Presidential portrait of Dr. J. Larry Keen unveiled

Fayetteville Technical Community College unveiled the presidential portrait of Dr. J. Larry Keen on Nov. 21 in a ceremony in the lobby
of the Thomas R. McLean Administration Building.

The portrait was commissioned by FTCC Foundation in anticipation of Keen’s retirement on Jan. 1.

Brad Hurley, chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said he spent the day with Keen at the Foundation’s annual golf tournament fundraiser earlier this month.

“I got to see his heart in a different way than ever before,” Hurley said. “And I’m just very proud to be a part of this.”

Keen’s portrait joins those of other significant figures in FTCC’s history, including the College’s first three presidents: Howard E. Boudreau, who served from 1964-1983; Dr. R. Craig Allen, 1983-1996; and Dr. Larry B. Norris, 1997-2007. Like his predecessors, Keen is depicted in his academic regalia.

Dr. Mark A. Sorrells, FTCC’s Vice President for Academic and Student Services, will succeed Keen as president next year. Sorrells delivered remarks on behalf of Keen, who was unable to attend the unveiling due to illness.

“This is a special event for Dr. Keen in honor of his service of 15 years at the College but also for the Keen family and what they’ve contributed to our community,” Sorrells said.

The portrait was painted by Wilmington artist Todd Carignan, who has won multiple awards for his art, including an Oil Painters of America Award of Excellence. His art is included in collections throughout the United States and internationally. He received his BFA in Sequential Art and minored in Art History at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

For more about Carignan, please visit www.toddcarignan.com/about.

New mural highlights reopening of Success Closet

Fayetteville Technical Community College celebrated the grand reopening of its Success Closet on Nov. 29 and dedicated a colorful new mural painted on the exterior of the
location.

The FTCC Success Closet is next to the FTCC Food Pantry on the rear side of the Horace Sisk Building at 2220 Hull Road.
The mural, featuring colorful graphical representations of buttons, a zipper and other clothing items, was painted by FTCC alum Britney Deveault and was made possible through a grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County.

It is a companion mural to one painted last year by Deveault on the exterior of FTCC's Food Pantry. That mural, featuring colorful graphical representations of different foods, was also funded by a grant from the Arts Council.

Deveault is a freelance graphic designer and artist who owns Deveault Design. She is a 2021 graduate of the FTCC Graphic Design and Advertising Program.
The FTCC Success Closet provides free professional attire for students for job interviews and work. The FTCC Food Pantry stocks a healthy variety of food plus personal care items and household cleaning products, all available for free to FTCC students.

The reopening celebration coincided with Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving. Visitors were encouraged to bring food and personal care items for the FTCC Food Pantry.

Foundation receives grant for High School Connections program

Tammy Thurman of Piedmont Natural Gas presented a $10,000 check to FTCC Foundation on Nov. 21, to support the College's High School Connections program.
Thurman is PNG's Community Relations Manager and a member of FTCC's Board of Trustees. She presented the check to Dr. Mark A. Sorrells, who is currently FTCC's Senior Vice President for Academic and

Student Services, and Sandy Ammons, Executive Director of FTCC Foundation.

The High School Connections program is FTCC's branch of North Carolina's Career and College Promise program. The program provides seamless dual enrollment educational opportunities for eligible North Carolina high school students. Students are able to take college classes tuition-free and earn college credits that transfer with them upon graduation from high school, potentially saving them thousands of dollars on the cost of college.

The PNG grant will go into FTCC Foundation's Resource Fund for High School Connections. The fund pays for books and other resources for high school students from low-income families.

FTCC was founded in 1961 as a job-training institution and became a community college in 1963 when the statewide Community College System was created. The College serves more than 28,000 students a year with occupational, technical, general education, college transfer and continuing education programs leading to more than 280 degrees, diplomas and certificates. For more information, please visit www.faytechcc.edu.

FTCC Foundation manages donations for the College, including contributions from private donors, corporations, alumni, employees, retirees and in-kind gifts. These resources provide access for students to attain their educational and career goals. For more information, visit www.faytechcc.edu/giving/.

A newly-formed nonprofit organization, the North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation, or NCAST, has launched an inaugural traffic safety campaign. The message is for parents or guardians to make sure the vehicles teens drive include appropriate safety features, and to discourage young motorists from driving distracted.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Every day in the U.S. an average of eight teens ages 13–19 die from motor vehicle crash injuries. Per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16–19 have a fatal crash rate almost three times as high as drivers ages 20 and older.

According to NCDOT statistics for 2021, in North Carolina there were 49,606 crashes involving teen drivers, resulting in 10,901 injuries and 102 fatalities.

The NCAST ad will run during the 2022 holiday season on social media outlets (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) and on statewide cable television. It features a portrayal of a mom and daughter discussing the important vehicle safety features, and highlights distractions — such as loud music, snacking, and using a mobile phone — teen drivers should avoid when behind the wheel.

The ad, and links to resources for parents and teen drivers, can be found on the NCAST website, www.ncallianceforsafetransportation.com.

“NCAST was conceived by a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to making North Carolina roads and highways safer for everyone,” said Joe Stewart, vice president for governmental affairs for the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, and initial chair of the NCAST board.

“This organization was formed to collaborate with existing issue-specific safety groups, to amplify and enhance message impact with the very specific goal of changing driving behaviors that lead to crashes, injuries and deaths among motorist, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others using North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure.”

“I am pleased and delighted to be a part of getting this organization up and running,” said Tiffany Wright, director of public affairs for AAA Carolinas — the Auto Club Group and vice chair of the NCAST board.

“NCAST will use research and analysis to figure out who needs to hear the message, and what that message needs to be, given the particular transportation safety issue being addressed.”

NCAST has received a grant from the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program of $272,000 to help cover initial operational and staffing costs, as well as a $50,000 grant from IIANC for the development and placement of the initial teen driver awareness campaign ads.

The organization has plans to conduct other awareness campaigns in 2023, including initiatives around Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, high school prom and summer vacation seasons, as well as Teen Driver Safety Week in October.

The number of homicides and the overall crime rate have continued to climb over the past year, according to police statistics presented to the Fayetteville City Council on Nov. 28.

From January through September, 36 homicides were reported, statistics show. That is a 9% increase compared to this time a year ago, when 33 homicides were reported. The numbers are nothing new. The last quarterly report from Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins showed the same upward trend in total crime and homicides. The report also noted that the department has a total of 392 positions filled out of a budgeted 431.

Hawkins was the lead presenter of the crime report during the council’s monthly meeting at City Hall. Assisting her were Assistant Police Chiefs Kemberle Braeden and James Nolette.

“I always like to share the amazing work that the Police Department does for the community,” Hawkins said. “And this is a summary snapshot.”

The number of rapes reported in the city continued to decline, from 68 in 2021 to 58 in 2022, Braeden said. Aggravated assault reports rose by 9.8%, from 816 cases in 2021 to 896 as of Sept. 28, according to Braeden.

“The third quarter was mainly uneventful,” Braeden said.

Hawkins left immediately after the meeting and was unavailable for additional comment. Nolette said after the meeting that the department has been successful addressing crime.

“The department is doing exactly what it needs to,” Nolette said. “It’s a partnership with the community. It’s a partnership with nonprofits in finding solutions and outside-the-box thinking to address crime at its core, problem-solving and really evaluating what is causing the issue. There are so many different factors that go into crime itself, but we look at the location of the crime where it’s occurring, we look at the victim, and we look at the suspects and try to figure out why it’s happening at those places.”

