We measure greatness in several ways. Among them are what a person knows and what a person can do or has already done. We brag about our kids’ grade point averages or SAT scores. We claim a person is the greatest to play their sport based on measurable statistics such as championships won, home runs hit and touchdowns scored.

The Bible presents a compelling case for God’s greatness. He knows all things, has never learned and is equally proficient in every area of knowledge – unlike scholars who are experts in one limited sphere of knowledge. Put another way, God has never had, nor will he ever have, an “Aha!” moment when he realizes a mistake he’s made due to insufficient knowledge (Acts 15:18, Psalm 147:4, Matthew 11:21 and Psalm 139:16).

God’s greatness is not seen only in what he knows but also in what he can do. Once again, the word of God, the Bible, declares he has unmatched abilities. In a prayer of Apostle Paul in the letter to the Ephesian believers, we read a part of Paul’s concluding praise to God: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20, 21).” This passage teaches many things, but among them are the following:

God can do far more “far more abundantly beyond” any and every thing we might ask him to do. People have their limits – we all have some things we can do, but many more things that we cannot do because of our limited abilities. Since our abilities are limited, people do not ask us to do certain things. No one has ever asked me for a $10 million gift or loan. As they have rightly concluded, I could NOT fulfill their request.

When we ask God to work on our behalf or on behalf of others through our prayers, it does not mean God will do exactly what we ask – only that he’s capable. His capability should cause us to ask him to do things in our lives and the lives of others, even to work out an “impossible” situation.

God can do far more than you can even imagine. All of us daydream, but when we do that about God and his abilities, we never imagine enough. Who would have ever imagined he’d take Joseph from an Egyptian prison to being co-regent of all of Egypt? Who could have imagined he’d take Saul, a persecutor of the church who caused many to be martyred, and gloriously transform him into Apostle Paul, who wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament? In more modern times, who’d have imagined he’d take a 1.5 million-watt AM radio station built by Adolph Hitler and have Trans World Radio – a ministry located in Cary, North Carolina, – purchase it in the 1970s? Hitler built the station intending it for Nazi propaganda purposes (though it was never actually used for that), but TWR uses it to broadcast the goods news of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection and his offer of life everlasting to all who believe.

Take heart! God knows all things and can do all things, so no matter what your circumstance is, he knows and can work in ways you can’t imagine to create something good from it. He truly can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we ask or imagine. Praise his name!

In 2018, will you trust him to do a great work in you? Is there a specific area you’d really like to grow in so that you become more like Jesus Christ? He can conform you to his image. Is there a person you’d love to see come to faith in Christ, but that prospect seems highly unlikely (even impossible)? He can do far more than we imagine – why not pray daily for that one person? Ask God to make their heart tender to the good news and that he’d give you the opportunity and boldness to speak for him.

During this season of generosity, as we give of our time and treasure, shower loved ones with gifts and count our blessings, it can be hard to imagine what some people face every day. Jan. 1, from 8-10 a.m., the YMCA of the Sandhills will open its doors to those in the community in need of basic hygiene services. In addition to opening the facilities for people to shower, shave, brush their teeth and handle other personal hygiene tasks, the YMCA will provide towels, soap, shampoo, shaving products, toothbrushes and toothpaste and will also offer a continental breakfast.

Last year, the organization hosted the event, known as Project Connect, around Thanksgiving.

“We opted to move it because there are so many resources available to the homeless on Thanksgiving,” said Ector Simpson, event coordinator. “In thinking about how we could better reach the community, we asked what other providers were doing. While social responsibility is a component of our mission, it’s not our main mission – but we do have facilities to shower in. We thought this is something we could offer to people who may not have access to this. We can do it on New Year’s Day because the Y is closed.”

Simpson added that the event would be mostly staffed by volunteers. Opening its doors to the community for Project Connect could have been enough. But Simpson, along with executive director Sherrie Rallis and the others coordinating this event, wanted to reach as many people as possible.

“There are so many things we take for granted,” said Simpson. Access to facilities is one of them. “In many cities, the homeless have access to public transport – we have that here, but it is limited.” The solution, Simpson said, is to go into the community to the people they are trying to help.

“We have to get people to the Y,” said Simpson. “We have an after-school program during the week. We use these same vans to go around town to pick them up and bring them here and then take them back … we are trying to meet them where they are.

While many have a firm idea about what it means to be homeless, Simpson noted that it’s not that simple, saying, “Sometimes people have jobs but don’t get enough hours to earn enough to make rent, so they sleep in their cars. We are able to give scholarships (to some of them), and these people become our family. They come in every morning for a shower and then leave for work. Only at the end of the day they don’t go home – they sleep in their car.”

While the YMCA staff and volunteers will start their year off at the YMCA, Rallis noted that there are other ways people can help. “We are taking donations for hygiene products,” Rallis said. “Financial donations would be amazing, too. It would help us grow the scope of resources we can provide. Donations can be brought to the Y on Fort Bragg Road.” Items needed include soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant and other toiletries.

“It is amazing to see the spark of self-confidence and self-esteem (people get when they are able) to take away items that will help them,” Rallis said.

To find out how you can help or to learn more about the YMCA of the Sandhills, call (910) 426-9622.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation this month awarded a nearly $130 million contract for construction of a six-mile segment of the Outer Loop between Camden Road and Interstate 95 in Robeson County. DOT selected Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc., Branch Civil and STV Group, Inc., to design and build the project. They will begin finalizing design plans in January with land acquisition and construction to follow. Construction is expected to be completed by July 2021.

The 39-mile freeway is being built in phases in Cumberland and Robeson counties. The Outer Loop is open between I-95 north of Fayetteville and the All American Freeway in Fayetteville. When complete, it will be known as Interstate 295. A segment from the All American Freeway to Cliffdale Road now under construction is expected to open in October 2018.

Army NCO died a hero in Niger

Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson died in a hail of gunfire after fleeing militants who had just killed three comrades in an October ambush in Niger, The Associated Press has learned. Johnson wore a maroon beret but was not stationed at Fort Bragg, according to an 82nd Airborne Division spokesman. A military investigation concluded that Johnson, 25, of Miami Gardens, Florida, was killed by enemy rifle and machine-gun fire from members of an Islamic State offshoot.

The Oct. 4 ambush took place about 120 miles north of Niamey, the African nation’s capital. Johnson’s body was recovered two days later.

U.S. officials familiar with the findings spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to describe details of an investigation that has not been finalized or publicly released. A 12-member Army special forces unit from Fort Bragg was accompanying 30 Nigerien forces when they were attacked in a densely wooded area by as many as 50 militants traveling by vehicle and carrying small arms and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. Johnson was struck as many as 18 times from a distance by a volley of machine-gun fire, according to the U.S. officials, who said he was firing back as he and two Nigerien soldiers tried to escape. All told, four U.S. soldiers and four Nigerien troops were killed in the ambush. Two U.S. and eight Nigerien troops were wounded.

Revitalized computers for less fortunate students

Cumberland County Schools’ Fifth Annual Computer Refurbishment Day is being hailed a huge success. Cumberland County Schools Executive Director of Technology Kevin Coleman said 156 students from the Academies of Information Technology at Gray’s Creek and Pine Forest High Schools refurbished nearly 500 computers for families of students who can’t afford them. The information technology students worked alongside technology staffers. Using 1,000 discarded computers, half of them were cannibalized for parts to refurbish the others. “This effort truly demonstrates the dedication of CCS’ staff and students to help those less fortunate in our community,” said Cumberland County School Interim Superintendent Tim Kinlaw. According to organizers, plans are already in the works for next year’s computer refurbishment event.

Except for special events, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden is not open at night. The holiday season is one exception. The garden is open after dark Thursday through Sunday through Dec. 30 so the community can enjoy the annual holiday light displays. This is the seventh year the garden has hosted Holiday Lights in the Garden. The event grows a little each year as the garden approaches its goal of having half a million lights in the display. This year, the event gained enough lights to expand the display into the McCauley Heritage Garden.

