From now through Dec. 15, citizens of Hope Mills who would like to be more involved in the goings on in their town are invited to apply for membership on any of several official town committees.

Anyone interested in applying for committee membership who has never served must fill out an application that can be picked up from the clerk’s office at Town Hall on Rockfish Road. Anyone who has applied in the last 12 months does not have to submit a new form.

Members who are currently serving on a committee and wish to continue do need to contact the town and make it known they’d like to serve again.

In addition to getting applications at Town Hall, they are also available on the town website, www.townofhopemills.com. Any questions should be directed to town clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113 or by email at jstarling@townofhopemills.com.

The town reloads its committees every two years in line with the town election cycle.

Once all the names of candidates have been received next month, a nominating committee will go over them and make assignments to the various committees. A full list of all the committees can be found at the town website as well, along with current members of the committees.

Hope Mills mayor Jackie Warner said the committees are like advisory boards for the town.

“When special interests or special projects are brought to the town, they go to whichever committee they would apply to,’’ she said.

Each committee also has a member of the town’s Board of Commissioners that serves as a liaison between the committee and the board.

“That member reports back to the board what took place in the meeting,’’ Warner said. “Sometimes they make recommendations for things they’d like to see and for concerns they’ve heard.’’

One body that’s a little different from the others is the town’s Historical Commission.

Town commissions can have a budget and spend money. They can also make decisions that don’t require approval of the full Board of Commissioners.

There are also certain criteria for members of a commission that require the members have specific expertise in the field the commission works, not just a personal interest.

If more people ask to be on a committee than spots are available, the nominating committee uses a ranking system based on which people submitted their request to be on a committee first, so it’s important to apply as soon as possible before the Dec. 15 deadline.

Warner said there have been discussions of limiting the amount of time someone can serve on a committee or rotating people between various committees. Neither idea has been approved.

Warner said it’s feared that any limits placed on serving could cut the number of people interested in volunteering.

“We get what we hope is a good representation of the community, so we are getting their opinions,’’ Warner said. “It keeps us informed and gives us the opportunity to have input on the decisions we make.’’

Falcon Children’s Home & Family Services’ annual Harvest Train Parade and program is back again this year with the first showing of the program on Saturday, Nov. 23, and the regular program and parade on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.

 In 1949, the Falcon Children’s Home’s doors almost closed for good. “They couldn’t get funding, they couldn’t get food, they had a difficult time meeting their needs,” said Joseph Leggett, the chief executive officer and superintendent of the home.

But the home, whose slogan is “where love makes the difference,” was determined to stay afloat. With the help of churches of the International Pentacostal Holiness church, women’s auxiliary and ministry groups and the director at that time, the home invited the community to come to an event and bring various commodities. “The first letter said, ‘Bring your ham hocks, bring your collard greens.’ Those kinds of things. ‘And we’ll do a program to say thank you,’” said Leggett. The event was initially called the Santa Claus Train, and in the 50s, it was renamed the Harvest Train Parade and program.

As many people are involved in the event and support the children’s home, in past years, little time was left over with all of the festivities to thank everyone who supported the home.

Additionally, because Tuesday is a work day and many people already have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off of work for Thanksgiving, not everyone who wanted to come to the usual event on Tuesday could. Leggett hopes that people who have wanted to attend in prior years but haven’t been able to, can attend the Saturday night program.

“A lot of people are looking forward to coming on Saturday because they can’t on Tuesday because they work. A lot of our alumni can’t because they work on Tuesday,” Leggett said.

The program isn’t just a play; it’s a full-blown production, complete with music and a choir, dancing and acting. Buck Hodge, the minister of music at Northwood Temple, wrote the program. Kids and staff at Falcon Children’s Home start preparing for the event in early September.

The story might feel familiar to some —  particularly to attendees from the Eastover area — because the story is true. It is about J.P. Patterson, who sponsored a child at Falcon Children’s Home’s Christmas event that they have at a Round-A-Bout Skating Center every year. The story tells how Patterson got involved and of the friendship he had with one of the boys, Prince. Tragically, Patterson died in a hunting accident a couple of years ago. Ever since, his friends have put on a golf tournament each spring to support the home. Prince, the young man that J.P. supported for all of those years, is an adult now and a graduate of Fayetteville State University. Prince and Patterson’s family will be at the program.

“You will laugh and you will cry,” said Leggett. “And there’s no cost to you.”

Founded in 1908, Falcon Children’s Home has been serving children in the community for over a century. “We’ve estimated that in that time, we’ve either directly or indirectly touched 20,000 children’s lives,” Leggett said. In addition to the residential children’s home, Falcon offers a variety of services.

“We’ve gone from being a residential children’s home to having a mothers and babies program, a maternity program, foster homes, an adoption agency,” Legget explained. “We also have a transitional living program in an apartment-like setting that teaches valuable life skills like cooking, cleaning and balancing a checkbook, for instance.”

The staff at Falcon saw how the children struggled with transitioning to different schools, so Falcon also has its own private school on campus, too.

“What I try to tell our staff is, ‘If a problem affects the young people and we could do something to make a dent in that or to help in that situation, we need to try to develop a program that can do that,’” Leggett said.

As the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Leggett agrees. “We are only as good as the community we serve,” he said.

There are over 10,000 foster children in North Carolina. There are over 1,000 in Cumberland County. With that being the case, Falcon tirelessly works to help the children throughout the state. They have even opened a second Falcon Children’s Home in Turbeville, South Carolina.

