Up & Coming Weekly asked the mayor of Hope Mills and the members of the board of commissioners to share what they thought the Fourth of July means to their community. We received responses from Mayor Jackie Warner and Commissioners Jessie Bellflowers and Pat Edwards. Here are their replies.

Mayor Jackie Warner

Parade, traditions, family, friends, fireworks and homemade ice cream — July Fourth, Hope Mills.

Like many military families, we moved a lot. But unlike most, we stayed in the Fayetteville area, just different houses — new schools every year while our dad served in other countries.

When I married and Hope Mills was Alex (Warner’s) home, it became my permanent home finally. So, like many of our retired veterans and active-duty military who find Hope Mills a perfect location to raise a family, I also share that same sentiment.

What makes Hope Mills special? First and foremost are our people. Our small town offers so much for families — youth programs for all ages, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Adventurers, churches of all religious preferences and the best schools in Cumberland County.

Family activities, especially around special holidays, we have so many special memories. Christmas parades — some watching with family on the front porch of Countryside Furniture — or participating in the parades, walking among floats and vehicles with scouts, bands or special groups.

The Festival of Lights at the lake with Christmas carols, hot chocolate and the Christmas story shared by a local minister are times we look forward to every year.

But a favorite time in Hope Mills has to be the July Fourth special events, which for my family have changed so much over the years.

The July Fourth parade starts the day off with families lining the parade route wearing patriotic clothes and waving flags.

Our Countryside Furniture porch has been the place for many to come and watch the parade since 1979. I can still see pictures in my mind of Mac and Pete Warner, Colleen and Milton Smith, Fronnie and Jimmy Jackson, along with friends and neighbors sitting on the porch or in the parking lot.

Over the years, the faces have changed as our family has grown — Colleen, Milton, Micah and Caleb Smith; Teddy, Tiffany, Parker and Peyton Warner; Molly, Nick, Kate, Cooper and Jackson Capps — share the porch with new neighbors and friends.

The classic car rides or town float have made the parade trip special, but also sometimes because I wave as we pass the porch that has so many memories.

The events at the park or lake are also etched in my mind, but not as much as the fireworks display. (Alex's and my) first July Fourth, in 1979, we watched the fireworks from our Hillcrest Street front yard eating homemade ice cream. As our family grew, we moved to Frierson Street, where we watched from our backyard. Then it was on to our current Legion Road home, where we watched from our driveway from 1994-2003. After the dam failed and the fireworks were moved, we watched from various locations. The best display we watched from our back porch, as it was staged at South View High School.

Traditions such as family cookouts, Christmas in July events and many churns of homemade ice cream are captured in my heart and mind.

This year, like the past 10 years, we will watch the fireworks display from the Moulder home side yard — never sure how many or who will share the best view ever because we are across Rockfish Road from the park.

Also, the ice cream churn has to start by 8:30 p.m. to be ready for the show. 

Patriotism, traditions, family, community, church and schools are why Hope Mills is our home.

Hope Mills gives our children firmly planted roots in family values, traditions and love of their home. Memories are made every day, but the favorite memories come to mind on July Fourth.

Commissioner Jessie Bellflowers

Each year on the Fourth of July, most folks in Hope Mills ask two questions: When is the town parade, and where is the fireworks ceremony.

In our community, more and more families each year celebrate our nation’s birthday by attending and participating in the parade; and the

Fourth of July just wouldn’t be the same without a stunning fireworks show in the park.

On this day, let us recommit ourselves to the principles upon which our great nation was first founded. We must continue to reflect upon the price of freedom and honor America’s brave patriots who gave their last full measure and (those who) defend the freedoms we enjoy today.

Stand and salute our national colors. Let us renew our sacred pledge that will forever remain: “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’’

I am honored to stand with thousands of American patriots who have a genuine love of country and willingness to sacrifice everything in their life for it, without regret. Over the past 243 years, it has taken generations of sacrifice to make sure our nation’s independence endures. Those of us who have fought for freedom know all too well the high cost of maintaining the freedoms we enjoy today.

It has often been said, “A nation’s strength is not measured through military might; it’s measured in the patriotism of its people.’’

So, on this Fourth of July, please share a love of country and patriotism with your family and friends, but also pause to remember and honor all of America’s patriots who unselfishly sacrificed themselves for us to celebrate our past, our present, our future — our nation’s Independence Day.

And don’t forget to thank our active-duty members and their families for their bravery, boldness and the courage to protect the core values of America... the very values upon which our great nation was founded 243 years ago. Enjoy a hot dog, hamburger, and raise a glass of celebration to let freedom ring across our great nation.

Happy Birthday, America.

Commissioner Pat Edwards

The Fourth of July means so much to me. It glorifies the freedom and liberty for every man and woman on earth. We commemorated the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. Patriotic displays and family events are celebrated throughout the United States.

I am proud to be an American. I deeply believe that every day is Veterans Day. Our town will celebrate with a parade, vendors, food trucks (and) activities for children, followed by fireworks. Everyone is welcome. Fun time for all.

Photo: Mayor Jackie Warner

City of Fayetteville staff members who know him say Jay Reinstein is a good guy. Reinstein, 57, spent five years on the job as an assistant city manager. His last day on the payroll was June 30, although he has used family medical leave and sick leave since last October. That’s when he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Reinstein is not yet eligible for retirement. Disability insurance provides income for someone who can no longer work because of illness or injury. He will receive short-term disability through the state retirement system and a year later will apply for long-term disability until he can officially retire in 2022.

Reinstein was honored by the city on June 24 with a luncheon, reception and a special presentation by City Council. Mayor Mitch Colvin presented him with a key to the city, Fayetteville’s highest honor. The presentation at the City Council meeting followed a video tribute prepared by and featuring numerous department heads and others. Reinstein’s wife and daughter were on hand for the ceremony.

“The next chapter of my life is to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s,” Reinstein told the gathered City Hall assembly. He has been named to the board of directors of the National Alzheimer’s Association and will attend his first board meeting this month in Chicago, Illinois. He makes a point of often repeating that he doesn’t want sympathy. He wants support.

The impact of Reinstein’s condition became clear last fall when The Jaywalkers, a team of friends and associates organized to honor him, raised nearly $25,000 for research. Researchers hope that studies on biomarkers will allow experts to diagnose the disease more quickly. Biomarkers are proteins in the body, or other types of markers, that reliably indicate the progress of a disease.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a rare form of dementia that strikes people younger than 65. Statistically, only about 5% of those who develop Alzheimer’s develop symptoms before age 65. Most people with early-onset Alzheimer’s develop symptoms of the disease in their 40s and 50s. An accurate diagnosis is crucial, for medical reasons, to rule out other potential issues and get the most appropriate treatment as well as for personal and professional reasons. For one’s family, the diagnosis is fundamental in helping members respond with appropriate understanding and compassion.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease can be a difficult situation to cope with. Reinstein is on record as knowing that it helps to have a positive outlook and to stay active and mentally engaged. It’s also important to rely on friends and family as much as possible. When the disease is still in its early stages, it’s critical to think about the future, again something Reinstein says he has done. This includes financial planning, clarifying health insurance coverage and getting important documents in order. Doctors also say it is important to have a healthy diet, get regular exercise, cut down on alcohol and use relaxation techniques to reduce stress.

Photo: Jay Reinstein

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

Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

Activities

• Independence Day Parade and Celebration Thursday, July 4. Parade starts at 10 a.m. near Rockfish Elementary School. Celebration runs from 4-10 p.m. at Hope Mills Municipal Park.

