WIZS Radio Local News Audio 04-03-24 Noon
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Henderson’s own Jayden Watkins is set to board a plane Wednesday and head to Orlando, FL to participate in the Walt Disney World Dreamers Academy.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that almost wasn’t, but Watkins said, “God worked everything out.”
You see, his mom had accidentally thrown away the packet of information that Watkins was supposed to fill out to officially be accepted into the program. So there he was, on Christmas Day, searching for a way to get in touch with the folks at the Dreamers Academy and get his hands on the information before the deadline passed.
There’s a saying that goes, “Pray for rain, but keep on hoeing,” and that’s what Watkins did. He hunted and searched online and in emails, but he put his trust in God to “make it happen.”
And it did.
The four-day mentorship program brings together 100 high school students from all across the U.S. who demonstrate compassion, intellectual curiosity, courage, optimism and a positive outlook.
Watkins, who will turn 16 later this month, said it’s an opportunity to meet entrepreneurs, recording artists and others who will share advice about how “to take our dreams and turn them into reality.”
While he’s in The Magic Kingdom, Watkins said he’d be producing an inspirational video that will be released on social media platforms. “I’ll be on a TV show and a couple of other programs that will reach millions,” he told WIZS co-hosts Bill Harris and Steve Lewis on Tuesday’s TownTalk.
The Henderson Collegiate student said the application process was like applying to college, but even more selective. This year’s participants were chosen from among thousands of applicants. Watkins said he simply told his story in the application. “I was authentic…I shared my dreams, my aspirations,” he said.
Actions speak louder than words, another timeless adage that couldn’t be more appropriate when talking about Watkins. In his short time on this Earth, he has become a licensed minister, an author, podcaster, CEO of a non-profit and part-time employee right here at WIZS.
One has to apply actions in order to make your dreams a reality, he said.
If all these accomplishments have elevated Watkins into something more than your typical teenager, he seems unfazed.
“I remember how important it is to be humble,” he said. “All of my talents, all of my gifts, come from God.”
While he’s off in Orlando, his 7-day Bible Study will be released. It’s called “Distance for Warfare” and it can be found beginning this Thursday on the YouVersion Bible app.
His “Empowered Teen Bible Study” was featured recently on CBS 17 for its work in the community, and Watkins said it provides a unique opportunity for teens, who meet monthly for Bible study and to give back to the community.
The group assembles “Blessing Bags” filled with toiletry items, socks and gloves, non-perishable food items and more that are taken to local shelters.
Upwards of 40 teens put the bags together, and Watkins said he’s always grateful for sponsors – groups and individuals – to provide the items for the Blessing Bags.
It may not be the traditional way that churches sponsor youth groups, but that’s ok. Watkins says it’s important to “change the method and keep the message” of helping others in the community.
Whenever he feels like he needs to step back and take a breath from all his work – when he just wants to be a normal teenager for a little while, “I remind myself of my purpose.”
He’s learning the importance of balance in his life – school, family, work, church, community service, entrepreneur all come together to create a busy schedule, no doubt.
But, Watkins said, “This is not only something I like to do, this is something I love to do.”
There’s lots going on at Perry Memorial Library in April – some of them are the regular monthly favorites, but there are some time-sensitive activities as well that are being targeted at children on Spring Break and for everyone interested in next week’s solar eclipse.
Youth Services Director Melody Peters said kids on spring break should check out Wednesday’s arts and crafts activities at 11 a.m.
There will be lots to do, Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!
“We’re definitely going to have a couple of tables for painting,” Peters said. There will be beads for necklace making, foam crafts and teens can fashion their own jewelry.
“There are a lot of options for various ages,” she said.
Most kids will be back in school on Monday, Apr. 8, but that’s not stopping the library from participating in the Statewide Star Party to view the eclipse.
The fun begins at 1:30 p.m. and runs through 3 p.m. and there will be half a dozen or so activity stations for individuals to take part in. The height of the eclipse will occur at 3:16 p.m., Peters said, and she’s got those special glasses for anyone who comes to view at the library.
“We crave those natural events that shake us up,” she said. “People are going to be able to see it – it’s not made up – it’s real!”
The activities are STEAM centered and participants will learn more about the sun, moon, and what exactly an eclipse is before they get to witness it in person.
They “get to see something in real time,” Peters said. In this world of AI and all things virtual, this is a big deal. North Carolina will not experience a total eclipse, but 86 percent is pretty good, she said.
Teens can return to the library the next day – April 9 – at 4 p.m. to create a special type of poetry – black out poetry. Books that would otherwise be discarded because of disrepair are used to create poems.
“I hope kids come,” Peters said. “I love what you can do (with) recycling old books. It becomes art.”
