Since the dawn of time, we human beings have changed everything we encounter. When we got tired of gathering berries, we chopped down trees and cultivated land for our food. When we got cold and tired of eating raw food, we harnessed fire to cook and to warm ourselves. When living in caves got old, we learned to create structures for shelter.
We also figured out how to harness our own minds, developing frameworks to understand our world through religion and philosophy. Turns out we also found ways to change the way we experience our world using what the DuPont company dubbed “better living through chemistry.”

Yes, we figured out how to alter our minds through all sorts of compounds, including caffeine, plants, alcohol and more recently, chemical compounds, including prescription drugs.
Many scientists believe that early agricultural societies used alcohol and mind-altering plants in ceremonial rites and perhaps recreationally, but our real troubles with various substances began millennia later.
They have reached five-alarm fire proportions now, and the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying stress have both contributed to and placed a spotlight on American substance abuse.

Let’s look at alcohol first.

Apparently, we have been drinking up a storm. A study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that during the 20 years between 1999 and 2019, alcohol related deaths rose 3.6%, but in 2020 alone the death rate soared a breathtaking 25%! Alcohol related deaths went up across the board — men and women and in every ethnic and racial group.

Young adults, 25 to 44, had the greatest increase at 40%. In 2020, alcohol related deaths zoomed past the rate of increase for all other causes, including COVID-19.

Then there are preventable drug overdose deaths, more than 100,000 of them over the last year, up nearly 50% since the start of the pandemic and up an astounding 649% since 1999.

The majority of these deaths are caused by opioids, both prescription and illicit, with the fastest growing lethal category being synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and like substances.
Methamphetamines also cause preventable overdoses, but at much lower rates. Most deaths occur in the 25 to 34 age group, with 7 out of 10 deaths involving men, although the death rate for women is rising.

These sterile numbers, grim as they are, represent human beings who lost their lives to substances we humans created and that many of us use on a regular basis. These souls lost left people who loved them and who continue to suffer. My guess is that everyone reading this knows someone affected by alcohol and/or drug abuse.

Minds far greater than mine struggle to address the dramatic increases in alcohol related and preventable drug overdose deaths, and I pray they succeed — and soon. Their causes are myriad and vastly complex.

Among them in my mind is turning alcohol into forbidden fruit. Human history tells us that we are not going to get rid of it, so we should teach people, especially young folks, how to use it responsibly. It makes no sense to tie our nation’s drinking age to federal highway funding, forcing young people to wait to have a beer until they are 21, though they can get married, vote, get a loan and give their lives for their nation at 18.

Our medical establishment, pharmaceutical companies and government have failed us on the opioid issue. Big business pushed the drugs, physicians joined in, and Congress OK’d ubiquitous direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising which now tortures us every hour of the day. Only one other nation, New Zealand, allows this ugly practice.

Our nation is overdue for soul-searching about these skyrocketing death rates, both individually and collectively.

For the first time, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation is hosting the Legacy Ball on May 21. The Airborne and Special Operations Museum, established in 2000, “captures, preserves, exhibits, and presents the material culture and heritage of the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces from 1940 and into the future. The Museum celebrates over 80 years of Army Airborne and Special Operations history and honors our nation’s soldiers — past, present, and future,” according to the museum website.

The event has been designed to celebrate the history of Airborne and Special Operations soldiers. The guest list will include distinguished guests of honor, Medal of Honor Recipient, Master Sgt. (Ret.) Leroy Petry, and Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.

“Our guests will hear stories of bravery and courage from two very impactful distinguished guests of honor. It is my hope that they are inspired to support our endeavor to improve our visitor experience and educate future generations through our Honoring America’s Heroes capital campaign,” said Renee Lane, ASOMF executive director.

Donahue is recognized as the last American soldier to leave the country during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Petry, who received the Medal of Honor in 2011, was the second living recipient of the medal and was recognized for his actions in Afghanistan in 2008.

The event dress code is black tie or military equivalent, and the evening has been organized to match the glam attire. Catered by Elliotts on Linden, a Pinehurst restaurant that boasts “refined, imaginative dishes made with local ingredients, and global wines.”

The evening’s menu includes an appetizer, salad, steak and scallop entrée and dessert; there is a vegetarian option. Attendees will also enjoy a cocktail hour and flag presentation by Vann Morris, a combat veteran, orator and motivational speaker.

The 82nd Airborne Division All American Chorus will perform, and a bourbon bar, cigar station and fire pit will also be offered. The event will conclude with dancing.

In addition to fine dining and drink, there will be a silent auction supporting the ASOMF.
Event check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are limited and are only available in advance. Tickets are $250 or $400 for two tickets; member tickets are $150; active-duty military tickets, which include a plus one, are $200; tables of eight are available for $2500 or $2000 for museum friends; tables for four outdoors are $1500.

To purchase a ticket or table, visit www.asomf.org or call 910-643-2778.

Sometimes we receive letters from the community that are just too important and relevant to ignore. Below is one of them. I gladly relinquish my space to share this message with our readers and the entire Fayetteville community.
—Bill Bowman, publisher, Up & Coming Weekly

I am Margaret Dickson, a business owner, journalist, former state senator and representative from Cumberland County.

I am Rick Glazier, a lawyer, former Cumberland County school board member, Fayetteville State University professor and state representative.

I am Dr. Eric Mansfield, an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor in Fayetteville and former state senator from Cumberland County.

I am Diane Parfitt, a nurse, local downtown business owner and former state representative from Cumberland County.

Together for many years, we represented Cumberland County in the NC General Assembly.

Together, we fought for public education, affordable health care access, housing affordability, consumer protection, economic development, and environmental and social justice.

Today, we write together to support one of North Carolina's best qualified, most effective and deeply respected state senators, Kirk deViere.

When COVID-19 hit, he answered by fighting for and securing tens of millions of dollars for Cumberland County to prevent evictions, home foreclosures and utility cut-offs.

When public education needed a voice, he answered by effectively negotiating with the Republican legislative leadership. He did this for, quite literally, hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher pay, additional school nurses, textbooks, teacher assistant positions, early childhood education funds, broadband funds, school lunch monies and more social workers in the schools. He has led the fight for full Leandro funding.

While many have failed for 10 years in the executive and legislature, Kirk has been at the forefront of negotiating for Medicaid expansion and finally has gotten all parties to a place where that expansion may finally occur this summer.

When our waters were polluted along the Cape Fear River basin, Kirk led the charge to go after the polluters and get the state and the polluting companies to take responsibility, stop the pollution and begin to effectively remedy the damage.

When voices cried out for social justice and civil rights, he has been on the front lines of criminal records expunction, driver's license restoration, removing occupational licensing barriers and vigorously fighting for voting rights for all and equal justice for our daughters as well as our sons.

When predatory lending companies tried to enter North Carolina, he stopped them.

When community watches meet everywhere in the county, he is there, listening and always responds.

Kirk has always been that way; as a military veteran of 11 years, Fayetteville city councilman, local business owner and state senator. That is why he is immensely respected by his colleagues in Raleigh and is thought of as one of the brightest state senators in the country.

He is the first in his office most days and the last to leave at night.

He is thoughtful, intelligent, informed and compassionate, just as the four of us tried to be in our public service. Only — he does it even better!

He is a statesman and a rare commodity in public office; someone there for all the right reasons; someone who listens and not just talks; someone who values authenticity and morality over ideology and expediency; someone who delivers for our children, our families and our community.

He is, in our collective opinion, everything you want and we need in public service, in leadership and a model of community engagement. He is a man of uncommon sense and sensibility.

