June is a young girl struggling to pay the rent. Her evil landlord threatens her. It is a storyline that makes for great theater. A skilled writer and talented director could take that in many directions. Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), written by Joanne Bogart and Eric Rockwell, takes it in several directions — five, actually.

All five have the same plot, each in the style of a different composer. In the first act the piece pays homage to Rogers and Hammerstein, whose music was featured in Oklahoma, The King and I and South Pacific. Next up is the style of Stephen Sondheim, composer of Company, A Little Night Musicand Sunday in the Park With George. The work of Jerry Herman of Hello Dolly, Mame and La Cage Aux Folles has a place in the show as well. Andrew Lloyd Weber, composer of shows including Jesus Christ Super Star, Evita and Phantom of the Opera gets a nod as do Kander and Ebb who worked on Chicago and Cabaret.

Musical of Musicals, (The Musical!) opens at Gilbert Theater on May 31 and runs through June 17. The production not only ends the 2011/2012 season, it is also the 100th play to be performed at Gilbert Theater under outgoing Artistic Director and founder Lynn Pryer.

Directed by Dr. Gail Morfesis, the play ends Pryer’s tenure on a high note. “When I announced my retirement a year ago I knew I wanted to go out with some levity,” said Pryer. “Gail has directed for us before and she always does a bang up job.”

Morfesis chose this show to end the season with Pryer in mind.

“Often I am asked, ‘What musical-theater composition or opera is your favorite?’ My answer is always the same. I have many favorites but it is impossible to choose just one due to the many wonderful composers and their varying styles,” she said. “Eric Rockwell, composer and Joanne Bogart, lyricist, have attempted to answer this quandary for musical theater lovers in Musical Of Musicals, (The Musical!) Thus when approached by Lynn Pryer, Artistic Director of The Gilbert theater to suggest a musical to conclude his tenure at the Gilbert, his 100th show and the close of the 2011-2012 season, I instantly thought of this work — and of course the old television show, Name that Tune.”

While the production has fi ve segments with four characters in each one, Morfesis chose to use 13 performers in the show. “We had people who came back from prior seasons who wanted to be involved and wanted to be in Lynn’s last show, and new people who were interested in joining the Gilbert Theater,” said Morfesis. “I think it is nice we picked a work that has a lot of variety.”

Pryer is delighted with the choice as well. “I knew I wanted to leave on a note that was literally and figuratively fun and upbeat, so that was part of the plan when I set the season.”

After the final performance on June 17, Pryer plans to say a few words and recognize the people who have supported him through the years. Of course, there will be carrot cake involved and probably some reminiscing, too. “We always serve snacks after every performance and carrot cake is sort of our signature dessert that we serve with refreshements,” said Pryer.

Thursday-Saturday performances start at 8 p.m. Sunday performances are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15-$19 per person. Reservations are highly recommended. Find out more at www.gilberttheater.com.

It’s been 18 years, 18 seasons and 100 shows since Lynn Pryer moved to Fayetteville and founded Gilbert Theater. He’s decided it is time to move on, but like it or not, he won’t be going quietly.

Well-wishers, friends and Gilbert Theater supporters and patrons are invited to the Century Celebration on June 1 at 6 p.m. at Gilbert Theater to celebrate Pryer’s many accomplishments and to wish him success in his future endeavors.

The $50 ticket to the black-tie event includes heavy hors d’ouevres and admission to the performance of Musical of Musicals (the Musical).

“There will be entertainment, music, some door prizes and a presentation,” said incoming Artistic Director Robyne Parrish. “The presentation is at 7 p.m. and then more merriment at 8 p.m. followed by dessert and coffee supplied by the Hilltop House. I think it is going to be great fun. The tickets are selling really well.”

The legacy Pryer built is one of endorsing creative freedom and producing thought-provoking, entertaining and sometimes edgy shows. During his tenure, Gilbert Theater was home to a wide range of shows including The Rocky Horror Show, The Vagina Monologues and the much-loved A Christmas Carol, which has become a longstanding tradition the week after Thanksgiving.

“We are very excited about what is happening at the Gilbert Theater,” said Bill Bowman, publisher Up & Coming Weekly and sponsor of the Century Celebration. “Lynn Pryer created a successful arts venue for our community. It is thriving. Now he has taken it to another level with introduction of the new Artistic Director, Robyne Parrish. It is only fitting that we help excentuate and illuminate this type of event, and honor Lynn for his contributions to the arts community.”

From the basement of his Haymount home, to the Arts Council to Bow Street, Pryer nurtured the Gilbert into a fl ourishing theater. He credits the community for its success.

“I have always wanted to live a meaningful life,” said Pryer. “I require beauty, creativity, spirituality and love, and all four of these elements are present here. I am so grateful. I had those four things I needed and I was able to use that as a base to reach out to the theater community. I am extremely grateful to this town … it welcomed us with such care and affection and love.”

As he enters a new season, or act three of his life as he calls it, Pryer has ditched his plans to head back to his childhood home in California. From the moment he took the house off the market, it felt right. Like so many who come to Fayetteville from all corners of the globe, Pryer has succumbed to the trademark charm and warmth of the local community.

His plans to retire from Gilbert Theater remain in tact though.

“On June 17, after the final performance of Musical of Musicals (the Musical) I will hand over the gong to the new Artistic Director, Robyne Parrish,” said Pryer. “She has sterling credentials and I’m sure she will do great things here. If I am ever needed for a shoulder to cry on or a bit of wisdom I will be available, but I am going to be 78 next month and Bob and I just want to be able to travel and do things with out worrying about scheduling confl icts.”

Although he is stepping away from the Gilbert Theater, Pryer is not going far.

“I am going to spend my time organizing a theater alliance,” said Pryer. “It will work to make theaters aware of each other and have work shops and share calendars and who knows what other things will grow from it. I think it will be an important thing to have happen. There are more groups out there than most people know about.”

It’s been a good run at the Gilbert, but Fayetteville has not seen the last of Pryer.

Photo: Incoming Artistic Director of Gilbert Theater, Robyne Parrish with Lynn Pryer.

In the world of the United States Military, sacrifice is a very common thing, but to sacrifice without honor is rare. As a community, Fayetteville absolutely appreciates its military and honors them. Locally the military plays a vital role in both our lives and the local economy.

The Airborne & Special Operations Museum invites you to join them and show your support at the 5th annual 5K/10K Run for the Legend. The run is scheduled for Saturday, June 2. Start times are 8 a.m. for the 5K run, and 8:05 a.m. for the 10K run. There is a $20 registration fee if you register by May 30, and a $25 fee anytime after that date up to and including the day of the run.

Paul Galloway, executive director of the Airborne & Special Operations Foundation staff explained the museum’s support for the military. Galloway’s job is to make sure that everything at the museum, including events and tours, runs smoothly. While the museum is operated by the U.S. Army, to continue showing support, the museum foundation started an annual 5K/10K run. The fundraiser started in 2008 as a means of financial support for the foundation to support the museum.

“This is the fifth year and we’ve been averaging a little more than 400 runners each year. We have been getting closer and closer to 500 but have not broken that number at this point,” Galloway said.

The first 500 people to register will receive a free T-shirt. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in the event, but there are other ways to be involved and for your support to count. Sure the staff from the museum will be working that day and a unit from Fort Bragg has agreed to come out to help with water sites located throughout the route, but there is still plenty to be done. You can volunteer by calling the museum at 643- 2778. It will be fun, healthy and a great way to support the military and the community.

The run is a USA competitive track-and-field certified run. It will be a family-friendly run for women, men, boys and girls. You can even bring Fido, but remember to put him on a leash. All of the competitive runners will be up front heading in two directions. One set of runners will begin heading up the hill toward Haymount while the remaining runners will be heading toward downtown into the heart of Fayetteville. All of the runners will meet up on the route and continue the race to the finish line.

“Our run is a challenge so we’ve kept the same route for years. This is the military so it should be a challenge, right?” said Galloway.

The top three men and women overall will win trophies. There will also be eight age groups that will win certifi cates, 10 and under is the youngest group and 60 and over is the oldest age group. Galloway expects the competition will be great since there are a lot of kids in this area and crosscountry competition is popular among students.

For more details go to www.active.com, or www.asomf. org or call 643-2778. On the day of the run, registration is 6-6:30 a.m.

Photo: The Airborne & Special Operations Museum invites you to join them and show your support at the 5th annual 5K/10K Run for the Legend. 

