Everyone knows where our downtown is, but do we know what downtowns are and why they matter? Whether the downtown streets are named Hay or Franklin or Old, what they represent is universal. Our downtown is our economic engine, the center of our arts and cultural opportunities, and the heart of the community. 

Our historic downtown tells us not only who we are but also who we were and how that past help shaped us. We do not go to sprawling suburbs, shopping malls or restaurant rows to learn about our past, to explore our culture or to discover our identity. Our downtown is the place of shared memories where people still come together to live, work and play. It doesn’t belong to us but to our history and our future. Those here today are blessed with the opportunity to enjoy, to cherish, to protect and
 to develop our downtown for tomorrow’s generations. 

The Downtown Alliance has long been committed to the continued nurture, development and promotion of our downtown as a vibrant destination. Effective with the upcoming fiscal year, the City of Fayetteville will contract with the Downtown Alliance for business development, design improvements and coordinated marketing for the downtown area. The new structure supports the city council’s strategic goal for a vibrant downtown. 

The work plan has been developed as a roadmap to guide the activities and resource allocation of the Downtown Alliance for the fiscal year 2015-2016. It includes the delivery of services to all property owners, businesses and residents in the area. Plans include the hiring of two staff members and the full-time staffing of the offices at 222 Hay Street to serve as a one-stop point for information about downtown Fayetteville. The board of directors will be restructured to reflect the broader mission. The organization will conduct quarterly meetings and prepare activity reports for review by the city. All downtown property owners that contribute to the MSD funding will be engaged with the development of plans for the downtown area and in leading the professional staffing and volunteers charged with implementing them. In addition, the Downtown Alliance will serve as the liaison among downtown property owners, businesses and residents and the City of Fayetteville. 

The Downtown Alliance will build on the successes we’ve enjoyed over the past year that saw the development of a vacant building ordinance, a revision of the downtown sign ordinance, a coordinated marketing campaign that promoted downtown Fayetteville as economically and culturally vibrant destination, the creation of a downtown community watch group, several new design and appearance standards for the downtown area and many successful events that showcased downtown like the Small Plate Crawl and Loft Tour. 

The Downtown Alliance’s annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, at Marquis Market on Person Street at 6 p.m. All supporters of downtown are invited to share in updates of the 2015-16 Plan of Work and learn about opportunities to get involved to unite the community to promote and advocate for business, residential, and cultural life in the heart of our city.   

Please visit our website  at  www.visitdowntownfayetteville.com for more information about these exciting changes, read the recent press release and review the FAQs section where we plan to address any questions and follow us on the downtown Facebook page as we embark on this exciting journey together.

Like millions of other sad Americans, I cannot keep my mind away from the horrible event at the Bible study class in Charleston, known
as the “holy city,” a reference, in part, to its many churches.  

Our national distress and revulsion are clear.  

The mass murder of innocents has struck a chord in us unlike its grisly predecessors. Among the millions thinking about this violent attack are thousands also writing about it — in various publications and online with almost universal and righteous condemnation. Millions of words have spilled forth and will continue to do so, addressing the innocence of the victims, the youth and life inexperience of the presumed shooter and the proliferation of guns and gun violence in our culture unlike, as President Obama so rightly pointed out, any other developed nation. Given much note, as well, is the tearful forgiveness bestowed in court on the young man in custody by victims’ families. How, we ask ourselves, could the families be so generous only hours after losing loved ones to senseless and inexplicable violence?

None of us understand why our country continues to experience targeted and gross violence aimed at strangers with whom the shooters have no connection and, thus, cannot target individually. I do not pretend to understand any of it, but certain aspects stand out to me.

Young men, guns and the Internet do not mix well.   

Developmental researchers tell us that the human brain, especially in men, is not mature until the person is in his or her mid-20s. Think of incidents since the massacre at Columbine High School in 1999, including the mass murders by gunfire at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, a Colorado movie theater, a first-grade classroom in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, at the Boston Marathon, and, earlier this year, in Chapel Hill.  

Except for the Chapel Hill shooting, the killers were young men in their teens or early 20s, angry and isolated if not actually deranged.  

We must ask ourselves how and why our society is producing, even nurturing, young men who kill indiscriminately in movie houses and on city streets and sometimes with distinct targets as in Wisconsin
and Charleston.  

Why and how does our culture grow such young men and provide them the easy means to commit mass-murder? Mass-murders atrocities will not diminish until we acknowledge and find answers to our questions.

Part of the answers — in my mind, at least — is figuring out how we, the American people, have come to think of people not like ourselves as “the other.”

My photograph appears at the bottom of this page and reveals me the way I think of myself, as a late middle-aged white woman. You may not know anything else about me, but chances are that readers will make assumptions about me and my life based on that photo, and for some, I will be “the other.” Part of this is human nature, but we in America at this point in our history seem to have taken “otherness” to new heights. People who are not like us are “them.”

People of another color than our own are “others.” So are people of different religious beliefs and traditions, so are people who dress differently, whose path to our nation was unlike our own and people of different economic situations.

People somewhere along the sexual spectrum different than our place are routinely ridiculed.

Public school supporters may be suspicious of private school supporters and vice versa.

People who cannot live without guns think the gunless are nuts and vice versa. Ditto for only English speakers and those who speak one or more other languages.

Ditto for Fox News and MSNBC fans, for Democrats and Republicans, for documentary and reality show watchers for University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and North Carolina
State fans.

You, of course, can think of many more “thems” and “others” and may even have some of your own. Our lists of “others” and “thems” now seem endless, and we are dividing and damaging our own nation and our own culture. We are separating ourselves from each other, and in this divisive process, we are spawning mass murderers.

No one, least of all I, has an answer to how we slipped away from Francis Bellamy’s unifying words embodied in our pledge of allegiance to our flag, “…one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

As we prepare to celebrate the 4th of July, I hope I live long enough to see the civility and respect implicit in that concept return to
our nation. 

I have spent much of this past week trying to avoid the news — but that has been impossible. There has been too much going on for me not to pay attention, as is the case with most Americans. It has been a week of mourning, a week of hope and depending on where you sit, a week of sweeping change in our nation.

Much ink and many talking heads have analyzed the events of the past two weeks ad nauseum. And then the social media pundits have put their spin on it, much of which has done nothing more than alienate people and confuse the real point of all of the discussions. I had thought to hold my peace and discuss none of it, which I have successfully done up to this point. I find that I cannot do that anymore, so, for what it’s worth, here is my two cents worth on one of the subjects.

I have long had a love affair with Charleston. It started long before I ever stepped foot on its historic streets, and probably stemmed from books I read when I was younger. Charleston has always been, in my mind, the jewel of the South. I frequently have the argument with friends that Savannah is Charleston’s dirty cousin. To me, the city lacks the grace that has always been part and parcel of Charleston.

The first time I visited Charleston, I was house-sitting for a college friend of mine. Her family was, for lack of better words, from the old-money South. While, in college, I attended her brother’s wedding. It was my job to pick up her mother’s nanny,  an elderly African-American woman, whom had always been a part of her life. She was as much family as any that attended the wedding–something that a lot of people won’t understand. There was a very real familial connection. 

But I digress. For my friend’s wedding present, her parents bought her a house on the battery. It was quite a chore for me, a starving reporter at a small-town newspaper, to go take care of her house and dogs while she vacationed at Martha’s Vineyard. During my seven days there, I walked every street, turned every corner and visited every historic building in the city. I fell in love; a love which I later shared with my husband.

When we feel the need for some “us time,” we head to Charleston. We walk the same streets, meet many of the same characters and visit the same places. There is a grace and hospitality that flows from the people — people of all colors. You can have the best conversations on the streets and, if you take the time, meet the best people. We do both.

That’s why I was not surprised by the reaction of the people of Charleston to the evil that visited their city. For them to act in any other way would have blind sided me. The people of Charleston are gracious. They have seen the worst that men can do to each other, and they weathered that storm and passed the lessons they learned down through the generations. 

I watched horror-stricken as the news broke of the shooting. Mass shootings are unthinkable, but for it to happen in a house of worship is beyond believable. The very act is evil, but for it to happen in a church is perhaps evil incarnate.  And for it to happen because someone doesn’t like the color of someone’s skin is sickening–beyond belief.

Having been raised in a military family, I was raised around the United States. We lived and worshipped with people of all races, colors and beliefs. None of that ever mattered to us. They were our friends and neighbors. If you were to visit my home today, you will find the same kind of mix. 

Many of the people I consider family are people who do not look like me. My son’s godfather is an African-American. Many of my baseball moms, whom I spend countless weekends with, and with whom I laugh and love greatly, do not look like me. But we are a family - we are the Rebel Nation. 

Many people are more comfortable around people who are like us. For me, being like me means that you are probably smart; that you have a broad world view; that you have an open heart; an open mind; are extremely loyal to those who deserve it; and understand that the only inflexible thing about me is my love for my family and my love of God. 

With that being said, it was not surprising to me that the people of Charleston, and particularly the people of  the Charleston church, reacted the way they did. They reacted not with hate, not with ignorance or closed minds, but rather out of love, forgiveness and an understanding that evil walks this earth and manifests itself in the lives of people — sometimes even our neighbors.

I mourned the deaths of my Christian brothers and sisters who were killed while worshipping. But I rejoiced in the response of their friends and families. I rejoiced in the actions of the people of Charleston who rallied around them, who wrapped their arms around the church and even around the confused, angry young man who listened to the hatred spewed on television and social media.

America has many faults and we have become an angry and divided populace, but we can love. We can rise above. That’s the America I love. That’s the America that Charleston showed us we could be. Let’s take that lesson to heart. Let’s let the diversity that made us great, bring us back together. There are no others. There’s only us, and we will rise or fall together.

I have loved magazines since I realized they existed. 

My childhood home subscribed to several, among them LIFE and LOOK, both now long gone, along with TIME and Newsweek, which tried to weather the Internet age by morphing into who knows what. The one slick vestige of my childhood that still arrives at my door with relentless regularity is the much-treasured New Yorker, a publication which has cut edges since it was born in 1925. 

Also in the mailbox are Our State, Garden and Gun, the always-glamorous Vanity Fair, Yoga Journal, along with various trade, professional and special interest publications, and the occasional fashion mag. 

