Closing the curtain on the 2018-19 season, Givens Performing Arts Center brings The Midtown Men to the stage April 15 as part of its Professional Artist Series.

The Midtown Men brings together stars from the original cast of “Jersey Boys.” It is the first vocal group formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show. The group, made up of Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer, pulls out all the stops, bringing onstage chemistry and heartpumping 1960s classics to the stage.

While “Jersey Boys” is a play that tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, The Midtown Men is a concert that showcases the most popular hits of an entire decade, celebrating genres from Motown to rock ’n’ roll, beach music, pop, rhythm and blues, country music and more.

The 1960s was a time of great change and upheaval, and it is reflected in the music of that decade, as are traditional musical themes like coming of age and unrequited love.

“There is so much diversity in the 1960s music,” said band member and Tony award winner Hoff. “If you look at the groundbreaking things that happened in the 1960s, there was so much going on in the world — and it was reflected in the arts, including music.” The world has changed a lot since the ’60s, but Hoff noted that it is a decade that still has a lot to offer, especially in today’s fast-paced, high-tech world. And that is where The Midtown Men come in.

“We bring a relevance to today’s digital culture, using live analog music,” said Hoff. “As much as (the show) is a celebration of the past, it is also a celebration of the future. That is what brings audiences of all ages together. We have generations of families that come together to see our shows.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for The Midtown Men range between $21-$36 for adults and are $10 for children and UNCP students.

The Midtown Men is being held in conjunction with the Act I Diner’s Club. Themed meals will be available for an extra charge, and will be served in the Chancellor’s Dining Room before performances in GPAC. Call the GPAC box office at 910-521-6361 for information.

Visit www.uncp.edu/gpac to see the full list of shows coming this season, or call 910-521-6361.

Here are the top wrestlers from the Sandhills Athletic Conference 2018-19 based on won-lost record.

106 — First team: Matthew Rowland, Pinecrest

Second team: Jabrial Andres Sanchez, Richmond Senior

113 — First team: Justin Kelly, Lumberton

Second team: Joseph Nicholson, Richmond Senior

120 — First team: Kevin Wanovich, Jack Britt

Second team: William Caden Scott, Purnell Swett

126 — First team: Caleb Long, Jack Britt

Second team: Richard Guzman, Seventy-First

132 — First team: Yakemiean Johnson, 

Second team: Corbin Kumor, Hoke County

138— First team: Austin Lowery, Lumberton

Second team: Dane Matthews, Pinecrest

145 — First team: Parker Corwin, Pinecrest

Second team: John Baker, Jack Britt

152 — First team: Austin Gallop, Richmond Senior

Second team: Monroe Payton, Pinecrest

160 — First team: Hunter Hillis, Pinecrest

Second team: Denzel Carrucini, Jack Britt

170 — First team: Chad Jernigan, Jack Britt

Second team: Jeremiah McRimmon, Scotland

182 — First team: Latrell Havner, Seventy-First

Second team: Ali Shahbaz, Lumberton

195 — First team: Erick Martinez, Jack Britt

Second team: Edward Brock, Lumberton

220 — First team: Alex Hammond, Lumberton

Second team: Aidan Alston, Pinecrest

285 — First team: Tray Regan, Lumberton

Second team: Chase Godwin, Pinecrest

Photo: Caleb Long

Gerald Pone said his late brother John Dove “J.D.” Pone wasn’t an exceptional athlete, but that it never stopped J.D. from being an avid promoter of opportunities for Cumberland County young people to take part in a variety of sports.

At a ceremony held Saturday, March 30, Cumberland County honored Pone for his years of work on behalf of the county’s youth. The county officially renamed the Gray’s Creek Recreation Center the John Dove “J.D.” Pone Recreation Center in his memory. The center is located at 2964 School Rd. in Hope Mills. In addition to having his name placed on the front of the building, a plaque was unveiled inside.

Delivering remarks during the ceremony were Dr. Jeannette Council, chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners; Helen Brockett of the Gray’s Creek Ruritan Club; and Dachia Pone Davis on behalf of the Pone family.

The ceremony was hosted by the Cumberland County Commissioners. The naming of the center was unanimously approved by the commissioners in memory of J.D. Pone, who passed away in April of 2016.

Pone worked as a volunteer with various youth organizations in Cumberland County, including the Gray’s Creek Youth Association, and served as chairman of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. He was also a member of the board of directors for Communities United for Youth Development.

In addition to his work with youth programs, Pone was deputy chief of the Gray’s Creek Fire Department Station 24 and chaplain for the Cumberland County Fire Chiefs’ Association.

Gerald Pone, J.D.’s brother, was a basketball player for Ron Miller at South View High School. He remembers 30 years ago when the Gray’s Creek community began to organize sports opportunities for young people.

He and J.D. both had sons who were old enough to play recreation sports, and J.D. became a coach.

“He just fell in love with it,’’ Gerald said of J.D. “They asked him to be on the advisory board for Cumberland County. He’s the kind of person who hated to say no to anything. He became involved in that as well.’’

Gerald said his brother showed no special allegiance to any particular sport.

“It didn’t matter if it was baseball, basketball, football soccer or whatever,’’ Gerald said. “As long as the children participated, he wanted them involved in something that  off the streets, keep them focused on athletics.’’

Gerald said the options to play sports that his brother helped promote were a large vehicle for young people in the Gray’s Creek community to take them other places in life.

He said his entire family was deeply honored by the ceremony put on by the county to rename the recreation center for his brother.

“It was overwhelming,’’ he said. “My family and I appreciate all the support, everyone who showed up, even those who didn’t show up but thought about us. It was fantastic.’’

Gerald added that it’s important that the name of someone like his brother will live on at the recreation center.

“Young people need to know there are people in the community that really care about them,’’ he said, “not only to see them in sports, but to see them involved in anything that’s going on to help them succeed in life.

“That’s where his heart was,  wanting to see the growth of young people.’’

With Easter just around the corner, an Easter egg hunt is a great way to have a fun and entertain the family. Festival Park is home to an epic annual event that includes thousands of eggs and much more. Epicenter Church presents Hop in the Park Friday, April 19, from 6-10 p.m. in Festival Park.

“Several years ago, we had a dream to do something for our community around Easter, and we know a lot of churches did Easter egg hunts. We did not want to do a typical Easter egg hunt,” said Mark Knight, lead pastor at Epicenter Church. “We had an idea to do something called Operation Egg Drop, where we were going to have a helicopter fly over a field and drop over 1,000 eggs — but someone from the city did not like that idea.”

