CityView August 2025

Cumberland County

FAIR FAIR

2025

August 29 - September 7, 2025 Friday

8/29 Saturday

8/30 Sunday

8/31

Monday

9/01

Tuesday

9/02

FREE ADMISSION for Military and First Responders with Valid ID $6.00 admission for kids 3-12 All Others: $11.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older $11.00 Admission for Adults and Children 3 Years of Age and Older

Faith and Family Day Presented by HIS Radio $5.00 off by presenting your church bulletin at the Box Office $6.00 admission for kids 3-12 All others: $11.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older Sensory Friendly Time 1-3 PM limited rides with no music and no lights (regular fair operations will resume after 3pm) $11.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older A Day of Giving Benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank Bring in 6 (six) non-perishable food items per person for a free admission ticket to the Cumberland County Fair 4-H & FFA Day - free admission for card holders School Kids & Personnel Day - $3.00 admission with school ID $6.00 Admission for Adults & Children 3 Years of Age & Older Adult Karaoke Contest

BOGO Night (Buy One, Get One) Wednesday Admission BOGO Unlimited Ride Wristbands BOGO Hotdogs & Corn Dogs at B & B Concessions BOGO Funnel Cakes & Fried Oreos at B & B Concessions BOGO Hula Hoop Contest

9/03

Thursday

9/04 Friday

9/05 Saturday

9/06 Sunday

9/07

$3.00 Thursday - Entrance Fee is $3.00 Unlimited Ride Wristbands can still be purchased separately Kids Karaoke Contest Senior Night All Seniors 65 and older get free entry into the fair

$11.00 Admission for Adults and Children 3 Years of Age and Older $11.00 Admission for Adults and Children 3 Years of Age and Older

Faith and Family Day Presented by HIS Radio $5.00 off by presenting your church bulletin at the Box Office $6.00 admission for kids 3-12 All others: $11.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older

Ride Wristbands are available on the Midway - $32.00 per person.

Individual Ride Tickets are available. cumberlandcountyfair.org

Buzz on Over to the Cumberland County Fair FAIR OPENING HOURS Friday, August 29.............................5 PM Saturday, August 30.......................1 PM Sunday, August 31............................1 PM

Monday, September 1....................1 PM (Sensory-friendly time from 1 PM-3 PM)

Tuesday, September 2................5 PM

Wednesday, September 3........5 PM Thursday, September 4..............5 PM

Friday, September 5......................5 PM Saturday, September 6................1 PM Sunday, September 7....................1 PM

CityView AUGUST 2025

CITYVIEWNC.COM

THE

New schools superintendent Eric Bracy plans to extend his track record of success to Cumberland County.

BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE

NEW SUPERINTENDENT ERIC BRACY

PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK SALE

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

QUALITY CONTROL AT CFVH

Where Your Children Come First

www.kidsfirstpedsraeford.com Kids First Pediatrics of Raeford and Fayetteville has created a professional and caring medical environment for infants, children, adolescents and their families.

We provide complete pediatric and adolescent care.

Pediatric Services We Provide

Check Ups, Sick Child Visits & More in Raeford and Fayetteville

Jose Buenaseda, MD, FAAP Leamor Buenaseda, MD, FAAP Sreelekha Sashidhar, MD, FAAP Christine Arnold, CPNP-PC Melanie Pitts, DNP, NP-C Beverly de La Rosa, CPNP-PC Danielle Trigg, CPNP-PC Rachelle Olson, FNPC Ashley Monroe, PA-C Sarah Lewis, PA-C

• Well Child Visits

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Urinalysis

• Sick Child Visits

• Vaccines & Immunizations

• Strep and Mono Screen

• Vaccine & Immunization Schedule

• ADHD Testing & Treatment

• Vision and Hearing Tests

• 2023-2024 Guide to the Flu

• Asthma Symptoms & Treatment

• School, Sports, & Camp Physicals

• Breastfeeding Support

4005 Fayetteville Road Raeford, NC 28376 Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2035 Valleygate Dr., Ste. 101 Fayetteville, NC 28304 Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

6415 Brookstone Lane, Ste. 101 Fayetteville, NC 28314 Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2694 NC 24-87 Cameron, NC 28326 Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

910.848.KIDS (5437)

910.677.0007

910.306.KIDS (5437)

910.500.KIDS (5437)

Brookstone office only 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturdays for sick/urgent appointments, established patients only.

H E R E

Y O U

C A N

D O

I T

A L L .

EMPOWER YOUR JOURNEY. ELEVATE YOUR FUTURE. Fayetteville Academy is the only independent, non-sectarian, Pre-K – 12th grade school in Cumberland County.

RANKED #1

Ni che. com r ank s Fayet t eville Academy as t he #1 College

Pr epar at or y School, Privat e K– 1 2 School , Pr i v at e High School,

SMARTLABS* Al l gr ade l ev el s have

and #1 School for ST EM

acces s to thr ee s tate-of -

ar ea.

foster i ng i nnov ati on and

E ducat i on i n t he Fayet t eville

the-ar t ST EAM l abs , hands -on l ear ni ng.

COLLEGE COUNSELING F ay ettev i l l e Ac ademy of f er s

per s onal i z ed, conci er ge col l ege couns el i ng begi nni ng i n 8t h

gr ade, gui di ng s tudent s ever y s tep of the way as t hey wor k towar d thei r col l ege admi s s i ons goal s .

Scan to schedule a tour today!

3200 CLIFFDALE ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303 910-868-5131 www.fayacademy.org

AU GUS T 202 5

TA B L E OF CO N T E N T S

20

Students from Village Christian Academy, Kenzie Maultsby, Sarah Chason, Nolan Pait, Natalie Smith, and Caroline Gardner proudly display the yearbook they helped create, celebrating the teamwork and dedication that brought it to life. Photo by James Throssel On the cover: Eric Bracy is the new superintendent of Cumberland County Schools. Photo by Tony Wooten

COLUMNS Editor‘s Take: Valeria Cloës . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The View From Here: Tim White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Family Matters: Claire Mullen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Oye, ¿Cómo Va?: Claudia Zamora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Good Reads: Diane Parfitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

10 Eye on the prize Eric Bracy, Cumberland County’s new superintendent of schools is a proven leader who has set his sights on growing the number of high-performing schools and enhancing student success.

14 Flip. Find. Fund.

The book sale that puts books in hands and proceeds into public library programs.

20 Launchpad for real-world skills Budding journalists in high school student media learn civic engagement and personal growth.

26 Improving quality control

The To-Do List: Your go-to spot for local events . . . . . . . 42

Cape Fear Valley Health System’s quality initiatives create a ripple effect that directly enhances patient outcomes.

Seen @ the Scene: A look at who was out and about . . . 44

34 Camp HEAL

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION Family-Owned Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 2 | AUGUST 2025

Funded by Cumberland County’s share of national opioid settlements, the free day camp offers therapies and recreation activities to elementary and middle schoolers.

EDITOR'S TAKE

Setting a positive tone

BY VALERIA CLOËS

Like many children, I used to dread the end of summer, but I now view the back-to-school season as a great opportunity for learning and growth.

This month’s “Back to School” issue emphasizes just how wonderful the start of a new school year can be.

CityView’s August magazine sets a positive tone for the 2025-2026 school year, highlighting Cumberland County’s new superintendent, local book sales and high school student publications.

On July 1, former Johnston County Schools superintendent Eric Bracy took on his new role as superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, succeeding Marvin Connelly Jr., who retired earlier this year. Bracy joins us with a track record of improving the Johnston County school district’s standing, and plans to build on the upward trajectory of Cumberland County’s prior leadership.

Do you still need to go back-to-school shopping? A local book sale might have what you’re looking for. The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the county’s public library system through events and fundraising efforts, is holding a Book Sale event on Aug. 11. Held four times a year, the Book Sales offers community members the opportunity to shop affordable, donated books, and gives the proceeds to the public library system to provide community events.