With new legislation coming to North Carolina, the home may see new challenges. The Family First Prevention Services Act will only pay for children to be in group homes for two weeks, unless they are 18 years of age, have been caught in sexual trafficking or are mothers with babies. Although Falcon Children’s Home has high standards for how it runs and is certified and licensed by the state, it, along with other homes, would be affected by the legislation. Since some of the children are 18 and Falcon has a program for mothers and babies, not all children would be affected, but Falcon is working with the state on alternative legislation for programs that would be affected, as well as other group homes that fill important needs in North Carolina communities.

The continued support of community donors and volunteers is a great help to the home. Whether a person is offering to mentor or tutor a child, help with projects on campus with skills like painting or carpentry or even donating commodities, the effort of supporters is invaluable.

“It means a lot to the students at Falcon Children’s Home to see that people care because a lot of times, they feel like people don’t. A lot of times they don’t think we care and say, ‘Oh, you get paid to take care of us. This isn’t real.’ So when they see people who give of themselves, just to be giving their time, it means a lot,” Leggett said. 

The first Harvest Train production of the year will be on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. The regular parade and production will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 26. The parade will begin at Falcon Town Hall, and the program will be at the J.A. Culbreth Auditorium. For more information, call (910) 980-1065.

Picture 1: Falcon Children’s Home has been serving children in the community for over a century.

Picture 2: The Harvest Train Parade and Program will have an extra night this year to say “thank you” to the community.

There are modern inventions I love. On cold mornings, I can remotely start my car from inside the house. A few minutes later, I go outside and get into a nice warm car. The seat is heated and so is the steering wheel. As I wrap my hands around the wheel, I take a deep breath and thank God that one of the blessings of growing up in these times is some of these modern inventions. I look outside at the already-defrosted windows, and I head out to start my day.

On a motorcycle, we can get the same comfort to stay warm.

Before you head out, check the local hourly temperatures. If you are going out of town, check the weather for various locations along your route. Remember to give additional attention to elevation changes
For a planning factor, subtract three degrees for every 1,000 feet of elevation and bring extra layers.

Here are some ideas that will keep you warm. A full-face helmet is a start. The face shield should have pin-lock and lens inserts. Pin-lock inserts will prevent your face shield from fogging up. To help keep the head, neck and face warm, use a balaclava helmet or ski mask hood. The body loses a lot of heat around the neck, especially on bike, where the wind and air are blowing around your neck, and where there is little body fat for insulation.

For your chest, wear layers. A good base layer is a shirt that provides odor resistance, warm and cold reactive temperature regulation, comfort and breathability to wick away the sweat from your body. For the midlayer, wear something a little looser. For frigid weather, I have a North Face jacket that is nice and warm and another North Face rain jacket. Both are great for using as casual wear when you are off the bike. For the outer layer, I have a few different jackets. They all have back, shoulder and elbow protection pads.

For the legs, I have a base layer that does the same job as the chest base layer. I have an inner layer of waterproof/windproof pants and outer layer Gore-Tex protective pants with hip and knee protection.

Protect your feet with a thin pair of Polypropylene socks, layer them with a pair of wool socks. My boots are Gore-Tex to help keep the moisture away from the feet. Any boot will work, but cold feet make for a stiff ride.

Hands are always a struggle for me. I have a medical condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes decreased blood flow to the fingers. For the winter, I carry what I call a mid-thick glove, a heavy glove made of Gore-Tex and glove rain covers. Once your gloves get wet, it is hard to get them dry again in cold weather. In a pinch, I have seen people use surgical gloves and dishwashing gloves. Whatever works, right?

Of course, going electric is pretty impressive on those really cold days. I have an electric jacket and gloves. You can wire them into the bike's electrical system or buy a battery system. Mine is hardwired. I have a dual thermostat. One thermostat controls the temperature of the jacket and another one for the gloves. They also make pants and boot inserts.

Lastly, having heated hand grips and heated seats are great any time of the year. For some bikes, this is standard, and for others it is optional. There are also plenty of aftermarket products out there that are easy to install.
No matter how you stay warm, take lots of breaks and ride safe!

If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, you can contact me at motorcycle4fun@aol.com.

If there was such a thing as a hall of fame for being a caring person who reached out to all fellow human beings, Rex Perry would be a unanimous choice for induction.

Perry, 58, a friend to many and a familiar figure in Fayetteville and Cumberland County athletic circles, died on Oct. 25 at the Hock Family Pavilion in Durham after a lengthy illness.

An athlete at Pine Forest High School, he played on the highly successful football teams of the late Trojan head coach Gary Whitman.

Since 2006, he was employed at Fayetteville Technical Community College as the coordinator in the student activities office. In 2017, he added the role of Student Activities Technician.

One of his coworkers at FTCC is Billy Gaskins, the school’s head baseball coach for the past two seasons.

Gaskins had known Perry on and off since 2006 when he got involved in coaching high school baseball locally.

“He was one of the nicest guys I ever met,’’ Gaskins said. “He was always willing to help, even during his struggle the last couple of years. He was the type of person who led by example.’’

Gaskins said even at the height of his poor health, Perry would continue to try and show up for work as often as possible. He was always enthusiastic and helpful, regardless of how he felt, Gaskins said.
Whenever Gaskins brought baseball recruits to the FTCC campus, he’d always stop by Perry’s office in the Tony Rand Center and introduce them to Perry.

“He stood up, shook their hand and had a conversation with them,’’ Gaskins said. “He had a little pep in his step when I walked in with a recruit.’’
In addition to his work at FTCC, Perry was also an athletic official, working for the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association in sports like football and softball.

