Standing in front of the soon-to-be completed, state-of-the-art Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine building on Oct. 17, Methodist University President Stanley T. Wearden, Ph.D., shared that the proposed new school of medicine has received the official accreditation approval necessary to begin its recruitment of its inaugural class of students for the summer of 2026.
“Today marks a truly transformational milestone,” Wearden said to a crowd of medical professionals, key partners, media from around the state, and SOM faculty and staff. “This accomplishment is the result of years of dedication, planning, and collaboration… With preliminary accreditation in hand, we now begin the exciting work of recruiting our charter class – students who will one day transform healthcare throughout Southeastern North Carolina.”
The accreditation designation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education—the accrediting body for all U.S. and Canadian MD-granting medical schools—represents a significant achievement for Methodist University, in partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health, and positions the school as only the fifth MD medical school in North Carolina and the first new MD school in N.C. in four decades that isn’t tied to an existing institution.
“None of this happens in isolation,” said Dr. Hershey Bell, the founding dean of the SOM. “It takes the full partnership of our University, our health system, our faculty and staff, and the extraordinary people of this community who share a belief in what’s possible when vision meets purpose.”
The new school will provide a very unique, mission-driven MD education with world-class clinical experiences in underserved areas where students can make a difference, right away and for generations to come. The Association of American Medical Colleges has reported that when students go to medical school and complete their residency in one area, there’s a 70% chance they stay in that area to practice.
“This partnership is not just historic, it is profoundly practical,” said Michael Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health System. “For years, our region has faced physician shortages, particularly in primary care and key specialties. By training medical students right here in Fayetteville, we will dramatically increase the likelihood that these future doctors stay and serve the communities that need them most.”
“This achievement is about transformation,” Bell said. “The transformation of students’ lives who dream of becoming physicians; the transformation of healthcare access across our region; the transformation of opportunities for research, innovation, and economic growth right here at home.”
An Economic Impact Study by Michael Walden from N.C. State University shows the SOM will increase annual spending in the area by $72M and create nearly 850 news jobs.
The SOM has already hired more than 50 faculty and staff, and will utilize more than 200 clinical faculty with additional physician appointments to come.
“Our students will learn in an innovative, community-centered curriculum, training directly within Cape Fear Valley Health System’s hospitals and clinics,” Bell said. “They will become not only exceptional clinicians, but compassionate community leaders – doctors who know their patients, their neighborhoods, and their purpose.”
The next significant milestone for the SOM is substantive change new program approval in December. This is pending the approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges board.
More information about the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, which has received tremendous support from the Golden LEAF Foundation and other corporate and individual donors, can be found at methodist.edu/medicine.

(Photo: The new, state-of-the-art Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine building will open for its first class of students in Summer 2026. Photo courtesy of Methodist University)

Cumberland County is home to 86 public schools, with 27 of them classified as low-performing by the State Board of Education. While an impressive 78% of our schools have met or exceeded the growth standards for academic performance, surpassing the statewide average of approximately 71%, the recent increase in low-performing schools from 15 to 27 is a cause for immediate concern. This pressing issue demands immediate and urgent action to ensure that every student has access to a quality education.
The school situation in Cumberland County is not a severe crisis, but it is certainly more than just a trivial concern. It demands our full attention and, most importantly, concerted efforts from all stakeholders to address it effectively. Every stakeholder, from school board members to educators and community members, plays a crucial role in this collective effort.
Underperforming schools play a significant role in perpetuating a cycle of poverty in communities, thereby limiting individual economic opportunities. This, in turn, leads to higher poverty rates, decreased workforce participation, and increased reliance on public services. These are not favorable outcomes for a county that is already grappling with its Tier One community status, one of the poorest counties in the state.
Addressing the issue of underperforming schools is crucial in breaking this cycle.
The 'right' superintendent is vitally important because they are the public face and ultimate communicator. They are the chief executive who leads the school district, sets its strategic direction, manages its operations, and directly influences student success and the community's educational quality.
Their leadership is crucial; our new superintendent, Dr. Eric C. Bracy, has the expertise to provide the professional guidance necessary to improve our low-performing schools. Bracy's leadership experience includes positions in Northampton, Sampson, and most recently, Johnston County Schools. Under his guidance, Johnston County Schools experienced significant improvement, rising from 83rd to 35th in statewide academic proficiency.
Additionally, the number of low-performing schools in the district decreased from 14 to just one. This success story is a beacon of hope for our own situation.
The community must actively engage with schools to address this challenge. Your involvement is not just significant, it's crucial. Together, we can make a difference. Change will not happen overnight. It is time to empower parents who believe that their children could benefit from a private school environment by providing them with the option of vouchers. The availability of vouchers, especially for students in underperforming schools, should be a fair and viable choice.

The deViere Dispatch is a regular communication from Kirk deViere, offering thoughtful perspectives and timely updates on Cumberland County initiatives, decisions, and opportunities for community engagement.
His insights help demystify complex issues and provide candid commentary on government, leadership, and the decisions that shape our daily lives. Mr. deViere currently serves as Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, representing District 2. He previously held office as a North Carolina State Senator for two terms and as a Fayetteville City Councilman for one term.
I strongly encourage our Up & Coming Weekly readers to Google and read CityView’s October 12 article by Tim White, the former editorial page editor of The Fayetteville Observer, titled: Here’s What Would Make Fayetteville a Grand Arts Mecca. In it, White shares his opinion on what “would transform Fayetteville into an unavoidable stop for arts and entertainment in North Carolina.”
Well, in my opinion, Mr. White has forfeited the right to offer such an opinion. Kirk deViere is far too much of a gentleman—and politician—to say this outright, but I’m not. Tim White is an uninformed hypocrite.
His article merely regurgitates the negative talking points of a few disgruntled and misinformed downtown Fayetteville property owners. White has zero credibility when it comes to commenting on city or county matters in which he has no direct involvement or understanding.
It is both foolish and disingenuous for him to claim a deep love for Fayetteville—its arts, culture, dining, and “cheery” downtown experiences. Really? If he “loved” and enjoyed Fayetteville so much, why did he choose to live in Moncure, a town in Chatham County, 40 miles away? Mr. deViere’s Dispatch is spot-on. We need more truth-tellers willing to bring transparency to local government and call out this kind of hypocrisy.
It’s precisely this type of illegitimate commentary that likely led The Assembly to apply bold yellow editorial disclaimers to its content—and why CityView continues to solicit support and donations to the point of ad nauseam. Jus' sayin'!
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly newspaper.
—Bill Bowman, Publisher

The deViere Dispatch, Oct. 14
The recent CityView editorial column paints an appealing picture of downtown Fayetteville as an arts mecca, with the Crown Event Center (originally pitched as a “DPAC-like” Performing Arts Center) as the missing puzzle piece that would complete the vision. It’s easy to understand the nostalgia for lost cultural venues and the desire to see downtown thrive with pre-show dinners and post-show drinks within walking distance.
But there’s something critical that the CityView article glosses over: this wasn’t actually about lacking “visionary leadership” it was about inherited flawed plans masquerading as vision.
The Project That Changed Beyond Recognition
The downtown facility wasn’t killed by commissioners lacking imagination. It was a project that ballooned from $80 million to $178 million (including the parking deck), with costs more than doubling from original estimates. More troubling, this wasn’t even the performing arts center many residents envisioned and had been pitched. It was an event center with a flat floor designed primarily for conventions, yet consistently marketed as something it wasn’t.
When only 28 people from user group workshops essentially designed a multi-million dollar facility, and their own cautionary notes about size and scope were ignored, that’s not visionary planning—that’s a runaway project detached from community input.
What the Community Actually Wanted
Here’s the part that should give downtown advocates pause: the community survey used to justify the downtown location actually showed majority support for renovating the existing Crown Complex before evaluation criteria were weighted to favor downtown. The data existed (https://bit.ly/ECFS2021 - slide 13), but was interpreted to support a predetermined outcome.
The Gateway Argument: Investment vs. Abandonment
The CityView article makes a compelling emotional point about the Crown Complex area: it’s become a “dilapidated landscape” that deters job-seekers arriving at the airport, a once-bustling corridor along US 301 that declined after I-95 diverted traffic. The argument goes: why turn away from this “entertainment asset” and key gateway when it needs investment?
But this framing by the skilled writer presents a false choice. The question isn’t whether to invest in the Crown Complex area or abandon it. It is whether to invest wisely in what exists versus pouring $178 million into a fundamentally flawed project.
In fact, the commissioners’ decision actually directs investment toward the Crown Complex. The board has instructed the county manager to develop a framework to modernize the existing Crown Arena and Theater that will increase use and programming of the facilities. This represents exactly the kind of investment the gateway argument calls for by improving the corridor that first-time visitors see, rather than abandoning those existing facilities.
Consider the math: if renovating and modernizing the Crown Complex was the community’s stated preference in the survey, and if that approach provides more usage days than the downtown facility while addressing the “dilapidated” gateway problem, isn’t that actually more responsive to both community input and the gateway concern?
The article dismisses the Crown Complex location as “the city’s ragged edge” near “shabby old motels,” but you don’t revitalize a struggling corridor by abandoning the anchor institutions that could drive its renewal. You revitalize it by investing in those anchors intelligently, which is precisely what a fiscally responsible Crown Complex renovation and some strategic master planning could accomplish.
The Parking Problem Nobody Solved
The romantic vision of walking from dinner to show to drinks collapses when you realize there was no on-site ADA parking, and the proposed $33 million parking garage (never acknowledged as part of the project by some) was located behind the courthouse without a connection to the facility.
The Real Question About Vision
Yes, Fayetteville needs quality arts venues. Yes, downtown Fayetteville revitalization matters. And yes, the Crown Complex corridor deserves investment as a key gateway. But is it visionary leadership to commit the full debt capacity of Food & Beverage tax revenue to a facility projected to be used only 144 days per year? That’s actually fewer days of use than existing facilities would provide.
Is it visionary to rush a groundbreaking ceremony and rip up a 200-space parking lot with a flawed replacement plan, approving $26 million in spending within two weeks of a new board taking office, leaving no time for value engineering or addressing critical flaws?
The article is right that Fayetteville deserves better than a dilapidated gateway, but the solution isn’t to abandon that gateway for downtown at any cost. The solution is to invest wisely in improving what exists while exploring future development opportunities for the downtown site that don’t require fiscal recklessness.
A Different Kind of Vision
Real visionary leadership sometimes means having the courage to stop a project that’s gone wrong, even when it disappoints people. It means being willing to say: “We can do better than spending $178 million on a misrepresented facility that would sit empty most of the year, with parking we haven’t properly planned, funded entirely by one vulnerable revenue source the state can eliminate at any time.”
It also means recognizing that you can address the gateway problem and practice fiscal responsibility by investing in Crown Complex modernization. This is an approach that the community survey actually supported and that provides more programming flexibility.
The question isn’t whether our community deserves to be an arts mecca with an impressive gateway. The question is whether pursuing that vision requires abandoning fiscal responsibility, ignoring what the community survey actually said they wanted, and turning away from strategic investment in existing entertainment infrastructure.
Perhaps the real missing piece isn’t visionary leadership, it is the willingness to build that vision on a foundation of honest planning, accurate information, and sustainable financial principles that invest in all of the community’s corridors, not just downtown Fayetteville.

