During the Aug. 20 Board of Commissioners meeting, Hope Mills received a plaque from the City-County Joint Appearance Commission, which recognized the dam at the 10th Annual Community Appearance Awards.

On Sept. 10, Town Manager Melissa Adams will travel to Seattle, Washington, to accept a second award, the National Rehabilitation Project of the Year Award from the Annual Association of State Dams Safety Officials.

Mayor Warner was approached by a representative for ASDSO several years ago and was told the town and dam might be eligible for the award. Since then, she’s worked with Melissa Adams to complete the lengthy application process.

Warner announced the award during the board’s July 23 meeting and opened the floor to discussion. Commissioner Jerry Legge made a motion to send Melissa Adams before any conversation was held. When Commissioner Pat Edwards asked them to consider sending Mayor Warner, the room fell silent. Commissioner Jessie Bellflowers suggested sending a citizen from the Lake Advisory Committee, but that, too, was rejected. Eventually, Commissioner Meg Larson announced that she supported the idea of sending one person. The board voted 4-1 to send Adams alone, with Edwards being the only member who voted against the plan.

The July 23 meeting was contentious from the start.

The Lone Survivor Foundation and its request to purchase municipal property was discussed through- out this meeting. Nearly two dozen citizens spoke in favor of the project when Warner suspended the rules to allow public comments. Several members of the board were opposed to allowing public comments, presumably comments about LSF. Tempers flared through the three-and-a-half-hour meeting, and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Mitchell, Bellflowers, Larson and all had outbursts at some point.

Bellflowers implied the process of bringing the proposal to the board was done incorrectly, then shouted at the mayor and accused her of interrupting him while he was technically speaking out of turn. When Larson asked to respond to a citizen and Warner didn’t allow it, Larson became agitated and spoke anyway. Mitchell insulted Robert van Geons, the president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, when he asked if it was a conflict of interest for Teddy Warner, the mayor’s son and the director of business development for FDEDC, to be involved in partnering LSF with the town of Hope Mills. Mitchell also implied the LSF staff had colluded with Warner and her son to facilitate the sale.

There was a considerable amount of tension between the board members and the mayor by the time she broached the topic of the award. With the vote complete, Warner asked the board to give her permission to go and agreed to pay her own expenses. Mitchell, Larson, Legge and Bellflowers remained silent, heads down, refusing to make eye contact with Warner or the crowd. Edwards asked for a consensus, but the board refused to acknowledge even this small request.

On July 27, the Board of Directors of the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the town and the Board of Commissioners. They formally requested Jackie Warner be allowed to attend the award ceremony saying: “Mayor Warner has been working diligently and steadfast on the dam project for nearly four years and has played a vital role in acquiring the settlement to rebuild the damn and replenish the lake. Mayor Warner is the ambassador for the town of Hope Mills. It is only proper and fitting that she accompany Town Manager Adams in accepting this most prestigious and well-earned award.”

The Board of Commissioners have ignored the letter and refused to reply. Interestingly, there was a Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Sept. 10. At the Aug. 20 meeting, the board voted to cancel it since Adams would be in Seattle and couldn’t attend. There is nothing preventing Warner from attending the ceremony in Seattle, but she’s chosen to not attend, citing a need to honor the wishes of the board members.

Photos L to R: Jerry Legge, Jessie Bellflowers, Meg Larson, Mike Mitchell, Pat Edwards, Mayor Jackie Warner, Town Manager Melissa Adams

Dwight Smith, project director at Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery, had a specific reason to include a national abstract competition in the gallery’s 2018 exhibition year. Smith and Executive Director Calvin Mims both wanted to respond to a frequent question in the community: If representational artists paint in a way that depicts what is clearly identifiable, then what are abstract artists doing?

Two hundred fifty artists across the country answered the complex question by participating in an exhibition titled “Immersed in Abstraction: A National Juried Competition.” Of the 250 artists who entered the competition, 25 were selected to send original works for the gallery show at Ellington-White, and fifty-six artists are being represented in an online exhibition.

Artist Randy Akens was the final juror of a two-tiered jurying process. From Savannah, Georgia, Akens jurors’ statement is short: “The artists in ‘Immersed in Abstraction’ all provide quality of expression and reflect significant points of view nationwide.”

I think it’s important to expound on some central points about abstraction for anyone who would like to broaden their understanding about the abstract style.

The range of styles in “Immersed in Abstraction” confirms why there are countless texts published that examine the ideas or intent of abstract art. Of the many relevant approaches, I selected several significant and foundational modern/contemporary statements about the style – explanations that could alter one’s perception about a non-representational style when visiting any gallery.

As long ago as 1943, Ad Reinhardt’s statement about abstract works created clarity for many when he stated, “It is more difficult to write or talk about abstract art than any other painting because the content is not in a subject matter or story, but in the actual painting activity.”

The above statement is illustrated in all of the paintings in “Immersed in Abstraction.” For example, when looking at the brushy painted marks of Jean Banas’ “Misplaced Memories,” we know there are two figures in the picture plane – yet the act of painting becomes more important than the subject. The artist’s painting method becomes integral to the meaning of the work itself and the viewer’s interpretation.

Another important and well-known statement about abstract works was made by Douglas Huebler in 1968. Huebler, defending his position against being a representational artist, said, “The world is full of objects, more or less interesting; I do not wish to add any more. I prefer instead to simply state the existence of things in terms of time and/or place.” Huebler is not referencing the physical “objecthood” of an art object but is challenging the idea of why to reproduce or reference an illusion of an object or objects in a work of art.

When considering Huebler’s stance, I immediately think of the Hawaii-based artist Tara Cronin, whose work was accepted into the physical exhibition of “Immersed in Abstraction.” Hoping to “promote the idea of science and art as being symbiotic,” Cronin’s work is a pigment print with chlorophyll, pen, pencil and blood. Titled “Daybreak Archival,” something hair-like seems to float amidst a seemingly unknown language. The image conjures something that feels ancient with the universally personal.

When thinking about Cronin’s work, it’s easy to reflect back to Reinhardt’s statement about the importance of the actual activity of the making.

Cronin, an accomplished artist and someone who holds several co-patents with her partner, scientist Ed Chen, explores “the interface between the material and the individual by making photographically- based work involving images or prints combined with materials such as reconstituted hemoglobin and chlorophyllin as well as with dust and with liquid metals.” In lieu of practicing chiaroscuro to create the illusion of a three-dimensional object on a flat surface, Cronin shares her investigation of the expressive quality of materials.

Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery is pleased with the response of artists and the variety of mediums and styles in the exhibit. Ranging from professional and collectable works of art to works by emerging artists, the exhibit includes a range of media – monoprints, intaglio prints, paintings, mixed media, photographs and computer graphics. From the figurative to non-objective, visitors to the gallery will see painterly expressionism as well as hard-edged minimalism, social commentary and personal investigative approaches to art-making, science and politics.

