TownTalk: 15-Year-Old Jayden Watkins Strives To Be Unique

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Jayden Watkins is not your ordinary teenager.

And that suits him just fine – in fact, Watkins said, he’s known for some time that his uniqueness is a gift from God. It’s a gift that he embraces as he continues to answer God’s call to service.

“It’s OK to be unique and different,” the 15-year-old said on TownTalk this week. “I’m grateful and blessed and honored to be unique,” he told WIZS co-hosts (and for the summer, colleagues) Steve Lewis, Bill Harris and John C. Rose, all of whom chatted with Watkins about his accomplishments and what’s ahead for the future.

A synonym for the word “unique” is “different,” which can carry a negative connotation. And Watkins is all about being positive. God’s call for us, he said is to make positive changes – within our families, households, jobs and the community.

“We must work in unity, despite our differences,” he said. “The needed change will not come if we only dream or think it,” he added. But if we are brave enough to be it.”

Watkins currently is in the middle of his Limitless 2023 tour, which has him speaking and preaching in the area from June through September.

Chances are he won’t be wearing the football jersey Watkins said he used to don on Sunday afternoons as a young child pretending to be a minister delivering the Word.

“It was my preacher’s robe,” Watkins said of that jersey, recalling that his father has shared the story when introducing his son to a group or congregation.

The purpose of the Limitless tour, he said, is “to inspire people to activate and maximize their God-given potential.” He has several upcoming engagements, including Sunday, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. at New Grassy Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Oxford and Sunday, Aug. 20 at 11:15 a.m. at St. Andrews Christian Church in Henderson.

And his ministerial licensing service will be held Sunday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. at 16 Big Ruin Creek Lane in Henderson.

Whether you listen to him live or tune in to his Preferable podcast, the message Watkins delivers is one of positivity and finding purpose.

The Preferable podcast, which he started in March 2020 can be found on platforms like Spotify, Amazon and YouTube, just to name a few. According to Fox 50 and ABC 19, Preferable is one of the longest-running podcasts by a person of Watkins’s age.

“It feels a blessing to be able to host a podcast and to receive that recognition,” Watkins said, adding that he hopes the podcast’s message inspires listeners “to activate their God-given talents…to go out and build beloved communities.”

There are challenges, he acknowledged, like sending a flurry of emails just to book one particular guest. “But when I hear the testimonies that people give…I am encouraged to keep going,” he said.

His humble nature shines through during his daily routine, from his work at the radio station to the simple act of holding the door for an elderly woman making her way into the library. She recognized him, by the way, as “that” young man who makes the podcasts, Watkins recalled. She said she listens as part of her nighttime routine, which helps her have a good night’s sleep.

Check out Preferable, follow Watkins on Facebook and Instagram, email him at iamjaydenwatkins@gmail.com  and complete a booking form at https://jaydenwatkins.com/

 

 

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Community Yard Sale Aug. 5 a Chance to Get and Give

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The Abria’s Chase Foundation and the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Vance Class of 2023 are sponsoring a community yard sale this Saturday.

Join in Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 205 Dabney Drive.

Stephanie Tolbert told WIZS the Leadership Vance Class wanted to help.  “When we visited them, their story really touched us and made an impact on us, and they are trying to take a tragedy that happened within their family and turn it into something positive and impact their community in a positive way and that spoke volumes to us.”

The class is helping give back to an organization formed in 2010 in memory of Abria Jhune Lewis and Joshua Chase Lewis, two children who lost their lives in a fire that occurred on November 9th, 2009.

As founders Ayana and June Lewis have stated on their web page, abriaschasefoundation.org, “Their tragic and senseless deaths was our “call to action.”

The children both died in a fire in their home.

Class member Kenia Gomez-Jimenez explained there are many resources available to the community through the organization and said part of the goal with the yard sale event is to make the community aware.  “Of course we want to gather as many proceeds as we can to further the mission of the Abria’s Chase Foundation, but we also want to educate our community about the resources that they provide … (providing) support to grieving families through a variety of support group meetings that they host, I believe, every week.”

Leadership Vance Class member Kevin Wade described to WIZS in his words how the Lewis family has triumphed.  “When you hear their testimony, you’re left with a numbing feeling as a father (and as a husband.)  I’m just imagining losing two young children the way that they did and you know it just hits you square between the eyes.”

“To see what they’ve done from that from that point and moved forward, all I can think of is from tragedy to triumph,” Wade said.

The trio spoke to WIZS as a part of Thursday’s “The Local Skinny!” program at 11:30 a.m. as a reminder for yard sale lovers, community members and those who want to learn more or to contribute to stop by.

For more information, call 252-430-9913.

If you can’t make it, you can donate anytime online at www.abriaschasefoundation.org.

All proceeds go to help the Abria’s Chase Foundation, whose mission is to prevent fires and educate on fire safety, support grieving families and help rebuild.

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Cooperative Extension With Jamon Glover: The Platinum Rule

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Maria Parham Primary Care Welcomes New Family Nurse Practitioner

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– information courtesy of Donna Young, market coordinator, communications and marketing

Maria Parham Primary Care announces the addition of Jennifer Stockwell, MSN-FNP to its team of medical professionals. Stockwell is a family nurse practitioner,  specializing in family medicine.

Maria Parham Health CEO Bert Beard welcomed Stockwell to the MPH team. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and  experience that will be invaluable to our patients, and we’ve seen it firsthand as she’s worked in  our emergency departments with Maria Parham,” Beard said in a press statement.

Stockwell said she looks forward to helping patients. “I am passionate about preventative healthcare and look forward to working with my patients to implement practices that will better their well-being,” she said.

