https://www.upandcomingweekly.com/


  • Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113.

    Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Monday, June 24, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

    Appearance Commission Tuesday, June 25, Parks and Recreation Center

    Veterans Affairs Committee Thursday, June 27, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

    CANCELED: Festival Committee Monday, July 1, 6 p.m., Town Hall, Front Conference Room

    CANCELED: Board of Commissioners Monday, July 1, 7 p.m.

    Historic Preservation Commission July 10, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building

    Board of Commissioners Monday, July 15, 7 p.m., Luther Board Room, Town Hall

    Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, July 16, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

    Activities

    Independence Day Parade and Celebration Thursday, July 4. Parade starts at 10 a.m. near Rockfish Elementary School. Celebration runs from 4-10 p.m. at Hope Mills Municipal Park.

    Good2Grow Farmers Market Saturday, July 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., between Town Hall and Parks and Recreation Building.

    Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240.

    Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Senior programs at Parks and Recreation Building. Senior programs are for those ages 55 and up who are residents of Cumberland County. Various activities, especially Zumba classes, are scheduled Monday through Sunday throughout the day. For details on times and days, check the schedule at townofhopemills.com. You can call the recreation center at 910-426-4109 or e-mail Kasey Ivey at kivey@townofhopemills.com.

    Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 09ButterfliesThe weekend of June 21-23, Sustainable Sandhills will join forces with local businesses and organizations to celebrate pollinators. It’s only fitting, as June 17-23 is National Pollinator Week. Dubbed “Pollipalooza,” the local event creatively spotlights the many ways pollinators like bees, bats and butterflies impact our world — and our wellbeing.

    “Pollinators are vital to our ecology,” said Jonelle Kimbrough, executive director of Sustainable Sandhills. “We wanted to draw attention to the fact that pollinator populations are in decline.

    “One-third of the food we eat depends on pollination. We wanted an outlet to bring awareness to the community about the importance of pollination. We thought a fun event that would highlight food and beverages that are pollinated would be a fun.”

    Kimbrough noted that a lot of people don’t realize that tea plants depend on pollination. Winterbloom Tea came to mind as the perfect partner to showcase this fact. From 7:30-9 p.m., Friday, June 21, join the Pollipalooza Tea Party at 238 Hay St. Tickets cost $35 and include a hot and cold tea tasting, a honey tasting by Beehive Yourself and sweets by Ariana’s Cakes. There will also be an auction featuring items by Fayetteville Pie Company, The Household 6 Catering, Ariana’s Cakes, Sustainable Sandhills and more. Tickets can be purchased at www.pollipalooza.com.

    Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., visit Sink Field at Methodist University to learn about pollinators and how to make your outdoor space inviting for these essential creatures. There will be educational workshops, including Beekeeping 101 and Gardening for Pollinators, as well as children’s activities and vendors. Tickets cost $5 at the gate.

    “People can come to attend the workshops and learn about plants that pollinate and that bees are attracted to,” said Kimbrough. “And the Beekeeping 101 workshop will cover equipment, resources and certifications (involved with beekeeping).”

    Saturday, June 22, from 5-8 p.m., Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom will host “Nature’s Nectar: Bites and Brews Pollinator Party.” The offerings all focus on pollinated products. This event features a flight of five beer and wine creations— all influenced by pollinators’ efforts. The ticket price also includes a flight of five tapas-style delicacies, also featuring pollinated ingredients. There will be a live band and a silent auction as well. Tickets cost $55 and are available at www.pollipalooza.com.

    Sunday, June 23, enjoy Dirtbag Ales Famers Market from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The market will maintain a focus on pollinated products in honor of National Pollinator Week. Vendors offerings include local honey, flowers, candles and produce. There will also be live music, craft beer and food trucks.

    Sustainable Sandhills will have an information booth and will be selling wildflower seeds and a Build-A-Buzz Children’s craft. The farmers market is free to attend. Prices for individual activities and products vary from vendor to vendor.

    A portion of the proceeds from Pollipalooza will go to Sustainable Sandhills, whose mission statement is: Through education, demonstration, and collaboration we are dedicated to supporting and enhancing the communities and environments of the Sandhills region for current and future generations. Find out more about Sustainable Sandhills at its website, www.sustainablesandhills.org.

  • 05BabeRuthThe recent arrival of the Woodpeckers and the Segra Stadium represent a new page in the long history surrounding baseball. Most of us are familiar with the recent history of local baseball to include the Generals and the Crocks, and some will even remember the Highlanders. This article will test your knowledge of the earlier Fayetteville history concerning one of America’s favorite sports.

    Q: When and under what circumstances did baseball as we know it arrive in North Carolina?

    A: It was during the Civil War. A group of Union prisoners in 1863 engaged in games of baseball at the prisoner-of-war camp located in Salisbury.

    Q: When was baseball first played in Fayetteville, and what was the name of the first team?

    A: Baseball was first played in Fayetteville in 1867. The first team was named the Lafayette Club, in honor of Fayetteville’s namesake, Gen. Lafayette. He was a young French nobleman who aided the colonies during the American Revolution.

    Q: Where was baseball first played in Fayetteville?

    A: The first game was played on an empty lot off Rowan Street but quickly shifted to the Military Green, which served as a militia parade field. The Military Green was located where the Transportation & Local History Museum is now located at 325 Franklin St., just a few blocks from the new Segra Stadium.

    Q: When did African American baseball teams begin to play in Fayetteville?

    A: An African American club was formed soon after the Lafayette Club. The local newspaper reported in July 1867 that the Fayetteville African American Baseball Club would be engaged in competition against a team in Charleston South Carolina. The name of one of the early Fayetteville African American teams was the Teasers.

    Q: How much did it cost to watch a baseball game in Fayetteville during the late 1800s?

    A: The admission was between 5 and 10 cents, and to encourage ladies to attend, they were often admitted free.

    Q: How did our local citizens support Fayetteville teams playing out of town?

    A: Bit by the baseball fever bug, many local citizens would board steamboats or trains and travel to other towns to root for the Fayetteville teams. Fayetteville and Cumberland County were consumed with the spirt and enthusiasm of baseball fever.

    Q: By the early 20th century, Fayetteville had the reputation of having one of the best baseball fields in the South. Where was it located?

    A: It was located at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds, where the Department of Transportation is now located, at Gillespie Street and Southern Avenue. The fairgrounds featured a covered grandstand and an oval track with the baseball diamond laid out in the middle of the track.

    Q: When did Fort Bragg first get involved with local baseball?

    A: Camp Bragg was established in 1918, and within one year, the assigned soldiers formed teams and engaged in competitive games with Fayetteville teams and surrounding cities. They were part of the Red Circle Baseball League organized by the War Camp Community Service.

    Q: What is Fayetteville’s earliest connection with professional baseball?

    A: It dates back to 1909 with the incarnation of the Fayetteville Highlanders, which was a Class D Eastern Carolina League franchise in 1909- 1910. The Highlanders won the 1910 ECL title with the help of future sports legend Jim Thorpe.

    Q: What is Fayetteville’s connection with the famous “Babe” Ruth?

    A: On March 7, 1914, while playing an intra-squad exhibition game at the Cape Fear Fairgrounds, Babe Ruth hit his first home run in professional baseball. Ruth hit the ball a distance of 135 yards. It was Ruth’s fifth day as a professional, his first game, and his second time at bat. It was also here that he acquired the nickname “Babe.”

    Q: What is the connection between Crown Ford automotive dealership near the intersection of Skibo Road and Bragg Boulevard and baseball?

    A: Crown Ford occupies the land that was developed shortly after World War II as the Cumberland County Memorial Stadium, later renamed Pittman Stadium. From 1946 to 1956, the stadium was home to Fayetteville Cubs, A’s and Highlanders, which were minor league baseball teams. After the 1956 season, the Highlanders decided to disband the team, and shortly after that, Pittman Stadium closed.

    Fayetteville is rich in baseball history. If you wish to explore this fascinating topic further, visit the “Fayetteville Baseball Fever” exhibit at the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum located at 325 Franklin St. The exhibit features a wealth of local history, trivia, photographs and artifacts. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. Tours and guest speakers can be arranged by calling 910-433-1457, 910-433-1458 or 910-433-1944.

