Local News

Helping with the winter blues: Shine a light on vitamin D

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Staff Report

Many vitamins are important for personal health, but come the wintertime, vitamin D may dominate the headlines. That's because hours of sunlight dwindle in the winter, which can lower levels of vitamin D in the body.
Vitamin D is sometimes referred to as the "sunshine vitamin" because of its ties to the sun. The Cleveland Clinic says sun exposure on the skin is one way for people to get vitamin D. However, people with darker skin or those in certain geographical locations that do not get enough sunlight may not get sufficient vitamin D. Supplementation with foods that contain vitamin D or through pills may be necessary.
Vitamin D helps maintain a balance of calcium in the body and facilitates the building and maintaining of strong bones. The Mayo Clinic says low vitamin D levels have been tied to cancer, cognitive decline, multiple sclerosis, rickets, and psoriasis. But how much vitamin D does a person need? The recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 400 international units for children up to age 12 months, 600 IU for those ages one to 70 years old, and 800 IU for people over 70 years of age. However, some doctors recommend people take higher amounts. The Endocrine Society, for example, suggests higher daily doses of 1,500 to 2,000 IU may be needed for some adults.
Although vitamin D deficiency may compromise health, it's important to note that going too far in the other direction also is unhealthy. Harvard Health advises against taking more than 4,000 IU per day, which is considered the safe upper limit. High doses of vitamin D can cause too much calcium to form in the blood, a condition called hypercalcemia. This raises the risk of fatal heart conditions. Increasing vitamin D intake also increases the risk for kidney stones, so the pros and cons must be weighed. Symptoms of too much vitamin D can include vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, increased thirst, and frequent urination.
Getting vitamin D naturally through sunlight and food sources is preferable to supplements. Fatty fish, mushrooms, liver, shrimp, and oysters are some foods that are excellent sources of vitamin D. UCLA Health says eight to 10 minutes of sun exposure at noon produces the recommended amount of vitamin D. However, in the winter when only 10 percent of the body is exposed, nearly two hours of sun exposure at noon is needed to produce a sufficient amount of vitamin D. Geographic regions may produce different rates of exposure needed to ensure sufficient vitamin D production.
Vitamin D is necessary for health, but many people are not getting enough. Increasing exposure to the sun, eating the right foods and supplementation when needed can improve vitamin D levels.

Simulation, Game Development and Digital Media at FTCC

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Tori Quismundo

At Fayetteville Technical Community College, creativity and technology converge under the Computer Information Technology Department, where the Simulation & Game Development and Digital Media programs are redefining what it means to prepare students for the modern digital world. Both programs empower students to transform imagination into interactive experiences and visual storytelling. Students learn to blend technical precision with artistic innovation. Together, these departments serve as a hub for aspiring creators, programmers, and designers eager to shape the future of entertainment, education, and digital communication.
The Simulation & Game Development program provides hands-on experience in designing and programming interactive 2D and 3D environments, from video games to virtual training simulations. Students learn industry-relevant tools and techniques in areas such as game design, 3D modeling, level development, motion graphics, and artificial intelligence. By combining creativity with critical thinking, the program prepares graduates for a variety of careers—not just in gaming, but in fields such as defense, education, healthcare, and corporate simulation. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that FTCC students are ready to meet the growing demand for immersive and interactive digital experiences.
Meanwhile, the Digital Media program focuses on the art and technology of visual communication. Students master digital video production, user interface, animation, figma, and multimedia storytelling, using industry-standard software to bring their ideas to life. Through collaborative projects and real-world assignments, they learn to communicate effectively through visuals, sound, and motion—skills that are increasingly vital in marketing, entertainment, and online content creation. The program encourages students to merge artistic expression with technical proficiency, preparing them to thrive in a fast-paced and media-rich professional landscape.
The excellence of FTCC’s Simulation & Game Development and Digital Media students has also been recognized at both state and national levels. Most recently, FTCC students earned third place in a national competition for game development, showcasing their talent and innovation on a major stage for SKILLS in Atlanta, GA. In addition, they achieved impressive placements in animation, video editing, and audio editing categories at state competitions, demonstrating the department’s comprehensive strength across multiple digital disciplines. These achievements highlight not only the skill and dedication of FTCC students but also the strong mentorship and collaborative learning environment fostered by the department.
Students from both areas often collaborate on projects, combining animation, coding, and design to produce professional-quality digital content. This synergy fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity—key competencies for success in today’s digital industries. As technology continues to evolve, FTCC’s Simulation & Game Development and Digital Media departments stand at the forefront, shaping the next generation of digital storytellers and interactive creators.
Are you ready to learn more?
Please contact Torie Quismundo, department chair, at FTCC. Spring classes begin in January, and registration is now open. The start of a new year is a great time to explore something new. Quismundo’s office is located in the Advanced Technology Center, Room 220-D, 2300 Hull Rd., Fayetteville. Call 910-678-8331or email Quismundo at quismunt@faytechcc.edu.

