“Electoral districts drawn fairly by professionals tend to produce results that reflect the political makeup of the state’s voters, and the way they vote.” The Associated Press reached that conclusion following an extensive analysis of 2018 voting patterns in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. The A.P. found that electoral districts drawn by politicians with the aim of keeping themselves in control tended to produce results that bore little resemblance to the state’s real political balance or the way voters cast their ballots.

Cumberland County’s House of Representatives District 45, held by Republican John Szoka, is one of nearly 100 legislative districts across the state that a new lawsuit alleges violates the North Carolina Constitution. The suit contends North Carolina’s legislative maps were designed, or gerrymandered, to guarantee that Republican candidates would win a majority of the seats in the state House and Senate.

Partisan gerrymandering, which refers to redistricting that favors one political party, has a long tradition in the United States that precedes the 1789 election of the first U.S. Congress. The word gerrymander was used for the first time in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 26, 1812. The word was used in response to a redrawing of Massachusetts state senate districts under then- Gov. Elbridge Gerry, who signed a bill that redistricted Massachusetts to benefit his Democratic-Republican Party.

In the 1812 election, both the Massachusetts House and governorship were won by Federalists by a comfortable margin, costing Gerry his position. Historians believe Federalist newspaper editors Nathan Hale and Benjamin and John Russell were the instigators of the name.

The new lawsuit was filed this month by the North Carolina Democratic Party, the Common Cause North Carolina governmental accountability organization and 22 Democratic and unaffiliated voters. It’s the newest in years of legal battles over the constitutionality of gerrymandering. The suit contends the Republican gerrymander violates numerous provisions of the state Constitution.

Plaintiffs want the state senate and house maps revised in time for the 2020 elections. The gist of the complaint alleges that House and Senate district boundaries were intentionally drawn to place as many Democratic-favoring voters as possible into as few districts as possible statewide so that a majority of the 120 House districts and 50 Senate districts would be dominated by Republican voters.

Cumberland County is heavily Democratic. Of more than 220,000 registered voters, 45 percent are Democrats. There are more independent voters than Republicans. About 31.5 percent are unaffiliated and almost 23 percent are Republicans. The remainder are in the Libertarian Party, the Green Party or Constitution Party. The GOP challenge was to create at least one of the county’s four house districts as a majority Republican area. The legislature used a device called packing.

“The General Assembly packed most of the Democratic areas of Cumberland County into three of the four districts in this cluster, House Districts 42, 43, and 44,” the suit contends. “The General Assembly packed the Democratic voters to create one Republican-leaning district in Cumberland County, House District 45.” Republican Szoka won that seat.

Photo: Rep. John Szoka, R-N.C.

 As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized that this would not be the merriest of Christmases for the Criders.

“Sing one more Christmas song and I am not even kidding, I will stab you with a candy cane.” That’s what I’d said. To my best friend. The singing stopped, and a life-changing heart-to-heart followed. We talked about managing priorities, keeping things in perspective, knowing when to say no and when to ask for help.

I was a young mom, and money was tight. My husband was gone for the holidays, our children were small and needy, and I was far from my family. On my best days, I was overwhelmed, lonely, scared and struggling. On my worst, just putting one foot in front of the other took everything I had. Traditions and expectations aside, I was so depressed that I was incapable of rejoicing in or even appreciating the birth of my savior. My world was the darkest it had ever been

In the many years since then, there have been some less-than-perfect and even downright pitiful Christmases and many that were amazingly wonderful, too. But none as bleak as that year.

Every Christmas season, as decorations go up in the stores and the jolly elf takes center stage amidst carols and commercialism, I reflect on that conversation and give thanks for my sweet friend and the wisdom she shared with me that day.

It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday hustle, and when you’re feeling it, it truly is the most beautiful, wonderful — insert all the magical, Christmas-y adjectives here — time of the year. But when you’re not, oh man, is it agony. Trying to force it and fake it, when what you really want is to say f$%& it and hide under your bed until the new year, is a horrible idea. It can make you do crazy things — like threaten to impale your dearest friends with minty holiday confections.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for the holiday blues, but there are strategies and resources. Being honest with yourself and those around you is a good place to start.

It’s OK if you don’t love the holidays or if you are struggling. You are not alone.

  Former Fayetteville mayor Bill Hurley died late last month. He was 85.

“His work as mayor and in the N.C. House of Representatives gave Fayetteville a new vision for the future — as a community, we are thankful for his hard work, and I extend heartfelt condolences to his family,” Mayor Mitch Colvin said.

Hurley owned a local insurance agency. He served as mayor from 1981-87 and was then elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives.

As mayor, Hurley led efforts to rid the then notorious 500 block of Hay Street of topless night clubs. He personally launched the wrecking ball that demolished run-down buildings in the block, clearing the way for the Medical Arts Building and the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. Hurley also co-founded the Dogwood Festival and raised money for the Lafayette statue in Cross Creek park on Green Street.

New Dogwood Festival executive director

The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has hired a new executive director, Malia Allen. The new executive director has huge shoes to fill. She succeeds Carrie King, who retired earlier this year.

“I am looking forward to continuing the traditions of the community that the Dogwood Festival brings while also putting my own spin on things,” Allen said.

Each year, the organization produces its signature spring Dogwood Festival, the Dogwood Fall Festival, Fayetteville After 5, and the Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. The Dogwood Festival owes its success to a dedicated board of directors, generous sponsors, volunteers and loyal patrons, the organization says on its website, Faydogwoodfestival.com.

Camden Road widening

North Carolina’s Department of Transportation proposes to widen a 3.3-mile section of Camden Road in the Hope Mills area in 2023. State and local transportation planners say it should alleviate growing congestion and improve traffic safety. People have been given an opportunity to review preliminary design maps of the roadway improvements. A public comment period continues for citizen feedback.

NCDOT and the Fayetteville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization determined the need to improve the road between N.C. 59 in Hope Mills and the future I-295 interchange at Camden Road. The project would widen the road from two to four lanes with a raised median. Recent residential and commercial development has popped up along this stretch of highway, which also serves a shopping district anchored by the 14-screen movie theater complex. The project’s overall cost is estimated to be about $29 million.

Friends of the Animal Shelter

The Friends of the Cumberland County Animal Shelter has received 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation, allowing the organization to seek donations through a direct link on its Facebook page. It also qualifies the group to receive grants and nonprofit programs that benefit animals at the Cumberland County shelter, said FOCCAS President Shelly Bryant. The group works with the animal shelter to promote animal welfare initiatives and responsible pet ownership.

“The Friends of Cumberland County Animal Shelter organization is vital to our shelter and the community because they help us provide our shelter animals with enrichment and extended medical care and assist pet owners in need,” said Animal Control Director Elaine Smith. “We have limitations to our budget and resources, so FOCCAS helps fill in the gaps with things like extra toys, treats, community assistance and education programs.” For its first community outreach initiative, FOCCAS is collecting dog houses, straw, blankets and food for outdoor dogs to be comfortable and safe over the winter months. Residents can drop off items at the shelter.

Photo: Bill Hurley

 Sometime in last week’s 24/7 churning news cycle, you may have heard about a new study that found that for every dollar an American man earns, an American woman earns 49 cents.

