The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the county’s budget for fiscal year 2024-25 Wednesday night, rejecting requests for funding from several local nonprofits.
The $582.1 million budget includes $89.6 million for the Cumberland County Board of Education and $15.4 million for Fayetteville Technical Community College but did not change the county’s 79-cents per $100 property tax rate, County Manager Clarence Grier said.
Here’s what the board discussed before approving the budget:
Nonprofits speak out
In a brief public hearing before the final budget work session, several people spoke on behalf of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation and the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County. Both nonprofits requested funding in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, but their requests were not approved, according to the draft budget.
Renee Lane, executive director of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation, outlined the museum’s recent struggles.
“A tragic and fatal vehicle accident closed the theater in February 2023, and in November, the [Pritzker] Motion Simulator ceased operation after 23 years,” Lane said. “Cost-cutting measures have included a hiring freeze, reduced hours for our retail staff and restricted advertising spending.”
Lane emphasized the museum’s key role in Cumberland County’s economy, noting that the museum had visitors from 10 foreign countries just last week.
“The Airborne and Special Operations Museum is a symbol of the Army’s rich and diverse history and unwavering support for our military heroes, to include the more than 50,000 veterans who live in this county,” she said. “Please reconsider our funding request so that together, we honor America’s heroes and show future generations what it takes to preserve freedom.”
According to the draft budget, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation requested $200,000 from the county but will not receive any funding.
Mary Sonnenberg, president of the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, also pleaded with commissioners to reconsider funding for her organization. She said the partnership has provided over $128 million in state funding to the county and its agencies over the past 30 years. The partnership requested $300,000 to fund its Family Connects program and will not receive any money in the upcoming budget. The program, launched in October 2021, provides home visits to Cumberland County families with newborns.
“[The program] provides prevention services and supports maternal child health,” Sonnenberg said. “It shows 50% reductions in emergency room visits, reductions in Child Protective Services investigations and an increase in completion of maternal six-week postpartum health checks.”
“Our request for this amount of money is only 27% of the program’s annual budget,” she continued. “The remainder comes from private grants and Smart Start funding. These dollars are going to direct services to babies and their families.”
According to a handout given to commissioners by the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, the Family Connects program has served 11,250 Cumberland County residents since its inception and is projected to enroll another 1,400 families in the next fiscal year.
“The partnership’s presence is engrained in the county’s economic and community fabric,” Sonnenberg said. “With the support that you might be able to give us with this investment, we can continue supporting our youngest children.”
The partnership is set to provide over $4.7 million to county agencies in the upcoming fiscal year, she noted.
In total, 16 nonprofits requested funding from the county. The 11 that will receive funding include:
• The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, $35,000
• Boys & Girls Club, $10,000
• Cape Fear Botanical Garden, $5,646
• Cape Fear Regional Bureau for Community Action, $10,328
• Cape Fear River Assembly, $9,923
• Child Advocacy Center, $1,000
• Cumberland County Coordinating Council on Older Adults, $150,215
• Cumberland County Veterans Council, $7,000
• HIV Task Force, $5,081
• United Way 211, $5,500
• Vision Resource Center, $15,000
‘Those stories need to be told’
In the budget work session, Commissioner Jimmy Keefe argued to fund the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation.
“We’ve heard it all before that those who do not remember their history are doomed to repeat it in that matter, and those stories need to be told, not only to remember those young men and women who did those things but also to educate those who are coming over so that they remember and that they acknowledge,” Keefe said. “I would really like for the board to consider imagining our community without this facility for one moment and how much we would lose, and it would certainly be more than what they’re asking for tonight.”
Vice Chairwoman Toni Stewart cited a rule she said the commissioners’ American Rescue Plan Act Committee created that prohibits nonprofits that received ARPA funds from getting separate county funding.
Keefe’s motion for the board to provide the museum’s foundation with $85,000 in funding failed, with only Keefe and Commissioner Michael Boose voting in favor.
Chairman Glenn Adams said he didn’t believe the lack of funding would affect the museum’s operations. He added that the foundation needed to do more fundraising on its own instead of relying on municipalities for funding.
“The museum is going to be open regardless because the government pays to keep this museum open,” he said. “If you don’t raise funds and you just eventually think that ‘I’m entitled to this’ every year, I just have a problem with that.”
Adams estimated that over the past 10 years he has served on the board, the foundation has received $1 million from the county.
“You’re trying to tell me a nonprofit can’t live on $1 million?” he said.
Changes made to the draft budget
According to a news release from the county, changes to the original draft budget that will appear in the final version include:
$1,000 for the Child Advocacy Center, which was originally set to receive no funding
$50,000 for the Cumberland County Coordinating Council on Older Adults, which was originally set to receive $100,215. That brings its new total to $150,215
The removal of $2.6 million from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office’s budget to account for the sheriff’s decision to no longer provide school resource officers and crossing guards in most public schools
The inclusion of a $447,149 grant in the Opioid Settlement Fund
An increase in county commissioners’ per diem pay from $50 to $100
Permission for county commissioners to enroll in the Local Government Employees’ Retirement System beginning July 1. This change is contingent upon the Local Government Employees Retirement System’s approval.
The county government faced a variety of constraints this year that led county staff to tighten the budget. You can read more about those issues and the draft budget Grier presented May 23 here.
The budget will go into effect July 1 and run through June 30, 2025.

(Photo: File Photo by Dawson Jarman)

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office held a private meeting on Thursday, June 6, to discuss the removal of safety resource officers from schools. Cumberland County Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly Jr., Assistant Chiefs Todd Joyce and Robert Ramirez from the Fayetteville Police Department, Spring Lake Police Chief Errol Jarman, and Chairwoman Deanna Jones of Cumberland County Schools were in attendance.
Last month, Cumberland County Sheriff's Deputies announced that they will no longer take over the duties of SROs and crossing guards for nearly 50 Fayetteville city schools, per ABC Channel 11 News.
It was also noted in the article that students like Hannah Russell expressed her concerns to ABC 11 News, emphasizing the importance of SROs in schools.
"There are sexual assaults that the police are working to prevent. There are firearms and knives brought to school, and the police are there to assist with the investigation. Drugs. All kinds of things,” the Pine Forest High School student said.
Her mother, Chasity Russell, added, "With my daughter, she feels more comfortable going to the school resource officers than she does the counselor."
In a press release, Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis W. Wright stated that the change was due to the shortages and challenges of recruiting and hiring school resource jobs, stating that the department is unable to carry out its contract.
The Sheriff's Office press release states that public schools in Cumberland County geographic areas without a municipal police department, except the Town of Stedman, will only renew the contract, which expires on June 30.
Sheriff Wright emphasized the critical role of school resource officers in ensuring the safety and well-being of schools and communities, highlighting the need for collaboration between municipalities and local law enforcement agencies.
During the initial informational and organizational meeting, the Sheriff’s Office established a logistic plan to ensure a smooth transition for the School Resource Officer Program. As a result, to provide the necessary personnel and a proper level of protection for students, faculty, administrators, and the public concerning schools’ safety, municipalities with police departments will provide SROs and traffic control officers for schools within those municipalities for the 2024–2025 academic year. In the meantime, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office will continue to supply school resource officers for summer and year-round schools until the start of the regular school year in the fall.
"The agencies will work together with the Sheriff's Office, providing training for all of the agencies and the school board to develop contracts based on the current Cumberland County Sheriff's Office contract, as well as mutual assistance agreements, protocols, and operational functions for a more complete School Resource Officer Program," as detailed in the press release.
Sheriff Wright is more than confident that law enforcement agencies and the school board will work effectively together during the transition into establishing a safe environment for children and the public under the new changes for the SRO program. Despite Wright's confidence in the efficiency of this transformation, he also acknowledged the necessity for elected leaders to provide the necessary funds to support the SRO Program.

(Photo: Cumberland County Sherriff Ennis W. Wright. Photo courtesy of CCSO's website)

Over the past two years, North Carolina had made critical investments in the future of our state.
No, I’m not talking about highway projects, or university R&D, or the private investment in new companies, locations, and workers facilitated by the legislature’s pro-growth tax and regulatory reforms.
These are, indeed, valuable instances of capital formation — of physical, intellectual, and human capital — but today I refer to a different piece of legislation.
In April 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Excellent Public Schools Act. Gov. Roy Cooper signed it.
Among other things, the bill requires that literacy instruction in the state’s public schools be based on the science of reading, a term of art that describes a research-based consensus in favor of “phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling, fluency, vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension.”
After decades of “reading wars” between competing camps of educators, researchers, and policymakers, those advocating phonics as an indispensable tool for decoding words prevailed in both scholarly debate and practical results.
When the state of Mississippi rewrote its instructional approach to emphasize the science of reading, for example, its performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress dramatically improved — and not just in reading.
According to the most recent Urban Institute analysis of NAEP scores, Mississippi fourth-graders ranked second only to Florida in average reading scores adjusted for student background (which is the proper way to assess the value added by schooling).
The year Mississippi passed its science-of-reading bill, it ranked 40th in the subject. During this same period, Mississippi also rocketed to third in math scores, behind Florida and Texas. After all, learning how to read proficiently opens the door to learning other subjects.
North Carolina’s reading instruction was never as bad as Mississippi’s. Indeed, as I’ve often pointed out, our public schools have ranked high in value-added performance for many years (our fourth-graders rank sixth in reading and seventh in math, according to the Urban Institute analysis).
Nevertheless, our students have much to gain from the 2021 reforms. So far, we appear to be implementing them effectively. EdNC’s Hannah Vinueza McClellan reported last week that some 44,000 elementary school teachers have been trained in North Carolina’s LETRS program (which stands for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling).
“We know how critical literacy is to student success,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt, “and I’m thankful for the passion and commitment of North Carolina educators to help our students achieve their goals.”
Early evidence suggests the new approach may be bearing fruit. From 2022 to 2024, there was a marked decline in the number of students rated below the state’s benchmark for reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. Minority students made especially strong gains.
It’s far too early to declare victory, of course, but it’s worth pausing for a moment to consider how this promising change in policy came about.
Nationally and within our state, education researchers and policy analysts across the spectrum were willing to follow the evidence on reading instruction wherever it led, even if it challenged their preconceived notions. Republican and Democratic lawmakers did the same — the Excellent Public Schools Act passed unanimously in the Senate and by a 113-5 margin in the
House — and appropriated $114 million to train teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators in the LETRS program.
North Carolina’s turn to the science of reading occurred within a national context. We were willing to learn from the practical experience of Mississippi and other jurisdictions.
Our legislation has, in turn, become a model for other legislatures to follow. That’s how public policy is supposed to happen.
And just to finish the thought: as promising as our initial experience seems to be, there are no guarantees. We may find that the early improvements in reading performance don’t persist into later grades. We may discover flaws in the LETRS training that require administrative or legislative tweaks.
Public policy is, itself, a learning process. Let’s all strive for fluency and comprehension.