Some get read. Others do not. I often feel guilty loading my City of Fayetteville-issued blue recycling can.

One that almost always makes the cut is The Atlantic, an American magazine first published in 1857. Always smart and current, it focuses on politics, foreign affairs, the economy and cultural trends and has won more National Magazine Awards than any other monthly. It also boasts a terrific website with provocative stories that do not appear in the actual magazine and hard-to-resist — at least for me — archived pieces.

One of those is “The 100 Most Influential Figures in American History” chosen in 2006 by what The Atlantic describes as “10 eminent historians.” The list is, of course, highly subjective, which made me think about who I would have put on such a ranking, dead or alive.

Here at the historians’ top 10 and how they describe them, beginning with number one.

Abraham Lincoln. “He saved the Union,
freed the slaves and presided over America’s second founding.”

George Washington. “He made the United States possible — not only by defeating a king, but by declining to become one himself.”

Thomas Jefferson. “The author of the five most important words in American history: ‘All men are created equal.’”

Franklin Roosevelt. “He said, ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,’ and then he proved it.”

Alexander Hamilton. “Soldier, banker and political scientist, he set in motion an agrarian nation’s transformation into an industrial power.”

Benjamin Franklin. “The founder-of-all trades — scientist, printer, writer, diplomat, inventor and more; like his country, he contained multitudes.”

John Marshall. “The defining chief justice, he established the Supreme Court as the equal of the other two federal branches.”

Martin Luther King. “His dream of racial equality is still elusive, but no one did more to make it real.”

Thomas Edison. “It wasn’t just the light bulb; the Wizard of Menlo Park was the most prolific inventor in American history.”

Woodrow Wilson. “He made the world safe for U.S. interventionism, if not for democracy.”

Obviously, this top 10 list includes only men, mainly political ones, most of them from the more distant past, and I get that. Men have been totally in charge until the last part of the 20th century, and it is not really possible to assess and understand the relative importance of most living people or the more recently departed. Only time can tell us how Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama will remembered.

Only one living person, Bill Gates, made the list. He came in at number 54 and is described as the John D. Rockefeller of the Information Age, meaning that he has both made a gigantic fortune and is giving it away.

Only nine women made the list, most of them for supporting the rights of women or of black Americans. They are Elizabeth Cady Stanton (#30), described as one of the first great American feminists, a supporter of social reform and women’s right to vote; Susan B. Anthony (#38), also a feminist and supporter of women’s equality under the law; Harriet Beecher Stowe (#41) who “inspired abolitionists;” Margaret Sanger (#51), a champion of birth control and the freedom that came with it; Jane Addams (#64), described as the “secular saint of social work;” and Betty Freidan (#77) who wrote a book about unhappy housewives and “inspired a revolution in gender roles.” The three other women are Rachel Carson (#39) whom the historians called “the godmother of the environmental movement;” Margaret Mead (#81) who taught us about the anthropology of other people; and Mary Baker Eddy (#86), who founded a religion, Christian Science.

I do not believe that women’s contributions to our nation clock in at merely 9 percent.

There are some names among the 100 that many of us will have to Google — John Dewey, John Brown, Robert Oppenheimer, Horace Mann, Samuel Gompers and Enrico Fermi. We can also quibble about some of the rankings. Is Walt Disney (#27) with his “unmatched influence over childhood,” more important than James D. Watson (#68), who discovered DNA, the “code of life?” Are P.T. Barnum (#67) whose “taste for spectacle paved the way for blockbuster movies and reality TV” and Sam Walton (#72) who promised “’Every Day Low Prices’ and we took him up on it” really more influential than Ralph Nader (#96) “who made cars safer and 30 years later made George W. Bush President?”

Did the 10 eminent historians nail it or are they living in ivory towers?

As summer gets in full swing, local children and teens are spending more time out of doors. For many of them, that means time at local parks and athletic fields. For some, it means the start of summer practice for school athletic teams or weekends spent traveling around the state to participate in athletic tournaments.

For parents, that means hectic schedules, carpools, evenings spent sweating on the sidelines and cheering their favorite teams. It also means money, a lot of money for registration fees and countless bottles of Gatorade and water and the ubiquitous sunflower seeds.

I am one of those parents whose child is busy on multiple fields throughout the week. Currently, in the mornings he is hitting the high school weight room as part of the summer conditioning for fall football. He is also hitting the batting center to work on his hitting to improve his baseball game and our weekends are spent driving to baseball fields around the state for him to play in tournaments designed to bring players to the attention of college scouts. Throw in Wednesday night and Sundays spent at church and you can see that our summer is pretty well spent.

That’s our choice. A choice we make to keep our child engaged. To keep him focused on improving himself not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. All of these games are both mental and physical. They are also emotional — and that goes for parents as well. 

At a certain age, you have to sit back and watch your kids learn some hard lessons. Unlike T-ball, not everybody plays and not everybody wins. Sometimes, a lot of the times, kids can’t see the reason behind a coach’s decision (heck, sometimes I can’t), but they have to listen and hopefully, learn from the experience. Parents, too. Coaches, too.

Coaches, of all flavors, are unsung heroes who are changing lives for good or ill. It’s a big responsibility and it is so important that they realize the impact they have on the lives of the young men and women they are coaching. They can create a champion or they can turn a kid off sports completely. It all has to do with why they are coaching.

For some, coaching is a way to relive their own glory days on the field. They are the coaches who are playing for titles, who are focused not on infusing a love of the game and teaching the fundamentals, but rather the “win at all cost” coaches. These are perhaps the most dangerous people to allow into your child’s life. These coaches don’t look at the potential a child has, rather where he or she is right at that moment, not who they could be if they developed, if they were coached. 

These are the coaches who yell, assign blame and give up on their team when they are not performing. They are the ones the other coaches shun. You should shun them, too. Winning isn’t the only thing.

For others, coaching is about sharing a passion. It’s about teaching skills and watching with pride when a kids “gets it.” These are the coaches you want. These are the ones who your child is going to love long after he or she stops competing. These are the coaches who are going to change your child because they not only believe in them, they enjoy them and they love them. 

I count my child lucky to have had several coaches who are of this caliber. They want the best for the player, even when they don’t win - Especially when they don’t win.

Two such coaches are at Gray’s Creek High School. One is the football coach, David Lovette and the other is the baseball/assistant football coach, Jeff Nance. 

Lovette is a no-nonsense kind of coach. When you are practicing, you are practicing. When he asks you to do something, it’s because he wants you to learn something. He sees the potential in his boys and he pushes them to reach it. He doesn’t break them. He has a dry sense of humor, and quick smile. He is quick to praise his players and also to correct them. He is about building men of honor; however, a winning season is okay, too.

Nance is always smiling. He knows his players. He enjoys them. He is quick to crack a joke, but quicker to teach. We have been spending time with Nance lately working on my son’s hitting. For months, people have been telling and yelling at my son about his swing. He heard them. But he didn’t understand what they were saying. Within five minutes of being in the cage with Nance, he not only got a lesson in physics, but also learned how to correct his mechanics. Not because Nance yelled, but because he taught by example. That “aha!” moment was a joy to see.

I also saw Nance in action during the last baseball season. In a parent meeting, he explained that if he saw one of his players messing up, he would call home. He straightforwardly told the parents assembled that evil was walking the halls of area high schools and it wanted their kids. He was going to do his part to keep that from happening. And he did, much to the dismay of some players. 

But here’s the thing with Nance, he will work his players hard, and at the end of practice, he will give them a hug and he usually says, “I love you, buddy.”

 And, he means it. Every time. His players get that, and they are changed. 

The Revolutionary War lasted from 1775-1783. It was about a year into the fight that delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia and voted for America’s independence from Britain. 

The delegation struggled with the decision, but on July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence. Two days later, on July 4, the delegation adopted the Declaration of Independence. It was another eight years before the fighting stopped, but it is the 4th of July that America claims as her birthday. In the minds of many Americans, if there is anything worth celebrating it is freedom and independence.
This year there is no shortage of events at which to celebrate.

N.C. Symphony Present Concerts In Your Community and Fireworks

Each summer the N.C. Symphony performs free concerts across the state as part of its Concerts in Your Community series. The concerts are a way for the symphony to give back and, as the state’s official symphony, a way to make its music available statewide. On July 1, don’t miss the Independence Day concert at Festival Park. This year, the symphony has invited the Cumberland Oratorio Singers to perform, as well. 

“We take the stage at 7 p.m. and have a set that includes patriotic music and slices of Americana,” said Maureen Yearby, the marketing and publicity spokesperson for the Cumberland Oratorio Singers. “It is an opportunity to perform for the community we love and is a real indication that Cumberland Oratorio Singers has come a long way these past five years.”

Following the  Cumberland Oratorio Singers, the N.C. Symphony performance includes favorites that are sure to touch the hearts of patriots and rousing classics that will leave hearts pounding. Some favorites that are featured include Root’s “The Battle Cry of Freedom” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” plus selections from the Civil War era. The symphony performs at 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public. End the evening with a fireworks display that is fitting for patriotic celebration of American independence. Find out more at www.ncsymphony.org.

America’s Favorite Game

Known for their summertime fireworks extravaganzas, the SwampDogs pull out all the stops when it comes to celebrating America’s birthday. It’s the team’s biggest event of the year and one that should not be missed. On Friday, July 3, the Honoring America Fireworks Tribute is presented by Hendrick Chrysler Jeep Fiat and USAA. 

“This is the best fireworks show Fayetteville has to offer during the summer, and is a memorable show for the whole family,” said Assistant General Manager/Voice of the SwampDogs Joe Vasile.

Celebrate in Spring Lake

Spring Lake is celebrating with a 4th of July Festival on Main Street. This family-friendly event features live entertainment, a kid’s zone, water activities, a car show and food and craft vendors. The celebration takes place at
 the Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce and  runs from noon until dark. Call 497-8821 for more details. 

Join the Fun in Hope Mills

Hope Mills looks to celebrate the 4th of July with a Party in the Park at Hope Mills Municipal Park. But first, the day starts with a good, old-fashioned parade in downtown Hope Mills. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Party in the Park starts at 4 p.m. and will include family-friendly games, vendors and live entertainment. Find out more at www.townofhopemills.com, www.hopemillschamber.com or by calling 426-4107.