(Top Photo: The Crown Event Center location in downtown Fayetteville is currently unoccupied. Bottom Photo: This artist's rendering shows what the original plan for the Crown Event Center entailed. The project cost ballooned from initial estimates.)

Whether you are an expert in folk music or if you can’t tell a banjo from a mandolin, a new biography, Doc Watson: A Life in Music, by Eddie Huffman, will draw you in. Along the way, you’ll discover not just Doc’s story, but the rich history of our state and the impact of its traditional music.
Huffman, a Burlington native and current Greensboro resident, confesses that he was more a fan of the pop music and rock-n-roll of the ‘70s and ‘80s of his youth, “dismissing country music as that cornball stuff they played on Hee-Haw.”
But he poured himself into Doc’s world: tracking down rare recordings, listening to every album, combing through archives across the state and beyond, watching old television clips, reading concert reviews, bootlegs, radio transcripts—and more.
Folks in the High Country in northwestern North Carolina welcomed him in, introduced him to people who knew and loved Doc, and even drove him through the backroads and hills that shaped Doc’s world.
Huffman gives us a close-up look at what it was like to grow up in the mountains near Boone in the 1920s and ‘30s, introducing us to Arthel Watson, the child who would one day be known as Doc.
You get the feeling that young Arthel would have happily welcomed us into his world, which was full of love—and full of hardship. In Deep Gap in Watauga County, his family had no running water, no electricity, and no insulation. Blind from toddlerhood, Watson was keenly fascinated with sound. He made instruments out of whatever he could get his hands on—from pots to cowbells—and delighted in sitting on the porch listening to the wind blowing through the trees.
Huffman paints a portrait of Watson as a jack of all trades, an Appalachian Renaissance man. He could have made a good life as a farmer, a carpenter, an electrician, a writer, a preacher, or just about anything that called for steady hands, a clear mind, and a generous heart.
Huffman’s book is, of course, not a self-help book, but it offers a powerful example: a life shaped not by ease or fame, but by courage, grit, and quiet humility. Here are just a few takeaways that reverberate through Huffman’s thoughtful exploration of Watson’s
life and legacy:
1. Take things apart… and creatively put them back together. “You can’t really love something until you understand it,” Doc said. As a boy, he tinkered with record players and homemade instruments. Later, he wired his first home by hand. Music was no different—he took songs apart, note by note, then put them back together in his own way. “I figured I’d better build on it,” he said, “so I’d be at least halfway original.”
2. Embrace… and exploit your limitations. Over and over, Doc turned his blindness into a strength. He could guess with accuracy how fast a car he was riding in was going, he could avoid stepping in potholes on a dirt road that his sighted friends stumbled into, he could identify 16 different birds singing, and he could chop wood with an axe with a crooked handle. After a stint at the School for the Blind and Deaf in Raleigh, Doc decided that was not the place for him and returned home. So, he had more free time on his hands than some sighted teenagers who had to attend school or work full-time. This allowed him to lean into his passion and become a master.
3. Grieve... and move forward. After the tragic loss of his son and musical partner, Merle, Doc Watson nearly gave it all up. But a dream—Merle guiding him from a desert toward light—changed his mind. So, Doc kept playing, knowing Merle would not want him to quit. And with his family, he started MerleFest, a tribute that still brings thousands together each year in Wilkesboro to celebrate the music they both loved.
4. Travel… and be a homebody. Doc Watson traveled from coast to coast, playing in the biggest cities. That alone—navigating it all without sight—is remarkable. But no matter how far he went, he was always ready to get home. “Us mountain folks feel pretty strongly about family,” he said. “Fireside, the supper table, breakfast with your wife—that means a whole lot. And I reckon that ain’t nothing to be ashamed of.”
These lessons—and many more—await in this moving biography. By the end, you’ll know plenty about Watson’s music. You will likely end up not just a fan of his music, but of the man himself.

Fayetteville is a community of hellos and goodbyes. With our deep ties to the military, we are adept at wishing our friends well as they travel to the next duty station and welcoming new members for as long as they call Cumberland County “home.” Each summer, the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County practices this by removing public art that goes on to its next home and installing new works that will be a part of the community for a year. The Arts Council’s ArtScape is an annual public art series, now in its ninth year, where visitors can view outdoor 3D sculpture all over the city of Fayetteville.
The new pieces installed this summer bring a new, colorful story to Fayetteville. James Futral’s Red Bear now sits proudly outside of the Arts Center, welcoming visitors. Bright silver shines through Hanna Jubran’s Sound of the Elements on Green Street and surrounds City Hall through Jim Gallucci’s Oak Leaf Arch. The multicolored Feather by Kirk Seese looks over Market Square, and the striking Yellow Flower by Loren Costantini cheerfully greets people at the Courthouse. The new ArtScape collection includes interactive pieces as well. Magnify, which sits at the corner of Hay and Ray Streets, allows people to swivel the top of the sculpture to capture sunbeams and reflect a stained-glass effect. Artist Agnes Black hopes that people engage with her piece Through the Heart’s Lens at 201 Hay Street by photographing through the heart-shaped cutout or strumming the guitar strings attached to the sculpture.
Installing the artwork is a challenging puzzle for Arts Council Facilities Manager Chris Walker. Walker has to secure all the pieces so they are safe for the public while placing them throughout the city.
“It's hard, hot work, but while you install them, you get to see the cheerful reactions of people at that moment they see the new works for the first time,” says Walker. In some cases, like the 20-foot tall Water Drop in Festival Park, the installation even takes a crane to lift the piece high in the air. But all the work is worth it to Walker. “Helping to install these sculptures gives me a chance to work with different artists to help bring something beautiful to our community.”
While the Arts Council produces ArtScape each year, the initiative takes the entire community to be successful. No one knows that better than Director of Development Josh Murray.
“ArtScape is the perfect example of how public art can unite a community. Talented artists create attention-grabbing pieces, and individual donors make the artwork publicly accessible through their sponsorship,” says Murray. Individual donors help support the rental cost for each of the pieces selected to be a part of ArtScape. “Together, the artists and donors play a major role in developing the visual identity of Fayetteville, which is a beautiful thing!”
ArtScape mirrors the rhythm of Fayetteville. Stories arrive, settle in, and eventually move on. As new works find a home in our city, they invite us to pause, connect, and see our community through a fresh lens. View ArtScape 9 from now until June, and for more information, visit www.wearethearts.com/artscape9.

(Photo: "Water Drop" by Hanna Jubran stands at Festival Park and is part of ArtScape 9. Photo courtesy of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County)

This October, the serene charm of Lazy Fox Lavender Farm in Cameron will take a whimsical turn as it transforms into the fantastical world of Wonderland for the Mad Hatter Tea Party. Guests are invited to tumble down the rabbit hole and join the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and Cheshire Cat for a one-of-a-kind tea experience that promises enchantment, laughter and a touch of delightful madness.
The Mad Hatter Tea Party will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. on the farm’s picturesque veranda at 272 Edgewood Road. Tickets are $85 per person, and seating is limited for this immersive, interactive tea designed for guests aged six and up.
This isn’t your average afternoon tea; it’s a theatrical event that blends performance, culinary artistry, and a dose of Wonderland magic. As the Queen of Hearts shouts, “Off with her head!” and the White Rabbit searches for Alice in a delightful frenzy, guests will enjoy a beautifully curated spread of tailored treats, whimsical sweets, and freshly baked scones. Each serving is paired with lavender whipped butter, farm-fresh honey, fine teas, and lavender lemonade, a nod to the farm’s signature floral touch.
“Who doesn’t love to have a little fun?” Lindsey Lochner, owner of Lazy Fox Lavender Farm, said. “I wanted to bring something whimsical and unexpected to the farm, a tea that feels like you’ve stepped into another world, full of wonder and imagination.”
Lochner’s vision is to make the veranda feel like a portal to Wonderland, where “everything is slightly topsy-turvy and delightfully out of place.” Every table, teapot, and teacup will contribute to the illusion that guests have stepped into Lewis Carroll’s fantastical universe.
One of the highlights of the experience will be the live, in-character service. Guests will be served by Wonderland’s most beloved personalities—from the frantic White Rabbit to the mischievous Cheshire Cat. Lochner explained that her team takes the performances seriously (and joyfully), rehearsing roles to ensure each character embodies the playful, unpredictable spirit of Wonderland.
“Every interaction is meant to feel authentic and surprising,” Lochner said. “In true Wonderland fashion, you never quite know what to expect!”
The tea isn’t just for children. It’s an all-ages celebration of curiosity and creativity. Adults can rediscover their sense of wonder, while younger guests delight in meeting storybook characters come to life. Lochner says this mix of nostalgia and novelty is what makes the event truly special.
“Whether you’re six or sixty, there’s something magical about stepping into Wonderland,” she said. “It brings out the inner child in everyone.”
The menu itself is part of the storytelling. Guests can expect to find “Eat Me” cakes, “Drink Me” potions, and other imaginative offerings presented on elegant china. Lochner’s team has carefully curated teas to complement both sweet and savory items, ensuring that each bite and sip enhances the fantasy.
Costumes are encouraged but not required, though many guests may find it hard to resist donning a top hat or rabbit ears for the occasion.
The event’s attention to detail, from the whimsical décor to the farm-fresh ingredients, ensures that each tea feels personal and unforgettable. For those planning to attend with friends or family, Lochner recommends booking together.
“Please book your entire party under the same last name,” she noted. “We have limited seating, especially for larger groups.”
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, but guests unable to attend are welcome to give their ticket to a friend. For parties of six or more, guests should contact Lindsey directly at 910-705-2317 to arrange accommodations.
Lazy Fox Lavender Farm has many events happening throughout the year, and this one has the possibility of becoming a yearly event.
“If guests love it as much as we think they will, it could easily become one of our signature fall events,” Lochner said.
Polish the teacups, grab some curiosity and don’t be late for this very important date. The Mad Hatter Tea Party at Lazy Fox Lavender Farm promises to be a lavender-scented adventure through imagination—a perfect way to celebrate the season in true Wonderland style. The Lazy Fox Lavender Farm is located at 272 Edgewood Rd, Cameron. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.lazyfoxlavenderfarm.com/products/autumn-leaves-lavender-teas-at-lazy-fox-lavender-farm

