I believe Fayetteville is a wonderful place to live, serve, work, raise a family, educate children, grow a business and enjoy the golden years.

I have traveled the world and lived in many places, large and small. Fayetteville is special. Our amazing arts, business and banking, churches, downtown, education, families, geography, homes  (are wonderful)... but the people, they make Fayetteville special. I challenge those with repeated negative thoughts to take the time to share what is great about the place we call home.

Fayetteville and Fort Bragg are primed to experience a historic revival led by Generation Z and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We are primed to realize the tremendous competencies from Fort Bragg, which will fuel our future. We are on the eve of breakthroughs in economic, community and quality-of-life advancement grounded in cyber, drones, robotics, artificial intelligence, data and the careers of the future. The future is here.

We should spend less time on the last 150 years and the history it produced and more on the next 50 years and the value and quality of life it will birth. Populations are changing and citizens are moving. We are in the perfect location to benefit from this change.

The future is very bright, and it is about people first. When we make people first and operate with integrity and fairness, then we will realize our best future. The future is bright, and that is where we are wise to place our focus. People first, our best future.

 Rodney Anderson, soldier for life and proud parent of three young adult children — Lindsay, Danielle and Rodney Jr.

I covet my editorial space in our community newspaper and I’m reluctant to yield it to others unless their message is of vital importance to the residents of Fayetteville, and Cumberland County retired Maj. Gen. Rodney Anderson has such a message with his response to my editorial last week, “People Over Politics.” For the most part the general and I agree on the virtues of this community and the opportunities afforded here. Actually, we agree on almost every point. However, his experience, training and intellect being what they are, he introduces two concepts that I doubt many people in our community are familiar with — the first being Generation Z and the second and, most important, the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Granted, together these two phenomena are the reality of the nation’s future. So, if you have never heard these terms then I suggest you Google them right away.

In addition, Anderson puts tremendous value on the virtues of integrity and fairness. This is what “people first” is all about. The reality is that intelligent, focused and visionary leadership puts people first. It is this type of leadership that is needed to attract young talent to our community and keep them here to capitalize on the changing nature of our world and community. He is right. The question now is do we have the leadership and resources to attract and retain such talent to grow our population here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County? Well, as Margaret Dickson points out in her article “Growing Pains,” probably not. In eight years, 2010-2018, Cumberland County’s population grew a measly 1.4% lagging embarrassingly far behind smaller counties like Harnett (+15%), Hoke (+13%) and Moore (+12%). So, while Anderson provides us valid and intellectual insights into the future, in reality, it is history that becomes the looking glass into our future. In this particular case of 1.4% growth in eight years, a study of our past would reveal what we have done or, not done, that resulted in these dismal numbers. It’s the difference between “talking the talk” and “walking the walk.” The proof of success, or failure, is always in the net result. Knowing what to do and understanding what to do are useless if the leadership is not there.

People first! We always enjoy hearing from our readers. I want to personally thank Anderson for his letter and his valuable insights. Now, let’s see where this will lead us. Thanks for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

  — Publisher Bill Bowman

Ah, the holidays. Music. Performances. Shopping. And lights. The cheerful, glowing, twinkling lights. If you haven’t been yet, bring your favorite people and head to Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s  9th annual “Holiday Lights in the Garden” Dec. 19 – 23 from 5:30-9 p.m. It celebrates this special time of year and showcases the splendor and magic of the winter season in one of the area’s most sublime settings.

“Holiday Lights is a walking tour of Cape Fear Botanical Garden at nighttime,” said Lia Hasapis, marketing coordinator of Cape Fear Botanical Garden. “We light up the garden with lights, other gigantic lights, twinkling lights and it showcases beauty in the winter.”

Hasapis added that this year, they decided to bring the focus of the experience back to what they are —  which is a Botanical Garden. There are natured themed displays throughout the garden to enhance the light displays.

While lights are a big part of the event, there is so much more that makes it a special place to visit this time of year. “The event will feature caroling hayrides, live performances each night, pictures with Santa, s’mores and much more,” said Hasapis. “The live performances will take place each night, and it will feature community members from churches, schools and up-and-coming artists from Fayetteville,” said Hasapis. “There will be a holiday market that will have vendors that will sell holiday crafted items. … We have consignment items in our garden gift shop from holiday crafts and necessities that everybody will need this holiday season.”