• Good2Grow Farmers Market Saturday, July 6, 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.

The recent demolition of the red brick football grandstand at Terry Sanford High School has caused me to wax nostalgic about one of Fayetteville’s oldest high school football stadiums.

I spent many Friday nights on the sidelines and in the press box at that imposing structure during my nearly 50 years of reporting on high school athletics in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Many of the nights I was there, I was following the exploits of a pair of great coaches, first Len Maness and later John Daskal. Both guided Terry Sanford teams to the pinnacle of state football excellence at the time, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-A championship game.

I have been running through the cluttered files of my brain, thinking back to great moments on that field near Fort Bragg Road. But I decided it best not to rely on my own memory when trying to remember the most incredible nights I spent there.

I reached out to Bulldog stars of multiple generations for their input on the greatest games they remembered. I got several good replies, but the one game mentioned most, and the one I’d like to share with you in this column, took place in the third round of the NCHSAA state 4-A playoffs in 1985.

Terry Sanford was scheduled to host a strong Jacksonville team coached by the great Ray Durham, who I’d known since my college days at UNC-Wilmington when he was the head coach at Wilmington’s Hoggard High School.

A few years earlier, Durham’s Jacksonville team took on Douglas Byrd in a playoff game won by Bob Paroli’s Eagles. In writing a column after the game, I learned a painful lesson about taking misguided advice from someone I trusted. They convinced me that Jacksonville had tried to even the odds with Byrd by watering its field to slow down the Eagle running game.

I got blistering letters from the Jacksonville principal and one from Durham himself.

That Friday in 1985 was the first time I’d covered Durham’s team since. The whole thing had long since blown over, but Durham was waiting for me when we arrived at Terry Sanford that Friday night and were greeted by a downpour.

Durham and Daskal were huddled in the breezeway next to the Terry Sanford stadium watching the rain come down.

As I walked up, Durham looked at me, a kind of crooked grin on his face, and said, “Well, you wet the field, didn’t you.” Touché, coach.

Anyway, the contest was postponed to the following Monday.

Jacksonville took command early and appeared on the way to the win with a 21-7 lead. But Terry Sanford fought back and, in the final minutes, cut the Jacksonville margin to 21-20.

Instead of going for the tie, Daskal elected to try for the 2-point conversion and the win. Quarterback Trey Edge, now the radio voice of Bulldog football on Friday nights for DK Sports, Inc., found his way into the end zone to clinch the 22-21 victory.

Terry Sanford would go on to make the state 4-A championship game against Greensboro Page, where it wound up suffering a heartbreaking loss. Page returned a blocked field goal on the game’s final play for 75 yards and the winning score.

Ironically, Terry Sanford will spend the 2019 football season playing its games in John Daskal Stadium at Reid Ross Classical High School while construction is underway on the new stadium on Fort Bragg Road.

The Bulldogs are expected to begin play in the new stadium in the 2020 season.

“It’s summertime, and the living is easy/Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high” was sung by Bess in Charleston down on Catfish Row. It’s the time of year when a lot of North Carolina families get together at the beach in a rental cottage, lest old acquaintance be forgotten, to share fried chicken, potato salad, sunburn and the resurrection of old grievances. Precious memories, how they linger. Thinking about these annual reunions got me to pondering about what a week at the beach would have been like for the family of the Egyptian Lord of the Underworld, Osiris. It could be fraught.

In case you may have misplaced your Egyptian mythology, allow me to bring you up to speed. Osiris had green skin and was in charge of judging dead Egyptians and causing the Nile River to flood annually so that crops would grow. He was popular among the ancient Egyptians. He was the Elton John of Egyptian gods. His family tree was pretty much a straight line, as the Egyptian gods married their siblings to keep it all in the family. Unfortunately, unlike today’s families who always get along, the families of Egyptian gods had troubled relationships with each other.

Osiris’ friends called him Ozzie, so we will, too. Ozzie first showed up about 2400 B.C. Ozzie’s family tree is a bit complex, but understanding it is necessary for our story. Kindly bear with me through the begats. His grandfather was the god Atum, who created Shu and Tefnut. Despite the obvious temptation to say, “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t,” I will resist writing that. The siblings Shu and Tefnut had two children, Geb and Nut, who procreated and produced Ozzie, his sisters Nephthys and Isis, and his wicked brother Set.

Ozzie married his sister Isis. She was not the Isis terrorists who recently were whupped in the Middle East. Ozzie enjoyed being the king of Egypt. As Ozzie was frequently away from the palace making the world civilized, he assigned Isis to handle things when he was out of town. This rankled his evil brother, Set, who wanted to be king. 

Set was married to their sister Nephythys. Set came up with a plot to kill Ozzie. He had Nephythys pretend to be Isis to seduce Ozzie. From this misbegotten union was born Anubis, the dog-headed god. Are you following all this? It’s a mess.

Set built a really fancy chest for a big family dinner. He promised to give the chest to whichever member of the family could fit in it. Set had the chest built so that only Ozzie would fit. When Ozzie got in the chest, quick as cat can wink its eye, Set slammed the chest shut. He poured molten lead on the chest, sealing Ozzie inside. He tossed the chest full of Ozzie into the Nile River, where it floated out to sea.

The chest finally hit an island, where it got stuck in a Tamarisk tree, which grew up around the chest. Ozzie couldn’t get out. As a result — being in the chest in the tree — he expired, turning his pretty chest into a coffin. Meanwhile, Isis had been looking for Ozzie all this time. She ultimately found Ozzie’s coffin, which she called a sarcophagus.

Isis turned herself into a bird, said some magic words, flapped her wings and revived enough of Ozzie’s body to conceive a child named Horus. She literally raised the dead.

Evil Set located Ozzie’s body and had it chopped up and spread all over Egypt. When Isis found out what Set had done, she rounded up as many parts of Ozzie as she could find to reassemble them so he could have a proper burial. Unfortunately, she could not locate Ozzie’s manhood, which had been eaten by a fish.

Since Ozzie was not complete, he was not eligible to rule the living. As a consolation prize, he was put in charge of the dead folks in the Underworld. One of Ozzie’s jobs in the Underworld was to help the dead get to their final reward. To determine if the dead were worthy of getting into the Underworld, he would weigh their hearts on a scale against the sacred feather of Maat.

Ozzie, being the benevolent guy he was, didn’t expect people to be perfect. If they were more-or-less good enough, he would let them pass.

Meanwhile above ground, Ozzie’s son Horus got revenge by killing his uncle Set. Horus then got to be king of Egypt. It is unclear if Ozzie let Set into the Underworld.

So, what have we learned today? Once again, very little. But if someone offers you the chance to lie down in a coffin, even if it’s a really pretty box, don’t do it. If your family tree is a straight line, you might be an Egyptian god. Send your DNA to Chromosomes-R-Us and find out if you might have a shot at the Underworld, or at least being king of Egypt.

Be glad you didn’t have to spend a week at the beach with Osiris’ family.

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, the Culture & Heritage Alliance and Loving Hands international present the 5th Annual African World Peace Festival on Friday, July 12-Sunday, July 14, in the Cool Spring Downtown District of Fayetteville.

“The purpose of the event is to celebrate culture and heritage through dance performances, cultural exhibitions, music and storytelling, and to preserve and inform everyone in our community about other cultures, customs and traditions of all indigenous people,” said Betsy McElwee, marketing and graphic design coordinator of the African World Peace Festival. “It is also a time to celebrate, dance and have fun.”

