Easter Sunday is a significant day on the Christian calendar. Easter Sunday will be celebrated on March 31, and many of those celebrations will feature some notable traditions.
Some traditions are undoubtedly familiar to practicing Christians, while others might come as a surprise. As Easter approaches, faithful Christians and others intrigued by the holiday can consider these notable traditions from around the globe.
Easter witches
Witches are typically associated with Halloween, but they play a role in celebrating Easter in Finland. According to the Finland Promotion Board, Easter traditions in the northern European nation feature a mixture of religious references with customs related to the arrival of spring.
It is not unheard of for young Finnish children, particularly girls, to dress up as Easter witches the Sunday before Easter and go from door to door requesting treats in exchange for offerings designed to drive away evil spirits. The FPB notes that it is even common for children in western Finland to don their witch outfits and roam on Easter Sunday.
Fireworks in Florence
The folk tradition of Scoppio del Carro "Explosion of the Cart" takes place in Florence, Italy. The Uffizi Gallery reports that this tradition can be traced to the First Crusade in 1099. During the first Easter in Jerusalem, Crusaders gave the blessed fire to the people as a symbol of purification.
That custom has endured in Florence, where each Easter Sunday morning around 10 a.m. a candle is lit in the church of Santi Apostoli. That same candle is then used to light an antique cart loaded with fireworks, marking the beginning of a display that lasts around 20 minutes.
The Carpets of Semana Santa
Carpets might not be the first thing most Easter celebrants think of when pondering the holiday, but that might be the case for anyone who ever spent the holiday in Antigua, Guatemala. Guatemala's Semana Santa "Easter Festival" features detailed carpets of colored sawdust adorning a Good Friday processional route.
Preparation for the colorful and stunning display begins months in advance as the intricate carpets require ample time to produce.
Whips in the Czech Republic
Among the more unique Easter traditions takes place each Easter Monday in the Czech Republic. In adherence to this tradition, known locally as pomlizka, boys, and sometimes men, gather willow branches and braid them together into whips.
The whips are then decorated with ribbons before boys visit girls (or men visit women) whom they know and lightly tap them with the whips. The tradition is believed to bring women luck, vitality and fertility.
These are just some of the unique traditions many Christians adhere to as part of their Easter celebrations.

College can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be expensive for you. The financial aid experts at Fayetteville Technical Community College will help you find a scholarship that is just right for you. The best thing about scholarships is that, unlike loans, you don’t have to pay back scholarship funds.
Are you a North Carolina resident who doesn’t have enough money to pay for college? A scholarship from the Golden LEAF Foundation can help! It provides up to $2,250 per year to students living in one of the qualifying counties (listed on the application). You can use this scholarship to pay for tuition, books, child care, and even transportation to help you get to school and be able to focus on your classwork.
Would you like to get paid to attend functions, events, and college celebrations? The prestigious Tom McLean Ambassadors Scholarship program allows students to represent FTCC on and off campus by serving as a student ambassador. Student ambassadors reflect a positive image and help share the good news about FTCC and how FTCC benefits students and the community. Throughout the journey, student ambassadors build positive relationships with community leaders, develop personal leadership skills, and experience unique opportunities that enhance personal growth. Student ambassadors must have excellent academic grades, submit a written essay and demonstrate exceptional communication skills during a panel interview. The scholarship amount awarded to each student ambassador is $1,300.
Do you need a little help completing your degree? Apply for the Finish Line Grant if you have completed at least 50 percent of your coursework and are faced with a financial emergency that occurred through no fault of your own, which could impair your ability to continue your academic program. Students pursuing the Finish Line Grant may receive up to $1,000 to help them complete their academic training.
Don’t enjoy filling out applications? FTCC’s Corporate and Continuing Education programs no longer require applications for some scholarships. These scholarships can be used for a wide variety of programs including welding, veterinary assistant, accounting clerk, medical billing, and more. Some courses can be completed online. Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s important not to delay in contacting FTCC’s continuing education staff.
FTCC student Heather Aicher, also a recipient of the Malcolm Nickelson Memorial Scholarship, recently expressed her gratitude for how the FTCC Foundation helped her: “As the widow of an Army veteran, it has warmed my heart to encounter support from the military-connected community in places I hadn’t thought to look. This scholarship has enabled me to continue my education in the field of IT, which I will use to secure a career that can provide a sustainable wage to support the family in my husband’s absence.” Comments such as these expressed by Heather represent the reason the FTCC Foundation exists: to clear roadblocks along the pathway of education for students pursuing a better quality of life.
Ready to learn more? Contact the FTCC Foundation today at 910-678-8441 or by email at foundation@faytechcc.edu. More information can be found at https://www.faytechcc.edu/scholarships or by visiting the campus at Harry F. Shaw Virtual College Center, Room 114, 2201 Hull Road.

With the spring season comes many things. From spring cleaning to camping, there are yearly things we all do throughout our daily lives. This year, like many before it, the local Masonic Temple Kindah Temple No. 62 is hosting its annual Spring Ceremonial.
Happening April 13th, a fezzing ceremony and night of celebration for the individuals being honored will be taking place. Up & Coming Weekly was able to sit down with Assistant Rabban Adrian Davis and Oriental Guide Shakoor Mitchner to learn more about the local temple, the masonic lodge, fezzing, and other exciting things about the pseudo-secretive nature of the Freemasons and Shriners.
The Kinda Temple No. 62’s Spring Ceremonial is a great opportunity to support the local Masonic Temple and meet the people involved in many community projects. The temple is itself deeply involved in community outreach projects and events on a regular basis.
Charity, fundraising, and youth engagement are some of the core tenets found in the basis of membership at the local temple and in most Freemason temples and Shriner lodges. One such event is the PTSD Awareness Motorcycle event the group has coming up on June 8th, with the proceeds going back to the Wounded Warrior Project.
“We also sponsor Ferguson-Easley Elementary School and work with the kids year-round with mentorship programs, easter egg hunts, Halloween trick or treats, and scholarships at the end of the year. We also sponsor young gentlemen and ladies on how to begin their journey through adolescence and present themselves in a way that garners respect and makes them feel confident.”
The Freemasons and Shriners pride themselves on being an organization focused on the continual improvement of the community. Through determined and focused efforts, the groups curate their members and offer developmental opportunities to one another in the pursuit of accumulating the skills, knowledge, and resources to fund and execute plans both large-scale and local to implement positive change within their communities. But how can someone get involved with their local temple?
“There are qualifications any individual must meet to join. There are important things to learn. Like any organization they need to understand the foundation of that group that they’re choosing to be a part of, what we do, the different groups within our local temple, and to let them get a feel for who they’ll be around and understand why these individuals set their feet in the community and strive to better things.”
Those being honored can have their fezzes donned by their friends, family, wives, or other loved ones. You may have noticed that we have yet to mention who exactly is being fezzed.
This is intentional, as the identities of those being fezzed at the Spring Ceremonial will remain hidden until the night of celebration to all but those directly involved in their leadership and individual training; a way to entice the local community to find out for themselves who they’ve deemed to have done the necessary community and self-work to earn the honor of donning their fez.
However, Davis and Mitchner were able to tell U&CW that ten individuals will be receiving their fezzes at the ceremony and they believe they were confident in presenting the best they have to offer to the community regarding the individuals being fezzed.
“When it comes to this Spring Ceremonial, to me it’s like a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. It’s like graduating high school; you only get one time to do so. There are certain elements in life where achievements are met and goals are set for someone, and those moments are a great thing. But within all of it, you can have all the different organizations, but with us, it is about what ‘you’ can bring with you. We aren’t just a ‘goody boys club.’ Everyone pays their dues in giving back. Quality over quantity is a frequent motto,” said Mitchner.
The pair invite the community out to this year’s Spring Ceremonial and fezzing at Kindah Temple No. 62 with the great pleasure of presenting their newest Shriners. Tickets start at $20 and are available through Assistant Rabban Adrian Davis or Oriental Guide Shakoor Mitchner.
To attend please call them at 910-587-3434 or 910-760-1136. The dress code is business casual, and the festivities will run from 8 p.m. to midnight. Clifford Duell Masonic Lodge #756, where the event is taking place, is located at 2860 Village Drive.
For more on how to get involved, reach out to Assistant Rabban Adrian Davis or Oriental Guide Shakoor Mitchner for more information.

