For the past 20 years, the Heart of Christmas Show has warmed hearts and spread joy, embracing everything good and fun about the holidays. The show takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving, and without fail, it puts the community in the Christmas spirit, celebrating everything about the season – from ugly Christmas sweaters to peace on Earth and baby Jesus. Saturday, Nov. 24, and Sunday, Nov. 25, head to the Crown for one of the community’s most heartfelt and inspired productions.

Keeping things fresh from year to year while maintaining all the audience favorites falls squarely on the shoulders of the show’s founder, Laura Stevens. Last year, she changed about half of the show. This year, she’s done some more tweaking. “I went about this year’s lineup by thinking by about what got us here,” she said. “I have brought back a few (numbers) from the past.

“I have listened to our sponsors, performers, parents and audiences and tried to get all the favorites in the show and still add some new elements.”

The format remains the same, though. The first half of the show is lively and lighthearted – think snowmen, gingerbread, Christmas trees and more. The second half embraces the true meaning of Christmas with traditional songs like “Silent Night,” “O’ Little Town of Bethlehem” and “Mary Did You Know?”

Among the new elements are what Stevens called a very funny ugly sweater Christmas song that she predicts will be a crowd favorite. She also added a 1950s medley. “That style is a lot of fun,” she said. “In the second half, in the manger scene, I am going for what I think might be one of the most beautiful manger scene moments you have ever seen – including angels. It is a big moment with a ton of meaning.

“If you’ve never seen HOC, you owe it to yourself to see what the chatter is about. There is something for everyone; there’s funny things and beautiful things. It is an awesome way to celebrate everything there is about Christmas.”

Adding to the impressive nature of this endeavor are the 30-plus performers, all between the ages of 5 and 18. That can lead people to believe it is a kids’ show, but Stevens has proven that’s not the case time and again with Broadway-type performances that leave audiences raving.

Stevens said, “The No. 1 comment I get is, ‘Wow, I cannot believe what I just saw.’ The next is, ‘It’s hard to believe that is all young people!’ And the third is ‘Shows at Myrtle Beach aren’t this good. We also bring in dancers from Elite Dance Center. Michelle Hurd, Callie Leechford and Victoria Armstrong have partnered with me for 15 years and bring an element of beauty to the show. They bring in a team of eight dancers every year, and they are amazing.”

Another change to the current production is areach back to the show’s early years. “I am going to bring back the theme song to the Heart of Christmas Show,’’ Stevens said, “to show all the outreach and what we have been able to do, as a tribute to the people who have been in it and to the good work of the outcome of the show.”

Stevens came up with the idea for HOC when Voices of the Heart, a local, all-girl Christian music group, won a high-profile national competition in Alabama. VOH still makes up a big part of the HOC Show. “I didn’t want it to go to their heads,” said Stevens. “They were on TV and were getting a lot of attention. I wanted their focus to be the correct one. We decided to put on a show and give all the money away. That first year we gave away $8,000. Now, we give away about $35,000 and raise about $25,000 for the schools – after a while that adds up to be a lot of money.”

HOC has given more than $750,000 to date, and it all stays in the community. Organizations that benefit include the Autism Society, Child Advocacy Center, Friends of Children, Make A Wish Foundation, AGAPE and Falcon Children’s Home.

With more than 300 sponsors footing the bill for production costs, Stevens said the money from each ticket sale goes right back out the door. “Our sponsors set money aside every year – in spite of things like hurricanes. And we have done what we said we would do,” Stevens said.

“The show is run by parents and volunteers. The parents are nurses, doctors, judges, teachers and more who work backstage and make that show happen. They believe in the common good of it. When we give the funds away, it is a good feeling to know we can do something to touch someone else’s life. This is not just a Christmas show, it a show with heart and a purpose and a mission to do good things for other children.”

General performances are Saturday, Nov. 24, at 1 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 25, at 3 p.m. Purchase tickets at The Crown Center Box Office, Hailey’s Bicycle World or www.heartofchristmasshow.com/ticket-reservations.

There are also several school shows. Call 910-978-1118 to learn more about the school performances.

 Well, it’s done. Love it or hate it, the results are in. There are some new political players both nationally and locally, but how much is that going to change things, really?

The mortgage is still due on the first. The office still beckons on Monday. Chores still need doing, and errands still need running. While our leaders have big decisions to make, from day to day, we all still have lives to live and dreams to chase. I still get to choose how to spend my time, my money and my energy. We all do. There are big issues on the table and conflicts in ideologies in play. But it’s not the first time and  won’t be the last.

It’s been said that all politics is local. Maybe that is true, maybe not. But local is where we live and where we can make a significant difference all year long, elections or no elections. Local is where we invest our time and talent. It’s where we spend our money and build our lives. No matter how many votes your candidate got last Tuesday, there is plenty we can all do on a personal level to effect the change we want to see.

Regardless of your cause, there is a way to support it – locally. Donate. Volunteer. Educate. Organize. Serve. Give back. There are countless opportunities to make a difference, no matter which party is in power. Helping one another on a personal level builds relationships and community in a way a tax break, a check from the government or a public policy change cannot.

It is something we should all do. Study after study shows that being kind, altruistic and compassionate not only benefits the receiver, it positively affects the doer, too. An article titled “The Science of Good Deeds,” by Jeanie Lerche Davis, explores this concept and offers example after example of how helping ourselves and helping others is good for us – so good that it causes positive changes in our body chemistry – and good for our communities, too.

For example, the article notes, “Two large studies found that older adults who volunteered reaped benefits in their health and well-being. Those who volunteered were living longer than nonvolunteers. Another large study found a 44 percent reduction in early death among those who volunteered a lot – a greater effect than exercising four times a week.”

But that’s not all. There’s evidence in brain studies of a compassion-altruism axis.

According to the article, “Utilizing functional MRI scans, scientists have identified specific regions of the brain that are very active during deeply empathic and compassionate emotions.”

Stephen G. Post, Ph.D., a professor of bioethics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, is quoted, “These brain studies show this profound state of joy and delight that comes from giving to others.”

Take a minute and celebrate your victory or mourn your loss from last week’s election, and then go make a difference. Put actions behind your beliefs. Work to make your community the place you want it to be. Our leaders have big problems to solve, even if many of them are of their own making. That doesn’t mean we are off the hook. There are plenty of local problems we can solve if we each give what we can when and where we can.