  • 12ThrillSeekingI just returned from a motorcycle adventure ride that was so challenging I actually feel shorter. While most motorcyclists were heading to Rolling Thunder, a few crazy guys were traveling across Virginia and West Virginia on what I was told would be “a pretty easy off-road ride with mostly graveled forest roads.” I was thinking Jeep trails, which for the most part it was. It’s the parts that are not Jeep trails that make "adventure riding" adventure riding. Little did I know I would be experiencing narrow trails almost like jungle canopy, red-clay slippery mud, 400-foot drop-offs and many water crossings.

    At moments, I asked myself, “What am I doing this for? I’m tired; I hurt. Should I sell my dual-sport bike, get me a nice traveling bike and stick to the roads?” Getting stuck in what I will call mud quicksand took us two hours to get out of and required us to build a makeshift bridge in the middle of nowhere.

    My wife watched my exploits on Facebook and said to me, “There is no way that looks fun at all.” Every night, I agreed with her. Strangely, the day after I got back home, my body was in full-on travel mode. I wanted to get back on that bike and ride. Then I found myself wondering what my next trip would be. Crazy, right?

    Most of my life has been in and around military, firemen and policemen. All of these jobs are high-risk jobs. Their friends and family worry every day if they will get back home. They, in turn, go to work every day and dream of some sane job doing something safe — but they choose to get back on it.

    Thrill-seeking and risk-taking varies. For some, going to a scary movie is enough. For many, it is jumping on a motorcycle and going for a ride. For others, it is parachuting or tickling a bear’s belly. So, where does this motivation come from?

    The amygdala is the answer. It's a small, almond-shaped set of neurons in the brain's medial temporal lobe, which is kind of the center of the brain. Here, our mind processes a convergence of inputs of chemicals the body produces. These chemicals are generated based on what our senses tell our mind, and the body produces respondents. If danger is perceived — real or not — it triggers our instinct to respond to the situation. Part of our instinct is stimulated by our body’s ability to produce adrenaline, endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. Together, they produce substances that stimulate positive and even euphoric feelings. Our body gets high from accomplishing or surviving something.

    Adrenaline is the chemical that gets us ready for action when we perceive danger. It is that moment that often defines success or failure.

    Endorphins keep up our endurance. It is the runner’s drive and ultimate will to keep going when their body tells them to quit or walk.

    Serotonin feeds brain cells related to mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation and some social behavior. Serotonin aids a wide variety of tasks in the body and is often called the “happy chemical” because it works for our wellbeing and happiness.

    Dopamine comes up when we are attempting to accomplish a challenge. It’s that decision-making process that says “Hey, let's go jump in the ocean, feed sharks and take pictures.” Together, these chemicals are highly addictive and connive to drive us to seek out that thrill or scary challenge.

    Thrill-seekers often operate in unpredictable situations. Thrill-seekers are usually not good with being deliberate, focused, concentrated or patient. They overcome these things by being prepared, training for situations, doing mental rehearsals or having an excellent medical plan.

    To keep us in check, the brain's frontal lobe acts as an internal control panel that gives us cognitive skills like problem-solving, language, judgment, sexual behavior and emotional expressions. It gives us our personality and ability to communicate. It is also the part of the brain that tells us, “Danger. Stop. This is not safe.”

    I deduce that the most significant challenge for the thrill-seeker is between their amygdala and frontal lobe. They have to calculate the amount of risk, gain and loss they're willing to give for their next adventure.

    If there is a topic you would like to discuss, email motorcycle4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

  • 13ReeceNunny Reece has been open during her two-year battle with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She has shared regular posts on Facebook about her journey and her crusade to increase treatment options for people like her who are suffering with the advanced stage of the disease.

    A new treatment she is undergoing has pushed her to another challenge in her battle: the loss of her hair. But like everything else she’s endured with battling cancer, Reece decided to take control of the issue.

    Instead of waiting for her hair to fall out in clumps, she attacked it head-on. She invited some family and friends to join her, drove herself to a Hope Mills barber shop, and had everyone watch as Victor Fontanez shaved her head bald.

    It was an emotional decision for Reece, who has for years seen her purple-colored locks as a statement of who she is. She said getting her hair done is something that makes her feel pretty.

    She asked Fontanez to shave her head because he had been a longtime friend of Reece’s sons when they attended school together in the South View district. “He was really, really great making me go through this transition,’’ Reece said.

    Nine members of her family came out for the event, including her three sons. She was surprised by one cousin who drove all the way from Greensboro to take part.

    Moving forward, Reece is leaning toward remaining bald and not wearing a wig or any other covering for her head. Her first plan was to wear a purple wig made by friends because she feared that her 9-year-old son might be scared seeing his mother with no hair.

    Reece said she was afraid he might think the treatment she was getting wasn’t working and that was why she went bald. “I had to explain with this new medication it’s going to bring mommy’s hair out but it’s going to help mommy live,’’ she said.

    If she does wear a wig, it will be to special events, like next February, when she plans to renew her wedding vows with her husband.

    “We’re hoping by then my hair will grow back,’’ she said. “If it doesn’t, I will wear one for the wedding.’’

    Reece said the message she’s trying to send to women like herself is it’s OK to go through the emotional side of things, to cry and to be upset. “It’s our truth,’’ she said. “It’s something we have to deal with, something we have to go through.’’

    She’s also sending a message to families of women who are dealing with breast cancer. “I hope other family members understand and try to be supportive,’’ she said.

    “I just want to enjoy in the blessing that I’m still here with my family and my friends, that I still have life.’’

    Picture:  Nunny Reece at First Impressions barber shop with her sons: Tylan (top left), Ryan (lower left) and Tavon (upper right).

  • 11CrawdadsNorth Carolina likes to be No. 1 — at everything.

    We declare ourselves to be “First in Flight.” But it took a couple of Ohio boys to make that happen.

    We declare ourselves to be “First in Freedom” based on the May 20, 1775, Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, a controversial claim that many historians dispute.

    We also love it when books written by North Carolinians or set in our state become No. 1 best-sellers on The New York Times list.

    So this year we are bragging about “Where the Crawdads Sing,” a book set in the fictional eastern North Carolina town of Barkley Cove, and the surrounding marshes, coves and ocean waters.

    This book by Delia Owens has been on the Times’ list, usually at No. 1, for 35 weeks.

    But there is a problem. We will get to that in a moment, after we consider a few things about the book that explain why it has already sold more than 2 million copies.

    “Crawdads” is literary fiction with strong writing and lovely descriptions of nature’s plants and creatures. A compelling murder mystery with an unexpected ending gives readers a superior entertainment experience.

    Owens is a fan of “A Sand County Almanac,” a book of nature-themed essays by Aldo Leopold. She wanted to write a book with a similar nature focus, but one that also has a strong storyline.

    “Crawdads” is the result. Its success demonstrates that the combination of good writing, a solid story and interesting information about serious topics can be a commercial success.

    The book’s central character, Catherine Clark or “Kya,” lives by herself in a shack in the marshes, miles away from town. People in Barkley Cove think she is weird, keep their distance, and call her “the Marsh Girl.” She spent only one day in school and cannot read or write. However, because she is smart and diligent, she learns about the nature of the marshes.

    She meets Tate Walker, a young man from Barkley Cove. He senses her strengths and shares her love of plants and animals. He teaches her to read and write, and falls in love with her.

    When Tate leaves Kya behind to study science at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, she is devastated. But she rebounds to the seductive charms of Chase Andrews, a town football hero and big shot. Their secret affair is interrupted by Chase’s marriage to another woman, and Kya is again distraught.

    Overcoming these disappointments, Kya leverages her reading, writing and self-taught artistic talents to record the nature world that surrounds her. When Tate, now a scientist, returns to her life, he persuades her to submit her work for publication. That book is a great success, and she writes and illustrates several more.

    All this is background for the story that begins on the first pages of the book. Chase is found dead at the bottom of an old fire tower. Kya is a suspect and is ultimately charged, arrested, put in prison and tried for Chase’s murder.

    The author’s deftness in setting up this situation, and resolving it smoothly, has helped make it a best-seller. “Crawdads” gained the attention of beloved actress Reese Witherspoon. Fox 2000 has acquired film rights and plans for Witherspoon to be the producer.

    We can hope that the movie will be shot in North Carolina. But here, the book’s problem jumps up. The geography described in the book, with palmettos and deep marshes adjoining ocean coves, seems to fit South Carolina or Georgia coastal landscapes better than North Carolina’s coastlands.

    Nevertheless, whatever the moviemakers decide, North Carolinians can bask in the reflected glory of a No. 1 best-seller that claims our state for its setting.