The politics of M. Wilk’s mixed media work titled “Control Series: Regulation” investigates today’s culture. By combining a mix of stenciled flat people shapes floating above collaged papers, the painterly mark-making exudes an industrial essence. The artist described the “Control Series” as “a dialogue regarding our society and culture in today’s age. The works touch on surveillance regarding the digital landscape we live in, the Elite, consumerism and money.”

Here is one last statement about the possibilities of abstract art before this article comes to an end. In 2010, Bob Nickas, in his book titled “Painting Abstraction: New Elements in Abstract Painting,” said, “Maybe abstract painting has become a form of imaginative fiction. Here, the painter of abstract life reflects on the world without submission to its direct rendering and counters every other representation... the painter of abstract life slows down perception... Abstract painting can be its own subject, its own world, one that reveals itself slowly over time and may not look exactly the same to us from one day to the next.”

And so it is with all of the works in the exhibit. Visitors will need to attend the exhibit several times to see how the works can change from one day to another.

All of the above are reasons to visit “Immersed in Abstraction: A National Juried Competition.” Thinking about new ways of seeing can influence one’s appreciation of works of art in stimulating ways and can even alter one’s own creative approach.

The show will remain up until Sept. 22. Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery is located at 113 Gillespie St. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. View the online exhibition at www.ellington-white.com. For information on the exhibit or on a Sept. 18 Abstract Monoprint Workshop, call 910-483-1388.

To hear that Terry Sanford is the favorite to win this year’s Patriot Athletic Conference girls tennis title is no surprise.

But league teams may be a little more concerned when they hear head coach Mandy McMillan’s assessment of her 2018 squad.

“These girls came back and shocked me this year when we did challenge matches,’’ she said. “My whole team is strong. I don’t have a weak link. I’d put them up against anybody in the conference.’’

The Bulldogs will be led at first court by Ritika Shamdasani, who said she thrives on the support of McMillan and her teammates during matches and practices.

On the court, Shamdasani said, she tries to focus on playing her game and not get caught up in trying to emulate moves that her opponents are using. “You have to stay true to your game and how you play,’’ Shamdasani said. “That’s usually what wins matches.’’

Shamdasani said the strength of her game is serving. She’s been consistent and powerful in this area.

McMillan thinks if there is a conference team that could give Terry Sanford a run for its money, it’s Cape Fear, led by No. 1 singles player Chloe Arnette. Arnette already beat Shamdasani in their first match this season, 6-3, 6-3. “Chloe is a tough competitor,’’ McMillan said of Arnette. “That was a win well deserved.’’

Cape Fear finished second to Terry Sanford a year ago, losing only to the Bulldogs in conference play.

“This year, our goal is to be as competitive as possible with Terry Sanford,’’ Colt coach Chris Lucas said.

Arnette, who first took up tennis as something to
keep her in shape for basketball, is now looking to
tennis as the sport she’d like to play in college.

“I feel my strength is my athleticism,’’ she said. “And I’m a really strong competitor. I analyze what I need to do better to win the next point.’’

But, she said, her main focus is having fun. “You have to have fun. It’s the key to playing.’’

Arnette has advanced to North Carolina High School Athletic Association regional play in doubles all three of her years at Cape Fear. She’s
undecided this year if she’d like to make a final try at a doubles title or pursue the chance to play for a singles championship.

She said she’ll decide which way she plays based on if she’s doing better in singles or doubles when the time comes to make the decision.

Photos L to R: Mandy McMillan, Ritika Shamdasani

Has it been a while since you thought about our old pal, Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, the superstar of Sumeria? Gilgamesh holds title as the subject of the oldest written story – one about a Babylonian superhero. Let’s take a walk down memory lane to see why people still remember Gilgamesh after more than 4,000 years.

Gil, as his friends called him, was fortunate enough to have at least five epic poems written about him on clay tablets that survived thousands of years. In the 1870s, someone was smart enough to translate Gil’s story. This translation caused a ruckus, as there are several similarities between Gil’s story and Old Testament stories, including a Great Flood, which upset certain theologians.

So, where to begin? Gil was not only King of Uruk, he was also 66 percent god, 33 percent man and 25 percent Dacron. Like Shaft himself, Gil was one bad “shut your mouth.”

Gil built cities and ziggurat pyramids and had his way with the ladies whenever he was so inclined. He was one of the first #MeToo offenders. He was so bad he wouldn’t even wash his hands before eating. His subjects wailed piteously to the Sumerian gods for relief from Gil’s bad behavior.

To calm Gil down, the gods made a wild man named Enkidu to act as a counter-weight to Gil. Like Tarzan, Enkidu grew up with wild animals. He was just as strong as Gil. Enkidu got word of what a bad dude Gil was and decided to confront him. When Enkidu arrived at Gil’s palace, Gil was just about to have his way with a bride on her wedding night. Enkidu assumed the role of special counsel to stop Gil’s de- praved behavior. Enkidu stood in the doorway and told Gil that he shall not pass. Gil, unused to being told what to do, was not amused. An epic rassling match took place between Gil and Enkidu, which ultimately Gil won.

As in all classic male bonding stories and cop buddy movies, after their rough start, Gil and Enkidu become fast friends. They decide to go have adventures together. They go to a forest guarded by a demon to cut down some magic trees. They kill the demon and take his trees to make a raft to float back home. On arriving home, the goddess Ishtar falls in love with Gil. Gil is more interested in Enkidu than Ishtar. He ignores her, and she becomes a woman- goddess scorned. Ishtar gets her daddy, Anu the god of the sky, to send the bull of heaven to smite Gil. Gil and Enkidu take on the bull of the sky. After a huge battle, the bull of heaven becomes a barbecue lunch for the boys. This aggravates the gods to no end. They decide the boys must be punished. Celestial cooties are unleashed to infect Enkidu. He dies after a long and gooey illness.

Gil is emotionally crushed by Enkidu’s death. The clay tablet about Enkidu’s death says Gil did not want to bury his friend but sat Shiva beside Enkidu’s body for seven days. This foreshadowed the scene in “Gone with the Wind” where Rhett Butler refused to allow Bonnie Blue Butler to be buried until Mammy finally convinced him. Gil is reported to say, “Enkidu, my friend/ For six days and seven nights I wept over him/ I did not allow him to be buried/ Until a worm fell out of his nose.” That is true devotion on a level of Damon and Pythias or Heckle and Jekyll.

Gil is so stressed out he stops being king and puts on animal skins. He goes on a quest to mourn Enkidu and to try to learn how to live forever. Gil ends up meeting a megadude named Utnapishtim who tells him how the gods had sent a great flood to drown all mankind except for Utna, who built a big boat to save his family and all the animals of Earth. Utna gets to live forever but tells Gil that man can never become immortal. Gil is a bit of a whiner and pleads for eternal life.

Utna tells Gil if he can stay awake for a whole week, he can have eternal life. Gil immediately overindulges in Sumerian Thanksgiving turkey. Full of tryptophan, Gil falls asleep and loses his chance for immortality. When Gil wakes up, Utna tells him to go home. Utna’s wife, who had a hankering for Gil, tells Gil about a secret plant that will give Gil eternal life. Gil gets the plant and is ready to head for home with the key to eternal life. Unfortunately, Gil runs into a talking snake who steals the plant from him. The snake eats the plant, sheds its skin and becomes young again. Gil remains mortal and will cross the Great Divide.