When asked, Nolette said the numbers indicate that the Police Department could be doing a better job.

“I’m a little biased to ask that question because I think we’re doing a good job,” he said. “But can we do better? Sure. We do really well. We have almost 100% clearance rate in homicides … We’re above the average in clearance rates. We don’t report to the end of the year, but that is something that we track, and we’re above national average in clearance rates on many of our crimes.”

Nolette said the clearance rate is when the department has “closed out cases and arrested or sought charges on suspects who have committed crime.”

“What we do a good job at — and what the officers do a good job at — is identifying crime trends and getting ahead of those crime trends. So that way, we don’t perpetuate the process victimizing the citizens of Fayetteville.”

Police representatives reported that the number of drug overdoses dropped from 67 to 50, a decrease of 25.4%.

The police statistics also showed:
A total of 3,164 personal crimes have been reported over the first nine months of this year, up from 3,005 in 2021. That’s an increase of 5.3%.

“Person’s crimes run the gamut from communication by threat — ‘I’m going to shoot you’ — to pointing the gun, which is another crime, to actually shooting someone; shooting and hitting someone; to actually attempted murder,” Braeden said.

Property crime — which includes trespassing, damage to property, vandalism, and breaking and entering — has increased by 29.90%, from 7,809 cases last year to 9,295 in 2022.

“Again, as we look at those, those have slightly increased over the last year,” Braeden said. “As I would say, as we spoke earlier during [Fire] Chief [Mike] Hill’s presentation about COVID, we have gone from people being home during COVID and we can see why there has been an increase in 2022 as post-COVID people going out of their residences back to work...”

Felonies are up 23%, with 782 arrests this year. That compares with 620 a year ago.
Motor vehicle thefts also pose a problem, with the Monday report showing an increase of 36.92% over the last quarterly report.

I’m a fiscally conservative North Carolinian — and I think state taxes should be significantly higher. I’m not referring here to projected revenues from a fast-growing economy.
I truly mean North Carolina ought to levy higher state taxes. But only if federal taxes go down by at least as much. That is, I believe large swaths of the federal budget represent an illegal use of the tax and spending powers granted to Congress by Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution. The programs in question provide for neither “the common defense” nor the “general welfare.”

What we call “welfare” spending is a prime example of the problem. When the Constitution was drafted and ratified in the 18th century, the prevailing public understanding of the phrase “general welfare” was that it strictly limited the fiscal authority of Congress. As James Madison later put it, the phrase referred to “general and national,” not “local or state” benefit. It was certainly never meant to describe a program giving private individuals money, shelter, food, or other direct benefits.

As originally written, then, the Constitution allowed Congress to fund a road or port facility if its main purpose was military, for example, but not if it was to facilitate commerce. Madison and other constitutionally minded presidents repeatedly vetoed bills that violated this principle.

The principle applies only to the federal government, however. Most state and local governments operate under no such limitation. They enjoy a broad “police power” that Washington lacks — a power not just to enact civil and criminal statutes but also to levy taxes to fund a wide variety of expenditures.

In other words, regardless of whether you think government should provide a safety net of cash and non-cash benefits, or how such a system should be designed and administered, you ought to be addressing your arguments to governors, state legislators, county commissioners, and the like, not to presidents or federal judges or members of Congress. State and local officials ought to be at least the primary decision makers when it comes to welfare programs.

That’s what the federal Constitution requires, properly understood. When during the 20th century progressives argued that public pensions for single mothers and the elderly, unemployment compensation, and other welfare programs should be provided by the federal government, they should have used the amendment process to ask the American people to revise Article 1. Instead, progressives ignored the Constitution, enacted whatever they wanted, and then reshaped the federal judiciary until it became sufficiently deferential to federal power.

Their gambit worked. Before the 1930s, most federal spending went to the current armed forces, payments to veterans of prior wars, and payments on federal debts that were overwhelmingly incurred during those wars. Today, entitlements and welfare programs comprise most of the (vastly larger) federal budget.

I’m enough of a realist to concede there’s no way to cram the genie back into the bottle. But the current Washington-dominated safety net is unaffordable, unaccountable, and unconscionably destructive of families and the work ethic. In a new book, American Enterprise Institute senior fellows Angele Rachidi, Matt Weidinger, and Scott Winship describe a creative way to strike a better balance between the federal government and the states.

They propose to phase in a 50%-50% match for some $300 billion worth of safety-net programs other than Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. States would shoulder more fiscal responsibility for such functions as cash welfare, nutrition assistance, and housing subsidies — but they would also receive vastly more authority to reshape and repackage the programs, along with financial incentives to move families off public assistance altogether (because doing so would count toward a state’s matching requirement).

Such a strategy would make American government as a whole smaller as well as more effective. I’d take that deal in a heartbeat.

Hosted by the Downtown Alliance and the Fayetteville History Museum at “Franklin Square,” where the Victorian-era train station served as a fitting backdrop, this time-honored tradition was attended by a diverse crowd that numbered in the thousands. And in the spirit of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” it was a joyous crowd greeting each other and expressing goodwill towards one another all day long.

Like any good event, the public seldom sees all the hard work that goes into its making. My purpose in writing this is to shine a little light on some of the folks who did the work on this beloved downtown event. And I do so not in any official capacity, but merely as a citizen who has long believed in our downtown’s future.

Elaine Kelley, an Alliance board member, and owner of Turner Lane, called me soon after my op-ed piece in the Aug. 28 Fayetteville Observer, in which I questioned the Arts Council’s decision to cancel A Dickens Holiday. Her board had voted to do Dickens themselves! She asked if I would help, since I had been a part of the event since its founding. I told her I would, but it seemed impossible! After all, we had less than 90 days for an event that is normally 10 months in the planning. In our favor, the Alliance had co-hosted it for its first 20 years and most of our volunteers were still around. We agreed that she should chair the event and that I would round up the volunteers and sponsors and track down the popular performers from past years.

Downtown Alliance leaders — Elaine, Robin Matthews, Molly Arnold — and the History Museum’s Heidi Bleazey and Emily Sussman, rolled up their sleeves and showed what leadership is all about. Perhaps it is no coincidence that so many of the successful downtown businesses are woman-owned and operated!

Elaine Kelley especially deserves a big shoutout, even though she has resolutely refused any recognition. She worked on Dickens with uncommon passion and energy, even closing her business at times to devote a whole day to contacting vendors and performers and City departments. She assembled a team of marketers, headed up by Betsy McElwee. She was on the ground as “Central Command” during the event itself.

Without Elaine, we would not have had A Dickens Holiday this year. Period.

And the volunteers! Their importance to an event with so many moving parts is paramount. If you were downtown on the day after Thanksgiving, much that you saw and enjoyed was the work of volunteers — the London Bobbies, the poor street urchins selling flowers, the “coachman’s assistants” on the carriage rides (Thank you, Scouts from Troop 747), the English Country Dancers, the musical entertainments by the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Sinfonietta, the Cross Creek Pipes and Drums, Father Christmas, and even Queen Victoria herself. I cannot possibly name them all! And there were innumerable people who worked behind the scenes, like the folks from the Salvation Army manning the hospitality room for volunteers and performers. Volunteers even helped decorate the train station and surrounding grounds on the day before Thanksgiving.

Eighteen — that’s 18 — very generous sponsors gave the Downtown Alliance the financial wherewithal to stage such an event. The DTA is an all-volunteer association of downtown merchants, property owners, and residents, and receives no funding from the City or County or any government agency. When asked, each and every sponsor said without hesitation “Yes” and “How much do you need?” Take a look at the Alliance website www.faydta.com to see the list of sponsors. Please patronize their places of business if you can and give them a big “Thank You” when you see them. While online, look at the Alliance’s Facebook page to see some amazing pictures from Dickens.

