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Give back to community on GivingTuesday with CCF

Contribute to a cause close to your heart this November by participating in GivingTuesday with the Cumberland Community Foundation, an organization that connects donors with numerous programs and nonprofits throughout Cumberland County.
CCF describes their mission as “giving together to enhance the quality and spirit of community life.” Through donor contributions, they pour funding into causes that address the most pressing challenges and needs across Cumberland County. Just a few of the categories that CCF supports include education, human services, the arts and the environment.
The global GivingTuesday movement began in 2012 through the efforts of CEO Henry Timms of the 92nd Street Y — a community center in New York City — and the United Nations Foundation. Its core concept is radical generosity: making generosity an everyday part of our lives and extending empathy and aid to others to better their lives. This day is celebrated annually on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
CCF began their own GivingTuesday program in 2020 after recognizing there was a need for general operational support for local nonprofits. This unrestricted support allows nonprofits to put the funds toward the best areas they see fit that will help them in achieving their mission.
“The community foundation noticed that our local nonprofits were not running fundraising campaigns on the global day of giving, which is GivingTuesday,” said Maddie Kellogg, Director of Donor Services. “Now this year in 2026, we’re running our seventh annual GivingTuesday campaign, and it’s been a huge success; the community has really embraced the idea.”
CCF opens up to GivingTuesday donations from Monday, Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. to Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 11:59 p.m. Contributions for GivingTuesday that are made before Nov. 23 will be held and processed once the campaign officially begins.
This year, 89 local organizations are participating in GivingTuesday. Anyone who wants to support can access CCF’s specially curated 2026 Guide to Giving at https://issuu.com/cvnc/docs/2026_2027_guide_to_giving?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw.
This handbook gives a detailed rundown of every organization’s purpose and mission so that donors can support the causes that matter most to them. It’s also an excellent way to discover nonprofits you may not have been previously aware of.
“I think we just wanted to showcase our awesome nonprofit community and show people the great work that’s being done,” Kellogg said of the handbook. “We have all ranges of nonprofits represented in the Guide to Giving, really hitting on every category.”
Donations can be made through credit card, check, donor-advised grant, stocks or qualified charitable distributions from an Individual Retirement Account . Checks can be dropped off at the CCF building on 308 Green Street or mailed to P.O. Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC 28302.
Get more details on ways to give at https://www.cumberlandcf.org/programs/giving-tuesday/.
Those who want to go the extra mile can also act as ambassadors by encouraging family, friends and co-workers to give to their favorite organizations, as well as reaching out to their chosen entities to volunteer directly with them. Through CCF’s educational training sessions, nonprofits gain valuable tools and learn best practices for fundraising and sharing their impact with donors to nurture and strengthen these connections. CCF also processes all gifts received to take that administrative work off of nonprofits’ plates and leave more time for them to focus on their missions.
“It’s just a really happy campaign that has inspired people to give to local nonprofits that improve the quality of life in Cumberland County in every way,” Kellogg said.
CCF’s participation in GivingTuesday brings their year-round charitable efforts even further through a match that currently sits at $550,000, which is made possible by both individual donors and companies. Matching funds for 2026 come from the following sources:
• Unrestricted endowment funds of CCF
• Three anonymous donors
• Elizabeth “Beth” Keeney
• Linda and Ralph Huff
• Daphne and Ray Manning
• Bunny and WC Powers
• Holmes Security Systems
• Gail and Glenn Riddle
• Carol and Sammy Short
• Fayetteville New Car Dealers Association
“A good handful of our matching donors have been matchers for several years,” Kellogg said. The Shorts, the Mannings and Ms. Keeney have all been matching funds since the beginning of CCF’s campaign.
Last year, CCF raised over $4 million and processed 4,417 gifts over the 9-day campaign. Some of the organizations this money benefited include the Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center, the Rick Herrema Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Moore Street Foundation.
“We’ve given to — through GivingTuesday — lots of different organizations. The Tarheel Quilters Guild is a small, volunteer-run nonprofit that really just needs to raise money for batting for their quilts so that they can donate baby quilts to babies in the NICU at Cape Fear Valley Hospital,” Kellogg said. “They’re making a great impact.”
In the past, these GivingTuesday gifts have also allowed the Cumberland County Council On Older Adults to secure an additional truck for Meals on Wheels, providing older adults in the community with nutritious meals.
The season of giving marks the perfect time to support the organizations that make Cumberland County a great place to live and work, but gifts don’t need to be limited to this campaign. CCF holds over 670 endowment funds that people can donate to in various ways, including through checks, stocks, wire transfers, real estate gifts and marketable securities. Outside of GivingTuesday, people are more than welcome to donate to their preferred endowment any time of the year.
“We can all be leaders in our own circle by giving and then encouraging others to give back as well,” Kellogg said.

