Anticipation for the return of baseball to Fayetteville has been steadily building for more than a year. That wait is finally coming to an end. As announced last November, the team has a name: The Fayetteville Woodpeckers. As of this month, they’ve got a place to play: the brand-new Segra Stadium in downtown Fayetteville. And in the coming weeks, they’ve got two big kick-off events: A chance to check out the new stadium April 13, followed by the Woodpeckers’ first home game April 18. Get ready for a shift in this community that’s something to cheer about — and maybe celebrate with a hot dog and cold beverage. 

Fayetteville Fans First Look: Saturday, April 13 

The public is invited to explore downtown’s new $40 million Segra Stadium at a free unveiling and ribbon-cutting event, dubbed Fayetteville Fans First Look, from noon-3 p.m. The stadium features natural grass, a 360-degree concourse, a 25-by-70-foot LED scoreboard, six luxury suites, four field boxes, a premium club level, an outdoor party deck, a kids zone and a seating capacity of 4,700. 

The city of Fayetteville, owner of the ballpark, collaborated with the Woodpeckers to create and organize this event. “We are the lead (on this event), just as the Woodpeckers are the lead for the opening game,” said Kevin Arata, communications director for the city of Fayetteville. 

“We want to show off this great new stadium that we’ve built. We’ll have volunteers from around the city in place to point people in the directions of where they can go and what they can see.” 

Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin will kick things off at noon with a ribbon-cutting followed by brief remarks. 

Then, Arata said, attendees will be able to go into the batting cages and locker and equipment rooms, along with the concession areas, the outfield bar, the kids zone, the clubhouse area and more. 

“For those of us, like myself, who are not clubhouse ticket-holders or box ticket-holders, this will be a chance to get up in those areas and see them firsthand,” he said. “This will be a looksee that people won’t otherwise get. It’s not often that you get to go into the locker room of a minor league baseball stadium.” 

Mark Zarthar, president of the Woodpeckers, described the Fayetteville Fans First Look as an open house of sorts. Visitors will get to sample a variety of food and beverage options that will be offered at the ballpark on game days, too, he said. 

“Our right field bar is our most prominent concession area; it’s called Healy’s,” Zarthar said. “We’ll have a variety of food and beverages out there, including 24 different draft beers on tap, as well as corn hole, foosball and big-screen TVs. We’ll have a stage with live music and lounge furniture. That’s going to be the coolest party area at the ballpark. It will be open on game days as well as some non-game days.” 

He described left field as being the family- and kid-friendly area. Along the first baseline and third baseline will be the rest of the concession options. “We will have a home plate bar that focuses on a variety of craft beer,” he said. “We will also have... options such as barbecue, burgers and Mexican, and a variety of other cuisines.” 

The Woodpeckers drew upon local inspiration in creating themes for and naming the different food areas. For example, the station behind home plate is called 82nd and Hay. Sherwood Steaks is named after Sherwood H. Hallman, a World War II veteran who received a Medal of Honor. “He’s an example of someone who is relevant to Fort Bragg,” Zarthar said. 

The right field bar, Healy’s, is named for John “Mac” Healy, local owner of Healy Wholesale Company. “(Healy Wholesale Company) played a prominent role in our stadium being developed and bringing to life the beer concept at the ballpark,” Zarthar said. 

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers retail store will also debut at the First Look. Zarthar said it is one of the largest stores of its kind in minor league baseball, based on square footage. “You’ll be able to purchase merchandise as well as tickets at the Fans First Look,” he said. “There will be a variety of hat concepts, replica jerseys, T-shirts, golf polos, fishing shirts — anything you can imagine, we will have.” 

First Woodpeckers home game: Thursday, April 18 

At 7 p.m., Thursday, April 18, the sun will begin to set — but downtown Fayetteville will be lit up with bright stadium lights and filled with fans ready to cheer their team on. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will take on the Carolina Mudcats for their first home game of the season. 

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are the Class A Advanced minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros, the 2017 major league baseball World Series champion. The Woodpeckers spent their last two seasons playing as the Buies Creek Astros in Campbell University’s Jim Perry Stadium, and their transition to Fayetteville brings professional baseball back to town for the first time in 17 years. 

The last minor league baseball presence here was the South Atlantic League’s Cape Fear Crocs, which moved to Lakewood, New Jersey, following the 2000 season. 

The Woodpeckers’ new moniker was chosen by Fayetteville citizens via a “Name the Team” contest launched in April 2017 that was followed by an invitation to vote on a favorite out of the top five entries. The Woodpeckers beat out the other top four name suggestions: Fatbacks, Fly Traps, Jumpers and Wood Dogs. 

And now that the Woodpeckers are here, they’re here to stay. The Astros signed a 30-year lease, indicating their investment in the long-term success of Fayetteville. “We are here; we’re committed,” said Zarthar. “It’s not necessarily just about baseball. It’s about providing a shot in the arm for downtown Fayetteville.” 

Said Fayetteville City Councilman William “Bill” Crisp, “(In) 30 years, we can expect the Astros to be interwoven into the fabric of Fayetteville’s economic development.” 

March 20, the team announced details of its official team charity, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund, and its associated Fayetteville Community Leaders Program. The FCLP, functioning at the core of the charity fund, will help guide the team’s investment of time, energy and resources in the areas of supporting local youth sports and military service members and their families. 

Fayetteville Woodpeckers Fund plans involve investing more than $100,000 into the community this season. Projects include replacing the Massey Hill Buddy Baseball Program field, which was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew; sponsoring 15 youth baseball and softball teams across all seven Fayetteville Parks and Recreation youth sports zones; and partnering with the military nonprofit Rick’s Place to, among other things, send 50 military children to summer camp. 

“The Astros are a very successful major league baseball business,” Crisp said. “However, when you examine how they mesh in communities where they have minor league teams, you will find they are not solely about making money, but they give back to the communities. 

“They could have imported someone to head their community relations, but they hired a local lady, Victoria Huggins. (She) is local, and I remind you she was/is Miss North Carolina for last year.” 

“The other thing to point out,” said Arata, “is there are only 70 home games across the entire year. The rest of those days, (the stadium) is open for other events. The opportunities for what you can do in the stadium are kind of endless.” 

He added that the stadium’s and the Fayetteville Woodpeckers’ presence have already acted as an incentive for other businesses and entities to invest in this community. He listed the decision of private investor Jordan Jones to revive the historic but previously dilapidated Prince Charles Hotel as a prime example. 

Ticket prices to Fayetteville Woodpeckers games start at $9, which Arata pointed out is comparable to the cost of a movie ticket. “This is about involving all of the community,” Zarthar said. “We wanted to … ensure that as many people can afford to attend a game as possible.” 

Zarthar suggested that fans follow the Woodpeckers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date and involved. Visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com for a full 2019-20 schedule, to purchase tickets and to learn more. 

Here is the Patriot Athletic All-Conference wrestling team based on results of the conference tournament and selections by the coaches. 

Coach of the Year:Heath Wilson, Cape Fear; Brian Olson, Overhills 

Wrestler of the Year:Dallas Wilson, Cape Fear 

106 — First team:Max Brewster, South View 

Second team:Jabrial Crudup, Douglas Byrd 

113 — First team:Ryan Delaney, South View 

Second team:Dylan Ramer, Gray’s Creek 

120 — First team:Pierre Young, Terry Sanford 

Second team:William Talbert, Westover 

126 — First team:Tristen Chapman, Cape Fear 

Second team:Kevin Brewington, South View 

132 — First team:Lyell Canady, Westover 

Second team:Gavin Moses, Pine Forest 

138— First team:Dallas Wilson, Cape Fear 

Second team:Frankie Manglona, Westover 

145 — First team:Jeremiah Smith, Cape Fear 

Second team:Tremaine Jackson, South View 

152 — First team:Zachary Pranka, Terry Sanford 

Second team:Jaleel Parks, Cape Fear 

160 — First team:Jalen Keith, Gray’s Creek 

Second team:Woodson Young, Cape Fear 

170 — First team:Jared Barbour, Cape Fear 

Second team:Xavier Hamilton, Gray’s Creek 

182 — First team:Kevin Pate, Cape Fear 

Second team:Andrew Bond, Overhills 

195 — First team:Arden Billington, Douglas Byrd 

Second team:Austin Hunt, Cape Fear 

220 — First team:Ray Dixon, Douglas Byrd 

Second team:Nick Minacapelli, Cape Fear 

285 — First team:Garrett Crockett, Gray’s Creek 

Second team:Zion McEachin, Douglas Byrd 

Photo: L-R: Dallas Wilson, Jared Barbour 

Abigail Carson 

Terry Sanford • Indoor and outdoor track • Junior 

Carson has a 4.13 grade point average. She is a three-year starter and a member of National Honor Society. She currently holds the girls record at Terry Sanford in the shot put for both the indoor and outdoor teams. She also volunteers with her travel track team around the community. 

