It was summer 1988. Nat Robertson was in Gainsville, Fla., on a visit. While on a blind date, he met the perfect girl. Unfortunately, she wasn’t his date.

She was his best friend’s date. “At the end of the evening, he told his friend that if he didn’t marry me and take me back to North Carolina, he was a fool,” recalled Kim Robertson, during an interview in the Robertsons’ Haymount home.

Fortunately for Robertson, his friend didn’t take him up on the suggestion, and, with his friend’s blessing, he began calling and later visiting Kim. Following a courtship that saw Robertson driving up and down I-95 every other weekend, the couple married and Kim made the move to Fayetteville.

That was 25 years ago, and over the ensuing years, the couple has worked hard to fulfill their dreams and goals. For Robertson, that meant a partnership with his father in the family jewelry store and ownership of his own businesses, as well as a life of public service, which led him to run for Fayetteville’s top office — mayor.

The campaign, which resulted in his election, was grueling. But it wasn’t anything new. The first year the couple was married, and while Kim was pursuing her teaching degree at Fayetteville State University, Robertson ran for, and was elected to, the Fayetteville City Council. At the age of 26, he was the youngest person ever elected to the council.

“We’ve been on this journey for quite some time,” said Robertson. “I don’t know at the time that I had any goal to be mayor. I was just happy to be on the team.”

For three terms, he served on the council under the leadership of J.L. Dawkins. Twice he was elected to the at-large seat, and served one term on the district seat now held by Bobby Hurst.

“My interest has always been local,” he explained. “I want to make sure that my home folks are taken care of.”

When he left the council in 2001, he remained active in the community serving on a number of boards and commissions. His most recent service prior to his election was on the Civic Center Commission, a post that he was appointed to by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. He said his time on the commission has been great, noting that the commission was not willing to accept the “same-old, same-old.”

“There were a lot of fresh ideas, which can go a long way,” he noted.

Those ideas led to the privatization of the Crown under the management of Global Spectrum last year, which over time, should result in significant cost savings for the county and allow monies used to fund the Crown through hospitality taxes to be moved to other areas.

Having watched her husband serve over the years, Kim was not surprised by his desire to run for mayor.

“When we began talking about it, I said, ‘Let’s go.’ Service to the community is in his heart and it always has been,” she said. “He has always supported my endeavors without hesitation — always. We make a good team and complement each other. We both see our roles as servant leaders.”

Those who know Kim see that every day as she serves in the county school system. Her passion for the children of the community is evident in everything she does and says. It is a palpable thing. That being the case, her service as Fayetteville’s first lady may revolve around the city’s children.

“I have a very good measure of what I can do,” she explained. “I am the principal of a very large elementary school with 720 students.”

As the principal of Elizabeth Cashwell Elementary, Kim is confronted with many of the problems that Roberts will confront as mayor. About 70 percent of her students are on free or reduced lunch. Their families are impacted by the poor economy. Their community has a high crime rate. Finding ways of meeting the needs of her students is more than a full a time job, but it is one she relishes.

“It is important that my students feel welcomed and that they are at a place where they are going to be taken care of. It’s important that we meet their needs so that they can be successful,” she explained. “These kids who don’t have a lot, have such hope. They are smart and as long as they know we have their best interests at heart, they will work hard and come to school with a positive attitude.”

At the end of hectic days, Robertson has been a sounding board for Kim.

“He is a listener. He doesn’t try to give me advice or fix the problems. He just listens. That, in and of itself, is extremely helpful,” she noted.

She sees that skill serving him well in his role as mayor.

“If folks are active and concerned with the city, then Nat is going to listen to them and their concerns,” she said. “He will truly hear them.”

“That’s really my job,” said Robertson. “I need to understand where they are coming from, because their problems are very real. And if someone comes to the city engaged and looking to solve a problem, then we are going to work on it.”

That being said, the new mayor is going into his new role with a few key things at the top of his list.

“Do you want to hear my Top 10 priorities for this year?” he asked. “Here it is: Crime and Economic Development. Until we take care of those issues, everything else is going to have to wait. The 2014 and 2015 budget is going to revolve around those two issues. If we resolve some of the issues associated with those two priorities, we will solve other problems in the city.”

In the area of economic development, he noted that the community has done a great job of sending business away.

“We have done a real good job of running businesses to Hoke County or Spring Lake. Fayetteville has made it very hard for people to do business here, and that has to stop,” he said.

During his campaign, he made making the city operate like a business with its citizens being its customers a priority.

“When someone walks into city hall, they should know their issue is important. We have to empower our city employees to take ownership of citizen issues and walk them through the system,” he said. “No one should get lost in the process.”

Once the city makes doing business easier, Robertson believes the community can go after and successfully get more business.

“Traditionally we have gone after the low hanging fruit, which is commercial/shopping businesses,” he said. “Those businesses will come to the community whether we recruit them or not because of the disposable income available in the community, which can be seen by the number of great businesses that are already here, but we have to become more focused on industry and manufacturing. We have to bring jobs here.”

Economic developers will quickly point out key things that industries look at before considering a community. One key factor is the availability of a trained work force. Robertson believes we have that with the number of soldiers who leave the Army each year, but choose to remain in the city. Industries also look at education facilities and the ability of the populace to access it. With a public education system that is improving exponentially, and the presence of higher education facilities like Fayetteville Technical Community College, Methodist and Fayetteville State University, the city should be regarded positively. Add in quality of life, which includes great parks and community organizations, and Fayetteville should be a shoe-in for business relocation.

But a major detractor is the city’s crime rate, which is why Robertson has put it at the top of his list.

To combat crime and to actively seek economic development, Robertson has already begun building consensus throughout the county.

“There are a lot of walls in place that impede the community from working together,” he said. “I want to tear those walls down. I want to bring everyone to the table to tackle these important issues from the state to PWC to the schools to the county commissioners.”

He explained that crime cannot be looked at in a vacuum. It must be addressed from every angle and by every agency/body that can help address it. To that end, he is working to put together a Crime Summit to tackle the issue. That will be followed in June by an Economic Summit.

By opening lines of communication, he believes the community can begin to move in the same direction.

“I am a communicator. I want to bring people in and let’s talk it out,” said Robertson. “Together, let’s come up with the best way forward. When people who have a heart for this community come together, then there is plenty that we can do to make the community better.”

Photo: Fayetteville’s new mayor, Nat Robertson, and his wife Kim. Photo Credit: KCC Photography

Reassured: Fayetteville Police Are Competent

“Reassure us.” That was the below-the-fold headline found on the op-ed page of the Fayetteville Observer on Friday, Jan. 3rd. How disappointing. What a terrible way to start the new year.

The fact that our local, daily newspaper has a very hard time finding the positive side to even the most simple situations should be of great concern to our community’s residents. That short, but emphatic, editorial spoke volumes about the newspaper’s ongoing reluctance to provide our community balanced news and worse still, questions the integrity of the men and women who daily put their lives on the line in protection of our city.

The subtitle of this bogus editorial was “Our View: OfFIcer Cleared. But Shootings Leave Tension.” The editorial referenced an incident involving Fayetteville Police OfFIcer, Denton Heath Little, who, in the line of duty, fatally shot and killed Lawrence Graham III. Graham displayed a gun during a routine trafFIc stop. This was a very heartbreaking incident.

Any time you have a situation involving the loss of life, the community is going to “struggle” with questions. We all get that. It’s a part of life. Grieving families and friends want to know why. We all want to feel safe on our city streets. We want to know that those who enforce the rules are following the rules. And that’s really what the editorial should have been about.

But instead of using editorial space to let the community know that proper procedures were followed and that a thorough internal investigation conducted by state and local law enforcement officials found Officer Little’s actions prudent and lawful, the editorial questioned whether or not the investigation results were correct. Really?

Based on the results of the investigation, which had input from the State Bureau of Investigation, District Attorney Billy West decided not to take criminal action against Little. The investigation found that this well-trained Fayetteville police officer acted, and reacted, properly in the line of duty. Little’s actions saved his life and perhaps the lives of others.

Why isn’t that newsworthy? Why wasn’t it reported as an indication that our police department is competent, well trained, diligent and capable of responding to Fayetteville’s major concern: Crime. Isn’t this news? Why lose a great opportunity to assure our community, that we are in good hands?

Instead, the local newspaper chose to plant unsavory seeds of doubt and suspicion not only in regards to our police force but to our entire system. This undermines the goal of creating and maintaining safe Fayetteville communities. What is the motive here?

Is the newspaper trying to foster unrest and disharmony in the community? I hope not. But what is the purpose of questioning the FIndings and why suggest that this would be a good time for the Fayetteville Police Department to “redouble its efforts to ensure officers are well-trained and conditioned to make the best split-second decision when faced with similar situations, so future incidents have a better chance of turning out differently.”

Turning out differently? How? I hope by “differently” they mean that nobody gets killed and not that the police officer gets killed instead or that the bad guy gets away with a crime.

The newspaper’s position is that this would be an appropriate time to reassure our community that our police department is competent and can hold itself accountable when doubts arise. Well, guess what? That’s exactly what happened, and the newspaper failed to acknowledge it, but instead chose to sensationalize the incident.

One Final note: At this point, the family of Lawrence Graham III and their local attorneys Allen Rogers and Coy Brewer are considering a civil suit against the city. For what? The police department doing its job?

Until all of the players in our community get on the same page and realize that fostering discontent will only tear the city down, we will have a difficult time moving forward.

