When former Jack Britt High School standout Eric Mac Lain became an All-ACC lineman at Clemson University, his major was health science and his plan was to follow in the footsteps of his parents in the medical field.

But from his Britt days to his years at Clemson, Mac Lain had frequent positive encounters with the media and was always a good interview. The stars aligned and the next thing Mac Lain knew, he was offered the chance to come to Bristol, Connecticut and interview for a job with ESPN’s new ACC Network.

On Aug. 23, he’ll make his first appearance on "The Huddle," a studio program that will air each week on the new network on Friday evening and Saturday morning previewing that week’s ACC football games.

“What a cool thing for a young man to be able to pursue with this great company on an awesome network with its launching and us being the ground zero,’’ Mac Lain said. “It’s just a great opportunity and I can’t wait for the launch.’’

It was during his time at Clemson that he began to realize a medical future might not be his best choice. “When I figured out how much school that took after the fact, I kind of changed my mind and got my master’s in athletic administration,’’ he said.
The offer from ESPN came at Clemson’s National Championship game with Alabama earlier this year in Santa Clara, California.

Mac Lain got a text from an ESPN representative who wanted to meet and talk with him. He initially blew it off as just another request for an interview to get his opinions on the game.

He had been sightseeing in California with his wife and her family, until the ESPN representative finally pinned Mac Lain down for a meeting hours before kickoff.

The talk at first was about the upcoming game, but then the representative offered to fly Mac Lain to ESPN’s Bristol headquarters to audition for a job with the new ACC Network.

“I wasn’t pursuing a different career at all,’’ Mac Lain said. “I just stumbled into it.’’
Other than being interviewed by reporters for print and television, he’d had no previous TV experience. He had done some work hosting a postgame radio show for Clemson football that provided game analysis and commentary on other ACC games.

“You never really know which interview did the trick or who threw my name in the hat where,’’ Mac Lain said. “I knew all along something like this could happen.’’

He said he shares that same message when he speaks with college or high school students or church groups. “You create your brand with social media and all the opportunities you’re going to get as an athlete,’’ he said. “It’s cool to be an actual story and an actual example of that.’’

The show Mac Lain will help host, "The Huddle," will be anchored by Jac Collinsworth. Collinsworth has been the regular host of ESPN’s NFL Live since early 2018.

Joining Mac Lain and Collinsworth will be former Georgia and Miami, Florida, head coach Mark Richt and former Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel.

“I love this team we have put together and the chemistry we already have,’’ Mac Lain said. “It seems like we have been working together for five or 10 years, but we just met a month ago so it’s really cool.’’

Mac Lain said the challenge for him in preparing for the show has been to expand his knowledge beyond his alma mater. “It’s an entire conference, not just one school,’’ he said. “I’m going to be faced with knowing the key players and the role players people may not be familiar with.’’

Mac Lain said his goal will be to avoid speaking in technical terms and draw a picture anybody can understand. He thinks the coaching and playing backgrounds of himself, Richt and Manuel will be an asset to the show.

“Just being able to dip inside of a player’s helmet or a coach’s headset, what was happening at this moment or what is this guy thinking,’’ Mac Lain said. “I think viewers will really appreciate that.’’

Mac Lain currently calls Charlotte home, but although ESPN has a studio there where it does production for shows on ESPNU and the SEC Network, Mac Lain will be flying to Bristol and the home office every weekend during the ACC season to do "The Huddle."

“We are very excited to get rolling,’’ he said. “It’s been a really cool thing to get to know these men and women throughout the network.’’

Eric Mac Lain points to the historic ESPN logo during his trip to Bristol, Connecticut for audition with ACC Network. 

Henrietta Jutson has been a member of the faculty at Jack Britt High School since it opened its doors in 2000.

Now she’s one of 50 finalists for a cash prize awarded by Harbor Freight Tools to teachers like her who specialize in the area of skilled trades.

Called the Prize for Teaching Excellence, the contest will award 18 teachers prizes ranging from $100,000 for first place to $50,000 for second place. Each winner will get a share of the prize money with a share also going to the school where they work.

Jutson was one of some 700 teachers nationally who entered the competition.

She teaches integrated systems technology at Jack Britt, which she called a concept of using all types of technology in a manufacturing environment.

As she put it, it’s when the various elements of technology begin walking and talking together. Her students work with such things as robotics, programmable logic control, hydraulics, pneumatics, plastics and some computerized controls.

They learn all that and it all starts to work together,’’ she said. “Then they put large projects together.’’

Jutson said the best part of her job is her students, most of whom are part of Jack Britt’s Integrated and Systems Technology and Applied Engineering Academy.

“They are interested in what we are doing,’’ she said. “Each of the three classes has its own capstone project they work toward. They really drive their own project. That’s the easiest part.’’

The problem is that not everyone works at the same speeds or at the same time, so it can be a challenge to get all the parts of the project to come together.

“It’s all about students doing what they want to do because everybody is doing something different at the same time,’’ Jutson said.

Jutson is bracing for the next round of the competition, which will require her to write essays in response to a series of questions.

“You want to answer them as clearly and succinctly as you can,’’ she said. “You want to give them some wow factor and you want it heartfelt and to do a good job writing it,’’ she said.

She praised the people with Harbor Freight Tools for recognizing the work teachers like her do by putting some serious prize money in the contest.

“I think it’s wonderful they’ve shone a spotlight on it,’’ she said.

Pictured: Henrietta Jutson

The Hope Mills Boosters American Legion baseball team saw their 2019 season come to an end when Wallace was declared the winner of their first-round Area II playoff series.

Though the series was tied at 1-1, Wallace was declared the winner after back-to-back rainouts of the third game made it impossible to complete the series by the time Legion officials said it had to be over.

Wallace was declared the winner because it was the higher seed in the playoffs, No. 3 to Hope Mills’ No. 6.

The finish was especially frustrating to Hope Mills head coach Mark Kahlenberg, who had four pitchers left who hadn’t thrown an inning in the series while the Wallace staff had exhausted its pitching after the first two games.

