As the summer comes to a close, 4th Friday, on Aug. 28, is a fun way for parents to celebrate and kids to mourn the passing of the season. The shops and restaurants stay open late and live entertainment floods the streets. From art, to shopping, to history there is something for everyone. You have not truly experienced downtown Fayetteville until you have experienced a 4th Friday celebration. 

For the younger crowd, Fascinate-U Kids Museum is a must-see. This museum is uniquely designed for children. The exhibits mimic real-life scenarios like grocery stores and news rooms. Kids are invited to interact and play with these exhibits in order to learn about the real world. Admission is free for 4th Fridayevents, and the museum is open from 7-9 p.m. There is also a free craft that kids can take home. This month it is a food self-portrait. Kids are invited to be creative and make a fun and “funky” food collage. Fascinate-U is located at 116 Green St. For more information, call 910-829-9171 or visit www.fascinate-u.com. 

The Headquarters Library is also getting in on the 4th Friday festivities with an event that deftly combines art and science. It will host the Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society. The event is sponsored by Systel and includes refreshments. The Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society will have a large display of fossils, rocks and gems. There will be stones perfect for making jewelry, gemstone trees and cabochons. Members of the society will answer any questions and talk about all of the amazing minerals and gems on display. The members will also have hand-crafted items available for purchase. Look for the Cape Fear Mineral and Gem Society in the Pate Room of the Headquarters Library from 7-9 p.m. The Headquarters Library is located at 300 Maiden Lane. For more information, call 910-482-7727 or visit www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/ccplsite.

Coinciding with 4th Friday is the last Fayetteville After 5 of the season. These free concerts are the ideal way to relax and enjoy some of the last of the warm summer evenings. For this concert, Natural Wonder, a tribute to Stevie Wonder, and Trial by Fire, a tribute to Journey, will perform. Gates open at 5 p.m. and entertainment begins between 7 and 7:30 p.m. The concert is scheduled to end between 10:30 and 11 p.m. No outside food or beverages are allowed in the park, but patrons are invited to bring chairs of blankets. This concert is also military appreciation night. The concert is held in Festival Park located at 225 Ray St. For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com/p/Events/211 or call 910-323-1934. 

The Cape Fear Studios Gallery opens an exhibit featuring Benn Greene-Colonnese. He creates unique structural sculptures and functional pieces by molding, casting and grinding glass. He takes his inspiration from natural and man-made sources. This exhibit runs until Sept. 15. Cape Fear Studios is located at 148 Maxwell St. The gallery is open from 6-8 p.m. on 4th Friday. For more information, visit www.capefearstudios.com or call 910-433-2986. 

My eastern North Carolina grandmother drew me into the mystery of Virginia Dare before I started school. I was instantly riveted and have remained so ever since. Virginia was the first child born to English parents in what was then called “the New World.” She was born in 1587 on Roanoke Island, now part of North Carolina. Three years later when her grandfather returned from an extended resupply mission to England, Virginia and her family were nowhere to be seen —  nor were any of the other colonists.

Being a North Carolina girl like Virginia, I was convinced that it was my mission in life to solve that mystery, and what is more, I was absolutely confident that I could — and would — do just that. My enthusiasm continued into grade school, where I actually had a classmate named Virginia Dare Mason. After I figured out my schoolmate was not THE Virginia Dare — I was very young — I decided my Virginia was a direct descendent and probably knew the secret of what happened to the original Virginia but was not telling.

Clues have been scant. 

The newly returned Englishmen found the word “Croatoan” carved into a fence post and “Cro” carved into a tree. Over the last 428 years, people like me have speculated that the small band of 100 or so colonists were attacked by the local Native Americans, or more kindly, that they went to live with them and were ultimately assimilated. Some contended the colonists went south to Hatteras Island. Some said they went inland. Some said they were wiped out by disease, and one or two suspected abduction by space aliens. The truth, though, has been that no one from 1587 until now ever had much more than a theory. 

Now there seems to be actual evidence, not exactly Virginia’s crib with her DNA on it, but something we can touch nonetheless, and I could not be more thrilled!

Maps from Virginia’s day exist and have been studied for more than four centuries. Three years ago a Durham-based group of people like me called First Colony Foundation announced that scholars had taken another look at a map drawn by Virginia’s grandfather, an employee of Sir Walter Raleigh. Recent close examination revealed symbols that could refer to forts or secret emergency locations that the settlers would have known about. The symbol led researchers to an area in Bertie County, west of where the settlers were last seen and where rivers that could be used for transportation converge. 

The focus is now around a residential and golf course development, which conjures up thoughts of the discovery of King Richard III’s long-missing body being located three years ago beneath what the British call a car park in Leicester, England, but we will not go there in this column.

The front page of a recent Raleigh News and Observer had yet more good news. First Colony Foundation archeologists have been digging and have found pottery shards, a hand-wrought nail and artifacts associated with clothing, everyday items from the 16th century and consistent with similar finds in England. Researchers speculate that the colonists left their Roanoke Island settlement for whatever reason in two waves — first a small group of men and later a group of men, women, and children, presumably including Virginia.

Perhaps we human beings have genes that drive us to solve mysteries like what happened to baby Virginia and King Richard. We have long known that Richard died on the battlefield at Bosworth Field and that his head was later displayed to prove to both friend and foe that the king was indeed dead. Earlier this year, what was left of him was given a dignified burial, and Leicester continues to do brisk business in kingly tourist trade, including a special “Return of the King” beer.  

But Virginia? Who knows? Did she perish from harsh living conditions as did many infants in that era? Did she grow up and have children so that her blood still runs in someone, somewhere? Will we ever know or will we go to our own graves still channeling Virginia?

We will know, if the folks at First Colony Foundation have their way. Phil Evans, president of the foundation, is hopeful. “We’ve gone from known to unknown to a new known,” he says, referring to the recent finds in Bertie County... There’s a lot more unknown to be discovered. The future before us is one of still searching, still researching.”

I am cheering them on from Fayetteville, hoping that my childhood dream of Virginia being found will come true, even if I am not the one to do it. Knowing the fate to Virginia and the rest of the Lost Colony would enrich the history of the nation that came into being in part because of this tiny band of colonists.

Really, though, I just want to know what happened….

Well, I must admit I appreciate City Manager Ted Voorhees pursuing a downtown baseball stadium. A project, if it comes to fruition, that could actually unite our community rather than divide it. Unfortunately, he and city staff cannot resist the bureaucratic temptation to 

spend taxpayer money needlessly and foolishly.

Agreed, due diligence must be done on a project that could cost as much as $50 million. However, gallivanting off at taxpayers’ expense to Sugarland, Texas, near Houston, to tour a minor league baseball stadium seems a bit excessive, no? Especially when they can tour a half dozen comparable stadiums within a few short hours from Fayetteville. Go figure. 

When I inquired about this to two city hall insiders, both replied the same way: They said city staff feel compelled to spend their budgeted travel allowance. Bureaucrats! This scenario becomes even more ridiculous when you consider that the ballpark in Sugarland sits on the southwest side of Houston, Texas, which has a population of a whopping 2.2 million people. Sugarland’s sales tax, by the way, is 8.25 percent with a hotel occupancy tax of around 13 percent. Not to mention that the cost of building their stadium was $37 million in 2011. In 2016, this project would probably come in at $45-$50 million. All this being known, it begs the question: Why travel to Houston?

Yes, a baseball park in downtown Fayetteville does have potential– within reason. We must approach this reasonably and we must eliminate the silliness such as the editorial that was recently in the Fayetteville Observer written by Tim White. This August 16 editorial shows how grossly out of touch we are when it comes to being reasonable about such things. Ignoring our own history seems to be our local pastime. Someone needs to inform the Fayetteville Observer, Tim White, Ted Voorhees and Rochelle Small-Toney that “Build it and they will come” is only a fictional phrase from Kevin Costner’s movie Field of Dreams. Baseball players do not really enter and exit cornfields. Nor do corporations, businesses and fans follow and support multi million-dollar stadiums. Really.

 I love baseball, and as much as I would love to see a baseball stadium in downtown Fayetteville, I think we need to slow down and think this one out, in the meantime, let’s support the local sports teams we have. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

 

Better Health is a local organization that is dedicated to helping Cumberland County residents attain a healthier lifestyle. 

“Better Health was founded to help address the unmet healthcare needs of Cumberland County residents through education, referral and assistance. We work closely with many other agencies in town to ensure that we can help our community stay healthy,” explained Amy M. Navejas, the new executive director of Better Health. 

“Our clients run the gamut from those in financial hardship who had an unexpected need for medication to professors wanting to learn more about managing their diabetes.” 

On Aug. 29, Better Health is set to host its second annual Diabetes…Dodge It! Dodgeball Tournament as a means of raising operating funds.

Navejas began as the new executive director on July 1, and quickly immersed herself into her new role. She has a personal connection with some of the programs, so passion for her work came naturally. 

“I love our diabetes program. My father has Type I diabetes and was diagnosed at 13 years of age, so I grew up being taught the signs of blood glucose problems. I also saw my father manage his diabetes very well and he is living a very normal, healthy life with diabetes. Seeing others learn to do the same and go from a daunting diagnosis to new found confidence is very rewarding,” she said.

“I have a true passion for children. Our Eat Smart, Move More program is phenomenal,” she continued. “We go to local schools, camps and after school care programs to teach healthy eating habits and exercise. The kids love it! We just can’t underestimate the importance of engaging kids in healthy lifestyle choices and the preventative impact that has. I love seeing the kids practicing tai chi poses and trying new veggies!”