Yep.

You read that correctly. In this country, for every dollar a man earns, a woman earns 49 cents. For many Americans, both women and men, that is a “hair on fire” statistic. The women’s earnings figure that has been floating around for years is 80 cents compared to men’s dollars, but the new study finds differently.

Entitled “Still a Man’s Labor Market: The Slowly Narrowing Gender Wage Gap,” the study was released by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and measured total earnings for all workers who worked in at least one year between 2001 and 2015. The cold, hard fact is that American women faced a wage gap of 51 percent. Said Institute President Heidi Hartmann, “Much ink has been spilled debating whether the commonly cited measure of the wage gap … is an exaggeration due to occupational differences or socalled ‘women’s choices,’ but our analysis finds that we have actually been underestimating the extent of pay inequity in the labor market.”

I’ll say!

But, it is complicated. The gap exists for many reasons, including the fact that when women entered the workplace in large numbers in the 20th century, many employers viewed them as “second incomes” for a family whose man of the house was bringing home the real bacon. I know of one Fayetteville employer, now gone to his reward, who routinely asked young women seeking employment with his business whether they were “planning to have a baby any time soon.” Totally illegal and totally true, and the legacy of that sort of paternalism and sexism is still with us.

In addition, women’s family and home responsibilities— what Hartmann called “women’s choices”— continue to be heavier than those of their male partners. Women are more likely to take time off to care for both children and aging relatives. The study found that the cost of taking time out from the workforce, whatever the reason, comes with significant — and increasing — penalties. According to the study, a woman who took a year off during the 2001-2015 study range earned 39 percent less than a woman who did not. In 1968, that number was only 12 percent. Whatever the percentage, though, women’s lost earnings are almost always greater than those of men.

Quality child care is also expensive in our country, meaning that many women lose wages when they stay home with a sick child. Ditto for elder care. Paid family leave is a rarity in most American communities, and since Mom is more likely to take family time than Dad is, it is her earnings that take the hit.

The study suggests that high penalties for time off affects women’s earnings negatively and weakens their attachment to the workplace.

Laws are in place at both the national and state levels addressing equal employment opportunities and discrimination on the job, but reporting and enforcement are spotty at best. This is why many women do not report discrimination and why it continues to pervade our national workplace.

Studies and statistics come and go. Data and interpretation differ. It is clear, though, that women have made strides in both employment and earnings, so any slowdown as the Institute study found is worrisome. We must do better by our women and our families.

What we are really talking about here is the economic well-being or our mothers, our sisters, our wives and those they love and nurture.

  Without Charles Jennens, a wealthy British music and literary patron of the 18th century, nobody would be singing the “Messiah” at all. Thankfully, Jennens existed — and on Saturday, Dec. 15, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers will perform “Messiah Sing” at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

In 1741, Jennens — who had collaborated with George Frideric Handel on a few prior pieces — sent Handel the libretto (text) of what became Handel’s “Messiah.” Pulling passages from the King James Bible and the Anglican Church’s Book of Common Prayer, Jennens arranged them in such a manner as to depict the chronological annunciation, birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Once Jennens sent Handel the words, Handel composed the music (including the famous “Hallelujah” chorus) in less than a month. Familiar with the biblical allusions in the text, Handel also divided the oratorio into three distinct parts. Part I depicts the annunciation and the birth of Jesus Christ. Part II covers Christ’s death and resurrection. Part III depicts Christ’s ascension and subsequent glorification.

Although born in Germany, Handel moved to London in 1712. He had made his mark as a composer of lavish Italian operas. However, in the mid-18th century, opera began fading out of style in England in favor of English language oratorios. Webster defines an oratorio as “a long dramatic musical composition, usually on a religious theme, sung to orchestral accompaniment. It is presented without stage, action, scenery or costumes.” According to one of his biographers, in order to maintain relevance and solvency, Handel began composing the more popular oratorios.

“Messiah” debuted in Dublin in 1742 as a charity event. This original presentation was sung by a choir of 16 men, 16 boys and two women soloists. The orchestra consisted of strings, two trumpets and timpani. Over subsequent centuries, the size of both the choir and orchestra grew exponentially into lavish musical productions culminating in a production with 2,000 voices and a 500-piece orchestra. Handel’s original score underwent multiple revisions to accommodate these ever-evolving productions. Even Mozart scored a revision.

The recent trend has been to scale back the oratorio in size to Handel’s original score and to keep the choir and orchestra more suited to the smaller venues in which Handel would have performed — like Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where COS will perform “Messiah Sings!” Under the direction of Jason Britt, the COS will present Part I of the “Messiah,” which tells the Christmas Story. Caroline Vaughan will sing the soprano solos, Linda Vandervort will solo at alto, Melvin Ezzell is featured as the tenor soloist, and Jeffery Jones will solo at bass.

According to Britt, the COS present “Messiah Sings!” each year as the group’s gift to the community in which they have been growing and performing for more than 25 years. In addition to the oratorio, the event will feature the Cross Creek Chorale and the newly formed Campbellton Youth Chorus singing traditional holiday music. The concert starts at 5 p.m. and is free and open to the general public. Season tickets are available for $45. For tickets and information, visit www.singwithcos.org.

 For more than a decade, runners and revelers alike have turned out for Ryan’s Reindeer Run. It’s a family-friendly, high-spirited run filled with opportunities to make memories and enjoy and a morning in the outdoors. Saturday, Dec. 15, join hundreds of other runners and walkers at the Medical Arts Complex Field in downtown Fayetteville for this 5K. It’s a celebration and a lot of fun, but it’s also a chance to do good.

Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh inspired Ryan’s Reindeer Run. A remarkable young man, Ryan graduated second in his class and was accepted to Princeton University. He was a volunteer, receiving the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2001. He was determined. He was passionate. He was a fighter. He loved sports, and he loved to run.

Ryan was diagnosed with cancer his senior year in high school. He lost his battle to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 15 months later, on Jan. 1, 2003.

Ryan’s Reindeer Run is a celebration of his life –because he loved life and made the most of each day. One of Ryan’s journal entries after his diagnosis reads, “But every morning when I would crawl out of bed, dreading the oncoming day, I stopped thinking about winning and losing. I experienced victory every morning by merely waking up, because with every day I lived, I won, and cancer lost. I didn’t try in school so that I could be a winner, and I didn’t sprint up and down the basketball court to achieve any victory. I didn’t do it for the praise or the glory.

“So many people throughout this whole ordeal have asked me why I chose to do what I did. I always told them that I really didn’t see much of a choice in it. Now I realize there was, because so many of us sit on the sidelines and watch. As for me, I just love to run.”

Ryan also wrote a book about the physical and emotional challenges he faced as he tried to live as normal a life as possible with a fatal disease. The book is called “Run Because You Can” and is available at www.ryansreindeerrun.com.

After Ryan died, his family wanted to celebrate his life. They wanted to do something on Ryan’s behalf that would continue to make a difference in the world and that would honor him. So, Ryan’s Reindeer Run began.

“I enjoy raising funds that go to support programs in the community that Ryan was involved in or ones that I think he would have enjoyed supporting,” said Roberta Humphries, Ryan’s Reindeer Run coordinator and Ryan’s mom.

