Good morning. In our December “The Holiday Issue” magazine, we feature a military family with a unique and meaningful hobby that has spanned over a decade and is rooted in faith.
Lori Hawkins, a former master trainer for the Army Reserve Command, collects nativity sets from around the world. With her husband Leonard “Hawk” Hawkins, a retired colonel, they now have over 40 that they display during the holiday season. Read more in today’s lead story.
Welcome to CityView Today. In today’s newsletter, Senior Columnist Bill Kirby Jr. remembers the late former Gov. Jim Hunt. He passed away on December 18. Plus, bilingual columnist Claudia Zamora reflects—in English and in Spanish—on the meaning of the holiday season in her Latino household and shares a tamale recipe for the end of the year.
Thanks for reading,
Valeria Cloës
Magazine Editor & Lead Copy Editor
For This Military Family of Faith, a Nativity Collection Is More than a Seasonal Aside
A former master trainer for the Army Reserve Command and a retired colonel have collected over 40 nativity sets from around the world for over 10 years.
More from CityView
THE KIRBY FILE: Longest Serving State Governor Remembered from Raleigh to Cumberland County and Beyond
“Gov. Hunt was one of the finest men I ever knew,” former N.C. Rep. Billy Richardson of Cumberland County says about Jim Hunt, the late four-term governor, who died at age 88 on Thursday.
Column: Holidays, Rituals, and Recipes That Hold Us Together
Magazine columnist Claudia Zamora explores what the holiday season means in her Latino household and shares an end-of-year tamale recipe.
Columna: Fiestas, Rituales Y Recetas Que Nos Sostienen
Columnista bilingüe Claudia Zamora escribe sobre las fiestas en diciembre y comparte una receta de tamales para el fin de año.
Events
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
- Where: Cape Fear Regional Theatre, 1209 Hay St., Fayetteville
- When: 2 p.m. today
- What: Don’t miss the 34th annual production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, presented by Cape Fear Regional Theatre.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT THE GARDEN
- Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
- When: 5-9 p.m. today
- What: Step into an immersive, walk-through wonderland filled with thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling displays that will transport you into the heart of the season.
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
- Where: Arnette Park, 2165 Wilmington Highway, Fayetteville
- When: 6-9 p.m. today
- What: Remain comfortably in your vehicle and drive through the park while taking in the sights and sounds of the Christmas season.
Obituaries
Theresa “Terri” Taylor
Theresa Lynn “Terri” Taylor passed away on Monday, December 15.
Raquel Denise Langer
Raquel Denise Langer, 57, passed away on Tuesday, December 16.
Michael Lee Berryhill
Michael Lee Berryhill, 66, passed away at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
Until tomorrow!
🖌️ Cumberland County Schools (CCS) held a festive “2025 Holiday Greeting Card Competition, an annual tradition that highlights the creativity and artistic talents of CCS students across all grade levels,” according to a CCS press release. The theme of this year’s competition was “Sights and Sounds of the Holidays.” Click here to see who won and the winning greeting cards.
~ Valeria