Read the complete article “The Science of Good Deeds” at www.webmd.com/balance/features/science-gooddeeds#3. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

 The Oxford Dictionaries defines hypocrisy as “the practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.” A trustworthy means of testing for hypocrisy is to observe the extent to which a person, or some entity, consistently responds the same way to similar occurrences. Without doubt, hypocrisy has been present across the ages. However, it seems we have reached a point in America where hypocrisy is totally routine, even expected. Consequently, it is allowed to, without effective challenge, influence our societal attitudes and actions in detrimental ways. Beyond the negative impact on society, there is the damage and the unfairness visited upon individuals and groups.

For example, I see all of the above happening in the response to a video by T.I., a rapper, whose recent music video features a Melania Trump lookalike dancing without clothes in a fake Oval Office.

A CNN Wires article titled “First lady’s office calls out rapper for ‘disgusting’ video depicting Melania Trump” describes the video as follows. “T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, stars in the video as himself, seated at a fake Resolute Desk in a setting made to look like the Oval Office. Video footage of President Donald Trump taking off from the White House in Marine One plays, and shortly afterward, a woman enters the ‘Oval Office.’ The woman is wearing only a jacket, which reads: ‘I really don’t care do u?’ a clear nod to the controversial Zara jacket the first lady wore during a June trip to Texas.

“The woman in the video, who has a clear resemblance to Melania Trump, then proceeds to strip off the jacket and dance atop the desk.”

In this age of rightfully heightened attention to protecting women from abuse of any kind – whether verbal, physical or any other form – one would expect overwhelming condemnation of T.I.’s video. Instead, as best as I can determine, there has been complete silence from people who are normally extremely vocal in speaking out against this kind of treatment.

The glaring difference here is that Melania Trump is the wife of Donald Trump. I can only conclude that this means disrespect of her is acceptable to those who, otherwise, would speak vociferously against this kind of treatment of a woman.

Google “T.I.’s video on Melania Trump” and you will, with two exceptions, only find reports on the content of the video.

The first exception is that Canadian model Melanie Marden, who appears as the Melania Trump lookalike, reports that she has received death threats. Clearly, this response is unacceptable. Roisin O’Connor writes the following in an article titled “Melania Trump lookalike who strips in TI video speaks out after White House criticism.”

“Marden has now shared a message on Instagram detailing the backlash she has faced since appearing in the video, and following Melania Trump’s response. ‘I was hired (as an actress) not a stripper to portray Melania Trump,’ she wrote. ‘It was a creative choice for me, and also an opportunity to empower women. I stand firmly in my decision to share all of myself in this role.’”

“She continued: ‘I wanted to be brave, be fearless and for the first time in my life do a role that required nudity. The body is nothing to be ashamed of.’”

The second exception is the White House response to the video, which prompted Marden’s comment above. This is also from O’Connor’s article. “The First Lady’s spokeswoman responded to the video calling it ‘disrespectful and disgusting.’”

“Like it or not, she is the First Lady and this is the White House,” communications director Stephanie Grisham said. “It’s disrespectful and disgusting to portray her this way simply because of politics. These kinds of vulgar attacks only further the divisiveness and bias in our country – it needs to stop.”

Grisham is absolutely right. The video is disrespectful and disgusting. However, there is no outrage from the so-called protectors of women. Further, the woman who appears as the Melania lookalike sees what she did as “an opportunity to empower women.”

Contrast the response to the Melania Trump lookalike video with the response to Roseanne Barr’s tweet regarding Valerie Jarrett, former Obama White House aide. The tweet compared Jarrett to an ape. In May 2018, ABC cancelled Roseanne Barr’s show, “Rosanne.” An article by Andrea Park titled “ABC cancels ‘Roseanne’ after Barr’s racist tweet” reports that Barr’s tweet said, “muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes had a baby=vj.”

Park writes the following regarding the response of Channing Dungy, ABC Entertainment president, and that of Robert “Bob” Iger. “Dungey said in a statement, ‘Roseanne’s Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show.’ In 2016, Dungey made headlines when she became the first African-American to run the entertainment division of a major broadcast television network.

“Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, shared Dungey’s statement on Twitter and added the comment, ‘There was only one thing to do here, and that was the right thing.’”

ICM Partners, the talent agency that represents Barr, also dropped her as a client.

Roseanne Barr repeatedly apologized for her tweet. From Park’s article, here are some of the tweets reflecting Barr’s apologies, regret and acceptance of responsibility for the consequences of her action:

• “Don’t feel sorry for me, guys!!-I just want to apologize to the hundreds of people, and wonderful writers (all liberal) and talented actors who lost their jobs on my show due to my stupid tweet.”

• “@ValerieJarrett I want to apologize to you. I am very sorry to have hurt you. I hope you can accept this sincere apology!”

• “guys I did something unforgiveable so do not defend me. It was 2 in the morning and I was ambien tweeting-it was memorial day too-i went 2 far & do not want it defended-it was egregious Indefensible. I made a mistake I wish I hadn’t but...don’t defend it please.”

• “hey guys, don’t defend me, it’s sweet of you 2 try, but...losing my show is 0 compared 2 being labelled a racist over one tweet-that I regret even more.”

• “’I apologize to Valerie Jarrett and to all Americans. I am truly sorry for making a bad joke about her politics and her looks. I should have known better. Forgive me-my joke was in bad taste’.”

Despite all of her apologies and expressions of regret, the show was cancelled within hours of the initial tweet being made public. ICM Partners, the talent agency that represented Barr, also dropped her as a client. Even further, as Barr tweeted, many people lost their jobs because of the cancellation.

On the other hand, T.I. does a video that is rightly described as “disrespectful and disgusting.” His disrespect and disgust are directed at the wife of the president of the United States. His action is not challenged by the “protectors of women,” but Roseanne was punished unmercifully for her offense.

Why the difference in treatment? Roseanne is a bold Trump supporter, while T.I. is at the other end of the spectrum. There it is – a clear manifestation of the hypocrisy that is alive and well in America like never before in my lifetime.

Against the backdrop of Roseanne’s apologies, Andrea Park writes, “But she also retweeted tweets from her supporters that seemed to contradict the earlier statements, including comments that ‘leftist’ celebrities wouldn’t have gotten the same treatment.”

Park seems to indicate Barr’s claim of different treatment for “leftist” lessens the sincerity or her apologies. I say no … she spoke truth regarding the hypocrisy that has been unleashed in this country. Even though the cost of doing so is high and unfair  we must forthrightly call out this life-destroying, society-contaminating hypocrisy.

Photo: T.I.

 Fayetteville and Hope Mills voters have put to rest their governing boards’ wishes to extend their terms of office. In unofficial returns, 35,386 people voted against the question in Fayetteville while 19,377 were in favor. In Hope Mills, 2,591 people voted against the change and 1,955 voted for it.

