During times when it can feel difficult to find hope, artist Joshua Carnes said it is important to manufacture it. He hopes to generate hope for the youth of Robeson County during the first ever St. Pauls Arts Demo Day, hosted by the Robeson Art Guild.

The St. Pauls Arts Demo Day, to be held on June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bob Everett Park, will provide 100 free canvases, paints and brushes to participants under the age of 18 so they may express their feelings through art.

“We just want to see them create,” Carnes said. “At the same time, we’re trying to encourage the arts among our youth that if no one will listen, the canvas or page will, and that it’s possible to take a negative emotion and turn it into a positive notion and even make a living doing so.”

The event will also feature music and art vendors who will discuss their creative process with those present and answer questions about the business aspects of their artistic careers.
Carnes, a professional artist who now mostly sculpts, said he wanted to conduct the event after hearing of recent arrests of juveniles for gun related crimes.

“I got a lot of love to share and I want to give it back,” Carnes said. “And there are a lot of kids out there that need help.”

Carnes said he got the idea for the special event after having a similar experience in his youth while going through a difficult time. An artist came to his school and handed out free canvases to students. This was the day he painted his first picture, he said.

“Because of strangers — the kindness of strangers— I found my way to the creative process,” Carnes said.

Carnes said his inspiration for the event also came from a memory of his son who was saddened after watching a scary and heartbreaking news story.

The two then decided to make their own hope for the world by growing their hair long for the charity Locks of Love, an organization which makes hair prosthetics for children with illness-related hair loss. The father-son pair have since donated their hair nine or 10 times now, Carnes said.

“The idea that you have to manufacture hope — you have to make hope where there is none, that’s where this [Arts Demo Day] came from,” Carnes said.

Beyond creating an atmosphere of hope, Carnes said he hopes the young artists at the event are able to take away a sense of pride.

“Shame is a negative thing,” Carnes said. “And a lot of us lack confidence. And if we can take and find something to be proud of, I think our lives would be better. And I want these children to know that they should be proud.”

The St. Pauls Arts Demo Day will be structured as a paint and picnic event, with participants encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the park area as they paint. Carnes hopes this encourages connection and communication between community members.

“What happens when we come together: we bring walls down,” Carnes said. “It doesn’t matter the political affiliate you are. Art moves everyone. It’s going to open up doors.”

The arts serve an important function for creators to have the ability to express themselves and share their feelings with viewers, even when words fail, Carnes said.

“If you have problems speaking, then you can do it with a brush, you can do it with a lump of clay,” Carnes said. “And communication is where it’s at. That’s what we need. We need to relate to each other.”

Though this is the inaugural Arts Demo Day, Carnes said he hopes it’s not the last of its kind, adding the Robeson Art Guild has expressed interest in continuing the event.

Those attending the event are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for a canned food drive. The First Baptist Church of Hope Mills will be present conducting a coat drive.

The organization Ready, Set, Go, a nonprofit promoting accessible child care which offers programs and resources for children and parents, will also attend the event. Carnes expressed gratitude to Sarah Hayes, Paul Terry and the Robeson Art Guild for their help with the event.

On June 16, KISS ARMY and Mirimage will be performing at Rock’n On The River for those who enjoy live music, relaxing and having a good time. The Deep Creek Grill, near the Campbellton Landing on the Cape Fear River, will host the event.

Mirimage is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., and KISS ARMY at 8 p.m., said Greg Adair, organizer of the Rock’n On The River concert series. KISS ARMY, who call themselves the“coolest band in the world,” hail from Kentucky but play once or twice a week in communities across the nation. KISS ARMY, who are decked out in the recognizable KISS face paint and attire, offer a striking glimpse into KISS’s 1970s line-up.

“When we go out there, we try to make people think it’s KISS. That’s the whole point of being a tribute band,” said Jim Seda, who has performed as the “Demon” for more than 30 years.

According to band lore, each member of KISS has a persona. Additionally, each persona contributes to what makes KISS unique.

Since the original four-piece phenom KISS split up in 1980, lead singer Paul Stanley (“Starchild”) and bassist Gene Simmons (“Demon”) have been reformed. In 1980, Eric Carr (“Fox”) replaced Peter Criss (“Catman”) as the band’s drummer, and Vinnie Vincent (“Egyptian Warrior”) replaced Ace Frehley (“Spaceman”) in 1982.

KISS made the decision to “unmask” themselves in 1983, putting an end to what was regarded as the “real” KISS in favor of a more modern 1980s appearance, sound and vibe. Yet, starting in the late 1990s, KISS reconvened as the original band for a string of international farewell concerts.

The demand for KISS increased when the original members of KISS got back together for the first farewell concert, and Seda’s band was asked to play shows when KISS was unable to, he said. However, “it works both ways” since even when KISS isn’t performing, fans still want to see them.

Mirimage is an up and coming Southern rock/country band. The band, led by Bobby Gilstrap, consists of five members who are all equally excited each time they hit the stage. They are sure to become a local favorite.

The stage will be set up directly behind Deep Creek Grill, literally rocking next to the Cape Fear River. Rock’n On The River is presented by Healy Wholesale with partners Bob 96.5 FM radio and Up & Coming Weekly. The concert is free and open to the public, but there is a $10 parking fee. Outside coolers and containers are not permitted. Only service animals are permitted.

Food can be purchased from Deep Creek Grill on site and Healy will be serving alcoholic beverages. Food and beer will be available for purchase starting at 5 p.m. Rock’n On The River takes place at 1122 Person Street. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049990406810.

The world’s oceans are facing significant challenges. According to the United Nations Regional Information Center, each year the oceans absorb 23% of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions and capture 90% of the excess heat created by these emissions. These developments are overwhelming the oceans, which are vital to the global ecosystem.

Anyone can join in the effort to protect the world’s oceans. That includes people who live in coastal communities and those who live in landlocked locales hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away from the coast. Oceana, an international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans, touts the power of collective efforts to save the oceans.

Though the task may seem overwhelming, that does not mean oceans are beyond saving. In fact, Oceana notes that various lifestyle choices individuals can make every day can help to protect the oceans and restore their futures.

Help reduce demand for plastics. Oceana estimates that 17.6 billion pounds of plastic leaks into the ocean every year. To put that in perspective, one researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara estimated that, if the flow of plastic into the oceans does not stop, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050.

Of course, much of the demand for plastic is driven by consumers, who can protect the oceans by purchasing plastic-free alternatives and emphasizing the need for more such alternatives to be made available. Avoid using plastic cutlery, plastic water bottles, plastic bags, and other convenient yet harmful plastics.

Reduce your carbon footprint. Oceana notes that carbon dioxide is making oceans more acidic, which contributes to a loss of coral that serves as an essential source of food and shelter for marine life.
According to the Reef-World Foundation, loss of coral threatens the existence of many marine species, producing a domino effect that ultimately decreases marine biodiversity by a significant amount. That’s problematic for marine life, but also humans, as estimates from the United Nations indicate as many as one billion people across the globe depend on coral reefs for their food and livelihoods.

The threat posed to coral reefs is substantial, but the efforts to reduce your carbon footprint aren’t. Riding a bike to run errands on a warm day instead of driving a car; turning off the lights when leaving a room; and dressing warm on cold days to reduce reliance on home heating systems are some easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

Eat sustainable seafood. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that sustainable seafood is managed under a system of enforced environmentally responsible practices. These systems help to prevent overfishing and conserve essential fish habitats. Knowing which seafood is sustainable and which isn’t can be hard, so individuals can visit Seafoodwatch.org to quickly identify and locate sustainable seafood options where they live and travel.

Leave nothing behind. Make sure you leave nothing behind when visiting the beach or even a park. Doing so increases the chances that trash will end up in the oceans, which are already overwhelmed by plastics.
The threat posed to the world’s oceans is significant. But that threat can be overcome by a collective effort to embrace lifestyle choices that take the health of the world’s oceans into consideration.

Visitors to the exhibit titled The Ocean World of Ivy Rittenhouse, at Gallery 208, will view works of art created by an individual whose history, temperament and career are rooted in the sciences. Logic might suggest that science and the arts are opposites, yet they are aligned in many ways — both careers attempt to comprehend and communicate something about the world around us.