A Patriotic Celebration at Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg’s 4th of July celebration takes place on the Main Post Parade Field. The event includes plenty of events and activities to keep attendees busy all afternoon and well into the evening. 

The parade field opens at 1 p.m., for those who are serious about staking out great spots for the concerts and fireworks. Kiddieland and food vendors open at 3 p.m. The program officially starts at 5 p.m. with a performance by Easton Corbin. 

From 6-6:30 p.m., all eyes are on the skies as the U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s  Black Daggers free fall from the sky. Up next is Randy Houser, who will perform until 7:45 p.m. Senior commander remarks and sponsor recognition follows. 

If you have ever attended the Fort Bragg celebration, then you know you will not want to miss the flag ceremony and 82nd Division All American Chorus’ rendition of  The National Anthem followed by a three song set by Patten and Goff. 

At 9 p.m., enjoy the music of the 82nd Division All American Band  featuring the “1812 Overture” (including the canon). The magic hour is 10 p.m., when fireworks begin to light up the sky over the home of America’s finest. 

Guests are encouraged to arrive early because heavy traffic is expected. No pets, glass bottles or grills. A complete list of prohibited items is available at www.fortbraggmwr.com/july4th. Tent rentals are available but must be reserved in advance. Find out more at www.fortbraggmwr.com/tent-city. There are no tent rentals on the day of the event. The 2015 Fort Bragg 4th of July Celebration is free and open to the public. Find out more at www.fortbraggmwr.com.

The Fayetteville SwampDogs’ season is well underway, and as usual fans have been flocking to “The Swamp” for the best family fun and entertainment Fayetteville has to offer. This week is set to be another exciting week, as the SwampDogs host four games.

The fun kicks off on Wednesday, July 1, with Opening Night Part 2: The Salute to Sequels as the Dogs take on the Wilmington Sharks at 7:05 pm. Help the SwampDogs kick off the second part of their schedule by tipping their hats towards the great “Part Twos” in history. It’s also Social Media night, so follow the SwampDogs on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for special deals at the ballpark.

Friday, July 3 marks the return of the Honoring America Fireworks Tribute at “The Swamp” presented by Hendrick Chrysler Jeep Fiat, USAA and Disaster One.  Everyone knows that the best fireworks in Fayetteville are at “The Swamp” on the third, so don’t miss your chance to experience the extravaganza that everybody is sure to be talking about! This game is sold out every year, so make sure to reserve your tickets early so you don’t get shut out.

The SwampDogs return home on Monday, July 6 for College Rivalry Night and Guaranteed Win Night! If the SwampDogs don’t win against the Lexington County Blowfish, all fans in attendance receive a free general admission ticket to the next home game at “The Swamp.”

That next home game is on Tuesday, July 7 on Superhero and Villain Night!  Come to the game dressed as your favorite superhero or villain to see whether good or evil will triumph and win the day.

With these great games coming up this week, and the weekly promotions of Cornhole Mondays, Scavenger Hunt Tuesdays and Ladies Night Wednesdays, “The Swamp” is sure to be packed this week as the SwampDogs
chase a birth into the Petitt Cup Playoffs once again.

To reserve your tickets for these games — or any remaining SwampDogs game this season — contact the Fayetteville SwampDogs’ business office at 910-426-5900 or stop by in person at J.P. Riddle Stadium, located at 2823 Legion Road 

in Fayetteville.  

With single game tickets starting at just $6, and a Family Four Pack — comprised of four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips and four small sodas — a $56 value costing only $35, the SwampDogs are an affordable night out that can’t be beat.

For the most up-to-date information on the SwampDogs, including our upcoming schedule, player bios and more, slide down to the online home of the SwampDogs, www.goswampdogs.com. On social media, the SwampDogs can be found on Twitter and Instagram at the handle @GoSwampDogs, and on Facebook like the official team page, Fayetteville SwampDogs Baseball. These are all great sources to help keep you connected to your favorit boys of summer.  

A SwampDogs game is where baseball is fun, and we want to see you out at
“The Swamp.”

Libraries can be so much more than a building where people check out books. They can be centers for learning of all kinds as well as places for community growth. Thanks to the dedication and creativity of many staff members, the Headquarters Library is an incredible addition to the city, hosting cultural and educational events year round. 

One of the many programs that the library offers is a Local Author Showcase. The library invites local authors and citizens to come together to learn from each other at this entertaining and  engaging event. The next Local Author Showcase is set for June 26.

The Showcase has been happening
for years, and according to Erika Earp, the Information Services Manager at
the Headquarters Library, it has grown over time.

“Last year we had 40 authors participate.” she said. Despite this success, there are some challenges in organizing this event. “My biggest challenge has been finding enough staff members to volunteer to help out, which, really, is not a bad challenge to have,” Earp explains. 

For those who have never been to a past Local Author Showcase, Earp advises, “Expect a wide variety of books. Also expect authors who are really happy to talk to people about what they do and what their experiences have been with getting books published.” 

This event does double duty in supporting the growth of the community, which is a primary focus of the event. 

“It’s important to support the community and the people who live here. Coming to the showcase and talking to the authors is a good way to support them, even if you don’t buy one of their books,” she explains. 

It provides aspiring authors and amateur writers with an opportunity to meet and seek advice from published authors and it provides a platform for local authors to share their works with a wider audience. Additionally, for people who have read and enjoyed the works of these authors, they have the opportunity to talk to the writers. 

“I think it gives people an understanding of where the authors were coming from when they wrote their works,” Earp said 

It may seem intimidating to meet a successful published author, but it is important to remember that these are local people excited to share their ideas and success with the community. According to Earp there is absolutely no reason to be nervous about meeting and talking with these local treasures, in fact it is her favorite part of the event. 

“I really like meeting all the different authors. They’re all very nice and fun to talk to,” she says. 

The Local Author Showcase is on June 26 at 7 p.m. at the Headquarters Library. The Headquarters Library is located at 300 Maiden Lane. Books are for sale and Earp reminds attendees that, “If you plan on buying books, please bring cash; not everyone will have the ability to accept plastic.” 

For more information visit www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/ccplsite/content/author-visits-2015 or call 910-483-7727. 

The current exhibit at the Cape Fear Historical Complex showcases 64 black and white photographs of the Stagville Planation in Durham, N.C. The exhibit runs through Sept. 13.

The Stagville plantation encompassed nearly 30,000 acres of land owned by the Bennehan and Cameron families, making it the largest plantation in the state of N.C. Paul Cameron, the wealthiest man at that time, owned approximately 900 slaves. 

Photographer Brenda Scott began her study in 2011 to create lasting images of the historical meaning of Stagville. During her research she also met several descendants of Stagville. She took the opportunity to photograph descendants as well as still photos of the original owners of Stagville.

“One descendant is holding a mirror that captures both her in the foreground and a slave cabin in the background. This photographic study of the site in modern times makes the exhibit’s content very unique”, said Leisa Greathouse, curator of education.

Stagville the Living Legacy, one of Scott’s three projects also includes interviews with descendants. The interviews are also on display and complement the photos. Each interview gives context to the time and place and gives perspective to the photos as they are viewed as a whole.

“The exhibit evokes different things to different people, which is what a museum exhibit is supposed to do. People are supposed to draw their own conclusions about Stagville’s past and present,” said Greathouse. 

Today, the historic site consists of 165 acres where many of the original buildings still stand, which indicates the skill and craftsmanship of slaves who built them. Imagine the craftsmanship it demands to build a roof without one single nail —  one that has weathered the test of time. 

“There is a picture of a simple door, whose wooden planks are set vertically and the sun is shining through the cracks, between the planks. The radiating sun creates brilliance to the picture. It’s a simple, yet beautiful photograph. How many of those hundreds of slaves saw that view 150 years ago as the Civil War ended? And even decades prior?” she asked. 

The black and white exhibit is available for viewing
from Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historical complex. Find out more at www2.ncdcr.gov/ncmcf.

Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Fine Arts Department is presenting two plays, The Water Engine and Mr. Happiness by David Mamet on June 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and June 21 and 28 at 2 p.m. in the Cumberland Hall Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College. 

John Doerner and Patricia Cucco are co-directors of the plays. 

The Water Engine takes place in a radio studio. It is a depiction of what radio actors did in the studio in 1934 in Chicago, which was to stand in front of the microphone with their scripts. It is a radio play that becomes a realistic play. 

“We play with the audience’s perception and according to the author there should be three realities,” said Doerner. “At times they are radio actors, real actors and sometimes they are both.”

 Doerner added that the play is surprising to the audience and the cast is the best cast that he has ever worked with. The cast consists of students, teachers and actors who bring 100 percent every day to rehearsal. 

The Water Engine is about a man who invents an engine that runs on water. “He goes to a patent attorney to try and patent it and things go downhill from there because they try to take advantage of him,” said Doerner. “He has separated the hydrogen from the water and it makes you think about the impact that something like this would have on our economy and culture and how people would deal with that.”    

Mr. Happiness opens the show. It is a short piece that begins a larger play. The play is one long monologue and the actor is James Dean. 

“He reads letters on the air to the listeners and he answers them,” said Doerner. “It is a lonely-heart kind of Ann Landers thing.” 

Doerner added that Mr. Happiness is performed before The Water Engine. 

Doerner is an educator and actor from New York City and has always had a passion for the theater. 

“We have wanted to do this play for 25 years now,” said Doerner. “I chose this play because it has a lot to say about government, ambition and politics which is very timely in reference to today.” 

Doerner added that the play was written back in the ‘70s.     

“There is something about theater that touches and stays with us in a place that nothing else touches,” said Doerner. “If you can be a part of creating that, you are contributing to the culture and that is what I like to think I do.”  

The play is free and open to the public.  For more information, call 678-0092.   

In As You Like It, the immortal bard penned the famous line  “All the world’s a stage,” which refers more to the countless roles each individual plays throughout the stages of their lives, but it also speaks to the heart of theatre and the actors and actresses who walk the boards, laying themselves bare to tell a story.

In Cumberland County, there are a number of stages and a number of extremely talented people who bring stories to life on the stage and several companies that give them not only the opportunity, but the wherewithal to make magic happen. In these hazy days of summer, our theatres go dark, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot of work going on and a lot of preparation behind the scenes, readying the stage for the start of the 2015-2016 theatre season.