In the Old West, announcing that a gang of outlaws was coming could strike fear into the hearts of the townspeople. These days, such an announcement brings the promise of great music and a good time, when the Gang of Outlaws Tour, featuring ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down, Gretchen Wilson and special guest The Ben Miller Band, comes to the Fort Bragg Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 2, sponsored by the Fort Bragg MWR. Tickets are $30 in advance and are available online at www. fortbraggmwr.com and at the Fort Bragg Leisure Services Office. Admission is $35 the day of the show, with tickets available at the gate beginning at 5 p.m.

The Gang of Outlaws Tour features performers and music guaranteed to get you on your feet and moving, from bluesy rock and roll to country. For more than 40 years, event headliner ZZ Top, “that little ol’ band from Texas,” has entertained fans worldwide with its distinctive blues-influenced rock, including such hits as “La Grange,” “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.” Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and original band members Billy Gibbons (guitar/vocals), Dusty Hill (bass/vocals) and Frank Beard (drums/percussion) have just released their first single in nine years, “I Got To Get Paid!”

Formed in 1996 in Escatawpa, Miss., rock band 3 Doors Down has enjoyed multi-platinum success, beginning with its debut album The Better Life, the 11th-best-selling album of the year in 2000. The band, composed of lead vocalist Brad Arnold, lead guitarist Matt Roberts, bass guitarist Todd Harrell, rhythm guitarist Chris Henderson and drummer and percussionist Greg Upchurch, released its fifth album, Time of My Life, in July of 2011.

Rock-inspired country singer Gretchen Wilson has won a Grammy, as well as awards from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music and American Music Awards. “Redneck Woman,” her first single from her debut album Here for the Party, spent six weeks at number one. Other hits by the multi-platinum artist include “Here for the Party,” “Homewrecker,” “When I Think about Cheatin’” and “All Jacked Up.”

Special guest The Ben Miller Band from Joplin, Mo., features band members Ben Miller, Scott Leeper and Doug Dicharry, who, according to the band’s website, combine “the frenetic energy of bluegrass, the soul of the delta blues and the haunted spirit of Appalachian mountain music.”

Some might think this much fun should be against the law, but you won’t want to miss any of this gang’s acts. The Howell Street Gate opens at 3 p.m. Admission to the event, held rain or shine, includes free parking. Food and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for sale. Guests may bring lawn chairs and blankets, as seating is unassigned. No pets, except for service animals, are allowed, and no cameras or video recordings are permitted. For more information, visit www.fortbraggmwr.com/gangof-outlaws.

People use words like energetic, adventurous, outgoing and strong-willed to describe Zach Grullon. A graduate of Jack Britt High School, Grullon dreamed of serving in the United States military and considered a tandem jump with the U.S. Army Golden Knights a dream come true.

Grullon passed away on Jan. 28, 2012 after battling a rare form of cancer, Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma, for more than two years. The disease, which primarily attacks teens and young adults, is a rare liver cancer. Annually, 200 young adults die from this disease each year. Some 72,000 teens and young adults are diagnosed with various forms of cancer every year, according to a 2010 Wall Street Journal article, of that number, 10,000 die. Until 2008, little research was done in the area of Fibrolamellar because it is so rare, but that changed when Tucker Davis, the founder of the Firbrolamellar Cancer Foundation, was diagnosed with the disease.

Davis founded the foundation with the hope of finding a cure for this often fatal disease. The foundation’s mission is threefold: Find a cure and treatment options, raise awareness of the disease and bring attention to teen and young adult cancers.

Grullon’s parents, Kevin and Shawn, local realtors want to contribute to that mission in their son’s memory. Zach Grullon was diagnosed with FHC in March 2010. He had been dealing with severe stomach pain and nausea for a couple of months. Friends and family didn’t think much of the pain because Zach worked out so hard. After numerous test and scans, a grapefruit-sized tumor was found on his liver. In April 2010, he had a liver resection, but the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes. Zach began an intensive round of chemotherapy, but he didn’t let it stop the way he lived his life. He continued to work out and play sports. And, in August 2010, just a couple of months after his high-school graduation, he jumped with the Golden Knights.

The memory of that jump inspired his parents to host a Free Fall to Fight Cancer on Saturday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Raeford Parachute Center. The event will give individuals the opportunity to perform a tandem jump with former and off-duty members of the Golden Knights who are volunteering for the cause. For a $330 donation, individuals will get to jump with the world-famous team and receive a video and photos of their jump to share with friends and family. Those interested in participating in the fundraiser must be at least 18 years of age and weigh less than 235 pounds.

In addition to the jumps, there will be raffles for great prizes, a silent auction and fund games for children. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.

A Cruise to Fight Cancer, featuring classic cars, will drive a route from Spec Ops Motorsports in Hope Mills around Fayetteville. Students from Paul Mitchell School will be on hand to give manicures and the Renaissance Day Spa will have a tent as well. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Firbrolamellar Cancer Foundation.

To register or for more information, contact Kevin and Shawn Grullon at 910-257-3027 or 910-229-1100 or email grullonteam@gmail.com.

Photo: Zach Grullon and his father, Kevin, at his jump in August 2010. Zach died earlier this year after a two-year battle with cancer.

Summer 2012 is right around the corner, and it will usher in the fourth master’s level program at Methodist University. The Master of Education Program at Methodist will begin its first class June 11, with an exciting new program designed for today’s working and busy classroom teachers. Our Master of Education Program is especially looking for teachers who want to increase their knowledge and skills in the K-12 areas of reading or special education. These two subjects were chosen as degree concentrations to complement our current program and increase teaching expertise in these vital areas.

When we were building our program, we gathered a group of school partners for professional input in the program’s development, including principals, teachers, central office staff and Methodist education candidates. The various school personnel came from Sampson, Harnett, Cumberland and Hoke counties, as well as Fort Bragg Schools. The teachers had either recently complet-ed a master’s level program or were experienced master teachers. Together, the group made up our Professional Community Committee.

Looking carefully at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Graduate Standards, the PCC dis-cussed what a master teacher should know and be able to do. We also discussed the new North Carolina Teacher Evaluation Instrument and process. We felt strongly that teachers graduating from a Master of Education Program should have the knowledge, skills and dispositions neces-sary to extend themselves as leaders in the classroom and beyond. Additionally, the PCC discussed student assessment data and how to use it to impact teaching and learning.

We very much wanted to ensure that our course offerings were relevant to today’s teachers. A good example is how we approached the Instructional Technology class. Teachers must be familiar with the tools of technology, but they also need to know how to integrate them into their teaching and give students hands-on experience with these techno-logical advancements.

As recruitment efforts have geared up for the Term II summer start date, applicants have been pleased with the program’s schedule. Teachers can finish the program in two full years, which includes two summers. During the summer, classes will be face-to-face on campus, fol-lowed by a blend of occasional on-campus sessions and online courses in the fall and winter semesters. The hybrid classes fit into a teacher’s busy schedule, but still provide useful professional interaction.

Applicants are also happy about our convenient location. Methodist University serves the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg and surrounding area counties. Applicant Yasmeen Robins said she decided to apply to the program partly because of the proximity of the university to both her home and school.

More importantly, she said her colleagues who are grad-uates of the Methodist undergraduate education program speak highly of their experience at the university. They talk about their training, the strong faculty and staff, and the support they received.

Each professional who is motivated to further his/her education and to be a lifelong learner has usually been influenced by a mentor in his/her profession or communi-ty. Each of us has the opportunity to encourage that pro-fessional who will continue to grow and learn and make a difference in the life of our students and community. In keeping with the Methodist vision, we want to continue to engage, enrich, and empower today’s teachers, as we all strive for rigor, relevance and excellence in our profession.

For more information, contact Sue Godwin at 910.630.7060 or sgodwin@methodist.edu.

Photo: Master of Education Program is espe-cially looking for teachers who want to increase their knowledge and skills in the K-12 areas of reading or special education. 

Be a Best Friend

The Home Instead Senior Care network’s free Alzheimer’s Disease or other Dementias CARE: Changing Aging Through Research and Education Training Program incorporates best practices in dementia care including The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care, written by David Troxel and Virginia Bell.

The book describes the importance of relationships in quality dementia care. A key way to build relationships, according to Troxel and Bell, is to know and use an indi-vidual’s life story to deliver outstanding care and to treat the person with dementia with dignity and respect as you would a best friend.

“Every caregiver should know 100 things about the per-son in his or her care,” noted Troxel, who served on the expert panel to develop CARE content.

