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MARCH 2017 | Your Community. Your Neighbors. Your Story.
FREE!
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March 21, 6 - 8 p.m.
Johnston Community College
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MARCH 2017 | 3
16
MARCH 2017 | Your Community. Your Neighbors. Your Story.
20
CLAYTON
ON THE COVER
Matthew Baldwin lines up a shot
at a recent Revolution practice.
Photo by Jamaal Porter/Massive Motives
4 | JOHNSTON NOW
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YOUR J-NOW
TEAM
Volume 1, Number 4
A Shandy Communications, LLC publication
Publisher
Randy Capps
randy@johnstonnow.com
General Manager
Shanna Capps
shanna@johnstonnow.com
Creative Consultant
Ethan Capps
Johnston Community College basketball
We catch up with the Jaguars, who returned to the court this season.
Creative Director
Frank Spurlock
PAGE 6
LIVING AN ADULT VERSION OF A
CHILDHOOD DREAM
PAGES 8-9
CLAYTON AND BENTON CHAMBERS
HAND OUT AWARDS
PAGES 10-11
NEWS FROM YOUR JOHNSTON
COUNTY NEIGHBORS
PAGES 12-14
CLEVELAND AND SMITHFIELDSELMA
CHAMBER AWARDS
PAGE 14
SELMA ELEMENTARY CELEBRATES
CHARACTER
PAGE 24
NEUSE CHARTER SCHOOL LANDS
BRIGHT IDEAS GRANT
PAGE 26
YOU DON’T HAVE TO VISIT
HOLLYWOOD TO ENJOY
AWARDS
PAGES 30-31
J-NOW CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Editorial Consultant
Mike Bollinger
Interested in advertising? Send an email to
shanna@johnstonnow.com or call 919-618-4405
Story idea or a photo to share?
Send an email to hello@johnstonnow.com
or mail it to P.O. Box 58, Four Oaks, N.C., 27524
919-980-5522
www.johnstonnow.com
Facebook.com/JohnstonNow
Johnson 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. ©2017 Johnston Now. All rights reserved.
MARCH 2017 | 5
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Living an adult version of a childhood dream
“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other
plans.”
I don’t know if John Lennon was the first to say that,
but that’s where I heard it. And I think it’s spot on.
Since I was a senior in high school, I knew I wanted to
write about sports. In those days, what I wanted most
was to get a job covering a Major League Baseball team.
I dreamed of living out of a suitcase six months out
of the year, piling up frequent flyer miles while I
wrote brilliant pieces on the Orioles’ third baseman or
whatever else might be the news of the day.
Of course, somewhere along the way I figured out
that dream isn’t compatible with family life. And I
wouldn’t trade the bride and boy for a
zillion Delta SkyMiles.
So, I’ve never been a baseball beat writer. But, for this
month at least, I am the publisher of a sports magazine.
In this issue, you’ll find stories about the Clayton Rugby
Football Club, called the Bootleggers, the Revolution, a
wheelchair basketball team, and Johnston Community
College’s men’s and women’s basketball programs.
Call it a scaled-down, less political version of Sports
Illustrated.
What’s funny is that, until
this month, I had never
written a word about rugby
or wheelchair basketball.
And until recently, I had
never interviewed a chef or
fitness instructor, either.
In every edition, I try
something new. It’s exciting
as a writer, and pretty
much the opposite of
Randy Capps
randy@johnstonnow.com
what I would be doing in my old dream job.
I hope you enjoy J-Now’s foray into the
sports world. Because, to paraphrase
another famous Beatle, we don’t
work at being ordinary.
DECEMBER 2016 | Your Community. Your Neighbors. Your Story.
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Mail with payment to: Johnston Now, PO Box 58, Four Oaks, NC 27524
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Clayton chamber hands out awards
Submitted by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce
Photos by Jamaal Porter/Massive Motives
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce held its 66th annual Installation and Awards
Ceremony and gave out seven different awards.
Michelle Dominico-Frye, from River Dell Elementary School, earned the SuperStar Teacher
of the Year award, while Medlin Office Supply’s Jennifer Lawrence was the Clayton Women
in Networking award winner.
Hensley Scott took home the Rotary Community Service award and Todd Goodrich, of
Triangle Insurance, was named Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
Melody Brown earned Volunteer of the Year honors for her help with “Squealin’ on the
Square.”
Rob and Amy Baker, owners of A & E Trophy, won the Small Business of the Year award
and John Long was honored as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
Hensley Scott
Jennifer Lawrence
John Long
Melody Brown
Michelle Dominico-Frye
8 | JOHNSTON NOW
Rob and Amy Baker
Todd Goodrich
Benson chamber hands out honors at annual ceremony
Submitted by the Benson Chamber of Commerce
Photos by The (Dunn) Daily Record
The Benson Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards ceremony recently and honored several of its members.
Front row, left to right: DeVan Barbour, III, special recognition; Ken
Tart, Citizen of the Year; Paul Dunn, Small Business Person of
the Year; Katherine Hamlin representing Hamlin Industries, Large
Business of the Year and Deborah Davis, Chamber Ambassador
of the Year. Back row: Danny Medlin, Grimes Medlin, Bill Medlin,
Business Family of the Year and Mike Denning, recipient of the Board
of Directors Award.
Front row, left to right: Evelyn Aranda, Benson Area Women’s
Organization Outstanding Woman; Diana Diaz, South Johnston
Optimist Club Town of Benson Employee of the Year; Zachary
Jacobs, American Legion Banner Post 109 Law Enforcement Officer
of the Year; Ashton Thompson, Benson Area Women’s Organization
Outstanding Youth and Martha Parrish, B.A.W.O. Senior Citizen of the
Year. Back row: Wesley Bullock, American Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary
Educator of the Year Award; Justin Sloan, Banner Post 109 Firefighter
of the Year; Jaymes Elliott, Benson Junior Woman’s Club Arts Award;
Terry Thompson, Benson Lions Club Volunteer of the Year and Keith
Langdon, Benson Kiwanis Humanitarian of the Year.
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MARCH 2017 | 9
across the hedge. down the street. around the block.
Clayton High club raises
$2,000 for Muscular
Dystrophy Association
Submitted by Johnston County Schools
Students in Clayton High’s DECA chapter, an association for
marketing students, raised and donated $2,000 to the Muscular
Dystrophy Association (MDA) recently.
The DECA chapter presented a check and several other items
collected by students to Amber Toy, family care specialist for MDA
Eastern Carolina, on Jan. 12.
The chapter’s community service effort began last March when
they raised $300 by selling shamrocks during their annual MD
campaign.
Following the fundraiser, DECA members and faculty participated
in several activities to raise additional funds. The activities included
participating in the Muscle Walk, a wristband sale, conducting
a Miracle Minute, a bowling tournament and Zaxby’s teacher
lunches.
The chapter also got other students at Clayton High involved in
their fundraiser by conducting a “Fill a Stocking for MDA” project,
where classes collected art supplies for children to use at the MDA
summer camp this year.
