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  • 04 wild dust bunnyDust Bunnies. What are they? Where do they come from? What do they want? Where do they go? What if they aren’t stopped? These are the eternal questions that even in our enlightened 21st Century have no definitive answers.

    Today, Mr. Science will attempt to shed some light on our dusty friends. This column was triggered by the energetic efforts of Mrs. Science who recently took on the Herculean Task of cleaning out under our bed. We have a tall bed that has been the home and storage location of many quaint and curious objects of forgotten lore over the last 40 years. Once something was stored under the bed, it tended to remain there per Newton’s First Law of physics which says an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

    It turned out there was quite a Metaverse of objects under the bed. The most impressive object was Mr. Science’s Father’s World War 2 steel footlocker belonging to Lt. E.H. Dickey. Although the foot locker remains unopened, many people are saying it contains the original lyrics to the song “Louie, Louie”.

    Other subterranean inhabitants included two giant airtight plastic clothes bags containing at least 80 ancient T-shirts carefully sealed against the elements. Surrounding all the objects was a vast civilization of Dust Bunnies.

    According to Mr. Google, Dust Bunnies are "small clumps of dust that form under furniture and in corners that are not cleaned regularly. They are made of hair, lint, dead skin, spider webs, dust, and sometimes light rubbish and debris that are held together by static electricity and felt-like entanglements.”

    Now that we know what Dust Bunnies are and from whence they come, it turns out they are pretty disgusting.

    Next up is the question what do Dust Bunnies want? Dust Bunnies are silent. They do not make verbal demands. They just lie there, quietly proliferating. If left to their own devices, Dust Bunnies will take over the world, one unswept location at a time. They want world domination and must be stopped.

    Pondering the Dust Bunny Kingdom reminded me of the discussion in “Animal House” between Larry Kroger and Professor Jennings after they had smoked marijuana. Larry: “Okay, that means that our whole solar system could be like one tiny atom in the finger nail of some other giant being. This is too much! That means that one tiny atom in my finger nail could be. “Professor Jennings: “Could be one little tiny universe.” Larry: “Could I buy some pot from you?”

    Dust Bunny Metaverses are the inert cousins of Kudzu which also desires to take over the world. Kudzu can only be stopped by freezing weather in February. Dust Bunnies are even more dangerous than Kudzu as they can only be stopped by cleaning forgotten areas.

    Where do Dust Bunnies go? Everywhere, unless they are swept up and disposed of properly. Mrs. Science saved the Earth by sweeping up 40 years of Dust Bunny Kingdoms. Thanks be to Mrs. Science.

    Having seen the Dust Bunny Civilization swept away, it got Mr. Science thinking about other lost civilizations which fell victim to the silent tragedy of Dust Bunnies. Ponder the fate of the Mayan civilization. It flourished almost 3000 years from 2000 BC until about 900 AD when it collapsed. It is likely the Mayans neglected to sweep out their cities and pyramids leading to Dust Bunnies collapse. There were still Mayans around when Cortez showed up in 1525. However, the Dust Bunnies had already hollowed out their civilization making the Mayans easy pickings for Cortez.

    The Aztecs were a similar lost civilization which allegedly was wiped out by a nasty pestilence called the “cocoliztli” which may have killed up to 17 million people in the 16th century. The Aztecs where more into cutting the hearts out of their enemies than tiding up. It seems likely that Dust Bunnies were the cause of the pestilence.

    The prevailing theory about the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago is that they were wiped out by an asteroid hitting the Earth creating the Chicxulub Crater in Yucatan. Nothing could be further from the truth. Uncontrolled Dust Bunnies conquered the dinosaurs. Have you ever seen the tiny arms of a Tyrannosaurus Rex? No way that a T Rex could have held a broom to sweep out the Dust Bunnies before they reached critical mass. Clearly Dust Bunnies then ruled the Earth.

    A final example of the perfidiousness of Dust Bunnies is the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island. John White’s band of plucky colonists landed on the beach in August 1587. Things got a bit dicey. John headed back to England for supplies which would have included brooms. He wasn’t able to get back to Roanoke until three years later in 1590. On his return, the Lost Colony was gone leaving only the word Croatan carved on a post. No one knows for sure what happened to the Colony.

    However, it turns out that Croatan means Dust Bunnies. The rest is history.

    One final note, Dust Bunnies are responsible for where the lost socks go. Only you can prevent Dust Bunny take over. Sweep under your bed. Be the unbalanced force. The civilization you save may be your own.

     

  • 05 Emergency Rental Assistance Program LogoLocal government’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program is distributing money received through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to eligible residents who are unable to pay rent and utilities because of economic hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The program is for current costs or those occurring no earlier than March 13, 2020. A total of $10,119,409 has been allocated to the city and county. The program will operate through the end of this year.

    “COVID-19 changed our lives and people are trying to survive financial struggles brought on by the pandemic,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said.

    Landlords may work with their tenants to complete applications for the funding.

    Renters in Fayetteville and Cumberland County needing assistance to cover past, current, or upcoming rent or utility payments may apply online at fayettevillecumberlandRAP.com or by phone at 888-495-7710.

  • 03 N1809P43007H Twin TowersSome events in American history engrave our minds so deeply that we remember where we were and what we were doing when they occurred. We mark our lives as BE and AE, before the event and after the event.

    November 22, 1963. It was a Friday and I was at school in my after-lunch class when the intercom interrupted to tell both teachers and students that President Kennedy had been shot in Dallas.

    July 16, 1969. American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human being to set foot on the moon, calling it “a small step for man but a giant leap for mankind.” I was taking my shift waiting tables at a resort restaurant as my summer job.

    September 11, 2001. I was in the Cannon Office Building next door to the U.S. Capitol with a delegation from the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce awaiting a briefing from the U.S. Secretary of Commence who never showed up because he, like every other American, was torn from his prior life by planes flying into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers.

    January 6, 2021. The insurrection directed by a losing presidential candidate erupted around and eventually inside the U.S. Capitol, leaving 5 dead and many others wounded, including law enforcement officers. Arrests continue as rioters are identified and charged. I was at home watching an attempted coup unfold on television with tears streaming down my cheeks and my heart hammering.

    It has been just over 6 months since that dreadful day, and Americans are still absorbing an event that saw Americans engaging in military-style hand-to-hand combat with each other. The insurrectionists were mightily upset that their candidate was the clear loser of the 2020 presidential race, with more than 7 million fewer popular votes and 74 electoral votes behind.

    The election was not close, and the rioters failed to force Congress not to certify the election results. The rioters claimed to support democracy at the same time they attempted to overturn a presidential election.

    Six months ago, even the loser’s party officials condemned the mob actions, but memories are apparently short or political courage in short supply or both. Today, the loser’s supporters cry “voter fraud,” with virtually no evidence of it. The idea is to restrict minority voting, a replay of what happened during the Jim Crow era in our nation. Déjà vu of the early 20th century in the early 21st.

