The vibe is live at Airborne Cigar Emporium as Urban Jukebox takes the stage on Sat., Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. This one-night-only event promises to bring the essence of Myrtle Beach to Fayetteville, offering an electrifying experience that you won't want to miss.
Urban Jukebox is known for its dynamic performances that blend classic and new R&B, NeoSoul, Pop, and unforgettable hits. Their live shows are a sensory feast that captivates audiences and leaves them wanting more.
Urban Jukebox is a collective of talented musicians and singers from the Myrtle Beach area, officially coming together in February 2023. Despite their recent formation, each member has a rich history in music, contributing to the group's unique and polished sound.
The band features two lead singers, Silas Lane and Eva Fade, both local artists with strong followings in Myrtle Beach. On drums and bass are the young and gifted brothers, Jordan and Jayden Hewett. Rounding out the group are Willie Newman III on guitar and Dr. Taurean Hodges on keys. Together, they create a musical synergy that is both captivating and exhilarating.
Airborne Cigar Emporium, located at 5500 Yadkin Rd, offers a sophisticated atmosphere for cigar aficionados to relax, unwind, and indulge in the finest selection of premium cigars. The venue's luxurious and refined environment is designed to elevate any experience, making it the perfect backdrop for Urban Jukebox's live performance.
During a visit to the venue around Christmas, the band fell in love with the atmosphere and knew it was the ideal place for their music. The emporium's ambiance complements the band's sound, promising a night to remember.
For those looking to elevate their evening, Airborne Cigar Emporium offers exclusive VIP areas such as the Private Couch or Gentlemen's Chair area. These luxurious spaces provide an enhanced experience, allowing you to enjoy the show in utmost comfort and style.
To reserve your VIP area, visit Airborne Cigar Emporium's website at https://www.airbornecigar.com and secure your spot for an unforgettable night with Urban Jukebox.

The New Year, Better Me! event is designed with you and your aspirations in mind. Held at Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar on Sat., Jan. 18 from noon to 5 p.m., this event aims to bring together a variety of local vendors who can help you kickstart your new year goals. Whether you are focusing on health, wellness, beauty, or personal growth, there will be something for everyone.
“We have several vendors planned! To name just a few: Fusion Salon, Vascular Institute of Pinehurst, Fit for Life, Drip Wellness & Aesthetics, First Citizens, and more. Our vendors will be ready to provide information and guidance for a range of goals that one may have. We hope to have demonstrations as well! In addition, Dirty Whiskey will feature a special drink menu for this event,” said Kat Ferrera, manager of Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar.
Engaging with the community is an essential element for achieving success. The New Year, Better Me! event emphasizes the importance of connecting with local businesses and resources. By building relationships within the community, attendees can gain access to valuable support systems and networks that can aid in their personal and professional growth. This event provides an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and discover readily available resources in our backyard.
No community event is complete without delicious food and great entertainment. At the New Year, Better Me! event, attendees can enjoy a variety of local cuisines from the food truck Authentique and the on-site restaurant, Napkins. These local eateries will be serving up delectable dishes to satisfy taste buds while exploring the event.
As the day progresses, event-goers will also be treated to live music from a local favorite, The Guy Unger Band. Their performance will add a lively and festive atmosphere to the event, making it a fun and memorable experience for all attendees.
Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktail Bar is committed to supporting and spotlighting local businesses. By hosting the New Year, Better Me! event, they provide a platform for local vendors and distillers to showcase their products and services. This dedication to the community is evident in their choice of vendors and the local distillers they patronize for their craft cocktails.
Their love for North Carolina and the local community shines through in every aspect of this event. Dirty Whiskey hopes to offer new ideas and support to friends old and new, helping them plan for a successful new chapter in life. By bringing together local resources and creating a lively, supportive environment, they are championing the success of local businesses and individuals alike.
Ferrera shares her hope for the New Year: “My hope for the new year is to continue to grow my staff’s and my own strengths and talents while increasing awareness of this cool little lounge I’m so pleased to help guide!”

“If you cannot fly then run. If you cannot run, then walk, if you cannot walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, have to keep moving.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Martin Luther King Parade is a tradition that represents the life, teaching, and values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Fayetteville Cumberland County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee presents the 31st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m., in Downtown Fayetteville.
“My passion for the MLK Parade was spearheaded by Mrs. Lula Crenshaw, and Reverend Aaron Johnson,” said Stanely Ford, Chair, FCCMLK Committee. “My position allows me to follow in the footsteps of Mrs. Milo Slocumb, Mr. Floyd Shorter, Dr. Wilson Lacy, and Ms Belinda Grant. Ms. Belinda Grant had been the key coordinator to the MLK Parade progress for years. She ensured that Dr. King’s vision challenged the family and inspired the youth to achieve positive social change.
"Social change can be inspired by motivational speeches. The parade promotes innovation. I have been reaching out to several diverse groups, organizations, churches, colleges, businesses, Cumberland County Schools, and City Departments for this parade to be an inspiration for all ethnic groups and meet the needs of surrounding communities. Nevertheless, it requires time, effort, and perseverance. The organization is dedicated to advancing communities through programs that include food/clothing distribution, family nights, music, food trucks, family and youth wellness, financial classes, housing issues, employment, and community involvement. My vision for the MLK Parade in the future will be music in the downtown park, food trucks, family entertainment, theater plays, vendors and one to two days of celebration dedicated to the MLK Parade and Festival.”
Ford shares leadership aspects as modeled by Dr. Martin Luther King translated to 21st-century youth, “The aspiration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in my view, has not resonated with some of the youth in the 21st century. Therefore, the FCCMLK Committee may revisit some of the proven strategic objectives to align with Dr. King’s vision. Instruct them on the value of integrity, including demonstrating a character that embraces the environments and traditions of diverse groups. It takes courage to face challenges and changes, but it is important to remain motivated and keep moving forward when we come face to face with roadblocks. Wellness programs are essential to assisting the youth with the tools of understanding their critical thinking processes to have an effective quality of life.
"The ability to lead robustly is necessary for communities to achieve equality, promote growth, and provide social change for youth, provide social change to combat prejudice, and strive for Dr. King’s message for peace and harmony.”
Ford talked about the five major teachings of MLK.
“The youth must understand how to address oppression, language barriers, segregation, social media, technology, laws, and how the local/federal government operates. They must understand different processes of these layers to hold them accountable for negative outcomes. The skill sets to meet the demands of the 21st-century global economy are comprehension of strategies for a coalition with all ethnic groups in America. The youth needs the resources to address the consequences of racism and unfair job opportunities.
"It is vital for young people to collaborate with diverse youth ethnic groups, set goals for education, support one another, and dedicate their lives to empowering all diverse groups to social change. The Black Lives Matter Movement sparked concern when different ethnic groups collaborated to bring about positive civil rights changes through social media websites and global demonstrations due to the power of the youth. Dr. King promoted ethnic pride, unity, recognizing experiences, promote unity, and cultural awareness.”
Celebrate the Martin Luther King Legacy with the Fayetteville Cumberland County Martin Luther King Committee at the MLK Day.

(Photo: The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade will be held in downtown Fayetteville, Jan. 18. The parade will help celebrate the legacy and life of MLK Jr.  Photo courtesy of Downtown Fayetteville's Facebook page)

