The season for giving is approaching and people can help the women of the Junior League of Fayetteville do that at the 55th Annual Holly Day Fair Nov. 3 to 6 at the Crown Expo Center. According to the organization, it is the largest holiday gift and craft show in eastern North Carolina. The event draws an average of 22,000 attendees and over 150 vendors.

“Show-goers have an extensive selection of unique handcrafted and manufactured products to select from including the best in holiday decorations, handmade crafts, stylish jewelry and clothes, children’s toys, specialty food items and much more,” said Juelle McDonald, Holly Day Fair Chair 2022 on the Junior League of Fayetteville’s website.

This year’s theme is Make Spirits Bright. She noted that over 50 years ago, a group of local women came together to fundraise by hosting a small crafts fair at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville.

McDonald said a portion of the revenue is given back to the local community through the Junior League of Fayetteville CAP grants, the Junior League of Fayetteville Scholarship fund and other community initiatives. McDonald said it is the organization’s sole fundraiser, but it is big.

“It's how we raise our money. It's how we're able to help our community and give scholarships and really be a change when it comes to financial aspects and support different community endeavors,” she said.

The funds they distribute to different organizations come from the fair’s booth rental fees, sponsorships and tickets to the fair.
They decided not to do the show in 2020 due to the pandemic, but had it last year and received a lot of community support.

What’s New?

McDonald said a new item to the show is Cookies with the Clauses.

“Mr. and Mrs. Claus are going to be there,” she said. “They're going to read a book and it's going to be an activity for the children. We are excited to incorporate that into the show this year. It'll be the first time we've ever done anything like it.”

“We’re thankful for our community. It's because of our community we’re able to do this. For 55 years our community has come through. Our community has supported us,” McDonald said. “We couldn't be more thankful.”

The League’s Mission

“The Junior League of Fayetteville is an organization of women dedicated to serving our community, being volunteers for our community and being that active voice and change whether that's with work that we do with our CAP grants or the work that we do through the Holly Day Fair,” McDonald said. “We're just an organization of women devoted to actively ensuring that our community is a better place.”

Their mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. Their values include diversity, collaboration, community, empowerment, leadership, respect and service.

One-Stop Early Voting in Cumberland County for the Nov. 8 General Election runs through Nov. 5 at eight locations across the county.

Early voting weekday and weekend dates and hours:

Oct. 24 – 28
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 29 – 30
Oct. 29, Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Oct. 30, Sunday
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Oct. 31 – Nov. 5
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 5, Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

One-Stop Early Voting locations are listed below. The Spring Lake Recreation Center is a new location for One-Stop Voting in 2022.

•Cliffdale Recreation Center, 6404 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville

•College Lakes Recreation Center, 4945 Rosehill Road, Fayetteville

•East Regional Library, 4809 Clinton Road, Fayetteville

•J.D. Pone Recreation Center, 2964 School Road, Hope Mills

•Kiwanis Recreation Center, 352 Devers St., Fayetteville

•Smith Recreation Center, 1520 Slater Ave., Fayetteville

•Spring Lake Recreation Center, 245 Ruth St., Spring Lake

•Stoney Point Recreation Center, 7411 Rockfish Road, Hope Mills

If you are not registered to vote, you may register at early voting sites during the early voting period. After registering, you will immediately be able to vote at the same site.

To register to vote, you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older by the date of the next General Election and a legal resident of Cumberland County for 30 days before the date of the next election.
Under federal and state law, if you apply to register to vote and do not provide a valid driver’s license number or last four digits of your Social Security number, on your application, you must enclose a copy of one of the following documents with your application:

•A current and valid photo ID

•A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address.

If you do not provide a valid form of ID, you will be asked to show ID the first time you present to vote.
The 2022 General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. To check to see whether you are registered to vote, view your Election Day polling location, and a sample ballot, go to https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/.

If you are registered to vote in Cumberland County and are unable to vote in person on Election Day, you may request an absentee ballot from the Cumberland County Board of Elections. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Board of Elections no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the election by mail or commercial courier service at the voter’s expense or delivered in person by the voter, the voter’s near relative or verifiable legal guardian.

The Cumberland County Board of Elections is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Board of Elections is in the E. Newton Smith Center at 227 Fountainhead Lane in Fayetteville.

For more information, contact Cumberland County Board of Elections at 910-678-7733 or visit cumberlandcountync.gov/elections.

The Sons of the Savior Motorcycle Ministries is hosting a Benefit Ride Saturday, Oct. 22 to raise funds in support of local cancer patient Pam Bell. The Ride will begin and end at 301 Wingz in Fayetteville.

Thus far, Bell’s family has exhausted every option, ride organizer Ann Provencher said. “She’s on an experimental treatment, and the insurance doesn’t cover supplies and things she needs. That’s why we’re doing the benefit ride.”

Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the ride starts at noon. To ride is $20 per motorcycle, $10 per motorcycle passenger, and $20 per car (no matter how many passengers). There will also be raffle tickets for door prizes.

Riders will form a caravan of well-wishers that will ride past Bell’s home in a show of support. Afterwards, the ride leads back to 301 Wingz, where the door prizes will be raffled.

Riders can plan for an approximate 35-mile roundtrip and the weather is expected to be a sunny, 75-degree day.
All proceeds from registration and raffle tickets to Bell and her family for medical, home care and quality of life expenses, while she continues to fight the illness at home.

Provencher said the ride and fundraiser is a surprise for Bell, and an opportunity for riders to show their support and encouragement. To help other than ride, please visit Amazon to see Bell’s Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QS8X23BL8I4M?ref_=wl_share.

For more information on the benefit ride or to donate, call 910-670-9280.

The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater in downtown Lumberton will present North Carolina-based bluegrass and Americana group Chatham Rabbits on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

As one of North Carolina’s most beloved roots music outfits, Chatham Rabbits has swiftly emerged from the fertile Americana scene in the Triangle. The husband-and-wife duo of Sarah and Austin McCombie favors rustic, minimalist acoustic arrangements — mainly claw hammer-style banjo and guitar — that showcase deftness and maturity with their song writing. The pair will be performing with a full backup band.

Chatham Rabbits’ first album, “All I Want From You,” was recorded with the help of Watchhouse’s Andrew Marlin, and their sophomore album, “The Yoke is Easy, The Burden is Full,” was released in 2020.

Their song “Oxen” was named one of the Top Folk Songs of 2020 by Paste Magazine, and the band has been covered by Garden & Gun Magazine, American Songwriter, and No Depression.

Their ingenuity during the COVID-19 crisis led to building their own venue, The Burrow, and creating their mobile concert experience, The Stay at Home Tour, which took Chatham Rabbits to 194 neighborhoods in 2020 and 2021.

In addition, the duo is the focus of a new television limited series, “On the Road with Chatham Rabbits,” which premiered on PBS North Carolina in May.
Last month, they signed with Ramseur Records, which also represents The Avett Brothers, Sierra Ferrell and Amythyst Kiah.

"When you listen to Chatham Rabbits, there is a tangible feeling of warmth, community, and belonging. This comes across in their songs, in their sound, and is most evident at their live shows. Sarah and Austin are so relatable, as is their music, and I believe they're only scratching the surface of what they can truly become," said Dolph Ramseur, owner of Ramseur Records.

"We are so honored and excited to be on this roster of incredible artists and we are so stoked for all of the things that this can do for our career. Ramseur Records is truly legendary in the roots music world and it's pretty amazing that we have the opportunity to work with this tight-knit team," the band wrote on their Facebook page.⁣

Tickets for the show in Lumberton are $20 for adults and $15 for students. This performance is partially underwritten by a grant from the Robeson County Arts Council.

Tickets for the Mainstage Series can be purchased online by going to www.carolinaciviccenter.com. Tickets also can be purchased in-person from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the theater’s second-floor administrative offices or by calling the Civic Center at 910-738-4339. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. The Theater lobby box office opens for ticket sales one hour before the performance.

The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater is a beautifully-restored 1928 treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places that offers visitors a unique and visually stunning experience. The theater is located at 315 North Chestnut Street. There is plenty of parking around the theater.

Fayetteville residents will have an important opportunity when they go to the polls on Nov. 8 , or take advantage of early voting. The ballot will include a City Charter Amendment that will change the structure of the Fayetteville City Council from its current nine single-member districts to a combination of five single-member districts and four at-large seats.

This change will ensure that every Fayetteville resident will have six council members reporting to them versus one and the mayor. That means if you have a problem, whether it be with trash pickup or public safety, you will have six council members accountable to you at the ballot box. We all agree that we need more representation, not less.

I had the honor to serve the City of Fayetteville as an at-large member, a district councilman and as mayor from 2013-2017. I served as a council member with both structures of government. With those real-life experiences, I have seen the advantages and disadvantages of both models. There is no question that having a combined model with both at-large and single-member districts provides the best opportunity for success for our city.

