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  • 09 02 Christmas tree hmA busy schedule of Christmas activities will take place from this weekend through next weekend in Hope Mills. The scheduled events will be held rain or shine. Only in the event of extreme bad weather will anything be canceled.

    Here’s a quick look at the scheduled lineup of activities. For questions about any of the events contact Meghan Freeman at the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department at 910-426-4109.

    Christmas at the Lake

     The celebration begins Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. with Christmas at the Lake. This event features the lighting of the Christmas tree at the lake near the gazebo.
    There will be hot chocolate and cookies and free music provided by Kelly West of Cumulus Media.

    Hope Mills Christmas Parade

     One of the highlights of the Christmas season in Hope Mills is the annual Christmas parade, which is scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 7, and will begin at 3 09 03 Christmas cookies and cocoap.m.
    This will be the first Christmas parade featuring the altered route that was introduced at this year’s Fourth of July Parade. In the past, the parade started at Hope Mills Middle School and wound its way through town to finish on Rockfish Road near the Town Hall complex.

    The route was reversed for the Fourth of July so that bands and other walking units don’t have to negotiate the long hill climb that starts at the railroad trestle and continues up Rockfish Road.

    Last year’s parade attracted some 70 units according to Freeman. This story was written just prior to the deadline for submitting an entry into the parade so there was still time for late additions.

    This year’s parade grand marshals will be the winners of the Miss Cotton Pageant.

    Other entries are expected to include local high school bands, businesses, churches, athletic groups, classic cars and of course Santa.

     
    Festival of Lights

    09 04 Santa Hope MillsRight after the Christmas parade, enjoy the Festival of Lights at the Town Hall complex on Rockfish Road. Activities will begin at 5 p.m.

    The highlight of the Festival of Lights is the lighting of the Christmas tree by Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner.

    In addition to the tree lighting, there will be free hot chocolate and cookies for everyone. Kelly West of Cumulus Media will provide the music.

    There will be a giant snow globe spectators can get inside and take pictures. There will also be two train rides and Santa Claus will be on hand.

    The event will wrap up around 7 p.m.

    Breakfast with Santa

     For a second straight year, the town will host Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the main Hope Mills Fire Station at 5788 Rockfish Road.

    The event was moved to the fire station last year because of damage sustained to the parks and recreation building from Hurricane Florence. The event was 09 Jackie paradesuch a success last year the fire department wanted to continue being involved with it, so it was kept at that location this year.

    This is the only town Christmas event requiring tickets.

    The cost is $10 per person. Children under the age of three are admitted free. There is a limit on the number of tickets. Only 250 are sold and it’s first come, first served. Tickets can only be purchased in person at the Hope Mills Parks and Recreation Department near the Town Hall complex on Rockfish Road.

    The breakfast is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Music will be  provided by Kelly West of Cumulus Media. The breakfast menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and juice and will be catered by Grandsons Buffet.
  •  
    Football 01I’ve told this story before because it’s a Thanksgiving favorite of mine. Forgive me if you’ve heard it. 

    My interest in writing began to develop in high school. One of the things that fostered it was finding out you could actually win money and prizes doing it.

    When I was a junior at West Rowan, I entered a statewide essay contest sponsored by the Rural Electrification Administration. First prize was a week-long visit to Washington, D.C., with high school students from across the state to visit the sights there.

    Obviously, it included a trip to the White House with other essay winners from across the country. We were on the South Lawn listening to a short speech from Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin when to our surprise President Richard Nixon appeared and spoke to us.

    As I was trying to shake his hand, a man stepped from the crowd and asked me to join him. Frightened at first that I had done something wrong, I followed.

    His name was John Nidecker, a deputy special assistant to the president. He escorted me and few other students from the group into the West Wing. We were taken on a short tour of the White House and went to the press room where we were interviewed by a reporter about our experience.

    After it was over, Nidecker told us he had intended to take us to the Oval Office and meet with Nixon himself. Unfortunately, the president had an impromptu meeting with some top aides and we had to be bumped from the schedule. 

    About a year or so later, President Nixon had the experience of pardoning the annual Thanksgiving turkey. Of course, this was the time of Watergate, and when Nixon pardoned the turkey, he was subjected to some negative press on the subject. 

    Not wishing to have it happen again, he passed on the job of turkey pardoning to his wife, Pat.

    As reported some years ago by television news commentator Keith Olbermann, Mrs. Nixon did it just once, and the job was passed on again, to none other than John Nidecker, the guy who greeted me during my White House visit.

    So as I like to tell folks, I was the first turkey Nidecker officially greeted at the White House. Happy Thanksgiving to all, and let’s hope I don’t turn into a turkey again with this week’s predictions.
     
    The record: 71-22
     
    I had a miserable effort in the second round of the state playoffs last week, going 2-2 to push the season total to 71-22, 76.3 percent.
    Things don’t get easier this week as we have only three games and tougher calls.
     
    Gray’s Creek at New Hanover - The Bears are the surprise team of this year’s North Carolina High School Athletic Association football playoffs. At a No. 14 seed, they are the lowest-seeded team left in any classification as we head to the third round and one of only four double-digit seeds in all eight brackets.

    They rallied from an early two-touchdown deficit last Friday night to take out last year’s Western 3-AA state champion Southeast Guilford on the road, coming from behind in the final two minutes.

    Now they head to Wilmington Friday night to battle New Hanover at Legion Stadium.

    There’s no magic to what the Bears are doing. Through 12 games, Jerry Garcia Jr. is Cumberland County’s No. 2 rusher with 2,001 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns.

    But the key cog to the equation for the Bears may be veteran quarterback Ben Lovette, who is finally healthy after a bout with injury mid-season. He doesn’t have record offensive statistics, but he’s running the tricky Gray’s Creek Wing-T offense smoothly enough for them to have won five straight games, two of them road playoff nail-biters against teams with much better seeds.

    It’s that Wing-T offense that is the real key for the Bears I think. I ran into another Cumberland County football coach this week and we talked about what Gray’s Creek is doing in the playoffs.

    The coach made the observation that the Wing-T is tough enough to prepare for in a one-game situation like Friday when a school doesn’t see it that often. Add to that the fact that Bear Coach David Lovette isn’t staying vanilla with it and is adding a few tweaks and twists to further confuse the situation, and you can see why that makes it even more of a headache for the opposition.

    One other thing. New Hanover only has one loss on its schedule this year, and that was to another Cumberland County team that came to Wilmington and beat them, Jack Britt. 

    Call me crazy, but I think Gray’s Creek has a chance to be the second one Friday night. 

    Gray’s Creek 28, New Hanover 27.
     
    Scotland at South View - This is one of my favorite parts of the playoffs when two marquee programs from the Cape Fear region get a chance to collide and send one of them on to a deeper run in the state football playoffs. 

    Rodney Brewington has resurrected the once struggling Tiger program, trying to bring back memories of the Bobby Poss years when he was a member of the historic 1991 South View state championship football team.

    For Scotland coach Richard Bailey, this is just more of the same. After surviving the annual meat grinder that is the Sandhills Athletic Conference, Bailey’s Scots are now lining up against schools closer to them in size and have a much better chance of showing their best.

    I think those countless years of postseason experience going back to Bailey’s days at Jack Britt will serve him and the Scots well tonight. South View’s Matthew Pemberton is a versatile talent, and the Tiger defense has been tough all year, but if anyone can figure out where to put all the chess pieces to get a postseason win tonight, it’s Bailey.

    Scotland 22, South View 21. 
     
    Terry Sanford at Southern Nash - I don’t think Terry Sanford coach Bruce McClelland has gotten enough credit for the outstanding job he’s done since taking over as head football coach at Terry Sanford. Despite a number of personnel changes, especially at the position of quarterback, McClelland has had Terry Sanford in contention for a conference title each of the last three years, consistently earning the Bulldogs either a title, a top seed in the postseason, or both. 

    After opening this year’s playoffs with two fairly comfortable home wins, the Bulldogs bite off a major challenge Friday night, hitting the road for the ride up Interstate 95 to take on unbeaten Southern Nash. 

    Defense and turnovers will be huge for Terry Sanford Friday night. 

    The Bulldogs will need one of their best defensive efforts of the year to at least slow the Southern Nash offense. Handing them turnovers that lead to any easy points will be fatal.

    I’d like to take a chance on this one, but the only time Terry Sanford has lost this year was when it wasn’t playing at its adopted home of John Daskal Stadium at Reid Ross Classical High School. I think that will be the result this week.