It’s time to throw on your cowboy boots and finest attire for the greatest display of talent in country music in the Carolinas. Celebrating a decade of honoring singers and songwriters, the Carolina Country Music Awards is bringing the fun and the tunes back to North Myrtle Beach on Jan. 18 at the Greg Rowles Legacy Theater, located at 701 Main St, North Myrtle Beach, SC.
The red carpet event starts at 4 p.m. and the show at 6 p.m. General Admission is $29 and Preferred Sitting is $79. Unlock the ultimate experience with the VIP Fan Experience, featuring red carpet access, artist meet and greet, drink tickets, appetizers, and a CCMA commemorative t-shirt and collectors coin. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.carolinacountrymusicassociation.org/carolina-country-music-awards.
The Carolina Country Music Awards has solidified its place as an annual stable in the region, giving a stage and accolades to the area’s up-and-coming talent and industry veterans.
As always, the CCMA’s will be jammed back full of performers including Christopher Nelson, Velvet Rodeo, Garrett Huffman, and Julia Holden. With 24 acts set to hit the stage, the awards are a grand display of Carolina's talent. Executive Director of the Carolina Country Music Association and host of the CCMA’s, Christy “Sweet Tea” Andrulonis is over the moon about the performers, awards, special guests, new venue, and some new elements that will excite the audience.
“This year’s event is happening at the Greg Rowles Legacy Theatre. It’s the perfect setting for celebrating country music and the talented artists in our region. This year, we’re introducing new interactive
elements for attendees to engage with the artists and the music, as well as a revamped fan-voting component that gives fans even more say in certain categories,” Andrulonis explained.
The CCMA has 13 categories for artists to be nominated for and winners are chosen through a combination of fan votes and an industry panel. Andrulonis explained the process.
“Artists are nominated through a combination of industry recommendations, public submissions, and fan engagement. Winners are chosen based on a blend of fan votes and a panel of industry experts, ensuring a fair and inclusive process.”
A list of nominees can be found on the CCMA website. The Carolina Country Music Association has built a legacy with the CCMA and in its tenth year, they are proving why with the lineup of special guests slated to be in the building and perform. Sure to make waves and get the crowd going is Leah Seawright and Mark Herndon of the band Alabama. Also attending is Grammy-nominated, ACM and AMA Award winner, Ira Dean of Trick Pony.
The Blue Pickups Band, the CCMA’s first-ever Entertainer of the Year, will hit the stage for a full circle moment and a reminder of how impactful the CCMA are for the region's country music artists. This year’s awards will also see some new awards and recognition for people who are truly making a difference in the community, no matter how big or small.
Andrulonis said, “Special awards this year include Damien Horne receiving the Carolina Country Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame Induction. Damien and his band, [The] Magi, performed at the 2022 Dogwood Festival here in Fayetteville. Additionally, 7 Branch Arena from Robeson County will receive the ‘Sweet Tea Making A Difference Award’ for their fundraising efforts for western NC hurricane relief, local fire departments, and other non-profit organizations.”
The 10th Annual CCMA’s wouldn’t be possible without all the amazing sponsors. This year’s event sponsors include Bryan Honda, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Healy Wholesale, Law Tigers, and Bill Bowman, publisher of Up and Coming Weekly.
“Their support is invaluable in making this event happen,” Andrulonis said.
Andrulonis’s (“Sweet Tea” to those who know and love her) passion for the awards is proven year after year in the care and detail that she puts into bringing this massive event from paper to stage.
“Music has always been a passion of mine, and leading the CCMA has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. My husband, Jeff Andrulonis, and I have nearly 30 years of experience in radio ownership, specializing in country music and classic rock. Together, my husband and I have built a network that connects listeners to the music they love while supporting the artists who make it. It’s been an incredible journey watching the CCMAs grow from an idea to the vibrant celebration it is today.
"We always hoped it would become a platform for artists to shine, but the success and community support have exceeded our wildest dreams. Each year feels like a step toward honoring the heart and soul of country music in the Carolinas. I’d like to thank the entire Carolina Country Music Association team, our incredible sponsors, and, of course, the fans who make this event possible year after year. Special thanks also go to the artists for sharing their talent and passion with the world,” Andrulonis said.
Next year’s event is already in the planning stages, “We’re already brainstorming some exciting ideas for next year, including expanded categories, bigger venues, and special tributes to the past decade of country music excellence. Stay tuned!” she said.
This year’s nominees can be heard on the Carolina Artist Showdown, broadcasting daily on 100.1 Carolina Country (Fayetteville), 93.9 Carolina Country (Myrtle Beach), and 106.3 Carolina Country (Wilmington) owned and operated by Andrulonis and her husband. Local artists can submit their music online at https://www.carolinacountrymusicassociation.org/https-www-carolinaartistshowdown-co.

Join the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable evening filled with enchanting French melodies. The concert, titled 'Sounds of Lafayette', promises to be a musical journey through time, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Lafayette's visit to Fayetteville 200 years ago. Attendees can look forward to a carefully curated selection of French compositions performed by talented chamber ensembles from the FSO.
As part of the celebration, Music Director Dr. Stefan Sanders will provide insightful commentary throughout the performance, offering a deeper understanding of the music and its historical context. This unique blend of education and entertainment makes “Sounds of Lafayette” an event not to be missed.
The Marquis de Lafayette's visit to Fayetteville in 1825 was a momentous occasion, marking a significant chapter in American history. As the last surviving general of the American Revolution, Lafayette's farewell tour was a celebration of his contributions to the fight for independence and his enduring legacy.
Two centuries later, Lafayette's visit continues to resonate with the people of Fayetteville. His journey symbolizes the enduring friendship between France and the United States, as well as the shared values of liberty and democracy. Together with the Lafayette Society and the American Friends of Lafayette, the FSO will be celebrating the bicentennial of Lafayette’s journey to Fayetteville. The “Sounds of Lafayette” concert serves as a tribute to this historical touchstone, reminding us of the lasting impact of Lafayette's contributions to our nation and city.
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has long been a cultural cornerstone of the Fayetteville community. With a mission to educate, entertain, and inspire through music, the FSO has enriched the lives of countless residents through its diverse programming and community outreach initiatives.
“Sounds of Lafayette” is a testament to the FSO's commitment to celebrating local history and fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts. By bringing together talented musicians and engaging storytelling, the FSO continues to uphold its reputation as a cherished community treasure.
Don't miss out on this extraordinary celebration of music and history! “Sounds of Lafayette” will take place on Sat., Jan. 25 at First Presbyterian Church located at 102 Ann Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the concert starting at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.fayettevillesymphony.org, by contacting the FSO office at 910-433-4690, or at the door on the night of the concert. Discounts are available for seniors, military personnel, college students, children, and Cumberland County Schools employees. Secure your tickets today and be part of this special bicentennial celebration!

“When you are on the rivers, oceans, or in the woods, you are closest to the truth you will ever get.” — Jack Leonard

The Tri-River Catfish Bracket Series, sponsored by the 4REEL Fishing, is a public catfish tournament held on Jan. 18 beginning at Deep Creek Outfitters. Between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., anglers can try their hand at catching catfish on the Cape Fear River. Teams can register in advance for $100 at www. 4reelfishing.com. Single anglers can register on Jan. 18, at Deep Creek Outfitters between 4 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. The store is also being used as the weigh-in location. Participants will depart from the weigh-in location to launch from any Wildlife or Town-owned ramp on the Cape Fear River. The official start time for the Tri-River Catfish Bracket Series is 6 a.m. Anglers are required to be present at the weigh-in station by 4 p.m.
The Tri-River Catfish Bracket Series focuses on Anglers. There is a difference between fisherpersons and anglers.
According to Ed’s Fly Shop, “‘Fisherperson’ is a general concept that refers to anyone that hunts fish or sea animals. Sea animals are turtles and crabs. This includes any hunting method, and technique such as net fishing, trapping, and fishing lines. Fish are commonly caught food, retail opportunities, and bait. Anglers all use the same type of gear when fishing, namely hooks, anglers, and a line to bait and catch fish, and the line to pull the fish for capture. Most people purchase and use a fishing rod. Anglers use many techniques such as casting, and reeling the fish. The casting places the bait and hook in the water, the reeling is the capture of fish on the baited hook. These techniques are the primary differences of the fisherperson and angler.”
The sponsor of the Tri-River Catfish Bracket Series, head-to-head catfish competition is 4REEL Fishing. Tyler Barnes, life-long fisherman, is the founder of 4REEL Fishing.
“4REEL Fishing was founded with a passion for the thrill of the catch and a dedication for supporting every angler in their pursuit of greatness. Our vision is simple, to empower the fishing community with innovative products that make every moment on the water more enjoyable and successful. We take pride in building a vibrant community of anglers who support each other, share tips, and celebrate success. We work tirelessly to inspire others and promote the sport we love. We are proud to be part of your fishing journey,” he said.
Barnes shares his enthusiasm about the Tri-River Catfish Bracket Series, “I am super-excited about it. I am looking forward to seeing so many fantastic anglers.”
The Tri-River Catfish Bracket Series is an economic benefit to Cumberland County and Fayetteville. The benefits range from more tourist dollars in the area, media exposure, increased sales of bait, accommodation, meals, fuel, and boat rentals. Tourism dollars add to Cumberland County tax revenues. The business community of Cumberland County and Fayetteville will experience increased traffic during and after the tournament.
Catch a catfish on the Cape Fear River on Jan. 18 at the Tri-River Catfish Bracket Series. The fishing competition is 6 a.m., to 4 p.m. Please report to Deep Creek Outfitters during the hours of 4 a.m. to 5:15 a.m. for weigh-in guidelines.

