Several years ago, I visited my hometown and drove past the house where I grew up. The street was the same, but a few trees were missing. The rest were much bigger. Everything looked exactly as it had—yet it was all completely different.

The family living there had no idea I was slowing down and looking. And they certainly didn't know what I drove away with — the weight of what had changed, what was lost, what I wished I could hold again — was no lighter than when I turned onto that street.

In one way or another, we all go back. We drive past old houses. We scroll through old photographs. We find ourselves in a quiet moment, mentally walking the halls of something that used to be. And there's an ache in it. Because when you go back, no matter how hard you try, the present won't change.

Frederick Buechner once wrote about a dream he had. In it, he was searching a hotel for a room he'd found on a previous stay — a room that felt perfectly right, like it had been made just for him. He asked the desk clerk how to find it. The clerk said he could — but only if he asked for it by its right name.

The name of the room was Remember.

Buechner described it as the place "where the past lives on as a part of the present, where the dead are alive again, where we are most alive ourselves… and to where our journeys have brought us." The room called Remember is not the room where we change things. It's the room where we understand things — where we sit still long enough to see what was actually happening in the moments we lived through, usually moving too fast to notice.

Here's what I've come to believe: we go back because we're looking for something. Maybe it’s peace. Perhaps clarity. The feeling that we were loved, that we mattered, that the years added up to something worth having. But we keep looking in the wrong place. We look in the physical act of return — the old house, the old photograph, the same memory played on a loop.

What we're actually looking for is already inside us. It's the grace of a God who was present in every chapter of the story we lived. Buechner said it simply: "To remember the past is to see that we are here today by grace, that we have survived as a gift."

The prophet Jeremiah, sitting in the rubble of everything he'd loved, wrote something similarly remarkable. "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed." (Lamentations 3:21-22, NIV) He couldn't go back and change what Jerusalem had become. But he could enter the room called Remember. And there — buried under the ruins — he found evidence of mercy.

You can't change the present by going back. But you can change how you carry it forward — by remembering, honestly and humbly, that love was there all along.

Several years ago, I visited my hometown and drove past the house where I grew up. The street was the same, but a few trees were missing. The rest were much bigger. Everything looked exactly as it had—yet it was all completely different.

The family living there had no idea I was slowing down and looking. And they certainly didn't know what I drove away with — the weight of what had changed, what was lost, what I wished I could hold again — was no lighter than when I turned onto that street.

In one way or another, we all go back. We drive past old houses. We scroll through old photographs. We find ourselves in a quiet moment, mentally walking the halls of something that used to be. And there's an ache in it. Because when you go back, no matter how hard you try, the present won't change.

Frederick Buechner once wrote about a dream he had. In it, he was searching a hotel for a room he'd found on a previous stay — a room that felt perfectly right, like it had been made just for him. He asked the desk clerk how to find it. The clerk said he could — but only if he asked for it by its right name.

The name of the room was Remember.

Buechner described it as the place "where the past lives on as a part of the present, where the dead are alive again, where we are most alive ourselves… and to where our journeys have brought us." The room called Remember is not the room where we change things. It's the room where we understand things — where we sit still long enough to see what was actually happening in the moments we lived through, usually moving too fast to notice.

Here's what I've come to believe: we go back because we're looking for something. Maybe it’s peace. Perhaps clarity. The feeling that we were loved, that we mattered, that the years added up to something worth having. But we keep looking in the wrong place. We look in the physical act of return — the old house, the old photograph, the same memory played on a loop.

What we're actually looking for is already inside us. It's the grace of a God who was present in every chapter of the story we lived. Buechner said it simply: "To remember the past is to see that we are here today by grace, that we have survived as a gift."

The prophet Jeremiah, sitting in the rubble of everything he'd loved, wrote something similarly remarkable. "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed." (Lamentations 3:21-22, NIV) He couldn't go back and change what Jerusalem had become. But he could enter the room called Remember. And there — buried under the ruins — he found evidence of mercy.

You can't change the present by going back. But you can change how you carry it forward — by remembering, honestly and humbly, that love was there all along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crafting is the art of turning ordinary objects into extraordinary things.

—Unknown

Cape Fear Studios will be hosting a workshop, Project Upcycle, on Aug. 1 and Aug. 8, at their studio at 148 Maxwell Street. The workshop, for children aged 4 to 12, is geared toward making art with recycled materials. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days. Admission is free for children participants, but registration is required. To register, visit https://www.capefearstudios.com/event-details/project-upcycle-2026-08-01-10-00

To continue with the recycling theme, the studio will also be hosting a Recycled Exhibition, running from August 28 to September 22. The studio is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a community exhibition; artists at all levels within Fayetteville and Cumberland County are encouraged to submit application forms. For more information and application submission forms, visit the Cape Fear Studios website at https;//www.capefearstudios.com.

Upscale recycling can be transformed into recycled art, a creative process that converts discarded, useless, or unwanted waste into something new and valuable. It promotes sustainability while challenging throwaway culture. Recycling art preserves the character of the original object, transforming it into pieces of greater cultural value.

Art pieces are varied, but an example of recycled art is a textured mosaic. These are created by discarded items such as buttons, seashells, bottle caps and glass and are arranged to create new formal narratives.

Pandora Autry, Board President, Cape Fear Studios, said the studio is looking for pieces to recycle.

“We are collecting the following clean items: paper towel rolls, toilet tissue rolls, egg cartons (paper) plastic lids, colorful larger plastic lids, peanut butter lids, metal bottle caps, miscellaneous items such as ribbons, fabric scraps, (small) yarn, buttons, etc.,” she said. 

People can bring these items to Cape Fear Studios.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see, “shares Edgar Degas. 

Experience the process of upcycle art with the children’s workshop Aug. 1 and Aug. 8, with Project Upcycle. Children aged four to twelve are encouraged to attend the workshop.

The Recycle Art Exhibition will be held at Cape Fear Studios beginning Aug. 28.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily physical activity is essential for children's and adolescents' well-being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say kids between the ages of six and 17 need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day. 

Preschool-aged children between three and five years of age should be active throughout the day, with a focus on active play. Despite this, a large portion of children and adolescents are not meeting the recommended daily physical activity guidelines. A global World Health Organization-led study found that more than 80 percent of school-aged adolescents worldwide were insufficiently active.

Parents who want their children to be more physically active can try these approaches to make that happen.

• Speak with the pediatrician. A child's doctor can offer suggestions on how to be more physically active and emphasize to kids why it is important for their overall health.

• Break up physical activity. One hour a day of physical activity may seem like a lot, but kids do not have to do it all in one chunk. Children can spend time moving in physical education class, recess, walking the family dog, or participating in a sport. Dividing activity into manageable chunks can increase the chances kids get the amount of exercise they need.

• Model good behavior. The American Academy of Pediatrics says children who regularly see their parents enjoying sports and physical activity are more likely to do so themselves. 

Parents can engage in physical activity and do so alongside their kids, which can make exercise more fun for all.

• Set screen time limits. Spending too much time watching TV, being on the computer or tablets, or playing video games each day can use up time better spent being physically active.

• Schedule exercise. In addition to building homework, study sessions and music lessons into kids' schedules, parents can allot time for exercise so it doesn't get overlooked.

• Choose active chores. Kids can get active by helping around the house. Washing a car, raking leaves, shoveling snow, and vacuuming all count as physical activity.

• Make physical activity social. Children may be more inclined to be active with friends. Encourage kids to join sports teams or participate in group activities with a focus on movement.

• Plan active vacations. When getting away, engage in active pursuits while on vacation, such as hiking, swimming, bicycling, or even sightseeing on foot.

Kids can become more active with the right inspiration. There are plenty of ways for kids to achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On any given evening at the courts at Glenville Lake, it’s not unusual to see a child learning to serve on one court while a parent picks up a paddle for the very first time just a few feet away.

That isn’t by accident.

As pickleball continues its rise as America’s fastest-growing sport, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation is embracing more than the game itself. Through youth camps, beginner clinics and family-friendly programming, the department is using pickleball as a way to connect generations, encourage healthy living and make recreation accessible to everyone.

The department’s final Youth Summer Pickleball Camp runs Aug. 10–14 for children ages 7 to 17, while its next Adult Pickleball Clinic is scheduled for Sept. 12. Equipment is provided, and no experience is necessary, lowering the barrier for anyone curious about trying the sport.

For Kristen Daniels, athletic coordinator for paddle sports with Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation, the growing popularity of pickleball created an opportunity to rethink what recreation could look like in Cumberland County.

“We recognized that we wanted to offer diverse programming for all sports, not just the traditional baseball, softball, basketball, soccer and football,” Daniels said. “There are people out there who want to try something new and something different, and that’s what we want to do. We want to give as many opportunities to everyone as we can.”

That philosophy has resonated throughout the summer.

While pickleball once carried the reputation of being a retirement sport, today’s courts tell a different story. Elementary-aged children, teenagers, young professionals, and retirees are all discovering the game together.

Its appeal is easy to understand. The rules are simple enough for beginners to learn quickly, the court is smaller than a tennis court, and the game rewards strategy just as much as athletic ability. Players can enjoy friendly competition without the physical demands associated with many other sports.

For Daniels, however, the lessons extend well beyond serving, volleying and keeping score.

“We want our participants to have positive role models in our coaches and instructors,” she said. “They’re learning that you don’t always pick things up right away. It takes work. Things don’t always go your way, and you’ve got to keep working until you get better. That’s true in sports, but it’s true in life too.”

That message is woven throughout the department’s programming.

In addition to the summer camps and adult clinics, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation offers year-round instruction for younger children, junior players, beginner adults, intermediate players, and even cardio pickleball classes that combine music, fitness, and fast-paced play into an energetic workout.

Daniels said the programming was intentionally designed so entire families could participate together.

“When we were putting these programs together, I really wanted it to be something where the whole family could take part,” she said. “The kids’ classes happen at the same time as the beginner classes for parents. They’re already bringing their children to the courts, so why not give them the opportunity to learn too?”

That approach transforms an evening practice into something more meaningful.

Instead of waiting in the parking lot, parents step onto the court. Children watch their moms and dads become beginners again. Grandparents find a game they can comfortably play alongside younger family members.

The result is recreation that feels less like organized sports and more like community.