  • 05LotteryNorth Carolinians participate in both major multi-state lotteries, Powerball and Mega-Millions. Charles W. Jackson Jr. of Hope Mills won the June 1 Powerball jackpot of $344.6 million.

    Powerball was established when then-Governor Mike Easley signed the North Carolina State Lottery Act. North Carolina has one of the nation’s youngest lottery systems, enacted in 2005. The act created a nine-member lottery commission, which oversees all aspects of the education lottery.

    The law outlines how each dollar produced by the lottery is spent. Fifty percent goes as winnings to players. Seven percent goes to retailers as commission. All lottery net proceeds go directly to benefit public education, with the current figure sitting at more than $5.5 billion since its inception.

    By law, lottery funds go to pay for school construction, need-based college financial aid, transportation, salaries for non-instructional support staff, and pre-kindergarten for at-risk 4-year-olds. The lottery has continued to generate controversy among North Carolina constituents upset with teacher layoffs who believe the lottery should have made up the difference.

    Voter photo ID election requirement public seminar

    Beginning in 2020, North Carolina voters will be required to provide photo identification when they vote. This includes both in-person and by-mail voting, with some exceptions. In November 2018, North Carolina voters approved an amendment to the North Carolina Constitution, requiring voters to present photo ID at the polls. State law requires each county board of elections to hold at least two voter ID seminars before Sept. 1, 2019.

    The Cumberland County Board of Elections will hold its seminars about photo identification requirements Tuesday, June 18, at 2 p.m., at the North Regional Branch Library, 855 McArthur Rd. in Fayetteville and at 6 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum, 1960 Coliseum Dr., Fayetteville.

    The seminars are free and open to the public. Attendees also will receive information about voting options, including absentee-by-mail, early voting and Election Day voting. Information about provisional voting, the availability of free North Carolina voter ID cards and residency requirements for voting also will be provided.

    For more information, contact the Cumberland County Board of Elections at 910-678-7733 or visit boardofelections@co.cumberland.nc.us

    Cumberland County human trafficking court

    A local jurist has been selected to preside over a new human trafficking court being established in Cumberland County this month. District Court Judge Toni S. King has been chosen to spearhead the first-of-its-kind human trafficking court in North Carolina. It will seek to offer treatment to victims as well as defendants and to help achieve a common understanding of human trafficking.

    “The depth and breadth of the problem in Cumberland County and across North Carolina will be exposed,” King said in a news release.

    Dr. Sharon Cooper will conduct training for court personnel and justice system stakeholders June 28 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, 1225 Ramsey St., Fayetteville. Cooper is a nationally renowned forensic pediatrician who is an expert on sexual trauma. She lives and practices in Cumberland County.

    This all-day opportunity consists of four sessions: 1) the vulnerabilities of victims of sex trafficking; 2) the impact of trauma; 3) the offender dynamics; and 4) internet victimization and homicide. 

    Murchison Road farmers market open again for the season

    The Murchison Road Community Farmers Market is now open in Bronco Square across from Fayetteville State University. It will be open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 23.

    This neighborhood farmers market, financially supported by the Fayetteville State University Chancellor’s Office and the city of Fayetteville, was started as an initiative by four FSU students. They received permission to apply for grants and funding to start a farmers market when neighborhood grocery stores closed. When the stores closed, the Murchison Road community became a food desert since the nearest full-service grocery store is a mile-and-a-half away.

    FTCC designated Top Military Spouse Friendly School

    Fayetteville Technical Community College has earned the 2019–2020 Top Military Spouse Friendly School designation. The Military Spouse Friendly Schools list is considered a reliable resource for military spouses and sets a standard for higher education institutions to provide the best post-secondary education experiences for spouses of service members. “Schools that are selected for the list are at the forefront of supporting the goals of military spouses,” said Brian Hucik, national program manager for Military Friendly.

    Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

    FTCC was established in 1961 and serves over 35,000 students annually by providing more than 280 occupational, technical, general education, college transfer and continuing education programs to meet students’ needs and desires as well as those of the community. More information about the designation can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

  • 14DogJune has barely arrived, and Hope Mills and Fayetteville have already experienced temperatures over 100 degrees. That has veterinarians like Dr. Kent Dean of Southern Oaks Animal Hospital in Hope Mills concerned about heat dangers for outdoor pets.

    “Over the summer we’ll see from five to 10 heat strokes,’’ Dean said. Normally, those occur in older and heavier dogs, but as hot as it’s been already, Dean thinks all pet owners need to take precautions to make sure their animals are safe from the heat.

    Most of the preparations involve common sense, like making sure the dogs have access to shade and fresh water to drink when outside. When the thermometer reaches 100 degrees or more, Dean said it’s best to bring the animals inside to make sure they stay cool.

    Another precaution to keep them from getting injured is to be careful where and at what time of day the dogs get out for a walk. “We see people walking dogs on asphalt,’’ Dean said. “It will burn the pads on their feet. If it were me, I’d walk my dog early in the morning or late in the evening instead of at midday.’’

    One of the biggest mistakes a dog owner can make is leaving their dog inside a closed car when making a quick stop while out shopping or running errands. Dean said that’s a terrible idea, even when it appears to be a reasonable outdoor temperature as low as 80 degrees. “Even when it’s 80 degrees, it can get pretty hot in a car,’’ Dean said. “A lot of people can get in trouble for that.’’

    North Carolina law prohibits confining a dog, cat or other small animal in a motor vehicle where its health could be endangered by temperature or lack of food.

    If a dog is exposed to excessive heat for too long a period of time, Dean said it’s critical to get the animal’s temperature down as quickly as possible. If the animal can’t be immediately transported to an emergency clinic, one possible aid would be to put the animal in a child’s wading pool filled with cool water.

    Dean said symptoms of heat illness in dogs include passing out, vomiting and diarrhea. Too much exposure to excessive heat can cause neurological problems that the dogs won’t be able to recover from.

    If possible, the best remedy is to transport the dog to an emergency animal clinic so it can have intravenous fluids administered to both lower the temperature and rehydrate them.

    Dean also suggested some dogs with medical issues need to be checked out before hot weather arrives. “If they have any kind of heart issues or respiratory issues, they need to be extra careful,’’

    Dean said. “They get to where they are breathing too hard or can’t breathe. They start panting and the temperature starts to rise.’’ Dean said when he conducts annual vaccinations he gives dogs a full physical to check for those problems. He suggests that all dogs more than 7 years old should have blood chemistry work done to see if there are any underlying problems with their kidney, liver or heart that the owner needs to be aware of.

    For those with additional questions about heat safety for dogs, or any other concerns, Dean’s office can be reached by calling 910-424-3011 or visiting www.southernoaksanimalhospital.com. The Facebook page is Southern Oaks Animal Hospital.

  • 02CivilWarCenterEditor’s note: It’s no secret that Fayetteville is divided when it comes to the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center. Thank you to The Fayetteville Observer, specifically its executive editor, Matt LeClercq, and WIDU radio co-host Troy Williams, for allowing us to share this important community message and initiative with our Up & Coming Weekly readers. This opinion piece by Williams originally ran in The Fayetteville Observer May 25, 2019.

    One of the storylines circulating since recent discussions about the N.C. Civil War & Reconstruction History Center is that some African-American leaders, including Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, are worried that the proposed project will attract racists.

    Before we dive into it, here is an actual quote, courtesy of WUNC Radio. “There are a lot of people I’ve spoken with in the community that are concerned with the museum itself,” Colvin said. “We’re trying to bridge the divide here in Fayetteville, we don’t want a Charlottesville, Virginia.”

    Colvin has taken some heat for his role in creating this controversy, and to be frank, he should accept full responsibility. After all, at one point he said he supported the project. Maybe I’m reading this entirely wrong, but to me, Colvin’s original Facebook post’s tone and context would suggest that he has changed his mind and is presently against this project. His first post said, “Family, Asheville state representative asking for $10 million for cybersecurity, Greensboro state representative asking for $7 million for mental health program, Fayetteville/Cumberland County state representative Szoka and Lucas — $46 million for Civil War History Center. Priorities? Tell your state representatives we deserve more than this.”

    What did he mean by family? To whom was he referring? Shortly after his post, I asked him if he still supported the project. He said he wasn’t necessarily against it, whatever that means. One of his sycophants, a former City Council member, posted in social media referring to the mayor and the project that, “He is not with it.” I sent him a screenshot of the post. He said the post did not represent his views, nor did the former council member speak on his behalf. I suggested he counter the comments publicly with a more exact position of his views, and he has thus far resisted doing this.

