It has been one of my greatest honors to serve the people of Cumberland County over the last two terms in the North Carolina Senate. I thank you for putting your trust in me. I am thankful for the loving support of my wife Jenny and son Grey who have sacrificed family time so I could serve.

As I look back over the last four years at what we were able to accomplish together, I am reminded that what’s most important are deeds not words. While I can talk about historic funding levels or new laws, I’d first like to talk about the people whose lives I was able to touch and in return, touched mine. People like Angelina and Gerald who didn't have adequate housing for their families but now do; and Carrie, a veteran and mother, who reached out after facing eviction because she had lost her job during the pandemic but now lives in a better home with a new job; and Ginger and hundreds of people in our county navigating the state unemployment system to get benefits they deserved during COVID; and the healthcare business owners who were not receiving reimbursement for their services who, with our help, broke through the industry red tape and began receiving overdue payments; and the many families and seniors that we helped through the state’s slow-moving hurricane recovery program, RebuildNC.

My Senate office handled over 4,000 constituent issues and I am thankful to my staff and agencies who assisted me to do my #1 job as your senator — helping people.
When elected, I said I would always represent you in Raleigh. I vowed to put people first and politics second. It was important for me that Cumberland County was relevant at the state level — that we had a strong voice. I am proud of the relationships, both at home and in Raleigh, that allowed me the opportunity to be in the middle of hard conversations that moved our state forward.

These conversations included the reopening of our schools after the COVID pandemic began to subside. I took a hard stand, one that was against many in my party, including the governor. Through bipartisan discussions, we created a compromise the Governor and General Assembly supported which allowed schools to reopen and put children back into the classroom.

We also had conversations around justice reform which led to bipartisan bills improving policing and expansion of expungement programs; bipartisan COVID relief bills totaling over $2.5 billion in state funding; and state hurricane recovery funding of $200 million.

The state budget was another test of “people over politics” after Medicaid expansion was taken off the table as part of the discussion and negotiations had stalled with the governor and Republican leadership. I reached across the aisle and worked with Republicans and other fellow brave Democrats to find a compromise for a state budget for the first time in four years.

The budget included an increase in public education funding over $1.3 billion; an increase in pay for teachers and state employees; the largest investment in PFAS protection and research; broadband investments of over $1 billion; tax cuts for working families; and investments in childcare, early childhood education and mental health. And so much more.

I am proud of my work in this budget to lower tuition to $500 a semester at Fayetteville State University through NC Promise which will afford more young people access to a college degree without the fear of massive student debt.

As an Army veteran, I was also proud to champion eliminating the state income tax on military pensions; an incredible way to honor our veterans and encourage them to make our state their final home.
I worked diligently to ensure Cumberland County was not left behind. I helped bring back a historic $421 million to our community that included funding for construction at FSU, Fayetteville Technical Community College and Cape Fear Valley; direct support for Cape Fear Regional Theatre, the Civil War & Reconstruction Center, and Martin Luther King Jr. Park; investments in local governments including funding homeless centers, affordable housing, and pedestrian safety with crosswalks and sidewalks as well as stormwater protection, including repair of Rhoades Pond; $2 million investment in community health centers and substance abuse programs and over $3 million in support of minority businesses.

As I leave office at the end of December, I hope you see someone that fought for you every day; someone who did what was best for the people in his community; someone who was more concerned about the people he represented than keeping his Senate seat; and someone that was at the table and worked across the aisle for solutions. Service is in my DNA. I do recognize and know that we have God’s hand on us in this journey of service so we will continue to trust Him and see where He leads.

New Year’s resolutions run the gamut from kicking bad habits like smoking to finding more time to exercise to learning a foreign language. Many resolutions are about self-improvement, and that desire to live better can extend into the professional arena. New Year’s resolutions can be just as beneficial to a person’s professional life as they can in that same individual’s personal life. With that in mind, professionals can consider these work-related resolutions this January.

Make a concerted effort to change careers. The numbers are in regarding satisfaction at work, and they’re not very promising. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2022 report, 60% of workers report being emotionally detached at work. Perhaps more troubling is that 19% report being miserable at their jobs. Professionals who are not engaged at work can resolve to get the ball rolling on a career change in the year ahead. Look into what that might entail, whether it’s simply applying for new jobs in your field or going back to school to facilitate a career change, and take the necessary first step.

Rebalance your work and family life. A 2015 survey of 1,000 full-time professionals in the United States found that 77% felt they had experienced burnout at their jobs. Rebalancing work and family life can make more time for things outside of work, including family. That can lead to greater life satisfaction, including a renewed vigor for your career.

Resolve to communicate more effectively with your team. Even professionals satisfied with their careers can take steps to make their work lives better. There are many reasons why workers feel stressed and burned out, and some may find communication with their managers is lacking. Managers can make a concerted effort to improve lines of communication with their staff. Doing so can improve productivity and create a better working environment for all.

Find ways to be more productive. Remarkably, a 2019 study by Rescue Time found that, in a given workday, workers’ average time of productivity is just two hours and 28 minutes. By making a concerted effort to be more productive, workers can get more done in a typical eight-hour workday, thus paving the way for a better work-life balance. Spend less time surfing the internet, avoid checking your phone for texts and other distractions, and make a daily schedule of tasks to tackle. Each of these steps can help you be more productive in a given workday.

When making New Year’s resolutions this January, professionals can resolve to find ways to make their workdays better.

Local homeless shelters will be opening expanded space for “white flag’’ nights as the area prepares for a blast of Artic cold weather that will see overnight temperatures dip into the teens.

White flag nights are when the shelters let the homeless and destitute inside to give them a place to stay when the weather is 32 degrees or lower or in the event of inclement weather.

The Salvation Army will open for white flag nights Friday, Dec. 23 through Tuesday, Dec. 27 with the possibility of opening Wednesday as well, said Vanessa Chavis, the shelter manager.

The hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at the shelter at 220 E. Russell St.

Chavis said the regular shelter reached capacity on Tuesday.

Identification is not required for white flag nights, she said. Only a full name and the last four digits of an individual’s Social Security number are needed.

“We are prepared for white flag,” Chavis said. “We are always watching temperatures and stay prepared for that with coordinated entries. Actually, white flag has not begun for us. We’re actually waiting and preparing for it with the food and other things that we need. We usually order extra food so we can have more than enough.”

The Manna Church Dream Center men's shelter on Person Street normally offers 20 beds for those in need. On white flag nights, an additional two beds open up at the shelter. As of Wednesday evening, the shelter was two beds below capacity, leaving four available beds on white flag nights.

Manager Randy Davis said he already had a man eager to take one of the two white flag spots, leaving three beds open for the upcoming cold weather nights.

The hours are 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

"They just need to show up,’’ Davis said. “First come, first served."

True Vine Ministries, which has provided space previously on white flag nights, could not be reached for comment.

