Rolling Thunder North Carolina Chapter 1 invites everyone to remember fallen veterans, honor those who serve and teach your children the value of freedom through the annual Ride for a Wreath.
This is the 4th Annual Ride for a Wreath for Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, but this tradition has existed for 12 years. Registration will start at 8 a.m. at the Fort Bragg Harley-Davison off Sycamore Dairy Road. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

The Escorted Ride for a Wreath will take off at 11 a.m. and the ride will conclude at noon at Dirty Whiskey Craft Cocktails in Hope Mills. This event is open to the public, and all vehicles, cars, jeeps and trucks are welcome along with motorcycles. The ride is $20 per motorcycle, $10 per passenger, as well as $20 per vehicle.

The event raises funds for Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization established in 1992. The project continues to grow. This year there will be 3,400 participating locations nationwide and overseas dedicated to providing a wreath for those who served and are buried in veterans cemeteries. Local donations will provide wreaths for Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

If you cannot participate in the event, you can still donate. For every two wreaths sponsored, an additional one will be given for free. Wreaths cost $15 each, $30 for two, but the most popular donation is five wreaths for $75. Please make sure that the location to support is Sandhills Cemetery when donating.

Ann Provencher, the program coordinator, says “So far, we have 1,510 wreaths sponsored and we have 1,490 to go. We are halfway to our goal.”
Provencher goes on to say, “Every year we have had enough wreaths for every veteran buried in Sandhills State Cemetery.”
Nationwide, the wreaths will be placed on the graves of the Veterans Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 17. The ceremony will be held promptly at noon. Locally, volunteers are encouraged to be at Spring Lake Fire Department at 9 a.m. Saturday morning to load the wreaths onto the trucks. There will be highway patrol and motorcycle escorts to lead the convoy of trucks carrying the wreaths at 11:30 to the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.

Parking is limited at the Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, so organizers suggest parking outside the cemetery to ensure room for the convoy of wreaths. For people who need assistance getting to the cemetery, there will be four golf carts carrying people from their cars to the event.

When the wreaths are placed at the graves, their names will be said out load by the volunteer placing the wreath.

“People die twice. Once when you actually die and secondly when you are forgotten,” Ann says.

The veteran’s name is said so that they will never be forgotten and to honor their legacy and sacrifice.

Fort Bragg Harley-Davison is located at 3950 Sycamore Dairy Road. Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery is located at 8220 Bragg Blvd. in Spring Lake, which is not on the Fort Bragg military installation. To sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/166832 which will designate the location. Donations are accepted all year long.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Rolling Thunder NC Chapter 1 President, Ann Provencher at 910-670-9280 or ann3989@yahoo.com.
The local Wreaths Across America Facebook page is www.facebook.com/WAASandhills.

The Fayetteville City Council on Monday unanimously approved an affordable housing plan for the wider Murchison neighborhood, the first step in a potentially long federal approval process. The plan consists of renovating 110 units at Elliot Circle and the 60 at Murchison Townhomes. The townhomes are over 50 years old, and the city considers them to be in poor condition.

The plan is one of the initial steps in a long process with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — a process that could take until 2024 or beyond to complete. The approved housing plan could result in renovations at properties on Elliot Circle and public housing units at Murchison Townhomes.

The city formed the plan after several community meetings in the neighborhood, said Chris Cauley, Fayetteville’s economic and community development director. Based on this community feedback, the city decided to invest in affordable housing units and improve existing low-cost housing.

Awarding of planning grant

In 2020, HUD awarded Fayetteville, along with just 10 other cities, a $450,000 planning grant under the agency’s Choice Neighborhoods program – an annual award given to local governments, housing authorities and nonprofit organizations with the purpose of improving public housing and creating affordable housing. In this case, the grant was awarded to the city of Fayetteville and the Fayetteville Metropolitan Authority.

Use of the $450,000 included coordinating a plan for affordable housing, infrastructure improvements and free community Wi-Fi for the Murchison Townhomes.

As it pertains to the renovations, the funding was only for the planning, which means community members will not see any improvements yet. To see the plan put into action, the city and the housing authority will need to apply for the implementation grant within the HUD program or receive money from some other funding source to cover the costs. Cauley said the city and the housing authority intend to apply for this implementation grant, the amount of which can range from $30 million to $50 million.

“We can’t do it without money,” Cauley said. “If we get the $30 (million) to $50 million, this is the plan that we will be executing.”

About the Murchison Choice Neighborhood Housing Plan

The grant was awarded to focus on affordable housing in the Murchison Road Corridor, a neighborhood that city staff who completed the HUD application referred to as the historic center of African American culture in the city. It is also home to Fayetteville State University, a historically Black university founded in 1867. The neighborhood has public schools, community medical clinics and is near downtown.

But it is also one of the poorest communities in Fayetteville.

The household median income in the census tract that makes up most of the neighborhood is just over $26,000, about three-fifths of Fayetteville’s figure of about $46,000, according to Census Reporter, a project out of Northwestern University that analyzes population data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The majority Black neighborhood has a poverty rate just under 40%, about double that of the whole city’s. Sixty-nine percent of children in the Murchison census tract live in poverty.

The affordable housing plan, whose research the grant-funded, focuses on building lower-cost units in the neighborhood, as well as improving affordable units that exist already.

Cauley said that after each renovation to both the Elliot properties and the Murchison Townhomes, the complexes must, per HUD requirements, have the same number of units that will be affordable afterward, meaning that families making 60% or below the AMI must be able to afford to live there.

For the Murchison Townhomes, the 60 units would have the housing authority’s voucher system, as they do now.

For current residents of both sets of units, the city would be required to provide housing that meets their needs, such as staying in their child’s school district. The residents also have first claim on the units after renovation.

Cauley said that depending on other factors, such as cost, the properties may be expanded beyond their current count to include units for moderate-income families, up to 80% AMI.

Beyond funding the affordable housing plan, the grant could fund, upon HUD approval, the building of little free libraries, streetside cabinets that contain books for members of the community to take home and read. The grant could also fund infrastructure improvements such as enhancements to bus stops.

One step in the process

But this is all in the planning stages since the funding Fayetteville was awarded in 2020 was to start planning for ways to increase housing affordability.

To make the plan a reality, the city and housing authority would need to be awarded HUD’s $30 million implementation grant, which is highly competitive. HUD only awards the grant to about four cities nationwide each year, Cauley said.

The deadline for implementation grant applications is in January. But it’s a lengthy process to finalize an application, Cauley said. The housing authority wouldn’t submit an application until January 2024 at the earliest. To make themselves more competitive, he said some communities make locally funded investments before applying for the implementation grant.

“Communities can sometimes spend millions of dollars on revitalization efforts in order to be competitive,” he said, referring to what Fayetteville could hypothetically do to increase its approval odds. “We would be looking to execute some projects … like community centers, like mental health centers and teen and youth enrichment centers before we even apply for the grant.”

There are currently no plans in place to do the things that Cauley shared as examples.

If the city is not awarded this grant it would need to find funding from other sources to move forward with the changes in the plan.

The city and the housing authority are required to submit the final implementation plan to HUD by Dec. 29. Cauley said the city plans to apply for the implementation grant to carry out these activities by 2024 at the earliest.

Fayetteville’s lack of affordable housing

Murchison is just one neighborhood in Fayetteville that lacks affordable housing.

Three-quarters of city households that earn 60% or below the area median income are cost burdened, meaning they spend 30% or more of their annual income on housing costs, according to an affordable housing study the city conducted last summer.

That study also found there is a shortage of 20,000 affordable housing units in the city.

“Those households are paying way too much,” Cauley said. “It is precluding them from building a savings account, from paying bills on time.”

In recent years, rents have skyrocketed in the area, as reported by Apartment List, a service that tracks local rent data nationwide.

