The North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star games are scheduled July 15-16 in Greensboro in conjunction with the annual North Carolina Coaches Association Clinic.

Following are capsule biographies of the Cumberland County coaches and athletes who were selected to compete in this year’s game. This list was current as of press time, but players can be added or dropped up to the week of the games, depending on availability.

Basketball: Girls

Monday, July 15, 6 p.m., Greensboro Coliseum

• Coach: David May, Pine Forest 

East girls head coach.  This will be May’s final game as head coach. Stepping down after coaching both girls and boys at his high school alma mater, Pine Forest. Career record of 298-199 in 19 seasons. Teams won two regular-season conference titles, two conference tournament titles and made 11 trips to state playoffs. Three-time conference Coach of Year. Also Cape Fear Region and District Coach of the Year. Played college basketball at University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

• Players:

Kendal Moore, Pine Forest: 5-6, guard Named Associated Press All-State. Second team North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association All- State. All-Conference, Conference All-Tournament, All-District. Played in the North Carolina-South Carolina All-Star game. Averaged 24.6 points, 4.5 assists. Headed to North Carolina State on scholarship, where she will major in biology.

Alexandria Scruggs, E.E. Smith: 6-0, forward Associated Press All-State and North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association All-State. District Player of the Year. Led team in scoring with 26.2 points per game and rebounding with 12.8 per game. Member of E.E. Smith Academy of Scholars. Will attend Wake Forest on scholarship and major in health and exercise science.

Basketball: Boys

Monday, July 15, after girls game, Greensboro Coliseum

• Players: 

Brion McLaurin, Seventy-First: 6-7, forward All-Conference, Conference Player of the Year, All-District, District Player of the Year, Ike Walker Holiday Classic MVP. Averaged 17.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Earned scholarship to Chowan University, where he will major in sports and fitness management.

Football

July 17, 8 p.m. at Grimsley High School’s Jamieson Stadium

• Coach: Duran McLaurin, Seventy-First

East assistant coach. In six seasons at his alma mater Seventy-First, McLaurin is 56-18. His career record is 82-44. Teams have won two conference titles with nine state playoff appearances in 11 seasons. Played college football and basketball at North Carolina Central. Has also been a head coach at E.E. Smith and assistant coach at Westover, South View and Seventy-First.

• Players:

Dante Bowlding, Terry Sanford: 5-10, 180, defensive back Named All-Region and All-Eastern. Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Had 172 tackles, 80 solos, five tackles for loss and five interceptions. Alltime school leader in tackles with 419. Will attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke on scholarship and major in exercise science and physiology. 

Kyler Davis, Seventy-First: 6-1, 208, quarterback All-Conference and team Offensive Player of the Year. Passed for 5,829 yards, 55 touchdowns and rushed for 2,262 yards and 24 touchdowns for his career. Volunteer at McNair Foundation. Active member of Spring Branch Missionary Baptist Church. Undecided on college choice.

Photo: David May

Rock’n on the River, presented by Healy Wholesale Company, Inc., is set for Friday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m. The music event will take place at 1122 Person St., behind Deep Creek Outfitters.

“Rock’n on the River is Fayetteville’s newest free music venue where adults can take kids, be safe, have police protection, have beer and food and listen to free music,” said Greg Adair, founder of Rock’n on the River. Adair compared the event to a small-scale Fayetteville After Five, noting that Rock’n on the River is usually on the third Friday of the month.

The August concert features Adair’s band, Rivermist, and a Leonard Skynyrd tribute band. “Rivermist is a great group of guys,” said Adair. “We have been together since 2014 as a band.

“The direction changed at the end of 2016. We were limiting ourselves to classic rock, and you cannot limit yourself to one genre and succeed there unless you are a tribute band.”

Adair added that some of the biggest things that have contributed to Rivermist’s success locally are being humble, approachable and kind to people. The band has a Christian background. Its members believe their success and anything they do is a blessing, and they know where it comes from. 

“Two of the band members, who are another guy and I, had open-heart surgery years ago, and both of us are walking testimonies,” Adair said. “It has been 10 years now, and I feel better now than when I was in my 30s.”

“My purpose of the event is to have another family-friendly event that all families can go to that does not cost an arm and a leg,” said Adair. “It has been my vision to do this. Plus, it is right by the river, and nobody has really done anything with the Cape Fear River in years.”

Adair added that the first Rock’n on the River show hosted approximately 440 people. At the last show, there were 580 people, which keeps it intimate. The audience is not far from the stage and can hear the music easily.

“I want people to come to the event and be relaxed and drawn to it,” said Adair. “I want to thank Healy Wholesale. I appreciate their friendship and support because we could not do this without them.”

The event is free and open to the public. Food, beer and drinks will be available for purchase. Parking begins at 5 p.m. and costs $5 per car. Coolers and containers are not allowed. Bring chairs, umbrellas and blankets. For more information or to become a sponsor, follow the event on Facebook or email rocknontheriver@gmail.com.

Editor’s note: This is part of a series on Cumberland County high school spring football workouts.

Ernest King took over as Westover head football coach late in the offseason development period last year, making his challenge to field a competitive football team even more difficult.

He responded by guiding the Wolverines to a 4-7 record. Now, with more than a year working on the program behind him, he’s optimistic about this fall’s outlook.

“The biggest thing is we’ve got the majority of our offensive line back,’’ he said. “We’ve got our running backs back, and our receiving corps is back.’’

There is one big hole to fill on offense with talented quarterback Xavier Marsh departed.

“Our receiver corps has to make our quarterback look good this year,’’ King said. “When the ball is in the air, we’ve got to attack it.’’

Most of the defense returns, highlighted by linebacker Taurienne Freeman. 

“He’s our leader on defense,’’ King said. “He finished last year with 169 tackles. We expect him to do the same thing this year, lead us even more and hopefully get us to the playoffs.’’

Freeman said the focus for Westover this season is being more disciplined and knowing assignments on the field along with getting in the weight room every day.

He said things are already ahead of last year. “Everybody is finally developing as a team,’’ he said. “Everything is starting to fit in. We’re building a brotherhood and building a bond with the coaches, too, so we’re pretty good with that.’’

When it comes to returning the Wolverines to winning football, Freeman said the job for the team is obvious. “Playing hard football,’’ he said. “That’s the only way we’re going to get it back. We’ve got to come out here, play everybody hard and win. That’s how we are going to get our respect back.’’

King is expecting another tight battle for the Patriot Athletic Conference title and hopes the Wolverines will have a chance to be in the picture.

“Everybody is learning the system so when we go into summer all we are doing is getting repetitions instead of doing a lot of teaching,’’ he said. “We’ve got our coaching staff, and a majority of the kids have shown up for spring ball. We won’t lack experience.’’

Photo: Taurienne Freeman

The quality I most admire in artists is their ability to see possibility in what many would overlook. This concept is clearly evidenced through the current exhibition held at the Arts Council through Aug. 17. “Reclaimed!” is sponsored by Waste Management and the city of Fayetteville’s Environmental Services Department. It highlights art that is made primarily with recycled, repurposed and found materials. This exhibition and the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County’s partnership with its generous sponsor has been in existence for many years. However, each year the results are radically different. This year, the organizers went national and put out a call for art to creatives from around the country.

Juried by Bryant Holsenbeck, an environmental artist from Durham, the Arts Council received more than 100 entries from artists across the nation, and just over half were selected for inclusion in this exhibition. Holsenbeck also chose first-, secondand third-place awards. First place went to Rebecca Siemering for “Tuft Enough.” Siemering, an artist from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, created what looks like a onesie for a child — made of dental floss and betting slips. From a distance, this work looks to be made from tufted wool or knitted material. Only a close examination reveals the unique materials used to create this work.

