The Evolution of the Paul H. Thompson Library

Since the mid-1800s libraries in the United States have successfully operated under the model of book and information providers for the masses. To his enduring credit, Melvil Dewey is widely considered the father of the modern library. Fulfilling a unique mission, community college libraries are not giant tombs of millions of books waiting to be used. We are required to be more nimble, and our strength rests in our dexterity, not rigidity.

At Fayetteville Technical Community College, the mission of the library, including its current evolution, has always been student and faculty focused. The library’s ability to adapt over the past 50 years has sustained the informational needs of the first graduating class of 40 students in 1963 through the current 40,000 students today, majoring in more than 200 degree and certificate fields. Built in 1971, the Paul H. Thompson library houses approximately 68,000 books, 32 computers and seating for 155. Through use of the Internet, the ability to deliver scholarly information worldwide 24 hours-a-day to our face-to-face and distance education students is in constant competition with non-academic information sources like Google and Wikipedia.

Over the past two years, the Paul H. Thompson library floor plan was redesigned, a Discovery Service was established, and a concerted effort to turn over the print collection was initiated. Creating an atmosphere conducive to study was behind the effort to replace all of the furniture, brighten the lighting, introduce wireless computing and printing, and transform the facility into a collaborative environment where students and faculty can build upon FTCC’s foundation.

FTCC is proud to be the only North Carolina community college with a Discovery Service, which prepares our graduates for the rigors necessary to do world-class research equal to any four-year college or university. The complexity of the modern academic library includes finding information in books, e-books, journals, e-journals, multiple electronic databases, films, audio recordings, maps, photos and archive materials. We decided to partner with the major publishing company EBSCO to establish a Discovery Service. EBSCO Discovery allows FTCC students to search the entirety of Paul H. Thompson Library’s holdings, both print and electronic, with a single search from anywhere in the world 24 hours-a-day. Students on campus, online students studying locally and distance education soldiers as far away as Afghanistan have access to the exact same information through the Library’s website.

Turning over or modernizing the print collection involves eliminating the outdated and purchasing updated books necessary to support the various curriculums. The Paul H. Thompson Library is two years into a five-year plan which includes tripling the amount of the library’s books by purchasing 120,000 e-books in 2013. These e-books are available to every FTCC student worldwide 24 hours-a-day.

The future of the Thompson Library is bright as we head toward converting the reference collection to digital in partnership with Oxford University Press, creating the FTCC Digital Archive highlighting our history and investing in a broader array of databases covering every subject area in more depth. Plan a visit to FTCC’s Paul H. Thompson Library soon to see the exciting changes that have been implemented.

Photo: There are big changes happening at FTCC’s Paul H. Thompson Library.

The Pen Is Truly Mighty

The results of a global study of promotional product user habits and effectiveness were recently published (See ASI Global Ad Impressions Study 2012) and three facts jump right out: promotional products are far more effective (at 86 percent name retention) than television (50 percent name retention). That’s a huge advantage for the oft dismissed promotional product; writing instruments were found to be the most commonly remembered category among the ten or so studied; and the average cost of marketing with writing instruments averages less than 1/10th of a cent per view. That’s 1,000 views per dollar.

Since promo items in general have an 86 percent name retention rate (meaning the rate at which product users recall the name of the company on the item) and can be purchased at pennies per item, businesses can create a marketing strategy that begins at a much lower cost than almost any other medium. A minimal television campaign running just a few ads per day for just a few weeks can cost many thousands of dollars. A newspaper ad running weekly costs several thousand. For example, 1,000 basic Bic Clic Stic pens cost a few hundred dollars and leave 860 people remembering the name of your company. Moreover, those 1,000 pens (with Bic’s 1.2 miles of ink per pen) generate a total of more than 500,000 views of your logo. That’s power.

The quality and cost of pens vary widely but the math mentioned above applies at all levels. A 30-cent stick pen used for a few days carries the same 1/10th of a cent cost per view as a gold-plated Parker that is used for several years. The only question for you is, at what price point to effectively use pens in your branding campaign. Should you disseminate thousands of inexpensive pens at crowd events or go with a few dozen of those gold Parkers handed as gifts to a pre-selected target audience? Or, as I recommend (and follow for my own company), do both.

One hurdle to overcome when using an item as common as a pen is how to make yours stand out from the many your target audience already has. According to the global study, usefulness is the main differentiator among promotional products. In what ways do pens vary in usefulness? As I mentioned above, the better ones have more ink and generally write more smoothly. Once users learn that particular brands suit their preference they begin coveting pens from that manufacturer. Bic, Papermate, Parker and Quill have that kind of following. Pens can be multi-functional with secondary tools like smart-screen styluses, LED lights, laser pointers or highlighters added to one end. The added function making them doubly used and coveted.

Lastly, make sure that you choose a pen that attractively carries your logo and message. Make sure that the printable area will fit both. Print should be large on the less expensive pens and smaller (preferably engraved) on the nicer keepsake-quality ones. Use a pen color that enhances and contrasts with your logo color(s). Looking good is often half the battle and it doesn’t necessarily cost more to make a pretty pen.

At 1,000 views per dollar; 86 percent name retention; limitless options and price points, the pen is truly mighty but only when used wisely.

Photo: A recent study found that promotional pens have an 86 percent name-retention rate.

Twenty years ago this month, Jan Johnson and Pat Wright were employed at Fayetteville Technical Community College. They did videography work for the school, and after several people asked them to do projects for them not associated with the school, they decided to venture out and, in their words, “stick their toes into the water and start moonlighting.”

It wasn’t long after that, that they opened their first office in their home on Oct. 12, 1993. Johnson had young children at the time, and found the convenience of working at home to be beneficial. Their business quickly took off, and, after seven years, they had outgrown their home office and began looking for new digs for their growing company, Moonlight Communications.

The pair found their place while doing what they do best, making videos. They were hired by Robin Kelly-Legg, then the director of the Old Fayetteville Association, to follow Robert Marvin, the designer of the Marvin Plan to revitalize downtown, to other city’s that had successfully revitalized their downtowns. Footage from the visits became the video that really ignited the fire of revitalization of downtown when it was shown to the city council and community leaders at the Crown Arena.

“I guess you could say we drank the Kool Aid and started looking for buildings downtown,” said Johnson.

They were encouraged in their decision by Eric Lindstrom, local architect and one of the first people to move into downtown at the start of the revitalization. Their opportunity to move downtown came four years later in 1999.

“All good things come to those who wait,” continued Johnson. “When we bought our building in 1999, you could have fired a gun through downtown and not hit anybody.”

The building they purchased was the original home of the Rainbow Restaurant, which is now located on Ramsey Street. According to Wright, who researched the building in great detail, the restaurant opened in the building in 1937 and moved out in 1974. The building stood empty for 25 years waiting for someone to restore it.

Lesser women would have run screaming from the job, but Wright and Johnson embraced it. A lot of the old historic buildings had burned down during the derelict years. Homeless people would go inside the buildings and start fires in them for warmth. The floors of the Rainbow building had burn marks, but fortunately the building remained largely intact.

Every weekend for a year, the two would put on their work clothes and their masks and grab their tools and head downtown. They applied for and received state and federal historical tax credits to rehab the building. Those credits put exacting demands on what could and could not be done. Great attention to detail was important in order to maintain the historical integrity of the building. The three-story building had structural damage, and in fact, the floors in the back section of the building had collapsed. The enterprising women painted lines on the floors to indicate the sound paths they could follow while working. They would carry the debris from the front of the building and pour it two floors down to the ground floor.

They completely gutted the structure and were amazed at the beautiful pieces of the building they uncovered as they tore away years of construction. They were not alone in the project, as is the case in all that they have done, they are quick to call attention to the people who helped them along the way. Lindstrom and Greg King, another downtown dweller, were on speed dial and always available to lend them a hand. Lindstrom was of particular importance because of his building knowledge.

“We would call and he always helped us out,” said Wright.

After pouring blood, sweat and tears into it, the two ensured that the building was put on the National Registry of historic buildings. With that designation, it cannot be torn down. It cannot be altered. This is important to the two, who are members of Preservation North Carolina.

“We take the preservation of these old buildings very seriously,” said Johnson. “We love these buildings and what they represent. So many of them have been lost.”

The three-story building is a multi-use structure. The third floor is a rental loft, the second floor is home to their business and the first floor houses The Rainbow Room, which is an event facility. Initially the bottom floor was to become retail space, but after 9/11, business stalled and the two decided to create another business.

“We made it affordable for people to come downtown and have parties. We brought a lot of people downtown to use the facility and while they were here, they saw all the other things downtown had to offer like the Cameo and Pierro’s. People started seeing that things were changing downtown.”

By creating businesses downtown, the two felt they gained credibility with their downtown neighbors.

“They saw that we were not just here to make a living, but rather we were going to put our money where our mouths were,” said Wright.

The two proudly look at the changes downtown and are happy to be a part of it. They see downtown on a constant upward trajectory.

“It’s unbelievable the amount of money that has been invested in downtown,” said Wright. “The way a downtown grows is by making changes in its businesses. The core businesses remain, while other businesses may change, but there isn’t a vacuum.”

