Public safety is improving in Fayetteville, at least from the perspective of the Police Department.

Police Chief Kemberle Braden presented crime statistics for the first quarter of 2023 May 22 to the Fayetteville City Council that show decreased levels of crime and more arrests compared to last year.
According to the data presented, property crimes are down 9%, crimes against people are down 3% and arrests are up 38%.

“What does that mean? It means your officers are out there working,” Braden told the City Council during his presentation. “If crime is coming down and arrests are going up, that means your people are out there fighting crime. As long as these two numbers are converging, that is a good sign for crime in the city of Fayetteville.”

Homicides are down 18% compared to the first quarter of 2022, but the actual numerical difference is small — nine this year compared to 11 in 2022.

While Braden sees increased arrests as good for the city, council member Mario Benavente had a different perspective.

“The idea that arrests going up is automatically a good thing is what I take issue with,” Benavente said. “We're never going to arrest our way out of the public safety issues in Fayetteville. In fact, when we overcriminalize and we engage in arresting as many people as we can, we create barriers for folks that, in the criminal justice system, are going to end up with charges, are going to end up with records that are going to prevent them from getting decent jobs and being able to get into decent living.”

Benavente does not put the issue of improving public safety, however, solely on the police. He advocated for an office of community safety, an entity outside the Police Department that would seek to improve public safety in the city. Community organizers in Fayetteville have pushed for weeks for the initiative to be put in next year’s city budget, CityView reported.

Immediately following the presentation, Mayor Mitch Colvin thanked Braden and the Police Department for their work on reducing crime.

“I don’t know any perfect department, perfect council, perfect people, but you guys are certainly making strides, and we are appreciative of what you do,” Colvin said.

Braden’s first 90 days

Braden, who was sworn in as police chief earlier this year, outlined progress on goals he had set for his first 90 days on the job.

During those first 90 days, Braden said, he spoke with police officers of all ranks and with people in the community to determine what needed to change to improve public safety in Fayetteville.
Braden said the strengths of the department are the people within the police force and those in other city departments.

“As always, our people are always going to be our strength, our community partners, our city staff,” Braden said.

Weaknesses Braden identified included retention and morale among officers and outdated facilities.
Braden said the opportunities the department has going forward include enacting change through the young police force the department employs and highlighting Fayetteville police as the largest department in southeastern North Carolina.

“We should be able to recruit people from all over to come to Fayetteville, North Carolina, because of the opportunities we offer that these other surrounding jurisdictions and counties and municipalities don't have,” Braden said.

Does gardening count as exercise? The answer is yes! While the weather is warming, the temperature is still cool enough in the morning to get out those tools and enjoy working in the yard. A little sweat and dirt can be beneficial.

The benefits go beyond exercise, cognition and feeling proud of your accomplishments. Working in the yard can burn as many as 300 calories in 30 to 45 minutes and heavy gardening can burn as many as 700 calories. Gardening can include digging, raking, pulling weeds, planting, pulling vines, trimming hedges, picking up pinecones, weed eating and shoveling - just to name a few. Engaging in yard work can be a lot more fun than walking on a treadmill.

At the end of the day, gardening can result in sore muscles and a sore back when you are not used to the effort. Start slow before you jump into heavier projects. Gardening involves strength, endurance and flexibility, and can put a strain on your muscles. Take your time warming up and doing the light activities first, saving the heavier lifting and bending until later.

Digging is a high-intensity activity that engages several muscle groups at once to include your shoulders, quads, arms and calves. Pushing that shovel in the dirt, turning it over, planting the flower, and placing the dirt back is a multiplanar activity.

When you work in the garden you are working in all three planes of motion which are the sagittal, frontal and transverse, and many times you work in all three planes at once. Twisting, bending, pulling and reaching is light aerobic exercise with benefits to the heart, blood pressure, and helps in burning calories.

Planting a vegetable garden results in a daily walk to gather fresh fruit and vegetables for salads and cooking. Your squash, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, peaches, and more are a smorgasbord of healthy eating without pesticides.

Yard work and gardening can stimulate the mind with attention to detail for planting, color combinations, watering, blending of soil, aromatic plants, and the feel of textures.

The garden is a happy place to be with no age limit. It is a place that you can visit alone to see how your vegetables are growing, gather blooms for containers, and share your vegetables with friends. It is a quiet place for gathering thoughts. You can share the growth of your garden with friends and share garden tips.

Gardening can also be a spiritual connection when you focus on something greater than us, which is the miracle of growth. It is a place to see the birds gather and the sun shining on all that you have planted. It is a place that you visit first in the morning and in the evening to say good night until the next day. You water, nurture, pull weeds, and delight in new buds for flowers and vegetables and this is your happy place.

Live, love life and gardening.

Financial planning is a key component of successful money management. When financial plans are established and put in place, individuals are in much better position to achieve both short-term goals, like financing a dream vacation, and long-term aspirations, like retiring with enough money to live your golden years without worry.

No one is born knowing how to handle and manage money. Financial literacy is an acquired skill, which means anyone can learn how to manage money effectively. The following are a handful of ways individuals from all walks of life can improve their financial literacy.

Crack the books (and magazines). A wealth of resources are available to anyone looking to become better at managing money, and many of those resources are books and magazines. Printed works are available for people with varying levels of financial literacy, so it’s unlikely that any single text or magazine will benefit everyone equally. Find a text that speaks to your level of literacy and build from there.

Pay attention to financial news. The days when financial news was limited to industry insiders or a handful of industry publications are long gone. Various online entities and cable television channels are now exclusively devoted to financial news.

Anyone can benefit from paying attention to financial news, which can shed light on investments, real estate and financial industry trends that can help people better understand their portfolios and assets.

Read your emails. Adults who already have retirement accounts and other investments may also have an invaluable resource right inside their email inboxes. Investment management firms like The Vanguard Group, Inc., routinely host online information sessions and discussions for investors that are promoted through email and other lines of communication with account holders.

When promotional emails announcing these sessions are announced, take note and resolve to participate. Many don’t require active participation, but they often provide insight into financial products, markets and strategies to successful investing.

Ask questions. It seems simple, but one of the most effective ways to gain greater financial literacy is to ask questions. If you work with a financial planner or are interviewing professionals to help you manage your money, ask that person to explain their financial strategy and the strategy espoused by their firms.

When a new short- or even long-term goal pops up on your radar, ask your financial advisor to explain ways in which you can achieve that goal. Such discussions can reveal strategies that even well-informed individuals may be unaware of.

Financial literacy can help people achieve their life’s goals. Various strategies can help people from all walks of life improve their financial knowledge and take greater control of their finances and futures.

The 5th Annual Out of Sight Wing Fling is taking place on June 3, hosted by the Vision Resource Center. It’s a chicken wing cook-off to raise awareness for the blind and visually impaired in the city.

Guests and judges will be blindfolded for the initial judging— only being able to taste, feel and smell, who has the best wings. This year 11 competitors will be battling it out for a cash prize, with their own custom spices and sauces.

The wings being used for the cook-off are donated by Mountaire every year. Dirtbag Ales is hosting the event for the second year in a row, pairing the variety of delicious wings with local brews, live music, and food trucks to enjoy.