Hasapis added there will be several food trucks, s’mores, apple cider and hot chocolate available for purchase. “The hay riders will ride through a special path that is only for the hay riders that is through the garden and it is roped off,” said Hasapis. “They will see different kinds of lights, other parts of the garden. And at the end of the hayride, there is an animated story that has gigantic lights that form characters from the story as well.

“The event is going to be a lot of fun, and you just need to come and glow with us this holiday season,” said Hasapis.

Admission cost is $12 for nonmembers and members will get preferred pricing every other night at $8. A family picture with Santa is $10. For more information call 910-486-0221.

Since 1993, The CARE Clinic has been serving the residents of Cumberland County and the surrounding areas. Providing free quality health care to low-income adults is the mission of the clinic. To run the clinic with the excellence they desire to provide to their patients, the clinic and staff rely on generous donors, grants and fundraising events. One such fundraising event is an annual event known as an Evening of CARE Dinner. It’s as much a social tradition as it is a fundraiser, bringing together participants from all walks of life for an evening of fun to support an important institution. The next Evening of CARE takes place Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. Tickets and slots to host sell out fast.

Those who offer to host an Evening of CARE Dinner, provide a memorable evening for their guests where the meal is either provided by the clinic, prepared by the host or prepared by and/or served at a restaurant of their choice. The hosts can be creative by providing hors d’oeuvres and beverages and have a small group of a few people, or they can host a much larger group. It depends on how many people the host decides to accommodate. There can also be co-hosted dinners to allow more people to join in. Or, if you’re new to town or you’d like to provide a home to those who are new to town, that’s an option as well.

If the host decides to have the meal provided by the clinic, there are two types of dinner menus to choose from, either chicken or lasagna. No matter what the hosts choose to do, the entire evening is about raising funds for the CARE Clinic. If you’re unable to host but would like to be a sponsor, that’s an option as well.

One of the perks of hosting, is the freedom to get creative with the tone of the event. If a fire pit suits you and your guests — do it. Want to hire a magician to entertain your guest? Perfect. Want to bring in a local musician to set a lively mood? Yes, please. Hosts are encouraged to customize the experience as they see fit.

If you’re interested in having a fun and adventurous evening while raising money for an organization that is vital to our community, visit www.thecareclinic.org to find the Host Response Form. For more information, contact Angie at development@thecareclinic.org or call 910-485-0555. Once you’ve reached out to be a part of the Evening of CARE Dinner, a packet will be sent, which will assist you in organizing your evening. The cost to host or co-host an event is $50, and a ticket to attend is $75.

Certain Christmas tree species last longer and remain fresh much longer than others. Among the best is the North Carolina Fraser fir. North Carolina has an estimated 50 million Fraser fir Christmas trees growing on more than 25,000 acres. The Fraser fir is grown by 1,600 growers in the higher elevations of the Western North Carolina counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey. North Carolina produces nearly 20% of the real Christmas trees in the U.S., ranking second in the nation in the number of trees harvested.

The North Carolina Fraser fir has been judged the nation’s best through a contest sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association and chosen for the official White House Christmas tree many times. The Fraser fir is the most popular Christmas tree in North America and is shipped to every state in the U.S. and all over the world. Fraser firs have soft needles, incomparable needle retention, long-lasting aroma and more pliable yet stronger branches for even the heaviest ornaments.

Festive celebrations, flickering lights and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season. They also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one. The National Fire Protection Association works to educate the public about potential fire risks during the holidays. Most Christmas tree fires can be prevented. Fresh trees need water. A six-foot tree needs about 1 gallon of water every other day.

Between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 house fires that started with Christmas trees per year. On average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 135 total reported home fires, according to the NFPA. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 44% of home Christmas tree fires.

A new Christmas tree safety system by LifeKeeper can detect low water in the tree stand and send a warning if a fire starts. The system’s low water detector is placed in the tree stand. It’ll send an audio alert and trigger flashing lights on the attached heat sensor angel if the water level gets too low. Fire officials caution homeowners to unplug tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.

Fayetteville’s 25th Annual Grinding of the Greens Christmas tree recycling program is designed to enhance the environment. Residents are encouraged to recycle their live trees. Since 1994, the program has kept thousands of pounds of recyclable material out of landfills. This year, employees of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, City of Fayetteville and Duke Energy Progress are partnering to turn the trees into mulch for local parks.

