When it comes to things to do in Cumberland County, there is no shortage. A growing list of niche groups from comic book fans to the great outdoors proves there is something for everyone.
Life's A Trip Adventure Club is one of the newly formed groups in the county. It was established in 2022 by founder, local photographer and adventurer, Keith Sykes. Skyes started the group because of his “love of travel and adventure” and sharing that with others.
The adventure club wasn’t created on a whim. Skyes had received encouragement to start the group three years ago, but lacked the time.
“Honestly, I was a little intimidated about what it would take to put it together and run it,” Sykes said.
Thankfully he took the leap and created a Facebook page with the sole intention of bringing people together outside in nature. Life’s A Trip Adventure Club now boasts a membership of almost 800 people. There are planned events and meet-ups just about every weekend.
Saturday Strollz is the group’s weekly meetup at Jordan Soccer Complex. Members meet at 6:30 a.m. and walk the path at the soccer complex. Some “strollz” include yoga sessions. This meetup is completely free and offers a space for members to encourage one another in their health and wellness journey.
Life’s A Trip Adventure Club wouldn’t be an adventure club without the adventure. While there are plenty of local events to participate in with the group, they also travel. On the schedule are several events. The group's calendar is filled until the end of the year with one-of-a-kind experiences for local adventures.
October alone will be a busy time for the group. They have trips planned to the NC Seafood Festival, a train trip to Washington D.C. for a weekend, as well as Saturday Strollz. In December they will head to the Biltmore to explore the grounds during the festive Christmas season. The most anticipated trip is the one to Greece next September.
Sykes looks forward to the future of the group and to “give more individuals access to a community of positive people and adventurous opportunities.”
“I have been privileged enough to hear stories of the positive impact the group has made on many of the members,” he said.
Even though he is the founder of the group, Sykes recognizes that Life’s A Trip Adventure Club has many members who have contributed to its success and cultivating a safe and healthy atmosphere.
“Angela Lewis is a positive and spiritually uplifting personality. She has invited many people to the group, and she is the perfect representative. Genise Price overcame her fear of heights. She joined the group in the beginning stages and has been another recruiter who has brought other positive individuals into the fold,” Sykes said.
“Belinda Wilkerson has been a role model for healthy living and someone who constantly shows others that they can do it. Her bright smile and positive attitude are infectious, and it is motivating to the group. Mary Hinton is an encouraging spirit. She has recently joined the group, but she is one of our most uplifting members. She is constantly pushing others to give it their all, and she does it all with a smile.”
Life’s A Trip Adventure Club is a positive group that is continuing to grow not only in its number but in its impact.
Home is a sacred place where families can build memories, find comfort and create a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to experience the joys of owning a home.
Connections of Cumberland County’s mission is to help families realize their dream of "home sweet home" by providing the necessary resources and support.
They are an active lifeline for many families in the area, and offer tailored stabilization plans for each family, recognizing that every family is different. Their focus is on single women with children facing or at risk of homelessness, a demographic that is often overlooked. A team of professionals conducts one-on-one assessments to create personalized stabilization plans that cater to each family's specific requirements.
To assist these families, various empowerment groups, budgeting workshops, computer labs, mail services, hygiene closets and birthday/reward closets are provided.
Connections of Cumberland County offers a minimum of 12 months of case management services to ensure long-term improvement. The level of support and aid a family receives is determined by their specific needs, with an average of $600 to $750 allotted to each family.
Connections of Cumberland County believes that everyone deserves a place to call home.
They are committed to making this a reality for families by offering education on home maintenance and repair, financial management, and community resources to help families maintain their homes and improve their quality of life.
All of these great opportunities are not available without the active community support. On Oct. 5, at Studio 215, Connections of Cumberland County will be holding one of their most significant fundraising events of the year.
Their 6th Annual Art Auction, "Home is where the HeArt is" will be held from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., and the community can be a part of it.
The auction will feature original works of art donated by local and regional artists, which will be available for both live and silent auctions. It is an excellent opportunity to own a unique piece while also contributing to a good cause. All the proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards supporting CCC's mission of providing vital services to those who need it most.
Apart from the auction, guests will also be treated to delicious hors d'oeuvres, refreshing beverages and live music that will keep the atmosphere buzzing all night long. The event promises to be an enjoyable experience for everyone.
To learn more about Connections of Cumberland County's case management services, support resources or to visit the Day Resource Center, feel free to do so by visiting https://www.connectionsofcc.org/.
By attending the art auction, the community can help make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Join the community in supporting a great cause on Oct. 5.
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to come together as a community and help those in need. Let's make Home is Where the HeArt Is an event to remember.
Oktoberfest is a time for celebration and camaraderie, and this year, military servicemembers are invited to join in on the fun. The Oktoberfest on Fort Liberty will be held on Sept. 30 at the Iron Mike Conference Center. It will feature all of the traditional Oktoberfest activities, including live music, dancing, food and beer.
“We're looking to have a variety of alcohol and food. We have a certain amount of German beers as well as domestics. For the food, we're going to have our Jumbo pretzels with our world famous beer cheese sauce, and also Schnitzels, brats ... all the German style food,” said Keith Rigby, Deputy Director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
The kick off to Oktoberfest will be a Volksmarch (non-competitive walking). The Volksmarch will start and end at Iron Mike Conference Center beginning at 11:30 a.m. Food, beer tents and bounce houses will open at 12 p.m. A live polka band will be playing two to three sessions throughout the day. There will also be a raffle going on throughout the afternoon and evening, giving out prices once an hour.