Last month, the average rent in Cumberland County was over $1,400 a month. A year ago, it was $1,333. Before the pandemic in September 2019, the average rent was $965.

Across the state, in cities such as Asheville and Charlotte, communities are dealing with a similar problem with affordable housing. They are coming up with solutions to tackle this problem.

According to a 2019 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 41% of low-income renting households in North Carolina are cost burdened. Low income is defined as an annual income anywhere from 51% to 80% of the AMI.

And there isn’t a clear way to move forward, according to Cauley.

“At the end of the day, this is one of those big issues,” he said. “We call it wicked problems, and there’s not a lot of easy fixes.”

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra invites one and all to experience “Something in the Wind” on Saturday, Nov. 5 at St. John's Episcopal Church. The mellow sounds of brass and woodwind instruments are the perfect accompaniment to the falling leaves and autumn weather as the calendar picks up speed toward the holidays.

The 75-minute concert will feature string performances while bringing special attention to the trumpet, bassoon, flute and oboe.

“I know for certain these instruments and their beauty will provide such a warm feeling in a venue like St. John,” shared Meghan Woolbright, marketing manager for the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “It’s the perfect way to start the season.” 

From the pews of St. John’s, guests will be treated to selected pieces from Guissepe Torelli's “Concerto in D Major,” Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Bassoon,” and other uplifting selections which will highlight the skills and talents of four FSO soloists.

Dr. Timothy Altman will perform a trumpet solo during the event. Patrick Herring will solo on bassoon, Sarah Busman on flute, and Jessica Miller on oboe will bring the music of classical masters beautifully to life in a concert meant to stir the heartstrings.

“I believe everybody, no matter where you come from or who you are, deserves the opportunity to be inspired by beautiful music,” Woolbright stated. “We strive to entertain, inspire and educate people with the music we play — we believe our music can resonate emotionally with people, and we want to share that.”

November 5th’s ticketed performance is the first of four to be held in churches around the city this concert season. Events are a mix of ticketed, and community concerts focused on the holidays and will infuse some musical joy into the most wonderful time of the year.

Early December will bring a collaboration with Cumberland Choral Arts to perform Handel’s “Messiah” and a festive concert entitled Holiday Brass. In January, the symphony will perform Dan Forrest's “Jubilate Deo” at First Presbyterian Church.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra has been a mainstay of the arts community for more than 50 years. Their professionalism and genuine love for the craft of music have made them a leading force behind music and arts education in the region.

First and foremost, the FSO believes in promoting, supporting and creating beautiful music easily accessed by the public in an effort to build a more culturally engaged community.

“I believe anyone who enjoys music and live performances will love this show,” Woolbright admitted. “Anyone who seeks to be entertained, educated, and inspired should come to listen —it’s an awesome opportunity to spend time with your family and friends. The orchestra isn’t for any certain class of people — we try to make sure our concerts are for everybody.”

Guests can purchase tickets by calling 910-433-4690 or online at www.fayettevillesymphony.org. Tickets are $32 for adults and $25 for seniors, military and Cumberland County School employees. Student and children's tickets are $8 and $5.

St. John's Episcopal Church is located at 302 Green St., and guests are permitted to park at the church during the performance which begins at 7:30 p.m.

We recently attended one of the city’s bond referendum sessions. It was a PowerPoint briefing which basically reiterated the points in the city's current web page.
From our perspective, it was a check -the-block, we informed the citizens, pat ourselves on the back, presentation. It was not a meeting where citizens could bring up concerns for city representatives to address.

The primary issue of the meeting was to inform the citizenry regarding needed housing, emergency services and city infrastructure. What this session didn’t do was explain to Fayetteville what the economic impacts of these bonds are, why they weren’t addressed in previous city budgets, who is accountable for accumulated funds, and who is receiving these funds should the bonds be approved.

None of the recent city budgets on record go into a by-line-item review or detailed explanation of where or to whom any of the city’s money is directly going. The city officials and representatives at the meetings could provide no answers.

The Public Safety Improvement Bond addresses the needed improvements to the 911 call center and city fire stations. These have had critical needs beyond just the last few years. When asked when those were first identified as a requirement, the 911 representative stated that since she's been there for over 20 years, it was initially identified 28 years ago.

The fire chief stated that with the increasing radius of the city that they require additional fire stations with those increases. Then why weren’t these issues addressed and budgeted in the last 10 years of budgets at a rate of $97 million divided by 10? Instead, we get watershed studies at the cost of $3.5 million per year.

In regard to the $12 million affordable housing bond, this bond will be used to incorporate stop gap loans for developers that cannot get a loan for the total amount of their development. The city will cover the deficit and the developer will repay the city. We asked what happens to the money they repay each time it is used, and how is it quantified and when does it come back to the people? City officials were ambiguous on whether it would even go back to the people or how it was accounted for after the developer paid it back. This sounds like an agenda slush fund to us.

Another portion of the $12 million, unidentified as the exact amount, would be going to down payment assistance for citizens in the city to purchase a house. So to clarify, the city is asking residents to give the city money so the city can then give forgivable loans to other residents to help them with down payments that the city will then forgive if they stay in that house for a set amount of time.

The amount of down payment assistance would be the difference between the purchase price of the house in order to get it down to a no more than 30% of income based payment. There is no grandfather clause in the program to offset homeowners that saved to purchase a house prior to this bond program. How does it help current homeowners that are struggling to keep their house? Again, no response from city officials.

We further outline that a greater percentage of residents in the city were struggling just to maintain their house and there was no program to help them keep their mortgage afloat.

The city officials should answer this question publicly: Is it right to take millions of more dollars from taxpayers who can’t even put food on the table? We have charities now supporting other charities and city leaders are talking about building castles and infrastructure.

After the meetings, we are more convinced that the $97 million bond will have a lack of oversight and enough holes in the program for whomever wants to move money around, to easily move money around.

After listening to the city's deliberate propaganda, if any of you want a better city, you must fight for it. If we had not attended the meetings, it would have been a one-sided conversation. Not everyone in Fayetteville lives in a gated community and can afford a tax increase. How about letting people keep enough of their tax money so they can eat?

Take a stand and vote NO on the bond referendums.

Visit a local haunt and get your spook on at the 1897 Poe House. The Cape Fear Museum of the Historical Complex is hosting night tours with a Halloween historical twist. Visitors to Halloween Revels: Night Tours will be transported back in time and witness a series of short vignettes. The guests will become immersed in early 20th-century cultural norms, music and poetry.

“You're actually watching a scripted play with different scenes and skits in each of the rooms of the historic Poe House. So you get guided through. And what makes it fun, of course, is it's after dark, it's at night. And we have the actors from the Gilbert portraying members of the Poe family, and they do different Halloween scenes, including customs, poems, and music that would have been appropriate for the time period of the early 1900s. So you're kind of traveling back in time to a Halloween 100 years ago, over 100 years ago.” Megan Maxwell, the education coordinator of 1897 Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear Complex, said.

The tour is played out like a scripted historical theater show. Actors from the Gilbert Theater will give the night tours even more realism. One of those actors is a local fan-favorite, James Dean. Dean recently was in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” He's also played Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” in the past. He will be taking on the role of Mr. Poe this year.

This will be the eleventh year that the Museum has held these ‘spooky’ Halloween tours. It first started as a free and small event with actors who mainly improvised as there was no script. Two years into that, a script was finally written and every year it changes.

“I try and change the script up every year so people that come every year don't see the same thing," Maxwell said. “So this year we have a new script, new scenes, new actors. So if you’re a repeat visitor, it's not going to be the same show. You're going to see something different this year.”

The tours are family-friendly; however, it is dark and spooky. Parents must make their own judgment on whether their child can handle it. The $5 tickets must be bought beforehand; however, if the tour is not sold out, there may be tickets at the door. Tickets are only good for the time slot purchased.