Together, we are proud and honored to endorse Senator deViere for re-election.*

*Our endorsements are personal and are made in our individual capacities and not on behalf of any organization to which we are a member.

Pictured above: (left to right) Margaret Dickson, Rick Glazier, Dr. Eric Mansfield, Diane Parfitt.

What books are you featuring on PBS-NC’s North Carolina “Bookwatch” this season?

When I get this question from fans of that television program, I have to explain that the program was recently discontinued by PBS-NC.

Then some people want to know what North Carolina-related books and authors would have been featured if the program had continued.

Here are some of the programs I would have recommended for inclusion.

“The Last First Kiss,” by Walter Bennett. A widowed retired lawyer reconnects with his high school girl friend in a hurricane on the Outer Banks.

“The Beauty of Dusk” by Frank Bruni. The New York Times columnist and new North Carolina resident deals with his possible blindness.

“Fire and Stone: The Making of the University of North Carolina under Presidents Edward Kidder Graham and Harry Woodburn Chase” by Howard Covington.

“Midnight Lock” by Jeffery Deaver, the bestselling thriller author of the Lincoln Rhyme series who lives in North Carolina.

“Balcony Reserved for White Spectators” by the late Walter Dellinger. Although Dellinger died before he completed this book of his extraordinary memories, we can hope his family and friends will find a way to finish it.

“Saving the Wild South: The Fight for Native Plants on the Brink of Extinction” by Georgeann Eubanks.

“The Recovery Agent” by Janet Evanovich. This bestselling author who lives in North Carolina begins a new series that the publisher asserts “blends wild adventure, hugely appealing characters, and pitch-perfect humor.”

“A Good Neighborhood” by Therese Anne Fowler. A story of race and family set in Raleigh.

“The Last Battleground: The Civil War Comes to North Carolina” by Philip Gerard.

“The Other Dr. Gilmer: Two Men, A Murder, and an Unlikely Fight for Justice” by Benjamin Gilmer. A caring doctor is also a killer.

“UNC A to Z: What Every Tar Heel Needs to Know about the First State University” by Nicholas Graham and Cecelia Moore.

“The Unwilling” by John Hart. Set in North Carolina, a fifth bestseller by Hart, who grew up in Salisbury.

“Mountain Folk” by John Hood. A political columnist’s fanciful look at the times of the American Revolution.

“To Drink from the Well: The Struggle for Racial Equality at the Nation's Oldest Public University” by Geeta N. Kapur. A Black UNC-Chapel Hill graduate re-writes the history of the university’s admission denials.

“Frank Porter Graham: Southern Liberal, Citizen of the World” by William Link.

“The Mays of Alamanns’ Creek: A Family Odyssey” by John May. A family history beginning hundreds of thousands of years ago.

“Hell of a Book” by Jason Mott, who won the 2021 National Book Award.

“The Faces of Poverty in North Carolina: Stories from Our Invisible Citizens” by Gene Nichol.

“Sea Level Rise: A Slow Tsunami on America’s Shores” by Orrin and Keith Pilkey.

“A Small Circle” by William Price. A privately published book of family memories by Reynolds Price’s brother William.

“Andy Griffith’s Manteo: His Real Mayberry” by John Railey. Griffith’s life story told from his beloved Manteo.

“In the Valley” by Ron Rash. Short stories by a master of the craft and a sequel to Rash’s bestselling “Serena.”

“Searching for Amylu Danzer” by John Rosenthal. Famed photographer Rosenthal’s memoir of a lost friendship still haunting after more than 50 years.

“How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” by Clint Smith. This #1 New York Times bestseller by a Davidson graduate who visited places where slavery is more than a simple memory.

“The Return” by Nicholas Sparks.

“Paul’s Hill: Homage to Whitman” by Shelby Stephenson. Narrative poetry by a former state poet-laureate.

“French Braid” by Anne Tyler. Another best seller set in Baltimore by an author who grew up in North Carolina

“Hanging Tree Guitars” by Freeman Vines. Photographs and memories of Vine and his guitars.

“A Consequential Life: David Lowry Swain, Nineteenth-Century North Carolina, and Their University” by Willis Whichard, expected to be released later this year.
“Bookwatch” may be gone, but North Carolina-related books and authors continue to thrive.

Capt. Daniel Gordon, Alpha Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade, smiles as he talks about his love for obstacle races. In the plainly decorated gym at his apartment, he pulls 45-pound weights off the rack and places them onto the bar. He is focused on the events awaiting him at the end of June.

He gets a little distracted as he talks about his upcoming race — the Spartan Death Race in Pittsfield, Vermont. He is both excited and nervous. He begins to discuss some of the mental challenges he'll face.
Gordon is strong, and he spends a lot of time inside a gym or doing sporting activities. He has an infectious energy about him and moves and talks rapidly. His girlfriend, Melody Chong, is standing beside him and watching him with a smile. She picks up the weights and places them on the bar.

For 72 hours, Gordon will complete a series of tasks, both mental and physical, without any sleep. These tasks will include a 14-hour ruck march, a 26.2-mile sandbag carry and 26.2 miles of burpees. Gordon is not exactly sure what to expect at the Spartan Death Race. The race itself has about a 5 to 10% completion rate.

Tonight's workout is the second of the day for Gordon. This morning he ran 10 miles on Fort Bragg at 5 a.m. He tries to include running in his daily routine.

“I'm still not the quickest runner. I don't love running,” he says, laughing.

Spartan is very specific about the race's qualifications. Gordon went through an application process and was required to upload training videos each month after acceptance as a participant. He will compete in a series of mental challenges during the race, then complete the physical challenges.

“I think the more you get wrong, the more you do,” Gordon said of the physical exercises.

He admits that he is not entirely sure of all the activities and obstacles he will have to tackle to complete this three-day course. This part seems to energize Gordon. He has always been up for challenges. This is good considering this race also includes a barbed-wire-crawl marathon along with the other events.

“I've been doing a lot of mental preparation. I have been listening to podcasts. Your mind can handle ‘I'm going to carry this rock for an hour,' but it can't handle 'I have to carry this rock for 72 hours,’” Gordon smiles widely, then continues, “I want to be able to mentally function when I'm dead tired.”

Gordon attended West Point and said he was very active in sports growing up. His father, also in the military, pushed him not to give up and always complete things. He also taught Gordon and his sister to work hard at their activities. Gordon remembers spending hours hitting balls outside for practice. The discipline he has developed he credits first to his dad.

“He always pushed us to do our best,” Gordon explains.

Obstacle racing has become part of his life in the last couple of years. These races, according to Gordon, are also good practice for his military career. They help prepare for situations that a soldier may find themselves in. It helps him answer some questions he says are essential to his job duties.

“Can you operate as a team when you are tired and hungry and you haven't slept? Can you mentally stay in the game when you want to quit?”

Gordon leans back to do a bench press. He does a few sets and then sits back up.

“You know,” he says, “I can handle you are going to crawl under barbed wire for 10 miles … it's that hour 65 or 70 when you are wondering when is this going to end; that's the scary part of it.”

Gordon leans back down and lifts more weights. He admits that the thirtieth of June isn't too far away, and 72 hours is a lot of time for things to “go wrong.” The right attitude, Gordon says, is key. “I think you only know if you are ready once you get there. And once you get there, you kind of gotta say, ‘alright, now I'm here. I got to accept that I am here.’”

“I'm not going to be one to tap out and do the walk of shame,” He explains. “… I think I'm going to make it. Once I'm there, I'm going to be there. That's been my mindset.”

