The Fayetteville FireAntz enter the 2012-13 season with high expectations and are very optimisticabout the upcoming season. They have a new head coach, a new assistant coach and a group of dynamic new players that fans are sure to get excited about.

Head Coach Mark DeSantis, 40, makes his debut behind the bench for the FireAntz this season. For the last three seasons DeSantis was the assistant coach for the Rapid City Rush of the Central Hockey League and brings a wealth of experience to the FireAntz. During his playing career DeSantis, a defenseman, played 17 professional seasons and scored 131 goals, with 398 as-sists and tallied 2,108 penalty minutes.

“We are thrilled to have Mark DeSantis as the head coach of our team,” said President/ General Manager Kevin MacNaught. “His attention to detail and commitment to helping us build a championship team were very im-portant qualities that I was looking for when choosing a coach and Mark was the obvious choice.”

Assistant Coach Sean Edwards, 33, also in his first year coaching the FireAntz, played five professional seasons. The University of Ottawa’s most successful cam-paign was in 2004-05 where he notched 15 goals, 22 assists and 87 penalty min-utes in 51 games played. He also was +21 that season.“We are very optimistic about our chances for the upcoming year,” Edwards said. “Coach DeSantis recruited guys with really good character. Along with that we have guys that have a lot of speed and a lot of skill. We’re going to be really fun to watch and have a good chance to win night in and night out.”

Players to Watch

Bobby Reed, Center — Reed is the longest tenured player for the FireAntz, beginning his fourth season with the club. Reed, always considered a leader on and off the ice has been named Captain by DeSantis and is looking to have an-other great season for the club. The Huntsville, Ontario native has increased his scoring output each season with the FireAntz and last season had 40 points in 56 games played.

Josh McQuade, Right Wing — McQuade enters his second professional season, both with the FireAntz, and looks to continue the stellar play that he displayed in his rookie campaign. Last year he averaged just shy of a point per game totaling 22 goals and 26 assists for 48 points in 52 games played. He also notched four goals and an assist in the FireAntz 6-3 victory in the pre-season win over the Augusta Riverhawks.

Andrew Smale, Defenseman — Smale will play his first season with the FireAntz in 2012-13. The 6’4’’, 220 pound defenseman will provide great size, a swift skating ability and leadership on the blue line for the team this season. “Smale will be one of our key defense-men this season.” Assistant Coach Edwards said, “He will log a lot of minutes for us and we’re looking for really big things from Smale this year.”

Marco Emond, Goaltender— Emond begins his first year man-ning the net for the FireAntz this season. The 34 year old goaltender brings a wealth of experience to the team, having played professionally since 1998. With over 200 professional wins and a save percentage over .900 for his career.

Brandon Richardson,Forward — Richardson enters his second professional hockey season and first with the FireAntz. Fans may remember him from the Huntsville Havoc, last season, where he netted 13 goals in 26 games before get-ting called up to the Bloomington Blaze of the Central Hockey League (CHL.) “Brandon is one of our most versatile guys, he can play all three forward posi-tions.” Edwards added, “He’s definitely a goal scorer who has great speed and a great shot.”

Brock Sawyer, Defense — Sawyer is a rookie defenseman for the FireAntz, hav-ing recently graduated from Elmira College in New York. “Brock is an offensive defenseman who plays smartly with and without the puck.” Edwards continued, “The maturity that this guys possesses, for a rookie, is remarkable. He carries him-self like a veteran and we are really happy to have him on our team.”

With a new coach, a new assistant coach and an extremely talented roster the FireAntz are ready for an outstanding year in 2012-13. Make sure to come out to the Crown Coliseum and join in on the exciting season for the FireAntz this year. For more information on the FireAntz, or to purchase group tickets at a reduced rate visit the FireAntz Website at www.fireantzhockey.com

A Dicken’s Holiday is something that the community looks forward to each year as much as bargain hunters anticipate Black Friday and foodies long for Thanksgiving Day feasts. This marks the 13th year of this event, and to be sure, there will be plenty opportunities for merriment and memory making.

On the day after Thanksgiving, for more than a decade, A Dicken’s Holiday has transformed downtown Fayetteville into a Victorian-style wonderland. This year, Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens, author of A Christmas Carol, joins the celebration, which lasts from 1-9 p.m.

Dickens has worked as a director and producer for several years. He created his first one-man show in 1993. It was a performance of A Christmas Carol based on readings that Charles Dickens’ regularly performed in the 1860s. Gerald enjoys sharing the works of Charles Dickens with young people and holds workshops and performances in schools and colleges in the Unites States and England.

In celebration of his great-great grandfather’s 200th birthday, Dickens will perform two one-man shows. In the process he will play more than 30 characters. The first show is A Christmas Carol and the second show is Mr. Dickens is Coming! Both plays take place at Hay Street United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. Both performances are free, but seating is limited.

“As this year is the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, it’s appropriate that we celebrate our 13th annual A Dickens Holiday with actor Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great grandson of author Charles Dickens, as our special guest,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director for the Arts Council Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “What a treat to have him here in Fayetteville — all the way from Oxford, England!”

The day is sure to be packed with fun as Father Christmas will be in attendance, ready to take photos with passersby. Carolers roam the streets and horse-drawn carriages roll through downtown offering a chance to see the local sights from a new perspective. Take a stroll through the many side streets and enjoy the merchants and arts and crafts vendors in Victorian garb.

While gingerbread houses are a tradition in many homes during the holiday season, this year the event organizers have put a spin on the theme. Cumberland County high school students from nine local schools have built London landmarks from gingerbread. Stop by SkyView and vote for your favorite.

“The gingerbread competition brings a whole new dimension to A Dicken’s Holiday,” said Kinney. “It is truly amazing to see what the competitors are capable of.”

A favorite of many, the candlelight procession from the Arts Council to the Market House starts at 5:30 p.m. Dickens will lead the procession, but that is not the end of the celebration. Once the candles are snuffed out, the sky will fill with fireworks to welcome the holiday season.

A Dicken’s Holiday lasts until 9 p.m. Find out more about this event at www.theartscouncil.com or www.fayettevillealliance.com.

Photo: Gerald Dickens, the great-great grandson of author Charles Dickens joins the celebration this year.

There is plenty of good that comes from growing up on a farm. For award-winning playwright Elaine Wilson Alexander, some of the benefits include a quick, wicked sense of humor and a unique perspective on life, which will be showcased during the world premier of Life As We Know It at the Gilbert Theater. The Gilbert is teaming-up with Up & Coming Weekly to present this unique collection of five of Alexander’s one-act comedies.

Alexander is the daughter of Dave and Barbara Wilson and a fourth-generation Fayetteville native. She grew up on a beautiful 800-acre farm on what is now Morganton Road. It may have been the wide-open spaces and fresh air that stimulated and impacted her creativity, but undeniably, it was her family that taught her to see the lighter side of life .

“Growing up, both my parents were funny. We had several cats on the farm and even they had a droll sense of humor,” said Alexander. “I grew up watching Saturday Night Live and Second City Television. This shaped my sense of humor, too.”

As a child, Alexander said she often felt like an outsider. Her teen years were marked by a battle of “the farm girl versus the “cool girls” from the subdivisions. She was constantly aware of the differences between herself and the other children, but she found these differences more amusing than detrimental. It didn’t take her long to use these insights to her advantage and ultimately put them to good use.

She can pinpoint the moment when she realized she was funny: It was a Brownie meeting. Like most gatherings of young girls, this particular Brownie troop was divided into cliques. Alexander recalls that she showed up to one meeting dressed “out of uniform.” As anticipated, the other girls mocked and teased her for the offense. Rather than get upset, she turned the tables on them.

“We were doing an animal skit and I was a stray cat. I howled and writhed like I was starving. I really put a lot into that performance. By the end of the skit they were laughing uncontrollably. They were nice to me after that,” said Alexander. “Sometimes it’s good to be the outsider. You get more laughs that way.”

As a youngster, Alexander took drama classes and participated in community theatre, however, it took awhile for things to come full circle. She entertained thoughts of being an actress when she was in high school, but words from a loved one changed that course of action. Realizing she was “no Meryl Streep,” she set out to become a journalist. She found great success in the publishing world. She traveled, met and mingled with celebrities and, as a journalist, rose successfully in the ranks of the Fourth Estate before deciding to settle down to raise a family. If anything, her career as a journalist served to sharpen her observation skills. Later she considered getting back into acting but “…I saw myself in a video,” said Alexander. “I looked like a character from the Wallace and Grommet comic strip.” So, she quickly returned to writing — only this time it was writing plays and not articles.

She found that being a mother put her in an excellent position to observe comical “real-life” situations, which are always excellent fodder for entertainers. After all, what parent hasn’t walked away from a school meeting, ball game or other kid-centric activity scratching their head at the behavior and antics of supposedly responsible adults ? Whether it is a PTA meeting filled with moms trying to one-up each other, a yoga class or a trip to the grocery store, Alexander looks to those around her for topics to write about finding much of her humor in the mundane.