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

Tired of Presidential election year hijinks? Is your guy a Saint and his opponent the Anti-Christ? Boring! That’s all the politics you will get from this column. Now, back into the Dark Forest of Grimms’ Fairy Tales to enjoy some musical animals.
If you want politics, retire to your news silo of choice to wallow in outrage.
Once Upon a Time, there was an old donkey. No, I am not referring to Joe Biden. This is a story about a donkey who reached the end of his working life. Donkey had worked in a mill hauling heavy bags of grain for decades. Like any carbon-based life form, he eventually became too old to work. His owner stopped feeding him. Donkey was old, but he wasn’t stupid. He realized the glue factory loomed on the horizon. Unwilling to be a part of Elmer’s Glue, Donkey ran away into the woods. His post-retirement plan was to move to Bremen to become a musician.
Pretty soon Donkey ran into an old dog. Dog was panting heavily and sadly. Dog explained he was too old to hunt. His owner was planning to kill him like Old Yeller. Donkey asked Dog to come to Bremen to play the drums where musicians were paid union scale. Dog, with no better option, agreed to go.
A bit farther along they found an aging cat who appeared “as if he had lost a pound and found a penny.” Sad Cat explained he was too old to catch mice. His mistress was planning on drowning him so he ran away. Donkey invited Cat to come along to be their lead singer. Finally, they came to a rooster sitting on a barn roof crowing at the top of his non-avian flu-infected lungs. Rooster explained that his mistress was going to cook him for supper so he was getting his last crows in before the final curtain in the stew pot. Donkey invited Rooster to come along to be a backup singer in Bremen.
Does this sound like the plot from the Wizard of Oz yet? It is a quest. Our buddies kept walking into the forest until dark.
They were all tuckered out, plopping on the ground to sleep except for Rooster. Rooster flew to the top of a tree and spotted a light in the forest. He alerted the rest that there might be a house nearby where they could rest. They quietly slipped up to the house. Donkey peeked in a window. The good news was there was a table filled with good things to eat. The bad news was there were a dozen robbers chowing down inside on the vittles. What to do? It was a conundrum.
They came up with a plan. They would all simultaneously sing, bark, crow, and bray to make a frightening racket. Their plan worked. The robbers were so scared they ran out of the cottage into the woods to escape the monster making the noise. Our heroes then went inside to eat like there was no tomorrow. After stuffing themselves, they fell into a food coma.
The robbers had been watching the house from the woods. When the light went out, the bravest robber, Lefty, snuck up to the house and went inside. Cat woke up with his eyes glowing in the dark. Lefty thought Cat’s eyes were smoldering coals and struck a match to Cat’s nose to start a fire.
Cat reacted in pain, yowling, scratching, and spitting at Lefty. Lefty tried to vamoose but tripped over Dog who bit him on the leg. Donkey kicked Lefty hard in his backside sailing him out the door. The rooster crowed loudly scaring Lefty even more.
Lefty told the robbers they could not go back because there was a witch in the kitchen who scratched him with her nails, a man with a knife who stabbed him in the leg, and a dude with a club who kicked him so hard “I think he broke my fundament.”
The robbers left the cottage forever. The four friends decided to give up their budding musical career to remain in the house. The Grimms ended this story by writing: “They’re living there still, and as for the last person who told this story, his lips are still moving.”
What have we learned today? As usual, very little. Rest assured no animals were harmed in the writing of this story; only one dim robber named Lefty. You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but he can take a bite out of crime. Possibly that Old Friends are the Best Friends. As Mitch Miller used to sing: “Be kind to your friends in the swamp/ For a duck may be somebody’s mother.”
You are now free to roam about the country.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

Late Saturday evening, I received a nasty and cynical anonymous text from a person accusing and criticizing Up & Coming Weekly for befriending and promoting former WFNC's morning host, Bill Murphy (actually Brian Neil Holland), Cumulus's recent radio personality that Cumulus Media hired (and fired) at the beginning of the year to replace the retiring Jeffrey "Goldy" Goldberg. Well, U&CW did nothing to warrant such criticism.
A follow-up text from the anonymous person challenged me to do another article on Bill Murphy now that he (Brian Neil Holland) has been exposed as a career criminal and con man. My texted response to Anonymous was, "Look, you ‘has been,’ if you sign your text messages, the article will appear in the next edition of U&CW." And, as I suspected, my anonymous gloating critic entered his name, and it was Jeffrey "Goldy" Goldberg. You are reading the article I promised.
Goldy's text messages referred to an article I wrote on January 10 (www.upandcomingweekly.com/views/10322-community-talk-radio-is-back), to welcome Bill Murphy to the Fayetteville community and extend to him the same hospitality and professional courtesy we would any media newcomer. Our relationship and contact with Murphy occurred when Cumulus Media employed him.
We have had no affiliation with Murphy since he departed from the radio station, except for a speaking engagement at a local Republican Party Luncheon booked when he was the WFNC radio host. U&CW is also not involved in the conservative newspaper he allegedly planned to publish.
It's unfortunate but true that Bill Murphy is Brian Neil Holland, a Suffolk, Va., career criminal and con man. Goldy had a jubilant bluster over the recent discovery that some years back Holland had warrants served on him in Onslow County and Hertford County, N.C., charged with sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and in Hertford County, N.C. for felony embezzlement of a small pizza business he managed there. Studying Holland's impressive resume and aligning it with his work history, it's obvious he was pretty crafty at staying one step ahead of the law. Holland appears to be a versatile con with experience and expertise in many career fields.
He boasts online of being a national on-air talk host, news director, radio station general manager, program director with a radio career that took him nationwide on dozens of syndicated stations. He also has claimed to be a journalist and newspaper publisher, the CEO of a live events production and promotion company, a political campaign consultant, a television program producer, and a sports and documentary programmer. Pretty impressive, huh?
I promised Goldy I would write this article, so I want to inform him of a few things. First, my January 10 article not only welcomed Murphy into our community but also commended Cumulus Media management for hiring a replacement who could be more open, well-rounded, fair, and balanced in their commentary, news, and information.
These attributes would benefit the entire Cumberland County community and not just the left-wing progressive zealots that Goldy catered to by bashing Donald Trump, Republicans, and conservatives at every opportunity.
Secondly, I want to remind Goldy that WFNC and Cumulus Media management hired Bryan Neil Holland, alias Bill Murphy, not the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper. This begs the question: How can a media giant like Cumulus make such a colossal mistake? Who was doing the vetting? How many interviews did he go through? So, I must remind Goldy that my January article should not be criticized or portrayed as a personal endorsement of Murphy; Cumulus Media and WFNC management were solely responsible for his hiring and presence in our community.
So, this being said, Goldy's tacky text messages to me trying to shift the blame to U&CW for WFNC's poor personnel decision is morally and ethically wrong for several reasons. First, Goldy has undermined his own personal integrity and honesty. Accepting responsibility for one's actions is a fundamental aspect of ethical behavior.
When Goldy and Cumulus Media attempt to deflect blame for this poor judgment, they essentially lie, further eroding trust and damaging community relationships.
Secondly, this blame-shifting to me and the U&CW newspaper is unfair and unjust. Goldy is attempting to harm our reputation by trying to tie us into a situation we had nothing to do with. This is not only unethical but cowardly. It further demonstrates a reluctance to take responsibility for the situation.
In conclusion, I consider Goldy's failed attempt to shift and deflect the blame for the Murphy/Holland fiasco to be insulting to U&CW. If Goldy and Cumulus Media are to continue to live, operate and navigate in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community I suggest they limit their attacks on the innocent and strive to enhance and advance more positive views focused on honesty and fairness. Both have much to contribute to the Fayetteville community. Taking responsibility for one's actions upholds ethical standards and fosters a positive, trustful, and responsive community environment.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

(Photos: Top Photo: Jeffrey "Goldy" Goldberg, former host of WFNC's Good Morning Fayetteville. Photo courtesy of WFNC Radio's Facebook page.  Bottom Photo: Brian Neil Holland, also known as Bill Murphy, former host of WFNC's Good Morning Fayetteville. File photo)

“The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but it is the most difficult to play," said poet and composer Richard Straus.
Would you like to earn a great living while helping people find their voice? If so, the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program at Fayetteville Technical Community College might be your next step on the path to success. SLPAs work with speech-language pathologists to assess and treat patients with voice, speech, fluency, or language disorders. SLPAs help with patient care, research, and implementing programs.
The Fayetteville Technical Community College Speech Language Pathology Assistant Program offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes both high-quality academic and clinical experience. Faculty and staff are committed to practices that develop professional and ethical speech-language pathology assistants who are well-equipped to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals with communication disorders, the profession of speech-language pathology, and the community at large. We strive to improve human communication.
Speech pathology assistants in Fayetteville currently earn a median salary of $52,000 per year. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts excellent growth in the speech pathology field and numerous opportunities for advancement. Speech pathologists who continue their education and earn a master’s degree can earn a median salary of $84,140 per year in the United States.
Here are some student testimonials about the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program at FTCC:
“This program was a scary step for me but has been the most rewarding. The commitment to excellence at FTCC extends way beyond the classroom! I have felt like family every step of my journey. The dedicated teachers and my amazing advisor have gone above and beyond to support my journey and invest in my success as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant. If you have a passion for the speech and language world, then FTCC is where you need to be. They have provided me with the foundation needed to make an impact on the lives of others. I thought I couldn’t, and they showed me that I could!”
-Skyler Cummings
“The Speech Language Pathology Assistant program has been an exceptional experience for me. I have acquired a wealth of knowledge, and I am excited to put everything I have learned into practice. Not only have I gained the knowledge and experience that I need to be successful, but I have also developed lifelong friendships with my classmates.”
-Heather Lee
Are you ready to learn more?
Please contact us today. Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program is based on competitive admissions. Stop by to learn more about the competitive admissions process and how you can pursue your dream career. FTCC’s faculty and staff from the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program are eager to help you find your voice.
Department Chair: Charisse Gainey, department chair, can be reached at gaineyc@faytechcc.edu or by calling 910-678-8492. Gainey’s office is located at the Advanced Technology Center, Room 154F, 2300 Hull Rd.
For more information, visit the website at https://www.faytechcc.edu/academics/healthcare-programs/speech-language-pathology-assistant/