The City of Fayetteville will collect live trees in a special tree collection in early January. Pickups are separate from yard waste, trash or recycling collections. City residents should put their trees out for curbside collection the first of the new year. Lights, stands and trimmings should be removed from the tree. PWC and DEP volunteers will grind them into mulch at the Grinding of the Greens.

The North Carolina of my childhood was a state of small towns, places where people made their own fun and visited with neighbors at home and in other nearby places. As we end the second decade of the 21st century, that is no longer the case in North Carolina — or most other states. All across the nation, cities are booming with flush economies, educated populations and social and culture amenities earlier generations of North Carolinians could hardly imagine. Rural areas are losing population as young people move to cities for opportunities on all levels.

As with most issues, the numbers tell the story. Recent population data reveals that 15 North Carolina counties grew by 10% or more between 2010 and 2018. Unsurprisingly, these include Brunswick at an astounding 27%, Mecklenburg and Wake at 18%, Johnston at 17%, Durham and Harnett at 15%, New Hanover and Currituck at 14%, Hoke at 13%, and Moore at 12%. The 43 population losing counties include our neighbors Bladen and Robeson (-2%), Sampson and Scotland (-1%), and Columbus (-2.6%) with the most dramatic loses coming in sparsely populated counties in the northeastern part of the state east of I-95. It is clear that North Carolina’s growing areas are either urban or bedroom communities of urban areas, and the shrinking areas are clearly rural.

Cumberland County is an outlier in these numbers, an urban county that grew at an unimpressive pace of 1.4%, while our bedroom neighbors, Hoke, Moore, and to some extent Harnett, dramatically outpaced us. Pet theories abound as to the causes of Cumberland’s seeming stagnation — a disappointing outcome of BRAC 2005, a lower tax base and lower educational levels than other urban areas, the quality of political and civic leaders and many others. The reasons are likely all these and more.

None of this is new. It has been building around the country for decades, with variations state by state. In the Midwest, rural troubles have a lot to do with the industrialization and mechanization of farming, along with government policies that support those changes. That is true in North Carolina as well, but here, the collapse of manufacturing around 2001 posed a significant hit. Rural counties highly affected had not fully recovered when the Great Recession struck in 2007, and in many of our rural areas, it lingers today. The frustrating reality is that as population declines, so does the tax base, which affects schools and other human services. Young folks do seek opportunities elsewhere, leaving older, less educated and less productive people behind to fend for themselves.

All across North Carolina and our nation, communities are working to reinvent themselves as arts, recreational or some other specialized community. In some cases, urban residents are moving to less populated areas to fulfill career dreams, to find closer community relationships, to feel safer than in urban situations. Communities are learning there is no one way to reinvent themselves and that it is different for every community based on location, history and the will and drive of residents to change and prosper.

Cumberland faces special challenges as an urban area not growing the way most of North Carolina’s other metro areas are. As with rural areas losing residents, answers will come not from the outside, not from the federal government, not from private benefactors, not even Santa Claus. Answers, whatever they may be, will come from within. They will come from local governments ceasing to pit themselves again each other, from businesses and individuals willing to give back to this community with their time — running for public office, serving on local boards that pay only in goodwill and good works, and reaching out to others less fortunate not only during the holidays but all year long. Answers will come from citizens also willing to give of their treasure to local nonprofits, schools, and institutions constantly shortchanged in challenged communities.    
Waiting for the cavalry is futile. The only rescue for us is us.

This is a first-person report that my colleagues at Up & Coming Weekly thought would be interesting and perhaps helpful to readers. I dare say, most people know someone who has cancer. Many of us are experiencing the dreaded disease. I am one of the many. Until a year-and-a-half ago, I had never heard of porocarcinoma. It’s a rare malignancy of the eccrine sweat glands. Unlike the more common forms of skin cancer, it is unrelated to sun exposure.

Eccrine porocarcinoma mainly occurs in the elderly. I just turned 78. The most common presentation of this cancer is an ulcerated red, dome-shaped nodule. Porocarcinomas are typically slow-growing tumors most often diagnosed on the lower legs or feet but may also affect the trunk and head. My cancer first appeared as a bump on my forehead in July of 2018. Technologists at the Polley Dermatology Clinic, where I had a biopsy, were unable, initially, to diagnose the nodule.

A second laboratory determined it was porocarcinoma. I’m told there are only about 600 confirmed cases of the disease.