“For instance, my mother was Canadian and loved Earl Grey tea with milk. When mom developed Alzheimer’s disease and was having a bad day, I’d say: ‘How about I make you a nice cup of Earl Grey tea just the way you like it?’ And she would smile and it would turn a bad day into a good day,” he concluded

The new Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias CARE Program encourages family caregivers to develop strategies to bring out the best in persons with dementia. When the person with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia feels safe, secure and valued, everything goes better.

Thus the family caregiver takes a walk with the loved one, enjoys look-ing at a family photo album, prepares some blueberry muffins, all while taking time each day to help the person dress, bathe, eat a healthy meal or perform other important daily activities.

“Persons with Alzheimer’s might forget who you are, but you approach them with confidence and competence, they will respond,” Troxel said. Examples include starting the day with a nice compliment (Dad, you look handsome in that blue sweater) and using their life story to talk with them.

Troxel said the new Home Instead Senior Care program stresses the benefits of helping the caregiver live in the senior’s world, not the reality that individual can no longer manage.

“For instance, if Mom said President Eisenhower is doing a great job, her caregiver should say, ‘I like Ike, too. Tell me about President Eisenhower. What do you like most about him?’”

For more about the Best Friends approach and the new Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementia CARE program, visit www.HelpforAlzheimersFamilies.com.

To sign up for the new Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementia CARE training offered in our community, email susan.guy@homeinstead.com. Classes will begin in August.

Photo: A key way to build relationships, according to Troxel, is to know and use an individual’s life story. 

Always Wear a Helmet

This week in “The Buzz” we will learn: which Christian artist recently experienced a skate-boarding accident, what Jeremy Camp did for his Facebook friends, what the latest Christian music CD for younger kids is and what new songs you’ll be hearing on Christian radio real soon!

Always wear your helmet!

Chris August, the artist who brought us “Starry Night” and “7 X 70” has learned an important lesson the hard and painful way. A few weeks ago he went out for a little ride on his electric skateboard. Since he was only going a short ways he thought he wouldn’t need his helmet. Unfortunately he was wrong. It was nightime, he didn’t know there was road work going on and went full speed into a deep hole. He woke up in the hospital rather dazed and with a serious headache. Thankfully he was able to go home a few days later and is already back on tour with Mercy Me.

It was a concert and everyone was invited!

Jeremy Camp, like most artists these days, loves to stay connected through several social-media sites. Recently he decided he would put on a concert and invite anyone and everyone to come — via Facebook! It may not have been quite the same as being there in person, but it does show that being someone’s friend on Facebook can sometimes really pay off.

Your little one’s will love this!

If you love the music of Hillsong and ever wished there was something as meaningful for your preschooler, check out the first Hillsong Kids, Jr. release, Crazy Noise, now available on iTunes and at your local Christian Bookstore. These 12 brand new songs are all inspired by and tied to specific Bible verses that will provide a solid foundation for your little ones while being lots of fun at the same time! Kind of like having a time of wor-ship with The Wiggles or the gang on Yo Gabba Gabba!

New music coming to your radio

Some of the songs you’ll be hearing soon at a Christian radio station near you:

“Losing” from Tenth Avenue North’s upcoming release The Struggle, it talks about how, when we don’t forgive, we’re the one’s who lose.

“Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave from their current release Love Come To Life, shows the joys we can have when we have been redeemed.

“Keep Your Eyes Open” from NeedToBreathe’s cd The Reckoning, encourages us to always know that we can overcome the difficult times we face in life if we keep pressing on with our eyes looking forward.

Photo: Chris August

The Avengers (Rated R) 5 Stars

Now that Joss Whedon has made a success of The Avengers(142 minutes), can we do another Firefly movie? No? Can we do a feature length Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog? Maybe give him some money to do that Buffy spin-off, Ripper? With all the records this film is breaking maybe he’ll get to do all three, and then everyone goes home happy.

We start slow, and those of you who haven’t seen Thor might want to take a minute before entering the theater to look up the summary on IMDB. It isn’t entirely necessary to have seen all the films leading into The Avengers, but if you haven’t seen that one it might take a few minutes to figure out what is going on.

Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is conferring with a shady alien race, the Chitauri (AKA Skrulls for those of you keeping track). Meanwhile, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is doing some S.H.I.E.L.D. stuff back on Earth assisted by agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders). It turns out that Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) is playing with Thor’s main plot point in a secret underground lab, and it is all about to go horribly wrong. After Loki trashes the place and takes off with a couple of important characters in tow, Fury activates the Avengers Initiative. The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson, who apparently wasn’t good enough to rate her own origin movie) is sent after Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), agent Phil Colson (Clark Gregg) attempts to recruit Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Fury sweet-talks Captain America (Chris Evans).

The only supporting chick from the origin movies to make it into the theatrical cut is Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), although Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster is referenced and a scene between Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and Steve Rogers is destined to appear on the DVD release as a deleted scene.

After a few team-building exercises in the second act, the nearly complete team heads out to capture Loki, who has control of both Dr. Selvig and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Of course, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) shows up to join the party before Loki is finally locked away. With so many supposed geniuses on the team, you would think someone would figure out that capturing the demi-god was a bit easier than it should have been way earlier, or at least, when someone finally points this out, they would be more interested in following the thought to its logical conclusion. Sadly, they are all too busy making fun of each other, which is okay because that’s part of the on-screen chemistry that makes the film work so well.

The film is full of adolescent comic-book logic of the sort that serves the plot more than common sense. For example, Thor comes flying out of the sky on a pretty regular basis. At one point he gets dropped from the S.H.E.I.L.D. Helicarrier … is anyone really that concerned he’ll end up with even a scratch? And since Loki has mind control powers, does it not occur to him to sneak up on the Avengers and mind control a few more of them, having demonstrated in the first 15 minutes of the film that he can easily do so?

If you want my opinion (and you’re reading the review so I assume you do), The Hulk might nail most of the physical comedy, but Iron Man gets most of the best lines. Overall, the film is as satisfying as a Snicker’s bar, even if it does run a bit long. Speaking as a comics fan, the focus on the team’s 1960s dynamic really worked. With any luck, by the time they get around to the sequel they will have sorted out the licensing issues that kept some of best characters out of the first entry in this franchise. And yes, there are not one but two after-credits scenes. One of which features *spoiler!* THANOS!

Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

“I have gotten more than I asked for. All that I ever wanted was to hear my voice on record and have a songamong the Top 20.”

                                — Patsy Cline Patsy

Cline was one of country music’s first ladies. She lived her life wide open and shared it with her fans through the haunting, sometimes funny but always honest songs she belted out night after night.

To her, the pinnacle of success was having a record. Today, she would probably be somewhat amused that there is a movie and not one, but two country musicals that celebrate her music and her life. And, Fayetteville residents get a chance to join in the celebration May 17-May 27, as the Cape Fear Regional Theatre brings A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline to the river stage at Campbellton Landing.

“This is really the kind of place that Patsy would have performed,” said Kara Boyer. “She was always performing at fairs and outdoor events. This show almost feels like a concert.”

Boyer, a Kernersville, N.C., native who now lives in the Big Apple, will join veteran CFRT performer Mike Rice at the CFRT River Show to bring Cline’s story to life.

A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline follows Cline’s climb to stardom from her hometown in Virginia to The Grand Ole Opry, Las Vegas and Carnegie Hall, which she noted “was grand, but not as big as The Grand Ole Opry.”

A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline includes more than 20 of the country music legend’s popular hits: “Walkin’ after Midnight,” “Sweet Dreams,” “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy.”

Directed by Bo Thorp, the show has its moments of comedy and of the haunting heartbreak of Cline’s music. Put all together, Thorp believes it will create magical nights down by the Cape Fear River.

“This is absolutely one of the top shows we’ve ever done,” said Thorp. “Everyone loves Pasty Cline. Everywhere I’ve gone over the past few weeks, people say they can’t wait to see the show. We have some amazing talent, and are ready to be spend some great nights down by the river.”

For Boyer, who has done both tributes to Cline, performing down the river will be a fi rst. “This is one of those parts that once you start playing it, you get the opportunity to play it several times,” said Boyer.

The show has 22 of Cline’s top songs. “For the fi rst three or four months I was prepping for the show, I never sang a note,” said Boyer. “I just listened to her, and watched any YouTube video I could find so that I could learn her. I wanted to see how she stood, how she sang, how emotional she got. I just listened over and over again. Before I ever dared open my mouth. I really just had to give over to the artistry that people know and love about Patsy Cline.”