Staying healthy and having fun all come together in the Better Health second annual Diabetes…Dodge It! Dodgeball Tournament. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Better Health diabetes program, which includes clinics three days a week as well as educational and exercise classes. 

For those unfamiliar with the game, Navejas provided insight noting, “Each team has six players and up to three alternates. Each team will play at least two matches. Each match has three games. The winner of the match is the best two out of three. Now if one team wins the first two games, the third game is not played. Each game can last five minutes, but typically that does not occur.”

Another benefit to the tournament is that it provides a fresh new perspective on fitness; one that is far more approachable and fun. 

“It’s an amazing, fun opportunity for everyone to be active! Exercise can be fun — think outside the box. Being fit doesn’t have to be running marathons and doing sit ups. That can be daunting for some people. Exercise can be at any level and for all ages. Most importantly, it can be fun!” Navejas said. 

The tournament is on Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. at the Freedom Courts Sportsplex located at 3126 Gillespie St. For more information or to register, visit http://betterhealthcc.org/forms.html or call 910-483-7534. Teams must register by Aug. 15 and team members must be 14 and older. The registration fee is $100 per team. There are also sponsorship opportunities available.

Farmers markets unite the producer and the consumer in a totally unique way. At the supermarket it is difficult to know where everything originated, how it was treated or how fresh a product is. But at a farmers market, you shake the hands that tilled the Earth, that grew the vegetables that grace your dinner table. The produce and various other products at the local farmers markets are a reflection of the landscape and the local people. There is a time and place for supermarket, but it is a tragedy to lose touch with the people and the land that feed the community, especially when there are so many in options in the area. Fresh, healthy, affordable food is closer than you might think. 

Murchison Road Community
Farmers Market

The Murchison Road Community Farmers Market was created by Fayetteville State University students in 2014 and is made possible thanks to a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program. The program is aimed at creating a healthier community by eliminating the food desert that surrounded the Murchison Road community. Before this market, there was no fresh produce readily available in the Murchison Road area. The market runs from mid-May through the end of November every Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 1047 Murchison Rd. in Bronco Square. There are several family farms that sell produce, herbs, jams, preserves and fresh local honey. For more information, visit www.mrcommunityfarmersmarket.com. 

Sandhills Farmers Market of Spring Lake

The Sandhills Farmers Market of Spring Lake is another option for local fresh fruits and vegetables. This market is supported by the Sandhills Family Heritage Association. In addition to fantastic local produce and products, this market has a strong focus on the traditions and heritage of the land. 

“African Americans in the Sandhills region of North Carolina have a long tradition of economic self-sufficiency that is tied to the land. SFHA has rekindled that entrepreneurial spirit by promoting community-based economics,” the website explains. The market is designed for underserved producers with limited resources. It is costly to start a business. It takes liquid funds and resources that many just don’t have access to. These barriers often prevent people from engaging in entrepreneurial ventures. This market is an affordable alternative that benefits the producers and the consumers. 

The market features produce, handcrafted items and canned goods — all connected with the culture and history of the land. Every third Saturday, the market hosts special activities for children. Closely related to the Sandhills Farmers Market is the 10 Percent Campaign. Supporting the campaign means promising to spend 10 percent of the money that is already designated for food locally (like at a farmers market!) instead of at a major food chain. This pledge supports the local economy, community and farmers. The money not only buys healthy, delicious food, it is an investment in the community. The Sandhills Farmers Market is held at 230 Chapel Hill Road in Spring Lake on Saturdays, July through September, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 910-497-0628 or visit http://sandhillsfamilyheritage.weebly.com.

City Market at the Museum

City Market at the Museum Starts on April 18 and runs through December. It is held at the Fayetteville Transportation and Local History Museum at 325 Franklin St. from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1p.m. There is no telling what you may bring home from this market, but it is sure to be good. 

The vendors at this market are a mixture of farmers and artisans. Next to fresh corn, sweet potatoes and tomatoes are soaps, baked goods, pottery and hand-crafted jewelry of all mediums. This market is a perfect reflection of all the local community produces. The produce is a reflection of the land and the handcrafted goods are a reflection of the people. In order to truly understand the culture of the community both are necessary. 

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/CityMarketAtTheMuseum or call 910-433-1457. 

Community Supported Agricultural Co-op

In the busy modern world it can be difficult to take the time required to visit the farmers market, especially when the days they are held don’t mesh with soccer practice and piano lessons. Luckily, there is an even easier way to get your local fresh produce. Sustainable Sandhills partnered with the Sandhills Farm to Table Cooperative to bring healthy, preservative-free produce practically to family doorsteps with the Community Supported Agriculture Cooperative. 

Co-op members subscribe to receive fresh produce boxes either weekly or bimonthly and these boxes are distributed to three drop-off sites by volunteers. These produce boxes offer seasonal fruits and vegetables and treats such as goat cheese, fresh breads, heritage grains and much more. This program helps to make fresh healthy foods more widely available in an environmentally friendly way by cutting down on the distance that food travels and the energy that is consumed to get it there. For more information, visit www.sustainablesandhills.org/#!csa/czpq or call 910-484-9098. 

On Aug. 14, WKML presents the second New Artist Showcase Parking Lot Party of the season. The Parking Lot Parties serve a dual purpose for the local country music community: It provides a platform for new talent to be heard and to gain performing experience, and it provides the audience with an evening of new music and good times. It is an all-around fun time and great event. 

Opening the Parking Lot Party is Dakota Bradley. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Bradley’s first love was sports. But when he discovered an old guitar hidden in the basement of his home, everything changed. He found his calling. Since then Bradley has immersed himself in music, starting his first band in eighth grade. That group even won a “Battle of the Bands” contest. Music is his passion and he is pursuing it relentlessly with a joy and excitement that is evident when he performs. 

Jackie Lee is also scheduled to perform. He was born in Maryville, Tennessee, in 1991, and began his music career at the tender age of 6 working with Carson Chamberlain. His style is that of a contemporary country rocker, but his powerful vocals lend themselves well to the classic crooning love songs that define country, as well. He takes inspiration from the great classic country stars as well as the newer country rockers, which gives him a unique and versatile style. 

Lauren Alaina is the headliner. The past American Idol contestant’s love of music was evident to her family from an early age when she constantly sang along to music in the car and in their home. They realized she was blessed with a rare talent. Early on, her talent was recognized by the community and fostered by her family. Her youthful passion and ambition brings an energy to the stage that can’t be manufactured. 

In addition to these fantastic musicians, look for plenty of other entertaining activities for fans and families to enjoy such as corn hole toss. Various food trucks will offer a range of foods and a beer garden filled with refreshing brews will provide all the delicious snacks and libations necessary for an excellent party.

The Parking Lot Party is at the Crown Coliseum Complex, located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. Tickets are $10 or $5 for WKML All-Access Members and Crown Insiders. Tickets are available online at CrownComplexNC.com, at the Crown Box Office, or by phone at 1-888-257-6208. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating. The Parking Lot Party is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. Dakota Bradley will open at 7 p.m., followed by Jackie Lee at 7:30 p.m., ith Lauren Alaina preforming at 8:30 p.m. The final New Artist Showcase Parking Lot Party of the season will be held on Sept. 18 during the County Fair. For more information, visit www.wkml.com. 

 

Those of us who are products of the 1950s often reflect on the good old days; wishing we could return to the time when Eisenhower Republicans were held in high esteem. It was a different time, an enviable time of prosperity and harmony. At least it was where I grew up in Upstate New York. 

I still consider myself fortunate that I was educated in a state where I attended kindergarten in the post-World War II era. Folks my age who grew up in North Carolina didn’t get an early childhood education. When I went to junior high in the mid-’50s, my school had an indoor Olympic-size swimming pool. When I graduated from high school in 1959 with a Regents Diploma issued by the State University of New York, I had the equivalent of a first year education at Duke University.

I was fortunate to have been reared in an upper middle-class family. My dad was an executive with General Electric, and of course, my mom was a homemaker. We lived a privileged Ozzie and Harriet lifestyle. And yes, I do wish we could relive those days, which of course, we cannot.

But in one way, I am still able to thanks to a dear friend who I met in the 1960s when we both served overseas in the military. Jerry was in the Air Force and I was in the Army. He happened to be a native of Fayetteville, and we were reunited here after leaving the service. To this day I’m amazed that when we get together for breakfast or dinner, he always bumps into people he knows. He has never met a stranger. He went to school with my late wife at Alexander Graham Junior High and Fayetteville Senior High School. 

What’s funny about my friend is that in many ways he is still stuck in the ‘60s, and I sometimes envy him. Jerry doesn’t use an ATM card except to get cash out of the machine. He writes checks when he pays household bills and he carries cash in his wallet. He still reconciles his checkbook each month. How many of us do that anymore? He doesn’t believe in online banking and he mistrusts the government. He carries a flip phone and doesn’t text. He has a real home phone, too, and turns off his cell phone when he’s at home. He doesn’t have a Facebook page.

Jerry tells me his dear wife puts his clothes out for him each morning. I was aghast when he told
me that, but then he explained it’s because his eyes are color deficient. He’s not color blind,
but close. 

My friend drives a 12-year-old car of which he is very fond. He and his bride have a wonderful traditional marriage. He holds on to old fashioned values that were ingrained in those of us who grew up back in the day. Those values include honesty, loyalty and commitment. 