I was referred to the Cary Skin Center, an outpatient surgical center specializing in Mohs Micrographic Surgery for the removal of skin cancer. Dr. Robert E. Clark performed the operation. Layers of skin are removed one at a time and examined under a microscope until noncancerous margins are established. Six weeks of radiation treatment followed at Cape Fear Valley’s Cancer Center.

I learned that surgery cures porocarcinoma in up to 80% of cases. About 20% of patients will have local recurrence and metastases. Sure enough, a second nodule popped up on my forehead near the area that had been excised.
I sought advice from Dr. Shirish Devasthali, an oncology specialist with Cape Fear Valley Health System. Given the unusual nature of my cancer, he suggested that I see someone at the University of North Carolina Cancer Hospital in Chapel Hill — where I now have a team of three oncology physicians and a Mohs surgical dermatologist, Dr. Brad Merritt.  

He excised the second ‘pop up’ as well as a third growth nearby, which he suspected might also be a porocarcinoma. Surgical incisions require daily care so they will heal quickly without becoming infected. I have my daughter, Angie, to thank for changing my bandages every day. I call her my surgical assistant. All three of the incisions have healed nicely without the need for skin grafts.

Soon after the first of this year, the lymph node on the left side of my face swelled up and minor soreness occurred internally below my left ear. Not a good sign, I thought.  Dr. Michael Myers, a UNC surgical oncologist, suggested a PET scan, which revealed a small marker next to the carotid artery. At about the same time, another of my UNC doctors, medical oncologist Dr. Frances Collichio, suggested immunotherapy. The immune system is a powerful weapon against disease. Immunotherapy is a cancer therapy designed to stimulate the body’s immune system.

Interestingly, there is no established medical protocol for the treatment of porocarcinoma. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and acitretin have been used against this cancer with varying degrees of success. A new drug that I am receiving, Keytruda (Pembrolizumab), inhibits the growth and spread of cancer cells and accelerates white blood cells that are of key importance to the immune system. So-called T-cells are like soldiers who search out and destroy targeted invaders. T-cells, also known as “killer cells,” kill cancer cells.

The Food and Drug Administration approved Keytruda, manufactured by Merck, on an “accelerated” basis in 2014. In 2015, Keytruda received national attention because former president, Jimmy Carter, revealed he received the drug for advanced melanoma and responded to it favorably.

Dr. Collichio worked out an arrangement with Cape Fear Valley Health System for Keytruda infusions so that I wouldn’t have to travel to Chapel Hill as often. My case was assigned to Dr. Mikhail Vinogradov at Cape Fear Valley’s Health Pavilion North Cancer Center.

To make sure the Keytruda stays focused on my cancer cells, I have blood drawn before each infusion. After the infusion, it’s examined by “Dr. V.” as I call him. The recommended dosage is 200 mg slowly administered as an intravenous infusion once every three weeks. So far, I have had four infusions in the cancer center’s chemo suite, where half a dozen Cape Fear Valley oncology nurses take care of a dozen patients at a time. They are the best, making all of us feel comfortable and well cared for. While side effects are common, I am fortunate to have experienced none.

Eighteen months into my cancer treatment, so far so good! The lymph node swelling has gone down, and there is no more soreness in my jaw. I was told a couple of weeks ago that radiologists determined the most recent scan I had indicates the small object near the carotid artery is virtually insignificant. They don’t know for sure if it’s a tumor. And, while a new porocarcinoma nodule could develop, there is no indication at this time. Knock on wood!

With parcels of land stretching from the proposed Heritage Park and the current Hope Mills Lake Park downtown, all the way out to the new Golfview Greenway, Hope Mills has potential to develop walking and biking trails for its citizens.
The town has been granted the money to conduct a study that will help develop those various resources to their fullest potential.

Hope Mills was recently given a Pedestrian Planning Grant through the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s division of bicycle and pedestrian transportation. Chancer McLaughlin, development and planning administrator for Hope Mills, said the grant provides from $40,000 to $60,000 with a 20% match.

“It’s basically geared toward encouraging municipalities to develop comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plans,’’ he said.

The money will allow the town to explore the best ways to develop bicycle and pedestrian plans. So far, the town has successfully pursued grants to fund a number of sidewalk construction projects, including both the downtown area and along Rockfish Road near the town’s municipal complex.