DECA has been a long-time supporter and partner of the Muscular
Dystrophy Association. Together MDA and DECA work to help fund
research to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy and
other debilitating muscle diseases. They also help meet the special
needs of young people and adults who suffer from debilitating
muscle diseases.
DECA utilizes community service as a dynamic learning
opportunity that supports classroom teaching, student
achievement, and overall college and career readiness.
Smithfield-Selma Chamber hosts
Academic Achievers Luncheon
Photo by Smithfield-Selma Chamber
NEWS FROM YO
SMITHFIELD — Thirty Johnston County high school juniors were
honored at the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce Academic
Achievers luncheon at the Country Club of Johnston County on Monday,
Feb. 6.
The students from Smithfield-Selma High School, Johnston County
Early College Academy, Johnston County Middle College and Neuse
Charter School were chosen for the honor based on their grade-point
averages and class size.
The students enjoyed a catered lunch by Outback Steakhouse, and then
had a chance to participate in round table discussions with invited area
professionals in fields including law, engineering, business, medicine
and commmunications.
J.H. Langdon, a former member of the North Carolina State House
of Representatives, was the guest speaker, and each of the students
received a certificate.
One more from the snow
Photo by Mara Benson
We had a snow picture left over from the February issue. This is Layla
Benson with her Mema, Susan, in Four Oaks during Layla’s first sledding trip.
Students from the Clayton High DECA chapter present Amber Toy, family
care specialist for MDA Eastern Carolina, with a check for $2,000 as well
as items collected by students. Pictured are: Left to right, Davis Lanier,
Taylor Bowman, Amber Toy, Kelli Carver, Chelsey Wansley, Hannah
Ziegler and Maya Kelly.
10 | JOHNSTON NOW
OUR NEIGHBORS
Johnston County Industries program
takes in DPAC show
Submitted by JCI
JCC accepts Bellwether
Finalist Award
Submitted by JCC
On December 3, Johnston County Industries’ Community Integration program
participants and their families had the opportunity to attend a showing of Dr.
Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” at the Durham Performing Arts
Center.
This box office breaking Broadway musical was presented in a special
sensory-friendly performance that was tolerant and supportive for children and
adults on the autism spectrum.
The performance featured the hit songs. “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and
“Welcome Christmas” from the original animated television special. Individuals
in attendance were able to sing along and participate in the interactive aspects
of the show. The spectacular set designs and costumes were vivid, whimsical
and reminiscent of the beloved children’s book.
Following the performance, individuals and their families enjoyed a delicious
buffet lunch at Golden Corral filled with all types of meats, sides and desserts.
This group social between the Johnston and Harnett locations was a wonderful
day of fellowship and fun.
Unique Gifts
By Jacquelynn
opens in Clayton
Submitted by Clayton Chamber of
Commerce
The Clayton Chamber had a
ribbon cutting for a new downtown
business, Unique Gifts By
Jacquelynn, recently. The business,
owned and operated by Jacquelynn
Richardson, is located at 325 East
Main Street in Clayton.
MARCH 2017 |
11
Johnston Community College proudly accepted its 2017
Bellwether finalist award in January at the Community
College Futures Assembly in Orlando.
JCC was one of 10 community colleges in the nation
selected as a finalist in the planning, governance and
finance category. JCC was selected for its “One College”
organizational philosophy for student success.
Even though JCC did not win the category, JCC
president David Johnson said he is proud of the College’s
commitment to student success which led to the
recognition.
“We were so privileged to be a part of the 2017 Community
College Futures Assembly as a Bellwether Award finalist,”
he said. “This independent policy think-tank is one of the
premier organizations in the United States which recognizes
and promotes effective college programs.
“JCC was honored to be selected from hundreds of
applications as a Bellwether finalist for our One College
philosophy. I was extremely proud of our team of presenters
as they represented the entire institution’s work to fulfill
student success.”
Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce
holds annual awards banquet
Submitted by the Greater Cleveland Chamber
Photos by Jamaal Porter/Massive Motives
GARNER — The Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce celebrated
its 19th annual awards banquet recently at the Hall and Gardens at
Landmark.
The honorees included:
Dr. Ryan Williams, 2016 Man of the Year — Williams is the owner of
Crossroads Wellness and Rehab, located at McGee’s Crossroads since 2006.
He has also served on the Greater Cleveland Chamber Board of Directors.
Williams lives in the Cleveland area with his wife, Jennifer, and his
daughter Bentley.
Suzanne Wiley, 2016 Woman of the Year — Wiley is a financial advisor
with Edward Jones. At the firm, she is focused on people and became a
firm-wide leader in client satisfaction.
She is also known as a woman who deeply wants others to succeed and is
immediately recognizable for her ever-present smile that greets people as
they walk in the door.
Kristy Myers, 2016 Teacher of the Year — Myers teaches at Cleveland
Middle School and has consistently excelled in motivating and advancing
the academic success of her students. She uses a variety of teaching
techniques and individualizes all of her lessons based on each student’s
abilities. She’s also the lead teacher for the Exceptional Children’s
Department at the school.
Kurt Woods, 2016 Volunteer of the Year — Woods served in the Army for
12 years and now owns his own financial company, Integrity Financial.
He is busy with volunteer work through the Baptist Men Association,
With Love from Jesus, serving as a local coordinator for a student exchange
program, helping his son organize food drives and multiple projects with
Hocutt Baptist Church.
12 | JOHNSTON NOW
He was also a previous board member on the Greater Cleveland Board of
Directors.
Greater Cleveland Athletic Association, 2016 Nonprofit of the Year — The
GCAA is a 501c3 non-profit organization that serves the youth of the
Cleveland and surrounding communities by organizing and running five
youth sports. These sports include baseball, basketball, softball, volleyball
and soccer.
Petal Florist & More, 2016 Business of the Year — Located on N.C. 42 in
the heart of the Cleveland community is this flower shop owned by Debra
Celestin. Celestin began working at a friend’s floral shop at age 15 and
has continued her passion since. She loves doing weddings and adding her
special touch to any floral arrangement.
Grow With Us
“Serving as the voice of business while
enhancing community life and growth in the
Cleveland Township and surrounding areas.”
Learn new
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Support
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greaterclevelandchamber@gmail.com
www.greaterclevelandchamber.com | 919-773-8448
5533 NC Highway 42 West | Suite A4-1 | Garner, NC
March 3rd
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June 16th
GCCC Golf Tournament
Sponsorships Available
MARCH 2017 | 13
community
Promote
your
business
Create
a local
network
Smithfield-Selma Chamber honors
distinguished citizens at annual meeting
Submitted by the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce
SMITHFIELD — The Greater Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of
Commerce wrapped up 2016 at its 47th Annual Meeting recently.
It included a farewell bid to its president of 30 years, Rick Childrey,
recognition of members who earned special honors and a passing of the
gavel from past board chair, Dr. Dwight Morris, executive director of
the Johnston County Partnership for Children, to the new chair, Corina
Knott, Senior Account Executive with Interstate Outdoor, Inc.
Knott expressed excitement about leading the charge to “Connect,
Grow and Prosper,” the chamber’s new mission-driven slogan.
Childrey was presented with gifts and “roasted” after the meeting kicked
off with a reception in his honor.