Health & Wellness: Faith, love, healing: Husband and wife’s journey through cancer

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Lia Tremblaya

Karen and Andre Wynn never expected to hear the word cancer and especially not at the same time in their lives. Being diagnosed a month apart, the married couple allowed their faith, love and the care they received at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment & CyberKnife Center to carry them through their darkest days.
Their journey began with Karen’s routine yearly mammogram at Valley Regional Imaging. Because her mother had breast cancer, she made sure never to miss her screenings. This visit would be different; her doctor would call with difficult news.
“I was at work when she called,” Karen said. “She told me, ‘I hate to say this over the phone, but it’s breast cancer.’ Words can’t explain how I felt at that moment.”
Doctors found Karen’s cancer on the outside of her milk duct, which is the tube that carries milk to the nipple. The doctors decided to do a lumpectomy, a surgery to remove the cancer, and another surgery to take out lymph nodes under her right arm to make sure it hadn’t spread. Thankfully, it hadn’t.
Following the procedures, Karen began radiation treatments and started medicine to keep the cancer from coming back.
“Everyone at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center was wonderful,” she said. “They played the music I wanted during treatments and made me feel at ease. Now, follow-up mammograms show the cancer is gone, and I only go back once a year.”
While Karen was fighting her battle, Andre began his own. He noticed a growth in his neck that quickly became prominent. After an Ear, Nose and Throat evaluation and biopsy, he was diagnosed with stage-two throat cancer, which was located at the back of his tongue.
“The first day I stepped into the cancer center and saw the sign, that’s when reality really hit me,” Andre said. “But everyone there made me feel so loved and cared for.”
Andre began radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Halfway through, he lost his voice — a painful loss for a minister who loves preaching and singing. He also developed severe burns on his neck from radiation, with open sores that nearly exposed bone. His weight dropped from 250 to 170 pounds, and he eventually needed a feeding tube because he could no longer swallow.
“There were days I couldn’t walk or bathe myself. My wife took care of me through it all,” he said. “But honestly, watching her go through cancer, too, was the hardest part.”
Karen agreed. “My journey was hard, but seeing his burns, weight loss and pain was heartbreaking.”
Despite their challenges, they supported each other every step of the way, and the couple is grateful for all their doctors, including radiation oncologist, Dr. Sunjay Barton.
“He was amazing,” Karen said. “I also had Dr. Kenneth Manning for chemo, and Andre had Dr. Sajjad Malick. Both were wonderful. Whenever we needed anything, they were there for us. Dr. Barton always kept it real. He told us, ‘You can beat this.’”
Both Karen and Andre were touched by the kindness of volunteers and staff. “People offered us blankets and drinks, always checking on us,” Karen said. “When Andre had chemo on Mondays, I never worked those days so I could sit in the lobby and wait for him.”
The couple has lost many loved ones to cancer over the past year, making them even more grateful for each other and the care they received at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment & CyberKnife Center.
“Early detection saved my life,” Karen said. “Many people skip their yearly screenings, especially in the Black community, but you have to go,” she insisted. “God is a healer, but we have to do our part, too.”
Andre added, “We men hesitate to go to the doctor, but if something feels different, get it checked out. It could save your life.”
Looking back, Andre says Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center gave them truth and hope.
“They treated us like family,” he shared. “They told us cancer is not a death sentence. Look at us now. We’re here!”
Their journey changed how they see life.
“We slow down and appreciate everything,” Andre said. “The flowers, the colors – it all feels more vibrant now.”
Karen nodded. “We spend more time with family. You never know when it’s your last day.”
Above all, Andre wants others to know:
“Cancer is not the end. You have to fight, believe you’re healed and trust the treatments. There’s a testimony on the other side.”