“I see the comedy in life and in the unmet ambitions we all have,” said Alexander, adding that “… nobody tries harder than a middle-aged woman. It’s like being in middle school, but now we are combating wrinkles instead of acne.”

Bill Bowman, publisher of Up & Coming Weekly, recognized Alexander’s satirical humor as original and fresh. He believes it is something theatre goers in the Fayetteville community will enjoy and support.

“I read her work and then went to South Carolina to see one of her plays preformed. Needless to say, I was blown away with the humor, the uniqueness of her style and freshness of thematerial,” said Bowman. “Upon returning home, I asked Elaine to send me her plays and, after reading all six of her short one acts, I knew this would be a great opportunity to bring her home and share her work with the community. I asked Robyne Parrish, artistic director of the Gilbert Theatre, and Jeremy Fiebig, managing director, to review her work. They too were impressed. We (Up & Coming Weekly) agreed to partner with the Gilbert to produce her work.” 

Bowman goes on to explain that from the beginning he felt Alexander’s work would be a great fit for the Gilbert Theatre since they have been a long-time advocate of creative and original works and a huge supporter of local talent. From its inception, the Gilbert Theater’s vision has been “… to be the premiere theater in Eastern North Carolina for audiences who value innovative, daring theater that explores the human condition in a respectful, imaginative way.”

Fiebig will direct the upcoming production of Alexander’s work.

“We love the fact that Elaine is a local talent from Fayetteville. In addition to celebrating her work, we want it to celebrate the Gilbert Theater and our unique place in the Fayetteville cultural community,” said Fiebig. “Elaine, knows what life is like here and that is something the audience will appreciate about her work.”

Life as We Know It will open in late December. “We are doing this right after the busiest time of year. People have had to deal with extended family, travel and cold weather. This will be a way to escape and infuse a breath of fresh air into the holiday season,” said Fiebig. “It is going to provide our community an opportunity to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Gilbert Theatre in an unique, fun and interesting way and, it will be something to get them laughing.”

The proceeds from Life as We Know It will go partially to the Gilbert Theater for expanding its community cultural programs and educational services. Funds will also go to the Cumberland County Kidsville News! Literacy and Education Foundation. Alexander is coming home and this will be the “world premiere” of her works. But, don’t count on it being the last. To find out more about Alexander’s play Life as We Know It go to www.gilberttheater.com.

Photo: Gilbert Theater presents humorist and playwright Elaine Alexander as she returns to Fayetteville in December.

In 1915 playwright Edgar Lee Masters wrote about a huge part of American life, the small town. Not only did his play break down the stereotypical ideas surrounding small-town America, but the unconventional style of this play also ripped through traditional theatre. Phoebe Hall brings this production back to life for the public to enjoy this November at Fayetteville State University.

Spoon River Anthology is a series of free-form poems that describe the lives of the citizens of Spoon River, Ill., a classic small town in rural America. Some may fear that this will lead to a confusing or altogether un-relatable production, but Hall says, “I think audience members will be surprised by how much fun they’ll have with the characters of Spoon River.

“While the time period is ‘long ago’ and we have no way of knowing who is who or what year it is for any given character, I think they’ll find it fairly easy to keep up with who is attached to whom and for what reason. This is very much like a large extended family in that everyone is connected to someone else in some way and once you begin to unravel that, the maze begins to make more sense.”

Many productions romanticize the world in order to provide an escape. Spoon River Anthology does quite the opposite. Instead of creating a fictional world to provide an escape, this production reflects true characters and real truths in life.

“They should expect to be moved, to laugh and to recognize the characters in this small town. We all know them. Some of us are related to them, married to them, teach them, vote for them, love them or even hate them,” said Hall. “But, in the fi nal analysis … we may see ourselves and our own environments in the play.”

Even the actors get an in-depth understanding of the characters as they develop them and portray them on stage.

“As in every play that I direct, my favorite part is watching and helping the actors through the ‘discovery’ phase of rehearsal. I fi nd it very satisfying to see them all have those ‘Aha! moments’ when something fi nally clicks for them about a character and motivation,” said Hall.

Spoon River Anthology was written in 1915, and is set in a time even before that, but the profound truth it portrays about human nature in a small town makes it timeless.

“I think every theme can find some relevance today —it depends on individual perspective. The same issues that plagued Spoon River still plague people in small towns today, so the issues don’t change … just the players,” said Hall.

Spoon River Anthology runs Nov. 17-18 and begins at 7:30 p.m. each night and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets ordered in advance cost $10 for adults and $8 for faculty, staff and off-campus students. At the door, adults pay $12 and faculty, staff and off campus students pay $10. FSU students with I.D.s always pay $3. Tickets may be ordered by calling the FSU Box Office at (910) 672-1724.

For more information, contact Jeremy Fiebig at 672-2574 or jfiebig@uncfsu.edu. The production will be held in Butler Theatre on the FSU campus.

Shopping for the 2012 holiday season has begun for many people across the state and decorations are starting to appear in all the stores. If you like the excitement of holiday arts and crafts then you are in for a treat as the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses brings you the annual 2012 Yule Mart Craft Fair.

The fair will be held on Friday, November 16 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday, November 17 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Yule Mart Craft Fair aims to provide visitors with a wide variety of handmade crafts and artworks sold on site by the artists. The crafts will include holiday décor, furniture, toys, handmade treats, clothing, candles, soaps, pictures and other unique items.

Some of the other features include a Santa Secret Shop where young children can shop for family members. The children will be accompanied by one of Santa’s elves as they browse around the shop looking for gifts that are in their budget. The gifts that the young ones pick out will be individually wrapped so they are ready for the holiday.

There will also be a bake shop full of homemade goodies, and a special area will be set up for a visit from Santa himself. Perhaps you always wanted to take a picture with Santa; well, you will get your chance because he is preparing his best looking smile with his rosy cheeks, to take pictures with you and the children.

This year, the event includes a food court area, too. Sit down, take a break and get something good to eat without leaving the event.

Last year’s event was a great success and organizers are predicting an even better turn-out in 2012. All proceeds from the fair go towards the ABOS Welfare and Scholarship funds, which benefit the Fort Bragg Community. There are expected to be at least 62 vendors on hand, and ABOS hopes to raise even more funds than last year. In 2012, organization distributed $20,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations that serve the Fort Bragg population and demonstrated a need, and $18,000 in scholarships. The scholarship grants are available to any family member of an active-duty or retired soldier with a valid military identification card and who resides in the surrounding Fort Bragg areas or whose sponsor is attached or assigned to Fort Bragg.

For additional information about the Yule Mart Craft Fair and the ABOS, go online to http://fbabos.org. If you are an interested crafter, go to the website complete and submit the application. There are only a few vendor slots available for the 2012 Yule Mart Craft Fair. This year is sure to be fun for the entire family with a little something for everyone. ABOS are trying to make sure that there will not be one dull moment during your visit to the craft fair.

The craft fair will be held at the Hercules Physical Fitness Center, which is located at Building 420 Armistead Street, Pope Army Airfield. Admission for Friday is $5 and Saturday $8. Find out more about Yule Mart and ABOS at www.fbabos.org.

Photo: All proceeds from the fair go towards the ABOS Welfare and Scholarship funds, which benefit the Fort Bragg Community.

Question: Boil 4,000 pounds of spaghetti, add 800 gallons of sauce, plus an assortment of tantalizing sweets and pastries and what do you get?

Answer: The World’s Largest Spaghetti Dinner and Greek Pastry Sale.

On Nov. 14, the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church will host its annual spaghetti and pastry sale. The event runs from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. The take-out meal will be served at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Hellenic Center located at 614 Oakridge Ave.

“The dinner was started more than 50 years ago by my father-in-law and has grown from serving 400 dinners to more than 10,000,” said Tony Kotsopoulos, event coordinator. “It was designed to raise funds for the church and now supports two local charities as well. I have been coordinating the event for the past 23 years and it has become a labor of love. It can be a logistical nightmare but it uplifts my spirit.”

In order to prepare such a meal, volunteers engage in a choreographed exercise involving preparation and serving.

“There are more than 100 volunteers from the Greek Orthodox community who participate in this labor of love as well,” Kotsopolos stated. “There have been people who have been participating in this event for as long as I have been coordinating it. I enjoy watching the constant flow of traffic throughout the day and seeing people come from all over Fayetteville and surrounding communities. It’s more than the spaghetti they come for. I think it’s about the sense of camaraderie and knowing the monies are going to causes that benefit the community as well,” said Kotsopolos.

The spaghetti meal costs $6.50 and is carry-out only. In addition to the fi ne pasta and sauce, the church auxiliary will have sweets and desserts complementing this fantastic feast. The pastries are available at an additional cost. Arrive earlier in the day, as the pastries are sought-after items.

As part owner of Luigi’s restaurant on 528 N. McPherson Church Rd., Kotsopolos is no stranger to hosting large dinner parties. Once a year however, he and the dedicated volunteers pull out all the stops to provide the public with a meal not soon forgotten.

“This event helps keep my work ethic in check and is a way of saying thank you to the always supportive Fayetteville community,” he added.

