When Fox News hosted a debate last month between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, much of the media coverage focused on its implications for 2024.

Would Newsom make some nervous Democrats pine for a Joe Biden retirement? Would DeSantis breathe new life into his sputtering presidential campaign?

Interesting questions. But speaking as someone who’s spent most of his career in state-level policy and journalism, I found the substance of the event more compelling than its atmospherics.

In a sense, the two governors — both polished speakers and experienced executives — were debating a question with which North Carolinians are very familiar: does bigger, more activist government make the residents of a state better off or worse off?

Over the years, I’ve explored this issue extensively in newspaper columns and magazine pieces. I even wrote a book about it more than a decade ago. My thesis was that while states and localities certainly fund valuable services such as education, infrastructure, and public safety, the relationship between public expenditures and outcomes is rather weak.

That is to say, if North Carolina didn’t fund schools, colleges, and universities at all, or maintain a network of roads and bridges, or administer a system of law enforcement agencies and courts, North Carolinians would be poorer, less safe, and less satisfied with our lives.

But the relevant question isn’t whether to create these assets. They already exist! What current policymakers must decide is how best to fund and manage them, and whether a large increase in spending from current levels would produce enough measurable benefit to North Carolinians to justify the costs they’d bear in higher taxes.

Generally speaking, the answer to that last question is no. While I believe there are initiatives in education, infrastructure, public safety, and other areas that deserve more funding, state spending as a whole isn’t too low.

Since 2010, North Carolina lawmakers have rightly made tax reduction a priority, as have fiscally conservative lawmakers in other states.

Economists and other scholars have published many hundreds of academic studies on this subject. While their models and conclusions vary, I think a fair description of a preponderance of the evidence is that states with smaller governments — measured by such variables as spending levels, tax rates, and regulatory burdens — tend to grow faster than other states while providing an equivalent or even superior quality of public services.

For a 2022 column, I pulled economic, public finance, education, and infrastructure data for the 10 most-populous states in the country. I found that the top four states in economic freedom — Florida, Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina — outperformed the rest on most measures.

In other words, they didn’t just have lower taxes and faster-growing economies. Their roads and other infrastructure were better maintained. And their students scored higher on standardized tests after adjusting for socioeconomic status (which is a way to try to isolate the educational value added by their schools).

Last week, I updated my analysis to include the latest economic-freedom ranking by the Frasier Institute as well as recent data on population flows, gross domestic product growth, and violent crime.

The populous states rated freest were, again, Florida and Texas, with North Carolina and Georgia tying for third. Ohio, Illinois, California, and New York were the lowest ranked.

Since 2020, only four of the 10 states have added population: Florida (+3%), Texas (+2.7%), North Carolina (+2.4%), and Georgia (+1.7%). New York (-2.1%), Illinois (-1.6%), and California (-1.2%) experienced the largest declines. In GDP growth, only Florida and Texas have exceeded the national average of 2.8% since 2020, while only North Carolina matched it. The rest underperformed.

By contrast, there isn’t much of a correlation between government size and violent crime.

There will always be plenty of issues about which North Carolinians can and will disagree. But if you believe our state’s turn toward fiscal conservatism has been a catastrophe, your argument isn’t with me. It’s with the facts on the ground.

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

Time flies when you are having fun. It slows down while you are undergoing a root canal, but that is another story. Today’s column is the annual January salute to the next year turning 100. Congrats to 1924 celebrating its 100th birthday. Like Chicago, 1924 was a toddling year. It was when the Roaring Twenties produced significantly high decibels. Everything was going great until 1929.

"Swellness" reigned supreme in 1924. Americans’ average income was $2196. Unemployment was 5%. You could buy a new car for $265. An average house cost $7720. A gallon of milk was 9 cents. A gallon of gas was 9 cents. As Archie and Edith Bunker once sang, “Those were the days.” Mary Hopkin later responded with “Those were the days, my friend/ We thought they’d never end.” Well, 1924 did end. But it was fun while it lasted,

1924 started, like all good years in the Gregorian calendar, with the month of January. Vlad Lenin stroked out and left the building on 21 January. This handed power to the tender mercies of Joseph Stalin. As a parting gift to Lenin, the Commies mummified his body and changed the name of St. Petersburg to Leningrad. On 25 January the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France. This cleared the way for the most curious winter sport of all – Curling. Curling involves shoving a large metal foot stool, brooms, and janitors sweeping ice to guide said stool to a goal. More significantly, on 29 January, the first ice cream cone rolling machine was patented.

12 February brought the premiere performance of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” The Computing Tabulating-Recording Company changed its name to IBM on 24 February creating many I’ve Been Moved jokes. On 24 February, Gandhi played his Get Out of Jail free card and was released from a British Prison.

The “Happy Birthday to You” song was published on 4 March with the side effect of boosting the personal wealth of millions of bakers and ice cream makers. On 1 April, a German court sentenced Adolph Hitler to prison for 5 years after his failed Beer Hall Putsch. This would not be the last we heard of the Bavarian Butt-Head. Rand McNally published its first road atlas on 15 April. This led to multiple fits of frustration and road rage as drivers found it highly difficult to refold the maps. On 10 May, J. Edgar Hoover was appointed Director of the FBI. He remained as Director until May 1972 terrorizing crooks, bootleggers, U.S. Presidents, hippies, and ordinary citizens who were leery of a grown man wearing a dress carrying a pistol.

On 2 June, President Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act which declared all Native Americans to be American citizens. This is more than a slice of irony, as Native Americans were here first. Over in Detroit, Ford Motor Company turned out its 10 millionth car on 15 June. On 9 July the Once and Future Tarzan, Johnny Weissmuller. set a swimming world record in the 100-meter freestyle in the Summer Olympics. On 10 July Norway surrendered its claim on Greenland to Denmark. The Former Presidential Guy tried to buy Greenland from Denmark in 2018 but that deal fell through. Little Orphan Annie and her dog Sandy made their first appearance in the funny papers on 5 August proving that pupilless eyes were not necessary to be successful. Mussolini survived an assassination attempt on 6 September paving the way for the famous limerick “Whistle while you work/ Hitler was a jerk/ Mussolini bit his weeny/ Now it will not work.”

Sheik Ibn Saud conquered Mecca on 13 October resulting in the establishment of Saudi Arabia. Pro tip: Saudi Arabia provided 15 of the 19 hijackers on 9-11. On 2 November the Sunday Express printed the first British crossword puzzle whose descendants appear in every Up & Coming Weekly. Calvin Coolidge was elected to a full term as President on 4 November. Cal is famous for his Zen saying: “The business of America is business.” Rolls Royce sold the last Silver Ghost automobile on 19 December. Germany granted early release to Hitler from prison on 20 December.

What did we learn today? Unfortunately, just a series of useless historical factoids, most of which, Gentle Reader, you will forget by supper time. But any year that produced Little Orphan Annie is a good year. Would-be child stars will be belting out the song “Tomorrow” for decades to come. As Scarlett O’Hara said: “Tomorrow is another day.”

One year ago, on the evening of Dec. 3rd, 2022, our community was intentionally attacked. Our home, along with 45,000 of our neighbors, went without power for days.

In the middle of a winter cold spell, I was concerned about people who were unable to heat their homes. I worried about residents with health issues who rely on electricity to power their medical devices. Schools were shut down during end-of-year evaluations.

Small businesses were forced to close amid holiday shopping. And yet through it all, our community came together.

While the days following the attack were difficult, I am so proud of how our community came together in the face of adversity. It was inspiring to see folks come together in a time of need as churches, small businesses, restaurants, police and fire departments, libraries, and individuals stepped up to help their neighbors and show our strength as a community.

Over the weeks and months that followed, I was in listening mode. I have listened to Moore County residents, grid operators, community developers, federal and local law enforcement, business owners, experts on grid security from Duke Energy and the NC Department of Emergency Management, and others, who all have shared similar concerns with our grid’s security and resilience. I have worked to apply the lessons learned to make sure we reduce the risk of an attack like this happening again.

Attacks on electric grids in the United States that led to widespread power outages increased 71% from 2021 to 2022, and we are on track to meet or exceed last year’s record of 164 major cyber and physical attacks. These figures are extremely alarming and further emphasize the need to secure our energy grid, not just here in the Sandhills, but across the country.

To directly address these concerns, I have focused on leading discussions and advancing legislation to harden our infrastructure, improve grid resilience, and strengthen our supply chains.

I started by securing a classified intelligence briefing for my colleagues in January on the increased level of attacks targeting our nation’s electrical infrastructure, to further understand. In June, I brought members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to Moore County for a field hearing on improving the security and resiliency of our nation’s energy grid.

It was important to me that our first hearing was where the attack happened, and that my colleagues heard not just the facts of grid security and resilience—but the people personally affected and their experiences.

