Entertainment

Local Fall treats: Find your perfect Fayetteville pumpkin

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Tuesday, 08 October 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

One cherished autumn tradition for families is visiting pumpkin patches to select the perfect pumpkins for carving, painting, and decorating. Below is a list of nearby patches you might consider exploring.

Gallberry Corn Maze
5991 Braxton Rd, Hope Mills
910-309-7582
https://gallberrycornmaze.com/attractions/
Gallberry Corn Maze spans 12 acres of pure, farm-inspired entertainment, offering nearly 20 exciting attractions for the entire family. Don’t miss the chance to explore some of these delightful activities before or after your visit to the pumpkin patch.

Gross Farms
1606 Pickett Road, Sanford
919-498-6727
https://www.grossfarms.com/fall
At Gross Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, a historic 7th-generation North Carolina Century Farm, there are activities to delight visitors of every age. Wander through the expansive corn maze, revel in the thrill of selecting your own pumpkin, and take a leisurely hayride around their bustling farm.

 Gillis Hill Farm
2701 Gillis Hill Rd
910-867-2350
https://www.gillishillfarm.com/
Explore Gillis Hill Farm, a ninth-generation marvel where guests can wander through historic grounds, partake in engaging agritourism experiences, and select the ideal pumpkin.

Pates Farm Market
6411 Raeford Rd
910-426-1575
https://patesfarmmarket.com/
During the autumn season, Pates Farm Market offers an array of pumpkins, vibrant mums, colorful pansies, hardy cold crops, and festive Halloween yard decorations.

Nazro Farms
145 Bettie Hamilton Lane, Spring Lake
https://www.facebook.com/nazrofarms
Gather your family and head over to Nazro Farms, where the pumpkin patch is now open for the season. Enjoy a day filled with vibrant vendors, delectable food trucks, and a delightful array of pumpkins and mums. Don’t miss out on the fun farm activities, including the challenge of navigating through a sprawling 6-acre corn maze.

Hubb’s Farm
10276 US Hwy 421 North, Clinton
910-564-6709
https://www.hubbsfarmnc.com/fall-festival-corn-maze-pumpkin-patch/
Hubb’s Farm welcomes visitors during the fall season, offering an exciting array of events and activities. Highlights include the famous 10-acre corn maze, a vibrant pumpkin patch, engaging farm animal encounters, and many other fun attractions that create memorable experiences for families and friends alike.

Local & Near By Apple Picking
A fantastic autumn pastime is harvesting apples. Enjoy the picturesque fall farm views while collecting fruit to create an array of mouthwatering recipes.

Millstone Creek Orchards
506 Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur
336-824-5263
https://www.millstonecreekorchards.com/
Picking apples at Millstone Creek Orchard is a heartwarming way to make memories that last. The orchard invites you for an Apple Pickin’ Adventure, where you’ll enjoy harvesting your own fruit, soaking in the fall scenery, and experiencing other autumn delights. From hayrides to cider pressing demos and refreshing apple cider slushies, there’s something for everyone. Join the fun and create unforgettable moments in this picturesque setting.