But this will be the first time the town has gotten grant money to fund a study that will work toward connecting all of the potential bicycle and pedestrian projects together. The list includes the former golf course turned greenway, Hope Mills Municipal Park, Trade Street, the lake park and the proposed Heritage Park.

“Wherever we can find areas to accommodate bike lanes, sidewalks and trails that will ultimately connect all five areas, that will be the ultimate goal,’’ McLaughlin said.

With the help of DOT, Hope Mills will hire a consultant to develop the plan for the town. Town staff will assist in the project, and there will be a full round of public meetings to seek input from the citizens of Hope Mills.

McLaughlin said the town’s Parks and Recreation department, specifically director Lamarco Morrison, will be invovled. “You can see all those key projects are Parks and Recreation projects,’’ McLaughlin said.

In a perfect world, the plan will try to figure out a way to allow residents to walk or ride safely around the town via a series of paths, trails, sidewalks or bicycle lanes.

“All of these areas are at the core of the town of Hope Mills,’’ McLaughlin said.

The tricky part, obviously, will be designing trails/sidewalks that will accommodate both bicycle and pedestrian traffic. “A lot of times, when you have a combination of these, the width of that trail will be paramount as well,’’ McLaughlin said. “Some portions you may have bike trails connected. Some you have some sidewalks. Some my have multi-use trails that will allow for bikes and pedestrians.’’

McLaughlin stressed that the current grant from NCDOT only pays for the cost of the study that will develop the plan. The town will need to seek additional funding, possibly through the pursuit of future grants, to actually pay for construction of any bicycle or pedestrian sidewalks or trails that are constructed.

“Once we come up with the plan, we have to find the mechanism to fund the construction,’’ McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said whatever plan is developed, it won’t come from a total vacuum, but will follow the general guidelines established in the existing Southwest Cumberland Detailed Land Use Plan that was first released in 2013. “This is another way to achieve those goals,’’ McLaughlin said.

If anyone has questions about the new grant or the future of bicycle and pedestrian traffic in Hope Mills, McLaughlin can be reached during regular office hours at 910-426-4103.

It is time to start getting your Christmas gifts together. If you need some good gift ideas for someone special, let me help.

The multipurpose tool

It is incredible how many times I’ve had to use my multipurpose tool. I’ve used it for everything from removing a nail from my tire to cutting a cable. A good motorcycle multitool should have a file or hacksaw in the event you have to cut something away, like a cable, file a piece of metal down or pull a nail out of your tire while on the road. Both Leatherman and Gerber make quality tools. I'd reccommend the Gerber Legend Multi-Plier 800 with Berry Compliant Sheath. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $140. You can pick them up at most outdoor stores. One thing to remember is quality. There are a lot of cheaper brands out there, but there is nothing worse than breaking a tool when you need it most.

The throttle lock

The “Go Cruise” is one of the most innovated throttle locks on the market. It is a brilliant design and easy to install. Installation is less than one minute. It just clips onto your throttle, and you rotate it up against the brake lever, which allows you to ride hands-free. There is no MSRP for this clip, but you can get them on Amazon starting at $32.

Heated clothing

Heated motorcycle clothing is the best. Nothing makes riding in the cold more fun, safer and better than heated clothes. It also allows you to ride your motorcycle year round. A pair of heated gloves and a heated jacket keep the body regulated. When the body is cold, the blood protects our vital organs, which are your heart, brain and chest areas. The rest of the body becomes colder much quicker. This is why we are susceptible to frost bite in the hands, feet and other extremities. There are a variety of manufacturers and prices. You can find these things at your local motorcycle dealer or online.

Toys

I have a few model motorcycles. One year, my wife surprised me with an exact duplicate of my bike. I love it. It is a great compliment to her well-decorated living room. I often look at it and dream about my next adventure. I have toyed with taking it to my office, but I know that I would get caught playing with it. You may be able to find them at your local motorcycle store or in the toy section at your local department store. Prices vary on these from a few bucks to over $100, depending on the material and detail.

Jumper cables

A portable jump starter battery pack can save you if you or your friend’s battery dies. I use to carry jumper cables for years, but hated that I needed another person’s battery if I had a battery issue. For the last few years, I have been carrying a battery pack. There are a lot of manufactures with different features, and prices vary. Many of these packs are multipurpose. Mine has a flashlight, USB charging ports and jumper cables. My pack is not only good for motorcycles and cars, but I have used it to charge devices during power outages, and it is part of my hurricane-preparation packing list.