    Other members of his inner circle have openly and repeatedly called the History Center a Confederate museum. By his own admission, he says a lot of people are concerned with the museum. That’s understandable, especially when fear mongering is involved. In the first place, it’s not going to be a museum; it’s a proposed history center, a digitally interactive center on top of that. Of course, there’s going to be opposition to this project if citizens believe it’s a memorial to the Confederacy, that’s a no-brainer.

    WUNC Radio also interviewed Fayetteville NAACP President Jimmy Buxton, who said, “If we have a bunch of rallies here with the sheets and the Confederate flag, that’s going to divide the city. That’s going to divide the state.

    “Even if those who are in charge of this say it’s not, this is what racists are thinking — a Civil War museum. When they get here they may be fooled, but they’re coming anyway because they feel like what they’ve been worshipping all their lives is going to be in this museum,” Buxton concluded.

    Two of our high-profile, African- American leaders are playing a pivotal role in shaping a negative perception of a significant state project poised to benefit our community. The operative word is leadership. However, some might believe, including me, that what’s happening is more akin to misleading than leading.

    Our neighbors in Richmond, Virginia, have a similar museum situation. But their approach is in sharp contrast to our own. Richmond has a rich Confederate history. Lest we forget, Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy. In 2016, Richmond elected its youngest mayor, 35-year-old African-American Levar Stoney. Stoney succeeded Dwight Jones, another African-American who was preceded by Doug Wilder, the first black to serve as a governor since Reconstruction.

    About six years ago, Richmond took some bold steps with the creation of the New American Civil War Museum, which they merged with the Museum of the Confederacy with the intent to tell a whole story in hopes of dispelling the myths and misconceptions that linger into the 21st century. Christy Coleman, an African-American female, is the museum’s chief executive.

    The only way to deal with racism is with courage, which the leaders in Richmond decided to do. Have they been overwhelmed with racist protesters? The short answer is no, and they are a lot closer to Charlottesville than we are. The difference is they are armed with visionary leadership, which has garnered the attention of The New York Times.

    Fayetteville has a similar opportunity, and if our present leaders don’t get (it), maybe it’s time to elect new leaders. Homelessness, poverty and other social problems will always be a part of our big picture. But they should never become the reason we cease to strive for excellence in other community pursuits. It’s not going to be easy. Frederick Douglas said it best, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

    Troy Williams is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator. He is a WIDU radio co-host on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon. He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@ yahoo.com.

  • 08CurtNunneryAfter nearly 60 years on Fayetteville radio airwaves, Curt’s Coffee Club has convened for the final time. Curt Nunnery, who got his start locally as a Fourth of July replacement on WFAI back in 1960, passed away recently at the age of 83.

    Show guests and professional cohorts remember him as man with an incredible passion for his work who had an almost magical connection with his loyal radio fan base.

    Janet Gibson, marketing and communications director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County, had some family connections with Nunnery and, like him, was a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She got to know him best during the last couple of years when she made regular appearances on his morning show on Sunny 94.3 FM, promoting the Arts Council’s 4th Friday events.

    “He would teach me how to speak in the microphone,’’ Gibson said. “He was a great teacher. I’m not the only one he’s done that with. People have similar stories about his generosity of spirit.’’

    Gibson said Nunnery’s fans loved his morning show, and they were people of various generations and cultural backgrounds. “He was the quintessential Southern gentleman,’’ Gibson said. “You want to protect someone like that and revere them. I think there was a lot of respect.’’

    Gibson said it was little things that made Nunnery special to listeners. For example, when he read a commercial for a local restaurant, he’d list all the names of the servers there as he talked about the food they offered.

    In a time when technology is moving so fast and people are glued to smartphones, Gibson said Nunnery reminded everyone to slow down and show gratitude. “He always showed gratitude,’’ she said. 

    Carolyn Justice-Hinson, also a regular guest on Nunnery’s radio show, is the communications and community relations officer for the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. Justice-Hinson recalled a time when Nunnery helped host an event for PWC that was being held outdoors on a cold and rainy day. “His listeners that came to visit that day were upset,’’ Justice-Hinson said. “They wanted us to move him inside. They didn’t want him out there in the cold.’’

    Justice-Hinson said Nunnery was part of the lives of his listeners. She is certain there is going to be avoid that can’t be filled now that he’s gone.

    “I can’t imagine what’s going to happen,’’ she said. “It’s going to be very difficult for people. We were all blessed we knew him and had him as long as we did.’’

    Danny Highsmith, regional vice president for Beasley Broadcast Group, where Nunnery worked for many years, said Nunnery had deep roots in the community that endeared him to his listening audience. “He could talk about what’s going on in Fayetteville,’’ Highsmith said. “He was not some syndicated guy from New York.’’

    In the end, Highsmith said Nunnery was not unlike the name of his program, Curt’s Coffee Club — that morning cup of coffee that everyone depended on to start the day.

    “When they turned on the radio or woke up to the clock radio, he was familiarity,’’ Highsmith said. “That familiarity is something that endeared him to people as well.’’

    Photo: Curt Nunnery

  • 12ScamThere is a fine line between a seller and a sucker, and the difference is a scammer.

    A few weeks ago, I put my wife’s beautiful F 700 GS BMW up for sale on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Two days later, I got a text asking if the bike was still available. I wrote back, “Yes.” They answered, “I like the bike, but it’s a little higher than I want to pay, but I want it. I will send you the money, but I am pretty far away and will need you to work with a trucking company to ship the bike to me.” Next, they asked for my PayPal account and said they would send the money.

    I looked at a friend I was with and said, “This is too easy. I smell a scam”. 

    I got another text saying, “I have sent you the payment plus $900 for the shipping company. Please check your PayPal.” I looked at PayPal and there was nothing there. A few minutes later I got another text saying, “Check your email. You may need to check your junk mail”.

    There was an email from PayPal that told me I needed to go to a convenient store and make a Walmart-to-Walmart money transfer to John Doe to pay the shipping company.

    And there it was — the scam. It said that once I transferred the money, I was to take a picture of the receipt and email it back to PayPal and they would release the money for the bike, and the shipping company would contact me. Of course, the scam is to get your money to this “shipping company,” and you would never hear from them again.

    When you think about it, why would PayPal send you an email asking you to go to transfer money to another money-transferring company?

    I quickly Googled Craigslist, Walmart-to-Walmart scam. Boom, there was some information about a scam. It said that if you did not pay, the scammer would harass you and tell you their money was tied up until you paid the shipping cost.

    A few minutes later I got another text asking if I got the email. I said, “Yes, nice try. I’m on the phone with the FBI. You should be hearing from them soon for Interstate Wire Transfer Fraud.” That was that.

    A few days later, I got an email from a guy asking if the bike was still available, and he was from Raleigh. He asked if there were any dings on it and if I could send him pictures of them. Later in the afternoon, I got another email asking, “Would it be possible to send me the bike history report from checkvinup.us because my mechanic told me to ask for that, and since I asked for it, I will repay you money for it when I come to look at the bike. If you send me the report and if everything is ok. I could come on Thursday so we can discuss the price and get everything done.”

    He had the checkvinup.us as a hyperlink. I never click on an unknown link from someone I do not know. I typed in the web address and it needed my credit card information to get the report. Again, I Googled it and found the same scam but with a different car history website.

    Never click an unknown link. If you do, it can launch a file and do a lot of damage to your computer or devices.

    As I wrote this article, I wondered if I’d removed the metadata from thephotos I sent that second scammer. Metadata is information that is captured when you take a photo. This includes time, camera information and your location.

    I went back to check, and I had not removed it from the photos I’d sent. Not thinking about what I was doing, I’d sent my metadata to a scammer, and now they have my address.

    To help protect against this kind of mistake, if you have an iPhone, go to Settings, Privacy, Location Settings, Camera, and then set “Allow access” to Never. On an Android, tap on the Settings icon in the Camera app and from the menu tap on the Settings icon again. A window will pop up. Tap on the Settings icon again and you should be able to see a “Location tag” option. Tap on it, and from the prompt tap “Off” to turn Geotagging off. Now you can take and send pictures without disclosing personal information.

    I hope this article helps keep you safe from scammers.

    If there is a topic you would like to discuss, contact me at motorcycle 4fun@aol.com. RIDE SAFE!

