It might seem like the world has come to a standstill the past few months, but the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County has not. As more and more businesses and organizations open in the coming months, look for new exhibits and happenings downtown. In the meantime, the online energy is strong here, and the Arts Council continues to provide first-rate art and entertainment options. Currently, two programs that have met with much success are the online exhibit, “Size Matters: Works that Push the Scale of Dimensions,” and the Hay Street Live performance series.

Hay Street Live is a weekly event that typically includes a host/hostess — sometimes more than one — and a performer. The earlier versions of the event also included a local mixologist to showcase his or her signature drink. “Our viewers have spoken, and they love the music,” said Scott. “We’ve received several requests to extend the show from viewers who can’t get enough of this virtual jam session. So, we’ve elected to extend the musicians playtime by removing the mixology section. Now it’s all about the arts. The performer will have more time to share their artistry with their virtual fans.”

June 19, don’t miss the Hay Street Live performance of Dan 64. This is a returning band from one of the earlier shows in April. The host will be Sweet Tea, host of “The Sweet Tea Show” found on Carolina Country 100.1 FM and Carolina Country 93.9 FM.

The June 26 band will be a Fayetteville favorite — 80s Unplugged. The band celebrates all the goodness and quirkiness of the 1980s, including Rubic’s cube, Swatch watches, Members Only jackets, skinny ties, Vans checkerboard shoes, guys with mullets and girls with Camaro hair, but especially the music.

Goldy of WFNC 640 AM’s “Good Morning Fayettevillle” will host the show.

Starting in July, Hay Street Live will move to Thursdays. Whiskey Pines Band will perform July 2. The Arts Council’s Metoya Scott will host the event.

“Size Matters” opened on April 24 and remains accessible online through June 25. “Size Matters,” as the name implies, is all about scale. The exhibition encourage(s) artists to experiment with scale. The artwork represents recognizable objects that have undergone a disorientating shift in size. The show was originally set to open April 24 and was shifted to an online event due to COVID-19 restrictions on group gatherings.

The exhibit, gives visitors an opportunity to experience a virtual version of the show. Additionally, all 44 pieces, which represent the works of 31 artists, are available for purchase.

It includes artists with followings that span the globe. “My viewership is all over the world,” said pictorial artists David Pickett. “With this exhibition, I’ll gain 10 times the exposure and have greater visibility. My friends and family that are out of state can’t always visit the gallery. Now they all can.” Pickett, a resident of Shallotte, North Carolina, has two pieces featured in the exhibition.

Another feature of the exhibition is “Palette Talk.” “’Palette Talk’ was an intimate, authentic, unguarded conversation that occurred between two artists featured in our ‘Size Matters’ exhibition and facilitated by myself,” said Metoya Scott, public relations manager for the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “During the show, I encourage viewers to ask the artists questions and acknowledge them for their contribution to enhancing visual arts experiences not only in Cumberland County but worldwide through our virtual exhibition. … I had the opportunity to speak with the artists one on one about how they fell in love with art, what inspires them to create, and why they submitted to our exhibition. Artists hailed from Miami, Florida, to Iowa City, Iowa, and, of course, sprinkled all across the Carolinas.”

One of Fayetteville’s best-loved perennial exhibits follows “Size Matters.” Celebrating its 15th year, the “Public Works” Exhibition Aug. 28 and runs through Oct. 17 at the Arts Council. This really is the people’s exhibit. There is no jury.

“’Public Works’ is a communitywide art exhibit sponsored by the Fayetteville Public Works Commission,” said Scott. “This is an opportunity for all artists of all ages to have their work exhibited … at the Arts Council.

“Who’s eligible? You are, if you live in Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland Counties or Fort Bragg or Pope Field.

“Bring your artwork to The Arts Council, 301 Hay St., between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, August 14, or on Saturday, August 15, between noon to 4 pm.”

There will be a People’s Choice award.

August 28-31 the public is invited to vote for their favorites. The artwork with the most votes be featured on the Arts Council’s Facebook page for a Virtual Vote. A photographer will be present the day of Art in-take to capture the artwork; each entry will be uploaded to the “Public Works” Exhibition App, managed by the Arts Council. Voting will be available via the app. Winners will enjoy a prize pack full of unique items from downtown businesses, according to the Arts council website. Winners of the online Virtual Vote will get an Arts Council goody bag.

Find out more about these and the many other initiatives at the Arts Council at theartscouncil.com.

A big thank you to everyone who reached out with positive comments about our commemorative 2020 high school edition. And an especially big thank you to Cumberland County Schools for allowing us to celebrate this year’s graduates with you!

I doubt any of us will forget the unique circumstances around this year’s graduation celebrations.

When my oldest walked across the stage a few years ago to receive her diploma, I could not have been prouder. Big days like this don’t just happen. For more than two decades, countless people invested in her and her peers. I remember pondering at the time how much it takes to educate a young person. This year, thanks to COVID-19, the task was exponentially more difficult, and watching everyone rise to the challenge was nothing short of inspiring.

My daughter is a product of the Cumberland County Schools system. I am thankful for everyone in it who contributed to her success: the teachers who pushed her to do her best; the ones who called her out when she was trying to get away with doing less; the ones who saw her struggle and offered encouragement; the ones who taught her how to be an independent thinker; the ones who taught her to love reading. I am thankful to the teachers who sponsored clubs that instilled in her a love of theater, debate, foreign languages, adventure and a sense of civility and love for her fellow man. I am thankful for the administrators who showed compassion when her dad was deployed and our family was struggling. I am thankful for administrators who were always kind and professional. My hat is off to the volunteers who spent time in her classrooms, held fundraisers to benefit local students and who helped in other ways I’ll never know. I’m thankful to all of them — and so many more.

Having good-hearted, solid leaders who care for children at the helm of our education system makes all these things an everyday occurrence in this community — even if it’s online and not in person. You can’t underestimate the impact teachers, administrators and school staff have on our young people. The impact of COVID-19 and the confusion of how to move forward were met with grace and common sense, making the most of a terrible situation.

In recent years, we’ve heard many comments about how protected this generation of Americans is. Are we really turning out a generation of easily-offended, emotionally vulnerable snowflakes? For all our good intentions, has the helicopter parenting, coddling and overpraising backfired? I hope not. I choose to believe not. After watching the amazing teachers, administrators and staff of this school system shepherd our young through one of the strangest schools years of our time and watching students rally, reset and complete what is likely the strangest school year they’ve known, I am confident. Confident in our schools and in our young adults who are going out into
the world.

Class of 2020, there are many challenges ahead … and just as many opportunities. I cannot wait to see what you do with them!

As a parent, I remember the pit in my stomach as each of my children got old enough to get behind the wheel. Of course, I see the worst of what happens when people do not drive safely, but for all of us, there are so many worries and so much anxiety as our children learn how to drive. Will they drive safely? Will they be safe? What about the other crazy drivers on the road?

How does this process work? North Carolina has a graduated licensing process that requires students who are at least 14 ½ years old and are pursuing a high school diploma or GED to enroll in an approved driver education course, which consists of 30 hours of classroom time and six hours of driving time, as well as an eye exam. Once completed, a student will receive a Driver’s Education Certificate, which allows them to apply for a Level 1 permit. Under Level 1, a driver must be 15-17 years old, must drive only when supervised — between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. — for the first six months. The use of mobile devices is prohibited. Once these requirements are met, a Level 2 “limited provisional license” allows unsupervised driving from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and to or from work. A driver must be 16-17 years old, have a limited learners permit for 12 months, have completed and logged at least 60 hours of driving, have no convictions of moving violations or seat belt/mobile phone infractions and pass an on-the-road driving test. Under the provisional license, there must be proof of liability insurance, no more than one passenger under 21 years old in the vehicle — unless they are members of the same household as the driver — and use of mobile devices is prohibited. The final step is a Level 3, which is a full provisional license. It allows unsupervised driving at any time so long as the driver is 16-17 years old, had a provision license for at least six months, has no convictions similar to those listed in Level 2, has completed and logged at least 12 hours of driving and, again, use of mobile devices is prohibited. For more information on the graduated licensing process, visit https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/graduated-licensing.aspx.

