Entertainment

Dogslingers feeds cooperative vibe of food truck scene

Details

Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Written by Erin C. Healy

Mike and Jennifer Adams, owners of Dogslingers and The Depot, were at the point of no return. They’d poured their time and treasure into a business that wasn’t gaining traction. A year ago July, unbeknownst to each other, they both did something that changed everything. A month later, standing in the bathroom of their home, accessing what had transpired over the past 30 days, Mike admitted where he’d been and what he’d done about it. Jennifer told him she’d done the exact same thing. Teary-eyed remembering the moment, it’s evident how those independent actions changed the trajectory of their business.
Mike is a big, blue-eyed Norwegian-Swede who began skating at the age of 4 and has been heavily involved in hockey ever since. Jennifer is a dark-haired Irish-Italian from Springfield, Illinois, who worked in banking. The couple met when Mike skated for the Springfield Junior Blues; three years later they were married by a federal judge — on an ice rink. Their three children all began skating at 4 and played youth, college and Junior league hockey. For at least 10 years, Mike was a coaching manager of the Cape Fear Youth Hockey program operating out of then-Fort Bragg, coaching multiple teams. Jennifer was its secretary.
Originally from Utah, Mike spent from 1999 to 2021 in the U.S. Army as a Civil Affairs officer. He earned his commission through ROTC at Illinois State University and did multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Africa. Civil Affairs falls under USA Special Operations Command; its mission is to identify the needs of a local population that align with America’s goals in the region. Jennifer supported the demands of Mike’s career, making their home, caring for the children and leaning on her independence to focus on the end game. Homecomings always involved transition so when Mike retired and the kids were grown, she returned to banking.
Mike likes hotdogs. One day, he and Drake, the couple’s youngest son, were eating hotdogs in the parking lot at Lowes on Skibo. They wondered how much a hotdog truck made. They knew what they’d paid, and for an hour they counted how many customers the truck served. It was a lot.
Mike came home and told Jennifer, “I think I want to open a hotdog stand.” She thought, 'OK. Well, he’s retired and needs something to do with his time. Why not?' They bought one truck then a second and eventually a trailer, attending events and building relationships with local businesses.
Dogslingers and The Depot eventually became something the couple worked together. A marriage is always about working together, they agreed, but Jennifer thinks this time it’s even better. Perhaps it’s because Mike is home full-time now, or their clear level of maturity as a couple or maybe because Jennifer is contributing her talents to the mix. Mike praises her cooking effusively. The family used to joke that she should open a restaurant. She always said, “never.” And here they are. Her Pasta Poppers, for example, are fantastic. Think mac-and-cheese bites with an upscale garlic-Parmesan approach.
To be approved to operate a food truck, a purveyor must be associated with a commercial kitchen. The owner contracts with a restaurant to use everything from its prep space, refrigeration and storage to gray water and trash disposal. The Adams were grateful for their kitchen contract, but they knew they had to look for their own space. The Depot is both a permanent home for Dogslingers and a commissary where other truck owners can contract for kitchen use.
Mike was at a Portillo’s in Springfield, Ill., and ordered a hotdog. The quality was discernably better than anything he’d ever had. He found out they served Vienna Beef hotdogs and he determined Dogslingers would sell only that brand from then on. Vienna Beef uses shavings from briskets and only briskets. The taste is noticeably superior. Midwesterners are in on this secret, and it was just such a Midwesterner that turned the tide for Dogslingers.
The business, however, was struggling. The Depot building approval was dragging beyond two and a half years. The couple’s daughter, Delaney, had given Mike a bible and he began to read it. Finally, he got to a “Jesus, take the wheel” moment. He didn’t know if they were going to make it. They’d done everything they could and were out of resources and at the end of themselves. He said, “God, it’s in your hands.” Jennifer prays regularly, purposefully accessing and meditating. She, too, asked God to show her what she was supposed to do and to make His sign very clear. Neither one knew the other had prayed.
Then Carrie Greive, wife of Bright Light Brewing Company co-owner Chris Greive, saw the Vienna Beef signage. Being a Midwesterner, she knew what that meant. She posted an enthusiastic review on Fayetteville Foodies on Facebook. Within two weeks, sales volume at Dogslingers quadrupled. There had been positive reviews before, but this time God had been invited and blessings multiplied.
Twenty-six years ago, when they arrived in Fayetteville, Mike assumed the food scene would reflect the cultural diversity of a melting-pot military town. It didn’t. The culinary situation improved, but it wasn’t until COVID that Mike saw food trucks supplanting mom-and-pop restaurants. Cultural options exploded and places like Haymount Truck Stop, Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom and Bright Light Brewing became counterculture food truck hangouts. At last count, there are 65 food trucks registered in Cumberland County.
The name and logo for Dogslingers is all Delaney’s doing. The family’s dog, Henry, is the company’s mascot. Eldest son, Duncan, a Marine, cheerleads from Twentynine Palms, Calif. and Drake helps regularly. Mike and Jennifer are grateful for all the help they’ve received: marketing from Vienna Beef; food truck and restaurant mentors; and employees who care about customer service as much as they do. The Depot is open 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 2801 Raeford Road. I tried the Cheddar Jalapeno Dog. Raving about a hotdog seems silly, but it was hands-down the best I’ve ever had.