Photo: A recent editorial in the Fayetteville Observer casts doubt on the results of an investigation involving a Fayetteville Police Officer. 

With a full year stretched out before you, January is the perfect time to jump-start healthy eating, the foundation for overall wellness. Like most goals, nutritional upgrades have endless variations; in fact, you could probably come up with one new, improved dietary habit for every day of the year. Instead of letting the possibilities overwhelm you, focus on these top five dietary changes most likely to create a healthy and vibrant body while reducing your risk for serious disease.

Emphasize good fats-in particular, plant, fish and grass-fed animal fat sources, which contain profoundly anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Mounting research shows that chronic inflammation underlies most, if not all , chronic disease, including dementia, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids down-regulate inflammatory genes, reduce production of inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) and increase inflammation resistance. People who regularly eat omega-3 laden foods also have healthier skin, more comfortable joints, less depression and sharper minds.

Add flaxseeds, chia, hempseed and nuts —especially walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts — to your morning cereal or shake. Enjoy sardines or hard-cooked, omega-3 enriched eggs for a snack. Choose fish or grass-fed meat.

Color your plate. Plant foods contain more than 4,000 anti-inflammatory antioxidant flavonoids, pigmented compounds responsible for beets’ red, kale’s green, squashes’ yellow and blueberries’ blue. They stimulate immunity reduce cancer and heart disease risk, and support healthy joints and digestion.

Aim for at least five different colors of fruit and vegetables every day, comprising half of your total food intake. Top cereal with berries; snack on celery, carrots and bell peppers; feature colorful salads, steamed greens, broccoli or green beans, seasoned tomatoes and pureed sweet potato at lunch and dinner; indulge with dark chocolate-covered cherries or pomegranate seeds.

Opt for organic. Organics offer at least one undisputed advantage: significantly fewer harmful pesticides and herbicides, minimizing your exposure to cell-damaging toxic chemicals. Reducing pesticide load can increase immunity and decrease allergies and may support weight loss and fertility. Start by buying organic for the worst pesticide offenders (ewg.org/foodnews). Also consider swapping out conventional dairy products, in which pesticides concentrate.

Fast Overnight. Portion control is an obvious way to cut calories; add in nightly fasting and you’ll also change your metabolism to contribute to weight loss.

Even a relatively short time period without food can protect you against diabetes by causing stomach and intestinal cells to release the hormone ghrelin, which reduces insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin resistance. It also combats cancer by inhibiting silent information regulator (SIRT1) gene activity, which in turn slows accelerated cell growth. By eating your last meal or snack in the early evening and not eating anything until breakfast , at least 12 hours later, you’ll have fasted for half the day — long enough to trigger these metabolic changes. The result: Chronic disease prevention from better cell-regulation and tighter control of sugar and insulin levels.

Eat to nourish. Food is not just a mix of nutrients; food is also pleasure, appreciation, even love. This year when you eat, make it a point to sit down, put away your cell, turn off the TV and relax. When you’re relaxed, you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn innervates your digestive tract so you digest food better. Increased parasympathetic nerve activity also encourages healthy blood pressure and heart function, promotes a balanced immune response and reduces chronic inflammation.

This year, take the time to pursue the gift of health that will give not only to you, but your family, community and nation.

A new semester has started at Methodist University, and there are many events the local community is welcome to attend and enjoy in the coming months. All of the events are free, unless otherwise noted.

Along with the Museum of the Cape Fear, MU will host the 13th Annual Civil War Quiz Bowl on Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium. Anyone can participate and registration will be accepted until 20 spaces are filled.

February starts with Spring Convocation on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. in Huff Concert Hall, followed by the Miss Methodist University Pageant on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in Huff Concert Hall. On Feb 13, the much anticipated exhibit, Pablo Picasso: 25 Years of Edition Ceramics opens in the David McCune International Art Gallery. The exhibit’s opening gala will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. that evening, and the show will run through April 13. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

At the end of February, writers should plan to attend the 24th Southern Writers Symposium (registration and consultation fees vary) from Feb. 21-22, while the MU Department of Theatre will put on “W.I.P. @ MU: The Production” from Feb. 20-23. The shows will start at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Music

Music lovers have a lot to look forward to this semester at Methodist. Friends of Music will present a guitar recital by John Holt Jan. 24 and a flute recital by Sarah Busman March 28. Both recitals start at 7:30 p.m. in Hensdale Chapel. There will also be a faculty music recital Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Hensdale Chapel. MU’s Concert Band and Jazz Monarchs will hold two joint concerts this semester, on Feb. 25 and April 24, both of which will start at 7:30 p.m. in Huff Concert Hall. Later in the semester, there will be performances by the Fayetteville Symphony Youth, the Fayetteville Symphonic Band, the North Carolina Symphony, One Voice gospel choir, the Fayetteville Symphony and the Cumberland Oratorio Singers. Perennial favorite Easter Jam will be back, as well as the Cape Fear New Music Festival, MU’s All-Choirs concert and MU Jazz Festival.

Community Engagement

Methodist University’s Center for Community Engagement has several projects scheduled for the New Year. In collaboration with students from FSU and FTCC, students will participate in a Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 20. On Jan. 25, students will participate in a roadside clean-up. Because of the support from Cumberland Community Foundation and many other community partners, more than 600 students have played an active role in the community by engaging with the professional and volunteer community through service and internship opportunities.

For more information on Methodist University events and programs, please visit methodist.edu or call 910.630.7000.

Eons ago people told stories to pass on family history, to entertain, to retell adventures and toexplain the origins of man. Storytelling is a way to share, entertain and bond. The most entertaining stories; however, need not be completely true. Great storytellers can take even the dullest tale and remake it into a masterpiece. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition hosted by The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast puts local storytellers skills to the test. Competitors, bring your best “there I was...” story and come ready to embellish like never before. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition is planned for Jan. 11 and promises to be great fun

.Executive Director Jennifer Hansen McRae said the competition is “A great time with lots of laughs! The competition portion of the day will have 18-20 tellers telling three minute or less tall tales — the more extravagant the lie the better. Just make the judges believe it. Storyteller Tim Lowry is our head judge and he has great experience on both sides. He was a liar in the very first liar’s showdown. The evening’s events will feature Tim telling rodeo tales and the top three liars from the morning event.”

According to McRae, stories range from fishing, to western and much more. The competitors have free range in their topics. The goal is just to be entertaining and as convincing as possible. For the audience members, the goal is just to enjoy the outrageous stories, and try to spot the lies. According to McRae, the best part of the day is, “Hearing the laughter and feeling the appreciation for the art of storytelling.”

The day is all about leaving behind all concerns and indulging in a day of laughter and fun.

Competitors must be 16 years old or older and come from the Southeast. Registration is required to participate and tickets are required to attend the event. Applications are available online. Tickets for either the afternoon or evening are $10. Tickets for both are $15. The competition takes place at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Tim Lowry, the featured storyteller, will perform. Lowry is expected to put on quite a show regaling the crowd with whoppers about the rodeo.

“There are no fees to participate — most of the spots are full for this year. The top three liars win cash prizes as well as trophies,” McRae said. In addition to the top three receiving prizes, there is also a People’s Choice Award and a Special Trophy. Lowry is the chief judge for this competition, but in total, there are three judges trying to uncover the lies in every extravagant story. All of the judges are from the Southeast, specifically North Carolina and the surrounding states.

The competition is at The Storytelling & Arts Center of the Southeast. The building is located at 131 South Main St., Laurinburg. Tickets are available for purchase at www.storyartscenter.org. To register to participate, email Brenda Gilbert at bgilbert@sfoc.info or call 277-3599, or find an application at www.storyartscenter.org.

Photo: Renowned storyteller Tim Lowry is set to perform and judge The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition at The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast on Jan 11.

While politics is definitely not for everyone, when concerned citizens step up and invest in making the community better, it is to the benegit of the community. For outgoing Cumberland County Commissioner Chairman of the Board Jimmy Keefe, serving comes naturally.

“For years I was on the city council. There was a lot happening on Ramsey Street (where I grew up) at the time and I wanted to help be a part of the planning that went on,” said Keefe. “I found that public service is a good fit for me. A natural progression after the city was to move to county level. It is a good board to work with; we were able to come together and work as a group to get positive changes going. It was a good, busy year.”

Keefe listed some of the highlights of the past year including the Mental Health merger with The Alliance Health Care of Durham. The state legislature directed counties to become a part of a Managed Care Organization instead of at individual county levels. After much research and negotiation, Cumberland County merged with Alliance Health Care along with Wake, Durham and Johnston counties. This is one of the largest and most professionally run MCOs in the state. Since the merger, Cumberland County has received a higher level of service, oversight and savings. Cumberland County Commissioner Kenneth Edge serves as a member on The Alliance board.

In conjunction with the merger, the board of commissioners instituted a First Crisis Intervention Team drop-off center. This allows specially trained law enforcement and EMS personnel to deliver non-violent mental-health patients to this center for treatment instead of the previous alternative of the detention center or the emergency room. Not only will this save money, it gets these citizens the assistance they require.

The Crown Coliseum Board and the commissioners took a bold step in initiating a shift to a private-management company to manage the operations and promotion of The Crown Coliseum. For many years, the Crown Coliseum’s expenses were exceeding its income. The board of commissioners worked with the Crown Board to move forward with a smooth transition. All indications are that the level of service, promotion and the events at the Crown Coliseum are enhanced by the move.