Two months ago, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival announced a new executive director. He resigned just days into his employment.
Now, the festival has hired another director who says she’s ready to usher it into a new era.
The organization announced on social media that Kaylynn Suarez will take the helm of the city’s major spring festival, which has drawn as many as 250,000 people downtown in recent years. The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is an independent, nonprofit organization that has held the annual event since 1983.
The festival is set for April 25-27. Suarez told CityView that it’s “going to be a good one.”
“The 2025 festival is one that we’re all going to be proud of,” Suarez added.
Previously, Suarez worked in the marketing, event planning management and nonprofit spheres. For the last seven years, she worked in real estate marketing in Florida and North Carolina. Most recently, she was a part of the Patty Herrera Home Team of Litchfield Realty in Fayetteville and worked as an event planner at Sol’s Arcade + Taproom.
She also previously worked for the U.S. Department of State in the grant division at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. The wife of an active-duty civil affairs Army officer and mother of two, Suarez has lived in Fayetteville periodically since 2017 and moved back for the second time last Christmas.
Suarez’s hiring comes after the two most recent directors resigned: Sarahgrace Mitchell in spring 2023 after two years in the position, and Jim Long Jr. in October, after 10 days. Long declined to say at the time exactly why he left, and board members were also reluctant to name a specific reason.
Meanwhile, two other former executive directors of the festival are in a lawsuit against each other.
The festival has struggled financially in recent years, and had to cut back on prominent musical acts during the 2024 festival.
However, board members reported in the spring that the festival’s debts are paid off, and Suarez said she’s confident about securing sponsorships and working with local businesses ahead of the 2025 festival. She said there will be live entertainment akin to previous years.
With local businesses and vendors, Suarez said the festival is emphasizing “quality over quantity,” as part of its strategy to generate renewed excitement about the festival.
“I know things have shifted over the years, and I really want to get it back to the previous years where everybody was more excited about the event and felt more like a community block party than anything,” Suarez said. “But our goal is to raise those funds so we can make sure we get there. And this will definitely be a good year as far as I’m concerned. I’m confident that we are going to bring it back to glory days.”
Suarez also spoke to her excitement over the board of directors’ assistance in the festival planning process.
“This is the first nonprofit I’ve worked with where it’s like, ‘Nope, we all have a job. We’re all here,’ and that’s something I’m extremely excited about,” Suarez said. “And I don’t think they get enough credit.”
Andrew Porter, the board’s chair, declined to comment and forwarded CityView’s request to Suarez.

Dogwood Festival announces 2025 dates, vendor applications now open

The dates for the 2025 Dogwood Festival have been officially announced! Mark your calendars for April 25-27. If you're looking to participate as a vendor in the 2025 Dogwood Festival, now is the time to apply.
Vendor applications are open, and the deadline to submit your application is Feb. 28, at 11:59 p.m. Don't miss out on the chance to showcase your products or services to thousands of festivalgoers.
Vendor announcements will be made on March 14. Spots fill up quickly, so be sure to apply as soon as possible to secure your place at one of the most anticipated events of the year. Visit bit.ly/DWF2025Application to apply.

(Kaylynn Suarez is the new director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.)

Bianca Shoneman, who has been the president and CEO of Fayetteville’s Cool Spring Downtown District since September 2019, has stepped down from her role with the city.
To ensure continued momentum during this transition period, the CSDD Board has formed a Transition Team composed of members from the CSDD Executive Committee, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville. This team will lead the organization as it leans into its recently adopted strategic plan. The Board is committed to maintaining the energy and vision cultivated under Shoneman's leadership and will release a job announcement for the CEO role in the coming weeks.
In the interim, the Board has announced that Ashanti Bennett has been appointed Interim President of CSDD. A creative connector with a passion for the arts and humanities, Bennet brings nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit arts administration to her role. As the Director of Special Projects at CSDD, Bennet has successfully curated significant community events, including the Juneteenth Jubilee and the Night Circus.
Bennett's dedication to storytelling, her passion for the transformative power of creativity, and her commitment to serving the community make her the ideal leader during this time of transition. A proud Fayetteville ‘replant,’ Bennett draws inspiration from her roots and education at George Mason University, where she interned at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Her unwavering commitment to fostering community enrichment aligns perfectly with CSDD’s mission.
As Interim President, Bennett is looking forward to building on Shoneman's momentum and amplifying Downtown Fayetteville as a premier destination to live, work, play, and invest.
The Cool Spring Downtown District is a nonprofit organization that was created in 2017 to foster arts and entertainment to draw people to downtown Fayetteville.
It is funded in part from the Arts Council, the City of Fayetteville, and money earned from events held throughout the year.
“It is with a heavy, heavy heart that I am writing to formally announce my decision to resign from my position as CEO with the Cool Spring Downtown District effective January 2, 2025,” she said in an email to her board of directors. “This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve this incredible organization and community.”

In Chapel Hill, talk has been mostly about former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and the question of whether his hiring by UNC good for the university or just one more step in the commercialism of college athletics.
For instance, Boston Globe sportswriter Chad Finn wrote the following in that paper’s December 18 edition:
“Dear University of North Carolina football media, fans, and assorted Tar Heel personnel who must now navigate having Bill Belichick in their lives: First, a hearty thank you from your colleagues in New England for sending Drake Maye our way and—no offense intended—preparing him to play with a significant talent disadvantage in his huddle.”
We are happy Finn appreciates Drake Maye, but what about Belichick as UNC coach?
Finn writes, “This might be the most important thing about covering and comprehending Bill Belichick: It’s OK to be skeptical about how he will fare, at 72 years old, in his foray into the wild west of college football. You should be. But do not underestimate him and absolutely do not prematurely dismiss his chances—as some prominent, territorial college football writers have done already—at finding success in Chapel Hill.”
Still Finn insists, “The news that Belichick is now Chapel Bill . . . well, sure, that stunned all of us up here, too. But you sure are lucky to have him.”
Finn says Belichick “is as brilliant and prepared and as motivated as ever, and that is as brilliant and prepared and motivated as any coach has ever been.
“Those of us in New England who remember to appreciate all he did here know this to be true: He is about to have the last laugh over the doubters.
“The symmetry of Belichick ending his one-year hiatus from coaching to take a job at Maye’s alma mater is as amusing as it is stunning here in New England. But it also allows for a chance to offer some reciprocal advice on how to cover and deal with the legendary coach and accomplished grump.
“NIL (name, image, likeness) and the transfer portal have made college football more professional than professional football in some ways. Players don’t have to adhere to contracts in the college game, and they essentially can hop from program to program at will in pursuit of more money and/or more opportunity.”
In closing, Finn writes, “Those of us in New England who remember to appreciate all he did here know this to be true: He is about to have the last laugh over the doubters. Right, and the last snort, too.”
Even the elite magazine “The New Yorker” is covering UNC football.
Louisa Thomas, writing in the December 15 edition of that magazine in an article titled “The Resurrection of Bill Belichick” began, “After failing to land another job in the NFL, the former New England Patriots coach is headed to the University of North Carolina. Will it work?”
Thomas writes that Belichick has already made a difference. “UNC is a basketball school. Its football program hasn’t won the NCAA’s Atlantic Coast Conference since 1980. Around the time of Mack Brown’s firing, at the end of November, UNC. only had ten committed football recruits coming in for 2025.”
A number of starters had declared their openness to transferring. But Belichick’s arrival now brings a level of excitement and attention that should immediately impact the program. Even with the high price that Belichick is reportedly demanding (a five-year, fifty-million-dollar contract; a twenty-million-dollar ‘name, image, and likeness’ package for football; and no doubt competitive salaries for a large staff), the money will come in.”
Boosters, parents and prospects will compete for the chance to shake the coach’s hand. …“there are plenty of parents who will want their sons coached by the legend, and plenty of young players who will be dazzled by the gaudy hints of a future pro career, by all those Super Bowl rings. And, when UNC opens its 2025 season, on August 30th, against Texas Christian University, the stadium will be full. Viewership will probably soar. UNC football will feel relevant in a way that it hasn’t before.”

(Bill Belichick will be taking over as UNC's Head Coach for football. Photo courtesy of Flickr)

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and I do not have much in common.
He grew up on his family’s estate, Hickory Hill, in Virginia. I grew up on a 2-block street in Haymount. He had 10 siblings. I have 1. Our politics are vastly different.
One thing we do agree on, and adamantly, is banning prescription drug advertising on television. The United States is clearly an outlier in allowing such advertising. The only other developed nation to do so is New Zealand.
We have all seen these ads, many of them targeted toward seniors, who are likely to take more prescription medications than younger people. The ads address conditions many of us have never heard of, much less suffer from, and reel out all sorts of terrifying side effects. They never mention cost, and with good reason, since manufacturers aim to make as much money on their sales as possible before the drug becomes generic, bringing in substantially less revenue. Some of these drugs, such as recently developed weight loss medicines, cost consumers and their insurance providers thousands of dollars a month before they become generic.
The United States began allowing this pharmaceutical gravy train in the 1990s, a practice which some experts say allows drug manufacturers to make as much as 5 times more on prescription drug sales to consumers than the TV advertising itself costs, estimated at more than $5B. Such advertising is often defended by the First Amendment’s freedom of speech. Some may have positive effects, such as encouraging Americans, especially seniors, to get vaccinated.
The ads also encourage people to pressure physicians for various medications—“ask your doctor if xyz drug is right for you.” They may also encourage consumers to seek the latest and greatest new pharmaceutical product when an older and likely less expensive drug would be equally effective.
The American Medical Association has long supported a ban on pharmaceutical ads on television, and many American patients have seen our doctors roll his or her eyes when we suggest that some prescription drug we saw on television might be appropriate for us.
Former President Donald Trump showed interest in curbing such advertising during his first term and has nominated Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., or RFK in Kennedy shorthand, to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services. If confirmed by the US Senate, Kennedy is expected to seek a ban on prescription drug advertising. Another Trump ally, Elon Musk, recently wrote on social media, “No advertising for pharma.” In addition, Trump’s choice to head the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates broadcast media, says his agency could enforce such a ban.
That said, it would not be easy. The prescription drug industry is not called “Big Pharma” for no reason, and it would be expected to fight anything resembling a ban tooth and nail. Big Pharma has a significant presence in North Carolina, particularly in the Triangle, so Tar Heels can expect to be involved in any effort to curb drug advertising.
It is also not clear how to slow down or even stop this advertising juggernaut, which has been running for decades. Congress could initiate legislation, but members would be under tremendous pressure from Big Pharma not to enact it. Trump could issue an executive order of some sort, but either way court challenges would delay or prohibit restrictions or an outright ban.
RFK or whoever becomes US Secretary of Health and Human Services will have a full plate. If he is confirmed, though, I will cheer him on in his effort to end the United States’ outlier status with prescription drug advertising.