(Photo: Mike and Jennifer Adams pose in The Depot.)

Cumberland County Fair brings family fun Aug. 30 through Sept. 8

Details

Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Written by Amber Little

In addition to the cooler weather, concerts at the Crown, and pumpkin spice everything, the next most anticipated joy of the fall is the county fair. The Cumberland County Fair is gearing up for another year of entertainment, rides, food, and of course, pageant Queens.
This year's fair will run from Aug. 30 through Sept. 8, with gates opening at 5 p.m. at the Crown Complex on Friday, August 30. A Ribbon Cutting will take place at 4:45 p.m. in conjunction with the Greater Fayetteville Chamber to officially open the gates and start the 2024 fair.
The Crown Complexes Clear Bag Policy will be in effect for the duration of the fair. There will be no purses, backpacks, or fanny packs. Admission is $10 for adults and children 3 and over, except on special nights. This year’s schedule offers special hours for a sensory-friendly experience and special rates for hometown heroes and children on certain nights.
Aug. 30: Military & First Responders Night (free entry with valid ID)
Gates open at 5 p.m., $5 Admission for children ages 3 to 12
Aug. 31: Gates open at 5 p.m.
Sept. 1: Faith and Family Night ($5 off with your church bulletin)
Gates open at 1 p.m., $5 Admission for children ages 3 to 12
Sept. 2: Sensory Friendly Time 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Sept. 3: $2 Tuesday, $2 Admission
Senior Night sponsored by Carelon Health (free admission for ages 65 and up)
Karaoke Contest
Sept. 4: BOGO Night (Buy one, get one free on admission and unlimited ride badge)
BOGO on select concessions
Gates open at 5 p.m.
Sept. 5: A Day of Giving (supporting Second Harvest Food Bank)
Free admission with 6 non-perishable food items
4-H & FFA Day (Free admission for cardholders)
School Kids and Personnel Day ($2 Admission with School ID)
Gates open at 5 p.m.
Sept. 6: Gates open at 5 p.m.
Sept. 7: Gates open at 1 p.m.
Sept. 8: Faith and Family Day ($5 off with church bulletin)
$5 admission for children ages 3 to 12
Highlighting Cumberland County’s history in racing, this year’s theme is “On your mark. Get set. Fair!” Fairgoers will have the opportunity to learn more about how Cumberland County’s agriculture shaped the history of racing. As always, the fair will feature an array of rides provided by Big Rock Amusements. From the smallest of the bunch to the oldest, there will be something for the whole family to enjoy.
And of course, the food! Hotdogs, corndogs, cotton candy, funnel cakes, fried Oreos, and all the quintessential fair food stands will be ready to delight your taste buds and sweet tooth.
There will be a few changes this year. Maddy Eversole, Marketing Director for the Crown Complex is excited about some of the changes they are bringing this year.
“Karaoke is new this year. This year we’re also bringing the petting zoo inside and expanding it. We’re also adding a Hula Hooping Contest. This is the first year we’re having a Whiskey Wagon – it’s run by local distillers, BHAWK … We’ve worked really hard to add a lot of value to the fair,” she said.
“We have so many specials where people can save money on entry and even rides and food on BOGO night. We’ve also added lots of free entertainment to ensure that families have an amazing time. We’ll have rides, games, local food trucks, local vendors, live music, a beer garden, a whiskey wagon, magic shows, karaoke, a hula hooping contest, wrestling, fire shows, family game shows, the petting zoo, livestock shows, and hundreds of exhibit items from local artists, creators, craftsmen, and school children. The Cumberland County Fair is the perfect place to bring your family for fun,” Eversole said.
The entertainment lineup this year is fire, literally.
“We will have a lot of entertainment each day during the fair. There will be two shows per night by Ember Fire Arts, a fan favorite last year. There will also be magic and family games by Bob Bohm Family Entertainment who was also a hit last year. This year, in addition to live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, there will be karaoke Tuesday through Thursday,” Eversole said.
Ember Fire Arts will be hitting the stage nightly at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Ember Fire Arts promises “... You will see some of the most amazing fire artistry that is both incredible to watch and extremely dangerous.” Several bands will be putting on a show during the fair, from country to gospel to variety, there will be something for everyone’s ear. Acts like Third Crush, Autumn Groove, and Destiny Praise will keep the crowd moving, grooving and maybe even praising.
The full schedule of entertainment can be found at https://www.crowncomplexnc.com/events/cumberlandcountyfair.
No Southern county fair would be complete without a pageant. The Cumberland County Fair Pageant will take place on Aug. 31 at the Crown Theater at 2:30 p.m. (ages 0-6 years) and 6:30 p.m. (ages 7 and up).
With 15 categories and contestants being crowned Miss and Master, this year will surely boast some talented, well-spoken community members of all ages and genders.
This year’s pageant will fund the Fisher House Foundation. Fisher House Foundation provides “comfort homes” for military families to stay while their loved ones are in the hospital.
These homes are provided free of charge for the families and allow them to focus on the care and recovery of their family members. For anyone interested, there is still time to join in on the pageant fun. Application, rules, and rehearsal dates can be found online at https://cumberlandcountyfairpageant.com/. There is still time to get involved with the fair as a food vendor or inside exhibitor as well as sponsorship opportunities.
“We are currently seeking sponsors for Military & First Responders Day, Faith & Family Days, Sensory Friendly Time, and a Day of Giving,” Eversole said.
Between the rides, the food, the entertainment, and the games, the 2024 Cumberland County Fair is going to be a driving force of fall fun and a grand kickoff to the fall season.