Is there anything else you could ask of a friend?

 

Well, duh! No one who lives in the United States has missed the news that lifestyle choices affect our health, but just in case you have missed one point or two, I have made up an easy-to-take quick quiz. Please choose the healthier of each of the two options listed below:

• Bacon cheeseburger with fries or kale salad with salmon.

• Binge-watching Netflix series or a brisk two-mile walk.

• A double chocolate milk shake or unsweetened green tea.

• A pack of cigarettes a day or an air purifier in your bedroom.

• Sleeping in on Saturday morning or hitting the gym for an hour or so.

• Riding the elevator to the second floor or taking the stairs.

• Driving around the parking lot until you find a parking place near the store or parking at the far end of the lot and hoofing it to the door.

• A six pack of beer before dinner or one glass of red wine.

• A tanning bed or daily sunscreen.

The list goes on and on, but no doubt you made a perfect score on this easy quiz. The correct answer is the second option every time. It turns out, though, that life expectancy depends not just on the choices we make.

It also depends on where we live.

Recently released data compiled by researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that just as urban areas offer more choices, amenities and overall wealth than rural areas, people who live in urban communities are generally healthier and have longer life expectancies than their neighbors in rural areas. 

Let that sink in for a moment. 

Short of an untimely accident, our own life spans depend not only on our own choices about how we live, but also where we lay our heads at night. For example, the study finds that a person born and raised in Raleigh has a life expectancy of 80 years, while a similar person born in Martin County, a rural area 75 miles away from Raleigh in eastern North Carolina, can expect to live to 73. Equally startling is the finding that life expectancy varies within communities. A person living in an affluent North Raleigh suburb can expect to blow out 88 candles, while a similar person in poorer southeast Raleigh might need only 76 candles.

The entire picture is, as they say, complicated.

Life expectancy in the United States has been rising over much of the last century for all sorts of reasons, including access to healthcare and personal lifestyle choices. More subtle factors are at work as well. 

People without ready access to fresh food — those who live in so called “food deserts,” are more likely to eat larger quantities of processed foods and to suffer from obesity and its dangers. People who live in areas without safe places to walk or with few recreational options are less likely to reap the benefits of regular exercise. 

It gets more complicated and worse. People who live in places with poor schools are less likely to learn healthy living habits, and those with low-paying jobs are less likely to afford fresh foods, even if they are available. People who live in unsafe housing face a number of health issues, including unsafe paints and other pollutants. The list goes on and on.

The folks at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation stress that their findings are general information, not applicable to specific individuals. Rather, they hope policy makers at the local and state levels will use the data in making public policy decisions. Says Derek Chapman of Virginia Commonwealth University who helped produce maps detailing health and well-being discrepancies by place, “Our goal is really just to help local officials, residents and others understand that there’s more to health than healthcare. We’re really advocating that health be part of the discussion when talking about public policy.”

Chapman probably does not follow decision-making in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, but he is absolutely correct in saying public health concerns should be part of the decision-making process concerning where Fayetteville locates swimming pools and how Cumberland County addresses stunning and embarrassingly high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, especially among young people.

Easy answers and quick fixes do not exist for the complex and intertwined factors that contribute to or detract from good health and longevity. As Chapman puts it, “Improving health requires having a broad range of players at the table. Education and income are directly linked to health. On an individual level, having a higher educational level usually leads to having a better job, better insurance, but your income and education also determine the kind of neighborhood in which you can live.

City council members, county commissioners and legislators, are you listening? 

Good things last and Up & Coming Weekly’s Best of Fayetteville readership survey is celebrating its 18th year paying tribute to Fayetteville’s Best of the Best. It is a prestigious award bestowed once a year to the best people, businesses and organizations that have contributed overwhelmingly to defining excellence in service, workmanship and contributions to the quality of life of the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community. It’s an honor that is marketed, advertisedand promoted all
year long.

The  September 16 Best of Fayettevilleedition of Up & Coming Weekly will serve throughout the year as a priceless newcomer’s guide, service directory and recreation and cultural event resource. Every page is touting with confidence the Best of the Best of what the Fayetteville community has to offer.  

The rules, format and guidelines of this sanctioned, time-tested survey are stringent to secure and maintain the integrity of the program. These rules are time tested, monitored and audited to provide residents, local businesses and organizations
 the recognition and tribute they deserve for
 their dedication and perseverance in their quest
for excellence.  

Every category winner has achieved the highest level of excellence in what they do; and for 18 years we have willingly told their stories, acknowledged their accomplishments and even revealed their secrets. All, without a single regret.  

No ballot stuffing here, no popularity contest or dubious chances to sway the end result. Each winner is distinguished in its own unique way. There is no faking it when the community selects you as the Best of the Best. This means that you are preforming at the highest level of excellence as recognized by your peers. After all, in a competitive world and tight economy, only the best survive and they deserve your business.

In building a better community, leaders know that success must be built on a sound foundation. In this case, the foundation is the community’s best people, businesses and organizations, all striving for extreme excellence. Remember, the Best of Fayetteville is a year-round celebration! 

Speaking of celebrations, Up & Coming Weekly is also celebrating our 20th anniversary. Can you imagine the award party we will have this year? So mark your calendars for September 15th from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the newly renovated Kagney’s on Bragg Blvd. It’s a party! In the meantime, thank you for reading 

Up & Coming Weekly. 

I can email with the best of you, and these days I text more often than not, but I remain a technology Luddite with most other emerging technologies. Pinterest and Instagram are mysterious, and many of you are no doubt happily using the Internet in ways I have yet to learn and probably never will.

Recently, though, I decided to try the feature on my smart phone that allows me to dictate text messages by clicking on the microphone icon. My sister goaded me into it, but that is another story. My first audio text went to one of the Precious Jewels, whose rather unusual family name begins with “S.” I dictated my message and closed with “Mommy loves S…” and hit “send.” 

My message swooshed out with no punctuation whatsoever — I had not yet learned I need to say comma, period or question mark, and it closed with “Mommy loves saving.”

Obviously, Precious Jewel responded with “Loves saving what?”

The Internet — the parts I know about — are full of hysterical parent-child texts, some that reflect the generational technology gap and some of which reveal the dangers of auto correct in all its vulgarity. Some of them cannot be printed in a community newspaper, but most of them make me laugh out loud all by myself. 

My list is evolving, but here are some of my faves:

From a Mom: “What does IDK,LY&TTYL mean?”

Child: “I don’t know. Love you. Talk to you later.”

Mom: “OK, I will ask your sister.”

From a Child: “Mom wants you to get her prego.”

Dad: “Well, I can’t. I had that problem solved years ago.”

Child: “OH MY GOD DAD! Ew! TMI! I will be forever grossed out. Mom wants you to get her Prego. The cooking thing.”

Dad: “OK, sweetie.”

From a Child to Mom: “So how’s your new phone? You finally got a smart phone…Mom?”

Mom: “Howdoyoudoaspace?”

Mom to Daughter: “Good morning beautiful :) Your imaginary boyfriend.”

Daughter: “Thanks, Mom….”

Mom: “Vaby, u r 14 now, i think its time we talk @ sex…”

Child: “K, mom, tell me what you want to know…”

Child: “Could you send me Uncle Bill’s address?”

Mom: “I cabby foud Muir gladness giver. Canny text nose.”

Child: “Huh?”

Mom: “I found my glasses.”

Child: “Got an A in Chem!!!”

Mom: “WTF, well done!”

Child: “Mom, what do you think WTF means?”

Mom: “Well that’s Fantastic!”

Mom: “Your great aunt just passed away. LOL”

Child: “Why is that funny?”

Mom: “It’s not funny David! What do you mean?”

Child: “Mom lol means laughing out loud!”

Mom: “Oh my goodness!! I sent that to everyone I thought it meant lots of love I have to call everyone back”

Child: “Hey mom. I’ve decided I’m coming out.”

Mom: “Oh Michael, Dad and I always knew you were gay, but I am a tad shocked you texted me. I love you no matter what!”

Child: “MOM I AM NOT GAY!! I sent my text before I could finish. I’m coming out to see you and Dad in May!”

Mom: “LOL. We love you no matter what kind of coming out you do!”

Child: “Mom. Where are you????”

Mom: “Leaving walmart. Halfway home..” Why sweetie?”

Child: “You brought me to walmart with you…”

Mom: “OH DARN! Be there in a bit…”

Dad: “Hey honey, how’s your day?”

Child: “Good. I’m having the best weed of my life.”

Dad: “Oh me too…where did you gets yours from?”

Child: “NO NO NO I meant week!! Wait what Dad?”

Dad: “Let’s not tell mom about this conversation.”

Child: “Hey Mom, where are you?”

Mom: “Da Store. Y?”

Child: “I reallyyyy want that new cereal Krave.”

Mom: “I’ll think abt it. I get/do what I want.”

Child: “Mom, you’re not a gangster.”

Mom: “Imma straight up G. hommie.”

I am perfectly willing to concede that some of these may be Internet creations written to amuse, and they do. Others ring true to this mother, who has made more email and texting boo boos than she cares to admit and which the Precious Jewels delight in pointing out to their errant Mom.

That being said, I close with this one from a well-meaning but befuddled Dad.

Dad: “You left your phone at home.”

I could have sent that one myself.