Here are a few important things to do through this graduated licensing process: 1) make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. See my article from Jan. 8.
2) Enforce and set the example on mobile devices. Some studies show teens whose parents drive distracted are two to four times as likely to drive distracted themselves. 3) Lay down the law — understand North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle requirements and follow them. Your teen will be safer for it.

Jason Norton was remembered by his peers as someone who was easy to talk with, who wanted to win, but above all did everything for the benefit of the athletes at his school.

Norton, 47, who served as athletic director at Pine Forest since 2015, after an outstanding career as both an athlete and coach in his native Richmond County, died earlier this month after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Lauren and sons Alex, Kevin and Jase.

Norton was an all-American placekicker at Catawba College, while playing for two state championship football teams at Richmond Senior and coaching a third.
He joined the staff at Pine Forest as athletic director in 2015, continuing to work there until the disease forced him to step down after the 2019 school year.

“He was very genuine,’’ said Pine Forest principal David Culbreth. “When he came to Cumberland County, he was excited to have the opportunity to be an administrator and an athletic director. It made everything easier with the enthusiasm and energy he brought.’’

“I don’t think you could have met a nicer, kinder person than Jason,’’ said Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for the Cumberland County Schools. “His ability to build relationships and be a good listener is what drew people to him.’’

Chad Barbour was the athletic director at South View when he first crossed paths with Norton and they became close friends. Barbour is now principal at Cumberland Polytechnic High School.

“He wanted the whole program to be successful and he wanted to get the best people in the positions he had,’’ Barbour said. “He had high expectations for the way students were supposed to conduct themselves.’’

One of Norton’s closest friends was David May, who coached with him at Hamlet Junior High School and was on the coaching staff at Pine Forest when Norton became athletic director.

“He’s worn so many hats in his life, coaching, teaching and being a father and a husband,’’ May said. “I can’t tell you how many people he’s taken to football camps all over the country with his boys that wouldn’t have had the opportunity to go.

“I know he’d be looking down right now amazed at all the love and support he’s receiving, how highly people thought of him. He wasn’t a vain type of guy who looked for praise.’’

During his battle with cancer, Norton received three major awards, including the Braveheart Award from the N.C. Athletic Directors Association, the Tony Simeon Courage Award from the N.C. High School Athletic Association and most recently the Stuart Scott Courage Award from HighSchoolOT.com.

Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital is the only hospital in the region to have earned Geriatric Emergency Department accreditation by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Such certification recognizes hospitals that are focused on the highest standards of care for older adults. “Hoke Hospital has worked hard to earn this accreditation,” said Roxie Wells, M.D., Hoke Hospital President. “From our award-winning joint-replacement program to our stellar ICU unit, everything we do helps elevate the care of geriatric patients in our community.”

Hoke Hospital is located off U.S.401 just south of the Cumberland County line.

ACEP began accrediting geriatric emergency departments in 2018. To date, accreditation has been granted to fewer than 150 hospitals nationwide. The concept was developed by professionals in emergency medicine to ensure that older patients receive quality care because the complexity of care rises with age. Older patients are more likely to have conditions such as heart disorders and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. “Older patients don't want to be in the hospital,” Wells noted. “They may not see or hear as well, and they are more vulnerable to infection. The COVID-19 pandemic is of concern to us,” she added.

In the past, the tendency in emergency medicine was to admit older patients to the hospital out of an abundance of caution without regard to their special needs. Now, geriatric emergency departments incorporate specially trained staff, who assess older patients more comprehensively as they arrive in the E.R. and take steps to make the experience more comfortable and less intimidating. Everything about the E.R. experience can be challenging for older adults. Patients are often confused or disoriented. For those unsteady on their feet, navigating cramped quarters is difficult. For those who are alone without a friend or family member, it's frightening.

Having a geriatric E.D. does not mean creating a separate space for seniors, but rather using specific processes, which include screening for geriatric syndromes such as stroke. “Over 60% of hospital admissions for patients over the age of 65 come through the emergency department," said Dr. Kevin Biese, an emergency medicine physician with University of North Carolina Hospitals, who has a focus in geriatrics.

Clinical experts have developed the basic criteria for geriatric emergency departments and describe what patients and families should look for and expect. Patients who are on several prescribed medications might benefit from having their drug regimens trimmed.

Geriatric emergency departments are needed to fill substantial gaps in care for older adults, said Dr. Christopher Carpenter, an associate professor of emergency medicine with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. "(There is) unprecedented growth in aging demographics — with 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day — yet the health care system is not adapting to address unique geriatric needs," said Carpenter, who is also deputy editor-in-chief of Academic Emergency Medicine and associate editor of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

A Fayetteville man charged with taking part in the arson of Fayetteville’s Market House has had a pair of routine court appearances and remains in the custody of federal authorities. He was arrested following a joint local/federal investigation prompted by violence during an otherwise peaceful demonstration after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, said Robert J. Higdon Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Charles Anthony Pittman, 32, was arrested by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and charged with maliciously damaging property owned or possessed by an institution receiving federal financial assistance. A local television crew videotaped Pittman carrying a red gasoline container before pouring its contents on the floor of the second story of the Market House May 25. The historic landmark sustained charring and minor interior damage. Earlier that same day, Pittman posted a Facebook video while he drove around the Market House traffic circle. If convicted of the arson charge, Pittman would face a mandatory minimum prison term of at least seven years. The maximum penalty is 40 years and a fine of $250,000. Higdon credited the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Fayetteville Police Department with the investigation leading to the arrest.

Renaming certain military installations
Defense Department officials are considering renaming 10 Army installations that are named for Confederate generals, including Fort Bragg. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper say they are open to the idea of also renaming Fort Lee, Fort Hood, Fort Benning, Fort Gordon, Fort Polk, Fort Pickett, Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Rucker and Camp Beauregard.

Fort Bragg was established in 1918 as Camp Bragg and was named after Confederate general Braxton Bragg, a native North Carolinian. History has recorded that Bragg was generally considered among the worst generals of the Confederacy. Most of the battles in which he engaged ended in defeat. Bragg was unpopular with both the men and the officers of his command, who criticized him for poor battlefield strategy, a quick temper and overzealous
discipline. McCarthy evidently believes he could unilaterally rename the installations, but there would need to be consultation with the White House, Congress, plus state and local governments.

Fort Bragg leadership changes

The 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command has a new commander today. Col. Lance G. Curtis arrived at Fort Bragg from his previous assignment as deputy director of the Army’s Operations and Logistics Readiness Directorate in Washington, D.C. He succeeds Brig. Gen. James M. Smith, who led the command since October 2018, and becomes chief of transportation and commandant of the U.S. Army Transportation School at Fort Lee, Virginia. Curtis’ 28 years of service included commanding the 528th Sustainment Brigade, which supports the 1st Special Forces Command.

