Meetings

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

• Festival Committee Monday, June 3, 6 p.m., Town Hall Front Conference Room

• Mayor’s Youth Leadership Committee Monday, June 3, 6 p.m., Town Hall, Front Conference Room

• Board of Commissioners Monday, June 3, 7 p.m., Luther Meeting Room, Town Hall

• Historic Preservation Commission Wednesday, June 12, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building

• Board of Commissioners Monday, June 17, Luther Meeting Room, Town Hall

• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Monday, June 24, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Center

Activities

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

• Pet Fest Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Hope Mills Park.

• 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.

Another school year ended for Cumberland County this past Friday, and that was cause for concern for Delores Schiebe and the folks at the ALMSHOUSE in Hope Mills. “We have no contact with the children after that,’’ said Schiebe, referring to the regular ALMSHOUSE house program of providing free meals to those in the community in need while school is open.

Just three days after school closed this year, the ALMSHOUSE began a new program that will help solve the problem of making sure hungry people, especially children, can get a meal at lunchtime while school is out. The ALMSHOUSE will provide free bag lunches Monday through Friday during the summer months for anyone in need. People just need to come by the ALMSHOUSE headquarters on Ellison Street off Trade Street in downtown Hope Mills to pick up the lunch.

Plans for the bag lunches aren’t final, but what Schiebe said the ALMSHOUSE hopes to provide is something basic, including a bottle of water, a sandwich, a bag of chips and a piece of fruit.

“There was a time in the past when we had been able to do a lunchtime meal every day of the week, but we had to eliminate that,’’ Schiebe said. “We are very concerned because there are people needing meals at lunchtime and we’re very concerned about the children when they are going to be out of school.’’

Once the summer bag lunch program is ready to begin, Schiebe said a notice will be posted on the door of the ALMSHOUSE building on Ellison Street. “Anyone who needs a meal can come by and get that meal from us,’’ she said.

It’s possible the lunches could begin before mid-June if the details get worked out, but for now Schiebe said that will remain the target date for starting.

One thing that will keep the program running during the summer months will be regular donations from the public of sandwich items like bread and various types of meat and cheese, as well as fresh fruit like apples, bananas, oranges and tangerines.

Schiebe said the sandwiches will be prepared in advance as much as possible, and they can store them for a time in refrigerators and freezers at ALMSHOUSE. “We’ll do the sandwiches in advance so we can put them in sealed containers, Ziploc bags,’’ she said. “We won’t put mayonnaise or mustard on them. They’ll receive little packs of that.’’

If anyone would like to inquire about specific donations needed to help with the summer bag lunches program, they can call the ALMSHOUSE at 910-425-0902, or contact Grilley Mitchell via email at grillmitch@gmail.com.

“One of our main concerns is the children,’’ Schiebe said. “We want to take care of adults as well. But we’re unable to get to children now that school is out, and we want to be able to do that.’’

When Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner first got the phone call some 18 months ago, she admitted she was skeptical.

It was a woman from Cypress, Texas, named Virginia Valentine, who said she represented an organization called Angels Serving With A Purpose. Valentine had seen news reports on television about how Hope Mills was struggling from the after-effects of back-to-back hurricanes in the fall of 2017. She wanted to offer her organization’s help.

It took more than a year and a half, but when Valentine and her volunteers arrived in Hope Mills just over a week ago, they found local residents who were still in need of help long after the storms had passed.

Valentine and her group have been in operation for four years. They travel to any area of the United States that has suffered a disaster or an emergency or where there are simply people with no resources who need help.

“I have a heart and a love for this,’’ said Valentine, who is originally from Arkansas and grew up picking cotton. “We have started doing this with my foundation, and I want to continue doing this.’’

She watches news reports on local and national television to find out the places that might be in need of her charity. Then she reaches out to the officials of those cities, starting with the mayor, and finds local organizations she can partner with to distribute what she has to offer.

She recently arrived in Hope Mills with two rented trucks and two vans filled with her and her team of eight volunteers.

They brought along furniture, clothing, toiletries, cleaning products, brooms and mops. Some of the items were donated to Valentine; others she purchased with her own money.

She doesn’t screen anyone who comes to one of her giveaways. “We just bless them,’’ she said. “We try not to discriminate or hurt. I do this generously, willingly and lovingly. Everything is free. I don’t charge anybody for anything.’’

Valentine’s giveaway set up shop at the Hope Mills Shrine Club. Warner put Valentine in contact with the Shriners because she felt their site provided enough parking and space for Valentine to spread out all the things she planned to give to people.

News of the giveaway was quickly spread by word of mouth and social media the day before the event was held.

Warner said even before Valentine’s volunteers had completed setting up, people were already lining up to take advantage of the event. 

Expecting a mad rush for the various free items, Warner said the atmosphere was calm and orderly. “They let them come in five at a time,’’ she said. “Gradually, people would take what they wanted, then the next wave came in. Nobody was grabbing. Nobody was fussing over anything.’’

On many occasions, Warner said, Valentine would meet with people, talk with them and ask them what their specific needs were. In some cases, where families wanted the same item, Valentine would talk with them and try to determine who had the greatest need in an attempt to make sure the item went to the most deserving family.

Warner said she saw a young soldier, who had a wife and baby and no furniture, pick up a sofa, chair and some baby items. An elderly gentleman who lost everything in the 2017 floods got a recliner and a chair.

When the giveaway ended and there were a few items left, Valentine and her group didn’t want to take anything back to Texas with them, so Warner arranged for it to be donated to a local charity that agreed to take it.

Valentine and her volunteers stayed in Hope Mills through the weekend, worshipping at a local church on Sunday and returning to Texas the following Monday.

“The people that needed stuff got the message and they came,’’ Warner said. “It was very calm and orderly. It was a good thing.’

On June 1, Brothers For Brothers will honor Sgt. 1st Class Joshua “Zach” Beale, 32, who was killed Jan. 22, in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations. Beale was assigned to Operational Detachment Alpha 3123, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The June 1 event is a poker ride that will start at Charlie Mike’s, 195 Star Point Dr. in Fayetteville. Stops along the way will included PK’s Grill & Pub, 155 Airport Dr., Raeford; The Dog House, 3049 Owen Dr., Fayetteville; Legends Pub, 4624 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville; and a return to Charlie Mike’s.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. The first bike will leave Charlie Mike’s at noon, and upon the riders’ return, food will be served at 4 p.m. The fun will continue at 4:30 p.m., to include the Best Poker Hand, Worst Poker Hand, a three-gun raffle and a 50/50 drawing. There will also be an auction.

All proceeds will go to the Special Forces Charitable Trust. The SFCT is a 501(c)(3) charity that provides meaningful and sustainable support to the families of our Green Berets. The SFCT supports timely, innovative and comprehensive programs and services designed to enhance the wellbeing and health of both the Special Forces soldier and his or her family.