The Fall Market will be open during the afternoon as well. The market will be located inside the Iron Mike Conference Center. There will be at least 13 vendors on-site offering different items, perfect for anyone wanting to get holiday shopping done.
“There will be a variety of vendors in there. Selling anything from popcorn to laser engraving, to Oktoberfest goods, as well as crafts and supplies,” Rigby said.
For those who love to dress up, there will be an Oktoberfest costume contest. There will be three categories: 12 and under; 13 to 17 years old and 18 and over. Prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category. The costume contest starts at 4 p.m.
For those who want to attend Oktoberfest closer to the evening, there will be a free German meal to the first 250 people in line at 5 p.m. Following dinner, the atmosphere will be focused more for adults only. There will be a DJ and a Stein Holding contest. The first 20 men and the first 20 women to sign up will be able to showcase how long they can hold a full stein of beer. The contest starts at 7 p.m.
Oktoberfest is the kickoff event for the fall season on Fort Liberty. Col. John Wilcox, the Fort Liberty garrison commander, told Up & Coming Weekly that MWR and Fort Liberty plan on holding more events throughout the season for families and for soldiers.
“We are going to focus really heavily, especially getting into the fall season, on making sure that there's plenty of events for families and our soldiers, sailors and the Marines and Space Force guardians to go do on the installation. The focus has been to provide soldiers opportunities to come on post and enjoy themselves,” Wilcox said.
Fort Liberty’s Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Seymour wanted to ensure families that this is not only a family-friendly event, but there will be plenty of security as well.
“This is a safe environment. There will be security. [Military police] will be patrolling around so it, it will be a very, very safe event,” Seymour said.
Everyone organizing the event all agreed they hope people come out and have a good time. Last year was the first time Oktoberfest was celebrated on Fort Liberty, and there was a good turnout, despite there being hurricane-related weather. The hope is that the sun will be shining on Saturday and people can come out and enjoy themselves.
Oktoberfest starts at noon and will go through 10 p.m. The Fall Market will run from noon to 6 p.m. Entrance is free, but there will be items available for purchase. The event is open to the public. Non-DOD ID cardholders will need to get a visitor pass at the All American Gate Visitor Center. This can be done in person or folks can pre-register for gate access by going to https://home.army.mil/liberty/application/files/6816/8372/2450/FORT_LIBERTY_VISITOR_PASS_REQUEST_USING_ONLINE_PRE.pdf.
On Saturday, Sept. 30, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation is hosting the Mogadishu Mile 5K, a poignant event dedicated to paying tribute to the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Mogadishu. Also known as ‘Black Hawk Down' or Operation GOTHIC SERPENT, the Battle of Mogadishu occurred 30 years ago.
Legacy and Lesson Learned
In the annals of modern military history, the Battle of Mogadishu, remains etched as a tragic and heroic event. The battle, which took place on Oct. 3 and 4, 1993, was a harrowing clash between the U.S. and United Nations forces against Somali militias and armed civilians in Mogadishu, Somalia.
This operation sought to capture key lieutenants of the Somali National Alliance and restore order to a war-torn city. However, what transpired was a grueling firefight that resulted in significant loss of life and countless injuries. Operation Gothic Serpent was part of a larger United Nations peacekeeping mission, UNOSOM II, aimed at stabilizing Somalia, which had descended into chaos following a civil war.
On the fateful day of Oct. 3, 1993, a group of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force operatives set out to capture several high-ranking lieutenants of a Somali warlord, Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The mission, however, took a perilous turn when two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by RPGs.
The unexpected downing of helicopters and the subsequent intense urban firefight changed the course of the mission, resulting in unforeseen consequences. The heroism and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in Mogadishu are immortalized in military history. Their bravery, resilience and dedication to their fellow soldiers continue to inspire generations of military personnel and the broader public.
In memory of those lost, we honor their sacrifice and reflect on the lessons learned from this tragic and pivotal event in American military history.
The Mogadishu Mile’s 5K Objective
The "Mogadishu Mile" refers to a route traversed by U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces soldiers from a helicopter crash site to a designated rally point held by the 10th Mountain Division on National Street during the Battle of Mogadishu, Oct. 3, 1993.
This heroic journey served as the inspiration for the impactful 2001 movie, Black Hawk Down. The MOG Mile 5K is a symbolic event and is not a timed race. It is devoid of prizes or recognitions for the top finishers. Age groupings have not been considered, allowing participants to traverse the route at their own pace. Registration cost for this event is $40.00, plus a $3.40 service fee. This event is open to individuals aged 18 and above.
Children under 18 can join at no cost, provided they are accompanied by a registered adult. The registration period will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 28th. The location for the event is the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.
Sign-up athttps://runsignup.com/Race/Events/NC/Fayetteville/MogadishuMile5K For those who wish to contribute without participating in the race, there is an option to "Sleep In and Donate." By choosing this option, participants will still receive a Mogadishu Mile T-shirt. Interested individuals can share their preferences by emailing info@asomf.org.
Join in honoring the brave individuals who demonstrated unparalleled courage and sacrifice in the face of adversity during the Battle of Mogadishu. Let us stand united as a community to pay tribute and commemorate their valor.
Fort Liberty’s Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Seymour wanted to ensure families that this is not only a family-friendly event, but there will be plenty of security as well.