Stoney Point Fire Department Trail of Terror gives thrills, chills

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Tuesday, 01 October 2024

Written by Kathleen Ramsey

Paul Crenshaw walks through the “mansion” at the back of the Stoney Point Fire Department. This building has stood for years since a local dentist donated the building to the Stoney Point Fire Department’s Trail of Terror event. It has become a staple of the event.
Crenshaw walks into the first room and then says he’s going to kill the white lights inside the building to give a more realistic view of what the trail will look like on Friday and Saturday nights in October. The rooms go black except for shallow lighting that reflects off broken doll faces and cobwebs. The music kicks on and the hum of low voices can be heard throughout the room.
Despite Crenshaw’s title as part of the special effects team for the Trail of Terror, he does not like haunts.
“I despise scary things,” he says, walking through the dimly lit hallways. “I do this because I love the fire station.”
He maneuvers through the first few rooms in the mansion. Creepy dummies, lights and paintings adorn each new space. Each room Crenshaw passes between is a spookier scene than the last.
Crenshaw, who is also a volunteer firefighter for the station, takes a turn into two hallways that run parallel to each other. Inside, the only light that can be seen are a couple of spots where green lasers are placed.
“When I pump the fog in, it looks like a swamp in here,” he says. “I’m in the midst of getting all the lasers in here. The lasers will actually … hold on.”
He stops for a second, has an idea and pulls his vape from his pocket. After a puff, he blows the smoke in the area where the lasers are focused revealing swirling clouds of smoke that resemble the look of murky green water. Crenshaw admits he needs to put more lasers in this portion of the trail before the first weekend in October, the opening weekend for the trail. Behind Crenshaw is Cynthia Buie, a member of the Stoney Point Auxiliary and social media coordinator for the Trail of Terror. She has more of a grin on her face than the determined, focused one Crenshaw wears. Buie likes haunts, she says.
The Trail of Terror is the main fundraiser for the Stoney Point Fire Department — an event that brought the station about $200,000 in funds last year. Aside from the tax dollars, these are the only funds the firefighters at this station use to add on and keep all of their equipment. The Trail is run by volunteers, including a little more than 100 actors from local schools who volunteer their time from after school until about midnight on the nights when the trail is open.
“On our good nights, we’ll have roughly 100 actors. It seems like a lot but the trail is so big,” Buie says.
Like most years, Buie and Crenshaw say the trail has to change up a little bit. This year they will have some of the regular favorites on the trail like the butcher, a clown scene and the asylum but they changed some individual pieces throughout and added in a large new addition — an abandoned mine. And of course, there’s the regular room they have where people often get lost trying to navigate their way through — adding to the thrill and panic of it all.
“There’s so much fog in here that you can’t see,” Crenshaw says.
The crew who work on the Trail of Terror begin the process around March or April each year, spending hundreds of hours creating new additions or building new sites onto the show. This year, they have transitioned to a computer-controlled audio system. Crenshaw says this gives them a huge opportunity to be truly interactive throughout the entire trail.
“It’s a pretty good upgrade.”
What Crenshaw has been working on steadily is the abandoned mine. The idea came because the makeup artist for the trail asked what special effects he could bring to a new addition to help drum up ideas for what they wanted to add to the show.
“I said, ‘I can blow stuff up.’”
Eventually that led to creating a mine.
The walls of the walking space for the mine themselves took more than a month to build. It’s a large tangle of dark hallways and will be full of “hellacious” noises once the trail is completely up and running. For now, they are testing out the pressure pads and special effects to make sure the construction, the artistry of decoration and sound effects all come
together well.
“It all has to come together to put on a great show,” Buie says, pointing to the 3D shapes sticking out of the wall of the mine. “You want to give them their money’s worth for sure.”
This is also why Buie says they really try to focus on what pieces that are well-loved to keep and how to change up other portions so the repeat trailgoers can have new experiences year after year. She and Crenshaw finally step out of the mine and make their way toward the end of the trail —through a few more scenes, of course.
At the end of the trail, they say they have a few surprises planned for those attending, like a popular actor sporting a Pennywise costume. With a chunk of the special effects not up and the actors not on the trail, it took Crenshaw and Buie about 25 minutes to walk the scenes together. Buie looks back at the trail that sprawls all throughout the woods.
“It’s roughly about 40 minutes but if you run, you can get it done quicker,” she says with a laugh.
The trail has no age restrictions even though Buie and others recommend it for about ages 12 and up. According to Buie, the people who come out are kids who come in on their parents’ hips all the way to guests who are in their 70s. The trail has been made accessible for the handicapped goers as well, Crenshaw adds. Stoney Point Fire Station is located at 7221 Stoney Point Road. The trail will begin the first weekend of October and run each Friday and Saturday night as well as Halloween night itself.
Buie looks back at the building that will soon be filled with 100 to 140 actors and 4 or 5 makeup artists. They get ready in there, she points, and then they hang out in the bays of the fire department. Once the clock hits 9 p.m. on those nights, someone will call out that the trail is “hot,” and the monsters will be ready to play.
For more information or for tickets, visit https://www.undeadfd.com. VIP passes will also be available allowing eventgoers to skip the line and go straight to the trail.

(Photos by Kathleen Ramsey)

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Fayetteville to be held Oct. 26

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Tuesday, 08 October 2024

Written by Lena Simmons

The Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina is hosting a Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Fayetteville on Oct. 26, at Segra Stadium, 460 Hay Street. Check-in is at 9 a.m. The opening ceremony is at 10 a.m. and the walk starts at 10:30 a.m.
“On Walk Day, participants and those affected with Alzheimer’s will participate in a poignant Promise Garden Ceremony-a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. During the ceremony, walkers will carry flowers of assorted colors, each color representing their personal connection to the disease,” according to Alzheimer’s’ Association Press Release.
There is a difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
“Dementia is a general term that describes symptoms that affect cognitive ability, memory, thinking, and behavior. It is not a specific disease but rather an umbrella term for a group of symptoms. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause or type of Dementia, accounting for a majority of the cases. It is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects memory and cognitive functions,” according to Diane Sievert, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
According to the AARP website, there are 10 Warning Signs of Dementia You Should Not Ignore: “Difficulty with everyday tasks, repetition, communication problems, getting lost, personality changes, confusion about time and place, misplacing things, troubling behavior, loss of interest or apathy, and forgetting old memories. Dementia can have multiple forms Lewy body, Vascular, Frontotemporal Disorder, and Alzheimer’s.”
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide, voluntary, health organization, dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end all Alzheimer’s and all other dementia- by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction, and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support, according to the Alzheimer’s Association website.
Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina provides “Patient and family services, information, referrals, education, and advocacy in 51 counties. It offers involvement and a variety of services such as support groups, educational programs, and care consultations,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association-Eastern North Carolina website.
Kara Harrington, Senior Director, Marketing and Communication, Alzheimer’s Association of North Carolina shares insights and crucial statistics concerning Alzheimer’s awareness.
“Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Our walk day is an opportunity for the community to come together and connect for personal reasons to end the disease. Whether they are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, have lost someone to the disease, are supporting or caring for someone with the disease, or just support the vision of a world without Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is a powerful morning of connection and inspiration,” she said.
“The Alzheimer’s Association Eastern Carolina is committed to advocating for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s disease and advancing critical research toward treatment, prevention, and a cure. We also offer a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900, that is available to anyone with a question or needing support or resources,” Harrington said.
“One in nine people aged 65 has Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly two-thirds of the Alzheimer’s population are women, non-Hispanics Blacks. Hispanics are disproportionately more likely than older whites to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias. There are an estimated 6.9 million persons living with Alzheimer’s in the United States within the population of 65 and older, and Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth highest cause of death for persons 65 and older (recent statistic available is 2021).
“In North Carolina, 373,000 caregivers provide a total of 723 hours of unpaid labor, valued at a total of 10.9 billion dollars,” Harrington said.
The moment is now. Join the walk. Register as a team captain, volunteer, or sponsor for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s-Fayetteville. For more information visit the website, alz.org/northcarolina or email ksharrington@alz.org