The Detention Center is near completion and should be open in the next 30 days. Each level of government has a responsibility to make a commitment to solving the crime issue in the community. The current detention center is not adequate and constantly over capacity. The board of commissioners made a financial commitment to build the expanded detention center to help make the community a safer place.

Last year, the county suffered greatly from the financial storm of sequestration and the shutdown of federal government programs on which so many county citizens rely. Early preparation for this crisis, enabled the county to continue services to clients without any delay during the shutdown.

The board of commissioners and all nine of the municipalities were able to agree on a sales-taxdistribution formula for the next 10 years; allowing the county and each of the municipalities to plan long-term.

The county opened the new Veterans Services Office, which gives veterans a place to get services with ample parking and more accessibility for disabled vets.

Hiring new County Finance Officer, Melissa Cardinali, and a new assistant County Manager, Quinton McPhatter, added stability to the management staff.

For the first time in its history, the county now has a countywide animal control ordinance that applies to the municipalities and the unincorporated areas. According to Keefe, the Animal Control Office and its leadership have done an incredible job at increasing the adoption rate and reducing euthanasia of animals in Cumberland County.

Most importantly,while many N.C. counties reduced their funding to the local schools systems, Cumberland County was able to fund the school system at its previous budget without any loss in revenue.

Photo: Outgoing Cumberland County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Jimmy Keefe.

In Fayetteville, Two events will take place in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 20: The 21st Annual Prayer Breakfast and the 2014 MLK Challenge Day of Service. This year’s prayer breakfast is hosted by The New Life Bible Church and as in years past, is slated at the Crown Exposition Center. The Honorable Judge, Ed Pone (Fayetteville-Cumberland County) is the keynote speaker.

“Every year, the night before the actual prayer breakfast, the churches of the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council get together in a local church and have a worship service to worship the Lord,” said Dr. Allen McLauchlin, pastor of The New Life Bible Church. “Last year, it was held at Northwood Temple. This year, it is at The New Life Bible Church Center.”

McLauchlin said that a good turn out includes anywhere between 800 to 1,000 people.

“The prayer breakfast itself is to highlight Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday,” said McLauchlin. “It is open to the community whether they are people of many different faiths or people of no faith.”

Local and national recording artists, Pastor Rodney Raines and Emmanuel, will provide entertainment at the event.

“We do this in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because he’s an icon,” said McLauchlin. “He sacrificed his life and he represents a struggle. You normally tend to pick out people who are trailblazers, and he definitely was that. He left a trail for us to follow and blazed a trail for us to get through. He was a visionary who believed that all people are created equal and his message is timeless.”

Immediately following the breakfast, the public is invited to attend a citywide conversation on working together for Fayetteville’s success.

“After the breakfast, we will have a public-policy forum where we will sit down and speak to teenagers with the hope of inspiring them to do something for the public,” said McLauchlin. “One of thfind alternatives to violence. If a person is thinking about their future, wanting to become somebody and leaving their mark on society, when violence comes their way, they’re going to stray away from it, and so we need to give these kids something to look forward to.”

The 2014 MLK Challenge Day of service is a day in which the faculty, staff and students of Fayetteville State University, Methodist University and Fayetteville Technical Community College invite the residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County to come out and help serve the community in celebration and honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by making this annual day of service “a day on, not a day off.” Initiated by Congress in 1994, it is a nationwide effort to transform the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. into a day of community service and continued elaboration on his teachings that help solve problems. An adult must accompany anyone under the age of 18

.Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the opening ceremony commences at 9:15 a.m. The event takes place at Fayetteville State University’s Lilly Gymnasium. For pre-registration, visit www.2014MLKDay.Eventbrite.com. Everyone is encouraged to bring nonperishable foods for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

The 21st Annual Prayer Breakfast is sponsored by The Fayetteville/Cumberland County Ministerial Council, Inc.. The prayer breakfast will last from 7:30 to 10 a.m. with a donation of $18 or $20 at the door.

For more information, contact Reverend Mary Owens: 910-670-5662, Dr. Maxie Dobson: 910-624-7785, or Dr. Allen McLauchlin: 910-818-1228 or visit the website at www.ministerscouncil.net.

Photo: The community is set to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a breakfast and day of service.

Eons ago people told stories to pass on family history, to entertain, to retell adventures and to explain the origins of man. Storytelling is a way to share, entertain and bond. The most entertaining stories; however, need not be completely true. Great storytellers can take even the dullest tale and remake it into a masterpiece. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition hosted by The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast puts local storytellers skills to the test. Competitors, bring your best “there I was...” story and come ready to embellish like never before. The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition is planned for Jan. 11 and promises to be great fun.

Executive Director Jennifer Hansen McRae said the competition is “A great time with lots of laughs! The competition portion of the day will have 18-20 tellers telling three minute or less tall tales — the more extravagant the lie the better. Just make the judges believe it. Storyteller Tim Lowry is our head judge and he has great experience on both sides. He was a liar in the very first liar’s showdown. The evening’s events will feature Tim telling rodeo tales and the top three liars from the morning event.”

According to McRae, stories range from fishing, to western and much more. The competitors have free range in their topics. The goal is just to be entertaining and as convincing as possible. For the audience members, the goal is just to enjoy the outrageous stories, and try to spot the lies. According to McRae, the best part of the day is, “Hearing the laughter and feeling the appreciation for the art of storytelling.”

The day is all about leaving behind all concerns and indulging in a day of laughter and fun.

Competitors must be 16 years old or older and come from the Southeast. Registration is required to participate and tickets are required to attend the event. Applications are available online. Tickets for either the afternoon or evening are $10. Tickets for both are $15. The competition takes place at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Tim Lowry, the featured storyteller, will perform. Lowry is expected to put on quite a show regaling the crowd with whoppers about the rodeo.

“There are no fees to participate — most of the spots are full for this year. The top three liars win cash prizes as well as trophies,” McRae said. In addition to the top three receiving prizes, there is also a People’s Choice Award and a Special Trophy. Lowry is the chief judge for this competition, but in total, there are three judges trying to uncover the lies in every extravagant story. All of the judges are from the Southeast, specifically North Carolina and the surrounding states.

The competition is at The Storytelling & Arts Center of the Southeast. The building is located at 131 South Main St., Laurinburg. Tickets are available for purchase at www.storyartscenter.org. To register to participate, email Brenda Gilbert at bgilbert@sfoc.info or call 277-3599, or find an application at www.storyartscenter.org.

Photo: Renowned storyteller Tim Lowry is set to perform and judge The Bold-Faced Liars’ competition at The Storytelling and Arts Center of the Southeast on Jan 11.

After the holidays, take a break and spend some time relaxing from the stress that many times accompanies the hustle and bustle of the season. Fayetteville Technical Community College has an affordable option for you to consider for some de-stressing. The FTCC Cosmetology Department invites you to visit and receive new and exciting nail and skin care services! Hours of operation have been extended to include nights and weekends.

The Nail/Technology clinic now offers many services including basic manicures and pedicures as well as advanced nail applications, such as gel nails, acrylic nails and nail art.

FTCC’s state-of-the-art Esthetics clinic offers basic or European facials, all waxing services, chemical peels, and make-up application. We invite you to visit the Esthetics clinic for a quiet, peaceful spa setting and ultimate relaxation.

FTCC advanced-level cosmetology department students perform the services under the careful direction of well-qualified instructors. The addition of Natural Nail Care is a new service that is coming soon to the Cosmetology Department.

The Salon & Spa Services Educational Center’s growth has surpassed all expectations! Fayetteville Tech’s Salon & Spa Services Educational Center offers a 1,500-hour Cosmetology program, a 600-hour Esthetics Program and a 300-hour Nail Technology Program. All programs prepare graduates to take the North Carolina State Board Licensing Examination.

The Salon Spa Service Educational Center offers both day and evening classes and is open to the public for client services.

Don’t delay! Visit FTCC’s beautiful Salon & Spa Services facility located at 2817 Fort Bragg Rd. or call (910) 678-0158 for more information.

Photo: FTCC’s state-of-the-art Esthetics clinic offers basic or European facials, all waxing services, chemical peels, and make-up application.

2013 was a banner year for the Cumberland County Schools system. Not only was the Cumberland County Schools system a Ԁnalist for the 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education, the system received full accreditation and student test results are rising rapidly. Keeping pace in a technology-driven world, CCS introduced its new app and rolled out the Home Base Parent Portal.

The 2013 Broad Prize for Urban Education comes with a $1 million prize and “honors a district that demonstrates the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among ethnic groups and between social economic groups.” There is no nomination or application process. An institution’s performance is what decides which schools are considered for this prize.

Being a Broad prize Ԁnalist marks CCS as a leader among our nation’s school systems, and acknowledges all the hard work that staff and teachers do in educating students every day. One of the impressive things about being considered for the Broad award is that there is no nomination or application process. An institution’s performance is what decides which schools are considered for this prize. The committee considered 73 items from CCS during the review. Cumberland County Schools were selected because 92 percent of the system’s schools achieved “at least expected growth and 67 percent of the schools achieved high growth. Except for one test in one grade level, CCS “made at least expected growth on every End-of- Course and End-of Grade test administered by the state. The county and all our high schools exceeded 80 percent and surpassed the state average,” according to the CCS website.