Andrew Kren, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Raleigh, said rain showers moving into the area will increase in coverage tonight and into Thursday morning. The rain should be moving out by Thursday afternoon.

“But the main impact is what we’ve been advertising most of the week,” Kren said. “A strong Arctic cold front moving through Friday morning. With that, temperatures will be more or less dropping. That front will move through Friday morning and temperatures will pretty much tap out in the upper 40s in the early morning hours but then quickly crash into the 30s and eventually into the 20s by the evening hours. Overnight lows on Saturday morning will mostly be in the teens.”

Along with the frontal passage, he said, they are expecting some strong wind gusts Friday with some reaching upwards of 45 mph. With the high wind gusts and the Arctic cold air coming in, wind chills will likely be in the lower teens and single digits Friday night.

The coldest day is forecast for Saturday, with temperatures in the low 30s, Kren said. Morning lows on Saturday and Sunday will be in the mid-teens.

Temperatures on Sunday morning will warm up a little, to the upper 30s.

“That’s well below normal,” he said. “Our normal basically for the holiday weekend in the Fayetteville area, generally, are in the mid-50s. And our average lows are in the mid-30s. So, temperatures in the 30s for highs and lows in the teens Saturday and Sunday morning are well below average.”

The record on Christmas Eve is 14 degrees set in 1989. Saturday’s forecast calls for “cutting it close” to the record low for this area, Kren said.

The record low, he said, is 4 degrees set in 1989 for Dec. 23 and Christmas Day.

“So, we’re unlikely to reach that on Sunday morning but Saturday morning, we’ll be very close to reaching that record low of 14.”

Temperatures are anticipated to rise into the low 40s on Monday and Tuesday.

“A nice little warming trend, if you want to call it that,” he said. “Certainly, warmer than it will be this weekend. That’s still below average.”

A funeral service for Cumberland County sheriff’s Deputy Oscar Yovani Bolanos-Anavisca Jr., who was killed in the line of duty last Friday, be held this Friday, Dec. 23, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at Rivers of Living Water church, 1764 Bingham Drive, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m.
Bolanos-Anavisca, who was 23, will be laid to rest at Rockfish Memorial Park, 4017 Gillespie St., the release said.

The service will be open to the public, and law enforcement officers and people who work in the justice system are invited.
Rivers of Living Water will stream the funeral service on its Facebook page, Rivers of Living Water on Facebook.

Bolanos-Anavisca died after being struck by a vehicle on Gillespie Street early last Friday, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He and other deputies were investigating a robbery report at the Circle K convenience store at 2990 Gillespie St. at 2:46 a.m. last Friday, a news release said.

As deputies returned from running a canine track, Bolanos-Anavisca, who was walking, was hit by a vehicle, the release said.
Bolanos-Anavisca was taken by ambulance to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Investigators said Nicholas Terlizzi, 24, of Linden, was driving the vehicle that struck the deputy. Terlizzi was charged with death by motor vehicle; hit and run; driving while impaired; reckless driving to endanger; driving while license revoked; no liability insurance; revoked tag; driving a motor vehicle with no registration; and failing to stop for a steady red light, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Bolanos-Anavisca was “a dedicated, selfless member of the Sheriff’s Office who lost his life protecting the citizens of Cumberland County,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release last week.

Bolanos-Anavisca joined the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in November 2020, a news release said. Before being assigned to C Platoon, he was a school resource officer at Hope Mills Middle School.

Family and co-workers of Cumberland County sheriff’s Deputy Oscar Yovani Bolanos-Anavisca Jr. gathered Dec. 16 afternoon to recall the 23-year-old who was killed earlier in the day after being struck by a vehicle on Gillespie Street.

Nearly 30 members of the deputy’s family quietly entered the Sheriff’s Assembly Room for a news conference. Most were crying, and they comforted one another.

The family had gathered with members of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County staff and other officials.

“I’m standing here with a heavy heart here,” Sheriff Ennis Wright said. “Just lost a good deputy, a mother lost a son, sisters and brothers lost a brother. Cousins, nephews. I look at it as a senseless tragedy that could have been prevented. What we have — drinking and driving on these roadways.”

Bolanos-Anavisca Jr. died from injuries he received while he and other deputies were investigating a robbery report at the Circle K convenience store at 2990 Gillespie St. just before 3 a.m.

“This young man gave his life for something that he wanted to do,” Wright said.

Nicholas Terlizzi, 24, of Linden, has been charged with death by motor vehicle, hit and run, driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, reckless driving to endanger, failing to stop for steady red light and other North Carolina registration violations, according to Lt. Scott Smith of Troop B of the N.C. Highway Patrol.

He is being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $1 million bond, Smith said.

Cumberland County District Attorney Billy West later said that Terlizzi’s $1 million bond had been upgraded on Friday to no bond during his first appearance.

West said his office would “get justice in this case.’’

“The one promise I can make to his family and to this community,” West said, “we will get justice in this case for what was done today. Because we lost an officer that was protecting us and willing to give his life to serve and protect us. And we lost a citizen of this county and this state. And for that, we will get justice.”

Bolanos-Anavisca was returning to the convenience store after working with the canine unit when he was hit by a vehicle while crossing Gillespie Street, the sheriff said.

“We had an officer out there doing his job,” Wright said. “What he loved to do. What he wanted to do. And his life taken away so quickly. A highly senseless act for someone to get behind the wheel after they had been drinking and decided to drive a vehicle.”

Wright recalled that when Bolanos-Anavisca joined the department two other family members also started with the Sheriff’s Office.

“And it’s something that he always wanted to do is be a deputy. All of them wanted to do — be a sheriff’s deputy,” the sheriff said. “It really bothers me because this was our week for swearing everyone back in. It really bothers me that this has just happened.”

Wright then went into the details of what occurred Friday morning.

“The morning started out, deputies responded to the Circle K at Gillespie and Black & Decker. Once the deputies got there, the suspect was gone. And like we do, being good officers, they started to try to track the suspect down.”

The deputies were returning from running a canine track. Bolanos-Anavisca and the other deputies waited until the light was red to cross the roadway, Wright said.

“The subject driving the BMW did not stop at the red-light signal,” Wright said.

Bolanos-Anavisca was hit, the Sheriff’s Office has said.

Deputies administered lifesaving efforts, a release said. Bolanos-Anavisca was taken by ambulance to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
The driver of the vehicle left the scene but was located a short distance away, the Sheriff’s Office has said.

“Like I say, it weighs on me’’ Wright said. “I take the responsibility for every deputy that’s in this Sheriff’s Office. I take responsibility for that.”

Bolanos-Anavisca joined the Sheriff’s Office in November 2020. He previously worked as a school resource officer at Hope Mills Middle School, the Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

“On behalf of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and all Cumberland County employees, we are devastated by the tragic loss of one of our own – Deputy Oscar Yovani Bolanos-Anavisca Jr.,’’ Toni Stewart, chairwoman of the county Board of Commissioners said in a release. “We extend our condolences, our thoughts and our prayers to his family during their time of grief. Deputy Bolanos-Anavisca was part of the Cumberland County government family, and our hearts break for his coworkers in the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and across our organization, as well as all the lives he touched.

