Local News

DistiNCtly Fayetteville's American Independence Trail

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Written by Aly Hansen

DistiNCtly Fayetteville’s trail series is a wonderful way to see the sights around the city. Last week, Up & Coming Weekly profiled the Paths, Plank Roads and Planes Trail. This week, we’ll delve into Fayetteville’s Revolutionary past. What better way to get into the spirit of the semiquincentennial of the United States than to take a shot at the American Independence Trail?
North Carolina is one of the original 13 colonies, and has a rich Revolutionary history. Fayetteville itself has interesting ties to the Revolution. Formerly the villages of Cross Creek and Campbelton, Fayetteville had been founded by a large population of Highland Scots. A lot of these founders were staunchly in support of the Crown, and Fayetteville was split in its loyalties. It made for quite a tense time.
The Cumberland Association, a group of individuals who believed in independence, signed what would be known as the “Liberty Point Resolves.” These were signed on June 20, 1775, a full year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Resolves were slightly different from the Declaration, however. The 55 signers of this document expressed hope for a reconciliation with Great Britain, but also made it clear they would fight to the death to “secure freedom and safety.”
The Resolves were signed at Barge’s Tavern, a local spirit house in James Square, historically located where Green, Rowan, Ramsey and Grove streets all converge. This building is actually still in existence today, but it has since been moved from its original location to its current home at 519 Ramsey St. The signers took the Liberty Point Resolves just a few blocks over from James Square, to a large Virginia live oak tree and nailed them to the trunk. The Liberty Tree, as it is now known, is part of the modern Airborne and Special Operations Museum. The tree is on the corner of Hay and Hillsborough streets, and is still alive and well today. In
August of 2025, the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation held a ceremony commemorating a historic marker plaque for the tree. 
A monument was set up in 1933 to commemorate the signers of the Resolves. 16 signers had been forgotten, and were added to the stone in 1976. This marker can be found at the corner of Bow and Person streets. The Cross Creek Cemetery on Grove and Ann streets holds the graves of Revolutionary veterans, including Robert Rowan, the original signer of the Liberty Point Resolves. This cemetery is stop
number 3 on the tour.
Another important gravesite is located in Fayetteville: The Fifer’s Grave. Isaac Hammond, a free African American who lived in Fayetteville, became a member of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry and served for 30 years as a fifer. He served in the Revolutionary War and set up shop as a barber after the war. His is the only grave on FILI land, and his grave is stop 2 on the trail.
Fayetteville’s Revolutionary roots don’t just include the Liberty Point Resolves. The namesake of the city, Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, a French man, had joined the patriot cause during the Revolutionary
War, and was at the Siege of Yorktown when General Cornwallis capitulated on Oct. 17, 1781.
He took the ideals of the American Revolution with him back to France, and wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen with the help of Thomas Jefferson. This document was used during the French Revolution. He stormed the Bastille, and after a fashion, was known as The Hero of Two Worlds.
Fayetteville, NC is far from the only town named after the marquis. The colonies are littered with his name. Legend has it, however, that Fayetteville, NC is the only town he visited that bore his name. The Fayetteville History Museum has an exhibit full of artifacts of his trip to the city, and every year the Lafayette Society holds celebrations in his honor. A statue of the marquis is stop 4 on the tour.
The American Independence Trail from DistiNCtly Fayetteville dives into much of this history of the city. The tour can be found at https://www.distinctlyfayettevillenc.com/things-to-do/museumshistory/cultural-heritage-trails/american-independence/. Before taking off on the adventure, watch the video that accompanies the tour.
Hank Parfitt, owner of City Center Gallery & Books and a member of the Friends of Lafayette and the Lafayette Society, gives great detail about the history of the area.

Setting goals for new year can help jumpstart productivity

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The start of a new year is far more than just an opportunity to make resolutions—it’s a chance to establish a strong foundation for the months ahead and set clear intentions for how you want your life to unfold. While resolutions often focus on quick changes or short-term motivation, intentional planning helps turn hopes into achievable goals.
Planning allows you to set clear, specific objectives, manage your time effectively, and maintain focus so that the effort you put in leads you in the right direction. When approached thoughtfully, goal setting becomes less about pressure and more about purpose, clarity and alignment.

