How do you feel about Gnomes? Take a trip into Once Upon a Time land, courtesy of the Brothers Grimm to learn some Gnome lore. Gnomes are the first cousins of the Trolls who bothered Billy Goats Gruff. Trolls also write mean comments on Social Media.
Trolls live under bridges or in their parents’ basements. Gnomes live underground, usually working as miners. You may recall Snow White became involved with Seven Dwarves, who are the double first cousins of Gnomes.
But that is a story for another day. Let us return to Gnome lore.
Most fairy tales start with a King who has at least one beautiful daughter. Today’s King had 3 beautiful unmarried daughters. He also had a palace garden with his famous apple tree that only he could pick. Anyone else who picked an apple would be transported 100 fathoms underground.
Does this sound familiar—a woman plucks a forbidden apple and all heck breaks loose? Sure enough, the youngest princess believes Dad won’t send her underground.
She grabs an apple, takes a bite, and convinces her sisters to chow down. Each sister then sinks deep underground.
The King can’t find his daughters. He offers to marry one to whomever can find the girls. Lots of men look without success. Finally, three brothers take up the challenge.
They discover a large empty castle in the deep forest with a banquet table full of hot food. The oldest brother is chosen to remain in the castle while the two other brothers go on Princess Quest.
After they leave, a Gnome enters the castle and asks the brother for a piece of bread. When the brother hands the bread to the Gnome, the Gnome intentionally drops it. The brother goes to pick it up, but the Gnome beats him with a stick.
The next day, the second brother stays at the castle and gets beaten by the Gnome. The next day, Hans, the youngest brother, remains at the castle.
The Gnome tries the same stunt. When the Gnome asks him to pick up the bread, Hans whups the tar out of the Gnome.
The Gnome begs Hans to stop beating him, promising to tell him how to find the Princesses. The Gnome shows Hans a deep well which has no water. Hans lowers himself into the well in a large basket.
He finds three caves, each with a Princess and a dragon. The Princesses are combing the heads of the dragons. This seems odd, but this is a fairy tale. Odd happens.
When Hans tells his brothers what happened, they get so angry they turn green and yellow because Hans found the Princesses. Hans agrees to show them the well. They let the eldest brother down first, but he chickens out halfway and rings a bell to return to the surface. The second brother does the same. Finally, they lower Hans into the well.
Hans finds the dragons are still sleeping in the Princesses’ laps having their hair combed. Hans chops off their heads, saving the Princesses.
He sends each Princess back to the surface in the basket. He is suspicious of his brothers. He pretends to get in the basket but puts in a large stone. The wicked brothers pull the basket up halfway, then cut the rope, hoping the fall will kill Hans. Hans is stuck below and wanders lonely as a cloud.
He finally finds a flute hanging on the wall and plays it. A gaggle of grateful Gnomes appears and jives to the music. Flushed with flute-induced fellowship, they grant Hans his wish to return to the surface.
Hans goes to the King’s palace, where the first Princess is about to marry his brother.
The King asked what had happened below. The Princesses tell him they can’t say because they promised not to reveal the truth. The King orders them to tell their story to the stove while he listens outside the kitchen door. This allows them to keep their promise not to tell him.
Technicalities matter.
On hearing the truth, the King sends the two brothers to the gallows, where they are hanged by the neck until they expire.
Hans marries the most beautiful sister, and they live happily ever after.
What have we learned today? Don’t eat forbidden apples. Beware of hungry Gnomes. Some dragons are more concerned with their hair looking fly than remaining awake for possible danger. You can tell a stove things you can’t tell a King.
If you are stuck in a cave and find a flute, play it. Siblings do not always play fair. No Gnomes were harmed during the production of this column.
That is all.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

By Monday, June 15, the academic year will be over for colleges, universities, and most grade schools. Family trips and summertime sojourns will commence. Tourist venues and recreational attractions will be bustling.
For the North Carolina General Assembly, however, the week of June 15 will be no vacation. If current plans come to fruition, lawmakers will vote that week on a new state budget as well as at least two constitutional amendments to appear on the fall ballot: one capping the growth of property taxes and the other capping the rate of personal income tax at 3.5%.
I suspect both amendments will pass the legislature and gain voter approval. Proponents believe their combined effect will be to constrain the growth of state and local expenditures over time by depriving big spenders of the handiest tools at their disposal. The amendments’ most vociferous opponents agree on the effect but think that consequence will harm North Carolina, not help it.
A third group — let’s call them skeptics rather than opponents — note that neither amendment affects sales taxes, excise taxes, and other forms of government revenue.
Might future senators, representatives, and county commissioners respond to the new constitutional constraints not with a renewed commitment to fiscal discipline but by expanding the base of the sales tax, hiking its rate, or approving new gambling enterprises?
According to the Tax Foundation, North Carolina derives about 29% of its state and local revenue from personal income taxes, about the same share from sales taxes, 22% from property taxes, 3% from corporate income, and the rest from excises and other levies. Compared to the nation as a whole, we rely more on income and sales tax and less on property tax than the average state.
As I’ve previously explained at (literally) book length, it might make sense for North Carolina to rely more on sales taxes if they were properly structured. Alas, they never will be.
A properly structured tax on retail sales wouldn’t distort the economy. It would tax services as well as goods, and in particular the medical, legal, and financial transactions that together comprise most of the service sector. On the other hand, it wouldn’t tax business-to-business transactions, which by definition aren’t retail sales — and the taxation of which creates artificial incentives for vertical and horizontal integration. The income tax base is too broad, yes, creating artificial disincentives against savings and investment. But the sales tax base is too narrow (as is the property tax base).
I understand the skeptics’ argument. But there’s another side to the story. As best I can determine, the presentation of the constitutional amendments made the budget deal between House and Senate possible. That deal is, in turn, both fiscally and politically advisable.
It is wise to modify the revenue triggers to ensure lawmakers can sustain their tax-reform momentum while also meeting high-priority needs in public safety, health care, and education. Incumbents are also loath to enter the fall campaign without a new state budget in place.
As lawmakers finalize the details of that budget, I hope they take one more factor into consideration: North Carolina is not adequately prepared for another natural or economic disaster. Could there be another recession, pandemic, or catastrophic hurricane in our future? Of course. It’s only a question of time.
According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, North Carolina has approximately 53 days' worth of state spending socked away in our rainy-day fund and unreserved credit balance. That places us below the national average. Tennessee (72 days), Georgia (147 days), and South Carolina (174 days) are much better prepared, as are Pennsylvania (79), Florida (125), Texas (129), and even the likes of California (84) and New York (198).
The General Assembly ought to make a larger rainy-day deposit than required by current statute. The ultimate goal should be to boost savings to at least to the national median of 92 days worth of spending.
Yep, there’s lots to get done by mid-June.

Editor’s note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books Mountain Folk, Forest Folk, and Water Folk combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

XVIII Airborne Corps recognized three community leaders during the 2026 Airborne Ambassador Induction Ceremony at the Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost, April 30, honoring their continued service to Soldiers, families, veterans and the Fort Bragg community.
The Airborne Ambassador Program recognizes individuals from surrounding communities who have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life for Fort Bragg Soldiers, their families, veterans and Department of Defense civilians.
The ceremony included a welcome, the national anthem performed by the 82nd Airborne Division’s All American Chorus, an invocation by Chaplain (Col.) Samuel Kim, XVIII Airborne Corps chaplain, a performance by the 82nd Airborne Division’s All American Jazz Band, remarks from Lt. Gen. Gregory Anderson, XVIII Airborne Corps commanding general, and the formal induction of the 2026 Airborne Ambassadors.
This year’s inductees were Kirk deViere, chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners; retired Maj. Gen. Al Aycock, managing partner of Ramparts Group & President of the Fort Bragg Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA); and Barbara Whitehead, director of NC Support Our Troops.
DeViere was recognized for more than two decades of public service, business leadership and advocacy for the military community. A former U.S. Army Soldier with 10 years of honorable service, deViere made Fayetteville his home in 2000 and has remained committed to supporting Soldiers, veterans and families connected to Fort Bragg.
His public service includes two terms as a North Carolina state senator, one term as a Fayetteville City Council member and his current role as chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. He also serves on the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission, where he advocates for programs and policies that support service members and their families.
Aycock was recognized for a lifetime of service in and out of uniform. During his nearly 38-year Army career, he spent two decades at Fort Bragg and served as the installation’s garrison commander from 2003 to 2006.
His leadership helped Fort Bragg earn two Army Community of Excellence awards focused on Soldier and family support. He also helped pilot the one-day approval, $500 Army Emergency Relief loan at the company commander level, a program designed to speed critical financial assistance to Soldiers.
Following his retirement in 2016, Aycock and his wife, Sue, made Fayetteville their home and continued serving the region.
His civic leadership includes serving as Military Affairs Council chair for the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, president of the Fort Bragg Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, and in leadership roles supporting the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville, Methodist University, Fayetteville State University and other community organizations.
Whitehead was recognized for her long-standing commitment to caring for Soldiers and units through NC Support Our Troops. Her work includes coordinating care packages for deployed Soldiers and units in training, working with garrison unit ministry teams, and supporting Thanksgiving and Christmas initiatives, hygiene kits, snacks and other resources for service members.
Whitehead’s service began through a personal connection when her son, Jason, enlisted in the Army during the Global War on Terrorism.
What began as support for her son’s unit in 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, grew into broader service through Family Readiness Group leadership, Yellow Ribbon events and support to units across Fort Bragg and the surrounding military community.
The induction highlighted the enduring relationship between Fort Bragg and the surrounding community, recognizing leaders whose service strengthens the connection between Soldiers, families, veterans and the people who support them beyond the installation gates.
Through their advocacy, mentorship and service, the 2026 Airborne Ambassadors continue a tradition of community partnership that supports XVIII Airborne Corps’ mission and the people who make that mission possible.