(Photo courtesy of Lazy Fox Lavender Farm Facebook page)

Get ready to rise from the grave and shuffle your way to downtown Fayetteville. The undead are back and hungrier than ever! The 15th Annual Zombie Walk returns on Friday, Oct. 24, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., bringing with it a night of frightful fun, outrageous costumes, and community spirit that proves being undead can be a lively affair.
This free, family-friendly event invites locals and visitors alike to don their best zombie attire and join the ghoulish gathering that has become one of Fayetteville’s favorite fall traditions.
What began fifteen years ago as a small charity event to help clean up one of downtown Fayetteville’s historic cemeteries has now grown into a massive celebration, drawing nearly 20,000 attendees each year. Organized by Downtown Cool Spring District, the Zombie Walk has become a hallmark of Fayetteville’s October 4th Friday festivities, transforming the streets into a parade of monsters, makeup, and mayhem.
“Every year we try to add a fun, new element to the Zombie Walk,” said Ashanti Bennett, president and CEO of Downtown Cool Spring District. “You’ll have to stay tuned for this year’s surprise!”
A Night of Frightful Fun
The Zombie Walk is more than just a spooky stroll; it’s a full evening of entertainment, art, and community connection. Attendees can expect a vibrant mix of live music, street performances, and art displays scattered throughout downtown. While this year’s performers haven’t yet been announced, last year’s entertainment was The Phoebe’s and The Several Devils, as well as thrilling wrestling matches from Ring Wars Carolina.
But the main event is, of course, the Zombie Processional, where hundreds of costumed participants, each more gruesomely creative than the last, shuffle through the streets in a creepy, coordinated march. The procession concludes at the District Vibe Stage, where zombies, ghouls, and goblins can dance the night away under Fayetteville’s city lights.
“The Zombie Walk is one of the more playful events in the season,” Bennett said. “Folks really put in time and effort into their costumes—you’ll see some stunning creativity on display. If you feel like letting loose in a controlled, safe environment, come downtown on Oct. 24!”

Fun for the Whole Family
While the undead might sound scary, this event is designed for all ages. Each 4th Friday includes a Children’s Area, complete with games, art activities, and seasonal crafts to keep the little ones entertained. The costume contest is a fan favorite, with multiple categories so everyone, from the tiniest trick-or-treater to the most fearsome adult zombie, has a chance to show off their look and take home bragging rights.
Community Spirit Lives On
The success of the Zombie Walk wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiastic support of Fayetteville’s small business community. Each year, downtown merchants go all out, decorating their storefronts, offering themed specials, handing out treats and samples, and even hosting their own pop-up activities inside their shops.
“Many of the merchants in our small business community decorate for the season,” Bennett noted. “Some take it a step further, hosting their own themed pop-up activities inside their stores.”
The Zombie Walk also provides an opportunity for local vendors to showcase their wares during October’s 4th Friday. Those interested in participating can apply at https://www.eventeny.com/events/october-4th-friday-october-24-2025-18280/?f
Road Closures and Event Details
To accommodate the undead parade, road closures will begin at 1 p.m. on the 100 block of Person Street and expand at 4:30 p.m. to include the 100–300 blocks of Hay Street, Anderson Street, Maxwell Street, Burgess Street, Donaldson Street, Green Street, and Gillespie Street.
Bennett says there’s one thing you absolutely shouldn’t miss: “You don’t want to miss the Zombie Processional, a stroll through the District that ends at our District Vibe stage where all the ghouls and goblins can dance the rest of the night away.”
Grab the fake blood, tattered clothes, and best undead shuffle — the Zombie Walk 2025 promises a frightfully fun night you won’t soon forget. Because in Fayetteville, even the undead know how to throw a great party.

(Photo: The Zombie Walk is a Fayetteville tradition, and hundreds come dressed up to downtown Fayetteville to show off their costumes. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Zombie Walk)

Spooky season is here, and that means it’s time for costumes, candy, and plenty of family fun! One of the most popular traditions in our community is Trunk or Treat—a safe and festive way for kids to enjoy trick-or-treating all in one spot.
Local churches, schools, and organizations are decking out their trunks with creative themes, handing out treats, and bringing neighbors together for a night of Halloween magic.
To help you plan your celebrations, we’ve rounded up a list of trunk or treat events happening right here in our area. Grab your costumes, bring your candy bags, and get ready for a spooktacular time!
Saturday, Oct. 18
• Stoney Point Fire Department's Annual Trunk or Treat at 7221 Stoney Point Rd., Noon to 2 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Freddy's at 4825 Ramsey St., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 23
• Trunk or Treat at VFW Post 6018, 116 Chance St., 6 p.m.
• Monster Mash Trunk Dash: Trunk or Treat at AmeriHealth Caritas, 4101 Raeford Rd., 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24
• Trunk or Treat at Freedom Christian Academy, 3130 Gillespie St., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25
• Trick-or-Treat at Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, 801 Arsenal Ave., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Trunk-Or-Treat/Halloween Social at Fit4Life Health Club, 650 Shell Drive, Spring Lake, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat at Cedar Falls Baptist Church, 6181 Ramsey St., 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• TRC's Annual Trunk or Treat at Triangle Rock Club, 5213 Raeford Rd., 5 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Freedom Biker Church, 455 Rock Hill Rd., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Annual Trunk or Treat at Fit4Life Health Club, 2820 Hope Mills Rd., 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Trick or Treat at Lori's Ace, 2800 Raeford Rd., Noon to 2 p.m.
• BCA Trunk-or-Treat at Behavior Change Agents, 5948 Fisher Rd., 5:30 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Hope Mills Shrinettes Org, 4461 Cameron Rd., 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat at Anderson Creek Community Church, 2085 Ray Rd, Spring Lake, 4 p.m.
• Ray Road Tire & Auto Trunk or Treat, 1964 Ray Rd., 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• FREE Trunk or Treat at Hope Mills Shrine Club, 4461 Cameron Rd., Hope Mills, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 26
• 3rd Annual Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat at Cedar Creek Baptist Church, 4170 Tabor Church Rd., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Ville City Jeeps Trunk or Treat, 2505 Long Valley Rd, Spring Lake, 4 p.m.
• FBCC's Trunk or Treat at Faith Builders Christian Center, 2600 Wade-Stedman Rd., Stedman, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 29
• Trunk or Treat-Cumberland County Animal Services at 4704 Corporation Dr., 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 30
• Trunk or Treat at Spa Fitness & Wellness Center, 860 Elm St., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Trunk-or-Treat at DK Hardee, 4327 Camden Rd., 6 p.m.
• Open House Trunk or Treat at One Stop Academy, 2653 Hope Mills Rd., Hope Mills, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31
• Trunk or Treat at Praeceptor K9, 3760 Sycamore Dairy Rd., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Faymount Baptist Church, 3663 Cumberland Rd., 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat! at Feather Ridge Equestrian Inc, 2132 Evans Dairy Rd., 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Trunk or Treat at Village Presbyterian Church, 5303 Spruce Dr., 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• BK Cruise'N/Trunk or Treat at Burger King, 7011 Raeford Rd., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Like the ebb and flow of ocean waves, the Cumberland Choral Arts has seen varied levels of membership over the years. This year has seen a tsunami of interest and activity. As the group prepares for its newest performance, “Water Works,” membership and participation are at an all-time high, according to Cumberland Choral Arts President Sandy Cage, following this season’s registration night.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, the group dwindled to about 30 members.
“We came back, and it was a slow build,” Cage explained.
Previously, the group had between 60 and 80 members, and recently, it reached the 100-member mark. Cumberland Choral Arts was unsure what to expect and unsure where the registration numbers would fall this season, especially with a change in directors. The hope was to see around 85 registrants.
“The first night we were like, whoa, we’re out of music, and so we ordered more music, and then people still kept coming, and it was like, okay, we have to order more music,” She explained. “That was a really good problem.”
In part, younger singers comprise the wave of new participants, including high school seniors and first-year college students, according to Cage.
“We love having them join us,” Cage said.
The upcoming “Water Works” performance is an opportunity for the ever-expanding Cumberland Choral Arts to showcase their new talent and a new artistic director, Major Curtis Kinzey. Kinzey, who served as the U.S. Army Forces Command Staff Bands Officer before joining the Cumberland Choral Arts, served as the commander of the 1st Cavalry Division Band. Between 2011 and 2016, Kinzey directed the United States Army Chorus. He has led performances for five U.S. presidents and has conducted nationally televised performances. In addition to his storied career in the armed services, Kinzey holds a master’s degree in Choral Conducting and a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance.
“We’re excited for our first concert with Curt as director. I know he’s looking forward to that,” said Cage.
“Water Works,” led by Kinzey, will feature a flowing lineup of music inspired by water. The musical selections slated for this event include folk songs, pop songs, and spirituals, all sharing a water-focused theme, featuring “Wade in the Water,” “Down to the River to Pray,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” among others.
Cage is most looking forward to learning and performing “I Dream of Rain.”
“The first time I heard it, I just thought it was so pretty,” Cage said.
Cage’s earworm from the performance catalogue is “Wellermen.”
“Monday night we rehearsed one for the first time, and it’s a sea shanty, the ‘Wellermen’, we have had such fun singing that one,” she said. “And it was in my head all night long when I tried to sleep, but it was a fun one. We all enjoy singing that one.”
The group does have a core membership, one of whom has been there for 30 years. While the group advertises through their web page and social media accounts, Cage says it’s word of mouth that keeps them growing in numbers.
“I think the best form [of advertisement] is by word of mouth. Just people that sing have friends and know people and invite them, people that come to our concerts, and we always say, ‘Would you like to sing with us?’ I give them the information for that, and the high school choral teachers have done a great job this year of identifying students and encouraging them to come join us,” Cage said.
The Cumberland Choral Arts, as an organization, has community-focused goals. They intend to bring enjoyment and art to the people of Fayetteville.
“You just need the arts in your life to bring joy, and music can do that, whether it is choral, or symphony, or whatever, because it just makes you smile, or it goes through your head all night long when you’re going to sleep, or it brings back memories,” Cage said.
But Cumberland Choral Arts also focuses on expanding the musical horizons of the local youth.
“One of our goals is also to be an advocate for getting younger people involved in music,” Cage said.
One of the ways the Cumberland Choral Arts accomplishes this is through its sponsorship of the Campbellton Youth Chorus, which offers students in grades 4 through 10 free participation. The youth group also sings before the Cumberland Choral Arts “Messiah” concert at Methodist University.
“We underwrote that so parents can have their kids be part of a choral group and have the opportunity to sing for the public, sing with a larger group, and sing with an orchestra,” Cage said.
The Campbellton Youth Chorus will also be participating in the upcoming “Water Works” performance with the Cumberland Choral Arts.
This performance season, the Fayetteville community has ample opportunities to take in a Cumberland Choral Arts performance.
“This is probably our most aggressive calendar that we have ever had,” Cage explained.
The group will present six performances to the community. The preparation for these events is extensive and involves multiple rehearsals. As a community chorus, the group works with a wide range of skill sets, and a significant amount of work is done both in rehearsals as a group and at home by the singers as individuals. Rehearsals for “Water Works” began in August, and it typically takes at least eight weeks to prepare for each performance.
“We have a wide range of abilities, from the very casual singer to the people who are professional singers … It’s important to us that everybody is included to have the opportunity to sing,” Cage said.
“Water Works” will be performed on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Haymount United Methodist Church’s Life Center, located at 1700 Fort Bragg Road. Tickets are available on the Cumberland Choral Arts webpage, https://secure.givelively.org/event/cumberland-choral-arts/water-works, and are $20 for adults and $5 for students. Those interested can find information about the Cumberland Choral Arts’ upcoming season, as well as a bio for the new director, at https://www.cumberlandchoralarts.org. 