So yes, A Dickens Holiday is back! The marvelous sights and sounds, the diverse crowds and performers, and the fun and relaxed shopping were all there. It is still exactly what its founders — the Arts Council and the Downtown Alliance — imagined it to be 23 years ago. The Arts Council should be proud of what it started. It is my hope that the Downtown Alliance will continue the tradition.

Now, in the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us every one!”

A Fayetteville man was killed in a fiery three-vehicle crash Friday night, Dec. 1 at the intersection of Skibo and Morganton roads, the Fayetteville Police Department said. Two others were injured.

Eugene A. Roberts Jr., 23, of the 1000 block of Vandenberg Drive, was operating a black 2018 Acura traveling north on Skibo Road and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a release.

Angelia Holmes, 52, of the 5000 block of South Forty Drive in Hope Mills, was operating a 2016 Chevrolet SUV traveling on Morganton Road. She was taken to the hospital for her injuries but was reported to be in stable condition, police said in the release.

Hannah Barton, 28, of the 200 block of Waterdown Drive, was operating a 2019 Ford Fusion traveling on Morganton Road. She received minor injuries but was not taken to the hospital, the release said.

Around 11 p.m., a patrol unit observed the Acura traveling at a high rate of speed on Skibo Road near Cliffdale Road and initiated its emergency equipment in an attempt to stop the vehicle, the release said. The patrol unit disengaged the attempt to stop the vehicle near Skibo Road and Red Tip Road.

The vehicle continued to travel at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for the red light on Skibo Road at Morganton Road and collided with the two other vehicles that had the green light for traffic in their direction of travel, the release said.

The vehicle caught fire in the parking lot of 1899 Skibo Road, the release said. Officers were able to pull the driver from the vehicle, but he died on the scene, the release said.

The intersection of Skibo and Morganton roads was temporarily closed while police investigated.

Hundreds of families from across Cumberland County attended the Choice Fair 2022 on Saturday, Dec. 3 to learn about the educational options available in the local school district, officials said.

The three-hour event, held at E.E. Smith High School, was the first time the fair had been held in person since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

According to event organizers, more than 500 attended the informational fair, which highlights educational options within the district that fit students' needs, interests and learning styles.

"This was a truly awesome event," Dr. Mellotta Hill, the event organizer and CCS' assistant superintendent of K-12 Instructional Programs, said in a release. "It was great to be able to come back together again and to bring our military and local communities 'under one roof' in order to get some good information about our Choice Programs. We want our families to make informed decisions about their child's education, and I believe Choice Fair 2022 accomplished just that."

Educators and student ambassadors manned school, career academy and departmental information tables that lined the walls of the high school's atriums, cafeteria and gymnasium as families with students filed into the school well before the event started at 9 a.m., the release said.

"I thought the Choice Fair was beneficial, informative and enlightening," Tynekia McQueen, a parent of a rising sixth-grader who is new to the district, said in the release. "In our previous school district, we didn't have this opportunity. At the end of the day, Choice in academics is about excellence. When we include our children in making this decision, they are passionate about their education, and they strive for greater."

McQueen's daughter, who is interested in the fine arts, was excited about the choice she made. "I love theater and the arts," said Xzanara. "I'm definitely applying to Reid Ross Classical. That's where I want to be!"

The application period began on Nov. 28 and ends on Jan. 31. Families can apply by visiting the CCS' Choice Programs website, www.choice.ccs.k12.nc.us, where they can also get information about Choice programs from engineering and fire science to the arts and foreign languages.

Members of the Fayetteville City Council on Monday, Dec. 5 are expected to hear from five applicants seeking a seat on the Public Works Commission Board.

The City Council work session begins at 5 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.
There are five candidates looking to join the PWC Board. Each applicant will be given three minutes to address the council, said city spokeswoman Jodi Phelps, and the council will have the opportunity to ask questions. Any discussion would be at the direction of the mayor and council.

The choice will need a majority vote to get the PWC seat. The position pays $600 a month, Phelps said by email.
The appointment will be made at a time determined by the council. No action will be taken during the work session. That will occur during a regular monthly meeting.

The council is looking to find someone to replace Commissioner Wade Fowler on the utility board. The eventual choice would have a vote as one of four members of the board.

A City Council appointments committee previously recommended that former City Council member Chris Davis be appointed to the Fayetteville Public Works Commission despite a current council member’s request that the decision be delayed until a full-time CEO and general manager is named over the local utility.

While serving on the council, Davis was the PWC liaison.

The other applicants are William Gothard, Josef Hallatschek, Peter Stewart and Ted Mohn.
Elaina Ball, who had been the CEO and general manager of the public utility for less than two years, announced her resignation on Aug. 26. Her last day on the job was Sept. 2. She accepted a job in her home state of Texas.

PWC Chief Operations Officer Mick Noland was named interim CEO and general manager until the position is filled full-time. Noland has overseen the Water Resources Division of the utility since 1993, according to PWC.
City Council newcomer Deno Hondros was named the new liaison to the PWC – a nonvoting role with the utility.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Dec. 5 will install two new members and elect a new board chairman. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Crown Coliseum Ballroom.

Democrats Veronica Jones and Marshall Faircloth, both of whom won at-large seats on the seven-member board in the November general election are expected to take the oath of office. Also taking the oath of office will be Commissioners Jeannette Council and Glenn Adams, both of whom were unopposed in their district re-election bids.

Commissioners serve staggered four-year terms. Two commissioners are elected at-large, two in District 1, and three commissioners are elected in District 2. The four-year terms of Commissioners Toni Stewart, Jimmy Keefe and Michael Boose expire in December 2024.
State Sen. Kirk deViere is scheduled to administer the oath of office to Jones. Cumberland County Register of Deeds J. Lee Warren Jr. will administer the oath to Faircloth. District Court Judge Cull Jordan III will swear in Council, and Superior Court Judge Gale M. Adams is scheduled to administer the oath to her husband, current board Chairman Adams.

The board also is scheduled to elect a chairman and vice chairman. Currently, Toni Stewart serves as vice chair. Historically, the vice chair is elected chairman. Adams for the past year has given Stewart more opportunities to represent the board at various functions.

The meeting is open to the public. People who attend should park in the West VIP parking lot of the Crown Complex, located at 1960 Coliseum Drive. There will be signs in the parking lot to direct people to the appropriate lot, the county said.

The meeting also will be streamed live via the county’s website, and the meeting will be aired live on CCNC-TV Spectrum Channel 5.

The Fayetteville Police Department has made an arrest in a fatal shooting that happened Oct. 18 on Slater Avenue.

Tyreese Robinson, 30, was arrested Dec. 2 in the area of Summerwind Drive, the Police Department said in a release. He is being charged with first-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Damian R. Lee, police said. He is being held at the Cumberland County
Detention Center without bond.

Police have said the shooting was not a random incident and that Robinson and Lee were known to each other.

Officers responded to a reported shooting on the 1800 block of Slater Avenue around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 18.

They found Lee with a gunshot wound. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died, police have said.

A Spring Lake man was killed in a shooting Saturday morning, Dec. 3 on West Orange Street, the Fayetteville Police Department said.

Officers responded to the 1000 block of West Orange Street at approximately 4:45 a.m. for reports of shots fired.