“Rex was just a likable guy,’’ said Neil Buie, regional supervisor of football and baseball officials for the SAOA. “There was never a nicer person, a guy that was easier to get along with. Truly a good human being.’’
Ronnie Luck was one of Perry’s first coaches, instructing him in football when the two were together at Spring Lake Junior High in the mid-1970s. “He was a good kid,’’ Luck said. “Never caused any trouble. Easy-going, soft-spoken. He always gave you the best he had.’’

Luck said Perry had an incredible memory for people, places and things and could recount detailed stories about things that happened years ago.

Shortly before Perry passed away, he and Luck spoke briefly and Perry told Luck he was okay. “He touched my life,’’ Luck said. “I hope I did some positive for him in his younger years. But as a man, he certainly touched mine.’’
Luck said Perry was respected by his peers, both in the athletic and professional arenas. “He was very selective in what he said and when he said it,’’ Luck said. “He was one of the good guys.’’

Pictured: Rex Perry

The months of sacrificing time off during the summer to devote to off-season practice is showing dividends for the Gray’s Creek soccer team.

This year the Bears swept the regular season and tournament titles in the Patriot Athletic Conference, and opened play in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A state playoffs with a 4-2 overtime win against Asheboro.
At this writing, Coach Bryan Pagan’s team, 19-5, is waiting to find out who it will play in the second round of the NCHSAA playoffs, either Wilson Fike or Pittsboro Northwood, in a game that was tentatively scheduled for last Saturday.
Pagan thinks, as far as chemistry is concerned, the Bears have reached their stride offensively. He feels the strength of this year’s team is being able to possess the ball.

“We pass really well,’’ he said. “Our Achilles heel the whole year has been finishing. For whatever reason things are starting to click. Guys are moving in the right positions, staying onside.’’

The Bears have struggled with a variety of injuries during the season, but some of the ailing players have healed, and Pagan has been able to plug in less experienced players in key positions who have stepped up, like sophomores Connor Boyle and Vancy Ruiz.

Another key performer is veteran goalkeeper Ryan Dukes, a senior. Through Nov. 2 according to the statistics at NCPrepSports.net, he had recorded 94 saves while allowing 16 goals. “He’s done an amazing job for us as well,’’ Pagan said.

Offensively, Pagan feels a strength of his team is it doesn’t rely on one player to score all the goals. Eric Chavez is the team leader in goals through Nov. 2 with 16.

“It really takes a lot of the pressure off,’’ Pagan said of being versatile scoring. “People take a little more ownership when they know it’s collective rather than one or two individuals.’’

Two players who play a critical role in helping distribute the ball for the Bears are James Faatz and Seth Wallace.

Pagan describes Faatz, a center-midfielder, as a player crucial to maintaining possession of the ball.

“If it gets to him he knows where to get it to,’’ Pagan said. “He’s calm on the ball, makes good decisions for us and is kind of a catalyst. Anything we need to bail out or need somebody to facilitate the middle he’s a great option for us.’’
The other key performer is Seth Wallace, who plays on the wing. “He’s done a great job winning stuff on the outside and serving stuff into the box in dangerous areas,’’ Pagan said.
“He’s inspiring, super, super athletic and you’re not going to beat him off the dribble. He’s a strong kid.’’
Faatz agrees with Pagan that chemistry is a strong point of this Gray’s Creek team, with communication and good passing also being key.

He thinks the key to success in the postseason is intensity. “I think if we come in hot in the first half, the first ten minutes, and pop a few goals in we can be dangerous against any school in the playoffs,’’ he said. “We can show that Cumberland County has some pretty good soccer schools.’’

While Cumberland County doesn’t have a public high school with a rich state playoff tradition in soccer, Wallace thinks the Bears have the potential to make some noise.

”A Gray’s Creek team like this could surprise some people and have some future upsets,’’ Wallace said. ”We were kind of rocky at the beginning of the year with our finishing. We’ve definitely had some people step up and other people growing into roles because of injuries.

“We’re not a one-man team. Everyone has a role.’’

Looking to the remainder of the state playoffs, Pagan said he’s learned the postseason has a lot to do with seeding and tackling each matchup.

“I like our chances this year because we are more well-balanced than we’ve been in the past,’’ he said. “I feel like we can hold teams to low scores and score when we need to.

“Our strength is in the middle of the field and in our possession. That gives us a fighting chance to match up against anybody. If we stay uninjured we have a chance to make it pretty deep in the playoffs.’’

Picture 1: James Faatz 

Picture 2: Seth Wallace

Shawn Healey
Jack Britt • Football/wrestling/lacrosse • Senior
Healey has a weighted grade point average of 4.22. He is the starting center for the football team. He is active in the Information Systems Technology Academy and enjoys doing volunteer work in the community.

Alyssa Norton
Jack Britt • Volleyball/softball• Junior
Norton has a 3.8 grade point average. As a freshman she was a starter in the outfield for Jack Britt’s state 4-A champion fastpitch softball team. She’s a member of the Key Club and the honor guard. When not involved in sports she enjoys spending time with her family. She plans to enter college and then pursue a career in the military.

Fayetteville Technical Community College is the smart choice for individuals seeking education, for a variety of reasons. The No. 1 reason revolves around the center for FTCC’s existence — to serve as a learning-centered institution to build a globally competitive workforce. FTCC students who successfully complete two years in the college transfer programs transition and perform well in the four-year college environment. One example of how FTCC prepares students well for the next step in the educational journey is the C-STEP program.