(Photos: Above-Cumberland Choral Arts members pose for a photograph in July. The group has seen a surge in membership over the last few months, something members are very excited about. Photo courtesy of Cumberland Choral Arts Facebook page. Below-Major Curtis Kinzey directs a practice for the Cumberland Choral Arts. Kinzey is the new director of the community choir. Photo courtesy of Sandy Cage)

Spooky season is here, and with it, a slew of fantastic Halloween-themed functions is on offer to the Fayetteville community. Each year, Dirtbag Ales Brewery has secured its spot as a tried and true source of spooky fun, and this year promises to be no different.
Kicking off the spooky week on Oct. 22, Dirtbag Ales will be playing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album in the tap room from start to finish, beginning at 7 p.m. Dirtbag Ales collaborates with a company from Raleigh called No Skips for this event. The organizer will bring custom activity coloring sheets, crafted by an artist in Durham, and share some trivia and facts about the album.
The annual Ghost and Goblin Beer Mile Run, sponsored by Rogue Alpha Athletics, is a yearly costume-filled good time. Participants are encouraged to run, jog, walk, or even crawl the one-mile course while enjoying four ten-ounce Dirtbag Ales brews. Non-drinkers and those under the age of 21 are also invited to participate and swap the beers for water.
The event will be held on Oct. 25. Check-in will be at 2 p.m., and the first wave will start at 2:15 p.m.
Tickets are $35, and participants who sign up before Oct. 20 at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/HopeMills/GhostGoblinsBeerMile will receive a free t-shirt.
Jesse, a bartender at Dirtbag Ales, is the king of seasonal costume wearing, according to Shannon Loper, Operations Manager at Dirtbag Ales. He wins annually for his most unique choice of costumes created from found objects.
“Let’s just describe Jesse as an eccentric rambler world traveler,” Loper said. “He came in as a ghost, and it was a sheer curtain that was left in the attic of his rental home.”
The same year, he also dressed up as a wizard. Jesse assembled that costume by wrapping a towel around a cowboy hat, borrowing his wife’s robe, and using a chopstick for a wand.
“Jesse took a lot of awards for staff costumes,” Loper explained.
Beer Mile participants are encouraged to come out and, like Jesse, dress for the season.
Later that evening, once it is dark enough to turn on the projector, Dirtbag Ales will be hosting the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Nosferatu. The event usually draws around 200 people.
“We love that event every year,” said Loper.
The 1922 German silent horror film will be projected on a large screen inside the tap room, accompanied by a symphonic performance of the musical score.
“My favorite thing that we do is Nosferatu, Loper said. “It makes the symphony more accessible to people; they feel like it’s easier to come to the brewery. … so, it just makes people realize how great our local symphony is.”
Attendees can also enjoy a selection of seasonal special brews at these events, including Marzen Attacks (a Marzen-style beer), Rising Sun (a new rice lager), Alt Beer (a darker German-style ale), and Blacktoberfest (a Marzen-style beer).
The following day, the brewery will be hosting its eighth Trick-or-Treat Farmer’s Market. Tickets for the event are $5 and can be purchased only in the taproom. Approximately 60 vendors will participate, and they will distribute candy immediately after the market. Tickets are limited, and they do sell out.
Dirtbag Ales is located at 5435 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills. For additional information, readers can contact the brewery at info@dirtbag.com, visit the brewery’s Facebook page, or call 910-426-2537.

Fall in southeastern North Carolina never looked—or tasted—so good. On Saturday, Oct. 25, the Cape Fear Haunted Wine Run 5K will once again bring together runners, walkers, wine lovers, and Halloween enthusiasts at the scenic Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery at 195 Vineyard Dr, Elizabethtown. This one-of-a-kind event combines the thrill of a 5K run with the charm of wine country and the playful spirit of the Halloween season.
Participants are encouraged to show up in their favorite costumes and immerse themselves in a day filled with laughter, exercise and fine wine. The race begins promptly at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery. The course itself offers a two-lap journey through the serene grounds of Greene’s Lake Conservation Park and the adjoining vineyard property. The terrain is mostly grassy, with a cross-country feel, offering just enough challenge to keep things exciting while remaining accessible for casual runners and walkers alike. Strollers are welcome, although the path can be uneven in places. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are also invited to join the fun, as long as their owners clean up after them.
While some participants come for the race, many arrive for the full experience that awaits afterward. Every registration includes a super-soft ring-spun cotton T-shirt, a shatterproof collapsible wine glass, a wine-glass-shaped finisher medal, a chip-timed race bib, free race photos, and, of course, a well-earned pour of wine for those of legal drinking age. Younger participants aged one to twenty receive a discounted registration rate, though their race packet will not include wine-related items.
The event is professionally timed and scored by J3 Timing, with results posted online shortly after the race. Top male and female finishers in each ten-year age bracket, from nine years old and up, receive custom awards. To qualify for age group awards, runners must start in the first wave at the beginning of the event. Registration is set at $50 plus processing fees.
Those unable to attend in person can still join the fun virtually. The race offers a virtual option that allows participants to complete their 5K anywhere, anytime, and still receive their swag in the mail for a small handling fee. This flexibility makes it possible for wine and running enthusiasts across the region to take part in the Halloween-themed experience.
Beyond the race itself, Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery offers a full day’s worth of experiences to explore. The on-site Cork Room Restaurant opens early for breakfast and brunch, providing the perfect post-race meal. Guests can also enjoy the vineyard’s other attractions, including boutique lakeside cottages, a day spa, distillery, museum, and tasting rooms. Families can take a stroll around the property to visit the resident llamas and small animal sanctuary, making this an ideal weekend outing for participants of all ages.
The Cape Fear Haunted Wine Run 5K also supports a worthy cause. Proceeds from the event benefit the Cape Fear Distillery Conservation Foundation, which funds environmental and conservation initiatives in the Cape Fear region and beyond. It’s a fun, festive way to stay active while giving back to a meaningful local mission.
The race is held rain or shine, though start times may be delayed in the event of severe weather or lightning. Packet pickup is available on race day only, beginning one hour before the start. With its scenic setting, festive atmosphere, and perfect pairing of fitness and wine, this is one fall event you won’t want to miss. To learn more about the race and to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Elizabethtown/CapeFearHauntedWineRun5k?raceRefCode=UaHJJpxU
Grab a pair of running shoes, pick out a great costume and head to Elizabethtown for a morning of running, sipping, and celebrating. Whether you’re chasing a personal record or just want to enjoy a glass of wine in the crisp autumn air, the Cape Fear Haunted Wine Run 5K promises an unforgettable experience at one of North Carolina’s most beautiful vineyards.

A decades-long piece of Hope Mills history that disappeared in 2022 is back up and running, thanks to the Hope Mills Police Department Foundation. Ole Mill Days, loved by many as a celebration of the town’s textile milling history, was a place for family fun and shared stories. While highlights included a street dance and tractor pull that haven’t been resurrected yet, Debbie Jones, president and founder of the Hope Mills Police Department Foundation, has high hopes for the event’s future.
“We just want to build it every year and see it get bigger and bigger and bigger,” she shared, mentioning the street dance and tractor pull as goals. Jones helped the town organize the event before it shut down in 2022 due to budget constraints. Now, the Hope Mills PD Foundation is hosting it for the second year in a row, and hoping they see even more interest this year.
“We don’t have the money to pay for the advertisement,” Jones explained. The Hope Mills PD Foundation, a 501(c)3, doesn’t have any paid employees and runs completely on the volunteer power of community members who want to help raise funds for officers and their loved ones. “When I saw they weren’t doing the event anymore, I said ‘Wow, this would be a great thing for a fundraiser for the foundation.’”
Their limited budget means they depend on word-of-mouth advertising. After last year’s event, they learned that many were unaware the event was running again. This year, they want to change that.
“There are a lot of people in the community helping us, but we need to get our name out better,” Jones said. She’s putting extra effort into their Facebook page this year, and is depending on the kindness of several local businesses, organizations, and churches, who, by their support and participation in the event, bring awareness.
Jones said attendees can expect “a day of total fun,” with food and beverage vendors, arts and craft vendors, and activities for the kids.
“We’ll have the inflatables for the kids, beer for dad, and shopping for mom,” she shared, “It will definitely be a family-friendly, fun-filled day for everyone.” She said attendees can come prepared to eat their dinner, shop, and watch the kids enjoy themselves—she’s noticed that grandparents particularly enjoy the last activity.
Last year they hosted nearly 50 vendors, and this year, Jones says she’ll continue accepting vendors until the night before the event. “I’m not cutting it off until I can’t squeeze another one in!” She exclaimed, adding they have a huge space to accommodate more.
Food choices include a growing number of diverse treats. Yinzers “Pittsburgh style food for North Carlinyinz,” the Juice Queen, Dessert Kingzz, and Poppy’s Sweets & Treats, which offers funnel cakes and beignets, will be there serving mouthwatering fare. Dirtbag Ales, who, according to Jones, is a “big sponsor for the foundation,” will offer beverages.
Other vendors spanning categories from virtual reality rides, to handmade jewelry to real estate services will be there. In a series of ongoing Facebook posts, Jones highlights each vendor, giving them a moment in the spotlight and sharing the Foundation’s excitement over their participation. Several recent highlighted vendors include Wiggles the Clown Balloon Art, Hope Mills Fire Department, KG Inflatables, Jones Financial Group, Fulfillity Books & More, Fort Liberty Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and U Got Game Virtual Reality.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Hope Mills Police Department Foundation, furthering their mission of serving the police officer community.
“We are here to improve the quality of life for officers and their families,” Jones explained.
In addition to providing financial support to officers and their families in need, the Foundation hosts social events like an annual ball, where attendance is free and law enforcement families are treated to a steak dinner.
As founder and president of the foundation, Jones says the mission is close to her heart, although neither she nor her family served in law enforcement. A long-time business owner in Hope Mills, Jones felt the support and protection of the department personally over the years. “The police have always been very good to me,” she shared, “they were always checking in on me and my business.”
Before the officers had unlimited Wi-Fi access while on the job, she would let them park behind her business and use the Wi-Fi as they worked. The exchange prompted her to think, “What can I do for these officers?”
One conversation with a law enforcement friend later, they formed a board and the foundation was born. Their first fundraiser was held in the parking lot of her business, where they raised close to $5,000 for an officer’s spouse with medical needs.
“It just took a citizen to decide, ‘Hey, let’s do something!’” Jones said.
Now she hopes that Ole Mill Days can serve both law enforcement and the community at large. “Please, everybody, come out and have fun and support us!” she encouraged.
Direct vendor inquiries to Debbie Jones at 910-424-4497. Ole Mill Days will be held at Hope Mills Municipal Park, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free to attend.