The 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) is a home to heroes. The group has seen extensive action in Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa. The men of the 3rd SFG have received two Medal of Honors, 56 Silver Stars, 183 Bronze Star with valor devices, and 239 Army Commendation medals with valor devices.

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

Photo: Sgt. 1st Class Joshua “Zach” Beale

I recently stood amid hundreds of American flags placed in memory of men and women who answered the call to serve this nation. I made my way over to a man in a Rolling Thunder vest and asked for his thoughts on the importance of the local display known as the Field of Honor. “They say everyone dies twice. Once when we die physically,” he said, “and again when people stop talking about you.”

My dad didn’t talk about his military service very much. In the summer of 1941, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Navy without his parents’ permission before his 18th birthday. The Second World War was just getting started in the Pacific and, like many other American boys, he was anxious to do his part. Classified as a pharmacist’s mate, much of his 16 years of service were spent as a more necessary combat medic with the Marines.

Much of what I learned, I gathered from a friend my dad served with, Henry Hornak. We had visited Hank and his wife, Dottie, in West Virginia when I was in my teens, and I had called him years later to hopefully fill in some blanks after my dad’s passing in 1981. “Your dad saw some awful things in the war,” he told me. “Most of his memories probably weren’t good ones. I’m glad to share some of those that were.”

We just celebrated Memorial Day in the United States. The holiday is often regarded as the beginning of summer more than a time to remember those who stood in the gap for the oppressed across the globe. My thoughts wander to people like my father, to the courageous stand they took and the friends they left behind. He would go on to lose his first son to the war in Vietnam, a kid whose name I have photographed or rubbed off the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on more than one occasion, but whose face I can’t recall at all.

The Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville is a great place to remember. And it’s a fitting place for conversations with others who remember. The adjacent North Carolina Veterans Park and nearby memorials afford visitors many spots to pause and reflect, and whether or not you or your family is represented in any of the impressive displays, a visit will surely stir a sense of pride and awe for the collective good some of America’s most honorable men and women have accomplished on our behalf.

The Field of Honor is a good place to start. The moving and colorful display will be in place until June 27. You can sponsor a flag in honor or memory of someone you know and love by visiting the ASOM gift shop or the website, www.asomf.org. Flags are folded and offered to their sponsors concluding the display and can serve as a fitting tribute in the home of America’s finest families.

Alpha & Omega Dance Academy is ending its 12th year with a new kind of Cinderella story. “The Glass Slipper” will incorporate all ages and 10 styles of dance into an end-of-year recital and production with one mantra: “Have courage and be kind.” AODA welcomes the community to the production, which takes place Saturday, June 8, at Huff Concert Hall (formerly known as Reeves Auditorium), Methodist University.

Rachel Choi, who owns the studio and teaches many of the classes there, is also the artistic and productions director for “The Glass Slipper.” She said she wasn’t at first planning to produce a recital based on the Cinderella story. “I didn’t want to do ‘Cinderella’ … because in most versions of the story, they portray Cinderella as maybe a little wishy-washy,” Choi said. “They don’t show her strength. I don’t want to communicate to girls that you need to be this passive person, just waiting for your prince to come. We have a life of our own that we can live before we meet that perfect someone.”

A few “Cinderella” renditions with more inspiring messages, along with instructor Maria Choi, who will portray a stepsister in the recital, swayed Rachel’s opinion. “The 2015 version with Lily James, to me, has a better storyline … which is ‘have courage and be kind,’” Choi said. “She chooses to be a servant and to be kind versus letting someone push her into it. That’s what made me change my mind.”

The students and staff at AODA strive to show kindness, too. “Ever since I’ve gotten here, everybody’s just been so welcoming … and they really do focus on storytelling and having a community here,” said Justin Nolen, who will play the prince.

AODA is one of the only local noncompetitive studios of its size. Instead of competing, the studio focuses on developing artistry in students and telling stories through dance. “I don’t feel any competition with any of my classmates,” said Collette LeFavor, who plays Cinderella in the production. “And I also love that it’s a Christian studio. The prayer before class really gets your mind right.”

Maria commented on the family environment at AODA: “I feel like I know everyone; it’s relational. The students are excited to be here, and I think there’s just a friendly atmosphere that people enjoy being in.”

“The Glass Slipper” begins at 3 p.m., June 8. AODA will have a shorter recital for children ages 3-6 at 10:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online for $10, or at the door for $12, and include access to both the morning children’s recital and the afternoon production. Huff Concert Hall is located at 5400 Ramsey St. Children under 6 years old and all AODA students enter free. Doors open 30 minutes before the show.

For more information, call 910-860- 1405 or visit the studio’s website, www.alphaomegadanceacademy.com.

Photo: L to R: Maria and Angel Choi as Stepsisters Olivine and Carnelia; Ashlyn Clark as Stepmother; Collette LeFavor as Cinderella; Ebony Norris as Fairy Godmother; Isabel Beck as Young Cinderella; and Allison Todd as Cinderella’s mother

Sweet Tea Shakespeare presents “Richard III” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” on alternating nights, beginning Tuesday, June 4, on the grounds of the 1897 Poe House.

From this famous opening line, “Now is the winter of our discontent…” to the last line the eponymous Richard utters, “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!” Shakespeare’s “Richard III” is an epic play with reams of dialogue and a huge cast of characters. STS’ challenge in presenting it is to condense the script and the cast to fit the Sweet Tea format and yet still tell the sweeping tale that effectively put an end to The Wars of the Roses.

“This production will feature a ‘Sons of Anarchy’ vibe,” said director Jeremy Fiebig. “But what I’d love to mention is that ‘Richard III’ is source material for some of the storylines in ‘Game of Thrones.’ In particular, Tyrion Lannister is modeled after Richard.”

A brief synopsis of English history is helpful in establishing context. The House of Plantagenet held the English throne from the mid-12th until the waning years of the 15th centuries. Midway through the 15th century, a decades-long struggle to capture the throne ensued between two branches of the House of Plantagenet — the House of York with a heraldic white rose and the House of Lancaster with the heraldic red rose. These battles and betrayals, which came to be known as The Wars of the Roses, killed off the direct male line of both houses and merged York with Lancaster when Henry Tudor, of dubious Lancastrian descent, ascended the throne and subsequently married Elizabeth of York. “Richard III” tells this story.

Shakespeare’s script involves the audience as an accomplice to Richard’s single-minded intent to seize the English crown. Richard’s soliloquies establish his motive, means and methods while, at the same time, his dialogue with others seeks to obscure them — often humorously. Aaron Alderman plays Richard while Cheleen Sugar plays Richard’s wife, Lady Anne.

Asked how he intended to portray Richard, Alderman said, “I can’t imagine him being a straight villain. I’ll try to find the man who fits into the oddly shaped hole that the text has left us. I believe there are moments where he is human, frail and afraid in ways many can understand.”

