Summer is in full swing and the community is active. The numerous community pools, splash pads and parks are seeing daily traffic, as the summer weather permits, from families, camps, and churches. These amenities provide a cool escape from the Carolina heat. There are 14 free splash pads nestled around Cumberland County for residents to use during the summer season.
Along with the splash pads, there are four community pools: Ronnie “Chase” Chalmers Pool, Keith A. Bates, Sr. Pool, Lake Rim Aquatic Center and Westover Aquatic Center. Each of these pools is an affordable way for residents to enjoy the full immersion and enjoyment of a pool. Community pools are not just used by the individual residents, but they are a common place for church and summer camps alike.
The Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation is also responsible for running recreational sports, like baseball and football. Saturdays find most of the local parks full of cars, lawn chairs and cheers. While there is never a shortage of summer camps, the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation host budget friendly alternatives to community members, as well as after-school programs.
Fayetteville- Cumberland Parks and Recreation is responsible for all these various community spaces. With the county also boasting nine parks, two trails, and three dog parks, the department is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all of them. And with summer 2024 in full swing, the department is already gearing up for an increase in fees for some of its community spaces and programs.
Loren Bymer, director of marketing and communications for the City of Fayetteville, said, “The City of Fayetteville is excited that we have significant interest and participation in all of our Parks and Recreation programs and amenities and have successfully been able to not increase rates since 2015 despite the increase of resident participation each year.
"To continue to keep these services running in an effective manner, there is a need to make a slight increase in the fees to participate to off-set the cost of operations.”
Currently, pool prices for residents are $1 for those ages 12 and under and $2 for those 13 and above and increases slightly for nonresidents. Summer day camps run residents $65 a week and $130 for nonresidents. Registration for sports through the department is $25 for residents and $50 for nonresidents.
Below are the fee increases.
Youth Athletics
• Resident - $40
• Non-Resident - $80
Youth Football
• Resident - $45
• Non-Resident - $90
After-School Programs
• Resident - $140 per month/$40 per week
• Non-Resident - $280 per month/$80 per week
Summer Camp/Playground
Intercession School Workday Camp
• Resident - $18 per day
• Non-Resident - $36 per day
Summer Day Camp
• Resident - $90 per week
• Non-Resident - $180 per week
Summer Day Camp (Pro-rated daily)
• Resident - $18 per day
• Non-Resident - $36 per day
Summer Playground Camp
• Resident - $55 per week
• Non-Resident - $110 per week
Pool Entry Fee
• Resident - $4 for adults, $3 for children
• Non-Resident - $8 for adults, $6 for children

Bymer said the increases will likely take place in September, but there is no official date when community members can look for the increase. The increase in fees will be used to maintain the community properties and pay staff. To stay up-to-date, make sure to follow the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Rec on Facebook. The proposed 2025 budgets for the city and county can be found online at
• https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/home/2024/06/06/board-of-commissioners-approves-fiscal-year-2025-budget
• https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/city-services/budget-evaluation-4400

(Photo: The Keith Bates, Sr. Pool is one of four pools operated by Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation)

In 2027, Fayetteville will be home to the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction. Construction is underway now for this center of learning that will be pivotal in teaching North Carolinians of all ages about the years before, during, and after the Civil War.
But, don’t call it a museum.
A museum is a collection of artifacts, while this History Center will focus on telling the stories of the people, places and events surrounding the Civil War.
“The mission of the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction is to tell the stories of ALL North Carolinians and create a comprehensive, fact-based portrait of history that spans the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction periods.” (https://nccivilwarcenter.org/about/about-the-center/)
The History Center will be located at the site of the former Arsenal Park, and will take the place of the Museum of the Cape Fear.
The Arsenal
To get a complete picture of the significance of the location of the NC History Center, we have to go pretty far back in history, to the War of 1812. During that war, the federal government realized that it was ill-equipped to provide weapons and ammunition to protect the entire country. To help remedy that problem, several arsenals were built at strategic locations around the US. Fayetteville’s location on the Cape Fear River and at the crossroads of eight plank roads made it a prime location for one of the arsenals. At its peak, the Fayetteville arsenal produced 500 rifles per month, as well as swords, bayonets, and various forms of artillery, and employed around 2,000 people. In the spring of 1861, the arsenal was seized by the Fayetteville Light Infantry, part of the Confederate army.
On March 11, 1865, Union General Sherman and his troops destroyed the arsenal and all its machinery, in addition to shops, factories, and the Fayetteville Observer, which was a Confederate-leaning publication at the time. The ruins of the Fayetteville Arsenal are still present to this day, as part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex.
The History Center
The idea for a new type of museum came from meetings of local officials and volunteers. This board was awarded a $1 million planning grant from the N.C. General Assembly in 2007. That funding was used to hire groups who had experience starting many prestigious museums around the country, to include the Civil Rights Center in Greensboro. After more than 10 years of planning, research and preparation-which included assessment of existing resources, and gathering community-wide feedback, ground was broken on the History Center in April of 2018.
Progress So Far
Work thus far on the History Center consists of moving three Civil War-era houses to the site and refurbishing them. The three buildings are:
• The Arsenal House will serve as a classroom and distance learning studio for K-12 students, utilizing cutting-edge technology.
• The Culbreth House will become the Center for the Study of the Civil War and Reconstruction in North Carolina and will house the offices for the Center’s Foundation.
• The Davis House will be a support building for the other buildings and areas of the surrounding portion of Arsenal Park.
Work Still Ongoing
In May 2024, construction began on the outdoor pavilion area. This portion of the center will serve as an outdoor classroom and will include boardwalks that will allow visitors to come close to the ruins of the original arsenal without damaging them. It will also include sidewalks connecting various parts of the History Center and restrooms. All of these will be ADA compliant.
Future construction also includes a 60,000-square-foot building that will house large-scale exhibits and an auditorium.
Once construction is complete and the center has opened, it will be owned and operated by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which also operates the NC Zoo, three aquariums, two art museums, two science museums, as well as many other natural and cultural resources.
The Timeline and the Pricetag
Current estimates by the construction project management firm show that the History Center will be complete by the first quarter of 2027. The estimated cost is $84.6 million. So far, the state of North Carolina has provided $69.6 million; $14.1 million from the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County; and the remainder has come from private donations. Between $8-$10 million remains to be raised.
Even before all of that is complete, though, the state of North Carolina will benefit from the History Center. Development of virtual educational tools for use in classrooms across the state is already underway, using scholarship from university professors, as well as input from current K-12 teachers. There is also work to include students in the conversations about teaching and learning this part of our history. The goal is that all NC students will be able to learn from the History Center, even if they cannot visit in person.
Stories
The focus of the NC History Center is stories: telling stories from every angle, from every perspective, the stories of what life was like between 1830 and 1900. Story collection is ongoing. If you or someone you know have any North Carolina-related stories from the Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction period, you can share them and they could be included in the Center. Go to nccivilwarcenter.org and click on Story Collection. All stories are vetted by History Center staff. Photos, letters, and any other artifacts you might have are welcome as well. Stories that have already been gathered are available to view and read at the History Center website.
More information about the progress of the History Center, including renderings of the main building, photos and maps of the future site, can be found at nccivilwarcenter.org.

(Photo: A rendering of the possible North Carolina History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction on Arsenal Ave. in Fayetteville. Graphic courtesy of NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation, and Reconstruction's Facebook page)

Change of Command, Change of Responsibility brings new Leadership to USACAPOC(A)
Maj. Gen. Isaac Johnson, Jr., commanding general, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), will relinquish command to Brig. Gen. Andrée G. Carter, on Saturday, July 13 at 9 a.m. at the Main Post Parade Field, Fort Liberty. Concurrently, outgoing Command Chief Warrant Officer, CW5 Michael A. Rich will change responsibility with CW4, John Harris III.
The U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) is a two-star headquarters providing Army and Joint Forces commanders 76 percent of the Department of Defense civil affairs forces and 63 percent of DoD psychological operations forces.
Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, and Information Operations Soldiers combine regional and trans-regional expertise, political-military awareness, and cross-cultural communication skills to conduct and support civil-military operations for conventional and special operations forces.
USACAPOC (A) Soldiers are integrated in current global U.S. operations including Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa, European, Pacific and Central/South American regions. USACAPOC (A) provides airborne oversight for USARC and is the only strategic CA structure in DoD while supporting the Army and Joint Force with strategic, operational, and tactical level civil affairs operations, psychological operations, and information operations capabilities.
USACAPOC (A) provides a cost-effective solution and enables the supported commander expanded freedom of maneuver in both Combined Arms Maneuver and Wide Area Security missions across the range of Military Operations. USACAPOC (A) CA, PSYOP, and IO forces support Army formations in conventional operations, Irregular Warfare, Theater Security Cooperation, and Stability Operations in support of Geographic Combatant Command requirements. USACAPOC(A) is made up of 96 Army Reserve units across 29 states.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Pope Field Training Annex, Building 372, 504 Virgin Street, Fort Liberty.