 

Fayetteville’s city manager, Ted Voorhees does not need to make statements that might suggest low level paranoia. On July 14, Voorhees  attended a community watch meeting at MacPherson Presbyterian Church, where his recent comments were at best impolitic and at worst deliberately accusatory.

The comments centered around the community’s public utility, PWC, which has been a bone of contention for much of the past two years. At the meeting, Voorhees, responding to general audience criticism of slow sewer extension work, suggested that PWC was purposely delaying sanitary sewer-line extension work to make him look bad.

That is ridiculous when one considers how little, if any, the city manager’s role is in executing PWC’s construction activities. Nonetheless, Voorhees took the opportunity while in front of a receptive audience to further his argument that he, the city manager, should be in control and in charge of the PWC. 

He further noted that all four of the PWC commissioners, who are appointed by the city, should be fired. The clear implication was that things would move faster if he was at the helm. Such posturing by a non-elected official is unseemly and definitely not within his job description. But suggesting commission members are setting him up is unacceptable conduct and it attempts to impugn the character of commission members, all of whom are well-known and respected in the community.

This latest dust-up between Voorhees and the PWC is nothing more than petulance by the city manager. This is not the first, and probably not the last time, we have seen this unprofessional, unseemly side of Voorhees, who tested his hand and influence shortly after assuming the city manager role. 

One of his first moves after entering city hall was directed at PWC. We all know how well that worked out for him. A stand-off between Voorhees and the PWC Commission resulted in a lawsuit between the city and the utility, which quickly brought to light that support for uprooting the PWC 100- year-old plus charter was not as forthcoming among city council members as Voorhees may have anticipated. 

In the kerfuffle that has followed, a bill was introduced by Rep. John Szoka that will provide more, not less autonomy to the PWC. This bill and a similar one in the N.C. Senate will produce a blended legislative document that will end the fight but not the hardened attitudes. 

The bill should have been an excellent example for Voorhees of being careful what you wish for — you might just get it.

With traditional Cumberland County Schools are gearing up to start classes on Aug. 25, Up & Coming Weekly met with Cumberland County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Frank Till, to find out what students and families need to know for this coming school year.

UCW: Tell our readers about the good things going on in Cumberland County Schools — accomplishments and milestones from last year as well as things they can look forward to in the coming year. 

DR. TILL: We are modernizing some things and recently, because of the military  and the transient nature of the community, we want to make sure that the curriculum is standardized from school to school. What that will allow us to do is follow up and better remediate students with problems.

Another thing we are doing is working on our website so that we are going to be able to present videos to parents on our parent link. They  can go online and see things that will help them and their kids. The videos may be about broad things like the new grading policy or they might suggest how to help children with  homework.

UCW:What are your top three priorities for Cumberland County Schools this year? 

DR. TILL:Sudent achievement is always number one, reading at early grades and at the higher grades we are focusing on AP classes.

We discovered that tardiness is beginning to impact achievement, which affects students long-term, so we are doing a campaign encouraging parents to get kids to school on time and to help them stay in school. We are going to work with judges and police and child services as well to try and get our kids to school on time and have them in school the entire day.

Then, mentoring our students is another priority. We will continue to try to find people in the community who will give an hour a day to mentor. This is not tutoring; this is about mentoring. We want people who will come in and talk with the kids and see how they are doing, find out if they are having any problems that we can help them with, things like that. We are encouraging people to do more of that.

A fourth initiative we are excited about is that we are working with the chamber to recognize local businesses that are willing to give our employees discounts. It is already starting to grow  and I am optimistic.  It is a great way to get our employees to shop local and it makes it easy for local business owners to support educators and those that work in the education system

UCW:In February, the state released rankings for the 2013-2014 school year. Three Cumberland County schools received As, 16 received Bs, 28 received Cs and 22 got Ds and one received an F.  Did this information inspire any changes in local schools? 

DR. TILL:For us, it was something we did better on than most districts in that we had only one F. We measure growth over proficiency for our students. That way you don’t punish someone in a neighborhood with a lot of poverty or reward someone in a wealthy neighborhood. So we can focus on getting children an equal education across the board.

If we get every child to their expected growth for the year, these other things take care of themselves. We are always looking for ways to help our students succeed so the rankings don’t affect the way we do things.

UCW:With three years of Common Core behind Cumberland County students, what are your thoughts on the Common Core Curriculum? 

DR. TILL:I support Common Core. I think it has been misinterpreted, though. It was a state initiative. The states came up with it, and the military supported it, because as kids move around there needs to be a common standard. We also need to be able to determine how North Carolina compares to other states. Without a commom  standard you can’t do that. The real problem with Common Core has been with the  assessments. North Carolina has terrible assessments. I was on a task force and we were not able to change anything but the fact is, we are over assessing the kids. 

In a 90-day period, there were assessements of some kind on 72 days last year. We are finding there is no match with assessments; there is a disalignment with the testing. Cumberland County Schools is working on that. 

UCW:The schools are set to move to a 10-point grading scale this year. Why the change and what does it mean for local students and teachers? 

DR. TILL:That was a state initiative. The conversation was a part of a discussion including how our students compare with students  from our state and other states when they are applying to colleges. Many other states are on the 10-point standard so when students from North Carolina were competing for college seats, our grading scale put them at a disadvantage. In the high schools we needed to be more aligned with what other states were doing. 

Then they began to talk about phasing it in. We had some problems because we realized that if I was 10th grader and you were a 9th grader  and we both got 92s, as a 9th grader you would get an A and I as a 10th grader would be at a B. So the state decided to implement the 10-point scale across the board. 

UCW:There is talk about budget cuts and cutting local teaching assistant jobs. How many jobs are at stake here and what will that mean for teachers and students? 

DR. TILL:We don’t know. The legislature hasn’t passed a budget yet. If the state senate budget passes as is we will have to cut a significant number of teacher assistants. That will cause problems not just in class rooms, but also with bus drivers and a lot of other things. To lose them would hurt us. They are also talking about cutting teachers. We already don’t have enough to go around. We would be short teachers and under a penalty for oversized classes. That could cost us millions. Nobody knows when the budget will pass  so this could happen even well into the school year. There doesn’t seem any rush in Raleigh. 

UCW:How has the military’s shrinking budget affected Cumberland County Schools? Are you anticipating any big changes this year due to the shrinking military presence at Fort Bragg? 

DR. TILL:Last year we lost about 1,000 students because of the downsizing and that hurt us. This year, enrollment is only down at one school so far and we don’t know why.  We hope last year was the big year.  Thanks to Gen. Ray Odierno, the military took military students and local schools into consideration when it came time to make more cuts. They are cutting something like 850 military personnel from Fort Bragg next year and that should not hurt us as badly. 

We got a major grant from the military and we feel like we have done a lot to show we care about military  children.

UCW:The Cumberland County Schools System does a great job of meeting students and families where they are and working with them to create success. What do our readers need to know about special programs and schools in Cumberland County? 

DR. TILL:In all schools,  if parents come in  we can sit down  and talk with them about how to help their students. We need to form a good partnership with the home. Many kids spend more time on video games than they do excersizing. Their health is going down. We need to get them playing more and doing homework.

Nutrition is a factor, too. This year, we have 32 schools  that serve breakfast and lunch at no charge. We need a declaration from the community that we need to commit to creating healthy kids. Healthy kids go further in life.

We are really working on tardiness and making sure that kids are in school on time and that they stay the entire day. We have parents that don’t want to wait in bus lines so they check their  kids out early everyday.

 We are having examples of children that come late more than  100 days because the parent sets their  own time schedule. These kids are not learning like they should. You can’t learn to read if you aren’t there when we are teaching reading. 

UCW:How can parents/guardians help students and their teachers have a successful year? 

DR. TILL:Help your student be on time. Make sure they get plenty of rest. Have them  do something educational  like read a book every day. Limit video games. Watch what they read and watch on TV. Be more engaged in what they are reading. 

UCW:Where can our readers go to find out more are CCS? 

UCW: Go to our website at http://ccs.k12.nc.us. We are making it more friendly for families. Make sure to have an email address with the school so you can check grades online on a  regular basis. There is a lot of information there and like I mentioned before we will be featuring videos on a variety of topics. 

UCW:Is there any thing else that you want our readers to know about CCS? 

UCW:We are supportive of our students and their families and make it our theme.  On lateness- every moment counts. We only have so much time to get kids ready for work and for life as adults and we don’t want to cheat them. We want to partner with parents and families and work with them to create successful students and productive citizens.

The Army Ground Forces Band is known for the many ways it supports the community. From 4th Friday concerts to ceremonies to free summer concerts, the band brings a wealth of talent and enthusiasm to the Fayetteville entertainment landscape. With a fun-filled night of music with Cumberland County’s smallest residents in mind, the Army Ground Forces Band presents Kid’s Night on Friday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. at Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville.  

“This is our first annual Kid’s Night as part of our summer concert series at Festival Park and it is geared towards our youngest fans and getting them involved,” said Dae Kim, commander and conductor of the Army Ground Forces Band. “It will be an interactive evening of stories set to music and fun activities.” 

Kim added that the purpose of the event is to allow the Army an opportunity to interact more with the community, become good neighbors and say hello. 

The fun-filled event will begin with kid’s activities that include bouncy houses, an obstacle course, pin the musical note on the staff, face painting, an instrument factory, arts and crafts and a kid’s march along with the marching band featuring a ceremonial drum major. Story time will follow in the concept of a mini concert. Refreshments will be available for purchase.     