Since our Moore County field hearing, I have worked to secure additional Energy and Commerce Committee hearings in Washington. I have spoken directly with witnesses from across the energy industry to further examine emerging threats to our nation’s energy grid, and emphasized the need for reliable energy infrastructure.

Additionally, I secured $1.6 billion in funding to bolster grid security in the 2024 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill. This funding will maintain strong energy security and ensure economic competitiveness, while also reining in reckless spending. Grid security is national security, and our community cannot risk a mass power outage that jeopardizes the safety and health of you and your family.

That’s why I introduced the Protecting America’s Distribution Transformer Supply Chain Act, which repeals the Department of Energy’s authority to enforce any new energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers for the next five years. The Department of Energy should focus on strengthening the U.S. supply chain for distribution transformers for the next five years – not further disrupting it.

In fact, our community’s situation last December would not have been as dire if we had a backup transformer available. We must ensure our electrical manufacturers can continue to do what they do best, without the Biden Administration’s radical energy agenda getting in their way. This bill has been making its way through the Energy and Commerce Committee and I look forward to moving this bill to the House floor soon.

In addition, I reintroduced my bipartisan legislation, the WORKER Act, which will supercharge our nation’s energy workforce by prioritizing education and training for energy and manufacturing jobs when awarding grants to stakeholders.

By creating a strong energy workforce and increasing domestic energy production, we can decrease energy costs, restore American energy dominance, and end the Biden administration’s war on energy.
One year after the energy attack on our community, my mission remains the same: I will not stop fighting for grid security and energy independence in Washington. No community across the country should experience what we endured last December.

I want to thank Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields and our local law enforcement for their quick response during those dark days, and for their ongoing investigations to determine who is responsible for last December’s attack. We must hold those responsible for this act accountable and I will continue to support law enforcement as they conduct their investigation.

Even on our darkest days, it is an honor to represent you and this incredible community. As your Congressman, I will continue to make sure Washington pays attention to the concerns and needs of you and your family.

Until Next Time.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s always feels peaceful to me.

The frantic rush leading up to December 25th has passed, the decorations cry out to be put away, and when they are, home feels fresh and clean again. It is a time both to look back at the year that is fading and ahead at the one now staring down at us.

It is hard not to be frightened.

As a Baby Boomer, I have lived through some of our nation’s most trying and pivotal times. I watched my generation of young men drafted into a conflict that tore our nation apart. I watched African Americans and women fight for and ultimately gain civil rights unavailable for most of United States history. I watched an American President mired in scandal resign as the leader of the free world and fly off into self-imposed exile in California. I watched New York’s Twin Towers fall from Washington, DC where I was attending a conference next door to the US Capitol while our only daughter was in New York City.

These were all challenges for our nation, and sometimes I was sad and sometimes I was mad. Never, though, have I been as concerned about our future as a nation as I am as I write this.

The United States, like several other nations, appears to be loosening its hereto-firm grip on democracy and sliding toward a more authoritarian form of government. Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a Republican, calls this “sleepwalking into dictatorship.”

Populism and nationalism have been woven into our national fabric since the beginning of our nation, stronger at some times than at others. Today, they are surging, pitting us against each other, turning Americans into “us” and “them.” People on both the right and the left are deeply suspicious of each other and the values each side holds. The left talks about pluralism and the right talks about traditional values, and each side appears to have lost both the will and the ability to communicate with the other. Each appears willing to reside within its own echo chamber of beliefs without listening to the other.

As we move into the election season of 2024, Americans of all political stripes need to be very clear about our situation and the imminent dangers we face and vote accordingly at all levels.

Heather Cox Richardson, a history professor at Boston College, minces no words with her clear and stark assessment of the far-right forces currently at work in our nation. She wrote this earlier this month.

“In the United States, that undercurrent has created a movement of people who are willing to overthrow democracy if it means reinforcing their traditional vision. Christian nationalists believe that the secular values of democracy are destroying Christianity and traditional values. They want to get rid of LGBTQ+ rights, feminism, immigration, and the public schools they believe teach such values. And if that means handing power to a dictator who promises to restore their vision of a traditional society, they’re in.“It is an astonishing rejection of everything the United States has always stood for.”

Some readers of this column will disagree with Richardson’s assessment, perhaps even be offended by it. I urge readers to ponder her words between now and the moment we cast our ballots. There is nothing to lose by considering her educated conclusion, but there is everything to lose by not heeding it.

We stand to lose the United States of America as we have known it.

With the quick transition of decorations from happy, top-hatted turkeys and smiling jack-o'-lanterns to jingle bells and evergreens, it seems like Christmas is approaching a little sooner every year. Mid-October is when the yuletide craze really kicks in, and after Halloween, the calendar is covered in a riot of red and green ribbons that lasts until the New Year.

Though Christmas dominates the solstice season, it's important to remember there are other celebrations going on throughout this time of joy and cheer. There are an astounding number of holidays that have religious and cultural importance for families all across the world from November to January.

For numerous individuals, both domestically and internationally, the holiday season is filled with excitement and festivities such as Hanukkah, Yule, Diwali, Chinese New Year, St. Lucia Day and many more.

While many of these celebrations, like Christmas, have foreign roots, Kwanzaa is a winter festival that was invented specifically in the United States.

An annual celebration of Pan-African and African-American culture is Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by professor Dr. Maulana Karenga as a way to celebrate African American heritage and foster a sense of cultural identity within the black community.

Prominent Black Power activist Karenga wanted to give Black Americans a holiday based on the festival customs of West and Southeast Africa as a way to reclaim a heritage and traditions lost during American slavery in response to the horrifying violence of the Watts Riots in 1965 in Los Angeles, California. Kwanzaa, which is seven letters long and is a contraction of the Swahili word matunda ya kwanza, signifies "first fruits." Every year, from December 26 to January 1, people celebrate this nonreligious festival across seven days.

Though it is typically observed in conjunction with Christmas, Kwanzaa is only a cultural custom that does not aim to take the place of the holiday.

Traditionally, families use the holiday's emblems to decorate their houses during Kwanzaa. The Kwanzaa ritual can vary greatly from house to family and is based on a multitude of customs. Nonetheless, it is recognized as a reaffirmation of adherence to the "Nguzo Saba," or the "seven principles" that form the foundation of the festival, as well as a celebration of family, life, culture, and community.

The kinara is arguably the most well-known emblem of Kwanzaa. The Mishumaa Saba, or seven candles in the colors of the Pan-African flag—red, black, and green—is held aloft by this seven-branched candelabra. Every day, one candle in the kinara is lit to symbolize one of the seven Kwanzaa values. The unity candle, which is the black central candle of the kinara, is lit first, then lighting moves from left to right to promote careful contemplation and conversation about each concept throughout the celebration.

Day 1: Umoja, Unity. African American families join on the first day of Kwanzaa to exchange family lore and customs with one another and the community.

Day 2: Kujichagulia, Self-determination. This idea is about making realistic objectives for oneself and completing them shortly after the start of the new year. Kujichagulia is crucial for determining one's identity and position in society and the wider world.

Day 3: Ujima, Group Work, and Accountability. On the third day of Kwanzaa, the family or community joins together to address a neighbor's issue or obligation in an effort to strengthen their bond.

Day 4: Ujamaa, Cooperative Economics. This idea promotes supporting local companies and retailers in your town and keeping money and goods there.

Day 5: Nia, Purpose. A life of purpose can be found and lived by discovering one's passion or path and sharing it with others through teaching or mentoring.

Day 6: Kuumba is Creative. Families can opt to observe this principle through crafts, singing, dancing, or admiring African art.

Day 7: Imani, Faith. This idea illustrates the strength of tradition-based belief. Belief can be defined as confidence in oneself, one's family, and other people, or it might be connected to religious rituals.

Apart from the kinara, some of the other significant emblems of the occasion are:

Mkeke: the mat that the symbols are positioned on.

Crops are known as "fruits of collective labor," or makao.

Muhindi, or corn, represents youth and the next generation.

The unity cup, or kikombe cha Umoja, is typically handed from person to person during a
feast or gathering.

Zawadi, or "the gifts," stand for the diligence of parents and the well-behaved children they raise.
Families will celebrate by dining, dancing, drumming, and spending quality time together over the seven days of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa places a lot of emphasis on children because they are the future. During the season, elders in the home and community are also given a place of honor as a sign of respect for the ones who came before them.

Despite its separatist origins, Kwanzaa has evolved to stand for the value of culture and identity in the black community. In tandem with those objectives is the community's wish to comprehend black people's ancestry, traditions and history outside of the convoluted context of slavery.

People of different colors and ethnicities who want to reflect on their principles before the new year have come to embrace Kwanzaa, even though during its peak of popularity in the 1970s it was considered a closed practice.

Kwanzaa, despite being less common than it formerly was, is a great illustration of the potency of tradition's necessity. Our most treasured memories guiding customs offer a strong base upon which to develop, expand, and communicate.