Depicting a recognizable subject in a painting can evoke pleasure or even comfort for the viewer – we are familiar with the objects, figure or place. We perceptually experience a landscape when the artist captures the nuance of light, shadow and the size of objects diminishing in scale as they recede into the background.
In the new exhibition at Gallery 208, we do not have a memory of a locale or a familiar place to experience. Instead, we are able to view the unfamiliar. Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins, opening April 2, is a body of work by an artist who has created accessible places and spaces for us to experience.
Instead of being constrained by the conventions and expectations of representational art, Perkins creates new forms and ideas about the potential of painting to be a new experience for the viewer. Unlike representational works in which we are limited to a place in time, Perkins creates a world of potential for us to embark on.
Unlike small works which can often limit our sense of the possible, the large scale of Perkins paintings is integral to the spatial experience. In the painting titled Storm, 36” x 36,” the artist has created an abstracted space, the color red illuminates small white areas of the background and are suppressed by lavender and shades of blue.
The formal elements of shape, movement and rhythm enable the viewer to move through the lavenders and blues on a yellow-orange brush mark.
The beauty of abstract works is the opposite of figurative works, it does not tell us a narrative story. Suppose we allow ourselves to leave the familiar world of the representational and experience the classical tradition of abstract expressionism.
In that case, we are open to the artist’s conveyed meaning and emotion using mark marking, color, line, shape and texture. While a story is not represented literally, the artist's style and approach convey a sense of an inner world and perspective.
Fantasy Falls, a 36” x 48” painting, is the only work in the exhibit that alludes to something identifiable. The artist has created a work in which the blue sound of falling water evokes a waterfall in front of something mammoth resembling a rock formation. The brilliance of the painting is subtle and similar to the way Cezanne was able to capture movement and stillness at the same time.
Fantasy Falls is mesmerizing. Created with muted colors, bold and visible brushstrokes we can sense the abstracted rock formation against an endless blue sky. In the composition, the flattened rocks are stacked and serve to anchor, and emphasize the solidity and stillness of the form, while a sense of balance and stability exists in the work.
In the blues and neutrals of the painted mark, the artist uses repetition of line to symbolize falling water and a sense of flattened movement over time. The flatness of the water pushes the rock formation into the background, staging us to sense the subject in different states of being. We see the opaque flatness, but our experiences remind us of the transparency of water.
Whisper from the Past is a small work; the 18” x 24” painting exudes something different than the majority of works in the exhibit. With less dramatic mark-making, we can float in a poetic, abstracted and manifested place of rest in time.
Contrasts of warm and cool colors swirl in movement around the perimeters of a central lavender space. The painting evokes activity and calm in mood, the lavender space shape is able to dominate amidst the swirls and movement. Again, in Perkins fashion, we experience the preferred - among turmoil a place of rest still exists.
Perkins was influenced by her training in fabricated metal sculpture during her undergraduate degree in metals from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
It was not until her study of painting during her master’s degree in art education that the artist investigated the potential of painting.
Experience in metal fabrication is evident in the works. The artist does not investigate volume but sees shapes and repeated patterns; constructing different textures on a flattened surface to create depth.
Similar to Cezanne, a dichotomy exists in the work. The background in metal fabrication enables the artist to experiment with different painting surfaces, transitioning into a painterly approach.
Perkins shared her influences and style of painting by saying the following: “By studying the works of Pat Steir, Sam Gilliam, Fiona Rae, Gerhard Richter, and Hans Hofmann, I formulated a strong foundation in the painting process.”
“Artistically, I render the unique physical nature of paint and provocatively mix colors to create a layered nomadic space on my canvases. This space resonates with my visual texture and mark-making along with my intricate treatment of the surface, using both traditional and nontraditional tools to invent marks in a multitude of layers.
These layers evolve into intense visual textures through the spontaneous application of paint, the push/pull of deep space, the form that evokes content, and the essence of the living, breathing artwork which compels the viewer’s involvement.”
Perkins explains how the “ancillary painting process produces my emotionally compelling expressive qualities in my paintings; a mark is not just a brush stroke, a squeegee pull, a palette knife scraping, or a painterly drip of liquid, but a creative, cogent, and personal stimulus, which evokes the viewer’s involvement in my work as an integral part of each person’s response.”
While representational art is popular among the public, visiting Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins, is an accessible opportunity to experience the emotional and aesthetic appeal of an untethered and unlimited reaction to the unknown made known. It is as if we are on a break from what is seen to the sensuality of the unseen.
Perkins preferred to spend her career as an art educator in the Cumberland County public school system. The exhibit is an example of a dedicated and award-winning educator who remained a producing artist. We have the opportunity to see the results of her dedication to remaining an artist who explores the promise of the arts to express states of being in ways we can explore and enjoy effortlessly.
Practicing her style, Perkins successfully creates an otherworldliness through color and composition and the absence of recognizable form. We see shape and color first to pull us into space. The absence of recognizable forms creates a detachment from the natural world.
Dynamic compositions, often using diagonal lines and asymmetrical shapes, initiate a sense of movement and energy that is not grounded in the natural world.
Even seeing the smaller works, like Spiratic, visitors will leave the gallery feeling refreshed for not being tethered to the world; instead challenging our perception of reality.
Unexpected proportions in the paintings also challenge our sense of the relevance of scale and contribute to the feeling of being unleashed.
The public is invited to attend the opening of Beyond Surface: Abstractions by Kellie Perkins on Tuesday, April 2, between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. At 6 p.m. the artist will give a short talk about the exhibit.
Gallery 208 is located at the headquarters of Up and Coming Weekly, at 208 Rowan Street in Fayetteville.
*Visitors should know there is plenty of parking behind the gallery. For anyone who cannot attend the opening, the exhibit will remain up until June 24. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For information call 910-484-6200.

This April 13, local automotive detailing shop Flawless Touch Detailing will be celebrating the move to its new location at 250 West Russell Street, Suite 102.
Owner Stanley Jacobs started his business to be a mobile car detailing service that would drive out to their customers on appointment. However, after he started his business, he focused on stabilizing his company by developing its headquarters location at the main shop. With the continual growth and success of his brand, Jacobs expressed his want to bring back and re-implement this mobile detailing service for the Fayetteville and Cumberland County area.
“People really like being in the comfort of their own home. You can call your barber to come cut your hair. Think of how great it would be to just relax at home while somebody comes and cleans your car. That’d be awesome, I’d love that,” Jacobs said. “People still come in, but a lot of people miss the mobile. I want to get back to that.”
Dealership corrections and repairs can be costly, but auto detailing services offer a cheaper and more specialized service for automotive care and maintenance.
Jacobs credits his current expertise with auto detailing to his time spent working at a car dealership when he first moved to Fayetteville from Lumberton. While Flawless Touch offers ceramic coating, paint protection and window detailing as well, Jacobs says the foundation of car cleaning is paramount to properly developing the fundamentals for professional and expert automotive detailing.
“We do a lot of interior details. That’s definitely what I started with. A lot of these up-and-coming people, they want to go straight into paint correction and ceramic coating, because ‘Oh that’s the big one.’ But if you don’t know how to clean a car, you don’t have any business touching the paint. That is when mistakes start to happen. There are a lot of bad things that can go wrong with a paint correction. When I started off, that’s all I did: clean dirty cars,” expressed Jacobs.
The main thing Jacobs believes sets him and his business apart is their commitment to customer service. Having a vast resume with multiple vocations, Jacobs says his belief in the importance of customer service is directly linked to his personal experience over the years.
“The way I try to stand out is customer service,” Jacobs said. “I do believe that the customer is always right. A lot of people don’t believe in that anymore; they’ve gotten away from that. Most jobs I’ve worked all dealt with customer service in some way. I’ve worked for Orkin, Walmart, and been a cable man, so I know how to deal with customers. Sometimes you can’t please everybody, but still, that doesn’t give me the right to lash out at a customer. They’re a paying customer, and I’ll always try to work with them to get them exactly what they paid for.”
Jacobs warned readers to steer clear of the do-it-yourself videos and clips found on social media on the internet. He stressed the importance of always vetting who you’re getting your information from, and ensure it’s a legitimate professional in the automotive industry.
The grand reopening event will be taking place at the shop’s new location on West Russell St. While normally open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the celebration will start at 1 p.m. and go on into the night, finally ending at 8 p.m. Jacobs said there will be music, cool cars to look at, vendors, free t-shirts, cornhole and food trucks. For more information about the grand reopening, vendor spots, or car display, please visit the Flawless Touch Detailing website at https://flawlesstouchdetailingnc.com/or call 910-987-8093.