So, what have we learned today? Don’t trust talking snakes. If a worm falls out of your dead friend’s nose, it’s time to call the undertaker. If it looks like it’s going to rain for a long time, build an ark. If you are enough of a Sumerian superhero, people will still be reading about you more than 4,000 years after you are dead. And now you know the rest of the story.

Bring on fall! It’s time for back to school, cooler weather and the Cumberland County Fair. This 10-day celebration of food, fun and entertainment marks the end of summer and the start of autumn festivities in the community. Running Aug. 31 through Sept. 9, the fair fills the Crown Complex with an amazing midway with games, rides and food. There is also music to look forward to, but the fair is also so much more than entertainment.

The fair celebrates the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County. Local arts and crafts and livestock shows and contests also have a big place in the fair’s footprint. The event is a safe setting for fun, healthy family fun. Its shows and contests provide an inviting environment of friendly competition for all ages.

For the third year in a row, the fair is partnering with Big Rock Amusements. “We’re proud to be working again with Big Rock (Amusements), which is, bar none, the best in fair entertainment there is,”said Cumberland County Fair Manager Hubert Bullard. “We want the latest and the greatest for our fair, and that’s why we continue to work with (them).”

Midway games, rides, food and exhibits are a given every day from open to close, but there are also special activities and events that run throughout the fair. There are two main attractions this year as well – the World of Wonders Show and Great Lakes Timber Show, both with multiple showings throughout the week. There are also themed nights, offering discounts and special events.

Friday, Aug. 31

The gates open at 5 p.m., and admission is free all evening – although it does cost to ride the rides. Ride wristbands are available for $25. Fun repeat events that have multiple times almost every day of the fair include: the petting farm, which is sponsored by Lumbee River EMC; The Great American Timber Show; The World of Wonders Show; Escape Explosion Show; and the Up & Coming Weekly entertainment stage. Reflections II will perform on the entertainment stage from 7-10 p.m. Opening night only, enjoy the Q98 Scavenger Hunt. The Junior Laying Hen Show will be in the Crown Expo Center, section C.

Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2

Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $7. Anyone who partcipated in the August Kidsville News coloring contest can bring their artwork for $2 off admission. Ride wristbands are $25. Enjoy musicians Open Road from 2-5:30 p.m. and Joyner, Young & Marie from 6:30-10 p.m. on the entertainment stage on Saturday in addition to all the repeat events on both days. Sunday is Staycation Student Day. Bring your student ID and get $4 off admission. There will be a 10:15 a.m. church service at the fairgrounds Sunday as well. The day’s stage entertainment is Truly Blessed; Glad Trio; Born Again Band; and Accepted Band. Old School 107.7 JAMZ will host a Favorite Food Fair contest Sunday, too.

Monday, Sept. 3

On Labor Day, enjoy the $10 Pay One Price Special from the time the gates open at 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The Pay One Price Special includes free, unlimited carnival rides once you’ve paid for admission, unlike previous days of the fair.

Apply the same deal but for $15 after 5 p.m. In addition to the repeat events, Q98 will be at the fair from 4-7 p.m. Vantage will perform on the Up & Coming Weekly stage from 7-10 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 4

Admission is again Pay One Price, with $15 allowing for unlimited rides. Don’t miss the Junior Market Lamb Show in the Expo Center, section C, in addition to the repeat events. Black Velvet will perform on the entertainment stage from 7-10 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 5

Pay One Price for $15 on one of the fair’s busiest days. In addition to the repeat events, FOXY 99 will be at the fair. Agricultural events include the Little “Ewe” Jump Start Livestock Clinic; Swine, Feeder Calf and Steer Show; and Fayetteville Area Youth Livestock Auction Sale, which is sponsored by Cumberland County Farm Bureau and Cumberland County Livestock Association. The Expressions will perform from 7-10 p.m. on the entertainment stage.

Thursday, Sept. 6
Don’t miss the Senior Expo, which kicks off at 1 p.m. and grants free admission to those 50 and older until 5 p.m. Don Chase from WKML 95.7 radio will be the master of ceremonies. The schedule of events is:

• 1:30 p.m. Warren Coleman
• 2 p.m. Ms. Ortiz’s Line Dancers
• 2:30 p.m. Hope Mills Senior Line Dancers
• 3 p.m. 82nd All-American Airborne Chorus

For guests under 50, the $15 admission fee includes all rides and repeat events. The Junior Meat Goat Show is also scheduled for Sept. 6, as well as Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling. The entertainment stage will feature Dark Horse Duo.

Friday, Sept. 7

Gates open at 5 p.m. Admission costs $7. Unlimited ride wristbands are available for $25. Military members and emergency services personnel, to include law enforcement, firefighters and EMS/rescue, get in free if they are in uniform or with ID. WKML will make an appearance. The Junior Beef Heifer Show, sponsored by Cumberland County Farm Bureau, will be in the Expo, section C. Eastline Band will perform on the entertainment stage.

Saturday, Sept. 8

Gates open at 1 p.m. Admission is $7. Unlimited ride wristbands are $25. Bob 96.5 FM will be at the fair, and Guy Unger Band and Rivermist will perform on the entertainment stage.

Sunday, Sept. 9

Attend church services at 10:15 a.m. at the fair- grounds. After that, it’s Faith and Family Day at the fair. Bring a church bulletin (one per person) and get $2 off admission from 1-3 p.m. Don’t miss your last chance to check out the petting farm, Great Lakes Timber Show, World of Wonders, Escape Explosions, and Up & Coming Weekly Entertainment Stage, featuring Destiny Now Praise Band, CPAC Band and Travelin’ Lite Band.

The Crown Complex is located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Learn more at www.cumberlandcountyfair.org.

Meetings
For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. Most meetings take place at Town Hall or the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation center.

• Labor Day Holiday Monday, Sept. 3. Town Hall will be closed.
• CANCELLED: Board of Commissioners Monday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m.
• Lake Advisory Committee Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.

Activities
• Registration underway for the next Hope Mills Citizens Academy, which is designed to help citizens gain insight into how local government works and promote open lines of communication. The next Citizens Academy sessions begin Thursday, Sept. 6. Register online at www.townofhopemills.com. For further information, call Jane Starling at 910-424-4902 or email jstarling@townofhopemills.com.

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

• Hope Meals Food Truck Rodeo Thursday, Sept. 6, at the parking lot between Town Hall and Parks & Rec Center. 5 p.m.

• Registration open for the 4th Annual Miss Hope Mills Cotton Pageant Applications are now being accepted at Hope Mills Parks & Recreation. Registration Deadline is Friday, Sept. 14. The pageant is for ages are 3 - 22 years old. Visit www.townofhopemills.com/375/Miss-Hope-Mills-Cotton-Pageant and see applications for rules and important information for contestants. The pageant takes place Oct. 5 for ages 3-9 and Oct. 6 for ages 10-22.

