Movement Conference 2025 is presented by Stephanie Brown, Movement Minister, of Dancing Without Sin Fitness. Cerina Johnson Thomas, No Longer Bound, Entertainment, will host the conference, titled Empowering Change Through Transformation and Movement. The conference will take place on March 8, at Crossroads Church, 306 McArthur Road, Fayetteville from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is free. For registration and information contact www.dancingwithoutsin.com.
The motivational speakers are Janice Sims, Owner, of Destiny Vision Assignment; Brittany Campbell, Multi-business Owner, Sunshine Beauty & Bliss and Blissful Alchemist; Kalisha Abercrombie, Owner, Drop Zone, Neighborhood Nanna; Chef Judy, Chef, Entrepreneur, Uptown’s Chicken and Waffle’s; Tracey Henderson, Attorney, The Henderson Firm; Demetria Davis, Chef, Co-Pastor of Force of Life Ministry; and Rhonda Kirkland, Single Mother Five, Advocate for Healing and Resilience.
Brown was inspired by dance and movement and created Dancing Without Sin as a result.
“[I was] Trying to create a comfortable atmosphere for participants who did not feel comfortable dancing and moving. Dancing is sometimes viewed as a sin in the Christian community. The Lord guided me with this name to encourage the forgotten Christian. That is the one group that no one thinks about, and God wants people to be healthy. So, I just changed up the game by changing the playlist to old school Gospel tunes to get churches moving and grooving while praising.”
She mentioned the psychological, physical, and emotional aspects of dancing to optimal health.
“Dancing or any kind of movement is good for the blood flow which leads to the heart. We can also build muscle while dancing, which makes us stronger. Dancing gives us confidence even if you are not the best dancer. It is a mood changer. Dancing is known to release stress and decrease anxiety. It can stimulate the brain to impact emotions. The endorphins in the brain are the ‘feel good’ chemicals. These chemicals cause the feeling of happiness while dancing. You do not have to be a good dancer, just put on your favorite music, start moving your arms and legs, watch the change in your mood, and the smile on your face.”
Brown shared her passion and business model for Dancing Without Sin.
“Movement is my passion. I just love music so much; it goes hand and hand and makes dance,” she said. “Currently, Dancing Without Sin is planning to present future Christian conferences all over the world. I will be training persons to become Movement Ministers. These individuals will take the business model and skills to churches and the larger community. My objective is getting the people in the churches and the larger community moving, getting healthy, and preparing healthy meals.”
Brown is enthusiastic about the upcoming conference.
“The event began as a 55th birthday celebration. My assistant suggested a movement conference. The movement conference can focus on the emotional well-being and psychological aspects of movement. One of my gifts, I am the best motivator. This event will not feature dancing. I will have motivational speakers that will speak on different topics. Vendors and business spotlights will be available at the conference,” she said.
Be the change you want to see in the world. Experience the Empowering Change Through Transformation and Movement. For more information and registration, contact Dancing Without Sin, www.dancingwithoutsin, or call 910-703-7075.

Step into a vibrant world filled with the colors and excitement of anime at the Fayetteville Anime-Fest. This event is dedicated to bringing together enthusiasts of all anime genres under one roof. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to the anime scene, you'll find a welcoming community ready to share in your passion.
As a premier anime convention in North Carolina, the Fayetteville Anime-Fest offers an authentic and comprehensive experience. From seasoned collectors to casual fans, everyone will find something to enjoy. The convention promises a day filled with captivating exhibits, electrifying performances, and unforgettable moments.
Get up close and personal with some of the industry's biggest names. Fayetteville Anime-Fest is proud to host a lineup of anime industry professionals and fandom-related celebrities. Fans will have the unique opportunity to meet voice actors like Peter Kelamis, known for his roles in Dragon Ball Z-Goku and Ed, Edd n Eddy, and Chuck Huber, the voice behind characters in DBZ, Yu Yu Hakusho, and My Hero Academia.
For those looking to expand their collections, the Fayetteville Anime-Fest is a shopper's paradise. The event will feature a wide array of exhibitors catering to diverse interests. You'll find everything from rare anime candy and magazines to unique toys, video games, manga, cosplay items, artwork sketches, apparel, and jewelry.
This is the perfect opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise that you won't find anywhere else. Whether you're searching for a specific item or just browsing for something unique, the variety of vendors ensures that every fan will go home with a special souvenir.
Get ready for an action-packed day of otaku fun! Test your knowledge of Japanese animation at the exciting Anime Trivia competition starting at 12 p.m. sharp. Then, channel your inner performer at the energetic Lip Sync Contest kicking off at 2 p.m., where you can showcase your favorite anime songs.
The highlight of the day arrives at 4 p.m. with the spectacular Cosplay Contest - your chance to bring your beloved anime character to life through creative costumes and poses. Don't miss these amazing events! For a full schedule of events and cosplay rules visit http://fayettevilleanimefest.com/.
Become a part of the Fayetteville Anime-Fest community by volunteering or becoming a vendor. Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring the event runs smoothly and are rewarded with unique perks and the satisfaction of contributing to a beloved event.
Vendors have the chance to reach a dedicated audience of anime fans. If you have products or services that cater to the anime community, this is a prime opportunity to showcase your offerings. For more information on how to get involved as a volunteer or vendor, email info@fayettevilleanimefest.com.
Tickets are $20 for adults. Kids under the age of 11 are free with a paying adult. One free child ticket per one paying adult. Additional kids tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased online or at the hotel registration desk in the lobby the day of the show. Enjoy free parking in the hotel parking lot the day of the event. To purchase tickets online visit https://form.jotform.com/230083689560158.

On Tuesday, March 4, attendees will don their best and step back in time. They’ll taste French-themed refreshments, welcome the Marquis de Lafayette into their midst, and dance the night away as part of the Lafayette Society’s Farewell Tour Ball. It’s one of a series of events celebrating the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour.
Jeremy Gershman, who describes himself as a “professional actor and theater person,” and goes by the stage name Charles Steplively, will lead attendees in English Country dancing, drawing on his extensive experience in both theater and dance.
Gershman visited Fayetteville in November of 2024 when he conducted an English Country dancing workshop. Sylvia Bisbee, a local dance instructor, has continued holding practice sessions with people who attended the workshop in preparation for the upcoming ball.
For those unfamiliar with English Country dancing, Gershman said the easiest comparison is dances seen in many Jane Austen film adaptations as well as modern-day square dancing, which descended from a Regency-era dance formation. He explained that the English Country dance style started around 1760-70 and was popular up through 1830.
Gershman shared that with 20 years of dance instruction under his belt, and 14 years instructing English country dancing, there’s something unique about instructing these events that keeps him going.
“It's obviously much more immersive than a traditional theater night where someone goes and sits in the audience to watch a play,” he said.
“The idea,” he continued, “is so that people have this immersive experience entering into the world of Regency dance. And although I do it, of course, with a modern twist and flair, it really is about creating and being an early 19th century dance master on the floor and engaging with people with English dialect and references and speech and all that.”
He said that he has always enjoyed watching BBC and PBS period productions that include ball scenes and wants to recreate that so people feel as if they’re walking into one of those scenes. That love of immersive historical experiences in turn inspired the creation of his character, Charles Steplively.
“I knew I couldn't just be myself as a modern American. I had to be one of those characters in one of those ball scenes that was introducing people into that world and helping facilitate the dancing,” he said.
Another unique aspect of the dance is its social nature. Unlike ballroom, swing, and salsa, Gershman said that English country dancing gives people the opportunity to dance with many people throughout the evening. In fact, according to him, it was considered rude to dance with the same person throughout the night back in the day.
Instead, English country dancing is considered “social” dancing.
Gershman explained, “A particular couple will continue to progress and move down this line formation, so that they're continuously dancing with someone new. It makes it especially social because you're constantly interacting with different people throughout every song, and then that multiplies the number of people that you're directly interacting with throughout the night.”
He encouraged people of varying abilities to attend but added that he strongly recommends attending a Pre-ball workshop beforehand. The workshops will be held Feb. 20 and 23, and March 1 and 4.
Tickets and information about the Farewell Tour Ball and Pre-ball workshops can be found at lafayettesociety.org 

(Photo: Guests attend a ball held in Lafayette's honor in 2024. The Lafayette Farewell Tour Ball will feature period dances and dress, as well as food and drink from the 1800s, all to pay homage to the Marquis de Lafayette.)