Fort Bragg’s 18th Airborne Corps has a new senior noncommissioned officer. Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas “T.J.” Holland replaces Command Sgt. Maj. Charles “Chuck” Albertson this month. Albertson left Fort Bragg for the Pentagon, where he now serves as executive officer to the sergeant major of the Army. Holland’s last assignment was with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was raised in Lancaster, Ohio, and joined the Army in 1994. Holland has previously served with
the 82nd Airborne Division and the Army’s Golden Knights.

Chef Glenn Garner had planned for an April opening of his new location of The Diner by Chef Glenn and Company on Camden Road.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed things down, mainly because of the restrictions in place that made the idea of rolling the restaurant out earlier impractical, since it would not be open to sit-down customers. But Garner promoted interest in the new business by parking his food truck out front while work continued on the new location, serving customers to-go meals from the truck.

Now that the state of North Carolina is gradually reopening and restrictions have been loosened on restaurants, Garner held his official opening of the new location last week. Of course, there will still be limits on how much he can do, the main one being occupancy is limited to half capacity, which in his case will be no more than a maximum of 113 customers inside at one time.

“It’s for a good reason and I understand that,’’ Garner said of the restrictions. "But I don’t think a lot of places are going to open until Phase 3 starts off.’’

Phase 3 is the next stage of reopening under the limits set down by Gov. Roy Cooper that will allow businesses like restaurants to return to more normal operations.

Although they aren’t required, Garner will promote the wearing of masks in his new business. He will also be required to sanitize the tables after each group of customers leave. To comply with social distancing, no customers will be seated at adjacent tables or booths, leaving unoccupied spaces as a buffer to allow proper spacing between everyone.

Garner admitted he’s concerned if he’ll be able to even reach 50% occupancy with any regularity. He has visited other restaurants in anticipation of opening his and said many of them are not half full. “I think they are shell-shocked,’’ he said of potential customers.

Garner has set his hours for Tuesday through Thursday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday he’ll be open 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., closing on Sundays and Mondays. The diner offers a brunch on Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

His aim with the new restaurant is to give Hope Mills diners the most varied and upscale menu available anywhere in town, and he thinks it will rival or exceed offerings they can get from specialty restaurants along Fayetteville’s McPherson Church Road, the town’s unofficial restaurant row.

Just a sampling of what Garner will be serving includes seafood, steak, prime rib, chicken and oysters.

The decor and theme of The Diner is 50s and 60s. Both the inside and outside of the building are decorated with signs and displays highlighting that era.

In addition to the main seating area, Glenn will offer a private dining room for any group of 10 or more people that can seat up to 100.

It will be available for parties or any kind of group meeting. Anyone interested in using it needs to make a reservation at least 48 hours in advance.

As for Garner’s old location in downtown Hope Mills, it will close temporarily while he’s getting the new business open, with plans to reopen the downtown business sometime over the next quarter. The location on Main Street, formerly known as Becky's Cafe, will be renamed Just Breakfast by Chef Glenn and Company. It will open Monday, June 22 from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. The number is 910-929-2520. It will be open Monday through Saturday. 

For further information on either location, Garner can be contacted at 910-705-2664.

An online thesaurus finds nearly 300 synonyms for “critical mass” and “tipping point.” These include “the last straw, “sea change,” “crossroads,” “watershed,” and “game changer.” Both critical mass and tipping point are technical terms in physics, but both are increasingly used in sociology. Merriam-Webster defines tipping point this way: “the critical point in a situation, process or system, beyond which a significant and often unstoppable effect or change takes place.”

Apparently, watching the excruciating murder of George Floyd on television is just such an American moment, and the United States appears to have reached the tipping point on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Evidence abounds, both data and anecdotal.

Public opinion has trended toward BLM since the shootings of Trayvon Martin (2012) and Michael Brown (2014), but since Memorial Day, support for the movement has increased almost as much as it has over the last two years, according to polling by Civiqs. That is true for all registered voters of whatever political stripe, all ages — including the over-65 crowd, all education levels from noncollege graduates to Americans with advanced degrees and all races. Civiqs is not alone in its findings. Monmouth University polling finds that fully 76% of Americans believe discrimination and racism are a “big problem” in our nation. Other polling finds that most Americans agree that police are more likely to use deadly force against African Americans, according to The New York Times. I recently had an expired license plate on my car and had difficulty resolving it because license plate agencies had closed in response to COVID-19. I knew that I could be cited for noncompliance, but I also understood that my white skin probably insulated me otherwise.

There is more.

Police are increasingly being held accountable. Four officers are charged in George Floyd’s death, six in Atlanta for their handling of protestors, and two in Buffalo for shoving a 75-year-old protestor, who suffered a head injury.

Calls for defunding law enforcement agencies are increasing, with supporters demanding to shift funding to human services such as nursing, counseling and increased education. School systems are also shifting funds away from policing to other services.

Monuments to white supremacists and colonialists are being toppled not only in the United States but around the world. Demands for changing the names of both places and things bearing the names of white supremacists are being heard internationally, including our own Fort Bragg and a middle school in Raleigh named for Josephus Daniels. He helped plan and execute the 1898 coup d’etat in Wilmington, the only one in United States history.

American businesses, including tech companies, big box stores, professional sports organizations, and entertainment giants face public reckonings over both their policies and their actions. In an apparently pro-active move, a popular country music band, Lady Antebellum, announced its new name, Lady A, professing ignorance about the Civil War and slavery connotations of the word “antebellum.”

No one knows whether what is happening now constitutes a true tipping point or another disappointment. Major tipping points have occurred in our nation’s recent history. The United States Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage five years ago this month, after years of rising public support.

Black Lives Matter feels like that to me.

During my COVID-19 extended stay at home, I have tried to walk daily with varying degrees of diligence. Mine is a predominantly but not exclusively white neighborhood, and I have noticed and been heartened by the BLACK LIVES MATTER signs dotting front yards. Most are of the printed variety that someone made an effort to obtain and then place front and center. Last week, though, I saw the one pictured here. It is so lightly done I did not realize what it was at first until I took a good look. It bears the hand-done letters BLM and appears to have been done by a child.

It gives me hope.

Athletes and coaches from the Cumberland County Schools will be allowed to begin off-season workouts effective Monday, July 6.

“We look forward to getting our student-athletes back on campus safely,’’ said county student activities director Vernon Aldridge in a press release last week. “The July 6 date is subject to change if state and local directives deem it necessary.’’

The decision was made following the announcement by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association that it was lifting the statewide hold on summer workout sessions and allowing schools to resume on June 15. However, the NCHSAA said it would be the right of each school system to announce if it would open June 15th date or wait until later.

Aldridge said workouts in the county will be held under guidelines released by the NCHSAA, as well as additional guidance from the Department of Health and
Human Services.

In the weeks prior to July 6, Aldridge said county schools will make sure they have the supplies and equipment required to insure safe practices, along with instruction for athletic staff on following the prescribed procedures.

By returning July 6, Cumberland County will miss the NCHSAA dead period normally held the week of July 4. A second dead period in July, the week of the annual East-West All-Star games, has been waived as the games and North Carolina Coaches Association Clinic this year have been canceled.

Athletes and parents must complete registration forms online using the "Final Forms" link that can be found on each school’s website in order for athletes to participate in summer workouts.

Any student with an athletic physical performed on or after March 1, 2019, will be considered eligible for 2020-21. Students who had a physical earlier than that date will be required to get a new one before attending workouts.

Assuming there are no other changes to the calendar, the July 6 date will give Cumberland County athletes four weeks of summer workouts before the official start of fall practice, which is still scheduled for Aug. 1.

The angel investment network VentureSouth is bringing its 14th branch to Fayetteville to offer resources to local investors.