Accessibility has also been a priority. Residents can register at any Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation center, at the Courts at Glenville Lake or online through the department’s WebTrac registration portal at https://register.fcpr.us/webtrac/web/splash.html. Equipment is provided, removing another obstacle for first-time players.

For Daniels, success isn’t measured solely by how many players develop a strong forehand or perfect serve. It’s measured by families who return to the courts after class ends, children who discover a new passion and adults who realize it’s never too late to learn something new.

As Fayetteville continues to grow, so does its appetite for recreation that reflects the community itself welcoming, active, and inclusive.

Sometimes building a stronger community doesn’t require a stadium or a championship. Sometimes it begins with a paddle, a plastic ball, and a family willing to play together. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fascinate-U Children's Museum, located at 116 Green St., will be hosting a very special guest, July 17-26. Gabby's Dollhouse, a television show created by Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey for Netflix, features Gabby and her cat friends. Episodes follow Gabby and the Gabby Cats through their adventures inside a dollhouse. The show mixes live action with animation, and each episode ends with a "Gabby Cat of the Day"segment, where children are shown how to cook, sing and craft items. 

At Fascinate-U, the Dollhouse MEOWseum Discover Days will feature some of the shows favorite characters and special events will be held throughout the ten day celebration. The museum will hold DJ Catnip Dance Parties, where guests can dance to their favorite tunes. A Gabby Cats Scavenger Hunt will have children scouring the museum for Gabby's fairy cats. 

Guests will have the opportunity to take photos with a Gabby's Dollhouse backdrop and Gabby standee. Museum goers will have access to story and crafting times, where they can make their own hamster kitty and MerCat slime. This will be a time to celebrate curiosity, imagination and teamwork. 

"Like children's museums, Gabby's Dollhouse emphasizes social-emotional learning and showcases compassion, curiosity, creativity, and the joy of teamwork. This 10 day celebration brings Gabby's magical world to life right here at Fascinate-U," wrote the museum in a press release.

Fascinate-U is able to bring Gabby's Dollhouse to the community through a partnership with DreamWorks Animation and the Association of Children's Museums. General admission for the Gabby's Dollhouse.

   MEOWseum Discovery Days is $6 per child, $5 per adult. The museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. The museum was founded in 1994, and is a hands on place where children can explore. 

For more information, visit https://www.fascinate-u.com/ or call 910-829-9171.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The temperatures and humidity, the heat advisories and reminders to stay hydrated, the air conditioning running non-stop: all sure signs that it is summer time in North Carolina.  As tempting as it may be to stay inside until October when the heat (maybe) finally breaks, there will be a good reason to get outside in downtown Fayetteville in July.

Midsummer Magic is returning to Downtown Fayetteville on July 24 for the 11th year.  This long-running event is part of the monthly 4th Friday celebration, and is produced by the Downtown Alliance and Spark Downtown, two organizations committed to the growth and success of downtown Fayetteville.

Midsummer celebrations are much older than our city’s celebration, going back more than 500 years in Europe.  With its oldest origins in Scandinavia, Midsummer celebrations included music, dancing, flowers, eating and drinking. With origins in pagan festivals, believed to bring about a good harvest, in time the church blended these traditional celebrations with St. John the Baptist’s feast day.   

While Fayetteville’s Midsummer Magic may not be exactly traditional in the Scandinavian sense, it certainly promises to celebrate the magic of summer.

As with all Fourth Friday events, Midsummer Magic will take place throughout downtown Fayetteville, with businesses and organizations participating in the fun.  As guests walk along the streets, there will be performers and vendors; inside participating businesses, guests will find an array of special sales and offerings.  

All throughout the Midsummer Magic event, guests will be on the lookout for fairy doors.  What is a fairy door, you ask?  They are small doors, not unlike those you might find on a dollhouse or other miniature structure; they are decorated to look like the entrance into a magical dwelling, where a fairy might be found.  Guests are invited to look high and low, inside and out for these small wonders; it will be like a magical scavenger hunt!

This is a perfect opportunity to let your imagination run wild and create your own interpretation of a magical character.  Guests are invited to dress up in magical costumes.  Come dressed as a fairy, elf, gnome, dragon, princess, goblin, sprite, wizard, or any magical creature.  While costumes are not required, they will certainly lend to the magical atmosphere of the evening.  Even if full, elaborate costumes are not your cup of tea, a simple-or elaborate-flower crown will be a great call-back to Midsummer celebrations of old.

The event is free and great for the whole family; no registration or previous purchase is required.  Just dress up, show up, and enjoy the festivities.  

There is still time to be part of creating the festivities.  If you are a fairy hair artist, face painter, balloon artist, or offer a similar magical craft or activity, please contact us at spark@dcwfay.org to be part of the Midsummer Magic.

Midsummer Magic promises to be a family-friendly, free night of fun and frivolity in downtown Fayetteville.  The magic begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 24, and lasts until 9 p.m. For updates and the highly anticipated map to the fairy doors, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/downtown-fayetteville/midsummer-night-downtown-magic-crawl-and-fairy-door-quest/1408703027774073/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Arts Council's Creative Impact Cohort pairs funding with mentorship and professional development, helping artists like Sterling James bring creative visions to life.

Sterling James has been a musician for nearly as long as he can remember.

At age 9, he picked up the violin, but it wasn’t until he discovered the flute that music truly began to make sense. What followed was a pursuit of understanding music’s history, development and evolution.

"I've always had a thing for music," James said. "It just made me feel more at home anytime I practiced or performed."

That passion eventually inspired an idea: creating a recital that would teach audiences about the history and development of music, not through a lecture, but through live performance. When James learned about the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County's Creative Impact Cohort Grant, he saw an opportunity to bring that vision to life while sharing years of musical knowledge with fellow artists and the community.

"This was actually the first grant I ever applied to," James said. "And lo and behold, I actually got it."

The Creative Impact Cohort Grant grew out of a pattern Arts Council staff noticed during the grant application process. Talented artists had strong creative ideas but often lacked the tools needed to write competitive grant applications, develop project budgets and professionally present their work.

"We saw a need for artist development," said Kashia Knight, arts education manager for the Arts Council. "How to write a grant, how to understand the budget, what is an artist's CV, how to best represent their work. These were the things that they were lacking in our mini-grant application."

Rather than ending when grant funding is awarded, the program continues for six months with workshops designed to help artists develop professionally. Monthly sessions cover topics including project management, budgeting, taxes, marketing, promotion, networking and social media while helping participants build sustainable careers as artists.

"The cohort model is important because it includes both emerging and established artists who seek to expand their artistry," Knight said. "They're able to learn together, be accountability buddies and be a resource to one another, creating those lasting networks of artists."

"It gave me a new sense of how to approach things and set things in motion," James said.

For James, one of the most valuable parts of the experience wasn't financial.

"I love my cohort members as well. I got to meet new people and new friends, and now I'm able to connect with other people as far as business is concerned."

Knight said fellow cohort members connected James with other musicians and resources that helped move his recital forward.

Now in its second cycle, the six-month program continues the Arts Council's effort to pair grant funding with long-term artist development. Participants meet monthly for workshops on project management, marketing, networking and other professional topics while developing the projects they proposed as part of their applications.

The cohort is just one part of the Arts Council's broader mission to support artists throughout Cumberland County.

"We care about individual creativity," Sarah Busman, Vice President, Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, said. "We want to make sure that we're fostering lifelong learning of the arts... and we want people to come to Fayetteville and experience the arts."

That commitment also extends beyond the cohort through Arts XL, the Arts Council's arts accelerator at 214 Burgess St. The facility provides workspace for small nonprofit arts organizations, rehearsal and performance space, educational programming and practical resources that help remove barriers for artists and arts organizations.

"It's an opportunity," Busman said. "It's a sort of co-working space for a couple of our very small nonprofit art organizations where they needed a space to work." 

She said Arts XL also provides workspace, performance space, educational programming and practical resources that help remove barriers for artists and small arts organizations.

Knight hopes the impact of the cohort reaches far beyond the artists selected each cycle.

"My hope is to increase arts education and artistic excellence in this community through education and self-sustainment," Knight said. "I want people to know these resources exist for them to explore as well and that they, too, can envision themselves in this space."

The experience has already reshaped his approach to music.

"It has taught me to actually become more organized with my practice and to delve more deeply into what I thought I already knew."

That growth will be on display Saturday, July 18, when James presents "The History of Music: History & Development" at 1 p.m. at Arts XL, 214 Burgess St. Admission is free, and no registration is required.

James designed the recital to teach a history of music through performance rather than lecture.

"Not a lot of people can sit there and go through a lecture," he said. "Whereas a lot of people can sit and observe what they hear. That's why I decided to do a concert recital instead of actually just doing a regular lecture."

On July 18, James hopes audiences leave with more than an appreciation for music. He hopes they leave with a deeper understanding of the history behind it.

(Photo: Sterling James hosts a Creative Cohort workshop at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. Photo by Tiffany Haywood)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On any given weekend, talented musicians can be found performing throughout Cumberland County in restaurants, at festivals, community events and local venues entertaining audiences who have followed them for years, and in some cases, decades. Among the most familiar names on Fayetteville's music scene are Guy Unger Band and Joyner, Young & Marie (JYM), two groups that have become part of the soundtrack of the community. On Friday, July 17, those hometown favorites will come together for the Regional Band Blowout, part of the popular Rock'n On the River concert series, for an evening that celebrates not only local music but also the musicians and friendships that have helped shape Fayetteville's entertainment scene for generations.

The event promises four hours of live entertainment along the Cape Fear River. But the story behind the music is really one of friendship, perseverance and a shared love of performing. For Guy Unger, music has never been about fitting into one genre. 

"We're a pretty versatile bunch," Unger said. "We play many different styles of music, but we're heavily into the classic rock world. We'll play some Pink Floyd or the Eagles, then turn around and play Blink-182 before going into Bruno Mars. As long as the audience is having a blast, we'll roll with it."

Despite decades of performing together, Joyner says the reason the band continues to thrive is remarkably simple. "Love of making music and for one another," he said. 

That passion is reflected in Joyner, Young & Marie's signature sound, which blends rhythm and blues, harmony vocals and an eclectic mix of familiar favorites. From Adele to ZZ Top, the band has built a reputation for creating performances that connect with audiences across generations. For Joyner, the goal of every performance is not just to play songs but to create an experience people remember. Through carefully crafted set lists, the band balances different styles, tempos and vocal arrangements to take audiences on a musical journey.

