The Buzz Around Wayne County

15 THE BUZZ AROUND WAYNE COUNTY September 2024 WCC Participating in Wayne County Reads Program Wayne County Reads is giving the com- munity a chance for connection as part of its annual project. Several events will be held in conjunction with this year's book, one of which will take place at Wayne Community College. Wayne County Reads' 2024 book pick is Kindness and Wonder: Why Mister Rog- ers Matters Now More Than Ever by Gavin Edwards. The book pays tribute to Fred Rogers, creator and host of the television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The Wayne County Reads events are free and open to the public. Having read the book is not necessary to attend each of the follow- ing programs: Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Goldsboro Li- brary Auditorium: The Words of Mister Rogers: An Evening with Dr. Tony Cartledge Dr. Tony Cartledge, who knew Mister Rogers personally, will encourage attendees to con- sider what Mister Rogers would say if he were here today. Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at Wayne Community College: Voices of Our Neighborhood: A Com- munity Gathering Participants can connect with people from all backgrounds, listen to their perspectives, and share experiences through meaningful conversations. The event will begin in Moffatt Auditorium in the Wayne Learning Center (the main building on campus with the flag poles in front). Refreshments will be provided. Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Steele Memorial Library: Film Screening: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood A film about Mister Rogers will be shown. Sept. 28 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Goldsboro Library: Neighborhood Noise & Nosh: An Outdoor Community Party Celebrate the spirit of Mister Rogers at this community gathering with games, food, mu- sic, and more. LITERACY CONNECTIONS FUNDRAISER: Reading Between the Wines Literacy Con- nections is dedicated to developing literacy skills for adults and their families so they may achieve success at home, at work, and in the community. Support our local literacy coun- cil by joining us on Thursday, October 17, for Reading Between the Wines, an intimate reception with North Carolina author, Brendan Slocumb, in the iconic Terrace Room in down- town Goldsboro. Guests will enjoy fine wine provided by Healthabit, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and conversation with the author. Following the reception, Brendan will appear at the Par- amount Theatre to entertain the audience with music and storytelling. From Fayetteville, NC, Brendan start- ed playing the violin at the age of nine and majored in music at the UNCG. His violin opened the door to opportunity, and he ran through it. Friends he grew up with are today sitting in jail; when they were out running the streets, he was in rehearsals. When they were breaking into people's houses, he was practicing Dvorak and Mozart. Since then, Brendan has performed with the Washington Metropolitan Symphony, the McLean Sympho- ny, the Prince George's Philharmonic, and the Alexandria Symphony. Brendan dedicated time to his writing career during COVID and has since published The Violin Conspiracy, Symphony of Secrets, and is working on his third novel, Dark Mae- stro, due out in early 2025. VIP tickets are $75 each and include the reception. General admission tickets to the Paramount program and book signing are $40 each. Tickets are available online at literacyconnectionsofwaynecounty.org or call 919.735.1990 for information. Sponsorships are gratefully accepted at this time. Evergreen Funeral Home, Cemetery & Cremation 3 Why Limit Your Choices? 3 We offer professional services with class. 3 Church, Home or Graveside Funerals 3 Grave Spaces ~ Financing Available 3 Mausoleums ~ Financing Available 3 Advance Funeral Planning ~ Financing Available 3 Monuments or Markers ~ Financing Available 3 Niches for Cremains ~ Financing Available "A Fair Price Funeral Home." If you have already purchased a vault We are offering NC Freedom Fest: A Community Celebration of Military & First Responders NC Freedom Fest, a free, family-friendly festival, powered by Georgia Pacific, will take place on Saturday, September 7, from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Downtown Goldsboro. This event is dedicated to showing appreciation for our military personnel and first respond- ers, and it offers the entire community an opportunity to come together and express their gratitude. The street festival will kick off at 2:00 PM and run until 5:00 PM, featuring a variety of vendors, static displays, a car and bike show, and activities designed for children. Music on the North Stage, organized by Hope Extended, will provide entertainment throughout the afternoon. Starting at 5:00 PM, Freedom Field will host the main event, beginning with military awards and an art contest. An exciting F-15 flyover will be a highlight, honoring the brav- ery and dedication of our service members. Musical performances will add to the festiv- ities, beginning with Brooke McBride, who is making a much-anticipated return to the event. The evening will culminate with a performance by headliner Parmalee, who will be coming home to Eastern North Carolina. Parmalee has achieved three number one hits in 2023 and is currently touring nationally, promising a memorable end to the festival. For more information about NC Freedom Fest, please visit www.ncfreedomfest.org or email info@ncfreedomfest.org. Follow NC Freedom Fest on Facebook and Instagram for updates. NC Freedom Fest powered by Georgia Pacific. WCC has graduated another class from its Truck Driver Training evening program. Pictured from left to right, the graduates are: Julio C. Gonzalez-Ventura, Jaylin J. Hamilton, Dulce M. Martinez, Carlo L. Williams, and Lloyd A. Hope (Not pictured: Anthony J. Brown and Jaquan K. Dixon). Truck Driver Training Class Graduates from WCC GOLDSBORO, N.C. – Wayne Commu- nity College has graduated its 14th class from the Truck Driver Training evening course. Graduates of the program were tested through written and behind-the-wheel exams to ensure they have the skills and knowledge required to safely and successfully operate commercial vehicles. These individuals earned a Class A Commercial Driver's License, DOT 380 certificate, and WCC Workforce Continu- ing Education certificate. The graduates, listed by city of residence, are Dudley Carlo L. Williams Goldsboro Jaquan K. Dixon Jaylin J. Hamilton Lloyd A. Hope Dulce M. Martinez Kinston Anthony J. Brown Mount Olive Julio C. Gonzalez-Ventura WCC President Patty Pfeiffer commended the graduates for their hard work and dedi- cation. "As you embark on this new chapter, remember that being a truck driver is more than a job; it's a way of life," she said. The College's Truck Driver Training pro- gram was established in response to requests from local businesses and industries that need qualified drivers. Graduates of the program can expect to earn from $40,000 to $60,000 annually in their first year with an established company.

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