Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation offers a variety of locations around town to enjoy the outdoors and learn about local flora, fauna and wildlife.

In addition to park facilities, there are a number of activities scheduled for November. Below are just a few, so be sure to check https://www.fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers for more information.

Mazarick Park, 910-433-1579)

Nov 2: Fall Mosaic

While discussing the changing of the season, collect different items from the trail to create a fall nature mosaic.

All ages; Thurs.; 10-11:30 am; Free

Lake Rim Park, 910-433-1018

Fishing Tackle Loaner Program

Try your hand at fishing without buying the equipment. This program allows you to borrow a rod and reel for 24 hours and provides a great opportunity for the whole family to get outside. A driver’s license or ID is required to register. Participants must follow state fishing license requirements.

All ages; Mon.-Fri.; 8 am-5 pm; Free

Park Ranger Chats

This lecture series will focus on a new topic each month. Program is held at the Bill Crisp Senior Center. Call Lake Rim Park or the Bill Crisp Senior Center to register. Nov. 1: Mystery of the Sand Mound People.Native people inhabited the region thousands of years before the first European explorers.  Arrowheads, pottery, and their characteristic burial mounds remain as clues to understanding Fayetteville’s earlier people.  Learn about the lives of this little-known group and about possible links with living descendants.

55+; Wed.; 1:30-2:30; Free

Youth Archery Clinic 

This is an introductory class for younger archers. Smaller bows and a shorter class time will help beginning archers learn the basics of safety, equipment care, and proper form. Parent or guardian must stay and supervise. Call or register online, space is limited.

5-7 yrs; Sat., Nov. 4; noon-2 pm; $5

Stained “Glass” Leaf Art

Bring your old crayons to this fun class where we will crunch them up and melt them into art. Learn some common tree species from around the park and collect their colorful leaves to form the centerpiece of your creation. Then you will be ready to decorate your winter windows.

All ages; Thurs., Nov. 9; 3:45-4:45 pm; Free

Thanksgiving Animal Hunt

“Stuffed” animals will be on hand to teach about the different native animals and traditional foods associated with Thanksgiving. Practice your hunting skills on a scavenger hunt to find some of these animals hiding in the woods. Call or register online.

All ages; Thurs., Nov. 16; 4-5 pm; Free

Clark Park, 910-433-1579

Animal Feedings!

Alligators chomping, snakes swallowing, and turtles snapping, come see what is for dinner at the nature center.

All ages; Wed.: 4 pm and Sat.: 2 pm; Free

Nature Story Time

You and your child are invited to Clark Park for an interactive story time with the Cumberland County Public Library. The story will be followed by themed crafts and activities. Call or register online.

6-under yrs. w/adult; Tues., Nov. 14: Bears; 1-2 pm; Free

Big Tree Bike Ride

Bring your bike to travel along the Cape Fear River Trail in search of the biggest trees. Learn how to use a Biltmore stick to determine the height and width of trees along the trail. Call or register online.

8+ yrs.; Tues., Nov. 7; 10 am-noon; Free

Native American Culture

Native Americans had inhabited North Carolina for thousands of years before the first European explorers arrived and changed their world forever. Learn how the original people of North Carolina lived before contact. Through demonstrations and artifacts, you will learn what people in this region ate, what they wore, and the tools they made to help them survive. Call or register online.

8+; Tue., Nov. 7; 3:30-5 pm; Free                                                                                                                                                   

Turkey Shoot Archery

This is the basic archery class with a holiday theme. Learn safety, proper stance, and correct technique then practice on turkey shaped targets and play holiday themed games. Call or register online, space is limited.

8+ yrs.; Wed., Nov. 22; 9 am-noon; $5

Many business owners may think that the tough part is over once they make the call to sell their business. While there’s no doubt that decision can be hard, there is still work to be done. Owners must adapt their business environment to continue running without them. Working with an experienced business advisor can make all the difference as a company shifts towards new leadership.
Thinking Of Stepping Away?
Most owners feel like no one knows the company like they do. After all, you’ve put your blood, sweat and tears into growing this business. When the day does come that you need to step away, you can start by asking these questions:
•Are you the primary reason for your company’s ongoing growth?
•Have you built a management team that understands your company inside and out?
•Are the processes that make your business tick documented, or do they reside solely in your head?
•Have your books and financials been kept in order?
How you answer these will depend on how difficult it will be to reduce the organization’s dependence on you. A trusted business advisor can help you loosen the reins to help the team function without you and ensure that your business is attractive to a buyer, ensuring your exit is financially beneficial.
Reducing Dependence on You
Concerned that you are too deeply enmeshed in the day-to-day activities of your company to successfully walk away? An excellent place to start reducing dependence on you to run the show is to document processes and delegating responsibilities. From there, here are some steps you can take to start to wean yourself away before you sell:
Build a strong management team. Do you have leaders you trust to keep things running smoothly if you aren’t around? If not, start taking steps to ensure your management team knows the processes behind your business, from handling the books and payroll to ordering supplies to dealing with employee issues.
Boost the confidence/capability of your team. Maybe your team is strong already, but have you made them feel empowered and capable? If you haven’t shared with your employees and staff that you trust in their abilities, there’s no time like the present.
Spend less time in the office. Once you have a strong, confident team, you need to start stepping away from the day-to-day business activities. This allows the business’ other leaders to test drive how well they do when you are no longer the boss.
Prove To Buyers the Business Works Without You
No doubt, this is a painful reality, but to ensure your business sells for the best possible price and terms, you must prove to a new buyer that the company can operate without you. It may be hard to step away, but if you have done your job right, the company will have the tools to succeed.
Here are some actions to take:
•Delegate responsibilities to trusted employees
•Develop a succession plan
•Detail your company’s processes and procedures
•Implement any necessary new technology
A final note about technology. Today’s world is digital. If you haven’t already brought your business out of the analog realm, that should be top of your to-do list before selling. Start by updating your POS system, digitizing all your processes and moving your operations online or to a cloud-based system.

Editor's note: Ashley Kelsey is with Transworld Business Advisors of Eastern NC. She can be reached at 910-302-6447 or akelsey@tworld.com.