"It is a time when we gather in the spirit of family and community to celebrate life, love, unity and hope," remarked the late poet and well-known Kwanzaa enthusiast Maya Angelou.

The Museum of The Cape Fear Historical Complex, which operates under the esteemed NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, is proud to announce the latest installment of its "History To-Go" initiative.

This unique program aims to foster a deeper understanding of North Carolina's rich heritage among the younger generation. The museum, located at 801 Arsenal Ave, is collaborating with the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation Inc. and the Arts Council of Fayetteville to offer complimentary take-home craft kits.

Designed for ages 6 to 12, the "History To-Go" kits are a blend of educational materials, engaging activities, and delightful crafts, ensuring an immersive learning experience. Each month, a new theme takes center stage, allowing participants to explore different facets of North Carolina's people and places.
This December, the museum is highlighting the captivating heritage of Moravian Christmas. Originating from the mid-1700s migration of the Moravian community from present-day Czech Republic to North Carolina, this theme sheds light on their distinctive traditions, including the renowned Moravian Star. Families can visit the museum to collect their "History To-Go" box, limited to two per family due to high demand. Recognizing the varying geographical reach, the museum facilitates access to online resources, enabling individuals unable to visit in person to explore Moravian Christmas's essence.

The Moravian Christmas-themed kits encapsulate the spirit of this unique celebration, offering insights into the customs, history, and significance of this tradition. The aim is to bridge the historical connection between the Czech Republic and North Carolina, particularly the influence of the Moravian community on the state's cultural landscape.

For those seeking a glimpse into the Moravian Christmas theme and unable to physically obtain the kits, the museum extends its outreach online. Accessible resources feature engaging activities and comprehensive craft supply lists, enabling participation from anywhere.

The Museum of The Cape Fear Historical Complex is committed to preserving and promoting North Carolina's cultural legacy and invites families to embark on a journey of discovery this holiday season. Through the exploration of Moravian Christmas, participants are encouraged to embrace the historical tapestry woven between the Czech Republic and the heart of North Carolina.

For further information and online access to the Moravian Christmas-themed activities, please visit the Museum of The Cape Fear Historical Complex's official website. Visitors can also contact the museum by phone at 910-500-4240, or by visiting https://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/history-go-moravian-christmas.

Fascinate-U Children's Museum in Fayetteville is opening its doors to a unique and enriching program designed for preschool-aged children and their siblings: Bilingual Story Time. Known as Leyendo Con El Centro, this language immersion initiative aims to introduce Spanish vocabulary in a fun and interactive manner, fostering early language skills and cultural appreciation.

The event promises an engaging and lively experience for families, combining storytelling, songs, games, rhymes and various activities. Participants can expect to not only learn but also embrace new Spanish words, enabling them to integrate these language skills into their daily lives. Adding to the festive atmosphere, the sessions will feature a special appearance by Santa Claus, enhancing the excitement and magic of the learning experience.

The primary goals of the Bilingual Story Time program are threefold. Firstly, it aims to facilitate the acquisition of basic Spanish vocabulary, including colors, numbers, family members, animals and more. Through immersive storytelling and interactive activities, children will be immersed in an environment that encourages language acquisition.

Moreover, the program strives to offer early exposure to a second language, fostering an appreciation for diverse cultures. By exploring the Spanish language and culture, children are encouraged to embrace diversity and broaden their worldview from an early age.

Alicia, a key member behind this endeavor at Fascinate-U, provided insights into the significance of this initiative during an interview with Up and Coming Weekly.

"Our inspiration comes from the belief in the power of early education," Alicia explained. "We noticed a growing interest in language immersion programs and saw an opportunity to introduce this enriching experience to children in our community. Our aim is to make learning a language an exciting journey that starts right here at Fascinate-U."

Additionally, Bilingual Story Time is meticulously crafted to promote pre-literacy skills among young learners. The engaging nature of storytelling, combined with interactive sessions, aims to enhance language comprehension and cognitive abilities in a playful and enjoyable setting.

The sessions will be held at Fascinate-U Children's Museum, located at 116 Green Street, from 11 a.m. to noon, recurring monthly on the 3rd Wednesday from Dec. 20, to April 17, 2024. The Bilingual Story Time initiative at Fascinate-U Children's Museum endeavors to spark the curiosity of young learners, lay the foundation for language proficiency, and nurture a lifelong love for cultural diversity. For families seeking an educational and immersive experience for their children, the Bilingual Story Time sessions are an ideal opportunity to embark on a journey of language and cultural exploration in a dynamic and welcoming environment.

For those interested in participating, details about admission fees, membership costs, and ways to get involved can be found on the museum's website or contact Alicia at alicia@fascinate-u.com for inquiries and registrations.

For further information or to register for these engaging sessions, please contact Fascinate-U Children's Museum at 910-829-9171.

“Cycling promotes life skills, reduces screen time, increases independence, longevity, family fun, a new hobby, new adventures, and road safety awareness,” states Beyond Bikes. Bernadette R. Bogerty is the executive director of The Healthy Child and Adolescent Network, the agency that runs the Bike Giveaway Program.

It is the next level of the Bicycle Man, Moses Mathis.

Moses Mathis, the original Bicycle Man, gave away approximately 250,000 bicycles from 1990 to 2012. Mathis passed away in 2013. Ann Mathis, his wife, resumed the Bicycle Man tradition until her retirement in 2022.

Bernadette Bogerty, in her professional capacity as Cumberland County social worker, facilitated the Bicycle Man’s distribution program during the thirty-two-year period.

“At the height of the program, we were providing bicycles for 2,500 kids over the holiday. I could not in good conscience just let the program die when I had the opportunity to step up to the plate and continue Mr. Mathis’ legacy,” said Bogerty.

The late Moses Mathis bicycle giveaways empowered more than 250,000 neighborhood children. The children’s quality of life can be enhanced by:

1. “Reduced stress.
2. Improved Cognitive function.
3. Increased attention span
4. Health Body Mass Index
5. Social connection
6. Positive and effective coping skills
7. Reduces loneliness.
8. Enhances wellness.
9. Personal proficiency.
10. Community Solidarity,” states allkidsbike.org

“Teaching kids to ride a bicycle at a young age will instill positive coping skills, and protective tools against anxiety,” according to allkidsbike.org.

Bogerty is a graduate of Methodist University, a retired United States Air Force nurse, special education instructor and a retired Cumberland County Social Worker.

She has a neighborhood moniker, Ms. Bernie, The Bike Madea. She received the name from her grandchildren. The name became popular with the residents of the community.

Bogerty shared with the writer the long-term plan for the program is “to build the inventory to 2,500 for distribution each year, establish a partnership with Bike Clubs in Cumberland County, and the bicycle distribution expanded to age 17. Bicycle distribution programs are available for ages 18 and over.”

The writer asserts a primary quality of life benefit is the joy of receiving a bicycle. “As a kid, I had a dream I wanted my own bicycle. When I got the bike, I must have been the happiest boy in Liverpool. I lived for that bike. Most kids left their bikes in the backyard. Not me. I insisted on taking mine indoors and on the first night, I even kept it on my bed,” said John Lennon.

There are feel-good feelings accompanying bicycle donation.

“One of the key factors that motivate people to donate is a feel-good factor. The act of giving activates the release of feel-good hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin in the brain. These hormones are associated with feelings of trust, happiness and social bonding.

"Empathy allows us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and feel their emotions, which can trigger a desire to help,” according to Pride Philanthropy.

The Healthy Child and Adolescent Network-The Bike GiveAway Program requests donations of bicycles to the warehouse at 786 Blue Street.

Volunteers are welcome to the program. Contact Bernadette R. Bogerty by phone at 910-745-8008 or 910-929-0951 or by email at BikeGiveAwayCoordinator@ gmail.com.

Have you ever had the experience of a tutor calling to check on your academic progress?

How about the experience of a tutor contacting you just to say hello and introduce himself/herself?

Did you know that at Fayetteville Technical Community College, tutors work collaboratively with instructors to assist students with their academic success?

FTCC’s Student Learning Center (SLC) tutors do all this plus more. The SLC is a valuable resource that is focused on encouraging and support for all FTCC students to achieve success. Whether you recently graduated from high school or you haven’t been in a classroom in over 20 years, you can always feel at home at FTCC’s SLC.

Instructors at the Student Learning Center are qualified and ready to help students focus on their grades and bridge the gap between learning, understanding and applying skills learned in real world applications. Each experienced instructor has an impressive background of working closely with adult learners. All of the SLC instructors have diverse academic backgrounds in subjects such as English, math, science, computer information, accounting, and foreign languages.