Other award winners were:
Johna Faulconer — Howard Best award for outstanding contributions
to the work of the Board of Directors.
Chris Collins — Ambassador of the Year, for his time and commitment
to help other chamber members recognize and take full advantage of
their member benefits.
Tara Dunn and Bob Hinnant — Jimmy Creech Small Business Persons
of the Year award, for success, longevity and commitment to the
community.
Crystal Kimpson Roberts — Athena Award for achieving excellence in
her field of work and for reaching out and opening a way for others.
Jessica Davis — Citizen of the Year, for bringing her vision of creating
the Junior Women’s League of Smithfield to fruition.
Eric Brownlee and Cheryl Oliver — Distinguished Citizen honorees,
for their unwavering dedication and service to the communities they
serve.
Leo Daughtry, Linwood Parker, and Durwood Stephenson — Bonsai
Award for Vision and Courage in their continuous commitment to
positive economic growth in Johnston County.
Life Memberships were awarded to Rick Childrey, Bruce Edwards,
Becky Guin, Carl Lamm, Jullian Marshall, Dicky Parrish, Pat Proctor
and Donald Wallace.
Front row: Left to right,
Bob Hinnant, Crystal
Roberts, Cheryl Oliver,
Jessica Davis, Carl Lamm
and Julian Marshall. Back
row, Tara Dunn, Eric
Brownlee, Chris Collins,
Durwood Stephenson,
Dwight Morris, Linwood
Parker and Johna
Faulconer.
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14 | JOHNSTON NOW
Selma Elementary celebrates character
Submitted by Johnston County Schools
Selma Elementary proudly celebrated its
students who demonstrate exceptional character
during the school’s semiannual Character Trait
Reception in January.
At the ceremony, students were reminded
to work hard, try their best and to never let
anyone underestimate their abilities to do great
things by special guest speaker, Nicole Hardy, a
sophomore at Smithfield-Selma High.
Students who were recognized were presented
with certificates. The Selma Lions Club
sponsored a special ice cream social for students
who had been nominated between the months
of September and January for exhibiting
the character traits of respect, perseverance,
responsibility, compassion and dependability.
Students from each grade level are nominated
by their teachers each month for displaying that
month’s focus character trait.
Selma Elementary administration and staff
promote, encourage and model good character
for their students, and say they’re proud to see
students exhibit these characteristics each day.
Students who were recognized were: Front row, left to right, Yair Rodriguez, Kenaysha Gonzalez
Jijon, Jamear Wilson, Lauryn Staggers, Julian Castillo, Carlos Martinez, Jorge Martinez, Angel
Trejo and Delaney Villeda. Middle row: Lisset Castro, Naara Castro, Gabriela Andrade Cruz,
Anthony Andrade Cruz and Arleath Arreaga. Back row: Nicole Hardy, Marisela Martinez Trejo,
Stephanie Guerrero, Berenice Ramirez, Ashley Cruz, Edom Smith, Tristan Robertson, Yeiraliz
Solivan Soto, Yesenia Morales-Martin, Bryson Haynes, Marcelo Pena and Jonathan Martinez.
MARCH 2017 | 15
Clayton-based
foundation helps get
kids in the game
By Randy Capps
Members of the team take a break after a recent tournament. Front row, left to
right, are: Lauren Wells, Christopher Kammerer, Braxton Barefoot and Alyssa
Lynch. Second row: Kylei Gartin, Timothy Allen, Omar Sanchez, Matthew Baldwin,
Jason Vaquis and coach Billy Gartin.
Photo submitted by Richard Lynch
CLAYTON — It’s an ordinary Sunday inside the Clayton Community
Center’s gymnasium.
Sunlight streams in from the windows, and a men’s pickup game is happening
on one side of the gym.
On the other side of the dividing curtain, there’s a practice going on.
Cones are spread out in various places along the floor, and coach Billy Gartin,
ball in hand, is calling out instructions from the middle of the floor.
“Come on Omar,” Billy shouts. “Make that turn!”
The cones are in place so that the players have to weave in and around them,
before doubling back and making a layup. It’s a tough drill. It seems turning a
wheelchair that sharply can be tricky.
The Revolution, a youth wheelchair basketball team based in Clayton, is
three years old. It was started by Richard Lynch, the founder and president of
Revolution Adaptive Sports Inc.
That company is a 501c3 nonprofit that raises money for the team’s equipment
and travel to tournaments both locally and around the southeast as part of the
National Wheelchair Basketball Association.
The program is for children ages 5-18 who have a lower extremity disability,
like Spina Bifida, paralysis or amputation.
Lynch’s daughter, Alyssa, started playing wheelchair ball in Raleigh. But Lynch
saw a need to bring that opportunity a little closer to home.
“My daughter had played on the Raleigh team for a few years,” he said. “Two
or three of the members lived in Johnston County and we found an interest of
a few more people in playing in Johnston County. … So we started our own
team down here.”
The Revolution started with a handful of players, and now has around 10
players on the roster.
“I needed to have a place where other children could have the same
16 | JOHNSTON NOW
opportunity that mine had,” he said of growing the sport in Johnston
County. “It’s not only a basketball team, it’s a confidence builder for
these kids. To find a place they belong, to find something they’re good
at, it carries out into their school life, into their church life and into their
family life.
“My daughter grew up overnight when she started playing wheelchair
ball. It’s my passion to get as many kids (as I can) traveling the same
road that she did.”
One of the requirements for that path is a chair. The chairs, made
especially for wheelchair ball, start at around $2,000. Revolution
Adaptive Sports has bought five of them for team use in the last three
years.
“Most of the families are pretty strapped already with the medical
situations with their kids,” he said. “We raise money as a foundation and
we buy these chairs to loan to the players. The last thing I want is for a
kid to want to play and us not have a chair for them.”
When he isn’t using a portable air pump to keep the balls inflated
properly, Lynch works part-time for Wake County Schools transporting
children with special needs and serves as president of the athletic booster
club at Neuse Charter School.
It’s a hectic schedule, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I really enjoy doing this,” he said. “It’s a lot of work behind the scenes,
setting up tournaments and things like that. But it’s a labor of love. It
really is.”
Omar Sanchez waits for his turn to
do a drill at practice.
Photos by Jamaal Porter/Massive Motives
Coach Billy Gartin lets the team
know how long the next drill will be.
MARCH 2017 | 17
Alyssa Lynch
gets ready
to shoot at a
recent practice
at the Clayton
Community
Center.
Gartin, a retired Marine and Raleigh police officer, also coaches his son’s
team in McGee’s Crossroads. His goals don’t change from one group of
kids to the other.
“I just like to come out here and have fun,” he said. “It’s my No. 1 goal
that we work hard, learn some life lessons and have some fun. These kids
work hard to be involved in a sport — an organized team sport at that.
“My little girl’s on the team and she had asked for years to get involved
in some type of organized team sport. Basketball was the choice. We
found out about the organization and we signed up.”
As fate would have it, soon after the Gartins joined up, the program
found itself in need of a new coach.
Gartin threw himself into learning the ins and outs of the wheelchair
game, and found that the games are relatively similar.