Adriana E. Quiñones, director of horticulture and education for the garden, said, “We’re really lighting it up and making a big deal of the heritage.” Though the current facility encompasses 80 acres, the Heritage Garden was the original site of the garden. The McCauleys donated the old barn and drugstore, hence the garden’s name. The structures were moved on to the site from Eastover.

Now the heritage garden is meant to represent what 18thcentury agriculture was like in North Carolina.

The Heritage Garden is maintained by Cumberland County’s master gardeners and is usually home to common 18th-century crops like cotton and tobacco. During Holiday Lights in the Garden, it is decorated with thousands of strings of lights, and the old drugstore will be open for children to take pictures with Santa.

Though you cannot drive through the garden, there will be a hayride available for patrons. “There may be other surprises, too,” Quiñones said.

CFBG is a private, nonprofit organization. All revenue from the light show goes directly into the maintenance of the facility and into the organization’s projects. Through a partnership with Cumberland County Schools, the botanical garden has become part of many schools’ science curriculum. The garden staff also work with homeschooled students and have had more than 7,000 students come through the programs to date. The organization also has partnerships with several other groups, including the Vision Resource Center, Service Source and the Wounded Warrior Project.

If you are interested in supporting these programs and enjoying the holiday display, tickets are available online. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and last admittance is at 8:30 p.m. The display is closed both Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Base online ticket price is $12, but there are a variety of potential deals available for members, children, military and seniors. Tickets will also be available at the venue, but Quiñones noted that people purchasing tickets at the door “may have to wait in a long line. So, I try and encourage getting tickets online.”

For further details and to purchase tickets, visit www.capefearbg.org.

From pirates to Indiana Jones, who doesn’t enjoy a treasure hunt? Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation presents Christmas Orienteering Day, Friday, Dec. 22, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Lake Rim Park. It’s a great opportunity to get outdoors and learn something new while having an adventure the whole family can enjoy.

“Orienteering is when you use a compass to find a spot on a map,” said Jacob Brown, park ranger at Lake Rim Park. “For the Christmas Orienteering Day, we will provide people with maps when they come in, and different spots will be marked; each of them are numbered.” Brown added that participants will have to use a compass and typographic map to find those spots along the trail, and then they will have to copy down a symbol found at that location.

Lake Rim Park has a mile-long trail that loops around the baseball, soccer and football fields.

“Most of the spots that the participants will have to find will be located right off the trail,” said Brown. “Some of them you have to go into the woods to locate.” Brown added that participants will receive prizes when they find the eight different locations.

 The purpose of the event is to educate the public on certain outdoor skills. “We do all sorts of different programs to bring in the public, and orienteering is a good skill to have – especially with a lot of military folks around,” said Brown. “They want to teach their kids a little about using the compass and the things they have to do at work.”

The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. Call to register because space is limited. For more information, call (910) 433-1018.

I’m glad cooler heads prevailed regarding the Fayetteville City Council’s need for a grandiose inauguration at taxpayers’ expense. But I’m also saddened to know there are some on that dais who believed spending in excess of $7,000 of public money for ego stroking is alright.

Thank you to Councilmen Bill Crisp and Jim Arp, who understand the value of someone else’s money. While the $7,000-plus proposed for the event wasn’t much compared to what that governing body spends in a year, hosting a party for yourself and your political supporters at taxpayers’ expense just didn’t smell right.

Of course, I’m biased toward pinching public dollars. And I’m used to holding a more formal council inauguration. From 1989 through early 2006, I worked in the Fayetteville mayor’s office. And it was that office – with the help of the mayor’s super-efficient executive secretary – that was responsible for planning the inauguration.

During my first five or six elections, council seating took place in the council chambers, so rent was never an issue. The chief judge for district court, the late Judge Sol Cherry, administered the oath to all council members and the mayor. The cost of the whole affair was in the hundreds – not thousands – of dollars. The cost included a fancy city coffee cup and a thank you letter for the judge, parchment paper for the oath of office for each council member and the city clerk, a program printed in-house, and I think there were punch and cookies in the lobby

The “I want it my way” revolution among council members started slowly. At first it was about more reserved seating; then, each wanted their own choice as to who would administer the oath of office, even though some did not qualify for the job.

The first break with tradition came in 2001 when Mayor-elect Marshall B. Pitts decided to change venues. With just days before the inauguration, his secretary and I briefed him on the arrangements. He sat quietly as we finished our briefing and calmly replied that holding the inauguration in the council chamber would not provide adequate space. He wanted something larger since he expected a lot of people to show up with or without seating tickets.

He was right, of course. Pitts was the first African- American to be elected mayor. It was a historic moment for Fayetteville. And, there would be a lot of people there.

We found another venue. The only other option on short notice was outside, in front of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum’s back entrance. The inside was reserved for the reception, again keeping the budget to a minimum by hiring Fayetteville Technical Community College’s cooking school.

Mayor-elect Tony Chavonne in 2005 shattered the mold completely. When he took office, he relinquished what had been up to then the mayor’s staff. Instead, his political entourage handled the inauguration, except for setting up tables and chairs in the ASOM. It became the first extravaganza for Fayetteville City Council inaugurations and set the new standard.

And I think that should be the norm. Let the political supporters plan and fund the inauguration and take city government and public dollars out of the coronation business.

Photo: Marshall B. Pitts Jr., Fayetteville's first African-American mayor

It can be easy for young artists in Fayetteville to miss out on the pool of talented peers and potential for collaboration surrounding them. Doyle Wood and Lynne O’Quinn’s 35-year history of collaboration with each other and with other local musicians demonstrates just how valuable it can be to look up and look around while pursuing your craft. The making of their most recent release, the single “Christmas Eve with You,” reflects a process that’s been made possible through years of relationshipbuilding and hard work.

Wood is a producer, vocalist and guitarist. O’Quinn is a lyricist, internationally successful author and founder of His Outreach Worldwide. They met in the early ’80s when both of their sons were enrolled in Village Baptist Daycare. At that time, O’Quinn was working as a manager for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Wood had just opened a private recording studio, Daxwood Productions, and was in and out of Nashville working with the likes of Paul Worley, Lady Antebellum’s producer. Wood and O’Quinn quickly learned of each other’s similar passion for music and complementary talents and, in O’Quinn’s words, “were stuck with each other ever since.”

Fast-forward to the present and the pair have hundreds of collaborative songs under their belts – the most recent of which was completed just this month. “Christmas Eve with You” was born last August when the lyrics came to O’Quinn as she sat on her back porch.

“The words, I don’t know where they come from, they just come,” she said. Among those words were the chorus, which reflect the longing of military service members separated from loved ones during the holidays: “I’ll think of your sweet kisses and the way you make me feel/And no one can convince me that Santa isn’t real/He gave me all I wanted – it’s amazing how he knew/All I ever wanted was Christmas Eve with you.”

“I wrote it probably in 8 minutes,” O’Quinn said. “I sent it to Doyle, and he immediately liked it, and he said, ‘We’ll record this.’”

In the Daxwood Productions studio, Wood worked out the basic melody on his guitar and sang a draft of the vocals. He then called upon a string of other local musicians he’s been working with for years. He first asked Richard Gates and Carl Greeson – who have played keys and drums, respectively, for BJ Thomas – to come to the studio and add their groove to the track. Wood then sent the working file to Milton Smith – who played piano at Elvis Presley’s funeral – to do the orchestration and play the grand piano. Guillermo “Bill” Ayerbe, retired Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra concertmaster, played violin for the song. Laura Stevens, creator of The Heart of Christmas Show, sang backup vocals. Last of all, Wood sang the final version of his vocals and finished mastering the track.

Wood met these other musicians through a mutual love of music, just as he did with O’Quinn. Stevens sang in the first TV commercial for Daxwood Productions in the ’80s. Today, “She’s our go-to vocalist for just about anything,” Wood said. “She sings all the parts. She is the choir.”

they both majored in music at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in the ’70s. They also both taught music in the Cumberland County Schools system for 5 years after they graduated. Smith is now Wood’s orchestration man. He listens to the first draft, or “scratch track,” and helps build the song out. Wood connected with violinist Ayerbe, keyboardist Gates and drummer Greeson when, as he was building momentum for his studio in the ’80s, he “tried to get a collective base of really good players.”