(Photo: Ole Mill Days celebrates the history of Hope Mills. The day also honors the police and first responders of Hope Mills. Photo courtesy of Ole Mill Days)

Three students from E.E. Smith High School died last week when the car they were riding in ran off the road on Rosehill Road, Fayetteville police said. The fourth passenger, the driver, was airlifted in critical condition.
Police have identified one of the victims as Jai’hyon Lamont Elliot, 18, and the driver as Dymond N. Monroe, 21. The other two students, both 17, were identified by Cumberland County Schools as Trevor Merritt and Nicholas Williams.
Around 7:22 p.m. on Oct. 8, officers responded to the 2700 block of Rosehill Road after a single-vehicle crash, police said. The car veered off the road, struck a telephone pole, and then hit a tree.
Three passengers died at the scene, the statement said. Monroe was airlifted to UNC Medical Center in critical condition. Police are investigating the cause.
Cumberland County Schools released a statement Oct. 9 confirming all three victims attended E.E. Smith High School and were members of the school’s football team.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of three E.E. Smith High School students … our thoughts and prayers are with their families,” the district said. “The top priority of the E.E. Smith High School administration is to provide support to students, faculty and staff as they process this tragedy. The district’s Student Services team will be on-site today to offer counseling and emotional support.”
In a message the same day, Superintendent Eric Bracy expressed condolences and spoke to the “lasting impact” the students have left behind.
“From the four corners of Cumberland County and beyond, we join together to wrap our arms around the E.E. Smith community,” he said. “We stand with their families, loved ones, classmates, teammates and school family as they grieve this devastating loss.”
Because the students were part of the football program, the school district announced that South View High School’s homecoming game, originally scheduled for Friday, Oct. 10 and in which E.E. Smith was set to play, is postponed. A new date will be announced later.
Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin, an alumnus of E.E. Smith, offered his condolences and encouragement for the families, students, and staff affected by the crash.
“Our community’s heart is broken. These young men were part of the Golden Bulls family and of Fayetteville’s future, and their loss is felt across our city. We are keeping the injured individual in our prayers and ask our community to join us in lifting up all who are hurting,” Colvin said in a statement.
The county school board also issued a statement following news of the wreck.
“The Cumberland County Board of Education extends its deepest condolences following the loss of three E.E. Smith High School seniors—young men whose energy, potential and friendships made a lasting mark on their school and community. Our hearts ache for their families and school community who are walking through this unimaginable time.”
The Fayetteville Police Department’s Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation into the crash. Police said more information will be released after next-of-kin notifications. Anyone with tips is asked to contact Officer C. Lewis at 910‑818‑1872.
CityView will continue to follow updates from the school district, police, and community as more information becomes available.
CityView Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 5 p.m. on Oct. 9 to include the correct identification of the driver of the vehicle after Fayetteville Police released additional information.

The primary is over and now residents will watch for who will win seats for mayor and the nine districts on Nov. 4. Running for mayor will be current Mayor Mitch Colvin, who is seeking a fifth term, and Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen, who has served on the council since 2015.
Candidates for the nine districts are as follows: District 1 - Stephon Ferguson and James L. Thomas III, District 2 - Malik Davis and Gail Morfesis, District 3 - Antonio Jones and Jeremy Wright, District 4 - DJ Haire and Stuart A. Collick, District 6 - Derrick Thompson and Kenneth E. Odegard II, District 7 - Brenda McNair and Kathy A. Greggs, District 8 - Rodney E. Garvin and Shaun McMillan and District 9 - Deno Hondros and Joe McGee. Current Councilwoman Lynne Bissette Greene is running unopposed for District 5.
For more information about candidates running for office this year, visit https://sites.google.com/faybiz.com/gfccandidatesforum2025/home.
Possible consolidation of the Joint 911 Call Center
On Oct. 9, Chief Freddy Johnson, head of the Fire Chiefs Association, presented recommendations of public safety agencies for consolidated 911 services to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners.
Johnson urged the consolidation at the Oct. 9 meeting citing public safety benefits and operational efficiency. The consolidated center would be housed at the county’s current facility at 500 Executive Place and the city and county would share the operational costs equally. Johnson also said that in their proposal that no employees would lose their job as a result of the consolidation and that it would include a mental health partnership with Alliance Health. Mental health professionals would be used to assist with 911 calls.
There have been three failed attempts to consolidate since 2007 due to disagreements over governance and control between the city and the county according to Johnson. The proposal presented to the county on Oct. 9 had previously been presented to the Fayetteville City Council for their consideration and was also discussed, following a presentation by a group of public safety leaders at the Joint City-County Liaison Committee meeting on Sept. 15.
Currently, Cumberland County operates a consolidated emergency communications center that handles 911 calls for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, Hope Mills Police, Spring Lake Police, county fire departments and Cape Fear Valley EMS. The City of Fayetteville has its own 911 Communications Division, staffed 24/7 on the second floor of Fayetteville City Hall, which handles emergency and non-emergency calls within the city.
The proposed governance structure included staff members from Cumberland County, including the Sheriff’s Office and the Fire Chief Association, the City of Fayetteville, including the Police Chief and Fire Chief, the town managers from Spring Lake and Hope Mills, a licensed mental health professional from Alliance and the EMS director from Cape Fear Valley Health. However, the board asked that elected officials still lead the process.
The next step is for the governing bodies and staff at Cumberland County and the City of Fayetteville to reconvene for discussion. The county will work with the city for that future meeting date.
On Oct. 6, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved economic development incentives of up to $363,500, paid over five years, for a steel fabrication plant, also known as the “Project Superman” proposed expansion.
Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, asked for the funds to help create 42 full-time jobs in the county by 2029 with an average wage exceeding $66,700. Capital investment, including real and business equipment for this project, is expected to be $22 million.
The Fayetteville City Council approved an incentive grant of $327,487 for the project on Sept. 22.
About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Advocacy is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, the Chamber dedicates staff to attend City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings as well as monitoring updates on the state and federal levels. We monitor legislation locally, statewide and federally to protect our community’s business interests. With 91% of U.S. adults recognizing a Chamber of Commerce's impact on growth, membership ensures a strong voice shaping policies, driving economic success and building a thriving business community—together. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com or email jmclaughlin@faybiz.com.

(Photos: Current mayor Mitch Colvin, left, and Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen, right, come out as the two top contenders for the Fayetteville Mayoral race after the Oct. 7 primary. The two will be on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election.)

Trigger warning, this column is not suitable for UNC football fans, Snowflakes irritated by mangled Greek Mythology, or small house plants. Parental discretion is advised. You would be better off binge-watching pre-season Hallmark Channel Christmas movies rather than wasting your time reading this drivel. I personally witnessed the recent UNC- Clemson football debacle. I am scarred for life as a result of the traumatic events at Kenan Stadium. Unlike what Andy Griffith once said, what it was, was not football. It was Slaughter House 38-10 in Chapel Hill. Andy at least got a big Orange soda at his Tar Heel game. I did not even have the comfort of adult beverages to ease the gridiron pain as I had to drive back home after the game.
To be a Tar Heel football fan is to suffer, to know great pre-season hopes only to see them dashed to bits on the shores of a non-existent defense and an at best mediocre offense. It is to be Charlie Brown hoping that this time Lucy will not snatch the football away at the last minute. It is to understand the depths of Charlie’s anguish as he screams, “AAUGH!” The Heels gave up 28 points to Clemson in the first quarter. There is no Mercy Rule in college football to stop scoring carnage. UNC, like Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire, must depend upon the kindness of strangers. In this case, the kind strangers wore Clemson orange. If Clemson had not played its second and third strings after the first quarter, the score might have been a Zillion to 3.
Unfortunately, like Humpty Dumpty’s issues, UNC’s Bill Belichick, our $50 million 73-year-old coach, and Jordan, his 24-year-old girlfriend, could not put the Tar Heels back together again. To rationalize why Tar Heel fans still pull for the football team, kindly turn to the story of Sisyphus, the patron saint of Carolina Football. At some point in the past, UNC football must have offended the Greek Gods. We are the Sisyphus of college football. Were you asleep when Sisyphus was discussed in your Greek Mythology class? Allow me to refresh your recollection. Post Tarheel Sisyphus Disorder (PTSD) explains what happens in Kenan Stadium each Autumn.
Sisyphus considered himself smarter than Zeus. He ticked off Zeus by ratting him out about kidnapping the River God’s daughter. It is not wise to aggravate the King of the Gods. Zeus ordered Thanatos the God of Death to chain up Sisyphus. Sisyphus pulled the old switcheroo and chained up Thanatos instead. Because Thanatos was chained up, no humans could die on Earth. This situation frustrated Ares, the God of War, because battles couldn’t result in killing his enemies. Death was stingless while Thanatos was imprisoned. Ares finally captured Sisyphus and unchained Thanatos so people could start dying again.
Sisyphus ended up in the custody of Hades, the God of the Underworld. Being a smooth talker, Sisyphus conned Hades into letting him temporarily go back to the world of the living to remonstrate with his wife. Once above ground, Sisyphus refused to go back to the Underworld until he died of old age. On returning to the Underworld, Hades made Sisyphus push a giant enchanted rock up a hill. When Sisyphus got the rock almost to the top of the hill, the rock would roll back down the hill, forcing Sisyphus to start pushing the rock back up the hill again. This goes on for eternity. Sisyphus is the universal symbol of “useless efforts and unending frustration.”
Speaking of useless efforts and unending frustration, Gentle Reader, now do you see why UNC football fans suffer PTSD every Autumn? Hope springs eternal each pre-season. We dream the impossible dream. We will fight the unbeatable foe. We will bear with unbearable sorrow. We will run where the brave dare not go. This season will be different. The Heels will go all the way. We will push the Enchanted Rock up the hill. Victory will be in sight. Then the month of September arrives. The football-shaped rock rolls back down Chapel Hill, crushing the hopes of the Village Faithful in Kenan Stadium. By October, there is no pressure on Tar Heel football fans. We leave during the 3rd quarter. The season was wrecked during September. We long for the return of basketball season and UNC Women’s Field Hockey.
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright/ The band is playing somewhere/ And somewhere hearts are light/ And somewhere men are laughing/ And somewhere children shout/ But there is no joy in Chapel Hill/ Mighty Belichick has struck out.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