Second place went to Bill Sieber from Carbondale, Illinois, for “Ocean Sweep.” This work is remarkable in its simplicity, yet it reflects environmental concerns that are incredibly current. The artist strung together plastic drinking straws with fishing line to create a representation of a fishing net.

The third-place award went to Michael Weddington, an artist from Matthews, North Carolina, for “Piano Lessons: Old School, New Didactic.” The work is crafted from reclaimed piano keys and other hardware combined with wood and metal.

There are many other notable works in this exhibition, including several from local and regional artists. Sherry Young, from Fayetteville, has two works in “Reclaimed!” — including a fish made from Styrofoam cups and a seahorse made from zip ties. Raul Rubiera, also from Fayetteville, has a piece that is striking in its minimalism and balance. It is made from two saw blades connected by a branch and mounted on a slice of a tree trunk.

Many works, like Rubiera’s, are not just works of beauty created with recycled, reclaimed and found materials; they also state something more profound. Rubiera describes his work as “a mixture of natural materials and the tools that transform that material into a tamed object.” While the description and the work itself does not place judgment on the materials or usage thereof, it does make the viewer think more critically about what we toss aside to make our lives more comfortable and more convenient.

Art has the power to make us think critically about our lives. This exhibition does just that while also showcasing the transformative nature of objects and the art that can be created from what is normally discarded.

This exhibition is on display at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, 301 Hay St., until Aug. 17. For gallery hours and more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com.

Meetings

For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113.

• Historic Preservation Commission Wednesday, July 10, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building

• Board of Commissioners Monday, July 15, 7 p.m., Luther Board Room, Town Hall

• Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, July 16, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Monday, July 22, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

• Appearance Commission Tuesday, July 23, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation

• Veterans Affairs Commission Thursday, July 25, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

Activities

• Good2Grow Farmers Market Saturday, Aug. 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., between Town Hall and Parks and Recreation Building.

• Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club at Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240.

• Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Senior programs at Parks and Recreation Building. Senior programs are for those ages 55 and up who are residents of Cumberland County. Various activities, especially Zumba classes, are scheduled Monday through Sunday throughout the day. For details on times and days, check the schedule at townofhopemills.com. You can call the recreation center at 910-426-4109 or e-mail Kasey Ivey at kivey@townofhopemills.com.

• Hope Mills Parks and Recreation is currently accepting registration for men’s and coed adult softball for the fall 2019 season. Registration will end Aug. 3 or when all leagues are filled, and the season will begin Aug. 12. The cost is $500 per team. For additional information, call 910-308-7651.

Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

Recently, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr wrote a newspaper column criticizing the Eastern Band of the Cherokee for opposing the South Carolina-based Catawba Tribe’s efforts to acquire land near Kings Mountain to build a casino. Burr also criticized the Cherokees for lobbying against full recognition for the Lumbee tribe because they view it as a threat to their federal benefits and gaming business.

In a response published in the June 23 News & Observer, Richard Sneed, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, stated, “Actually, the Eastern Band has opposed Lumbee recognition legislation for literally a century, long before tribal gaming. The Lumbees have claimed to be a Cherokee tribe and at least three other historic tribes over the years, and their identity as an historic tribe and as individual descendants of an historic tribe has been questioned for many, many years.”

So, what are the facts? Where did the Lumbee people come from? How are they different from other Native Americans, and how are they alike?

Malinda Maynor Lowery, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill associate professor of history and director of the Center for the Study of the American South, takes on this challenge in her new book, “The Lumbee Indians: An American Struggle.”

As a member of the Lumbee tribe with deep family roots in the Lumbee community, Lowery brings more than scholarship to her explanation of her people’s origins and history. She weaves her family’s experience with the defining events in Lumbee history. The main characters in Lumbee and family history turn out to be a fascinating blend of characters, heroes and scoundrels, preachers and bootleggers, lawyers and lawbreakers, and farmers, all deeply attached to the swampy lands along the Lumber River in Robeson County.

In the early 1700s, as early American Indian tribes were decimated by disease and the relentless pressure from European settlement, remnants from these groups made their way to the Lumber River (then called Downing Creek). By the 1750s, Lowery writes, “the people of Downing Creek and its swamps knit together families and places. They traced belonging through kinship, spoke English and farmed.”

Lowery cites reports of violent action in 1773 at Downing Creek that included the names of “Chavis, Locklear, Grooms, Ivey, Sweat, Kearsey, and Dial families, all ancestors of today’s Lumbees.”

During and after the Civil War, Henry Berry Lowry and his gang made war on the white establishment. Though Lowry escaped punishment, a cohort, Henderson Oxendine, was captured and hanged in 1871. For his last words, he sang “Amazing Grace" and “And Can I Yet Delay,” an old Methodist hymn. Oxendine is Malinda Lowery’s great-great-grandfather. Henry Berry Lowry is remembered and revered in the community as the Lumbee Robin Hood.

In the post-Civil War and Jim Crow times, Lumbees fought for Indian schools, state recognition and a tribal name, finally settling on the Lumbee name in the 1950s.

One defining event in Lumbee history occurred in 1958 when a large group of Lumbees disrupted a Ku Klux Klan rally near Maxton and chased its leaders away, gaining positive national attention for the Lumbee.

The Lumbee effort for federal recognition gained partial success in 1956 with the passage of the Lumbee Act. It recognized the tribe as Indian but did not make its people eligible for the benefits accorded other recognized tribes.

As for the future, Lowery closes her book with a strong argument for full recognition of the Lumbee. “Under pressure of European settlement, our ancestors abandoned many of our oldest homeplaces, but having existed for nearly 300 years along the Lumber River, we will not forsake this place.”

Lowery may not persuade everyone that the Lumbee tribe should gain full recognition. But what she has shown conclusively is that the Lumbee people are entitled to respect, admiration and appreciation for their 300-plus years struggle to build and hold their community together.

Photo: Malinda Maynor Lowery

For the last five years, Elizabeth Blevins has been exploring ways to bring art to the town of Hope Mills. After finding out she wasn’t alone in her quest, Blevins put together a committee that is going to try to make this dream happen. The newly created Hope Mills Creative Arts Council held its first official meetings last month and has as its ultimate goal bringing public displays of art to the community.

During her search for ways to bring art to the town, Blevins learned about the nearby town of Cameron in Moore County. Some years ago, a Cameron native moved to New York and became a prominent artist. He then returned to his hometown with some artist friends and painted numerous murals on various local buildings. The murals drew many visitors to the town, and Blevins would like to see Hope Mills try something similar.

“We love art, but art with a purpose,’’ Blevins said. One of the biggest reasons to bring art to a town like Hope Mills, she said, is research shows it can increase both commercial and private property values.

In addition to increasing property values, art has an effect on citizens. “It makes them proud of their community to know we have this,’’ she said. “When they are proud, they act a little better. They invest emotionally and then financially in their own community.’’

A spinoff of the art group would also be to promote a garden club and an appearance club that would work one-on-one with property owners to help them beautify their homes and businesses.

“We want to move forward with that to create an artist’s cooperative where we pair artists with local businesses,’’ Blevins said. “We already have space available and can turn businesses in our community into micro-art galleries.’’

Blevins said this could also lead to local performances with musicians, comedians, dancers and all manner of entertainment.

“We want art to be an integral part of daily life in Hope Mills,’’ she said. “We want Hope Mills to be the kind of destination people are willing to drive three hours to visit because of the art.’’

Karoll McDonald, who runs her own creative marketing agency, reached out to work with Blevins when she first heard about Blevins' idea to bring public art to Hope Mills.

“Whenever you do things that promote art, it creates a connection with the community,’’ McDonald said. “Whenever people see colors, see art, it gives them a sense of belonging, that they are part of something.’’ 

McDonald said the committee has already gotten positive response from a number of businesses. “There are a couple of exciting things coming up this year for the people in Hope Mills,’’ she said.

Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner has attended meetings of the committee and is excited citizens of the town are involved in this project. “They’re so interested and have so many creative ideas,’’ she said of the group. Warner said she has displayed local art in her private business and has sold some pieces created by local artists.

“We can tap that talent to start with,’’ she said. “The cultural side has not been developed like it should be. I think we need to start promoting (the fact) that we do have some talent here and some creative people here.’’

Photo:  Some founding members of the Hope Mills Creative Arts Council, left to right: Kenjuana McCray, Beth Cooper, Dennis Brechner, Pat Edwards, Sue Moody, Elizabeth Blevins, Adam Walls, Jim Blevins, Karoll McDonald

South View track and cross country coach Jesse Autry got a phone call recently that nearly brought him to tears. One of his assistant coaches told him work had finally begun on installing a rubberized track at the South View football field.

It was a successful completion of an arduous process Autry has been chasing for years, culminating in a fundraising effort he championed on Facebook.

Autry wanted to praise everyone who helped. “I can’t say enough at what Dr. (Tonjai) Robertson, Chad Barbour and Vernon Aldridge and everyone has done,’’ he said. Robertson is the South View principal, Barbour the school’s athletic director and Aldridge the student activities director for Cumberland County Schools.

“People have pitched in from our community, and alumni from our teams,’’ Autry said. “It’s really been something.’’

There is still going to be a little more money needed to finish the project completely. What’s been raised so far only covers the track. To be able to host meets at South View, the school will need to upgrade the jumping pits for events like the long jump and high jump.

“I know that the powers that be are working to make it a complete facility,’’ Autry said. “I can tell the effort is there, and they are trying to make sure the money is there.’’

The rubberized track will replace an asphalt one South View has had since 2002. While asphalt is better than the dirt tracks still used at some Cumberland County schools, Autry said it was rough on the legs of his runners. “We’ve had to run in the zero lane, as we call it, which means in the grass on the inside (of the track),’’ Autry said.

“You begin to realize rubber is a safer surface. Rubber is also faster. On asphalt, when kids try to wear spikes, they slip.’’

Autry said the new track will pay for itself because South View can host major meets and get teams to travel to run there. “People aren’t going to drive three hours to race on an asphalt track,’’ he said. “Hosting big meets means making money.”

Athletic director Barbour said the company installing the track has a 90-day contract that started June 10. The plan is to have the new track finished by Aug. 23, before South View’s first home football game.

Barbour said the installation won’t interfere with South View’s fall sports practices. Both the South View football and soccer teams have practice fields independent from the football field where work on the new track will be taking place.

History is often a traveler's best companion. I read a book titled "Here Is Where: Discovering America's Great Forgotten History" by Andrew Carroll. In the book, Carroll tells the story of Dr. Joseph Goldberger, who used prisoners in Mississippi as a control group to find a cure for pellagra. Pellagra is a disease caused by low levels of niacin, also known as vitamin B-3. It can be fatal.

In the chapter titled "Sparks: Inventions and Technological Advancements," Carroll opens with the story of Calendonia Correctional Institution. David M. Williams of Godwin, North Carolina, is the focus in this part of the story. Williams was accused of killing Cumberland County Deputy Al Pate on July 22, 1921, during a raid on a moonshine still. The evidence was mostly circumstantial, but Williams pleaded insanity. At the trial, one juror was convinced he was insane, resulting in a mistrial. At retrial, Williams pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in fear of a life sentence or the electric chair.

In 1921, while in prison, Williams eventually was able to work in the metal shop. Williams was talented with firearms, and he began working on a design for a new gun. With the help, trust and encouragement of the prison's superintendent, Captain H. T. People, Williams invented what became the most influential weapon invention in history, the short-stroke piston. The design allowed the breach of a semi-automatic weapon to travel less distance and provide a faster reload capability. This invention led to the production of a shorter, lighter and more dependable rifle, the M1 carbine.

By the end of the 1920s, Superintendent People, North Carolina Gov. Angus McLean, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, Cumberland County Sheriff N. H. McGeachy and, reportedly, Pate's widow lobbied to have Williams pardoned. Williams was pardoned and was hired by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.

In 1941, Winchester won a contract with the military to build the M1 carbine. In Carroll's book, he reports that 8 million M1s were produced for Word War II and the Korean War. It was reported that Gen. MacArthur stated the M1 carbine was "one of the strongest contributing factors in our victory in the Pacific."

I did some further research and discovered that in 1952, Jimmy Stewart starred in a movie called "Carbine Williams." I downloaded it from iTunes and enjoyed watching it. During my research, I learned there is a historical marker in Godwin, and that Williams is buried not far from there, at the Old Bluff Presbyterian Church near Wade, North Carolina.

Times are changing, and so are our ways of finding new spots and recommendations. Lately, I've been turning to social media. On Facebook, you can type in the place you want to go and ask for a recommendation. Usually, some nice person will help you out.

Recently, I've been trying to get my head around Instagram and have discovered a few things. If I type in some place I want to go, I can search for pictures and see places that people have tagged. Once I see something I like, I just message the person that posted the picture to ask them more information about the picture or where it was taken. Most of the time, people will be kind enough — maybe even excited — to help because you enjoyed their work.

Traveling and learning are just great companions, and you do not have to go across the country to find a little history.

Oh, and about Williams. I will leave you this thought. Although Williams certainly took his time in prison, he turned an evil act into a historychanging moment. What about People? If People had not recognized Williams' genius and not given him the latitude to work in that metal shop, how would World War II and the Korea Wars have turned out? Due to the superior firepower that the M1 carbine gave the U.S., I would suspect our casualty rates at the least would have been much higher, and history would be different.

It is reported that by the time Williams died at the age of 74, he had between 40 to 60 patents.

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

RIDE SAFE!

One look at the cover of this publication and you know which side of this issue we fall on. It’s been a busy Fourth of July week here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, with the holiday fireworks surrounding the negative effects Gov. Roy Cooper’s, D-N.C., veto of the 2020–22 budget will have on the residents of Cumberland County and the state. My view is that partisan political agendas and the lack of credible communication skills have the governor and his lemmings putting self-serving politics before the people.

Granted, the budget is not perfect, and there is plenty of room for improvement. However, when listening to the arguments of those who support the governor’s veto, like Democrat Sen. Kirk deViere, you would think their goal was to establish themselves as modern-day Robin Hoods.

To hear them tell it, Democrats are the only ones who care about jobs, education, infrastructure, teachers, child welfare, veterans and health care. Listen to their arguments and eventually, the true meaning of their words reveals a political agenda. It’s a biased agenda that varies from county to county, depending on individual political aspirations. Sen. deViere is constantly referring to “his” constituents. Well, we are all his constituents, and many people feel our elected delegation should look to the future of Cumberland County and pursue what is good and beneficial to our community — not short-term fixes that are politically gratifying. The major pushback is coming from the fact it does not include the governor’s pet project, Medicaid expansion.

District 45 Republican John Szoka heads our Cumberland County delegation. Szoka has gained the respect and admiration of local constituents and colleagues across the state. His effectiveness, achievements and overall statesmanship as a legislative delegate is a matter of record in Raleigh. Szoka is known for his relentless work ethic, honesty and integrity — but mostly for his obsession with pragmatic thoroughness when it comes to investigating and researching bills, policies and the needs affecting residents of Cumberland County and our state.

Szoka has rightfully earned that reputation, and it is the reason for his firm stance opposing Medicaid expansion. No one is more informed in understanding the effects of this budget on North Carolina. He was appointed by House Speaker Tim Moore, R-District 111, as a conferee to work out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget. During this time, he was a strong advocate for his district and Cumberland County. During this process, the county received the budget considerations that Szoka included in the House version of the budget. Through his persistence working on HB966, $132 million was appropriated to Cumberland County. HB 966, according to Szoka’s recent newsletter, included:

• $900,000 NC Military Business Center Fund: Provides additional funds for the North Carolina Military Business Center at Fayetteville Technical Community College. The revised net appropriation for the Center is $2.1 million.