Step 1: Start With Reflection
Before looking forward, it’s important to pause and reflect on the year that’s just passed. Reflection provides valuable insight into what worked, what didn’t, and what truly mattered to you. Take some time to ask yourself: What were my biggest wins this past year? What challenges did I face, and what did they teach me? Which habits or routines supported my growth? Where did I feel stuck, drained, or unfulfilled?
This reflection isn’t about judgment—it’s about awareness. By understanding your experiences, you can make more intentional choices about where to focus your energy in the year ahead.

Step 2: Conduct a Life Audit
Once you’ve reflected on the past year, it’s time to get clear on where you currently stand. A helpful tool for this is the Wheel of Life, which allows you to assess your satisfaction across different areas. Rate each category on a scale from 0 (completely unsatisfied) to 10 (completely satisfied): Personal Growth, Health, Mindset, Relationships, Creativity, Happiness, Career and Finances. Seeing these scores visually highlights where you feel balanced and where your attention is needed most. This clarity helps prevent setting goals based on external expectations rather than your actual needs.

Step 3: Brainstorm Ways to Level Up
Now comes the fun--and empowering--part: imagining what “Level 10” could look like in the areas that matter most to you. Ask yourself: What would a 10 look like in my health, career, or relationships? What habits, routines, or changes would move me closer to that vision? What would I do differently if I truly believed improvement was possible? You don’t need to overhaul your entire life at once. Choose one to three focus areas and brainstorm realistic actions that move you forward. Remember: progress comes from small, consistent steps, not perfection.

Step 4: Choose Your Organisational Method
Effective planning starts with choosing a system that fits your lifestyle. New Year planning isn’t limited to traditional paper planners. What matters most is using a method you’ll actually stick with.
• Paper Planners
A classic and tangible option, paper planners are ideal for those who enjoy writing things down. The physical act of writing can improve memory retention and make planning feel more personal.
• Digital Planners or Calendar Apps
Tools like Google Calendar, Notion, or digital planners are perfect for those who prefer flexibility and syncing across devices. They allow for reminders, collaboration, and easy updates.
• Bullet Journals
For a creative and customizable approach, bullet journaling combines goal setting, habit tracking, and reflection in one place.
• Project Management Systems
Often used in workplaces, these systems are excellent for managing tasks, deadlines, and collaboration—especially for small business 

Step 5: Set Specific Goals for the Year
The upcoming year is full of potential, and clear goals help you harness it effectively. Start with a vision. Imagine what an ideal year would look like in areas such as personal growth, career, health, and relationships.
Next, break big goals into smaller action steps. For example, if your goal is to run a marathon, smaller steps might include weekly training sessions, researching gear, or finding a coach. Assign deadlines to each step. Rather than planning everything at once, focus on quarterly goals. This keeps the process manageable and allows room for adjustment. Creative exercises like free-writing about how you want to feel by the end of the year or creating a vision board can help clarify what you truly want.

Step 6: Set Up Your Planner Step-by-Step
Once your goals are defined, it’s time to bring them into your planner.
• Yearly Overview
List key dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and major events. Write down your yearly goals. Studies show that writing goals increases the likelihood of achieving them.
• Monthly Layouts
Add known events, travel, and celebrations. Set monthly goals and break larger objectives into smaller milestones. Include recurring appointments and deadlines.
• Weekly and Daily Pages
Create weekly to-do lists and prioritize tasks by importance. Each day, focus on three top priorities to avoid overwhelm and stay productive.
• Habit Trackers
Track habits like exercise, journaling, hydration, or mindfulness. Seeing progress visually is a powerful motivator.
• Quarterly Reviews
Every three months, review your progress. Celebrate wins, assess challenges, and adjust goals as needed.

Step 7: Choose Your Word of the Year
Your word of the year acts as a personal compass, guiding decisions and habits throughout the year. Popular options include: Balance, Growth, Joy, Fulfillment, Adventure, Gratitude, Abundance, Resilience, Intuition, Mindfulness, Peace, Discipline, Creativity, or Purpose. Choose a word that resonates deeply—it should reflect how you want to live, not just what you want to achieve.