“In a world full of doing, doing, doing, it is important to take a moment just to breathe, and just be.” -Author unknown.
Mindfulness activities address suffering and vulnerability. It is the awakening to our best and shadow self. Mental wellness is being in the present moment.
The Prima Elements Holistic Wellness Center’s meditation and mindfulness classes addresses wellness practices within our lives. The Mindfulness and Self Worth Meditation is on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 124 Anderson Street. The class will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“Prima Elements is committed to providing our community with essentials for optimal living. Our wellness center offers holistic health services. Our wellness services offer caring, expert, clinicians and staff that provide natural remedies, massages, and detoxifying natural cleanses. Prima Elements hosts wellness services such as Yoga, Meditation, Reiki and RestStation Therapy,” said Audriaunna Burgos. “[The center] has been in existence since 2012. Hilda Burgos, Fayetteville resident, nurse and retired IT consultant at Fort Liberty, is one of the founders. Adrian Burgos and myself are responsible for the operational aspects of the Prime Elements Holistic Wellness Center.”
Tyreena G is a vital team member to Prima Elements. She is an herbalist, teacher, plant vegan chef and meal planner, and creator of customized teas for the Wellness Center. She calls her customized teas Tyreena G Tea Brand. Flavors included are Thee Jazzy Beet, The Respiratory Blend, The Rooted Blend and Blue Lotus &Butterfly Pea.
“My passion is fulfilled at the Prima Elements Holistic Wellness Center by the development of personal relationships, opportunities for creative expression, researching new options and focus for health and wellness education,” Tyreena G. said. “Herbalism is a family tradition for me, my family is originally from Jamaica. My family members developed and utilized herbs and plants to heal and maintain good health. My Jamaican roots are an influence upon by cooking style. The guidelines are plant-based vegan, simple preparation and ingredients and nutrients from the fruits and vegetables of the earth. Did you know strawberry leaves are excellent for Tea?”
Do you desire to sleep soundly, energize naturally, and silence the inner critic? Have you experienced stress and anxiety? Do you want to feel calmer and experience peace? Experience the Mindfulness and Self -Worth Meditation at Prima Elements Holistic Wellness Center, 124 Anderson Street. The meditation session is from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Members are free, admission is ten dollars per person for non-members.
Contact 910-483-8406 or text 910-456-6533 for more information.

Gladys Knight’s musical influence has been embedded in the DNA of many genres of music for generations. Just after 11 years, The Empress of Soul will be making her return to Fayetteville with the 88th Season of Community Concert Series on Nov. 10 at the Crown Complex.
Her discography and list of accomplishments is nothing short of amazing. Her most recent honorary award was given in 2022 by President Joe Biden in Washington D.C. The award is called The Kennedy Center Honors, an annual award given to those in the performing arts field for their lifetime accomplishments.
The legendary vocalist, singer, songwriter and actress has been able to hold her value and super star status since the 1950’s. Rolling Stone magazine placed her in their Greatest Singers of All-Time list, another highlight to her already impressive career. On her interview with Sway in the Morning back in 2015, she credits her longevity with her ability to adjust with the times and appreciating music from different genres at a young age.
Gladys Knight has also been able to take her talents to the big screen on several occasions, besides her early vocal performances, she made her debut on “The Muppet Show” in 1981 as a guest. Since then she’s appeared on shows such as “Charlie & Co.”, “The Jamie Foxx Show,” “The First Family,” and many more. She even made an appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2012.
She’s won seven Grammy awards but has been nominated for 22 over the course of her career, both solo and with the Pips, landing her in the Grammy Hall of Fame for her musical significance and value. Her success as a vocalist and songwriter with the Pips has also placed her in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Gladys Knight was born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 28, 1944. She’s been singing for 75 years with her journey beginning at the age of four.
With the support and nurturing of her parents, she crafted her vocal abilities early with singing in the choir and talent shows around the city of Atlanta. After winning a TV show contest on “Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour,” her mother Elizabeth Knight urged her and her relatives to form the group Gladys Knight and the Pips, and shortly after they were on their way to stardom.
Gladys Knight & the Pips were a family music group that made hits in rhythm and blues, soul, funk and pop from the 1950’s through the 1980’s. The group originally consisted of Gladys Knight, her brother Merald Knight, sister Brenda Knight and cousins Eleanor and William Guest. They started off as just the Pips, named after their cousin James “Pip” Woods. After a rocky start in the late 50’s, trying to get a big single off Brunswick Records, Brenda Knight and Eleanor Guest left the group. During these times, the group was still getting recognition while performing for big R&B acts like Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke.
The group re-united shortly after and recruited their cousin Edward Patten and family friend Langston George to form Gladys Knight and the Pips. The illustrious group stayed active, on and off, from 1960 to 1987. They made their mark on legendary record labels like Motown records, Buddah Records, Columbia Records, and MCA Records until Gladys decided to pursue a solo career.
They had early hits like “Every Beat of My Heart,” “Heard it through the Grapevine” that was later sung by Marvin Gaye, and “Midnight Train to Georgia.” As a group they had a total of 22 singles reach the Top 20 Billboard charts, with several reaching number one. They also released over 20 albums as a group, winning three Grammy’s together and 7 American Music Awards.
As Gladys Knight pursued her solo career towards the late 80’s she began her journey on the biggest stages possible and has done some of the most Iconic performances around the world. She performed at the opening ceremony for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and sang the National Anthem for the Superbowl in 2019 with many other incredible performances in between.
To still be a master of her craft and grace stages around the country at almost 80 years old is a remarkable accomplishment. After a stop here in Fayetteville, she’ll be on tour in the States until late February of 2024. Beginning in June, she’ll be making her way to The Netherlands and the United Kingdom for show dates during the months of June and July of 2024.
To learn more about the incredible life of Gladys Knight and to keep up with her tour dates, visit Gladysknight.com. To catch her live in Fayetteville for the Community Concert Series, tickets are on sale for the Friday, Nov. 10 show at ticketmaster.com. Don’t miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this legendary performer give a show of a lifetime.

James Olsen can still recall the first time he saw The Beach Boys perform as a teenager in the 1980s in Michigan.
Now, all those years later, he’s ready to sing along with “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “California Girls” and so many more of the memorable hits.
This time, however, he doesn’t have to go too far to see the legendary act since The Beach Boys are making a stop at the Crown Theatre in Fayetteville.
“I love just the simplicity of it. Most of them are three-chord progression songs and upbeat. They are just fun,” Olsen said. “It’s hard to get songs that people like and they just have dozens and dozens.”
Olsen just recently downloaded The Beach Boys 50 greatest hits when the very next day he heard about the fact that the band was coming to Fayetteville.
“I thought, ‘You gotta be kidding me. What are the chances?’” he said. “I took that as a sign to revisit The Beach Boys in person after 36 years.”
The band is scheduled to appear in just a little over a week at the Crown Theatre on Nov. 9. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and should last about two hours.
Of course at the Crown Theatre concessions will be open for those seeing the show and will include tropical drink specials as an homage to The Beach Boys.
“I’ve definitely heard some buzz about this show out in the community,” Madeleine Eversole, the Director of Marketing for the Crown Complex, said. “Anyone who’s enjoyed hearing these songs over the years should take the opportunity to come see the band perform live.”
Eversole and other members of the Crown Complex have been getting a lot of good feedback, she says, from playing the band’s music at local events trying to drum up some publicity for the upcoming show.
“People love these shows,” she said.
While not all the original members of The Beach Boys still tour and travel, the show will include original member Mike Love as well as Bruce Johnson. Eversole expects a good turn out with more than 70% of the seats already sold for the upcoming show. Tickets start at $31.
“The Beach Boys have so many hits and it’s going to be so much fun to see them perform live!” Eversole said.
For Olsen, he says he hopes they still sound like The Beach Boys after all these years.
“I have been on a kick of seeing bands over again this year,” Olsen said. “The year of 2023 has been it.”
The Crown will also host upcoming shows for Gladys Knight, Josh Turner, Air Supply, Leanne Morgan and John Mellencamp.
For more information about this or any upcoming shows visit www.crowncomplexnc.com.