The school system is accredited by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission. This commission confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) accreditation seal. The accreditation is an indicator that CCS is a quality school system. During the accreditation process the commission considered the following standards: purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching and assessing, resources and supports systems and using results for continuous improvement. The accreditation is good for Ԁve years.CCS serves a diverse student population (44 counties and 70 different native languages) and continues to close the achievement gap among all the racial groups. In 2009, the End of Course gap between black and white students was 23.8 percent. In 2012, it was 15.6 percent. The state average is 20.4 percent. The school system is on a high growth track and based on information from the 2011-2012 school year, CCS has no priority or low-performing schools and 11 schools were named N.C. Schools of Excellence and 27 were named Schools of Distinction.

The graduation rate for Cumberland County exceeded the state graduation rate in 2011/2012, and CCS students were awarded more than $40 million in scholarships for the same school year. This year, more than 80 percent of local high school students graduated and they were collectively offered more than $48 million in scholarships.

Results like this don’t just happen. There are committed teachers and administrators spending countless hours working to help prepare student students to be competitive in a fast-paced and technology driven world. While offering students every opportunity to succeed, the hectic world that we live in makes it challenging for parents and guardians to keep up with the details of busy schedules. That is why CCS has developed a mobile phone app that will let busy parents stay up to date with CCS announcements and activities as well as follow their student’s progress.

Find out more about the Cumberland County Schools system and the many programs it offers to help students succeed at ccs.k12.nc.us/departments.STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor COM-MENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly.com.

Dr. Huxtable, played by Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show, was seldom seen without a sweater. In conjunction with an evening with Bill Cosby on Jan. 17, the Crown Center kicks off a sweater drive to benefit the Salvation Army.

The Crown Center invites residents of Fayetteville and surrounding areas to donate new or gently used sweaters of all sizes in conjunction with the Jan. 17 appearance of comedian Bill Cosby at the Crown Theatre. Each person who donates a sweater will have the opportunity to win two tickets and a meet-and-greet with Bill Cosby on the night of the show. At the conclusion of the drive, the sweaters will be given to the Salvation Army of Fayetteville.

Sweaters can be dropped off at the north entrance lobby of the Crown Coliseum through Monday, Jan. 13. A winner will be drawn at random by Crown Center staff and notified no later than Tuesday, Jan. 14.

ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY OF FAYETTEVILLE

The Salvation Army provides a variety of services to our local communities. With facilities throughout Cumberland, Robeson, Hoke and Moore counties, we are able to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of those in need. From housing and feeding programs to disaster services we are committed to meeting human needs in the diverse communities we serve.

ABOUT GLOBAL SPECTRUM CHARITIES

Global Spectrum Charities was established by Global Spectrum to improve the quality of life for people living in regions throughout the US and Canada where the public assembly facility management company operates a stadium, arena, convention center or theatre. Global Spectrum Charities gives back to the community through contributions, donations, celebrity and star appearances, and random gifts of kindness on behalf of the company’s employees, customers and visitors. Global Spectrum Charities is a division of the Comcast-Spectacor Charities, the charitable arm of Comcast-Spectacor, the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm that is also the parent company of Global Spectrum.

ABOUT GLOBAL SPECTRUM

Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages the Crown Center as well as more than 115 other public assembly facilities around the world. Nearly 23-million people attended more than 15,000 events in Global Spectrum venues last year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment companies. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League, Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage services provider, New Era Tickets, a full-service ticketing and marketing product for public assembly facilities, Paciolan, the leading provider of venue establishment ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions, Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company, and Flyers SkateZone, a series of community ice skating rinks.

For more information, call 910-438-4117.

Photo: The Crown Center is accepting sweater donations to benefit the Salvation Army.

When you think of Bill Cosby, you probably get a smile on your face, The Cos, as he is affectionately referred to by his friends, is known for his colorful sweaters, quick humor, quirky dancing and to some — Jello pudding. Mostly, he is known for his comedy, which has kept people laughing for more than five decades. On Thursday Jan. 17, he will bring his style and humor to the Crown Theatre for a night of comedy and storytelling.

Born William H. Cosby Jr., on July 12, 1937, he is a native of Philadelphia, Pa. While known for his educational and thought-provoking television shows, Cosby quit school following his sophomore year to join the U.S. Navy. While in the Navy, he completed high school via correspondence courses. Upon completion of his military service, he was awarded an athletic scholarship to Temple University. At Temple, he worked as a bartender to help pay his expenses. He was known for his quick wit, and following the suggestion of his customers, he tried stand-up comedy and was discovered by Carl Reiner.

In ensuing years, he tackled a variety of mediums to share his quick wit, including stand-up comedy, television, cinema, books and albums. It was through the making of his comedy albums in the early ‘60s that he earned national acclaim. His award-winning albums introduced the country to his voice, but it was his role in I Spy that made him a household name and earned him three Emmy Awards.

During this same time, Cosby continued pursuing his education, earning a doctorate in education, which helped form the social commentary that was at the heart of much of his work. In the early ‘70s, he was one of the founding creators of The Electric Company, an educational children’s program that operated under the auspices of PBS. Kids raised in the ‘70s will remember the show, which used sketch comedy to develop grammar and reading skills. Cosby was joined on the show by Morgan Freeman and Rita Moreno.

Perhaps Cosby’s greatest claim to fame occurred during this time, when he introduced the world to many of his high school friends: Weird Harold, Dumb Donald, Mushmouth and, of course, Fat Albert. The highly successful Filmation cartoon was a staple of Saturday morning television from 1972 to 1984. Through Fat Albert, Cosby taught a generation about tolerance, how to say no to bullies and acceptance of those who are a little different from you.

When Fat Albert wrapped in 1984, Cosby tackled his next big thing, which was the creation of the iconic The Cosby Show, which told the story of Heathcliff Huxtable, his wife Clair, and their children. The Cosby Show was an instant success, which stayed at the top of the ratings throughout its run. It spun off A Different World, which was to be a showcase for Lisa Bonet. Set on the campus of an historical African-American university, the show concentrated on education and young people. The show reflected the social consciousness that imbues Cosby’s art.

Over the years he has appeared in many films, but has not gained the acclaim on the big screen that he did on television. A respected author, Cosby is at his best on the stage, which is where Fayetteville residents will have a chance to watch him shine during his Far From Finishedtour. Tickets range in price from $40 to $70 and are available via Ticketmaster and at the Crown Box Office. The show begins at 8 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.atthecrown.com.

Photo: Funny man Bill Cosby is set to perform at the Crown on Jan. 17

Jeremy Fiebig has a strong history in theatre. He is the Assistant Professor of Theatre at Fayetteville State University and Managing Director at the Gilbert Theater. He is also the founder of Sweet Tea Shakespeare. Sweet Tea Shakespeare is a two-year-old theatre group that until now has performed outdoors during the summer at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. This January the troupe will perform Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night; Or What You Will.

This growth in Sweet Tea Shakespeare is exciting, but it does not come without challenges. “This is our first winter production after two years of performing exclusively at Cape Fear Botanical Garden,” said Fiebig. “This is our first indoor performance and the first that is not in the summer. It is a challenge because we think differently between the indoors and outdoors. “

This show is about the twins Viola and Sebastian and their misadventures trying to reunite after a shipwreck separates them. “The show refers to the 12 nights of the Christmas season, the end of the Christmas season. That’s why we scheduled the play for the end of January, when people are beginning new things,” said Fiebig.

For this performance Sweet Tea Shakespeare will be doing different things, too. There will be two performances at each indoor venue — the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. There will be some differences but Sweet Tea Shakespeare will continue to provide a laid back atmosphere. There is music, fellowship and a play. People are welcome to come early. There will be carols, music, actors talking with people and holiday treats. “It will have the same picnic/ family reunion feel. It will be like a winter gathering over at a friend’s house on a cold night. It feels laid back.” Fiebig says.

Despite being a Shakespeare play, Twelfth Night is still incredibly relevant. Fiebig explained, “The common misconception about Shakespeare is that the way he wrote was old fashioned and old English. Actually, he was inventing some of the language that we use today. This speaks to the connection that many people have to Christmas. It is a bittersweet take on what it means to hang out with friends on a holiday. There is death, comedy and issues of mistaken identity, love and fun. The streak of death and the dark tone really rounds it out. It really speaks to those whose holidays aren’t always happy.”

Sweet Tea Shakespeare will perform Twelfth Night; Or What You Will at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden Jan. 10 -12. The shows begin at 7 p.m. at 536 N. Eastern Blvd. Performances at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will be held Jan. 17-19. Shows begin at 7 p.m. at 1601 Raeford Rd. Tickets for garden members are $10, non-member tickets cost $12, student tickets cost $7.50, children tickets (5-12 years old) cost $5, children under 5 are free, and FSU students will be charged $5. To purchase tickets online or for more information visit: www.sweetteashakespeare.com. To purchase tickets by phone from the FSU box office call 910-672-1724.

Photo: It takes hours of preparation and rehearsals to bring a production to the stage.

Embracing the New Year

As 2013 draws to a close, we know that many are taking inventory of the things that have happened over the past year – good and bad. Some of us have already started planning for the new year, while others are busy trying to make the most of the waning days of 2013. At Up & Coming Weekly, we are doing a little of both.

2013 brought many challenges to our community, but it also brought many opportunities. We have been privileged to be right beside you, chronicling the changes and the opportunities. We have watched as our community has tackled some pressing social issues; those of crime and race. We have celebrated the steps forward and, with the community, have been saddened by those who have chosen not to move forward.

We believe that 2014 will be a time of forward movement. We believe the time has come for our community to embrace the challenge of becoming not just a good community, but a great one. We believe that we have the citizenry, organization and leadership to make that leap. The question that remains to be answered is whether we have the spirit of cooperation and the strength of commitment needed to make the leap.