C-STEP is a partnership between North Carolina community colleges and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The purpose of the program is to provide transfer opportunities for talented low- and moderate-income students. Students at Fayetteville Technical Community College who successfully complete C-STEP will receive guaranteed admission to UNC-Chapel Hill. FTCC became a partner with C-STEP in 2011.

FTCC graduate Bryan Cuevas-Figueroa recently completed C-STEP at FTCC and transferred to the UNC-Chapel Hill. Bryan intends to graduate from UNC’s business school and continue his education to attain a Master of Business Administration degree. With the outstanding educational foundation Bryan received at FTCC, he is now continuing his educational studies beyond the first two years and is pursuing his four-year degree at UNC-Chapel Hill with confidence and success.

“Sometimes things in life don’t quite work out exactly as planned, but blessings come from the support of others and the ability to stay humble along the way,” Bryan said when reflecting on how his experience with FTCC prepared him in the best way for achieving his personal goals. In addition to exceptional education provided by caring and knowledgeable faculty members, students have access to many resources at Fayetteville Tech to provide support. FTCC students who pursue a four-year degree at UNC-Chapel Hill through C-STEP benefit academically while engaging with individuals from UNC who bridge the gap through advising, special events, transition and support services.  

C-STEP at FTCC  is just one of the many exciting opportunities awaiting students who choose Fayetteville Tech. FTCC offers over 280 associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to choose from in the areas of arts and humanities, math and sciences, business, applied technology/engineering, health, and public service. To complement experiences in the academic programs, students have unique opportunities to participate in athletics, student clubs and leadership organizations, theater and music, scholarships and more.

Additional information about C-STEP is available at nelsonl@faytechcc.edu or by calling 910-678-8205. To learn more about academic programs available at FTCC, visit www.faytechcc.edu, call 910-678-8473 or schedule a tour of our beautiful campus. For exceptional education, affordable tuition, convenient classes and unique learning-centered experiences, choose Fayetteville Technical Community for the smart choice—and the first choice—for education.

Pictured: Bryan Cuevas-Figueroa recently completed C-STEP at FTCC and transferred to the UNC-Chapel Hill.

With all the competition for family entertainment in greater Fayetteville, Michael Edwards said it’s good for a business like Putt-Putt Fun Center in Hope Mills to get special recognition.

The Hope Mills business was recently recognized by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce as its small business of the month.

Next year, Putt-Putt will mark its 10th anniversary in Hope Mills. The business is located at 3311 Footbridge Ln., not far from the Millstone Shopping Center.

“The competition in the area is hard,’’ Edwards, the assistant general manager at the Putt-Putt Fun Center said. “I think it’s awesome we were recognized and we were able to stand out among (our competitors).’’

Edwards said the secret of success to the Hope Mills location is simple: offer good customer service and a clean facility and try to stay current with the best games available to the public.

And there’s one other important element he said, affordable prices for the customers.

While the business continues in the tradition of the Putt-Putt franchise that was created by the late Don Clayton years ago, the hallmark of the Hope Mills location is a variety of family entertainment options.

In addition to the two 18-hole Putt-Putt courses, the Hope Mills Putt-Putt offers a go-kart track, bumper boats, bumper cars, a two-story laser tag facility and up to 30 video games in an indoor arcade.

The bumper boats are currently closed for the season and typically won’t re-open until March.

Hours of operation vary with the seasons of the year. For now, Putt-Putt is open Sunday through Thursday from noon until 9 p.m., Friday from noon to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Summer hours extend from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to midnight on the weekends.

In the event of bad weather, including heavy rain or lightning, the outdoor attractions close, but the indoor ones remain open.

Parties are a big part of what Putt-Putt offers, with package deals ranging from $160 to $240.

A typical party pack covers a guest of honor and seven guests. It includes two large pizzas and two large pitchers of drinks. The special guest gets a $10 game card and the others get a $5 game card.
The number of guests can be increased with add-ons. The larger party packs offer more attractions than the smaller ones.

Putt-Putt also offers fundraisers. For $15 per person, a group can get two-hour unlimited use of the park for each person that buys a ticket.

The organization doing the fundraiser is required to get everyone planning to come committed prior to the event, then they are given $5 back for every person that pays.
Group prices are also available for groups of 15 or more.

Pictured from L-R: Mayor Jackie Warner, Michael Knight, general manager;  Michael Edwards, assistant. gemeral manager; Tammy Thurman, member of chamber of commerce board, board of trustees of Greater Fayetteville Chamber and member military affairs council.

From the 30-year stretch starting in the late 1980s and continuing until 2010, the South View High School marching band consistently ranked among Cumberland County’s biggest and best units.
A huge part of its success rested squarely on the shoulders of former band director Jay Bolder.

Bolder was recently recognized for his years of work at South View as he was nominated to be considered for induction into the North Carolina Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame.
“It’s definitely an honor, without a doubt,’’ said Bolder, who is now retired and lives in Indian Trail, near Charlotte, not far from his native Monroe.

A graduate of Wingate College, Bolder’s first teaching job offer came from Cumberland County, where he worked at Armstrong Middle School.

From there he went to South View Middle School then moved to South View High School in 1985. After one year as codirector of the band, he assumed full leadership responsibilities in 1986.
During his tenure, participation in the South View band swelled, peaking at some 225 members in the 1990s.

“I guess people wanted to be part of it,’’ he said. “They pushed one another to excellence. It was exciting to play at halftime.’’