Jasmine Giacomucci 

Terry Sanford • Outdoor track • Junior 

Giacomucci has a 3.58 grade point average. She is a three-year starter. She has served as a cheerleader and with the marching band for the past three years. She is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and works with the GEMS of Delta Sigma Theta volunteering in the community. 

Meetings 

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

• Festival CommitteeMonday, April 1, 6 p.m., Town Hall 

• Board of CommissionersMonday, April 1, 7 p.m., Luther Board Room, Town Hall 

• Citizens Academy ProgramTuesday, April 9, 6 p.m., Town Hall 

• Historic Preservation CommissionWednesday, April 10, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building 

Activities 

• Food Truck RodeoThursday, April 4, 5-8 p.m., Town Hall rear parking lot. Enjoy music, an assortment of food trucks, bouncy house and games for kids, and presentations by various public service vendors. 

• Breakfast with the Easter Bunny/Easter egg huntSaturday, April 6, 8:30 a.m-11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Hope Mills Recreation Center. Tickets are $6. Final day to purchase tickets is Monday, April 1. Call 910-426-4109 to reserve your spot. Easter egg hunt follows Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and is free. 

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

Promote yourself 

Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com. 

Recently promoted U.S. Army Gen. Michael X. Garrett has assumed command of Forces Command at Fort Bragg. Gen. Mark A. Milley, chief of staff of the Army, hosted the assumption of command ceremony March 21. 

Garrett commanded U.S. Army Central at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, before being assigned to Forces Command. FORSCOM is the largest organization in the Army and is responsible for ensuring combat soldiers are trained and prepared to deploy. It includes more than 750,000 active-duty, reserve and National Guard soldiers. 

Garrett is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and is a graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati. He received his commission as an infantry officer following his graduation in 1984. In a 2010 profile for Xavier Magazine, Garrett noted he was the first member of his family to graduate from college. 

His previous assignments include command of the 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He was named to lead U.S. Army CENTCOM in 2015. 

Garrett replaces FORSCOM’s acting commander, Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson. Her next assignment has not been made public. 

Two fatal motorcycle crashes on the same day 

A pair of recent Fayetteville traffic fatalities were tragically similar but had different outcomes. Both accidents involved motorcycles. Both mishaps occurred on Sunday, March 10. 

A Fort Bragg soldier, Patrick A. McDill, 22, died when his motorcycle was struck on Yadkin Road near Horseshoe Road by Jasmyne Russell-Dicker, 24, of Sanford. She was charged with felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired and making an unsafe movement causing injury to a motorcyclist. Russell-Dicker was released from jail after posting a $15,000 bond. 

The other crash took place on Bingham Drive at the intersection of Lakeridge Drive. Neron R. Pratt, 34, of Saint Pauls, who was operating a motorcycle, was pronounced dead on the scene by medical personnel. City police said the driver of the sedan that struck him, Fayetteville native Wendy S. Sutton, 28, did not sustain serious injuries, but her mother, Doris B. Sutton, 47, also of Fayetteville, was hospitalized. 

Wendy Sutton faces felony charges of hit-and-run driving causing injury, misdemeanor death by vehicle, driving with a revoked license and making an unsafe movement. She is being held on $100,000 secured bond. 

“It’s definitely something the magistrate’s office would have to answer for,” said police spokesman Sgt. Shawn Strepay when asked about the difference in bonds given the drivers. 

Heroism awards celebrates first responders 

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber announces People’s Choice Awards to be presented at the second annual Public Safety Valor Awards program on June 25, 2019. This event is presented by Highland Construction and Restoration and Manna Church to show community appreciation to first responders in the city and county and at Fort Bragg. The breakfast event will be from 7:30- 9:30 a.m. at Manna Church, 5117 Cliffdale Rd. 

The general public may nominate first responders who have been observed in action during the period from April 2018 through March 2019. 

Nominees must be currently employed by an emergency response agency and working in Cumberland County. Applications can be obtained on the Greater Fayetteville Chamber’s website, www.faybiz.com, under Events-Valor Awards. They are due by April 1. 

Additional nominees will be chosen by the chiefs or agency heads of law enforcement, fire/ rescue, and emergency management agencies serving Cumberland County. 

There are three major awards: Certificate of Merit for outstanding work benefitting the department, Lifesaving Award in which personnel put their own safety at risk to save the life of another, and the prestigious Valor Award for incidents in which acts of heroism were performed under extreme risk. 

The public is invited to attend — tickets are $25 and are available online at www.faybiz.com. 

The first ‘Occasion’ 

“Trauma: A Concert and Reflections” will take place April 17 at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 1601 Raeford Rd. in Fayetteville, and on April 19 at 7 p.m. at Hugger Mugger Brewing, 229 Wicker St., Sanford. The “Occasion” will include folk music, drinks, visual aids and alone time with a handful of new best friends or strangers. The “Occasion” costs nothing. 

“We’re okay with sitting with grief and anger and sadness for a moment,” said Jeremy Fiebig, an organizer of the group. “This first event is a concert that looks at mourning, trauma, broken spirits and the like. It’s meant to be a kind of church service, but where the point is not to uplift, but to sit with tough stuff like loss and heartbreak.” 

The event is described as “not for the squeamish or for children, as we will be looking tough stuff square in the face,” Fiebig added. 

Photo: Gen. Michael Garrett

Gerry Buckley and Dewey Bunnell, the duo behind hit folk-rock band America, have thrilled music lovers nationwide for nearly 50 years. To finish off Community Concerts’ 83rd season, America will perform at the Crown Coliseum on Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m. 

Buckley, Bunnell and former band member Dan Peek met in London in the 1960s. The trio formed their chart-topping group shortly after graduating high school and have since released 11 hits and six Gold or Platinum albums. 

Today, America is comprised of just Buckley and Bunnell, but it is still going strong. According to Michael Fleishman, Community Concert attractions director, audiences can expect “hit after hit after hit” at the April 4 show. “It’s a really interesting group (with) a really interesting sound,” Fleishman said. “They’re not just well-known in this country, but worldwide.” 

Hits such as “Ventura Highway,” “Tin Man” and “A Horse with No Name” gave America its reputation as a rock standard. Fleishman is excited to welcome such a well-known band to the stage. “If you’ve been on the planet any length of time, you’ve heard these songs … every single one of them,” he said. “These are classic rock songs, and it’s a group we’ve never had before … one we’ve looked at several times.” 

From winning a Grammy award for best new artist in 1973 to being inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006, it’s no wonder the band is so highly sought after. America has collaborated with the Beatles’ George Martin, Toto’s Jeff Porcaro, the Eagles’ Timothy B. Schmit and more. 

A short ceremony commemorating the newest inductee into the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame will precede America’s performance at the Crown. “Community Concerts is the creator and the producer of the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame,” Fleishman said. “It’s going into its 12th year, (and has) done nothing but grow in stature and popularity over the years.” 

The Hall of Fame was designed to honor those that have brought musical distinction to this community, said Fleishman. Members include local citizens as well as national celebrities, such as Randy Boone. The organization continues to add to their number every year. 

“We’ve honored music teachers, people from the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, churches for what they have done musically and for children, the Cape Fear Oratorio Singer and the 82nd Airborne Chorus for all they’ve done,” Fleishman said. 

Known as Fayetteville’s oldest art organization, Community Concerts has lived up to its name for 83 years. “We try very hard to put the ‘community’ in Community Concerts,” said Fleishman. “(We’ve) done a lot over the years showcasing local artists onstage in combo with the artist.” 

