Thursday, December 5, 2024

			
				                                Fire Chief Scott Rouse, right, of Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire & EMS, accepts the Valor Award from Brent Heath, Director of Governmental Affairs with the Office of State Fire Marshal. On June 3, Rouse — with no protective gear — rescued his elderly neighbor from a house fire. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Firefighter displays ‘exceptional valor,’ receives surprise award

Firefighters put their lives on the line to save others. For most, it’s a calling. It’s what they feel led to do. It’s what they train hard to do. And when they answer a call, they’re outfitted, head-to-toe, in protective gear. The job’s still dangerous, but the gear helps.


			
				                                The Seven Springs Community Park, located at the corner of Spring and New streets, has been completely revamped. It has all new playground equipment, musical sculptures, handicap accessible picnic tables and grills, a storywalk, and three fitness stations for adults. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Small town goes big on public spaces

SEVEN SPRINGS — On the corner of Spring and New streets, a rainbow of colors has seemingly sprouted from the ground, with fire-engine red, royal blue, lime green, and bright-as-the-sun yellow intertwined in a vivid display designed to appeal to both children and adults. This the town’s fully refurbished Community Park.


			
				                                On behalf of Faison Fire & Rescue, Fire Chief Lee Kennedy (left) accepts a plaque from the Faison Improvement Group, presented by FIG member Mike Stempek. The plaque made its way to the small Duplin County town from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and was given in appreciation for the many ways in which Faison Fire & Rescue contributes to the community. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Faison Improvement Group recognizes Fire Department — with plaque from Alaska

FAISON — At some point in time (no one knows when), someone (no one knows who) placed a gold-plated firefighter’s axe, beautifully mounted on a wooden plaque, on a shelf in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska — and then, apparently, forgot all about it. But in a story fraught with uncertainty, one thing is for certain: Whoever put the axe on that shelf could never have guessed that it would one day end up in North Carolina, soon to be displayed in Faison’s Fire & Rescue building.


			
				                                Natasha Robinson, right, returns books to Susan Masuda, who is manning the circulation desk in the Sprinter van that houses the mobile library for the Wayne County Public Library system. The mobile library visits the WAGES Stephen and Susan Parr Family Learning Center in Dudley every other Wednesday, 9:30-11 a.m. Robinson checked out these books two weeks prior, to read to the two- and three-year-old children she teaches at the Center. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Mobile library visits Dudley every other Wednesday

When Natasha Robinson steps inside the Sprinter van that houses the Wayne County Public Library’s mobile unit, she heads straight for the children’s section, plops down on the floor, and sits cross-legged, browsing the book titles in front of her. She’s looking for books to read to the two- and three-year-olds she teaches at the WAGES Stephen and Susan Parr Family Learning Center in Dudley.


			
				                                Friends and potters Mary Sholar (left) and Cathy Crumpler show examples of the items that will be for sale at their Christmas Kiln Opening on October 19. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Long road of friendship leads to pottery venture

Cathy Crumpler and Mary Sholar have one of those joined-at-the-hip friendships, some weeks spending more time together than they do apart. They have shared interests and a shared Christian faith. They celebrate together during the good times and console each other through the bad — and lots of that celebrating and consoling takes place in Crumpler’s art studio, where they spend inordinate amounts of time doing pottery, in a venture they call Duplin Potters/Clay in Hands. Currently, they are preparing for their fourth annual kiln opening, slated for Saturday, October 19.


			
				                                Preschooler Pablo Deleon offers up a wave and a smile in his classroom at Carver Head Start. Sitting proudly by his side is Carolyn Ward, who volunteers 20 hours a week at the center, under the WAGES Foster Grandparent Program. ‘All they want is a lot of love and affection, that’s all they need,’ Ward says, of the children she mentors and tutors. Any senior (55 and older) interested in becoming a Foster Grandparent is encouraged to call 919-734-1178, ext. 202. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Foster grandparents mentor children in classrooms

On a recent Thursday morning, at Carver Head Start on Breazeale Avenue, young Pablo Deleon looked up from a Potato Head toy he was assembling to give a smile and a wave to a reporter visiting the preschool that day. With a grin even wider than Pablo’s, his Foster Grandma, Carolyn Ward, looked on with pride.


			
				                                Despite the two women not actually being related, a family-like relationship has developed between 99-year-old Georgella Green, left, and 68-year-old Towanna Green during the six months Towanna has been volunteering to help Georgella with basic tasks, as part of the WAGES (Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency) Senior Companion Volunteer Program. The service is free to Georgella; Towanna receives a tax-free, hourly stipend. For more information about the program, contact Director Tiffany Lucky at 919-734-1178, ext. 286. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Seniors help seniors through companion volunteer program

When 99-year-old Georgella Green describes her relationship with 68-year-old Towanna Green, she says, “It’s friendship. It’s just like family.” Yet, despite sharing the same last name, the two Goldsboro residents are not literally related to one another; they have become like family through their involvement in the WAGES Senior Companion Volunteer Program.


			
				                                Matthew Scott, director of Faison’s Recreation and Wellness Center, unpacks a shipment of volleyballs and soccer balls, all received as part of a grant from Good Sports, a nonprofit based in Braintree, MA, that provides brand-new sports equipment to programs that serve high-need communities. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Generous equipment grant a ‘game changer’ for Rec Center

FAISON — The town’s Recreation and Wellness Center has lately been reveling in an almost-too-good-to-be-true scenario: Boxes of brand-new sports and athletic equipment, earmarked for the Center’s various recreation programs, have been steadily pouring into town — and at almost no cost to the Center or the Town.


			
				                                Mount Olive Presbyterian Church, located at 105 N. Breazeale Ave., will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a special service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 29. A highlight of the service will be dedication of the Steeple Cross.

Presbyterian church celebrates 150 years

In a special, celebratory, worship service on Sunday, September 29, Mount Olive Presbyterian Church will mark its 150th anniversary. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m., 30 minutes earlier than the church’s usual 11 a.m. worship time. A highlight of this celebration will be the dedication of the church’s new Steeple Cross.


			
				                                Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce President Julie Beck stands in the Southern Bank Parklet, where a Block Party will be held Thursday, Sept. 12, 5-8 p.m. The purpose of the event is to bring UMO students downtown to mingle with local citizens. (Kathy Grant Westbrook|mountolivetribune.com)

Block Party aims to bring UMO students and local community together

On Thursday, Sept. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., the Southern Bank Parklet will be filled with food and music, during a Block Party designed to encourage more engagement between University of Mount Olive students and local citizens.