“Her heartache came because she lived a hard life,” said Boyer of Cline. “She wanted to succeed as an artist and did what she had to do to become successful. When she sings, she puts everything she had into her songs. She is so emotional.”

This year’s dinner theatre features the great American hamburger as the dinner choice, served with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, dill chips, molasses baked beans, southern potato salad and iced tea. Dinner starts at 7 p.m., with tickets ranging from $25 to $28. Show-only reserved seating ranges in price from $14 to $20, with non-reserved seats ranging from $12 to 18. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m.

For tickets and more information, visit www.cfrt.org.

Fayetteville Technical Community College celebrated its 50th Anniversary this year. It’s been a great year. In fact, it’s been a great 50 years, and according to FTCC President Dr. Larry Keen, the next 50 years look even brighter.

“In 1961, FTCC was established to provide workforce training to individuals in response to needs of local business and industry and worked diligently to establish the Fayetteville Area Industrial Education Center and Fayetteville Technical Institute, now known as Fayetteville Technical Community College,” said Keen.

Keen explained that over the last half century, the leadership of the institution has done a great job of anticipating the needs of the workforce and community and has strategically designed the curriculum to meetthese needs.

Keene explained that FTCC is a community college in every sense of the word. Students can spend two years working on core courses before moving on to four-year institutions, professionals receive certifications and training, businesses partner with the institution to find and train qualified professionals and citizens enjoy an opportunity to learn new skills and explore options through the continuing education department.

Supporters of FTCC and the community college system think that’s something to celebrate, which they have done in grand style this year.

The golden anniversary year kicked off with a special fall convocation. The speakers at the convocation talked about how the community college movement has grown over the years to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

“It was an excellent way to start the year,” said Keen.

The Forever Gold Campaign was started to secure community funding to support the growth of the college. Throughout the year, several other activites took place to celebrate the anniversary, including the commissioning of a piece of artwork for the campus to celebrate the anniversary and the publishing of a retrospective book that took a look at the institution’s first 50 years.

The school reached out to the community and the Arts Council hosted a juried exhibit for FTCC.

“A significant number of people came through to look at what we were doing, so many of the members of the community were able to see the exhibit,” said Keen. “We had some wonderful things take place.

”What started as an institution with a graduating class of 40, is now a collaborative institution that partners with colleges, government and businesses to touch more than 408,000 students internationally. This institution has grown from one site to 209 acres on four sites in Cumberland County.

“This year, just counting credentials, we have everything from people graduating with GEDs, associate degrees, diplomas and certifications. We have more than 2,000 of those. We’ve come a long way from 40.We are proud of the growth and development we’ve had,” said Keen. “To say we’ve come a long way in 50 years is an understatement. As we look to the next 50 years we expect to continue to serve the citizens of Cumberland County and those citizens all over North Carolina.”

The celebration of the 50-year milestone comes to a close at FTCC’s 2012 commencement ceremony, which will be held at the Crown Coliseum Complex on May 17. Maj. Gen. Rodney Anderson, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, is scheduled to speak. Keen has heard Anderson speak in the past and is excited about the inspiring message he will deliver to students as they move on to the next phase of their lives.

The future looks bright for FTCC as an institution of learning and as a partner in developing the community. Keeping up with trends and cycles and constantly assessing the needs of the many people it serves, is a priority with the FTCC administration, which is continually working to meet the needs of the changing workforce.

“It is a never ending cycle if you want to really compete and perform in the economy we are in, and I don’t see an end to that,” said Keen. “We modify what we do to reflect new technologies and techniques. We continually look at these things to upgrade equipment and curriculum.”

When the 2012/2013 school year starts in the fall, FTCC will unveil a sculpture. It is a piece that represents the journey that has led to this moment. For Keen it also represents the next 50 years and all the possibilities and responsibilities that come with meeting the needs of a diverse community.

“The more people we can get graduated and into the workforce is a good thing. There is going to be a lot of emphasis on graduation and the accomplishment of our different credentials,” said Keen. “I think we will continue to be open to serving Fort Bragg and the Department of Defense. We are committed to economic development and the growth of our community including entrepreneurial and small-business growth and development.

Looking forward 50 years, Keen hopes the legacy that FTCC is creating is the same legacy and strong foundation he inherited when he came to the institution.

“The great thing about this college and those we serve is it was founded by a visionary people who stepped out on faith with the expectation of a return — and I think they got that many times over,” said Keen. “And someday in the future we want people to look back at us and say they gave us this foundation, which we can continue to build on. If we do that, I think we’ve done something right. It is an honor and a privilege — with a capital P — to be a part of a great movement like the community-college movement, but I don’t think there is a better place to be than here. It is all the faculty, staff and most importantly, the students and foundation trustees and the leadership they provide that make FTCC successful. All the rest of us support the students and the effort they’ve made.”

Dirt gets a bad rap. The kids come in with it all over their hands and faces after playing outside. The dog drags it in and across the carpet. It somehow ends up on every white shirt you own. It can be very easy to blame the dirt. Kay Bullard of Cumberland Water and Soil Conservation District wants to change the public perception of dirt and she wants to start by teaching children about the wonders of soil.

Bullard presents, From the Soil to Your Spoon at North Regional Branch Library on Wednesday, March 23 at 4 p.m. The program is for elementary school children.

“Soil is the starting foundation for all of the food that we eat,” Bullard said. Her presenta-tion is about making the connection from the food on our dinner plates to the soil it was grown in and everything in between — including the processing of food and the trucks, trains and ships that deliver it to our stores.

Bullard will discuss, “... the plants that pro-vide us with the veggies and the fruits. Then we’ll talk about the animals that the farmer’s raise that provide us with the meats we eat.”

The children will conclude the program by making and taking home truffula trees, inspired by Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.

Bullard is enthusiastic about bringing her message to a younger generation and “seeing the expression on the children’s faces when they begin to understand the concept of what we are teaching — how important soil is, how important natural resources are to us. We need them for life. That’s not just dirt. It’s important!”

From the Soil to Your Spoon is part of the annual stewardship project developed by National Association of Soil and Conservation Districts. This is the 57th year the association has educated the public on the importance of soil and water conservation. In addition to library programs, Bullard also presents to elementary schools, participates in Earth Day and community events with Cumberland County Parks and Recreation.

It’s not just about respecting the soil. It’s about respecting the people who work the soil too.

“The next time you sit down to a meal, take a minute and think about where your food came from. Think about the farmers and the ranchers who helped to produce this food,” said Bullard.

“Recognize that they work to produce the food for a growing population and our farmers and are dedicated to land management practices that are healthy for the land and the soil so we can sustain our food supply and land for future generations.”

North Branch Regional Library is located on the corner of Rosehill Road at 855 McArthur Road. For more information or to register your child for the program, visit the Children’s Department or call 822-1998 ext. 223. You can also visit the Cumberland County Public Library at http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/.

On May 26, Reeves Auditorium will explode with Philippine culture, bringing to life traditions found through dance and music.

Mga Anak ni lnang Daigdig (Children of Mother Earth) performing arts troupe will perform on the stage of Reeves Auditorium, Methodist University at 7 p.m.

“This group of amazingly talented young people give a fantastic show while sharing stories and the different traditions from the many regions of the Philippines,” Allen Burton, event coordinator said.

Traveling all over the world, they share their rich culture and raise awareness about environmental issues such as the untreated garbage dump they are from. This talented performing arts group of young people is from Smokey Mountain, Manila in the Philippines.

Smokey Mountain is a garbage dump in Manila. Rising more than seven stories high, it is the second largest garbage dump in the world. Approximately 30,000 people inhabit the dump plundering for scraps of paper, metal and other recyclable materials to sell. The dump edges right against the Manila Bay, polluting the water as well as the air with the chemi-cals. It’s called Smokey Mountain because as the garbage decomposes, the heat of the sun causes the chemicals in materials to burn and release smoke or ignite small fires.

“Think of the worse conditions you can imagine; all that and more is true about Smokey Mountain.” Dr. H. Monte Hill, president of the Filipino American National Historical Society – Carolinas Chapter. The Carolinas Chapter is sponsoring the group’s trip to the East Coast.

Families build homes in the dump out of scrap material found while searching through the garbage. As many as three generations live in the small crowded shacks, making conditions unbearable. The children living in Smokey Mountain do not go to school because families rely on the entire family scav-enging to survive.