• $100,000 Cape Fear Botanical Garden: Provides a directed grant to FTCC to support the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens.

• $4 million Cape Fear Residency Program: Southern Regional Area Health Education Center Provides funds to the SRA Health Education Center for surgery and family residencies in the SRAHEC services area and facility and structural improvements associated with current residency programs. The net appropriation for this purpose is $4 million in each year of the biennium.

• $40,000 Town of Falcon Fund: Provides a directed grant to the town of Falcon for town hall projects.

• $420,000 Texfi Site Cleanup Fund: Provides funds for a directed grant to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission to address contamination at the Texfi Industries site.

• $600,665 Emerging Compounds: Provides additional funding for activities related to emerging compounds. Funds are provided to create five positions for surface and groundwater monitoring and sampling. In addition, nonrecurring funds are provided for scientific equipment and supplies.

• $750,000 Airborne & Special Operations Museum Fund: Provides a directed grant to the ASOM Foundation.

• $750,000 Veteran’s Health Care Pilot Program: Provides funds to develop and implement a two-year pilot program in Cumberland County to provide health care and job training services to veterans.

• $2 million Military Presence Stabilization Fund: Provides funding to sustain and maintain the state’s military programs and activities by providing grants for local communities or military installations, updates to strategic planning, federal advocacy and identification of measures to increase the military value of installations.

• $15 million Civil War History Center Fund: Provides a directed grant to the NC Civil War History Center Foundation for the construction of the North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center. The total amount authorized for the project is $46 million.

• $2.5 million University of North Carolina- Fayetteville State University Dormitory Demolition and Removal Fund: Provides funding for the demolition and removal of a dormitory.

• $13.7 million University of North Carolina- Fayetteville State University Rosenthal and Chick Buildings Renovations and Additions Fund: Provides funding to renovate the Rosenthal and Chick buildings.

• $1.5 million Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Fund: Provides a directed grant to the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, a nonprofit organization, to complete the development of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

• Cumberland County $28,886,745: The General Assembly intends to appropriate at least $500 million. Funds allocated shall be used to issue allotted proceeds to local school administrative units for new construction or rehabilitation of existing facilities and repairs and renovations.

• FTCC $20 million: The State Capital and Infrastructure Fund allocated for capital improvement projects at community colleges in this state in the aggregate amount of $400 million. Funds allocated shall be used to issue allotted proceeds to community colleges for new construction or rehabilitation of existing facilities and repairs and renovations. 

Below is an excerpt from Szoka’s recent newsletter explaining the actions, inactions and political antics taking place in Raleigh.

It is NOT About Medicaid Expansion: It is about Politics.

In good faith, House and Senate leadership met with the governor and brought a list of negotiating positions on top-line budget targets, capital spending, taxes, teacher and state employee salaries, public education and the rainy-day fund. Despite repeated requests, the governor did not come to the meeting with any specific positions on anything other than Medicaid expansion.

Rep. John Szoka: “Medicaid is a separate issue that is very complex and, in all honesty, has been a mess from the beginning. To put money into an already inefficient and broken program would be irresponsible, in the least, and an absolute travesty to the taxpayers of N.C., at its worst.”

Speaker Tim Moore: “Regarding that issue, we offered to include in the budget a provision to convene a special session to address health access issues, including Medicaid expansion. The governor previously proposed a ‘two-track’ solution and wants Medicaid to be ‘part of the conversation.’ This meets both of those requests. The Governor rejected the proposal.”

Rep. John Szoka: “This is not how to govern. In good faith, the ‘vetoed’ budget does include a provision to convene a special session (at the order of the governor) to address health access issues, which include Medicaid expansion.”

At the extra session on access to health care section 5.12: “The General Assembly encourages the governor to convene an extra session pursuant to Section 5(7) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution. The purpose of the extra session would be to consider access to health care across North Carolina, including issues pertaining to health insurance, association health plans, Medicaid, and Medicaid expansion.”

The entire document can be viewed by clicking the link on Up & Coming Weekly’s Facebook page. You be the judge. Who is being honest? Who is trying to communicate? Who is trying to negotiate? Who is looking out for the residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County and the citizens of North Carolina? Szoka carries the type of vision and responsible leadership that will grow our community and state while assuring a bright and prosperous future for generations to come.

If you agree, contact your state senator and state representative and ask them to vote for vision, honesty and integrity in North Carolina government. They will know what to do, and ultimately, so will you.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Rep. John Szoka with former Fayetteville mayor Nat Robertson

If students are looking for an affordable university and prefer going to college near home in the fall, they are in luck. Affordability isn’t simply finding a school with a low published in-state tuition. It’s important to research the typical financial aid package offered by a school, the average net price paid, and most importantly, the quality of education students receive for their tuition dollars. CollegeCalc is a website that lists best-value colleges in North Carolina for rankings that consider school quality and average net price.

CollegeCalc’s proprietary national percentile ranking has an average score of 50. Dollar value is a measure of a school’s academic rating compared with the average net price paid. All price quotations are reprinted from the U.S. Department of Education’s 2017-18 IPEDS Survey and reflect reported costs for the 2017-18 academic year.

The most affordable four-year public colleges in North Carolina are listed by one year’s in-state tuition list price for the 2017-18 school year. Leading the colleges list is Elizabeth City State University with an in-state tuition of $2,856. Fayetteville State University tuition is $2,982 per year for in-state residents. This is 58% cheaper than the national average public four-year tuition of $7,056. The cost is 84% cheaper than the average North Carolina tuition of $18,281 for fouryear colleges.

Tuition ranks second in North Carolina among four-year colleges for affordability in the state. If attending from out-of-state, the tuition at FSU is $14,590, which represents a 389% premium. The school charges a fee of $2,201 in addition to tuition, bringing the total effective in-state tuition to $5,183.

FSU provides on-campus room and board for $8,627 per academic year. Students electing to live off campus should budget at least this amount. The estimated annual cost for books and supplies is $400. Students should budget $2,426 in additional living expenses. The total tuition and living expense budget for in-state North Carolina residents who went to FSU was $16,636 for the 2017-18 academic year. Out-of-state students who don’t have North Carolina residency can expect a one-year cost of $28,244.

Private colleges and universities are considerably more expensive. Duke University has the most expensive tuition and fees in North Carolina, totaling $55,695. Tuition for Fayetteville’s Methodist University was $32,504 for the 2017-18 academic year. This is 17% more expensive than the national average private, nonprofit four-year college tuition of $27,755. The cost is 78% more expensive than the average North Carolina tuition of $18,281 for four-year colleges. Tuition at MU ranks 59th in North Carolina among four-year colleges for affordability and is the ninth most expensive college in the state. The school charges an additional fee of $356 in addition to tuition, bringing the total effective in-state tuition to $32,860.

The school provides on-campus room and board for $12,210 per academic year. Students electing to live off campus elsewhere in Fayetteville should budget at least this amount. The estimated annual cost for books and supplies is $1,400. The annual tuition and living expense budget to go to MU was $54,529 for the 2017-18 academic year. The cost is the same for all students regardless of North Carolina residence status as there is no in-state discount.

 

Carriage Tours of Olde Fayetteville, sponsored by the Cool Spring Downtown District, offers something special to guests on Saturday, July 13 — an exclusive inside tour of the historic St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church. The church was founded in 1873 by Rev. Joseph Caldwell Huske, rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, and its African American members, who constituted one-fourth of St. John’s congregation at the time. The church was built in 1896, thanks to the generosity of a wealthy New York philanthropist, Eva S. Cochran.