Fayetteville City Councilman Larry Wright was the principle proponent of 4-year terms. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell raised the issue in Hope Mills. Both bodies wanted to lengthen their traditional 2-year terms, claiming that they spend half their time in office campaigning for re-election.

The Fayetteville ballot proposal would have put a favorable outcome to a vote of the people. In Hope Mills, a positive vote would have established staggered terms of office to begin following the 2019 election.

 The military has reportedly punished six troops, including an Air Force two-star general, for their roles in the October 2017 Niger ambush that resulted in the deaths of four American and four Nigerien soldiers, The New York Times reported.

The punished troops include Air Force Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks, who was the commander of all special operations troops in Africa, and two senior members of Fort Bragg’s 11-man Green Beret team that was ambushed. Three others in the team’s chain of command also were reprimanded, according to the Times report.

The Times said a letter of reprimand cited the team’s insufficient training and a lack of mission rehearsals. Hicks was reprimanded for not having appropriate oversight of the officers below him.

A 6,300-page investigation detailed by the Pentagon in May said the mistakes leading up to the ambush were widespread. An unclassified eight-page summary was released for public viewing.

“The direct cause of the enemy attack in Tongo Tongo is that the enemy achieved tactical surprise there, and our forces were outnumbered approximately three to one,” said AFRICOM’s former chief of staff, Army Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, who led the investigation.

The Green Beret team and 30 Nigerien troops were returning from a village near the Malian border in West Africa when they were overrun by scores of extremist fighters

Photo From left: Staff Sgt. Bryan Black, 35, of Puyallup, Washington; Sgt. 1st Class Jeremiah Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio;

Sgt. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Florida; and Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Georgia. All four were killed in the Niger ambush last year.

 Some of us are pleased with the results of last week’s midterm elections in our nation. Some of us are distressed. Some of us are a bit of both, and a great many of us remain saddened by the ongoing levels of division and accompanying vitriol among some segments of our population.

Here are some points to ponder as we digest election results our community, our state and our nation.

The North Carolina General Assembly is no longer veto-proof. Democrats made enough gains in both the House and the Senate to sustain gubernatorial vetoes in the next session beginning in January. This means that if and when Gov. Cooper vetoes a bill, there will likely not be enough votes in both chambers to override his veto. Ours is a nation built on a system of checks and balances, and veto power is a check on legislative overreach. The same is now true in the U.S. Congress, as Democrats prepare to take control of the House of Representatives.

This is what our founders intended, even though both our state and our nation have been controlled by the Republican Party in recent years. A judge once told me that if one side left his courtroom cheering and the other side weeping, he did not do a good job. If both sides left “slightly miffed,” then he had probably made a good decision. Compromise is what greases our system of government, not one side strong-arming and simply overpowering the other.

Since the 2012 election cycle, North Carolina has been among the most gerrymandered states in the nation, and the midterms confirm that yet again despite years of lawsuits resulting in not much change.

Here is the proof for the 2018 cycle. Going into last week’s midterms, North Carolina had 13 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 10 Republicans and three Democrats. Even though both parties voted for congressional candidates at approximately the same rates, 50 percent of Republicans and 48 percent of Democrats, North Carolina came out of the midterms with 13 members of Congress, 10 Republicans and three Democrats.

How is that possible, many voters wonder? It is possible because Republican legislators doing the redistricting in 2011 crammed large numbers of Democrats into three districts and spread Republicans into the other 10 districts, practices known as “packing” and “cracking.” One redistricting committee chair, David Lewis of Dunn, even bragged that the only reason the districts are not more lopsided is that “I do not believe it is possible to draw a map with 11 Republicans and two Democrats.”

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that North Carolina’s seven largest counties, including Cumberland, Durham, Guilford, Forsyth, Wake and Buncombe, elected African-American sheriffs, five of them for the first time in their histories. It is interesting to note that Buncombe County, whose largest city is Asheville, did so with a white population of 90 percent. Election observers and several of the newly elected sheriffs attributed their victories to avoiding hardline stances on immigration enforcement, which appealed to voters who felt fear or marginalization. Their elections highlight minority participation in law enforcement, as do minority women serving as chiefs of police\ in Fayetteville, Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham and Winston Salem.

Some see these outcomes as two steps forward and one step back, while others see the reverse. What does seem clear, though, is that the political pendulum is doing what it has always done in our nation’s history. It is arcing away from an extreme.

 The Department of Veterans Affairs has released the newest performance ratings for each of its 146 hospitals. The department cited improvements in the past year at some of its lowestperforming facilities. The fiscal 2018 ratings include nine one-star hospitals, the lowest possible, down from 14 hospitals that received one-star ratings in 2017.

Fayetteville’s VA received a two-star rating, which the agency describes as trivial. A star ranking system was used to designate a facility’s performance in individual measures, domains and overall quality. Ratings indicate each hospital’s quality of care and are based on data such as death rates, patient satisfaction and efficiency.

In years past, VA withheld the data from the public. In 2016, the performance ratings were released under pressure that followed a USA Today investigation. Overall, 38 hospitals improved their star ratings in 2018, 40 dropped in the ratings and 68 stayed the same as the year before.

Five VA hospitals received onestar ratings in 2017 and showed no improvement this year: Big Springs and El Paso, Texas; Loma Linda, California; Memphis, Tennessee; and Phoenix, Arizona. Four other hospitals were added to the worst-rated this year: Montgomery, Alabama; Tucson, Arizona; Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. Georgia.

Eighteen hospitals received five stars in 2018, the best possible. Four of them are in Pennsylvania. The Asheville, North Carolina, VA was one of the fivestar facilities. “With closer monitoring and increased medical center leadership and support, we have seen solid improvements at most of our facilities,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said in a statement. “There’s no doubt that there’s still plenty of work to do, but I’m proud of our employees, who work tirelessly to move VA in the right direction for veterans and taxpayers.”

A VA Inspector General’s Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of the Fayetteville VA released in March of this year indicated that current leadership has been stable with the most recent assignment of the associate director in February 2017. In the review of selected employee and patient survey results regarding facility senior leadership, opportunities to improve both patient experiences and employee attitudes toward leadership were noted.

The report found that the leaders should continue to take actions to improve performance of the Quality of Care and Efficiency metrics likely contributing to the current two-star rating. In the review of key care processes, the inspector general issued 10 recommendations attributable to VA Medical Center Interim Director Mark E. Shelhorse, the chief of staff, and associate director.

Of six areas of clinical operations reviewed, office of the inspector general noted findings in five needing improvement: quality, safety and value; medication management; coordination of care; environment of care; and post-traumatic stress disorder care. The report noted a generally safe and clean environment of care at the facility.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network Director and Shelhorse agreed with the Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program review findings and recommendations and provided acceptable improvement plans.