County opened cooling stations over weekend
All eight Cumberland County Public Library branch locations serve as cooling stations for residents who do not have access to air conditioning and need a place to get out of the heat, with additional County facilities available.
The National Weather Service in Raleigh forecasted the following heat indexes from the past weekend:
• Saturday, June 22, Heat Index 102 degrees
• Sunday, June 23, Heat Index 102 degrees
• Monday, June 24 Heat Index 104 degrees
Residents who need reprieve from the heat may visit any of the following County locations during regular business hours:
• Library locations are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, along with Cliffdale, North Regional and Hope Mills branches, are also open Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. To find your nearest library location, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library.
The first-floor lobby of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, located at 1235 Ramsey St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Masks or face coverings are required for individuals experiencing symptoms related to a respiratory illness (COVID-19, RSV, flu).
The Cumberland County Department of Social Services, located at 1225 Ramsey St., will open the auxiliary lobby as a cooling station. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All public lobbies will be available to citizens. Masks or face coverings are required for individuals experiencing symptoms related to a respiratory illness (COVID-19, RSV, flu).
While these locations are always available to the public during operating hours, County officials wish to make the public aware of their availability as cooling stations when conditions warrant.
Extreme heat and humidity significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working outdoors. Cumberland County Emergency Services reminds residents to take precautions during the hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, avoid strenuous work, check on relatives and neighbors, and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.
Cumberland County Emergency Services is monitoring the heat conditions and is coordinating the opening of County facilities as cooling stations. Stay informed by visiting the County’s website at cumberlandcountync.gov or County social media pages at facebook.com/CumberlandNC, facebook.com/CumberlandCountyNC911 and twitter.com/CumberlandNC.

County anticipates breaking ground on new Crown Event Center in September
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners Crown Event Center Committee gave its approval to allow the project to move into the Construction Document development phase with an anticipated groundbreaking for the new Crown Event Center planned for September 2024.
The approval followed the presentation of updated pricing for the project from the Construction Manager at Risk TA Loving/Metcon. The CMaR conducted pricing on the 100% Design Development documents completed by project architect EwingCole, which were presented to the Committee on May 20 along with updated renderings of the Crown Event Center’s exterior and interior spaces.
Matt DeSilver, Area Manager with MBP Carolinas, which serves as the County’s Owners Representative for the project, shared that the 100% Design Development cost estimate for construction came in just above the Board’s approved construction budget of $117,864,211 at $122,173,918. However, he noted that this estimate includes built-in design escalation costs through the midpoint of construction as well as design contingency.
He said the Project Delivery Team conducted value engineering to bring the estimated construction cost down below the approved budget to $117,194,895. Items that were removed from the estimate as part of the value engineering process included an operable partition in the multipurpose room, interior window blinds, reduction of LED exterior signage and upper-level audience divider curtains in the main event hall. DeSilver said these items will still be priced so they can be included in the project in the event costs ultimately come in lower than the approved budget.
Committee members voted unanimously to approve the 100% design development cost estimate and to authorize the Project Delivery Team to move into construction document development.
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners previously approved a total project budget of nearly $145 million in February. DeSilver said the project is still on schedule to break ground in September 2024 with anticipated completion in early 2027. He said next steps for the project will include the development of construction documents and preparation of the early site package.
CMaR hosted an outreach event for subcontractors, suppliers and vendors interested in participating in the Crown Event Center project June 20.
The Crown Event Center Committee is comprised of Cumberland County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe, who chairs the Committee, Board Chairman Glenn Adams and Commissioner Jeannette Council, along with Cumberland County Civic Center Commission Chairman McBryde Grannis, who serves in an ex officio capacity. The Project Delivery Team is made up of County staff, and staff from the County’s owner’s representative MBP Carolinas, project architect EwingCole, construction manager at Risk TA Loving/Metcon and Crown Complex Manager OakViewGroup.
For more information on the Crown Event Center project, go to cumberlandcountync.gov/crowneventcenter.

(Photo Information-Top Photo: Fort Liberty Sign.  File photo.  Bottom Photo: Graphic courtesy of Crown Event Center)

If you suspect North Carolina’s children are under siege, I agree with you.
First, there is the ongoing and relentless attack on public education by the current brain trust at the North Carolina General Assembly.
Somehow millions of American parents, including an alarming number in our state, have signed on to the notion that public schools are irrevocably broken, despite the reality that almost 9 out of 10 Tar Heel students are indeed in public schools. This belief has given license to a rogue legislature to decrease support to public schools and give tax dollars paid in by you and by me to private, often religious, schools with next-to-no oversight.
Some of this shifting of public funds comes under the banner of “parents’ rights.” Of course, parents have rights but so do everyday, hardworking taxpayers who want and expect public education to give their children, grandchildren, and future North Carolina workforces the tools to make our state’s economy thrive.
Then there is the all-out assault on North Carolina educators, who are leaving their chosen profession in droves. AXIOS reports that 11% of NC teachers bolted during the 2022-2023 school year, up almost 4% from the prior year. Money is certainly part of the departure equation. North Carolina ranks 41st in teacher pay, down from 38th the year before, and 36th the year before that, according to the National Education Association. The World Population Review ranks North Carolina even lower, ahead of only West Virginia, Mississippi, and South Dakota.
Inadequate pay is bad enough, but it is hardly the only issue teachers face. The Assembly, an online, non-profit newsletter, recently ran a piece written by one of those departing teachers, Lisa Williams, now working in the private sector. Williams taught in public high schools for more than 2 decades in Kentucky and New Hanover County, teaching about 3500 students. Salary does not appear to be her major concern. Instead, she wrote this.
“This year, I started carrying a bulletproof backpack to work. I kept my classroom door locked all day….When we were called into lockdowns, I stood behind the classroom door so I could greet anyone who might be on the other side, because, while I might go down, I could buy time for my students to run.”
And, this.
“This year, I worked an average of four hours after school every night and at least 10 hours during weekends….It wasn’t because I enjoyed the work or because I am a perfectionist. It was so I could meet the demands of the local school board policy stating that every paper should be graded within one week of its due date.”
Also, this.
“There’s a mentality surrounding teaching right now that involves gaslighting and misinformation….They ask, Isn’t that what you signed up for? Welcome to the myth of the American teacher. Most of us are not trying to become stumps in exchange for abuse and martyrdom, but at the core of our being, a voice of conviction poses the question we all have to answer: What about the kids?
“Kids are losing the most in the battle over public education.”
How anyone thinks degrading public education is a forward-thinking policy is beyond me. North Carolina valued and protected public education through most of the 20th century but beginning around 2010, we seemed to forget that we all benefit from an educated and productive workforce, and we all suffer when we do not have one.
It becomes a 5-alarm fire when we also realize that United States students lag behind their peers across the developed world. According to PBS, students in 29 other countries have higher math scores than American 15-year-olds and US scores in reading and science rank 20th and 23rd respectively.
Clearly, North Carolina needs to get its education house back in order and fast.

While some economic metrics continue to offer good news to North Carolinians, others point in a different direction. U.S. agricultural exports, for example, fell by $17 billion last year and appear to be on track for another decline of about $8 billion or so this year.
As U.S. Sen. Thomas Tillis and 21 of his colleagues pointed out in a letter to key Biden administration officials, some fluctuations in export markets are inevitable, the result of currency flows and international factors beyond the control of any one country or set of policymakers. But this two-year decline in ag exports sticks out like a sore thumb.
Tillis and the other farm-state senators argued it was “directly attributable to and exacerbated by an unambitious U.S. trade strategy that is failing to meaningfully expand market access or reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade.”
For decades, they pointed out, leaders of both political parties had made it a priority to expand overseas markets for agricultural products and other goods and services.
They “accomplished this feat through negotiations of actual free trade agreements, removal of technical barriers to trade, and holding our trading partners accountable to their commitments,” the senators wrote. They urged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to pursue a similar course today.
They’re right, of course, but such policies are a hard political sell at the moment. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have a history of indulging populist opposition to trade agreements. Partly following their lead, an increasing number of Democrats and Republicans in Congress seem less inclined to vote for international agreements that lower barriers to our exports abroad (and also, by happy necessity, lower prices for consumers here at home).
Whatever the consequences may be for other sectors of the economy, a continued turn away from free trade will wreak havoc on agriculture, forestry, and related industries that rely heavily on export markets.
According to North Carolina State University economist Mike Walden’s latest analysis, the production and sale of food, fiber, and forestry products generate more than $100 billion in economic impact, accounting for about 16% of our state’s gross domestic product. The sector employs nearly one of every five North Carolina workers.
Our largest ag exports include meats, tobacco, soybeans, grains, and fresh vegetables. North Carolina firms constitute America’s largest exporters of broilers and tobacco. We rank third in pork exports, seventh in cotton and wood-product exports, and ninth in the production of softwood lumber.
The livelihoods of many North Carolinians — and thus the economic and fiscal health of many North Carolina communities — depend on the expansion of international trade, not its contraction.
In an American Enterprise Institute study published last fall, AEI fellows Barry Goodwin and Vincent Smith observed that when the administration of former President Trump imposed tariffs and other restrictions on America’s trading partners, they retaliated by erecting barriers against our exporters. Instead of repealing his predecessor’s policy mistakes, President Biden has doubled down on them.
Chinese restrictions against imports of soybeans and other agricultural products were especially painful. As Goodwin and Smith point out, Washington responded not by ratcheting down trade tensions but instead by doling out federal dollars to agricultural enterprises.
“Many of these subsidies were poorly targeted,” they write, while even deserving farmers would have been better served by restoring their export markets, not paying them subsidies.
Are there legitimate concerns about trading sensitive technologies and defense-related products with the Chinese, the Russians, and others who wish harm on America and our allies? Certainly. Tillis and the other senators aren’t denying the need to take national security into account when fashioning trade policy. What they’re calling for is a default policy of free trade with free people in pretty much anything, along with opening export markets around the world for such products as pork, wood pulp, and soybeans.
That would be good for America. It would be particularly good for North Carolina.