At local schools, the art of newspaper and yearbook production lives on. At Fayetteville Academy, Village Christian Academy and Pine Forest High School, students share the real-world skills newspaper and yearbook classes have taught them. They reflect on the importance of these classes and the impact on their education.

Our columnists this month approach back-to-school season from different perspectives. The first explores how more funding for the public school system could take the county to a whole new level. The next thinks back on her days as a student as she sends her oldest child to middle school. Then our bilingual columnist explains how it’s never too late to go back to school and mentions a supply giveaway in time for the new school year. And the last has seven book recommendations for all ages to help the transition back to the classroom after summer break.

Natalie Smith and Sarah Chason of Village Christian Academy review the yearbook layout using one of the school’s computers. Photo by James Throssel

Cape Fear Valley Health is also geared up in time for the new school year. In a sponsored article, Dr. Michael Ruzek, chief quality officer for Cape Fear Valley Health, and Carmelita Manning, MSN, the corporate director of quality and patient safety, share the health system’s recent quality control, patient safety improvements and accreditations.

Plus, Camp HEAL, a free day camp dedicated to early intervention for kids at risk of mental health disorders and drug abuse, completed its first year in June.

We also have tons of events in our August To-Do List for you to enjoy.

And did you attend the Fayetteville Independence Day Concert & Fireworks on July 4 at Festival Park? Or the Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market on July 13? You may find yourself in this month’s Seen @ the Scenes.

As our “Back To School” magazine shows, there’s lots to look forward to as school starts. We wish everyone the best of luck.

Thank you for reading.

Valeria Cloës Magazine Editor For comments, questions, feedback, or to submit story ideas, email vcloes@cityviewnc.com.

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 3

LOCAL JOURNALISM NEEDS YOU. Help keep local news free and independent for our community. Make your tax-deductible donation to the News Foundation of Greater Fayetteville today!

CityView AUGUS T 2 02 5 Publisher Kyle Villemain

Sales Team Leader Dawn Denham

Magazine Editor Valeria Cloës

Sales Executive Arianna Bannerman

Editorial Assistant Maydha Devarajan

Photographers Morgan Casey James Throssel Tony Wooten

Contributing Editor Katie Kosma

Contributing Writers Morgan Casey Jami McLaughlin Claire Mullen Sarah Munsch Diane Parfitt Teri Saylor Tim White Claudia Zamora

Director of Operation & Sales Talmadge Rogers Administration & Operations Coordinator Caitlin Malson Social Media Manager Grace McFadden Graphic Designer Annette Winter

Distribution Jennifer Baker Wayne Robinson

For advertising inquiries please contact sales@cityviewnc.com PUBLISHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

TheAssemblyNC.com

News Foundation

OF GREATER FAYETTEVILLE

A 501(C)3 PUBLIC CHARITY COMMITTED TO LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE

CO N TAC T U S talk@cityviewnc.com 4 | AUGUST 2025

cityiewnc.com

CityView is published 12 times annually by CityView Media, LLC. Mailing Address: 2919 Breezewood Ave., Ste 300, Fayetteville, NC 28303 Phone: 910.423.6500 | Fax: 910.423.0096 Postage paid at Fayetteville, NC No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from CityView Media, LLC. Publication of an advertisement in CityView does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by CityView or CityView Media, LLC.

/cityviewnc

@cityviewnc

@cityviewnc

WHERE EXCELLENCE & AFFORDABILITY COME TOGETHER

80+ ONLINE AREAS OF STUDY MU offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

97% RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID

MU offers more than $25 million in scholarships every year.

ON CAMPUS

Ranked “Military Friendly,” “Military Spouse Friendly,” and “Best for Vets.”

& ONLINE

adults, active military, veterans, and their families.

75+ STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

MU has students from across the U.S. and more than 50 countries.

No. 1 Most Diverse University in N.C. (Two of the Past Four Years!)

Niche National Rankings and Reviews

“2025 Prominent Online Program”*

20 NCAA INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS MU students have won more than 80 team and individual national championships.

1 of 10 “Must Watch Universities in North America”* *Higher Education Digest

5400 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311 methodist.edu 910.630.7000

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Funding our county’s public school system

BY TIM WHITE

That was a nice welcome-aboard gift for new Cumberland County Schools superintendent Eric Bracy — as good as any superintendent has gotten for a long, long time.

Bucking a long, parsimonious tradition, the county commissioners didn’t cut a cent out of the school system’s annual budget request.

They broke open the piggy bank and gave the schools $103 million in operating funds, $300 million for school maintenance and $160 million toward future school construction. That’s a great place to begin for a superintendent who comes to town with a long track record of making school systems better — a lot better — than they were before he arrived.

Good thing, because Bracy’s going to need all the help he can get.

State and federal funding are a big part of the school system’s revenue pie. The biggest slice is the state’s, which sends the lion’s share of Cumberland’s $673 million school budget. That sounds like a lot of money, and it is. But by most comparisons — with many other counties, with other states, even with many other countries — it’s a worrisome shortchanging of our kids’ futures.

Here’s the problem: North Carolina isn’t serious about funding public education. The nonprofit Education Law Center ranks us 48th in the nation for our K-12 publicschool support. View it as a percentage of our state’s gross domestic product, we’re at 49th. Our state economy may be booming and our leaders are announcing massive new projects many times a year, but little of that new tax revenue is targeted to education, despite the clear and obvious need to create a highly educated workforce that’s ready for all those new jobs.

That’s not just hurting our kids. It’s also violating the North Carolina Constitution, which says, “The General Assembly shall provide by taxation and otherwise for a general and uniform system of free public schools, which 6 | AUGUST 2025

PHOTO BY CDC ON UNSPL ASH

... we’re falling far short in preparing our K-12 kids for the challenges of those technical jobs arriving here regularly. shall be maintained at least nine months in every year, and wherein equal opportunities shall be provided for all students.” But because the constitution also allows counties to supplement their state funding, all schools are decidedly not created equal. The annual state “report cards” on school systems’ achievement make it plain — we’ve got some haves and a lot of have-nots.

Cumberland County has long lived among the have-nots with our local school funding, at last measure, coming in 74th among the state’s 100 counties. It gets worse around us: Robeson County’s local funding is 99th. Hoke’s is 100th. Dead last.

Cumberland, Robeson and Hoke were three of the counties in a class-action suit that was called the “Leandro case” for its lead plaintiff, a student in the Hoke system.

That student is middle-aged now, more than 30 years after a judge ruled on the suit — and then was ignored by the General Assembly, year after year. (No political finger-pointing allowed here, my partisan friends — the Democrats ignored the Leandro orders to improve school funding for years before the Republicans took over and followed the same course.)

The General Assembly lately has indeed bumped up some school funding, but it’s doing it through the

“opportunity scholarships” that help families pay private-school tuition. You won’t find that one in the constitution. Some of that money is coming from revenues that might otherwise be directed to our public schools. If our lawmakers were truly interested in supporting public education, that’s where they’d be spending. But they’re not — special interests who’d prefer to dismantle public education in favor of privatization have captured too much legislative attention and too much taxpayer money.

All this matters, because if we want to stay in the spotlight of the best states for economic development, we need to show the world a top-notch education system. We’ve got that in our network of public and private universities, but we’re falling far short in preparing our K-12 kids for the challenges of those technical jobs arriving here regularly.

With a school system that ranks near the bottom quarter in public financial support, Cumberland County has a steep hill to climb if it wants to be competitive and attract more economic development. So far, we’ve failed.

But maybe the commissioners’ encouraging support of the schools will mark a turning point. Maybe there’s a growing realization that if we don’t foster our most important natural resource — our children — then we’ll continue to watch them move away to places where there’s real opportunity, not just the latest job in a warehouse or call center.