In a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who have served in the armed forces, the First Presbyterian Church is set to host the Salute to our Veterans — A Variety Show Concert on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Fayetteville's American Guild of Organists, AGO, — Sandhills Chapter. This event is free and open to the public.
As the show approaches, the First Presbyterian Church and the AGO extend a warm invitation to the entire community. They hope this event is an opportunity to come together and pay tribute to the heroes in the community. The evening will be a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and a celebration of their unwavering dedication to the nation.
This unique variety show concert is dedicated to honoring both active and retired military personnel and promises an evening filled with patriotic melodies, performances and tributes. The Director of Music for First Presbyterian, Marcia Mervin, shared her enthusiasm and vision for the event, emphasizing the significance of paying homage to our nation's veterans.
"The heart and soul of the concert lie in the performances by local musicians, who will enchant the audience with renditions of patriotic classics such as 'TAPS,' 'America the Beautiful' and 'The Folded Flag.' These melodies, often associated with moments of reflection and reverence, will serve as a poignant backdrop to the evening," Mervin said.
In addition to these musical renditions, the event boasts a Men's Quartet and an array of talent ready to take the stage. A key highlight of the evening will be the recognition of military personnel in attendance, who are strongly encouraged to wear their uniforms with pride. As a symbol of unity and solidarity, the song "Armed Forces the Pride of America" will be played with a unique twist. When the musical rendition and lyrics of their respective branch of service are heard, each member will rise in a display of their dedication to protecting our nation.
The concert's program continues beyond music alone. Mervin has ensured a diverse range of talent will be on display.
"Attendees can look forward to skits, poetry readings, handbell performances and stirring musical solos. The evening will, at times, resemble a community sing-along, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie as voices join together in honor of our veterans," she said.
The program will include the presentation of the colors and the folding of the American flag. These solemn rituals hold a special place in the hearts of veterans and their families, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made for the freedom and safety of the nation.
The talent on display, coupled with the musical renditions, will make this event a memorable experience. Veterans and their families, active military personnel and the entire Fayetteville community are encouraged to attend and participate in this celebration of our nation's heroes.
The Salute to Our Veterans — A Variety Show Concert is intended to serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of unity and gratitude. Organizers feel it is an opportunity for Fayetteville to come together as a community and thank those who have protected and defended our nation, past and present.
First Presbyterian Church, located at 102 Ann St., was founded in 1800, and is a historic landmark in downtown Fayetteville. Over the years, it has maintained a dedicated and growing congregation that actively engages in missions and supports the local military community.
To learn more about the First Presbyterian Church and its mission, please visit their website at http://www.firstprez.com.

It was a reunion between two warriors — from two generations — from two continents. Royal Dutch Air Force Lt. Col. Tim Ruijling recently came to visit Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue and see for himself the Sunset March patterned after his own in Nijmegen that honors the sacrifice of 48 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division.

It has been nearly 80 years since that fateful day of September 20, 1944 when our U.S. Army tried to hold off a Nazi invasion of the little Dutch town, the oldest in the Netherlands. It was a fierce gun battle on the Waal River at the Oversteek Bridge.

When the bridge was rebuilt in October 2013, it became the focal point for a tribute to those 48.

Lt. Col. Ruijling is one of the original founders of the Sunset March established in 2014 for which a veteran, alone or with others, walks the bridge as 48 pairs of lights come on in sequence over 12 minutes.

In prior interviews, Ruijling has said: “They gave their lives to give us the way of life we have now. We have our freedom because of those 48 young men.”
“There are still nights where you walk alone, and that’s very special... but it's also special that people from all over the world want to walk with you.”

Here at Fort Liberty, Donahue, the commanding general of the 18th Airborne Corps, wants to recreate similar sentiment for our veterans, past and present.

The half-mile pavement on the old Bragg Boulevard features more than 30 markers highlighting the history of the Fort Bragg many of us have experienced.

The Sunset Liberty March blends the legacy of Bragg with the future of Fort Liberty.

Since the Sunset Liberty March launch on June 1, many of us have “walked the walk” at sunset.

According to Donahue, sign-ups extend out to 2025. In Nijmegen, by Nov. 1, 2023, there will have been 3,300 consistent “walks” since it began Oct. 19, 2014. For the tenth anniversary, Ruijling has been invited to return to Fort Liberty for a joint memorial.

On this recent visit, Ruijling shared the emotions he feels when he walks that bridge: his respect for those 48 soldiers and the leadership they demonstrated. For his efforts, the Dutch government has knighted him, such that he is now Sir Tim Ruijling, Lt. Col. of the Royal Dutch Air Force.

To participate and be part of the legacy to-be-written about Fort Liberty, reserve your date for your Sunset Liberty March at www.sunsetlibertymarch.com. March in honor of a veteran relative, a veteran neighbor, a veteran co-worker, yourself. Registrants will receive confirmation and the pre-sunset time to arrive. An officer will meet you at the Sunset Liberty March pillars on Honeycutt Road.

Anyone can participate in the daily march, but one person is designated as the Liberty Marcher — who must be a current service member, veteran or Gold Star family member.

Only the Liberty Marcher must pre-register. Community groups are encouraged to participate. Non-DoD ID card holders can visit the All American Visitor Center to obtain a pass. Hours are 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. Vistors can also apply online for a visitor pass by visiting https://home.army.mil/liberty/ for more information.

Seven teams of combat weather Airmen competed in Thunder Challenge 2023 at Fort Liberty Oct. 15-17.

In the latest Civitas Poll, 49% of North Carolinians likely to vote in the Republican primary say they’d pick Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson to be the GOP nominee for governor in 2024. Of the remaining voters, 41% are undecided and the rest support other candidates such as State Treasurer Dale Folwell or former congressman Mark Walker.

So, is Robinson the inevitable nominee? That’s been the conventional wisdom.

Keep in mind that the threshold to win a primary outright, without a runoff, is only 30%. Robinson is already well above that, uh, mark.

Most North Carolina Democrats agree with that conventional wisdom — and find it delightful. They have a thick binder of opposition research on Mark Robinson. They’re looking forward to playing up his checkered financial past, unimpressive tenure as lieutenant governor, and history of outrageous comments.

Given the recent terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas thugs, in particular, Robinson’s past use of antisemitic tropes in social-media posts will appear not just in attack ads but in appeals to out-of-state donors. Democrats think the resulting river of campaign cash will wash away not just Robinson but other Republican candidates down the ballot in 2024.

The lieutenant governor and his political team are clearly worried about this. That’s why Robinson called a press conference a couple of weeks ago, while Gov. Roy Cooper was in Japan on a trade mission. As “acting governor,” Robinson proclaimed “North Carolina’s Solidarity with Israel Week” and argued that his prior complaints about the financial and cultural power of Jews had been misinterpreted.

“There have been some Facebook posts that were poorly worded on my part,” he allowed, even as he insisted that “there is no antisemitism standing here in front of you.”
With the gubernatorial primary still five months away, Republican politicians, consultants, donors, and activists are not of one mind about how to respond to the Robinson problem (which virtually everyone acknowledges, at least in private). Based on numerous conversations, I’ve concluded there are three schools of thought.