    Our country is also closing in on gerrymandering season, the time when legislatures and some independent commissions redraw legislative and Congressional districts to reflect the findings of the most recent U.S. Census. Fierce battles are expected, including in North Carolina, as one party tries to win more seats by gerrymandering even though it has fewer voters. This tactic has been used by both parties since the birth of our nation, and we will see it again later this year. Déjà vu 2011 in 2021.

    The really shocking aspect of the insurrections “after event” reality is that so many Americans have simply moved on, something that did not happen after the Kennedy assassination or 9/11. Maybe it is because life moves so quickly in our technological age or because they no longer want to think about Americans in combat with other Americans or because they want others to forget the deadly rioting. Whatever the motivation, pretending an insurrection did not happen in and around the grounds of the U.S. Capitol is profoundly dangerous, as it the belief that the losing candidate will be reinstated, a sort of political resurrection. As the writer and philosopher George Santayana reportedly said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

    The terrifying reality is that they just might succeed next time.

  • 09 this one N2104P25003HThe Cumberland County School system hosted a Back-to-School Launch Party to show students that with the right support in place, they can get back on track and graduate from high school. The virtual event took place on July 15. Students received incentives for attending.

    Interested students and families can still learn about opportunities for getting back to school by calling the hotline at 910-475-1145 or by visiting the CCS website www.ccs.k12.nc.us/. Registration is required.

    The hotline is operational Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through July 24.

    “We hope to help students re-engage and get back on track with their education,” said Sheral Raines, dropout prevention supervisor. “We want to be able to cheer them across the graduation stage and into the lives that they’ve always dreamed they could have.”

  • 15 1Boxing is a sport that takes a lot of practice, determination and heart. Amateur boxing is a lot like checkers - you never know who you will be competing against, says local boxing coach Juan Verdejo. Professional boxing is like chess because the boxers have time to plan and strategize for their competitors.

    When he trains young boxers at Burgess Boxing & Fitness in Spring Lake, Verdejo said he focuses on speed and endurance. With growth and experience comes control. Verdejo said that speed and control are important because throwing random punches might not land any hits. But endurance helps carry you through the fight.

    “Throw a combo and get out, don’t stick around for the other guy to learn your moves and get hits in,” Verdejo said.

    This is a training focus Coach Verdejo uses when preparing boxers for bouts, like the upcoming Christy Martin Title Belt Tournament scheduled for July 23-25.

    Burgess Boxing & Fitness owner Tony Burgess said he only likes his fighters to fight twice a month because the sport takes a toll on the body. He wants to make sure that his boxers get plenty of rest and recovery. COVID restricted several boxing tournaments and training schedules in the last year, and some gyms shut down. Burgess and Verdejo are glad to see competitions restarting as more pandemic restrictions are being lifted.

    “My favorite fights to see are little kids and the girls because they really get in there and fight. There isn’t a lot of dancing around,” said Burgess.

    His gym offers training to all interested in learning the sport of boxing. Participating in tournaments in not required, but many do. Verdejo said he enjoys helping young boxers learn and participate. For many, boxing is an outlet that gives them purpose and a positive outlet.

    The Christy Martin Title Belt Tournament will take place July 23-25 at Freedom Courts Sportsplex located at 3126 Gillespie St. in Fayetteville. Local boxers will have the opportunity to compete against other amateur boxers from across the state.

    The public is invited to attend the tournament. For more information call 910-890-5534.

    The tournament is named for Christy Martin, a worldwide sensation in the boxing ring. Martin is often credited with legitimizing women’s boxing. Martin had 49 wins (31 by knockout) when her then-husband and trainer, Jim, put her in the fight of her life. In 2010, he attacked Christy in their home when she tried to leave him. Jim stabbed Christy several times and shot her. Christy was able to get out of the house and flag down a passing motorist who took her to the hospital. Christy survived and was able to testify against Jim, helping to convict him. Jim remains in prison in Florida.

    Christy Martin will be in Fayetteville this week and is scheduled to speak at Rape Crisis of Cumberland County. The public is invited to hear her story of survival at 6 p.m. on July 22. Rape Crisis of Cumberland County is located at 519 Ramsey St.

    Pictured above: (Left) Gym owner Tony Burgess, far right, poses with a fighter and training team after a bout.

    Pictured Below: (Right) Coach Juan Verdejo, on right, trains boxers of all ages to compete in the ring.

     

    16 8

  • 06 FAST Coach 2Federal grants totaling more than $4.6 million will be used to purchase five new electric buses for the Fayetteville Area System of Transit.

    The buses are expected to arrive in Fayetteville in the summer of 2023. The projected date reflects a manufacturing backlog.

    “We want to replace all of our diesel buses with electric vehicles,” said Transit Director Randy Hume. “I believe that can happen over the next 15 years.”

    The grant awards also cover costs of bus charging equipment which will be used overnight during off-peak hours.

    The federal funds will also cover costs of workforce training to help FAST staff members transition from diesel to electric buses.

    Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission will assist FAST in the selection of bus charging equipment and development of strategies to reduce electricity costs.

    Hume said he believes the new buses will reduce emissions, improve air quality, upgrade the quality of life and reduce FAST operating expenses.

  • 01 pub penThere are countless numbers of people, businesses and organizations in Fayetteville and Cumberland County that we could celebrate, showcase and write about. All of them are engaged in doing things that make this community a great place to live.

    In every case these benefactors of humanity work tirelessly and silently throughout the community seeking no compensation or recognition with their satisfaction coming only from knowing they are lifting a burden from someone's troubled shoulders or easing the pain of an ailing heart caused by a terminal diagnosis, a personal tragedy, a sudden loss of a loved one or an unfortunate turn of ill fate.

    The world would be a kinder and gentler place if it were inhabited with more people like Holly Whitley of Legends Pub and her like-minded supporters affectionately known as the Gypsy Women.

    Together from the quaint confines of one of Fayetteville's and Bragg Boulevard’s oldest and most renown and respected "biker bars" comes an outpouring of charity and compassion that has identified both as paragons of humanity.

    My affinity toward Holly and her bar came naturally exactly 25 years ago in 1996, the year we both started our businesses.

    Incidentally, I have yet to put aside my penchant for fast motorcycles, pool playing and wine-drinking (all traits of my ill-spent childhood).

    Since then, we both have set our sights on building successful local businesses that contribute value to the community.

    Well, after a quarter-century, hundreds of charitable events and over a million dollars in charitable donations and contributions, Holly, and her band of Gypsy Women, have truly become legendary.

    In celebration, Up & Coming Weekly, Jay Dowdy, Gates Four Country Club and Piedmont Natural Gas recently had a '80s music concert where Holly hosted a party for the Gypsy Women and friends of Legends Pub.

    Holly, we salute you and thank you for 25 years of unconditional love and service to the Fayetteville community. You are the standard-bearer of generosity and compassion. Few will accomplish in a lifetime what you have done in 25 years. Congratulations!