Editor’s Note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, Mountain Folk and Forest Folk, combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

Hurricanes pose significant challenges. Such challenges are considerably less difficult when business owners and families prepare for hurricane season in advance.
A proactive approach to hurricane season can minimize the effects of these powerful storms, which can cause potentially costly property damage. Such preparation also reduces the likelihood that individuals will be involved in accidents and/or suffer injuries.
Hurricane season is here, so now is a great time for business owners and families to prepare for the months ahead.
Evacuation plan
Coastal regions tend to bear the brunt of damage caused by hurricanes, so anyone working and living in such areas should have a well-developed evacuation plan in place as hurricane season begins.
Lifelong residents of coastal regions most often affected by hurricanes, which in the United States includes Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, and Louisiana as well as other areas along the Atlantic coast, no doubt have evacuation plans in place already.
However, it's a good idea to go over such plans with employees and family members at the start of each new hurricane season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, while the Eastern Pacific season begins roughly two weeks earlier and ends at the same time.
Make a list of accessible hotels and shelters where you can go should you need to evacuate, and make sure everyone has a hard copy of that list.
Keeping the list on a smartphone notes app can be helpful, but hard copies are vital, as access to mobile networks or even electricity to keep phones charged is not guaranteed during hurricanes. Detailed information about routes to take to get to safety and a prearranged place to meet if evacuated is also vital.
Supplies
The Insurance Information Institute notes that, when hurricanes are in the forecast and warnings are issued, it's not uncommon for residents of areas in the eye of the storm to rush to stores to purchase supplies. A proactive approach to hurricane preparation can help people avoid that mad rush. The III recommends people stock up on certain supplies in advance of hurricane season. Such supplies include:
• Extra batteries
• Candles or lamps with fuel
• Matches, which should be kept in a part of the home that's likely to remain accessible and dry
• Materials and tools for emergency home repairs, such as heavy plastic sheeting, plywood, a hammer, and other tools
• Prescription drugs
• A three-day supply of drinking water
• Food that you don t have to refrigerate or cook
• First aid supplies
• A portable NOAA weather radio
• A wrench and other basic tools
• A flashlight
Property
It's also wise for business owners and homeowners in coastal areas to take an annual inventory of their belongings in advance of hurricane season.
The III notes that such an inventory, which should include a list of possessions and their respective values, can speed up the claims process, substantiate losses for income tax purposes and prove helpful if business owners or homeowners apply for disaster aid.
Hurricane season is coming. That means now is the time to prepare businesses and homes for the challenges that hurricanes can leave in their wake.

Get ready baseball fans, because USA Baseball is making a triumphant return to Segra Stadium this summer! That's right, mark your calendars for June 29, because it's going to be a night filled with excitement and thrilling matchups.
This game will feature the USA Collegiate National Team vs. Chinese Taipei as Game 1 of the 21st USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series. Team USA and Chinese Taipei will resume a series that started in 1987. It's going to be an epic showdown between two talented teams, showcasing the very best of baseball on a global scale.
The Collegiate National Team International Friendship Series roster will be led by Alabama State’s José Vázquez. The three-time SWAC Coach of the Year was an assistant coach for Team USA last summer and guided Alabama State to the NCAA tournament in 2022. He has over 20 years of college baseball coaching experience, starting as a graduate assistant at Bethune-Cookman in 2003.
Vázquez took over the Hornets’ program in 2017 and has achieved a winning record every season, including a 41-win season in 2023.
The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team consists of the best non-draft-eligible college baseball players in the nation.
The summer season kicks off with the Collegiate National Team Training Camp from June 25 to June 28, where over 50 players will compete in a two-game intrasquad series before the final 28-man roster is revealed on June 29.
The remaining five-game series will take place at different venues across North Carolina, including Cary, Greensboro and Kannapolis.
Tickets for the Friendship Series at Segra Stadium can be purchased at https://www.milb.com/fayetteville/community/specialevents. There will be post-game fireworks for this event.
Get ready to witness some high-stakes baseball action at Segra Stadium this summer. Whether you're a die-hard fan or want to simply enjoy a good game, this event promises to deliver thrills, excitement, and a true display of talent on the field.
Let's come together to support these incredible athletes as they represent their countries and showcase the very best of baseball.

(Photo: Hamilton, a player for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, bats during a game in 2022 at Segra Stadium. Segra will be hosting the USA Collegiate National Team vs. Chinese Taipei in game 1 of the 21st International Friendship series. File photo)

The Cameo Art House Theatre will host a special night dedicated to short films on Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m., showcasing the work of local filmmakers. This event, called Local Shorts at the Cameo and sponsored by a generous grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, promises to be an exciting evening celebrating the creativity and talent within our community.
The event will feature a diverse range of genres and styles, offering something for every movie enthusiast. From poignant dramas to light-hearted comedies, thought-provoking dramas, thrillers and the experimental, the lineup aims to highlight the depth and variety of local filmmaking talent. The event provides a platform for new voices to be heard.
The main event of the evening is the screening of "Hood," a modern retelling of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. Directed by Brian Adam Kline, the organizer of the event, "Hood" offers a fresh and new perspective on the well-known story, blending suspense and thrills with a unique twist. Kline, who earned an Artists Mini-Grant from the Arts Council to support this event, is the Theatre and Film teacher at the Capitol Encore Academy High School in downtown Fayetteville. Kline worked at the Cameo between 2009-2016 before becoming a teacher.
“It was some of the best times of my life and I really loved being surrounded by film and people that talked about film all the time,” he said.
In addition to "Hood," Brian Adam Kline has three other films included in the film block:
• "Live Vid": A Covid quarantine story about a husband and wife getting on each other's last nerve. This film captures the universal experience of lockdown tensions with humor and chills.
• "What If I Were You?": This award-winning film follows two octogenarian actresses still trying to make it big in New York City. Their journey is both heartwarming and inspiring, highlighting the relentless pursuit of dreams regardless of age.
• "Love & Coffee": A tale of two siblings discussing the meaning of love over a cup of coffee. This film explores the complexities of familial relationships and the different perspectives on love.
Other local films in the block include:
• "Eternal Now" by James Throssel: A visually captivating exploration of the concept of time and existence.
• "It's April 10th" by Judson Clark: A poignant story reflecting on significant life events that happen on this date.
• "Mmm Ahh Ohh" by Michele Falls: A whimsical and artistic short capturing the essence of human expression through sounds.
• "Readily Available Personal Computing" by Charles Hildreth: A humorous take on the evolution and impact of personal computing in modern life.
"It was important to me to show my own short films the same night, but to also support others in our diverse local filmmaking community and I’m proud to say that we are paying the filmmakers a small stipend for their work. Part of the Arts Council grant pays for that," said Kline.
"This night is a testament to the talent that is right here in Fayetteville. I believe in the local arts, especially filmmaking. Just as we have amazing theater companies, galleries, a symphony and dance studios, local film needs to be spotlighted more.”
The Cameo Art House Theatre, known for its commitment to independent and arthouse cinema, is the perfect venue for this event. Located in the heart of downtown Fayetteville, the theater offers a local, welcoming atmosphere, ideal for experiencing the unique storytelling of short films.
In addition to the film screenings, attendees will have the chance to engage with the filmmakers during a Q&A session following the presentations. This interactive component allows the audience to gain deeper insights into the creative process and the stories behind the films.
Tickets for Local Shorts at the Cameo are available for purchase at the Cameo Art House Theatre's box office and on their website at https://www.cameoarthouse.com/. Kline said tickets are going fast.
The organizers hope to make Local Shorts at the Cameo an annual event, providing a "local only" night for Fayetteville region filmmakers.
"This is just the beginning," Kline said. "Not only do I want to show my own films every year, I aim to create an annual tradition that celebrates our local talent and gives filmmakers a dedicated platform to share their stories with the community. And we encourage local filmmakers to try out their films with an audience before showing it at festivals like Fayetteville’s Indigo Moon Film Festival.”
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, through its support of this event, continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering local arts and culture. Their grant has made it possible for Brian Adam Kline and The Cameo Art House Theatre to bring this exciting event to life.