“We appreciate the selfless service he provided to the citizens of Cumberland County over the last two years as he worked to keep his fellow citizens safe.”

The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and N.C. State Highway Patrol are investigating the incident.

A man was taken into custody after a six-hour standoff with police on Friday Dec. 16, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

Members of the Police Department’s Violent Crime Apprehension Team received information that a wanted suspect was at a residence on the 2000 block of Caramel Drive, the Police Department said in a release.

The wanted subject, 26-year-old Raeqwon Mitchell Carlisle of Fayetteville, had warrants for his arrest for parole violation, three counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, larceny of a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a female, misdemeanor larceny, communicating threats, carrying a concealed weapon, and resist, delay and obstruct a public officer, police said in the release.

Members of VCAT and the Police Department’s Gang Unit located Carlisle at the residence on Caramel Drive. While trying to apprehend Carlisle, he barricaded himself inside the residence, police said.

Members of the Police Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team, Emergency Response Team, Aviation Unit and Traffic Unit responded to assist in the apprehension of Carlisle, the release said.

Over an approximately six-hour effort to apprehend Carlisle, he was taken into custody without incident, police said.

He is being processed at the Cumberland County Detention Center.

A Fayetteville man has been charged in connection with the robbery that a Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy was investigating when he was struck by a vehicle and killed, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

Antonio Craig Bradley, 39, was arrested Sunday, Dec. 18 in the robbery at the Circle K convenience store at 2990 Gillespie St., the news release said.
Deputy Oscar Bolanos-Anavisca and other deputies were investigating the robbery just before 3 a.m. Friday when he was struck by a vehicle and died of his injuries. Deputies were trying to arrest Bradley when he ran from them. He was taken into custody after a short foot chase, the news release said.

Investigators said Nicholas Terlizzi, 24, of Linden, was drunk and was driving the vehicle that struck Bolanos-Anavisca. Terlizzi was charged with death by motor vehicle; hit and run; driving while impaired; reckless driving to endanger; driving while license revoked; no liability insurance; revoked tag; driving a motor vehicle with no registration; and failing to stop for a steady red light, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Bradley was charged with breaking and entering; larceny after breaking and entering; and possession of stolen goods in a Nov. 17 theft at the Circle K store, the news release said. He was charged with resisting arrest after fleeing from deputies last Friday.

Bradley was held at the Cumberland County Detention Center on a $52,500 secured bond, the news release said.

The Hope Mills Police Department assisted in his arrest, the Sheriff’s Office said.

A Fayetteville man is charged with exposing himself to an employee at a business on Ramsey Street, according to the Fayetteville Police Department.

The incident was reported about 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 in the 5000 block of Ramsey Street, according to a news release.

The man left the business before police officers arrived but was located on foot in the area of Ramsey Street, the news release said.

Dennis Edwards Rodgers Jr., 34, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure, the release said.

The Police Department says Rodgers has been involved in at least two previous indecent exposure incidents that are under investigation.

Rodgers was held at the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $1,000 secured bond, the release said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Sgt. Newland, the Special Victims Unit supervisor, at 910- 818-6276 or CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

The Fayetteville Police Department is searching for a man who removed his electronic monitoring device and fled, according to a news release.

Officers with the Electronic Monitoring Unit responded to a tamper alert just after 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19 in the 500 block of Trust Drive, the news release said.

The device was assigned to JQuan Rashod Fitzgerald, 23, according to the release. Officers said Fitzgerald had removed his electronic monitor and fled the area on foot.

Fitzgerald was arrested on a charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon. He posted bond but was ordered by a judge to remain on a monitor, the news release said.

Officers plan to obtain additional warrants charging Fitzgerald with interfering with an electronic monitor and damage to property, the release said.

Fitzgerald is described as being 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts asked to call 911 or contact CrimeStoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477) or http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org.

After 32 years, Ann Mathis is shutting down the annual Bicycle Man bike giveaway that she and her husband started in the Tiffany Pines community.

“I’m retiring,’’ Mathis said Dec. 16. “It’s not an easy decision. It’s bittersweet.”

Saturday is the last day bikes and other donated items will go to deserving children. But Friday was all business for the soon-to-be 77-year-old Mathis, who took over the annual giving event when her husband, Moses Mathis, died in 2013.
Mathis was busy readying the warehouse at 1800 Wynfare Lane, directing volunteers who were setting up vendor tables. Zipping about in her mobility scooter, Mathis was pulling tables and directing where they needed to be set up. Along with repaired and new bicycles of all sizes and colors, the event also includes community organizations that provide items for the children.

Organizations include McDonalds, Panera Bread, the Cumberland County Public Library, Hood Memorial AME Zion Church and American Legion Post 525.

At least 1,000 bicycles are ready for the taking. They are neatly parked in one half of the warehouse, along with bicycle helmets and various donated items. In the other half of the warehouse are bicycles that have not been fully repaired. Mathis said they will go to a nonprofit organization, Bikes Across Borders.

The bicycle giveaway started in 1990 when Moses Mathis fixed a bicycle for a 10-year-old at Christmas in his Tiffany Pines garage. That one good deed launched the bicycle giveaway in the Tiffany Pines community. Years later, the project morphed into the Bicycle Man Community Outreach Project, and in 2011 the program expanded into six surrounding counties.

To become eligible for a bike, a parent or guardian applies at the child’s school. There, the school social worker will provide the necessary form and determine eligibility. There are no fees involved, however, any donation will gladly be accepted.

In 2013 a stroke took the life of Moses Mathis. His wife since then has honored his wishes to carry on the project.

“This time of year, he’s usually with me. I miss him,” Ann Mathis said.

Everette Lyles, the American Legion 525 commander, asked Mathis what it would take to establish a similar program. Mathis said she does not intend to leave the program to anyone else, but if the organization was serious about starting a similar program, “just do it.”

“You got to start somewhere,” she said, adding that she and her husband at first didn’t know how to run a nonprofit organization, but soon learned.

“You have to do it for the right reason,’’ she said. “It’s not easy. It took up a lot of our time and we had to put off things we wanted to do.

“It’s a full-time job. Most people just see the end result but don’t realize what it takes to get it done,” she said.

You also have to rely on volunteers.

“Beginning October, I didn’t think we’d have 500 bikes,” she said.

But after the first media interview and letting people know she was preparing for another season, volunteers and donations soared. “We had volunteers from Wake Forest and Raleigh,” she said.

But Mathis said she was ready to leave it all behind. “It’s time for me to move on. I think I’ve done enough,” she said.
Next week, Mathis will join her son in Georgia for Christmas. “Nothing will keep me from that,” she said.

“It’s been a good ride. I’ve enjoyed most of it,” she said.