Fayetteville competes against other major North Carolina cities for good jobs, economic investment and an enhanced quality of life. To be successful, we need to have the same tools and best practices that they use to lead their cities. Unfortunately, we find ourselves following behind these other cities as we spend excessive time dealing with district infighting and too little time on the key issues, and the big picture that prevent us from keeping pace with the rest of the state.

Nine of the 12 largest cities in the state have at-large members as a part of their city council structure. Practically all of the local governments in Cumberland County also include at-large members. They include the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, the Cumberland County Board of Education, and the towns of Hope Mills and Spring Lake. None of these entities are considering the elimination of their current at-large seats because they see that a balanced approach — with both at-large and single-member districts — works best for them.

The remaining five single-member districts will continue to provide attention to district issues. The target population of around 42,000 residents for each of the five districts is far lower than the Cumberland County Board of Commissioner districts with an average target population of 64,500 or the Cumberland County School Board with an average of 55,760 residents.

Fayetteville residents will no longer have to live in gerrymandered districts where City Council members choose their own voters. This results in numerous neighborhoods and even voting precincts being split in order to promote incumbent protection, fostering civic disengagement and voter apathy. Quite honestly, it’s confusing for everyone almost every time we have the opportunity to go to the polls.

Equally important is the fact that there would be a balance on the City Council with half (5) of the council members also charged with looking at the big picture and addressing city-wide issues that continue to hold us back, because they don’t get the attention needed, at the urgency we need.

Successful candidates for the at-large seats will have to spend time educating themselves about the entire city, not just one of the districts. They will also be directly accountable to every Fayetteville resident at the next election. This accountability is sorely needed in our current City Council structure!

To be competitive, Fayetteville needs a structure of government that allows us to compete with the other major cities in North Carolina.
The Vote Yes Charter Amendment will provide you more voice and more representation on the City Council.
I encourage you to join with me and Vote Yes on the City Charter Amendment on Nov. 8.

Editor's Note: Nat Robertson is a former Mayor of Fayetteville (2013 to 2017). He also served as an at-large council member from 1989 to 1995, and the District 5 representative from 1999 to 2001.

I’m writing this week to those of you reading who consider yourselves a Christian. Those who —along with me — make up what we call the church. If you’re one who would rather not be bothered with the whole Jesus thing but would like some ammo for your next debate with a Christian, you might find some here, so read on!

I fear that, as David Platt penned in the foreword to Francis Chan’s “Multiply,” we have subtly and tragically taken [the] costly command of Christ to go, baptize and teach all nations and mutated it into a comfortable call for Christians to come, be baptized and listen in one location.

That’s a reference to an oft-quoted passage in the New Testament book of Matthew. In verses 19 and 20 Jesus is speaking to the eleven men He called one-by-one to follow, learn from, and become like Him.

He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Christians commonly refer to this as The Great Commission.

The passage is frequently used as a base charge to move to some other part of the world and make converts to Christianity through missionary work. Those men did just that. They began telling people about this amazing Jesus who walked on water, healed physical infirmities, cured diseases, and fed thousands when little or no food was available. They testified that even though they were witnesses as this man was himself beaten and nailed to a cross where he died a painful and cruel death, they had later seen, eaten with, and spoken to Him — and He was alive!

Theirs was anything but a comfortable life. They were threatened, beaten, imprisoned, and generally treated as outlaws because they would not back down from their story. Yet, as Platt wrote, though we quote and even revere these eleven original disciples, we have determined that somehow, we are owed a comfortable place in a world every bit as vile and cruel as the world they offered their testimony to.

It’s impossible to be a disciple or a follower of someone and not end up like that person. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40).

Remember this, Christian: We are not merely responsible for our own spiritual well-being; we are called to minister to the people around us, teaching them to obey all the things that Jesus commands. And in a dark world playing hide and seek from absolute truth and any moral base, it’s only getting darker.
But Jesus says you’re the light of the world. I promise to pray for you as you learn to truly shine. I only ask that you do the same for me.

Cape Fear’s Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra presents its symphony movie night featuring the film, "Nosferatu," on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. at Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom in Hope Mills.

“Nosferatu is our symphony night movie and the purpose of this event is to provide a free event to our community to start off the season,” said Meghan Woolbright, marketing and office manager at the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.

“There is also going to be a small ensemble involved with about 8 to 10 performers that bring a lot of punch.”

“The silent film will be playing and we will soundtrack the film,” said Anna Meyer, interim executive director of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “The arrangement is by a composer named Peter B. Kay.”

She added, “We did this last year, it was very successful and people really enjoyed seeing the film with the live music that accompanied it.”
The movie, "Nosferatu," is a 1922 German silent film based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It entails a vampire who preys on the wife of his estate agent and brings the plague to their town.

“It is kind of a cult classic and people recognize it,” said Meyer. “We are starting around 8 p.m. and the movie will last about an hour.”

Meyer added that this is a casual event and individuals may come with friends and family, enjoy food and drinks and connect with the community.
The idea for the event came from Fayetteville Symphony’s music director, Stefan Sanders, who had done a similar project for an orchestra that he conducts in Austin, Texas.

“He was aware of the arrangements for the films so typically we will select a silent film that has a good arrangement for symphony,” said Meyer. “Nosferatu is a clear choice because it is a popular film, it is recognizable and goes along with the theme of Halloween.”

Founded in 1956, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to educate, entertain and inspire the citizens of Fayetteville as a leading musical resource. The group performs eight concerts at Fayetteville State University and Methodist University during the concert season. The professional orchestra also performs educational concerts for schools and the community, offers after-school strings and summer music programs and has its own Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Partnerships include collaborative performances with Cumberland Choral Arts, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, St. John’s Episcopal Church and the city’s annual Independence Day concert with fireworks.

The event is free and open to all ages. Food, drinks and alcoholic beverages will be for sale. For more information, call 910-433-4690 or visit www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

According to the most recent data, a child is removed from their home and placed into foster care every two minutes. 

As of 2021, over 400,000 children in the United States are in the foster care system. While that number has dropped over the past several years, the reality of those numbers is much more concerning. 

Narrowing the focus to just North Carolina, there are more than 12,000 children in foster care in need of homes, 700 of whom live in Cumberland County.

Cumberland County accounts for about 30% of all child placements in North Carolina, by far the highest percentage in the state. 

The urgent question of what to do with these children, who are widely considered to be the most vulnerable demographic in the country, is one that demands immediate attention. 

To bring awareness to an issue rarely spoken about in polite conversation, the Cumberland County Community Collaborative is hosting its inaugural Cumberland County Foster Care Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Living Water Assembly of God from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The festival is intended to bring some fun and support to local foster families and foster kids and potentially recruit those interested in starting the foster-care process. 

Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Kyle Coleman, Regional Supervisor of Youth Villages, about the event and the rising emergency within the Cumberland County foster care system. 

“We recognize that there’s a pandemic in foster care right now,” Coleman said candidly. “We have about 700 kids waiting for beds and maybe 50 available. We want to offer these kids a sense of stability and a loving home; we don’t want them bouncing from place to place.”

The Cumberland County Community Collaborative has set a goal to reduce the number of times children are moved from home to home while in the system, which is a major issue within the foster-care community. On average, children are moved between two to three times a year, dramatically decreasing their stability and long-term potential for success.

“Every time a child is moved, it’s considered a traumatic event,” Coleman explained. “Each traumatic event increases the likelihood of that child committing a violent crime, getting sentenced to jail, or abusing drugs.”

According to the Juvenile Law Center, 90% of juveniles with five or more foster placements will enter the justice system. Presently, “the problem is so severe that one-quarter of foster care alumni will become involved with the criminal justice system within two years of leaving care.”

It is precisely due to these statistics that Coleman and others involved in the Cumberland County Community Collaborative feel the time for action is long past due. 

“If you want to solve the prison issue — solve the foster care issue,” a frustrated Coleman advised. “Foster kids are 60% more likely to have mental health issues and 70% more likely to commit a violent crime. Several of these kids just need a chance. The right foster care placement can mean the difference between prison, military, or college.” 

The festival aims to connect foster care families with resources in the area that may benefit them and the children in their care. Information will also be available for potential foster parents, community members who wish to get involved, and birth parents who have been or will be reunited with their children. Most importantly, this festival is about community.  

“We’re hoping to get all the foster care agencies to attend this event,” said Coleman. “We want foster parents to be aware of their resources and offer support to biological parents who are getting their kids back. We hope this event will help to connect such an isolated population to other people in the community.”