• Ole Mills Days 2018 Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more details and vendor information, contact Parks and Recreation Director Kenny Bullock: 910-426-4107 or kwbullock@townofhopemills.com.

Promote yourself: Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

The Gray’s Creek boys soccer team is coming off a 21-win season and a trip to the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs.

Coach Bryan Pagan said the Bears lost a lot of experience from last season’s team, but they return a lot of the offense from that squad, which bolsters his hopes of having another strong run in 2018.

“I thought depth was going to be an issue, but we had a couple of transfers come in and (moved) some guys up from the jayvees,’’ he said.

 Last year’s team was built around strength and athleticism. This year, Pagan feels his squad’s soccer IQ is higher and its decision-making ability is improved. “Last year, we were able to overpower teams,’’ he said. “This year, we will continue to press teams and make them make mistakes.’’

The defense will be rebuilt with a new goalkeeper and a new back line. “The more comfortable they get receiving the ball, the better they’ll get,’’ Pagan said. “We’re only scratching the surface.’’

Among the top players returning for the Bears is sophomore C.J. Eley.

Eley scored 14 goals and handed out five assists. He said he feels more comfortable with experience this season. Joining the team as a freshman last season and being thrust into new surroundings was a challenge.

He’s focused more on the mental aspect of finishing possessions of the ball. “Last year our chemistry was good and we got along,’’ Eley said. “We’re going to have to be on the same page like we were last year.”

Pine Forest was the top 4-A team in the Patriot Conference last year and finished second in the regular season to the Bears.

Coach Isaac Rancour hopes the

Trojans can again compete for the con-
ference title and make the state playoffs.

“I’m excited to see how much our team grows from beginning to end,’’ he said. “We’re getting all the pieces in place. Finding a way to put the ball in the back of the net is one of the big things.’’

Connor Sykes is returning for his fourth year and will anchor the Trojan defense. “I expect him to organize the field,’’ Rancour said. “He’s done a great job in preseason with leadership roles. I except him to continue... leading on and off the field.’’

Sykes said the Trojans have set a goal of not only making the state playoffs but ending the frustration of consistently losing in the first round.

He’s not worried about any personal glory. “Personal recognition is great, but I’d rather have a conference championship as a team,’’ he said. “Being part of this team is the only goal I’ve set for myself.’’

Photos L to R: Coach Bryan Pagan, C.J. Eley

South View High School’s 19th edition of the Jungle Run cross country meet is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 1, starting at 6:15 p.m.

The event will feature its traditional six races for its special night run around the South View High School campus and vicinity, with the finish line on the track around Randy Ledford Stadium.

The developmental races for boys and girls are at 6:15 p.m. and 6:55 p.m., respectively. The invitational races for smaller schools and B teams from larger schools will be at 7:40 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

The championship races for larger schools and more competitive smaller schools are set for 9 p.m. and 9:40 p.m.

South View cross country coach Jesse Autry said Chapel Hill is the favorite in both the girls and boys races, having swept the last two Jungle Run competitions.

Other outside teams that should fare well include the boys from Durham Jordan and Winston-Salem Reynolds, along with Wilmington Hoggard.

Local and area teams that should contend for top finishes include South View, Jack Britt, Cape Fear, Pinecrest and Union Pines.

Photo: Jesse Autry

The 2018 Campaign of Honor, spearheaded by District 19 Republican Sen. Wesley Meredith, continues into its second week recognizing and honoring all Cumberland County first responders. During the campaign, which began Aug. 13, Meredith and colleagues are conducting on-site visits to personally thank and recognize the work and dedication of all local first responders. The visitors also gain more insight into the operations and challenges of these organizations.

Meredith said, “We not only want to showcase these departments, but we want to involve the community in honoring these first responders for the work they do everyday, maintaining the safety, health and well-being of our residents and their loved ones.”

This week, they visited the Cumberland County Emergency Medical Services Base Facility. While touring the facility, Meredith spoke with various personnel there who specialize in training for the Urban Search and Rescue Team. He also participated in an up-close-and-personal training experience.

Heading up the training was Cumberland County EMS Medical Director Matthew Wells, M.D. Wells is on staff at Cape Fear Valley Hospital. After the tour, Meredith said, “It is pretty obvious that EMS first responders are much more than people who drive an ambulance.”

The 2018 Campaign of Honor will continue with visits to the Fayetteville City Police Department, the Cumberland CountySheriff’s Department and the city/county fire departments.

The message from this campaign is clear: We appreciate these organizations and these exceptional individuals and want to acknowledge them wherever and whenever possible. They are professional, specialized and highly trained individuals dedicated to saving lives and protecting our citizens.

Meredith encouraged everyone to share their praises of these organizations on Facebook and on all social media platforms. “Personal words of encouragement are always appreciated,” he said.

Meredith is looking forward to continuing the Campaign of Honor, which will culminate in a Sept. 11 remembrance and recognition event sponsored by local businesses and organizations at The TapHouse at Huske Hardware, located at 411 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville, from 5:30-7 p.m.

There was a time when Branch Banking & Trust Company was the dominant financial institution in Cumberland County with 10 branches. On Nov. 16, BB&T will close its Bragg Boulevard branch, reducing its local financial center count to six in a very competitive industry. There are more than 20 separate banks and credit unions in Cumberland County now, most with several branches.

“After careful consideration, we will be closing the Bragg Boulevard financial center... consolidating it with the Fayetteville main financial center at 3817 Morganton Rd.,” said Dorothy Woodard, BB&T regional banking manager.

In September of 2017, BB&T Corp., headquartered in Winston-Salem, announced plans to close 140 branches. The bank updated its branch-closing plans later last year as part of a presentation by Kelly King, BB&T chairman and chief executive officer.

“For the last 10, 15 years, we’ve been kind of handicapped, because we’ve been having to deal (with) the digital system, while at the same time we’ve been having to carry along the traditional brick-and-mortar system without much opportunity to rationalize the cost,” King said. “That is changing very quickly now.”

King’s presentation listed 2,188 branches companywide as of June 30, 2017, including 351 in North Carolina, 344 in Virginia and 318 in Florida. King said many of the branches being targeted for closure have other branches close by, which he believes will limit potential customer runoff.

The BB&T branches nearest the Bragg Boulevard location are on Rowan Street downtown and Morganton Road at Westwood Shopping Center. There is a First Citizens Bank branch next door to the office BB&T is closing.

King said that BB&T is trying to balance “a steady decline in branch activity” with the fact that most of its client base “still value the branches.”

BB&T has been serving Fayetteville and Cumberland County for over 44 years. It also has branch offices in Hope Mills and Eastover. In August of 1994, BB&T and Southern National Bank announced a “merger of equals.” The merged bank would be called BB&T. The Bragg Boulevard office being closed in November was originally a branch of SNB.