Opening June 8, the exhibit was created by a chemist whose mind is filled with complex data and knowledge about the “identification of the substances of which matter is composed; the investigation of their properties, and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change to form new substances.” As an artist, Rittenhouse effortlessly communicates the essence and possibilities of our biosystem in ways we do not normally see. Through the mediums of watercolor and alcohol inks on paper, we are to experience the subjects which inspire the artist.

After earning a degree in chemistry from Eastern New Mexico University, for 30+ years Rittenhouse has been the laboratory operations manager in the Department of Chemistry at Fayetteville State University. Having knowledge and interest in the oceans, one of Rittenhouse’s most recent assignments was maintaining “The REEF” at Fayetteville State University. (The REEF is one of the few places in Central North Carolina for visitors to see coral reefs and reef organisms.)

Ask her anything about a healthy ocean ecosystem, and we will hear Rittenhouse’s explanations about coral life and the abundance of sea creatures dependent upon its structure. Through her gifts as an artist, we are able to observe the aquatic world in a new way. Best described by the words of Amanda Thompson (in her article titled “Making a Place: Art a Multi-Modal, Multi-Disciplinary Approach”), Rittenhouse’s images are “wordless explorations of place that allow for the intersection of imagination … alternative ways of encountering, experiencing and responding to the complexities” of nature.

Rittenhouse is the quintessential example of “there is no set path for someone to become an artist.” For Rittenhouse it was the result of an active outdoor life of scuba diving, riding horses and being an “outdoors person” that came to an unexpected, dramatic and painful halt. The arts became a type of therapy, a recovery.

Rittenhouse shared the story of how she became an artist and the incidents that changed her life. “During 2011 and 2015 I was given an antibiotic, in the fluoroquinolone family, after surgery. The first adverse drug reaction (ADR) was misdiagnosed. It was the second ADR that destroyed my joints and tendons resulting in a right hip replacement, tendon repair and years of physical therapy.”

“Just for something to do during my recovery, I started using colored pencils to fill in the pictures of horses in adult coloring books. Suffering from pain, I was living in a dark place in my mind, so I used bright colors to offset the darkness. I later framed the pictures and gave some to my doctors and friends and was told that I was particularly good with colors and should put away the coloring books and start painting for myself. So I did. I began with watercolors, then moved on to alcohol inks, and I’m currently working with acrylics. The bright and stunning colors are comprised of elements, and the paint allows me to interpret the images in my head into art, both chemistry and artwork hand in hand.”

Rittenhouse is modest. When I saw her colorful framed works hanging in her office at Fayetteville State, I immediately knew I wanted to share her creative works and her story with the public. Her first one-person exhibit demonstrates her natural skills, talent and aesthetic relationship to oceans. It is also a story about perseverance.

A natural colorist, Rittenhouse brings her sensitivity and observation of colors to her creative work. Perhaps her earliest appreciation of color and its influence was growing up in Los Alamos, New Mexico, famously known as the Land of Enchantment. While her father, a physicist, worked at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (later changed to Los Alamos National Laboratory), Rittenhouse stated she spent her “free time horseback riding through the canyons, admiring the beautiful azure blue skies, the rusty color of the clay mesas, the picturesque and polarizing landscape. The turquoise and silver jewelry in the region is prevalent — the turquoise stones varying from sky blue to a paler sky blue, greenish blue, or pale green, depending on the quantities of iron and copper within each stone.”

The experiences of color while growing up in New Mexico, her love of oceans, and her interest in scuba diving have all influenced her fascination and appreciation for color. Whether it is the vibrant colors you would see in the aquariums at “The REEF,” or while scuba diving, Rittenhouse has experienced the spectacles of color and uses those memories to evoke an essence of beauty and harmony in aquatic environments.

In Rittenhouse’s paintings, we see intense colors first but also sense the perpetual movement of water — a harmonious water environment and its life forms are present. In her “Ocean Blue Series,” blues and earth colors remind us of abstracted shorelines or what might be just under the surface of crashing waves. Sea dragons and goldfish swim with ease in reflected and refracted light-sourced environments.

Rittenhouse has chosen to paint something she is passionate about. It is that passion that continues to inspire and stimulate her creativity. Through the mediums of watercolor and alcohol inks, she is able to express her emotions for the subjects she chooses to paint. Even though Rittenhouse’s work is a creative and interpretative approach to color and form, a glimpse into biodiversity appears
in the way the artist uses colors, shapes and sea life in their watery environment.

Rittenhouse invites us to look at what is overlooked. We are moved to feel what she has experienced — a wonderous, vigorous and harmonious ecosystem filled with an array of bright colors and constant movement. The rhythm of tides can be experienced through the artists’ use of patterns of color and passages of light. Even in her small works, we become immersed and float just beneath the surface of a watery and shifting place.

It was not by accident The Ocean World of Ivy Rittenhouse opens on June 8. Rittenhouse is a naturalist and an activist who is highly aware of how the coral reefs are being damaged by ocean acidification, so it was appropriate for her first one-person exhibition to open on this day — World Oceans Day.

World Oceans Day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008 to raise awareness about the role of the United Nations and international law in the sustainable use of the oceans and their living and non-living resources.

World Oceans Day was established to remind everyone of the importance and major roles the oceans have on planet Earth and sustainability.

Gallery 208 celebrates Ivy Rittenhouse as an artist who not only appreciates and understands our biosphere but is able to successfully share and express her experiences of water and water life with others through the discipline of art making. Her body of work is a celebration of our aquatic ecosystem, its stunning beauty, and also its mysteries.

The public is welcome to meet the artist during the opening of The Ocean World of Ivy Rittenhouse between 5:30 and 7 p.m. on June 8. The exhibit will remain in Gallery 208 until Aug. 15.

Gallery 208 is located at 208 Rowan Street in Fayetteville, and is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For information call 910-484-6200.

Earlier this year, Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health announced they are partnering to establish a medical school to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. The new medical school, to be located on the campus of Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, will combine the expertise and resources of both institutions to provide students with both education and clinical and hands-on experiences. Dr.

Hershey Bell has been named as the founding Dean of the College of Medicine.

Bell recently served as vice president for Medical Education Program Development at Cape Fear Valley Health. Before then, Bell was a professor and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean for Developing Initiatives at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Bell is not new to the area. He is a graduate of Duke’s National Family Medicine Faculty Development Fellowship program.
Although he has decades of experience in the health and education fields, this new prospect of becoming dean of a brand new college of medicine is very exciting for Bell.

“I consider this to be a capstone for my career, my ability to work with the leadership at Methodist and Cape Fear Valley and to really bring a legacy project to Fayetteville,” Bell said

“Methodist University is both pleased and proud to appoint Dr. Hershey Bell as the founding dean of the MU College of Medicine,” said Methodist University President Stanley T. Wearden in a press release.

“Dr. Bell brings to the position a wealth of knowledge, experience, energy, and passion for improving the quality of care through a more integrated approach to medical education and treatment. I am confident that Dr. Bell is absolutely the right person at the right time for the important job of founding the medical school, and I look forward to having him on our leadership team.”

Bell tells Up & Coming Weekly that medical schools are economic engines for the community as they drive not just the quality of health care but also industry development and real estate service.

According to a July 2021 report from Walden Economic Consulting, at the peak of the medical school’s operational capacity, there will be 837 permanent jobs, $72 million in annual spending and $9.6 million in tax revenues.

There are two goals for the school. The first goal is to improve high-quality medical care and increase health equity in the region by educating and retaining a diverse population of expertly trained medical doctors attentive to the needs of rural and under served populations.

The second goal is for Methodist University to become a national leader in inter-professional, team-based medical education.

There is currently a shortage of medical professionals in America. According to workforce projections from the Association of American Medical Colleges, by 2034, there will be a shortage of 17,800 to 48,000 primary care physicians. That number increases for non-primary care and specialty physicians.