That didn’t slow down the planning committee, though. Knight added that they planned for the next year and decided to do Hop in the Park. Originally, they planned to have 5,000 people in attendance. Thirteen thousand people showed up.

Since then, the event has grown every year. There have been as many as 30,000 people in attendance. 

Now, it’s so much more than an egg hunt. Hop in the Park is a family-friendly festival filled with wholesome activities and entertainment, including a skydiving Easter Bunny, egg hunts by age, huge inflatables, carnival rides, a movie in the park, live music, vendors, games, bouncy houses, food and much more.

“This event is a way for our church to follow one of the mantras we have, which is ‘save people, serve people,’” said Knight. “That represents victory for people who call themselves Christ followers, and that’s why we do it. The kids can come out to play, and we will have free food, cotton candy, hot dogs, pizza and drinks.”

Knight added they want to be known as a church that gives things away, which is why this event is free.

“This is something that we want to do to celebrate with our community. We want to show them there’s love in our community.... We invite everyone to come out and enjoy this event.”

The event is free and open to the public. To register, visit www.hopinthepark.com.

Terry Sanford lacrosse coach Jennifer White said Bulldog junior standout Mattie Davis has been playing the sport since she was born.

It shows.

Recently, the University of Jacksonville recruit reached a milestone in her young career with the Bulldogs, scoring her 100th career goal.

According to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association record book, she’s one of less than 10 players in North Carolina high school lacrosse to reach that number.

Davis comes by it naturally. Her dad is Wes Davis, who is Terry Sanford’s assistant coach and who helped start lacrosse at the recreation level in Cumberland County.

White said Davis, a midfielder, does a little bit of everything for the Bulldog team. She plays offense and defense and takes the draw to start each possession.

“She has incredible stick skills,’’ White said. “She catches the ball well and keeps the ball on her stick well. Her shooting is amazing. She knows how to throw fakes and when to throw them.

“She sees the field very well. She’s got incredible defense skills. She’s like a ground ball machine.’’ White said it’s rare for a junior to already be at the 100-goal mark for a career. “In 2 1/2 seasons she’s got that number,’’ White said. “She’s got a whole year and a half to grow that number.’’

Although she’s being singled out for her individual accomplishments, Davis said she loves lacrosse because it’s a team sport. “There’s no way you can play lacrosse individually,’’ she said. “You have to rely on your teammates, and it brings people together. I like it because every team I play on feels like family. It’s also a really fast sport, so it’s always going.’’

Aside from game skills, Davis likes to think she’s got good people skills as well. “I think I’m a good leader, on and off the field,’’ she said. “I love to encourage people. I don’t like to see anyone get down on themselves. I feel like I’m really good at picking people up.’’

Her love of team and family are big reasons why she chose to commit to Jacksonville. “I love the coaches down there and the environment,’’ she said. “They revolve everything around family, which I’m big on. They are like a top 30 team in the nation. All of those things feed into it.’’

Davis has obviously had a lot to do with Terry Sanford’s success this season. As of April 3, the Bulldogs are 6-4 overall. They play  April 12. The regular season ends Monday, April 15, at Jack Britt.

The Bulldogs are in contention to make the state 3-A lacrosse playoffs again. As of April 3, they are ranked No. 14 among 3-A teams in the state, according to MaxPreps.

White said it’s a continuing struggle to grow the lacrosse program at Terry Sanford. “We have some travel teams around here, but Raleigh has them everywhere and year-round,’’ White said. “They’ve had a program for 12 years, and we’re on our fourth year. It’s easier for them to be part of a travel team.’’ 

Davis said it’s a matter of commitment. “It’s a  she said. “Running around with a stick is not the easiest thing in the world. People need to become more interested in it, willing to try and (be) committed to it.’’

Photo: Mattie Davis

Have you ever wondered how a snake wrapped around a stick came to be the symbol of physicians? Probably not. Bear with me anyway.

Maybe you just wondered how long Dook will keep recruiting One & Dones and not winning the basketball championship. How long before Coach K finally realizes that sending out a different flock of freshman each year into the Big Dance isn’t getting the job done? But that is a story for another day.

Today, we are going to try to answer Greek mythology’s version of Samuel L. Jackson’s classic statement in the greatest movie ever released in 2006, the immortal “Snakes on a Plane.” In that movie, Sam uttered the immortal words (herein cleaned up, as this is a family newspaper), “I’ve had it with these gosh darned snakes on this gosh darned plane!”

Today, we shall learn how that gosh darned snake got on the doctor’s stick.

Once upon a time, a major Greek god named Apollo got up close and personal with the lovely goddess Coronis. From this union they begat their son Asclepius. Because his name was so hard to pronounce, his buddies just called him Asky. Coronis, being a big ole friendly gal, was just too frisky for one man to keep her satisfied. While preggers with Asky, she went off on a long weekend to Myrtle Beach during the high holy days with her old boyfriend, Iskhys.

A little bird, a raven, told Apollo about Coronis’ dalliance with Izzy. This did not sit well with Apollo. Apollo sent his cranky sister, Artemis, to kill Coronis. She whacked Coronis using a bunch of arrows covered in plague juice.

Apollo put Coronis to barbecue on the old funeral pyre with Asky still in utero. At the last minute, Apollo decided that his son didn’t need to pay for the sins of his mother. He yanked Asky out of Coronis, saving Asky’s life.

Apollo felt kind of sorry for having Coronis killed, so he did what men in power always do. He blamed someone else.

At the time the raven had tattled on Coronis, the raven’s feathers were all white. To punish the raven for ratting out Coronis, Apollo turned the raven’s feathers black. That is why ravens are black today. Bet you didn’t know that.

Back to our story. Apollo hired the centaur Chiron to raise Asky. Chiron was at least as smart as the famous Mr. Ed. Chiron taught Asky how to heal people. Asky turned out to be an apt pupil. He got so good at healing people that, on occasion, he even raised people from the dead.

Asky, being a universally kind person, went out of his way to be nice to a snake. The snake turned out to be enchanted and could whisper. In a fit of gratitude for Asky’s kindness, the snake licked Asky’s ears clean. While the snake was licking, he whispered into Asky’s ears many secrets for healing the sick.

There are other versions about how the grateful snake ended up on Asky’s rod. One version is based on the “worm theory.” Back in the olden days, it was not uncommon for people to have a long, parasitic worm invade their bodies. In order to get the worms out of people, the physician would make a cut in the person’s body in front of the direction the worm was heading. The worm would poke his head out of the cut. The physician would then wrap the worm around a stick —like wrapping spaghetti around a spoon.

