It is easy to talk about change. Talking about change and taking action to make  a change are two very  different things. Wes and Sandy Cookman are about making change — change that matters. Wes and Sandy own WIDU 1600 AM. The couple, along with their sponsors and church, business and media partners, works diligently throughout  the year to have a positive impact on their corner of
the world.

The radio station programming includes news, talk radio, church services and gospel music. But keeping listeners informed and entertained is just the tip of the iceberg. For the Cookman’s, using the airwaves to reach the community and keep the listeners informed is serious business and they designed the station’s programming to reflect their priorities.

“The Fayetteville Morning News Hour” was launched in 2011. The show features regular contributors that include Margaret Dickson, Troy Williams, Sara Vanderclute, Nancy Shakir, Chris Fitzsimon and Carin Savel. This program is the only local news program that is feature-length. While local news reports are aired throughout the day, The Fayetteville Morning News Hour offers local news in addition to editorial commentaries and local news reports and weather.

Weekdays from 8-9 a.m. “What’s Going On” features local guests who discuss a variety of important issues that impact Fayetteville and the surrounding area. Some topics that are routinely covered on this show include public education, crime and punishment, religion, government and social justice.

The “Wake Up” show is an important part of the station’s broadcast lineup. It offers listeners locally produced news and talk. The programming is relevant and engaging. The entertaining cast of radio personalities, ministers, public officials, journalists and community-minded citizens cover a variety of topics. The WIDU website describes the show by saying “… Wake Up truly believes that people will make the right decision if given timely, accurate information, and it lives by the motto every day — Knowledge Based, Issue Driven.” The show runs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In addition to programming, the team at WIDU, along with sponsors and partners, believes in being active in the community, working for positive change and making a difference. Their efforts recently raised $25,000 for a homeless shelter. 

Each year WIDU hosts an anniversary celebration that features worship services, prayer breakfasts, concerts, motivational speakers and more. This year, the WIDU Anniversary celebration runs Oct. 3-10. It is a spiritually powerful event that continues to grow each year. Entertainers include The Williams Brothers, Tasha Cobbs, Bishop Marvin Winans, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Tim Rogers and The Fellas, LeAndria Johnson, Doc McKenzie, Luther Barnes, Lisa Knowles and so much more. Motivational speaker Les Brown is slated for a business empowerment breakfast.

Find out more about WIDU and its programs throughout the community at www.widuradio.com. Find out more about the WIDU Anniversary Celebration at www.widuanniversary.com.

The Gilbert Theatre is kicking off another exciting season this year, with some big changes and big shows debuting.  

The shows this season span a wide range of genres. Young Frankenstein is on stage through Oct. 4 and promises to deliver a quirky and entertaining time for the audience. 

There is truly something for everyone at the Gilbert
this season. 

“The Gilbert has a strong tradition of presenting material that is edgy and outside-the-box — so to speak,” said Robyne Parrish, the artistic director and co-education director at Gilbert Theater. 

“Young Frankenstein is dark and satirical — in keeping with our Gilbert vibe. But it is still a fun musical that can be enjoyed by the whole family! It’s a Wonderful Life is of course a family favorite, but it deals with many dark issues and is a wonderful character study of what it means to be human and the exploration of the human condition, at its very core, is one of our biggest objectives when selecting plays.Titus Andronicus is one of Shakespeare’s bloodier plays and the Gilbert does not shy away from such material. Many of our shows this season have strong roles for women: Hedda Gabler, Women of Manhattan and the Vagina Monologues... Women of Manhattan is a wonderful dark comedy by one of my personal favorites…It has a Sex in the City feel to it - and like Vagina Monologues — deals with the struggles women face on a day to day basis.”

With a lineup like that, it is hard to pick a favorite because each show is
special in its own way, but one that is near and dear to Parrish’s heart is the
 holiday production.

“This season is jam packed with amazing shows. Probably the most exciting for me is to see how It’s A Wonderful Life turns out as we will be bringing this show to the community for the first time in Fayetteville history. After 10 years of A Christmas Carol, it was time for a change and the audience was polled to see if they, too, would like a new experience. They chose It’s A Wonderful Lifehands down. I am also personally directing this show. I am familiar and in love with the film and can’t wait to see the stage version come to life. Ken Griggs will grace the Gilbert stage for the first time in the role of George Bailey,” said Parrish.

With such varying productions it will be intriguing to see how the directors choose to use and interact with the unique space that the Gilbert Theatre offers. 

“The intimate space provides the audience with a most personal experience. You feel as though you are enjoying a play right in your own home. With no wing or fly space to speak of, we have to put on our thinking caps and get extra creative which always leads us to make exciting choices in regards to staging and scenery.  This generally produces innovative, edgy and never seen before theatrical elements and design,” Parrish explains. 

The change to the holiday play this year is exciting for the entire community. Despite the change in tradition, Parrish thinks that it will be easy for local audiences to emotionally identify with It’s a Wonderful Life. 

“I think it will be exciting for our audiences to see these well loved films come to life on stage. Alive and in color! It’s a Wonderful Life in particular is probably something most of our Fayetteville community can connect with. Bedford Falls is a small town with local business struggling to keep afloat and the whole town has to come together to ensure
the success of such a lifestyle. I think we can all see the connections in this,”
Parrish said. 

For more information, visit www.gilbertheater.com

It’s a wonderful thing to love your job — and if that means helping people in the process, so much the better. Jennifer Lescaleet is the program manager at KidsPeace and one of the things she loves most in the world is helping the foster kids that KidsPeace serves. The organization’s mission is to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities and it’s something Lescaleet takes seriously. 

As with many nonprofits, there always seems to be a shortage of funds and a long list of needs. That doesn’t stop the staff and board at KidsPeace from doing everything in their power to help the children in their care. On Thursday, Oct. 1 the KidsPeace Second Annual Chairity Auction is set to raise funds and provide hours of fun in the process.

“We are so excited about the auction,” said Lescaleet. “Last year we were thrilled to have 18 chairs to auction off. This year we are up to 47 chairs. That just says so much about this community and how caring and supportive people are here.”

Thanks to generous donations from the Restore Warehouse and New and Nearly Thrift Shop, the chairs were provided to the artists at no charge. 

“We tried to get wooden chairs that were similar to each other,” said Lescaleet. “When you hear of a foster child you often hear about them being scuffed up and bruised emotionally and sometimes physically, too. We relate these chairs to that … “

There is a parallel here that works beautifully for the KidsPeace cause. The artists represent the foster families and the chairs represent the children. The artists taking in the chairs represent the foster families that give so freely to their foster children.  

“When families take in foster children they don’t always know where the kids have been, what they have been through and what they are getting,” said Lescaleet. “We wanted to connect the fundraiser into what happens here. After you put some love and help and healing into someone … it symbolizes exactly what we do — just like the artists that put effort into the chairs. They took something that was bruised and a little banged up and turned it into something beautiful and unique. That is what happens when children are matched with the right foster parents.”

The chairs up for auction are as unique and beautiful as the children and families that KidsPeace serves. Lescaleet noted that some of the chairs are more works of art than utilitarian, and as each one has been dropped off she has been unable to choose a favorite. 

“They are all just so different and beautiful,”
 she said.

Leading up to the event, the public is invited to visit www.ChairityAuction.com to vote for their favorite chair. The night of the event, the 20 chairs that received the most votes will be auction in the live auction at the end of the evening. The rest of the chairs will be auctioned off in the silent auction that runs throughout the evening.

The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. and include food, drinks and live entertainment by Fayetteville’s own Erik Smallwood. 

“Erik played at last year’s auction and he was a big hit,” said Lescaleet. “We were delighted that he agreed to come back this year.” 

While Lescaleet and the staff and board at KidsPeace are excited about the auction, what they are most excited about is being able to help the kids in their care. 

“At the end of the day, all of this goes to the kids,” said Lescaleet. “It is one thing to place a foster child into a home where they will be loved and accepted, but it is another to be able to invest in them and enhance their skills and strengths.”

 Some kids that come to KidsPeace have never known what it is like to be loved. So if Lescaleet finds out that they like writing or reading or music or drawing, that is an opportunity to reach out and make the child feel special. Some of the KidsPeace kids have never experienced the joys of Christmas, so every year the staff puts on a Christmas gala where the children can get dressed up and feel special. Other kids don’t know how to interact safely with other children and public school is not an option for them at first. 

“We invest in them and put them in a private school setting and transition them to public schools,” said Lescaleet.

While there is a big need for foster parents, KidsPeace is serious about making sure that foster children are matched with families that suit them. This helps build bonds and encourage loving relationships. 

“The fewer disruptions in a child’s life the better off they are,” said Lescaleet.  “If we can keep them in a safe and loving home consistently that is better for them in the long run. Whatever we can do for them, our kids are our family. We take great pride in making sure they know that.”

It is not uncommon for KidsPeace families to adopt the kids that are placed in their homes. 

“There is integrity behind this and we are doing what we can to impact children’s lives in a positive way. We love the idea of being able to have funds on hand to make a difference,” said Lescaleet. “Not everyone can or wants to be a foster parent, but by attending this auction or decorating a chair or going to the website and voting, you are making a difference.”

Tickets for the KidsPeace Chairity Auction are $20 at the door and $15 in advance. Find out more about KidsPeace at kidspeace.org or by calling 223-0949. Tickets are available at www.kidspeace.org/events/kidspeace-2nd-annual-charity-auction.

Four hundred years ago, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra wrote two novels, the first was El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, which was published in 1605. The second, El ingeniosco caballero don Quijote de la Mancha was written in 1615. Known collectively, as El Quijote, the novels have stood the test of time and remain a beloved classic not only in print, but also on the stage.

To celebrate Cervantes, North Carolina is hosting the I am Quixote: Don Quijote De La Mancha Festival throughout the month of September. The festival, which is a collaborative project is open to all artists, art organizations, schools, libraries, universities, art advocates, cultural groups and others who are interested in celebrating the life and work
of Cervantes. 

While the majority of the festival will take place in the Triangle Area — think Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill — events are scheduled throughout the state. A key event in the festival takes place in Fayetteville at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, as Man Of La Mancha opens the CFRT season Sept. 17 through Oct. 15.