After all these years, the motivation remains the same—the joy of making music and sharing that experience with others.

Like many musicians, Unger's style has evolved over time. 

"Back in the '80s I was playing a lot of hard rock," he said. "I was on a mission to push myself on the technical end, and now I'm riding that wave of the work I did back then while leaning more on the expressive element of playing these days." 

Although his catalog spans decades and genres, Unger admits he still has favorites. "I love playing any Pink Floyd," he said. "David Gilmour's playing just resonates with me. We've also brought back an old Edgar Winter tune called Frankenstein that's really fun to play."

While Unger's career has been defined by musical versatility, Joyner, Young & Marie's legacy has been built on decades of harmony, friendship and collaboration. Sharing the stage with Joyner, Young & Marie makes the evening even more special. 

"They're longtime friends and fun to be around," Unger said. "They're always cracking jokes, and there's a real friendship there. Plus, they sound amazing. I love hearing the harmonies and how well they play together." 

Joyner, Young & Marie's story began in the 1980s when Bill Joyner and Dan Young started performing together in local bands, as a duo and in community theater productions. They were later joined by vocalist Marie Grimsley, whose powerful voice helped shape the band's signature harmony-driven sound. The trio went on to record the album Full Circle, which received significant local radio airplay, with one song reaching No. 1 on regional beach music stations for four consecutive weeks—a milestone that helped establish the group as one of the Carolinas' best-known local acts. Today, the band continues that tradition with Allen Diffee on drums and vocals, Gil Howell on five-string bass, Dan Young on guitar and vocals, Bill Joyner on keyboards, guitar and vocals, "Sweet" Marie Grimsley on percussion and vocals, and veteran sound engineer Bill Pierce behind the soundboard.

Their longevity isn't something Joyner attributes to luck. 

"Love of making music and for one another," he said simply. 

The band's signature sound blends rhythm and blues, harmony vocals and an eclectic mix of familiar favorites. "We do a wide variety of covers," Joyner said. "Everything is oriented toward rhythm and blues and harmony vocals from Adele to ZZ Top."

Every performance is carefully crafted. 

"I make out the sets to have a flow," Joyner explained. "Interspersing highs and lows, balancing keys and four singers. The set has to build to a crescendo." It's an approach that has served the band well through countless performances over the years. 

One memory still stands above the rest. 

"Maybe last year's Fourth of July Celebration in Lumberton," Joyner recalled. "As the last note faded, the stadium lights went out and the fireworks started up. It was amazing." 

For Joyner, however, the music has always been about more than applause.  "That someone is still making music for all the right reasons," he said when asked what he hopes audiences take away. "Not for the money, but for the music."

That passion extends beyond the stage. 

"We love the arts community here," Joyner said. "We also feel like we're representing Fayetteville whenever we work out of town. We want people to know Fayetteville bands can bring it." 

The mutual respect between the two featured bands is unmistakable.

"The band has a great time whenever we do a show with the Guy Unger Band," Joyner said. "They're terrific, and we enjoy one another's company. It's going to be a great show." 

Unger shares the excitement. "With two great bands that sound as good as they do, you can't go wrong."

As Rock'n On the River prepares for its Regional Band Blowout, audiences can expect much more than an evening of classic rock and favorite hits. They'll witness decades of friendships, thousands of performances, and musicians who continue to perform for one simple reason: they love bringing people together. For Unger, that's what every concert comes down to. 

"We want to have fun," he said. "I hope people see that reflected in the music. We love and appreciate everyone who has supported us over the years."

The Regional Band Blowout will take place at Rock'n On the River at Campbellton Landing at 1122 Person St. on Friday, July 17, beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but parking is $10. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening celebrating two bands that have spent decades providing the soundtrack to life in Fayetteville.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This summer, middle and high schoolers throughout Fayetteville can gain life skills and boost their self-confidence through free workshops hosted by the Julia Mae Community Foundation. Parents and guardians looking to keep their children engaged and safe while school is out can register them for workshops covering diverse interests, including skin care and hygiene, trade skills and budgeting and money management.

Established in 2024, the Julia Mae Community Foundation operates with the mission of strengthening family stability and community wellness. According to Jennifer Jones, founder and president of the Foundation, the organization accomplishes this by transforming “lived experiences into opportunities that create healthier communities, stronger families and lasting generational change.”

Jones was inspired to establish the Foundation after years of working in underserved and under-resourced communities, as well as through personal experiences of succeeding despite adversity. The organization gets its name from Jones’ late grandmother, Julia Mae Torrey. “The values she demonstrated every day — compassion, integrity, perseverance and service — continue to shape our mission and inspire the work we do,” said Jones.

The Summer Youth Enrichment Workshop Series is a new addition to the roster of programs, instilling crucial skills in the next generation to promote successful futures. It was born from Jones’ desire to guide today’s adolescents through various life stages and nourish their knowledge during formative developmental periods.

“The inspiration came while I was scrolling through Facebook. I noticed adults debating something as basic as personal hygiene, each convinced they were right,” Jones said. “If we as adults cannot agree on something as fundamental as self-care, how effective are we in teaching our youth the necessities of life?”

Jones continued, “More than anything, I wanted our youth to leave knowing two things: They can trust themselves, and they have a community that believes in them.”

The series runs every Wednesday from May to August and is for youth ages 11 to 18. Weekly sessions are held at the organization’s address, at 4616 Murchison Road, and last from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., providing a convenient after-workday time for parents and guardians. Healthy refreshments, ranging from subs to fresh fruit, are provided at every meeting by generous community member Tawanda Robinson, complementing the organization’s dedication to wellness.

Previous sessions have highlighted local businesses such as 9Round Fitness and Picture Perfect Esthetics to teach young learners about healthy skin care habits, fitness and nutrition. Many have offered their services to positively impact youth, emphasizing a commitment to “community over competition,” according to Jones. “We've come together around a common purpose — to invest in the next generation. That spirit of collaboration has made the program stronger than we ever imagined.”

See what sessions are next by visiting the Foundation’s Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/juliamaecommunityfoundation.

In addition to learning from community leaders, adolescents can display their passions during Youth Skill Swap Week, another component of the workshops. 

“Throughout the summer, youth are encouraged to identify a skill, hobby, talent or experience they would like to share with their peers,” Jones said. “The goal is to provide a supportive environment where youth can experience public speaking, develop leadership skills and gain confidence by guiding others through something they know well.”

At the end of the series, each learner will earn a Certificate of Achievement for their hard work. Those who lead a session during Skill Swap Week will also be recognized as Julia Mae Community Foundation Youth Ambassadors, gaining access to future leadership opportunities and receiving a letter of recommendation.

“One of my favorite moments has been seeing youth who were reluctant to attend at first, often because a parent encouraged them to come. By the end of the workshop, they were engaged, participating and genuinely glad they came. Watching those transformations reminds us why this work matters,” said Jones.

Once summer comes to a close, the Foundation will continue the good works by transitioning the workshops into a Youth Leadership Program throughout the school year, getting local college students involved.

Register your child for the next Summer Youth Enrichment Workshop by submitting the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf6MFtNHep4DdyVOe5sfe6P-k34afIpF6vinabYB93oB5SFYg/viewform.

Anyone interested in teaching a workshop or collaborating on ongoing initiatives such as the Youth Leadership Program can reach out to the Julia Mae Community Foundation at wecare@juliamaecommunityfoundation.org or 910-502-3443.

(Photo: The Julia Mae Community Foundation has a mission of strengthening family stability and community wellness. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Jones, President and Founder of the Julia Mae Community Foundation)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's something truly special about community events that bring people together for a purpose bigger than themselves. The inaugural Bubba's 33 Fayetteville Run, Walk, and Roll 5K is one of those rare opportunities where fitness, family fun, and philanthropy intersect in the most meaningful way. Taking place on Saturday, July 25, at Rick's Place, this event isn't just another race. It's a celebration of community spirit and a powerful show of support for our nation's heroes. 

Every step, stride, or roll in this 5K directly benefits Homes For Our Troops, a remarkable organization dedicated to building specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. These aren't just houses. They're lifelines that restore freedom, independence, and dignity to those who sacrificed so much defending our country. When you participate in this event, you're not just crossing a finish line; you're helping Veterans who've sustained multiple limb amputations, paralysis, blindness, severe burns or traumatic brain injuries rebuild their lives with their families. 

The location itself adds another layer of significance to this gathering. Rick's Place, at 5572 Shenandoah Drive, is a beautiful 50-acre interactive greenspace just 5.5 miles from Fort Bragg, serving as a welcoming haven for military families and those who support them. It's the perfect backdrop for an event that honors service, sacrifice, and community connection. Open dawn-to-dusk and free for military families to enjoy year-round. 

This isn't your typical run-of-the-mill 5K event. From the moment racers arrive for morning registration at 7 a.m., they’ll feel the welcoming atmosphere that makes this experience truly memorable. Light snacks and beverages await participants before the race, and every registered runner, walker, or stroller receives a commemorative T-shirt and swag bag. Tangible reminders of your contribution to this important cause.

The event kicks off at 7:45 a.m. with the national anthem, setting the perfect tone for what's to come. True to its name, the Run, Walk, and Roll format is genuinely inclusive, welcoming everyone from avid runners chasing their personal best to casual walkers enjoying the morning air, and participants using wheelchairs or pushing strollers. The timed 5K trail layout accommodates all fitness levels, and there's often a shorter 1-mile fun run/walk option available for families or younger participants who want to be part of the action without tackling the full distance.

But the real magic happens after participants cross the finish line. The post-race celebration transforms the event into a full-blown community festival, complete with a silent auction, exciting raffles, valuable prizes, vendor pop-up tents showcasing local businesses and the opportunity to grab a delicious Bubba's 33 lunch. It's the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow participants, celebrate accomplishments and continue supporting the cause through additional fundraising activities.

Homes For Our Troops is a publicly funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a crystal-clear mission: building and donating specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. These aren't cookie-cutter modifications. Each home is carefully designed to meet the specific needs of Veterans dealing with life-altering injuries.

The impact is profound and immediate. These specially adapted homes enable Veterans to regain the independence they thought was lost forever. Simple daily activities that many of us take for granted, like cooking a meal, taking a shower and moving freely through their home, become possible again. This restoration of independence allows Veterans to focus their energy where it matters most: on their families, their recovery, and rebuilding fulfilling lives beyond their injuries.