    My 25 years, my achievements? I'm now the oldest paperboy in Fayetteville, and I’m still working on it. Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

    02 UAC06022101

  • 10 Wading In the Water Alvin AileyThe possibilities of painting and mixed media is the underlying theme of the new exhibit opening at the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County during 4th Friday on July 23.
    Revelation: 50 Years of Painting: Works by Dwight Smith is the Art Council’s first 50-year retrospect exhibition by a living artist, working in an abstract style.

    The public is invited to attend the opening or visit the Arts Council during the last week in July and through September 11.

    Visitors to the gallery will have the chance to see the progression of Smith’s work and experience the joyfulness he brings to an abstract style of painting and working in mixed media.

    To see Smith’s work is to become more familiar with a different way of looking at the possibilities of image making. Visitors will hopefully leave the gallery having greater insight in “how” the work of Smith conveys meaning in his style and ways he works with materials.

    To understand the “how” everyone visiting the exhibit should allow themselves to experience the art “as it is.” If you are an individual who prefers figurative or narrative works of art, take the time to see or try to see what the artist has been exploring for the last 50 years to express meaning in his work.

    Not required to enjoy Smith’s work, but understanding he comes from the tenets of the modernist school of abstract expressionism, is a doorway you should enter and immerse yourself in the style of abstraction.
    Smith has been always driven by the early abstract expressionist’s principles in painting: the sensation of immediacy, a painting is not a picture, but an object that has the same capabilities as sculpture to occupy space, possess thickness, density, and weight.

    In lieu of descriptive subject matter in a painting to evoke meaning, Smith focuses on form to conjure meaning. Although he started off predominantly in watercolors, he later moved to oil and acrylic.

    In the latter mediums, he does not use layers of transparent colors to create the immaterial; instead, the opacity of the ever-present paint surface, or the collage surface, leads us to materiality — the physicality of the work.

    The opacity of Smith’s color palette is not an elusive approach to painting; it invites us to know the physical sensation of touch. Combined with texture, we can begin to understand his painting is not about arrested or metaphorical touch, but the immediacy of touch.

    Being open to abstraction as a style, visitors will be able to study and experience how this artist embeds meaning in materials. For Smith, the sources of his lifetime pursuit in painting are combining iconic symbols with the exploration of surface quality and the power of abstraction to communicate an idea or a feeling, and collage as a significant 20th century method.

    This search stayed with him after his graduation from Wayne State with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Painting in 1976, during his return to Wayne State to earn a Master of Art in Painting in 1992, and the highest studio degree, a Master of Fine Art in

    Painting at the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2012.

    Knowing the artist’s statement, we can follow the timeline of his pursuit of “integrating opposites into a state of harmony and balance. Each work is a commitment to intimate concerns about painting and the language of abstraction. Research and investigations into contemporary painting involve mixed media painting and drawings that are influenced by material surfaces, textures and scale.”

    Seeing the timeline of the paintings in the exhibit, it is easy to identify when the use of symbols emerged and the significance of the symbol. Smith’s artists statement explains the purpose of symbolism in his work: “Elements of design referenced in African, African American, or multi-cultural imagery create a catalyst to begin a visual language that informs the work. Through the work, I am responding to the tension generated by a resounding past and an insistent present.”

    The artist’s commitment to the abstract form and the use of specific symbols guides us to understanding personal meaning in his most recent work. Smith explains: “The works celebrate life, family histories and tributes to artists. I express certain social realities concerning the world while exploring aesthetic qualities of being black in America and addressing the literal symbology of contemporary blackness within the legacy of Abstract Expressionism, creating a pliable structure for intuition, improvisation, and chance.”

    Building on 20th century modernism, contemporary art is even more varied and complex. Personal expression can include beauty, but most often works can be highly political, globalization has influenced styles, the digital age continues to impact everyone, and themes of identity and social unrest is prevalent. Yet, Smith has remained focused on the formal problems of painting and the expressive power of material.

    His style is a way to express his personal narrative about states of being — specifically his experiences of being an African American male in America. Even though growing up Black in America continues to have serious challenges and obstacles in American culture, we leave Revelation: 50 Years of Painting understanding how joyfulness, spirituality, love of music, love of dance, and love of life are the core of Dwight Smith’s beingness: and it is this feeling, or state of being, which is communicated throughout his work.

    It is important to understand why an artist has the impulse to create, but it is also important to know what choices an artist’s makes that encourage or support their efforts to remain an artist.

    For Smith, a key influence was an African American art organization which was established in the 1950s, the National Conference of Artists, Michigan Chapter.

    While galleries and the “artworld” were not promoting African American artists up until the 1990s, the NCA was an important meeting place for artists to work together, encourage each other, have exhibits, travel to other countries, and network.

    As a very young and emerging artist, Smith was able to interface with a network of seasoned African American artists, many historically important in American Art. Mentored by John A. Lockart, knowing David Driskell, Howandena Pindell, Romare Bearden, Shirley Woodson and Al Loving had the greatest influence on his personal development of style.

    After retiring from a career as the advertising and display coordinator for the Automobile Club of Michigan in 2007 (and remaining an exhibiting artist), Smith, and his immediate family (partner Calvin Mims and Shirley Mims) moved to Fayetteville.

    Besides being an artist, the move to North Carolina began a new chapter in his life when he became an educator. Currently Smith is a tenured Associate Professor of Art at Fayetteville State University in the Department of Performing and Fine Art.

    While teaching at Fayetteville State University with a master’s degree, another important influence on Smith was when he decided to go back to graduate school to earn a Master of Fine Art at the Art Institute of Boston.

    He stated, “Everyone needs something or someone to solidify the legitimacy of your work during different phases. While earning my MFA the comments from the visiting artists helped to do that. As well, it was a period when I could revisit and analyze my work up to that point.”

    Smith’s accomplishments as an artist are way too extensive to start listing in this editorial. It suffices to say he is an artist who continues to show regionally, nationally and internationally, his works continues to be purchased by collectors, his paintings are in many private and public collections, including museums, and he has received many national honors and awards.

    Dwight Smith (and his partner Calvin Mims) have had a significant impact on the arts in Fayetteville by owning and operating Ellington White Contemporary Gallery on Gillespie Street.

    In addition, Smith has significantly contributed to the cultural landscape of Fayetteville and nationally by exhibiting, his continued participation in NCA, scholarly presentations, curating significant exhibits, and his community/professional service.

    Revelation: 50 Years of Painting at the Art Council is well worth the time to visit. But it is not an exhibit to rush through. One will have to spend quiet time with the work to see how a consummate artist gives evidence to a well-known statement:

    By knowing your craft, you spend less time in thinking about the process and can focus on the “why” of painting.”

    The exhibition opens during 4th Friday on July 23. The public is invited to the free event, and the exhibition will remain up until September 11.

    For information on the exhibition call the Arts Council at 910-323-1776 or visit www.theartscouncil.com/.

    The Arts Council is located at 301 Hay St. in Fayetteville. Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. until noon.