(Photo: Lt. Gen. Gregory Anderson, commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, and Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Barker, senior enlisted adviser of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, pose with Airborne Ambassadors during the 2026 Airborne Ambassador Induction Ceremony at the Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost on Fort Bragg, N.C., April 30, 2026. The ceremony recognized community leaders for their continued service and support to Soldiers, families, veterans and the Fort Bragg community. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Austin Robertson)

If you've ever considered a career on the front lines of public safety, now is the time — and Fayetteville Technical Community College is ready to train you.
On January 7, 2026, FTCC officially opened Phase II of the J. Larry Keen Regional Fire Rescue Training Facility, marking a landmark moment in emergency response education in North Carolina. The expansion transforms an already impressive complex into one of the most comprehensive fire and rescue training environments in the region and arrives just as demand for qualified firefighters and emergency responders is surging across the country.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 27,100 firefighter job openings are projected each year through 2034, driven not just by growth but by the ongoing need to replace retiring professionals. Fire inspectors and investigators face an even brighter outlook, with employment projected to grow 6 percent, faster than the average for all occupations and generating roughly 1,800 openings annually.
The national median annual wage for firefighters stands at $59,530, while fire inspectors earn a median of $75,480 per year. For those ready to answer the call, the opportunity is real, and it starts with the right training.
Phase II introduces several training features designed to mirror the situations responders face every day. Two new live-fire burn buildings — a one-story single-family residence and a two-story apartment structure — were intentionally modeled after the types of properties most commonly found in communities. These structures complement the existing three-story multi-use burn building, giving trainees of all experience levels a diverse, realistic landscape to sharpen their skills in fire suppression, search and rescue, ventilation, firefighter rescue, and incident command management.
Training in lifelike conditions isn't just about realism; it's about survival. Quick, informed decision-making under pressure is what separates good responders from great ones, and FTCC's expanded facility is engineered to build exactly that instinct.
Adjacent to the apartment burn building, a flashover simulator puts trainees face-to-face with one of firefighting's most lethal phenomena. Flashover, the near-simultaneous ignition of an entire room, can occur in seconds and is responsible for a significant number of firefighter fatalities each year. In this controlled environment, students safely observe how fires develop and escalate, learning to recognize the critical warning signs before conditions become deadly.
The expansion goes beyond structural firefighting to prepare responders for some of the most complex emergencies imaginable:
• Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Simulator — A liquid propane gas-fed prop designed to resemble an aircraft, providing hands-on practice in managing aviation-related fires that demand unique tactics and rapid response.
• Flammable Liquids Fire Training Prop — A 900-square-foot LP gas-fueled concrete training pad where firefighters practice extinguishing fires caused by gasoline or industrial chemical spills and hazards that present distinct and dangerous challenges.
• Fire Investigation Pods — Three dedicated spaces where trainees learn to determine the origin and cause of fires, conducted in partnership with the North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal. This collaboration bridges classroom learning with real-world investigative practice, covering fire behavior, evidence collection, and investigative procedures.
Supporting infrastructure added in Phase II, including a warehouse for equipment storage, an open-air shelter, and on-site restroom facilities, ensures the facility can host a wide range of programs comfortably and efficiently. The complex serves not only local departments but agencies from across the region and other states, making it a critical hub for professional development at every level.
The completion of Phase II is more than a construction milestone. It's an investment in the future of public safety and the careers of those who dedicate their lives to it. With a growing job market and competitive salaries, fire and rescue offers a career path that is both financially rewarding and profoundly meaningful.
For more information on enrolling in FTCC's Fire Protection Technology Program or to learn how your fire and rescue department can utilize this world-class facility, visit ftcc.edu/fire-protection-technology, contact Vincent Lewis, director of fire, rescue, and swift water training at Fayetteville Technical Community College by email at lewisv@faytechcc.edu or by phone at 910-486-7472. The facility is located at 775 Tom Starling Rd.

(Photo courtesy of FTCC Fire, Rescue and Swift Water's Facebook page)

Relationships thrive in the deep. One key is to move beyond the shallow and into the kind of authenticity where you’re not always the hero of your own story.
That kind of depth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens in moments—often small, unguarded, and easily overlooked. Around a dinner table. On a front porch. In a circle of people sharing a meal, a story, or even just silence. Those moments have a way of changing people. They shape relationships, and over time, they shape culture.
Jesus seemed to understand that. Many of His most meaningful interactions didn’t happen from a stage or at a distance, but in close, personal settings—meals, conversations, shared space. There’s something about being face-to-face, without pretense, that invites honesty. And honesty is where real connection begins.
The problem is, those moments have been slowly disappearing.
Most of us can smile at the old lyric, “video killed the radio star,” because in many ways it rang true. Technology replaced something simpler, something more personal. I once heard someone make a similar observation: “Air conditioning killed the family.” It sounds strange at first, but the idea sticks. There was a time when people gathered outside in the evening—on porches, in yards—because it was cooler there. Families talked. Neighbors drifted over. Conversations unfolded naturally. And when we moved inside, into perfectly controlled environments, something shifted. We traded shared space for separate rooms.
And now, we’re here. More reachable, but less connected. Social media has given everyone a voice—not inherently bad—but it has also created a constant stream of noise. Opinions come fast, reactions come faster, and before long, we’re not really listening anymore. We’re just responding.
At the same time, there’s a tendency in all of us to look for something bigger, better, or more satisfying just over the horizon. We want the “promised land”—the ideal version of life, relationships, or success—while overlooking the “daily bread” already in front of us. The ordinary moments. The conversations we could have if we’d just slow down long enough to have them.
We also tend to lean on voices that tell us what we want to hear about the future—pundits, influencers, commentators—rather than grounding ourselves in what’s real and present. So we speculate rather than engage. Scroll rather than sit across from someone and be known.
Depth requires something different.
It requires presence. It requires listening. It requires the humility to step into a conversation without needing to win it—or to be seen as the hero in it.
If relationships really do thrive in the deep, then maybe the way forward isn’t more noise, more speed, or more distance. Maybe it’s a return to the table. A return to shared space. A return to conversations where people are seen, heard, and known—not for their best moments, but for who they really are.
That’s where connection lives. And it’s still available—if we’re willing to choose it.

The lights will dim. A packed audience will settle into their seats as stories created by local filmmakers will unfold across the screen. For one night, the voices of Cumberland County and surrounding communities will take center stage at the historic Cameo Art House Theatre in downtown Fayetteville.
On Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m., the Cameo Collective will present LOCAL SHORTS 2026, with the support of the Grassroots Grant provided by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. This one-night showcase celebrates independent filmmaking, local storytelling, and the growing creative movement happening throughout the region.
The event has quickly become a platform for emerging filmmakers, students, artists and storytellers eager to see their work projected onto a movie theater screen in front of a live audience. Organizers say the evening is designed not only to celebrate local filmmaking but also to strengthen connections within Fayetteville’s growing arts community.
“This event is about giving local artists a voice,” Cameo Collective Artistic Director Brian Adam Kline said. “There are incredible stories being created right here in our community and LOCAL SHORTS exists to celebrate those voices and create opportunities for filmmakers to connect with audiences at their very own filmmakers' hub.”
This year, all selected filmmakers for this year’s showcase will receive $150 or more for their accepted submission, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting artists in tangible ways. Independent filmmaking often requires artists to work with limited budgets, borrowed equipment, volunteer actors and countless unpaid hours. Supporters of LOCAL SHORTS say recognizing and compensating local creators is an important part of building a stronger regional arts scene.
The Vision Behind LOCAL SHORTS
LOCAL SHORTS was created by Kline, the founding artistic director of the Cameo Collective, the nonprofit arts organization that helped lead the effort to keep the historic Cameo Art House Theatre open and active in downtown Fayetteville. Kline formed the organization with 8 dedicated board members and Managing Director James Throssel.
Kline, a filmmaker, theater director, arts educator, and longtime advocate for local artists, envisioned LOCAL SHORTS as a way to provide filmmakers in Cumberland County and surrounding communities with a professional platform to showcase their work, while helping to strengthen the region’s growing creative culture. It is only one piece of a much larger vision for the future of the Cameo Collective and the continued growth of arts programming in downtown Fayetteville.
“This is just one program of many to come,” Kline said. “We want the Cameo to be a creative home for the community, a place where filmmakers, musicians, performers, artists and audiences can come together.”
In recent years, the Cameo Collective has worked to expand arts and entertainment opportunities throughout the community by introducing new events, partnerships and educational initiatives designed to make the theater an active year-round cultural destination.
Among the organization’s newest additions is karaoke night hosted by DJ Tommi Lee, an interactive late-night event blending music, performance, comedy and audience participation. The event has quickly developed a following among younger audiences and downtown visitors.
The organization is also partnering with Book Black Women Inc. for concerts and cultural programming celebrating diverse voices, artistic collaboration and community storytelling.
Another major initiative includes an expanding classic film series created in partnership with local organizations and community groups. The series brings audiences together through screenings of beloved and influential films while encouraging discussion, nostalgia, education and shared community experiences.
The Cameo Collective has provided a new home for Neil Ray’s popular Open Mic Night, now held every Monday evening at the Cameo Art House Theatre. The weekly event welcomes musicians, poets, comedians, storytellers and performers of all experience levels to share their talents in a supportive and creative atmosphere.
Investing in the Next Generation
The Cameo Collective is also expanding its focus on arts education and youth involvement through several upcoming initiatives aimed at developing the next generation of filmmakers and creative leaders in Fayetteville.
Among the organization’s newest programs is the Cameo Filmmaker Summer Camp, an immersive experience designed for aspiring young filmmakers interested in directing, screenwriting, acting, cinematography, and editing. Participants will work collaboratively to create original projects while learning hands-on filmmaking skills inside a working independent theater environment. And this fall, the Cameo Collective will also launch a new youth arts group focused on providing teenagers and young adults with opportunities to engage in film, theater, live events, visual arts and community programming.
The organization is also building a volunteer collective that will allow community members to become directly involved in helping operate events, screenings, festivals and educational programs at the Cameo.
A Growing Film Culture in Fayetteville
LOCAL SHORTS arrives during a period of growing artistic energy in downtown Fayetteville. At the center of much of that activity has been the Cameo Collective, a nonprofit arts organization focused on supporting independent film, live performance, education, and community-based arts programming.
Rather than focusing solely on studio films, LOCAL SHORTS turns its attention toward local creators, many of whom are producing films in their homes, schools and communities with limited resources but limitless creativity. For some filmmakers, the showcase may represent the first time seeing their work in a professional theater environment.
Previous showcases have included dramas, documentaries, horror films, experimental projects, comedies and animations.
A Night for the Entire Community
Admission is just $5, making the event accessible to families, students and audiences interested in discovering regional talent.
All proceeds from ticket sales directly support the Cameo Collective’s nonprofit mission, which includes championing local artists, fostering creative collaboration and bringing local, independent and blockbuster films to the Fayetteville area.
Audience members can expect an evening filled with creativity. Because every filmmaker brings a unique perspective and style, no two films are alike, making the showcase unpredictable and exciting. LOCAL SHORTS 2026 will take place Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Cameo Art House Theatre in downtown Fayetteville.