The Tokay Senior Fitness Center, located at 328 Hamilton Street, Fayetteville, is the premier destination for seniors looking to take control of their health and wellness. Unlike other senior centers, the Tokay Center focuses on providing top-notch fitness and health resources.
Tana Coleman is the Supervisor at the center and shares health benefits offered to seniors. “Our center is unique and different from the other three senior centers in the FCPR system. Everything that we do is health/fitness related. We have free weights and offer a variety of fitness classes. With six treadmills and ellipticals, five bikes, and a full line of Nautilus strength training machines - our seniors have easy access to everything they need to get fit and stay healthy. In addition, we have certified CPR technicians and nutrition and health education classes.”
The center offers equipment and classes tailored specifically for the 55+ crowd. So, no matter your fitness level or health goals, the Tokay Senior Fitness Center has something to offer. To manage your diabetes, improve your heart health, or shed a few unwanted pounds, this center is the perfect place to start. But don't just take their word for it - come in, set up an equipment orientation, and experience the difference for yourself.
At the center, you'll find an array of offerings tailored to nourish the mind, body, and spirit. Their Yoga classes twice a week will help improve mood, muscle tone, and posture. Get your groove on in the energetic Zumba sessions. "Bingo with a twist" exercise class is a guaranteed good time, complete with the chance to win prizes.
If you love table tennis, bring a friend on the 1st Monday of each month. Tables, paddles, and balls await you! The fun continues with kettlebells, chair aerobics, line dancing, and stretch classes. The options are endless. And it doesn't stop there. The center regularly hosts special events, so check their website or join the email list to stay in the loop.
The center truly cares about health. There are nurses on site to check blood pressure and blood sugar levels and weigh-ins free of charge. Check their website for additional information and special events at https://www.fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers/tokay-senior-fitness-center or call 910-433-1547.

Spring Lake Recreation and Senior Center, located at 245 Ruth Street, Spring Lake, offers a variety of programs for children, adults, and seniors.
If you are an active senior, the center boasts a diverse lineup of recreational pursuits. From the ever-popular bingo and pokeno games to the soothing art of crocheting, there's something to pique everyone's interest.
Kristine Schara, the Supervisor at the center, shares how she started her career at the center, “After years of working in an office environment, I relocated and lived in close proximity to the center. Drawn to the quarter-mile outdoor walking trail nearby, I often saw seniors utilizing this space. Through countless enlightening conversations, I gained a deeper understanding of the struggles they face - feelings of isolation, technological disconnection, a need for socialization, and local resources. During one of these encounters, a senior mentioned an open position at the community center, encouraging me to consider a career change. Heeding their advice, I embarked on a new journey. One that has since become my forever job. Working within the walls of this vibrant community hub has allowed me to witness the transformative power of connection, empowerment, and belonging.”
For those who love crafts, the center has a sewing room, and for those who are passionate about crocheting, attendees can join a group to share their work and expertise - it may lead to teaching others interested in picking up the craft.
The monthly potlucks and Fellowship Fridays provide opportunities for residents to connect, share a meal, and forge new friendships. Also, the center organizes group outings to the Omni Theatre, where members can enjoy discounted movie tickets and the camaraderie of their peers.
Moreover, the center's offerings extend beyond just leisure activities. It also serves as a hub for important health screenings and information, with regular diabetes testing and dementia assessments available by appointment. This commitment to the well-being of its members is a testament to the center's dedication to the community.
The community center is a beacon of hope, providing a safe and inclusive space for individuals of all ages to come together, learn, grow, and support one another. It is a testament to the power of community.
Check their website for times and dates for all activities and special events at https://www.fcpr.us/facilities/spring-lake-recreation-center or call 910-433-1547.

(Photo: A senior works out on one of the many machines available to seniors at the Tokay Senior Fitness Center. Photo courtesy of Tokay Senior Fitness Center.)

On March 28, 30 members of the Cumberland Choral Arts traveled from Fayetteville to Munich, Germany. From there, they spent the next week touring significant musical locations in Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague, learning and performing.
Dr. Michael Martin, Artistic Director for Cumberland Choral Arts, had taken other choirs that he’s led on trips to New York and other countries, so he knew the potential benefits for the performers. When the opportunity arose for the current choir to embark on an overseas adventure, there was no doubt that they would jump at the chance.
In the first portion of the tour, the group spent time in Austria, primarily in Salzburg and Vienna. This part of Europe is where prolific composers lived, worked, and performed: Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Bruckner, and more. Martin describes Vienna as a city of musicians, with people playing music on every corner.
The group visited St. Florian monastery, which hosts an extensive exhibit on the work of composer Anton Bruckner. While there, the group performed a brief impromptu concert. They also visited the palace of Eisenstadt just outside of Vienna. The palace was home to Prince Joseph of the Esterhazy family, who contracted composer Joseph Haydn. The palace was the composer’s home for nearly 40 years. The tour of the palace taught that people who worked for the royal family were treated and paid well, and they were very loyal to their employers.
There was a day trip to the spa town of Baden, just south of Vienna, where Beethoven spent many of his summers. Residents of the town today are proud of the connection to the famous composer, but evidently, that wasn’t always the case; in Beethoven’s later years as his hearing declined, his playing and swearing got louder, causing his neighbors to resent his presence. Some of the group also went on a “Sound of Music” tour, learning about the real Von Trapp family that inspired the famous musical play and film.
The St. Leonhard chapel in Salzburg was another highlight. This chapel was where the song “Silent Night” was composed and originally performed. After learning about the men who wrote the song and how it was inspired, the group sang the song in the place where it was first sung.
After soaking up the music and history in and around Vienna, the tour continued to Prague. Prague has similar historical and current significance when it comes to music. Many prolific composers also worked and performed in Prague, and the city is still considered to be a city of music.
The group performed 4 planned concerts but also sang 3 impromptu performances. The performances were well-attended and well-received. Audiences were eager to hear the musicians and appreciated their artistry.
Martin, President Sandy Cage, and the entire board of the Cumberland Choral Arts hope that the Spring 2024 tour was just the first of many such opportunities for the organization. Martin states, “If there is anything that is the solution to the problems of this world, it’s getting to know each other.”
The chance to travel to another part of the world and interact with the people there was a unique lesson in how we are all more similar than we may seem from a distance. Martin states that everywhere they went, people were kind, helpful, and eager to share their love of music.
The 2024-2025 season of Cumberland Choral Arts kicks off in August. The upcoming season will include a June trip to New York City and a performance at Carnegie Hall, which will feature Martin as guest conductor for one piece. Anyone interested in singing with the choir can find more information at their website,
www.cumberlandchoralarts.org.

(Photo: Members of Cumberland Choral Arts pose during a walk in Prague on their European Tour)

When Brandon Price answers the phone, his voice is low and kind. He doesn't announce himself or even offer up his title as CEO for the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity. He asks how he can help and says he's pretty sure he can be of assistance.
His team says he answers the phone like this a lot and that he's a "great guy." Price started working at Habitat and became CEO about three years after he began. Now, after COVID-19 and years of the lack of events for most non-profits, Price and the members at Habitat are ready to host a large event. They are ready, he says, to get the community involved and to give back.
This time around, they'll bring the team-making, talent-building skills of Roy Williams, Hall of Fame former coach for UNC-Chapel Hill to the table. Coach Williams will do a presentation over lunch and a Q&A during Homecourt: A Conversation with Coach Roy Williams on June 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, hosted at Fayetteville State University, will take place at Felton J. Capel Arena and be a venue where the audience can interact with Williams.
"He's really going to open himself up," said Price. "We aren't collecting questions in advance. He's going to answer questions [post presentation] like a post-game interview."
Williams, like Price and others, will focus on "the importance of a good home."
For Price, this is a beautiful tie-in for Habitat for Humanity and for Fayetteville. The average home cost in the Fayetteville area is around $250,000, according to Price.
"That means you have to earn a household income greater than $80,000. Do you want to live somewhere safe and affordable? Yes, you do."
Price says that to do so, home buyers have to look in certain zip codes and often those zip codes come with a price tag. Often, he says, the organization assists teachers, fire fighters, EMS workers and more individuals in public servant career fields.
"People who need affordable housing are not your impoverished community.
These are hard-working
individuals... where we live shouldn't change life expectancy, but it does."
This is a subject that seems deeply personal to Price. He says the entire goal of the organization is to bring awareness to the need for affordable housing. The upcoming event will hopefully raise money for Construction Campus where Habitat workers will be teaching youth multiple trades.
"We want to spark something in them," he says. "We want to get younger individuals in the trades. It contributes to housing affordability."
The housing market, Price says, is losing that apprenticeship as many of the skilled trade workers are reaching beyond 60 years old. The young worker isn't looking into trades as a viable option for income or a career.
"A plumber makes just as much as the average district attorney... or more. Those are the facts," Price says. "They don't see it as a first-tier option."
Coach Williams will be available to the public for about one and a half hours during the June 27 event. Tickets are $125 each and include lunch and a commeorative t-shirt. They can be purchased at https://www.fayettevillenchabitat.org/homecourt.
Williams will be able, Price hopes, to shed light on how people can get the best out of their teams and how homes play a factor in the lives of the athletes Williams has gotten to train and mentor.
After the event, Price invites the public to stick around and learn more about Habitat and how to get involved. For a lot of people, he says, they think Habitat for Humanity gives away homes. Typically, the organization helps secure a mortgage with a low interest rate for its buyers.
By building the homes themselves, Price says they can pass along these savings to the buyers. Anyone can sign up and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Price says multiple times he hopes more people do.
"It contributes to the building of our future... We build homes. We don't build houses."