Is time travel possible? Of course! On this matter, you’d be wise to consult not physicists but artists — including the faculty of a certain highland school that once existed in a time all its own.
No, it wasn’t nestled inside Brigadoon. I refer to the John C. Campbell Folk School in beautiful Brasstown, North Carolina, which straddles the boundary between Clay and Cherokee counties.
When the United States was initially divided into four standard time zones in 1883, the far western corner of our state lay within Central Time. Over the ensuing decades, many communities voted to join the rest of North Carolina in observing Eastern Time. Clay County was one of them. Cherokee wasn’t. So the folks in Brasstown decided to split the difference. When it was 4 o’clock in Hayesville and 3 o’clock in Murphy, the clock at Campbell Folk School read 3:30!
Speaking of time, this fall marks the 100th anniversary of the school’s founding. Olive Dame Campbell, the widow of scholar John C. Campbell, incorporated the institution in late 1925 with her friend Marguerite Butler, a Kentucky schoolteacher. Residents of Brasstown and neighboring communities contributed land, labor, and resources to the emerging folk school, a form of education borrowed from Northern Europe that imparts knowledge and skills without conferring grades or credentials.
Campbell Folk School is, in fact, the oldest and largest such institution in the United States, serving thousands of students and tens of thousands of visitors annually with weeklong and weekend classes, longer work-study programs for young people, and hundreds of concerts and dances a year for everyone.
What can you study at the folk school? Here’s a partial list: music, dance, gardening, quilting, photography, weaving, marbling, storytelling, painting, and puppetry. Fair warning, though: don’t expect to spend much of your time in classrooms listening to lectures. Campbell is very much a learn-by-doing school. Its motto? “We sing behind the plow.”
It was, indeed, sound that Olive Campbell used to describe what she had in mind. “We listen to sound of hammer,” she wrote, to “saw and plane in the carpentry room, to the thud of the loom and whirr of spinning wheel in the weaving and sewing room. We watch them at their daily physical training in the gymnasium. We hear them singing — for it is song that welds the group.”
Bethany Chaney, executive director of Campbell Folk School, relishes the opportunity to honor its past while serving new generations.
“We are this anchor here in far western North Carolina,” she told my Carolina Journal colleague Katherine Zender, “and because so few of us who’ve grown up in North Carolina ever get out here, we may not know what an incredibly special, beautiful, vibrant 100-year-old institution we have and how the folk school has changed people’s lives, perspectives, and even vocations.”
The school just completed its Fall Festival and is now preparing to host its Forge After Dark event, which will feature a blacksmithing demonstration and live music on Nov. 7 and a craft auction on Nov. 8.
No, you won’t find a mysterious TARDIS or souped-up DeLorean in Brasstown. Still, the kind of time travel practiced there is no less powerful and exciting.
By teaching the fine arts, agricultural practices, foodways, and traditional culture of the Southern Appalachians, the John C. Campbell Folk School spirits its students and visitors away to a rich and deservedly cherished past.
At the same time, teacher and learner alike are building a bridge to a brighter future, one dedicated to the proposition that, as Olive Campbell put it, “education should not discredit” the “humble tasks of farm, shop and home.” Education should link “the culture of toil and culture of books,” she continued. “It should be enlightened action.”
Now, in our seemingly perpetual winter of discontent and disconnection, it’s a promise that beckons us with convivial warmth and glorious light — both available in ample quantities in Brasstown, at a time of your choosing.
Editors’ note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books Mountain Folk, Forest Folk, and Water Folk combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

(Photo: The Campbell Folk School has classes and hosts events throughout the year to showcase the talents of those who attend. Photo courtesy of the Campbell Folk School Facebook page)

The nation is facing a longstanding truck driver shortage, and Fayetteville Technical Community College is doing its part to tackle the problem in the Sandhills Region and across the state.
FTCC broke ground on Phase I of the Regional Supply Chain Management & Logistics Center on Sept. 15, celebrating the clearing of a 58-acre site on Old Raeford Road that will serve as the future home of the college’s truck driver training program and fleet maintenance technician program. The $21.2 million project will be built in two phases. Phase I consists of a 600-by-900-foot driving and maneuvering pad that will provide vital training space for students in the Commercial Driver’s License Program. The 13-acre pad will accommodate up to 14 tractor trailer trucks and include a gear shifting track and skid area. The first phase is expected to open in December 2025. The truck pad will provide vital training space for FTCC students, as well as CDL students from regional partners Bladen Community College and Robeson Community College, serving as a regional hub for training allowing all three colleges to expand enrollment for the trucking and supply chain sectors.
FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells said the new facility will reduce student waitlists and streamline the region’s workforce pipeline.
“The transportation industry urgently needs more qualified truck drivers to strengthen the supply chain for our state and nation,” Sorrells said. “This new facility will significantly expand training capacity across all three colleges, enabling us to produce more graduates to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the transportation sector.”
Phase II will focus on the construction of a 5,000-square-foot building to house classrooms, offices and a two-bay garage for the maintenance of tractors and trailers. The second phase will go out to bid in early 2026.
The construction project is made possible through $20.7 million in funding from the North Carolina General Assembly and a $500,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation. To support the growth of the program, the Cannon Foundation, Inc. and the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust awarded FTCC over $400,000 to purchase trucks, equipment and supplies.
The transportation industry is experiencing an ongoing national truck driver shortage, with the American Trucking Association in August predicting a shortage of 115,000 drivers this year. FTCC’s current 10-week CDL program trains dozens of students each year with a 100-percent job placement rate; however, space and equipment limitations of the current training area on FTCC’s Fayetteville campus creates an enrollment waitlist that keeps students sidelined for as many as six months prior to enrollment.
Former Representative John Szoka and Chairman Kirk deViere of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, who was a member of the N.C. Senate when the project was funded, both offered remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“Every single dime we ever voted for to come to FTCC has been put to great use, without a doubt,” Szoka said. “That didn’t start with me in the legislature. That started well before, with people bringing money to FTCC — not just because it’s our local community college and we love it, but because FTCC gets the job done.”
DeViere said the facility was the result of a “shared commitment” among the parties involved to prepare students for the workforce. “This state-of-the-art center will ensure that our students graduate, not just educated, but career ready and more importantly, job ready,” he said.

Cape Fear Studios is featuring their “2025 6 By Exhibit” until Nov. 25. The studio is located at 148 Maxwell Street. The exhibit can be seen Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The show consists of 43 pieces of art that feature works by visual, 2D, and 3D artists. At least one dimension of each creation needed to measure six inches before framing.
Artists are from throughout the United States. The sponsors of the “2025 6 By Exhibit” are the North Carolina Arts Council and the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. The media includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and digital art. General admission is free. For more information, contact Cape Fear Studios by phone at 910-433-2986, or visit their website at www.capefearstudios.com.
Jeffery Geller and Irina Shin Geller are the judges of this juried show and owners of Red Springs Artspace, located at 200 S Main Street, Red Springs, NC. Geller was the recipient of first place in the “Fall into Winter Exhibition” at Robeson Art Guild in Lumberton, North Carolina.
Geller began taking art classes in his youth and continued painting and sculpture classes while at California State University, Northridge, where he completed his BA. In graduate school at Duke University, he worked for three semesters with the painter Vernon Pratt. He has taught philosophy and logic at the University of North Carolina Pembroke and collaborated closely with the Art Department. Geller exhibited at the Hogarth Worldwide Biannual in New York in 2014.
Shin-Geller is a Korean-Russian artist. She studied graphic design at Parsons School of Design after immigrating to the U.S. In 2020, she moved to Red Springs, North Carolina, and became a Red Springs Artspace Artist.
“I like to create images that convey usual textures, patterns, shapes, and shadows. I enjoy experimenting with different techniques and media: acrylics, oils, watercolor, photography, and 3D,” Shin-Geller said. “Recently, my preferred material to work with is hanji-a, a handmade mulberry paper from Korea. Hanji-a has been known in Korea for many centuries and was used by my ancestors. I am of Korean ancestry. When I grew up in the former Soviet Union, I was not encouraged to value my ethnicity and cultural heritage. Now that I am older, I feel the need and have the freedom to get back to my Korean roots. It helps me understand what makes me unique, what is valuable to me, and what path to take in the future.”
Spend a crisp Fall Day on the “2025 6 By Exhibit” at Cape Fear Studios. . General admission is free. For more information, contact Cape Fear Studios by phone at 910-433-2986.