Only a few short days from Halloween, festival-goers are encouraged to show up in costume as they enjoy a day filled with music, dancing, face painting, cornhole, and other fun activities. A chili cook-off is scheduled at noon, and children can load up their buckets and sacks with goodies from the Trunk or Treat from 2 to 4 p.m.  

While fun is an added benefit of the festivities, more than anything, Coleman hopes this festival will ignite a spark in people who maybe want to foster but are afraid to take the leap.

When asked about the misconceptions that surround fostering, Coleman had this to say:

“[People] are afraid that they’re not good enough. They worry they don’t have enough money or they don’t have their lives together enough to foster and make a difference. But that’s just not true. Some of these kids have been through such egregious experiences if they just have someone walk with them around the park on a Saturday afternoon — it can be enough.”

Currently, in Cumberland County, the demographic in the largest need of foster care placement are African American youth and children between the ages of 9 and 13. Both groups speak to other widespread issues within the foster care system — the disproportionality of African American children taken from their homes and the high interest in fostering or adopting younger children and babies. 

“No one thinks about fostering until infertility," Coleman said. “Babies only make up about 2-3% of children in foster care, and once a child hits 13, their chances of becoming adopted go down to around 30%, and they remain in the system until they age out and potentially go to prison.”

By nature, foster care is a temporary solution, with reunification being the ultimate goal. However, that’s just not the case for many of the youth in the foster care system. And, while the system is broken and fostering can be incredibly hard, Coleman insists there’s still an opportunity to turn things around. 

“This is fixable,” he said. “We can physically do something about this. When you foster, you’re investing in the future of every life you touch. It’s extremely hard — you get some really tough kids who’ve been through a lot, but seeing that positive change in one life can change your life too.”

While the Cumberland County Foster Fall Festival is a step in the right direction, Coleman hopes to see more community involvement and support for the incredible work that goes into serving this population of children. 

“There are all kinds of agencies and systems at work within foster care and social work every day, but there are no parades for mental health workers or social workers. We’re trying to make the world a better place and doing it silently.”

The Foster Care Fall Fest is free to attend and open to the public. 

Living Water Assembly of God is at 2040 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake. 

If interested in supporting the event, either by donating or volunteering, contact Coleman at 910-202-4974. 

To learn more about the Cumberland County Community Collaborative, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/cumberlandcollaborative/.

 

Over the last several years, people have asked me why Up & Coming Weekly newspaper makes such a “big deal” out of a golf tournament. Well, it's not just any golf tournament. It's the Cumberland County Golf Championship. And it's unique.

The CCGC is not only this community's most prestigious and competitive golfing event, but also the longest continuously running golf tournament in North Carolina. Since 1969, and for forty-six years, the CCGC was organized and managed by the local daily newspaper, the Fayetteville Observer, until Gatehouse Media purchased the FO in 2016.

At that point, Up & Coming Weekly was asked to take it on. As a small community newspaper, we were initially reluctant to take on such a responsibility. However, we accepted the challenge after careful consideration and several consultations with ardent local community leaders.

With minimum resources and staff, it would have been a challenging and complex undertaking without the contributions, resources, partnerships and encouragement of Representative Billy Richardson and his law firm, Mac Healy of Healy Wholesale, and Kevin Lavertu, General Manager of Gate Four Country Club.

Together, these folks created the foundation that allowed other people, businesses and organizations to join in to preserve this historic Fayetteville/Cumberland County golfing tradition.

We also felt this was a worthwhile undertaking because the CCGC reflected the same principles and philosophies on which Up & Coming Weekly has built its reputation during the last 26 years.

Golf is a game of honesty and integrity. Yes, golf takes athletic ability and physical stamina, but mostly it takes fortitude and character. And those who excel in golf have these attributes.

This is evident when you scan the CCGC Winners over the last 54 years. And this year was no exception, with Billy West winning this year's Cumberland County Champion title for the ninth time with an impressive 54-hole score of 221 (72,74,75). A remarkable feat considering the field of competitors.

The spread between the first and fourth place in the final Championship Flight was only three strokes. West squeaked by Nick Perry by one stroke. Perry finished second with a 222 (76,73,73).

Our involvement with the Cumberland County Golf Championship came when Up & Coming Weekly saw the opportunity to expand the scope of the tournament, making it more vibrant, meaningful, valuable and relative to the entire Cumberland County.

It has been a work in progress, but toward this end, we have expanded the event to include a Women’s Division and two youth divisions to mentor young local talent that will become the Cumberland County Champions of tomorrow.

The CCGC also adopted the Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to K-5 children in Fayetteville, Cumberland County and Fort Bragg.

Good things last, and it is our responsibility to preserve them.

Fayetteville and Cumberland County have close ties to the sport of golf. Touring PGA Professionals Ray Floyd and previous CCGC Champion Chip Beck are both from Fayetteville.

In addition, the world-famous Donald Ross-designed Pinehurst No. 2 golf course is only 37 miles away. However, Fayetteville can boast its own Donald Ross-designed course at Highland County Club.

The Cumberland County Golf Championship is more than a golf tournament. It is history, tradition and prestige. All of which speaks volumes about our community. Like I said, “Good things last.”

We congratulate this year’s 2022 CCGC Champion, Billy West, and Division winners. And we are grateful to all who participated as players, sponsors or supporters. You have now become an integral part of North Carolina golf history.

Next year the CCGC will be held on October 13 to 15. We hope to see you there.

2022 Cumberland County Golf Championship
Champion — Billy West
Open Flight Winner — Toby Sheehan
Senior Division — Gary Moore
Super Senior Division — Edwin Baez
Women's Division — Duckee Brown
Middle School Division — Miken Williams
Junior Division and Overall Youth Division — Chris Buchholtz

The Kiwanis Club International has long been known for their mission in serving the children of the world.

For the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville, that means serving the children and youth in our community through service projects, fundraising, grants, scholarships and sponsoring school-based service leadership programs. On Oct. 20, the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville will be holding their annual Care For Kids Golf Tournament at Gates Four Golf and Country Club, located at 6775 Irongate Drive.

Check in starts at 11 a.m. and tee off starts at noon with shotgun start. The golf tournament is “Best Ball” Captain’s Choice and will feature closest-to-the-pin.
There will be teams of four golfers for $400 and single players can sign up for $100 to be paired up with three other golfers. Team prizes will be awarded for first place, middle place and last place.

After the event, dinner will be catered by Gates Four. Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville will also be selling raffle tickets for $20. Barbara Porter, the Co-Chairman, commented, “Everyone who purchases a raffle ticket will win a prize. All prizes are valued at $25 and higher.”

All financial proceeds will be supporting local children-focused activities. Porter is proud to announce that the event has already raised $20,000 with at least $2,500 earmarked for the Child Advocacy Center in Fayetteville.

Other local organizations helping children that this golf tournament will support include Terrific Kids programs, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Fayetteville Partnership for Children, Boys and Girls Home of NC, and Falcon’s Children’s Home.

Kiwanis also sponsors Little League Baseball teams, and award local high school students scholarships for college.
The Fayetteville Kiwanis Club also participates in the Reading is Fun program locally. This is where the Kiwanis members go to preschools to read the children a story then give them a book to keep.

Sponsorships for Care for Kids Golf Tournament include Platinum, Silver and Bronze levels. There will be a sponsorship for each of the golf holes for $125.
These sponsors include local businesses, politicians and even a few In Memory Of sponsorships.

“I look forward to helping with the event itself,” Porter said. “This includes running the sign in table and organizing the raffle. I look forward to meeting the golfers and the community that comes out for the event. The proceeds from this event goes to a good cause, for the children in the community of Fayetteville.”

The Kiwanis International club was established 102 years ago as a pioneer in providing resources to children and improving the communities they serve. The local Kiwanis Club is one of the 7,000 clubs in over 80 countries. Other events that the Kiwanis host throughout the year include the annual pancake breakfast and a reverse raffle.

If you would like more information on becoming a member or would like to donate, please visit cfkiwanis.us. The Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville's Care For Kids Golf Tournament will be Oct. 20. If you would like more information on the Care for Kids Annual Golf Tournament, please email Co-Chairman Barbara Porter at barbaragailp@hotmail.com.

Once upon a time in the far away country of Australia there lived a fine young feral pig named Swino. Swino, as a piglet, was filled with curiosity and promise. The oldest of his litter of six, Swino was a natural leader.

His mother Matilda, the Waltz Queen, knew he was special. All the neighborhood pigs believed Swino would be a pig of prominence and distinction when he was grown. Do you know what a pack of feral pigs is called? It’s a called a sounder. Now you know. You can stop reading this column as no other useful information will be imparted hereafter. I will give you a moment to turn the page to the cross-word puzzle.