City and county offices will be closed for several days to observe the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Fayetteville government offices will be closed Dec. 23-26 for Christmas and Jan. 2 for New Year’s, according to a city news release. Trash pickup, transit service and recreation center will operate on altered schedules.

All Cumberland County government offices will be closed Dec. 23-27, including Cumberland County Public Library and Animal Services.
The county’s solid waste facilities, including container sites, will be closed Dec. 24-25, according to a county spokesman.

Details of the city’s holiday schedule include:

• Police Department: The front lobby and records unit of the main police station at 467 Hay St. will be closed Dec. 23, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
• Solid Waste Division: Garbage and yard waste on Monday’s routes for Dec. 26 will be collected on Wednesday, Dec. 28; recycling on Monday’s routes for Dec. 26 will be collected on regular schedule. Garbage and yard waste on Monday’s routes for Jan. 2 will be collected on Wednesday, Jan. 4; recycling on Monday’s routes for Jan. 2 will be collected on regular schedule.
• Fayetteville Regional Airport: Administrative offices will be closed Dec. 23, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. All other airport operations will be on a regular schedule. Questions about travel conditions and flight schedules should be directed to individual airlines.
• Fayetteville Area System of Transit: Transit services will not operate on Dec. 25 but will resume on regular operating hours Dec. 26. They will not operate on Jan. 1 but will resume a regular schedule on Jan. 2.
• Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation: Administrative offices will be closed Dec. 23, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Recreation centers will be open on the abbreviated schedule of 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 23-24, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Recreation centers and gated parks will be closed on Dec. 25. Trails and open green spaces will remain open.

The historic Dr. E.E. Smith House will be open for Christmas tours this week in what organizers hope will become an annual celebration, according to a city news release.

The home of Ezekiel Ezra Smith, located at 135 Blount St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, according to the release.
Visitors are invited to tour the 1902 house, which is decorated for the holidays.

Smith was an educator, minister, diplomat and soldier, according to the news release.
He was the third and longest-serving principal of the State Normal School, the forerunner of Fayetteville State University.

The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Admission to the tour is free.

“We are excited to announce the first annual Dr. E. E. Smith House Christmas,” Heidi Bleazey, historic properties coordinator with the Fayetteville History Museum, said in the news release. “We hope to see alumni, families and history enthusiasts pay a visit during this open house to see the home in traditional holiday decorations.”

For more information, contact the Fayetteville History Museum at 910-433-1457 or www.fcpr.us\historymuseum.

Most of the nine justices on the United States Supreme Court espouse some version of the originalist school of constitutional interpretation. Starting early next year, most of the seven justices on the North Carolina Supreme Court will be originalists, too.

I know many politicians and activists find these developments worrisome. Some are in a panic. They ought not to be. Contrary to what they assume or have been told, originalists do not believe the Founders got everything right when they wrote the federal constitution in 1787, or that North Carolina’s constitution should never change. Originalists don’t reflexively oppose all modifications to the structure and operations of government, or think the same policies that served our needs a hundred years ago will inevitably do the same today.

Originalism isn’t about what kind of government we ought to have, or what policies ought to be adopted. It’s about who gets to decide these questions, and how.
Consider a case here in our own state: the seemingly interminable school-finance litigation known as Leandro vs. State of North Carolina. Back in 1994, plaintiffs in several low-wealth counties sued the state, arguing both that they enjoyed a right to public education under the state constitution and that the state’s funding system constituted a violation of that right.

At every stage of the litigation, the plaintiffs won on the first claim — and deserved to. Multiple passages of the state constitution can be reasonably construed to establish a civil right to what the state’s high court described as the opportunity for “a sound, basic education.” Until recently, however, the plaintiffs made little headway with their second claim: that North Carolina’s system of school finance, which relies primarily on state revenue but somewhat on local revenue, was a constitutional violation that a state court had the power to remedy.

After all, the same constitution that established public education as a civil right also clearly assigned to the state legislature the sole authority to appropriate state revenue. This authority has been upheld by the North Carolina Supreme Court multiple times, most recently in a 2020 decision by a Democratic-majority court.

That case involved a budget dispute between the Republican-led General Assembly and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. By a 6-1 margin, the high court agreed with the legislature. “In drafting the appropriations clause, the framers sought to ensure that the people, through their elected representatives in the General Assembly, had full and exclusive control over the allocation of the state’s expenditures,” wrote Democrat Sam Ervin IV in the majority’s ruling. “As a result, the appropriations clause ‘states in language no man can misunderstand that the legislative power is supreme over the public purse.’”

Alas, two years later Ervin would join the other three Democrats in trying to resolve the Leandro dispute by ordering the legislature to fund a school-reform plan drawn up by an out-of-state consulting firm. There is no plausible way to reconcile the two rulings. Nor is there any plausible way to reconcile the Leandro ruling with the original public meaning of the state constitutional provisions regarding public education. No one thought at the time the provisions were adopted that they gave state judges the authority to second-guess how much the General Assembly might decide to spend on teachers, textbooks, school buildings, or other educational expenses.

Now, perhaps North Carolina ought to spend much more on those items. Or perhaps we ought to give the judicial branch the authority to assess whether the state’s public schools are adequately funded, and to appropriate state revenues accordingly even if the General Assembly disagrees.

If the latter, an originalist would argue, the proper procedure is to elect like-minded legislators who would then place a constitutional amendment on the ballot for voter approval. That’s how past constitutional flaws, sins of omission, or sins of commission have been amended or overwritten.

It’s not the job of judges to decide such questions. That’s what originalism means. In this context, that’s all it means.

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

Those who know a little bit about the origins of Hanukkah are aware that it celebrates the miraculous victory of Judea over King Antiochus IV and his Syrian-Greek empire nearly 2,200 years ago.

Few realize that this was as much an internal struggle between Jewish traditionalists (championed by the Maccabees/Hasmoneans) and Jewish assimilationists who wanted to transform Judea into a Hellenistic nation so that they could achieve full acceptance by and integration into the Syrian-Greek empire.

In fact, it was these Jews who first brought the king into the conflict through false accusations of embezzlement taking place in the Temple treasury in Jerusalem. Mostly unrecognized is that beyond Antiochus’ army, many forces fought by the Maccabees were Jewish sympathizers of the Hellenists.

The traditionalists were not fighting acculturation through the adoption of certain features of the prevailing Greek culture. Rather, they were battling those fellow Judeans who sought to replace the Jewish faith and way of life with a pagan society and its practices, regardless of the cost to the survival of Judaism itself.

The second most recognizable symbol of Hanukkah, is the Dreidel, a four-sided spinning top used in a family holiday game,
that incorporates light-hearted gambling.