If you watched the DNC (Democratic National Committee) elect new officers, Fayetteville and the nation is in a more serious situation than most folks would think or believe.
They want to fight and obstruct the President of the USA. There was no mention of trying to work together to make America greater again and improving their party by working for all the people. Total obstruction is their mantra, which is insane!
Compliments and salutations on your Publisher's Pen article. I would have thought the Democrats would try to analyze why they lost the past election; it was as plain as sunshine. My 4 years on the City Council taught me much about local Democrats. I wish the politicians could work together to make things greater for all citizens of our metro.
A local judge told me succinctly that he has to be in line with the Democrats to get reelected. Shameful! Meritocracy seems to be a distant quality they cannot support.
— Don Talbot
Fayetteville, NC

Editor's note: Don Talbot is referencing Bill Bowman's Publisher's Pen in the January 29 Edition of Up & Coming Weekly titled Note to City & County: Binary thinking is stinkin thinkin! To read Bowman's article in full, visit https://bit.ly/3EzuvK9

The eyes of America, indeed the eyes of the world, are on Washington as newly re-installed Donald Trump attempts to take Presidential power to new heights by slapping tariffs on friend and foe alike, ceding control to unelected billionaires, and pushing such pressing issues as renaming the Gulf of Mexico. Millions of Americans reel from the speed and audacity of what is unfolding at the highest level of our government.
That said, there is a great deal going on in North Carolina, and our new Governor is off to a solid start. The General Assembly? Not so much.
Josh Stein was sworn in on New Year’s Day and has hit the ground running. His immediate focus has been western North Carolina, hard hit by Hurricane Helene last fall. With many residents still out of their homes and businesses struggling to reopen, Governor Stein has been all about recovery.
A new public-private partnership will provide $30M in grants to help small businesses make it through the winter and head into warmer weather and the tourism that comes with it. In addition, the NC Department of Commerce has expanded an existing jobs recovery program aimed at Helene survivors.
With the General Assembly back in session, Stein is also lasering in on public education, what he calls the “launching pad of our state’s future.” Using a combination of federal, state, and local funds, North Carolina spent more than $17.2B in the 2022-23 school year, the largest slice of the state budget. That eye-popping number is misleading. The General Assembly is actually reducing education funding.
The price of public education, like virtually everything else, has risen over time. The percentage of public resources directed at public education has declined dramatically. Even as North Carolina’s population has more than doubled to 11 million people and counting, the percentage of public education spending declined from more than 52 percent of the state budget in 1970 to a relatively meager 39 percent in 2023-24. In other words, public schools are now expected to do much, much more with much, much less.
Layer on the fact that the General Assembly shifted $6.5B of state education tax dollars to private and religious entities last year under the slyly named Opportunity Scholarships, it is obvious that the legislature put public education on a starvation diet.
The General Assembly has engaged in more hijinks as well.
The 2023-24 state budget decreed that only legislators can decide “whether a record is a public record and whether to turn over to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, or retain, destroy, sell, loan, or otherwise dispose of, such records.”
In plain English, if legislators do not want you to see something, you will not.
Then there is the General Assembly’s stripping the Governor of appointment power to the NC Board of Elections buried inside a bill dealing with Hurricane Helene relief. It is a sure bet that there is more to come as the legislative session unfolds.
A quick Google of the term “eyes wide shut” yields definitions along these lines—"an idiom to describe someone who intentionally ignores or refuses to acknowledge something that is happening. It can also imply a deliberate choice to remain unaware or uninvolved, even when what is happening is clear and even dangerous.”
It implies being an ostrich who does not want to understand.
We Americans are apparently quite good at that.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Feb. 10 signed a memo that says Fort Liberty will become Fort Bragg again, but this time it won’t be to honor Confederate Gen. Braxton Bragg, the Department of Defense announced.
Instead, America’s largest Army post will be named in honor of Pfc. Roland L. Bragg, who was stationed at Fort Bragg during World War II and then fought in Europe, Hegseth’s memo says. It says Roland Bragg was awarded a Silver Star for gallantry and a Purple Heart for being wounded.
The memo says the Secretary of the Army will set a timeline for implementing the name change to Fort Roland L. Bragg.
Fort Bragg became Fort Liberty on June 2, 2023.
The name change from Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty was made to comply with a law that Republicans and Democrats in Congress enacted on Jan. 1, 2021. This came following America’s “racial reckoning” of protests in 2020 after a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, murdered George Floyd, a Black man who was originally from Fayetteville, while arresting him. The name change was part of a broad effort to remove from U.S. military installations and other military property the names of Confederate leaders.
Southern Democrats started the Civil War against the United States in 1861 because they feared newly elected Republican President Abraham Lincoln would abolish their enslavement of Black people. The Southern Democrats lost the war.
Many military installations across the country were named in honor of their Confederate heroes during the early and mid-20th century, years after the Civil War ended. These included Fort Bragg, which began as Camp Bragg in 1918.
The installation was named for Braxton Bragg. Bragg, who was born in North Carolina, served as a general in the Confederate Army. He also enslaved over 100 people, according to the Washington Post.
The Army in 2023 estimated it was spending $8 million to change Fort Bragg’s name
to Fort Liberty.
While many people celebrated that Fort Liberty was no longer named in honor of a man who fought for slavery and who was a traitor to his country, many others bemoaned the name change.
Some veterans, and their family members, argued that the name “Bragg” over the decades took on a new meaning for them that transcended its origins as a tribute to a Southern Democrat Confederate hero. They said the name “Bragg” became about their heroism and not about Braxton Bragg.
Republican President Donald Trump — who vetoed the name-change bill during his first term — promised voters in 2024 that he would change Fort Liberty’s name back to Fort Bragg.
The name-change law of 2021 said military bases shall no longer be named in honor of people who served the Confederacy. It had the military create a commission to suggest new names for nine military bases that had been named in honor of Confederate leaders. The suggestions were announced in May 2022 and were later approved by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
With the order of new Defense Secretary Hegseth, the post will be named for a man named Bragg who fought for his fellow American soldiers instead of killing them.
“Born in 1923 in Sabattus, Maine, Pfc. Bragg entered U.S. Army service and was assigned to the 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, and was stationed at Fort Bragg during World War II,” Hegseth’s memo says.
“Pfc. Bragg fought with distinction in the European theater of operations. He received the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, and the Purple Heart for wounds sustained, during the Battle of the Bulge,” it says.
“During these hellish conditions and amidst ferocious fighting, Pfc. Bragg saved a fellow Soldier’s life by commandeering an enemy ambulance and driving it 20 miles to transport a fellow wounded warrior to an allied hospital in Belgium.”

(Photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

The Collegiate Recovery Program at Fayetteville Technical Community College provides a supportive space and programs for students and others on campus who are in recovery from substance abuse and other challenges such as behavioral, emotional and mental health issues.
“This program is important for our college campus because it helps individuals find community and promotes the importance of wellness to achieve a better overall quality of life, while practicing safe healthy and holistic habits,” said Dujuan Watson, one of two Fayetteville Tech students working as peer support aides in the program.
The CRP seeks to empower students and others in recovery by providing comprehensive support services, fostering personal growth, and building a supportive community that promotes social connections and relationship building. Through various tailored recovery pathways, such as open mic events, snack and paint activities, poetry workshops, yoga, and meditation sessions, the CRP provides a variety of programs that aim to meet student’s individual needs.
“We are dedicated to promoting excellence in collegiate recovery and supporting holistic well-being for a successful and fulfilling experience,” said Richard McDonald, FTCC’s Senior Director of Support Services.
The program’s Collegiate Recovery Lounge, located in Room 630 of the Horace Sisk Building, is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There, students can socialize and engage in fun activities or relax on their own. Private group rooms are available for recovery support services and support groups.
Each weekday has a themed program focused on supporting healthy recovery:
• Mindful Mondays - Mental Health Focus: Encourage students to engage in mindfulness, and self-leadership practices and prioritize mental well-being.
• Talk-it-Out Tuesdays - Group Therapy: Group therapy sessions that promote open communication and provide a safe space for students to share their experiences.
• Recovery Wednesdays - Outreach: Connect students with campus organizations and resources to expand their support networks and foster community engagement.
• Thriving Thursdays - Creative Expression: Opportunities for students to explore their emotions and experiences through various creative outlets, such as art and writing.
• Fun Fridays - Stress Management Games: Entertaining and engaging activities that help students manage stress and build connections within the recovery community.
Watson, a first-year college student who wants to become a lawyer, said she is committed to fostering “a safe and inclusive environment for those who may be struggling or need a little extra support to push forward to stay or get on the right track.”
Nigel Vincent, the other peer support aide in the CRP, is a second-year student-athlete who will graduate in May with an associate degree in Science. He then plans to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology.
“I desired to begin my career in the recovery field because I love the process of seeing growth,” he said of his decision to work with CRP. “To know that I played a part in helping someone improve their well-being is heartwarming.”
As a basketball player, Vincent said, he is familiar with the process of working with a team to accomplish a common goal. “In this program, I am seeking to help students and staff members with their recovery process by engaging in positive healing activities, productive talking sessions, workshops, conferences and more,” he said. “I would love to connect with any students and staff on campus!”