The festival features a beer garden, a kids zone, five bounce houses, a climbing wall, arts and crafts activities, musical performances, food trucks, retail vendors and more. Fascinate-U Children’s Museum will do an art project with the kids. The Breastfeeding Center of Fayetteville will have breastfeeding and diaper changing areas located throughout the festival.

The event kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. “We will have vendors, food trucks and music,” said McElwee. “Our stage is going to be set up on Person Street, and it will be kicked off by Fusha Dance Company, based out of New York City, who will be doing an African dance performance.”

McElwee added that there will also be performances by an African highlife band and Veterans Artist. Jazz saxophonist and national recording artist Reggie Codrington will play a tribute to jazz legend and political activist Hugh Masekela. An Art Walkabout touring the downtown galleries with the African World Peace Festival theme will take place from 5-9 p.m.

Saturday’s festivities begin with the 5K Peace Run/ Walk at 8 a.m. Rolling Thunder’s motorcycle club’s North Carolina Chapter will lead the run. The 5K this year is in remembrance and honor of retired Sgt. 1st Class Julio C. Ramirez, who served in the Army and died from leukemia.

“Julio brought (this) run to Fayetteville and helped me start this festival,” said Isabella Effon, event coordinator of the African World Peace Festival. “He understood celebrating the footprint of Africa around the world and the (importance of the) arts.”

Effon added that Julio died before the event’s second year and that celebrating its fifth year is meaningful to her because she could not have done it without Julio. His wife and daughter continue to give their support with the run as Fayetteville Elite Runners. In 2016, the city of Fayetteville proclaimed Aug. 14 as a day for Julio C. Ramirez, to honor his tireless community efforts and his work in local charities and running events.

The first performance on Saturday will be the JC Latin Jazz Project at 11:30 a.m. There will be various health providers on-site to conduct free blood pressure screenings from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Carriage Tours of Olde Fayetteville will be on-site offering rides through downtown Fayetteville from 9 a.m.-noon. The headliner performers are Bill Curtis & Friends with The Fatback Band Reunion at 8 p.m. and Chris Legacy at 10:15 p.m. Other musical performances include the Ewe Association of Charlotte, North Carolina; That NATION Band; African Highlife Band; Aya African Drum & Dance; and a Kongo jazz act.

“We will have a lot of African-specific vendors, and you will be able to get authentic African food, textiles and goods, which we think is just super cool,” said McElwee. “Many of the merchants in downtown Fayetteville will also set up their own vendor tables because they will be participating in our event.”

Sunday’s lineup begins at noon with a gospel concert. “We will have a nondenominational service and we will also have the Aya African Drum & Dance, Bonita Burney Simmons, gospel drummers, African Children Beats, African Gospel Band, The Spiritual Crusaders, and Anointed Vision,” said McElwee. “We will have food trucks, vendors and the kids zone, but we will not have the climbing wall.”

The Culture & Heritage Alliance has three charities it supports. First, the Alliance has partnered with Loving Hands International. Loving Hands International’s mission is to build a balanced community through donating resources to strengthen and improve quality of life for the poor and underserved communities in the United States and Ghana.

“This year, we have a book drive that we will be holding throughout the event, and we are also trying to raise money for Anani Memorial International School in Ghana, Africa,” said McElwee.

“Every year, Loving Hands International goes to Ghana and does a mission trip. This year, we will be taking books. We are trying to raise $30,000 for 20 computers for their school.”

The Cultural & Heritage Alliance supports two local nonprofit charities, Cape Fear Valley’s Sweet Kids Camp and Designing Station. The camp is designed for diabetic children, and the goal is to send five kids from low socio-economic families to camp next summer. Designing Station is an organization that supports individuals and families who are transitioning from homelessness and domestic violence in Cumberland and Robeson counties. The goal in regard to that nonprofit is to gift it with $1,000.

A free African World Peace Drums and Rhythms interactive workshop will be offered July 8 and July 11 from 2-4 p.m. at the Main Headquarters Library in downtown Fayetteville and July 9 and 10 at Volta Space at Taste of West Africa from 2-4 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. The 5K Peace Run/Walk set for July 13 will begin at 105 Person St. Register online at www.active.com. The cost is $40 for adults and $30 for kids. Military cost is $30 for adults and $25 for kids. Every runner will receive a T-shirt and a medal. Runners for the 5K ages 21 and older will receive a free beer. Winners in each age category will receive an award.

Packet pickup for the race is Friday, July 12, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at 116 Person St. For more information, or to volunteer or become a sponsor, contact Isabella Effon at 910-728-2186 or visit www.AfricanPeaceFestival.org.

Fayetteville Technical Community College is making a significant contribution to the education of people in our military community. FTCC leaders and educators work hard to positively impact the education of our students through their knowledge of an appropriate pedagogy for veterans, members of the military and their families.

Competition is fierce, both in the military and civilian sectors. Today, more than ever, a good college education can provide a competitive edge for military personnel. Whether students are active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, veteran, military spouse or dependent, FTCC's counselors, staff and educators want to serve them. FTCC wants to help students in these categories realize not only their educational and career goals but also their personal, individual potential.

FTCC provides flexible, accessible, affordable education to support military students’ needs. It offers over 280 programs of study in seven major program areas: arts and humanities, math and sciences, business, computer technology, engineering/ applied technology, health, and public service.

Some of these academic programs are offered completely online. Many include rolling monthly start dates, programs for spouses like the My Career Advancement Account scholarship, fast-track degree programs, flexible courses, military certification programs, tuition-free transition tech programs for veterans, and university partnerships to provide ease of credit transfers to fouryear universities.

The FTCC Fast Track Degree program recognizes the value of military training and is able to combine credits from military training with FTCC academic credits. This unique program reduces the overall amount of time required for soldiers to earn credits to achieve a degree.

At FTCC, online flexible courses allow soldiers to complete the course at their own pace and/or complete a military certificate program for additional industry credentials.

FTCC refers to its military service members as “student warriors,” and its goal is for these students to achieve great success. In FTCC's 2019 summer graduation class, more than 300 student warriors graduated with an associate degree. Over 1,700 more student warriors enrolled in classes throughout the 2018-19 academic year. Many of these students enrolled in classes while stationed throughout the United States and other countries around the world. Online courses provide student warriors with instant access to course materials and flexible study times.

For soldiers’ convenience, FTCC offers lunchtimes classes at the Bragg Training and Education Center and at the Soldiers Development Center. FTCC also recently began offering unit classes throughout the Fort Bragg community. With unit classes, an FTCC instructor travels to Fort Bragg for eight weeks to conduct the class. Many military organizations in the Fort Bragg area have taken advantage of unit classes, and the feedback has been positive.

FTCC is excited to have been voted No. 1 by Military Friendly Schools and VIQTORY in the Top 10 Gold Category (Large Community College) for the 2019-20 school year. The school takes great pride in supporting our military and veterans community. FTCC is home of the All American Veterans Center at the Fayetteville campus, where veterans serve other veterans.

FTCC’s Fort Bragg campus is equipped to handle all the educational needs of military service members and their dependents. We encourage service

members to visit their education center on post to

learn more about how FTCC can benefit them in

their quest for higher education.

Except for Democrat Sen. Kirk deViere, Cumberland County politicians in Raleigh have demonstrated a refreshing display of unity, cooperation, communication and focus on the needs and priorities of the people in our community.