It paid off.

“Christmas Eve with You” will be played at the Christmas party for the North Carolina civilian aide to the secretary of the Army and will air on all local networks. The song will also play on Pat Gwinn’s nationally syndicated radio show and is available for streaming via MoonDog Radio’s free app. Other collaborative songs from this team have won international acclaim, such as a Best of Soul award in the UK for “Loving You is the Best Thing.” Another song that honors the military, “Stand Proud,” has been played at events held at The Pentagon. Search “Doyle Wood” on CdBaby, iTunes or Amazon to view his full discography.

“We’re just very blessed; without all these artists, we wouldn’t have these songs,” O’Quinn said.

Four of them have been inducted into the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame in recognition of the musical distinction they’ve brought to the community: Wood (2016), O’Quinn (2016), Stevens (2015) and Smith (2010).

“I’m very fortunate to do what I do and to be able to do it as a job,” Wood said. “But my wife says I’ve been retired for the last 20 years, anyway. I don’t get consider it work. … As long as my health holds up, I’m going to keep doing this until I’m 100, I hope.”

The relationship (or lack thereof) between the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County is as legendary as it is pathetic. As we stress over our indelible moniker, FayetteNam, we pay little attention to the image we are creating and projecting countywide, statewide and even nationally.

Next month, Up & Coming Weekly will celebrate its 22nd year as this community’s weekly newspaper. During this time, we have maintained an up-close and personal relationship with the community. It was during this time that I had the privilege of serving six years on the Cumberland County Coliseum board when we built the $60 million complex. I was very proud of that appointment and accomplishment. At the same time, I was confused by the amount of controversy surrounding it – especially between the city and county.

I thought this obvious contempt for each other was temporary, a passing thing.

I was disappointed to realize the hostility between the two governing bodies was practically embedded in their DNA. That was nearly two decades ago. Fast forward to December 2017. Nothing has changed. If anything, the relationship and communications between the city and county have gotten worse.

I’m not a detective or historical analyst by any stretch of the imagination, but after the recent bullheaded standoff and debacle concerning the combined 911 call center, I decided to take a closer look and examine the last 22 years of working with both the city and county.

It is amazing that our community has accomplished anything over the last two decades considering the high levels of reluctant cooperation. At the same time, it makes me wonder how many achievements, opportunities and developments we have squandered over petty political and territorial issues. I have often written that good government is a result of good leadership. Competent elected officials are essential for long-term growth and prosperity because they have a vision and a plan.

Well, here are my findings after 22 years: Since 1996, Fayetteville has had six mayors and the Cumberland County chairman has changed every year. Elected leadership changes every two or four years, respectively. Despite the ongoing changes in elected city and county leadership, the undercurrent of distrust and hostility remains undeterred despite individual intentions, influence or qualifications. How can this be with so many different elected officials serving both the city and the county and instituting their influence and personality to promote positive progress and change?

Instead of looking for things that have changed, I started paying attention to things that didn’t change. The one thing I found that the city and county had in common in the category of things that didn’t change was the staff. Maybe, just maybe, over the years, department heads and staffers became too entitled and realized the constant turnover of elected officials gave them the inherent power to dictate policy and influence the operations (and attitudes) of both the city and the county. After all, the elected officials depend on important information the staff provides them, and once the elected officials decide, it is the staff that is charged with the execution of policy. In the end, it is the staff that dictates and controls the success or failure of a project.

This being the case, who benefits the most from city-county contention than the staffers? With these insiders protecting their turf for power and job security, they are the real benefactors of robbing the city and the county of the progress that comes from cooperation and teamwork.

Close examination shows that the constant elements over the decades of city and county government are the staff and department heads. Perhaps they have too much power and influence over what goes on with city hall and with the county commissioners. Well, you may ask: how did they get that much power? Perhaps it was by citizens electing unqualified career politicians who don’t have the intellect, knowledge or experience to be visionary leaders to positions of prominence.

Another indication this may be a problem is the amount of pushback and criticism directed at elected officials who press a staffer too hard for information or imply that the staffer needs to do his or her job.

I’ll conclude with this: everyone wants a better community. Everyone sees and appreciates the opportunities we have with economic development and some of the other major assets we have in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. We need to cooperate. There is no advantage or future for us if we do not get along with one another. The fact that this situation has existed for so long indicates there is a constant enabler that needs to be addressed. And, since we know it’s not the elected officials, we need to look elsewhere.

We have too much to lose if we don’t get to the bottom of this situation. And we have everything to gain if we do. We have a lot at stake in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, and we need to work together for positive outcomes. The time for protecting turf is over. All elected officials should start demonstrating tough love and start demanding that the staff do their jobs so elected officials can do theirs.

Thanks for reading the Up & Coming Weekly.

Last month, the Fayetteville Marksmen held the team’s first Teddy Bear Toss – a tradition among hockey teams where fans throw teddy bears onto the ice after the first home team goal is scored. Not only did they win the game, but the Marksmen collected more than 700 teddy bears to be donated to area children’s hospitals.

Now, they are looking forward. The Marksmen take on the Birmingham Bulls Friday, Dec. 22, during Star Wars Night, a themed night of family fun that takes place a few days after the release of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Players will dress in Star Wars-themed jerseys while fans can enjoy $2 beer all night long. This will also be the final game of the season where the Marksmen will offer its most popular package – the Carrabba’s Friends and Family Four Pack, which includes four center ice tickets, four select merchandise items and a $50 gift card to Fayetteville’s Carrabbas. The entire package costs just $49.

The following big game is sure to have fans’ tails wagging – the Pooch Party takes place Jan. 20, and dogs are welcome at the Crown Coliseum to watch the Marksmen hit the ice against the top-ranked Mississippi RiverKings. As if you needed more of a reason to check out the game, there will also be $1 hot dogs and free Marksmen caps for the first 2,000 fans.

Marksmen tickets are a great holiday gift, whether they are for a die-hard fan or someone new to the hockey scene. The Marksmen offer several great packages, including the three-game Hat Trick package, All-You-Can-Eat package and Flex Plan. The team is currently offering a Holiday Package, which is available until Dec. 29. The Holiday Package includes four “flex tickets” (which are usable in any amount, at any game), a $10 gift card to New Deli and a Marksmen hat, all for $45. The first 40 to purchase also receive a free Marksmen T-shirt.

Two new deals recently released include a military-friendly Pay Day Promo, which runs on the first and 15th of each month as well as the Rims & Rink Package, for which the Marksmen are partnering with Rimtyme’s downtown Fayetteville location to give away free tire fills and inspections, along with a four-pack of flex tickets.

If you’re looking for some opportunities to rub elbows with the players, keep track of the postgame parties on social media and visit Fazoli’s on McPherson Church Road the second Wednesday of each month for the players’ Eat, Meet & Greet appearances.

Despite it being the inaugural year for the Marksmen, through charity efforts, community events and entertaining ticket-holders, the team has truly made a mark on Fayetteville.

Keep up with the Marksmen on social media by following them on Facebook.com/marksmenhockey, on Instagram at @fayettevillehockey and on Twitter at @marksmen_hockey. For more information on Marksmen hockey, visit www.marksmenhockey. com. To learn more about the Rims & Rink offer, visit www.rimtymefayetteville.com.

Kyle Jackson is an enthusiastic self-educator and recently certified herbologist – a practitioner of natural, plant-based medicine – whose goals are to offer healthy, homemade body products and to educate the public as he continues to educate himself on all things natural. He opened 1910 Apothecary in a historic building on Trade Street about six months ago, in June 2017, as a place where he could carry out this mission. His products include candles, soaps, body butters and lotions – all organic and all made by Jackson in a kitchen unit he added to the back of the building.

“I wanted to offer all these different things that I enjoy doing,” Jackson said. “That’s one of the things that I really like about small business; there’s so much heart in everything people do. I wanted to have a place to share part of my heart with other people. That’s why I started the store.” 