“When you get close you see long lines of garbage trucks waiting to unload. On days the wind blows you can smell it miles away. The stench is so strong it can make you sick. There are mountains of garbage with people crawling all over the mountains. Children are as young as four years (old) searching the trash for scraps, no shoes, discarded rags for clothes and filthy, they search all day for the few pennies they will make off the things they find,” said Hill.

The Catholic Church of the Philippines created the Children of Mother Earth Foundation to help the people of Smokey Mountain and raise awareness of the environment. Approximately 100 young people are selected from Smokey Mountain and spend years training with professionals to be ready to tour profes-sionally like the group performing in Fayetteville. At 17, members of the troupe age out and are given a scholarship for college.

However, many more children are helped through the fundraising efforts of The Children of Mother Earth. The foundation provides clothing, teaches hygiene and provides basic necessities to as many chil-dren as they can in Smokey Mountain.

The dance group debuted in 1994 and has given more than 350 perfor-mances all over the world. The mission of Children of Mother Earth is to raise environmental awareness and call for peace and justice.

“All of the proceeds go back to the help the people of Smokey Mountain. It’s an amazing show and by coming you are helping provide a better future for so many,” Allen said.

Tickets for the show are a $15 donation and sponsorships for those wanting to help are available starting at $100. Contact Allen Burton at 910.584.4841 for more information.

Photo: The Catholic Church of the Philippines created the Children of Mother Earth Foundation to help the people of Smokey Mountain and raise awareness of the environment.

 The Five-Year Engagement(Rated R) 4 Stars

Heading into his third film, Director Nicholas Stoller has one hit (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and one miss (Get Him to the Greek). The Five-Year Engagement(124 minutes) falls somewhere in between these two in overall quality. There are certainly more than a few laughs, but the film overall could have been trimmed down a bit. At more than two hours, this seems a bit indulgent — as if Stoller couldn’t bear to let anything go, whether it contributed to the film or not.

Tom Solomon (Jason Segel) works as a sous chef while living with Violet Barnes (Emily Blunt) and dreaming of his own restaurant. They get engaged, and begin to have parties, as you do when you earn the kind of high dollar amounts typically enjoyed by sous chefs and graduate students. Oh wait — both of those people tend to live in poverty. I guess Mom and Dad are paying for everything. While they’re at it, maybe they should invest in some elocution lessons for Violet’s sister Suzie (Alison Brie, who apparently didn’t get the memo that her “family” is British).

Anyway, the lovebirds manage to spend way more time planning their dream wedding than they spend actually getting married. You would think that a graduate student in the field of psychology would be able to get some insight from that, but apparently not. Despite her inability to apply basic psychology to address their personal issues, Violet is offered an apparently prestigious post-doc in psychology to the University of Michigan. As an academic, I question the logic of this particular plot device and the resulting lifestyle the two manage to share on the kind of salary a post-doc might expect to receive. Seriously, they should not be considering marriage when they are both clearly absorbing massive amounts of debt and will need to declare bankruptcy soon.

Embracing feminism, Tom decides to support Violet’s career by moving from lovely San Francisco to the frozen waste that is Michigan. Violet then spends the next two years demonstrating the overall invalidity of psychological studies in the company of other post-docs including Vanetha (Mindy Kaling).

Meanwhile, Tom begins a slow descent into depression, as evidenced by the growth of a stupid looking beard and the increasing number of scenes that show him in sweatpants. Because, of course, his fiancée is going to ignore his completely passive aggressive reaction to her achievement of a major academic milestone and stay with him despite the fact that she gets nothing from the relationship but a guilt trip. If only he had some career goal or hard-earned skill to fall back on, like that dream of owning his own restaurant he was talking about earlier in the film? No? We’re going to pretend that’s not where the story is obviously headed.

For some reason, even after the writers have established the basic conflict the movie wanders on through scene after scene, only to climax in a completely ridiculous resolution. Oh well. At least there are plenty of Van Morrison songs to enjoy while daydreaming through some of the longer scenes. As a bonus, we get to witness the next phase in the ongoing quest of Segel to turn into a complete and utter girl. This is a nice switch from most male-driven comedies, but it does tend to make him interchangeable with Paul Rudd. Perhaps he could play against type in his next Apatow flick? Or at least try to find a character that’s not quite so self-loathing?

Overall, it’s an enjoyable rom-com to see on date night but most of this material has been explored in other, more interesting films. If you’re hoping for another Forgetting Sarah Marshall, you’re apt to be disappointed.

Now showing at Wynnsong 7, Carmike 12 and Carmike Market Fair 15.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. It is a time to pay respect to those who will never be forgotten. How do you repay a solider for making the ultimate sacrifice? The answer can be summed up in one word, remembrance.

As a military sanctuary city, it’s not hard to find evidence of the appreciation the Fayetteville community has for service members. From the Hero’s Homecoming celebration to the Field of Honor to the 31 Day Salute that occur throughout the city, the people in Fayetteville show up time and again to honor those who protect and defend this great nation. As the country celebrates this Memorial Day, don’t forget to take a moment to remember our fallen and the sacrifices they made.

Don Talbot is the coordinator for the Freedom Memorial Park Memorial Day Ceremony. Each year he dedicates his time and talents to ensure that the sacrifice of our soldiers and their families is not forgotten. The Memorial Day ceremony is held at Freedom Memorial Park on the corner of Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard, across from the Airborne & Special Operation Museum. The ceremony will commence on Memorial Day, Monday May 28, promptly at 11 a.m. In the words of Talbot “You need to go!”

Brigadier General Ferdinand Irizarry II of Fort Bragg’s John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School will be the guest speaker. He is the first active-duty Civil Affairs officer to be promoted to one-star general and is the deputy commander of the school. Other features at the ceremony include: the missing-man presentation, a 21-gun salute and bag pipes playing Amazing Grace.

The ceremony is a formal memorial service, and has received overwhelming support. The ceremony which has seating room for 300 had an attendance of about 800 in 2011. Even if the event is standing-room only, it is a small price to pay to honor those who have laid down their lives for our freedom.

Freedom Memorial Park will be a standing monument to veterans of the present, past and future even after Memorial Day is over. For those who have lost loved ones Memorial Day is every day, and the park is a way to honor their memories. You can contribute by making a donation to Freedom Memorial Park or by purchasing a paver or brick to be placed in the park, to carry on the memory of your beloved solider. For more information go to www. freedommemorialpark.com.

Photo: The Memorial Day ceremony is held at Freedom Memorial Park on the corner of Hay
Street and Bragg Boulevard. 

The Journey From Oz is a heartwarming message of hope and encouragement for those facing hard challenges in life.

“Whether you are facing the worst challenges or realize you aren’t where you want to be in life, this book offers support to help readers take control of life one helping step at a time.” author Sharon Yates said

Sharon Yates has more than 30 years of experience in the mental-health profession. As the public relations director for the Cumberland County Mental Health Center, Yates coordinates events and disseminates information on mental health to educate and help those facing life’s most difficult struggles.

Yates has combined her years of experience into her new book, The Journey From Oz: Seven Steps for Finding Your Way Back from Places You Never Intended To Be.

The book uses Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz story to illustrate the fact that everyone at some point in life finds themselves somewhere they didn’t intend to be. Dorothy landed in Oz, a strange place with strange people and no idea how to get back home. People suffering mental illness or a rough patch in life can relate to Dorothy’s feeling of being lost and desperate. However, throughout Dorothy’s journey she takes the steps necessary to find her way home and be happy again. The Journey From Oz is written to help the readers take those steps one day at a time.

Yates shares her personal stories as examples of making these daily steps. According to Yates, one story is about a friend who celebrated the fact that she could get out of bed and put on clean underwear in the mornings. This story is memorable not because of the humor but it is an example of the small victories that make a difference when times are tough.

The book is written in short paragraph passages. Yates said she wanted to make it easy to absorb because she knows how hard it is to concentrate during times of crisis, such as in an ICU waiting room.

“But at the same time, I would see how much a greeting card would mean to someone going through a tough time,” said Yates.

“People that know me, will recognize the statements from the books because they are things I say or write to friends and family when they need encouragement. I hope readers feel like I’m a friend speaking with them as they read the book. Sometimes just seeing things in print can validate emotions and bring home the ‘a-ha moment,’” Yates said.