Regardless of the outcome, Gordon says he will run it again. Pushing his limits is a thrill that he can't seem to get enough of.

Mother's Day Carriage Rides in Downtown Fayetteville
Mother's Day is just around the corner. Gift the experience of taking a carriage ride through downtown Fayetteville with the Mother's Day Carriage Rides. The Queen Victoria Carriage will take you on a 15 to 17 minute scenic ride through downtown Fayetteville on Saturday, May 7 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The carriage will arrive and depart from the Cool Spring Downtown District's office located at 222 Hay St. (across the street from Pierro’s Italian Bistro).
Tickets are $75 and include carriage seats for two to six people. Carriages can accommodate approximately four adults and two children. Upon purchasing your ticket you will receive an email asking how many people to expect for your carriage ride. This is a rain/shine event and tickets are nonrefundable.
Cool Spring Downtown District strongly encourages those interested to take the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance online at https://bit.ly/MothersDayCarriageRides2022.
Contact the Cool Spring Downtown District’s office at 910-223-1089, for additional information.

Huske Hardware’s Simply Southern Mother’s Day Brunch
Join Huske Hardware Restaurant & Brewery for our Simply Southern Mother's Day Brunch in beautiful downtown Fayetteville. Brunch favorites to include our Signature Salmon and Huske Benedicts, steak and eggs, biscuits and house sausage gravy, country fried steak and eggs, chicken and waffles and other dining favorites.
Huske will be highlighting our Stella Rosa Mimosas that include flavors such as peach, berry, blueberry, pineapple, as well as a traditional Moscato Mimosa.
The full bar will be open and serving will be from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Reservations are highly recommended and can be made through Eventbrite at https://huskebrunch.eventbrite.com. Reservations are held for 15 minutes before table is released. All parties must be present to be seated.

Mother's Day Brunch Iron Mike Conference Center
Iron Mike Conference Center on Fort Bragg is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch, May 8. The brunch will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and reservations are required.
The menu will include a variety of breakfast items, a carving station, a salad bar, a selection of vegetables and a dessert spread.
This event is open to the public. Call 910-907-2582 for additional information or to make reservations.

Fort Bragg Fair Mother’s attend free
“The Fort Bragg Fair brings together soldiers and families with our supportive community members,” said Col. Scott Pence, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander. “As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, we are happy to return to the normalcy of fair rides, local concerts and nostalgic fried food concoctions.”
The public is invited to enjoy carnival rides, games, entertainment, food and more.
The fair will be open through May 8, Monday through Friday from 5 - 7 p.m. Bring your mom out for a day of fun on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8. All mothers will be admitted free with a paying child 36 inches or taller up to the age of 17.
Parking is free and accessible off Bragg Boulevard to non-ID cardholders, just outside the fairground. ID card-holders may park on the installation at Watson Street.
For entertainment and admission prices, please visit https://bragg.armymwr.com.

Fayetteville’s summer concert series, Rock’n on the River, is back for the third year. The events will be held once a month on Fridays from May to October and feature a variety of performers, from local acts to tribute bands.

The series is billed as a place where families can relax and listen to great music. The community is invited to bring chairs and blankets and settle in for a night of family-friendly entertainment along the Cape Fear River.

“I want people to come out and bring the family and enjoy themselves, and have some food and have some drinks,” said event organizer Greg Adair.
The series started in 2019 when Adair realized there weren’t many activities for families after the Dogwood Festival in the spring.

“I just wanted another concert series where people can go have a drink, take the family and enjoy themselves,” he said.

“And that’s what we created, and it just took off.”

The first year the series had three shows, and the next year, they doubled to six. The pandemic forced cancelations in 2020, but they were able to bring it back in 2021.

Attendance has grown over the years, proving that the community wanted an event like this. One of the most popular nights in previous years brought in more than 1000 people.
Adair knows the importance of supporting local businesses after the shutdowns of the last two years, so all the event partners are from the area.

“When we went through 2020 [we] saw all these [businesses] really struggle to stay open,” he said. “It’s something we owe our community— to shop local. They have struggled for a year, almost two years now, and just barely getting back on their feet.”

He acknowledges that local businesses do not have to support events during downtimes, but they have stepped up to provide free entertainment for the community.

“They are still supporting these shows so people can have a free place to go,” he said. “There is a lot to be said about that.”

The season will kick off May 13 with opener Dark Horse (country) and headliner ABACAB (Genesis/Phil Collins tribute). Parking will open at 5 p.m., and the first band starts at 6 p.m. The second band will perform at 8 p.m. and end at 10:15 p.m.

Additional Rock’n on the River concerts are planned for June 17, Stone Whiskey (southern rock) and The Fifth (80s hard rock); July 22, Autumn Tyde (beach/R&B) and REV ON (Foreigner tribute); August 19, Regional Band Blowout with 80s Unleashed, Guy Unger Band and Rivermist (Adair’s band); September 16, Reflections II (party music) and KISS ARMY (KISS tribute); October 21, Joyner Young & Marie (pop) and Night Train (Guns N’ Roses tribute).

There is no admission charge for the event, but parking is $15 per car. Food and drinks are available for purchase on-site, so concertgoers should only plan to bring chairs or a blanket. The series is held at 1122 Person

St. behind Deep Creek Grill.
Follow the event Facebook page for updates at www.facebook.com/Rockn-On-The-River-271048666818630.

Sustainable Sandhills and Sweet Valley Ranch are teaming up to bring an exciting new farmer's market to the people of the Sandhills.

Sandhills M.A.D.E. Market at Sweet Valley Ranch will launch on May 7 and continue every first and third Saturday through Oct. 15.
M.A.D.E., an acronym for makers, agriculturalists, designers and entrepreneurs, is a project of Sustainable Sandhills, and this will be its first year in operation.

Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Jonelle Kimbrough, who has been executive director of Sustainable Sandhills for the past three years.

"The market provides a place for farmers, artisans and crafters to come together and have an outlet to sell their products to the local community while also connecting them with a consumer base in the absence of a brick and mortar store."

The market is especially eager to connect those who sell fresh produce with those who may have difficulty finding it.
Sweet Valley Ranch, located off I-95, is considered to be part of a low-access tract area, meaning a significant portion of the population lives more than one mile away from a grocery store or supermarket, making it a challenge to purchase fresh, affordable produce.

Kimbrough hopes the market not only creates access to these goods but brings exposure to those providing such a valuable service.

"Local food is healthier, better for the environment and better for the economy," she said.
According to their website, Sustainable Sandhills is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening communities by creating resilient environmental, economic and social resources for current and future generations.

The organization aims high with this new endeavor and hopes it will be bigger than the average farmer's market.

"Small businesses are the cornerstone of the local community, and they keep money in our community. When you shop locally, you're giving money to a family, possibly a neighbor, not another big box store," she continued.

"We take pride in recruiting vendors of all backgrounds. We support small businesses owned by women, veterans and members of the BIPOC community. While other markets in the area have a long waitlist to participate, this market is a great opportunity for newer vendors who want to get their names and products out. We want to be a network for small business owners, helping them market and sell to their local community."

North Carolina is home to around 217 farmer's markets. It is ranked tenth in the number of farmer's markets in the United States.

"I would say this market is different because we have a unique set of vendors who possess a wide variety of skills," Kimbrough told Up & Coming Weekly. "We have vendors that produce their meat right here in the Sandhills, apothecaries, just so many types of artists and crafters who create a great cross-section of makers and farmers."