Hope Mills finished with a 10-11 record, which was close to what Kahlenberg predicted before the season began because of the amount of youth on this year’s team.
“We’re only losing four or five players,’’ he said. “That’s great. We also picked up Gray’s Creek High School this year, which we hadn’t done in a while. I hope that will continue in the future.’’

Two of the biggest losses will be Cape Fear’s Nick West and North Duplin product Colby Bass, who played for the Methodist University.
West batted .500 and played shortstop nearly every game. He plans to walk-on at North Carolina State.

Bass hit .415 and won the team’s first-ever Fred McFayden Scholarship. The $500 award, presented by the Massey Hill Lions Club, is named after the late McFayden, a longtime member of the club who helped bring the Lions on as a source of financial support for the team.

Kahlenberg feels the team’s biggest problem remains not being able to have players consistently available for games during the regular season.

“We didn’t play conference games as well as we should have,’’ he said. “We lost three or four games I felt we should have won.’’

Kahlenberg said there were multiple nights where the team only had 10 players available as some were on vacation while others were competing for travel ball teams.

“We missed those guys on certain nights and it hurt us,’’ he said.

But he’s hopeful things will continue to improve next season. Some of the young players who got their first taste of American Legion baseball saw that it offers the chance to play against college-caliber pitching and experienced competition.

“If we get those kids converted and committed, we don’t have to worry about conference games during the season,’’ Kahlenberg said. “Hopefully we’ll have 15 or 18 there every night. That’s how we’re going to win those conference games that let us down this year.’’

Kahlenberg expressed his thanks to assistant coaches Randy Nalls and Cecil Combs, and especially to the Massey Hill Lions Club for all they’ve done for the program. That includes the support at games, the scholarship and helping the team buy the bus it used this year to take to road games.

“The Massey Hill Lions have been a big part of turning us around,’’ Kahlenberg said. “I think we’re headed in the right direction.’’

Pictured from top to bottom: Coach Mark Kahlenberg, Nick West, Colby West receiving first the Legion Scholarship

For the fifth year, the Barber Kings of Hope Mills have helped to organize Cut My City, a charitable event aimed at helping the youth of Cumberland County get ready to start another school year. This year’s event is scheduled on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Crown Coliseum from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. All Cumberland County residents are welcome.

Chancer McLaughlin, development and planning administrator for the town of Hope Mills, said the mission of the Barber Kings is to instill pride in the young people of the county by providing them with free haircuts to begin the school year.

The Barber Kings have arranged for more than 100 local barbers to be on site at the Crown on Aug. 10 to provide free haircuts for any school-age youngster that shows up, from elementary school all the way to college.

While there is no fee, anyone wanting a haircut needs to register. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Crown, and everyone wanting a haircut needs to be signed up by 1 p.m. at the latest.

Haircuts for boys and hairstyles for girls won’t be the only thing going on at the Crown on Aug. 10.

There will be free gift bags of school supplies for the children, along with free face painting and other activities.

Representatives of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department will be on hand preparing free hot dogs for the children.

“Everything is free for the kids,’’ McLaughlin. “Nothing will be sold to the children.’’

There will also be a number of service-oriented vendors at the crowd to provide information for both parents and children.

Last year’s Cut My City attracted between 5,000 and 6,000 children and McLaughlin said a bigger crowd is expected this year.

If anyone has questions about this year’s event they can call 910-485-3111 or email cutmycitync@gmail.com.

As the summer season comes to an end, people are returning from vacations, headed back to jobs, or preparing for new school semesters, and Fayetteville After Five is a great way to end the summer and usher in the fall with family and friends. Friday, Aug. 9, at Festival Park, enjoy free music from 6-10 p.m. 

Kasey Tyndall is set to perform at Fayetteville After Five, Aug. 9 in Festival Park. 

The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex has been educating Cumberland County and the surrounding area since 1988. With a focus on regional history, the complex covers seven acres and is home to a museum, the 1897 Poe House and Arsenal Park. While there are several informational exhibits, the historical complex offers interactive experiences and hosts live events geared to entertain and engage visitors so they can have fun and gain a deeper understanding of a variety of topics while they explore the property.

“The complex is made up of three elements,” said Megan Maxwell, the 1897 Poe House coordinator. “The museum is a regional museum with focus on the Cape Fear area. It has two floors of history exhibits from Native Americans to their first contact with Europeans. (Other exhibits include) the Scottish Highlanders, who founded Cross Creek and Campbellton, (which eventually became the city of Fayetteville). It goes to the early 20th century where we discuss Fayetteville. … We also have an old-time general store, which show what a typical store would look like where most people would shop.”

The 1897 Poe House offers guided tours every day. Maxwell noted that although it’s named after its owner, Edgar Allan Poe, the house belonged to a local businessman, brick factory owner and political activist and not the famed writer. “At the Poe House, people see what life was like for an upper-class family around 1900,” said Maxwell. “We do special events here, as well.  Sweet Tea Shakespeare just finished their summer (theater) season here. I think they have a Green Tea show coming up, too. Green Tea is their youth division. We host weddings, as well.”

The site where Arsenal Park is located used to house an arsenal. The Confederacy used the arsenal during the Civil War to produce rifles, ammunition and gun carriages. Union troops, commanded by Gen. William T. Sherman, destroyed the facility in 1865.

While there is always something to do at the historical complex, the coming months are an exciting time there as well with several events scheduled through the end of the year.

Festival of Yesteryear: Revolution on the Cape Fear

Saturday, Sept. 7, The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex will join with the Lafayette Society to celebrate Fayetteville’s namesake,  Gen. Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette was a French  aristocrat who fought in the American Revolution and commanded American troops in their fight against the British.

There will be a variety of events and activities on the property from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with activities for kids and adults alike. The festival is set up to give the public a feel for what things were like in the Cape Fear Region during the Revolutionary War era. There will be re-enactors demonstrating everything from woodworking to militia drills. Enjoy demonstrations and check out the toys, games, music and woodworking practices of the time. There will be musical and artistic performances, military firing demonstrations and hands on-activities for kids.