Dear U&CW readers,

The new year has begun, and undoubtedly, this community, our state, and the entire Nation are excited about the prospects of a safe and prosperous future.
Nowhere is that more evident than here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. More and more residents and stakeholders are stepping up into leadership positions while ineffective civic leaders are moving on, and negligent, lazy, and self-absorbed elected officials have found themselves out of office or, at best, relegated to the minority. Below is a letter addressed to all the residents of Cumberland County from the newly elected Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, Kirk deViere.
It contains an unprecedented message and commitment from that office that boldly conveys to the citizens of this community the Board’s collective commitment to prioritize and address the needs of the Cumberland County community.
It reads like a progressive movement to address the “real” needs of this community, and deViere is inviting all Cumberland County residents to get involved and participate in local government. I applaud deViere’s transparency and willingness to aggressively address and announce Cumberland County’s top priorities to the public. He has invited all citizens to participate and assist in accomplishing these goals. He can count us in, and I hope he can count on you.

Happy New Year! And Thanks for reading U&CW.
—Bill Bowman, Publisher

As we start 2025, Cumberland County faces important challenges that affect your daily life. My focus as Chairman is clear — improving the lives of our families and neighbors. We've got work to do, and we're ready to get it done.
Let's start with what matters most: clean water. Every family deserves safe drinking water, period. We're going to make the much-needed investments to ensure everyone in our county has access to clean water and we have the capacity and infrastructure to grow.
Our kids can't wait for a better education. We will work with the school board to put more resources where they count — in our classrooms and with our children. Every child deserves a fair shot at success, no matter their zip code.
Housing is tough right now, especially for folks who keep our community running. Our teachers, first responders, and hardworking neighbors often struggle to find homes they can afford. We're taking real action to partner with developers and create programs that help middle-income families move from renting to owning.
We recognize the mounting pressure on working families, particularly regarding the cost of childcare and accessibility As federal and state funding changes, we're working to keep childcare affordable and available for families who need it.
Mental health is hitting our community hard. We will work to make it easier to help when folks need it, with better crisis services and support programs that work for working families.
We're taking real action on homelessness — not just temporary fixes, but real solutions that help people get back on their feet with housing, mental health support, and job training.
Fort Liberty isn't just a base — it's part of who we are. Our veterans deserve more than just thanks — they deserve real support with mental health, housing, and jobs. We won't let them down.
Your tax dollars matter. With property revaluation coming up, we're working to keep more money in your pocket while still providing the services you count on. No waste, no games — just smart spending that makes sense.
We can't do this alone. We're building stronger partnerships with our cities, towns, state leaders, and federal representatives to make sure Cumberland County gets its fair share. After all, we're the gateway to Eastern North Carolina.
As your Chairman, I'm focused on turning these priorities into real results that matter to your family in 2025. But I need your help — come to our meetings, speak up, share your ideas. This is your community too, and together we can make it work better for everyone.

(Photo: Kirk deViere is the newly elected Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County)

Everyone loves a good nail set. TikTok and Instagram are full of design inspiration and nail artists taking the craft to the next level. From acrylic to gel, sculptured to traditional, squared to coffin tip, there is something for everyone and every occasion.
Those looking to learn the craft and start their journey as a nail tech journey can look no further than Claws by Vee School, Fayetteville’s premier private nail school located at 594 S. Reilly Road.
Owner Verace Granberry started her journey as a nail tech five years ago, expanding from the chair to owning her salon. The school has been open for about 6 months. The 4-month program has already seen success in offering day and night classes and tuition payment plans to accommodate anyone interested in attending no matter the circumstance. Claws by Vee School offers Gel X certification and nail art workshops. Potential students can schedule tours on the school's website at https://clawsbyveeacademy.as.me/schedule.php.
Granberry has always known she wanted to expand far beyond salon ownership. Opening the school was a dream come to fruition, even with some minor changes. Claws by Vee is the first black-owned full-time nail school in Fayetteville, a fact that Granberry was fully aware of when planning her vision for the school and what she wanted it to look like.
“It was tough because I started out with this vision that I wanted a big school. We were originally supposed to be downtown, but it was a lot with construction and engineers, and I just ended up having to turn around and just do a whole different outlook. But it was a good feeling. I have a lot of positive things to say about that more than negative. It’s a really good feeling because [we are ] creating history so this journey has been nothing but great so far and I’m praying that stays that way,” Granberry said.
Her time as a salon owner more than prepared her to start the school, and as an entrepreneur and mom, she knows the importance of support.
“My salon really molded me to be able to work with people, understand the way people think, understand how to respond and not respond. Understand self-control, understand you know that my tone affects people and just understand how to cater to people because we all need each other … My school is more of an intimate place. Is more of a sisterhood … What if they want to create content, or if they want to have their own product line, or they just want to own their own salon? They get to see each aspect. I’ve worked in a salon. I’ve got my own product line. I’ve done a lot of different things so they can learn from somebody who has walked in those footsteps,” she said.
Granberry has also started her own nail product line, including acrylic, nail charms, nail tips, and anything else nail techs need.
“My products are very high-quality. They’re very beginner-friendly for everything from acrylic EMA monomer, nail art, charms, files, nail tips, glue, pretty much everything you need to just start up and start practicing,” she explained.
She hopes to open a storefront soon, but in the meantime, those interested can purchase products at the school during business hours.
As a working mom, Granberry relies on the support of her mother and fiancé to balance the life of owning a nail school and home life. “[I would like to thank] number one, God. My mother, my fiancé, he’s a big help when it comes to our family and our children. Being able to be at the school, holding the house down. My team. I say that all my school-owner friends, all my friends that connect with me and we own schools. We get together and we help solve any problems we might have. We find solutions to help each other.” Granberry said.
The school offers clinical hours Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. This is an opportunity for students to practice their skills and for the community to get services for a discounted price and help future nail techs. Book an appointment by calling the school at 910-850-5339.

Indoor rock climbing is an excellent way to improve your physical fitness. By engaging various muscle groups, climbing builds strength in your arms, legs, and core. Each climb requires you to reach, stretch, and move your body in ways that enhance your flexibility.
Additionally, the continuous movement involved in climbing provides a great cardiovascular workout, increasing your heart rate and improving your cardiovascular health. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced climber, the physical benefits of indoor climbing are substantial and can contribute to overall fitness.
Climbing is not just a physical activity; it also challenges your mind. Each route or 'problem' you encounter requires careful planning and problem-solving skills. You need to think several steps ahead, deciding where to place your hands and feet to progress efficiently.
This mental engagement enhances your focus and concentration, making climbing an excellent cognitive workout. Successfully navigating a challenging route can also boost your confidence, as you overcome obstacles and achieve your climbing goals.
The combination of physical activity and mental focus in climbing can lead to significant stress relief. Engaging in a climb releases endorphins, the body's natural 'feel-good' hormones, which can help reduce stress and improve your mood.
Moreover, the immersive nature of climbing requires you to be fully present and focused on the task at hand, providing a mental break from daily stressors. This unique blend of physical exertion and mental engagement makes climbing an effective way to manage stress.
One of the significant advantages of indoor climbing is its accessibility regardless of weather conditions. Unlike outdoor climbing, which can be dependent on favorable weather, indoor climbing gyms provide a controlled environment where you can climb year-round.
This means you can maintain a consistent exercise routine and continue to enjoy the benefits of climbing, no matter the season. The convenience and reliability of indoor climbing make it an excellent option for those looking to stay active and fit throughout the year.
Climbing gyms are more than just places to exercise; they are vibrant communities where individuals come together to share their passion for climbing. The supportive environment in these gyms encourages climbers to push their limits and achieve new heights.
As you overcome climbing challenges and improve your skills, your confidence grows. Additionally, the social interaction with fellow climbers fosters a sense of belonging and community, making the climbing gym a welcoming and motivating place to be.
Fayetteville has two great locations for indoor climbing. The Climbing Place, located at 436 W Russell Street, has something for everyone from beginner to more experienced climbers. Rock climbers can also try indoor top rope climbing or bouldering. Their friendly and professional staff are ready to assist you with all of your climbing needs. They provide all the equipment, or you are welcome to use your own. Walk-ins are welcome. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For information on pricing visit https://www.theclimbingplace.com/prices
The Triangle Rock Club is located at 5213 Raeford Road. This facility has 8,500 square feet of climbing surface including top roping, lead climbing, auto-belays, and top-out bouldering. Climbing routes and bouldering problems are rotated weekly. Climbers of all ages, experience and backgrounds are welcomed. Walk-ins are welcome, and equipment can be rented for those who don’t have their own. For information on becoming a member visit https://trianglerockclub.com/membership/