They had an opportunity to change the course of another old building when what is now known as Skyview on Hay came available. The building, located on the Market House end of Hay Street, had been a series of bars before the ATF closed it down. Wright and Johnson had looked at the building earlier, but the price was not right. With its closing, the building came back on the market, and as they have seen repeatedly, everything came together to make it a viable possibility.

The building, which was initially constructed as a BB&T, had fallen into disrepair. The architectural qualities, which had defined the building when it was first built, had been covered up and hidden from sight. As was the case with the Rainbow building, the duo did a lot of research finding pictures of the original interiors of the building in order to bring the building back to its former glory.

“The building was built in 1965 and it was an absolutely gorgeous place,” said Wright. “It had been used for a number of businesses, but most recently was operated as a series of bars.”

Johnson and Wright understand the importance of mixed use downtown and the importance of entertainment venues, but they are also advocates of responsible business ownerships and community partnerships. That wasn’t the case with the bars that operated in the building. They saw the effects of the bars on downtown with fights in the parking lots, beer cans littering the street and graffiti on their beloved historic buildings.

“It was really destroying the feeling of security that we cherish in downtown,” said Johnson. “One night an alarm went off in the Rainbow Room, and we came downtown and there were police everywhere and people pouring out of the bars, fighting.”

Shortly after that, the ATF shut down the bar in 2009 and the ladies purchased the building on July 1, 2010. Unlike the previous rehab, they paid others to do the work, but they lovingly oversaw it and faithfully restored it to the way it had been when BB&T operated in it. The restoration took about eight months and included putting new roofs on three sections of the building, scraping black paint off of the skylights, tearing down drywall that covered beautiful wood work and classic glass work.

Three months into the process of the turning the establishment into another event facility, they had already booked their first event. They noted that the people throwing the party were so impressed with what had been done at that point that they booked the unfinished facility. The first event was on Feb. 11.

The three-story facility is divided into several event spaces, with three catering kitchens. The first floor is divided into two separate meeting spaces, with the main ballroom facing Hay Street. The second floor has several smaller meeting spaces. A signature component of the facility is the Zen garden, which ties the front portion of the building with the back. The garden, which was an original feature of the building, was lovingly restored by Wright and Johnson.

Earlier this year, the third floor was opened as Level 3, an offshoot of Moonlight Communications. The state-of-the-art video studio is a multi-use facility that complements their professional business, but also their event business.

“It’s the only studio of its kind in the city,” said Wright.

The partners considered themselves blessed in that their profession enables them to tell the community’s story, but that their passion also helps them shape their community.

“One of our mottoes is to think and dream big,” said Wright, reflecting on the past 20 years of business and downtown preservation. “You never know what the universe will put in your path, you’ve got to be open to it..”

Photo: Jan Johnson (left) and Pat Wright (right) stand in front of Skyview on Hay one of the two buildings they have renovated. The Rainbow Room (opposite page) was their first.

For more than 20 years the people of Cumberland County have had access to incredible music through the Cumberland Oratorio Singers. The Cumberland Oratorio Singers are a symphonic chorus that was originally inspired by the bicentennial of Mozart’s death. Since their first performance in 1993, the group has grown in both notoriety and membership. The have performed in venues all over the county and have been represented at many different community functions, often as featured guests. The 2013/2014 season opens on Oct. 25.

The members of this group of vibrant and diverse singers show their love of music by sharing it with the community. They do this not only through their performances, but also through the diversity in the choir itself. “There are lots of church choirs in Fayetteville, but we are the only community choir. We are not the only choral music in Fayetteville, but we want the community to understand music is for everybody and singing is for everybody,” said Michael Martin, the director of choral activities and music education.

Choral music does a lot more for the community than just provide entertainment. It helps to keep the city active and is part of what makes Fayetteville a great place to live. Through the outreach for potential members as well as the many performances around the community, the Cumberland Oratorio Singers help to keep the arts in Fayetteville vibrant and interesting, as is their goal. “As composer Robert Shaw once said, ‘If it wasn’t for community choirs there would be no choral music,’ and he was right. For a city to be vibrant it must have a strong arts and culture and I am happy to help strengthen the musical aspect of culture,” said Martin.This year the first performance of the season is on Oct. 25. The performance is titled Life Through Poetry and Song and focuses on how art reflects aspects of life and society. Like all of their performances, the night will be filled with beautiful and touching music. “This particular performance is based on some poetry set to music composed by some famous composers,” Martin said.

Poetry and music are very similar forms of art that both make use of rhythm and language to convey meaning. For this reason combining the two is only natural and many poems have been set to music. The performance will also feature the Cross Creek Chorale, which is a completely new aspect of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers. These 26 singers auditioned and were chosen from 45 members of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers.

The poetry of this night will be set to the music of composers Britten, Clausen, Effinger, Vaughn-Williams and other composers. It is notable, however, that there is a theme to these composers as well. Martin explained. “We will be hearing music done by American and British composers. We call it across the sea and back again. This is not the overall name, but we do have it set up in the program so that we start with American composers, go to British composers then come back again.” The show will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Highland Presbyterian Church 111 Highland Ave.

For more information on the Cumberland Oratorio Singers or their upcoming 2013-2014 season visit the website www.singwithcos.org.

Photo:  he Cumberland Oratorio Singers join with the Cross Creek Chorale to open the 2013/2014 season on Oct. 25 at Highland Presbyterian Church with Life through Poetry and Song.

If you haven’t been to a 4th Friday lately, this month is a great time to change that. Shops, restaurants and galleries kick things in to high gear, but October’s 4th Friday on Oct. 25, has several extra activities that many people will find interesting.

We’ve all heard talk of the Zombie Apocalypse. Well, check out downtown around 8 p.m., as the Third Annual Zombie Walk Invasion lurches and creeps its way through the festivities. All interested zombies are invited to meet at the Headquarters Library in full apocalypse attire at 7 p.m. Following the walk, the Climbing Place will host Cirque du Zombie, complete with flying bodies. The show is free and starts at 9 p.m.

In the spirit of all things creepy and macabre, The Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County is set to open a new exhibit called A Sense of Horror.

“It’s in keeping with the time of year,” said Mary Kinney, art director at The Arts Council. “People may be surprised to find that the exhibit is more about the gasp than it is the scream. It is not about guts and gore, it is about making the hair standup on the back of your neck. This is a show that captures horror but only the sense of it. It is like watching a Hitchcock movie and having those goose bumps and knowing what is happening in the scene without having to see it.”

The Arts Council is encouraging people to buy the art at the exhibit.

“It is the perfect opportunity to buy something unique,” said Kinney. “It’s a way to support local artists, too.”

Another exhibit that must not be missed is the Cape Fear Studios 2013 Annual Member Artists Holiday Season Exhibit featuring guest artist Laura Cardwell. The holiday show offers original and unique pieces of art perfect for holiday gift giving or a treat for yourself. Cape Fear Studios offers 2-D and 3-D art including paintings, printed cards, jewelry, pottery, glass, wood and more.

Laura Cardwell is from Asheville, N.C., and was a Niche Award finalist and a BMAC Merit Award winner. Her current work includes fusing, forging, raising and stone setting in Argentium silver, sterling silver, gold plated and vermeil pieces and copper.

Historic Hauntings is a hayride that makes several stops through out Fayetteville and explores the spooky and often overlooked history of Fayetteville. The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum is one of the stops on the Historic Hauntings route and will have plenty going on this 4th Friday.

Fascinate-U children’s museum has had a face-lift recently. Moms and Dads may want to stop by and see the new farm exhibit and new carpet while the kids make a creepy-crawly spider craft with pipe cleaners. The museum is open from 7-9 p.m. and admission and the craft project are free.

4th Fridayruns from 7-9 p.m. While the event is free and there are many free activities, shops and restaurants are open and offer some great deals and discounts. Find out more about all the exciting events going on downtown this 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com and at www.faydta.org.

Photo: Revelers at last year’s Zombie Walk.

“When you’re different, sometimes you don’t see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the person who doesn’t.” — Jodi Picoult, Change of Heart

Bullying happens every seven minutes on the playground and every 25 minutes in the classroom, so just imagine how often a visually-impaired student is bullied.

The Vision Resource Center is presenting Orphans of God: The Musical on Friday, Oct. 25 at 7p.m., at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church Theatre.

“I originally wrote the play for a Mother’s Day program with the message that everyone is the same in God’s eyes and the play dealt with bullying in the school system because it was something that I noticed with the girls,” said Cory Worrell, writer and director of Orphans of God: The Musical. “We thought this would be an amazing way for our visually impaired youth to share their many talents and bring awareness during Blindness Awareness Month in October.”

The play features the many talents of 14 visually impaired youth including Michael Macias (keyboard), Hannah Pritchard (Heart of Christmas Show), Lauren Adams (guitar soloist), Brooke Johnson (The Orphan) and the remainder of the Vision Resource Center’s youth cast.

“They have worked very hard since August to make this play possible,” said Worrell. “I have students from different schools participating as extras in the play.”

Worrell added that the finale is going to be spectacular. “When we went to camp I realized the students had so many talents,” said Worrell. “They can sing, dance, draw and act and I wanted to create an avenue where they could showcase their talents.”