There will also be different stations and activities for guests to participate in to educate the public on the living experience of the visually impaired.

All the proceeds raised from the Wing Fling will be go toward assisted technology for the blind and visually impaired here in Cumberland County.

Early bird tickets for the public are $15, which gets you 11 wings, one from every competitor participating. For the real chicken wing lovers, the event is offering VIP tickets for $75. This includes unlimited wings from any competitor, a VIP tent with snacks and drinks, custom brew and glass from Dirtbag Ales, and a fast pass to go through lines with ease.

The Vision Resource Center is a nonprofit organization for adults and children based here in Fayetteville that enhances the quality of life for the blind and visually impaired in every way they can.

The nonprofit offers several programs, social activities, support groups, and classes.

Up & Coming Weekly had a chance to sit down and talk with Terri Thomas, the passionate Executive Director of the Vision Resource Center.
Thomas became executive director in 2010 and has been organizing the Wing Fling since the beginning.

“When it comes to the Vision Resource Center, we try to meet them where they are, to be able to help people with whatever they need to do,” she said. “Just depends on the day of the week. There are a lot of things under the umbrella of VRC.”

When asked how she hopes the Wing Fling will grow, she says “Our goal is to have different businesses competing, having vendors that connect to our mission, and having other nonprofits to be able to come out and compete. It would be a great way to network and also the chance to do something different.”

Don’t miss out on the chance to learn how we can all help enhance the lives of the visually impaired, while enjoying great wings and fellowship at the same time!

The event is from noon to 4 p.m. at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom located in Hope Mills. To purchase tickets for the event or volunteer with the Vision Resource Center, visit www.Visionresourcecentercc.org or call 910-483-2719.

It is still Fort Bragg.

But only until June 2.

Then North Carolina’s mammoth U.S. Army base will become Fort Liberty. Still, it will always be Fort Bragg in my memories.

My first experience in a racially integrated work situation was in ROTC summer camp at Fort Bragg in 1961. I was the product of a segregated secondary and college education. It was different at Bragg. Not only were there many Black cadets in my company, but the regular Army lieutenant colonel in charge of us was Black. He was a wonderful leader.

I remember the welcome speech he gave on our first day. He gathered his cadets around. We were scared to death, and he told us the story of Fort Bragg, and how it came to be named for a military leader, a general in the Confederate army named Braxton Bragg. I thought many years later that he must have had to bite his tongue because Bragg had fought to keep Blacks in slavery.

Many of the Black cadets were potentially superior future officers. They prepared me, as the Army of the 1950’s and 1960’s prepared hundreds of thousands of other southern men, for the changes to come in civilian life in North Carolina.

I arrived at Fort Bragg as a white boy who had never gone to school with Blacks, never eaten in the same restaurant, never drunk at the same water fountain, never rode in the same section of a bus or a train — and put me right beside some of the best people I ever met (not all my same color). I was never the same.

When I left that summer, I don’t want to say I was free of racism, but I was a changed person. I rejoiced in the diversity that Army life brought me and the great strength that came from mutual trust and respect. And

I knew that the principal beneficiary of the opening of doors of opportunity was me.
If our nation is ever successful in completing its task of erasing racism, intolerance and injustice, the Armed Forces and particularly the Army and Fort Bragg must be given due credit.

The Army has led the way.

Like many other North Carolinians, I have spent other times at Fort Bragg, including almost two years when I
was on active duty, living on Bragg Boulevard.

The most memorable time was on Thanksgiving weekend in 2002 when, as I wrote then, a little after midnight I picked up my son, Grier, at his Raleigh home, helped carry his heavy gear to my car, waited while he ran upstairs to tell his wife goodbye, get a look at his brand new daughter, and then begin our drive to Fort Bragg for the beginning of his long journey to the other side of the world.

It was raining as we approached Fayetteville, turned off Business I-95, and then on to Bragg Boulevard, passed the house where I lived as a young Army officer, and then passed by the shopping centers, pawnshops, night spots, mobile home lots, car dealerships and the other strong marks of a military town.

Still under the heaviness of the rain, we came on the base, passing through security where my son returned the salute of the guard, a signal that we would soon arrive at the point of formation, where my son and his traveling companions would gather this early morning to begin their trip to Afghanistan.

I will be happy to call it Fort Liberty from now on, but I will always remember what Fort Bragg has meant for me.

Editor's Note: D.G. Martin, a retired lawyer, served as UNC-System’s vice president for public affairs and hosted PBS-NC’s North Carolina Bookwatch.

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Harmony Granderson is the new Director of Events.

“We are excited to welcome Harmony to our team,” said Nat Robertson, President & CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.

In the position, Granderson will build, implement and manage all aspects of the events carried out and supported by the Chamber. She will engage with various Chamber members to coordinate networking events and educational programs. She will work closely with the Marketing and Communications Director, Robyn Pitt, while organizing event press, presentations and sponsors.

“We’re ready for her to dig in and get going as our new events director. With her skillset and enthusiasm she will be a great asset to our Chamber,” Robertson said.

Harmony is a Fayetteville native with a passion for entrepreneurship, community involvement, and all things involving the arts. She is a graduate of Jack Britt High School and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing. She is a recent graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

While she earned her degree and served various on-campus leadership roles, she also founded a small business of her own that focuses on promotion of small businesses, nonprofits, and minority owned companies.

The National Institute on Aging defines Alzheimer’s disease as a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and an individual’s ability to think. The majority of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are 60 and older, which can give the impression that the disorder is exclusive to the elderly.

However, younger adults are not immune to the disease, and a small percentage of individuals under 60 could be diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

The prevalence of early-onset Alzheimer’s (sometimes referred to as “young-onset Alzheimer’s”) is unknown. However, early-onset Alzheimer’s can affect every aspect of a young person’s life, including their relationships, finances and ability to live independently. Such consequences underscore the significance of greater recognition of the condition and what it entails.

What is early-onset Alzheimer’s disease?

The experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine note that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and it most often affects older individuals. But in rare cases individuals under 60 can develop Alzheimer’s, and Johns Hopkins notes such instances generally affect people in their 40s and 50s. Most types of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease are the same, but cases may be categorized as common or genetic Alzheimer’s.

Common: Johns Hopkins notes that most people with early-onset Alzheimer’s have the common form of the disease, which progresses in much the same way as it does in older individuals.

Genetic: In rare cases, a young person may be diagnosed with genetic, or familial, Alzheimer’s. The United Kingdom-based Alzheimer’s Society notes that this is caused by genetic mutations that run in families.

The risk that this mutation will be passed from parents to children is 50%.

Individuals who develop genetic Alzheimer’s typically have lengthy family histories of the disease and may know several relatives, in addition to a parent, who were affected at a similar age.

What are the risk factors for early-onset Alzheimer’s?

Though people who develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease are most likely to be diagnosed with the common form of the condition, family history of the disease remains the only known risk factor.

What are the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s?

The Alzheimer’s Association notes that health care providers do not generally look for Alzheimer’s in young people, which can make the process of diagnosing the condition long and frustrating. Symptoms are often attributed to other factors, such as stress.