    Pictured above: "Wading in the Water Alvin Ailey" by Dwight Smith

    Pictured Below:

    (Left) "Homage to Al Loving" by Dwight Smith

    (Middle) "A Conversation with Norman Lewis" by Dwight Smith

    (Right) "Girl in the Yellow Raincoat" by Dwight Smith

    11 11

    12 5 13 Girl in the Yellow Raincoat

     

     

  • 07 USE this Fowler picTwo area restauranteurs have been honored by inclusion in USA Today’s top 10 central North Carolina barbecue spots.

    Former Fayetteville City Councilman Wade Fowler who now serves as chairman of the Public Works Commission has been involved in many walks of life since retiring as an Air force jet fighter pilot. He owns Fowlers’ Southern Gourmet on W. Rowan Street near downtown. It opened in February 2018, and has already gained a reputation for delicious ribs, pork barbecue and smoked brisket.

    Whole hog barbecue is something of a dying art, but Fayetteville native Wyatt Dickson didn't get the memo. He and co-owner Ryan Butler opened Picnic in Durham five years ago.

    Dickson is one of the sons of Up & Coming Weekly columnist Margaret Dickson. His barbecue mixes old-school technique with a new-school mindset.

  • 14 PXL 20210626 152041971Fayetteville fencers at the All-American Fencing Academy earned national competitor ratings and national referee ratings during the Academy’s one and only sanctioned event during the 2020-2021 season.

    During most of the 2020-2021 season, sanctioned fencing tournaments had been cancelled. Recent policy changes with USA Fencing has now allowed national and local sanctioned tournaments.

    In June, Fayetteville hosted fencers from Greensboro, Charlotte, Apex, Greenville, Wilmington and the state of Alabama.

    In the men’s events Holden Moorefield was after his first national rating and came out of pools undefeated and seeded number 1. He defeated top seed teammate Bruce McRae, dropping Bruce down to 5th seed in the elimination rounds.

    In the elimination rounds, All-American Fencing Academy’s oldest fencer, Steve Cage, at age 65, upset the 4th seed to place in the top 8.

    Moorefield and McRae once again met in the semi-final round where McRae had trailed for most of the bout, but was able to squeeze in a victory winning against Moorefield 15-13. McRae and Moorefield will both be attending UNC-Chapel Hill where they will also be roommates.

    McRae continued on to win the men’s event against Leo Hinds from Greensboro. McRae re-earns his national E rating for Men’s Foil.

    Women’s foil saw a stronger pool of fencers with 5 already nationally rated fencers in the tournament.

    Megan Patterson seeded 1st coming out of the pools, followed by Isabelle Guevarra in 5th, Sabrina Krupenko in 7th, and Elinor Morkos in 12th.

    Unfortuantely, teammates Guevarra and Morkos faced each other in the first elimination round where Guevarra won 15-3 to advance. Patterson and Krupenko also advanced into the second round.

    Guevarra aged up in 2020 and was hoping to earn her first rating last fall, but had not had the opportunity to fence in any sanctioned events since the pandemic. This was her first tournament in the age 13+ (Seniors) category. A close victory against Greenville’s Lynn Harris put her in the semi-final rounds against teammate Patterson, guaranteeing Guevarra her first national E rating.

    Patterson defeated Guevarra but was defeated in the finals by Apex Fencing Academy’s Datla Medha. Patterson also renews her E rating.

    The sport of fencing is growing world-wide. In a historically European dominated sport, U.S. teams have consistently been in the top places on the world stage for several years. In the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, fencing, for the first time, will have a full medal count. There will be 6 individual medals and 6 team medals in this next Olympics.

    The All-American Fencing Academy also hosts a Walk-In Class for fencers that want to give it a try without making a full month commitment. The Walk-In Classes occur during Downtown Fayetteville’s Fourth Friday events.

    The All-American Fencing Academy is located in Downtown Fayetteville at 207 B Donaldson St. It instructs and trains recreational and competitive fencers starting at age 7, teens, adults and veterans ages 40+. Its fencers compete regionally and nationally. Their coaches include former World Cup and NCAA fencers.

    For more information about the All-American Fencing Academy and its classes, please call 910-644-0137, e-mail info@allamericanfencing.com or visit www.allamericanfencing.com.

    Pictured above: Two fencers in a recent bout. (Photo courtesy All-American Fencing Academy).

  • 06 Markus McCormickMarkus Odon McCormick, 36, was sentenced to serve at least 24 years in state prison following his conviction this month on human trafficking charges. In 2018, police officers conducted a traffic stop which led to an interview with a victim of human trafficking. Fayetteville Police detectives spent three years gathering evidence that resulted in McCormick’s trial. Det. D. Graham had arrested the accused for trafficking two victims for the purpose of sexual servitude. McCormick was found guilty by a jury on two counts of human trafficking, five counts of felony promotion of prostitution, and one count of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine.

  • 05 Recycling carts 3Bi-weekly recycling has been delayed until August. City officials say material unavailability and production issues caused the delay. Every other week recycling was scheduled to begin this month and was heavily promoted. The delay wasn’t announced until July 1. Recycling customers who have not yet received their new, blue 96-gallon recycling carts should continue using the small carts.

    Residents who haven’t received the new ones by Aug. 1 should call 910-433-1329. City crews will eventually collect the old carts which should be left at the curb. “We appreciate your patience as we work to deliver new carts,” Public Services Director Sheila Thomas-Ambat said. “This is a change, but the new schedule will be in line with the industry standard, and we will see cost savings in the future.” She didn’t explain what industry standards govern the use of bigger recycling implements.

  • 01 N1809P30001HWe Americans are proud of our First Amendment — a guarantee that government at any level cannot restrict freedom of speech in the United States — and we should be. It safeguards our own individual speech and that of the “press.” Originally the press was defined by our primary news and opinion medium — newspapers — but today translates to “media,” encompassing print and digital platforms, ones common to me and those I have never heard of and will likely never use.

    But I am nervous about our First Amendment and particularly, the freedom of the press. As you and I speak with millions of different voices and opinions, local media is speaking less and less. That means we know less and less about what is happening in our own communities.

    The press, which began with relatively few voices, has long since morphed into millions of voices with a versatile range. From television networks with distinct points of view and unrestricted social media comments to individual blogs and podcasts representing every viewpoint and experience under the sun, a lot is being said. We are all free to partake of as much or as little of this as we please. We can and do read, watch and listen to voices that agree with ours, relaxing with our own choir in an echo chamber that preaches only to us and those like us. Successful politicians of all stripes know to keep their friends close and their enemies closer. Otherwise, we have no clue what others are thinking and doing. It is as if we are living in the tower of Babel, an existence dangerous indeed.

    Dangerous as well is the consolidation of media throughout our nation. Gone from most places, including Fayetteville and Cumberland County, are locally owned and operated news outlets, including newspapers and radio and television stations. Cape Fear Broadcasting, a local media company that carried local news and broadcast editorials, was sold to a publicly traded corporation 20 years ago. The Fayetteville Observer is now owned by a national newspaper chain. With such consolidation have come “synergies,” which translate into fewer local jobs and much less local news.