(Photos-Top: Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity will be hosting Coach Roy Williams, former UNC-Chapel Hill coach, for Homecourt: A Conversation with Coach Roy Williams on June 27. Bottom: Volunteers for the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity help build a home. Habitat for Humanity helps those who need affordable housing. Photos courtesy of Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity)

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the City of Fayetteville will present a free-admission Independence Concert on July 4 in Festival Park. This event is sponsored by Fayetteville PWC, Fayetteville Parks & Recreation, and is supported by the Arts of Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The concert will conclude with fireworks.
FSO is excited to perform alongside the 82nd Airborne Division Band. Their mission is to provide music to Fort Liberty and the local area ‘Telling the Army Story’ in support of soldiers and their families, community and recruiting initiatives, and music education programs. Director, Major Joel DuBois, will conduct several pieces as well.
FSO's mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville region as the leading musical resource. Praised for its artistic excellence, the symphony leads in the cultural and educational landscape for Fayetteville and the southeastern North Carolina region. The symphony performs a variety of concerts each year, including subscription concerts, free admission community concerts, and a laid-back Symphony on Tap series.
Cumberland Choral Arts will also take the Festival Park stage. CCA strives to be a premier
symphonic chorus through the outstanding performance of choral works.
A special performance from the Fayetteville Symphonic Band, a community of instrumentalists who are serious about keeping good wind band music in Fayetteville will also occur.
FSO Assistant Conductor, Daniel McCloud said, "I am so honored to conduct both, the Fayetteville Symphonic Band and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, for the July 4th Independence Day Concert this year. For my entire music career, there has been a strong connection between music and community, and this concert beautifully encapsulates that ideal. The band and orchestra will perform a healthy dose of patriotic favorites and several popular instrumental fan favorites, which will be the perfect conclusion to the celebration."
Vocalist, Ayana Washington will be performing as well. She is a multifaceted creative, who was born in Fayetteville. Washington is a seasoned entertainer and has performed in many theatrical productions. When she is not on stage she fosters connections with various artistic communities, serves on several committees, and curates culturally significant community events through her business, Book Black Women Inc.
Washington has held the role of director at Gilbert Theater, Costume Designer at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Broadway World’s 2020 Vocalist of the Decade, and Creative Director and Producer for original productions and contracted productions. Every endeavor adds fuel to the ‘Stay and Play in Fay’ fire and she is determined to continue fanning the flame!
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:15 p.m. Food truck vendors will be on-site and beer will be available for purchase (cash only with an ATM on site.) A children's play area will also be available.
Only service animals are permitted. Please no skateboards, bicycles, personal tents/canopies, or outside food/beverage.
For a full list of Independence Day events happening in the area, see the June 26 edition of Up and Coming Weekly.

A captivating new exhibit called "Hidden in Plain View: United States Army Special Forces Berlin, 1956-1990” sheds light on the covert operations of the Green Berets during the Cold War. It is curated by six students from Jack Britt High School in Cumberland County. The exhibit uncovers the untold stories of U.S. Army Special Forces who worked in the shadows of divided Berlin during the Cold War.
After World War II, Berlin became the epicenter of Cold War tensions, divided into East and West zones. The Soviet Union controlled the East, while the United States, England, and France governed the West.
In this intense environment, a secret unit of Green Berets carried out some of the most classified operations of the era. Disguised in civilian clothes and fluent in German, these soldiers remained on high alert, ready to take action if the Cold War turned hot. Their mission, in the event of war, was to infiltrate East Germany and neutralize key Soviet targets.
The idea for this collaboration began at the end of the 2022 school year when the museum staff at the U.S. Army Airborne Special Operations Museum and the Jack Britt Social Studies Department decided to work together.
The goal was to mentor students in exhibit development, with the plan to display the final product at the school. As the project progressed, it became clear that the students' work deserved a larger audience. Thus, the exhibit found its home at the ASOM, with the first student-curated exhibit opening in April 2023, focusing on Task Force DAGGER, America’s military response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The success of this initial exhibit led to the formalization of the program into an annual partnership, now known as the Curatorial Apprentice Program or “CAP.”
Curating the current exhibit on Special Forces Berlin presented significant challenges. Jim Bartlinski, Director of Fort Liberty Museums, explained that the topic covered the period from 1956 to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The Special Forces Berlin unit operated clandestinely to deter communism, wearing civilian clothing to blend in, which made artifacts scarce. The ASOM had no related artifacts in its collection, so the students collaborated with Special Forces Berlin veterans to secure loaned items and the stories behind them. The students also borrowed artifacts from the JFK Special Warfare Museum on Fort Liberty, adding depth to the exhibit.
Bartlinski highlighted the exhibit's profound significance, noting that it provides visitors with a crucial insight into a lesser-known but pivotal aspect of Cold War history.
These highly trained soldiers operated about 100 miles inside communist East Germany, in the Allied-controlled sector of West Berlin. Their primary mission was to conduct unconventional warfare against the Soviet Union and its allies if the Cold War escalated into open conflict.
Now declassified, this exhibit recognizes the critical role played by the United States Army Special Forces during this turbulent period in American history.
"Hidden in Plain View" will be on display through September 1. It offers a great opportunity to uncover the secrets of the Green Berets and their pivotal role in Cold War Berlin.

(Photo:"Hidden in Plain View: United States Army Special Forces Berlin 1956-1990" can be viewed at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville until Sept. 1. Photo courtesy of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation Facebook page)

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the county’s budget for fiscal year 2024-25 Wednesday night, rejecting requests for funding from several local nonprofits.
The $582.1 million budget includes $89.6 million for the Cumberland County Board of Education and $15.4 million for Fayetteville Technical Community College but did not change the county’s 79-cents per $100 property tax rate, County Manager Clarence Grier said.
Here’s what the board discussed before approving the budget:
Nonprofits speak out
In a brief public hearing before the final budget work session, several people spoke on behalf of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation and the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County. Both nonprofits requested funding in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, but their requests were not approved, according to the draft budget.
Renee Lane, executive director of the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation, outlined the museum’s recent struggles.
“A tragic and fatal vehicle accident closed the theater in February 2023, and in November, the [Pritzker] Motion Simulator ceased operation after 23 years,” Lane said. “Cost-cutting measures have included a hiring freeze, reduced hours for our retail staff and restricted advertising spending.”
Lane emphasized the museum’s key role in Cumberland County’s economy, noting that the museum had visitors from 10 foreign countries just last week.
“The Airborne and Special Operations Museum is a symbol of the Army’s rich and diverse history and unwavering support for our military heroes, to include the more than 50,000 veterans who live in this county,” she said. “Please reconsider our funding request so that together, we honor America’s heroes and show future generations what it takes to preserve freedom.”
According to the draft budget, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation requested $200,000 from the county but will not receive any funding.
Mary Sonnenberg, president of the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, also pleaded with commissioners to reconsider funding for her organization. She said the partnership has provided over $128 million in state funding to the county and its agencies over the past 30 years. The partnership requested $300,000 to fund its Family Connects program and will not receive any money in the upcoming budget. The program, launched in October 2021, provides home visits to Cumberland County families with newborns.
“[The program] provides prevention services and supports maternal child health,” Sonnenberg said. “It shows 50% reductions in emergency room visits, reductions in Child Protective Services investigations and an increase in completion of maternal six-week postpartum health checks.”
“Our request for this amount of money is only 27% of the program’s annual budget,” she continued. “The remainder comes from private grants and Smart Start funding. These dollars are going to direct services to babies and their families.”
According to a handout given to commissioners by the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, the Family Connects program has served 11,250 Cumberland County residents since its inception and is projected to enroll another 1,400 families in the next fiscal year.
“The partnership’s presence is engrained in the county’s economic and community fabric,” Sonnenberg said. “With the support that you might be able to give us with this investment, we can continue supporting our youngest children.”
The partnership is set to provide over $4.7 million to county agencies in the upcoming fiscal year, she noted.
In total, 16 nonprofits requested funding from the county. The 11 that will receive funding include:
• The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, $35,000
• Boys & Girls Club, $10,000
• Cape Fear Botanical Garden, $5,646
• Cape Fear Regional Bureau for Community Action, $10,328
• Cape Fear River Assembly, $9,923
• Child Advocacy Center, $1,000
• Cumberland County Coordinating Council on Older Adults, $150,215
• Cumberland County Veterans Council, $7,000
• HIV Task Force, $5,081
• United Way 211, $5,500
• Vision Resource Center, $15,000
‘Those stories need to be told’
In the budget work session, Commissioner Jimmy Keefe argued to fund the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation.
“We’ve heard it all before that those who do not remember their history are doomed to repeat it in that matter, and those stories need to be told, not only to remember those young men and women who did those things but also to educate those who are coming over so that they remember and that they acknowledge,” Keefe said. “I would really like for the board to consider imagining our community without this facility for one moment and how much we would lose, and it would certainly be more than what they’re asking for tonight.”
Vice Chairwoman Toni Stewart cited a rule she said the commissioners’ American Rescue Plan Act Committee created that prohibits nonprofits that received ARPA funds from getting separate county funding.
Keefe’s motion for the board to provide the museum’s foundation with $85,000 in funding failed, with only Keefe and Commissioner Michael Boose voting in favor.
Chairman Glenn Adams said he didn’t believe the lack of funding would affect the museum’s operations. He added that the foundation needed to do more fundraising on its own instead of relying on municipalities for funding.
“The museum is going to be open regardless because the government pays to keep this museum open,” he said. “If you don’t raise funds and you just eventually think that ‘I’m entitled to this’ every year, I just have a problem with that.”
Adams estimated that over the past 10 years he has served on the board, the foundation has received $1 million from the county.
“You’re trying to tell me a nonprofit can’t live on $1 million?” he said.
Changes made to the draft budget
According to a news release from the county, changes to the original draft budget that will appear in the final version include:
$1,000 for the Child Advocacy Center, which was originally set to receive no funding
$50,000 for the Cumberland County Coordinating Council on Older Adults, which was originally set to receive $100,215. That brings its new total to $150,215
The removal of $2.6 million from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office’s budget to account for the sheriff’s decision to no longer provide school resource officers and crossing guards in most public schools
The inclusion of a $447,149 grant in the Opioid Settlement Fund
An increase in county commissioners’ per diem pay from $50 to $100
Permission for county commissioners to enroll in the Local Government Employees’ Retirement System beginning July 1. This change is contingent upon the Local Government Employees Retirement System’s approval.
The county government faced a variety of constraints this year that led county staff to tighten the budget. You can read more about those issues and the draft budget Grier presented May 23 here.
The budget will go into effect July 1 and run through June 30, 2025.