The Army Ground Forces Band is a 54-soldier ensemble that is highly competitive and highly trained. Musicians in the band have graduated and attended some of the best conservatories of music in the country. 

“We are active duty service members and our mission is to be the musical ambassadors of the American combat soldier to the American people,” said Kim. “Our band performs more than 200 performances per year.”  

Kim added that the soldiers are one of the top three musical ensembles in the active Army.   

The history of the band began with the Mexican War where its members fought heroically, becoming the only Army band to receive a combat distinction from the President of the United States. The band’s history includes service in the Civil War, the War with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection and both World Wars. The band performs numerous concerts in support of local, regional and national events such as centennial celebrations, festivals, inaugurations and both city and state commemorations.  

“We anticipate 100 or more kids and encourage parents to bring a blanket and a picnic,” said Kim. “Come out and join us for an evening of fun just for the kids.”   

The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 570-7223.  

Children have no choice but to rely on the adults in their lives to provide safety, food, water and a nurturing environment. Unfortunately, and for a myriad of reasons, those responsible can’t or don’t always rise to the occasion, leaving the most defenseless among us powerless to defend themselves and with no voice or advocate to fight for their cause. That is where the Guardian ad Litem program can help. This team of two attorney advocates, four program supervisors, a program assistant, a district administrator and a group of trained and committed volunteers stand beside abused and neglected children who have been petitioned into court through no fault of their own. Guardian ad Litems provide legal representation for the children and “assist juvenile court judges in making sound legal decisions affecting children’s lives. Volunteers need no particular educational or prior training, just a sincere desire to champion our children’s best interests.”

Unfortunately, this is no small task. While the program has helped many children achieve happy endings, that is not always the case. While each representative, caseworker and volunteer is committed to doing right by their charges, the numbers are staggering. Last fiscal year, Cumberland County Guardian ad Litem served 17,189 abused and neglected children representing them in 38,043 court hearings.

“We are always looking for advocates to help on behalf of abused and neglected kids in our community,” said Dwight Torrey, Cumberland County Gaurdian ad Litem district administrator. “People may see things on the news but they don’t consider that the kids have a life afterwards and we are with them after they are not on the news anymore. We work to provide permanence for them and find a nurturing home and family.”

While the Guardian ad Litem program is designed to advocate for children, sometimes there are gaps in the system that leave needs unmet. In 2012, the Guardian ad Litem Foundation was established with the intention of being able to fill short falls in services provided to kids in foster care that cannot be paid for by Medicaid or other state and federal funding. 

“There are instances when funding is not available and the foundation was established to raise funding to support the Guardian ad Litem cause,” said Jane Sutherlin, spokesperson for the foundation. “For example, there was a teen who needed braces — not for cosmetic, but for health reasons. The mom had braces put on while the teen was in her care, but did not follow through on needed treatments. Medicare paid for placement but the braces  were never able to serve their function. They broke and had to be removed. She still needed braces but Medicare paid once to put them on and would not replace them.”

Other scenarios include cases where insurance denies mental health therapy for a child that needs therapy. Because the insurance won’t pay, the child won’t get the therapy they need.

“There are so many needs out there that most people don’t realize,” said Sutherlin. “But funding through the state is shrinking and there are 700 in foster care in Cumberland County.”

Like many nonprofits, the foundation is always looking for funds, for volunteers, for exposure. To date the only donations received have been to cover the costs of legal fees to set up the organization. Legend’s Pub is set to host a fundraiser for the foundation on Aug. 14, and Sutherlin is hopeful that this will enable the foundation to start fulfilling its mission. 

“This is our first fundraiser and we are excited that Legends has agreed to do this. We will be appreciative of whatever they can offer,” said Sutherlin. “We need to let the community know we are here. If someone has $5 to donate it is a place they could give to that will make a difference in the life of a child.” 

To find out more about the foundation, or to make a donation, email ccgalf@gmail.com. 

Jeff Thompson first came to Fayetteville as a soldier in 1962. He eventually left the Army, and like many soldiers before him, Thompson stayed and made a life for himself here. 

“I fell in love and married a local girl in 1963,” said Thompson. The couple raised three children.

From the very beginning, Thompson enjoyed observing the community. He is fascinated with the relationship that the community has with Fort Bragg and understandably so. Upon leaving the Army, Thompson worked at WFNC. 

“I spent most of my career there, although I did go to Charlotte for a short time in the ‘70s,” he said. “I left the radio station in 2001 because it was sold to Cumulus, the current owner. I spent most of my time at WFNC working with Wendy Riddle and I worked with Jim Cook for a time, too.” 

Margaret Dickson remembers Thompson from her days working at her family’s radio business when she was a teenager. As the news director, Thompson was her boss and Dickson still fondly refers to him as such. 

“The thing that stands out to me, and we have been friends now for decades, is that he is totally honest about everything. You may not like what he tells you, but he is telling you what he honestly understands about the situation and what he believes to be the truth,” said Dickson. 

It’s a trait that can be hard to come by, and one that Dickson greatly admires. 

“He is also very courageous. He doesn’t mind taking a stand on something that is not popular. He stands by what he believes,” she said.

Thompson’s fascination with Fayetteville never waned and his commentary on different topics appeared in The Fayetteville Observerand went out over the airwaves at WIDU where he’s worked since 2009. Now Thompson is the news director at WIDU and his writing is set to appear in Up & Coming Weekly on a biweekly basis.

At 73-years-old, Thompson has witnessed plenty of changes in the community. He credits the revitalization of Downtown Fayetteville as one of the best things to happen to the area. 

“It started when they decided to take down the 500 block of Hay Street and do away with so many of the establishments that brought about the Fayettenam moniker that we are still fighting to overcome,” he said. “It was the Airborne & Special Operations Museum that really turned things around though. That is an anchor for the area that just adds so much to the downtown experience and has such a strong connection to Fort Bragg, which is a big part of Fayetteville’s identity.”

In his more than 50 years in Fayetteville, not much has escaped his eye, which, over time, has given him insight to many of the issues facing the community today. 

“Jeff is as experience a news person as you will find in Fayetteville. I cant think of anyone else who has been at it as long as he has,” said Dickson.  “He knows our history and the people who made that history. He has relationships with people going back many, many years. I think in our mobile age it is really a blessing that our community has a person who has observed our community for so long and understands our community and understand its history. It is wonderful that our communitty has the resource that is Jeff Thompson.” 

An advocate for making Fayetteville a better place, Thompson believes it is important that Fayetteville understands her place in the state and in the nation and that the city leaders work to capitalize on them. Thompson sees the city’s connection to Fort Bragg as a boon. Until the first Persian Gulf War in 1991, according to Thompson, the town didn’t really appreciate the impact that Fort Bragg has on the economy. 

“When 37,000 paratroopers left town to go fight, we felt it,” he said. “Like much of the country, that changed our understanding of the value of the military and the way we see them. Before that there was still a lot of negative sentiment toward soldiers about Vietnam.” 

Thompson has strong feelings about most everything that impacts Fayetteville. From the talks about building a $60 million Civil War Museum to the destiny of the Prince Charles Hotel to Fayetteville’s industrial development (or lack thereof) to ideas about marketing Fayetteville’s position as a halfway point between New York and Miami on I-95 and more. Get Thompson’s take on the things that matter starting Aug. 12 in Up & Coming Weekly. 

By now the Chinese hacking of the personal data of umpty million government personnel records is pretty much old news. The Hack enjoyed its 15 minutes of fame and then dropped out of sight faster than Mitt Romney. As Officer Barbrady on South Park would say, “Nothing to see here, move along.” But before the attention span of the American public is swept away by Donald Trump’s criticism of John McCain’s war record, Caitlyn Jenner winning an ESPY award for something, or the Greek financial mess, let us take one last look at the Chinese Hack Attack. 

The Office of Personnel Management periodically releases new numbers of people whose personal data are somewhere over the rainbow nestling in the Chinese cloud. The number of hackees keeps increasing. Up and up the number goes. Where it stops nobody knows. OPM’s director, Katherine Archuleta , who presided over this breach has fallen upon her sword. She resigned to spend more time with her family and pursue other opportunities. This is one of the few times an official of the Obama administration who screwed up actually had to walk the plank. Be grateful for small favors. 

China, too polite to brag, modestly denied it scooped up 22 million Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, financial records, health records and information about the individuals’ families and personal acquaintances. A small silver lining may be that the price of purchasing another person’s identity will go down as so many more identities are now available for sale. Bet you can’t buy just one stolen identity. That’s the thing about buying stolen identities from the Chinese, an hour later you are hungry and want to buy another identity.

No telling what sort of interesting mischief the Chinese could do with 22 million government employees’ personal information. I am pretty sure the Chinese would never blackmail a government nuclear engineer about his nontraditional love for farm animals to obtain blue prints to something significant. While thinking about the Chinese gathering of data on Americans, I recalled Sting’s musical ode to stalking, “Every Breath You Take.” This song features the heartwarming lyrics: “Every single day/And every word you say/Every game you play/Every night you stay/I’ll be watching you/Every move you make/Every vow you break/Every smile you fake/I’ll be watching you.” 

Just look over your shoulder, Chairman Mao is watching you.