Another version says when God sent fiery serpents to bite the Israelites who had been disobedient to Moses, Moses put up a pole with a bronze snake on it. An Israelite who looked at the bronze snake on the pole would not die from snake bites.

As a result of all these stories, the snake wrapped around a rod became the symbol of physicians.

Under the heading of “no good deed goes unpunished,” all of this healing by Asky began to irritate Zeus, the king of the gods. Zeus was afraid that Asky going around healing people and raising the dead might ultimately result in Asky making peoplekind immortal.

The last straw for Zeus occurred when Asky brought Hippolytus back from the dead and got paid for it. Zeus did not want a bunch of humans becoming immortals as rivals to the existing gods. So, Zeus went to his friendly one-eyed neighborhood lightning bolt fabricator, the Cyclops. Using a coupon, he bought a thunderbolt. Zeus then zapped Asky with the thunderbolt, causing Asky to expire.

Asky’s dad, Apollo, was not happy that Zeus killed Asky but was afraid to take on Zeus. Instead, Apollo killed the Cyclops for making the thunderbolt.

Predating the National Rifle Association, Apollo reasoned thunderbolts don’t kill people, Cyclops kill people. As a consolation prize for being dead, Zeus picked up Asky’s lifeless body and hung it in the sky in the constellation Ophiuchus, the Serpent Holder. Asky remains hanging in the night sky in his very own constellation to this very day. Go out tonight and take a look up at Asky.

And now you know the rest of the story. Snakes on a stick — or on a plane. It’s all the same. Like Roseanne Roseannadanna once said, “It’s always something.”

As a young man enthusiastic and well entrenched in my first real career after leaving the Army and going to work with Fasco Industries, I (Bill Bowman) was oblivious to the fact that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was performing a concert in what is now the old Cumberland County Arena. That was in 1976. It would be another 12 years before I realized the significance of that musically historic visit.

Elvis Presley was live and in person here in Fayetteville, North Carolina. By all accounts, his performance was grand. However, his visit here was pleasantly unusual and unique in several respects.

The first concert was Aug. 3, 1976. It was a sold-out event. Presley was impressed that Fayetteville was the home of Fort Bragg, and he wanted to do something special to honor the military while also thanking Fayetteville fans for their enthusiastic reception. He requested to do two additional shows on successive days.

Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, agreed. All three performances, Aug. 3-5, sold out, according to Paul Beard, who was the Arena operations manager at the time.

What many fans did not realize was that all three performances were recorded. Graceland Records released a three-disk CD pack titled “Next Stop: Fayetteville.” It was sold with a 44-page booklet of rare photos of Elvis onstage here in Fayetteville. You can find it on You Tube.

In the video, you can feel the energy and hear the excitement of 6,000 screaming fans. News reports at the time said Elvis and his entire entourage rented the top floor of what once was the Ramada Inn hotel on Eastern Boulevard.

Elvis’ enthusiastic reception and three days of sold-out performances, complete with live recordings of his music, were such a success that Parker scheduled a return to  Aug. 25, 1977.

Unfortunately, he never did return. Elvis died of a heart attack at his home in Graceland Aug. 6, 1977, at the age of 42. Local fans were saddened, shocked and disappointed. Anticipating what was expected to be another stellar, sold-out concert, fans had purchased tickets for $12.50 and $15. The

Arena offered refunds but also provided the option to donate the ticket money to a local charity. Hundreds of ticket holders chose the latter. Their names were placed on a plaque honoring Elvis and put on permanent display in the hallway of the Arena, along with several photos of Elvis’ past performances. Those photos and other memorabilia remained on the wall as a memorial to Elvis for many years — until 2008, when the Arena underwent a significant renovation.

During this period, Beard, while serving as the facility manager under then-general manager Rick Reno, noticed something. During the interior renovation project, the Elvis photos and mementos had been removed from the wall and placed in a receptacle along with other construction debris. Fearing they would be mistakenly discarded as trash, the quick-thinking Beard, who is an Elvis fan, removed the framed photos and plaques and safely packed them   away in a Tupperware crate. He stored them in his backyard shed. Beard knew the Elvis memorabilia represented one of the greatest performances ever staged in Fayetteville.

These treasures remained in Beard’s shed for more than a decade — until Fayetteville Observer senior columnist Bill Kirby received several inquiries about what ever happened to the Elvis pictures.

Beard, who is a Fayetteville resident and the general manager of the Florence, South Carolina, Civic Center, graciously dug them out and turned them over to the Crown Coliseum Complex. Elvis is now back in the house. Well, not quite. The Crown board of directors haven’t yet figured out what to do with the newly recovered treasures. However, what we do know is there is much public interest in seeing these mementos.

So, to this end, Up & Coming Weekly asked the Coliseum board to loan us the pieces for one day — April 13. We will have them on display for public viewing at our office during the Fayetteville Fans First Look at the new Segra Stadium, where the Fayetteville Woodpeckers will host their first game April 18. Our office is only about a 5-minute walk from the stadium. 

The Elvis Presley photo display will be in Gallery 208 at 208 Rowan St., Up & Coming Weekly’s corporate offices. Hours are 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Both Fayetteville Observer former Arena manager Paul Beard will be on hand during the day to personally share their experiences and walk us down memory lane. Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop will also be present with Elvis signs, posters, refreshments, free gift coupons and assorted souvenirs.

A very special thanks to Kirby for his excellent Fayetteville Observer reporting and coverage of this story. And, to Beard for his insight, professionalism and quick action that salvaged a part of Fayetteville’s musical history. And many thanks to my colleague, Up & Coming Weekly’s senior reporter, and my friend, Jeff Thompson, who assisted me with this article.

And, of course, to our readers: Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

Abel Abraham 

Terry Sanford • Golf/ swimming • Junior

Abraham has a 4.76 grade point average. He is a member of Science Olympiad, Mock Trial, Mu Alpha Theta, Vision Club and Tutoring Club.

Jason Chay

Jack Britt • Tennis • Senior

Chay has a 4.0 grade point average. According to the latest statistics on MaxPreps through April 3, Chay is 6-1 in singles and 5-1 in doubles this season.

The concept of The Friendship House first came to fruition in Holland, Michigan, in 2007. Now, there is one in Fayetteville. The Friendship House serves young adults with intellectual development disabilities by pairing them with roommates who are often college students or young professionals. The goal is to help these young adults, but often, it’s the roommates who gain the most. The Friendship House Fayetteville is the fifth Friendship House to use this model.

“We did change our model to focus more on health care and allied health care graduate students and students,” said Tara Hinton, director of community relations and philanthropy for ServiceSource. ServiceSource, a larger nonprofit, is the leasee in partnership with Highland Presbyterian Church of the campus. It oversees operations of Friendship House Fayetteville. 