That connection to New York may help explain the “Resurrection Windows” in the sanctuary made by Tiffany of New York, the only Tiffany stained-glass church windows in Fayetteville. Another New York connection is the pipe organ, which was purchased from St. John’s. It was manufactured in New York in 1857 and is still in operation today. Heidi Bleazey from the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum will be on-site to give the back story on these and other features of this historical treasure in downtown Fayetteville.

Because St. Joseph’s is not typically open for public touring, this truly is a special opportunity. Also, on the way to and from the church, the horse and carriage will pass by many of the historic sites within the footprint of the original town founded as Cross Creek more than 250 years ago. A professional tour guide will relate the fascinating true stories of the people and events associated with these sites. The “limousine carriage” features comfortable, padded seats and a canopy overhead.

Because of the specialty tour of St. Joseph’s, the total experience will last an hour and a half. Departure times are 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. Guests will meet their carriage at 222 Hay St., across from the Cameo Art House Theatre. Parking should not be a problem. The Woodpeckers baseball game scheduled for that night doesn’t start until 6 p.m., and parking in the nearby Franklin Street parking deck will be free.

Like all the carriage tours, this is an excellent way to entertain out-of-town visitors. People in Fayetteville have used the carriage tours to show off their city to friends and family for the past three years. A recent survey found that 40% of passengers are from out of town and, of that number, fully twothirds are from out of state.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.visitdowntownfayetteville.com or by calling the Cool Spring Downtown District office at 910-223-1089. The phone reservation system is recommended if there is any problem reserving online. Even with the added experience of the St. Joseph’s tour, tickets will remain at the same low price — $25 per adult, $20 with a military ID and $15 for children under 12. There are only three tours, and reservations are strongly advised.

The sound of music is coming to Hope Mills again. The latest music makers in the town will be DJ King James and his fellow disc jockeys.

Lamarco Morrison of the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department said he was approached by James, who specializes in top 40, rhythm and blues, and pop music that features family-friendly lyrics.

James' idea was to provide music in the park free of charge to the town. Morrison said James works with a group of five DJs who have done this kind of performance at other venues.

The plan is to hold the first event in Hope Mills on Saturday, July 13, setting up a stage at the basketball courts in Hope Mills Municipal Park. The performance will last from 6-8 p.m.

Morrison said he also plans to coordinate with Chancer McLaughlin of the town administration staff to have food trucks on hand for the event.

Including the free music, Morrison said he hopes to have some kind of charitable donation event taking place at the same time, but a final decision on that had not been made at press time.

“It’s mainly going to be about the music and giving the community something to do in the park on a Saturday,’’ Morrison said. “I’ve done those in other cities, and it amazed me we didn’t have a music in the park (event).

“I think it will work perfect for us. It was perfect timing for (James) to contact me.

Morrison stressed the music for the performance will feature clean lyrics with no profanity and nothing suggestive. “It will be your top 40,’’ he said. “Whatever the radio is playing and whatever the kids are dancing to. It’s about (being) family-friendly.’’

James has previously performed for Hope Mills events like the health fair.

Photo: DJ King James

Hope Mills has had many Dixie Youth Baseball state champions, but last week, the Hope Mills National team made history by winning the town’s first 8U state championship.

In the championship round of the winners bracket at Lockwood Folly, they fell to Reidsville 10-7 for their only loss of the tournament but rebounded to win the title with a 10-2 victory over Reidsville.

Left to right: Coach Jonathan Ransom, Hunter Matthews, Dallas Lupo, Colby Cox, Tanner Parrish, Joshua Ransom, Colt Burns, Landon Lusignan, Gavin Bowen, Coach Joshua Lusignan, Noah Rivera, Coach Jesse Cox, Ziriyon Campbell, Aiden Peterson- McAlexander, Corey Cox and Coach Jonathan Lupo.

Hope Mills advances to the 8U Dixie Youth World Series, which will be held July 26-30 in Ruston, Louisiana.

The next Fayetteville Citizens Academy class is set for Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Kiwanis Recreation Center, 352 Devers St. Class begins at 8:30 a.m. and features officials of Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation and the Development Services Department.

Applicants must be city of Fayetteville residents or work in Fayetteville. The class size is limited to 25 residents. This session will conclude at or before 5 p.m. To apply, log onto www.fayettevillenc.gov/citizensacademy, scroll to the bottom of the page and download the application.

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by close of business Friday, Aug. 9.

“The Citizens Academy gives residents an opportunity to see city of Fayetteville employees at work, up close and personal,” said Corporate Communications Director Kevin V. Arata. Lunch will be provided, and residents are asked to dress appropriately for the weather in business casual attire and closedtoe shoes. There will be some walking involved during tours of city facilities.

Splash pads are popping up all over the county

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and town of Linden leaders have cut the ribbon on the fifth splash pad opened in rural areas of Cumberland County this year. The water feature is at the Linden Little River Park, located at 5010 Loop Rd. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (3-7 p.m. when school is in session) and Sundays from 2-7 p.m.

Eastover and Wade splash pads opened May 22, Godwin on May 31 and Gray’s Creek on June 7. Each of the splash pads cost between $230,000 and  $250,000, according to Fayetteville/Cumberland Recreation and Parks Director Michael Gibson.

The Linden water feature is 1,000 square feet and was funded by Cumberland County recreation dollars as were the other four. The pad is wheelchair accessible and features a Super Splash and Aqua Dome. Future projects include a shade structure, additional playground equipment and an additional parking lot.

Kids may have the summer off, but parents don’t

Even though school is out for the summer, parents might like to know what their children will need for the upcoming school year this fall. Cumberland County Schools has a one-stop resource that will answer all your questions. It’s called the 2019-2020 Back-To-School Guide. It contains 26 pages of information about the school calendar, needed school supplies, open house schedules, lunch prices, bell schedules and more. This parent resource can be found on the Cumberland County Schools website, http://ccs.k12.nc.us, or at btsg.ccs.k12.nc.us.

Cornhole a popular recreational sport

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers have announced the inaugural edition of its Cornhole Tournament to take place at Segra Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 17. At 3 p.m. that day, teams and spectators can begin entering for registration. Beginning at 4 p.m., registered teams of two are invited to compete for a $250 cash prize for first place and a $100 cash prize for second place. With 50 team slots available for the tournament, fans and competitors are asked to register for the event no later than Friday, August 2.

Each two-person team will feature one captain and one partner. Both competitors will receive complimentary Fayetteville Woodpeckers T-shirts and drink Koozies. Registration is $50 per each twoperson team. Registered teams can also save up to $9 on tickets when purchasing at least two general admission tickets to any upcoming Woodpeckers home game.

Gilbert Theater loses an artist

The board of directors of the Gilbert Theater has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Matthew Overturf as artistic director, effective Jan. 31, 2020.

“All of us are very grateful for Matthew’s enthusiasm, vision and excellent contributions to the Gilbert Theater over the past three years,” said a news release from the theater. “The demands of his full-time faculty position will make it impossible for him to continue as the Gilbert’s Artistic Director,” the statement continued.

The Gilbert Theater board of directors has begun a search for a new artistic director. For more information, including the job description, visit www.gilberttheater.com.

Fayetteville gets one of the first new generation Dunkin’ Donuts

Fayetteville has a new Dunkin’ Donuts on Bragg Boulevard. “The launch of our next generation concept store marks one of the most important moments in Dunkin’s growth as an on-the-go, beverage-led brand,” said Dave Hoffmann, president of Dunkin’ Donuts North American business, in a statement. “Our new look represents both our heritage and our evolution as the brand that fuels optimism and keeps America running with great coffee, donuts and more,” said Tony Weisman, chief marketing officer, Dunkin’ U.S.

Tough but fair. Those were the words most frequently used to describe the late Bob Lewis by friends and former co-workers.

Lewis, 88, was a coach, teacher and principal in New Bern before relocating to Fayetteville, where he largely made his reputation locally as the principal at Seventy-First High School in the 1970s.