“The Merry Wives of Windsor” is full of marital intrigue and comic impediments to young love. Intrigue ensues when Falstaff, whose name has become synonymous with ineptness, woos two married women simultaneously. A subplot revolves around one father’s attempt to marry off his young daughter. “Wives” is directed by Fiebig as well. Alderman plays Falstaff, which should demonstrate his diverse acting talent as the bumbling Falstaff is a 180 from the Machiavellian Richard. Traycie Kuhn- Zapata plays Mistress Ford, and Sugar takes the role of Mistress Page.

“Show up early at 6:45 p.m. for live music, great food and beer and a great backyard party atmosphere,” said musical director Jacob French. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary, and there are discounts for students, seniors and members of the military. See Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s website, sweetteashakespeare.com, for performance dates and ticket prices. Tickets can be purchased online. Be sure to bring your own seating.

Photo: Richard III” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” are next up in Sweet Tea Shakespeare’s season. STS actors left to right: Traycie Kuhn Zapata, Aaron Alderman, Cheleen Sugar Photo credit: Jacob French

Army and Air Force spouses can apply for reimbursement of up to $500 for professional relicensing costs when they relocate with their service members. The new policy is retroactive to Dec. 12, 2017. It’s designed to ease the financial burden of spouses having to renew licenses each time they move to new duty stations. In many cases, spouses can’t get jobs in their fields unless they meet the requirements of their new states for licenses to practice in their professions. The policies apply to spouses of active-duty Army and Air Force, Guard, and Reserve on Title 10 orders.

The Navy is still working on its policy to allow the reimbursement and expects to release it soon, according to a Navy administrative message. Information was not immediately available from the Marine Corps.

The Army and Air Force policies apply to fees paid during each permanent change of station move. But reimbursements in connection with each move cannot exceed $500. Local and state-level licenses or certifications are required for a long list of professions, thousands in our area involving Army spouses. They range from dental hygienists and accountants to nurses and doctors, hair stylists, teachers and attorneys. The requirements vary widely from state to state, and from one profession to another.

Here’s how the Army program works: Instructions on how to apply for reimbursement can be found in the All Army Activities message, or ALARACT 036/2019. Instructions will also eventually be available on the Military One- Source website. Department of Defense officials have been working for years to bring attention to state lawmakers that transferring occupational licenses from previous states is an important issue for military spouses who want to be able to continue to work in their professions.

In North Carolina, state law provides in part that “licensure for military spouses... an occupational licensing board, as defined in G.S. 93B-1, shall issue a license, certification, or registration... to allow the applicant to lawfully practice the applicant’s occupation in this state.” Certain ordinary provisions must be met.

Relicensing costs can include exam and registration fees where the new duty station is located — fees that are required in order to engage in the profession the spouse was in while with the service member at the last duty station. The reimbursement is a pilot program authorized through Dec. 31, 2022, by the current defense law, the fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.

Family advocates have been frustrated by the delay in implementing the program. “We’re really encouraged to see that it’s retroactive back to Dec. 12, 2017,” said Jen Davis, government relations deputy director for the National Military Family Association.

The association will be watching to see how reimbursement programs get rolled out for the Navy and Marine Corps. Because the individual military services are responsible for both the permanent change of station moves and related reimbursements, they have the discretionary authority to provide the payments.

Downtown Fayetteville business owners have high hopes for the impact of professional baseball on local commerce. Those Up & Coming Weekly have spoken with seem to agree Segra Stadium is a good thing for business. That, of course, was the hope of Fayetteville City Council when it decided to put together a $40 million business plan to build the ballpark and entertainment venue.

“In many ways, the stadium is delivering the audience, but it’s up to the business owners to entice attendees to come in the door,” said former Fayetteville Mayor Tony Chavonne. He knows the downtown market as well as anyone. Chavonne lives on Person Street in a house that would be thought of anywhere else as a twostoryrow house.

“Early business reports are somewhat mixed as we all try to figure it out,” Chavonne added. “There’s a lot of continued excitement right now with the new stadium. We expect that to die down some as people get into more of a routine.”

Merchants tend to be optimistic because of the new ballpark and the thousands of downtown visitors it has drawn. “We love the stadium and hope with time that more ballpark fans become downtown customers,” said merchant Molly Arnold. She and her husband have owned two downtown businesses for many years, including Rude Awakening Coffee House at 227 Hay St.

However, dozens of merchants showed up at City Hall earlier this month to complain that city government had made hasty decisions, which city manager Doug Hewett acknowledged need work. “We hope to come back with a larger and more comprehensive parking management program late in 2019 early in 2020,” he said at that meeting.

That’s months away, and Arnold suspects delays will be a problem. “We are hoping that City Council recognizes the need to also stop charging in (parking) lots, at the least,” she said.

Chavonne agreed, saying, “Many are avoiding the city paid parking lots and find abundant free parking in other parts of the city.”

Without saying so directly, Arnold suggested that merchants may have the answers. She said newcomers who come downtown for ballgames wonder about the police presence. “We hear that the regular blocking of Hay Street and the flashing blue lights is off-putting to people,” she said.

The city blocks off Hay Street between Ray Avenue and Pittman Street for pedestrians and stations police cars at each end. “I am still amazed with folks’ concerns on security,” Chavonne noted, recalling his eight years as mayor.

“We are encouraged” about the future, said Laura Laycock, store manager of Center City Gallery & Books at 112 Hay St. She said she has seen an increase in pedestrian traffic in recent weeks. The store closes at 6 p.m. on weekdays, but weekend afternoon games seem to generate traffic. Asked if owners Diane and Hank Parfitt have considered staying open later, Laycock said, “We’ve talked about it.”

Former Cumberland County Public health director Buck Wilson resigned nearly two years ago. At about the same time, county commissioners considered whether to consolidate human services agencies. While that process was ongoing, the county decided to suspend the recruitment of a health director. Assistant County Manager Duane Holder was named acting director to provide departmental leadership. Several months later, during the May 21 meeting, the board of commissioners voted 5-2 to retain the existing governance structure. The Board of Health then formed a search committee to resume recruitment of a health director and retained a consultant to find a permanent director. That was one year ago.

“Following an initial search, the committee decided to repost the position with a targeted marketing effort to reach potential candidates from communities across the country with similar demographics and health priorities,” Holder said. The search continues.

Hospital gets an “A”

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center was awarded an “A” from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2019 Hospital Safety Grade. The designation recognizes Cape Fear Valley’s efforts to protect its patients from harm. The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers. It grades hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.

“To be recognized nationally as an ‘A’ hospital is an accomplishment the whole community should take pride in,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group.

Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measurements of publicly available safety data to evaluate more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice a year. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center was awarded an “A” grade following a period a few years ago when safety data was not as flattering. For information and patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

The Baby Store is open again

The Cumberland County Health Department’s Baby Store has reopened for public health clients. The Baby Store is a prenatal health promotion program that aims to create healthy moms and healthy babies. Health Department clients can earn baby bucks by attending prenatal care appointments and participating in health education programs such as smoking cessation, childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding classes. Clients with children who visit the Women, Infants and Children program; Women’s Health Clinic; Family Planning Clinic; Child Health Clinic; Immunization Clinic; and many other programs for moms with newborns can also earn bucks.