Community Concerts has a heart not only for aspiring musicians but also for children of all backgrounds. “We showcase kids onstage — we had a local choir in combo as backup for one of the songs for Foreigner, a school onstage as backup for Gladys Knight, and Voices of the Heart (performed).” 

The April 4 concert will also include an announcement of this year’s recipient of Community Concert’s annual music scholarship, awarded to rising college freshmen in the community who display musical excellence. 

The Crown Complex is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit community-concerts.com/2018/08/13/america. 

Whether you love him, loathe him or are still trying to figure out who he is, former Texas congressman turned Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke has lobbed a hot potato onto our national political stage. In addressing several examples of his youthful indiscretions — aka bad behavior — O’Rourke acknowledged that he had been treated differently than other people because of “white privilege.” Couple white privilege with O’Rourke’s gender — male — and we get “white male privilege,” a potent force indeed. 

The definition of white male privilege is squishy, to say the least, making it difficult to pin down criteria. A general definition references systemic advantages white men have over women and people of color, some of whom have faced racism. Financial resources, educational attainment and social status all play roles, as do other factors. It is safe to say, though, that one defining litmus test is that many African-American parents deliver “the talk” to their children about how to behave if they, especially the boys, are stopped by law enforcement officers. Far fewer white parents feel compelled to do that. 

The Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly has just displayed the power of white male privilege with its recent election of well-heeled members to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, the 24-member policy-setting body for our state’s university system. Twelve members were elected by the legislature, 10 of them incumbents. The newly constituted board will have six women, three African-Americans and one Native American, with the remainder being white men. The lone Democrat, an African-American, was eligible — and sought re-election — but was not put back on the board. There are no Democratic members. This is in a state that has 51 percent women, 22 percent African-Americans and 39 percent of voters registering Democratic. 

This is not to say that the people elected to the Board of Governors are not capable. Most of them are, but so are many people who are not white men. Clearly, some sort of privilege is at play here. 

The concept of white privilege, including the higher subset of white male privilege, has been written about for centuries and picked up steam during the civil rights era, beginning in the 1960s, and was widely discussed in academia. As social media took hold, white privilege moved into mainstream conversations and into films and popular music. It is, however, a bit like art and pornography. We all know it when we see it, but we have trouble coming up with an actual definition. 

Author Peggy McIntosh took a stab at defining white privilege in her 1987 essay “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Wrote McIntosh, it is “an invisible weightless knapsack of assurances, tools, maps, guides, codebooks, passports, visas, clothes, compass, emergency gear, tools and blank checks.” 

A scholar and activist, McIntosh also wrote, “as a white person, I realized I had been taught about racism as something which puts others at a disadvantage, but had been taught not to see one of its corollary aspects, white privilege which puts me at an advantage.” Putting it bluntly, McIntosh wrote, “if a traffic cop pulls me over or the IRS audits my tax returns, I can be sure I have not been singled out because of my race.” 

It is into this context that Beto O’Rourke dropped his thoughts on white privilege and white male privilege in particular. We have yet to see whether a national discussion will follow, but it should. The reality of white privilege pervades so many aspects of American life, both private and public, and it has smoldered for centuries. 

We will never get over it if we cannot talk about it. 

Cumberland County rural property owners will likely see a tax increase come July. The funding subcommittee of the county’s public safety task force is unanimously recommending a 0.375 cent increase in the special fire protection service district’s tax. There are 15 fire districts in unincorporated areas of Cumberland County plus Hope Mills and Spring Lake, which are supported by property tax assessments of 0.10 cents per $100 of valuation. Five small, low-wealth fire departments receive additional assessments of 0.125 cents per $100. 

The subcommittee voted unanimously March 19 to request that the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners adopt the tax increase effective July 1, 2019. 

“We have heard your concerns,” said Cumberland County Manager Amy Cannon. She and Fire Commissioner Marshall Faircloth predicted the board would go along with the increase. 

Consultant Gregory Grayson of Envirosafe Fire Support Services told the committee that “the workload and need for fire and rescue services has increased significantly.” Fire departments have become “all-hazard agencies” requiring additional salaries and training for firefighters, he added. 

He outlined the complexities of developing a new funding model for volunteer fire departments. The city of Fayetteville Fire Department is funded with salaried, full-time firefighters. 

The proposed county tax increase would boost total fire and rescue spending from $7.4 million to $8.9 million for fiscal year 2020. A series of supplements, incentives and grants would augment the existing baseline. They would be provided to strengthen the county’s overall fire and rescue delivery system. 

Supplements and incentives would be based on enhanced individual department performance. The low-wealth fire departments, including Beaver Dam, Bethany, Godwin/ Falcon, Stedman and Wade, would receive annual supplements of $83,000 each for firefighter staffing. 

Some of the seven fire chiefs who comprise the funding subcommittee spoke out with mild objections to the funding formulas. “I sometimes feel that we’re caught in the middle,” said Cumberland Road Fire Chief Steve Parish. He said his department responds to 2,000 calls annually, while others with the same number of responses have larger populations and more funding. 

“We responded to 1,900 calls last year,” Pearce’s Mill Fire Chief Ronnie Marley said. His department’s 2018 baseline was $812,000. That’s 58 percent more than Cumberland Road’s $472,000. 

“I have noted the level of discomfort, but you have to look at the needs of the entire county,” Assistant County Manager Tracey Jackson told the committee. 

“We are committed to this process,” Cannon added. 

Because all 15 rural fire departments operate independently, their individual boards of directors will also have to approve the new funding methods before county commissioners can act. The Public Safety Task Force meets next month, and county officials hope the fire chiefs will have their approvals by then. 

Fayetteville State University’s Department of Performing and Fine Arts presents its FSU Jazz Day Festival for middle school and high school jazz bands and jazz combos Saturday, April 6, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 

A concert featuring the Tia Fuller Jazz Quartet will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Seabrook Auditorium, which is located on the campus of the university. 

“The jazz festival started last year to basically help students in our region in the jazz field — to help develop jazz programs and to help develop more appreciation for jazz itself,” said Ronald Carter, coordinator of the jazz festival and distinguished professor in the Department of Performing and Fine Arts at FSU. “This year, I am bringing in Grammy-nominated Tia Fuller, who is a performing saxophonist for Beyoncé. She still plays and records around the world with different people.” 

The festival will include workshops, clinics and performances. “At 1:15 p.m., we will have jazz clinics presented by FSU’s jazz faculty and by Tia Fuller’s jazz group,” said Carter. “The workshops will be about how to use instruments to play jazz, how to develop the concepts, tone and language of jazz, how to play within the jazz ensemble and more.” 

Carter added the clinics will feature drums, saxophone, piano, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone and other jazz instruments. 

The first band will play at 8:30 a.m. “We will have high schools from South Carolina and North Carolina and two college groups playing,” said Carter. “We have Shaw University’s jazz band. Benedict College’s jazz band from Columbia, South Carolina, will play too.” 

Carter added that next year the jazz festival will be bigger and that he aims to eventually start having a historically black college jazz festival. 

“This event is educational and motivational — (it’s) a great mentorship opportunity and allows participants to meet the students (and) the jazz professors and music professors at Fayetteville State as well,” said Carter. “It is community outreach for the colleges that are coming in and also for the students that are coming in from other states as well as Raleigh and the surrounding areas.” 

All events before 5 p.m. will be free. The clinics are open to the public. The registration fee is $200 for each participating school. General admission for the Tia Fuller Jazz Quartet concert is $5 for students and $10 for adults. For more information, to register or obtain ticket information, email Carter at rcarter11@uncfsu.edu. Tickets can be purchased at www.etix.com. 

Photo: Tia Fuller

The Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation is a relatively new organization at just three years old. From partnerships to innovation to vision, this organization, along with its partners and the community, is bringing new ideas, development and dollars to Cumberland County and its municipalities. 

In 2018, FCEDC announced 750 new jobs from Campbell Soup Company and Booz Allen Hamilton, bringing $12.5 million in new investment to the community. Under its watch, downtown has seen more than $130 million in public and private investment, and a $37 million, 4,800-seat Astros A+ Minor League Stadium is nearing completion. The Fayetteville Regional Airport has seen $35 million in renovation, and a $12.6 million investment has delivered a state-of-the-art FAST Public Transportation Center, which operates seven days a week. 