He went on to serve in local government, elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and eventually rising to the chairman’s seat.

Larry Lancaster, who currently serves on the Board of Commissioners, was an educator at roughly the same time as Lewis. Like many, he knew of Lewis’ reputation.

“Bob was a man of conviction,’’ Lancaster said. “He did not shy away from controversy. Back when he was principal, it was a tough time. There were a lot of things going on in this country and a lot of stuff that was brought to the schoolhouse door.’’

Lancaster said Lewis ran a tight ship and expected both students and staff to follow the rules. “There were no shortcuts with Bob,’’ Lancaster said. “Strict, fair, but he had an eye for great people.’’

A number of the people who served under Lewis during his Seventy-First days went on to become leaders in both education and politics.

One of those was Alex Warner, who was an assistant principal with Lewis and became a member of the Cumberland County Board of Education and later the North Carolina General Assembly.

Warner said Lewis faced multiple challenges in his time at Seventy-First. The Vietnam War was raging, and public schools were about to be fully integrated for the first time when Lewis came to Seventy-First as principal in 1968.

On top of that, the building at Seventy-First was built for about 1,100 students, Warner said. At one point during Lewis’ tenure, they had 2,300 enrolled.

“It was dynamite fixing to be set off by some incident,’’ Warner said.

Warner said Lewis had a knack for finding the good in everyone he encountered and nurturing it. Lewis would frequently hold round-table discussions with his whole staff to get various opinions on problems they were dealing with, but when a decision had to be made, Lewis made it and stuck with it.

“When we left the office, we were unified together because the mission was established by the boss,’’ Warner said. “He was the boss, and I admire him for that.’’

Gerald Patterson, another former Lewis assistant who went on to become principal at Seventy- First, said the most important thing he learned from Lewis was to stand up and be counted. Patterson said it was the strength of Lewis’ leadership that propelled many of his protégés into administrative careers of their own.

“What he gave me was the impetus to stand on my own two feet,’’ Patterson said. “Don’t be afraid of who might come after me. Be yourself.’’

Photo: Bob Lewis

Fayetteville is dealing with a tremendous challenge regarding downtown parking. In the big picture, paid parking in city lots that has been instituted during baseball games is adversely impacting businesses and those who work downtown. A further complication is that people who want to go downtown during a game but not attend the game find it difficult to locate free onstreet parking. This condition is caused, in great part, by game attendees using on-street parking. Fayetteville City Council is looking for a solution to this problem.

As Council and others decide on a course of action, the starting point should be clearly defining city government’s overall goal regarding conditions in the downtown area. The following statement appears on the city’s website under “Economic Development”: “The City of Fayetteville’s vision includes a vibrant downtown and a strong local economy. The activities included in this section focus on small business development activities with a concentration on economic development activities in the downtown area in support of the Fayetteville Renaissance Plan and the City’s redevelopment plan areas throughout the community.”

This parking challenge should be addressed in light of that overall desired condition for the downtown area. The next step would be to honestly define our circumstance. This step is critical because, if it is not executed, we run the risk of taking a cookiecutter approach. That approach would be concluding that we can just do what other cities do and all will be well. The problem is that serious examination of our circumstances might show that we are not so much like other cities — that we cannot simply do what they do by way of downtown parking.

For example, does our downtown offer a similar variety of businesses and general experiences as cities being looked at as models of what might be done regarding parking? There are some wonderful restaurants downtown, but since I live in the north area, I can drive a much shorter distance to great restaurants that offer free parking. As much as one appreciates what is downtown, will the average person drive there and pay to park?

I fully recognize that attitudes change over time. However, although I have not been able to confirm it through media reporting, several people have stated that parking meters were removed from downtown during the 1970s in an attempt to attract people to the area. My sense is that the 1970s thinking about paying to park downtown, when free parking is available elsewhere, has not dramatically changed. In Raleigh, Charlotte, Winston-Salem and so on, people likely expect to pay for parking. Their only concern might be how much they pay. I do not think that Fayetteville is at that point.

Now, what seems to be Council’s thinking as to what any corrective action should aim to accomplish? The following statement appears, with the new rules, on the City’s website at fayettevillenc.gov/community/gettingaround/downtown-parking:

“The intent of enforcing on-street parking hours until 9 p.m. during event and non-event days is to encourage those who need to park for an hour or more to use parking lots and make onstreet parking more easily available for those patrons who wish to visit downtown businesses. It is important for the vitality of downtown businesses that on-street parking turn over regularly so that customers are likely to find a convenient place to park.

“Unfortunately, evening on-street parking has become increasingly difficult to find since Segra Stadium opened. The change in enforcement is designed to move long-term parkers coming downtown for events into the ample off-street parking available in city and privately owned lots in the downtown.”

To achieve the goal of making on-street parking more available through regular turnover, Council plans to implement paid parking in most city-owned lots and for on-street parking spots. New parking rules have been published and will take effect during the next six months.

I would summarize that serious examination of our circumstances might show we are not so much like other cities, based on information from: https://fayettevillenc.gov/community/getting-around/downtown-parking and an article by John Henderson titled, “Council endorses proposal to enforce downtown Fayetteville parking time limits”:

“On-street parking is presently limited to, depending on the location, two or three hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. There is no charge for this parking. Parked cars are monitored by roving personnel and tickets issued where appropriate due to overstays. Effective 15 July, this program will shift to being in effect Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. That will continue through Dec. 31. It is expected that as of Jan. 1, 2020, pay kiosks will be in place for on-street parking. At that time, and beyond, metered parking will be used to accomplish the desired regular turnover of on-street spots. The cost will be $1 per hour.

“There are two types of city lots; paid and timelimited. Starting on July 15, 2019, these lots will require payment or adherence to the time limits, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The only time-limited lots are one behind City Hall and one adjacent to the police station. The city lots that require payment can be identified by the legend, on a map at https://fayettevillenc.gov/community/ getting-around/downtown-parking/regular-parking, as Monthly Leased Parking, Pay Upon Exit/Monthly Leased Parking, Pre-Pay Parking, and Pre-Pay/ Monthly Leased Parking. Parking is free and time unlimited on Saturday and Sunday in all city-owned lots. During event days, parking off-street in all city-owned lots will be $5 per vehicle beginning two hours before the start of events.

“Currently, event days are defined as follows: Woodpeckers baseball home games; Dogwood Festival (April); International Folk Festival (September); Fall Dogwood Festival (October). Other events may be identified throughout the year.” 

It would appear that the goal of having on-street parking turn over regularly could be accomplished without going to paid parking. The time limits for on-street parking now in place, maybe with some tweaking, could accomplish that end. This approach will be employed until metered parking is in place.

That raises the question of to what extent revenue generation for the city comes into play with Council’s move to paid parking. The following was written by John Henderson in an article titled “Fayetteville’s $10 parking fee brought in money, but also ill will,” in regard to comments by Mayor Mitch Colvin: “Colvin said that the city has been losing about $250,000 on its downtown parking enforcement that is being covered by property-tax payers, so it’s nice to have some revenue stream to offset this expenditure.

“‘When you go from paying $250,000 for something to making $19,000 to $20,000 a month, it looks like you’ve cleared your problem of having a deficit,’ he said. ‘But what I will say is that we’ve got to be mindful of the impact it will have on the people we are asking to visit the baseball stadium, the people we are asking to visit businesses.’”

Granted, the income referred to in this article was before event parking was reduced from $10 to $5. However, when the city has been losing money on parking, increasing parking revenue has to be attractive to Council. Colvin, however, cut to the heart of the matter. If increased revenue comes at the expense of losing businesses, and visitors, from the downtown area, the outcome is a negative for the city.