Only goods grown, raised or made in North Carolina are accepted at the market. The hands that sell the products are the same ones that made the product which Kimbrough feels is an essential aspect of this program.
Another unique feature of the M.A.D.E. market is its location.

Sweet Valley Ranch, an agro-attraction here in Fayetteville, will have activities for just about everyone on market days. Dinosaur World, inflatables, Go-Karts and fun seasonal activities will make this market fun for the whole family. Parents can shop and enjoy the food trucks while kids can get out and run around.

"We're looking forward to getting it open and underway," said Kimbrough optimistically. "We're excited for everyone to come out and have a good time."
The Sweet Valley Ranch is located at 2990 Sunnyside School Road.
For more information about the market or to be a vendor, visit https://sustainablesandhills.org/sweetvalleyranchmarket/.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has planned an unlikely pairing of classical music and beer for a truly unique moviegoing experience.

Following its successful debut last fall, Symphony Movie Night returns Friday, May 13, at Dirtbag Ales Brewery, starting at 8 p.m.

1921 silent film "The Kid," directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, will light up the outdoor screen as the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra performs Peter B. Kay's arrangement of the score live.

"We did our first movie night back in October with a showing of Nosferatu," said community engagement manager Anna Meyer. "It was a great success and a bit of a surprise to many of the patrons there. We're hoping to get the word out well ahead of time so more people can come and enjoy the show."

"This is a fun, lighthearted film, and even to those unfamiliar with silent films, people tend to recognize Charlie Chaplin. We thought it would be a good choice for the spring," she explained.

Meyer, who's been with the orchestra for a year and has a background in theater and arts management, is excited to be a part of the bustling cultural movement in Fayetteville. She's passionate about creating opportunities to engage with the community.

Events like this and Symphony on Tap, which brings classical music to local breweries, are a few initiatives geared toward keeping the symphony connected to the community it serves.

"This event is in tune with what I love to do," she told Up & Coming Weekly. The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has been here a long time. We want to focus on bringing the symphony to people instead of expecting people to come to us."

The symphony began in 1956 as a community orchestra, humbly rehearsing out of musicians' living rooms before securing a space of its own. Over the past six decades, the orchestra has grown into an institution, a professional orchestra with the best of the best North Carolina musicians on its roster.

"I think we provide cultural enrichment to the community. We offer a lot of exposure to different kinds of music," Meyer said of the symphony's importance in the community. "From classical music at our traditional concerts to jazz and pop covers at Symphony On Tap, we try to have something for everybody.

"This is just such a vibrant community," she said, speaking of downtown Fayetteville's arts and culture movement. "There are so many affordable options and opportunities for people to experience."
Symphony Movie Night is free to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. Weather permitting, the event will take place on the patio, with a plan to move indoors if necessary.

"We're hoping to reach everyone," said Meyers. "Kids are welcome, and Dirtbag is very family-friendly, but I think it would make a great date night," she suggested.
Symphony Movie Night was initially scheduled for Saturday, May 7, but has been rescheduled for Friday, May 6.

Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom is located at 5435 Corporation Dr. in Hope Mills.
For more information about the event and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, visit their website at www.fayettevillesymphony.org/.

The Carolina Country Music Association is hosting the two-day North Carolina Songwriters Festival in Fayetteville May 6 through 7.

Known as the “Longest Songwriter Pub Crawl” in North Carolina, the festival features the independent singer-songwriters behind some of country music’s greatest hits.

Unique in that it’s not housed at a single venue, the event encourages those in attendance to sample the wares and listen to music at several different locations.

Starting at 6 p.m. on May 6, the festival, which will take place at around a dozen different venues across Fayetteville and surrounding areas, is a way for fans to interact with independent singers and songwriters up close.

Venues familiar to locals, such as Dirtbag Ales, Fayetteville Bakery and Café, Dirty Whiskey Cocktail Bar, and their newest venue Gates Four Golf and County Club are free and open to the public. However, some private events will come at a cost.

Host of Carolina Country on 100.1 WFAY in Fayetteville, and Executive Director of the Carolina Country Music Association, Christy ‘Sweet Tea” Andrulonis, sees the festival as an excellent opportunity for everyone involved.

“This festival is a way to promote independent artists and draw the community into multiple venues,” she said. “Live music will be happening all over the city, bringing people together.”

The festival will feature acoustic music and allow singer-songwriters to share the stories behind their greatest hits before they play.
Some venues will feature one artist, while others will have as many as four performers on stage at a time in a round table discussion of their work.

While there will be several indie artists who have submitted applications to be a part of this event, the festival is a draw for some big names in the industry. Damien Horne, a North Carolina native and member of the MuzikMafia, will be in attendance to share his music and his story with festivalgoers.

According to their online bio, Carolina Country Music Association is “an industry trade group for singers, songwriters, musicians and country music fans.” In addition to “sharing the stories of the Carolinas,” the organization prides itself on being the most prominent supporter of independent singers and songwriters with roots in the Carolinas.

North Carolina shares a long, rich history with country music and has had a significant impact on the genre over the last 90 years or so. Industry legends such as George Hamilton IV and Randy Travis call North Carolina home. This festival is an opportunity to bring exposure to the great artists of Carolina yet to be discovered.

When the festival is over, Andrulonis hopes attendees will leave with a greater appreciation of these indie artists and the incredible work they do to bring music into people’s lives.

“I hope they leave with an understanding of just how important it is to support local art and music. There’s much more going on behind the scenes of your favorite No. 1 song on the radio. There’s so much more than meets the eye.”

For more information and a complete list of artists and venues, visit www.carolinacountrymusicassociation.org/ncsongwritersfestival.

Each year, with the exception of 2020, the CARE Clinic hosts Toast of the Town at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. May 5 will mark the twenty-second Toast of the Town. This fundraiser is vital to The CARE Clinic, which offers health care to support local individuals who have no insurance and are in a low-income bracket. The clinic does not receive any government funding and is run solely through donations, grants and fundraising. Monthly costs to keep the organization running are approximately $55,000. The CARE Clinic has seen a marked increase in the need for the type of services they provides since the start of the pandemic.

The CARE Clinic is hoping the community will show up in numbers to support their vital mission.

“We are expecting between 300 to 400 attendees,” explained Tara Martin, CARE Clinic development and marketing director.

Martin is new to the organization and is particularly excited about the chance to interface with the local community.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet and talk with our supporters and sponsors face-to-face. Since I just started working with the clinic in November, this is my first major in-person event as development director. I will get to finally put faces to the names I have been learning over the past six months,” Martin said.

Held at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, Toast of the Town will begin at 6 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a night out in the gardens with hors d’ oeuvres and desserts from Two Brothers Catering to snack on. Wines, beers, ales, spirits and hand-rolled cigars from Anstead’s will also be available.

The event is being supported by and features a selection of local small businesses.

“Wine will be provided by Johnson Brothers Mutual Distributing and served by Leclair’s General Store. Our breweries will include Bright Light Brewing Company, Mash House Brewing and Dirtbag Ales. The Spirits will be provided by Cape Fear Distillery. Lastly, the cigars will be provided by Anstead’s Tobacco Company,” Martin told Up & Coming Weekly.

The CARE Clinic will run a virtual Silent Auction featuring priceless baskets donated by businesses from all around North Carolina and there will be travel experiences to the castles of Ireland, the Greek Islands, Costa Rica and more. In addition to the silent auction, event organizers will be running a 50/50 raffle.

“The winner of the drawing will walk away with half of the money raised from raffle ticket sales. We have already begun selling tickets as a lead-up to the event. The pot is currently up to $1600 — that means whoever wins that night is guaranteed to receive at least $800,” Martin said on April 29.