The folks at Cape Fear Regional Theatre know a good hit when it happens. For The Play That Goes Wrong, however, it was in the people on social media asking them to extend the multiple sold-out shows and the general community’s question about more showtimes for the play that made them know they had a hit on their hands. So, naturally, they decided that the show had to return — The Play That Goes Wrong, again.
“It was our highest attended play in the history of the theatre,” Ashley Owen, the Marketing Director for Cape Fear Regional Theatre, said.
The members of Cape Fear Regional Theatre are gearing up for a large renovation and Owen said the fly system that The Play That Goes Wrong requires wouldn’t be possible for another two years. They knew, she said, it had to be brought back before the renovations, which explains the closeness of the return of the production to its original run.
“There is no way we can do this show not in our own setting,” she said.
The Play That Goes Wrong is about a play, The Murder of Haversham Manor, going from “bad to utterly disastrous” and gives the comedic vibes of Gene Wilder with accident-prone actors and a corpse that has a hard time remembering to play dead. The show will hinge on comedic timing.
As far as actors are concerned, most of the original cast was able to return for the second run of the play. Just two actors had conflicts and had to be recast. And although this is the second run, Director Laura Josepher said the show will include plenty of subtle changes the cast and crew have been fine-tuning.
“They are still finding new things,” she said. “It is different. It feels a little bit different.”
The theatre admins had to apply for the rights to do the production the first time around and had to place new applications in to get the rights for this second run. Thankfully, Owen said, they were approved. They hope the community will come back and experience new laughs and maybe some of the magic from the first run as well.
“I would encourage people who saw it before to come again and bring people,” Josepher said.
For Josepher, she feels like comedy shows like this one get influenced by people coming together and being able to laugh together.
“It’s really cathartic. I see it every day and it still makes me laugh,” she said. Josepher has previously admitted that farce is hard. “It’s such specific timing. The world is a tough place that [it’s nice to have] an evening of just laughing.”
Tickets are on sale at CFRT.org, or call the box office at 910-323-4234. The show will run until April 7th. It will include military and teacher appreciation nights.

The annual Brothers for Brothers event hosted by the pub Charlie Mike’s will have many firsts this year for their poker run scheduled for April 20 at noon.
Tracy Guthrie, media rep and owner of Charlie Mike’s, said this poker run is open to anyone. Participants can register the morning of, with any vehicle they wish.
The event honors fallen brothers of the United States Army Special Forces, also known as The Green Berets.
But this year, for the first time in the run, two honorees will be recognized. The first is SFC Lance S. Cornett United States Army Special Operations Command. The second is SFC Roberto C. Skelt, 3rd Special Forces Group.
Because the establishment has a wall of fallen Green Berets, usually customers suggest from that wall who should be honored. And Guthrie said fallen sisters are not forgotten either. Proceeds will go to the Special Forces Charitable Trust. SFCT provides meaningful and sustainable support to families of Green Berets through its 501(c)(3) charitable status. Programs and services designed to enhance the well-being and health of both Special Forces soldiers and their families are supported by the SFCT.
The second first this year, is that proceeds will also be divvied up between SFCT and a military-based organization called Memorial 3 Gun. Memorial 3 Gun Foundation’s mission is to remember, honor, and memorialize fallen Special Operations soldiers through the world of competitive shooting.
Their desire is that families of fallen heroes know they are not alone during and after tragedy.
The annual event will continue to raffle off guns (participants must have a gun permit to receive these), knives and other various items. Guthrie said Mission BBQ will cater the food. It’s a community event too. She said many Fayetteville businesses are involved with this poker run.
Veterinarians, pet stores, and grooming stores are involved to raffle off animal baskets with gift certificates for pet lovers. Other giveaways are pool table lights, a golf bag filled with gift certificates to various golf courses, a Yeti cooler filled with adult beverages and handmade canes.
“It is an all-around good time with a solid history behind it,” Guthrie said.
In the beginning
The Brothers for Brothers event first started in 2009 by the original owner of Charlie Mike’s, Michelle Curtis. The first run was for Mitchell Young, a 7th group communications sergeant. Guthrie said it is her understanding that his wife Robin had the idea.
Michelle continued the poker run as a way to donate all the proceeds to various organizations that support the community.
In 2016, Iris Hash owned the bar.
“All the money made was then donated to the SFCT,” said Guthrie. “It has continued that way.”
As a finale to the day, Charlie Mike’s will be welcoming back those who completed the 222 mile Let’s Ruck It Out trip from Fayetteville to Camp Lejeune and back.
For more information regarding the Brothers For Brothers Poker Run, visit https://bit.ly/3THFYME.

From the dining facilities to the late-night diners, culinary artists, cooks, chefs, and casual connoisseurs alike rejoice. Fayetteville Technical Community College is developing a program for veterans ending their military service and those interested in starting their own food based business. FTCC and Fort Liberty Army personnel have come together to create the “Chefs to Soldier; Soldier to Chefs” program.
Charles Bullard, program and culinary instructor, said, “Sgt. First Class Brown and my department head Sabrina Santucci were the first ones to make contact. They came out to help showcase the culinary students' skills and in turn, the students get an opportunity to show their talents. It’s a growing partnership we’ve been working on to pool more resources and time into young students, or older students, that might want to consider a military career and those who get out of the armed forces.”
When leaving the military, many individuals regularly face challenges reintegrating into the civilian lifestyle. Whether that be in redeveloping social connections or choosing their next vocation, veterans face the unique challenge of having to recreate a semblance of normalcy in their everyday lives. Programs like the “Chefs to Soldiers; Soldier to Chefs” create more opportunities and pathways for veterans new and old to re-enter the workforce with a renewed vigor and skillset.
Aimed at facilitating the pathway between joining and leaving the military, this new program will act as a jumping-off point for people who are looking to develop a new skillset to make a career in the culinary arts. On the military side of the coin, Sgt. First Class Brown, from the Providers’ Café at Fort Liberty, has come together with the administration and instructors at FTCC to facilitate the transition people make when leaving the military. The new programs allow veterans, especially individuals within the 92G MOS (Cook and Culinary Specialists), to have a pathway to obtaining higher education and career certification within the food industry.
“Through chance, communication, and similar interests, we’re trying to make sure that both sides of the path have ample opportunities to access the other side and know what options are available to them,” Bullard expressed.
The program also allows civilians interested in serving their country through military service the opportunity to develop skills and training for a new vocation within the armed forces. The curriculum allows those talented in the kitchen to get a foundational knowledge of standard practices in the industry, kitchen and food safety certifications, and what to expect should they choose to enlist in the armed forces or in the civilian sector if they’re currently transitioning. Depending on their certifications and experience, credits for early developmental courses could be counted as part of the education requirements as well.
Bullard invites those interested in the culinary arts as a career on the civilian side or the military to come out and talk to an advisor or instructor to get involved with the course and program. For more information about the program, you can visit www.faytechcc.edu or call 910-500-0089. For active duty military and veterans looking for guidance in their transitional period, please visit FTCC’s website page at https://www.faytechcc.edu/military-veterans/veterans-services/ready-to-transition/ . Alternatively, transitioning service members can also call 910-486-3626 or email Pendy Eldridge at transtech@faytechcc.edu.

On behalf of the City of Fayetteville, Cool Spring Downtown District is pleased to announce the return of the third annual Juneteenth Jubilee: Their Wildest Dreams.
The Juneteenth Jubilee will kick off in the heart of downtown on Saturday June 15 with a full-day celebration in Festival Park from 1p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring nationally touring headliners, local performance acts, food trucks, small-businesses and corporate vendors, artists/artisans, history, games and other entertainment for the whole family.
Organizers are excited to announce the musical talent for this year’s celebration. The opening headliner is two-time Grammy nominated Pierce Freelon.
Freelon's critically acclaimed work has been featured on the TODAY Show, NPR, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Parents Magazine and the PBS Kids animated series’ Alma’s Way and Work it Out Wombats! He founded Blackspace, a digital maker space offering teens free programming rooted in Afrofuturism. He is also the co-creator and talent of the PBS Kids podcast “Jamming on the Job '' and has written two children's picture books with Little Brown. Most recently, Pierce was GRAMMY nominated alongside his mother, jazz singer Nnenna Freelon, for their first family album together, AnceStars.
The marquee headliner this year is Skip Marley. The maternal grandson of Bob Marley, Skip Marley is part of the legendary reggae family that also includes his mother, Cedella, and uncles Ziggy, Stephen, and Damian Marley, yet his own sound adds touches of contemporary pop, rap, and rock forms.
In 2016, Skip debuted on the family's Island-distributed Tuff Gong label with the ballad "Cry to Me." After he signed with Island Records proper, he debuted on the label with the dramatic, pop-oriented anthem "Lions."
A week later, Katy Perry released "Chained to the Rhythm," a collaboration with Skip, and the two performed it at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The single quickly became a Top Ten pop hit in several countries.
In 2020, Skip enlisted Rick Ross and Ari Lennox for the track "Make Me Feel," which, along with other contemporaneous singles, was included in his debut EP, "Higher Place," which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. That same year, Skip was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist.
The City of Fayetteville is the title sponsor of the Juneteenth Jubilee. In 2021, when Juneteenth was made a federal holiday, the City voted to make it an official holiday, as well as contract with CSDD to curate a. new celebration here in Downtown Fayetteville.
“Juneteenth event is about commemorating a pivotal moment in history; and affirming our commitment to diversity, equality and community,” says City of Fayetteville Mayor, Mitch Colvin. “It’s an opportunity for us to reflect on our past, celebrate progress and unite in our ongoing journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future.”
CSDD’s Director of Special Projects, Ashanti Bennett, shares the spirit for this year’s event: “When I first started thinking about this year’s Jubilee, the phrase 'we are our ancestors’ wildest dreams' kept catching in my head. I look around at the accomplishments of Black Americans across the country and the globe, not to mention the inspiring excellence right here in Fayetteville, the barriers that we continue to break, the leadership and advancement of the culture, and the joy we continue to express even in the face of turmoil.
"I can’t help but reflect on the wonder and pride that our ancestors would feel if they could see us now. Current events both here and around the globe are so tumultuous; for this year’s celebration, we truly want to lean into a vibe of joy and uplifting positivity.”
In addition to all the fun in the park, the Can-Do Coldwell Trolley will return to offer festival-goers a chance to take an educational tour focused on the history of Juneteenth and black history here in Fayetteville, curated in partnership with local historians from Fayetteville State University.
The current list of confirmed Juneteenth Jubilee event sponsors includes ABC-11, Healy Wholesale Company, Inc., Beasley Media Group, and Cape Fear Valley Health System, with additional sponsorships pending. To learn more about becoming a Juneteenth Jubilee sponsor, please email Bianca Shoneman, CSDD President/CEO at bianca@coolspringfay.org.
One of CSDD’s stated objectives with Juneteenth Jubilee is to showcase Black culture through Black artists, performers, and Black-owned small businesses. For more information or vendor application links, please visit CSDD's website at visitdowntownfayetteville.com. Visitors and residents of Cumberland County may follow Cool Spring Downtown District’s efforts and announcements on their website at visitdowntownfayetteville.com, as well as CSDD’s social media on Facebook at @CoolSpringFAY.org or @downtownfayetteville, or on Instagram at @coolspringdowntowndistrict or @downtownfay.