Grilley Mitchell is the president of the Cumberland County Veterans’ Council. He was still on active duty, stationed at Fort Lee, when he heard a woman stand up at a meeting and say that her husband had died in 1976 in Vietnam and nobody had ever reached out to her. They’d been present at the funeral and for the short time afterward, but those attentions faded. The wife was left to navigate widowhood and loneliness on her own. Her words struck a chord with Mitchell. He knew it wasn’t right and determined then and there that if he were ever in a position to do something about it, he would.
His first term as president of the CCVC came and went. When he became president again, he mentioned that he’d like to organize an event for widows and widowers to socialize for a few hours sometime.
On behalf of the CCVC, VFW Post 6018 SSG James Dennis will be hosting a Widows and Widowers Social from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 31 at 116 Chance St., Fayetteville. Everyone is welcome to attend. You do not need to be associated with the VFW or any other veteran organization, whether that organization is a member of the CCVC or not.
Of course, members of all veteran organizations, such as the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans or Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, are encouraged to attend. However, attendees don’t have to be associated with the military in any capacity. This is a community-wide event. The dress code for this event is dressy casual.
There is no charge to attend, and guests will be served a delicious meal of chicken, beef stew, green beans, corn and assorted cakes and desserts. Everyone will receive a gift bag. A program of long speeches and somber tones are not on the agenda. A conscious decision was made to eliminate a formal program, not out of disrespect for the deceased, but to allow those who have lost a spouse to simply enjoy themselves for just a few hours. Aside from a short opening, the afternoon will be filled with conversation, enjoying a good meal, music and games.
Edward Beard is the VFW Commander for the entire state of North Carolina. He and Mitchell are both naturally outgoing and enthusiastic about the social. Beard understands that attendees might not be the socializing type. But with the chance to make new friends and to simply relax and have fun for a few hours, why not?
Mitchell shared a story where two veterans ended up discovering that they had served together in Vietnam. That was sixty-plus years after the war ended: a friendship rekindled.
The closer we all seem to be through technology, the farther apart we are in real life. Instead of staring at a screen, why not be in the presence of others, shake hands, maintain eye contact, and hold a conversation?
“Give us a shot,” Mitchell says.
The CCVC is a volunteer organization of veterans and veteran organizations. It serves as a united voice for local veterans, advocating for resources, awareness and recognition. The organization is responsible for the annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Fayetteville every November.

(Photo: The VFW Post 6018, along with the Cumberland County Veterans Council, will host an event aimed at celebrating those who have lost loved ones. Photo by Erin C. Healy)

Surgery to repair an orthopedic injury can be complicated and delicate. It takes a skilled surgeon to get the job done right.
But after surgery, the key to a full recovery is usually in the hands of the patient. Working diligently through a consistent routine of physical therapy is essential to rebuilding strength and range of motion. And there are no shortcuts.
“Patients who aren’t keeping up with their PT can experience things like stiffness, lack of mobility or muscle weakness,” said Courtney Kinney, a physical therapy assistant at Fayetteville Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. “They start to see pretty quickly that they aren’t getting as far as they’d like to be.”
Kinney sees a variety of cases, from older patients recovering from hip replacement to high school athletes with sports injuries. Most require several weeks or months of therapy, and some need lots of encouragement when the road seems very long.
“Usually, I’ll ask the patient what they’re trying to get back to doing,” she said. “Maybe she likes to garden, so she’ll need to be on her knees a lot. I can explain how doing the lunges she’s working on will help her get there.”
For one of Kinney’s patients, Cameron Seagroves, the goal was pretty clear: He wanted to get back to baseball. Seagroves plays for Methodist University, but last year he was sidelined by a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a painful knee injury. Christopher J. Barnes, MD, performed the surgery to repair it.
“And then three days after surgery, I started physical therapy,” he said. “It was about seven months of consistent PT, twice a week.”
That’s at least a couple of months earlier than he thought he might be released from PT. Seagroves said his own strong will had a lot to do with his speedy success, but he also gives credit to the staff at Fayetteville Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for personalizing his routine to his level of ability and fitness.
“Sometimes I would come in and say, ‘Hey, I saw this move on Instagram,’ or ‘Maybe we could try this,’” he said. “And we’d work together and build a program that was great for me. Honestly, what they did with me in PT are probably some of the most athletic movements I’ve had to do.”
Phillip Torres is no stranger to physical exertion either. An avid weightlifter, he has always loved the gym and enjoyed challenging workouts. After tearing his rotator cuff in a mishap at his manufacturing job, he knew he would need surgery. Daniel E. McBrayer, MD, performed a reverse shoulder replacement procedure to start Torres’ recovery.
“My first PT appointment was four days later,” he said. “That first day was excruciating, but I knew it would get easier.”
Torres knew from previous injuries that it was important not only to faithfully attend his PT appointments, but also to keep up with his assigned exercises between visits.
“I was going to therapy and then doing the routine again on my own at home that same day,” he said. “A lot of people don’t do the homework, and then they don’t have the results they want.”
Torres said there were definitely times when he felt uncertain about his progress.
“I was scared to re-injure myself,” he said, “but every time I would come back, I’d have a little more progress than the last time.”
A little over four months after his first appointment, Torres was doing pull-ups unassisted. He was glad to be graduating from PT, but sad to say goodbye to his physical therapist, Kaitie[AC1.1] Bogue, whom he’d grown to consider a friend.
“She was the catalyst for my success,” he said. “From the first appointment, she knew what I meant when I said, ‘I want to be back where I was before the injury. I’m not going to settle for less.’”
Whether the patient is a gym fanatic or an octogenarian, Kinney said, she aims to meet them where they are and encourage them toward their own personal goals.
“It’s important that they understand what we’re doing, and that it’s in their best interest,” she said. “It can be really hard in the beginning, but if you just trust the process, it really does get easier.”
The best part for her is seeing a patient long after their last session, doing exactly what they wanted to do.
“Sometimes they’ll stop in to say hi,” she said, “or I’ll give them a call and see how they’re doing. And it’s really cool to see that it all worked.”
Orthopedic patients in Harnett and Hoke Counties now have access to new robotic technologies for joint replacements, as Cape Fear Valley Health rolls out the Mako SmartRobotics system for hip and knee surgery , the ROSA Knee System for knee replacement procedures and the CORI Surgical System knee and hip replacements.
“The technology allows the surgeons to use robotic systems to enhance precision, accuracy, and customization during complex joint replacement surgeries,” says Colby Warren, Director of Physician Practices for Cape Fear Valley Medical Group. “The robots do not act alone, they act as a tool directed by the surgeon to perform precise cuts and implant placement. The surgeons have gone through hours of training to be able to use these systems.”
For patients, using a robotic system can provide better outcomes and longevity on the implant. Some patients have often experienced less post-op pain compared to the conventional procedure.

(Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Valley Health)

As communities across the Sandhills seek meaningful ways to connect with the outdoors, Sustainable Sandhills’ upcoming “Paddle and Picnic” offers a unique experience that blends recreation, education and conservation. Participants are invited to explore the Cape Fear River and learn about its vital role in the region. Led by Executive Director Jonelle Kimbrough, Sustainable Sandhills serves 11 counties across central and southeastern North Carolina, focusing on building resilient environmental, economic and social resources through programs addressing air and water quality, waste management, climate-related public health and conservation.
“To protect our planet is to protect our people,” Kimbrough said.
The idea behind “Paddle and Picnic” began with board member Rodney Medley, a U.S. Army veteran and local beekeeper known as “The Honey Alchemist,” who wanted to combine his passion for paddling with conservation and environmental awareness. What started as a fundraiser has evolved into an immersive experience designed to highlight the importance of protecting natural resources.
Participants will launch from Cape Fear River Adventures in Lillington and paddle six miles upriver toward Raven Rock State Park. Along the way, paddlers can expect scenic views, including a historic bridge, waterfall and unique rock formations, as well as frequent wildlife sightings.
“I’ve seen otters, turtles, blue herons, bald eagles and fox squirrels on that stretch of the river,” Kimbrough said. During the approximately three-hour guided trip, participants will enjoy a light picnic lunch on the water while learning about the river’s ecosystem and conservation efforts.
“We want the event to be interactive,” she added, “so we’ll encourage paddlers to participate in the discussion, point out interesting sights and really immerse themselves in the experience.”
The event is designed to be inclusive, welcoming for both experienced paddlers and beginners. Guides will lead the way, and participants may bring their own boats or rent kayaks on site. Families are encouraged to attend, with children under 12 paddling alongside a parent or guardian.
Beyond its natural beauty, the Cape Fear River holds deep significance for the region.
“The Cape Fear River is truly the lifeline of the Sandhills,” Kimbrough said, noting its role as a primary source of drinking water and a hub for recreation and wildlife.
However, the river faces growing challenges, including chemical contamination and threats to the water supply. Through events like this, Sustainable Sandhills aims to raise awareness and inspire community action. Education remains central to the experience. As participants paddle, they will learn about local ecosystems and environmental concerns, including the impact of “forever chemicals” such as PFAS and 1,4-dioxane on public health.
“We want to immerse residents in the environment that we’re striving to protect and inspire them to protect it too,” Kimbrough said.
Community response to Sustainable Sandhills’ programs has been strong and diverse. Events like “Paddle and Picnic,” Natural History Hikes and Wild Lands Sweeps have drawn “parents with children, soldiers, college students,” and participants from all walks of life. As Kimbrough noted, this diversity “really speaks to the special cultural fabric of our region and demonstrates that nature is truly for everyone.”
Ultimately, the goal is to leave participants with both appreciation and purpose.
“We hope our paddlers will enjoy the immense beauty of the Cape Fear River and gain an appreciation of the unique natural environment of the Sandhills,” Kimbrough said.
The “Paddle and Picnic” event will take place Saturday, May 30 at 11 a.m., with registration open through May 22. For more information or to sign up, visit sustainablesandhills.org/paddle. Tickets are $40 for those bringing their own boat and $90 for those renting one.

There is a specific kind of magic that happens in the summer months when the golden hour hits at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, located at 536 N. Eastern Blvd. As the summer heat begins to mellow, the Garden transforms into a lush, tranquil sanctuary. This season, that experience is getting an upgrade with the Sip n’ Stroll event series, a perfect blend of local craft beverages, live music, and scenic beauty.
The Sip n’ Stroll series is a relaxed celebration of the state’s best liquid craftsmanship. Kicking off the summer on June 4, the Garden welcomes the Fayetteville fan-favorite Dirtbag Ales. Known for their "step away from the status quo" mentality, Dirtbag will be offering a selection of their finest, including their signature brews, Blood Orange Kolsch and Cold Brew Mocha Porter. For those looking for variety and to try something new, they will also have cider and other seasonal selections available to sample.
If wine is more your speed, mark your calendars for July 2 and Aug. 20, when Thistle Meadow Winery takes center stage. Located in Laurel Spring in the western part of the state, the winery has a standing partnership with Cape Fear Botanical Garden. These evenings offer a curated tasting of local wines, allowing you to sample the diverse notes of North Carolina viticulture while wandering through the Garden’s 80 acres of pine forest and ornamental gardens.
While the beverages and the gardens are the major draw, Sip n’ Stroll is designed to be a full sensory experience. Local singer-songwriter Josh Murray will be providing the soundtrack for the evening. A regular at venues like Haymount Truck Stop and Bound and Vine, Murray’s acoustic guitar and soulful vocals provide the ideal backdrop for a garden walk.
In a unique partnership, FTCC massage therapy students will be on-site to offer free chair massages, included with the cost of admission. It is the ultimate way to decompress after a long summer day.
This isn't just an event; it's a gathering. It’s a space to meet fellow craft beer enthusiasts, support local artists, and enjoy the "community vibes" that make Fayetteville special.
The Sip n’ Stroll events take advantage of the Garden’s extended summer hours, with the gates remaining open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. This extra time allows visitors to explore the scenic, walkable routes at a leisurely pace without the midday sun.
Admission Details:
• Standard Adult Admission: $12.00 + tax.
• Discounts: Available for military members, seniors, and EBT cardholders.
• For more information, check out the website at capefearbg.org
The summer Sip n’ Stroll is just the beginning. The Garden has a robust calendar in the works for the remainder of the year, including garden trivia nights, hand-sewing lessons, and exclusive after-hours tours with expert guides.
Whether you are a dedicated craft beer fan or just looking for a peaceful Thursday evening escape, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden Sip n’ Stroll is the place to be. Grab a friend, soak in the atmosphere, and discover why life is better in the Garden.

The rumble of engines and the shine of polished chrome will once again fill the air as the Freedom Biker Church Car & Bike Show returns to the area, offering more than a display of horsepower; it’s an invitation to community, connection and faith.
The event is set for May 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort Bragg Harley Davidson at 3950 Sycamore Dairy Rd., drawing car enthusiasts, motorcycle riders, and families from across Cumberland County to celebrate a shared passion in an environment rooted in fellowship. Hosted by Freedom Biker Church, the show reflects a mission that extends far beyond the vehicles on display. For organizer T.J. Fisher, the difference is clear from the moment people arrive.
“What makes our Car and Bike Show truly stand out is our focus on sharing Jesus and spreading the good news of the gospel,” Fisher said. “While we’ll have plenty of beautiful cars and motorcycles to enjoy, our heart is centered on something deeper.”
That deeper purpose is woven into every part of the event. Alongside rows of classic cars and custom bikes, attendees will find a prayer tent open to anyone seeking encouragement or support. Information about the church will also be available for those interested in learning more about its outreach.
“Being able to enjoy great vehicles and fellowship together is a blessing, but pointing people to Christ is what it’s all about,” Fisher added.
Freedom Biker Church has built its identity around a simple but intentional mission: to meet people where they are. Often engaging with the biker community and those who may not feel at home in traditional church settings, the church has created a model of ministry that is visible, approachable, and grounded in relationships. According to Fisher, events like the Car & Bike Show are not just an extension of that mission; they are the mission in action.
“This event doesn’t just support the mission of Freedom Biker Church. It is the mission of Freedom Biker Church,” he said. “As our mission statement says, we strive to be visible, involved, available, and a friend in our community, introducing people to Jesus Christ because we want you to belong, to believe, and to become what God wants you to be.”
That philosophy shapes the atmosphere of the event, where conversations happen as naturally as admiration for a well-built engine. It’s a space where longtime riders, curious first-time attendees and families alike can gather without expectation or pressure, just an open invitation to connect.
Past events have drawn a wide mix of participants, from dedicated motorcycle clubs to local car collectors and community members looking for something different. But the organizers emphasize that the real draw isn’t just the vehicles, it's the environment.
“There’s a sense of fellowship here that you don’t always find at other shows,” Fisher said. “People come for the cars and bikes, but they stay for the connection.”
In addition to the main event, Freedom Biker Church extends an open invitation to the community beyond the show itself. The church, located at 455 Rock Hill Road in Vander, hosts weekly gatherings with a casual hangout beginning at 10 a.m. and service at 10:45 a.m., welcoming anyone interested in experiencing the community firsthand.
For Fisher and others involved, the ultimate goal is not measured in attendance numbers or accolades, but in impact.
“It is our hope that everyone who comes out truly enjoys themselves and has a great time taking in the cars, the bikes, and the fellowship that comes with it,” he said. “But more importantly than anything else, our prayer is that every person who attends walks away changed in some way that they leave closer to Jesus than they were when they arrived.”
He continued, emphasizing the event’s lasting purpose. “Whether that’s through a conversation, a moment in the prayer tent, or simply feeling the love of Christ through the people around them, our desire is that seeds are planted and lives are impacted for eternity.”
As anticipation builds, the Freedom Biker Church Car & Bike Show stands as a reminder that community can be built in unexpected places, sometimes between rows of engines and under open skies, where faith and fellowship meet.
“Because at the end of the day,” Fisher said, “it’s not just about the event, it’s about people encountering Jesus.”
For information, visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/events/1296258725782978/

(Photo: Bikers gather at Freedom Biker Church event)