For further information please contact the Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church at 910-484-2010 or visit their website at www.stsch.nc.goarch.org.

Photo: An annual event, The World’s Largest Spaghetti Dinner and Greek Pastry Sale is a Fayetteville tradition.

Dear Editor:

If there is an iconic image of Downtown Fayetteville, and its near miraculous transformation, that image would include the marquee of the Cameo Art House Theatre on Hay Street. A dozen years ago, when what is now a foregone conclusion was much more elusive, the renovation of that old theater into the Cameo was an act of faith. Now, reality is at the door, and soon the Cameo may be just a memory.

In case you haven’t noticed, that wonderful invention of Kodak’s creative labs, (digital photography) has turned film into 1s and 0s. Everything is digital. It’s been quite a ride,taking us from big clunky cellular bag phones to the iPhone; from huge film cameras, to slightly smaller video cameras, to incredibly small, superior digital video cameras. It’s changed everything, from the way we read the news, to the way we share Christmas photos, to the way we watch movies. Digital has made a lot of things disappear, including Kodak and maybe the Cameo.

When I arrived in Fayetteville, in 1968, there were four movie houses Downtown: the Broadway, The Carolina, The Colony and The Miracle. The Miracle was the spiffiest, with a long hallway that stretched inside to the large 1,500 seat theater. The line wove by the glass front studios of WFLB, Fayetteville’s only rock’n roll station. On your way to the movies, you could see Ted Michaud, Ron Phelps or Larry “Boom-Boom” Cannon, messing with the constant stream of people who were out for a night on the town. Then multiple-screen theaters came. Then VHS and Blockbuster came. The movie houses left.

Change happens. Ever hear of Vaudeville? It was killed by the movies, the silent movies, which was killed by the talkies, which were killed by radio, which was killed by television, which seems to be dying a long, slow death, morphing, along with many other forms of entertainment, to the Internet.

So digital has overtaken the film industry. Film is history. Film is expensive, to print, copy, ship and display. So just as the telephone companies realized they could make more money by eliminating the telephone poles and underground wires by switching to cellular, the film industry said, “Us, too!”

So let’s get back to the Cameo. So maybe some of you reading this say, “So What? I can see the big blockbuster, shoot ‘em up/ blow ‘em up at the local giant 30-screen cinderblock box.” True, but what about those of you who have experienced the Cameo Art House Theatre? You know who you are.

In 2000, when Eric Lindstrom and Chris and Naseem Keunzel designed and built the Cameo, most folks thought they were crazy. It made no sense. They did it because Fayetteville “needed” an art cinema. If we were going to help transform our downtown into a place that would be a destination, a place that tourists would visit, we needed certain things. They mortgaged everything they owned to get the money to renovate and open the Cameo. It was an investment of more than $600,000 in 1999. Then they finished the upstairs, more intimate screening room for an additional $300,000. They did this on the belief that Fayetteville would come and support them. Many did, but not nearly enough. As is the history of small, independent art-house cinemas across the country, each month is a struggle. It is a struggle that makes Fayetteville a better place to be.

Now, if they were a non-profit organization, they could solicit tax-exempt donations, or grants (as the Sunrise Theater in Southern Pines just did), but they wanted to stay true to their independence. They bet on downtown, and they were right. Now they’re betting on the public (that’s you). A lot of people began to believe in the future of downtown when they saw the Cameo open its doors. Granted a lot of small businesses have come and helped promote the dream of Downtown Fayetteville, but the Cameo is different. It still makes no sense that the Cameo is open. They show the movies that the “big guys” don’t touch. Usually the movies that become the award winners, the movies that you would have to leave town to see. It should have closed years ago.

Lindstrom left the partnership because of work demands, but the Keunzels are still struggling to keep the doors open. They have an architectural company that pays their monthly bills, but they simply can’t afford to underwrite the digital upgrade.

The good news is — they are not alone.

A growing group of supporters is organizing a private fundraising effort to switch the Cameo to digital. The campaign is called, “Go Digital or Go Dark.” An ominous name, but true. By 2013, all major film releases will be available only in a digital format. End of story. Or is it?

It really is up to you. Why should you support this effort? Because if you like what is happening to our town, then you need to help the people who helped make it happen. I always urge everyone to buy something from a downtown merchant ( full disclosure – I am one), so they can stay in business and keep downtown thriving. That’s the only way it can work. This move to digital is the same. The amount is huge — $200,000. Yikes!

Yes, you could write one check for the entire amount, but they’d prefer a smaller amount that will go through the bank. I cannot think of any other private company that I would support in this manner, but this is a for-profit company that has never made much of a profit. Why? Because the mission meant more than the margin, and I’m thankful for that.

To help out, visit www.cameoarthouse.com.

Social Security Offers Online Resources

Editor’s Note: Our regular contributors Martha Owen and Susan Guy donated this space to Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Brenda Brown this week: We recognize how much time is in-volved in keeping a senior’s Social Security infor-mation straight. Whether it is the client, the adult child, neighbor or professional caregiver working to process this information, it is crucial that it is seamless. Below is some valuable information that should make that process easier. — Martha Owen & Susan Guy

Over the River and Through the Woods to www.socialsecurity.gov.

Kids are back in school, and in the breezy after-noons, you can find them raking leaves, or jumping in them. It’s that time of year. Soon, on the way to Thanksgiving dinner, children may be sing-ing in the back seats of cars: “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go …

”Did you know that the original song had chil-dren in a horse-drawn sleigh on their way to grandfather’s house?

A lot has changed since those days. Take the Internet, for example. A generation ago, no one would have considered mapping out directions on the Web, or ordering a package online, delivered directly to the destination. No one would have imagined doing business with Social Security with a computer.

This Thanksgiving Day, after you’ve enjoyed your feast and exhausted conversation, why not show Grandma and Grandpa how easily they can use www.socialsecurity.gov to avoid un-needed trips to a Social Security office?

For starters, you can take them to the online Retirement Estimator, a tool that helps them figure out how much they may get in monthly ben-efits depending on when they retire. It’s available at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Or tell them about the hot new service everyone is talking about: the new online Social Security Statement. It provides a record of past earnings, along with projected earnings for future years to give an estimate of future Social Security benefits. It’s available at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

You also can show them our library of online publications containing all the in-formation they need to know about an array of Social Security, retirement and Medicare subjects. You can see our publications at www.so-cialsecurity.gov/pubs. If they were thinking about retirement, you may want to show them just how knowledgeable you are by suggesting they read the publication, When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147.html.

And if they’re ready to retire, take them to www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline, where they can apply online for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes — that may be less time than it takes to brew a pot of coffee and slice a pumpkin pie. Once they click the “submit” button, they’re done. (And so are you.)

As you’re preparing to go over the river, through the woods or across town to visit family this Thanksgiving Day, consider inviting www.socialsecurity.gov to the gathering.idMdiUse www.socialsecurity.gov to avoid unneeded trips to a Social Security office.BRENDA BROWN, Contr

The Fayetteville Technical Community College Board of Trustees and FTCC President Dr. Larry Keen dedicated the new General Classroom Building on Monday, Sept. 17. The General Classroom Building was built around the former Service Merchandise building with a design facing Fort Bragg Road and including a large new parking lot. The sprawling 70,000 square-foot building provides much needed additional space for the growing community college and includes 13 classrooms, 13 fac-ulty offices, two conference rooms, seven computer labs and a multipurpose room. It also houses the school’s bookstore and security offices.

The building was built around the existing struc-ture with all-new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, state-of-the-art technology for teaching and unique green-minded and resource-saving features. As an example, the building is equipped with a rainwater collection system that provides water for the toilets and urinals. The teaching tools in the classrooms and other spaces include smart boards, enhanced computers, monitors and audio-visual gear. Teachers using class-rooms in the building are required to use the technology in their courses.

FTCC Board Chair William S. Wellons Jr. explains the significance of the General Classroom Building: “The purchase of the Service Merchandise Building by the board of trustees was another important step to build and to protect the future of education and FTCC. The purchase and the renovation are great examples of how FTCC is a leader in the community and also demonstrate the foresight of establishing permanence of an educational institution for the people of Cumberland County and surrounding areas. What a great way to pres-ent yourselves to future generations. We, the trustees, FTCC administration and staff are very proud of our efforts and want to thank all of the entities and people who made this purchase and renovation for the future of education possible.”

Dr. Marye J. Jeffries, Fayetteville Technical Community College board chair (2000-2004), recalls how the funding for the General Classroom Building was available: “The passage of the $3.1 billion capital-improvement bond package in 2000 by the North Carolina General Assembly was to provide $2.5 billion to the University of North Carolina system and $600 million to the North Carolina Community College System. The funding would assist universities and community colleges with their most critical facility needs as well as prepare campuses state-wide for a population growth of about 100,000 new students. It was the largest single investment any state had made in higher education facilities.”

Mr. Charles J. Harrell, FTCC board chair (2004-2010) also offers his congratulations to the FTCC Board of Trustees and President Larry Keen for the cre-ation of a state-of the-art 70,000 square-foot General Classroom Building.

