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Celebrating the joy of reading: Read Across America Week in Cumberland County Schools

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Tuesday, 03 March 2026

Written by Dr. Shanessa Fenner

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved to read. Being an introvert makes it easy to become completely absorbed and joyfully immersed in the pages of a good book. My Saturday trips to Barnes & Noble reflect a deep personal appreciation for literacy, which is why I value Read Across America for its dedication to promoting the essential role of reading in our lives.
Read Across America was launched in 1997 by the National Education Association, and it was first celebrated in March 1998. The initiative was created to address concerns about declining reading engagement among children, promote literacy nationwide and to encourage families and communities to read with children.
For many years, the initiative was centered around Dr. Seuss’ books and characters. In recent years, the NEA expanded its focus beyond Dr. Seuss, and the program now promotes diverse authors, cultures, and inclusive books.
This year, Read Across America week is now, March 2 to March 6, and the theme is “Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Learners.” Schools and libraries will host themed reading days and events throughout this week. Cumberland County Schools will mark the week with a collaborative Read Across America and Social Emotional Learning Spirit Week celebration.
“We are really excited about this week, and the schools do a lot of the heavy lifting,” said Dr. Julia Pabst, K-5 ELA Curriculum Specialist for Cumberland County Schools. “Every school usually plans something from spirit days, mystery readers, having students sit and read with one another and really just enjoy and build that love of reading.”
She added, “We really want to empower schools to make that week their own and to celebrate reading in the way that their school culture already celebrates reading. This just makes it a lot more engaging for their students for the specific group of people that they serve.”
On Monday, the spotlight was on books featuring characters who face challenges and grow through adversity. Tuesday highlighted #OwnVoices titles, including memoirs and stories centered on identity.
Wednesday focuses on books that showcase acts of kindness, allyship and compassion. Thursday celebrates stories about young leaders, activists, inventors and changemakers. Friday wraps up the week with stories that emphasize friendship, teamwork and community.
Literacy is the foundation of formal education. It equips individuals with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that empower them to make informed decisions. Strong literacy skills are essential for personal growth and lifelong success.
“Literacy is a fundamental right, and it is one of the most important things that we can do for our children and our society,” said Pabst. “Reading not only helps us learn and grow, but it also helps us escape into different worlds and see things from different perspectives.”
Pabst added, “It gives us opportunities to come alongside people that we may not know their walk and see what it might be like to be like them or to experience things like them just through books. There’s so much that we can do because we read. It’s just one of those really exciting things.”
Learning starts at home, where parents serve as their child’s first and most important teacher. Children who grow up in literacy-rich homes recognize sounds and letters earlier, have larger vocabularies, develop better listening skills and understand how books work.
“One of the most important things that parents can do is just sit and read with their child, and it does not have to stop at reading; it can be just by sitting and having a conversation,” said Pabst.
“Not only is the literacy piece important, but listening comprehension and just sitting and having dialogue with one another builds vocabulary and builds all of those things that feed into that reading.”
Pabst added, “Just talking at the dinner table about their day using really high-level vocabulary with their children is a great way to help build great reading skills without ever picking up a book.”
A literacy-rich environment does not require expensive materials or elaborate resources. It can be created through simple, everyday activities that expose children to reading and language. This may include storytelling, singing songs, reading aloud each day, bedtime stories, access to books and magazines and more.
For parents looking to create a literacy-rich environment at home, Pabst offers a few helpful suggestions.
“Our public libraries are a great place to start,” said Pabst. “There is also the Dolly Parton Imagination Library from birth to age 5, and they will send books for free in both English and Spanish.”
She added, “There are so many online options of places to get books, so it doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby. You can always reach out to your child’s school to see if they have any books that they are discarding to help build that literacy-rich home environment.”
It is essential to ignite a love of reading in our future leaders.
“One of the biggest things is to find what they are interested in, what are students curious about and that is the jumping off point,” said Pabst. “So, if I am curious about a science concept like weather, or I really love my dog and I want to learn more about the breed, what is that interest and how can I bring in different types of genres?”
She added, “Let the child take their curiosity and build different ways to build that literacy because it is not just about picking up a book, it is about combining all of the different skills that we need, and that all starts with being curious.”
Pabst’s concluding reflections about literacy directed toward parents are both profound and insightful.
“I want to encourage parents that even if they are not readers, keep asking what makes me curious and find one article or book that brings that curiosity and answers just one question that they have,” said Pabst. “Reading is so much more than just sitting and trying to get through the words.”
For more information about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, visit www.https://imaginationlibrary.com.