Prepare for a winter of suspense and mystery as Sweet Tea Shakespeare invites audiences to step into the captivating world of Agatha Christie with their adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express. This highly anticipated production, skillfully adapted by renowned playwright Ken Ludwig, is set to take place at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County, with performances running from Jan. 23-26 and Jan. 30-Feb. 2. Evening shows will commence at 7 p.m., while matinees are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.
Set against the backdrop of the luxurious and iconic Orient Express train, the story plunges viewers into a high-stakes, enigmatic journey, where the sudden murder of a passenger brings the tranquility of train travel to a chaotic halt. The passengers, all strangers with secrets and hidden motives, are ensnared in a deadly web of deception. Enter Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie's legendary detective, whose keen intellect and unparalleled observation skills are tested as he endeavors to unravel the truth shrouded beneath layers of lies.
Under the direction of the talented Ayana Washington, the production promises to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, guessing and pondering the various possibilities until the very final moments. In a previous conversation, Washington addressed the creative challenges of adapting such a complex narrative.
"The brilliance of Christie's storytelling lies in its intricate complexity and character depth," she explained. "Our mission is to honor her remarkable plotting while simultaneously immersing the audience into the theatrical experience. With our intimate staging, we strive to make attendees feel like they are passengers on the train, actively engaged in Poirot's investigation."
Washington emphasized the unique fusion of traditional and modern theatrical techniques that Sweet Tea Shakespeare employs. This innovative approach infuses contemporary energy into their performances, creating an experience that, while firmly rooted in the 1930s setting, resonates with a modern audience. This not only ensures a suspenseful and atmospheric performance but also deeply engages the audience on multiple levels, leaving them intrigued and excited.
The production transforms the Arts Council's indoor space into a lavish train compartment, creating a strikingly immersive environment that reflects the glamour and tension in Christie's narratives. This immersive setting, coupled with the themes of justice, morality, and the quest for truth that thread through the storyline, invites viewers to contemplate more profound philosophical questions beyond just the criminal mystery itself, making them feel transported and engaged.
In true Sweet Tea Shakespeare fashion, Murder on the Orient Express will feature signature elements such as live pre-show music, enhancing the overall atmosphere and setting the mood for the thrilling adventure ahead. Additionally, audiences will have opportunities to interact with cast members after the performance, creating a unique connection between performers and viewers. This interactive element ensures that the audience feels connected and involved in the production.
Tickets are priced between $15 and $25 and can be purchased online or at the Arts Council box office. Special discounts are available for students, military personnel, and seniors. Prospective attendees should note that the production includes content warnings for depictions of blood, violence, and graphic descriptions of murder and is recommended for audiences aged 12 and older.
With its captivating staging, compelling performances, and dynamic storytelling, Murder on the Orient Express promises to deliver an unforgettable evening of thrilling entertainment and intellectual engagement.
For more information and to secure your tickets, please visit Sweet Tea Shakespeare's official website at https://sweetteashakespeare.com/

“Big Thinking Precedes Great Achievement”
— Wilfred A Peterson

Hope Mills’ celebration of the opening of Phase 1 of Heritage Park was a rainy day on Nov. 20, 2024. This was the physical manifestation of a sustained vision.
Chancer McLaughlin, Town Manager, Hope Mills, shared, “We are here to witness something never before in the history of this town. We are here today at the opening of a park dedicated to the history of Hope Mills. We are also here today because of the challenging work, dedication, vision, and most importantly the desire of citizens and Hope Mills to come together.”
Lamarco Morrison, Parks and Recreation Director, Hope Mills shares the process and challenges.
“The fifteen-year journey from concept to opening involved several other entities before Parks and Recreation became heavily involved. The conceptional plan began in 2010 with the Hope Mills Historic Preservation Committee and students from the Landscape Architecture Department of NC State. The students, with heavy input from HPC, developed the first conceptual plans, which became the basic framework for the adopted Master Plan. The master plan process did not begin until the fall of 2019 when the town contracted with McAdams to complete the master plan document. The challenges were funding the project and convincing the Town to move forward with the Master Plan and construction documents,” Morrison said.
“The Board of Commissioners needed to commit to the design phase of the project, public education about the approval process for construction, bid documents, and permitting. Fortunately, in 2019, the Board agreed to fund the design engineering phase of the project and move forward to applying for grants to help fund the projects. Public hearings were held for community support for the proposed park elements. The Board of Commissioners adopted the Master Plan.
"The adoption of the master plan created eligibility for a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The Town of Hope Mills was required to have to match dollar for dollar with the PARTF grant. The Town was awarded $300,000 for seed money to address engineering drawings and matching funds as part of the fiscal budget. ARPA funds were used to address escalating costs during COVID. The funding sources were PARTF grant funding, matching funds from the Town of Hope Mills, a Division of Water Quality grant to fund a flume storm water feature, and EPA grant for Storm Water Management.
"The Town received over 740,000 dollars in grant funding for Heritage Park. The rich history also proved a challenge. The construction of the park was delayed for 8 months for archaeological recovery according to guidelines of the State Historic Preservation Office.”
Morrison shared the rationale for the State Historical Preservation participation in the Heritage Park Project.
“Hope Mills was once a settlement known as Rock Fish Village. This remained the name of the village until the village including the mills were burned during the Civil War in 1865. In 1872, the mill on Heritage Park was rebuilt and renamed Hope Mills. In 1891, after much rebuilding of the village and the mills, the settlement was incorporated and named Hope Mills,” he said.
“This rich history is a recognition of distinction and economic development factors for Hope Mills,” Morrison stated. “The intent of the park initially was to display the Town’s rich history. The centerpiece of the park, the flume, is one of a kind, unique feature that has gotten state-wide attention to ingenious design. A visit to the park consists of interpretative signage telling the story of the site. The historic flume’s unique and beautiful design is a topic for conversation and research. What we did not expect is that the park's open space would be sought after as an outdoor venue for weddings, performances, plays, fitness classes, and musical performances. The potential is limitless.”
Future plans for Heritage Park include an expansion of the concept of an outdoor venue.
Hope Mills administration also is taking initiatives in the area of flood control. The innovative solution to this environmental issue is the flume. Morrison expounds on the concept.
“The flume was restored and transformed to a storm water feature. Heritage Park site is highly prone to flooding, with proximity to Little Rock Fish Creek and Lake Hope Mills. Since the installation of the stormwater feature, there has been no flooding. A second crucial factor in the design is stormwater is now filtered through the soil, and plant materials in the flume to filter runoff water before it reaches the creek,” he said.
“My appreciation is that so many artifacts were preserved and re-purposed in an area where so many historic structures have been destroyed. Heritage Park creates the public experience of the historic flume, the turbine, the pump house, refurbished flood gates, the winch, and the millstone. When I visit the park and observe the artifacts, the average age is at least 300 years old. It gives me a better appreciation of history and the Town,” Morrison said.
Visit Heritage Park, Hope Mills, and experience history. Heritage Park is located at 5445 Lakeview Road, Hope Mills, 28348. For more information about Heritage Park, contact Lamarco Morrison, Parks and Recreation Director, at 910-426-4109.