Hinton explained that, while Friendship House Fayetteville is not a caretaking facility or group home, it developed its health care-leaning culture because of its resident director, Dr. Scott Cameron.

“Dr. Cameron’s experiences were life-changing and caused him to open up and become more passionate for those with disabilities, personally and through his practice of medicine. He is the visionary for Friendship House Fayetteville,” she said.

Cameron lived in Friendship House Durham during his seminary training. He is currently a neonatal intensive care unit physician at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. He also serves as the volunteer chaplain and resident director for Friendship House Fayetteville.

“(Fayetteville community members) took a field trip about 3 1/2 years ago to The Friendship House Durham, and a couple of community members were interested in helping see this come to fruition,” said Hinton. “We spent many hours there talking to the students, and they were all divinity students.

“We learned how living at Friendship House changed them. One student made me tear up when he told me he signed up to make a difference, but the individuals changed him and made a difference in his life more than he could ever help them.”

Hinton added that the visitors traveled back home with the idea to build a Friendship House in Fayetteville — and they made it happen.

In each apartment at Friendship House Fayetteville, there are four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

“There are three people living with one friend resident, and the friend resident is a young person who has an intellectual development disability such as Autism or Down syndrome,” said Hinton. “The goal for those parties is for the friend resident to maximize their interdependence, whether that’s cooking, budgeting, grocery shopping or transportation to a job — and ServiceSource helps with that piece of the puzzle.”

Hinton added ServiceSource has a job coach who helps the friend residents obtain gainful employment, find volunteer positions in the community and become productive. The other three roommates, usually students, are there to share life and friendship with the resident. This gives the resident the ability to live amongst their peers and feel included.

“Our focus today is recruiting students and young professionals,” said Hinton. “This is a wonderful opportunity to look at people with different abilities and spiritual gifts and to appreciate those gifts and talents — because none of us are perfect.”

All-inclusive expenses for this living arrangement are $450 per month. The apartments are located in central Haymount. For more information, call 910-826-4699 ext. 249.

No matter which side of the pro- or anti-gay marriage fence you fall on, “The Cake” is an entertaining and touching look at how people can disagree and still treat each other with respect and love. “The Cake,” showing at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre through April 21, introduces us to Della (played by Libby McNeill Seymour), a sweet, Southern woman who owns a bake shop in Winston- Salem. When Jen (played by Jessica Giannone), the daughter of Della’s deceased best friend, returns home to North Carolina to get married, she asks Della to bake a wedding cake. Della is thrilled — until she finds out that Jen is marrying another woman, Macy (played by Olivia London).

First, let me say — it’s not about the cake. Second, it is refreshing to see a production like “The Cake” that shows the struggle on both sides of the topic of gay rights. The public discourse on disagreeable topics has turned so ugly and disrespectful, it often results in outright dismissal of another’s beliefs simply because we don’t believe the same.

We see a little piece of that in “The Cake,” when one character uses coarse language to unsettle another character’s almost biblical sense of propriety. Onstage, it’s a good thing, because it gets us thinking. It gets us talking about how rude or how spot-on it can be to unsettle someone or disparage their belief system.

Since I’m a big believer in theater as a venue for opening public discourse on tough topics, I applaud CFRT’s willingness to continue to do just that. Unlike last season’s “Disgraced,” which took a serious look at Islamophobia, “The Cake” offers a dash of laughter and a pinch of self-reflection.

Seymour does an outstanding job of portraying Della, who is forced to question her religious beliefs as she struggles with deciding whether or not she should make a cake for a gay wedding. Her decision could jeopardize her relationship with Jen, who is like a daughter to Della. Also spotlighted is Della’s marriage to Tim (played by Greg King), who is opposed to his wife participating in a gay wedding.

Seeing Seymour and King onstage together again is a treat. Both are CFRT veterans and last appeared together in “Sense and Sensibility.” I give readers fair warning, no matter how much you’ve enjoyed King’s performances in the past, after “The Cake” you will not be able to look at him (or mashed potatoes) the same again.

Giannone and London bring vulnerability couple who want to love and be loved being judged.

Playwright Bekah Brunstetter doesn’t try to present an answer to the hot-button topic of gay marriage in 90 minutes. What she does is deftlypresent the dilemma on both sides of the topic. Brunstetter, who is from Winston-Salem, has publicly discussed how the play reflects her own dilemma of reconciling her Southern Baptist upbringing with her adult life in New York and Los Angeles, where her political beliefs are often pitted against a vilified version of the kind and caring people she grew up with in North Carolina.

Don’t expect any big, dramatic character shifts that fix all the problems and settle all the disagreements. That is not how real life usually works. Sometimes, the biggest, most difficult step is just finding enough common ground to begin the conversation.

“The Cake” is directed by David Hemsley Caldwell and runs through April 21. For tickets or information, contact the box office at 910-323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org.

Photo: Libby McNeill Seymour as Della in “The Cake” 

Photo credit: Ashley Owen

 The FTCC financial aid department’s goal is to guide students through the  financial aid application and eligibility process so qualifying individuals can use financial aid as a means to pay for college and achieve educational goals. By providing information about FTCC’s current services and outreach initiatives, the department hopes to educate current and prospective students about all the financial aid office has to offer. Recently, the FTCC financial aid office launched a new campaign to reach high school seniors and to encourage them to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA.

In addition to FTCC’s FAFSA Days, which are offered at the Fayetteville campus, FTCC staff is now visiting local high schools for FAFSA Completion Nights.

The FTCC financial aid office will visit Terry Sanford High School on April 9, Seventy-First High School on April 11 and E.E. Smith High School on April 18. All FAFSA Nights are from 5:30-7 p.m.

FTCC is excited to kick off this FAFSA completion campaign and hopes other high schools will join in to provide high school seniors another opportunity for assistance in FAFSA completion.

FTCC is also a partner with Solutions at Educational Credit Management Corporation, a student loan default prevention company. Solutions at ECMC provide free student loan repayment assistance to former FTCC students.

This partnership is just one way the FTCC financial aid office demonstrates its commitment to students, even after they have left campus and are entering student loan repayment. Former FTCC students needing assistance with loan repayment can work with a counselor at Solutions at ECMC to find a payment plan that meets their individual needs. Students can reach counselors who will work with them to find a repayment solution that is unique to their situation at 1-877-331-3262.

In an effort to be more accessible to current and prospective students at all times, FTCC now offers an artificially intelligent chatbot named Penny on all of the financial aid sections of its website. Penny is available to answer questions at any time, day or night. Currently equipped with a library of more than 850 common financial aid questions and answers, Penny is constantly growing in knowledge, and FTCC staff continue to add new information to the knowledge bank.