    Estimates vary, but The New York Times reports that 1 in 5 newspapers in the U.S. have shut down. Researcher Penny Abernathy at UNC-CH’s School of Journalism and Media puts the number at about 1,800 since 2004, roughly 100 a year. Actual closure of local broadcasting outlets is not as dramatic, but the existence of fewer newsrooms and reporters is taking a toll. Local news media are shadows of their former selves, and many U.S. communities are now local news deserts.

    So why should we care that news outlet voices are decreasing and that less local, state and regional news coverage exists? We should care because how else will we know what our local and state elected officials are up to? What is Fayetteville City Council doing with downtown development? How are our law enforcement agencies handling diversity issues? What is the Cumberland County Board of Education doing to help students recover from a year away from in-person classes? How is the General Assembly going to fund the UNC and community college systems? Unless you plan to attend every meeting of every elected body, you will be unaware that local media coverage is absent. Don’t even think about trusting random social media posts for accurate local news. To read more on this, see the Brookings Institute 2019 report “Local Journalism in Crisis: Why America Must Revive Its Local Newsrooms.”

    Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglas, Patrick Henry and other earlier Americans who saw a need for eternal vigilance to preserve liberty could not have imagined today’s cacophony of voices. That we struggle to agree on basic facts about our nation would astound them, but that is our present state. We do not have to agree with much less like the views of other people and news outlets, but we ignore them at our own and our nation’s peril.

    It is up to us to protect our precious First Amendment by keeping ourselves informed as best we can, even about events, ideas and points of view with which we disagree.

    Especially about those with which we disagree.

    Editor's Note: This Essay on Liberty by Dickson first appeared in the July issue of Women's View magazine.

  • 23 Picture1Over the past year, many owners have been working hard to keep their businesses afloat. Now, as things are turning around, some are asking “Should I sell my business?” Here are some steps to follow to achieve the best price and experience.

    Step 1: Get a business valuation
    Once you know the value of your business, you’ll have the opportunity to increase its worth before listing to achieve a higher selling price. In today’s climate, business valuation experts will be assessing your 2021 revenue and earnings. Meanwhile, ignoring your 2020 profits. That’s why it’s crucial to get your business to where it was pre-COVID or better.

    Step 2: Organize your financials
    Buyers are shifting their focus to businesses that not only survived the pandemic but will provide long-term viability. Before choosing to make an offer, they’ll want to know everything about your business — from your financial statements and taxes to your inventory and equipment. This is the time to take care of any outstanding orders, like tax liens or PPP loan forgiveness, that can prevent any sale from going through. For a smooth transaction, meet with a business advisor to review your financials before you begin the sales process.

    Step 3: Prepare your exit strategy
    You shouldn’t wait until the next downturn to sell your business— it’s always good to sell when things are getting better.
    Putting a sound plan in place will help facilitate a faster exit. It can also help you achieve a higher return on investment. Baby boomer business owners will be looking to retire in the upcoming years, overwhelming the market. This is the perfect time to maximize your value and ensure your business stands out from the pack.
    There are many exit strategies to consider — selling to friends or family, selling to an internal party, or selling on the open market. Each plan of action has its advantages and disadvantages.

    Step 4: Find a business broker
    The most important thing an owner can do while selling their business is focusing on running their business. A broker uses their expertise and aggressive marketing program to create competition for you, manage prospects and help you achieve the best price. No matter the size of your business or industry, a business advisor is going to be an expert. With the right guidance and advice, you’ll be able to seamlessly sell your business to the right buyer.

    Step 5: Qualify potential buyers and negotiate
    One of the main reasons a transaction will fall apart is because buyers fail to secure loans after entering into a sales agreement. When you work with a broker, buyers are qualified for financial ability to meet the offer.

    A business broker can approach and continue to track potential buyers without weakening your position. The best part is brokers will control the information being released, and pre-qualified buyers are required to execute a confidentiality agreement. This will protect you and your company from someone prying through your financials without proper supervision.

    When you’re selling a business, especially in a hot market, it’s crucial to negotiate to achieve the best price and terms. With the help of a professional, you’ll be able to avoid confusion during your sales transaction. They’ll be able to identify when a buyer is asking for too little and have your best interest at heart.

  • 04 Proposed Day CenterThe city of Fayetteville is purchasing a warehouse at 128 King St. off Person Street (formerly the Rock Shop) for conversion to a homeless day center. The design contract was awarded to Raleigh-based architectural firm IBI Group which designed Oak City Cares, the Raleigh day center that’s being used as a model for Fayetteville's day center. The building is a 12,800-square-foot warehouse that was built in 2006. $4 million has been provided by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s disaster recovery program. The money will be used to purchase the property, construction, design and equipment. Windows will be installed in the front of the building.
    The center will also function as an emergency shelter when needed. Chris Cauley, the city's director of economic and community development said preliminary plans for the day center include shower and laundry facilities, a large community room for people to use computers and charge their devices, plus a warming kitchen and offices.

  • 02 N1307P21005H 1Students have many options to explore concerning careers related to Computer Information Technology at FTCC — from programs that teach building mobile applications to creating digital art and everything in-between.

    Advertising & Graphic Design. FTCC’s Advertising and Graphic Design associate program equips students with the skills necessary to illustrate and design logos, advertisements and an array of other printed and digital visual communication to express ideas through typography, imagery, color and layouts. Students are equipped with industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Webflow and Figma. Students also have an opportunity to obtain certification in Adobe Applications.

    Digital Media Technology and User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX). This Digital Media program prepares students for professional opportunities involving digital design and multimedia. Coursework includes 2D & 3D animation, interactive technologies, website design, programming and audio/video editing. Graduates of this program should qualify for employment as animators, UI/UX developers, multimedia specialists and many other emerging professional opportunities in this expanding field. The UI/UX degree is new for fall 2021 and includes coursework in coding and design, selected to enhance the user experience for websites and mobile applications.

    Simulation & Game Development. Students interested in FTCC’s game development associate program gain the skills to develop videogames, such as 3D modeling and animation, creative writing and game programming. Graduates of this program are also qualified to work for health and government agencies.

    Computer Programming & Development and Mobile Application Development. In order to be an effective and successful programmer, one must be able to logically and creatively solve business-related problems for prospective clients or employers using the appropriate software and programming languages. Programming languages taught to students include Java, C#, C++, Python and more.
    The Mobile Application Development associate degree program is for those interested in becoming a developer for mobile applications. Coursework includes instruction in both Android and iOS programming languages, including Swift.

    Network Management and Administration and Cloud Management. Networking Management and Networking Administration programs prepare students to install and support networks and develop strong analytical skills and extensive networking knowledge. Course work includes hands-on experience with both Cisco, Windows and Linux operating systems. FTCC is part of the Cisco Networking Academy Program and offers coursework to prepare students for the Cisco CCNA exam. The Cloud Management program is new for fall 2021 and includes coursework in AWS, Google and Microsoft Azure.