(Above Photo: The Cumberland County Fair lights up for the night in 2023. Bottom Photo: Winners of the Cumberland County Fair pageant ride the carousel, showing off their prizes. Photos courtesy of the Crown Complex)

Cheer Clinic comes to Fayetteville

Details

Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Written by Amber Little

Throughout the years, cheer has gone from pom poms and bobby socks to a recognized sport, complete with competitions on the state and national level and rigorous training and conditioning. Even recreational cheer requires regular workouts and practices from participants. Whether cheer is a hobby or a passion, the NC-BGC Cheer Clinic is a can’t-miss for those looking to sharpen their skills and strengthen their foundation. The clinic is on Sunday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 421 Maiden Ln. There will be two sessions, Beginner and Intermediate. The beginners’ session will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will help those new to stunts and tumbling. The intermediate session starts from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will cover basic tumbling and stunting techniques. Registration is $50. At check-in, participants will complete registration and receive a cheer clinic t-shirt.
Camille Morgan is the name and talent behind the NC-BGC Cheer Clinic. A New York native and a new North Carolina resident, Morgan is a classically trained dancer, certified cheer/stunt judge, and youth and college-level cheer coach. This clinic will be her eleventh overall and second in North Carolina. Morgan has always had a passion for dance, but her path to cheer was not the conventional one.
“I am a classically trained dancer (ballerina). In my senior year of High School, I thought I wanted to be a kid, so I stopped dancing to experience what I thought I was missing. I quickly became bored, and my school did not have a dance team. Someone asked me if I could cartwheel and split, and I said yes. My cheer tryout complete, I became a high school cheerleader. It was fun and I am glad I did it but when I got to college it was back to the dance company,” she said. “One rehearsal, while we were sitting around, one of the other dancers was chit-chatting about cheer and I said I did it in high school. She asked if I would join the college team. I said not really but she was so nice and persistent that I joined the college team. That's when I found out it was a sport. We had practice for two hours, five days a week. We had six hours of required weight room time along with our game and event expectations. We were also required to have a 3.0 GPA.”
Her experience in college didn’t just spark a love for cheer but was a huge realization that cheer is indeed a sport, a concept she wants the world and local community to understand.
“Young women that participate in cheer are athletes, not just cute girls in skirts. It takes a lot of practice and strength and conditioning. The next time you see a young lady in a uniform, congratulate her for having the confidence and mental toughness to earn her spot,” Morgan said.
The cheer clinic will be a great opportunity for local cheer teams, school-based cheer programs, and individuals interested in learning from one of the best. The Dynamic Jewels, a local youth cheer team have already secured their spot and are revved up and ready to learn.
“I am absolutely thrilled for our Jai6 Dynamic Jewels performers to participate in the cheer clinic! This experience is not just about perfecting their cheerleading skills but also about embracing valuable life lessons. Through teamwork, perseverance, and dedication, they will learn how to overcome challenges and support one another, lessons that extend far beyond the cheerleading mat. Their involvement in the clinic will not only enrich their personal growth but also strengthen our community, as they bring their newfound enthusiasm and commitment back to inspire and uplift those around them,” said Dynamic Jewels Cheer Director, Dinesha Neal.
Morgan has a full day lined up. The cheer clinic will not only cover the physical part of the sport, but also the financial. For those looking to make cheer a career or take it to the collegiate level, there will be a session on what the next steps are.
“After a brief introduction, we will have warm-ups and then we will break into training areas: Tumbling, Stunt, Cheer Vocals, Stomp, and Shake and Dance. At the end will be a small awards ceremony and a discussion about the next steps into high school, college, and beyond. [We will discuss] Requirements, education and salaries, knowing your worth. [That will be] followed up with a quick Q&A and then dismissal,” she explained.
Registration can be completed online at https://bit.ly/4dFuNvr