Educational excellence is about more than money. But solid funding is the only foundation that will get us there.

ENSURE YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY THIS SCHOOL YEAR Security Cameras • Video Doorbells Keyless Door Locks • Alarm Systems Monitored Smoke & CO detectors

Exceptional Service & Professional Installation Across Eastern NC. Family-Owned & Operated Since 1908.

Residential & Commercial

910.483.1196 | HolmesElectricSecurity.com

Class of 2026

Class Class ofof 2026 2026

Committed Committed to Excellence Committed Committedto to toGod...

God...

God...Committed Committedto toExcellence Excellence But the fruit of the Spirit isislove, love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, But But the the fruit fruit ofof the the Spirit Spiritis love,joy, joy,peace, peace,forbearance, forbearance,kindness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5: 22-23 goodness, goodness,faithfulness, faithfulness,gentleness gentlenessand andself-control. self-control.Galatians Galatians5:5: 22-23 22-23

Tim White is the former editorial page editor of The Fayetteville Observer.

vcanc.com vcanc.com vcanc.com 910-483-5500 910-483-5500 910-483-5500 908 908 S. McPherson McPherson Church Church Road Road 908 S.S. McPherson Church Road Fayetteville, Fayetteville, NC NC 28303 28303 Fayetteville, NC 28303

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 7

FAMILY MATTERS

Welcome to middle school

BY CLAIRE MULLEN

It’s back-to-school time once again.

I’m not quite sure how we got here, but my husband and I will send our oldest child off to middle school this year.

At the risk of sounding like a sappy old fogie, it really does seem like just yesterday that our daughter hopped out of the car in her braided pigtails, little Velcro sneakers and an applethemed dress that she had happily allowed me to select for her.

I remember watching her walk into Alma Easom Elementary School with her princess lunchbox and school bag slung over her shoulders, thinking that they looked comically huge on her tiny frame, and wondering if I had done everything within my power to ready her for kindergarten.

Little did we know what that year would have in store for us: an unprecedented pandemic that would cause our county schools to close their doors to students in March and move to virtual learning for the remainder of the spring term.

And now, those Covid-era kindergartners are headed to 6th grade. Middle school.

While I think that my husband and I have done a great job of keeping the “middle school here we come” vibe in our household super positive and light-hearted for the sake of our daughter — who has yet to express any signs of trepidation over her foray into 6th grade — I secretly know that many of us who have already been there do not exactly recall our time in middle school with incredible fondness.

8 | AUGUST 2025

Yes, these “tween” and earlyteen years that my daughter and her cohorts are currently living come with the excitement of new experiences like electives, first crushes and school sports team tryouts, but they can also be fraught with stereotypical middle school challenges including, but not limited to, tested friendships, an increasingly challenging workload, acne and orthodontia.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CL AIRE MULLEN

There is one picture of me in particular that my family, friends and myself included love to joke about. My best friend refers to it as ’proof of your Benjamin Franklin glasses phase.‘

I look back on photos of myself from my own 6th-grade year at Hillcrest (now Max Abbott Middle School, to date myself) and am not sure whether to chuckle or cringe. It’s safe to say that if ever there was an “awkward stage,” this was it.

There is one picture of me in particular that my family, friends and myself included love to joke about. My best friend refers to it as “proof of your Benjamin Franklin glasses phase.”

It’s a candid photo that someone (probably one of my unconditionally proud parents) snapped as I, clad in my oversized “Panther Pride” Hillcrest Spirit Team uniform

T-shirt, clapped my navy and white pompoms together during what I can only assume was a JV football game.

My enormous and perfectly round gold-rimmed glasses, each frame at least the diameter of a can of Coke, are slipping down on my nose to reveal dark eyebrows that had yet to meet a pair of precision tweezers.

My unfortunate bangs are pulled back, along with half of my short bob, with a hairclip in a way that gives the impression that I am rocking a pretty sweet mid-’90s mullet.

I have vivid memories of being teased on the playground by one particular boy about those glasses.

Of being self-conscious because

I was seemingly the only girl in my homeroom who had not yet been granted parental permission to shave her legs or highlight my hair. Of worrying that I would be relegated to the far corner of the lunchroom at a table all alone solely because I truly loved academics and didn’t possess a Motorola pager, a brand new pair of Airwalk sneakers, or wide-leg, name-brand JNCO jeans like my peers who reigned supreme over the social hierarchy at Hillcrest Middle School.

But, I also remember being shocked and ecstatic that this bookworm had scored a spot on the HMS Panther Spirit Team and, in spite of what that old photo may look like, feeling like a super-cool and confident, mature middle schooler shaking my pompoms in my sharp, new uniform.

I hope that the middle school years will be easy on the class of 2032. In fact, I hope they will be wonderful.

After all, kids these days have legit skincare routines, inconspicuous clear braces, a plethora of stylish eyewear options and YouTube tutorials on how to properly style their bangs.

When I recently did one last backto-school check-in with my daughter and asked if she had any big concerns about middle school, I braced myself for a deep mother-daughter discussion on bullying, body image or maybe academic burn-out.

My 11-year-old pondered my question thoughtfully, and replied with exactly one overarching worry, “Yeah, Mom. Actually, I do have a concern. That the boys will forget to wear deodorant.”

There you have it. Our kids will be just fine as long as they remember the two timeless guiding principles of surviving, even thriving, during their middle school years: be kind always and remember your deodorant.

Claire Mullen can be reached at clairejlmullen@gmail.com.

Store Closing Sale

25-50%

OFF STOREWIDE

Everything must go!

611 West Russell Street • 484-7161 (beside Highsmith-Rainey Hospital)

www.homemakersfurniturenc.com

Summer storm season starts in June.

Disasters Happen.

Be prepared, heed the warnings, and stay informed.

PWC is here to help you stay safe and minimize damage with proactive planning and preparation.

Visit FayPWC.com/Storm-Central to access the 2025 Storm Preparation Guide.

• Prepare your home and your family for inclement weather • Review 72-Hour Emergency Essentials list • List of action steps if the power goes out • Generator safety • What to do after the storm • Other valuable safety tips We cannot always escape nature’s wrath, but proper planning can reduce the impact now and help you be ready in the future.

Download your copy now and be prepared.

17984

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 9

Eye on the prize EDUCATION

Eric Bracy, Cumberland County’s new superintendent of schools is a proven leader who has set his sights on growing the number of high-performing schools and enhancing student success

W

BY TERI SAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN

When Eric Bracy has a job to do, he doesn’t miss a beat.

On June 30, he was superintendent of schools in Johnston County. By July 1, he had already moved into his office in Fayetteville as Cumberland County Schools’ newest leader.

It’s not in Bracy’s nature to take a break, especially when he sees an opportunity to move a school system to the next level.

In Cumberland County, the schools were already on an upward trajectory before former superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. retired earlier this year. Bracy aims to keep that momentum going.

“The school system here in Cumberland County has a history of great leadership, and many amazing things are happening,” Bracy said. “The schools were clearly headed in the right direction before I got here.”

With 86 schools, Cumberland County is the fifth largest school district in the state, and last year, under Connelly’s leadership, 17 of them rose out of the low-performing ranks, an impressive achievement, Bracy says, and one of the reasons he applied for the job.

Under state law, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction assigns a grade (A-F) based on student achievement and improvement year after year and schools strive to earn an A, B or C. Schools receiving a D or F are considered low performing, and it becomes the district superintendent’s responsibility to create a plan for improvement.

A self-described “data-driven” superintendent, Bracy uses data analysis to identify areas of strength and weakness and to develop targeted strategies for improving educational outcomes. His track record speaks for itself.