 Fayetteville City Council members not only wanted to extend their terms of office, they are seeking legislative authorization to remove a member from office should the need arise. Voters said no to changing the terms. Council voted unanimously at a work session to ask the North Carolina General Assembly to grant it recall authority.

Members have not said why they prefer recall to amotion, an existing process by which elected officials can be removed from office. This year, 2nd district Councilman Tyrone Williams faced the amotion process and chose to resign. The recall proposal, authored by city attorney Karen MacDonald, is patterned in part after recall ordinances in Durham and Greensboro.

A recall procedure would allow Fayetteville citizens an opportunity to address any “serious concerns that may arise between regular city elections with regard to allegations of misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance or a violation of the oath of office,” as stated in the proposed resolution adopted by council.

A recall ordinance would also provide an opportunity for a council member to resign rather than face a vote of the people. A recall document would be submitted by a five-member council committee asking for a formal petition.

Councilman Larry Wright commented that the process seemed lengthy.

“It is a high bar and will require a lot of work,” responded MacDonald.

Fifteen percent of registered voters in the effected member’s district would ask the Cumberland County Board of Elections for certification of the petition. It would then be sent to the city clerk, who would submit it to the city council and notify the elected official whose removal is sought. If the elected official does not resign within five days, the city council would then order a date for a recall election.

In other business, city council agreed to strengthen the city’s code enforcement ordinance and fine property owners who ignore nuisances on their properties. Owners could be fined for noncompliance with regulations governing overgrown lots or yards, junk and abandoned vehicles, maintenance of structures, illegal signs and other public nuisances. Fines of up to $1,000 could be imposed for repeat offenders.

Michael Martin, assistant development services director, said more than 90 properties in the city had four violations last year.

Several council members expressed concerns about burdening property owners with financial hardships. Councilman D.J. Haire said people in his district dump limbs, refrigerators and furniture on vacant properties and the owners are held responsible.

“It’s just a vacant lot and it’s always, of course, on that property owner,” he said. Other council members took a harder line. “Whatever happens is their responsibility, and they must be held accountable,” said councilwoman Tisha Waddell.

Council agreed on a tiered approach in which a $500 fine would be levied on a fourth violation in any 365-day period. After that, property owners would face $1,000 fines for each violation in that year. A property would no longer be a nuisance when there have been no violations within 12 months.

 Recent hurricanes have brought disaster on parts of the community, causing people to lose their homes and prized possessions. It is crucial for communities to stick together and help each other in times of need. With that in mind, United Way of Cumberland County presents the 2018 Community Homeless and Hunger Stand Down Friday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at VFW Post 6018 located at 116 Chance St. in downtown Fayetteville.

“The purpose of the event is to provide a one-day wraparound service for people in need – and not just homeless people but working people who are in need,” said Crystal Williams, community impact director for United Way of Cumberland County and coordinator for the Community Homeless and Hunger Stand Down. “We usually have anywhere from 30 to 35 agencies that participate, and our goal is to connect people with the services they need.”

Williams added The American Red Cross and Operation Inasmuch will provide breakfast, and The Salvation Army will provide a free lunch using chicken provided by Mountaire Farms of North Carolina.

The services offered include voter registration, prescription assistance, job placement assistance, blood pressure and glucose screenings, dental screenings, housing authority assistance, veteran services, continuing adult education, free personal hygiene kits, a prayer tent, free haircuts, flu shots, new and gently used clothing and more. Local artists will provide free entertainment.

“Second Harvest Food Bank will provide carry-away groceries that consist of non-perishable food items,” said Williams. “Some of the agencies that will be there will set up an appointment and the individual will have to come to their office.”

Free bus transportation by Fast Transit will be provided to and from the event. “All the person needs to do is let the bus driver know they are going to the stand down and your travel will be free,” said Williams. “And when you leave from there, your travel will be free back to your destination.”

Last year’s event rendered assistance to 300 to 400 people, and Williams is expecting more this year. “This is a community event for those who are in need in our community, and especially now because we had Hurricane Florence and people are still suffering from Hurricane Matthew,” said Williams. “If folks want to get involved, this is a great way to give back to the community.”

For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, call 910-483-1179.

 It’s been said that small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy. It can be easy for consumers to forget the risks entrepreneurs face in building sustainable businesses and the impact these organizations have on a community. Thursday, Nov. 15, Methodist University will host the 4th Annual Reeves School of Business Symposium and Awards Dinner to do just that – celebrate our risk-takers and change-makers.

This year, the symposium will focus on keys to success and the changing landscape of the golf industry. The event will recognize the achievements of leaders and individuals associated with the PGA Golf Management Program who have made outstanding contributions. There will be nine awards presented: Alumni Business Person of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Greater Good Award, Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Silver Spoon Award, Small Business Excellence Award, University Service Award, and Friend of the Program Award.

David Maher, president and CEO of Acushnet, will be the keynote speaker. Maher has worked at Acushnet since 1991. He started as a sales support representative and worked his way through field sales and sales management for Titleist. For the company’s success, he credits its ongoing investment in product innovation, commitment to quality, strong trade partnerships, rich golfer connections and an enduring, rewarding company culture.

In celebrating small businesses, Maher noted, “It’s important to recognize and support talented business partners whether they are large or small. As you might expect, small business, in the form of golf courses and their golf pro shops, is an especially important component of the golf industry.”

Like any field, the golf industry faces headwinds that require thoughtful solutions. It’s an unchanging fact of life and has been for years.

Maher noted that Titleist’s founder, Phil Young, back in the early 1930s, believed he could make a better golf ball by employing a better manufacturing process. Young’s entrepreneurial spirit lives throughout Acushnet today.

“The game is filled with stories of equipment innovation, golf course design innovation and even golf course maintenance innovation,” he said. “I expect these advancements will continue for as long as the game is around.”

He continued, “It is important to understand and build upon your strengths and competitive advantages while establishing strong customer connections. Golf has been around for hundreds of years and is as inviting and enjoyable as ever. … More recently, we have seen thousands of facilities become more family-friendly and more inviting to beginners and juniors over the past decade.

“Today there are more junior golfers in the U.S. than at any other time, which is an exciting byproduct of these efforts.”

As for the future of golf and the golf industry, that’s up to the next generation of golfers and what they want from the game. In the next 10 years, Maher sees technology and connectivity playing a more prominent role for some, while for others it will mean an opportunity to disconnect for a few hours to enjoy the game, competition, camaraderie and exercise. “The point is, the golf industry must adapt to evolving golfer preferences, and I am confident that it will,” Maher said.