“That experience and knowledge base will surely distinguish her in the primary care setting and it’s always special to support someone growing in their career with us. Furthermore, Jennifer’s

dedication to delivering superior patient care aligns with our mission to provide the best possible care and treatment to our patients,” Beard stated.

Stockwell received her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner from South University and completed clinical rotations at Spectrum Medical Care in Raleigh.

Schedule an appointment at Maria Parham Primary Care by calling 252.436.0440.

Roses on Dabney Drive Closing Because of Lease

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Roses Discount Stores will continue to serve the Henderson area as a retailer at its Garnett Street location.

The Roses on Dabney Drive will continue to operate with its same store hours through September 30. However, the Dabney Drive location will then close.

A pair of corporate executives spoke to WIZS News Wednesday, and the company issued a statement.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to come to terms on a lease extension with the landlord for our Dabney Drive location after 54 years. We’re making changes and improvements to our Roses store at 1471 N. Garnett St. that will allow us to better serve all of our loyal customers. Each team member at the closing store has been offered a position within the company. We’re excited for the continued opportunity to serve Henderson and the surrounding communities for many years to come.”

Store executives expressed the company’s desire to remain at the existing Dabney Drive location, but in the absence of that option, committing to do more at the North Garnett Street location demonstrates at least part of the discount retailer’s desire to serve the area.

Also, Roses Discount Stores took to its Facebook page Tuesday to express, in bold red letters not unlike the ROSES brand itself, “THANK YOU DABNEY DRIVE,” for 54 amazing years!

Over the long term, additional opportunities may arise for a second Roses location in Henderson once again.

The local corporate underpinning is not affected by these retail changes.

The modern-day version of Roses is presently around 400 stores and growing, most recently with an expansion in Texas.

In addition, there may be an employment opportunity right for you. See more online at www.rosesdiscountstores.com/careers.

TownTalk: Choosing The Right Long-Term Care

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For many choosing a long-term care facility for a loved one can be a difficult choice.  Kim Hawkins, Regional Ombudsman at Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments, says there is variety in the level of care offered at area facilities.  She says there is a difference between a nursing facility and an assisted living facility. “A nursing facility requires an RN on site 24 hours a day and an assisted-living facility requires an RN be easily accessible. If you find an assisted-living facility with an RN on site 24 hours a day, that’s a plus,” Hawkins explained on Wednesday’s TownTalk.

Another thing to keep in mind is if a patient will require short-term or long-term care and to find the correct facility that meets those needs. Doctor recommendations should also be considered when deciding on the the type of facility that is right for your loved one.

“There are 47 licensed long-term care facilities in our area,” Hawkins says.  That area includes the five counties of Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Person.  Hawkins says this is a fair amount for the region but that level of care provided at these facilities is more of an issue when choosing a place for your loved one.

Larger facilities in Raleigh, Durham or Chapel Hill offer the same basic minimum services as required by law but facilities in the larger cities may offer more amenities than those located in rural areas.

What if your loved one doesn’t like the facility they are placed in? “In theory, it’s easy to transfer but in reality it usually isn’t,” according to Hawkins.  If your loved one has an issue with a facility, Hawkins suggests giving the facility an opportunity to fix the problem.

If you have further questions about long-term care, call Kim Hawkins at 252-436-2050 or email her at khawkins@kerrtarcog.org.

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TownTalk: Rebuild Communities NC Partners With AARP To Help Seniors Navigate The Digital World

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Coming off a successful series of classes in Vance County, Rebuild Communities NC and AARP’s Senior Planet workshop continues next month with sessions in Oxford.

Edy Thompson, executive director at Rebuild Communities NC said the classes will be held at Oxford Housing Authority, 101 Hillside Drive.

The classes are designed to give senior adults knowledge, experience and practice with the use of technology, from smart phones to telehealth.

The classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“It’s easy…and it’s fun,” Thompson said of the way the classes are designed to meet the needs of older adults who may not have much exposure to the world of the Internet through the use of smart phones, iPads and computers.

It’s a way for senior adults to gain confidence in their abilities to access services and find information without having to bother others for help.

“Most of the seniors say they’re tired of asking their grandchildren for help,” she said. “They’re fast and agile with the Internet – they don’t want to take the time to teach the ABC’s” of how to use a device like a smart phone.

Thompson doesn’t want seniors to be left behind – or left out – just because they aren’t as tech savvy as other groups. She said seniors can keep up with world events, and those that happen right here at home, with the click of a mouse.

“Through the Internet, you can travel wherever you want – see what’s going on and be engaged,” she said. “There are so many ways we can be active and engaged, not set aside just because we are older individuals.”

On Sept. 5 and 7 participants will learn about smart phones and Google Maps. The next weeks features ways to find information online and then protecting your personal information. Zoom basics will be the topic on Sept. 19 and then hosting a Zoom meeting will be presented on Sept. 21. Finally, telehealth and locating health information online are topics for Sept. 26 and 28.

Sign up for the classes by calling 252.915.1663.

 

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Home And Garden Show

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On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Ext.

  • Protect Lawn equipment by putting your contact information on the equipment, also photo equipment for insurance purposes.
  • Chop up fresh garden herbs, place in ice cube trays, then fill with water and freeze. Save the herb cubes to add to your soups and stews over the winter.
  • Start planning your fall landscape projects now
  • Check out the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox to research plants for those fall landscape projects.
  • Know what to plant and when in the garden with a copy of the Central piedmont planting guide
  • Make plans for tall fescue fertilization and/or seeding in early September.
  • Share excess vegetables with friends and neighbors who don’t have a garden.
  • Make sure leftover garden seed is stored in a cool, dry location, or even better in the refrigerator or freezer.

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