    Southern Nash 28, Terry Sanford 24. 
  • 15 College studentThis is the season we wait for every year. It is a time to give thanks for the good things we have and also a time to share blessings with others. Do you need a new and unique gift idea that will not only satisfy the need to give but also significantly impact the life of the person receiving it? Consider paying for someone’s education.

    Why is this idea so important? Cuts in federal and state aid programs make it harder for students to fund educational opportunities without having to take on part- or full-time employment. When students have time to participate in case competitions and clubs, collaborate with faculty, test career options and network with alumni, they find the educational journey much more fulfilling. Furthermore, a student who experiences the benefit of receiving is more apt to give back to others in the future.

    Here are a few qualities of Fayetteville Technical Community College that you may not know about.

    Great name recognition: Last year, 30,000 individuals participated in studies at FTCC, involving over 280 educational pathways.

    Greater earning potential: On average, community college graduates will earn more than graduates with a four-year degree.

    Quality instruction: Community College graduates transferring to a four-year institution will academically do better than students who started at the four-year school.

    Affordability: The cost of tuition at the community college is $76 a credit hour. At many four-year institutions, the cost of tuition is $350 per hour or greater.

    Incur less debt: Community college students will have reduced loan debt because educational expenses are much less.

    Would you like to give a gift that changes a person’s life? There are several ways to get started. Here are just a few.

    1. Meet with your financial planner and set up a 529 plan. This is a gift from you to the student and is used to fund educational experiences. There are also tax benefits that your financial planner can discuss with you. FTCC accepts payments from 529 college savings plans and 529 prepaid tuition plans.

    2. Create a general scholarship for students through the FTCC Foundation office. You have input on the selection criteria and are not obligated to continue the funding past your initial donation.

    3. Establish an endowed scholarship through the FTCC Foundation office. An endowed scholarship differs from a general scholarship in that the general scholarship runs out once the donor no longer funds it. Students receive money from the appreciation of the investment only. The principal remains intact.

    4. Make a payment on behalf of a student at either the cashier’s area in the Thomas McLean Administration Building or the cashier’s area in the Tony Rand Student Center.
    Investing in someone's education can change a life forever.

    To learn more about funding scholarships for students, call the FTCC Foundation Office at 910-678-8441 to schedule an appointment.
     
  • 07 Leapfrog safety grade logo color jpegLeapfrog Hospital Safety Grades were created a decade ago by The Leapfrog Group, a national leader and advocate in hospital transparency. The Leapfrog Group is an independent, national nonprofit organization founded by the nation’s leading employers and private health care experts. The Leapfrog Safety Grade scored 79 hospitals in North Carolina as well as more than 2,600 acute care hospitals across the United States in its bi-annual survey of health providers.

    The study ranked hospitals in various categories, including prevention measures, hospital personnel and issues with safety and surgery. The scores are based on performance measures for errors, accidents, injuries and infections. Leapfrog surveys are completed twice each year — once in the spring and again in the fall.

     Overall, 34% of North Carolina hospitals received an A, which ranked 19th nationwide. Five medical centers in the region were among the best in the country, according to the survey. They include Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill and Duke University Hospital in Durham. Two hospitals earned C grades: WakeMed Cary Hospital and the WakeMed Raleigh Campus. No North Carolina hospital received an F.

    WakeMed hospitals ranked below average for patients getting various infections, “dangerous” items left in patients’ bodies during surgeries and other measures, according to Leapfrog.
    “We will … strive to reach even higher for the benefit of the patients and the families we serve,” a WakeMed email to the McClatchy newsgroup said. “Unfortunately, due to a lag in the data, our Leapfrog grades do not incorporate these improvements and do not accurately represent the quality of care we deliver,” WakeMed’s email concluded.

    The grades were announced this month in The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety fall assessment. The ratings system is considered the gold standard for patient safety. It is the first and only hospital rating system to be peer-reviewed by the Journal of Patient Safety. The study reviews 28 publicly available safety data measurements to produce an A, B, C, D or F score for each facility. The grades represent a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from preventable harm.

    Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has earned an A grade for patient safety over four straight reporting periods. The local health system serves a region of more than 800,000 people in several counties of southeastern North Carolina. The nonprofit system is the state’s eighth-largest health system made up of 7,000 team members, 850 physicians, eight hospitals, and more than 60 primary care and specialty clinics.

    Cape Fear Valley Medical Center on Owen Drive is the flagship of the system offering residencies in emergency medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and general surgery, as well as a transitional year internship in affiliation with the Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University. For more information, visit
    www.CapeFearValley.com.

  • 03 group of people making toast 3184183Just this month, the United States has endured six school shootings. CNN reports that 2019 brought us 45 school shootings in 46 weeks, from Georgia to California, in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as on college and university campuses. Of those, 32 occurred at institutions serving kindergarteners through high school students. Here are the most recent.

    Nov. 3 A 30-year-old student was shot and killed in a Texas State Technical College dorm in Waco. The victim the shooter knew each other.

    Nov. 4 A University of Central Missouri student was killed in an on-campus apartment when a gun was accidentally discharged.

    Nov. 5 A man was shot outside a dorm of a Langston, Oklahoma, university.

    Nov. 11 A 19-year-old student was shot getting out of a vehicle near Achievement Academy, a high school, in Baltimore, Maryland. Law enforcement authorities believe shooter and victim had been in an altercation.

    Nov. 14 Two students, aged 14 and 15, were killed and three injured in a shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. The shooter, 16, turned the weapon on himself and later died.

    Nov. 15 One adult and two children were injured in Pleasantville, New Jersey, when gunfire erupted at high school football game.

    Barely over two months ago in September, one of 45 school shootings took place at Fayetteville State University where a 20-year-old former football player was found with numerous gunshot wounds.

    When are we going to stop this, or are we even going to try?

    Other nations have issues of violence with various causes, but no nation — I repeat — no nation tolerates the gun violence to which we have apparently grown inured. No other nation allows civilians to own weapons of war designed to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time possible. 

    What if Sandy Hook happened not at Sandy Hook Elementary but at VanStory Hills or Benjamin Martin Elementary and your child, grandchild, niece or nephew were in one of the classrooms shot up by the shooter? 

    What if instead of Saugus High School, an alienated 16-year-old shot up Jack Britt or E.E. Smith High Schools with your terrified child, grandchild, niece or nephew trying to find safety? A Saugus student told an interviewer that students there choose classes not by subject matter but by which classrooms have large, locking closets.

    How much longer are we going to make our young people live like this?
      
      ********************
    Two stories from the “Who Knew?” department.

    The Pew Research Center reports this startling find. It seems that between 1995 and today, some 59% of adult Americans between 18 and 44 lived with an unmarried partner, handily out pacing the 50% who have been married. During that same time, the percentage of currently marrieds dropped from 58 to 53%, while the percentage of those cohabitating rose a full 7%. So glad my grandmother missed this news flash.

    And, this happy news from the animal kingdom. As we in North Carolina know all too well, hurricanes can be major weather events with strange consequences. Hurricane Dorian slammed the Bahamas in September before moseying on to make landfall at Cape Hatteras. Just south, Ocracoke Island was stunned by a 7-foot storm surge that flattened homes and businesses and from which the community is struggling to recover. During the storm, three wild cows living on Cedar Island went missing, presumably swept out to sea. Well, not so fast. It seems the trio has turned up 4 miles away on the Cape Lookout National Seashore, happily munching federal grass.

    I don’t begrudge them one bit!
     
      ***********************
    When I was a child, Thanksgiving was always at our grandparents’ house, complete with white tablecloths and fancy china. In more recent years, it has been with cousins and friends, less formal and sometimes rollicking fun. Thanksgiving 2019 will be different still, but always a welcome respite with folks near and dear.

    Wishing you and yours a warm and peaceful Thanksgiving wherever you may be!

  • 18 ALMS HOUSEForgive Grilley Mitchell if he’s been preoccupied the last few weeks. He’s preparing to have several friends over for Thanksgiving dinner again, as many as 60 or 70 to be exact.

    This will make the 10th year that Mitchell, program coordinator at the ALMS HOUSE in Hope Mills, has helped coordinate the annual free Thanksgiving dinner for the town’s underprivileged. It’s held each year on Thanksgiving Day at the ALMS HOUSE building on Ellison Street downtown near the historic Trade Street district.