Sweet Tea Shakespeare

One of the newest, and definitely unique, theatre companies in the Cape Fear Region is Sweet Tea Shakespeare, which operates under the auspices of Fayetteville State University.  The company seeks to “celebrate the wonder of Shakespeare, other classic plays and new work in beautiful environments with family-style flare by providing simple, elemental, magical theatre experiences.”

In its fourth season, the company’s summer season is ongoing, with its first offering, The Cherry Orchard, currently running on the grounds of the 1897 Poe House, which is part of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. The company presents most of its work in this unique outdoor setting, which actually makes the great outdoor its stage. Written by Anton Chekhov, the play runs through June 21, with shows at 7 p.m. Music, food and fun start at 6:15 p.m. The cast features Marie Lowe, Candace Joice, Nathan Pearce, Brandon Bryan, David Holt, Michael Carney, Jeremy Fiebig, Ja’Maul Johnson, Kaley Morrison, Liz Covington, Reagan Carstens, Joey Narvaez, and Katie White. Greg Fiebig, the company director,  is directing and Jacob French is music director.

In July, the second play of the summer season is a classic Shakespeare piece, The Tempest,which follows the survivors of a shipwreck as they explore and the island of Prospero.Opening July 16, it runs through the 19th, with shows also on July 23-26.

The cast features Ruth Nelson, Jessica Osnoe, Nicole Callaghan, Marie Lowe, Cerina Johnson, Malerie Goodman, Joyce Borum, Katie Wampler, Liz Covington, Medina Demeter, Jennifer Czechowski, Zec Williams, Brandon Bryan, Joey Narvaez, and Ja’Maul Johnson. Fiebig and French team up again to bring the story to life.

Audiences should bring their own seating, including camping or other outdoor chairs and blankets. Some quilt seating is available onsite on a rental basis. $12 general admission; $10 seniors and military member; children 6-12 are $6; and those under the age of 5 are admitted free. Tickets may be reserved at sweetteashakespeare.com/tickets and purchased onsite via cash, credit or debit card.

The Gilbert Theater

The Gilbert Theater, led by Artistic Director Robyne Parrish, has six shows lined up for its 2015-2016 season, with comedies, tragedies, feel-good and socially relevant plays on tap. Company members invite the community to come out and experience “theatre with a pulse.”

The season opens Sept. 18 with the classic Mel Brooks musical, Young Frankenstein. In classic Brooks style, the show centers around the work of Dr. Frankenstein who, following in his grandfather’s footsteps, tries to bring a corpse back to life. With help and hindrance from servant Igor, buxom assistant Inga and needy fiancée Elizabeth, his experiment yields success and unexpected consequences. The play runs through Oct. 4.

For the past several years, The Gilbert has brought the classic A Christmas Carol to the stage as a gift to the community. This year the company has elected to change things up and will stage It’s a Wonderful Life instead. The classic play chronicles the life of George Bailey, the “Everyman” from the small town of Bedford Falls. Bailey’s life has not turned out as he thought it would. He stands broken, dreaming of escape and adventure. Bailey, has given up hope, and it is up to his Guardian Angel to remind him that the life he is so disappointed in, is really very wonderful. The show runs Nov. 27 and runs through Dec. 20. 

In February, tragedy takes center stage as Shakespeare’s Titus Anronicus and Hedda Baler by Henrik Ibsen are performed. 

Women of Manhattan and The Vagina Monologues round out the season in April and June, respectively. 

Women of Manhattan by John Patrick Shanley chronicles the love lives of three women: Rhonda, who has just broken up with her boyfriend; Billie, a happily married woman who is afraid that she and her husband will never move past their honeymoon phase; and Judy, who is afraid she will never meet a good-looking guy who isn’t gay. 

In a series of sharply written, subtly revealing scenes, their situations change. Billie fixes up Judy with her ex-boyfriend, a debonair black executive who proves to be more than an adequate lover; Billie’s husband gives her a black eye (which delights her because it finally proves that the honeymoon is over!); and Rhonda, still alone, summons up the courage to dispose of her boyfriend’s sneakers. 

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler is fairly self-explanatory. It is a series of monlogues delivered by women that is designed to “break down the barriers of secrecy and shame surrounding both the use of the word ‘vagina’ (both in public and in private) and the violence perpetrated against those who have one. “

Tickets are $16 for general admission with military, student and senior discounts available. There are also special package prices for advance paid groups of ten or more. For more information or to buy tickets, email boxoffice@gilberttheater.com, visit www.gilberttheater.com or call 678-7186. Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Nestled in Haymount, the Cape Fear Regional Theatre will continue telling great stories during its upcoming season. Under the direction of Artistic Director Tom Quaintance, the theatre has an eclectic lineup featuring everything from classics like Man of La Mancha, to musicals like The Wizand an original work, Downrange: Voices from the Homefrontin its lineup

The eight-play season begins Sept. 17  with the musical, Man of La Mancha, which runs through Oct. 11. The musical tells the story of “The Mad Knight, ” Don Quixote, as a play within a play, performed by Miguel de Cervantes and his fellow prisoners as he awaits a hearing with the Spanish Inquisition. 

A new adaption of a timeless classic, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner is on stage in October. The adaption by Todd Kreidler, tells the story of a progressive white couple’s proud liberal sensibilities that are put to the test when their daughter, fresh from an overseas romance, brings her African-American fiancé home to meet them. 

In December, the theatre stages it’s traditional The Best Christmas Pageant Everas a special event, followed by The Wiz, which runs Jan. 21-Feb. 14. This beloved Broadway musical sets Dorothy’s adventures in the land of OZ to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul! The Wizis CFRT’s Classic Theatre Series production for the 2015-2016 season and is presented in partnership with Cumberland County Schools, providing an opportunity to engage, entertain and educate students. Free tickets will be provided to all 11th grade CCS students.

Downrange, written and directed by Mike Wiley, is the first original play commissioned by the theatre. It explores the impact of more than a decade of war on not only our nation’s warriors, but also their families. The show runs March 3-20, 2016.

Downrangeis followed up with the classic comedy Arsenic and Old Lace, which will open April 7. 

In May, theatre patrons can look forward to spending some time with The Man in Black when the musical Ring of Fire comes to the stage. With Hedwig and the Angry Inch rounding out the season May.  Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the story of a German transsexual who goes on a journey of self-discovery, has one of the greatest rock scores of any contemporary musical. From the driving rock of “Tear Me Down” to the heart rending “Origin of Love” to the country-pop brilliance of “Sugar Daddy,” this musical has struck a chord. Hedwig allows us to feel free to truly love ourselves and become the best version of ourselves and, ultimately, spread the love to others.

Season tickets are now available and options can be found at www.cfrt.org.

If you are looking for something to do on June 26, head downtown to 4th Friday. Businesses and galleries are open late, there are a variety of activities to enjoy and  there are new exhibits and performances to take in — the entire family will find something to enjoy. 

Every year, the Arts Council hosts an exhibit called Public Works. It is a celebration of local art and local artists. The exhibit opened in May and is on display through July 18. Don’t miss the Arts Council’s reception from 5-9 p.m. From 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. visitors can catch a performance by the Army Ground Forces Band as well.

After stopping at the Arts Council, art aficionados can head to Cape Fear Studios at 148 Maxwell St. for the opening of the 2015 National 2D Competition. The national juried competition and exhibit featuring 2D artists throughout the United States is a local favorite and features interesting pieces from around the country showcased in the main gallery. Visit the member artists’ studios and check out Fayetteville’s local talent, too. The 2015 National 2D Competition is on display through July 20. Find out more at www.capefearstudios.com.

Fayetteville After Five joins the 4th Friday festivities this year with concerts in Festival Park. It is a great way to wind down from a busy week and kick off the weekend. This month, the featured headliners are The Stranger, a Billy Joel tribute band and  Dealing Stan, a tribute to Steely Dan. Gate opens at 5 p.m.  Acts begin at 7 p.m. 

The Headquarters Library invites readers, authors and aspiring authors to visit the Local Authors Showcase. Meet the authors, check out their work and ask questions. Have you ever wanted to know what inspires an author or how hard it is to get published? Find out at the showcase. The event, which lasts from 7-9 p.m., features writers from the Sandhills region and is sponsored  by the Friends of the Library.

Kids love Fascinate-U Children’s Museum — and for good reason. There is plenty of kid-sized fun all in one building. Admission is free on 4th Friday, so the little ones can enjoy miniature grocery store, post office and other hands-on learning centers and take home a craft, too. Local author Catherine Poole hosts a story time and then the children will make their own colorful bookmarks to take home. Storytime is at 7:30 p.m. Free play is from 7-9 p.m. Fascinate-U is located at 116 Green St. 

The Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum at 325 Franklin St. features artifact-filled exhibits, including a model train room that tells the story of transportation from pre-history through the early 20th century. The museum  is open from 6-9 p.m.  on 4th Friday. 

Don’t miss the exhibit in collaboration with Fayetteville State University celebrating the life of Dr. E.E. Smith, the beloved Baptist minister, patriotic militia officer, successful businessman, generous philanthropist, accomplished statesman and distinguished and dedicated educator.

The Market House showcases the educational exhibit Local Artistsupstairs. It is open from 6-10 p.m. This exhibit is in addition to the permanent exhibit, A View from the Square: A History of Downtown Fayetteville.

Hay Street United Methodist Church at 320 Hay St. is taking part in the action and will feature fun beach activities including face painting and creating sand art necklaces  from 6-8 p.m.

The Civil War, even after so many years, has an eternal grip on the American psyche. James Greathouse, the senior museum specialist at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum, explains the fascination by saying, “In many ways it was our last ‘Napoleonic Style’ war.  Colorful uniforms, regimental bands and all that pomp and ceremony. From the dashing cavalry trooper riding off to glory and honor to the lines of soldiers marching shoulder-to-shoulder braving shot and shell, the Civil War reminds us of an age of chivalry. “

To further explore this era, the museum organized a Civil War Bus Tour with Greathouse as the tour guide. The tour explores three different towns that have deep, though perhaps unexpected connections, to the Civil War. 