(Photo: File Photo by Dawson Jarman)

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office held a private meeting on Thursday, June 6, to discuss the removal of safety resource officers from schools. Cumberland County Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly Jr., Assistant Chiefs Todd Joyce and Robert Ramirez from the Fayetteville Police Department, Spring Lake Police Chief Errol Jarman, and Chairwoman Deanna Jones of Cumberland County Schools were in attendance.
Last month, Cumberland County Sheriff's Deputies announced that they will no longer take over the duties of SROs and crossing guards for nearly 50 Fayetteville city schools, per ABC Channel 11 News.
It was also noted in the article that students like Hannah Russell expressed her concerns to ABC 11 News, emphasizing the importance of SROs in schools.
"There are sexual assaults that the police are working to prevent. There are firearms and knives brought to school, and the police are there to assist with the investigation. Drugs. All kinds of things,” the Pine Forest High School student said.
Her mother, Chasity Russell, added, "With my daughter, she feels more comfortable going to the school resource officers than she does the counselor."
In a press release, Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis W. Wright stated that the change was due to the shortages and challenges of recruiting and hiring school resource jobs, stating that the department is unable to carry out its contract.
The Sheriff's Office press release states that public schools in Cumberland County geographic areas without a municipal police department, except the Town of Stedman, will only renew the contract, which expires on June 30.
Sheriff Wright emphasized the critical role of school resource officers in ensuring the safety and well-being of schools and communities, highlighting the need for collaboration between municipalities and local law enforcement agencies.
During the initial informational and organizational meeting, the Sheriff’s Office established a logistic plan to ensure a smooth transition for the School Resource Officer Program. As a result, to provide the necessary personnel and a proper level of protection for students, faculty, administrators, and the public concerning schools’ safety, municipalities with police departments will provide SROs and traffic control officers for schools within those municipalities for the 2024–2025 academic year. In the meantime, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office will continue to supply school resource officers for summer and year-round schools until the start of the regular school year in the fall.
"The agencies will work together with the Sheriff's Office, providing training for all of the agencies and the school board to develop contracts based on the current Cumberland County Sheriff's Office contract, as well as mutual assistance agreements, protocols, and operational functions for a more complete School Resource Officer Program," as detailed in the press release.
Sheriff Wright is more than confident that law enforcement agencies and the school board will work effectively together during the transition into establishing a safe environment for children and the public under the new changes for the SRO program. Despite Wright's confidence in the efficiency of this transformation, he also acknowledged the necessity for elected leaders to provide the necessary funds to support the SRO Program.

(Photo: Cumberland County Sherriff Ennis W. Wright. Photo courtesy of CCSO's website)

Over the past two years, North Carolina had made critical investments in the future of our state.
No, I’m not talking about highway projects, or university R&D, or the private investment in new companies, locations, and workers facilitated by the legislature’s pro-growth tax and regulatory reforms.
These are, indeed, valuable instances of capital formation — of physical, intellectual, and human capital — but today I refer to a different piece of legislation.
In April 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Excellent Public Schools Act. Gov. Roy Cooper signed it.
Among other things, the bill requires that literacy instruction in the state’s public schools be based on the science of reading, a term of art that describes a research-based consensus in favor of “phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling, fluency, vocabulary, oral language, and comprehension.”
After decades of “reading wars” between competing camps of educators, researchers, and policymakers, those advocating phonics as an indispensable tool for decoding words prevailed in both scholarly debate and practical results.
When the state of Mississippi rewrote its instructional approach to emphasize the science of reading, for example, its performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress dramatically improved — and not just in reading.
According to the most recent Urban Institute analysis of NAEP scores, Mississippi fourth-graders ranked second only to Florida in average reading scores adjusted for student background (which is the proper way to assess the value added by schooling).
The year Mississippi passed its science-of-reading bill, it ranked 40th in the subject. During this same period, Mississippi also rocketed to third in math scores, behind Florida and Texas. After all, learning how to read proficiently opens the door to learning other subjects.
North Carolina’s reading instruction was never as bad as Mississippi’s. Indeed, as I’ve often pointed out, our public schools have ranked high in value-added performance for many years (our fourth-graders rank sixth in reading and seventh in math, according to the Urban Institute analysis).
Nevertheless, our students have much to gain from the 2021 reforms. So far, we appear to be implementing them effectively. EdNC’s Hannah Vinueza McClellan reported last week that some 44,000 elementary school teachers have been trained in North Carolina’s LETRS program (which stands for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling).
“We know how critical literacy is to student success,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt, “and I’m thankful for the passion and commitment of North Carolina educators to help our students achieve their goals.”
Early evidence suggests the new approach may be bearing fruit. From 2022 to 2024, there was a marked decline in the number of students rated below the state’s benchmark for reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension. Minority students made especially strong gains.
It’s far too early to declare victory, of course, but it’s worth pausing for a moment to consider how this promising change in policy came about.
Nationally and within our state, education researchers and policy analysts across the spectrum were willing to follow the evidence on reading instruction wherever it led, even if it challenged their preconceived notions. Republican and Democratic lawmakers did the same — the Excellent Public Schools Act passed unanimously in the Senate and by a 113-5 margin in the
House — and appropriated $114 million to train teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators in the LETRS program.
North Carolina’s turn to the science of reading occurred within a national context. We were willing to learn from the practical experience of Mississippi and other jurisdictions.
Our legislation has, in turn, become a model for other legislatures to follow. That’s how public policy is supposed to happen.
And just to finish the thought: as promising as our initial experience seems to be, there are no guarantees. We may find that the early improvements in reading performance don’t persist into later grades. We may discover flaws in the LETRS training that require administrative or legislative tweaks.
Public policy is, itself, a learning process. Let’s all strive for fluency and comprehension.

Editor’s Note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, Mountain Folk and Forest Folk, combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