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is set to enchant audiences with an extraordinary concert titled 'The New World: Reimagined'. Scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22 at Seabrook Auditorium, this event promises to be a captivating evening of music that beautifully blends the new with the classic.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., giving attendees ample time to settle in before the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. This event is not just a concert; it's a musical journey that explores the rich tapestry of American music through both contemporary and timeless compositions.
The program features two newly commissioned works that will be performed alongside Dvorák’s iconic 'New World' Symphony. The first piece, TESTIFY!, is composed by North Carolina's own Brittany J. Green. This lively orchestral work is a tribute to her mother, music, and the church, capturing the vibrant energy Green associates with her mother's tambourine playing.
The second new work is Fantasy in 4 Moods by Chicago-based composer Ahmed Al Abaca. This composition was commissioned specifically for Dr. Ronnal Ford, a woodwind multi-instrumentalist whose versatility on various instruments is showcased throughout the piece. Each of the four moods offers a different musical style, inviting listeners to experience a range of emotions from curiosity to resilience.
The second half of the concert will feature Antonin Dvorák’s Symphony no. 9, commonly known as the 'New World' Symphony. This masterpiece is well-loved and frequently used in popular media due to its evocative themes and
powerful orchestration.
Dvorák composed this symphony during his time in America, drawing inspiration from the spirituals he heard. The result is a composition that not only pays homage to American musical traditions but also stands as one of the most significant works in the symphonic repertoire.
Tickets for 'The New World: Reimagined' can be purchased online at www.fayettevillesymphony.org, by contacting the FSO office at 910-433-4690, or at the door on the night of the concert.
To ensure accessibility for all, the FSO is offering discounts for seniors, military personnel, college students, children, and Cumberland County Schools employees. Secure your tickets today and prepare for an evening of unforgettable music. Tickets are $15 per adult and $5 for students.

Fayetteville get ready for a weekend of poetry and music. El'J, one of the city's favorite poets, is finally releasing his highly anticipated book of poetry, El'J Dilla: Poems Inspired by the Music of J Dilla.
Festivities kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 with the El'J Dilla Poetry Slam at The Sweet Palette. Listen as 14 North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia poets compete in 3 rounds for a cash prize and bragging rights. Spinning on the 1’s and 2’s is Wilmington’s own DJ Big B from Coast 97.3 and hosting is the brilliant poet, author, and lyricist, Ebony Payne. This event is free to the public.
Saturday marks the biggest part of the weekend-long celebration, with the official book release party at The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County with special guest, Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, the mother of the late J Dilla and Detroit native.
At 7 p.m., guests will be treated to a night of live music, spoken word, and a discussion panel. Local radio personality and Queen of the stage, Dominque Womack will moderate. Comedian and veteran advocate, Dennis V will hit the stage for some laughs.
Emmy award winner Boris Rogers and the incomparable Stephanie Lask (Sheph Love) will bring their soulful sounds and voices to the stage, setting the tone for a night sure to please the visual and auditory palate. El'J will be performing excerpts from his book as well as signing copies. Performances by other award-winning poets, Nazir Jones (Harvard University) and Piedmont Poet Laureate, Dasan Ahanu will round out the evening. Tickets are free, but space is limited.
Register to attend this event at http://eljdillabookrelease.eventbrite.co. Closing out the festivities is the El'J Dilla Weekend Brunch at the Sip Room located at 106 Hay Street from noon to 3 p.m. Attendees will indulge in a luxury brunch buffet in the swanky ambiance of the lux wine bar.
Local DJ, Greg GMoniy Johnson will be spinning the records and keeping the vibe of the weekend with J Dilla classics. “Ma Dukes” Yancey will end the weekend celebration of not only El'J’s book release, but her son’s life and legacy as the guest speaker, sharing stories that only a mother can share. This event is the only one ticketed. Tickets are $42 per person and can be purchased online at http://eljdillabrunch.eventbrite.com.
El’Ja, as he is professionally known, has been writing and performing poetry seriously since his departure from the military. El’Ja has countless awards and accolades under his belt, including the 2nd Annual McDonalds Food for Thought Poetry Slam, Southern Fried (as a member of the Bull City Slam Team), individual slams, and The Campaign for Change Slam, just to name a few.
This year marks a monumental year for his Southeast Regional Poetry Slam, celebrating 13 years. The release of his book, El'J Dilla: Poems Inspired by the Music of J Dilla, has been years in the making and is a project that combines two of the poet's favorite things, poetry, and J Dilla music.
“El’J Dilla weekend is the combination of a few things. Number one is the release of my book, El'J Dilla: Poems Inspired by the Music of J Dilla. If you don’t know who J Dilla is, go by his real name James Yancey, originally from Detroit, Michigan.
"He’s your favorite producers’ favorite producer and worked with everybody from Janet Jackson, Tribe Called Quest, Common, and D’Angelo. He was like a ghost producer on the Voodoo album. A lot of people don’t know that. He passed away from Lupus, but his music and his production live on,” El’J said. “I had a chance of writing these poems three years ago and it was an idea that came from my wife wanting me to do a mix tape. I decided to write his mom a message on Facebook just saying ‘hey I want to honor your son by doing this book because his music changed me.’ She saw the message, she set up a Zoom and we talked from there. She wrote the forward for the book … There are two ways you can read this book. You get the poems, and you read the book. That's it. It’s a good book. Then in the back, it’s a tracklist, in order, based on the poems you have, a poem based on the track. Now the other way you can read this is that there is a playlist called El’J Dilla on Youtube that you can read the poems to the music.”
El’J has no plans to slow down anytime soon. He’s headed to Knoxville, Tennessee with the Detour Slam team to compete, hoping to bring the trophy to Fayetteville this year, along with several poetry slams and readings.

(Photo: El' J Dilla: Poems Inspired by the Music of J Dilla, is being celebrated duirng El' J Dilla Weekend, Feb. 21-23 in Fayetteville.)

Prior to 1988, best friends Ann Marie Swilley and Cindy Stroupe worked at Spa Fitness & Wellness Center here in town. Then Swilley asked Stroupe to come answer phones for the new promotional items business she was starting. One day, Swilley handed Stroupe a box with a notebook, a pen and an order for a local company and told her to go deliver the order and ask if there was anything else Carolina Specialties could do for them. Cindy said that when she returned, “[Swilley] said, Congratulations, you just made your first sales call.”
The two have been working together ever since; that’s over 40 years of friendship and 37 years of working together. Now, the company is known as Carolina Specialties International (https://www.carolinaspecialties.com/) to reflect its current reality, thanks to online sales, and Stroupe will soon be retiring.
This crew has literally survived fire, flood and pestilence to be here.
Promotional items are goods branded with an organization’s name, logo, tagline, contact information or whatever else is appropriate for the target audience. The item can be anything from a pen, pencil or refrigerator magnets to high-quality wearables and specialty products selected because they’re a precise match for the company.
Promotional goals can include everything from advertising, increased sales and brand awareness to employee recognition, gift-giving and more. A beauty spa, for example, could opt for an eye mask embroidered with its logo for clients who purchase a bundled service package. Or a school might give out T-shirts to its honor roll students.
Military leaders repeatedly use CSi for plaques to commemorate someone’s service with a unit or a run of challenge coins. Distinguished unit insignia have made appearances on couch covers, too.
Whether the customer is a business, a government entity, charity or family reunion, branded items make a difference. How much of a difference? Well, a staggering 85 percent of people will do business with a company from which they receive a promotional item. In addition, 83 percent of people like to receive branded items. A business, whether a startup or well-established, must guard its advertising budget. Finding the balance between spending to generate new business and overspending is an art, and a company like CSi can help marketers purchase wisely. This is why—although room exists in the industry for companies such as VistaPrint, Swilley said—most established companies want to work with someone local, someone who knows the industry, the client and the intended audience.
Swilley explained that if you hand out 5,000 pens, for example, you won’t get 100 percent return, not even 50. But if you got 5 percent, that could provide a significant influx of new business to a company. That makes the expenditure well worth it.
Wearables last a long time, receive looks, or “imprints,” every time they’re worn and hold their value as a repeat means of advertising. Decision-makers need to look at promotional items as an investment rather than an expense. Branded items, such as insulated travel mugs with a company’s logo could also be resold by the client for additional income.
CSi now offers in-house embroidery, screen printing and heat seal sublimation. Because everything is done in-house, turnaround times are shortened. Another reason to go with a local promotional items company is for its expert guidance with artwork. What goes well on a mug, won’t work on a pencil. Part of what CSi does is ensure that your company’s name or logo works with your selected item. Often, if not received as a vectoring image, someone at CSi will need to ensure the artwork can be rendered into a form that is sizeable in proportion to its original dimensions.
T-shirts and sweatshirts are both a uniform for employees and an evergreen form of advertising. During the holiday season, business owners might want to deliver gifts to their vendors and employees.
These could be food items with the company’s logo on the packaging. Schools recognize their teachers for outstanding performance with a school mug, a planner or a desk accessory. A cooking school could give screen-printed aprons to their students. Or what about an automotive dealer with customized license plate frames?
Swilley insisted that her son, Stephen Haire, go to work at another company before he came to work for her. Now he owns the business and specializes in working with colleges and contractors.
Stroupe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in performance dance and did pointe, jazz and modern dance up until her first child was born. She was an aerobics instructor at the spa when Swilley said her talents were being wasted and she needed to come work for her. Stroupe said that the 10 years she has spent working closely with grade schools have been some of the most rewarding for her.
She loves spending time with the kids. In fact, she plans on spending more time with her grandchildren when they move to the area. In addition. Stroupe’s 82 year old mother is looking forward to more time with her daughter as well. It’s simply time for Stroupe to have some “Cindy time.” She will continue to see her best friend at the exercise class they both attend.
Stroupe wasn’t kidding when she said that the company survived many ups and downs, including fire, flood and pestilence. Approximately 35 years ago, the company suffered a fire that destroyed everything.
They started over again in a building on Gillespie Street that enjoyed a 100-year-flood estimate rating. The ladies suffered through five years straight of flooding in that locale. The elevated waters brought rodents and snakes out into the open.
That would need to be addressed, Stroupe said with a chuckle. They moved to higher ground. And through it all, business fluctuations, raising children and now retirement, the two women have maintained their friendship.