Now, for the two of you still reading, listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight raid of Swino and shed a tear. Swino’s twisted tale is not an uplifting Horatio Alger story of a poor but plucky lad overcoming an impoverished childhood. Nay, a thousand times, nay. This is a sad story of an exemplary feral piglet who had the advantages of a good family, a supportive sounder, and an excellent education who came to rack and ruin due to Demon Alcohol.

Swino went to the finest private schools that Australia could offer. After high school, he graduated magna cum laude from the University of Melbourne with a double major in nuclear physics and medieval poetry. He was president of the student body while working 30 hours a week as a tutor at the Home for Wayward Wallabies. After graduation, he was selected as a Rhodes Scholar where he achieved his Ph.D. in theoretical mathematics. Upon attaining his doctorate, he moved to Perth, Australia, to work at the Institute of Advanced Metaphysics. Swino literally had the world on a string.

At Perth he met the love of his life, Petunia Pig, a wealthy debutante whose family had the largest Vegemite factory in Australia. For those of you fortunate to have never encountered Vegemite, it is a vile dark brown paste made mostly of leftover brewer’s yeast, snips, snails and puppy dog tails. For reasons unknown, Australians enjoy smearing Vegemite on toast and then consuming the hideous result. It was love at first sight for Swino when he first laid eyes on Petunia. There could be no other love for Swino but Petunia. Unfortunately for Swino, as a result of Petunia’s wealth and beauty, there were many other suitors for Petunia’s trotter.

A veritable pack of wealthy famous pigs sought to marry Petunia. Her suitors included the Practical Pig from the Three Little Pigs, Porky Pig of Looney Tunes, Man-Bear Pig from South Park, and Snow Ball from Animal Farm. Petunia even had a brief experimental fling with Miss Piggy. Ultimately to the eternal heartbreak of Swino, Petunia married Arnold Ziffel the Pig. She moved to America to live
on a farm near Hooterville with Arnold, Oliver and Lisa Douglas, Mr. Haney and Sam Drucker.

As Petunia sailed away to her new life in America, Swino turned to drink. His consumption of alcohol made Edgar Allen Poe, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway look like teetotalers. Here is where our story turns true as reported by Doug Williams in the Outdoor Revival newspaper of 24 April 2019. Doug wrote the greatest headline ever written. Mr. Williams wrote: “Pig Steals Campers’ Beer, Gets Drunk & Starts Fight with Cow.” The beauty of this headline makes me cry every time I read it.

A group of campers were in the Australian outback. After a night of carousing, they left their beer out. In the middle of the night they were awakened to the sound of a feral pig rooting around, chomping the beer cans, and drinking the beer. The report says the pig (who we later learned was Swino) drank 18 cans of beer.

Soused on these adult beverages, Swino got into a ruckus with his erstwhile friend, Elsie the cow. Whatever Swino said to her led to Elsie chasing him around the camp. Some pigs, like some people just can’t hold their liquor. After the fight with the cow, Swino swam across a nearby river and passed out under a tree to sleep it off.

Here comes the weepy part of the story. Swino woke up with a terrible hangover. He wobbled across the highway looking for either an Alka Seltzer or hair of the dog that bit him to ease his aching head.

Unfortunately, he was still drunk. He did not notice the truck coming down the road. Splat! Swino was no more.

It is unclear if Petunia attended his funeral. The campers reported despite their sadness at Swino’s unexpected demise, that the barbecue served at his wake was excellent.

The Rocky Horror Show cult classic will be performed live in downtown Fayetteville right before Halloween.
A Yellow Beanie Project will perform the production. Their theater production is rooted in collaboration among regional artists. They want to provide a platform for emerging and established voices within the Cumberland County community.

The story of The Rocky Horror Show revolves around sweethearts Brad and Janet, who get stuck with a flat tire during a late summer storm and discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Then, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation through elaborate dances and rock songs: a muscular man named “Rocky.”

“Rocky, at its core, is about love, self-expression, and acceptance. But we all also know that it is a sexy, irreverent party for the cast and audience, and we all need some dumb fun in our lives every once and a while,” A Yellow Beanie Creative Director Michael Curtis Houck said.

The music will be directed by Cindy Jones and the choreography will be organized by Rhonda Brocki.
The show was initially scheduled for August, but was canceled after a COVID-19 outbreak among the cast and production members.

Performances will last just one week, beginning Oct. 20 at the Gilbert Theater. The performance will include a live cast of 12 regional performers and a four-piece band featuring members of the All-American Jazz Collective.

An official pre-party will take place each night at Gaston Brewing Company. These parties will have themed drinks and music.
As with any Rocky Horror production, audience participation is always antici...pated.

Rocky Horror marks A Yellow Beanie Project’s second theater project in Cumberland County. Their first was Party at Jay’s — a collaboration with Sweet Tea Shakespeare back in May.

This show is Rated R for strong sexual content and partial nudity. This show is restricted to 16 and up; however, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

There will be six performances from Oct. 20 through Oct. 23. Tickets are $28 and can be bought at https://bit.ly/3VstpUm.
And in case the performances leave you wanting more, more, more, A Yellow Beanie Project has you covered. A week after the performances, the cast of A Yellow Beanie Project can take you on a strange journey with the Rocky Horror Singalong Trolley. The Cool Spring Downtown trolley will be transformed to make sure you have a good time to the point where even smiling will make your face ache.

The trolley will have two sessions on Oct. 28. One tour will be at 7 p.m., and another will start at 8 p.m. The trolley will depart from the Gaston Brewery & Taproom at 421 Chicago Drive.

Tickets for the trolley singalong are $30 per person and can be bought at https://bit.ly/3ga198O.

The Rock’n On the River concert series is wrapping up the season on Oct. 21, and it is sure to end with a bang.

At 6 p.m., local favorite Joyner Young & Marie, opens the event with Top 40s rock ‘n’ roll. At 8 p.m., Night Train, a nationally touring Guns N' Roses tribute band, takes the stage. Joyner Young & Marie have been performing in the Fayetteville area for over 30 years. The current lineup includes drummer Allen Diffee, and on bass, Gil Howel, who recently joined.

Lead vocalist Marie Grimsley mentioned, “We look forward to Rock’n On The River every year. The crowd always has a good time.”
Piano player Bill Joyner and Danny Young on the guitar round out the group with one of the best vocal oriented rock ‘n’ roll bands in Fayetteville.

The cover song “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak is deceptively hard, but Joyner Young & Marie nails it while the audience dances. It has even been said that when Marie sings the cover, “Lie To Me” it rivals the original artist, Jonny Lang. For long time fans of Joyner Young & Marie, Bill Joyner says, “Adding Gil Howel on bass has really changed our sound. If you haven’t heard us in the last two months, you really need to check us out.”

Night Train has been taking the U.S. by storm for years as a tribute band to Guns N’ Roses. They have previously performed at the House of Blues and Carolina Rebellion. As a fixture of classic rock, Night Train brings an accuracy and vibrant stage presence to the Guns N’ Roses performance that is always a crowd pleaser. The tribute band performers call themselves Slash, Axl and Izzy and even dress like the original performers.

From the drop of the first beat, down to the last note, Night Train’s high energy showmanship, and top hat, will surely captivate the audience, inspire new generations, and impress longtime Guns N’ Roses faithful fans.

Rock’n On The River is organized by Greg Adair to provide family friendly entertainment outside. “It’s still rock and roll music, but it’s nothing offensive,” he said.
Adair aims to give the community a few more family shows as summer winds down without competing with other festival events. This is a win-win for live music and the community.

This is a Healy Wholesale sponsored event, so adult beverages will be available for purchase, but absolutely no outside coolers or containers. At the event, there will also be water and soft drinks, as well as food available for purchase. Food is being prepared by the Deep Creek Grill which is on site.

This is a free event, but parking is $15 per vehicle. Parking opens at 5 p.m., show starts at 6 p.m. Pets are not permitted except for service animals. Concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Rock’n On The River is held at Campbellton Landing on the Cape Fear River. The address is 1122 Person St. East in Fayetteville. For more information visit www.facebook.com/rockn-on-the-river.

Dominating the charts in the late 80s and early 90s with hits like “Step That Step” and “Some Girls Do,” country-pop music legends Sawyer Brown have long been a band noted for their charismatic stage performances and feel-good music.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, they'll bring their energetic stage act to Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery in Elizabethtown.
Widely known as a “cool” country band, Sawyer Brown was founded in Apopka, Florida, in the early 1980s. Since coming on to the scene with their first hit, “Leona,” the band has released over 20 albums, charted over 50 singles, and received several country music awards.

Now they are primarily a touring band with over 4,000 shows under their belt. Their live performances feature the rollicking dance hits for which they're known and the more serious ballads their fans will remember.