Being your community newspaper, we know that there is a willingness in our community to make that leap. We know that the people of this community are ready to put questions of race behind us. We are more than the color of our skin. Fayetteville and its surrounding communities can be one. We can be a community that is judged not by the color of our skin, but the content of our character. As your community newspaper that is what we have embraced over the past 16 years — and what we will continue to embrace in 2014.

2013 was a tough financial year for many in our community. Lack of jobs, government cut backs and furloughs all had an impact on our community. But we have weathered it together. Throughout the great recession, newspapers have been closing, but your support has allowed us to continue to tell the story of this community … to celebrate its diversity … and to trumpet the things which make it great — the arts, our heroes and our everyday people.

Going in to 2014, we see change on the horizon. We are excited to be a part of it and look forward to a growing role as your community newspaper. 2013 has not been all that we, as a community, could have hoped for, but it has been a lot better than what most have endured. 2014 is looming, we are ready. We know you are, too!

Thank you for celebrating our community. Thank you for being a community of people who are worthy of respect. Thank you for being a part of the Up & Coming Weekly family. 2013 is gone, but 2014 is beckoning.

Happy New Year from your community newspaper and its staff!

Bill Bowman and Janice Burton

Hellas, in Hope Mills, is hosting a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. The event, hosted by former NFL Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Billy McMullen, offers two levels of excitement, and, as an added bonus, partygoers will have the opportunity to meet cast members from the movie Joyful Noise and some other NFL greats including Chris Warren, a former Seattle Seahawk and NFL Pro Bowler, as well as several members of the Atlanta Falcons who will be on hand to celebrate Jason Snelling’s birthday. The dress code for the event is black tie for men and cocktail dresses for the women. A jazz band will play downstairs in Hellas Restaurant & Sports Bar at 7 p.m., and the party gets rocking at 10 p.m., upstairs in the club. Tickets to the event are $20 per person or $35 per couple, which includes a masquerade mask, hors d’ouevres and a champagne toast at midnight. For more information, call 426-4040.

Club Barcelona, located at 1501 Skibo Rd., is sponsoring a New Year’s Eve Bash. Doors open at 9 p.m. You must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink. Drink specials include $5 Jager, $5 Goose, $2 domestics and free champagne for a midnight toast. Reservations are now being taken for the party via www.clubbarcelonanc.com. It is suggested that those wanting to celebrate come early, as the club is expected to reach capacity before 11 p.m. For more information, 483-2671.

Huske Hardware is the anchor to downtown’s New Year’s Eve activities. Huske will host a New Year’s Eve Club Night, featuring a champagne toast at midnight. Dance the night way with your favorite people to music provided by one of Fayetteville’s favorite DJs, Tommy King. One cover charge gets you in the party and includes the midnight toast. Remember to dress your best; Huske New Year’s Eve parties are always great photo ops. There will be party favors, drink specials, a balloon drop at midnight and live photos from Times Square on the big screen. There is also a dinner special for two, which includes salad, your choice of two 10 oz. N.Y. strip steaks or 8 oz. salmon filets, sides and dessert with a bottle of wine or a growler of beer. Meals without alcohol are $59.99. For more information, call 437-9905.

The Tap House at Huske Sports Bar and Grill will host its first ever New Year’s Celebration with live music, food specials and drink specials. And of course, there will be a midnight toast! Live music, party favors, champagne toast at midnight, drink specials and a live feed from Times Square. For more information, call 426-5650.

Circa 1800 will host a more reserved party. For those looking for a great place to eat dinner before beginning your New Year’s Eve festivities drop by Circa 1800 on Person Street. Circa is hosting a full-course dinner, which will feature your choice of a red meat, chicken or seafood. Dinner seating begins at 5 p.m., with the last seating starting at 9:30 p.m. Dinner is served by reservation only, and is $85 per couple. For more information, call 568-4725.

IT’Z Entertainment City is hosting a Black, Silver and Gold Party to ring in the new year. Patrons are asked to dress to impress to ring in 2014. A champagne toast at midnight will signal the beginning of the new year, but the party will keep going as patrons dance to the sounds of DJ SERG Sniper. Reserve your VIP party pass now by calling 826-2300. IT’Z is located at 4118 Legend Ave. in Fayetteville. For pre-party dinner or drinks, you can stop in at the Sports Bar. The Hilltop House is not usually considered a party destination, but if you would like to spend quality time with close friends and family as the old year fades away, the restaurant is now taking reservations for a New Year’s Eve Dinner. Dinner seating begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m., which gives you ample time to get home and countdown the new year in your PJs. For reservations and more information, call 484-6699.

If you choose to travel a short distance from home, The Pinehurst Resort is known for the elegance of its New Year’s Eve celebrations. After you grab your party favors, you can dance the night away to The Band of Oz and make a toast at midnight with a glass of champagne. The New Year’s Eve package includes your room, dinner in the Carolina Dining Room, the party, a midnight breakfast buffet followed by a Southern-style breakfast buffet in the morning and late check out. Cost is $244 per person. You can make reservations online at www.pinehurst.com/offers/package/new-years-eve.If you elect not to stay the night, you can partake in the party and the midnight buffet. Tickets are $90 per person and can be purchased via www.shoppinehurst.com.

A little further from home, Broadway at the Beach offers an all-inclusive party that is hard to beat. The following events will all take place at the shopping complex:

Celebrations Nitelife’s New Year’s Eve Celebration tickets are $25 each and include entry into Malibu’s Surf Bar, Club Boca, Froggy Bottomz and Broadway Louie’s. Doors open at 7 p.m. There will be confetti canons, a complimentary champagne toast when the clock strikes midnight, live music inside Froggy Bottomz with Diversity, DJ BZ inside Malibu’s, DJ Joey inside Club Boca and Broadway Jake hosting a karaoke show inside Broadway Louie’s. For more information, VIP packages and/or to purchase tickets call 843-444-3500 or stop at Broadway Louie’s.

New Year’s Eve Party in the Square A DJ will perform live in Celebrity Square from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and include admission to the clubs of Revolutions, Crocodile Rocks, Rodeo Bar & Grill and Senor Frogs, where each venue will host their own midnight celebration! For more information or to purchase tickets, call 843-444-8032 or 843-315-0120.

Carlos ‘n Charlie’s Old School New Year’s Eve 80’s Party tickets are $10 per person for 21 years of age and older and $20 per person for 18 to 20 years old. Live 80’s style music provided by DJ Lui Diamante.

Hard Rock Cafe New Year’s Eve Concert & Party Doors open at 9:30 p.m. with live music from Black Glass. Tickets are $25 per person plus tax in advance or $30 per person plus tax day of. VIP Tickets are also available for $75 per person plus tax and include a three-course dinner (pre-set menu with five options, salad and dessert) and a reserved table. Event is a concert style event with limited seating. Dinner served at 8:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. for all general admission ticket holders. VIP tickets will not be available that evening. For more information or to purchase tickets please call 843-946-0007.For more information about Broadway at the Beach, visit www.BroadwayattheBeach.com, call 1-800-386-4662, “like” on Facebook or follow the complex on Twitter.

The WWE Live returns to the Crown Coliseum on Jan. 3 with its many Superstars: WWE Champion Randy Orton, John Cena, The Bella Twins, “The World’s Largest Athlete” and The Big Show, plus many more. If this event is like previous matches, it will be a treat for fans.

Orton beat Cena earlier this year in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs match in the main event of the TLC pay-per-view fight. Cena was set to win the match until he was pulled from the ladder he had climbed and landed face-first into a table that was in the corner of the ring. Orton ended up retrieving the two belts the two were fighting over, making him the first unified champion since Chris Jericho 12 years ago. During the last few seconds of the match, Orton’s counter-attack against Cena was to handcuff him to one of the ring’s ropes, making it easier to pull him off the ladder he was trying to climb, ultimately making Orton the current face of the WWE.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Fans can come join the fun as these superstars go head-to-head in some high-flying, rope-diving, chair-throwing, body-slamming action that will keep them on the edge of their seats. Tickets are $18, $28, $38, $53 and $98, and are available through Ticketmaster. Additional fees may apply and VIP Packages are also available for purchase starting at $299. With the purchase of one of two unique VIP Packages, fans get a premium ticket, merchandise and much more.

The $299 package, which is the WWE Enhanced VIP Package, includes: one floor seat, an exclusive WWE snap back cap, a limited edition event poster, a commemorative VIP ticket holder and venue parking wherever this option is applicable. The second package, which is the WWE Superstar VIP Experience Package, is $599 and includes: one premium ringside seat, a meet and greet and an autograph opportunity with the WWE superstars, a photo with the WWE Championship Title, an exclusive limited edition WWE event chair, an exclusive WWE snap back cap, a limited edition event poster, a commemorative VIP ticket holder, venue parking wherever this option is applicable and an on-site VIP concierge. For anyone who’s ever wanted to be backstage, or up close and personal with their favorite WWE Superstars — these are the packages for them.

The Crown Coliseum hosts several top-notch events each year and looks forward to WWE because it is such a crowd pleaser. Katie Mikos, director of marketing at the Crown Coliseum, noticed that not only do the fans get excited whenever their favorite WWE Superstars come to town, but when superstars are received by their fans the way the Fayetteville community receives theirs, it keeps these superstars coming back to perform for the people of this community again and again. “The thing that keeps the WWE coming back to Fayetteville is that Fayetteville is a great community that responds well to entertainment such as the WWE, and the WWE loves coming back to Fayetteville because of it,” said Mikos.