Over the 13 years of its existence, the run has made a significant difference for many. “Since we began, we have donated over $174,000 to other organizations that provide services to children and cancer patients,” said Humphries. “These have included Duke Pediatric Bone Marrow Unit, Friends of the Cancer Center of Cape Fear Valley Health, Better Health, The Care Clinic, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Make a Wish Foundation, Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina, The Child Advocacy Center, The Marrow Foundation and other local organizations.”

Part of what makes hosting the run so rewarding for Humphries is watching people have fun. There is a costume contest that always embraces the holiday spirit and brings creative entries. Humphries noted that to compete in the costume contest, it’s important to register with the costume judges to make sure they see your costume. Humphries said she thinks Ryan would especially love “the holiday spirit exhibited by those participating and the fun everyone has at the event. (And) the fact that people are enjoying a moment in time together while they are able to.”

While there is plenty of fun to be had, Humphries wanted to make a point with the route, which winds through Haymount. She specifically chose the route because of the hills that make it a challenging 5K. “Ryan endured many ups and downs in the 15 months he lived once diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma,” she said. “The ups and downs of the hills on the course are a reminder that sometimes life can be challenging as we struggle uphill, but in the end, there is usually something better waiting for us. And for the runners, that is running down Haymount Hill to the finish line.

“Despite the obstacles that are thrown in your path as you journey through life, you can still smile, laugh and make a difference in the lives of those around you. The race has tough hills, and you often have to deal with not ideal weather this time of year, but you can still come out and participate and have a good time.”

Ryan’s Reindeer Run is a timed race. There are prizes for various categories. Participants under 13 receive a finishers medal. There are two entry categories: individual and family. Family entrants are not eligible for the individual awards. Pets on leash are allowed but must be controlled at all times. The trophies are reindeer themed, and this year the event has a new logo.

Packet pickup is Friday, Dec. 14, from 5-8 p.m. at the Child Advocacy Center at 222 Rowan St. and Saturday, Dec. 15, 7 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. at the race site. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. The awards ceremony is at 9:30 a.m.

Parking is available at the Medical Arts Building, at the downtown parking garage and on the street.

Register at active.com or ryansreindeerrun.com.

 “It would give the citizens another place to walk during the day other than Municipal Park,” Commissioner Meg Larson said.

During the Nov. 5 Hope Mills Board of Commissioners meeting,Larson suggested the town reopen the golf course, which has been closed to the public since spring 2014, for use as land for walking trails.

Larson was among the handful of people who toured the golf course in October. Hurricanes and years of neglect have destroyed portions of the course. One specific area, adjacent to Golfview Road, has completely washed away. The paved walking path is gone, and there’s a hole 15 feet deep and nearly 30 feet wide. Utility wires and cables protrude on both sides of the hole. That area would have to be repaired before the public could access the trails.

Additionally, there is no driveway or parking available, and the owner of the existing parking lot refuses to consider leasing his land to the municipality. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell suggested the board spend $50,000 to install a turn lane on Golfview Road and negotiate with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to create a new driveway and parking lot, both at additional costs.

One local contractor with more than $120 million dollars of contract experience, who requested anonymity, indicated that, in addition to the $50,000 turn lane, a driveway and parking lot would cost $30,000, and repairing the erosion damage could cost another $20,000. These are conservative estimates. This does not include mobilization costs, proof rolling, new signage, insurance, benches and trashcans Larson wants, and new maintenance costs. And, the town already spends $25,000 a year to maintain the lot.

Less than a half mile from this proposed walking trail, Municipal Park has a designated walking path. It’s never crowded, it’s clean, and it has ample parking, benches, lights and access to other amenities. And it’s paid for.

Larson’s plan may also conflict with the $87,000 comprehensive parks and recreation plan commissioned by the board. McAdams Group has been working on that plan for months, and the board expects the results in early spring, around the same time they plan to reopen the golf course.

Commissioners Jesse Bellflowers said Larson’s idea was premature, and he urged the board to wait for direction from McAdams before making a commitment.

Larson and Mitchell cited the impending McAdams Group survey as a reason to deny a request to buy municipal land from Lone Survivor Foundation earlier this year. On multiple occasions, they referenced the survey and the importance of not making premature decisions that may later conflict with the recommendations of that survey.

Commissioner Pat Edwards reminded the board of the many projects that need to be finished. The previous board voted last year to approve the second phase of the lake plan, but this board has consistently voted to change that plan. The engineer provided the board with multiple draft changes, but the board has not committed to anything. We’re no closer to a historical park and museum than we were a year ago.

Hope Mills residents have not expressed an interest in additional walking paths. The McAdams Group survey indicated residents wanted a pool/ splash pad, outdoor amphitheater, multipurpose fields, pump track (off-road terrain for cycle sports) and green-way trails.

In April 2019, the board will receive the final golf course conceptual site plan and draft recommendation. These are prerequisites for applying for grant funding to develop the golf course.

What happens if their concept and draft recommendation conflicts with the newly developed walking trails? Will the board move to undo everything the taxpayers have just paid for, to accommodate the McAdams Group recommendations?

Or, will the walking trail be another reason for the board to condemn McAdams Group and reject the proposal? Commissioners Jerry Legge and Larson have been very vocal in expressing their disappointment in McAdams Group’s early results.

Despite the warnings and the lack of public interest in additional walking trails, the board voted to move forward with Larson’s plan. This same board voted to delay replacing the failing phone system and to delay purchasing a security system for Town Hall, proving our systemic problems always take a backseat to the board’s private agendas.

It’s also worth noting that two board members have already cautioned they will likely have to raise taxes for fiscal year 2019. The board barely managed to stay in budget for this year. And, in addition to raising their own salaries and implementing travel stipends and cell phone stipends, they’ll have to finance the new walking trail — which, like the existing walking trail, will not generate revenue to offset its costs.

What’s clear is that Larson continues to flounder. For nearly four months, she referenced the McAdams Group survey, declaring its importance above all else.

She voted twice to deny selling lake bed #2 to Lone Survivor Foundation based on the premise that every inch of municipal land was being evaluated by McAdams Group for development. Now, when LSF is no longer an issue, she’s ready to abandon the $87,000 expert opinion we paid for.

 Today we shall ponder a Swiss referendum on whether cows should keep their horns. This important issue was brought to my attention by an excellent series of articles by Brian Blackstone in The Wall Street Journal. I shall make every effort to avoid using any of Blackstone’s puns, which will not be easy. But then, nothing in life worth attaining is ever easy. Let us begin by explaining what the Horned Cow Initiative is. Once upon a time, way back in 2014, there lived an aging Swiss farmer named Armin Capaul. Old Armin had an organic farm, E-I-E-I-O. And on this farm, he had some cows, E-I-E-I-O. And on those cows, he had some horns, E-I-E-I-O.

That song kind of takes you back, doesn’t it? You are welcome to sing it in your head the rest of the day. Unfortunately, that song doesn’t get sung much anymore, but I digress.

Armin was described by a cheesemaker friend as “just kind of an old hippie.” That description is redundant as there are no hippies who aren’t old in 2018. Again, I digress. Sorry.