The project was funded with money from a state cap-ital-improvement bond package and from Cumberland County. FTCC received $38.4 million from the 2000 bond package, aimed at helping universities and com-munity colleges meet facility needs and prepare for increased student popula-tions. The county provided matching funds. FTCC officials said the funds allowed the school to continue upgrading existing facilities and to acquire new ones.

Fayetteville Technical Community College was established in 1961 and serves more than 34,000 students annually by providing 182 affordable vocational, technical, general education, col-lege transfer and continuing education programs to meet students’ needs and desires as well as the community.

Photo: The new General Classroom Building at FTCC was dedicated on Monday, Sept. 17.

The starter’s gun will fire at 8 a.m. sharp for the 16th Annual Joint Special Operations 10K Run/5K Walk. This year’s edition will take place on Nov. 10. The race, started in 1996, has grown to the point where entries will be limited to 1,000 runners and walkers.

The course is a challenging dirt, mud, gravel and sand trail and is open to all ages and abilities. While a majority of runners come from the Fort Bragg community, there are a number of participants from all across the state as well as some out-of-state runners. All-terrain strollers are acceptable but a standard sidewalk model will not be able to negotiate the course. Pets are not permitted.

The race, certified by USA Track and Field, is sponsored by the Special Operations Communicators Association. The association’s mission is to promote the values established in the Special Operations Forces Truths and Imperatives. It is also an organization that strongly believes in taking care of the operations communicators family. Moral, spiritual and financial outreach is extended to members and their families who need a helping hand for the loss of a loved one, disaster relief and also serves as a morale fund for association activities. Monies are raised via the 10K run, a golf tournament and donations to support scholarships for spouses and college-age dependents of active-duty members of SOCA members.

Todd Spencer, race coordinator since 2007, shared his feelings about the event. “There is something special about leading the runners out on the ATV. The morning is brisk and I look behind me and it’s like a thousand wild horses, cold breath clouding, awaiting the charge. The morning mist is rising from the lake and there is a wave of energy when the starter’s pistol cracks the air”.

Putting on an event such as this can be a logistical nightmare. Every detail is important. 

“Since I have been associated with this event I have been continually amazed at the level of excitement and professionalism our volunteers bring to the race. From pre-race preparation to after-race festivities, everything is taken care of. This is unlike any other race in Fayetteville,” Spencer said.

The entry fee for the race/walk is $25 if received by Oct. 26, and $30 thereafter with shirts available to all participants. Registration can be accomplished on-line at www.active.com or via the SOCA website (www.thesoca.org) and by downloading the application found at 10K Documents. Entries can be mailed to SOCA, Box 73409, Fort Bragg, N.C. 28307.

Pre-Race packet pick-up with t-shirts will be available on November 8th at Sports USA between 3-7 p.m. and the following day Nov. 9 at Dicks Sporting Goods on Skibo Road between 12-3 p.m. Late registrations will be accepted at these locations.

Photos: The Joint Special Operations 5K Run/5K Walk is a great event for seasonsed runners and for families.

Community Concerts is as much about the community as it is about the concerts, really. For this all-volunteer organization, the past two decades have been about working together to show audiences a good time and fi nding new ways to say thanks to those who have helped shape the community.

This year, Community Concerts has another outstanding list of performers scheduled. The concert season opens on Nov. 9 with Gladys Knight. A seven-time Grammy winner, Knight has recorded more than 38 albums and has a philanthropic heart.

She is the national spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association, she supports the American Cancer Society, the Minority AIDS Project, amFAR and Crisis Interventions. She is also a recipient of the BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

She’s been topping charts and wowing audiences for more than 50 years. Her latest work is titled Before Me. The album includes Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child,” Lena Horne’s “Stormy Weather” and Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Visit www. community-concerts.com or www.atthecrown.com for more information.

Next in the line up is country sensation Martina McBride on Dec. 17. Breaking away from RCA Records after her contract ended in 2010 was a big step for McBride, but she took a chance and signed with Republic Nashville, one of the Big Machine Records labels and has been hard at work. Her latest album, Eleven, was released in October of 2011. McBride co-wrote six of the 11 tracks on the album.

With more than 20 years of entertaining behind her, McBride delivers top-notch performances for her fans. She’ll be at the Crown on Dec. 17.

Styx comes to town on Jan. 19 as the third of fi ve concerts this season. This group has been rocking the stage since the early 70s and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. They performed more between 1999 and 2012 than they did in the previous years. Early fans of the group remember them for songs like “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man” and “Fooling Yourself.” More recent fans have heard their work in TV shows like South Park and Freaks and Geeks as well as on car commercials.

Relive old memories and make new ones at the Crown with Community Concerts. Find out more about this iconic rock and roll band at www. community-concerts.com.

They started out as the Jazziacs in 1950 and were later known as the Soul Town Band. You probably know them better as Kool & the Gang. Known for their versatile sound, Kool & the Gang perform jazz, funk and soul as well at Top 40 hits. With songs like “Ladies Night” (1979), “Too Hot” (1980) and Celebration, a 1980 platinum album, the group has enjoyed great success. Spend an evening with this eclectic group and get your groove on. They will be at the Crown on Feb. 23.

Ricky Skaggs closes the season. He stared in Blue Grass and transitioned to mainstream country music in the late 1970s. He’s won 14 Grammy’s, more than a dozen number one hits and eight County Music Association Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1985.

It’s been 53 years since Skaggs picked up the mandolin and he is still going strong. Skaggs is slated to perform at the Crown on April 23.

Find out more at www. community-concerts.com.

Photo: Legendary performer Gladys Knight kicks off this season’s Community Concerts. 

You are so sweet. Don’t sugar-coat it, give it to me straight. I have a sweet tooth. Revenge is sweet. Give me some sugar. Let’s keep this short and sweet.

Clearly, we are a nation fascinated with sugar and sweetness. We talk about it. We sing about it. “Pour some sugar on me”; “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down”; “Sugar … oh honey honey/You are my candy girl” … it’s in our blood, and like so many things, more is not always better.

High blood sugar (glucose) levels that are the result of the body’s inability to use and/or produce insulin is called diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. While it is usually manageable, left untreated complications associated with diabetes include heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease and nervous system damage. On Nov. 7-8, learn more about diabetes care and prevention at Fayetteville Technical Community College at How’s Your Sugar?

Mitzi Johnson is the dean of Health Programs at FTCC, and she’s excited about the services and resources that will be available at the event.

“This idea came from Dave Wilson, one of our foundation board of directors,” said Johnson. “It grew from there and is the result of a group of people who want to do something helpful.”

Services at How’s Your Sugar? include educational opportunities, screening and access to resources. Blood pressure and sugar screenings, Body Mass Index testing and cholestorol screening (for high-risk subjects) are just some of the resources available.

“We are going to have a nurse practitioner on site and she is going to work with pharmacy students,” said Johnson. “They will be talking to people and giving them options for referrals and helping them connect with resources.”

The Army Wellness Center will have a display, as will Better Health and Southern Regional Area Health Education Center.Education is part of the focus here, but changing lives in the bigger goal.

“We want to prevent problems, but we know that in our population, and in the south in general, there are high levels of obesity diabetes,” said Johnson. “Our nursing students, for several years, have done various community health projects — including blood sugar checks. This is an expansion.”

In the past, events like this brought in more than 200 visitors a day, but Johnson is hoping for a bigger crowd this time around. The screenings are more comprehensive, there are several organizations involved and access to resources is more extensive.

“I love the community collaboration, and the fact that there are so many community members taking an interest in this and contributing,” Johnson said. “We already had some resources available and it is a good experience for the students.”

Johnson hopes to see a big turnout from the students, faculty and staff at FTCC but invites the public to attend as well. The event takes place at the Tony Rand Student Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 7, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Nov. 8. Call Mitzi Johnson at 678-8372 for more information.

Since Clara Barton first tended to wounded soldiers in the Civil War, at extreme risk to herself, the Red Cross has been known for selfl ess charity in the face of both disasters and everyday hardships in both the national and international arena.

The Red Cross is not, however, known for wine. Never-the-less, for eight years the Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross has hosted a Red and White Wine Gala, and this year — for the ninth time — the tradition continues. This gala is a fundraiser for the Red Cross to help fund its many outreach programs. Victoria Raleigh, executive director of the American Red Cross-Highlands Chapter, said, “The money goes to support the American Red Cross locally in Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke and Sampson counties and Fort Bragg.”

The local chapter of the American Red Cross has fi ve different program areas that money raised specifically supports. Raleigh gave an example of the programs carried out across the counties by saying, “The Red Cross has disaster services, for tragedies like home fires, etc. Also, the county decided to open a shelter after last year’s tornadoes. We provided 1,007 nights of shelter for the community during that hard time. We also have preparedness and health and safety programs including life saving certifi cation, C.P.R., first-aid for babysitting, life guarding and much more.”

Another example of the work that the American Red Cross does to support the Fort Bragg community is the American Red Cross emergency communication program.