First and foremost is their desire to create a stronger, more vibrant, more competitive Fayetteville and Cumberland County for residents and future generations. Finally, we have responsible leadership with vision — leaders who are placing people over politics and assuring Fayetteville and Cumberland County will be taking their places amongst the larger, more prosperous cities and counties in our state. It is this delegation that, along with a substantial number of residents, businesses and organizations, has worked for years to improve our community. For too long we have watched other North Carolina communities receive special favors and funding from our state legislature while leaders ignored the needs of Cumberland County.

Many of our former legislators worked hard to improve the situation for Cumberland County and Fayetteville. Their efforts laid the groundwork for this current legislative delegation to garner state legislative support for much-needed projects that will impact our community for decades. This group of relentless bi-partisan leaders can only be described as a visionary tour de force for recognizing the needs and opportunities for Fayetteville/ Cumberland County, the likes of which we have never seen before.

The 2020-22 budget presented by the North Carolina Legislature brings more than $132 million in projects that benefit diverse aspects of our community. In a rare show of unity, their vision and “people over politics” leadership style has netted us big and long-lasting benefits, including projects that, once completed, will net Cumberland County $20-$40 million dollars a year in additional revenues.

While no budget meets all the needs of the community, this budget is a oncein- a-lifetime win-win for all of us here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. A very special thank you to Rep. John Szoka, R-District 45, and Sen. Ben Clark, D-District 21, for leading this charge.

This being said, it would be nice to celebrate our good fortune. Unfortunately, we cannot. Gov. Roy Cooper, D-N.C., has vetoed the budget.

Why? I smell partisan politics and Cooper’s desire to impress his fellow left-leaning political cronies by demonstrating that he’s a team player willing to reject the state budget because it excludes Medicaid expansion. Cooper and political opportunists like deViere have put the possibility of this $132 million infusion into our community in jeopardy.

Here’s what we would gain with the approved budget — or what we could lose if Cooper’s veto is upheld.

• $12 million for the North Carolina Civil War and Reconstruction History Center; $3 million in year two with anticipation of a total payout of $46 million in the years ahead

• $28.8 for school construction and renovation and repairs

• $8 million to fund Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s physician residency program

• $1.53 million for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

• $1.5 million for Kingdom Community Development, which includes affordable housing construction

• $900,000 for the North Carolina Military Business Center headquartered in Fayetteville

• $750,000 for Airborne and Special Operations Museum’s renovation second-year funding

• $750,000 for Cumberland County Veterans Healthcare pilot program

• $16.2 million to Fayetteville State University

• $20 million to Fayetteville Technical Community College

Opportunities like these don’t just happen. It takes thousands of residents, businesses and organizations spending time, energy and money to make projects of this magnitude a reality for any community. It takes a dedicated group of hardworking, business-savvy political leaders who understand the needs of our community and care more about their constituents than they do about themselves or their political futures. This is why it is vitally important that we support and encourage our local legislators — Sen. Clark and state Reps. John Szoka; Marvin Lucas, D-District 42; Elmer Floyd, D-District 42; and Billy Richardson, D-District 44.

Encourage them to stand up for Fayetteville/Cumberland County constituents by keeping people before politics. Encourage them to pursue the $132 million infusion into our community by rejecting Gov. Cooper’s veto of the 2020-22 legislative budget.

For some, this will be a bold and challenging move. However, it will demonstrate to everyone in Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the rest of North Carolina that our leadership possesses the integrity, vision and talent needed to aggressively move our community forward by doing the right thing for the right reasons.

No doubt, tough, gut-wrenching decisions will have to be made. That’s what real leadership is all about. However, in doing so, the rewards are many and the consequences are few. Without a doubt, this budget touches many people in wonderful and diverse ways. A vote by our legislators to reject the governor’s veto will be a vote that will assure a bright and bountiful future for current Fayetteville/Cumberland County residents and future generations.

Again, a very special thank you to our hardworking local delegation: Clark, Szoka, Lucas, Floyd and Richardson.

Keep up the good work!

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

When Gander Outdoors, formerly known locally as Gander Mountain, got in the business of selling recreation vehicles and motorhomes, the company found it needed more space than its parking lot provided. Its location at Marketfair Mall on Skibo Road wasn’t designed to display a couple-dozen large recreational vehicles. It also needed room to display additional units that it couldn’t park in front of the store. So, Gander Outdoors worked out a lease with WSB Retail Partners of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, which provides property management services for Marketfair. Under new owners, the venue has become an upscale retail, dining and theater facility.

Last fall, some of the small-business owners in the courtyard near the AMC Cinema 15 complex became concerned when they discovered RVs were being placed in an overflow parking lot adjacent to the businesses. Ann Sims, co-owner of Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop, said her customers complained that the lot was filling up because the RVs took up so much space. She told Up & Coming Weekly that in February she was rebuffed by Gander management when she inquired. A month or so later, Sims said WSB management got involved, but nothing developed.

By this time, the parking issue had become a cause for Sims. “We work hard to have a successful business,” she said. In mid-June, she arrived at work to find that a chain link fence had been erected in the middle of the overflow parking lot. RVs were being parked inside the fence. Marketfair customers had to park in the smaller section, which Sims said was poorly planned and awkward for motorists.

Sims fired off a lengthy email to WSB Managing Partner Dusty Weiderhold. “While we want what is best for our business, we also want to aid our fellow tenants and ensure an environment that helps make the center a better shopping experience for all our customers and prospective tenants, not just Gander Outdoors,” she wrote.

Weiderhold conceded things have been happening that he was unaware of, and he shared that with Sims. He told her he was concerned that the fence had been installed in the adjacent parking lot. He declined to comment regarding large unattended parking areas to the rear of the AMC theaters and next to the Rooms to Go furniture store.

“We will try to get together with them,” he said of the business owners.

“Rocket Fizz has tried hard to promote Marketfair Mall since we first moved in in 2015, as we have helped promote and organize events such as Christmas Tree Lightings, Easter Egg Hunts and Trunk or Treats and (have) brought a lot of attention from the press to highlight this center,” Sims said.

Weiderhold told Sims he hopes to arrange a meeting with Marketfair business owners sometime during the week after the July Fourth holiday. Sims said she was happy to hear what she hopes is Marketfair’s genuine interest in solving the parking problem.

Summer after summer, Fayetteville After Five provides free concerts in Festival Park. Showstopping artists hit the stage every second Friday from May until August, providing the perfect weekend kickoff. It wouldn’t be perfect without a few finger-licking snacks, however. Come hungry and let the many food trucks offerings at Festival Park fill you up.

Alternative, rock and pop band 120 Minutes and Eagles tribute band On The Border kicked off the summer with every classic from the ’70s to the ’90s. Rivermist and Kasey Tyndall are coming July 12 and Aug. 9, respectively, to finish off the season with some classic rock and country tunes.

Local band Rivermist was formed right here in Fayetteville in 2014, though the musicians have been playing in and around the Fayetteville area for more than 20 years. A classic rock and variety party band, Rivermist is known for bringing excitement and energy to any venue, which is one reason it has won awards like Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville.

The band also knows how to cater to its audience. They’ve been known to play every artist from Earth, Wind & Fire to Bruno Mars and more. After being booked at different festivals and concert series all over North Carolina and Virginia for the past few years, Rivermist has clearly been busy rockin’ the Carolinas (and more).