    System Security & Analysis. FTCC’s Cyber Education Center has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. This program provides students with the skills required to evaluate and implement effective and comprehensive information security controls. Security analysts monitor, prevent and halt attacks on private data.

    FTCC also offers an Intelligence Studies curriculum designed to provide students with skills necessary to work in the intelligence profession with an emphasis in Geospatial Intelligence. The program emphasizes cyber defense with industry partners, such as Cisco, RedHat, Palo Alto and EC-Council. The program prepares students for numerous industry certifications, including CompTIA Security+, several EC-Council certifications (CE|H and CND), and Palo Alto Certified Network Defender and many others.

    PC Support & Services. IT/PC Support & Services is a program for those interested in more traditional information technology technician work, including PC maintenance and repair. The curriculum will prepare students to install, operate and manage various operating systems ranging from industry standards like Windows to more niche operating systems like Linux. Course work includes hands-on experience with troubleshooting PC hardware/software, mobile devices and various peripherals. Students will build customer-service, problem-solving, communication and writing skills. Certifications to enhance the associate degree include CompTIA A+ & Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE). Graduates are qualified for entry-level positions in technical support services.

    Join us for Fall semester. Classes begin August 16. Let FTCC help you find your way forward.

  • 07 SSGT Logan MelgarA court martial panel found Marine Gunnery Sgt. Mario Madera-Rodriguez guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the 2017 death of Green Beret Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar. Madera-Rodriguez was also found guilty of hazing, making false official statements and conspiracy.

    The incident took place in Melgar’s bedroom at off-site housing that he shared with other special operators in Bamako, Mali. The jury came to its verdict after a day’s deliberations in a three-week trial at Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia. Madera-Rodriguez was the last of four co-defendants charged in Melgar’s death by strangulation. Madera-Rodriguez’ sentencing is pending.

  • 10 rockn logo jpegThe Rock’n On The River concert series continues in July with two bands that are sure to keep the audience singing and dancing along. The July 16 show will feature Joyner, Young & Marie at 6 p.m. and Heart Breaker at 8:15 p.m. Both groups are known for vocal powerhouse performances of rock ‘n’ roll hits.

    Bill Joyner, Dan Young and Marie Grimsley make up Joyner, Young & Marie, a local band that has been performing for more than 30 years. No stranger to area festivals and events, Joyner, Young & Marie performs their own music and covers of rock ‘n’ roll hits from the likes of Janis Joplin, Eric Clapton and Aretha Franklin, among many.

    “My favorite memory with the band was when our song ‘Live the Blues’ from our first CD ‘Full Circle’ made number one in the beach charts and got to perform at the Cammy Awards [Carolina Beach Music Awards],” said lead singer Marie Grimsley. The band is currently working on releasing another CD in the near future. Grimsley said the band enjoys performing together and bringing back the rock hits that everyone knows and enjoys.

    Also performing will be Heart Breaker, a Heart tribute band, featuring Staci McBeth and Joan Burton, backed by a talented band of musicians. Although based in North Carolina, Heart Breaker tours nationally with the goal of playing each song with respect and true passion for the original. They not only perform the Heart classics such as “Alone,” “What About Love,” and crowd favorite “Barracuda,” but they also give the audience a taste of Led Zeppelin hits that Heart often played on tour as well.
    The Rock’n On The River concert series was created in 2015 starting with three shows. The popularity of the series and demand for live entertainment helped increase the number of shows each season. This year, the series has been hosting a concert each month from May until October.

    Each concert this season showcases a different genre of music, bringing together different crowds of people for a good time with friends and family. Rock’n On The River is located at 1122 Person St. in Fayetteville, (behind Deep Creek Grill).

    Parking for the event opens at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. Parking costs $5 per person in each vehicle. Outside food and beverages are prohibited, but can be purchases on site. Pets are also not allowed onto the concert grounds.

    Rock’n On The River is a free event sponsored by Healy Wholesale, Bob 96.5 FM radio, and Up & Coming Weekly.

    For more information visit www.facebook.com/Rockn-On-The-River-271048666818630/

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  • 22 Max Greene faces Greensboros Emery AlexanderFencing is not a sport targeted toward any particular age, gender or social status, and Coach Gerhard Guevarra believes it offers a place for everyone.

    The All-American Fencing Academy of Fayetteville offers great opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to learn the sport of fencing.

    “Our academy is not some big sports program, this is a place for people of all different athletic backgrounds,” said Coach Guevarra, also the owner of the Academy. “Most people come to us because their child or themselves wanted to do fencing and didn’t know there was a spot in Fayetteville to do that. All we can say for those who don’t know fencing or are skeptical about it, ‘hey come try it out,’” he said.

    The All-American Fencing Academy is an official registered school of USA Fencing and the North Carolina Division of USA Fencing.

    Guevarra has been coaching since 1999, and brought fencing to Fayetteville through the Pine Forrest Recreational Center. In 2008, he moved the program downtown to open his fencing studio, the All-American Fencing Academy. Guevarra continues to compete nationally and internationally. He competed in the 2006 Vancouver World Cup and has won several North Carolina Division Championships.

    Students at the Academy can compete locally, regionally and nationally. Some have qualified for National Championships and some have qualified for Junior Olympics. Some fencers have been recruited and continue to fence for Division I, II, and III university fencing teams.

    The All-American Fencing Academy currently has between 30 to 40 students ranging from the lowest age of 7 up to students in their 60s. The beginner classes start on the first week of the month and are for those who have never fenced before. This class teaches the basics, history and proper blade work for fencing. There is a membership option for students who want to continue to pursue fencing, which offers one scheduled class and additional open fencing nights.

    The Academy also offers a class for adult learners too — the 40+ class — for those who are interested in the art of fencing but didn’t realize it until later in life.
    Private lessons are available based on coach availability.

    For those who are just looking for something new and fun to do in Fayetteville, or maybe want to learn more about fencing before committing to a class, the Academy offers a Fourth Friday walk-in class every month, except July. Anyone ages 7 and older can participate for just $10 a student.

    All-American Fencing is located at 207B Donaldson St. in downtown Fayetteville. For more information call 910-644-0137, email info@allamericanfencing.com or visit www.allamericanfencing.com/#welcome.

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  • 15 DSC 0515Fayetteville Cumberland County Parks & Recreation offers a number of activities to get out and enjoy nature. Clark Park & Nature Center is located at 631 Sherman Drive. For more information call 910-433-1579.

    Bug Safari at StoryWalk® Clark Park
    Explore reading along a stretch of trail near the playground. Stands tell the story of “Bug Safari” by Bob Barner. Funded by the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County, a fund of Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. Available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to sunset. Free and suitable for ages 3-6.

    Small Wonders From the Mountains to the Sea: A Diorama of Miniatures by Wildlife Artist Joe Morgan
    Find all the tiny critters nestled in this work of art and take home a prize. Available during Center Hours: Available Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free and suitable for all ages.