Carolina Journal’s first post-primary survey is out. It shows our state’s 2024 general elections will be, as usual, quite competitive.
That’s not to say North Carolina’s electorate is perfectly purple. It’s not. All other things being equal, Republicans enjoy a modest edge statewide of a few percentage points. As John Locke Foundation analyst Andy Jackson points out, GOP candidates won 46 of the 74 statewide contests held from 2012 to 2022, or 62%.
It’s with that context in mind that I offer these findings from the latest CJ Poll of 600 likely voters, conducted on March 6 and 7. It shows Donald Trump leading Joe Biden 45% to 40% in North Carolina. Similarly, GOP gubernatorial nominee Mark Robinson currently leads Democrat Josh Stein 44% to 39%.
In generic-ballot tests, Republicans enjoy six-point advantages for both state legislature and U.S. House. And in three Council of State races, the GOP nominees have sizable leads in the early going: Luke Farley (42%) over Braxton Winston (35%) for labor commissioner, Brad Briner (43%) over Wesley Harris (37%) for state treasurer, and Mike Causey (43%) over Natasha Marcus (37%) for insurance commissioner.
On the other hand, three other statewide races are closer to neck-and-neck, with the Republicans at 41% and the Democrats at 39%. They are, respectively, Dan Bishop vs. Jeff Jackson for attorney general, Jefferson Griffin vs. Allison Riggs for state supreme court, and Michelle Morrow vs. Democrat Mo Green for state superintendent of public instruction.
I gave you the percentage of respondents, not just the point spread, to emphasize that all these races remain competitive! That’s because many voters have yet to commit to either major party’s candidates. Even in the highest-profile contests, for president and governor, they constitute about 15% of the sample — and remember, these are likely voters, not just registered voters.
Some told CJ’s polling partner Cygnal that they were truly undecided. Other voters said they were planning to vote for someone else. When it comes right down to it, some of these ambivalent North Carolinians will, in fact, stay home this fall. Others may follow through on their third-party preference, although I doubt it will be the 9% currently saying that for president. The rest will swing R or D.
When “experts” tell you swing voters don’t exist anymore, that modern politics is all about turning out partisan bases, you should discount their opinions — at least for our state. North Carolinians know late-deciders and split-ticket voters still matter because we have eyes. We see that Roy Cooper won the gubernatorial elections in 2016 and 2020 — as Josh Stein did for attorney general those years — even as Trump was winning the state’s electoral votes.
Interestingly, across the 11 states that once formed the Confederacy, Democrats currently hold just four statewide offices comparable to North Carolina’s Council of State. Actually, scratch that. The four Southern Democrats in question aren’t just comparable to our Council of State. They are on our Council of State: Cooper, Stein, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and State Auditor Jessica Holmes (who was appointed after Democrat Beth Woods resigned and will be on your ballot this fall).
Democrats routinely win some state races here by finding ways to appeal to our small, but often decisive, group of swings. In their write-up of the new CJ Poll, Cygnal described the state of play as follows. North Carolina’s GOP base comprises 41% of likely voters. The Democratic base is 38%. The remaining 21% are “Persuadables.” They tilt Republican in generic races but are willing to support Democratic politicians they perceive as sensible or effective. For example, two-thirds of Persuadables disapprove of President Biden’s job performance but a similar number approve of Cooper’s.
I used to describe North Carolina’s true political color as magenta. But then I spent more time researching colors — I live to serve you, the reader — and discovered another purplish shade that’s more red than blue. It’s just the right fit.
It’s called “flirt.”

Editor’s note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, Mountain Folk and Forest Folk, combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com).

Hey kids, your first shot of heroin is free. Those were the good old days. You had to go to some grimy dangerous corner to get your heroin.
The rough beast of Sports gambling after slouching towards the NC General Assembly has been legally born.
Just in time for March Madness basketball, you can now bet on sports events from the comfort of your easy chair. Want to double or deplete your kid’s college fund? Bet on whether the guy on the foul line will hit both ends of the one-and-one.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you can’t have missed the constant ads from Draft Kings, Caesar’s Sports Book, ESPN Bet, FanDuel, and multiple other gambling platforms who promise to transfer your money to a faraway casino.
We just enjoyed the Ides of March. Remember when our old buddy Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River? He had his army outside of Rome where legally it was supposed to remain.
He changed the rules and marched into Rome replacing the Republic with the Empire. The General Assembly changed the rules so the nose of the camel of sports gambling is inside NC’s tent.
Can NC Education Casinos be far behind? Any bad habit the General Assembly wants to justify for more tax revenue and personal political contributions can be rationalized by saying “It’s for the children.”
Consider the cleverly named NC Education Lottery for instance. Who is against education?
More state-sanctioned gambling for everyone.
Proponents pushed the bill by saying, “Other states are doing it, why shouldn’t we?”
Remember when Mom said, “If all the other kids were jumping off the roof, would you jump too?” The last one into the betting pool is a rotten egg.
Some of the gambling money is supposed to go to state and local athletic programs. Seems a worthy cause. Don’t the ends always justify the means? Portable ethics are useful when it comes to money for politicians. Ethically sourced free-range gambling has hatched in NC.
“How shall the Sports Books entice people into their parlor?” said the Spider to the Fly.
Like a drug pusher to a new addict, give them the first shot free. Sports Books have come up with a groovy variation of the first shot is free for gambling for potential newbie gambling addicts.
Ponder the Get Rich Quick scheme of “bonus bets.” Instead of opening a vein to inject heroin, the newbie opens an account with the Sports Book funded by any number of fun and exciting methods such as direct deposit of cash from your bank account, credit card, debit card, or just sending money to your Sports Betting account.
Borrow money from your 401K to send to the Sports Book. Bad idea. You will pay taxes and penalties, but if you hit it big you will be on easy street. What could go wrong?
Want free money? Open a betting account, then bet a measly $5 to get $150 in bonus bets. Yowza! Sounds great.
Even if you lose your $5 bet you still get the $150 in bonus bets. It’s like you won $150 from those dummies at the Sports Book. Another casino offers you a 20% bonus bet match if you deposit $1600 in your betting account. That’s $320 of bonus bets.
Now you have almost $2000 in your account to bet. What a great return on your investment.
How can the casinos do this? It’s because they can do math. If you keep betting, ultimately you will lose, and they will win.
Like everything that sounds too good to be true, there is a catch. You can’t withdraw any of your gifted bonus bets in cash.
It’s limited money, you can’t spend it on food or shelter. You can only spend it at the Sports Book company store by betting within 7 days or it vanishes.
Bet Now!
Maybe you will win lots more. Wouldn’t that be exciting? But maybe you won’t. You may win a gambling habit you can’t break.
Send your money to Vlad the 401K Impaler in Las Vegas.
If he does his job, he will keep you betting until you are up to your ears in debt. He will whisper sweet nothings and drip bonus bets into your account. Let the Casino Vampires suck your finances dry. If you can’t go to the casinos, the casinos will come to your smartphone. Count Dracula of Sports Booksylvania loves fresh blood.
Some people, once they use heroin, keep using it despite the grief it causes.
Likewise, some people, once they start phone betting on sports, keep betting despite the grief it causes.
The kids’ college fund gone? Bank accounts emptied? Credit cards maxed out? Cash advances cashed out? Depressed? Anxious? Can’t sleep?
Here is a way to get it back. Double down on your bets. Chase your losses.
Borrow money from friends and relatives. The Sports Book may give you more bonus bets to keep you betting.
They will love you long time until you are broke. Then they send the collection agencies after you.