I hope all of you have a very merry Christmas and happy holiday season. I would like to thank each of you for your support and allowing me to share my stories and experiences over the years. I would also like to thank the Up & Coming Weekly for all the outstanding support to our motorcycle community.

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

Due to unforeseen problems, the silent auction portion of the Hope Mills Creative Arts Council’s fundraiser Tuesday has been moved to Marci’s Cakes and Bakes at 5474 Trade Street. The remainder of the event will still be held at The Studio on Trade Street at 5458 Trade Street. 

What started as a traditional Christmas party at The Studio on Trade Street in Hope Mills has evolved into a fundraiser for the new Hope Mills Creative Arts Council.

Cherri Stoute has agreed to open the doors of her Trade Street business in Hope Mills to the community as a way of promoting the work of the new arts council and helping to jumpstart its effort to raise money to fund its various projects.
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Stoute’s photography studio at 5458 Trade St.

“I wanted to do this event to help them raise money so they can continue on their own to have events,’’ Stoute said.

Normally, Stoute rents out her photography studio space to local photographers. For the party, the studio will be cleared out to create an open space and allow the party-goers plenty of room to mingle and celebrate and to allow visiting artists to share their works.

Stoute’s studio offers memberships to local photographers and is available for rent by photographers for photo sessions and other events. Stoute herself is both a photographer and a filmmaker.
Regular hours for her studio are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A big part of the fundraiser will be a silent auction where guests can submit bids on art donated for the event.

Local artist Justin Spears has already donated a painting to be auctioned off, and other artists are invited to submit items for the guests to bid on. An alternative way to support the cause is the photo booth, which will be accepting donations.

Pictures of some of the items available for auction will be posted in days to come on the Hope Mills Creative Arts Council’s Facebook page, as well as its website, hopemillsarts.com. There will also be carolers and Christmas music.

Stoute said guests don’t have to stay for the full three hours, and they also don’t have to be present to learn if they’ve submitted a winning bid for any of the items to be auctioned.

In addition to Stoute’s photography studio, other businesses on Trade Street will be open during the time of the fundraiser for people to visit. “The idea is to come in and see what is going on, then go to the other shops,’’ Stoute said. “It’s an important event for the community.’’

Snacks and munchies will be available for visitors to the studio that evening. Marci’s Cakes and Bakes nearby will also be open with a variety of treats for sale.

Elizabeth Blevins, one of the originators of the Hope Mills Creative Arts Council, said all money raised from the silent auction will be used to bring more art into the community and to help local businesses offset the cost of putting art and sculptures into their businesses.

A likely initial use of the money would be to help local artists pay for supplies to create works of art for public display around the town.

One of the initial goals is to create a mural in a public space somewhere in town.

Spears has been approached about being compensated for his materials should he decide to produce a mural somewhere in the town once a location has been determined. “He is a veteran and he’s just started doing charcoal drawings,’’ Blevins said. “He also does oil paintings.’’

Artists who work in all mediums are welcome to donate works to the fundraiser to include in the silent auction Blevins said.

Artists are also welcome to come and set up a display of their work at no charge at the party on Dec. 17. “They are welcome to sell or show,’’ Blevins said.

Blevins said interested artists should contact her as soon as possible at 910-853-4539 or email hopemillscac@gmail.com.

“This is an opportunity for the arts council to meet the businesses on Trade Street,’’ Blevins said.

“We just want everyone to come out and have a lovely night on Trade Street in Hope Mills,’’ Stoute said.

Taking care of America’s veterans is a tough job. This week, Publisher Bill Bowman yields his space to Rep. Richard Hudson to address this important topic.

There is no place like home. This expression always reminds me that family is the most important thing in my life. Family will be there for you through thick and thin, and you can always count on them.

Our veterans especially have to rely on their families. They come back home bearing the scars of battle after putting their lives on the line for our country and oftentimes need help from family and loved ones. The Department of Veterans Affairs has programs to support these caregivers, like the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

Through my discussions with many veterans, I’ve learned of the great benefits of the VA’s Caregiver Program, but also of some of its shortcomings. We made a lot of improvements with the VA Mission Act, making it easier for our veterans to obtain care and opening up the VA Caregiver Program to pre-9/11 veterans. There is still room for improvement to ensure our veterans — and their families — can get the care they deserve.