Jackson said herbology is a field he’s wanted to pursue since he was 12 years old. “I grew up in Harnett County, and where we lived was very rural,” he said. “Using home remedies was kind of just very natural to us. … We always had a garden; we had cabinets full of herbs and spices.”

Jackson buys most of his ingredients from sources in Oregon to ensure they are certified organic. “Unfortunately, there are not too many people locally that I can use at the moment. Hopefully that will change some time soon,” he said. One of the store’s most popular products, Mint Milk bar soap, has a simple list of ingredients that’s reflective of Jackson’s approach in all his original recipes. The soap includes (all organic) shea butter; palm kernel, castor, avocado and olive oils; beeswax; goat milk; and essential oil of peppermint. Unlike many commercially made soaps, which use synthetically produced fragrance oils, Jackson uses pure essential oil in his recipe. He also leaves out sodium lauryl sulphate, the agent that causes many cleaning products to bubble – and actually dries and irritates skin rather than nourishing it. “The goat milk helps feed skin and gives it... more of a supple feel,” Jackson said. “It also helps to promote cell growth.”

1910 Apothecary proudly carries products crafted by two other local artisans. Michael Wells of Into the Well makes bath bombs, and Jamie Rae creates lavender-and-rice bags that can be used in place of heat or ice packs filled with chemical solutions.

“Customers are not just supporting me, they’re supporting other people with similar interests,” Jackson said. “You can know exactly what goes into (the products), and the ingredient lists are not confusing.”

Customers of 1910 Apothecary also benefit from Jackson’s passion for furthering his knowledge through self-study and experimentation. “I change the products up all the time just to make sure that I’m figuring out which ones peoples’ favorites are and if they like a particular recipe,” he said. He also welcomes requests for custom concoctions.

“When a customer comes in for that, we break down exactly what we feel like they need, and then I start making a bunch of little samples for them,” he said. “So we’ll try one sample, and then they’ll come back and say, ‘It needs to be a little more like this,’ and we’ll keep trying until we can nail down something that works well for them. I always reiterate that I’m here for criticism. That’s what makes a business grow. I appreciate when people tell me their honest opinion of something. Currently, I’m working on shaving soap, which has been something that customers ask me for. We’re still in test stages on that one because I haven’t quite nailed it yet.”

Jackson has used this custom-creation method to fulfill an order for a candle that a customer wanted to smell like their grandfather’s cherry pipe tobacco. Another time, he created special candles for an an Army battalion before it deployed to a region in Africa; those candles smelled of zanzibar clove and orange.

Jackson also holds free essential oils classes every month, generally on the third Friday, at 6:30 p.m. Each month, he gives an hour-long presentation detailing the properties, uses of and facts about five different essential oils.

“I try to gear the classes off the season,” he said. When kids went back to school, we focused on immune support and opening airway passages.” There will be no class this month due to the holidays, but if you are interested in attending January’s class, call (910) 835-6833 or search 1910 Apothecary on Facebook.

Jackson said his ultimate, long-term goal is to expand his business into a natural healing center. To this end, he’s currently attending Hope Mills’ Get Twisted Yoga studio to become certified as a nationally accredited yoga instructor. “It’s not necessarily about making a million dollars because I doubt we’ll ever do that here,” he said. “I just want to educate people on natural alternatives and (on) what’s important about shopping with those small-business people who are really putting their heart and soul and sweat and tears into everything that they do and everything they make.”

1910 Apothecary is located at 5486 Trade St. in Hope Mills. The building, originally built in 1910, still proudly displays the original owner’s name, Alice L. Gilbert, who owned a drug store. Store hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.1910apothecary.com to browse the store’s inventory and to learn more.

Photo: Kyle Jackson, a recently certified herbologist, opened 1910 Apothecary on Trade Street in June 2017.

The public is now learning some of what Fayetteville City Council has been discussing behind closed doors in recent weeks and months. The council talked at length last week about a project related to the construction of a minor league baseball stadium in downtown Fayetteville. Citizens learned for the first time of a significant cost overrun for a planned parking deck on property adjacent to the ballpark. Deputy City Manager Kristoff Bauer disclosed that the projected cost has more than doubled since he first offered what he called a “rough estimate of $7 million.” Council was asked to approve a new cost of $14.8 million.

 PCH Holdings of Durham has plans to develop property near the stadium, including a four-story parking garage with a four-story hotel on top of it. They will also build a 7- to 10-story apartment building next to it. Council has apparently been discussing this issue during closed meetings. An attorney for the North Carolina Press Association has questioned whether the proposal was an appropriate closeddoor exception allowed under the state’s Open Meetings law.

The city has agreed to buy the parking garage from the developer once it’s finished. PCH Holdings will sell the building at its cost. PCH project manager Jordan Jones said originally that the garage would be for the exclusive use of its hotel guests. But with the city taking ownership of the facility, it could be used by baseball fans and others. The agreement almost didn’t get off the ground, as council initially shocked the chamber when it voted 5-5 to reject the plan. New members – Tyrone Williams, Tisha Waddell, D.J Haire and Johnny Dawkins – plus veteran councilman Bill Crisp voted against the parking deck because of its high cost.

“We’re missing our numbers in a big, big way,” said Dawkins.

Crisp exercised a personal privilege by immediately calling for reconsideration of the vote without discussion. He and Haire flipped, and the final vote for approval was 7-3. “I ain’t comfortable with it, but we’ve got to go with it,” Crisp said.

Council adjourned soon after the vote, having no idea where the additional $7 million would come from.

Jones said the total cost for its proposed developments would not exceed the planned $65 million. That includes more than $13 million for the renovation of the former Prince Charles Hotel. “The interior has been gutted,” Jones said of the eight-story building. It will be refurbished before the exterior of the facility is done over.

Once again, city of Fayetteville and county of Cumberland officials have been unable to resolve a mutually important issue. Several months ago, they agreed to work out significant differences over the future distribution of sales tax revenues within a twoyear period. Virtually no progress has been made. Now, the city and county have called off negotiations on the projected shared cost of building a multi-million- dollar 911 emergency call center. Newly elected Mayor Mitch Colvin and County Commission Chairman Larry Lancaster issued a joint statement saying in part, “We have jointly decided that more time is needed to create an agreement that best serves the citizens and creates a better overall project.” They added, “Key elements in the interlocal agreement remain unresolved to the satisfaction of both parties.”

A mid-December deadline for applying to the state for a $15 million matching grant could not be met. “The city and county will continue to work toward an agreement with the goal of applying during a future funding cycle,” the statement concluded.

GenX public forum draws hundreds

“There’s a lot of unknowns here...the state is doing the best it can right now. There are so many unknowns.” These are the words of North Carolina Rep. John Szoka, R-Cumberland, at a forum on GenX. GenX is a chemical compound used by the Chemours company to manufacture non-stick coatings used in cookware. It’s produced at the former Dupont plant in neighboring Bladen County.

An estimated 350 people turned out for the forum at Grays Creek High School to hear representatives of state regulatory agencies. Area residents are frustrated because little is known about the feared toxic effects of the compound on humans. GenX is unregulated by state or federal agencies. Nothing new was learned during the forum. GenX has been detected in more than a hundred private water wells in the vicinity of the Chemours plant on the Cumberland County line. Cumberland County Commissioners asked the state regulators to host the public forum. According to the Department of Environmental Quality, 115 homeowners are getting bottled water from Chemours because of GenX in their water. Not all wells tested had any GenX. It was originally detected in the Cape Fear River near Wilmington.

More growth on Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg will be headquarters for one of six new highly specialized units created to assist combat teams on deployment. A Security Force Assistance Brigade will be activated next month. Officials had said the brigade would likely be located on Pope Army Airfield property, which the former 440th Airlift Wing occupied. Officials have said the SFABs will allow other brigades to focus on their primary missions. The Army plans to have all six SFABs in place by 2022.

Each unit will consist of about 800 senior field grade and noncommissioned officers “who have proven expertise in training and advising foreign security forces,” the Army said. The soldiers will be among the top tactical leaders in the Army. To join an SFAB, soldiers will be screened based on qualifications and experience.