North Carolina has 115 school districts. In Johnston County, where Bracy was superintendent for five years, he led the county’s 48 public schools from a statewide ranking of 83rd to 35th by the end of the 2023-2024 school year. And he facilitated dropping its 14 low-performing

10 | AUGUST 2025

schools down to one.

In Cumberland County, the school board’s goals include raising student proficiency, dropping the number of lowperforming schools to zero, and filling teacher vacancies, said board chairwoman Deanna Jones, who couldn’t wait for Bracy to get started.

“Dr. Bracy brings a deep understanding of what it takes to move a district forward,” Jones said. “He has a history of turning vision into action and building trust with the people he serves.”

To fill the superintendent’s position, the Cumberland County School Board hired a professional search firm, which received over 40 applications, Jones said. Bracy rose to the top.

“When we interviewed Dr. Bracy, he spoke with clarity and compassion and demonstrated that he knows building relationships and listening deeply are key to any success,” she said. She also appreciates that Bracy analyzes data to find patterns that can be adjusted to lift up teachers, students and the school systems he leads.

Bracy was born in Weldon, North Carolina, a small town in Halifax County. His father was a high school principal, and his mother taught kindergarten and special education.

According to a Cumberland County Schools press release, both graduated from Fayetteville State Teachers College, now called Fayetteville State University. His older brother, Elie Bracy III is superintendent of schools in Portsmouth, Virginia.

“My parents set high expectations for us academically and expected us to work hard and come home from school and do our homework,” he said. “We had a great childhood, and our parents held us accountable for everything we did.”

Bracy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and teaching from North Carolina Central University, a Master of Education degree from Virginia State University and a Doctor of Education degree from

Eric Bracy is the new superintendent of Cumberland County Schools.

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 11

Bracy started his role as Cumberland County Schools' superintendent on July 1.

Nova Southeastern University.

His career as an educator spans over 25 years. He climbed the ladder from his early days as a 4th-grade teacher in Northampton County and school principal in Vance and Durham counties, and went on to serve as superintendent in Northampton County and Sampson County before moving on to Johnston County and now Cumberland.

The stepping stones along the way fueled Bracy’s passion for excellence.

“I want Cumberland County to be the highest performing school system in North Carolina, and I want to have a positive impact on all the children, the teachers and staff I serve every day,” he said.

Admitting his work has never been a solo effort, he attributes his success to the relationships he has forged and the people surrounding him.

“You’re only going to be successful if you have a great board that supports the work you do,” he said. “And I would say the ingredients that go into our secret sauce are the amazing teachers standing in front of our students and principals who are data-driven and focused on success.”

To measure that success, Bracy relies on giving students 12 | AUGUST 2025

benchmark exams during the school year to uncover areas that need improvement. For students who are underperforming, teachers are ready to step in and reteach them until they master the objectives of their curriculum. For most, it’s not a negative reaction.

“Face it, everybody doesn’t get it the first time,” Bracy said. “We’re all working together to make sure our students, our teachers and our support staff have the tools and support to thrive.”

If improving student outcomes is at the top of Bracy’s priorities, building trusting relationships is the means for achieving that goal. As a new leader in the school system, he views it as both a challenge and an opportunity.

“I came from a place where everyone knew me to this big school system where nobody knows me,” he said. “I have to build trusting relationships with people quickly and then I think good things will follow.”

Soon, principals, teachers, students and staff will start seeing Bracy in the halls of their schools, a place where he feels comfortable and where he can make a difference.

“I love to be in schools, love to talk to teachers, love to get to know support staff and love interacting with students,” he said.

This is Bracy's third role as superintendent, having served as superintendent in Northampton County and Sampson County.

Bracy’s wife, Janelle, is also an educator, and he draws on her for support and strength.

“My wife serves as a sounding board for me when I want to get a teacher’s perspective on issues and concerns,” he said. “And the thing about Janelle is she’s brutally honest and is always going to tell me the truth.”

The Bracys have three daughters: Cameron, a recent University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate who will start her career as an ICU nurse in August; Courtney, a biology major at UNC-Chapel Hill; and Camille, a rising freshman at N.C. Central.

Sports also play a role in Bracy’s life. He has always loved sports but was more academically inclined, he says. Nevertheless, he tested his athletic skills on his high school football field.

“I played cornerback,” he said and laughed. “My team nicknamed me ‘Toast,’ so I don’t think I was good because toast typically gets burned.”

A self-proclaimed Dallas Cowboys fan, Bracy inherited his love of that team from his grandmother.

“My grandmother loved Cowboys head coach Tom Landry, especially the way he looked on the sidelines wearing his fedora,” he said. “We would watch the

Cowboys together, and I fell in love with a quarterback named Roger Staubach.”

Bracy often turns to football for perspective, according to a profile distributed by Cumberland County Schools.

One of his favorite quotes from the legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi is a reminder that outcomes and accountability are important: “If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?”

Bracy admits that rarely is there an easy day in his profession, but he’s okay with that. With a successful track record both in building relationships and improving school systems, he feels fortunate to have been able to take a leading role in upgrading several school systems.

“That means improving the quality of the schools and making them higher performing, which enhances student outcomes,” he said. “And we will strive to get better each day.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Teri Saylor is a freelance writer based in Raleigh.

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 13

Customers browse the wide selection of books at the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library's Books & Brew pop-up book sale on July 11 at West Regional Library.

COMMUNITY

Flip. Find. Fund.

The book sale that puts books in hands and proceeds into public library programs.

C

BY SARAH MUNSCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES THROSSEL

Calling all readers and book lovers! The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library’s Book Sale is back this month for its second-to-last book sale of the year.

Mark your calendars for the week of Aug. 11, because once the doors open, it’s every reader for themselves.

Taking place at the Headquarters Library in downtown Fayetteville, located at 300 Maiden Lane, the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library’s Book Sale raises money for the Cumberland County Public Library system and gives back to the community.

14 | AUGUST 2025

About the organization The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1976 that supports “the library and its patrons through various activities and fundraising efforts,” according to its mission statement. The organization holds four book sales a year with thousands of titles at affordable prices.

The local organization is a member of the Friends of the North Carolina Public Libraries, a group aimed at strengthening and promoting public library systems

Marili Melchionne is part-time operations manager of the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library and liaison between the nonprofit and the library.

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 15

Dana Mack helps pack up a reader’s new treasures at the Books & Brew sale.

through Friends of the Library local groups, like Cumberland County’s.

According to the American Library Association, there are Friends of the Library groups in many states, and they are all an important part of United for Libraries, “a national network of enthusiastic library supporters who believe in the importance of libraries as the social and intellectual centers of communities and campuses.”

These volunteer-led organizations play a vital role in supporting local libraries through fundraising, advocacy and community engagement. Their efforts help libraries expand programs, improve resources and reach more people every year.

What to expect at this month’s book sale The August book sale will take place over the course of four days. On Monday, Aug. 11, it will open for an exclusive, members-only sale from noon-6 p.m. The book sale will then open to the public from noon-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17.

Marili Melchionne, part-time operations manager of the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library and 16 | AUGUST 2025

liaison between the nonprofit and the library, said being a member costs $15 a year, giving access to perks, like accessing the members-only sale on Aug. 11.

“You get early access to our sales in August and November, and email notifications of upcoming sales,” Melchionne said. Community members can become a member of the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library easily online through PayPal or in person right at the book sale.

Rudy Clark, a co-chair of the book sale, said that all of the books available for purchase come from library discards or donations from the public.

“We rely on these donations,” Clark said. “Without these donations, half the room would be empty.”

Community members can drop off material donations at any of these eight libraries in Cumberland County: Headquarters Library, Bordeaux Community Library, Cliffdale Regional Library, East Regional Library, Hope Mills Community Library, North Regional Library, Spring Lake Community Library or West Regional Library. Large donations are only accepted at Headquarters Library.