The 4th Annual Reeves School of Business Symposium and Awards Dinner takes place at the Embassy Suites Fayetteville/Fort Bragg. Networking starts at 5:30 p.m. The symposium begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Krista Lee at 910-630-7148.

Photo: David Maher, President and CEO of Acushnet

 On Saturday, Nov. 17, Better Health will host its 6th annual Red Apple Run for diabetes in downtown Fayetteville. It’s a fun event for the entire family whether they are running or enjoying what the vendors have to offer. The Red Apple Run aids Better Health in its mission to help those in the community who are uninsured. It also supports Better Health’s diabetes program, which was started in the 1970s. The program provides clients with one-on-one meetings with a nurse and dietitian, offers participation in cooking demonstrations, access to diabetic supplies and more.

Over the last six years, the Red Apple Run has had a turnout of about 300-400 participants of all ages. The run offers a 5K course, 10K course and 1-mile fun run that all wind through Historic Haymount.

Better Health Executive Director Amy Navejas said, “Last year, 5K participant times ranged from our first-place winner Mack Brooks’ 18-minute pace to an hour. Participants in the 10K ranged from Mary Tramazzo’s incredible 36-minute completion time to an hour and a half.”

Children can participate, too. In fact, children from one of Better Health’s programs will join the event with the Honeycutt Elementary School’s running team. Both groups of children will participate in the 5K. The 5K and the 10K races will be timed, while the 1-mile race will be just for fun.

There will be multiple sponsors for the Red Apple Run as well as vendors like Master Exterminators, which will provide information about its services, and New Deli, which will provide delicious snacks for the finishers.

The top three overall male and female winners in each age group of the 5K and the 10K runs will receive awards.

Better Health was started 60 years ago as a nonprofit to provide emergency medicine to those without insurance. Over the years, it has evolved and now offers multiple services and programs like emergency dental extractions, vision screenings, a diabetes program, a childhood obesity program and a new Fayetteville Fit program meant to support obese children and help their families start healthier lifestyles.

Navejas said, “Our new Fayetteville Fit program requires funding to help these children and their families become active and create healthier lifestyles. Another recent need would be for hurricane victims who are unable to afford emergency medications or dental care. Without the funds, we can’t offer these services.”

Navejas added, “Diabetes has many facets, and, if not well controlled, can contribute to or lead to many other issues occurring in the body.” 

Diabetes is said to be the leading cause of blindness for those between the ages of 20-74 years old. The disease is also the main cause for nontraumatic foot amputation, affecting 73,000 people per year in the United States. The best way to stay healthy and avoid diabetes includes getting vision and foot screenings, attending regular checkups, eating healthy and exercising regularly.

Better Health is partnering with Cape Fear Eye Associatesto offer free quarterly vision screenings. The clinic also provides quarterly foot screenings with the help of podiatrist, Dr. Dan Laut.

The Red Apple Run helps secure funding for Better Health and its programs, allowing it to continue to provide for the community. Better Health uses these funds to serve more than 5,000 clients every year, creating a tremendous impact on the community.

Register for the run online at https://its-go-time. com/red-apple-run-for-diabetes or in person at the Packet Pickup, 1422 Bragg Blvd., on Nov. 16 from 4-6 p.m., or the day of the race at 7:30 a.m. behind the Medical Arts Building. The 10K starts at 8:30 a.m.; the 5K starts at 8:45 a.m.; and the 1-mile fun run starts at 8:50 a.m.

Contact the Better Health Clinic at 910-483-7534 or visit https://its-go-time.com/red-apple-run-fordiabetes for more information.

 Virtually every organization is connected to the internet. As such, virtually every entity has a network that needs to be managed – including your home network on a much smaller scale. Whenever someone buys or upgrades a wireless router, connects their devices and/or configures wireless parameters, they are managing a network.

Organizations, on the other hand, have multiple computers that need to be connected to each other and to the internet. The range of technologies involved in setting up and managing a network is vast.

Information technology specialists receive training in various aspects of the industry to bring it all together. Fayetteville Technical Community College can help students learn the necessary skills to enter an exciting and lucrative career in IT/network management.

What is a network?

A network is a series of connected devices, such as personal computers and servers, for sharing resources. End devices, like PCs, cell phones and tablets, are devices used by individuals. Intermediary devices, like routers, switches and firewalls, are typically not seen. All of these devices comprise the network.

Switches connect multiple end devices together. A router connects networks. Connecting the switch to a router provides a path for the end devices to connect to other networks, including the internet.

Some devices are capable of performing more than one function, while others are designed to perform a series of dedicated functions very well and can easily scale to handle millions of events per second, such as forwarding packets. Enterprise grade routers and switches fall under this category. A packet is a unit of data that includes addressing information. The addressing information specifies where (what device) the packet came from and where (what device) it is going.

Addressing devices

Every company has a dedicated phone number followed by individual extensions to access each employee. To communicate with an employee, two parts are needed: the main number and the extension number. In a similar way, the network address of a specific computer has two components: the network portion, or main phone number and a host portion, or extension.

The address used for networking devices is called an IP (internet protocol) address. There are two flavors: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 allows for just over 4.2 billion unique addresses. IPv6 offers the capacity for enough unique combinations to theoretically assign a unique IPv6 address to every grain of sand on planet Earth and not come close to running out.

Other things to consider in a network

Suppose you need to install 2,000 new computers. Do you want to assign an IP address to each one individually? Of course not. You set up a DHCP – dynamic host configuration protocol – server to automatically assign IP address to devices as they are powered up.

If you need to connect 100 networks using, for example, 20 routers, do you want to configure each router with entries that tell it how to reach every single one of those 100 networks? No. You enable a routing protocol that allows each router to tell its neighbor about its directly connected networks. This information is propagated to all the other routers until the network converges. When the network converges, every router will have an entry allowing it to forward packets to any one of the 100 networks based on the destination IP address in the packet.

Security is another important concern. If the network is not secure, end devices could be at risk. The more you know about how a network is managed, the better you will be at securing it.

FTCC’s programs

FTCC offers an associate degree program in IT/ network management as well as a Cisco Networking Certificate. Both offerings prepare students for the Cisco Certified Networking Associate industry certification exam, which gives credibility to accomplishments and abilities as a networking professional. FTCC students spend at least 75 percent of classroom time performing hands-on activities that put into practice the concepts learned.

According to Glassdoor.com, the national average for salaries for network engineers is $76,970. Salary varies with location, experience and level of education.

Upon completion, FTCC students will be ready for an entry-level opportunity in the networking field and be on their way to a rewarding, lucrative career.

 Rev. Wesley Holmes is a newcomer to Hope Mills, but he plans to bring a familiar message about giving thanks when he leads the annual community Thanksgiving service scheduled this Sunday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. at Highland Baptist Church on Legion Road.