Follow the FTCC financial aid office on Facebook for updates and informational videos that will help you keep up with the latest financial aid news, scholarship opportunities and more.

FTCC financial aid advisors are ready to assist prospective and current students in the Financial Aid Service Center, located in Room 2 of the Tony Rand Student Center at 2201 Hull Rd.

FTCC’s advisors can help you complete the 2018- 19 FAFSA for the summer 2019 semester or the 2019-20 FAFSA for the upcoming fall 2019, spring 2020 and summer 2020 semesters.

North Carolina Republican Party Chairman and former United States Congressman Robin Hayes, R-N.C., is one of several prominent Republican Party leaders charged with public corruption and graft for their alleged participation in a bribery scheme involving improper campaign contributions. Hayes, 73, of Concord, North Carolina, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999–2009.

A federal criminal indictment unsealed April 2 in the western district of North Carolina charges the founder and chairman of a multinational investment company, a company consultant and a second North Carolina political figure with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bribery, and aiding and abetting, concerning programs receiving federal funds. Hayes was also charged with three counts of lying to the FBI.

The indictment charges Greg E. Lindberg, 48, of Durham, North Carolina, the founder and chairman of Eli Global LLC and the owner of Global Bankers Insurance Group; John D. Gray, 68, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a Lindberg consultant and chairman of the Chatham County Republican Party; and Eli Global executive John V. Palermo, 63, of Pittsboro, North Carolina.

The defendants made their initial appearances April 2 before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler in federal court in Charlotte.

“The indictment... outlines a brazen bribery scheme in which Lindberg and his coconspirators allegedly offered hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions in exchange for official action that would benefit Lindberg’s business interests,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Benczkowski. “Bribery of public officials at any level of government undermines confidence in our political system.”

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, also a Republican, reported what he believed to be suspicious activity to the FBI in January 2018. “These men crossed the line from fundraising to felonies when they devised a plan to use their connections to a political party to attempt to influence the operations and policies of the North Carolina Department of Insurance,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John A. Strong.

According to allegations in the indictment, from April 2017 to August 2018, Lindberg, Gray, Palermo and Hayes devised a scheme to defraud the people of North Carolina by attempting to bribe the insurance commissioner to persuade him to take official action favorable to Lindberg’s company.

The defendants are accused of conspiring to offer and promise the commissioner millions of dollars in campaign contributions and other things of value, in exchange for the removal of the Department of Insurance senior deputy commissioner, who was responsible for overseeing regulations.

In late August 2018, FBI agents interviewed Hayes about his involvement with and knowledge of the alleged improper campaign contributions. During the interview, Hayes allegedly lied to FBI agents about directing funds, at Lindberg’s request, from Lindberg’s campaign contribution to the North Carolina state political party to the commissioner’s reelection campaign, about having any discussions with the commissioner about Lindberg or Gray, and about discussing with the commissioner personnel issues related to the commissioner’s office.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Photo: Robin Hayes

Taryn O’Connor 

Jack Britt • Softball • Senior 

O’Connor has a 4.2 grade point average. She was a member of Jack Britt’s 2018 state 4-A champion fast-pitch softball team. She scored 18 runs for the Buccaneers last season. 

Abby Heitkamp 

Jack Britt • Soccer • Senior 

Heitkamp has a 4.0 grade point average. Last year she was a Sandhills Athletic Conference all-conference selection in soccer. So far this season, she has one goal and one assist for the Buccaneers 

Here are some odds and ends of news from the Cumberland County high school sports scene. 

Vernon Aldridge, student activities director of Cumberland County Schools, recently released this year’s senior high school football schedule. View it on the page adjoining this one. 

The biggest news on this year’s schedule is that Terry Sanford will be playing all of its home games this fall at Reid Ross Classical High School’s John Daskal Stadium on Ramsey Street. 

After years of debating about what to do with Terry Sanford’s huge but aging brick stadium complex, school officials finally decided to tear it down over the summer and start construction on a new facility that won’t be ready until after the 2019 season is over. 

The Bulldogs will start the 2019 season with three road games and one open date, not playing their first game at Reid Ross until Sept. 20, when they take on Cape Fear. The Bulldogs only play four regular-season games on their temporary field at Reid Ross. Aldridge said when the Bulldogs open their new stadium in 2020 they hope to play seven home games. 

Elsewhere on the schedule for the other county teams, there are no major surprises. Gray’s Creek has a couple of nonconference meetings with Johnston County teams, South Johnston and West Johnston. Both Douglas Byrd and E.E. Smith will play an old county rival, Lee County. 

• In other news for Terry Sanford, last week, Bulldog basketball coach Darren Corbett announced on Twitter that he’s headed back to his hometown to coach at Grimsley High School in Greensboro. 

In just three seasons at Terry Sanford, Corbett compiled a 58-26 overall record, including 34-10 in the Patriot Athletic Conference. 

He guided Terry Sanford to three consecutive conference tournament championships and one regular-season title. 

His final Bulldog team compiled a 20-8 record and lost to Durham Hillside in the second round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association basketball playoffs. 

There is no word yet on how quickly Terry Sanford will begin the search to find Corbett’s replacement. 

• Reminder: Up & Coming Weekly’sRocket Fizz Scholar Athlete award is open to any senior high athlete in Cumberland County. 

The minimum requirements are an athlete must be a member in good standing of a varsity athletic team at his or her school and enrolled in grade 9-12. The minimum grade point average to be nominated is 3.2 unweighted. The athlete does not have to be a starter, just a current member of a varsity team. 

The award will continue until the end of May. To nominate an athlete, confirm the student’s grade point average with the school guidance department. Then email earlucwsports@gmail.com. Include the student’s GPA, sports played this year and year in school. Also include information about any clubs, extracurricular activities or community activities the student is involved with, along with a high-resolution picture of the student taken with a smartphone or digital camera. 

When most people reach career milestones, they take a little time to reflect and celebrate. Not Gray’s Creek High School baseball coach Jeff Nance. When Nance reached the 400th career win in his head coaching career recently, he observed it in an unusual way. He unveiled signs that were placed on the fence at the Gray’s Creek’s baseball field honoring two coaches who made a big impact on his life: Randy Ledford of South View and Brad Barbour of Douglas Byrd, both deceased. 

Nance said he began planning the recognition a year ago, long before he got his 400th victory. 

“I grew up watching both of them coach,’’ Nance said. “I played for Brad, (at Byrd and in American Legion baseball, and I coached against Randy. Coach Ledford was such good friends with my brother, Ronnie Luck.” 