Tickets are available for $100 until Wednesday, May 4 at 5 p.m. After that time, tickets will be $125. For more information, visit www.toastofthetownfay.com or call the clinic at 910-485-0555.

Drinking and tobacco are not all that is offered; there is something for everyone.

“This event will be so much fun. If someone is on the fence about coming, I invite you to still come on out for a night of socializing. Even for those who do not drink, there is still a lot for this event to offer,” Martin said.

Nothing says “summer is on the way,” quite like Cinco De Mayo.

The festive holiday is an excellent opportunity to gather with friends, eat good food and play a few rounds of charity golf if the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce has anything to say about it.
On May 5, at Gates Four Golf and Country Club, the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce will host
its Annual Cinco De Mayo GolfTournament.

A long-standing event within the community, the golf tournament is a popular fundraising opportunity for the people of Hope Mills and surrounding areas.

“The objective of this event is multi-purpose,” says Lisa Bastic-Penardo, treasurer, Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce.

“The tournament raises funds for the Chamber of Commerce and a local non-profit. This year we’ve partnered with United Way, so a portion of the proceeds will support that organization and its various projects.”

The Golf Tournament Committee made up of Connie Rushing, Nolan Clark, Brenda Seay and Bastic-Penardo, has been busy planning the event since last September, working hard to get everything just right.

“We wanted to continue the tradition of the golf tournament,” Bastic-Penardo said. “Our Chamber is blessed to have such like-minded people working together to make everything a success. It’s a lot of work, but it’s always worth it in the end.”

“The tournament has been going on around twenty years — It’s been around here a lot longer than me,” she said.

As the town of Hope Mills prepares to celebrate its 130th anniversary and the chamber its 30th, the tournament is one of the community’s oldest and most memorable events.

Just right for Cinco De Mayo, this year’s theme is Tacos & Margaritas and evokes the sense of fun Bastic-Penardo hopes everyone will take away from the event.

Participants can sign up as a team of four or as individuals with a cost of $100 per player.

Registration for the tournament begins at noon with a shotgun starting at 1 p.m. Awards and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.
Those participating will enjoy 18 holes of golf, a four-person captain’s choice format and unlimited range balls before the tournament begins.
Additionally, the admission cost covers a cart, green fee, boxed lunch and a taco & margarita dinner buffet.

The tournament will also feature several contests to heighten the sense of fun. Awards for first and worst, closest to the pin and longest drive are all up for grabs for those daring to show off their golf skills.

For those lacking in the aforementioned golf skills, there’s no need to worry — all skill levels are welcome.

“Everybody is invited to come,” says Bastic-Penardo. “It will be a great day for anyone who wants to have a good time, relax with other like-minded people, and enjoy a little family-friendly competition.”
Gates Four Golf and Country Club is located at 6775 Irongate Drive in Fayetteville.
For more information about the tournament, visit the event website at www.visitfayettevillenc.com/event/cinco-de-mayo-charity-golf-tournament/17588/.

The Crown Theatre will present its 84th season of Community Concerts featuring the Oak Ridge Boys Friday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m.

In a musical career that has spanned over three decades, the quartet has broken the mold for classic country music. The band members are William Lee Golden, baritone; Richard Sterban, bass; Joe Bonsall, tenor; and Duane Allen, lead vocals.

Their music is universal, and they are currently in overdrive touring for their 150-day-long “Front Porch Singin’ Tour.”

“At the concert, there are some things that are very obvious, and you are going to hear me sing ‘Giddy up omm poppa mow mow’ because that song is the law,” said Richard Sterban.

“It is quite an interesting story how the song “Elvira” came about,” he said.

Last year was the 40th anniversary of their signature song, “Elvira,” and the band is celebrating it. A gentleman named Dallas Frazier wrote the song. Several years ago, Frazier was driving home from a recording session in East Nashville, and he saw a street sign that said Elvira Street.

He pulled up to the street sign and wrote on a piece of paper, “Elvira, Elvira, my heart is on fire for Elvira.”

Then he wrote the “Giddy up omm poppa mow mow” part because that imitated the bumps on the road, the potholes on Elvira Street. When he got home, he finished the song and wrote the verses about a woman so that the music would make more sense, but the song’s original inspiration came from a street sign in East Nashville.

“I’ve talked to a lot of songwriters, and they have told me that you never know where the inspiration to write a song is going to come from,” Sterban said. “So that is the story about the song that most people do not know.”

Some of their chart-topping hits are “Elvira,” “Thank God for Kids,” “Just A Little Talk With Jesus,” “Come On In,” “Bobbie Sue” and these hits propelled them to sell over 41 million albums, have over 30 top ten hits and more than a dozen national number one singles.

“We will perform a lot of our hits, and our most requested song is “Thank God for Kids,” Sterban said. “William Lee Golden, the guy with the long beard in our group, does a good job of interpreting those lyrics and communicating it to the audience.”

The group can glide across musical genres as they have recorded both country and gospel hits.

“We make our living singing country music, but we all grew up singing gospel music, and we love it,” Sterban said. “We are also excited about our latest album, ‘The Oak Ridge Boys Front Porch Singin’ and it is very inspirational music, and a lot of it is gospel, but there are some new country songs on it.”

He added, “All of the songs are very meaningful, and it really is the kind of music that we need to hear right now with all of the things that are going on in the world today.”
Oak Ridge Boys recorded their latest album in a very informal manner. The group walked into the recording studio in Nashville, and their producer, Dave Cobb, asked the question, “Fellas, if you guys were on the bus and you were getting ready for a show, what would you sing?”

The lead singer, Allen, immediately began singing an old spiritual called “Swing Down Chariot.”
The other members joined in and started harmonizing with him. This is a song they have known for years and had never recorded.

“Dave told us to get to the microphones immediately to record the song,” Sterban said. “We sang the song, and we were probably in the studio for less than an hour, and it was a done deal.”
Sterban added, “I think this is a great example of how this album was recorded in an unstructured setting of four guys harmonizing together.”

Their hardcore fans affectionately call them “The Oaks,” and over the years, they have become known for their Christmas music. “We have eight Christmas albums, and for over 30 years, we have done a great Christmas tour on the road, and it is the biggest part of our year,” Sterban said. “We do our Christmas Show every night from Thanksgiving up until Christmas Eve night except Tuesdays, and it is a great family show.”

Their musical awards include the Country Music Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, five Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards, four Country Music Association Awards, 11 Dove Awards, five Billboard Awards, eight Cashbox Awards, they are members of the Grand Ole Opry and many more.
Sterban has been in the music industry for decades and has some valuable advice for young aspiring bands.

“This is a very competitive business, and a lot of young acts try to make it, and only a handful really do make it,” he said. “My advice is to decide what you want to do, work on your craft, sing every chance that you get, strive to become the best performer that you can possibly become and never slough off because you never know who will be listening.”

With so many accolades and accomplishments under their belt, the Oak Ridge Boys have no plans on retiring anytime soon.

“For the next few years at least, we are going to keep doing what we love doing, and that’s recording, traveling and taking our music live to our fans,” Sterban said. “Come out and join us for a night of good music and family entertainment because we are so happy to be back on stage working again.”

For ticket information, visit www.capefeartix.com.

The Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity was recently awarded a $5 million grant from American author and philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. The grant is part of a $436 million donation to 83 U.S. Habitat affiliates, including eight in North Carolina.

The FAHFH branch covers Cumberland, Bladen and Sampson counties. The grant will allow them to continue their work in those locations and expand into Robeson County.