The Greek financial snafu prodded thoughts about how the Greek Gods would deal with the Chinese checkers identity theft. Recall the Greek myth of Zeus and Io. Zeus was married to Hera. Being a bit of a ladies man, Zeus was known to fool around. The beautiful Io was one of Hera’s priestesses. Zeus spotted Io in the temple. Like Bill Cosby, Zeus was smitten. Being a God, Zeus could turn himself into a cloud. He stole a cloud’s identity and seduced Io. What woman can resist a good-looking cloud? Hera found out about Io. She was not happy. To protect Io from Hera, Zeus changed Io into a white cow. Hera saw through the cow disguise and demanded Zeus give her Io the cow. Hera had Cow Io tied up in a sacred grove. She assigned a 100-eyed giant named Argus to keep Zeus away. Zeus, ready for some more sweet, sweet love from Io, sent his buddy Hermes to rustle Io. Hermes played his magic lute, which caused Argus to fall into a deep sleep. 

While Argus was in the land of Nod, Hermes cut off Argus’s head. Greek Gods don’t play. Io ran off to Egypt where she ultimately becomes the Goddess Isis, but not the terrorist group ISIS. Hera gathered up Argus’ 100 eyes and put them on the tails of peacocks. Next time you see a peacock spreading his magnificent tail, remember you are looking at the eyes of Argus. 

While you are looking at the eyes of Argus, think of China looking at you. To mangle a great old song: “The eyes of China are upon you/All the live long days/The eyes of China are upon you/And you cannot get away/Do not think you can escape them/From night to early in the morn/The eyes of China are upon you/ Till Gabriel blows his horn.” 

China knows when you’ve been sleeping. It knows when you’re awake. China knows if you’ve been bad or good. So be good for goodness sake. 

Just keep waiting for Gabriel’s trumpet. 

 With all the controversy surrounding the Market House, I invite everyone who enjoys living in this community to visit the Market House in Historic Downtown Fayetteville and spend  a few moments reading the names of residents, businesses and local organizations who have unselfishly invested time, effort and money over the last several decades contributing to Fayetteville’s community development and quality of life. 

The question now is: Who will these people, businesses and organizations be in the future? Who will be the people stepping into leadership positions providing innovative ideas that will assure future generations the same quality of life?

The recent passing of devoted Fayetteville resident Martha Duell brings this question to the forefront. We owe so much to people like Martha who contributed unselfishly to the development of our community. Her unbridled enthusiasm and commitment to our community left her indelible signature on the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, the Lafayette Society and with the help, support and devotion of her dear friend Mildred Evans, gave us the International Folk Festival. These are just a few examples of the many contributions made by people like Martha who devoted their lives to making our city and our community a better place to live.  

No other place in Fayetteville reminds us of this kind of unsolicited community devotion than the brick floor of the Market House. Here, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Fayetteville residents rallied to provide financing for the restoration and preservation of this national historic property. Yes, local residents and civic leaders raised money by purchasing engraved bricks for permanent placement in the floor of the Market House. They were the same people who stepped forward unselfishly into leadership positions contributing time, money and effort to building a better Fayetteville. The collection of names is impressive. It is a virtual 50-year Who’s Who documenting the people and entities that stepped up to take leadership roles and became actively involved in shaping this community for the betterment of all Fayetteville residents. Not white residents. Not black residents. But, all residents. Again, it was Martha Duell and her devoted friend Mildred Evans who in 1979 created the International Folk Festival in recognition and celebration of Fayetteville’s unique cultural diversity. It was a refreshing, authentic and welcoming gesture of love, acceptance and southern hospitality that has become a Fayetteville tradition.

Actually, when it comes to tolerance and diversity, Fayetteville could be recognized as the original “sanctuary city.” And, the names of many of the people, businesses and organizations responsible for this lie engraved in the Market House for evermore. Dedicated, unselfish and relentless people all in the pursuit of a better Fayetteville community. People like Lloyd Hackley, J.L. Dawkins, Johnny Dawkins, M.J. Weeks, Jean Hodges, Ginny and Dean Russell, Ramon and Virginia Yarborough, Tony and JoAnn Chavonne, J.P. Riddle, Don Talbot, Bill Hurley,  Breeden and Kathy Blackwell, Alex Warner, Lee Warren, Jon Warren, Charley and Peggy Holt, Robin Kelly, Mark Kendrick, Richard Bryant, Bobby Suggs, Don Lattilla, Linda Lee Allen, Jean and Jeff Thompson and Walter Guy Jr. Businesses like Kelly Springfield, Townsend Real Estate, McCune Technology, Dickinson Buick, Hutson Typewriter, Hurst Annaho.

Again, these are only a few. Many have left us over the years but not before leaving their mark and loving contributions on our community. Fortunately, many are still here working, active and dedicated. But their numbers are thinning. The question now is who will take their place? Who out there is willing to put their iPhone and iPad down long enough to build this community up? We can only hope this “what’s in it for me society” realizes what’s in it for them before it’s too late. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly.

It takes a courageous and highly skilled person to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Yet there is no shortage of paratroopers and special operators that do just that on a regular basis. Often that jump is just the beginning of a bigger mission, a piece in a complex training event or battle plan. Paratroopers falling from the skies over Cumberland and Hoke counties are routine these days, but that was not always the case. The airborne and special operations ties run deep here and the Airborne & Special Operations Museum celebrates the courage, accomplishments and can-do spirit of these service members every day, but there is one special day that gives the museum a reason to pull out all the stops and honor America’s airborne. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation is hosting National Airborne Day on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum. 

“National Airborne Day is a day declared by the President to celebrate the Airborne Forces and Special Operations Forces of the United States Army,” said David Myhres, narrator for the National Airborne Day celebration. “Some memorial stones are going to be dedicated to retired General James Lindsay.” 

Myhres added that the retired general is the current president of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation, a legendary figure in the airborne community as commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division and first commander of the newly formed special operations command back in the ‘70s and ‘80s.      

This year is the 75th anniversary of the Airborne and many fun activities have been planned. There will be a jump by the famous Golden Knights and a performance by the ever-popular and entertaining 82nd Airborne Division’s All-American Chorus. Attendees can enjoy layouts of weapons with Infantry soldiers and communication equipment and medical equipment will be on display. Don’t miss the World War II reenactments where the community can learn more about America’s finest hour. While there is plenty to see and do, this is a family-friendly event. Children will be able to see, hold and touch various pieces of equipment, ride the simulators and see informative movies. There will be soldiers on-site to answer questions that anyone may have. 

“We are the Airborne Forces of the United States Army and we exit the aircraft over deniable territory to seize and hold objectives for fallen forces for the military,” said Myhres. “We are trained in Fort Benning, Ga., and do a three-week course and are either sent to the 82nd Airborne Division or other units that are Airborne qualified.” 

Myhres added that you have to jump once every three months and perform your mission after you jump out of the aircraft to stay current.  

During World War I, aviation technology was a game changer. There were significant advancements in several areas: aircraft, weapons, ordnance, instruments and even flight gear, including parachutes. The parachutes were not anything like what soldiers use as they drifted over Sicily and other local drop zones. The first parachutes were heavy and bulky and not something that could save a pilot in a crash much less an entire unit of paratroopers. In fact, the early military parachutes were designed for balloon observers who often had to jump from the observation baskets when they were attacked.

After World War I, the military continued to develop aviation technology as well as parachute technology. By the time war broke out in Europe in 1939, both the U.S. and Germany were working furiously to use the skies to their advantage in combat.  

The first Airborne Infantry was the “Test Platoon,” who were the first to jump out of an airplane in 1940. It was composed of two officers and 48 enlisted soldiers who were selected from a pool of 200 volunteers based on high standards of health and fitness. 

“The Army wanted proof of concept that we could actually jump out of the aircraft, land, and continue on with the mission without any injuries or anything else,” said Myhres. “That Test Platoon later grew into the 82nd Airborne Division and became one of the first Airborne Divisions.”             

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 396-5692. 

The loss of a mother is devastating. It can change the course of a life, and for the Adkins family it did. But instead of allowing this terrible event to cause even more damage they decided to focus their energy on creating a positive. They founded the Mamie Adkins Educational Fund in 2004 to honor their mother and her passion. 

Mamie Adkins was a strong woman full of care and passion. She raised nine kids as a single mother; a challenge that she overcame with love and determination. She worked tirelessly to provide for her family, and did it with grace. Her love didn’t stop with her children however; she had a tremendous passion for all young people and understood the value of education. She also had a deep passion for her church where she found support and comfort. To honor that commitment and love, the fund specifically benefits students that are members of the Tabernacle Baptist Church. This fund allows the passions of Adkins to live on and continue to positively influence the lives of community members. Just last year, four graduates were awarded scholarships in support of their education, and previous recipients are already going on to great success. 

In order to support the fund, the Adkins family has organized an annual golf tournament. This is the 11th annual Mamie Adkins Golf Tournament. The cost per player is $95. Something unique to this tournament is the availability of cheats for purchase. The price to play includes a mulligan (a second chance) and a Red Tee (starting further forward). For an additional $10, players get an additional two mulligans and one red tee; $20 gets a string (a predetermined length the player is allowed to move the ball measured by a piece of string) and a sling. There is also a package available for $120 that includes both cheats. This year there are some new features in the tournament. There are two separate flights: Champions and Rogues. The Rogue Flight has unlimited cheats available for purchase. The Champions Flight cannot purchase the cheat package. They are only allowed the two mulligans and one Red Tee package. Additionally, winning teams from each flight will be honored on the Bragging Right Championship Trophy with their names permanently etched on the trophy. Other contests are the Closest to the Pin, Farthest from the Pin, Longest Drive, Shortest Drive, and the Long Tee Longest Drive.  