As summertime approaches, so do Sweet Valley Ranch’s dinosaurs! SVR’s Dinosaur World, an exciting attraction with over seventy-five life-size dinosaurs, opened June 1st and will remain open until August 3rd. Dinosaurs aren’t the only amazing sight to see at Sweet Valley Ranch. They offer an Ice Age Cave, which brings you back in time to the icy tundra, a fossil museum, the Land of Enchantment and much more.
Sweet Valley Ranch offers several activities and attractions year-round, such as their Hills and Thrills Adventure Tour of the ranch and its woods, an ATV Express Tour and Go Kart Nature trails. Guests of all ages have plenty of activities inside and outside of the famous Dinosaur World!
Dinosaur World is more than just an attraction; it’s an educational experience created for curious guests of all ages. Nestled in the back corner of their expansive farm, Sweet Valley Ranch has life-sized dinosaur replicas that continue to awe guests each year.
According to their website, “Guests will enjoy a walk down our quarter-mile paved path where they will see over forty dinosaurs in a natural habitat.” Guests can participate in a Fossil Dig, play in giant bouncy houses and playgrounds, go on Dino Rides, and even fish in one of the farm’s ponds. Guests can even meet Sweet Valley Ranch’s Mascot “Tiny,” a massive Brahman Bull.
Dinosaur World offers two time frames to pick from, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or the nighttime experience from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Adult tickets start at $20 and bump up to $30 to have access to both the daytime and nighttime experience. For children under the age of 12, tickets start at $12 and are $20 for both.
With a general admission ticket, you, your friends, and your family can explore the impressive farm and interact with over 350 animals. To have even more fun, buy a bag of animal feed from the farm and bring a little extra joy to the animals you get to visit!
Adults can enjoy some friendly and competitive cornhole, horseshoes, basketball and “water” pong at Tiny’s Outdoor Game Court.
To locate a map of the farm, ticket purchase, and any additional information, visit sweetvalleyranchnc.com.
Want to take this Dinosaur fun up a notch? You can help find Dr. Surgeon and the missing scientist in the Dinosaur World Rescue Mission. After obtaining a copy of the clue worksheet from the ticket booth, use your keen scavenging skills and solve a series of clues to lead you to Dr. Surgeon, his wife, and the other missing scientists. Don’t get too comfortable, the clues and locations change every week!
The guests who participate in the Dinosaur World Rescue Mission are entered in a drawing to win a 2025 all-season pass to all four Sweet Valley Ranch attractions. Learn all about the dinosaurs and lore that Sweet Valley Ranch has to offer.
Sweet Valley Ranch is open year-round, but their Dinosaur World is only here briefly, so don’t miss your chance to see this year’s spectacular Dinosaur World.

(Graphic courtesy of Sweet Valley Ranch)

Cape Fear Studios will present the 13th Annual National 2D Competition, June 28, to July 23. The location of Cape Fear Studios is at 148 Maxwell Street, Fayetteville. The opening night is June 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The exhibit is available for viewing on Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed on Sundays.
The awards for the 13th Annual National 2D Competition are Best of Show, with a $1000 prize, First Place, $750 prize, Second Place, $500 prize, and two Honorable Mention awards at $50 each. The Show's Juror is Paula Holtzclaw.
“North Carolina artist Paula Holtzclaw has gained a national reputation for her ability to capture the drama of nature on canvas. She is most widely known for her landscapes where her fascination with light and atmosphere is most evident. Her still life painting demonstrates a love of the old master’s works.
As a Native Carolinian, she gains much of her inspiration along the coastline, vast marshlands, and southern landscape. Holtzclaw’s paintings have been included in international, national, and museum exhibitions,” according to the website, www.paulaholtzclawfineart.com.
Pandora Autry, Board President, Cape Fear Studios, shares about the exhibit, “We have received 85 entries for the show this year which will be narrowed down to 40 entries to be entered into the competition. The media for this show are all 2D paintings, drawing media, hand-pulled prints and collages.”
“Two-dimensional art is a popular and versatile form of expression. Most drawings are two-dimensional if the artist is using traditional methods. Typically, 2D art drawings are made using paper, chalk, charcoal, pencils or colored inks. A variety of materials including oil paints, acrylics, watercolors and pastels can be used for these paintings.
"Two-dimensional platforms are drawing, painting, prints, and photographs. Sculptures are not within the two-dimensional group. Sculpture is a three-dimensional art form. A two-dimensional piece of artwork can capture a moment in time, create a narrative, and express emotion,” according to Eden Gallery, Art Blog, SN
“This is always a wonderful exhibit to view entries from all over the country,” shares Autry.
See and feel the 13th Annual National 2D Competition at Cape Fear Studios.
For more information, call Cape Fear Studios at 910-433-2986, or visit their website at https://www.capefearstudios.com

(Graphic courtesy of Cape Fear Studios Facebook page)

Trucks Gone Wild’s twentieth-anniversary tour is coming to Fayetteville! They are coming back to The Wreck Yard for this special four-day event, which will go from June 20 to June 23.
“Last year's event was epic and now it's time to make it even better!” says the Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft website page about the event, as this would be the 2nd installment with Trucks Gone Wild. The Wreck Yard is located at 2555 Custer Ave. in East Fayetteville. If you have any questions regarding the event, you can email contact@carolinamudpark.com.
The Wreck Yard is a local mud park owned by Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft, a company founded by combat veterans in 2012.
It consists of dry camping, wet camping, a race track, mud pits, and hundreds of acres of trails. This mud park is only open as an event space, open for events like Trucks Gone Wild. Be sure to keep an eye out for future events at The Wreck Yard on their Facebook page. More information about Trucks Gone Wild can also be found at http://www.TrucksGoneWild.Com.
Free camping is available at this event, with limited first-come first-serve water hookups available. There are also going to be various food vendors and merchandise vendors on-site at The Wreck Yard.
Alongside this, there is an option to purchase a Shower Pass, which is priced at $20. The waiver for this event can be signed electronically on the Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft website's page regarding this specific event. Side by Sides, All Trucks, and ATVs are welcome.
“There’s all new trails and roads. All new mud holes, Tug of Wars, The Booty Barn, and the Kings of the Deep Bounty Hole Competition…there’s literally something for everybody at the rec yard,” says Trucks Gone Wild on their official YouTube channel with a short advertisement about the event.
There will be trail riding, mudding, open bogging, truck competitions, camping, and parties after dark. This four-day event is a great opportunity to get outdoors this summer and make wonderful memories.
Tickets are $90. Kids 12 and under have free entry to Trucks Gone Wild 2024. Tickets can be purchased online at https://blackopspaintball.org/trucks-gone-wild/
On Friday, June 21, there will be live performances by various artists. Trucks Gone Wild will present Who TF Is Justin Time vs Lil Wyte, who are both country rap musicians. Who TF Is Justin Time is the founder of Redneck Rave, and Lil Wyte is a member of the rap collective known as Hypnotize Minds. Other performances by Larry Dale Reed, King Cole, Fedora Mike, and Kaio Kane will also take place. This performance also features DJ Cannon Banyon.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of live music at the upcoming Rock'n On The River concert featuring Autumn Tyde! This talented band is known for their ability to captivate audiences with their incredible performances.
Whether you're a fan of beach music, oldies, rhythm and blues, or are simply looking for some fresh original songs, Autumn Tyde has got you covered. With their diverse range of genres, there's something for everyone to enjoy at this sensational summer concert.
Autumn Tyde members are Doyle Wood on guitar and vocals, Dez Humphrey on drums and vocals, Bob James on the keyboard, guitar, and vocals, Russell Garland on bass guitar, vocals, keyboard, and drums, and Ted Ray, aka TR, on tenor sax, soprano sax, flute, aerophone, and percussion. This talented group has been captivating audiences since 2022, and they made their debut performance on May 6th of that year at a sensational barbecue festival in Kinston, NC.
They have also unveiled three original songs that have made it to the top 10 charts. Their two most recent releases even reached the number one spot on the Cash Box/Billboard Chart for Beach Music Top 40.
Since their unforgettable debut, Autumn Tyde has been wowing crowds at numerous festivals, private parties, and special events throughout North Carolina. No matter the occasion, this band knows how to bring the energy and get the crowd grooving to their infectious tunes.
With their diverse musical abilities and impressive range of instruments, Autumn Tyde creates a unique sound that is sure to leave you wanting more.
On Friday, June 21, Autumn Tyde will be at Campbellton Landing for an incredible live music experience. Joyner Young Marie & Friends will be the opening act for this amazing event.
Located at 1122 Person Street, this concert is completely free to attend, with a small fee of $10 per car for parking. Make sure to bring your own chair, although you might not even be sitting still once the music starts! The concert area will open its doors at 5:30 p.m., giving you plenty of time to find the perfect spot.
The talented Joyner Young Marie & Friends will take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Autumn Tyde at 8 p.m. Prepare your taste buds too, because there will be a variety of delicious food options and ice-cold beer available for purchase right on site.
Don't miss out on this unforgettable summer concert experience. Grab your friends and get ready to rock'n on the river!