Step 8: Hold Yourself Accountable
You’ve heard it before: the secret to success is consistency. Holding yourself accountable is the key to staying on track with your goals. Here are several ways to ensure you stay committed throughout the
year:
• Use a Habit Tracker: Visually track your habits to see your progress and stay motivated. This simple tool keeps you consistent.
• Share Your Goals: Tell a friend, family member, or partner about your goals. Sharing your intentions adds a layer of commitment.
• Do Monthly and Weekly Check-ins: Regular check-ins help you stay focused, assess progress, and adjust where necessary.
• Share Your Journey Online: For extra motivation and accountability, consider sharing your progress on social media. Not only does this keep you engaged, but it can also inspire others.
• Find an Accountability Buddy: Partner up with someone who has similar goals or desires for the year. You’ll motivate each other, celebrate wins, and hold each other accountable when things get tough.

Step 9: Stay Motivated Throughout the Year
Motivation naturally ebbs and flows, but a few strategies can help you stay aligned: Revisit your vision board regularly, reflect often during monthly or quarterly reviews, celebrate progress, no matter how small and stay flexible—life changes, and your plans can too. Planning isn’t about rigid control; it’s about intentional direction. By approaching the new year with clarity, structure, and self-awareness, you give yourself the best chance to grow, evolve, and create a year that truly supports the life you want to live. The blank pages ahead aren’t empty; they’re full of possibility.