At the sale, there is a wide variety of genres. From classic literature to “BookTok” — books trending on

Surrounded by books, volunteer Rei-Launya Amsterdam explains that laying them out and sorting by category helps her organize them efficiently.

TikTok — favorites, from romance novels to mysterythrillers and from military history to children’s books, this sale has everything shoppers could ask for, including cookbooks, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs and more.

While most books are priced at $1, there’s a bargain room where books are 25 cents each or five books for $1.

And on Sunday, Aug. 17, there’s another deal. In the bargain room, the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library will provide shoppers with a bag that they can fill with books and then purchase for only $1.

Frequent shopper and Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library volunteer of one year, Irene Rosa, said the Sunday deal is a “bargain for your buck” because approximately 10-15 books can fit in a bag and be purchased for a dollar.

“I definitely enjoy shopping here more than bookstores because, when you go to a Barnes & Noble or a different bookstore, you’re always going on a budget,” Rosa said.

“One book could be 15-20 bucks. Not here. You walk in, and you know you’re going to spend $5 on five books, so it’s budget friendly.”

One thing that sets this sale apart is how it’s organized.

It’s not like other book sales where shoppers are digging

through boxes on tables. Instead, the books are on shelves organized by genre.

Volunteers work tirelessly for months to sort the books.

They remove unsellable items, such as books with pages falling out or those that have mold, and put them in the recycling. Then they separate the books by genre, making it easy for shoppers to head straight to their favorite sections. Each volunteer works within their assigned section to organize and display the books in ways that make sense for the genre.

Impact of the book sales By coming to the sale, shoppers help everyone have access to the best public library possible: The money raised at the sale helps enhance services and programs the library provides that are not covered by Cumberland County, and helps expand access and offerings, benefiting the entire community.

For example, Melchionne said, the sales help support many events such as the Bridgerton Ball, Summer Reading Programs and even interactive STEM activities.

“The Friends have also helped make special features like the giant train table at Headquarters Library,” CITYVIEWNC.COM | 17

During the book sale, most customers leave with more books than they can carry.

Melchionne said.

Another way the Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library supports the community is by sponsoring grants like the Experience Passes program, which allows library card holders to have free, unlimited visits to certain local attractions for seven days until October.

“Libraries, public libraries, are very important parts of a community,” said Ann McRae, a Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library volunteer of seven years. “They provide equitable access to resources for anyone in the community, and The Friends helps to support that. The money we make from the sales goes to support this library, and that just helps the community in general.”

The ways that the book sale benefits the community go beyond the money raised from the books bought. The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library even find homes for books that have been through several sales without being sold.

Valerie Driscoll, a co-chair of the book sale, says that any books that don’t get purchased get donated to the local Department of Veterans Affairs, the Lions Club, the Vision Resource Center, or get sold to used bookstores.

“Books are kind of a dying breed right now,” Driscoll

18 | AUGUST 2025

said. “We just love getting books into people’s hands.”

The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library’s Book Sale is more than an event; it’s an experience every reader deserves. Whether shoppers leave with one book or several bags full, every purchase helps keep library services thriving for the community.

Come for the thrill of the hunt, stay for the incredible bargains and leave knowing the library’s mission to inspire and serve the community just got a little stronger.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sarah Munsch is a freelance writer for CityView.

She was born and raised in southeast Texas and moved to Cumberland County in November 2024.

She attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications: Public Relations and Advertising.

NOW ENROLLING

#NTADIFFERENCE

Northwood Early Education Academy Peace Campus 3203 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 910.600.5810

Northwood Early Education Academy is now enrolling at our new location. Half day or full day 3 & 4 year old academic programs are available.

NORTHWOOD TEMPLE ACADEMY

NTAEAGLES.COM NTAEAGLES 4200 Ramsey Street

Fayetteville, NC 28311

910.822.7711

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW PRE K3 - 12TH GRADE CHAPEL COMMUNITY SERVICE BETA CLUB MS & HS LEGO ROBOTICS BROADCAST & FILM CLASS DUAL ENROLLMENT 5 NCISAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SUPERIOR BAND PROGRAMS ELEMENTARY THEATRE ARTS NC OPP. SCHOLARSHIP

Where Education Meets Opportunity Broad range of programs to choose from— in-demand career fields!

• Traditional & online classes • Financial aid & scholarships • Student-centered culture

Fall Classes Begin AUG 18 – Apply Today!

910-678-8400 admissions@faytechcc.edu www.faytechcc.edu f t

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 19

Members of the current Fayetteville Academy yearbook staff, Lucas Anderson, Kristianna Polley, Amanda Gillis, Kristin Ballew, Bailey Lutynski and Ashlyn Young, stand proudly with past editions they helped create, alongside the Gallery of Excellence award presented by Walsworth Yearbooks.

EDUCATION

Launchpad for real-world skills Budding journalists in high school student media learn civic engagement and personal growth

BY JAMI MCLAUGHLIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES THROSSEL

20 | AUGUST 2025

Nolan Pait (back left), Kenzie Maultsby (back right), and Caroline Gardner (front) each play a unique role in creating the Village Christian Academy yearbook. Pait, inspired by his father, enjoys photography, while Maultsby and Gardner gravitate toward design and writing.

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 21

L

Anderson (front) and Lutynski (back) open Lightroom, where much of the photo editing for the yearbook and newspaper takes place.

Learning professional skills, making friends that become like family and documenting local history through photos and feature writing is part of the magic of being on yearbook and newspaper staff in high school.

It’s a backstage pass to the entire school year, blending creativity and a dash of school spirit.

And at Village Christian Academy, working on the yearbook involves more than just classroom time, including the summer, nights and weekends. But the entire staff will tell you it is worth it.

“It’s also allowed me to see all of the aspects of our school with a different perspective,” said Caroline Gardner, a 17-year-old rising senior and the design editor for the upcoming year.

Village Christian Academy, a private K-12 Christian school in Fayetteville, has had a yearbook since the school was established in 1988. Jill Gunter, who also serves as the elementary school guidance counselor, is going on her 10th year as the yearbook adviser.

“A yearbook is the historical reference for the school year,” Gunter said. “Nowhere else is the year kept in print to be used as a reference tool. The content of a yearbook can surface years, even decades later.”

Editor-in-Chief Nolan Pait, also a 17-year-old rising senior, said the yearbook is a tradition for students — one he wanted to be a part of since he was in kindergarten. He

22 | AUGUST 2025

said it is important to try to make sure each student and teacher is represented.

“We have sections for sports, student life and whatever is happening,” Pait said. “We want everyone to be in more than just their class photo.”

To make sure that happens, each student in the yearbook class has a role to play, and there has to be good communication among the staff.

“Everyone has to pitch in for the whole task and not the individual jobs,” Gunter said. “We really try to make sure that everyone’s strengths are used. If a student loves writing, they have an opportunity to shine through interviews, caption writing and producing the copy. If a student loves photography, that can be practiced every day. If they prefer being creative and being a part of page design, they can do that, too.”

The Village yearbook, called Excalibur, is self-supported and covers all costs through business and senior tribute advertisements and book sales. Students spend the summer before classes begin selling ads to help fund the yearbook program. And once the school year starts, the staff is busy covering a range of activities, including events, academics, clubs and athletics.

Gunter says the lessons students learn in the class are ones that will serve them beyond their time at Village Christian Academy.

Polley photographs with equipment supplied by the school, often contributing to both writing and photography efforts.

This is why students who are accepted into the class have to excel at organization and need to be able to do their best in the honors-level course. Students are chosen for the class following an application, interview and teacher recommendation process. Those who spend four years in yearbook, or another student media class at Village Christian Academy, are eligible to join the Quill and Scroll Honor Society and have a special cord for graduation.