They found a man outside a residence with multiple gunshot wounds, the Police Department said in a release. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police identified the man as 50-year-old Curtis Lamont Melvin of the 400 block of Elizabeth Street in Spring Lake.

Detectives with the Police Department’s Homicide Unit are investigating.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective C. Crews at 910-751-1046 or Crimestoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).

The Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on Monday, Dec. 5 will hear about the latest change order for the new Public Safety building that will require modifications to several areas outside the building.

The board meets at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Scott Garner, the architect of the new Public Safety building, is scheduled to review the latest changes, which are tied to sidewalk adjustments by the N.C. Department of Transportation and Duke Energy, according to agenda materials.

Garner told commissioners at the last board meeting that these changes were coming.

N.C. DOT and Duke Energy gave notice of acquisition of additional easement along Rockfish Road, according to Garner’s memo to the board. The easement extends from the walking trail to the front of the new building. As part of the adjustment, overhead power lines will need to be relocated to the Public Safety building side of the street, the memo states.

The masonry building sign and three flag poles were in place but the flag poles will now need to be relocated, the memo states. The sign could remain on a provisional basis, the memo states.

Garner says a new design with flag poles, police and fire memorials and a digital sign has been created.

The costs associated with the easement are just over $75,000, according to the memo. But the town’s Park and Recreation Department will be able to do some of the work, bringing the total of the change order to $47,345, according to the memo.

The board is also scheduled to hold a public hearing on a request to amend the Hope Mills Zoning Ordinance related to a recent moratorium.

“Town of Hope Mills Planning staff is requesting the approval of a text amendment tied to a recent moratorium that instituted a town-wide halt on specific uses that negatively impact the character, use, and overall harmony of existing and future development areas,’’ according to agenda materials.
This summer, the board agreed to place a temporary moratorium on certain businesses while the town’s staff works to create an overlay district.
The moratorium included the following businesses:
● Motor vehicle parts and accessory sales.
● Motor vehicle repair and/or body work.
● Motor vehicle rentals.
● Motor vehicle sales, new and used.
● Retail establishments primarily tied to smoke shops and vape establishments.

Anyone who wishes to speak during the public hearing is asked to sign up with the town clerk prior to the meeting and limit their comments to three minutes.

The board also will be asked to consider an amendment to the town’s Parks and Recreation fee schedule for special events permits. In a memo to Town Manager Scott Meszaros, Parks and Recreation Director Lamarco Morrison said the town has seen an increase in special events permits, which has generated a need to increase the town’s special events fees in an effort to recover some of the town’s costs. The fees cover items like the roll-out trash bins, portable bleachers, electricity access, temporary fences, a portable stage and maintenance staff and parking attendants.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11, the North Carolina State Ballet and Charlotte Blume School of Dance will present "The Nutcracker" at the Crown Theater at 3 p.m.

“We’ve changed bits and pieces of our choreography to add some excitement and fun [this year],” Dina Lewis, Charlotte Blume's Studio Manager, said.

Charlotte Blume’s Nutcracker is the “oldest grandfathered production” at the Crown Theater.

“It’s fun. We’ve been rehearsing all summer,” Lewis said. “Right now it’s a seven-day-a-week job, and we can’t wait to get this thing on stage.”

Originally from Texas, Charlotte Blume started the school in the mid-1950s, bringing artistic professionalism to the Fayetteville region by teaching ballet, her own top-flight training pedigree and her insistence on high standards and authenticity.

“The dance studio is [the] Charlotte Blume School of Dance, but we also have a ballet company,” Lewis said. “North Carolina State Ballet... and it’s been around forever.”

According to the dance studio, no other local dance studio used mirrors or bars before Blume's arrival.

“We are as close to a pre-professional company as you can get without going professional,” Lewis said.

For many, participating in Blume’s productions and studying at her studio has helped win admission to top colleges. She taught Fayetteville’s prominent families as well as the less fortunate. Within the studio, all were treated equally.

The Charlotte Blume School of Dance presents more of a traditional Nutcracker than other productions in the area.

Blume’s absolute devotion to merit made her somewhat of a de facto civil rights pioneer. In Fayetteville, the first students were Black. White families quietly boycotted her integrated operation until their daughters insisted that they, too, wanted to receive the finest instruction.

In the South, Blume welcomed white and Black students equally. There was never any question that they would learn together in the same classes and that the prime dancing parts would go to those students who worked hard and showed talent.

Blume passed away in 2016, but the studio continues to produce similar, traditional ballet studios with "classically-trained students."

"If you go to New York and you’ve seen our production, you’ll see something very similar,” Lewis said.

“All of the girls you see on stage are literally working seven days a week to prepare for this Nutcracker performance, Lewis said.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Crown Complex Box Office or online at CrownComplexNC.com.

“We’re different than other dance studios in Fayetteville,” Lewis said. “I’m very firm, and the girls are so precious because they know my motto: it’s ‘we,’ not ‘me.’”

Charlotte Blume is located at 1312 Morganton Road, “literally in the heart of Haymount.” For more information, visit BlumeSchoolOfDance.com or www.facebook.com/charlotteblumeschoolofdance.

“[Ballet] is a dying art,” Lewis said. “There’s a lot of reverence for that stage, [and] we teach the girls that you have to respect each other... the stage, and when you hit it, you’re going to nail it every single time.”

Though retailers may begin playing holiday tunes as soon as Thanksgiving is over, for many people, no date on the calendar marks the beginning of the holiday season better than the day they pick up their Christmas tree.

There are many different ways to acquire a Christmas tree. Some people prefer artificial Christmas trees that can be stored and taken out each year. Others make a yearly expedition to a tree lot or a Christmas tree farm to find the perfect fir or spruce.

Historians believe a man named W.V. McGallard planted 25,000 Norway spruce seedlings at his Mercer County, New Jersey farm in 1901, essentially establishing the first commercial Christmas tree farm.

By 1908, customers could visit the farm and choose trees for $1 each. McGallard helped create an entirely new industry that now accounts for 350 million trees being grown and sold in the United States every year.
Selecting a Christmas tree may not take more than an hour or two, but there are ways for families and other tree shoppers to maximize their time spent looking for a tree.

Bring refreshments. Couple Christmas tree shopping with picnicking if the weather is amenable. Pack some foldable chairs into the vehicle (sitting on the ground on a blanket may be too cold) and bring along thermoses of coffee or hot cocoa. Snacks like granola bars, Christmas cookies or other filling treats can keep everyone satisfied and energized while they shop for a tree.

Pair tree shopping with a trip to see lighting displays. Find the tree lot or tree farm and then scope out potentially scenic spots to view holiday lighting displays nearby. Up & Coming Weekly is a good resource to learn about light displays in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Read about the Cape Fear Botanical Garden light display on page 12 of this issue. For decorating ideas, take A Christmas Tour of Homes presented by Heritage Square Historical Society on Dec. 4. One of the stops is the MacPherson House Bed & Breakfast. Read more about it on page 13 of this issue.

Plan a night out. Everyone may be tired and hungry after a long day of Christmas tree hunting. Plus, it’s typically a good idea to wait some time for boughs to open before decorating. Use this opportunity to dine out and return home ready to decorate. Make it a regular occurrence that Christmas tree shopping is followed by a family meal at a favorite restaurant.

Watch a classic film. Many different holiday movies are broadcast this time of year and each enhances the Christmas spirit. There are also countless movies available through streaming services. While putting up the tree, play a favorite film in the background. What better way to enjoy decorating your own tree than by watching Charlie Brown adorn his meager evergreen at the same time?