Closing out the summer is country singer Kasey Tyndall. Audiences might recognize her hit debut single “Everything is Texas,” which earned recognition by being included on the Wild Country Spotify playlist and the music video hit Top 10 on CMT’s 12 Pack Countdown.

Tyndall’s debut album, “Between Salvation and Survival,” has gathered over 1 million streams on Spotify since its release in January 2019.

Tyndall traded her plans to study nursing at East Carolina University for the life of a country music star when she won a radio station contest in 2014. The prize was the opportunity to sing “We Were Us” with Keith Urban. Since then, she has only grown in success.

“Wrap Around Porch,” Tyndall’s latest single, was written by Nashville stars Laura Veltz, Josh Thompson and Jessie Jo Dillon. “The moment I heard this song, it felt like me,” she says on Spotify. “Lyrically, it speaks to the life so many of us grew up with — we dream big, but it’s the simple things that make us happy.” Tyndall has also collaborated with artists like Ashley McBryde and Lainey Wilson.

The gates for Fayetteville After Five open at 5 p.m. The acts begin around 6:30 p.m. and end around 10:30 p.m. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. Coolers, canopies and outside food and beverages are not allowed. Service dogs are always welcome. The free concerts are located at Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave.

Photo: Rivermist

Former Terry Sanford High School star athlete Kirstie King recently picked up her diploma from Raleigh’s Meredith College. But she won’t be leaving school to find a job. She’s already landed one at her alma mater. Meredith recently named King as its new assistant women’s soccer coach.

King played both basketball and soccer during her years at Meredith. When she initially enrolled there, a future in coaching wasn’t in her plans.

Originally, she planned to become a nurse with an interest in nutrition. But she changed to a major in exercise sports science with a possible interest in teaching.

She served as captain of the soccer team her final two years at Meredith, and she enjoyed her role working with the younger players on the team.

“I really took over the role of leading and teaching, trying to help develop the younger players on and off the field,’’ she said.

That continued this past spring as she helped as a volunteer coach with the soccer program. Jen Grubb, who became the head coach of Meredith soccer in January this year, suggested King apply for the assistant coaching position.

King thinks her personal experience as a student- athlete at Meredith will put her in a unique position to be able to promote the program to potential recruits.

Her job began June 15. Right now, she’s helping get things organized for the upcoming season. She won’t hit the recruiting trail for the first time until later this year.

She’s excited about the chance to come back to Fayetteville and Cumberland County and try and get players from here to play for Meredith.

“I’m super excited,’’ she said. “Coming from Fayetteville, I can reach out to the coaches I’ve had, watch the girls and show them the opportunity I’ve had here.’’

Photo: Kirstie King

Except for Democrat Sen. Kirk deViere, Cumberland County politicians in Raleigh have demonstrated a refreshing display of unity, cooperation, communication and focus on the needs and priorities of the people in our community. 

First and foremost is their desire to create a stronger, more vibrant, more competitive Fayetteville and Cumberland County for residents and future generations. Finally, we have responsible leadership with vision — leaders who are placing people over politics and assuring Fayetteville and Cumberland County will be taking their places amongst the larger, more prosperous cities and counties in our state. It is this delegation that, along with a substantial number of residents, businesses and organizations, has worked for years to improve our community. For too long we have watched other North Carolina communities receive special favors and funding from our state legislature while leaders ignored the needs of Cumberland County. 

Many of our former legislators worked hard to improve the situation for Cumberland County and Fayetteville. Their efforts laid the groundwork for this current legislative delegation to garner state legislative support for much-needed projects that will impact our community for decades. This group of relentless bi-partisan leaders can only be described as a visionary tour de force for recognizing the needs and opportunities for Fayetteville/Cumberland County, the likes of which we have never seen before. 

The 2020-22 budget presented by the North Carolina Legislature brings more than $132 million in projects that benefit diverse aspects of our community. In a rare show of unity, their vision and “people over politics” leadership style has netted us big and long-lasting benefits, including projects that, once completed, will net Cumberland County $20-$40 million dollars a year in additional revenues. 

While no budget meets all the needs of the community, this budget is a once-in-a-lifetime win-win for all of us here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. A very special thank you to Rep. John Szoka, R-District 45, and Sen. Ben Clark, D-District 21, for leading this charge. 

This being said, it would be nice to celebrate our good fortune. Unfortunately, we cannot. Gov. Roy Cooper, D-N.C., has vetoed the budget. 

Why? I smell partisan politics and Cooper’s desire to impress his fellow left-leaning political cronies by demonstrating that he’s a team player willing to reject the state budget because it excludes Medicaid expansion. Cooper and political opportunists like deViere have put the possibility of this $132 million infusion into our community in jeopardy. 

Here’s what we would gain with the approved budget — or what we could lose if Cooper’s veto is upheld.

• $12 million for the North Carolina Civil War and Reconstruction History Center; $3 million in year two with anticipation of a total payout of $46 million in the years ahead

• $28.8 for school construction and renovation and repairs

• $8 million to fund Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s physician residency program

• $1.53 million for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

• $1.5 million for Kingdom Community Development, which includes affordable housing construction

• $900,000 for the North Carolina Military Business Center headquartered in Fayetteville

• $750,000 for Airborne and Special Operations Museum’s renovation second-year funding 

• $750,000 for Cumberland County Veterans Healthcare pilot program

• $16.2 million to Fayetteville State University

• $20 million to Fayetteville Technical Community College

Opportunities like these don’t just happen. It takes thousands of residents, businesses and organizations spending time, energy and money to make projects of this magnitude a reality for any community. It takes a dedicated group of hardworking, business-savvy political leaders who understand the needs of our community and care more about their constituents than they do about themselves or their political futures. This is why it is vitally important that we support and encourage our local legislators — Sen. Clark and state Reps. John Szoka; Marvin Lucas, D-District 42; Elmer Floyd, D-District 42; and Billy Richardson, D-District 44.

Encourage them to stand up for Fayetteville/Cumberland County constituents by keeping people before politics. Encourage them to pursue the $132 million infusion into our community by rejecting Gov. Cooper’s veto of the 2020-22 legislative budget. 

For some, this will be a bold and challenging move. However, it will demonstrate to everyone in Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the rest of North Carolina that our leadership possesses the integrity, vision and talent needed to aggressively move our community forward by doing the right thing for the right reasons. 

No doubt, tough, gut-wrenching decisions will have to be made. That’s what real leadership is all about. However, in doing so, the rewards are many and the consequences are few. Without a doubt, this budget touches many people in wonderful and diverse ways. A vote by our legislators to reject the governor’s veto will be a vote that will assure a bright and bountiful future for current Fayetteville/Cumberland County residents and future generations. 

Again, a very special thank you to our hardworking local delegation: Clark, Szoka, Lucas, Floyd and Richardson.

Keep up the good work!

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

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

While Pine Forest’s football team is still basking in the glow of winning last year’s Patriot Athletic Conference regular-season title, head coach Bill Sochovka adds there’s still a sour taste from the loss that ended the season.

That occurred in the second round of the 4-A playoffs at Pine Forest. A controversial call prevented the Trojans from keeping a late drive going as they wound up losing to Scotland.

“Some coaches say I’m complaining, but I’m not,’’ Sochovka said. “The kids remembered how it was. In any sport, a loss like that, you don’t take lightly.’’

That is why Sochovka feels the Trojans are quickly looking forward, not back, as preparation for the 2019 season begins. “Last year, we were talking about the leadership and what I thought turned that team around,’’ he said. “That’s still here today. I feel really good about that in terms of the momentum coming off that. All those things in the right place are still in.’’