“The unit will receive the best, most advanced military equipment available,” the Army said in a statement, adding that “SFAB soldiers will receive special training through the Military Advisor Training Academy to include languages and foreign weapons.”

Shawcroft Road repairs

It will be some time yet before permanent repairs are made to Shawcroft Road in the Kings Grant subdivision. But, the city has finally come to a decision on the huge ditch that was temporarily repaired this past summer. The road collapsed during Hurricane Matthew in October of last year. The stream beneath the road had come out of its banks. According to Fayetteville Public Services Director Rob Stone, city engineer Giselle Rodriguez has recommended to management that a new culvert be installed to carry the stream beneath the road. The city had considered building a bridge across the stream. Stone said there would be a cost savings of $200,000 to install a large, concrete culvert. City council will eventually have to approve the project, whose cost is covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements.

Fort Bragg serial killer’s appeal rejected

Former Army Spec. Ronald Gray has lost his final appeal to stop his execution. The U.S. Armed Forces Court of Appeals denied Gray’s request for extraordinary relief in a 30-year court battle to save his life. Gray was convicted of a series of rapes and murders in Fayetteville and on Fort Bragg in the mid- 1980s. He killed cab driver Kimberly Ann Ruggles, Army Pvt. Laura Lee Vickery-Clay, Campbell University student Linda Jean Coats and Fayetteville resident Tammy Wilson, who was a soldier’s wife.

Gray also raped several other women. A Fort Bragg court sentenced him to death in 1988 after convicting him of the rape and murder of two women and the rape and attempted murder of a third woman, among other offenses. Previously, a civilian court sentenced him to eight life terms, including three to be served consecutively, after he was found guilty of two counts of seconddegree murder, five counts of rape and additional offenses all related to different victims.

Gray is the only soldier on death row at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. President George W. Bush approved Gray’s execution in 2008, but a federal court issued a stay of execution.

“Appellant has exhausted all of his remedies in the military justice system,” according to the opinion handed down this month.

ACTIVITIES

• Dec. 21-23 Christmas in Paradise at Paradise Acres in Hope Mills features, lights, a holiday buffet, a live Nativity scene, train rides, inflatables, fried moon pies, marshmallow roasting and the Clauses. Admission is free. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5-9 p.m. Call (910) 424-2779 for details.

• Dec. 25 Christmas dinner at the Alms House at noon. Menu will be traditional items: turkey (baked or fried), ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, desserts and drinks. If you would like to donate for the Christmas Day dinner, sign up on the sheet posted at the Hope House, 3909 Ellison St.

All food items need to be at the Hope House by 11 a.m. If you have questions, contact, Grilley Mitchell at (910) 476-3719.

• Every Monday and Friday, the Alms House serves meals from noon to 12:30 p.m. and 5-5:30 p.m. Saturday meals are at noon, and Sunday meals are at 5 p.m. Free. Contact, Grilley Mitchell at (910) 476-3719 or visit www.almshousehopemills.com for details.

• Dec. 29 Support your local hockey team. Watch the Fayetteville Marksmen vs. the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs at the Crown. Learn more about the team and purchase tickets at www.marksmenhockey.com.

• Dec. 30 Celebrate Kwanzaa at Smith Recreation Center from 6-8 p.m. The Umoja Group hosts this event, which includes a drum call, welcome song, tribute to elders, libation, parade of African kings and queens, feast, children’s candlelight ceremony and traditional dance performance. Bring your favorite food dish to share. Free. Call (910) 485-8035 for details.

MEETINGS

• Jan. 8 Hope Mills Chamber January Luncheon at Hope Mills Park and Recreation from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Enjoy a meal, network, and talk about the new year. Pivot Physical Therapy will be the guest speaker. Cost for lunch is $10. Purchase tickets at www.hopemillschamber.org.

• Alcoholics Anonymous meetings Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. at Hope Mills United Methodist Church, 4955 Legion Rd.

• Hope Mills Board of Commissioners Meeting – first and third Monday of each month at the Town Hall Building at 7 p.m.

• Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Club – second Tuesdays at noon at Buckhead Steakhouse (Sammios starting in Feb.) and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Mi Casita in Hope Mills. Call (910) 237-1240 for details.

GET INVOLVED

Join other motivated citizens on a Hope Mills board, commission or committee. Contact the town for information on current vacancies and the application process: www.townofhopemills.com/ directory.aspx.

• The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee – fourth Mondays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 6:30 p.m. This committee seeks to recommend and plan programs of recreation activities and events. In addition to the regular membership, there are two liaison members who represent the Hope Mills Senior Citizens Club and the Hope Mills Youth Association.

• The Lake Advisory Committee – second Tuesdays at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 6 p.m. The purpose of the committee is to advise and make recommendations regarding various issues pertaining to the safety and environment of the lake and preserving it as a valuable resource to the town.

• The Appearance Commission – fourth Tuesdays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 7 p.m. This committee seeks to enhance and improve the visual quality and aesthetic characteristics of the town.

• The Senior Citizens Advisory Committee – fourth Wednesdays at the Hope Mills Senior Center, 4 p.m. The purpose of this committee is to provide insight and advice for the Senior Center Staff on programs and trips and to the providers of leisure services and activities for citizens 55 and older in the Hope Mills area.

• The Veterans Affairs Commission – fourth Thursdays at the Hope Mills Recreation Center, 7 p.m. The committee is comprised of town residents who are armed services veterans. Members advise the town on affairs related to its active and retired military citizens.

• The Historic Preservation Commission – second Wednesdays at Hope Mills Recreation Center, 5 p.m. The committee advises the governing body on issues related to historic identification and preservation.

FIREFIGHTERS

The Hope Mills Fire Department is a combination department, which employs both career staff and volunteers. Find out the criteria and training requirements for volunteer firefighters and join the team today: www.townofhopemills.com/155/Volunteer-Firefighters.

CLOSINGS

• The Hope Mills Library will be closed Dec. 23 through Dec. 27. Call (910) 223-0432 with questions.

• The town of Hope Mills offices will be closed Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1. Call (910) 426-4113 with questions.

PROMOTE YOURSELF

To have your business, organization or event included in this section, email us at hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com.

At a women’s gathering last week, I was struck by how much conversation centered on our national divisions and the amount of sadness and pain with which the women discussed our great divides. They mourn the ability to talk openly with others, often with people they consider friends, because of political differences. They yearn for ways to build bridges so that they can talk calmly about politics in America.

The women cited conversational scenarios like these that most of us have encountered in one form or another.

You: “That Donald Trump couldn’t tell the truth if Melania’s life depended on it.”

Other person: “Oh, yeah! That Hillary Clinton aided and abetted her husband’s womanizing.” Or this.

You: “Hillary Clinton is the most qualified person ever to run for president of the United States.”

Other person: “Donald Trump is a different sort of president, but he is a great leader no matter what.”

Such deflecting, finger-pointing conversations are exactly what render many of us silent around people of opposing political views. The divide is so deep we simply cannot cross it, so we do nothing. We may unfriend social media contacts to avoid reading posts that repel us. My conversation with women friends last week is one of many such exchanges over the last two years, and I have not detected softening of anyone’s opinions.

We remain stuck in our political gridlock.

Turns out that there is much angst on both sides about the deep gulf between us. An internet search quickly reveals the concerns and offers tips on facilitating better communications, or at least on how not to come to fisticuffs. My favorites come from a TED talk by Celeste Headley, host of a daily news show on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

1. Don’t try to educate anyone. Chances are, you are locked into your beliefs and so are those on the other side of the fence. Attempts at education to your point of view may simply deepen the gulf between you and the other person.

2. Don’t prejudge. We all come to this moment with different life experiences, and listening – really listening – may help us understand how someone came to such beliefs, even though we may never agree.

3. Show respect. Headley puts it this way. “Respect is more important than tolerance. To respect another person is to refrain from calling them names, discounting their ideas or using frequent interruptions to talk over them or perplex them. It also means taking turns; practice seeing people with whom you disagree as people trying to achieve a positive result.”