“North Carolina is a very interesting state. We have about the right number of physicians per 100,000 population overall,” Bell said. “The trouble is they’re concentrated primarily in urban areas and surrounding medical schools. If you look at southeastern North Carolina, we are in a doctor desert. We have a lower number of physicians per capita than you would expect in the state. And as a result, our health outcomes suffer because the number one determinant of health outcomes is access to health care.”

“A great example to look at, by the way, is Greenville, North Carolina. When ECU opened, that region of the state had the same problems we have in southeastern North Carolina. But as a result of ECU and their medical school, they now are at average or above in terms of supply of physicians, and their health outcomes have improved. So we’re going to see the same thing happen in our region.”

Methodist University plans to begin classes in July 2026, pending approval by the Liaison Commission on Medical Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. If everything goes to plan, that beginning class will graduate in the spring of 2030.

“We will be accepting 80 students in our first class, and we’ll be ramping up towards a maximum enrollment of 120,” Bell said. “By the year 2032, we will have full classes of 120 students per year.”

Overall, Bell hopes everyone in Fayetteville and Cumberland County can see this new medical school as the community’s medical school.

“I expect to reach out to business leaders, educational leaders, faith leaders, and start to talk about how the community can become a part of what we’re creating,” he said. “This is their school. And on top of that, our curriculum is called the Caring for Everyone Everywhere Curriculum. It’s our idea that the medical school has an obligation to its community to ensure that everyone receives the best care. We’re going to be developing programs within the community for pipeline programs for middle and high school students, for those in this community seeking health care advice and for the leadership in the community. We’ll be developing programs around this theme of caring for everyone everywhere.”

To learn more about the College of Medicine, go to www.methodist.edu/academics/medicine/.

We recently had house guests. By one estimate, perhaps 20,000 of them. It was in April, when Alfred, Lord Tennyson said: “In Spring , a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”

Spring is also the time when a swarm of bees’ fancy lightly turns to thoughts of a new hive. I was conducting a fact finding mission at the Barnes & Noble when I received an excited call from my wife. She reported our kitchen was filling with bees. It was time for me to come home and reason with them. Understanding the chain of command, realizing this was not a suggestion but rather a direct order, home I went.

Upon arrival, it was clear she had correctly analyzed the situation. We had bees. They had not been there when I left, but now the joint was buzzing. They were entering the kitchen around a window. The bees were not happy to be inside. They clung to the kitchen window desiring to get back outside just as much as they had wanted to get inside.

Either the bees or we had to go. As the Big Lebowski once said: “This aggression will not stand, man.” Breaking out the fly swatter, the swatting began. I felt like the Brave Little Tailor in Grimm’s fairy tale who killed seven files with one blow. It was a massacre. We all know bees are necessary and our friends, so I felt guilty about swatting the interior bees. However, unwilling to live in a hive, swat I must. Once the bees had met their cruel but necessary fate, it was time to seal the window.

The greatest invention of all time is Duct Tape. Admittedly, there is debate that the greatest invention of all time is the Spork, an eating utensil which combines the spearing ability of a fork with the soup scooping ability of a spoon. This debate will wait for another column. A dark horse candidate for greatest invention of all time is the motor vehicle cup holder. But I digress. The Spork would not have helped with keeping more bees out of the kitchen. Duct Tape was just the ticket. I bravely taped up every space in the window as an occasional bee still slipped into the kitchen. After some mop up swatter action, the perimeter was sealed. Further bee immigration was stopped for the moment.

The kitchen border sealed against further undocumented bees seeking asylum, it was time to go outside to see what was doing. There was lots going on outside. Our swarm of bees was looking for a fixer upper for their new hive. A crack above a window casement was well suited for their new home. They were flying in and out, speaking in excited bee talk about their stunning new home. They were all abuzz about their chic new digs. The bees decided the gap in the wall to be move-in-ready with an open floor plan, featuring crisp hardwood flooring, complimented by captivating recessed lighting from the bee entryway leading to an upscale custom bedroom fit for a Queen Bee. They were ready to sign the contract and close the deal immediately.

Granting the bees adverse possession in the walls of the house was problematic. We had Seller’s Remorse about sharing the house with a swarm of bees. Fortunately, Fayetteville is blessed with the Cumberland County Bee Keepers Association which will cheerfully and safely remove swarms of bees. One call to the Bee Keepers resulted in visits from two bee keepers who could remove the bees. One suggested we might have 20,000 bees in the wall of our house. Yikes.

As the bees had just landed, they could be removed with a special bee vacuum once we had part of the roof removed so they could get to the bees. Bees do not carry insurance. The cost of removing and replacing the soffit would be our responsibility.

Knowledge of our bee tenants quickly spread like warm honey on a hot waffle to friends and neighbors. Having your house turned into a bee hive is a source of great amusement to anyone who does not live in a bee hive. We were pleased to bring bee related joy into the lives of our non-bee hosting friends. We went to sleep that night snuggled in our bed while visions of 20,000 bees in the ceiling danced in our heads.

The next morning I went outside to check on the bees. Not all bees are created equal. Some are busy bees. Some are not. We had lazy bees. There was no activity until about noon when the bees came home for lunch.

On Day Three there was no activity all day. The bees had flown the coup. While I was happy the bees had left on their own volition, I was mildly insulted that they had inspected our house and rejected it. To be turned down by a swarm of bees was an experience I had not expected to sting like it did.

The bees weighed us the balance and found us lacking. As Frank Sinatra once sang: “Doo Bee, Doo Bee, Doo.” Now buzz off.

Change is hard, and some change is harder than others.

History is not static. It is reinterpreted over time as we learn more about past events and as we come to understand them differently.

Both of these truisms come into play as we adjust to the newly renamed Fort Liberty, née Camp Bragg, the “center of the universe” to thousands of current and former military personnel, their families, and the rest of us who have lived and worked in a community heavily dependent on and invested in the world’s largest military installation.

We are not alone in our period of adjustment.

The U.S. Naming Commission, a body created by Congress and tasked with renaming bases from Virginia to Texas that were named a century or more ago for Confederate military heroes, not U.S. military heroes. They were named during a period when the South was still reeling from the trauma of the Civil War, when racial segregation was in full force, and when Southerners held strong sway in the halls of the U.S. Congress.

This year Fort Benning becomes Fort Moore. Gordon becomes Eisenhower. Lee becomes Gregg-Adams. AP Hill becomes Walker. Hood becomes Cavazos. Pickett becomes Barfoot. Polk becomes Johnson, and Rucker becomes Novosel.

The Confederates for whom the bases were originally named have their defenders, but the cause they championed — maintaining an economic system that allowed some human beings to own and exploit other human beings — was fundamentally unjust and immoral.

Fort Liberty is named for a founding concept of our nation, but other newly renamed bases honor Americans from many backgrounds who served the United States with courage and distinction.

Dwight David Eisenhower led the Allied forces to victory in World War II and went on to serve two terms as President.

General Hal Moore and his wife, Julia, served a combined 32 years with time overseas in Japan, Norway, Vietnam, and Korea. Her work led to casualty notification teams and survivor support systems in place to this day.

General Arthur Gregg served all over the world, promoting equality and personally desegregating the Fort Lee Officers Club. Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams oversaw millions of pieces of mail sent to soldiers in Europe so effectively during WW II that it took three people to replace her.
Dr. Mary Walker was a skilled surgeon, a strong advocate for women’s rights, and an abolitionist. She was captured and imprisoned by the Confederates after she stayed behind enemy lines to provide medical care to U.S. troops.

General Richard Cavazos was the first Hispanic American to wear four stars and is known for his commitment to his troops, personally evacuating wounded men in Vietnam.

Technical Sergeant Van Barfoot served for 34 years in WW II, Korea and Vietnam. He is remembered for his bravery and was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Sergeant William Henry Johnson was known as the United States’ first hero of World War I for fighting off about two dozen German soldiers around trenches in France’s Argonne Forest. When he ran out of grenades, he fired bullets. When he ran out of bullets, he used his rifle as a club. He eventually abandoned the rifle and unsheathed his bolo knife.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Novosel served in WW II and in Vietnam, where he flew more than 2,500 rescue evacuation missions, rescuing 5,500 wounded men. He received the Medal of Honor for saving 29 soldiers from certain death on a single day.