The organization has been around since 1988, but they have made significant progress in providing affordable housing more recently.

“In the last 34 years, we’ve built a little over 200 homes, but 25% of those homes have been built in the last three years,” said CEO Ron Gunter. “As you’re well aware, we had Hurricanes Matthew and Florence that came through, and for about four years there, we didn’t build a single home. We did nothing but repairs for homes and mainly have had homeowners that [whose homes] were built in lower-lying areas of the city.”

In 2019, FAHFH began construction on a community of 47 homes called Oak Ridge Estate. Nine homeowners are local veterans, and 15 of the families were impacted by hurricanes.

“We’ll be finishing up Oak Ridge in June and begin moving to another part of town with more construction to build clusters of homes, anywhere from five to seven to eight homes at a time, hoping to facilitate change and strengthen and revitalize those parts of the community and the neighborhood,” he said. “Our goal is to build as many homes as we can in affordable housing.”

FAHFH helps low-income families become homeowners, but they provide more than just a house. They also offer courses to help families with the challenges of homeownership.

They have 35 online and in-person classes covering banking, insurance and home repair from experts who volunteer time.

“We try to have a holistic approach to our homeowners,” he said. “We want to help them not only get into their homes but stay in their homes.”

When someone qualifies for a home, they must commit 300 sweat equity hours. These volunteer hours combine classroom instruction, working on their future home or volunteering at ReStore, Habitat’s home improvement store.

Gunter has seen firsthand the dedication and hard work the families put into securing their homes. He recalled the emotional move-in day for a single mom of three who went through chemotherapy while still contributing her sweat equity hours to construct her house.

“To watch tears flow from her face and say, ‘I’m not going to move anymore,’” he said. “That’s why we do what we do. That’s the full payment for us. We get to stand and dedicate that home, commit that home, give them the key. And they’re now the homeowner that makes all the difference in the world.”

The FAHFH has 14 employees covering everything from community relations to family services to finances. They also have five employees at the local ReStore. They consider themselves a small but mighty team that works well together for the greater good.

“That’s one thing that’s very important: there are no ‘lone rangers’ in the Fayetteville area Habitat. We’re all part of the team, and it takes all of us working together (and it’s a lot of hard work), but it’s a great team,” Gunter said. “They all step up to do whatever’s needed to get the job done.”

The team will commemorate the completion of Oak Ridge Estates with a fundraising event, Framing the Future, on June 26. They will also be honoring Gunter on his retirement and welcoming a new CEO, Brandon Price, their current compliance and advocacy officer.

“We want to celebrate the amazing work that Ron has done in the past three years with Oak Ridge and his retirement,” said FAHFH Director of Marketing April De Leon. “And everybody that’s worked with us in the past three years, all of our vendors that have helped construct the homes [are] invited … we’re inviting the city out to celebrate all the good work that’s been done in Cumberland County.”

Framing the Future will be held June 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sweet Valley Ranch, 2990 Sunnyside School Road. Tickets are $100 for individuals, and sponsor tables for eight or more are still available.

Visit www.fayettevillenchabitat.org to learn more about the organization and upcoming events.

If there is one thing North Carolina’s Mother of Year award winner, Demetria Davis, is, it’s busy. Mama Dee, as those around her call her, finds the time to talk about herself late at night — after the dinner is made, kids are in bed and all the tasks that fall on a mother are done.

“Sometimes, you have to carve it out and make time,” she said.

Davis grew up in Fayetteville and ran track at Terry Sanford. After high school, Davis continued to run track in college in South Carolina. She secured an endorsement from Nike and traveled the world running for the U.S. She ended up taking home a medal at the world championships in 2003. Suddenly, her days as a track star came to an end.

“I ended up getting injured. It went kind of downhill from there. I soon after met my husband. We got married, had kids. We started doing ministry together,” Davis said.

Davis described this evolution as natural and spoke about it with a loving tone. In 2012, Davis and her husband moved back to Fayetteville and started their ministry in North Carolina. Being both a mom of five children and a minister kept her busy. Davis said she has many “kids” in the community. Everyone loves “Mama Dee,” as one kid coined Davis many years ago.

She said she never intended to be nominated for Mother of the Year. An outing at a pageant led another attendee to nominate Davis for the Mother of the Year Award.

“She said just from spending time with me, she really loved my spirit. It was definitely different. I cried. There’s so many wonderful mothers out there,” Davis said.

For Davis, it is an honor to represent North Carolina and all the mothers in the state. But despite the title, Davis says she doesn’t have all the answers as a mom. Mother of the Year does not equal perfection. Like most moms, she was afraid of making mistakes with her children.

“They see everything you do. One of the most challenging things is being who God wanted me to be for them. You learn every day how to be a mother. Sometimes you are walking your way blindly,” she said.
Davis has found that mothering isn’t limited to the kids she “birthed.” Mothering, for her, extended to those kids in the community that look to her for advice and bonding. She became “attached” to many kids in the community. She’s taken kids in and even had some stay with her during Christmas time.

“You end up being a mother to kids that don’t have that at home. That was unexpected. It’s amazing.”

Her kids are also involved in sports and often bring friends home. It has become a hang-out of sorts for teenagers. Davis has two other boys right now that she says feel like her kids. She met both through her and her husband’s ministry efforts. She says her love for God and her family is her biggest passion, and it becomes easy to serve people through it.

“We love serving people. I love my family. I love being able to make them happy.”

For Mama Dee, serving her family and others includes great meals at home and catering on the weekends. Cooking is another passion for Davis. She believes that service to others can sometimes come from serving food and cooking.

“Whatever it is, I’m cooking, I am putting my all into it,” she said.

Mama Dee recently became a grandmother. Her daughter had a baby last year. She gives the same advice to her daughter about being a mother. She tells her that she will make mistakes and not to get upset at herself.

For Davis, every day is a new opportunity to learn as parents. Davis does have some advice for other new moms as well.

“Be your authentic you. You are exactly who God created you to be. Sometimes we lose track of that, but once we get back on track and be who he wanted us to be, it’s well worth it.”

The Cumberland County Department of Public Health is giving away free mosquito insecticide to Cumberland County residents while supplies last. The Mosquito Dunks product is a biological pest control agent that kills mosquito larvae. It is non-toxic to fish, birds, wildlife and pets.

Residents can pick up a two-month supply in the Environmental Health section of the third floor of the Health Department, 1235 Ramsey St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The product is placed in water, where it floats. It will be effective for 30 days in standing water and covers 100 square feet of surface. It can be used in areas where standing water creates a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The active ingredient is bacillus thuringiensis. Printed instructions are available.

West Nile virus, La Crosse and Eastern equine encephalitis are the most reported mosquito-borne illnesses that can be acquired in North Carolina.
In addition to mosquito dunks, citizens can use other mosquito control methods, including the “tip and toss” method. Tip over any containers that have standing water and replace water in bird baths weekly.

Other ways to prevent mosquito bites are:
•Keep children’s wading pools empty or stored on
their side when not in use.
•Use insect repellent containing DEET when out
doors, which also repels ticks.
•Wear long sleeves and pants at dusk and dawn
when mosquitoes are most active or stay indoors
during these hours.
•Make sure your windows and doors have good
screens to keep mosquitoes out.

Spc. Luis Herrera, 23, of Marion, North Carolina, died April 28, from injuries sustained in a military vehicle accident while conducting routine military training on Fort Bragg.

“Our thoughts and prayers, along with the Paratroopers of ‘Geronimo’ 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, are with Spc. Herrera’s wife and loved ones as we mourn the loss of Luis,” said Capt. Daigoroh Abreu, his company commander.