Guests should arrive at least 15 minutes before their tour time. Check-in is at the front table in the front yard.

“It's going to be a little dark because we like it spooky. So when people come up, they get a program, they check in, they can relax on the front porch until it’s their tour time and then they’ll have guides that lead them through the house, so they'll get an introduction about what to expect. And then we’ll start the show,” Maxwell said.

There are two nights left for the tours — Oct. 27 and Oct. 28. Tours will run on the half hour each night and will be limited to 15 people per tour. Touring hours begin at 6 p.m. and finish at 10 p.m.

Joe Biden may not be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, but he sure can eat ice cream and answer questions about the economy simultaneously. When a reporter asked him recently in an ice cream shop about the state of our economy, Biden, almost in mid-bite, replied that it is “strong as hell.”

This assessment might come as a surprise to most Americans, who know from regular visits to a grocery store or a gas station that our economy is many things, but “strong as hell” isn’t one of them.

In issuing this proclamation, Biden has demonstrated why no one should vote for any Democrats in the upcoming midterms. There are two ways to interpret his response: Biden either knows the economy is in terrible shape and is lying to avoid taking responsibility for it, or he is clueless about conditions in our country and the hardships Americans are dealing with every day. Neither one of these explanations is a good look for him or his party.

Why should any of us be surprised at this point by the probability that Biden and everyone in his party are either pathologically dishonest or detached from reality or both? I cannot think of a single thing Democrats have done since gaining control of both houses of Congress and the White House that has benefitted Americans.

What have Democrats done regarding our energy policy? They have allowed their obsession with climate change and their hatred of the fossil fuel industry to make us energy dependent after a brief period of energy independence under Trump.

By reducing oil and gas production in our country and pressuring banks to stop lending to fossil fuel companies, Biden and his cohorts have created serious financial and geopolitical consequences for America.

Because the price of fuel is connected to almost every sector of our economy, an increase in fuel prices has created an increase in the costs of goods and services. We pay more for food, clothing, entertainment, and transportation. This winter, we will pay more to heat our homes.

Because the Biden administration refuses to produce more oil in America — which would not only lower fuel prices but also create thousands of jobs — we are going hat in hand to other oil-producing countries asking them to sell us oil. So far, all of them have refused.
This issue alone demonstrates the lunacy of Democratic policy. We sit on some of the largest oil reserves in the world, and we produce the cleanest oil. Yet the ideologues in charge would rather buy dirty oil from countries that mock and despise us than reopen the refineries at home. If this isn’t madness, I don’t know what is.

Can you think of one aspect of our lives that has improved since the Democrats took control? We spend more on necessities than we did just two years ago. We live in cities where crime rates have increased dramatically, causing businesses and residents to flee. We have had 2-3 million immigrants enter our country illegally because our southern border is wide open (although the Democrats deny this). As a result of our open border, we have a fentanyl crisis that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Americans and is now the leading cause of death among adults between the ages of 18 and 45.

In less than two years, the Democrats have wreaked havoc on our country, and now they are asking for our vote so they can continue implementing their dangerous policies. If they maintain control of Congress, they will continue their out-of-control spending, further weakening our economy and creating even greater hardships for Americans.

They have worked hard through their radical policies and persistent dishonesty to lose our trust, and they should be appropriately rewarded by losing our vote.

On the Fourth Friday of every month from March to November between 6 and 10 p.m., museums, galleries and businesses in the downtown Fayetteville historic district become artistic venues, featuring the arts in all forms, for all ages. Fourth Friday is like an old-fashioned art crawl combined with the performances and fun of a street fair. Folks of all ages get a taste of Fayetteville’s arts and entertainment while enjoying the local independent galleries, bookstores, bistros and shops full of unique items.

On the Fourth Friday of this month, downtown Fayetteville will be hosting the 12th annual Zombie Walk and Prom. Hay Street is turned into a scene from a zombie flick, with creatures and characters on display.

All are invited to come downtown with your best zombie costume and enter the costume contest. If you need a little help adding that extra flare to your costume by adding some makeup, don’t fret because the Paul Mitchell Hair and Makeup School will be painting faces at the beginning of the Zombie Walk.

Ring Wars Carolina will be performing on the corner of Hay Street and Ray Avenue during the Zombie Walk. Ring Wars provides quality entertainment that’s fun for the entire family. Wrestlers will be dressed in their zombie best. Come out and cheer them ringside.

If you get a little tired of walking during the Zombie Walk and Prom, take a ride on the Rocky Horror Singalong Trolley. Janet! Brad! Dr.Scott! will take you on a strange journey for the Rocky Horror Singalong Trolley at 7 and 8 p.m. featuring A Yellow Beanie Project. Tickets are $30 a person. The Trolley will depart from Bright Light Brewing Company located at 444 West Russell Street.

The Zombie Walk and Prom will also have live musical performances from Lotus Sun and the Living Dead and Nirvani: A Nirvana Tribute Experience that will perform.

As with regular Fourth Friday events, guests can expect food trucks, vendors, performers, artists and more.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/849249152747861.

At this time of year, things at Sweet Valley Ranch turn a bit spooky.

Legend says that Delray Delamorte and his family members were spotted cruising down Hwy 95 South in a hearse with ligaments hanging out the trunk. They left the following note: “Dr. Surgeon, we are heading south and will return next year. We left you some body parts that you can feed your dinosaurs. SIGNED — Delray Delamorte, Slaughterhouse Manager.”

Through Oct. 30, Sweet Valley Ranch is transformed into “Backwoods Terror Ranch, ” — a frightening adventure sure to produce some shrieks! “Backwoods Terror Ranch” is one of the biggest outdoor haunted events in the county. It will take patrons over an hour to get through six spooky mazes including a ¼ acre cemetery.

For information or tickets, visit https://www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com/or call 844-622-3276.
Sweet Valley Ranch is located at 2990 Sunnyside School Road in Fayetteville.

Official trick-or-treating hours throughout Cumberland County will be Monday, Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. However, throughout the entire weekend prior to Halloween, there are plenty of opportunities to check out different areas of town, go trick-or-treating and get your spook on.

Friday, Oct. 28

The Town of Hope Mills Parks & Recreation and Rockfish Elementary School are partnering once again to bring a Trunk R Treat. The event will take place at Rockfish Elementary. Kids are welcome to get dressed up and bring their own bags. The event starts at 5:30 p.m.

If you want to go somewhere dog-friendly, head over to Gaston Brewing Company Taproom located at 421 Chicago Drive. Gaston Brewing Company and Busybee's Barkery & Co. are presenting a dogs' night out at the Taproom! Bring your pups and kick off the Halloween weekend with an evening of craft beer, live music, corn hole, homemade baked dog treats, and a food truck for the humans.

If you love animals, but want a more kid-friendly environment, go to Clark Park for their Grumpy’s Halloween Spooktacular. Grumpy the snapping turtle invites friends and families for an evening of Halloween fun at Clark Park Nature Center. There will be games, crafts, candy and prizes. Dress in your best costume for the contest at 5 p.m. This free event is open to kids of all ages.

Saturday, Oct. 29

On Fort Bragg, the Throckmorton Library will be hosting their second annual Trunk or Treat. No tricks, just wear your favorite costume and head down to Throckmorton Library. Get yourself a haul of candy and vote for the best-decorated trunk! This event is open to all ages and the library will be open after the event. The Trunk or Treat starts at 9:30 a.m. and will end at 11:30 a.m.

If you can’t make it to the Throckmorton Library, on the other side of the military installation will be a family friendly Halloween event at the South Post Exchange. Games, safety information, a community Trunk or Treat and a candy cannon will be available. The event starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. The Trunk or Treat will start at 4 p.m. and be held in the parking lot on the left side when facing the building. The Trunk or Treat will all be determined by the number of participants who want to decorate their trunks for a chance to win a $50 Exchange gift card. The candy cannon blasts will start at 5 p.m., on the left side field of the building.

