By Katie Crenshaw Ahh, the New Year… That lovely time of year where most of us unitedly make lofty goals of kicking our bad habits, getting into shape, losing weight and eating healthier food.  While research shows that most people will fail at keeping their resolutions… my Fayetteville friends, this year can be different! Why […]

By: James Johnson   When Methodist University’s Associate Dean of Students, Todd Harris and his wife Paulette, moved to Fayetteville in 2013, the decision was considered a compromise, as it was close to Harris’ hometown of Raleigh, while also being close to their former home of Washington D.C. Neither of them were aware when deciding […]

By Miriam Landru   This winter you should super size… and that’s not in the form of a certain fast-food chain’s former huge French fry and soft drink option. And while we all know that’s hearty comfort food perfect for eating in cold weather, what we want to suggest is instead filling your diet with […]

By Miriam Landru Raeford’s Stephen Pate is perhaps Fayetteville’s most sought-after Santa Claus. His past theatre experience and charming personality make him a popular choice for Kris Kringle. In this Q&A, he shares his life as Santa as well as some informational tidbits. Did you know that the idea of Saint Nicholas started in present […]

By Susan Guy & Martha Owen As flu season begins, the risk of area seniors being hospitalized increases significantly. However, according to a study conducted by nurses who primary work with seniors, almost half of all seniors hospitalizations (49 percent) can be avoided with proper prevention. The critical factor in reducing this spike in hospitalizations […]

By: Davis Puryear   Tax refund time is that one special time during the year, after suffering through the arduous task of paying taxes, where we as tax payers get to reverse the roles and have Uncle Sam send us money for a change.  A tax refund gives a great feeling of liberation and relief […]

By Diane Parfitt Pre-School  A Pop-Up Book of Nursery Rhymes: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up by Matthew Reinhart The classic telling of Mother Goose’s most treasured nursery rhymes with gorgeous pop-ups. Dr. Seuss Pops Up by Dr. Seuss             Seven of Dr. Seuss’s classic stories get treated to pop-ups to enhance these favorites. How Many Bugs […]

By: Grant Bennett As the class of 2016 reaches 2nd semester, closing moments of our high school careers begin to unravel. Moments with our friends, teachers and loved ones become more precious and dear to our hearts. Things such as homecoming, ball games and pep rallies have more significance to us, because not only do […]

By: Miriam Landru With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, the Kind Campaign has swept through the country with their school tours for elementary, middle and high school aged girls with a thoughtful lecture with activities catering to kindness. Founders Molly Thompson and Lauren Parsekian were friends attending film school at Pepperdine University in 2009 when […]

By: Melissa Brady & Megan Sell       November is National Diabetes Awareness Month at Better Health. Diabetes is non-prejudice and non-discriminatory of anyone, young or old. By raising awareness and offering services to assist and educate Cumberland County residents, we hope to help reduce the rates of diabetes and help all clients lead healthier lives. The […]

By: Ashlee Garrison Public education in North Carolina has been a hot topic of discussion and debate in the past couple of years. New academic standards have set the bar higher for our teachers and students (which is a good thing), yet funding has decreased and teachers have been leaving the field in droves due […]

By Katie Crenshaw The Kotsopoulous Family In the Kotsopoulos home, Christmas and Thanksgiving are celebrated Greek style. This means a large family gathering with a crazy amount of food. Connie Kotsopoulos said, “We make so much food you would think an army is showing up. It is truly a feast.” For both holidays, the entire […]

By Renarta Clanton Moyd Each month through the school system’s character recognition program, Amazing Acts of Character, schools are asked to nominate students who display character above and beyond expected behavior.    Two students were recently selected from individual school nominations for displaying ‘Amazing Acts of Character’ and will be recognized and honored during the […]

By Sharilyn Wells Women have a tough decision to make when they decide it’s time they want children: to stay home with them or send them to daycare while continuing her career.  I was faced with this question eight years ago. I decided on the latter. I didn’t want to give up my career in […]

By Melissa Goslin               Winter weather means steaming cups of cocoa and crackling fires. For kids, it also brings the hope of snow days spent sledding down driveways and snuggling under covers. The prospect of days spent indoors due to inclement weather stirs up a slightly different feeling in most parents—the dread of cabin […]

By Donna Foley   It is said that gingerbread originated in Europe in the medieval times. Crusaders returning from the Middle East, brought back the spicy, yet sweet bread to western civilization. However, the French argue that the bread was brought to their country by the Armenian monk-turned saint, Gregory of Nicopolis before the 10th […]

November 27 A Dickens Holiday Hay Street and downtown Fayetteville   Hay Street transforms into a scene out of a 19th century Christmas novel thanks to The Arts Council’s Dickens Holiday. A special feature this year will be “Annie’s Alehouse,” located behind The Arts Council building, it will harken back to the pub atmosphere during […]

By James Johnson Dee Hodges, owner of Fayetteville catering business, By Special Request, doesn’t like to discuss age. People like to make assumptions about people of a certain age and after 28 years of defying expectations by maintaining a small business entirely by herself in an unpredictable economy, Hodges has found that it is better […]

By James Johnson Hungry Fayetteville resident Teresa Dagat spent the first few minutes of her lunch break on Wednesday, sitting in a parked car contemplating one of life’s most persistent questions: Indian or Japanese?  Dagat said that her new job was located near the quaint Cliffdale Road adjacent shopping center, which served as home to […]

By Miriam Landru Charlotte pulls in the national tours of A-list superstars. Asheville has their indie folk scene. Up the road in Durham, there’s DPAC. We’ve got the Crown Complex and the various offerings there throughout the year. A special organization, the oldest arts focused non-profit in Cumberland County to be exact, Community Concerts, calls […]