(Photo: Bowman Smith was the first donor to stop by Cumberland Community Foundation on November 23, 2025 and drop off his GivingTuesday donations. Photo courtesy of CCF)

PWC celebrates Butler-Warner Plant, earns awards

Fayetteville PWC Celebrates 50 Years of the Butler-Warner Generation Plant
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Butler-Warner Generation Plant, recognizing five decades of reliable electric generation, innovation and service to Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
The Butler-Warner Generation Plant represents an important part of PWC's history and its commitment to long-term planning and reliable electric service. PWC is the only municipal utility in North Carolina that owns and operates its own electric generation plant, a distinction that reflects decades of investment and leadership in public power.
Construction of BWGP began in the mid-1970s, with the first two generating units entering service in 1976. By 1980, eight gas turbine units were capable of producing 200 megawatts of electricity.
In 1988, six of the generating units were converted to a combined-cycle steam system through the addition of three Heat Recovery Steam Generators, a steam turbine and other supporting systems. The improvements increased the plant's generating capacity to 265 megawatts while significantly improving efficiency.
The plant was officially dedicated in 1989 as the Butler-Warner Generation Plant, honoring former Commission Chairmen Robert H. Butler and James R. Warner for their visionary leadership.
Originally developed to help protect customers from rising peak power costs, BWGP continues to play an important role in supporting PWC's electric system and helping manage wholesale power costs. Today, the plant operates in partnership with Duke Energy Progress, generating additional revenue that helps offset power supply costs and provides value to PWC customers.
“Fifty years of operation is an extraordinary milestone, but what makes Butler-Warner special is how the plant has continued to evolve with the needs of the community and the electric industry,” said Timothy Bryant, P.E., CEO/General Manager of Fayetteville PWC. “From its original role supporting reliability and managing power costs to today’s investments in solar energy and battery storage, Butler-Warner represents PWC’s commitment to innovation, sound planning and delivering value to customers.”
The evolution of BWGP has continued with the addition of renewable energy and battery energy storage technologies. In 2019, PWC established North Carolina's first municipal Community Solar and Battery Storage Project adjacent to the plant. The project now includes 2 megawatts of battery storage, helping support lower peak demand costs while expanding PWC's renewable energy resources. Additional solar generation capacity at the site further demonstrates PWC's commitment to sustainability and preparing for the future of the electric utility industry.
BWGP remains an important component of PWC's electric system, which serves more than 86,000 electric customers throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Over the past five decades, PWC has continued investing in modern substations, advanced technology, automation, renewable energy and other system reliability improvements to meet the community's growing energy needs.
The plant has also earned national recognition, including being named to the "Plants to See" list by the World Energy Conference and the American Public Power Association.
"As we celebrate 50 years of Butler-Warner, we also celebrate the people whose expertise and dedication have kept this facility and our electric system moving forward," Bryant said. "Its legacy reminds us of the importance of planning for the future, and we will continue building on that legacy to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric service for generations to come."
Fayetteville PWC Earns Four 2026 Public Power Awards Of Excellence
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission has been recognized with four 2026 Public Power Awards of Excellence from ElectriCities of North Carolina, continuing a tradition of recognition dating back to 2015.
PWC received awards in four categories: Strengthen Public Power, Provide Superior Power, Customer-Centered Innovation, and People. The honors recognize PWC's continued commitment to reliable utility services, customer-focused solutions, employee development, and the public power model.
“These awards reflect the dedication of PWC employees and a commitment to serving customers and the community,” said Bryant.
“As a community-owned utility, PWC takes pride in delivering safe, reliable, and affordable utility services, finding innovative ways to meet customer needs, and investing in the employees who make that work possible. This recognition is an honor and reflects the dedication demonstrated across PWC every day.”
The four award categories highlight important areas of PWC's operations and commitment to public service:
• Strengthen Public Power: Supporting the value of community-owned utilities through leadership, partnerships, and community engagement.
• Provide Superior Power: Demonstrating a commitment to reliable electric service, operational excellence, and infrastructure improvements.
• Customer-Centered Innovation: Advancing programs, technologies, and solutions that enhance the customer experience.
• People: Recognizing the importance of employee development, workforce engagement, and a culture of service.
The 2026 recognition continues PWC's streak of receiving Public Power Awards of Excellence honors dating back to 2015, reflecting the utility's longstanding commitment to serving the Fayetteville community.
Time-Of-Use Winter Peak Hours Start In November
Winter Peak Hours for Fayetteville PWC electric customers began on Nov. 1. Peak electric hours from November through March are 6 a.m.-9 a.m., 7 days a week, when energy demand is the highest and costs the most. Shift as much electric use to Off-Peak hours for the highest savings. Off-Peak hours cost 35% less than On-Peak hours.
Here are a few tips for use during Peak times:
• Turn your thermostat down in cool weather.
• Wash and dry laundry and run your dishwasher during Off-Peak hours.
• Use cold water settings for laundry.
• Unplug electronics that aren’t in use.
• Consider purchasing “smart” appliances.
Visit our Customer Incentive Programs page for a complete list of programs and to find out how much money you can earn in bill credits!
Super Off-Peak Rate
Customers who signed up for the Whole Home/Super Off-Peak Rate will still have the Super Off-Peak time period from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Super Off-Peak Rates are optional and may help homeowners save money by scheduling high energy consumption tasks for late hours, such as charging an electrical vehicle.
PWC is a community-owned utility providing electric, water, and wastewater services to customers in Fayetteville and the surrounding area. Through continued investments in infrastructure, innovation, and its workforce, PWC remains focused on delivering safe, reliable, and affordable utility services.