(Graphic courtesy of Autumn Tyde Facebook page)

“Carolina Girls are the Best in the World,” crooned the bastions of beach music, The Chairmen of the Board. And, since we know this is true, it’s no conjecture to say the sweetest treats on the planet are also Carolina-born and bred. Enter Sweet Carolina Delights, a mobile business owned and operated by Fayetteville native Bobbie Johnson, a “Sweet Carolina Girl,” if there ever was one.
Hand-spun cotton candy and other delightful concessions were merely sugar plums dancing in the head of the local technologist — until her sweet dreams became a reality in 2023.
“Everyone is familiar with the traditional blue and pink cotton candy, but we offer different flavors such as tropical punch, piña colada, strawberry shortcake and passion fruit cotton candy,” Johnson said. One fun combination is the Pickle-Rito, a whole dill pickle and cotton candy pairing with the option of toppings.
Another fan favorite is cotton candy cake, a true feast for the eyes and the taste buds. The sliceable 9 or 6-inch “cakes” are made of up to six different layers and flavors of cotton, which can be customized with various toppings and decorations. And who can resist Johnson’s cotton candy glitter clouds? Filled with edible glitter, the fluffy foodstuffs add whimsy to any beverage.
“The cotton candy glitter clouds can be dropped into a drink to make it shimmer and shine. These game changers can elevate birthday parties, baby showers, weddings, etc.,” Johnson continued.
With an ice-cream-like enticement, SCD’s cotton candy push-up pops and waffle cones are perfect for gift bags and party favors. The Flavor of the Month cotton candy feature evokes similar vibes: Blue Raspberry for June and Watermelon for May. What will they think of next? Channel your inner child and just imagine!
The versatile pop-up shop brings its sweetness on a stick to public and private events in the greater Fayetteville area. An edible experience, the cotton candy concoctions are nearly as fun to watch take shape as they are to eat. Owner-and operators Bobbie Johnson and her 14-year-old, Alana, deliver their sugar-coated confections to birthday parties, weddings, showers, family reunions, retirement celebrations, church and school gatherings, grand openings and customer appreciations, fundraisers, corporate events, brand activations and community events of all kinds. So far in 2024, the pair has set up shop at “Er’Body Eatz!” Community Kickback, the Harlem Globetrotters show, Cool Spring Downtown District’s 4th Friday, Follow the Spectrum autism awareness event, The Sandhills Dog Fair, Lexington Plantation Spring Market, The Official Easter Egg Hunt in Sanford, Hope Mills Parks & Recreation 2024 Cotton Tail Trail, Fayetteville Eats Food Festival, Fayetteville Marksmen School Day/Fun Day, Fit4Life Fayetteville Fort Bragg Spring Fling, Jai6 Youth Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Brunch, CityView Magazine’s Ladies Night Out, Monster Truck Nitro Tour, Partnership for Children of Cumberland County’s Little Land: Big Play for Families and more.
Johnson emphasized her daughter’s vital role in their budding business, “Nothing compares to being able to share these moments with my daughter, Alana. She is a huge help in curating memorable cotton candy experiences for our customers and creating social media content.” SCD’s founder further revealed that building entrepreneurial spirit in her children, much like her business-owner parents did for her, was a goal all along.
“The business stems from my desire to provide entrepreneurial skills to my children. My oldest now has an Idea Book where she writes all her business ideas, no matter how big or small. My youngest, Alexandra, is on the spectrum, and this business will be a space where she also learns to be an entrepreneur and build confidence to know that she can take on anything and be successful.”
Johnson also seeks to make her mark in the marketplace. A college internship with Walt Disney World taught her the importance of creating magical experiences for customers, she said. She pays that lesson forward by “providing a magical cotton candy experience in every interaction.” Winning 7th place in the People’s Choice category of the largest dessert festival in America, Dessert Wars, held this April in Raleigh, was a highlight for the mother-and-daughter enterprise.
“It was an honor and not bad for first-timers with a non-traditional dessert,” Johnson quipped proudly.
Look for Sweet Carolina Delights at the June 22 Juneteenth Freedom Block Party in Downtown Fayetteville, or connect with the business on social media @sweetcarolinadelights, by email at sweetcarolinadelights@gmail.com or by phone at 910-494-7692. You can also find the company’s cotton candy and other treats at Kandy Apples by K in Raleigh. Like Carolina girls, they’re “one of a kind.”

Attention all music and comedy lovers! On June 21, at 7 p.m., at the Ambiance Entertainment Venue located at 2510 Legion Road, Fayetteville, the Sandhills Jazz Society invites you to enjoy Jazz & Jokes, an evening of live jazz mixed with comedy. Founded in 2018, Sandhills Jazz Society is a community-based, 501(c) (3) nonprofit arts and educational organization on a mission to establish Fayetteville as a hub for the creation of incredible sounds.
Whether you're a seasoned musician or simply an avid fan of the genre, the Sandhills Jazz Society welcomes you with open arms. Their unwavering passion for music has driven them to promote interest in jazz across multiple generations, actively engage a new wave of enthusiasts, and produce a must-attend annual All-American City Jazz Festival.
But their vision extends far beyond just hosting incredible live performances. The society is dedicated to strengthening the local arts community by developing special projects, artistic exchanges, partnerships, educational workshops, community programs, and collaborations that further the art form. From evolving jazz styles to the latest music technologies, the Sandhills Jazz Society is committed to showcasing the full spectrum of this beloved genre.
Headlining Jazz & Jokes is a pioneer in the entertainment industry, Kris Shaw, whose journey to the stage is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. From his early days entertaining clients at his grandmother's hair salon to his eventual foray into comedy, Shaw's passion for making people laugh has been a driving force throughout his life.
"When it comes to entertainment, I don't think it's something I chased but rather something that chased me," Shaw admits.
Shaw’s grandmother planted the seed, recognizing his natural comedic talent, gifting him with a joke book at five years old. He entertained clients and staff at the salon, and by the time he reached high school, his reputation as a natural-born comedian was already firmly established.
Inspired by the greats of comedy, including George Burns, Bill Cosby, Steve Martin, Bob
Newhart, and the legendary Richard Pryor, Shaw has honed his craft over the years. He captivated audiences with his unique brand of humor. It was not until a work accident left him unable to perform physical labor that he finally decided to pursue his true calling.
Seizing the opportunity, Shaw applied and secured a job at a local comedy club, where he was a doorman and quickly advanced to a cook. The club held a comedy contest, and he proved his mettle by winning the first two rounds of the "Funniest Person in Indianapolis" competition.
From that experience, he studied all the big names coming through the club. He watched how they controlled the crowd and how the crowd responded to them. He was a sponge, soaking up all he could so that someday he would fill places with his comedy acts.
“Early in my career, I had to balance my growing success with being a husband and father to five beautiful children. Two of my kids were on the road with me just weeks after they were born. When they got older, I decided to take the leap and move to Las Vegas to pursue my dreams. My comedy show has always been about everyday life and the random things we all encounter, including the joys and challenges of parenting,” Shaw said.
“My kids have always been a part of my act, as a way for me to somewhat feel connected to them during all the time I spend on the road. I always told my kids that standup comedy was a dream that kept revisiting me, a gift from God to spread laughter and healing. And I encourage them to pursue their dreams. And if it does not end up being their career, it can still be a rewarding and fulfilling path.”
Traveling the world afforded Shaw to meet the likes of John Witherspoon, Paul Mooney, Rob Schneider, and Christopher Titus. Now, he brings his infectious humor and captivating storytelling to the Sandhills Jazz Society’s Jazz and Jokes, where he will undoubtedly leave the audience in stitches.
Joining Kris Shaw on the stage are talented comedic greats Kirk McHenry, Jaye Devan; and Lathesia Everett is the emcee for the event. McHenry, from Oakland, CA, had television appearances on BET’s Comic View, One Mic Stand, and Jamie Foxx Laffapalooza. Philadelphia born Devan’s credits include The Comedy Store, Comedy Union and Laugh Factory (Los Angeles), and the Comedy Cellar (Las Vegas).
You do not want to miss this impressive lineup! For an exciting date night, or if you are ready to immerse yourself in the captivating world of jazz and need a good laugh, get your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable experience.
For info and tickets, visit their website at www.SandHillsJazz.com or call 910-987-2426.

(Photo:Top- Headliner Kris Shaw is a fan favorite who tours comedy clubs, colleges and events all across the United States and Canada. He has entertained troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Japan, Korea, Bahrain, Dubai, Kyrgyzstan and Africa. Kris also appears in national television commercials and had a recurring extra role on the CBS drama Close To Home. Shaw can be heard regularly on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network on Sirius Radio. Photos courtesy of Sandhills Jazz Society.  Middle- A versatility and ability to deliver gut busting laughs to his audiences sets Kirk McHenry apart from the modern-day comic. Born and raised in Oakland, California, McHenry has acquired a wealth of knowledge from life in the inner city, to prep school in the suburbs, experiencing college life in the south and even a successful four-year stint in the Marine Corps. McHenry has had numerous television appearances on BET’s Comic View, One Mic Stand hosted by Kevin Hart, and Jamie Foxx Laffapalooza; as well as several touring engagements throughout the United States and abroad.  Bottom- Philadelphia-born comedian Jaye Devan found his funny early as the comic relief among households filled with his sister and cousins. After graduating, Devan joined the Marine Corps and got his first exposure to stand up during a talent show on base. His credits include The Comedy Store, Comedy Union and Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, LA Comedy Club and the Comedy Cellar in Las Vegas and various clubs around the country. He is the former host of his own radio show entitled Everyday Talk with Jaye Devan and current co-host of The Pool Table Talk Podcast. He also released his first recorded standup special, titled ‘Temper Yourself’ on DVD and Amazon Prime.)

