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  • 16FayAcBill Boyette isn’t the type of coach who spends time trying to find good things in the losses on his schedule. But after guiding his Fayetteville Academy boys basketball team to this year’s North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2-A state championship, he had to admit that a loss to Cape Fear Academy on Feb. 8 may have done his Eagles more harm than good.

    The Eagles ended the season 27-3 and finished No. 2 in the entire state of North Carolina among both public and private schools, according to the MaxPreps rankings.

    Boyette points to that defeat in the championship game of the Coastal Rivers Conference tournament at Harrells Christian Academy as a key to the season. It was the fourth time the Eagles and Cape Fear Academy had met each other, with Fayetteville Academy winning the three previous games.

    “They are an awfully good team and we knew it was going to be a battle,’’ Boyette said. His team lost the third meeting 42-40. Boyette felt the Eagles got a timely message with the defeat.

    “I sensed a little complacency on our team,’’ he said. “I could see we were happy where we were.’’

    At the time, the Eagles were riding an 18-game winning streak and were headed to the playoffs, almost certain of the No. 1 seed in the 2-A field.

    “There’s a lot of pressure when you’re on a winning streak,’’ Boyette said. “We pointed toward the one-and-done aspect of the postseason. We went back and talked about why we lost that game. We didn’t do anything different at the next day of practice, realizing we had to play four quarters of basketball every single game or we would be going home.’’

    The Eagles did just that in their run to the 2-A championship. After a first-round bye, the Eagles rolled through four opponents with little trouble, the closest margin a 55-40 win over Northside Christian in the state semifinals.

    “We just thought it was imperative we got off to great starts,’’ Boyette said of state playoff stretch. He didn’t feel the Eagles did that in the state semifinals and finals as the Eagles found themselves behind in both.

    As has often been the case for Boyette championship teams, defense played a role in the victories. “I’m a man-to-man coach,’’ Boyette said, referring to his philosophy of playing defense. “Ironically, as it worked out, we went zone from the second quarter on in the semifinals. It worked wonders.’’

    In the title game, the Eagles faced another familiar foe, Wayne Country Day School. Boyette recalled the rematch with Cape Fear Academy in the conference tournament and just mentioned to his team once that they’d be facing a team they’d already beaten twice in the regular season.

    After the Eagles beat Northside Christian in the semifinals on Friday, Boyette said several of his players stayed around to watch Wayne Country Day in its 75-67 win over Freedom Christian in the semifinals.

    “They got the idea it wasn’t going to be a matter of (just) stepping on the court,’’ Boyette said.

    After a slow start in the title game, the Eagles took advantage of their height in the second half, pounding the ball inside to 6-foot-8 Emmanuel Izunabor and 6-foot-5 Williams Onyeodi. Izunabor scored 26 and Onyeodi added 18 as the Eagles took the third boys basketball title in school history with a 64-45 win over Wayne Country Day.

    Boyette has a long history of making key adjustments at halftime and watching his team pull away in the third quarter. This time, he just had to remind them what their original game plan was. 

    He told them they had done nothing in the first half to execute the game plan of pushing the ball inside and taking advantage of their height.

    “Early on in the third quarter, Emmanuel got some big hoops inside,’’ Boyette said. “We were getting stops on the defensive end. You could see our confidence growing, and you could see Emmanuel’s confidence growing.

    “We just pumped it inside the entire third quarter, and that was the difference in the game.’’

    Boyette had his team in a zone for the entire second half, and even he admitted that, like his team, he had to make adjustments. “It’s something I’m not accustomed to doing,’’ he said of using the zone, “but maybe the good Lord was telling me I’m a little stubborn in my ways. He showed me a different route and it worked to our advantage.

    “We were very effective in the zone. I felt it was a huge key.’’

    Izunabor ended the season strong for the Eagles after a long period of learning under the guidance of Boyette. “Emmanuel is a heck of a talent,’’ Boyette said. “There were days I was awfully tough on Emmanuel. He’d be the first to tell you it always seemed like the coach was calling his name.’’

    Boyette said all the time he spent pushing Izunabor paid off. “He reached the ultimate,’’ Boyette said. “He was at his very best the last two games of the season. I couldn’t be more proud of him.’’

    Izunabor, a native of Nigeria, said playing for Boyette was tough, like learning the fundamentals of the game from the beginning.

    “He helped me a lot,’’ Izunabor said. “I had to take advantage of it.’’

    Izunabor will be one of 10 seniors Boyette loses to graduation, leaving Boyette with only two players from this year’s team returning next season.

    “I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world,’’ Boyette said of the big group that is departing. “It’s hard to say what’s going to happen.

    “We’ll have to go with what we have. Hopefully we’ll get some guys that want to make the move to Fayetteville Academy. Good Lord willing, we’ll get some guys.’’

    Fayetteville Academy wasn’t the only team from Fayetteville that advanced to the finals of an NCISAA championship game this season.

    In 1-A boys, Greenfield School defeated Northwood Temple Academy 68-67. Northwood, led by University of Louisville recruit Josh Nickleberry, finished 20-14.

    In 3-A boys, Carmel Christian beat Village Christian Academy 65-64. Village ended the year 22-13. 

    Other Fayetteville teams that advanced to the semifinal round in the NCISAA playoffs were Trinity Christian School (21-10) in 1-A boys, Freedom Christian (12-17) in 2-A boys, Village Christian (22-13) in 3-A boys, Trinity Christian School (16-6) in 1-A girls, Fayetteville Christian (26-2) in 2-A girls and Village Christian (19-6) in 2-A girls.

  • 12EtafRumDo you remember the important North Carolina connection to “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” one of America’s most loved novels?

    The book was written in North Carolina. Although its author, Betty Smith, based the novel on her experience growing up in Brooklyn, New York, she wrote the book in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. As a struggling divorced woman with two children, she found work at the university until Harper & Brothers published her bestselling book in 1943.

    It usually happens the other way, with the Southern writer moving to New York to write. So you would have to think that this Brooklyn to North Carolina story is something special, one not likely to happen again.

    Surprise! It happened again Tuesday, March 5, when Smith’s publisher, now HarperCollins, released “A Woman Is No Man,” Etaf Rum’s debut novel. 

    Like Smith, Rum based her novel on her life growing up in Brooklyn. Like Smith, the divorced Rum moved to North Carolina. Like Smith, she had two children. Like Smith, she found work in higher education — in Rum’s case, community colleges near where she lives in Rocky Mount.

    Rum’s Palestinian immigrant family and neighbors in Brooklyn in the 1990s and 2000s are not the same as Smith’s families, whose roots were in western Europe.

    Still, both books deal with women’s struggles to make their ways in families and communities dominated by men.

    The central character in the first pages of Rum’s book is Isra, a 17-yearold Palestinian girl whose family forces her into marriage with an older man, Adam. He owns a deli and lives with his parents and siblings in Brooklyn. Adam and Isra move into the family’s basement. Isra becomes a virtual servant to Adam’s mother, Fareeda, who pushes the couple to have children. She wants males who can make money and build the family’s reputation and influence. When Isra produces only four children, all girls, she is dishonored by Fareeda. Adam beats her regularly. The central character of the second part of the book is Deya, Isra and Adam’s oldest daughter. Because Adam and Isra have died, Fareeda raises the children. Following the community’s customs, when Deya is a high school senior, Fareeda looks for a Palestinian man for her to marry. Deya wants to go to college, but she is afraid to bolt her family and the community’s customs. She knows of women who have stood up against male domination and then faced beatings and even death.

    “A Woman Is No Man” is fiction, but it is clearly autobiographical. As such, Rum explains, the book “meant challenging many long-held beliefs in my community and violating our code of silence.”

    “Growing up,” she writes, “there were limits to what women could do in society. Whenever I expressed a desire to step outside the prescribed path of marriage and motherhood, I was reminded over and over again: a woman is no man.”

    She writes that “what I hope people from both inside and outside my community see when they read this novel are the strength and resiliency of our women.”

    “A Woman Is No Man” will stir readers for other reasons, too.

    Its themes of conflict between a drive for individual fulfillment and the demands of community and family loyalty are universal. Readers who have given up some life ambition because it conflicted with a family or community expectation will identify with Isra and Deya. So will those who have lost family ties when they breached community norms.

    The author’s well-turned and beautiful writing makes reading a pleasure.

    Finally, her careful, fair-minded, sympathetic descriptions of complicated and interesting characters give the story a classic richness.