“For the Averasboro portion of the tour we will stop at several places along the battlefield to explain how the battle developed and hear some personal accounts,” said Greathouse. “At the museum, tour members will have time to explore the exhibits and check out the gift shop. At Bentonville, we will go over the details of the battle, but will not venture too far into the battlefield area. The bus tour guide will provide background information on the Carolinas’ Campaign and the visitor’s center displays will allow the group to get a greater understanding of how the battle unfolded.” 

In Fayetteville, Averasboro and Bentonville, the tour will highlight personal accounts by the soldiers and civilians that witnessed the battles.

For Greathouse the single best moment of the tour is the hospital 

at Bentonville. 

“It is an unbroken reminder of the brutality of warfare. This nice home was thrown into the midst of war and I really do not think that life there was ever the same there after the battle,” he said.

 The entire tour is riveting for both the experienced Civil War enthusiast and the less experienced. The route itself is hauntingly beautiful, so beautiful that Greathouse says it is a struggle to imagine the brutality that took place, noting that these events are still very pertinent.  

The Civil War was a very human and personal affair for those who served, and having an honest retelling is vital to understanding America today. 

“To understand the Civil War and what it means to America today, we need to look at the war from all sides,” Greathouse says. “For me, it is the stories of the common soldiers and civilians just trying to survive the war that holds my attention. It is these stories that truly show us the best and worst of what the Civil War was about. These personal stories are where we can learn something worth remembering.”

The Cumberland County History Bus Tour is on June 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is required as space is limited. There is also a $5 fee per person, and moderate walking may be involved. For more information visitwww.fcpr.us/transportation_museum.aspx or call 910-433-1457. 

Author Robert Fulghum hit an incredible home run with his 1988 book of short essays, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Fulghum’s effort dominated the bestseller lists for more than a year, and while it has been 25 years or so since I read it, I do remember thinking that he learned a lot more than I did when I was 5-years-old. All I remember about kindergarten is the spectacularly wonderful goopiness of finger paints, and Billy Rose’s mother coming to pick up our carpool early the day Hurricane Hazel flattened much of North Carolina’s southern coast and laid the supple young pine trees in our family’s Haymount yard down on the ground.

That being said, I started thinking about what I have learned since kindergarten. I am happy and relieved to report that I have learned a few things, including a lot more about hurricanes, particularly from Hurricane Fran. In no special order, here are a few tidbits that have stuck with me through the years. Some I wish I had understood in kindergarten, and some my younger me had to mature a bit to grasp.

The only person who will go all the way through life with you is you. Parents, friends, even spouses, will fall away. You will enjoy your life’s journey more if you learn to like your own company and to trust your own judgment. Young people, especially teenagers, have real trouble with this as they are often mesmerized by their peers, but it is true nonetheless.

Politics is a matter of timing. The world’s best candidate can lose when the tide of public opinion is heading in a different direction, and, conversely, a weak candidate — perhaps dishonest or lacking in mental horsepower — can get elected if the public tide flows his or her way. Fortunately, politics is cyclic — the tide will turn eventually.

Henry the VIII of England did not do-in all six of his wives. He beheaded two of them, but two died of natural causes. The sight unseen German princess whom he married on the rebound did not last long, but she kept her head. Unenamored Henry quickly had Anne of Cleves declared his sister and dispatched her to a remote country estate to live peacefully ever after. His sixth wife outlived him. 

Many friends come and go throughout life, as do some relatives, because of interests, change of location and all of the other factors that affect our lives. If we are lucky, though, we have a handful of the most precious ones for the better part of our lives. I am so blessed to have friends with whom I have laughed, cried, weathered triumphs and tragedies. They come from all parts of my life and enrich it every moment, even when we are not together.

Sometimes we think others are in the wrong, when they are not. It is a good policy to keep a mirror handy for just such situations.

There are certain items women over the age of 30 should never wear again. I count short shorts, leather pants, T-shirts with writing and/or pictures on them and hair bows among them.

Resentment, anger and hatred are not good traveling buddies. They are corrosive, eating us up from the inside out, and leaving the objects of our emotions largely unscathed. I tell myself they produce more wrinkles than any other feelings.

Our children are the most precious and fragile creatures we ever encounter. Treat them with love, respect and honesty, and those qualities will come back to you in spades. That does not mean leading them into positive and productive adult hoods is anything close to easy.

No matter what we may delude ourselves into thinking, we really have no clue what is going on in anyone else’s home, office or marriage. Sometimes we have no clue what is going on in our own.

Travel is almost always worth the investments of time, money and effort. Family travel makes memories that can be shared through the years in ways no possessions can. Travel broadens everyone’s perspective on the world and enriches and expands our own lives.

And, as a bonus, it is generally fun.

And, here is some wisdom which recurs to me more and more these days.

At the end of life, what people regret are not the actions they have taken, however egregious, but the opportunities they have not seized out of fear or any other reason. In other words, when opportunity knocks, we will be happier with ourselves if we answer the door.

I wonder whether Robert Fulghum learned that one.

It will probably come as no surprise to our readers that many of my conversations with local citizens revolve around what’s going on in the city, and in particular, with the local government. Recently the question was posed: “Are they doing anything good?” in reference to the Fayetteville City Council. That question was quickly followed up with, “If so, what is it?”

Staying abreast of the comings and goings of the council, I do my best to keep track of what is going on, but in this instance, I thought why not go to the source? So I contacted Mayor Robertson and asked him the question I was asked, which more or less comes down to, “What have you done for the people of the city lately?”

Those who know Robertson will understand that he didn’t miss a beat as he highlighted what was good in our city and how the city council is working and has worked together to improve the city, despite public sentiment that sees them as divided .

At the top of Robertson’s list was one of the council’s most recent accomplishments: the passage of the budget. Over the past month, the council has focused on its budget. The discussions have at times been heated, but the council remained dedicated to the process and for the first time in recent memory passed the upcoming budget unanimously. 

That’s a pretty big deal when you consider dwindling federal funding and increasing demands for services by a growing population. If you throw in the pressure of the PWC/City Government dysfunction, it is almost what some consider miraculous. Robertson doesn’t see it that way, explaining that the council is not as divided as some would think. 

“Most of the time, we are all on the same page,” he said. “We may disagree about the way to get from one point to the other, but we know the direction we are headed.”

Robertson takes great pride in the fact that the city’s crime rate has dropped again. Robertson ran his campaign with going after crime his top priority, and he has remained committed to it.  He pointed out that the city has made some hard choices to get a handle on this issue and has worked in concert to go after crime . Steps taken include:

• Funding the police officers

• Opening a new west area Police sub-station

• Funding In-Car Camera Systems in all patrol cars 

• Contracting with a new local crime laboratory to expedite the prosecution of criminals

• Installing monitored thoroughfare cameras throughout the city

• Installing Red light cameras at dangerous intersections

• Year over year crime rate reduction of 12.4 percent

• Expanding Community Watch and National Night Out participation

To improve the quality of life for local residents, the city has also made great strides in the area of Parks and Recreation.

The council studied and voted to:

• Re-introduce the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Youth Council

• Authorize construction of a new community pool at the Westover Recreation Center

• Fund expansion of both Linear Park as well as the River Trail

• Open City recreation centers on holidays

Public Transportation, which was  a central focus of the previous council, remained on the radar, with the council  accomplishing the following:

•  Starting conversations with Fort Bragg, Cumberland County, Spring Lake and Hope Mills about Regional Transportation serving all of Cumberland County’s residents

• Now running routes onto Fort Bragg and connecting with Spring Lake and Hoke County buses

• Starting or expanding several routes

• Enacting programs  for Cumberland County Schools student athletes to ride any FAST bus for free

• Approving $12.1 million for the construction of the new Transportation Center

• Increasing overall ridership.

Finally, in the area of economic development, Robertson reports that the city is making strides, continuing to update the Unified Development Ordinance, improving customer service and employee training, implementing a new “customer portal” for residents deal with Inspection and Permits Departments and continuing to create an environment that promotes growth. 

The Grammy’s, the Oscars, the Tonys. All are awards that celebrate excellence in performance: music, movies and plays. In Fayetteville, the Pryer Awards, sponsored by The Gilbert Theater not only recognize outstanding performances, but also raise funds for the theater. The Third Annual Pryer Awards is set for Tuesday, June 16, from 6 -9 p.m. at the Gilbert Theater. 

Those familiar with the theater will quickly realize that the event and award take its name from the founder of the theater, Lynne Pryer. 

“This is our only fundraiser of the year, but it is an awards ceremony, too,” said Robyne Parrish, artistic director of the Gilbert Theater. “All year long, the audience is asked to vote for their favorites in the different categories after the show and at the end of the year the votes are tallied for the entire season.”  

Parrish added that the categories are Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Design Element and Best Play or Best Musical. 

The awards ceremony got its humble beginnings from a discussion about the hard work of the artists at the theater all year long. 

“The Pryer Awards started because we wanted to honor the artists who work in the theater for basically nothing,” said Parrish. “We do pay everyone who works at the Gilbert, but it is a small stipend.” 

The event features an evening of great food, an open bar and entertainment. Entertainment is provided by The Little Sisters of Hoboken and the Gilbert Glee Club. Ricardo Morgan is the master of ceremonies of the event. There is a silent auction featuring merchandise from local restaurants, artists and craftsmen. A champagne toast will be given to the Revolutionary donors during the evening of the event. A volunteer award will be presented to the two best volunteers. 

 A lifetime achievement award has been added this year and Steve Jones is the recipient of this award. He attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and has starred in The Rocky Horror Show several times. 

“I have been thinking about this award for a while now and the people who have been working at the Gilbert and have gone above and beyond over the years,” said Parrish. “We will highlight Steve’s life outside of the Gilbert and everything he has done at the Gilbert.”  

Raffle tickets are for sale for $25 and the winner will receive an all expense paid trip for two to the “Big Apple” better known as New York City. The winning ticket will be drawn the evening of the event. 

“This is a great way to reach the community and get all of our donors together once a year,” said Parrish. “We look forward to an evening of honor and fun.” 

    Tickets are $40. Space is limited so reserve your seats now. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 678-7186 or visit www.gilberttheater.com. 

Alzheimer’s is a cruel and nasty disease. It affects not only the person afflicted but everyone who knows and loves them. Sadly, it does not have the attention that many other diseases receive. 