Holmes, a native of Rome, Georgia, became pastor at Hope Mills Church of God in July of this year.

He’s been a full-time minister since 2002, pastoring at North Carolina churches in Sanford, Greenville and Morehead City.

He called the community Thanksgiving event a wonderful time to come together, worship the Lord and offer thanks.

“I believe thanksgiving is an everyday experience,’’ Holmes said. “I think we should be thankful each and every day.’’

During the entire month of November, Holmes puts extra emphasis on the importance of giving thanks.

He thinks it’s important that Christians of all denominations share the experience. “I believe when we get to heaven it’s not going to be just one denomination,’’ he said. “We’re all the body of Christ and we believe in Jesus Christ. We need to worship together.’’

He believes for many people the only time they stop to give thanks daily is at meal time.

“To take a day or a month to emphasize thanksgiving is very important for people,’’ he said. “Just to slow down and remember the blessings of the Lord. Be thankful for what he’s done in our lives.’’

While Holmes will be delivering the message at the community service, pastors from other congregations in Hope Mills will take part in the service.

An offering will be received at the service, with the money going to local flood relief efforts.

Photo: Rev. Wesley Holmes

 A tradition that started in 2009 at the Hope Mills ALMSHOUSE will continue this Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, as volunteers at the ecumenical community ministry will again serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal to those in need in the community.

Grilley Mitchell, volunteer program coordinator for the ALMSHOUSE Love Lunch program, said the Thanksgiving meal was such a big hit when it was first tried that the ALMSHOUSE has made it an annual event.

Regular meals are part of what the ALMSHOUSE does, serving food Monday through Friday at noon and 5 p.m. and on Saturday at noon and Sunday at 5 p.m.

Mitchell said the only difference at the Thanksgiving meal, which will start at noon and continue until the food runs out, is the fare focuses on the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Mitchell said this year’s meal is planned to include turkey, ham, candied yams, green peas, green beans, macaroni and cheese, potato salad and desserts.

Community support and a variety of donations make the special meal possible, Mitchell said.

ALMSHOUSE volunteers prepare and serve the food. In some cases, Mitchell said, whole families come in to take part in helping with preparation.

“They want to do something to serve and teach their kids how to give back,’’ Mitchell said.

There are no restrictions on who can show up to take part in the meal.

“Anybody that needs a meal and wants a meal is served,’’ Mitchell said. “We do not turn anyone away. Show up and let us serve you.’’

Anyone who would like to make a contribution of food or money to support the ALMSHOUSE ministry can drop by during normal business hours Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at 3909 Ellison St. or contact Mitchell directly at 910-476-3719.

“Come out and enjoy,’’ Mitchell said. “We give each and every one love and respect.’’

 Some things about the annual Hope Mills United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar have changed though the years, like the date it was held and the name of the event, but the purpose has basically remained the same: give the people in the community an opportunity for wholesome fun while raising money for a worthy cause.

All of the net proceeds from this year’s bazaar, which is scheduled for this Saturday, Nov. 17, at the church, will benefit the Hope Mills ALMSHOUSE, an ecumenical ministry that supports the community’s underprivileged.

“We really believe in the churches working together, and the ALMSHOUSE is a great example of that,’’ said the Rev. Bob Kretzu, pastor at Hope Mills United Methodist. “It’s a nondenominational, cooperative mission, not only helping people with the flood but other people in need.’’

Even if there wasn’t a money-raising angle to the bazaar, Kretzu said, it’s still a great activity for the entire community.

This year’s bazaar is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will feature a variety of activities.

Events for children are scheduled from 8 a.m. until noon.

“The whole front of the church will be set up with games for the kids, (including) an 18-foot tall inflatable slide and a bouncy house,’’ Kretzu said.

There will be various games with prizes to be won, and children can get their photo taken with Santa Claus for $5.

There will also be a raffle with tickets going for $2 each or 10 for $10.

The top raffle prize is a $500 gift card from Walmart. Second prize is a $300 card from Lowe’s, while third prize is $100 in cash.

If you can’t attend the bazaar, you can drop by the church during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and purchase raffle tickets.

There will be 27 different vendors in the church’s family life center.

The items that will be available for sale include crafts, essential oils, clothes, barbecue sauce, jewelry and dolls.

A silent auction will also be held at the bazaar. Among items up for bid are a large stand fan, an iPad and a Nordic track.

A chicken dinner catered by Paradise Acres can be purchased for $8 per plate. The meal includes chicken, two sides and a drink. There will also be a bake sale.

Breakfast food prepared by the church volunteers will also be available during the morning hours of the bazaar.

For questions about the bazaar, contact the church at 910-425-0108.

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.

• Board of Commissioners and Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council Monday, Nov. 19: POSTPONED.

• Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, Nov. 20, 6 p.m., at Parks and Recreation Building.*

• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Monday, Nov. 26, 6 p.m., at Parks and Recreation Building.*

• Appearance Commission, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 6:30 p.m. at Parks and Recreation Building.*

Activities

• Hope Mills United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar Saturday, Nov. 17, 8 a.m.-noon.

• Community Thanksgiving service, Sunday, Nov. 18, at Highland Baptist Church, 6 p.m.

• Thanksgiving Thursday- Friday, Nov. 22-23: Town offices closed.

Promote yourself

Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

 The holiday season will come alive with the unmistakable sound of multi-Dove and Grammy Awardwinning recording artist David Phelps when he visits Fayetteville’s Village Baptist Church on Saturday, Dec. 1. WCLN-FM is proud to present this exciting Christmas concert event – one of just 15 stops on Phelps’ December “It Must Be Christmas 20th Anniversary Tour.” This special musical evening begins at 7 p.m.

Once a childhood musical prodigy from Tomball, Texas, Phelps earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Baylor University. Since then, he has become a nationally celebrated vocalist.

Perhaps best known as the powerful tenor for the multiple Grammy and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band, Phelps is constantly building on a career that has already been groundbreaking. Emerging as a leading voice in contemporary Christian music, Phelps has been winning the hearts of audiences all over the world for more than two decades.

He has performed at numerous prestigious venues across the globe, including the White House, New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. His electrifying voice has moved audiences from all walks of life, crossing generational and stylistic barriers.

Phelps has visited Fayetteville before as a soloist and as part of the Gaither Vocal Band, and he now returns for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of celebration.

Many of the songs that will be featured during the evening at Village Baptist are included on Phelps’ album “It Must Be Christmas,” which was released this fall. In addition to songs from this new Christmas album, the evening will also include exciting renditions of classics like “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “Sleigh Bells,” along with Phelps’ new classics like “Fall On Your Knees,” “Christmas Rush” and “Anthem of the Lord.”