No one can argue that those being honored by the renaming of military bases were not exceptional and loyal Americans committed to the United States and our values of liberty and equality.

Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us more than once that “the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

Change can take a long time, a century or more, but it does happen.

Good things last! For 26 years, the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper has proudly showcased the people, businesses and organizations that have invested their time, talent and resources into the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community.

Since 1997 we have been privileged to publish the Best of Fayetteville Readers Survey. For those new to this process, we ask our readers to identify and ultimately determine who in the Fayetteville community is perceived as the Best of the Best.

The BOF reflects the unique aspects and amenities the Fayetteville community offers. Each year we record our readers' comments and sentiments. This process allows us to publish who, what and why our readers value these businesses. Your vote is essential! Ultimately, our readers decide the people, companies and organizations that make Fayetteville and Cumberland County unique, enjoyable and livable.

During June, Up & Coming Weekly readers can cast their ballots for the deserving Best of the Best. We make it easy and convenient to vote. Readers can fill out a ballot in the newspaper and mail it to our official Best of Fayetteville auditor and CPA firm, Utley & Knowles. Or they can vote online at the Up & Coming Weekly website, www.upandcomingweekly.com.

The non-scientific BOF Readers Survey incorporates time-tested and enforceable voting rules and guidelines. This maintains the integrity of the voting process and has made being the Best of Fayetteville valuable to the community.

Rules like: only one ballot per reader, one ballot per mailed-in envelope, and a minimum of 15 vote entries are needed to validate the ballot. These guidelines lend themselves to elevating the honor, integrity and prestige of winning the Best of Fayetteville designation.

By eliminating the nomination process, enforcing the policies, and monitoring and auditing the ballots, we have rendered our survey incredibly accurate and extremely valuable to residents, businesses and organizations who have earned the honor of being voted the Best of the Best.

This year is particularly significant since most organizations and businesses have been working their way back to normalcy after surviving the stifling effects of the COVID pandemic, labor shortages, high gas prices, supply chain shortages and rampant inflation. So, under these circumstances, operating a successful business and providing exceptional customer service are achievements that deserve recognition. So, your input and vote is very important.

The BOF winners will be recognized on Sept. 26 at the Crown Coliseum Complex. The Best of the Best will congregate to celebrate their achievements and contributions to our community. This will begin their 24/7, 365-day exposure in the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community with a year-long marketing and promotion campaign and a presence on our official Best of Fayetteville section at www.upandcomingweekly.com.

Last and certainly, not least, our BOF sponsors reflect the high standards required to maintain the integrity of this 26-year-old tradition. Proudly, the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and Utley & Knowles CPAs have been BOF supporters and participants from the beginning. Since then we have associated ourselves with businesses that, through their reputations and historic deeds and actions, have proven to be great role models for what it means to be the Best of the Best. These are the Beasley Media Group, Crown Coliseum, Steve Milburn’s UPS Stores, and Transworld Business Advisors.

Now, it's up to you. VOTE: Best of Fayetteville! And thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

The ability to retire with financial security is a goal for millions of people across the globe. Though people may stop working in retirement, many of their existing bills, and even some new ones, will still need to be paid.

Retirement is often imagined as a time of unbridled financial freedom, but that’s only possible when individuals, including young professionals, prioritize planning for the day when they call it quits.

Retirement accounts and plans are a popular way to save for life after working. Individuals have various retirement plan options at their disposal, and each is unique in its own way.

An Individual Retirement Account is a tax-advantaged way to save for retirement. Anyone with earned income can open an IRA. Money deposited into an IRA cannot be withdrawn prior to account holders reaching 59.5 years of age without incurring a steep tax penalty of 10%.

There are limits to how much individuals can deposit into an IRA. In addition, there are different types of IRAs, including traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Payroll Deduction IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs.

Each has its rules regarding taxes, eligibility and withdrawals, and individuals are urged to discuss which type of IRA is best for them with a financial professional. A 401(k) is another tax-advantaged retirement account typically offered through an employer, though self-employed individuals can enroll in a Solo 401(k) plan.

When enrolled in a 401(k) plan, employees will have a portion of each paycheck direct deposited into a long-term investment account. Contributions to a 401(k) are made pre-tax, which saves account holders a considerable sum of money so long as they continue to make contributions. One significant advantage to 401(k) plans is that many employers will match contributions up to a certain percentage.

For example, some may match up to 2%, so employees who contribute 2% or more will actually be depositing no less than 4% of their income each week into their 401(k) accounts. Perhaps most beneficial is that employer matches do not count toward the annual 401(k) contribution limits.

A Simplified Employee Pension Plan is typically established by a small business owner or self-employed individual. However, small business owners can set them up for their employees as well. Contributions to an SEP will reduce taxable income, and the money will grow tax-deferred.

Individuals enrolled in an SEP will only pay taxes on the money upon withdrawal. One of the advantages to an SEP is it has significantly higher contribution limits. However, SEPs are employer contribution only, so they rely a lot on employers’ available cash.

No retirement accounts are the same. Individuals are urged to conduct their own research and choose the plan that best suits their needs.

Understanding how the heart works can help people become more attuned to their personal health and wellness.

For example, recognition of the importance of heart rate may shed light on aspects of heart health that people may otherwise never think about.

According to HealthDirect, heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times the heart beats per minute. A resting heart rate refers to the heart rate when one is relaxed, sitting down or lying down.

For normal, healthy adults, a resting heart rate ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
The American Heart Association indicates that resting heart rate is the heart pumping the lowest amount of blood needed because the body is not exerting itself.

A lower resting heart rate is common among people who are very physically fit — sometimes as low as 40 bpm. This results from the heart muscle being very athletic and not having to work very hard to maintain a steady beat.

Resting heart rate differs according to age. Verywell Health says babies and children have higher resting heart rates because their hearts are smaller.

Resting heart rate will gradually decrease until about age 10, at which point it stabilizes through adulthood. Here’s the expected resting heart rates based on age.

• 0-1 month: 70-190 bpm
• 1-11 months: 80-160 bpm
• 1-2 years: 80-130 bpm
• 3-4 years: 80-120 bpm
• 5-6 years: 75-115 bpm
• 7-9 years: 70-110 bpm
• 10 years+: 60-100 bpm
• Athlete: 40-60 bpm

Knowing one’s typical resting heart rate can help people stay apprised of their personal health. A lower-than normal resting heart (bradycardia) could indicate a congenital heart defect, a heart blockage, heart damage, or abnormally high blood calcium. It also may indicate hypothyroidism, hypothermia or other conditions.

A higher resting heart rate (tachycardia) may suggest other issues, such as anemia, obesity, dehydration, fever, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, or overconsumption of stimulants like caffeine or nicotine.

Resting heart rate is not directly linked to blood pressure and is not an indication of blood pressure problems.

Heart rate is measured on the inside of the wrist or on the artery in the neck at the base of the jaw. Pulse should be counted for 30 seconds and then multiplied by two to find beats per minute.
Individuals should keep in mind that air temperature, body position, emotions, body size, and medication use can affect heart rate.

Checking heart rate several times can provide a more accurate perception of resting heart rate. Any concerns should be discussed with a doctor.

Join the Fayetteville After Five audience on June 9 at Festival Park for a free Friday night concert featuring music, food and fun. The venue is located at 335 Ray Avenue.

Two bands will be performing: Honeysickle and On the Border, The Ultimate Eagles Tribute band. In addition, there will also be several food trucks for ordering food.

The gates open at 5 p.m., with Honeysickle performing at 6 p.m. On the Border starts at 8 p.m., with the music ending around 10:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Fayetteville After Five happens on the second Friday of June, July and August. The concert is outside, and guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the family-friendly event.

Canopies, coolers, outside food, beverages are prohibited (food and beverages can be purchased from the various food trucks). Service dogs are welcome. The concert is scheduled to begin with Honeysickle, based out of Wilmington. The band performs rock 'n' roll rooted in deep southern funk and blues.

Honeysickle describes their sound as “gritty, funky and raw.” Their sound will have you jamming right along with them. On the Border is billed as The Ultimate Eagles Tribute band and will close the show. On the Border will cover all the Eagles’ big hits from “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Desperado,” “Heartache Tonight,” “Lyin' Eyes,” and many more.

