Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin speaks for all of us in reaching out to those residents in the N.C. mountain towns and communities who have been ravaged by Hurricane Helene. “Like many in our community, our hearts and thoughts are with our neighbors in western North Carolina as they face the loss and grief brought on by this devastating hurricane,” the mayor writes in a news release. “This is a pain we understand deeply, heightening our collective need to respond. Each video, image and heartbreaking story reminds us that today we are not just Fayetteville; we are all North Carolinians. One of our greatest strengths as a state is coming together in times of crisis. The Fayetteville Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team is on the ground in western North Carolina, assisting with recovery efforts, and we will support our neighbors until they’re back on their feet. Our city is ready to help, whether that means sending resources or providing temporary shelter for those who have lost so much. In the coming days, let’s keep our neighbors in our thoughts and actions. There are many ways we can help, both individually and collectively. First, check in on family and friends who have been affected. Second, consider supporting organizations like the American Red Cross, which is actively assisting those in need. You can also donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at nc.gov/donate Together, we can make a difference.” Well said, Mr. Mayor.
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James Long Jr. is wasting no time becoming acclimated to his role as executive director of the Fayetteville Dogwood Fayetteville, this city’s signature event that unfolds each spring. “The first thing I plan to do is to get up to speed on all of the moving parts and pieces that make up the Dogwood Festival,” says the 57-year-old Long, who began working Tuesday. “Along with that, I am trying to meet and get acquainted with as many people as possible that make the Dogwood Festival successful.” Long was hired by the festival’s board of directors to include Andrew Porter, chairperson; Felita Gilliam, vice chairperson; Alice Dodd, secretary; Tara Long, Jackie Tuckey, Randy Scott; Darrell Purcell, Teresa Bailey, Jesse Baker, Kurin Keyes, Isabella Deprietro, Russell Hein, Curtis Jordan, Cameron Carlotti, Johanna Brumm, Simone Johnson and Sarahgrace Mitchell, who is a past executive director for the festival.
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Even if you have secured a ticket for a Donald Trump town hall scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the 5,000-seat Crown Complex Arena, you might want to arrive early. Doors open for first come, first served at 4 p.m., according to a news release, but once the arena has reached seating capacity, you could find yourself locked out.
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“Over the year that we’ve had a contract with this technology, our neighborhoods have found great improvements when detecting shots fired,” Fayetteville City Council Member D.J. Haire says about ShotSpotter that identifies gunshots in critical crime areas throughout the city, and the District 4 council member is right. The council recently renewed the contract for another year.
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Fayetteville native Joel L. Fleishman is being remembered as a scholar of philanthropy and founding director of the public policy program at Duke University, as well as legal adviser to the late Gov. Terry Sanford of Fayetteville. “He was a brilliant man,” says Michael Fleishman, a Fayetteville businessman and distant cousin. “I remember when he would be our cantor for Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah for the ‘High Holidays’ at the [Beth Israel Congregation Community] synagogue. He was a wine aficionado and a poet. He always had a smile on his face.” Mr. Fleishman died at age 90 on Sept. 30.
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If you are a fan of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre that’s coming off a stellar presentation of Footloose The Musical, where actor Charlie Turner delighted audiences with his comedic talent, he’s back for Puffs, another comedy scheduled to kick off Oct. 31-Nov. 17 at the old Bordeaux Inn Convention Center — now The Good Homes Bordeaux — at 1707 Owen Drive. The cast includes familiar CFRT stage performers Marc de la Concha, Matthew Jackson, Amber Dawn French and Emir Garcia. Owen Drive is the temporary site for theater productions as CFRT begins its $20 million expansion of the theater on Haymount Hill.
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Let’s face it, when the heavy rain comes, there’s always an issue along Ray Avenue and Maiden Lane by the downtown library and Festival Park. We’re doing something about that problem and construction is underway as part of a $2.96 million stormwater project, according to a news release, to include 300 new feet of 42-inch stormwater pipe and 450 feet of 12-inch water supply piping along Ray Avenue between Maiden Lane and Cross Creek. An additional 400 feet of a 24-inch stormwater pipe will be installed along Maiden Lane from Ray Avenue to just beyond Burgess Street. A portion of Ray Avenue and Maiden Lane is temporarily closed. The construction work, according to the release, is scheduled for completion in February.
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“The International Folk Festival celebrates the richness of the diverse cultural roots of our community by showcasing their cultures and traditions and to remind us that we are stronger when we work together in community,” Bob Pinson, president and chief executive office of the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County, says about the 46th annual festival held September 28-29 in downtown Fayetteville. “The initial adverse weather provided countless examples of people helping each other out as many struggled to set up their equipment in the rain. Part of the Arts Council’s mission is to be an economic driver in the community. This year’s festival accomplished that in so many areas from contracting with local businesses for festival supplies and materials, to hiring local and regional artists, to use of local hotels for visitors, vendors and artists to increased sales in shops in the downtown area and so much more.” An estimated 1,500 participants, Pinson says, celebrated Scotland, Ukraine, Hawaii, Greece, India, France, South Korea, Ghana, Guyana, Caribbean islands, China, Puerto Rico, Panama, Romania, Jamaica, Okinawa, Nigeria, Honduras, Belize, Philippines, Mexico, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Columbia and Arabic-speaking nations.
Next: Hurricane Helen’s wrath: “The devastation is catastrophic”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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