Every dollar raised through Bubba's 33 Fayetteville 5K goes directly to this mission. Participating as an individual runner, bringing family for the fun run, or organizing a team from the workplace or community group contributes to a tangible solution that transforms lives. Events like this combine immediate community engagement with long-term impact. You'll leave feeling energized and accomplished, knowing that your participation creates lasting change for Veterans and their families.

To register or donate, visit https://give.ourhfotusa.org/event/bubbas-33-fayetteville-5k-2026/e782916. If you have any questions about this event, please email Victoria Burris at bubbas461marketing@bubbas33.com or call 910-223-2601.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Witness to the Revolution exhibition represents a groundbreaking collaboration between the North Carolina Museum of History and UNC-Chapel Hill's Wilson Library, located at 200 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, delivering an unprecedented look at how North Carolina shaped America's founding. Running now through Dec. 4, this special exhibition marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and invites visitors to explore the people, ideas, and defining moments that emerged right here in North Carolina during the Revolutionary era. 

“We hope visitors approach this anniversary with curiosity," said Alexa Scattaregia, Marketing Specialist for the North Carolina Museum of History. "Through artifacts, documents, and firsthand accounts, we hope people connect with the individuals behind these stories and see how the choices made 250 years ago continue to influence our lives today." 

What sets this exhibition apart is its commitment to telling the complete story of the American Revolution. Rather than focusing solely on famous military leaders and battles, Witness to the Revolution purposefully brings forward diverse perspectives and examines how the war shaped and affected women, Black and enslaved Americans, and Indigenous nations caught in the crossfire. The exhibition reveals how the Revolution swept through North Carolina, fracturing local communities as neighbors faced impossible choices between American independence and loyalty to the British Crown. 

Scattaregia said one of the museum's goals is to balance celebration with historical complexity. "The American Revolution was a transformative moment, but people experienced it in very different ways," she explained. "Museums have a responsibility to present history thoughtfully and accurately while acknowledging multiple perspectives." 

With more than 50 carefully curated items from both the museum's preserved physical collections and the library's archival treasures, visitors encounter authentic artifacts that transport them back to this defining moment in American history. 

From the Edenton Tea Party Caddy, representing one of the earliest organized political actions by women in American history, to Joel Lane's hand-carved powder horn and Benjamin Smith's bounty warrant documenting land dispossessed from the Chickasaw people, each artifact tells a compelling story about the complexity and consequences of revolution. 

According to Scattaregia, the objects themselves are what make history tangible. "Artifacts help make history personal," she said. "Every object in our collection is tied to a real person and a real story. Whether it's a letter, a piece of clothing, or an everyday household item, artifacts help visitors see themselves in the past." 

UNC-Chapel Hill's Wilson Library serves as the primary venue for this extraordinary exhibition, offering visitors a carefully designed journey through Revolutionary-era North Carolina. The location brings an academic dimension to the Witness to the Revolution exhibition through its extensive archival collections. The partnership between the museum and the library creates a unique opportunity to see how scholarly research and public history work together to deepen our understanding of North Carolina's Revolutionary past. 

The library's archival treasures complement the museum's physical artifacts by providing documentary evidence of how ordinary North Carolinians experienced and recorded the tumultuous Revolutionary period. These documents reveal the voices of people who lived through these world-changing events, offering perspectives that traditional military histories often overlook. The collaboration demonstrates how universities and museums can work together to make historical scholarship accessible and engaging for broader audiences. 

As you move through the exhibition space, you'll encounter a diverse array of artifacts that bring the Revolutionary period to life. Staff-favorite items include Martha Ryan's Cipher Book, a handwritten mathematical exercise book from circa 1781 that provides a rare glimpse into a young woman's education during wartime in Perquimans County. 

The gallery also features well-preserved Revolutionary-era military objects, weaponry, and reconstructed uniforms that help visitors understand the material reality of 18th-century warfare. 

One of the exhibition's most powerful elements is the Benjamin Smith Bounty Warrant, which awarded Continental Army Colonel Benjamin Smith 5,000 acres of land in what is now Tennessee, land dispossessed from the Chickasaw people. Smith later donated this land to create the very first gift to UNC's endowment, illustrating the complex legacy of the Revolution and its lasting impact on education, land, and Indigenous communities. 

Scattaregia said the museum selected artifacts and documents that reveal how ordinary North Carolinians experienced the Revolution because "those personal stories are often what resonate most with visitors, and they help connect local experiences to the larger story of the nation's founding.” The museum's thoughtful curation ensures that visitors encounter these complicated histories with the context and nuance they deserve. 

Although the North Carolina Museum of History's main building remains closed for renovation, the institution continues to connect audiences with the state's past through exhibitions, educational programming, partnerships, and digital initiatives celebrating America's 250th anniversary. For Scattaregia, Witnesses to the Revolution is about more than commemorating history. It's about encouraging people to see themselves within it. 

"If visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the past and a greater appreciation for the people who helped shape North Carolina and the nation, we'll consider that a success," she said. 

For more information on this exhibit and other events and programs, visit: https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/witnesses.

(Photo: The Witness to the Revolution exhibit at UNC-Chapel Hill's Wilson Library helps to tell the story of the Revolution in North Carolina, including the Fayetteville area. Photo by Johnny Anderson, UNC-Chapel Hill)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attorneys representing Cumberland County Schools are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the district unlawfully delayed special education evaluations, arguing the plaintiffs failed to complete required administrative procedures before filing suit and have not presented legally sufficient claims.

The May 1 motion from Mary Webb, Amie Sivon, and Edward Coleman—attorneys with Raleigh-based law firm Ragsdale Liggett—was filed on behalf of the Cumberland County Board of Education, Ayanna Richard—the executive director for Exceptional Children’s Services who now serves as principal of A.B. Wilkins High School—and Sherwood Park Elementary School Principal Shannon Booth. 

The filing asked U.S. District Court Judge James Dever to dismiss the amended complaint, which expanded the original lawsuit filed in November by adding a fourth student plaintiff and additional legal claims.

The lawsuit was filed by Cynthia Lee, a former teacher at Sherwood Park Elementary, and three former second-grade students. The suit alleged Cumberland County Schools violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by delaying or denying special education evaluations for students suspected of having disabilities. The complaint accused the district of improperly requiring students to complete all tiers of its Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) before initiating IDEA evaluations, resulting in unlawful delays. Schools use MTSS as a framework to provide increasing levels of academic or behavioral intervention before referring a student for special education.

In February, CityView reported that the lawsuit followed a 2025 investigation by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction that found Cumberland County Schools’ special education evaluation practices were “inconsistent” with federal law and state policy. The state ordered the district to complete corrective actions, including staff training, and has continued monitoring the district’s compliance.

In the motion to dismiss, the school district’s attorneys argued the student plaintiffs’ claims should be thrown out because they failed to first exhaust the administrative remedies required under IDEA.

“The IDEA clearly establishes that litigants may not file a civil action in court unless they first exhaust their administrative remedies,” the attorneys wrote.

According to the filing, there are “no allegations and no evidence to show” that three of the student plaintiffs sought due process hearings through the state’s Office of Administrative Hearings before filing the federal lawsuit. Attorneys also argued claims involving one student plaintiff should be dismissed because the school district ultimately agreed to conduct the student’s initial evaluation, leaving “no live controversy before this Court.”

The plaintiffs argued they were not required to exhaust those administrative remedies because the lawsuit alleged systemic violations of IDEA. They contend Cumberland County Schools maintained a practice of using MTSS to delay referrals for special education evaluations.

Attorneys for the school district disputed that allegation.

“Defendant CCBOE has no such policy,” the motion stated, calling the claim “just a conclusory assertion without support.”

The filing also asked the court to dismiss claims brought under federal civil rights law, arguing the complaint does not sufficiently allege discrimination.

“These contentions do not amount to discrimination,” the attorneys wrote.

District Disputes Retaliation Allegations

The motion also asked the court to dismiss claims against Richard and Booth. The attorneys argued that the board of education is the proper defendant in the case and that the federal law cited by the plaintiffs does not allow those claims to proceed against individual administrators. The filing also challenged claims brought by Lee, who alleged she faced retaliation after raising concerns about the district’s special education practices and was constructively discharged—essentially being involuntarily terminated—from her teaching position at Sherwood Park Elementary.

According to the motion, Lee voluntarily resigned and has not alleged working conditions severe enough to constitute constructive discharge.

“Frustrations, challenges and disappointments do not rise to the level of constructive discharge,” the attorneys wrote.

The plaintiffs opposed the motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing it alleged systemic violations of federal special education law and should proceed.

While the court has not ruled on the motion, the case continues to move forward. On July 7, Dever ordered attorneys for both sides to meet by August 6 to develop a plan outlining how they will exchange evidence and prepare the case for trial. The proposed plan must be submitted to the court within 14 days of that meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with homebuilders, would-be homebuyers, business executives, trade associations, legislative leaders, and Gov. Josh Stein that one of North Carolina’s biggest challenges is the lack of affordable housing across broad swaths of our state.

“In high growth regions, rising development costs and insufficient supply have intensified affordability pressures,” the Stein administration observed in a recent strategic plan, “while in rural and disaster-impacted communities, limited housing stock and infrastructure gaps continue to impede recovery and long-term economic competitiveness.”

True enough. But I wonder how many state leaders would agree with one of my favorite ideas: expanding the use of manufactured and modular housing.

Just as mass production has driven down the cost of food, clothing, furnishings, vehicles, electronics, and other goods, homes built largely or entirely within factories would meet the needs of many North Carolinians without recourse to elaborate planning schemes or massive taxpayer subsidies.

This is no theoretical matter. Manufactured homes already play a substantial role in housing affordability. They account for about 13% of North Carolina’s current housing stock, with the share soaring to a quarter or higher in some of our rural counties. Yes, some are aging “trailers” with cramped quarters and limited amenities. But modern (post-1976) versions are attractive homes with efficient layouts and modern conveniences nearly indistinguishable from stick-built starter homes of similar size and capacity.

As for modular houses, they are transported to or assembled on permanent foundations and designed to comply with state building codes. Although manufactured houses can also be permanently sited, what distinguishes them from modular ones is that the former meet federal rather than state standards.