While things look ready to go on offense, Sochovka said the defense is going to require some rebuilding.

The key returnee for the Trojans is running back D.J. Jones, who has been a major recruiting target. June 26, Jones ended speculation by announcing that his college choice will be the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Last season, Jones rushed 206 times for 1,198 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 307 yards and five touchdowns.

Sochovka said Jones’ accomplishments are not an accident. “You work hard like this kid does, you have a great attitude like this kid does, and you set a goal and you achieve it,’’ Sochovka said. “Great, great, great character. Grades — phenomenal.’’

Sochovka added when players put things together like Jones has, the recruiters will come and find them.

Even Jones' highlight tape is a testament to the kind of teammate he is, Sochovka said. “Six of his first slides are him blocking for somebody else,’’ he said. “He’s got a great motor. Check everything you want to see in a player and times it by two, because he’s got it.’’

As for Jones, his main concern this season is serving as a mentor to the younger players on the Pine Forest team to get them up to varsity level.

“We’ve got a bunch of new guys, younger guys coming in,’’ Jones said. “We’ve got to get them in the system and get their confidence up. We’ve got to get them to be veterans, be the leaders on the team.’’

Jones said he also plans to be a better leader on the field by giving everything on every play. “We know at the end of the day, we could have done better on our part,’’ he said.

Last year’s conference race was tight, with five teams finishing within two games of first place. Sochovka expects another tight race this season, adding that there are several teams with potential to contend for the title if they get the right formula at the right time.

“We surprised a lot of people and we have a target on our back,’’ Sochovka said of his Trojans. “I think it will be another dogfight like it was last year.’’

Photo: D.J. Jones

Venturing Crew 32, representing the Boy Scouts of America Venturing program, made a clean sweep of the major awards handed out at the state level recently. The crew represents Hope Mills American Legion Post 32 and won for Venturing Unit of the Year; Venturing Advisor of the Year, Michele Harling; and High Adventure Boy Scout of the Year, Duncan Harling.

Michele Harling, the Advisor of the Year winner, is the adult leader of Venturing Crew 32. The Venturing program evolved from what used to be known as the Explorer level of scouting.

“When they started to go into niche careers, they took the kids that like to do outdoor activities and turned it into venturing,’’ Michele said. That happened in 1998.

Venturing Crew 32 has been around for about 10 years and has always been a coed group with a focus and a purpose. For this group, the emphasis has been on scuba diving, hunting, climbing and supporting veterans because of its relationship with American Legion Post 32.

A major reason for Venturing Crew 32’s win this year was its involvement in community service projects. One was the Governor’s Day of Service. From April 1 through June 30 last year, the crew took part in 1,400 community service hours.

The group members dealt with problems related to last year’s hurricanes and also cleaned up Cross Creek Pistol and Rifle Club, which is the crew’s venue for shooting sports. The crew also put in time helping disabled veterans with hurricane cleanup of their yards.

The High Adventure scouting award went to Michele’s son, Duncan. He earned a pair of scholarships to visit a High Adventure base.

Michele explained that the goal of venturing is to get involved in activities that are considered high adventure. There are alumni from Crew 32 who are divemasters, rescue divers and open water divers.

Duncan called his reception of the award humbling. “I figured I was not alone in doing all these really cool things (and) going out and helping other people,’’ he said. “I thought that was just what a scout did. The fact I got an award for it was a complete blindside.’’

The Advisor of the Year award for Michele was the latest in a string of honors she’s won. Others include the district award of merit along with leader badges and a trainer’s key.

“I get to advise them as the kids put together adventures,’’ Michele said. “My crew has put together some fabulous adventures.’’

She said the most important part of the process for her is the success her scouts have enjoyed beyond their time with the crew. “I have several that have gone to college, several that have gone into trades, several that have gone into the armed forces,’’ Michele said.

This summer, she has about a half-dozen crew members working at day camp at the John D. Fuller Recreation Center on Bunce Road.

“We like being helpful,’’ she said. “We’re living up to the scout law. I’m probably proudest of the fact they keep doing it with them in front, me behind.

“They determine what we do. They set the schedule. They put things together. It’s been great.’’

Photo:  L to R: Venturing Crew 32 President Connor Coplen, Natsuko George, Evan Novak, Duncan Harling, Charlie Thoele, Michele Harling, unknown American legion boy scout committee member (hat in background), American Legion outgoing Commander Evan Thompson, Bryant Cunningham

Fayetteville City Council’s plan to charge for on-street parking is still alive despite growing opposition from downtown merchants. The city plans to charge $1 an hour for people parking on the street downtown from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Some council members favor allowing motorists to park free for the first hour. There are about 600 parking spots on center-city streets, according to traffic engineer Lee Jernigan. He reminded City Council at a meeting June 19 that the plan adopted recently will include paid parking downtown beginning the first of next year.

Old-fashioned parking meters will not be reinstalled. Instead, several dozen digital kiosks will be built to accept smartphone app and bank card payments as well as coins. The city is already charging $5 to park in city-owned parking lots during Fayetteville Woodpeckers baseball games.

Electronic kiosks have become popular across the country in recent years. Many communities say they raise tens of thousands of dollars in new revenue, which is one of the reasons Fayetteville leaders are moving in that direction. Fayetteville is the only large city in North Carolina not charging for on-street parking.

Businessman Hank Parfitt contends Fayetteville’s main thoroughfare, including the first block of Person Street and five blocks of Hay Street, is unlike other big cities. City Councilman Dan Culliton agrees. “We have a downtown that has been revitalized with small boutiques and restaurants,” he said.

Parfitt, who owns a business and lives downtown, said the city should have waited for the effects of Segra Stadium to settle in before imposing parking fees, which have harmed small-business owners. Both men agreed officials need to promote the use of the underutilized Franklin Street parking garage.

“We need to focus more on the parking deck, and we need to protect our businesses,” Culliton said.

Councilman Jim Arp referred to a study conducted by McLaurin Parking Management of Raleigh and renewed his insistence that the city concentrate on promoting parking turnover.

“I think a significant number of your parking spaces are being taken up by downtown employees, merchants or other folks,” said McLaurin CEO Jeff Wolfe, whose firm manages downtown parking for the city.

Mayor Mitch Colvin informed business owners and others who attended the special council meeting that no action would be taken and that it was an information-gathering session. “We want to hear everybody’s point of view,” Colvin said.

The council has not yet heard directly from downtown property owners and merchants in any of the meetings it’s held since February, when the parking issue first came up.

Downtown merchant Bruce Arnold showed Up & Coming Weekly an online petition with more than 2,500 signatures calling for free parking. He and his wife, Molly, have put their Hay Street business, the coffee shop Rude Awakening, up for sale.

Molly wrote in a lengthy Facebook entry that business has declined by 25% since parking lot fees were introduced in May.

It’s been a little less than 10 years since the Gary Sinise Foundation lent a helping hand to the Cotton Volunteer Fire Department. The charitable organization was founded by Sinise, the actor known for roles in "Forrest Gump," "The Green Mile" and "Apollo 13." Now, the foundation has once again come to the aid of the Hope Mills fire station to help upgrade its equipment and ability to perform a wider variety of rescue operations.

Cotton Deputy Chief Hank Harris said the Sinise Foundation helped Cotton obtain a new inflatable boat for water rescue operations, along with an assortment of other rescue equipment.