    Whether or not “A Woman Is No Man” becomes a best-seller and attains the beloved status of “A Tree Grows In Brooklyn,” it will, in the view of this reader, surely be a widely appreciated treasure.

    Photo: Etaf Rum

  • 07Lake Rim Pool Preliminary RenderingFayetteville City Council has funded another outdoor swimming pool. The Lake Rim Aquatic Center will feature a kiddie pool plus a six-lane competition pool. Lake Rim Park is off Old Raeford Road on Fayetteville’s west side. Tentative plans are to build the pools on the park soccer field, according to the city.

    M & E Contracting of Fayetteville received the $2.4 million contract. City Council formally adopted the construction contract without discussion Feb. 25. The project was agreed to several months ago.

    The Lake Rim Aquatic Center will be the city’s fourth public swimming pool — the third since 2015. The others are Chalmers Pool at Seabrook Park on Slater Avenue, Bates Pool at College Lakes Recreation Center and Westover Pool off Bonanza Drive. The new Lake Rim Park facilities are being funded through regular capitol development appropriations, not the $35 million Parks and Recreation Bond referendum of 2016.

    The city had been playing public pool catch-up since 2015 when it had but one pool. At the same time, Fort Bragg Family & Military Welfare Recreation operated five swimming pools on post, two of which are indoor facilities.

    Under the leadership of former mayor Nat Robertson, the city decided to develop at least three pools and seven splash pads. Four splash pads are already open and a fifth is under construction. Fayetteville officials said attendance at city pools has increased by 40 percent since 2016.

    As part of the aforementioned Parks and Recreation Bond issue, a multipurpose aquatic and senior center and fieldhouse were initially proposed. But the $28 million project was scrapped, according to Parks and Recreation Director Michael Gibson. It would have included a large indoor multi-use aquatic and senior center. Would-be features included an indoor pool, fitness room, racquetball courts, indoor track and playing surface and community meeting space.

  • 01coverUAC030619001Jerome Najee Rasheed, known in the music business simply as Najee, is set to perform at Fayetteville State University’s J.W. Seabrook Auditorium the evening of Saturday, March 16. Najee is a musical pioneer; he released many of his jazz and R&B hits before smooth jazz was solidified as its own genre. “Smooth jazz didn’t exist until the (19)90s,” he said. “When I came out in ’86, they created a separate billboard chart. There was a billboard jazz chart and a contemporary jazz chart, and I charted on both.”

    Najee has been immersed in music his entire life. “My first exposure was through my mother,” he said. “She was an avid jazz listener. It was just part of the household musical experience — she listened to everything from R&B to jazz to Latin music to classical music.”

    Najee’s childhood interest in music transitioned into a career shortly after he graduated high school. He went on tour with his brother Fareed in the band Area Code at the age of 18. “We toured all over the world with the USO for about a year,” he said. “Then my mother told me that I had to go to school and get a job.”

    Najee’s early experience prepared him for success later on. After attending the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, Najee began performing with more big names in the industry. “When I couldn’t afford to go to the conservatory, my daughter and I went to New York (City) and got hired by Chaka Khan,” he said. “We toured for a year playing with her, and I signed in 1986 to Capitol Records.

    “Since that time, I’ve worked with people like Prince and Quincy Jones.”

    Najee released his first album, “Najee’s Theme,” in 1986. An immediate success, it received a Grammy Award nomination for best jazz album.

    That trend of success continues. “Of my first four albums, the first two went platinum, the two after that were certified gold,” he said. “After that, it was actually Prince who convinced me not to sign to a label.”

    Najee has collaborated with a handful of major artists, including Stevie Wonder, Freddie Jackson, Al Jarreau and George Duke. “The beautiful thing about all of that is I was fortunate enough to see the human side of it,” he commented.

    “When you’re around it, they’re just like everyone else — they like to laugh, they like to have fun,” Najee said, specifically speaking about performing for President Jerry Rawlings of the Republic of Ghana at the White House during the Bill Clinton administration.

    Najee hesitates to pick favorites when it comes to his performances, but he does admit to a few shows being particularly memorable. “I have many of those,” he said. “When Nelson Mandela was president of South Africa, he remarried and sponsored three concerts in South Africa. I was a guest along with Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan; we did this major, beautiful concert on his (Mandela’s) behalf.”

    Though that event was nearly 21 years ago, Najee still remembers Mandela fondly. “What he did was a gift to the nation,” he said. “The highlight of it all was to have lunch with him in the presidential residence. He was such a nice and gracious man; you felt like you were sitting there with your father or grandfather.”

    After 23 years in the music industry, Najee still tours the world and releases new content. “We’ve been on the road since last year: Europe, Africa, the United States,” he said of himself and his band. “We are touring now — I’m on a smooth jazz cruise with all the major artists.

    “Fortunately, at this stage in my career, I choosem what I do. I’m having fun now.”

    Najee’s 17th album, “Poetry in Motion,” is a tribute to his collaboration with two outstanding artists: Al Jarreau and Prince. Najee recalls his time with these and other artists as positive learning experiences.

    “Les Brown once said that people grow through people and projects, and for me that’s been certainlytrue,” Najee said of his evolution as an artist. “Every situation I’ve been blessed to go into, I’ve been fortunate to take something from that experience.”

    Despite his success in the industry, Najee is humble and thankful for what he does. “No two daysare alike,” he said. “My life is just not that bad, trust me — I have nothing to complain about, and I’m very grateful to be doing what I do.”

    Aaron Singleton, personal relations representative for the Seabrook Performance Series at FSU, talked about the excitement Najee is bringing to the community. “We are so pleased to bring an artist at the caliber of Najee to Fayetteville,” he said. “(His) appearance is creating a lot of buzz around town.”

    Najee said the audience can look forward to a wonderful and diverse experience. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Fayetteville,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting some new people, some students on campus that are musicians. We do that (bring people on stage). I don’t know who’s available as of yet, but I have friends around town who might surprise you.”

    For the setlist, Najee plans on incorporating a variety of songs. “We perform things that I’ve recorded over the years... and we toss in the newer stuff as well,” he said.

    Steve Mack, budget director at FSU, is thrilled to welcome Najee back to North Carolina. “I’m certainly looking forward to it. I’ve seen the great Najee many times — I take advantage of every opportunity I get,” he said.

    Najee performs March 16 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at FSU’s J.W. Seabrook Auditorium, located at 1200 Murchison Rd. For tickets, and to learn more, visit www.uncfsu.edu/najee.

  • 10TrumboCape Fear Regional Theatre brings “Trumbo” to Fayetteville March 5-17. In today’s politically charged climate, the story of Dalton Trumbo, a prolific and talented Hollywood screenwriter whose work spans seven decades of the 20th century, serves as quite a cautionary tale about the lack of due process run wild.

    Before Trumbo was named as a member of the Communist Party — which was not illegal — and subsequently blacklisted and prohibited from working in films or any other entertainment medium, he was one of the highest-paid screenwriters in Hollywood. His films were routinely nominated for Academy Awards.

    In 1947, Trumbo, citing freedom of speech, refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee or to give the committee the names of others in Hollywood with Communist sympathies. He was convicted of contempt of Congress and served 11 months in jail. Thus began the Hollywood blacklist, which extended to Broadway, radio and television.

    Before the blacklist came to an end in the 1960s, an appallingly long list of entertainment personalities were deprived of their livelihoods.

    Hard evidence of Communist infiltration or subversion of the entertainment industry was never uncovered, yet hundreds of people’s lives were ruined without due process and by finger pointing alone.

    Larry Pine plays Trumbo in CFRT’s production of the same name. He’s acted in “All My Children,” “As the World Turns,” “Grand Budapest Hotel” and “House of Cards” among many other television and film credits. 

    “Trumbo” was written by Trumbo’s son, Christopher, and is directed by CFRT Artistic Director Mary Kate Burke.

     Despite the serious backdrop of Trumbo’s professional life, the play is warm and witty, told through personal letters. “Trumbo was such a magnificent writer,” said Burke. “His use of language and his wit make ‘Trumbo’ a very funny... and irreverent play, and Larry is an actor who is able to put the language across.

    “Trumbo is a role that actors who have a substantial body of work behind them are excited to take on.”

    One example of Trumbo’s legendary wit was his response to his contempt of Congress conviction.

    “As far as I was concerned,” Trumbo is famously quoted as saying, “it was a completely just verdict. I had contempt for that Congress and have had contempt for several since.

    “And on the basis of guilt or innocence, I could never really complain very much. That this was a crime or misdemeanor was the complaint, my complaint.”

