Cumberland County Superior Court Senior Resident Judge Jim Ammons can oversee a courtroom with respect and dignity for all. He even has, in some instances, a light-hearted perspective. He’s fair, and he rules by the law. His honor has sworn in his share of city police officers, too, and reminded many of that on Feb. 3 at the swearing-in at City Hall of Kemberle Braden as the city’s 25th police chief. “It is truly an honor to do this, and a lot of you in this room have taken a similar oath to the one that Kem’s getting ready to take,” Ammons said. “I ask you to think back about the first time you took that oath and rededicate yourself to that oath that you took just as Kem is going to do this today.” The judge just always makes it special, with that touch of dignity, that touch of good humor and that Jim Ammons touch of class.
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“Our father and our God, we thank you for Chief Braden. And now we ask that you cover him with your blood,” Fayetteville Police Department Chaplain Georgia M. Walker closed with a prayer at Kemberle Braden’s swearing-in. “We pray that you place your hand upon his badge that rests above his heart and give him the courage, the wisdom, the knowledge and the intelligence to carry out the duties of his office. We give your name the praise, the honor and the glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.” Call it a poignant benediction.
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“We are very excited to announce this year’s national headliners, returning traditions, anchored attractions and other special features of the festival,” Sarahgrace Snipes Mitchell, executive director, says in a news release about the 41st annual Fayetteville Dogwood Festival that will be previewed at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Aevex Veterans Club at Segra Stadium. The festival is scheduled for April 28-30 at Festival Plaza Park and throughout downtown.
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“Thanks for the article in CityView,” George Turner writes about our Feb. 1 mention of Dismas Charities, the transition facility for federal inmates that is planned for Cain Road, and where workers are grading the landscape and have felled the old trees that once backed up to the Scotty Hills neighborhood on Shamrock Drive. “I wish that we had a way for all Fayetteville citizens to know what is coming and how they will be affected. Even now, very few have any knowledge of what this is.” For those who don’t quite know, Mr. Turner, it’s just what it is: A transition facility for federal inmates hoping to get back on track with their lives. But you don’t build such a facility in the backyard of a residential neighborhood.
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For a downtown horse-and-buggy Valentine’s carriage ride Saturday sponsored by Cool Spring Street District, $75 seems a bit steep. The carriage rides are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 910-223-1089. This horse better be kin to Mister Ed, the talking horse owned by Wilbur of 1960s television fame. “A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse, of course,” the TV theme song goes. That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed. And if you call about a Valentine carriage ride and the horse pulling the carriage answers, give me a call. That’s a story to be told.
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With eight sold-out performances, “Matilda the Musical” has been extended through Feb. 26, according to Cape Fear Regional Theatre. If you haven’t attended a play at the theater, you are missing out. Call 910-323-4233.
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“When a kid says, ‘Daddy, I want Mommy,’ that’s the kid version of, ‘I’d like to speak to your supervisor,’” Don Talbot sends along in a witty quip that in most cases is rather accurate.
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“Bill, I just read your tribute story about everybody’s friend, Billy Packer,” Richard Zack Jr. of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, writes about our Feb. 5 column on the college basketball analyst who died at age 82 on Jan. 26. “You wrote it from the heart and delivered it with great professionalism. I enjoyed the story very much.”
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“We celebrated last night with a couple of adult beverages,” Don Talbot sends along in another witty quip. “Metamucil and Ensure.”
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Because of the COVID-19 health pandemic, blood donations have dropped to historic levels in the community, Traci Cardenas of the Cumberland County Public Library says in a news release. The library, according to the release, will hold a blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon on Valentine’s Day at 300 Maiden Lane to support Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center. If you plan to give blood, bring a photo identification. Donors will receive a free T-shirt, one AMC movie ticket and candy while supplies last. Send email inquiries to tcardenas@cumberlandcountync.gov or call 910- 483-7727, Ext. 1347.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