In 2015 they were invited to appear on AXS TV’s hit show, “The World's Greatest Tribute Bands.” If you’re a fan of the Eagles or enjoy classic rock and timeless music, mark your calendar for June 9 at Festival Park.

While you enjoy the music, you can go on a culinary adventure with various food trucks that will be present at the event. Treat yourself while exploring food from Drizzle D's Donuts, which offers artisan donuts; Lee's Kitchen with its savory Jamaican and southern soul food; Asadito, is bringing Argentinean cuisine; and Steel Smokin is known for its tasty BBQ.

For more information about Fayetteville After Five visit www.thedogwoodfestival.com/fayetteville-after-five.

In a presentation Thursday, May 25 Cumberland County administrators recommended to the Board of Commissioners a $566.9 million budget for the next fiscal year with no changes in the property tax rate.

But the plan also calls for more than doubling the solid waste fee.

The proposed budget is more than last year’s spending of $553.7 million, with an increase of $13.2 million. Actual spending for this fiscal year, however, is projected to land at $520.5 million by June 30, the end of fiscal year 2023. County Manager Clarence Grier, in his first budget presentation to the board since being hired earlier this year, said the economic challenges the county will face next year will be similar to that seen in the recent past.

“As we look at the economic outlook and aftermath of COVID-19, we continue to face some ongoing challenges and concerns such as the opioid addiction, mental health, upheaval due to the great resignation and wage growth that has caused inflation and supply-chain issues,” Grier said.

Solid waste fee increase

While no property tax increase is recommended in the 2024 budget, the county staff recommended increasing the solid waste fee from the current $56 to $130, a move that the county projects will generate $7.1 million in revenue. The solid waste fee is what the county uses to operate its landfills.

The county is also recommending increases in landfill tipping fees, a measure projected to generate $254,000 a year.

Beyond generating revenue, Grier said the increases will help finance construction and maintenance projects that will increase capacity at county landfills. The increases also, Grier said, will put Cumberland County more in line with neighboring counties.

“Tipping fees are the lowest in our region of any other county around us,” Grier said. “You can prevent others from bringing their waste to our landfills as we’re trying to expand the capacity.”

School funding

In the recommended budget, the county has allocated $87.5 million for Cumberland County Schools, a $3.2 million increase over last year. But it is lower than the $88.2 million that the Board of Education requested last month, CityView reported.

As for Fayetteville Technical Community College, the county is recommending funding of $15.4 million, up $1.2 million from last year but lower than the $16 million requested.

Crown Center funding

Earlier this month, the county unveiled the design for its $131.7 million Crown Event Center, a multipurpose center in downtown Fayetteville that’s set to replace the Crown Theater and Arena, CityView reported.
Revenue from the food and beverage tax and the occupancy tax in the recommended budget will be used to finance that project.

The event center is set to open by November 2025.

Next steps

The commissioners did not ask any questions following Grier’s presentation, but the board is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. June 1 in Room 564 of the Cumberland County Courthouse for a work session on the budget.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 7 in Room 118 at the courthouse.

The Spring Lake Family Support Services, also known as “The Kinsey House”, is a nonprofit organization located in the heart of Spring Lake. It’s a support services organization with the mission to reach families, restore community, renew minds & rise strong together.

They are hosting their first ever Community Health Fair, partnering with Goshen Medical Center, as well as other services and vendors to serve the community from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday June 3. The event is located at First Presbyterian Church, right up the street from The Kinsey House. Attendees will be able to get medical screenings, information on dental health and pediatrics, as well as knowledge on pharmacies and internal medicine.

There will be dental consultants, legal aid advisors, breast exams, and COVID testing available. Several health-related needs can be addressed at the upcoming health fair, giving the community a personal experience with health experts. Health assessments will be available to the homeless for $1. The cost will be on a sliding scale for others.

Up & Coming Weekly had a chance to talk with CEO and Founder Debora Hudson, as well as Office Manager Sandy Woltmann, to discuss what their mission is and how much this event means to the community.

It’s no secret that access to affordable healthcare is a nationwide issue. When speaking with them, they said they’ve noticed that a lot of people in general don’t go to the doctor. A lot of people do not have insurance, and some people who have insurance don’t go, because they can’t afford the co-pays.

Hudson says, “I think a mobile unit set up with other vendors, food trucks, and music makes it more comfortable for people to come and do what they need to do to be seen. It opens the doors for them to be a little bit more personable with the medical team that’s coming. The Rape Crisis Center will be here. Medicare, Legal Aid, Action Pathways, the foster care division from DSS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CPR demonstrations. All these things relate to the health of the community.”

The Kinsey House was created out of a vision to meet needs that have been overlooked for far too long. The nonprofit managers pride themselves on looking for and intentionally seeking out ways to provide these needs to the community.

Spring Lake is separate from Fayetteville, making the SLFSS the only “homeless shelter” or organization that can provide support services for those in need, in the city of Spring Lake.

“We thrive on mental health, physical health, emotional health, just meeting people where they are,” says Hudson. “We try our best to make sure that the community is in tune and connected to all services available to them, because people don't know a lot of the services that are out there. So, we just want to educate them of what's out there that will benefit them.”

The Kinsey House itself, located at 126 N 1st Street in Spring Lake, is currently under renovation, but will feature a computer lab, laundry services, and hygiene care for the homeless and those in need.
Other programs offered through the nonprofit include: Hearts of H.O.P.E for domestic violence victims, A Path 4Word for mentoring and tutoring, and Barbara’s Closet of Blessings for those in need of clothes in the community.

Their most recent event, which they plan to do every 3 to 4 months, is called Laundry Love Day. Gone are the days where you can go to a laundromat and do loads for quarters. Loads can cost as much as $4.50 each, at laundromats today, costing a family of four nearly $50 a trip. With the start of this event, the SLFSS was able to support several families. It was a need they didn’t know was so widespread in the community.

“We go to our local laundromat, and we load up all the machines and the dryers so people can use them,” says Hudson. “We bring laundry detergent and people can do their laundry for free within that time frame. We also serve coffee and water along with snacks and for people in line. And then we just talk to them, to see what their needs are, tell them what we offer and how we want to help the community.”

It’s clear to see that the Spring Lake Family Support Services has the best interest of people in the community at heart. They serve as an essential support system to many in need in Spring Lake through the variety of services offered.

Although they have several opportunities scheduled for the June event, Hudson says they hope to have another Health Fair in September on a much larger scale. The goal is to accommodate even more people.
They also plan to have another Laundry Love Day as soon as they can get it organized.

In the meantime, be sure not to miss their first Community Health Fair on June 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.

The Rain Date is scheduled for June 10 in case of inclement weather.

For more information on how you can help and donate to the The Kinsey House, visit www.thekinseyhouse.org or call 910-584-7160. They can also be reached via email at springlakefamilyservice@gmail.com.

Since 1945, North Carolina Wildlife Federation has worked for all wildlife and habitats, bringing together outdoor enthusiasts, hunters and anglers, government and industry to protect the state’s natural resources.
Their work is centered around conserving wildlife, restoring habitats, connecting people with nature, conservation policy, climate resiliency and celebrating conservation.

“Celebrating Conservation” season is open now, with statewide calls of the wild for conservation award nominations, college scholarship applications and wildlife photo submissions.

Conservation Award Nominations

NCWF seeks conservation heroes from across the state for its 59th annual Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards. The prestigious awards have honored individuals, associations, businesses, and governmental bodies that have exhibited an unwavering commitment to conserving North Carolina’s natural resources.

Citizens nominate conservation leaders, professionals and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. A committee of scientists, environmental educators and conservation activists select award winners.

The online nomination deadline is June 15 at 6:00 p.m. Award recipients will be honored at a banquet on Sept. 9. Categories include Conservationist, Wildlife Conservationist, Sportsman or Sportswoman, Land Conservationist, Water Conservationist, Forest Conservationist, Marine Resources, Environmental Educator, Young Conservationist, Legislator, Conservation Organization, Business Conservationist, and Natural Resources Agency or Scientist of the Year.