  • 03KayHaganTwo wonderful friends, one from my childhood in Fayetteville’s Haymount neighborhood and one of more recent vintage, are raising grandsons because their daughters are addicted to opioid drugs. One has custody of a rising ninth grader, a sterling young man who is doing well in school and a pleasure to know. The other shares custody with another grandparent of a just-turned-2-year-old, whose future may be a bit iffier. He spent his first 18-months or so in an apartment with little furniture and few toys because his parents sold most of their belongings to buy drugs. He sees his mother once a week for up to an hour and will not allow her to touch him.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 130 people die every day in the United States from opioid overdoses. It reports that there have been three waves of opioid addiction — prescription drugs in the 1990s and 2000s, followed, beginning in 2010, by heroin because it is cheaper, and now fentanyl, the deadliest of all. The economic burden on individuals, hospitals, communities, states and our nation is beyond staggering, not to mention the human misery laid down on both addicts and people who love them.

    These two boys are fortunate in having grandparents willing and able to step up to the parental plate for a second round. Many children of addicted parents wind up in foster care, a percentage that has risen to a full third of all children in foster care in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sadly, no one knows what this means for children of addiction.

    Associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard University, Dr. John Carter, told the American Psychological Association, “Because we are trying to put out the fire in terms of stopping overdose deaths, we haven’t really been tending to other casualties, including kids — most importantly.”

    If and when we end the epidemic, its collateral damage will remain with us.

    ********************

    Hope Mills resident Charles Jackson, 66, had his — and millions of other people’s — wildest dream come true last week. Wearing jeans and a baseball cap, Jackson picked up a ceremonial check for $344.6 million, which will be considerably less after taxes. His is the largest jackpot in the North Carolina Education Lottery’s history. Jackson did not realize he had won initially, and when he did, he thought it was $50,000 or so, not the multi-millions he will eventually pocket.

    Jackson says he will get some new jeans and take his wife on a trip back to her native country, Vietnam, but otherwise has no big spending plans. He seems like a fellow with his feet firmly planted, but other big lottery winners — well, not so much. Experts say that as many as 70% of them are broke within a few years of winning and recommend that big lottery winners step back, take a deep breath, hire legal and financial experts and keep a low profile.

    The Jacksons have no idea how many long-lost “friends and relatives” are going to come out of the woodwork.

    *********************

    Americans have just commemorated our brave military service members who have protected us and others all over the world, most recently those who took part in the Normandy invasion that ended World War II in Europe. There are other forms of bravery as well.

    Former United States Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., of Greensboro served in both the North Carolina General Assembly and the U.S. Congress, and last week, she appeared at the groundbreaking of an airport facility she helped to make possible as a U.S. Senator.

    She and her husband, Chip Hagan, were all smiles, demonstrating the bravery of perseverance and ongoing service.

    Photo: Kay Hagan

  • 17KendallEvansEditor’s note: This is part of a series on Cumberland County high school spring football workouts.

    A big senior class entering a football season is a plus, but when that year is over, it can be a major liability. Gray’s Creek football coach David Lovette is dealing with that harsh reality as his Bears lost 20 players who played a variety of key roles last season.

    The good news is there were a lot of youth in the offensive line. Most of them return this year, along with the quarterback, who just happens to be Lovette’s son Ben. Ben threw for 729 yards in the Bears’ runoriented Wing-T offense.

    Another key player returning is promising running back Jerry Garcia, who saw a lot of playing time last season and rolled up 529 yards and five touchdowns.

    “It’s not like the cupboard is bare,’’ Lovette said of the graduation losses. “We’ll miss those guys, but a lot of them (the returners) have seen playing time.’’

    Garcia has been timed electronically at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. “He’s one of those kids that if the weight room is open, he’s there,’’ Lovette said. “He’s a hard worker.’’

    The Bears used much of the spring to put in a few changes to their system. “We’re doing the same things, just doing them differently,’’ Lovette said. Some changes are being made in the defense, and Lovette is still searching for a punter to complete the special teams.

    One of the top defensive players back for the Bears is defensive end Kendall Evans. At 6-foot- 3 and 240 pounds, he’s being recruited by such schools as Wake Forest, North Carolina A&T, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State.

    “I just want to work on my technique, my speed and my strength,’’ Evans said of the summer and fall workouts.

    He feels the Bears need to focus on working together better as a team. “I think we did a lot better last year than we did previous years,’’ he said. “We didn’t have anyone selfish on our team. We were selling out for each other.’’

    Last season the Bears were 7-5 and lost to Northern Durham in the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A state playoffs.

    Photo: Kendall Evans

  • 10OnTheBorderIf you missed the first Fayetteville After Five concert, it’s not too late to enjoy the next installment of free music in Festival Park. Every second Friday, May through August, free concerts under the stars, food trucks and beverages beckon citizens to kick up their heels and welcome the weekend with free entertainment and a night of familyfriendly memory making.

    June 14, it’s a local favorite that takes the stage — Eagles tribute band On the Border. Taking the tribute band experience up a notch, each member gets into character and performs as their respective band member from The Eagles during the performance. The members of On the Border are Tracy Maples (vocals, guitar), Tim Giovanniello (vocals, guitar), Bill Morgan (vocals, guitar), Andy Young (vocals, drums), Scott Sobota (vocals, bass) and, Bob Orazi (vocals, keys, guitar). Their delivery of spot-on music has not only garnered them a loyal following. They have been declared the greatest Eagles tribute band in the world by AXSTV and host Katie Daryl.

    On the Border hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, and has been granted licensed rights for live musical performances of the Eagles catalog. Known for their delivery, the band brings some of rock ’n’ roll’s best classics to Fayetteville — and it is free to attend.

    The Eagles originated in Los Angeles, California, in 1971 with founding members Glenn Frey (guitars, vocals), Don Henley (drums, vocals), Bernie Leadon (guitars, vocals) and Randy Meisner (bass guitar, vocals). The Eagles were one of the most successful bands in the 1970s, with five No. 1 singles, six No. 1 albums, six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards. To date, the band has sold more than 100 million albums. Songs like “Hotel California,” “Take It Easy,” “Witchy Woman,” Peaceful, Easy Feeling,” “One of Those Nights” and “Desperado” are just a few of their most well-known songs. The Eagles split in 1980 and reunited in 1994. The band is currently on tour through October of this year.

    A local band with a solid following, Rivermist headlines the July 12 concert. The band has been playing in the area for more than 20 years in different iterations. Rivermist as it is known today formally came together in 2014. A classic rock and variety party band, the group is known for being energetic on the stage. The band knows its audience and hits every chord just right when it comes to pleasing the crowd. Rivermist tours the East Coast with a focus on Virginia and the Carolinas. The band has won several awards locally, including Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville.

    Aug. 9, Kasey Tyndall closes the season. Tyndall’s debut single, “Everything is Texas,” dropped in 2017, and the video was in the top 10 on CMT’s 12 Pack Countdown.

    “For as long as people have been breaking hearts or getting their hearts broken, there’s a bar, that bar’s regulars, and its staff to help,” says Tyndall on her website. “We all have that bar in our life — no matter what we’re going through, we’re somehow family when we come together there.”

    The gates open at 5 p.m. for all the concerts. Music starts around 6:30 p.m. and ends around 10:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. No canopies, please. No coolers or outside food is permitted. Service dogs are welcome. The concerts are free. Visit www.thedogwoodfestival.com/fayetteville-after-five to learn more.

  • 15BrettHamAnyone longing for the days when the fireworks on the Fourth of July were launched from the bridge on the dam at Hope Mills Lake is going to have to keep on longing.

    Changes to the local fire code over the years make it unlikely that the fireworks display will be moving back to the lake from its current home at the Hope Mills Municipal Park athletic fields on Rockfish Road.

    Brett Ham is the fire marshal for the Hope Mills area. He handles fire safety inspections as well as fire investigations and fire safety education.

    Ham, who’s been in the fire safety business for 22 years, said the protocol on handling fireworks has gotten stricter in recent years, resulting in tighter regulations.

    “Technically what has happened is (that) the higher a (fireworks) shell flies in the air, the farther you have to extend the safety distance for spectators,’’ Ham said.

    Because of that, the size of the shells used has to be adjusted to decrease the amount of a safety distance required. For example, at Municipal Park, the largest shell they can use to stay within safety limits is a three-inch shell.

    It would seem the lake would be a perfect location to launch fireworks with all of that water for them to land in and extinguish them. But landing’s not the problem. It’s providing a safe place for the people handling the fireworks to launch them.

    Ham said there are multiple issues that make the lake a difficult place for launching fireworks because of the code restrictions.