    Mitchell, who is retired from the military, is a native of Vidalia, Georgia, and has called Hope Mills home since moving there in 2004. He first got involved in activities at the ALMS HOUSE in 2009.

    Mitchell said he usually tries to start getting things organized for the big meal the first of November, but he’s a little behind this year because of his involvement in the recent Hope Mills municipal election.

    The biggest challenge, as always, is collecting all the food that will be needed for the big event, and Mitchell and the volunteers at the ALMS HOUSE cut no corners when it comes to providing everything that’s part of the Thanksgiving eating tradition.

    The tentative menu for this year includes turkey, ham, dressing or stuffing, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, green beans or greens, sweet potatoes or yams, gravy, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and assorted desserts and beverages.

    The food is provided by ALMS HOUSE volunteers and people in the community who step up to help out.

    ALMS HOUSE stands for Associated Local Ministries in Service, Helping Others in Unfortunate Situations and Experiences.The mission of the ALMS HOUSE is to assist with utilities, medicine, food, clothing, household items, school supplies and Bibles.

    The ALMS HOUSE regularly provides free lunches to the underprivileged of the Hope Mills area and makes every effort to avoid turning anyone away.

    Some people bring the food unprepared to the ALMS HOUSE building, but Mitchell encourages them to wait the day of the luncheon and bring it already cooked and ready to serve around 11 a.m. The luncheon begins at noon.

    If people want to donate uncooked turkey or ham, Mitchell tries to get them to stop by on Monday or Tuesday the week of Thanksgiving so he can find someone to cook and prepare them in time for the big meal.

    This year, to avoid excess and duplication, Mitchell sent out a list to a number of people in the community specifying amounts of many of the items to insure there will be enough to handle the expected crowd.

    Mitchell said there has been a recent influx of entire families who have taken part of the services offered by the ALMS HOUSE.

    In some cases, he said, families with as many as six to nine members have come by for help.

    Based on attendance at meals served during at the ALMS HOUSE during the summer months, Mitchell is anticipating a crowd of anywhere from 60 to 70 this year. At past Thanksgiving lunches the numbers have come closer to 100.

    The biggest problem for some of the folks who need to take advantage of the free meal is getting there. The ALMS HOUSE is unable to provide transportation or deliver the food, so the folks who want to come to the Thanksgiving lunch have to find a way to get to the Ellison Street location in order to eat.

    “We’re seeing a lot of new faces we haven’t seen,’’ Mitchell said of the people coming to the ALMS HOUSE. “You have your homeless populations and they are transient. They tend to move around.’’

    Mitchell said food will be served until they run out on Thanksgiving Day, but normally they are usually finished and packed up before 2 p.m.

    There is often food left after the luncheon. Unprepared nonperishable food can be saved for Christmas, Mitchell said.

    In past years, when the ALMS HOUSE had too much prepared food on hand, Mitchell and the volunteers delivered the excess to the Salvation Army in Fayetteville.

    He’s hopeful the specific requests he’s made regarding the amount of food needed this year will help avoid to many leftovers.

    “It’s the love and the compassion of the community coming together,’’ Mitchell said of the event. “We feed anyone that comes in. We don’t discriminate. If you’re hungry, we’ll feed you. We do it out of love.’’

    For any questions about the Thanksgiving meal or other events at ALMS HOUSE call 910-425-0902.
     
  • 08 balletFor many, the Christmas season is not complete without seeing a production of “The Nutcracker,” the grace, athleticism and heart of the performers shine forth on stage after months and even years of training. The familiar musical score delivers the classics that embody the iconic adventures of Clara and her nutcracker. Perhaps the audience hums along, toes tapping as the dancers flitter across the stage. Dec. 6-8, Fayetteville audiences can enjoy The Dance Theatre of Fayetteville’s rendition of “The Nutcracker” at Methodist University.

    Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s 1816 fairytale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” the ballet was not always as popular as it is today. When the production premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, in December,1892, it was considered a flop even though the score was written by the famous composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and the renowned Marius Petipa choreographed the show. It seemed the only person who was impressed by it was Czar Alexander III. Petipa and Tchaikovsky had worked together previously on “Sleeping Beauty” with great success.

    “The Nutcracker” ballet takes place on Christmas Eve at a party at the Stahlbaum House — a large and beautiful estate. Herr Drosselmeyer gives young Clara a nutcracker. As Clara drifts off to sleep at the end of the evening, the nutcracker comes to life and the two wage a battle against the evil mouse king. They visit the Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy and enjoy chocolate from Spain, coffee from Arabia, tea from China and candy canes from Russia as the fairy’s subjects dance for Clara and the nutcracker prince.

    Traditionally one of the things that makes this production unique its all-inclusive nature. “There is a part for everybody,” said TDTF Artistic Director Leslie Dumas. “I try to match the part to the kids that is going to match their ability and make them look good. I don’t have a part they have to fit into. We change the choreography to accommodate the ability of the dancers. The only qualifier to participate is that you have to be enrolled in a dance class somewhere.”

    Previous years have included dancers who are also gymnasts. TDTF leverages the dancers’ gymnastics skills to include flips and other feats in the production.

    Also unique to TDTF, the organization pays for all the costumes. This is a significant effort.  Expensive costume fees are a common deterrent to dancers participating in recitals. “When Ann Clark started this about 40 years ago, it was common for women to sew,” said Dumas. “And many of the parents made the costumes. We’ve slowly transitioned into buying them.”

    Advance tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets at the door are $15 for adults and $5 for children. Showtimes are Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. For more information, or to learn about group rates, call Leslie at 910-850-6363 or visit www.thedancetheatreoffayetteville.org.
     
  • 13 House at ChristmasThe Heritage Square Historical Society understands how cherished holiday experiences are and wants to be a part of the celebrated traditions of the season. The annual Tour of Homes provides an enchanted, self-guided tour of five homes in the historic Haymount area of Fayetteville. The tour begins at Heritage Square Historical Society’s 222-year-old home, the Sandford House and Oval Ballroom, located at 255 Dick St. It takes place Dec. 8.

    People will adorn the exterior of their homes with embellishments to enhance their charm and decorate the interior with ornamentations of the season. All of this prepares hearts for the joyous moments of the holidays. 

    These locations will welcome visitors with hot spiced cider and homemade cookies.

    The Sanford House has been seasonally decorated by several local garden clubs as well. The Sandford House and Oval Ballroom are prepared to start participants on their journey of the Christmas season with simple, yet elegant touches of all things beautiful.

    After enjoying time at Heritage Square, the map will direct attendees to four other exquisite, private homes. One of those homes belongs to Brian and Wendy Jones Carter at 1114 Longleaf Dr. Not only will they provide magnificent decorations, but Voices of the Heart, the former “Heart of Christmas” singers, will entertain guests with yuletide melodies while walking about the home.

    The merry mood continues as spectators proceed to the remaining three locations. One of those homes is the residence of Marvin and Susan Butler Allan located at 517 Northview Ln., ready to provide visitors with awe-inspiring decorations.

    Next you can drive to 2516 North Edgewater Dr., home to Virginia Oliver, to view breathtaking, joyous adornments throughout her home.

    And finally, the Belmont House, located at 1104 Hay St., will wow guests with the allure of shimmering brilliance. These homes are decorated with the purpose of captivating each person in an extraordinary and memorable way.
    All of this Christmas cheer happens Dec. 8, from 1-5:30 p.m.  Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at three locations — Heritage Square Historical Society, The Pilgrim at Westwood Shopping Center and Leclair’s General Store on Hay Street. All proceeds go to the restoration and preservation of the historic homes at Heritage Square.
    Call 910-483-6009 for more information.
     
  • 10 BCPE 85inX6The holiday season is, indeed, upon us, and Cape Fear Regional Theatre is getting ready to bring back its annual holiday favorite, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” This year, it’s a bit of a homecoming — in more ways than one. This marks the 29th consecutive season that CFRT has brought this holiday story to the stage. The show runs Dec. 6 through Dec. 22.

    In this hilarious classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids, probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem — and the fun— when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head-on. If you are looking for a chance to spend an hour of quality time with your family, take them to see “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” This year, the show is directed by CFRT Education Director Marc de la Concha.

    Leading the cast is Amber Dawn French as Grace Bradley. She returns to reprise the role she first performed last season. Amber has enjoyed performing in a number of productions with the theater.“Collaboration and community are two of my favorite things about theater, and ‘BCPE’ offers a beautiful opportunity to experience both during the Christmas season,” said French, regarding her affection for the whole experience.

