule stable in Benson during the hours of 2-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Visitors will also be able to take a tour of historic Benson in a horsedrawn wagon. Also new this year is the first Hispanic Heritage Day at the Carnival. The band will be La Tropa de Tierra Caliente, plus there will be dancers and vendors. There is no charge except for the carnival rides and vendors.

Double Creek Pro Rodeo will once again present a SRA-sponsored rodeo on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon. Music rodeo preshows will be at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and the rodeo begins at 7:30. Come early to visit the vendors and enjoy the music. After the rodeo on Friday and Saturday, you can shake a leg at the Mule Day Dance. Friday night’s act is Jonathan Parker and Reno Station will be playing on Saturday.

Saturday is a big day at Benson Mule Days as thousands of spectators line Main Street to observe one of the biggest parades in North Carolina. Bands, floats, Shriner units, classic cars, antique tractors, unique entries, beauty queens and hundreds of horses, mules, buggies and wagons make their way through Downtown Benson beginning at 10 a.m. Following the parade, visitors can make their way to the Singing Grove Park where a Bluegrass show will be presented.

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Don’t miss the 2018 Four Oaks Acorn Festival Submitted by Four Oaks Area Chamber of Commerce FOUR OAKS — The Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with United Community Bank, announces the 2018 Acorn Festival. This year’s festival will be held September 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will be a fun-filled family day with live music, children’s activities, food trucks, antique cars and tractors and great local shopping. The McDonald’s of Four Oaks Kids Zone will feature bounce houses, carnival games, face painting, train rides and a petting zoo. The stage in Barbour’s Grove Park will feature Eric Strickland and Here Tonight, the Antique Outlaws and The Expressions. The event will be larger than previous years with more children’s activities and the addition of a business expo area. “We are expanding our vendor area this year to feature a handmade and shopping area as well as a business expo,” Amber England, Four Oaks Chamber Director, said. “We feel this growth will better feature our local businesses and our artisan vendors.” The Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce is also looking for volunteers to assist with the festival day events. If you have any questions about this event or would like more information about volunteering, please contact the chamber office at 919-963-4044 or email info@fouroakschamber.com.

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Johnston Health honors phlebotomist as Ambassador of the Month Submitted by Johnston Health SMITHFIELD — Susan Kennedy, the outpatient phlebotomist at Johnston Health Clayton, has been named Ambassador of the Month. During a recent presentation, CEO Chuck Elliott said Kennedy goes above and beyond to make patients feel informed and comfortable. “She’s made such an impression that several repeat customers come to Clayton just so she can take care of them,” he says. Kennedy started out working nights at the hospital in Smithfield, and then transferred to Clayton when the inpatient wing opened in January 2015. “I love watching our hospital grow,” she says. She grew up in West Virginia, and learned phlebotomy from reading text books and getting practice at the then-new 25-bed hospital in her community. Back then, there were no phlebotomy schools. At nearby Marshall University, she took, and passed, the certification exam — it was 700 questions long and took five hours. And in the 25 years since, she has worked at other hospitals, large and small, in West Virginia and Florida. Crystal Felice, who is manager of the lab, says newer coworkers appreciate Kennedy’s experience and ask for her assistance. She helps with phlebotomy students from local colleges, and assists with training emergency department techs on proper technique, she adds. In addition to drawing blood, Kennedy assists with the many processes of the lab. And because she sits at the lobby window, she often helps visitors and patients find their way. Kennedy says the Clayton lab is a convenience particularly for local patients who have undergone organ transplants at UNC Medical Center. They’re able to get their blood work done here, and the results sent to

At center, CEO Chuck Elliott congratulates Susan Kennedy on being named Johnston Health Ambassador of the Month. At left is Crystal Felice, lab manager, and at right is Tracey Carson, an administrative director of patient care services. their physicians without having to drive to Chapel Hill. At the hospital, Kennedy serves on the lab council, and she volunteers at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. “She does whatever she can to assist others,” Felice says. “And if she can’t, she finds someone who can.” Kennedy is married to her high school sweetheart, Shawn, and, combined, they have three grown children and four grandchildren. Through the ambassador program, Johnston Health recognizes employees 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, Kennedy will receive eight hours of paid time off.