However, Johns Hopkins reports that the presence of these symptoms could indicate a person is in the early stages of early-onset Alzheimer’s:

• Forgetting important things, particularly newly learned information or important dates
• Asking for the same information again and again
• Trouble solving basic problems, such as keeping track of bills or following a favorite recipe
• Losing track of the date or time of year
• Losing track of where you are and how you got there
• Trouble with depth perception or other vision problems
• Trouble joining conversations or finding the right word for something
• Misplacing things and not being able to retrace your steps to find it
• Increasingly poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work and social situations
• Changes in mood or personality

Symptoms such as memory loss and behaviorial changes, including severe mood swings, are some of the signs that present as early-onset Alzheimer’s progresses.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a rare disorder. But its effects can be just as significant as forms of the disease that affect older individuals.

Despite global financial uncertainty, many people are still planning to spend on travel in 2023.

A recent survey from Booking.com found that 73% of respondents were more optimistic about travel than they were in 2022.
The survey also studied why people are looking to travel, and the most popular type of vacation was a nostalgic getaway, which 88% of travelers planned to take in 2023. That’s likely due to people looking back to the days before the COVID-19 pandemic with a strong sense of appreciation. Individuals also seem to see travel through a somewhat therapeutic lens, as 42% of survey respondents indicated they want a break that focuses on their mental and physical health.

Summer is peak travel season. Whether vacationers plan to travel internationally or domestically, they can expect to pay top dollar as they head off for parts unknown.
Much has been made of inflation over the last year-plus, as the cost of seemingly everything has risen considerably since early 2022. And the cost of travel has seemingly increased by an even greater percentage than the cost of groceries.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index indicates the cost of airfare increased by more than 25% between January 2022 to January 2023.

Though travel has never been inexpensive, the rising costs noted in the Consumer Price Index have scared many consumers into staying home. However, consumers who want to travel but don’t want to break the bank can try various strategies as they seek to get out of the house this summer.

Travel domestically. With airfare costs skyrocketing, now might not be the most budget-friendly time to travel overseas. Thankfully, would-be vacationers can still get away. Average gas prices in early spring 2023 hovered around $3.43 per gallon, which is nearly $1 less per gallon than the year prior. By driving to their destinations, vacationers can save substantial sums of money and also maintain greater control of their trips, something that isn’t always so easy in an era marked by routine flight delays and
cancellations.

Change your timeline. If a faraway dream destination beckons, travelers might still be able to make it work if they have the flexibility to alter their timelines. Rather than taking a Monday through Friday off from work, consider starting and ending a vacation in mid-week. It’s generally less expensive, and sometimes significantly so, to fly mid-week compared to flying Friday-Monday.

Cash in your credit card points. Another way to ensure summer travel doesn’t put a big dent in your savings is to utilize cash back rewards or airline miles linked to your credit card account. If you have a lot of cash and/or miles saved up, the coming summer of expensive travel could be the ideal time to use them.

Consider a homestay over a hotel. Homestays, which includes booking through sites such as Airbnb and VRBO, are typically much less expensive to book than hotel rooms. But homestays also save travelers money on food, as many listings feature fully operational kitchens that can help travelers avoid dining out three times per day over the duration of their trips.

Travel is a significant expense as consumers continue to confront sharp increases in prices on various goods and services. However, it’s still possible to vacation without breaking
the bank.

The thudding sound of wrestlers hitting the mat fills my ears as practice begins. I am at a practice for a local indie wrestling organization called Ring Wars Carolina. RWC is an independent professional wrestling company owned by Dex Carter, located in Hope Mills. The wrestlers are scattered around the room, stretching, running drills, talking and practicing moves on each other.

One of the first things I notice is the speed of their warm-up drills. The goal is to perform each exercise with proper form and intensity, pushing physical limits and simulating the demands of a wrestling match. It helps wrestlers build strength, endurance, agility and mental toughness, which are crucial in the sport.

“Nite-Stic” Eddie McKoy, a wrestler and wrestling promoter driven by a lifelong passion for the sport, credits his love for pro wrestling to his formative years. It started when his father established a tradition of attending wrestling matches after their Sunday church service, instilling in him a deep fascination with the spectacle.

Years later, McKoy’s path crossed with Steve Corino, a seasoned wrestler who had made his mark in prominent organizations like ECW and NWA. Recognizing McKoy’s dedication and potential, Corino took him under his wing, becoming both mentor and guide, imparting invaluable knowledge of the wrestling business.

Today, McKoy’s expertise and unwavering commitment are showcased through his prominent role in RWC. With a proud tradition of exhilarating live shows and monthly TV tapings in Fayetteville, RWC has been a mainstay of entertainment for 25 years.

As a key figure in RWC, McKoy supervises the training and development of aspiring wrestlers, overseeing their practices and leading them through a series of warm-ups, drills, and exercises that contribute to their growth and skill enhancement.

Under McKoy’s guidance, RWC has attracted an impressive roster of wrestling stars.

Notable names such as Sasha Banks, Jordan Grace, Tatanka, Dusty Rhodes, Rock n Roll Express, The Hardy Boys, Al Snow, Earl Hebner, and Bryan Hebner have made their mark in North Carolina. Through McKoy’s passion and dedication, RWC continues to captivate audiences, providing a platform for aspiring wrestlers to chase their dreams and thrill fans with the electrifying world of professional wrestling.

After they finish their warm-up drills, McKoy has the wrestlers working on their 30-second promos. Afterward, they receive feedback to help them improve.

Next up are the practice matches. Two wrestlers step into the ring and face off against each other. At the same time, the other wrestlers gather around the ring. After each match, the other wrestlers point out areas for improvement, what was a success, provide advice on how to tweak a part of the performance, and more. The comradeship and support among the wrestlers are evident as they all work together to improve their craft.

One of the wrestlers who caught my attention with his wrestling and showmanship was “Gem Stone” (Josh McNeill). “Gem Stone,” an independent professional wrestler known as “The Diamond Of The Ring” and hailed as the Crown Jewel of Professional Wrestling, is a prominent figure in the wrestling world.

Trained at the esteemed Ring Wars Carolina Training Academy, “Gem Stone” represents the epitome of talent and skill. He holds the prestigious title of one-half of the RWC tag team champions alongside his partner CodeName FLX. Hailing from Dunn, “Gem Stone” has established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

With a show nearly every week, “Gem Stone” has been consistently showcasing his prowess inside the ring. Since making his debut in June 2018, “Gem Stone” has captivated fans with his electrifying performances. In an interview, he expressed high praise for RWC, emphasizing that they produce some of the highest quality wrestling he has ever witnessed.

To stay updated on “Gem Stone’s” incredible journey, fans can follow him on Instagram under the username @arealgemstone, on Facebook at Gem Stone Wrestling, and on YouTube at @GemStoneWrestling.

These Youtube channels showcase his captivating RWC matches and demonstrate his dedication and passion for the sport.
In addition to “Gem Stone,” another remarkable wrestler who deserves recognition is “CodeName FLX,” also known as “Wrestling’s only Active Paratrooper.” Teaming up with “Gem Stone” as one-half of the RWC tag team champions, “CodeName FLX” brings his unique talent and skills to the ring. Wrestling enthusiasts can follow “CodeName FLX” on Twitter @Project0820 and on Instagram under the handle @codename_flx.