(Photo: Heritage Park is Hope Mills' newest park; a lovely new space dedicated to sustainability and the people of Hope Mills. Photo courtesy of Hope Mills Parks & Recreation)

As an authentic elementary school principal, I make a statement about “stranger danger” every Friday during the morning announcements. I tell my babies to not talk to strangers online or in person and don’t take any money, food, candy, or other items from strangers. I also tell them not to help any stranger look for their pet and if someone grabs you, yell just as loud as you can, “This is not my mommy, this is not my daddy.” It is disenchanting to have to say this to our future leaders on a weekly basis, but this is the current state of our world today and I am going to do all that I can to protect my babies.
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The theme is “Be Their Voice: Stop Human Trafficking, Speak Up.” Cumberland County consistently ranks #1 in North Carolina for human trafficking and being close to the I-95 corridor makes it easy for traffickers to move in and out with their victims.
“I started the first human trafficking court here in North Carolina,” said Toni King, chief district court judge in Cumberland County for the 14th judicial district. “Our court focuses on those individuals that find themselves caught between being a human trafficking victim and having picked up charges due to their trafficker’s force or coercion.”
She added, “So what our court tries to do is identify these individuals and provide them with help and treatment. If we can dismiss the charges or minimize the exposure of the charges, that is what our goal is to do while giving them treatment, rehabilitative services and safe housing.”
Human trafficking victims experience all kinds of dismal horrors such as drug addiction, physical and sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, inhumane conditions, memory loss, traumatic brain injuries and layers of mental, physical and emotional trauma. Traffickers seek individuals who have something that is missing in their lives, are shy and have low self-esteem.
“Human trafficking is not being done by just strangers,” said King. “They are being trafficked by family members or people that they know.”
King added that it typically starts off with people that they trust or have developed a relationship with.
“I have had mothers and daughters trafficked by their husband and father, and professionals and juveniles that have been trafficked,” said King. “The common thread in all of this has been that they all have longed for something, been trafficked by someone who they trusted and ultimately all of them have had issues with substance abuse.”
King added, “People need to understand that everyone is susceptible to being trafficked and social media is a big way of how traffickers recruit and groom individuals.”
“We have several different organizations who are combatting human trafficking in Cumberland County,” said Faith Boehmer, prevention and volunteer coordinator of the Child Advocacy Center. “One government agency is WORTH Court which stands for ‘We Overcome Recidivism Through Healing’ and it was brought here by Judge Toni King.”
Boehmer added, “They work with victims and learn about their situation in which they may have to move them to a safer place.”
“One of the things that we are going to be doing in January is we have created an Amazon wish list where the community can see it,” said Boehmer. “They will be able to click on the item to order it and the item will go directly to the victim.”
The items range from sanitary products, jogging suits, shoes, underwear, soap, deodorant and more.
“This is a way that people in the community can become aware and invest in a way to assist,” said Boehmer.
The Child Advocacy Center works with clients who may come in for an interview and may be a victim of human trafficking.
“We are a place where children come to share their story of being physically or sexually abused,” said Boehmer. “When they come there may be other things coupled with that such as drug endangerment or human trafficking so all of those other things can be factors in that one case.”
“The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department has a couple of detectives that are specifically assigned to work in the human trafficking arena,” said Boehmer. “They also work closely with WORTH Court, Gate Beautiful and there is also a therapist from Healing Minds who will provide services to those clients.”
She added, “ACS, Army Community Services, from Fort Liberty, have partnered with The Child Advocacy Center and they want to provide support, awareness and education to the community.”
“Be Their Voice” is the theme that the Child Advocacy Center has adopted for prevention awareness for the whole year for everything they have planned.
“The reason we want to be their voice is because we want to be able to bring education and awareness to our community,” said Boehmer. “Whether it is to the children in the schools that can be impacted directly themselves, to their parents, the faith community and other professionals in the community so that they know the things that need to be put in place.”
Boehmer added, “They need to know they need to have their staff trained, how to be aware and what steps to take. Maybe the members of our faith community need to be aware of what that looks like.”
The first kickoff event for National Human Trafficking Month is “Wear Blue Day.” Show your commitment to fighting human trafficking by wearing royal blue for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Saturday, Jan. 11. Use your social media to post pictures and use #wearblueday.
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, there will be a community-wide forum at the Kiwanis Parks & Recreation Center at 352 Devers Street at 6:30 p.m. The speakers will be Bill Woolf and Brittany Dunn.
“They will be moderating the panel discussion, and we will have different people from the community on the panel,” said Boehmer. “We will have a Child Advocacy Center staff member, Judge Toni King, a human trafficking survivor and other professionals in the community.”
Thursday, Jan. 16 is a one-day conference at Temple Baptist Church in Eastover, NC from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“It will be broken into two sessions and the morning session is ‘Empathy and Action: Trauma Informed Approaches To Human Trafficking,’” said Boehmer. “The afternoon session is ‘Shield of Trust: Trauma Informed Approaches To Suspected Human Trafficking In Military Communities.’”
On the evening of Thursday, Jan. 16, Faith Community in Action will be held at the Kiwanis Parks & Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m.
“We will be reaching out to churches in the community and asking them to come and hear Bill and Brittany share what the faith community can do about human trafficking,” said Boehmer. “They need to be aware and to encourage their members and parishioners to be a part of making a difference.”
There will be a “Be Their Voice 5K Run” on Saturday, Jan. 25 at Methodist University at 9 a.m.
“This is the third year that we have done this,” said Boehmer. “It is our goal to have 300 people at the event this year.”
“We, as a community, need to speak up and be the voice for human trafficking,” said Boehmer. “We need to provide them safety, an education, teach them interview skills and help find them a job so they can be successful citizens in the community.”
The events are open to the public. For more information or to volunteer at the Child Advocacy Center call 910-486-9700 or visit www. https://www.cacfaync.org/.

(Photo: The FAST Transit system advertised National Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January 2023.)

Save the date and grab your tickets for the 2025 Runway Extravaganza Fashion Show presented by An Affair to Remember. Join the fun and pageantry of one of the biggest annual fashion shows in Fayetteville at the Crown Complex on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.
Highlighting not only prom, pageant and formal wear, but women’s empowerment and impact, this fashion show elevates what it means to celebrate HER. Tickets can be purchased online and range from $25 general admission to $70 premiere row and table tickets, which include entry into the $250 raffle (must be present to win) and a $25 voucher for An Affair to Remember.
Proceeds from the event go to CEED for Women in Business for 2025's HER Week held in March. Attendees will enjoy a fabulous fashion show featuring the latest in pageant wear, formal ware, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, and evening wear, as well as a Giavonni Couture trunk show, a Giavonni Mother of the Bride show, and a prom trunk show.
Nothing marks an event's success more than its longevity and ability to bring in a crowd year after year. That’s exactly what the Runway Extravaganza Fashion Show has been doing for 15 years now, drawing an attendance of around 800 each year. Kathy Keefe Jensen, owner of An Affair to Remember and Fayetteville City Council Member of District 1, holds the helm of this production and is the visionary of its conception.
“This is number 15. It was fully grown about 18 years ago. Caroline Swain [from the Crown], said, ‘you know we really want to do a fashion show’. Some other local business people called me in and said, ‘we have this great idea to do this big fashion show.’ I’d been doing little fashion shows, it was so much work and it was a lot,” Jensen said. “They said this is what we want to do. We’ll do the decorations, we’ll do this, we’ll do that. I’m like, okay, I can do this. But I have to be prepared. I’m not going to just throw it together. It took me about two years, [I] had to talk to my vendors, my designers, and tried to figure out how to make it happen. We had our first one in the hospitality room at the Crown. I’ve had some partners and I learned that our business is such a niche, that maybe we needed to do it on our own and so we just continued to do it … It has been an experience.”
Every year has seen growth for the event including the models that participate, growing from 25 to now 120 and still growing. Models for the show are customers of An Affair to Remember and members of The Women of Power, a nonprofit organization founded by Jensen that recognizes and “is a celebration of women that have demonstrated leadership by contributing to the community through volunteerism, entrepreneurship, or public service.”
The fashion show goes far beyond the glitz, glam and dresses. It’s a night to celebrate the empowerment and impact of women and raise money to pour back into the organizations that bring resources to women.
CEED has received $25,000 from proceeds raised by the event.
“Our proceeds go to the Women in Business for HER Week. We give out grants and started the HER Pitch. That name started because we did it at the baseball park … We’re setting little seeds and getting women involved and is one of my greatest things about women of power,” Jensen explained.
The Runway Extravaganza is a full production and Jenson could not do it without sponsors, including Mercedes Benz, the community, her staff at An Affair to Remember, this year’s professional choreographer, Freddie Lee from Raleigh, and of course, her husband and sons, who take on the heavy lifting and emotional support.
Jensen is excited about this year and for the future of the event and its impact and empowerment of the future generation of women in the community.

(Photo: A model during a Runway Extravaganza poses at the end of the runway at the Crown Complex.)