“Now, more than ever, we need fresh ideas from entrepreneurs,” said Marty Cayton, VentureSouth Fayetteville director. Cayton is a local angel investor and owner of Fayetteville-based TeamLogic IT of Eastern N.C.

“In addition to a full-time team to manage the process, the attractiveness of VentureSouth’s model is that it leverages the collective expertise of 300+ angel investors who screen potential opportunities and conduct professional due diligence,” Cayton said.

With a model that has proven to be effective in various other locations, the team at the company expects the angel investment group will help culture the perfect environment for starting and growing new businesses. VentureSouth has helped numerous companies through its other branches already and plans to make a beneficial impact on Fayetteville. Across the board, the network has over 300 members who have invested $50 million and upward of 70 companies in the Southeast, to include operations reaching throughout the Carolinas.

In fact, the firm’s investments in high-profile companies have been key to securing substantial returns for its investors.

As far as Managing Director Charlie Banks is concerned, now is the perfect time for VentureSouth to come to Fayetteville. He has high hopes for the good that the network will bring to the economy here. “History has proven that many of the country’s most successful companies were born during peculiar economic times,” Banks said. “Thus, given the current environment, there will be significant opportunities for investors to gain exposure to many exciting, high-growth companies. There is an obvious energy here, so Fayetteville is a perfect fit for VentureSouth. We feel as if our professional process and regional deal pipeline for investors will be a welcomed addition to the ecosystem.”

Becoming a member offers several benefits. Members gain access to VentureSouth’s educational curriculum, get connected with experienced investors and get to learn about new technology, business models and other entrepreneurs throughout the region, not to mention being presented with investment opportunities, all by simply paying a membership fee for the year.

Throughout the summer and fall, VentureSouth will have educational and informational sessions for people who want to know more about what the network has to offer. Visit www.venturesouth.vc/venturesouth-fayetteville to learn more about membership and the sessions. For additional information, contact Charlie Banks at 803-414-6702 or charlie@venturesouth.vc or Marty Cayton at 910-237-2640 or marty@venturesouth.vc.

Can you remember life before the Corona Cooties came to town? What is your very first memory? Say it quietly to yourself in case it’s embarrassing. Take a walk down memory lane. We are going to compare what Greek mythology and medical science say about memory. Neurologists say your memories hang out in various socially distanced parts of your brain. The brain is a wad of tissues and electrical charges that weighs about 3 pounds. Some people use their brains more than others. If you are of a certain age, your memory lets you call up the cigarette slogans from a half-century ago — like “Kent with the Micronite filter refines away harsh flavor, refines away harsh taste.”

Fun fact: Kent’s Micronite filter was asbestos.

Your brain has little nerve cells called neurons that keep sending electrical charges to each other. When you experience something, the nerve cells get excited and tell their neighbors about it. These electrical charges end up in various parts of your brain to ultimately form memories. The amygdala of your brain’s temporal lobe is shaped like an almond. It attaches emotions to memories. It is the basis for the candy Almond Joy’s slogan, “Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t.” Next up is the hippocampus. Despite its name, the hippocampus is not where a hippopotamus goes to get a college degree. The hippocampus converts short-term memories into long-term memories. These ship out to the neocortex, where they reside permanently until you need them. Once the neocortex is called upon to produce a memory, it promptly forgets the name of the person you just met.

All that medical stuff is a bit on the dry side. Greek mythology provides the real truth about memory. The goddess of memory is Mnemosyne. Minnie, as her posse calls her, is the reason you can remember where you were on 9-11, the day Elvis died and when UNC last beat Dook. Minnie came from sturdy stock. Her daddy was Uranus, and her mom was Gaea. They were the original heaven and Earth of mythology. Zeus took a liking to Minnie and spent nine nights with her playing house and making whoopee. Minnie got in the family way and gave birth to nonuplets, which is a fancy way of saying she had nine babies at once. These weren’t just nine ordinary babies, no sirree, Bob. These were the nine muses who inspire artists, musicians and various creative types who have found a way to make a living without working. The muses invented music, language, dance, human senses, planets and the Greek alphabet.

Minnie was a first-responder in the Underworld of the dead in Hades. She kept watch over a pool and the River Lethe in the Underworld. When a dead person showed up in the Underworld, Minnie would get them to drink from the River Lethe, which would cause them to forget their past life above ground. The Greeks believed that the dead would end up getting reincarnated. If they had not forgotten their past lives, they might try to get their stuff back from their heirs and all manner of troubles would prevail. Hence, belly up to the River Lethe and have a swig. However, and there is always a however in mythology, there was another river in Hades named after Minnie called the Mnemosyne River. Drinking from it would cause the newly dead to be able to remember all of their past life, but it kept them from being reincarnated and going through all the troubles of life again.

So, who to believe about what memory is? The neurologists or Greek mythologists? It’s all Greek to me. You should make your own decision. The idea of memory has sold more records than you can shake a stick at. Who can forget Bob Hope singing, “Thanks for the memories”? The horror of the musical “Cats” song “Memory” sung by more Miss America contestants than can be heard without nausea: “Midnight not a sound from the pavement/Has the moon lost her memory.” Dean Martin singing “Memories Are Made of This”: “The sweet, sweet memories you gave to me/You can’t beat the memories you gave to me./” Mary Hopkins belting out “Those Were the Days”: “Those were the days my friend/We thought they’d never end/We’d sing and dance forever and a day.” John Lennon’s mournful “In My Life”: “There are places I’ll remember/All my life, though some have changed/Some forever, not for better/Some have gone, and some remain/With lovers and friends I still can recall /Some are dead, and some are living/In my life I’ve loved them all.” The “Whiffenpoof” song has the immortal lyrics: “We will serenade our Louie while life and voice shall last/Then we’ll pass and be forgotten with the rest/We are poor little lambs who have lost our way/Baa, baa, baa.”

The best song ever written about memory comes from Randy Newman, a little ditty called “Potholes.” Randy is pondering his fading memory due to aging and is thankful for it. Not only does he forget the good stuff, but more importantly, he forgets the bad stuff. He wrote: “God bless the potholes/Down on Memory Lane/Everything that happens to me now/Is consigned to oblivion by my brain.”

What was the point of this column?
I forget.

The angel investment network VentureSouth is bringing its 14th branch to Fayetteville to offer resources to local investors.

“Now, more than ever, we need fresh ideas from entrepreneurs,” said Marty Cayton, VentureSouth Fayetteville director. Cayton is a local angel investor and owner of Fayetteville-based TeamLogic IT of Eastern N.C.

“In addition to a full-time team to manage the process, the attractiveness of VentureSouth’s model is that it leverages the collective expertise of 300+ angel investors who screen potential opportunities and conduct professional due diligence,” Cayton said.

With a model that has proven to be effective in various other locations, the team at the company expects the angel investment group will help culture the perfect environment for starting and growing new businesses. VentureSouth has helped numerous companies through its other branches already and plans to make a beneficial impact on Fayetteville. Across the board, the network has over 300 members who have invested $50 million and upward of 70 companies in the Southeast, to include operations reaching throughout the Carolinas.

In fact, the firm’s investments in high-profile companies have been key to securing substantial returns for its investors.

As far as Managing Director Charlie Banks is concerned, now is the perfect time for VentureSouth to come to Fayetteville. He has high hopes for the good that the network will bring to the economy here. “History has proven that many of the country’s most successful companies were born during peculiar economic times,” Banks said. “Thus, given the current environment, there will be significant opportunities for investors to gain exposure to many exciting, high-growth companies. There is an obvious energy here, so Fayetteville is a perfect fit for VentureSouth. We feel as if our professional process and regional deal pipeline for investors will be a welcomed addition to the ecosystem.”