No need to register – just show up at the library to participate.
Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/ to learn more.
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Vance County has selected a new Budget and Finance director. Stephanie Williams will begin her new role on Monday, Apr. 1 and she said she’s “ready to get to work.”
Williams comes to Vance County from Durham County Schools, where she served as director of Fiscal Operations, according to a press release from Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry.
“I consider it an honor and a privilege to be joining the team at Vance County government,”, Williams stated. “I look forward to working with everyone to continue the work and build upon the dynamic services provided to the community while maintaining fiscal responsibility.”
With a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from N.C. Central University, Williams has a background and 18 years’ experience in the finance and accounting fields, which includes internal audit, capital funding, budgeting, bank administration, school finance, bank reconciliation and bond projects.
Perry said, “I am more than thrilled to bring Ms. Williams on board with the rest of the Vance County team. Stephanie’s education and experience are a perfect fit for our needs right now.”
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When he was 16, Tony Lamancusa bought a Dodge Charger, and the first thing he did was make it better by taking off the intake and putting in a bigger one. Everything went according to plan. Intake, check, Carburetor, check. Spark plugs, rewiring, check.
But when he turned the key, nothing happened.
“Nobody ever told me anything about firing order,” Lamancusa said, recalling how it took several weeks for him to find someone to help him diagnose the problem and share that all-important firing order – six numbers that Lamancusa still remembers: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
Details are so important when it comes to service and repair on vehicles, and that story is a reminder for Lamancusa as the owner of City Auto and Truck Stop on Andrews Avenue.
His engineering background, coupled with his passion for rebuilding muscle cars really comes in handy with the full-service center.
From the routine stuff like inspections, oil changes, brakes, tires and belts to engine and transmission work, Lamancusa said he and his employees can handle it. They also work on boat trailers, semi trailers, RV’s, go-carts and forklifts.
Lamancusa said he values customers’ time and he strives to take care of their vehicles while they wait. “We try to get people in and out as quickly as we can,” he said.
And, he’s hiring. Apply in person.
Stop by the shop to talk with Lamancusa to find out about the wide array of services they offer. He said he’s got very competitive prices – if you’ve got the parts and simply need them installed, that’s fine, you’ll just be charged for labor. They specialize in most American made cars, he said, stressing that they’re not an import shop.
“We run a clean shop and we honor what we do,” he said.
Call City Auto and Tire at 252.492.1195. Online at cityautoandtruckcenter.com
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Recently, City Auto and Truck became a Penske dealer, so customers can reserve and pay online and then come pick up the truck.
As a business owner, Lamancusa likens himself to an orchestra conductor: being at the front desk, he interacts with the public, handles the phones and now Penske customers. “I’m the conduit that everything flows through,” he said.
His background in electrical engineering is a perfect complement to the hands-on work that comes with running a shop like City Auto.
“Working with my hands, and my (engineering) knowledge, putting machines together – the two go well together,” he said.
Click Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
WIZS Radio ~ 100.1FM/1450AM
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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— On the Home and Garden Show with Vance Co. Cooperative Extension
On your mark, get set…Go! To the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, which opens on Saturday, Apr. 20.
Market Manager Pat Ayscue and Cooperative Extension Director Wykia Macon welcomesthe public to the 2024 season at the market, where local vendors will share fruits, vegetables, meats and much more throughout the growing season.
Ayscue manages the Vance County market, but she knows only too well all the work that goes in to making sure that quality products are available at the market each week.
Not only did Ayscue grow up in a farming family, but she married into a farming family.
“You look at the produce in a whole different light when you have planted and harvested it (too),” Ayscue said.
There’s a new sign out front that Ayscue said should go a long way to remind passersby of the schedule and hours of operation, which continue to be Saturdays beginning April 20 and then adding Wednesdays beginning June 5.
The Spring Fling will be held Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there are sure to be plenty of unique Mother’s Day gifts available for purchase to go along with the produce and baked goods that fill the market each week.
One popular crop that should be available on opening day is the strawberry crop. This year’s forecast is good, Ayscue said, noting that growing conditions have created slightly smaller vines, which may mean the plants will use extra energy to put into juicier, bigger berries.
The farmers market always has room for more vendors, and Ayscue encourages anyone interested to come out and talk to her to learn details.
She also creates an email list each season to share information about what’s new at the market as well as recipes to create with all the fresh produce that’s available.
And market vendors also accept senior vouchers and EBT.
Ayscue said she looks forward to welcoming returning vendors – and new vendors – to this year’s market “family,” and said the 2024 market will have something for everyone.
Visit https://vance.ces.ncsu.edu/vance-county-regional-farmers-market/ to learn more.
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