Call the first the Accommodationists. They agree with Democrats that Robinson is inevitable but disagree that he’s destined to lose. They observe, correctly, that the 2024 election cycle will be dominated by the presidential contest. President Biden is unpopular. If he loses, they reason, the Democratic nominee for governor (presumably Attorney General Josh Stein) will likely go down with him. On the other hand, if Donald Trump is nominated and goes down in felonious flames, it won’t matter whether Robinson is the nominee. Stein will win, anyway. 

Given this scenario, why not endorse Robinson, help his campaign, and hope for the best? If he wins, they’ll be in a position to help staff and advise his administration. And if he loses, no one will blame them.

The second camp, the Challengers, refuse to accept Robinson as inevitable. They observe, correctly, that Republican primary voters actually know very little about the lieutenant governor. The latest entrant to the GOP field, attorney Bill Graham, has pledged to spend at least $5 million on ads in the coming weeks. Much of that will, presumably, be used to warn voters about Robinson’s many political vulnerabilities.

A Republican Party led by Mark Robinson, they reason, is a party that can neither win close races nor govern a closely divided state with credibility and prudence.

The third camp, the Hedgers, include many Republican leaders in the General Assembly. They don’t relish being on a ballot with Robinson, though they’re not sure this can be avoided. On the other hand, if he happens to win, they doubt he’d be an effective governor. They observe, correctly, that the legislation they just passed to strip the governor of appointments to such panels as the State Board of Elections and the Board of Transportation would apply equally to a Governor Josh Stein or a Governor Mark Robinson.

By strengthening legislative supremacy, which was already their default position, they’ve made the gubernatorial election less consequential.

It would be laughable if it were not so terrifying.
The United States House of Representatives’ inability to elect a Speaker has focused not only the eyes of our country but also those of the entire world on a democratically elected body in danger of self-destruction.
A small minority of extreme House members with single-issue concerns shut the closely divided House down with its toddler-temper-tantrum behavior.
The rest of the members, all Democrats and some moderate Republicans, became the grown-ups in the room, albeit very frustrated ones.
The House show has been world-class political theater, but the reality of this self-inflicted wound is that it could further degrade or kill our already endangered democracy.
It does not have to be this way.
Twenty years ago, the North Carolina House of Representatives faced almost the same dilemma — how to elect a leader in a chamber that was not just closely but evenly divided, 60 Democrats and 60 Republicans. It was high drama, indeed. Republicans started the year with a 61-59 majority, but one Republican switched parties, so it was back to 60-60, with 61 votes needed to elect a Speaker.
Democrats backed the incumbent two-term Speaker, while Republicans squabbled among themselves and the various factions of the party — shades of Washington today.
Voting continued for the first week of the 2003-2004 session, with no candidate receiving 61 votes, which meant, as in Washington, that the House could not conduct any business for the people of North Carolina. By the second week, reality had set in, and Democrats and a group of moderate Republicans agreed on a power-sharing agreement, a co-speakership, one Democrat and one Republican. Each Speaker had his own staff, his own office, and his own gavel. They presided over the House Chamber on alternate days.
It is an interesting historical footnote that Patrick McHenry (R-NC), who presided over the U.S. House’s recent efforts to elect a speaker, was a member of the N.C. House during the co-speakership.
Representatives who served in the N.C. House during the two-year co-speakership remember it as a routine session in which most bills moved along smoothly. Few controversial issues were addressed, however, primarily because if something were too conservative for the Democratic Speaker or too liberal for the Republican Speaker, it was unlikely to see the light of day in a committee, much less on the House floor.
Issues painful for one side or the other were kicked down the road until the House got back to “normal.” It was a time of governing from the center, not from either side, and it was not all bad. There are Americans on both sides of the “extreme,” but most of us, both Democrats and Republicans, are in the moderate middle. The actions of our elected officials should reflect that reality.
A judge once told me he knew he had handled a legal issue fairly if both sides left the courtroom “mildly miffed.”
That is precisely what we need from our U.S. House of Representatives. Legislating is not a contest between two sides. It is our elected public servants acting in the best interests of our state and nation, and if one side does not get its way all the time, the legislative process is working.
The U.S. House should look at what the North Carolina House did two decades ago. It is far preferable to be “mildly miffed” than foaming at the mouth.

For years, there has been a small group of silent, disgruntled individuals who have been waging a guerilla-style war against Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner and those who advocate for progress and growth in the beautiful town of Hope Mills. 

October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but anyone who has had a mammogram or felt a lump knows that breast cancer awareness is year-round.

We make a yearly mammogram visit, and let's face it — it is not something you look forward to, although a good technician can help ease the anxiety and pain associated with the yearly smashing of the tatas!

You try to watch the faces of the technicians as they take the images to see if there is any change in expression. As they look at the images for quality, you wonder why they take so many. After you leave, you hope the doctor's office does not call until you receive the golden letter and utter a sigh of relief that you have escaped again.

You are a fortunate one; not everyone is, and in 2022, an estimated 287,500 individuals were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. The mortality rate of that figure amounts to about 43,250 women and approximately 5% of men in the United States have breast cancer.

Early screening continues to save lives with advanced 3D mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies. The good news is that the survival rate continues to increase with the early detection and treatment.

Treatment side effects can be debilitating, but there have been advancements in life after surgery through exercise, support groups and available educational material.

Cancer exercise specialists are beginning to take a prominent role in assessments and plans to help with the healing process once a physician gives clearance.

A trained specialist can identify muscle imbalances, create a gradual exercise regimen and identify neuropathy to help minimize fatigue, stress and other effects from chemotherapy and radiation.

One of the initial assessments begins with a conversation about the possibility of Lymphedema.
Lymphedema is a swelling that occurs with an accumulation of fluid in the tissue once the lymph nodes have been removed. The job of the lymphatic vessels is to drain fluid from the tissue cells in the body along with bacteria and cleanse the fluid in the system before it returns to the venous system and returns to the heart. The entire process is a continuous recycling in the body. Improper drainage can cause fluid retention and the beginning of a breeding ground for bacteria.

Lymphedema may not always occur after surgery; it can occur at any time during the cancer survivor's life after treatment. When Lymphedema is left untreated, a swollen limb can become hard and filled with fluid.

There are three stages of Lymphedema. Stage one, pitting, occurs when the area is pressed and a pit forms, which takes time to fill in. Stage two, when the swollen area does not pit when pressed, can result in the limb gradually becoming hard with fluid retention. Stage three advances into noticeable changes that usually occur in the lower extremity's appearance of the skin. Left untreated, it can lead to severe complications.

Early detection and beginning an exercise regimen for lymphatic drainage can be beneficial in reducing fluid retention. A cancer exercise specialist can often give the patient simple exercises that can be done at home.

Inquire with your physician about the exercise and lymphatic drainage programs if they apply
to you.

Live, love life and healing.

Everyone has online accounts they must protect with some form of security. Whether it is an email, online payment, or social media account, everything today is protected with a password. The cyber threat landscape is vast, and many fall victim to these attacks more often than people may realize.

According to the FBI, cyberattacks caused up to $10.2 billion in losses in 2022. Global cyberattacks increased 38 % in 2022, according to Checkpoint Security, and 86% of organizations had at least one user try to connect to a phishing site.