Armin decided that it was cruel to Swiss cows to have their horns burned off. The reason Swiss cows have their horns burned off is financial. A horned cow is more likely to poke another cow with her horns, creating veterinary bills and troubled inter-cow relations. As Carnation Milk used to advertise, contented cows give the best condensed milk. A cow anxious about being stabbed by another cow’s horns could be experiencing a winter of discontent and produce hard cheese.

Armin didn’t buy the economic dehorning argument. He was quoted by Blackstone as saying: “A cow and a goat have horns because God made them that way. We humans have no right to remove their dignity and functions, neither with a branding iron nor genetically.” He estimated that only 10 percent of Swiss cows still had their horns.

Armin was not a man to just sit back and complain about hornless cows. No Sirree, Bob. He was a man of action. He got the idea that the Swiss government should pay farmers to not cut off the horns of their cows, like the U.S. government pays farmers not to grow certain crops. Like Mr. Smith going to Washington, Armin took his cow horn subsidy plan to Bern, to the Swiss Parliament. Rebuffed by the government but not discouraged, Armin began a petition to save the horns.

Switzerland has a procedure that requires the holding of a national referendum on any petition that has 100,000 signatures. Armin spent more than $50,000 of his own money to hire his buddies to help get the signatures. The plan was that the Swiss government would pay farmers 190 francs a year for any cow or goat that had its horns. Armin ran a sophisticated social media campaign in support of the referendum, complete with videos.

Blackstone reported the videos had “cows with items on their horns, including clown noses, lamps and even bikinis. Each starts with Armin asking why the cows need horns and ends with his response: ‘Such a stupid question.’”

The Swiss government pushed back against Armin’s campaign to save the horns. Their objection was that horned cows could endanger their cow mates and would create an expensive new set of government agents in charge of counting cow horns and doling out horn subsidy payments.

The Deep State also contended that dehorning cows by burning off their horns as calves wasn’t that painful. No cows were produced to confirm that having their horns burned off was not painful. This part of the government’s position remains unproven. Maybe burning off a cow’s horns is painful, maybe it is not. We will never know because cows can’t talk. Maybe Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed ordered the killing of Jamal Khashoggi or maybe he didn’t. Khashoggi, like the cows, can’t talk either. My guess is that burning off cows’ horns is almost as painful to the cows as being murdered was to Khashoggi.

Undeterred by government resistance, after two years of getting signatures, Armin reached his goal of 100,000 signatures in 2016. Cowabunga! The referendum was on. Would the cows get to keep their horns? The voters waited with Swiss-cheese-bated breath.

Unfortunately for the cows, the referendum was defeated two weeks ago by 54 percent to 45 percent. Armin’s response to the defeat was, “What can I say? It’s sad. I did everything I could for the cows. I will now go into my stable and apologize to my cows.”

So, what have we learned today? How now, Brown Cow? Got chocolate milk? Does chocolate milk come from brown Swiss cows? The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy reported in 2017 that 7 percent of Americans believe chocolate milk comes from brown cows. America’s population is about 325 million, which means about 2.2 million Americans think chocolate milk comes from brown cows. Does this belief in the origin of the species of chocolate milk mean we are inevitably doomed, or is it just another sign of a coming Apocalypse that could be avoided? There is still time. As the cows at Chick-fil-A urge: “Eat Mor Chikin.”

Make America smarter: Thinking is fundamental. Tell your friends that chocolate milk does not come from brown cows.

Joshua Daffin

Jack Britt • Senior • Golf, cross country

Daffin has an unweighted grade point average of 4.0. He is a member of the Science Olympiad and Laser Photonics. He will attend either the U.S. Military Academy at West Point or the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.

Kelzie Wilburn

Jack Britt • Senior •Volleyball, basketball, unified track and field

Wilburn has an unweighted grade point average of 4.0. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Health Occupations Students of America. She plans to attend UNC-Charlotte next year.

 The annual celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ through the presentation of the Singing Christmas Tree at Highland Baptist Church in Hope Mills will have a dual meaning this season. This year’s performance is scheduled for Dec. 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. each evening.

The choir members, and the congregation as well, will celebrate the memory and ministry of their late choir director, Nancy Brady, who died last May after a second battle with cancer.

It is fitting that Dawn Seegars, a pupil of Brady’s years ago at Hope Mills Junior High School, who later sang under her direction at Highland Baptist, is taking time from her regular job of leading the music ministry at Temple Baptist Church in Eastover to lead the Singing Christmas Tree at Highland. This will be the first Singing Christmas Tree since Brady died.

“She was my junior high chorus teacher at Hope Mills,’’ Seegars said, “and I was a member at Highland under her ministry.”

Seegars said Brady had a way of making anyone who wanted to be a part of the music ministry at Highland feel welcome, whether they had any background in music or not.

Brady was in poor health last year when the Singing Christmas Tree practices began, and Seegars was actually on standby to come in at the last minute if Brady wasn’t able to lead the choir.

When Brady died earlier this year, Seegars said church members reached out to her and asked if she would be able to direct the choir this Christmas season. “I have a large group of friends at Highland,’’ Seegars said. “I love the people at that church. They are precious, sweet people. I’ve always kept in touch, especially with Nancy, trying to help her.’’

Rehearsals have been a challenge for Seegars, dividing time between her full-time job as a nurse at a local gastrointestinal practice and her regular duties with the music ministry at Temple Baptist.

“The choir has been fantastic,’’ she said of the people at Highland. “They have worked so hard on their own, and we’ve had lengthy practices instead of multiple practices.’’

Brady traditionally picked the music for the Singing Christmas Tree each year, mixing traditional tunes with contemporary selections. Seegars has tried to follow in that tradition but insisted on getting input from the Highland singers. “I don’t mind being a leader and helping with the music, but I felt like — and some of the people I spoke with felt like — we really needed everybody to come together and say, yes, we wanted to do this,’’ Seegars said.

The biggest challenge for Seegars was dealing with her personal emotions and those of the choir members as rehearsals began, being exposed to tangible memories of Brady’s presence and influence on the church’s music.

“It was a hurting place,’’ Seegars said. “To walk in the choir room and to sit at the piano where she played parts for all of us to learn choir music from for so many years. To see the notes she had written: The last few practices where they took prayer requests, and it’s sitting there in her handwriting.

“It’s all been quite an emotional journey.’’ The same is true for longtime choir members like Dede Mabe, who has been around since Highland started the Singing Christmas Tree in the mid-1980s.

“Nancy was one of the strongest women I’ve ever known,’’ Mabe said of Brady. The Singing Christmas Tree wasn’t a performance of music for Brady, Mabe said. It was a ministry, the biggest outreach that the church does. “It takes about 100 people to put it all together,’’ Mabe said. “It’s an outreach because you are telling the story of Jesus Christ being born. You are just spreading the word.’’

For Mabe, the most powerful memories of Brady leading the singing of the Singing Christmas Tree every year are yet to come. They will happen during the actual presentation.

When the singers were actually in place, Brady would stand in the back of the church on a scaffold, out of view of the congregation.

Brady wore oversized Mickey Mouse hands that glowed in the dark while directing. “Sometimes she would do little things to make us smile,’’ Mabe said. “She would clap or give you a thumbs-up. If she was really feeling the spirit, she’d throw her hands up in the air, praising the Lord. I’ll miss seeing that.’’