Part of the excitement came from the tremendous success of the South View football program during the band’s peak years, including a state 4-A championship in the 1991 season.
“When they won the state championship, it was exciting football game after exciting football game,’’ Bolder said. “We supported the football team and they supported us.’’

Bolder’s bands traveled frequently for competitions, going all over the southeast as far as South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Virginia.
They also traveled to Philadelphia and California and even took a cruise to the Bahamas.

During his career at South View, Bolder’s bands earned 41 superior ratings in competitions.

He sent 40 of his former band members off to college as music majors, with some of them also becoming band directors in their own right.

Bolder was awarded North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and he was recognized with Jay Bolder Day in his adopted home town of Hope Mills.
In addition to the many awards he has won, Bolder is a composer, arranger and adjudicator.

He has held membership in a variety of organizations, including the Cumberland County Band Directors Association, the Southeastern District Band Association, South Central District Band Directors Association and he’s a member of the American School Band Directors Association.

As a performer he’s been in musicals, community bands, symphony orchestras, top 40 groups and jazz groups. He was also involved in casting and choreography for scenes in the movie "Bolden."

Bolder’s South View bands featured the corps style of performance, which puts emphasis on structure and musical performance, while at the same time offering the band members the chance to have some fun.
Off the field in the classroom, Bolder was also responsible for the teaching side of the band that gave the members their fundamentals in music.

“We had to start teaching them general music,’’ Bolder said. “They start in middle school in the sixth and seventh grade and work to the point where they get to high school and do a lot more performing.’’
In some parts of the country, art and music education are on the wane as local and state government officials direct money to other areas of education.

Bolder thinks it’s important to keep the role of art and music for students in perspective.

“I would personally invite someone who felt that way to go through the program for a couple of days, follow the band leaders around for two days and have a chance to see how we do things and                                                                     what we do,’’ Bolder said.

Whatever Bolder did during his years at South View, it was definitely successful and the results were visible to everyone.

Picture 1: The success of the South View High School marching band can largely be credited to former band director Jay Bolder. Photo credit: South View Safari Staff

Picture 2: Jay Bolder. Photo credit: Bobby Wiliford

Five rural Cumberland County fire departments will receive over $1 million in funding as part of a 2018 federal grant program, according to the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association. A combined $1.6 million was awarded to the Stedman, Bethany, Wade, Spring Lake and Stoney Point fire departments through a fire and emergency response grants program. Stedman, Bethany and Wade community fire departments collaboratively applied for and received a joint grant for $530,847 to purchase new self-contained breathing air packs. “The grant for lifesaving air packs not only relieves our taxpayers of the financial burden but also places our fire departments in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association national standard,” said Stedman Fire Chief Justin Nobles. Seventy-six self-contained individual breathing air packs with spare bottles will be purchased, Nobles said. The Spring Lake and Stoney Point Fire Departments were awarded grants to hire additional firefighters, said Freddy Johnson Sr., president of the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs Association and chief of the Stoney Point department.

Fort Bragg paratrooper dies

Army officials continue to investigate the circumstances that led to a paratrooper’s death on post at Fort Bragg. Sgt. Matthew D. Joskowitz, 24, died on Halloween night in his barracks. The soldier’s death was not training related, according to division spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Burns, who said he was unable to discuss the facts of the case as the investigation is ongoing. The paratrooper from Hackensack, New Jersey, was an infantryman assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

“Sgt Joskowitz represents the very best of our nation,” Lt. Col. Christopher Brawley, his battalion commander, said in a statement. “He was revered by his fellow paratroopers and was a superb noncommissioned officer. We are focusing on caring for his friends and family as they mourn this tragic loss.”

Joskowitz enlisted into the Army in May 2014 and spent his five-year career at Fort Bragg.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Sgt Matthew Joskowitz,” Capt. Christopher Cioffoletti, his company commander, said in a statement. “A rising star in our battalion, Sgt. Joskowitz was motivated by a deep love for both his country and his fellow paratroopers,” Cioffoletti added.

Death from child neglect

A 7-year-old boy who died in last spring didn’t have proper care officials say. The youngster wasn’t breathing when first responders arrived at a Fayetteville home April 15, the city’s police department said. Officers said the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Based on the investigation and reports from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, it was determined that the child was not receiving proper care,” the Fayetteville Police Department said. The child’s grandmother, Geneen Ballenger, 53, has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter in connection with the case. Ballenger was arrested late last month. She posted a $25,000 bond and was released pending trial. Records indicated her next court date is Nov. 21.

Picture 4: Geneen Ballenger

Looking for a way to get fit while also helping a good cause? Look no further than the Red Apple Run for Diabetes. It’s set for Nov. 16 in downtown Fayetteville.

What started in 2013 as a simple fundraiser has turned into an event that raises money to help support Better Health’s mission to provide for the unmet health care needs in Cumberland County. The run reinforces the same lifestyle that Better Health encourages its clients to live. This event offers several options for its participants. These options fit their needs while also allowing them to complete the run at their own pace. Participants can either do the 10k, 5k or the one-mile fun run.

“We want to encourage community members to come out and be active. It is a safe, fun way to be active with your family and friends, whether you are a competitive runner doing the 10K, or perhaps a parent with young children pushing a stroller in the 5K or fun run,” said Executive Director Amy Navejas.

Navejas is the executive director at Better Health. In terms of the Red Apple Run, she works with the volunteer Red Apple Run committee and committee chair, Mick Noland, on coordinating, marketing and planning the event. On the day of the event, she will also be running around cheering on runners, handing out medals and checking up on people.