As the North Carolina humidity begins to signal the arrival of summer, the community of Fayetteville is preparing for the return of a beloved seasonal tradition. The Gates Four Summer Concert Series is back, promising a season of high-energy performances, family-friendly atmospheres, and a commitment to keeping live music accessible to everyone.
On May 23, the pavilion at Gates Four Golf & Country Club will transform into a destination for fans of Southern Rock as the acclaimed tribute act Gimme Back My Skynyrd takes the stage. The event marks a significant milestone in the local cultural calendar, offering a professional-grade concert experience without the premium ticket price typically associated with national touring acts.
A Mission of Community and Music
The Gates Four Summer Concert Series is more than just a sequence of musical performances; it is a collaborative effort designed to bridge the gap between local businesses and the community. Bill Bowman, a key organizer, emphasizes that the series is a joint venture fueled by the partnership of the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre, Gates Four, and Up & Coming Weekly.
Bowman emphasizes the concert series offers free live music in a relaxed outdoor setting that brings together businesses, families, neighbors and music lovers. The generosity of sponsors allows this series to remain completely free to the public.
The venue itself has become a major draw for attendees who might otherwise be wary of outdoor summer events. Gates Four offers amenities that make it a comfortable and enjoyable destination for an outdoor concert, including ample shade, a picturesque landscape and clean indoor restrooms.
Beyond the Lawn: The VIP Experience
While the core of the event is free, the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre has curated an elevated "dinner and a show" experience for those looking to make a full night of it. This hybrid model allows the event to cater to everyone, from college students on a budget to families celebrating a special occasion.
For those desiring a bit more comfort, reserved seating under the pavilion is available for $20. For a full “dinner and a show” experience, there is the $35 reserved seating package that includes a full meal. These reservations are handled through the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre at 910-391-3859 or online at https://fayettevilledinnertheatre.com/
There will be plenty of food and beverage options to choose from. JP’s Grill will offer indoor dining options for those looking to escape the heat, while local food trucks will be stationed on-site to provide classic concert fare. For the adults, two full-service bars will be in operation: JP’s Bar and the Healy’s Beer and Wine Tent.
Organizers have also ensured the event remains a multi-generational affair. The Main Event Children’s Area provides a dedicated space for younger fans to burn off energy, making it one of the most family-friendly entertainment options in the region.
May 23: A Tribute to the Legends of the South
The spotlight for the May 23 performance falls on Gimme Back My Skynyrd, a band that considers themselves committed fans of the original music. This isn't just another cover band; it is a collective of seasoned professionals who have dedicated their careers to the Lynyrd Skynyrd songbook.
The band's lineup is as diverse as the audience they draw. With members hailing from Wilmington to Nashville and lots of places in between, the group spans generations, with musicians ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s. Despite their different backgrounds and involvement in various other musical projects, they are united by a singular, "special connection" to the music of the Van Zant era.
Kevin Peele, a member of the band, explains that the group’s philosophy is rooted in authenticity.
"When I go see a good tribute, I almost think I’m listening to the band," Peele said. "We want people to say, ‘This is almost Skynyrd.’ We want to stay as true to the band and the way they played the music as possible."
A Setlist for the Die-Hards and the Casuals
Fans attending the May 23 show should prepare for a marathon session. As a special treat for the crowd at Gates Four, the band is preparing a full two-hour set, a rare occasion in the tribute circuit.
Peele promises a setlist that balances the heavy hitters with deep cuts.
"There are so many songs that everybody knows. We’re going to play all the classics, plus ones that people forget Skynyrd played," he noted. "Songs that die-hard Skynyrd fans will definitely know, but others might not be as familiar with."
The band is particularly excited about the venue’s layout. Unlike massive amphitheaters where the performers are separated from the crowd by barricades and security pits, Gates Four offers a more "personal, close-up venue."
"We love people, and we love interacting with people," Peele said, noting that the intimate setting allows the band to feed off the crowd's energy.
The audience is expected to be a mix of local Fayetteville residents and "Skynyrd-heads" who follow the band across the Southeast to support their meticulous recreation of the 1970s Southern
Rock sound.
The Anthem of the South
No Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute would be complete without the song that defined a generation: "Freebird." For Gimme Back My Skynyrd, the song is treated with a level of reverence bordering on the sacred.
"We always end with Freebird," Peele said. "It’s a very tricky song, but it’s one of the top five songs of all time. All of our guys take it very seriously."
For many in the Fayetteville crowd, that final solo will be the highlight of the summer, a soaring tribute to a musical legacy that refuses to fade.
Event Logistics and Information
As the May 23 date approaches, organizers are encouraging attendees to arrive early to secure a prime spot on the lawn. The proverbial doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the music will begin at 7 p.m. With the combination of free admission, high-quality amenities, and the draw of Gimme Back My Skynyrd, a large turnout is anticipated.
The Gates Four Summer Concert Series continues to prove that music has the power to unify a city. Whether you are there for the nostalgia of the music, the cold drinks at the Healy’s Tent, or a night out with the kids, the event stands as a testament to Fayetteville’s vibrant community spirit.
In a world where the cost of entertainment continues to rise, the Gates Four Summer Concert Series remains a refreshing reminder that the best things in life, like a sunset, a community gathering, and the opening chords of "Sweet Home Alabama," can still be shared for free.

A centuries old drink is being celebrated at the Museum of the Cape Fear until June 7. "Steeped in Time: Tea & Traditions" is a traveling exhibit from the Museum of the Albemarle celebrating all things “tea,” the second most consumed drink behind water.
The museum exhibit follows tea as it is grown, harvested and manufactured, shipped and consumed. Traditions and customs are explored throughout the display.
Tea is believed to have been discovered nearly 5,000 years ago in China. A legend tells the tale of Emperor Shen Nung sitting in the shade of a tea tree, boiling water, when a leaf fell off the tree and landed in the pot. He tried the boiling brew, found it to be delicious, and continued to experiment with the leaves from the tree, discovering a tasty drink with medicinal properties that could help his people. He urged everyone to plant trees and cultivate the plant, and over time has been dubbed the “Legendary Father of Tea.”
It took another 3,000 years for tea to truly catch on in China, but when it did, it took over the country. During the Ming Dynasty, from 1368 to 1644, China truly perfected the art of drying or roasting tea leaves for exportation, and that exportation changed the entire world.
In the 1650s, tea was introduced to the general public in Britain, and it took off from there. Tea became essential to social life. Parties were organized completely around the drink, manuals were written on how to brew the tea, how to write invitations to fancy tea parties, etiquette and serving methods. Tea became all the rage.
Enter the colonies in America. Tensions in the colonies had been rising for years, but the real deal breaker was the tea tax. Taxes on other goods had been mostly repealed by 1772, but the tax on tea remained ridiculously high, and this was to offset the cost of the bankruptcy of the East India Trading Company. The Sons of Liberty were enraged by the tea tax and shipping restrictions, and decided to take matters into their own hands. On Dec. 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty emptied 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. Ultimately, this act would be one of the catalysts for the Revolutionary War and the fight for independence.
More locally to North Carolina, the Society of the Patriotic Ladies in Edenton, NC, led a protest in Oct. 1774, which became known as the Edenton Tea Party. Fifty one women came together in an unprecedented move to stop drinking tea. More than just eschewing the social tradition that tea provided, these women were showing they had voices and would use them. Their bravery helped to coalesce the resistance to the Crown ripping through the colonies.
Tea continues to be a cultural and social drink and is now a $6 billion a year industry. “Steeped in Time: Tea and Traditions” at the Museum of the Cape Fear explores the fascinating history behind this drink and how it shaped our culture. The exhibit is available until June 7. The museum, a part of the NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources, is located at 801 Arsenal Ave. Currently, the museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning June 1, the museum will be implementing new hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about the museum and the exhibits, visit https://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/

2025 Water quality report is now available
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission has published its 2025 Water Quality Report. While the Water Quality Report is a requirement of the state, the results of water sampling verify PWC’s commitment to water quality going beyond compliance.
One of PWC’s primary goals is to continue providing customers with a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of drinking water. PWC is an award-winning utility, recognized nationally for water quality. PWC was the first utility in North Carolina to earn the Partnership for Safe Water Director’s Award for water treatment.
PWC has received this prestigious recognition for 25 consecutive years. PWC has also been recognized with the 2024 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. In 2025, PWC was recognized with two of NC One Water Awards highest distinctions for service: Water Distribution System of the Year – Overall Winner and the Wastewater Collections System of the Year – Large System Award.
The Annual Water Quality Report is a snapshot of last year’s overall water quality. Included are details about our sources of water, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set by regulatory agencies. Customers with questions about this report or your water can contact Customer Service at 910-483-1382.
In 2025, PWC treated over 10.5 billion gallons of water while remaining in 100% compliance with all EPA regulations. PWC continuously monitors water quality by performing more than 150,000 tests a year. This year’s Water Quality Report, as well as past reports, are available for viewing online at FayPWC.com/Water-Quality-Report/.

City Manager presents recommended FY2027 Budget
City Manager Douglas Hewett presented the Fiscal Year 2027 Recommended Operating Budget to the City Council and the public at the Budget Work Session on Thursday, May 14. The recommended budget totals $322,813,979.
Key highlights of the FY2027 Budget include:
• Tax Rate Adjustment: The recommended budget proposes a property tax rate of $0.4595 — still one of the lowest in the City's history. The modest $0.01 increase will help maintain strong, reliable services without placing a significant burden on taxpayers.
• Public Safety Investment: The recommended budget allocates $120 million to public safety, to include:
• Fayetteville Police Department — $76 million, a $2.54 million increase
• Fayetteville Fire Department — $42 million, a $2.1 million increase
• Office of Community Safety — $2.18 million, a $287,000 decrease
• Mental Health Response Expansion: Two new mental health response units will be added to the Office of Community Safety to assist residents in crisis while minimizing law enforcement response, when possible. This OCS work, along with efforts to reduce violence, address homelessness, and support youth programs, reflects a new and more balanced approach to community safety.
• Employee Compensation: The recommended budget invests in the City workforce through step increases for public safety personnel, a 4% pay raise for all City employees, and a 1% increase in the City's 401(k) contribution.
• Solid Waste Fee: To offset rising fuel costs, the recommended budget proposes a $10 annual increase to the Solid Waste Fee.
"This budget is built on a simple but powerful commitment: delivering quality, sustainable public services that allow our communities to thrive and our businesses to grow," City Manager Douglas Hewett said. "It ensures we continue providing the services our residents rely on, while remaining fiscally responsible and advancing City Council priorities. We recognize that national and global events can shape our local community in ways we don't always anticipate. That is precisely why careful planning and strong leadership matter more than ever."
The City Council will review the recommended budget during the budget work sessions on May 21 and May 28, followed by a public hearing on May 26 at the regular City Council meeting. All budget work sessions are open to the public and can be watched live on FayTV, the City's government access channel, available on Spectrum Channel 7, at FayTV.net, and on the FayTV app on most streaming devices.
The public hearing will be held on Monday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. during the regular City Council meeting.
Residents who wish to speak must sign up by 5 p.m. the day of the meeting through one of the following:
• Online: FayettevilleNC.gov/Clerk
• Phone: 910-433-1989
• Email: CityClerk@FayettevilleNC.gov
The recommended FY-2027 budget can be reviewed at FayettevilleNC.gov/Budget.