“Big Lou’s’ presence was a gift to us all, and his radiant smile brought warmth to all who knew him.”
Spc. Herrera was assigned to Raider Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

“Spc. Herrera was an exceptional paratrooper and an engaged friend to all those who knew him. Luis was a soldier’s soldier who always led by example and never missed a chance to leave a positive impact on those around him,” said Col. Theodore Kleisner, commander of 1st BCT.

“Our brigade was made better by the selfless service of Spc. Herrera. The leaders and paratroopers of 1st Brigade Combat Team are committed to ensuring every resource is available to his family and peers to help them through this difficult time.”

The 2-501st PIR will host a memorial for Spc. Herrera in the coming weeks.

Spc. Herrera enlisted into the U.S. Army in 2017, as an Infantryman, and served two deployments to Kuwait.

His military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge.

Spc. Herrera is survived by his wife, parents, family and friends.

Three additional soldiers were involved in the military vehicle accident.

One soldier was treated at Womack Army Medical Center and released. The other two soldiers were admitted for treatment and observation.

The circumstances surrounding the military vehicle accident are under investigation.

Hey, you! Yeah, you, the one holding this issue of Up & Coming Weekly in your soon-to-be ink-stained hands. Astrologically speaking, troubles are heading your way. Consider this column a warning. A word to the wise, so to speak. Do not make any major decisions in the next couple of weeks.

To quote the greatest astrologer of our times, Creedence Clearwater’s John Fogerty, “I see a bad moon a-rising/ I see trouble on the way/ I see earthquakes and lightning/ I see bad times today.”

Beware, Mercury is about to slide into retrograde. Right now, you are probably asking yourself, “Self, what is Mercury in Retrograde, and why should I care?”

Fortunately, for both the readers of this column, Mr. Science has the answer. Nothing less than The Wall Street Journal had a front-page article on the effects of Mercury in retrograde written by their crack astrology reporter Stephanie Lai. If The Wall Street Journal says it, I believe it, and that settles it.

Today, Mr. Science will examine astronomy and its ugly cousin, astrology. Trigger warning: If you believe in science or astrology, do not read this column as it contains potentially disturbing content that may be disconcerting to sensitive souls. Go to your safe place and have a cookie instead. Throw away this paper and begin whimpering.

Mercury in retrograde occurs when Mercury seems to reverse its orbit and move backward in relation to the Earth. While Mercury doesn’t really go backward to Earthlings, it appears to do so. It turns out appearances can be deceiving. When Merc (as his friends call Mercury) goes into retrograde, bad luck peaks on Earth. We are about to enter a Merc in retrograde phase in the dangerous period between May 10 and June 2. If you don’t floss the teeth you want to keep during that period, your friends will call you Gummy.

Ms. Lai’s article cited a number of Earthlings who had bad experiences in prior retrograde periods who blamed their ill fortunes not on the Bossa Nova but on retrograde. The financially prudent thing to do is to postpone trips, decisions and gambling junkets during retrograde. To be extra safe during retrograde, follow Larry David’s advice in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” go to bed, pull the quilt over your head and sob quietly until retrograde passes you by.

What do you get when you mix astrology and medical science? Take a look. Back in medieval times (not the one at Myrtle Beach) but rather the 14th Century, Europe and Asia played host to the bubonic plague. The Black Death ultimately killed about a third of Europe’s population. A bad time was had by all. French King Phillip VI wanted to know what was causing this disaster, so he appointed the best and brightest minds at the University of Paris in 1348 to cipher out the cause. And cipher they did, producing “A New Study,” which pinned down the cause of the plague.

Forty-nine of the smartest doctors of their time put on their thinking hats to discover the origin of the Black Death. They were able to pinpoint the creation of the Black Death in their official report, the “Paris Consilium.”

And wasn’t that a dainty dish to set before the King? They found the Black Death was born on March 20, 1345, when there was “a triple conjunction of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in the 40th degree of Aquarius.” If you can’t trust the finest medical minds of the time, who can you trust?

Medical science and astrology were joined at the hip during the medieval period, as shown by the University of Paris report. To be a great doctor, you also had to be a great astrologer. Medical science was written in the stars. Despite the best efforts of the 49 Parisian docs, it later turned out that the cause of the bubonic plague was a nasty bacteria called yersinia pestis, which spread by fleas jumping off the bodies of dead rats. The infected fleas then chowed down on human hosts, giving them the plague resulting in an early exit from the land of the living. A little ivermectin would have been helpful back then.

So, with retrograde on the near horizon, what can we expect next? The early victims of retrograde appear to be the demise of CNN+, the Russians’ planned four-day war in Ukraine and Twitter’s battle with Elon Musk.

Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of Mercury? As the Former Guy would say, “Stay tuned.”

Have we learned anything today? Alas. Once again, not so much. This column is really a waste of your time. Creedence Clearwater tried to warn us about Merc in Retrograde when they sang: “I hear hurricanes a-blowing/ I know the end is coming soon/ I fear rivers overflowing/ I hear the voice of rage and ruin.”

Moral: If you are not going to hide under a quilt until Mercury in retrograde passes, at least carry an umbrella. As the Morton Salt Girl says: “When it rains, it pours.”

I’m a conservative without a conversion story. Plenty of others have such a tale — they read a certain book, had a certain teacher or somehow became disenchanted with their previous, left-leaning views.

If the conversion happened as adults, after first being politically active as a progressive, socialist or communist, they were called neoconservatives. One of the most prominent, Irving Kristol, famously defined a neoconservative as “a liberal who has been mugged by reality” and a neoliberal as “a liberal who got mugged by reality but has not pressed charges.”

I only got mugged once, while working as a magazine reporter in Washington, and I was already a conservative. It was an attempted mugging, actually, because I happened to be carrying a synthesizer in a heavy case, it proved to be a handy weapon to swing, and the would-be mugger was stoned out of his mind.

But Kristol wasn’t really talking about crime as a political issue, of course, although the rise of criminality and social disorder during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s was a factor that propelled some Americans into the modern conservative movement. What bound the disparate elements of that movement together was the existence of critically important and inescapable realities — such as what the free-market economist Thomas Sowell later described as the “constrained vision” of human nature, as distinguishable from the “unconstrained vision” of would-be social engineers.

Both here in North Carolina and around the country, the modern conservative movement is an alliance of what used to be called traditionalism and what used to be called liberalism.

Traditionalists believed there are fundamental truths and virtues, either revealed by God or confirmed by millennia of human history, that ought to guide human action.

Classical liberals didn’t necessarily disagree with that premise, actually. But they elevated the principle of freedom to the top of the list — the right of individuals to make decisions for themselves above the power of the state to take their property and control their lives.

Traditionalists valued freedom, as well, but observed that individuals aren’t born as human atoms who later, voluntarily, form human molecules. We are born into families and communities, and thus into a thick and complex web of social obligations. Many traditionalists, then, defined freedom in communitarian terms, as “ordered liberty.” Classical liberals emphasized the right of the individual to make decisions, even if the results dismayed their neighbors or injured themselves.

When cultural critics, libertarians and anti-communists forged the modern conservative movement in America during the 20th century, they were reacting to the threatening rise of populism, progressivism and socialism.

It was a case of longtime rivals, traditionalists and classical liberals, forming first an alliance of mutual need and then, through fits and starts, forging a more systematic integration of their ideas.

The result wasn’t a catechism. It was and remains messy and incomplete. There are areas of disagreement and differences in emphasis. But the various strands of modern conservatism have enough in common to work together — and what they have in common, for the most part, is a belief that governmental power should be minimized so that freedom can be maximized.