(Photo: Cindy Stroupe is retiring after 37 years at Carolina Specialities International. She plans to spend time with her grandchildren and mother. Photo courtesy of Cindy Stroupe)

In a Regimental First Formation ceremony held on Jan. 23 at the Crown Complex, a total of 167 men donned their Green Berets for the first time.
The event was hosted by Col. David M. Lucas, commander of 4th Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne). The graduates made their entrance to bagpipe and drum tattoo. Following the singing of the national anthem, Chaplain Capt. Benjamin R. Frank delivered the invocation. Col. Lucas introduced the other members of the official party: Maj. Gen. Lawrence Gilbert “Gil” Ferguson, Commanding General of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne); Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Retired) Jamie Korenoski, distinguished member of the regiment; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Williams and Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Williams, both, along with Chaplain Capt. Frank, of 4th Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne).
Maj. Gen. Ferguson is a career Special Forces officer, originally from Mississippi. As Commanding General of 1st Special Forces, he’s responsible for the Green Berets, masters of unconventional warfare, and Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations soldiers. Civil Affairs soldiers receive additional training in negotiation, diplomacy and governance to assess the needs of an allied indigenous population and to help improve the quality of life for civilians.
Psychological Operations soldiers learn to use persuasion, cultural awareness and social psychology to influence how a targeted group thinks and makes decisions.
Maj. Gen. Ferguson’s remarks to the class and audience of approximately 1,400 were poignant in light of current global circumstances. They were worthwhile for everyday civilians to hear and apply to their lives, as well:
“You are joining our formation at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. In a world replete with risk, but also, opportunity. With that in mind, today, I will ask four things of you:
“First, we need you to be creative. Your ability to be creative is one of the reasons we already hired you. I would ask you to remain so. In an increasingly complex world, our challenges will require new solutions, or perhaps, old solutions applied in a new way. Creativity does not have to be complicated, but it will remain a vital component of how we fight and win.
“Second, run to the sound of the guns. We need you to be audacious. The history of warfare has proven time and again, audacity is the most vital attribute in warfighting. Whether in conventional or special operations, fortune truly does favor the bold. But do not misunderstand; I do not mean recklessness. There is a difference. Recklessness is plunging headlong into a fight regardless of the risks, audacity is understanding and mitigating risk and then taking decisive action. Weigh your options, then choose the bold one.
“Third, we need you to be lethal. Ultimately, your task as a special forces officer or NCO is, alongside and through your partners, to fight and win our nation’s wars. Every piece of technology, whether new or old, every tactic or technique, every trick of the trade that you envision or that you find in some old forgotten manual, every partner relationship advantage and capability should all be focused on one end…the defeat of our nation’s adversaries.
“Fourth, remember your roots. How can you know who you really are and where you’re going, if you don’t know where you came from? As you live and work on Fort Liberty, and wherever your future assignments take you, you’ll be surrounded by clear and constant reminders of the people and places that shape our collective destiny. Names like Rock Merritt, Zabitosky, Womack, Ardennes, Bastogne, Normandy, Sicily, La Fiere, Son Tay, Tora Bora, Yarborough, Miller, Stiner, Shachnow…these names are all part of our Army’s collective role of honor. They are the legacy you’re responsible for honoring and continuing. A legacy of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Never forget that legacy and the debt that you owe those who came before who forged that legacy. You owe it to them, and to yourselves, to learn about them and the places they fought, and daily honor our shared legacy through your actions.”
Top graduates in each of four Military Occupational Specialties — weapons, communication, engineering and medical — received special recognition prior to each class member receiving his Green Beret.
Maj. Gen. Ferguson handed each man his headgear affixed with the flash of the man’s assigned Group. Each of the 157 U.S. servicemen and 10 graduates from allied nations returned to their seats with beret in hand. On word from their commander, they donned their Green Beret in unison. The Special Forces Creed was recited en mass, followed by the singing of “The Ballad of the Green Beret” and “The Army Song.” A dozen or more Green Berets welcomed the new graduates with a toast.
Throughout the covered walkway into the building and in the entrance area were poster-sized pictures and histories on some of those names that Maj. Gen. Ferguson mentioned the graduates should learn about and remember. Hopefully, some members of the public also took the time to read the stories of the men who went before and created the legacy of the Green Berets. God speed to Special Forces Qualification Course Class 338.

(Photo:  Soldier assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School renders a hand salute to Major Gen. Lawrence G. Ferguson, Commanding General, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), after receiving a green beret during a graduation ceremony and Regimental First Formation at the Crown Theater in Fayetteville, Jan. 23. The ceremony marked the completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course where Soldiers earned the honor of wearing the green beret, the official headgear of Special Forces. U.S. Army photos by K. Kassens)

A story is an account of events, past, present or future, told with heart from one human being to another. For a child, a story can be comforting when they don’t want to go to sleep or inspire them to be a better person or to know what they want to be when they grow up. Stories also help kids develop language skills and encourage imagination and creativity.
A story can teach empathy for others and emphasize morality and life values. Hearing a story improves listening skills, builds cultural understanding and advances emotional intelligence. All this happens simply by allowing children to experience different perspectives and emotions through a story’s character. Storytelling is an artform for both kids and adults.
The Fayetteville Cumberland County Arts Council with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, has awarded Cumberland County Headquarters Library a $7,200 grant to help host its 16th annual Storytelling Festival, March 1-30. Organizers use the funds to bring in professional storytellers. The free programs are aimed at children from birth to age 12, and this year’s theme is Mythical Marvels.
“Our hope is to spark imaginations, foster a sense of wonder and provide a gathering place for everyone to share in the magic of storytelling,” Faith Phillips, Cumberland County Assistant County Manager and Library Director, said in a November Cumberland County press release.
“Festival programs and activities will celebrate and encourage storytelling through different perspectives by embracing diverse voices and cultures. The Storytelling Festival aims to encourage inclusion, promote literacy and spark creativity for community members,” the press release continued.
For adults, the difference between a story and a history is that a story is more than a report of who, what, when, where, why and how. A story is told with heart, connecting the teller to the listener. Linear people want a beginning, middle and end, and they’re not wrong. Different cultures emphasize storytelling through dance, art or music, and they aren’t wrong either.
In simplest terms, a story is about a person doing or trying to do something over a period of time in a specific place. This person doing something over a period of time in a certain place is a “character” acting within a “plotline” that unfolding within a certain “setting,” which encompasses a time and place. A story can be a Native American male telling the story of a deer hunt through drumming and dance. A story could be a medieval triptych, telling a story in three acts through paintings.
A story can be therapeutic, full of holes, misalignments, layers and outright fabrications because the teller needs to be able to test the audience to see if they can handle the truth. Traumatic events may cause gaps in memory or skips are utilized by the teller to hide embarrassing or shameful aspects of the story.
As the teller fills in the gaps in consecutive tellings, he or she gets closer to the truth and the listener, if accepting and non-judgmental, gets closer to extending genuine, unmasked love.
Hearing and absorbing a person’s story brings people and communities together.
What are stories really about, though? They’re about conflict. Without conflict you don’t have a story. Boy meets girl and everything goes perfectly and they live happily ever after isn’t much of a story. Stories show us that we are not alone in our struggles. They may be a neat package on how to navigate conflict, and life may be far more complex and time-consuming, but stories give us hope that resolution and solutions are possible.
They help us process things that happen in life, offering avenues of approach to discuss taboo topics, whether it’s something as seemingly simple as asking for something we need from someone we love or revealing a traumatic event. Stories might also foster a sense of gratitude that we were somehow, undeservedly protected from what our protagonist endured.
Sometimes non-fiction fans struggle with the concept of storytelling. If it’s made up, it didn’t happen. It’s a figment of someone’s imagination, and it’s better to spend our energies learning history or trying to understand news reports by critically reading multiple sources
. But it’s the storyteller’s infusion of emotion and human interaction that adds life and relatability to a story, even a story of historical record. Oftentimes, stories we assume are fiction are based in fact.
The reverse can also be true: a true story is so hidden in fiction that it does a disservice to its foundation and manipulates an audience into believing the fiction over the fact. Stories, or narratives, matter. They matter to individuals, to communities and to a population at large.
Every person’s life is a story. Sometimes the glory days happen early, the middle years becoming a slog and the ending either a sad nothingness or a beautiful realization of what’s important.
Other times, a person’s most meaningful time doesn’t come until later in life; they either avoid the challenge or accept it and gain a wisdom they never possessed in their youth. So, what’s your story?
For more information about the 16th Annual Storytelling Festival, visit https://www.cumberlandcountync.gov/departments/library-group/library