Downtown is also now home to The CORE, an innovation corridor that connects talent, assets and resources and encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. These are just a few of the successes the FCEDC has played a part in. 

To hear Robert Van Geons tell it, these successes are all about teamwork, and this is just the beginning. Up & Coming Weeklyrecently interviewed Van Geons to hear more of his thoughts on the topic. 

Up & Coming Weekly:What is the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation and why is it important? 

Robert Van Geons:We were established about three years ago. We’re a public-private partnership funded by the county, the city and the private sector, with the city and county being our biggest funders. We are a nonprofit, and our job is to help companies that are here grow and to attract new businesses to Cumberland County to create jobs and bring investment to our community. 

UCW:It seems like there are probably some challenges that come with that. 

Van Geons:We are a one-stop shop for economic development. We do everything from sites and buildings to marketing and promotion to existing industry support grants to incentives to working with the development community. 

This works because we have a lot of support from our elected leaders in the city and the county. We work well with the towns within the county, and the private sector has been incredibly supportive. … With their help, we’re starting to make some strides. 

At the end of the day, if this is successful, we are only a small part of it. It’s companies that make the investments. It’s the property owners that sell the land or the buildings. It’s the local officials that approve the incentives. It’s the citizens that show up to work. We’re the piece that tries to bring them all together. 

UCW:What do you think are some of the community’s strongest assets? 

Van Geons:Our people are our best asset. Additionally, we have a handful of really great attributes in this community. We have the youngest workforce in the Carolinas. We’re affordable as a place to do business and as a place to live. We are internationally diverse, with I think it’s 82 languages in our schools from 86 countries. 

And we are accessible. We are right along I-95. We have an airport and access to the Raleigh airport. We are near the deep-water ports in Wilmington. And we have both Class 1 rail providers and shortline rail in our community. 

It’s our people. It’s our location. It’s really the quality of our overall business environment. Those are our strengths. 

UCW:How have Fayetteville and Cumberland County grown in the last three to five years? 

Van Geons:We’ve had some recent announcements over the last few years and some exciting developments … but overall, I think we would be right to say that our community hasn’t grown as much or as quickly as we would like. 

And it’s something that we’re trying to build on the momentum of late. 

Recently, we’ve seen the Campbell’s Soup project in Cedar Creek, the $150 million-plus projects being built downtown, the completion of the work being done on I-295, the widening of I-95, the Booze Allen (Hamilton) announcements and more. So, we are building momentum. We’ve seen a lot of our vacant industrial space filled, and we have people looking to build new. 

However, we’ve seen relatively slow growth for the decade or so prior. 

Our towns are stepping up and investing in their communities as well — from Spring Lake to Hope Mills. We are working with Falcon and Godwin, and all the towns, on economic development efforts and strategies. That’s one thing our organization has as a priority — working collaboratively across all of Cumberland County. 

Just last week we had a meeting with representatives from all of the towns to talk about their individual economic development goals. We’ve been meeting with them individually since I arrived, and this was a time for us to bring them all together. We’re going to keep doing it every other month or so. 

And we’re doing some work around our airport, as well, and then looking at multi-modal transportation and development. There’s no single answer to being successful. It’s going to take the multi-dimensional approach. 

UCW:Do you think we will see some changes in the next five to 10 years? 

Van Geons:Absolutely, I do. I think we’re going to see continued to growth in technology fields, with companies like a ACLC and Worldwide Language Resources as examples, here in our downtown. 

Next-generation companies doing cyber security, virtual reality and distance learning are all going to be keys to that, and so we’re launching The CORE innovation center here. We’re seeing private sector developers, both locally and from well outside of our region, considering Cumberland County for new speculative development. 

The downtown project is transforming the way people think about our community. People are seeing and recognizing the economic potential and are starting to look at us with fresh eyes. We are hosting investors from Washington, D.C., and New York and Chicago and around the southeast frequently here. 

People are recognizing us as a great growth opportunity in a state that is growing. We don’t prosper alone in North Carolina. The momentum built by cities like Charlotte and Raleigh and Durham rubs off on us. We’re looking to leverage that. 

UCW:How do you get different businesses and organizations to work together for the greater good and a better future? 

Van Geons:When talking about where we were to where we are, have we always been as collaborative as we should be? Probably not — in the past. But it is a new time here, and the city and county are working well together on economic development. 

And now we’ve got, as an example, nine organiza

tions raising over a quarter-million dollars toward developing a communitywide brand that we all can use and benefit from. This is part of setting a joint vision for this community and working toward it as we look at what is our best tomorrow for our citizens and ask ourselves how we can effectively convey that internally and externally. 

I think we do look at that on the workforce development side. … How do we attract talent? How do we retain talent? And how do we grow talent? And that is where we’re looking at creative things around recognizing that technology and rapid innovation will be the two major drivers of tomorrow’s economy. And so we are looking at ways to increase broadband access and extend broadband here. We are looking at ways to bring, keep and grow innovative companies and to attract next-generation technology firms to our community. 

We have got to ensure that all of our children have access to tomorrow’s economy, which will be decided by their level of engagement with technology. 

You are either integrated into the digital economy or you will be left behind, and we’re working hard on that to make sure no one gets left behind. I think the one thing we know for certain is that tomorrow’s workplace will evolve exponentially more rapidly. … The No. 1 skill that the next generation worker will need will be the ability to continually learn and adapt to a changing world. 

We have another initiative going on with the workforce development board that I am co-chair of. It is a next-generation sector partnership.... We’re working with … employers to identify their talent needs multiple years in advance, so that we can work to train up our people to fill those jobs well in advance of those vacancies getting here. 

Whether you are truck driving or you’re working with our utility providers, the graying of the workforce is real. And those are opportunities for our citizens today and tomorrow to have gainful employment versus recruiting new talent to fill that from outside. 

UCW:Thinking about the future sounds like a fun part of your job. 

Van Geons:I enjoy it. With SEGRA coming into town and PWC’s dark fiber and us launching The Core, which you can check out at www.corefayetteville.com, I am optimistic. I believe we need to be an innovation corridor. Sen. Kirk deViere and Rep. John Szoka have both supported this. 

Between what happens in the private sector and Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fort Bragg and Methodist University, we have the potential to be a leader in applied innovation — from drones to cyber to robotics to game learning. We have all of those things happening here in our community today. 

We also need to tell our story better internally and externally, and that’s part of the branding initiative we are working on. 

UCW:How do you lay the groundwork for attracting new businesses? 

Van Geons:Before the end of the month, we will cross the 1,000-job mark and around $65 million dollars in total investment through our projects since I’ve been here, which is 26 months. 

I think that’s a real positive start for us when you talk about results, but we can have exponentially more happening. And we want more. So, how do we do that? Part of it is having sites and buildings. … We work with the state and with industrial brokers around the southeast and promote our community at events and trade shows. 

We work with our existing industry to help them help us find out about customers or suppliers that would be interested in being here. 

UCW:What is your dream for Fayetteville and Cumberland County, and do you think we can pull it off? 

Van Geons:I believe we can be the community where all our citizens can build a better economic future for themselves and, more importantly, for the next generation. We can be a place where generational equity is built, meaning the next generation has a better tomorrow than we did — regardless of how they came to Fayetteville. 

UCW:What do you see as this community’s biggest challenge as far as economic development? 

Van Geons:I think we need to continue to push forward. One of the most transformative things we could do is to find ways to help those who have suffered from chronic unemployment to get back in the workforce. 

We are doing this with things like the expungement clinics and by developing and implementing training programs that are accessible and yield direct employment for people. We have employers looking for workers. We also have people looking for work — but when they don’t have the skills, the jobs go unfilled. 

We need to confront the issues we face. Whether it is the opioid crisis or children not succeeding in school, it is about helping build a path for people who have been chronically unemployed. That will change so much of our economic landscape. 

We need to continue to focus on economic development. And it will take years, not days. We need to have faith in our leadership. That’s a start. 

We are especially grateful for support we receive from the city, the county and our board. Anything good we are accomplishing is because of them and our private sector partners.

Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Association of Students for Social Justice is in its early beginnings; the group has existed for less than a year now. Members are delighted at what they have accomplished in the community in such a short time, and they look forward to what the upcoming year has in store. 

The ASSJ originated in the FTCC Sociology Department with the idea of connecting FTCC students with the local community to build meaningful relationships, create positive social change and help those in need. Members can develop their professional growth, explore their interests in socially relevant issues and participate in community activism. 

The club is a student-led group that includes a multi-disciplinary team of FTCC students and faculty. It has student members from a variety of majors as well as faculty members from various disciplines. Its goal is to remain diverse by welcoming all students, faculty and staff. 

Members of the club have been involved in several activities throughout the year. These include participating in the March for Our Lives rally held in Cumberland County last March and, most recently, the Rally for the Environment held in Cumberland County this past October. Members have also been active directly at FTCC through participation in various campus events, including FTCC Student Government Association’s “Olympic games,” a fun part of SGA’s campuswide festivities for the Spring Fling and Fall Fling. 

Most recently, the ASSJ was active at the FTCC Fall Festival by helping students register to vote for the November midterm elections. 

The club also provides students with information regarding service-learning and community engagement opportunities. Throughout the year, ASSJ leaders provided students with opportunities to learn and participate in events like the 12th Annual Prevention of Child Abuse Conference, the Very Special Arts Festival, the Dogwood Festival and, most recently, the United Way Community Stand-down event. Club members are encouraged to participate in events they are passionate about and share their experiences with other members. 

For the 2018 holiday season, the club collaborated with Seth’s Wish in Fayetteville. Seth’s Wish was established when a 9-year-old boy first asked his mom about helping the homeless. Seth’s Wish is community-based and focuses on combatting issues of hunger and homelessness in Fayetteville. 

ASSJ members share the goal of creating a service-learning culture at FTCC to help students use their academic and social interests to foster community involvement. Students who are hands-on in the community will have the advantage of learning cultural awareness, critical thinking and civic responsibility. 

Students also benefit from participating in the ASSJ because their involvement can be listed on résumé s when preparing for job opportunities. 

The ASSJ is just one of many clubs at FTCC. For readers who are considering taking classes, learn more or register now at www.faytechcc.edu or visit the Fayetteville, Spring Lake or Fort Bragg campus locations. 

Questions about the Association of Students for Social Justice can be directed to Karen Boyd at boydk@faytechcc.edu or Pamela Collins at collinsp@faytechcc.edu. 

I have seen the future, and it’s spooky. You may have seen it, too, if you watch cable news morning shows. I was half awake, having only consumed a half-cup of coffee, as the TV blared on about the latest horrors. Mercifully, a commercial appeared where everyone was happy. Usually, news shows are sponsored by Big Pharma, pushing some drug to cure some dread disease — or pushing a drug to get you off the drug they sold you to cure a dread disease. 

I’m looking at you, Sackler Family, purveyors of Oxycontin. You have to listen to the ugly side effects of the drug du jour while the people in the commercial are having no side effects at all. 

This commercial was different. The people were having a great time. They were skipping long lines, getting on uncrowded airplanes, going to see sporting events and moving with the “speed of life,” as the ad said. 

Wow. I want to move at the speed of life. Can I become one of these happy, peppy people who don’t have to wait in line like the commoners? Where do I sign up? There appear to be no side effects from this wonderful product, unlike Big Pharma’s narcotics. 

The wonderful new product is brought to you by a company I shall rename Acme BioCooties in honor of Wile E. Coyote. Acme BioCooties takes you to the head of the line. 

Acme BioCooties is a biometric identification company. It is the digital version of 23andMe, the DNA/ancestry testing company that’s been all the rage lately. Instead of spitting in a vial, send Acme your fingerprints and a scan of your eyeballs. You go to the head of the class, or at least the front of the line. 

Tired of having to show pesky personal identification documents? Just sashay over to the Acme Biometric Approval 500 Machine. Take a loving look into the Ghost in the Machine’s eye scanner and press your fingertips on a finger reader. If Big Brother likes what he sees, you can skip the line. 

This leaves all the little people in line admiring, envying and hating you for your line-skipping status. All animals are equal, some are just more equal than others. In the meantime, ask yourself the musical question: “Have I sold my soul and identity for the ability to skip other people in line?” 

Acme brags it is currently at more than 40 airports and all major league baseball parks. Acme converts the images of your eyeballs and fingertips into a series of encrypted ones and zeros “that is unique to you and only you.” 

What a dandy brave new world. I always wanted to be converted into a series of encrypted ones and zeros. This is the goal of all humanity: to be an encrypted number. Tattooed numbers on arms and identity papers are old hat. Biometrics will make it all so much easier to move along, track, and if we get a bit out of line, to control. 

What could go wrong? 

Acme proudly reports it has been approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. That should make you feel warm and fuzzy. Acme asks: “Are you ready to be unstoppable? Imagine every place you customarily show ID to gain entry. Now imagine Acme ID.” Acme is also seeking partners to use its biometric identifier. “It will strengthen security, increase fraud protection with real time data and analyze and leverage real-time customer data.” 

As Jerry Lewis once sang at his MDA telethons, “You’ll never walk alone.” 

Acme says it is always thinking about new applications powered by biometrics like “checking into doctor’s office at the tap of a finger” or paying for stuff with your finger prints. 

The website says more than 20 million people have already signed up to be ones and zeroes. The basic price is $179 a year until you run out of money. Your biometric numbers are encrypted and securely stored in the cloud. And as we all know, the cloud is safe from being hacked. You don’t believe me? Ask the North Koreans, or a 16-year-old hacker. 

On second thought, don’t ask. 

Already, some stores no longer take cash, requiring credit cards. A few cities have passed ordinances outlawing cashless stores as not everyone can obtain a credit card. Too bad for the poor people. The poor have no credit cards to buy bread? As Marie Antoinette said, “Let them eat nonbiometric cake.” Most people, excepting Captain Hook, have fingers for Acme. 

So, what have we learned today? When biometrics takes hold, rich people won’t have to wait in line. Be like Esau. Sell your soul and identity for a mess of pottage in the form of line-skipping. 

Once biometrics becomes universal, it will do away with cash. Let your fingers and eyes do the walking through the speed of life. Just hope that you don’t run afoul of Big Brother’s rules. He might terminate your biometric identity. It could be difficult to buy vittles if you can’t pass the eye scan test because you’ve been cancelled. 

Perhaps being an encrypted series of ones and zeroes may not turn out as well as one might hope. 

Big Brother is watching you. Big Brother loves you. He grants and taketh away your encrypted number. Don’t make waves. You’d better be good for goodness sakes — especially if you like to eat or want to buy anything. 

Is it just one more small-town business that has closed its doors? 

Or is there more to it? 

For North Carolina barbecue lovers, last week’s closure of Wilber’s in Goldsboro was like the loss of a family member. 

Wilber’s has been on my list of favorite eateries for many years. And it would be in the top two or three barbecue restaurants in this state on a list made by any barbecue expert. 

There are lots of reasons. First, Wilber’s and its owner, Wilber Shirley, had been in business since 1962 when he bought Hill’s Barbecue. Second, and arguably most important, he still cooked the old-fashioned way, over pits with wood coals and all night, slowly, carefully cooking whole hogs. The real barbecue experts say this makes all the difference. In his classic book “Tar Heel Barbecue,” Jim Early opined, “The name Wilber’s and Eastern North Carolina barbecue are synonymous.” 

Another contributor to Wilber’s long-time success was his location on U.S. 70, right on the pathway of vacationers traveling to the coast. But in 2016 the opening of a bypass around Goldsboro changed that. It certainly made a big difference. As Wilber told local television back then, “Well of course, it’s something nobody like a businessman would be jumping up and down about.” 

Then he added, “It’s something we can’t help, so we face the issue and whatever comes.” 

We hoped that Wilber’s commitment to the careful and grueling process of old-fashioned cooking over wood coals would still draw customers off the new highway bypass. 

Wilber’s pitmasters were legendary. In his book “North Carolina Barbecue: Flavored by Time,” Bob Garner described how pitmaster Ike Green “would build a fire of stacked oak logs in the fireplace. He let the fire burn down to coals for an hour or so as he trundled a wheelbarrow between the pit house and the restaurant building, loading the 40 or 50 half-pigs he would cook that night onto the pits, where they would slow-roast for nine hours.” 