Loss of businesses and visitors is likely. “Some owners selling downtown businesses say parking a factor,” another article by John Henderson, supports this conclusion. From the article: “After two decades of operating the popular downtown coffee shop Rude Awakening on Hay Street, Molly Arnold has put the business up for sale.

“She said the city’s plans to implement paid parking for on-street spaces in the downtown area, as well as the reduction in business from the paid parking plan implemented by the city during Woodpeckers baseball games, is taking a toll on small businesses like hers and was a factor in the decision.

“She also has put her White Trash gift shop on Franklin Street on the market.”

Based on comments from owners, the article goes on to report: J&M Vapor Store is moving from Hay Street to Russell Street; business has suffered at Cameo Art House Theatre; Sweet Palette bakery’s business has suffered. It appears safe to conclude most, if not all, downtown businesses are being adversely impacted by the current parking situation and will continue to do so under the new plan. Add to this the negative impact on people working downtown.

Downtown parking should be assessed in terms of Council’s aim for the area, strength of the downtown draw for visitors, public attitude toward paid parking, cost/benefit of revenue generation while losing businesses and downtown visitors. I think this approach would produce major changes to the plan summarized above.

To Americans, our National Mall in Washington, D.C., is a sacred space.

A vast tract of urban open space running almost two miles between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial, the Mall is where we take our children, both literally and through pictures, to teach them about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, about World War II and the Vietnam conflict, about our national culture as told in museums featuring American history, American art and the American fascination with air and space. It is where we sit quietly beside the reflecting pool to ponder what it means to be an American and how blessed we are to be part of the greatest ongoing experiment in democracy the world has ever seen.

On most days, the National Mall hosts tourists taking in the sights, joggers in their regular runs and frisbee players out for a fun afternoon. Last week, on the Fourth of July, though, the Mall became a visible metaphor not so much of the United States of America as of a country whose people are sharply divided.

Americans on the Mall that day represented two distinct camps.

At the Lincoln Memorial end of the mall, Donald Trump treated his Trump MAGA-attired supporters and VIP donors to what he billed as a “Salute to America,” a program awash in both patriotic themes and rain. Trump is the first president to address a Fourth of July celebration in almost seven decades, and he topped off the occasion with a taxpayer-funded fly-over by American military war planes. Tanks and other asphalt-crushing heavy equipment were corralled on the sidelines in case spectators wanted to take a gander. There were chants of, “Four more years!”

At the Capitol end of the mall, other Fourth of July celebrants enjoyed more traditional Independence Day entertainment, including music by Carole King and the National Symphony Orchestra, a visit by some Muppets, and fireworks as the sun sank into the stormy horizon. These folks were doing what many Americans do on the Fourth, complete with blankets — some of them soggy — and picnic hampers. The New York Times reported that a woman heading toward the concert stand carried a sign reading, “Fight ignorance, not immigrants.”

Such is the state of our nation in 2019. If there is anyone who does not have an opinion of Donald Trump one way or another, I have yet to meet him or her.

There are as many reasons for our national divide as there are Americans, and most of those reasons are valid. We have arrived to this distressing state of affairs over time through — in no particular order — increasing globalization both in trade and in culture, extreme gerrymandering making our votes less meaningful, a widening and gaping economic gulf between the haves and havenots, demographic evolutions well underway that threaten some among us, ongoing educational inequities, racial polarization, urban-rural disparities, a paralyzed Congress and on and on.

The Trump fans and the concert-goers at opposite ends of the national mall on a rainy Fourth of July provide a powerful visual of the state of our nation.

Zealots on both ends of the Mall, literally and figuratively, are entrenched in their positions and brook no discussion with others with differing views. More thoughtful people on both sides are deeply concerned about the future of our nation. Significant books of warning have been flowing from publishers’ presses just in the last two years, among them “How Democracies Die” by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, “This America: The Case for the Nation” by Jill Lepore, “Fascism: A Warning” by Madeline Albright, “The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels” by Jon Meacham, and many others.

Each has its own take on what is happening in and to our country, but all are sounding national alarms. We Americans would do well to listen.

We the undersigned stand united for an even stronger, more vibrant, more competitive Fayetteville and Cumberland County from this day forward! Please click the following link and turn to page 16 to read a community petition regarding the governor's veto of the state budget that would bring more than $132 million to projects that benefit our community: Click here to read petition

Most of us, both men and women, take a deep breath every time we go for a medical checkup. Will our tests be within normal ranges? Will we have strange lumps and bumps? Will we weigh too much or too little? Will our lives be turned upside down by some unexpected diagnosis this very day?

Women’s health and wellness are not more important than those of men, but they are different. For women and those who love us, there is good news and bad news.

The 2019 Status of Women in North Carolina: Health and Wellnessreport released last month finds that we are healthier in some areas than we were earlier in the decade. Mortality rates for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers of the breast, uterine, cervix and ovaries have gone down — as have several sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Our teen pregnancy rate has dropped almost 7% since 2013. These declining rates are positive news, of course, but our rates are still generally higher than the national average, including the births of low-weight babies.

Generally speaking, North Carolina women rank in the middle or bottom indicators of national health and wellness, and our diabetes rates remain among the highest in the nation. In addition, North Carolina women continue to report domestic violence and sexual assaults, with 35% experiencing some form of physical aggression by an intimate partner and nearly 20% having been raped.

Perhaps most worrisome of all is that the gains made over the last decade are not shared by all. Black women have higher rates of heart disease than do white and Hispanic women, as well as higher rates of HIV/AIDS. Ditto for breast cancer. Disparities among races and ethnicities clearly exist, and do disparities based on geography and socio-economic status. Women in rural areas clearly have less access to high-quality medical services, an issue that is becoming more acute as medical professionals flock to urban areas and rural hospitals close.

A drive along almost any rural road may be lovely and evoke nostalgia, but try counting health care facilities, which will be scarcer than proverbial hen’s teeth. A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report puts Cumberland County’s patient to primary care physician ratio at 1,350:1; Robeson’s at 2,490:1; and Hoke County’s at an astounding 7,520:1.

The report details some policy recommendations, including Medicaid expansion. This topic has turned into a political football in the North Carolina General Assembly with Democrats demanding it and Republicans holding onto their long-standing and loud, “No!” Also being kicked around are proposals for paid family leave and paid medical leave, which would help women in low-wage jobs unlikely to provide such benefits. Also on the list are broader access to reproductive health care and decreasing violence against women.

This is challenging news for sunny summertime, but we all have women in our lives who are near and dear and without whom our lives would not be the same. The health and wellness status report sums up the importance of women’s health and wellness this way. “Good health, access to health services and the ability to live in a safe environment are critical to the economic security and overall wellbeing of North Carolina women.

“While poor health can negatively affect employment opportunities, educational attainment and financial security, good health allows women to meet their economic and educational goals and flourish in the other areas of their lives.”

It is clear that North Carolina is both on the right track and still has many miles to go.

With all the discussion in City Hall about homelessness and what to do about it, Up & Coming Weekly got an update from Operation Inasmuch and its shelter for homeless men. The Lodge, as it’s known, is not just a shelter. “It’s a transformation program for homeless men who want to change their lives. Each man commits to create realistic financial, social and spiritual goals, become drug- and alcohol-free, get a job, and treat others in the program with dignity and respect,” says in the Operation Inasmuch website.

The Lodge provides a place for up to 40 men to sleep every night. Internet access, a kitchen, laundry facilities, showers and a dayroom are also provided. Financial planning, Bible studies and other helpful opportunities are available for these men. The Lodge is located across the street from the Operation Inasmuch Ministry Center at 531 Hillsboro St. Learn more online at www.faoiam.org.