Don’t forget to visit  Apprentice Alley, where children can participate and learn a variety of trades through hands on crafts and activities. Take a photo in the pillory, a wooden frame with holes for your head and hands that was a popular punishment in colonial days.

At 10 a.m., the Cross Creek Pipes and Drums and the Highland Dancers will perform. “If you want to see the Pipes and Drums  — they are amazing — they come in across the footbridge, and we have the Revolutionary War-era flags flying over the bridge,” said Maxwell. “And the Highland Dancers will perform there, too. So to see that, make sure you are there at 10 a.m.”

A puppet show is also part of the day’s entertainment. Maxwell explained that puppet shows were a big part of entertainment during the Revolutionary War-era. “People would set up in the town square and would do dramatic and comedic shows,” she said. “It is interesting to see. A group called Shades of Our Past did a Blackbeard puppet show last year and everyone enjoyed it. This year they are going to do a show themed around Lafayette.”

The puppet show is titled “General Lafayette and the Giant of the Revolution” and will take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Shades of Our Past also offers traditional silhouette drawings for a fee.

Actor Stephen Seals of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia,will portray James Armistead Lafayette. James was an enslaved African American who served the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War under the Marquis de Lafayette. Seals will be perform as James Lafayette on the main stage at noon and assist with the Lafayette Birthday Cake Cutting at 1 p.m. 

“James was an enslaved spy under Gen. Lafayette,” said Maxwell.  “He was an African American spy for the Continental Army. He loved (Gen.) Lafayette so much that he took his name.”

She added  “It is great to have a (historic) interpreter of that caliber coming to share at the event. We are excited to have him. His big stage performance is at noon with a 45-minute monologue and question and answer session.”

Crowd favorite April C. Turner of Life as Art Productions returns this year to share her program “African Spirituals: Freedom Prayers.”

“Turner comes every year and sings African spirituals,” said Maxwell. “She gives us the perspective of what life was like for slaves and how they coped using song and dance. This performance is at 2 p.m.

There will be military demonstrations, including cannon and musket firings, several times during the event.

Visitors can also learn about Native American life during the Colonial period. Other returning favorites include Camp Flintlock and the North Carolina Highland Regiment.

There will be food truck at the event and concessions for purchase as well. The museum will also be open during the festival and the Poe House will offer tours on the hour. 

The event is free, but the complex does accept donations.

Oct. 23-25 the organization Partners  with Gilbert Theater and do night tours of the Poe House. “It is like historical theater,” Maxwell said. “The actors are in the rooms portraying the Poe family. We run groups through every 20 minutes with 15 people per tour.” There are 540 tickets. They go on sale Sept 7. The admission is $5.

The complex will host a free trick-or-treat Oct. 26. “We have The Sandbox Band out of Raleigh, and we have Joy the clown, who does tricks,” said Maxwell. “We partner with a Jeep club — Nomad Jeeps — and they do a trunk-or-treat. We do a scavenger hunt, too.”

Dec. 8 from 1-5 p.m.,  is The Holiday Jubilee. It is an open house with holiday-themed activities. “It includes a concert, and you can tour the house and look at the decorations,” said Maxwell. “We cook on the 1902 stove and also have apple cider. And Santa comes. Parents can take photos of their children with Santa.”

Find out more about The Museum of the  Cape Fear Historical Complex at https://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov or by calling 910-500-4240.

The Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex offers interactive experiences and hosts live events that are both fun and educational. 

In the wake of the tragic death of a swimmer at nearby Fantasy Lake just outside of Hope Mills, Town Manager Melissa Adams released a statement to Up & Coming Weekly.

Although the lake is located just a short distance from the Hope Mills Town Hall complex on Rockfish Road, it is not within the jurisdiction of the town and is not connected with nearby Hope Mills Lake.

However, the proximity of the lake to Hope Mills and the loss of life that resulted there prompted town officials to make citizens aware of precautions needed when swimming in warm bodies of freshwater during the summer months.

Here is Adams’ statement:

First and foremost the Town of Hope Mills would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family of Eddie Gray, the individual who contracted an infection due to Naegleria fowleri and recently passed away.

Infection due to Naegleria fowleri is rare, as evidenced by the reporting of only five cases in the state of North Carolina between 1962 and 2018. The Town of Hope Mills would like to echo the advisory of the Cumberland County Health Department and would encourage everyone to use precaution when swimming, diving or water-skiing in warm, freshwater lakes.

The amoeba cannot be eliminated from freshwater lakes because it is naturally occurring, but the following precautions are recommended.
• Limit the amount of water going up your nose. Hold your nose shut, use nose clips or keep your head above water when taking part in warm freshwater-related activities.
• Avoid water-related activates in warm freshwater during periods of high water temperatures and low water levels.
• Avoid digging in, or stirring up, the sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow, warm freshwater areas.

For more information about Naegleria fowleri and primary amebic meningoencephalitis, visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/.

If you have questions or concerns, you may contact the Cumberland County Department of Public Health at 910-433-3645 or 910-433-3655.

Computer-generated representation of Naegleria fowleri in its ameboid trophozite stage, in its flagellated stage, and in its cyst stage. 

The boundaries of the university should be “coterminous with the boundaries of the state.” Leaders of the University of North Carolina often use this language to embrace a wider partnership with the entire state.

The words came from a University Day speech by Edward Kidder Graham, although he used the term “co-extensive” rather than “coterminous.”

Graham was UNC’s president from 1913, when he was named acting president, until his death in 1918, a victim of the flu epidemic that scorched the nation at the end of World War I.

In his recent book, “Fire and Stone: The Making of the University of North Carolina under Presidents Edward Kidder Graham and Harry Woodburn Chase,” Greensboro author Howard Covington explains how the “fire” of Graham and the “stone” of his successor Chase transformed UNC from a quiet liberal arts institution into a respected university equipped to provide an academic experience that prepared students to participate in a growing commercial, industrial, and agricultural New South.