“Through Their Eyes, We Remember. Through Their Voices, We Honor.”
Youth from across our community are bringing history to life through Heroes of Fayetteville–Cumberland County, a retrospective performance celebrating the influential voices, extraordinary achievements, and enduring legacies of hometown heroes from the past and present, performed by talented students in grades 1–8 from the Greater Life of Fayetteville’s After-School Program and additional Cumberland County schools.
Students from the following local schools participated in all aspects of the production, showcasing their artistic talents both on stage and behind the scenes while gaining hands-on experience in theatrical production, storytelling, staging, and creative elements to bring the stories to life:
• Cumberland Road Elementary | Stedman Elementary School
• Ashley Elementary School | Anne Chesnutt Middle School
• Ferguson-Easley Elementary | Lake Rim Elementary School
• Gray's Creek Elementary School | Alderman Road Elementary School
• William H. Owen Elementary School | Home School
The first performance will take place on Friday, May 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a second performance on Saturday, June 6, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both performances will be held at the FTCC Tony Rand Student Center, located at 2200 Hull Road in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
“It is more than just a performance — it is a movement of remembrance, identity, and purpose,” said Georgeanna Pinckney, Executive Director of Greater Life of Fayetteville. “These memorable monologue performances will not only amplify the creativity of our youth, but also preserve the stories and legacy of those who helped build our community.”
Audiences of all ages will experience a renewed sense of community pride and cultural appreciation while gaining a deeper understanding of the leadership, sacrifice, resilience, and service that continue to shape Fayetteville–Cumberland County today.
Community members, families, educators, civic leaders, and supporters are encouraged to attend this celebration of youth, culture, and history. To attend, RSVP at Eventbrite https://HeroesFay.eventbrite.com.
Heroes of Fayetteville-Cumberland County is presented by Greater Life of Fayetteville and funded by the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County.

The massive Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. factory on Ramsey Street north of Fayetteville is set to close in 2027, the company said on Tuesday.
“After extensive efforts to make the Fayetteville, North Carolina facility competitive, Goodyear is in discussions with the United Steelworkers to close the facility by the end of 2027,” Kylie Ulanski, the senior director of Global Manufacturing & Supply Chain Communications, told CityView by email.
“This difficult action is necessary to strengthen Goodyear’s ability to compete in today’s marketplace and support the long‑term health of the business. Our focus is on treating all impacted associates fairly and communicating openly as discussions move forward,” Ulanski said.
Efforts to reach United Steelworkers Local 959 were unsuccessful on May 12.
The plant has about 1,700 hourly and salaried employees, Ulanski said.
Goodyear this month announced that it lost $249 million in the first quarter of 2026.
“The first quarter reflected a challenging environment, marked by weak consumer industry demand in both OE and replacement across the majority of our key geographies,” Goodyear President and CEO Mark Stewart said in a news release on May 6. “OE” stands for “original equipment,” and refers to tires that vehicle manufacturers include with new vehicles.
“Looking ahead, increased pressure on industry demand and higher raw material costs stemming from the conflict in the Middle East require that we continue to take meaningful actions to strengthen our cost structure,” Stewart said.
Community Leaders Brace for Loss
The Fayetteville factory opened in late 1969 after the Kelly-Springfield Tire Co., a Goodyear subsidiary, chose Cumberland County for the plant. The companies merged in 1996. In 2005, the plant took on the Goodyear name, Tyrepress.com reported.
Goodyear has long been one of Cumberland County’s largest and better-paying private employers, and a relatively rare manufacturing operation in a community with an economy dominated by lower-wage retail, rental, real estate, and service businesses that cater to the military families and defense workers of Fort Bragg, one of the largest military bases in the world.
In a joint press release from the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, local elected leaders said they are preparing for the loss.
“While this news is disappointing, Fayetteville has always risen to meet challenges head-on,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said. “We are redoubling our efforts to connect our workforce to new opportunities and ensure our residents are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Our commitment to building a Next Generation workforce has never been more critical.”
Kirk deViere, chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, said the city and county will help support employees at the plant.
“Cumberland County cares deeply about every worker and family impacted by this closure,” deViere said. “Together, with our partners at NCWorks, Mid-Carolina Regional Workforce Development Board, Fayetteville Technical Community College, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the City and County are committed to providing support and resources to those affected.”
The FCEDC will help, too, said Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the economic development agency.
“Assuming the closure proceeds, FCEDC will work in close coordination with state and local workforce development partners to ensure that all impacted employees have seamless access to training programs, job placement services, and other forms of support,” he said.
Key Moments in Goodyear’s Fayetteville History
The archives of The Fayetteville Observer—available online to anyone with a Cumberland County library card—outline the Goodyear factory’s long history. Here are some milestones:
• 1969: In March, Kelly-Springfield selected Cumberland County for a new factory. The $12 million project began making tires in December. It employed 575 people and made 12,500 tires daily.
• 1970: A $40 million expansion was announced that would bring the workforce to 1,700. Later expansions and upgrades followed over the next 25 years.
• 1988: The plant announced a $19 million modernization and expansion. It employed 2,900 people and produced 52,000 tires a day.
• 1994: $33 million in upgrades announced to increase capacity to 65,000 tires a day.
• 2004: Goodyear invested $50 million for upgrades and a new warehouse.
• 2007: The North Carolina General Assembly allocated $60 million for grants to be split between the Goodyear plant in Fayetteville and a Bridgestone Firestone tire factory in Wilson.
Each plant was required to spend $200 million in upgrades and maintain employment of at least 2,000 full-time workers.

On April 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a significant ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, deciding 6-3 to reinterpret the Voting Rights Act. This decision makes it more challenging to contest voting maps that are allegedly racially discriminatory. The repercussions of this ruling are expected to be felt across the United States, including in Cumberland County and Fayetteville.
The Voting Rights Act (VRA), which was enacted on August 6, 1965, by President Lyndon B. Johnson, was a groundbreaking law aimed at protecting minority voters from harassment, intimidation, and violence. It reinforced the importance of equitable voting practices for all citizens. In response to the ruling, Democrats have claimed that the Supreme Court has effectively created a new form of Jim Crow, commonly referred to as Jim Crow 2.0.
Instead of engaging with the Democrats' rhetoric, it is important to note that the Supreme Court's decision did not reinstate legal and bureaucratic barriers such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which historically denied African Americans their right to vote. Instead, the ruling affects how voting maps are drawn and influences practices related to gerrymandering.
A frequently alleged quote attributed to President Lyndon B. Johnson— "I'll have them n*****s voting Democratic for the next 200 years"—is often mentioned in discussions about the Voting Rights Act. The facts show that Johnson did frequently use the “N” word; the facts also show that since 1965, African Americans have remained the most reliable voting bloc for the Democratic Party.
What does this unwavering loyalty to the Democratic Party mean for African Americans? Consider this: data shows that most of the poorest congressional districts in the United States are majority Black drawn districts. On the other hand, while many African American members of Congress may not be classified as "super-rich," they are certainly not the "poor cousins," with reported net worths typically in the low to mid millions.
For decades, the Black community has remained "blindly loyal" to the Democratic Party without receiving substantial benefits in return. Mark Fisher of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island summarized this sentiment by stating that the community has been "loyal to the Democratic Party for no reason," highlighting ongoing challenges related to crime, poverty, and education.
Historically, prominent figures like Malcolm X, warned that "white liberals" could be the most deceptive enemies of Black progress, and Martin Luther King Jr., reportedly expressed fears of integrating his people into a "burning house."
What does this mean for Cumberland County and Fayetteville? It is likely to result in the removal of Black-drawn legislative districts at both the state and local levels. However, this does not imply a loss of Black representation, as most voters in Fayetteville are African American, and Cumberland County has a nearly even racial distribution.
Partisan gerrymandering will be with us for a while. Still, I hope our politics will eventually reflect Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous line about being judged by the "content of their character" rather than the "color of their skin."

I am a proud Baby Boomer and happy to say so.
My generation includes the 76-to-78 million Americans fortunate enough to be born just after World War II between 1946 and 1964. As the children of people Tom Brokaw dubbed “the greatest generation,” we first drew breath into an economy booming with post war veterans. They were thrilled to have survived the worldwide conflict and anxious to get on with their lives. Millions of veterans headed to college on the newly-minted GI bill and started families that peaked with an average of 4 children per household.
The Haymount neighborhood in which my sister and I grew up teemed with children and dogs who ran around together in packs as leash laws were a thing of the future. Most mothers stayed at home and most dads were climbing advancement ladders in their chosen fields. Households were generally disciplined and children were taught to pay attention to all adults. Structure, hard work, and thrift were important values even in an economy that floated most boats for about 3 decades. Religion, generally Christianity, was a significant part of family life for most Americans.
Ours was not a perfect childhood or a seamless transition into adulthood and the working world with the backdrop of the Vietnam conflict and massive social upheavals, but for the large part we Boomers had family structure and an economy that worked for most Americans, enabling home ownership and a good shot at education.
Today’s working Americans, specifically Generations X and Y (Millennials), born between 1965-1980 and 1981-1996, respectively, are having a difficult go.
Both Xs and Ys are finding themselves caught between their Boomer parents and their own children—the so-called “sandwich generation,” with little time and often little money for themselves. The goal of work-life balance seems out of reach.
They also face significant financial pressures from paychecks that do not keep up with inflation, student loan debt, economic downturns over which they have no control, and the growing wealth gap between the haves and the have-nots. Both Xs and Ys have trouble saving for retirement, and at the same time, they face the possibility that Social Security, American retirees’ mainstay for the better part of a century, will not be there for them.
Layer on the rapid growth of technology and the necessity of adapting to it in both work and personal lives, and the pressure can feel overwhelming.
This is the national atmosphere in which Americans are approaching the 2026 midterm elections in a nation divided not only along strict party lines but also facing stark differences on both domestic and international issues. All of us vote based on our own experiences, ages, educational levels, where we live and many other factors. This year, perhaps more so than in the past, we should look at the broader picture, including the daunting situations facing not only ourselves but those coming behind us whose roads ahead look different from the ones we Boomers trod and perhaps even more difficult.
Just as I try to imagine what my grandparents and parents would think of life in 2026 America, I wonder what the lives of my children and grandchildren will be like in 2056 and what I can do to make them better.