Luck was the former athletic director at South View during Ledford’s tenure as the school’s baseball and football coach. 

Nance said both men taught him the value of taking good care of baseball facilities. “Coach Ledford and Coach Barbour were meticulous about their fields,’’ Nance said. “They took pride in the small things, cared about how their kids felt when they played. They wanted it to be a good experience.’’ 

Barbour was like a second father to Nance, picking him up to take him to practice and making sure he and the other players on the team had things they needed like shoes and gloves. “He made it nice for us and he loved us,’’ Nance said. 

Ledford had a great sense of humor and was as fundamental a baseball coach as they come. “I always loved his baseball signals,’’ Nance said, laughing. “I’ve seen him — when he wanted a guy to steal, he’d shake his head and nod toward second base. When he wanted a pitcher to pick a runner off, he’d just yell, ‘Now!’ He didn’t get complicated with the game. 

“He really taught fundamentals. He made his kids hustle and play the game the way it was supposed to be played. That’s what I respected about him most.’’ 

Now, with 28 years as a head coach behind him, 12 at Byrd and the last 16 at Gray’s Creek, it’s obvious Nance is a capable coach, too. 

“I’ve never dreaded coming to work,’’ he said. “I’ve always enjoyed teaching school and coaching.’’ 

But he sees the game changing, and not all of it is for the best. “The team concept has kind of gone away,’’ he said. “It’s my at bats, my earned run average, my batting average and all that.’’ 

He sees benefits in the travel ball explosion that allow more players the chance to play. But there’s a downside. “We’re seeing more arm and overuse injuries,’’ he said. “Kids are specializing and playing so much. 

“Parents are paying a lot of money to get kids playing time, investing in them to get better.’’ 

Nance said sometimes when travel ball youngsters arrive on the high school field, they are convinced they’ll be college stars or future major leaguers. “When they get to high school, it seems like the high school coach is the only voice of reason they’ve heard in awhile,” Nance said. 

He said he’s concerned about some of the changes being discussed in the game at the major league level, including putting in a clock for pitchers to speed up their delivery and talk of moving the pitcher’s mound back further. 

“I don’t want the game to change,’’ he said. “I want people to respect the game and what it teaches. I hope our kids can look back at our program 20 years down the road and say, ‘we had some coaches at Gray’s Creek that cared more about us and the game.’ “I hope they say, ‘he loved us and taught us about being a better man as well as a baseball player.’’’ 

Photo: Gray’s Creek baseball coach Jeff Nance

Meetings 

For details about all meetings and activities, including location where not listed, call Town Clerk Jane Starling at 910-426-4113. 

• Citizens Academy ProgramTuesday, April 9, 6 p.m., Town Hall 

• Historic Preservation CommissionWednesday, April 10, 5 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building 

• Mayor’s Youth LeadershipMonday, April 15, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building 

• Board of CommissionersMonday, April 15, 7 p.m., Luther Meeting Room 

• Citizens AcademyTuesday, April 16, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building 

• Parks and Recreation Advisory CommitteeMonday, April 22, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building 

• Citizens AcademyTuesday, April 23, 6 p.m., Town Hall 

• Appearance CommissionTuesday, April 23, 6:30 p.m., Parks and Recreation Building 

Activities 

• Food Truck RodeoThursday, April 4, 5-8 p.m., Town Hall rear parking lot. Enjoy music, an assortment of food trucks, bouncy house and games for kids, and presentations by various public service vendors. 

• Breakfast with the Easter Bunny/Easter egg huntSaturday, April 6, 8:30 a.m-11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Hope Mills Recreation Center. Registration for the breakfast is now closed. The Easter egg hunt, however, is free and does not require registration. Call 910-426-4109 for more information. 

• Hope Mills Area Kiwanis Clubat Sammio’s, second Tuesdays at noon and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For details, call 910-237-1240. 

Promote yourself 

Email hopemills@upandcomingweekly.com. 

ShineLight, a Fayetteville-based organization that offers services for individuals with autism, will hold its 5K Shine Your Light run and one-mile fun run Saturday, April 27, at Town Hall in Hope Mills. The address is 5776 Rockfish Road. 

Nikki Creecy, chief executive officer of ShineLight, said the organization is 13 years old and was previously called Genesis, A New Beginning of Fayetteville. 

“We rebranded in 2014 and decided to specialize in autism,’’ she said. Creecy said the rebranding was done because the majority of people the organization was working with suffered from autism. 

The services provided to individuals with autism are of a behavioral nature, she said. The services deal with skill development that allows autistic individuals to replace maladaptive behaviors and function in society, the community, at home and in school. 

Recently, ShineLight has added applied behavior analysis to its services. 

The run is an annual event that was held in Fayetteville last year. Creecy said it’s held in April because that’s autism awareness month. 

“It’s all about shining the light on autism and ShineLight, as well, so people will know who we are for the purpose of educating the community,’’ Creecy said. 

All proceeds from the race will go toward funding the services ShineLight provides. 

The race is open to both serious runners and to those who just want to get out and support the cause. 

There will be official timing for those who want to compete. The first 300 finishers will get medals, Creecy said, but there will be separate prizes for the first-, second- and third-place overall finishers. There will also be awards presented in various age groups. 

In addition to the race, there will be a raffle for wireless ear buds, a Go Pro camera and a Fitbit. Raffle tickets are $1 each, and those buying tickets don’t have to be present to win. 

There are three entry fees. For the Shine Your Light 5K, the cost is $35. The one-mile Fun Run is $17. Teams of five runners can participate for $30 each. 

Registration for the race is day-of from 6 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. The 5K race starts at 8 a.m. and the Fun Run starts at 8:15 a.m. 

Sponsorship opportunities are also available. There are five levels of sponsorship, from $5,000 to $250. Each offers combinations of race entries, event T-shirts, logo recognition and vendor space. 

For those not interested in the sponsorship option, in-kind donations or direct contributions are available. 

Creecy said volunteers are also welcome to help out, and if any food trucks would like to set up at the race site, they are welcome to contact the ShineLight offices. In order to be assured recognition in printed race materials, sponsors must finalize their deals by April 12. 

Creecy can be reached at nikki@shine-light. org, 910-323-1335 or in person at the ShineLight office, 203 Rowan St. 

The first thing Vanessa Wade says about her job as a social worker at Gray’s Creek High School is there’s no such thing as a typical day. 

“I can start at 8:30 and think I’ve got all day to get this done,’’ she said. “By noon, all of that has gone out of the window. Every day is completely different.’’ 