At the time Graham became president, approximately1,000 students were enrolled at the university. The campus consisted primarily of a few buildings gathered around the South Building and Old Well. Classrooms and living quarters were crowded and in bad condition.

In his brief time as president, the youthful and charismatic Graham pushed the university to reach out across the state. Speaking at churches, alumni gatherings, farmers’ groups, and wherever a place was open to him, he preached that universities should help identify the state’s problems and opportunities and then devote its resources to respond to them.

Graham’s ambitious plans to transform the university were interrupted by World War I when the campus and its programs were disrupted and then commandeered by the military.

His death shortly after the war ended left the university without a magnetic and motivational figure to carry out his plans and vision. That task fell upon Henry Chase, a native of Massachusetts who had gained Graham‘s trust as a teacher and talented academic leader.

Although he did not have Graham’s charisma, Chase had something else that made him an appropriate successor to the visionary Graham. He had an academic background and a talent for recruiting faculty members who supported Graham’s and Chase’s vision.

Building on Graham’s plans and the enthusiasm that had been generated, Chase took advantage of the public pressure on the legislature to secure the resources to expand the campus. He organized and found support for university programs that included the graduate and professional training needed to serve the public throughout the state, as Graham had hoped.

By 1930, when Chase left UNC to lead the University of Illinois, the UNC campus had more than doubled in size, and the student body approached 3,000 including 200 graduate students. His successor, Frank Porter Graham, was Edward Kidder Graham’s first cousin.

Chase’s ride to success had been a bumpy one. For instance, in 1925, about the time of the Scopes-evolution trial in Tennessee, Chase faced a similar uprising in North Carolina from religious leaders who attacked the university because some science instructors were teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution.

The state legislature considered and came close to passing a law to prohibit teaching of evolution.

Chase respectfully countered this attack, always emphasizing the point that Christianity was at the university’s core. His strong defense of freedom of speech gained him admiration of the faculty and many people throughout the state.

Covington writes that Chase “took the flame that Graham had ignited and used it to build a university and move it into the mainstream of American higher education.”

Without Graham’s fire and Chase’s stone, UNC would not have become what it is today, one of the most admired universities in the country.

The desire to protect our lives and the lives of people we love is a basic instinct. But how can regular people with no self-defense training or experience in martial arts stand up for themselves in a moment of danger? Personal security alarms are quite a novelty when it comes to self-defense. Everybody knows about pepper spray, and many women carry it. But there is a much more convenient and effective method of self-protection. The question is, how does one choose the best personal alarm? What can protect against an attack?
Fayetteville police are urging older residents to carry a tiny new personal safety device that can protect them against attackers.  Ruth Miller, a 63-year-old Fayetteville woman had just left the store with her bags of groceries when she was put upon by a mugger while walking to her car. As she was unlocking her car, a man approached from the rear and tried to grab her, police said. “He told me ‘don’t fight,” said Miller, as he tried to snatch her purse. Luckily, she told officers, she remembered that she had a personal alarm button attached to her purse.

She reached for the alarm button and pulled the pin. “Immediately the alarm started screaming,” she said.

He didn’t know what to do, froze for a second and then ran away. Others heard the alarm and started yelling and running over to help. A personal alarm is a small electronic device that can emit a loud, alarming sound. The loud sound it produces has a distracting and disorientating effect, which allows a person to escape a surprised assailant.

Studies have shown that women and children have the greatest risk of being attacked. Police say it’s a good idea for seniors carry alarm devices just as they do their keys. No special skills or training are necessary. Additionally, they can provide children with an effective tool to protect themselves against possible kidnappings. The device is proven to be more practical than pepper spray. Some of these gadgets come equipped with safety pins that can be pulled with ease. Others have push buttons.

Once armed, they emit a continuous, loud piercing sound that lasts about half an hour. Companies that produce these personal alarm systems suggest the safest way to use one is to remove the safety pin or press the button, drop it on the ground and immediately run away. The device will provide enough distraction to give you a chance to find help while the attacker is also running away. Retail prices vary from $10 at big box stores up to $80 online. The compact design makes them easily attachable to key rings or pocketbook or backpack straps.

Personal alarms contain the latest state-of-the-art features. Personal alarms come in a variety of types, so there is something to suit all preferences. For example, wrist emergency alarms are easy to use and are worn on the wrist so they can be instantly activated easily by the wearers if they are attacked or have fallen. Panic alarms can be worn as pendants around the neck.

Police say it's a good idea for seniors to carry alarm devices just as they do their keys. No special skills or training are necessary. 

Religion is — and always has been — part of American life and culture. 

Native Americans worshipped in their own ways long before European settlers set foot on Americans soil, and when they did, at least some came to practice their own religions freely. Most were Christian, both Catholic and Protestant, including small sects apart from more mainstream faiths. Over more than three centuries of colonization and then nationhood, various faiths and traditions spread across our huge nation. Most are among the world’s great traditional faiths — Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism — but we also embrace smaller religious communities, what the late, great comedian Flip Wilson tagged the “church of what’s happening now.” These are often one-of-a-kind religious communities centered on a charismatic leader and without a particular creed or formal statement of belief.

Religion in America is personal. We can choose to be part of a traditional faith or we can do our own thing. We can decide to be “spiritual” as opposed to “religious,” and we can decide we are not sure there is a higher power or that we believe there is none at all. And all of this is guaranteed under the First Amendment of our Constitution, addressing freedom of expression, both political and religious, a right so fundamental and important that the Founding Fathers listed it first.

That does not mean, however, that we know much about the faiths our fellow Americans profess beyond our own, if we have one. The Pew Research Center recently released the results of a national study entitled “Religion and Public Life,” which finds that most of us know not so much about faiths beyond our own, and some of us know not so much about ours either. Here is a broad outline of Americans’ knowledge of the world’s traditional faiths.

Jews, atheists and agnostics answer questions about religious knowledge correctly more than half the time.

Evangelical Protestants also answer religious knowledge questions correctly at above average levels.

Mainline Protestants, Catholics and Mormons answer correctly at about the same level as the general public.