Make a day of selecting and putting up the Christmas tree each year. Doing so can enhance the holidays and make for an entertaining way to spend time together as a couple or family.

There's nothing quite so pleasing as a home fully decked out for the holidays. The image of twinkling lights, boughs of holly draped over the door, and wreaths of evergreen hung neatly in the window has become synonymous with the season.

While mechanical reindeer and light-up Santas are a fun take on front yard decor, there's a little bit of magic in stepping back in time to see houses over a century old, decorated as they once might have been.
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 concerns, the Heritage Square Historical Society is back and once again ready to share its much beloved Christmas Tour of Homes for 2022.

A major fundraising event for the Heritage Square Historical Society, A Christmas Tour of Homes, has been held on the first Sunday in December for the past 25 years. This year it will take place on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can take a fascinating self-guided tour of five historic homes in the Haymount area of Fayetteville and see them outfitted in classic holiday regalia.

As with every year, the Historical Society will open the doors to the Sandford House to greet guests and officially start the tour. Once inside, guests can marvel at the classic Georgian architecture outfitted in beautiful holiday decor and enjoy some light refreshments.

Sandford House, the two-story, federal-style crown jewel of Heritage Square, was built in 1797 by one of the first ruling elders of First Presbyterian Church, Duncan McLeran.
Since then, the Sandford House has undergone several owners and fulfilled various functions—even serving as a women's dormitory for unmarried workers during World War II—before coming under the ownership of the Women's Club of Fayetteville, who have worked tirelessly to maintain it.

The Christmas Tour is an opportunity for people to witness the fruits of their labor and get a taste of Fayetteville's history.
In addition to Sandford House, the tour will also feature four private residences. This year, those homes belong to Nancy and Mike Karaman of Willow Bend Lane, Kim and David Hasty at the former site of Fayetteville Haney School, and Misha Vause on Valley Road.

"We have generous homeowners that allow us to show their beautifully decorated homes for Christmas," shared Heritage Square Historical Society President Lynda Deaton. "It is always so festive, and individuals taking the tours go home with many fabulous ideas for their own holiday decorating."

A new addition to the tour this year is the MacPherson House Bed and Breakfast at 701 Hay St. Owners Katie and Michael Stevick, along with their two young children, were honored to be invited as a stop on this year's tour and spent about a week getting it decorated for guests, according to property manager Mary Webb.

Dressed in period clothing, Webb will take guests on a guided tour of the historic property built in 1920. In addition, guests will be treated to coffee, tea, and light refreshments during their visit.
Having grown up in a similar house, Webb is more than excited to share the beauty and charm of the season with guests.

"I love the historical houses," Webb shared with Up & Coming Weekly. "Anything you can do to decorate them and get them to be seen is wonderful."

A donation of $25 pays for a ticket to the tour, and proceeds are used to support all three historical sites of Heritage Square. These structures include The Sandford House, Oval Ballroom, and the Baker-Haigh-Nimocks Home—all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Heritage Square Historial Society of North Carolina is a non-profit organization supported by membership dues, special grants, fundraisers, and individual donations.
In advance of the tour, visitors may purchase tickets at the following locations: The Pilgrim (Westwood Shopping Center), Betty Kelly's Gift Shop (1228 Ft. Bragg Rd.), City Center Gallery & Books (112 Hay St.),

High Cotton Consignment (2800-4 Raeford Rd.), SACKS 2 (3035-B Boone Trail), Bell's Seed Store (230 E. Russell St.).

To purchase tickets on the event day, visit The Sandford House at 225 Dick Street.

For more information, call (910)-483-6009.

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 last week in favor of two new ordinances designed to remove homeless individuals from parking or camping on county-owned property. Because the vote did not pass unanimously, County Attorney Rick Moorefield said the proposed ordinances require a second reading. The second reading, which could happen at the Dec. 5 meeting, also must pass on a majority vote.

Commissioners Larry Lancaster, Jeannette Council, Glenn Adams, Michael Boose and Jimmy Keefe voted to amend the current county parking ordinance and enact a new ordinance to prohibit camping or establishing campsites on county property. Commissioners Toni Stewart and Charles Evans voted against the change.

The city of Fayetteville adopted an ordinance Aug. 8 making camping unlawful on city-owned property, which according to Moorefield, will likely shift homeless people previously camping in the city parking lot across from the downtown library to the library property.

During his presentation to county commissioners, Moorefield said that as the city continues to enforce its ordinance, it is likely more campsites will be shifted to county property. The library is already experiencing human waste being dumped in the dumpsters and people urinating and defecating in the storm drain grate and urinating on the public walkways on the property. The ordinance prohibiting camping and parking unlicensed vehicles on county property is intended to avoid the public nuisance created by people staying on the property overnight.

Moorefield recommended the amendment to the ordinance regulating parking on county property, and the ordinance prohibiting camping on county property be adopted. Under state law, the commissioners could create those ordinances without a public hearing, Moorefield said.
Moorefield said both the parking amendment and the new camping ordinance are short and direct and will not result in penalties or criminal charges.

Unlawful Parking

The amendment to the ordinance would make it “unlawful to willfully park any vehicle in any county-owned parking lot which does not display a current license plate.”
This ordinance applies to any county-owned property within Cumberland County, including all county-owned property in municipalities within the county. The county does not have the jurisdiction to apply those ordinances within municipalities unless it is county-owned property within the municipalities, Moorefield said.

Camping

The ordinance defines a camp or camping as sleeping, preparing to sleep (including lying down or the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping); storing personal belongings; the placement of tents, huts, or tarps; or parking a motor vehicle, motor home, trailer, or any other type of structure for living accommodation purposes. The proposed ordinance declares camping on county property a public nuisance.

In a memo to commissioners, Moorefield stated that the use of county property for camping interferes with the rights of others to use the property for its intended use and the accumulation of trash, garbage, or waste, and the lack of sanitary disposal facilities at camping sites create conditions which constitute a public nuisance.

To avoid a public health nuisance being created by the accumulation of trash, garbage, or waste, and the lack of sanitary disposal facilities, camping or establishing a camp on county property is prohibited. According to the ordinance, anyone camping or establishing a camp on county property shall be deemed trespassing on county property.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office has the authority to enforce this ordinance by giving notice of trespass to anyone camping or establishing a camp on county property. The sheriff also has the authority to direct violators to remove, within an appropriate amount of time, all of their personal property at the campsite.

The sheriff also can ask the county manager to dispatch appropriate county staff to remove any personal property not removed from the site within the time directed. While that happens, the Sheriff’s Office shall keep a sworn law enforcement officer on site while county employees are there to remove personal property.

Anyone notified that they are trespassing for camping or establishing a camp on county property shall be subject to being charged with trespass if they come onto the same county property again. The ordinance would have been effective immediately upon its unanimous adoption by the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Charles Evans suggested that one segment of the community brought this proposed action forward against another segment of the community.

“We are going out of our way to target homeless individuals,” Commissioner Evans said.

Moorefield countered, saying it was brought forward by people sleeping at the library.

Commissioner Toni Stewart also voted against the proposed ordinances. She kept asking, “What are the options? We don’t have any options, they (homeless) don’t have any options.”
Commissioner Jimmy Keefe was of another opinion. He said his children, as well as other children he is aware of, no longer use the Maiden Lane library because of the vagrancy surrounding the library. Keefe said he empathized with the homeless situation, but asked fellow commissioners to think about the purpose of a library.

“Maybe we should close the library and turn it into a homeless shelter,” he said.