In addition to Sawyer Brown, concert-goers will be treated to performances by North Carolina's favorite CMA Music Entertainer of the Year,
Brian Mayer, and Shelby County natives Dirty Grass Soul.
The family-friendly show will begin at 7:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6. Guests will have an opportunity to purchase food, beverages, wine, and spirits on site during the concert.

“This show is for anyone who loves country music,” Derrick Rice, Events Director for Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery, told Up & Coming Weekly.

“Gen Z country music fans and those who remember Sawyer Brown are really going to enjoy this show.”

The national award-winning Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery is by no means the average concert venue. Founded in 2014, this unique establishment has something to offer anyone looking for beauty and luxury right outside Cumberland County.

From their beautiful grounds to their romantic on site cabins, Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery offers a wide range of experiences for their guests to enjoy.
Wine tastings can be scheduled in the vineyard's Cork Room Restaurant, and bottles are available for purchase in the Tipsy Toad Ballroom.

Additionally, Cape Fear Distillery’s award-winning spirits ought to do the trick for those who like their libations a bit stronger.
The Cork Room, open Wednesday through Sunday, features southern staples such as fried green tomatoes and more exotic interpretations like black-eyed pea hummus with pita. The menu is full of local ingredients and farm-to-table options crafted by a team of talented chefs trained in the art of southern cuisine.

Guests can take in the massive collection of sculptures and paintings that dot the grounds and adorn the walls of buildings around the property. Pieces from Sir Paul McCartney, Muhammed Ali, and Burt Reynolds are just a few that make up one of the largest celebrity art collections
anywhere.

The vineyard is also perfect for a romantic getaway or “day-cation” with a stay at the vineyard's lakeside Cape Fear Cottages or a relaxing trip to the Vines Day Spa.

Tickets for the concert start at $29 and are available at https://www.capefearwinery.com/.

Johnny Schantz, George W. Richards and Tom Diffin sit outside Rude Awakening in downtown Fayetteville. An idyllic cry to their blue-collar roots, they are dressed in loose button downs, T-shirts and worn blue jeans. They would say they are comfortably dressed. In their professions, it doesn’t matter much how they come dressed — one a mechanic, the other an owner of a pet sitting business and the third a motorcycle builder. Each profession carries its load of dirt from a hard day’s work. The clothes they sit in now will look different at the end of most days. They laugh and joke, speaking to one another with an ease of lifelong friends.

They always address each other as “brother.”

All of the men are adorned with long, grown out grayed beards. They wear it as a proud token of membership to the group of brothers with whom they belong.

Without much provocation, Diffin brings out his worn black wallet. It’s well-used and thin except for a bump under which are three coins — one is his, one is his brothers and the third for Ted, a member of the group who has passed on. Each one of the men’s wallets houses one of these thick metal coins — a token of membership. It is a coin of brotherhood. And the rule is, they must carry this on them at all times.

These brothers, as they call each other, are members of Cape Beard — a beard and mustache group with a unique niche — charity work.
And they have three main rules: family, work and club.

“In that order,” Richards says.

Diffin flips one of his coins back and forth and rubs it between his fingers. He looks like a hardball. One of the first guys to go 200 miles per hour on a Harley Davidson and stereotypical to the look of a motorcycle rider. But as he sits on the sunny Friday morning, he speaks softly, tears at the thought of his brothers who have passed on and talks fondly and proudly about Cape Beard.

“It all started as a joke back in 2011. A bunch of us got together and watched sports teams and hung out on Sundays,” Diffin says, laughing. “To see what it has blossomed into today is just unbelievable.”

In the beginning, Cape Beard started out with 10 members. Diffin is number 13. His identical twin brother Tim, the other half of the motorcycling duo, was number 12. He passed away in 2012. George W., a jokester who strongly pronounces both the George and the W in his name, is number 55. When Schantz joined, he became member 75.

“Tom got me involved in it,” Schantz says. “Love him to death for it.”

“Don’t blame me,” Diffin says, laughing.

The group is currently preparing for its upcoming event at Dirt Bag Ales, Beardtober Fest. They have hosted this event since 2012 and held it at Dirt Bag Ales for the last four years. It will include food vendors and of course, beard and mustache competitions of all sorts. Last year, they saw 100 competitors in their competitions. The event’s proceeds will go 100% to the Karen Chandler Trust, which helps local cancer patients with rent, utilities and other expenses while undergoing cancer treatment.

“It is the best non-profit in the world. No sitting board member gets any money,” Richards says.

Cape Beard prides itself on choosing only charities that have no overhead. They said this was one of the things that attracted them to the Chandler Trust.

“They go broke every year.” Diffin says. “Kind of like us.” Diffin laughs.

“We vet the local organization,” Richards says. “If we don’t like something we cut ties and we leave. We’ll leave if we don’t like where the money is going or if it ends up being corrupt.”

The group is philanthropic but they say they look atypical for a group whose main focus is charity. They may be right as most of them are burly men who stay bearded at least nine months out of the year to comply with Cape Beard’s bylaws. Most of them hold blue collar jobs. They seem, at a glance, like the toughest of men.

“People look at us and they go, we are like the dregs of society. Unshaven. Comfortably dressed. We were reluctant to file for the 501(c),” Diffin says.

Eventually, they did and any money they collect at any of their events goes straight to the local charity that they are supporting. The club has hosted up to five events per year and each event is tied to a local charity. At the end of each event, the members do what they call a “bump up,” where they throw in their own money to round up the donation.

“The little thing about some of the guys in this group. I have phone calls where some of the guys can’t make it to the meeting because they are low on fuel and ask me to give them a ride. Then they spend their whole weekend raising money to give to someone else? How do you not love people like that?” Schantz asks.

Diffin tears a little and says a firm, “amen.” Schantz rocks his head a little as he talks.

“When I saw that — I was hook, line and sinker. I was in the frying pan cooking myself. I was done. This is where I needed to be.” Schantz says.

Of the events Cape Beard sponsors, the most popular are their Pig Pickin’ for Autism, “Show Us Your Cans” food drive and Beardtoberfest. However, members of the community have been asking the group when they plan to bring back Bearded Beauties. When they were first asked to host the event years ago, the group jumped to some conclusions about the details.

“We are going — beautiful women … evening gowns … talent. Yeah. What do you want us to do? Be Chaperones?,” Diffin says, laughing. “Miss Sarah looked at us, ‘No, we want you to be the contestants.’ It took 3 maybe 4 meetings to talk the brothers into stepping out of their comfort zone.”

In the end, the bearded beauties stepped up to the plate. The first Bearded Beauties event even included a calendar of the group that they sold for charity. It was a hit. Diffin laughs as he says the calendar has come back to “haunt” them. People keep asking them about when they are making another one. However, in the end, they admit it was worth it, as every event is to them.

Some time ago, the group received a note from a young boy in the community. Being unable to write himself, his mother helped him to thank the members of Cape Beard. The young boy was in cancer treatment in Cumberland County and was supported by the efforts of Cape Beard. One of the brothers read the note aloud at a monthly meeting while the others listened.

“It was the first time I saw that many grown men, that looked like they could take over the town, cry,” Diffin says. “Guys that are tougher looking than me were crying. That just brings meaning to what we do.”

The men also are a foundation for each other, a brotherhood. They note that some of the group members suffer depression or lingering issues from years of military service. But a brother is just a call away.

“We lost a brother to suicide,” Diffin chokes up. “All he had to do was reach out. It's disheartening to know there’s nothing in place for them for support. I am the oldest guy here. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. It hurts me when they don’t reach out.”

The men all nod their heads in unison. They are silent for a second and then continue on to laugh and joke with one another. In the midst of regular conversation, one of them says the acronym, “KTF.” Another repeats it. It’s the rally cry of their group. When asked about the meaning, the three laugh. There's a long story involved and perhaps a swear word or two. But if asked, they’ll share the story and the passion they have for their community.

BeardtoberFest will be hosted Oct. 15 at Dirt Bag Ales. Doors open at 6 p.m. and competitions start at 7 p.m. Admission is $15. Those in attendance can compete in one event with admission. Any additional events are $5.

It is the time of year for the annual Dogwood Fall Festival, delivering fun and entertainment for all.

The Dogwood Festival is a non-profit, community-oriented organization dedicated to providing various family-focused activities held in historic downtown Fayetteville. The Festival aims to entertain the community, promote and sustain new and existing businesses, enhance a positive community image, and attract out-of-town tourists while sharing the cultural and recreational opportunities available in the Fayetteville area.

On Friday, Oct. 14, the Dogwood Fall Festival will be from 6 to 10 p.m. in Festival Park with hayrides, a KidZone, and food trucks.
Take a ride on a tractor pulled hayride and let the guides tell you and your family all about the history of the downtown district. This ride will delight the little ones without being too scary, while the older ones will be able to appreciate some spooky elements. The hayrides will run through the entire weekend. Pre-sale tickets are going for $5 while day-of tickets are selling at $7 or buy 4 or more it’s $5 per ticket. Children two or younger ride for free.