Becoming a member offers several benefits. Members gain access to VentureSouth’s educational curriculum, get connected with experienced investors and get to learn about new technology, business models and other entrepreneurs throughout the region, not to mention being presented with investment opportunities, all by simply paying a membership fee for the year.

Throughout the summer and fall, VentureSouth will have educational and informational sessions for people who want to know more about what the network has to offer. Visit www.venturesouth.vc/venturesouth-fayetteville to learn more about membership and the sessions. For additional information, contact Charlie Banks at 803-414-6702 or charlie@venturesouth.vc or Marty Cayton at 910-237-2640 or marty@venturesouth.vc.

Just as Cumberland County was hoping to celebrate a pos-sible high point in mid-March with two state basketball champions, the high school athletic season across the state of North Carolina came to a crashing half because of restrictions imposed to pre-vent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Not only was the basketball season prevented from ending on the court, spring sports athletes saw their seasons end after just a week, and they were eventually canceled.

But while the year may have ended abruptly for many county athletes, there were some who were able to com-plete their seasons. Here’s
a quick recap of the athletic year by season.

Fall
Football — South View and Terry Sanford finished with 7-1 conference records in the Patriot Athletic Conference with the Tigers winning the
head-to-head matchup on the field 23-17 in a game that went double overtime.

Dorian Clark led the county in rushing with 2,346 yards. The top passer was Dashawn McCullough of E.E. Smith with 2,336 yards.

Volleyball — Gray’s Creek cruised to the Patriot Athletic Conference title with a 25-1 record, led by Kylie Aldridge and Kelsie Rouse with 77 and 70 aces respectively.

Boys soccer — Gray’s Creek edged Terry Sanford for the Patriot Athletic Conference title, finishing one game ahead of the Bulldogs in the league stan-dings. Eric Chavez was the leading scorer for the Bears with 17 goals and 14 assists.

Girls tennis — Cape Fear ended a 17-year losing streak to perennial county tennis power Terry Sanford, beating the Bulldogs 6-3. Terry Sanford wound up as the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs while Cape Fear earned a wildcard berth. Cape Fear reached the third round of the state 3-A playoffs, ended 14-2 after losing to unbeaten New Hanover.

The Colts were led by Brooke Bieniek and Paige Cameron.

Cross country — Octavious Smith of E.E. Smith was the top male runner in the county, winning the Patriot Athletic Conference meet with a time of 16:09.10. Cape Fear, led by Jonathan Piland and Julius Ferguson, was the team winner for the boys.

For the girls, Terry Sanford’s Rainger Pratt won with a time of 20:21.90. The Bulldogs also took the team prize.

Girls golf — Toni Blackwell again led Cape Fear to the Patriot Athletic Conference title. She went on to win the 3-A East Regional tournament and placed third in the NCHSAA tournament. For the regular season, Blackwell averaged 77.9 per round. 

Winter

Basketball — Westover’s boys and E.E. Smith’s girls came within days of playing for state 3-A bas-ketball titles, only to have the restrictions put into place because of COVID-19 see their games first postponed and eventually canceled. The NCHSAA Board of Directors eventually decided to declare all of the teams that had advanced to this year’s state basketball finals cochampions.

The Westover boys were led by D’Marco Dunn, who averaged 20.8 points per game and has recei-ved numerous college scholarship offers.

Miya Giles-Jones was Smith’s leading scorer with 13.4 points per game.

Wrestling — South View edged Cape Fear for the Patriot Athletic Conference regular season honors, but the Colts brought home more state hardware. Dallas Wilson won his third consecutive state individual title for Cape Fear while teammate Nick Minacapelli won his first title after a third-place finish a year ago. Wilson was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the state 3-A tournament.

Bowling — It was a banner year for local bow-ling as the Gray’s Creek boys and Terry Sanford girls captured state championships.

Junior Zoe Cannady helped pace Terry Sanford while on the boys’ side Terry Sanford’s Rolf Wallin won the boys’ state individual title.

The Gray’s Creek boys were led by regular sea-son MVP C.J. Woodle and Gio Garcia.

Swimming — Cape Fear’s boys and Terry Sanford’s girls were the top swim teams in the county. Among the top swimmers were Terry Sanford’s Allison Curl and Pine Forest’s Brandon Chhoeung.

Spring

Baseball — Gray’s Creek was off to a 5-0 start when the season ended. Ben Jones was batting .667.

Softball — Cape Fear was 6-0 and South View 3-0. The top three hitters were Kylie Aldridge of Gray’s Creek at .727, Morgan Nunnery of Cape Fear at .722 and Jaden Pone of Gray’s Creek at .714.

Girls soccer — Terry Sanford was off to a 4-0 start led by eight goals from Maiya Parrous and seven from Corrinne Shovlain.

Track, golf, tennis and lacrosse seasons were practi-cally wiped out by the COVID-19 restrictions.

Major Awards
Here is a list of all Cumberland County Schools athletes that received major individual awards from their conferences during 2019-20: Patriot Athletic Conference

Football 

Athlete of the Year —
Matthew Pemberton, South View
Offensive Player of the Year — Dorian Clark, Terry Sanford
Defensive Player of the Year — Jackson Deaver, Terry Sanford

Volleyball

MVP — Kylie Aldridge, Gray’s Creek

Boys Soccer

Offensive Player of the Year — Carlos Villarreal, Pine Forest

Defensive Player of the Year — Davis Molnar, Terry Sanford

Goal Keeper of the Year — Davin Schmidt, South View

Girls Tennis — Kelcie Farmer, Pine Forest Boys Cross Country — Octavious Smith, E.E. Smith
Girls Cross Country — Rainger Pratt, Terry Sanford

Girls Golf — Toni Blackwell, Cape Fear
Boys Basketball — D’Marco Dunn, Westover Girls Basketball — Faith Francis, Westover Wrestling — Dallas Wilson, Cape Fear
Boys Bowling — C.J. Woodle, Gray’s Creek Girls Bowling — Donna Kerechanin, South View Girls Swimming— Allison Curl, Terry Sanford Boys Swimming — Aiden Stockham and Brandon Chheoung, Pine Forest

Cheerleading — Avery Schenk, Terry Sanford Sandhills Athletic Conference

Swimming — Anna Miller, Jack Britt

From top to bottom: Matthew Pemberton, Kylie Aldridge, Miya Giles-Jones, Dallas Wilson, D'Marco Dunn, Toni Blackwell

Photo credit for Giles-Jones: Matthew Plyler/MaxPreps

Self-swab testing is now available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. CVS Pharmacy is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at three locations in Cumberland County. The pharmacy locations are at 3362 Bragg Blvd.; 100 Law Rd.; and 7469 Rockfish Rd. Patients are required to stay in their cars and will be directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window, where they will be provided with test kits and given instructions. A CVS team member will observe the self-swab process to ensure it is done properly. Tests will be sent to an independent lab for processing, and the results will be available in approximately three days. Testing will not take place inside any retail locations.

“Increasing testing capacity for COVID-19 is critical in slowing the spread of the virus and we are seeing businesses around North Carolina, like CVS, step up to help increase testing,” said Cumberland County Public Health Director Dr. Jennifer Green. Individuals interested in self-testing must register in advance at https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.