    Rounding out the cast are three separate casts of more than 100 children bringing this delightful story to life. These rising stars bring so much heart and enthusiasm to the stage; you won’t want to miss it.

    Finally, this year, Founding Artistic Director Bo Thorp will make special guest appearances as Mrs. Armstrong at certain performances. Thorp was the force behind first bringing this show to the CFRT stage in 1990, and she has directed myriad reincarnations since.

    “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will most certainly become a memory that the audience will forever cherish, like so many other Fayetteville natives. Families return year after year to reflect on old memories and create new ones. The show is suitable for all audiences.

    CFRT is located at 1209 Hay St. For tickets or for more information, contact the box office at 910-323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org. Performance are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., with some performances on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $16.

    David Hemsley Caldwell first performed in the “BCPE” in 1994 and returns after 25 years to play the reluctant husband of Grace, Bob Bradley. He has returned to Fayetteville numerous times since 1994, performing and directing many shows for CFRT, creating long-lasting  friendships and building memories that he will forever cherish.
     
  • 04 pub pen

  • 09 originalOn Dec. 7, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Christmas concert, “Deck the Halls,” at Fayetteville State University’s Seabrook Auditorium. Each year, the symphony presents a special holiday program for the community, featuring beloved carols and other holiday classics, and this year’s production is no exception.

    This year’s concert will open with festive selections from renowned composers including Sergei Prokofiev and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Concertgoers will then be treated to Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker Suite, which includes such iconic holiday pieces as “Russian Dance,” and “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” Other selections on the program this year include the sacred classic, “For unto Us a Child Is Born,” from Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah, after which, two wonderful choirs from the Fayetteville community will join the symphony for the remainder of the concert. Firstly, the Fayetteville Academy choir, directed by Leann Valcarcel, will perform some Christmas selections, including “Noel Nouvelet” and “The Birth of Nicolas,” by acclaimed choral composer, Benjamin Britten. After this, the Cumberland Choral Arts, formerly known as the Cumberland Oratorio Singers, will perform a number of favorite Christmas carols, including some arranged by master choral arranger and composer, John Rutter, such as “I Saw Three Ships” and “O Holy Night.”

    The Fayetteville Symphony’s accomplished conductor, Stefan Sanders, shared that he looks forward to leading a large representation of North Carolina’s greatest musicians in a production of familiar and beloved melodies. “Each year, the Fayetteville Symphony and I look forward to brightening everyone’s holiday season with a fun family friendly concert of great music to get us in the holiday spirit.” He also added, “We look forward to celebrating the beauty of the season with them and welcoming you to the beautiful Seabrook Auditorium at the Fayetteville State University Dec. 7.”

    “Deck the Halls” is sure to be a masterpiece of sound produced by some of the Fayetteville area’s most skilled and highly trained professionals. Together with extraordinary choral groups, the Fayetteville Academy chorus and the Cumberland Choral Arts Choir, this is going to be a unique production that you will not want to miss.

    This Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is sponsored and supported by various corporate and individual donors including the Fayetteville Arts Council. Townsend Real Estate, the North Carolina Arts Council, and various individual donors including Gillie Revel and Susan Stephany, all of who are helping to support this event and many others in the 2019-2020 season.

    Tickets are available for purchase online now at https://squareup.com/store/fayetteville-symphony-orchestra/item/deck-the-halls! Ticket rates are $10.28 for children and college students with an ID, $23.36 for seniors and military with an ID and $26.17 for adults. The proceeds go to help sustain the Fayetteville Symphony’s presence in our hometown as well as their influence on local youth through associated organizations, such as the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the String Sinfonietta. If tickets are purchased up to 15 days before the event, they may be mailed to recipients. However, it they are purchased closer to the concert they may be picked up at the will call box office line. Or you can also call the symphony at 910-433-4690 to purchase tickets.
     
  • 19 01 dee hardyThe basketball court at E.E. Smith High School is named in honor of the school’s veteran girls basketball coach, Dee Hardy, for a reason.

    Her Smith girls have been frequent visitors to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 4-A playoffs.

    Last year, led by current Wake Forest University freshman Alex Scruggs, they made one of the deepest runs in Smith history.

    With Scruggs leading the way, Smith went 30-2, falling only to North Raleigh Christian in the John Wall Invitational and Southeast Guilford in the 3-A Eastern Regional finals.
    Southeast went on to win the state 3-A championship, beating Cuthbertson 56-49 in the title game.

    The bad news for Hardy is the bulk of the talent on that team came from her seniors who are now departed. Along with Scruggs, the losses include players like Daireanna McIntyre, Danielle Tripp and Trinity Dixon.

    Scruggs departed E.E. Smith as one of the most decorated players in school history.

    She was the Sandhills Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the 2018-19 season.

    19 02 Kendall MacauleyShe led Cumberland County Schools in scoring with 26.2 points per game. She was also its top rebounder at 12.8 rebounds per contest.

    While three-point shooting wasn’t her specialty, she still finished fourth in the county in that category with 45 made shots for the season.

    She also contributed 3.2 assists per contest.

    McIntyre was the team’s No. 2 rebounder behind Scruggs with 6.1 per contest.

    But the cupboard won’t be completely bare for Smith. First-team All-Patriot Athletic Conference guard Kendall Macauley is back for Smith, along with honorable mention all-conference swing player Keonna Bryant.

    Macauley is the leading returning scoring for the Smith girls, averaging 9.3 points per game last season. Bryant is the No. 2 scorer back from last year’s team with an average of 7.8 points per contest.

    “We are looking for big things from them as far as leadership and direction on the court,’’ Hardy said.

    Macauley feels she let the seniors down last year, falling just short of making the state title game.

    She doesn’t think this year’s team is feeling pressure to duplicate the record of a year ago.

    “If we do what we’re supposed to do in practice and execute in games, we’ll be fine,’’ Macauley said.
    Macauley said her focus will be to bring energy to the team and play a mentoring role to the younger players.
    “I want to make sure I put them in the right direction,’’ Macauley said.

    Filling the huge void left by Scruggs will be a challenge, Hardy said. Scruggs, the conference player of the year, led all Cumberland County Schools scorers with 26.2 points per game and a county-best 12.8 points per game.

    The job of replacing those points and rebounds will have to be done by a process Hardy describes as by committee.

    “We won’t depend on one person to pick up the load,’’ Hardy said. “It’s going to have to be done as a team. We have some young players coming in who have a lot on their shoulders.’’
    Hardy said they won’t have the luxury of veterans playing in front of them to allow them time to take advantage of a learning experience.

    “They are going to get it right in the face while they are on the court,’’ Hardy said. “That pressure will be on them.’’

    One returning player Hardy is counting on is 6-foot junior center Jordan Everett. Everett is rehabbing from a knee injury suffered last year and hopes to return sometime close to the December holiday break.

    Smith could use her sooner rather than later because Smith will already be playing conference basketball games Friday, Nov. 22 when it faces old rival Terry Sanford.
    “We’re not going to have a lot of time once the season cranks up,’’ she said. “We’ll get hit with everything and put them out there and see what happens.’’

    Hardy isn’t sure what to expect from the rest of the Patriot Athletic Conference this season.

    She knows Pine Forest lost star Kendal Moore, now a freshman at North Carolina State.

    Hardy said she’s always wary of South View and its veteran coach, Brent Barker. “I know everybody has been working hard and it’s going to be a coin toss to see what happens,’’ she said.

    She feels Smith has the potential to be in the championship mix but knows that means nothing if the potential isn’t developed.

    “Because we’re so young, it’s just talk,’’ she said. “Our key is going to be our chemistry. Of course with every team, defense is an emphasis.’’

    Lacking height, Hardy said this Smith team will have to defend, box out and rebound to compete. “We need to get to know each other and trust each other so we’re able to play,’’ Hardy said.

    Macauley said the Smith team has much to learn, but Hardy will be a great teacher. “As long as we have her staying on top of us we’ll be fine for the rest of the season,’’ she said.

    Picture 1: The basketball court at E.E. Smith is named after Dee Hardy, pictured above.

    Picture 2: Kendall Macauley

  • 14 moonshineMoonshine has come to my rescue.

    I am always trying to find ways to make North Carolina No. 1 in something important.