(Photo courtesy of PWC)

New to the Neighborhood: October 2026

CHUY’S
570 Croos Creek Mall
910-637-9663
https://tinyurl.com/4zz57se2
Chuy's took over the space previously occupied by Bahama Breeze. A vibrant Tex-Mex restaurant, Chuy's makes its authentic dishes fresh daily. They are famous for their Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom enchiladas with hand-made tortillas and signature creamy jalapeño dip. Experience their delicious meals inspired by family recipes from South Texas, New Mexico, and Mexican border towns with eat-in, curbside pickup and delivery options.

SANDER SUSHI
5050 Butner Rd, Fort Bragg
www.sandarsushi.com
Sandar Sushi is a new addition to the North Post Exchange on Fort Bragg as of August 2026. Known for their authentic Japanese cuisine, featuring chef-rolled daily with only the ingredients of the highest quality. The founder, Htun, is an Army veteran and has an understanding of what military life on an installation demands. He built his restaurant to give military personnel the option to get fresh and satisfying food on a daily basis with a menu that includes poke bowls, rice bowls, dumplings, bao, and ramen.

SEVEN5 DINER
3612 Ramsey Street
910-229-3834
The team behind Seven5 Fay, Tanari and Takari Smith, have opened a new spot-Seven5 Diner. The venue offers a diverse menu of classic comfort food, American diner favorites, breakfast options, and Southern specialties. Meant to cater heavily to the late-night crowd, they have extended late-night into the early morning hours.

PACHA CAFE
444 W. Russell Rd
910-676-2822
www.pachanc.com
This downtown cafe is an intimate, family-run spot that originally began as a pop-up featuring the mother-daughter duo of Micaela and Greta Romero. The cafe offers a cozy place to gather and enjoy sweet treats, artisan baked goods, and specialty drinks.

NY BAGEL BROTHERS
5540 Yadkin Rd
streetfoodfinder.com
Offering authentic New York-style breakfast and lunch staples, their menu features authentic NY-style bagels, homemade cream cheeses and spreads, breakfast sandwiches, lunch subs, deli sandwiches and New York bakery staples like black-and-white cookies.

PUBLIX SUPER MARKET
Rockfish Village, 7483 Rockfish Rd
910-912-2926
www.publix.com
A new Publix opened in Rockfish Village on Oct. 21. Spanning approximately 48,387 square feet, this new supermarket will serve southern Cumberland County and Hope Mills and is also the anchor to the new Rockfish Village shopping center. It features an in-store pharmacy, full-service deli, bakery, and meat and seafood department. Customers can shop in-store or opt for grocery delivery, online ordering and curbside pickup options.

HADRAMAWT RESTAURANT
115 Rosemary St
910-263-8555
www.hadramawtgrill.com
Hadramawt specializes in authentic Middle Eastern and traditional Yemeni cuisine. The dining room includes traditional floor seating along the walls as a nod to authentic Yemeni dining customs. Their menu features signature dishes like slow-roast haneeth (spiced lamb), and saltah (meat and vegetable stew), as well as traditional Yemeni coffee and desserts.