What do you get when you combine six smart, competitive, high-achieving tweens, with upbeat, energetic music and the high-stakes world of competitive spelling? You get The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. And soon, you’ll get it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, as the Fine Arts Department presents the cult hit musical from Feb. 20 to March 1.
Spelling Bee is a comedy with music and lyrics written by William Finn, book written by Rachel Sheinkin, with additional material by Rebecca Felman. It opened on Broadway in 2005 after years of development by The Farm, a New York City-based improvisational troupe.
The play features 6 kids (all played by adults) who are striving to be their district’s champion and to compete at the National Spelling Bee in Washington DC.
Let’s meet the spellers. First is last year’s champ, Chip Tolentino (played by Izaiah Zapata), who is the oldest and in his last year of eligibility. Leaf Coneybear (played by Gabe Terry) is just happy to be in the bee and hopes everyone has a good time.
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (played by Venus Bess) is a socially conscious, no-nonsense young lady, poised to take on the world. William Barfee (played by Jack Wood) is not here to make friends, he is here to win and has a unique approach to spelling. Marcy Park (played by Kim O’Callahan) is the best at everything she does, which is a lot, and is starting to feel the strain. Olive Ostrovsky (played by Annabeth Clark) is quiet and unassuming and just loves words.
The kiddos are joined onstage by the adults of the Spelling Bee: Rona Lisa Peretti (played by Marie Lowe), a successful realtor and former Spelling Bee champion; word pronouncer Vice Principal Douglas Panch (played by Jon Frantz), who is all too happy to join Rona onstage; and Mitch (short for Michelle) Mahoney (played by Joyce Borum), the Comfort Counselor who is there to console those who get eliminated. All together, this cast of spellers and supporters makes for a zany night of spelling fun.
FTCC’s production of the musical comedy features a mix of student and community performers, some of whom have experience on FTCC’s stage, and others for whom this is their debut at Cumberland Hall. The one thing they all have in common is great musical talent, great comedic sensibilities, and great chemistry that they use to bring to life the “frenemy” relationships around which this show centers.
The company is rounded out by Director Katie Herring, Production Manager Dennis Johnson (both FTCC Theatre faculty) and Music Director Vicki Hogan, along with a team of student stage managers, house manager, and production crew.
A few things to know before you go: while some musicals make for great family outings, this one is for the big kids. It is recommended for ages 13 and above, due to some harsh language and crude humor. All performances are free and open to the public, no reservations are required; seating is first-come, first-served, so plan to arrive early. There is some opportunity for audience involvement, but only on a volunteer basis, so no pressure if you’d rather stay in your seat.
Make plans to head over to FTCC’s Fayetteville campus and enjoy the laugh-a-minute sensation that is The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
When: February 20-March 1; Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: FTCC Fayetteville Campus; Cumberland Hall Auditorium; 2211 Hull Road
Who: Open to the public; recommended for ages 13+

Don’t cut the beard or mustache just yet, the Bad Ass Beard Contest for Autism will be held Feb. 22 at Legends Pub.
Cape Beard is a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation that raises funds for different charities. Steve Brack, Vice President of Cape Beard, discussed further about the event.
There are different facial hair categories where the beards, goatees, and mustaches can come in different designs and lengths.
The event is not just for men. They also have the “Whiskerina” category. This is for the ladies to get creative and make a beard out of different, everyday objects. Examples from past Cape Beard competitions have included a crochet beard, bottle caps beard or a yarn beard. Brack said this is the category for utilizing one’s imagination.
When asked why do a fundraiser for autism, Brack said, “We have club brothers and friends that have children with autism, and the Club decided to assist in this area.”
Over the years, they have raised funds for the Autism Society for Cumberland County, KidsPeace, Fayetteville Hyperbarics and more.
For 2025, the money raised will go to the School of Hope of Fayetteville, a school for autistic children K-12, located at 111 Burns Street.
Cape Beard has been doing this competition since 2018, and they have teamed up with Legends Pub. Legends Pub started it. Cape Beard does the cooking and comes up with creative names for food, like Beard Burgers and Stache Dogs. Since 2018, the contest has raised over $7,000.
“We’re hoping everyone sees the camaraderie of the facial hair community and has a great time,” Brack said. “People come out of town for this.”
Registration starts at 6 p.m. and the contest will start around 7 p.m.
Brack said people interested in attending can stay up to date by checking Legend Pub’s Facebook.

(Photo: Two contestants in a Cape Beard contest show off their creativity with their beards. Cape Beard is a non-profit who encourages men, women, and children to show off their beards. Photo courtesy of Cape Beard)

The Longleaf Pine REALTORS are hosting their annual State of the Market Real Estate Luncheon on Feb. 18, featuring four speakers and covering a review of 2024 trends and 2025 projections for the region's Real Estate market.
David Zeitz, President of Longleaf Pine REALTORS, says that the event is open to the public and will offer a “comprehensive look at the local market and the overall economic landscape.”
He said they will bring together industry experts such as market analysts and economic development leaders to “share insights, navigate challenges, and seize opportunities in the real estate market.”
According to Emily Hroblak, Communications Manager at Longleaf Pine REALTORS, the event is intended to prompt discussion about regional development, housing needs, and solutions.
“Every year we try to bring members of the community together with realtors to update what has happened in the last year and kind of give expert insights into what we're expecting for the future as well,” she explained.
The event will cover not only residential market information but commercial as well, making it a prime opportunity for homeowners and investors alike to acquire valuable information and get questions answered.
“We want everybody to understand the broader economic picture in the region, and we want to work together to foster smart growth and also foster a thriving housing market in our region,” Zeitz shared.
Zeitz says that because Real Estate doesn’t exist in a bubble, they hope the event will foster transparency by offering education and collaboration between Real Estate professionals, local business leaders, policymakers and residents.
“When the broader community is informed about the state of the market, we feel like we can work together to find solutions and support smarter growth and ensure our region remains a great place to live and work and invest,” he explained.
In addition to covering 2024 trends and 2025 projections, the speakers will delve into topics such as the military impact on the local market and the Carolina Core.
Zeitz described the Carolina Core as a “150-mile corridor in central North Carolina, stretching from west of Winston-Salem to Fayetteville, encompassing cities like Greensboro and High Point.”
He explained that the region is a significant economic engine for the state and attracts substantial investments from companies around the world.
He said that 50,300 jobs have been created in the corridor, a number they hope to see increased to 100,000 by 2038. A housing needs assessment on the Carolina Core conducted by Bowen National Research will be discussed at the luncheon.
Hroblak said that the speakers include David Zeitz, President of Longleaf Pine REALTORS; Patrick Bowen, President and Market Analyst at Bowen National Research; David Evans, local REALTOR and former president/current member of Longleaf Pine REALTORS, who will be giving an overview of local MLS statistics and trends; and Robert Van Geons, President and CEO of Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, who will share insights on local economic development.
According to Hroblak, they’ve seen several hundred attendees in past years and hope to see the same this year. While the event is targeted to Longleaf Pine REALTORS members, all stakeholders in the community, from homebuyers or investors, are invited.
“We want them to be updated and informed as well,” Hroblak explained. She added that the event is ticketed, but free and open to the public with lunch provided.
The luncheon will be held on Feb.18 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Crown Complex.