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Blackman’s Grove Baptist celebrates 125th anniversary By Randy Capps FOUR OAKS — A few things have changed at Blackman’s Grove Baptist Church since its founding on August 11, 1893 as a revival for 14 people at Josh Blackman’s store at Blackman’s Crossroads. For one thing, the church is now on the opposite side of Stricklands Crossroads Road. In the summer of 2014, the existing church building was moved across the road where it underwent a transformation. A steeple and Sunday School classrooms were added, the parking lot was paved and lighted and a new baptismal and stained glass pieces were added to the sanctuary. The congregation attended service in the new building for the first time on Easter Sunday in 2015, and they’ve been there ever since. “It’s a church that has grown and stayed together doing God’s work for all these years,” Pastor Reverend Rodney Wilson said. “It’s very special. … We appreciate the past, but I feel that Blackman’s Grove is also looking to the future for ways to better serve God and His people.” The church is planning a Homecoming Sunday to mark the occasion on September 9. Sunday School starts at 10 a.m. with the worship service to follow at 11.

Timeline 1920s-1930s — Church minutes indicate the building of a toilet for $38 and purchasing a piano for $50. 1950s — Sunday School enrollment peaked at 185, the church was remodeled and four Sunday School rooms and a heating system were added. 1980s — Stained glass windows and vinyl siding were added. 1991 — The baptistery was installed underneath the pulpit. 1993 — Church assumed ownership of the Blackman’s Crossroads Community Building as its Fellowship Center. 1996 — Property across the road from the church was purchased for additional growth.

Reverend Jerry Hicks will deliver the morning sermon. Hicks served as pastor of Blackman’s Grove for 14 years before retiring in 2016.

July 26, 2014 — Last worship service was held in the sanctuary on original church site.

All undesignated offerings on Homecoming Sunday will benefit the Future Fellowship Hall Building Fund.

August 16, 2014 — The church building was moved across Stricklands Crossroads Road.

There will also be a covered-dish lunch at the Fellowship Center immediately following the service. “We like to say that we try to have good preaching, good music and good food,” Wilson said.

April 6, 2015 — The first service was held in the new sanctuary.

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Add your organization’s events to the community calendar at JohnstonNow.com or email us at calendar@JohnstonNow.com. For the full community calendar with hundreds of area events, visit JohnstonNow.com NAMI support groups

The Johnston County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness offers monthly support groups for those suffering with mental illness and their families. Regular meetings are held in Clayton, Selma and Smithfield. For more information, contact Richard Callahan at 919-464-3572 or email namijcnc@gmail.com.

Every Monday, 6-8 p.m. and Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Second Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.

Johnston County Chapter of National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees 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 bhwoodard25@aol.com.

Angels on a Mission Food Pantry Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, 9856 Hwy 210, Four Oaks Every Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. This organization helps feed families in need in Johnston County. It is also in need of volunteers. For more information, N.C. Pesticide License Certification Preparation Johnston Community College Arboretum contact John Jernigan at 919-320-7387. This series of classes is intended for landscaping Every Tuesday, 7 a.m. professionals seeking pesticide licensing in North Carolina. Cleveland School Rotary Club Upon completion of this series, participants will be prepared Cleveland Draft House, Garner Cleveland School Rotary Club meets weekly and serves the to register for the N.C. Pesticide License Exam. Instruction will focus on the Core Exam and Ornamental and Turf citizens of the 40/42 area of Johnston County and Garner. classifications. To register, call Brenda Harris at First and third Tuesdays, Noon (919) 209-2522 or email kharris1@johnstoncc.edu. The Clayton Rotary Mid-day Club cost is $70. Cleveland Draft House, Clayton Every Thursday, 6:45 a.m. This small group of service-minded individuals is very dedicated to community betterment in Clayton and Johnston Clayton Rotary Morning Club Rainbow Lanes, Clayton County. Every Thursday morning, 70 service-minded people, Third Tuesday representing all ages, genders and races meet at Widowed Persons Fellowship Group Rainbow Lanes in Clayton. Breakfast is served at 6:45 a.m. Parkside Cafe, Pine Level and the hour-long meeting starts sharply at 7 a.m. The Widowed Persons Fellowship Group, Johnston County, cordially invites widowed males and females to join them at Every Thursday, 8-10 a.m. their monthly self-pay dinner meeting. There is no charge to Plant a Row for the Hungry - Johnston County JCC Arboretum join their group. Come and see what they’re all about. Call Volunteers plan and take care of vegetable gardens and an 919-965-3865 with any questions. orchard year round, and all of the harvest is Every Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. donated to local soup kitchens and food pantries. No Every Thursday, 6-8:30 p.m. previous gardening experience is required and training is Pottery Classes provided. Adults welcome, and anyone under 16 must be Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center accompanied by a parent. For more information, please Enjoy pottery classes at the SRAC. The fees are $100 for contact Tiffany at plantarow@yahoo.com. Smithfield residents and $137.50 for everyone else. There is First Thursday, noon and third Monday, 6 p.m. also a $20 fee for the clay. For more information, Kiwanis Club of Clayton call 919-934-1408. Cleveland Draft House, U.S. 70 Business Every Wednesday, 10 a.m to noon The newly formed Kiwanis Club of Clayton serves the Smithfield Tadpoles community with emphasis on school youth Kiwanis Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center - Bring your little programs. They advise two local high school KEY clubs “tadpoles” to SRAC Splash Park. The cost is $3 for adult (Kiwanis Educating Youth) and meets twice each month. For Smithfield residents, and $2 for residents ages 3-12. The more information, email president Jack Tucker at non-resident fee is $5.50 for adults, and $4 per child. Each mrtcpa@gmail.com or call 805-377-9573. additional child is $3. For more information, call 919-934-1408.