“There are lots of unanswered questions but what we know is that if it is good for your heart than it is good for your brain. So think eating well, exercising and reducing stress. That is something that we can hold on to that we know is true. Scientists say that they are close to a breakthrough but they lack the funding and the awareness that other diseases have. That is why this walk (the Walk to End Alzheimer’s) is so important. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the nation, there is no cure and there is no way to slow it down … It is also unreported. Many people die of Alzheimer’s complications but they are not reported on the death certificate,” explained Julie Russo, the Joe McKee Memorial Alzheimer’s Fund director and Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s co-chair. It is this knowledge that drives the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s which is sponsored by the Joe McKee Memorial Alzheimer Fund. The walk is scheduled for Sept. 12.

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a labor of love. It requires a tremendous amount of preparation, organization and work both all year-round and the day of the event. Russo explained that there are 20 volunteers that help to plan the walk year-round and the day of the event they need more than 50 people to help out. In previous years, getting and organizing volunteers has been a challenge, but with experience and a firm base, it has improved every year. 

“Often I tap into my teacher skills. I was an elementary school teacher for 20 years and a lot of the skills are transferable like planning, recruiting and encouraging people. It’s not a one-time thing, you have to do it constantly. Whenever I go out I talk about the walk and try to tell people about it, I’m very tenacious,” Russo said. 

This year’s walk is going to be bigger and better than ever. Russo explained by saying, “We are constantly trying to be innovative and expand our reach. This year we are having our walk in the SwampDogs Stadium. Before we would always have it in one of our neighborhoods. I am the Director of Administration for McKee homes and my husband is Pat McKee so we have always had the walk in one of our neighborhoods. But now, because of our numbers we have outgrown that. So the SwampDogs have generously donated their entire stadium for the day of the walk and there is a baseball night for the walk. That is on July 29, at 6 p.m., and at the baseball game we will be auctioning off one of the uniforms, but it will be purple and have the emblem of the Alzheimer’s Association. All the proceeds from that night will go to benefit the walk. We are calling it Bringing Memories Home Safe. “

Along with a bigger location comes bigger goals, which are based on past performances and are designed to challenge and encourage participants. This year the fundraising goal is $69,000. They also aim to have 630 participants and 60 teams. Teams have never been a huge focus for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s before, but this year they are a major theme. Not only  have the  goals increased for team participation, there is also now a traveling trophy. The trophy, donated by Parks Building Supply and Interiors, is awarded to the corporate team that raises the most money by Oct. 1. The trophy will be displayed at the business until Sept. 1, 2016, when it returns to McKee Homes Design Center until the next year’s winner is determined. 

The 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s is on Sept. 12, 2015. Registration is at 9 a.m., the ceremony is at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. The route length is two miles and it is held at the “SwampDogs’” J.P. Riddle Stadium, located at 2823 Legion Road. For more information, call 919-803-8285 or visit http://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=7621&pg=entry. 

Wait no longer! Christian rock band Casting Crowns is finally making their way to Fayetteville June 20 with fellow artists Josh Wilson and About A Mile.

If you’ve ever listened to Christian Radio for more than a minute at a time, you’ve more than likely heard a Casting Crowns song. For more than a decade, Casting Crowns filled the airwaves  with hit after hit, writing some of the most cherished songs heard in churches today. So, when the word was out that this timeless band was coming to the Crown Coliseum back in April, tickets sold quickly. 

Then, fans received some terrible news. The Fayetteville stop on the tour, among many others, was canceled. But that wasn’t the worst of it. Casting Crowns lead singer, Mark Hall, announced on social media that he had a cancerous mass on his kidney and would be having surgery to remove it in March.

His life was halted unexpectedly by this devastating news, leaving the band no choice but to reschedule the rest of the Evening With Casting Crowns tour, including pushing back Fayetteville’s April date to June 20. 

During the announcement, Mark made a humble request to their fans.

“Please pray for healing and for God’s peace for my family,” he asked online. 

People began to pray. Thousands of fans joined in to pray for Mark, his family and the band, starting a #Pray-ingForMark movement, connecting with him online with the hashtag to show their love and support during his surgery and recovery. What began as a simple request spread rapidly across the nation through people who know Mark, or know him from a distance — even other Christian artists were asking for prayer from their fans on social media and at their own concerts. Artists like Mandisa, Michael W. Smith and the band Kutless showed their support for Mark on Twitter and Facebook, and included moments of prayer for Mark in their own shows. There is no denying it — this man was covered in prayer.

The days following the surgery, Mark’s wife, Melanie, kept fans updated on the Casting Crowns blog and on their website, letting everyone know he had come out of the procedure with no complications. The tumor was confirmed as cancer, but was fully encased, and the cancer had not spread to the kidney or anywhere else in his body. Melanie expressed their many thanks a few days after the surgery.

“I wish that I could explain in words how much of a miracle it was, but it would take too many words. And to be honest, I am too tired.

But let me just say:

1. Casting Crowns is normally never off in March. 

2. Mark was not experiencing any symptoms related to this tumor (he was having gastric problems). 

3. Doctors do not routinely order CT scans with contrast for physicals.

God was at work in this before we had any idea. 

He is good that way. We are thankful for His mercy and grace. We are thankful that He chose to answer our requests in this way. I know that not everyone’s stories have the desired ending. But I also know that God desires us to trust Him with it all anyway. Even still, He says He will work it all together for our good.”

At the end of April, just over a month after the tumor was removed, Casting Crowns was back on tour with the message of hope and healing in the darkest of situations. Did you catch that? That’s only a mere five weeks after the surgery. Mark and the band, still heavily considering his health and recovery, say Mark may have to “do some songs sitting down” if need be.

Having the extra time for recovery has been difficult. Since their first label-supported album release in 2003, they have been going nonstop — sometimes working seven days a week — and if you can believe it, they consider this their side-job. Four members of Casting Crowns currently minister at Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga. All of the band’s touring and recording is maneuvered around their full-time work of mentoring teenagers at the church. They often schedule the tour dates between Thursdays and Saturdays to be home for church on Sundays and Wednesdays. Mark, who’s the full-time youth pastor, says their songs are actually written from the topics they cover with their youth, coupled with bold honesty and catchy choruses. Though written for a specific topic, they find the songs not only speaking to their audiences, but to themselves as well. 

Mark recalls, “In March, at our last show before the surgery, we were standing on the stage singing songs that I wrote and it’s as though God was looking ahead when and knew when I needed to hear these things, songs like ‘Already There’, ‘Praise You In This Storm’, ‘Who Am I’ that I wrote years ago…It’s like He was preparing me for this moment.” 

Its songs like these that not only won the hearts of their fans, but also some major awards. With two American Music Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, 15 Dove Awards and a Grammy, not to mention countless nominations, Casting Crowns has dominated the Christian music scene for many years. 

The Crown Coliseum will honor those tickets that were bought before the tour was re-scheduled, so those that purchased tickets prior should plan to attend the upcoming show. These seasoned performers are guaranteed to put on a good show when they stop here in Fayetteville. Mark reassured us that though they had to reschedule, they will make it up to all that attend.

“We had to move a few concerts, which always stinks because people spend their money and their time planning things like that…Just know that if you guys show up, we’ll make it worth your while.”

For more information about Casting Crowns, visit https://www.castingcrowns.com. For tickets and information about the concert, visit, http://crowncomplexnc.com.

With such auspicious anniversaries, the Army and community is pulling out all of the stops to make sure you won’t want to miss the celebration. 

Fayetteville’s hometown baseball team, the SwampDogs, are big fans of the military. Every season the team hosts a military appreciation night. This year it falls on June 13. The players will celebrate by wearing camouflaged jerseys for the night’s game. 

“We appreciate what the military does every day, but being that it is the Army’s birthday, we really want to make it a special night,” said Joe Vasile, SwampDogs assistant general manager. “All the players are really looking forward to it. It is always a special night for us and a way that we can show the community a good time and give back.”

The SwampDogs, known for providing fans with great entertainment as well as exciting baseball games, is set to host its second fireworks extravaganza of the season. Rick Hendrick Toyota and USAA have joined forces with the team to bring this fun-filled night to The Swamp. The first 500 fans through the gate will receive a camouflaged hat compliments of Rick Hendrick Toyota and Foxy 99.

Don’t miss the Army Ground Forces Band concert in Festival Park. Slated Friday,  June 12 at 7 p.m., the concert is a celebration of the Army’s birthday. Patriots and music lovers alike will enjoy the evenings offering. Like many birthday celebrations, this one will have cake, too. 

The band offers performances at local events as well as a summer concert series. Its mission is to provide “world-class music in support of U.S. Army Forces Command headquartered at Fort Bragg, in Fayetteville, N.C. It serves as the musical ambassador of the American combat soldier to the American people, instilling pride in our troops and promoting a spirit of patriotism and support for our nation’s military through the performance of music at the local, regional and national levels.”

The Army Ground Forces Band was organized  on July 21, 1845, in New Orleans, La., as the Fourth Infantry Regiment Band in New Orleans, La. 

The concert starts at 7 p.m. Find out more at http://www.ArmyGroundForcesBand.com or by calling (910) 570-1752. 

Just a short walk away from Festival Park, check out the Field of Honor at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. A joint project with the  Fayetteville Downtown Alliance and the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, the Field of Honor is the perfect place to reflect on the many triumphs and sacrifices of the generations of soldiers that have served their country. Every flag in honors someone who is currently serving, those who have served as well as the men and women who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation’s security and freedom. 

The Field on Honor is open until June 27. Find out more at http://www.ncfieldofhonor.com or by calling (910) 222-3382.

As we roll into summer, I am reminded that for me, at least, this is a relatively unfocused time of year. Schedules are looser with meals when we feel like it, and Lilly the Lab gets walked when the spirit moves both of us. So, too, with the news.  

Politics are gearing up for the 2016 election  but they, too, are unfocused at this point, and other stories snag my attention more often.

Here are a few of those:

From the “here we go again” department comes yet another book banning effort in North Carolina. Buncombe County has had book challenges in the past, and last month a parent complained about The Kite Runner, a book that has been taught in that system’s high school Honors English class for years. (As a side note, it is also one of my own favorites.)  It tells the story of young Afghan boy and his best friend, the son of a family servant. The plot includes a violent rape of the friend. The book received critical praise, and was number one on The New York Times bestseller list for more than two years.