Police apprehension procedure

The killing of George Floyd in Minnesota may become the catalyst for positive change in America’s criminal justice system, some officials believe. Disproportionate deaths of black men by police underlies race relations across the country. Demonstrations a week ago in Fayetteville and elsewhere devolved into violent protests out of anger and rage. A Minneapolis police officer pinned an African American criminal suspect, George Floyd, to the pavement with his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd died. It is not a common procedure. The Fayetteville Police Department does not authorize placing a knee on a subject’s neck for any reason, according to department spokesman
Sgt. Jeremy Glass.

“Officers are trained to avoid the neck/throat, as well as knees to the back,” Glass told Up & Coming Weekly. “The goal is to return a resistant, violent subject to an upright position as soon as possible, because there is always a concern of positional asphyxiation for individuals that are left face down, especially with their hands behind their back.”

Former 3rd Special Forces Group commander’s promotion scrubbed

The promotion of a Special Forces colonel who approved the 2017 mission in Niger in which four U.S. soldiers died has been canceled, according to news reports. Col. Bradley D. Moses was in command of Fort Bragg’s 3rd Special Forces Group in October, 2017, when troops were ambushed while on an operation in West Africa. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy notified the Senate Armed Services Committee that Moses’ nomination for brigadier general has been withdrawn, The New York Times first reported. Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, Sgt. La David T. Johnson and Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah W. Johnson died in the ambush. The firefight was the subject of a lengthy military investigation, which found that the small unit was ill-equipped when it came under the surprise attack from a much larger force of Islamic militants. Until now, Moses is the only person in the Special Operations chain of command involved in the ambush that went unpunished. Moses was nominated earlier this year to become a one-star general, but in March his name was temporarily removed at the request of some lawmakers, The Times reported. That removal became permanent following the Army’s action May 29, the newspaper reported.

Cape Fear River trail expansion

Work is underway on the lower portion of Fayetteville’s Cape Fear River Trail. The construction project is scheduled to take a year. Barricades will be placed near mile marker five. People will not be able to access the barricaded area because construction crews need access to the site. The project will take the trail beneath a railroad bridge and will connect existing sections of the trail. When it’s completed, pedestrians and bikers will be able to travel nearly
7 miles of path one way. The estimated cost of this project is $2.4 million in federal, state and local funds. The river trail is a 10-foot wide paved path for walkers and bicyclists. It winds through wooded areas with spectacular views of the river. In addition to wooden bridges, including one covered bridge, there is over 1,000 feet of boardwalk through the marsh and wetlands. Interpretive signs explain the wildlife and plant life. There are more than 700 species of plants and trees, and 150 species of birds.

New school board member

The Cumberland County Board of Education has selected Deanna Jones as the new District 2 member. The board voted unanimously during a special virtual meeting to fill the vacancy left by Porcha McMillan who died earlier this year.

“We congratulate Ms. Jones for becoming the newest member of this board,” said Chairwoman Alicia Chisolm. Jones is a U.S. Army veteran who retired after 27 years of service. She currently serves as president of the Cumberland County District PTA and vice president of the Seventy-First High School PTA.

“I am deeply honored to be chosen to fill the District 2 seat on the school board, and I look forward to working alongside my fellow school board members,” said Jones. “My number one goal is to strive to make sure all children in Cumberland County have equal educational opportunities.”

Dr. DeSandra Washington of FTCC named a William C. Friday Fellow

Dr. DeSandra Washington, associate vice president for academic support in the Academic and Student Services Division at Fayetteville Technical Community College, has been selected for the 2020-2022 class of the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations.

The William C. Friday Fellowship is a competitive statewide program of intensive leadership training that seeks to transform communities by improving human relations. Fewer than 30 people from across North Carolina are named to each two-year class.

Washington has been with FTCC since 1998. A native of Fayetteville and a graduate of E.E. Smith High School, she holds a master’s degree from N.C. Central University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Fayetteville State University.

For more information about the Friday Fellowship program, visit fridayfellowship.org.

Picture five: Deanna Jones

Picture six: Dr. DeSandra Washington

Graduates: This edition of Up & Coming Weekly is for you. We want to say congratulations to each one of you and thank Cumberland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelley, his administrators and staff, the Cumberland County Board of Education and countless teachers and high school principals who pushed the limits of their imagination and creativity to make sure that graduating seniors were academically prepared to graduate and free to pursue whatever future path they choose. The recent COVID-19 pandemic drastically disrupted their academic acumen. What local education will look like in the future is unknown. One thing you can be sure of is that we have the right people at the helm to steer it in the right direction.

Like I said, this edition of U&CW community newspaper is dedicated to all Cumberland County High School 2020 graduates. It was made possible on short notice with the cooperation of Connelly, the coordination efforts of Associate Superintendent of Communications Lindsay Whitley and the diligent and timely response of all 17 CCS high school principals, who provided the information to create this 2020 graduation commemorative edition. We thank them immensely, as we do our business and community sponsors who have made it possible to provide a copy to each graduate.

Every Cumberland County high school is showcased with the name of each graduate, along with a personal, heartfelt message from their principal. This is a significant event and accomplishment for our young people and future leaders. Up & Coming Weekly, Fayetteville’s community newspaper, is proud to be a part of their once-in-a-lifetime celebration. We are so proud of these young adults and wish them the very best and bright future.
Thank you for reading U&CW.

Barring any last-minute changes caused by the situation with COVID-19, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association has set a tentative date of June 15 for hopefully allowing its member schools to resume some kind of workouts in preparation for what it hopes will be a fall sports season.

But the look of those workouts and the look of the fall sports season are pictures that will both be dramatically altered and possibly out of focus based on the various plans that have been put forward for how teams can proceed.
On a video conference call with reporters statewide last month, NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker announced the official extension of the current summer dead period to June 15, hoping that by then, the Phase Two plan of reopening the state of North Carolina would allow enough flexibility for teams to conduct some kind of practices.

“We will be very deliberate in our task, which is one reason we have not rushed,’’ Tucker said.

The main reason for taking it slow, Tucker said, was to carefully develop plans to make workouts safe as possible and allow coaches and athletic directors time to develop their own local plans of how to secure things like hand sanitizer and set up hand-washing stations.

“It will not be possible to prevent every student-athlete from contracting COVID-19,’’ Tucker said. “It’s our goal to do everything in our power to protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, our coaches and the communities represented by our schools.’’

For some sports, like football and wrestling, summer workouts will likely not allow any physical contact, making them more sessions devoted to conditioning than actual practice sessions.

Tucker said the current NCHSAA plan is not to hold any team back from practice once June 15 arrives, but to allow all of them some form of workouts within the guidelines set down by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The National Federation of State High School Associations has also issued a lengthy set of guidelines, but Tucker said the DHHS guidelines would take precedence.

The big question yet to be answered is will there be a fall sports season, especially football, which generates much of the revenue that is the life blood for the entire athletic program at many schools.

The other question yet to be answered is how many fans, if any, would be allowed to attend football games or other sporting events. That is a question Tucker is not ready to answer.

“To not have any fans in the stands would be rough,’’ she said. “We are not at the point yet where we are pulling up the tent on football this fall. We are hopeful we can have some fans.’’

Once the fall arrives, Tucker said the NCHSAA will look at any option possible to putting teams on the field, especially football. That could mean everything from a later than normal start to cutting the season short.

NCHSAA bylaws do not prohibit moving a sport to another season, but Tucker said that’s something that the NCHSAA would prefer not to do. “Moving sports season is a last resort,’’ she said. “It’s too early to talk about that. It’s very clear whatever we do will not be outside the parameters of the guidelines from the governor and DHHS.’’

For the moment, Tucker said the most important thing is that all agencies involved in deciding when and how high school sports will resume be consistent with what is put in place.