YMCA of the Sandhills hosts summer camp for kids

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Tuesday, 03 March 2026

Written by Aly Hansen

The YMCA of the Sandhills has opened registration for their annual summer camp for kids. Four locations will be open for day campers. Two are in Cumberland County (4028 Legion Rd. in Hope Mills, 2717 Fort Bragg Rd. in Fayetteville) and two are in Harnett County (Carlette Cagle Dr. in Cameron and 80 Word Church Ln. in Lillington). Camp runs from June 1 to Aug. 14. Registration opened March 3. The Cumberland County camps run Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are open to ages 5-11. The Harnett County camps run from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Saleeby Day camp is open to ages 5-11, while the Saleeby Outdoor camp is for ages 7-11.
Registration is paid for on a weekly basis. For members, registration costs $175 per week. For non-members, the cost is $190. Each week requires a $20 deposit. Non-members also have a $50 registration fee. For more information, visit https://ymcaofthesandhills.org/day-camp
The YMCA of the Sandhills Day Camp will give kids the opportunity for swimming, craft time, STEM activities and play time.
“Summer Day Camp at the Y gives kids a place to make new friends, stay active, learn new skills, swim, unplug from screens, and just have fun in a safe, supportive, welcoming place all summer long,” said Chealsea Sias, Association Director of Youth Development for YMCA of the Sandhills. “The Y also provides peace of mind for working parents while school is out that their children are making memories, off of their devices for the day, and just being kids while they play with their peers and learn from our trained staff. There’s no place like the Y when it comes to summer fun and kids.”
The YMCA is also offering experiences for teens throughout the summer. The Get Summer memberships for 12-18 year olds includes teen only workouts, swim times and activities. Local mentors will be on hand to help out with real-world skills like interviewing for jobs and money management. Registration for the Get Summer memberships opens May 5. For more information, visit https://ymcaofthesandhills.org/teens
Teens can also participate in Leaders in Training and Counselors in Training programs. These courses allow younger teens the opportunity to learn from Day Camp counselors and help out with the younger kids throughout their activities. The cost is $80 a week for members and $85 a week for non-members. Teens can apply using the link above. The YMCA provides physical and mental well being supports for teens. Teens and parents can use the Teen Mental Health Resource Hub, a tool for learning more and getting help if it is needed.
The United Way of Cumberland County has worked closely with the Y to create a space for mental health for teenagers in the area.
The YMCA of the Sandhills has been a member of the greater Fayetteville community since 1922. The location on 2717 Fort Bragg Rd. offers a pool, pickleball, saunas, basketball courts, personal training and childcare. For more information about the Y, visit https://ymcaofthesandhills.org/

(Photo: Kids play during the YMCA of the Sandhills Summer Camp in 2025. Photo courtesy of Michelle McKinley, Director of Communications and Grant Administration, YMCA of the Sandhills)

Chairmen of the Board, Classic Soul headline CARE Clinic’s Beach Blast fundraiser