When asked specific questions about Christianity, evangelical Christians score at about the same levels as atheists and agnostics, followed by Catholics, mainline Protestants, Mormons and Jews.

Religious knowledge gets murkier when asked about faiths other than Christianity.

Not surprisingly, Jews score well on questions regarding Judaism, but others not so much. Next highest, but still far behind, are atheists with historically black Protestant congregants bringing up the rear.

When questions about elements of other world religions — Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism — we Americans are almost blank slates. Fewer than half of us know that most people in Thailand are Buddhists. Only about one quarter of us know that Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, and fewer than 20-percent of us know that Ethiopia is a predominantly Christian nation.

Interestingly, most Americans can define what atheists and agnostics believe, but more than 10% of us have no idea at all.

Perhaps more troubling is that while most of us of all religious stripes or no religious stripe at all know that the US Constitution protects freedom of religion, only a quarter of us understand that there can be no religious test for holding public office in our country. In other words, most of us apparently and erroneously believe office holders must affirm some religious beliefs.

The Pew Research Center offers neither conclusions nor opinions on any of this — just the facts as it determined them. It seems clear, though, that in our growing and diverse nation, the more we know and understand each other the better. At this point in our history, we are at each other’s throats politically with no détente in sight. Our freedom of religion is among our most precious legacies from our founders. Perhaps in celebrating and honoring that freedom we will learn more about each other and begin building bridges in other areas of our common lives.

Honestly, we have little place to go but up.

I doubt that Leonard Pitts, Jr. has ever read anything that I have written, and we certainly have never engaged in conversation. If either of those were the case, I am certain he would contend I fit the description of an “honorary white” as he presents it in his column titled, “Honorary whiteness must be one powerful drug.” The column appeared in The Fayetteville ObserverThursday, July 25. Pitts, who is black, is an American commentator, journalist and novelist.

His column starts by explaining that “honorary white” was the status assigned to black performers from the United States who visited South Africa during the apartheid regime. He says The O’Jays, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, and Eartha Kitt were among those who received that designation. Pitts explained that receiving this designation allowed them “access to hotels and restaurants from which black Africans were barred.” 

At this point, Pitts lays the groundwork for defining people like me as “honorary whites” in America. He writes:

“While there is no official “honorary white” status in this country, American politics has evolved a rough analog. As lily-white conservatism has lurched deeper into a brazen racism and xenophobia reminiscent of the 1950s, black and brown people willing to use their color to give it moral cover have seen themselves eagerly embraced by those whose sins they abet.”

Then Pitts reports the reactions of two supporters of President Donald Trump. This was in response to Trump telling “four congresswomen of color to ‘go back’ to their countries.” He said:

“But ultimately, the joke is always on them. In recent days, we’ve seen that lesson learned painfully and publicly by two men: a black Donald Trump voter named Kevin Martin and a Donald Trump friend of Puerto Rican heritage named Geraldo Rivera.

“The former told CNN last week that when Trump told four congresswomen of color to ‘go back’ to their countries, it ‘just came out of left field’ and ‘hit a lot of us in the gut.’ The latter, while loyally insisting Trump has ‘been treated unfairly,’ conceded to The New York Times that, ‘As much as I have denied it and averted my eyes from it, this latest incident made it impossible.’

“To which, the only appropriate response is: ‘Wow. Just... wow.’”

The writer goes on to rehearse the usual list of Trump comments and actions that his accusers point to as indicators of him being racist. Then comes his claim that it is acceptable for blacks to be conservative as the term was once understood. His caveat is: “But this modern iteration doesn’t care about small government or muscular diplomacy. Rather, it is working to normalize racism and enshrine xenophobia, and if you’re black or brown and still don’t realize that, well, again, wow.”

The following statements go to the heart of what Leonard Pitts, Jr. thinks about people like me:

“One can only conclude that honorary whiteness must be one powerful drug. Side effects include cultural amnesia and (the) inability to process reality.

“You are not special, only useful. You’d be wise to learn the difference.” 

What Leonard Pitts, Jr. presents is not unique to him. It is the dominant message to black Americans who have the unadulterated audacity to break free of “black group thought,” pursue facts and, at least, attempt to reach rational conclusions. If that process takes a black American to any other conclusion than that which is rooted in consistently seeing racism in every action that calls our people to individual responsibility; promoting the mental state of victimization and being entitled to all kinds of governmental assistance; distrusting white Americans for simply being white; justifying civil and criminal behavior; when beneficial to the black group thought” agenda, totally disregarding the rule of law; and the list goes on in similar fashion … we are called “honorary whites,” “Uncle Toms” and other demeaning names. 

The aim is to, through intimidation and shaming, drive into silence or compliance with “black group thought,” any black who dares to think for him or herself and contrary to the tenets of “black group thought.” I confess to thinking, speaking and writing in ways that bring the wrath of the Leonard Pitts Juniors of the world squarely down on me.

However, I find reassurance in knowing that, although the group might be small, I am not alone. There are other black Americans who refuse to be controlled in their thinking who will not bow at the altar of “black group thought.” For instance, there is Dr. Ben Carson. Here is a black American who grew up in poverty in a single-parent household headed by his mother, dealt with anger issues early in life, but went on to become a renowned neurosurgeon, author and capable presidential candidate. He now serves as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Trump administration. 

There is absolutely no reason to think Leonard Pitts Jr. has spent any time in civil conversation with Trump. Carson clearly has done so on many occasions. Here is Carson’s assessment as reported in an article by Sandy Fitzgerald titled, “Ben Carson: Trump Is Not a Racist and Neither Are His Comments”: 

‘Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson Wednesday rejected claims that President Donald Trump and his comments about four Democratic freshman congresswomen are racist. 

“’I have an advantage of knowing the president very well,’ Carson told Fox News’ ‘America’s Newsroom.’ ‘He’s not a racist and his comments are not racist, but he loves the country very much and, you know, he has a feeling that those who represent the country should love it as well.’