Living in a digital world can be dangerous, but people can help themselves and those they care for. Securing every device and account with a unique, strong password is recommended.
Passwords should be at least 12 characters. Twelve-character, complex passwords can be challenging to remember, so using a password manager is worth considering.

Individuals should not use dictionary words, birthdays, pet names, children’s names or anniversaries. These can be a starting point for attackers looking to crack passwords. Passwords should be complex; this can be achieved by combining upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols. Pair this with multi-factor authentication, or MFA, and set up MFA for every account that can do so.

Individuals should think twice before clicking anything in an email or text message to avoid falling victim to a phishing attack. A phishing attack tricks a victim into providing sensitive information using a tactic called social engineering.

Never trust a link, no matter who it’s from or how tempting it may be. Check the sender’s email address. Sometimes, a simple review of the sender’s email address can tip people off to a phishing email. It is recommended to call the source directly or log in to the account in question by accessing it from the website to verify that the email was sent from that person or organization.

Look for obvious warning signs. Was it unexpected? Is it an entity the individual is associated with? Does it inspire a sense of urgency and ask the user to click a link? If so, it is probably a trap. The more people armed with the knowledge to defend against cyber threats, the harder it will be for bad actors to succeed in their mission.

Many companies are hiring increasing numbers of cybersecurity analysts to meet these threats. The entry-level salary for a Cybersecurity Analyst is $75,000 in the Raleigh-Durham area. Interested parties can contact Fayetteville Technical Community College today to see how they can begin their journey toward becoming a qualified cybersecurity professional.

For more information about FTCC’s cyber security programs of study, contact Rhiannon Holley, department chair of Systems Security and Analysis at FTCC’s Cyber Defense Education Center.
Holley can be reached via email at holleyr@faytechcc.edu or by phone at 910-486-7309.

 The Greater Fayetteville Chamber is bringing back its annual Chamber Oyster Roast. Food and music will be available in abundance with the return of the Carolina Rock n' Boil Oyster Roast.

"This is the annual Chamber Oyster Roast that we haven't done since 2017, so we are bringing it back," said CEO and President of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, Nat Robertson. "Not only do we have the oyster roast, but we have a low country boil, BBQ sliders, and the band Rivermist will be playing."

The annual Oyster Roast is on Oct. 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom, located at 5435 Corporation Drive.

Complimentary parking will be available in the paved lot next to Dirtbag Ales and across the street in the unpaved lots.

Rivermist will be bringing the fun while playing great music. Rivermist was voted Fayetteville's favorite hometown band for 2023 by Up & Coming Weekly. They are primarily a classic rock, rhythm and blues, variety and party band. Rivermist is known for their covers and their original songs.

Tickets are available for $60 per person for Greater Fayetteville Chamber members and $100 for non-members. The tickets include all-you-can-eat oysters, and more food will be available for purchase. The menu consists of freshly steamed oysters, a Lowcountry boil with shrimp, sausage, potatoes, corn, BBQ sliders, coleslaw, hush puppies, sweet tea and adult beverages. The tickets also include access to Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Whiskey Bar; the event is 21 and over.

According to the Chamber's website, upon arrival, attendees should head to the wooden pavilion behind Dirtbag Ales to check in.

Chamber Ambassadors and staff will provide registered attendees with wristbands, serving as a ticket to an evening of culinary delights and live music. Ambassadors will guide visitors to the bars and food stations for an unforgettable experience.

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber suggests that attendees dress smart-casual and plan for chilly October weather. Temperatures are usually between low 70°F to low 50°F, so dressing accordingly is recommended.

"It's going to be a good time. This will be the last business after hour event of the year, and that's why we are doing it on a big scale," said Robertson.

With food, live music, and a lively atmosphere, the 2023 Carolina Rock n' Boil Oyster Roast hopes to be the Chamber's biggest celebration of the year.

The annual Carolina Rock n' Boil Oyster Roast will be held on Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dirtbag Ales Brewery.

For more information about the Greater Fayetteville Chamber and the 2023 Carolina Rock n' Boil Oyster Roast, visit their website at https://faybiz.com/.

The Cumberland County Department of Public Health will hold a “Vax Your Pet, Vax Yourself” event on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Health Department, located at 1235 Ramsey St. in Fayetteville.

Residents may bring their pets in to receive rabies vaccinations, and while there, humans can receive COVID-19 and flu vaccines at no cost. Appointments are not required. Walk-ins are welcome.

During the event, organizations will also distribute free items and information about programs and services. The Cumberland County Public Library, Department of Social Services, WIC, and the Public Health education team will participate.

There will be a prize raffle for $100 pre-paid cards every hour. You must be present to win.

Vax Your Pet

Rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats will be $5 for each animal. North Carolina Law states, “The owner of every dog and cat over four months of age shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies.”

To remain properly immunized, a dog or cat must receive two rabies vaccinations one year apart, then one vaccination every three years thereafter. Dog and cat owners in Cumberland County who have not vaccinated their pets in accordance with this law are subject to a $100 civil penalty.
While at the clinic, owners must keep dogs leashed and cats in separate carriers or boxes. Owners may be held responsible for any damage their pet causes at the clinic.

Cash is the only accepted method of payment. Please bring exact change to pay the $5 per animal fee. Please do not bring rolled coins. Checks, debit and credit cards will not be accepted.

Vax Yourself

Free flu shots are available to everyone regardless of insurance status. Participants will not be billed for flu vaccines. Participants will complete a short registration form when they arrive at the clinic. If insured, a copy of the insurance cards will be made, and the insurance company will be billed.

Children 18 and younger can receive a free flu vaccine through the Vaccines for Children program. Anyone accompanying a minor must show proof of custody.
COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Department of Public Health administers Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccines are free regardless of insurance status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the 2023–2024 updated COVID-19 vaccines.

•Everyone aged five years and older should get one dose of the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness from COVID-19.

•People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

•Children aged six months to 4 years need multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be up to date, including at least one dose of the up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine.

Test Yourself

The Cumberland County Public Health Sexually Transmitted Infections express clinic will be open during this event with confidential testing for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and other STIs. Testing is free, regardless of insurance status.

Call 910-433-3600 to schedule an appointment.

For more information about Cumberland County Department of Public Health programs, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/public-health or call 910-433-3600.

The botanical garden has been taken over with colors of orange, black and even purple. Strings of lights hang overhead; walkways are lit by strings of twinkle lights. Lights bounce off the pumpkins that hang, and the ghosts must have wanted to join them. In a larger, more open area stands a very tall and seemingly happy jack-o-lantern among large displays of lights.

The folks at Cape Fear Botanical Garden are getting ready for a spooktacular time — an event sure to draw out all those ghosts, goblins, monsters, creepy-crawlies and, of course, sometimes the scariest of the bunch — kids.

“Halloween at the Boo-tanical Garden is one of our main fundraising events for the year, so it not only provides our community with safe, fun and natural places to explore during the event itself, but helps support the mission all year round of connecting people to their natural environment through touring the grounds, participating in education events, volunteering and more,” said Beth Hess at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

Hess and others at CFBG are gearing up for another Halloween at the Boo-tancial Garden. This year’s “dance party” themed event is presented by Cape Fear Valley Health. The outdoor, walk-through, interactive experience will take place Oct. 26 through Oct. 29. Hess said the members at CFBG hope attendees will get quality time with family and friends.