The Vision Resource Center’s youth program consists of 41 visually-impaired students and a new program will begin in 2014 for youth between the ages of 3 to 7 and a group for young adults between the ages of 19 to 25.

“We really want to start early because they are getting younger,” said Worrell. “These are the two major programs we are working on now.”

Worrell added that they will launch their self-defense and theater programs in the spring.

Blindness Awareness Month is designed to heighten awareness and support for the National Federation of the Blind.

“Blindness can happen to you or anyone in your family,” said Terri Thomas, executive director of the Vision Resource Center. “Visually impaired students are bullied more than other students.”

Thomas added that she wants people to come and be inspired by the play.

“I am blessed to be part of such an amazing group of kids,” said Worrell. “They continue to inspire me everyday.”

Admission is free. For more information or group reservations call 483-2719 or visit www.visionresourcecentercc.org.

The Future of Fayetteville

Well, for many there were absolutely no surprises in last Tuesday’s mayoral elections. And, if you are a regular reader of Up & Coming Weekly you could have connected all the dots yourself weeks before the election.

No secrets here. Nothing mystical ormagical and we surely are in no one’s inner circle, however, our audits have shown that 70 percent of our Up & Coming Weekly readers are registered voters, care about their community and tend to resist partisan political labels. So, after 18 years of publishing, I can confidently say we know our readers and we know this community.

During the primary period we opened our publication up to all of the candidates who wanted to speak to the residents of Fayetteville about their positions on important issues facing our city in the not so distant future. Many took advantage of the offer.

That invitation is again extended to those who have made it to the general election in November. Needless to say, most of the real attention will be on the Fayetteville mayoral election between current City Councilwoman Val Applewhite, who lead the primary election with 44 percent of the vote, and local businessman and former City Councilman Nat Robertson.

It will be a race determined by the residents of this community and I’m not talking about voter turnout. I’m referring to how the voting residents feel about what direction they want to see the City of Fayetteville go over the next couple of years.

Here’s what to watch for.

Even though both candidates agree on many of the same issues, their priorities and methods for achieving these goals and solving problems are radically different. Who can get the job done is the $64,000 question and that will be left up to us to decide. So, let’s just hope each of these candidates not only clearly articulates and defines their positions on the important issues but, shares with us how they intend to achieve these goals and with what resources.

Fair questions all, besides, this is the leadership they are supposed to bring to the table. Here is what our readers are telling us they want to see and hear from the candidates.

They want the candidates’ campaigns to stay objective, positive and focused on the issues.

They want to hear specifics on how they will proceed in solving the community’s problems and improving our city and quality of life.

During the upcoming forums they would like to hear the candidates speak to each other rather than answer redundant questions from boring, lackluster moderators.

Finally, they want no partisan politics or references to race. The Mayor of Fayetteville represents all of the people — all of the time.

There should be no need for partisan attacks or race baiting between candidates the quality and caliber of Robertson and Applewhite. Both are successful in their own right and both are educated and articulate.

It is our hope that they will bring these qualities to the forums and will rationally and realistically discuss the very real problems that are facing our community from economic development to dwindling resources to crime. This is the time when true leaders need to lead from the front in an open and definitive manner.

We wish all of the candidates great success in the upcoming election, but remember, we will be watching.

Thanks for reading Up and Coming Weekly.

Photo: Elections are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5. Don’t forget to cast your vote. 

Passionate. Visionaries. Tenacious. Resourceful. These are all words Lisa Thomas, president, CEO and senior business coach at The Power, Passion & Purpose (P3) Group, uses to describe business owners. As a business coach and business owner, Thomas knows that owning a business can be a lonely road sometimes. Thomas understands that in these tough economic times businesses can become stymied or vulnerable.

“It is not a good feeling when you are standing there by yourself and feeling stuck,” said Thomas. “But it is a great feeling when you find the resources you need to work through a problem or get around an obstacle and that is what we are hoping to address at this expo.”

That is what the Fayetteville Business to Business Expo is all about. It is about bringing business owners and executives together with other talented local business owners and executives and providing them with valuable insights on how to expand and grow their business operations. On Oct. 17, the P3 Group is partnering with Up & Coming Weekly, the community newspaper, and Cumulus Broadcasting to host Fayetteville’s first Business to Business Expo at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux.

“We want to get people connected and give them resources to work through and overcome whatever it is that is making them feel stuck. It is so much easier to get through something when you can talk with someone who has already walked that path or solved that problem and is willing to share their experiences and insight,” said Thomas.

It will be a day-long event starting at 8:30 a.m., with a continental breakfast and continuing on with accomplished speakers, local business exhibits and vendors, a keynote buffet lunch and culminating with a fun business-to-business networking reception hosted by special guest Pam Saulsby. Saulsby is a well-known journalist, singer and WNCN news anchor. There will be plenty of fun, prizes and surprises for those attending.

The speakers are accomplished. In addition to Thomas, who will speak on 21st Century Business Strategies, the other guest speakers are: Stephanie Bowens, The P3 Group’s senior wealth adviser, who will cover popular and timely business financial strategies. Event co-host Bill Bowman, publisher and founder of Up & Coming Weeklyand Kidsville News! will address the importance of having a well-defined marketing, promotion and branding strategy. He will be followed by successful businessman Mike Lallier, owner of Reid-Lallier Chevrolet, who will discuss the importance of excellent customer service as the true foundation of success. These topics were chosen because of their relevancy and because they are the proven essential elements of any company’s success and strategic plan.

Fayetteville and Cumberland County has a diverse business community, which is represented, in part, by the local Chambers of Commerce. To ensure that those voices are heard, the afternoon session will conclude with candid conversations and a question and answer session with the presidents of all three area Chambers of Commerce, including Doug Peters, of the Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce; Jan Spell of the Hope Mills Chamber; and Jeffrey Hunt, of the Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Thomas noted that the importance of adding the Chamber staff came from their unique insights and knowledge of the challenges local businesses will be forced to face in today’s market. She added that the Chamber representatives were eager to participate because they realize the vital importance of knowing how to conduct business in this challenging economy.

“We are producing the B2B Expo this year with the idea of making it an annual event,” said Bowman, who is actively engaged in many local organizations and business organizations.

“Our goal is to showcase talented people and quality businesses and organizations and give them all the opportunity to let other businesses and organizations know who they are and who they need to be doing business with. The B2B Expo will be a first class-event. Lisa and I know and appreciate how valuable time is to both the attendees and speakers. We want to make sure we deliver the type of information, the message and experience that will make this day a great value and worthwhile business investment for all who participate.”

Pre-registration is required and tickets are $45 ($35 each for additional attendee) and may be ordered at: www.TheP3Group.com/businessexpo/register. Price includes: continental breakfast, keynote lunch, networking reception, prizes and surprises and of course, knowledge, upon which you cannot put a price. Sponsorships, vendor booths and exhibits are also still available by calling 910 391 3859 or 910 221 9294.

Photos: The panel of chamber presidents. (L-R) Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce President, Doug Peters, Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce President, Jan Spell, Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce President, Jeffrey Hunt.

What I Learned at RENT

I ran into Lynn Pryor, actor, director and founder of the Gilbert Theatre, this past weekend at Sharon Valentine’s garden party prior to Methodist University’s weekend football game. He was happy, excited and smiling ear-to-ear, talking vigorously about the success of the Gilbert Theater’s first production of it’s new season — RENT.

You see, it was closing on Sunday and he knew that there would be only two more opportunities (Saturday night and Sunday) for his friends to experience it. Well, my wife and I saw the production the day before, so we knew exactly where his pride, excitement and sense of urgency was coming from. And, rightfully so.

The production was simply awesome and Pryor had every right to be proud. The show’s director Ruth Crews and the entire cast and crew need to be congratulated. “They did it!”

Honestly, had I seen the show when it first opened on Sept. 20, you would have been reading this article last week. I will not make that mistake again.

Here’s why: When Gilbert’s Artistic Director Robyne Parrish announced its season opener was going to be the legendary musical RENT, eyebrows were raised. RENT was one of the longest running shows on Broadway opening in the mid-90’s and closing in 2008 after a successful 12-year run. It’s music and lyrics (by Jonathan Larson) are beautifully difficult and the story line sensitive, tragic and controversial for the times. Alternative lifestyles, HIV and AIDS, perhaps not so much today.

RENT is a warm and compelling story of young, struggling artists and musicians trying to survive in New York City’s Lower East Side. Expert local acting with great music (Leeann Valcarcel is the music director) and dance movements incorporated pop, salsa, rock’n roll and R&B. Simply magnificent!

The Gilbert Theatre is one of Fayetteville’s unique treasures. If you haven’t experienced it, I recommend that you do.

One other thought I want to share with you this week. I’ve called Fayetteville home for more than 40 years and when watching RENT I realized that I know a lot of people but I did not know or recognize any of the young and talented cast members.

Also, seated in the house that night were more than 100 people appreciating local theatre and local culture at it’s very best and I didn’t know hardly anyone in the room. My point? Fayetteville is changing.