Phelps performs each classic like it has never been performed before, leaving each listener saying, “It must be Christmas!”

Village Baptist Church is located at 906 S McPherson Church Rd. WCLN – 105.7 FM is treating listeners to Christmas songs from Phelps along with exclusive contests during November.

VIP, artist circle and general admission tickets are on sale now. There are discounts for groups of four or more. Complete ticket and tour information is available by visiting ticketbud.com or davidphelps.com.

Photo: David Phelps

 Expectations were high at E.E. Smith last year when Alex Scruggs transferred to the Seabrook Road school from Trinity Christian School to join the Golden Bull basketball team.

After taking Smith to the fourth round of last year’s North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A state playoffs and with the Wake Forest commit returning for her senior season, there’s no reason Smith coach Dee Hardy shouldn’t be even more optimistic about the 2018-19 season.

“She has such a lovely personality and blends in anywhere she goes,’’ Hardy said. “It was pretty smooth sailing.’’

Scruggs led Cumberland County Schools in scoring with 28.3 points per game last season. She was also among the rebounding leaders with 11.7 per game and tops in 3-point field goals with 55, almost 20 more than the second-place finisher.

“This season, my expectations have to be (for me) to be an overall better player than last year and make my teammates better,’’ Scruggs said.

Scruggs said she feels she needs to be tougher this year, especially driving to the basket and rebounding. “I think public school (basketball) is a lot more aggressive and fast-paced than private school,’’ she said.

Smith has added some new faces to the team this year. Kendall Maccauley transferred from Freedom Christian along with Daireanna McIntyre from Seventy-First. They join holdovers Keonna Bryant, Trinity Dixon and Kayla Parson.

“We’ll look to them for guidance and maturity,’’ Hardy said of the three Smith returnees.

As for competition from the rest of the Patriot Athletic Conference, Hardy expects Pine Forest to be a major threat with the addition of Northwood Temple transfers, cousins Ciara and Kendal Moore, who led Northwood to the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association 1-A basketball title last year.

“Terry Sanford has a lot returning and I look for them to be strong,’’ Hardy said. The Bulldogs are again led by versatile athlete Lindsay Bell.

Hardy expects a test from South View and veteran coach Brent Barker. “They always have something,’’ she said.

Smith begins the season with a difficult challenge, facing 3-A East Regional finalist Havelock on Nov. 24.

Photo: Alex Scruggs

 Senior leadership, togetherness and a commitment to zone defense helped carry Terry Sanford’s boys to a share of the Patriot Athletic Conference regular-season title with Overhills last year.

For a repeat to occur in 2018-19, head coach Darren Corbett is going to have to find some new faces as graduation hit his Bulldogs hard.

“We are leaning heavily on Yates Johnson,’’ Corbett said. “Yates is a rising junior who started every game last year but one.’’

Johnson was the Bulldogs’ third-leading scorer last year behind departed starters Gabe Hardison and Holt Walker, averaging 9.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and hitting 24 3-point goals.

A newcomer will be Northwood Temple transfer Jay Hickman, like Johnson a junior. He’ll join a couple of returnees from last season, Dante Bowlding and D.J. Herz.

Corbett said Hickman, a 6-foot-1-inch guard, has gotten interest from some Division I schools including East Carolina.

Corbett expects Johnson to score a few more points this season but won’t be calling on him to carry the entire load.

“He’s a big asset to us as far as his intensity level and work ethic he brings every day,’’ Corbett said.

Johnson said he’s worked on his 3-point shooting and finishing at the rim. “I need to be a leader like I was last year, just in a bigger role,’’ he said.

Corbett expects Westover and Overhills to provide major challenges again this season. “Pine Forest was really good last year and Cape Fear is good as well,’’ he said. “If we can establish ourselves early, we can be competitive.’’

Photo: Yates Johnson

 The second annual Hoops and Dreams Showcase is scheduled Nov. 23-24 at Methodist University’s March Riddle Center.

The event will feature top local and national high school basketball teams.

Tickets will only be sold on-site on a first-come, first-served basis.

Local teams taking part include Trinity Christian, Northwood Temple, Village Christian, Fayetteville Academy, New Life Christian, Freedom Christian and Cape Fear Christian.

Some of the out-of-area teams taking part include Word of God Christian from Raleigh, Charlotte Independence, Greensboro Smith, Morrisville Panther Creek, Greenfield School, Farmville Central and Asheville Christian.

Some of the top committed players scheduled to appear are Josh Nickelberry of Northwood to Louisville, Greg Gantt of Trinity Christian to Providence and Justin McKoy of Panther Creek to Penn State.

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

Player of the year: Lexy Cole, Jack Britt

Coach of the year: Leigh Ann Weaver, Jack Britt

Jack Britt: Caitlin Broome, Alyssa Bullard, Lauren Walker, Kaiah Parker, Ilena Hall

Pinecrest: L’asia Jackson, Liz Mann, Carley Modlin, Madi Ringley

Richmond Senior: Savannah Lampley, Carley Lambeth, Layne Maultsby

Lumberton: Alexandria Simpson, Rachel O’Neil, Katie Kinlaw

Scotland: Sarah Eury

Seventy-First: Morrigan Denman 

Purnell Swett: Khalie Jones, Nyasia Jackson Hoke County: Veronique Woodson

Photo: Lexy Cole

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

Player of the year: Lauren Adams, Cape Fear

Coach of the year: Jalesty Washington, Gray’s Creek

First team

Cape Fear: Techiera Matthews, Marlie Horne, Taylor Melvin

Gray’s Creek: Kylie Aldridge, Hailey Pait, Morgan Brady Terry Sanford: Kara Walker, Kate Perko

South View: Sierra Gosselin

E.E. Smith: Ja’Nya Lunnermon

Second team

Westover: Tia Johnson

Cape Fear: Alexis Spexarth. 

Terry Sanford: Ashley Bolton, Ally Danaher

South View: Mellody Bombatepe

Pine Forest: Chayse Daniels, Erin Debenport

Gray’s Creek: Savannah Mullis, Jaide Holliday Overhills: Monique Reid

Honorable mention

E.E. Smith: Alexandria Scruggs, Kayden Antonson, Antonia Powell, Kayla Parsons, Serenity Lunnermon

Pine Forest: Aliciav Hairston, Jalena Novak

Overhills: Alexis Lillard, Kirsten Kirschbaum

South View: Amaria McLaughlin, Casey Dees

Gray’s Creek: Summer Powell, Kelsie Rouse

Westover: Mya Johnson

Terry Sanford: Ashley Shannon

Photo: Lauren Adams

 Aaliyah Smith

Seventy-First • Junior •

Tennis

Smith has a grade point average of 3.0. In addition to tennis, she’s active in the Seventy-First Junior ROTC and forensics.