“There is truly something that people of every age will enjoy during the event — whether it’s trick-or-treating, light displays, spooky stories, the Jack-o-lantern lawn, the dance party, skeletons dressed as famous musical acts or any of the other attractions, it will be a spook-tacular time,” she said.

This year will also bring thousands of lights, light displays, candy stations, a costume contest, a dance party, a reptile display, bone digging for kids and food and beverages for all. The garden will also welcome leashed dogs on Oct. 26 for the event. Other special features will include extra candy stations on Oct. 26, and spooky stories and songs on Oct. 28. Food and beverage may vary by night. Hess said they expect around 5,000 people total across the four nights, which is about the same as last year’s numbers.

“This is an area tradition and Fayetteville favorite,” Hess said.

The event will be open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the event will be open from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Advanced tickets are available, ranging from $7 for kids ages 3 to 10, $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Candy stations will require event goers to bring their own bags, and flashlights are recommended for those attending in the evening hours.

For more information, visit www.cfbg.org or call 910-486-0221.

The Cumberland County Public Library will present Crime Scene Library 2023 on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville. The event is an all-day series of presentations and interactive exhibitions for true crime fans.

Crimes Scene Library 2023 includes presentations and guests listed below:

• Amanda Lamb, WRAL Reporter and author, on Podcasting Is the Future!

• Dr. Khalid Lodhi, Director of the Forensic Science Program at Fayetteville State University, on How Bed Bugs Solve Crimes: New DNA Vectors and Their Role in Criminal Investigation

• Christine Mumma, Executive Director of the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, on Reversing Injustice: How Wrongful Convictions Happen and Take Decades to Fix

• Dr. Christopher Thrasher, History and Political Science Instructor, Fayetteville Technical Community College, on The Trial of Ann K. Simpson, the first woman tried for murder in Cumberland County

• Dave Pauly, Dr. Steve Downs and Isis Tutman, from the Forensic Science department at Methodist University, on Modern-Day Forensic Science: Latent Fingerprint Processing & DNA Extraction

• Methodist University’s Legal Studies Program on Paralegals and Trial Preparations in Criminal Cases

• Fayetteville Police Department’s Forensic Unit with an Interactive Crime Scene for participants to explore.

The Crime Scene Library 2023 case file, found at bit.ly/crimescenelibrary, provides intelligence about each of the speakers and their presentations. The site also offers supporting evidence, such as true crime trivia, a virtual escape room, reading recommendations, streaming music, videos and more.

At the end of the event, drawings for door prizes will be awarded, such as gift vouchers for local escape rooms, crime investigation games and other true crime-related prizes.

Crime Scene Library 2023 is geared toward an adult audience, and, as such, portions of some presentations may be too graphic for younger or more sensitive audiences. This event is made possible by the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library, Inc.

Visit cumberlandcountync.gov/library or call (910) 483-7727 for more information.

The smell of freshly cut grass, the sounds of rain droplets hitting bags of clubs, and the anticipation of seeing who will be crowned the Cumberland County Golf Championship winner. These three things marked the culmination of the 55th Annual CCGC event.

“It’s not all about winning the prize. It’s about companionship and friendship,” said 2023 CCGC Women’s Division Champion DeeDee Jarman. “Ever since I played against Lisa Harvey at the event 5 or 6 years ago, we’ve played together on a regular basis. Now, our friendship has grown. That’s why I play. It’s about two days [spent] with people who play golf and friendship. They can be lasting friendships.”

For many, golf is viewed as a dull and mundane pseudo-sport that lends itself to the older generation and those who can afford it. However, after a brief look into the golfing scene and talking to local Champions Billy West and Dee Dee Jarman, I can assure you that it is anything but.

Since 1968, the Cumberland County Golf Championship has stood as the high-water mark for golfers at every level. For those who participate, it is an anticipated gathering of friends, golfing rivals, business and community partners, and the rising stars of the local youth golfing community. It is a weekend of fellowship, fun, and friendly but intense competition.

Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West is the 2023 Cumberland County Golf Champion. This marks his tenth CCGC title in his three-decades-long golfing career. West’s first CCGC victory was in 1994, and his first at Gates Four Country Club was in 1997. Validated by his return to the podium a second time, West would continue to seek improvement as he pursued local golfing legend Gary Robinson.

It was in 2017 that West would tie Robinson for the most CCGC titles at eight. Five years later, in 2022, West would go on to break their tie in 2022 with back-to-back victories and set a CCGC record that will stand for a very long time.

“Golf is an excellent life skill, regardless of whether you play competitively,” remarked West. “You’re getting to spend four hours with someone, and a lot of times, whether it is the business world, the civic world, or whatever the case may be, golf is a part of that. To know how to play, and also being able to play well, I think is a good life skill to have.”

Concerning his role in uplifting the next generation of golfers’ Billy West had this to say: “I have to give the credit to my father for taking me out of the course when I was a kid. My father is 76, and he still plays, and my son is 14, and he’s taken up the game more recently and plays on his school’s team. Most of the time, when I do get the chance to go out and play, that’s my group.”

“The other thing I tried to talk with them [young golfers] about is how special the County Championship was to me. I’ve been playing since I was 16. Back then, they didn’t have a Youth Division. I remember counting the years until I could play in the county championship, and I’ve been playing in it since 1990. To be able to compete, and for them to realize they can compete locally and to be able to, at least for that weekend, be the best golfer in their division locally is such an honor and something I hope they’ll take throughout their lives. We want to pass that on to the next generation. I think the Youth Division is a good way to do that.”

CCGC Tournament Director and Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman has been working with the local golfing community to develop more opportunities to get people of all skill levels involved with the CCGC. During the past several years, the CCGC has added a Women’s & Youth Division, and starting with the 56th Annual CCGC in 2024, there will be a Handicap Division where local golfers with established GHIN handicaps can compete for Net Score titles in all adult divisions.

With Billy West’s tenth victory, this year’s CCGC has ended. With it, the conversation has shifted from one man’s triumph to how the next generation will fill the golf shoes of their predecessors’ and keep this fifty-five-year-old golfing tradition alive in Fayetteville and Cumberland County for future generations. The CCGC is notably the longest continuous golf tournament in North Carolina.

“Congratulations to Billy West on the tenth Cumberland County Golf Championship victory, as well as to all the CCGC Division winners. We hope to see everyone back for the 56th Annual Cumberland County Golf Championship,” said Bowman.

The 2024 event is scheduled for Oct. 11-13 at the Gates Four Country Club. For information, contact Bill Bowman at bill@upandcomingweekly.com or 910-391-3859.

The Junior League of Fayetteville’s Holly Day Fair marks the official beginning of the holiday season for Fayetteville. Vendors from all over the country convene annually at the Crown Expo Center, providing a wall-to-wall, one-of-a-kind holiday shopping experience. This year’s event will begin Nov. 2 and run through Nov. 5.

The Holly Day Fair offers a variety of shopping experiences for those in search of the perfect holiday gifts.

Super Shopper Day opens the fair with a stroller-free experience for shoppers from 9 a.m. to noon. Shoppers can also enjoy the Sip and Shop experience, which includes brunch, mimosas, and a bag of goodies from fair vendors.