Book banning efforts always remind me of a time when the Precious Jewels were young, and I objected to the “action figures” little boys were playing with in those days. I found their distorted plastic musculature, humanoids on steroids, offensive, and Mom arbitrarily banned them from chez Dickson.  Needless to say, my boys were furious and hightailed it to neighboring houses, where the mothers were more enlightened.  

In the midst of this family brouhaha, a wise friend counseled me this way:  “Margaret, you cannot protect your children from their own culture.”

She was right.  

Nor can we protect our children from the painful aspects of life, be they actual or fictional.

…

Americans, including this one, love polls, political and otherwise. We want to know what the rest of us are thinking about all aspects of American life.  All polls, Gallup and otherwise, are snapshots in time, and tomorrow may be different. That said, a recent Gallup poll on what the venerable polling outfit calls “moral issues” finds that Americans are moving to the left. I suspected as much, but Gallup gives us numbers, and here we go.

Now, 63 percent of us, accept same-sex couple relationships.  Only 40 percent of us did in 2001, which is the greatest shift of public opinion in the history of Gallup polling.

Children born to unmarried mothers?  Ho-hum. That is fine by 61 percent of us, 16 percent more than when Gallup asked the same question in 2001.

Which brings up the obvious question of pre-martial sex. Most of us, 68 percent, are fine with it, compared to only 53 percent in 2001.

What a difference a decade and a half makes. C’est la vie!

…

All of us have had houseguests from time to time. Some are family. Some are friends.  Some may be business associates, exchange students, neighbors of neighbors,etc.

Our Dickson guests have generally been lovely, although teenagers occasionally left gum wrappers and dirty towels on the floor. A parental tutorial was clearly in order, but I never went there with other people’s children. I am always grateful for the house gifts — scented soaps and sachets, tea towels and lovely wines.

The White House has had some vastly different experiences.

Every event at our President’s home is carefully orchestrated, as it should be. It seems, however, that more is managed than ordinarily meets the eye.  Take, for example, the discreet removal just before the dessert service of all the vermeil eagle placecard holders from the dining tables because too many White House guests have, there is no polite way to say this, sticky fingers.  

Lifting White House mementos is not an issue only at state dinners. The Washington Post reported last month that thievery of Presidential loot has seen everything from towels with the Presidential seal to beverage cups to cut glass crystals dangling from sconces in the White House ladies’ room disappear into the pockets and pocketbooks of lawmakers, reporters and ordinary citizens who visited the White House or have had occasion to fly on Air Force One.  

Sticky fingers have been a problem since our second President John Adams, and his wife, Abigail, moved into the brand spanking new White House. Says John Bushong, chief historian of the White House Historical Association, “The main temptation is the fact that you want to have something that is a memento, that gives you a connection to that experience you had in the house. The temptation is just irresistible.”

Oh, dear! Perhaps the White House should spring for some cheap pens embossed with the Presidential seal to pass out at the door.

For many in the United States, this week marks a period of  profound endings and beginnings. The beginning of summer closes out the school year, with graduations closing the door on one level of education and either opening the door to the next or the far scarier world of work.

This week will, for many Cumberland County families, be bittersweet as high school seniors don their caps and gowns and march across the stage to receive their diplomas. Not having had the experience of watching my own child take those bold steps yet, I am still misty-eyed from watching many of the young adults I have known since their childhood prepare for this week. 

I look at them, and while I see the confidence and anticipation they have to move forward to the next stage of their lives, I can’t help but see them as the awkward, yet endearing toddlers I met more than a decade ago. Their transition from rough-and-tumble toddler has not necessarily been easy, but it has been quite the ride.

I look at them and think back to my own senior year in high school and have to think about how different we were. There was not a single girl in my high school class who could have matched the beauty, grace and maturity of the girls I see preparing to graduate. In my mind, we were more awkward, not as confident and definitely not as stylish as the young ladies I know today. We were, thankfully,  a lot more innocent as well.

Our lives had not been shaped by a decade of war, a dismal economy and, as a friend of mine noted, such extreme weapons of mass distraction. We did not have computers on our desktops or iPhones permanently attached to our hands. When we wanted to communicate with our friends, we met them at their locker or spent the night at their house. We didn’t instant message them as we were sitting at the same table. 

If we wanted to write a research paper, we spent hours, days and weeks in libraries checking out books, reading them and laboriously putting together our notes and footnotes. We did not have instant access to information and footnote builders. Some will argue that we worked harder. I would say that today’s kids simply have the tools to work smarter. 

For many of those whom I graduated with, college, sadly, was not an option. That isn’t the case with the graduates who are set to walk the halls. Almost 81 percent of the students who graduated last year pursued higher education, garnering more than $51 million in scholarships. Those numbers speak volumes about our students. It speaks to their understanding of the world around them and their realization that higher education is the key to their success in our global economy.

That being said, it is important to note that as many as 1 in 3 of the students who walk across the stage this week and matriculate to one of the many colleges and universities in our state will not make it through their freshman year, according to U.S. News and World Report. Why? For some, it is a matter of money. For most, it is a matter of discipline. The same technology, that has made it easier for our students to write papers and stay informed, has also made them less focused and more easily distracted. It has, in essence, isolated them, and in that isolation, has taken away the stick-to-it, can-do attitude that older generations have had instilled. 

I am not one to believe all statistics or studies. Instead, I tend to look not at the beginnings and the endings, but all that comes in between. And in the case of many of the young men and women I know, the in between is what is going to set their feet on the path of success. I have watched them grow from giggling toddlers to fearful elementary students to awkward middle school students to amazing young men and women who are donning their caps and gowns. I have seen their hard work in the classroom, on sporting fields and in clubs. For those who will be successful, I have seen the very real family and friend connections that are based not on a smart phone, but rather on in-person, up-close, messy and sometimes heartbreaking, breathtaking moments called life. 

These are the young men and women who will enter college this fall, and in four years, graduate with a degree. Not because they are smarter than their counterparts but because they know that some things are worth the effort. 

They have learned that it’s not always about where or how you start, but rather how to make the best of all that comes after. And in doing so, they have ensured that an ending is just another beginning. Based on what I’ve seen the past decade, I look forward to watching their new beginnings and all that comes between. It’s going to be  a wild ride.

On Saturday, June 6, two things that just work together will create a fun, entertaining event for Fayetteville residents as the 12th Annual Blues n Brews returns to Festival Park. Blues n Brews is the annual fundraiser to support the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and, if the success of the past 11 years is a basis for predicting the success of this year’s event, it looks to be a homerun.

The annual event, organized by a core group of 14 volunteers, takes about a year to put together. It is not easy trying to top an already successful event, but that’s what the volunteers have been able to do each year. Karen Tisdale, the chairman of this year’s event, hopes to keep that tradition alive.

The keys to success, according to Tisdale, are great music and great beer. She, and her dedicated volunteers, have both wrapped up.

Thirty-eight different brewing companies are represented in this year’s line up for a total of about 110 different beers. That’s a lot of pouring and tasting for event attendees. 

“Our local distributors are huge advocates for this event and for the Cape Fear Regional Theatre,” explained Tisdale, noting that R.A. Jeffreys, Healy Wholesale and Empire Distributors have brought a lot of craft brewers to the event, as well as independent and smaller brewers who could not be present otherwise.

R.A. Jeffreys, the oldest distributor in the state, distributes Annheuser Busch, as well as a number of craft breweries from around the nation, including Blue Point Brewing Company, Kona Brewing Company, Red Hook Brewery and Sweetwater Brewery. In North Carolina, they represent Aviator Brewing Company, Big Boss Brewing Company, Carolina Brewery, Good Vibes Brewing Company, Kind Beers, Lone Rider Brewing Company, Natty Greene’s Brewing Company and Triangle Brewing Company. 

Healy Wholesale, a Fayetteville based company, distributes a number of beers including Yuengling, Coors and Miller products. Additionally, the wholesaler represents a number of smaller brewers, including Crazy Mountain Brewery, Foothills Brewery, Anchor Brewing and Johnny Bootlegger.

Empire Distributors, based out of Durham, brings a number of beers to the table, including Samuel Adams Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewery and Breckenridge Brewery, as well as a number of small North Carolina breweries. 

Tisdale said working with the three distributors, a diverse group of beers will be available, including beers from Asheville, Hope Mills, Angier and Holly Springs, as well as breweries from Mexico, Chicago and Pennsylvania.

“We will also have a number of smaller craft beers represented,”said Tisdale. “We have a very loyal group of brewers who come to the event every year, but we have also added new vendors this year.”

One of the newest brewers added to the list is Blind Squirrel Brewery, based out of Plum Tree, N.C. Blind Squirrel operates four separate three-barrel systems, giving them a range of diversity that is unsurpassed in the High Country. What started as a true nano-brewery has now evolved into a micro-setup that is unlike any other in the state. 

Also new to the event is Hi-Wire Brewing, an Asheville-based brewery, which strives to be as independent and authentic as possible, while maintaining an approachability to its beers. Located in Downtown Asheville’s Brew District, Hi-Wire Brewing embraces its craft from top to bottom. Hi-Wire features four approachable year-round “Main Attraction” beers — Prime Time Pale, Hi-Pitch IPA, Bed of Nails Brown and Hi-Wire Lager, as well as a rotating selection of seasonal offerings, as well as “Side Show Seasonals.”

Beer is only part of what makes the event so successful, the other half is the Blues, which Tisdale promises will not disappoint. This year three bands will perform, including Fayetteville’s own Chris Hurst and String Theory, which promises to perform authentic “dirty blues.” 

Also performing is E.B. Tharrington and 42 East, a blues/Funk/Soul band from Raleigh, featuring E.B. Tharrington on guitar and vocals, Dave Albery-on bass and vocals and Dan Stahl on drums and vocals.

The main entertainment, comes from deep in the bayous of Louisiana. Tullie Brae, according to critics and peers alike “has the praiseworthy vocal distinction and stage charisma that creates an unforgettable show.” She is a soulful blues singer, whose roots are tied to gospel music. She plays the piano, drums and guitar.  Touring with The Medicine Man Revue, Brae has played all over the south and has opened for the late great B.B. King and has shared the stage with greats like Bonnie Raitt, Chicago Rhythm and Blues kings and Big Jack Johnson. 