    One of the biggest is that if they are launched from the bridge, the people doing the launching don’t have enough options for where they can escape if something goes wrong.

    “They don’t want to jump off the bridge, and that’s what they’d have to do,’’ Ham said.  

    Shooting fireworks from the bridge would also block access for emergency vehicles answering fire, public safety and medical calls, he said.

    “You can’t have a vehicle near that stuff,’’ Ham said. “That cuts us off from the other side of the lake.’’

    Another common-sense problem at the lake is a lack of parking. People would have to walk too far to get close enough to see the fireworks.

    For people planning to stage their own fireworks displays in their backyards or on private property, Ham offered some advice.

    Don’t cross the border into South Carolina and come back with a carload of aerial fireworks. They are illegal. “Private citizens are not supposed to be launching those in North Carolina,’’ he said. “Nothing that flies.’’

    Ham said the fireworks you see sold in temporary locations around Cumberland County are legal as long as they don’t fly. “My best safety tip is to follow the laws,’’ he said.

    Even if you are following the laws, there are still some precautions to keep everyone out of danger in the backyard.

    It’s a good idea to have a bucket or other large container of water around to throw on even smaller fireworks that might misfire or otherwise get out of hand.

    Ham urges parents to supervise children with fireworks closely, even simple things like sparklers and firecrackers.

    “Most of the injuries are with children,’’ he said. “Parents lose track of them. You can get a thirddegree burn from a sparkler.’’

    Adults also need to be careful and keep fireworks away from things like propane gas cylinders or cans of gasoline for lawnmowers. Stay away from piles of brush and other things that are highly combustible.

    “They have to be aware of their surroundings,’’ Ham said. “If you or your children catch something on fire, you’re responsible for it.’’

    Photo: Brett Ham

  • 01UAC061219Three artists, with backgrounds in three different art concentrations, found themselves together in a small-enrollment printmaking class. The new exhibition at Gallery 208, “The Art of Possibility: Three Artists Explore Printmaking,” is the result of a year of comradery and exploration, each artist discovering an opportunity to refigure meaning in their work through printmaking materials and techniques. The public is invited to attend the opening reception Tuesday, June 18, from 5:30- 7 p.m. at Gallery 208.

    Visitors to the exhibition will see traditional and unexpected ways each artist approaches the printmaking medium. For example, the background for two of Angela Stouts’ monoprints have been goldleafed or silver-leafed by the artist on large sheets of printmaking paper. Jade Robin incorporates a piece of stained mulberry paper, the result of the last big hurricane, in a chine-collé process, combined with the process of using a box cutter to scratch across a pronto plate before printing. Both artists contrast with the seemingly effortless minimal prints by Maria Anglero. Her pristine patterns, referencing nature, float across an off-white paper surface.

    Knowing the backstory of each artist will help to unfold the whole story: How the works of three emerging artists from different medium preferences — a printmaker, a painter and a ceramicist — resulted in a printmaking exhibition at Gallery 208.

    Robin, an undergraduate student in printmaking at Fayetteville State University, knew she wanted to become proficient in printmaking during her first class in that subject. Since that introductory class, Robin has systematically investigated the technical rigors of each category under the printmaking umbrella — relief, intaglio, serigraphy and lithography. While practicing the many techniques in each category simultaneously, Robin had to come to terms with meaning in her work. For Robin, she was enrolled in one of the printmaking courses in her degree track when the backstory begins.

    Stout, a highly talented painter, is in the process of completing her last several semesters as an undergraduate student in art education with a painting concentration. She needed to complete a required printmaking course, was ready to take a short break from painting and found herself in the same printmaking class with Robin.

    Then we add Anglero to the mix. Anglero, who is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in ceramics, had room in her schedule to add an elective. She decided to take an advanced printmaking class. All three end up together in Robin’s printmaking world: Practice new assigned techniques, become proficient in those assigned techniques, and experiment with unconventional techniques. And while you’re at it, bring personal meaning to a body of work.

    Anglero had already completed an introductory printmaking class at Fayetteville Technical Community College, so early in the year, she felt comfortable practicing several advanced relief printing techniques. Robin’s printmaking experience was helpful to the group, and for Stout, it was all new.

    Everyone brought advanced experiences from a different degree concentration. Each had already created a body of work in their concentration. All three were enamored with the printmaking processes.

    The successes that resulted in an exhibition were also the result of each artist’s confidence in themselves and their shared philosophy about image- or object-making. There is no one way, no one culture, no right or wrong meaning. There is simply the power of material and compositional unity to express personal meaning.

    For all three artists, printmaking has informed their art across disciplines. It is not required for visitors to Gallery 208, but understanding the value and influence of printmaking on the artists’ work has the potential to enrich an appreciation of the individual works in the exhibit.

    Of the ways the processes in printmaking influence meaning in her work, Robin said, “From the very beginning, I liked that there are so many steps in printmaking — sketching, making the matrixes, color selections, proofing, then printing the edition or doing a series of monoprints.

    “With each step, you have a different direction you can go. For me, each option has the potential to create new meaning. I love the open-ended possibilities of processes; even a mistake can take your image in a new direction.

    “As an artist, I am presently preoccupied with the idea of identity. As I develop ideas about identity, process can influence new meaning for me, so (having) variations in the process is important to me. Variations in process inspire variations of feeling as well as distinctions in meaning and content.”

    In comparison, ceramicist Anglero noted how she likes the physicality of the printmaking medium. “In ceramics, I use tools, and I include my hands as tools, to shape form. So I immediately responded to the act of using gouges to carve a block for a relief print.

    “My love of nature, trees in particular, is reflected in my ceramic vessels. Bringing the idea of nature’s surfaces to printmaking opened up new ways of seeing the potential of patterns across disciplines. Although I began to use the silk-screening process with ceramic slips on three-dimensional forms, my greatest lesson was not separating the two mediums as completely distinct — both processes inform the other.

    “For me, printmaking is a way to explore ideas about surface and meaning in new ways that always has the potential of continuing to influence my love of ceramics.”

    As a painter, Stout immediately discovered the potential of printmaking to explore new meaning in her work. Stout stated, “As soon as I let go of the idea of a preconceived end-result and allowed myself to see the potential of new techniques and experimentation to inform content, I was liberated and comfortable to think about painting in a new way. Using paper, exploring new techniques, experimenting with new color combinations — I was working in an environment of trying multiple ideas and multiple techniques in ways that I would have not approached on canvas.

    “Like painting, printmaking has become a neverending search on ways for me to express my core intent of expressing unity in opposition.”

    “The Art of Possibility: Three Artists Explore Printmaking” is the result of three very different artists experiencing the difficulties and successes of printmaking processes. The value of informal dialogue with each other, sharing approaches to creative problem-solving, and ultimately understanding how all artists wrestle with personal meaning and content also underlie this show.

    The public is invited to see the exhibit and meet the artists during the opening reception June 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. The exhibit will stay hanging in Gallery 208 until mid-August 2019. Gallery 208 is located at Up & Coming Weekly, 208 Rowan St. There is plenty of parking behind the building. For more information, call 910-484-6200.

  • 09SweetTeaShakespeareSweet Tea Shakespeare presents “Richard III” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” through June 22 and June 23, respectively.

    From repeated comparisons to “Game of Thrones” to its “Psycho Killer” theme song to the corpses littering the space in its opening moments, STS’ presentation of Shakespeare’s “Richard III,” which opened June 4 at the Poe House, was an ambitious attempt with a promising beginning that fell a bit flat.

    The play depends upon dialogue to move the plot forward and to describe the action, most of which occurs offstage. Dialogue delivery was hampered throughout the evening by intermittent microphone problems and often overwhelming traffic noise from the MLK highway just beyond the tree line. Despite copious program notes, because of the inability to hear the dialogue and the fact that Elizabethan English is an arcane tongue to modern ears, Richard’s convoluted machinations to gain the crown of England were often hard to follow. The players gamely carried on.

    Standout performances were Evan Bridenstine’s rendition of “Psycho Killer,” Jen Pommerenke’s strutting Buckingham and Jane Moran’s commanding performance as Queen Margaret.

    The premiere performance of “Merry Wives of Windsor” coincided with some much-needed rain. Undaunted, the plucky troupe cobbled together a play space in the fellowship hall of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, and in the best tradition of the theater, the show went on. And what a show it was!

    Aaron Alderman was brilliant as Sir John Falstaff, the greedy, lascivious “fat knight” who woos two married women in hopes of gaining access to their husbands’ wealth.