“He added that Trump’s policies have resulted in minorities being lifted out of poverty through expanded work opportunities, and said a racist would not be interested in helping minority communities. 

“Carson also on the program discussed the ‘opportunity zones’ program, which aims to make it easier for investors to take advantage of tax breaks to help benefit low-income communities.” 

Like Carson, I am watching Trump’s actions and assessing him in light of those actions. That is my approach in dealing with people no matter who they are. When examined in light of actions, words that are contrary to the actions become meaningless. Even though Leonard Pitts, Jr. would assign “honorary whiteness” to Carson, me, and others who are black but support Trump, I will continue reading his commentary. 

That is because of something my father said to me many years ago. I walked into a room where he was listening to a preacher on the radio. That preacher was not saying anything that made sense to me. Realizing Daddy must have recognized the absence of value in what was coming from that radio, I asked why he was listening. He responded, “No matter how senseless something seems, you can always learn from it.” Daddy was right; consequently, I will keep reading Pitts’ commentary so that I am constantly, and profoundly, reminded not to join in “black group thought.” Thank you, Mr. Pitts, Jr.

There are other black Americans who refuse to be controlled in their thinking who will not bow at the altar of “black group thought.” 

It’s celebration time! The Best of Fayetteville is here. This is the event we have anticipated all year long. Well, actually, Best of Fayetteville may be a misnomer. It should be titled Best of Cumberland County because it en­compasses the best of the best people, services, businesses and organizations county-wide as determined by the read­ers of our community newspaper, Up & Coming Weekly. This is why we invited Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner to rep­resent Cumberland County and cohost the awards party.

Each winning entity has distinguished itself within the community by reinforc­ing our values, defining our community’s personality and contributing to our quality of life. We received thousands of ballots during the month of June and painstakingly recorded the sentiments of our readers. You need to get to know these people, businesses and organizations. They are the ones who continually impact our community. They are the ones who leave a positive and indelible impres­sion of pride on us and who have laid the groundwork for the success of future gen­erations of residents, visitors and guests.

Granted, this survey is informal and not very scientific. However, with the rules, conditions and restrictions we place on participation, the end results have proven to be accurate, dependable and reflective of our community.

The Up & Coming Weekly Best of Fayetteville edition you are holding in your hands will serve you well through­out the year. It is a valuable visitor’s guide, service directory and cultural and event resource.

The format of and guidelines for this sanctioned, time-tested survey have been designed and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organiza­tions the recognition they deserve for their ethics, dedication and persever­ance in their quest for excellence. Every category winner has achieved the high­est level of excellence in what they do — no nominations needed.  
For 22 years, Up & Coming Weekly has successfully told the winners’ stories and revealed their secrets to success without a single regret or complaint. And, we did it without bogus nomina­tions, gimmicky advertising, ballot stuffing, pay-to-play shenanigans or costly events. There are no second-or third-place winners with Best of Fayetteville. There is only one winner per category.
In this fast-paced and competitive market, only the best of the best survive. This is why we are proud to be associ­ated with and supported by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Leaders know the value of a sound foundation in building a better community. Here, that founda­tion is this community’s best of the best people, businesses and organizations.
Please join me, the Up & Com­ing Weekly staff and our 2019 Best of Fayetteville sponsors as we begin this yearlong celebration. Pick up extra cop­ies of this special edition of Up & Com­ing Weekly at any one of our 500 county-wide locations, or stop by our corporate offices at 208 Rowan St.
 For 24/7, 365-days-a-year access to the Best of Fayetteville winners list, visit www.upandcomingweekly.com. While you’re there, sign up for our free elec­tronic subscription and receive the Early Bird edition of Up & Coming Weekly every Tuesday afternoon.
I also want to welcome Mark Pez­zella and Five Star Entertainment as a corporate sponsor of Best of Fayetteville. Thank you to Jimmy Keefe of the Trophy House and CPA Lee Utley for nearly two decades of supporting and partnering with us in this valuable endeavor.
I hope you enjoy this special edition. Keep it handy and refer to it often. We sincerely thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly and for making us your only locally owned community newspaper.
BILL BOWMAN, Publisher, UP & COMING WEEKLY. COM­MENTS? BILL@upandcomin­gweekly.com. 910-484-6200.

Click Here for our complete Winners List:

• Best Restaurant Overall.........Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

• Best North Side Restaurant........Scrub Oaks Contemporary American

Pub

• Best Downtown Restaurant..........Circa 1800

• Best Dining With Kids.........Chuck E. Cheese

• Best Fine Dining........Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

• Best New Restaurant.........Drop by the River Seafood

• Best Place For A Romantic Dinner..... Antonella’s Italian Ristorante

• Best Local Caterer............Peaden’s Seafood & Catering

• Best Waitstaff/Service......Peaden’s Seafood & Catering

• Best Brew House...............Mash House Brewing Company

• Best Wine Shop.............. The Wine Café

• Best Breakfast..................Zorba’s Gyro

• Best Sunday Brunch...............Circa 1800

• Best Business Lunch.............Huske Hardware House

• Best Food Truck...........R Burger

• Best Appetizers..............Antonella’s Italian Ristorante

• Best Coffee House......... Rude Awakening

• Best Deli................New Deli

• Best German Restaurant....... Max & Moritz Bakery & Restaurant

• Best Indian Restaurant..........Tandoori Bites

• Best Italian Restaurant......... Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

• Best Japanese Restaurant...........Miyabi Japanese Steak & Seafood House

• Best Korean Restaurant.........E Tae Won

• Best Chinese Restaurant..............Hunan Garden

• Best Vietnamese Restaurant...........Saigon Bistro

• Best Thai Restaurant...............Prik Thai Cuisine

• Best Sushi Restaurant.................NONA SUSHI

• Best Mediterranean Restaurant........Olea Mediterranean Kitchen

• Best Greek Cuisine...........Zorba’s Gyro

• Best Mexican Restaurant..Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant

• Best Seafood Restaurant........Peaden’s Seafood & Catering

• Best Soul Food Restaurant...........Fred Chasons Grandsons

• Best Southern-Style Restaurant................Fred Chasons Grandsons

• Best Vegetarian Cuisine...........Bombay Bistro

• Best Vegan Cuisine..................Bombay Bistro

• Best Bakery...............................Superior Bakery

• Best Desserts...........................Sweet Boutique

• Best BBQ.......... Southern Coals Country Style Kitchen

• Best Hamburger.................Rustic Burger

• Best Hot Dog......................Hot Diggidy Dog

• Best Fried Chicken...................KFC

• Best Pizza (Eat In)..............Mellow Mushroom

• Best Pizza (Take Out)...........Pizza Hut

• Best Ribs.................Texas Roadhouse

• Best Steaks.............Texas Roadhouse

• Best Wings............. 301 Wingz

• Best Bowling Alley.............B&B Lanes

• Best Extreme Activity/Adventure......ZipQuest - Waterfall & Treetop Adventure

• Best Golf Course..... Gates Four Golf & Country Club

• Best Fitness Coach...... Kasey Adair of Omni Health & Fitness Center

• Best Local Picnic Area.......Arnette Park

• Best Place For Taking A Hike.............Cape Fear River Trail

• Best Place For Doggie Walk...........Cape Fear River Trail

• Best Recreation Center........Stedman Recreation Center

• Best Senior Living Center..............Heritage Place

• Best Shooting Range.........Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

• Most Responsive City Politician.....Councilman Johnny Dawkins

• Most Responsive County Politician....Commissioner Michael Boose

• Most Respected Civic Leader.....Judge Toni King

• Biggest Local Scandal...........Judge April Smith

• Best Use Of Local Tax Dollars.......Segra Stadium

• Worst Use Of Local Tax Dollars..........Segra Stadium

• Best Place To Commune With Nature...Cape Fear Botanical Garden

• Best Local Festival/Event............Fayetteville Dogwood Festival

• Best Change In Fayetteville For 2019...Fayetteville Woodpeckers

  Baseball

• Worst Change In Fayetteville For 2019..........Paid Parking Downtown

• Best Local Landmark..........Market House

• Best Little-Known Attraction.......Museum of the Cape Fear

• Coolest Venue Downtown.......Segra Stadium

• Best Thing To Show Off To Visitors........Airborne & Special Operations  Museum

• Worst Thing To Hide From Visitors.......Bragg Blvd.

• What Does Fayetteville Need Most......Downtown Parking

• Best Local Community Project......The Vision Resource Center

• Best Local Nonprofit Organization.........Fayetteville Animal Protection     Society

• Best Local Fundraising Event.... Cape Beard Pig Pickin’ for Autism

• Best Venue/Club For Live Music............Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

• Best Night Club Overall......................... Club Halo

• Best Neighborhood Bar..........................Paddy’s Irish Public House

• Best Bar for Craft Beers........................ Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom

• Best Sports Bar.......................................Bubba’s 33

• Best Pool Room......................................Corner Pockets

• Best Area TV Station............ABC11 WTVD

• Best Traffic Report................NBC5 WRAL

• Best Weather Report.............NBC5 WRAL

• Best Local Columnist/Writer.........Bill Kirby

• Best Veteran-Owned Business..........Chop Shop Tattoos

• Best Shopping Complex (Not the mall)...............Westwood Shopping Center

• Best Store For A Unique Gift..... White Trash & Colorful Accessories

• Best Health Food Store.....Apple Crate Natural Market

• Best Candy/Sweet Shop... Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop

• Best Tobacco Shop......Anstead’s Tobacco Company

• Best Place To Buy Local Art.............Cape Fear Studios

• Best Framing Shop...............Lisa’s Custom Framing

• Best Furniture Store - Used......New & Nearly New Thrift Shop

• Best Furniture Store - New........Bullard Furniture

• Best Antique Shop...........The Pickin’ Coop

• Best Book Store - Used.................2ND & CHARLES

• Best Library Branch......Headquarters Library

• Best Private School.............Village Christian Academy

• Best Carpet/Flooring Store......... Cape Fear Flooring & Restoration

• Best Clothing Store - Men..............Belk

• Best Clothing Store - Women............ Belk

• Best Clothing Store - Children............Tiny Town

• Best Thrift Shop....... Timely Treasures Thrift Store

• Best Consignment Shop......High Cotton Consignment

• Best Pawn Shop.............Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

• Best Jewelry Store..........Rhudy’s Jewelry Showroom

• Best Sporting Goods Store..... Academy Sports

• Best Place To Buy A Gun...............Jim’s Pawn and Gun Jobbery

• Best Car Dealer - Used.............. CarMax

• Best Car Dealer - New..........Bryan Honda

• Best Auto Repair........Black’s Tire & Auto Service

• Best Car Wash/Detailing....TLC Auto Wash

• Best Motorcycle Service........Baker American Cycles

• Best Motorcycle Dealer - Used.....................Baker American Cycles

• Best Motorcycle Dealer - New.............Baker American Cycles

• Best Tire Store..........Black’s Tire & Auto Service

• Best CPA Firm .......McFadyen & Sumner, CPAs PA

• Best Law Firm....Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law

• Best Legal Assistant...........Danielle Rea...Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law

• Best Criminal Attorney..... David Courie...Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law

• Best Divorce Attorney..............Timothy Edwards...Blackwell and Edwards

• Best Personal Injury Attorney ...............Mark Sternlicht...Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law

• Best Traffic Ticket Attorney ..........Mark Hearp...Beaver Courie Sternlicht Hearp & Broadfoot, P.A. Attorneys At Law

• Best Local Pharmacy...........Cape Fear Discount Drugs

• Best Family Dentist................Village Family Dental

• Best Pediatric Dentist.........Highland Pediatric Dental

• Best Orthodontist..............Village Family Dental

• Best Chiropractor..........Nelson & Nelson Chiropractic

• Best Aesthetician ...............Riya Nepal

• Best Urgent Care.................FastMed Urgent Care

• Best Family Medical Practice.....................Village Internal Medicine

• Best OB/GYN......... Women’s Wellness Center

• Best Pediatrician............Rainbow Pediatrics

• Best Optometrist ........Dr. Hakkam Alsaidi of Risk Optometric Associates, PA

• Best Ophthalmologist... Dr. Wayne Riggins of Cape Fear Eye Associates, PA

• Best Electrical Contractor.......................Blanton’s Air, Plumbing & Electric