    Michael Tisdale plays Trumbo’s son, Chris. He also voices the narrator and all other characters as they appear in the script.

    Andy Nicks is designing the costumes. There will be no set for “Trumbo.”

    “This show is going to be staged as ‘Disgraced’ was last year,” said Burke. “We use risers so that the audience surrounds the actors on three sides in what is known as thrust theater. There was such positive audience reaction to the staging of ‘Disgraced’ that we decided to use this more intimate staging again for ‘Trumbo.’”

    “Trumbo” promises to be a relevant and entertaining evening. For performance dates and ticket information, contact the CFRT box office at 910-323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org. Box office hours are 1-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and one hour before the show on Saturdays and Sundays.

    Photo: Larry Pine

  • 03pigPoor North Carolina is suffering yet another black eye on the national stage.

    Our latest injury was suffered — and the suffering is ongoing — in the 9th Congressional District, which currently has no representation in the U.S. House of Representatives because of a tainted election four months ago. Elections officials, state courts and the House all refused to certify the election or seat the Republican vote-leader because of suspected illegal tampering with absentee ballots in Bladen and perhaps Robeson counties. The North Carolina Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement has ordered a new election, yet unscheduled, which is shaping up to pit a Democrat with a substantial war chest against whoever prevails among a growing field of Republican hopefuls.

    The situation has been front page and TV story material for weeks, as Republicans defended their candidate — who had hired a political operative suspected of election fraud and now charged with it.

    In a twist worthy of Shakespeare, the federal prosecutor son of the Republican candidate, himself a Baptist minister, testified to the Elections Board that he had warned his father about irregularities in absentee voting as early as 2016. After tearing up in the hearing one afternoon, the minister-turned-politician stunned everyone the next day by announcing there should be a new election and that he would not be a candidate. Political pundits wondered whether the former candidate was worried about possible perjury charges.

    It all made for riveting news from a state that has been in the spotlight too many times for all the wrong reasons in recent years, and the sad tale confirms some unflattering facts about North Carolina political life. It exposes questionable election practices that may have been going on for years, in at least some counties, and brings up possibilities that law enforcement and prosecutors may have been asleep at the wheel at best and turning a blind eye at worst.

    It suggests that some candidates want to win so badly they will cheat to do so. And make no mistake. Voter fraud in which a person tries to or does vote illegally is not in the same league as election fraud, where numerous ballots, in this case absentee ballots, are cast illegally. Some say a few ballots were cast illegally in the 9th Congressional District, some say hundreds were, and it could have been thousands. Chances are that we can never know for sure, which is why voters will get a second chance to vote in a member of Congress.

    All the news about this is not bad.

    Our system did work, though slowly. When problems became apparent, the Board of Elections refused to certify the questionable election, and investigations began, resulting in the indictment of the alleged mastermind and the questioning of others. The fellow in Bladen County cannot be the only person to have figured out an absentee ballot scheme, so elections officials across North Carolina are now more aware of the nefarious possibilities.

    The spotlight has also shone on the ridiculously gerrymandered shape of the 9th Congressional District, which runs from Charlotte almost to the Atlantic Ocean and contains parts of nine of North Carolina’s 100 counties. That in itself is a strong argument for constraints on partisan political gerrymandering. The General Assembly has several bills addressing gerrymandering before it this session. If you care, let your legislators know that you do.

    Finally, the disaster that was the 9th Congressional District election and its upcoming redo send a message to all who value the election system that has sustained our nation for nearly 250 years. This system must be guarded and valued not just by elections officials and the criminal justice system but by all citizens.

    The lesson is we must all keep our eyes open during election season.

  • 09Babe Ruth and NC State Historic MarkerA new chapter in Fayetteville baseball history will be ushered in when the Woodpeckers, the Houston Astros’ advanced Class A affiliate in the Carolina League, plays its first home game. The game will take place Thursday, April 18, at the new downtown Segra Stadium on Hay Street.

    As we look forward to the future of baseball in Fayetteville, it may be appropriate to look back on a pivotal piece of Fayetteville history. Almost everyone is familiar with the legendary baseball player Babe Ruth and his connection with Fayetteville.

    The story begins when local merchant Hyman Fleishman convinced Jack Dunn Sr., the owner and manager of the Baltimore Orioles, to return to Fayetteville for the 1914 spring training. When the Orioles team arrived in Fayetteville by train, they were disappointed by cold temperatures barely above freezing. The team stayed at the Lafayette Hotel on Hay Street.

    Young George Herman Ruth was greatly amused by the hotel elevator and would spend his evenings riding up and down from floor to floor. Rain, which occurred during part of the training, prevented the team from training outdoors. So, arrangements were made to use the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory for indoor catching practice.

    While here, Babe Ruth and the Orioles had the opportunity to play against the cadets at the Donaldson Military School located off Raeford Road. Ruth played shortstop, had a double and a triple and scored four runs. Donaldson Military School was defeated in a score of 24-6.

    Members of the Fayetteville High School varsity basketball team asked the Orioles if they would care to play a game of basketball. The Orioles accepted the challenge, and the game took place in the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory. The Orioles were also great basketball players, defeating Fayetteville High School’s varsity team.

    March 7, 1914, while playing an intra-squad exhibition game at the Cape Fear Fairgrounds, George Herman Ruth hit his first home run in professional baseball, hitting the baseball 135 yards. It was Ruth’s fifth day as a professional, his first game and his second time at bat.

    Roger Pippen, a sports writer, was covering the game and wrote for his newspaper: “The next batter made a hit that will live in the memory of all who saw it. The ball carried so far to the right field that he walked around the bases.”

    It was here in Fayetteville that Ruth acquired the nickname “Babe.” Before leaving Fayetteville, Jack Dunn Sr. announced the list of players he intended to keep for the regular season, and Babe Ruth was on the list. Concerning Ruth, Dunn said, “He hits like a fiend and seems to be at home in any position, even though he’s left handed.”

    April 5, 1935, Ruth returned to Fayetteville with the Boston Braves to play an exhibition game against North Carolina State College. This game drew a crowd of more than 4,000 fans, keeping Ruth busy signing autographs.

    When Ruth died in 1948, residents mourned the loss of this great baseball legend. Maurice Fleishman, a Fayetteville merchant, had been a batboy at the Cape Fear Fairgrounds in 1914 when Ruth hit his first professional home run. Fleishman led the effort that resulted in a citywide celebration for the unveiling of a state historic marker placed on the site of the old fairgrounds.

    Friday, March 22, the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum will open a new exhibit entitled “Fayetteville Baseball Fever” that explores the local history of this popular sport. The museum is making a call for artifacts specific to baseball in Fayetteville and photographs related to baseball history in Fayetteville-Cumberland County. If you have any artifacts that you would like to loan, or any photographs that could be scanned, please call the museum staff at 910-433-1457.

  • 18Ashunti Cummings Grays CreekAshunti Cummings

    Gray’s Creek • Track • Senior

    Cummings has a grade point average of 4.1. Last year she was named the Gray’s Creek winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.

     

     

    19Jerrett Jacops Grays CreekJarrett Jacops

    Gray’s Creek • Track • Senior

    Jacops has a 3.7 grade point average. He has competed in both middle- and long-distance races and the long jump for Gray’s Creek.

  • 13PCDA treat we haven’t experienced locally in at least a decade, the Christian music trio Phillips, Craig & Dean brings a spirit-filled night of worship to Fayetteville Community Church on Thursday, March 14. The “All Creation Sings Tour” hit the road March 5 starting in Dallas, Texas, and Fayetteville is its next-to-last stop.

    Transparency, passion and integrity have long been the foundation for Phillips, Craig & Dean’s music and ministry. For more than two decades, the trio has churned out some of Christian music’s most enduring hits. One of these hits is “Revelation Song,” which recently earned Recording Industry Association of America’s gold single status, signifying downloads of more than 500,000. This is only the seventh time in the history of Christian music that a single has reached gold status.

    The song spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Adult Contemporary chart and also topped the National Christian Audience chart, AC Indicator chart and Soft AC charts. “The songs are usually things that come out of our hearts as pastors,” Phillips said. “All three of us serve full-time as lead pastors, and sometimes the people sitting in the pews form what God’s trying to say to you.”

    Those in attendance March 14 are sure to hear the songs Phillips, Craig & Dean are known for — as well as plenty of new music that may define the group from this point forward.