(Photo: Local REALTORS attend the Longleaf Pine REALTOR luncheon in 2024. Photo courtesy of Longleaf Pine REALTORS)

The Cumberland County Schools Career Pathway Fair will be held on Feb. 21 at the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center, 1960 Coliseum Drive. The event will be open from 8:45 to 2:30 p.m. The ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the event begins at 8:45 a.m. in the lobby. For more information contact bit.ly/careerpathway.fair.
Sponsors of the Cumberland County Career Pathway Fair are Chemours and Cape Fear Valley Hospital. There will be over two hundred educational, career and employment companies available for the students, including Cape Fear Valley Health, Chemours, Beasley Media, Campbell University, Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, Children’s Health, City of Fayetteville, First Robotics, Fayetteville Fire Department, Cumberland County, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville State University, Miller-Motte College-Career Services, North Carolina State Park-Lumber River State Park, Hope Mills Fire Department, Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, Hope Mills Police Department, U.S Marines Corp, Wawa Inc , Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center, and Sylvan Learning Center.
“The Career Fair is designed to highlight a variety of career opportunities for 2025 and beyond. It is organized to help students explore the different pathways, including the Orange Zone. The Orange Zone consists of Architecture and Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation& Distribution, Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security,” said Emily Freeman, Cumberland County Schools Career Development Coordinator. “The Red Zone entails Government and Public Administration, Arts, A/V Technology and Communications, Hospitality and Tourism, and Health Science. The Green Zone represents STEM, Education, Information, and Technology and Agriculture. Blue Zone represents Business Management and Administration, Human Services, Finance and Marketing. These industries represent key career opportunities, and students will have the chance to connect with professionals to learn more about their future options.”
Freeman also stated, “The current and future labor market demands a mix of technical skills, digital literacy, and soft skills. Key areas include STEM, trades, healthcare, and sustainability, alongside AI and cybersecurity. Equally important are communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership to navigate evolving industries.”
She expresses her enthusiasm about the Cumberland County Schools Career Pathway.
“The CCS Career Pathway Fair is a powerful opportunity for students to explore their futures, connect with over 200 businesses, and discover the careers that inspire them. This year, we are thrilled to extend this experience to 5th through 8th grades, and high school students, paving the way for the next generation of talent and innovation.”
Freeman extends an invitation to the Cumberland County School Career Pathway on Feb. 21. General admission is free to the public. For more information contact bit.ly/careerpathwayfair.

(Photo: A student interacts with a robot dog at a The Cumberland County Schools Career Pathway Fair in 2024. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Schools)

Publisher's Note: U&CW has had a close relationship with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce for over three decades. Like our newspaper, advocacy is the cornerstone of their organization.
Government Watch is a new bi-weekly report on what's happening in local government that affects our residents. Unbiased and straightforward, seasoned reporter Jami McLaughlin is covering governmental affairs for the Fayetteville Chamber. Every week, she will attend and report on Fayetteville and Cumberland County meetings and monitor updates on the local level, state, and federal legislation to protect our community's interests.
A strong local government and active engagement of the Chamber of Commerce ensures us a strong voice in shaping policies, driving economic success, and building a thriving community. To learn more, visit www.faybiz.com.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.
— Bill Bowman
On Thursday, Jan. 30, and Friday, Jan. 31, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, county department heads, and various community members gathered to discuss the strategic plan for 2025. The retreat was led by Rebecca Jackson of True North Performance Group and Chris Rey with RC Strategy Group.
Both Jackson and Rey have ties to Cumberland County. Jackson was the former Chief of Staff and Chief Performance Officer for the City of Fayetteville, and Rey was the former mayor of Spring Lake.
Workshops were held during the retreat to identify unfinished strategic initiatives and emerging community needs.
The seven strategic priority areas identified over the two days focused on fostering Economic Prosperity, encouraging Quality, Smart Development, championing Responsive, Transparent Government, supporting a High-Performing Education System, providing increased Culture & Recreation opportunities, enhancing Health and Wellness and ensuring a Safe Community for all residents.
Federal lobbyist Ron Hamm of The Hamm Consulting Group also updated at the retreat on key issues in Congress that could affect Cumberland County. Those issues included water infrastructure, social services, public health, childcare assistance, and economic development. An entire federal advocacy strategic plan can be developed after the county's priorities and objectives are identified through the overall Strategic Plan.
In addition to the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, State Sen. Val Applewhite, State Rep. Diane Wheatley, Hope Mills Mayor Jessie Bellflowers, and Cumberland County Register of Deeds Andra Brewington attended the retreat.
The seven SPAs created at the retreat were broken down into goals, objectives, and key strategic actions and initiatives, which will be developed into the overall strategic plan. The draft of the Strategic Plan will be presented to the board for approval at an upcoming commission meeting and will be used as a tool to drive decision-making and initiatives, according to county officials.
Joint City of Fayetteville — Cumberland County Liaison Committee
On Jan. 27, the Board of Commissioners also met with the Fayetteville City Council in a Joint City of Fayetteville - Cumberland County Liaison Committee meeting. Their theme for 2025 will be "Enhancing Quality of Life for a Healthy City, County, and Community." The committee spoke about health and wellness at the meeting and will discuss public safety and economic development at future meetings.
The city and county meet jointly to discuss ways they can further collaborate and communicate effectively. The next meeting will be held on Feb. 17 in the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse.
City of Fayetteville Update
The Fayetteville City Council met on Monday, Feb. 3, for a work session and discussed a new standards guide for Fayetteville's historic districts and local landmarks. The proposed Historic District Design Standards guide would replace the design guidelines manual adopted in 2000, updating various text amendments to further comply with state law. It would also create a less restrictive district for property owners downtown.
The new standards guide encompasses the Downtown Local Historic District, the original commercial center of Fayetteville, and the Haymount Local Historic District, one of Fayetteville's oldest neighborhoods. Fayetteville has over 30 locally designated historic landmark properties.
The council also provided consensus to approve solutions from the Beaver Creek 2 Watershed Master Plan for the staff to identify and pursue grant opportunities.

(Photo: Cumberland County Commissioner Henry Tyson speaks during the Cumberland County strategic planning retreat, Jan. 30. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Public Information Office)

GroundSwell Pictures embarks on a leadership transition as founders Jan Johnson and Pat Wright pass the torch to new leaders, ensuring the continued success and growth of the Indigo Moon Film Festival.
A Legacy of Inspiration: Jan Johnson and Pat Wright
Jan Johnson and Pat Wright, co-founders of GroundSwell Pictures, have been pivotal figures in the organization’s journey. Their dedication to using film as a medium to educate, inspire, and entertain has left an indelible mark on the community. Over the years, they have tirelessly worked to establish the Indigo Moon Film Festival as a cherished cultural event, celebrating diverse voices in filmmaking and fostering a strong sense of community.
Their contributions to the arts have been recognized with numerous awards, highlighting their commitment and passion. Among these accolades is the establishment of the Film Inspires Change Award in Johnson’s honor, a testament to their enduring impact. While they are stepping aside from their leadership roles, Johnson and Wright will remain active supporters of GroundSwell Pictures, continuing to champion its mission and values.
Welcoming New Leadership: Brandon Plotnick and Erika Forbes
On Jan. 1, Brandon Plotnick and Erika Forbes assumed leadership of GroundSwell Pictures. Both bring a wealth of experience, energy, and a shared passion for the arts that align perfectly with the mission of the Indigo Moon Film Festival. Their dedication to the arts and their vision for the future promise to build on the strong foundation laid by Johnson and Wright.
Plotnick expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “It’s an honor to be taking on this role after Jan and Pat did so much to make this festival matter in our arts community.”
Forbes echoed this sentiment, saying, “Jan and Pat have left big shoes to fill, but I’m so excited we get to continue bringing their vision to this community.”
Ensuring a Seamless Transition for Future Success
The transition of leadership at GroundSwell Pictures will be carefully managed to ensure continuity and a seamless handover. The board of directors, staff, and volunteers are all committed to supporting Plotnick and Forbes as they step into their new roles, ensuring that the organization’s mission and values remain at the forefront.
This thoughtful approach to the transition underscores the organization’s commitment to its community and stakeholders, ensuring that the Indigo Moon Film Festival continues to thrive and grow under the new leadership.
The Continued Mission of the Indigo Moon Film Festival
The Indigo Moon Film Festival has become a highlight of the cultural calendar, celebrating diverse voices in filmmaking and fostering a strong sense of community. Under the new leadership of Plotnick and Forbes, the festival will continue to uphold its mission of using the power of film to educate, inspire, and entertain.
The festival’s potential to inspire change and bring the community together remains a cornerstone of GroundSwell Pictures’ vision. With fresh perspectives and new ideas, the festival is poised to continue its tradition of excellence and innovation.
Submissions for the 2025 film festival opened November 1, 2024. The early bird deadline to submit films is April 1 and the regular deadline is May 1. For more information on deadlines and how to submit a piece, visit the Indigo Moon Film Festival website at https://filmfreeway.com/IndigoMoonFilmFestival.
Celebrating the Past and Embracing the Future
As GroundSwell Pictures embarks on this new chapter, it is a time to celebrate the incredible legacy of Jan Johnson and Pat Wright. Their vision and dedication have laid a strong foundation for the future, and their impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
At the same time, the organization looks forward to embracing the future with Plotnick and Forbes at the helm. Their leadership promises to bring new energy and ideas, ensuring that GroundSwell Pictures and the Indigo Moon Film Festival continue to be vital parts of the local and global film community.