With mobile phones now able to provide virtually all the services of a branch at a fraction of the cost, banks have cut their expenses massively by shutting physical locations and moving customers to apps and automatic teller machines, relieving some of the pressure of low interest rates, new competition and reduced loan growth. A new Bain & Co. study shows most customers who want to do mobile banking are already doing so. Many customers who rely on branches now often use the closing of one as an opportunity to switch banks, Bain found.

BB&T’s strategies must be working. King shared impressive numbers with stockholders in a July conference call: “We had record earnings, record returns, strong revenue, very good expense control, great asset quality and improved loan growth. Net income was record $775 million or up 22 percent versus second 2017. Diluted EPS was $0.99, up 28 percent. Adjusted diluted EPS was a record $1.01, which was up 29 percent.”

Our community is grateful today to receive a two-year state grant of nearly $1,000,000 to fund 13 additional school resource officers in Cumberland County schools.

However, I believe we must acknowledge that school resource officers are an essential infrastructure investment to keep our children safe, and all campuses must be included. Public safety is a primary responsibility of government – something that citizens cannot reasonably be expected to provide for themselves, so government must.

As a candidate for the North Carolina Legislature, I was asked a few days ago to identify my top two priorities for action in the General Assembly. I responded, “1. Funding at least one school resource officer for each public-school campus.”

For many years I have advocated for infrastructure – including personnel needed to keep our community safe – county jail expansion, additional police officers, and a more effective court system. These are all important, and community leaders have stepped up to provide the resources for these initiatives –but we now know there are more challenges.

Recurring funding for the additional officers needed here, and across the state, is not something that can be left to strained local communities and school boards. It is imperative that our legislature step up to provide permanent funding for school resource officers that will allow us to maintain at least one fulltime officer at every school.

Cumberland County has 87 public school campuses, with 43 school resource officers currently in place. Adding 13 more resource officers over the next two years will leave 31 schools without an armed law enforcement officer on campus now, and unless we identify permanent funding, elementary school students will go unprotected.

This is an expensive proposal. More than $100 million a year – but an essential infrastructure need, just as we fund other support personnel in our schools.

My commitment to public safety has never been stronger – nor the need greater. If elected to represent the citizens of NC House District 44, I commit to making school resource officers, and school safety my top priority. I call on other candidates and members of our legislative delegation to do the same.

We are a nation beset by “isms” – racism, ageism, extreme nationalism, provincialism and, certainly, sexism.

While we might suspect and even recognize the painful damage isms inflict on the victims of our various prejudices, real data are hard to
come by. That makes results of economic research released earlier this month more eye-popping, showing real impacts sexism has on women from the cradle to the grave. It is not a pretty picture and is uglier in some places than in others.

Anecdotal evidence of the impact of sexism abounds. Think about the stories that emerged and are continuing to emerge from the #MeToo
movement. Think about the women who report suggestions they have made at work that are ignored until a man makes the same suggestion, and everyone proclaims it a great idea. Think about the woman in the workplace who was asked, “Is there a man I can talk to?” or the attorney
arguing her client’s case with an opposing attorney who interrupted her with, “I think you need to take a Midol and call me back when you feel better.” There’s the women who were waiting to meet with their company’s CEO, who walked in and asked, “Where are all the guys?” These are all incidents reported last year in The New York Times.

Now comes research from economists at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University and the National University of Singapore, which finds that where an American woman is born matters and has real and lasting impacts on how much she works and earns as an adult. In other words, her life and income are affected by the degree of sexism in the state in which she was born.

The research used data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the General Social Survey, a biennial national survey looking at Americans’ beliefs on a wide spectrum of subjects and issues. It shows what we all know – that there is a gender gap between men and women when it comes to income. It also shows something we did not know – that the gap is greater when the women come from highly sexist states.

What are those highly sexist states? Alabama, West Virginia, Utah, Alabama and Tennessee are in the top tier of sexism. North Carolina and most other Southern states fall into the second tier of sexist states.

States with low levels of sexism include Alaska, Connecticut, Wyoming and Vermont.

What is particularly troubling about the research findings is that it does not seem to matter whether the woman moves away from her sexist state to a less sexist place. Income inequality in the workplace follows her wherever she goes throughout her life. A woman born in a highly sexist state is more likely to have a child earlier in life and to leave the workplace than a woman born in a less sexist state, decisions that have a lasting impact on her earnings. Researchers say women appear to internalize the social norms of the places where they grew up, including beliefs about the roles of women in both home and workplace, the appropriate time to have children and the value of women’s work in all aspects of life.

Interestingly, sexism does not follow the same state lines as our partisan political red-blue divides. Wyoming and Alaska, among our least sexist states, reliably vote Republican, and several reliably Democratic states, including Illinois and New York, show up in the middle when it comes to sexism.

No one escapes prejudices, either as a bearer of them or as a victim of them. All we can do is be aware of them and do our best not to pass them along.

“This may be the last time we get together like this.”

We hoped he was wrong. But my classmates and I knew that Charles Holland, the organizer of North Mecklenburg High School Class of 1958’s 60th reunion, might be right.

Time is closing in on us.

But what a time we have had. We have lived through historic times.

Most of us were born in 1940, about 78 years ago. If you went back 78 years before 1940, you would be in 1863.

So my classmates have had the privilege of living through more than one-half of post-Civil War American history.

It has been quite an era: The final stages of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Hitler, the Holocaust, Hiroshima, Korea, nuclear confrontation with the Soviet Union, Ike, Brown v. Board of Education, Sputnik, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr., Richard Nixon, Watergate, man on the moon, Vietnam, civil rights, women’s rights, sexual revolution, miracle medicine, drugs, Ronald Reagan, two Bushes, Clintons, gay rights, computers, Berlin Wall falls, Middle East terrorism, Twin Towers, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Obama, the rise of China, iPhones, Facebook, Twitter and a president who tweets. We could not mention the president’s name at the reunion because politics was a forbidden topic.

Closer to where we grew up in northern Mecklenburg County, the nearby textile and furniture mills that employed some of our parents are gone. Our families shopped at stores owned by Mr. W.T. Harris and Mr. Willis Teeter before they joined forces. Now, Harris-Teeter has been sold to Kroger. The local Lance cracker factory most of us visited as students recently became Snyder-Lance, which earlier this year sold itself to Campbell Soups.

The neighborly power company and one of our local banks have become giant conglomerates, Duke Energy and Bank of America.

Our nearby big town, Charlotte, and the welcoming places we loved to visit are gone. In their place is a bustling worldclass city with professional sports teams, direct international flights and hundreds of thousands of new neighbors who jam the highways every time we come back to visit.

That growth transformed the lazy banks of the Catawba River, where we swam and sunbathed, into Lake Norman. It turned the small farms and dairies, where some of us grew up or worked in the summer, into a university campus, residential and commercial developments and country clubs.

In 1958, North High, with about 600 students, serviced the small communities of Derita, Long Creek, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mallard Creek. Today’s North High has about 3,000 students. Not counting private, charter and religious sponsored schools, it takes four additional public high schools to serve this area: Hopewell, Mallard Creek, Zebulon B. Vance and a high school named after the Class of 1958’s North High principal, William A. Hough.

At the reunion, there was an elephant in the room.