First produced in 1964, Man of La Mancha is a musical with a book by Dale Wasserman, lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh. It was originally adpted from a non-musical teleplay I, Don Quixote, which was inspired by Cervantes’ books. 

The play opens with Cervantes serving time in prison during the Spanish Inquisition. While in prison, Cervantes shares the story Don Quixote, who put the night on trial. So the play is really a story within a story and is told through the eyes of the prisoners.

Tom Quaintance, the CFRT artistic director, is at the helm of this production. Quaintance noted that while the book is a classic and that most people think of the play as a musical, it is actually much more.

Quaintance looks at the play through a different lens. “It really comes down to the core philosophy, can one man really make a difference,” explained Quaintance.

When Quaintance decided to add the show to the season line-up, he went to New York looking for cast members who could bring the story of chivalry and trials and triumph to life. He returned with Patrick Oliver Jones, who plays Don Quixote and Leenya Rideout, who plays Aldonza, Quixote’s love interest.

Both of the actors have worked on the show before, and both found the experience quite life changing. 

Five years ago, Rideout had the opportunity to perform in the production. It wasn’t a show she was particularly excited about and it had never made her bucket list of shows in which she would like to perform. When rehearsals started, Rideout determined to dive in and really concentrate on the show. At that point, it became life changing for her - not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Recalling that time in her life, made Rideout particularly excited to work on the production again. 

For many, the principal song, “The Impossible Dream,” is a beloved standard, one which has inspired others to keep trying, to not give up. 

The principles are joined by local artists, Jeremy Fiebig, Taylor Kraft and Paul Wilson.

The show starts on Thursday, Sept. 17 for two preview nights, both of which begin at 7:30 p.m. and are $15 per person.The opening night party with the cast is on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28. On Thursday, Sept. 24, the theatre will host a community night at 7:30 p.m., with tickets also costing $15. The show runs through Sunday, Oct. 11. The show is suggested for individuals 15 years of age and up.

For tickets and information, visit the theatre website at www.cfrt.org or call the Cape Fear Regional Theatre Box Office at 323-4233.

The Cirque du Soleil has stayed in the headlines for years. Local residents will get a taste of the stunning and daring circus-style gymnastics that make Cirque due Soleil so successful as the Givens Performing Arts Center bring Cirque Montage to its stage.

This show is unlike any other. It has the stunning and daring circus style gymnastics of Cirque du Soleil but joins them with theatrical aspects like those of a more traditional play. 

“Patrons should expect to experience a theatrical circus show. This is not the typical circus, it actually has a lot more actual theatre aspects, a story line, a lot of comedy and audience participation,” explained Michael Manzanet, the producer and creative director of the show. 

Manzanet, a former performer with Cirque du Soleil, is excited to bring the show to the area. While with Cirque du Soleil, his act involved leaping and swinging from a trapeze with bungee cords secured around his waist. He describes soaring out over the audience at dizzying heights, all while managing his fear of heights. He called it both terrifying and invigorating. Manzanet moved more towards performance arts. 

“There is a lot less rigging and a lot more theatrics. The focus is on the performers, not so much on the technology,” he says. 

The focus on the actors does not mean that the show is any less gasp worthy. When asked to describe his favorite moment in the show Manzanet said, “There are lots of wow moments. There is this moment at the end when Reagan, a character in the play who eventually finds her way that is very moving. The audience follows her the entire show and then realizes that she never gave up on her dream.“

Putting on such an incredible show takes a massive amount of work. Touring adds a special level of complication. There are certain pieces that each performer needs for their gravity defying acts. Constantly moving all of theses pieces to new and different venues takes a lot of work. 

“We have to get really creative. Every venue is unique. We have to individually modify the set to fit any venue. Each setting is different but the show is very flexible, we can make it fit any height. Our free aerial apparatus is a key piece for our show and the apparatus can go up and down to fit any height. The set is made of a stretch fabric 50 feet wide and 10 feet high. The entire set can break down to fit into pieces to fit any theatre but provide the feel of a larger venue, which makes it easier to move.“ 

He added that all of hard work is worth it to see the joy and excitement of the audience. 

The Givens Performing Arts Center located at the University of North Carolina Pembroke is bringing some amazing performances to the community. The 2015-2016 season features We are The Music Makers!, En Vogue, Menopause, The Musical, Flashdance: The Musical, David Benoil: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ailey II, The Hit Men and Once. All of these incredible shows encompass many different styles of performance. There is truly something for everyone this season. 

Cirque Montage is on stage at the Givens Performing Arts Center on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $36 to $21. Tickets for all shows can be purchased by calling 910-521-6361. For more information, visit www.unco.edu/giving/advancement/givens-performing-arts-center. The Givens Performing Arts Center is located at 1 University Drive in Pembroke. 

Warning: This column, while gluten free, contains terribly cheesy puns. If you are offended by low and unsuccessful attempts at humor, kindly go  directly to the crossword puzzle.

Vlad Putin has cut the cheese. Then he cut the Spanish ham and the  Polish apples out of the Russian diet. Vlad has blacklisted products  from Europe and America in retaliation for the ongoing sanctions imposed by the West after his Ukranian invasion. 

What kind of guy hates innocent cheeses? As a wise man once told me about someone else, “The man ain’t got no God in him.” 

Vlad is an anti-Cheddarite. He is a natural-born cheese killer. Perhaps as a child he was abused by a Gorgonzola cheese. Vlad’s deep seated dairy fears cause him to see Muenster cheese as a monster threatening Mother Russia. Clearly, Vlad suffers from Post Traumatic Cheese Disorder.

Vlad exudes serious food issues. It wasn’t enough for Vlad to eat the Crimea and swallow the eastern Ukraine. He is binging and purging western food products to show the decadent capitalists he can’t be swayed by the West’s puny sanctions. Vlad is taking out his wrath on guiltless cheeses and cheese smugglers who have dared to bring Edam into the Eden that is Russky territory.

As Willie Nelson would say, “Mammas don’t let your babies grow up to be Russian cheese smugglers.” The Russian secret police, the FSB, recently proudly announced it had crumbled a “criminal cheese ring” that had smuggled in more than 500 tons of cheese worth more than $30 million on the Russian blue cheese black market. 

Before the smugglers could yell “Cheese it, the cops,” the FSB arrested six Cheese Heads of the Gorgonzola crime family. These cheesy criminals are now facing up to 10 years in the slammer with no expectation of early release for Gouda time.

In early August, Vlad ordered a bulldozer to crush a giant pile of cheese near the town of Belgorod, Russia. To make his point to his loyal Western-imported cheese-hating Russian citizens, he had the cheese squashing televised nationally. Vlad’s Anticheese League spokeswoman, Svetlana Zaporozhchenko was quoted as saying, “The destruction has been completed, and after it (the cheese) is destroyed it is buried.” 

Perfectly good cheese, tortured and then buried alive. Vlad has become the ISIS of Parmesan, mindlessly destroying innocent cheeses. After the offending cheeses were buried, Putin presented the world with a Feta accompli. The UN Security Council has denounced Putin’s war against cheese as acts of fromagicide and culinary crimes against humanity. This situation is double plus ungood for Russian cheese lovers who are having to use inferior Russian cheeses to make their pizzas. The horror. The horror.

Rudolpho Asiago, chairperson of the European Union’s People for the Ethical Treatment of Cheese (PETC) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning Vlad’s Cheese Pogrom as “violating all international standards of dairy product decency.” Mr. Asiago called for a worldwide movement to condemn Russia to stop the exploitation of cheeses and “Give cheese a chance.” 

Mr. Asiago urged the world community to remember that “Cheeses have rights, too. Russia must stop all acts of cheese cruelty and comply with the standards set by the International Cheese Liberation Front. Only prejudice allows us to deny to cheeses the rights we expect for ourselves. Whether the cheese is based on cow, sheep, or goat milk, prejudice against cheese is unacceptable. If you wouldn’t eat Limburger cheese, why eat Monterrey Jack, Swiss or Brie? “

Let us consider the words of Monty Python as applied to the cruelty that is Putin’s anti-cheese campaign. “Every cheese is sacred/Every cheese is great/If a cheese is wasted/Mozzarella gets quite irate/Every cheese is wanted/ Every cheese is good/Every cheese is needed/in your neighborhood.”

You can turn the page. Or you can adopt a cheese today. Don’t let the cheese stand alone. Only you can prevent fromagicide.

When Up & Coming Weekly Publisher Bill Bowman came to me in late 1999 with what he considered to be a wonderful idea, I did what I always do when talking to Bill. I tried to ground him.

It has been said many times over the years that Bill is the idea guy who keeps floating great ideas, and I am the person with the string who reels the balloon in. There is probably a lot of truth in that statement, more than I want to acknowledge. But I digress.

When he came to me with the idea of the Best of Fayetteville, his excitement was palpable. He was so excited and so passionate about it. So I had to listen, and, I have to say, it has turned out to be a good idea.

Bill was enamoured with the idea — not because of the money — but because of what it signified. The Best of Fayetteville is a means to honor and pay tribute to those businesses and organizations that contribute to making Fayetteville an amazing place to work, live and raise a family. Listening to Bill talk about his plan, I saw the goodness of allowing local residents to honor those folks who made life better in our community.

Having said that, it was not without its problems.

The first thing we had to tackle was ensuring that the voting was fair and that the ballot box was not stuffed. We spent quite a bit of time and energy talking to and listening to other media sources that had similar programs in their communities. We took the best practices and wrapped them all together to ensure that our Best of Fayetteville was as legitimate as possible.

That’s why we have several rules. You must fill out a percentage of the ballot for it to count. There has to be legitimate addresses and phone numbers on the ballot. We look at the handwriting to ensure that the same person didn’t fill out a gazillion ballots. Then, we even go a step further and have the ballots audited and verified by a CPA.

Some folks think we take it to the extreme, but why pretend that we are talking about the best of the best if we aren’t?

Once we were satisfied that the ballots were legit and our categories were right, we started doing our research and looking at what kind of information we could share with the community about our winners.