The faces in Fayetteville are changing. New people are here. The community is evolving. New people, new ideas, new cultures are all coming together to create a new Fayetteville dynamic. We need to get ready for it. Better yet, we need to be a part of it. We need to encourage these young people to get involved and become part of it. The timing is perfect.

Now that Fayetteville’s Primary Elections are over, we know who the candidates are and what issues and challenges lie before us. We must get involved, study the issues, ask the tough questions and demand responses and action that will steer this community in the direction that will assure future generations the same quality of life we enjoy today.

There are new voices in our city. I hope we will hear them. In the meantime, I am going to do a better job getting to know these folks. I can think of “Five-hundred twenty-five thousand/six-hundred” reasons to do this.

Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Keeping Athletes in the Game

Fall is here, and for many people that means one thing: football. Whether it is tuning in for Monday Night Football, College Game Day or the local Friday night lights, one thing’s for sure; it wouldn’t be a game without a good tackle. You know; the ones that make you say “ouch.” If it’s not on the field with the Cape Fear Heroes Arena Football team or in the rink with the Fayetteville FireAntz Hockey team, there is plenty to do to protect local middle and high school athletes from injury. And while rehabilitation is important, so is ensuring that young athletes are prepared for their return to sport.

An injury is a devastating blow to a young athlete with aspirations of college play, and for many athletes, return to sport after an injury seems an impossible feat. Take Anthony, a senior and starting running back at Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, for example. He loves the game, and has been playing since he was eight years old. Last fall, Anthony suffered a season-ending injury during the third game that forced him to watch the remaining season from the sidelines. He sustained a severe foot fracture that required surgery, followed by several months of physical therapy (PT). Anthony needed physical therapy to rehabilitate from his injury, and like many patients, wasn’t sure what to expect: “I had no idea what I would be doing,” he recalls. Anthony’s rehabilitation focused on returning to his prior level of function, with sports-specific training to prepare him to return to football. Anthony’s PT was overseen by a doctor of physical therapy as well as a certified athletic trainer, who saw to it that Anthony returned to football better than he left it: “PT is all about working to get back to where you were, but it got me further,” he said. “Now I’m better than I was … I’m much faster, quicker and stronger, and that was the PT.”

Anthony’s story is like countless others who have been injured during play, but the difference between good and great outcomes lies in perseverance. Instead of giving up and giving in, Anthony worked tirelessly to ensure he was standing beside his teammates as a starting running back on the varsity football team this year. If you find yourself with an injury of your own, whether from playing your favorite sport or while out for an evening stroll, the rules are the same. To endure, you must be dedicated and determined, and allow the injury to inspire your improvement physically, mentally and emotionally. It is important for patients to become a part of their own recovery: so be in control of your healing, set goals, plan for setbacks, and know how to handle them. An injury can slow you down and limit what you can do on the field, but don’t let it be the reason you give up; don’t let it keep you out of the game.

Photo: While injuries are a fact of life for many athletes, with good care and hard work these can be overcome.

Methodist University will celebrate its Homecoming and Parents’ Weekend Oct. 25-27. A host of activities are planned for alumni, parents, friends and the public.

The 16th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Friday, Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m., in Berns Student Center. The Monarch Booster Club will induct three new members and for the first time, will recognize Teams of Distinction, those teams that have distinguished themselves with great performances at the conference, regional and national levels. The inaugural Teams of Distinction to be recognized are the Monarch Women’s Golf Team from 1986-1988; the Monarch Men’s Golf Team of 1990; the 1977 Baseball Team; and the Men’s Basketball Teams of 1973, 1974, and 1975. For ticket information, call 910.630.7175.

Homecoming Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, begins with a bracing 5K/Fun Run around the beautiful Methodist University campus, located on 625 wooded and beautifully landscaped acres near the Cape Fear River. Proceeds from the Third Annual MU Homecoming 5K/Fun Run go to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Alumni Endowed Scholarship Project. For more information and to register, call 910.630.7167 or go to www.ecrr.us and find the 5K/Fun Run on the list of events to register online.

A special Alumni Awards Ceremony and University Update from President Ben Hancock Jr. will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday morning in Yarborough Auditorium in the Margaret and Walter Clark Hall and is free and open to the public. Distinguished Alumni Awards for 2013 will be presented to The Hon. John W. Brown ’71, of Chesapeake, Va.; Bob Dunn ’70, of Charlotte, N.C.; and Thomas Pope ’78, of Fayetteville, N.C.; Steve Driggers ’76and Tim Holtsclaw ’92, both of Fayetteville, will be honored with the Outstanding Alumni Service Award for all that they do to support Methodist. Outstanding Faculty/Staff Awards will be presented to Lynn Gruber Clark ’72 (retired); Dr. Delmas Crisp, vice president for Academic Affairs; and the Rev. Dr. Michael Safley ’72, vice president for University Relations and minister to the campus

.Alumni, parents, and friends will enjoy the annual Lunch on the Green, a Homecoming Fair, and the KidZone on the Davis Memorial Library Quad from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. before heading down to Monarch Stadium for kick-off against the LaGrange Panthers at 1 p.m. Women’s Soccer also begins at 1 p.m., and Men’s Soccer is slated for 3:30 p.m. The Lady Monarchs host a quad volleyball tournament in the Riddle Center all day, with the Lady Monarchs playing at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For those who love the arts, there is always something happening at Methodist, and Homecoming Weekend is not an exception. The Methodist University Friends of Music will sponsor a Faculty Recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 in Hensdale Chapel. To round out the arts for the weekend, Igneous Expressions, a glass art exhibit, will be open Friday and Saturday in the David McCune International Art Gallery in the William F. Bethune Fine Arts Center (contact sfoti@davidmccunegallery.org); and the Fayetteville Symphony will perform its popular family concert in the Huff Concert Hall in the Reeves Fine Arts Building Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.

For more information, visit methodist.edu or call 910.630.7000.

Photo: Methodist University gears up to celebrate Homecoming Oct. 25-27.

Fayetteville has a colorful history, but what you may not know is that it is also spooky. In and around downtown Fayetteville, there are many buildings that have historical signi茀cance and more than a few ghosts. One of the most accurate and entertaining ways to learn about Fayetteville’s spooky history is through the Historic Hauntings Hayride.

Historic Hauntings has been a fun and educational tradition for several years. This year’s ride is a very special one, however.

“This year is very different. We have written a different script that we have never done before. It is not concentrating on downtown and the Cross Creek Cemetery. We have moved a little up hill and are focusing on Historic Haymount on Hillside Ave. This year it is also more interactive,” explained Carrie King, the executive director of the Dogwood Festival.

“Before, patrons would just get on and off the hayride and have skits going on around them, but this year patrons can be pulled into the skit. A prime example would be our amputation scene where patrons can be pulled in to participate. This year there is also a lot more walking. This is not an activity intended for people with limited mobility or strollers. There is just no way we could fit a stroller through some of the paths through the neighborhood yards,” continued King.

The Historic Hauntings Hayride is a unique haunted tour. Of course, there are ghost stories and spooky houses, but there is also the real history of this community. Fayetteville is a community full of a rich and often surprising history.

“This is a great opportunity for education. We are educating our community on our history in a unique way. It makes history fun. Bruce Daws, our city historian, and his team work so hard to be accurate with the costumes, props and scripts. Its like you are really on the eve of Sherman’s march. That is our theme for this year. It is a fun and educational way to learn history,” said King.

For anyone that is interested, the night of history and ghosts doesn’t have to end at the conclusion of the hayride. King added, “We are also doing a haunted house this year. We depart from the Lion’s Club at 725 West Rowan St., and when we return there after the ride, patrons can make a $6 donation and go through the Hillside House of Horror. If patrons bring canned goods to benefit the Fayetteville Urban Ministry they will get $1 off.”

Reservations are required for Historic Hauntings, and tickets cost $17.Tickets are available by calling 323-1934 or by going to www.etix.com/ticket/online/venueSearch.jsp?venue_id=4265. The hayride will depart from 725 W. Rowan St. at the Lion’s Club. It is advised to come early to ensure time for parking as the wagons leave at scheduled times. There will be hayrides on Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26. This is a rain or shine event so bring umbrellas if needed. For more information visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com/historic-hauntings.

Photo: Relive some of Fayetteville’s spookier moments on at the Historic Hauntings Hay Ride.

The Crown Coliseum presents Theresa Caputo, star of TLC’s Long Island Medium, on Monday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. She will give live readings to audience members throughout the show. During a recent interview, we discussed her life experiences and communicating with the dead.

UCW: When did you first realize that you could communicate with the dead? Did it scare you?

TC: I began seeing spirits at the age of 4. I did not know that I was communicating with people that had crossed over until the age of 28. I just actually thought it was normal that people just saw and heard things when no one else was in the room. I suffered with anxiety for many years; I went to a spiritual healer. She told me that I was empathic and was feeling other people’s feelings and emotions and also the emotions of people who have crossed over. I didn’t learn to be a medium. What I learned or understood was what the spirit was trying to tell me. My gift is always there; it is just a way of interpreting it in the way the spirit would like to tell the person that needs to receive a message.

UCW: What should we expect to see this season on the show?