    Thanks to University of North Carolina at Asheville Professor Daniel Pierce, we have a substantial claim to be No. 1. In his new book, “Tar Heel Lightnin’: How Secret Stills and Fast Cars Made North Carolina the Moonshine Capital of the World,” he asserts that our state is tops in moonshine. He writes, “Indeed, if North Carolina has ever held the distinction of being number one nationally in anything, it is in moonshine production.”

    Then, in about 275 pages, showing the long and rich history of the making, sale and consumption of illegal liquor, he shows why and how North Carolina developed its No. 1 connection with what we call moonshine, also known by other names, such as corn liquor, white lighting, blockade, home brew and a host of other terms.

    “From the earliest colonial times, farmers, using techniques their families had learned in the British Isles, distilled their corn and fruit into whisky and brandy.”

    Until Civil War times, no government restrictions prevented them from making alcoholic beverages to trade or sell. In 1862, the national government passed an excise tax on liquor. After the Civil War, most farmers and other small producers ignored the tax, continued their production and made themselves petty criminals. Federal tax collectors tried to catch these moonshiners and put them out of business and into jail.

    The high cost of tax-paid liquor made the production of untaxed moonshine more profitable and more prevalent in every part of North Carolina.

    The prohibition movement was growing. In 1909, the state implemented statewide prohibition. Then in 1920, national prohibition went into effect.

    Pierce says, “Prohibition only increased the market for moonshine in the state and kept the state in the forefront of illegal liquor production nationally through the 1960s.”

    As legal liquor became more available, this shine on moonshine dimmed.

    Pierce’s great storytelling gifts make his thorough study of moonshine a fun read.

    For instance, he gathers short articles on legendary personalities into a hypothetical “North Carolina Moonshine Hall of Fame (and Shame).”

    My favorite of Pierce’s Hall of Famers is Percy Flowers. He was born in 1903 and grew up in Johnston County on a farm near the community of Archer Lodge. He left home at 16 to get away from an abusive father. He learned the liquor making craft from an African American expert and parlayed that expertise into a multi-million dollar enterprise. He was an organizer, hiring others to make the moonshine while he managed the distribution.

    I first heard of Flowers from Lynwood Parker, owner of the White Swan Bar-B-Que near Smithfield. Flowers once owned the building where White Swan is today. Ever since, I have been eager to learn more about Flowers. Pierce has obliged.

    Flowers entered the business about the time the 18th Amendment’s national prohibition began in 1920. He told people he made more money during those prohibition years than any other period of his life.

    Pierce writes, “He was successful not only in making a fortune, producing and selling illegal liquor but also, especially given his high profile, in evading law enforcement.”

    Flowers is joined in the Hall by famous figures such as Junior Johnson, the legendary race car driver who learned his trade driving moonshine in cars fast enough to evade the revenuers. Others include Rhoda Lowry, the widow of Lumbee hero Henry Berry Lowry and modern media figures, Popcorn Sutton and Jim Tom Hedrick, who had brands of “legal moonshine” named after them.

    There is more, so much more. So if you are looking for a Christmas present for a hard-to-give friend or family member, “Tar Heel Lightnin’” could be a good option.

  • As some of you know, I get packer's anxiety. I travel a lot, but I have a list for my list. Anytime I can simplify my packing and downsize my load is a win.

     When packing, everything has a place, and every place has a purpose for your travels. Space is always a challenge when traveling. Over the last six months, I have been working on reinventing my packing methods. In the past, my packing was a hot mess. Finding what I wanted when I wanted it was often frustrating. While motorcycling, every day you pack and unpack. Being organized makes for less mess and less stress and saves time.

     Packing cubes are one of those things I have found to be great. I have about eight different sizes of cubes for various space limitations. I used to pack my clothes by items. All underwear, socks, etc., were together. Now I pack by the day. The cubes I bought are dual-sided. One side is waterproof, and the other side is vented. This is good for separating dry and wet clothes or dirty and clean clothes.

     Laundry soap bars are a great way to wash your clothes on the road. I know this sounds crazy, but wearing your dirty clothes in the shower and soaping them up is good way to do the laundry after a long day of riding.

     Ziploc bags are great. I have a ton of them in different sizes. I use these for things I need to keep dry, and I can see what is what. I use them to waterproof my wallet to keep it dry while riding through the rain. I use them for my medications. I use heavier bags for my tools so I can quickly find the right tool for the right job.

    I have a few small clear cosmetic bags for packing my electronic chargers and cables.

     On one trip, I pulled off from an ATM and did not realize I left my ATM card in the machine until I got to the next gas station. I was in Kansas City and had to borrow some money from a friend to finish the trip. These days, I carry a spare credit card and cash and keep them on the bike, just in case something happens to my wallet, or  I do something stupid like leave my card in an ATM.

    As you continue to refine your packing skills, Nirvana is achieved when everything has a place, and every place has a purpose for your travels. If not, you overpacked.

    If there is a topic that you would like to discuss, you can contact me at motorcycle4fun@aol.com. Ride safe!

  • 05 01 loose leaf pickupIt’s the annual loose-leaf curbside season in Fayetteville, through Feb. 21. Residents are supposed to put their leaves and pine straw at the curb during the periods specified for pickup in their neighborhood. The city has created eight collection cycles based on postal ZIP codes. For example, if you live in the 28301 ZIP code area, your pickup period is Dec. 9 -20. Details are available on the city of Fayetteville’s website. Free trash bags are available at recreation centers and city fire stations. Officials ask that residents rake their leaves and pine needles to the curb by the day before their first scheduled collection day. Put the pile on the right of way but not in the street and away from obstructions.

    Additional sections of I-95 to be widened

    Thanks to a $22.5 million federal grant, the North Carolina Department of Transportation plans to widen and improve 27 additional miles of Interstate 05 02 I 95 signs95 in Robeson and Cumberland counties. It is the second major federal grant the NCDOT has received since the summer of 2018 to help fund major improvements along the I-95 corridor. The grant will help DOT improve mobility and safety along a section of I-95 that has been plagued by flooding during hurricanes. The interstate between mile markers 13 and 40 from Lumberton to near Hope Mills will be widened.

    “These grants are highly competitive, and will help us modernize Interstate 95 in North Carolina,” said Grady Hunt, the North Carolina Board of Transportation’s representative from Robeson County. DOT will also raise portions of I-95 in low-lying areas that are vulnerable to floods. An earlier grant received for I-95 improvements came in June 2018 when $147 million was awarded for I-95 and U.S. 70 improvements. The grant was earmarked for widening two sections of I-95 north of Fayetteville to eight lanes.

    Military retirement COLA increased for next year

    05 03 cost of living adjustmentsMilitary retirees and eligible survivors will receive a 1.6% boost in their monthly paychecks beginning in January, based on the Pentagon’s annual cost of living adjustment, the Defense Department announced. The increased pay will be doled out to most military retirees, survivors of service members who died on active or inactive duty and survivors of retirees who participated in the Survivor Benefit Plan, which pays the family of someone who opted for monthly annuities following the death of an eligible military retiree. The Pentagon said the annual boosts are based on inflation numbers during the previous year as determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, a monthly measure of average changes to prices for goods and services across the nation. For retirees and survivors receiving the 1.6% boost, the increase amounts to an extra $16 for every $1,000 in government benefits received. Individuals who retired at the pay grade of E-7 and served 20 years will see about $38 extra per month. An individual who retired at the pay gradeof O-5 and served 20 years will see a $72 boost each month of 2020.

    05 04 PWC truckFayetteville’s hometown utility wins award

    The Fayetteville Public Works Commission has earned a Smart Energy Provider designation from the American Public Power Association for demonstrating commitment to and proficiency in initiatives that support providing low-cost, quality, safe and reliable electricity. The designations were announced during the association’s annual Customer Connections Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The SEP two-year designation recognizes public power utilities for demonstrating leading practices in four key disciplines. This is the first year the association has offered the SEP designation. PWC is one of more than 60 public power utilities nationwide that were acknowledged, and one of two North Carolina public power utilities recognized this year. “We’re honored to be recognized for our efforts to support our community’s responsible energy use,” said David Trego, PWC 05 05 CVS HealthCEO/general manager. PWC’s initiatives noted in the designation include its community solar and battery storage project, time of use electric rates and customer incentive programs promoting energy conservation.