Mass production can slash the cost of producing homes by 50% or more per square foot. While the final differential isn’t always this large, because of the price of land and other fixed costs — a recent Harvard University study found that a double-wide on a median quarter-acre lot was 70% of the cost of a comparable site-built house — manufactured and modular housing are economical choices for many customers and ought to be easier for North Carolinians to acquire and live in.

State law does not allow counties or municipalities to impose regulations based on the age or perceived value of housing units. But North Carolina localities can use zoning and other means to restrict where factory-built housing can be sited. Many do so, confining them to what are still dismissively described as “mobile-home parks.” Localities can also regulate “appearance” so onerously that many manufactured homes are, for all practical purposes, excluded. Many parcels of land are also under covenants that restrict factory-built homes.

I don’t favor legislative action to nullify private contracts. But I do think the General Assembly should protect the rights of current and prospective homeowners from local regulators. What some snooty neighbors or heavy-handed planners may view with disdain, North Carolinians of modest means — young couples, seasonal workers, downsizing seniors, etc. — may well view with relief, pleasure, even excitement.

“Manufactured homes have a huge potential for expansion if the zoning and financing were improved,” wrote Laurie Goodman in a 2023 paper in Business Economics. “These homes can be built off-site which makes it much more economic in terms of labor costs; the factories can be run 24 hours a day with no forced time off due to bad weather.”

Some argue that factory-built homes may work as residences but not as means of accumulating wealth. I don’t think housing ought to be a household’s primary nest egg. But the truth is that when manufactured homes are permanently sited and the owners have title to the land as well as the structure, they tend to appreciate at about the same rate as other homes.

When my colleagues and I opened the doors of the John Locke Foundation in 1990, one of the think tank’s first recommendations was that North Carolina be more welcoming to factory-built housing. It was a good idea then. Now it is an imperative. 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fayetteville has seen a rise in organized 'teen takeovers,' where large groups of young people gather without authorization and often coordinate through social media. These events threaten community safety and disrupt daily life, making it crucial that we act now. Fayetteville's Cross Creek Mall has experienced recurring unauthorized pop-up gatherings that have caused disruptions, altercations, and reportedly led to temporary business closures or evacuations.

During the July 4th weekend in Raleigh, thousands of teenagers attended several gatherings, which culminated in a large fight near a movie theater. This incident included gunfire that injured two adult bystanders. Additionally, there were two more shootings at different locations, resulting in a total of eight people injured by gunshots. In response to these events, Raleigh officials are now considering implementing a youth curfew.

Unpermitted meetups have become a statewide issue, raising significant public concern. Law enforcement officials are compelled to closely monitor online flyers and group chats as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety. However, these actions are merely responses to the problem, not solutions. The critical question remains: how can responsible adults prevent these incidents from recurring?

We should consider whether modern parenting is contributing to the creation of troubled kids, as parents take on the role of Dr. Frankenstein when children behave like little monsters. Reflecting on our parenting approaches can help us better guide our children and prevent behavioral issues that lead to community disturbances.

The causes of the childhood mental health epidemic are multiple and varied. One social psychologist argued convincingly that smartphones and social media are the culprits, taking a toll on children's well-being.

When law enforcement becomes the response to the challenges we face in raising our children, we must ask ourselves: Where did we go wrong, and what can we do differently? We need to find solutions to the issues that affect our ability to raise children in today's culture with stronger parenting, stronger families, a solid faith foundation, better mentoring, accountability, education, discipline, love, and community involvement.

Will curfews solve our youth problems? I seriously doubt it, and there are valid arguments on both sides of this issue. My concern about curfews is that they may lead to increased police interactions with young people, which likely won’t result in positive long-term outcomes. I haven't seen any data that would convince me otherwise.

However, "teen takeovers" pose a public safety risk to everyone, and if law enforcement is our only option, that's what we will have to use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometime in the last several decades, I realized that I was seeing more and more people with more and more tattoos.

I am not talking about an old tar with a dark blue anchor on his bicep or a crusty guy with a heart emblazoned “Mama” on his chest.  No, indeed.  I am talking vibrant colors in intricate designs covering most of the real estate of an arm or a leg, maybe even on a neck or face. And, not just on curmudgeons, but on young folks, both men and women.

So startled and—yes—fascinated by this new development was I that I began investigating, a process that culminated in an observation visit to the internationally-known Bill Claydon’s Tattoo World on Yadkin Road, which closed last year to the deep regret of tattoo aficionados everywhere. A friend, who incidentally had a rose on her breast as well as something on a wrist and an ankle, and I watched while a young soldier received a highly colorful and curvaceous dragon tattoo wrapping about his calf. The design had been chosen by his 4-year-old son, who was not present for the actual procedure. The tattoo artist said the work would take 6-8 hours, so they took several breaks to sip something and have a snack. I asked the soldier whether getting a tattoo was painful; he acknowledged that it was uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. He said he would “self-medicate” when he got home.

I also wrote several Up and Coming Weekly columns about tattoos, which generated reader responses along the lines of “what’s your problem, lady?” I asked readers to tell me about their tattoos and why they got what they did, and their responses were enlightening. Their tattoos commemorated important markers in their lives—a marriage, a new baby, the loss of a loved one. Most were proud of their tattoos, although some regretted them, especially ones that addressed a relationship that no longer existed. One woman wrote that she loved her tattoo, but that she deliberately put it on her upper thigh where her grandmother was not likely to see it!

Fast forward to 2026, and tattoos are everywhere on all sorts of Americans as well as people in other cultures. The desire to decorate one’s body apparently transcends geographic boundaries. 

Over the decades, we have also learned more about tattoos’ repercussions.

Tattoo regret is a real thing, especially among people who got them on a whim, when they were very young, and when they are in a highly visible place on one’s body. Tattoo removal is also a real thing, though it can be painful and expensive, requiring multiple sessions. Black and blue inks are the easiest to remove, with lighter and brighter colors more difficult and sometimes impossible to get rid of entirely. Some people opt for tattoo cover up to hide a regretted tattoo, perhaps the name or initials of a lost love.

There is also growing concern about tattoo ink being carcinogenic as it travels through the human body, perhaps causing cancers such as melanoma and lymphoma, although there are no direct causal studies.

Tattoos and the desire to decorate one’s body continue to fascinate me.

Do you have a tattoo or more than one?  Do you love them or regret them? Do they speak to a special person or event in your life and do they bring you happy memories?  Would you encourage your loved ones to get inked?

I would love to read your tattoo story and to share it with Up and Coming Weekly readers. Bring ‘em on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you call 911, you are having the worst moment of your day. You are not thinking about which building answers the phone, or about county lines and city lines. You are thinking about one thing. Get me help, and get it now. That is the only standard that matters, and it is the standard I am holding this whole effort to.

Where Things Stand

On May 18, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 2026-5-18, which puts the County position in plain writing. The next day, I sent it by letter to Mayor Mitch Colvin and to every member of the City Council. The position is simple. One countywide 911 center that serves everyone, the City of Fayetteville, our eight smaller towns, and the unincorporated county alike. 

The County as the Lead Administrative Agency, with the 911 professionals as County employees. Shared governance with the City, where the County Manager and the City Manager steer it together. Mental health crisis response built in as a core part of the system. And baseline 911 service at no direct cost to every town in the county.

And this is not a new ask. At a joint meeting with the City back in November 2025, the Board voted for this same path. So the letter is not a first step. It is a renewed invitation to finish what we started together. The goal is not to win a vote. The goal is an agreement, one that saves tax dollars and protects the health, safety, and welfare of the people we both serve.

One County, Two 911 Centers

Cumberland County is one of the last counties in North Carolina still running two separate 911 centers. The County runs one. The City of Fayetteville runs the other. Two budgets. Two sets of technology. Two chains of command. One county. The State 911 Board and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology have pushed consolidation for years, through policy and through grants. We are behind, and being behind costs us time and money.

And this is not for lack of study. A full programming and planning study for a consolidated center was completed back in 2016, and you can read that study here. Across several attempts since 2007, this county has looked hard at consolidation for a decade. The studying has been done. What is left is the doing.

We Agree on Almost Everything

Here is the part that surprises people. The County and the City are not far apart.

In 2025, the Mayor and I jointly stood up a Public Safety Working Group. Not politicians in a room. The people who answer and respond to your calls. Municipal Fire Chiefs and Police Chiefs. The Sheriff. Our volunteer fire departments. Both 911 center managers. Cape Fear Valley EMS. They studied it and voted unanimously for full consolidation, under joint governance, with mental health crisis response built in from day one, and they recommended the existing County center as the home. You can read their full report here.

The public is with us, and the numbers come from a survey of both residents and public safety professionals that anyone can read. Among the public safety professionals, roughly 80 percent preferred either joint or County governance over a City run model. Among residents, nearly three out of four said they would support a joint center that delivers better technology and faster response times. Both groups said the same thing in their own words. They are tired of how long this has dragged on, and they want it settled. You can read the full survey results here.

So we agree on one center. We agree on joint governance. We agree on protecting jobs. We agree on building in mental health. One real question is left. Who runs it.

My Position. The County Should Be the Lead Administrative Agency.

Words matter here, so let me be clear. Lead Administrative Agency does not mean the County runs your emergency. It means the County is the administrative home. 

Budget. Human resources. Technology. The building. Reporting and accreditation. The emergency decisions stay exactly where they belong, with the Sheriff, the Fire Chiefs, the Police Chief, the Emergency Services Director, and the Medical Director. And this is not just my promise. The resolution writes it down, and it puts those same public safety leaders on a formal Public Safety Communications Council that guides how the system operates.

So why the County for the administrative home? Three plain reasons.

We already run this at a county wide scale. Our modern, accredited center already dispatches for the unincorporated county and all eight towns, runs the dispatch system both sides use, with a new digital system live as of June 15, and is the backup when the City system goes down, all from the building that houses our Emergency Operations Center. 

Consolidation does not start something new. It finishes something we are already doing.

The County is the entity responsible for mental health across the county. A County run center lets us put behavioral health clinicians in the room and mobile Crisis Intervention Teams in the field, partially funded through our Alliance Health partnership and connected to Cape Fear Valley Health Systems. 

The County Health Department and the County Department of Social Services work alongside our teams every day, on substance use, public health, child welfare, adult protective services, and family crisis. These are county functions, not city functions. The call center has to live where the rest of that system already lives.