The CARE Clinic is hosting its 28th annual Week of Care. One of their yearly fundraisers, the Week of Care is a collaboration with several local food services to provide takeout meals that community members can purchase to support the CARE Clinic. All funds raised will directly support the Clinic.
Aiyana Lynch, Development and Marketing Director at the CARE Clinic, said that because they don’t receive government assistance, fundraisers like this are particularly important to keep the Clinic running.
“We rely mainly on donors, grants and these annual fundraisers,” she explained.
The Clinic offers medical services for uninsured and low-income individuals in Cumberland and surrounding counties.
According to Lynch, their services include basic medical care for adults, dental extractions, chronic care (Diabetes management), specialty services (PT, ortho, nutrition), medications ordered during clinic visits, clinic-ordered laboratory tests or x-rays, education, and referral to other resources.
Lynch said that potential patients must meet several criteria before being seen:
• Be an adult resident of Cumberland or surrounding counties.
• Have no insurance, including Medicaid or National health insurance (Ex. ACA)
• Meet an income requirement – household income within 200% of the federal poverty level.
• Must provide household proof of income.
• Must have a valid NC DMV or homeless photo ID.
• Must call on the phone to make an appointment.
Statistics provided by Lynch demonstrated the healthcare need that the CARE Clinic seeks to meet. Approximately 9.3% of North Carolina residents are uninsured, with Cumberland and surrounding counties exceeding that number. The approximate number of uninsured residents in Cumberland County is 9.8%. Rates of uninsured residents in surrounding counties are as follows:
• Robeson County: 13.3%
• Hoke County: 11%
• Bladen County: 10%
• Sampson County: 15.8%
• Harnett County: 10.4%
• Moore County: 11.7%
At the CARE Clinic, patients who would otherwise have to pay out of pocket for medical expenses can receive medical care and access the on-site pharmacy free of charge. Lynch said most of their patients come from Cumberland County, with the next highest percentages coming from Hoke and Robeson. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Clinic provided 1,062 primary care visits, 35 nutrition visits, 139 Diabetic visits, 121 specialist visits (Ortho, PT, & Dermatology), 696 dental extractions, 4,733 prescriptions, and 540 lab tests.
This service track record is in keeping with the CARE Clinic’s history and vision. Operating since 1993, the acronym CARE stands for compassion, assistance, referral, and education — tenets that the Clinic still adheres to.
Currently, a 19-member board of directors leads the Clinic. It boasts four full-time and six part-time staff members and a constantly fluctuating number of volunteers.
“We're always accepting volunteers for various things, whether it's medical staff or front office staff, committee members,” Lynch said.
Information provided by the CARE Clinic described volunteers as “the foundation of all we do,” adding that volunteers support the clinic’s day-to-day function by caring for patients and helping with other essential clinic tasks such as scheduling and cleaning. Lynch said that community members interested in volunteering can call the main office number to speak with the volunteer coordinator.
Beyond volunteers, the Clinic depends on the generous financial support of community members and organizations to keep its doors open.
“All the money that comes from meal purchases and sponsorship purchases goes directly to the cost of running the clinic.” Lynch shared about the upcoming Week of Care Fundraiser, which has a $80,000 goal.
She explained that the local participating restaurants seemed excited to collaborate with the CARE Clinic on this fundraiser, saying, “The restaurants have been great.”
In the past, this particular fundraiser was called “Evening of Care.” After the COVID-19 pandemic, they restructured the event to span an entire week, allowing participants more flexibility. This year, Dorothy’s Catering 2, Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar, and The Coffee Scene are collaborating with the CARE Clinic to “...offer a variety of take-home meals you may purchase for pick-up on a designated night of the week. The meals will feed 6 to 8 people depending on varying appetites and all of them are freezer friendly.
Meals available through Dorothy’s Catering 2 will include a Frozen Chicken & Spinach Lasagna Meal, a Frozen Meat Lasagna Meal or a Frozen Vegetarian Lasagna.
Meals available through Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar will include: Family Style Chicken Marsala (Dinner), Family Style Spaghetti (Dinner), Chicken Marsala Meal (Lunch), and Family Style Spaghetti (Lunch).
Meals available through The Coffee Scene will include: Bacon Quiche Meal, Crustless Sausage & Pepper Quiche Meal, and Vegetarian Quiche Meal.
The CARE Clinic suggests purchasing a meal “for a busy night that allows a special Valentine family gathering, a lake or beach trip, or to provide to the elderly who may need extra help,” adding that uses for this year’s lunch options are limited only by your creativity!
The Week of Care will run Saturday, Feb. 1 to Saturday, Feb. 8. Community members can place orders from Jan. 1 to 26. Lynch recommended placing meal orders early, as there are limited spots available.
To sponsor the fundraiser or order a meal, call 910-485-0555, email admin@thecareclinic.org or visit www.weekofcare.com.

Monique Jackson McMillan, who is halfway through her second term as an elected member of the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, has missed seven meetings in a row since spring and could be removed from office.
She told CityView on Tuesday and Wednesday this week she wants to stay in office and resume her duties.
The supervisors on the Soil and Water board meet 10 times a year — monthly, but skipping January and July — Soil Conservationist Mitch Miller said. The supervisors oversee government programs that give landowners money and other resources to protect waterways and prevent soil erosion.
Three of its five members are elected by the general public in nonpartisan elections and serve four-year terms. Two members are appointed by the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission. McMillan was first elected in 2018 and was reelected in 2022.
Service on the board is part-time, and the office has no salary. Supervisors can be reimbursed for mileage and expenses they incur while carrying out their duties, board Chair C. Wayne Collier Jr. said.
At the Soil and Water Board’s Dec. 12 meeting, Collier told the board the agency had attempted to contact McMillan.
“We can’t get up with her in any way, both from her old job, and from here,” Collier said. “And so we’re going through the steps to figure out how to replace that supervisor.”
The Cumberland board has contacted the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission about the situation, Collier said.
North Carolina law says the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission can remove a supervisor “for neglect of duty, incompetence or malfeasance in office, but for no other reason.” The commission has to provide notice of the removal effort and hold a hearing, the law says.
The state commission can then fill the vacancy.
McMillan had been a regular, active participant on the county Soil and Water board before she disappeared, Collier told CityView.
“She was a good supervisor. She was very thoughtful, and she helped us with some of our employees, as things have gone on,” he said.
McMillan wants to stay in office
CityView this week found that McMillan’s telephone number for her job was not working, and calls to her last known cell phone number were met with a recording that says the phone is not accepting calls.
In an effort to find McMillan, CityView this week contacted McMillan’s employer, the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters, and Democracy North Carolina, where she has had a part-time position. CityView also sent a message to McMillan via her LinkedIn page and sent a direct message to her election campaign’s Facebook page.
She called CityView on Dec. 17.
McMillan was unaware that the board had begun taking steps to replace her, she said.
A crisis in McMillan’s personal life led to her absence from the Soil and Water Board, she said. She does not want to publicly disclose the specifics, she said.
“I’ve been having a tough year,” she said. “I had a lot of personal issues that have been going on in my family this year, that caused me to have to … prioritize those things over everything else recently.
“But I do plan on continuing my work on the board if I can, and getting back to a healthy balance so that I can be present, back present at the meetings again.”
Conservation is a passion of hers, McMillan said, and she understands she has an obligation to the voters.
Board members sworn in, officers elected
In addition to discussing McMillan’s absence, the Soil and Water board held a swearing-in ceremony for newly elected member Josh Ballard and for Collier, who was re-appointed to one of the two appointed slots by the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
Ballard defeated incumbent Lena Simmons in the November election in a three-way race that also included candidate Kristal Watts.
“I appreciate it, thankful for the opportunity to serve my community, thankful for the county for putting their trust in me,” Ballard said after he took office.
The board voted 4-0 for Collier to be the chair, for Supervisor Kevin Riddle to be vice chair, and Supervisor Ellison L. Ellison to be secretary-treasurer.

(Photo: From left: Cumberland County Commissioner Henry Tyson, N.C. Court of Appeals Judge John M. Tyson (Henry’s father), and Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors Josh Ballard, Ellison L. Ellison, C. Wayne Collier Jr., and Kevin Riddle. Judge Tyson conducted a swearing in ceremony for Ballard and Collier on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Soil and Water Facebook Page)

Even the most curmudgeonly of Scrooges can’t help but tap their toes when they hear the first few notes of the modern masterpiece “Mary’s Little Boy Child.” For that, we can all thank the North Carolinian who so memorably paired calypso and Christmas — though that was not his original intention.
The joyfully named Jester Hairston was born in 1901 in the community of Belews Creek, located at the point where Forsyth, Stokes, Guilford, and Rockingham counties meet. After a tragic accident claimed his father’s life, he spent much of his childhood in the company of his grandparents, former slaves whose compelling tales and memorable songs inspired young Hairston to find ways to preserve such a rich heritage.
After completing musical studies at Tufts University and the famous Julliard conservatory, Hairston joined Harlem’s Hall Johnson Choir in the late 1920s and performed in a number of Broadway shows. When a movie adaptation of one of the shows brought Hairston to Hollywood, he met a Russian émigré named Dimitri Tiomkin, then working as a film composer and pianist.
Tiomkin liked what he heard. The two began a longtime partnership, with Hairston collecting and arranging songs that Tiomkin used for film and stage scores. While Tiomkin went on to write scores for such classic films as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It’s a Wonderful Life, and High Noon, Hairston supplemented his earnings from music by acting in some 30 motion pictures of his own, ranging from Tarzan adventures to The Alamo, To Kill a Mockingbird, St. Louis Blues, and In the Heat of the Night.
Indeed, you may know Jester Hairston more as an actor than as a musician. Ever see the 1980s sitcom Amen? He played character of Rolly Forbes. As it happens, Hairston also helped to popularize the traditional gospel song “Amen” by arranging it for the Sidney Portier film Lilies of the Field.
But let’s get back to Hairston’s contribution to Christmas lore. Earlier in his career, he had a roommate who decided to throw a birthday party. The man asked Hairston to write a song for the occasion. Because most of the attendees would be from the West Indies, he chose a calypso beat for the tune, entitled “He Pone and Chocolate Tea.”
Later, another composer named Walter Schumann (he wrote the iconic Dragnet TV theme, for example) asked Hairston to write a Christmas song for his Hollywood choir. Hairston reworked his earlier calypso tune and added suitable lyrics. When Harry Belafonte heard the choir perform “Mary’s Little Boy Child,” he asked permission to record it, first in 1956 and then in longer form the following year.
Belafonte made the song a hit. Subsequent performances and cover versions by the likes of Mahalia Jackson, Andy Williams, the Bee Gees, and Harry Connick, Jr. have made “Mary’s Little Boy Child” a seasonal standard. It isn’t just the calypso syncopation that makes the song so memorable. Hairston’s use of dialect and idiom lent the lyrics a charming distinctiveness. The first verse goes like this:

Long time ago in Bethlehem,
So the Holy Bible say,
Mary’s boy child, Jesus Christ,
Was born on Christmas day.
Hark, now hear the angels sing,
A new King born today.
And man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas day.
Trumpets sound and angels sing,
Listen what they say:
That Man will live forevermore
Because of Christmas day.