The SLC instructors realize students learn differently, and they carefully dissect the challenges students are faced with each semester. Students have access to a welcoming atmosphere that’s conducive to learning with comfortable seating, computers, laptops, and group instruction rooms. Additionally, the SLC has mobile whiteboards and whiteboard tables to promote interactive learning. Students can also use the SLC as a place to study between or after classes. In addition to the one-on-one tutoring, the SLC provides NetTutor Online Tutoring Service for students, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“The Student Learning Center is one of the only places at school that I visited by myself to study, to find help if needed, and to work on all the things I needed to work on. The Student Learning Center’s environment always feels like a safe space; the instructors at the Center made me feel welcomed, and there are so many places within the Center where I could get comfortable enough to start working on my to-do list. Additionally, the Student Learning Center ranks as my top study spot on campus because I never feel alone; someone is always there to help me if I have questions. Whether I study math, English, science, or work in the writing lab on essays, the instructors know exactly how to assist, discuss, and coach me regardless of the course or subject. I like to call the Student Learning Center my home away from home,” said Hannah Spexarth, Student-Athlete at FTCC.

Using the Student Learning Center is free, and no appointment is necessary. FTCC students should bring their student IDs for easy access to sign in. Visit FTCC today and let us help you get on the road to better skills, better jobs and a brighter future!

The Student Learning Center is located in the Virtual College Center (VCC) Room 232, 2225 Hull Road.
Reach them by phone at 910-678-8266 or via email at learningcenter@faytechcc.edu. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The website is https://www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/academic-resources/student-learning-center/.

New Year's Eve is a popular night to go out on the town. It is customary to usher in a new year with friends and family members, and such gatherings tend to run late as celebrants anxiously await the stroke of midnight.

The later a New Year's Eve celebration goes, the more likely revelers may have to battle a little fatigue on the first of January.

With that in mind, celebrants can consider these ways to rebound after a fun New Year's Eve.

• Make a concerted effort to rehydrate. Though it may be best to avoid or limit alcohol consumption, many people throw such caution to the wind on New Year's Eve.

If you went a little overboard in your New Year's Eve revelry, make a concerted and consistent effort to rehydrate upon waking up on January 1. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that mild dehydration is one of the contributing factors to a hangover.

The NIAAA notes that alcohol suppresses the release of a hormone called vasopressin, which sends signals to the kidneys causing them to retain fluid. When a person is drinking alcohol, they tend to urinate frequently and, as a result, experience an excess loss of fluids.

Rehydrating the following day can help the body begin to heal.

• Do not consume more alcohol. Most people have heard of the phrase "hair of the dog that bit you," which refers to drinking more alcohol after waking up the morning after overindulging.

Though the NIAAA notes that this can provide temporary hangover relief, it also may prolong the hangover, the symptoms of which will return once the "hair of the dog" wears off.

• Engage in some light exercise. Various sources advise against sweating out a hangover, an approach that typically calls for individuals to engage in high-intensity, potentially lengthy exercise.

Such exercise can exacerbate feelings of dehydration. A low-intensity workout can help, however. Such workouts, which may include light jogging, can still release endorphins, which can help to improve mood and increase oxygen flow to the brain.

• Take a nap. Alcohol consumption adversely affects sleep quality. According to the Sleep Foundation, though alcohol can have a sedative-like quality that induces sleepiness, excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to poor sleep quality and duration.

In essence, the sleepiness associated with overconsumption of alcohol can quickly wear off, interrupting sleep overnight. A New Year's Day nap can have a restorative effect.

It is unwise but not uncommon to overdo it when celebrating New Year's Eve. Though it's always best to avoid overconsumption of alcohol, regardless of the occasion, some simple strategies can help people feel better come New Year's Day.

You know how to operate your business, and you’ve built it into a very successful enterprise.

Congratulations! However, the time has come to move on, whether it is for a new challenge or to kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. No matter the reason, you are ready to sell. However, too many small business owners mistake the knowledge they have accrued running their business as giving them insight into selling that company, which is a very different process. Here are the five most common mistakes you want to avoid when selling your small business.

Mistake No. 1 — Overpricing

You are proud of your business and what you have accomplished. When determining a listing price for your company, you must base the valuation on quantifiable criteria, not your estimation of worth or what your circle of influence estimates as the value.

This is why you need an objective third-party valuation. An outside expert understands the current market and can provide research on the sales of businesses in the industry in your area for comparison.
Finally, it is essential that you honestly represent your earnings to prospective buyers versus overstating your earnings. Presenting this information in the best possible light is fine, but don’t stretch the truth.

Mistake No. 2 — Lack of preparation

Another error many make is not having all their financial documentation in order. It is one of the biggest reasons owners need help selling their business at the best value. Be sure to properly prepare the business for sale, whether that means physical improvements or dealing with staff issues, etc.

Also, even though you may be leaving the company or passing it on, that doesn’t mean you should wind down your business, causing profits to fall, before you sell. Even if you aren’t thinking of selling, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place should an involuntary need to exit arise, like death, divorce, disability, distress or disagreement.

Mistake No. 3 — Plan for after the sale

Start by making sure you are ready to sell. You may need to wait if you aren’t fully committed to moving on. Next, think long and hard about your vision for your next stage. It would help if you had a framework for what you want to do after the sale, so you aren’t floundering.

During the sale process, be sure you stay connected to the business. This helps to ensure the business maintains profitability and your buyer doesn’t have a reason to step away. While everyone hopes for a smooth and seamless transition, it’s good to consider what transition-related issues may arise and have plans on how to address these.

Mistake No. 4 — Walking away from a good deal

A good deal may not be perfect, so it’s imperative to be open to all offers, including deferred payments, seller financing or help obtaining third-party loans. You want to find multiple qualified prospects before starting serious negotiations to help you maximize your sales price. However, it’s essential to recognize that, more often than not, the first offer you receive is likely to be the best offer you will get. Consider it carefully.

Mistake No. 5 — Not seeking help

Finally, don’t sell your business without help. Look for and vet the necessary professionals, including accountants, financial advisors, brokers and lawyers, to help you manage this complicated process. In terms of a professional broker, you want to find a business advisor who can help confidentially market your business and vet potential buyers.

While you want to let the broker do their job, you still should stay involved with the sale to be aware of progress. But until you sign on the dotted line, your primary focus should be running your business to keep it healthy and viable.

There’s no doubt that deciding to sell your business is an exciting and stressful time. At Transworld Business Advisors of Eastern NC, our advisors are some of the most sophisticated and experienced in the industry.

Transworld Advisors have the training and know-how to help. For a free consultation, contact Ashley Kelsey with Transworld Business Advisors of Eastern NC at 910-302-6447 or email akelsey@tworld.com.

“We are still very young,” says Phillip Lin.

Lin is the owner of Fayetteville Fury, an indoor and outdoor soccer team in Fayetteville. Lin, who has been with the team at least as a minority owner since its creation, has seen a lot of change in the team in its short time with the Fury coming up on its third season. He honestly hopes to see more change and growth in the future.

Fayetteville Fury was started by Andrew Haines and a partner as part of the National Indoor Soccer League.

Seeing the potential in Fayetteville and North Carolina, the Fury was born in the All America City. At the time, Lin was just a minority investor but the only owner local to North Carolina.

“They felt like there was a lot of potential in Fayetteville,” Lin says. “There was good infrastructure. It was easy for games.”

Midseason this year, Lin took over the entirety of the ownership. He said he had always wanted to be a sports owner.

“The Fayetteville Fury helped me start that,” he said. “There was no local ownership so I came to all the games. I got to know the players, the fans. I fell in love with Fayetteville as a city.”
And so, the ownership changed hands.

“I want to see soccer grow … that’s why I decided to take over the Fury.”

Fayetteville Fury hosts soccer games and practices all year long by being an indoor and an outdoor soccer team and includes both male and female players. The potential for playing, the ability to play year round and the potential for growth in the area didn’t just attract Lin but also professional players from other areas like TJ Hurd, one of the Fury’s team captains from last season.

“Fayetteville is very interesting to say the least,” Hurd laughs. “There were a lot of roads and opportunities to expand the soccer team there.”

And Lin and others feel like it’s just at its beginning. At least, that is what the team is hoping with programs the Fury does, like Fury Future and Fury Next. Fury Next focuses on helping high school age kids to college age kids by hosting games against soccer teams on a collegiate level.

“That way, the university can see them,” Lin says. “And parents don’t have to pay.”

Fury Future focuses on the younger players by allowing those younger players to work out with the Fury’s players. The team evaluates what the younger players are good at and where they think the players can improve. This includes all kids ages five and up.

“We want to streamline this thing,” Lin says. “We can help develop the kids. From there we can feed it into UPSL … and then they can go pro. We want to make soccer affordable and accessible.”

Lin dreams of Fayetteville Fury being a team that can help be a stepping stone for players like Hurd who is currently in pro trials out in California. Hurd hopes to know in a month or so if he’s made an actual team roster.

“I appreciate them helping me in my playing career,” Hurd says. “For any clubs in Fayetteville and people that are interested in the game more seriously, Al and Phil have people’s best interest the whole way through. The project that they are working on takes time.”