A look back at Up & Coming Weekly's 2025 stories

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Written by Aly Hansen

The end of 2025 marks the end of my second full year as editor of Up & Coming Weekly. It has been an interesting year in Fayetteville and Cumberland County. We saw a lot of change... and a lot of things stayed the same.
One thing that hasn't changed: if you say Fayetteville has nothing to do, you just aren't looking hard enough. UCW has covered events new to the area in 2025 and events that have been around for a while. We've covered a few of the goings on at Fort Bragg, and celebrated our amazing local colleges and universities as they continue to grow and change.
This year, UCW created one of the largest election guides in Cumberland County, giving candidates the opportunity to talk about their positions. We also celebrated our 28th annual Best of Fayetteville. We created the official guide to the Dogwood Festival, and commemorated Dan Nelson's wonderful artwork associated with the event.
We won awards this year, with Anna White scoring a nod as a Green Eyeshade third place winner in the Lifestyle Reporting category.
Troy Williams was welcomed back as a regular columnist for the paper, and has joined Pitt Dickey's and Margaret Dickson's voices for the community.
Several articles and opinion pieces this year covered the events surrounding the Crown Event Center in downtown. From the ground breaking, the halting of construction, the ultimate closing down of the project, and a lawsuit, this is one story that won't be left behind in 2025. The Crown Coliseum will see a facelift in the coming years, and the location of the Crown Event Center downtown still exists in limbo.
2025 saw the inclusion of Government Watch, a Greater Fayetteville Chamber sponsored column with writer Jami McLaughlin reporting on Cumberland County and City of Fayetteville governmental meetings.
Speaking of the Chamber, UCW celebrated the Chamber's 1,000 member in our April 2 edition. Publisher Bill Bowman wrote in his Publisher's Pen: "You can't keep a good man down. Or a
great organization!"
"This achievement marks a new era of growth and momentum for the Chamber. It continues to grow and is the leading advocate for businesses and organizations in Fayetteville and the surround municipalities," he wrote.
Continuing in the vein of government and politics, Mayor Mitch Colvin announced in June he wouldn't be running for another term in office. We covered the story in our June 18 edition. Nine other candidates ended up filing for the position, each hoping to make their mark on the city. Colvin reversed course, however, throwing his hat back in the ring at, quite literally, the last possible moment. He ended up winning over other primary election winner, Kathy Keefe Jensen for his fifth term in office. ,
The city did see other changes, however. In our May 7 edition, Jamie Bishop talked about the Fayetteville Area System of Transit working on electric buses for the city, making public transportation more environmentally friendly.
Bishop also covered the county's White Flag Shelters in our Dec. 10 edition. Bishop spoke to Garry Crumpler, who oversees emergency management for the county.
"A White Flag night isn't just about cold weather," Crumpler said. "It's about the reality that some people in our county have nowhere else to go, and we refuse to let winter decide their fate."
Habitat for Humanity was showcased several times this year in UCW, another organization within our community that strives to help those who need it the most. In our Nov. 5 edition, Sheila D. Barker wrote about a local veteran who was on the receiving end of that help. Phyllis McCroskey, a longtime volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and a 12 year army veteran was the receipient of the 2025 Veteran's Build.
"The project focuses on much-needed repairs and improvements to Ms. McCroskey's home, including replacing rotted trim boards and fascia, upgrading electrcial fixtures, performing yard work, painting and repairin gher deck," Barker writes.
Veterans were a focal point of our March 12 edition. The article, written by Jamie Bishop, talks about the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Luncheon at VFW Post 670. The luncheon was part of a three day celebration to honor those who served in the Vietnam War. This event marked the 50th anniversary of combat troops withdrawing from Vietnam.
Amelia Smith, VFW Post 670 quartermaster and whose father served in Vietnam, said, "I can remember the bitterness my father sometimes expressed about the treatment that he and others in his community received upon their return from Vietnam. This event is so important to everyone at VFW Post 670 and me. It's about giving our Vietnam veterans the recognition they deserved all along."
Another veteran was the focus of a March 12 article I wrote. Private First Class Roland Leon Bragg was honored during a ceremony at Fort Liberty turned Bragg on March 7. Fort Bragg has been named "Bragg" since its inception in 1918. The original Bragg, Braxton Bragg, was a North Carolinian Confederate general. In 2023, Fort Bragg was renamed "Fort Libety," in an attempt to remove the honor of an Army post named after a traitor.
Enter PFC Roland Leon Bragg. The post was renamed in his honor, and his family couldn't have been more thrilled. Diane Watts, Roland Bragg’s daughter who was also at the ceremony, said, “They were looking for a man of good character, and they found my dad.”
Another big event happend on post. Army Community Service celebrated 60 years. In our July 16 edition, Jamie Bishop wrote about the festivities surrounding the milestone anniversary. ACS held a backpack giveaway, games, food and family friendly activities to DoD ID cardholders. Here's to 60 more years for the organization, who are dedicated to helping military families.
In our Aug. 13 edition, we celebrated an exciting event: the return of National Airborne Day at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. The event had taken a hiatus for a couple of years, but came back in full force. The Golden Knights held a parachute jumping demonstration, riggers from Fort Bragg showed attendees how to pack parachutes, and fuselages used for jump practice were brought for everyone to check out. The event was a celebration of all things airborne.
The morning started with a different celebration, however. The Liberty Tree, a large live Virginia Oak on the ASOM property, was honored with a historical marker plaque. In 1775, 55 men signed the Liberty Point Resolves and carried this important document, a precursor to the Declaration of Independence, to the Liberty Tree. They nailed the Resolves to the tree for all in Fayetteville to see.
In our Aug. 6 edition, we talked about yet another historic event in Fayetteville. On July 25, ground was broken on the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction.
“It will be the first and only museum in North Carolina that focuses on an important part of our history. Important and frankly overlooked at this point in time, and that's Reconstruction. It’s the story of our state putting itself back together after the Civil War,” said Pamela Brewington Cashwell, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The museum is slated to be open in 2028.
Fayetteville celebrated the return of Lafayette in our Feb. 26 edition. Anna White's article talked about the lasting legacy of the Revolutionary War hero and the imprint he left on the city. The Lafayette Society with the American Friends of Lafayette put on a spectacular three day festival surrounding the historic events of 1825.
Another spectacular event this year happened at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. The season opener of 9-5 the Musical brought down the house. UCW sponsored the show and profiled the production in our Sept. 3 edition written by Katie Herring. UCW's next sponsored production will be CFRT's High School Musical, coming in early 2026.
Cumberland Choral Arts graced. our cover this October with their concert Water Works. This inspired show was new artistic director Maj. Curtis Kinzey's first as director. The show featured songs that all had a water focused theme, and inspiration was taken from folk songs, pop songs and spirituals. The article was written by Emily Sussman.
CCA had several features throughout their season, but the Yuletide Feaste was a reader's favorite. Written by Sheila D. Barker for our Nov. 26 edition, this article highlighted one of the ways Fayetteville could ring in the holiday season.
UCW celebrated a different holiday this season: Burns Night. In our Jan. 15 edition, Sheila D. Barker wrote about this Scottish day.
"Burns Night, or Burns' Supper, is a celebration of the life and poetry of Robert Burns, a revered Scottish poet born on January 25, 1759. The tradition began on July 21, 1801, when Burns' friends gathered at his cottage in Ayrshire to commemorate the fifth anniversary of his death," Barker writes. The Cape Fear Scottish Clans, in an effort to preserve the history and traditions of the Scots who settled in the area, celebrate Burns Night every January.
The list of amazing articles from this season is lengthy, and I haven't been able to get to all of them. Anna White wrote an article in our Jan. 22 edition about Opioid Research happening at FSU in conjunction with the Department of Public Health; Katie Herring wrote about the Fayetteville Ukulele Club's weekly jams as talked about in a Sept. 17 article. Crissy Neville profiled ZZ Top in our March 5 edition. Adam Taylor brought the Cameo Collective to our attention in our Oct. 8 edition, and has been covering all of the goings on at the historic downtown theatre all year.
It has been a privilege and joy to bring such stories to the community, and we all hope to keep doing just that for many more years to come.
On behalf of the staff at Up & Coming Weekly, Happy New Year! Here's to 2026.