Wilber’s and other classic barbecue houses have always attracted political gatherings. Visiting politicians, if they were smart, called on Wilber Shirley. Sometimes he was active in supporting some candidates. In 1984, he was serving as treasurer for Rufus Edmisten’s campaign for governor. One morning Wilber read that Rufus had told reporters he was through with barbecue. Rufus says his first call about his unfortunate comment came from Wilbur. 

John Shelton Reed, co-author of “Holy Smoke: The Big Book of North Carolina Barbecue” and champion of slow-cooking over wood coals, mourned, “Another of the greats is gone. Real North Carolina barbecue was already an endangered species. Soon it may be just a memory.” 

There is something else we are losing. Wilber’s was a community gathering place where friendships were enhanced and great memories created, treasured memories similar to those shared by Gov. Roy Cooper at last week’s Main Street Conference in Salisbury. Cooper remembered riding his bike downtown in Nashville, North Carolina, for visits to the barbershop and drugstore and with the people who packed the then-thriving downtown. He said, “Our small towns and rural communities are wonderful places to live, work and raise a family.” 

But as Scott Huler sadly points out in his new book “A Delicious Country: Rediscovering the Carolinas along the Route of John Lawson’s 1700 Expedition,” our state’s rural and small-town landscapes are struggling, “littered with empty manufacturing plants, corporate farms and forests, empty main streets and deserted houses.” 

Real barbecue restaurants and small towns: Do all you can to preserve them, and do not miss any opportunity to enjoy them now before they are gone. 

It was about 15 years ago when Aneisha McMillan had an idea for a product she wanted to launch and needed a public relations firm to give her plan a boost. The problem was, she couldn’t afford to hire someone. So, she did the next best thing. She taught herself how to do it. 

That self-training launched a new career for the Michigan-born McMillan, and now she’s bringing her business to a new storefront location on Trade Street in Hope Mills. 

Her business, Oink Agency, will share space with her husband, Shaun McMillan’s, Drama Lab, a video audition business geared toward aspiring actors. Shaun, a retired Army ranger, is an actor with multiple film and TV credits on his resume. 

Aneisha said her career in public relations snowballed after she was able to land products she was promoting on “Good Morning America” and other outlets. 

“I started getting calls from other entrepreneurs who said, ‘Hey, how did you do that?’ she said. “They started asking, ‘can you do it for me?’ It turned into an actual career.’’ 

The flying pig logo that adorns the door of her new location on Trade Street is a symbol of McMillan’s attitude toward life. 

“My entire family has an affinity for flying pigs,’’ she said. “For us, the meaning is anything imaginable is possible if you believe in yourself, believe in your dreams. The flying pig is the embodiment of that notion. Impossible things happen every day.’’ 

McMillan said her favorite clients are what she calls mom and pop shops. “They are fiercely driven and so passionate,’’ she said. 

Her biggest client for now is the Halloween and Costume Association, a group of merchants who specialize in Halloween-related products including costumes and candy. 

Last fall, McMillan collaborated with the HCA on a promotion with supermodel Heidi Klum, who was proclaimed the queen of Halloween. 

McMillan also helped promote a national push of a petition on change.org to get people to support a permanent move of the celebration of Halloween annually to the final Saturday in October. 

McMillan lives in the Gray’s Creek area and decided to open a storefront for her business in Hope Mills. “I love Hope Mills and love the lake,’’ she said. “I’m really excited it’s back in action. 

“This area is amazing, and Trade Street is very nostalgic. The history behind it is pretty rich. The building itself is a great building, over 100 years old.’’ 

Married with six children, the 44-year-old said she found solitude at home something tough to come by, so she came up with the idea of opening an office to get a little privacy. 

“It’s definitely hard to grow as a one-person show,’’ she said. “Here, I hope I can expand, bring on some more clients and some employees.’’ 

McMillan said the basic offerings of her business are public relations and marketing. “I’m the person to come to for big ideas,’’ she said. 

Even companies with in-house public relations staff have called on her, she said, looking for bigger ideas or things they’ve never thought of. 

“My kids say I make folks famous for a living,’’ she said. “I don’t know if that’s quite true, but it’s a pretty good explanation of what it is, marketing to put together multi-faceted campaigns to help people get the message out about their product via social media or direct to the media.’’ 

To find out specifics about what McMillan’s business has to offer, visit www.oinkagency.com. 

McMillan said while she will have an office open to the public at her new place of business, it won’t have 9-to-5 operating hours. 

“We’re not a traditional retail storefront,’’ she said. She will use the space as needed to meet clients in person, and her husband will also use it for videotaping auditions for his Drama Lab business. 

“Clients that want to talk should shoot me an email or call,’’ McMillan said. 

Her email address is aneisha@oinkagency.com. Her phone number is 910-849-9003. 

Photo: Aneisha McMillan

The health of Cumberland County residents is improving, but a new statistical report of Cumberland County’s overall health ranking leaves a lot of unanswered questions — mostly in the “why” category. The report indicates overall health outcomes improved slightly from 75 to 73 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. The rankings were released by “County Health Rankings,” a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute program. 

Health rankings provide a comparison of the overall health of nearly every county in the nation and how a community’s overall ranking is influenced by the length and quality of life, health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment. 

“Community health rankings are a useful tool from a public health perspective,” said Duane Holder, interim Cumberland County health director. “It shows that community partners need to work together because many of these factors cannot be addressed on the individual level. The rankings show us where we live matters.” 

Cumberland County scored high in the area of clinical care, ranking 40th in the state. Data indicates, however, that the percentage of county residents who are uninsured is less than the state. They also show that the county’s patient-to-provider ratios, to include dental and mental health care, are lower than the state average. 

Cumberland County saw a decrease in premature deaths and improvement in the “length of life” category. The rankings also indicated areas for improvement, including smoking and adult obesity. The Health Department has identified exercise, nutrition and weight and respiratory disease as two of the nine priority areas as part of the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment process. 

These priorities also include: access to health services; economy; immunizations and infectious diseases; occupational and environmental health; other chronic diseases; public safety; respiratory disease; and substance abuse. The Health Department will focus on these priorities over the next three years. 

Sexually transmitted disease rates in the county declined from the previous year but still show a need for improvement. In October, the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic at the Health Department extended its hours on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clinic also increased its community outreach efforts. 

The department is seeking the public’s opinion in the ranking of importance of the priorities. “A good health status … influences the county in all aspects of daily living,” said Holder. Residents are asked to take a few minutes to complete a survey online. To access the survey in English, go to surveymonkey.com/r/CCDPHCHNA. For a Spanish version, go to surveymonkey.com/r/CCDPHCHNAS. 

The full rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org. 

More information about the Cumberland County Department of Public Health’s programs and services, health-related data or community resources are available by phone at 910-433-3600. Or, visit the information desk at the health department office building, 1235 Ramsey St. The website is co.cumberland. nc.us/health.aspx. Comments are welcome and can be submitted on the website at co.cumberland.nc.us/ feedback. 

Here are the top award-winners from Patriot Athletic Conference swimming this season. 

Most points: 

Boys — Brandon Chhoeung, Pine Forest; Zizhou Lu, Gray’s Creek 

Girls — Sarah Morden, E.E. Smith; Amelia Shook, Cape Fear 

Coach of the year: 

Boys —Rick Kaiser, Gray’s Creek 

Girls — Amey Shook, Cape Fear 

Coaches Award: 

Boys — Zizhou Lu, Gray’s Creek 

Girls — Sarah Morden 

Photo: L-R: Sarah Morden, Amelia Shook 

 

Editor’s note: The March 20, 2019, issue of Up & Coming Weekly featured an article by Earl Vaughan Jr. titled “Hope Mills losing UNC-Pembroke student sculptures.” The article talked about the removal of several sculptures that University of North Carolina- Pembroke art students had put on display in Hope Mills. There was a strong reaction to the article. So, Vaughan wrote a follow-up that was planned to run in this issue of Up & Coming Weekly. However, Hope Mills Commissioners Jessie Bellflowers, Meg Larson and Mike Mitchell were so outraged at the original article that they called a special meeting, which will take place prior to this issue being released. To avoid confusing the situation further, we are withholding Vaughan’s follow-up article to run at a later date. 