Every Thursday, 12 p.m.

Central Johnston County Rotary Club The Central Johnston County Rotary Club meets every Thursday for lunch at the Johnston Medical Mall and serves the Smithfield and Selma areas.

Every Friday, 9:30-10:15 a.m.

Doodlebugs Art Class Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center Kids aged three and under can take part in art classes at the SRAC. The fees are $5 per class for Smithfield residents and $8 for everyone else. For more information, call 919-934-1408.

Every Third Friday, 6-9 p.m.

Free Carriage Rides Downtown Smithfield The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation hosts free carriage rides, starting on the corner of Third and Market, around the beautiful, historic downtown area each month. Have dinner and drinks at locally owned restaurants, catch a movie at the Howell Theatre and enjoy some small town charm!

First Friday of the month, 7:30-9 a.m.

Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce Member Breakfast Triple Barrel Tavern Join the Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce for its free member breakfast each month. Contact the chamber at 919-773-8448 for more information.

Third Friday

Clayton Area Parkinson’s Group All people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers are invited to learn, socialize and exchange ideas in friendly and casual meetings. Meeting locations and times vary. To learn more, call Mark or Jane Wilson at 919-359-0633 or 919-6312628. Or email retiredones@earthlink.net.

Last Friday of the month

Free carriage rides, Clayton Enjoy free carriage rides in downtown Clayton. Every last Friday, there will be free horse-drawn carriage rides. Come out and explore the downtown Clayton area and go for a nice ride with Southern Charm Carriages. For more details, call 919-946-0924.

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Every Saturday and Sunday

Studio Girls Art Exhibit Frank Creech Art Gallery, JCC Don’t miss “Studio Girls” from the Johnston County Arts Cooperative, an exhibit featuring Michelle Fields, Lori Hamilton, Dee Lee, Linda Ridout and Jo Lee Tucker. Exhibit is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sundays from 1-5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m.

Sensory-Friendly Movie Showing Howell Theatre, Smithfield The Partnership for Children and Howell Theatre present a sensory friendly showing of Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. The lights will be up and the sound will be lower during the showing. Tickets are $4.

Tuesday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.

Cash Flow - Your Budget for Small Businesses JCC Small Business Center, Clayton An introduction to the various aspects of cash flow, what it is, components that make up cash flow, how to calculate cash flow, definitions associated with cash flow, and using cash flow to help determine pricing for products and services. For more information, email sbc@mail.johnstoncc.edu.

Friday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m.

Benson’s First Friday Visit Downtown Benson for its monthly First Friday event. Participating shops will remain open until 9 p.m. Some shops will offer light refreshments (i.e: wine, beer, etc.) DIY projects, crafts or an exclusive First Friday sale. There will also be a food truck set up in Benton Square.

Saturday, Sept. 8, 9 a.m.

Selma Saturdays Arts and Crafts Market Gather with friends and enjoy live local entertainment and browse local artists with hand-crafted items. The gazebo is located at the 100 Block of E. Anderson Street in Uptown Selma in the back parking lot of Town Hall. Vendors and Entertainment Acts are needed throughout the year. For complete information, please call 919-975-1411.

Saturday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m.

Four Oaks Acorn Festival The Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with United Community Bank, announces the 2018 Acorn Festival. This will be a fun-filled family day with live music, children’s activities, food trucks, antique cars and tractors and great local shopping. The McDonald’s of Four Oaks Kids Zone will feature bounce houses, carnival games, face painting, train rides and a petting zoo. For more information, email info@fouroakschamber.com.

Saturday, Sept. 8, 6:45 p.m.

American Music Jubliee Rudy Theatre, Selma Don’t miss the American Music Jubilee Live at the Rudy. For tickets, visit rudytheatre.com.

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Sunday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m.