For more information, visit www.wwe.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Photo: WWE Superstar, John Cena, giving an 11-year-old girl and her dad the VIP Experience for Hurricane Sandy Relief (Photo Credit: www.wwe.com). 

Cumberland County Consistency

James Martin, the Cumberland County manager, recently announced he is retiring and stepping down from his position after 13 years of excellent and well-documented service. He came into the position with experience and quietly and professionally managed the people and assets of Cumberland County. No doubt he is leaving our county better off than when he came.

Finding Martin’s replacement will not be an easy task. His style was abundant with patience and pride and he had an uncanny ability to position the right people in the right places. With his departure, many of those same loyal, dedicated and talented county professionals are looking for the opportunity to step up and serve county government in a management position. Many are con관dent they have the talent, ability and historical background needed to keep Cumberland County on a progressive and challenging growth track in the coming years.

The Board of County Commissioners is charged with 관nding someone quali관ed and competent to 관ll this position. In the next few weeks a lot of discussion on whether to 관ll this position from within the talent we already employ or hire an outside agency and do an external statewide or national search will take center stage on the Commissioner’s agenda.

Don’t kid yourself, this is a big, big decision.

It is my hope that they first take a diligent look from within. I offer up a couple reasons for this.

First, dedicated, accomplished and talented employees should always have of the first opportunity to advance and improve their station.

Second, the needs of our county residents are many. An outside search is extremely expensive, with costs sometimes ranging from $30,000 to $60,000 — an expense that county taxpayers should not have to needlessly endure. Sure the money to finance this venture is available; however, just because the money is available to spend doesn’t mean we have a commitment to needlessly spend it before we have exhausted every other opportunity to do the right and just thing.

Another way to look at it is to ask yourself in what other ways could we better spend that money to improve our county? Or, for how many homeless people could that money provide shelter? How many children could we feed or how much could we add to our parks and recreation program or contribute to the quality of life of our senior citizens?

When we think of how that money could be spent and how many opportunities we have to improve our community, rather than spending it on doing a search with an outside agency, why shouldn’t we look closely at the human resources we have close to home? I believe this is fiscal responsibility. I have a lot of trust and faith in our County Commissioners and I’m sure that ultimately, they will make the right decision.

I would be very disappointed if that decision did not include looking at the dozens of people whom we have in the county system right now that could step up and fill the shoes of James Martin.

He will be missed.

I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank you, our faithful readers, for your support and encouragement over the past year. The past few years have not been kind to newspapers, but it is with your continued support, that we are still here, still telling the story of our community. If we are the voice of our community, we know that each of you are its heart.

Thank you for reading.

The entire staff of Up & Coming Weekly would like to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and an awesome 2014!

Photo: Cumberland County Manger James E. Martin, left, with Dorothy and Julian McIntyre at  the Dec. 16 Board of Commissioners Meeting. Mr. McIntrye was recognized by the commissioners for his recent induction into the  Cumberland County Agricultural Hall of Fame.Photo Credit: Jon Soles

Every December 25th, families gather around the Christmas tree and unwrap presents. It is after the Christmas celebrations that Cape Fear Botanical Garden receives its gifts. Every year, members of the community bring their live Christmas trees to the garden where PWC, the Fayetteville Public Works Commission, grinds them into mulch. This valuable fresh mulch is then given to the garden for use on their many flower beds and paths. This is great for the local landfills, the environment and is a wonderful “green gift” for the garden. This year, the Grinding of the Greens takes place on Jan. 11.

George Quigley serves on the Board of Directors at the garden and is a volunteer there as well. “On the given day, PWC brings chippers and lines them up to grind the trees into small chips,” said Quigley. “It is noisy and exciting. We have hot chocolate and donuts — the event has a fun carnival feel to it.”

This Grinding of the Greens is particularly special because it is the 20th anniversary. For the past 19 years PWC has been working with the Cape Fear Botanical Garden to organize the Grinding of the Greens. This year the City of Fayetteville and Duke Progress Energy are also partners in this community event. Starting shortly after Christmas, city residents can put their undecorated live Christmas trees out on the curb for pick up. Undecorated trees should be placed by the curb for pickup like normal trash. Residents who do not get city trash pick up can bring their trees to the Garden’s fire tower any time before grinding day on Jan 11.

There are a few things that need to be done to a tree before it can be picked up. Remove all ornaments and lights from the tree. The Garden is only interested in mulch from trees, not broken glass shards. Before the tree makes it to the shredder it is important to make sure there are no forgotten ornaments — for the safety of everyone involved.

Recycling Christmas trees has many benefits for the entire community. Firstly, this gift to the garden provides mulch for use on their flower beds and on the paths that wind through the garden. Secondly, it disposes of all the Christmas trees families no longer need. It keeps all of the recyclable wood out of the landfills and returns it to nature, which is great for the environment. The process also leaves an incredible smell of fresh pine in the garden after everything has been turned to mulch, which is enjoyable for everyone who works there, the volunteers at the grinding and anyone who visits the gardens.

Mulch, is a layer of any material placed over soil. This covering can serve multiple purposes. In this case, it is aesthetically appealing. It also retains water and conserves moisture in the soil below it. This is great for plants and means less water goes to waste through evaporation when plants are watered. As the plant matter in mulch naturally decomposes it also serves as a fertilizer for the soil it rests upon.

“I’m glad it is not disposed of in a regular landfill,” said Quigley. “The trees take up a lot of space and they break down more slowly in a place with so much methane. This saves room in the landfills and puts the end product to good use.”

Thanks to the generosity of PWC and its partners in Grinding of the Greens the beautiful plants at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden will receive all of these benefits from unwanted Christmas trees.

Find out more about this program and other programs at Cape Fear Botanical Garden at www.capefearbg.org. Learn more about PWC and the many ways it promotes energy conservation in the community at www.faypwc.com.

Photo: Each year, Cape Fear Botanical Garden and PWC team up to recycle Christmas Trees at the Grinding of the Greens.

New Year’s Day is a holiday full of traditions and superstitions — especially in the South. As the new year dawns, many people consider it important to do what they can to ensure that it will be a good one. One of the most common ways to do this is through the food served on New Year’s Day. In Fayetteville. the superstitious (and the hungry) can cover all their bases at one of the long-standing traditions; the Black-Eyed Pea Dinner. Truly, it is as much about tradition, friendship and service to the community, but the “lucky” foods add an element of fun to the day. The Black-Eyed Pea dinner began in the ‘70s with Sherriff Ottis F. Jones but in recent years has been carried on by Register of Deeds Lee Warren as his way of giving back to the community.

“The menu includes a great traditional southern meal of black-eyed peas, collard greens, candied yams, bar-b-que, tea and coffee and it is all topped off with some great live Southern Gospel music. Bring the kids out to see Truman from Kidsville News!” said Warren. “It is a lot of fun seeing old friends every year and making sure that no one has to cook on New Year’s Day.”

The tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day goes back many years in the South, but it may have originated in even older cultures. In Jewish culture, in Babylonia circa 500 AD, black-eyed peas were commonly eaten as good luck symbols to celebrate Rosh Hashana, which is the Jewish New Year. This tradition likely made its way to the southern United States through the Sephardic Jews. This group immigrated to Georgia in the 1730s. The popularity of these peas in general can be traced to the Civil War. In the early 1860s, black-eyed peas were only fed to livestock, but when the Union armies came through the South and burned all of the other crops, the peas were eaten out of necessity. The drought resistance also made the peas a popular crop in difficult years. Traditionally these peas are intended as a symbol for prosperity in the coming year, representing coins and swelling in size as they cook. There are also several sayings that are associated with this belief in lucky peas centering around the idea that the act of eating humbly on New Year’s promising better food in the year to come. One common phrase is “Eat poor on New Year’s, and eat fat the rest of the year.” Black-eyed peas are usually prepared with pork, which is considered lucky because pigs are known to root forward when they forage.

Collard greens are another southern New Year’s tradition aimed at bringing luck and prosperity to a family. Collards had a rise in popularity thanks to the Civil War, too. The Union Army left behind these crops, and considered them animal food, but they are packed with valuable nutrients. As far as bringing prosperity on New Year’s Day, the collard’s symbolism is quite easy to see. Thanks to their leafy green appearance they represent paper money. Green is also a color symbolic of hope and growth, both valuable traits for a new year.

The dinner starts at 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day, at the Crown and is free to the public. The dinner grows every year and it is a great way to meet people from the community. Not only will the food be delicious, but also the fellowship and friendship will be an incredible way to start the new year.

Photo: Don't miss the New Year's Day Black-Eyed pea dinner.

Karl Merritt and Bobby Washington have been friends for years. As friends do, the two often chat about things that matter to them. “One Sunday morning …we can’t remember exactly how it happened, Bobby Washington and I started talking and somehow we ended up talking about our daughters,” said Merritt. “I have a daughter about the same age as Bobby’s daughter. That led to a discussion of black males. They (our daughters) had talked to us about the crisis among young black men.”