Charles Holland brought it up gently. “I thought we would sing our old fight song.” He then reminded us how it went. “Rah, rah, those Rebels.”

In 1958, notwithstanding Brown v. Board, North was an all-white school, totally segregated like most other schools in our region. In addition to the Rebel nickname, our fans waved Rebel flags.

When black students enrolled at North, things changed quickly. The Rebels became the Vikings. The Rebel flag disappeared.

Is the 60th our last? I bet not.

Although in 1940 the projected average lifespan for someone born that year was 63 years, it has gotten better. Today, people our age are projected to live an average of about 10 additional years. That is plenty of time for lots more good living. It gives me hope that more than a few of us will be back for our 70th reunion.

This week, Publisher Bill Bowman yields this space to Don Talbot, a citizen who shares his thoughts on the City-County Li- aison Committee meeting. The meeting took place Wednesday, Aug. 15.

There was discussion at the City-County Liaison Committee meeting regarding the food and beverage tax of 1 cent. Mayor Colvin recommends increasing it by a quarter of a cent, which I think is quite laudable. As far as the North Carolina Legislature is concerned, if you do not request it, nothing will ever become of it. Great idea, Mayor Colvin. This tax to increase revenue is across all people who purchase food and beverages and is more than equitable.

Increasing the ad valorem tax that Larry Lancaster suggests – which only extracts money from people who own property– might be easier, but it is not fair. General fund revenues should come from all citizens who come and go within our cities and county. Sales taxes are a better way to go, and they are more palatable.

If the county really wants to save money, then take away the patrol and detective officers from the sheriff’s office and have the Fayetteville Police Department go to a metro police force. Other police departments in Cumberland County should also be folded into this metro force. The sheriff’s office duties could be limited only to court and detention center requirements. Centralizing police activities would make for a more efficient force.

About Shaw Heights and a proposal to realign Shaw Road, it sure would be nice if officials were more transparent about what might be happening. Those property owners in that area have a right to know what might – or will – be happening to them.

I do believe that if the commissioners and city council lived in that doughnut hole, they, too, would be upset at what has not transpired since the Big Bang.

North Carolina will celebrate the birthday of Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette in Fayetteville Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7-8. Fayetteville was the first city in the nation named for the famous Frenchman when the State Assembly combined the towns of Cross Creek and Campbellton in 1783. It is the only namesake city Lafayette visited, even though there are scores of cities named for him.

Festivities begin Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. with “Arias and Artifacts” in Davis Memorial Library at Methodist University. Some of the university’s collection of unique LaFayette artifacts include ceramic pitchers and bowls, medallions and other items manufactured to commemorate the hero’s celebrated visit to America in 1824-1825. Curator Arleen Fields will unveil one of the newest acquisitions, an original letter written by Lafayette.

“One of my favorites from this collection is a drawer pull that was painted with Lafayette’s picture on it,” said Dr. Hank Parfitt, Lafayette Society president. “The artifacts in this collection were manufactured and sold around when Lafayette visited Fayetteville, so people could buy them and have a keepsake to remember when they saw Lafayette – like how we buy T-shirts at a Rock concert.”

The Arias segment of the evening – an hourlong concert featuring vocal and instrumental music by French composers – begins at 7 p.m. in the Hensdale Chapel next door to the library. “This event has become quite popular,” said Parfitt. “It includes a wide variety of music and includes many talented musicians.”

Tickets for the concert are $10 at the door, but reservations are recommended. Advance tickets can be purchased at City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville or by calling 910-678-8899.

Saturday, the Museum of the Cape Fear celebrates Lafayette’s birthday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Festival of Yesteryear, a day of living history with re-enactors, period crafts and interactive events for the whole family. Children will enjoy coloring and other fun activities at “Camp Lafayette,” where at 1 p.m. there will be free birthday cake and ice cream.

City Center Gallery & Books will host Lafayette authors and artists from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday. A large selection of books on Lafayette and the Revolutionary War will be featured. Artist Caroline Merino will present her new artwork of the Market House with the 1825 Lafayette Map as a background. It will go on sale that day for the first time.

The weekend celebration will end with Party Like You’re in Paris, a winetasting party at The Wine Café at 108 Hay St. from 6-8:30 p.m. Guests can sample a variety of French wines, and there will also be small plates of French cheeses available for purchase.

Lafayette defied explicit orders of French King Louis XVI, who did not wish to provoke Great Britain. He eluded authorities and sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to assist the rebellious Americans in 1777. Although he was only 19, spoke little English and lacked any battle experience, Lafayette convinced the Continental Army to commission him a major general July 31, 1777.

During the Battle of Brandywine, near Philadelphia, on Sept. 11, 1777, Lafayette was shot in the calf. Refusing treatment, the military novice managed to organize a successful retreat. Following a two-month recuperation, Lafayette was given command over his own division for the first time.

As both a friend and a father figure, the commander of the Continental Army, George Washington, held the young Frenchman in high esteem. Lafayette remained at Washington’s side during the harsh winter at Valley Forge in 1777 and through the conclusive battle at Yorktown in 1781.

Learn more about Lafayette’s birthday celebration by visiting the website www.lafayettesociety.org.

Last year during the November Heroes Homecoming observance, dozens of symbolic Missing Man Tables were set up around Cumberland County. The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau provided 160 display kits for tables. This year, FACVB is again asking that Missing Man Tables be set up Nov. 1-12. Table kits are provided at no cost to businesses and other public organizations. The tables are designed to honor Americans missing in action during warfare.

About 73,000 World War II men and women remain unaccounted for. From the Korean conflict, 7,763 military men are missing, and more than 1,600 are missing from the Vietnam War. It’s estimated that more than 85,000 Americans have not come home from war.

For Missing Man Tables, designated symbolic items are placed on small round tables along with table tents that explain what the items depict. The kits and instructions will be available at the FACVB center on Person Street the last week of October.

Former mayor gets new job

Cool Spring Downtown District, Inc. has announced that Tony Chavonne has been named interim president and CEO of the organization. Chavonne will serve in this volunteer capacity while the District Board of Directors recruits a permanent executive. Mark R. Regensburger resigned in July.

Chavonne will lead the organization in implementing innovative art and entertainment programming for the culturally, economically and racially diverse communities in and around the district while continuing the organization’s work to strengthen economic vitality downtown, a news release said.

Chavonne is a lifelong resident of Fayetteville. He lives in the downtown district. He served as mayor of the city of Fayetteville from 2005 to 2013. He has served in civic affairs for many years.

Cool Spring Downtown District, Inc. is a charitable nonprofit corporation formed in 2017 to create and sustain an inner-city arts and entertainment district that helps unify existing downtown entities.

Joint college degree program

Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College have signed an agreement that will allow FTCC graduates to complete online bachelor’s degrees at FSU at a cost not to exceed $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. The agreement was signed by FSU Chancellor James Anderson and FTCC President Larry Keen during the FTCC Board of Trustees meeting.