Wanting to get some broader input, I decided to host a caregivers roundtable in Salisbury with Sarah Verardo, the CEO of The Independence Fund and a caregiver to her veteran husband, Mike; the Director of the Salisbury VA; social workers from the VA; and local veterans and their caregivers.

I wanted the roundtable to be an informative event — both from what the VA provides and what caregivers go through. And I also wanted to see if there are areas we could work (on)together to improve the program. When I get back to Washington this week, I’ll be introducing legislation that incorporates a number of the ideas we discussed at the roundtable.

My legislation, which I will be calling the Care for the Veteran Caregiver Act, will make several meaningful improvements and further modernize the VA Caregiver Program. It will:

•  Extend the stipend payments received by caregivers to 180 days after the death of their veteran. This allows the caregiver sufficient time to adjust after the death of a loved one, aides their transition back to work and allows them opportunities to pursue education

•  Eliminate burdensome re-evaluation requirements for critically injured veterans who require the most significant levels of care. Right now, veterans have to reapply annually for benefits, even if they have little to no chance of ever needing a lower level of care. This change will allow them to focus on treatment and living a fuller life.

•  Equalize the application process and evaluation criteria for the determination of eligibility for the program. Right now, the application process and evaluation criteria is a patchwork across the different VA service areas. This has resulted in veterans in different parts of the country having different ratings for similar requirements or being given different ratings if they move to a new part of the country. This is both inefficient and unnecessarily jeopardizes benefits and services.

It’s my hope this common-sense legislation will be enacted quickly so we can start cutting through the red tape for our veterans and their caregivers. If you are a veteran and need assistance with the VA, please do not hesitate to reach out if we can help in any way at our Concord office at 704-786-1612, our Fayetteville office at 910-997-2070, or our Pinehurst office 910-246-5374. I’m here to serve you and will work hard to help in any way I can.

Intense competitor and exceedingly generous.

Those were the most frequent words used to describe former Pine Forest High School and Elon University football star Micheal Warren, who recently passed away at the age of 37.

Pastor Alex Dorman of the Lillington Pentecostal Worship Center delivered Warren’s funeral message. Dorman knew Warren a little over 10 years and said he was as generous a person as he’d ever met.

Dorman recalled a time when his son’s dog was run over and killed. Just days later, a new dog of the same breed, complete with American Kennel Club paperwork, showed up at the Dorman home. 

“Mike did it,’’ Dorman said. “He wouldn’t ever own up to it, but he did it, just like the Bible would say, ‘heartily and unto the Lord.’’’

Warren first became a star at Pine Forest, playing for a trio of men who would all be head football coaches. His head coach was Dean Saffos and his position coaches were future Pine Forest head coach Bill Sochovka and future Jack Britt and Scotland coach Richard Bailey.

“He did everything we asked him to do and he did it with 100 percent, with great intensity,’’ Saffos said.

Saffos said Warren turned down multiple college football scholarships to walk on at N.C. State. Things didn’t work out with the Wolfpack so he transferred to Elon, where he became an all-conference player. He had a brief career with a couple of NFL teams, then eventually relocated to Texas where he operated a ranch that specialized in rehabilitating bulls injured in rodeo competitions.

Sochovka was one of Warren’s position coaches at Pine Forest. “He just had no fear of anybody playing against him,’’ Sochovka said. “He was hard-working and never knew when to quit. He just loved the game.’’

Bailey was first impressed with Warren when he, Sochovka and Saffos were watching him play on the kickoff team for the Pine Forest junior varsity.

“Every time on the kickoff he ran down and made the tackle,’’ Bailey said. “I said that kid right there is going to be a linebacker. He has a nose for the ball. He would run through people to make the tackle.’’

During his time at Pine Forest, Warren grew an inch taller and gained about 40 pounds Bailey said. “He worked hard in the weight room,’’ Bailey said.

Warren had a close connection with his teammates that was visible at his funeral as many of his defensive cohorts form 1999 traveled to attend the service.

“That group in 1999 had a special bond,’’ Bailey said. “That defense was the best I ever coached. He was a big part of that.’

Poor-performing schools in North Carolina have been put on notice that they need to improve their academic performance over the next few years or they could be turned over to outside groups such as charter schools. State education officials have made public a list of 69 schools that qualify for inclusion in the Innovative School District based on their low state test scores. Low-performing schools that remain on the list for four consecutive years are slated to be taken over by the Innovative School District, which would hire a group to run their day-to-day operations.