“The rules are almost identical, with the exception of the amount of time
you can propel the chair and dribble” he said. “The contact fouls are
almost identical. I would say these kids have a harder time trying to get
up and down the court. They probably work harder than kids playing in
a (typical) league.
“They needed a coach, and I said, ‘why not,’” he said. “Not knowing a
lot about wheelchair basketball (at the time), I know hustle. And these
kids work hard. You can’t put a price on seeing the satisfaction on their
face when they get out here and compete. To me it’s worth its weight in
gold.”
For more on Revolution Adaptive Sports, or to make a donation, contact
Lynch at revolutionadaptivesports@gmail.com.
18 | JOHNSTON NOW
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MARCH 2017 | 19
The Bootleggers line up for a kickoff
against Southern Pines last month.
Photos by Jamaal Porter/Massive Motives
By Randy Capps
CLAYTON — Bright sunshine beamed down from a
Carolina blue sky in Clayton on a February afternoon.
A mile down the road, there were a couple of youth
soccer matches underway and the dog park was filling
up fast.
Across the street at East Clayton Community Park,
there was an adult pickup soccer game going on, too.
Not far away, a very different game was kicking off.
The Clayton Bootleggers, clad in yellow and black
kits (uniforms) adorned with a Deep River Brewing
Company logo, were taking on Southern Pines RFC in
a rugby match.
Southern Pines had its own set of sponsors on its green
20 | JOHNSTON NOW
Clayton’s Nick Taylor
gets a boost as he
reaches for a lineout.
jerseys, but for a few minutes near the end of the first half, the only color
that mattered was red.
That was for the blood escaping from Clayton’s Travis Morrison’s broken
nose as he lay prone on the far sideline.
“Medic,” was the shout raised by his teammates as they reached for the
water bottles. Before the trainers could reach him, however, one of the
Southern Pines players decided to lend a hand.
“All of a sudden, I saw a guy in a green shirt standing over me,” Morrison
said later. “I thought, ‘what are you doing?’ Then the guy said, ‘I’m a
doctor. Hold still.’ And he set it back (in place).”
He said all of that with a smile that only a rugby player could have five
minutes after having his face driven into the dirt.
It seems one of the most popular sports in the world has a home right
here in Johnston County.
The Clayton Rugby Football Club was founded in late 2013 by the
same folks that were coaching in the Clayton Copperheads Youth Rugby
program that began a year earlier.
Practice began the following spring with seven players, and as the
calendar flipped to 2017, that number has swelled to more than 60. There
are roughly 150 players involved in the separate Copperheads youth
program.
“It took a while to get going,” club president Ted Hardy said. “But once
we started rolling, it took off really fast.”
The club fields three different sides, a competitive team, a beginner team
and an “Old Boys” team for those 35 and older.
The competitive team has already been promoted a level, and according
to USA Rugby, the organization is the fifth-fastest growing club in
America.
So, what makes Eastern North Carolina, and specifically Johnston
County, such fertile ground for the sport?
“I think there are a few reasons,” Hardy said. “I think North Carolina in
general is the next rugby hotbed. … It’s a combination of the climate.
There’s moderate weather here for most of the year. We get a longer
playing season here. And the diversity, especially here in the Triangle,
lends itself well to growing rugby.
“It’s the second-most played sport in the world, and we get a lot of people
here, international folks that come from other countries that are already
familiar with the sport. So, when they come over for work with their kids
or whatever, they seem to buy in.”
There are some misconceptions about the sport that hinder its growth in
some places. Like soccer, it’s not always known for being the most family
friendly game to watch or play. But at the Clayton Rugby Football Club,
family is at the heart of the club’s mission.
The sidelines were dotted with wives and children, packed together in
camping chairs. Some even brought their pets along for the fun.
“We focus on these real traditional kind of family values,” Hardy said.
“Respect. Sportsmanship. Integrity. There’s a big focus on those things
in rugby, and it lends well to the sort of family values we have here in
Johnston County.
“We spend a lot of time focusing on family. We get everybody’s wives
and their kids — they’re all welcome around the club. Speaking from
experience, I’m originally from Ohio, the club I played for up there
was not a wives and kids kind of club. It wasn’t a real inclusive kind of
environment, so we’ve kind of gone in the other direction. We prefer to
Travis Morrison
takes a break after
suffering an injury.
The teams prepare
for a scrum.
Nick Taylor gets ready
to throw the ball back
into play.
MARCH 2017 | 21
Clayton’s Jonathan
Sanyer goes up for
the ball. Bottom,
Clayton’s Ted
Chapman tries to
make a tackle on a
Southern Pines player.
get them involved, and it makes a big difference.
“Because the wives let the men play.”
In addition, the club also runs as a family in its own right.
“On top of it all, what I think keeps people coming back is the
camaraderie,” Hardy said. “That kind of family aspect. The guys you play
rugby with end up being like family. We have dinners together, our kids
play together. That’s what keeps guys coming back, even after they get
some bumps and bruises.”
Morrison, after being subbed out, sat in the bleachers with cotton in both
nostrils. His nose was swollen, but it was hard to notice anything except
his ear-to-ear grin.
The atmosphere is one thing, but the rush of taking the field is another.
Getting to make the occasional tackle is pretty fun, too.
“It’s a great stress relief, especially for adult players,” Hardy said. “We’ve
got families, we’ve got jobs. We’ve got a lot of stress in our lives. It’s not
easy to keep active as far as fitness goes. It’s a good way to get out, get
some fitness in and let off some steam.”
Another common rugby myth is that it’s similar to football. But Hardy
suggests a different comparison.
“People like to say that it’s football without pads, but in reality, it’s more
like basketball,” he said. “You play offense, you play defense. Everybody
gets the ball, and everybody can score.
“It requires all of those skills. You need to be able to pass the ball, catch
the ball and run the ball. People that come to the sport that have never
played before, that’s what really catches them.”
A topic of conversation in youth sports these days is safety, particularly
with head injuries. The NFL is trying to address the issue with its “Heads
Up” program, while some youth soccer organizations are banning headers
for its younger players.
USA Rugby takes it seriously, too. But Hardy believes that the sport isn’t
any more dangerous than any other.
“It gets a bad rap,” Hardy said. “Having played football, when you’re not
wearing all that armor, you start thinking about where you put your head.
“There’s a big emphasis, especially at the youth level, about teaching
proper tackling technique. Head to the side, so you’re taking your head
out of the tackle.”
In addition, the strike zone for tackles used to be the shoulder and below.
Now, it’s under the armpit. Anything higher is an automatic penalty.
With a growing membership and a successful youth club breeding
potential new players, the club is committed to growing the sport even
more in Johnston County.
“We’ve been searching for some land to develop into a rugby facility, and
this spring we started talking with the Town of Wilson’s Mills,” Hardy
said. “They’ve got a community park project they’re about to break
ground on. Part of the park is going to be playgrounds and basketball
courts, things like that. On the rest of it, we’re going to put in fields.
“So, we’ll have a permanent home for rugby in Johnston County, and the
town gets extra recreational space.”