There are many goals that this event strives to achieve. Navejas said, “I see the event as having several goals. Of course, it is a fundraiser, so it is crucial that the event raises funds to help provide for our services to the community. Better Health offers emergency direct medical aid like medications, dental extractions, free diabetes clinics (and) loans out medical equipment and hosts a childhood obesity program. While all of our services are free to the community, there are costs to providing these services. The Red Apple Run goes toward supporting those programs.”

There is much that goes on behind the scenes for this event to take place. From logistics to applying for a permit, the list of what must happen for The Red Apple Run to succeed is endless. Navejas said that a run like this requires “a lot of coordinating and planning.” The event organizers have to select a date, apply for a permit and secure a timing company to solicit sponsors.

On Nov. 16, the run will take place in the downtown area of Fayetteville. The course will start in the downtown area and go toward Haymount. It will then go through the historic neighborhood, past the E. A. Poe House, and finish off near the site of the new Civil War Museum & Reconstruction History Center where the 5k runners will go back to the starting point. Each participant will also receive a medal and a beanie.

So, if you are looking for something to do that weekend or want to support a great cause, go to the Red Apple Run on Nov. 16. For more information, visit https://www.betterhealthcc.org/ or call 910-483-7534.

Editors note: Margaret Dickson is taking the week off. We are yielding her space to fellow Democrat Sen. Kirk deViere, who represents District 19.

One year ago the people in Cumberland County voted to have a new voice represent them in Raleigh. A voice that would stand up for public education, access to affordable health care and clean air and water, and to ensure that everyone, no matter your zip code, has the opportunity to succeed. I am honored to serve our community in this role, and I thank each of you for the opportunity and for your trust to represent you in Raleigh. 

I was hopeful when the session first started back in January that Republicans and Democrats would come together, find middle ground and policy areas that we agree on, and ensure government works for everyone, not just some. Senator Phil Berger, president pro tem, talked about this in his comments during the Senate’s opening session. “But this session, hopefully, will be different,” Berger said. “Republicans will have to work across the aisle, but so will Democrats. If we are to have a successful session, we all will have to accept outcomes that don’t cater to the extremes. I know we’re capable of this, and so do you.”

While we did see some bipartisan work in the areas of criminal justice, we stalled on many issues that affect our working families and how we invest in our children’s future. Discussion and dialogue really broke down around healthcare, public education, and corporate taxes.  I truly believe that the people that elected all of us want to see us work together to make things better for all North Carolinians.

This year’s session has been longer than normal because, for the first time in almost 10 years, the House and Senate leadership have not had a supermajority, and we have a governor that now has the ability to use a veto. This forces the leadership to have conversation and negotiate.  This community’s vote for me in the Senate seat allowed these conversations to happen because we were one of six seats across the state that helped break the supermajority in the Senate. 
We still have work to do. We must have a real conversation around how our state will transform our health care, invest in public education, grow our workforce, protect our environment, and ensure our economic opportunities are equitable. Good government will happen when we can have real dialogue and talk about these issues and allow everyone’s opinion to be part of the process. This is how democracy should work. I remain optimistic that we can get there but not under the current leadership in the senate or with “recycled” politicians who will be “yes” men.  If we want to change the conversation and change the policies that affect our families then we have to change the leadership in the Senate.

We saw this week in Virginia where the state House and Senate changed from Republican majority to Democratic majority. We saw in Kentucky where voters chose a new direction for their state. We saw it locally with races in Fayetteville, Spring Lake and Hope Mills that people want representatives that will put the people first. Last year, in District 19, voters made the same decision and rejected corruptions and the bad policies that hurt working families. I have worked hard this year to ensure I stood up for people and against policies that don’t put people first. My voting record shows that commitment. As the 2020 election cycle officially kicks off, locally, we have the opportunity to truly debate our ideas about creating access to affordable healthcare, investing in public education, protecting our environment, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed and access to opportunities.

Senator Dan Blue, Senate Minority Leader, joined me here in Cumberland County in May of this year to support me as I announced my plans to run again for Senate District 19.  I am committed to changing the conversation in our state Senate and committed to representing the people of our community. I will continue to fight for the things that are important to the people of Cumberland County.

Thank you again for the honor of serving our community — and you — in Raleigh. I do not take this lightly and will continue to work to represent you and put people over politics.

We still have work to do. We must have a real conversation around how our state will transform our healthcare, invest in public education, grow our workforce, protect our environment, and ensure our economy opportunities are equitable. Good government will happen when we can have real dialogue and talk about this issues and allow everyone’s opinion to be part of the process.

Fayetteville City Councilwoman Tisha Waddell has scheduled a community forum for Nov. 15. Waddell has no formal opposition in the election. But her candidacy was opposed by Mayor Mitch Colvin, who supported a write-in candidate. Before being elected mayor, Colvin represented the city’s 3rd District, which Waddell now represents.

The write-in candidate was Dominique Ashley, a recent graduate of Fayetteville State University. She announced her candidacy two weeks before the Nov. 5 election. She’s “the kind of people we want involved in the political process,” Colvin said in an interview with The Fayetteville Observer.

Since Ashley announced her campaign, the mayor has twice shared news about her candidacy on his official Facebook page. But he said he has not formally endorsed anyone for office.