On March 4 and 5, 2025, Fayetteville will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette's visit to the city. The American Friends of Lafayette, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is coordinating the bicentennial and recognized Fayetteville as a premier bicentennial site. The celebration will be both fun and educational, with symbolic connections to the past. This event is part of the national bicentennial celebration of Lafayette's "Farewell Tour" of the United States in 1824–1825 in Fayetteville, creating an immersive living history experience that will educate visitors about Lafayette's historical significance.
The City Center Gallery and Books, a local bookstore, is a key partner in the bicentennial celebration. In honor of the bicentennial site, they have calendars highlighting other locations throughout the tour.
"It's a 13-month tour. The celebration is expected to start in August in New York," shared Diane Parfitt, the City Center Gallery and Books co-owner. The bookstore also offers a wide selection of books about Lafayette, providing visitors with the opportunity to learn more about Lafayette's life and legacy.
Fayetteville, the first city named after Lafayette in 1783, holds a significant place in history. Lafayette, a French nobleman who fought for American freedom during the Revolutionary War, left an indelible mark on our city. Gen. George Washington awarded him a command, which influenced Louis XVI of France to ally with America. Lafayette led the Continental Army in the Virginia Campaign and played a pivotal role in the Siege of Yorktown. After returning to France, he drafted legislation in the National Assembly guaranteeing citizens' rights to Protestants and free black men. Lafayette remained a steadfast opponent of slavery and believed in full rights for all men, regardless of color. His visit to Fayetteville is a testament to our shared history and values.
"There is no more important location than Fayetteville, North Carolina. We expect thousands to descend upon Fayetteville for the purpose of commemorating, celebrating, and educating," Chuck Schwam, AFL Chief Operating Officer, shared in a press release.
As part of the upcoming celebrations, the Lafayette Society of Fayetteville will be holding two creativity contests throughout 2024. Aspiring Fayetteville based poets are asked to write poems, 25 lines or less, inspired by Lafayette’s principles. He espoused the ideals of liberty, human rights, equality, religious tolerance and the abolition of slavery. There is one entry per author, and online entries are welcomed through the Lafayette Society website at https://www.lafayettesociety.org/. Cash prizes will be awarded.
All poems will be judged anonymously and must be written in English. The deadline for submission is Dec. 1, 2024. Winners will be invited to perform their original works at the 2025 Lafayette Bicentennial Luncheon on March 2, 2025. For more information, email creativity@lafayettesociety.com
The second contest is visually driven. Enthusiastic filmmakers are encouraged to create a short film under 4 minutes long inspired by Lafayette’s ideals. The rating should be PG-13 or lower. All video, music and lyrics must be the work of the video artists and producers. The submission must be hosted on YouTube, and the submission deadline is also Dec. 1, 2024.
Both competitions are open to Cumberland County and Fort Liberty residents and students.
“We hope to get a diverse array of entries from the young, the old, and everyone in between,” said Christopher Thrasher, Lafayette Society board member.
“I can't wait to see the wonderful ways that people will use new ideas and new technologies to bring Lafayette's enduring values into the twenty-first century. Lafayette's ideas are old, but they are as relevant today as they were when he visited our city almost two hundred years ago,” he said.
“I hope that these contests will help the community feel connected to their past and to each other. Fayetteville is not just any city. Fayetteville is The All America City and there are few things more American than Lafayette's key values of liberty, human rights, and equality. Many things divide us, but Lafayette's values can help bring us together.”
More information and rules regarding these contests can be found on the Lafayette Society website.
The Lafayette Society, founded by the late Martha Duell, plays a crucial role in preserving the history of Lafayette. Fayetteville local and former Lafayette Society President Dr. Hank Parfitt chairs the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration Tour for Fayetteville. Now under its current president, Dr. Gwen Melton, the Lafayette Society remains steadfast in recognizing the contributions of Lafayette to America's freedom, promoting his generosity, patriotism, leadership, opposition to slavery, and support for human rights.
The society also funds over $50,000 in endowment funds at Fayetteville State University to support the study of "the Age of Revolutions, Emancipation, and Civil Rights."
This supports the Lafayette Lecture Series every February and helps fund other activities for the Black History Scholars Association. Additionally, they offer online lectures.
Some of the society's highlighted achievements to commemorate Lafayette's legacy include the establishment of the Lafayette Leadership Medal. Top graduates of the Master Leader Course at the Non-commissioned Officers Academy at Ft. Liberty receive this prestigious award for their exceptional leadership and service in the spirit of Lafayette.
The society also supports leadership programs at Methodist University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, as well as partnerships with Fayetteville's local higher education institutions to provide quality educational opportunities.
As evident through history, the Marquis de Lafayette made many contributions. In return, the Lafayette Society of Fayetteville puts much effort into preserving and perpetuating Lafayette's legacy.
To stay informed and learn more about the Bicentennial Celebration tour in Fayetteville, visit the City Center Gallery and Books at 112 Hay Street, Fayetteville, or call 910-678-8899. Readers can also visit www.lafayettesociety.org.

(Photo: City Center Gallery and Books has Marquis de Lafayette merchandise in honor of the 200th Anniversary of his Farewell Tour. Locals Hank and Diane Parfitt own the shop. Hank is the chair of the Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration Tour. Photo by Tracey Morrison)

Jammin Jon’s Fayetteville Artists Rocking for Autism Awareness Annual Concert will take place Sunday, June 23 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Louie’s Sports Pub located at 2417 Robeson Street.
“This is the 3rd annual concert and I will be coming up on my 3-year anniversary of moving to Fayetteville in June 2021,” said Jon Kiebon, organizer of Fayetteville Artists Rocking for Autism Awareness Concert. “Last year we had 3 events and the Arts Council of Fayetteville awarded me an artist mini grant which you can apply for your artistic ambitions and events.”
The New York native started the idea while he was living in the neighborhood of Rockaway Beach in Queens.
“I started doing an annual Rocking for Autism concert in 2012 because it is a great place for artists, bands and music,” said Kiebon. “So, when we moved to Fayetteville, I decided to continue doing those concerts down here.”
Autism is a cause that hits home and is significant to Kiebon’s heart. His 26-year-old daughter, Gail, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder before she turned two years old.
“She is high functioning and an amazing young woman,” said Kiebon. “One of the first calls that I made about obtaining services for my daughter when we moved to Fayetteville was with Amy Perry, from Autism Society of North Carolina, who is the go-to person for autism.”
Kiebon added, “I ended up calling the Cumberland County Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. They ended up getting Gail a job coach and a job at Fort Liberty as a part-time food service worker. They give them every opportunity to work and succeed. There is no way she would have gotten this type of job if we were in New York.”
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), better known as autism, is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how individuals interact with others, communicate, learn and behave. It is a spectrum disorder because the type and severity of symptoms can vary widely from low functioning to high functioning. Symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. Some common symptoms entail difficulty communicating, difficulty with social interactions, obsessive interests and repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, rocking and spinning.
Autism has no single known cause. Both genetics and environment may play a role. The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is rising. It can affect children of all races and ethnicities. Certain factors can increase a child’s risk such as your child’s sex, family history, certain medical conditions, preterm babies and being born to older parents. There is no way to prevent autism, but early diagnosis and treatment is key. Some of the common treatments are applied behavioral analysis (ABA), occupational therapy, speech therapy and physical therapy. The goal is to help autistic children manage everyday living.
Music has been Kiebon’s love and passion all his life.
“I have been a part of various rock bands and I am kind of a unique performer,” said Kiebon. “I write songs, play the guitar and my stage name is Jammin Jon.”
He added, “I am a seasoned veteran, I play loud rock n’ roll and I have high energy just like when I was 18 years old.”
Last year’s concert gave local musicians, singers and songwriters an opportunity to showcase their talents at three different locations.
“It gave the lesser-known musicians the chance to be showcased and for their music to be heard,” said Kiebon. “Some of the bands who will perform for this year’s event include The Heaterz, Jokers Wild, Gamma Major, House and Jammin Jon & The Jammers. My goal is to bring autism awareness and bring people together to enjoy great music,” said Kiebon. “I want to celebrate people on the spectrum and have a great time.”
A $10 donation is suggested. Five ASD artists will be selected to receive money to help pursue their artistic talent and desires. Volunteers and vendors are urgently needed for the event. For more information, to volunteer or to submit your name to be one of the prize winners, contact Jon at jonkiebon@outlook.com.

2023 Water Quality Report is Now Available
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission has published its 2023 Water Quality Report. The Water Quality Report is a requirement of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and includes the results of testing to ensure our drinking water meets all regulatory requirements.
One of PWC’s primary goals is to provide customers with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. PWC was the first utility in North Carolina to earn the Partnership for Safe Water Director’s Award for water treatment, recognizing PWC’s extra efforts in providing drinking water that meets or exceeds all federal drinking water standards.
PWC has received this prestigious recognition for 23 consecutive years. The Partnership for Safe Water is a unique cooperative effort between EPA, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and Association of State Drinking Water Administrators.
This program focuses on the operation and maintenance of water treatment facilities, water mains and storage tanks.
The Annual Water Quality Report is a snapshot of last year’s water quality. Included are details about the community's sources of water, what it contains, and how it compares to standards set
by regulatory agencies.
PWC’s commitment to transparency is key for the customers to understand the efforts they make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. PWC staff is committed to ensuring the quality of our water and to provide you with this information because informed customers are our best allies. Customers with questions about this report or concerning your water can contact Customer Service at 910-483-1382.
In 2023, PWC treated over 9 billion gallons of water while remaining in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency regulations. PWC continuously monitors water quality by performing more than 150,000 tests a year.
This year’s Water Quality Report is available for viewing online at www.FayPWC.com/Water-Quality-Report/ and a copy is included with customer’s bills in June.