Highland’s pastor, Rev. Zach Kennedy, agreed with Mabe that for Brady, the Singing Christmas Tree was a ministry of the church, not a mere performance of music.

“She wanted people to understand what Christmas was really about,’’ he said. “She wanted them to understand God literally sent his son to become a man. Christmas is all about the beginning of how all people can be saved and brought to aright relationship with God.’’

Kennedy said the Singing Christmas Tree gives the church an opportunity to connect with people who might not come to a regular Sunday morning worship service.

He said the perfect tribute to Brady at this year’s Singing Christmas Tree would be for even one person to attend the event and come to a real relationship with Jesus.

“That’s exactly what Nancy would want and what every one of us should want out of that,’’ he said.

Seating for the Singing Christmas Tree is on a first come, first served basis, and there is no charge. The church has a food pantry and is partnering with the Balm In Gilead Family Counseling Ministries to accept donations of non-perishable food, clothing and hygiene items.

For more information on making donations or on the event, contact the church during regular business hours at 910-425-5305.

 Future discussions drew more attention than current action at last week’s meeting of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors.

Discussion continued on two major topics the board has been considering for some time, the status of transgender athletes in the state’s high school programs and the possibility of allowing home-schooled students to be members of NCHSAA athletic teams.

“Those are huge topics that were discussed,’’ said board member Patty Evers, who is athletic director and girls basketball coach at East Bladen High School.

“There will be more discussion in May (at the board’s spring meeting),’’ Evers said. “Those things are real. They are important issues around our state.’’

Evers said the central point in the home school debate is making sure those students will compete at the school in the district where they reside. “You want them to be involved with other kids on your campus,’’ she said. “I don’t know how it’s all going to come out, but I know something has to be done.’’

The biggest news for Fayetteville to come out of the meeting was the Eastern Regional basketball tournament finals will continue to be held at Fayetteville State’s Capel Arena, with the possibility of East Carolina University holding the other half of the regional finals.

In other action that was taken by the board, a proposal from the N.C. Wrestling Coaches Association was approved to hold a tournament for female wrestlers on a one-year trial basis in Winston-Salem.

“I think that’s a move in the right direction,’’ Evers said. “Hopefully it will bring about other things in the future, like offering the sport in our public schools as a female sport.’’

In a move promoting safety, baseball and softball coaches who are coaching from the box on the field will be required to wear a skull cap or helmet.

Evers coached softball for 13 years at East Bladen and supports the decision. “I think it’s a very smart move that we put that in play,’’ she said.

Because of travel costs, fees for officials assigned to third-round games in the state playoffs with neutral crews will be increased.

Evers, who used to officiate volleyball, once traveled from Elizabethtown to Charlotte for a third-round game.

There will be no limitations placed on seven-on-seven competitions during the summer months. The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee withdrew a tabled proposal that if approved would have put limits on them.

• The N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association recently announced its all-state football teams. The following athletes from NCISAA schools in Cumberland County were selected to the 11-man team.

First team: Cha’von McEachern, RB, Trinity Christian; Zovon Lindsay, OL, Trinity Christian; Jeffrey Woods, DL, Trinity Christian.

Second team: Deumbre Ginyard, WR, Trinity Christian; Jhamal Jackson, DL, Village Christian; Que’won Hilliard, LB, Trinity Christian; Chris Herbert, DB, Trinity Christian.

Honorable mention: Eric Henderson, OL, Village Christian; JaRae King, OL, Trinity Christian; Isaiah Christian, LB, Village Christian; Orlando Flowers, ATH, Village Christian.

 Kaylee Barriage

Gray’s Creek • Senior •

Volleyball

Barriage has a 3.70 grade point average. She played on a Bears team that was 17-5 and made the second round of the state 3-A playoffs. This season, she had 68 service points, an 85 percent service percentage, 38 digs, 15 assists, 20 blocks and 45 kills.

 Benjamin Lovette

Gray’s Creek • Junior •

Football

Lovette has a grade point average of 4.0. He led the Bears to a 7-5 record and a berth in the state 3-AA football playoffs. This season, he completed 43 of 94 passes for 673 yards and six touchdowns.

Here is the Sandhills Athletic All-Conference soccer team as chosen by the league’s head coaches.

Coach of the Year: Colin McDavid, Hoke County

Player of the Year: Jasper Ardinger, Pinecrest

Pinecrest: Jair Ballesteros, Peyton Williamson, Braydon Peery, Gray Smith, Nick Vences, Jack Hildebrand.

Hoke county: David Williams, Nakya Davila, Xavier Hernandez, Pedro Davila, Isaiah Plessner.

Richmond Senior: Evan Hudson, Alexis Gonzales, Noah Jordan, Luke Hawks, Carlos Alcocer.

Jack Britt: Joseph Knoel, Kevin Wanovich.

Lumberton: Quinton Frederick, Josh Britt, Joan Carrillo. 

Purnell Swett: Jafet Robles, Pacy Brooks, Nick Ramirez.

Seventy-First: Raymond Grates, Josiah Boyd.

Scotland: Hunter Edkins.

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

Offensive player of the year: Jared Miller, Terry Sanford

Defensive player of the year: Andrew Troutman, Terry Sanford

Goalkeeper of the year: Tyler Britt, Cape Fear

Coach of the year: Karl Molnar, Terry Sanford

First team

Cape Fear: Ben Elliott, Marvens St. Felix, Tanner Hix

Gray’s Creek: Drake Camire, Hayden Diaz

Overhills: Iann Morales

Pine Forest: Walker Sherin, Kyle Dickerson, Connor Sykes, Brett Frazee

South View: Alex Dipaolo, Davin Schmidt

Terry Sanford: Cam Davis, Fabian Macias

Second team

Cape Fear: Nick Aime, Grant McCorquodale.

Douglas Byrd: Shaver Dick

Gray’s Creek: Eric Chavez

Overhills: Ethan Arney, Chase Thompson, Noah Maynor

Pine Forest: Carlos Villarreal, Alex Hinton, Tanner Hendricks, Christian Qually

Terry Sanford: Grant Risk, Davis Molnar

Honorable mention

Douglas Byrd: Bryan Lopez

Gray’s Creek: Garrett Hoyt

Overhills: Marvin Villarces, Zachary Richard

Terry Sanford: Bailey Morrison, Hunter Wiggins Westover: Delsin Burkhart

Photo:  Jared Miller

 At a school rich with wrestling tradition, Cape Fear’s Dallas Wilson found a way to make history of his own last year.

He faces an even bigger challenge this season: finding a way to top it.

Last winter, Wilson, son of Cape Fear head coach Heath Wilson, became the first sophomore in school history to win a state wrestling championship, taking home the title in the 132-pound weight class in the 3-A state tournament.

Wilson is the lone returning state champion among Cumberland County wrestlers this fall, and having been around wrestling at Cape Fear with his dad, also a former state champ, he knows well the challenges involved in repeating.

“That’s the first thing he told me after last year was over,’’ the elder Wilson said of his son. “I’m not going to be a one and done. That’s their biggest fear. He knows he’s got a target on his back.’’

In addition to the target, the younger Wilson will be looking at new challenges this season. He’s gotten taller and gained weight, which means he’ll be moving into a different weight class.