Stewart countered, saying the county has an obligation to all children, including those who are homeless.
Adams, the board chairman, noted that both sides of the argument made good points. He called the homeless situation a multi-faceted problem with no easy solutions.

Other business

In other business, the board unanimously voted to hire architectural firm Ewing Cole for the proposed Crown Event Center. The firm is headquartered in San Diego with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. County Manager Amy Cannon also asked the board for permission to start contract negotiations for a refined scope of services and final price, which will come before the board for approval.

Sales tax distribution

Adams previously asked Cannon to review for information purposes only the county’s current tax distribution method with municipalities.
Cannon said the board’s Audit and Finance Committee met on Aug. 1 to review information on the sales tax distribution inter-local agreement that expires on June 30, 2023.

At that meeting, the county manager shared the history of the agreement, sales tax distribution amounts per the agreement and the impact of a distribution change to ad valorem.
Cannon told commissioners that the county received the final sales tax distribution in October for FY2022. The sales tax impact under both per capita and ad valorem have been updated to reflect the most current and updated data.

She said commissioners will have to decide soon how they want to conduct sales tax distribution with municipalities. She noted that Cumberland County is only one of three large counties still distributing sales tax on a per capita formula, which is based on past population. She told commissioners they need to consider options that will safeguard county tax revenues. Cannon suggested the commissioners consider using the ad valorem formula, which is based on property values.

“Time is of the essence,” Cannon said. “The board needs to continue this discussion so that there is some certainty as local governments prepare their budgets,” she told commissioners.

The board also honored Cannon, who is retiring in December, for her service to the county. Cannon started with the county as a budget analyst in 1990 and worked her way through the ranks to become the county’s first female county manager.

The board unanimously adopted a resolution, proclaiming Nov. 30 Amy H. Cannon Day in Cumberland County. Council, Evans and Keefe made the presentation because they were on the board when Cannon was hired as manager.

For the first time in nine years, enrollment in UNC System schools is down this year, particularly in graduate programs. For fall 2022, there was a total headcount of 239,663 students across the system, down about 2% over the previous year. Of the 16 institutions in the system, 12 saw decreases in enrollment. Four saw increases.

Enrollment in graduate programs was down 7%, and transfer student enrollment was down again for a fourth year, now at the lowest since 2013. The report also showed that the percentage of minority students enrolling has increased for the 10th consecutive year. In 2022, one out of every three students in the UNC System are classified as an underrepresented minority student.

The 2022 UNC Fall Enrollment Report was presented to the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors’ Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs for discussion.

“External projections anticipated a significant dip in North Carolina high school graduates in 2022 and significant national declines over the next decade,” report author David English, acting senior vice president for academic affairs, wrote.

The report also showed that demand from out of state has led to four schools exceeding their capped enrollment of out-of-state freshmen. In 1986, the UNC BOG set that the 16 UNC System schools must limit the number of out-of-state students as a percentage of the first-time freshmen coming on campus. Over the years, system schools have opposed the caps, asking that they be increased. The policy was adjusted in 2022 to be a percentage of the previous year’s enrollment.

For 2022, the caps were 50% for Elizabeth State University, 35% for Fayetteville State University and Winston-Salem State University, 25% for North Carolina Central University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and 18% percent for the rest of the institutions, like UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State.

“The UNC System saw significant enrollment demand from first-time freshmen outside North Carolina for the fall of 2022, demand that far exceeded capacity for out-of-state freshmen,” the report read.

The report followed a vote by the UNC Board of Governors earlier this month in favor of fining N.C. A&T $2 million for enrolling more out-of-state students than permitted, hitting 41% of the freshman class being out-of-state. The vote came after the school exceeded the cap for two consecutive years. N.C. State, UNCW, and WCU also exceeded their caps, but by lower percentages. The three schools were notified that they would be fined if they exceed the cap again next year.

The report also predicted that nationwide college enrollment declines are expected through the coming decade and beyond, particularly in the Midwest and northern states. Substantial shifts in population indicate that by 2037, only states in the South and West will have more high school graduates than they did in 2019.

“In the coming decade, the substantial enrollment declines in the Northeast, Midwest, and West will cause colleges and universities in those regions to become more aggressive in recruiting students from the South, including North Carolina,” the report read.

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra presents their Brass Ensemble in a festive concert, “Holiday Brass." This performance will be on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Haymount United Methodist Church on Fort Bragg Road.

“This event is an opportunity for the community to get into the holiday spirit with the Brass Ensemble here at the Fayetteville Symphony,” said Meghan Woolbright, marketing and office manager of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “Selected pieces include Tchaikovsky’s Suite from the Nutcracker, Leontovich’s Carol of the Bells and Christmas holiday favorites such as Little Drummer Boy, O Come, O Come Emmanuel and more.”

Other selected pieces include the holiday classics like Victor Herbert's March of the Toys, Claude Debussy's Footprints in the Snow, Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio No. 62 “Now may your proud foes be afraid," and Gustav Holst's Christmas Day.

The music director of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is Stefan Sanders. Prior to coming to Fayetteville, Stefan was one of five featured conductors at the League of American Orchestras “Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview.”

“He is also the musical director for the Central Texas Philharmonic and has been with us since 2017,” said Woolbright. “He brings a lot of energy to the performance... he is full of energy and we are lucky to have him here with us.”

“We have quite a few local musicians in the Brass Ensemble from here, one coming out of Winston-Salem, Myrtle Beach and Charlotte,” Woolbright told Up & Coming Weekly. “I know that it is going to be an excellent performance.”

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1956 in Fayetteville. It is a professional regional orchestra whose mission is to educate, entertain and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource. Praised for its artistic excellence, the Symphony leads in the cultural and educational landscape for Fayetteville and the southeastern North Carolina region.

“We are really excited to share the holiday spirit with our community,” said Woolbright. “Please come out and enjoy this festive and fun performance.”

This is a season concert performance so season ticket holders can attend. The 2022-2023 season has a total of seven concerts. This will be the third concert of the season.
For those who are not season ticket holders, they can buy tickets for $32. Tickets can be purchased on the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra's website and at the door the evening of the event.
The box office opens one hour prior to the concert and the pre-concert talks begin 45 minutes prior to the concert.

Seniors, military and Cumberland County School employees receive 20% off for their ticket. College student tickets are $8. Children tickets are $5.
For more information call (910) 433-4690 or visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

The progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS has been remarkable. According to amfAR (formerly known as the American Foundation for AIDS Research), annual deaths from AIDS-related causes declined by 43 percent between 2010 and 2020. Much of that decline can be credited to increased access to antiretroviral therapies. In 2010, just 7.7 million people across the globe had access to such treatments. By 2020, 27.5 million people had access to such treatments, which reflects the tireless efforts of various advocacy groups determined to help people overcome HIV/AIDS.

Ongoing efforts to educate individuals across the globe also has helped in the fight against HIV/AIDS. COVID-19 has dominated headlines since the World Health Organization first declared a pandemic in March 2020, and that may give the false impression that HIV/AIDS is no longer a significant threat, particularly in the developed world. However, amfAR reports that 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and roughly 14 percent of them are unaware that they’re infected. Learning more about HIV/AIDS may compel individuals to be tested, which in turn can lead them to seek potentially lifesaving therapies.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV resides and multiplies in the white blood cells, which are immune cells that typically protect the body from disease. As HIV grows in an infected person, specific immune cells are damaged or even killed. That weakens the immune system and leaves infected individuals vulnerable to a range of additional infections or illnesses, including pneumonia and cancer. amfAR notes that AIDS is diagnosed when an individual experiences these additional conditions or loses a significant amount of immune cells.