(Photo: Beach Bungalows by Melanie Moschella is a textile piece in the “2025 6 By Exhibit” at Cape Fear Studios. Photo by Lena Simmons)

On Saturday, Oct. 11 at 4:30 p.m., the Cameo Art House Theatre will present a rare screening of Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator. More than just a film, Chaplin’s 1940 satirical masterpiece stands as one of cinema’s most daring political statements. It’s a film that made audiences laugh while also forcing them to confront the terrifying realities of dictatorship, hate and war.
When The Great Dictator premiered in 1940, the world was in turmoil. Adolf Hitler had already plunged Europe into chaos and America had yet to join the fight. To take on such a subject in a comedy was audacious, if not outright dangerous. But Chaplin, who had spent decades captivating audiences with his silent era “Tramp” character, understood that laughter could cut sharper than anger. By creating a dual role, playing both Adenoid Hynkel, a ruthless dictator clearly modeled on Hitler and a humble Jewish barber who is his double, Chaplin highlighted the absurdity of tyranny and the humanity of its victims.
The film’s mixture of slapstick and satire is perfect. From Hynkel’s dance with the inflatable globe to the endless speeches filled with nonsensical jargon, Chaplin dismantled the image of the dictator, reducing him to a dangerous clown. Yet for all its comedy, the film is anchored by one of the most moving moments in cinema history: Chaplin’s final speech, in which the barber, mistaken for Hynkel, delivers an impassioned plea for kindness, democracy and peace. It is a speech that continues to echo across generations, often shared anew in times of global uncertainty.
For the Cameo Art House Theatre, presenting The Great Dictator is more than just programming; it is a celebration of cinema’s ability to endure and inspire. Independent theaters like the Cameo have long been champions of films that remind us why we go to the movies in the first place: not only to be entertained, but also to think, feel and see the world in new ways.
This screening is particularly special to me on a personal level. Years ago, I had the rare opportunity to hold an original 35mm print of The Great Dictator when the Cameo showed the film. As someone who has spent much of his life surrounded by movies, both in classrooms and theaters, that moment was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The film reels were heavy, encased in their metal canisters, the kind only seen in projection booths or archives. This film reel happened to be the only traveling print in the US, so gloves and extra precautions were necessary.
That encounter deepened my appreciation for Chaplin’s artistry and for the medium of film as a whole. We often forget, in the age of digital streaming, that movies were once fragile, physical things. They traveled from theater to theater, city to city, carried by projectionists and handled with care. To hold The Great Dictator in its original 35mm form was to connect not only with Chaplin, but also with everyone who had ever sat in a darkened room and watched that same piece of film flicker to life.
And now, with the Cameo’s screening, audiences will have their own chance to share in that magic. While the version on screen may not be the very same reel I once touched since the Cameo (and most theaters) is now all digital, the experience of gathering together, of seeing Chaplin’s work projected larger than life, is what truly matters.
It’s important, too, to remember that The Great Dictator was a deeply personal project for Chaplin. He financed it himself, pouring in thousands at a time when the outcome was uncertain. He risked alienating audiences who preferred his silent-era Tramp, and he risked angering governments and political leaders who saw his satire as dangerous. But Chaplin pressed forward, declaring later that had he known the full extent of Nazi atrocities, he might never have dared to make it. That tension between comedy and tragedy is what gives the film its timeless edge.
Watching it today, one can’t help but marvel at its relevance. Chaplin’s lampooning of authoritarianism, his warning about hatred, and his ultimate appeal for empathy speak just as powerfully in 2025 as they did in 1940. Perhaps that is why screenings like this one at the Cameo are so vital. They remind us that art does not fade; it continues to speak, provided we are willing to listen.
So on Oct. 11, as the lights dim and Chaplin appears once more, audiences will witness more than just a film. They will be part of a tradition that stretches back 85 years. For me, the memory of holding that 35mm print will linger as the projector whirs to life. And for everyone else who attends, perhaps there will be a moment or a line, a gesture, a laugh that connects them across time to Chaplin, to the past and to the enduring power of cinema.
Tickets for the screening are available now at the Cameo box office and online.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra invites the community to embrace the spooky season with a cinematic classic like no other.
On Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8 p.m., Dirtbag Ales, located at 5435 Corporation Dr. in Hope Mills, will transform into a stage for music, film, and Halloween spirit during Nosferatu Movie Night. Admission is free, making it the perfect way for families, friends, and film lovers to enjoy a festive night under the stars.
This unique event pairs the eerie brilliance of the 1922 silent horror masterpiece Nosferatu with a live performance from a small ensemble of Fayetteville Symphony musicians. With music specially arranged by Peter B. Kay, the orchestra will heighten the film’s suspense and atmosphere, turning every shadow, glance, and gesture into a haunting experience.
Directed by F.W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck in his chilling role as Count Orlok, Nosferatu remains one of the most iconic horror films of all time. Though more than a century old, the German Expressionist classic continues to captivate audiences with its haunting imagery and innovative cinematography by Fritz Arno Wagner and Günther Krampf. Known as the earliest surviving adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Nosferatu has influenced countless vampire films and remains a cornerstone
of horror cinema.
The Fayetteville Symphony’s live performance adds an immersive dimension that honors the traditions of the silent film era, when live musicians often accompanied movies. With each note, the ensemble breathes new life into Murnau’s terrifying vision, making the experience both timeless and immediate.
Dirtbag Ales provides the perfect backdrop for this community gathering, offering an open, welcoming atmosphere where guests can relax with food, drinks, and the company of fellow movie enthusiasts. The outdoor setting enhances the event’s Halloween feel, making it an ideal way to kick off the spooky season.
Nosferatu Movie Night is more than just a film screening—it’s a celebration of art, history, and community. Lovers of horror movies, fans of live music, and those simply searching for a unique seasonal outing, will find this free event promises chills, thrills, and unforgettable memories.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and join the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra on Oct. 25 for a night where music and film meet in haunting harmony.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

If you’ve been searching for the ultimate way to celebrate spooky season in Fayetteville, look no further than the Stoney Point Trail of Terror. Equal parts fright and fun, this haunted attraction has become one of the area’s most beloved Halloween traditions. Operated by the men and women of the Stoney Point Fire Department alongside dedicated community volunteers, the Trail of Terror combines eerie entertainment with a mission: to raise funds for the department while creating unforgettable memories for everyone who attends.
Whether you come with a group of friends, plan a spooky date night, or dare to face the trail alone, you’ll be treated to a stage show, a live band, and the main event—an indoor haunted trail designed to make you scream, laugh, and cling to the person next to you.
2025 Dates and Special Events
The Trail of Terror is open on select October nights from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• October 3–4 | First Responder/Medical Personnel/Teacher/Military Discount Weekend – $2 off ticket with current ID
• October 10–11
• October 17–18
• October 24–25
• October 31 (Halloween Night!)
In addition to the scares, each evening features live music from local bands:
• October 3-Michael Daughtry
• October 4-Dustin Day
• October 10-Mainstream Menace
• October 11-From the Calm
• October 17-Kevin Regan Band
• October 18-Scroggins Band
• October 24-Machinegun Earl
• October 25-Fear State
• October 31-Scroggins Band
This mix of fright and Fayetteville talent makes the Trail of Terror not just a haunted house but a community festival of fun.
Tickets
• General Admission: $20
• VIP/Speed Pass: $30 (skip the line and head straight to the scares)
• Groups of 20 or more: $15 per person
The Trail of Terror as a fundraiser has evolved throughout the years.
“We initially started with photo sales and turkey shoots in the department’s early days,” explained Cynthia McDonald Buie, event social media coordinator. “But with the rise of smartphones and changing community interests, those fundraisers lost steam. We realized one day that we could start a haunt for the locals. Did we think in 2003 that it would grow to the level it is today? Absolutely not!”
Creating an event of this scale is no small feat. Planning begins almost immediately after the trail closes on its final night. Ideas are refined, scenes evaluated, and even trips to trade shows like Transworld in St. Louis are made to gather inspiration and purchase new animatronics.
The haunt’s makeup team, led by Marcie Hanzal and Beth Collins, is essential to bringing characters to life with airbrushing, prosthetics, costumes, and props. Safety is always the top priority, followed closely by the creativity and scares that make the event unforgettable.
Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Hanzal, one of the masterminds behind the trail, heads a team of firefighters and volunteers who hand-build elaborate sets each year. What began as a simple outdoor path with rubber masks and basic jump scares has evolved into a professional-quality attraction featuring complex scenes, theatrical storytelling, and immersive detail.
Every year, the trail introduces new themes and scenes, but some fan favorites always return. Clowns are back this year.
“It will surprise you how many people are fearful of clowns,” Buie shared. Whether it’s Pennywise, Twisty, or even Ronald McDonald, clowns remain one of the most effective scare tactics.
The Vortex is also back, a spinning tunnel illusion that tricks the senses and makes visitors feel like they’re part of the spinning world. Patrons love it so much that it’s brought back annually.
The team also incorporates pop culture into their scares. When Stranger Things dominated the cultural landscape, the Upside Down made an appearance. When IT returned to theaters, Pennywise was waiting in the shadows.
Guests don’t just wait in line—they’re entertained the whole night. DJs Lieutenant Jim Buie and Paramedic Mark Gooden provide a professional sound-and-light stage show, and live bands keep the crowd energized. Characters often roam the audience to surprise guests before they even enter the trail.
For those needing a break from the screams, Wendell’s famous funnel cakes at the concession trailer are a must-try treat.
The Trail of Terror is more than a seasonal attraction—it’s a fundraiser that directly supports the Stoney Point Fire Department. Funds are used for essential needs, such as turnout gear, air packs, and updated equipment, which keep firefighters ready to serve.
The event also boosts the local economy. With visitors traveling from surrounding states, many make a full night out of their visit, grabbing dinner nearby or exploring Fayetteville’s downtown before or after the trail.
The event wouldn’t be possible without volunteers. Each September, orientation nights attract potential actors and helpers—many of whom are high school students earning community service hours, as well as parents, grandparents, and adults who simply love Halloween.
“Our volunteers are everything,” Buie emphasized. “We could not pull off this event without them.”
Beyond the scares, the Stoney Point Fire Department also gives back with its Annual Trunk or Treat, hosted by the department’s Auxiliary Members. This year, it will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, from noon to 2 p.m. at the fire station. Families can enjoy free Halloween fun, candy, and a chance to explore the fire trucks.
Ultimately, the Stoney Point Trail of Terror is about more than scares. It’s about shared laughter, adrenaline, and the joy of being part of a community. Visitors leave with stories they’ll tell for years, and the fire department leaves with the support it needs to continue serving Fayetteville.
So if you’re ready to do something scary this October, grab your friends, your courage, and your tickets to the Stoney Point Trail of Terror. Stoney Point Trail of Terror is located at 7221 Stoney Point Road, and tickets can be purchased online at https://www.undeadfd.com/tickets.
With live entertainment, unforgettable scares, and a cause worth supporting, this is one Halloween tradition you don’t want to miss.