    “I think the songs on (our latest) album are some of the best we’ve ever written,” Craig said. “It seems like we all really hit this grace place, with inspiration really pouring through us, and I praise God for that.”

    The groundbreaking success of “Revelation Song” is only one of many impressive accomplishments in the group’s storied career. Phillips, Craig & Dean has created 23 No. 1 singles, won three Gospel Music Association Dove Awards and sold nearly 3 million units.

    The group continues to tour while always being present Sunday through Wednesday to pastor their home churches. Phillips is based in Austin, Texas; Craig in St. Louis, Missouri; and Dean in Carrollton, Texas.

    After more than two decades of music ministry, Phillips, Craig & Dean remain as passionate as ever about sharing the gospel through music. While serving as pastors at their home churches and while traveling and performing all over the world, they’ve seen the impact a great song can have on a congregation.

    Fayetteville Community Church, the location of the March 14 worship night, is located at 2010 Middle River Loop. Phillips, Craig & Dean take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Tickets and concert information are available at WCLN’s website, www.christian1057.com.

  • 08MilspouseMilitary spouses often have to maintain disrupted households, raise children, work outside the home and take on duties their partners normally tend to.

    Military family advocates say some disturbing trends related to deployments have emerged in a recent survey. Only 19 percent of spouses indicated they had excellent or very good military support during their service member’s most recent deployment. That’s lower than what spouses reported in 2015. Deployments have become commonplace during nearly 18 years of warfare in Afghanistan.

    Twenty-three percent said readjustments have been difficult for their service members upon return from deployment, also higher than 2015.

    “What that tells me is that something’s going on in a bad way with the level of support offered families during deployments,” said Joyce Raezer, executive director of the National Military Family Association. “I think families get more isolated,” she added.

    The survey, a scientific random sampling of spouses, was conducted by the Defense Department across the U.S. military establishment. The results can be generalized to the entire spousal population. It explored topics ranging from spouse employment and childcare to finances. Of the 45,077 active-duty spouses selected for the survey, 9,813 completed it, or 17 percent.

    Vice President Mike Pence’s wife, Karen Pence, is using her position to help wives overcome the challenges that come with being wed to activeduty servicemen. Karen sees spousal happiness as key to military readiness. Unhappy spouses lead to unhappy service members who eventually will quit. She wants to launch a campaign to elevate, encourage and thank military spouses.

    Karen’s effort is reminiscent of Joining Forces, an initiative that promoted military families. It was led by former first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, the wife of former Vice President Joe Biden. Karen said Joining Forces made a lot of progress for military spouses in making the states aware of uncoordinated licensing issues. It prompted legislative changes.

    But a recent study by the University of Minnesota found that, while state laws may have been updated, information provided by occupational boards is sometimes lacking. The study found that some employment applications omitted questions about military status, and some websites had no information about transfer opportunities for military spouses.

    The survey also found that loneliness was a problem for military wives during their husbands’ most recent deployment. The increasing sense of loneliness and lack of connectedness is a finding echoed in results from the 2018 Blue Star Families’ Military Family Lifestyle Survey. A.T. Johnston, deputy assistant secretary of defense for family policy, said it struck her that nearly 50 percent of the spouses of soldiers holding the paygrades E1 to E4 soldiers reported loneliness as a common problem during deployments.

    “Helping our newest service members learn how to connect is one of the best things we can do to help with resiliency,” she said.

  • Meetings

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

    Board of Commissioners Saturday, March 9, 8 a.m., Camp Rockfish Retreat Center (Budget workshop for fiscal year 2019-20)

    Fayetteville-Cumberland County Human Relations Commission Thursday, March 14, 5:30 p.m., Luther Board Room, Town Hall

    Activities

    Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Senior programs at the Parks and Recreation Center. The Senior programs for people ages 55-plus who are residents of Cumberland County have resumed. The rec center was closed in mid-September after Hurricane Florence. Various activities are now back and are scheduled Monday through Friday throughout the day. For details on times and days, check the schedule at www.townofhopemills.com, call the rec center at 910-426-4109, or email Kasey Ivey at kivey@townofhopemills.com.

    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.

    Promote yourself

    Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

  • 06FireChiefMajorFayetteville Fire Chief Ben Major has retired after 35 years of service with the department. Deputy Chief Mike Hill has been appointed interim chief.

    A graduate of E.E. Smith High School, Major was hired as a firefighter in February 1984 after completing undergraduate studies at Pembroke State University. He went on to complete a master’s degree in public administration at the University of North Carolina – Pembroke. Major was promoted to chief of the department in October 2011.

    The Fayetteville Fire Department consists of 15 fire stations and 332 personnel. The fire department received international accreditation in 2011 and was re-accredited in 2016 by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. During Chief Major’s tenure, the department earned an Insurance Services Office Class 1 Public Protection Classification, placing the FFD in the top 1 percent of fire departments in the nation.

    “Ben’s commitment to constant improvement of services and personnel was his greatest strength,” said City Manager Doug Hewett. Interim Chief Hill has served the Fayetteville Fire/Emergency Management Department for more than 25 years. He has served as a deputy chief since 2010. The city of Fayetteville has always promoted its fire chiefs from within the ranks.

    Voter identification struck down

    A judge has thrown out two amendments to the North Carolina Constitution that voters approved in November. One of the amendments was to implement a voter ID requirement, and the other was to place a cap on the state income tax rate. News of the actions was not widely disseminated. Wake County Superior Court Judge G. Bryan Collins’ decisions were issued late Friday afternoon, Feb. 22.

    “An illegally constituted General Assembly does not represent the people of North Carolina and is therefore not empowered to pass legislation that would amend the state’s constitution,” he wrote. 

    When the legislature voted to place the amendments on the 2018 ballot, many of the members had been elected under district lines that were ruled unconstitutional because they had been gerrymandered to dilute the political power of African-American voters.

    GenX controls continue

    Recently, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and other parties that signed a consent order made public last month learned the courts have approved the order. Downriver reduction in GenX in the Cape Fear River Basin will continue as the result of the order. Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser approved the decree in its entirety, giving relief for people near the Chemours plant on the Cumberland/Bladen County line.

    “Reliable, clean water is a right of every North Carolinian,” said DEQ Secretary Michael S. Regan. “This order was designed to ensure that the Cape Fear River can be that reliable, clean source for all who depend on its water.”

    All terms of the order went into effect Feb. 25. Regan said DEQ will use the full weight of the court’s contempt to hold Chemours accountable.

    Stadium naming rights continue

    The Fayetteville Woodpeckers have partnered with AEVEX Aerospace in the naming of Segra Stadium’s premium club level facilities. AEVEX is a defense industry leader in airborne intelligence solutions. AEVEX Veterans Club patrons will enjoy an indoor/outdoor fan experience from the optimal vantage point in the ballpark. Lounge/ couch seating will come complete with bar service, premium food offerings and waitstaff to highlight the club’s dining experience.

    AEVEX’s capabilities include three business units: Intelligence Solutions in Fayetteville, North Carolina; Flight Operations in Solana Beach, California; and Engineering & Technology in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

    Its operations are global in scale, with efforts in North and South America, Africa, Europe, the Pacific region and the Middle East.

     “AEVEX operates internationally and has an obvious attachment to Fort Bragg,” said Woodpeckers President Mark Zarthar. “With offices located adjacent to Segra Stadium, they have expressed confidence in Fayetteville’s vision for economic development in the city’s historic downtown.” 

    Cumberland County educators focus on the future

    Nearly 500 students, parents, educators and others gathered at a recent town hall meeting to discuss potential strategic plan focus areas derived from information gathered by Cumberland County Superintendent Marvin Connelly’s listening tour, district surveys and accreditation reports. 

    The county Board of Education and Strategic Plan Development Team will review the feedback, which will help shape the school system’s strategic priorities over the next five years. School officials hope to begin implementing the plan this fall.

    “Our work is directly connected to the quality of life our students will enjoy later in life and the economic vitality of our community,” Connelly said.

    Nearly a dozen focus areas will be reduced to three to five action priorities. They include: graduating every student confident, competitive and ready for a career and college; providing a variety of classes and activities that reflect student interests and backgrounds; offering a learning environment that supports growth academically, socially and emotionally; ensuring that school buildings are safe, secure, orderly and provide innovative learning environments; and engaging parents and the community to build trusting relationships.

    Photo: Ben Major

  • 11GPACGivens Performing Arts Center delivers high-quality entertainment, bringing diverse offerings season after season. The month of March promises to be especially exciting, with shows that range from ballet to bagpipes to an “On Stage for Youth” production of the story of Emmet Till.