Guests are welcome to come out to Festival Park between noon and 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. The Promenade Fair opens at noon for those interested in taking a stroll down Festival Park Plaza to explore a variety of vendors and sponsors.

KidZone continues on Saturday from noon until 9 p.m. Hayrides will run from 2 to 10 p.m. The Battle of the Bands will go from 1 to 8 p.m. This year’s line-up includes talented performers from around the Cape Fear area. The Dogwood Fall Festival’s MC, Casey T. Cotton, will lead the performers as they compete for the opportunity to open for the 2023 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival headlining band(s). After the Battle of the Bands, stick around for the Dueling Piano Show with Blazin Keys Entertainment. This dueling piano showdown is free.

On Saturday, you can also grab your favorite costume and compete in the Dogwood Fall Festival’s Costume Contest. Participants can sign up on the day of the event at the Costume Contest Tent (located in Festival Park - 335 Ray Avenue). The event will begin at 3 p.m. and it’s free to participate.

The on-site Dogwood Fall Festival will run from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16. On Sunday, the Promenade Fair and KidZone will run from noon until 6 p.m. Hayrides will be from 2 to 6 p.m.

If you or someone you know owns a hot set of wheels, be sure to check out the Dogwood Fall Festival Car, Motorcycle, and Truck Show, which begins at 9:30 a.m. This event welcomes all vehicles including, but not limited to, cars, motorcycles and trucks. This premier event includes the opportunity to win a variety of awards, music, fun, and of course, bragging rights if you win. Pre-registration will be available until Friday, Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. After that, vehicles will meet at the Festival Park Plaza, walk-ups are welcome, but space is limited, so don’t wait to register. It’s $15 for motorcycles to enter and $25 for cars and trucks to enter.

Participants may register in the following categories: Car/Truck- Antique (1900-1975); Classic (1976-2000); Modern (2001-present day), Motorcycle- General Entry.

One off-site event will happen at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The I Am Plush Plus Size Fashion Show will take place at the Moose Event Center located at 3740 Owen Drive. The show promotes body positivity and plus size fashion fabulousness. General admission tickets are $25 and VIP tickets are $50. Both can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. For more information about the fashion show call 910-823-7663.

The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival hosted its 24th Annual Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Pageant Sept. 17 at Seabrook Auditorium. The longstanding community tradition celebrates the talent and accomplishments of young women and ladies across the Sandhills.

This year, 26 contestants were grouped into five competition levels: Little Miss (5-7), Young Miss (8-10), Junior Miss (11-13), Teen Miss (14-17), and Miss Fayetteville (18-24).

More than a mere “beauty pageant,” the young ladies competing for Miss Fayetteville Dogwood are judged by rigorous criteria, which include both a private and on-stage interview for all contestants, Sunday Best for Young and Little Miss, Evening Gown for Miss, Teen Miss, and Junior Miss, and finally, Talent for the Miss Fayetteville Dogwood level.

While putting their best dress forward is certainly part of the fun for the contestants, the Dogwood Festival makes their values clear as the interview portion is the most strongly weighted criterion at each competition level.

All young ladies aged 5-24 are eligible to compete, provided they live in Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Robeson or Sampson county.
Winners in the Miss and Teen Miss categories each win a scholarship along with their titles, and winners in all other categories will have an opportunity to represent the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival at various events throughout the year.

Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Sarahgrace Snipes Mitchell, executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, about the organization's involvement with the pageant and its dedication to developing opportunities for young ladies of the region.

“The Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Pageant is a way for us to interact with a different population within the community,” Mitchell explained. “We usually interact through music and art, but through this event, we're able to have a more personal and intimate relationship with our contestants, the winners, and their families.”

In a society focused on elevating women based on likes, clicks and views, the Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Pageant seeks to show the value of substance over superficiality.

Through this pageant, the young women on stage get to compete based on their merit, personality and passions — building strong foundations for their futures.

“The value of this pageant is in the experience these young ladies get,” said Mitchell. “When we look at female empowerment, young women need an opportunity to build confidence in who they are and who they can be.”

For 40 years, the Dogwood Festival name has been synonymous with unification and has come to exemplify the best of what Fayetteville and surrounding areas have to offer; as such, their standards for Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival are quite high.

“Our pageant is looking for young women who are honest, have strong integrity, patience, kindness, and the ability to be humble,” shared Mitchell.

Up & Coming Weekly spoke with this year’s winners to learn a little more about the young women representing the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.

Little Miss — Betty Leggett

Elizabeth “Betty” Leggett is this year’s Little Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival title winner. This is the Village Christian Academy Kindergartener's very first pageant.

A born performer with a great imagination, Betty loves dancing, dressing up, and playing with her baby dolls. Betty also participates in cheer, ballet, and jazz dance. When she grows up, she'd like to use her talents to become a farmer or a teacher.
Though she loves getting all dressed up and putting on makeup, Betty finds it challenging to sit still and not fidget, but admits it's worth it to win a crown.

Young Miss — Emma Luchetta

The winner of this year's Young Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is ten-year-old Emma Luchetta of Eastover Central Elementary. Emma, a fifth grader this year, is new to pageantry, having participated in her first one back in February, where she was named Little Miss Cape Fear.

Emma is a competitive gymnast on the Gold Team at Omega Gymnastics when not on stage. In addition to her extracurricular accomplishments, Emma is Vice-President of her school's BETA Club and Student-Athlete of the Year.

Along with the Young Miss title at this year’s pageant, Emma won Miss Congeniality and Best Interview in her category. Emma wants to be a Marine Biologist and hopes to own a cage-free animal rescue when she grows up.

“I love how much fun you can have and that you can just be yourself,” she said of competing in pageants. “You don't have to pretend to be like anyone else.”

Junior Miss — McKala Sallie

Mac Williams Middle School eighth-grader McKala Sallie took home the title of Junior Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.
McKala is a seasoned performer, having participated in pageants since she was six months old. McKala has earned several titles, including Carolinas’ Miss Unity for Miss Celebrations USA and Junior Miss Eastover.

In addition to her commitment to pageantry, McKala also runs track for Mac Williams Middle School. When she graduates, she’d like to pursue a career as a sports announcer for ESPN college football or give back all the knowledge she’s gained as a pageant coach.

McKala admits it can be challenging to overcome her nerves but loves competing in pageants for the skills they teach and the opportunity they offer to talk about her passions.

“I love pageants because they give me a chance to learn life lessons, like interviews and public speaking,” McKala shared with Up & Coming Weekly. “They also give me the opportunity to tell everyone about my platform, Off-Road OutReach, and why there shouldn't be homeless Veterans.”

Teen Miss — Olivia Gray

Oliva Gray is this year's Teen Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Pageant winner. A high school senior at Village Christian Academy, this is Olivia's first foray into the pageant world.

Olivia is currently a part of the High School Connections Program at Fayetteville Technical Community College and is pursuing a certificate in Criminal Justice. Outside of her academic successes, Olivia is her school's varsity cheer captain, yearbook editor, is involved in several clubs, and speaks two languages. Though she's new to pageantry, Olivia is no stranger to competition. She has danced since age two, danced competitively since age five, and dreams of being a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader.

After obtaining her Criminal Justice certificate and graduating in May of 2023, Olivia plans to major in pre-law or forensics with a minor in Spanish with the long-term goal of becoming a lawyer.

Although this is Olivia’s first pageant, she has enjoyed her experience thus far and looks forward to competing in the future.

“Becoming Miss Teen Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has been one of my biggest accomplishments to date,” she shared. “I have very high expectations for myself, and it pushes me to work hard. Accomplishing the goals I set for myself is very rewarding and worth the challenge in the end.”

Miss Fayetteville — Janiya Pipkin

The winner of 2022’s Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival crown is 21-year-old Methodist University senior Janiya Pipkin.
Initially hesitant, the criminal justice major and licensed cosmetologist entered this year’s competition after a chance encounter with Miss North Carolina and at her mother’s urging.

“I’ve done pageants before but stopped when I was seven or eight,” she confessed. Honestly, my mom encouraged me to enter. I’ve always dreamed of competing for the Miss America or Miss USA title and felt this would be a great place to start.”

A pastor's daughter, Janiya, is extremely involved in her church and credits her confidence and success to her faith in God. When not working as a cosmetologist, Janiya serves her church as a youth ministry leader and praise and worship leader.

In addition to pursuing her criminal justice undergraduate degree, Janiya also cheered full-time for the Methodist University Monarchs, finishing up her tenure this past February. After graduation, she intends to enter law school with the ultimate goal of becoming a judge.