    Playing Dr. Caius, one of three suitors of young Anne Page, Jen Pommerenke’s French accent, reminiscent of the best of Peter Sellers and Emma Thompson, never failed to elicit laughter. Her comic timing, along with that of Alderman, was always spot-on. The spirit of the ensemble was upbeat and merry throughout the entire performance. It was infectious, drawing the audience in and carrying us along on a rollicking adventure that definitely transcended the less-than-stellar play space.

    Dena Vassey, costumer for "Richard III," does a lot with a little. She used white-infused and predominantly scarlet plaid shirts to differentiate between Richard’s York (white) and Lancaster (red) cohorts. Sana Moulder's costumes for “Merry Wives” were more elaborate but no less inventive as costume changes for several characters were crafted from one basic piece that could be quickly manipulated offstage into an entirely different look.

    Jeremy Fiebig and Molly Malone co-directed both shows, with Avis Hatcher-Puzzo also joining as a co-director for "Merry Wives."

    This intrepid band of itinerant players deserves both kudos and community support for their dedication to keeping theater at its most accessible alive and well in our midst. They are a multi-talented group. Not only do they have prodigious memories and the ability to master reams of difficult dialogue, they are talented singers, musicians and dancers.

    Under the direction of Jacob French, STS pre-show and intermission mini-concerts are always a delight with songs both contemporary and traditional chosen to fit the mood of the play.

    Food, nonalcoholic and adult beverages are available during the pre-show concert and again at intermission. The pre-show begins at 6:45 p.m. with showtime at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and online with discounts available for students, seniors and members of the military. For show dates and times, visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com. Unless it’s raining, be sure to bring your own seating.

  • 13CoffeeI’ll be honest, I love a good feelgood moment. I love to feel good. I love to feel cozy, which is sometimes hard to achieve on a hot summer’s day. Warm and cozy quickly turns into sweaty and gross. Give me a breezy morning with a sunrise, a good cup of coffee, a light blanket and a journal, and I have found heaven on Earth.

    I found this Danish word recently that doesn’t translate well into English but totally speaks to me. I’ve seen it everywhere. It’s become somewhat of a trend, which I’m not exactly into, but it definitely addresses my need for all things cozy, nostalgic, warm and fuzzy.

    Derived from a Norwegian word meaning well-being, the word is “hygge” pronounced “hue-ga”). In Danish, it’s a concept that encompasses a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life. It’s considered to be deeply ingrained in Danish culture, a defining feature of their cultural identity and national DNA.

    Meik Wiking said in his book “The Little Book of Hygge, “What freedom is to Americans, hygge is to Danes.” It’s no wonder Denmark is consistently at the top of the list of the world’s happiest countries, even with their miserable winters.

    Hygge is not just a thing or a trend — it’s a way of life. It’s acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary, as cozy, charming or special. You don’t have to learn it or buy anything. It only requires a certain slowness and the ability to be present. It’s the art of creating intimacy. Contentedness. Security. Familiarity. Comfort. Reassurance. Kinship. Simplicity.

    I love the whole concept of hygge, but if I’m being honest, it’s the comfort part I’m most drawn to. Aren’t we all? We seek comfort above most everything else. I can see this playing out regularly in all aspects of my life as a wife, a mom, an employee, a daughter and, most frighteningly, a Christ-follower.

    A friend shared this quote with me yesterday, one I’d read before but conveniently forgot, probably because it grieves my heart when I let the words sink in.

    Wilbur Rees wrote in his book “Three Dollars Worth of God:” “I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk, or a snooze in the sunshine. I don’t want enough of God to make me love a foreigner or pick beets with a migrant worker. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.”

    Those words are embarrassingly true for me. There are lots of hygge moments with God, for sure, but this is far from the point of why Jesus came to die for us. He didn’t come so that we’d live a more comfortable life — to make church services how we like them or give enough money to organizations so that we don’t actually have to step outside our door and interact with people who are different from us.

    In fact, if that’s all we attribute to salvation, we probably don’t have it. Living for Jesus does bring contentment, but it’s not from experiencing greater earthly comfort. The truth of the gospel is really uncomfortable — that I’m more sinful than anything I can imagine, that there is nothing I can do on my own to fix it and that I deserve death. But because Jesus lived the life I could never live, died the death that I deserve and rose to life, I am no longer dead in my sins. I am alive in Christ Jesus, and I get to know him. I get to know God personally — the one who is love, who loves unconditionally, who is always kind, compassionate, just, righteous, generous, faithful, loyal and good. That is intimacy. That is the most hygge it gets.

  • 07USSJohnMcCainThe Trump administration order that the Navy ship named for the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., be hidden from Trump’s view during a presidential visit to Japan provoked the Pentagon to tell the White House to stop politicizing the military. A Defense Department official said Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is also considering sending out formal guidance to military units to avoid similar situations in the future.

    Shanahan’s spokesman, Lt. Col. Joseph Buccino, confirmed a Navy email that said the White House military office wanted the USS John Mc- Cain kept “out of sight” when Trump visited Japan two weeks ago. Buccino was the public information officer for the 82nd Airborne Division until recently. This comes on the heels of a week of scrambling and story-changing by the White House about the ship and the president.

    When The Wall Street Journal first reported the requested move, Trump took to Twitter to say this: “I was not informed about anything having to do with the Navy Ship USS John S. Mc- Cain during my recent visit to Japan.”

    But then, later in the week, Trump said this: “I was not a big fan of John McCain in any shape or form. Now, somebody did it because they thought I didn’t like him, okay? And they were well-meaning.”

    When the internal Navy email came to light, it triggered a storm of outrage. Shanahan told reporters he is not planning to seek an investigation by the inspector general into the matter “because there was nothing carried out” by the Navy. He added that he still needs to gather more information about exactly what happened and what service members did.

    “How did the people receiving the information … treat it?” Shanahan asked. “That would give me an understanding on the next steps” to take. Shanahan also said he spoke with McCain’s wife, Cindy, about the incident a day or two later, but he declined to provide any details.

    The order to keep the Navy guidedmissile destroyer out of sight appeared to be an extraordinary White House effort to avoid offending the president. The McCain incident dogged Shanahan throughout a weeklong trip to Asia, even as he tried to deal with critical national security issues involving the eroding U.S. relationship with China and the continuing threat from North Korea. Shanahan, who has been serving in an acting capacity since the first of the year, has yet to be formally nominated by Trump as permanent defense chief.

    His speech to a major national security conference in Singapore was a chance to audition for the job on the international stage. A formal nomination has been expected, and members of Congress have said they believe there will be a hearing on his nomination in the next month or so. According to Department of Defense spokesman Buccino, Shanahan told his chief of staff to speak with the White House military office “and reaffirm his mandate that the department of defense will not be politicized.” Buccino said the chief of staff reported back that he delivered the message.

  • 18MatthewPembertonEditor’s note: This is part of a series on Cumberland County high school spring football workouts.

    Rodney Brewington was a player on the 1991 South View High School football team that won the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-A state championship. Last year, his Tigers got a taste of that kind of success as they finished in a tie for second place in the Patriot Athletic Conference, one game back of regular-season champion Pine Forest.

    But Brewington has a big rebuild to do on offense, and it involves replacing his son, four-year Tiger quarterback Donovan Brewington.

    “The biggest thing we are looking for now is guys who have to step up and lead,’’ Brewington said.

    They’ll also need to replace his son’s favorite target, Emery Simmons, one of the best deep threats in Cumberland County, who’s now playing for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

    One player who will be counted on heavily is running back Matthew Pemberton, the secondleading rusher in Cumberland County Schools last season with 1,667 yards and 23 touchdowns, the latter the most in the county. “Matthew Pemberton is going to carry a heavy load,’’ Brewington said.

    On the defensive side of the ball, Brewington thinks the Tigers have players who can fill the positions, they just need to step up and show what they can do to make big plays.

    Offensively, Brewington thinks this will be the year of the running back in Cumberland County. Nearly every school will have a talented runner in the backfield who can take the ball the distance whenever it is handed to them, he said.

    South View’s best, Pemberton, is hoping to get a lot of college looks while doing all he can to help his teammates be winners.

    “We have the players this year to do the same or better than we did last year,’’ Pemberton said. “We just have to be disciplined and listen to coach.’’

    Pemberton said he expects to be called on to do more things to fill some of the void left by the departed seniors. “I have to do more to help the younger kids understand what they need to do in game situations,’’ he said.

    Photo: Matthew  Pemberton

  • Meetings

    For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113.