The facility, scheduled to open next year, will allow the club to host more
and bigger tournaments.
And even more chances for Morrison and the Bootleggers to take the
field.
For more info on the Clayton Rugby Football Club, visit ClaytonRFC.com.
22 | JOHNSTON NOW
Rugby 101
So, you want to watch rugby? Here’s what you need to know:
The object of the game: Advance the ball into your opponent’s end
zone, and literally touch the ball down on the ground. That’s where the
term “touchdown” in football comes from, by the way. When you do
that, it’s called a “try” and it’s worth five points. Like in football, a try
is followed by a “conversion,” which is a kick through the goal posts. A
successful one is worth two points. Penalty kicks can be attempted after
fouls (if you’re close enough to your opponent’s end zone), and a made
one is worth three points.
Basics: Teams advance the ball by running, or by tossing or handing the
ball laterally or backwards. There are no forward passes and no blocking.
Teams can also kick the ball away from their own end zone, in an effort
to relieve pressure.
Tackling: Teams can tackle opposing ball carriers from under the armpit
down. When tackled, players have about a second to release the ball
into what is called a “ruck.” This is a large group of players from both
teams that try to pick up the ball. The tackled player gets to roll the ball
back towards his teammates, which usually results in his team retaining
possession. Players are allowed to try to strip the ball away from the
runner.
Penalties: The most common are for high tackles, leaving feet in ruck
and offside. A severe penalty may result in a yellow card, at which time
the player spends 10 minutes in the “sin bin” while his team plays a man
down.
Restarts: When the ball goes out of bounds, there’s a “lineout.” The
teams line up side by side, with the advantage to the team throwing the
ball in. That’s where you’ll see players lifted in the air in an attempt to
retain possession. Like in football, kickoffs happen at the start of the
match, after halftime and any time there’s a score. In Rugby Union (see
below), the team that is scored on kicks off, whereas in Sevens, the team
that scores kicks off.
Rugby Unions vs. Sevens: Rugby Union is 15-on-15, with 40-minute
halves. Sevens is 7-on-7, with seven-minute halves. It’s also the version
played in the Olympics, and the one most likely to be seen on TV.
“Sevens is absolutely
exhausting,” Clayton
Rugby Football Club
president Ted Hardy
said. “Because you’re still
playing on the same size
field with half as many
players. It’s meant for the
speed-type players. With
less players and more
space to exploit, you want
guys that can get at it.”
Clayton Rugby Football Club donates
books to library
Submitted by the Town of Clayton
CLAYTON — In their latest push to spread the joy of rugby in our area, several
Clayton Rugby Football Club players dropped by Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library
recently to donate a selection of books about the sport to its collection.
The books range from “R is for Rugby” — which teaches children about the sport
along with their ABCs — up to more advanced texts such as “Think Rugby” and
“Rugby Revealed,” which cover strategy and techniques for serious players and
coaches.
The Clayton Rugby Football Club — dubbed the “Bootleggers” in a nod to our area’s
history with less-than-legal liquor production — was founded by Ted Hardy in the
fall of 2013 as an independent men’s team. It was a first for Johnston County, and
the club has since expanded rapidly to include 250 to 300 men and women, boys and
girls, ages 6 to about 55.
“Those numbers are extraordinary for anywhere in the U.S., let alone in a small area
like Clayton,” Hardy said. “We’ve found people here have been real accepting of the sport.”
In addition to Hardy, club members Simon Potter, Leo Sevilla, Jason Niemiller and Walter Webster, along with Hardy’s kids (and fellow rugby enthusiasts),
16-year-old Emma and 10-year-old Colin, visited the library to drop off their donation.
While he was there, Niemiller took the time to apply for a library card.
Hardy also thanked the library staff for working with the club and jumping at the opportunity to add some rugby books to the collection.
“From the first question I asked about giving books, they were all in and on it,” he said. “We’re keeping our eyes out trying to find some more and, if we come
across some, we’ll hand them off as well.”
Hardy added that the club would like to see its relationship with the library continue to grow.
“We’re all about working in the community and we love doing stuff like this, so this is a great relationship for us to have,” he said. “We’re already talking about
setting up some reading events where we come in and read some books for kids.”
MARCH 2017 | 23
Neuse Charter School lands Bright
Ideas grant for ‘Wizard of Oz’
Submitted by Shannon Mann
SMITHFIELD — While most
teachers really wish for a pot of
gold somewhere over the rainbow,
a few clever Neuse Charter School
teachers found exactly that when
they recently earned a Wake
Electric Bright Ideas Grant for their
musical production of “The Wizard
of Oz.”
Jamie White, Jessica Brank and
Leah Williams, drama, music
and band teachers, wrote a grant
proposal at the start of the school
year entitled, “A STEAM Powered
Oz Expedition.” The proposal
demonstrated how the performing
arts could be paired with science
and technology to benefit students
in grades 3-12.
Williams, the elementary music
and middle school band teacher,
explained that the proposal aligned
with many principles found in the
Wizard of Oz story.
“Each character in the story believes
that the Wizard of Oz holds the key
to what they desire,” Williams said.
“Our students’ desire to make this
show a success by working together
to make tough decisions, learning
life skills and discovering a new
world of knowledge.”
Williams demonstrated the concept
by explaining that the Cowardly
Lion asks the Wizard for courage
and nerve. Neuse Charter thespians
will demonstrate courage through their work
on-stage and behind-the-scenes.
Neuse Charter School students rehearse in late January for the school’s musical production of
the Wizard of Oz. The school received a Bright Ideas Grant from Wake Electric for the musical
being presented on April 6 at Johnston Community College’s Paul A. Johnston Auditorium.
This was the first time the Bright Ideas grant has been given to a school musical.
Submitted photo
“Courage is something they need in a global
society,” Williams explained.
Each of the lessons in the famous story paired
with what students would learn as they
rehearsed and worked together over a threemonth
period.
“We have 70 students participating in this
musical,” said Williams. “Students are asking
questions, researching, collaborating and
giving feedback in order to figure out the best
solutions for the show.”
The grant, which is sponsored by North
Carolina’s electric cooperatives, has funded
education grants to K-12 teachers for more
24 | JOHNSTON NOW
than 20 years. Two million students have
participated in 9,800 Bright Ideas projects
with more than $10.2 million given out.
Representatives at Wake Electric say that while
grant money has funded instruments in the
past, this is the first time a grant has been
awarded for a musical production.
Williams was excited that the Neuse Charter
proposal was fully funded. The grant monies
received help secure the show kit, supplies for
the set and a few costumes.
“We were also able to purchase 20 “The
Wonderful World of Oz” books for our school
library,” said Williams.
While the grant goes a long way in helping the
school produce the show, community support
is still needed to help it reach its full potential.
“We’re thrilled to be able to perform our
program at Johnston County Community
College’s Paul A. Johnston Auditorium on
April 6,” said Williams. “Our students really
want to see a full house that night. They’ve
worked so hard to bring this show to life and
incorporate the lessons of the grant. They
want the entire community to see what they’ve
learned and achieved. Ultimately, just like
Dorothy wants to go home, our production is
for our home…our community.”