Fayetteville needs the Dogwood Festival.
Unfortunately, it has fallen victim to a community that lacks proactive municipal leadership and embraces an apathetic philosophy that sees little value in community involvement or commitment. How does a successful 42-year-old community-wide family festival that attracts over 300,000 attendees over a two-and-a-half-day weekend, go from being recognized as North Carolina’s most outstanding, award-winning outdoor festival, to a debt-ridden shadow of its previous self with its future hanging in the balance?
Well, it's not that difficult when municipal leadership ignores the need to preserve Fayetteville traditions that once celebrated, showcased, and defined the Fayetteville community, its citizens, art, and culture.
My involvement with the Dogwood Festival goes back to the Sunday on the Square days of the early eighties, and the Cow Chip Bingo fundraisers of the nineties. This was a time when elected officials from Fayetteville and Cumberland County joined prominent residents, business leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, and civic organizations like the Kiwanis Clubs and came together for what was recognized as the grandest social event of the year.
This was a time when it was an honor to be asked to serve on the Dogwood Festival Committee, and a privilege to be working as a Festival volunteer. Now, the future of the Dogwood Festival is in jeopardy.
Fayetteville city officials generously and needlessly wasted $20,000 of taxpayers' money on an out-of-state consulting company to find out what’s ailing the Dogwood Festival and to make recommendations on how their situation can be remedied to again produce a successful fun family festival. Well, in the future, the City (and County) may want to consider another solution when faced with a perplexing problem or they are in search of advice.
Of course, this recommendation only works BEFORE spending thousands of dollars on out-of-town consultants who are unfamiliar with our unique community. When faced with a difficult decision or complex problem Fayetteville’s elected officials need to treat themselves to breakfast at JK’s Deli, MaryBills Café, Fireside, Zorba’s, or Lindy’s restaurants, and while enjoying their breakfast they should engage in a conversation with local Fayetteville patrons and hear what they have to say about important community issues. Ask them for their ideas and insights.
Without a doubt, their input and insights would be far more accurate and honest than any outside consulting source. And it this information would be FREE! In the case of the Dogwood Festival, Fayetteville residents would gladly provide honest, valid information and common-sense solutions and recommendations on how to rejuvenate and operate the festival. This information would be much more credible than any of the high-priced, out-of-town consultants who only provide costly generic boilerplate propositions. Many residents suspect that elected officials hire consultants as a convenient way to shed their responsibilities, hide their ignorance of complex issues, and “pass the buck” to avoid making tough decisions they don’t want to take responsibility for.
Hiring consultants is the perfect vehicle for allowing them to skirt their sworn oath responsibilities.
Every consultant has a “strategic plan” in their bag. Fayetteville’s City Hall houses dozens upon dozens of “strategic plans” that have been hatched over the past three decades. I can pretty much assure you each of them heralds the same content as pertains to the mission of
1. Defining who we are as a community.
2. Identify the community assets.
3. Establishing our BRAND, and
4. Market and promote the community to enhance our image and BRAND.
Sound familiar?
Well, I’ll conclude this message with a reminder to the Mayor and members of the Fayetteville City Council. We have already defined our community and accomplished many of the goals of these strategic plans over a decade ago, and we did it with only six words: Fayetteville and Cumberland County is a community of History, Heroes, and a Hometown Feeling. That’s a pretty definitive statement and I challenge any outside consultant to do better at any price.
Kudos to Board Members Jackie Tuckey and Andrew Porter for their hard work and dedication to the Dogwood Festival which has lacked a full-time paid executive director for nearly a year. They know how important this event is to promoting the community, and especially Fayetteville’s Downtown District.
Note to consultants: Moving the Dogwood Festival out of Downtown Fayetteville is a non-starter. This year, the event is scheduled for the weekend of April 26th – 28th. We will be there, and we hope to see you there celebrating our History, Heroes, and Hometown Feeling!
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.

The Veterans Empowering Veterans 1st Annual Craft Fair will be held March 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Veterans Empowering Veterans organization is helping put on a fundraiser featuring local crafters, artists and veterans to support homeless veterans and those in need within the community.

Being hosted at The Palace off Clinton Road, the event will be a chance for those interested in aiding the fight against homelessness for veterans to meet some of the people affected by it and give back to those who took the oath to serve their country against all enemies foreign and domestic.

“It’s a fundraiser by Veterans Empowering Veterans. The organization works within Cumberland County helping homeless and low-income veterans. We assist with everything from housing to clothing and food, to resumes and finding jobs,” said Christina Elder about the fundraising event.

The event will have concessions and liaisons for Veterans Empowering Veterans for attendees, organizers and veterans alike. The community is encouraged to reach out and help with the event.

Elder also spoke about the fundraiser’s purpose in how it aims to support their goal within the community. “We’re hoping to raise money to keep the programs we already have in place going. We offer a lot of services to veterans in the community - helping find housing and employment- we have group sessions for them, host various events throughout the year, as well as hygiene aid. Any money that we’re able to raise through this craft fair will help in sustaining those programs throughout the next year.”

Vendors and artists who would like to be at the event in an official capacity are invited to reach out to event organizers via phone at 910-223-3213 or 910-237-4257 to get involved. Tables are starting at $75, and vendors will be able to keep all profits made from their sales at the fundraiser.

All proceeds from donations, concessions and money raised through the event will go directly to help support local veterans in need throughout the greater Cumberland County area. It is important now more than ever that we come together as a community to support one another when we are in need or at our lowest.

The Veterans Empowering Veterans 1st Annual Craft Fair is a wonderful opportunity to engage with local veterans suffering in the community and to understand more about their problems and what they need to recover.

Attendees can support the growth of the community by supporting its most vulnerable peoples in their trying times.

If you or a loved one has been in the armed forces, Veterans Empowering Veterans invites you to come out to the event as a show of support for others who may be suffering from experiences you can help with.

Veterans Empowering Veterans organizer Beth Koraska ended by stressing the importance of coming out to support and donate at this year’s upcoming fundraiser, “Anybody who served their country should never be homeless or in a position where they are in need in the community. Veterans Empowering Veterans tries to do everything they can to negate those adverse conditions.”

The event will take place on March 23 at The Palace Catering and Event Center, 1418 Clinton Rd.

The Gilbert Theater is indeed back for another production. The season is NOT over and this production is sure to intrigue audiences. The latest musical production to hit the community theater stage is Assassins.

A far cry from musical productions such as Cats, Assassins takes musical theater and spins it on its head with a darkly fascinating concept and arguably some of the most complicated music written for a musical. Shows started March 8th, and will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until March 24th. Show times are Friday at 8 p.m. only, Saturday, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, at 2 p.m. only.

Assassins is based on the book written by John Weidman and adapted into a musical by Stephen Sondheim. A musical production unlike any other, Assassins tells the tale of nine men and women who have made an impact on history by trying and failing or successfully assassinating an American President.

At its surface, a comedy peeled back to bare bones, Assassins is a social commentary on what drives the extreme in America and leads one to kill the leader of the “free world.”

Marie Lowe is at the director's helm of this season’s production of Assassins. An active member of the theater community here in Fayetteville for a decade, this is Lowe’s first time directing a musical.

“I’m very pleased to be doing it. Assassins is a much beloved, kind of cult hit with musical theater people and Sondheim people… it’s very rarely produced, although this is the second time the Gilbert is doing it… I anticipate people really enjoying it because this cast is fantastic. It’s hard to do Assassins unless you have really good people because Sondheim is known for particularly technically difficult music… we got all the people, it’s really delightful,” Lowe said of her musical directorial debut.

Not a theater to not prepare for a production, the Gilbert Theater was able to bring in a musical director for the first three weeks of rehearsals.

“Everyone learned their music and now we are just putting it on stage and it’s going to be fantastic,” Lowe said.

Artistic Director Larry Carlisle, who has managed a successful season of amazingly diverse shows, is no musical expert but his knack for finding the right directors and musical directors has paid off this season, with the Rocky Horror Show being a brilliant success last fall.

“Generally, with musicals, I try to stay pretty hands-off… this one is pretty awesome… mostly I just try to let the director and music director do their thing because I know I can’t really offer anything of usefulness,” Carlisle said.

Assassins takes place in a carnival-like purgatory and John Wilkes Booth is the leader of the band of successful and unsuccessful assassins. The cast has put in the work, with some taking method acting to a new level, such as Chris Walker and Molly Malone.

“I’m concerned the audience will like the cast too much. They are all so good, but they are playing people who are not lovable and who are not so good. They are doing a good job of trying to bring some of that into it as well,” director Lowe said of the casting for Assassins.

With a talented cast and an equally talented director, Assassins is a can’t-miss musical production. Tickets to the show can be found on the Gilbert Theater's website, https://www.gilberttheater.com/2023-2024-season/.