On Thursday, the first day of the fair, general admission allows shoppers to enjoy the fair from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the fair will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday may be the last day, but it will not lack family-friendly activities. Families can enjoy the Cookies with the Clauses event. Children will enjoy story time, cookies and a chance to chat with Santa. Pictures with Santa will also be available on Sunday, just in time for the holiday card season.
Long-time Holly Day Fair shoppers know and look for vendors who set up in the Expo Center each year. Seasoned favorites include Celestial Cocoa, Lu Mil Vineyard, Sew Southern Designs and Nut’n Better.

A full list of this year’s vendors can be found on the Junior League of Fayetteville website, along with an event map to help shoppers find old favorites and discover new gems.

The Holly Day Fair allows the Junior League to fundraise in order to support their initiatives that benefit the community.

“We had around 18,000 attendees last year — that is what we are expecting again this year but the more, the merrier! Each ticket sold helps us give back to our community,” Executive Vice President of the Holly Day Fair, Sierra Joplin, said. Joplin also offers some sage advice and thanks to the anticipated attendees.

“Wear comfortable shoes and come ready to fill your shopping bag and kick off the holiday season,” she said. “The Junior League of Fayetteville is able to give back to the community because of your support.”

Some members, like Joplin, experienced the Holly Day Fair for the first time as shoppers.

“My first experience with Holly Day Fair was as a show attendee. When I moved to Fayetteville years ago, I came to the show and absolutely loved it,” Joplin said.

“I saw the League ladies in their red aprons, and knew I wanted to be involved. Holly Day Fair is what led me to join the League, and I’m so grateful. Working alongside like-minded women to do our part to help our community is very rewarding,” she added.

Like Joplin, Junior League of Fayetteville President Tamara Bryant found her way to the organization through the Holly Day Fair event.

“My first experience with the Holly Day Fair was a girls’ outing with my two best friends, and then it became a yearly girls’ event until I joined the Junior League of Fayetteville,” explained Bryant.

“The Holly Day Fair is when I learned about the Junior League and its mission. I wanted to be a part of an organization that empowered women to give back to their community.”

A portion of all proceeds made at the fair go back into the Junior League of Fayetteville’s Community Assistance Program, or CAP, grants, the Fayetteville Junior League Scholarship fund, and an array of community initiatives.

According to Bryant, the organization depends on the success of funding these programs,
“As president, it is our goal to continue to increase awareness about the Junior League of Fayetteville, raise funds to exceed last year’s goals and encourage the community and surrounding counties to attend the fair to kick-start their holiday season,” Bryant said.

Planning for an event of Holly Day Fair magnitude is a huge undertaking. One Joplin has become very familiar with in her new position on the planning committee.

“Planning actually kicks off in February. We like to take some time off to re-energize and enjoy the holidays with our families, then it is time to start thinking about Holly Day Fair all over again,” Joplin said.

As for the annual theme that ends up on the Holly Day Fair bags, that is a group decision, says Joplin.

“We ask our Junior League members to submit their ideas for a theme. We take those ideas and combine them with some creative planning of our own to come up with our theme each year,” she said.

Although a bulk of the back-end work is done by the Holly Day Fair Committee, the whole organization plays a part in making the event successful every year. Each Junior League of Fayetteville member has worked the fair in some capacity.

The Holly Day Fair is just one part of what the Junior League of Fayetteville does in its effort to serve the women and children of Cumberland County and surrounding areas.

“The vision for the future of the Junior League of Fayetteville is to [increase] awareness for professional women who are interested in developing their leadership skills to impact the community and their careers to join the Junior League of Fayetteville,” explained Bryant.

Bryant also extends an open invitation to women who may be interested in learning more about being a part of the organization.

“If there are any professional women who are interested in giving back to their community and would like to connect with like-minded professional women, consider joining the Junior League of Fayetteville,” she said.

Tickets for all Holly Day Fair events are available through the Junior League of Fayetteville website: https://www.jlfay.org/hollydayfair/

CAP grants are offered to Cumberland County nonprofits and those in surrounding counties. More Information on CAP grants can be found on the Junior League website, www.jlfay.org/grants-and-scholarships/. The application deadline for CAP grants is Jan. 1, 2024.

Fort Liberty is hosting its 27th Annual 10 Miler on Nov. 4. This event is open to the public. The race will start at 8 a.m. at Hedrick Stadium on post.

Fort Liberty’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation holds the run as part of its effort to promote a healthy, active lifestyle within the Fort Liberty community.

Amanda Cahill, the Special Events Coordinator for the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, says this event is great for recreational health, not just for the military community but for the surrounding community as well.

“This is an event we have annually that enhances the health of the community. We have about 1,000 runners participate,” Cahill said.

Runners who place in their category will win a challenger coin.

Registration for military servicemembers and family members is $40, and for civilians is $50. All registered participants receive a finisher’s medal, t-shirt, custom bib and beverage of choice.

Participants must be at least eight years of age. Pets are not allowed to run. Strollers are welcome; however, those who run with strollers should start toward the back of the crowd when the race starts.
People can register to run alone or as part of a team. To register as part of a team, there must be at least eight other runners participating with you in the team. Teams can be single-gendered or co-ed.

The deadline to register is Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. There will be no race-day registration. Runners can pick up their packets on Nov. 3 at the Fort Liberty Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The packet will include the shirt and bib.

There will be overall awards for top male, female and wheelchair finishers. There will also be team awards and age group awards. After the race, there will be a “Finish Fest” where sponsors will have tables and information, along with food and beer.

“We just want to encourage everyone to come out, even if you don’t participate in the actual race. Encourage everyone to come in and be supportive and watch everybody and cheer them on,” Cahill said.

Longstreet Road and Gruber Road up to Zabitosky Road will be closed from 6 to 11 a.m. to accommodate runners.

Registration for the race can be done online at https://zippy-reg.com/online_reg/?e=1918.
For more information about the race, visit https://liberty.armymwr.com/programs/10-miler or call 910-908-5977.

Visitors requiring a pass for access to Fort Liberty can now apply for passes online. More information about the virtual passes can be found at https://home.army.mil/liberty/about/garrison/directorate-emergency-services/visitor-access-center.

Cape Fear Studios, on 148 Maxwell St., is hosting its annual Alpha Romeo Tango exhibit from Oct. 27 through Nov. 21.

"Many of our deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines return home suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many of these persons find healing and comfort in creating works of art," explained Steve Opet, the Cape Fear Studios Board President.

The Alpha Romeo Tango exhibit has been running for almost a decade, highlighting and supporting the local military community.

"This is the ninth year for the show, and it was started to honor and highlight the artistic abilities of our local military-affiliated artists," said Opet.

The Alpha Romeo Tango exhibit features a People's Choice award with cash prizes. Award winners are chosen by popular vote. Visitors can vote for their favorite art piece until Nov. 17 at the Cape Fear Studios.

The exhibition's goal is to provide a safe space, promote healing, and raise awareness within the community. It is not limited to service members.

"Alpha Romeo Tango is open to family members. People are often unaware of the sacrifices and anxiety military families face when their loved ones are deployed to dangerous duties and missions. Artistic abilities and talents help them cope with the stress," Opet said.

