Now that the pollen is fi nally dissipating I have come to realize I have contracted one of the worse cases of spring fever ever.

Fayetteville is a great place to be especially in springtime. I love this town!

Last weekend, sunny skies and mild temperatures enhanced the uniqueness and beauty of this community. From entertainment to intrigue, you can always count on something exciting going on in Cumberland County.

From the recent murder conviction of Timothy Hennis to the annual April celebration of the Month of the Military Child, Fayetteville offers up a unique “quality of life” as diversifi ed as the population itself. Only the lazy and uninformed would say “there is nothing to do” in this community. Getting involved here is as easy as just showing up.

So pay attention and plan the next several weeks very carefully or you may find yourself missing out on some great local treasures and opportunities like the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, the Fayetteville Beautiful project, The Big Read, the Dogwood Festival, Cinco de Mayo, Carolina Wine & Jazz Festival, Swampdogs Baseball, Eastover’s Heritage Day, Wade’s Founders Day and of course, Spring Lake’s annual “Spring Fling.” Just to name a few.

Don’t even get me started on arts events in our community this spring. You can always count on 4th Friday, and this month both the Cape Fear Regional Theatre and the Gilbert Theater have great shows on stage. And, we can’t forget about our local colleges and the cultural arts they bring to the community, with plays on stage at both Fayetteville Technical Community College and Fayetteville State University.

Our galleries are also full with wonderful art from local, national and international artists. You don’t have to look too far to fi nd great art; it’s right here in your backyard.

In case you missed it, April is one of the busiest months in this community, so you might want to take a deep breath and jump in with both feet.

However, you need to do your homework to keep up with all of these options. Unlike other communities, we do not have the benefi t or advantage of a local television station. This is the one media outlet we desperately lack for consistent community communication to keep us updated on local news, views, issues and events that shape our communities personality and way of life.

Again, if you are new in the area, you are going to have to do your homework.

Read the daily newspaper, pick up your weekly issue of Up & Coming Weekly, contact the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the library or County Parks & Rec department. These are just few places to start your unique Fayetteville experience. The adventure can start as soon as today.

Enjoy! Thank you for reading.