The candy cannon are air-powered cannons that will launch candy into the air, and kids will then collect the candy.
In Fayetteville, go trick-or-treating at the 1897 Poe House Museum. This trick-or-treating event is free and will be more than just giving out sugar to little kids. Trick-or-treaters will receive a treat bag and can play old-fashioned games in the backyard. There will be hayrides, games, music and entertainment. All activities will take place outside in the backyard of the Poe House. Joy the Clown will be performing a magic show with live animal acts at 1 p.m. and she will be providing balloon twisting and face painting throughout the event. This event will kick off at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

Over in Hope Mills, head over to the Hope Mills Municipal Park for the town’s official Bites, Boos & Brews event. They will be hosting over 20 food trucks, carnival rides, a petting zoo, and live music. Musical guests include Lee Jean Jr., Whiskey Pine and Legacy Motown Revue. There will also be a live fireworks show. The event will take place at 4 p.m. and end with the fireworks show at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 30

Join Dirtbag Ales for their fifth annual Trick or Treat the Market. Come trick or treat at the farmers market while enjoying delicious food trucks, live music and more. This event is open to all ages. Wear your coolest, hippest, or scariest costume and trick or treat with the family. Advance tickets are required. Tickets are $10 per family to participate (cash only). Stop by the Dirtbag Ales Taproom prior to the date of the event to pick up your tickets.
The store, Kraken-Skulls, will be hosting their third annual Trunk or Treat. They recommend everyone, especially the kiddos, to get in that Halloween spirit and set up a car/truck with a decorative trunk/bed. Trophies will be awarded to best setup, best costume and kids choice award. The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 31

Join the Village Baptist Church for one of Fayetteville's largest Trunk or Treat and Fall Carnival events. Enjoy a parking lot full of festive trunks, carnival games, bounce houses, food and tons of candy. Wear your best costumes, and bring your family, friends and neighbors ready for some fall fun. This event starts at 6 p.m. and is completely free to everyone in the community.

If you want to trick-or-treat and support local businesses, check out downtown Fayetteville. Join local businesses, merchants and retailers in the downtown area as they pass out candy to trick-or-treaters of all ages from 5 to 7 p.m.

If your kiddo likes the aspect of dressing up, but not so much the trick-or-treating, this Halloween Costume Party in Hope Mills may be for them. The T.J. Robinson Life Center is hosting a free family night of fun. There will be a costume party, arts and crafts, games, moon bounce, zombie laser tag and prizes. Admission is free for everyone. However, some attractions may have a small fee. There will be candy handed out so make sure you bring your own bucket, bag or even a pillow case. The event will take place at 4221 Black Bridge Road from 5 to 8 p.m.

The month of October is breast cancer awareness month and in 2022 about 287,850 cases will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. I recently took a fitness training seminar and at lunch sat with one of the attendees. Getting acquainted, we talked about ourselves, and her input was that she is a breast cancer survivor.

She shared with us how important exercise has been to her for her well-being, and the struggles and victories she has had in the process. By conversation, it was apparent that her breast cancer has been serious. Her driving force to overcome, heal and continue pursuing the fitness industry was obvious in her language and approach to the session.

I left my seminar with much more than continued education. I left inspired by an individual with determination. Building an exercise program based on the type of cancer a person has and treatment can be an important step in the healing process. Sometimes exercise is done as part of the rehabilitation program and there is a difference between exercise and rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation may be the first step before you can implement an exercise program. Once the person is cleared to begin activities the benefits of exercise can help reduce treatment-related fatigue, and maintain lung fitness, strength and physical ability.

Exercise can also be beneficial for feelings of anxiety and depression and improve the quality of life and new studies suggest the importance of overall healing.
The type of exercise and or aerobic activity is solely based on a doctor’s recommendations. However, there is an overview of exercises that may be beneficial if the person is cleared to begin an exercise regimen. Stretching can help improve flexibility and posture, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the muscles.

As an example, radiation therapy can limit your range of motion causing your muscles to stiffen.
Regular stretching can improve mobility and flexibility and help break down scar tissue.

Loss of balance can be a side effect after treatment. Balance exercises can help you regain your stability and fear of falling. Some treatments can cause your feet to feel numb and hard to maintain balance. Incorporating balance exercises can help offset instability. Aerobic exercise can help increase your heart rate helping you feel less tired. Walking can be a good start for just a few minutes per day increasing the amount of time and your pace. Seated exercises can be done with paper plates under your feet while moving your arms and feet to a favorite song.

Strength training is important for muscle loss and is done with light dumbbells or stretch bands. Increasing your muscle mass and endurance can help with your core and stability. Seated exercises can also be done with the use of dumbbells and stretch bands.

Start slowly with your exercise and listen to your body. Rest on the days that you have the treatment and if your energy level is low adjust the amount of time that you exercise or rest. Staying hydrated and eating nutritious foods is an important part of fueling your body.

If your health provider has cleared you, ask questions concerning what is and is not advised, such as: what time of day is best, what am I cleared to do or stay away from, how much time do you suggest starting, should I begin my exercise seated, can I go to a fitness center, work with a trainer, and what medications affect exercise?

Live, love, life and strength.

No doubt about it, six is more than two. Six is also better than two, especially when it comes to choosing our elected city leadership.
Who wouldn't want to have more choices on who runs their city? So why are our existing city leadership so adamantly against the VOTE YES Fayetteville Charter Referendum?

You would think that giving every citizen (every Democrat, every Republican, every Independent) resident four more choices in determining Fayetteville leadership would be a stimulating campaign message that would resonate among voters.

Well, the hard truth is city officials are not being honest with the citizens of Fayetteville. This is very concerning. Even more concerning is Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin and staff along with several members of our City Council are systematically trying to divide our community racially for the sole purpose of maintaining their seats, power and stranglehold control over our local government for their personal gain.

This opinion is based on information, observations and facts that their supporters have chosen to ignore to the detriment of our entire community. It is unconscionable that they would perpetrate a lie so egregious as to state that increasing city representation by adding four "at large" seats and providing each citizen six votes rather than two is a racist maneuver to get Blacks out of power.

This is absurd, ridiculous and an insult to the Black community. We currently vote for "at large" positions in the elections for Cumberland County Commissioners, Cumberland County Board of Education, and board members of both Spring Lake and Hope Mills.
All of which have an impressive amount of Black representation. So, why not Fayetteville?

The answer lies in the thread of incompetence and corruption that has permeated our local government and manifested itself under Mitch Colvin's leadership.
The only way to eradicate this cancer and rid our city of fiscal irresponsibility, incompetence and mismanagement is to Vote Yes for the Fayetteville Charter referendum that will provide us more citywide representation so we can be the city we need to be and take our place in the respectable ranks of other first class North Carolina cities.

You deserve it. We deserve it. Fayetteville deserves it. Vote Yes.

And remember, six is always more than two!

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

If you enjoy country music from the 1990s, you don’t want to miss Clay Walker and Tracy Lawrence performing at the Crown Theatre on Nov. 4. The show is part of the 87th annual Community Concerts lineup.

Long-time country music fans know that both Walker and Lawrence have a history of hits beginning in the 1990s. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Walker was discovered in the early 1990s by James Stroud, producer and head of Giant Records. He was in his early 20s and gave fans songs like, “This Woman And This Man,” “Hypnotize The Moon” and “Rumor Has It.”

He considered himself having a sound like George Strait and Clint Black, but Stroud pushed him into pop a bit. Walker has not slowed down either. His most recent album, “Texas To Tennessee” came out in 2021. Lawrence has Texas roots, too. He hails from Atlanta, Texas, and signed to Atlantic Records in 1991.