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Tuesday, 03 March 2026

Written by Anna White

Beach music and shag dancing run deep in the Carolinas, and this year’s 2nd Annual CARE Clinic Beach Blast is bringing that heritage front and center. On March 15 at Gates Four Golf & Country Club, attendees will enjoy an afternoon filled with legendary music, championship dancing, classic cookout fare and a celebration of community spirit — all while supporting one of Cumberland County’s most vital nonprofit healthcare providers.
The highlight of the event is the appearance of Chairmen of the Board, one of the most iconic names in Carolina Beach Music. Known for timeless hits like Give Me Just a Little More Time, Carolina Girls, and Gone Fishin’, the group continues to captivate audiences across generations.
Today’s lineup features Thomas Hunter, Patrick McGuire, and original member Ken Knox, whose unmistakable voice and stage presence have kept the group’s legacy alive. Their newest international hit, Baby You’re the Melody, written by Motown legend Lamont Dozier, is currently climbing the Top 10 charts in England and France — proving their sound is as powerful as ever.
“It’s a tremendous, high‑energy show,” said Warren McDonald, head of The CARE Clinic Development Committee and organizer of the Beach Blast. “Ken … gave us a tremendous price, and we’re going to have a good time while raising money for the CARE Clinic.”
Before Chairmen of the Board takes the stage, attendees will enjoy a performance by Classic Soul, featuring three icons of the Beach Music world: McDonald, founder of The Expressions and longtime contributor to the Carolina Beach Music scene; Terri Gore, the “Original Carolina Girl,” daughter of Jackie Gore, the “Father of Beach Music”; and Keith Pollard, veteran musician and music director known for his work with the band Time Machine.
Together, they deliver a rich, soulful sound that honors the roots of Carolina music while keeping the tradition alive for new generations.
The Beach Blast event proudly welcomes a signature rum-based spirit from Cape Fear Winery & Distillery: the Beach Blast Coconut Cream Rum. Cape Fear Winery & Distillery is based in neighboring Elizabethtown, NC, and crafted the special drink to embody the easygoing, coastal spirit of the Carolinas. Beach Blast Coconut Cream Rum is the perfect match for this celebration of beach music, Shag dancing, and Southern hospitality.
Distillery owner Alex Munroe has supported The CARE Clinic for years, recognizing the vital medical services the clinic provides to residents of Fayetteville, Elizabethtown and the surrounding region. His continued commitment makes Beach Blast not just a co-sponsor, but a meaningful partner in the clinic’s mission.
Guests will quite literally be “serving up Beach Blast Coconut Cream Rum at the Beach Blast,” enjoying this smooth, coastal‑style rum known for its fun, approachable flavor profile. Whether sipped straight, mixed into cocktails, or featured in themed tastings, Beach Blast fits seamlessly into the relaxed, festive atmosphere of this event. Its branding and flavor make it a natural fit for the CARE Clinic’s Beach Blast fundraiser, reinforcing the theme while supporting a great cause.
During the event, Cape Fear Winery & Distillery will offer a special tribute and toast using mini‑bottles of Beach Blast—honoring the dedicated medical volunteers and celebrating the life‑changing work The CARE Clinic provides to our community.
No Beach Blast would be complete without shag dancing, a cultural staple throughout the region.
This year’s event features a special demonstration by Tucker and Easton Brown, championship shag dancers from Harnett County. The brothers, sons of award‑winning Beach Music singer Gary Brown and National Shag Dance Champion Nickie Brown, both earned first‑place honors at the 2024 National Shag Dance Championships in North Myrtle Beach.
“They are fabulous,” McDonald said. “People are going to love watching them.”
According to the North Carolina Museum of History, beach music is “the defining sound of the Carolinas.” Born from African American rhythm and blues in the 1950s and 60s, it inspired a culture all its own — complete with its signature dance, the Shag, and beloved groups like The Embers, The Catalinas, The Tams, and Chairmen of the Board. For many Carolinians, beach music isn’t just entertainment — it’s a shared memory, a tradition, and a reminder of home.
While the music and dancing take center stage, the heart of the Beach Blast is its purpose: raising funds for The CARE Clinic, which has provided free, quality healthcare to uninsured and low‑income adults in Cumberland County for more than 30 years.
“These people do such good work,” McDonald said. “In our metro area alone, about 38,000 people have no health insurance.”
The CARE Clinic offers basic medical care, laboratory and diagnostic testing, pharmacy services, specialist referrals, dental care, and general health education, all delivered by volunteer physicians, nurses, dentists, and medical professionals who give their time to ensure no one is left without care.
“You would be surprised how many people in the community don’t even know the CARE Clinic exists,” McDonald said. “But they’re learning.”
The 2nd Annual CARE Clinic Beach Blast will be held at Gates Four Golf & Country Club at 6775 Irongate Dr. on March 15. Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $100 per couple, and can purchased at https://bit.ly/4r70q7u.
Attendees can expect great music, championship dancing, classic cookout favorites — “hot dogs, hamburgers, and all the fixin’s,” McDonald promises — and an afternoon filled with energy, nostalgia, and community pride. “The Chairmen of the Board know it’s for a good cause or they wouldn’t be here,” McDonald said. “We’ll leave them with a great memory, and they will enjoy this show immensely.”