His father said the two will likely wait until the WRAL tournament Dec. 21 to make a final decision on what weight Dallas will be wrestling at for the remainder of the season.

The key to the choice will be how comfortable Dallas is with the final weight he chooses, Heath said.

Dallas has prepared for his upcoming wrestling season with a tough summer of competition that included competing in the Super 32 about a month ago.

“He’s not overconfident, and he’s not looking beyond anybody,’’ Heath said.

Dallas gets challenged regularly in practice by his mat partner Jared Barbour, who weighs in at around 160 to 170 and is among the top three wrestlers in the state in his weight class.

Dallas looks at last year’s state title as just the beginning of a journey in wrestling that will continue for another two years at the high school level.

“Defending it and winning two more (titles) is next,’’ Dallas said. “My biggest concern would be my health more than anything. I need to stay healthy.’’

He battled problems with a gimpy ankle last year and still has concerns about it as this season begins. He’s focused on taking better angles of attack when he makes his shots, something he said multiple state champions do. “They understand angles and how to get on legs and how to hit moves that a kid that’s average wouldn’t even think about,’’ Dallas said.

“Hard work is the main aspect going into this year and next year.’’ 

Dallas Wilson won’t be the only solid returner on the mat for Cape Fear this season.

Tristan Chapman, 126 pounds, placed fifth in the state last year. A conference champion, 120-pound Jack Culbreth, also returns, along with 145-pound Jeremiah Smith, who came close to beating the state champion a year ago.

Now that the season is over for the Cape Fear football team, Wilson said 220-pound Nick Minacapelli will be joining the team soon.

“We’ve got some sleepers this year,’’ Coach Wilson said. “The newcomers are learning quickly.’’

Photo: Dallas (left) and Heath (right) Wilson

 When Emerson Martin took over as head football coach at Village Christian two years ago, he had eight players returning from a team that lost in the 2016 state championship game.

Two years later, after three trips in a row to the state finals, the Knights are finally state champions, following a 39-8 rout of Asheville School in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 11-man Division III football title game.

Martin, who teaches weightlifting classes, said the first challenge was getting students in his classes to join the football program.

“That let us have the first winning season in school history,’’ he said of the 2017 campaign.

When the 2018 season began, Martin felt all the pieces were finally in place to bring home a state championship.

“We had senior leadership from the year before,’’ he said. “That was the biggest part of everything in the turnaround. The strongest point was the way the kids came together, the way they became friends on and off the field, just their commitment to the offseason in working together.

No one was more important to the process than versatile senior Asa Barnes, whose 50-yard run for the first touchdown against Asheville helped set the tone for the championship game. “He is the best all-around player I have on my team,’’ Martin said of Barnes, who played multiple positions on both sides of the football for the Knights and rarely came off the field.

“From the starting point of the championship game, he ran harder than I’ve ever seen him run,’’ Martin continued. “He ran with a passion I’ve never seen him run with.’’

Barnes still had a bitter taste in his mouth from the disappointing loss in the 2017 championship game, a game the Knights felt they should have won.

“There never was a time when we were able to forget about it,’’ Barnes said of the 2017 defeat. “We really drilled it into peoples’ heads that we wouldn’t forget it, and it drove us to be better.’’

Barnes said he worked on improving his speed and stamina in the offseason, preparing himself for the grind of being a two-way performer for the Knights.

One of the biggest parts of this year’s win was taking the early lead, and Barnes said that was something the Knights tried to do all season. “When we win the coin toss, we want to get the ball and put up points quickly,’’ he said, “try to take their hope away.

“I felt like from the jump we were the more talented team and had to listen to what our coaches wanted us to do, execute and play together as a team.’’

Junior quarterback Tim Grate said Village avoided the mistake of getting overconfident. “The words of the week were stay humble, s tay level and don’t underestimate your opponent,’’ he said.

Grate said his goal was to make his reads and finish with no turnovers, which he accomplished.

“The offensive mindset was to score every possession,’’ he said. “If you score every possession, you’re more than likely going to win the game.’’

Now that the Knights have finally earned the championship, the next goal is to start the process for chasing the title in 2019.

“I have a lot of big expectations for them,’’ Barnes said. “I expect them to exceed what we did this year. They just have to not be complacent and always work hard.’’

Grate said the team needs to prepare for the offseason grind and just pick up where it left off. “For most people, it’s getting faster, getting stronger and getting smarter,’’ he said.

 The World Series is coming to the Fayetteville SwampDogs J.P. Riddle Stadium.

It’s not the fall classic of Major League Baseball fame, but there will be a trophy and prizes as the SwampDogs host the inaguaral 2018 Kickball World Series starting at 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15.

Clint Narramore, the new assistant general manager and playby-play voice for the SwampDogs, said the tournament is part of a promotion on the part of the SwampDogs to offer family fun opportunities the whole year round, not just during baseball season.

An entry fee of $25 will get your team entered into the tournament, with an entry deadline of this Saturday, Dec. 1, two weeks prior to the tournament.

The rules on how people can put their team together are flexible, Narramore said. He is looking for a minimum of nine players per team with a maximum of 12. Standard kickball rules will apply, and the field will be laid out on the infield at Riddle Stadium.

The format will be single-elimination, bracketstyle play. Each game will last five innings with a 50-minute time limit. The tournament will conclude at 5 p.m.

Teams can be composed of players of mixed ages, Narramore said, meaning they can include both children and adults. 

“We want the kids to be able to participate, too, and we want to make sure we can include everyone in the family,’’ he said.

In addition to presenting a trophy to the winning team, the prizes will include gif cards from various local businesses.

To enter or to find out more information about the tournament, call 910-426-5900 or come by the SwampDogs office prior to the entry deadline.

Information is also available on the Facebook page, Fayetteville SwampDogs 2018 Kickball World Series.

Photo:  Clint Narramore

  Residents of the Hope Mills area who suffered longterm damage as a result of both Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Matthew have been granted additional time to get assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Following a request from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, FEMA extended the deadline to apply for assistance in Cumberland County to Thursday, Dec. 13.

“The deadline is usually 60 days,’’ said John Mills, a representative with FEMA in Washington, D.C. “That’s just the initial registration. People can stay in touch to get assistance after the deadline.’’

Mills said those who qualify for basic FEMA assistance include anyone who suffered serious hurricane damage from either storm to their primary residence and those who have damage or other needs not specifically covered by insurance.

“FEMA by law cannot duplicate insurance payments,’’ Mills said.

Mills was in the Fayetteville and Fort Bragg area just before the storms arrived. He noted there was a lot of flooding locally.

According to the most recent statistics provided by FEMA, $869 million in disaster aid has been paid to the state of North Carolina.

Cumberland County is one of 34 North Carolina counties designated to receive financial relief from the federal government.

The county has received $13.8 million in state and federal funds, with $4.2 million going to 1,700 homeowners and renters.

There have been 180 flood insurance claims filed with $3.3 million in claims paid.

As of Nov. 13, more than $6.3 million in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans have been approved for 280 homeowners and 20 businesses.