Tickets are $10 at the box office and $11
online. More information can be found at:
www.johnstoncc.edu/performingarts/ticketinformation.aspx.
MARCH 2017 | 25
Basketball
in our
back yard
By Randy Capps
SMITHFIELD — March usually brings with it the
onset of spring, and it always brings college
basketball in abundance.
In this part of the world, “March Madness” starts
with the ACC Tournament and doesn’t stop until
someone cuts a net down during the NCAA national
championship game.
There are plenty of Tar Heels, Blue Devils and
members of the Wolfpack hoping for success for
their teams in postseason play.
But there’s another brand of college basketball far
closer to home — and you don’t have to brave I-40 to see the action in person.
Johnston Community College fielded a women’s basketball team for the first time in
school history this past season, and the men’s program was also restarted after a
three-year hiatus.
Starting a pair of basketball programs from the ground up has been a challenge, but
it’s one that excites director of athletics Derrick Arnold.
“We’ve learned a lot,” he said. “We’re moving right along and we feel comfortable
about our foundation. It’s just a matter now of continuing to move forward and
improving upon what we’ve learned from this past semester.”
An unexpected hurdle came when the initial choice to lead the women’s team
resigned on the day of the season opener. That’s when Josefvon Jones, an
academic counselor at the college, decided to take the reins of the program.
“I love the game of basketball,” he said. “I still work as the academic coordinator of
the athletic program. … I had to step up.”
While he enjoys the game, it’s clear that academics mean even more to him.
“One thing is you have to be able to balance and manage your time,” Jones said.
“We consider athletics an extracurricular activity. Those students who participate in
athletics have to go the extra mile. Practice, managing the academics and staying
eligible. Because the minute they go below 12 credit hours, they are no longer
eligible to participate.
“So we hammer that home. It’s important to us, because not only do we want to
win on the court, we want to win in the classroom.”
Men’s coach Jason Johnson had a little more time to build his first team at JCC, but
not much. He was hired on March 1 of last year, which gave him a little more than
three months to recruit his first group of Jaguars.
Still, the appeal of running his own program was strong.
“As an assistant coach, we all want to run our own program,” he said. “To not only
The Jaguars stretch before taking on North Carolina’s junior
varsity team at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.
Photos by Dustin Gurley
run my own program, but to build one from scratch, that to me was the most exciting thing.
“From a recruiting standpoint, we’re 30 minutes from Raleigh. We’re 40 minutes from
Fayetteville. We’re not that far from Greenville, so we get some Down East kids. It’s right in
the middle of some very fertile recruiting ground.
“My hair was on fire a little bit. Sometimes, I didn’t see my family that much. But I’m better
for it, and I enjoyed it.”
His experience working as an assistant with Methodist University in Fayetteville meant that
he had an extensive list of phone numbers for area high school coaches.
“I had them and I called them all,” Johnson said. “But this is not a hard place to sell. You can
ask my guys, I don’t talk a lot in recruiting about basketball. I saw (a recruit) last night, and
I told him, ‘I’m not going to talk to you a lot about basketball, but you’re going to get a high
quality education at Johnston Community College. We’re going to get you a degree. Now,
basketball is going to be hard work, but you’re going to take care of that.’”
Starting junior college basketball programs from scratch isn’t easy, and both the men’s and
women’s teams struggled at times during their inaugural seasons.
But it’s only one brick in what the school hopes will become a strong foundation.
“This year has definitely been a learning year,” Jones said. “Not only for the coaching staff,
but for those young ladies out there playing. They’ve taken their bumps and bruises, but what
we tell them in the locker room and during games is that through adversity you can find out a
lot about yourself.
“I use the game of basketball to teach them about the game of life. You’re not going to win
everything you attempt. You’re going to lose, but the main lesson to learn is to never give up.”
The same was true for Johnson’s squad.
Johnston
Community
College had
a chance to
play North
Carolina’s
JV team on
Jan. 12 at the
Smith Center.
The Tar Heels
came away
with an 87-62
victory.
“Our young men realize that this is not high
school,” he said. “Other than Tymell Blue, who’s
probably our best player, we really didn’t have
anyone who had experience playing college
basketball and all that entails.
“Obviously, as a competitor, I’d love to be
undefeated right now. But we played a very
tough schedule. I’ll put our schedule up against
anybody in America. The bumps and bruises
we’re taking right now will prepare us to be
able to hand out some bumps and bruises
down the line.”
As a member of the National Junior College
Athletic Association’s Region X, both teams
have faced nationally ranked opponents this
season.
The women played at club level this past
season, but will be a full NJCAA member next
year in Region X’s Division II. That means that
the team will be able to offer scholarships.
The men played in Division III, which is the
non-scholarship level. Arnold says that the
team will play in that division again next winter
with an eye on moving up to Division II for the
2018-2019 season.
Although the school plans to hire a new
women’s basketball coach in the coming
weeks, Jones is excited about the program’s
future and its commitment to producing good
basketball players — and even better people.
“That’s our main goal here,” he said. “It’s
creating students and citizens that are going
to be productive in society. Basketball and
athletics are a vehicle to getting an education,
and we want to be able to provide you with
something when you leave us that’s going to
be with you the rest of your life.”
Johnson will welcome back Kisheem Faison
(Goldsboro High) and Loris Lawson (Raleigh
Wakefield), among others, to next year’s team.
And after having only eight players on his first
roster, he’s already on the lookout for the next
class of Jaguars.
“First, if you come to JCC, you’re going to get a
great education,” he said. “Second, we’re going
to play an exciting brand of basketball that
will prepare you to play at the four-year level. I
always heard Skip Prosser, former Wake Forest
coach, say that you have to recruit like a spider
web. You start in, and then you work your way
out. In order to be successful, you’ve got to win
at home.
“We want to win what we call ‘Jaguar Nation,’
which is Johnston County, Harnett County,
Wilson, Wayne and then work out from there.
And with me being from Fayetteville and having
those connections, we’re going to recruit that
area pretty hard.”
The team played its home games at the
Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center
(SRAC) and held practices at Johnston County
schools. Deacon Jones Auto Group has also
been generous in its support for the school.
It’s that sort of community partnership that
Arnold believes will help the programs flourish.
“We’re just really excited about the future
of what we’re creating here at JCC,” Arnold
said. “We reached out to the community and
they’ve done a good job with us, bringing us
on board and embracing us as we embark on
this journey of increasing and improving our
athletics here at JCC.
“We want to be the melting pot for the
community. When we have a basketball game
or an activity, come on out and support us.”
For more information, log on to www.
jccjaguarpride.com.
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Shanna Says
You don’t have to visit Hollywood to enjoy
awards season
Awards season is a blast. I enjoy watching the
Oscars, Emmys and Grammys where you get to
see celebrities honored for exhibiting their talent
(or sometimes for just being the most popular).
I camp out in front of the television two hours
early to see the red carpet arrivals.
The glitz of the designer dresses, jewels and
styles mesmerizes me. It’s fascinating to listen to
the acceptance speeches, when you get to hear
a celebrity’s true feelings without being filtered
by a publicist. I especially get tickled when they
slip up and say things that would make their
publicity team cringe.