Coming to the Crown Complex this April 12 to 14, The All American Tattoo Convention promises to be a spectacle of art, craftsmanship, and excitement. Come see amazing tattoos and their artists, get tattooed, or learn about the theories and science that goes into tattoo coloring with “Mohawk” Jesse Yunker.

The convention is sponsored by companies both local and national. World Famous Ink, Ghost Tattoo Company, Veteran ink, and TrueFitGym are just some of the companies helping to support the event. Being the main event and helping in their own way are the artists themselves. With over 260 artists said to be in attendance, the convention will be filled with talented individuals.

Artists like Ray Durham, Cory Wright, and Michaela Morin will be available for on-location appointments if you wish to get your next tattoo done at the convention. Afterwards, shop around with vendors set up at the convention center, or grab a bite at one of the food trucks that will be present.

If you prefer appreciating the art of tattooing on others rather than yourself, the convention will also be hosting multiple tattoo contests every day throughout the duration of the event. On Friday the contests will start with large and small color tattoos, moving on to best-stylized tattoos with themes like military and American pride, and ending with the tattoo of the day.

Saturday will start with color tattoos large and small. The competitions for the day will then consist of another round of size-based black and grey tattoos which will also be judged. Afterward, the next phase of Saturday’s competitions will consist of a second round of differently stylized tattoos ranging from neotraditional to watercolor.

Finally, the contests will end with the best individual location art pieces, the best male and female tattoos, and the tattoo of the day. Sunday caps things off with the final round of color and black and white tattoos, a final round of stylized tattoos featuring comic heroes, anime, and Disney themes, and for the finale, the event will announce the final tattoo of the day and the illustrious Best in Show tattoo for the convention.
The main seminar planned for the convention is one with “Mohawk” Jesse Yunker. His seminar will cover color theory and composition as it relates to tattooing and art. Color theory itself focuses on the relationships between color and the emotional reactions, conscious or unconscious, they elicit in us.
Effectively blending the desired style, design, artistic principles, color, unique individual dermatology, and overall composition for the client are the hallmarks of an excellent tattoo artist. Being able to peer into the mindset of a long-time tattoo artist and learn the design principles they utilize to create their works of art is something any aspiring artist or tattooist can appreciate.

After the seminar, Yunker will be hosting a Q&A for all attendees of the seminar. The seminar will be on the first day of the convention, Friday, and last for two to three hours starting at 11 a.m. Admission for the seminar is $250 with a promised swag bag for all attendees made by Yunker himself.

Also planned is The All American Tattoo Convention’s 2024 Miss All American Pin-Up contest. The contest will take place on the main event stage at the expo center on April 13 at 2 p.m.. The All American Tattoo Convention staff recommends that contestants come earlier the day of to make sure everything is ready to go for the 2 p.m. start time. There will be a $500 cash prize for first place, a $100 cash prize for second place, and a $50 cash prize for third place in the contest. All participants will get an All American Tattoo Convention tote bag and American Tattoo Society gift card. Registration is $25 and the online form can be found at https://allamericantattooconvention.com/miss-all-american-pin-up-contest/ . Those with questions, concerns, or interest in the event can contact the organizers at allamericantattooconvention@gmail.com.

From local tattoo artists, to national talents, The All American Tattoo Convention brings together both artists and connoisseurs for a weekend of appreciation for the art of tattooing.

The local community is invited to come out in support of their favorite artist, learn about the principles of art through color theory, show off their tattoos in the pin-up contest, get a tattoo, or just shop around and look at all the interesting ways people choose to decorate their bodies through tattooing.

For those interested in attending the convention, tickets can be purchased at the door or online through their website at https://allamericantattooconvention.com/buy-tickets/ . Single day passes are available for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Interested guests can also buy two variants of three-day passes for the convention.

The regular three-day pass is 43 dollars in advance with an increased price at the door. The V.I.P three day pass starts at $62 pre-purchase, increasing to $72 at the door based on availability, and includes a special V.I.P badge, convention swag bag, meet and greet signature poster with a pen for the show, access to the V.I.P meet and greet with T.V. tattoo artists on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Crown Ballroom, and an All American Tattoo Convention t-shirt. All tickets will be available for a $5 military discount for qualifying individuals.

Artists and vendors interested in setting up a booth at the convention must register in advance via the convention’s website application. For more information and where to submit your application, please visit https://allamericantattooconvention.com/for-exhibitors/interested-in-a-booth/

Friends,
Under President Biden’s failed leadership, the State of the Union is in crisis. He can try to convince the American people his policies are working, but after his address last week, one thing is clear — they’re not buying it.

Over the past three years, Americans have experienced one crisis after another. From the catastrophic open border, skyrocketing prices fueled by inflation, to surging violent crime, to weakness on the world stage, President Biden has made our country less prosperous and less safe.

Since President Biden took office, folks in our region and across America are paying more for everything. His reckless spending and anti-energy policies have led to historic inflation, soaring gas prices, and higher interest rates, making it more expensive for people just to buy the basics. Mortgage rates have also doubled, skyrocketing the cost of purchasing a home and putting the American dream of homeownership out of reach for more families.

This crisis has left many families drowning in credit card debt. Many people have had to take second or third jobs to make ends meet. Hardworking Americans are suffering because of President Biden’s failures, and they’ve had enough.

President Biden’s open border policies and disregard for our immigration laws have created the worst border crisis in U.S. history, turning every community into a border community.

Under the Biden Administration, there have been roughly 8.7 million illegal crossings nationwide, including over 340 individuals on the terrorist watch list. Countless innocent lives have been tragically lost to fentanyl poisoning and criminal violence at the hands of people here illegally.

Just a few weeks ago, Laken Riley, a Georgia college nursing student, was brutally murdered by an illegal migrant who’d been paroled and released into our country after crossing the border illegally in 2022.
The crisis at our border is a catastrophe of the President’s own design, and he could fix it today with a stroke of a pen, but he refuses to act. Meanwhile, House Republicans passed a bill to stop the flow of illegal migrants and secure America’s borders.

We won’t stop fighting to secure America’s borders and protect our communities.

While President Biden continues to dodge responsibility and ignore the suffering his policies have caused, House Republicans are fighting to hold him accountable and restore our country’s greatness once again.

Rest assured, I will not stop working to ensure a better future for you and your family.

Until Next Time.

Looking for some fun and exciting Easter events to enjoy with your family and friends in Fayetteville? Well, you're in luck!

The local community has a plethora of activities to make this Easter truly memorable. So, gather your loved ones and head out to Fayetteville this Easter. With a wide range of local events to choose from, you're guaranteed to have a fantastic time filled with laughter, joy, and plenty of Easter cheer.

March 20th to 30th- Photos with the Easter Bunny at The Cross Creek Mall (various times)
910-868-7668 https://tinyurl.com/4b7m43w9

March 23- Easter Dash at Highland Baptist Church 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
910-425-5305 https://tinyurl.com/4at5umh5

March 23- Easter Egg Hunt at Lafayette Baptist Church 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
910-425-1306 https://tinyurl.com/m9jt5aw7

March 23- Community Easter Event at Hope Mills Methodist Church 1 p.m. to
4 p.m.
910-425-0108 https://tinyurl.com/mr3ukkhc

March 23- A Jolly Holiday Tea with Mary Poppins & Mr. Easter Bunny at HanMarie's Performing Arts & Events 10 a.m. to noon
https://tinyurl.com/2benf5zh

March 23, 24 & 30- Pictures with the Easter Bunny at Green Side Up Garden & Gift Center 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
910-323-2000 https://tinyurl.com/c5jvsp59

March 23- Kegs & Eggs at Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom 9 a.m.
910-426-2537 https://tinyurl.com/fzs5t3ea

March 23- Crossroads Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza at Crossroads Church 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 910-366-3869 https://tinyurl.com/nhb3td5t

March 23- Easter Egg Hunt at East Regional Library 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
910-483-7727 ext. 1403 https://tinyurl.com/y9bbmwbp

March 26- Toddler Story Time: Easter is Here! at Spring Lake Community Library
10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
910-483-7727 ext. 1459 https://tinyurl.com/4t5j5ses

March 26- Preschool Story Time: Easter is Here! at Spring Lake Community Library
11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
910-483-7727 ext. 1459 https://tinyurl.com/2c95jbua

March 28- Preschool Story Time: Easter at East Regional Library 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
910-483-7727 ext. 1403 https://tinyurl.com/2j4mcmen

March 30- Easter Egg Hunt at Bravery Kids Gym 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
910-779-0623 https://tinyurl.com/mvhma5fu

March 30- Hoppin' Around Downtown at Downtown Fayetteville noon to 3 p.m.
https://tinyurl.com/5a6abmzx

March 30- Epicenter Church and the Woodpeckers Hop at the Ballpark at Segra Stadium, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
https://www.hopattheballpark.com/

April 7- Easter Egg Hunt at Mclaughlin Park 2 p.m.
https://tinyurl.com/

The 10th Annual Power and Water Conservation Expo will be held on March 22 at Skyview on Hay Street. Hosted by Fayetteville’s PWC, the event will focus on educating the local community on PWC’s goals and services.