I will not lie. The weeks surrounding the Best of Fayetteville are far from my favorite. They are in fact, weeks that make me want to run screaming into the night. But, in 15 years I haven’t done that — yet. But it’s always an option I keep open and hold over Bill’s head.

Going from 36 pages to close to 90 in one week is a challenge. Not only does it mean a lot more writing, it also means a lot more layout. And, or course, a lot more of everything. More arguments with the sales staff over deadlines. More arguments with Bill over those last 15 ads he wants to place and more arguments with the printer who wants it all yesterday. 

By the time the Best of Fayetteville Party rolls around, I am too tired mentally, physically and emotionally to do more than stand and smile with a glazed look in my eye. That’s why my annual assignment at the party is to be nice. It can be a chore.

Having said all of that, my favorite thing about the Best of Fayetteville is what I learn about our community. I’m not just talking about the winners, but also about the folks who vote. Seeing how others look at our community, what they like, what they dislike, how they view things in the community is eye opening every year. And, I will admit, that sometimes I am really surprised. 

What’s the biggest scandal? Who is the most respected politician? What’s the biggest waste of money? These are all questions that can bring about a diverse number of answers; although sometimes everyone is on the same page.

While the Best of Fayetteville might not bring out the best in me. It is probably one of the best ideas Bill ever had. But, do me a favor, don’t tell him. I will never hear the end of it.

This is it: Your personal invitation to Up & Coming Weekly’s  biggest community celebration: our 18th Annual Best of Fayetteville Awards Party. 

Join the staff and management of Up & Coming Weekly, along with special guests Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson, Cumberland County Commissioner Chairman Kenneth Edge and Jimmy Keefe, Fayetteville Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman George Breece, John Meroski, president of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Mac Edwards and Don Chase of Beasley Broadcasting, as we meet and greet those people who and businesses and organizations that have gone the extra mile to establish themselves as Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s Best of the Best. 

For 18 years we have been recognizing and honoring hundreds who have contributed to Fayetteville’s honor, integrity and quality of life. 

This is not only our biggest event of the year, but as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary as Fayetteville’s community newspaper the Best of Fayetteville is our most cherished contribution to the community. For this we are very proud and extremely grateful. 

So, let’s party!!!! 

Fun, Food, prizes and surprises. It’s all happening on Tuesday Sept. 15 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the newly renovated Kagney’s Night Club near downtown on Bragg Boulevard. 

This is your personal invitation. Put it on your calendar and bring your friends!

Join us for the Best Party In Town!

And, thank you for allowing Up & Coming Weekly to serve the best community in North Carolina as your community newspaper!

Move over turkey and make room for poultry. For 30 years, Hoke County has held the Annual North Carolina Turkey Festival, drawing thousands of people to partake in the festivities. This year, they have stirred things up, but don’t worry, it’s the same fun event but with a new name this year. The 1st Annual North Carolina Poultry Festival begins on Friday, Sept. 11 and runs through Saturday, Sept 19. 

   “The Poultry Festival is one of the largest events that goes on in Hoke County,”said Melissa Pittman, executive director of the festival. “For a county of our size that is a wonderful thing because 50,000 people will participate.” 

   The event, themed “Hatchin up Some Fun,” kicks off with the Turkey Bowl on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in Raz Autry Stadium at Hoke County High School. The events for Saturday, Sept. 12, include a 5K Pajama Run, a tennis tournament, a cornhole tournament with a cash prize of $500, a car show, a dog show, a $7 per-plate sale with leg quarters and barbecue and The Rivermist Band of Fayetteville, who will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. for a concert at Armory Ball Park. For Sunday, Sept. 13, a tennis tournament is slated at Hoke County High School. The cost is $20 for one event and $30 for two events.  

The opening ceremony is on Monday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. at the L. E. McLaughlin Senior Room, where sponsors are recognized and refreshments are provided. A card tournament will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Raeford Civic Center and the cost is $7. Each table will win a grand prize and other prizes will be awarded throughout the night. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m., residents over the age of 55 are invited to attend “Senior Day” at 10 a.m. at the Raeford Civic Center. Health screenings are scheduled and a speaker will discuss women’s care for diabetics and the elderly. A Subway bagged lunch is planned followed by bingo. The cost is $5. 

On Thursday, Sept. 17, the Poultry Festival parade will start at 5:30 p.m. on Main Street. Friday, Sept. 18, a “Fitness at the Festival” is planned at the FirstHealth Fitness Center. Demonstrations of equipment and walk-throughs of everything that the center has to offer the residents of Hoke County are available.

A three-on-three adult basketball tournament is set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9:45 a.m. at Hoke County High School. The fee is $45 per team. A three-on-three youth basketball tournamentis scheduled at 10 a.m. at McLaughlin Park. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 9. First and second place winners will receive trophies and T-shirts. Entertainment begins at 10 a.m. Food, crafts and informational and commercial vendors are on site from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be a children’s corner where children can make crafts and ride ponies at 9 a.m. A cooking contest with any kind of poultry product takes place on Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners.  

   “We want everyone to come out and enjoy the fun,” said Pittman. Ticket cost for the rain or shine concert is $10. The cost of the 5K pajama run is $20 early registration and $25 the day of the event. For more information call 904-2424. 

The culture of the South is rich with history and influences from around the globe. This culture is often expressed through music, but in a rapidly expanding and merging world, there is a danger that this precious expression of unique histories may be lost. 

The Music Maker Relief Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1994 to “preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it.” Their main fights are against poverty and time. So rather than just offering money, they offer artists opportunities and document their performances. They create the space to revitalize the people so that the music can come freely.

The foundation has numerous programs to help struggling artists in every way imaginable. The most vulnerable, and in some ways most valuable, are often elderly musicians. They carry fading traditions. Through the Musician Sustenance program the MMRF provides grants to help with medical bills, food, housing and emergencies. 

The Musical Development Program focuses on increasing artist’s earned income by providing opportunities for growth like shows and recordings. This not only helps the artists, but also often revitalizes interest in the community when artists perform at prestigious theatres. 

The work the MMRF does affects the community on a very personal level and on a larger scale. It brings culture and tradition to the forefront of people minds for exploration, appreciation, self-reflection and preservation. Artists under 55 or Next Generation artists are also assisted in developing professional careers to keep the traditions alive. 

This year the Givens Performing Arts Center  is partnering with MMRF to present the We Are the Music Makers photography exhibit from September through October. This exhibit has traveled around the nation after debuting in 2014 at the New York Public Library and at the Lincoln Center. Photos of musicians and Southern musical culture are joined by stories of Southern musicians and the culture they live and perform. The exhibit opens on Sept. 19, and is accompanied by a live performance from the Music Makers Blues Revue including artists John Dee Holeman, Pure Fe, Ulali Project, Deer Clan Singers and Lakota John and Kin. 

Pura Fe, who performs solo as well as with the Ulali Project, is a Tuscarora singer and slide guitarist. When asked what inspires her unique mix of contemporary and native music she says, “Everything! I was raised around music and singers, many generations on my mother’s side. It is like my first language. It includes everything going on in the world and traditions — musical traditions from around the world. Blues or native music. Everything, I grew up around, my mother was an opera singer. My grandmother sang the blues and I grew up around native music.”

For her, music is a way to connect with others, a bridge into other lives and histories. 

“Music is the spirit of a culture. It speaks to you. It is a language. Every culture speaks and records their history through their music,” she explains. And that is why it is so desperately important to preserve it. 

The exhibit is on display from Sept. 19 through Oct. 16 in the GPAC lobby open to the public from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Blues Revue Concert is Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.  The GPAC is located at 1 University Dr. Tickets for the concert are $10 and are available by phone at 910-521-6361, by mail or in person at the GPAC Box Office. For more information visit www.musicmaker.org
 or  www.uncp.edu/giving/advancement/givens-performing-arts-center.

Life wasn’t always so convenient and easy going. What would you do without electricity? Plumbing? The Internet? For most it’s a scary thought; for those who grew up during the Middle Ages it was normal. And though things were different, life was still good and fun and worth celebrating. At the Fort Bragg Renaissance Faire, the public has a chance to get a peek at what life was like back then. The fair brings history to reality through reenactment, food, music and more. Don’t miss it  Sept. 12–13 at Smith Lake.  

This is the 5th Annual Renaissance Faire, and it looks to be a great time. Take the challenge, leave your digital devices at home and come enjoy a day much like a typical day in the 1500s. 

“The faire offers the opportunity to learn about history in a fun, family-friendly setting. A time to forget one’s worries and step into another time where things are more as they should be — filled with laughter, song and magic,” said Chris Pugh.

Renaissance Faires include a number of different activities that encourage performers, as well as participants, to interact with one another. Performers are dressed as if it is the 16th century and fair goers are encouraged to dress the same. 

Activities during the faire include: paragon jousting and swordsmanship classes, handcrafted clothing, candles and jewelry, hand-forged medieval cloak pins, ladles, cutlery sets, chainmail and fire pokers.

“Last year we added a great bouncy dragon, which was a delight for the children. This year there will also be a castle,” said Pugh.  

To reenact this age, the Medieval Fantasies Company travels across the state. 

“Handing out gifts to the children and meeting everyone coming to the faire, the knighting ceremony and the masquerade ball, are all great fun,” said Pugh.

Chris, Mia and the extended Pugh family conduct a number of medieval and renaissance-themed services and have done so since 2003. 

“We are indeed a family business. Our older daughters participate with us when they can. Our eldest is the fairy face painter! Our youngest still is at home and is very active in the company. It is a matter of heritage, I am Welsh and my lady is Swedish,” he said.

“I began my involvement in all things medieval at an early age and we began this company more than 12 years ago. We feel there is so much from this time period that is needed today. The concepts of chivalry and the importance of learning can be rediscovered in the Renaissance,” said Pugh.

The dark ages were an era of war and disease before the rebirth period. The Renaissance period brought forth more freedom to create art, practice religion, pursue science and indulge in music.

This year’s fair will be held at the Smith Lake Recreation Area on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a masquerade ball from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. followed by the pub sing. Sept. 13. The fair runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and includes “Are You Smarter Than a Royal” from 4- 4:30 p.m. followed by the pub sing. Admission is $10 per carload.

We are all guilty at times. 