According to the most common explanation, the Dreidel originated as part of a Maccabean ruse. After Antiochus outlawed the study of Judaism, the traditionalists nevertheless persisted, while ostensibly pretending to be playing Dreidel whenever Syrian-Greek troops passed by.
In reality, this legendary account first appeared in the 19th century, shortly after the game of Dreidel was itself borrowed by eastern European Jews from a German game especially popular at Christmas time (and quite similar to the English and Irish game of Totum or Teetotum, which was first mentioned in the early 16th century). In German, the game was called Torrel or Trendel/Trundel (meaning spinning top) which the

Jews transformed into their Yiddish vernacular as Dreidel.

Various explanations (some of which were numerological or mystical) were also offered for the meaning of the four letters found on the Dreidel’s sides. The most popular was that they are the first letters of the Hebrew phrase meaning “a great miracle happened there (i.e. in ancient Israel/Judea).” In truth, the letters simply indicated instructions for the game when a side lands face-up (i.e. take the whole pot, take half, do nothing, or put one in).

While usually oblivious at the time, all groups have always appropriated and adopted aspects of life from others they interact with.
What continually strikes me is how thoroughly Judaism integrates those elements it borrows from other cultures.

They are invariably invested with so much traditional Jewish meaning and symbolism that we come to presume they have always been intrinsic to the Jewish heritage.
Some may be a little disappointed or even disillusioned to discover that Dreidel was taken from a yuletide game. Don’t be. It actually reinforces the central message of the Maccabees and Chanukah.
They refused to trade away Jewish belief and law and take on pagan practices merely in order to merge into Hellenistic society. Indeed, they were willing to die to uphold the Jewish tradition.

Still, as part of the natural development of Judean society they certainly incorporated elements of the surrounding civilization that did not threaten the fundamental nature of Judaism.

Perhaps there is a lesson for all of us. We need not fear judicious sharing among cultures and groups as long as we preserve the essential elements of individuality we cherish, and synthesize them in such a way as to enhance and strengthen our own uniqueness.

By definition, a coffee table book is “a large, expensive, lavishly illustrated book, especially one intended only for casual reading.” Not bad for a definition, but coffee table books are so much more! A good coffee table book can stimulate conversations, add personality to your living space and be a resource of information and insight at fingertip reach. The books you pick for this coveted spot should tell guests to your home a bit about you.

What story does your coffee table tell?

If you are a travel bug, like me, your coffee table tells all. Countless wonderful travel books are on the market; I am drawn to these books, particularly on trips to places I have fallen in love with. I want to remember my trips, see the pictures of the special places I've visited and read more about them long after my suitcase has been put away.

Some buy coffee table books about their favorite movie stars or musicians. For me, this would be Elvis. I’ve had several books with pictures of The King over the years of his career. When I need a walk down memory lane to reminisce about my teenage years, I pull one of them out to look through again.

Hobbies are also a favorite subject, and coffee table books devoted to them contain a wealth of information. Book lovers can buy beautiful volumes on quilting, embroidery, dolls, classic cars and almost anything you can imagine. I have books on Hummel and Lladró figurines because, even though I have only a small collection of these, I love to look at the more elaborate, pricier creations.

One of the words in the above definition of coffee table books is “expensive.” However, it isn’t hard to find gently used, “like new” copies because people’s tastes change, or they get rid of one when they find another. A book that may be anywhere from $35 to well over $100 brand new can be found at used bookstores or yard sales for a fraction of the price. Be on the lookout for some beautiful books like the ones below.

“The Face of the Monarchy: British Royalty Portrayed” by Richard Ormond

As the passing of Queen Elizabeth II has shown, many of us are obsessed with the royals. This book covers their history from the medieval kings and queens through Elizabeth II. The numerous portraits and photographs of the royal families are accompanied by informative text.

“Diving in the Indian Ocean” by Jack Jackson

Are you intrigued by the amazing creatures that live in the sea? Are you a scuba diver, or do you have a friend who is? This gorgeous book is filled with spectacular photographs that might entice you to visit this underwater region with a snorkel or scuba gear. Sitting on your sofa and reading about these amazing sights will make you feel as though you are there.

“Wildlife: The World’s Top Photographers and the Stories Behind Their Greatest Images” By Terry Hope

If images on land are more to your liking, this amazing book will certainly get you signing up for the next safari or another adventurous trip. You may want to overlook the scary, close-up image of the snake’s eye on the cover, but you must admit it is amazing.

“The Rocky Mountains: A Photographic Celebration” by Gallery Books

With 245 color photographs and detailed text describing their history from the early explorers, this book helps readers learn why the Rockies enticed so many to give up everything to travel west to find their fortune. You can peruse this book with photographs by some of the world's most accomplished photographers and perhaps use them to plan a trip to the magnificent national parks in America.

“Cezanne” by John Rewald

Is art more up your alley? This pictorial biography of the artist called the Father of Modern Painting is filled with over 270 illustrations, including 118 color plates and photographs. This gorgeous coffee table book will mesmerize art lovers, art history students and anyone who appreciates beauty.

“The Art of God: The Heavens and The Earth” by Ric Ergenbright

We often say that if you want to see God’s Hand, look at nature. Ric Ergenbright did just that with his photographs of nature and the beauty of our world. The pictures are one part of God's creation illustrated in this book. The other part — the word of God — is found in the Bible verses included in Ergenbright’s text accompanying each image of His perfect world.

“LIFE: Our Century in Pictures Edited” by Richard B. Stolley, Text by Tony Chiu

Many of us grew up waiting for LIFE magazine to come in the mail to see what was going on in America at the time. This book chronicles the decades of the 20th century from the Rough Riders, the depression, two world wars, the dissent and disobedience of the 60s and 70s and the approach of the new millennium. Over 700 photographs tell the stories of significant events and people of the last century. This selection might be the one if you had to pick just one book for your coffee table.

Coffee table books are not just to decorate your table. These reads are exciting and informative books that take us to places we have never been and teach things we didn’t know.

Editor’s Note: City Center Gallery & Books is located at 112 Hay Street in Fayetteville. For more information call 910-678-8899. This article first ran in the December issue of Women's View Magazine.

A popular Christmas song attests “there’s no place like home for the holidays.” For many people, a truer statement couldn’t be uttered. But sometimes life gets in the way of an old-fashioned holiday spent at home.
There are a number of reasons why individuals may not be able to spend the holidays at home. Active military service people may not be able to leave their posts to travel home. Some students studying abroad or even far away domestically may find that getting back to their homes can be time- and cost-prohibitive. Some people may not be home for the holidays because work obligations keep them out of town, or because they have planned vacations to serve as nontraditional holiday celebrations.

Being away from some familiar sights and sounds of the holidays doesn’t mean celebrations should be any less special. Here are tips for celebrating away from home.

Find people in similar situations. Chances are you will not be the only person away from home, particularly if you are a student or someone on a business venture. Connect with others who are away from their families and do something together for the holidays.

Partake of local traditional activities. You may be used to baking sugar cookies for the holidays, but in a foreign country, the locals may make another type of dessert. Figure out how the locals celebrate the holidays and then take part in any way you can.