Seth’s Wish gets its wish

The city of Fayetteville will not require that local homeless advocacy group Seth’s Wish pay fees or penalties for not obtaining proper permits before renovating its building. Council member Tisha Waddell said she wasn’t comfortable with allowing the fees to be waived. But City Manager Doug Hewett pointed out there was a precedent for the waiver. Waivers were granted to several businesses that suffered damage during Hurricane Matthew, as Seth’s Wish’s building on S. Cool Spring Street did. Waddell and several other Council members said they would be willing to make personal financial contributions. But Council agreed to approve the manager’s recommendation during a dinner meeting June 24.

Seth’s Wish is a volunteer homeless advocacy charity supported by private donors. Find out more at www.sethswish.com.

Violent deaths are down slightly

While murder rates are on the increase in Raleigh and Durham, homicides in the city of Fayetteville are down so far this year, although the typical peak season lies ahead. Fayetteville Police spokesman Sgt. Shawn Strepay said 10 local homicides were investigated during the first half of 2019. He said that compares to 11 murders during the corresponding period of 2018.

Board of Education looking to fill a vacancy

Members of the Cumberland County Board of Education need to fill a vacant seat on their nine-member board. Cumberland County residents who reside in District 6 and are interested in serving are invited to submit a one-page resume and letter of interest to the office of the school board attorney by July 15 at 5 p.m.

Board member Peggy Hall resigned abruptly last month. For more information about the vacancy, visit the Cumberland County Schools website at www.ccs.k12.nc.us. For questions about District 6 residency, call the Cumberland County Board of Elections at 910-678-7733.

Pat McCrory and the Trump administration

President Donald Trump considered former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory for a position in his administration, according to records obtained by the news and information website Axios. But those records show the Trump administration found some “red flags.” The 10-page file on McCrory contained accusations of “favoritism toward Duke Energy” and having “thin skin,” and “comments critical of Trump.”

The headline of an October 2016 Washington Examiner story saying “Pat McCrory says Trump ‘needs to have his mouth washed out’” topped the list of red flags.

McCrory was responding to comments Trump made about women in a recording from 2005. McCrory is one of dozens of Republican politicians and officials identified by the Trump transition team as potential suitors for top posts in the administration.

After losing a tight governor race to Democrat Roy Cooper in 2016, McCrory met with Trump’s transition team in New York City.

Former Republican Rep. Charles Jeter, a supporter of McCrory’s, described him this way: “He can’t fathom that anyone would question his motives,” Jeter said. “And he (has) a tendency to take criticism personally. He’s done it with the press. He’s done it in the legislature.”

Our community has lost a pair of dedicated public servants

Late last month, former Cumberland County Commissioner and educator Bob Lewis died from complications following heart surgery. He was 88. Days earlier, retired Hope Mills police chief John Hodges died.

Lewis served two four-year terms as a commissioner. Before that, he was principal of Seventy-First High School from 1968 to 1976 and later principal at Seventy-First Elementary School until he retired in 1982. Lewis was an acknowledged disciplinarian at Seventy-First High at a time when student misconduct was excessive. “I might have been tough sometimes, but they knew I cared about them,” he once said.

Lewis earned the Purple Heart while fighting during the Korean War as a member of the 1st Marine Division from 1950 to 1954.

Retired Hope Mills police chief Hodges died at the age of 84. He served the town for more than 20 years until his retirement in 2009. Hodges retired from the U.S. Army after a 20-year career before taking the Hope Mills post. The town board of commissioners voted to name the new public safety building being planned for Hodges.

“It’s just a shame that he didn’t live to actually see the building,” Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner said.

If you live in Fayetteville, chances are you know a soldier. With over 50,000 active-duty personnel, Fort Bragg is the largest military base in the world by population. “Camp Bragg,” as it was called from 1918-1922, has been training heroes for more than 100 years, and it shows. The community in and around the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg region is always ready to give honor where honor is due.

Rolling Thunder is a national veterans organization designed to bring full accountability for prisoners of war and those missing in action of all U.S. wars. Craig Hardy is a veteran and chairman/ past president of Rolling Thunder NC Chapter 1. “The mission of Rolling Thunder is to educate the public that there are still missing Americans from all wars, and we try to ensure that our government does not forget that,” Hardy said.

“We do more to bring them home,” he added. “Our second mission is to help and assist veterans and their families in the area.”

Hardy invites the community to assist veterans alongside him. “Fayetteville unfortunately has a large number of homeless veterans. There’s more that the community could probably do to help (them) and other veterans in our communities, but there’s a lot of organizations that are doing just that,” said Hardy.

Serving U.S. veterans has long been a recognized need in this country. In 1782, George Washington created the Purple Heart, originally called the Badge for Military Merit, to honor those who have been wounded or killed in combat. It is the oldest American military decoration for military merit.

Locally, the Sandhills Purple Heart Committee invites the public to join them in thanking Purple Heart recipients, families of deceased Purple Heart recipients, families of those killed in action and Gold Star mothers at the Sandhills Purple Heart Dinner.

The Sandhills Purple Heart Dinner is one of the largest functions that Rolling Thunder sponsors— and one of the biggest ways they honor those who have sacrificed for our country. “Those who have (made it home) still need to be thanked for their service, and Rolling Thunder tries to do that with their events,” said Hardy, who is also this year’s Purple Heart Committee director.

Recipients will be escorted by Junior ROTC cadets and announced during the Walk of Honor, in which each recipient walks through a saber salute. Their name, branch, location of service, and the location that they received their Purple Heart is announced.

“It’s recognizing and acknowledging and honoring them for their service and sacrifice,” said Hardy.

The event takes place Saturday, Aug. 24, from 5-8 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum, 1960 Coliseum Dr. It is open to the public. Tickets cost $25. Purple Heart recipients receive a free meal and additional tickets for up to two guests. To register and purchase tickets, visit www.sandhillsphdinner.com.

It has been 10 years since John Hodges served as the police chief for the town of Hope Mills. But he remained a familiar figure to the people of the small town after his retirement, and they still held him in high regard because of the respect he showed for its citizens.

Hodges, 84, passed away just over a week ago.

Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner was a member of the town’s board of commissioners during Hodges’ final years as police chief.

“If I’m not mistaken, he was at our last board meeting,’’ Warner said. “He would come to board meetings, and you’d always see him at local restaurants.’’

He had a fun side beyond his role as police chief. “The most unusual thing was when I found out he loved to dance,’’ Warner said. “He traveled all over North Carolina and competed in Fayetteville’s Dancing With the Stars.’’

While she described Hodges as softspoken, Warner said his interest in the town was genuine. “You always knew he was concerned,’’ she said.

He was also supportive of his son Chuck Hodges, who currently serves as the town’s fire chief.

“He grew up in a town kind of like Hope Mills,’’ Chuck said of his father. “He loved Hope Mills. He loved the people. He loved that hometown feeling.’’ Chuck said it was rare for his father to go anywhere in Cumberland County without running into someone who knew him.

The elder Hodges was an avid sports fan, having played sports in high school and some semipro baseball. He officiated local high school sports as well.

Neil Buie, regional supervisor of football officials for the Southeastern Athletic Officials Association, said John had a calm, unexcitable demeanor as a football official and that he worked well with coaches.

“He just brought respect to the football field from his private vocation," Buie said. “John was a good guy. He really enjoyed it.

Above all, Chuck said his father instilled in his family a sense of the importance of public service. John's son Tim Hodges is a sergeant with the Cumberland County sheriff’s department. His daughter-in-law, Kara Hodges, is a senior assistant district attorney for Cumberland County.

“Our whole family has been in some form of public service, giving back to the community, helping to protect the community,’’ Chuck said.

Although John's role as police chief required him to enforce the law, Chuck said, his father won the respect of many people he interacted with who were on the wrong side of the law.

“I’ve had people come up to me and say, ‘Your dad busted me, but he treated me like an individual,’" Chuck said. “I think he was honorable.

“You might not get the answer you wanted from him, but he would listen to your side. I just think he treated people fairly.’’

Photo: John Hodges