125th Anniversary - Blackman’s Grove Baptist Stricklands Crossroads Road, Four Oaks Join Blackman’s Grove Baptist Church as it celebrates its 125th anniversary. Sunday School starts at 10 a.m., followed by the morning service at 11 and a covered-dish meal immediately after. For more information, call Elaine at 919-915-2112.

Monday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m.

Food Trucks, Food Trailers, and Vendor Carts class JCC Small Business Center, Clayton Learn everything you need to know to have a Mobile Food Unit (MFU) that meets Johnston County food service standards. A working guide to building/operating an MFU: Rules and requirements. Details on building a unit. What is expected of an MFU while in operation. For more information, email sbc@mail.johnstoncc.edu.

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 6 p.m.

Business Structure 101 for Small Business JCC Small Business Center, Clayton Learn which structure is best for your business: Sole Proprietorship, General Partnership, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation or Limited Liability Corporation. Details on how to correctly set up your structure and when you might need to change it. For more information, email sbc@mail.johnstoncc.edu.

Sept. 12-16

Clayton Harvest Festival See the official guide on Pages 19-22.

Saturday, Sept. 15, 12:45 p.m.

American Music Jubliee Rudy Theatre, Selma Don’t miss the American Music Jubilee Live at the Rudy. For tickets, visit rudytheatre.com.

Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.

Low Cost Marketing in a Small Town for Small Businesses JCC Small Business Center, Clayton Get the most for your money with these cost effective strategies to reach your target audience in your community. Steps to creating a marketing plan with a target market in or around a small town. Developing an effective budget. Determining your current market. And, how to compete with the big boys. For more information, email sbc@mail. johnstoncc.edu.

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 3 p.m.

Facebook for Small Businesses JCC Small Business Center, Clayton An introduction to learn the best ways to use Facebook to keep in touch with your customers, and gain new followers. Tips on how to create and manage content. For more information, email sbc@mail.johnstoncc.edu.

Sept. 20-23

Benson Mule Days The 4th Saturday of September has been home to Benson’s Mule Days festival for more than 60 years. This four-day family-fun festival is packed with mule competition events, rodeos, carnival rides, arts and crafts, street dances and concerts. It also boasts the largest parade in North Carolina. Visit bensonmuledays.com.

Thursday, Sept. 20, 12:45 p.m.

American Music Jubliee Rudy Theatre, Selma Don’t miss the American Music Jubilee Live at the Rudy. For tickets, visit rudytheatre.com.

Saturday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.

International Food Festival St. Ann Catholic Church, Clayton Don’t miss the 10th Annual International Food Festival at St. Ann Church in Clayton featuring foods from 20 countries. Enjoy live international entertainment along with children’s games and a silent auction. Admission is free.

Saturday, Sept. 22, 2 p.m.

7th Annual Farm Fest The Farm at 95, Selma Check out Clay Walker, Lonestar & Deana Carter at the Farm Fest, presented by Bedlam Vodka. Visit thefarmnc.com.

Saturday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.

Statler Brothers Tribute Band Rudy Theatre, Selma Catch the Statler Brothers Tribute Band Live at the Rudy. For more, visit rudytheatre.com.

Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m.

Federal Taxes for your Small Business JCC Small Business Center, Clayton Get up to date information on the latest Federal tax law changes. Learn how to best utilize those changes for your small business and how to make informed tax planning decisions. For more information, email sbc@mail.johnstoncc.edu.

Friday, Sept. 28, 9:30 a.m.

Johnston Health Foundation Annual Golf Classic The Johnston Health Foundation and Accelerated Claims, Inc. Annual Golf Classic is an annual fundraiser held in memory of Dr. Hubert M. Poteat, the first surgeon recruited to Johnston Memorial Hospital when it opened in 1951. The tournament began in the 1980s, and has continued as an annual tradition to support the Foundation. For more, visit johnstonhealth.org/foundation/foundation-events/annualgolf-classic/.

Saturday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Public Power Career Job Fair GALOT Motorsports Park, Dragstrip Road, Benson Admission is free for anyone that works for a public power agency or anyone that has an interest in learning about a career in public power. This recruitment event is open to high school students, military and the general public. Electric departments will be on display with trucks, staff and informational booths as well.

Saturday, Sept. 29, 12:45 p.m.

American Music Jubliee Rudy Theatre, Selma Don’t miss the American Music Jubilee Live at the Rudy. For tickets, visit rudytheatre.com.

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You’re Invited! Triangle East Business Expo Presented by The Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce

Tuesday, October 16, 2018 11am - 8pm Location: Carolina Premium Outlets, 1025 Outlet Center Drive, Smithfield Kenly

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