We encounter a person who is clearly compromised in some way. He is strapped to a chair because of a physical disability. She is mentally incapacitated and cannot communicate with others, or perhaps she talks incessantly, communicating only with herself. We see these people but we do not really see them. We do not think of them as people like us.

We see them as “others.”

Oliver Sacks thought no such thing.

Sacks, a British neurologist who lived, taught, practiced medicine, contemplated the human condition and wrote about it all from New York City for 50 years, died late last month at 82. Remarkable is not an adequate word to describe Sacks’ take on life and on humanity, however damaged we might regard certain individuals. Sacks respected the people he treated, whomever they were and whatever conditions they suffered, as complex human beings with strengths and weaknesses — just like you and me.

Said Sacks, “I love to discover potential in people who aren’t thought to have any.”

As a physician and scientist working in some of the most prestigious and elite universities in our country, Sacks became well known to the general public through his writing. Awakenings was a 1990 movie starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro based upon Sacks’ book about patients in catatonic states from sleeping sickness — some for decades — whom he treated with an unconventional drug. His treatment revived them, restoring his patients to individuals desperate to resume the sort of normal lives you and I share. In the movie as in life, though, the patients slipped back to wherever they had been no matter how much medicine they were given.

Sacks was a physician all of us would want if we found ourselves with a neurological condition, but his gift, mission, calling — however we choose to describe it — was not only to treat people with little-known neurological and mental conditions, but to understand and respect them as human beings. 

Then he shared what he had learned about his unusual patients with everyone else.

Sacks’ writings include: The Mind’s Eye, a recounting of how people with brain injuries compensate, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, the story of a man whose brain lost the ability to understand what he was seeing and Seeing Voices, an account of how deaf people perceive language. Sacks also studied, treated and helped us understand people with migraines, Asperger’s Syndrome, colorblindness, Tourette’s Syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, amnesia, hallucinations, and, in a book about his own muscle surgery, A Leg to Stand On, the chemical and neurological mysteries of our bodies and minds.    

A skilled pianist, Sacks believed music fundamental to human beings, hard wired into our brains and cited as evidence music’s ability to reach even the most demented among us. Said Sacks, “I think we are an essentially, profoundly musical species… for all I know, language piggybacked on music.” 

He noted that chimpanzees do not dance.

Oliver Sacks was not without his critics. 

Some found him heavy on anecdotal evidence, light on actual science, large on ego and commercial. Tom Shakespeare, a disability rights activist, referred to Sacks as “the man who mistook his patients for a literary career.” Strict scientific researchers found him all over the place.

Maybe so.

Many of us live with common conditions of our era — heart troubles, lung difficulties, diabetes among them, conditions well understood and well managed with conventional treatments. Sacks worked in a murky world inhabited by small numbers of patients, human beings who suffered nevertheless. He treated and wrote about people coping with and adapting to neurological conditions involving perception, memory and individuality that, blessedly, few of us will ever encounter.

His legacy is that he helped us understand and have empathy for people who suffer conditions we will never know.

Oliver Sacks, who at 81 still swam a mile a day, died of a rare variety of melanoma. As a physician, he understood exactly what was happening to him and shared his thoughts in the New York Times earlier this year.

“I cannot pretend I am without fear. But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and have given in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”

 Sacks explored what he called “many strange, neuropsychological lands — the furthest arctics and tropics of neurological disorder.” 

None of us want to visit these lands, but we are fortunate and grateful that he did and that he told us about them. What Sacks learned might not help many of us, but for those it does, his efforts and what he shared about consciousness and the human condition is profound.

Tony Kotsopoulos hasn’t always lived in Fayetteville. In the late 1980s, he lived in New York. The Greek Festival there was a lot of fun. The food, the dancing, the camaraderie, the music — it all resonated with him. The way it showcased the beauty and unity of the Greek community and so openly shared the culture and customs of his people just felt right. It reminded him of another tight-knit community, one that didn’t have a Greek Festival but probably should. 

“When I came to Fayetteville in 1988, I asked my father-in-law, the late Pete Parrous, why there was no Greek Festival here,” said Kotsopoulos. “He said ‘I don’t know; no one ever brought it up.’ So we brought it up and started talking about it. We got together with the Greek community and the community leaders and decided to jump. There were so many people involved in getting it started. Everyone worked hard to make the festival happen.” 

In the fall of 1991, the congregation of Sts. Helen and Constantine whole-heartedly invited the entire greater Fayetteville area to come and break bread with them and enjoy the hospitality of the Greek community. And they have done it every year since then. 

This year, the Greek Festival takes place on Sept. 11-13 as part of a fun-filled weekend that includes both the Greek Festival and the Lafayette Birthday Celebration. It’s an opportunity to learn about two significant parts of the Fayetteville community.

The Greek Festival starts at 11 a.m. on Friday Sept 11. 

“This is a really special day for us because not only do we open the festival, we also have festival field trips for schools,” said Greek Festival co-chair Vince Higgins. “They come out and we give them a tour of our church, they get a history lesson, a geography lesson and learn about our church and iconography. They get lunch and see dancing and dance some, too.” 

On Saturday, Sept. 12, the gates open at 11 a.m., with the opening ceremony at 12:30. 

“We will have 82nd Airborne Division Chorus at the opening ceremony and they will perform the ‘National Anthem’,” said Higgins. “We will have Dr. Gail Morfesis sing the Greek national anthem and we will have a few words from Mayor Nat Robertson and then the dance troupe will perform.”

This year’s festivities include all the favorites and a few new things, too. 

“We always try to involve the military because the military is a big part of Fayetteville. There are many people who support and appreciate the armed forces but there are some that are not familiar with what they do. They just know they (the service members) are there,” said Higgins. “So in addition the having the 82nd Airborne Division Chorus, there will be military attractions including Artillery and a Humvee static display. This is our first year doing this — hopefully it is something we can grow later.”

Get a taste of the islands at the many food vendors at the festival. Enjoy classic dishes like gyros, spanakopita, souvlaki and more. Save room for Greek pastries.  Foodies and aspiring chefs won’t want to miss the cooking classes and wine tastings. Pick up a few items at the Greek grocery, too. 

Take a guided tour of the church and learn about the beliefs, customs and iconography of the Greek Orthodox faith. 

Enjoy Greek music by the Baltimore band Zephyros. Specializing in Greek and American music, Zephyros has entertained audiences for more than 19 years with their lively music. And what is music without dance? The Sts. Helen and Constantine dance troupes will perform throughout the event as well, showcasing traditional Greek dances.

Take home a memento from one of the many vendors at the festival and enjoy the many activities offered by Fayetteville’s finest. 

“We’ve got so much going on. We have kids activities including community outreach by the Fayetteville Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff, the State Patrol and Fayetteville Fire Department, which includes static displays,  K-9 demos and robot demos  for bomb disposal,” said Higgins. “The Cumberland County Library will be there registering kids for library cards. The blood donor vehicle will be there, too.”

Valley Auto World BMW and Volkswagen will be in attendance with several BMW and Volkswagen models. Guests can get a sneak peek at the all-new all electric BMW i3 as well as 2015 North America Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Enter for a chance to win a trip to Greece. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Each ticket offers the chance to win either $2,000 or two round trip airfares to Athens, Greece. Purchase of a raffle ticket also includes a chance to win one of the many hourly drawings.

Though the festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, don’t look for things to slow down anytime soon. “We are not changing things but adding on. Provided we have good weather, we expect anywhere between 15,000 to 25,000 people throughout the weekend,” said Higgins. “I am proud to be a part of this community. This festival isn’t just for us but for everyone and it is great to see how everyone looks forward to it and how they come and enjoy themselves.”

Kotsopoulos agrees. 

“My favorite thing is working the festival and tasting the food and meeting the people. It’s good seeing the people come and enjoy themselves and have good time. They bring their families and it is a festive time — a great time — for everyone. We all need a festive time once in a while.”

The Greek Festival takes place at the Hellenic Center and Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church at 614 Oakridge Ave. Entrance is free. For more information, visit www.stsch.nc.goarch.org/or by calling 484-2010. The festival runs from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sept. 11-12 and from noon – 6 p.m. on Sept. 13. 

In 1959, the Strategic Army Command Parachute Team was formed by 19 Airborne soldiers from various military units. Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell Jr. gathered the Soldiers with the intent of competing in what was then the new and Soviet dominated sport of skydiving. That year, the all U.S. Army team began representing the United States on the international competition circuit, as well as performing their first demonstration in Danville, Virginia. In 1961, the unit become the United States Army Parachute Team, and by 1962, the team earned the nickname the “Golden Knights” on the competition field of battle. Golden, signifying the gold medals the team had won; Knights, proving that they were world champions and alluding to the fact that the team had “conquered the skies.” 

On Saturday, Sept. 12, local residents have the opportunity to conquer the skies alongside the Golden Knights at the 4th Annual Free Fall to Fight Cancer event, which has a two-fold purpose: to raise funds for the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation and to keep the memory of Zach Grullon alive.

The event, organized by Zach’s parents, local realtors Kevin and Shawn Grullon, is not a memorial, but rather a celebration of Zach’s life.

Zach was an adventurous, strong willed and lovable young man. He graduated from Jack Britt High School in 2010 and was looking forward to a military career. In March 2010, Zach was diagnosed with FHC. He had been dealing with severe stomach pain and nausea for a couple of months, but  it was dismissed because of his intense workouts. After numerous tests and scans a grapefruit size tumor was found on his liver.

A liver resection in April 2010, was unsuccessful because the cancer had spread to many of his lymph nodes and it was inoperable. He then started a rigorous routine of chemotherapy for 8 hours a day every 2-3 weeks. Zach would still continue to work out, live life, play sports and even sky-dived with the world famous Army Golden Knights. After battling for two years, Zach passed away on Jan. 28, 2012.

On the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation website, Zach is quoted, “I may have got cancer because God needs me to be a Warrior for Heaven. I don’t take any pity, I am proud of everything I have been through.”

It is that spirit that his parents have taken to fight the disease that took their son. The annual fundraiser is their way of working to make sure that other parents do not have to face the battle their family did; however, they wanted it to be something that would reflect their son’s spirit and skydiving fits the bill. 