Volunteer your time. If you will be away or alone for the holidays, volunteer your time to help the less fortunate. Deliver meals to those who are not able to leave home, like seniors, or volunteer at a soup kitchen. Visit a children’s hospital and deliver small gifts.

Engage in virtual fun. Connect with people at home through the power of digital technology. Video conferencing services connect people who can’t be together in person. Utilize these apps and services to remote into a holiday dinner or when loved ones open gifts.

Cook up your favorites. Evoke traditional holiday celebrations by cooking the foods you would normally enjoy at home. Those tastes and smells can transport you back to grandma's kitchen or dad's living room.

Stay off of social media. Being away from home during the holidays can be challenging, and that challenge can be even greater if you see photo after photo on social media of people you know spending time with their friends and loved ones. Tune out of your social feeds for a few days.

Invite others to you. Maybe you don’t have the means of getting home, but you can bring those at home to you. Find out if anyone can plan a road trip, train ride or flight to where you are and then enjoy the holidays together.

Being away from home during the holidays may not be ideal. However, there are plenty of ways to maintain your holiday spirit when celebrating in unfamiliar surroundings.

As decorations rapidly move from grinning jack-o’-lanterns and jolly, top-hatted turkeys to jingle bells and evergreens — the countdown to Christmas seems to start just a little bit earlier each year. The yuletide frenzy picks up sometime in mid-October, and after Halloween, the calendar is a riot of red and green ribbons until the New Year.

Despite its total domination of the solstice season, it’s important to remember that Christmas isn’t the only celebration on the agenda during this time of glad tidings and good cheer. From November to January, there are an astonishing number of holidays that hold religious and cultural significance for families worldwide.

Hanukkah, Yule, Diwali, Chinese New Year, St. Lucia Day, and so many others make for an exciting holiday season for many people in the United States and abroad.
While many of these holidays — Christmas included — boast origins from other countries and cultures, one winter holiday, in particular, is uniquely and singularly American in its creation: Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is an annual holiday that celebrates African-American and Pan-African culture. Created in 1966 by professor Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa began as an effort to bring cultural identity and a celebration of African American history to the black community.

In response to the shocking violence of the 1965 Watts Riots in Los Angeles, California, Karenga, a prominent figure in the Black Power movement, wanted to offer Black Americans a holiday rooted in the festival traditions of West and Southeast Africa as a way to claim a heritage and traditions lost during American slavery.
A derivation of the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, Kwanzaa, styled with an additional “a” to make it seven letters long, means “first fruits.” The non-religious, seven-day holiday is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 each year.

Kwanzaa is a strictly cultural practice and in no way seeks to replace Christmas, though it is generally practiced in conjunction with the holiday.
During Kwanzaa, traditionally, families decorate their homes with the symbols of the holiday. The tradition of Kwanzaa is based on a variety of practices and may look very different from home to home. Still, it is understood as a celebration of family, life, culture, and community, as well as a recommitment to the “Nguzo Saba,” which are the “seven principles” at the core of the holiday.

Perhaps Kwanzaa’a most widely recognized symbol is the kinara. This seven-branched candelabra holds the Mishumaa Saba, seven candles of red, black and green — the colors of the Pan-African flag. Each candle in the kinara represents one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, and one is lit each day. The kinara’s black center candle —the unity candle, is lit first, then lighting proceeds from left to right to encourage thoughtful consideration and discussion of each principle throughout the holiday.

• Day 1: Unity, Umoja. On the first day of Kwanzaa, African families gather together and share family stories and traditions with one another and other community members.
• Day 2: Self-determination, Kujichagulia. This principle is about setting actionable goals for oneself and accomplishing them soon after the new year. Kujichagulia is important for self-identity and figuring out one’s place in the community and the world.
• Day 3: Collective Work and Responsibility, Ujima. On the third day of Kwanzaa, the community or family unit comes together to take on a responsibility or problem of a neighbor to further a sense of unity.
• Day 4: Cooperative Economics, Ujamaa. This principle encourages keeping money and goods within the community by shopping locally or helping local businesses.
• Day 5: Purpose, Nia. To find one’s passion or path and share it with others through mentoring or teaching is a way to both find and live a life of purpose.
• Day 6: Creativity, Kuumba. Singing, dancing, crafts, or appreciating works of African art are all ways families might choose to observe this principle.
• Day 7: Faith, Imani. This principle speaks to the power of belief within this tradition. Belief can be related to religious practices or can refer to belief and faith in oneself, family, and people.

In addition to the kinara, other major symbols of the holiday include:

• Mkeke — the mat upon which the symbols are placed.
• Mazao — crops that symbolize the “fruits of collective labor.”
• Muhindi — corn is a symbol for children and future generations.
• Kikombe cha Umoja — the unity cup, usually passed from person to person during feasting or gathering.
• Zawadi — “the gifts,” which symbolize parents’ hard work and good behavior of their children.

During the seven days of Kwanzaa, families will celebrate through feasting, dancing, drumming, and enjoying time together.
Children represent a major aspect of Kwanzaa as they represent the future. Elders in the community and in the home also hold a place of honor during the season to show respect to the ones who came before.

Though it has roots in separatist ideology, over time, Kwanzaa has come to represent the importance of culture and identity within the Black community. Parallel to those aims is a desire within the community to understand the origin, customs, and history of Black people outside the complicated framework of slavery. Despite being seen as a closed practice during its highest point of popularity in the 70s, Kwanzaa is now embraced by people of many ethnicities and races who seek to refocus their values ahead of the new year.

Although not as widely practiced as it once might have been, Kwanzaa is an excellent example of how powerful the need for tradition can be. The practices that govern our most cherished memories provide a solid foundation on which to build, grow and share.

The late poet Maya Angelou, a noted lover of the holiday said this of Kwanzaa: “It is a time when we gather in the spirit of family and community, to celebrate life, love, unity and hope.”

The holiday season is a special time of year. Individuals often spend a little more on gifts, indulge a little more on rich foods and treats and make a concerted effort to enjoy more time with their loved ones during the holidays.

However, the tendency to overdo things during the holiday season can create a lot of waste. In fact, Americans produce 25% more garbage from Thanksgiving through the end of the year, according to Waste

Advantage magazine, a publication of the waste and recycling industry. That uptick equates to one million tons of extra trash per week throughout the holidays.

Extra food, plastic and paper waste is generated this time of year, but people can be mindful of the potential to go overboard and take some steps to be more waste-conscious as they entertain.