(Photo courtesy of Cape Fear Valley Health)

Keep moving forward with Wreaths Across America

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Tuesday, 18 November 2025

Written by Tara Kamiya

“Keep Moving Forward” will be more than a slogan in Cumberland County this Christmas season. It will be a promise laid gently on thousands of veterans’ headstones.
Wreaths Across America, a national nonprofit organization, coordinates an annual effort in which volunteers place live evergreen wreaths on veterans’ graves each December. A tradition that began in the early 1990s as one small act of gratitude at Arlington National Cemetery has grown into a year-round mission to remember the fallen and honor those who serve.
This tradition reminds future generations of the value of freedom. Each wreath is laid by hand, and each veteran’s name is spoken aloud in a moment of personal remembrance.
For 2025, Wreaths Across America has announced its new national theme: “Keep Moving Forward.” Those three words were the final command of Capt. Joshua Byers, US Army, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2003 when an improvised explosive device struck his Humvee. As smoke filled the air and chaos unfolded, Capt. Byers urged his driver to keep moving forward. That command saved other soldiers’ lives and later became a rallying cry for his unit, his family and now for volunteers across the country.
The theme also connects to an idea Wreaths Across America highlighted in 2024: the “ten bouquets” that make up a veteran’s wreath. Written as a poem by the organization’s founder for Gold Star parents Mary and Lloyd Byers, the ten bouquets represent qualities such as courage, character, loyalty and sacrifice. Together, they form a living symbol of what our service members stand for and why their stories should never be forgotten. The 2025 theme invites communities to carry that spirit into their daily lives and to keep moving forward with purpose.
Here in our area, the mission comes to life in a very visible way at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake and at the Main Post Cemetery on Fort Bragg. Several local Wreaths Across America groups support these efforts in and around Fayetteville, but the primary Sandhills campaign is led by local coordinator Ann Provencher. Each year, she and her volunteers set a clear goal: to place a wreath on every single grave at Sandhills and at the Main Post Cemetery so that no veteran is left out.
That goal is both inspiring and challenging. Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery alone is the final resting place for thousands of men and women who served. So far for the 2025 season, 3,790 wreaths have been sponsored for Sandhills, which represents 42.1 percent of the total goal.
To cover every grave, the community still needs 5,210 more wreaths. Each wreath sponsored moves the cemetery one step closer to complete coverage and ensures another veteran’s name will be spoken aloud on Wreaths Across America Day.
National Wreaths Across America Day will be observed this year on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. At Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, the ceremony will begin at noon, with wreath placement taking place immediately afterward. The event is free and open to the public.
Families, veterans, civic groups, churches, and individual citizens are all invited to attend.
Volunteers typically gather for a brief program honoring service and sacrifice, then spread out across the cemetery with boxes of wreaths, quietly working their way down each row of headstones.
What sets this ceremony apart is the simple ritual that accompanies the wreath placement. Volunteers are encouraged to pause at each grave, place the wreath, read the name engraved on the stone, and say it out loud.
That short act turns the gesture from a decoration into a personal tribute. For family members who may be present, hearing a loved one’s name spoken by a stranger can be deeply moving. For those without family nearby, it is a promise that their service still matters to the community they once defended.
Although the wreath laying happens in December, the work to make it possible begins months in advance. Wreaths can be sponsored now, and early sponsorships are vital to ensure there are enough wreaths available to cover both Sandhills and the Main Post Cemetery when the big day arrives. Community members can also volunteer to help on the day of the ceremony. Assistance with outreach, promotion or help with organizing group efforts through schools, businesses, places of worship, or civic organizations.
One wreath represents one name spoken, one life recognized and one more step forward together in gratitude.
To sponsor a wreath, visit https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/16700/Overview/?relatedId=0