For those who can’t play but still want to support this fantastic cause, there are many sponsorship opportunities. Hole sponsorship is $50 and includes tee-box signage. There is also contest hole, beverage cart, tee hospitality tent, Silver, Tournament Hole Sign, Gold and Presenting Sponsor packages available. The largest sponsorship is the Presenting Sponsor, which is $1,000 and includes logos on the T-shirts, team fees, a vendor table and hole signage. 

The tournament is on Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. at Gates Four Country Club, which is located at 6775 Irongate Dr. For more information, sponsorship information or to register, visit www.magt.co, www.facebook.com/mamieadkinsgolftournament or call 910-482-5349. 

There is no other way to say it, a Public school teachers matter. Tremendously.

All teachers impart information and knowledge. The good ones empower their students to become lifelong learners and to seek and value education. The really gifted ones can and do turn students in their tracks, set them on courses that will shape their lives and show them how to be moral, loving and productive people. All of us have had these teachers, and I will forever have a sweet place in my heart for them, especially those who helped grow the Precious Jewels into the young adults they have become.

Something else needs to be said as well.

In recent years, North Carolina has treated her public school educators with no respect and with little courtesy. We barely pay lip service to the work they do, and we certainly do not pay them enough to support themselves, much less a family. Once at the national average in teacher pay in the mid-2000s, the National Education Association now ranks our state 42nd in the nation and 46th in per pupil spending. Said another way, North Carolina’s teacher pay has changed more than any other state’s — and in the wrong direction. I have seen teachers I know moonlighting as store clerks and restaurant servers to make ends meet.

As Aretha Franklin might say this hardly spells R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

The North Carolina General Assembly continues to wrangle over a 2015-2016 budget with no end in sight. Among the bones of contention is a Senate proposal to do away with 8,500 teaching assistants in the early grades. The idea is to use the savings — i.e., the money that used to be teaching assistants’ salaries — to hire more teachers and reduce class size for the youngest students. If the General Assembly decides to cut those 8,500 teacher assistants loose, it will be the largest layoff in North Carolina history, public or private, and will surely cause economic ripples in communities throughout our state, especially in smaller, more rural areas still suffering from the Great Recession.

If you still might think that sounds like a reasonable plan, consider that there might not be enough classroom space or teachers to fill those new positions. Institutions of higher learning report a drop in students planning to go into teaching in North Carolina, so the notion of more but smaller classes for little ones is suspect, at best. Hmmm, I wonder if that could have anything to do with low pay, stressful working conditions and the demise of teacher tenure?

Wake County recently experienced another sort of teacher dissing. Teachers from a Raleigh elementary school had been volunteering — yes, using their own time and resources — to take books into apartment complexes, often ones with low-income and Spanish-speaking families, to read to and with children over the summer. The children loved the special attention, and all was well until the apartment complex owners tried to pull the plug on the program, saying the volunteers had not been screened. Well, they had been screened by Wake County Public Schools, and public blowback was so swift and strong that the apartment folks caved. Reading is happily underway again, but you get the point.

Education in North Carolina has hit a period of great flux. Independent, or private, schools are popping up everywhere, and charters, a loosely-regulated form of public school, are growing rapidly now that the General Assembly has allowed more and more of them. Each of us can decide for ourselves whether we agree with critics who say all this change constitutes a plan to dismantle public education, but an argument for that position can certainly be made.

It seems to me that we need our public schools and the teachers who populate them more than ever. As our society becomes more diverse and more secular, we as a people have fewer experiences in common. Public schools have been the glue that holds us together, the glue that constitutes the American experience from early childhood through adolescence and into young adulthood. Almost all of us attend public schools for at least some of our educations, and I find it sad that this almost universal American experience is becoming — less universal.

We in North Carolina talk a good game about respecting our teachers as professionals. That is all it is. We do not compensate them like professionals nor do we treat them that way. We have entered a time where what everyone’s mother warned is coming true.

We are getting exactly what we are paying for, and in this case, that cannot be a good thing.

World War II was one of the darkest periods in human history. Upon his rise to power in February 1933, Adolf Hitler and the ruling Nazi party began building the first of the Holocaust concentration camps. The original camps housed and tortured around 45,000 political prisoners and union officials by the end of that first year. Hitler turned over control of these camps to Heinrich Himmler and the SS in 1934, instructing them to purge Germany of those people he thought were racially undesirable. In addition to the political prisoners, these groups included criminals, homosexuals, Gypsies and Jews.

Here, millions of people were held, tortured and murdered including more than 6.25 million Jews. Although the Nazis attempted to cover up these atrocities by destroying the camps, seven stand at least partially preserved as museums. 

Why? Why do places of such horror and inhumanity remain standing today? Why are they visited by thousands of people annually. Why is their evil allowed to continue on this earth? Why, at the end of the war, were they not plowed under, the ground consecrated? Because with all that is going on in the world today, they stand both as witnesses to the atrocities of what man can do to his fellow man, but also as sobering reminders of the horrors that can befall us when evil is left unchecked.

Just as the Concentration Camps speak to the evil of the Holocaust, hundreds of battlefields across the North and the South speak to the evil that gripped the United States during the Civil War and the evil that allowed men to enslave their fellow man. In the Cape Fear Region, a number of battlefields attest to the horror of that time. In Fayetteville, the skeletal remains of the Arsenal tell that story as well. And, in the center of Hay Street, the Market House stands sentinel — over our city. It has thousands of stories to tell, all of which are important and historic — one of which is indeed tied to slavery.

The original building which stood where the Market House now stands was constructed in 1788. It was one of many birthplaces of freedom in this nation. In 1789, it was the site where the North Carolina assembly ratified the Constitution. Later, it was the place where the first university in the new nation was chartered, bringing higher education to the new land, and it was the place where North Carolina ceded the lands to the west to form the state of Tennessee. Up until 1793, it was one of the seats of government for the state. In fact, the building was first constructed as a means of securing Fayetteville as the state capital, which didn’t work. 

According to Bruce Daws, the city historian, the old State House served as government offices and as a market until the fire of 1831, which burned much of the city. At that time, the current building was erected. It is “one of the few structures in America that employs the town hall-market scheme found in England. Meat and produce were sold under the open first-floor arcade while the second floor served as the town hall and general meeting place. It served as a town market until 1906, and as Fayetteville Town Hall until 1907. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.”

The Market House was not at any point in its history a slave market. According to Daws, slaves were infrequently sold there as part of estate liquidations. The actual slave market was in front of the court house, which was located at the intersection of Green and Ramsey/Rowan and Grove. Slaves were also sold by slave dealers who had businesses along the market square. And, in fact, the slaves were not sold in the Market House proper, but rather in the town square, which surrounded the Market House and is now the traffic circle.

Through preservation efforts by a group of Fayetteville women at the turn of the century, the Market House was preserved and became a library when its use as a seat of government was complete. It has also served as the Chamber of Commerce, and art museum, the Fayetteville Partnership and today as an annex to The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum.

Daws said there has been no attempt by anyone to try and hide the history of the Market House, including its relationship to the slave trade. Instead, a marker is installed on the building that honors the memory of individuals “sold as slaves at this place.” Additionally, part of the permanent exhibit at the Market House deals with slavery in the community and its impact. 

Daws notes that history is history. It can’t be changed. It can’t be undone. It can be remembered and it can be used to remind us of what we were and what we should never be again. Daws sees the trend to disassociate or get rid of historical reminders of our past as an easy way out. 

“There are a lot of stories associated with the Market House, one of which deals with slavery,” he said, noting that it is important to keep those stories alive because they are a part of our collective history.

The Market House narrative is not finished yet. Will the Fayetteville City Council remove it as a symbol of the city? That’s a decision that should be made carefully, and in light of not only its past, but also in light of its present day reality. 

In May, hundreds of Cumberland County residents gathered around the Market House to pray for the community as part of the As One Prayer Walk. The prayers, led by African-American ministers, occurred on the Market House steps, where one minister recalled the sale of slaves, but pointed instead to the gathering of the community as one. He told a story of the city’s past, and its future.

On 4th Friday, drum circles play underneath the arches and citizens of all colors enjoy the music and dance — together. 

During the International Festival the Parade of Nations flows around it, bringing together our community, which is comprised of people all over
the globe. 

In Fayetteville, the Market House has become a gathering  place. A place where people of all walks of life, of all colors and nationalities gather to share their experiences and their lives. It is a place where education occurs and where history is not only honored, but is told honestly. 

Is Fayetteville a community that will fall prey to political correctness and fail to remember and to maintain its collective history — both the good and the bad? 

The 4th of July isn’t the only celebration happening in Fayetteville this month. There is also an exciting 4th Friday on July 24. The evening is full of free art, live entertainment and all of the wonderful shops downtown open late for the celebration. Downtown Fayetteville is full of diverse businesses, so there is something for everyone. 

The Arts Council celebrates 4th Friday with the opening of a new exhibit. Point of View is an invitation for local photographers to display their talent. 

“It’s a treat to kick-off our new year of exhibitions with a show of this caliber. We’re asking photographers to give us their best shot. This juried show will feature exceptional photography in a variety of themes and subject matter,” Mary Kinney, the marketing director said. 

Submitted works will be juried with $1,000 in prizes available as awards. There is no required topic or style for this show. The only requirement is that the photographers come from specific counties: Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Fort Bragg, or Pope Army Air Field. Works will include black and white, color and digitally manipulated pieces. 