PWC Announces Hiring of New Director of Communications, Community Relations
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission has hired Tyler C. Patton as the new Director of the Communications & Community Relations Division. Patton takes over leadership of the division after Carolyn Justice-Hinson was named the Chief Customer Officer for PWC in March. Patton’s first day with PWC was May 13.
“I’m excited to be joining PWC and the Communications & Community Relations Team,” said Patton. “PWC is an award-winning organization and a national leader in providing safe and reliable utility services. I look forward to serving the customers of PWC and the greater Fayetteville community.”
Before joining PWC, Patton served as the Regional Director of State Government and Community Affairs for Verizon Communications and was a member of Verizon Maryland’s Senior Leadership Team.
Patton holds a master’s degree in Higher Education Policy and a bachelor’s degrees in political science and communications, both from Salisbury University.
In addition, Patton has served on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Technology Council, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, and Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County.
“I could not have asked for anyone better to lead the Communications & Community Relations Division,” said Timothy Bryant, CEO/General Manager of Fayetteville PWC.
“Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to the table that continues to promote transparency and foster trust with the people who matter the most, our customers.”
Recently married, Patton moved to Fayetteville to be with his wife a lifelong resident of the area. He enjoys trying to play golf, spending time with his new family, and being involved in his new community. Patton is proud to call Fayetteville home and experience all that this community has to offer.

(Photo courtesy of PWC)

Cumberland County Sherrif's Office: Safety Officer Update
At the June 3rd Cumberland County Board of Commissioners meeting, Chairman Glenn Adams addressed concerns and communications relating to School Resource Officers and Crossing Guards' funding, or lack of funding.
Adams reiterated that the Cumberland County Sheriff is an elected official apart from the Board of Commissioners, and even though the Board has budgetary authority, it does not have the authority to tell the County Sheriff how and where to deploy his officers or how to operate the Cumberland County Detention Center.
Adams confirmed that he and the Board did not have advance notice of the Sheriff's decision to remove School Resource Officers and Crossing Guards in the municipalities and that the Sheriff's Department contracts directly with the Cumberland County School System, which will have to decide how to proceed.
In terms of funding, Adams said the Board's direction to the County Manager during the last Budget Work Session was to remove the funding for School Resource Officers and Crossing Guards from the Sheriff's budget because the Sheriff's Office provides this staffing and that it does not take any money away from Cumberland County Schools.
Adams also addressed recent comments about the lack of County representation during a meeting in Hope Mills to discuss the issue.
He said he received an invitation to attend the meeting via email and responded to town officials that he could not participate because of the Board's scheduled work session, which was followed by another prior commitment. Many residents considered this to indicate that the Commissioners don't see this an important issue.
Adams's response was, "this Board has always done its best by the citizens of this community and we will continue to do that."

Editor's Note: Do you have comments or questions? Send us an email at editor@upandcomingweekly.com, or call 910-484-6200.

July 1, 2021 marked the beginning of paid parking in downtown Fayetteville. Original enforcement times were Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This also marked a time when the country was in lockdown in an effort to control COVID-19 cases. The city council was meeting virtually and with the lockdown and slow traffic around town, it seemed to be a manageable enforcement time. Once the lockdown was lifted and life in the city and the country started to return to outside and indoor spaces, the decision by the city council soon raised issues with residents clamoring to be a part of some sort of normalcy.
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. did not work for a now bustling downtown. On April 12, 2022, city council members voted to reduce weekday enforcement hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting on May 1, 2022. Now the city council is back at the drawing board, with another reduction being brought forward for a vote.
The new enforcement time will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and was approved at a city council work session on June 3, with an 8-2 vote. Councilmembers Courtney Banks-McLaughlin and Derrick Thompson were the two opposing votes.
This decision is one that many Fayetteville residents would agree with.
“I see no problem. As it stands, I rarely see parking problems down there, and encouraging more people to come in around dinner time and in the evening could slowly increase overall traffic to downtown.” - David Castelli
“Yes! … also remove costs from in front of the library.” -Jessica Taylor
“Yes!” - Liza Hondros Photography
“Even the city hosts events that start around 6 p.m. at times, so yes change it so people can attend and not have to wait until 7 p.m. to show up.” - Bersuada Saunders Clarke
“If pay ends at 5 p.m., I think it’s better. A typical work day ends at 5 p.m. and most people do activities after that time as well. Kind of like going from work mode to leisure. “ - Kimberly Frazier
“Please and thank you.” -Estella Johnson
“Most city parking regulations end by 5 p.m. to encourage more activity, bringing more money to businesses in the evening and encouraging fluctuation in parking throughout the day. I guess that the city would likely generate more revenue from business taxes than parking meters, making it a winning deal.” - Morhia Mote
While no city council member was available to respond, it’s clear by the response of the community that the decision will be a good one. Although logically, the idea of decreased enforcement hours seems to be a good one, there are some that know that money is always at the root of decisions such as these.
“Devil's advocate. The parking decks they currently have, I don’t believe have paid for themselves yet. It’s probably an attempt to attract more people however if it means a tax increase, no thank you.” - Darlisha Warren
According to the June 3 agenda, the Council used values from the 2023 calendar year. Nineteen percent of the daily parking transactions occurred between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., amounting to a total of $30,438.55 in payments based on information provided by the parking enforcement consultant. For the Fiscal Year 2023 period, the total functional revenue was enough to fund the contract services for parking operations, but not debt services. Budget and finance numbers from previous fiscal years indicate that the parking program operates in a deficit and requires subsidization from the general fund for debt servicing. The Council noted that the Franklin Street Parking Deck observed 9,091 parking transactions in 2023 and collected $22,166.00 in parking fees.
The city council is set to vote on the new enforcement hours at their next regularly scheduled session.

(Photo: File photo by April Olsen)

Donald Trump will likely win North Carolina’s 16 electoral votes this year. Our state is a political battleground, no question about it, but in presidential races the Democratic Party always runs a bit uphill here.
In gubernatorial races, the topography looks different. The Democratic nominee this year, Attorney General Josh Stein, could certainly defeat Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson even if the state goes red for president. That wouldn’t just be unsurprising. It would be normal.
Since the turn of the 20th century, North Carolinians have elected just three Republican governors: Jim Holshouser in 1972, Jim Martin in 1984 and 1988, and Pat McCrory in 2012. That is to say, voters have routinely picked GOP candidates for president, Congress, and other offices while putting Democrats in the governor’s office.
To be more precise, some voters have split their tickets. Not too long ago, such voters constituted as much as a fifth of the state’s electorate. As recently as 2004, Republican George W. Bush won 56% of the vote here. That same year, Democratic Gov. Mike Easley was reelected with the same percentage.
Since then, though, the ranks of ticket-splitters have shrunk markedly, as Catawba College political scientist Michael Bitzer pointed at OldNorthStatePolitics.com, a group blog he shares with other professors. “The dynamics of nationalization of American politics has a real impact on North Carolina’s voting patterns,” he wrote, “and is evident in the 2012 and subsequent elections: meaning, the ‘difference’ between a county’s vote for GOP presidential and gubernatorial candidates decreased — thus voters were picking one party for both slots, and not splitting their tickets.”
In 2004, Bitzer found, the share of the vote Bush won in a county was, on average, 89% predictive of how the GOP gubernatorial candidate, Patrick Ballentine, performed in that county. By 2020, the presidential and gubernatorial outcomes were 99% aligned.
Today, only a few North Carolina voters seem willing to vote Republican for president and Democrat for governor. In our closely divided state, however, that’s sufficient. In 2020, Trump won 49.9% of the vote, edging out Joe Biden’s 48.6%. At the same time, Gov. Roy Cooper won reelection with 51.5% to Republican Dan Forest’s 47%. A swing of just three percentage points proved decisive.
Trump seems poised to do much better here than he did four years ago (or, more to the point, Biden is stumbling into a much-worse performance). In polling averages, the former president leads by five to six points. Meanwhile, Stein and Robinson are running neck-and-neck.
Consider the latest Carolina Journal Poll, conducted roughly a month ago. It showed Trump leading Biden by five points, 43% to 38%, while the gubernatorial nominees were tied at 39% each.
These results fit the larger pattern — if you focus only on the spreads. It’s worth noting, however, that these figures are rather low. Are 9% of likely North Carolina voters really undecided in the presidential race, or planning to vote for Robert Kennedy? And what happens when the Stein and Robinson campaigns begin telling low-information voters about their candidates and their opponents? There’s a fair amount of “play” left these numbers, it seems to me.
Still, as the 2024 election cycle heats up, I don’t expect a fifth or even a tenth of North Carolinians to rediscover the virtues of split-ticket voting. Parties are more cohesive than they were in the 1980s or even the 2000s — despite what you may read in fundraising letters or see on cable news. When push comes to shove, the vast majority of Democrats will come home to their party’s nominees. So will the vast majority of Republicans.
I would argue that Josh Stein is the most left-leaning nominee for governor in our state’s history — and Mark Robinson is probably the most controversial. How many soft Democrats or centrist independents who voted for Cooper four years ago will opt for Robinson this year? How many soft Republicans or centrist independents will go Trump-Stein?
Not many. But, quite possibly, enough.

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

My late husband, John Dickson, began his legal career as an assistant district attorney for Cumberland County and completed it as a District Court Judge, often dealing with issues of juvenile and family law. His prosecutorial work included handling cases ranging from low-level misdemeanors in Hoke County, then part of the 12th Judicial District, to death penalty cases in Cumberland. On more than one occasion, he stoically witnessed the executions of men he and his team had convicted of heinous murders, saying he had an obligation to “finish what he started.”
I tell you this because for nearly 4 decades, John was immersed in the criminal justice system, and by extension, so were the other 4 members of our little family. It was an ongoing education for all of us on the workings of the American system of justice. We saw firsthand that American criminal laws apply to all of us, regardless of age, color, sex, position in the world, or last name.
All Americans have just undergone an unprecedented and, for some, an unwelcome education with the first prosecution and conviction of an American President, now branded for life with 34 felony convictions. A former President, revered by some and reviled by others, was charged with criminal offenses, prosecuted by a state, defended by attorneys of his choosing, convicted by 12 of his fellow Americans, and will be sentenced next month for his crimes. In this, he has been treated just like millions of criminal defendants before him and millions more to come.
Historians tell us the Founding Fathers gave Presidents strong powers and responsibilities so that they could not shift blame to others when things went wrong. They explicitly did not, however, give Presidents immunity from their actions and behaviors, including criminal ones.
From the outset of our nation, Presidents were viewed as special Americans, but not above their fellow citizens. While some newly minted Americans proposed calling George Washington “Your Majesty” or “Excellency,” even though they had just been freed from the yoke monarchy, our first President refused and decided on a simple, “Mr. President,” which is still used today. Thomas Jefferson, our third President preferred the plain, “Mr. Jefferson.”
Over more than 2 centuries, there have been occasional Presidential attempts at grandeur—think Richard Nixon’s fancy guard uniforms apparently inspired by a trip to Europe and so ridiculed that they were put into mothballs and never seen again. Most of our Presidents have, though, been far less pretentious. Dwight Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter, both raised in rural settings, liked to cook simple meals for their families in the kitchen of the White House family quarters.
More than a few have attempted overreach in Presidential powers—think Franklin Roosevelt’s unsuccessful attempt to add members favorable to him to the US Supreme Court, but never have past Presidents used the word “dictator” to apply to themselves or asserted legal immunity for criminal offenses.
What is happening in our nation today flies in the face of what the Dickson family experienced and learned in Fayetteville in the 1980s and 90s—that Americans in all our diversity, are the same when in the eyes of the law.
That means you.
It means me.
And it means Donald J. Trump.