Waddell concedes she and Colvin have not always shared the same views on local issues. She supports the proposal to build a multimillion-dollar Civil War & Reconstruction History Center in Fayetteville. Colvin does not. “The majority of the people I’ve spoken with are supportive of the center,” she said. “We think that it’s a good idea.”

It’s one of the subjects the councilwoman says will be highlighted at the community meeting she has scheduled for Nov. 15. It will be held at Simon Temple AME Zion Church on Yadkin Road from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Stormwater issues and sidewalks plus street resurfacing are the other topics of discussion for the forum. “We are directly affected by a lack of resources,” Waddell declared. “I want to make sure the people in my district are knowledgeable,” she added.

City officials responsible for management of streets and sidewalks will be on hand to field questions. Leaders of the History Center have also been invited. “We don’t think of it as a museum,” said Center Chairman Mac Healy.

The Winston-Salem-based Winslow Group was commissioned to perform a conceptual feasibility study, measure support for the mission and gauge interest beyond Fayetteville. Planning of the learning center began 12 years ago. In 2007, the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation received a planning grant from the North Carolina General Assembly. Foundation leaders immediately commissioned the Ohio-based museum consulting firm Germann and Associates to perform a benchmarking and assessment study.

Because of the existing museum’s location on one of North Carolina’s most important Civil War sites and its ownership of the Reconstruction-era E. A. Poe House, consultants recommended that the new center focus on the Civil War and Reconstruction in North Carolina. Local leaders also decided to include the antebellum period from about 1830. It was the period before the War Between the States that philosophically and politically resulted in the conflict.

The interpretive consultants were instructed to find the most effective means of telling the story of North Carolina’s people, all of them, and not to rely solely on artifacts. From the beginning, the History Center’s planners understood that many students from across the state would benefit from the use of technology. So, they created one of the nation’s first digital master plans to make this authoritative resource accessible to all.

Pictured: Tisha Waddell

A special appearance by the United States Army’s Golden Knights parachute team highlights this year’s observance of Heroes Homecoming in Hope Mills.

Scheduled on Monday, Nov. 11, the Hope Mills observance will be held at and in the vicinity of the Hope Mills Town Hall complex on Rockfish Road.

Jim Morris, secretary for the Veterans Affairs Committee of the town of Hope Mills, said the ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the bell tower near Town Hall.

The end of World War I will be remembered there with a ringing of the bell.

From there, events will move to the Veterans Memorial Park nearby, where various members of the Veterans Affairs Committee will mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944, by reading the names of North Carolina residents who took part in the landings in France.

Morris said committee members will take turns reading the names.

Small American flags will be planted around the memorial park as part of the ceremony.

Following the ceremonies at the 11 a.m. hour, there will be a break until 3 p.m. when the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10630 holds its annual Veterans Day ceremony.

Weather permitting, the Golden Knights will jump in at the Brower Park baseball field across the street from the Town Hall Complex.

They will bring with them a wreath that will be used during the VFW ceremony.

Morris said the jump will recall major airborne operations of World War II, including the jumps at Normandy and later in the war in Operation Market Garden.

Morris said that now more than ever, it is important for Americans to pause on Veterans Day and appreciate the sacrifices the military has made on behalf of the average citizen during this country’s long history.

“We are involved in some of the longest wars America has ever been involved in,’’ he said, noting the extended conflict in Afghanistan as part of the war on global terror.

Morris noted that since the 9/11 terror attacks on the United States, there have been some tremendous sacrifices by America’s active duty military.

“Some of these guys have done seven, eight, nine year-long rotations,’’ he said. “They are just flat worn out, their families are worn out, the caregivers that take care of them are worn out.’’

Morris said with the rise of suicides by some in the military, the psychological effects of all those years of strain are becoming evident.

“I believe it’s important to thank them and have a separate day of remembrance when we just look at all the blood, sweat and tears they’ve given for our country,’’ he said.

The annual Hope Mills Chili Cookoff is expanding this year to include a fall festival that will offer a variety of events for the entire family. The event is scheduled Saturday, Nov. 9, from 1-5 p.m. at Dirtbag Ales.

For the second straight year, the chili cookoff will be held at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom at 5435 Corporation Drive just off Interstate 95.

The chili cookoff used to be held in conjunction with Ole Mills Days. This is the second year it’s been hosted by Dirtbag Ales and the first since the relatively new Hope Mills business has completed construction at its new location.

Kelly Spell of the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce said the chamber decided to make the event more family-friendly by adding a variety of carnival-style activities to the agenda.

There will be face paining, cornhole boards, potato sack races and music from a live band.

Other activities include a hula hoop contest, a candy apple station and a hot chocolate bar.

Some of the event sponsors will also offer other games.

But the centerpiece of the activities will be the chili cookoff itself.

Spell said entries are still being sought for the competition. The fee is $20 per entry, and each entrant needs to bring a prepared crockpot of chili containing at least five quarts.

To enter into the competition, go to hopemillsareachamber.com and click on the menu option for Event Ticket.

The cookoff also welcomes vendors who would like to purchase a table to promote their business for $100 per table.

There are two categories of chili cookoff competition — mild and spicy. Three cash prizes will be awarded in each category.

There will also be a people’s choice award presented.

All those entered in the chili cookoff need to arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. to allow time to set up all the tables for the entries.

Both the judges and public involved in the people’s choice award will taste-test each chili without knowing who made which batch.

The deadline for submitting an entry in the chili cookoff is Friday, Nov. 8, to allow chamber officials time to determine how many tables will be needed for the competition.

All contestants need to make sure to label their chili mild or spicy so it is entered in the correct competition.