This sentiment is something that newly hired social media coordinator for the Fury, Emily Hyde, agrees with completely. When thinking of Fayetteville Fury, Hydes notes the family feel of being a part of the team and its dedication to improving the community.

"They want to give back to the community," she says. "I really want them to be seen by the community... they are a relatively new club."

Lin’s plan is for the Fayetteville Fury to help train young players and players who are hoping to go pro so that one day the team can put Fayetteville, North Carolina on the map.

“They can get on a big stage one day and they say this person is from Fayetteville, North Carolina.”

The players and management at the Fayetteville Fury are also trying to provide a place for women soccer players to go as well. The Fury has both men and women players. Lin says they are getting ready this summer to expand that.

“Number one, my focus is now to improve the community,” he says. “I think Fayetteville Fury is part of that. I’m hoping that as Fayetteville Fury grows, that the community will see the impact.”

Above all else, Lin emphases the goal of making soccer both affordable and accessible in the community. He thinks the Fayetteville Fury will do just that.

“I knew it was going to take on a life of its own,” says Kathy Jensen, owner of the store An Affair to Remember, about her annual fashion show.

For years, Jensen was asked by others to put on a local prom fashion show and for a few years, Jensen said, it was something she saw in the future but not at that time. Now, 14 years later, Jensen is putting on the 13th annual prom fashion show. This year’s theme will be “A Girl to Remember,” which has been a sort of slogan or tagline for her store.

“We always wanted to do it,” she says about the theme. “We said, ‘What is a girl to remember?’”

The show will take place on January 6th at 7 p.m. and last for about two hours at the Crown EXPO center. The event is open to the public.

“I would say, it’s a great girls' night out,” Jensen says. “You don’t have to have somebody in the show to enjoy it. You get to see the new fashion that is coming out.”

To be in the show, Jensen says the only requirement is to have purchased a prom or pageant dress from An Affair to Remember. Girls in the show will be for those ages 7 and up.

“This is all about women’s empowerment,” she says. “Every time you get up on the stage, your confidence builds.”

To that end, the show will also host a portion called Women of Power. This segment of the fashion show focuses on women in the community that have made positive impacts. They will also be dressed up and walking on stage during the show.

Jensen felt that the efforts of many women in the community were not showcased and often would be done without much notice.

“I just started looking around Fayetteville and seeing all these women doing great things,” she says.

She hopes the segment will change that. The “Women of Power” will walk two times during the show. The show will have about 100 models this year.

They have had anywhere from 20 to 120 in the years prior. The models will be anywhere from a size triple zero to 30.

“When I started the show it was about 20 girls and they were mostly beauty queens,” Jensen says. “ .. and it just grew. I decided if anyone has bought a dress from me they are going to be able to do the fashion show.”

For Jensen this show will be about empowering women, giving back to the community through donations to CEED and about giving back to her customers by allowing them to participate in the show without any other financial commitment.

“It has turned into a tradition,” she says. “I have girls that started out at 7 and 8 years and now they are seniors in high school. It’s just what we do."

Joining the folks at An Affair to Remember will be Next Top Model Judge, Marian Verrkerk, who will direct the runway show as well as pageant coach Bill Alverson and Jovani designer Julie DuRocher.

Jensen urges anyone who wants a girls' night out or who would enjoy watching a runway show to come out to enjoy drinks, food and vendors as well as the show.

“You will feel like you are in New York at Fashion Week … with more comfortable seating,”Jensen laughs.

“It’s a night of fun.”

For more information, visit An Affair to Remember's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lifeisanaffair/

One of the most hauntingly beautiful songs you’ll ever hear at Christmastime originated right here in North Carolina.

John Jacob Niles was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1892. At the age of 18, he got a job with the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, selling the hand-cranked devices to businesses and schools. While visiting his customers, Niles continued his longtime hobby of transcribing the folk songs he heard.

When America entered World War I in 1917, Niles went overseas as a member of the U.S. Army Air Service. Wounded in France, he began formal study of music there. He continued it at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and became a singer on stage and radio.

He also resumed his hobby, making several journeys through the southern Appalachians in search of distinctive lyrics and melodies. One such trip took Niles to the Cherokee County seat of Murphy, North Carolina in the summer of 1933.

A poor family of revivalists, the Morgans, had camped in the town square for some time. After many complaints from local residents, the police approached the family and insisted they leave. Preacher Morgan (I was unable to discover his first name) replied that they lacked the money to feed, clothe, and bathe themselves, and couldn’t even afford the gas necessary to drive their ramshackle car out of Murphy.

John Jacob Niles described in these words what happened next:

A girl had stepped out to the edge of the little platform attached to the automobile. She began to sing. Her clothes were unbelievable dirty and ragged, and she, too, was unwashed. Her ash-blond hair hung down in long skeins.... But, best of all, she was beautiful, and in her untutored way, she could sing.

She smiled as she sang, smiled rather sadly, and sang only a single line of a song.

Niles quickly scribbled down the line. In exchange for seven donated quarters, Annie Morgan repeated the fragment seven times. Then the family departed Murphy — and the visiting artist departed with the raw materials and inspiration of what has become a standard, “I Wonder As I Wander.”

Its first performance occurred ninety years ago this week: on December 19, 1933 at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, which straddles the border between Cherokee and Clay counties. Niles himself sang the composition, which was published the following year in his Songs of the Hill-Folk: Twelve Ballads from Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina.

I’ve heard the song performed many times, in many different arrangements and settings. I even recorded it myself decades ago, on one of the annual Christmas albums my friends and I used to produce.

There’s more than meets the eye (and ear) in its first stanza:

I wonder as I wander, out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die
For poor on’ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.

There’s an ambiguous word here, “on’ry.” When the song is performed, some pronounce it phonetically while others slip in another “r” to render it “or’n’ry.” Some printed versions of the song actually use the latter spelling.

What’s going on here? The contraction “on’ry” is generally understood to mean “ordinary.” Niles needed two syllables, not four, to fit the meter of his song. But the word “ornery” popped up in the early 1800s as a Northern English or Scottish version of “ordinary,” then by mid-century had evolved into its current meaning of “cantankerous.”

In the largely Scotch-Irish culture of the southern Appalachians, the term “ornery” was common — and used as much as an expression of pride as an accusation that someone else was being troublesome or bull-headed.

Assuming the songwriter’s account is accurate (Niles was known to shade the truth), couldn’t you see little Annie express amazement that God would become flesh to save “poor, ornery people” like her family?

I can.

To all my fellow North Carolinians, I wish a very Merry Christmas!

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

2023 was the year America jumped the shark. In 1997, “The Fonz,” from the hit TV show “Happy Days,” jumped a shark. Over time, the term "jump the shark" transformed into a scathing critique, implying that a subject has strayed far beyond its original purpose, degenerating into an absurd or excessive caricature of what it once was.

2023 ushered in the introduction of Artificial Intelligence while Americans grapple with figuring out how to check themselves out at Walmart. Who knew we would all add cashier, bagging clerk, payment processor, weight checker, age verifier, customer service assistant, technical troubleshooter and honest consumer to our resumes?

In the 2023 elections, the Republican red wave election went blue. Eight Republicans joined the presidential race. Now, there are five, including former President Trump. On the Democrat side, President Biden announced that he was running for reelection.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined the race to challenge Biden. Although RFK’s father and uncle were assassinated, he has been denied Secret Service protection. The Democratic National Committee turned its back on him by changing the rules in favor of Biden. RFK is now running as an Independent.

As of this writing, Former President Trump leads in the polls with a whopping 47-point lead in the

Republican race and 4-points over Biden. Trump also leads with 91 charges in four indictments. He has 13 indictments in Georgia, and he still has a 26-point lead over Biden there.

In shocking news, people were thrilled to hear that Biden remembered he was President, and a judge has a gag order on Trump. Hunter Biden, who is the son of the most anti-2nd Amendment President, had a plea deal thrown out by a judge on his gun charges and nine federal tax offenses. FYI, Hunter’s net worth is estimated at $230 million. If you are wondering, “middle-class Joe Biden” (his words, not mine) now has a net worth of $10 million.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was removed from office and later resigned. Congressman Santos (R-NY) was also removed. At the same time, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and his wife were indicted for acting as a foreign agent of Egypt and he still has an active security clearance.

North Carolina person of the year was Democratic State Representative Tricia Cotham from Mecklenburg County. In April, she jumped a shark over to the Republican side, giving the Republican Party a supermajority in the Capital.

The new supermajority overruled Gov. Cooper's veto of the “Guarantee 2nd Amendment Freedom and Protections.” Other laws changed the state’s abortion, voting, workplace language for state workers, and others.

Most Americans believe their wallets jumped a shark. Although the stock market is up 4,000 points since last year, our inflation rate has increased 3.2%. With interest rates at a 22-year high of 5.25 to 5.5% and home interest rates averaging 7.5%. The numbers do not meet the reality of the stress striking people while they dip deep into their savings and credit cards to make ends meet.