Unleash your inner wizard: Scavenger hunt adventure downtown

Details

Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

It’s that time again! Embark on a magical journey through Downtown Fayetteville with the Downtown Alliance’s annual Wands and Wizardly two-day scavenger hunt. Explore enchanting shops, solve mystical challenges, and collect wizarding gear to prepare for the magical school year ahead.
Step into a world where magic comes alive in Downtown Fayetteville at the 3rd Annual Wands and Wizardry event. The streets buzz with excitement as aspiring wizards and witches don their house colors, eager to embark on a fantastical scavenger hunt. This isn't just any ordinary event; it's a two-day quest filled with mystery and enchantment, where participants meticulously search for clues from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17.
The adventure begins with an unexpected twist – your long-awaited acceptance letter to the school of wizardry is incomplete! It's up to you to piece together the puzzle and gather all the magical supplies necessary to begin your educational journey. As you traverse the cobblestone paths and hidden alleys, you'll join forces with fellow first-year students, forging friendships and alliances along the way.
Your quest is clear: locate the missing components of your acceptance letter and the essential gear for your first year. As you delve into the scavenger hunt, keep an eye out for the items that every budding wizard needs. From spellbooks to potions, each enchanted article is crucial for your academic success.
Using the icons and your map, each clue will lead you to a different corner of Downtown Alley, where local businesses welcome you with special offers and hidden treasures. Each business will have a missing item that you must add to your supply list. Be prepared to encounter challenges that will test your wit and intellect, but fear not – the rewards are well worth the effort. Discover your wand waiting for you at a secret location and feel the magic course through your veins as you take hold of it.
The community comes together to create an immersive experience that's nothing short of spellbinding. Cursive, a gift shop known for its unique treasures, beckons with themed trivia that will challenge even the most knowledgeable wizarding aficionados. Reverie offers a Hogwarts back-to-school ambiance paired with enchanting temporary tattoos perfect for young sorcerers.
As you compile your list of academic necessities, Dreams Made Reality provides the back-to-school supplies every student requires, while A Bit of Carolina enchants with a special gift accompanying purchases. And for those in need of a sweet elixir to boost their energy, Pan's ButterBeer promises to be the perfect potion to quench your thirst and lift your spirits.
As the hunt draws to a close and night falls over Downtown Fayetteville, gather with your fellow adventurers to celebrate your triumphs. Share stories of the day's exploits over themed treats and concoctions in the magical eateries that took part in the event.
Don't forget to send off your completed acceptance letter, ensuring your place in the wizarding school and the chance to win a Downtown gift basket. With your supplies in hand and a heart full of memories, you're now fully prepared to embark on the next chapter of your magical education journey.