The unique illustrations help to bring that “a-ha moment” as well. Rose-Ann San Martino has been involved in art and mental health for many years. As an artist she said she was grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on a project that inspired her.“

I just hope these book gets into the hands of people that can benefit from it. I’m retiring at the end of the year and this is my way of sharing what I’ve learned and giving back,” said Yates.

The Journey From Oz can be purchased at Amazon.com and for those with a membership with Kindle, the book can be downloaded and shared for free. Join Yates at the 2012 Local Author’s Showcase at the Headquarters Library on June 22 at 7 p.m. for a book signing.

This month 4th Friday falls on May 25. Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy the weather, check out the new exhibits and performances downtown and frequent the many shops and eateries that stay open late and offer discounts during the event.

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is taking advantage of 4th Friday to open its latest exhibit. “This month’s 4th Fridaywill be the opening of The Healing Arts, sponsored by Cape Fear Valley Health Systems,” said Mary Kinney, marketing director of the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. “The exhibition includes work collected and created by local physicians.”

There are a number of local artists as well as art collectors in the Cape Fear Valley medical community and much of the work shown comes from private collections.

The Army Ground Forces Band will bring a fi ve-member woodwinds section to perform inside the Arts Council Building Grand Hall from 7-9 p.m. during the exhibit opening.

The Downtown Alliance has adopted a fun theme each month. May is The Big Eat, according to Kim Powers, Downtown Alliance 4th Friday coordinator. “This month is called The Big Eat, but the savings are not just in food,” said Powers. “It is food oriented, everything will be about food and diet.”

So make sure to stop at all your favorite downtown eateries to see what specials are on tap.

The Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center Headquarters Library hosts Second Time Around, a 15-piece band specializing in the big-band era. Enjoy the sounds of Glenn Miller, Les Brown, Benny Goodman and more. Refreshements are provided.

Fascinate-U is geared up and ready to entertain children from 7-9 p.m. The craft of the day is colorful macaroni jewelry. Admission is free during 4th Friday.

Cape Fear Studios opens its newest exhibit called The Dance of Art in India — a production created in partnership with the India Foundation. The visual-arts exhibit at Cape Fear Studios emphasizes the interconnection of all classical art forms in India. Because Indian classical dance embodies this concept of interconnectedness, revealing through dance technique, form and style the relationships between the art of music and painting, literature and drama, sculpture and architecture, this exhibit includes a special dance presentation by trained Indian classical art dancers. Asha Bala, dance director and program manager of the India Foundation, will direct the dance performance.

The India Foundation’s vision is that all individuals are provided with creative outlets to soar high and lead fulfilled, dignified lives — engaging with community-based activities that will advance their health, self-esteem and spirit. Bala works with Ellen Olson Brooks, the executive director of Cape Fear Studios, in the spirit of Cape Fear Studios’ mission to partner with other artistic organizations and create unusual, compelling and educational arts exhibits and productions.

“The art in the visual-arts portion of this show will come from private collections here in the Fayetteville area,” said Brooks. “The art will also reveal how the classical Indian dance form and classical Indian arts are unified and interwoven into a beautiful “picture” of the two spectrums of artistic expression: frozen, as in the visual arts, and motion, as in dance.”T

he dance performance will take place at 7 p.m. on 4th Friday at the Arts Council. The visual arts exhibit will be at Cape Fear Studios. This is a show not to be missed.

Visit www.theartscouncil.com to find out more about 4th Friday.

The Spring Lake Campus of Fayetteville Technical Community College is gearing up for the first summer STEM Academy. Students from Spring Lake Middle School, which includes many military families, will have the unique opportu-nity to participate in a five-week summer academy that focuses on science, technol-gy, engineering and math.

For four weeks, students engage in exciting hands-on learning activities that are designed to excite and increase curiosity about how things work. Each week, students will have the opportunity to complete projects, such as building/constructing a Tetrahedron Kite, obtaining knowledge about the principles of flight and basic construction, and learning how to select the proper materials for the best results. Another project students will complete will be a Solar Oven. Students will learn the basics of energy and how scientists constantly discover new energy resources. They will use virtual blueprinting and raw materials to design and construct an oven that actually bakes cookies. The final project will involve the use of modern-day technology for navigation. With the use of a Global Positioning System, students will locate objects needed to con-struct a specific project. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in online learning.

Volunteer instructors from R. Max Abbott and Spring Lake Middle School will provide instruction, and mentors from the FTCC’s Male Mentoring and Future Seekers will assist in the classrooms throughout the summer.

During the week of July 30-Aug. 2, workshops will be offered for family members to increase their awareness of community resources and support the overall mental health of these families. Below are some of the workshop topics:

• Career Exploration

• Preparing for High School

• How do I Afford to Send My Child to College?

• Coping with Deployment

• Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying

• Gang Prevention•

• Help with Homework

And end-of-program awards ceremony will take place Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. to noon, with student projects on display and a luncheon for the families.

Applications may be picked up at Spring Lake Middle School and at FTCC’s Spring Lake Campus (171 Lake Tree Blvd., Spring Lake). Applications must be sub-mitted by May 31. Students will be noti-fied of their selection by June 4. The STEM Academy begins on July 2, and runs through Aug. 3. The hours are from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The project is sponsored by Fayetteville Technical Community College, Town of Spring Lake and Wal-Mart Foundation through the Community Blueprint/Give-an-Hour grant.

We look forward to a summer of fun, exploration and adventure.

Photo: At the STEM Academy students engage in exciting hands-on learning activities that are designed to excite and increase curiosity about how things work.

 Surprising Health Benefits from Spring and Summer Foods

As the days are getting warmer and longer inspiring people to engage in backyard barbecues and midday picnics, Anne-Marie Botek, a writer for agingcare. com, discovered some very interesting information.

Even if your elderly loved one isn’t able to take part in traditions like cookouts, or holiday parties, you can introduce seasonal celebrations into their lives through food. Many popular warm-weather foods even offer the added bonus of helping a senior get the nutrients they need to remain healthy.

Here are some popular spring and summer treats that may offer some unexpected health benefits for you and your elderly loved one. Ruth Frechman, M.A., a registered dietician and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, offers her perspective on how these foods can be both tasty and nutritious for seniors.

Barbecue Basics

• Watermelon: Synonymous with summer, this juicy fruit is not only low-fat, it also contains a staggering amount of nutrients seniors need. Pound for pound, watermelon has more lycopene than any other fresh fruit or veggie. Lycopene is an antioxidant that has been shown to combat certain forms of cancer and heart disease. Watermelon is also packed with potassium, which can be a boon for seniors suffering from potassium deficiency, or hypokalemia. According to the National Institutes for Health, hypokalemia in seniors can sometimes be brought on by certain heart failure and blood pressure meds, and can cause problems with heart and muscle function. Watermelon also contains significant amounts of vitamins A, C and B6.

• Iceberg lettuce: Don’t forgo a spring salad just because it has romaine lettuce in it. Oft-maligned as the less-healthy relative of spinach and romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce actually has more of the antioxidant alpha-carotene than either of them. Alpha-carotene (and its companion, beta-carotene) can be transformed by the body into vitamin A, which can help maintain good eye health. Research has shown that alpha-carotene, on its own, may also play a role in lowering a person’s risk of dying from ailments such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Iceberg lettuce also has a good deal of vitamin K, which can help combat osteoporosis and regulate blood clotting. Frechman says that, because the amount of alphacarotene in iceberg lettuce is relatively low compared to other veggies, so you may want to add some carrots, tomatoes and spinach to a salad to boost its overall carotene content.

• Spices: Seasoned sauces and rubs are the cornerstones of a delicious warm weather cook-out. Spices can serve the dual purpose of making food more flavorful to seniors whose ability to taste has been diminished, as well as helping them fight off disease. From tumeric, whose primary compound, curcumin has been shown to be beneficial in fighting off diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer; to cinnamon, which can help people with Type 2 diabetes by lowering their blood sugar, total cholesterol and triglycerides, spices have numerous potential health benefits.

Enjoying these items may require a bit of effort on the seniors part. If preparing these foods independently is not possible, you might call in a family member or professional care giver to provide assistance.

Photo: Many popular warm-weather foods even offer the added bonus of helping a senior get the nutrients they need to remain healthy. 

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Jane Davis was up early. She had a lot to do to prepare for an evening meeting with the family readiness group she headed up. Davis, the wife of then Womack Army Medical Center Commander, Gary Matteson, had been planning the big meeting for several weeks.