During the event, which is at Skydive Paraclete XL on Doc Brown Road, attendees will have the opportunity to skydive attached to a Golden Knight. You can get a full video and pictures of your jump to share. All Knights participating in the event are off duty or retired and are volunteering their time to this worthy cause. 

Tandem jumps with video are $350 and tandem jumps without video are $225. While waiting on your jump, or simply watching the action, you can participate in number of fun activities, including live music and a deejay, water slides and jump houses for kids, food, a silent auction and raffles for great prizes. 

The event kicks-off at 9 a.m. To reserve a spot on the plane, sign up prior to Sept. 12 by contacting Kevin or Shawn at grullonteam@gmail.com or by phone at 910-257-3027. 

Some are more diligent, effective and far-reaching than others, but most mothers teach their children basic manners and help their little ones — and sometimes their big ones — understand that manners are the glue that holds society together. Without them, we could all do and say exactly what we want, no matter how we affect those around us. If we grew up in the South, manners likely involved the words “sir” and “ma’am,” and they certainly involved sensitivity to the comfort and feelings of others. 

Manners are executed by following certain rules, some of which may seem unnecessary and antiquated to some folks. For example, I learned and taught the Precious Jewels that unless he is injured or handicapped, a polite man stands when a woman enters the room. My father developed an instant dislike for an early high school boyfriend, because his mother had not taught him this rule and he subsequently failed to stand for my mother.

But I digress.

We all received guidance when we learned to speak and write, but who knew that we would require rules about polite use of our new technologies? What is more, we have texting police — in my case a Precious Jewel who pointed out my many texting offenses, which I had no idea I was committing. 

Lest I become an habitual offender, I promptly researched texting etiquette on that font of all knowledge, the Internet, and, indeed, there are rules about how to text politely. Boy! Did I ever get screensful of texting “do’s” and “don’ts,” the equivalents, I suppose, of always bringing a hostess gift and not drinking out of the finger bowl.

In case you are as blank as I was on texting etiquette, here are a few of the basics.

1. Group texting is fraught with danger. You might say something you do not want everyone on the text to know, maybe because you did not realize a certain someone was indeed there. And if you find yourself in a chat with only one of the people on the group text, the rest of the people are also seeing the conversation and their phones are beeping up a storm for no reason. (Full disclosure. Group texting and “blowing up people’s phones” has been my main offense, but I am working on it.)

2. No texting overnight. You may be wide awake, but not everyone is, and no one wants their phone dinging in the middle of the night. Nor do most of us want to wake to a screen full of texts from people with insomnia.

3. Sexting is a thoroughly bad idea whether you are a teenager or an octogenarian. Truth be told, no one really wants to see what you are made of, and you do not want public exposure (forgive me!) when your supposedly private text goes viral. Just contain yourself until you see your sweetie in person.

4. Like talking loudly or taking a phone call in a movie theater, texting is not appropriate everywhere. Do not do it where you would not engage in those other activities — say, at dinner with your boss or meeting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time.

5. Always, always proofread what you are about to text. If your phone has autocorrect, it could change what you intended to say into something you might be horrified to say. Even simple four letter words can and do morph into words charged with all manner of expletives. I know several people who have been mortified on this score.

6. Private and confidential matters are best left untexted. You never know what the person on the receiving end is doing when your text arrives or who else might see it. This is particularly true if you ignore rule # 3, and share your body parts. Someone’s grandmother might glance at the phone when it lights up with your text and keel over.

7. Since people cannot see you to read facial and body cues, be polite when texting. Use words like “please” and “thank you” which may keep you from sounding rude or short when you really meant to be concise.

8. Speaking of short, keep it that way. If it takes more than 30 seconds or so to type your text, it is probably too long and will be difficult to read on a tiny phone screen. Put your message in an email and then text to say you have sent that email.

9. Unless you are texting with someone with whom you do so regularly, sign off as you do on the telephone. This lets your texting companion know the conversation has ended so he is not left staring at the phone waiting for your next pearl of wisdom.

We all goof on manners from time to time, and I am sure I will make more texting faux pas before I master texting etiquette, but I am trying. In the meantime, I wonder what is coming next in the “who knew” department.

Etiquette for spying on one’s neighbors with drones?

Recently, I sent a letter to the Fayetteville City Council concerning my opinion (and that of many others) about the  possibility that the city would consider eliminating the Market House from its logo.  Along with the letter I sent them several photos showcasing the Historic Market House as a symbol of our city.  I’m not sure they realize how many iconic images of the Market House are in our city or the significance of this nationally recognized historic structure. 

Erasing history is never easy. Actually, it is impossible. First of all, the Civil War was not [all] about slavery. Taxation without representation comes to mind as a reason for the Civil War. Those who find the Market House offensive should read more about Fayetteville’s history and not just pick and choose those things that fit their bias and misguided debate. Matter of fact, eliminating history for others also means eliminating your own history.  

The Market House (or State House) is vital and significant to Fayetteville’s heritage and, in my opinion,  should remain a symbol of our city because of all the significant and historic  events that took place there.  The Market House for true history buffs is a hallmark for Fayetteville and our own historic treasure.  Sure, it has been acknowledged that slaves were sometimes sold or traded there, but, it is also true that it was never a “slave market,” per se. The history books tell us that slaves were sold or traded in numerous other places in and around the city including the courthouse. This being the case, it seems senseless to try to eradicate one specific building.  Why not the entire city? What’s next and where does it stop? 

Are we to ask the Veterans Administration to remove the Market House likeness from the top of the Veterans Hospital on Ramsey Street? Or disavow our two recognitions as an All-America City just because the Market House is adorning the logo?  It’s borderline silliness. 

Many are not aware that the Market House, built in 1832, was built by  black tradesmen. Do we want to diminish their legacy? And, why would we want to diminish our legacy? Can we not take great pride in the fact that it was here in Fayetteville, in the Market House that North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution, chartered the University of North Carolina and actually ceded western territory to create the state of Tennessee?

My goodness!  It is the only national landmark in Cumberland County and there are only 40 such designations  in the entire state. 

Political correctness is destroying this city as well as America and by trying to eradicate our history, we are needlessly and senselessly disrespecting all Fayetteville citizens, especially the black residents in our community. Think about this: In the Market House hangs a plaque honoring Charles W. Chesnutt (1858-1932).  An Afro-American writer, educator and scholar, Chesnutt was born the son of free blacks who had emigrated to Fayetteville. He worked part-time in the family grocery store while getting his formal education. In 1880, he became principal of the Fayetteville State Normal School for Negroes; now, Fayetteville State University. In 1928, the NAACP honored him with the Spingarn Medal for his pioneering work on behalf of the Afro-American struggle. Today, Charles W. Chesnutt is recognized and remembered as an important contributor to the de-romanticizing trend in post-Civil War southern literature and the singular voice among turn-of-the-century realists. A plaque in the Market House honors and commemorates this man. Shall his work and contributions to the black community be taboo, disrespected and written off as “collateral damage?” I think not.  

His quote “We shall come up slowly and painfully perhaps, but, we shall win our way,” serves as a reminder that progress is constantly being made and hard work, perseverance and courage  are the keys to accomplishment.  Even the words engraved on the plaque serve as compelling and motivating directives. “They [slaves] endured the past so the future could be won for freedom and justice.”  

Why would we want to disrespect and disavow such a shrine to humanity? We really need to think this situation out carefully and unemotionally. In the meantime, we need to get on with doing important municipal  business, solving and preventing crime and improving our city’s quality of life and quit dilly dallying with history that we certainly cannot change. Let’s continue the dialogue and certainly acknowledge our historic past, but, the Fayetteville Market House Logo should remain in place to anchor, record and legitimize our city’s historic past while making sure everyone is invited to participate in Fayetteville’s future. 

Let’s move on with things addressing the greater good of the community and avoid those who only want divisiveness. Concerned residents should contact the Fayetteville City

Council with their views on retaining the logo of the Market House. I appreciate Publisher Bill Bowman for yielding his space for this editorial opinion. 

While people don’t like to talk about the agony of watching someone they love, suffer, it happens — a lot. 

Alzheimer’s is an especially brutal illness because it steals the very essence of who you are. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia. It affects memory, thinking and even behavior. It can be hard to spot at first and the symptoms usually develop slowly. In fact, the brain starts changing years before any symptoms appear. 

Once someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, there are three stages: mild, moderate and severe. Many people consider it a disease that only affects the elderly;  while many senior citizens do develop Alzheimer’s, it is not a normal part of aging. Once someone is diagnosed, they live, on average, four to eight years. 

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and is the only one of the top 10 causes that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed. Close to two-thirds of American’s with Alzheimer’s are women. 

Doctors and researchers are working towards a cure, though. Because of its progressive nature, time is of the essence. Sept. 12 offers an opportunity to make a difference. The 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s opening ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the home of the SwampDogs,  J.P. Riddle Stadium, known affectionately to many as The Swamp.

The funds raised at this event will go to support the Alzheimer’s Association. Founded in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through promotion of brain health.  

McKee Homes, a long-time Alzheimer Association advocate, has planned an event that is sure to be a good time as well as one that will make a difference in countless lives. Julie Russo, co-chair for the event, is looking for a great turn out. 

“We’ve got a lot going on during registration, which starts at 9 a.m.,” she said.  “We have Pine Forest High School Band coming to perform. Fayetteville Champions for the Children will be there, too. They dress up in superhero costumes and paint people’s faces. Victoria Huggins, the second runner-up for Miss North Carolina, will be there, too. She is also going to sing the “National Anthem”.”

Russo noted that there will be plenty of children’s games and other activities as well. 

“There is just a short window of time to enjoy this though, because the opening ceremony starts at 10 a.m..”

The ceremony features the four faces of people affected by Alzheimer’s: someone who has Alzheimer’s and is currently living with it; someone who cares for someone with Alzheimer’s; someone who has lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s; and someone who has no experience with the disease, but is an advocate for the cause. They each write a narrative that is read by the emcee. 

“We want it to be uplifting and to let people know that it is okay to talk about it. It’s okay to be uncomfortable but we need to talk about it,” said Russo. “People are living with Alzheimer’s and managing it, and it is okay for people to see what that looks like.”