As we leisurely skied behind the boat, the government was driving the boat right over the shark. While screaming that China is taking your privacy, there are extremists everywhere, and TikTok is spying on you. It appears we have no privacy. At the end of December 2022, it was exposed that the FBI was working with Twitter, paying for users’ account information, and removing and censoring accounts, thus making Twitter the U.S.’s first seven-letter intelligence agency.

Under new ownership, Elon Musk changed “Twitter” to “X,” allowed banned users back on the platform, and became one of the media's most hated foreigners for standing up for free speech and the 1st Amendment. By July, a federal judge ordered the Biden administration to stop agencies from communicating with social media companies.

Your safe isn’t safe, either. It was reported that the FBI obtained the default codes to Liberty gun safes. Little did anyone suspect that a “safe” company kept digital backdoor information on your safe.

Nothing hits Fayetteville and Ft. Liberty harder than unrest around the world. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told Congress that if they do not provide funding for Ukraine, it is "very likely" it will lead to U.S. troops in Europe. The Army ramped up recruiters due to low enlistment goals.

On October 7, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and foreigners. As of this writing, there are still eight American hostages in Gaza. At the end of November, there have been 78 attacks by Iranian-backed forces against U.S. forces in the Middle East since the attack. Congress moved to freeze the $6 billion that Biden gave to Iran in September.

China flew a lovely spy satellite across the country and over North Carolina, passing near Ft. Liberty and Camp Lejeune before Biden allowed the military to shoot it down over the ocean. Biden’s biggest infrastructure project was the superhighway at the southern border enabling 2.4 million people (and growing just this year) to cross into the U.S. The FBI has warned that the threat to the U.S is the highest this holiday season since 9/11.

Ft. Bragg became Ft. Liberty, while most veterans did not feel liberated with the new name. Amazon’s biggest delivery to Fayetteville has been that big empty building, which can be seen from I-295. In January, Fayetteville got a new Chief of Police, Kemberle Braden. This month, former police chief Gina Hawkins received a $200,000 settlement from the city for alleging a hostile work environment.
2024 will bring new challenges, new joys, and new sadness. We could see a transition from inflation to deflation (still not good).

It would be wise for all of us to know who and what we are voting for. It is said that all politics start at the local level. So do love and respect for one another. A community that works together builds and succeeds, but one that is divided will fall into rubble with pride.

Happy New Year, and may God Bless you and your family.

Come one, come all to a festive New Year’s event sure to regale you with wonder, whimsy, and wine! You read that right, coming this New Year’s Eve, the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre, Gates Four Country Club, Up & Coming Weekly newspaper, and Beasley Media Group will be hosting a New Year’s Eve American Bandstand Dance Party in the ballroom of the beautiful Gates Four Country Club. And, the public is invited.

“The event is being hosted by four local business entities to assure its success and to meet the expectations of our guests. Gates Four provided the venue and entertainment, Up and Coming Weekly and the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre coordinated the evening’s activities while Beasley Media Group coordinated the marketing and promotion of the event. It is a collaborated effort. We want to offer residents and guests a New Year’s experience they will never forget. The Fayetteville Dinner Theatre always incorporates a WOW! Factor in all their productions,” said Bill Bowman, publisher, Up and Coming Weekly.

Local Fayetteville catering company Two Brothers Catering/The Vine will be providing heavy hors d'oeuvres with a carving station and Cape Fear Winery & Distillery of Elizabethtown, North Carolina will be hosting a free wine tasting.

The British Invaders of Wilmington, North Carolina will headline the dance party, playing the hits of great bands like the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Dave Clark Five, the Monkees and the Kinks.

Yes, the British are coming to Gates Four for a night of food, fun and great music, Sixties style. Partygoers will be singing and dancing to music that is legendary.

Guests are encouraged to dress the part with cash prizes being awarded to the best dressed sixties man, woman and couple. There will also be numerous door prizes, a Twist & Shout dance contest, and after the midnight New Year champagne toast, the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre and Cape Fear Winery & Distillery will give away a Grand Prize of Dinner and Overnight stay package at the Winery valued at $450.

For those unaware, with The Beatle's meteoric rise to international fame came what was colloquially known as “The British Invasion”. Several British born musicians, bands and performers became popular in American culture, and their music will provide the backdrop to the New Year’s Eve party.

Tickets for the event are $125 per person, with couples’ tickets priced at $200 for a pair. These tickets include a midnight champagne toast, a New Year’s breakfast, access to the buffet and bars, and door prizes. VIP tickets are also available for purchase and include premium dance floor seating and a bottle of wine. With everything planned for the event so far, it will be a lovely night out filled with food, drinks, fun, networking and music.

“The Fayetteville Dinner Theatre aims to add meaning, purpose and personal connections to all their events. We love to party and celebrate with people and businesses that support each other while enhancing Fayetteville’s quality of life,” said Bowman. “For instance, the proceeds from the wine sales are donated to Cumberland County’s Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation for providing educational resources to the children and schools free of charge. This New Year’s Eve event is a Party with a Purpose.”

With so much in store for the evening, one can understand why so much thought, effort and time has gone into the New Year's event.

It stands as a yearly reminder and opportunity for people to come together and experience some of the finer things our community has to offer to others and each other; a moment in time where anyone who wants to can come out in support of one another and the local businesses that go into defining our city’s culture and future prosperity.

From publishing companies to radio broadcasters, and even our own local wineries, this event promises to be a staple in developing the love and sense of community between local individuals, their businesses, and their goals for the future of our still blossoming city.

For a night at one of the most esteemed and luxurious places in Fayetteville filled with dancing, prizes, spirits, and partying, it seems to be well worth the money; especially knowing that any additional amenities will be going to fund and support the education and prosperity of the next generation.

After all is said and done, the party plans to wind down with a traditional New Year's toast and a breakfast after the event for those still present, a nice nightcap for the nocturnal nature of the event.
The public is officially invited to come out and support the local community and business owners in a night of celebration this New Year's Eve.

For more information on the event and where you can purchase tickets, please visit https://fayettevilledinnertheatre.com/ or call Fayetteville Dinner Theatre at (910) 391-3859.

And from all of us here at Up & Coming Weekly we wish you all a happy new year filled with festivity, friendship and joy. Thank you for being a continued reader and supporter of this local publication.

January is filled with anticipation and enthusiasm. It marks the beginning of a fresh year, brimming with untapped potential. Individuals are actively setting goals and aspirations, eager to seize the opportunities that the new year presents. New Year’s Resolutions are so 2023.

This January, there are plenty of alternative and highly efficient approaches to initiate a new beginning. Strategies that will assist you in monitoring your objectives throughout the year.

Be Specific About Your Goals

The initial step involves determining which objective, routine, or modification you intend to include in your New Year's plans. This aspect is relatively simple. The more challenging aspect lies in the execution.
To aid in this process, it is important to be both practical and precise. If your aim is to lead a healthier lifestyle in the upcoming year, you must break down what exactly that entails. Will you increase your gym visits, plan more nutritious meals, or eliminate sugar from your diet?

Make A Plan

Now that you have identified your objectives, it is time to create a strategy with practical steps. Keep in mind that achieving lasting change requires time and commitment, as studies suggest it takes approximately 60-90 days for a new habit to become ingrained.

Therefore, be prepared for the long-term journey ahead. It is unrealistic to expect a complete life transformation in just two days. The most simple approach to deconstructing a goal is to begin with the intended outcome and proceed in reverse.

Take note of all the actions necessary to achieve your goal or establish a lasting habit.
Here are a few excellent methods to start your year off on the right track:

• Pick A Theme or Word for the Year
• Consider what is missing in your life and the aspects you wish to improve upon.
•Make the word actionable.
•“Try on” a few different words to see how they feel and resonate.
•Keep it simple and don’t over think it.

Mini Bucket List

Add to your mini bucket list of destinations you wish to visit, the activities you desire to engage in, and the social gatherings and occasions you must not overlook. Should you wish to broaden your horizons, consider creating a separate list for each season or month.

Do A Life Audit

A life assessment involves examining your present life and identifying any disparities between it and your ideal life.

Get out a piece of paper and write down these 8 topics: career, finances, personal growth, health, family, relationships, physical appearance and environment. Then rate each area on a scale from 0 (not satisfied) to 10 (very satisfied).

For all the topics that did not score a 10/10 think about why they are not very satisfactory to you. Set goals over the next 12 months that bring you closer to your desired life.

“When you buy something from an artist, you are buying more than an object. You are buying hundreds of hours of errors and experimentation. You are buying years of frustration and moments of pure joy. You are not buying just one thing, you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul...and a small piece of someone else’s life," said Rebekah Joy Plett

Cape Fear Studios presented the Annual Holiday Members Exhibit on Nov. 24. The exhibit is open to Jan. 9, 2024, at Cape Fear Studios in downtown Fayetteville. Pieces from the members will be on sale throughout the exhibit.