“Students are the photographers, the reporters, the writers, the page designers, the content editors and the publicists,” Gunter said. “It’s one of the hardest classes here. In the publication world, a deadline isn’t flexible, so this class doesn’t allow for late work or work that wasn’t completed. A student can’t get an extension in this class or fail to turn something in on time.”

The yearbook class is also part of both the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association (NCSMA) and the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). Each year, members of the yearbook staff attend Journalism Day, or “J-Day,” in the fall at UNC-Chapel Hill. They also compete in the NCSMA statewide media contests, and for national awards through the NSPA and through Varsity Yearbook, a national yearbook publisher. Students receive critiques for the work, which they apply to the yearbook the following year.

“To get better, we get a full critique cover to cover,” Gunter said. “Excalibur has ranked in the top 10% of Varsity

Yearbooks for three years and our goal is to get to 1%.”

Five students including Pait, Gardner, senior Kenzie Maultsby, junior Sarah Chason and sophomore Natalie Smith also attended the Varsity Georgia Yearbook Expo in Athens, Ga., in mid-July.

Cumberland County Schools’ Pine Forest High School is also home to an award-winning yearbook. The Pine Forest Pifonoca has been published for 59 years, even during the Covid-19 pandemic. Like at Village Christian Academy, students interested in being in the student-run organization have to apply to be accepted.

“I promote students based on ability and student interest,” said yearbook adviser Kevin Weaver, who also teaches English at Pine Forest. “For the most part, however, the staff runs and manages itself. We have an editor- or editors-in-chief, section managers, photographers and regular staff members.”

Weaver said that students take their roles very seriously and provide mentorship for new staff members.

“Students learn what goes into creating a publication, including writing, photography, grammar, publications law, layout and design, communication, marketing and so many other things,” Weaver said. “Almost every year I have a senior from the staff talk to me about how being on yearbook impacted their learning in another class.”

Over his 26 years of advising student publications, CITYVIEWNC.COM | 23

Fayetteville Academy staff Kristin Ballew and Amanda Gillis share their excitement about bringing new life and vision to the school’s yearbook, inspiring enthusiasm among the students.

24 24 | | AUGUST AUGUST2025 2025

students have told him the experience made them a better writer, more outspoken and more detail-oriented.

Along with the hands-on experience, Weaver said it is important for a school to have a yearbook because it serves as the historical record of the academic year.

The rigor of the class is also evident at Pine Forest, where the yearbook staff belongs to the NSPA and Quill and Scroll. They also submit for national critiquing and competitions.

“We have been recognized four times in the last eight years by our publishers with a place in their ‘Lookbooks,’ which present the ‘best of’ and examples for other schools to follow,” Weaver said. The yearbook staff has also risen from a silver or 2nd place grade to a gold or 1st place level.

Fayetteville Academy, a secular K-12 private school, also has an award-winning yearbook along with a relatively new newspaper called The Eagle Post. The newspaper was started as a journalism club in 2022 with five students, according to newspaper adviser Kristin Ballew.

This year, the newspaper will be produced in an accredited class for the first time, with over 30 students and two sections.

“The newspaper had such a positive impact on the community in the last two years that I presented it to ARC (the school Academic Review Committee) and encouraged a technology credit for graduation,” Ballew said.

In the course of producing the newspaper and yearbook publications, students learn design and editing software and photography, writing and editing skills.

Yearbook adviser Amanda Gillis said some students have come in with no experience or expectations, but have discovered their passions within the class. “It’s like they’ve found a new world,” Gillis said.

Rising senior Bailey Lutynski will serve as the editor-in-chief this year of the newspaper and the yearbook.

She said she looks forward to

overseeing both groups, but wants to pair interests with roles.

“I want to see what everyone likes to do and what their interests are before assigning,” Lutynski said.

This past year’s yearbook was awarded the Gallery of Excellence award from the Varsity publishing company. The recognition means that it was sent to other schools, showcasing Fayetteville Academy students’ work.

Across Cumberland County, student media plays a crucial role in both the development of students and documentation of the wider community. Students and advisors alike point to the platform it gives for student voices, building skills for future career paths, enhancing academic performance and nurturing the next generation of informed citizens.

Ashlyn Young joined yearbook staff during her senior year at Fayetteville Academy. She loved writing a column

— called “Around the Town” — in the newspaper. Young, who graduated this spring, will be attending Campbell University in the fall. While she doesn’t plan to study journalism, the experience of working on the yearbook left its mark.

“I spent 13 years here, including kindergarten, and wanted to leave something permanent behind,” Young said.

Editor's note: Jami McLaughlin is the parent of students who attend Village Christian Academy but are not involved in the yearbook class.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jami McLaughlin is a freelance writer for CityView. She can be reached at jmclaughlin@ cityviewnc.com or at 910-391-4870.

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 25

HEALTH

Improving quality control Cape Fear Valley Health’s quality initiatives create a ripple effect that directly enhances patient outcomes.

C

BY JAMI MCLAUGHLIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN

Cape Fear Valley Health takes quality control and patient safety seriously, with a comprehensive framework led by dedicated professionals and guided by strict compliance policies.

Their very ideals are written in the hospital’s vision statement — to “improve the quality of every life we touch” — and are reflected in its values: patientcenteredness, integrity, cultural diversity, innovation, teamwork, accountability and education.

Quality initiatives are overseen by a chief quality officer, and supported by a corporate compliance policy that mandates accurate documentation and continuous improvement.

Dr. Michael Ruzek is the chief quality officer for Cape Fear Valley Health and oversees performance improvement, patient safety, infection prevention, and control and regulatory readiness. His background as a board-certified physician in emergency medicine and as a leader in quality improvement helps bring clinical insight to system-wide standards.

“Our department strives to improve and standardize processes to reduce harm to our patients,” Dr. Ruzek said.

“We drill down on data derived from quality metrics, incident reports, patient safety indicators and work to develop action plans to address all opportunities for improvement in these areas.”

He works with Carmelita Manning, MSN, the corporate director of quality and patient safety at Cape Fear Valley Health, who oversees quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

Manning, who has held the position since 2024, has a 20-plus year background in nursing education and emergency nursing and has held positions as the director of nursing education and assistant vice president of emergency services for one of the largest healthcare systems in Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey.

26 | AUGUST 2025

“Most recently our department has enhanced our incident reporting system that allows us to drill down on patient safety concerns and work to eliminate harm and deviations while providing safe and efficient patient care,” Dr. Ruzek said.

He said the health system is actively working to raise the bar on quality through a mix of strategic investments, staff empowerment and data-driven initiatives.

“Our department is instrumental in working with and assisting our nursing departments to achieve the highest awards and accreditations from multiple outside entities,” Manning said.

She said that some of the more recent major achievements and awards are The Joint Commission certifications in hip/knee replacement surgery, advanced perinatal care, heart failure, pneumonia and sepsis.

The Joint Commission is a nonprofit, independent organization that has set health care standards and has provided health care accreditation in the United States since 1951.

“We are also distinguished as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and Advanced Primary Heart Attack Center,” Manning said.

The hospital system is also accredited by the American College of Cardiology and recognized as a Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Accreditations also include the American Heart Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” in stroke and heart failure.

Dr. Ruzek and Manning said there are also various accreditations at other facilities within the system in wound care, respiratory failure and laboratory services.

The specific areas within hospital quality control, according to Dr. Ruzek and Manning, are patient safety, clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, accreditation, compliance and risk management.

S P O N S O R ED CO N T EN T

Dr. Michael Ruzek is the chief quality officer for Cape Fear Valley Health and oversees performance improvement, patient safety, infection prevention, and control and regulatory readiness.

S P O N S O R ED CO N T EN T

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 27

Carmelita Manning, MSN, is the corporate director of quality and patient safety at Cape Fear Valley Health, and oversees quality improvement and patient safety initiatives.