Yet in the face of that kind of challenge, Wade is apparently doing her job well. Evidence of that fact came last month when she was named the social worker of the year by Cumberland County Schools. 

It could be her early life as a self-described Army brat that helps her deal with the variety of situations she has to work with. She lived all over the world, she said, moving about 18 times before landing in Fayetteville in 1994 and spending 14 years with the Department of Social Services. 

In 2008, she got the call to come to work as the social worker at Gray’s Creek High School, and that’s where she’s been ever since. 

For those who don’t know exactly what a school social worker does, Wade described it as being like the parent a child doesn’t have. If they do have parents, then she’s the aunt or uncle. 

“You are there when things are falling apart,’’ Wade said. “You are there when things are great. As a school social worker, you get to deal with the whole realm, the rainbow of kids, high academic to low, high socioeconomic to low.’’ 

One of Wade’s biggest battles is trying to help students overcome the barriers that prevent them from regular school attendance. 

This includes a host of issues, such as making sure the students are getting food and have clean clothes to wear. 

Much of Wade’s job is done on school grounds so she can have regular contact with the students who are in the greatest need. But she also makes regular home visits to deliver food and check on the living conditions of the students under her charge. 

She said she sees barriers to students getting the education they need that are different from those faced 20 or 30 years ago. 

She finds many children are forced to become independent quickly because they lack needed support at home. “I think the teenagers need their parents more than ever,’’ Wade said. 

Despite facing a lot of challenging situations in her work, Wade said she tries to remain as positive as possible when working with young people. “Even though I’m having a rough day, they don’t need to know that,’’ she said. 

She feels she’s reached a level of peace and is able to provide better service to her students. 

Wade never went into social work for personal glory, but she calls the award from the county an incredible honor, and she’s proud to be part of a team that extends beyond the walls of Gray’s Creek High School to help the area’s youth. 

“We have an incredible faith-based community in Gray’s Creek that allows us to be more creative,’’ she said. 

She praised Rev. Scott McCosh, pastor at nearby Mount Pisgah Baptist Church, for helping with a variety of services and outreach for young people. 

Wade said if someone gave her control over the purse strings, she’d like to see the schools offer more hands-on training in skills for those young people who aren’t going to enter the military or enroll in college. “For some kids, it’s not in their family culture or mindset, but they will go on to be great kids doing hands-on skills,’’ she said. 

Wade thanked the staff and administration at Gray’s Creek, her husband, her parents and her son for helping her do the best job she can. 

“I tell my kids every day, I don’t have a job without you,’’ she said. “I tell them they are never bothering me, and they smile.’’ 

Photo: Vanessa Wade

I miss the Sears store. Not because of the big shoe section or tool department, but because it’s where I learned so much about life. 

I grew up in a Midwest city at a time when Sears was still Sears & Roebuck, children were bused from one side of town to another to achieve integration in schools and parents allowed their kids to come in fourth without a trophy. I have many fond memories of trips to the local Sears store — a multistory giant with escalators, an amazing toy section and pretty much anything you’d ever think to buy. 

It’s where I learned the value of a dollar — taught one quarter at a time at the enormous candy counter on the ground floor. With my meager weekly allowance in my pocket, I’d circle the glass island, surveying dozens of options to determine which one was worthy. 

The attendant probably grew weary of me asking “how much would twenty-five cents get me?” of this selection or that. Though I handled the task like a man on a mission, I was merely a boy on a budget. 

Of much greater significance than a white paper bag filled with chocolate stars or peanut clusters, though, I can also trace my awareness of human compassion back to that same Sears store in Wichita, Kansas. 

It happened around the Christmas holiday in the shoe department. I was honestly oblivious to the fact I was being raised in a time of segregation. My father was a Navy veteran. He’d been a corpsman and taught us the value of life without talking about the color of anyone’s skin. My mother was schooled in an institution for the blind. Her friends and coworkers were more likely to bond over ability (and disability) than they were skin color. 

I preface my story with those facts because what happened in the Sears shoe department that particular wintry day is the first time I recall being aware that I rarely saw black people as a young boy. 

As I dangled my legs over the chair, waiting for the clerk to return with the shoes I’d chosen, I overheard a black lady and her two young boys discussing the fact they could only afford shoes for one of the boys that day. More than that, I noticed the clerks kept walking past them to help other customers as the mother told the boys, “Be patient, we’ll get our turn.” 

While it sounded like an otherwise normal conversation, I recall wondering why no one was helping them with their shoes. I wanted to say something. I wanted to do something. I wanted them to get shoes for both boys, and I wanted someone to help them. 

I walked away from the store that day — shoes in hand — never realizing I’d recall that scene hundreds of times in the years since. I know now I was witnessing discrimination. I know now I was witnessing need. And even as a boy, I was moved. Compassion is in us. We all have the capacity to care. And I pray we learn to exercise that capacity to its fullest. 

When Gilbert Theater put together its 2018- 19 season, there was no ulterior motive or special timing involved in the decision to run “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” as the next-to-last show. But now, as the play readies to open April 5 and run through the 21st, Gilbert Theater Artistic Director Matthew Overturf says the timing of this production is perfect. Not only that, it is entertaining and all-inclusive — so bring the whole family. 

The play, based on the first book in the C.S. Lewis series “The Chronicles of Narnia,” answers the call of the community’s desire for children’s theater. And as Overturf put it, it just seems like the right show for now. 

“We live in a world where a little bit of fanciful and hope is important,” said Overturf. This play brings hope with its message of good triumphing over evil, but in a fun and quirky way that Overturf describes as “a little off the beaten path.” 

Directed by Brian Adam Kline, the production tells the story of the four Pevensie siblings, Peter (Adam White), Susan (Helen Steffan), Edmund (Joshua Brunson) and Lucy (Mia Burrachio). 

It’s set during World War II. The children evacuate from London, England, to the home of Professor Digory Kirke. While there, they discover a passageway to the magical land of Narnia in the back of a wardrobe. In Narnia, the children meet a talking lion named Aslan (Jamal Johnson) and an evil witch (Nicki Hart) — among other colorful characters. 

“Brian has done work with us before,” said Overturf. “He has a lot of really fantastic experience working with children. … Also, the way he is bringing this story to life is fun and fanciful. He is doing a phenomenal job.” 

With its cozy space and Off-Broadway feel, the Gilbert turns what some would see as the challenge of bringing a big show to an intimate space into something unique and magical. 

“We ask the audience to do part of that work,” said Overturf. “In this particular adaptation, you can opt to not even refer to going into the wardrobe. We have kept (that aspect), but it is like the theater itself is the wardrobe. It is like the audience is sitting between the wardrobe door and Narnia.” 