“The emergency service for military members and family is used when a service members is deployed. We are the sole organization the family members can use to call overseas in combat zones. We verify the message and send it to the service member’s command when they are overseas. It is a lot of help when there is a death in the family back home but our favorite messages to deliver are birth messages. We also do pre- and post-deployment briefings on how to initiate an emergency communication and offer courses in coping with deployment and tips on reconnecting when you come home. They are hosted by a mental health professional, these are all free,” Raleigh explains.

In addition to great food and wine on the night of the event, there is also a silent auction including exciting packages. “We have items including an African safari, a week and the beach, a portrait sitting, gift certificates to local restaurants, tickets to college football and basketball games, fine jewelry and a day with the Swamp Dogs,” said Raleigh. “We have all sorts of things — several local artists have donated their work to the auction, too.”

The cost to attend the Red and White Wine Gala is $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Attendees are treated to a lavish hor d’oeuvre buffet that will be created by the well-respected and award-winning chefs of U.S. Food Service. There are also 75 different wines provided by Mutual Distributing to choose from and enjoy.

The Gala will be held on Nov. 8 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. More information about the event, tickets and sponsorship packages is available by calling the Red Cross Highland Chapter at 867-8151. Attire is business casual.

Photo: On Nov. 8, Red and White Wine Gala takes place at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux.

Sinister (Rated R) 4 Stars

Director Scott Derrickson scores a run with Sinister (110 minutes), surprising for the guy who directed the crap-taculer remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. When this first came out I was convinced it was the same people behind Insidious, but nope, completely different guys. Both films have the same fatalistic feel and the same sort of unsettling soundtrack featuring jarring musical cues for the scary bits. Insidious is the superior film, but Sinister was way better than I expected it to be.

The film opens with some Super 8 footage that will figure prominently in the rest of the movie. This particular plot point is a little shifty in the digital age, but I’ll allow it since it speaks to continuity. In the home movie, a family of four are bound to a tree and killed by an unseen figure. A few months later a washed-up true-crime author and his family move into the scene of the crime. Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) opts not to tell his wife and kids that people died in the backyard, which seems a little optimistic on his part. Does he think his wife is an idiot? Unless she’s a bizarre shut-in who homeschools their kids (Clare Foley and Michael Hall D’Addario), she is going to find out. Isn’t the local mass murder a popular topic of conversation in small Pennsylvania towns?

As the film goes on, their relationship just gets weirder and weirder. At one point he displeases her and she calmly tells him that if things get “spoiled” again she’s taking the kids to her sister’s. Since Tracy Oswalk (Juliet Rylance) has a British accent it seems like she’s threatening to leave him and take the kids to England. Extreme, but his reaction is pretty chill, since he’s like, yes, that’s fair. There’s clearly some backstory here that didn’t make it into the film. Sometimes that’s a nice touch, but this time it’s distracting because it muddies the emotional content of the movie. It is hard to root for characters that seem to vacillate be-tween apathy and mania. And honestly, Ellison isn’t that likable. Whether this is just bad acting or a deliberate choice by the director or actor I can’t say.

So, the exposition fairy flies over and we find out that Ellison had one really good book, which not only pissed off police across the nation, but was also the high point of a career now running steadily downhill. Again, it seems like there was mate-rial left on the cutting room floor, because in an early scene it is implied that the bestseller he wrote ended up getting a killer released, but it’s never mentioned again.

As the Oswalts move into the Murder House, Ellison heads up to the attic where he finds a box with five Super 8 film reels and a projector. He cracks open a bottle of whiskey and starts playing the films, which are innocuously titled. It turns out that each of the films is a recording of a previous murder. He immediately calls the police, who come to claim the mystery box, and the film ends happily. Just kidding, he instead sits down to watch graphic murders happen over and over again while drinking steadily. Upon closer observation, he notes that the same symbol appears in each film, as well as a mysterious figure.

He contacts a local university professor (Vincent D’Onofrio) who says the symbol is associated with the pagan worship of a deity called Bughuul. In a bi-zarre directorial choice, the “local” expert is still easier to reach via Skype. Is this to add immediacy to the film? It didn’t work, and the fuzzy digital images of the professor sort of gave me a headache. Overall, the film was filled with decent scares, particularly a scene in which Ellison walks through the Murder House with a bat, failing to see what is actually there, but hearing things nonetheless. It’s a film to watch twice, because there are things in the background to look for.

Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

  War was raging overseas when Fort Bragg was established in 1918. It was at Compiégne, France, that the armistice was signed; the armistice that called for the cessation of hostilities on the western front. The agreement took effect at 11 a.m., on the 11th day of the 11th month — Nov. 11. The Allies and the Germans stopped fighting and the war started winding down. Many of the Allied nations, including the United States, declared this day a holiday in remembrance of soldiers killed in the war to end all wars.

After World War II, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a time to honor and thank everyone who has served in the military. It’s different from Memorial Day. Memorial Day honors those who died in service to our country. Veteran’s Day is to thank and honor all of the service members who have served honorably — during war and peace times.

Instead of taking just one day to honor veterans, Fayetteville is going all out and has an entire weekend of celebrations planned.

On Friday, Nov. 9, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum is set to host a book signing. The Making of Our Warrior by Jeff Falkel tells the story of Chris Falkel through his father’s eyes. Chris was a Green Beret during Operation Enduring Freedom. He saved the lives of 16 Afghan National Army Soldiers as well as the lives of several in his detachment. The younger Falkel was awarded the Silver Star Medal (posthumously). His father, Jeff, shares the stories of his son’s unit, the men of Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 316. The book signing is at 4 p.m.

Afterwards, at 5:30 p.m., don’t miss the flag dedication ceremony and paver unveiling. The ceremony is to honor Medal of Honor recipients and those killed in action. There will also be a ceremony to honor Spec. Carl D. Hall III who was killed in action. Hall was a member of the 325 Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. A paver stone in his honor will be installed in front of the Iron Mike Statue on the museum grounds.

On Saturday, the festivities start at 9 a.m. at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum with a car show. Prizes will be awarded in several categories and there is no fee to enter. At 10 a.m., join your fellow citizens in honoring our country’s veterans at the Veterans Day Parade. The parade is sponsored by the Cumberland County Veterans Council.

George Breece and Kirk DeViere organized the parade this year, and they are excited about what is in store for the community.

“We have a great parade planned,” said Breece. “This year is the biggest Veterans Day parade we’ve had. We’ve put together a first-class parade, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone downtown on Saturday, Nov. 10.”

The parade includes 21 military units, including vehicles and equipment. Local units include the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, the U.S. Army Reserve Command, the 440th Airlift Wing and the 43rd Airlift Group. All five of the branches of the service are represented in the parade as well: the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

More than 25 chartered veteran’s organizations will march in the parade, and 11 local ROTC units are scheduled to participate.

“We will have a U.S. Air Force flyover during the parade,” said Breece. “A C-130 will fly over when the Air Force marches by the grand stand.”

While this isn’t Breece’s first rodeo, or parade so to speak — he’s played a part in planningthe local Christmas parade for years and more recentlyworked on the parade celebrating Fayetteville’s 250th — this parade holds a special place in his heart.

“This parade brings our community together. It shows our love of the military and our veterans. When the world dials 911, the phone is answered here in our community. No community in America has greater love and respect for military and veterans than does the greater Fayetteville area. This parade brings our community together in one voice to say ‘Thank you,’ to our veterans,” said Breece. “This parade is to honor, welcome home and thank all of our nation’s vets who served in Iraq.” 

The Grand Marshal of the event is Lt. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.

“It will be crowded and there will be a lot of noise,” said Breece. “We are expecting a large crowd, so we are asking that people leave their pets at home — for the safety of the animals.”

While an event this size is a huge undertaking involving a lot of teamwork, Breece anticipates a topnotch event, thanks to the many people and organizations that helped plan and organize the parade.

“I can’t say enough about the support we received from the Cumberland County Veterans Council, from the Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks and Recreation and Erica Brady with Parks and Recreation and the City of Fayetteville and former Parade Chair Don Talbot, who has helped Kirk and me along the way.”

The parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, goes down Hay Street, around the Market House and ends at Liberty Point. Find out more about this and other Veterans Day activities at www.heroeshomecoming.com.

The North Carolina Veterans Park is hosting an opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m., followed by family day. Not only is it the perfect opportunity to visit the park and learn the heritage of North Carolina’s veterans and their humble service, it is a time to enjoy the family and be thankful for the sacrifi ces of those who have served. There will be local veteran’s organizations on hand to share information. Kids can enjoy the games and family-friendly activities while adults take in the music and displays. There will also be live music through out the afternoon.

Sunday rounds out the event-fi lled weekend with a POW/MIA vigil at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. Starting at noon, the Airborne & Special Operations Foundation, Rolling Thunder and service members will guard the POW/MIA table at the ASOM.

Find out more about the Veterans Day Parade at www. ccveteranscouncil.org and other Veterans Day celebrations at www.heroeshomecoming.com.