4. Stick it out. Confrontation, even calm and measured confrontation, is hard and awkward. Headley cautions against cracking jokes or changing the subject. Tough conversations are worth the effort, says Headley, and “are necessary if we are to find common ground” on issues that face both America and the world.

Obviously, all easier said than done, and I have certainly done my share of joking, changing the subject, even running for the door and just avoiding such conversations altogether. But Headley is right. We cannot move forward until we are able to talk to each other. Doing so is not a matter of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump staging a televised love-in. It is Americans, one by one and two by two agreeing that what unites us is stronger and more important than what divides us. It is Americans talking to each other, no matter how difficult and awkward that may be.

Damage has been done, but last week’s special election in Alabama was a ray of light in a bleak and charged atmosphere. No matter one’s political leanings, that election was proof that Americans do not always believe partisan ends justify the means above all else.

Americans have reason to be encouraged as we head into 2018.

Alexandria Scruggs

E.E. Smith • Junior •

Basketball

In addition to being one of the top players for the Golden Bulls’ girls’ basketball team, Scruggs has a weighted grade point average of 4.3667.

Sam McKeithan

Jack Britt • Junior •

Football/lacrosse

McKeithan was the kicker for the Jack Britt football team, hitting 27 extra points and two field goals. He also plays lacrosse in the spring. He enjoys surfing and soccer. He has a weighted grade point average of 4.28.

Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Psychology Club began several years ago with the goal of bringing community college students opportunities to help others by sharing knowledge and experience about psychology-related issues that students in four-year college environments receive.

Since its inception, the FTCC Psychology Club has grown in numbers and in heart. The club is service-oriented, and its focus is on bettering Cumberland County through community projects. Here are a few examples of ways the club has tried to positively impact the area.

Members of the Psychology Club have fed the homeless, collected stuffed animals for the police department as an outreach to children, collected clothes and food for the homeless at the Salvation Army, visited the elderly at rest homes, volunteered with the local pregnancy center, donated food and clothes to local organizations that serve the community, donated items for a horse rescue that trains horses to help veterans going through psychological trauma and collected used cell phones for domestic violence survivors. The club has also participated in and sponsored events aimed at educating FTCC students, faculty and staff about resources available for mental health issues and general education about different psychological disorders and issues.

FTCC staff members have attended psychology conferences to help students develop their understanding of research explored in the field of psychology today. At a recent conference, FTCC students participated in a competition and earned second place in the knowledge-based competition even though they competed against students from fouryear colleges.

One of the offshoots of the Psychology Club is a speaker series hosted by the club entitled “Out of the Darkness.” The club members position the speaker series as a platform for healing and helping by asking speakers who have experienced life trauma to share their experiences and success stories. In many cases, the speakers help others understand that they are not alone and that, with help, they too can “come out of the darkness.” Many of the speakers have gained the courage to share their own experiences and receive inner healing through the opportunity to help someone else.

The newest offshoot of the club is the Trojan Shoulders Support Group, a general support group that meets twice a month. Group members try to provide a safe place for individuals who are feeling stressed, are hurting or are just in need of a shoulder to cry on. The group does not provide therapy but can refer individuals to a counselor if needed.

FTCC’s Psychology Club is one among many great opportunities available at this institution. It’s not too late to register for Spring 2018 classes. Visit in-person at the Fayetteville, Spring Lake or Fort Bragg locations, or learn more at www.faytechcc.edu.

Every year, millions of North Carolinians travel out of our state for work, vacation or to visit friends and family. Of those travelers, did you know that more than 600,000 of us have concealed carry permits? Right now, those permits are accepted in 36 other states – and North Carolina recognizes concealed carry permits issued by all other states. With that said, while all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow for concealed carry permits to be issued on some basis, 14 states don’t recognize the validity of North Carolina’s concealed carry permits.

As you can see from just our state’s example, the hodgepodge of concealed carry reciprocity agreements between states is confusing. It has caused some law-abiding concealed carry permit holders to innocently and unknowingly break the law and suffer arrest, while preventing others from carrying over state lines at all. Take for instance the story of Brian Fletcher, a law-abiding concealed carry permit holder from Granville county. After Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast, Brian traveled to New Jersey to help with storm-related utility repairs. He was carrying his legally-purchased gun when he was stopped by a police officer in New Jersey. He did what any permit holder would do: notify the officer and hand him his ID. The problem is, while New Jersey allows concealed carry, it does not recognize any other state’s right to carry. Brian was simply trying to do the right thing, but an honest mistake landed him in jail.

That’s why I’m pleased to let you know that my bill, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (H.R. 38), passed the House Judiciary Committee last week. This is a simple, common sense solution to affirm that law-abiding citizens who are qualified to carry concealed in one state can also carry in other states that allow residents to do so.

This is a simple application of Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution requiring that states give “full faith and credit” to the “public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state.” This clause allows your driver’s license to be recognized by other states. If we allow a driver’s license for driving – which is a privilege, not a right – then we can do that for our Second Amendment – which is a right, not a privilege. This has been called one of the most important gun measures in Congress – ever, and the American people agree. According to a recent survey by The New York Times, an overwhelming majority of Americans support concealed carry reciprocity – 73 percent to be exact.

reciprocity – 73 percent to be exact. Despite this overwhelming support, critics have spread doomsday scenarios and outlandish claims, including, “the bill is supported by ISIS,” “it will override state laws,” “it will arm criminals” and “it will turn cities into the ‘Wild West.’” Big-city liberal Michael Bloomberg has vowed to spend $25 million to stop it. That’s because the facts simply don’t back up their claims.

For one, H.R. 38 does not override state laws. Nothing in H.R. 38 prevents a municipality or state from enacting restrictions on where, when and how people can lawfully carry in their jurisdiction. And H.R. 38 will not arm criminals or dangerous individuals. In fact, there is a provision that excludes any individual who is prohibited by federal law from “possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm.” This includes criminals convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year; criminals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals subject to a restraining order for harassment, stalking or threatening; and individuals who have been adjudicated as a mental defective or who have been committed to any mental institution.

Lastly, my bill doesn’t make it any easier to buy a gun. It would not change access to guns or the federal law requiring background checks before purchasing guns. At the end of the day, I welcome a rational debate on constitutional rights and public safety, but I reject the false dilemma that we can’t have both. I look forward to continuing this momentum and bringing this important bill to the House floor as soon as possible.

At stake is a $15 million grant from the state for the proposed consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center.

Local governments have not collaborated on a joint multi-milliondollar construction project in recent memory. Agreeing to the shared cost of a proposed consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center has been difficult for Fayetteville City Council and Cumberland County Commissioners.

The council spent nearly three hours behind closed doors Dec. 7 discussing the project as well as an economic development issue involving private investments near downtown baseball stadium property. Council spent 20 minutes in public session before agreeing to submit a revised 911 interlocal agreement proposal to county commissioners. This, after county commissioners withdrew from initial negotiations, effectively reverting the project back to square one.

County Commissioner Glenn Adams, who served as chairman of the board until earlier this month, advised then-Mayor Nat Robertson that the county was withdrawing from deliberations because the boards had reached an impasse on construction funding. He claimed the city had reneged on an agreement that it would pay two-thirds of the cost of building the plant.

At stake is a $15 million grant from the state that would match city and county funds for the $30 million facility. Both units of local government have generally agreed on the shared cost of operations once the center is built. The sticking point is the formula the city and county would use to divide construction costs. Details are unavailable because city council and its attorney have kept discussions private. City Attorney Karen MacDonald said closed meetings to discuss the matter are lawful under the North Carolina Open Meetings statute exceptions, which allow contract discussions to be conducted privately. Council, however, failed to follow proper procedures for publicly announcing the purposes of the closed meetings. MacDonald confronted reporters representing Up & Coming Weekly and The Fayetteville Observer who objected that they were not kept informed, as provided by law.

Once the meeting was re-opened to the public, council agreed unanimously to again have City Manager Doug Hewett make a follow up proposal to county commissioners. It outlines revised construction funding levels agreeable to the city and reiterates the city’s insistence that it be responsible for dispatch center operations. Mayor Pro Tem Ted Mohn noted “we could build it without the county,” but he did not elaborate. City Council members Larry Wright and Bill Crisp were not present for the vote but had attended most of the closed meeting.