On a separate note: In that same issue of Up & Coming Weekly, the cover story, “Fayetteville Cumberland Parks and Recreation Bond Referendum update: continued, exciting progress,” incorrectly stated that the bond referendum was passed by both Cumberland County and city of Fayetteville citizens. The article has been corrected in its web-based forms to state that the bond referendum was only passed by citizens of the city. 

While election scandals, national issues and candidate announcements for 2019 and 2020 races have dominated the political headlines, North Carolina is continuing to head in the direction of greater freedom. That’s welcome. 

I believe North Carolina state and local governments have important responsibilities. They finance or deliver critical public services. Their regulatory authority can be used to protect public health, combat fraud and resolve disputes. 

But government power is inherently coercive. That’s quite literally what a government is, a social institution that enjoys a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force in a given geographic area. It’s necessary. 

It’s also dangerous, which is why we constrain the day-to-day exercise of governmental power with written federal and state constitutions, explicit grants of state authority to localities, and the common law. 

To the extent government is limited to its essential powers, expenditures and exactions, we enjoy the freedom to make our own decisions, to form our own private agreements and associations according to our own personal values. I believe such freedom — the freedom to live as we choose as long as our actions do not endanger the equal freedom of others to do the same — is both a natural right and a practical solution to many social problems. 

Among the 50 states, North Carolina is relatively free. There are various ways to measure this. One reasonable and consumer-friendly tool is the Cato Institute’s “Freedom in the 50 States” project. On its website, you can compare state performance on the overall index as well as on specific criteria. 

North Carolina currently ranks 18th in Cato’s overall freedom measure. We earn better-than-average scores in economic freedom, a bundle that includes taxes, spending and regulations. We do even better, ranking 17th, in a bundle of personal freedom measures that includes educational freedom (sixth), regulations on tobacco (eighth), property rights for those accused (but not convicted) of crimes (11th) and overall incarceration rates (17th). 

In the category of regulations on alcohol production, marketing and consumption, North Carolina ranks below average at 35th. But it looks like that ranking is going to be improving soon. The state’s beer wholesalers and emerging craft-beer industry, at loggerheads for years, have just announced a compromise that, if enacted by the General Assembly, will loosen the state’s tight restrictions on direct distribution by breweries. Other proposed legislation would reform North Carolina’s archaic and counterproductive system of ABC stores. 

Another problematic ranking for North Carolina is in the area of health-insurance regulation. We impose too many mandates on what health plans must cover and how they can be structured and sold. Again, however, there is room for optimism. A bill to strengthen the market for association health plans, which allow businesses and individuals in the same industry to band together to get better deals on health insurance, has just passed the North Carolina Senate with a bipartisan vote and now awaits action in the House. 

When it comes to property-rights protections, our national ranking isn’t horrible at 20th. But protections are stronger in our neighboring states of South Carolina (second), Tennessee (fourth), Georgia (11th) and Virginia (12th). The General Assembly could improve the situation this session by placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would limit the abuse of eminent domain and by putting a final nail in the coffin of the state’s unconstitutional Map Act, which had deprived property owners of the just compensation to which they were due as part of the process of planning and constructing state roads. 

I don’t favor expanding freedom in North Carolina because I think North Carolinians always make the right decisions for themselves. We are flawed creatures, subject to temptations and prone to mistakes. But politicians are no less flawed than the rest of us, to put it charitably. 

I prefer to trust the wisdom of crowds, as reflected by the outcomes of free choices by millions of people over time. We try, we err, we learn from each other. That’s freedom in practice. It works. 

Terry Sanford’s girls soccer team is having the same kind of season so far that it’s enjoyed the last two years under head coach Karl Molnar. 

That means two things for the Bulldogs: more wins and more pressure. 

In the past two years, the Bulldogs topped the 20-win mark both times, while suffering only one defeat, that coming both times in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state playoffs. Two years ago, they got all the way to the 3-A Eastern finals. Last year they lost in the third round. 

Through March 20, this year’s team is 5-0. 

“Obviously, the pressure just builds,’’ Molnar said. “The target seems to get bigger. Other teams continue to grow their programs, and other teams are shooting for you.’’ 

But while the pressure is real, Molnar said it’s also a positive. “We often talk about (how) pressure is a privilege,’’ he said. “You’re doing things right (if ) the games matter that much.’’ 

Terry Sanford’s quick start this year is an impressive accomplishment considering the graduation losses the Bulldogs suffered. 

“We lost some very talented young ladies last year,’’ Molnar said. He mentioned standouts like Talia Parrous, Christina Rice and Ally Gustafson. 

“Those were some big shoes to fill, but we’ve had some people step up,’’ he said. 

One of the biggest has been junior forward and midfielder Corrine Shovlain, who leads the team in goals through March 20 with 14. 

Kate Perko came to the Bulldog program from nearby Fayetteville Academy and has provided tough play in the middle of the field. Maiya Parrous, recently recovered from illness, is also beginning to shine. 

Goalkeeper play is solid for Terry Sanford with senior Lindsay Bell in the net. Through March 20, Bell has only allowed one goal in 14 shots on goal. 

But as well as the Bulldogs are playing, Molnar said they’re not in state playoff form yet. 

“It’s still early in the season,’’ he said. 

Also, some games Molnar was banking on to help the Bulldogs hone their performance to a finer edge won’t be played. 

The Patriot Athletic Conference that Terry Sanford plays in has some traditionally weak programs that don’t provide Terry Sanford the strongest possible test. 

Molnar hoped to bolster the Bulldog schedule with nonconference games against good teams from Jack Britt and Union Pines. 

But the rash of bad weather has forced multiple rescheduled games for the Bulldogs. Since conference games are a priority, Molnar had to wipe the contests with Jack Britt and Union Pines from the slate, and now it’s unlikely those games will be played this season. 

“We develop and push and try to get them on the same sheet of music as much as you can during the season, so you are peaking at the end of the season,’’ Molnar said. 

That’s not easy when the teams you face in the state playoffs are seasoned, with numerous players who take part in club soccer programs year-round. 

“Those teams that beat us in the state tournament are solid at every position,’’ Molnar said. “There’s not a weak spot on the field, and they’ve got two or three girls rotating in that aren’t weak spots.’’ 

But that is no deterrent to the confidence of Terry Sanford players like Shovlain, who said the Bulldogs have high expectations again this season and are trying to get stronger every game, regardless of the level of competition. 

“What we do is take every practice seriously,’’ she said. “We have to push ourselves to our best abilities. Even though we play weaker teams, we all try to push each other during those games. We all communicate and pass. We work on different plays that will help us in the playoffs.’’ 

Shovlain feels the Bulldogs have a strong offensive attack and that the defense led by Maiya Parrous and Kara Walker is getting stronger. 

“Working as a team is a big thing,’’ Shovlain said. “At the end of the day, if we all try our best, I think we’ll come out with a W.’’ 

Photo: Corrine Shovlain 

The town of Hope Mills is preparing to roll out its first farmers market in hopes of uniting consumers and area and regional farmers for the benefit of both. 

Town manager Melissa Adams said that about a year ago she established a staff committee to see if the town could expand its successful venture with the food truck rodeo. The initial plan was to look into various areas where the town could branch out into the fields of art and culture. One of the ideas that sprung from those committee meetings was a farmers market. 

Adams said the intent was not to compete with any existing enterprise of that nature in the Hope Mills area, but to bring an added value to the town. 

The plan is to hold the farmers market in the areas near the municipal ball fields at the Town Hall and Parks and Recreation building complex. 

“We’ve got the grounds we can use and we’ve got the parking,’’ Adams said. “We can try to get something off the ground and see if it can be successful.’’ 

The initial plan is to start the farmers market the first Saturday of the month, beginning in May and running through October. 

“If it grows and is wildly successful and our vendors say, ‘I want to come every Saturday or every other Saturday,’ we’ll look at that,” Adams said. “We don’t want to bite off more than we can chew. If it grows, great.’’ 

Tiffany Gillstedt, deputy town clerk, has been researching farmers markets operated by other municipalities to get a better understanding of rules and regulations in place that have made them successful. 