He has over 30 years in music and is considered a traditionalist. His first album was “Sticks and Stones.” Lawrence has an impressive catalog, selling more than 13 million albums and charting 18 number one songs including “Time Marches On” and “Paint Me a Birmingham.” His recent music includes, but is not limited to “Good Ole Days” and the album “Made in America.”

Kicking off the show for Walker and Lawrence will be special guest Alexandra Kay. Kay is an independent country music artist who has been building a fan base among country music fans and fellow stars. She will make her Grand Ole Opry debut later in November. Kay started writing songs at the age of 15 as an outlet. She grew up in Waterloo, Illinois.

No stranger to the entertainment industry, she booked voice over work and commercials. Her skills have been used in musical theatre. She even auditioned for “American Idol” in 2011. Her first single “No More” spent three weeks at #1 on the New Music Weekly Top 40 pop chart. Kay has toured with Walker and Lawrence before, and also toured with Tim McGraw earlier this year.

For tickets or information, visit https://www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/detail/clay-walker-tracy-lawrence-tour.

Are you looking for a way to make a lasting impact in the lives of those who are “up and coming?” Perhaps you are someone, or you might know someone, who could benefit from individuals who have real-life experience in this world.

If you fit either one of these categories, then Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Minority Male Success Initiative is for you. A statement by one of the most prolific individuals in our great history — Benjamin Franklin — provides the foundation for this life-changing program, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and
I learn.”

In this program, success originates from the purposeful, direct interaction that students have with the mentors who walk with them through their life experiences.
The Minority Male Success Initiative, or MMSI, is not an ordinary college club — it is a community that fosters holistic development as well as genuine belonging. MMSI’s primary mission is to increase the engagement and success rates of students at Fayetteville Technical Community College by way of mentoring through exposure to academic and social/career-based activities and opportunities.

Across the FTCC campus, students, as well as faculty and staff, acquaint MMSI with its coined program name, the Y.E.S. Mentoring Initiative (You + Effort = Success). Herein lies the thrust of MMSI — the student exerts the necessary effort to actively engage in the numerous opportunities presented by Y.E.S., resulting in the achievement of personal successes — both in the classroom and in life.

The Y.E.S. Mentoring Initiative provides services that encourage college, career and character enhancement. In particular, students participate in mentoring and success coaching, college and career planning, tutoring in a wide variety of subjects, opportunities to meet and engage with key campus and community stakeholders, activities that build networking and social skills, and prime access to scholarships.

The Y.E.S. Mentoring Initiative hosts workshops throughout the academic year that equip students with the necessary tools for academic achievement, career readiness and life development skills. Previous workshop series have been conducted on “How to Maintain Healthy Relationships — Dating, Marriage, Parenting, and Beyond,” “Building Positive Rapport with Instructors,” and “Mastering Soft Skills and The Workplace Culture.”
Additionally, Y.E.S. students participate in college tours across the state of North Carolina to assist in the transfer process after they complete their program of study at FTCC.

The Y.E.S. Mentoring Initiative is open to all current Fayetteville Technical Community College students and all activities are free.
As the MMSI Coordinator, the most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing students move from feeling hopeless and on the verge of giving up to realizing their purpose/passion in life as they begin to overcome life challenges while achieving their dreams.
If you would like to serve as an MMSI mentor or become an MMSI student participant, please contact mcdonalr@faytechcc.edu, 910-486-3940, or visit https://www.faytechcc.edu/campus-life/yes-initiative/.

The circus is coming to the Cape Fear Botanical Garden for one weekend only to celebrate Halloween. Carnival games, live entertainment, music, food trucks, candy stations and more await under the Big Top this year. The Imagine Circus from Raleigh will be coming down to show off some of their acts as part of the overall carnival theme.

“We will have a real person who will be doing stilt walking, a hoop artist and a juggler that will be showing through the garden,” Sheila Hanrick, the director of marketing, programs and visitor experience for Cape Fear Botanical Garden, said.

As with every year, the BOO-crew will be out as well. These skeletons will be acting up in the garden by showing off their carnival side.
While there won’t be any live animals at the event, there will be some “wild” ones. The topiary exhibit, “Garden Gone Wild” will still be in full force. Elephants, butterflies, gorillas, and more will all be on display as part of the larger-than-life animal topiary sculptures. A topiary is a living sculpture that is created using live plants.

This family-friendly event invites people of all ages to come in their costumes and enjoy the Garden completely differently. Even the topiary sculptures will be dressed up.

As part of the event, you can walk the pathways of the Garden, which will be lit by hundreds of lights designed by Mosca Design and jack-o-lanterns. There will be ten trick-or-treat stations throughout the garden for people of all ages to check out.

The event is all outdoors, so plan your costumes accordingly. Trick-or-Treat bags and flashlights are encouraged for the darker areas of the Garden.
For one night only, on Oct. 27, dogs will be welcome. Bring your costumed fur friends with you, and they could get a doggy treat as well.
This fun, spooky event is one of the major events for the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and all the funds go back into planning more events like it.

“Any time we have a public event like this, any proceeds that are placed at end of the event go back to the garden, whether it's supporting our horticulture or our environmental education or therapeutic horticulture. All money is turned around, and put back into the operating fund of the garden,” Hanrick said.

The BOO-tanical Garden will be available from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30. The events start at 5 p.m. and run until 9 p.m.
Tickets range from $7 to $12. Children 2 and under can get in for free. Members can buy tickets for $10. Children above the age of 3 would get a $7 ticket.

Tickets are non-refundable and are good only for the date/time of the ticket.
Henrick does recommend buying tickets early as last year, the event was sold out.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/26840/cape-fear-botanical-garden.

The season for giving is approaching and people can help the women of the Junior League of Fayetteville do that at the 55th Annual Holly Day Fair Nov. 3 to 6 at the Crown Expo Center. According to the organization, it is the largest holiday gift and craft show in eastern North Carolina. The event draws an average of 22,000 attendees and over 150 vendors.

“Show-goers have an extensive selection of unique handcrafted and manufactured products to select from including the best in holiday decorations, handmade crafts, stylish jewelry and clothes, children’s toys, specialty food items and much more,” said Juelle McDonald, Holly Day Fair Chair 2022 on the Junior League of Fayetteville’s website.

This year’s theme is Make Spirits Bright. She noted that over 50 years ago, a group of local women came together to fundraise by hosting a small crafts fair at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville.

McDonald said a portion of the revenue is given back to the local community through the Junior League of Fayetteville CAP grants, the Junior League of Fayetteville Scholarship fund and other community initiatives. McDonald said it is the organization’s sole fundraiser, but it is big.

“It's how we raise our money. It's how we're able to help our community and give scholarships and really be a change when it comes to financial aspects and support different community endeavors,” she said.

The funds they distribute to different organizations come from the fair’s booth rental fees, sponsorships and tickets to the fair.
They decided not to do the show in 2020 due to the pandemic, but had it last year and received a lot of community support.

What’s New?

McDonald said a new item to the show is Cookies with the Clauses.

“Mr. and Mrs. Claus are going to be there,” she said. “They're going to read a book and it's going to be an activity for the children. We are excited to incorporate that into the show this year. It'll be the first time we've ever done anything like it.”

“We’re thankful for our community. It's because of our community we’re able to do this. For 55 years our community has come through. Our community has supported us,” McDonald said. “We couldn't be more thankful.”

The League’s Mission

“The Junior League of Fayetteville is an organization of women dedicated to serving our community, being volunteers for our community and being that active voice and change whether that's with work that we do with our CAP grants or the work that we do through the Holly Day Fair,” McDonald said. “We're just an organization of women devoted to actively ensuring that our community is a better place.”