“Cape Fear Studios, Inc. is a non-profit arts organization in historic downtown Fayetteville. We have been active for 32 years. Our mission is to involve, to educate, and to enrich Cumberland County and surrounding communities with the opportunity to create and freely view art,” said Steve Opet, Cape Fear Studios board president.

Members of Cape Fear Studios are Ray Im, Stanley Greaves, Sara Jane Lee, Sandie McFarlane, Rose Kennedy, Karen Moore, Helen “Pat” Zumbahlen, Steve Opet, Angela Stout, Edwinna Clark, Annette Szcezktek, Guy Jencks, Curtis Barnes, Jill Dieffenbach, Nancy Edge, Jaylene Nordgren, Pandy Autry, Larkin Pfeffer, Linda Sue Barnes, Gail Ferguson and Thea Cinnamon.

Ray Im is “a Korean-born lens-artist and ceramist. He executes German Deadpan aesthetics to imply cool and detached photographic gaze on a subject.” He received an honorable mention in the 2019 London International Creative Competition.

Stanley Greaves has the art specialty of sculpture and painting. He has received National Honours in Barbados, Santo Domingo, and the Gold medal for sculpture in the United Kingdom.

Steve Opet created the black and white cartoons for the 10th Mountain Division publication, “The Mountain View.” It is part of a permanent collection of the 10th Mountain Division Museum, Fort Drum, New York. His cartoons appear in “Armed with Abundance” by Meredith H. Lair. Barefoot Swingers won an Award of Excellence in West Virginia Governor’s Annual Exhibition in 2003

Angela Stout has artistic interests that range from contemporary painting, printmaking, sculpture and photography. She is a graduate of Fayetteville State University. She teaches painting and art classes at the Cape Fear Studios. –

Sara Jane Lee “expresses the complexity of human emotion evoked by an image drawn from nature. She is currently working with the medium of crayon. The textural energy of the wax and the vibrancy of the color, the crayon medium combines and expresses the whimsical side of her personality.”

Annette Szcezktek is a self-taught artist. Her specialty is florals. Her series of paintings, entitled Calla Lilly, are featured on notecards in the Georgia O’Keefe Museum Gift Shop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her paintings are featured in corporate collections across Fayetteville. Her work can be seen at the Health Pavilion North, Department of Social Services, Women Wellness Center, First South Bank and Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.

The gallery features paintings, photography, sculptures, pottery, wood and glass art and fine jewelry. Art classes and workshops are available for personal enrichment. The artwork and workshops are wonderful gift alternatives to hats, gloves, scarves, ties and perfume.

Come to the Annual Holiday Members Exhibit until Jan. 9, 2024. The location is 148 Maxwell Street in downtown Fayetteville. The exhibit is free to attend during studio hours, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 910-433-2986.

Whether parents are looking for a fun gift for the kids or a new sport for them to try this holiday season, Hidden Acres Horse Farm has the perfect holiday program. Open for ages 7 and up, this holiday horse camp offers a great blend of equine therapy and the holiday spirit. Kids can create exciting new memories to cherish through this horse camp.

Hidden Acres offers a four day horse event from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30. Horses and helmets are provided upon arrival. This event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is full of exciting activities and the chance to learn more about horses.

Nestled in Wade, NC, Hidden Acres Horse Farm looks to create a safe and fun environment for all participants. Parents can relax knowing their children are surrounded by professionals including a Certified Horsemanship Association riding instructor and a 4-H Equine Science Club Leader. 4-H is a program to provide young people with a safe environment by enlisting equestrian professionals and volunteers who strive to create positive learning environments.

Horseback riding is more than just an enjoyable activity for people of all ages; it teaches lifelong skills while the horses relax your mind. Horses and riding offers a variety of physical, emotional, and mental benefits. Horseback riding promotes overall fitness, balance, coordination, and core strength, all wonderful qualities for a growing child to gain. Interacting with any animal can make us happy, but horses have a special ability to foster true companionship with their riders.

Horseback riding is incredible for young minds that are ready to soak in new and exciting information while enhancing problem-solving skills and stress relief. People of all ages can benefit from riding, offering a way to grow confidence and self esteem.

For children specifically, horseback riding presents a range of developmental advantages like motor skills and teaches them how to love and take care of an animal with responsibility and discipline.

For those looking to sign their kids up for a wonderful holiday camp, contact (910) 670-1716 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/hidden-acres-horse-farm/holiday-horse-camp/1515705665907368/ to fill out the camp form. The cost of Hidden Acres’ horse camp is $250 with a deposit of $50 to hold your spot. The Holiday Horse Camp will only host 10 campers to join their four day learning experience.
Not only will children enjoy the activities and horses, but they’ll get to socialize with fellow campers and potentially make great friends before the year is over. With plenty of overwhelmingly positive reviews, Hidden Acres Horse Farm is the best place to go year-round.

The camp is set to be held at 6150 Wade-Stedman Rd, Wade, NC 28395.
Hidden Acres Horse Farm has plenty of activities to get involved with year-round and is a great place to start to get into the world of horseback riding.

Kudzu.

It's a word. It is a plant. Something that will perk up North Carolinians when they hear that word.

In one sense it is a bad word in North Carolina because it reminds us of the fields and fields of otherwise good farmland taken over by an exploding mob of plants.

We see telephone poles and lines covered with that plant taking over everything everywhere.

But it also brings welcome memories of the late Doug Marlette's comic strip named “Kudzu,” set in rural North Carolina. This was itself the inspiration for a musical named “Kudzu” which featured the music of legendary Bland Simpson and the Red Clay Ramblers and was performed by them with enthusiasm.
Now there is another creative work that features our history with the kudzu plant.

“The Kudzu Queen” is the debut novel of Mimi Herman and is set in rural North Carolina in the early 1940s. It was a time when representatives of the U. S. Government scoured the countryside to encourage farmers to plant kudzu as a crop.

Herman explained to me recently this background about kudzu in the early 1940s: “The government saw kudzu as being the savior plant. So, it was a plant that we could plant to prevent erosion. Think about the time right around the Dust Bowl. And people were looking for erosion preventatives. Also, we're just past, the Great Depression.

“And here's a plant that literally grew a foot in 24 hours. What better thing to feed your animals and your family? And there was all this stuff you could do with it. I mean, you could cook it, you could make things out of it, you could make baskets, you could make clothes out of it. It was a headache cure. It was a heart attack cure. Kudzu was an alcoholism cure.”

In this special kudzu time, Herman builds her story.

There is a popular adage that says there are only two plots in all literature: “You go on a journey, or the stranger comes to town.”

In Herman’s novel, the stranger is James T. Cullowee who arrives in Cooper County, North Carolina, in a green Chevy truck loaded with kudzu plants.

He is charming and full of plans to promote kudzu planting.

Herman writes, “We watched him drive down Main Street, the crowd parting to let him pass. As his truck diminished in the distance, even the dust that rose behind him seemed magical, lightly tinged with green and gleaming with hope.”

Fifteen-year-old Mattie Lee Watson, the story’s narrator, is immediately charmed by Cullowee, who becomes known as the Kudzu King.

When he plans a kudzu festival with a beauty contest and a Kudzu Queen, she aspires to win that crown.
Mattie’s family, including her wise and kind parents and two brothers, are respected in the community and provide a solid base for Mattie’s dealings with her friends and fellow contestants in the Kudzu Queen contest and her crush on Mr. Cullowee.

Mattie’s best friend, Lynette Johnson, and her troubled and poor family live next door. They provide a connection to the challenges knocking down poor farm families at every turn.

Lynette’s mother is ill, and her father is a drunkard. For some reason the Johnsons invite Mr. Cullowee to stay with them. But when Mrs. Johnson dies, Mr. Cullowee moves in with Mattie’s family.

Another of Mattie’s friends, Rose, lives nearby in a sharecropper family on land owned by Mattie’s father. When they were younger, Rose and Mattie were best friends.

But Rose, being black, was assigned to a separate school, and their friendship faded. However, as Mattie struggles with the pressures of the Kudzu Queen contest and her mixed feelings toward Mr. Cullowee, Rose is there to provide wise advice and support.

Even without the Kudzu King and the festival contest to drive the action, Herman’s story of Mattie’s growing up and struggles of farm life would be a welcome learning gift to North Carolina readers–especially as we remember the tenacious presence of the kudzu vine in our landscape.

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.

Everyone knows the best part of Christmas is the lights. The search for holiday lights is in high demand from apps to neighborhood Facebook groups, and the season of riding around to see the most festive decorations has begun. Cool Spring Downtown District is hosting a one-of-a-kind event to bring Christmas decorations to the backdrop of Downtown. Light Up the City is a “friendly” decoration competition between downtown businesses.