Cotton’s first encounter with the Sinise Foundation took place about seven years ago following a tragic triple fatality fire. Harris said the foundation learned about the fire and reached out to the Cotton Fire Department to see if they could donate some equipment to help out.

“They were more than generous,’’ Harris said.

The latest help from the foundation is the result of Cotton Fire Department's growing need for a better ability to handle water rescues.

Harris said this need has grown because of an increase in localized flooding from heavy rain. Another factor has been the threat of widespread flooding in the area spawned by hurricanes.

The new rescue boat is a small model that can be quickly inflated and used in areas that are hard to access. Larger boats that need to be carried on a trailer, Harris said, don't work for tight spaces. He cited farm ponds as an example.

Among the additional equipment obtained thanks to the Sinise Foundation was a rope gun, which can be used over long distances like a flooded river or creek. The rope gun allows firemen to set up lines to help bring people to safety.

The remainder of the new equipment includes personal protective equipment for the firefighters who have to get in the water. Items like dry suits, thermal suit liners, helmets, gloves, boots and personal flotation devices are all part of that gear.

Harris said Cotton Fire Department got a list of prices for the assorted gear from their vendor. The Sinise Foundation paid the vendor directly, and the equipment was then shipped to the fire department.

Most of the firefighters are already trained in the use of the new equipment, Harris said. The few that aren’t will get in-house training and certification training at a later time when it’s available.

Harris said there aren’t a lot of resources of this nature in county firefighting stations. “We’re trying to up our game a little bit where our resources and equipment need to be,’’ he said. He added that Cotton would have eventually been able to purchase the equipment with its own money, but there would have been a considerable wait.

“It would have been a little bit here, a little bit there,’’ he said. Harris praised the work of Sinise and his foundation. “The foundation itself means a lot to first responders,’’ Harris said.

In addition to first responders, Harris said Sinise strongly supports military groups and builds houses for veterans. “He’s an amazing guy,’’ Harris said.

Not quite a year ago, as summer reigned across North Carolina, my beloved Station Wagon No. 7 — my home away from home, my filing system, my repository for everything I did not know where else to put — suddenly lost her air conditioning. I tried to tough it out until fall arrived, but the heat got me. When the verdict came that the A/C would cost almost half my beloved’s trade-in value, I bit the bullet and came away with Station Wagon No. 8. I felt terrible leaving my elderly 2010 model sweetheart in the dealer’s lot,tears I hoped no one saw.

Cars came a long way during the 20-teens. And my new one, an updated version of precious No. 7, has some fine features new to me, including a handy backup camera, a Bluetooth connection for audio books, lights that flash if another car is coming up beside mine, a selfdriving system that nudges me back into my lane should I stray into another, loud beeps if another vehicle or a person is close by, and automatic emergency braking. I am accustomed to these convenient features now, but my first reaction was, who knew? Highway safety experts say new technologies are making American roads and highways safer regardless of our national angst about “driverless cars.” Technology, it seems, can save us from some of our human frailties.

Technology is likely one of the reasons traffic crash fatalities fell by nearly 700 souls between 2016-18, although the U.S. Department of Transportation has not speculated on that.

Other aspects of our roadway safety are not so positive.

No matter how Americans might joke among ourselves about wild driving styles in other countries, particularly emerging nations, ours are the most dangerous roads in the industrialized world. Our fatality rate is nearly double those of Canada and Australia, even of Germany with its world-famous high-speed autobahns. Some of other nations’ declining fatality numbers have followed national highway safety campaigns, something the U.S has not undertaken recently. As David Leonhardt of The New York Times pointed out earlier this month, vehicle fatalities kill almost as many people in the U.S. as gun violence, although they receive far less public attention.

So, what’s our problem? It’s likely several issues.

We speed. The Governors Highway Safety Association recently issued a report subtitled “Rethinking a Forgotten Traffic Safety Challenge,” which asserts that nearly one-third of our traffic fatalities are caused by excessive speed. It cites “widespread public acceptance of speeding and lack of risk perception” among American drivers. A cruise along I-95 or I-40 confirms this public acceptance within seconds.

We talk tough on impaired driving, but we are not walking the walk. As a nation in love with our vehicles, we slap many impaired drivers on the wrist and send them back onto our roadways. Most communities, including ours, have lawyers who specialize in this area and have handsome incomes to prove it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that someone dies every 51 minutes in an alcoholrelated crash. Prepare to hear more about legal moves to lower the legal blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05. That alone could save some of the 10,000 people who die in alcohol-related crashes every year in our nation.

“Distracted driving” is a term often used to describe texting and other technology use while driving, but it actually means everything we do in our cars that is not driving — eating, drinking, tuning the radio, looking at back seat passengers — the list is individual and endless. Americans are in our vehicles so much that we seem to forget that we should not do in them everything we do when we are out of them. Our driver’s ed teacher’s advice still holds — two hands on the wheel and eyes straight ahead.

Nervously but hopefully yours from behind the wheel of Station Wagon No. 8,

Margaret

Meetings

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

• Veterans Affairs Committee Thursday, June 27, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

• CANCELED: Festival Committee Monday, July 1, 6 p.m., Town Hall, Front Conference Room

• CANCELED: Board of Commissioners Monday, July 1, 7 p.m.

• 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

Activities

• Independence Day Parade and Celebration Thursday, July 4. Parade starts at 10 a.m. near Rockfish Elementary School. Celebration runs from 4-10 p.m. at Hope Mills Municipal Park.

• Good2Grow Farmers Market Saturday, July 6, 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.

Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

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

The winning tradition established under Duran McLaurin continued at his alma mater, Seventy- First, last fall. The Falcons made the deepest run in the state football playoffs of any of the Cumberland County Schools, reaching the 4-A Eastern Regional finals before falling to Sandhills Athletic Conference rival Scotland. They finished the season with an 11-4 record.

To make a similar run this season, McLaurin will have to improve the Falcons’ depth and fill a big loss at quarterback caused by the graduation of multi-talented Kyler Davis.

McLaurin will coach Davis one last time next month. The two are scheduled to take part in the annual North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star football game in Grimsley High School’s Jamieson Stadium in Greensboro.

“Losing Kyler is going to be a big area of concern for us,’’ McLaurin said. “We’re going to have to replace Kyler’s production at several positions.’’ McLaurin indicated the Falcons will need to get more offensive production from their running backs and receiver corps to offset Davis’ exit.

One player McLaurin is counting on is receiver Jermaine Johnson, who had 29 catches and two touchdowns last fall. There will also be some younger prospects joining the varsity from the Falcons’ last two successful junior varsity teams.

“Seventy-First has a winning tradition,’’ McLaurin said. “That’s what we do over here, and we’re going to try to continue that.’’

One key to that this season will be the play of two-way lineman Russell Hewett, who will again see action on the offensive and defensive fronts.

“We are depending on his veteran experience and leadership on both sides of the ball,’’ McLaurin said of Hewett. “He’s very important where it counts, in the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines. He’s one of our toughest players. We’re expecting a whole lot from him.’’

Hewett said the focus of Seventy-First’s spring workouts was to get better than the day before. “We just keep working so we can be successful this season and make it to the championship,’’ he said.

Whoever winds up playing quarterback for Seventy-First this year, Hewett said the pressure is on the offensive line to protect him. “We need to block for our quarterback,’’ he said. “Our key is just to block for them, and they’ll take us to the championships.’’

Photo: Russell Hewett

The Fayetteville Running Club presents its 6th Annual Firecracker 4 Miler Race on Thursday, July 4, at 7 a.m., at the North Carolina Veterans Park in downtown Fayetteville. The 1-mile fun run begins at 7:50 a.m.