“It is important we are all singing from the same song sheet,’’ she said.

There is no better time to invest in yourself and start working toward the career you have always wanted. Earning a degree in hospitality management can support your desire to travel, will allow you to explore your entrepreneurial spirit and may open the door to opportunities that you never envisioned.

When I was asked in December to write about the hospitality management program and industry, I anticipated sharing the industry’s newest initiatives. At that time, I expected to be revealing new travel and tourism trends and data, social media and virtual reality marketing strategies and the disposable income tendencies that were driving growth and expansion within hospitality businesses. However, the industry landscape changed significantly with the challenges that have been experienced because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

So, why is earning a degree in hospitality management more valuable than ever? The reality is that the hospitality industry will probably be forever changed, but with change comes opportunity. The most important and common attribute for success in the hospitality sector is impactful leadership. In what has always been an exciting and ever-changing industry, the most successful leaders ensure that they are prepared to quickly respond to changes that are often beyond control. Consider this example: A wedding was scheduled at your venue, and the bride and groom sent invitations with the incorrect time; guests begin arriving early. Another example: Due to supply chain issues, your published Valentine’s Day dinner menu items are not available. Consider these two examples and how you would respond in these situations.

Having the knowledge and ability to quickly navigate through challenges and go beyond normal operating procedures to continue enhancing guest experiences is the key. Identifying ways to modify your organization’s day-to-day functionality, communicating and changing the expectations of your team, training staff and successfully implementing new procedures are crucial to remaining relevant and profitable. As a leader, you must constantly evaluate your business, invest in your team and be able to define and uphold your competitive advantage.

FTCC's hospitality management degree will help you become an effective, customer-oriented, data-driven, decision-making manager, helping you excel as you progress in your career. Choose a career in hotel and lodging, food and beverage, restaurant, travel and tourism, spas or recreational segments. With coursework focusing on guest services, leadership, management principles, restaurant and lodging operations, marketing, sanitation, ethical decision-making, cost controls/loss prevention, law, and human resources, you will receive the knowledge and education to be well prepared for the workforce.

Certificates in event planning, hotel and lodging management, and restaurant management are also available at FTCC and are offered 100% online. All courses are taught by faculty personnel who have experience working in the industry, bringing the ability to share their real-world knowledge and perspective to the classroom.

If you enjoy working with diverse individuals in a fast-paced environment that can take you practically anywhere, hospitality management may be for you. For more information, please visit faytechcc.edu and enter “hospitality management” in the search tool. You can also contact me at goldk@faytechcc.edu or 910-678-8507. Registration for fall semester classes has begun; classes begin Aug. 17. Take the first step to an exciting new career today by signing up for fall classes at FTCC.

For the third year in a row and the fourth time since 2009, Cumberland County has brought home the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Exemplary School Award, a measure of the quality of what the NCHSAA calls the total program at the winning school.

The win by Gray’s Creek adds them to a list that includes the last two winners, Terry Sanford and Cape Fear, along with Jack Britt, which captured the award in 2009.

A common thread at all of the schools is something that was started years ago by former Cumberland County Schools student activities director Fred McDaniel and continues today with one of his successors, Vernon Aldridge. That’s a push for all county schools to get their athletic directors and coaches certified by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

“I think it helps with the quality of coaching that our young people are going to receive,’’ Aldridge said. “I think the taking of National Federation courses is creating a better coach, which hopefully will create a better experience for our student athletes in Cumberland County.’’

Aldridge said the award does more than measure what a school does on the athletic field. It considers multiple elements, including academic performance.

“It’s exciting to have three schools in three years win this award,’’ Aldridge said. “What I hope it shows is we are providing a quality product, athletically as well as academically, for the students in Cumberland County.’’

Gray’s Creek athletic director Troy Lindsey, who like Aldridge is currently a member of the NCHSAA Board of Directors, feels the award for his school is the byproduct of having an outstanding staff, including both head and assistant coaches.
“Everyone of my head and assistant coaches gets it,’’ Lindsey said. “They get the whole purpose of what interscholastic athletics is about. It’s an extension of the classroom.’’

Lindsey feels Cumberland County has been a consistent winner of the Exemplary School Award because of outstanding leadership over the years at the county level, coupled with the fact the entire school system has embraced the importance of having certified coaches and athletic directors.

“I’ve been an athletic director for 15 years, and for 15 years it’s been the same message,’’ Lindsey said. “You’ve got to do it right and you’ve got to get the certification to stay up to date on things.
“I think we have embraced that as a system before other people have.’’

At this moment two of the deadliest words that can be uttered or typed are "I heard..."

Eighty-two years ago, Orson Welles did a radio broadcast, a dramatization of H.G. Wells' "War of the Worlds," that had thousands convinced Martians had landed in New Jersey and the world was ending.

People took up arms and needlessly threatened each other and some almost committed suicide rather than be incinerated by a Martian ray gun.

And this was many years before social media, which has turned anyone with a smartphone and working fingers into a person with their own internet megaphone.

If you hear something or see something suspicious, check it out with the authorities.

If you must share with friends, do it by private message before stirring a wider panic. Resist the urge to go back in time to 1938 and tell folks the Martians have landed. Be cautious. Be vigilant. But most importantly, be responsible.

Reflecting on the events and conversations of the past few weeks, I have to admit I am unable to make sense of most of it. And, I realize what I have to do is look beyond what I can see, and listen beyond what I can hear. I have to look and listen for God.

As Jesus reminded us to not be be anxious over what we see and hear, what we have or lack, what we know and don't know, he said this, as recorded in Matthew 6:33:

“...seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

You catch that? As we seek the Lord first, his wisdom and understanding pour over us with real freedom to follow his plan and purpose for our lives. In1 Corinthians 1:25, it says this:

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

That's what we need. The wisdom of God. The strength of God. The freedom that is greater than anything in our Constitution and beyond the liberty afforded us by any amendment.

When we seek and enter the presence of God, we'll find the peace we've been seeking all along. And as we acknowledge his presence we'll see more clearly that he is what we really need.

I see our national condition as the result of a systematic removal of absolute truth from the laws by which we govern and a shifting moral base. You and I need to cry out to God. We need to ask God to step in. We need to start or rebuild the relationship and acknowledge he is our Father, our Abba Father, our Daddy.

Gone is the time for demanding our rights as citizens of this nation more loudly than we proclaim and present Jesus to a world that needs him.

Gone is the time to just say we love Jesus without loving others.

Now is the time we need to come together, lock arms and pull together for what the Gospel really is: the true story of God's love and collective plan for us without regard for the color of our skin, the country we were born in or what denomination we prefer when we go to church.

America needs Jesus.

China needs Jesus.

Russia, Mexico and Sudan need Jesus.

The world needs to know the truth about God and find the peace only he can give in the midst of this and any storm. He is truth. He is justice. And he is waiting.

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.

“Go see Rep. Jack Hunt first thing. He is married to one of my cousins. He will take care of you.”

That was my first instruction from UNC President Dick Spangler when he tapped me to represent the university system in dealing with the state’s General Assembly.

That might have been the best advice President Spangler ever gave me. Hunt, who died at 97 on May 27, chaired the powerful House Rules Committee and was a close friend of the legendary Speaker Liston Ramsey and most of the other insider legislators.

Hunt tried to keep me out of trouble and when I messed up, he helped rescue me.

He spent a lifetime helping people. In addition to his state government and Army service, he was for many years a dentist, farmer, and business owner in Cleveland County. He and his wife Ruby had five remarkable daughters, all active in community and public service. One of them, Judy Hunt, served in the state House of Representatives alongside her dad. He was a mentor to one of his dental patients, Walter Dalton, who served as a state senator and lieutenant governor, and is now president of Isothermal Community College.