Is AIDS inevitable after an HIV diagnosis?

Though HIV can be a precursor to AIDS, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services notes that most individuals in the United States who have been diagnosed with HIV do not develop AIDS. That’s thanks to HIV medicine that stops the progression of the disease when it’s taken every day as prescribed.

Can virally suppressed people being treated for HIV transmit the virus?

One of the most noteworthy developments in recent years in regard to antiretroviral therapies was the discovery that such treatments can eliminate the risk of transmission to uninfected partners. According to amfAR, which sponsored one of the key studies in this area, when individuals with HIV take their antiretroviral therapies as prescribed to achieve lasting viral suppression, they completely remove the risk of transmitting HIV to uninfected partners. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made that declaration in 2019.

Are treatments for HIV curative?

Though HIV medications help individuals diagnosed with the virus live normal, healthier lives, such treatments are not cures. Individuals must continue to adhere to their antiretroviral treatments to keep the virus suppressed and avoid transmitting it to their partners. Researchers continue to make remarkable progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Individuals can do their part by learning about HIV/AIDS and taking measures to protect themselves and their loved ones. More information is available at www.amfar.org.

The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is beautiful any time of the year, but during December, it’s lit. The 12th Annual Holiday Lights at the Garden is coming up and has become a tradition for many families. Not only will the garden have lights throughout, but it’s a great addition for any family celebrating Christmas.

This annual event has become a staple for the Gardens.

“Not only is Holiday Lights at the Garden one of the primary ways guests have the opportunity to experience the Garden for the first time, and a special memory-making time for our guests, but it also serves as a key fundraising event to support our gardens, education events, therapeutic horticulture programs and other functions of the garden in pursuit of our mission to bring our community closer to plants and the natural world,” said Sheila Hanrick, director of marketing for the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

Santa will be there for kids and photos. S’mores will be available at the bonfire. Crafts and games will be plenty for kids and adults who are kids at heart.

New this year will be the showing of the movie “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” at the Gazebo. There will also be a scavenger hunt, aptly named “The Best Christmas Scavenger Hunt Ever,” with nightly prizes. For those who want to make sure their letter gets straight to Santa, there will be a drop-off spot for letters.

There will also be live music and performances from local dance troupes. These performances will vary depending on the availability of the entertainment each night.
Food and drinks will be available from food trucks and the Garden Bar. For those who need to do last-minute holiday shopping, the Garden Gift Shop will be open, as well as a Vendor Market, featuring local artisans.

“We have a few other surprises, too, that we know our visitors will enjoy,” Hanrick said.

There will be a complimentary preview night on Dec. 1, which will be free to members, sponsors and donors. The event will run from Dec. 2 through Dec. 22 – every weekend in December and nightly from Dec. 16 through Dec. 22.

“Advance tickets are highly recommended,” Hanrick said. “Many of our nights will sell out. Tickets are date and time specific for entry to help reduce parking and entry delays, but once you enter, your experience is self-directed, and you can stay as long as you’d like.”

Ticket prices range from $6 to $14. They can be bought at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/26840/cape-fear-botanical-garden. For more information, call 910-486-0221.

Is nothing sacred?

Stay tuned to learn the disappointing answer. Misquoting Neidermeyer’s opening statement at the trial of the Deltas in Animal House, a recent event of dietary disrespect and ignorance occurred at a sacred ancient temple of NC BBQ which was so loathsome that “the acts of culinary perversion were so profound and disgusting that decorum prohibits listing them here.” Naturally I shall go ahead and list them anyway.

This profane act of defiling and criticizing NC BBQ cannot be ignored. To quote the philosopher of the sea, Popeye: “That’s all I can stand. I can’t stands no more.” The time has come to leap athwart the bow of history and shout “Enough!” The two readers of this column know that I make every effort to remain neutral, beige, and boring in my opinions and observations. But I cannot let this travesty go unremarked.

Breaking my silence on current events, I follow the edict of Martin Luther, who after nailing his 95 theses to the church door in 1517, was deemed a heretic. Four years later in a church trial when threatened with excommunication and burning at the stake, he was offered amnesty if he would just recant his beliefs.
Martin Luther refused to do so, saying: “Here I stand. I can do no other.” The Holy Grub of North Carolina has been insulted by a Phillistine from north of the Mason-Dixon line. It is my sacred duty to defend NC BBQ.

Damn the cholesterol, full steam ahead.

Return with us now to November in a capital city in a southern state. Let us call that city Raleigh. It was a normal day towards the end of a normal lunch hour. Suddenly, a crime wave was identified at a famous local restaurant. Let us call that restaurant Clyde Cooper’s BBQ.

A woman, possibly from New Jersey, who we shall call Karen, ordered a plate of Clyde’s BBQ to go. Karen is a special kind of lady. A lady of exquisite breeding, unfounded egotism, and culinary misinformation. Karen is a lady who owns a cell phone. Karen knows her rights. She even knows the number of 911.
When Karen opened her box of BBQ, she was stricken with revulsion and disbelief. The BBQ inside was pink. Pink, the color of impetigo. Pink, the color of pink eye. Pink, the color of flamingos. Pink, the color of Pepto Bismol. She was stricken with mental pain and crippling emotional anguish.

This pink BBQ was not properly cooked. Trichinosis lurked in her Styrofoam box. Botulism was just a forkful away from her delicate constitution. As Colonel Kurtz said in Apocalypse Now: “The horror. The horror….”
Karen marched herself right back into Mr. Cooper’s café and demanded fully cooked BBQ or a refund. The owner explained the BBQ was pink because it was smoked BBQ.

Smoked BBQ is pink, not grey. It is smoked for over 12 hours at 250 degrees. It is done even though the smoke turns it pink. Cooper's has been smoking BBQ for over 75 years and knows pig. A refund was denied and Karen was given chicken as a substitute. Was this enough for Karen? Not a chance.

Karen sashayed out the door. She did what any Karen would do. She called 911 to report a BBQ emergency. According to press reports, a Raleigh police officer was dispatched to the scene of the crime to investigate. The officer entered Cooper's, briefly discussed pink BBQ, and according to the owner of Cooper’s, “He walked out- Kind of had a little smirk on his face.”

The officer spoke with Karen, but made no arrests of the cooks and left. Karen left a cranky one-star review on Google writing: “Worst customer service I ever had in my life. Barbecue was very pink and had lots of fat in it.”

Karen was interviewed later by WRAL, telling the TV station that “she did not regret calling the police and is considering filing a lawsuit against Cooper's.”

Imagine a NC jury brought up eating the holy grub, hearing a case brought by Karen who clearly knows nothing of our history and even less about what makes good BBQ. You can tear down our statues. You can fill Cary with Yankees. But by all that is Holy, you cannot defame our BBQ.

Where does it end? It never ends. Another NC food related lawsuit is winding its way through the California courts. A disgruntled man in Los Angeles filed a class action lawsuit against Texas Pete hot sauce claiming he was misled into thinking Texas Pete was made in Texas. The label on Texas Pete clearly states it was made in Winston-Salem, NC. His complaint alleged he would not have bought it if he knew its origin, stating that Texas Pete “knowingly capitalized on consumers’ desire to partake in the culture and authentic cuisine of one of the most prideful states in America.” Only a money poultice can make him regruntled again.

What have we learned today? Once again, very little. You can lead Yankees to food, but you can’t make them eat. Dare to strike back, put some Texas Pete on your next BBQ sandwich.