Why? Because it is in the nature of humans to thrive, in the long run, when they are free to make their own decisions, rather than being compelled to comply with some central plan. The empirical evidence for this proposition is massive and constantly growing.

For example, a peer-reviewed study by North Dakota State University economist Jeremy Jackson employed the Frasier Institute’s Economic Freedom of North America Index and a set of survey data on life satisfaction.

All other things being equal, states with lower taxes, smaller budgets, and fewer regulations had a higher share of happy residents than did those with expansive, expensive governments.

My conservative colleagues and I here in North Carolina fight for freedom not as an abstraction but as a practical tool for promoting opportunity, progress, happiness and virtue. And we welcome converts to the cause.

After attending the recent municipal forums, listening to the candidates on the radio and reading their social media posts, I can honestly and confidently make several assessments. For the most part, these candidates are honest, hard-working, and good-intentioned Fayetteville citizens with deep concerns for our city. Otherwise, they would not be seeking public office.

However, I question the motives of several of the newbies and a few incumbents who are vying for reelection. The current configuration of districts in our city council does not allow for a cohesive community vision. After all, because of how the nine Fayetteville municipal districts are determined, it fosters an environment that encourages, protects, and disguises laziness, neglect of responsibilities, and gross incompetence while restricting our voice in local government. For more information on this issue visit, www.voteyesfayetteville.com.

If history and past performance are indications of future leadership expectations, then why would anyone think these dysfunctional, uncooperative and uninformed city council placeholders would perform any differently if reelected? Tisha Waddell resigned her position in District 3 on November 9, 2022 after realizing, among other things, that it was impossible to work and achieve anything for the citizens of Fayetteville in such a hostile, dysfunctional environment. She resigned after realizing there was no path forward to improve or influence change for honest and transparent governance for all Fayetteville residents.

As we listen to these political wannabes, everyone seems to tout public safety, the unhoused, storm water, infrastructure and the need to make Fayetteville a cleaner and more attractive business-friendly city. All spewing words without substance that go primarily unchallenged by the general public. These are ambiguous talking points and sound bites void of remedies, solutions, or plans to move our city forward. They do not reflect a working knowledge of how the city government operates.

The Fayetteville Can Do BETTER campaign, funded by donations collected from citizens who want a better Fayetteville, will run through the General election on Nov. 8. The campaign has two primary objectives: To remind and encourage people to vote in the upcoming elections and let the current city-elected officials know that we see and experience what they chose to ignore every day in our city.

Up & Coming Weekly is accepting contributions to the ad campaign and photos highlighting issues in our city from the community. Please email me directly at bill@upandcomingweekly.com or send them direct to Fayetteville Can Do BETTER c/o Up & Coming Weekly, 208 Rowan St., Fayetteville, N.C., 28301.

Fayetteville is a fabulous community with great potential for a bright and prosperous future, but only if we can elect leaders with integrity and a strong work ethic. Your comments are welcome and appreciated.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

With the return of a full-blown Fayetteville Dogwood Festival just behind us, it’s easy to tell Spring has sprung in North Carolina. Let the outdoor everything begin!

No better way to forget the weirdest summers ever than to simply glance at what lies ahead and make new memories as we embrace all we can. April will go out in a glorious glow as Israel Houghton, Hezekiah Walker and Fred Hammond bring their Festival of Praise to the Crown Coliseum for an amazing night of Gospel music. The month of May holds plenty of promise for us all.

The annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5, unites people of faith and gives us an opportunity to come together as friends and neighbors, seeking God and the best way forward for our communities near and far. That same day, Fayetteville’s Festival Park will come alive with touring and Christian recording artists Seventh Day Slumber. As they crisscross the country on their “Death by Admiration Tour,” the band promises a high-energy evening of music meant to turn more than just heads.

The lyrics of their songs, and the message they bring on and off stage are meant to turn both hearts and minds to a future none of us control. The free concert includes tour mates Decyfer Down, Spoken and Amongst the Giants at Festival Park, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Fayetteville Dinner Theatre keeps the summer fun happening again this year with their Gates Four Summer Concert Series. After an exciting kickoff in April, the musical pump is primed and ready to deliver some of the most loved hits of the 70s and 80s with a tribute to the rocking female sister act, Heart, during a lively show on Friday, May 6. There’s an incredible lineup all summer long, making it completely worth being on the mailing list for all they’re bringing to the community indoors and out.

All of these events provide a perfect backdrop and opportunities to get together as we warm up for summer. In just a few short weeks, we’ll celebrate Memorial Day.

Our high school seniors will move their tassels from right to left as they cross the stage and receive their diplomas at Cumberland County’s Crown Coliseum. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, a flight across the country, or some of the best local entertainment ever assembled, I hope this will be a summer to remember for all the right reasons. Celebrate life, celebrate family, and celebrate the return of the most exciting season in North Carolina!

C’mon Summer … you are welcome here!

One-Stop Early Voting in Cumberland County for the primary election begins Thursday, April 28 and runs through Saturday, May 14.

The races on the Cumberland County ballot will include the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, N.C. General Assembly, N.C. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and the Fayetteville City primary.

There will be seven locations people can vote during Early Voting:

• Kiwanis Recreation Center, 352 Devers St., Fayetteville
• Cliffdale Recreation Center, 6404 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville
• College Lakes Recreation Center, 4945 Rosehill Road, Fayetteville
• East Regional Library, 4809 Clinton Road, Fayetteville
• J.D. Pone Recreation Center, 2964 School Road, Hope Mills
• Smith Recreation Center, 1520 Slater Ave., Fayetteville
• Stoney Point Recreation Center, 7411 Rockfish Road, Hope Mills

Early Voting hours during the weekdays are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Saturdays, April 30 and May 14, hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sunday, May 1, hours are 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents may register and vote at any one-stop early voting location. When you check in to vote at an early voting site, you may update your name or address within the same county if necessary. Individuals who are not registered to vote in a county may register and immediately vote at that same site. The voter must prove their residence by showing any of the following documents with their current name and address: North Carolina driver’s license, other photo identification issued by a government agency, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the voter’s name and address, OR a current college/university photo identification card paired with proof of campus habitation.

Curbside voting will be available at all voting sites for those who cannot enter the polling location due to age or physical disability. Voting sites have designated parking indicating curbside voting and an alert system that will notify the election officials. An election official will come to the vehicle to obtain the voter’s name and address. Before a ballot is issued, the voter must swear an oath affirming their qualification to use curbside voting.

The last day to request an absentee ballot is May 10. The final day to hand-deliver an absentee ballot will be May 17 at 5 p.m. at the Board of Elections office. Absentee ballots sent by mail must be postmarked by May 17, and the Board of Elections must receive them no later than May 20.

On entering the voting place, voters can give their name, address and party to the election officials. If they are correctly registered, they will be given a ballot to take to the voting booth.

Unaffiliated voters may choose the Democratic or Republican ballot or, if available, a nonpartisan ballot. Registered Libertarians may only vote on a nonpartisan ballot if available in their jurisdiction since there are no primary contests for that party.

If precinct officials cannot locate a registration record, voters may be asked to vote on a provisional ballot.

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 17.

If no state or federal candidate reaches the total necessary to become the nominee in a contest on the ballot in the May primary, a second primary may be held on July 26. The General Election for the City of Fayetteville will be held on July 26.

For more information about how to vote and to check your voter registration status, or to see which precinct/district you will be voting for, go to www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/election-group/elections.