By checking out his social media profiles, fans can witness his remarkable performances and see firsthand why he is regarded as a phenomenal wrestler. “Gem Stone” and “CodeName FLX” make a formidable tag team with their combined abilities and dedication.

The tag team duo, the “Wrustlers,” Paco and Wako, are former two-time tag team champions and independent wrestlers who have left an indelible mark in the industry. Their wrestling journey began by watching the sport alongside their father. Starting their careers in RWC, the “Wrustlers” honed their skills and showcased their teamwork. Reflecting on their time in RWC, they stated that it is a sure thing, a testament to the quality and reliability of the promotion. With their abilities and dedication, the “Wrustlers” continue to captivate audiences and solidify their place as remarkable talents in professional wrestling.

James Miranda, also known as School of Morton Champion “James Anthony,” is an independent wrestler with 12 years of ring experience, having trained in Florida. His signature move, the super kick, has become a crowd favorite. Miranda’s passion for wrestling ignited during his childhood when he watched WCW and WWF with his uncle, idolizing legends like the Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan. He held the title of RWC Jr. Heavyweight Champion and notably lost it to Xander Keys during the 41st annual Dogwood Festival, which can be watched on YouTube.

Beyond wrestling, “James Anthony” contributes to show production, writing and talent scouting. Fans can follow him on Twitter at @87JamesAnthony and on Instagram at @1987jam to stay updated on his exciting journey in the wrestling world.

If you want to experience the exciting world of Ring Wars Carolina firsthand and stay updated on upcoming matches, you can visit their website at www.ringwarscarolina.net/. You can also follow RWC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RingWarsCarolina and subscribe to their YouTube channel @RingWarsCarolinaTV.

While watching matches online is exciting, nothing beats being there in person. The sound of bodies hitting the mat, the slaps, and the energy create an unforgettable atmosphere.

Check their schedule of events, grab your tickets and join the live audience to immerse yourself in the electrifying world of Ring Wars Carolina.

Fort Bragg kicked off All American Week early Monday with the Division Run, according to a report by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade participated.

All American Week will include sports, the Old Timer’s Breakfast, a memorial ceremony, and a hall of fame induction. It will conclude with the Division Review. Current and veteran paratroopers, their families, and the public will take part through Thursday.

The week of activities will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Operation Urgent Fury during the invasion of Grenada in 1983, according to a news release.

The schedule includes:

• 10 Miler: 6:30-9 a.m. Tuesday, Simmons Army Airfield.
• Division Memorial Ceremony: 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, 82nd Airborne Museum.
• Junior Paratrooper of the Year ceremony and Family Fun Run: 4:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Ardennes Street.
• Prayer Breakfast: 7-9 a.m. Tuesday, Iron Mike Conference Center.
• All American Hall of Fame: 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Heroes, Ardennes Street.
• Division Review: 10 a.m. Thursday, Pike Field.
• 34-Foot Tower: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School.
• Sports competitions: Monday through Thursday at multiple sites.

Biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission say this month is when people are more likely to spot a coyote than any other time of year.

Coyotes are common throughout North Carolina, including in cities and suburbs, but often go unnoticed because they are skilled at avoiding people. In late spring, however, coyote parents are busy raising their young pups, which means more hours scouting for food and more opportunities for people to catch a glimpse of one.

While coyotes usually raise their young in secluded areas, keeping a litter of pups well-fed and healthy means covering plenty of ground to find enough food. Coyotes will roam a large area, crossing through neighborhoods and business districts, looking for an easy meal. Coyotes mostly eat rodents, rabbits, insects, fruit and carrion, but will also dine on pet food and table scraps left outside.

Seeing a coyote in a residential area shouldn’t cause alarm, as attacks on humans are very rare, and coyotes actually help to keep rodent populations in check. However, concerns for small pets, such as cats and small-breed dogs, may be valid as these animals can easily be mistaken for a coyote’s natural prey. For this reason, small pets should always be closely supervised when outdoors, or kept behind a dog-proof fence that is at least 6 feet tall and prevents digging underneath.

“Using a 6-foot leash is an excellent way to protect small pets when they’re outside,” advises Falyn Owens, extension biologist for the Wildlife Commission. “If you notice a coyote watching or following you during a walk, pick up your pet and haze the coyote until it leaves. Your physical presence can be a powerful deterrent for a curious coyote.”

Hazing can include standing tall, waving your arms and yelling at the coyote. In neighborhoods, residents can make the area less attractive to coyotes by removing easy food sources and actively scaring off any coyotes they see. Teaching a coyote to have a healthy fear of people is a great way to discourage unwanted behavior and foster coexistence.

Owens offers these tips to deter coyotes:

• Keep cats and small dogs on a leash or harness whenever they are outside. Backyard poultry should be kept in a predator-proof coop and run.
• Feed pets inside and keep food waste in secure containers. If you feed pets outside, set specific feeding times and remove the dishes and spilled food afterward.
• Keep fruit and bird seed off the ground. These foods can attract rodents and wildlife that prey on them.
• Haze coyotes seen around homes and businesses. Scaring coyotes away teaches them these areas are off limits and that people should be avoided.

Pup season brings an added factor to interacting with coyotes.

While a coyote will typically leave the area when confronted by a human, one that has vulnerable pups nearby is more likely to stand its ground. Coyotes use dens only as a nursery for newborn pups. As soon as the pups can survive outside of the den, the coyotes will abandon it and move on.

“This time of year, if you pass through a brushy or wooded area and notice a coyote watching you or following you at a distance, it could have a den nearby,” said Owens. “Calmly leave the area and notify others if you are near a public trail.”

If you have questions about interactions with coyotes, visit www.ncwildlife.org/coyote or contact the NC Wildlife Helpline, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 866-318-2401 or email HWI@ncwildlife.org.

The concept of Fasting in Fayetteville evolved from a conversation between two old seminary buddies last year. Sporadically, my former Oral Roberts University classmate, Saundra Blair, and I would check-in with each other to share updates. As is consistent with Saundra, she mentioned praying for some family members to “come to know the Lord.”

Saundra went on to mention several specific concerns and passionately declared that she was still praying for them. My thoughts went to a cousin of mine who had died a few months before. I told Saundra that I had been praying for my cousin for years, and he still died at age 67 from a drug overdose.

My lamenting to my friend included admission that my prayers for my cousin had come and gone. I found myself somewhat disheartened because his slow decline was observable. I asked my friend, “How do we walk out James 5:16b? How does ‘the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous’ get results”?

The first part of James 5:16 states, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Unintentionally, my questions became a confession that I had not been consistent in prayer for my now deceased cousin. I had become discouraged in praying for him because there was no observable change over the years.

As our conversation lengthened, we discussed the discipline of prayer and expectancy, and our responsibility to trust God for results. Being seminary graduates we automatically began to review Jesus as our model for prayer.

We pondered, “What gets in the way of hearing from God? How do we foster a more disciplined, focused prayer life?”