These baby bucks can be used to purchase items such as diapers, baby wipes, clothing and more. Store hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The Baby Store program helps expectant moms and families by aiding in the healthy development of their babies,” said interim health director Duane Holder. “This is one way we can help decrease the infant mortality rate and low birth weight percentages in Cumberland County.”

The Baby Store is made possible through a grant awarded by the North Carolina Office of Rural Health. The Baby Store has been open, when funding has been available, off and on since 2010. 

Local volunteer honored

Cumberland Disaster Recovery Coalition Secretary Diane Chandler has received the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service in recognition of her contributions to the coalition’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

Al Foote, administrative officer for Medicaid Transportation and Disaster Coordination at the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, surprised Chandler with the award during CDRC’s May 14 meeting.

The Governor’s Volunteer Service Award honors the spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups and businesses that make significant contributions to their communities through volunteer service.

“In the wake of Hurricane Matthew... Diane’s detailed minutes have allowed the CDRC to maintain records of our rise from a small group to a nonprofit long-term recovery group and now to one of the most productive and successful LTRGs in the state,” Foote said.

Chandler joined the CDRC in 2011 shortly after tornadoes struck Cumberland County. The coalition was established as a result of the 2011 tornado disaster. For more information, or to find out how to become a volunteer, go to cdrcnc.org.

Local business changes hands

FASTSIGNS of Fayetteville, a locally owned and operated sign and graphics company, has a new owner. Vic Cannon, a resident of North Carolina since 1987 and of Fayetteville since last year, bought the business from the original owner. Cannon said he hopes to expand and further improve the high level of quality and customer service that the Fayetteville community has experienced in the past with the same team.

As a member of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club, Cannon looks forward to continued involvement in his community as a new business owner.

“I have run many businesses for others, but I wanted a business of my own,” Cannon said. FASTSIGNS of Fayetteville is located at 2807 Raeford Rd.

Photo: Duane Holder

I am glad that the city appears to be moving in the right direction in reducing parking fees during home baseballgames. It troubles me, however, to hear some elected officials say that these are really “user fees,” needed because parking has been “subsidized” by all taxpayers whether they come downtown or not. This is a gross over implication of the facts that doesn’t serve the truth well.

First, downtown property owners and businesses are contributing to the cost of parking through the Municipal Service District tax that they — and no one outside the district — pay. The city is taking $50,000 annually from the MSD tax fund to help offset the cost of parking: $25,000 toward debt retirement on the new deck and $25,000 to McLaurin Parking.

Second, the majority of building owners have title to the ground under their building but not one inch beyond. There are some exceptions, like the owners of Huske Hardware House or John Tyson, who owns much of the 100 block on the south side. Most building owners simply have no place for parking for themselves, their staff or customers unless it is provided by the municipality. This is unique to downtowns everywhere.

Third, the amenities offered in the downtown’s art and entertainment district add quality of life to our whole community — city and county — and if promoted properly, can be a powerful recruiting tool and also increase revenue from out-of-town visitors. People have to have access to these amenities, and only the city can provide that access.

Like other cities, ours provides services that are desirable even if not fully funded by a user tax. It is similar to public schools. I think most people would agree that public schools are essential in a community, especially for families who cannot afford a private school, and deserve public funding — even if they are not used by some taxpayers, like retirees or people without children.

Dictionary.com gives the following definition of white privilege: “White privilege is a term used to describe unearned rights and benefits afforded white people in Western society because of the color of their skin.” I give very little thought or attention to discussions of white privilege. Therein is my recommendation to anybody who will listen. Years of living and struggling with life have taught me that focusing on considerations that do not move a critical effort forward is a sorrowful waste of time and effort.

A friend recently shared a joke with me that illustrates how my comment in that opening paragraph looks in action. The joke has several iterations, but all of them make the same point. This from an internet post titled “The ‘Streetlight Effect’: a metaphor for knowledge and ignorance”:

“A parable featuring the Seljuk Sufi mystic Nasrudin Hodja may be the earliest form of the story: ‘Someone saw Nasrudin searching for something on the ground. “What have you lost, Mulla?” he asked. “My key,” said the Mulla. So they both went down on their knees and looked for it. After a time the other man asked: “Where exactly did you drop it?” “In my own house.” “Then why are you looking here?” “There is more light here than inside my own house.”’

It seems that at every turn, I hear or read about white privilege. The topic has even taken centerstage in the 2020 presidential campaign. For me, the pressing question is what productive outcome will, or might, result from the profuse back-and-forth regarding this matter? All I see is a lot of meaningless talking, increased tension between whites and nonwhites, and a feeding of the notion that nonwhites, especially black Americans, are victims in this country. The result is that we invest tremendous time and effort in a pursuit that does not better the condition of blacks or other nonwhites. This approach excites citizens, attracts attention to seekers of power and probably produces financial gain for some people and organizations.

What is happening is like the joke. Attention is given where it is easy and satisfies the aims of those who contend that negative consequences result from white privilege. The efforts are not directed where they would be more difficult and far less rewarding by way of gaining power and would set people free of the chains of victimhood. No, this is about operating where there is light, not about making a real difference in the lives of people.

Let me be clear. I do not doubt for a moment that advantages go to some white Americans because of their skin color. Note my use of “some.” It seems a stretch to hold that this is the case with every white person. Support for that comment simply requires honest examination of the difficult living conditions faced by many whites in our country.

Given this white privilege condition, the challenge for nonwhites, and for those who claim they want to help this population, is how to best respond in this situation. I read a devotion recently that succinctly described how I respond to this hyper-emphasis on white privilege. The devotion is titled “His affirmation is our contentment” and appeared in the May 2019 Stand Firm magazine of devotions.

The scriptural basis for the devotion was Matthew 25:14-30, the New King James version. This is where Jesus tells “The Parable of the Talents.” In it, a man travels far from his home. Before leaving, he gives varying amounts of money (talents) to his servants. Verse 15 says: “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” The man returns and wants to know how each servant used the money they were given. Each of them reports. Two made good use of the money while one buried his and produced no return.

Most of the time when this parable is addressed in a sermon or discussion, the emphasis is on how we should make the fullest possible use of the capabilities or resources God provides to us. However, the devotion writer raised another point. That point has to do with what does not happen between the servants who received the talents. Even though they had different amounts, not one of them complained about those differences. There is no indication of jealousy. Each one decides how to use what they had been given. Two of the three make wise investments, while one does nothing productive. The success- feeding truth that is to be grabbed hold of is that they focused on what they each had and not on the possessions or advantages of others.

A fact of life is that we only have so much time and energy. Wisdom dictates that we invest that time and energy where it is productive. That point shows through in the parable. It seems to me that all the attention given to white privilege discussions only diminishes the capacity of nonwhite Americans for giving attention to endeavors that would prove productive for us.