• Best HVAC Contractor...... Blackwell Heating & Air Conditioning

• Best Plumbing Contractor .... Wade Hardin Plumbing

• Best Computer Repair Service.......Ross I.T. Services

• Best Cell Phone Repair...............ifixandrepair

• Best Bank........BB&T

• Best Credit Union.....State Employees’ Credit Union

• Best Hair Salon...... Blown Away Hair Studio

• Best Barber Shop............. Pinky’s Chop Shop

• Best Place to Board Pets.........Bed & Biscuits Boarding

• Best Pet-Sitting   ...........................Carolina Pet Care

• Best Dog Groomer..............................Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming

• Best Vet/Animal Hospital.........Animal Hospital of Fayetteville

• Best Employment Agency... Express Employment Professionals

• Best Wedding Venue........Cape Fear Botanical Garden

• Best Convention Venue .......Crown Center Complex

• Best Florist...............Always Flowers by Crenshaw

• Best Funeral Service.... Rogers & Breece Funeral Home

• Best Health Club/Gym.........Planet Fitness

• Best Day Spa......Renaissance European Day Spa

• Best Place For A Kids Party..................Monkey Joe’s

• Best Sign/Banner Company..................FASTSIGNS

• Best Advertising Specialties... Carolina Specialties International

• Best Mortgage Company...........Union Home Mortgage

• Best Real Estate Company..........1st Choice Real Estate

• Best Realtor........... Santina Lashay Epps-Thomas of 1st Choice Real Estate

• Best Insurance Agent/Agency............Kurt Riehl of State Farm

• Best Security/Alarm Company..........Gill Security Systems INC.

• Best Moving Company.................Andy Anderson Moving Co.

• Best Remodeling Contractor......... Jason’s Home Improvements

• Best House Cleaning..........Savvy Cleaning Company

• Best Lawn & Garden/Nursery............Bell’s Seed Store

• Best Landscaping Company..............Snow’s Landscaping & Lawncare Inc.

• Best Pool/Spa Company.................Hallmark Spa & Pools

• Best Place To Get A Tattoo/Body Piercing........Evolution Ink

• Best Live Theatre......Cape Fear Regional Theatre

• Best Local Actor/Actress.... Lanie Jo Myrtle

• Best Play/Musical This Season........“Annie” at Cape Fear Regional Theatre

• Best Art Gallery.......The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

• Best Museum........Airborne & Special Operations Museum

• Best Cinema Complex..... Millstone 14

• Best Local Celebrity........J. Cole

Best of Fayetteville 2019 Winners

Select a Category

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Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch has had a strong presence in this community for a long time. The nonprofit organization is set to celebrate two special anniversaries in the coming weeks, and the public is invited to participate. The organization will host a 10th anniversary and 13th anniversary celebration Monday, Aug. 5, through Friday, Aug. 9. 

“We are celebrating... our 10-year anniversary for our breakfast program, where we serve the homeless and the poor here in the greater Fayetteville area, and we are celebrating our 13th anniversary as an organization,” said Rev. Ronald Rallis, deputy director of Operation Inasmuch. “For example, this morning we had over 105 individuals that we served breakfast to, and we had about 16 volunteers from the Elks Lodge and a church that wanted to come serve and minister to the homeless population.” 

Thirteen years ago, the founder of Operation Inasmuch, Sue Byrd, started the organization with a couple of people. They had the vision of seeing a ministry on Hillsboro Street that would serve the poor and the homeless in the area.

“St. Luke AME Church donated the facility that is here at 531 Hillsboro St.,” said Rallis, “and we have been serving breakfast for the last 10 years. It grew from that. When we say serving breakfast, that means we do it restaurant style. 

“Last year, we served over 23,000 people and had the privilege of having more than 9,000 volunteers from over 100 churches, businesses and professional organizations to come and serve every weekday morning.” 

Rallis noted that the organization added some houses and built a lodge two years ago, across the street from the breakfast program. It is a transitional work program lodge that has 40 beds for men who no longer want to be homeless. 

“In order to become a part of the program, they have to come to the breakfast first at 7:30 a.m. to register, and (they) become a family member,” said Rallis. “They will meet with our family services coordinator, Sheri Duarte, who will give them an overall briefing as to what services are being offered.”       

Rallis added that Operation Inasmuch is the only place in Fayetteville that works with the Fayetteville Police Department in providing identification cards for the homeless.   

“Aug. 5-9 is a weeklong celebration of our 10th anniversary of serving breakfast and our 13th anniversary of the ministry itself,” said Rallis. “This whole ministry is 10:13, which references Romans 10:13 that says, “And all that call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 

During the celebration, the following organizations, groups or individuals will serve breakfast as follows: 
• Monday, Aug. 5: 15 philanthropic organizations — Kiwanis, The Elks, The Rotary  
• Tuesday, Aug. 6: Civil service members — Judges, Cumberland County Commissioners, City Council                                                                 
• Wednesday, Aug. 7: Businesses — Pep Boys, Staples, Peaden’s
• Thursday, Aug. 8: Professionals — Law firms, dental offices, insurance companies
• Friday, Aug. 9: 15 churches 

Aug. 7 is also Operation Inasmuch Baseball Night at Segra Stadium at 7 p.m. “We would love for everyone to come out and support (this event),” said Rallis. “We are giving God the glory of allowing us to be able to serve the community.” Tickets for the baseball game cost $12. 

Operation Inasmuch offers a variety of other services, including counseling, family services, dental missions of mercy, eye glasses, haircuts, hygiene and grooming products, resume preparation and more. For more information, call 714-309-0814. 

Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch provides a vast array of services to help homeless and low-income people in the area get back on their feet.