College Scholarship Applications

Since the 1970s, NCWF has awarded scholarships to college students studying and working in the wildlife and conservation fields. Applicants must be enrolled full-time at an accredited North Carolina college or university with a major related to wildlife, fisheries, forestry, natural resources, conservation or environmental studies.

NCWF will provide up to seven grants, which may include one $2,500 Conservation Leadership grant for a student of outstanding merit. Socio-economic elements, extra-curricular involvement and academic performance all impact final decisions.

Students must submit scholarship applications and supporting documents online by June 16.

Visit NCWF’s scholarship page to learn more or apply. For questions, email Lacy Kegley at lacy@ncwf.org.

Wildlife Photography Contest

NCWF’s 5th Annual Wildlife Photography Contest for professional, amateur and youth photographers runs from July 1 through September 1. Images must be taken in North Carolina and highlight the beauty of the state’s nature and wildlife, whether in a backyard or across the state. Categories are Carolina Critters, People in Nature, Scenes of North Carolina and Pollinators & Insects (new category).

Entry donations start at $15 for 12 photos (3 images max per category), with all proceeds supporting the conservation and restoration of wildlife and habitat in North Carolina. Visit NCWF’s photo contest page for entry requirements and contest rules. Photographers can submit entries electronically from July 1 through Sept. 1. Email photos@ncwf.org for questions.

To learn more about the North Carolina Wildlife Federation visit https://ncwf.org/ or call 803-608-0019.

“There can be no security anywhere in the free world if there is no fiscal and economic stability within the United States.” — President Ronald Reagan

President Reagan understood the importance of getting America’s economy in order. Yet our crippling debt, now at over $30 trillion, continues to threaten our standing in the world and must be addressed.

President Joe Biden refused to negotiate for more than 100 days to address the debt. Our country cannot afford to default on our debt due to Washington Democrat’s political games. Under Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Republicans have raised the debt limit in a responsible way. We are united in our desire to address the debt crisis and curb reckless spending for years to come.

I am proud of our work to save America from defaulting and will stay focused on improving our economy for you and your family.

While Washington Democrats have procrastinated on the debt ceiling, they have also refused to acknowledge the magnitude of the crisis at our Southern border. Yet it is clear — extreme Democrats’ support of radical open border policies have resulted in the worst border crisis in American history.

Earlier this month, Title 42, a public health border security measure that has been used to keep nearly 3 million illegal migrants out of the U.S. since 2020, expired. In the days leading up to this, more than 10,000 migrants were encountered at the border, shattering records.

To address the crisis, House Republicans passed the Secure the Border Act — the strongest border security bill America has ever seen. It will keep our nation safe and our border secure.
It’s plain and simple — border security is national security. Our bill ends catch and release, fixes the asylum program, hires more border patrol agents, restarts border wall construction, and protects children from human trafficking.

Once again, House Republicans have shown we have solutions to the challenges facing our nation while others choose to ignore them.

Recently, in celebration of National Police Week, House Republicans condemned ‘defunding the police’ and anti-police rhetoric and passed the POLICE Act of 2023 and the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act.

We seek to give local law enforcement the resources and support they need to get the job done.

In recent years, good police officers dedicated to keeping our communities safe have not always received the resources and respect they deserve. Assaults on police have gone up significantly, leading to the deadliest year in two decades for our law enforcement officers.

As we recognized Memorial Day last week, we honored our brave service members who gave their lives in the defense of the freedoms we hold so dear. I am deeply grateful to be an American, and incredibly appreciative of those who risk their lives daily to defend our liberties. And I will never forget the sacrifices our military families make every day.

Our nation is the greatest on earth because of courageous service members, law enforcement officers, and their families. May God bless America, and the men and women in uniform who protect our community and keep this great nation free.

For musician Jon Kiebon, performing is personal — not only because of his enduring love for music and songwriting, but also his love for his 25-year-old daughter Gail, who is on the autism spectrum.

“I always say I could never express my love for her in words, so I let the guitar do the talking,” Kiebon said.

Kiebon said he let the guitar do the talking in the best song he has written, an instrumental dedicated to his daughter simply called “For the Love of Gail.”
The singer-songwriter has long been a veteran of the open mic scene, both in his home state of New York and in Fayetteville, where he moved in June of 2021.
Kiebon, better known by his stage name Jammin’ Jon, said he has long tried to use his musical talent for good and a cause close to his heart, raising money and awareness for autism and autism organizations.

“The motivation behind this is personal as an artist,” Kiebon said. “But I always try to do some good with it.”

This June, Kiebon hopes to do just that with the inaugural Fayetteville Singer/Songwriters Festival, a three-day concert series featuring local musicians with all proceeds to be used for school supplies for special education teachers in Cumberland County.

“A lot of times, the classroom teachers have to lay out supplies and pay out of their own pocket,” Kiebon said.

Each day of the festival, organized in association with the Fayetteville Cumberland County Arts Council, will showcase local talent. Those attending can offer a $5 suggested donation to support the cause.
Jammin’ Jon’s Fayetteville Sing/Songwriters Festival will take place on three days in June. The festival will kick off on June 3 at the Arts Council. The concert will continue June 10 at Paul’s Place on 719 Starling Street, and on June 17 at Louie’s Pub on 2417 Robeson Street. All performances will last from 2 to 6 p.m.

After moving to Fayetteville almost two years ago during the height of the pandemic, Kiebon said he felt a bit of culture shock trying to adapt to the new area.
He said he found his footing participating in open mics as local businesses began opening their doors and easing restrictions, allowing him to meet and network with other like-minded local performers.

“It’s a struggle for me to pursue my love of performing, music, songwriting, guitar playing, whatever it is, but I still, whenever I could, tried to make the open mics... and was definitely connecting with new musicians and songwriters all the time,” Kiebon said.

Kiebon said it can feel more difficult for local artists who create their own music to reach larger audiences, but hopes the upcoming festival helps to boost area talent while raising awareness for an important cause.

“That’s when I thought of this idea, and I said ‘it will help me get out there, keep me out there, and get other people (out there),’” Kiebon said.

Kiebon said he hopes the festival reminds artists to not give up on their dreams and their passions and encourages them to continue their craft.

“You’re never too old,” Kiebon said. “Never give up. Keep trying to get heard and get out there. And then I’m thrilled that I can try to tie it in again and raise some funds for autism awareness and for the dedicated professionals in the school system.”

The New York native hopes to continue the Fayetteville Singer/Songwriter’s Festival in the future, potentially considering seeking corporate sponsorship.

The June 3 performance will feature the musical talents of Jammin’ Jon, David Brown, the Untitled Lilly Sparkle Project and Tony Hirtz.

The Untitled Lilly Sparkle Project is the stage name for Katie Hamilton, a former Marine with hopes to attend UNC-Pembroke in the fall to complete her music degree.

Hamilton was born and raised in Lumberton, and is fairly new to songwriting, having begun writing only about a year and a half ago. Hirtz recently retired after serving in the military. He references classic rock, country rock, college or alternative rock, classic punk and Americana as his musical influences.

When not performing as a singer-songwriter in Fayetteville, Hirtz is part of the band Tidewater Valley based in Virginia. He allows his personal experiences to influence his writing. The June 10 show will offer performances from David Childers, Tricia DiLello, House and OT Hill.

Childers is a Gastonia native who came to the eastern part of the state in the 1970s. He pursued music on the side while spending 28 years as an educator for Cumberland County Schools. Upon retirement, the multi-instrumentalist began spending more time on his music.

Childers sites musicians such as Doc Watson, Creedence Clearwater Revival, REM, John Prine, Tony Rice, and Gordon Lightfoot as influences. He also plays guitar and serves as a backup vocalist for singer KasCie Page.

DiLello originates from the Elizabethtown area and said she enjoys pursuing storytelling through her Americana-styled songs. Hill has around 20 years of musical experience and regularly attends and participates in local open mic nights. He plays a variety of country and singer/songwriter music.

The June 17 show will include musicians David Sears, Denniz Cargile and Damien Lugo. Lugo, a visual artist and tattoo artist for Brighter Shade Tattoo in Fayetteville, labels his work as a “psychedelic folky project.”

Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation raised nearly $55,000 through the second annual Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo last month.

The event, which was held at Methodist University, raised money to support multiple patient care areas at Cape Fear Valley Health, including cancer care, heart care, children’s services, Community Alternatives Program and Cumberland County Medication Access Program.

“We were very excited to see more than 500 participants at this year’s event, and we expect to continue to grow more in the future,” said Cape Fear Valley Health Vice President of Foundation Sabrina Brooks.

“We had a great sunny day with beautiful weather and I think everyone had a lot of fun with all the activities.”

The event included more than 50 vendors in the Wellness Expo, including different Cape Fear Valley Health service lines, community organizations and sponsors.

There were also food trucks, a Survivor Lap, Zumba and yoga sessions. The main events were the 4k and one mile walking or running routes through the Methodist University campus.

“We want to sincerely thank our Presenting Sponsor, Cumulus Media, as well as our host, Methodist University, for helping us put on such a fantastic event,” Brooks said.
Other major sponsors for the event included Cape Fear Valley Health, Systel Business Equipment, Truist, Pepsi Bottling Ventures and Valley Radiology.

Public safety is improving in Fayetteville, at least from the perspective of the Police Department.

Police Chief Kemberle Braden presented crime statistics for the first quarter of 2023 May 22 to the Fayetteville City Council that show decreased levels of crime and more arrests compared to last year.
According to the data presented, property crimes are down 9%, crimes against people are down 3% and arrests are up 38%.

“What does that mean? It means your officers are out there working,” Braden told the City Council during his presentation. “If crime is coming down and arrests are going up, that means your people are out there fighting crime. As long as these two numbers are converging, that is a good sign for crime in the city of Fayetteville.”

Homicides are down 18% compared to the first quarter of 2022, but the actual numerical difference is small — nine this year compared to 11 in 2022.

While Braden sees increased arrests as good for the city, council member Mario Benavente had a different perspective.

“The idea that arrests going up is automatically a good thing is what I take issue with,” Benavente said. “We're never going to arrest our way out of the public safety issues in Fayetteville. In fact, when we overcriminalize and we engage in arresting as many people as we can, we create barriers for folks that, in the criminal justice system, are going to end up with charges, are going to end up with records that are going to prevent them from getting decent jobs and being able to get into decent living.”

Benavente does not put the issue of improving public safety, however, solely on the police. He advocated for an office of community safety, an entity outside the Police Department that would seek to improve public safety in the city. Community organizers in Fayetteville have pushed for weeks for the initiative to be put in next year’s city budget, CityView reported.

Immediately following the presentation, Mayor Mitch Colvin thanked Braden and the Police Department for their work on reducing crime.

“I don’t know any perfect department, perfect council, perfect people, but you guys are certainly making strides, and we are appreciative of what you do,” Colvin said.

Braden’s first 90 days

Braden, who was sworn in as police chief earlier this year, outlined progress on goals he had set for his first 90 days on the job.

During those first 90 days, Braden said, he spoke with police officers of all ranks and with people in the community to determine what needed to change to improve public safety in Fayetteville.
Braden said the strengths of the department are the people within the police force and those in other city departments.

“As always, our people are always going to be our strength, our community partners, our city staff,” Braden said.

Weaknesses Braden identified included retention and morale among officers and outdated facilities.
Braden said the opportunities the department has going forward include enacting change through the young police force the department employs and highlighting Fayetteville police as the largest department in southeastern North Carolina.

“We should be able to recruit people from all over to come to Fayetteville, North Carolina, because of the opportunities we offer that these other surrounding jurisdictions and counties and municipalities don't have,” Braden said.

Does gardening count as exercise? The answer is yes! While the weather is warming, the temperature is still cool enough in the morning to get out those tools and enjoy working in the yard. A little sweat and dirt can be beneficial.

The benefits go beyond exercise, cognition and feeling proud of your accomplishments. Working in the yard can burn as many as 300 calories in 30 to 45 minutes and heavy gardening can burn as many as 700 calories. Gardening can include digging, raking, pulling weeds, planting, pulling vines, trimming hedges, picking up pinecones, weed eating and shoveling - just to name a few. Engaging in yard work can be a lot more fun than walking on a treadmill.

At the end of the day, gardening can result in sore muscles and a sore back when you are not used to the effort. Start slow before you jump into heavier projects. Gardening involves strength, endurance and flexibility, and can put a strain on your muscles. Take your time warming up and doing the light activities first, saving the heavier lifting and bending until later.

Digging is a high-intensity activity that engages several muscle groups at once to include your shoulders, quads, arms and calves. Pushing that shovel in the dirt, turning it over, planting the flower, and placing the dirt back is a multiplanar activity.

When you work in the garden you are working in all three planes of motion which are the sagittal, frontal and transverse, and many times you work in all three planes at once. Twisting, bending, pulling and reaching is light aerobic exercise with benefits to the heart, blood pressure, and helps in burning calories.

Planting a vegetable garden results in a daily walk to gather fresh fruit and vegetables for salads and cooking. Your squash, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, peaches, and more are a smorgasbord of healthy eating without pesticides.

Yard work and gardening can stimulate the mind with attention to detail for planting, color combinations, watering, blending of soil, aromatic plants, and the feel of textures.

The garden is a happy place to be with no age limit. It is a place that you can visit alone to see how your vegetables are growing, gather blooms for containers, and share your vegetables with friends. It is a quiet place for gathering thoughts. You can share the growth of your garden with friends and share garden tips.

Gardening can also be a spiritual connection when you focus on something greater than us, which is the miracle of growth. It is a place to see the birds gather and the sun shining on all that you have planted. It is a place that you visit first in the morning and in the evening to say good night until the next day. You water, nurture, pull weeds, and delight in new buds for flowers and vegetables and this is your happy place.

Live, love life and gardening.

Financial planning is a key component of successful money management. When financial plans are established and put in place, individuals are in much better position to achieve both short-term goals, like financing a dream vacation, and long-term aspirations, like retiring with enough money to live your golden years without worry.

No one is born knowing how to handle and manage money. Financial literacy is an acquired skill, which means anyone can learn how to manage money effectively. The following are a handful of ways individuals from all walks of life can improve their financial literacy.

Crack the books (and magazines). A wealth of resources are available to anyone looking to become better at managing money, and many of those resources are books and magazines. Printed works are available for people with varying levels of financial literacy, so it’s unlikely that any single text or magazine will benefit everyone equally. Find a text that speaks to your level of literacy and build from there.

Pay attention to financial news. The days when financial news was limited to industry insiders or a handful of industry publications are long gone. Various online entities and cable television channels are now exclusively devoted to financial news.

Anyone can benefit from paying attention to financial news, which can shed light on investments, real estate and financial industry trends that can help people better understand their portfolios and assets.

Read your emails. Adults who already have retirement accounts and other investments may also have an invaluable resource right inside their email inboxes. Investment management firms like The Vanguard Group, Inc., routinely host online information sessions and discussions for investors that are promoted through email and other lines of communication with account holders.

When promotional emails announcing these sessions are announced, take note and resolve to participate. Many don’t require active participation, but they often provide insight into financial products, markets and strategies to successful investing.

Ask questions. It seems simple, but one of the most effective ways to gain greater financial literacy is to ask questions. If you work with a financial planner or are interviewing professionals to help you manage your money, ask that person to explain their financial strategy and the strategy espoused by their firms.

When a new short- or even long-term goal pops up on your radar, ask your financial advisor to explain ways in which you can achieve that goal. Such discussions can reveal strategies that even well-informed individuals may be unaware of.

Financial literacy can help people achieve their life’s goals. Various strategies can help people from all walks of life improve their financial knowledge and take greater control of their finances and futures.

The 5th Annual Out of Sight Wing Fling is taking place on June 3, hosted by the Vision Resource Center. It’s a chicken wing cook-off to raise awareness for the blind and visually impaired in the city.

Guests and judges will be blindfolded for the initial judging— only being able to taste, feel and smell, who has the best wings. This year 11 competitors will be battling it out for a cash prize, with their own custom spices and sauces.