    Animal Feedings
    Alligators chomping, snakes swallowing, and turtles snapping, come see what is for dinner at the nature center. Call to register. Wednesdays on July 21, 28 and Aug. 4, 11 from 3-4 p.m. Free and suitable for all ages.

    Marvels of Moths
    While butterflies may be better known, after the sun goes down the night belongs to their relatives, the moths. There are far more species of moths than butterflies and they live fascinating lives. Learn about the importance of moths in the environment, how they survive, and about some of the many different kinds that call North Carolina home. Part of National Moth Week and Moth Night. Call to register. Saturday, July 24 from 7-8 p.m. Free and suitable for all ages.

    Moth Night!
    Clark Park’s woods often yield giant silkworm moths like the Luna and Polyphemus. Come hear about how moths differ from butterflies, how to attract and trap moths for identification and study, and see what we can catch at Clark on this night. Moth Night is part of National Moth Week, a celebration of moth diversity, beauty, life cycles and habitats. Call to register. Saturday, July 24 from 8-10 p.m. Free and suitable for all ages.

    Homeschool Discovery Series: Reptiles and Amphibians
    These free programs are designed with homeschoolers in mind to help supplement their curriculum. Call to register. On Aug. 5 from 10-11:30 a.m. discover what makes reptiles different from amphibians through this hands-on experience.

    For more information on what programs and events are available at parks throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County visit www.fcpr.us/

  • 09 The Struggle by Angela StoutBecoming a professional artist can be a personal goal early in life, or it can be the result of a series of unexpected events and influences. Due to the latter reason, I thought it was particularly important to write an editorial about the artist Angela Stout; but also, to write about her notable exhibition titled Evoke at the Cape Fear Studios in Fayetteville.

    First and foremost, Angela Stout is an extraordinary artist who is able to successfully cross disciplines and be exceptional in whatever medium she undertakes. Anyone who visits the Cape Fear Studios, to see her recent body of work, will be pleasantly surprised at the artists’ approach and method to painting, sculpting the figure, and printmaking.

    The challenge for any artist who focuses on the portrait is how the subject, an important genre in the history of art, fits into the rage and complexity of contemporary art styles. For Stout, the subject is just the starting point to reveal more than a likeness, but an essence that transcends the individual, an ascension to a state of being that is our humanity. For this artist, it is our humanity that connects us -not gender, sex or race.

    Visitors to Evoke will see a body of work which reflects this artist’s vision about the place of portraiture in contemporary art. For Stout, portraiture is not just about a likeness, but her intent is to evoke emotion and transcend the focus from the individual to the many. What she may not realize is that she creates a context that is inclusive and illusive at the same time; we sense the precipice, we sense the humanity in the room – and it is everyone.

    All the paintings in the exhibit are 30” x 40” on stretched canvas, the scale of the figure, larger than life-size, invites our attention. On close inspection you can see the marks of color from Stout’s paint brush being dragged across the surface or the blending of layers of color - she moves seamlessly between opacity and translucency as needed. The painting titled “O” is an example of her exactitude and pursuit to move past the individual to a human condition, using only the warm and cool colors of indigo, phthalo blue, and a hint of magenta.

    As in all her paintings, Stout has a clear understanding of the potential of color and its complexity to create meaning on different levels - all at the same time. For example, she is keenly aware of the characteristics of color and ways to exploit its complexity: the symbolism of a color, the temperature and weight of color, tone, tint, shade, and saturation are all possible means for Stout to create a feeling, an emotion, a moment, or even a state of beingness.

    Visitors to the Cape Fear Studio will see how Stout moves easily between mediums. Not only are their nine new paintings, but she is also exhibiting 4 portrait heads in clay, and over eighteen monoprints. What becomes relevant is why and how she moves effortlessly between mediums. In order to get to the significance of an artist successfully working in different mediums, I need to go back to the beginning of the article: “becoming a professional artist can be the result
    of a series of unexpected events and
    influences.”

    Stout, raised in Ohio, the city of Warren, has drawn since she was three years old. At the age of 16, she asked her mother for a Bob Ross kit as a Christmas gift, and her mother surprised her with the Master Bob Ross kit (complete with supplies and a video). In high school she focused on playing drums instead of art lessons and was told upon graduation that she was not prepared or good enough, as an
    artist, to apply to art school.

    Those negative words and lack of encouragement from a teacher changed the direction of her life for the next twenty years. After serving in the military, married with three children, almost completing a degree in radiology before she became ill, now married again with 2 additional children (for a total of 5): Stout was out of the army and painting portraits as a self-taught artist in Broadway, North Carolina. With encouragement from family and friends, she enrolled in and completed a two-year Associate of Arts degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College, which included four art classes.
    Stout had the experiences of painting murals for dayrooms when she was in the military, but it was the beginning painting and drawing classes at FTCC where she received her first formal instruction in the mechanics of drawing and painting. Katey Morrill, her painting instructor, identified her preferences in painting and introduced her to significant artists for her to study, those artists who focused on using light to create dramatic effects. Equally important, Stout was encouraged by the art faculty to become a professional artist and continue into a 4-year art program.

    Confident in her achievements at FTCC, Stout entered Fayetteville State University in the Department of Performing and Fine art and was affectionately told “you have a lot of talent” and “you have a long way to go.” Only working in black, white and greys, her solid education from FTCC was the beginning of her personal journey in the arts.
    Stout worked with five different instructors at FSU, each bringing their own influence. After taking fifteen hours in art history and art criticism, painting classes, printmaking classes, and various sculpture classes she graduated from FSU with a 4.0 average. Because of Stout’s ambition to know as much as she could and her work ethics, she worked tirelessly at the challenges each course would demand but was always open to new ways of seeing and working.

    Stout explains it like this: “Painting classes improved my understanding of color theory and composition, printmaking classes challenged the way I viewed the process of painting and image-making, from painting I could create volume in clay modeling, and clay modeling helped me to see spatially and that helped my painting. Art criticism and contemporary art class challenged everything I thought I knew, I was then able to refine the direction of my work, I become open to new possibilities in ways I had never considered before.”

    Stout was not only a student of art who wanted to know all that she could learn in a short period of time, but she was always taking advantage of any situation where she could exhibit her work. She participated in local and national exhibitions, put her artworks in coffee house and any place that would showcase her works.

    By the time she graduated from FSU in 2019, and soon after, she had created and was facilitating a Facebook page called “acrylicpaintingforeveryone” (link at the end of the article) which has 106,000 vetted members. A website created as a positive social media platform to encourage anyone who paints, includes an exchange of ideas, videos, tips, and critiques.

    Stout has been in many exhibitions, local and regional. Due to her social media persistence, a curator contacted her to exhibit one of her paintings in an online exhibition in Milan, Italy during COVID. As an advocate of the arts, Stout is a member of the Cape Fear Studios and regularly gives classes to any age interested in painting. She participates in community outreach projects and continues to do portrait commissions.