The Bible informs us that Jesus consistently lived in prayerful conversation with the Father. He completely humbled Himself before God with prayer and fasting before beginning His public ministry. The light bulb came on for us! As we began to look through multiple Hebrew Scriptures and pull out notes from our seminary days, the difference became clear.

At times, we had “fasted” with and for others regarding a particular need within families and communities. However, we began to see that Biblical fasting and prayer with our lives yielded to God is completely different from us setting the agenda for time with God. I said aloud, “Hey wait a minute! I haven’t been fasting, I’ve just been skipping meals!” So, we began our journey of humbling ourselves in fasting and prayer.

In Isaiah 58, God calls a fast to put a stop to wickedness, lift heavy burdens, and for you to break every yoke. This got our attention!

He promises outcomes of such a fast that range from healing and spiritual growth to rebuilding deserted ruins of our cities and restoring streets in which to live safely.

We have been so exhilarated and inspired that we want to invite others to join in discovering the possibilities of how God fulfills His word through believers who humble themselves in fasting and prayer.

Fasting in Fayetteville is a 12-week targeted Bible study and community dialogue with the goal of integrating healthy holistic lifestyle choices which are sustainable. This certificate symposium includes community wellness and fitness providers, nutritionists, local farmers, meal-prep restaurant and health store owners. Biblical perspectives will be shared by pastors, rabbis, theologians and participants.

First Baptist Church, located at 201 Anderson Street, is hosting this interactive seminar which will meet in person and by Zoom on Thursdays, beginning June 1 at noon.
Sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the Fasting in Fayetteville YouTube channel. To register, go to www.FastinginFayetteville.org There is no charge for this event.

Editor's note: Saundra Blair, DMin, Ed.D., is a retired college professor and former associate pastor. She is a nutrition and health enthusiast. Denise Merritt, DMin, is a retired Army Chaplain and currently serves as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Fayetteville. She attends First Baptist Church on Anderson Street with her husband, Karl.

Albert Einstein said “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”

The Paul H. Thompson Library at Fayetteville Technical Community College is not your grandmother’s library. The era of the old library with moldy books and shushing librarians no longer exists. In its place, FTCC has established a new, dynamic facility that certainly does have many books, but also provides new resources to help students meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Would you like to build a prototype of your newest invention or create your artistic masterpiece?
If so, you need to visit the makerspace on the first floor of the library. There are 3D printers, computers, graphic design tools, and skilled librarians who will help you turn your dreams into reality. Currently enrolled

FTCC students can create projects in the library makerspace for free.

Do you need a meeting place? FTCC’s library has a variety of study spaces on the first and second floors equipped with white boards, computers, large monitors, comfortable chairs, and friendly librarians who are eager to help you. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the library.

Do you need somewhere to relax on campus? If so, you need to come to the library. You can relax in a plush chair, charge your phone, watch a video, listen to music, and chat with your friends. You can even challenge a stranger to a game of oversized checkers.

Do you need to borrow a human skeleton? If so, you need to visit the second floor of the library where we have replica, anatomically correct, human skeletons. Just tell one of our librarians that you need to borrow a skeleton, and they will loan you a skeleton free to use while in the library.

Do you need answers right now, in the privacy of your own home? If so, you need to visit FTCC’s Paul H. Thompson library website at www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/library/. The website provides access to thousands of eBooks, newspapers, academic journals, popular magazines and study guides. Many of these resources are not available to the general public. You can even chat with a live librarian every day from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Do you need a working lightsaber? That is too bad. Lightsabers are not real, and you already know that, BUT if anyone ever builds a real lightsaber, it will probably be someone who spent a great deal of time in a library, perhaps even the Paul H. Thompson Library at FTCC.

We invite you to visit the Paul H. Thompson library at the Fayetteville campus of FTCC at 2201 Hull Road or take a virtual tour at www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/library/.
FTCC is currently registering students for summer and fall classes, so it’s the perfect time to visit the library and discover how the library can enhance your learning experiences at FTCC.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated’s Epsilon Rho Lambda Chapter and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated’s Gamma Upsilon Zeta Chapter present the 3rd Annual Race At Your Pace 5K Run/Walk June 3 at 8 a.m. at Methodist University.

“The purpose of this event is to bring awareness of premature babies, raise funds for the March of Dimes March for Babies and to impact the communities that we live in,” said Anthony Henderson, Alpha Phi Alpha

Fraternity member and marketing committee member for the event.

“For the last two years we have raised $10,000 so our goal to raise this year is $15,000.”

Henderson added that the funds will be donated to the March of Dimes March for Babies and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

“Premature births are very high and prevalent in people of color,” said Henderson. “As we planned for the race, we found out that many members of both organizations had premature births in their family or they knew someone with a premature baby.”

He added, “For the longest time the March of Dimes March for Babies had a walk in Fayetteville, but they closed the Fayetteville office so we decided to bring it back to impact this area.”
In 2022, the March of Dimes reported that premature births are at an all-time high in the United States. People of color or those who live in impoverished areas are most at risk for premature birth.

Babies born ahead of 37 weeks gestation are at a greater risk of asthma, blindness, deafness and intellectual disabilities.

“The 5K course is a little over three miles and you can normally do it within 25 minutes to one hour depending on your pace because you can walk or run it,” said Henderson. “We also have the one-mile walk and people normally do it in 10 minutes depending on how fast their walking speed is.”

The cost of the event is $40 and participants will receive a T-shirt. Participants are asked to register as soon as possible. Food trucks and a medical health fair will be on site. Virtual runners can register for $45.

“We want to make sure that we are spreading health positivity in our communities,” said Henderson. “Come out and enjoy the event and all of the money goes to the March of Dimes in supporting healthy mothers and healthy babies.”

For more information visit www.19aaa06.org/a2z-fun-run.

The sunnier days and warmer temperatures always have a way of enticing us to go outside and spend time with friends, enjoying wonderful food, drinks and music. Thanks to the Gates Four Summer Concert Series, citizens of Fayetteville and surrounding areas have the chance to enjoy a stellar performance and the wonderful summer weather!

The Concert Series has become more well-known as the local music scene in Fayetteville has grown. This year’s Concert Series consists of five different events and each of them is headlined by a phenomenal band. The series was postponed numerous times due to bad weather last year which resulted in the Concert Series ending in October, 2022. However, if everything runs smoothly this year, the event will end in September.

“The whole concept of the concert series is to create a quality entertainment venue on that side of the county, the Hope Mills area,” said Bill Bowman, publisher, Up & Coming Weekly. Bowman is also one of the people responsible for organizing the concert series.

Are you prepared to travel back in time? Kids in America is a high-energy, power-packed six-piece band that pays homage to the totally tubular 1980s. All genres from this amazing decade are represented on the set list.

Kids in America has been bringing back the groovy vibe of the 80’s since 2017. The tribute band consists of male and female vocals that sing their very own renditions of classics from artists such as Prince, Bon Jovi and Phil Collins.

On June 2, the 1980’s tribute band will perform at Gates Four Golf & Country Club. The event is free to the public. Guests are asked to bring a chair unless they would like to purchase VIP seats and tables which can be bought at www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com or onsite the day of the event.

“There are so many really good bands going out there this year; it’s just phenomenal,” said Greg Adair, who helps organize the Gates Four Concert Series.

