New episode (#23): Mary Ann LeRay interviews Sheri Smith of Triune Holiness Church about partnership, board service, and how faith in action strengthens a community—plus Sheri’s personal connection to Journey of Hope as a two-time cancer survivor.

Miracles, Not Magic: A New Year’s Message from The Filling Station
In this special New Year’s episode of The Filling Station Podcast, host Mary Ann LeRay reflects on the close of 2025 and looks ahead to what’s coming in 2026 for The Filling Station and the Jones County community. Mary Ann shares a powerful recap of November and December 2025 – a season that saw the food pantry serve more than 1,658 households while volunteers contributed 956 hours of service in just six weeks. From food assistance to leadership development, amateur radio education, holiday outreach, and nutrition programs, the episode […]

Serving those who served In this newest episode, host Mary Ann LeRay sits down with Nicole Jenkins, Veteran Service Officer, and Chad Day, Veteran Services Driver, to explore the vital work happening through Jones County Veteran Services. With roughly 10% of Jones County’s population being veterans-and even more when you include their families, spouses, and caretakers-this office serves as a critical bridge between our local heroes and the resources they’ve earned. Nicole and Chad shine a light on what makes Jones County’s approach unique, particularly in our rural setting. The transportation program, born from recognizing that veterans were missing crucial […]

In this episode of The Filling Station Podcast, host Mary Ann LeRay sits down with Jeff Mallard, president of the Pollocksville Rotary Club, to talk about community, service, and the magic of small-town Christmas. Jeff shares his journey from growing up in Pollocksville, to a career that took him across the South and overseas to Greece, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey-before eventually bringing him right back home to Pollocksville. Now retired, he’s investing his time and energy into Rotary and the town that shaped him. The conversation centers on Christmas on Main, a beloved community event held on December 6, featuring […]

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 […]

Did you know that when you hear “Farm Bureau,” there’s so much more happening than just insurance? Today, we’re talking with Melanie Avery, a 12-year veteran of the Jones County Farm Bureau, who reveals how this local non-profit is investing membership dollars directly back into scholarships, FFA programs, 4-H initiatives, and community events that matter most to Jones County families. Melanie shares insider details about their upcoming Field Fest – a community celebration featuring food, games, prizes every 10 minutes, and demonstrations that showcase agricultural community connection. Whether you’re a longtime resident or someone looking to get more involved locally, […]