The partnerships are already in place. The County works directly with Fort Bragg, and we are bringing the installation into our 911 coordination now and into the consolidated center going forward. When a disaster hits, the response has to move seamlessly across the county and the installation alike, and on the County side that coordination already works. These are relationships we would build on, not build.

The Facts Behind It

You will hear that Fayetteville answers more calls, so Fayetteville should lead. The City does answer more incoming calls. But dispatching a response, not answering the phone, is the work that runs the system, and there the two centers are nearly even. In the 2025 calendar year, the County dispatched 203,660 calls and the City dispatched 212,925, a gap of less than 5 percent. Those figures come from County Emergency Services, drawn from the state 911 routing system and our own local dispatch system.

And that near even number still understates the County load. The County dispatches for all county and municipal fire departments, and for every law enforcement agency outside the City of Fayetteville. The City processes its own medical calls, but the County carries emergency medical dispatch and resource management across the whole county, plus Animal Services dispatch. Capacity is not a question either. Over the past three years, the County center absorbed seven City call rollover events without missing a beat. The City absorbed two from us.

On standards, the County center is already an accredited Center of Excellence in Emergency Fire Dispatch, earned again in October 2025. Our proposal commits to full Triple Accreditation within four years, with hard targets. Answer the call in 10 seconds, 90 percent of the time. Process the emergency in 65 seconds, 90 percent of the time, for fire, rescue, and emergency medical services.

Why the County

Here is a fair question. The big metros let their city run the consolidated center, so why not here. In Raleigh and Greensboro, the city operates the center because the city is the hub of the county. In Cumberland it is the other way around. Fayetteville is our largest city, but it is not the hub of this county. The County already serves the whole county, and it is the backup when the City system goes down.

On governance, that same working group made a deliberate choice. It did not try to decide who administers the center. Its chair had watched the fight over control wreck past consolidation attempts, so the group left that call to the elected boards. That is the question in front of us now. The City says it should administer the center, and that is a fair view to put forward. But this has never been about one government taking over the other. That same group even recommended that the current City 911 manager lead the consolidated center. The goal is to put the best of both under one roof.

There is also the matter of who pays. One 911 center instead of two saves taxpayers money. And here is the part people miss. The money the State sends for 911 does not cover the full cost of running a center. The rest comes out of local General Fund dollars, the same dollars that pay for core services like emergency medical services and public health. A 911 center is exactly that kind of core service, and it serves every person in the county. So the local share should come from the government whose tax base is the whole county, which is the County. That spreads the cost fairly, keeps city residents from paying twice, once to the City and once to the County, and saves the City, which no longer has to fund a center of its own.

And the answer holds up for everyone it touches. Nobody loses a job, since the County proposal protects existing positions, brings everyone to salary parity, and preserves the accreditations the dispatchers have earned. It saves money, with the City standing to save an estimated $3 million a year (based on public budget numbers) compared to running its own center. And the small towns are protected, because Eastover, Falcon, Godwin, Hope Mills, Linden, Spring Lake, Stedman, and Wade all receive complete baseline 911 service at no direct cost, as a core County function. That is what fairness looks like for the whole county, not just the largest city in it.

A Word on House Bill 1220

There is a bill in Raleigh called House Bill 1220. One part of it would let this Board decide, by majority vote, to operate one 911 center for the whole county, run by the County and held to the standards of the North Carolina 911 Board.

In recent weeks, that 911 language was added to House Bill 1220. Senator Tom McInnis already had our adopted resolution in hand, at his request, so the County position was in writing. The moment I found out it was moving, I went to work with Senator McInnis, Representative Wheatley, Representative Colvin, and others from our delegation, and I kept my fellow commissioners informed. Mayor Colvin and I then spoke with Senator McInnis together, and he agreed to hold the 911 language, to give the County and the City room to reach an agreement on our own. As a former state senator, I know that sometimes a legislative step helps resolve a local issue in the best interest of citizens. I believe that is what he intended, and I thank him for it.

Here is the part that matters most. That language does not have to run at all. If Mayor Colvin and I can report that the County and the City have reached a final agreement, through a joint letter or a joint resolution, there is no need for it. What matters now is finishing an agreement more than ten years in the making, so that the people who live here get the best emergency services we can provide.

The Goal Is an Agreement

So here we are. The hard work is done. The professionals have studied it and agreed. The community has shown it wants one system. The structure is close. The savings are real. The mental health piece is ready. What is left is an agreement. Not a winner and a loser, but a deal the City can stand behind, the County can stand behind, and our eight towns can count on.

Because at the end of all of it, this comes back to one person. The person who picks up the phone on the worst day of their life and needs one system, one standard, and one fast answer.

One county. One 911 center. One standard. Let us finish this together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cape Fear Studios will be showing the 15th Annual 2D Competition until Aug. 25. The studio is located at 148 Maxwell St., and is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This juried art exhibit features the works of artists nationwide. JJ Jiang from the Village Art Circle Fine Arts Studios out of Cary, NC,  was the juror. Admission is free to the public. For more information, visit the Cape Fear Studios website, www.capefearstudios.com

Two-dimensional art is any visual artwork created on a flat surface. It possesses only two dimensions, height and width, and lacks any physical depth. Artists use mediums such as pencils, ink and pastels on paper for drawing, sketches, illustrations and detailed portraits. 

Painting uses the mediums of oil, acrylic, watercolor, or gouache on canvas, wood and paper. Photography captures images using a camera to freeze a moment in time. Mixed media combines various flat materials such as cut paper, fabric, for photographs on a flat surface.

Jiang is a signature member of the Oil Painters of America, American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society. His painting, "Green Guitar," was selected for the 35th National Juried Exhibition of the Oil Painters of America, held in Steamboat Springs, CO, this year.

Jiang shared with the Youage Raleigh Magazine in 2021, “My childhood was spent in China during the Great Proletarian Revolution (1966-1976). During that era of madness, drawing, writing and reading poetry kept me safe and sane, and shielded me from the chaotic world outside. Drawing and painting have become inseparable parts of my life.”

The winners of the 15th Annual 2D Competition at Cape Fear Studios are:

• Best in Show, “li'l girl,” oil, Ron Beckham, Roanoke Rapids, NC

• 1st place, "Chromatic Dashboard,” oil on canvas, Thistle Wise, Mt. Pleasant, NC 

• 2nd place, “Lazarus,” oil, Devlin Lovett, Augusta, GA

• Honorable Mention, “Basket of Blooms,” oil, Suk Rodriguez 

• Honorable Mention, "Clusterscape 48:Oodles,” tissue collage, pen and ink, acrylic on archival board, Sudie Rakusin, Hillsborough, NC

Cape Fear Studios was established in 1989 as a non-profit arts organization in historic downtown Fayetteville. 

Experience the 15th Annual 2D Competition until Aug. 25. For more information, visit Cape Fear Studios’ website at www.capefearstudios.com

(Photo: "Li'l Girl," oil, was named Best in Show at the Cape Fear Studios 15th Annual 2D Competition. The creator is Ron Beckham out of Roanoke Rapids, NC. Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Studios)

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the sun is shining and the temperature is warm, a day at the beach can be the perfect balm for whatever ails you. Is it any wonder that so many vacations or day-long excursions revolve around spending time at the shore?

Although a beach excursion can be the ideal way to rest and recharge, individuals should be mindful that there is the potential for some danger. Safety is essential when visiting coastal locations. The following are some safety hazards to keep in mind and how to navigate them. 

Rip currents

Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water that flow away from the shore. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes rip currents can occur at any beach. Lifeguards call rip currents "drowning machines" since they are implicated in most water rescues. They are very dangerous for weak or non-swimmers because they can pull people away from the shore rapidly. If a person gets caught in a rip current, it is important to swim parallel to the shore until escaping the current. Only then can the person try to get back to the beach.

Hookworms

There is a reason why companion animals may not be allowed on the beach during the swimming season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says hookworm is a parasitic infection contracted when larvae in sand or soil contaminated by animal feces burrow into exposed skin. It is common in moist, warm climates. Keeping cats and dogs away from the beach, wearing sandals, and using beach mats or towels when on the sand can help prevent hookworm contraction.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish can be a wonder to behold, but crossing paths with a jellyfish can be a painful experience. The National History Museum says jellyfish have survived for more than 500 million years. These invertebrates are gelatinous and jelly-like, with a curved, bell-shaped body with tentacles hanging down. The tentacles can be covered in stinging cells called cnidocytes. Beach-goers should heed warnings about jellyfish in the water, but also be mindful of ones washed up, as they can still sting if the tentacles are wet.

Sand fleas

Despite the word "flea" in the moniker, sand fleas are not insects or parasites. Terminix says they are small, shrimp-like crustaceans. 

While sand fleas do not seek out people to bite them, certain species can leave itchy, red welts if they come into prolonged contact with the skin. This may be more pronounced for women or girls when sand fleas become trapped between swimsuits and the skin. Sand fleas are more active during cooler, low-light periods like early morning or evening.

Beach debris

Glass beverage containers should not be brought to the beach, as there is the risk of breakage and shards becoming left behind. Cuts from broken bottles can lead to infection. Beach-goers also need to be mindful of other debris that can wash up on the beach, particularly after strong storms. Unfortunately, medical waste, trash, and drug paraphernalia can wash up on the shore. Wearing sandals or water-safe shoes can protect feet.

A carefree day at the beach is a staple of summertime. However, people must be mindful of potential hazards when enjoying a day at the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

  

The Kind Seeds Project is helping connect families across Fayetteville and surrounding communities with free groceries, fresh food and basic household necessities through partnerships with churches, ministries and local organizations.

The community outreach initiative focuses on reducing food insecurity by supporting mobile pantry events and grocery distributions in Cumberland County, Spring Lake, Raeford and nearby areas. Rather than operating from a single permanent location, the project often works through temporary distribution sites and community events that allow food to reach residents where they live.

The project has been successful in meeting people where they are. Information about upcoming events is shared through the Kind Seeds Project Facebook page, which serves as a central source for distribution announcements and local assistance opportunities. Recent posts have highlighted grocery box distributions in Spring Lake and food and clothing support available in Fayetteville.

The project’s work reflects a broader network of organizations addressing hunger and financial hardship in the region. Local churches, public institutions and ministries provide overlapping forms of support, including groceries, clothing, gardening resources, prayer and community fellowship. These partnerships allow organizations to combine volunteers, supplies and community connections while reaching more residents.