“To be able to have a quality concert in a classy environment like Gates Four is wonderful,” he added. “The bands appreciate the atmosphere
as well.”

Gates Four Golf & Country Club requests that no one brings animals. Food, drinks, water and adult drinks provided by Healy Wholesale will be available for purchase. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner and fellowship starts at 6 p.m., and the band will hit the stage around 7 p.m.

“The whole evening is centered around fun, good music, contributing to the community and giving young artists a chance to be seen,” said Bowman.

Gates Four Golf & Country Club is located at 6775 Irongate Drive in Fayetteville. For more information, visit www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com/.

Mariel Kunz pulls colorful crochet hats out of a bag. She shows one and then, without much hesitation, reaches in for another followed by another. Much like a magician, she continues to pull more and more hats that unfold in her hands to display bright and intricate patterns. Each one is a little different from the next.

Kunz bends down to grab another hat from the zippered plastic bag. This time she pulls out a pink hat covered in white spots and framed by braided tassels that hang down from the ears.

“This is the hat that started it,” Kunz says. The original hat was one she made for her sister, then more people started asking her for hats.

Kunz’s hair is pulled back tight in a bun. She is admittedly tired but still extremely animated when she speaks about her hobby turned business. She laughs a lot in between pulling more hats. For her, yarn has become a constant companion. She says she gathers little bits of time in-between errands, being a mom or working to make another hat or other crocheted projects.

“I hate going to the movies now without a ball of yarn and a hook,” she laughs.

And thankfully for Kunz, she doesn’t need much more than a hook and some yarn. When asked about how she gets so many patterns, she simply replies, “I don’t follow any patterns, I write them.”

Kunz and about 20 other vendors will adorn Hay, Person and Anderson Streets on Friday, May 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. for the Cool Spring District’s annual Nerd Market. The event will be incorporated into the monthly Fourth Friday with its regular gathering of artisans and entertainment. This month it will also host Kawaii Trolley — a karaoke trolley — throughout downtown Fayetteville where residents can ride and sing to their heart’s content.

“I love the anime and comic book community,” says Lauren Falls, Marketing and Events Director for the Cool Spring District. “They have been wonderful and generous.”
Kunz says she is excited for the upcoming event.

“Is wearing a nerdy hat ever out of season?” She laughs, spinning a hat on her hand.

As a vendor, she’ll bring crocheted game-themed hats and gigantic crochet-beaded lizards that customers can make on the spot with her. She holds up bags of crocheted beads the size of golf balls. All of them are bright colored separated into groups.

These beads take about 5-6 minutes each for her, but each lizard will require dozens of beads. She turns her attention back to the hats.

“It’s fun to make wearable art,” she says holding up another hat, this one a long green, pointed hat. “You get to see people enjoying what you make.”

The event will also include food from Scotty’s All American Food truck, a cosplay contest broken up by age groups and the MM Digging site that allows kids to play with toy construction vehicles.

In 2021, the Nerd Market hosted about 600 guests. Falls and others are hoping for the same turnout or more. And if event-goers are looking to take a little throwback to the 90s, they can stop and see Made By Mariel and make a giant crochet-beaded lizard.

A guitar played by the Army Special Forces medic who wrote the iconic song “The Ballad of the Green Beret” is on display at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville.

Barry Allen Sadler was an American soldier, singer, songwriter and author. He learned to play and compose music on the 1949 Gretsch acoustic guitar during his teenage years, according to a museum news release. Over time, he began to work out the chord progression of his hit song. Sadler served as a medic with 7th Special Forces Group in Vietnam from December 1964 to May 1965. During his tour, Sadler was asked to perform at an event that was recorded and broadcast in the U.S.

The performance of the early version of the song immediately garnered the attention of the American public.

In December 1965, Sadler met Robin Moore, who helped complete the lyrics and give the song its iconic name, the release said. Their album hit U.S. record stores in January 1966. Moore was the author of “The Green Berets.” The book, originally published in 1965, inspired the 1968 John Wayne movie. Sadler played “The Ballad of the Green Beret” on the guitar that is on display during the 1985 Static Line Awards Banquet.

The guitar was auctioned off at the end of the banquet, the news release said. The guitar will be on display in the museum’s lobby through June 6. To hear Barry Sadler sing "The Ballad of the Green Beret" visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kj9qv6rmG8

The Fayetteville Urban Ministry's 27th annual Charity Golf Classic Honoring Mr. Wade Hardin is presented by Cargill, on June 3 at Gates Four Golf and Country Club.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the shotgun start is at 9 a.m. It's a competitive and fun golf tournament open to the entire community. It aims to support the Fayetteville Urban Ministry during the challenging summer months when donations traditionally decrease.

Individual players can participate for $65, which includes breakfast and lunch, a team photo, and a goodie bag. If you'd like to form a foursome team, the cost is $275, including breakfast and lunch, a team photo, and a goodie bag. The first 32 teams to register will compete.

The Fayetteville Urban Ministry is a nonprofit dedicated to serving the community in Fayetteville for almost five decades. Fayetteville Urban Ministry was founded in 1974, and its goal is to alleviate poverty and suffering in the area by providing a range of services and programs to individuals and families in need.

Their mission is "To show God's compassion for our neighbors in need, and thus build our community together." The Fayetteville Urban Ministry is about spreading love, hope and faith throughout their community.

They achieve this goal by offering a range of programs and services that are changing lives and making a real difference. Their Find-A-Friend youth program, for example. This remarkable initiative is all about inspiring young people to believe in themselves and a brighter future. By instilling faith in their hearts and minds, they're helping to create a generation of confident, capable, and compassionate individuals who will positively impact the world.

The Adult Literacy & Education Center is another shining example of the Fayetteville Urban Ministry's commitment to transforming lives. By providing education and job preparation to those in need, they're helping people establish a sense of hope for a better future and giving them the gift of reading to open up a world of opportunities.

Their Emergency Assistance program helps with meeting the basic needs of the community. From providing food via their food pantry and clothing to those in need to offering crisis support, they're showing love and support to their neighbors.

Their Nehemiah Project is another program that's making a real impact in the community. By offering free home repairs to low-income homeowners, they're building security and stability and helping to create safe and comfortable living spaces for those who need it most.

All of these services are provided free of charge. Plus, for every dollar donated, the Fayetteville Urban Ministry sends $0.95 directly back into the community through their programs and projects.

Overall, the Fayetteville Urban Ministry is a vital organization dedicated to serving the community's needs. Their programs address community members' basic needs while providing education, job preparation, and home repair services.

The organization's commitment to improving the lives of those in need is evident in its mission statement, and its annual Golf Classic is a fun way for the community to get involved and support their efforts.
You can volunteer or donate if you're interested in getting involved with Fayetteville Urban Ministry 's programs and services.

There are various sponsorship options available for the Golf Classic, ranging in price from $300 to $7,500. All sponsorships include breakfast and lunch, a team photo, a goodie bag, and recognition in the tournament program.

The sponsorship deadline is May 26, and the team entry deadline is May 29. For more information about Fayetteville Urban Ministry and its initiatives, visit their website at www.fayurbmin.org/. Their office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more details about the Golf Classic event, visit www.fayurbmin.org/27thannualgolfclassic.