As I review my life, I see wheel-spinning when I failed to follow the approach recommended in the opening of this column. On the other hand, when I have focused on doing my best to make full use of my capabilities, while not complaining about the natural advantages that others have, life has been pretty productive.

Again, there are some who benefit from white privilege. However, we must not allow barren discussions of the topic to distract us from productive endeavors, from actions that might assist others to successful living and, in general, help make the world a better place. Doing so requires leaving the ease of light and turning from wasted motion while focusing on what is productive. 

We Americans pride ourselves on our diversity. Some of us come from Native American families with millennia-deep roots in this great land. Others descend from people who arrived in time to found this nation. Others hail from families who arrived from all over the world, and some of us arrived much more recently from everywhere. Somehow over more than two centuries, Americans both maintained our diverse backgrounds and melded ourselves into one people, growing into the strongest nation — economically, culturally and militarily — in the world today.

As diverse as we are, for the better part of the 20th century and especially around World War II, Americans largely pulled together. Most of us considered ourselves religious. Our children went to public schools. We read newspapers and later watched network television, so we received the same news, even if we disagreed about it. In other words, we had common experiences. We had “glue.”

Far, far different are we in 2019.

We are as diverse as ever, really more so, but our glue has worn thin. We are more secular, with many Americans describing themselves as “spiritual” but not identifying with established denominations that meet as communities. Our children have many educational options, and charter schools are sharing — some would say draining — the resources of public schools. We now consume more news from sources we agree with and less from those striving for objectivity. Our choices are isolating us from other Americans.

It is as if Americans are spinning off into our own orbits.

Young people are increasingly moving to urban areas for educational and career opportunities, enriching cities at the expense of rural America in that demographic shift. Some see this as the rise of “brain” jobs and the decline of “brawn” jobs, a hard reality to fathom, and it is creating resentment in rural communities. No one can argue that our politics are not toxic. Both the right and the left view those who disagree as “the other,” so different and so incorrect that we cannot understand each other.

Few of the 327 million people in the United States express ideas for bridging our divides with a goal of healing, but an old proposal — one I have long supported — is receiving renewed attention.

National service for young Americans would provide a common experience at the beginning of adulthood, a formative time of life in all societies. It could take many different forms. It could be mandatory, a year or so of service required of all able American young people. This service could take many forms. It could be military. Such service could be educational, health care related, environmental, agricultural, social or cultural. It could be voluntary, as some young Americans are already doing with Teach for America, AmeriCorps and other national, regional and local organizations. Options are likely fluid and endless.

The point is not what our young people do but that they do something both for themselves and for their country. The point is that young Americans pause for a year or so and think not so much about themselves as about their communities and our nation. The point is that we remix and spread our national glue, creating common experiences and bonds for future generations.

National service is politically and economically fraught, and I do not pretend to have answers to how to pay for national service, voluntary or mandatory, or how it would affect existing jobs. Tuition support and student loan forgiveness could make national service attractive to young Americans, but how to structure such programs is challenging.

What I do know is that our communities and our nation will be stronger if we nurture ways to bring ourselves together — if we mix some new glue.

On April 27, the Hogs & Rags motorcycle rally held its 14th annual fundraising event as part of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival celebration. Hundreds of cars and motorcycles lined up at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum ready for a day of music, food and a fun, casual ride to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The Hogs & Rags rally is the largest motorcycle and car rally in North Carolina and attracts all makes and models of motorcycles and cars for the purpose of raising money for three Fayetteville/ Cumberland County nonprofit organizations, rain or shine. This year, it was made possible by Fort Bragg Harley- Davidson, Rodney Sherrill State Farm Insurance, dozens more sponsoring businesses and organizations, and approximately 40 dedicated volunteers. Thanks to them and this community, Hogs & Rags proudly announced this year’s event raised a record-setting $18,000 for the Fayetteville community.

Last week, a special Hogs & Rags sponsor/volunteer appreciation event was held at Mellow Mushroom on McPherson Church Road. Fort Bragg Harley-Davidson and Hogs & Rags cofounder Bobby Bleecker presented the American Cancer Society and the Special Forces Charitable Trust donations of $6,000 each. Fayetteville Dogwood Queens Kelcie Farmer, Rachel Addison McLeod, Amelia Caroline Cook and reigning Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Queen Ashley Rooks were on hand to accept the checks on their behalf. Board member Julie Melvin accepted a $6,000 donation on behalf of the Cumberland County Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation. I am proud of this organization and the community that supported them.

I hope everyone had a relaxing and fun Memorial Day and took the time to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Pete Hegseth said it best: “Memorial Day isn’t just about honoring veterans, it’s honoring those who lost their lives. Veterans had the fortune of coming home. For us, that’s a reminder (that) when we come home we still have a responsibility to serve. It’s a continuation of service that honors our country and those who fell defending it.”

Again, thanks to everyone who made this year’s Hogs & Rags event such a huge success. I am extremely proud to be living in such a kind, caring and generous community. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Cape Fear Regional Theatre welcomes the community to its 17th annual Blues-N-Brews Festival, its largest fundraiser of the year. This year’s theme is Beach Party. The event takes place in downtown Fayetteville’s Festival Park on Saturday, June 8, from 5-10 p.m.

The tropical theme was handpicked for a reason. “Because next season we are starting with ‘Mamma Mia!’ we wanted to get people in a sea frame of mind,” said Mary Kate Burke, artistic director at CFRT.

To help create the vibe, The Catalinas — America’s premier beach band — are headlining the event. Members of both the Beach Music Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, The Catalinas have been playing together for 62 years and have released classics like “Summertime’s Calling Me,” “You Haven’t the Right” and “Dancin’-Romancin’,” among many others. Nattalyee Randall, Willie Bradley, and The Guy Unger Band will also be playing at the festival.

Randall has performed as a backup vocalist with Sam Smith, with the choir in Broadway’s “Rocktopia” and on the national tour of VOCALOSITY. Besides adding a few classic country songs to the mix, Randall is most excited about showing the crowd a good time.

“I just like to get the party started, and I love to see people jamming along and feeling good with me,” she said. “I don’t perform with bands too often, so to get to perform with one is always such a special and amazing opportunity to me, especially a band like this. I’m super excited for what we’re going to bring.”

Besides playing in his own full performance, Bradley will join Randall on the stage. “I have a full rhythm section … for Nattalyee. She’s going to feature me on one song with her,” he said.

The soulful Bradley is a charts-topping jazz artist from Orangeburg, South Carolina. He graduated from South Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in music education and performance. Bradley’s first performance at Festival Park will certainly be one to remember. “I’m out in the audience with a wireless microphone,” he said. “I’m all over the place, so it’s a high-energy show.”

The artists at Blues-N-Brews aren’t just there for a performance; the goal is to make sure everyone in the audience has the time of their life. “When people drink, they like to sing songs they know,” Burke said. “Nattalyee — (who) was our Effie in ‘Dream Girls’ — she sings blues songs people know so that they can sing along, which I think has really made the event feel more participatory and engaging for the audience … and Guy did the same thing.”