Unlike other walks, this one is less than a mile and that is by design. The event organizers wanted to make sure that everyone would be able to participate and finish the walk. 

“The event is more about coming together and not as much about the walking,” said Russo. “The ceremony happens, then everyone gets a flower that represents one of the four speakers.” 

“We have a promise garden and the attendees plant the flowers before the walk starts.  So at the end of the walk, they come around and see the flowers in the promise garden.”

The walk concludes with recognition of the number of walkers that attended and an accounting of the money that was raised. “Then we end with the “Wobble Baby.” It is a line dance,” said Russo.

Walkers can turn in their money on Friday, Sept. 11 from 4-6 p.m. during Bank Night at
The Swamp.

Anyone who raises more than $100 will receive a T-shirt. Register online at alz.org or on the day of the event. 

A few weeks ago, Up & Coming Weekly caught up  and spent a little time with Hakim Isler in the mountains of North Carolina. You may or may not have heard of him, but Isler is on Discovery Channel’s Emmy-nominated Naked and Afraid and Naked and Afraid XL survival series. Isler, an Army veteran, owns Elevo Dynamics Martial Arts Studio and Gym at 110 Person Street in downtown Fayetteville.. 

Isler mastered his survival on Season 3 by surviving 21 days in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains of India. This season, he joined 12 other survivors in the jungles of Colombia, South America. 

Of course, the question that is on the tip of everyone’s tongue is “Why Naked and Afraid?” Isler’s reasoning behind is participation is sound, and it is wound up in his life story.  

At 21, Isler moved to Ohio to attend ninja training under the American Bujinkan Ninjutsu Master Stephen K. Hayes, winner of the Century Martial Arts Lifetime Achievement Award. With a second degree blackbelt in his ruck, Isler joined the Army. There, he attended the Army’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape  School. From there, he continued his wilderness survival skills and discovered that inter-survival was just as important as physical survival.  

Moving back to Fayetteville, Isler opened his “DOGYM”, a 24-hour family gym and martial arts facility.

One day, a friend of his asked him why he never saw any African-Americans on survival shows. That grabbed Isler’s entrance, so he took a look at the shows and decided on  Naked and Afraid. He applied and became the first African-American on any survival show. Honored, Isler saw this as an opportunity to inspire other African-Americans to get involved in survival, which he believes has happened since he appeared on the show. 

In Season One, Isler went 21 days with his female teammate Phaedra Brothers. There, his inter-personal strength was challenged by working better as a team than as an individual. Each contestant is allowed to bring one item to help them survive. Isler showed his ingenuity with his “Tengu Ono,” which he designed specifically for wilderness survival. Today, Isler has a patent on the tool and it is produced and sold by RMJ Tactical.

This season, the Columbian jungle proved more challenging. Physically, Isler began to experience intense muscle spasms and cramps. The medical personnel on the show told him that he was dehydrated. Isler said that he was well hydrated, and instead believed that he was over-hydrated.  

At first, Isler and his teammates thought he would be okay, but as time passed, he began weighing what life would be like after the show. 

As symptoms of cramps manifested, he thought about his business, family and his students. On day seven, he and his teammates agreed that he should quit the show. After returning to Fayetteville, his physician and others told him that he made the right choice.  

When Up & Coming caught up with Isler, he was in the mountains conducting “Mountain Quest.” There, Isler and another martial arts expert, Stephen K. Hayes, tested black-belt candidates. Surprisingly, many of those candidates where young ninjas. 

Isler gets joy from teaching kids and teenagers. Nijitsu teaches them self-discipline, respect and self-control. Isler said that the word “ninja” means “one who perseveres and endures.” He is also proud that he teaches them to “think inside the box, outside the box and to ask what it was like before the box and who made the box.” 

Isler continued, “Ninja self-protection is above all about flexibility and adaptability. You have to know how to change the game and become what is needed to succeed.” 

He said on Naked and Afraid the choice of leaving the show was his way of changing the game because his priority was not television entertainment but higher priorities of life here and his overall health. 

Fayetteville actually has two veteran survivalists on Naked and Afraid XL. Although the episode of Isler leaving the show has already aired, he and Fayetteville resident E.J. Snyder (who is still on the show) will appear on the “Dirty Dozen Return” episode on Sunday, Sept. 6. Snyder is a contractor who works on Fort Bragg and lives in Hope Mills.

School’s back in session and cooler weather is right around the corner. That can only mean one thing … it’s fair time! The Cumberland County Fair runs from Sept. 11-20 this year. That’s 10 days of just about every kind of fun imaginable. From music to motors ports to animals and more, the Cumberland County Fair “seeks to provide an opportunity to showcase and preserve the history and legacy of the agricultural communities in Cumberland County; to celebrate the diversity of local arts and crafts; to promote a safe setting for fun, healthy family entertainment …  and to encourage an environment of friendly competition for all ages.”  

For the Fayetteville community, that translates in to concerts, rides, games, petting zoos, dancing, roller derby, food, animal shows, arts and crafts and fun-filled activities for the entire family. 

All week long, patrons can look forward to an interactive petting farm, Kountry K-9 Show, Motomaniacs Stunt Show, the works of chainsaw artists Rick Cox and Monster Truck Rides. Helicopter rides are also on tap each day as is the baby chic display, toddler driving school, family and consumer science education. Visit the Farmer for a Day exhibit hosted by the Cumberland County 4-H Clubs. There are also pony and camel rides, a Eurobungy trampoline, home, craft and agricultural exhibits and a Goodness Grows in North Carolina contest hosted by the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Service.

Sept. 11 is not only opening night, it is Military and Emergency Services Appreciation Night. That means free admission for all military and first responders in uniform or with a valid ID. The gates open at 5 p.m. Patrons can enjoy WKML 95.7 Live at the Fair and check out the petting farm, racing pigs, a K-9 show, motomaniac, ballroom dancing, hip-hop artist Jay Bless to name a few of the activities. From 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. it’s Midnight Madness, which means free admission with the purchase of an unlimited ride wrist band.

Sept. 12 is Paraglide and Fort Bragg Life night at the fair and features local musician Erik Smallwood on the Entertainment Stage at 1 p.m. The Jill Charles Band takes the stage at 3 p.m. followed by Upscale “N” Casual at 7 p.m. Valhalla closes out the evening’s live performances at 9 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 13 is faith and family day. There are church services on the fairgrounds at 10:15 a.m. Anyone bringing a current church bulletin will receive a $2 discount at the gate. One bulletin per person is required. This offer is valid from 1-3 p.m. The entertainment stage features  Destiny Now, Jordan River Quartet, Avery Hurt, Kim Canady and Accepted. Other events include racing pigs, Country K-9 Show and the petting farm. WKML 95.7 is live at the fair all day. The gates open at 1 p.m.

Sept. 14  is Pay One Price (POP) night. For just $10 gain entry to the fair and an unlimited ride wrist band. The gates open at 5 p.m. WAZZ will be on site doing a live radio remote. Don’t miss the Junior Laying Hen Show at 7 p.m.  Entertainment on stage includes Crossroads and Reckless Abandon.  Motomaniacs have several shows scheduled each day as well. Gates open at
 5 p.m.

Students, Tuesday, Sept. 15, is Fun, Fun, Fun student night at the fair. Students get in free until 8 p.m. with a student discount coupon. Visit the Kidsville News! Stage for all kinds of exciting entertainment throughout the evening. There are racing pigs, the petting farm, Kountry K-9 show, the Junior Market Lamb Show, Motormaniacs and more. The entertainment stage will feature Three Below Zero and Seal the Deal. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 16 is also Fun, Fun, Fun student night. Unique events include Little “Ewe” Jumpstart Livestock Clinic, Swine, Feeder, Calf and Steer Show and the Fayetteville Area Youth Livestock Auction Sale, sponsored by the Cumberland County Farm Bureau. Original Reflections will play on the Entertainment Stage at 6:30 p.m. Reflections II takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. The gates open at 5 p.m.

Senior citizens looking to enjoy the fair at their own pace are invited to the Snior Citizens Day on Thursday, Sept. 17. The gates open at 1 p.m. and patrons 50 years and older get in free until 5 p.m. Special events include Shimmy Mob Dance Troupe, Jackie and the Red Hat Society, magician Marie Blackman, comedian Luis Cadena, Hope Mills Rhythm Stompers, Country Sunshine Line Dancers, Roland’s Dance Studio and the 82nd Aiborne Chorus. Starting at 4 p.m. anyone with a wristband coupon from Carly C’s gets $5 off an unlimited ride wristband and $2 off admission with a 4-H or FFA club membership card or T-shirt. Don’t miss the Junior Meat Goat Show at 7 p.m., racing pigs throughout the evening  and Ring Wars Carolina Wrestling. Performers on the Entertainment stage are Erik Smallwood and Rivermist.

A Fair Fight Against Breast Cancer is the theme for Friday, Sept. 18. Cape Fear Valley Breast Care Center will offer $1 off all admissions between 5 and 8 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. Highlights for the evening include Beach Music Night with Jim Quick and Coastline on the Entertainment Stage, Fair Queen Pageant rehearsals, the Junior Beef Heifer Show sponsored by the Cumberland County Farm Bureau. Don’t miss Midnight Madness from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. Purchase an unlimited ride wristband and get free admission.

Gates open at 1 p.m. for a full day of fun on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Entertainment Stage and Kidsville News! Stage both have a completely full slate with performers like Tony Gibson, Acoustic on the Rocks, The Elite Believers Mime Ministry, VZ Modeling Academy, Drew Smith Band and Back Track Band. The Chainsaw Art Auction is a must see at 5 p.m. The Cumberland County Invitational Step Show  is also at 5 p.m. The Fair Queens Pageants are scheduled for 7 p.m. 

The fair’s last day in town is Sunday, Sept. 20. The day kicks off with church services on the Fairgrounds at 10:15 a.m. The gates open at 1 p.m. for Carload Day at the Fair. There is a $20 admission per car for up to six people. The Horrell Family will grace the entertainment stage along with Glad Trio, Tony Gibsion, The Gores and Travelin’ Light Band. It’s your last chance to enjoy the fair food, play games on the midway, try out the rides, see the racing pigs, Motomaniacs, Kountry K-9s, visit the Kidsville News! stage, the petting zoo and other exhibits.