• Reuse a small portion of wrapping paper or look for other wrapping items. Sunday comics, newsprint, colorful magazine pages, and even pieces of fabric can be used to wrap gifts in lieu of purchasing new wrapping paper. Otherwise, collect used wrapping paper and reuse it next year, doing the same with boxes and bows.
  According to researchers at Stanford University, if every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.
• Skip disposable party items. It’s certainly easy to use disposable plates, napkins and cups when hosting holiday parties, but that is very wasteful. Opt for durable, reusable products that can be packed away and used each year during holiday events.
• Buy durable and reusable items as gifts. Avoid fad gifts and focus on items that will have staying power. Homemade gifts, such as foods, knitted scarves, artwork, and more, are generally eco-friendly.
• Set up marked trash and recycling receptacles. Remind party guests to recycle the appropriate materials by clearly marking a pail designed for collecting recyclables, such as cans, plastic beverage bottles and glass wine bottles. Most hard plastics can be recycled.
• Remove your name from catalog lists. Call companies and ask to be taken off promotional mailing lists to reduce paper waste.
• Send a photo. Mail holiday card recipients photos of the kids or the entire family in lieu of cards. They’re apt to save the photos and display them, helping to keep even more paper trash out of landfills.
• Research new recipes for leftovers. With an abundance of food remaining after entertaining, turn leftovers into new meals by exploring recipes from friends or by doing a little research online.

Waste can get out of control during the holidays, but there are ways to tame the excess.

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James C. McConville announced that Command Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Weimer will serve as the 17th Sergeant Major of the Army.

The announcement came during closing comments at the Army Profession Forum held in Alexandria, Virginia, Dec. 7-8.

“We have the greatest Army in the world because we have the greatest NCO Corps,” Gen. McConville said. “I’m proud to select Command Sgt. Maj. Weimer to lead that Corps.”
Weimer will assume responsibility from Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston in August
of 2023.

“When I joined the Army in 1993, I never would have thought I’d make it this far,” Weimer said. “It’s an absolute honor to be selected as the next Sergeant Major of the Army, and I’m looking forward to continuing to serve our incredible soldiers and their families.”

Until August, Weimer will continue to serve as the senior enlisted leader of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg.

“Right now, I want to make sure that the soldiers and families at USASOC have what they need to take care of their people and sustain readiness,” Weimer said.

“I’m not looking ahead, just focusing on the task at hand,” he said.

Weimer joined the Army in 1993 and successfully completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 1994. He completed the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course and earned his Green Beret in 1996 and has served more than 20 years within Army Special Operations.
He served numerous overseas tours in the U.S. Central and U.S. Southern Command areas, as well as other global missions. Weimer is a graduate of Norwich University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis.

His awards and decorations include a number of valor awards: the Defense Superior Service Medal with C device, two Bronze Star Medals with V devices, and the Joint Commendation Medal with V device. Weimer has also received the Purple Heart, denoting injury in combat.

For more information about the Sergeant Major of the Army visit www.army.mil/leaders/sma/bio/. To learn more about U.S. Army Special Operations Command visit www.soc.mil/USASOCHQ/USASOCHQ.html.

Christmas Eve is viewed differently by different people, even those who live under the same Santa-ready roof.
Adults may see Christmas Eve as crunch time when they must prepare food for the next day or set up presents for their children to open in the morning. Children, on the other hand, are focused on Santa’s visit and little else.

Parents naturally want to make Christmas-time as special as possible for their children, and that may involve ensuring that Christmas Eve is just as memorable as Christmas Day. The following are some ways to impart more magic into Christmas Eve celebrations.

Attend Mass at midnight

Practicing Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas. On Christmas Eve, churches often hold celebrations that may include late-evening or midnight masses that celebrate the birth of Christ when the calendar switches over to Dec. 25. While it does make for a late night, it can be thought-provoking for kids and a unique experience unlike any other.

Bake fresh cookies

Children like to leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa. That makes Christmas Eve a perfect time to whip up a fresh batch of cookies. Explore different recipes to come up with a unique offering for Santa each year.

Read a Christmas story

Watching television or looking at a tablet or mobile phone before bed can be too stimulating when it’s time for children to wind down for bed. Choose a holiday tale or tales that can be read as a Christmas Eve bedtime story. Reciting the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)” is a great way to set the Christmas Eve mood.

Make a batch of “reindeer dust”

Why should Santa’s reindeer be left out when it comes to receiving treats? Reindeer dust, made from a combination of oatmeal, rice cereal and dried fruits, is purported to attract Santa’s reindeer and provide them a nibble at the same time. Plus, it’s generally safe for other animals in the yard to eat.

Go caroling

Caroling may not be the norm, but some families may want to revive it. Close-knit communities can organize family-centric caroling opportunities and roam the cul-de-sacs and other pedestrian-friendly areas singing popular songs.

Christmas Eve is a great time to embrace various traditions that help to make the season even more special.

It is a myth that adults cannot learn to ski — I started skiing when I was forty. It is easier for children, but these days a sizable number of adults are taking a lesson.

The Baby Boomer generation continues to hit the slopes and it is not unusual to see skiers in their seventies. Skiing is an engaging sport that is both aerobic and anaerobic and a sport that the entire family can enjoy.

Making a good plan for your ski trip is an important part of having an enjoyable experience. Look for a slope that is beginner friendly with a good rental department and has qualified instructors. In the beginning, avoid investing in expensive ski clothes and equipment to see if you like the sport. Wearing water-resistant clothing will help keep you dry when you fall. Let’s face it you are going to fall, get cold, and get snow down your pants. Your clothing should be layered, moisture wicking and avoid cotton because it absorbs sweat and will make you colder.

My advice to the beginner is to buy an inexpensive pair of bibs, a jacket, and a good pair of gloves and wear sunglasses that have a holder strap or goggles and a helmet. Rent your skis or snowboard and go early because the lines are usually long, and it takes a while to properly fit equipment not to mention how long it takes you to get settled and put it on.

Go to a ski slope that offers other activities such as ice skating or tubing for other members that may not be interested in the sport. A lesson or lessons are a prerequisite in learning how to navigate your skis or board, start, stop and get on and off the lift. The “bunny slope,” as it is affectionately called, is there for a reason and a fantastic way to learn and build confidence. Going straight to the top is no way to learn how to ski or board and can be dangerous for you and the others around you when you are unable to stop.

Hydration is a key factor for endurance during the day, taking breaks and eating something nutritious. The choice of a slope suited for your level of experience is important to enjoy the experience and create memories you take with you and look forward to your next trip.

I have skied out west, the North Carolina mountains (that include Beach, Sugar, Appalachian) as well as in West Virginia (Winterplace and Snowshoe). The ambiance of the North Carolina mountains is perfect for a place to ski and shop but the downside is the popularity and crowding. If you love the North Carolina mountains try to schedule that trip on weekdays instead of the weekend.

My suggestion for beginners would be Winterplace, West Virginia, which is good for proximity and usually less crowded with a variety of beginner friendly runs.
Churches or schools offer road trips or weekends for youth and is a fantastic way for your children to go with supervision.

If you are thinking about a family trip, planning in advance will save you time and money with lift tickets, available times, ski packages that include rentals, lessons, and any days that may be sold out.
Ski season on the East Coast typically runs from mid-December through March.