Tired of Presidential election year hijinks? Is your guy a Saint and his opponent the Anti-Christ? Boring! That’s all the politics you will get from this column. Now, back into the Dark Forest of Grimms’ Fairy Tales to enjoy some musical animals.
If you want politics, retire to your news silo of choice to wallow in outrage.
Once Upon a Time, there was an old donkey. No, I am not referring to Joe Biden. This is a story about a donkey who reached the end of his working life. Donkey had worked in a mill hauling heavy bags of grain for decades. Like any carbon-based life form, he eventually became too old to work. His owner stopped feeding him. Donkey was old, but he wasn’t stupid. He realized the glue factory loomed on the horizon. Unwilling to be a part of Elmer’s Glue, Donkey ran away into the woods. His post-retirement plan was to move to Bremen to become a musician.
Pretty soon Donkey ran into an old dog. Dog was panting heavily and sadly. Dog explained he was too old to hunt. His owner was planning to kill him like Old Yeller. Donkey asked Dog to come to Bremen to play the drums where musicians were paid union scale. Dog, with no better option, agreed to go.
A bit farther along they found an aging cat who appeared “as if he had lost a pound and found a penny.” Sad Cat explained he was too old to catch mice. His mistress was planning on drowning him so he ran away. Donkey invited Cat to come along to be their lead singer. Finally, they came to a rooster sitting on a barn roof crowing at the top of his non-avian flu-infected lungs. Rooster explained that his mistress was going to cook him for supper so he was getting his last crows in before the final curtain in the stew pot. Donkey invited Rooster to come along to be a backup singer in Bremen.
Does this sound like the plot from the Wizard of Oz yet? It is a quest. Our buddies kept walking into the forest until dark.
They were all tuckered out, plopping on the ground to sleep except for Rooster. Rooster flew to the top of a tree and spotted a light in the forest. He alerted the rest that there might be a house nearby where they could rest. They quietly slipped up to the house. Donkey peeked in a window. The good news was there was a table filled with good things to eat. The bad news was there were a dozen robbers chowing down inside on the vittles. What to do? It was a conundrum.
They came up with a plan. They would all simultaneously sing, bark, crow, and bray to make a frightening racket. Their plan worked. The robbers were so scared they ran out of the cottage into the woods to escape the monster making the noise. Our heroes then went inside to eat like there was no tomorrow. After stuffing themselves, they fell into a food coma.
The robbers had been watching the house from the woods. When the light went out, the bravest robber, Lefty, snuck up to the house and went inside. Cat woke up with his eyes glowing in the dark. Lefty thought Cat’s eyes were smoldering coals and struck a match to Cat’s nose to start a fire.
Cat reacted in pain, yowling, scratching, and spitting at Lefty. Lefty tried to vamoose but tripped over Dog who bit him on the leg. Donkey kicked Lefty hard in his backside sailing him out the door. The rooster crowed loudly scaring Lefty even more.
Lefty told the robbers they could not go back because there was a witch in the kitchen who scratched him with her nails, a man with a knife who stabbed him in the leg, and a dude with a club who kicked him so hard “I think he broke my fundament.”
The robbers left the cottage forever. The four friends decided to give up their budding musical career to remain in the house. The Grimms ended this story by writing: “They’re living there still, and as for the last person who told this story, his lips are still moving.”
What have we learned today? As usual, very little. Rest assured no animals were harmed in the writing of this story; only one dim robber named Lefty. You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but he can take a bite out of crime. Possibly that Old Friends are the Best Friends. As Mitch Miller used to sing: “Be kind to your friends in the swamp/ For a duck may be somebody’s mother.”
You are now free to roam about the country.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

Late Saturday evening, I received a nasty and cynical anonymous text from a person accusing and criticizing Up & Coming Weekly for befriending and promoting former WFNC's morning host, Bill Murphy (actually Brian Neil Holland), Cumulus's recent radio personality that Cumulus Media hired (and fired) at the beginning of the year to replace the retiring Jeffrey "Goldy" Goldberg. Well, U&CW did nothing to warrant such criticism.
A follow-up text from the anonymous person challenged me to do another article on Bill Murphy now that he (Brian Neil Holland) has been exposed as a career criminal and con man. My texted response to Anonymous was, "Look, you ‘has been,’ if you sign your text messages, the article will appear in the next edition of U&CW." And, as I suspected, my anonymous gloating critic entered his name, and it was Jeffrey "Goldy" Goldberg. You are reading the article I promised.
Goldy's text messages referred to an article I wrote on January 10 (www.upandcomingweekly.com/views/10322-community-talk-radio-is-back), to welcome Bill Murphy to the Fayetteville community and extend to him the same hospitality and professional courtesy we would any media newcomer. Our relationship and contact with Murphy occurred when Cumulus Media employed him.
We have had no affiliation with Murphy since he departed from the radio station, except for a speaking engagement at a local Republican Party Luncheon booked when he was the WFNC radio host. U&CW is also not involved in the conservative newspaper he allegedly planned to publish.
It's unfortunate but true that Bill Murphy is Brian Neil Holland, a Suffolk, Va., career criminal and con man. Goldy had a jubilant bluster over the recent discovery that some years back Holland had warrants served on him in Onslow County and Hertford County, N.C., charged with sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and in Hertford County, N.C. for felony embezzlement of a small pizza business he managed there. Studying Holland's impressive resume and aligning it with his work history, it's obvious he was pretty crafty at staying one step ahead of the law. Holland appears to be a versatile con with experience and expertise in many career fields.
He boasts online of being a national on-air talk host, news director, radio station general manager, program director with a radio career that took him nationwide on dozens of syndicated stations. He also has claimed to be a journalist and newspaper publisher, the CEO of a live events production and promotion company, a political campaign consultant, a television program producer, and a sports and documentary programmer. Pretty impressive, huh?
I promised Goldy I would write this article, so I want to inform him of a few things. First, my January 10 article not only welcomed Murphy into our community but also commended Cumulus Media management for hiring a replacement who could be more open, well-rounded, fair, and balanced in their commentary, news, and information.
These attributes would benefit the entire Cumberland County community and not just the left-wing progressive zealots that Goldy catered to by bashing Donald Trump, Republicans, and conservatives at every opportunity.
Secondly, I want to remind Goldy that WFNC and Cumulus Media management hired Bryan Neil Holland, alias Bill Murphy, not the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper. This begs the question: How can a media giant like Cumulus make such a colossal mistake? Who was doing the vetting? How many interviews did he go through? So, I must remind Goldy that my January article should not be criticized or portrayed as a personal endorsement of Murphy; Cumulus Media and WFNC management were solely responsible for his hiring and presence in our community.
So, this being said, Goldy's tacky text messages to me trying to shift the blame to U&CW for WFNC's poor personnel decision is morally and ethically wrong for several reasons. First, Goldy has undermined his own personal integrity and honesty. Accepting responsibility for one's actions is a fundamental aspect of ethical behavior.
When Goldy and Cumulus Media attempt to deflect blame for this poor judgment, they essentially lie, further eroding trust and damaging community relationships.
Secondly, this blame-shifting to me and the U&CW newspaper is unfair and unjust. Goldy is attempting to harm our reputation by trying to tie us into a situation we had nothing to do with. This is not only unethical but cowardly. It further demonstrates a reluctance to take responsibility for the situation.
In conclusion, I consider Goldy's failed attempt to shift and deflect the blame for the Murphy/Holland fiasco to be insulting to U&CW. If Goldy and Cumulus Media are to continue to live, operate and navigate in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community I suggest they limit their attacks on the innocent and strive to enhance and advance more positive views focused on honesty and fairness. Both have much to contribute to the Fayetteville community. Taking responsibility for one's actions upholds ethical standards and fosters a positive, trustful, and responsive community environment.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

(Photos: Top Photo: Jeffrey "Goldy" Goldberg, former host of WFNC's Good Morning Fayetteville. Photo courtesy of WFNC Radio's Facebook page.  Bottom Photo: Brian Neil Holland, also known as Bill Murphy, former host of WFNC's Good Morning Fayetteville. File photo)

“The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but it is the most difficult to play," said poet and composer Richard Straus.
Would you like to earn a great living while helping people find their voice? If so, the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program at Fayetteville Technical Community College might be your next step on the path to success. SLPAs work with speech-language pathologists to assess and treat patients with voice, speech, fluency, or language disorders. SLPAs help with patient care, research, and implementing programs.
The Fayetteville Technical Community College Speech Language Pathology Assistant Program offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes both high-quality academic and clinical experience. Faculty and staff are committed to practices that develop professional and ethical speech-language pathology assistants who are well-equipped to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse individuals with communication disorders, the profession of speech-language pathology, and the community at large. We strive to improve human communication.
Speech pathology assistants in Fayetteville currently earn a median salary of $52,000 per year. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts excellent growth in the speech pathology field and numerous opportunities for advancement. Speech pathologists who continue their education and earn a master’s degree can earn a median salary of $84,140 per year in the United States.
Here are some student testimonials about the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program at FTCC:
“This program was a scary step for me but has been the most rewarding. The commitment to excellence at FTCC extends way beyond the classroom! I have felt like family every step of my journey. The dedicated teachers and my amazing advisor have gone above and beyond to support my journey and invest in my success as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant. If you have a passion for the speech and language world, then FTCC is where you need to be. They have provided me with the foundation needed to make an impact on the lives of others. I thought I couldn’t, and they showed me that I could!”
-Skyler Cummings
“The Speech Language Pathology Assistant program has been an exceptional experience for me. I have acquired a wealth of knowledge, and I am excited to put everything I have learned into practice. Not only have I gained the knowledge and experience that I need to be successful, but I have also developed lifelong friendships with my classmates.”
-Heather Lee
Are you ready to learn more?
Please contact us today. Admission into the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program is based on competitive admissions. Stop by to learn more about the competitive admissions process and how you can pursue your dream career. FTCC’s faculty and staff from the Speech Language Pathology Assistant program are eager to help you find your voice.
Department Chair: Charisse Gainey, department chair, can be reached at gaineyc@faytechcc.edu or by calling 910-678-8492. Gainey’s office is located at the Advanced Technology Center, Room 154F, 2300 Hull Rd.
For more information, visit the website at https://www.faytechcc.edu/academics/healthcare-programs/speech-language-pathology-assistant/