Find out more at www.facebook.com/CCFairNC.

Are you ready for some college football? Fayetteville State University is ready. The team is gearing up for a highly anticipated football season. If you haven’t been following their progress, now would be a good time to start. 

 “We are expecting to have a big season this year because the past two years we have been a game away from making it to the conference championship game,” said Lawrence Kershaw, head football coach at Fayetteville State University. “We finished in second place in the CIAA Division at 5-5 overall and 5-2 in the CIAA.” 

Kershaw added that the CIAA is broken up into two divisions and the team placed second in its division two years in a row.  

Coach Kershaw believes that he has a team that will take them to the championship this year and there are key players who will make it happen.  

“Our best offensive lineman is Quincey Dickens, two wide receivers, Christopher Hubert and  Tavon Gatlin and running back Andre Montgomery,” said Kershaw.

“The two defensive linemen who are real good are Thomas Perry and Rendell Mas,”  continued Kershaw, adding that he is also excited about linebacker, Timothy Thorb, and secondary defensive back, Kwamere Bailey.      

The team competes in the CIAA, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which is a Division II conference mostly consisting of historically African-American colleges and universities. 

“Our expectation is to win the conference championship,” said Kershaw. “That will always be our number one goal.”  

Coach Kershaw is from from Brooklyn, New York, and this is his 20th season coaching college football. 

He played football in high school and in college at Stony Brook University in New York. He then transferred and graduated from Virginia State University. Kershaw had dreams of going pro but realized as he got older that he did not have the ability. 

“My original goal was to be a guidance counselor and a head football coach at a high school,” said Kershaw. “I have a master’s in guidance and I started coaching college football while I was pursuing my degree.” 

While football is a focus, academic excellence is a priority to Kershaw and his football players. 

“The guys we get are guys who come to school to get an education,” said Kershaw. “They have the athletic ability to help them obtain a degree and we do give scholarships.”  

Kershaw added if you are good enough you will make it. One of his former players, Marcus Reed, who played on last year’s football team, is currently playing with the Kansas City Chiefs.   

The first game of the season is Sept. 5 against Chowan University. The 2015 CIAA football championship will take place on Nov. 14.  

“We always want Fayetteville State University’s football team to be in the conversation,” said Kershaw. “I am anticipating a very successful season.”      

Unlike the British, we Americans have no royal family to follow, so we compensate in two ways. We follow theirs — Will and Kate and their precious little ones — or we create our own, usually entertainment stars and politicians. 

Like virtually everyone else in America, I am transfixed by Donald Trump — the entire package. I can hardly get enough, because there is just so much to absorb, politics notwithstanding.

The hair. The lightning fast and laser sharp insults. The undeniable billionaire status, of which he reminds us frequently.  Free helicopter rides. The beautiful women. The political incorrectness and proud maverick behavior.

And, the various families!

Trump’s birth family, a German father and a British mother with five children, made a fortune building affordable housing in the boroughs around Manhattan, though daddy Trump was known to be — shall we say — frugal. The Donald joined his father’s business at the tender age of 22, heading into real estate in flashy Manhattan with TRUMP emblazoned on most of his buildings and zooming on to billionaire-dom. I have never heard anyone refer to the younger Trump as frugal.

Along the way, he married a Czechoslovakian skier named Ivana, and they had three children. Ivana, who gifted her husband with the enduring moniker “The Donald,” lost out to a beauty queen from Georgia named Marla Maples, with whom Trump had a daughter, aptly named Tiffany. Marla ultimately bit the Trump dust as well, and the current Mrs. Trump is Melania, a former model from Slovenia. They have a son named — what else? Barron Trump. A quick Google turns up thousands of glamorous photos of Mrs. Trump including at least one modeling a fur-lined metal bikini. Ouch!

Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy must be spinning in their graves.

Another politician in the spotlight in North Carolina is state Representative Jason Saine. I have not found any bikini-clad photos of him, but there are plenty of photos of him wearing some $19,000 worth of tailor-made clothing he paid for with campaign dollars during the first half of this year. North Carolina law prohibits using campaign funds contributed by supporters for personal expenses, but Saine maintains that he absolutely had to commission his new wardrobe because his real-life job does not require suits and ties while his legislative job does.

Wonder if the guy has ever heard of Joseph A. Bank or Men’s Warehouse?

Then at the other end of the politician spectrum comes former President Jimmy Carter, who announced to the world last week that the cancer for which he recently had surgery has spread to his brain. Poised and articulate at 90, he explained his condition and his treatment and expressed his enduring faith in God. Relaxed and smiling, he praised his wife of 69 years and urged other cancer patients to hope for the best but to accept what comes. Carter is the epitome of grace and mature manhood.

I bet he has never said anything ugly about Rosie O’Donnell.

And, finally, an update on last week’s column regarding the fate of Virginia Dare, the first child born to English parents in the New World, and the rest of the settlers in the Lost Colony. It seems that I am hardly the only person interested in this 428-year-old mystery. A Raleigh News and Observer column of past news stories compiled by Teresa Leonard recently re-ran a 1938 story suggesting that Virginia Dare is buried in Robeson County!

It quotes well-known Robesonians of the day recounting local legends about a gravesite near the historic Philadelphus Presbyterian Church, which is not to be disturbed under any circumstances. The tale is part of a larger speculation that the Lost Colonists migrated south from their original Roanoke Island settlement and eventually intermarried with the people we know today as Lumbee Indians, some of whom have blue eyes. 

Also weighing in on Virginia Dare was my friend Pam Stultz, longtime senior assistant to the Cumberland County Register of Deeds.

It seems the long-running outdoor drama about the early settlers, The Lost Colony in Manteo, traditionally uses a live baby instead of a doll in performances on Virginia Dare’s birthday, Aug. 18. The little bundle of joy in the arms of an actress in this photo from last week is actually Pam’s infant granddaughter, Carolyn Leigh.

I hope I live long enough to learn what really happened to Virginia and that tiny band of early colonists.

Who would have guessed that in over a decade America —  the land of the free — is still struggling with the issue of immigration? Illegal immigration. 

This is sad. Yet, it is the perfect example of how insensitive, corrupt, inefficient, dysfunctional and out of touch our national government has become. Needless to say, the heart of the problem originates from ignoring and refusing to enforce the laws of the land; a term our current leadership has rendered ineffectual and meaningless. 

To complicate the situation even further, legitimate solutions are not forthcoming. Sad, sad, sad. The political landscape is now further exacerbated with the debate over “anchor babies,” a term coined probably by conservatives to explain how badly America screwed up in interpreting the 14th Amendment to our Constitution and to accentuate how that provision is being misused and abused by foreigners. The 14th Amendment was adopted on July 9, 1868, as one of the Reconstruction Amendments. 

The amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection by the laws, and was proposed in response to issues related to former slaves following the American Civil War. Even as it was proposed, the amendment created controversy and has continued to do so. 

Many believe that the wording of Article I, Section 8 of the Constituion gives Congress the power to “establish  a uniform Rule of Naturalization, which would trump the 14th Amendment.” The answer to that question, of course, lies in the interpretation and determination of the Supreme Court; who knows what they would do in light of other recent decisions they have made with ties to the 14th Amendment? 

But back to the current state of events. Left-wing liberals have lost no time exploiting this circumstance to advance their positions by deploying the politically correct police to demonize the simplistic phrase as demeaning. Really? To whom? Those that are abusing it at American taxpayers’ expense? 

Everyone agrees that illegal immigrants are a major problem, and a costly one at that. Finding a solution is another matter. Amnesty is not an option — at least until the border is secure. Deportation is not really feasible. It is costly and slightly on the barbaric side.

Without a doubt, we know how to find solutions to tough problems - at least when we want to. Any illegal immigrant in America should want to be an American citizen. If not, they must leave. 

Anchor babies? A diversion of rhetoric. Sure, Donald Trump may be leading the clown parade now, but clearly his “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” message is resonating throughout America. Sure, many people say he is not qualified to be president. No argument there. But, they are also saying that after seven years of the Obama administration, so how bad could he really be?

We will see. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly,your community newspaper.

Honeybees are one of the most important insects for the environment. They pollinate 30 percent of flowering crops and 90 percent of wild plants - plants such as apples, broccoli, strawberries, nuts, asparagus, blueberries and cucumbers need bees in order to grow. It is easy to see why bees are so important for the human diet, as well as other mammals, and even plant life. Imagine a summer without your favorite fruit or Thanksgiving without pumpkins. Festivals like the blueberry and strawberry festival would be non-existent without bees. Join the Cumberland County Beekeepers Association on Aug. 29 to learn more about this tiny but important creature.

With such a vital role to play in the food chain, it’s important to keep bees and their hives healthy. Unfortunately, in recent years, hives across the nation have faced Colony Collapse Disorder at an alarming rate. There are several theories about Colony Collapse Disorder and what might cause it, but there is still no solution. 

The Cumberland County Bee Keepers association will show participants how to manage bees, take care of the hives and collect honey. Managing bees without getting stung is an art form. Beekeepers use smokers to trick the bees into thinking their hive is on fire. This calms the bees down so beekeepers can change out the different compartments to retrieve the honey. 

While many people are afraid of bees, they are usually harmless. However, there are a few things that people can do to lessen their chances of encountering bees. Wearing black attracts bees because their natural born enemies are bears. Bees will gravitate towards people wearing darker colors. Bees are drawn to the carbon dioxide, which comes from our nose and mouth. This is why beekeepers wear nets over their faces to keep the bees from stinging. 

Depending on which plants bees pollinate, the taste of their honey can vary. Sometimes the differences are subtle, but wildflower honey is not the same as orange blossom honey. There are up to 300 types of honey in the United States. Bees work all summer long to fill their hive with honey for the winter so they might survive the cold weather. 

Honey can be used in a variety of ways. For example, honey is useful as a cough medicine, to treat wounds, as scalp aid, an energy booster and to
reduce allergies. 