    Historic Preservation Commission Wednesday, June 12, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building

    Board of Commissioners Monday, June 17, Luther Meeting Room, Town Hall

    Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Monday, June 24, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

    Veterans Affairs Committee Thursday, June 27, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

    Festival Committee Monday, July 1, 6 p.m., Town Hall, Front Conference Room

    CANCELED: Board of Commissioners Monday, July 1, 7 p.m.

    Historic Preservation Commission July 10, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building 

    Activities

    • Independence Day Parade and Celebration Thursday, July 4. Parade starts at 10 a.m. near Rockfish Elementary School. Celebration runs from 4-10 p.m. at Hope Mills Municipal Park.

    • Good2Grow Farmers Market Saturday, July 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., between Town Hall and Parks and Recreation Building.

    Hope Mills AreaKiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240.

    Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Senior programs at Parks and Recreation Building. Senior programs are for those ages 55 and up who are residents of Cumberland County. Various activities, especially Zumba classes, are scheduled Monday through Sunday throughout the day. For details on times and days, check the schedule at townofhopemills.com. You can call the recreation center at 910-426-4109 or e-mail Kasey Ivey at kivey@townofhopemills.com.

    Promote yourself:Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 06NoLoiteringA group of protestors turned out at Fayetteville City Council’s June work session, objecting to the council’s plans to ban the homeless from sleeping or camping on city property.

    Police Chief Gina Hawkins told Up & Coming Weekly about a man who camps out regularly at the main entrance to police headquarters. Hawkins said “Larry” used to camp next to a local church, but he had to move. He chose the spot next to the front door of the Hay Street police station. The chief said she had no objection to the homeless man staying there, adding that the homeless and others who live on the street have not created crime problems in their day-to-day living.

    A couple dozen members of Seth’s Wish, a local nonprofit, protested with large signs in front of City Hall before council’s meeting began. The group’s founder, Lindsey Wolford, described her group as an organization whose purpose is to “help the homeless and hungry in Fayetteville.” She said the organization recently opened a community center on S. Cool Spring Street and, during May, provided those in need 1,171 hot meals and gave away 731 bags full of groceries.

    Wolford said Seth’s Wish works closely with Fayetteville’s Second Harvest Food Bank and accepts donations only from private sources. She said the impoverished who live on the street are not criminals and that “the city should not criminalize them by regulating where they can live.”

    City Council heard a brief presentation during its work session from Assistant City Attorney Lisa Harper, who said five large North Carolina cities have ordinances regulating camping and sleeping on public property. She was not able to provide information about why those cities established their ordinances and whether they’ve done any good, as requested by Councilman Bill Crisp.

    City Manager Doug Hewett suggested that his office come up with a plan that “balances some regulation against no regulation,” saying that warmer weather had resulted in more people sleeping on downtown sidewalks and in alcoves — to the objection of businesspeople.

    Estimates are that about 300 homeless people have been accounted for in Fayetteville. “The county should take the lead,” said Councilwoman Tisha Waddell, noting that health and human services are responsibilities given North Carolina’s 100 counties by state law.

    Homelessness is a matter of “choice or circumstance” for most people who live on the street, she said, adding that for many, “this has become a lifestyle.” 

    “The best solution is to solve the problem,” Councilman Jim Arp said, noting that public safety issues and unsanitary conditions result from the homeless camping in public. He said city government should combine compassion with problem-solving.

    The downtown area is part of Councilman Dan Culliton’s district. He suggested that the administration study the needs of the homeless and how best to accommodate them while at the same time protecting the public. He asked in his motion that city staff come up with proposals for council’s consideration at its August work session.

  • 16DJHerzSince his earliest days playing any sport, Terry Sanford baseball standout D.J. Herz has always played at the highest level. Now that he’s been drafted by the Chicago Cubs to play Major League Baseball, his father, John Herz said, that’s likely to continue. 

    While a final decision hasn’t been reached, the senior Herz, who is also representing his son in negotiations with the Cubs, said both are leaning toward signing a contract and starting D.J.’s professional career in the minor leagues as soon as possible.

    D.J. was the 252nd player chosen in the draft, going to the Cubs in the eighth round.

    “He’s really ready to get started,’’ the elder Herz said of his son. “That’s just D.J.’s makeup. He’s always played up, always played with the best. He’s ready to continue that trend.’’

    D.J. was a three-sport athlete during the majority of his high school career at Terry Sanford, starting at quarterback in football, playing guard in basketball, and pitching and playing in the field for the baseball team.

    This past season, the young Herz was voted Player of the Year in the Patriot Athletic Conference. He led Terry Sanford to the regular-season title, a 24-3 record and the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs. For the second year in a row, the Bulldogs were eliminated by the eventual state champion, New Hanover.

    On the mound, Herz was 8-1 with a 0.51 earned run average and a Cumberland County Schools best of 106 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. At the plate, he batted .419 and drove in 26 runs. He had a county-best 13 doubles and tied for the lead in home runs with four. He also shared the lead in triples with three.

    Herz’s father said the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursued his son hard and was still hopeful of getting him to play for the Tar Heels this fall.

    But the senior Herz indicated the preference is to focus on professional baseball and forego a college career.

    Once D.J. makes a final decision to sign, he will likely be assigned to one of Chicago’s rookie league teams, which are located in Arizona.

  • 04JakobRyanAlthough it may not appear so, the leaders of both major political parties in North Carolina favor lowering the tax burden of large businesses. Their real dispute is about the scope and magnitude of the tax relief.

    Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has consistently opposed recent state budgets, crafted by the Republican-controlled legislature, that reduced the corporate tax rate from 6.9% in 2013 to 2.5% today. This year, Cooper seems likely to veto whatever budget emerges from the General Assembly, in part because it will contain a cut in franchise taxes, which tax the value rather than the net income of a business.

    The administration’s spokesman, Ford Porter, put it this way after the Senate passed its budget plan: “Governor Cooper will continue pushing for a budget that represents middle class families instead of special interests and corporate shareholders.”

    But Cooper has also requested and enthusiastically supported big tax incentives for companies that moved to or expanded their operations in North Carolina, including multimillion- dollar packages for Lending Tree, Honeywell, equipment manufacturer Greenheck Group, biopharmaceutical firm Cellectis, and Charlotte tech company AvidXChange, among others.

    More generally, Cooper and other Democratic leaders have sought to restore, protect and expand tax breaks for politically favored industries such as solar energy and film production.

    It’s not necessarily a contradiction to favor large but narrowly tailored tax relief over acrossthe- board reductions. It does require making certain assumptions — and they ought to be clearly spelled out so that North Carolinians can decide for themselves whether the assumptions are reasonable.

    One such assumption is that when it comes to reducing state tax burdens, some but not all companies are “worth it.” They are more important to the state’s economic vitality, one might say, either because of their sheer size or their expected future growth in sales, investment and jobs.

    Another assumption is that some companies are more responsive to taxes than others. If ACME Manufacturing is going to do business and employ people in North Carolina at roughly the same level regardless of how much tax it pays, the state might be better off collecting the revenue generated by the higher rate and spending it on public services, or so the argument goes. On the other hand, if Ach-Mee Manufacturing won’t come to or stay in the state unless it gets a tax break, North Carolina ought to give it to them.

    Finally, and most importantly, advocates of targeted tax relief assume that they or some other state officials are capable of reliably distinguishing the worthy corporate recipients from the unworthy ones — that is, they can know with confidence which companies are economically vital and most sensitive to tax burdens.

    When Gov. Cooper insists, for example, that North Carolina shouldn’t cut state corporate or franchise taxes across the board but that our state should devote more tax incentives to film and TV production, he is suggesting that media companies are more valuable to the state’s economy than other kinds of firms, are more likely to do business elsewhere if they don’t get their way, or both.

    There are surely North Carolinians who find these assumptions plausible. I don’t. I think economies are far too complex a set of systems to be measured, forecast and planned at that level of detail. I don’t think it wise to put state officials in the position of choosing among “worthy” businesses or industries, which I suspect will inevitably lead to political favoritism and perhaps even rank corruption in the long run.

    Of course, even if it were technically feasible and politically sustainable, I still think it would be grossly unfair to tax companies differently based on size, location, average wages or industry. Uniform taxation advances both fairness and efficiency. If a billionaire came to your county and offered to live there in exchange for exempting her mansion from property taxes, on the grounds that she’d boost the local economy by spending lots of money, wouldn’t you want your county commissioners to say no?

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