Their mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. Their values include diversity, collaboration, community, empowerment, leadership, respect and service.

One-Stop Early Voting in Cumberland County for the Nov. 8 General Election runs through Nov. 5 at eight locations across the county.

Early voting weekday and weekend dates and hours:

Oct. 24 – 28
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 29 – 30
Oct. 29, Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Oct. 30, Sunday
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Oct. 31 – Nov. 5
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 5, Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

One-Stop Early Voting locations are listed below. The Spring Lake Recreation Center is a new location for One-Stop Voting in 2022.

•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

•Kiwanis Recreation Center, 352 Devers St., Fayetteville

•Smith Recreation Center, 1520 Slater Ave., Fayetteville

•Spring Lake Recreation Center, 245 Ruth St., Spring Lake

•Stoney Point Recreation Center, 7411 Rockfish Road, Hope Mills

If you are not registered to vote, you may register at early voting sites during the early voting period. After registering, you will immediately be able to vote at the same site.

To register to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older by the date of the next General Election and a legal resident of Cumberland County for 30 days before the date of the next election.
Under federal and state law, if you apply to register to vote and do not provide a valid driver’s license number or last four digits of your Social Security number, on your application, you must enclose a copy of one of the following documents with your application:

•A current and valid photo ID

•A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.

If you do not provide a valid form of ID, you will be asked to show ID the first time you present to vote.
The 2022 General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. To check to see whether you are registered to vote, view your Election Day polling location, and a sample ballot, go to https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/.

If you are registered to vote in Cumberland County and are unable to vote in person on Election Day, you may request an absentee ballot from the Cumberland County Board of Elections. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Board of Elections no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the election by mail or commercial courier service at the voter’s expense or delivered in person by the voter, the voter’s near relative or verifiable legal guardian.

The Cumberland County Board of Elections is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Board of Elections is in the E. Newton Smith Center at 227 Fountainhead Lane in Fayetteville.

For more information, contact Cumberland County Board of Elections at 910-678-7733 or visit cumberlandcountync.gov/elections.

The Sons of the Savior Motorcycle Ministries is hosting a Benefit Ride Saturday, Oct. 22 to raise funds in support of local cancer patient Pam Bell. The Ride will begin and end at 301 Wingz in Fayetteville.

Thus far, Bell’s family has exhausted every option, ride organizer Ann Provencher said. “She’s on an experimental treatment, and the insurance doesn’t cover supplies and things she needs. That’s why we’re doing the benefit ride.”

Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the ride starts at noon. To ride is $20 per motorcycle, $10 per motorcycle passenger, and $20 per car (no matter how many passengers). There will also be raffle tickets for door prizes.

Riders will form a caravan of well-wishers that will ride past Bell’s home in a show of support. Afterwards, the ride leads back to 301 Wingz, where the door prizes will be raffled.

Riders can plan for an approximate 35-mile roundtrip and the weather is expected to be a sunny, 75-degree day.
All proceeds from registration and raffle tickets to Bell and her family for medical, home care and quality of life expenses, while she continues to fight the illness at home.

Provencher said the ride and fundraiser is a surprise for Bell, and an opportunity for riders to show their support and encouragement. To help other than ride, please visit Amazon to see Bell’s Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QS8X23BL8I4M?ref_=wl_share.

For more information on the benefit ride or to donate, call 910-670-9280.

The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater in downtown Lumberton will present North Carolina-based bluegrass and Americana group Chatham Rabbits on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

As one of North Carolina’s most beloved roots music outfits, Chatham Rabbits has swiftly emerged from the fertile Americana scene in the Triangle. The husband-and-wife duo of Sarah and Austin McCombie favors rustic, minimalist acoustic arrangements — mainly claw hammer-style banjo and guitar — that showcase deftness and maturity with their song writing. The pair will be performing with a full backup band.

Chatham Rabbits’ first album, “All I Want From You,” was recorded with the help of Watchhouse’s Andrew Marlin, and their sophomore album, “The Yoke is Easy, The Burden is Full,” was released in 2020.

Their song “Oxen” was named one of the Top Folk Songs of 2020 by Paste Magazine, and the band has been covered by Garden & Gun Magazine, American Songwriter, and No Depression.

Their ingenuity during the COVID-19 crisis led to building their own venue, The Burrow, and creating their mobile concert experience, The Stay at Home Tour, which took Chatham Rabbits to 194 neighborhoods in 2020 and 2021.

In addition, the duo is the focus of a new television limited series, “On the Road with Chatham Rabbits,” which premiered on PBS North Carolina in May.
Last month, they signed with Ramseur Records, which also represents The Avett Brothers, Sierra Ferrell and Amythyst Kiah.

"When you listen to Chatham Rabbits, there is a tangible feeling of warmth, community, and belonging. This comes across in their songs, in their sound, and is most evident at their live shows. Sarah and Austin are so relatable, as is their music, and I believe they're only scratching the surface of what they can truly become," said Dolph Ramseur, owner of Ramseur Records.

"We are so honored and excited to be on this roster of incredible artists and we are so stoked for all of the things that this can do for our career. Ramseur Records is truly legendary in the roots music world and it's pretty amazing that we have the opportunity to work with this tight-knit team," the band wrote on their Facebook page.⁣

Tickets for the show in Lumberton are $20 for adults and $15 for students. This performance is partially underwritten by a grant from the Robeson County Arts Council.

Tickets for the Mainstage Series can be purchased online by going to www.carolinaciviccenter.com. Tickets also can be purchased in-person from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the theater’s second-floor administrative offices or by calling the Civic Center at 910-738-4339. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. The Theater lobby box office opens for ticket sales one hour before the performance.

The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater is a beautifully-restored 1928 treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places that offers visitors a unique and visually stunning experience. The theater is located at 315 North Chestnut Street. There is plenty of parking around the theater.

Fayetteville residents will have an important opportunity when they go to the polls on Nov. 8 , or take advantage of early voting. The ballot will include a City Charter Amendment that will change the structure of the Fayetteville City Council from its current nine single-member districts to a combination of five single-member districts and four at-large seats.

This change will ensure that every Fayetteville resident will have six council members reporting to them versus one and the mayor. That means if you have a problem, whether it be with trash pickup or public safety, you will have six council members accountable to you at the ballot box. We all agree that we need more representation, not less.

I had the honor to serve the City of Fayetteville as an at-large member, a district councilman and as mayor from 2013-2017. I served as a council member with both structures of government. With those real-life experiences, I have seen the advantages and disadvantages of both models. There is no question that having a combined model with both at-large and single-member districts provides the best opportunity for success for our city.

Fayetteville competes against other major North Carolina cities for good jobs, economic investment and an enhanced quality of life. To be successful, we need to have the same tools and best practices that they use to lead their cities. Unfortunately, we find ourselves following behind these other cities as we spend excessive time dealing with district infighting and too little time on the key issues, and the big picture that prevent us from keeping pace with the rest of the state.

Nine of the 12 largest cities in the state have at-large members as a part of their city council structure. Practically all of the local governments in Cumberland County also include at-large members. They include the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, the Cumberland County Board of Education, and the towns of Hope Mills and Spring Lake. None of these entities are considering the elimination of their current at-large seats because they see that a balanced approach — with both at-large and single-member districts — works best for them.

The remaining five single-member districts will continue to provide attention to district issues. The target population of around 42,000 residents for each of the five districts is far lower than the Cumberland County Board of Commissioner districts with an average target population of 64,500 or the Cumberland County School Board with an average of 55,760 residents.

Fayetteville residents will no longer have to live in gerrymandered districts where City Council members choose their own voters. This results in numerous neighborhoods and even voting precincts being split in order to promote incumbent protection, fostering civic disengagement and voter apathy. Quite honestly, it’s confusing for everyone almost every time we have the opportunity to go to the polls.