THE SEVENTH ROOM
7976 Raeford Rd
910-748-0077
https://tinyurl.com/3mzu3tjm
The Seventh Room is a modern lounge and social space focusing on a contemporary nightlife and lounge atmosphere. Its stylish interior, curated music and social environment are the perfect place to gather friends and enjoy an evening or weekend outing.

Keep an eye out for....


THE FLOWER BAR
719 Starling Street
A new venue is on the horizon from the owner of The Downtown Market of Fayetteville. Many of the classes and events that have been at the Downtown Market will now transition to The Flower Bar. Along with using it as a workshop and craft space, there is mention of also including a speakeasy space. Be sure to follow The Downtown Market of Fayetteville on Facebook for updates on the opening of this new space at https://www.facebook.com/dtmfaync.

SPINNERS
2805 Raeford Rd
910-484-6335
After closing in 2017, the beloved local pizza place Spinners Pizza is making a comeback. Former employee Heather Jadwick is bringing back the restaurant that she worked at for 12 years. Menu items are said to be much of what was available at the original Spinners, including taco pizza, monkey bread and house-made ranch. Original owners, Spero and Helen Poulos, will be on site helping Heather bring Spinners back to the community. Stay tuned for the official opening date.

SAVERS THRIFT STORE
1736 Skibo Rd
A Savers Thrift Store is coming to the old Toys "R" Us location near the Cross Creek Mall. The location is set to offer a designated donation area, second-hand clothing, home decor, books, and more. Savers is a national thrift retailer offering opportunities to donate reusable goods and bargain shopping with a new inventory with each visit. The official opening date has not yet been announced.

Dining Guide: Winter Comfort Food

Evenings are turning cool and sweater weather is here. Comfort food is calling! A plate of something warm, comforting, and nostalgic hits the spot as October gives way to November. Here is a roundup of restaurants serving up hearty meals, familiar flavors and seasonal indulgences.

KINLAW'S WELCOME GRILL
1816 Sapona Rd
910-483-9425
Kinlaw's is the go-to destination for homestyle plates once the weather turns cool. Their hearty lunch and breakfast options feature traditional Southern comfort food staples like fried chicken and slow-cooked ribs. Their generous portions will satisfy the most hearty of appetites. Their casual, unpretentious roadhouse atmosphere matches their authentic down-home flavors.

READY AND HOT SPOT FOOD SPOT #3
1431 Ramsey St
910-920-1049
This venue specializes in quick and deeply satisfying homestyle hot meals that will bring warmth to your day. They offer a rotating selection of ready-to-go hot homestyle meat and vegetable dishes. Perfect for grabbing a comforting, substantial meal in the middle of the day.

BEES & BOARDS RESTAURANT
225 Green St
910-263-8754
Bees & Boards gives an artisan touch to comfort food, including charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and cafe fare. Their carefully curated menu is as inviting as their downtown location. This is the perfect place to pair a meet-up, a meal and a specialty drink.

SOUTHERN COALS
3319 C Raeford Rd
910-745-7675
www.southerncoals.com
Southern Coals is all about slow-cooked comfort, offering hearty meats like smoked brisket, pork chops, and roast beef. End your meal with a nostalgic dessert like banana pudding. Their unique spin on Southern-infused comfort food with flavorful, hearty dishes will surely hit the spot for those looking for a homestyle meal. Their cozy and welcoming ambiance makes it a great winter meal destination.

MARYBILL'S CAFE (Best of Fayetteville 2026 Winner)
801 Elm St
901-221-1170
A beloved local staple, MaryBill's Cafe offers a comforting line up of classic Southern breakfast and hearty lunch options. Their signature S.O.S., homemade ground beef and sausage gravy served over a biscuit or toast, is the epitome of comfort food. Midday fare includes melts, hoagies, soups and more. Relax in a neighborhood diner vibe as you fill up on a warm meal while temperatures drop.

MELVIN'S AT RIVERSIDE
1130 Person St
910-339-3059
www.melvins-atriverside.com
Located on the east side of the Cape Fear River, Melvin's is popular for their comfort food, authentic Southern soul food, barbecue, and seafood. They offer up large, satisfying, and warm portions that fit the bill for those looking for regional comfort food. Crowd favorites include fried catfish, shrimp and grits, and sides like mac and cheese and collard greens.