Celebrate literacy with The Kids Book Bash

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Tuesday, 03 March 2026

Written by Amanda Ransom

There is something timeless about a child holding a book, the quiet anticipation before the first page turns, the spark of imagination that follows. The Kids Book Bash, hosted by Shon’s Stories, celebrates that magic by bringing stories off the page and into the heart of the community.
The Kids Book Bash was designed as a free, family-friendly event centered on children’s literature to bring together local authors, families and young readers for a day rooted in storytelling and connection. More than a traditional book fair, it is meant to be an experience. For Shon, author and creator of Shon’s Stories, a children’s literacy platform that includes books, read-alouds and educational content, the idea grew from experience.
“As an author, I’ve attended a lot of book fairs that were for everyone. And while those are great, children’s authors were often just sprinkled in,” she shared. “I wanted to create something intentionally centered around kids, a space where they could meet authors who truly have a heart for children and storytelling.”
Unlike a typical book fair, this event invites children to engage directly. Young readers participate in a scavenger hunt-style activity, visiting authors’ tables and working toward earning a Shon’s Super Reader Certificate. Live read-alouds and giveaways donated by authors and sponsors add to the festive atmosphere.
“It’s a celebration of stories, not just a shopping event,” she said.
Shon’s motivation is also personal.
“When I was a stay-at-home mom, I was always looking for something to do just to get out of the house,” she explained. “I don’t want guests to come just because they need somewhere to go. I want them to leave feeling like they had an experience, something joyful, something memorable, something that makes reading feel fun instead of forced.”
She describes the Kids Book Bash as an extension of her larger mission.
“It’s one way we bring literacy to life in our community, not just online, but face-to-face, where children can experience the joy of books in a real and tangible way.”
Meeting authors in person can be especially powerful for children.
“When children meet an author, it opens their eyes. It becomes real. It’s like, ‘Wait… I can actually do that?’ Those interactions matter. They make big dreams feel possible.”
During the event, Shon will read her own book, Tell the Truth, Timmy. Inspired by her experience as both a mother and an elementary special education teacher, the story uses rhyme and bright visuals to teach social-emotional lessons.
“There are consequences for being dishonest, but there is peace that comes with telling the truth,” she said.
At its core, the Kids Book Bash is about more than books. It is about imagination, community and helping children connect reading with joy.
When asked what she hopes children remember most, Shon said, “I hope they remember that they had fun. If they can remember, ‘There were books, and I was happy,’ that connects reading with joy. And when reading becomes tied to a happy memory, that sticks.” Kids Book Bash presented by Shon's Stories will be held at Cliffdale Recreation Center at 10 a.m. If you have questions, you can email shonsstoriestoday@gmail.com. 

(Photo: Kids listen to a story during a Shon's Stories event. Photo courtesy of Shon's Stories' Facebook page)