A new exhibition, A Play on Colors, opens Nov. 2 at the David McCune International Art Gallery in the Bethune Center for Visual Arts at Methodist University. The show features handmade felt by Sharron Parker.

Parker received an undergraduate degree from Duke University and a master’s de-gree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She studied education, art and interior design. Parker continued her study in textiles with classes at Penland School of Crafts, where she has returned to teach workshops in feltmaking. Her work has been exhibited throughout the U.S., and under the Art in Embassies Program, has recently been exhibited in Turkmenistan and Armenia.

Parker began making felt in 1980. She was inspired by 2,500-year-old felts that were found at an archeological dig in Siberia. Her work is primarily focused on color and texture using a tech-nique developed by the artist.

In nomadic cultures felt is still used today for making things like tents, rugs and even clothes. It is also used in different industries in first world countries. Piano hammers, and timpani mallets use felt in the construction; it is used as a damper to decrease noise vibrations in between the interior of some car panels; hats including fedoras and homburgs are also made of felt. A workshop with the artist will take place Nov. 17 from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. For information on fees and registration, contact Executive Director Silvana M. Foti at 910.GALLERY or 910.425.5379. Registration for the workshop is limited to 12 participants.

Methodist University is an independent, four-year institution of higher education with more than 2,400 students from 41 states and 53 countries. Methodist University offers more than 80 majors and concentrations, 100 clubs and organizations, four master’s degree programs and 19 NCAA III intercollegiate sports. For more information, please visit www.davidmccune-gallery.org or www.methodist.edu.

There will be an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at the gallery Nov. 2, which is free and open to the public. Afterward, the exhibit will run through Dec. 12 during regular gallery hours. This semester, the gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and by ap-pointment. There is no cost to visit the gallery.

It is the aspiration of professionals and paraprofessionals in the field of Speech-Language Pathology to help “infuse them with deeper meaning.” Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) embraced this concept and established its Speech-Language Pathology Assistant program in 1997. FTCC is proud to be one of two schools in North Carolina that continues to offer this type of program. A Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) is a person who assists a licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) in a variety of areas including: conducting screenings, implementing therapy in the areas of receptive and expressive language, articulation, fluency, augmentative/alternative communication and oral motor skills, as well as preparing materials for therapy, scheduling patients for therapy, and maintaining files and equipment, to say the least.

To ensure students have an early opportunity for the hands-on learning experience, the program has recently received an Early Intervention & Literacy grant that allows for students in the program to provide Speech Language screenings for N.C. Pre-K Program recipients in childcare centers across Cumberland County. According to Hammer et al (2010), preschoolers’ oral language abilities have been found to predict their reading outcomes in kindergarten and first grade. In fact, their oral language has been identified as a key factor related to children’s emergent and early reading abilities in preschool and elementary school (Hammer et al, 2010). SLP-Assistants are paving the way to support licensed SLPs to serve individuals with communication disorders. When asked what sets this program apart from other health programs, two of the current students stated, “Our program is one that is designed to impact people’s way of life — which is communication,” and “We as humans rely on communication as our driving tool for conveying detailed descriptions of our innermost thoughts and emotions. The SLPA Program works to help give those that are hampered by speech and language difficulties the chance to improve if not overcome those obstacles. It allows them the chance to gain self-confidence and stand tall when they have something to say.”

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants are currently in high demand with career opportunities in school systems and private practices. The SLP-Assistant program at FTCC is strategically located directly above the Child Development Center. This allows for student learning with ongoing practical application of skills. Students who complete the program graduate with an associate’s degree in applied science in Speech-Language Pathology Assisting.

For more information on Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Program contact, Charisse Gainey, Department Chairperson, at (910) 678-8492.

Photo: Preschoolers’ oral language abilities have been found to predict their reading outcomes in kindergarten and first grade.

Performer Takes on a Fight

It’s likely that all of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another. This week in the Buzz we will look at how Dan Dean of the trio Phillips, Craig & Dean is doing after recently finding out he had prostate cancer.

It was seemingly a typical annual check-up, until the lab work came back and his doctor informed Dean that he had cancer. Initially he was shocked at the devastating news. His wife was able to be strong for him at first, but then the reality of a very uncertain future hit her as well. Dan had a hard time telling his kids, but they were very supportive.

His initial thought was to not worry the other guys in the group, Randy and Shawn, but his manager talked him into it. He tried to downplay it but had to admit that “anytime you have cancer … it’s a big deal”.

As a pastor, Dean had always been the one who was encouraging others in their time of distress. He wasn’t sure how he was going to break the news to them, but his congregation became his biggest source of prayer support. The Bible verse he thought of most often during this time was Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.”

That trust was vital when it came to deciding which form of treatment to pursue. Surgery was scheduled, but uncertainty continued. Dean remembers waking up and hoping for a good report from the doctor. Not only was the surgeon sure they had taken out all the cancer, but when the lab reports came back a few days later it was confirmed that Dean was cancer free. He is naturally a little concerned that something could come up in the future but he knows if it does God will be there to walk through it with him again.

This experience confirmed something Dean had always believed. Some think that “... we’re earthly beings having a spiritual experience every once in a while. The truth is, we’re spiritual beings having a avery temporary earthly experience.” Dean is still singing, still living for God and still trusting Him through it all.

Successful Hospital Discharges Aren’t Accidents

Nearly a quarter of all hospital discharges patients experience an adverse medical event within one month of discharge. Since 1970 the average length of time spent by older patients has declined by an average of seven days. This decline in time spent in the hospital means planning a successful discharge is even more critical.

Adverse events include errors in prescriptions, in medication orders, infection, confusion about discharge instructions and a failure to follow-up on unresolved problems. Because the discharge happens at a naturally stressful time, the patient finds themselves frequently unable to recall critical discharge instructions or not even being included in the process at all.

Medicare defines discharge planning this way: “A process used to decide what a patient needs for a smooth transition from one level of care to another.” Medicare mandates that a discharge plan be in place to identify patients likely to suffer adverse events post discharge. It requires that these plans be a part of the medical record, show evidence of family inclusion in the process and account for the patient’s ability for self-care and the availability of post hospital services.

Home Instead Senior Care of Fayetteville has put together an extremely useful Discharge Planning Booklet which includes the above tips plus many more. For more information, call 910-484-7200 or visit www.homeinstead. com/647.

Photo: Since 1970 the average length of time spent by older patientshas declined by an average of seven days. 

Holiday shoppers take note, the Holly Day Fair is right around the corner. This year, the largest holiday gift and craft show in Eastern North Carolina is scheduled to be at the Crown Expo Center Nov. 1-4.

Every year more than 22,000 people flood the Crown looking for unique deals and one-of-a-kind items. More than 200 vendors are on hand every year providing high-quality gifts that you won’t find at the mall or big-box stores. Selections include both hand-crafted and manufactured items that range from jewelry to clothes to toys, specialty food items and more. The Holly Day Fair gets bigger and better each year, and word gets around. The event organizers anticipate bigger crowds each year, too.

“We have bumped up our advertising and are expecting shoppers from as far away as South Carolina,” said Juelle McDonald, marketing chair. “We hope to have a good turn out.”

It is the perfect opportunity to get an early start crossing names off your holiday shopping list — or pick up something fabulous for yourself and indulge a little this holiday season. For many the Holly Day Fair is the beginning of the holiday season, even more so than Thanksgiving or Black Friday.

“One of my favorite things about the Holly Day Fair is that it puts me in the holiday spirit,” said McDonald. “I love the excitement, the energy and knowing that the most exciting time of year is here.”

Holly Day Fair Chair Kelly Myers says that the vendors this year are something worth getting excited about.

“We have some of the old favorites as well as great new vendors this year. People just love Southern Supreme Fruitcake, and New Deli was a big hit last year, too, and they will both be back.”

Also on the list of favorites is Girlees and Brother and great kids clothing and gifts from CP Kidz. New vendors include Beehive Girls.

“They do great cards for any occasion, not just weddings and birthdays, but even cards like ‘Happy Monday,’” said Myers.

Kiwi Cottage is also a new vendor the organizers are excited about. Local new business Wine and Design will be on hand

“We have some home décor businesses that we are excited about, too,” said Myers. “Creative Accents, which is a local business, is joining us this year. Another new booth is Green Side Up Garden and Gifts. They will have everything from gifts to gourmet accessories.

Awesome finds are a good thing, indeed, but shoppers get more than a chance to find treasures at the Holly Day Fair. There are some amazing raffle prizes to be had. Fully decorated, themed Christmas trees are up for bid. Last year the trees were a big hit and went home with some lucky winners.

“The trees were a big favorite last year,” said McDonald. “The shoppers were so impressed that we decided to carry on that tradition this year.” Mixing things up a bit, there will be another big raffle prize — a Chevy Cruze from Reed Lallier Chevrolet.

“We wanted to try something different and it has been a while since we raffled off a vehicle,” said McDonald. “We are excited to offer this to everyone.”

The Junior League of Fayetteville hosts this event every year and while it is a fantastic event for shoppers, there is something bigger at play.