“This is a regional show,” Kinney says, “Since this is an open call across a wide region, we have no way of predicting how many works will be entered. In our last juried photography exhibition, 53 pieces by 35 artists were selected for the show.” 

The Arts Council is located at 301 Hay St. and will be open from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com or call 910-323-1776.

Fascinate-U is a museum designed specifically for children. The exhibits mimic real life experiences and invite them to explore the future in a safe environment. All the exhibits are intended to be touched and interacted with, which makes for an experience unlike any other traditional museum. On 4th Friday, admission into the museum is free, and it is open late. As an added bonus, there is also a free craft for kids to build and take home. This month the craft is a fish! 

Fascinate-U is open from 7-9 p.m. The museum is located at 116 Green St. For more information, visit www.fascinate-u.com or call 910-829-9171. 

After exploring the shops or having a wonderful dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants downtown, a relaxing way to end the day is reclining in Festival Park and soaking in the free music. On The Border, a tribute to the Eagles and Brittany Marie, a country and classic rock performer are playing. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the entertainment begins between 7 and 7:30 p.m. The concert will last until 10:30 or 11 p.m. No outside food or beverages are allowed. This event is a fundraiser for the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival and it is presented in partnership with R.A. Jeffreys, a distributer of Budweiser. For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com/p/Events/211 or call 910-323-1934. Festival Park is located at 335 Ray Ave. Patrons are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit on. 

 

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are proud to partner with the Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s to present the Bringing Memories Home Safe Night at J.P. Riddle Stadium on Wednesday, July 29. This is the first year that the team has partnered with the Walk to End Alzheimers and it is something that they are really excited about.   

For that very special night at “The Swamp” the SwampDogs will wear one-of-a-kind purple jerseys, which will be auctioned off on the concourse to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.  Fans can place bids online for their favorite player’s jersey for one week in advance of the game, with bidding closing at 4 p.m. on game day then re-opening at 6 p.m. on the concourse when the gates open.

“Almost all of us know a relative, loved one or friend who has been touched in some way by this terrible disease,” said SwampDogs Operations Director Caroline Villegas. “I’m proud that as an organization, with the help of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, we can do our part to find a cure.”  

According to The Walk to End Alzheimer’s website, “The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, this inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to reclaim the future for millions. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.” 

The mission of the walk 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 the promotion of brain health.

In addition to the special night coming up at “The Swamp,” the SwampDogs will host the Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Sept. 12 at J.P. Riddle Stadium. You can register today for the walk as either a team or as an individual at alz.org/walk.

“Being involved in the community is part of the fabric of what we do as an organization, and we’re very excited to start this new partnership with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said SwampDogs General Manager Jeremy Aagard.

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are in their 15th season playing in the Coastal Plain League. The SwampDogs are one of the most successful franchises in the league’s history, making the Petitt Cup Playoffs eight times in the past 10 seasons, reaching the championship round three times. The SwampDogs boast 90 alumni taken in the draft and have produced six players who have gone on to play in Major League Baseball including slugger Mark Reynolds and David Aardsma.  

For more information on the Fayetteville SwampDogs, visit their team website at www.goswampdogs.com and follow us on Twitter @GoSwampDogs and like us on Facebook at Fayetteville SwampDogs Baseball. Where baseball is fun!

The hottest road race in the south brings back the heat with the 9th Annual Run for the Redroad race on Aug. 1. As of this writing 100 participants have signed up and hundreds more will eventually sign up. Running, among many other outdoor activities, not only keeps you healthy, but also brings awareness to the American Red Cross.

“The Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross covers a large area of North Carolina. The Red Cross has helped many people in the area and we need to support them as well,” said Julio Ramirez, race director. 

The Red Cross has sprung into action to help those in need helping individuals and families in Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke and Sampson counties for more than 90 years. 

There are three entry categories in the race: the 10K, 5K and a 1-mile race. Cash prizes are up for grabs by the winners of the 10K and 5K run. To encourage participation among families, the 1-mile run is open to children, making this an event for all ages. 

The 10K first place award is $100; the second place award is  $70; and the third place is $50. The first place winner of the 5K will win $75; second place, $50; and third place, $50. All age groups will receive medals.

Last year’s race raised $12,000  with sponsorships and the help of the Fayetteville community. All donations are given to the American Red Cross.

“I am a second time leukemia survivor,” said Ramirez. “Staying positive and surrounding myself with people has helped me overcome my illness. Last year I ran the 5k; this year I won’t be running, but I love directing and helping out the Red Cross.” 

Running and walking is a cheap way to optimize your physical activities. There is no equipment needed or expensive clothes, the only thing needed is your body. Your heart and legs, of course, do most of the work, but the end result is rewarding.  

When people see the American Red Cross, no matter in what context,  it brings hope. Since 1881, the Red Cross has helped people throughout the world. Redcross.org defines the work of the Red Cross as: responding to “approximately 70,000 disasters in the United States every year, ranging from home fires that affect a single family to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands, to earthquakes that impact millions. In these events, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet. Emergency communications, training, support to wounded warriors and veterans, and access to community resources help an average of 150,000 military families and veterans annually. Each year, nearly 4 million people donate blood through the Red Cross, helping to provide more than 40 percent of America’s blood supply. Each year, more than 9 million Americans participate in our training programs, including first responders, educators, babysitters, and people who want to be prepared to help others in an emergency.”

The Run for the Red is on Aug. 1 at Festival Park from 7a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The 10K starts at 7:15 a.m., 5K at 7:20 a.m., with the 1 mile run at 8:35 a.m. Find out more at www.redcross.org/nc.

The first time it sank into to me that people from other parts of our nation see Southerners as somehow different I was a college student visiting friends in New York City. 

Feeling as sophisticated and worldly as only an undergraduate can, I was chatting up an appealing young man, also a college student, but at a school in New England. As our conversation drew on, he finally said, “May I ask you a personal question?” Curious and intrigued, I responded, “Of course.”

“Do all you people drink soda for breakfast?”

And to think I imagined he would ask me for a date!

He asked the question as if  “you people” — that would be us Southerners — were specimens in a lab or critters in a zoo, but he did have a point.

I have known a number of fellow Southerners who get their morning jolt of caffeine from an ice cold Coke or Pepsi, including one of my oldest friends who now takes hers in diet form. I have not; however, encountered anyone from “somewhere else” whose first morning sip is of carbonated soda. I suspect that fellow had never heard of grits.

This youthful memory flooded back to me recently when I stumbled upon what appears to be a collection of all things Southern on Pinterest, an online site with far more images than words. Some of the Southernisms were sappy —“The South: Where love, family and tradition are the sugar in our tea,” some trite — “North is a direction. The South is a lifestyle” and some right on target — “Say what you want about the South, but you don’t hear about people wanting to retire in the North.”

My favorites, though, go to my own experience as an — almost —lifelong resident of eastern North Carolina where people say things that make no sense to people from somewhere else.  Pinterest lists these — “Oh my heavens!,” “Thank you kindly,” “Goodness gracious!,” “I do declare!, ”Lord have mercy!,” Hush your mouth!,” “Oh, my stars!,” “Slower than molasses,” “Gimme some sugar!,” “Hey, ya’ll,” “Heavens to Betsy,” “Hold your horses,” “Sweet as a peach” and my all-purpose favorite, “Bless your heart.” It can be intended kindly or can be a veiled barb, as in “That Margaret has put on weight, bless her heart!”

My eastern North Carolina grandmother used all those words as well as a few others. I was in college before I realized most people have never heard of a teewiddie, a word my grandmother said often to her seven grandchildren. It was generally used in this context: “Margaret Dawson, don’t  you ever tell me another teewiddie!” Not even my friends from Georgia and Texas knew that one.

Being Southern is more than language, though. The way we see the world is strictly our own, as Julia Sugarbaker, a saucy Southern character played by Dixie Carter on the CBS sitcom Designing Women,said. Julia had a great deal to say on many topics, and this is one of my favorites. “I’m saying this is the South. And we’re proud of our crazy people. We bring ‘em right down to the living room and show ‘em off.  See, no one in the South ever asks if you have crazy people in your family. They just ask what side they’re on.” 

Most Southern families have some version of — shall we say, eccentrics? One of ours was a cousin who was so enraged by the power company in his part of eastern North Carolina condemning some of his property for power lines that he hopped into his tiny plane and dropped leaflets berating the utility all over that part of our state. When he could no longer pilot his plane, he set up a flatbed trailer along a busy highway, decorated it with Christmas lights and railed against the hated utility with a megaphone to passing vehicles. 

And who can forget the famed Savannah hostess who made it into John Berendt’s’ bestseller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil? So sought after were invitations to her parties that guests gathered outside her home before the events, waiting for her to throw open the door to share her beautifully decorated home and scrumptious food and drink. She did just that one Savannah evening clad in her bathrobe. She calmly explained to her assembled guests that she had been so busy preparing for the party that she simply did not have time to get dressed herself and invited them to “Come on in.” 

I know a number of women in Fayetteville who might do exactly the same thing.

North Carolina novelist Clyde Edgerton put it this way. “Because I was born in the South, I’m a Southerner. If I had been born in the North, the West or the Central Plains, I would just be a human being.”

It is not that Southerners think we are better than other people.  It is just that we really understand when we hear someone say, “I I’m not from the South, but I got here as quickly as I could.”