“This is the event that the Fayetteville Running Club uses to support several different charities,” said David Wilkes, president of the club. “Our largest recipient is the Gold Star Teen Program. That sends the kids of a Gold Star family to camp, and they have different activities throughout the year.” Wilkes added that a Gold Star family is one that has lost a family member during that member’s military service.

“We also have two scholarships that we give out to two high school track or cross country runners,” said Wilkes. “We give one male and one female $1,000 a piece who are seniors and have participated on their cross country or track team during that time.”

Wilkes added that every month, the organization makes a $500 donation to a local charity. Some of those charities include The Rape Crisis Center, Operation Inasmuch, Action Pathways, the Autism Society, the Bicycle Man, Fayetteville Urban Ministry and more.

“We created a 4-mile route that highlighted many of the scenic and historical sites downtown,” said Wilkes of the July 4 run. “It goes through Arsenal Park behind the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, the various downtown water fountains, Freedom Memorial Park and other areas.”

Awards will be given to the top three overall winners and the top three male and female winners in each age category. All 4 Mile and 1 Mile finishers will receive a medal. There will be awards for most spirited, best costume, fastest wheels and more. Raffle prizes will be given. There will be fruit, beverages and music at the event.

“The Fayetteville Running Club’s mission is to support our community through living a healthy lifestyle, and there will be about 2,000 people who will show up for this event, which is one of the largest running races in town,” said Wilkes. “We look forward to everyone coming out to participate.”

Same-day registration begins at 6 a.m. The cost of the 4 Miler Race is $30. Packet pickup is Wednesday, July 3, from 4-8 p.m. at Fayetteville Otolaryngology, which is located at 1839 Quiet Cove Rd. Race-day parking is available at the Medical Arts Center and the parking garage on Franklin Street. For more information, visit https://its-go-time.com/firecracker-4-miler/.

Work has finally started on demolishing the home football grandstand at Terry Sanford High School. The structure beneath the bleachers had reached a point where it could no longer be repaired. For the 2019-20 school year, the Bulldog football, soccer and lacrosse teams will play home games at Reid Ross Classical High School's John Daskal Stadium. Plans are to return to the rebuilt Terry Sanford stadium in the fall of 2020.

There’s a longstanding opportunity to engage with this community’s arts and culture scene: Fayetteville’s monthly 4th Friday, sponsored by Cool Spring Downtown District. This month’s event, as usual, takes place in idyllic downtown Fayetteville. Set for June 28 from 6-10 p.m., its theme is “Love Local.”

“Love local” is an easy mandate to follow, as downtown is bursting with both longtime and new galleries, bookstores, bistros and shops to explore.

Cape Fear Studios and Gallery, located at 148- 1 Maxwell St., will hold an opening reception for its 2019 Nellie Allen Smith National Pottery Competition. The reception will last from 6-8 p.m., and the show will be up through July 23. CFS has hosted this competition for more than 20 years. The initial goal was to give local clay artists an opportunity to compete with their peers. The show has now grown to provide a nationally competitive stage, with entries coming in from across the U.S. To learn more, visit www. capefearstudios.com/monthly-exhibits or call 910-433-2986.

The Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum will hold a special 4th Friday celebration highlighting its current exhibit, “Baseball in Fayetteville.” This fun and educational exhibit focuses on the nearly 150 years of baseball history in this community — including the fact that Babe Ruth hit his first professional baseball home run here. It was also here that he picked up the nickname “Babe.”

The Market House, at the roundabout of Person, Hay, Green and Gillespie Streets, will open a new temporary exhibit, “Centennial of Pope Army Airfield,” from 6-9 p.m. The Market House’s permanent exhibit, “A View from the Square: A History of Downtown Fayetteville,” will also be open.

There’s also live music to enjoy. Alice Osborn, a Piedmont-area performer whose music and lyrics are rooted in folk Americana and the New South, will perform at Bright Light Brewing Company, 444 W Russell St. From 7-10 p.m., Osborn will play tunes that are upbeat and informed by her identity as both an accomplished poet and an American history buff. She is the president of the North Carolina Songwriters Coop and lives in Raleigh with her family. She also plays Celtic fiddle and bluegrass banjo. Visit www.aliceosborn.com to learn more about her, and call Bright Light at 910-339-0464 to learn more about her show in Fayetteville.

These are just a few of the many events and activities happening downtown June 28. For more information about 4th Friday, visit www.theartscouncil.com or call Cool Spring Downtown District at 910-223-1089.

Photo: Alice Osborn

Editor’s note: This piece first ran in Up & Coming Weekly on June 26, 2017. As we approach Independence Day, it’s fitting to recognize those who have embraced the liberties we have here.

Gregory Gorecki was a young boy living in Poland when the Germans invaded in 1939. Even as his country was ravaged and the unspeakable became his reality, young Gregory’s spirit yearned for freedom. By the time he was a teen, the Russians ruthlessly ruled his homeland, quelling ambitions and crushing dreams in the name of socialism. He was bright and ambitious: a trapped bird ensnared in a world void of freedom and personal choice. And freedom was all Gregory wanted, really — freedom to be the very best version of himself.

Gregory’s days were filled with hard work and drudgery. At night, he and his brother plotted their escape and dreamed of better days. They quietly planned for every possible scenario, vowing that one would not leave without the other. They knew their departure would mean hardship and government retribution for their loved ones and that consequences would be harsh should they be found out. The years passed, and Gregory became a physical therapist.

Freedom presented herself to the Gorecki brothers in 1960 at the Summer Olympics in Rome. They’d been approved to travel to the Olympics with the Russian competitors. Gregory and his brother were in their 40s now and well-established professionals. Without a whisper to their colleagues or even a parting message for their loved ones, they reached for Lady Liberty’s hand and never looked back.

The two hopped a train to Vienna and made their way to America only to learn their Soviet training and credentials were meaningless. Gregory had to start over. And he did. With great success. Only this time, it was on his terms. He built his physical therapy practice to his standards and settled in the San Francisco Bay area. He not only helped those in need; he also brought jobs to his community. He traveled. His kitchen was filled with the freshest produce, the choicest cuts of meat, the finest liquors. He embraced and embodied everything great about the American dream. He came with nothing and worked hard. He never said no to an opportunity — even the exhausting and ugly ones. He faced adversity, fought the odds that were so greatly stacked against him and found success. Happiness. Freedom.

Gregory’s daughter is my best friend. We’ve spent countless hours pondering what makes him tick. What drove him to reject everything he knew — even success behind the Iron Curtain — in favor of chasing a dream? Why was he willing to risk everything he’d built to embrace the unknown? How could he have been sure that freedom would taste so sweet?

Gregory and millions like him remain a powerful example of the very best of this experiment we call America and of all she has to offer. His passion for personal freedom and his drive to succeed and give back to the country that removed his shackles are what fuel the American Dream. He heeded the call to freedom and took seriously the responsibility that comes with it.

This great country is filled with people like Gregory. As we prepare to celebrate America’s birthday, this seems the perfect time to give a nod of deep respect and appreciation to them — those who invested in a dream and did the hard work to make their lives and our country better.

To the rebels, the risk-takers, the entrepreneurs, the dream-chasers, the laborers, the scholars and everyone else who loves and has loved this country enough to give beyond themselves to keep the American Dream alive, and to those who fought and died defending it, thank you.