Laura Mussler had something to say and she has said it!
For this, I admire her and all our readers who take the time and courage to voice their views, opinions, and concerns about our community, state, and nation in our community newspaper's open free press forum. Safely voicing views of this nature on social media networks is "like winking in the dark." You know you are doing it, but no one else does.
Having free speech and the availability of the free press are just two of the many freedoms that we enjoy as Americans and define us as a Nation. I applaud Ms. Mussler and other bold Fayetteville residents like Craig Stewart, Ron Brewington, and Greg Adair for putting themselves out there with their opinions, and letting citizens and government officials know they are not living and working in a vacuum. I invite all our readers to take an active and impactful role in exercising your rights to free speech. Use this free community newspaper as your platform to express yourself. You write it, you own it, we'll print it! This invitation pertains to ALL our readers: Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, LGBTQIA+, Libertarian, Independent, Democrat or Republican. This commitment has defined the success of Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper for over twenty-eight years. Thank you for reading.
— Bill Bowman, Publisher
P.S. BTW: Always keep in mind that you could be arrested, fined, jailed, or executed for reading this newspaper in China and Russia. Just sayin'!
Laura is a Fayetteville resident, businesswoman, entrepreneur, motorcycle enthusiast, and 1st Vice President of the Fayetteville Republican Women's Club.

I am a voter who casts her ballot in the spirit of principle and value. The values I'm voting on are the freedoms and rights of the nation I love and cherish. My vote represents my vision of America: one that values and has respect for all her people.
This land is ours! It is a birthplace of children of all races, where everyone can praise their heritage and make their dreams come true. Fayetteville and Cumberland County is a melting pot, due to the military community at Fort Liberty. We need to encourage equality and fight against all forms of prejudice, bigotry, racism, sexism, antisemitism, and religious intolerance. To achieve this, we must strive towards maintaining a society where every person feels valued and respected. The commitment to equality is an American ideal.
I believe in parents' rights. Parents know their children best and should be the authority, not the government, to decide where and how they grow up, who they go to school with, and who they learn their moral convictions from. Parental guidance gives children a healthy sense of identity and clarity in their moral world. Only parents can care for their children's hearts and minds appropriately and effectively.
I'm in favor of Title IX. As I watch my granddaughter grow up, I want her to have the opportunity to earn scholarships in sports and not risk her safety by competing against biological boys who are bigger, faster, and stronger.
We need to make sure our daughters, granddaughters, and sisters compete fairly against their female-bodied peers. This principle is crucial in the Fayetteville community, where we take pride in our school sports teams and local competitions.
I believe we have the right to own a gun, even though I tragically lost my son to gun violence here in Cumberland County. This isn't just a policy to me; it's a deeply personal belief. I understand the importance of the right to protect ourselves, our homes, and our loved ones. I stand firmly for the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states that we have the right to bear arms. It's a fundamental liberty granted to us by our Founding Fathers.
One of our city council members tried to make Fayetteville a sanctuary city earlier this year. Is that where we want your precious tax dollars going? We must ensure that our community remains safe and our laws are respected. Supporting secure borders is crucial to maintaining the integrity and safety of our community and nation.
Let's be clear: immigrants are welcome if they enter the country legally. You wouldn't allow a stranger to wander into your home without knowing who they are, where they came from, or why they are there. Why should our country's borders be any different?
Here in Fayetteville, we must prioritize the safety of our children and the security of our neighborhoods. Our police and school resource officers play a critical role in maintaining order and ensuring our streets and schools are safe. The city of Fayetteville is short over 80 police officers, and now the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department wants to stop providing crossing guards and school resource officers. This is unacceptable. Without adequate staffing, we risk compromising the well-being of our community. I stand firmly with our law enforcement and will always advocate for the resources and support they need to protect and serve us effectively.
I am voting to defend our sacred right to free speech. Free speech is essential to a healthy democracy. It fosters transparency and the exchange of ideas, facilitating innovation and growth.
It's okay to disagree! It's okay not to want to learn about another person's point of view. However, we need to continue allowing access to different points of view, especially the dissenting ones. We need an open dialog empowering citizens to make informed decisions and push back against tyranny.
I vote to provide our military and veterans with the best training and medical care. We're so blessed to have these men and women protecting us, and we must do the best for them in return for their service. We need to continue supporting our active military and veterans and never forget their willingness to sacrifice on our behalf.
Voting is an act of conviction and a testament to our belief in America's values and all she offers in freedom, equality, and security. All those values that define America and the American Dream. This is why I am a conservative and why I'm casting my vote for Republican Party nominees.
They align with who I am and what I believe in. They believe in the United States of America, which I want my children and grandchildren to live in.

Located at 2301 Robeson St. #103, the Fayetteville Vet Center is a beacon of refuge and assistance for veterans, service members and their loved ones in Fayetteville. Operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, this facility offers a wide range of services tailored to address the unique difficulties faced by those who served our nation. The Vet Center is holding a monthly briefing on June 17, aiming to provide confidential, free support in a nonmedical setting, fostering a community of recovery and resilience.
Upon entering the Fayetteville Vet Center, one is instantly struck by the inviting and reassuring atmosphere. The staff, many of whom are veterans themselves, are dedicated to establishing a haven where individuals can seek assistance without judgment or stigma. This dedication to care is evident in the center's wide range of services.
"The Fayetteville Veterans Center is designed to meet the unique needs of veterans transitioning from duty to daily life, particularly those battling mental health issues and readjusting to civilian life. Over time, we have expanded our services to include specialized care for LGBTQ+ veterans, women veterans and those affected by military sexual trauma or assault. Our goal is offering a holistic support network addressing all facets of well-being for those who served,” said Wendy Robinson, a representative for the Fayetteville Vet Center.
"Our monthly information sessions are designed to provide veterans and loved ones a comprehensive overview of the assistance available. These gatherings offer an opportunity to meet our staff, ask questions, and learn how we can aid them. The upcoming briefing on June 17 will allow new and returning clients to engage with programs and start the process of receiving necessary support,” she said.

Comprehensive Counseling Options
The Fayetteville Vet Center offers a variety of counseling services customized to meet the diverse requirements of its clients. These services include individual, couples and family counseling, specifically addressing issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and the psychological effects of military sexual trauma. The center ensures thorough support by connecting veterans and their loved ones with additional resources within the VA and the wider community.

Couples and Family Counseling
The profound impacts of military service on relationships are well understood at the Vet Center. Specialized methods like Gottman's provide spouses with practical tools and organized strategies for enhancing rapport, making it popular among veterans. Moreover, family participation in individual sessions allows for deeper understanding and improved support for loved ones.

Grief and Bereavement Counseling
Loss and major lifestyle changes can be challenging for veterans and their families. In providing caring support, the Fayetteville Vet Center's bereavement counseling extends to Gold Star families. Whether recent or distant, counselors can guide people through mourning toward healing.

LGBTQ+ Veteran Care
Acknowledging the unique hardships faced by LGBTQ+ veterans, the center offers tailored counseling and referrals to meet their specific needs. A leader in LGBTQ+ veteran care, the center provides connections to specialized medical services, community resources, and peer support to ensure all veterans receive comprehensive care.

Mental Health Care
The transition from military to civilian life can often bring mental health challenges. Addressing such issues, the Fayetteville Vet Center offers a range of treatments for conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The center assists veterans in achieving their goals and enhancing overall wellness by utilizing proven therapies, including Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure Therapy.

Military Sexual Trauma Care
For veterans who have experienced sexual assault or harassment during their service, the Vet Center provides specialized counseling to those affected by MST. This service is available regardless of gender or era of service, ensuring that healing support is offered to all who have endured such trauma while serving our country.

Transitioning from Military Service
Leaving the military and entering civilian life can be an intimidating transition. The Fayetteville Vet Center offers counseling sessions to assist veterans in navigating this change, including help enrolling in VA healthcare, filing disability claims, finding employment opportunities, and accessing education benefits. In this way, the center helps veterans construct stable and fulfilling post-military lives.

Care for Women Veterans
Women veterans often have experiences requiring dedicated support, so the Fayetteville Vet Center is equipped to meet these specialized needs through tailored counseling and referrals to women's health services within the VA. In doing so, the center ensures that female veterans receive comprehensive and compassionate care throughout their adjustment to civilian life.

Connecting to Additional Resources
In addition to its direct services, the Fayetteville Vet Center plays a crucial role in connecting veterans to extra resources and support networks elsewhere. Whether it's specialty medical care, community programs, or peer groups, the center's referral services guarantee that veterans can access any assistance they require.

Orientation Meetings and Community Involvement
The Fayetteville Vet Center holds regular introductory briefings to foster greater awareness and participation, including an upcoming session on June 17. These meetings offer veterans, service members, and families a chance to learn about the center's offerings, meet staff, and sign up for needed support services. Interested individuals can register through Eventbrite after presenting proof of service.