In a nutshell, America has lost a generation of black males. People seem quick to point out the under-education and poor employment opportunities young black men face. Few seem willing to do much about it. Washington and Merritt could have shrugged and walked away from the problem like so many do, but they didn’t. They decided to do something about it. Washington was working on a Ph.D. in nonprofit management, and an acorn of an idea took root – an organization that would “… provide a foundation for achievement and success among male youth by directly providing educational assistance, mentoring, leadership and life-skills training and cultural-awareness activities.” He showed the plan to Merritt. “I looked at it,” said Merritt. “In a later conversation I said, ‘What are we gonna do about this?’ and Bobby’s response was ‘Let’s make Great Oak happen.’ I said, ‘Okay, I am in.’” 

The two teamed up with Catrina Murphy and got to work. The result was an all-volunteer organization that pairs youth with positive male role models — men who will invest in them, mentor them and hold them accountable. While committing several hours a month to something may sound intimidating, Washington sees it as a matter of perspective. “I’ve been doing it for a long time and it is pretty easy. It is a matter of prioritizing. If I had an antique car I wanted to spend 17 hours a week on, or if I wanted to golf 20 hours a week, I would figure out how to do it. We just ask for six hours a month. It is based on priorities.”

The Great Oak website points out that “Other issues include the lack of men willing to invest a few hours a month to mentor a boy; the policy ramifications of public dollars invested after a child gets in trouble versus investment in preventative solutions; and the general apathy regarding the problem at far too many levels. The black boys across America who are adversely affected by these conditions have tremendous potential and great promise. They simply need to be nurtured.”

For many of the young men who come to Great Oak, just knowing that someone cares can be enough to turn them around. The boys that come to Great Oak often show up with angry hearts. They’ve built emotional walls that can be tough to penetrate, but patience and consistency on the part of their mentors usually win out. “We had our first boy go to college in 2012 and three more in 2013,” said Merritt. “These are the stories that show the effectiveness of what we are trying to do. A lot of it is anger management — 80-85 percent of our boys come from single-parent households with black females as the head of the home. There are some things going on that contribute to the crisis among black males, one of those is the anger generated in these boys because their father is not present. I hear teenage boys say things like ‘I haven’t talked to my father since was 2,’ all the time.”

Instead of feeling sorry for the young men, the men at Great Oak show them that they are valuable and that they have potential and then challenge them to reach for the stars, empowering and encouraging them along the way. Men and Boys Unity, one of the Great Oak programs, meets one Saturday a month, eight months out of the year. Guest speakers are often invited and the men and boys discuss things like responsibility, healthyrelationships, financial management and etiquette. But they do much more than talk. Once they are in high school the boys draft a life plan. “Some understand it but most ask ‘Why do I need a plan? I am just in 9th grade.’ Then you explain that this is not a choice and we explain that planning is part of critical thinking. Sometimes you do get the wide-eyed look or they will say ‘No one ever asked me to think about what I am going to do with my life.’” 

Then a door is open to explain the importance of having a plan. The boys are given a template that asks about hobbies, classes and what they like to do and are good at. “If they say they want to go to college,” said Washington, “then we will assist with that process or with whatever their plan calls for.” To help the young men plan, Great Oak brings in military representatives, as well as professionals from Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville State University, community leaders and businessmen. People talk with parents about their critical role like making sure the boys take the right courses and tests for post high school life, too. 

To teach the young men the value of hard work, Great Oak gives them something to work toward. Since 2009, Great Oak has managed a few plots at the Fayetteville Community Garden each year. The boys prep the soil, tend the plots and help maintain the common areas and abandoned plots. 

To develop critical thinking skills, and help improve performance at school, the Men and Boys Unity program added a Chess Club to the program in 2012.

During the summer, Great Oak offers a leadership and entrepreneur camp. Educators, business leaders and civic leaders in the community participate in programs that focus on leadership development, skills instruction, confidence building and orientation for success.

The Great Oak mentoring program matches each youth with a volunteer who is committed to them for an extended period of time. Through these relationships mentors teach the boys important life skills: they help them plan for the future; they help build confidence in the young men; they encourage positive attitudes and more. Sometimes it is as easy as showing up at school to have lunch with the boys and talking with them about their grades. “It means the world to them that someone is interested in them for them,” said Washington. “They may not show it at first but the boys really do appreciate when someone takes an interest in them.”

To be a Great Oak mentor, volunteers submit to a background check, are interviewed by a social worker and undergo training before being paired with a youngster. Youth can be referred to Great Oak by school officials, community officials or by parents/guardians. Find out more about Great Oak at www.goydc.com.

Sure, most people have heard of Haymount, but not everyone knows about the magic of this part of town. Not only is there a great camaraderie between the residents, there are unique one-of-a-kind businesses that offer everything from food to clothing and gifts to healthcare to petcare to entertainment and more. While this community spends most of the year tending to the day-to-day business and busy-ness of life and looking out for each other, this holiday season the Haymount community is excited to host Haymount Lights for the greater Fayetteville area through Jan 1.

The Haymount areaof Fayetteville has a lot going for it. The cozy eateries, quaint shops, churches, award-winning theater and neighborhoods with tree-lined streets all contribute to the charm and distinct personality of Haymount. Named for John Hay, an Irish-born lawyer who built his home on the corner of Hillside and Hay Streets, the area was originally named “Hay Mount.” This later became Haymount and later still, the spelling Haymont came into play.

Officially, the boundaries of Haymount are from the foot of the hill up Hay Street to Fountainhead Lane, all of Hale Street, all of Hillside Avenue, Brandts Lane and part of Athens Avenue. “This area is a nationally registered and local historic district,” said Fayetteville Historic Properties Manager Bruce Daws. “It was established because of the cluster of homes in that area that represent Federal-style architecture that was popular through the mid 1820s as well as some of the other architecture of the time.”

Officially or not, just a bit further up the hill are establishments that are considered part of the Haymount district by the people who live, shop, worship, eat and play there. These establishments are as much a part of the psyche of this town as other distinctive areas like downtown, Skibo Road and the Cape Fear River Trail.

Pulling the community together even more is a relatively new organization called Happenin’ in Haymount. Throughout the year businesses and residents come together for things like hosting neighborhood dinners, welcoming new businesses and neighbors and building a sense of community in Haymount through group activities. This holiday season the organization is adding some extra sparkle to the festivities.“We were looking for a traditional event that people can look forward to every year,” said Ashley Culliton, Happenin’ in Haymount organizer and spokesperson. “Throughout the year we have get-togethers and things like yoga in the park and mommy groups. We want to create that neighborhood camaraderie and sense of community where neighbors look out for  each other and have life-long friendships. We are trying to make Haymount the community that other areas look to as an example of how to do it right.”

This Christmas season, the Haymount neighborhood is coming together to bring Haymount Lights to Fayetteville. Sixty-one participants, including 21 Haymount businesses, have signed up to participate. It’s fun, it’s free to the public and it is a chance to get out and enjoy the Christmas season. Although there is a lot of love between the participants, no Christmas light display is complete without some competition from the neighbors. Visit the Happenin’ in Haymount Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Haymount for a map and for the form to vote for your favorite lightdisplays.

We are all in the midst of holiday festivities. 

There are neighborhood gatherings, office parties, social occasions, presents to be bought and wrapped, a few more decorations to add to what is already there, cards to send and the list goes on and on.

All of this is going on in our homes and workplaces, or at least in proximity to us, whether we feel festive or not.

Truth be told, many of us are not in a
festive mood. 

Many of us are sad for all sorts of reasons, and some of us are actually hungry even as others are making and sharing goodies which surface only this time of year. Some of us are coping with loss, with aging, with loneliness, even as our televisions show happy folks in their party clothes in sparkling settings and toasting each other with everything from grape juice to champagne. 

Elizabeth Dreesen, a surgeon, writes an occasional column for the News and Observer. A recent one recounts her elderly father’s knee replacement surgery and her family’s struggles as they coped with the same health and aging issues facing millions of American families. Her mother, plagued with respiratory problems, resisted in-home help, and although the knee surgery was uneventful and successful, Dr. Dreesen acknowledges a much clearer understanding of what many of her patients and their families go through both within the medical system and with the difficulties of aging parents. If she, a smart and highly-educated medical professional, was flummoxed by this common experience, no wonder the rest of us are as well.

Two of my oldest friends, women I have known and loved since college, died within 12 hours of each other last month. Both had battled debilitating illnesses with courage, and their deaths were not surprising but were still deeply painful. Both leave families who are going to have very different holidays this year with empty spots where their loved ones used to be.

Another friend lost her husband a year ago on Christmas day. She is a person of many interests and who has many friends, but I know the holidays are especially difficult for her this year.

When I see the holiday television commercials in which everyone seems good-looking, happy, healthy and glowing with seasonal goodwill, I somehow assume they are all wealthy as well. Probably not, of course, but it is true that in our country the rich are indeed getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Forbesmagazine reports the highest number of billionaires ever recorded in the world, with the United States having more than any other nation. This sort of wealth creation has got to be a good thing, but it is mirrored by other sad and alarming numbers. 

The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire reports that almost 1 in 4 American children now lives in poverty. In addition, the U.S. Census Bureau says that mean household income continues to fall at the same time safety nets, including basic food assistance, at all levels of government are shrinking. Home ownership is also declining, down for the fifth year in a row to just over 63 percent. A drive around our own county confirms the obvious need for life’s basics by the number of people begging at intersections.

I feel a bit like Mrs. Scrooge writing all of this in the midst of what is supposed to be a festive and joyful season, and which many of us pretend is, even if we are not feeling so joyful or festive ourselves. 

I write it, though, to remind us that many among us — friends, neighbors, coworkers, relatives, face challenging situations in their lives that darken not only their ordinary days but their holidays as well. Some of their problems are of their own making, some are out of their control, and some are both. But however they arose, they are driving factors in the lives of people around us, some of whom we know and love.