FEMA has a disaster recovery center open six days a week in the Social Services Building at 1225 Ramsey St. in Fayetteville. Mills said the center will remain open based on community need. So far it has had 3,000 visits, and will likely remain open until around the time the deadline for registering on Dec. 13 approaches.

Mills said those in need of financial help can contact both FEMA and the Small Business Administration at the center.

“In a big disaster like this, the (Small Business Administration) makes disaster loans to homeowners and renters, not just businesses,’’ Mills said.  “The FEMA money is grants and flood insurance payments. SBA does loans, FEMA doesn’t.’’

FEMA provides you with a grant for temporary rental assistance if your primary residence was made uninhabitable by the hurricane. Homeowners may also be able to get money from FEMA for basic home repairs or to help survivors replace personal property that was destroyed.

In some cases, FEMA coordinates with charitable, nonprofit and faith-based organizations that are working with people in the affected areas.

“In some cases, people will receive money from FEMA,’’ Mills said. “Some people may receive money and assistance from a charitable organization.

“You’ve seen a lot of what’s been going on, neighbors helping each other out, church groups doing good work. This is an excellent opportunity for young people that want to volunteer with local organizations to give of their time to help folks who are still struggling.’’

To reach FEMA directly, Mills said the best number to call is 800-621-3362. There is also information on the internet at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Photo:John Mills, FEMA representative

Meetings

For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Until the Parks and Recreation building has been repaired following damage from Hurricane Florence, some meetings may be moved to Luther Meeting Room at Town Hall at regular dates and times. Those meetings are noted with an asterisk below.

• Festival Committee Monday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m., Town Hall reception area.

• Board of Commissioners Monday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

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

Activities

For more information on these activities, contact Meghan Hawkins at 910-426-4109.

• Christmas at the Lake Friday, Nov. 30, 6-7:30, p.m. An old-fashioned Christmas in the mill village returns with singing of Christmas carols, lighting of the Christmas tree, burning of the Yule log and hot chocolate and cookies for everyone.

• Hope Mills Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m. Enjoy bands, floats, hot cars and a visitor from the North Pole.

• Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 15, 8:30 a.m., at Hope Mills Fire Station. Jolly Old Saint Nick will be on hand to enjoy a breakfast catered by Grandson’s. Tickets are limited. Children 3 years old and under are free but must have a ticket to attend.

Promote yourself

Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

 To look at Mark Pezzella, you’d think he was in excellent health, but that’s not unusual for many veterans of the military, he said.

“Don’t be misled or confused by the fact somebody looks normal,’’ he said. “It doesn’t mean they’re not disabled. There’s a lot of disability you can’t see.’’

It took Pezzella some time to realize he had an assortment of physical and emotional ailments related to his service as a military policeman in the U.S. Army. It took longer still for him to get the benefits that were available to him from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Now he’s speaking out on behalf of other veterans who need the same benefits he’s been getting.

Pezzella, who runs his own event production company, recently drew attention to the problem some veterans have getting the benefits they are owed when he spoke during a luncheon meeting for veterans hosted by the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce.

After serving as a military policeman that included a stint in Operation Desert Storm, Pezzella left the Army on Oct. 27, 1991.

He spent the first 20 years out of the Army thinking he was just getting old and dealing with the normal problems of aging, never realizing that his various ailments were related to his military service and that there was help available to him he hadn’t pursued.

“When I found out this stuff was related to my military career, I said, ‘Wow, I’ve been paying for this stuff all this time,’” he said. “Nobody said anything to me. I didn’t have anybody championing the thought process of actually filing with the VA.’’

Pezzella was a classic case of a veteran with no visible signs of his various disabilities. Both his knees were practically bone on bone, with no cartilage left in either of them. He also had arthritis in both knees.

The arches of both of his feet had been torn out twice. He had stomach issues as a result of the food he ate while serving in Desert Storm. And there were also lingering mental issues left from the kinds of things people see while in a war zone.

It took time working with the VA, but Pezzella was eventually classified as 140 percent disabled. He only got that status within the last two years.

“A lot of soldiers think they have to hire an attorney to get the VA to give them what’s rightfully theirs,’’ Pezzella said.

Pezzella didn’t do it that way. He found an organization based in Durham called Veterans Pavilion. The organization can be researched online at veteranspavilion.com.

“They do all the paperwork, all the organizational stuff for the soldier for free,’’ Pezzella said. “They even put the stamp on the envelope.’’

Pezzella said the paperwork alone involved in getting military benefits can be daunting, especially for someone who may be suffering from mental issues related to their years in service.

“For them to expect someone with a mental disability to understand the paperwork is silly,’’ Pezzella said. “The paperwork is so complex and legalized, it’s hard for anyone to understand.’’

That’s why Pezzella is happy to tell his story and encourage those in the same position he was in. “I’m happy to explain the process I took, which was very successful, very cost effective to get me where I am now,’’ he said.

“The bottom line is people don’t know they can get help. I want them to know they can and it doesn’t cost any money. I can point them in the right direction.’’ 

While Pezzella encourages veterans in need to reach out to Veterans Pavilion for assistance, he is also willing to talk with veterans on a limited basis to share his experience getting benefits. If you would like to contact Pezzella, his number is 910- 322-4200.

Photo: Mark Pezzella

 In late September of 2013, the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners voted to remove Commissioner Tonzie Collins from his elected position by way of an amotion hearing. It was a politically charged decision, and detractors were quick to point out the exorbitant expense ($33,000) and poor timing. Collins was already a registered candidate and the election was five weeks away. If the board didn’t vote him out of office, they’d have wasted a great deal of tax-payers’ money, and if he won re-election, the process and the expense were wasted.

If we’d had a recall ordinance in place prior to the amotion hearing, it could have been used to remove Collins with far less expense.

Immediately following the election, the people of Hope Mills waited patiently for the board to address the gap in accountability. But instead of addressing the issue, they ignored it, as if elected officials misbehaving were an anomaly.

Today, we find ourselves in a similar situation. Commissioners on this board have taken advantage of that gap in several ways.

Malfeasance is intentional conduct that is wrongful or unlawful, especially by officials or public employees. Misfeasance is conduct that is lawful but inappropriate. Nonfeasance is failure to act where there was a duty to act.

Here is a timeline of events involving the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners from the past year.

June 2018

1. Commissioner Meg Larson shared outdated water surveys with board members, which swayed their decision in the question of whether to sell land to Lone Survivor Foundation.

2. Larson contacted staff at PWC to clarify the outdated surveys, without permission from the board.

3. Larson received an email from PWC staff informing her the surveys were irrelevant — and she withheld it from the public.

July 2018

1. Commissioners Mike Mitchell and Larson pressured Rachel Cotter of McAdams Group to include the surveys in the $87,000 comprehensive parks and recreation survey commissioned by the town.

2. Larson and Mitchell wouldn’t let Rachel Cotter attend the Special Meeting scheduled to discuss a Public Hearing about Lone Survivor Foundation. They then canceled the Public Hearing because they had no information from Rachel Cotter regarding the parks and recreation survey.

August 2018

1. Most of the commissioners refused to attend ethics training provided by Cumberland County and the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

2. Mitchell used social media to announce that McAdams Group told the board they needed to purchase more land for parks and recreation development. McAdams Group briefed the board in October there was enough land for a further 10 years of development and an additional 65 acres.