As the news of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Flight 93, began to saturate the radio and television, Davis made her way to Womack. With tears in her eyes, she made the call to cancel the meeting. While many spent the next several days feeling helpless and afraid, Davis spent them planning on a way she could make a difference. In a matter of days, Davis, a nurse, had volunteered to go to Ground Zero to treat the countless volunteers who crawled in and out of the remains on a 24-hour basis.

In her first book, First Aid for Heroes, Davis relates the event of 9/11, how they affected her and memories from time spent at Ground Zero. On Thursday, May 10, Davis will be at City Center Gallery and Books to promote her book, and to talk about the experience.

“I was literally compelled to do more. It was something deep within me, a deep-seated feeling that I needed to help out on a much larger level,” said Davis, during an interview about her book published on www. pdpatient.wordpress.com. “To watch the devastating news on the television all day or to answer phones at the local Red Cross Station, was just not enough for me.

“My family was incredibly supportive and very proud of me for choosing to do this. Gary, my husband, was incredibly busy at Fort Bragg (where we were living) as he was commanding the post hospital, Womack Army Medical Center. He understood my pull, as he had seen it many times before with my volunteering at every military post we had been stationed. It was a hard decision though, as I knew the assignment would be for at least three weeks. My life on the military post was a very busy one as I was involved with many organizations and they were counting on me. Everyone gave me their blessing. I ended up working/volunteering at Ground Zero for six and a half weeks.”

Davis said her arrival on Ground Zero was like stepping into a black and white movie.

“The noise of Midtown Manhattan was what I remember when I entered the subway, but it was a totally different city once I exited in Lower Manhattan. The hustle and bustle of the big city seemed to be hundreds of miles away, it could have been in another state, another country, and it was only a short subway ride away. The fi rst thing I noticed is that people were talking in hushed voices and quietly sobbing. There was a stillness in the air, a quietness, not like the cacophonous sound of Midtown Manhattan,” she recalled. “I had to force myself to observe the devastation of Ground Zero, I knew that I could not start my volunteer job until I made myself look. The vastness of the devastation was so powerful, it looked as if I was in the middle of a war zone. I realized that the television could not capture the enormity of it, as it was 360 degrees of tragedy. Then the overpowering stench assaulted my nostrils. It was a smell like no other, and one that is hard to describe. I can still smell it and did when I recently returned to Ground Zero to pay my respects after 9/11/11. I know it was only in my mind, but I am amazed that the smell has lingered inside me.”

While at City Center Gallery and Books, Davis will recount the time she spent at Ground Zero and the lessons she has learned since then about embracing life to its fullest.

The book signing will run from 6-8 p.m. at City Center in downtown Fayetteville. Davis will make comments at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the website at citycentergallery.com.

Photo: Jane Davis was honored by President George Bush for her service at Ground Zero.

While many in the community are taking a deep breath and recovering from the hectic celebration of the Dogwood Festival, the staff of the Dogwood Festival is jumping feet fi rst into planning a different kind of party in the same location. Fayetteville After 5 is back, and it’s rocking harder than ever in Festival Park.

Originally started as a fundraiser for the now defunct Fayetteville Museum of Art, Fayetteville After 5is a celebration of summer. Held on the third Thursday of the month from May to September, Fayetteville After 5 offers Fayetteville residents a chance to shake off the work week blues, kick back in the park and enjoy a good time with friends, family and great music.

This season’s offerings kick-off on Thursday, May 17 with one of the city’s favorite ‘80s bands, Suicide Blonde. Based out of Raleigh, Suicide Blonde is comprised of “children of the ‘80s” who have united to bring back the spirit of this incredible decade. With its lineup of experienced musicians, this exciting band well remembers what it was like to wear a mullet, hop in the Trans-Am and drive to the blaring sounds of AC/DC, David Bowie or the Cure. With a wealth of experience in many genres of music, Suicide Blonde brings the required professionalism, musicianship and unmistakable love of the ‘80s to the stage and invites Fayetteville residents to come out and “work for the weekend.”

The band will be joined on stage by the Fantasy Band, playing smoothed out rhythm and blues, Top 40 and beach music.

On June 21, Craig Woolard will open the show, with the timeless sounds of beach music, the Carolina’s own sound. Woolard is popular among beach music fans, and invites you to kick off your shoes, and hit the floor for some smooth shagging.

Bull City Syndicate, another Triangle-based band, started as a blues band in 1993, originally going by the name Soul Kitchen. Founded by Durham musicians Dave Wilkins and Stephen Michael Jack, they played their fi rst gig at the Down Under Pub on Main Street in downtown Durham. The band later morphed into a ‘70s retro band with the addition of Vondy Strickland and Clark Edgerton on horns. After adding a trumpet to the mix, the “Bull City Horns” were born. For many years, Soul Kitchen & The Bull City Horns was one of the most popular club acts in the Triangle, setting the standard for horn bands in the region. While changes have taken place over the course of 16 years, in both personnel and musical direction, the main course of the band remains as a “horn band,” not a “band with horns.”

Most of the current line-up has been together for years now, in which time the band recorded their first CD, You Make Me Feel, changed their name to Bull City Syndicate and grew from a top-drawing Triangle cover band, to one of the most in-demand special event and festival bands in the Mid- Atlantic region.

On Aug. 16, the Johnny Orr Band and the Johnny Folsom 4 bring a little country to Festival Park.

The Johnny Orr band is fronted by Johnny Orr, who made it to the finals at Nashville Star in 2007 making the top 30, he’s been on CMT’s Big Break with Sara Evans, he’s opened for Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Gretchen Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, Jason Michael Carroll, Phil Vassar, Josh Gracin, Josh Thompson, Jeff Bates and Josh Turner.

From “A Boy Named Sue” to “Ring of Fire,” four of Raleigh’s favorite musical sons pay tribute to the Man in Black with the Johnny Folsom Four. True to the Johnny Cash’s poetic spirit, the JF4 promises an honest and entertaining performance for fans of all ages.

Lead singer David Burney brings a lilting southern baritone to Cash’s classic songs which hits the mark well enough that you may wonder on occasion if Cash, himself, is in the building. David Gresham more than meets the challenge of filling in for Luther and Carl Perkins on those classic guitar licks. And Tom Mills (bass) and Randy Benefield (drums) provide the hallmark, train-like driving rhythm the whole world loves. And when the boys are living right, the remarkable Miss Eleanor Jones joins in on those classic Johnny and June duets; hotter than a pepper sprout!

When it comes to honoring Johnny Cash, JF4 walks the line.

The season wraps up on Sept. 20 with The Tams, one of the Carolina’s favorite beach bands. Liquid Pleasure has an eclectic play with everything from Top 40 to Beach and rock.

With such an amazing line-up this year’s Fayetteville after 5 looks to have something to please everyone. Held in Festival park, the gates open at 5 p.m., with opening acts beginning between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Headliners will begin between 7 and 7:30 p.m. and will play until around 10:30 p.m.

You’re invited to bring your blankets an chairs and spread out on the lawn, but no outside food or beverages or pets are allowed within the park. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.

For more information, visit www.faydogwoodfestival.com.

A season of “Blessings” for Laura Story…

Sowing & Reaping

As we go through life, we will all inevi-tably reap what we have sown. Laura Story has been faithful in her music ministry as well as her devotion and support to her ailing husband, Martin. Lately she has certainly been enjoying the reaping end of the equation.

Heading to the Grammy’s

Her song “Blessings” has been her most successful song to date, both in sales and more importantly in the impact it has had on people’s lives. As a result of this success, Story was nominated for and won her first Grammy Award. A rare feat for any Christian artist, and even more a female worship artist.

Multiple Doves

tory was recognized by her peers in a big way at last month’s 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards! She walked away with Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year and Album of the Year, as well as overall Song and Songwriter of the year – all stemming from her huge hit “Blessings.”

The Singer/Songwriter Becomes an Author

Capturing an incredible thought in a song is nothing new for Laura. What is new is turning those thoughts into a devotional book called What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? Comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? includes the devotions “He Loves Us Too Much to Give Us Lesser Things,” “When Faith Disappears,” “The Blessed Thorn,” “Giving Endurance a Chance to Grow” and “How Can We Find Peace Amid Suffering?” Each devotion contains Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey, along with prayers, quotes and a journaling page for readers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.

Best Blessing of All

As if the music awards and the success of her new cd and book weren’t enough to make this one of Story’s best years ever, she and her husband recently learned that she is pregnant. The bundle of joy is due to arrive in September and the expectant mom and dad couldn’t be more excited. 2012 has already been a year of bountiful blessing for Story and we wish her many more!