Some of us blessed to feel festive and joyful can and do volunteer for others not only during the holidays but the rest of the year as well. Some of us can and do share not only our time and talent but our treasure with others at this time of year and at other times. 

All of us can pick up the phone, write a note or pay a visit to someone who is struggling for whatever reason this holiday season. All of us can reach out in some way to someone who is short of cheer this year. All of us can show generosity of spirit in a way that eases the care of another.

Wishing you and those you love a warm, wonderful, and giving holiday season.

A prosperous local economy is almost at our fingertips; however, if you are a fledgling organization or local merchant trying to establish and maintain a profitable small business in Cumberland County, you just may have to reach a little further. 

Doug Peters, president of the Fayetteville Area Chamber of Commerce, understands the importance of promoting and supporting local independent businesses. Small business is the cornerstone of a strong and enduring community and local economy. Bringing awareness to what local communities have to offer is the key to developing a vibrant local economy. This was one of the motivating forces behind the recent Shop Local campaign staged by the Chamber of Commerce.

Becoming familiar with our local community reaches far beyond just doing business locally. Our residents are becoming involuntarily detached from the very community in which we live. 

This is most evident to those of us who work in the media industry. We can attest to the growing trend that people are not familiar with their local surroundings and that small businesses are going out of business at an alarming rate. Why? Because we have been lured into the 21st century infatuation with the Internet, online services and social media like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. As 21st century human beings, our heads and eyes are constantly focused on our computers, iPads and iPhones. Consequently, we know more about what’s going on halfway around the world then we do right here in our own backyard. 

Fortunately, the Internet is not the be-all-and-end-all solution when it comes to developing awareness and communication especially in our own local community. Granted, social media has its place in our society; however, one must be aware that it is gradually deteriorating our involvement and intimacy with our family, friends and local surroundings. 

Why? Because involvement and intimacy take time and effort to develop. The Internet and all its addictive facets for knowledge and entertainment allows us to live in the moment. In reality, the Internet is just another media source that can complement any business or organization by providing information. However, when it comes to establishing credibility, touting the quality of your product or service or actually developing your brand,
 it is extremely ineffective and, in many cases, destructive. Brand, being defined as who you are, what you are and what you stand for cannot be defined on the Internet. This pertains to people, organizations and businesses. 

Here is a case in point, which happened very recently. Deborah Mintz, president of the Fayetteville and Cumberland County Arts Council, and I hosted 25 members of the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fayetteville. Our task for the day was to give them a brief introduction to the arts, history and cultural venues that can be found within our community. Deborah and I have been doing this as a team for nearly 20 years. We take great pride in showcasing these venues. Our guests are always pleasantly surprised at the quantity of quality venues our community has to offer. Even more amazing was how many of these folks, many of them Millennials, were totally unaware and out of touch with the community. How can that be? 

Full disclosure, these people were participating in Leadership Fayetteville to learn about the community. But, some participants have lived here in Fayetteville and Cumberland County for 10, 15 and 20 years or more and were not aware of some of the basic community arts, entertainment and cultural gems at our disposal like the Dogwood Festival, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, the FireAntz hockey team or the fact that we have not one, but two, symphony orchestras. 

There is no real excuse for this except to realize that the Internet, iPhones and iPads are robbing us of our sense of community. Finding the good stuff takes effort and with effort comes reward. 

I invite all of our readers to take the time to get to know our community. You won’t find it on the Internet. You need to put down your phones, open your eyes and look at all that is around it. Fayetteville has much to offer and one of its best offerings is the warm and open people who call it home. Get to know them. Enjoy our community. You might just be surprised. Thank you for reading Up and ComingWeekly.

Ryan’s Reindeer Run is more than a foot race. It is a celebration. It is a celebration of the life of Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh and his amazing story but it is also a celebration of love, life and passion. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this celebration on Saturday, Dec. 21. Ryan’s Reindeer Run is a 5K walk/run that is not only a great time, but it is a chance to make a difference. Named after Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh, Ryan’s Reindeer Run raises funds for the Ryan P. Kishbaugh Memorial Foundation and other charities that provide services to kids in need and cancer patients. 

 

Ryan was an athlete, an amazing community advocate, volunteer and a scholar. He had been accepted to Princeton and was ready to embark on an amazing future when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; Ryan died from complications of a bone marrow transplant in 2003. He fought valiantly for 15 months before he died. His mother, Roberta Humphries, chooses to celebrate his life each year. Since Ryan was a stellar athlete and loved to run (he even wrote a book called Run Because You Can) having a race seemed like a great way to honor her son.

 

“I wanted to do something fun to remember Ryan,” said Humphries. “I was visiting Charleston in 2005 and they had a Reindeer Run going on. It just seemed like a great way to remember him and to do something fun at the same time.”

 

Hardcore runners are sure to enjoy the course. It is hilly and a bit of a challenge — but that is by design. 

 

“The run is a lot of fun, but the fact that the course is fairly difficult is significant,” said Humphries. “It is to remind people that life can be challenging sometimes.”

 

People who are interested in just having a great time while knowing they are giving back to the community will love this run, too. Sure, there are the standard awards for winners like the male and female runners who get the best times in their age groups, but there are also some awards that are all about fun. There are prizes for the top three pet finishers and their owners; the top three family finishers; the best-costumed runners; the top three strollers and runners; and the best decorated strollers. 

 

“We have a category where families can register together and their times are combined for an aggregate time and then the family with the lowest aggregate time is recognized,” said Humphries. “We also have a best-sweatered runner category.”

 

In planning this event Humphries is always on the look out for ways to embrace the joy and love of life that she remembers most about Ryan and turn it into part of the event. The trophies are reindeer. Every year she looks for reindeer that she can use as trophies for the event. The medals for the winners are shaped like Christmas ornaments. 

 

“I want people to be able to hang these on their tree if they wanted to so they can remember the fun they had at the reindeer run instead of just putting it in a drawer,” said Humphries.

 

There is such a feeling of connectedness that surrounds this event that Humphries considers it a chance to celebrate each and every year. 

 

“Many of the people who run in this race never even knew Ryan, but to see them running and laughing and having fun with their friends and family is a lot of fun for me,” said Humphries. “There are families who have been doing this since the first race eight years ago. One family chooses a theme every year and comes in the most wonderful costumes. They have come as Whos from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, they’ve come as characters from A Charlie Brown Christmas, they have come as Christmas packages. It is just so much fun to see what they will come up with next. Then there are Ryan’s friends who are runners. Many of them have married and have families of their own and they are bringing their children to run in the race.”

 

The fundsthat are raised at the event go right back into the community through the Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh Memorial Foundation. Since the race was established in 2006, the foundation has donated more than $100,000 to different organizations in the community. Each year The Duke Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of the Cancer Center, Better Health, the Care Clinic and the Child Advocacy Center receive funds from this event. Every spring the Ryan Patrick Kishbaugh Memorial Foundation also awards a $1,000 writing prize to a student at the Fayetteville Academy where Ryan was a student.

 

Register early to make sure that there is a shirt reserved in your size on race day. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Medical Arts Building on Hay Street. For more information or to register, visit www.active.com or www.ryansreindeerrun.com. 

The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the Cumberland Oratorio Singers will join in song to bring Handel’s Messiah to Galatia Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, Sunday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m. It is the 6th Annual Messiah Sing, where everyone is welcome to bring their Messiah scores, sit in the audience and join in song together with the choir. Admission is free. 

 

“We really encourage people to bring their scores, stand up and sit down with the choir where it’s appropriate, and
sing along,” said Michael Martin,
director of choral activities and music education at Methodist University and this year’s conductor.

 

“Handel’s Messiah is kind of unique and non-unique at the same time in that — it’s a community sing, which is done all over the world,” said Martin. “Everybody knows the “Hallelujah” chorus, and we only do the first part because it follows the birth, life and death of Jesus, which is an appropriate part to do at Christmas time.    

 

“I think it’s kind of right that the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the Cumberland Oratorio Singers do this together, because they’ve been playing together for quite some time,” said Martin. “It’s good for the community to know that their arts organizations are working together and it makes for a big house.” 

 

The partnership between the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the Cumberland Oratorio Singers is actually broad and goes beyond the Messiah.“We do this, and then we do a large work in the Spring together,” said Martin. “We’re always trying to find opportunities in which the partnership will benefit both groups. They get a chance to pull some of our audience, we pull some of their audiences, and when we get together, we have both of our audiences sitting in the same place.”    

 

Martin was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor of the Cumberland Oratorio Singers in 2008 and has been alternating with Fouad Fakhouri, another conductor in the music department at Methodist University, for the past five years. Due to the way the graduation calendar worked out last year for Martin, Fakhouri ended up conducting Messiah for the past two years in a row. Martin is excited to have the opportunity to conduct this year. 

 

“The reason we do this is because we’ve always considered the Messiah Singto be a gift back to the community,” said Martin. “We don’t want money to be the reason people don’t come and experience this. 

 

“We just want people to come,” Martin continued. “We want it to be a gift for the community, and we’ve always called it that.” 

 

For more information, please contact: Julia Atkins, orchestra personnel and marketing manager for the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, at P.O. Box 53234, Fayetteville, NC 28305 or jatkins@fayettevillesymphony.org. 

 

The Galatia Presbyterian Church is located at 8800 Galatia Church Rd., Fayetteville, NC 28304.