Adults learning to ski should have lessons from a qualified instructor to learn the basics and opt out from those eager friends that want to teach them. Enjoy that friend time later while you talk about your runs.
Live, love life with skiing and snowboarding!

Grab your neon leg warmers, and get that hairspray out; it’s time to go back to the 80s. The second annual New Year’s Eve Party at the Gates Four Country Club will celebrate in full eighties style. Last year, the inaugural New Year’s Eve Party was 70s-themed. The Gates Four Groovy New Year’s Eve Party was the first event of this kind that the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre and the Gates Four Golf and Country Club collaborated on. Now they hope to have an even more successful second year.

Gates Four and the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre have spared no expense in making this a fun and exciting evening to remember.

“We have invited all our guests to dig deep into their closets, don their most stylish 80s attire and join their friends for an evening of great music, dancing, food, and fun,” said Bill Bowman, organizer of the event and Up & Coming Weekly’s publisher.

Bowman states that there will be a legendary prime rib carving station at a 40-item buffet, two fully stocked cash bars, and retro 80s polyester-clad D.J. Scott James.

And what’s a Fayetteville party without the iconic group, Rivermist. This headlining band has been performing together since the summer of 2015. They have won the Up & Coming Weekly’s Best Local Band award for six years in a row. Accolades are not new to the band. They were named the 2021 “Vocal Group of the Year” by the Carolina Country Music Awards.

The group is nominated as the Vocal Group of the Year in the 2022 CCMAs, as well as for their collaboration with Doyle Wood on “There’s a River Called Jordan” in the Christian Country Single of the Year category. The CCMA winners will be announced in January.

In addition to great music, the 80s Party will also have food and a costume contest. Each winner will receive fantastic prizes in categories for Best Costumed Man, Best Costumed Woman, and Best Costumed Couple. But if costumes aren’t your thing, there will also be a dancing contest and a lip sync contest. But that won’t be the only way to win some prizes. There will be door prizes and other gifts throughout the night.

The event will be held in the Gates Four Country Club Ballroom on Dec. 31. The party kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and will go into the early hours of 2023. Enjoy the Midnight Champagne Toast as 2022 ends and kick off 2023 with a New Year’s breakfast.

This end-of-the-year party is open to the public, with limited seating. Reservations are required. Tickets are $100 per person or $190 per couple. VIP Tickets are available for $250 a couple. VIP Tickets include special seating and two bottles of wine.

Reservations can be made online at www.fayettevilledinnertheatre.com or by calling 910-484-6200.

Cumberland County went live Dec. 9 with its new 911 Call Center, located in the County’s new Emergency Services Center at 500 Executive Place in Fayetteville.

The transition of 911 telecommunications from its previous location in the Cumberland County Law Enforcement Center downtown was seamless and without interruption, according to a County media release.

“This is an exciting moment for Cumberland County as we transition to this new facility and dramatically enhance the work environment of our Emergency Services staff, and ultimately the level of service our

Emergency Services Department and 9-1-1 Center are able to provide for our citizens in their time of need,” said Cumberland County Commissioners Chairwoman Toni Stewart.

“This has been a priority for the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners dating back to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, and I am thrilled this day has finally arrived.”

“This is a historic day for Cumberland County Emergency Services for a number of reasons,” said Telecommunications Manager Adam Johnson.

“All our technology was in place and it was a smooth transition with lots of planning and practice to make sure today would kick off smoothly,” he said.

In late 2018, the County purchased the building at 500 Executive Place to be renovated and upgraded to serve as the new Emergency Services Center.
The new 911 Call Center has greatly expanded space with live training rooms and room for growth.

The new center features next generation 911 equipment, including a phone system with text-to-911 capability. It also allows for rapid call routing to other 911 centers in the event the facility must be evacuated.
In addition, the audio-visual system has been designed to allow for maximum communication and flexibility, which is integral to emergency management and response.

“We had long outgrown the space we had in the LEC,” Johnson said. “We started with humble beginnings to serve the public and rapidly grew the size of our staff and the services we offered the public. This new facility will allow our amazing team of Telecommunicators and support staff to flourish.”

The new Cumberland County Emergency Services Center also houses Emergency Management, the Fire Marshal and the County’s Emergency Operations Center.

The 911 Communications Center dispatches for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Hope Mills Police Department, Spring Lake Police Department, Cape Fear Valley EMS (county-wide) and all County Fire Departments.

Cumberland County upholds the rigorous and industry-leading standards required to be a triple Accredited Center of Excellence through the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. Text to 911.

Calling is the best and fastest way to reach 911, but it is possible to receive emergency assistance by text to 911. You may consider text to 911 if:

• You are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability.
• You are in a situation where it is not safe or possible to speak out loud to 911.
• You are having a medical emergency and cannot speak on the phone.

For information about Emergency Services, visit www.cumberlandcountync.gov/emergencyservices.

Various traditions take center stage during the holiday season. One of those traditions may be sitting down and enjoying any of a number of timeless Christmas movies or even newer holiday films that are quickly becoming favorites.
Film fans have their own ideas about the best films to watch during the holidays, but the following movies are some that kids and adults can enjoy together.

• “The Polar Express” (2004): A young boy enjoys a magical adventure to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express train. He learns about the true spirit of the holidays and the value of bravery and friendship along the way.
• “The Muppet Christmas Carol” (1992): Charles Dickens’ classic story about a bitter miser might be a little frightening for young children to enjoy in its more theatrical offerings. However, when the Muppet characters tell their version of the classic tale, the story becomes much more family-friendly.
• “A Boy Called Christmas” (2021): Based on the book by Matt Haig, this movie is a reimagined take on Father Christmas. It focuses on Nikolas as he goes on an adventure to find a magical town called Elfhelm.
• “Jack Frost” (1998): When a father dies in a car accident, he comes back to life as a snowman in his son’s front yard. Jack learns to keep his promises and make things right with his son — things he wasn't capable of doing as a human.
• “Christmas with the Kranks” (2004): The Kranks decide to forgo their annual Christmas party and plan a vacation since their daughter will be out of town. But when said daughter decides to come home after all, chaos sets in as the couple tries to figure out how to put together an extravaganza at the last minute.
• “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” (1997): The Beast does not favor the holiday season, so Belle must change his mind on the matter in this animated Disney offering.
• “Elf” (2003): As a youngster, Buddy was magically transported to the North Pole and raised by Santa’s elves. As an adult, he’s determined to find his real dad in New York City and uncover a way to fit in.
• “Santa Hunters” (2014): A young boy teams up with his sibling and cousins to try to capture new footage of Santa in action and prove that the man in red truly exists.
• “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” (2018): This is a newer take on the classic Nutcracker tale. This adventure sees Clara defending the Land of Sweets from the evil Mother Ginger.

Holiday films enhance the celebratory nature of the season. Certain movies are tailor-made for families to watch together during this special time of year.