Overturf added that the battle scenes are interesting and that the final battle is especially fun. He promised that fans of the story will meet all their favorite characters from the book. 

“If you want a story that will transport you to another place, this story is going to do it,” said Overturf. “If you aren’t familiar (with it), this is the type of show that is accessible to all ages. It deals with classical themes like good versus evil and right and wrong. This has universal themes accessible to anyone.” 

At the opening night performance, the Gilbert will announce its 2019-20 season. Overturf hinted at a different feel for next season, saying there will be several comedies. 

The 2018-19 season ends on a serious note with “The Laramie Project,” which runs May 30-June 9. After that, the theater rolls right into summer activities, including the Next Stage summer play fest, which takes place in July. Children’s summer camps fill the calendar as well. 

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” runs April 5-21 at Gilbert Theater, which is located at 116 Green St. Call 910-678-7186 or visit www.gilberttheater.com for tickets and information. 

Bill and Betty Brown, owners of the family-friendly Evolution Ink on Cliffdale Road, debuted their free EvolutionInk Tattoo Convention last year. They said the community response exceeded their wildest expectations. This year, April 12-14, the Browns are bringing the convention back — and going all-out to make it a can’t-miss weekend for tattoo-lovers and their families. 

All weekend at this year’s free event, attendees will enjoy special pricing of $20 off all tattoos and $5 off all piercings. Up to 19 tattoo artists, about 17 in-house and two guest artists, will be present. Evolution Ink’s piercers, master piercer Nick Perron and Lyn Blevins, will also be there. 

“Most conventions charge $25-$65 for the weekend,” Bill said. “Ours is free. Our motto is, you take that money you’d spend on other conventions and use it on a tattoo or piercing at the EvolutionInk Convention.” 

For each day someone attends the convention and gets a tattoo or piercing, they’ll be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize of $2,500 worth of custom Evolution ink or a second-place prize of $500 in body piercing. “Nobody has a prize like that,” Bill said. “I wanted to go really big this year. … And it’s not like the North Carolina lottery where your odds are one in a million to win. You have pretty good chances. Someone is going to walk away with a huge prize.” 

Regardless of the drawing, everyone who gets tattoos or piercings will walk out with a free VIP Swag Bag containing $65 worth of items, including a T-shirt, water bottle, car decal, magnet and future discount cards. 

Friday afternoon, Jeff Davis from Q98 will DJ a live show on-site. That evening, locally loved and acclaimed band Rivermist will entertain with live music. 

Saturday afternoon, local celebrity and Army veteran EJ “Skullcrusher” Snyder will do a meet-and-greet. Snyder is Fayetteville’s own three-time champion of Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid.” All day, the United Service Organization of North Carolina will have a mobile center set up with tablets, big-screen TVs, video gaming consoles, Wi-Fi and casual seating for service members to enjoy. 

Babann’s Southern Fried Chicken food truck will be on-site Friday and Saturday afternoons, too. 

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will be present selling Woodpeckers clothes, hats and other paraphernalia. That day has not been confirmed yet, the Browns said, but it will likely be Sunday. 

“Kids and babies are welcome; we’re definitely family-friendly,” Bill added, noting that there will be an outdoor face-painting station set up for children. 

“It’s going to be the big event in Fayetteville. If we have too many customers on a day and someone can’t stay and get their tattoo or piercing done, we’ll give them a raincheck card. Within three months after that date, they can come back and get that tattoo or piercing and they’ll still get the discount and the Swag Bag.” 

A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Fort Bragg Fisher House, the Fort Bragg chapter of United Service Organizations of North Carolina, and the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society. Evolution Ink has a heart for giving animals homes and offers a year-round incentive where customers who show their adoption papers for a pet from FAPS, or any local certified shelter, get $50 off their ink. 

The EvolutionInk Tattoo Convention 2019 runs Friday, April 12, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, April 14, from noon-8 p.m. Evolution Ink is located at 5924 Cliffdale Rd. Visit www.evolutioninkstudio.com or call 910-323-2243 to learn more. 

Cape Fear Regional Theatre introduces “The Cake” to the stage April 4-21. “The Cake” tells the story of a Southern belle named Della (Libby McNeill Seymour) who owns a bake shop in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Della’s worldview is brought into question when Jen (Jessica Giannone), the daughter of Della’s deceased best friend, travels from New York to request a cake for her wedding. When Della learns Jen is marrying another woman (Olivia London as Macy), she must choose between her traditional values and the love of an old friend. “The Cake” was written by NBC’s “This Is Us” supervising producer and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumna Bekah Brunstetter. It is directed by David Hemsley Caldwell. 

CFRT is one of the first regional theaters to present “The Cake,” which will wrap up its acclaimed off-Broadway run at the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City just a few days prior to its debut in Fayetteville. 

“The story is so relevant and so timely and also so funny,” said Ashley Owen, marketing director for CFRT. “Today, it’s so easy to (attack) people’s beliefs. This play is the opposite of that — it’s really kind to everyone.” 

According to the actors, this is a show for all people, but don’t expect to leave without first considering your neighbor’s point of view. “The themes of the show are acceptance, trying to find a middle ground, coming to terms with people who might think differently than you,” said Caldwell. Like Della, who, according to Seymour, must “(think) about alternative points of view in the world,” audience members may experience a shift of perspective. 

Greg King, who plays Della’s husband, Tim, emphasized this middle ground alongside Caldwell and Seymour. “Everyone that comes to see the show is going to feel that they can identify with an opinion that they see onstage,” he said. 

Regardless of beliefs, most play-goers will enjoy that “The Cake” is being catered by The Sweet Palette, who will provide cake for the show itself and then for audience members following each performance. London looks forward to the conversations the post-show desserts will accommodate. “(It’s) an opportunity to talk about what they just saw, (which) opens up the opportunity for them to talk about different opinions or a different takeaway,” she said. 

This “common ground,” according to Giannone, brings people together. “A lot of people like cake no matter what you believe in.” 

CFRT welcomes service members and their families, along with the public, to its Military Appreciation Night performance Wednesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. Playwright Brunstetter will attend the show and stay afterward for a talk-back with the audience, in which she’ll answer questions about the show and her career. Though military discounts are available for every performance at CFRT, the Military Appreciation Night discount will be 25 percent, the lowest of the year. 

CFRT is located at 1209 Hay St. For tickets or for more information, contact the box office at 910-323-4233 or visit www.cfrt.org. The performance runs Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., with tickets at $25. Preview nights are April 4-6, with tickets at $15.