No pain, no problems: Arthroscopic surgery restores shoulder worn down by life

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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Written by Lia Tremblaya

At 74, Joyce Bryant has a lot to be proud of: a loving family, a happy retirement from a long career and a very independent spirit.
“Some people might say I’m too independent,” she said. “I try to do things on my own. Very rarely would I ask anyone for help, and I’ve got to be really down to where I just can’t do it alone.”
Before her retirement, Bryant was working at the front desk of a Fort Bragg medical clinic. She prided herself on being a team player.
“I liked being someone who got things done,” she said. “I would pitch in and do whatever anyone needed help with.”
But in 2017, Bryant’s can-do attitude was challenged by a nagging pain in her right shoulder. Over time, it went from a dull ache when lifting to a noticeable sting when reaching, to a distracting pain even at rest. She couldn't ignore it anymore.
“I just got to a point where I said, you know what, I’m going to make an appointment with Dr. Barnes,” Bryant said. “I knew we  needed to do something.”
Christopher Barnes, MD, is an orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon at Fayetteville Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. He specializes in shoulder surgery, including the repair of joint injuries that may stem from athletic
exertion—or merely from the wear and tear of life.
Dr. Barnes had helped Bryant with her knee issues in the past, so she knew whom to trust for her shoulder problem. He suspected a rotator cuff tear, which was confirmed by MRI.
“He said he recommended surgery,” Bryant said. “And I was like, OK, let’s go.”
Bryant was scheduled for an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder in place and help it move. It may be injured suddenly or gradually damaged by a lifetime of wear and tear. An arthroscopic surgery uses a small camera, inserted through a tiny incision, to help the surgeon see and repair the damage with minimal pain and scarring for the patient.
“He explained the procedure to me, how it would go and how long it would probably take,” Bryant said. “He didn’t rush me, and he answered all my questions. I appreciated that a lot.”
Bryant was in particularly good hands with Dr. Barnes, who was the first to offer arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at Cape Fear Valley when he arrived in 2003. He has performed more than 5,000 shoulder arthroscopies since then.
Though she was no stranger to surgery, Bryant said she was still nervous when the big day came.
“And I told them,” she said. “I said it a lot, because when I get scared or nervous, I talk a lot. But they helped me to feel better. They answered all my questions until I felt like I could do it.”
The next thing she knew, Bryant was waking up with a repaired shoulder and no complications. She went home to recover, with  lots of help from loved ones—three generations of them, from her husband to her grandchildren.
“I had excellent support at home with my family,” she said. “Especially my husband, Bernard. I call him my Uber because he’s always taking me somewhere.”
The next stop for Bryant and her Uber was a crucial step in full recovery: physical therapy. By helping to restore strength and range of motion in the joint, physical therapy is nearly as important to rotator cuff repair as the surgery itself.
“Physical therapy ain’t never easy,” Bryant said, laughing. “But they were so patient with me. They said, ‘Just try. That’s all we ask, is that you try.’”
To her relief, physical therapy did get easier as her shoulder healed. Soon, with no pain in her right shoulder, she was becoming more aware of a growing ache in her left shoulder. When Dr. Barnes recommended the same surgery on that side, Bryant didn’t hesitate. 
“I had the other shoulder done later that same year,” she said. “And they’re perfect. I have no pain, no problems. I can get around and do what I want to do.”

(Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Valley Health)