TC:We had major construction in the house due to having mold in the house. Besides the bathrooms, we did some additional construction. Victoria and I went to a farm for a mother/daughter getaway. My son, Larry, thinks he can move out and make it on his own so he kind of sprung that on me. I meet some beautiful people with some amazing stories. What I love about what they have done this season is going back and catching up with people that I have met in the past and hearing from them firsthand how the experience changed their lives.

UCW: When you come to the Crown on Oct. 21, what should Fayetteville expect with your live experience?

TC: The only thing to expect is that I am going to show up with my hair and my nails done, great dress and fabulous shoes. Even if you do not get read, you will walk away that evening different. I will talk about 15 minutes about my gift. I incorporate some stories and examples of how the spirit will communicate in a large venue. I also include some answers to the most frequently asked questions that I get and then we go into spirit communication for about an hour and a half. It really is an experience.

UCW: How do you handle non-believers?

TC: I don’t handle them. It is what it is. I try to explain to people I am not here to prove or defend my gift. This is not about them believing in what I do. This is about you knowing that there is truly more to know in life that is here in the physical world. Also I have learned that we have all lost somebody who has died and we’ve all lost somebody in a common or similar way: heart attack, cancer, stroke or car accident. There’s nothing that I can do about it. That is the way people die. What separates it apart are the unique things that the spirit talks about. The spirit will talk about the things that happened after they left the physical world. It will describe intimate moments that you had after they died. I am not making the stuff up. Somebody is telling it to me. When I am in the presence of someone that needs closure or peace from their loved ones, spirits start making me feel things and hear things that mean everything to the person that is receiving the message.

For more information about Theresa Caputo, visit www.tlc.com/tv-shows/long-island-medium. For more information about her appearance at the Crown or tickets, visit the Crown website at www.atthecrown.com.

Photo: Theresa Caputo, also known as the Long Island Medium, will be at the crown on Oct. 21.

People began settling in the Cape Fear Region as early as the 1700s, and from the very beginning the textile industry flourished in this area. A sawmill was erected along Rockfish Creek and a town grew up around it; that was the beginning of something great. By 1890, Hope Mills was one of the largest communities in Cumberland County and just a year later it was officially incorporated as a town. This pattern of growth and industriousness has continued into the present and is celebrated annually during the Ole Mill Days. It’s a time to celebrate community, family and tradition. With tractor-pulls, corn hole tournaments, a Chili Cook-off and more, Ole Mill Days is a chance to have a great time and embrace the heritage of the town of Hope Mills.

Ole Mill Days is fun for the entire family and full of events that represent all aspects of the Hope Mills Community. Vendors, food and games for children of all ages are planned. The South View High School Key Club will sponsor a Haunted House, a tractor pull, the Mill Workers Reunion and even a Halloween costume contest.

“This all-day event is a fun-filled time, watching people, mingling with the crowds, visiting the vendors for Ole Mill Days, having WKML 95.7 and Up & Coming Weekly as our sponsors,” Jan Spell, the Hope Mills Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, explained.

One long held and treasured tradition of the Ole Mill Days is the Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off. Everyone from professional chefs to home cooks can compete in this competition, and the culinary skills of the town are truly on display.

“This is our 8th Annual Chili Cook-Off. It started with three pots of chili and a Nascar Bus, but last year we had 24 entries. We are also proud to have WKML 95.7 onboard along with adding our Cornhole Tournament sponsored by Up & Coming Weekly,” Spell added.

Not only is the Chili Cook-Off a fun way to show the great skills of the chefs of the community, it helps the community to grow. The Chamber of Commerce is an invaluable part of the community that supports all the businesses and citizens of the town, and this Chili Cook-Off supports the chamber. Spell explains the benefits and importance of the competition by saying, “The Hope Mills Chamber is a nonprofit organization, the Chili Cook-Off and Cornhole Tournament are the only fundraisers for the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce. The proceeds from this event help to keep the Chamber funded, since as a nonprofit we are membership based. All other events, for example the golf tournament, all proceeds are awarded directly to local charities.”

Make sure not to miss this fabulous and exciting event.

“If you miss Ole Mill Days, the Chili Cook-Off and the corn hole tournament, you have missed an opportunity to have a fun filed family day that will be remembered for years to come,” says Spell.

Ole Mill Days is at the Hope Mills Municipal Park, 5770 Rockfish Rd. It will take place from 12-6 p.m. on Oct. 19. For more information, visit www.visitfayettevillenc.com/event/2013/10/19/ole-mill-day or call 424-4500. For Chili Cook-Off information or registration form visit www.hopemillschamber.org.

Photo: Local cooks put their skills to the test at the annual Chili Cook-Off during Ole Mill Days.

For years, the people of Fayetteville and the surrounding area have come together to celebrate and promote literacy in the schools. The community does this by participating in Reading Rocks. It’s a great way to support local schools and participate in something healthy at the same time.

“This year will be the best year ever! Reading Rocks started in 2004. This year is our 10th anniversary so it is a very special year and we are very excited. Last year we had more than 20,000 walkers and raised $245,000. Throughout the history of Reading Rocks, we have had 200,000 walkers and have raised $1.5 million,” Belinda Cashwell, the director of Media Services, explained.

Reading Walks has two parts. First the students in the school system raise money by soliciting sponsors for their participation in the walk. Then there is the Reading Rocks Walk-a-Thon where all the students, teachers and parents walk through downtown and celebrate the contributions being made to literacy. The walk is through beautiful downtown Fayetteville, and schools that raise the most money get to lead the walk. There is a lot more going on than just walking however.

“We call it a parade in reverse. There are school bands preforming all along our 1.2-mile walk, and the band of the school that raised the most money will get to lead the walk,” Cashwell said. “We will also have a host band that will entertain everyone before we get started and a 500-voice choir to sing the “National Anthem” and the “Literacy Rocks Song.”

In the spirit of supporting the community, there is also a cause every year at the walk- a-thon to which walkers can donate.

“We love to give back; last year we collected used cell phones to donate to women who are victims of domestic violence. This year we are working with Second Harvest Food Bank and are encouraging kids to bring canned foods to donate. Walking is free, but we do accept and encourage donations. We want to celebrate our 10th anniversary! We expect to do this at this years Reading Rocks by coming together and reflecting on our past and celebrating the present,” said Cashwell.

In the past few years there has been a major change in Reading Rocks — it has gone digital. The money still goes to support the local schools, but the schools have been pushing to modernize.

“This change has everyone involved extremely excited. Cashwell explained some of the ways the money raised will be used in schools. “The money goes to buy students digital books and other tools like iPads. Students will be able to read a book and then go to the library and take a test on it. Then the parents or grandparents, or whoever signed up for it, will receive a text or email telling them about the test. Reading Rocks is fun and a great way to support the schools’ initiative to go digital.”

The walk will begin at 9 a.m. on Oct. 19. The walk is 1.2 miles long through downtown Fayetteville and will start in Festival Park located at the corner of Ray Avenue and Rowan Street. For more information, visit http://mediasrvcs.ccs.k12.nc.us/ccs-reading-rocks-walk-a-thon/. ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom-ingweekly.com.

Photo: Thousands turn out every year to participate in Reading Rocks.

Dr. Frank Till, the superintendent of Cumberland County Schools system has plenty to be excited about these days. Not only was the Cumberland County Schools system a finalist for the 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education this year, the system received full accreditation and student test results are rising rapidly. Innovative partnerships like the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, a joint effort with the Fayetteville Regional Chamber, and Reading Rocks bring even more opportunities for local students to shine.

Knowing that today’s youth will thrive as adults in a technology-driven world, Till has embraced technology and seeks to equip today’s students with the skills they will need to compete as young professionals. For him it truly is about the students and giving them the opportunities and skills that will prepare them for the future and help them succeed, no matter what they choose to pursue. While all the accolades and achievements are significant, it’s important to understand that these are not the end goal. Yes the Broad Prize nomination is impressive and the accreditation is a mark of competence, but these are the result of countless hours of hard work and thoughtful consideration about how to best serve and educate the community’s most valuable asset — our youth.

CCS is accredited because it is doing the right things and making the right choices in how to launch the next generation to a successful future. Till maintains that by doing the right things (helping students learn and succeed in school) for the right reasons (providing them with skills that will make them competitive in the work place as adults) everything else will fall into place. As the fifth largest school district in the state and the 78th largest in the country, the successes happening right here in our community will likely have far-reaching effects on the next generation.

Truly, CCS has plenty to celebrate – Broad Prize finalists, accreditation, rising test scores, innovative programs and partnerships, technological advances are all part of what makes CCS a step above.

The 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education comes with a $1 million prize and “honors a district that demonstrates the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among ethnics groups and between social economic groups.” There is no nomination or application process. An institution’s performance is what decides which schools are considered for this prize. The committee considered 73 items from CCS during the review. Cumberland County Schools were selected because 92 percent of the system’s schools achieved “at least expected growth and 67 percent of the schools achieved high growth. Except for one test in one grade level, CCS “made at least expected growth on every End-of- Course and End-of Grade test administered by the state. The county and all our high schools exceeded 80 percent and surpassed the state average,” according to the CCS website.