Sculptor Thea Cinnamon is one of the featured artists in the exhibit and is a military family member, with multiple generations of the family having served in the Armed Forces.

"Alpha Romeo Tango is an important show because we are multidimensional human beings," she explained. "We are not just veterans or military beings. We are so much more. Enjoying creativity is necessary for healing the soul. It is a warm, inviting, unpretentious environment where veterans and military families can share with the world that we have found ways to flourish."

Cinnamon's grandfather and father's service have made an impression on her.

"I have family members who served in the military. My grandfather, John Pols, came from Germany to fight against Hilter. He realized that he could not change what was not wholesome within his native country. He had to come to America and join the Army in World War II," she said.

"My father, Robert Roy Cinnamon, was in the Army during the Korean conflict. He lost a limb in service to his country. His aspirations were to be a singer and a dancer," Cinnamon said.
Instead, the Veteran's Administration retrained him as a Jeweler.

"As a Jeweler, he sculpted miniature objects. The mermaid ring was a prototype for Tippi Hedren's earrings. Tippi Hedren was a fashion model and American actor that starred in Alfred Hitchcock's movie 'The Birds' and 'Marnie,'" Cinnamon explained.

Cinnamon studied sculpture with the late Richard McDermott Miller and Philipe Faraut at PCF Studios in Honeoye, New York. She has created an exhibit of masks entitled "Finding Your Joy." "Giddy" and "Surprised" are featured in her exhibit. The masks represent all ethnicities engaged and empowered by true brotherhood.

Cinnamon is featuring a sculpture, "George Reeves, Superman, an American Hero," in the Alpha Tango Romeo Exhibit.

Reeves, an American actor who played Superman, was a sergeant in the Army Air Corps in WWll, Cinnamon said. "I chose an older veteran because of the seventy-fifth-year anniversary of the Air Force. I hope to either sell the sculpture to generate funds for the Air Force Ball or donate the piece to the Air Force as a symbol of my heart to those who have served in the military."

There will be a reception to kick off the exhibit on Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. The art exhibit will be open from Oct. 27 to Nov. 21. For more information, call 910-433-2986.

Blues and southern soul fans should mark their calendars for Nov.4, when the Crown Theatre will host The Ville City Blues Festival, where The Blues Is Alright Tour will make a stop.

When people think of blues and southern soul music, they might think of Mel Waiters, Johnnie Taylor or Marvin Sease. A new generation of artists is providing the musical storytelling synonymous with blues and southern soul, a genre of music known for turning heartache into music to feed the soul.
J-Wonn, slated to appear at the Crown Theatre, pronounces his name "Jay-One." He is from Jackson, Mississippi, and began creating blues and southern soul music in 2014. Since then, he has won awards, and his music is available for streaming on all music platforms.

J-Wonn has high praise for his blues and southern soul tour experience.

"The tour is amazing. I've had the privilege to watch the tour ever since I came into the game of blues and southern soul. Now that I'm a part of it, being one of the acts on the tour —it's an amazing experience," he said.

J-Wonn has only good things to say about the tour. He described the production as the best of the best — best sound, best lighting and best promoters to be working for the best fans.

"When we're talking about blues and southern soul, it doesn't get no bigger than the Blues is Alright Tour," he explained. "The thing about being on this tour — now I have higher expectations... because the Blues is Alright Tour set the bar so high," J-Wonn said.

J-Wonn began singing around the age of 10. He was a member of multiple choirs in his youth. As a teenager, he was the lead vocalist in a hip-hop group. This role led J-Wonn to Tracy Way, the father of Soulja Boy. Soulja Boy is a rap artist and record producer who gained recognition after releasing his debut album in 2007.

J-Wonn signed an artist development deal with Way in 2008. J-Wonn explains that this was significant because the music business was changing so much due to online resources like Myspace and YouTube.

"I was able to learn so much, being locked in with a guy who was the first artist to blow up from YouTube. I learned so much being around him," J-Wonn said.

He feels blues is still a relevant genre. Blues is the birth of a lot of music — like rap. A rap beat is where people can hear a blues bass line, explained J-Wonn.

When he first started in the blues and southern soul genre, mentors guided J-Wohnn. Tours were a learning experience; they all learned from one another. Being aware of other artists within the industry allows for teachable moments and growth.

"If you don't stay aware of the next person, you'll get scooted over," he said. "Stay up on your game because the sounds are changing. Change your producers. You have to be more creative nowadays."

One of the people J-Wonn looked up to when he first got into blues and southern soul was Mel Waiters, who coached J-Wonn on how to make effective deals in the industry. They even created music together.

"When I came in, there were no young faces. Just me," he said. Many musicians were at least a decade older than him. Now, more young artists, including King George and Jay Morris, have embraced the genre.

The Blues is Alright Tour will be at the Crown Theatre on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. Performers will include King George, Tucka, Calvin Richardson, Pokey Bear, Theodis Ealey and J-Wonn.

One-Stop Early Voting for the Nov. 7 Municipal Elections in Cumberland County’s municipalities began Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 4.

Voters will be required to show photo identification in order to vote in this election. Citizens who do not have a photo ID can get a free ID at the Board of Elections office.

One-Stop Early Voting for the Municipal Elections is available at the following locations:

•Cumberland County Board of Elections at E. Newton Smith Center, 227 Fountainhead Lane, from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

•Cliffdale Recreation Center at 6404 Cliffdale Road from Monday to Friday, 12 to 7 p.m.
Both locations will also be open on the last day of One-Stop Voting on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More information about times and locations is available on the Cumberland County Board of Elections website at cumberlandcountync.gov/elections.

Citizens may register to vote and vote on the same day during the One-Stop Early Voting period.
To register to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older and a legal resident of Cumberland County for 30 days before the date of the next election.

To be eligible to vote in a municipal election, you must be a resident of the municipality.
Go to the State Board of Elections website to use an interactive map to see municipal elections by location at ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election.

Voter ID Requirements

All voters will be required to show photo identification in order to vote. Citizens who do not have a photo ID can get a free Voter ID issued by the Cumberland County Board of Elections. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Photo IDs can be issued at any time the Board of Elections is open, except during the time period between the end of early voting and the end of Election Day.
Acceptable forms of ID include:
•North Carolina driver’s license

•State ID from the NCDMV (also called non-operator ID)

•Driver’s license or non-driver’s license from another state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory (only if voter registered in North Carolina within 90 days of the election)

•U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport card

•Voter ID card issued by the County Board of Elections

•College or university student ID approved by the State Board of Elections

•State or local government or charter school employee ID approved by the State Board of Elections
If a voter does not show an acceptable ID, the voter may proceed to vote in one of two ways:

•Complete an ID Exception Form and then vote with a provisional ballot period

•Vote with a provisional ballot and then return the ballot to their County Board of Elections Office with

their photo ID by the day before the County canvass.

To learn more about the photo ID requirement, acceptable forms of identification and how to get a free Voter ID, visit ncsbe.gov/voting/voter-id.

For more information, contact the Cumberland County Board of Elections at 910-678-7733 or visit cumberlandcountync.gov/elections.