A Legacy of Character and Community
For over a century, the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club has been a pillar of our local community. Founded in 1920 by 20 local businessmen, this organization has grown into a vibrant force of over 150 men and women dedicated to community service.
While their history includes hosting an International President and three District Governors, their heart has always been with the youth of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Nowhere is this more evident than in the commitment to the Terrific Kids program.
A Global Leader Right Here at Home
It's a little-known fact that the Kiwanis Terrific Kids program was North Carolina born in 1982 in Black Mountain, as a way to encourage character development and perseverance in learning. Today, the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club’s chapter is the largest in the world, reaching over 20,000 students right here in Cumberland County.
What does it mean to be a "Terrific Kid"?
It isn't just about getting the best grades—it's about personal growth. Students collaborate with their teachers to set specific goals in areas such as:
• Behavioral improvement
• Strengthening peer relationships
• Consistent attendance
• Academic perseverance
When a student meets their goal, they are celebrated with certificates, bookmarks, and local rewards that reinforce their hard work and boost their self-esteem.
Honoring the "Terrific Kid of the Year"
While they celebrate every student who hits their milestones, Kiwanis also recognizes 40 exceptional young leaders who have demonstrated these qualities consistently throughout the school year.
"Terrific Kids is more than an award; it's a recognition of a student's commitment to becoming the best version of themselves."
Terrific Kid of the Year recipients receive:
*Personalized recognition plaque.
*$50 gift card
*Book on financial literacy to help them manage their future.
A Community Effort
This massive undertaking would not be possible without the incredible support of Cumberland County educators and community partners.
A special Fayetteville Kiwanis Club thank you to:
• Our School Leaders: The principals and counselors who facilitate these goals daily.
• Our Major Sponsor: Wendy’s of Fayetteville, whose long-standing partnership ensures students feel truly celebrated.
And, to all the Terrific Kids: We recognize your hard work, your kindness, and your grit. You are Fayetteville's future, and we couldn't be prouder.
For 30 years, this newspaper has addressed the good things about living in this community. It just doesn't get any better than our Kiwanis Terrific Kids.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

(Photo: Kiwanis Club Kids Baseball is one of the many ways the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club supports kids in Cumberland County. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville, NC Kiwanis Club's Facebook page)

Gilbert Theater has delivered a powerhouse season that kicked off with a timeless tale of political discourse with Cabaret, brought a sense of nostalgia just in time for the holidays with A Christmas Story, and a reminder of the cost of silence and how powerful the average person can be in The Revolutionists. Golden Pond was a looking glass, a moment to remember the important things in life.
The 2026 season has been remarkable, bringing new faces on and behind the stage, new audiences, and a renewed sense of love for community theater. From start to finish, this season has highlighted what talent and drive can accomplish in such a small space. Keeping with the momentum and ending the season with a bang, Gilbert is reprising its production of Rent.
Opening night is on Friday, May 15, and runs through May 31. Patrons have four opportunities each weekend to catch a show. May 15, 22 and 29 will have 8 p.m. shows; May 16, 23 and 30 will have shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and May 17, 24 and 31 will have 2 p.m. shows. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office at 910-678-7186, or online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36002/production/1236836.
Rent, set in the East Village in 1995 (originally set in 1989), during a time when HIV/AIDS was ravaging America, a time when America treated the diagnosis as a death sentence, the medical community actively discriminated against the gay and trans community, and the LGBTQ+ community stepped up and created grassroots protests and medical networks to care for their own who had been left for dead.
It follows the lives of an ensemble of characters, all residents in the small neighborhood. Each neighbor is fighting their own personal battles while still facing the world. At its core, it’s a story of hope, something Artistic Director Matt Lamb took into account when choosing this as the season ender.
“Looking at the season and putting it together, I thought we’re starting off with Cabaret. It’s very dark. And we needed to find something that brought hope at the end. I didn’t want the season to end on a depressing note, though Rent does have those moments. I thought, why not? Why not put a show in the season that has just the complete gambit of emotions, but ultimately ends with hope?”
This is not the first time Rent is hitting the Gilbert stage. In 2013, 13 talented actors took to the stage and gave it their all. The production is still the talk of the town, and the cast, 13 years later, are still in contact with one another.
Lamb was part of that cast, recalling, “I played Mark. And I remember that connection, that show was incredible, the experience from top to bottom was incredible.”
Lamb didn’t want this cast to mirror what was done in 2013. As the director of this show, he has encouraged his actors to take their characters and make them what they see them as.
And that they have.
Leading the ensemble cast are Chad Barnes as Roger Davis and Berganne Monroe as Mimi Marquez, both first timers on the Gilbert Stage. Barnes is an athlete turned actor and singer after being hit by a car at 17. He’s graced stages and toured with bands all over the US, most recently with an East Coast-based band. Playing Roger has been one of Barnes' dream roles, since hearing Adam Pascal's 2005 movie adaptation performance. Barnes and the character’s life have parallel moments that have allowed Barnes to tap into not only his natural rock talent but also his pain and healing.
“It’s a role I’ve always wanted. I’m getting to live that out and then play this as honestly as possible.”
Monroe, a St. Louis native, has been around the stage since she entered the world. Her grandmother worked at the world-famous Fabulous Fox Theater, considered the Broadway of the Midwest. Even though she grew up behind the stage, she didn’t get her first on-stage opportunity until 5 years ago in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Her performance led to a full-circle moment with the production making its way to the Fabulous Fox Theater.
More recently, she’s played Squeak in The Color Purple in Raleigh. Being cast in Rent has also been on Monroe’s wishlist. Her spark for the show came after watching the 2008 Broadway production and watching Mimi’s character be brought to life by Renée Elise Goldsberry. Her draw to the character does not come from commonality but from curiosity and admiration.
“I think Mimi’s character really called out to me because her story, she’s not just this party girl. There’s so much depth to her.” Monroe explained, “I think I’m so different than her, and I want to be able to show her dark side, her in all sides, in an honest way.”
Both Barnes and Monroe and the entire cast and crew have been working diligently to turn the Gilbert into the East Village and bring the audience in for a journey of pain, hurt, happiness, and hope.
The season may be ending at the Gilbert, but that doesn’t mean that the shows are stopping. Gilbert Glee and Gilbert Glee Jr. are gearing up for their summer production of Annie on June 13 and 14. PlayFest, a festival that highlights short plays from around the country, is coming in late June, as well as several workshops and education programs.
For more information on the upcoming show, Playfest, theater education, or how to become a part of the theater, visit https://www.gilberttheater.com/.

History tends to favor the loudest names. The American Revolution, as it is commonly told, belongs to figures like George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette; men whose legacies have long defined the narrative of independence. But on May 16, at City Center Gallery & Books, author Ted Hart will offer a different perspective—one grounded not in fame, but in forgotten lives.
Hart returns to Fayetteville from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for an encore presentation and book signing of Vineyards to Victory: A French Soldier, Yorktown, and the Making of an American Family, following a Revolutionary War ceremony earlier that day. His work reframes the Revolution through the eyes of Siméon Gaugien, a young French artilleryman whose story, until recently, lived largely in obscurity.
Rather than retell the war through strategy and command, Hart focuses on what he calls the “lived experience” of the conflict.
“Focusing on Siméon Gaugien allowed me to step away from the familiar narratives of generals and statesmen,” Hart said. “What emerges is a far more human story—one that reveals the uncertainty, sacrifice, and international complexity of the Revolution.”
Gaugien, a farmer’s son from rural France, joined the army of Comte de Rochambeau and sailed to America in 1780. As part of the French artillery, he endured a grueling Atlantic crossing, a winter encampment in Newport, and ultimately the Siege of Yorktown, a decisive moment that helped secure American independence. Yet for Hart, the significance of the story lies not just in victory, but in the men behind it.
“The French artillery played a decisive role at Yorktown,” he explained, “yet the individuals behind those guns are largely absent from traditional accounts.”
That absence is what Vineyards to Victory seeks to correct.
For Hart, the project is more than historical, it is deeply personal. Gaugien is his fifth great-grandfather, a connection that could have easily turned the book into a family tribute. Instead, Hart approached it with deliberate restraint.
“Being a direct descendant created both an opportunity and a responsibility,” he said. “It gave me a starting point, but it also required discipline to separate family lore from verifiable history.”
That discipline led him into years of archival research across France and the United States, where small discoveries reshaped the larger story. One such moment came early, when Hart uncovered that Gaugien had an older brother, an overlooked detail that reframed his decision to leave home and enlist.
Other findings broadened the historical scope. The failed Franco-Spanish invasion of England in 1779 revealed just how uncertain the war effort remained even on the eve of French involvement in America. And then there were the human losses—quiet, devastating moments that rarely make it into textbooks.
Hart points to the deaths of two soldiers from Gaugien’s company, Jacques-Christianne Closset and Nicolas Fole, who drowned in the York River just days before the siege began. One is memorialized. The other is not.
“The loss of two comrades in this manner, so close to battle, would have been deeply felt,” Hart said. “It was important to me that this moment be included.”
In Fayetteville, a city shaped by military service, those stories carry a familiar weight. Hart sees clear parallels between 18th-century soldiers and those who serve today.
“Young men, often far from home, operating within complex alliances, facing uncertainty about outcomes—that hasn’t changed,” he said. “What has changed is connection. An 18th-century soldier like Siméon had no real contact with home. Months, even years, could pass in silence.”
Despite advances in technology, the emotional core of service duty, isolation and sacrifice, remains constant. That resonance is part of what makes Hart’s upcoming appearance more than a typical book event. Described as both a polished speaker and an engaging conversationalist, he invites audiences into dialogue, not just presentation. The May 16 gathering will offer attendees the chance to explore history not as distant fact, but as a lived experience, one shaped by individuals whose names rarely appear in bold print. At its heart, Vineyards to Victory is not just about one man. It is about thousands.
“I hope readers come away with a deeper appreciation for how international the American Revolution truly was,” Hart said, “and how much it depended on individuals whose names have largely been lost to history.”
In telling Siméon Gaugien’s story, Hart does more than recover a single life he restores dignity to a generation of soldiers who stood in the background of history, even as they helped shape its outcome. And in a place like Fayetteville, where service is both legacy and present reality, that reminder lands with quiet force: history was never only written by the men at the top, it was carried forward by those in the ranks, one story at a time.