    Anyone who has visited the exhibit, and those who have plans to see Evoke at the Cape Fear Studios might be interested to know what influenced the direction of her work. Stout was asked how her work has evolved over the last ten years. She began by saying: “In the beginning it was important to learn and practice technique. I was self-taught so I did not understand the philosophy behind art, and the ways in which my work needed to be developing. Studying art and art movements, understanding the evolution of art gave me the courage to evolve in my own way.”

    She continued, “Initially I just wanted to develop technically and portray the subject as accurate as possible. Now I want to convey an emotion. Every aspect of the painting is important to the overall meaning, the subject, color, abstraction, and techniques are used to evoke an emotion.”

    “I never would have thought that courses in printmaking could have had such a dramatic effect on how I see painting, but it did? I am a perfectionist, but in the printmaking studio any number of things can happen, often accidents, that made me understand how process is relevant. I didn’t have the expectations I was going to be a professional printmaker at the time, so I felt I was free to fail and to explore. All good lessons, I moved from mimicry to intent in my work - possibilities in printmaking translated into possibilities in painting.”

    After working six months towards her first-person exhibition, I was interested to know what the experience meant to her after the opening and what her future plans are as a professional, free lance artist. Stout was resolute in her response, “I feel as if my intent for the exhibit was met, and I hope the works communicate the emotional connections to anyone who see the exhibit in the painting, the sculpture or a print. During the process, I had to make choices during the making, I felt a sense of relief that, as a whole, there is a continuity in the body of work.”

    “My plans at this time are to continue to explore image making and intent, continue teaching, network for opportunities to exhibit. It would be nice to have a gallery outside of North Carolina carry my work, and I love being involved in community projects. At this time, I have written a grant for disabled veterans to take my workshop in acrylic painting and healing; and I have a written a grant to be able to work with Gold Star Children. One big goal is to write an extensive grant for underprivileged children to have art lessons and artkits. Afterall, it was a Bob Ross Master Kit, given to me when I was 16 years old, that made a big impact on the direction my life would eventually take in the arts!”

    Visitors to the Cape Fear Studios at 148 Maxwell Street in Fayetteville, North Carolina will be able to see Angela Stouts’ exhibit titled Evoke until July 20th, 2021. The hours of the studios are Tuesday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Email the gallery at artgallery@capefearstudios.com or call 910-433-2986.

    To join Angela Stouts Facebook page for “acrylicpaintingforeveryone” the link is www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=acrylicpaintingforeveryone.
    For information in taking classes with Angela Stout, call 910-433-2986 for information on times and cost.

    08 O by Angela Stout

  • 03 banner C2G major updates 2Fort Bragg commissaries are now offering their ‘CLICK2GO’ curbside grocery pick up services to all Department of Defense ID card holders.

    Both the North and South post commissaries will offer the service and allow customers to order up to 6 days in advance, with the option to make changes to their order for up to 6 hours before pickup time.

    You can find this service at the local commissary website as well as commissaries.com or go to shopcommisaries.com, where customers can order and pay online, and pick a time for curbside pickup.

    “With the system, we have signage to identify designated parking spaces,” said Tanya Cooksey, business analyst/product coordinator for Defense Commissary Agency.

    “When the customer pulls up into a designated parking space, there’s a phone number on the sign, and the sign rings inside and alerts the commissary team member who will dispatch someone to retrieve
    the order.”

    The ‘CLICK2GO’ service provides contactless delivery to the customers, where, after showing them your ID, the team member will place the items in the backseat or trunk of the car, Cooksey said.

    “The hours vary by store but the average operating hours by store is Tuesday through Friday and the operating hours are usually between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.,” Cooksey said. “For the past year or so there was a $4.95 service fee but as of recently waived so customers no longer have to pay the service fee.”

    The curbside pickup is a part of DeCa’s e-commerce initiative which began in 2013 as an incentive to attract millennials with commissary privileges to use the services.

    “But we are finding that everyone loves this service, retirees, new enlistees, everyone,” Cooksey said. “It’s just convenient.”

    Last year the service added eight stores in the program but are now aiming at adding all 236 stores to the service by the end of the year, she said.

    For more information on the program or to check store hours visit www.commissaries.com/shopping/click-2-go.

  • 17 IMGL0435The National Day of the Cowboy is one where people can remember and celebrate America’s cowboy culture and pioneer heritage. Recognized on the fourth Saturday in July, National Day of the Cowboy honors the American cowboy, often a symbol of freedom and adventure. Created in 2005 by the National Day of the Cowboy Organization, the day celebrates cowboy culture in the American West associated with the years following the Civil War.

    One of the important jobs performed by 19th-century cowboys was to drive cattle from Texas northward to Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. At the time there wasn’t a direct railway line that connected Texas with the Northern and Eastern portions of the U.S. Cowboys often used cattle trails to move up to 3,000 heads of cattle at a time.

    Cowboys would move cattle along the cattle trails to the towns known as cow towns in Kansas. They would also use the Chisholm Trail to move cattle north of the Mexican border to Abilene. Other trails included the Shawnee Trail that led to St. Louis, and the Great Western Trail that led to Dodge City.

    National Day of the Cowboy recognizes that cowboys were more than just cattle herders. They were people who truly loved adventure and the land. Cowboys were often seen as loyal and willing to work hard.

    The folks at 7 Branch Farm in Lumber Bridge continue to celebrate the American cowboy each year. The public is invited to join 7 Branch’s seventh annual National Day of the Cowboy event on July 23 and 24. The 7 Branch Arena hosts the only sanctioned professional rodeo close to the Fayetteville area. The event will show what it truly means to be a cowboy/cowgirl and to live by the code.

    The rodeo will recreate events from the Old American West including bucking horses, calf roping, mounted shooting and more. This year the rodeo is bringing back barrel races where professionally skilled horseback riders attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. There are estimated to be about 100 competitors in this year’s rodeo. The preshow event will take place at 5:30 p.m. with live entertainment from country singer/ songwriter Tyler Tew. There will also be bounce houses, pony rides and more from the kids. The main show will start at 8:00 p.m.

    This year, like others in the past, tickets are selling fast. “We encourage rodeo fans, and those wanting to come out to purchase tickets online and get here early,” said Buddy Blackman. The rodeo will have bleachers but will fill up quickly, so people are more than welcome to pull up a chair in the lawn seating area. This event is family-friendly, so no alcohol will be sold or permitted on the property.

    7 Branch was started by Blackman’s father, Ron Payne. The family-run farm started with only eight acres. Today, 7 Branch has 30-plus acres and hosts several rodeos and training events every year. When approached by the National Day of the Cowboy Organization to start a rodeo in North Carolina, there was no hesitation for 7 Branch. Part of the rodeo’s proceeds benefits Cape Fear Valley’s Friends of the Cancer Center, which 7 Branch has supported for several years.

    Tickets can be purchased online at www.dayofthecowboync.com or at the gate. Tickets are $15 per person, and kids 3 years old and under get in free. 7 Branch Arena is located just outside Hope Mills at 62 McGougan Road in Lumber Bridge. For more information, call 910-813-7881.

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