As an all-American rock band, The Guy Unger Band will put a different spin on the festival. “We kind of had the idea of taking some blues tunes and playing them like a beach-type thing,” said Unger, who played in CFRT’s premiere of “Music City.” Known by their fans as “The GUB,” this band prides itself on bringing the party to any and every venue. “All of it for me is fun; I love performing,” Unger said. “All of us do. We just love to bring it — that’s what we do.”

Music is only half the fun, however. What would the beach be without an ice-cold beer? Event coordinator Derek Jordan promises just that and more. “We have asked our brewers to think of a summer beer or a light beer that they could bring to the festival,” he said. “We also are going to be having some kind of shag dancing at the event.”

There will be more than 35 brewers at the event and 100 or more beers, including those sourced from craft and local breweries. “We’ll have some out of Raleigh,” Jordan said. “Hugger Mugger (Brewing Company) will be here. Dirtbag (Ales Brewery & Taproom) and (Lake) Gaston (Brewing Company) are two that are local. Bright Light (Brewing Company) will be there.” Big names like Guinness and Smirnoff can also be expected.

“As far as food venders, we have everything from Caribbean cuisine... to hotdogs — some from out of Raleigh, some from Fayetteville — so (we’re) really trying to just bring more of a regional flavor to it,” Jordan said. “And then we’ve got some shop venders coming in as well.” Other refreshment options include pizza cones, lime slushies, R Burger and its new “R Brat”, fried chicken, ciders and sparkling seltzers, and more.

There will even be a cigar section provided by Anstead’s Tobacco Company. There are three varieties of tickets for the festival. Nondrinking tickets are $15, general admission tickets are $40 if purchased online prior to the event and $55 if purchased at the gate, and VIP tickets are $80. There will also be a $5 activeduty discount at the gate for general admission tickets. Individual alcoholic beverages can still be purchased with the $15 ticket.

According to Ashley Owen, marketing director at CFRT, the VIP ticket is worth it. “I think the most exciting thing is you get access to the field for an hour,” she said. “The festival is from 5-10 but VIP hour is from 4-5, so you have total access to the field. There (are) only 300 (VIP) tickets that we sell; every year, since I’ve been here at least, they sell out.”

The Mash House Brewing Company and Texas Roadhouse will provide a catered VIP meal along with The Mash House’s exclusive “unicorn beer.” VIP tickets also include a souvenir pint glass with the Blues-N-Brews logo, along with the opportunity to vote in the festival’s “Best in Show” contest. This contest crowns one brewery as determined by VIP votes. Lake Gaston Brewing Company won last year.

“(The VIP tent) is the only place in Festival Park where there are seats with shade, so that is worth the $80 ticket in itself,” Owen said. The Dunn-based business Table Toppers and Debbie Bender of Debbie Bender Design will decorate the VIP tent according to the beach party theme.

“It originated as truly a tasting event, but it offers so much more now. I think it’s working its way toward being something... that’s fun for the whole family,” said Zach Pritchett, co-chair of Blues-NBrews. “In its 17th year, it’s nice to kind of have a new spin on it and see what sort of an audience it can draw. That’s something the theater constantly works toward expanding — the community that is part of the theater family. So this is hopefully reaching out to a new demographic for the event.” 

CFRT’s Blues-N-Brews festival takes place June 8 from 5-10 p.m. at Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave. For tickets and more information, visit www.cfrt.org/ bnb or call 910-323-4233.

Isabella Witherow

Gray’s Creek  • Cross country/swimming/ Unified track •  Junior

Witherow has an unweighted grade point average of 4.0. She is a member of National Honor Society and the Yearbook Club. She will attend North Carolina Governor’s School this summer.

Nick Quinn

Gray’s Creek • Wrestling/Unified track • Senior

Quinn has a weighted grade point average of 4.4. He was a member of the Academy of Information Technology at Gray’s Creek. He will attend North Carolina State in the fall to study engineering

Here is the Patriot Athletic Conference tennis team as chosen by the league’s head coaches.

Player of the year: Alexander Kasari, Terry Sanford

First team, singles:

• Terry Sanford — Nathan Lieberman, James Barefoot

• South View — Christian George, Ben George

• Overhills — Roger America, Chase Thompson

• Pine Forest — Jacob Green, Colby Blackwell

• Gray’s Creek — Garrett Hoyt, Dylan Daniel

• Cape Fear — Jalen Farmer, Hunter Edwards

First team, doubles:

• Terry Sanford — Nathan Lieberman, Alexander Kasari

• South View — Christian George, Ben George

• Overhills — Roger America, Chase Thompson

• Gray’s Creek — Garrett Hoyt, Dylan Daniel

• Cape Fear — Hunter Edwards, Eli Benbenek

Photo:  Left to right: Terry Sanford’s Nathan Lieberman, Coach Gene Autry, Alex Kasari

Here is the Patriot Athletic Conference girls soccer team as chosen by the league’s head coaches. 

Goalkeeper of the year: Lindsay Bell, Terry Sanford

Defensive player of the year: Kara Walker, Terry Sanford

Offensive player of the year: Corrine Shovlain, Terry Sanford

Coach of the year: Karl Molnar, Terry Sanford

First team:

• Terry Sanford — Maiya Parrous, Kate Perko

• Pine Forest — Sierra Turisch, Alyssa Rancour, Cate Hinton, De’Sheryl Hill

• Gray’s Creek — Kylie Rock, Emma Brock

• Overhills — Valeria Pomales, Tayra Chikhaoui

• Cape Fear — Amelia Shook

• South View — Kyra Delany, Lillian Flantos

Second team:

• Cape Fear — Gabrielle Bynum

• Terry Sanford — Courtney Arnold, Halie Blizzard, Imani Elliott

• Gray’s Creek — Eve Morrison, Gabi Jobes

• Pine Forest — Holly Harwick, Avery Vorholt, Kahala Bandamann, Stella Valenzuela

• Overhills — Georgia Migos, Aja Wilson, Katelynn Johnson, Marissa Rodriguez

• Overhills — Tyanna Lee, Aliyah Proctor

• Pine Forest — Hailey Harwick

• Cape Fear — Lily Terwilliger, Emily’s Holt, Nyanja Williams

Photo: Corrine Shovlain

If the early turnout is any indication, Mark Kahlenberg should not have a problem keeping a full team on the field this summer for the Hope Mills Boosters American Legion baseball program.

At the first official practice of the season last week, Kahlenberg had a potential roster with 23 names of players from area high schools who were either on hand at the first workout or had expressed interest in playing this year.

Even with the good turnout, Kahlenberg expects this year’s team to be somewhat young, with a number of players who will be getting their first taste of the American Legion brand of baseball. The roster is heavy with a big crop of players from Cape Fear. Gray’s Creek High School has returned to the mix, along with players from South View and Douglas Byrd.

Before it’s all over, Kahlenberg hopes to pick up some players from Freedom Christian and Terry Sanford. The Bulldogs were still involved in the state 3-A baseball playoffs when the Boosters American Legion season kicked off last Sunday with a doubleheader against Jacksonville Post 265.