Adam Lindee

Gray’s Creek • Senior •

Cross country

Lindee has an unweighted grade point average of 3.54. In the recent Patriot Athletic Conference cross country championship meet at South View High School, Lindee placed tenth with a time of 18:04.30.

I was going to spend most of this part of the column talking about the various scenarios for who will qualify for the playoffs from the Sandhills and Patriot Athletic Conferences.

 

But all of that should sort itself out on the field with no need for any complicated tiebreaks, so I’m going to let the scores take care of answering those questions.

There’s a more important topic to discuss as the result of some ugly incidents that took place at football games elsewhere in the state in recent weeks.

 

I’m not going into detail but let’s just say it involved fights and in a couple of cases serious penalties handed down by the N.C. High School Athletic Association that ended the season for the schools involved.

 

As we approach this final weekend of the high school regular season, I send a warning to those schools that are still in the running for the postseason.

 

One moment of anger and frustration on your part can light the fuse to an explosion that will end your football season now.

The NCHSAA has stiff and severe penalties for being involved in a fight on the field of play, penalties that will land you on the bench and your team out of the playoffs.

 

Just remember this. If a fight breaks out, walk away. Do not engage. Cover yourself if need be but don’t swing back.

And if you are on the sideline, never, ever come out on the field when a fight starts. The NCHSAA considers coming on to the field during a fight a violation just as bad as if you were out there throwing punches.

 

Some of you are just inches away from competing for a state title. Don’t blow your shot with a fit of temper.

The record: 73-20

Talk about a dose of reality. I had a miserable 3-3 week to drop the record to 73-20. Bye bye 80 percent right as I dipped to 78.5 percent.

Let’s try to regroup and get back to 80 percent going into the postseason.

Cape Fear at Douglas Byrd - This isn’t automatic for Cape Fear, which needs a win to have a shot at a piece of second place in the Patriot Athletic Conference. Byrd exploded against Westover last week and Cape Fear needs to take the Eagles seriously.

Cape Fear 20, Douglas Byrd 14.

E.E. Smith at Westover - This is Smith’s last chance to avoid a winless season. I don’t think it’s going to happen.

Westover 28, E.E. Smith 14.

Terry Sanford at Gray’s Creek - This is a tough one to pick. There are reports of possible key injuries for Terry Sanford. Under normal circumstances, both teams have plenty of offense. But I think Gray’s Creek has a slight edge on defense. I’m going to give the Bears the advantage playing at home.

Gray’s Creek 24, Terry Sanford 23.

Jack Britt at Scotland - Britt could be looking at an emotional letdown after the big win against Seventy-First. Scotland needs a win to avoid a sub-.500 finish.

Scotland 28, Jack Britt 20.

Pine Forest at South View - It all comes down to this for the Patriot Athletic Conference championship. Pine Forest has far exceeded my expectations for the year and definitely deserves to be in this position. South View was most people’s pick to be here this week, and I see no reason to change my thinking as one of those who thought the Tigers would be playing for the title.

South View 29, Pine Forest 22.

Harrells Christian at Village Christian - These teams already met at Harrells on Sept. 7 with Village winning 43-6. I don’t expect this week’s game to be much different, as Village advances to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 11-man Division III championship game against either SouthLake Christian or Asheville School. Village would be the host team against either in the finals as it is the No. 1 seed in its bracket.

Village Christian 34, Harrells Christian 12.

Tatyana Sluss

Jack Britt • Senior •

Tennis

Sluss has a weighted grade point average of 4.41. She is a member of Health Occupations Students of America, Spanish Club and National Honor Society. She plans to major in biology and hopes to become a surgeon.

Komla Akogo

Seventy-First • Junior •

Soccer

Akogo has a 3.3 grade point average. He enjoys playing basketball and running track.

 Julian Barbaro and Hudson Zeisman weren’t just playing for Fayetteville Academy in a drive toward back-to-back North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2-A soccer championships.

They were playing for family and friends. When the Eagles defeated Gaston Day 3-1 to bring home this year’s NCISAA state title recently, their mission was complete.

This season, Barbaro and Zeisman shared a tradition of putting a piece of tape on each other’s wrists.

The day of the championship game, the band on Barbaro’s wrist contained references to three people: his sister Emmi; Zeisman’s mother, Missy; and the late Deacon Burgess of Terry Sanford.

Burgess was a former Bulldog football player who died from cancer. Zeisman’s mother has been recovering from a double aneurysm and attends Academy soccer games in a motorized wheelchair.

Emmi Barbaro was killed in a tragic accident six years ago.

Barbaro drew special inspiration from his sister, who always used to say anything is possible and never give up.

“That was pretty much the reason I remember her throughout the game,’’ Barbaro said. He had special reason to keep her words in mind as this season drew to a close. In Fayetteville Academy’s senior night game, Barboro tore the meniscus in his left knee and his status for the playoffs was seriously in doubt.

He skipped one game after the injury, then took the field for the Academy’s final three games, scoring two goals, including one in the championship game with Gaston Day.

“I took the risk,’’ he said, wearing a brace on his knee during the playoffs. He plans to have surgery on the knee sometime this month.

“I’m so happy for my senior season to end like this,’’ he said.

Zeisman also had his mother in mind when the Eagles beat Gaston Day. When the game ended, he wound up with the game ball in his hands. “The first thing that came to my mind was I was going to give it to my mom,’’ he said. “She’s been the one person who’s been there for me through thick and thin.’’

Zeisman also said he had no doubt Barbaro was going to battle through his injury in the playoffs. “He played through and scored the third goal (in the finals),’’ Zeisman said. “He’s a warrior.’’

The run to the state title may have been easier for Fayetteville Academy than winning its own conference. The Eagles were members of the Coastal Rivers Conference, a combination 3-A/2- A league. League rival Cape Fear Christian was the NCISAA 3-A champion, while league member Coastal Christian was the top seed in the 3-A state tournament and advanced to the semifinals before losing to 3-A runnerup Gaston Christian.

McCarthy felt the Eagles’ title was a combination of hard work, daily training and the high standards that have helped the school win 17 state soccer titles.

“We had nine great seniors that were involved in what we were trying to do,’’ McCarthy said. “They worked incredibly hard during the summer. It was an awesome group.’’

Obviously, with nine senior starters, the Eagles will take a huge graduation hit – but McCarthy is optimistic for next season. “We’ve got some good young players,’’ he said. “We’ll see if they keep developing. We’re excited.’’