On May 23 at 9:11 a.m., the Hope Mills community will gather for the Towers and Tunnels 5K. This is a tribute to service, sacrifice and commitment to those who run toward danger. Hosted with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Stoney Point Fire Department, the event honors a region defined by military and first responder service. The run will be held at Golfview Greenway Walking Trail, located at 3644 Golfview Road in Hope Mills.
Volunteer race director Bill Reagan said the idea grew from a clear need.
“This entire region deserved a meaningful local event to honor its soldiers, veterans, and first responders,” Reagan said. “It is a debt long owed and an honor to begin repaying it.”
With communities stretching from Spring Lake to Southern Pines, the event reflects one of the nation’s most concentrated areas of service and sacrifice.
At the heart of the run is the story of Stephen Siller, whose actions on Sept. 11, 2001, inspired a national movement. After hearing of the attacks, Siller ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in full gear toward the World Trade Center, where he gave his life saving others. Reagan connects that moment to the broader service seen locally.
“Stephen’s run through that tunnel, the 343 first responders who never came home, and the soldiers whose boots hit the ground in Afghanistan weeks later are all expressions of the same national character, Americans who moved toward danger without hesitation, in different uniforms, in service to the same country,” he said.
The meaning of “Towers and Tunnels” goes beyond symbolism. In a region anchored by Fort Bragg, the message is personal.
“The soldiers of Fort Bragg ran toward their own towers — toward Afghanistan, Iraq, and every theater of operation,” said Reagan. “The tunnel, in this context, represents every formidable challenge they ran toward so that the rest of America would not have to.”
Participants can expect an unforgettable morning along the Golfview Greenway Walking Trail. The 9:11 a.m. start time is intentional.
“Every runner who crosses that line at that exact moment is connected to something much larger than a 5K,” Reagan said.
The event opens with a formal Honor Guard presentation, followed by the National Anthem performed by a local chorus and a moving bagpipe tribute. A bell ceremony, three solemn rings will honor fallen first responders, inviting participants to pause and reflect. There will be 343 signs honoring the first responders lost on September 11 and more than 100 pairs of combat boots representing soldiers who never returned home. Every participant will receive a race shirt and finisher medal, with trophies awarded to top performers and a traveling trophy recognizing the unit or department with the highest participation. The event is also a celebration of community, with live music, local food vendors and families gathering after the race.
“These aren’t just traditions,” Reagan said. “They are a promise that this community remembers.”
Proceeds support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage relief for Gold Star families, builds smart homes for injured veterans and combats veteran homelessness. For Reagan, that mission is deeply local.
“The cost of freedom carries a precise address, and those addresses are across this region,” he said. As the inaugural event, organizers hope it becomes a lasting tradition.
“We recognize what you have given,” Reagan said. “We will not forget, and we will continue to honor your service.”
For more information on the event or to register, visit runwalkhopemills.t2t.org.

Memorial Day, May 25, signals the unofficial beginning of summer and the opening of all pools at Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Centers. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, there's no better way to begin the season than by enjoying a cool swim in one of these pools or some water fun at the local splash pad.
With pools launching on Memorial Day, you can expect them to operate fully from Tuesday through Sunday until Labor Day in September.
If you cannot wait until Memorial Day to cool off, the good news is that splash pads are open now! Splash pads offer an excellent option for families to experience water entertainment without requiring a swimming pool.
Splash pads operate Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. During school sessions, operating hours are modified at specific locations to accommodate students. Most importantly, splash pad access is entirely free.
Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation is dedicated to guaranteeing that all community members have access to enjoyable and safe recreational activities. At the Massey Hill Recreation Center Splash Pad, aquatic wheelchairs are available for checkout during center operating hours for onsite usage. This initiative guarantees that participants with mobility needs can experience the splash pad just like everyone else, making summer entertainment inclusive for all.
Splash Pad Locations
• Eastover Community Park, 2721 Ball Park Road, 910-323-0707
• E. Melvin Honeycutt Elementary School, 4665 Lakewood Drive, 910-433-1435
• Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center, 1600 Purdue Drive, 910-433-1569
• Gray's Creek Park, 5151 Celebration Drive, 910-433-1015
• J.S. Spivey Recreation Center, 500 Fisher Street, 910-433-1572
• Kiwanis Recreation Center, 352 Devers Street, 910-433-1568
• Lake Rim Recreation Center, 1455 Hoke Loop Road, 910-433-1175
• Linden Little River Community Park, 5010 Loop Road,
910-980-0119
• Mable C. Smith Park, 1367 Shadbush Lane, 910-433-1547
• Massey Hill Recreation Center, 1612 Camden Road, 910-433-1569
• Myers Recreation Center, 1018 Rochester Drive, 910-433-1570
• Spring Lake Recreation Center, 245 Ruth Street, 910-433-1350
• Wade Community Park, 4060 Church Street, 910-485-3502
• Willie J. Burnette Park (Godwin), 4924 Markham Street, 910-980-1000
FCPR pools will be open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with operating hours from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Keith A. Bates, Sr. Pool has special hours of 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. when school is in session.
For residents, the cost is $3 for ages 12 and under and $4 for ages 13 and up. Non-residents will be charged $6 for ages 12 and under and $8 for ages 13 and up. Safety is a top priority at all FCPR pools. Only Coast Guard-approved flotation devices are allowed in the pools to ensure the safety of all swimmers.
Prohibited items include water wings, inner tubes, rafts, noodles, flotation suits, or any other non-Coast Guard-approved devices. Following these guidelines will help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Pool Locations
• Keith A. Bates, Sr., Pool, 4945 Rosehill Rd, 910-433-1382
This location has a kiddie pool, a larger lap pool with six lanes, and a 24-foot enclosed water slide.
• Ronnie "Chase" Chalmers Pool, 1520 Slater Ave, 910-433-1137
This location has a six-lane lap pool, a wading pool, and a water playground area.
• Lake Rim Aquatic Center, 2265 Tar Kiln Dr, 910-433-1456
This location features a wading pool, in-water playground, six-lane pool, and 18-foot-high water slide.
• Westover Aquatic Center, 266 Bonanza Dr, 910-433-1383
This location has an 8-lane pool, a wading pool, and a 12-foot-high water slide.
Summer also presents an excellent opportunity to spend extended time outdoors and fully take advantage of the wonderful parks and trails available throughout Cumberland County. Many of the parks in the area offer a range of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. These include hiking trails, biking paths, fishing spots, boating opportunities, educational nature centers, and sports facilities.
Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or family-friendly recreation, Cumberland County's parks provide the perfect setting to enjoy the beautiful summer weather.
• J. Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center, 631 Sherman Drive
Clark Park is the second-largest park in the city, featuring a natural woodland area dedicated to environmental preservation and educating the public about North Carolina's diverse plants and wildlife.
• Cross Creek Linear Park, 324 Ray Ave
Cross Creek Linear Park features a scenic walking path that allows you to immerse yourself in the tranquility of the creek and the beauty of the surrounding nature. Spanning 2.8 miles, the park connects Festival Park to Riverside Dog Park, making it an ideal destination for a stroll.
• Lake Rim Park, 2214 Tar Kiln Drive
Explore the one-mile trail, enjoy a game of soccer, or have a delightful family picnic. Lake Rim Park truly has something for everyone.
• Cape Fear River Trail, 511 Sherman Dr
The Cape Fear River Trail is paved and 10 feet wide, making it not only a great option for walking but also accessible to bicycles, rollerblades, and other non-motorized transport. The trail stretches 7 miles along the Cape Fear River.
• Mazarick Park, 1400 Belvedere Ave
This park features a Disc Golf Course, picnic shelters, a playground, tennis courts, and more. Don't miss out on the paved trails around the lake.
• Mable C. Smith Park, 1367 Shadbush Lane
The Mable C. Smith Park has a variety of amenities, including a community center, picnic shelter, playground, splash pad, basketball courts, and a gravel walking trail.
For more information on the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Centers’ splash pads, pools, parks, and trails, visit their website at https://www.fayettevillenc.gov.