With a great lineup of blues and brews Tisdale is hoping to match and beat last year’s attendance which was right at 3,000 people. 

“Last year we had a little more than 3,000 people come through the gates. We certainly hope to have that and a little bit more,” she said. “We have a little more beer and are expanding the footprint. But we also have a cap, which isn’t that much higher than last year. We want the event to be a good experience, so we are very aware of size capacity and people coming through gates. The max we are looking at is 3,400 people.” 

That number is, by-in-large, adults over the age of 21. While children are not forbidden from the event, Tisdale points out that there are no children’s activities or event going on.

“It is largely a 21 plus event,” she said. “This is a crowd that wants to sample beer and listen to great music.”

They also want to eat, and Tisdale and crew have that covered as well. Tisdale noted that the list of food vendors includes: the Honey Baked Ham Cafe, Hot Diggidy Dog, Mac’s Speed Shop, Pappa John’s, R Burger and Scoops, Sonny Incs. Southern Chicken, Shrimp and Fish Fry and YumYum Chicken on a Stick. She added that all vendors are reasonably priced.

Tisdale touts the VIP Ticket as the biggest bang for your buck. The VIP Ticket gives attendees an hour earlier entrance, which gives VIP ticket holders more time to sample with fewer people in line. In addition, VIP ticket holders have access to the VIP tent, which has a special concert, goodie bags with coupons for free Blues n Brews items, free concession items, a T-shirt, as well as a buffet dinner provided by Carolina Ale House and an evening appetizer bar. Additionally, VIP ticket holders get to participate in private pours, vote on the Best of Show and have access to a private game area. 

“As a VIP ticket holder, you can come to the event and basically not spend another dime,” she Tisdale. “You are covered for the whole night.”

VIP tickets can be purchased online at www.cfrt.org or via the CFRT Box office at 323-4234, and are $75. General admission tickets are $35, with advance purchase and $40 at the gate. General Admission Tickets for non-drinkers are $15. Active duty military get a $5 discount on general admission tickets. The gates open at 4 p.m. for VIP ticket holders and 5 p.m. for all others. Those who have advance tickets will avoid the line and come through a separate gate.

For more information about the Blues n Brews, visit the website at www.cfrt.org/blues-and-brews.

Operation Ceasefire is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to reducing violent gun crimes and gang crime in Fayetteville. The organization wants to create a safer city and future for everyone in the community. According to its website, the program does this through, “a strategy of prevention, intervention and suppression.” 

The organization supports this mission through various programs that reach out to all facets of the community. Movie Night is a popular program because it is fun. Each summer Operation Ceasefire hosts movies that are free to the public. The next Movie Night is scheduled for June 5.

Another way that Operation Ceasefire attempts to end the violence is by engaging it at the source — by finding people who are serving probation and parole sentences for violent crimes and then inviting them to “call-ins.” 

At these meetings, they interact with resource partners and law enforcement officers in ways designed to build a nonviolent and positive future. They offer help in education, employment, counseling and healthcare. With improved alternatives, the goal is that the desperation that often leads to violent crimes can be avoided. 

Attendees also learn of the consequences that continued violence brings. So far, this program has been incredibly successful. Between 2010 and 2012, the program recovered 150 firearms and 88.28 percent of Operation Ceasefire participants completed, remained active in good standing or were terminated successfully from probation. 

Operation Ceasefire also has a program called EKG or Educating Kids about Gun Violence. This youth education and prevention program is designed to stop gun violence before it even happens. Children are educated about the, “legal, medical and emotional consequences of youth gun possession and related gun violence, as well as encouraging young people to consider options and choices available to them in situations involving guns.” This program was started by the Fayetteville Police Department in 2014 and engages multiple community partners including the Cumberland County School System. Funding comes from the State of North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. It is estimated that during the 2014-2015 school year, more than 8,600 students will be taught these important lessons county-wide.

The third program that Operation Ceasefire promotes is the Movie Night series. This series educates children about the issues of gun violence and encourages them to sign “The Pledge,” promising to reduce gun violence. It also to provides the community with a fun and exciting cinema-filled evening. Last year’s Movie Night outreach was tremendously successful with hundreds of children signing “The Pledge.” And it is expected that this year will be just as successful. 

On June 5, a viewing of Paddington is scheduled at Bethel Baptist Church located at 300 Andy St. On Sept. 19, movie night is scheduled for Pine Forest High School located at 525 Andrews Rd. The final movie of the series is on Oct. 10, at Trinity United Methodist Church located at 6974 Raeford Rd. Films are announced closer to the show date on the Operation Ceasefire website. All of the movies are held outdoors and are free and open to the public. They begin at 7:30 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs to relax under the stars. In the case of inclement weather, the movies will be held inside if the location allows. For more information, call 910-433-1017 or visit http://ceasefire.ci.fayetteville.nc.us/movienight.aspx. 

The Army Ground Forces Band kicked off its Summer Concert Series beginning May 29 at Festival Park. The series of five concerts will run from May through August. All shows are free and open to the public.

“We are the musical ambassadors of U.S. Army Forces Command, the largest [command] in the Army,” said Capt. Dae Kim, who serves as the commander and conductor of the Army Ground Forces Band, headquartered at Fort Bragg.

“We like to get out in the community,” Kim said. “Not only to tell the Army story but to put a face on the soldiers of Army Forces Command.”

The 54 soldiers assigned to the Army Ground Forces Band are a deployable unit as part of FORSCOM Headquarters, and must maintain their soldier skills such as physical fitness, weapons qualification and proficiency in other common troop tasks. 

They are also talented musicians, Kim explained. 

“Most play an instrument. Many have advanced degrees with many having experience in some of the finest music schools and conservatories across the country,” he said.

He is an accomplished clarinetist. Before joining the Army, Kim graduated Officer Candidate School as a Distinguished Military Graduate. All soldiers in the unit “went through a rigorous audition process” before being selected for the Army Ground Forces Band, which is considered one of the top three in the Army.

For some performances, the Concert Band showcases the talent of most of the unit. To maximize their talent and provide as many shows as possible (on average 225 performances a year), the entire unit can be broken down into seven smaller ensembles.

The Summer Concert Series performances feature the Concert Band, which maintains a large and varied repertoire of traditional and contemporary pieces. Other ensembles include the Ceremonial Band, which performs in parades and ceremonies; the Loose Cannons, a rock/pop band with some R&B, Hip Hop and Country; the Dixieland Band; and multiple Jazz combos. 

The unit also has Woodwind and Brass Quintets which perform and specialize in crafting clinics and classes for high school and college music students, “bringing years of experience and musical knowledge to young musicians while showcasing Army professionalism” according to the unit’s website.

Summer Concert Series

• 240th Army Birthday, June 12, 7 p.m. at Festival Park

“Celebration of the Army’s history, we tell the Army story through music,” Kim said. “We want everyone to come out and help us celebrate their Army.” 

This is the concert not to miss, he said. The celebration will include cake.

• Dancing Under the Stars, June 26, 5 p.m. Hay Street 

This is the only concert in the series not held at Festival Park. A dance floor will be constructed in the middle of the street in front of the Arts Council, Kim said. The concert will include “something for everyone” with a variety of tunes ranging from ballroom to new classics. 

• Kid’s Night, August 14, 6 p.m. at Festival Park

“There will be a family friendly atmosphere,” Kim said, with a picnic area and interactive events targeted to ages 4 to 8. Children will be able to hear professional musicians talk about music and instruments and answer questions. Children will also be able to march along behind the drum major.

• End of Summer Blast, Aug. 28, 8:30 p.m. at Festival Park

This second annual end of summer blast will be in conjunction with the Arts Alliance/4th Friday/Fayetteville After 5. Kim said concert-goers can expect patriotic tunes as well as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the “1812 Overture” with a salute battery (live cannons) in the finale.

For more information visit armygroundforcesband.com or check their Facebook page for the latest information about concerts and full schedules.

Can you sing, dance or play an instrument? Are you in elementary, middle or high school? Then get ready to showcase your talent because the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club presents its 64th annual Talent Night Showcaseon Friday, June 12, at 7 p.m. at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Auditions are all day on Saturday, June 6, starting at 8:30 a.m., at the Honeycutt Recreation Center. 

There are so many talented youth in Fayetteville and this is the perfect opportunity for them to get out there and shine. The showcase event has been a platform for great things to happen for some of the contestants. Some of the past winners of the Kiwanis Talent Nighthave gone on to play music in some of the most renowned orchestras in the country like the Boston Philharmonic. There have been dancers that have gone on to national dance and ballet companies and some of the winners are now performing on Broadway.   

 “We are currently out promoting the auditions for all Cumberland County students in preschool through 12th grade, and we will probably audition 200-300 children for this event,” said Bill Bowman, production chairman of the Kiwanis Talent Night Showcase. “Any act will qualify such as singers, dancers, musicians, piano players and flute players.” 

Bowman added that when you take the best talent and put them all together it makes a real nice evening at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. It offers the children a chance to showcase their talents and it offers the community a night of quality entertainment, as well as helping make a difference for children in the community —and best of all, it is fun. 

The categories are preschool through 2nd grade; 3rd through 5th grade; 6th through 8th grade and 9th through 12th grade. Six contestants are chosen from the audition to compete at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre on June 12. The prizes are $2,000 in cash, trophies and scholarships. There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners who will receive trophies and a cash prize. Proceeds are used to benefit 15 local Kiwanis projects for children. 

“We will award scholarships to the top in each category,” said Bowman. “We will have one for strings, voice, piano and band.” 

Bowman added that winning contestants will receive $150 and can use the money to attend any camp of their choice.  

“We have been doing this event for 64 years and it is quite a show,” said Bowman. “The talent that we are going to showcase that Friday night is remarkable and it will be a fun evening.” 

Kiwanis is an international organization with clubs in more than 80 countries. Kiwanis clubs work toward making the world better by serving children; one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis seeks to give every child a bright future. Tickets are $7. 

Applications can be found at any Wendy’s restaurant, at the school or online. For more information or to register for the event, visit
www.fayettevillekiwanis.org/talent or call Bill Bowman at
391-3859.