Forsyth County had the most poor-performing schools of any district on the list at eight, followed by seven in Nash-Rocky Mount and six in Guilford County. Charlotte-Mecklenburg had four schools. There were two schools in Wake and Johnston counties and one each in Cumberland, Harnett and Iredell counties. T.C. Berrien Elementary on North Street is on the list in this latest attempt to reshape a program that has gotten off to a rocky start. Coincidentally, Berrien students are now attending classes at W.T. Brown School in Spring Lake because of structural issues.

The Innovative School District concept was created by Republican state lawmakers in 2016 to take up to five low-performing elementary schools away from local school district control and turn them over to an outside group to run. Supporters of the program said it’s a way to help raise student achievement. But critics say the model, which has been used in other states, would privatize education.

Southside Ashpole Elementary School in Robeson County is the only school in the Innovative School District and ended the program’s first year with an F grade, not meeting academic growth and with a drop in the percentage of students passing state exams. Recently, state lawmakers changed how schools are picked. Four more schools were to be added to the district for the 2020-21 school year. But after lobbying from the State Board of Education and State Superintendent Mark Johnson, lawmakers passed a bill that says no schools must be added for the next school year.

In return, the legislation requires the state’s lowest-scoring school in the 2019-20 school year to be transferred to the district for the following school year. It also requires the lowest-scoring school in the 2020-21 school year to join the district the year after that. The 69 schools identified this month make up the lowest performing 5% of all schools in the state. If they’re still on the qualifying list after two years, they will be moved to a watch list. Schools that are still on the qualifying list after three years are put on a warning list. The five lowest performing schools that were on the warning list the previous year and were also on the qualifying list for four years in a row would automatically be turned over the Innovative School District.

Carlos Villarreal

Pine Forest • Soccer • Senior

Villarreal is a member of the varsity soccer team and has a 4.2 weighted grade point average. In his free time Villarreal enjoys participating in travel soccer and volunteering at the Cumberland County Animal Shelter.

Elizabeth Johnson

Pine Forest• Bowling• Senior

Johnson is a member of the Trojan bowling team. She has a 4.2 weighted grade point average. Her other interests include competing in SkillsUSA events and working on computers as part of the Academy of Information Technology.

Tony Mello is the manager of the newly opened Pet Supplies Plus in Hope Mills at the intersection of Main Street and Camden Road in the former Eckerd drugstore building.

But Mello doesn’t really care that people refer to him as the store’s manager. He’d be happier if you just called him neighbor.

“I’m from Hope Mills and have been here for 17 years,’’ said Mello. “The whole idea behind Pet Supplies Plus is we don’t have customers, we have neighbors. We are that big-box store to go shopping in minus all the hassles.’’
Mello said the store is a win-win for pet owners of all types in the Hope Mills area.

“This is somewhere you are going to want to come,’’ he said. “We want to get on a first-name basis with our neighbors — not just our neighbors, but their pets.’’

Customers will get a feel for the special interest the staff at Pet Supplies Plus has for them whenever they visit the store. “I hire for personality, but I also need pet people,’’ Mello said of his staff. He said one of the first questions he asks any potential employee is do they own pets.“I love to see their faces light up when you ask their pet’s name,’’ he said. “The first thing they show you is the pictures (of their pet) in their cellphone.’’

Pet Supplies Plus is independently owned but part of a chain of some 400 stores, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

On the premises, you can purchase live birds, various small animals, reptiles and live fish. Among the more exotic animals the store sells are chameleons, crested geckos and leopard geckos.
The store doesn’t sell dogs and cats, but arrangements are being made with several local pet adoption agencies to come in on weekends and help people pick out a pet.

One of the store’s major features is a full, self-service grooming facility.

Shampoo, towels and a blow dryer are available, and the store staff takes care of cleaning up and sanitizing the area when customers finish using it.

If need pet food, the store carries everything for dogs, cats, reptiles, guinea pigs and ferrets to name few animals. If a customer has a special need for something not in stock, they’ll work with you to make a special order.
The store also plans to offer clinics with a traveling veterinary service.Two are already scheduled for next year, one on Jan. 28 and one on Feb. 25. The hours for both are from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

“You can come in, see a vet and get vaccinations in house,’’ Mello said.

Regular store hours are from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.