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15 THE BUZZ AROUND WAYNE COUNTY MARCH 2026 Hail and Farewell By Mary Wroblewski As the winds of March blow in, Dan and I would like to welcome the new owner of The Buzz Around Wayne County, Averil Williams. He and his family are deeply rooted here. Averil is an open, honest young man with a warm heart, quick smile, and hearty laugh. Averil plans to continue the mission of pro- viding a space for non-profits,and spread in print, the good news throughout the County. As hard as the decision was to close this chapter of our lives, Dan and I felt it was time to give up the Buzz. Averil approached us in January with and offer to continue our work. We immediately found him endearing and up to the task. He has the energy and vision this role requires and we believe his disarming personality will serve our commu- nity well. Dan will stay on in a consulting role with The Buzz and you may see articles pop up from me from time to time. We have no plans to leave this beautiful area of the country and its unique blend of people and strong sense of community. We do plan to spend more time with family and friends around the country, without deadlines. We fully support Averil and his endeavors to keep our baby going, and can't wait to see him grow and thrive with it. Wayne County, please join me and Dan in welcoming and praying for Averil in his new community role, and his success in always providing a venue for GOOD NEWS RETHINKING MUFFINS WITH RETHINKING MUFFINS WITH MOMS AND DONUTS WITH MOMS AND DONUTS WITH DADS DADS By Valorie Wallace Events like Donuts with Dads and Muffins with Moms are often planned with good intentions.They are meant to encourage family involvement and create special memories for children. However, these events can sometimes cause sadness or discomfort for children who do not have a mother or father present in their lives. Some children live with grandparents, foster parents, guardians, same-sex parents, or other caring adults. Others may have experienced loss or separation. When events are labeled around one specific parent, children may feel left out or different. Young children may not always have the words to explain these feelings, but they feel them deeply. Feeling excluded during a school event can affect a child's sense of belonging and emotional well-being. Schools and ear- ly childhood programs work hard to create safe, welcoming spaces, and small changes in language can make a big difference. Inclusive alternatives such as Breakfast with Buddies, Donuts with Grown-Ups, or Family Breakfast Day,KISS: Kids Invite Someone Special allow every child to participate without feeling singled out. These types of events welcome any caring adult in a child's life and celebrate the many ways families are formed. By choosing inclusive event names, schools send a clear message that all families are valued and respected. The goal is not to remove family involvement, but to expand it. When children see their families honored—no matter what they look like—they feel supported, confident, and connected. Inclusive traditions help ensure every child starts the day feeling happy, included, and ready to learn When The Storm Slows Us Down By Beverly Weeks I'm wired to be fast-paced! I like momen- tum. I love serving and doing what I know I have been called to do. When those unusual snow and ice days recently hit, the weather somewhat stunted my ability to serve and be out on the streets. Storms have a way of interrupting our rhythm just enough to remind us that we are not the ones holding everything together. When you operate a small business or non -profit, every day that you are closed, you feel the impact.There are responsibilities. There are needs and people counting on you.Your human side can't help but wrestle with a few concerns and questions. Espe- cially when you are a fixer like I am. What will this cost? How will we make up for lost time? What if this sets us back? I recognize that sometimes it takes a storm to slow us down.To quiet the noise. To reset our perspective.To quietly and sometimes forcefully remind us that we are not in control and that HE is still God. Even when the path feels uncertain, His presence is steady. The storm does not mean He's ab- sent. It often means He's asking us to pause, trust, and remember who trulyholds it all together. Faith isn't proven when everything is moving smoothly. F.A.I.T.H. For All I Trust Him! I am grateful for the storms, all that He has taught me, and how God brought me through. Love y'all, Beverly the new "Upside-Down Pyramid" Dr. Billy Tart,. DNP, RN, Coordinator UNC Health Wayne Diabetes HealthCheck The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are updated every five years to reflect the best available nutrition science. One of the biggest changes in the newest guidelines is how healthy eating is visually represented. Instead of the old food pyramid, experts are now using what is be- ing called the "Upside-Down Pyramid."This new image flips the traditional pyramid to emphasize what should make up most of our daily eating— whole, minimally processed foods. At the wide top of the upside-down pyramid are vegetables and fruits. These foods are encouraged to be the foundation of most meals because they provide fiber, vitamins, miner- als,and protective plant compounds that support heart health, digestion, and overall wellness.Just below that is protein. Getting enough protein throughout the day is now strongly emphasized. Protein supports muscle strength, healing, im- mune function, and helps keep blood sugar more stable. Good sources include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and plain dairy foods. Next are whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and quinoa. Whole grains provide energy and fiber and are preferred over refined grains like white bread and pastries. The main message of the Upside-Down Pyramid is simple: eat more real, whole foods most of the time, balance meals with vegetables, protein, and whole grains, and limit highly processed foods. Small changes, practiced consistently, can lead to meaningful improvements in health