The subject discussed privately by city council with developers of the former Prince Charles Hotel renovation project was not made public. PCH Holdings, Inc. project manager Jordan Jones and two of his associates attended the meeting, which was unusual. The firm is not only turning the old hotel into apartments, it’s investing millions in a new four-story hotel and other amenities adjacent to the minor league baseball stadium.

Jones said after the meeting that the discussion involved who would pay for a parking deck to be built on top of the new hotel. Originally, it was part of the company’s plan.

When you think of essential, what comes to mind? I think about oxygen. You take that away, and you are dead. I just left the hospital after visiting a lady who was attached to an oxygen tank. For her, if she doesn’t get oxygen, it’s a bad thing. For her, oxygen is essential.

Essential is defined as “of the utmost importance.” Synonyms might include basic, indispensable and necessary. We live in such a dispensable world. Anything that is dispensable is thrown out. Anything that is essential is kept.

One of our boys had a favorite Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal and a special blanket that tended to follow him everywhere. When we left the house, we had to have Pooh and blankie. When he went to bed, he had to have Pooh and blankie. For him, Pooh and blankie were essential (so essential that mom bought another identical pair).

But here’s the question: As we begin to focus on the Christmas season, how essential is Christ to Christmas? Is Christ something we can just throw out? Or something that must be kept?

In recent years, our culture has all but removed Christ from Christmas. It’s holiday celebrations. It’s holiday trees. It’s holiday parades. It’s everything but Christ-mas. But can you really remove Christ and still have Christmas?

Sure, you can celebrate Saint Nicholas and his generous giving spirit. In fact, Dec. 6 is the official Saint Nicholas Day. It’s interesting that we focus more on Saint Nick than we do on Jesus Christ. Did you know that there is very little historical documentation about Saint Nicholas?

But the legends of Saint Nick have flourished. Somewhere along the way, people began giving gifts in his honor. In Germany, he became known as Christkindl (Christ-child), which evolved into Kriss Kringle. Yet, most of it is all legend.

Essential is something of utmost importance. Instead of focusing all of our attention on the legendary stories of Saint Nick, why not focus on the real person of Jesus Christ? Christmas is more than giving gifts and singing carols. Christmas is the birth of the Jesus Christ.

God became flesh and dwelt among us. This is the essential truth of Christmas. He is the one who should be celebrated and worshipped. The holiday is even named after him. This season, why not remember the essential truth of who Jesus is and what Jesus did for you?

Pick up a Bible and read the story of Christ. Begin with the familiar birth narrative in Luke 2. But then go and read the Gospel of John. See the wonder, experience the awe, and remember the Christ.

How essential is Christ to Christmas? Indispensable.

Congress, as currently constituted, lacks the capacity for coming anywhere near taking the actions required to, even at a minimal level, fulfill the duties of that body relating to the affairs of this country.

I am writing this column on Nov. 28, 2017. My intent, even a couple of days ago, was to address the troubling condition of the United States Congress. A few hours ago, I saw news reports about three events that compounded my need to share some thoughts regarding Congress.

Congress, as currently constituted, lacks the capacity for coming anywhere near taking the actions required to, even at a minimal level, fulfill the duties of that body relating to the affairs of this country. Our form of government mandates that we rely on Congress for actions essential to our very survival as a nation. Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution spells out congressional responsibilities in detail. The lengthy listing of responsibilities starts with the following three of 18 items:

1. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.

I encourage reading of Section 8. Doing so puts the tremendous failings of our current Congress in proper perspective. Looking at this list of responsibilities and authority paints a picture of failure that defies belief. Do not misunderstand – I believe there are some people in Congress who want to do what is right, what is needed for the good of America. I have never lived in Washington, D.C., but am convinced it is a culture infested with greed, love of power and self-promotion. This is a combination that yields exactly what we see in Congress – absolutely nothing of substance being done. The few who would do what is good are converted to, or overwhelmed by, this destructive and unproductive culture.

There is no reason to hope that those who are residents of the Washington political culture will rectify the situation. This is especially true of those who have been in this culture – “the swamp” – for many years. Not only will they not rectify the situation, but people across this country, and even around the world, who benefit from the failings of Congress will not push for change.

In the end, the “Silent Majority” must speak up and show up. The term Silent Majority is attributed to President Richard Nixon. He used it in a speech, Oct. 15, 1969, when addressing protests against the Vietnam War.

Sam Adams, in an article titled “Trump Champions the ‘Silent Majority,’ but What Does that Mean in 2016?” quotes descriptions of the Silent Majority given by individuals in our time. Here are some:

“The people that mind their own business, don’t depend on anyone else,” said Patty Hughes of Indianola, Iowa, when asked to describe silent majority. “(They) don’t expect anything from anybody, and they’re kind of quiet. They don’t go around bragging. They’re not activists.”

Her husband, Larry, said, “They expect a dollar work for a dollar pay. They don’t want anything free, but they don’t want stuff taken away from them either. And that’s happening to us out here in the cheap seats.”

George Davey of West Des Moines: “The silent majority is always going to be a state of mind,” he said. “It’s a feeling. It’s a feeling of dispossession. And that feeling of dispossession can come about most dramatically in times when things seem to be changing, when all that’s solid melts into air.”

I submit there are a lot of people in America who fit the overall description above. These are people who, for various reasons, seldom get involved in the political process. Clearly, many are faithful voters but shy away from any further involvement with politics. It seems to me we have come to a point of dysfunction in Congress and elsewhere in government that those in the system, and those supported by the system, will not correct. It will only happen if the Silent Majority speaks up and shows up.

The few events that I noticed on this one day, Nov. 28, merely constitute a speck on the seemingly endless list of indicators of congressional failure. From the 28th:

1. I think the case for our need of tax reform is clear. The contention that America’s corporate tax rate is so much higher than other industrialized countries that it puts us at a competitive disadvantage for attracting or keeping job-producing businesses is a fact. It also makes sense to me that if people pay less in taxes, they will spend more, resulting in more jobs, increased tax revenue and less need for government entitlement spending. Providing an avenue for American companies to pay a low tax rate on money earned overseas and being held there because of our high rates makes sense to me. With appropriate tax rates, those funds are expected to be brought home to America. By no means is this everything in what is being proposed by the House or Senate, and some of the proposals deserve additional attention. I see a process where some Republicans simply criticize what is being proposed while appearing to offer no solutions, and Democrats paint a picture of doom while offering absolutely no productive input to the process. I see this show as an indication of Congress failing to do its job.

2. Nancy Pelosi, House minority leader, and Charles Schumer, Senate minority leader, were scheduled to meet with President Trump in the afternoon. Apparently, several important topics were on the agenda. Among the issues was taking action to fund basic government operations by Dec. 8 and avoiding a partial government shutdown. Earlier in the day, Trump tweeted, “Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don’t see a deal!” In response, Pelosi and Schumer announced that they would not meet with Trump. This is the man who has to sign any legislation passed by Congress, but they will not meet with him. This is irresponsible behavior, treating the serious business of this country like some game played for the fun of it. Congresswoman Pelosi and Senator Schumer should read Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. This kind of behavior feeds the failure so many Americans abhor in Congress.

3. As this meeting was being boycotted by Pelosi and Schumer, the announcement came that North Korea had successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that, possibly, has the capability to reach any part of America. Concurrent with hearing this news, I was reminded that military funding is affected by the congressional action needed no later than Dec. 8. Not only has the military been adversely impacted by sequestration, it has suffered due to repeated continuing resolutions. Under a continuing resolution, funding for federal agencies remains at similar levels to what was enacted for the previous fiscal year. This does not look like conscientiously “providing for the common defence.” This is failure.

We, the people are not without some responsibility in the failings of Congress. In the midst of Congress failing miserably, we keep sending individuals to that body and allowing them to fail, but, for the most part, remain in office. It is past time to send an even stronger message of disapproval than what was sent with the election of Donald Trump. We need to send the failure producers home and replace them with people who will do what is right and needed, even at the risk of losing elections. This will only happen if the Silent Majority speaks up and shows up. Members of the political establishment and those who benefit from the failings of that establishment will not do what is required to save our nation; that is obvious.