3. Legge accused citizens supporting Lone Survivor Foundation of illegally protesting to disrupt a town-sponsored event.

4. Mitchell sent an email to town staff indicating he felt it was inappropriate for the staff members to support a candidate. N.C.G.S. 160A-169 clearly states employees cannot be restricted from attending political meetings or advocating for candidates. Days later, Mitchell announced he had attended the very meeting he discouraged the staff from attending.

5. Commissioners Mitchell, Larson and Jerry Legge refused to let Mayor Jackie Warner attend a ceremony in Seattle, Washington, to receive the National Rehabilitation Project of the Year Award from the Annual Association of State Dams Safety Officials. Warner offered to pay for her expenses, and the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce lobbied the board to reconsider. The board members did not.

6. Larson and Mitchell began investigating Warner and her involvement with Lone Survivor Foundation’s offer to purchase municipal land. They submitted a public records request for more than 450 emails to prove she colluded to bring the offer to Hope Mills.

The board never sanctioned an official investigation of Warner. It’s a violation of the laws governing closed sessions for the board to vote in closed session or to discuss other board members. And they’ve never voted on investigating Warner in open session.

In fact, until the Nov. 5 meeting, it was never even discussed in open session. At that meeting, Warner admonished the commissioners for harassing staff at the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation with dozens of public records requests and insisted they cease and desist. She also accused them of using the town attorney to further their investigation by having him contact FCEDC with requests for emails, receipts and credit card statements. She also announced the most recent request from either a commissioner or the town attorney was Oct. 31.

Finally, though the board has a fiduciary responsibility to citizens, it has cancelled four meetings since August. The latest meeting was cancelled to accommodate Legge’s vacation. The schedule of meetings is set each November, so Legge had a full year to reschedule this trip. However, during the meeting at which board members voted to cancel, he bragged that he hadn’t missed a vacation in more than 20 years.

Because there is no form of oversight or consequence for the board’s bad behavior, it’s escalated. And we have every reason to believe 2019 will be a continuation of the same bad behavior we’ve seen in 2018.

The people of Hope Mills are left with one lingering question: If the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners can’t govern themselves, how can we expect them to govern our town?

Photo: L to R: Tonzie Collins, Meg Larson and Mike Mitchell. Photo by Elizabeth Blevins.

 Now that we’ve put the fall decorations away, I’ve got a confession to make.

Just a forewarning — I may get shunned or bullied for this confession. You may even stop reading this after I bare my soul in just a few sentences. This has been on my heart for a while, and I must get it off my chest ... right here, right now.

I am not a fan of pumpkin spice.

There. I said it.

I can hear you gasping, your neck creaking ever so quietly as you shake your head in disapproval — I know I’m in the minority. I’m so thankful we’re past that time of year where you can’t escape all the advertisements for this epitome of fall delicacies.

You’ve got the ever-popular Can’t- Wait-Until-Fall-It’s-July-But-I-Need- My-Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (that’s the full title, it just won’t fit on the menu). Then there are the pumpkin spice cakes, cookies, coffee creamer, donuts — every brand having its own variation of this seasonal phenomenon.

There’s pumpkin spice Cheerios, Mini Wheats or Special K cereal; Triscuits, yogurt, marshmallows, bagels, Jell-O, milk, chocolates — the list goes on. Even Easter seasonal treats are jealous of all of this fallthemed attention — there’s now pumpkin spice Peeps available at a store near you.

It’s quite ridiculous.

But now? The Christmas season is when seasonally themed food actually shines. It’s peppermint season, and I’m gunning for that peppermint mocha creamer in my daily cup — er, cups — of coffee every morning. Peppermint in my diffuser, peppermint hand soaps and candles galore. Andes Mints no longer have to hide behind their green wrappers. We all know if the wise men had been in possession of Andes Mints, they would have brought the pepperminty chocolates to the manger for Baby Jesus that first Christmas.

Ho-ho-ho, y’all, a peppermint Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 

Somehow, peppermint echoes this time of year so perfectly. It’s invigorating, like the chill in the air on a winter’s day, yet cozy, complementing all the fresh greenery adorned with lights or mixing in nicely to a cup of hot cocoa. And it’s perfect alongside a hefty helping of Christmas music.

That’s where WCLN Christian 105.7 comes in. This Christmas season, WCLN is playing Christmas favorites 24/7 — but it might sound a little different than what you’re used to. Songs about snow and Santa might get old quickly, and this station does play a few of those, too, but WCLN’s staff believes the freshness of the sound of Christmas comes in the message. Hear the good news this Christmas season: How Jesus came to Earth, wrapped in skin — the best gift of all, the most needed gift of all, the most glorious, life-giving gift of all.

So, download the WCLN app, turn it on in the car, at home or wherever you can find a radio, and celebrate Jesus with us.

And, I must say — if WCLN had a flavor, it would most definitely be peppermint.

 Fayetteville Technical Community College offers the computer programming and software development degree as a concentration under the information technology major. This curriculum prepares individuals for employment in computer programming and related positions through study and application in computer concepts, logic, programming procedures, languages, generators, operating systems, networking, data management and business operations. Upon completion of the program, students receive an associate’s degree in computer programming and software development and will be well-equipped to enter the growing field of software development.

Alumni of this program have gone on to work for entities, including the city of Fayetteville, Cape Fear Valley Hospital, Cumberland County Schools and local defense contractors.

The computer programming and software development department will offer two new certificate programs beginning in 2019. The first certificate program, Data Analysis using SAS, will introduce students to the concepts and practices necessary to analyze big data sets and develop real-world applications.

The SAS Corporation is a world-leading business analytics software company located in Cary, North Carolina. SAS develops its own proprietary software and is consistently ranked as one of the top employers among technology and software development companies.

The second certificate program is Creating iOS Application using Swift. Swift is the primary mobile application development language of Apple, the developer of the iPhone and iPad. Students will learn concepts related to mobile application development needed to create basic applications for the iPhone and the iPad.

Fayetteville Tech offers a broad range of programs of study leading to the award of associate degrees, certificates and diplomas. Many educational choices are available in the field of computer and information technology, where graduates can seek employment as designers, developers, testers, support technicians, system administrators, and programmers. Specialty areas include business intelligence, database services, healthcare informatics, security and more.

Specific program areas to explore at FTCC include CISCO networking academy, computer programming and software development, cyber defense education center, database management, digital media technology, game and interactive programming, network management, PC support and services, systems security and analysis, and simulation and game development. Within each of these program areas are additional specialty programs of study, which allow students broad choices for expansion in becoming well-equipped for a great career in the computer technology field.

For students interested in pursuing an exciting career in a high-demand field, FTCC is a wise choice for education in computer and information technology. Spring semester begins Jan. 14, 2019.

Visit www.faytechcc.edu to apply now and begin the enrollment process.

For more information about the program, visit www.faytechcc.edu/academics/computer-information- technology-programs/computer-programming- development. Call 910-678-8571 or email camerona@faytechcc.edu with questions about pursuing computer programming and software development education at FTCC.

With over 250 curriculum-level programs of study to choose from leading to an associate’s degree, certificate, or diploma — plus a wide range of continuing education programs to choose from — FTCC is the smart choice for education.