28 | AUGUST 2025

S P O N S O R ED CO N T EN T

Manning speaks with Dr. Ruzek before a morning meeting at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

“By focusing on these areas, we regularly identify opportunities for improvement and ensure compliance with high standards of care,” Dr. Ruzek said. “We focus on these areas and involve our patients in their decision making, which leads to more personalized care, improved patient satisfaction and better health outcomes.”

He said Cape Fear Valley Health stays up-to-date with all regulatory agencies. And they maintain a corporate compliance policy that emphasizes adherence to various laws, accurate billing and documentation, confidentiality and ethical conduct.

“We willingly and at times voluntarily participate in regulatory surveys to ensure that we are providing the most optimal care to our patients,” Dr. Ruzek said. “We strive to provide care and treatment in a safe and errorfree environment. We focus on quality improvement, patient satisfaction, growth and innovation, and financial stewardship with the patient in the center as our primary focus.

With each patient who comes through the doors of the hospital, Dr. Ruzek said they should expect to encounter warm and friendly staff who make them feel comfortable.

“Our patients can be assured that we are a highly reliable organization, and our top priority is to reduce harm and provide a safe, healing environment once they walk through our doors,” Dr. Ruzek said. “Every member of our community can expect to be taken care of by skilled and well-trained practitioners who takeRadio the time to understand Mike Prevatte, Cape Fear Amateur Society each individual patient’s needs concerns.

(CFARS) member, notes who he and contacted withOur thepatients should expect receive medical handheld hamto radio andevidence-based responds back during a care February radio club competition. tailored toamateur their individual needs and have that care S P O N S O R ED CO N T EN T

communicated in a way that they can understand.”

He said that patients have access to their medical information and test results through the electronic patient portal, MyChart.

“Patients also receive communication, both written and verbal, by our clinical teams, including physicians, nurses and allied healthcare clinical team members,” Dr. Ruzek said.

Quality control spans across record accuracy, staff education and compliance training, and improvement initiatives.

Further, the organization is building the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, which will further embed research and innovation into everyday care. They are also hosting residency programs and partnering with Methodist University and Campbell University to help train future physicians who are more likely to stay local, ensuring consistent, high-quality staffing.

Cape Fear Valley Health is not just checking boxes. They are building a culture where quality is everyone’s job.

For more information on Cape Fear Valley Health’s commitment to quality, visit capefearvalley.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jami McLaughlin is a freelance writer for CityView. She can be reached at jmclaughlin@ cityviewnc.com or at 910-391-4870.

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 29

PR O FE S S I O N A L PR O FIL E S

Family-Owned Businesses The family-owned businesses featured on these pages reflect years of hard work, integrity and vision, all while steeling themselves against the possibility of failure.

Businesses like these have an immeasurable positive impact on our community. They are a reflection of our city’s history, and they enrich all of us who live here. Our community would not be the same without them. We salute each of these businesses and wish them continued success for generations to come.

We will be profiling real estate professionals in our October issue. Call CityView at 910-423-6500 or email sales@cityviewnc.com to reserve your spot.

CityView

Box & Dolly LLC Box & Dolly LLC is a faith-based, family-owned, full-service moving company located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is registered with the NC Utilities Commission.

Owners Ika and Renee Gibbs have provided quality service for commercial and residential moves across NC since 2015.

Their slogan is, “We Help Take the Load Off!” and every move is done with the utmost care, treating you like family.

At the end of every move, if allowed, Ika prays blessings over each home/business.

They look forward to helping you “Take the Load Off!” your next move, so call them at 910-922-2907. They look forward to serving you.

boxanddolly.com

Team Groover Real Estate Team Groover at Coldwell Banker Sandhills Advantage is a familyowned real estate team rooted in service, experience and heart. Based in Fayetteville and serving Raeford, Fort Bragg and the surrounding communities, this husband-and-wife-led business is proud to offer clients personalized guidance backed by decades of industry knowledge.

Shari brings 30 years of experience in the local building industry, offering expert insights into construction, market trends and attention to detail. Her approachable nature and commitment to exceptional service make her a trusted advocate for every client.

Shawn, a retired U.S. Army veteran with 24 years of service at Fort Bragg, combines discipline, integrity and deep community knowledge to help clients navigate complex transactions with confidence. His negotiation skills and dedication to client success set him apart.

Team Groover is proud to be a true family business. Their youngest daughter Kerstin serves as director of social media, bringing creativity and consistency to their digital presence, while their oldest daughter Kaley, the team’s client concierge, ensures each client receives care and communication well beyond the closing table.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor or planning your next move, Team Groover is here to guide you every step of the way — with expertise you can trust and a family that treats you like one of their own.

Shawn 910-723-1477 | Shari 910-237-9234 | 3800 Raeford Road, Fayetteville NC 28314 | www.teamgrooverhomes.com S PECI A L PR O M OT I O N A L S EC T I O N 30 | AUGUST 2025

PR O FE S S I O N A L PR O FIL E S

Foust Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. Mike and Kim Foust founded Foust Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. in 2002. The company started as a two-man crew that immediately grew with the need for expansion. Today, Foust Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. consists of three departments: new and existing construction, services, and sales, specializing in residential and light commercial systems.

The company currently has 23 employees including service technicians, installation teams, a duct fabricator, administrative assistants, comfort specialists, an installation manager, and a superintendent who oversees each installation project along with Mike Foust. They appreciate their employees and the dedication they give to each job. They have several employees who have been with them for 15-20 years.

Foust Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. holds both H-2 and H-3 Heating and Air Conditioning licenses with the state of North Carolina and an SP-PH Electrical license with the state of North Carolina. They are a Customer Care Dealer with American Standard and a Pro-Partner with Rheem. Their number one goal is to provide their customers with complete satisfaction and peace of mind. They treat their customers like family. They genuinely believe in the philosophy of honesty and integrity.

When you call Foust Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., you are not calling a chain business owned by different investors, you are calling a family-owned company that is working for the next generation. With over 35 years of experience, Mike and Kim Foust have made Foust Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. a reputable name by providing exceptional service throughout Cumberland and surrounding counties and by bringing “COMFORT ALL YEAR LONG WITH HONEST, RELIABLE SERVICE.”

910-323-0587 | 2976 Dunn Road, Eastover, NC 28312 | foustheatingandair.com

S PECI A L PR O M OT I O N A L S EC T I O N CITYVIEWNC.COM | 31

PR O FE S S I O N A L PR O FIL E S

Callahan and Rice

Mark Rice, former president and CEO of Callahan & Rice, has worked in the insurance industry since 1987. He is licensed in property and casualty, as well as life, health, long-term care and Medicare supplements. His son-inlaw, Landon Bentham, joined the agency in 2015 as a sales producer, assisting clients with personal and commercial insurance coverage. Landon later advanced to director of sales and, in 2025, took over the agency. He now owns Callahan & Rice and serves as its president and CEO.

910-484-6171 | callahanrice.com 129 Franklin St., Fayetteville, NC 28301

Lindy’s Diner

Holmes Security Systems

Stephen Holmes Wheeler, President, (left) and Luke Holmes Wheeler, Vice President (right)

Holmes Security Systems stands as a beacon of trust and innovation in the security industry, proudly serving eastern North Carolina since 1908. As a family-run business now with its third and fourth generation at the helm, there is over a century of dedication, expertise, and commitment to the community. The Holmes story is one of legacy and evolution, with each generation contributing to the mission of providing exceptional service. Today, Holmes Security Systems provides unparalleled life safety and security services for residents and businesses across eastern North Carolina.

The company’s strength lies in deep-rooted family values, which translate into a personalized approach. From its stateof-the-art, UL-listed 5-diamond central monitoring station — the only one of its kind in eastern North Carolina — to the 24/7 local staffing (where a real person is always available to address your needs), this commitment to local, personalized service sets Holmes Security Systems apart.

