FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Amateur Radio Operators to Receive National Traffic System Training at The Filling Station POLLOCKSVILLE, NC – The Filling Station in Pollocksville will host a comprehensive Traffic Handling Seminar on November 22, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., offering essential training for amateur radio operators interested in public service communications and emergency message handling. John Riley, KO4OFO, NC Section Net Control Station, will lead the formal training session focused on National Traffic System formats and procedures. The three-hour seminar will concentrate on proper techniques for on-air message handling during public service events and emergency situations, with practical […]
Community Updates with Mary Ann LeRay – What’s New at The Filling Station Introduction:In this special update episode of The Filling Station Podcast, host Mary Ann LeRay shares the latest happenings, events, and initiatives taking place at The Filling Station in Jones County. From a new Blue Cross Blue Shield-funded check-in system at the food pantry to major upcoming events like Jones County: A Perfect 10, the Veterans Luncheon, and Leadership Jones Cohort 6 Graduation, Mary Ann walks listeners through a season filled with gratitude, celebration, and community connection. Listeners will also hear about upcoming holiday programs, including Christmas on […]
In this episode of The Filling Station Podcast, host Mary Ann LeRay welcomes Schumata Brown, Town Manager of Maysville, NC – a lifelong resident and servant-leader who’s helping shape the future of his hometown through faith, transparency, and collaboration. Schumata reflects on how Maysville’s 13 churches form the heartbeat of community life, offering strength, hope, and unity even when other resources are limited. He shares his journey from growing up in local congregations to serving as commissioner and town manager, and how faith and discipline continue to guide his leadership today. Their conversation highlights the power of community engagement, the […]
In this new episode of The Filling Station Podcast, host Mary Ann LeRay welcomes Karen Plaster, a creative force and community leader whose vision helped shape one of Jones County’s most cherished traditions – A Perfect 10 Jones County. Karen shares the story of how a simple idea, born in her garden, grew into a community-wide celebration that showcases the beauty, generosity, and resilience of rural North Carolina. From the event’s early days along Ten Mile Fork Road to its new home on The Filling Station campus, “A Perfect 10” has become both a fundraiser and a homecoming – a […]
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Renee Sutton, founding board member of the Filling Station, as she shares the remarkable story of how our community came together to bridge service gaps in Jones County. In this heartfelt discussion with host Mary Ann LeRay, recorded at the Filling Station as we celebrate our eighth anniversary, Renee reflects on the organization’s journey from those first Sunday afternoon meetings in 2017 to becoming a vital community hub-especially during the challenges of Hurricane Florence. Discover how strategic partnerships with local churches and organizations have maximized resources without duplicating services, and hear about the […]
POLLOCKSVILLE, NC – The Filling Station marked a historic milestone on September 8, 2025, with its first-ever ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the completion of a new food warehouse building that will expand the organization’s capacity to serve Jones County residents through enhanced nutrition, education, and connection programs. The $310,000 facility represents the culmination of a four-year planning and development process, made possible through funding from the Golden Leaf Foundation ($227,720 grant), Harold H. Bate Foundation, Jones County Committee of 100, and Filling Station church partners. The ceremony coincided with The Filling Station’s eighth anniversary, which was celebrated on August 28. “This […]
What does it take to build a legacy of service, resilience, and deep community pride? In this episode of the Filling Station Podcast, host Mary Ann LeRay sits down with Zack Koonce, a founding board member of The Filling Station, lifelong Jones County resident, and owner of the beloved family store, Zaks of Mallardtown. Together, they reflect on the organization’s eighth anniversary and the powerful role it has played in strengthening the county through challenges and celebrations alike. Zack shares how his family’s history in Jones County stretches back to the 1700s, his leadership during the early years of The […]