“The Broad Prize nomination is really a celebration of America’s most improved school districts,” said Till. “It shows that we are moving in the right direction. The changes we are making are not a fad; they are institutional changes. That means that they aren’t based on one person or one school.”

Being a Broad prize finalist marks CCS as a leader among our nation’s school systems, and acknowledges all the hard work that staff and teachers do in educating students every day.

The school system is accredited by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. This commission confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) accreditation seal. The accreditation is an indicator that CCS is a quality school system. During the accreditation process, the commission considered the following standards: purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching and assessing, resources and supports systems and using results for continuous improvement. The accreditation is good for five years.

The president of AdvancEd describes the process as “… a rigorous process that focuses the entire school system on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners.”

CCS serves a diverse student population (44 counties and 70 different native languages) and continues to close the achievement gap among all the racial groups. In 2009, the End of Course gap between black and white students was 23.8 percent. In 2012, it was15.6 percent. The state average is 20.4 percent. The school system is on a high growth track and based on information from the 2011-2012 school year, CCS has no priority or low-performing schools and 11 schools were named N.C. Schools of Excellence and 27 were named Schools of Distinction.

The graduation rate for Cumberland County exceeded the state graduation rate in 2011/2012, and CCS students were awarded more than $40 million in scholarships for the same school year. This year, more than 80 percent of local high schools students graduated and they were collectively offered more than $48 million in scholarships.

Results like this don’t just happen. There are committed teachers and administrators spending countless hours working to help prepare students to be competitive in a fast-paced and technology driven world.

Innovation and partnerships with outside organizations provide opportunities to local youth.

The Reading Rocks Walk-a-thon celebrates 10 years of supporting literacy this year. This fundraiser has raised more than $1.5 million in the past decade and raised $245,000 just last year. The money is raised locally and stays in the schools in which it was raised. The funds are used to buy items that promote literacy, including digital books and iPads. This year, Reading Rocks in on Oct. 19. at Festival Park.

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy, which is run in conjunction with the Fayetteville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Entrepreneurship at Methodist University, is for students in 6-12 grades. This program is designed to help our Entrepreneurs bring their ideas to fruition.

“It’s like the TV show Shark Tank,” said Till. “Students get to present their ideas to a panel and see if they can get funding and sponsors for it.”

Methodist University is not the only institution of higher learning that partners with CCS. Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fayetteville State University both have programs that allow high school students to earn college credit while they are working toward graduation. It is possible in Cumberland County to graduate from high school with up to two years of college credit through these programs.

While offering students every opportunity to succeed, Till knows full well the hectic world that we live in makes it challenging for parents and guardians to keep up with the details of busy schedules. That is why CCS has developed a mobile phone app that will let busy parents stay up to date with CCS announcements and activities as well as follow their student’s progress. The app is already available and Till expects to put a few finishing touches on it in the next few weeks.

The growth and successes that CCS has accomplished have been through hard work and dedication of everyone in the school system. While these are just a few of the impressive accomplishments and programs that the system has to offer, Till has no illusions about how much further there is to go.

“We’ve got to keep working hard to make sure that our students are competitive once they leave here. The world they are going to work in is much different than the world we grew up in and it is our job to make sure they are ready.”

Find out more about the Cumberland County Schools System and the many programs it offers to help students succeed at ccs.k12.nc.us/departments.

Photo: A lot of hard work and dedication have made Cumberland County Schools a shining example of where our schools should be headed. Dr. Frank Till, Cumberland County Schools superintendant is pleased with the many achievements and what it means for local students.

The 5th Annual Scotland County Highland Games is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5 on the grounds of the John Blue Home and Historical Complex in Laurinburg, N.C.

“This whole upper Cape Fear Region was at one point the largest settlement of Highland Scott in all of North America,” said Bill Caudill, chairman of the Scotland County Highland Games. “There is a lot of Scottish presence and Scottish identity here and has been for the last two centuries.”

Caudill added that the Highland Games is the cultural festival that celebrates that tradition and heritage within this region. The organization took the lead after the Flora MacDonald Scottish Games were discontinued in Red Springs in 2008.

“Once they announced that they were discontinuing their event the phones starting ringing in Laurinburg,” said Caudill. “They indicated that we had hotels to stay in, restaurants to eat in and wonderful places in Laurinburg so why didn’t we take the lead by continuing this festival in this region?”

Caudill added that they decided that they would give it a try and it has been a great success.

The weekend event has something for everyone such as piping, drumming, children’s activities and games, athletic games and dancing. There are 15 pipe bands competing and they are coming from throughout the southeast.

“We have one of the world’s top players, Bruce Gandy, who will be one of the guest judges and will do a recital on Friday night,” said Caudill. “The Highland dancers will compete and will do dances such as the Highland Fling or a sword dance.”

The Whisky Tasting was the hit event of the festival last year.

“It is like a wine tasting and folks want to taste whisky at one point during the festival,” said Caudill. “We have 8 single-malt whiskies paired with gourmet food.”

Caudill added that one is being paired with a strawberry dish, another with smoked North Carolina scallops, and with chocolate caramel and sea salt. Each person participating in the event will get to taste eight whiskies and food for $25. Registration is required for this event and limited to 50 people.

“The event has been a great success since we began particularly during the time in which our similar festivals nationwide have been hit by the economic downturns,” said Caudill. “People love coming here and they love the historical connection to the region that they can find by coming to this area.”

Caudill said it has been a great opportunity to draw people in from really far and wide as a tourist opportunity. No firearms, pets or outside alcohol will be allowed on the grounds. Patron and sponsor information can be found on the website. For more information visit www.schgnc.org.

Come be a part of a living heritage as the Cape Fear Botanical Garden hosts the 10th Annual Heritage Festival. This event bridges the slow, steady reverence of the past, with the ever-expanding, tech-culture of the hurried present and teaches valuable lessons that stand the test of time.

Focusing on life from1890-1920, the Heritage Festival focuses on our region’s turn-of-the-century agrarian roots that helped shape our way of life and the city in which we live today. With everything from butter churning, to cotton spinning and candlemaking, active opportunities will provide a first-hand experience of a more honest time. As well, the festival will spotlight the importance of tobacco crops and the significance in which they have played in North Carolina.

Sharon Osborne, Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s director of events, believes that this event is important because it teaches young people about the history of this region.

“I want to encourage people to come out and participate in a family, fun-filled day”, she said. “The point of this event is to give a history of where we come from.”

There was a time when farm tools were driven by mule and the majority of Fayetteville was farmland. This event offers workshops and booths to show just that.

Since its beginning in 1989, The Cape Fear Botanical Garden has been our region’s premiere garden. This facility does an incredible job educating the public on the beauties and wonder of nature. Many have gone to the garden to escape the city’s hustle and have discovered its relaxing allure. As well, it is the home of various flowers that add to the pristine view. A trail that leads around the garden allows for peace and tranquility that can be reached with the help of the calming roar of the nearby Cape Fear River. As well, the garden has become a very popular local destination for weddings and other special events like Ribbit the Exhibit.

Live entertainment and vendors are scheduled to be on hand. The Parsons will perform live presenting the upbeat sounds of old-timey bluegrass. Nothing else illuminates a festival into the ways of past quite as well as that period’s music. Along with the Parsons, national storyteller Gran’daddy Junebug will fascinate the audience with accounts of the ways of the past that present a strong message of respecting where we come from and treating one another well. For the foodies, Dutch Oven Cooking will provide authentic cuisine made from the oven of its namesake. Finally, Karen Campbell from Ponies and Friends will provide pony rides and a petting zoo.

Come be a part of The Heritage Festival and get a taste of the past with your friends and family. The celebration will last from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is only $8 for the general public, $7 for the military, $2.50 for children ages 6-12 and is free for those 5 and under. For more information, call The Cape Fear Botanical Garden at 910.486.0221.

Green Springs Baptist Church is known as a warm, welcoming church. While over the years, the country church’s membership has grown, it has retained the feel of a small church where members of the congregation know each other and are involved in each other lives. It has held to traditions, one of which is its annual Harvest Day.

Slated for Saturday, Oct. 5, Harvest Day brings the members of the church together for an annual BBQ/Chicken Salad Plate Sale. That might not sound very unique as many organizations throughout the community hold BBQ plate sales on a routine basis. What makes this event unique is that the food is not bought and then resold, instead, it is handmade by the men and women of the church.

Each year, the men of the church gather to cook the BBQ. This year, the BBQ will go ino the fire on Thursday, Oct. 3. The cooking will begin early in the day, with master chefs Terry Townsend and Wayne Canady overseeing the production. They will slowly cook the BBQ throughout the day, as men from the church drop by to visit, swap stories and watch the process.

While the men are busy taking a turn with the BBQ, the women of the church will be deboning and shredding chickens to make their “world-famous” or at least “Gray’s Creek-famous” chicken salad. Over the years, the women have perfected the recipe, and each year, local residents return to the church clamoring for not only the BBQ, but for the chicken salad as well.