Equally important is the fact that there would be a balance on the City Council with half (5) of the council members also charged with looking at the big picture and addressing city-wide issues that continue to hold us back, because they don’t get the attention needed, at the urgency we need.

Successful candidates for the at-large seats will have to spend time educating themselves about the entire city, not just one of the districts. They will also be directly accountable to every Fayetteville resident at the next election. This accountability is sorely needed in our current City Council structure!

To be competitive, Fayetteville needs a structure of government that allows us to compete with the other major cities in North Carolina.
The Vote Yes Charter Amendment will provide you more voice and more representation on the City Council.
I encourage you to join with me and Vote Yes on the City Charter Amendment on Nov. 8.

Editor's Note: Nat Robertson is a former Mayor of Fayetteville (2013 to 2017). He also served as an at-large council member from 1989 to 1995, and the District 5 representative from 1999 to 2001.

I’m writing this week to those of you reading who consider yourselves a Christian. Those who —along with me — make up what we call the church. If you’re one who would rather not be bothered with the whole Jesus thing but would like some ammo for your next debate with a Christian, you might find some here, so read on!

I fear that, as David Platt penned in the foreword to Francis Chan’s “Multiply,” we have subtly and tragically taken [the] costly command of Christ to go, baptize and teach all nations and mutated it into a comfortable call for Christians to come, be baptized and listen in one location.

That’s a reference to an oft-quoted passage in the New Testament book of Matthew. In verses 19 and 20 Jesus is speaking to the eleven men He called one-by-one to follow, learn from, and become like Him.

He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Christians commonly refer to this as The Great Commission.

The passage is frequently used as a base charge to move to some other part of the world and make converts to Christianity through missionary work. Those men did just that. They began telling people about this amazing Jesus who walked on water, healed physical infirmities, cured diseases, and fed thousands when little or no food was available. They testified that even though they were witnesses as this man was himself beaten and nailed to a cross where he died a painful and cruel death, they had later seen, eaten with, and spoken to Him — and He was alive!

Theirs was anything but a comfortable life. They were threatened, beaten, imprisoned, and generally treated as outlaws because they would not back down from their story. Yet, as Platt wrote, though we quote and even revere these eleven original disciples, we have determined that somehow, we are owed a comfortable place in a world every bit as vile and cruel as the world they offered their testimony to.

It’s impossible to be a disciple or a follower of someone and not end up like that person. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40).

Remember this, Christian: We are not merely responsible for our own spiritual well-being; we are called to minister to the people around us, teaching them to obey all the things that Jesus commands. And in a dark world playing hide and seek from absolute truth and any moral base, it’s only getting darker.
But Jesus says you’re the light of the world. I promise to pray for you as you learn to truly shine. I only ask that you do the same for me.

Cape Fear’s Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra presents its symphony movie night featuring the film, "Nosferatu," on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. at Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom in Hope Mills.

“Nosferatu is our symphony night movie and the purpose of this event is to provide a free event to our community to start off the season,” said Meghan Woolbright, marketing and office manager at the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.

“There is also going to be a small ensemble involved with about 8 to 10 performers that bring a lot of punch.”

“The silent film will be playing and we will soundtrack the film,” said Anna Meyer, interim executive director of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “The arrangement is by a composer named Peter B. Kay.”

She added, “We did this last year, it was very successful and people really enjoyed seeing the film with the live music that accompanied it.”
The movie, "Nosferatu," is a 1922 German silent film based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It entails a vampire who preys on the wife of his estate agent and brings the plague to their town.

“It is kind of a cult classic and people recognize it,” said Meyer. “We are starting around 8 p.m. and the movie will last about an hour.”

Meyer added that this is a casual event and individuals may come with friends and family, enjoy food and drinks and connect with the community.
The idea for the event came from Fayetteville Symphony’s music director, Stefan Sanders, who had done a similar project for an orchestra that he conducts in Austin, Texas.

“He was aware of the arrangements for the films so typically we will select a silent film that has a good arrangement for symphony,” said Meyer. “Nosferatu is a clear choice because it is a popular film, it is recognizable and goes along with the theme of Halloween.”

Founded in 1956, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to educate, entertain and inspire the citizens of Fayetteville as a leading musical resource. The group performs eight concerts at Fayetteville State University and Methodist University during the concert season. The professional orchestra also performs educational concerts for schools and the community, offers after-school strings and summer music programs and has its own Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Partnerships include collaborative performances with Cumberland Choral Arts, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, St. John’s Episcopal Church and the city’s annual Independence Day concert with fireworks.

The event is free and open to all ages. Food, drinks and alcoholic beverages will be for sale. For more information, call 910-433-4690 or visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

According to the most recent data, a child is removed from their home and placed into foster care every two minutes. 

As of 2021, over 400,000 children in the United States are in the foster care system. While that number has dropped over the past several years, the reality of those numbers is much more concerning. 

Narrowing the focus to just North Carolina, there are more than 12,000 children in foster care in need of homes, 700 of whom live in Cumberland County.

Cumberland County accounts for about 30% of all child placements in North Carolina, by far the highest percentage in the state. 

The urgent question of what to do with these children, who are widely considered to be the most vulnerable demographic in the country, is one that demands immediate attention. 

To bring awareness to an issue rarely spoken about in polite conversation, the Cumberland County Community Collaborative is hosting its inaugural Cumberland County Foster Care Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Living Water Assembly of God from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The festival is intended to bring some fun and support to local foster families and foster kids and potentially recruit those interested in starting the foster-care process. 

Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Kyle Coleman, Regional Supervisor of Youth Villages, about the event and the rising emergency within the Cumberland County foster care system. 

“We recognize that there’s a pandemic in foster care right now,” Coleman said candidly. “We have about 700 kids waiting for beds and maybe 50 available. We want to offer these kids a sense of stability and a loving home; we don’t want them bouncing from place to place.”

The Cumberland County Community Collaborative has set a goal to reduce the number of times children are moved from home to home while in the system, which is a major issue within the foster-care community. On average, children are moved between two to three times a year, dramatically decreasing their stability and long-term potential for success.

“Every time a child is moved, it’s considered a traumatic event,” Coleman explained. “Each traumatic event increases the likelihood of that child committing a violent crime, getting sentenced to jail, or abusing drugs.”

According to the Juvenile Law Center, 90% of juveniles with five or more foster placements will enter the justice system. Presently, “the problem is so severe that one-quarter of foster care alumni will become involved with the criminal justice system within two years of leaving care.”

It is precisely due to these statistics that Coleman and others involved in the Cumberland County Community Collaborative feel the time for action is long past due. 

“If you want to solve the prison issue — solve the foster care issue,” a frustrated Coleman advised. “Foster kids are 60% more likely to have mental health issues and 70% more likely to commit a violent crime. Several of these kids just need a chance. The right foster care placement can mean the difference between prison, military, or college.” 

The festival aims to connect foster care families with resources in the area that may benefit them and the children in their care. Information will also be available for potential foster parents, community members who wish to get involved, and birth parents who have been or will be reunited with their children. Most importantly, this festival is about community.  

“We’re hoping to get all the foster care agencies to attend this event,” said Coleman. “We want foster parents to be aware of their resources and offer support to biological parents who are getting their kids back. We hope this event will help to connect such an isolated population to other people in the community.”

Only a few short days from Halloween, festival-goers are encouraged to show up in costume as they enjoy a day filled with music, dancing, face painting, cornhole, and other fun activities. A chili cook-off is scheduled at noon, and children can load up their buckets and sacks with goodies from the Trunk or Treat from 2 to 4 p.m.  

While fun is an added benefit of the festivities, more than anything, Coleman hopes this festival will ignite a spark in people who maybe want to foster but are afraid to take the leap.