(Photo: Participants in a past Walk to End Alzheimer’s carry purple flowers. Photo courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association Eastern North Carolina)

FSU celebrates Homecoming 2024

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Tuesday, 01 October 2024

Written by Amber Little

Homecoming is an experience unlike any other—a week-long celebration of educational excellence and culture that occurs once a year on campuses all over America. At Historically Black College/University campuses, homecoming represents the resilience of the black community and the ability to succeed and prosper. Since their inception, HBCUs have produced some of the greatest scholars in American history, including Katherine Johnson, John Lewis, and Booker T. Washington. They have also been the choices of higher education for many notable politicians like Jesse Jackson and entertainers we love today, like Samuel L. Jackson. To attend and graduate from an HBCU, for many is a rite of passage and for all a point of pride.
Fayetteville State University Homecoming 2024 is scheduled from Oct. 20-27. Most of the week’s activities and events leading to game day are reserved for students and alumni. With this year marking the “Golden Reunion” for some alumni classes, this year’s lineup is jam-packed with memory-making festivities.
Alumni Event Schedule
Thursday
• Annual Alumni & Friends Welcome Cocktail Party, Seabrook Auditorium Lobby & Terrace
Wine Down @ Dusk, Featuring DJ Energizer
($20) Wine Bar, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Hangout Thursday, Presented by The Randall Group & FSU NAA, Uptown Chicken & Waffles, 1707 Owen Dr.
Free Event, 7 p.m. to midnight
Friday
• Fayetteville State University National Alumni Association Coronation and Awards Ceremony, Seabrook Auditorium
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday
• ALL Reunion Class Lunch & Photos, Student Center Terrace
Noon to 1:30 p.m. ($20)
Buffet Lunch to Go! Live DJ! Pre-Game Gathering!
Celebrating ALL Milestone Reunion Classes
1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019
Sunday
• Farewell Fellowship & Recognition Service, Embassy Suites (4760 Lake Valley Drive)
Free, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Recognition Milestone Reunion Class & Fallen Broncos
For those who are not a part of the Bronco student body or have alumni status, there will be plenty of school-sponsored events to enjoy and help celebrate the blue and white. Friday is the Homecoming Step Show. A time-honored tradition on HBCU campuses, fraternities, and sororities, also known as the Divine 9, participants will battle it out and bring out their best “stroll.”
No Homecoming would be complete without a parade, a tailgate, and a good game. Saturdays are for football, and homecoming is no different. The annual parade will begin at 9 a.m. and will feature some of the best bands and dancers in the area. The parade route starts on Murchinson Rd., at the intersection of Moore and Bruner Street, and travels northwest up Murchinson Rd., past the FSU campus. Anyone looking to attend should come early to secure a good spot.
After the parade, it’s time to gear up for everyone’s favorite fall pastime, tailgating. Tailgating is by reservation only and is limited to 2 spots per person. This year the FSU Broncos will be taking on the Shaw Bears, a game that will see two HBCU football programs face off for bragging rights. The game starts at 2:30 p.m. at Luther Nick Jerald Stadium located at 1401 Murchinson Rd. Tickets are $45 per adult and $29 for children. Military and student discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/41643942/fayetteville-state-university-versus-shaw-university-fsu-ticket-office-9106721724-home-coming-fayetteville-luther-nick-jeralds-football-stadiumfayetteville-state-university.
Homecoming 2024 is expected to be bigger and better than last year. There are also several local businesses taking advantage of this festive occasion with many bars and venues running specials and events. There will be no shortage of things to do to celebrate FSU Homecoming. For more information on university-sanctioned homecoming events visit the website at https://www.uncfsu.edu/homecoming