But, none of the stars in Hollywood and beyond
shine nearly as brightly as the unsung heroes right
here in Johnston County that do so much to
make a difference.
We are absolutely delighted to share the photos
of your neighbors and friends being honored for
their passion and dedication to our community.
Thank you to the many partners who submitted
these photos so that we can give these exemplary
citizens the credit they have earned.
If I’m being honest, I get a little nervous
attending banquets.
You see, many years ago, I was an award winner
at a chamber of commerce banquet in Shelby.
A hypnotist was the entertainment, and I was
one of the unlucky people called up on stage to
participate in the show. I’m not typically shy, but
this was outside of my comfort zone.
Rumor has it, I clucked like a chicken, solved
problems Lucille Ball style, danced the hula and
competed in a beauty pageant while under the
hypnotist’s influence.
At the end of the performance, I’m guessing
the hypnotist said some magic words, and the
participants all came back to reality. Then, I
could remember everything as if it had been a
dream or a movie,
and it seemed that I
watched my actions as
a bystander.
It was hilarious,
embarrassing and the
talk of the town.
While I was flattered
to be honored with an
award that night, most
of my community
found the rumor of my on-stage antics much
more interesting. And I can’t blame them.
I am, however, very grateful this occurred before
the age of digital cameras and social media.
Thankfully, the award winners featured in this
edition of J-Now weren’t required to cluck, hula
or pageant wave — but they sure are worthy of
applause.
Shanna Capps
shanna@johnstonnow.com
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MARCH 2017 | 29
Every Monday, 6-8 p.m. and
Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Angels on a Mission Food Pantry
Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, 9856 Hwy 210, Four
Oaks. This organization helps feed families in need in
Johnston County. It is also in need of volunteers. For more
information, contact John Jernigan at 919-320-7387.
Every Tuesday 7 a.m
Cleveland School Rotary Club
Cleveland Draft House, Garner
Cleveland School Rotary Club meets weekly and serves
the citizens of the 40/42 area of Johnston County and
Garner.
First and third Tuesdays
Tuesday Tastings
Soap and Coffee Hut, 5533 N.C. Hwy 42 West, Garner
The Soap and Coffee Hut will have a selection of tea and
coffee to try throughout the day. From 3 p.m. until closing,
they will have some special brews you won’t want to miss.
It’s a free event, and for more information, call Melodie at
919-623-8933.
Every Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.
Story Time
James Bryan Creech Library, Four Oaks
Come out for story time at the library each Wednesday
morning. For more information, call 919-963-6013.
Second Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Prayer Cloth Crocheting
Soap and Coffee Hut, 5533 N.C. Hwy 42 West, Garner
Bring some supplies (yarn, crochet hooks, scissors and
a needle) and learn all about prayer cloth crocheting. It’s
a free event, and for more information, call Melodie at
919-623-8933.
Every Thursday, 4-6 p.m.
Write-In at Grapes & Grounds in Smithfield
Johnston County Writers Group
Socialize, write or critique over coffee with members of
The Johnston County Writers Group. For more information,
email Cindy at brookshire1014@verizon.net.
Every Thursday, 9-11 a.m
Plant a Row for the Hungry - Johnston County
Johnston Community College Arboretum
This is a year-round garden providing fresh fruit and
vegetables to nearby soup kitchens and food pantries. No
gardening experience is required to volunteer and training
is provided. For more information, please contact Tiffany at
plantarow@yahoo.com.
Every Thursday, 10-11 a.m.
Bible Study
Soap and Coffee Hut, 5533 N.C. Hwy 42 West, Garner
All are welcome, just bring yourself and your Bible (no
particular translation, bring what you are most comfortable
with reading). For more information, call Melodie at
919-623-8933.
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 one of our locally owned
restaurants, catch a movie at the Howell Theatre and
enjoy some small town charm!
Every Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Stepping into the Past series
Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Kenly
Each Saturday, enjoy demonstrations and displays of
traditional arts, crafts and trades are featured on-site at
the Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly. All activities are
included with regular admission to the museum, annual
passes are available. For more information, call
919-284-3431.
March 1-31
Literary Programs
Selma Pubic Library
The Selma 150th anniversary committee has been
working with librarian Phyllis Brown and members of the
Johnston County Writers to plan literary events in honor
of the Town of Selma’s 150th anniversary. Most events
take place at Selma Public Library, 301 N. Pollock Street,
Selma. Call 919-975-1411 for more details.
March 1-31
Display of Local Authors
Selma Public Library
The library will host a display of books by local authors
during the month of March. Register to win an Aspiring
Writer Basket, donated by the Johnston County Writers
Group. The group, facilitated by retired educator Gary
Ridout, meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30
p.m. at the library. No purchase is necessary, and the
winner doesn’t have to be present at the drawing, to be
held at noon on March 25 at the library.
Wednesday, March 1, 1-3 p.m.
Tax Implications for Starting a Small Business
JCC Workforce Development Center
This session covers the basics of North Carolina tax
compliance ranging from withholding from, employees,
sales and use tax requirements. Information provided
will help small business owners understand the types of
small business taxes as well as the deadlines. For more
information, call 919-209-2015.
Thursday, March 2, 6-9 p.m.
Federal Taxes for a Small Business (IRS)
JCC Workforce Development Center
Are you unsure of how to manage the information, files,
and the type deductions you need to support for your
small business reporting to the IRS? This seminar is
full of information to help your business thrive without
the stress from thinking about taxes. Learn the types of
small business taxes you will need to report, types of
deductions, deadlines, and much more. Attendees should
have computer skills, keyboard and mouse skills. For more
information, call 919-209-2015.
Friday, March 3, 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 (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, March 4, 10 a.m
Clayton Farm and Community Market
Main Street, Clayton
Since April 2009, the Clayton Farm and Community Market
has offered shoppers a chance to pick up locally produced
fruits, veggies and plenty of other locally created goodies.
Tuesday, March 7, 4-5 p.m.
Open Mic Writing Workshop
Selma Public Library
Come out for an open-mic writing workshop for teens and
adults and learn how to prepare your poetry, spoken word
and flash fiction for performance.
Tuesday, March 7, 6-7:30 p.m.
The Basics of Business Banking
JCC Workforce Development Center
In this seminar, you will be provided a general
understanding of banking for your small business. Topics
to be covered include choosing your bank, the information
needed to establish a relationship with the bank and the
inner workings of your business accounts. An overview
will be provided of business banking services, such as
merchant services and remote image deposit. We will also
discuss items to consider when you need a small business
loan. For more information, call 919-209-2015.
Wednesday, March 8, 9 a.m
2017 Auxin Training
Johnston County Ag Center
Due to the recent registration of 2, 4-D and Dicamba
products that will be used on Xtend cotton and soybeans,
several states, including North Carolina, have decided
use a special local needs label. The producer, certified
applicator, or person responsible for the application of this
product on cotton or soybeans, in-crop, must attend an
Auxin Herbicides - Best Management Practices training
that is approved by the North Carolina Department of
Agriculture. For more details, call Tim Britton at
919-989-5380.