Early Saturday morning, members of the church will gather to make homemade hush puppies that come sizzling hot out of the fryer and other side dishes that accompany the plates. Homemade desserts will accompany each plate, also homemade by the women (and men) of the church. In the past, many local businesses have taken the opportunity to order plates for their employees who work during the day. Take-away plates are available, and anyone interested in placing a large order should call the church in advance so that plates can be ready when needed.

The Country Store is another big hit with the community. Homemade crafts, cakes, pies, jellies, preserves and canned vegetables are for sale at the store. Ada Faye Bramble, the chairman of the year’s event, noted that it’s a great time to pick up handmade crafts, many of which have fall or holiday themes, as well as some great homemade foodstuffs.

Hoping to encourage people to spend more time fellowshipping and getting to know one another, the church has added a number of fun, family-friendly events to the day. This year’s event features a children’s area that includes bounce houses, hay rides, a petting area and more.

Kamin Inman, the acting children’s director, said a number of fun events will keep children entertained and engaged, giving their parents an opportunity to relax, take their time shopping and sit and savor the great fall weather, the great food and feeling of community.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with plates selling for $7, which includes either BBQ or chicken salad with all the fixings. Combo plates with both BBQ and chicken salad are also available. After 1 p.m., BBQ and chicken salad will be sold for $6 per pound.

Green Springs Baptist church is located at 1095 East Green Springs Rd. in Parkton, just off U.S. 301. For more information, about Harvest Day or the church and its programs, visit the website at www.greenspringsbaptistchurch.com or call the church office at 910-425-8601.

Photo: Enjoy a day of fun and fellowship at Greene Springs Baptist Church.

The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the most valuable resource that the world has: its children. Premature births, and the dangers that they bring, are a widespread problem. There is no corner of the country that is untouched. North Carolina in particular has a preterm birth rate of more than 11 percent, a shocking number as premature births are the leading cause of deaths for babies in the United States. One way that the March of Dimes raises funds to combat this problem is through its annual Signature Chef Auction. This year’s event is scheduled for Oct. 13.

The Signature Chefs auctions brings local chefs together to create an incredible meal while guests participate in a silent auction. The chefs participating are from Fayetteville’s best restaurants, and are incredibly skilled as well as stunningly generous for donating their time and skills to support the March of Dimes. Andrew Porter, the local community director for the March of Dimes says, “People should expect the most unique and wonderful culinary experience in the Cape Fear Valley Region.”

It is not just the chefs who are donating to support local children through the Signature Chef Auction. People from all over the community contribute to this cause. Wells Fargo is the presenting sponsor and Cape Fear Neonataology Services, References Services Inc., Systel, Carolina Signals & Lighting and DentalWorks have come together to make this incredible event possible. There are also numerous sponsors participating in the auction. Because the March of Dimes is a volunteer-based organization, community support is key in making the great strides that have been made in the health of babies. In fact, volunteering is one of the best ways to support the March of Dimes.

“We rely on volunteers and one of our biggest challenges is awareness and getting the word out about us. We take volunteers year round. We do different events and people think that we are closed other parts of the year, but our door is always open and we are always working towards helping,” Porter said.

Though the March of Dimes is a nonprofit that affects people nationally, it is unique in its local focus. Porter has worked for several nonprofit organizations previously, but March of Dimes has a special appeal for him.

“I choose to work for March of Dimes because though it is a national organization, it is rooted at the local level. Because it is national it has many resources, but it has a strong local presence that can be felt in the community,” he explained.

This year is a very special year for the March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction. It is the 22nd annual auction in Fayetteville and it is the 75th Anniversary for March of Dimes. To help celebrate, there are celebrity judges attending the auction. Chef Judy Cage of Let Me Cater to You and seen on Food Network’s Chopped, Chef Keith Rhodes of Catch and seen on Top Chef and BBQ Pitmaster Corey Brinson of Fatback’s BBQ and Rib Shack and seen on Destination America’s BBQ Pitmasters, will judge the meal put forth by the incredible local chefs donating their time. Unlike many organizations, the money donated at this event does not leave North Carolina; it serves mothers and babies in this area. For every $1 donated the area gets $3 back. This money goes to funding research in the community and supporting programs to help mothers prevent premature birth and to help care for premature babies. Last year, the March of Dimes donated $3.2 million to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke for research on how to prevent premature childbirth.

The March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction will be held on Sunday Oct. 13, at the Embassy Suites, 4760 Lake Valley Dr. Beginning at 5 p.m., there will be a silent auction and signature cocktails. At 5:30 p.m., there will be a gourmet tasting, and at 6:45 p.m. there is a live auction and program. Cocktail or business attire is required. Cost is $75 per person or $1,000 per VIP table of eight. For more information or to order tickets, call 778-5670 or visit marchofdimes.com/northcarolina. The March of Dimes will also accept donations on its website at www.marchofdimes.com.

Hope Mills: Time Is on Your Side

Well, it’s been nearly a week since the town of Hope Mills gave Tonzi Collins his walking papers by a four to one vote after a day long amotion hearing. Maybe I should say the Hope Mills town commissioners gave Collins his walking papers because “the town” could actually put him back in the office come the November election.

If that happens, the amotion process will no doubt start all over again. This is a real possibility since friends and associates of Collins could very well put him back in the office. This would be unfortunate and again waste much valuable time and taxpayer money. Currently, Hope Mills has the leadership to make sure that the town stays in a position to move forward. Jackie Warner is a dedicated and extremely competent and conscientious mayor; she leads a board of commissioners that has already displayed the perseverance and intestinal fortitude to make sure the values and integrity of Hope Mills remain the first and foremost priority.

However, as unfortunate as the Collins circumstances are, the town also has to deal with an equally distressing situation: the ill-fated Hope Mills Lake and dam situation. Here, lawsuits abound with accompanying blame, finger pointing and accusations. It’s a real mess. The fact remains that the hideous and monstrous concrete structure and the ugly overgrown acres of what was once a beautiful picturesque lake serves as a constant reminder that there are major deficiencies in the town’s system.

This being said, Hope Mills is one of the fastest growing areas in Cumberland County. This means that time could actually be on the side of Hope Mills in solving both the Collins and dam problems. More housing, more shopping, more population all signs of solid progressive growth. Millstone Shopping Center is already becoming the central focal point of the town. It won’t be long before all this new development and thousands of new Hope Mills residents do not know who Tonzi Collins is and that there was ever a lake in Hope Mills.

So, my point is this: In time, these are going to become non issues and the town’s leadership will be able to focus on real quality-of-life issues. No doubt, these two issues alone have cost the town hundreds of thousands of dollars and distracted attention away from the real productive issues of running the town.

Time is on the side of Hope Mills. It is a town poised for prosperity, with good government leadership, a sound civic base and an active and progressive Chamber of Commerce. Planned growth and development is good for our county. Who knows what the future holds, there may even be a beautiful landscaped public park where Hope Mills Lake used to be. There will be plenty of such options since growth brings on many changes.

I am confident Hope Mills can will deal with these changes but, only after they have outgrown the small town mentality that allows situations and controversies like that of Collins to persist and escalate. Onward and upward Hope Mills, you’re on the right track and time is on your side.

Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Photo: Tonzie Collins

Ever seen a woman cut in two? Or one that levitates off of a table? How about someone pulling a rabbit out of their hat? If so, you may have been to a typical, average, run-of-the-mill magic show. But during the first week of October, the Crown becomes magical as Truman’s Mystical, Magical Adventure comes to town.

Sure, magic has tantalized the public for generations providing entertainment and wonder for millions across the globe, but this show adds a twist to the event. It brings education into the mystical world of magic. As most people know, “A good magician never reveals his secrets.” Kidsville News! is changing that constant, with its new take on magic shows. Don’t misunderstand — the show will be packed with amazing illusions along with a solid message about the importance of education.

Kidsville News! and the Kidsville News Literacy & Educations Foundation are partnering with the Crown Center to present Truman’s Mystical Magical Adventure, featuring the Amazing VanDoren. This show promises to be not only fun, but also educational and beneficial to the community. Kristy Sykes, the event and marketing consultant, said, “Net proceeds from this event will go to the Kidsville News! Literacy and Educational Foundation to continue providing educational community programs for our youth.”

The magic show is an event that the whole family can enjoy. The Amazing VanDoren has been performing for years, and just as his name suggests, he will amaze the crowd. Truman will also be attending the magic show.

“He will be greeting everyone as they walk in to the show and he will actually be on stage assisting the Amazing VanDoren,” Sykes said.

“This show is fun and interactive all the way through,” said The Amazing VanDoren, who promises to wow the audience at the great adventure.

“We’ve written this show so that the entire family will enjoy it and a few will even be shocked at some of the illusions that we perform.”

While he was reluctant to reveal too many secrets, VanDoren did mention a few of the things the audience can look forward to seeing.

“I am going to make my assistant vanish — while she is floating in the air,” he said. Assuming that she can be found after that …

“I will put her in a 12 inch box, that’s right, 12 inches, and run the box through with swords. Then she will emerge in an entirely different costume — unharmed.”

Because VanDoren is so passionate about magic, he spends a lot of time building, designing and tweaking his illusions to make the show as magical as it can be. In the end, what he really wants is to entertain the crowd and to see them get excited about magic.