Come and join the Cumberland County Beekeepers Association on Aug. 29 at Carvers Creek State Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Exercise caution if allergic to bees they will be in an enclosed net. 

Fayetteville’s namesake, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, came to America the summer of 1777 at the tender age of 19. He was intrigued by the colonies and their struggle for independence. So he came to America where he served on George Washington’s staff and worked to help win freedom from Britain. The colonists of never forgot Lafayette. Many towns were named after the Frenchman, but Fayetteville, N.C., is the first one to honor him as a namesake when it officially claimed the moniker in 1783 and is the only town named after him, which Lafayette visited. 

Locally, the Lafayette Society honors the memory of the Marquis de Lafayette and promotes awareness of his significant contributions to mankind and freedom through events, programs and educational activities at the Lafayette Birthday Celebration, which falls on Sept. 11-12, this year. The fact that this event falls on the same weekend as the Greekfest is by design. 

“It’s two great events, one great weekend,” said Lafayette Society spokesperson Dr. Hank Parfitt. “Both are excellent  events for  a fun-filled Fayetteville weekend, and there is no reason to miss one to attend the other.”

The festivities start with Arias and Artifacts on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Davis Library on the Methodist University Campus. The library houses letters that were written by Lafayette along with many early 19th century Lafayette memorabilia. From the library, head over to Hensdale Chapel where Dr. Gail Morfesis and Friends will perform a short concert.

Saturday, Sept. 12, kicks off the day’s events with the Lafayette Birthday Farmers Market, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The farmers market is located at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum and includes more than fresh produce. Visitors will find arts and crafts and other items for sale as well. Check out the Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s demonstration about local herbs and how they were used in the 1700s and 1800s.

Don’t miss the Lafayette Trail Tour at 9 a.m. The tour traces Lafayette’s footsteps during his 1825 visit to the city. New stops have been added this year and include the Phoenix Masonic  Lodge and Cool Spring Tavern. 

“The Lafayette Trail Tour is probably the best way to learn about Lafayette and what was going on in America and Fayetteville at the time he visited. You get so much history on this tour and Bruce Daws, who leads the tour, is probably the most knowledgable man in town when it comes to local history,” Parfitt said. “You will be fascinated with all the information he has to share. The Cool Springs Tavern’s docent’s  family has owned it for 200 years. The Masonic lodge is a new stop this year, too — you don’t get to go inside a Masonic lodge often. That is a real opportunity. Like many founding fathers, Lafayette was a Mason along with George Washignton and was welcomed and honored here. Tickets are $30 per person. Reservations are required. The tour includes coffee and croissants and a light lunch. Call 678-8899 for tickets and information.

The All-American Fencing Academy is set to host the Lafayette/Rulnick Open Fencing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tournament includes foil and sabre events and is held at the All-American Fencing Academy on Donaldson Street.

Downtown shops and restaurants are celebrating the special day
with a Lafayette Birthday Sidewalk Sale. The sale runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature great bargains and interesting finds.

The Museum of the Cape Fear’s Festival of Yesteryear runs from 10 a.m to 5 p.m.  Get an up close and personal look at what life was like in Fayetteillve when Lafayette was alive. The theme focuses on the Colonial and Revolutionary War periods. Come and see re-enactors as they show what life was like in the 1700s. Learn about music, toys and games, militia drills and even colonial dentistry. The living history groups include Camp Flintlock, the North Carolina Highland Regiment, and Captain Dry’s Militia Company. Visitors can check out Apprentice Alley, a hands-on experience for children to learn about many of the trades of the time. Apprentice Alley includes crafts and activities that bring history to life for children. The event is free and open to the public. Find out more about the Museum of the Cape Fear and the Festival of Yesteryear at http://museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov/Events.aspx.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., don’t miss the Lafayette District Scouting Expo at Cross Creek Park. The scouting district that covers most all of Cumberland County, and was recently named the Lafayette District. Parfitt noted that the Boy Scout rules tie in perfectly with who Lafayette was and what he represented. “The Scout’s Law lists 10 characteristics of what a scout should be. Lafayette exemplified those characteristics,” said Parfitt.

Demonstrations of scouting skills, camp games and more are planned. Scouts will show off their skills and offer hot dogs and camp food for sale. 

Stop by Lafayette Plaza at Cross Creek Park at noon  and enjoy a free concert compliments  of the Army Ground Forces Dixie-Land Band. The first 100 guest will get free birthday cake and ice cream.

“Part of the fun in this event is that you can connect so many things back to Lafayette and our freedom in this country,” said Parfitt. “When you talk about learning, the Lafayette Society renovated the area around the statue in Cross Creek Park and put in a nice brick plaza and there is a plaque there, which in about 250 words, sums up Lafayette’s life. It is a great way to take advantage of what we have in Fayetteville.”

This Wine Café will host a French wine and cheese tasting from 6-9 p.m. Then finish up the birthday celebration with an engaging presentation about Lafayette. At 7 p.m., Lafayette author and UNC professor of history Lloyd Kramer will speak about Lafayette and the Greek Revolution at the Market House. Kramer’s book Lafayette in Two Worldsoffers a look at Lafayette’s role in America and Europe  during the late 1700s and early 1800s. The event is free but donations will be accepted. 

“We have Dr. Kramer talking about Lafayette and the Greek Revolution and his support of national revolutions worldwide,” said Parfitt. “During his time he was considered a beacon of hope in people in nations who wanted to determine how they would be ruled. The Greeks were under the rule of the Ottoman Turks and that struggle went on for 10 years. Dr. Kramer is a fascinating speaker. He’s  the kind of history professor everyone wishes thy had in high school or college. He makes history come alive when he talks about it.”

Find out more about Lafayette and his birthday celebration at www.lafayettesociety.org/events.php.

For anyone who has ever loved a child, the thought of someone hurting  them or taking advantage of them is unbearable. Yet it happens every day and in some pretty horrific and unexpected ways. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world it is challenging to oversee everything that goes on in a child’s life. But now more than ever, it is vital that parents, family members and loved ones do so. As part of a weekend-long joint initiative with several other community organizations, Groundswell Pictures is set to premier the film Not Just Pictures, a gripping documentary that addresses something most people avoid thinking about much less talking about — child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse — on Aug. 28. The movie asks the question: Are your kids safe just because they are in the house with you? The answer is not necessarily.

While technology has made life better in many ways, the slimy underbelly of it is fraught with danger and downright evil. Thanks to the Internet, it is easier than ever to produce, reproduce and disseminate CSA images, which means there are more of these images out there than ever before and they are, tragically, fairly easy to come by. Disseminating these images is a multi-billion dollar a year industry, and one of the fastest growing online businesses. In the past 10 years, more than 120 million CSA images have been bought and sold. Ninety million of them were of prepubescent children with 12 million of them of infants and toddlers. Each year the images become more brutal and more graphic. 

This film has been in the works for more than two years. Filmmakers Jan Johnson and Pat Wright have more than 50 years of combined experience making films. From TV commercials to feature length documentaries, this award-winning pair has won more than 80 international and national awards.  They have covered topics that include recovery efforts in Haiti, the effects of desegregation, the Hollywood blacklist and more. The pair decided to tackle this issue when they asked their friend and child advocate Dr. Sharon Cooper, and the executive producer of the film, what they could do to make a difference. 

“Without any hesitation she said child pornography and exploitation are issues that need to be dealt with,” said Wright. “Since then, we have been crisscrossing the U.S. and Canada talking with experts. We even attended the Interpol Conference in Bermuda.”

Many people who make and collect child pornography consider it a victimless crime — just pictures. But to the children whose lives are broken by these predators, every instance of possession and/or distribution is a big deal because every time the images change hands,  the children are victimized yet again as predators seek to make child sexual exploitation a normal thing. The victims usually know that their images are online and are powerless to remove them. So every time someone recognizes them, they relive the crime — even as adults. Every time they see someone looking at a cell phone, computer or iPad, they pray the person using the device is not looking at the CSA image of them.

It is an intimidating and terrifying topic, but there are things that parents and guardians can do to educate and protect children at risk and to find and rescue those suffering at the hands of pedophiles and child pornographers as authorities on the front lines of this battle work to find and incarcerate offenders. Not Just Pictures faces this issue head on offering interviews with experts in the field, survivors and parents of survivors and victims of Internet child exploitation. A few of the topics covered in the movie include sex trafficking, sextortion, sexting and sex tourism. 

“What we want to do is, as the name of our nonprofit says, we want to create a groundswell of change on this issue,” said Wright. “We want people to talk about and think about it and act. There are things you can do to protect your kids, but when people are too afraid to even talk about it, it thrives in secrecy. We’ve got to raise the alarm and shine the light on it.”

The world premier of Not Just Pictures opens on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at Fayetteville State University’s Seabrook Auditorium. A question and answer session is planned after the showing. Find out more at www.groundswellpictures.com. 

To truly get an understanding of what sexual abuse does to children, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County presents Illuminations: Artwork Creating Change. This guided exhibit features artwork and journal entries created by two brothers. The boys were abused by the same person. Their works will help people understand what this crime does to children, why they react the way they do and the impact it has on their families. The exhibit is not appropriate for children under 12. Exhibit hours are Aug. 28 at 4th Friday from 5-9 p.m.; Aug. 29 from noon to 4 p.m. with a special workshop at 1 p.m.; and Aug. 30 – Sept. 12 with scheduled daily tours. Call 323-1776 for more information.

Skyview on Hay will host a free Internet safety expo on Aug. 28 during 4th Fridayfrom 5-9 p.m. and on Saturday, Aug. 29 from noon to 4 p.m. The expo offers free tips and ideas from national, state and local groups. Don’t wait to teach your children how to stay safe online. The expo if free.

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, world-renowned child advocate and public speaker Cordella Anderson will be at SkyView on Hay to discuss how parents and guardians can equip children to be safe online. This event is also free. 

“Technology is leaping ahead — look at kids 7-14 these days with hand-held devices and computers in their rooms. They are online and their parents have no idea the what apps the kids are using and they can’t keep them safe,” said Wright. “We put our children on the Internet without teaching them the basics of Internet safety. We need to rethink things and learn how to protect them better.”