“One of the most exciting things about the Holly Day Fair is that the money goes right back into the community,” said McDonald. The Junior League of Fayetteville is committed to “promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities thought the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”

The Junior League of Fayetteville serves the community in many ways. Done in a Day (DIAD) projects create things like playgrounds and safe havens for women and children. It supports organizations in the community with causes including mentoring projects, child advocacy, consumer credit counseling, education and prekindergarten programs.

Child mental health is a major focus of the organization as well. By partnering with community organizations the Junior League of Fayetteville helps to change the lives of children for the better by improving “… family communication/education/support for caregivers of children 0-18 years with mental health issues by providing wellness, social competence and resiliency.”

What better way to start the holiday season off right than by shopping for a good cause? This way everybody wins.

Holly Day Fairhours are Thursday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. for super shopper hours. Admission for super shopper hours is $14. There are limited tickets, which means fewer shoppers. There are huge aisles, and of course, great shopping!! No strollers. The fair is open Thursday, 12-8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets costs $9. Admission includes parking. Children 5 and under get in free!

Find out more about the Holly Day Fair and the Junior League of Fayetteville at www.jlfay.org.

It’s that time again — new exhibits are opening and activities abound on 4th Friday in downtown Fayetteville. 4th Friday is a true celebration of the arts and downtown. Folks of all ages get a taste of Fayetteville’s art and entertainment while enjoying the small galleries, bookstores, bistros and shops with unique items for shoppers. It’s safe, it’s fun... and it’s free!

Exhibits, entertainment, refreshments and featured artists all combine to bring the art of Fayetteville to everyone – free of charge! Businesses in the four and a half block of historic downtown Fayetteville join the action and become artistic venues on 4th Friday, featuring the arts in all forms, for all ages.

This month it falls on Oct. 26. Come enjoy the festivities that fill Fayetteville’s downtown area every month. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this night full of entertainment and education.

Are you prepared for the Zombie Apocolypse? The Headquarters Library is ready to help! You won’t last long without a bug out bag. Having food, shelter and clean water might be the only reason you last another day during a disaster. Learn how to prepare for hurricanes, tornados and even zombies. Find out what to leave and what to pack. The program starts at 7 p.m. and runs until 8:45 p.m. Find out more at www.cumberland.lib.nc.us.

Arts will also be readily available at this month’s 4th Friday celebration. Gallery ONE13 in particular will have a festive exhibits. In the spirit of Halloween S.T.U.N. art will be presenting the “The Ghouls, The Bad and The Undead” art exhibition. There will be music and light refreshments served at the event. Gallery ONE13 is located at 113 Gillespie St. and will be open from 6 to 9p.m.

Local gallery and artist’s cooperative, Cape Fear Studios, presents its 18th Annual Nellie Allen Smith Juried Pottery Competition. More than 40 entries from across the country were accepted into the show and will be on display at the gallery through Nov. 19.The exhibit features both functional and nonfunctional pieces. The pieces were chosen to showcase the color, diversity and splendor of the works. An opening reception and meet and greet is scheduled for 6 p.m. during 4th Friday.Visit www.capefearstudios.com for more information.

Fascinate-U offers free admission and a craft for kids during the monthly celebration. This month, keeping with the October theme, kids are invited to make paper-plate ghosts . The museum is open from 7-9 p.m. for 4th Friday.

Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Zombie Walk. Zombies meet up at Headquarters Library at 7 p.m. and hit the street (Green Street) at 8 p.m. The party continues at the Climbing Place at 9 p.m. with Airborne Aerial Artists performing. At 9:15 p.m., the Horrible Folk Improv group performs at the corner of Donaldson and Hay Streets. Round out the zombie fun at Dead • Alive, the goriest fright film of all time according to many, at the Cameo Art House Theatre at 9:45 p.m.

The Market House will also be open later than normal for 4th Friday with an exhibit for everyone to come and enjoy. This month’s exhibit is Local Scottish History. Fayetteville is steeped in history and Scotland is one of the largest influencing forces of the region. Even Cumberland County’s name is from Scottish origin. The Exhibit at the Market House dives into this sort of information and will satisfy any history buff’s need for information- or just the curiosity of the average citizen. The Market House is located at 124 Hay St. and will be open from 6p.m. until 10p.m.

Halloween is coming; Wednesday, Oct. 31, and this year like many years in the past will be full of new costume characters mixed with those from the past. Local police departments wants to make sure that we all have a great time and to make sure that safety is our number one priority. They have provided us with a few safety tips for Halloween Night.

While our little ghost, goblins and princesses are out and about on the evening of Oct. 31, let’s make sure that their safety will be your number one priority. If you remember the following tips provided by the local police departments, the residents of Cumberland County, Spring Lake and Fort Bragg should have yet another successful evening filled with fun, excitement and safety.

The police departments offered these safety guidelines:

• Motorists should watch for children darting out from between parked cars, crossing streets and walking on roadways.

• Parents should accompany trick-or-treaters

• Children should not eat any treat until a parent inspects it.

• Children should have their name, address and phone number on their costumes in case they become lost.

• Children should not enter homes without adult supervision.

Parents should keep in mind the appropriate age for children to trick-or-treat. In cities throughout the United States, the age limit for trick-or-treating stops at the age of 12. If your child is over the age of 12, you may want to find another fun way for them to celebrate the holiday.

This year you will be able to trick or treat with your children from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cumberland County, Spring Lake and Fort Bragg. Enjoy and remember, stay safe. Check with your local police department for additional information. Also, check out the local events that will be featured for Halloween in the Up and Coming Weekly.

The Downtown Alliance hosts Trick or Treat Candy stop from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 31. Visit the stores and businesses and remember to wear your best costume. Find out more at www.faydta.org.

Cross Creek Mall invites trick or treaters to come and have a haunting good time on Oct. 31. From 4-6 p.m. retailers throughout the mall will hand out goodies to ghosties and goblins who come to their stores. No masks for children 12 and older please. Mom and Dad, bring the kids and enjoy great deals and specials at many of the stores. Find out more at www.crosscreekmall.com.

On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Poe House at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, get an early start and come trick or treating. There will be a scavenger hunt, costume contest and traditional carnival games that the kids are sure to enjoy. Visit http://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov for more information.

Fort Bragg has plenty going on to celebrate this spooky time of year. Sports USA hosts a family Halloween party between 10 a.m. and noon on Oct. 27. Scheduled activities include pumpkin carving games, bounces houses and more. Wear a costume. There will be a costume contest, too.

Dragon Lanes and Airborne Lanes are open for Halloween bowling for kids from 1-4 p.m. For $5 enjoy two games, shoe rental, a hot dog and a soda. Kids, wear a costume, there is a contest here, too.

On Oct. 31, Throckmorton Library is offering Halloween Story time at 11 a.m. Tolson Youth Activities Center has a Halloween Carnival planned for Oct. 31. From 6-8 p.m. kids can enjoy candy, games and fun. There will be a costume contest at 8:30 p.m.

Find out more about what is going on at Fort Bragg at fortbraggmwr.com.

Paging Cotton Mather

Does anyone remember Cotton Mather, 1663-1728?

How about Jonathan Edwards, 1703-1758?

The 47 girls in my parochial high-school class probably do, because we were required to read their Puritan, pre-Revolutionary sermons and other writings — grim, unforgiving and deathly boring as they seemed to us and to many modern readers. We were tested on them, too, and we must have passed since we all managed to graduate.

At any rate, we were well schooled in early Puritan writers and their impact on both American religious life and on American character and culture, both then and now. One of our nation’s most dearly held values is not called the Protestant work ethic for no reason. Our nation was built on Puritan thinking, and while most of us no longer wear only black or refer to others by “thee” and “thou,” we still hear the voices of Mather, Edwards and their Puritan/Protestant brethren echoing in our national debates, including this year’s Presidential contest.

The Protestants — ie. people protesting the religions in the lands from whence they came — laid the foundation for the nation we and the rest of the world know as the United States of America. Their concept of this nation as “a city on the hill” with a special place in the world and a destiny to lead others toward freedom and democracy has been used by American politicians of all stripes for more than two centuries. Their concept of voluntarism and charitable giving to those in need continues to set Americans apart from many other nations.

Fast forward to the fall of 2012.

Maybe it is because of my early acquaintance with the Reverends Mather and Edwards, but for whatever reason, I was bowled over to read earlier this month that only 48 percent of Americans now consider ourselves to be Protestants. What is more, the trend seems to be not only well underway but accelerating. Without overwhelming you with numbers, the Pew Research Center found the percentages of Americans who identify ourselves as Protestants fell from 53 percent in 2007 to 48 percent this year while unaffi liated from rose15 to 20 percent. Other faiths, including atheists and agnostics, rose slightly, from 4 to 6 percent. Catholics dropped only one point, down from 23 to 22 percent. Obviously, the growth in religiously unaffi liated Americans is the real driver of this change.

Declining religious affi liation and growing secularism have long been trends in Western Europe, and here is confi rmation that they have indeed leapt across the big pond.