“Last year we were struggling to put nine guys together around tournament time,’’ Kahlenberg said. “At our first meeting (this year), we had 14 guys, and I knew there were 10 other guys who couldn’t make it.’’

Among the players Kahlenberg will be counting on are pitcher Landen Harris from Gray’s Creek, who’s committed to play at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Another prospect is Aaron Smith, Harris’ Gray’s Creek teammate, who batted in the No. 3 position for the Bears this season.

South View prospects include Riley Caudle, who recently committed to play for Methodist University. Another promising player is Cape Fear’s Nick West, who played shortstop and pitched and could fill an important need for Kahlenberg in the heart of the lineup.

Kahlenberg doesn’t feel the team has an established pitching ace as the season begins and will have to rely on pitching by committee until things get more settled. “Hopefully we can develop those pitchers into a starting rotation,’’ he said.

Both Harris and Caudle are optimistic about this team’s chances this summer.

“I like playing with my friends from all over Cumberland County,’’ Harris said. “I think we can do pretty good if we bring it all together, hit the ball and play the game how we learned it.’’ Harris also hopes to use the Legion experience to work on his off-speed pitches and improve his velocity.

Caudle is looking forward to facing better pitching this summer, improving how he sees the curveball and working on improving his ability to hit to the backside. “We have a lot more people than last year,’’ he said. “A lot of them are going to college, so they’ll focus on Legion ball.’’

The Boosters will again play their home games at South View High School.

Following is this year’s schedule. Whiteville currently does not have a team this year, but Kahlenberg said he had seen reports on social media that the Whiteville club was attempting to get funding so it could possibly return this year. For now, its games have been removed from the schedule.

Photo: Landen Harris

_______________________________________________________________________________________

SCHEDULE

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to some late changes in the Hope Mills Boosters 2019 schedule, portions of the version in this week's print edition are incorrect. The correct schedule appears below. 

Meetings

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

• Veterans Affairs Commission Thursday, May 23, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building

• Appearance Committee Tuesday, May 28, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building

• Mayor’s Youth Leadership Committee Monday, June 3, 6 p.m., Town Hall, Front Conference Room

• Board of Commissioners Monday, June 3, 7 p.m., Luther Meeting Room, Town Hall

• Historic Preservation Commission Wednesday, June 12, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building

• Board of Commissioners Monday, June 17, Luther Meeting Room, Town Hall

Activities

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

• Pet Fest Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Hope Mills Park.

• 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.

Hope Mills is going to the dogs. Fortunately, this will be in a good, family fun way. Hope Mills Park, at 5770 Rockfish Rd., will be the site of the sixth annual Pet Fest on Saturday, June 1. The event, sponsored by Naturally Unleashed and promoted by Cumulus Broadcasting, is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Kelly West of Rock 103 FM said the primary purpose of Pet Fest, aside from giving pet owners a chance to congregate and interact with their beloved animals, is to raise money for the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society. “It’s just wonderful to give back to them,’’ she said.

The way to support FAPS via Pet Fest is to register to take part in the 5K pet walk that will be held as part of the festivities. The registration fee is $15, with the money going to FAPS. To register online, go to the Rock 103 website, www.rock-103rocks.com. A link is posted there to access the registration form.

Pet Fest used to be held in the Naturally Unleashed parking lot on Boone Trail Extension, but that created a problem. The parking lot is asphalt, West said. “This is an animal thing,’’ she said. “These animals need to stand on grass and be in a nice park area.’’

So the event was moved to Hope Mills Park. “It has been nothing but good for them,’’ West said of the relationship with Hope Mills. “It brings a lot of people to the park that otherwise wouldn’t know it’s there.’’

Pet Fest will get an additional boost this year as it will be held in conjunction with the second Hope Mills Good2Grow Farmers Market. “They’ll have the farmers market stuff and we’ll have food vendors, so it’s going to be a fun day,’’ West said.

Food vendors will just be a small part of the activities associated with Pet Fest, West said. An artist who does caricatures of animals will be on hand to draw images of pets.

There are also several contests scheduled, including a pet and owner look-alike contest. There will also be competitions for the cutest pet, oldest pet, smallest pet, largest pet and prettiest pet.

In addition, there will be some special pet performances. The Canines in Flight, which is from Georgia and features all rescued animals, will perform. Also on hand will be the Freedom Flyers, a Fayetteville fly ball dog team, plus a team of dancing horses.

While there is a registration fee for the 5K pet walk, all of the other events at Pet Fest are free. The only restriction is that all pet owners have their animals leashed or contained somehow.

“I want owners to respect other pet owners,’’ West said. “It’s a free event for all ages. Enjoy yourself.’’

Contact West at 509-901-3467 with questions about Pet Fest.

Photo Credit: Adam Griffith on Unsplash

Connie Rushing makes no apologies for being a bath snob. That should be obvious because it’s the name of the business she just opened in Hope Mills with her mother, Mary Thompson, and her sister, Tammie Melvin Carlile. Bath Snob specializes in homemade candles and bath products. It is located in a former orthodontist’s office in the Hope Mills Plaza Shopping Center.

Long before Rushing had an interest in making soap and other bath products, she said she was picky when it came to bath and body products. One day, her husband went to purchase her a gift and made the mistake of getting a standard bubble bath product from a chain pharmacy.

“He knows I love bubble baths,’’ she said. “That’s like my zen moment. That’s the moment I can be by myself. Everyone knows, don’t disturb mommy, it’s bubble bath time.’’

When she saw what her husband had purchased, she was less than pleased and made it known. “He was like, ‘You are such a snob,’” she said of her husband. “So when we were coming here to start a bath and body company and (thought) what do we name it, he said, ‘you’ve got to name it Bath Snob because that is what you are.’’’

Rushing and her mother and sister didn’t decide to open the store on a whim. Their mother, a native of Elizabethtown, decided to retire in Hope Mills. That led to Rushing moving here from California and her sister relocating from Virginia.

Both sisters had operated their own bed and bath businesses before moving to Hope Mills.

The sisters decided to join forces with their mother and start one here.

“We did a couple of fairs to test what kind of products people like out here,’’ Rushing said.

Last November, they opened a kiosk at Cross Creek Mall to do more test marketing. They continued there through January, where they developed a good following for their products.

Three weeks ago they held a soft opening of the new business in Hope Mills, then did the grand opening the second weekend in May.

The new business offers two basic product lines.

One is candles. In addition to traditional candles, the store also sells something called scoopables, which are a softer wax you can put into a warmer to release the scent. The scoopables come in a Mason jar.

They also sell cookie tarts. They look like cookies, but they’re actually pieces of scented wax that can be broken up and put into a warmer.

Bath Snob also offers what are called drink candles, like the martini, as well as banana pudding and pie candles.

The rear part of the business contains the bath and body line. “That’s where we have our lotions, our soaps, sugar scrubs and bath bombs,’’ Rushing said.