    Alzheimer’s Association picks up big supporter

    CVS Health has joined the Alzheimer’s Association in the fight to end Alzheimer’s as a new national, corporate partner. CVS Health has made a three-year, $10 million minimum commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association, including customer fundraising, caregiver support and national presenting sponsorship of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. CVS Health and the Alzheimer’s Association launched this new partnership this month. CVS is the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States with more than 295,000 colleagues across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
     
  • 06 Transmission lines Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission is North Carolina’s largest independent electricity distribution agency. PWC manages, operates and supervises electric, water and wastewater utilities in Fayetteville. It owns and operates the Butler-Warner Generation Plant, a gas-turbine-based electric generation facility. But Public Works purchases most of its power from energy suppliers, including Duke Energy Progress.

    PWC has reached an agreement with Duke Energy that is expected to result in over $300 million in savings for its customers. The new deal modifies the current wholesale power supply agreement, which began in 2012 and runs through June 2042. But PWC has an option to end the agreement in June 2024. Amending the contract early provides both savings and long-term power supply stability for the next 22 years.

    The parties expect to submit the revised agreement to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for approval by February 2020. Through renegotiations, the change is expected to save PWC $313 million. Over the past two years, the commission has examined various options and alternatives for PWC’s power supply after 2024. The amendment to the contract with Duke Energy is the only one that provides PWC and its customer’s savings before July 2024. 

    “Long-term power supply is the most significant decision PWC has to make because it is the No. 1 factor in providing our customers reliable electric service at a reasonable cost,” said David Trego, PWC CEO and general manager. “Purchased energy is our largest single expense for PWC, and there are many factors and risks, in addition to cost, that had to be taken into consideration.”

    When compared to other options, DEP offered the best combination of competitive rates and low risks, including PWC maintaining the highest level of delivery reliability. Duke Energy agreed to continue giving PWC the same service priority as Duke’s own retail customers. In addition to savings and reliability, the amended agreement allows PWC to promote additional conservation and zero impact on PWC’s bond rating.

    “Our Board of Commissioners is very pleased that the leadership team has negotiated a mutually advantageous, long term, energy agreement with Duke Power on behalf of our customers,” said Evelyn Shaw, PWC Chairwoman. “For many years into the future, this agreement will undergird PWC’s goal of reliable, sustainable, low cost energy for our customers.” The terms of the amended agreement run through 2042 and PWC has the option to end the contract in 2032.

    In a separate agreement, DEP agreed to continue leasing the Butler-Warner Generation Plant. Under the existing lease contract, Duke Energy allows PWC to operate the plant as needed for $12 million annually. New terms extend the contract through June 2024 for an additional $5 million in PWC revenue. PWC may be able to achieve additional savings beyond 2024 if operational requirements are met. The Public Works Commission provides electric service to more than 82,000 customers in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. The local utility is the largest public power provider in the state and the 36th largest in the United States.

  • 04 Consolidated photoWe live in a country and world that are in disarray, headed toward certain self-destruction. Our only hope is in turning to God and following the way that he calls us to. Our failure to make this turn is, for the most part, because far too many Christians and Christian churches are failing to act with the boldness necessary to influence such a change of course.

    John Charles Ryle was an English evangelical Anglican bishop who lived from 1816 to 1900. In his time, he said something that accurately describes the American Christian condition: “There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough — a cheap Christianity which offends nobody and requires no sacrifice — which costs nothing, and is worth nothing.”

    Rectifying this “cheap Christianity” and, thereby, saving this nation — and even the world — from impending doom, requires that a multitude of Christians stand up and demonstrate a kind of boldness that is almost extinct in our nation. It means leading people to unite based on their shared Godly values and beliefs. Coming to this state of being creates an atmosphere where the challenging conditions that divide us can be peacefully and successfully addressed. Essential to this process is the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit.

    On Sunday, Oct. 20, I saw an unequivocal real-life demonstration of how this process of gathering around shared Godly values and beliefs can unite people and create an atmosphere where the challenges of our world can be successfully addressed. Making this event happen required tremendous boldness on the part of two Fayetteville pastors. Dr. Jamale Johnson is pastor of Mount Sinai Baptist Church and Rev. Rob James at First Baptist Church. Mount Sinai is a black congregation while First Baptist is nearly totally white.

    Having never met, in the spring of 2019, both pastors agreed to participate in a pulpit exchange that as part of the AsONE Prayer Walk. This is an event where people of various ages, ethnicities, religious denominations and backgrounds gather to walk through downtown, stopping to pray at five designated stations.

    When agreeing to participate in the pulpit exchange where one pastor would preach at another’s church, and vice versa, they were fully aware that they would probably be paired with a church where the majority of the people in the congregation were racially different from people of the congregation that they serve. Of the hundreds of pastors in the Fayetteville area, only a handful agreed to participate in this pulpit exchange program. In a time of tremendous racial divide and tension where this threatening condition worsens every day, these pastors exchanged pulpits April 7. Dr. Johnson preached at First Baptist and Rev. James at Mount Sinai. This was boldness in action.

    Even bolder was the commitment by these pastors that they would not allow that pulpit exchange to be the end of their efforts to have the two racially different congregations work together. That commitment, that boldness, led to a joint worship service at First Baptist Oct. 20. We worshipped and then had a meal together.

    The worship service and meal required cooperative planning by the pastors and members of both churches. The result was amazing participation in these two phases by members of both churches. That participation ran from a combined choir to Scripture reading, prayer, supporting musicians, a children’s sermon, liturgical dance and an offering donated to relief in the Bahamas. Johnson served as the worship leader, and Rev. James preached. Early in the worship service, Johnson invited the congregants to greet one another. Those greetings were genuine. Smiles, hardy handshakes and hugs were all around.

    James’ sermon was titled “A New heaven and A New Earth” with Revelation 21:1-4, 22-26 as the Scripture focus. He explained that we live in times of harmful separations, divisions and distinctions driven by tradition, race, culture and even pain. However, when the kingdom comes and the new heaven and new earth (as described by John in Revelation) are in place, these harmful separations will be no more. Nearing the end of his sermon, James said  279 years refers to the combined time that Mount Sinai and First Baptist have served the Fayetteville community: “I don’t think we should wait for the coming of the kingdom to get a glimpse of it right now. And I don’t think we have to. Look around. Look at what’s happening this morning; something that hasn’t happened in 279 years. Two churches, two families of faith praising God together, joining in fellowship, in prayer, in song as one. What we are looking at this morning is a reflection of not just heaven, but of the new heaven and the new earth that God has had in mind from the very beginning of all things.”

    In that combined worship service and meal, I saw an atmosphere where the challenging conditions that divide us could be peacefully and successfully addressed. Essential to this process was the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit. Giving life to this atmosphere conducive to societal healing requires a kind of boldness that is extremely rare in our time.
    (Segments of this service, along with Rev. Rob James’ sermon, are available for viewing at:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sijb6PfHj0c)

    Photos contributed by Paula Young and Anna Brown

     

  • 12 01 Last OutFor anyone who serves in any branch of the military, their job is a major part of their life; and when service members go overseas, they come back with experiences and stories they need to share, both good and bad, for the sake of their well-being. “Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret,” which will be at the Crown Complex Dec. 7 and 8, will portray some of those experiences in a way never before seen in any production.

    For Scott Mann, a veteran, professional speaker and storyteller who was stationed at Fort Bragg, acting and voice classes were ways for him to become more effective on stage. After a coach recommended he write a one-person show about something from the war, he wrote a short script. “My coach said, ‘You know what? That’s a play. You should think about that,’”said Mann. Eventually the idea evolved into a full-length play —“Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret,” which three years later, made its way to the stage.

    Although storytelling is used in other societies worldwide to help soldiers transition from war to home, that isn’t the case in America. “My transition was very dark,” said Mann. “And it was through storytelling that I healed myself. We don’t teach it... We’re about the only society on the planet that doesn’t. I want storytelling to be at the epicenter of this play.”

    Director Ame Livingston agrees. “We don’t hear from our veterans in our country. When they come back, they aren’t encouraged by our country to story tell … (The play) is a beautiful story of the whole family’s sacrifices. It’s all told through love.”

    Mann’s intention with the play was twofold. He wants the audience to feel the impact of modern war, regardless of how they feel about the war itself, and he hopes the story will shed light on the war to help people make more informed decisions in the future.

     

     

    12 02 Wall of Honor“I really wanted to validate the journey of those who fought and those who stayed home and endured it,” Mann explained. “We really needed a strong connection to the military to give that visceral, emotional feeling — you know, just take all the armor off and just put it out on the stage in a really raw way.”