The wings being used for the cook-off are donated by Mountaire every year. Dirtbag Ales is hosting the event for the second year in a row, pairing the variety of delicious wings with local brews, live music, and food trucks to enjoy.

There will also be different stations and activities for guests to participate in to educate the public on the living experience of the visually impaired.

All the proceeds raised from the Wing Fling will be go toward assisted technology for the blind and visually impaired here in Cumberland County.

Early bird tickets for the public are $15, which gets you 11 wings, one from every competitor participating. For the real chicken wing lovers, the event is offering VIP tickets for $75. This includes unlimited wings from any competitor, a VIP tent with snacks and drinks, custom brew and glass from Dirtbag Ales, and a fast pass to go through lines with ease.

The Vision Resource Center is a nonprofit organization for adults and children based here in Fayetteville that enhances the quality of life for the blind and visually impaired in every way they can.

The nonprofit offers several programs, social activities, support groups, and classes.

Up & Coming Weekly had a chance to sit down and talk with Terri Thomas, the passionate Executive Director of the Vision Resource Center.
Thomas became executive director in 2010 and has been organizing the Wing Fling since the beginning.

“When it comes to the Vision Resource Center, we try to meet them where they are, to be able to help people with whatever they need to do,” she said. “Just depends on the day of the week. There are a lot of things under the umbrella of VRC.”

When asked how she hopes the Wing Fling will grow, she says “Our goal is to have different businesses competing, having vendors that connect to our mission, and having other nonprofits to be able to come out and compete. It would be a great way to network and also the chance to do something different.”

Don’t miss out on the chance to learn how we can all help enhance the lives of the visually impaired, while enjoying great wings and fellowship at the same time!

The event is from noon to 4 p.m. at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom located in Hope Mills. To purchase tickets for the event or volunteer with the Vision Resource Center, visit www.Visionresourcecentercc.org or call 910-483-2719.

It is still Fort Bragg.

But only until June 2.

Then North Carolina’s mammoth U.S. Army base will become Fort Liberty. Still, it will always be Fort Bragg in my memories.

My first experience in a racially integrated work situation was in ROTC summer camp at Fort Bragg in 1961. I was the product of a segregated secondary and college education. It was different at Bragg. Not only were there many Black cadets in my company, but the regular Army lieutenant colonel in charge of us was Black. He was a wonderful leader.

I remember the welcome speech he gave on our first day. He gathered his cadets around. We were scared to death, and he told us the story of Fort Bragg, and how it came to be named for a military leader, a general in the Confederate army named Braxton Bragg. I thought many years later that he must have had to bite his tongue because Bragg had fought to keep Blacks in slavery.

Many of the Black cadets were potentially superior future officers. They prepared me, as the Army of the 1950’s and 1960’s prepared hundreds of thousands of other southern men, for the changes to come in civilian life in North Carolina.

I arrived at Fort Bragg as a white boy who had never gone to school with Blacks, never eaten in the same restaurant, never drunk at the same water fountain, never rode in the same section of a bus or a train — and put me right beside some of the best people I ever met (not all my same color). I was never the same.

When I left that summer, I don’t want to say I was free of racism, but I was a changed person. I rejoiced in the diversity that Army life brought me and the great strength that came from mutual trust and respect. And

I knew that the principal beneficiary of the opening of doors of opportunity was me.
If our nation is ever successful in completing its task of erasing racism, intolerance and injustice, the Armed Forces and particularly the Army and Fort Bragg must be given due credit.

The Army has led the way.

Like many other North Carolinians, I have spent other times at Fort Bragg, including almost two years when I
was on active duty, living on Bragg Boulevard.

The most memorable time was on Thanksgiving weekend in 2002 when, as I wrote then, a little after midnight I picked up my son, Grier, at his Raleigh home, helped carry his heavy gear to my car, waited while he ran upstairs to tell his wife goodbye, get a look at his brand new daughter, and then begin our drive to Fort Bragg for the beginning of his long journey to the other side of the world.

It was raining as we approached Fayetteville, turned off Business I-95, and then on to Bragg Boulevard, passed the house where I lived as a young Army officer, and then passed by the shopping centers, pawnshops, night spots, mobile home lots, car dealerships and the other strong marks of a military town.

Still under the heaviness of the rain, we came on the base, passing through security where my son returned the salute of the guard, a signal that we would soon arrive at the point of formation, where my son and his traveling companions would gather this early morning to begin their trip to Afghanistan.

I will be happy to call it Fort Liberty from now on, but I will always remember what Fort Bragg has meant for me.

Editor's Note: D.G. Martin, a retired lawyer, served as UNC-System’s vice president for public affairs and hosted PBS-NC’s North Carolina Bookwatch.

The Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Harmony Granderson is the new Director of Events.

“We are excited to welcome Harmony to our team,” said Nat Robertson, President & CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.

In the position, Granderson will build, implement and manage all aspects of the events carried out and supported by the Chamber. She will engage with various Chamber members to coordinate networking events and educational programs. She will work closely with the Marketing and Communications Director, Robyn Pitt, while organizing event press, presentations and sponsors.

“We’re ready for her to dig in and get going as our new events director. With her skillset and enthusiasm she will be a great asset to our Chamber,” Robertson said.

Harmony is a Fayetteville native with a passion for entrepreneurship, community involvement, and all things involving the arts. She is a graduate of Jack Britt High School and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing. She is a recent graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

While she earned her degree and served various on-campus leadership roles, she also founded a small business of her own that focuses on promotion of small businesses, nonprofits, and minority owned companies.

The National Institute on Aging defines Alzheimer’s disease as a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and an individual’s ability to think. The majority of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are 60 and older, which can give the impression that the disorder is exclusive to the elderly.

However, younger adults are not immune to the disease, and a small percentage of individuals under 60 could be diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

The prevalence of early-onset Alzheimer’s (sometimes referred to as “young-onset Alzheimer’s”) is unknown. However, early-onset Alzheimer’s can affect every aspect of a young person’s life, including their relationships, finances and ability to live independently. Such consequences underscore the significance of greater recognition of the condition and what it entails.

What is early-onset Alzheimer’s disease?

The experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine note that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and it most often affects older individuals. But in rare cases individuals under 60 can develop Alzheimer’s, and Johns Hopkins notes such instances generally affect people in their 40s and 50s. Most types of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease are the same, but cases may be categorized as common or genetic Alzheimer’s.

Common: Johns Hopkins notes that most people with early-onset Alzheimer’s have the common form of the disease, which progresses in much the same way as it does in older individuals.

Genetic: In rare cases, a young person may be diagnosed with genetic, or familial, Alzheimer’s. The United Kingdom-based Alzheimer’s Society notes that this is caused by genetic mutations that run in families.

The risk that this mutation will be passed from parents to children is 50%.

Individuals who develop genetic Alzheimer’s typically have lengthy family histories of the disease and may know several relatives, in addition to a parent, who were affected at a similar age.

What are the risk factors for early-onset Alzheimer’s?

Though people who develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease are most likely to be diagnosed with the common form of the condition, family history of the disease remains the only known risk factor.

What are the symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s?

The Alzheimer’s Association notes that health care providers do not generally look for Alzheimer’s in young people, which can make the process of diagnosing the condition long and frustrating. Symptoms are often attributed to other factors, such as stress.

However, Johns Hopkins reports that the presence of these symptoms could indicate a person is in the early stages of early-onset Alzheimer’s:

• Forgetting important things, particularly newly learned information or important dates
• Asking for the same information again and again
• Trouble solving basic problems, such as keeping track of bills or following a favorite recipe
• Losing track of the date or time of year
• Losing track of where you are and how you got there
• Trouble with depth perception or other vision problems
• Trouble joining conversations or finding the right word for something
• Misplacing things and not being able to retrace your steps to find it
• Increasingly poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work and social situations
• Changes in mood or personality

Symptoms such as memory loss and behaviorial changes, including severe mood swings, are some of the signs that present as early-onset Alzheimer’s progresses.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a rare disorder. But its effects can be just as significant as forms of the disease that affect older individuals.