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Wednesday, March 8, 10 a.m
Paint-In at Grapes & Grounds
Bring your supplies and get ready to paint, draw or sketch
at Grapes & Grounds on Third Street in Smithfield. This
is an opportunity for local artists of skill levels to come
together to share conversation and work on art. For more
information, call the Johnston County Arts Council at
919-738-9622.
Wednesday, March 8, 1 p.m
2017 Pesticide Exam
Johnston County Ag Center
The North Carolina Pesticide exams will be offered on
Wednesday, March 8 and Wednesday, August 9 at 1 p.m.
at the Johnston County Ag Center. To take the exam, bring
valid ID (Drivers License) and calculator. Please arrive by
12:30 p.m. For more details, call Tim Britton at
919-989-5380.
Thursday, March 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dr. Tiffany Tyson
Selma Public Library
Dr. Tiffany Tyson of Wilson will speak to aspiring writers
about how she uses literature and the arts to inspire
teens and young adults. Tyson addresses issues such
self-esteem, respect, peer pressure, substance abuse
and teen relationships. Light refreshments will be served
and Tyson’s book, “Urban Princess,” will be available for
purchase.
Friday, March 10-12
Showcase of Stars
Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, JCC
The 2017 Showcase of Stars is March 10-12. Come see
and support over 2,000 Johnston County Schools students
and see them perform on the big stage at Johnston
Community College in six different area performances. We
will need volunteers of all ages. For more information, call
919-934-7977.
Thursday, March 16, 10 a.m. to noon
Interactive Pesticide training
Johnston County Livestock Arena
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in
Johnston County is inviting all commercial and private
applicators, dealers, consultants and public ground
operators to attend an Interactive Pesticide Training class.
Please bring your Pesticide Credit Report Card with the
barcode to this class. For more details, call Tim Britton at
919-989-5380.
Thursday, March 16, 6 p.m.
Johnston County Arts Council’s Eighth-Annual Art and
Food Festival Gala
Johnston Community College
This fundraiser will generate funds to assist the Arts
Council with funding for the 2017 Artists-in-the-Schools
program, to provide scholarships for Johnston Community
College students studying Fine Arts and for free
community programming. Tickets are $40 each or two for
$75 and attendees will be treated to sample dishes from
Johnston County’s finest restaurants. To attend the event,
please contact Darlene Williford at 919-738-9622 or email
info@jcartscouncil.org.
Friday, March 17, 5-6 p.m.
St. Paddy’s Day Pool Party
Smithfield Recreation and Aquatic Center
Don’t be green with envy. Join the folks at the SRAC and
hunt for Leprechauns. Those pesky magical creatures can
be found all over and who knows, maybe you will find
their pot of gold! For more, call the SRAC at
919-934-2116.
Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.
War So Terrible
Bentonville Battlefield
Compare and contrast the treatment received by soldiers
during the Civil War with the treatment that our wounded
warriors now receive by viewing examples of modern
military field hospitals. Then tour the Harper House
to learn about Civil War era medicine. These daytime
programs will also feature artillery, infantry, and homefront
demonstrations throughout both days, and are free.
March 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Clayton Farm and Community Market
Main Street, Clayton
Since April 2009, the Clayton Farm and Community Market
has offered shoppers a chance to pick up locally produced
fruits, veggies and plenty of other locally created goodies.
Tuesday, March 21, 6-8 p.m.
Johnston Community College Career in a Year
John L. Tart Building, College Road, Smithfield
Want to get trained and get to work? Not all careers
require a two-year or four-year degree. Check out this
event to learn how Johnston Community College can help
you land a good-paying career in business, biotechnology,
healthcare, HVAC, machining, welding, information
technology, cosmetology, education, public safety and
many other professions in a year or less. For more, log on
to johnstoncc.edu//career-in-a-year/index.aspx or see the
ad on Page 3.
Tuesday, March 21, 6-8 p.m.
Federal Rules: Exempt vs Nonexempt — Wages and Hours
JCC Workforce Development Center
A U.S. Department of Labor Investigator will discuss
the final rule on a test that must be met for Executive,
Administrative and Professional workers to be exempt.
Seminar information will include other wage and hour
discussions for small business and other businesses
with employees or that expect to have future employees.
Seating is limited, so please preregister separately with
your own email address. For more information, call
919-209-2015.
Tuesday, March 24, 7-9 p.m.
Cornerstone Writers Open Mic Writing Workshop
Hula Girl Cafe, Selma
Come out for an open-mic writing workshop for teens and
adults and learn how to prepare your poetry, spoken word
and flash fiction for performance.
Saturday, March 25, 10-11 a.m.
Children’s Story Time
Selma Public Library
Author Leah Ward will read from her children’s book,
“Pinny the Bowling Pin.” Ward is a Selma native who
writes children’s and young adult books. Her books will
be available for purchase. Also reading to children will be
Teen Miss Railroad Days, Hannah Musa and Miss Railroad
Days, Jenna Hughes.
Saturday, March 25, 5:30 p.m.
Night Safari
Howell Woods, Four Oaks
Learn about the native nocturnal species commonly found
in this part of the state. They will discuss habitat, diet and
how these species have evolved to thrive in darkness.
Using a safari vehicle, you’ll take a ride out on the property
to search for night animals. Cost is $15 per person. To
register, please email mamassengill@johnstoncc.edu or
call the Learning Center at 919-938-0115.
Saturday, March 25, 8 p.m.
Law & Disorder
The Clayton Center
National headlining comedians Karen Morgan and Jim
Colliton join together in this hilarious show about life as
we know it: mowing grass, talking trash and better halves
that make us laugh.
Everyone can relate to Jim and Karen’s humor. They talk
about their spouses, their children, their neighbors and
their parents. And, after you hear about what goes on in
their neighborhoods, you may want to go home and take a
closer look at your own — perhaps you will look at it with
a whole new perspective.
Thursday, March 30, 5-6:30 p.m.
Clayton Chamber of Commerce Night of Networking
The Clayton Center
Come out for a evening of networking with a Health
and Wellness theme. For more information, contact the
chamber at 919-553-6352.
Thursday, March 30, 8 p.m.
The Neuse Little Theatre presents “Bloom”
A drama by Andrew Morton, following the death of his
father, 15-year-old Daniel and his mother, Lisa, are
forced to move to unfamiliar Flint, Michigan. After a
violent outburst at his new school, Daniel’s social worker,
Michelle, suggests he spend a week working with her
father, Bobby, an urban gardener of several abandoned
lots in the middle of the city. A week soon turns into a few
months, and, as the two spend the summer tending the
gardens, they begin to plant some much needed hope in a
neighborhood plagued by blight and help each other heal
some old wounds. For more, call 919-934-1873.
Saturday, April 1, 7 a.m.
Taking Strides Against Family Violence Run/Walk 5K
Cooper Elementary, Mial Street, Clayton.
The Johnston County alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma
Theta is hosting a 5K walk/run with the proceeds going to
Harbor House in Smithfield. The cost is $40.
For more information, send an email to
info@johnstoncountydeltas.com.
MARCH 2017 | 31
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