    The story is authentic because while it isn’t all autobiographical, it is all based on true stories. Everyone in the cast and crew has ties to the military. “Last Out” has a cast of four people. Mann is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. Leonard Bruce, a former Green Beret, has been a veteran for over 22 years from the U.S. Army. Bryan Bachman served in the U.S. Army for roughly eight years and spent most of his time at Fort Bragg, as he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Livingston, who has a role in the play in addition to directing, comes from a family with a rich military history.

    Kari Ellis, the tour manager, worked as a forensic video specialist for the Fayetteville Police Department and retired last year in April. Her husband served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. “He went overseas and never came back my husband,” Ellis explained. After having a stroke that stole his voice, her husband committed suicide at the end of 2017. After experiencing such an intense trauma, Ellis left Fayetteville and moved to Florida, where Mann urged her to be the tour manager. She is best friends with Mann’s wife. “It’s not in my wheelhouse, but the more I did, the more I felt I had purpose,” Ellis said.

    With 2019 coming to a close, Bachman pointed out how long it has been since 9/11.  “We’re handing off this war to our children that we didn’t finish,” he explained. “Right now, in Afghanistan there are men and women who weren’t alive when the towers fell. And that’s hard to just wrap  your head around sometimes,” he explained.
    Although the plot depicts military life, Bachman estimates that 75% of the audiences tend to be civilians. “The story is universal. It’s so personal and authentic,” he said.

    Based on the population of the United States, 8 million people have post traumatic stress every year, according to the National Center for PTSD. Service members often times face numerous stressors that can lead to post traumatic stress.

    As many people know, especially in a community with such a strong military presence, the hardships of war don’t just affect the people serving but their families and friends as well. The production pays tribute to those people and allows them to share their stories through one of their props, the Wall of Honor.

    When Mann was serving, he built a wall with a set of shelves in his home. When he returned from the war, he would bring his family trinkets and souvenirs and put them on the shelves as a way to stay connected with his children. The Wall of Honor is featured in the play. Since the play began touring, it has become a trend that gold star families and loved ones of those who served and veterans have given their own trinkets, like dog tags and pictures, for instance, to be used for the wall.  “We put that on the wall with reverence,” said Mann. “It’s grown into this beautiful museum of service and love.”

    One thing that stands out to Bruce is how accurately and thoroughly the play showcases a variety of relationships. “You see what people cope with when you’re gone, but then you see the relationships you build with people who are completely different — completely different cultures,” he said. “It’s another great part of the play that resonates with me. Relationships with people that you would not have relationships with otherwise. That stands out to me. It breaks down stereotypes that people might currently have of people they don’t know. Their lives and what everyone wants are very similar across cultures… This play shows those things in a different way.”

    Although war and the sacrifice that comes with it is always difficult, “Last Out” offers hope, not only by affirming the stories of service members and their families on stage but by helping its very own audience in the healing process. “Last Out” travels with a licensed psychologist, Diego Hernandez, so that if anyone needs help with their post-traumatic stress, he can treat them in the lobby.  “The big thing that we wanted to do is not just admire the problem,” Bachman said.

    “Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret” will be at the Crown Complex Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and on Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35. Visit http://www.lastoutplay.com/ for more information and to buy tickets.

     Pictured 1, L-R: Scott Mann, Bryan Bachman, Ame Livingston, Lenny Bruce.

    Picture 2: The Wall of Honor is prominently displayed as a “museum of service and love.”

  • 12 01 Last OutFor anyone who serves in any branch of the military, their job is a major part of their life; and when service members go overseas, they come back with experiences and stories they need to share, both good and bad, for the sake of their well-being. “Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret,” which will be at the Crown Complex Dec. 7 and 8, will portray some of those experiences in a way never before seen in any production.

    For Scott Mann, a veteran, professional speaker and storyteller who was stationed at Fort Bragg, acting and voice classes were ways for him to become more effective on stage. After a coach recommended he write a one-person show about something from the war, he wrote a short script. “My coach said, ‘You know what? That’s a play. You should think about that,’”said Mann. Eventually the idea evolved into a full-length play —“Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret,” which three years later, made its way to the stage.

    Although storytelling is used in other societies worldwide to help soldiers transition from war to home, that isn’t the case in America. “My transition was very dark,” said Mann. “And it was through storytelling that I healed myself. We don’t teach it... We’re about the only society on the planet that doesn’t. I want storytelling to be at the epicenter of this play.”

    Director Ame Livingston agrees. “We don’t hear from our veterans in our country. When they come back, they aren’t encouraged by our country to story tell … (The play) is a beautiful story of the whole family’s sacrifices. It’s all told through love.”

    Mann’s intention with the play was twofold. He wants the audience to feel the impact of modern war, regardless of how they feel about the war itself, and he hopes the story will shed light on the war to help people make more informed decisions in the future.

     

     

    12 02 Wall of Honor“I really wanted to validate the journey of those who fought and those who stayed home and endured it,” Mann explained. “We really needed a strong connection to the military to give that visceral, emotional feeling — you know, just take all the armor off and just put it out on the stage in a really raw way.”

    The story is authentic because while it isn’t all autobiographical, it is all based on true stories. Everyone in the cast and crew has ties to the military. “Last Out” has a cast of four people. Mann is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. Leonard Bruce, a former Green Beret, has been a veteran for over 22 years from the U.S. Army. Bryan Bachman served in the U.S. Army for roughly eight years and spent most of his time at Fort Bragg, as he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Livingston, who has a role in the play in addition to directing, comes from a family with a rich military history.

    Kari Ellis, the tour manager, worked as a forensic video specialist for the Fayetteville Police Department and retired last year in April. Her husband served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. “He went overseas and never came back my husband,” Ellis explained. After having a stroke that stole his voice, her husband committed suicide at the end of 2017. After experiencing such an intense trauma, Ellis left Fayetteville and moved to Florida, where Mann urged her to be the tour manager. She is best friends with Mann’s wife. “It’s not in my wheelhouse, but the more I did, the more I felt I had purpose,” Ellis said.

    With 2019 coming to a close, Bachman pointed out how long it has been since 9/11.  “We’re handing off this war to our children that we didn’t finish,” he explained. “Right now, in Afghanistan there are men and women who weren’t alive when the towers fell. And that’s hard to just wrap  your head around sometimes,” he explained.
    Although the plot depicts military life, Bachman estimates that 75% of the audiences tend to be civilians. “The story is universal. It’s so personal and authentic,” he said.

    Based on the population of the United States, 8 million people have post traumatic stress every year, according to the National Center for PTSD. Service members often times face numerous stressors that can lead to post traumatic stress.

    As many people know, especially in a community with such a strong military presence, the hardships of war don’t just affect the people serving but their families and friends as well. The production pays tribute to those people and allows them to share their stories through one of their props, the Wall of Honor.

    When Mann was serving, he built a wall with a set of shelves in his home. When he returned from the war, he would bring his family trinkets and souvenirs and put them on the shelves as a way to stay connected with his children. The Wall of Honor is featured in the play. Since the play began touring, it has become a trend that gold star families and loved ones of those who served and veterans have given their own trinkets, like dog tags and pictures, for instance, to be used for the wall.  “We put that on the wall with reverence,” said Mann. “It’s grown into this beautiful museum of service and love.”

    One thing that stands out to Bruce is how accurately and thoroughly the play showcases a variety of relationships. “You see what people cope with when you’re gone, but then you see the relationships you build with people who are completely different — completely different cultures,” he said. “It’s another great part of the play that resonates with me. Relationships with people that you would not have relationships with otherwise. That stands out to me. It breaks down stereotypes that people might currently have of people they don’t know. Their lives and what everyone wants are very similar across cultures… This play shows those things in a different way.”

    Although war and the sacrifice that comes with it is always difficult, “Last Out” offers hope, not only by affirming the stories of service members and their families on stage but by helping its very own audience in the healing process. “Last Out” travels with a licensed psychologist, Diego Hernandez, so that if anyone needs help with their post-traumatic stress, he can treat them in the lobby.  “The big thing that we wanted to do is not just admire the problem,” Bachman said.

    “Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret” will be at the Crown Complex Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and on Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35. Visit http://www.lastoutplay.com/ for more information and to buy tickets.

     Pictured 1, L-R: Scott Mann, Bryan Bachman, Ame Livingston, Lenny Bruce.