A Sanctuary of Solace and Strength
At its core, the Fayetteville Veterans Center offers far more than mere services; it serves as a haven delivering comfort and healing for all who have served our nation in uniform, along with their loved ones. Through a wide array of programs addressing the multifaceted hardships faced by those who sacrificed so much, the center assists them in smoothly navigating the intricacies of civilian life once again with dignity and resilience. By cultivating a community of care, concern, and mutual understanding, the Fayetteville Veterans Center is a testament to the enduring pledge to all who answered the nation's call to arms.
"Transitioning to civilian life is often difficult, especially for those coping with PTSD, depression, or mental health concerns. At the Fayetteville Vet Center, we create a supportive environment where veterans can receive counseling, connect to community resources, and find the help required to navigate this transition successfully. Our goal is ensuring that no veteran feels alone through this journey,” said Robinson.
For more information or to enroll in services, visit the Fayetteville Vet Center at 2301 Robeson St. #103, Fayetteville. To pre-register for the June 17 briefing, visit https://bit.ly/3yz9Qmm. The center's doors are always open to those seeking assistance, guidance, and a path toward healing.

“Freedom Biker Church, Fayetteville was established in July 2009. It was a church plant from the First Freedom Biker Church that began in 2006 in the Garner and Clayton area. For fifteen years, Freedom Biker Church, Fayetteville has been reaching out and connecting with those in the Biker Community in Cumberland and surrounding counties, whether MC’s Ride Clubs, Associations, Weekend Warriors, or motorcycle enthusiasts. We share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and provide a place where people can worship and grow spiritually to become what God wants us to become,” said JD Tew, Pastor, Freedom Biker Church, Fayetteville. “Since the first Sunday, we had the opportunity to baptize over two-hundred-and fifty people in Christ. It is amazing what God has done and continues to do at Freedom Biker Church, Fayetteville. There are a lot of churches that would welcome those in the Biker’s community, however at Freedom we are the Biker community…and we believe that makes a difference.”
The Freedom Bike, Car, and Truck Show is a community outreach event for bikers and the local community. The event is June 22, and registration starts at 10 a.m. and closes at 1:30 p.m. Registration costs $20 for cars and trucks and $10 for motorcycles. Several categories are available to enter. For a full list, visit https://bit.ly/3V9b3J0.
The car show will be held at Fort Bragg Harley Davison, 3950 Sycamore Dairy Road, Fayetteville, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The funds for the event are designated to pay the church mortgage.
“When it comes to the ‘Freedom Bike, Car, and Truck Show,’ the chance is there to get out and not only reach the biker community but to serve our local community in a fun way. Though our goal is to bring people to Christ, it is also just as important for us to show people Jesus. What might be a car show for some people, could be the one event that someone needs to find Jesus, and give their life to Christ. It is all about reaching one person,” shares Levi Burch, Freedom Biker Church Member
T.J. Fisher, Member of Freedom Biker Church, shares, “What inspires me about Freedom Biker Church is the love and support for not just the biker community but love and support we have for each other. We truly are a church family doing life together.”
Experience the Freedom Bike, Car, and Truck Show. Admission is free for the public. For more information about the Freedom Bike, Car, and Truck Show, contact Levi Burch, 910- 273- 0585, and T.J. Fisher at 910 -309- 0531.

(Photo: Cars and bikes are lined up at the 1st Annual Freedom Bike, Car, and Truck Show, June 24, 2023. The show is put on by the Freedom Biker Church. Photo courtesy of Freedom Biker Church Facebook Page)

Father's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show your appreciation for Dad than by treating him to a fun and memorable experience? Luckily, there are plenty of great local events happening in honor of Father's Day that are sure to make his day extra special. Whether your dad is a sports enthusiast, a food lover, or a music aficionado, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Friday, June 7 at 5 p.m.: Father Daughter Ball at Iron Mike Conference Center, Fort Liberty
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a buffet dinner, dancing and photos by Pro Image. Reservations are required by calling 910-907-2582. The cost is $50 per Father/daughter and $25 for each additional child.

Friday, June 14 at 1 p.m.: Juneteenth-Father's Day Golf Event at Stryker Golf Course, 1219 Bragg Blvd
Join in for 9 holes of golf, fun and fellowship. Tickets can be purchased at www.Vocal4Local.net/614. The cost is $55 per player and includes 9 holes, golf cart, Father's Day gift and prizes.
Saturday, June 15 at 1 p.m.: 6th Annual Father's Day Weekend Crab Feast, 6627 Old Bunce Road
Calling all blue crab lovers! This great event is hosted by SouthEast Crab Feast and Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Come out for all-you-can-eat fresh blue crabs, one side of fish & chips, music and a family friendly environment suitable for the entire family. Tickets range from $17.50-$39 and can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/2zffb42p

Saturday, June 15 at 9 a.m.: Juneteenth-Father's Day Health & Wealth Fair, 6427 Cliffdale Rd
Bring the entire family out for fun and food and make sure Dad has the most updated information and resources on men's health from vendors, health screenings and educators. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/4xrfznsu

Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m.-Father's Day (Family Fun Day) at The Raeford Fleamarket, 752 Laurinburg Rd, Raeford
Don’t miss this special gathering for the entire family. Participate in a range of activities and sports stations that will cater to both kids and adults. The event will also showcase vendors, crafting activities, and a variety of delicious food options. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/3c9bbmdc

Saturday, June 15 at 4 p.m.-Anstead's Father's Day Pop Up Shop at Bunker’s Bar & Grill, 125 Whispering Pines Dr, Spring Lake                                                                                                             Celebrate Dad and Father's Day by sipping on some high-end Bourbons. For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdhsej5k
Saturday, June 15 at 10 a.m.-Click's Father's Day Vendor Event at Country Collage Treats, 4181 Barefoot Rd
Come out to Click's Nursery your "One Stop Garden Shop" for this great vendor event. This event will also be raising funds for Second Chance Ranch Rescue and Sanctuary. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/5dwmxa8x

Sunday, June 16 at 10 a.m.: Father's Day Farmers Market at Dirtbag Ales
Spend a day with your father, indulging in craft beer, live music by Joyner Young & Marie, and delectable cuisine from a variety of food trucks! While you're here, explore the market for the ideal gift. If you're in the mood for some laughter, arrive early and participate in our Best Dad Joke contest and Best Dad Costume contest, hosted by 910Comedy. The contests will commence at 11:30 AM on the Dirtbag Patio. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/yps2us8w

Sunday, June 16 at 2 p.m.: Deployed Dads Father's Day Cornhole Tournament at The Twisted Grape, 54 Melody Ln, Cameron
This is not your ordinary cornhole competition - it's a commemoration of fatherhood, a show of solidarity for military families, and a celebration of the unity of our community. This tournament revolves around the concept of teamwork - teams comprised of fathers and children, teams that offer support, and teams that guarantee an enjoyable experience! Bring your own father or if he is currently deployed or unavailable, "volunteer dads" are here to fill in the gap, teaming up with kids whose fathers cannot be present. It provides an opportunity for these young ones to partake in a day filled with cornhole, companionship, and guidance from remarkable individuals.
Team registration fee is $20 team (Dad and kid/s), $10 for kid only who needs to be paired with a "volunteer dad," $10 to register as a "volunteer dad.” For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/4s5tcknh

Grab your sneakers, popcorn and favorite beer! Get ready to sprint down memory lane because Run Lola Run aka in German “Lola rennt” aka “Lola Runs” is celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Cameo Art House Theatre for one week! Released in 1998, director Tom Tykwer's cult classic is still racing through the hearts and minds of people worldwide. Run Lola Run is this summer’s nostalgic hot pick and actually inspired the opening of our favorite downtown cinema.
Maybe you remember that feeling of pure exhilaration the first time you watched Lola, played by Franka Potente, dash through the streets of Berlin, Germany? With her fiery red hair and unstoppable determination, Lola's quest to save her boyfriend, Manni, played by Moritz Bleibtreu, is nothing short of awesome. Manni delivers some smuggled loot for his boss, Ronnie (Heino Ferch), but accidentally leaves the 100,000-mark payment on the subway. Given 20 minutes to come up with the money, he calls on Lola, who sprints through the streets of the city to try to beg the money out of her bank manager father (Herbert Knaup) and get to Manni before he does something desperate. The film's unique narrative structure gives us three alternate timelines, each starting with the same premise but unfolding in dramatically different ways based on the smallest of choices.
One of the most striking aspects of Run Lola Run is its vibrant aesthetics. Tykwer's use of split screens, animation, and rapid-fire editing keeps you on the edge of your seat. And then there's the soundtrack – the film comes with one of the best soundtracks of 90s films.
Run Lola Run was not just a hit critically and commercially, but also a phenomenon. It crashed through the barriers of conventional storytelling and brought a fresh, dynamic approach to cinema. Critics loved it, audiences couldn't get enough of it, and it scooped up awards at the Sundance Film Festival and the German Film Awards.
Chris and Nasim Kuenzel, co-owners of the Cameo Art House Theatre have a special connection to the film.
“Twenty-five years ago we were young and in Chicago,” Nasim laughs. “We decided to check out this really cool theater called the Music Box. They were showing Run Lola Run. It was beautifully done.
Great music. Great story.”
“And great animation segments,” Chris added.
The Kuenzels decided they wanted to be involved with independent films and open a theater. Both agreed that people should see the film because it makes viewers appreciate how the little things can change our lives.
“It's the quintessential independent film, " Chris remarked.
The Cameo will be celebrating their 25th anniversary as well, having opened in 2000 with one screen downstairs until they needed to expand to a second screening room upstairs, with comfy chairs and a bar area, famously called The Loge.
“It's a great time at the movies!” Chris said.
The film’s title character herself is someone who embodies determination and resilience, much like Chris and Nasim did, bringing their dream to life.
“We worked behind the scenes way before we actually opened the Cameo. We had to learn what we were doing. It took a lot of time to learn the business and after we opened, there was still a lot to learn,” Nasim added.
Chris and Nasim both agreed that they wanted to share this great film that had a huge impact on their lives and the opening of their theater.
Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the Cameo, the fancy atmosphere, fresh buttery popcorn, hundreds of sweets and adult beverages along with Lola’s race against time will have you wanting to visit again and again. Run Lola Run starts Friday, June 7 at the Cameo on Hay Street and will play for one week. Catch it while you can!