The $10,000 Pathway Plan will provide access to affordable bachelor’s degrees in accounting, criminal justice, fire and emergency services administration, business administration, intelligence studies, nursing, professional studies, psychology and sociology. While these degree programs are fully online, FSU will provide regular face-to-face contact with program participants when needed.

City of Fayetteville public records webpage

The city has launched a new webpage for public record requests that it says will make the process easier and more efficient. Citizens can visit the city of Fayetteville website at Fayettevillenc.gov, scroll over “How Do I” and click on “Request A Public Record.” Records available include police and fire department reports. There is also a “Records Available Online” button on the Transparency and Accountability page where users can view and download available documents.

“It is the right of citizens to request and view records, and with the help of... the new public records webpage, they now have better access to them,” said City Manager Doug Hewett.

New features will not only make the entire process easier for the requestor but will allow city staff to more efficiently and effectively fulfill each request – no matter how complex. Making information available via the new webpage saves taxpayers money and time, as residents no longer need to go to a city office to obtain information.

Local schools win state grant

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has awarded Cumberland County Schools a $401,100 grant to fund its Mental Health Support Personnel program. Local officials say the money will be used to improve efforts to reduce school violence and increase the wellbeing and mental health of students. The school system says the grant will fund development of school-based care review teams comprised of school nurses and counselors. The teams will provide support of the district’s Student Services Department.

School children helped

Cumberland County Register of Deeds staffers again this year collected book bags for homeless children. Register of Deeds Lee Warren held a brief dedication ceremony for the 10th annual school supply drive last week at the courthouse. Six hundred fifty book bags were presented to CCS Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly and Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins.

“The continued generosity of the citizens of Cumberland County has been overwhelming and very humbling,” Warren said.

Also earlier this month, Epicenter Church on Fort Bragg Road held its second consecutive back-to-school shopping spree for more than 30 children in foster care. Epicenter Church has also partnered with the Cumberland County Department of Social Services to provide Christmas gifts for teens in foster care. 

“Foster care is something that is close to our heart, and after multiple years of being able to be a blessing at Christmas, this was just the logical next step,” said Mark Knight, lead pastor at Epicenter Church. Donations in support of the school shopping spree are appreciated. Information is available online at www.yourepicenter.com.

Detectives with the Fayetteville Police Department’s Cold Case Sexual Assault Unit have arrested a suspect in connection with six rapes that occurred over a two-year span more than 10 years ago. The crimes occurred on Fayetteville’s northside, along Ramsey Street. Police say the attacks took place between March 2006 and January 2008.

The man dubbed the Ramsey Street Rapist had been sought for years, but recent evidence came to light as the result of sophisticated new law enforcement technology. The suspect has been identified as Darold Wayne Bowden, 43, of Linden, North Carolina.

He has been charged with sexual assaults that occurred on March 31, 2006, at Village at Carvers Falls Apartments; August 23, 2006, along the 4400 block of Ramsey Street; February 12, 2007, at apartments on Bubble Creek Court; March 6, 2007, at Village at Carvers Falls Apartments; September 18, 2007, at Heather Ridge Apartments; and January 26, 2008, at apartments on Bubble Creek Court. 

Police Lt. John Somerindyke, director of the cold case unit, said Bowden was arrested at his home by the city police violent criminal apprehension team working with the U.S. Marshal’s violent fugitive task force. He was jailed on $18.8 million secured bond on 38 counts, including first-degree forcible rape, first- degree forcible sex offense, taking indecent liberties with a child and first-degree kidnapping.

Bowden was identified using Snapshot Genetic Genealogy testing. Snapshot DNA Phenotyping Service is a tool developed by Parabon Nano- Labs that creates composite sketches based on DNA samples. It’s the same technology that was recently used in California to identify the Golden State Killer.

DNA belonging to the then-un-known local suspect was recovered at three of the crime scenes and was uploaded to the nationwide Com- bined DNA Index System. The FPD received a case-to-case DNA match in connection with a March 2004 peeping tom incident that occurred in Harnett County not far from the north Fayetteville area.

Earlier this year, Parabon NanoLabs developed a series of time-lapsed composite photos of the Ramsey Street Rapist that were age progressed to resemble what the suspect may look like today. Somerindyke said at the time that his squad would remain relentless in its search for answers and a suspect.

Anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim or knows someone believed to have been a victim of Darold Bowden is encouraged to come forward and speak with detectives.

Anyone with information concerning any cold sexual assault case is asked to contact Somerindyke at 910-709-8295 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS. Information can be submitted electronically at fay-nc-crimestoppers.org or by downloading the free P3 Tips app available for both Apple and Android devices.

Photo: Darold Wayne Bowden

Coming off the best girls golf season in Cape Fear High School history, coach Todd Edge said he looks at the 2018 campaign with cautious optimism.

Among the biggest reasons for Edge’s positive outlook is the return of Toni Blackwell, who dominated individual play in the Patriot Athletic Conference last season. She was the only player in the conference to break 80 for the season, averaging 78.6 during the seven regular-season matches.

Blackwell helped lead the Colts to their first-ever North Carolina High School Athletic Association regional title and was one of five Colts who qualified for last year’s state 3-A tournament.

“I think she’s tournament ready,’’ Edge said of Blackwell. “She’s working on her game and changing her swing.’’

The swing change is a work in progress and could cause Blackwell some problems early in this year’s high school season as she continues to adjust.

“Her swing coach has promised her in a couple of months she will see some results that will give her more distance and accuracy,’’ Edge said.

Blackwell spent the summer taking part in many tournaments. “I worked on my mental game, staying focused, improved my game in all aspects,’’ she said.

One of the biggest areas she felt she improved in was scrambling when she fails to make greens in regulation – being able to focus when she has a bad hole so she can get out with at worst a bogey.

“My goal this year is to get my average down to 75, win the regionals and finish top five at state,’’ she said. “I want to defend our conference championship, defend our regional championship and get five girls to states again.’’

Edge expects Blackwell to get support from teammates Mary Catherine Hales, Gabby Bynum, Madison Burrell and Jaclyn Daniels.

“Mary Catherine has been hitting it well so far in practice,’’ Edge said. “Gabby was our No. 5 last year and is moving up to No. 3. Our No. 4 and No. 5, Madison and Jaclyn, have played in matches over the previous couple of years.

“They are getting better, and hopefully they can help us down the road.’’

Photos L to R: Todd Edge, Toni Blackwell

Awards continue to come to the town of Hope Mills with the restoration of the town’s centerpiece, Hope Mills Lake, now that the dam has been repaired.

At last Monday’s meeting of the Board of Commissioners, the town was officially presented a special recognition award from the 10th anniversary meeting of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Joint Appearance Commission.

“This is the first time the town has gotten an award from the whole commission,’’ said Mayor Jackie Warner. “This award is something the whole commission decides. It was presented to the town for restoring Hope Mills Lake to its former glory. It was really special.’’

The town also received some other awards at the meeting. Warner’s business, Carleen’s, was recognized for best restoration of a historical nonresidential property. The South Main Street entrance to the town on Cameron Road was honored for best housing development gateway.

