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9 THE BUZZ AROUND WAYNE COUNTY JULY 2026 Celebrate America's 250th Birthday by Investing in Your Health By Billy Tart. DNP, RN As we in Wayne County and across the nation celebrate 250 years of independence, it is a good time to reflect on another kind of indepen- dence—the ability to live life on our own terms. Good health plays an important role in main- taining independence as we age. Whether it is spending time with family, traveling, volunteering, enjoying retirement, or simply remaining active in our community, healthy choices today can help preserve quality of life tomorrow. One of the most effective ways to protect your health is by preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can increase the risk of vision loss, heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and reduced mobility. The good news is that small life- style changes can make a big difference. Regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, maintaining a healthy weight, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress can all help reduce your risk. Early screening is also important because many people with predi- abetes do not know they have it. This year, as we celebrate America's 250th birthday, consider making a commitment to invest in your health and future independence. Through UNC Health Wayne's Diabetes HealthCheck, free diabetes risk screenings, educational seminars, and a year-long dia- betes prevention program are available to our community. If your organization is interested in hosting a free screening event or seminar, or if you would like to participate in our diabetes prevention program, contact Billy Tart at billy.tartjr@un- chealth.unc.edu to learn more. THE MASTER KEY By Clara Barnes Costner Man is made in God's image Given dominion over fish of the sea Doors of salvation to all mankind Christ Jesus is the master key Without God's grace, unmerited favor Who could we trust to really care Who could ever understand our problems What would we do when in despair Reunites us with Father God Sacrificed because he is pure Christ came to us with wisdom To make our salvation sure Kindness is love in action A display of unconditional ways God's love, easy for all to see This is what he conveys Advised not to judge by appearances Thoughts in the heart, he already knows Will hold our deepest secrets to himself Never to be exposed We can walk and not be weary When there are troubles on every side With strong arms of protection Goes before us, as he gently guides "Blessed is he that considereth the poor:the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." Psalms 41:1 Another 250 Spending Opportunities By Jonathan Greeson,CFP® We talk about needing more money, but that's rarely produc- tive. The conversation about creating wealth should start with spending. Sounds backwards, right? Remember an arrow must be pulled back before it can fly forward. Historically, investing has been the best way to build wealth. Unfortunately, we cannot invest our money if we spend it all. Yes, I understand affordability is an issue and we face more expenses than previous generations, but we can improve our spending discipline. For example, I wasn't born in time for the bicen- tennial, so I have fully embraced America's 250th birthday celebration. Of course, that means I'm buying "250 branded" merchandise. I have pur- chased everything from shirts to statues, some of which won't be delivered until December! The challenge for me will be remembering that money is already spent because most places won't charge you until their products are shipped. In the busyness of life, these expenses are easy to forget, and they can ruin your budget. It's no fun seeing extra charges on your credit card near Christmas! By starting the conversation with spending, we can see where we need more discipline. Then we can make real life adjustments that you can see. Only then can you reward yourself by investing and hav- ing a chance at creating wealth. Email me! Jonathan Greeson Financial Planning is located in Pikev- ille. For more information, visit www.jonathangreeson. com. Investment advisory services offered through Brook- stone Wealth Advisors, LLC (BWA), a registered investment advisor and an affiliate of Brookstone Capital Management, LLC. BWA and Jonathan Greeson Financial Planning are independent of each other. Insurance products and ser- vices are not offered through BWA but are offered and sold through individually licensed and appointed agents. OPENING DOORS Opening the Door to the American Dream By Matthew Whittle Two-hundred-and-fifty years is a long time – more than twice as long as any- one celebrating a birthday this year has been around. At the same time, though, it's important to remem- ber that history was being recorded in the Americas for millennia before the United States was even conceived. But 250 years is absolutely worth cele- brating, especially when we consider how much we've grown as a nation, even if admittedly we aren't perfect. I'm excited today, though, because this celebration of the USA pairs nicely with our new theme of "opening doors," and how those open doors can lead to opportunities. After all, that's what Habitat homeowner- ship does for our families. It opens a door to a better future, as long as they are willing to do the work and walk through it. And what's more in line with the American dream than that? But it's important to remember that for that dream to come true, those doors must first be opened. Whether through education, housing, immigration, etc., nobody has ever opened the door and walked through it all on their own. It's our responsibility, those of us on the other side, to open those doors so that others can walk through them and realize their own American dream. And what better time to remember that than as we celebrate our nation's birthday!