Well into the 2017-18 concert season, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers are set to bring a choral Christmas performance to the Sandhills. Saturday, Dec. 16, don’t miss “We Sing to Remember” at First Baptist Church.

This is the first year for Jason Britt as the group’s director. “We are doing final preparations on ‘Messiah.’ We have one more rehearsal before the performance, and it is all going according to plan. I am holding on tight and enjoying the ride,” he said.

Two other groups are singing. One of them is the Campbellton Youth Chorus. “They are doing a couple of things – ‘Sing We Now of Christmas’ and an arrangement of ‘Christmas Time Is Here,’” Britt said. “The Cross Creek Chorale, which is an auditioned group within the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, is doing ‘O Magnum Mysterium,’ a Latin piece by Morten Lauridsen, and we are also performing Chesnokov’s ‘Salvation Is Created.’” And, of course, ‘Messiah.’”

Every year at Christmas, choral organizations across the country present part one of “Messiah.” It is an oratorio in three parts, Britt said. “It celebrates the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. Typically, about this time of year, we do the first section. The other two parts, they do around Easter. It has been done this way since the 1700s.”

This performance of “Messiah” is significant for Britt on several levels. “This is my first time directing ‘Messiah,’” he said.

Perhaps just as significant is that right out of college, he was asked to do a tenor solo for the piece. “Now 27 years later, I am directing the whole thing. It is surreal. Time has flown, and here I am now at the head of this wonderful organization. It is gratifying, and I am very excited to participate.”

As in years past, people can walk on the day of the performance. “All they need to do is have a score and to be dressed in all black for ladies and dark suits for men,” Britt said.

It is an early concert. “We could be done around 6:30 p.m.,” Britt said. “I hope people choose to stay downtown and make it a compete evening. There are so many nice restaurants downtown; it really is a nice way to complete the evening.”

The Cumberland Oratorio Singers’ spring concert is set for April 27 at Haymount United Methodist Church and is called “We Sing to Experience.” “It is made up of works every choir should perform,” Britt said. “They are works that, if you are in any chorus across America, you have probably performed. It includes pieces by Handel, Haydn, Copland – they are standard works. Good, traditional choral music.” That concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

For the Dec. 16 concert, tickets are $27 at the door for non-season ticket holders. Members and groups of 10 or more are $20 as are walk-ons. The performance starts at 5 p.m. Find out more at www. singwithcos.org.

In an age of rising health care costs and complex insurance issues, an accident or serious illness can bring physical and financial ruin. Resources for the uninsured are limited, and first-class treatment is expensive. Since 1993, The CARE Clinic has provided free basic medical care, dental extractions, chiropractic care, lab testing, diagnostic testing, pharmacy service, health education, community resource information, social services and referrals to specialists to uninsured, low-income residents of Cumberland County.

Staffed primarily by volunteers, the clinic receives no government assistance. “We rely on grants, donations and fundraisers,” said Cynthia M. Spears, CARE Clinic development and marketing director. “It costs us approximately $45,000 a month to keep our doors open. Our biggest expense is pharmaceuticals. We have a pharmacy at the clinic. When we see a patient, if they need medication, they get it free before they leave. Last year, we dispensed 11,142 prescription medications with an estimated wholesale price of $780,531.

Funding an operation this big and this generous is a challenge. Donations are always welcome, but that is not always enough as the need for quality medical care is great. “Each year, we have three major fundraisers: Evening of CARE, which is in February, Toast of the Town wine and beer tasting in April and our Golf Charity tournament in September,” Spears said.

Evening of CARE

The clinic’s biggest fundraiser, Evening of CARE, takes place Feb. 3. One thing that makes this fundraiser unique is that it is not held at one venue. It takes place throughout the community. Couples sign up to open their homes and host a meal, which is usually catered. Often, the hosts will provide a list of guests to The CARE Clinic. However, Williams noted that there are always homes that have space for community members. This year, 34 host homes are participating.

“If you want to attend, contact us,” Williams said. The cost is $75 per person. The food is from Dorothy’s Catering 2.”

If the hosts choose to have the meal catered, there are two dishes on the menu. One is chicken, two vegetables, a salad and dessert. The other is lasagna, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Williams noted that some hosts provide the meals for their guests. “Gates Four turns this into a neighborhood meal and caters it on-site, which is very generous because they absorb the cost of preparing the meal,” Williams said.

Each host is encouraged to include only as many people as their home comfortably allows, so some homes host 15-20 and others up to 50, giving each attendee a unique experience.

Evening of CARE raises between $55,000 and $60,000 most years. While the funds are not earmarked, Williams said one of the biggest operating expenses for the clinic is keeping its pharmacy stocked. “A lot of the medications are very expensive, and that can add up quickly.”

Toast of the Town: wine and beer tasting

April 26, The CARE Clinic will host a wine and beer tasting at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. “We have outgrown every other place we’ve been to,” Williams said. “We started at the Prince Charles Hotel downtown and then moved to St. Patrick Catholic Church and to the Metropolitan Room after that.”

With an attendance of 350 guests last year, this event offers a fun and elegant evening for attendees. “We have a wine tasting sponsored by Mutual Distributing,” Williams said. “They arrange to bring in vendors and wines from all over the world. They set up tables, and people go around and get to taste different beverages.”

Last year, the event expanded to include beer, opening opportunities for local breweries like the Mash House, Huske Hardware House and Dirtbag Ales to support the cause.

Williams added that the event is catered and that there will be a photo booth and a Step and Repeat, too. Five Star Entertainment will provide the DJ. “It is a nice evening,” Williams said. “We are hoping for nice weather so we can be outside and not just in the Orangery. Anyone is welcome to come.”

In addition to the beverages and entertainment, guests can bid in the silent auction. In the past, auction items have included a trip to Africa for seven days, wine-themed baskets, “hit the town” baskets with gift cards from various local vendors, petthemed baskets, jewelry, furniture, art and more.

“It is a good night to get to go out and have fun,” Williams said.

Start time is 6 p.m. Tickets cost $50 in advance and $55 at the door.

Golf tournament

Each fall, The CARE Clinic hosts a golf tournament. It’s been at Gates Four for the last eight years. Like most tournaments, this one includes teams and sponsorship opportunities. “We get Gates Four bucks and offer them to the golfers to spend at the Gates Four pro shop,” Williams said.

This event costs $300 per person to play and has an outreach component as well. “You can sponsor as soldier,” Williams said. “We coordinate with Fort Bragg to help select soldiers to participate. Last year, we had 12 soldiers sponsored. It is a good way to give back to them and thank them for their service. They seem to enjoy meeting people in the community, and the local golfers like to mingle.”

Tournament day includes golf, lunch and prizes.

While fundraisers are vital to keeping The CARE Clinic doors open, Williams added that sponsors and donations play a big part in that, too, as do volunteers. “We have more than 500 volunteers who do everything from serving on committees to serving in the clinic to doing administrative work,” Williams said. There never seem to be enough money or volunteers to meet the demand, though.

Visit www.thecareclinic.org or call (910) 485- 0555 to learn more about The CARE Clinic and how you can help.

Make a CARE Clinic appointment

To be eligible, you must:

• Be an adult resident of Cumberland County or the surrounding area

• Have no insurance – including Medicaid

• Meet an income requirement

• Display proof of household income and a valid, North Carolina DMV-issued picture ID card or driver’s license showing your current address

Appointments:

• No walk-ins.

• Appointments are made only by phone; for more information on making an appointment, call (910) 485-0555.

• Medical appointments may be made Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Dental appointments may be made Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon for the following week.

• The clinic serves patients each Tuesday and Thursday and the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

• Dental clinics are every Tuesday and the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Appointments are made on a space available basis.

• To cancel an appointment, you must call by 8 a.m. the day of the appointment and leave a message on the answering machine in order not to be penalized.

Patients are given the opportunity to make a donation at the time of their visit.