Legends Pub will be hosting its Annual Spring Fling the weekend of June 2 through June 4. Their annual benefit event has been hosted at Legends Pub since owner Holly Whitley purchased it about 27 years ago.
Spring Fling began before Whitley owned the pub. She and a group of friends would host parties at Whitley’s house and called it the Gypsy Women Spring Fling. It used to be a get-together and then she turned it into a benefit after a friend had a motorcycle accident. It is now their largest benefit of the year.

“We’ve done this every single year since I bought the place on December 6th of ‘96, and it’s been our largest benefit. Every single year we raise the most money off of this one, takes a lot of work but everybody jumps in and helps,” Whitley told Up & Coming Weekly.

“People donate items for auction, bringing side dishes for food. It’s generally a very family affair. It’s like, you know, just everybody joining together.”

This year’s Spring Fling will benefit Marsha Bryant, who has been dealing with peritoneal cancer. Peritoneal cancer is a rare cancer of the peritoneum, a layer of tissue lining the abdomen.

“She has done very well with her treatment and we’re very happy she found it as soon as she did. She’s been fighting this battle since last October. Our process is to do this benefit for her and her husband,” Whitley said. “She’s been traveling all the way to Winston-Salem to specialists. All these things cost a lot of money when you get on the road like that.”

The 2023 Spring Fling will kick off on Friday, June 2 with a pool tournament.

Saturday will feature the Scott Sather Memorial Poker Run, a motorcycle ride where participants stop at designated locations to pick up cards and build the best poker hand. The cost is $10 per person. Extra hands are $5. The event will begin at noon. The Memorial Poker Run is in honor of Scott Sather, who was killed in Iraq in 2001. He was a part of the Legends family. There will be a big picnic and an auction as well that day. Finishing the night will be live music from J.D. and Bill, which starts at 7 p.m. On Sunday, June 4, there will be a bike show. There will be barbecue sandwiches and hot dogs available.

“There is no charge for the food. We do not charge for food because we want everybody to eat,” Whitley said.

The weekend-long event is open to all ages and everybody is welcome to come. This year’s Spring Fling will also be the first Spring Fling for Legends Pub’s new manager, Sandra.

“She’s been with us for a year. So we're very excited to have her on board. This is going to be her first Spring Fling with us, as far as working. So we’re very excited about that. She is, too. She’s done a great job over the last year,” Whitley said.

Overall, Whitley just wants to give back to the local community. Previous Spring Flings have supported nonprofits like Seth’s Wish and the North Carolina State Veterans Home. Other years, they have helped support those who are close to the Legends Pub community.

“We’ve done a lot for the community. We try to take care of our own. We like staying in our community rather than give it to large organizations because we feel as if people at our organizations in our own area are neglected by larger organizations,” Whitley said.

“In our own community, we need a large amount of support to take care of everybody here.”

The Spring Fling has raised a significant amount of money to help those in need.

“I would say... [about] a million dollars that we have raised at that little bar on the boulevard," Whitley said.

“It’s amazing what we have accomplished as a group and some people that have been there. I mean, it’s a larger amount of people than I can even fathom sometimes that have actually stayed with me for going on 27 years, and always supported our event.”

Legends Pub is located at 4624 Bragg Blvd. For more information, call 910-867-2364. You can follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/legendspub910.

YOKOSUKA, Japan — Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Cannon, a native of Fayetteville, serves in Japan aboard a forward-deployed U.S. Navy warship. Cannon joined the Navy 12 years ago. Today, Cannon serves as an information systems technician aboard USS Ralph Johnson.

“I joined the Navy mainly for my family,” said Cannon. “Both of my parents are prior service members, my sister and my two cousins are currently serving and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”

Growing up in Fayetteville, Cannon attended Seventy-First High School and graduated in 2010. Today, Cannon relies upon skills and values similar to those found in Fayetteville to succeed in the military.

“One of the lessons I learned from my hometown was to set goals and stick to them,” said Cannon. “I also learned to treat the Navy like a career and not to look back.”

Modern U.S. Navy surface ships provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments.

A Navy surface ship is capable of operating independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups or expeditionary strike groups. Jobs aboard a U.S. Navy ship are highly specialized, requiring both dedication and skill, according to Navy officials. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments that keep the ship mission-ready at all times.

As a member of the Navy, Cannon is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.

Cannon serves in Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces. These naval forces operate with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Service members in this region are part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has the largest area of responsibility in the world.

“As the largest force in our nation’s front line against revisionist actors, U.S. Pacific Fleet meets this great responsibility with strength, resolve and confidence,” said Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander. “Together with our joint and combined partner operations, we are positioned to defend — across all domains — any attempts to threaten our nation, our allies and partner’s security, freedom and well-being.”

Cannon and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I am most proud of my accomplishments at my last command,” said Cannon. “I witnessed all my junior sailors get promoted to second and first class petty officers.”

As Cannon and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means I have a family, when I’m away from my family,” said Cannon.

Cannon is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my parents,” added Cannon. “They have given me the tools to be successful in the Navy.”

About 165 third-graders at Gallberry Farm Elementary School recently lined the halls waving banners and cheering on former students who are set to graduate from Gray's Creek High School on June 5.

GCHS seniors Tinley Davis, Alexandra Garcia, Gerald Mason, Julia Norman and Xavier Stephens donned their caps and gowns and proudly rushed through the halls giving elementary school students high-fives while cherishing the moment.

“This was bittersweet,” said Norman. “It seemed so far away when I was little, but now that I’m here, it’s like, wow, I really am here. And, this is the end of my journey... kind of sad. But, I’m so excited, though, for my future. I have so many things in place, and I can't wait to go to college and experience college life.”

Throughout their visit, Norman and her classmates helped inspire the younger students to graduate from high school and look toward attending college.

These teens also helped officially kick off Cumberland County Schools’ 2023 Graduation Season, which runs from May 25 through June 7. During this time, thousands of seniors have plans to walk across the stage of the Cumberland County Crown Coliseum to receive their diplomas.

However, these soon-to-be graduates realize that they didn’t take this educational journey alone. CCS educators were always there, cheering them along the way. "It [being a student] was a lot of hard work," said Norman.

“A lot of teachers were helping me and guiding me through... I’m glad I had that support here at Gallberry.”

That was also the case for Stephens, who was able to pay a special surprise visit to his kindergarten teacher, Karen Odell. When he walked into the room, the two embraced with warm smiles and open arms as Odell’s students, who were seated on the storytime carpet, looked on in amazement.

“This is great seeing him,” said Odell, as she beamed with pride and shook her head. “This is absolutely great!”

An observer could see the brief reunion as ‘a full-circle moment’ and as a stark reminder that Cumberland County Schools is capable of taking students from the kindergarten carpet to the college classroom and beyond.

For information about Cumberland County Schools’ 2023 Graduations, visit www.graduation.ccs.k12.nc.us.

Books can take kids on many adventures like a hobbit’s quest or going back in time by using a treehouse. Books even got a local principal to jump out of an airplane.