Though she's been out of the pageant game for a while, Janiya says the main takeaway is the confidence competing in pageants gives her.

“The thing I love about competing is the boost of confidence it gives you,” Janiya said. “For any pageant, whether you win or lose, you’re putting yourself out there to be judged, and it’s important to know that no matter what happens, you’re still a winner. It takes a lot of courage, strength and confidence to put yourself out there.”

Another aspect of pageantry Janiya enjoys is the camaraderie and the opportunity to act as a role model for young women on a similar path.

“We all had nerves and jitters, but we came together in support of one another — no matter who won. One thing I would tell the young women behind me is this: ‘you can do it.’ I tell them to remember the process, the excitement they feel backstage, and not to let anyone take those feelings of joy away. No matter what, you have to keep telling yourself you can do it.”

Recently, Jews around the world observed the most sacred day on our calendar — Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). In truth, one should atone for wrongdoing whenever committing a transgression. The ancient sages advise repenting the day of death; the message being that since we don’t usually know exactly when we will die, we ought to repent every day.

Nevertheless, Yom Kippur is a day set aside to focus exclusively on admitting one’s failings, repenting and resolving how to do better.
Often misunderstood is that Yom Kippur only atones for transgressions against God. Trespasses against fellow human beings require direct apology and forgiveness. Harm to another also violates against God’s law, but the Almighty can only forgive the aspect of violating God’s teaching. The actual hurt can only be forgiven by the one harmed.

Yom Kippur is traditionally observed through countless hours of synagogue worship aimed at spiritual cleansing. Nearly all the prayers and confessions are phrased in the plural. In a community everyone shares a degree of responsibility for the failings of others by insufficiently supporting each other in avoiding shortcomings. We are indeed our brother’s keeper.

Yom Kippur is characterized famously by refraining from any food or drink from sunset until nightfall the next day (as all Jewish days begin at night). Because of worship requirements, the actual fast lasts closer to 25 or 26 hours. Yet, whenever health is a concern, food or drink is not only permitted, but required.

Other traditional prohibitions for the day include refraining from bathing, anointing (i.e. ancient cosmetics), sexual relations, and wearing leather shoes (which were considered luxurious, particularly in earlier times). The idea is that by removing our usual physical concerns, we can focus completely on our spiritual needs.

I like to tell my congregants the following story.

An arrogant hiker visiting Israel ignored directions given to him. Following several predictably wrong turns he found himself lost in the Negev desert. After hours of wandering, desperate for water, he saw something in the distance. He walked toward the object only to find a little old man at a small stand in the middle of nowhere selling neckties emblazoned with the words “Repent! God forgives.”

The lost hiker asked, “Do you have any water?” He replied, “I don’t have any water, but would you like to buy a necktie? They’re only 5 Israeli sheqels.”

The hiker screamed, “I don’t need your stupid ties! I just need water!”

“Okay” said the old man. “I recommend getting a tie, but you can find water over that hill about 5 kilometers. There’s a really nice restaurant there. But, don’t take too long, you don’t want them to close on you.”

A couple hours later the hiker staggered back. The old man asked, “Is everything okay?” “What do you think?” gasped the hiker. “Your brother won’t let me in without a tie.”

Too often we are so focused on our material needs and desires that we don’t think we need anything else. But, before it’s too late, let’s remember to bring along a spiritual tie.

I love fall. The first things I begin to think about are pumpkins, brilliant colored foliage, cool mornings, the first fire, sweaters and boots.
There is no in-between, you either like the flavor of pumpkin or you don’t. There are many ways to enjoy pumpkins in the form of drinks, cuisine and decoration. I like everything about pumpkins and decided to write about them.

When you initially think of pumpkins in the fall we may think about pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, or pumpkin doughnuts which are just some of the ways to enjoy them outside of the many uses for décor!

Pumpkins have been around for more than 5,000 years and the word pumpkin was debuted in the fairy tale “Cinderella.” The pumpkins known as rouge Vif d’Etampes are thought to be the inspiration for Cinderella.

The carriage for Cinderella may have been used because of the resiliency of a pumpkin. They are a fruit that can grow in sparse soil and the vines engage by sharing nutrients along a connected vine that reaches into the soil to replenish itself. For this reason, pumpkins are a symbol of prosperity, abundance and growth. Maybe this is the reason that the perfect mode of transportation for Cinderella was a pumpkin.

Cinderella’s fairy godmother told her to go into the garden and pick out a fine pumpkin, so she went to the garden and picked the finest pumpkin she could find and could not imagine how a pumpkin would get her to the ball. Her fairy godmother hollowed out the pumpkin and touched it with her ring turning it into a beautiful coach.

Did you know that there are Cinderella pumpkins? They are medium to large averaging thirty to thirty-five pounds, round, and flattened blossom and stem end. They have thick skins and are a rich orange color.

When cooked they have a slightly sweet taste, creamy and moist. They were one of the most popular items in French markets and sold as an heirloom variety in the 1880s. They are a favorite with chefs for soups and pies. They are also used in many homes as décor.

Pumpkins have not always been jack-o’– lanterns. The original lanterns were made with turnips and potatoes by the Irish to ward off evil spirits. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America but found that pumpkins were much easier to carve. They are grown on every continent except Antarctica and the U.S. produces more than 1. 5 billion pounds each year with 8% of the crop available in October. The largest pumpkin recorded weighed about 2,600 pounds and was grown in Germany. The largest pie baked weighed 3,699 pounds. A normal size pumpkin has about 500 seeds and the recommended planting time is between May and July with more than 45 different varieties.

Pumpkins are part of the fruit family; every part is edible and offers a wide range of health benefits. They are low in calories and are comprised of about 90% water. One of the health benefits is Beta Carotene, a powerful antioxidant that our bodies convert to Vitamin A. They are good for fiber, boost your immune system, and good for heart health and skin. Aside from the health benefits, pumpkins can make a great mask that exfoliates and soothes the skin. Make a pumpkin mask by combining ¼ cup pureed pumpkin, one egg, a tablespoon of honey, and a tablespoon of milk. Apply and rinse in 20 minutes with warm water.

Live, love life and pumpkins.

Fayetteville Technical Community College will host College Transfer Day on Oct. 27 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Tony Rand Student Center Multi-Purpose Room.
This year, FTCC anticipates representation from 46 public and private universities.

College Transfer Day serves as an avenue to promote the transferability of academic credits earned by community college students to public and private four-year colleges and universities.

Students can connect and have questions answered by university representatives on topics such as admissions requirements, programs of study, scholarship and internship opportunities and financial aid processes. The ability for students to connect with a multitude of educational representatives at the same time is a unique and helpful resource.

The process of transferring to another college is not identical to applying to college for the first time. While a student’s high school transcript and SAT/ACT scores may be reviewed, these items typically take a back seat to the academic college transcript that a student has earned at the community college level. Community college students wishing to transfer to 4-year colleges should strive to achieve excellent grades in order to be competitive during the transfer process, as current academic college transcripts will be reviewed more rigorously than high school transcripts.

College Transfer Day is a great way for students to learn about each school’s unique policies and deadlines and to make contacts, receive literature and ask questions.

Transfer students should be mindful of important university deadlines. Universities not only have deadlines that may vary from one school to another but also have specific policies for transfer students who are applying to professional programs.

The pandemic presented students and universities with many challenges, but the opportunity to visit the campuses of universities before deciding if a college is the right fit academically and emotionally is important. Students interested in transfer tours may reach out to FTCC’s office of University Outreach for assistance.

The Office of University Outreach also offers many opportunities and programs that allow transfer students to receive a better understanding of the academic landscape involved with the transfer process, and FTCC’s College Transfer Day is one of those opportunities. Transfer Thursdays are offered weekly at FTCC, allowing students to make an appointment to receive an evaluation of two universities of the student’s choice. After evaluation of the current course work, the student is given additional advisement and, if desired, is registered.

At FTCC, we understand that better skills lead to better jobs with better pay. Helping students achieve their educational goals to prepare for a successful career is our top priority. Finding your way forward is easy, with FTCC.

College Transfer Day is a free event open to anyone wanting information about college transfer options. Questions may be directed to nelsonl@faytechcc.edu or by calling 910-678-8205.

Guiding Wellness Institute was established as a brick and mortar business in 2016, but entrepreneur Kelsy Timas has been serving the military and first responder communities for the past 15 years with the motto “Live Well. Be Well.”

As an educational center, Guiding Wellness Institute has a greater reach within society. Guiding Wellness is a registered yoga school offering 200-hour and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training, as well as continuing education classes for those registered with Yoga Alliance. The organization will graduate their 18th class of students this month from programs held in 3 different states. Over the past seven years, these trainings have resulted in hundreds of trained teachers all over the world. The yoga school takes a nervous system informed approach.