Jester Hairston spent the next 40 years embodying the Christmas spirit: touring America and the world as a goodwill ambassador, collecting traditional folk songs and composing new spirituals, nurturing new generations of performers and arrangers, and acting in such films as Finian’s Rainbow, Lady Sings the Blues, and the 1999 picture Being John Malkovich, his last role.
Hairston died in Los Angeles the following year, at the age of 98. For his contributions to American song and entertainment, this self-styled “song catcher” from North Carolina deserves our praise. For his contribution to Christmastime, he deserves a hearty “amen.”

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

(Photo: Jester Hairston, a native North Carolinian, had a long career as an actor and a composer. Image courtesy of jesterhairston.com)

Howdy Buckaroos and Buckarettes, it’s time to climb into Mr. Peabody’s Way Back Machine for the annual January celebration of a year that is just turning 100.
Today’s birthday boy is 1925. Stick around to learn about the wild and wacky things that made 1925 the lovable special kind of year it was.
Unfortunately, 1925 was also a big year for emerging dictators with both Mussolini and Hitler becoming upwardly mobile. Let the show begin.

January 3: Benito Mussolini dissolved the Italian Parliament declaring himself the dictator of Italy. He remained in that position until he found himself hanging around upside down near the end of World War II.

January 6: Leon Trotsky got booted out of the Russian government by Stalin after losing the contest to replace Lenin. Leon was later axed a question he could not answer by Stalin’s assassins at Frida Kahlo’s house in Mexico.

February 2: The origin of the Iditarod Dog race was born when relay teams of dog sleds took a vaccine from Anchorage to Nome to fight a diphtheria outbreak. If RFK, Jr. takes over Health and Human Services, smuggling vaccines by dog sleds may come back into style. Buy Kibbles.

February 21: The first issue of New Yorker magazine appears setting the stage for countless cartoons that may or may not be funny.

March 4: Silent Calvin Coolidge is inaugurated as President. His most famous Zen quote was: “The chief business of the American people is business.” People are still puzzled by what this koan means.

March 13: Tennessee passes a law making it illegal to teach evolution. This resulted in the famous Monkey Trial which convicted John Scopes in July of teaching evolution.
This also allowed Spencer Tracy and Fredric March to star in the very sweaty movie “Inherit the Wind” about the trial.

April 10: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is published, making it one of the most famous novels people have heard about but seldom, if ever, read.

April 25: Paul von Hindenburg is elected President of Germany, thus becoming the first President anywhere to be named for a blimp. It also led to Blimpy in the Popeye cartoons to invent credit purchases by promising “I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”

June 1: NY Yankee player Lou Gehrig gets his first hit in his streak of playing in 2,130 games in a row until 30 April 1939.

July 10: Avatar Meher Baba begins 44 years of not speaking which lasts until he died in 1969. Many husbands secretly wish their wives would follow Mr. Baba’s example.

October 1: The idea of carving Mount Rushmore is announced leading to the establishment of 4 giant Presidential Heads and a lovely gift shoppe in the Black Hills of South Dakota
October 16: Not to be outdone by Tennessee, the Texas State School Board bans the teaching of evolution in schools.

October 27: Water skis are patented by Fred Waller making possible 1978’s sequel movie “Jaws 2” in which a beautiful lady person water skier is chased and eaten by an angry shark.

November 9: In keeping with 1925’s Festival of Bad Dictators, Hitler’s Nazi Party forms its SS paramilitary wing. No one seems to notice the ugly pattern that is forming.

November 9: Meanwhile in Madison, Wisconsin, Robert Millikan speaks to the National Academy of Sciences announcing that cosmic rays from outer space bombard the Earth. This allows for the creation of multiple Sci-Fi horror movies.
The worst movie ever made- “Plan 9 From Outer Space” features aliens using Cosmic Rays to re-animate corpses to take over the world.

November 28: The Grand Ole Opry’s first live broadcast on radio is heard as the WSM Barn Dance. Goo Goo Clusters candy bar (a chocolate treat consisting of marshmallow nougat, caramel, and peanuts) was a proud sponsor of the Grand Ole Opry from 1966 until 2006.

December 12: Arthur Heineman creates the term “Motel” by combining the words Motor and Hotel when he opens the Motel Inn in San Luis Obispo.
This leads to Frank Zappa’s immortal movie “200 Motels” about the lives of rock stars in 1971.
Now you know all about the Year of Our Lord 1925. You are now free to roam about the country. If you still write checks, remember to use 2025 from now on. Happy New Year.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

2024 was an “unprecedented” year because almost every news article used the word “unprecedented.” Americans navigated a year marked by intense media scrutiny, social media targeting, and political division. News outlets and social media platforms played pivotal roles, sparking debates about their influence on public opinion and the fine line between fact-checking and censorship. Families and friendships faced challenges, and “unfriend” became a verb dividing long-time relationships.
Since the beginning of the election cycle, news outlets have been tripling down on fear of Trump winning. Here is what didn’t happen. The economy did not collapse. There has been no global destabilization. There has not been a mass exodus of people despite the numerous celebrities who promised to go but did not, and no real civil unrest erupted.
What did happen in 2024? Starting in January, many believed the US was on the verge of Civil War II after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Biden Administration’s efforts to remove concertina wire at Eagle Pass, Texas. It is estimated that three million illegal/undocumented people entered the US. This includes an estimated 375,000 who now call NC home.
On June 6, Joe Biden publicly stated that he would not pardon his son Hunter Biden if convicted on gun and federal tax-related charges.
On June 27, the Trump-Biden debate took place. Despite Biden’s insistence that his memory was fine, he performed poorly during the debate, which brought into question his mental and physical fitness.
On July 13, America watched 20-year-old Thomas Crooks fire eight shots at Trump, hitting him in the head and killing two others. Moments after a sniper killed Crooks, Trump stood up in defiance, raised his hand, and yelled, “Fight, fight, fight!”. A few days later, Trump accepted the Republican nomination.
On July 21, President Biden announced that he was officially withdrawing from the Presidential election and endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
On September 27, Hurricane Helene moved Western North Carolina from 2024 to 1914 in hours by knocking out power and cell service the size of the state of Massachusetts. Helene caused the worst flooding in state history. The storm brought 30 inches of rain, compounded by earlier heavy rainfall that saturated the ground and swelled rivers. The disaster claimed 103 lives, with others still missing, and caused $53.6 billion in damages. Over 16,000 miles of roads were washed away, and 2,000 landslides were reported. At its peak, the Nolichucky Dam in Tennessee saw water flows twice that of Niagara Falls. Relief efforts continue as Americans rally to support the region's recovery.
On November 5, Donald Trump swept the election over VP Harris. He won the Popular Vote and Electoral College. Republicans secured control of the Senate and House, while the NC gubernatorial election was an exception, with Democrat Josh Stein winning by a 14.8% margin. This will undoubtedly help democrats later, showing what a political roller coaster ride North Carolinians enjoy.
On December 13, Trump reached a settlement with ABC News for defamation by anchor George Stephanopoulos for $15 million and an apology. According to news reports, Trump has more lawsuits on the way.
Despite his promise, on December 1, President Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon to his son Hunter for “ANY” federal crimes that Hunter Biden may have committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. Why 2014, and not just for his convictions? In 2014, Hunter Biden joined the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company. While some Americans think Biden is slipping, he covered his bases in case Hunter comes up with any crimes or undiscovered offshore accounts. As of this writing, the United States has obligated $130 Billion and paid out $86.7 billion to Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
As we step into 2025, the future brings hope and challenges. A new administration promises significant policy shifts, focusing on self-reliance, immigration reform, and economic deregulation. Advances in artificial intelligence will continue reshaping the job market, opening doors for some while closing them for others. In Western North Carolina, rebuilding efforts offer opportunities for growth and renewal but also serve as a reminder of the resilience and strength of those most affected.
If I had one prayer for the new year, it would be for the country to remember the people of the mountains. Many still struggle to rebuild homes and livelihoods despite the harsh winter.
For many there, 2024 is still 1914.