When asked about the misconceptions that surround fostering, Coleman had this to say:

“[People] are afraid that they’re not good enough. They worry they don’t have enough money or they don’t have their lives together enough to foster and make a difference. But that’s just not true. Some of these kids have been through such egregious experiences if they just have someone walk with them around the park on a Saturday afternoon — it can be enough.”

Currently, in Cumberland County, the demographic in the largest need of foster care placement are African American youth and children between the ages of 9 and 13. Both groups speak to other widespread issues within the foster care system — the disproportionality of African American children taken from their homes and the high interest in fostering or adopting younger children and babies. 

“No one thinks about fostering until infertility," Coleman said. “Babies only make up about 2-3% of children in foster care, and once a child hits 13, their chances of becoming adopted go down to around 30%, and they remain in the system until they age out and potentially go to prison.”

By nature, foster care is a temporary solution, with reunification being the ultimate goal. However, that’s just not the case for many of the youth in the foster care system. And, while the system is broken and fostering can be incredibly hard, Coleman insists there’s still an opportunity to turn things around. 

“This is fixable,” he said. “We can physically do something about this. When you foster, you’re investing in the future of every life you touch. It’s extremely hard — you get some really tough kids who’ve been through a lot, but seeing that positive change in one life can change your life too.”

While the Cumberland County Foster Fall Festival is a step in the right direction, Coleman hopes to see more community involvement and support for the incredible work that goes into serving this population of children. 

“There are all kinds of agencies and systems at work within foster care and social work every day, but there are no parades for mental health workers or social workers. We’re trying to make the world a better place and doing it silently.”

The Foster Care Fall Fest is free to attend and open to the public. 

Living Water Assembly of God is at 2040 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake. 

If interested in supporting the event, either by donating or volunteering, contact Coleman at 910-202-4974. 

To learn more about the Cumberland County Community Collaborative, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/cumberlandcollaborative/.

 

Over the last several years, people have asked me why Up & Coming Weekly newspaper makes such a “big deal” out of a golf tournament. Well, it's not just any golf tournament. It's the Cumberland County Golf Championship. And it's unique.

The CCGC is not only this community's most prestigious and competitive golfing event, but also the longest continuously running golf tournament in North Carolina. Since 1969, and for forty-six years, the CCGC was organized and managed by the local daily newspaper, the Fayetteville Observer, until Gatehouse Media purchased the FO in 2016.

At that point, Up & Coming Weekly was asked to take it on. As a small community newspaper, we were initially reluctant to take on such a responsibility. However, we accepted the challenge after careful consideration and several consultations with ardent local community leaders.

With minimum resources and staff, it would have been a challenging and complex undertaking without the contributions, resources, partnerships and encouragement of Representative Billy Richardson and his law firm, Mac Healy of Healy Wholesale, and Kevin Lavertu, General Manager of Gate Four Country Club.

Together, these folks created the foundation that allowed other people, businesses and organizations to join in to preserve this historic Fayetteville/Cumberland County golfing tradition.

We also felt this was a worthwhile undertaking because the CCGC reflected the same principles and philosophies on which Up & Coming Weekly has built its reputation during the last 26 years.

Golf is a game of honesty and integrity. Yes, golf takes athletic ability and physical stamina, but mostly it takes fortitude and character. And those who excel in golf have these attributes.

This is evident when you scan the CCGC Winners over the last 54 years. And this year was no exception, with Billy West winning this year's Cumberland County Champion title for the ninth time with an impressive 54-hole score of 221 (72,74,75). A remarkable feat considering the field of competitors.

The spread between the first and fourth place in the final Championship Flight was only three strokes. West squeaked by Nick Perry by one stroke. Perry finished second with a 222 (76,73,73).

Our involvement with the Cumberland County Golf Championship came when Up & Coming Weekly saw the opportunity to expand the scope of the tournament, making it more vibrant, meaningful, valuable and relative to the entire Cumberland County.

It has been a work in progress, but toward this end, we have expanded the event to include a Women’s Division and two youth divisions to mentor young local talent that will become the Cumberland County Champions of tomorrow.

The CCGC also adopted the Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to K-5 children in Fayetteville, Cumberland County and Fort Bragg.

Good things last, and it is our responsibility to preserve them.

Fayetteville and Cumberland County have close ties to the sport of golf. Touring PGA Professionals Ray Floyd and previous CCGC Champion Chip Beck are both from Fayetteville.

In addition, the world-famous Donald Ross-designed Pinehurst No. 2 golf course is only 37 miles away. However, Fayetteville can boast its own Donald Ross-designed course at Highland County Club.

The Cumberland County Golf Championship is more than a golf tournament. It is history, tradition and prestige. All of which speaks volumes about our community. Like I said, “Good things last.”

We congratulate this year’s 2022 CCGC Champion, Billy West, and Division winners. And we are grateful to all who participated as players, sponsors or supporters. You have now become an integral part of North Carolina golf history.

Next year the CCGC will be held on October 13 to 15. We hope to see you there.

2022 Cumberland County Golf Championship
Champion — Billy West
Open Flight Winner — Toby Sheehan
Senior Division — Gary Moore
Super Senior Division — Edwin Baez
Women's Division — Duckee Brown
Middle School Division — Miken Williams
Junior Division and Overall Youth Division — Chris Buchholtz

The Kiwanis Club International has long been known for their mission in serving the children of the world.

For the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville, that means serving the children and youth in our community through service projects, fundraising, grants, scholarships and sponsoring school-based service leadership programs. On Oct. 20, the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville will be holding their annual Care For Kids Golf Tournament at Gates Four Golf and Country Club, located at 6775 Irongate Drive.

Check in starts at 11 a.m. and tee off starts at noon with shotgun start. The golf tournament is “Best Ball” Captain’s Choice and will feature closest-to-the-pin.
There will be teams of four golfers for $400 and single players can sign up for $100 to be paired up with three other golfers. Team prizes will be awarded for first place, middle place and last place.

After the event, dinner will be catered by Gates Four. Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville will also be selling raffle tickets for $20. Barbara Porter, the Co-Chairman, commented, “Everyone who purchases a raffle ticket will win a prize. All prizes are valued at $25 and higher.”

All financial proceeds will be supporting local children-focused activities. Porter is proud to announce that the event has already raised $20,000 with at least $2,500 earmarked for the Child Advocacy Center in Fayetteville.

Other local organizations helping children that this golf tournament will support include Terrific Kids programs, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Fayetteville Partnership for Children, Boys and Girls Home of NC, and Falcon’s Children’s Home.

Kiwanis also sponsors Little League Baseball teams, and award local high school students scholarships for college.
The Fayetteville Kiwanis Club also participates in the Reading is Fun program locally. This is where the Kiwanis members go to preschools to read the children a story then give them a book to keep.

Sponsorships for Care for Kids Golf Tournament include Platinum, Silver and Bronze levels. There will be a sponsorship for each of the golf holes for $125.
These sponsors include local businesses, politicians and even a few In Memory Of sponsorships.

“I look forward to helping with the event itself,” Porter said. “This includes running the sign in table and organizing the raffle. I look forward to meeting the golfers and the community that comes out for the event. The proceeds from this event goes to a good cause, for the children in the community of Fayetteville.”

The Kiwanis International club was established 102 years ago as a pioneer in providing resources to children and improving the communities they serve. The local Kiwanis Club is one of the 7,000 clubs in over 80 countries. Other events that the Kiwanis host throughout the year include the annual pancake breakfast and a reverse raffle.

If you would like more information on becoming a member or would like to donate, please visit cfkiwanis.us. The Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville's Care For Kids Golf Tournament will be Oct. 20. If you would like more information on the Care for Kids Annual Golf Tournament, please email Co-Chairman Barbara Porter at barbaragailp@hotmail.com.