    Monday, March 11, the Russian National Ballet performs “Sleeping Beauty” at 7:30 p.m. “Dar He: The Story of Emmet Till” is set for Monday, March 18, at 10 a.m. Rock ’n’ roll bagpipe band the Red Hot Chili Pipers take the stage Wednesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m.

    The Russian National Ballet’s “Sleeping Beauty”

    Based on the Brothers Grimm tale, more than 50 dancers come together to tell this classic story.

    At the celebration of her birth, a princess is cursed to a 100-year sleep when she pierces her finger on a needle. In this version, the princess’ parents survive the sleep and get to see their daughter marry the prince.

    The enchanting score is by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It debuted in 1890 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. Marius Petipa choreographed the original production.

    “The Russian Ballet performed ‘Swan Lake’ at GPAC two years ago,” said James Bass, executive director of GPAC. “They are well liked, and they put on an amazing performance.

    “The Russian Ballet is widely respected around the world. We’re gracious to be able to present such a quality piece of art for our patrons.” The Russian National Ballet’s “Sleeping Beauty” is one of several performances held in conjunction with the Act I Diner’s Club. These themed meals are available for an extra charge and will be served in the University Dining Room before performances in GPAC. Call the GPAC box office at 910-521-6361 for information.

    “Dar He: The Story of Emmet Till”

    GPAC’s “On Stage for Youth” series provides educational programs that bring the classroom to the stage.

    “Dar He: The Story of Emmet Till” tells the story of young Emmet. In 1955, the 14-year-old black teen from Chicago, Illinois, visited Mississippi. Instead of making memories with his extended family, he was murdered for flirting with a white woman.

    The play covers Till’s murder, the trial of the men accused of killing him and their unbelievable confession.

    This performance is suggested for middle- to high-school-aged students. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. Visit www.uncp.edu/resources/ gpac/stage-youth-series to download the study guide. Showtime is 10 a.m.

    “The Red Hot Chili Pipers” 

    The Red Hot Chili Pipers are a bagpipe band with attitude. The group’s setlist mixes traditional Scottish songs with standards like “Amazing Grace” as well as with covers of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and dance hits of the ’90s.

    With a social media following of more than 360,000, this Scottish bagpipe band plays more than 200 shows each year.

    “They are a fun band,” said James Bass, executive director of GPAC. “They do some really great covers of songs everyone knows, songs from multiple generations. It’s going to be high energy.

    “Go out on YouTube and find one of their videos … see what they do … but trust me when I say seeing them live is a hundred times more fun.”

    The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost between $10 and $31. Visit www. uncp.edu/gpac or call 910-521-6361 for tickets and information.

  • 04ThoughtThis is the second in a series of columns. Here is the opening from the first column. “There is a dangerous, but tremendously effective, political approach employed in America. It could be called ‘thought deprivation.’ It’s conditioning people so they do not think with depth regarding the issues that face us as a nation. Sadly, allowing this thought deprivation approach to become routine and embedded in the political process has brought us to a point of real danger in the governing, and very survival, of this nation.”

    I presented my observations as to how thought deprivation is developed and sustained in a person, by others, as a seven-step process. The last column covered the first two steps. I explore steps three and four here.

    Step three is to promote tension between groups or groups of groups. The examples as to how this component is developed are numerous. The fermenting of tensions between blacks and whites in America immediately comes to mind. It is disheartening, and downright disgusting, how race is used to create tension between these two groups in our country.

    However, as we approach the 2020 election, using the race grouping approach is taking second position to grouping citizens by financial status and pitting one group against the other. The primary groups appear to be the wealthy, on one hand, and everybody else on the other.

    As Democratic presidential candidates are announcing their candidacy, or publicly contemplating doing so, the cry is that America’s wealthy should pay more in taxes to provide myriad benefits for the rest of us. This argument for higher taxes on some and wealth redistribution is not put forth as a thoughtful presentation of facts coupled with reasonable analysis. Consequently, citizens are not encouraged to think through what is being proposed.

    An example of this call for increased tax payments from the wealthy is the “wealth tax” being proposed by presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. The plan is described in an article by Neil Irwin titled “Elizabeth Warren Wants a Wealth Tax. How Would That Even Work?”

    The following segments from that article highlight the process of dividing us into groups and creating tension between groups. In it, Irwin stated, “Developed by Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, two University of California, Berkeley, economists who are leading scholars of inequality, the proposal is to tax a family’s wealth above $50 million at 2 percent a year, with an additional surcharge of 1 percent on wealth over $1 billion.

    “Ms. Warren and other advocates of a wealth tax argue that this accumulation of untaxed or lightly taxed wealth is a bad thing. They say it enables the creation of democracy-distorting dynasties that accumulate political power, and that tax policy should be used to rein them in more than the current tax code does.”

    The wealth tax proposal, and the commentary in support of it, draws a clear line between the wealthy and the rest of us. That line-drawing, especially, shows through in the reason given for imposing such a tax. That is, the wealthy must be prevented from gaining political power that is made possible by their wealth. 

    This separating of Americans into “the wealthy” and “the rest of us,” while creating tension between the two groups, might be a bit subtle in Warren’s presentation. That is not the case with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I- Vt., who has entered the 2020 presidential race.

    Consider the following segments from Catherine Clifford’s article titled “Bernie Sanders: America is ‘owned and controlled by a small number of multibillionaires.’”

    “‘We live in a nation owned and controlled by a small number of multi-billionaires whose greed, incredible greed, insatiable greed, is having an unbelievably negative impact on the fabric of our entire country,’ Sanders told Paul Jay, CEO and senior editor of The Real News Network, in an interview posted Thursday.

    “‘What you have here is, first of all, massive income and wealth inequality. And as a nation we have got to think from a moral perspective and an economic perspective whether we think it is appropriate that three people, one, two, three, own more wealth than the bottom half of the American society,’ Sanders said. (A November 2017 report published by the progressive think tank Institute for Policy Studies found that Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett collectively had more wealth than the 160 million poorest Americans, or half the population of the United States.)”

    The following statement from Sanders’ website homepage makes the effort to divide and create tension crystal clear, saying, “No one candidate, not even the greatest candidate you could imagine, is capable of taking on Donald Trump and the billionaire class alone. There is only one way we win — and that is together.”

    Warren and Sanders are not alone in their “divide into groups and create tension” strategy. It is a strategy employed by Democrats for years. As of Feb. 19, every Democrat who has announced as a 2020 presidential candidate is singing from the same sheet as Warren and Sanders. They stay with this approach because it has worked in the past and, given the 2018 Democratic gains in the House of Representatives, they have reason to believe it will work in the 2020 election cycle.

    Grouping people and promoting tension between the groups is not, alone, sufficient to garner the political power sought by those who engage in developing and sustaining thought deprivation.

    The fourth necessary step is to contend that some groups are victimized, mistreated, discriminated against, etc. Again, the most obvious employment of this step is reflected in Democrats constantly, toward Republicans, alleging racism against black Americans at every opportunity, no matter how baseless the accusation might be.

    However, this step also clearly shows in Democrats employing the “wealthy versus the rest of us” strategy. The positions staked out above by Warren and Sanders illustrate this point, too. Look at how they describe the wealthy: untaxed, or lightly taxed, which is a bad thing; posing the threat of democracy-distorting dynasties; greedy, extremely greedy; have a negative impact on the fabric of our country; hold too much wealth.

    Then there is the emphasis on income inequality coupled with having a large portion of America’s wealth held by a few people being morally and economically questionable. This is to say that all of us who are not wealthy are being mistreated by the wealthy.

    The solution proposed by Warren, Sanders, other Democratic presidential candidates and, apparently, most Democratic voters, is to tax the wealthy at higher rates. The common statement is that “the wealthy should pay their fair share.” The prevailing argument is that the wealthy have too much money, and it allows them to wield political power at a level that is dangerous for the nation.

    If too much political power is the concern, just take money from the wealthy and burn it.

    That will not happen because the Democratic effort is about gaining the support of the masses to which they redistribute wealth that is garnered by increasing taxes on the wealthy.

    In the end, Democrats are working a strategy to gain political power. They are doing so by dividing us into groups, pitting one group against another and then using what is taken from the wealthy to, cheaply and through legal means, buy the votes of the nonwealthy. Thought deprivation is essential to the success of this strategy. Talk about immoral, greedy and democracy-distorting — this is it.

    Next time, more on steps to developing and sustaining thought deprivation.