Pleasant Grove Church of Christ is among the organizations offering recurring assistance. Its Mission Ministry hosts a food and clothing giveaway every third Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 208 N. Racepath St. in Fayetteville. The program provides food, clean clothing and personal encouragement to individuals and families. No advance registration is required, and community members may attend as they are.

Teach All Nations Ministries also supports food access in Spring Lake and across Cumberland County. The ministry has organized large grocery distributions, including drive through events designed to serve many households efficiently. Events of that size can help families who may face transportation barriers, high food costs, or limited access to full-service grocery stores.

 Residents interested in longer term food independence may also use the Cumberland County Public Library’s Seed Library. The program allows community members to obtain seeds for backyard gardens and container gardens. It gives residents an opportunity to grow vegetables, herbs and other plants even when they have limited land, gardening space or household resources.

Seed libraries do not replace emergency food assistance, but they can complement it by encouraging practical gardening skills and household food production. Container gardens may be especially useful for apartment residents or families with small yards.

Together, these programs show how food insecurity is being addressed through several strategies. Mobile food distributions provide immediate relief. Church ministries offer recurring assistance and social support. Seed programs encourage residents to develop sustainable sources of fresh produce.

The Kind Seeds Project helps connect these efforts by promoting local events and building partnerships among groups with similar missions. Its emphasis on kindness, hope and self-empowerment is reflected in its public outreach and its focus on helping families obtain essential resources without unnecessary barriers.

Community members can support the work by volunteering at distribution events, donating food or clothing, sharing event information and following local organizations online. Because dates and locations may change, residents seeking assistance should review the latest announcements before traveling to an event.

For families facing food insecurity, the growing network of pantries, ministries and seed programs offers several entry points for help. The Kind Seeds Project remains part of that network, linking neighbors with groceries, resources and community support throughout the Fayetteville area.

 

   

When school lets out at the end of May, most kids are jumping for joy and can’t wait for weeks on end of sleeping late, trips to swimming pools, vacations, camps, and more.  But for a lot of kids in our community, being on break from school means missing out on the availability of a reliable lunch Monday through Friday.  The Cumberland County School Child Nutrition department is on a mission to fill that gap for most of the summer for as many kids as possible.

From June 1 through July 31, Child Nutrition Services provides free lunches to kids 18 and younger at locations throughout Cumberland County.  There is no income requirement to receive these free meals.  They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration required.  Children must be present to receive a meal, and the meals must be eaten on site.

These meals provide kids with important nutrients needed to support growing bodies, but are still fun foods that kids want to eat.  Each meal includes vegetables, fruit, and cold milk.  A complete menu of what meals are served on which days throughout June and July can be found on the Child Nutrition Services website.

Meals are available at the following locations:

• Cliffdale Rec Center @ 6404 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville

• College Lakes Elementary @ 4963 Rosehill Rd., Fayetteville

• Hope Mills Municipal Park @ 5766 Rockfish Rd., Hope Mills

• Kiwanis Rec Center @ 352 Devers St, Fayetteville

• Lake Rim Elementary @ 1455 Hoke Loop Rd., Fayetteville

• Massey Hill Rec Center @ 1612 Camden Rd., Fayetteville

• Mendoza Park @ 1774 Little River Rd., Spring Lake

• Roy Turner Park @ 4623 Blanton Rd., Fayetteville

• Smith Rec Center @ 1520 Slater Ave, Fayetteville

• Spring Lake Library @ 101 Laketree Blvd., Spring Lake

• Spring Lake Rec Center @ 245 Ruth St, Spring Lake

• Sunnyside Elementary @ 3876 Sunnyside School Rd., Fayetteville

• Walker Spivey Elementary @ 500 Fisher St, Fayetteville

• Westover Rec Center @ 267 Bonanza Dr., Fayetteville

Meal distribution times do vary at different locations, but are all between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  For specific pick-up times at the location nearest you, check the Child Nutrition Services website at www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services.

In addition to locations and meal times, you will also find additional information about each location.  Many meal locations are at schools and recreation centers that also have activities for kids and families to enjoy while they are getting their lunches, such as playgrounds, splash pads, and gymnasiums.  Not all locations have additional amenities, so be sure to check out the website for details.

While summer should be a time of rest and fun for school-aged kids, it’s hard to enjoy the free time when you are hungry.  And the reality for many families is that they depend on meals provided at school to fill gaps in what is available at home, from August through May.  Cumberland County Schools wants to make sure to continue to fill those gaps, even when the classrooms are empty. This is why each summer, the Child Nutrition Services works hard to get meals distributed to kids who need them, all around Cumberland County.  For additional information, check https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services or call 910-678-2502.

When school lets out at the end of May, most kids are jumping for joy and can’t wait for weeks on end of sleeping late, trips to swimming pools, vacations, camps, and more.  But for a lot of kids in our community, being on break from school means missing out on the availability of a reliable lunch Monday through Friday.  The Cumberland County School Child Nutrition department is on a mission to fill that gap for most of the summer for as many kids as possible.

From June 1 through July 31, Child Nutrition Services provides free lunches to kids 18 and younger at locations throughout Cumberland County.  There is no income requirement to receive these free meals.  They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis; no registration required.  Children must be present to receive a meal, and the meals must be eaten on site.

These meals provide kids with important nutrients needed to support growing bodies, but are still fun foods that kids want to eat.  Each meal includes vegetables, fruit, and cold milk.  A complete menu of what meals are served on which days throughout June and July can be found on the Child Nutrition Services website.

Meals are available at the following locations:

• Cliffdale Rec Center @ 6404 Cliffdale Rd., Fayetteville

• College Lakes Elementary @ 4963 Rosehill Rd., Fayetteville

• Hope Mills Municipal Park @ 5766 Rockfish Rd., Hope Mills

• Kiwanis Rec Center @ 352 Devers St, Fayetteville

• Lake Rim Elementary @ 1455 Hoke Loop Rd., Fayetteville

• Massey Hill Rec Center @ 1612 Camden Rd., Fayetteville

• Mendoza Park @ 1774 Little River Rd., Spring Lake

• Roy Turner Park @ 4623 Blanton Rd., Fayetteville

• Smith Rec Center @ 1520 Slater Ave, Fayetteville

• Spring Lake Library @ 101 Laketree Blvd., Spring Lake

• Spring Lake Rec Center @ 245 Ruth St, Spring Lake

• Sunnyside Elementary @ 3876 Sunnyside School Rd., Fayetteville

• Walker Spivey Elementary @ 500 Fisher St, Fayetteville

• Westover Rec Center @ 267 Bonanza Dr., Fayetteville

Meal distribution times do vary at different locations, but are all between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.  For specific pick-up times at the location nearest you, check the Child Nutrition Services website at www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services.

In addition to locations and meal times, you will also find additional information about each location.  Many meal locations are at schools and recreation centers that also have activities for kids and families to enjoy while they are getting their lunches, such as playgrounds, splash pads, and gymnasiums.  Not all locations have additional amenities, so be sure to check out the website for details.

While summer should be a time of rest and fun for school-aged kids, it’s hard to enjoy the free time when you are hungry.  And the reality for many families is that they depend on meals provided at school to fill gaps in what is available at home, from August through May.  Cumberland County Schools wants to make sure to continue to fill those gaps, even when the classrooms are empty. This is why each summer, the Child Nutrition Services works hard to get meals distributed to kids who need them, all around Cumberland County.  For additional information, check https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/page/child-nutrition-services or call 910-678-2502.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cape Fear Regional Theatre is preparing to electrify Fayetteville audiences with its highly anticipated summer camp productions of Mean Girls Jr., a high-octane musical adaptation perfectly tailored for young performers. Bringing together some of the area's finest young talent, the upcoming performances promise to showcase not only high school hierarchy hilarity but also the immense artistic growth fostered within CFRT’s walls.

The story of Cady Heron, Regina George, and the jungle of North Shore High School first entered the global cultural lexicon in 2004. Written by the legendary comedian and actress Tina Fey, the original Mean Girls movie became an overnight cinematic masterpiece, introducing generation-defining catchphrases and brilliantly satirizing the complex dynamics of teenage friendships. 

Fey’s sharp, witty dialogue struck a chord that resonated far beyond the early 2000s, establishing a timeless foundation for adaptations across various mediums.

The Broadway musical adaptation opened in 2018 to rave reviews, featuring dialogue by Tina Fey, music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. The production injected contemporary pop and rock sensibilities into the story, giving iconic characters like Janis Ian and the Plastic royalty explosive musical numbers. 

The momentum continued well into the current decade, culminating in the 2024 movie musical premiere, which introduced a new generation of digital-native fans to the iconic saga. Designed specifically for young actors between the ages of 10 and 14, this massive cultural phenomenon has been expertly condensed into a version that keeps all the heart, humor, and hook-filled melodies while being appropriate for young ensembles.

For Cape Fear Regional Theatre, bringing a production of this scale to life is no small feat, particularly when structured within their summer camp curriculum. This summer, CFRT is hosting three distinct, comprehensive two-week theater camps designed specifically to immerse young creatives in the realities of theatrical production. 

The schedule is rigorous, demanding dedication, focus, and passion from every participant involved.

The summer rollout is already well underway. The first two-week session has officially wrapped up, and was a huge success. However, the excitement is far from over. Two additional sessions are scheduled throughout the month of July, meaning that the halls of CFRT will remain filled with rehearsals, choreography reviews and vocal warm-ups for weeks to come. 

Guiding these young actors through the intense rehearsal process is a trio of seasoned theater professionals, ensuring that the camp environment maintains the high production values CFRT is celebrated for. 

Leading the production as Director is Marc de la Concha. Under his guidance, the campers learn that beyond the comedic lines and iconic insults lies a profound story about authenticity, empathy, and peer pressure.

The demanding vocal score of the show is placed in the capable hands of Music Director Amber Dawn French. French is tasked with blending dozens of young voices into harmonies that do justice to Richmond’s Broadway score. 

From teaching vocal health to executing intricate group numbers, her musical leadership ensures the cast sounds uniform and powerful. Complementing the music is the dynamic movement designed by Choreographer JaRon Alexander. Alexander’s high-energy choreography translates the frantic, rhythmic pulse of high school life into stunning visual sequences.