Photo: Laura Story

She comes with impeccable credentials and plenty of fresh ideas, which is a good thing because shehas big shoes to fill. Robyne Parrish is set to replace Lynne Pryer as Gilbert Theater’s artistic director.

Trained at the North Carolina School of Arts, one of the nation’s top-ranked acting conservatories, Parrish has performed off-Broadway, in regional theatres, in film and television including Royal Pains, What’s It Like in California, The Baristasand Help Me Help You with Richard Kind and Steve Guttenberg. She has trained with world-renowned director and NCSA Dean, Gerald Freedman, Cigdem Onat and Broadway dance legend, Molly Murray. She’s directed children and adults alike in her 20 plus years as a director.

Critics describe her as hilarious, capable, sassy and vivacious.

So why Fayetteville? Why now?“

I have been looking for something like this position for a long time,” said Parrish. “My family is from South Carolina and I’m 40 this year. A lot of it has to do with moving back in the direction of home. Being in Fayetteville is going to let me slow down a little bit and really enjoy working.”

Parrish’s idea of slow may differ from what most would assume. She still has representation all over the world, will be travelling to Pittsburgh to direct in the winter, is working with a new theater group in town called Sweet Tea Shakespeare and is doing a show in Blowing Rock this summer.

“Part of my agreement with the Gilbert is that I will be travelling sometimes to work and direct,” said Parrish. “I will be directing two of the shows at the Gilbert this season, too.”

Parrish brings with her not only years of experience, but her connections from New York, Pittsburgh and other places.

“This is an opportunity to bring in guest directors and use my connections to bring in new artists to work in the community,” said Parrish.

When Parrish accepted the offer to head the Gilbert Theater, she was impressed by the level of excellence at which the organization operates, and she was energized by the board’s desire to move things to the next level.

“There is huge potential here. Everything they were doing was so awesome,” said Parrish. “What I have been challenged by the board to do is move to the next level of excellence. Everything they have done is incredible, and there is so much opportunity to keep growing.”

One of the first orders of business is the Gilbert Conservatory, a school for actors and other people interested in learning the ways of the theater. The conservatory offers classes in Shakespeare, voice and speech, musical theater and acting for the stage and screen. It is for ages 15 and up.

“The most important thing is that we are the Gilbert. We are not going to turn into something different,” said Parrish. “The change that is being made is that we are transitioning to a semi-professional theater. We still rely heavily on local talent. I’ve seen great talent here. I don’t see why we would need to go anywhere else. That is who we are and that will not change. The Gilbert deserves to be recognized as semi-professional. They are already working at that level and they should be viewed like that.”

Find out more about the Gilbert Theater and the Gilbert Conservatory at www.gilberttheater.com.

Photo: Robyne Parrish is the new artistic director at the Gilbert Theater.

As the 2011/2012 school years winds down, Fayetteville Academy is set to welcome its new head of school, Ray Quesnel. In the education business for 23 years, Quesnel has been a teacher and coach as well as an administrator, and says he has loved every aspect of the many roles he’s assumed.

He served at The Asheville School as a teacher, coach and administrator for 11 years before moving to Forsyth Country Day School in Winston Salem, N.C., in 2000. He is currently the athletic director at Forsyth Country Day School and is the president of the PACIS conference and a representative on the Board of Managers of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association.

He wasn’t looking for something new, but when long-time friend Chip Bishop, who was on the Fayetteville Academy Search Committee, approached Quesnel about the head-of-school position, he was intrigued.

“The more I came down to interview and the more I got to meet the people, the more interested I became,” said Quesnel. “We really like the school. In fact, I’ve known of the school for many years. It is an excellent school with a lot of potential to become even stronger and better.”

Of course the academy won him over, but if there was any doubt about whether or not moving to Fayetteville was the thing to do it was the community that sealed the deal for the Quesnel family.

“We really liked the sense of community,” said Quesnel. “We are looking forward to learning about the community and being involved and working with so many different people. Fayetteville is a unique city and community. With the military and international connections there is so much to see and do and learn.”

With a long list of hobbies that include sports, music- and art-related activities, Quesnel anticipates an easy transition for his family and is looking forward to being involved in the community.

As far as Fayetteville Academy goes, Quesnel plans to spend some time getting to know the faculty, staff, administration and parents at the school.

“I can’t say enough how supportive the key administrators have been. I am trying to learn as much as I can as quickly as I can,” said Quesnel. “I also want to be careful because I think it is arrogant to come in and try to change too many things. I don’t want to come in and start making changes before learning the culture and reasons the systems are what they are. I am looking to make decisions in the best interest of the school as a team,” he added.

Quesnel said that he is excited that there are experienced and excellent staff, teachers and administrators who have the best interest of the school and students in mind. He thinks it will make his transition that much easier as he takes the helm and leads the school into the future.

Photo: Ray Quesnel

More Really Is More

Like many young people just starting out, I lived in a miniscule apartment with a rent, including water, so low by today’s standards that I am embarrassed to tell you.

It was furnished with family castoffs, book shelves made of cinder blocks and two-by-fours and many house plants to fill in the blank spaces. I even made floor lamps by sticking a light bulb on the floor and putting terra cotta sewer piping on top to create a sort of spotlight.

I was inordinately proud when I was able to buy a tweedy sofa and a Parsons table for the kitchen.

Then came the terrible and miserable year when my mother and grandmother died less than two months apart. Among all the sadness of that time, I barely noticed that I had gone from owning next to nothing to having lots of home furnishings, most of which are still in our home to this day, including everything from sofas and chests to linens with their monograms.

In retrospect, this must have been the beginning.

Anna Quindlin has long been among my favorites writers. She is my generation, a Baby Boomer, and I have followed her career from afar as she moved from staff editorial writer at the New York Times to its youngest columnist and, as children entered her life, on to essayist and novelist. She continues to strike me as a person of both great good sense and an open and welcoming heart. That is no doubt the reason that when I saw Quindlin’s latest book, Lots of Candles Plenty of Cake, excerpted in Parademagazine, I sat right down and read it.

Anna and I have a lot in common.

She, too, has way too much stuff.

It is impossible to say when it first began, but I do remember thinking to myself when the Precious Jewels were young that they certainly had a lot of toys that had a lot of parts. There is nothing quite like stepping on a Lego barefooted in the middle of the night to remind one of that. There were bikes, balls, books, sports gear, homework, beloved items, all of which seemed to be “lost” when someone was looking for them. There were zillions of T-shirts with different logos and sports teams emblazoned on them. There were drawers of clothes that were handed down, most of which hung around even when no one could fit into them anymore.

The Precious Jewels were hardly the only culprits.

While they were growing up, I must have been acquiring 24/7. My kitchen is full of pots and pans, utensils, appliances and gadgets of all sorts that I must have thought necessary at some point. In a little used cabinet, I recently found a crock pot and an ice cream maker, which have not seen the light of day in years. There is the “good” china which, as opposed to the “everyday,” is practically virginal but still here. And, clothes, oh my word!

My closet is filled with items I have not worn in years but still find “too good to throw away.” Some have been in style, gone out of style, and are back again. Some, if they were human beings, could register to vote. I still wear the same items over and over again, though, mostly black and white with a dash of color somewhere. In her book, Anna confesses to owning 18 pairs of black pants. I have not counted and probably would not tell if I did. Last year, I forgot I had an electric leaf blower for the front deck so I bought another one.

Sometimes I feel like every possession has had at least three children itself!

Some of this stuff is dear and precious to me, and I have thought about what I would save fi rst if I had to leave to escape disaster. The family photo albums, all 25 of them. The Precious Jewels’ baby teeth even though I have no idea which ones belonged to whom. The folder of household important documents, if I were thinking straight enough to remember it.

Beyond those, though, possessions do not matter as much as I must have thought they did. Many have been useful and many bring back fond memories, but those memories are in my head whether the material objects exist or not.

Several years ago, a beloved aunt now closing in on her 96th birthday asked me about old friends she missed. I told her that the husband was well but that the wife had died. She made no comment, and I realized that she still had a relationship with her friends in her mind no matter what, which is pretty much how I feel about most of the things I have accumulated over an active and busy lifetime.

I am grateful for what I have had but I have learned that everything is temporal except what is in our heads — the joys, the sorrows and everything in between.

Thanks, Anna, for the reminder.

Photo: Things clutter up our lives, but they keep memories alive.