    Editor’s note: In Karl Merritt’s recent column titled “God, Save Us from Ourselves,” it was stated that Covington Catholic High School is in Frankfort, Kentucky.

    The school is actually in Park Hills, Kentucky.

  • 02PubThe Rowan Street bridge is coming along nicely. Before you know it, we will enjoy one of the nicest, most beautiful and longawaited gateways into Fayetteville.

    The Up & Coming Weekly office is at 208 Rowan St., practically at the foot of the bridge. So, we have had a bird’s-eye view of its progress. It’s pretty impressive. The timing is near perfect, coinciding with all the exciting development and innovations happening downtown. A stadium, a hotel, apartments, office buildings and businesses will result from this more than $100 million of economic development.

    It’s all good, and I’m especially excited because next door to our office is 214 Rowan St. This is a vacant 6,000-square-foot commercial building that’s for sale. It’s stubbornly waiting to be leased or sold to the first entrepreneur who has vision and insight into the opportunities and needs generated by our growing community.

    How do I know this? Because I am an entrepreneur, and I own the building. When I describe the building as “stubbornly waiting,” I’m referring to my steadfast determination to put a themed, upscale but moderately priced restaurant in that location. Preferably, a brew pub.

    Why? First, location. Rowan Street is going to be a gateway into Fayetteville, with upward of 50,000 vehicles passing by that location every day. It’s in a convenient proximity to Festival Park, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, our new baseball stadium and downtown events and amenities — all of which are within an easy 5- to 10-minute walk.

    Secondly, after passing all the venues mentioned above, there are no restaurants or eating establishments in the area between Hay Street, Rowan Street and Bragg Boulevard — except the Subway at the Amtrak Station.

    My formal educational background is in the food and hospitality industry, and I have owned and invested in several restaurants in Raleigh and Fayetteville the past two decades, including Mash House Brewing Company on Sycamore Dairy Road. So, I can tell you with confidence that people like to eat and drink on their way to and from entertainment venues and social gatherings. Currently, there are no dining destinations on this major gateway.

    Thirdly, and my favorite — parking.Yes, there are more than 100 convenient parking spaces nearby. Imagine eating, drinking, socializing and parking all in one location that is only minutes away from the exciting sights and sounds of a vibrant downtown. Yep. 214 Rowan St. will be that prestigious destination if I have anything to do with it.

    Unfortunately, aspirations like this do not come without a cost. My wife and two prominent commercial real estate brokers think I’m being bullheaded and stubborn for holding off and waiting for that specific, unique brew pub/restaurant entrepreneur to occupy the location.

    I’m optimistic. Besides, I want to be one of the first patrons seated on the streetside dining patio enjoying a glass of wine while listening to a concert at Festival Park or the sounds of a cheering crowd at a Fayetteville Woodpeckers baseball game.

    It will happen — but only for someone with vision into what the Fayetteville community wants, needs and will support. Is that you? If not, pass this article on to a friend.

    Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  • 17Sam Guy Terry SanfordAfter a season that saw the Terry Sanford baseball team fall one win short of making the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A state finals, Sam Guy’s Bulldogs will have a different look in 2019.

    Gone are twin brothers Christian and Andrew Jayne. Andrew signed with the Baltimore Orioles, and Christian joined the East Carolina University baseball team.

    They were part of a class of nine departed seniors that formed the core of the Bulldog baseball team. Guy said the loss of that much experience is going to change the way the Bulldogs play this season.

    “We have to figure out what works with this lineup, this team,’’ he said. “We can’t replace what they brought. We have to figure another way to do it.’’

    One player who will be key in whatever the Bulldogs do this season is veteran pitcher Davidjohn Herz. Herz, who has already committed to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was 7-1 last season with an earned run average of 0.53. He led Cumberland County Schools in strikeouts with 105.

    With gaudy numbers like those to his credit, Herz knows he’s going to be counted on as a leader of this year’s Bulldog baseball team.

    He agreed with his coach that this new edition of the Bulldogs will have to find what will be its key to success. “I think we’ve got to be a lot more focused this year,’’ Herz said. “With those seniors leaving, we’ve got to find out (what our thing on the team is) and go from there.’’

    Herz said he worked most on his change-up in the offseason, skipping basketball to get ready for baseball season.

    His personal goals for this year are pretty straightforward. “My main goal is to get state Gatorade player of the year, player of the year in Cumberland County and go undefeated,’’ he said.

    Guy said Herz has one of the best strengths a pitcher can have: a bad memory. He recalled Herz’s freshman year when Herz made his debut for Terry Sanford against perennial 4-A baseball power Richmond Senior.

    “His first varsity pitch was a home run,’’ Guy said. “It didn’t bother him. He only allowed two or three hits the rest of the game.’’

    Guy said Herz doesn’t dwell on errors or mistakes but instead focuses on executing the next pitch. Guy’s counting on Herz and another veteran from last year, Justin Ebert, to provide leadership. Ebert batted .368 and drove in 25 runs.

    Looking at the rest of the league, Guy thinks there are a number of teams that could contend for the Patriot Athletic Conference title this season.

    Gray’s Creek is among the best, he said, returning nearly all its lineup from last year and being led by a couple of solid pitchers, Landen Harris and Tyler Strickland.

    Another solid team is Pine Forest. Guy added that Cape Fear and South View are also perennial contenders.

    For Terry Sanford to be in the chase, Guy said his team has to achieve a lot of mini-goals first, dealing with fundamentals like getting down bunts and stealing bases.

    The Bulldog baseball program got a boost as the season approached with completion of its long-awaited on-campus indoor batting cage. Guy said it’s been in the works six years and will allow the Bulldogs to work out during inclement weather without having to adjust to using the gymnasium.

    “It’s huge for us to be able to maximize time with what we’re doing with that facility,’’ he said.

    Photo: Sam Gray

  • 05A Hometown FeelingAs your congressman, I have the honor of hosting the Congressional Art Competition in our district to recognize the artistic talents of students in our community. I’m excited to announce my office is now accepting entries from local high school students. Since this nationwide competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved — including hundreds from our district alone.

    Every year, I am amazed by the incredible talent and creativity of young artists in our district. And one of the best parts about hosting the competition is getting to meet and speak with students one-onone about their artwork at the reception I host to recognize participants and announce the winner.

    Admittedly, this year’s competition is bittersweet. I am holding the competition in honor and remembrance of my good friend and legendary NASCAR artist Sam Bass, who passed away last week. 

    Sam, a Concord, North Carolina, resident, was a pillar in our community and a big part of NASCAR’s history. He was the first officially licensed NASCAR artist and created notable works ranging from car designs to program covers. He designed the iconic “Rainbow Warrior” scheme on Jeff Gordon’s car, and countless others, out of his studio in Concord. In addition, he was awarded the Smith Family Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 by the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau for his incredible contributions and impact on our community.

    He was beloved not just by our community but by NASCAR fans across the world. I got to know Sam through NASCAR. He even hosted the art competition one year at his gallery. I admired him not just for his talent but also for his incredible kindness. We continue to pray for his wife, Denise, and the entire Bass family as they go through this difficult time.

    This year, I hope all local high school students will join me in paying tribute to Sam by participating in the art competition.

    All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution and may not be larger than 26” x 26” x 4” — including the frame. Interested students should submit entries to my Concord or Fayetteville District offices by 5 p.m., Friday, April 26, with a completed 2019 Congressional Art Competition Student Information and Release Form. A full list of rules and the release form can be found on my website at https://hudson.house.gov/art-competition.

    The winner will be selected by an Arts Advisory Committee made up of artists from the district and will be announced at a reception hosted in Concord. The winner and one guest will have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., to participate in the national ceremony with other winners from congressional districts across the country, and winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Second place artwork will be displayed in my Washington, D.C., office, and third place artwork will be displayed in my Concord office.

    For more information, visit my website at hudson.house.gov or call my Concord office at 704-786-1612. Our district is home to incredibly gifted students, and I look forward to seeing this year’s entries.

  • 14MarciMarci’s Cakes and Bakes has done a lot to support the town of Hope Mills. Now the town is returning the favor.

    Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner said the Trade Street business, operated by Marci Mang for the last three years, is the latest winner of the Hope Mills Small Business of the Month Award.

    Mang will be officially recognized at a meeting of the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners in a few weeks. Of Mang, Warner said, “She has brought new life to an old building, redecorating and repurposing (it) for her own bakery.’’