As the July camp sessions approach their respective showcase dates, the Fayetteville community is strongly encouraged to secure their tickets early. Performances will take place at Cape Fear Regional Theatre's main facility, located at 1707 Owen Drive. 

Tickets for all upcoming sessions of Mean Girls Jr. are available exclusively through the theater's box office at cfrt.org. Given the immense popularity of the title and the proud networks of families, friends, and local theater enthusiasts eager to support Fayetteville's rising stars, seats are expected to fill quickly. Attending a CFRT summer camp production is more than just an afternoon of entertainment; it is an opportunity to celebrate the hard work of young performers who are proving that the future of North Carolina theater is exceptionally bright.

(Photo: The cast of Mean Girls Jr. pop out of lockers during a musical number. Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Regional Theatre's Facebook page)

For one night in June, Fayetteville took on a different glow.

Several city landmarks were illuminated in purple, joining communities across the country in recognizing Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. The color served as more than a visual display; it was a reminder that millions of Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and that countless families in Cumberland County are quietly navigating the daily realities of memory loss, caregiving and uncertainty.

While June’s awareness campaign has ended, the work continues.

The Alzheimer’s Association is already preparing for the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, scheduled for Oct. 24 in downtown Fayetteville. Months before participants gather at Festival Park, organizers are encouraging businesses, churches, civic organizations and families to begin forming teams and raising support for what has become the world’s largest fundraiser dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and nearly 12 million family members and friends provide unpaid care for loved ones facing dementia. In North Carolina alone, more than 210,000 people are living with the disease, a number expected to rise as the state’s population continues to age.

For Kara Harrington, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for the Alzheimer’s Association in North Carolina, awareness begins with helping communities understand that Alzheimer’s is not simply a normal part of aging.

“Every person who registers, donates or participates in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s helps move us closer to our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia,” Harrington said. 

That mission extends well beyond a single October morning.

The annual walk funds research aimed at improving treatment options while supporting local education programs, caregiver resources, community outreach and the Association’s free, 24-hour Helpline. For many families, those services become a lifeline after receiving one of life’s most difficult diagnoses.

The Fayetteville walk has grown steadily over the years, bringing together hundreds of participants whose reasons for walking are deeply personal. Some honor a parent or grandparent. Others remember spouses, siblings or lifelong friends. Many walk alongside loved ones who are still living with the disease, creating moments of hope in the midst of a difficult journey.

The community’s commitment to raising awareness will continue throughout the summer.

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are once again partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association by hosting an Alzheimer’s Awareness Night, Aug. 28. The event will combine America’s pastime with opportunities to educate fans about brain health, available resources and the importance of supporting research that could one day lead to a cure.

Community partnerships like these have become increasingly important as advocates work to reach individuals who may not otherwise seek information about Alzheimer’s until it affects someone close to them.

For Harrington, one of the Association’s greatest strengths is its ability to bring people together around a shared purpose.

“The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is about hope, community and making sure no family faces this disease alone,” she said, encouraging residents to become involved.

That message resonates throughout Cumberland County, where caregivers often shoulder tremendous emotional, physical and financial responsibilities while caring for loved ones whose memories gradually fade.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that family caregivers contribute billions of dollars in unpaid care each year. Beyond the financial impact lies the emotional weight of watching someone slowly lose the ability to recognize familiar faces, recall treasured memories or complete everyday tasks independently.

Those realities make awareness efforts like Fayetteville’s purple landmarks especially meaningful. They encourage conversations that many families postpone until a diagnosis forces them to confront the disease.

Organizers say the Walk to End Alzheimer’s offers more than fundraising. It creates a visible reminder that no caregiver walks alone and no family has to navigate Alzheimer’s without support.

As October approaches, organizers hope to see new teams joining longtime participants in downtown Fayetteville. Whether walking in honor of a loved one, in memory of someone lost or simply in support of future generations, every participant helps advance research while strengthening local services for families living with dementia.

The purple lights that briefly illuminated Fayetteville have gone dark, but their message continues to shine.

This October, hundreds of footsteps will once again carry that message forward one mile, one family and one memory at a time.

For more information, or to start a team, visit https://bit.ly/4gRMCvT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In an era where civic engagement is more critical than ever, a new generation of young leaders is stepping up to prove that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact. Among these bright minds is Callie Tisdale, an eighth-grade Fayetteville Academy student whose sharp critical thinking, deep understanding of government and passion for her community have propelled her to the top of a prestigious national stage.

The National Civics Bee, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is a competitive program designed to encourage middle school students to engage with their communities. According to the Foundation, students who participate "gain knowledge about American democracy, practice engaging respectfully and constructively and build trust in others and institutions."

For Callie, entering the competition was a natural choice. As someone who has always been fascinated by history and government, which was further fueled by her seventh-grade civics class, she jumped at the opportunity when her English teacher presented the idea of competing in the Civics Bee.

The first step of the competition required submitting an essay identifying a local problem and proposing a civic-minded solution. Callie chose to tackle a heavy and deeply critical issue affecting her community: human trafficking in Cumberland County.

In her essay, Callie argued for the urgent need to raise awareness by collaborating with local organizations like the Child Advocacy Center and local law enforcement, as well as utilizing the powerful stories of survivors. To bridge the gap between awareness and action, she proposed creating a centralized website to consolidate vital resources, making it easier for people to access help and information. As Callie wrote in her essay:

“With the horrid nature of these acts, we need a system in place that will prevent it. Helping this issue will help everyone feel safer 

in our city.”

Instead of allowing this idea to remain theoretical, Callie took her ideas beyond the page, the webpage, that is.  While she is working to build the website, she has launched an Instagram account titled WRATH (Websites for Resources Against Trafficking Humans), which can be found at @the.wrath111. The significance of 111 is that January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  This digital platform serves as the first step in her mission to consolidate resources and spread awareness, proving that her essay was not just a competition entry but a blueprint for real-world change.

The journey of the National Civics Bee is a demanding, multi-tiered sequence. The competition begins at the regional level, where students take part in a live quiz and a Q&A session defending their essays. The top three contestants from each regional event advance to the State Finals.

Callie excelled at the regional level, held in Fayetteville this year, earning her ticket to the state competition. Throughout the progression of the bee, competitors must stick to their original essay and core problem. However, they are permitted to adapt their ideas and expand upon their solutions. In Callie’s case, her original solution involved going into schools to help raise awareness of human trafficking and helping her peers understand how they could help prevent it.  However, as she continued through the competition, she realized how time-consuming and labor-intensive that could be, and that by creating digital resources, more people could be reached and helped. Callie used this opportunity to refine her digital resource strategy, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of public policy and community organizing.

Her hard work, poise and thoroughly researched solutions have not gone unnoticed. Callie not only held her own against the brightest minds in the state, but she won the entire North Carolina State competition. Reflecting on the environment, Callie shared a sentiment that highlights the true spirit of the event:  “It’s really fun to compete with people who have similar interests.”

By capturing the state title, Callie has earned the opportunity to represent North Carolina at the National Civics Bee National Championship in Washington, D.C.  The stakes at the national level are incredibly high. Finalists from across the country will compete not only for prestigious recognition but also for a life-changing $100,000 contribution to a 529 college savings plan.

Through her brilliant analytical skills, dedication to public service, and willingness to tackle difficult conversations, Callie Tisdale is proving that the next generation is ready to lead. As she prepares to take her ideas to the nation's capital, Cumberland County stands proudly behind a young leader who is actively working to make her community a safer place.

(Photo: Callie Tisdale won the North Carolina State Civics Bee after earning her spot at the Regional Civics Bee held in Fayetteville. She will compete in Washington DC in the nation wide competition later this year. Photo courtesy of Karen Tisdale)

 

 

 

 

 

Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s 2026-27 season promises to be a momentous one in many ways.  Since 1962, the Theatre has been entertaining Fayetteville audiences with high-quality theatre, featuring both local and “out of town” talent. This upcoming season promises to be no different, with a lineup of shows that will bring new and familiar stories to the stage.

CFRT will kick off its 26-27 season with Bright Star, a bluegrass musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. The story follows Alice Murphy as both a rebellious and adventurous teenager and 20 years later as a successful literary editor. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, it is a story of love, heartbreak, and redemption. Bright Star is sure to captivate audiences with its heart-warming story and high-energy music.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever will return to the CFRT stage, celebrating its 35th anniversary. For many in the Fayetteville community, the story of the Herdman kids and how they almost ruined the annual Christmas pageant is the official beginning of the holiday season.  While staging a show with 100+ kids over 4 separate casts is no small feat, this annual tradition is perfect for the whole family.

Although we never know if North Carolina's weather is going to give us any snow during the winter, CFRT’s stage is set to become a winter wonderland in January 2027 as the curtain rises on Disney’s Frozen. Based on the 2013 animated film, the live stage version has been astounding audiences since its Broadway debut in 2018. Unique and impressive visual effects combine with a soaring score and uplifting story to provide an unforgettable theatre experience.

Up next in CFRT’s lineup is the comedy One Man, Two Guvnors.  The play is an adaptation of The Servant of Two Masters, an 18th-century farce by Carlo Goldoni. Featuring CFRT favorite and Education Director Marc de la Concha, the play will be sure to have audiences in stitches as Francis (the “one man” mentioned in the title) keeps his two mobster bosses apart.  

The season will wrap up with Big Fish, a fantasy musical that is full of spectacle, high-energy music and humor.  Based on a novel by Daniel Wallace and the 2003 Tim Burton film, Big Fish follows the life of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who tells larger-than-life stories that captivate everyone around him. As his son, Will, embarks on a journey to understand the man behind the myth, Big Fish explores the power of storytelling, family bonds, and the search for identity.

In addition to this exciting line-up of shows, the team is looking forward to moving back to their location at 1209 Hay Street as they complete their massive building project. There is still time to support this endeavor as the theatre has announced The Final Million Dollar Match, “a $1,000,000 fund created by The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, The Junior League of Fayetteville, Larry & Julianne Bass, Betsy Hubbard, and Mary Flagg & Jim Haugh that will DOUBLE the impact of any new gifts of $10,000+ (payable over five years) made to the campaign before September 1, 2026.”  For more information, go to www.cfrt.org/capital-campaign/support-act-2. 

Season Tickets are on sale now. The Early Bird special runs through July 17 and provides 30% savings.  For more information, go to cfrt.org or call the box office at 910-323-4233.