Been to the grocery store lately? Seen another human being in the last week? If so, you have either personally seen the upwardly mobile price of eggs or listened to someone complaining about it. The bird flu is upon us, leading to the ethnic cleansing of zillions of chickens. Econ 101: Fewer chickens means fewer eggs.
Fewer eggs mean higher prices. As Peter Griffin of “Family Guy” would say: “Haven’t you heard? The bird is the word.” With all the talk about eggs, consider a tender love story most fowl from Greek Mythology: The union of Leda and the Swan. The blurb about eggs was a trick to get you more Greek Mythology. It’s the oldest shell game in the book. The yolk is on you. If you have read this far, you might as well complete wasting your time by finishing this column.
This story has it all: Sex, Bird chase, interspecies whoopee, paternity issues, and a tangle of parentage that would cross the eyes of a West Virginia Preacher at a family reunion-marriage up in the Holler. Leda, the daughter of a mortal King, was a major babe. Leda was so fine she caught the attention of Zeus, the King of the Gods. Zeus, who had an eye for the ladies, was smitten by Leda. A smitten Greek God does not worship beauty from afar. He goes for it.
On Leda’s wedding day to the King of Sparta, Zeus made his move. Leda was alone in a garden calming her pre-wedding jitters with a flagon of wine. Zeus hatched a plan to get up close and personal with Leda.
He turned himself into a large swan and had an eagle chase him. In his dramatic effort to escape the eagle, Zeus swooped down out of the friendly skies conveniently falling into Leda’s lap. Zeus faked injury and exhaustion due to his narrow escape from the eagle.
It is well known that no Queen can resist helping an injured swam. Leda cuddled up with the swan to protect him from the eagle. Trigger warning for Snowflakes and others of tender sensibilities. The story gets a bit racy here.
Stop reading and go ban a book somewhere. Snowflakes all gone? OK, here is the PG-13 spoiler. One thing led to another while Leda cradled the swan. Heavy necking and petting ensued. Swans have really long swanlike necks, so you can imagine where this is going. Zeus put a spell on Leda to make her fall in love with him. She made whoopee with the swan and possibly got into the family way.
Leda picked herself up, brushed herself off, and changed into her bridal gown because it was still her wedding day. The wedding went off without a hitch.
By evening she was married to the unsuspecting King of Sparta. Like the amorous Froggy in the old song, she did not let on that she had been a’ courting with a swan earlier. The King and Leda consummated their marriage that night. For reasons not readily apparent, it is unclear except to a bird brain, as to who the real Baby Daddy is in this situation.
There was a clue to paternity. Instead of giving birth like Aretha Franklin’s natural woman, Leda laid two eggs which hatched out four children. Her kids were Helen of Troy, Clytemnestra, Castor, and Pollux. There is no mention why the King of Sparta was not tipped off by the large broken eggshells in the nursery as to who was the real Baby Daddy.
The paternity of her children is scrambled like eggs in mythology. Sometimes the kids are like Hobbits as being half divine and half mortal. Sometimes the kids are all divine or all human depending on which story you believe.
Mostly Helen is described as Zeus’ love child. Usually, Pollux gets credit for being Zeus’ son and his twin brother Castor is the son of the mortal King of Sparta. Clytemnestra, Helen’s sister, is most likely human but a bit vindictive. When she grows up, she marries King Agamemnon. King Aggy sacrifices their daughter to get some favorable winds from the Gods to attack Troy.
Clytemnestra does not cotton to King Aggy’s killing their daughter. It ruins their marital bliss. She has an affair with another dude. Not wanting the scandal of a royal divorce, she and her lover murder King Aggy to get him out of the way.
So, what have we learned today? It is likely your love life is not as convoluted or as homicidal as interpersonal relationships in Mythology Land. Have a happy Valentine’s Day. Pro Tip: Gentlemen, do not buy your Significant Other an iron or a mop as a Valentine’s gift. Stick with flowers and candy.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

I am pleased to see Fayetteville’s Downtown Alliance organization taking an active role in surveying Fayetteville residents on how they felt about the City Hall electees wanting more revenue from the paid parking program to offset the deficit that currently exists with the program.
From those people I talked with downtown about the possibility of raised parking rates came back with an emphatic “hell no! Not only did the city staff propose a rate increase of 25%, but they also recommended rolling back the enforcement hours from 9 a.m. to 8 a.m. and extending the enforcement hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This is not unusual for Fayetteville government elected officials to take three giant steps forward toward progress and then four steps backward toward regression.
At first thought, I felt the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and the Woodpeckers baseball team would have significant objections to this, as would every Downtown event promoter.
The Downtown Alliance has sent out a survey to request input on how residents feel about these proposed changes and how they would impact the success of downtown businesses and organizations.
Because Up & Coming Weekly newspaper is located downtown and has written countless articles supporting Downtown Fayetteville, its businesses, organizations, and cultural amenities, I want to make sure there is no misunderstanding about where our newspaper stands on this issue and the many other concerns that affect the prosperity of our Historic Downtown Fayetteville.
To this end, I have submitted my survey to the Downtown Alliance and printed it below so we can go on the record in support of a beautiful, welcoming, hospitable, and prosperous Downtown community. I strongly suggest our readers do the same. You can find the survey at bit.ly/40M3qem.
Enjoy. Feel free to contact me at 910-391-3859 if you need more information on this topic or have any questions.
And, by the way, Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly. Fayetteville’s community newspaper for over twenty-nine years.

DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE PARKING SURVEY
Part 1: Downtown Parking Issues
Downtown business owners have identified the following issues with downtown parking as having a negative impact. Please consider each and rate each item on a linear scale from 1 (least) to 5 (most) as affecting your business, your customers, and visitors. You can give the same rating to multiple items if you feel that way. There's no need to rank or prioritize your answers.
1. Lack of informative signage
2
2. Pay Station-Kiosks that do not work
4, 5
Your comments on this issue.
Most impact: Dysfunctional Pay Station-Kiosks reflect poorly on our Downtown image as does the broken clock atop of the Market House
3. Enter/Exit Equipment in decks do not work
3
Your comments on this issue.
Again, malfunctioning equipment reflects poorly on our city, as does a Parking Deck without an elevator.
4. Loading Zones and 20-minute quick pickup spaces being used as parking spaces that go unticketed
3
5. How does limited on-street parking, caused by business owners and workers parking all day in those spaces, impact the access of customers and visitors to your business?
4, 5
Your comments on this issue:
This is a widespread problem for downtown merchants, and its history dates back to the 1950s. And the remedy to this problem can be found only with the merchants and businesses themselves and their influence over their staff and employees.
6. Does uneven enforcement of on-street parking, where some individuals park without paying and are not ticketed, affect parking availability for customers or visitors?
3
Your comments on this issue.
If this is really happening, then it should be addressed with the City and management of the Parking Company.
7. Misinformation about parking on key websites and lack of current parking information for the public (City, CSDD, etc.)
4, 5
Your comments on this issue:
Without a doubt, miscommunication and NO communication about Downtown Parking are huge hinderances to bringing residents, visitors, and guests into the Downtown community. The City and the Downtown merchants both fail to market, promote, or advertise the charm, uniqueness, cultural, and historic significance of Downtown, let alone the countless amenities and ease and availability of safe parking.
With thousands of new residents coming into our community every month, how will they know about what Downtown Fayetteville offers? They have no preconceived negative attitudes about our downtown community. They only need to be invited. A case in point is the Franklin Street Parking Deck. It's a beautiful-spacious building, reasonably priced, and conveniently located in the heart of Historic Downtown.
But how would a visitor, guest or newcomer know that? Fayetteville and the Downtown District must do more to create awareness and "tell their story" rather than allowing others to create negative narratives about downtown and our community.
8. Enforcement and revenue is focused on ticket writing of customers and visitors, an average of 60 tickets a day
4, 5
Your comments on this issue:
Wow! This is bad and is perceived as a predatory practice with a tremendous negative effect on Downtown's image and BRAND. At 60 tickets a day, Fayetteville celebrates over 15,000 negative opinions of our downtown area. And, like all disgruntled customers, these 15,000 tell at least ten additional people about their unfortunate downtown experience. This is not the scenario that develops a welcoming image or develops a prosperous downtown business community.
9. Lack of effective signage.
3
Part 2: Current Paid Parking Statements
1. Monday-Friday Paid Parking 9-5 is acceptable
5
Your comments on this issue:
Absolutely, agree. The schedule has proven itself to be feasible and accepted and follows the trends of other cities and downtown districts.
2. Parking should be free on Nights & Weekends
4, 5
Your comments on this issue:
Again, absolutely! And it should be widely advertised and marketed. This schedule has proven feasible and accepted and follows the trends of other cities and downtown districts.
3. Increasing the hourly rate for on-street and deck parking is okay
1
Your comments on this issue.
Until Downtown Fayetteville becomes a "must-see" destination, high parking fees will deter visitors, growth, and development.
4. Extending paid parking back to 7 p.m. is acceptable
1
Your comments on this issue.
Absolutely unacceptable. Again, this only creates a profound and negative image of our community.
5. Increasing the Event Rate only in the Hay Street Deck from $5 to $10 is a good solution for fixing the City's revenue gap.
1
Your comments on this issue.
The revenue gap is a problem and the responsibility of City Hall. They should find a solution that doesn't negatively affect the Fayetteville community. A little DOGE in the city and county governments would go a long way to lowering our taxes and enhancing our quality of life.
6. Short-term street-level parking that is evenly enforced would positively impact the number of customers and visitors circulating to downtown businesses.
4
Your comments on this issue.
Sure, short-term street-level parking (evenly enforced) would greatly benefit downtown businesses and organizations. Two-hour minimums have worked beautifully for years and should be reinstated. Additionally, when Downtown decides to market and promote itself, businesses (merchants) should implement a "FREE Parking" promotion when customers and clients utilize the parking decks while patronizing their businesses. This would be E-Z to do.
The Downtown Alliance thanks you for completing the survey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the paid parking program or the proposed changes, please share them below.
Every thriving city has a vibrant downtown community. Businesses, organizations, visitors, guests, and prospective new residents gravitate to a city's downtown community and use their first impression as a barometer of its vibrancy and hospitality. Unfortunately, our Fayetteville downtown community, with its unique businesses and all it has to offer historically and culturally, has a perpetual tarnished reputation that is perpetuated mainly by the government's self-inflicted rules, laws, and regulations (i.e., parking fees) that run contrary to developing a thriving, prosperous Historic Downtown. Even more detrimental is the LACK of enforcement when enforcing self-inflicted rules, laws, and regulations. I am referring to patron safety, the growing homeless population, the numerous panhandlers, and the constant abundance of street litter.
SOLUTION: Downtown Fayetteville is an easy turnaround if only the people and agencies influencing the downtown community would dissemble their protective silos and start communicating and cooperating with one another.
Downtown needs ONE solidified voice to start marketing, promoting, and creating positive awareness of the Downtown community. Creating enthusiasm and showcasing the amenities, businesses, and historic and cultural aspects of Downtown is easy. Up & Coming Weekly newspaper has been doing it for twenty-nine years. In other words, Downtown needs to create its own awareness, tell its own story, and take control of the NARRATIVE. Our community's negative (mostly false) aspects are primarily communicated through traditional outside media (TV), social media, and poser journalists claiming to provide local news. For some unknown reason, Fayetteville, as a community, fails to take control of our own narrative and convey Fayetteville's unique and fascinating story. How often have you heard "Fayetteville is its own worst enemy?"
It's all under our control. Yes, City Hall must stop implementing rules and ordinances that impede Downtown Fayetteville's growth, development, prosperity, and BRAND.
Yes, Downtown residents, businesses, and organizations must unite to aggressively tell their stories and create positive countywide awareness of what Downtown Fayetteville and Cumberland County have to offer its citizens, visitors, and guests.