Rushing stressed that everything in the shop is made on-site. Special orders can be made, too. She recently had a customer who needed a soap with a higher olive oil base. Rushing let her try samples she had already made of an 80% and a 50% olive oil.

“I said if that doesn’t work out, I’ll go 100 percent,’’ Rushing said.

She also has customers who are allergic to things like coconut oil and shea butter. “That’s the good thing about having (the making process) in shop,’’ Rushing said. “You can cater to what they need. It’s going to make you make a better product for that customer base that needs that type of thing. They can’t get that at the regular bath and body shop.’’

But it doesn’t stop there, and part of that is because of the unique equipment already installed in the business when the sisters and their mother took the location over.

The orthodontist who previously occupied the space left a double sink area where the dental office chairs were located. The chairs have been removed, but the sink remains so that customers can sample various products on the premises.

The business is also set up to allow time to take trial runs.

They have an area where visitors can sit down, relax, get on the phone or use Wi-Fi while those shopping can take time to try out products. “We are so confident once you try the product, use that body scrub, use that lotion, use that soap and see how it does for your skin, you’re going to walk out with the product,’’ Rushing said.

The business is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. To learn more, visit the Facebook page at Bath Snob, or the website, www.bathsnob.com.  

Photo: Left to right: Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce President Jan Davis Spell; Bath Snob owners Tammie Melvin Carlile, Mary Thompson and Connie Rushing; Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner; and Hope Mills Commissioner Pat Edwards.

According to the Economic Development Partnership for North Carolina, in 10 years, the state has invested more than $1 billion dollars in research and development facilities, workforce training, incentives and infrastructure in the medical-related industry — medical, biomedical and biodefense. With more than 60,000 North Carolinians working within this industry, the area represents a core component of our state’s economy and has grown 31% since 2001. North Carolina is home to four of the world’s leading medical schools, 18 university-partnered life science laboratories and the BioNetwork of North Carolina Community Colleges. There is no better place in the country to operate a medical, biotechnology and life science company.

Additionally, the Department of Defense has an annual impact of $66 billion and is the second-largest sector of North Carolina’s economy at 12% GDP. The state boasts six major military bases, 116 National Guard facilities, 40 Army Reserve facilities and the third-highest number of uniformed military personnel in the country.

In 2004, the state of North Carolina created the North Carolina Military Business Center, headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College, with regional offices statewide. Opening its doors in 2005, the NCMBC was created to leverage opportunities with North Carolina’s military installations, DoD commands and federal agencies operating worldwide.

NCMBC professionals focus on contract opportunities in crucial industry sectors, including medical/biotech, each with a growing federal and DoD demand and with significant business capacity in North Carolina.

To help businesses traverse the federal and DoD procurement processes, several entities annually host the Medical, Biomedical & Biodefense: Support to the Warfighter Symposium. Hosting entities include the offices of Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C.; Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; the NCMBC; the North Carolina Biotechnology Center; and the University of North Carolina System. This year’s event takes place June 12 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Medical Support to the Warfighter portion of this symposium will connect businesses in North Carolina with military and other federal agencies that require or purchase medical supplies, equipment, devices, pharmaceuticals, medical information technology and medical services. Representatives, prime vendors and major contractors from DoD, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services — from national commands and from bases, commands and facilities in North Carolina — will highlight current technology or resource gaps and needs, future requirements and procurement processes to supply military and federal medical facilities and agencies.

All medical-related businesses in North Carolina — large or small, prime contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, manufacturers and service providers — will benefit from briefings on military requirements, procurement processes and supplier qualifications. This information will come from informal networking with buyers and users and from demonstrations of the latest medical technologies designed to support America’s warfighters.

The Biomedical and Biodefense Support to the Warfighter portion of the symposium will include sessions on the federal biodefense research and development landscape, mechanisms for engaging the defense and military biomedical research and development community, and new models for driving innovation through public-private partnerships.

In the first session, agency representatives from the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services will discuss current interagency biodefense research and development priorities, perspectives and collaborations.

The second session will provide valuable insights from selected federal funding agencies and industry enablers about traditional and emerging approaches to defense research and development funding and support.

The third session will feature representatives from several partnership-based research and development consortia and accelerators for biomedical and biodefense technology advancement.

Each session will include presentations and panel discussions to foster awareness and dialogue among government, academic and industry stakeholders in addressing the future biomedical and biodefense technology needs of the military and our nation.

Visit www.ncmbc.us/2019mbb for more information.

“The Laramie Project” opens May 30 at Gilbert Theater on Green Street. It tells the story of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student at the University of Wyoming. He was beaten and left for dead by two men in October 1998. Days later, he died from his injuries.

“The Laramie Project,” written by members of the New York-based Tectonic Theater Project and originally produced in 2000, is about the aftermath of Matthew’s death and the community’s reactions. Known as “verbatim theater,” the play and dialogue were culled from hundreds of interviews conducted by the Tectonic Theater Group members during their visit to Laramie, Wyoming. Larry Carlisle directs the production at Gilbert Theater.

“‘The Laramie Project’ is decidedly different from other productions in that the emphasis is on the characters and their monologues and not on sets or props,” Carlisle said. Carlisle takes a minimalist approach to directing his cast, preferring to let them interpret the characters. “I always say an actor’s job is to make the show look good — my job is to make the actors look good.”

Each member of the cast plays as many as 10 different characters, and some of them are drastically different. The emotional range necessary to bounce back and forth is astounding, but the cast takes it all in stride. Deannah Robinson plays five characters. “It’s a bit of a challenge, and it’s definitely a learning experience, but it’s something I’ll take with me,” she said.

James Merkle plays Matt Galloway, the bartender and the last person to see Shepard before the attack. He’s guilt-ridden for having not seen what was about to happen. But Merkle also plays Aaron McKinney, one of the two men who killed Shepard. "We have to come up with different ways of creating the characters so they don’t sound the same. It can be challenging, but also fun,” said Galloway.

Chris Walker plays both Dennis Shepard, Matthew’s father, and Rev. Fred Phelps. Phelps was the head of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. His parishioners, made up almost entirely of his family members, gained national attention for protesting at the funerals of gay people.

Merkle, who spoke with a palpable reverence for Shepard, said: “You’re seeing two spectrums — those that were horrified by what happened and those who were defending the attackers.”

He also feels the play is especially timely in respect to current political situations. “I find it very relevant today of what’s going on out there,” he said. “It almost seems like we’re heading back to that moment. If we don’t learn from the past, we’re doomed to repeat it. But there’s also a sign of hope — hope that we can move past this.”

While Shepard has become the face of the movement against hate crimes, “The Laramie Project” has become the proverbial mirror in society’s face. It continues to reflect the many reactions to the LGBTQ community and the dangers its members face.

“The Laramie Project” opens May 30. Performances are at 8 p.m. May 30 – June 1 and Jun 5 -8. Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. June 1-2 and June 8-9. Visit www.gilberttheater.com to purchase tickets.