Kelsy Timas has a passion for teaching people about their nervous system, and how that relates to self-regulation. Timas said, “As adults, we have the responsibility of managing yet we do not equip people with self-regulation. When people come to our yoga classes, some people are learning how to regulate their nervous system for the first time.” For global populations in suffering, yoga provides a unique opportunity for collective growth.

From a holistic approach, Guiding Wellness offers flotation therapy. As a pioneer in the holistic world, the wellness center even participated in the first evidence-based trial. With the normalization of holistic health, Guiding Wellness offers individual services, such as RTM trauma therapy, and even provides corporate wellness training.

Guiding Wellness provides therapeutic massages that are customizable, offering cupping and hot stone within a recovery environment. The massages range from deep tissue to myofascial release and neuro muscular release. Massage can help with sleep and relieve pain. The price list for massages can be found on their website.

For the military community, Guiding Wellness offers a program designed to serve and support the unique needs of the military family through all seasons of the military life cycle from the family perspective. These seasons range from bootcamp to deployment, redeployment and retirement. The Military Advocacy Program, or M.A.P., is committed to creating access to immediate and long-term care with collaborative work to help service members and families. M.A.P. even offers Care for the Caregivers and discount wellness memberships for military, teachers and first responders.

With the Warrior’s Spirit, Guiding Wellness proudly offers free yoga classes for active and retired members of the armed forces as well as the military family. On Tuesday and Thursday from 11a.m. to 12 p.m., the studio hosts Mindful Movement Chair Yoga. On Friday mornings from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Timas facilitates Therapeutic Yoga Mat Class. These military yoga classes are adaptable and accessible. Manager and Yoga Instructor Julia Pillman said, “One class a week could change your life.”

Guiding Wellness is located at 143 Skateway Drive in Fayetteville. This is off Raeford Road near 71st High School. These class times and instructors are subject to change seasonally, so be sure to follow Guiding Wellness Institute on Facebook and Instagram. For more information on M.A.P. visit the website at https://guidingwellness.com/m-a-p/ and subscribe to the Be Well Podcast.

If you would like to learn more about services or would like to become an affiliate partner, please email the program advisor at MAP@guidingwellness.com.

Reliably transporting commodities thousands of miles, moving tons of concrete and battling house fires is only a fraction of what trucks do. In fact, one of a truck’s most important jobs is giving kids the opportunity to climb inside.

On Saturday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lafayette Ford will host its Fall Festival where the whole family can get an up-close and personal look at some of the service vehicles that make our world just a little bit easier and safer.

“We’re trying to get all of our community vehicles involved,” said Lafayette Ford Marketing Director Paula Lindler. “And not even necessarily trucks. It can be any vehicle, but we’re trying to get” an ambulance, a fire truck, a police car, and interesting things like that for the whole family to enjoy.

If you’ve taken a drive around town or a walk through the grocery store, you’re aware that we haven’t completely recovered from the pandemic. Thankfully, Lafayette Ford’s Fall Festival is a means to give our imaginations something to contemplate other than the misery of a crippled supply chain.

All sorts of major industries rely on service vehicles to maintain their supply chain, and this reliance is echoed in smaller industries, said tech company Cloud Trucks. Everything from raw material that come from forests, mines and farms must be transported by truck in a distribution process that repeats itself all the way down to the consumer, CT said.

Transportation of supplies is not the only industry that relies on vehicles. Utilities, public service, law enforcement, medical care and of course, the fire department, rely on vehicles so workers can accomplish their duties.

“Kids love fire trucks,” Lindler added. “We want kids to get to know local police, and it’s just a good will community building event.”

Despite promoting an event called “Truck Day” in November for the past few years, this year they changed the name to the Fall Festival, Lindler said. “Because Lafayette Ford is expanding into things besides trucks.”

Lafayette Ford’s Fall Festival is a community event, and it is free to everyone. However, Lafayette Ford is asking each person to bring one can of food to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina.
The first 250 people to bring a food donation will get a free lunch from one of the food trucks paid for by Lafayette Ford. Plus, you will get a ticket for a chance to win one of the door prizes, Lindler said. You can eat a cheap lunch and win some cool prizes that day, Lindler added.
The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center will be on hand, too. So, while the kids are playing on all the cool trucks, the adults can roll up their sleeves and give blood if they want, Lindler said.

“[Lafayette Ford] isn’t trying necessarily to sell vehicles [during the festival]. It’s really about giving back to the community,” Lindler said.

“We’re going to have Truck or Treat for the kids. We’re going to have some trucks decorated for Halloween, and we’ll be giving out candy,” Lindler said.

Lafayette Ford’s Fall Festival is scheduled for Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5202 Raeford Road. Lafayette Ford is located on the southwestern side of Fayetteville. For more information about the Fall Festival and Lafayette Ford, please visit LaFayetteFord.com.

Take a break that Saturday, wear your favorite costumes and head down to Lafayette Ford. Kids of all ages can have fun checking out all the trucks and other vehicles while helping a few local good causes.

“There will be a lot of vehicles on display” at the Fall Festival, such as utility trucks that restore power when there’s a storm, Lindler added.
Lafayette history

In 1949, Bess Smith opened Lafayette Motor Sales in downtown Fayetteville. This All-American dealership started out using the fundamental values of honesty, integrity, respect and community involvement. Values that Lafayette Ford holds dear to this day.

In 1955, George Purvis Sr. purchased Lafayette Motor Sales. As Fayetteville expanded, Purvis realized Lafayette Ford needed to expand, as well, and was essential in turning Lafayette Motor Sales into the dealership it is today.

In 1982, Lafayette Ford found its official home on Raeford Road. At that time, the dealership consisted of a small new and used sales building and car wash, but, as time went on and the business became more successful, a service and parts department was added, making Lafayette Ford the one-stop-shop for all of our automotive needs.

In 1995, Don Price purchased Lafayette Ford. Price began his career as a salesman at Lafayette Ford back in the mid-1960s, and, by the time he bought the dealership, he was general manager. Before that, Price was in the Air Force.

With Price, son Tim and son-in-law Mark Fisher on board, Lafayette Ford continues over 70 years of success by being the dealership that treats its customers like family, and the Fall Festival won’t be the exception.

80’s Unleashed, The Guy Unger Band and Rivermist will play at Rock’n On The River on Oct. 16. The concert was originally scheduled in August but postponed due to inclement weather.

“The Regional Band Blowout is something that I thought about and we started planning it around September or October [of 2021],” said Greg Adair, manager and member of Rivermist.

“I thought about how would the attendance be with all of these followers from these great regional bands altogether in one spot.”
Adair added, “We never get a chance to play side by side or see each other because everyone is out gigging, so we figured this would be a stellar event and the bands’ followers would get a chance to see their favorite band perform.”

The band 80’s Unleashed started out as 80’s Unplugged 13 years ago. The band members are Curtis Church, guitar and vocals; Mitra Maraj, percussion; Domo Max, drums; and Bryan Shaw, lead singer and bass player.

“The audience should expect a fun show while taking a trip down memory lane,” said Bryan Shaw, lead singer and bass player of 80’s Unleashed. “Hopefully they will sing along and remember the tunes that we bring to them.”

The Guy Unger Band started with all of its members playing in various bands together.

“We do a lot of classic rock stuff and we do everything from Led Zeppelin, Floyd, The Eagles, Billy Idol, Men at Work, some dance music and more,” said Guy Unger, founder, guitarist and singer of The Guy Unger Band. “We have opened for many acts such as Collective Soul, Charlie Daniels, Skid Row and tons of big name bands.”

“I have got some good solid musicians with me and they are the best players around. I think that Rivermist, 80’s Unleashed and The Guy Unger Band are the best musicians around and we have put ourselves to a level where it is hard to do what we have done over the years and be just as successful as we all have,” Unger said. “As for the event, the audience should expect some of the best musicians and performances that you can see here in Fayetteville and I feel honored to be playing with Rivermist and 80’s Unleashed because they are awesome bands.”

Rivermist is a local party hometown band that was formed in 2014 and is comprised of Adair, manager, drummer and vocalist; Tony Harrison, bass player; Cliff Bender, guitarist; Allen Pier, songwriter, keyboards and lead vocalist; and Rick Starling, percussion, vocals and keyboards.
The band has many accomplishments but there is one more thing they would like to achieve.

“I want Rivermist to be a household name and keep getting better and better together,” said Adair.

Rock'n On The River is free and open to the public. Parking is $10 per vehicle. No outside food or coolers will be allowed.
80’s Unleashed will begin at 3 p.m. The Guy Unger Band will followup at 4:30 p.m. Closing out the night will be Rivermist, who will be playing at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit the Rock'n On The River Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Rockn-On-The-River-271048666818630.