For further information, call Kelly Spell at the chamber office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The phone number is 910-423-4314. You can also email her at hmacc@hopemillschamber.org.

Amber LeComte is finishing her first year coaching girls cross country at Terry Sanford High School, and she’s already given herself a higher bar to clear next season.

LeComte, who had no previous experience coaching the sport when she took over at her alma mater this season, guided the Bulldogs to victory in the Patriot Athletic Conference cross country meet and saw sophomore Rainger Pratt take home the individual championship.

A softball player during her days at Terry Sanford, LeComte said the biggest challenge she faced taking over cross country was learning how to train the team to succeed in competitive running.

She reached out to other coaches for advice and also got input from the runners on her team, including Pratt.

Pratt, a sophomore who has been running cross country since the age of seven, said the team was a little bit concerned about LeComte’s lack of coaching experience but felt she was open to working with them.
“We kind of taught her ways that made us better runners,’’ Pratt said. “We definitely worked together and meshed more as we got closer.’’

Although Terry Sanford did well in the regular season, winning all three in-season conference meets while also competing in a variety of invitationals, LeComte still wasn’t feeling terribly confident when it came time for the conference meet.

“I did not feel like the favorite,’’ she said. “South View has a very large team, a lot of people. The more people you have running in these meets, the more likely you are to get points based on performance.’’
Terry Sanford only had six runners competing in the conference meet.

“We needed at least four or five of our girls to finish in the top 20 to get the points,’’ LeComte said.

Pratt won with a time of 20:21.90 to edge second-place Iris Terwilliger of Cape Fear.

Emma Morgan placed 10th for the Bulldogs with a time of 22:20.60. The Bulldogs then swept the final three spots in the top 20 with Brinlee Risenmay, Marissa Morris and Kaitlyn Wayne crossing the finish line in order at 18th, 19th and 20th.

The Bulldogs actually tied Pine Forest in team points with 65 each, but the Bulldogs got the championship when their sixth runner, Jasmin Singh, edged the next Pine Forest runner by less than seven seconds to clinch the victory.
LeComte knew Pratt was going to take the individual title when she saw the look on her face as the came around the track on the South View football field near the end of the race.

“I knew she was going to blow them out of the water,’’ LeComte said.

Pratt ran the South View course a lot during her freshman season with the Bulldogs and felt comfortable with it.

“There’s a woods part and some short downhills,’’ Pratt said. “I used that and the curves to my advantage.’’

Pratt qualified for the state meet last year and feels she’s got a good chance again this season. To get to the state meet, she had to place high enough in the regionals, which were held prior to the publication of this article on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Northwood High School near Pittsboro.

The state meet is on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Ivey M. Redmon Park in Kernersville.

“I usually run really well at regionals,’’ Pratt said. “As a team, I think we can do really well."

Picture 1: Amber LeComte

Picture 2: from L-R, Brinlee Risenmay, Emma Morgan, Evan Mason (head boys coach), Rainger Pratt, Kaitlyn Wayne, Jasmin Singh

Watching South View win a conference title in boys cross country had become routine for Cape Fear’s Matthew Hanes. In his 16th year at Cape Fear High School, his 14th coaching boys cross country, Hanes was all too familiar with the Tigers’ 21-year dominance of the sport locally.

But from the earliest days of summer practice this year, Hanes told his team that this season would mark the best window of opportunity the Colts ever had of taking the trophy away from South View.

“At the end of last season, we were as close as we ever were to taking them down,’’ he said. “I said the opportunity is here for the taking if you want it bad enough.’’

Apparently, the Colts did, as they finally ended the South View victory streak and captured the Patriot Athletic Conference cross country meet on South View’s own course last month.

Building a successful cross country program at Cape Fear has been anything but easy for Hanes. His first season he had a total of nine runners, boys and girls, competing. “It’s hard to get children to run that many miles when it’s 100 degrees outside,’’ he said. “You have to tell them the truth.’’

When the Colts won every regular-season duel with South View this season, it gave Hanes confidence. But he still had doubts as South View sought to make it 22 straight titles while running on its homes course.

Hanes counted on a strong showing by his top runner, Jonathan Piland, and he got it as the veteran placed second with a time of 17:04.40.

The key piece of the championship puzzle for Cape Fear was newcomer Julius Ferguson. He placed third while Juan Alvarado ran fifth to give Cape Fear its third runner in the top five.

Other Colts in the top 20 were Collin Gaddy 10th, Alden Bostic 13th and Colton Danks 20th.

Piland said the South View course offered extra challenges in the meet.

“With the rain, it made quite a muddy experience,’’ Piland said. “Otherwise it was an excellent course. They’ve always done a good job of designing it and keeping it well maintained.’’

Cape Fear’s team strategy of sticking together and staying ahead of the South View pack worked. “Our top seven runners made all-conference,’’ Piland said. “I would say that was a pretty big accomplishment.’’
The Colts are optimistic about qualifying for the Nov. 9 state meet at Ivey M. Redmon Park in Kernersville.

“We have so many that are committed runners,’’ Piland said. “We’ve won invitational meets and meets that in previous years we never figured to place in. I think we have a great shot at states this year.’’

From L-R: Tariq Hussein, Collin Gaddy, Alden Bostic, Jonathan Piland, Caleb Knudsen, Colton Danks, Seth Thomas, Mr. Brian Edkins.
Front: Coach Matthew Hanes, Julius Ferguson, Juan Alvarado. Missing from the picture is Noah Lucas.