From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Skyview on Hay Street will be bustling with booths, demonstrations and PWC employees who will help you better understand your local utility company.

“You get to see lineman demonstrations, you get to talk to customer programs, customer service, you can bring your bill and we can talk to you about your bill and your usage. We’ll have conservation giveaways; LED lightbulbs, shower timers; things to help customers save time and money. You can also sign up to have the portal for your bill and e-bill,” said Alexandra Hasapis, PWC.

Focused on the conservation of water and electricity in our area, the expo plans to have local professionals guide attendees through the process of more efficiently using the city’s allotted water and electricity. This is not only to lower utility bills but also to avoid the overuse of these limited resources in the community. Educating the community on how to avoid wasteful use and helping to better manage what is already used is crucial to sustaining the quality of lifestyle the city and its inhabitants are used to.
Another focus is pipes in homes. The Fayetteville PWC will also be handing out what they call “fat trappers” at the event as part of their “Cease the Grease” initiative.

“Cease the Grease” aims to cut down on the potential stoppages, back-ups, and clogs caused by improper waste disposal of congealed fluids and solids such as grease, fat, lard, and more. These “fat trappers” will work as secondary disposal methods that can be reused as an alternative to pouring your grease down the drain. This small preventative measure has a significant impact on a home’s plumbing system and can help avoid a costly call for pipe replacement, repairs or cleaning.

“We’ll also have grease traps, or fat trappers at the event for attendees. You know, everyone has a grease can at their house. These are cans with reusable bags in them, and we give those out to customers for free if they need them,” explained Hasapis.

A day of fun, education and conservation is planned for the whole family. Fayetteville’s PWC invites the entire community out to learn more about what they can do for their homes, utility bills, and the future of the city’s resources.

Children are welcome at the event and are encouraged to engage with the presentations to further their understanding of the importance of conservation and how the things they use every day are designed, developed, and implemented so that they may have a better understanding of the world around them.

The event will take place on Friday, March 22nd, at Skyview on Hay, located at 121 Hay Street. For more information, please visit the event page at https://www.faypwc.com/Pwc-Expo/ or view the Fayetteville PWC’s homepage at https://www.faypwc.com/ for more ways you can take control of your utility usage.

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomes back one of its own, Jay Elliot, as he returns to his hometown to serve the local business and military communities.

As a Fayetteville native with deep roots and ties to the community on both sides of the family tree, Jay is excited to be back in his hometown. In 2013, he graduated from Pine Forest Senior High and subsequently from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Peace, War, and Defense, and American History.

After spending some time living and working out of the state, he chose to return home in 2019 to make a life here in our great All-America city.

His faith and large family — especially his wonderful wife, Kayla — are the driving forces in his life. He’s passionate about local and international politics, an avid supporter of the military community, and a lover of all things outdoors ­— especially baseball (Go Woodpeckers!).

He’s excited for the opportunity to work with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber in support of the local business community and eager to create a positive impact!

Thrilled for the opportunity to work with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, Jay is eager to leverage his skills and passion to support local businesses and drive positive change within the community.
"We are delighted to welcome Jay Elliot back to Fayetteville and to the Greater Fayetteville Chamber team," said Chamber President, Nat

Robertson. "Jay's dedication to our community, combined with his diverse experiences and passion for fostering growth, will undoubtedly make a significant impact. We look forward to working together to promote business development and prosperity in Fayetteville."

For inquiries or further information, please contact Robyn E. Pitt, M.A., Marketing & Communications Director, Greater Fayetteville Chamber at 910-224-4843 ext. 4 or at Marketing@faybiz.com.

About the Greater Fayetteville Chamber

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber has been serving Fayetteville and Cumberland County since 1899.
With a vision to build a prosperous and resilient community through business leadership, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber serves to grow a healthy business community through advocacy of business-friendly public policy, the fostering of diverse innovative business initiatives, through strong collaborative partnership and by delivering valuable programs and services to its members.

The Greater Fayetteville hosts over 100 events per year including monthly Business after Hours, Chamber Coffee Clubs and Business Networking Breakfasts, ribbon cuttings, regular business meetings and educational opportunities and more. Visit FayBiz.com.

The VFW 670’s Vietnam Veterans Lunch will be a celebration and remembrance of the men and women who fought and gave their lives in the Vietnam War. On March 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Rodolfo P. Hernandez VFW Post 670 is hosting its annual Vietnam war veterans’ lunch.

Event organizer and Post Quartermaster Amelia Smith welcomes the community to come out in support of local Vietnam veterans and show them the care and appreciation they deserve. The luncheon is open to the public, but it is advised to reserve a spot in advance to ensure everyone can be accommodated. Smith eagerly requests female veterans or their families to come out and share their stories and experiences with their fellow servicemembers and the community.

“I do like to focus on the women because I don’t think enough female veterans get recognized. Every time we think of the Vietnam War, we think of men, which is understandable. But there were a lot of women there that played their roles and supported the men,” said Smith.

Also planned is a ceremony performed by the Fort Liberty Honor Guard to pay respects to the veterans of foreign wars and those still serving. Fayetteville Sound will be singing the national anthem, and the North Carolina Rolling Thunder’s first chapter will be performing a recognition ceremony for those lost and missing in action.

Smith went on to talk about some of the speakers they had coming this year.
“This year, we’ve got a retired, female, Native American captain that will be out here speaking. We have a couple of other ladies from the Vietnam Veterans of America Organization coming out as well.”

Up & Coming Weekly encourages the community to come out to support our Vietnam veterans and their local VFW post. For more information on the event and to RSVP, please reach out to Amelia Smith at 910-709-8306. To get involved with your local Veterans of Foreign Wars post please visit the VFW Post 670’s website at https://vfw670.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp . To join your local VFW online, visit https://vfw670.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=72054 . Membership requirements are listed below.

There are three qualifiers for membership in the VFW, as set out in the National Bylaws. An individual must meet all three to become a member. They are as follows:

1. Citizenship – must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National.

2. Honorable Service – must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and either received a discharge of Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) or be currently serving.

3. Service in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters*. This can be proven by any of the following:

• An authorized campaign medal (see a full list of qualifying medals and badges)

• Receipt of Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay (verified by a military pay statement)

• Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days

This information is usually available through a veteran’s DD-214. If other information is needed or if a veteran’s DD-214 is not complete, they can contact the National Personnel Records Center online or at 314-801-0800 to request more information.

“Be Bold. Be Fearless. Be the Heroine. “ -Acharya Shunya

Her Spirit addresses the spirituality for women business owners. One of the questions is, how can a woman create and convey self-love and self-acceptance? Camy Kennedy, Intuitive Life and Business Coach provides guidance, “The biggest thing when you are not spiritually connected, you are very conditioned to the outside world. When you reach the state of calm, grounded, and centered, you will make better decisions. Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and imposter syndrome are challenges for women. Perfectionism is trying to make everything look good and perfect before marketing or selling yourself. People pleasing is trying to make everyone like us. There will be some people for me and some people not for me. That is okay. Imposter syndrome is the feeling of not being good enough. Every human being has this wound. You are complete and whole. Imposter syndrome is a symptom of risk-taking. The biggest thing is being able to trust yourself. You can tap into your divine, feminine power separate from men. If you can have a baby, you can run a business,” shares Camy Kennedy.

The HerImpact Brunch was held on March 5, 2024, at the Greek Hellenic Center, Fayetteville. “As we come together to commemorate International Women’s Day, we are reminded of the remarkable progress women have made in the pursuit of equality. And yet we recognize the challenges that still are ahead. Today we affirm our collective dedication to breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating a more inclusive and equitable world for all,” said Rebecca Jackson, HERWEEK, cofounder and emcee.
Women in Power is a partnering organization with NCCEED. This organization has donated $10,000 in 2023 and doubled the amount in 2024. The donations are based on proceeds from the Affair to Remember Annual Runway Extravaganza.

“We are giving away over $30,000 today for Women in Business: HERPITCH. Everyone in here today is helping HER WEEK along. We have over seventy women that have walked the stage,” shared Kathy Jensen, District 1, Fayetteville, Mayor Pro Tem, and Founder of Women in Power.

Amy Privette Perko, executive director, Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, inspired as the keynote speaker about the impact of Title IX on her career, “My own experience in sports would have never happened without Title IX in my life and the opportunities I have been given. When in 1983, I was offered a scholarship to play at Wake Forest, I never could have dreamed that I would have the career that I did. But thinking back, my success came from the help of another core lesson. It is one of my favorite quotes, that 'small things done consistently over time lead to big results.'”

Title IX in 1972 was a game-changing legislation for women in the sports and the sports industry.