    Picture 2: The Wall of Honor is prominently displayed as a “museum of service and love.”

  • 17 ornaments Apparently, I'm trying to jump the gun this holiday season. I really  wanted to put up my Christmas decorations early this year.

    Typically, we wait until the day after Thanksgiving to deck the halls, but this year, the few days between Thanksgiving and Christmas are cut short because of where Thanksgiving  falls on the calendar. I just feel like I need more time to have a holly, jolly Christmas, which means I needed my tree up yesterday.

    But do I really need to have it up early? Why can't I wait just a few more days? It doesn't help that Hobby Lobby, WalMart and even gas stations (bless 'em) had rows of red and green back in August, and my favorite interior design accounts on Instagram posted their holiday décor ideas and their stockings hung by the chimney with care in October. I'm definitely being influenced by a consumer-driven culture. Sometimes we don't even notice it's happening. So, ashamedly yes, Mom, I probably would jump off that proverbial cliff too if everybody else was doing it, especially if it was covered in brightly stringed lights, gingerbread men and Christmas ribbon.

    Where does it end, at least when it comes to Christmas? Where do I take control of what I want for my family and not what advertisers and influencers are telling me I need for them?
    Putting up the decorations early might not seem like a big deal, but to me, it signifies much more. It signifies my inability to wait patiently. It points to the fact that I have a tendency to overspend on gifts my child won't play with longer than a couple hours, overfill my home with stuff we're just going to donate next year and overthink gift giving to the point that I'm convinced what I have to offer isn't good enough.

    When I was little, my thing was Barbie dolls. I always asked for more Barbie everything — dolls, clothes they could wear, cars for them to be pushed around in, accessories, houses, etc. I remember having a few tubs full of this stuff. But I don't remember playing with them. I do remember lining them up. I remember counting them and comparing how many dolls I had to what my friends had. I remember wanting more Barbies, even though I had more than I could count on my fingers and toes combined. I was never satisfied with what I had. I always wanted more.

    Contentment is a funny thing. We all long for it, but few find it. We all search for it, but few actually stop doing the same things over and over again to break the cycle and get a different result. That's the definition of insanity, right?

    What if we worked and waited for good things? What if we only bought what we could afford and didn't start the new year with more debt? What if we focused on memories instead of things? What if we were satisfied with everything we already had, and anything extra was just a bonus? What if we actually thought about the person we were giving a gift to and what they would truly appreciate, instead of grabbing whatever because we feel obligated to have a present for them? What if we decided to not be afraid that our children won't have a good Christmas if they don't get everything on their extremely long Christmas list? What if we didn't do everything because everyone else is doing it?

    What if I don't put up my lights until after Thanksgiving?

    Alright, I've talked myself into it. I'm waiting. I'm resting. I'm going to be more thoughtful. Maybe this will be the start of something new, a push-back in my spirit that says, “No thanks, that cliff is bright and shiny with all of those Christmas lights, but it looks like a long down. I'm happy with where I am right now.”

    Also, check out your favorite Christmas tunes on Christian 105.7 this holiday season. We waited until after Thanksgiving.

  • 11 ImageThere’s something about tradition that causes us to feel at home, even if we’re not in a city that is our original home. The Gilbert Theater understands how important tradition is to the community of Fayetteville and honors this by performing the production of “It’s A Wonderful Life” during the Christmas season. George Bailey’s story has been told on their stage for years, and it’s a production the community of Fayetteville not only anticipates but holds very dear. This year, the show opens Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 22.

    This classic film is a timeless story and, according to the play’s director, Nicki Hart, “The Gilbert transforms this beloved film into a beloved stage play. We make it unique, because of our stage and our theater. Our production goes hand-in-hand with the heartfelt quality that our actors bring to the performances every year.”

    Hart points out that even though there was a large turn out during the audition process, she had to be mindful of who play the characters of George Bailey and Mary Hatch because as the two main characters, they carry the show. “The audience will see them have moments in their lives of happiness and joy, but also serious struggles. We watch George, who is loved by the town of Bedford Falls, go through such a struggle that he desperately tries to fix his problems himself. He feels the only way out of his problems is to end his own life. But the audience sees that when he calls on a greater force, who shows up in the form of an angel names Clarence, he inadvertently realizes he really does have a wonderful life.”

    For returning audiences, they will see a lot of similar qualities from previous years’ performances. However, Assistant Director John Doerner, has the vision to express new ideas within this familiar story line to bring a newness and uniqueness to the production.

    In fact, audiences of all ages can look forward to spending a few hours being transported to the town of Bedford Falls by way of the Gilbert Theater. They can look forward to experiencing a wide array of emotions as they watch the actors bring their characters to life in a way that is heartwarming. The story provides a reminder that family isn’t always those we are related to. That prayers matter and miracles happen. And that no matter what we are facing, when we change our perspective, we can truly see that we have a wonderful life.

    The Gilbert Theater is located at 116 Green St. Performances for “It’s A Wonderful Life” are Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 1, 6, 7, 8 and Dec. 20, 21, and 22. Times are 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There are two student matinees – Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. and Dec. 9 at 10 a.m.. Tickets can be purchased at www.gilberttheater.com. Prices are $16 and $14 for students, military, first responders and seniors. Groups of 10 or more are $10. 
     

    “It’s a Wonderful Life” opens at Gilbert Theater Nov. 29. Pictured above: Laurel Flom as Mary Hatch Bailey, Justin Toyer as George Bailey, Abigayle Hodges as Zuzu Bailey.

     
     
  • 20 01 jaysiah leachJaysiah Leach

    Seventy-First • Football • Junior

    Leach has a grade point average of 3.6. In addition to football, he enjoys working out and spending time with his family.


     

     

    20 02 Grafton WhiteGrafton White

    Seventy-First• Soccer/wrestling• Sophomore

    White has a grade point average of 3.5. He was a defender for the Falcon soccer team and is gearing up for wrestling competition which begins for the Falcons on Dec. 4 at Overhills.

  • footballpsdFive Cumberland County schools survived last week’s first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association football playoffs. 

    The pairing of Jack Britt at South View this week assures us at least one team will make the third round next week, which means somebody gets to celebrate the traditional marker of a good season, still practicing on Thanksgiving Day.

    The big question this week is will it be more than one team from the county that gets to enjoy that experience, or will the postseason ride end for the rest of the crowd.

    Let’s hope the majority of our teams will have to be adjusting schedules next Thursday to get in practice time before that big meal with the family. 
     
     
    The record: 69-20
     
    I had a good showing in the first round last week, going 6-1. The season total is 69-20, 77.5 percent, heading into this week’s second round.
     
    Seventy-First at New Bern - I’ve made a few trips to New Bern over the years for state playoff games. Most of the time the ride back wasn’t too pleasant because it was on a dark road late at night and the Fayetteville team I was covering lost.

    I think Seventy-First has regrouped from a rough stretch during the regular season, and I think the tough conference schedule the Falcons had to deal with is going to be a big help to them at New Bern Friday night.
    Seventy-First 20, New Bern 18.
     
    Jack Britt at South View - These two began the year facing each other at South View, with Britt winning what was then considered an upset in overtime.
    Now they meet again, and the season will end for one of them.

    Britt has only one win in its last three games, a 21-20 victory against Knightdale in the first round of the state playoffs last week.

    South View had a bye last week and has had time to let some wounds heal and put in extra preparation for the Buccaneers.
    I don’t think Britt will be as fortunate this trip to South View as it was the first time.
    South View 22, Jack Britt 20.
     
    Rocky Mount at Terry Sanford - These two have faced each other so much in the playoffs over the years it almost seems like it’s a scheduled game.
    Just last year Terry Sanford rolled to a 30-0 win.

    Revenge will be a powerful motive for Rocky Mount, but the Bulldogs have won six of seven coming into Friday night. Terry Sanford has yet to lose a game at their adopted home field, Reid Ross Classical High School’s John Daskal Stadium, this season.

    I think that streak will continue.
    Terry Sanford 24, Rocky Mount 21. 
     
    Gray’s Creek at Southeast Guilford - The Bears got a huge road win in the opening round of the state playoffs and go for their second Friday at Southeast Guilford.

    Jerry Garcia Jr. has had a tremendous year running the football for Gray’s Creek and will need to be at the top of his game again for the Bears to have a shot in this one.

    I think the score will be close, but I’m going to go with the home team. 
    Southeast Guilford 28, Gray’s Creek 22.

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