“Magic is perception, and in this show I take you from reality to your imagination and make your imagination real,” he said. “I love seeing the excitement on people’s faces, not just kids but everyone whether they are 80 or 8. To bring that type of magic to someone’s face, there is nothing better than that!”

For schools, shows will take place Oct. 3-4. There will be two shows each day at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Each school that attends will receive a donation of $1 per attending student. Tickets are $8 per student. Principles, teachers, chaperones and bus drivers get in free. The school with the most students attending will also win a Truman’s Magic Show starring the Amazing VanDoren for their entire school. Each student who attends the show will also receive an autographed photo of Truman and the Amazing VanDoren. Schools can book shows by having a school representative call 484-6200. The show is open for schools from Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Lee, Sampson and Robeson counties.

There will also be performances offered for the general public, including an evening show on Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. and an afternoon show on Oct. 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. There are also special group rates and military discounts offered. It is requested that large groups make reservations by calling 484-6200.

All tickets for family shows can be purchased by calling 484-6200 or through ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com/Crown-Center-tickets-Fayetteville/venue/115005. Tickets can also be purchased at the Crown Box Office. All shows will be held in the Crown Coliseum, at 1960 Coliseum Drive.

The Kidsville News Literacy & Education Foundation’s mission is to “improve literacy, education and character development among America’s young children by providing support for various early literacy and learning-based initiatives nationwide.” Since 1998, one way the foundation has done that is through Kidsville News! This child-focused publication is a free resource for grades kindergarten to 5th grade that is distributed to schools across the nation. Currently, 1.4 million people are reached by Kidsville News!every month.

Photo: Come prepared to be entertained at Truman’s MysticaL Magical Adventure.

Like many places in America, the people who make up our community come from many different countries and regions. Every year, the community’s diversity is celebrated by the International Folk Festival, which is designed to celebrate the cultural diversity of our great community by putting it on display in beautiful and engaging ways thoughout an entire weekend.

This is the 35th year that the community has come together and hosted this celebration.“The Arts Council’s International Folk Festival is everybody’s favorite trip around the world! Live performances celebrating colorful cultures, taste bud-tempting aromas, artists and craftspeople exhibiting, demonstrating and selling their work,” said Mary Kinney, the marketing director of the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

The festival officially begins on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. and lasts until 9 p.m. This coincides with the celebration of 4th Friday, so there will be many businesses, performers and artists filling the streets of downtown Fayetteville with excitement and life.

For children, Fascinate-U, located at 116 Green St., will be open from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and offering free admission and a fun craft that celebrates cultural diversity. Children will be making “Kente Patterns,” which are geometric patters that have specific meanings for the Ashanti people of Africa.

For art lovers, the Arts Council galleries will remain open until 9 p.m., showcasing Unique Visions: The Gift of Folk Art.The works of folk artists such as Peter Loose, Rob Manchester, Theresa Gloster and Roderick McClain among others will be on display.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the International Folk Festival will really erupt into full swing with the Parade of Nations, which begins at 10:30 a.m. along Hay Street. During this parade all of the different countries represented in our community will march down Hay Street in traditional garb. Some groups may even perform traditional dances and music as they march. The parade is a glimpse into the many different and beautiful cultures of which Fayetteville is composed.

“The festival grows in presentation and participation every year. What started out as a one-day Sunday-on-the-Square event has blossomed into a three-day festival that welcomes more than 100,000 people,” Kinney explained.

For those who wish to learn even more about the cultures on display at the parade, live performances will follow on multiple stages in Festival Park. Performances will range from martial arts demonstration to traditional dances and songs performed by people representing many cultures, such as the Native-American Showcase. A children’s area at the park will include crafts and traditional storytellers.

Admission to the festival is free, but there will be many things to purchase at the festival. Vendors will offer beautiful and often functional works of art. Many of these mediums have years of history behind them and these unique arts and crafts serve to showcase both the history and culture of the artist. On the path leading up to the entrance of Festival Park, scores of vendors will offer a taste of their country as they offer traditional cuisine. This is unique in that the food is actually cooked and offered for sale by local community groups. Some of the fare may be familiar and some may be exotic, but all is delicious.

The festival will end on Saturday at 6 p.m., and continue for one final day on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 12 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit the website http://www.theartscouncil.com/iff.php or call 323-1776. Admission is free.

Photo: The Parade of Nations kicks off the International  Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28 on Hay Street. Photo by Wick Smith.

Throughout the years, many bands have come and gone, but only a select few stay relevant and popular for many years. Earth Wind and Fire is one of those great exceptions. Maurice White started the group in Chicago in 1969 and since then it has reached international fame, and on Oct. 1, the band will perform in Fayetteville.

This Earth, Wind and Fire is a unique mix of R&B, soul, funk, disco, jazz and rock that has allowed them to transcend generations with their universally pleasing music and universal message of love. The use of the Klimba, or African Thumb Piano, which appears in all of their albums also adds an African flare to the music. By mixing so many genres together in their style of music Earth, Wind and Fire has appealed to a broader spectrum of the listening public than any band has before. Their fusion of pop and R&B has appealed to listeners of all places in life, and has bridged many of the gaps that often occur in music.

Earth, Wind and Fire has received numerous awards over the years, including multiple Grammys, Grammy nominations, and American Music Awards. They also broke racial barriers by being the first African-American performers to receive Madison Square Garden’s Gold Ticket Award, which is given to performers who sell more than 100,000 tickets. These are but a few examples, there are many other awards for which the band has received or been nominated. They are truly remarkable in the music they create as well as the skill level that it takes to create it.

Adding to their power as a band is the great individual skills of each musician. White, the founder began his love of music by singing in the church choir at the age of 6. This love eventually blossomed into a career, and White worked professionally first with Booker T. and then with many stars such as Etta Jones, Frontella Bass and Billy Stewart. He moved back to Chicago in 1969 and formed the “Salty Peppers” with his friends Wade Flemons and Don Whitehead. The band had marginal success until it moved to L.A. and changed the name to Earth Wind and Fire. White is no longer part of the band’s touring group, but he is still highly involved as the composer and producer.

This amazing opportunity to see these music legends is provided to the Fayetteville Community through Community Concerts. Community concerts is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to bringing “top-notch entertainment to Fayetteville and the Fort Bragg/Cumberland County Community,” which they have done for more than 77 years.

Earth, Wind and Fire will perform at the Crown Coliseum, 1960 Coliseum Dr., on Oct. 1at 7:30 p.m. The band will perform songs from its most recent album Now, Then & Forever. Tickets are available for purchase via ticketmaster.com or by calling the Crown Box Of褀ce at 438-4100. For more information, visit www.community-concerts.com/2013/06/14/earth-wind-fire/ or www.crowncoliseum.com/community-concerts-presents-earth-wind-and-fire.

Photo: Earth, Wind and Fire is set to perform at the Crown on Oct., 1.

Cumberland County’s Fair: County Tradition — Awesome Fun

I’ve heard people say that Cumberland County should not be in the coliseum and event business. Yes, I agree. However, I have also heard some say that Cumberland County should not be in the county fair business. Are you kidding me?

This, is an absurd notion. Actually, it is the kind of event our county should support, nurture and actively involve itself in. The Cumberland County Fair has been in successful existence serving our community for more than 50 years. And, this year’s theme “A Family Heritage” spoke volumes of the tradition, hospitality and economic vitality the Cumberland County agricultural community contributes to our quality of life. Ahhhh! The sights, sounds and smells of this year’s fair will remain with me for a long time.

I have no idea how many people attended this year’s 11-day event but, I will bet that Fair Manager Hubert Bullard and Fair President Lynn Tollett and their dozens of community volunteers will post record numbers. People came from all over the Cape Fear Region to participate in this traditional annual celebration and recognition of the products grown and produced by our local agricultural community. My guess would be that many of the people attending the fair didn’t even know we have an agricultural community.

I write about this only because our Coliseum Complex is in transition. This is a good thing. A new private-management firm is slated to take over shortly with a plan to revitalize the Crown Complex into a valuable community asset so it can better serve the entire community. This task is very doable and I think the Coliseum Board has made an excellent choice in the Philadelphia-based Global Spectrum Company. However, a word of caution is appropriate here. In this transition, as in many past Cumberland County transactions and transitions, we undoubtedly will have people scrambling behind the scenes and standing in the shadows ready to wield power, influence and trump up expertise in hopes of directing and influencing the decision of this new company. And for what? Personal gain. It seems to be in Cumberland County’s DNA. It is my hope that the powers that be will not let this happen and the best and most current example just may be the controversy over our Cumberland County Fair. Here we have a documented North Carolina State Champion AAA Fair, a nationally acclaimed and recognized Champion of Champions Fair and, most recently, a national 2012 Premier Agricultural Fair.

The Cumberland County Fair has a long tradition and a rightful place in our community. It is a unique community asset that should be treasured and preserved and its future should not be dictated by people who cannot distinguish a parking lot carnival from a certified, licensed agricultural fair.

Again, many thanks and kudos to Ms.Tollett and her loyal volunteers; Hubert Bullard for his leadership and perseverance and to the tens of thousands of men, women and children who came to experience the fun and excitement of our own agricultural fair midway. See ya next year!