One of Cumberland County’s trendsetters in Women in Sports is Michelle Skinner, General Manager, Fayetteville Woodpeckers. “One of the things I like about working in sports is that whether you are on the field or off the field, it is a team atmosphere. I have been in the baseball industry for over fifteen years. Two of the biggest struggles are representation and equal opportunity. There have been a lot of improvements. It is great to see young boys and men wearing female athletes’ jerseys. Bring your seat to the table. Build your network and make connections. Women in Baseball has a great networking group. There is room to grow.”

The Athena Award is one of the stellar moments of the HERImpact Brunch. The Athena Award recognizes “women who demonstrate excellence in professional leadership, community service and mentorship,” according to Athena International. Tammy Thurman, Piedmont Natural Gas, Senior Manager for community relations, and local government presented the award to Stacey Buckner for her organization, Off-Road Outreach. It is a mobile service that transports homeless veterans and provides laundry services, food, clothing, mobile showers, and assistance for applications concerning housing and VA benefits. Other nominees for the award were Tonette Sheree Johnson and Stephanie Brown Kegler.

“I cannot thank you all enough. The work in the community is not done without powerful women like you here. It is about improvement; it is about taking each and every one of our stories and making it a testimony and doing good in a great community because all of you beautiful trailblazing ladies out there,” said Buckner

Stacey Buckner’s response to receiving the Athena Award inspired remarks by Suzy Hrabovsky, NCCEED executive director, “The power of supporting each other is amazing. We do not do it enough. Stacey just showed that up here. She is absolutely amazing, when we come together and support each other, we grow. Instead of holding each other back.”

Save the date for the upcoming Let's Walk It Out event scheduled for April 11-20. In the ongoing battle against veteran suicide, Let's Walk It Out - 222 Mile Ruck March Inc. stands as a non-profit corporation committed to dismantling the stigma surrounding post-traumatic stress and suicide. The organization's mission is clear: prevent veteran suicide through a public health approach, fostering collaboration, awareness, and intervention. At the core of Let's Walk It Out's philosophy is the recognition that those who have served, including military, Veterans, Law Enforcement, and First Responders, often bear burdens that can lead to silent struggles. While physical pain may find relief through rest and medication, emotional anguish poses a more complex challenge.

The Let's Walk It Out march, a grueling 222-mile journey from Fayetteville to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and back, aims to mirror the mental strain experienced by our nation's silent heroes.
It is a symbolic testament that, despite the indelible marks left by a life of service, no hero should face their struggles alone.

In a recent interview, JP Cervantes, the organizer of LWO notes, "Sometimes the deepest scars are the ones we can't see. Recognizing physical injuries is one thing, but spotting the emotional aftermath of trauma in someone we care about can be much harder."

The march's physical demands are intentional, pushing participants to their limits while encouraging a deeper understanding of the emotional toll often endured silently.

Despite these challenges, LWO emphasizes the importance of seeking help for emotional distress, affirming that the organization shall not be held liable for any injuries, accidents, or fatalities resulting from the ruck march. Ryan Oldenburg, a devoted member and participant of LWO shared a poignant experience from the march.

A young girl handed him a gratitude note saying, "Thank you for what you're doing because I had those ideas in the past." This decisive encounter underscores the march's profound impact, fostering a connection that transcends the physical challenges.

LWO invites everyone to be part of the solution as a testament to their commitment. The organization collaborates with Red 7 Tees to offer high-quality merchandise, including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, silkies, and tanks, all designed to raise awareness and support the cause. Visit https://letswalkitout.red7tees.com/ to contribute to the mission.

Interested participants are welcomed with open arms. While registration is not mandatory, a signed liability waiver is required for participation. Service dogs are permitted, with their owners responsible for their care. No animals are allowed in LWO’s vehicles.

LWO is not just an event; it's a community-driven initiative focused on mental health mindfulness. To get further details and express interest, contact Kristin, the logistics coordinator, at kristin@letswalkitout.org. Your involvement in LWO is more than an act of participation, it's a decisive step towards breaking the silence surrounding mental health issues and preventing veteran suicide. Join the mission, support the cause, and let's walk it out together.

LWO extends support beyond the march itself. The organization prominently features the NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE, reinforcing that no one is alone.

Individuals are encouraged to seek help, with the lifeline available 24/7 at 988 or 1-800-273-8255. Additionally, the website offers a live chat option for those who prefer an alternative means of support: https://www.letswalkitout.org/

The Show must go on!

Or, in this case, The Festival christened “Dogwood.”

For the past 42 years, having accumulated dozens of state awards and imprinting in the memories of thousands of families, The Dogwood Festival has become the signature event for Fayetteville. Longstanding food vendors, craft artists, and entertainers look forward to this rite of Spring, not to mention city natives, children, transplants, visitors, and the military among us.

The Dogwood Board of Directors is rising to the challenge this year, despite the somewhat late start in the planning. As is tradition, the Festival will span the last weekend in April from Friday the 26 to Saturday the 27 to the finale on Sunday, the 28.

There will be a Midway featuring a Ferris wheel and all the elements of a carnival. A Kids’ Zone will again be present with games and rides.

The footprint of activity will be the same as in previous years, encompassing Hay St to Ray Avenue to Maiden Lane to Festival Park itself.

Volunteers are in high demand. What a great way to experience the music, the laughter, and the community spirit by serving as an ambassador for the city.

Leave a message at the Dogwood office @ (910) 323-1934 if you have volunteer interest. Meanwhile, keep reading Up & Coming Weekly for Dogwood highlights and the eventual Dogwood Festival edition on April 24 with the activity map and music line-up.

Listening to JoAnn Adams of Fayetteville share stories about African American history in the community rekindled stories of historic landmarks and once-thriving black neighborhoods in Fayetteville. The writer felt like a kid during story time, sitting in a crossed-legged style while listening intently to the storytelling of Fayetteville's rooted African American history. The only thing lacking was a blanket and a warm cup of tea.

Those stories deserve to be highlighted, as each city has its own story—from the community's unsung heroes to prominent historical sites.

"Marker tells the stories of people, places, and things at a time that were relevant to that time. It lays dormant until somebody comes along and decides to bring it back to the forefront," Adams stated.
Adams also highlighted, "If you don't know your history, you will not connect to your past."

Fayetteville has an African American Heritage Trail for visitors to explore the African American history of Fayetteville, Cumberland County. According to the DistiNCtly Fayetteville website, the trail comprises 18 historical markers. The first marker begins at DistiNCtly Fayetteville at 245 Person Street and runs through Fayetteville State University.

The African American Heritage Tour leads tourists on a scavenger hunt through the city, exploring historic places and landmarks. The Trail stimulates education as tourists can learn about the city's early history, including the slavery era, free black enterprise, religion, education institutions, and much more.

Other historical stops include Fifer's Grave, Evans Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church named after Methodist Preacher Henry Evans, Saint Ann Catholic Church, Cross Creek Cemetery (Brookside), Saint Joseph's Episcopal Church, Orange Street School, E.E. Smith Monument, Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, Sandhills Family Heritage Center, Bethel AME Zion Church, Simon Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, Airborne and Special Operations Museum, Fayetteville History Museum, and the Market House.

The historical markers also detail the legacy of prominent community figures who had ties to Fayetteville, such as Charles W. Chesnutt (essayist, political activist, and lawyer), Hiram R. Revels (the first African American to serve in US Congress), Lewis Leary (African American harnessmaker), and Omar Ibn Said (Islamic Scholar and Slave Narratives Author).

A much richer African American history was revealed as the city of Fayetteville was inducted onto the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail, highlighting the city's 1963 protest to segregation thanks to community trailblazers like Adams.

Known for her research on the city's African American history, Adams pushed for the city to apply for the NC Civil Rights Trail through an initiative led by the NC African American Heritage Commission with funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

According to Adams, Mayor Mitch Colvin expressed interest in the initiative after she presented the historic marker program during a city council meeting, three-four years ago. The initiative was later executed by the city's Special Project Manager, Brook Redding, who worked closely with Adams and other community stakeholders.

Adams was happy with the city's emphasis on not forgetting the past and promoting community revitalization and preservation of the community's African American heritage. Last year, Adams was present for the unveiling of the NC Civil Rights Trail Marker. She stood side by side with former city councilwoman Shakeyla Ingram, who recognized her advocacy for pushing for a civil rights marker.
She believes citizens should always remember the rich history that exists right here in Fayetteville, especially for future generations.

"It's important for people, especially young people, to know that their history just didn't start the moment they were born. They had ancestors, and their history is important because it helps build self-esteem to know where you came from, how strong your ancestors were, and how they made their lives much better," she stated.

According to the Fayetteville Business Journal, revitalizing the African American Heritage Trail will include new signage and discoveries connecting with the Big Cross Creek Trail, Little Cross Creek Trail, Linear Park Trail, and others.

The African American Heritage Trail is a great educational adventure that not only memorializes history but also maintains our sense of community by remembering the contributions of African American leaders in Fayetteville-Cumberland County.

The trail is free and accessible to the public. For additional information on the trail, visitors can go to www.distinctlyfayettevillenc.com or visit the tourism information center in person during their hours of operation, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.