Literacy Connections mourns the loss of Jane Rustin, a founding board member, longtime champion, and dear friend of our organization. When Literacy Connections was created in 2010, Jane was there from the beginning. She helped establish the partnership with Wayne County that made our organization possible and, as Director of the Wayne County Public Library, gave our first Executive Director a home in the library. But Jane didn’t simply help us get started. She helped shape wh

Outside The Walls International Ministries (OTWIM), founded by Raymond and Lorena Saylor, is a nonprofit ministry dedicated to taking the Gospel beyond the walls of the church and sharing the love of Jesus Christ in Tanzania, Africa. Since beginning our work in Tanzania in 2015, we have witnessed more than 26,500 people make decisions for Christ. Our vision is to reach 500,000 souls with the Gospel by 2030. Our ministry serves the spiritual and practical needs of individuals

By Esteban Guzman In today’s digital age, small businesses often focus heavily on social media, online advertising, and email marketing. While these tools are valuable, traditional advertising methods remain highly effective in small communities where personal relationships, trust, and local reputation matter. Old-school marketing can include flyers, business cards, newspaper advertisements, banners, direct mail, community bulletin boards, and local publications. A great exam

By Jessica Strickland Wayne County Horticulture Extension Agent October brings crisp autumn air and prime planting weather in Eastern North Carolina – ideal for refreshing your landscape and prepping for spring. Lawn Care Do not apply any more nitrogen fertilizer to lawns. As soil cools, warm-season grasses being going dormant. Late nitrogen encourages tender growth that increases winter injury. Trees, Shrubs and Flowers Plant pansies now to provide color throughout the winte

By Ryan Lane It’s almost Halloween, when children dress up, collect candy, and enjoy their neighborhood. I remember being a small boy, going door to door with my family on Halloween night. My dad walked with us, smiling and greeting people as we traversed the sidewalks. Yes, I wanted candy, but those evenings were about joy, laughter, and community. For some, Halloween is about being scared. But something truly scary can happen—not because of Halloween, but at any time of yea

By Matthew Whittle We talk a lot at Habitat about opening new doors to new opportunities for families through our new home construction program. But sometimes that opportunity can be just behind an old door that’s stuck. And that’s where our home repair program comes in. Maybe it’s not the best metaphor, but the folks, often elderly, who apply to Habitat for our critical home roof repair program are stuck behind closed doors. They are living in a home they own, dealing with

By Dr. Patrick Gallagher, Chiropractic First What is Salutogenesis? It is a word not many have heard, and fewer know what it means. Let’s look at it from its opposite. I’m sure most readers know what pathology is—the study of disease. Salutogenesis is the study of the origins of health rather than the causes of disease. It emphasizes the factors that promote human health and well-being, focusing on what supports health rather than what leads to illness. The term combines the

By Jonathan Greeson, CFP® Nothing bothers me more than election campaign advertisements. According to them, we must choose between two demons in a suit. How can we be stuck with these choices if they’re so awful? Finance makes more sense to me. If you own a stock, but no longer like the company or their leadership, then you sell it. By selling the company’s stock you’re “voting with your feet.” I wish elections were that simple. We can’t just leave the greatest country i

By Clara Barnes Costner OCTOBER: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:2 Being mistreated makes one feel powerless. We are exhausted because of the tears we shed and feel hopeless and unsure. We try moving forward in a confused, weak and frightened state of mind. Some with broken spirits, hearts, homes, lives, just broken. In a perpetual state of

By Billy Tart Jr. Fall is arriving in Wayne County! Cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and other outdoor activities make October a great time to get outside and get moving. Physical activity doesn't have to mean going to a gym or running a marathon. Explore a fall festival, work in the yard, take the dog for a walk, play with the grandchildren, or enjoy a 10-minute walk after dinner. The important thing is to move more and sit less. Regul