FLAVORS RESTAURANT & BAR
500 N Reilly Rd, Suite 128
910-568-5719
www.flavorsbarandgrill.com
Flavors is the place to go if you are looking for rich, slow-simmered comfort food. Their soul-warming plates and generous portions make them a local favorite. Signature meals include slow-simmered oxtails and crispy fried pork chops. Pair that with classic sides like seasoned greens or mac and cheese.

Liberty Basketball searches for habits that build a pro

The gym will not care about a player’s highlight reel.
On Saturday, Nov. 21, every possession will become evidence. A sprint back on defense, an extra pass, a missed rotation, or the response to a bad play may reveal more than a spectacular dunk. For the athletes pursuing a place with Fayetteville Liberty Professional Basketball, the smallest decisions could determine who receives a larger opportunity.
The Liberty will hold its 2027 season tryout at 1 p.m. at Fayetteville Academy, 3200 Cliffdale Road. Players should arrive by 12:15 p.m. for check-in. Registration costs $75, is open to players age 16 and older, and must be completed by Nov. 14.
The numbers make the stakes clear. The organization expects to invite approximately 18 players to training camp, then reduce that group to a final 12-player roster. Team Market Owner Robert L. Edwards Jr. said the Liberty anticipates selecting about six to eight players from the November tryout for camp.
That means the day is not a ceremonial open call. It is a genuine, narrow doorway into professional basketball.
“We are looking for effort, skill and basketball IQ,” Edwards said. “Talent matters, but we pay close attention to whether a player competes throughout every drill, runs the floor, gets back on defense and continues working after making a mistake.”
Mistakes are inevitable in a tryout. What interests the evaluators is what happens next. Does a player sulk after missing a shot, or does he recover in time to stop a transition basket? Can he recognize the problem and adjust without requiring the same instruction repeatedly? The answers help distinguish an athlete who can produce a memorable moment from one a coaching staff can trust through an entire season.
For the Liberty, the tryout is also an early step toward refining what the team learned during its inaugural campaign. Fayetteville welcomed the franchise to Crown Arena in March, giving the city another professional team to claim and local players another basketball destination to pursue. The first season provided energy and possibility, but it also gave the organization a clearer view of what the next roster must become.
Edwards said the Liberty needs more size and more dependable shooting. A true big man could strengthen rebounding, rim protection and the team’s interior presence. Shooters must do more than make baskets in an empty gym; they must understand spacing, recognize when a shot belongs within the offense and convert open opportunities consistently.
The word Edwards returned to was “dependable.”
“Consistency, fundamentals and basketball IQ separate a professional prospect from a talented player,” he said.
Scoring will attract attention, but the staff will also study whether a player communicates on defense, moves without the ball, makes the correct pass, and understands positioning. Conditioning matters because fatigue strips away performance and exposes habits. The professional prospect is the athlete who can still make a sound decision when his legs are heavy and his shot is not falling.
The evaluation team will include Edwards, General Manager Tiras Ray, Head Coach George Stackhouse, and Assistant Coach Charles McCray. Players need only bring basketball shoes and arrive prepared to compete. Drills will measure skill, effort, conditioning, decision-making, basketball intelligence, and the ability to work with others.
That final quality is particularly important in Fayetteville, where potential players may arrive from college programs, military backgrounds, neighborhood gyms and cities beyond the region. The Liberty cannot build chemistry by pretending those experiences are the same. Edwards said the organization uses team-building activities away from basketball to help players learn one another, establish trust and communicate beyond practices and games.
The uniform also carries obligations beyond the baseline.
“Community involvement is a requirement for our players,” Edwards said.
The Liberty conducts several youth basketball camps, including free and paid programs, and takes part in approximately one or two community events each month. Players are expected to attend and engage with the people who support the franchise. For Edwards, representing the Liberty is not a part-time identity reserved for game nights.
That standard gives the tryout a second layer. The staff is selecting basketball players, but it is also choosing the people children will watch, families will meet and Fayetteville will recognize as representatives of its professional team.
After the final drill, there will be no immediate promise for most participants. The staff will review its evaluations and contact the selected players with training-camp invitations and instructions for what comes next. Registration does not guarantee a contract, a camp invitation, or a roster position. It guarantees only an honest look.
For some, that will be enough to change the direction of a career.
Professional basketball dreams often begin with noise, a cheering crowd, a buzzer, or the bounce of a ball in an otherwise quiet gym. On Nov. 21, the Liberty will listen for something beneath that noise: the habits that remain after the highlight is over.

(Photos courtesy of Fayetteville Liberty's Facebook page)

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