As summertime approaches, so do Sweet Valley Ranch’s dinosaurs! SVR’s Dinosaur World, an exciting attraction with over seventy-five life-size dinosaurs, opened June 1st and will remain open until August 3rd. Dinosaurs aren’t the only amazing sight to see at Sweet Valley Ranch. They offer an Ice Age Cave, which brings you back in time to the icy tundra, a fossil museum, the Land of Enchantment and much more.
Sweet Valley Ranch offers several activities and attractions year-round, such as their Hills and Thrills Adventure Tour of the ranch and its woods, an ATV Express Tour and Go Kart Nature trails. Guests of all ages have plenty of activities inside and outside of the famous Dinosaur World!
Dinosaur World is more than just an attraction; it’s an educational experience created for curious guests of all ages. Nestled in the back corner of their expansive farm, Sweet Valley Ranch has life-sized dinosaur replicas that continue to awe guests each year.
According to their website, “Guests will enjoy a walk down our quarter-mile paved path where they will see over forty dinosaurs in a natural habitat.” Guests can participate in a Fossil Dig, play in giant bouncy houses and playgrounds, go on Dino Rides, and even fish in one of the farm’s ponds. Guests can even meet Sweet Valley Ranch’s Mascot “Tiny,” a massive Brahman Bull.
Dinosaur World offers two time frames to pick from, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or the nighttime experience from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Adult tickets start at $20 and bump up to $30 to have access to both the daytime and nighttime experience. For children under the age of 12, tickets start at $12 and are $20 for both.
With a general admission ticket, you, your friends, and your family can explore the impressive farm and interact with over 350 animals. To have even more fun, buy a bag of animal feed from the farm and bring a little extra joy to the animals you get to visit!
Adults can enjoy some friendly and competitive cornhole, horseshoes, basketball and “water” pong at Tiny’s Outdoor Game Court.
To locate a map of the farm, ticket purchase, and any additional information, visit sweetvalleyranchnc.com.
Want to take this Dinosaur fun up a notch? You can help find Dr. Surgeon and the missing scientist in the Dinosaur World Rescue Mission. After obtaining a copy of the clue worksheet from the ticket booth, use your keen scavenging skills and solve a series of clues to lead you to Dr. Surgeon, his wife, and the other missing scientists. Don’t get too comfortable, the clues and locations change every week!
The guests who participate in the Dinosaur World Rescue Mission are entered in a drawing to win a 2025 all-season pass to all four Sweet Valley Ranch attractions. Learn all about the dinosaurs and lore that Sweet Valley Ranch has to offer.
Sweet Valley Ranch is open year-round, but their Dinosaur World is only here briefly, so don’t miss your chance to see this year’s spectacular Dinosaur World.

(Graphic courtesy of Sweet Valley Ranch)

Cape Fear Studios will present the 13th Annual National 2D Competition, June 28, to July 23. The location of Cape Fear Studios is at 148 Maxwell Street, Fayetteville. The opening night is June 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The exhibit is available for viewing on Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed on Sundays.
The awards for the 13th Annual National 2D Competition are Best of Show, with a $1000 prize, First Place, $750 prize, Second Place, $500 prize, and two Honorable Mention awards at $50 each. The Show's Juror is Paula Holtzclaw.
“North Carolina artist Paula Holtzclaw has gained a national reputation for her ability to capture the drama of nature on canvas. She is most widely known for her landscapes where her fascination with light and atmosphere is most evident. Her still life painting demonstrates a love of the old master’s works.
As a Native Carolinian, she gains much of her inspiration along the coastline, vast marshlands, and southern landscape. Holtzclaw’s paintings have been included in international, national, and museum exhibitions,” according to the website, www.paulaholtzclawfineart.com.
Pandora Autry, Board President, Cape Fear Studios, shares about the exhibit, “We have received 85 entries for the show this year which will be narrowed down to 40 entries to be entered into the competition. The media for this show are all 2D paintings, drawing media, hand-pulled prints and collages.”
“Two-dimensional art is a popular and versatile form of expression. Most drawings are two-dimensional if the artist is using traditional methods. Typically, 2D art drawings are made using paper, chalk, charcoal, pencils or colored inks. A variety of materials including oil paints, acrylics, watercolors and pastels can be used for these paintings.
"Two-dimensional platforms are drawing, painting, prints, and photographs. Sculptures are not within the two-dimensional group. Sculpture is a three-dimensional art form. A two-dimensional piece of artwork can capture a moment in time, create a narrative, and express emotion,” according to Eden Gallery, Art Blog, SN
“This is always a wonderful exhibit to view entries from all over the country,” shares Autry.
See and feel the 13th Annual National 2D Competition at Cape Fear Studios.
For more information, call Cape Fear Studios at 910-433-2986, or visit their website at https://www.capefearstudios.com

(Graphic courtesy of Cape Fear Studios Facebook page)

Trucks Gone Wild’s twentieth-anniversary tour is coming to Fayetteville! They are coming back to The Wreck Yard for this special four-day event, which will go from June 20 to June 23.
“Last year's event was epic and now it's time to make it even better!” says the Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft website page about the event, as this would be the 2nd installment with Trucks Gone Wild. The Wreck Yard is located at 2555 Custer Ave. in East Fayetteville. If you have any questions regarding the event, you can email contact@carolinamudpark.com.
The Wreck Yard is a local mud park owned by Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft, a company founded by combat veterans in 2012.
It consists of dry camping, wet camping, a race track, mud pits, and hundreds of acres of trails. This mud park is only open as an event space, open for events like Trucks Gone Wild. Be sure to keep an eye out for future events at The Wreck Yard on their Facebook page. More information about Trucks Gone Wild can also be found at http://www.TrucksGoneWild.Com.
Free camping is available at this event, with limited first-come first-serve water hookups available. There are also going to be various food vendors and merchandise vendors on-site at The Wreck Yard.
Alongside this, there is an option to purchase a Shower Pass, which is priced at $20. The waiver for this event can be signed electronically on the Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft website's page regarding this specific event. Side by Sides, All Trucks, and ATVs are welcome.
“There’s all new trails and roads. All new mud holes, Tug of Wars, The Booty Barn, and the Kings of the Deep Bounty Hole Competition…there’s literally something for everybody at the rec yard,” says Trucks Gone Wild on their official YouTube channel with a short advertisement about the event.
There will be trail riding, mudding, open bogging, truck competitions, camping, and parties after dark. This four-day event is a great opportunity to get outdoors this summer and make wonderful memories.
Tickets are $90. Kids 12 and under have free entry to Trucks Gone Wild 2024. Tickets can be purchased online at https://blackopspaintball.org/trucks-gone-wild/
On Friday, June 21, there will be live performances by various artists. Trucks Gone Wild will present Who TF Is Justin Time vs Lil Wyte, who are both country rap musicians. Who TF Is Justin Time is the founder of Redneck Rave, and Lil Wyte is a member of the rap collective known as Hypnotize Minds. Other performances by Larry Dale Reed, King Cole, Fedora Mike, and Kaio Kane will also take place. This performance also features DJ Cannon Banyon.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of live music at the upcoming Rock'n On The River concert featuring Autumn Tyde! This talented band is known for their ability to captivate audiences with their incredible performances.
Whether you're a fan of beach music, oldies, rhythm and blues, or are simply looking for some fresh original songs, Autumn Tyde has got you covered. With their diverse range of genres, there's something for everyone to enjoy at this sensational summer concert.
Autumn Tyde members are Doyle Wood on guitar and vocals, Dez Humphrey on drums and vocals, Bob James on the keyboard, guitar, and vocals, Russell Garland on bass guitar, vocals, keyboard, and drums, and Ted Ray, aka TR, on tenor sax, soprano sax, flute, aerophone, and percussion. This talented group has been captivating audiences since 2022, and they made their debut performance on May 6th of that year at a sensational barbecue festival in Kinston, NC.
They have also unveiled three original songs that have made it to the top 10 charts. Their two most recent releases even reached the number one spot on the Cash Box/Billboard Chart for Beach Music Top 40.
Since their unforgettable debut, Autumn Tyde has been wowing crowds at numerous festivals, private parties, and special events throughout North Carolina. No matter the occasion, this band knows how to bring the energy and get the crowd grooving to their infectious tunes.
With their diverse musical abilities and impressive range of instruments, Autumn Tyde creates a unique sound that is sure to leave you wanting more.
On Friday, June 21, Autumn Tyde will be at Campbellton Landing for an incredible live music experience. Joyner Young Marie & Friends will be the opening act for this amazing event.
Located at 1122 Person Street, this concert is completely free to attend, with a small fee of $10 per car for parking. Make sure to bring your own chair, although you might not even be sitting still once the music starts! The concert area will open its doors at 5:30 p.m., giving you plenty of time to find the perfect spot.
The talented Joyner Young Marie & Friends will take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Autumn Tyde at 8 p.m. Prepare your taste buds too, because there will be a variety of delicious food options and ice-cold beer available for purchase right on site.
Don't miss out on this unforgettable summer concert experience. Grab your friends and get ready to rock'n on the river!

(Graphic courtesy of Autumn Tyde Facebook page)