The Viewer Choice Award is where the fun starts. This award will go to the business the community thinks did it best. Voting started on Dec. 1st and ends on Dec. 31st. Voting can be done via the website at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NQD9KH2. The winner will be announced in the second week of January.

Light Up the City is a new enjoyable concept for the Cool Spring Downtown District. Mimicking the mesmerizing window displays of the New York City holiday season, community members will be able to walk the streets of downtown Fayetteville and delight in all the different sceneries created by local businesses.

“The Cool Spring Downtown District fosters economic vitality through arts and entertainment in Downtown Fayetteville” something they have truly done with this community collaboration. This is a perfect opportunity for a date night, family outing or an outing for your organization. Enjoy light displays and grab a bite to eat from one of the many downtown restaurants, like Blue Moon, Circa 1800, or The Salad Box, warm hot chocolate from Rude Awakening, or hot tea or cocktail from WinterbloomTea. This is an amazing opportunity to experience the beauty of downtown Fayetteville and all it has to offer.

Lauren Falls, Marketing and Events Director for the Cool Spring Downtown District came up with the idea of Light Up the City, said “I created this event because of my love of driving around neighborhoods to view the holiday lights. I wanted to replicate that joy in Downtown Fayetteville. Our friendly competition is one of many ways we encourage visitors and residents to “love where they live” by supporting our small businesses.”

Businesses were asked to be as creative as possible in exploring the theme of the Holiday Season. Businesses can have window displays or bring the theme into the storefront. Imagination is the limit in this decoration contest.

Some businesses have already created their masterpieces. Falls said, “We have one business with a Frosty setup, another with a pink theme, and many with decorative storefront windows.”

Falls is excited about the setup of the Districts Winterscapes. “We have 11 Winterscapes that include our 22 ft. Carolina Fir Tree, Augmented Reality Photo Stations, Letters to Santa, and digital Winterscape projection. You can view all our Winterscapes on our website visit downtownfayetteville.com.”

Downtown businesses that want to participate still have time. Those wanting to register can do so by emailing Lauren Falls at lauren@coolspringfay.org or by calling the Cool Spring District Office at 910 223-1089. This event is only open to Downtown businesses. Participating businesses should keep decorations up until at least December 25th.

Spirits, stand-up, and a supportive community are what you can expect when you walk into the comedy events hosted at Paddy's Irish Pub.

Hosting The Locals Comedy group, Paddy's Irish Pub is home to two of the most inclusive comedy nights in all of Fayetteville. Alternating between "The Comedy Couch" and "Cocktails & Comedy," The Locals Comedy team fills our guts with laughter while bartenders, like Ashley Pickel, fill our stomachs with spirits.
Helmed by the triumvirate of tomfoolery, Dennis Villanueva, Mitchell Fowler and Brandon Dyer, The Locals Comedy helps to bring laughter to the table via the organized oration of jokes, spoken poetry, stand-up and all things funny. The group's philosophy focuses on the representation and expression of, you guessed it, local peoples' proclivity and propensity for puns, quips and humor. With local talent being a focus, The Locals Comedy prides itself on effectively representing, organizing and connecting local performers and entertainers with businesses, venues and each other.

Local soldier and comedian entertainer extraordinaire Khalil Ajlani is one such performer. After his set on last week's Comedy Couch, Up & Coming Weekly was able to catch up with Ajlani and get his thoughts on The Locals Comedy and the current scene of comedy present in Fayetteville.

"When it comes to The Locals, they're a hard-working group trying to increase the size of the comedy scene. They [The Locals Comedy] are trying to create a larger organized scene that everyone can enjoy."

This sentiment was echoed by one of the group's founders, Brandon Dyer. Speaking on his personal philosophy for comedy, Dyer said this.

"We want to show people that this is the kind of talent our town has to offer. We want people to come out and laugh with us, at us, and enjoy a good time with one another. One night we could have a local business owner up on stage, the next it could be your boss."

Not only comprised of local talent, The Locals Comedy group also brings nationally recognized poets and comedians to our local stages to connect us through the art of humor and shared experiences.

Much of this can be cultivated because of the perfect environment provided by Paddy's Irish Pub. Paddy Gibney has created what some describe to be a perfect comedy club scene in the Church at Paddy's. The dim-lit atmosphere, intimate seating, stage lighting, good drinks and well-cultivated culture all combine to create a place that not only encourages the audience to relax and enjoy themselves but also allows the performers to feel comfortable and welcome on stage.

Built by locals, for locals, The Locals Comedy pairs itself with Paddy's Irish Pub to bolster and develop Fayetteville's comedy landscape. According to Mitch Fowler, "The comedy scene in Fayetteville is alive and well. A lot of us have come together to create something to help keep that up. Because we've collaborated with other performers, we've been able to branch out from just comedy to now we're bringing amazing poets on stage like tonight."

Whether you're looking for a laughter-filled good time, looking to quench your thirst, or just enjoy supporting local talent, the "Comedy Couch" and "Cocktails & Comedy" at Paddy's Irish Pub have exactly what the doctor ordered: shots to your funny bone.

Both comedy events alternate their place at Paddy's Irish Pub every Thursday, with "Comedy Couch" taking the spot for this week's entertainment. For further information on this and future events, and to find out where you can get your tickets for the next comedy show at Paddy's Irish Pub please go to https://paddysirishpub.com or https://www.facebook.com/TheLocalsComedy/

Let’s spend some time with Aesop today. Aesop was churning out fables 2500 years ago.

For someone who existed before the NY Times or Fox News told him what to think, his stories have a remarkable shelf life.

Consider the story of the frogs who wished for a king. Spoiler alert: Be careful what you wish for. Now you can skip the rest of this drivel. Go directly to the crossword puzzle.

For both of you who are still reading: Once upon a time there was a pond full of frogs. The frogs had no government. It was pondemonium. They did froggy things all the live long day. When they felt froggy, they jumped. Eventually, the frogs got bored with froggy freedom.

They decided they needed a government to provide bread and circuses to keep them entertained. They asked Zeus to send a king to their pond.

Zeus thought this was a stupid request. Fortunately for the frogs, Zeus was in an upbeat mood. He decided to indulge them and grant their request. Zeus threw a large log into the pond telling them the Log was their new king.

The huge splash scared all the frogs into hiding in the cat tails for several days. Eventually Pierre, one of the braver frogs, slipped out of the cat tails, touched the Log, and jumped away.

The Log just lay there like a bump on a log. Pierre gathered up his courage and touched Log again. Finally, Pierre jumped on Log and nothing happened.

All the other frogs came out and began using Log as a diving platform. After a while, they got bored with King Log and asked Zeus to send a more active King.

This time, Zeus was irritated by the frogs’ whining. Uh oh. Zeus decided to teach the frogs a lesson by sending them a more active king. Zeus sent them a Heron to replace their passive Log King.

The Heron King was hangry and began stabbing and eating the frogs in a royal frenzy. The frogs pleaded with Zeus to take the Heron back from their pond. Zeus refused. He told them that they wanted a King and now they were going to be King Heron chow.

Aesop was a good prognosticator. Currently, both Republicans and Democrats have Herons. Former Guy Trump was asked if he was elected, would he abuse power and be a dictator?

Former Guy said “I want to be a dictator for one day. You know why I wanted to be a dictator? Because I want a wall, and I want to drill, drill, drill.”

Very few rulers who become dictators only do it for one day. It’s too much fun dictating to quit after just once. People of a certain vintage may remember the old Lays Potato chip ad in which the Devil says, “Betcha can’t eat just one potato chip.’ Betcha Former Guy can’t dictate for just one day.

Dictating is like eating potato chips, he ain’t gonna stop dictating after Day One. If you want an Orange King Heron to eat up your freedoms, vote for the Former Guy.

Maya Angelou said: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Who you gonna believe? Former Guy or your lying eyes?

On the left side of the political pond, we have the three Presidents of Harvard, MIT, and Penn who could not bring themselves to say genocide of Jews is antisemitism.

Willful blindness is not a pretty sight. It is not confined to frogs who want an Orange King.

Pro tip: Genocide is defined as: “The deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group.”

If someone wants to kill a group of people because they are Jews, that qualifies as antisemitism.

Perhaps the Academics believe George Costanza’s theory that “It is not a lie, if you believe it.”

It remains unclear if the Presidents believe their lie or are so divorced from reality by political correctness that they are astoundingly stupid. Apparently, perjury is just for the little people, not Academic Lords or Tobacco CEOs.

Watching the three Academic Presidents twist themselves into moral pretzels to hide behind the word “context” about genocide reminded me of 1994 when seven tobacco company CEOs testified before Congress that they did not believe nicotine was addictive.

Upton Sinclair noted: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.”

What have we learned today? Not much. Both political extremes are goofy. Avoid Orange Herons and Politically Correct Academic Morons. Otherwise, you may find yourself between the Devil and the Deep Blue Cheese.

Happy New Election Year!