The official installation holiday tree for Fort Bragg has arrived and has been decorated for the holiday season.
The 24-foot North Carolina Fraser Fir is planned to be the center piece for the 20th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony planned on Dec. 3. This ceremony will officially kick off the holiday season for Fort Bragg service members, civilians, and their families.

“The holiday season is a time when we come together as a community to celebrate,” said Col. John Wilcox, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander.

“From the moment the tree arrives, to the final decorations with ornaments showing all the major commands on the installation, the tree is symbolic of our connection with each other and the strength of our people. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our tree lighting ceremony with all of our neighbors, and officially celebrate the start of the holiday season here on Fort Bragg.”

The ceremony will kick off at 4 p.m. Highlights will include performances from the 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus, the Golden Knights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Winter Wonderland light display, face painting, cookie decorating, food and drink vendors -- all culminating with the lighting of the holiday tree.

One difference this year is that the Family of the Year will be announced before the Christmas Tree Lighting, not during. Fort Bragg’s annual Family of the Year ceremony will take place 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the Main Post Chapel.

Families are nominated for Family of the Year by their units based on the level of involvement of the Family, their contributions to the unit, as well as the community.

“It is important to note that military Families demonstrate resiliency in their everyday live through supporting each other during unexpected challenges and while celebrating each other’s victories,” said Liz Dailey, Supervisory Army Community Service Specialist.

“This is the time to honor and recognize those who embody the spirit of selfless service and take that extra step to help others within their community and the Army as a whole.”

The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at the Main Post Parade Field. Military families who want a tree of their own at Fort Bragg can receive a free Christmas tree as well.

The Trees for Troops program is back this year to partner with Fort Bragg's Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation, FedEx, the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and tree farmers across the country to give out 600 trees. During the busy weeks leading up to Christmas, FedEx will deliver more than 15,000 real trees to 84 military bases.

The donated Christmas trees are free for active-duty service members E-6 and below. Tree vouchers will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis at Leisure Travel Services.

Trees will be given out starting at 8 a.m. at the Smith Lake Recreation Area on Friday, Dec. 2. Those with a voucher and a valid Department of Defense identification card can pick up their tree. They will stop distributing trees at noon.

Cumberland Choral Arts and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra are set to perform “Messiah” on Dec. 10 at Berean Baptist Church. “Messiah” is George Frideric Handel’s classical piece famous for its “Hallelujah” chorus.

According to Dr. Michael Martin, artistic director of the CCA, it is broken up into three parts: the coming of Jesus, the passion story, and the death and resurrection. Typically at Christmas, people perform the first part because it is about the birth of Jesus. However, while popular around Christmas, the chorus “Hallelujah” is not from the first part. It is borrowed from the second part of the work.

He said a lot of the singers return to the show every year and a large core of the choir knows the material, but newcomers learn it a little bit faster because of this.

“I think everybody in Fayetteville has things they love to do that kick off their season. I’m also the Director of Choral Activities at Methodist University,” Martin said. “We do a Yuletide Feaste madrigal dinner every year. Some people come to that and attend ‘Messiah’ to start their holiday seasons. I’m thrilled to be associated with people’s holiday plans.”

Martin said locals say this show gets them in the holiday mood. He thinks it is because there is a magical component to hearing a live chorus and symphony orchestra that enhances the start of the holiday season, instead of hearing just recordings.

“We’re pretty lucky in Fayetteville to have a full symphony orchestra and have a symphonic choir like the Cumberland Choral Arts,” Martin said. “I’m thrilled these organizations are willing to give this gift to the citizens of Fayetteville so that we can be a community at Christmastime.”

He said that once a performer has been in a choral organization that sings “Messiah,” performers typically don’t forget it. Each year they do set aside a place in the audience for those in attendance who would like to sing with the choir. People usually inform Martin they will do this in advance.

“It is something we got away from doing. But if we have interested people, we try to accommodate them,” he said.

Some attendees wear Victorian attire to the show, Martin said, but the choir wears attire for a formal concert.

One of their members is Brenda Vandervort- Miller. She is the Mezzo Soprano for this year. Originally from Newburgh, New York, she went to Methodist University from 1995-2000. The choral director of the school at the time, Alan Porter, was the founder of the organization and named them Cumberland Oratorio Singers. As a music student, she went to their concerts as part of their curriculum. After graduation, she left Fayetteville. Eight years later she came back and saw the organization was thriving and learned it was not too late to join. Vandervort-Miller has now been with the group for 13 years.

“Messiah for me is tradition,” she said. “I have been performing ‘Messiah’ for about 22 years as a soloist and choir member. Christmas season is not complete without it.”

She added, “Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is co-sponsoring this event and it has been really nice to join forces.”

The show is Dec. 10 at Berean Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. The address is 517 Glensford Drive.

I have missed you all!

Like the late, great Charles Kuralt, I have been “on the road,” or more accurately, on the plane for 30 hours, more or less. With various layovers, 30 hours is about what it takes to get to southern Africa and another 30 to get home.

And as we all know, there is nothing like sleeping in one’s own bed! Like Kuralt and most other travelers, I learn a great deal everywhere I go from western Europe to east Asia to the bush of southern Africa.
And, like millions of other Americans, I am always grateful to set foot back on United States soil, where I was born, grew up, and raised my own family. Seeing how other people in other places face daily life makes us understand, cherish, and willing to fight for our American freedoms.

The United States is a relatively new country compared to European nations, India, and certainly China. We are older and more experienced, though, than some African nations, many of which divorced themselves from European colonial occupation in the mid-20th century and are still feeling their way. For some, birth and maturation continue to be painful.

Among the joys of traveling in southern Africa are the well-run national parks and game reserves that spotlight, and more importantly, protect Africa’s spectacular wildlife—lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and the list goes on. Tourism, the area’s most important industry, supports these efforts.

The harder reality is that South Africa and Zimbabwe both have high unemployment rates and, not surprisingly, high rates of crime and homelessness. Government corruption is a pervasive factor.
Kliptown, a squatter community in the city of Johannesburg, stopped me in my tracks.

No government—city or national—provides any service, including electricity and plumbing, to this community of about 45,000 souls.
One positive is an after-school program for local children established by 3 young men who grew up there which received worldwide recognition as a CNN Hero. A California family funded a brand new $2M facility after seeing the news coverage.

Which brings me to Nancy Pelosi.

Love her or loathe her, Nancy Pelosi tells us our system of government works. Pelosi is the first and only woman to become Speaker of the US House of Representatives and third in line to the Presidency.

Her tenure in the house spanned four Presidencies, the Iraq War, the Great Recession, the Affordable Care Act, and the Insurrection which could have taken both her life as well as our nation’s.
Following an unprecedented attack on her elderly husband, Pelosi stepped away from leadership responsibilities, but she has been and remains a highly polarizing figure in American politics.
For more than a decade, she has been demonized by the opposition.

Nancy Pelosi would not know me from Adam’s house cat, but she probably would not be surprised that more than a decade ago when I ran for public office, mailers went out of the two of us photoshopped together as if we were best friends.

The opposition meant this as a negative, but I was flattered.

I mention Pelosi because she is an example of what works in our country despite our deep and pervasive divisions.

The reality that our nation has survived an insurrection and that legislative power is being transferred, however contentiously, tells us that our structure is holding—at least for now.
We got through our mid-term elections with grumbling and disappointments for sure, but candidates are not alleging widespread voter fraud or refusing to accept election outcomes.

Our United States is far from perfect, but we are working on our issues, just as we have been for about 250 years. I am really glad and thankful to be home.