    Warner especially praised Mang for helping to revitalize Trade Street, which is off the beaten path in Hope Mills.

    “I’m so proud of the beautiful cakes she designs and the wonderful baked goods,’’ Warner said, “but more importantly, I’m proud of all she contributes to all of our community.’’

    Warner thanked Mang for her imagination and creativity and “for making Hope Mills sweet.’’ Mang said she tries to give back to the community in different ways. She is currently offering cake pop and cupcake classes for anyone interested, with the latest class starting Saturday, March 9.

    Mang said she puts out a schedule on Facebook and Instagram (@marciscakesandbakes) when a new class is offered. She asks everyone interested to register by calling 910-425-6377. Each class is limited to a maximum of 20 people.

    “They learn how to make the cake pops and what kind of chocolate to use to dip the cake pops,’’ Mang said. “They’ll leave the bakery with cake pops in hand.’’

    Mang also opens the doors of her business to local pastors. “We held a Bible study meeting in the bakery,’’ she said. “A group of pastors will be meeting there to talk about Easter services in the area.’’

    One of Mang’s most unique initiatives is a mentoring program for young women who may be struggling at school or dealing with personal issues in their home lives. Those who have an interest in baking can come to the store and get training in making and decorating cakes and cake pops.

    “I think any kind of specialized skill like that is something you can always use in the future,’’ Mang said. “It gives you confidence to find something you are passionate about and that puts your hands to work.’’

    Mang said she’s seen good results from most of the women who have taken part in the program.

    It’s all part of a passion Mang developed for baking that started when she was a girl, growing up two doors down from a bakery. She used to love going to the bakery and seeing the things that were in the window and in the shop.

    That love continues today in her own business. “I love seeing kids’ faces when they come in,’’ she said. “I try to keep items affordable. Families come in and enjoy something together. (My products are) not processed. Not mass produced.’’

    She brings the same passion to the job of designing special-order buttercream cakes for any occasion, and she takes the role she plays in designing and making those cakes seriously.

    She’s open to any ideas customers have for a cake and doesn’t shy away when the client begins by saying, “You’re going to think I’m crazy,’’ she said.

    “You want a teddy bear dressed in leather, we can work it out,’’ she said. “This week I did a spider with a Minecraft character on its back.’’

    She had a child who was a big fan of zombies; she turned out a zombie-themed birthday cake.

    “I love when people pick up cakes, and I know I’m part of their special day,’’ she said.

    Mang’s outreach to Hope Mills extends beyond people who leave her shop with purchases. She regularly donates leftover baked goods to various local charities like churches, the Boy Scouts, fire stations, the ALMSHOUSE and the senior citizens center.

    “I try to rotate them,’’ she said. “We always try to get them someplace in Hope Mills that can utilize what we have.’’

    Marci’s Cakes and Bakes is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at 5474 Trade St. in Hope Mills.

    For more information, visit the Facebook page, Marci’s Cakes and Bakes, or call 910-425-6377.

  • 15Cotton truck 2Work is in progress on a new multipurpose fire truck for Cotton Volunteer Fire Station on Calico Street in Hope Mills. It will be a welcome addition to the vehicles currently in use.

    Hank Harris is deputy chief of the Cotton station, a position he’s held for nearly 35 years. He said the new truck, which is scheduled to be delivered by May, will replace an aging 2003 truck made by American LaFrance, which went out of business in 2014.

    The old truck was capable of a variety of roles, including vehicle extrication and water rescue. It could also handle support roles at various emergency scenes, Harris said.

    Since American LaFrance is out of business, it’s become harder to find replacement parts for the old truck, he added. But that’s only part of the problem. Times have changed, and the Cotton fire station finds itself called on to perform different kinds of jobs. Harris said the fire station has advanced from a medium to a heavy rescue unit. As a result, the station has had to add more equipment, some of which doesn’t fit on the old truck.

    That means in some situations, the equipment has to be stored on two trucks instead of one. When two trucks need to be dispatched to a call to make sure all the needed equipment for the situation is available, that’s a problem.

    The new truck is being made by a Wisconsin-based company called Pierce Manufacturing. A contract was signed to start work on the new truck in April of last year.

    The new vehicle is not a firefighting truck per se; it’s more of a support vehicle, Harris said. “It has no hoses or anything like that, but it has all the hand tools and equipment required that gives us our ratings,’’ Harris said. The truck can be dispatched to certain rescue situations by itself without a firefighting truck being present.

    One of the biggest differences between the two vehicles is the number of people the new one will hold. Where the old truck could only handle four passengers, the new one will allow seven.

    Harris said the new truck will have a walk-in body that allows firemen access to a climate-controlled area where they can take a break and rehab during fire situations.

    “They can get out of the heat, cold or whatever they’re in,’’ Harris said. “(They can) get in a better state of mind.’’

    The new truck will also solve the problem of splitting equipment between two trucks. It has extra space available to carry an assortment of tools for vehicle extrication or road rescue.

    Equipment the truck carries includes axes, pike poles and ladders.

    With the recent increase in flooding situations in the Hope Mills area, the new truck will provide a needed benefit. “We can actually put an inflatable boat on top of the truck,’’ Harris said. “It will increase our water rescue capability.’’

    Harris said firefighters won’t need additional training when the new truck arrives as all of the Cotton firefighters are already schooled in taking advantage of the truck’s various capabilities.

    Since Cotton Fire Station serves not just Hope Mills but a good portion of the southern end of Cumberland County, the new truck will be a benefit to many, Harris said, in a variety of situations. “We can put more manpower on that truck,’’ he said.

  • 06FireChiefMajorFayetteville Fire Chief Ben Major has retired after 35 years of service with the department. Deputy Chief Mike Hill has been appointed interim chief.

    A graduate of E.E. Smith High School, Major was hired as a firefighter in February 1984 after completing undergraduate studies at Pembroke State University. He went on to complete a master’s degree in public administration at the University of North Carolina – Pembroke. Major was promoted to chief of the department in October 2011.

    The Fayetteville Fire Department consists of 15 fire stations and 332 personnel. The fire department received international accreditation in 2011 and was re-accredited in 2016 by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. During Chief Major’s tenure, the department earned an Insurance Services Office Class 1 Public Protection Classification, placing the FFD in the top 1 percent of fire departments in the nation.

    “Ben’s commitment to constant improvement of services and personnel was his greatest strength,” said City Manager Doug Hewett. Interim Chief Hill has served the Fayetteville Fire/Emergency Management Department for more than 25 years. He has served as a deputy chief since 2010. The city of Fayetteville has always promoted its fire chiefs from within the ranks.

    Voter identification struck down

    A judge has thrown out two amendments to the North Carolina Constitution that voters approved in November. One of the amendments was to implement a voter ID requirement, and the other was to place a cap on the state income tax rate. News of the actions was not widely disseminated. Wake County Superior Court Judge G. Bryan Collins’ decisions were issued late Friday afternoon, Feb. 22.

    “An illegally constituted General Assembly does not represent the people of North Carolina and is therefore not empowered to pass legislation that would amend the state’s constitution,” he wrote. 

    When the legislature voted to place the amendments on the 2018 ballot, many of the members had been elected under district lines that were ruled unconstitutional because they had been gerrymandered to dilute the political power of African-American voters.

    GenX controls continue

    Recently, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and other parties that signed a consent order made public last month learned the courts have approved the order. Downriver reduction in GenX in the Cape Fear River Basin will continue as the result of the order. Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser approved the decree in its entirety, giving relief for people near the Chemours plant on the Cumberland/Bladen County line.

    “Reliable, clean water is a right of every North Carolinian,” said DEQ Secretary Michael S. Regan. “This order was designed to ensure that the Cape Fear River can be that reliable, clean source for all who depend on its water.”

    All terms of the order went into effect Feb. 25. Regan said DEQ will use the full weight of the court’s contempt to hold Chemours accountable.

    Stadium naming rights continue

    The Fayetteville Woodpeckers have partnered with AEVEX Aerospace in the naming of Segra Stadium’s premium club level facilities. AEVEX is a defense industry leader in airborne intelligence solutions. AEVEX Veterans Club patrons will enjoy an indoor/outdoor fan experience from the optimal vantage point in the ballpark. Lounge/ couch seating will come complete with bar service, premium food offerings and waitstaff to highlight the club’s dining experience.

    AEVEX’s capabilities include three business units: Intelligence Solutions in Fayetteville, North Carolina; Flight Operations in Solana Beach, California; and Engineering & Technology in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

    Its operations are global in scale, with efforts in North and South America, Africa, Europe, the Pacific region and the Middle East.