But the special recognition prize was the big one, and the one that had the most meaning for long-time Hope Mills resident Sally Bailey.

Bailey, who has called Hope Mills home for 38 years, is a former member of the town’s Appearance Committee and currently serves on the Parks and Recreation Committee.

She made the presentation to the Joint Appearance Commission earlier this month that led to Hope Mills winning the special recognition for the restoration of the lake.

“To me, it’s like winning the Oscar,’’ Bailey said. “You’re competing with everything in Cumberland County that’s been done.”

Bailey said the award was especially meaningful after all the town has endured to get the lake back.

“It’s taken us years and court battles and everything to get it back,’’ she said. “The award was for the citizens of Hope Mills for never taking no for an answer and never giving up.

“The town officials worked hard. There were citizens that worked hard. We had so many roadblocks. We’d get this far and go back to the drawing board, making trips to Raleigh and having people come here.’’

Bailey said the lake is special to Hope Mills for numerous reasons. “It’s the center point of our town,’’ she said. “To me, it is the memories. The beauty of it. The stillness and calmness when you stand by it and see the pride in this town for this lake, how hard we’ve fought for something.’’

Bailey said she’s excited about plans for the lake moving forward. “I’d like to see more trees out there, picnic tables, an upscale lake area,’’ she said. “The town of Hope Mills has so much potential. We are growing. I look at that potential and see what can become of this town.

“It takes a lot of hard work. I’m sure this town is going to do it.’’

The curtain has risen on a new season of creative theater from Sweet Tea Shakespeare. First up is Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors,” co-directed by Jeremy Fiebig, Jessica Osnoe and Jennifer Pommerenke. The production is loaded with talented performances and inspired staging and runs through Sept. 8.

The action of “The Comedy of Errors” is derived from a classic case of mistaken identity. The play follows the exploits of two sets of twins who were accidentally separated at birth.

Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant Dromio of Syracuse travel to Ephesus. Little do they know, Ephesus is the home of their identical twin brothers – Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Ephesus. As the two sets of brothers are identical and answer to the same forename, the stage is set for an incessantly-escalating series of misunderstandings and hijinks. To divulge much more of the story would cheapen the experience of seeing it play out live.

The cast of this show its strength. Here, STS employs cross-gender and cross-race casting to great effect, allowing the production to get the best possible performances out of its talented group of actors and actresses. Antipholus of Syracuse is played by the hysterical Taj Allen, and his identical twin from Ephesus is played by the wonderful Traycie Kuhn-Zapata. Jessica Osnoe and Jen Pommerenke bring their comedic chemistry to the Dromio brothers, while Katherine O’Connell brings Adriana’s ever-growing and under- standable confusion to life.

The cast is rounded out by an ensemble as good as any ever put up by the company, including strong performances from Laura Voytko, Evan Bridenstine, Jamonte Williams, Linda Flynn, Aaron Alderman, Jeremy Fiebig and Gabriel Terry.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m., but audiences are really missing out on an essential aspect of the Sweet Tea experience if they arrive that late. Each production is preceded by a short show made up of music and sketches featuring the STS house band, the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. Pre-shows begin around 6:45 p.m. and run until the main play begins. The songs performed are acoustic renditions of recognizable tunes, and the company is stacked with incredibly talented vocalists and musicians. The pre-show is absolutely worth the effort of arriving early.

This season promises to be another strong showing from the company. After “The Comedy of Errors” closes, look forward to produc- tions of OthelLIT – an adaptation of the classic “Othello,” “Behold: A Folk Christmas Cantata,” the popular musical “Sweeney Todd,” “Maid Marian,” “Richard III” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

STS is one of the hidden gems of Fayetteville, and it is a shame that so many people in our community seem to be unaware of the work being done by this company of artists. Artistic endeavors like those undertaken by Sweet Tea should be celebrated. In Fayetteville, we do not have to travel far to see creative and thoughtful theater. Sometimes, we can find it in our literal backyard.

“The Comedy of Errors” continues through Sept. 8 with shows on most evenings during the week held behind the 1897 Poe House downtown. For specific show dates, times and information on discounts and advanced tickets, call 910-420-4383 or visit www.sweetteashakespeare.com.

 Summer may be for vacations for most people, but don’t tell that to Jack Britt High School and future N.C. State golfer Spencer Oxendine.

One of the state’s top junior golfers, Oxendine played in 10 tournaments during the summer break, at one point going 11 straight days in tournament competition.

The funny thing about it was, he didn’t enter the summer with a goal of winning. “In March, I was talking with my N.C. State coach (Press McPhaul) and I told him my main goal wasn’t to win,’’ Oxendine said. “It was to have a good summer, play solid all summer and make it to the Carolinas-Virginia match play team matches.’’

Oxendine accomplished that goal and managed to bag some wins along the way.

He won the Hope Valley Junior in Durham and the Creed Invitational in Camden, South Carolina.

He also achieved his dream of making the Carolinas team in the Carolinas-Virginia match play and sank a key putt that led to the win by the Carolinas team.

Oxendine said summer golf is more important than next spring’s high school season as far as preparing for what he’ll face in college, which will start a year from now after he completes his senior season at Jack Britt.

“(In the summer) you’re going to get the strongest fields, playing the most amount of golf,’’ he said. “In college you’re playing a ton, so it helps big-time getting ready.’’

He said the stretch of 11 consecutive days of golf this summer was eye-opening for him.

“When you’re in a situation like that, you know it’s going to be a long week and you prepare for it,’’ he said.

Since winning at Hope Valley, Oxendine said he hasn’t touched his clubs to give himself a needed break. “I was going to withdraw from Hope Valley, but I’m glad I didn’t,’’ he said. “We had walked 36 holes the Saturday before. Everything in my body was hurting.’’

His competitive golfing for this year isn’t quite over. He’s got a handful of tournaments scheduled in the fall, including events in Spartanburg, South Carolina; Sea Island, Georgia; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and one at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

“This is my offseason,’’ he said of the next several weeks. “I’ll be working out a lot more, working on my game. During the summer, I don’t make any changes. This is my time to work on my game.’’

He used the tournaments this summer to see where his game is and learned a valuable lesson. “Even if I’m hitting poorly, I can still win and play well,’’ he said. “I hit the ball the worst I did all summer at the Carolinas Junior and finished third.’’

As he approaches his final high school season, he’s setting some goals for himself. “I’d like to beat the conference record I set last year,’’ he said. He was the only golfer in the Sandhills Athletic Conference who played in all five regular-season matches last season and broke 70 for the year with a 69.6 average.

His biggest goal is winning the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-A golf championship, but he knows that will be a challenge.

His major competition will come from Raleigh Broughton’s Peter Fountain, a University of North Carolina commit, who lost in a playoff last year with Oxedine’s conference rival, A.J. Beechler of Pinecrest. Beechler and Fountain shot 145 over the two-day tournament while Oxendine tied for seventh with a 149.

“He’s a really good player and a great guy,’’ Oxendine said of Fountain. “Whatever happens, happens.’’

Photos: Spencer Oxendine