Latonya Leeks, the principal of Bowley Elementary School on Fort Bragg, challenged her students in March to read for 4,887 minutes as part of Read Across America. And, in case you were wondering, that’s a little more than 81 hours. Each grade level had to read a total of 4,887 minutes. The number was chosen because it is the number of miles across the United States from Hawaii to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Leeks said if the students met the reading goal, she would jump out of an airplane. She told Up & Coming Weekly that she has done parasailing before but has never jumped out of a plane.

The idea started back in January as the school was planning what to do for Read Across America. The idea at first was if students met the goal, Leeks would go indoor skydiving. But then one staff member brought up the idea of jumping out of a plane with the All Veteran Group.

Every child in the school knew what jumping out of a plane meant. Most of their parents were or are currently a part of the 82nd Airborne Division. Knowing their moms and dads jump out of a plane or helicopter is fun, but seeing their principal do it? That took it to another level.

So, from March 6 to April 10, students turned in weekly calendars logging the number of minutes they read. Most grade levels read more than the required minutes. The fifth grade level met their goal within three days. On April 3, the entire school met the goal.

One month later, Leeks was strapped to retired First Sergeant Sunnydale Hyde for a tandem jump. Hyde served in the U.S. Army as a linguist and was a Golden Knight in 2015. Hyde is part of the All Veteran Group which is a skydiving organization. The group organized for Leeks to do the jump onto the polo field, right in front of the Forces Command headquarters building.

Students walked from the school to the polo field, excited and jumping with anticipation. That morning, the All Veteran Group made a presentation to the students about what was going to happen with the jump.

“They did a wonderful presentation for my kids at 9:30 to show them about the parachutes and talk about the science behind it and to really show them what they do. That got the kids pumped up,” Leeks said.

While students waited around the bleachers, teachers provided bubble wands, and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association handed out popsicles. PTA Vice President, Jordyn Oshman, was one of the several parents out at the field with their kids. She said it was exciting for her son to watch his principal jump out of a plane.

“It’s really cool, because a lot of them hear about their dads doing it, but their principal? For them to come out and actually see it, it’s very different,” Oshman said.

Then the moment came where Leeks jumped out of the plane. Kids were yelling, pointing, teachers had signs that said “JUMP” on them.

“It was exhilarating. It was incredible,” Leeks said.

After she landed, several family members ran towards her and gave her hugs. She was then presented a certificate from the All Veteran Group, officiating her jump.
Leeks told Up & Coming Weekly that she believes this experience for her students will stay with them throughout their learning careers.

“I always believed that learning should be an experience. Even when I would put together lessons, I try to include my students in a way that they became the lesson so they would remember. So I’m big on providing those experiences,” Leeks said.

“This is also staff appreciation and teacher appreciation week. So I like to provide experiences for them because when they become a part of it, they won’t forget it.”

The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County announced the continuation of its Artists In Schools initiative, thanks to a generous grant from the United Way of Cumberland County.

With $10,000 in funding received through the Youth Growth Stock Trust, the AIS program will continue to benefit students and teachers in Cumberland County throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.

The AIS program offers curriculum assistance to Cumberland County Schools by providing Teaching Artist engagements at a 50 to 100% subsidy of the program's expense. These engagements promote arts integration and are directly linked to North Carolina Essential Standards. For over two decades, AIS has partnered with Cumberland County Schools, benefiting more than a quarter-million students within the last decade alone.

“We value the deep appreciation for the expanding collaboration with Cumberland County Schools,” said Michael Houck, Director of Grants and Allocations. “Thanks to the crucial role of the United Way and the generosity of Mr. Short's legacy, over 18,000 students will be able to participate in the AIS program this academic year, benefiting over 75% of Title 1 schools.”

The AIS program offers Cumberland County Schools the expertise of skilled Teaching Artists who collaborate with students, teachers, and administrators to integrate the arts into core subject areas. With a focus on interactive arts education, the AIS program is designed to equip students with lifelong learning and the necessary skills and knowledge to face challenges and thrive in the upcoming decade.

About the Youth Growth Stock Trust

Robert H. Short established the Youth Growth Stock Trust in 1992 at the United Way of Cumberland County. During his life, Short was a philanthropist, donating millions to support educational initiatives and student scholarships. Each year, the United Way of Cumberland County awards dozens of grants to support youth programming via income from the trust, thus creating a legacy for Mr. Short and education in the county. For more information visit www.unitedway-cc.org/what-we-do/youth-growth-stock-trust/.

About the Arts Council

The Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County supports individual creativity, cultural preservation, economic development and lifelong learning through the arts. As a primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural, and historical activities in the Cape Fear Region, all affiliated programs of the Arts Council exemplify their five core values of excellence, accountability, transparency, collaboration and innovation. For more information visit theartscouncil.com

In the year 2021-22, the Arts Council distributed almost $1 million in grant funds and allocations to Cumberland County arts and culture non-profit organizations, artists, and municipalities.
Grants, programs, and services of the Arts Council are funded in part by contributions from community partners, and through grants from the city of Fayetteville, Cumberland County, and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. For more information visit www.ncarts.org.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a concept design for the new Crown Event Center on May 15, completing another step toward the $131.7 million multipurpose center that will replace the Crown Theater and Arena.

The three-story center, which will be in downtown Fayetteville, includes a two-story lobby with a rooftop terrace facing Gillespie Street; an event hall that can accommodate 3,000 people; meeting and events space; and VIP spaces, according to the newly approved concept design.

The $131.7 million price tag is higher than the initial estimate in the early planning stages for the center, but the facility is now projected to be larger than originally planned — 131,500 square feet versus the original 89,000. Inflation has driven up the price as well, according to a news release from the county.

“When escalation is taken into account, the cost per square foot between the original and approved budgets is similar,” the release said.

County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe noted in an interview with CityView that the budget for the new center will not increase taxes for county residents.

“This is going to be funded through the local occupancy tax dollars and the food and beverage tax dollars. So, no bonds, no additional revenue sources, no tax increases that need to come out for all this. The funding model that we've stayed within throughout this entire process allows for food and beverage and local occupancy tax to take care of these projects,” Keefe said.

The new center will not be like the traditional performing arts center, Keefe said.

“It’s what we’re calling an entertainment center that has a lot of flex space in it,” he said.

Keefe said the larger space will allow the center to accommodate community events and not just touring acts that are typically seen in other cities across North Carolina, such as Durham Performing Arts Center.

“There’s not many events that the community can be involved in. With that facility, it’s usually national touring acts that come in. Well, this will truly be a community center. There’ll be opportunities for lots of folks to be able to use this center,” Keefe said.

And it’s not just the center itself for Keefe. The commissioner called the venue an “economic multiplier” for downtown businesses.

“The location should be able to enhance the existing businesses of downtown, but more importantly, should also be able to allow for expansion of new businesses and property around the center,” Keefe said.

“Whenever people come and decide to move here and move their family here, we can come in downtown, and we can show where we have a state-of-the-art baseball stadium. And now we’re going to have a state-of-the-art, very modern event center that will have a lot of different things going on for families,” Keefe continued. “We’re really pretty excited about it.”

Earlier this year, the county approved construction managers for the project, CityView reported.

Construction of the center is estimated to begin early next year, and the venue is set to open by November 2025.