     “AEVEX operates internationally and has an obvious attachment to Fort Bragg,” said Woodpeckers President Mark Zarthar. “With offices located adjacent to Segra Stadium, they have expressed confidence in Fayetteville’s vision for economic development in the city’s historic downtown.” 

    Cumberland County educators focus on the future

    Nearly 500 students, parents, educators and others gathered at a recent town hall meeting to discuss potential strategic plan focus areas derived from information gathered by Cumberland County Superintendent Marvin Connelly’s listening tour, district surveys and accreditation reports. 

    The county Board of Education and Strategic Plan Development Team will review the feedback, which will help shape the school system’s strategic priorities over the next five years. School officials hope to begin implementing the plan this fall.

    “Our work is directly connected to the quality of life our students will enjoy later in life and the economic vitality of our community,” Connelly said.

    Nearly a dozen focus areas will be reduced to three to five action priorities. They include: graduating every student confident, competitive and ready for a career and college; providing a variety of classes and activities that reflect student interests and backgrounds; offering a learning environment that supports growth academically, socially and emotionally; ensuring that school buildings are safe, secure, orderly and provide innovative learning environments; and engaging parents and the community to build trusting relationships.

    Photo: Ben Major

  •  

    10Morgan Hunkele The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s 2018-19 offerings have ranged from a focus on “Star Wars” film score composer John Williams to classical Mozart. In its second-to-last concert of the season, Saturday, March 9, FSO pays tribute to the armed forces — and highlights young, local musicians.

    “FSO, March!” features stirring military music spanning a range of time periods and contexts.

    The concert includes works by John Philip Sousa and Gustav Holst. Both composers wrote rich military marches for the U.S. and Great Britain, respectively. Sousa is perhaps best known for composing “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

    According to FSO Music Nerd Joshua Busman, the concert also features songs written about specific combat experiences.

    “Tchaikovsky’s ‘1812 Overture’ celebrates the Russian defeat of Napoleon’s invading forces during the bitter winter months of 1812,” Busman said. “And Irving Berlin’s ‘God Bless America’ was conceived as a hymn to honor those serving in the First World War. (It was) written while Berlin himself was serving in the Army at Camp Upton.”

    Audience members will also hear music written for the Revolutionary War film “The Patriot,” for the Vietnam War film “Platoon” and for the World War II video game franchise Medal of Honor.

    Every year, FSO highlights the next generation of musicians in our community with a “side-byside” concert. This year, “FSO, March!” is that concert. The Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra gets to play onstage, side-by-side, with the FSO. This group, led by FSO trumpetist Dr. Larry Wells, is comprised of local musicians ages 13 to 20.

    “There is no better classroom than the stage... surrounded by lots of teachers,” Wells said. “Students... can learn from all musicians — not just those on their specific instruments.

    “Case in point: probably my most impactful lesson I ever received came from a violinist who taught me about phrasing and how bowings affect the music. While I’m a trumpet player, this one lesson made me a much more aware musician.”

    FSO President and CEO Chris Kastner said “FSO, March!” was an obvious choice for the side-by-side due to the iconic music it features. She said standards like “God Bless America” and other songs in the concert are essential for any musician’s repertoire.

    Wells agreed. “These are pieces that young musicians need to learn, not only because they are relevant to this concert, but also because they might literally play them 500 times in their career,” he said.

    The performance will also highlight the winner of FSO’s 2018-19 Harlan Duenow Young Artist Concerto Competition. The competition, named in honor of FSO’s longest-serving conductor, is open to statewide competition from musicians ages 12- 21. This year was specifically open to pianists and string players.

    The 2018-19 winner, 19-year-old pianist Morgan Hunkele, will play the first movement of Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat” during the first half of the concert. Viola player Ludwig Jantzen, who attends high school in Greenville, took second place.

    “Morgan is an immensely talented pianist studying at North Carolina School of the Arts,” said FSO Music Director Stefan Sanders. “The FSO is proud to play a part in the development of North Carolina’s young musical talent with (this competition).”

    “FSO, March!” takes place Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Methodist University’s Huff Concert Hall. Arrive at 6:45 p.m. for a pre-concert talk to learn more about the historical context of the evening’s music. To purchase tickets, which range from about $10-$26, visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

    Photo: Morgan Hunkele

  • 12MasseySculptureEditor’s Note: Up & Coming Weekly Senior Staff Writer Earl Vaughan Jr. is a native of Massey Hill. He spent the early years of his life on Princeton Street off Southern Avenue next to Massey Hill Baptist Church. Had his father not entered the ministry and moved away from Fayetteville in the early 1960s, Earl likely would have been in the final graduating class of Massey Hill High School in 1972.

    A three-year project came to fruition Saturday, Feb. 16, at Carroll Memorial Baptist Church in Massey Hill.

    Organizers of the Massey Hill Heritage Discovery Project, along with current and former residents of the area, gathered to see an artistic tribute to the community dedicated at the nearby roundabout on Cumberland and Camden Roads.

    It might take a few trips around the structure to see all the elements involved. Each element is designed to tell the story of Massey Hill and its history as a community built around the long-departed textile industry.

    The project started about three years ago. Representatives of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County first reached out to former Fayetteville mayor and Massey Hill resident Tony Chavonne about the possibility of putting some artwork  in the roundabout once it had been completed.

    “Tony got real excited at the thought we could actually have some control over what was going into the roundabout, rather than just a piece of art,’’ said John Jones, another product of Massey Hill and former co-worker with Chavonne at The Fayetteville Observer.

    Chavonne and Jones first met at the Massey Hill drugstore to talk about possibilities for the artwork.

    “It snowballed from there,’’ Jones said. “We developed a group to see if we could get some community input.’’

    One decision was made early, Jones said. The artwork was going to be something recognizable — something people in the community could look at and remember the community they once knew.

    Jones was blunt about what he was looking for. “I didn’t want to be involved in this and (then) when it was all said and done, as I’m riding down Southern Avenue with one of my friends, we look over and say, ‘What the heck is that?’” he said. “If we’re going to do this, it’s got to speak to Massey Hill. It’s got to speak to the community.’’

    The group met with a number of artists before settling on Michael Waller and Leah Foushee-Waller of Hillsborough.

    Waller was previously best known for creating a two-ton metal sculpture of a bull for the city of Durham, North Carolina.

    Jones said the Massey Hill committee conveyed to Waller and his wife that they weren’t looking for something abstract; they wanted something that would tell a story.

    The committee held a community meeting in the gymnasium at Massey Hill High School so people could share ideas and bring pictures and artifacts for Waller and his wife to see.

    Then Waller toured the area, from the mills at Tolar Hart, Lakedale and Puritan to Massey Hill High School and other local landmarks.

    “You could see his mind working,’’ Jones said. “He was taking snapshots that automatically trigger your memory of Massey Hill.’’

    That process led to the decision of what things would be rendered in Waller’s metal sculpture at the roundabout: The smokestack. The schoolhouse. The old mill village. The water tower. The church. A football player.

    Off to the side, on an adjacent property, is a sign paying tribute to the sculpture and the many people who made it happen. Beneath the sign are just more than 300 bricks, paid for by various people, each paying tribute to a friend or relative.

    One of the best stories involves a brick bearing the name (SEE ME) West, assistant principal, 1972. Jerry West was an assistant principal at Massey Hill High School in its final years as a traditional high school.

    West made the morning announcements daily, and at the end of these announcements, he would instruct students who needed a little extra attention for various transgressions to “see me” in the office.

    “He called a few weeks ago and we were talking about what to put on his brick,’’ Jones said. “He said, ‘Just put See Me West.’ People died when they saw that.’’

    Jones said he’s been involved with a lot of fundraisers over the years, but he can’t remember one that was more fulfilling than this one.

    When the sculpture was finished, a man walked up and asked Jones how much of his tax money went into it. Jones replied, “That didn’t cost you a dime. It came out the peoples’ pockets because they wanted to do it.’’

    The whole project was a cooperative effort of the local committee, the Arts Council and the Cumberland Community Foundation, Jones said.

    There is an unfinished look to the work, with its bare metal and unfinished edges, but Jones said that’s intentional.

    Someone asked what color they were going to paint it, and Jones replied it wouldn’t be painted.

    “This is the way it’s going to look,’’ he said. “Somebody joked, this isn’t Haymount Hill. It’s Massey Hill. We’re not going to polish it up.

    “So it reflects that.’’

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