(Photo courtesy of Stoney Point Trail of Terror)

Money Box Academy has been rolling nonstop since its launch. Committed to their mission of closing the financial knowledge gap — one workshop, one partnership, and one empowered individual at a time, Money Box has already made a significant impact on the Cumberland County community through workshops, training programs, and financial programs geared toward adults and youth.
The nonprofit is taking financial education to new heights. On Saturday, Oct. 18, Money Box Academy will host its inaugural gala at Shabain Farms and Event Center at 469 Posey Farm Rd. in Raeford. A Night to Remember: “The Vault is Open” Gala will bring together leaders, community advocates, and business owners under one roof, all with the mission of building financially intelligent and resilient communities. The gala will feature a fine dining experience, live music, and a curated networking opportunity, as well as honor leaders in the community who are making a difference.
This year’s inaugural honorees are: Lakeisha Rolle, founder of The Financial Academy in the Bahamas; Coach Rachel Hanible of Philadelphia will be honored for her transformative teaching and advocacy; and five others will be honored for their work towards the mission of Money Box Academy and advancing financial literacy. Local insurance guru, affectionately known as The Insurance Guy, Jerome Scott, will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of service, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to strengthening families through financial security and education.
Hosting the gala is nationally recognized, best-selling financial coach Anthony O’Neal. O’Neal was chosen because of his decades of service and mentorship. His support for Money Box Academy is proof that the nonprofit is not only making an impact, but the work is being seen beyond the city.
Organizers say attendees can look forward to “expect an atmosphere equal parts celebratory and catalytic, with proceeds funding expanded programs for youth, families, and small business owners across North Carolina. Our inaugural year’s theme, “The Vault Is Open”, symbolizes more than access to financial resources-it reflects our mission to unlock opportunity for all. We believe every individual deserves access to the tools, knowledge, and support to thrive financially. Together, we are opening doors that were once closed and building pathways for lasting change.”
Nothing Money Box Academy does is without purpose. There will be a silent auction during the gala to raise money for youth and community programming.
Founder Crystal McLean, a dedicated community leader and finance expert, said, “This night is more than a fundraiser; it is a movement. We are gathering the people who believe in creating lasting change for families, students, and entrepreneurs. Anthony’s presence, combined with the recognition of leaders like Lakeisha Rolle, Rachel Hanible, Jerome Scott, and our other honorees, signals to our community that the conversation around money, resilience, and
opportunity belongs right here in Fayetteville.”
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for Mocktail Hour, and the festivities start at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at https://moneyboxacademy.info/home. Single tickets are $150.00, and Sponsorship tables are $1,215 (table seats 9 guests). Contact partnerships@moneyboxacademy.org or call 910-983-2803. There are several local businesses, banks and law firms sponsoring the inaugural gala, solidifying the work that Money Box Academy is truly doing in Cumberland County.

Like the Rain, Fayetteville has fallen for Clint Black and friends. Clint Black is a legendary figure in country music. He has sold over 20 million records, won several Grammys and celebrated 22 number one hit songs. Black is slated to appear at the Crown Theater on Thursday, Oct. 16, as part of Fayetteville’s long-standing Community Concert Series.
This season marks the series’ 90th year. Community Concerts is Fayetteville’s oldest arts organization, having begun in 1935. The group is a non-profit that is comprised entirely of volunteers. They aim to bring high-quality entertainment to the community.
The Back on the Blacktop Tour promises to meet that high-quality standard. Black will grace the stage with two friends, who are also skilled and storied performers.
“Clint is bringing some amazing friends with him, “explained Gary Rogers, director of marketing, Crown Complex.
Those friends include Prestley Barker and John Foster. Barker, a North Carolina native, aims to restore authenticity to the country music genre. He has played on American Idol and as a guest of Ricky Skaggs at the Grand Ole Opry. Foster will also be on stage with Clint Black. Foster, at 19 years old, is also an American Idol Alum; he was a runner-up during the 23rd season. Foster hails from Louisiana and will be representing his home state in the 2026 Rose Parade.
The Crown feels that the Community Concert Series is a rewarding endeavor, and they truly celebrate its purpose in bringing the community together.
“It’s one of the best things we get to do here,” explained Anna Deaton, marketing manager, Crown Complex. “We are in the industry of bringing people together and making really amazing memories.”
The Clint Black Back on the Blacktop Tour is a night set to make memories.
“This is going to be a perfect night for people to make great memories with their friends and families, and meet some strangers that can turn into friends,” Deaton said.
Deaton has been a long-time country music fan and explained that she is most excited about this event, appealing to all ages.
“Growing up being a fan of country music and then getting to put on events that are here with musicians that you’ve grown up with, but I think, too, it’s just the community aspect when you look at the ticket sales and seeing people from all generations buying tickets,” she said.
Tickets for the event are available both online and at the Crown Complex box office located at 1960 Coliseum Drive. Deaton also wanted to share that tickets can be purchased on post for Fort Bragg Community Members.
“They don’t have to leave the installation to get tickets,” she said. “ That’s very important to us to make sure that the military community knows what’s happening and that our tickets are as accessible to them as possible.”
The Leisure and Travel Services on Fort Bragg is located at 2171 Rock Merritt Ave.
Doors for this event will open at 6:30 p.m., and the show is expected to start around 7:30 p.m., allowing attendees time to purchase merchandise and refreshments. A range of food will be on offer, and there will be special drink offers for those of legal drinking age.

(Photo courtesy of the Crown)

“Mammograms are really a sort of gift. You can either catch something early or count your lucky stars because nothing has been discovered. Either way. You are ahead of the game”
—Charlotte Ross

Join the Sherri Arnold Graham Foundation, Fight Like a Girl Mobile Mammography Outreach on Oct. 21 at 500 McPherson Church Road. The mobile outreach will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event highlights are free mobile mammogram screenings, VIP status for uninsured participants, community partners, resources, and support services. Spanish services (servicios en Espanol) are available to the public. Community partners involved in the outreach are the NAACP Fayetteville, Manna Church, Covenant Love Church, Good Hope Baptist Church, Dancing Without Sin, and Purple Trail Foundation. Pre-registration is encouraged for the event. For more information, contact 910-323-5774.
The Sherri Arnold Graham Foundation was founded in 2005 by Dr. Sherri Arnold Graham in Fayetteville after a successful completion of chemotherapy for breast cancer. It originally focused on breast cancer awareness through mobile mammography and community outreach, according to their Facebook page. They are creating new initiatives to broaden the impact in Cumberland County.
One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and it is the second leading cause of death in women, next to lung cancer. Yet, many women ask themselves, “Do I really need a mammogram?”
A mammogram is an imaging test used to screen women for breast cancer. In fact, it is your best chance of detecting breast cancer early when treatment is most effective.
The American Cancer Society recommends women begin breast cancer screening with mammograms around age 40 and commit to getting yearly mammograms by the age of forty-five. Women aged 55 and older may switch to screening every two years or continue annual screening. Routine screening every year is the best way to prevent breast cancer. A mammogram may not be the best idea of fun, but it could mean a difference between life and death. Cancer or an abnormality cannot always be felt. The mammogram can detect the growth of the size of a grain of sand. Early detection of breast cancer has a ninety-nine percent rate of being curable. The mammogram can save your life and breasts. It is not the most comfortable procedure and takes 20 minutes. It can give peace of mind for oneself and loved ones. The Sherri Arnold Graham Foundation provides the VIP status for uninsured clients and Spanish-speaking services.
Fight like a girl and get your mammogram on Oct. 21, from the Sherri Arnold Graham Foundation. Pre-registration is encouraged for the event. For more information, contact 910-323-9774.

Leaves haven’t started to fall yet, and since it is North Carolina, one can’t be quite sure if a shift to crisper air is the actual fall or a second false fall. What is certain, though, is that Lafayette Ford is hosting its fifth annual Fall Festival on Oct. 11. While there will be no shortage of fun Halloween-focused local events, Fall Fest offers a variety of activities for everyone at no cost.
The event began in 2021 when LaFayette Ford hosted its first Truck Day, and it has continued to grow and evolve over the last five years. What started as a means of giving back to the community and the business’s partners has evolved into a fall-focused, Halloween-themed annual extravaganza that also allows visitors to give back and support the community.
“It’s a joy to see all the kids having a great time. We also enjoy giving back. Those are two of the key reasons we do this every year,” said Paula Lindler, marketing director, LaFayette Ford.
This year, the event holds special meaning following the recent passing of the business’s owner, Don Price, who was an active member of the community and a strong advocate for Fayetteville.
“It is because of Don Price and his legacy that we have events like the Fall Festival, “explained Lindler.
“Don led the company with a mindset of how important it is to care for your community. Whether it was through his service in the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, civic clubs, his church, the Military Affairs Council, or so many other organizations, he generously gave his time and financial support to worthy causes.”
Price sought to improve the quality of life for the community as a whole and was particularly fond of the Fall Festival event. According to Lindler, his absence will be felt this year.
“He loved Fayetteville and Fort Bragg and wanted to help make it a great place to live,” Lindler said. “He attended Fall Festivals at the dealership and loved seeing the community enjoy the event. We think he would be proud that we are continuing his legacy through our annual event.”
The event is suitable for members of all ages in the community, and there are specific kid-friendly attractions planned for the day.
Children are encouraged to come in costume, and a Fayetteville Fire Department truck will be on site for them to explore. The event will have office face painting and a Trick-or-Treat as well. There will be local vendors to shop with, and prizes will be given away.
Visitors can also donate blood to the Cape Fear Valley Center from noon to 2 p.m., and they will be entered to win tickets to the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. Additionally, LaFayette Ford will be hosting a food drive for the Armed Services YMCA at Fort Bragg. The first 250 visitors to donate nonperishable food items to the food drive will receive lunch from one of the two onsite food trucks, courtesy of LaFayette Ford. Both Flavapalooza and Allison’s Fast Food will be serving up lunch. Flavapalooza’s specialties include hot subs and offer a self-proclaimed unique twist on everyday foods. Allison’s Latino Fast Food Truck will be serving Salvadoran fare. The event will also provide free drinks to visitors.
The event will be held at the LaFayette Ford Dealership, located at 5202 Reaford Road, and will begin at 11 a.m. Festivities will be wrapping up at 2 p.m. The event is free, and all ages are welcome to attend and enjoy the festivities. Vendor spaces are free and still available for this event. Vendors or organizations interested in participating can send an email to contactus@lafayettefl.com for additional details.

(Photos: The LaFayette Ford Fall Festival is a family friendly event that includes a trunk-or-treat, food trucks and a mobile blood drive. Photos by LaFayette Ford)