A Powerful Film Series for Black History Month
• Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing – Thursday, February 13, 7:30 PM
• Christopher Everett’s Wilmington on Fire – Wednesday, February 19, 7:30 PM
DO THE RIGHT THING(1989)
Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing remains one of the most groundbreaking and provocative films in cinematic history, tackling the complex themes of race, community, and social justice. Set on the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn’s vibrant Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, the film captures the simmering tensions of a diverse community as minor conflicts snowball into larger confrontations. The story explores the intricate dynamics of race relations, personal responsibility, and systemic inequality, culminating in a powerful and unforgettable conclusion that continues to resonate today.
Fayetteville local and published poet El’Ja Bowens highlights the enduring significance of this film, stating, “Do The Right Thing explores race, power, and community, offering a searing social commentary. It’s a thought-provoking film that can spark essential conversations about social justice and equity. Its relevance to current events makes it a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the world we live in.”
The film features an outstanding ensemble cast, including Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, John Turturro, and Spike Lee himself. Their performances bring the characters to life with nuance and depth, reflecting the hopes, frustrations, and humanity of the community they represent. This two-hour masterpiece challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths while asking, “What does it mean to truly do the right thing?”
WILMINGTON ON FIRE (2015)
North Carolina’s own Christopher Everett delivers a powerful documentary in Wilmington on Fire, a film that unearths a deeply buried and tragic chapter of American history: the 1898 Wilmington Massacre. This violent coup d’état, led by white supremacists, overthrew the legally elected multiracial government of Wilmington, North Carolina, and established an enduring legacy of racial violence and systemic oppression. Everett’s work not only reveals the brutal events of that day but also explores their far-reaching consequences for both North Carolina and the nation.
Longtime Cameo patron John explains why this documentary is crucial viewing: “You should see Wilmington on Fire if you haven’t because it tells a history about North Carolina that most people don’t know. It’s important to understand the events of 1898 and how they still impact us today. Learning this history helps us grasp the roots of systemic racism and the ongoing challenges we face as a society.”
Through compelling interviews with historians, descendants of victims, and community leaders, Wilmington on Fire delivers a sobering and deeply moving exploration of historical truth. It sheds light on a story intentionally suppressed for over a century, challenging audiences to confront the realities of America’s racial past. This documentary is a poignant reminder of the importance of acknowledging and learning from history to build a more equitable future.
Why These Films Matter
Together, Do The Right Thing and Wilmington on Fire provide two powerful and distinct perspectives on race, history, and social justice in America. While Do The Right Thing examines the intricate dynamics of a modern-day urban community, Wilmington on Fire uncovers a pivotal historical event with implications that echo through the present. Both films challenge viewers to reflect on issues of equity, systemic injustice, and the ways we can work towards a better future.
Celebrate Black History Month by experiencing these two films. Tickets are available now at the Cameo Art House Theater or on their website.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Casablanca
This Valentine’s Day, experience romance, intrigue, and nostalgia with a special screening of Casablanca at Fayetteville’s historic Cameo Art House Theatre. A timeless classic beloved by generations, Casablanca is the perfect way to celebrate love in the heart of a community deeply connected to its themes of duty, sacrifice, and passion.
Special Event Showtimes:
• Friday, February 14: 8:00 PM
• Saturday, February 15: 4:00 PM
Why Casablanca is the Ultimate Valentine’s Date Movie
Few films capture the complexities and beauty of love as perfectly as Casablanca. At its heart, it’s a story about love tested by time, war, and impossible choices. The iconic romance between Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) transcends the screen, reminding us that love often means sacrifice and that true connection can endure even in the face of heartbreak.
As you and your loved one watch Rick and Ilsa’s bittersweet journey unfold, you’ll find yourself swept away by the passion, longing, and nostalgia of one of the most romantic films in cinematic history.
Set in the exotic, tension-filled backdrop of wartime Casablanca, the movie creates a dreamy atmosphere perfect for a Valentine’s date. Add to that its unforgettable dialogue and the hauntingly beautiful “As Time Goes By,” and you’ve got a cinematic experience that’s as timeless as love itself.
A Special Connection to Fayetteville and Fort Liberty
The themes of love and duty in Casablanca resonate deeply with Fayetteville, home to Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). Released during World War II, the film became a symbol of resilience and sacrifice for countless military families. Its depiction of the struggles and choices faced by those living in uncertain times mirrors the experiences of service members and their loved ones.
By hosting this screening, the Cameo Art House Theatre brings a piece of that history to life, allowing our community to reflect on its own connections to the film’s enduring message.
A Magical Evening at the Cameo
The Cameo Art House Theatre offers the perfect romantic setting for this Valentine’s Day experience. Nestled in downtown Fayetteville, the theater’s vintage charm and intimate atmosphere make it the ideal spot to celebrate with your loved one. Indulge in wine, beer, and gourmet treats from the concession stand as you cozy up for an unforgettable evening. My personal suggestion is to have a nice dinner at Pierro's Italian Bistro or Antonella's Italian Ristorante, see a movie at the Cameo and then end the night with coffee and cake at Rude Awakening Coffee House; all on Hay Street!
Event Details
• Location: Cameo Art House Theatre, 225 Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC
• Tickets: Available online or at the box office. Seats are limited, so secure yours now!
Film Information
• Directed By: Michael Curtiz
• Written By: Julius J. Epstein, Howard Koch, Murray Burnett
• Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid
• Rated PG | Runtime: 1 hr 42 min
Don’t Miss Out!
Whether you’re rekindling an old flame, creating new memories, or simply looking for the perfect romantic night out, Casablanca at the Cameo is an event you won’t want to miss. Celebrate love, honor its sacrifices, and step into the magic of one of the most iconic films of all time.
Reserve your tickets today, and let the magic of Casablanca make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. After all, “We’ll always have Paris.”

(Posters courtesy of the Cameo Art House Theatre)