Adams said the Hope Mills farmers market will be governed by a mixture of rules that the town decided to adopt, along with good practices borrowed from other communities doing the same kind of thing. These rules and regulations will be posted on the town of Hope Mills website, www.townofhopemills.com, and also shared via social media, Gillstedt said. 

Initially, all vendors will be invited from within a 100-mile radius of Hope Mills, with the additional requirement they live in North Carolina. 

More information about how to apply to be a vendor is listed on the town website. At some point, Adams said, the town may screen vendors from outside the area and allow them to take part in the farmers market. 

The guidelines for vendors include a detailed list of the items that can be sold at the farmers market; that list is dominated by homegrown and homemade items. All items vendors plan to sell must be submitted to the town’s Art and Culture Committee for approval. 

No animals can be sold or given away at the market. 

Each vendor will pay a fee of $50 that will allow that vendor to sell items at all six of the scheduled farmers markets. For a fee of $20, a vendor can attend a single farmers market and can specify on the application which month they’d like to take part. 

Adams said the town is starting out modestly with the fee it will charge in hopes of increasing participation over time. 

The town is also considering linking participation in the farmers market with participation at the town’s annual Ole Mill Days celebration. 

Adams said she has been working with staff to increase the number of handmade items available at Ole Mill Days and become less dependent on manufactured items, while still allowing those types of goods to be sold. 

The tentative plan is to give vendors who come to the farmers market a discounted fee to be a vendor at Ole Mill Days. “I would really like to see it become more of an arts and crafts festival,’’ Adams said of Ole Mill Days. “I think it would draw in a whole other group of people hungry for that type of event, something different for our citizens that brings more value to living here in Hope Mills.’’ 

The initial farmers market will coincide with the annual Hope Mills spring cleanup and shredding event in the Town Hall area. Adams is hoping that will draw additional foot and vehicle traffic to the first farmers market. 

The June farmers market will be held in conjunction with the town’s annual Pet Fest, which will also hopefully boost attendance. 

Initially, the farmers market will be under the leadership of Chancer McLaughlin, the town’s development and planning administrator. 

The hours for each farmers market will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. 

Adams stressed that the farmers market program will be a work in progress and subject to any changes that the town feels will make it work better. 

Anyone with questions about the first farmers market, what to bring or how to apply can check www.townofhopemills.com or contact McLaughlin at cmclaughlin@townofhopemills.com. 

Priya Mall

South View • Volleyball • Junior

Mall has a 4.29 grade point average. She is a member of National Honor Society, International Baccalaureate and Hispanic National Honor Society.

 

William Pryor

South View • Basketball/Tennis • Junior

Pryor has a 4.3vgrade point average.vHe is a membervof NationalvHonor Societyvand International Baccalaureate. He is also student body vice president.

The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association handed down penalties to Fayetteville’s Village Christian Academy last week following an investigation of alleged infractions in the school’s football program.

The story was initially broken by Nick Stevens of High School OT, a web content subset of WRAL-TV that covers high school athletics. 

Homar Ramirez, executive director of the NCISAA, released a statement regarding the case at Village Christian.

In the statement, Ramirez said the NCISAA determined Village had recruited players to play football. It was determined the players were offered impermissible benefits by school personnel.

The NCISAA placed Village on probation for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. In addition, Village had to forfeit all wins in football for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. That included a state runner-up finish in 2017 and a state championship in 2018.

The school was fined an undisclosed amount.

The statement also said the NCISAA was satisfied with the actions the senior administration at Village had taken to resolve the matter and the measures it had implemented to prevent future incidents.

High School OT reported that Village superintendent Tom Rider sent an email to school families that stated the school’s administration accepted the ruling of the NCISAA.

In other news

• Two Fayetteville high school basketball stars will be competing in this year’s Carolinas All-Star Classic basketball game on Saturday, March 23, at John T. Hoggard High School in Wilmington.

Alexandria Scruggs of E.E. Smith and Kendal Moore of Pine Forest were both selected to play for the North Carolina girls team, which will meet a team of South Carolina all-stars. A boys game between North and South Carolina teams will follow the girls game.

Moore has committed to North Carolina State University while Scruggs is committed to Wake Forest University.

The action is scheduled to begin with the girls game at 6 p.m. and the boys game immediately following.

Patty Evers, athletic director and girls basketball coach at East Bladen High School, will head the North Carolina girls team. 

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and students.

• South View High School will host a combine for the 2019 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on Saturday, March 23.

Registration for all positions will be from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Meeting with coaches is at 11 a.m., and testing begins at 11:30 a.m. There is a $20 registration fee payable on-site.

The Shrine Bowl, the oldest high school allstar game in the country, annually pits the top seniors from North and South Carolina in a football game that benefits the Shriners hospitals for crippled children.

Photo: Kendal Moore

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

Coach of the Year: Dee Hardy, E.E. Smith

Player of the Year:  Alexandria Scruggs, E.E. Smith

First team:

Pine Forest — Kendal Moore

Terry Sanford — Imani Elliott, Lindsay Bell

E.E. Smith — Daireanna McIntyre, Kendall Macauley

Second team:

South View — Lillian Flantos, Mia Ayers

Terry Sanford — Kate Perko

Pine Forest — Claresha Pruitt

Overhills — J’Kyah Kelley

Westover — Salome Campbell

Honorable mention:

Douglas Byrd — Diana Robinson

Pine Forest — Ciara Moore

E.E. Smith — Keonna Bryant

Overhills — Kiana Jones

Terry Sanford — Nyla Cooper

A fundraiser is in the works to help erect a permanent sign in honor of John Daskal at the Reid Ross High School football stadium that bears his name.

Daskal founded the football program at Reid Ross before finishing his highly successful football coaching career at Terry Sanford High School.

Daskal’s daughters, Kristina Daskal Magyar and Kim Daskal Lee, organized the fundraiser, with assistance from former Cumberland County Schools student activities director Fred McDaniel.

There are currently two signs at Reid Ross recognizing Daskal, one on the back of the press box and another on the scoreboard.

Magyar said they want something more permanent, made out of brick, and resembling a sign that honors former Pine Forest High School principal Harold K. Warren located at that school’s football stadium, which is named for him.

“If I’m correct, it’s going to be around $12,000,’’ Magyar said of the projected cost of the sign honoring Daskal. She said tentative plans are for the dimensions to be about 6 feet tall and from 15 to 20 feet wide. Magyar said if it can be included in the cost, she hopes to have a picture of her father on the sign, along with a brief biography.

It would be located on what is now the main entrance to the stadium, a road entering from the end zone near the scoreboard. The sign would be placed outside the exterior stadium fence, she said.

While the primary fundraiser will be a golf tournament, Magyar said people are invited to submit any donations to the effort. “We are just reaching out to alumni or any friends, people who are interested in making a donation or who want to play in the golf tournament,’’ she said.

Magyar said the family wants to erect the sign not just to recognize Daskal’s success on the field but to honor him for the role he played in the lives of the countless young men he coached over the years.

“A lot of boys have looked at my dad like he was their father,’’ she said. “He was the go-to guy to ask a lot of questions because they did not have that male figure in their life.’’

Magyar said she’s heard countless stories over the years about how her father inspired young people, stories of them calling him back thanking him for the help he provided them.

“It goes to your heart because you’re hearing from all of those kids and they just loved my dad,’’ she said, “not just my dad but all these coaches who have been a part of their lives like that.

“When (someone is) an inspiration to somebody, people want to help because they love them that much for what they’ve done in their lives.’’

The golf tournament is scheduled for Sunday, April 14, at Gates Four Golf and Country Club at 6775 Irongate Dr.

The cost is $65 per player. Individuals or companies who don’t want to play in the tournament can purchase a sign for $100. Golfers can also purchase mulligans for $5.

The first-place team will get $300 and the second- place team $150.

Registration and lunch are at 11:30 a.m., and the tournament begins at 1 p.m.

The deadline for entry is April 9.

For more information about the tournament, contact the following people: Fred McDaniel, 910-709-9281; Dewayne Lee, 910-273-6773; Kristina Daskal Magyar, 910-591-0098; or Kim Daskal Lee, 910-261-9311.