Perhaps the best thing Hunt did for me was to introduce me to Ruby.

It happened one day when I tried to enlist Hunt in my effort to find good local eateries to write about in this column.

One day I asked him, “Where is the best place to get country cooking around here?”

He paused, squinted, smiled a little bit and finally said, “Well, the truth is there is nothing better, I think, than my wife Ruby’s cooking.”

“We have folks over from time to time. Maybe you’d like to join us sometime.”

Jack and Ruby regularly invited their government friends for informal suppers of country ham, baked chicken, cornbread, biscuits with sourwood honey and molasses, and vegetables from her garden, including corn frozen minutes after it had been picked the previous summer. There were always desserts of homemade cakes and pies. Of course, there was also the opportunity to make friends with governors, Supreme Court justices, and legislative leaders.
But there is more to it

than that. It’s more than just the joy of getting together and making other people happy.

Jack Hunt was one of the “peacemakers” in the legislature. When there was a tough, mean problem that divided people, Jack Hunt often got the call to try to bring them together. Getting around factions, petty jealousies, and partisanship, he tried to find out what it would take to resolve the disagreement.

“What’s keeping us from working this out?” That was the question people counted on Jack Hunt to ask, then listen, and move everyone towards the answer.

He thought the people’s representatives made better decisions when they were not angry at each other. When everything else failed to bring people together, “Ruby’s Cooking” worked magic.

Once, when President Spangler and Governor Jim Hunt were at loggerheads about the governor’s budget proposals for the university, they could hardly speak to each other until Jack invited them to breakfast with Ruby. Neither the governor nor the university president could say no to Ruby and Jack. After they sat down to Ruby’s cooking and warm spirit, they worked out a compromise.

It was hard to be angry with anyone when Ruby Hunt was serving her home cooked meals and the breakfast of ham biscuits with sourwood honey and molasses helped Jack bring his two friends together.
We miss Ruby’s cooking for sure.

Even more, we miss Jack’s gentle, positive, and respecting peacemaking that made all of us better people.

Dear graduates of 2020,

First of all, big congratulations to each of you!

You have worked hard, pushed yourselves, recovered when you fell, balanced various aspects of your lives, persevered and achieved with the support of those who love you. You have every reason to be proud of yourselves and to look forward to whatever comes next. You may not have had a traditional graduation ceremony. Yours may have been in your backyard with your family, it may have been virtual, or it may have been no ceremony at all, but do not be discouraged. It is your work that is important and has real meaning, not donning a cap and gown crossing a stage.

That is the good news. The more challenging news is that you are entering your next stage of life at a critical time, whether your path is continuing education or becoming a productive member of our workforce. Our nation faces both a vicious virus with no end in sight and deep divisions in our political, economic and social fabrics.

Your parents’ generation — and some of even older generations — are part of the solutions to the United States’ profound struggles, but you will be the leaders. I urge you to embrace the role. Use your knowledge and your life experience to help your community, be it your school, your church, your workplace and certainly among your family and friends. Set an example not only for productivity but for caring and fairness. Be willing to make things better for others and for yourself. Share your talents for the public good.

Mothers have lots of advice, of course, so here are some basics from this mom. First impressions do count, so try to look nice. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Good manners will carry you far and to places money cannot take you. Eat breakfast. Never underestimate your enemies. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

We all have difficult moments in our lives, times when we are sad or fearful. When those times have come to me, several thoughts have sustained me and helped me move forward. One is that late in life, most people regret not what they did, even though they acknowledge decisions and behaviors that were wrong and hurt others. Instead, they regret the things they did not do — opportunities untaken because they were afraid, forgiveness not given, relationships not nurtured, personal potentials unexplored. Even though you are young and just starting out in the adult world, remember the wisdom of those who have been down the road you are just starting. Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt put it this way. “You gain strength and courage by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

And finally, learn to know, trust and depend on yourself and to enjoy your own company. As much as you may love your parents, siblings and friends, the reality is that many of them will not always be with you. A hard truth of life is that the only person who will take every step of life with you is you. Nourish your strengths and enjoy them. Be aware of your weaknesses. Know that you can trust yourself to make the right decisions.

So, I challenge you to go forward — to make the world a better place for your having been here. It is my deep and fundamental belief that it is better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all.
I wish you all good things.

Cordially,
Margaret

The stereotypical image of a librarian is someone who has a stern visage, repeatedly asks people to stay quiet while studying and chastising library patrons for failing to return books on time.

Pamela Sands is anything but the image of the stereotype, both in how she does her job and in the title itself, which has morphed from simple librarian to media coordinator. Whatever the title, Sands is obviously good at what she does.

For the second time in six years, Sands, who works at New Century International Middle School near Hope Mills, has been named by the Cumberland County Schools as its media coordinator of the year. She now competes for statewide recognition, an honor she previously won in 2014-15.

A native of Pennsylvania, Sands relocated to Cumberland County in 1998 to take a teaching job here. She taught at the high school and elementary school level in the county before becoming the media coordinator at New Century when it opened.

She said the job of media coordinator had always been her dream, even though landing it required her to return to school to get a masters degree in library science.

While some still refer to Sands’ job as librarian or in some cases media specialist, she said the position has changed a great deal from the stereotypical image of what a librarian does.

“It is a more diverse role, really the best of both worlds,’’ she said. In her job, she not only gets to teach children but also interacts with the staff members at her school, helping them in their teaching jobs.
She feels her top responsibility is to instill and inspire her students with a love of reading. But the advance of technology has expanded her role.

“It is also on our shoulders to teach them to be good digital citizens as we’ve moved into the world of being online,’’ she said. “There are a lot of things we teach the students about evaluating information, how to use the information you
find online.’’

Her work with her fellow teachers involves collaborating and sharing resources with them. She is involved in helping her cohorts with professional development, something
she enjoys.

When it comes to the task of encouraging students to read, Sands said she strives to be creative. “We do things out of the box,’’ she said.

She does what she calls book tastings, where she gets students to sample different books in hopes of finding something that inspires them. She also has her students do what she calls book snaps, where they create a snapshot of the book by interacting with the text and putting their personal feelings on what they are reading.

Every year, Sands tries to bring in an author, usually from North Carolina, to meet with her students and discuss the book or books they’ve written. “That sparks a personal connection with the kids,’’ she said. “I always see the kids reignited with their love for books, especially with a book written by a person they’ve gotten to meet.

“I try to keep current with what the kids are interested and involved in,’’ she said. “I’m also a big believer in sharing with staff. As I find cool tools they could use in the classroom or see things that go along with their curriculum I share it with them.’’

Unfortunately, with the growth of the internet, there are some in the business of cutting costs who argue brick-and-mortar libraries filled with books and magazines are things of the past and that we should turn to strictly digital sources of information as a way of saving money.

That kind of thinking saddens Sands, who argues that the printed word is still a critical piece of educating today’s students.

“Children aren’t reading online as much as we think they are,’’ she said. As proof, she notes the circulation of digital ebooks is far outstripped by how often students check out printed works.

“Kids still prefer the printed book,’’ she said. “Making sure we provide these resources is essential.

“The act of reading allows us to have shared experiences. The characters in the books we read, the information we find in books and magazines, helps us find a connection to the world.’’

Sands said that’s especially important now when many people are cut off from the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “For our own emotional health, these connections are vital,’’ she said. “I can’t imagine a world without libraries. Who’s going to teach them other than the librarian?’’