In fairness, you and I are living in the Southern Bible Belt, with its heritage of conservative, evangelical Protestantism in religious institutions with hand-carved pews with centuries of ministry and in tents and storefront churches born yesterday whose members sit in folding chairs. It is hard not to feel the presence of religion in our community, in which blue laws are just barely a thing of the past and where men and women in suits and hats are common sites on Sundays after church.

There is no disputing, though, that things are changing, even here. Southern Baptists, our nation’s largest Protestant denomination have seen a slowing of growth, and the United Methodist Church has lost more than half a million members over the last decade.

Outside the Bible Belt, the change is more apparent. According to the Pew Research Center, the shift away from mainline religion is seen across gender, education and income levels, and is most obvious in the Northeast and West. Young people are less religiously inclined than older adults, as one might expect, with fully a third of adults under 30 claiming no religious affi liation while only 9 percent of those over 65 saying that.

You can take all of this as good news, bad news or just plain news depending on your own religious inclinations, but it was a jolt to me.

Even the Reverends Mather and Edwards, rigid as they were, would likely have understood that life evolves and that their brand of Puritan Protestantism would not remain the same. I doubt, though, that they could have imagined the mega churches of today with no creeds or canons of belief but with state-of-the-art fi tness centers and accredited daycare centers. Nor would they have grasped the mercenary ministers so brilliantly skewered in the 1970s by the comedian Flip Wilson portraying the Reverend Leroy, which — by the way — is well worth a trip to YouTube if you need a good belly laugh.

There is good news, too, at least in my view. The Pew Research Center found that two-thirds of us do express belief in God, whatever that means to us individually, but say we are disenchanted with organized religions’ emphasis on rules, money, power and politics.

Why am I not surprised?

Photo: A recent Pew Research Center poll found that the number of Americans who identify themselves as Protestant has fallen.

The 2012-2013 game lineup is going to be more exciting than ever. The Fayetteville FireAntz are starting their 11th season in the Southern Professional Hockey League and are hoping to bring another championship back to the Crown Coliseum under the direction of new coach Mark DeSantis. The team will have many new faces this year as the team is being retooled by coach DeSantis.

But, what happens on the ice is only one part of the show that happens each game night. The entertainment and themes for each game are as big as the games themselves.

“Many of our theme nights are annual events,” says Kevin MacNaught, team general manager and president. “But every year the organization looks to bring new and exciting entertainment to supplement the exciting on ice action. Birthday parties, hail and farewells and corporate nights are also very popular with the local fan base.”

Saturday, Oct. 20 preseason play vs. Augusta Riverhawks

The season will start with a novel approach to the pre-season game which will be Saturday Oct. 20, where the entire game will be played backwards. MacNaught said the players will not skate backwards but the show and the order of the game will be in reverse. The game will start with a shootout and then will play the periods in reverse. MacNaught who always tries to make things interesting was called crazy by many of his peers for doing a game in this manner. It is just a way to change the look for the fans while not compromising the competition.

Opening Night: Friday, Oct. 26 vs. “Rival” Knoxville IceBears

Opening night is a Fayetteville tradition for the FireAntz. The opening night will kick-off this year with the first of the very popular kids nights which is being sponsored by Lee Hyundai this year. There will be one kids night each month where every student in elementary and middle school is given a voucher for a free ticket. Seven counties participate and the FireAntz include public and private schools. Home-schooled students can call the FireAntz office to receive their voucher. Special opening night group packages are available by calling the FireAntz office at 910-321-0123 or by going to the website at www.fireantzhockey.com.

Lizard Lick Towing Night: Saturday Nov. 3 vs. Columbus Cottonmouths

This is a “WOW” night for the FireAntz who will wear special Lizard Lick Towing-styled jerseys. These jerseys will be auctioned off to the public after the game, and the proceeds will be used to provide tickets to the military for our first military appreciation night on Dec. 1. Ronnie and Amy from Lizard Lick Towing which is produced out of Lizard Lick, N.C., near Wendell is Broadcast on the Tru TV Network will be on hand to sign autographs before the game. This is a “must see” game because you never know whats going to happens when the people from Lizard Lick show up.

For more information, contact the FireAntz office at 910-321- 0123 or go to the team website at FireAntzhockey.com.

Photo: What happens on the ice is only part of the show that happens on game nights. 

In the contemporary art world of stacked chairs as sculpture or mixing unlike styles in one painting, the art works of Seán McDaniel bring us back to the tradition of American realism with an urban twist. Known in the academic community for his leadership as chairman of the Fine, Performing and Graphic Arts Department at Fayetteville Technical Community College, he is known in the artistic community for being an artist whose subjects in painting are unlike anyone else in the region.

Visitors to Gallery 208 at Up & Coming Weekly will be able to see the range of his talent during his one-person exhibit titled The Works of Seán McDaniel. Figure-drawing studies demonstrate McDaniel’s sustained interest in studying the human form; his paintings reveal his attention to the human psyche.

After seeing examples of his figure-drawing studies, visitors to the gallery will readily understand the training it takes drawing from the live model to craft one’s skill sets, explore the expressive use of line, value and color and understand anatomy. For McDaniel, understanding anatomy is important to a realist artist whose paintings evoke psychological drama and conflict.

McDaniel stated, “This exhibition is a display of two of my main approaches to creating. One is my lifelong love of drawing the figure; the other is a refl ection of my instinctual state of mind — I come from a people who are grand storytellers.”

The “people who are grand storytellers” is McDaniel’s Irish birthright. Born in Ireland, his family moved to Washington, D.C., when he was a child. Reared in Washington, D.C., McDaniel later was involved in the sport of boxing as a young man, eventually earning an MFA in painting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

In the grand manner of storytelling, McDaniel’s style is reminiscent of the Ashcan School of painting in the early 20th century — specifi cally the second generation Ashcan School of which George Bellows was a part in New York City. I look at McDaniel’s painting titled “Empire,” the bruised and swollen-faced prize fighter, collapsed in the lower right corner of the painting, and I think of the painting of a fight scene by George Bellows titled “Both Members of this Club.” Both McDaniel and Bellows use the fighter(s) to symbolize more than the fight itself, but a human struggle to win; how “sports can exemplify life.” 

Although I haven’t asked McDaniel anything specifi c about the painting “Empire,” for me, his artist’s statement refl ects something about meaning in the painting. He stated, “For some time there has been a feeling of anxiety and a sort of social and fi nancial unrest in the world. This has come down to each of us as a threat to our stability and at times peace of mind. The world seems very dysfunctional at times. There is anxiety in my imagery, often an element of optimism.”

In McDaniel’s paintings we can see his expressive use of color and the thick impasto-painting style are used to express mood, energy and the “not fi xed.” The range of expressions on the faces in his paintings speaks to the vanquished, a struggle; chilling humor reveals something about the human psyche, the human condition.

I feel comfortable with the position that McDaniel’s approach to painting, his technique, is aligned with much of the philosophy of the Ashcan School in painting and the “art spirit.” His use of dramatic lighting, striking colors and brushwork enhance the immediacy of McDaniel’s painting — all underpinning to the aesthetics of the story. So why is something as simple as McDaniel’s brushwork important to the meaning of his work?

An explanation of the importance of the way an artist paints the canvas, the brushstroke, is best stated by the Ashcan School founder Robert Henri when he described the painted stroke. “There are fl uent and abundant strokes; strokes that seem to be weeping. There are attenuated strokes, strokes that come from the brushes, which seem fully charged, as though they were fi lled to the hilt and had plenty to give. Strokes mount, carry up and rise. The stroke of the eyebrow as it rises in surprise. Strokes carry a message whether you will it or not. The stroke is just like the artist at the time he makes it. All the certainties, all the uncertainties, all the bigness of his spirit and the littleness are in it.”

Comparing Robert Henri’s explanation of the “art spirit” to Seán McDaniel, I can readily see the similarity in their philosophy about the process of painting. Henri: “I am certain we do deal in an unconscious way with another dimension than the well-known. It does not matter much to me if it is the fourth dimension or what number it is, but I know that deep in us there is always a grasp of proportions … and it is by this power of super-proportioning that we reach the inner meaning of things.”

Seán McDaniel: “I always work from instinct. I almost never know anymore what the things mean while I am doing them. Nor do I wish to. It is only after some time has passed that I feel some understanding of what the meaning is and/or why I did them.”

For me, I feel as if McDaniel is working in true Ashcan urban-realist style, supporting Henri’s credo —”art for life’s sake,” rather than “art for art’s sake.” Being able to see an exhibition of McDaniel’s paintings is to be in the Ashcan moment in our time in history: “… a moment in our lives when we seem to see beyond the usual. Such moments are of our greatest wisdom. If one could but recall vision by some sort of sign. It was in hope that the arts were invented. Sign-posts on the way to what may be. Sign-post towards greater knowledge.”

The public is welcome to attend the reception of The Works of Seán McDaniel on Thursday, Oct. 18, 5:30-7 p.m. During the opening the artist will talk about his work and answer any questions from guests at the opening reception. The exhibit will remain up until January 2013; the gallery is open Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.