Lindy’s, led by Pete Skenteris and his friendly team, offers affordable and delicious food in a warm, family environment. Known for its diverse breakfast options and daily lunch specials, Lindy’s serves up beloved comfort foods like chicken and pastry, pot roast, country-style steak, spaghetti served 10 ways, and even kid-friendly Mickey Mouse pancakes. With a focus on providing quality meals at reasonable prices, Lindy’s ensures that every customer is treated like part of the family. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast or a satisfying lunch, Lindy’s is dedicated to delivering a satisfying dining experience that leaves you feeling right at home.

910-485-6247 3001 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303

The leadership has brought fresh perspectives and technological advancements while honoring the foundational principles established by its forefathers O.W. Holmes and J. D. “Luke” Wheeler. This blend of tradition and innovation ensures that Holmes Security Systems remains at the forefront of the security industry, continuously adapting to meet the evolving needs of our community members.

Trusting your peace of mind to Holmes Security Systems is a vote of confidence in a legacy of safety, reliability, and family dedication.

910-483-1196 407 Ray Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28301 holmeselectricsecurity.com

S PECI A L PR O M OT I O N A L S EC T I O N 32 | AUGUST 2025

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

P R E SE N T S C I T Y V I EW M AG AZ I N E ’S

FOOD, WINE

&ART O CTOB E R 9, 2 02 5 • 6 P M - 9 P M

AT T H E CA PE FE AR B OTANI CAL G ARD EN

SCAN FOR TICKETS

Enjoy food and wine while strolling through the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and experience the magic of theater, dance, music and art.

Coordinated by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County along with Cape Fear Botanical Garden

PROCEEDS BENEFITING THE NEWS FOUNDATION OF GREATER FAYETTEVILLE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

CityView

A group of campers and counselors play tug-of-war as part of their camp activities at Camp HEAL in June 2025.

Credit: Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center

COMMUNITY

Camp HEAL Funded by Cumberland County’s share of national opioid settlements, the free day camp offers therapies and recreation activities to elementary and middle schoolers

C

BY MORGAN CASEY

At the end of June and under the hot North Carolina sun, 24 kids from Seventy-First Classical Middle School sat with pencils in hand.

In front of each student was an anonymous survey about their experience at Camp HEAL, a free day camp at Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center, a Christian ministry of the NC United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries nonprofit.

“I learned about how to overcome my stress,” one middle schooler wrote.

34 | AUGUST 2025

“I learned about trusting people,” wrote another.

“This is the first time someone got into my heart,” yet another wrote.

Camp HEAL is an early intervention strategy funded through Cumberland County’s share of national opioid settlements, and it completed its first year last month. The camp’s goal is to provide educational programming and outdoor recreation to Cumberland County kids at risk of substance use and mental health disorders.

“We want to give these kids skills as early as we can so

that we can scaffold them and help them manage stress or manage things that we might call trauma, but they haven’t identified as trauma,” said Casey Perry, Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center’s camp director.

Across two week-long sessions, the 24 students from Seventy-First Classical and another 28 from Brentwood Elementary School received mentorship and stress management training, classes on suicide prevention and financial literacy, vaping prevention and body positivity education.

Mixed in with the early intervention programming were classic summer camp activities like building a fire, archery, swimming and crafts.

“This intermingling of lessons and practical fun and games lets kids be kids,” Perry said. “Because sometimes they’re coming from homes where they have to be adults, where they’re having to manage things that they wouldn’t need to if they had resources around them.”

Breaking down walls Brentwood and Seventy-First Classical were selected for their proximity to Arran Lakes Baptist Church, which will continue early intervention services during the school year in partnership with Camp Rockfish and Retreat Center.

The schools’ social workers and counselors identified

kids who could best benefit from Camp HEAL, selecting students with familial issues, mental health challenges or drug use.

Heather De Tar, Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center’s office manager, described many of the kids as guarded on their first day of Camp HEAL. “They have this little wall in front of them, and they’re not gonna let it down,” De Tar said. “They’re too cool, or they’re too this, or they’re too that. They step carefully as they’re going along.”

By the end of the week, De Tar saw those walls lower, if not completely fall, thanks to the connections kids built with counselors and community volunteers. She recalled a female camper from the middle school group attempting all week to shoot and land a basket, her counselor and volunteers encouraging her every day to keep trying.

On the girl’s last day of camp, she managed to get the basketball into the hoop, her counselor pulling her into a hug in celebration as everyone around them cheered.

“It was so neat to watch her wall come down just a little bit to where she can trust an adult,” De Tar said.

“They were celebrating her, and she was so excited. It was something so simple.”

Many of the camp’s volunteers were there thanks to connections made through the Cumberland-Fayetteville

Campers at Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center’s Camp HEAL participated in variety of summer camp activities like archery in addition to early intervention lessons. Credit: Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 35

Campers from Camp HEAL tour the inside of an ambulance provided by Cape Fear Valley Health’s Community Paramedic Program. Credit: Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center

Opioid Response Team, Perry said. Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center joined C-FORT after receiving a little over $97,000 in funding from the county’s share of national opioid settlements.

Besides the schools, 18 organizations helped put on Camp HEAL, providing resources, lessons and therapies to kids. Samaritan’s Feet gave shoes to every camper.

Youth Villages offered yoga classes and aromatherapy. The Fayetteville police and fire departments and Cape Fear Valley Health’s Community Paramedic Program taught kids how first response works and the importance of 988, the free suicide and crisis line.

Perry was especially appreciative of the city’s police officers, who showed up daily to offer lessons and play games with the kids.

“Everybody’s very concerned that these young ones get more tools and more support,” he said. “And to break that stigma that first responders are just for either punitive things or traumatic events.”

36 | AUGUST 2025

An idea out of Forsyth County Cumberland County isn’t the first in North Carolina to hold a Camp HEAL. Perry said much of the idea for the camp came from Tara Tucker, Cape Fear Valley Health’s lead community paramedic.

In 2018, Tucker helped launch a version of Camp HEAL in Forsyth County in partnership with City Lights Ministry, a non-profit, evangelical Christian ministry. Tucker’s motivation stemmed from learning about an 8-year-old girl who found her mother dead of an opioid overdose on Christmas morning, and wanting to teach children like her how to cope with trauma.

In 2024, 144 Cumberland County residents died of an overdose, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. So far this year, 70 people have visited one of the county’s emergency rooms because of an overdose, the department’s latest county report shows.

The numbers are a significant improvement for the

county, which once had one of the highest rates of overdose emergency department visits in North Carolina.

Today, it’s among the counties with the lowest rates.

Cumberland County also saw a 24% decrease in its overdose death rate from 2023 to 2024, the largest one-year decrease since 2011, when NCDHHS began displaying the information publicly on its website.

Forsyth and Cumberland counties’ Camp HEALs aim to keep kids from becoming part of overdose statistics by equipping them with tools and resources that prevent the start of drug use.

With another year of Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center’s Camp HEAL already guaranteed thanks to the two-year county opioid settlement grant, Perry is excited to implement the lessons learned this year to make next summer’s camp even more successful.

Perry added that Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center still has plans to continue to support Camp HEAL’s first cohort of elementary and middle schoolers. He said there’s a reunion for campers, counselors and volunteers in the works.

“It was never about bringing the kids here for a one-week experience and then we don’t know them anymore,” Perry said. “It’s delivering on the promise of staying in contact.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR CityView Reporter Morgan Casey is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. Morgan’s reporting focuses on health care issues in and around Cumberland County and can be supported through the News Foundation of Greater Fayetteville.

Enter the Workforce Efficiently & Confidently Focused, short-term programs of study in areas such as: • Medical Assisting • Phlebotomy • Biowork Process Technician • Cardiovascular Monitoring • And other health-related disciplines Read our students’ success stories & learn more about these career training opportunities by scanning the QR code.

CORPORATE & CONTINUING EDUCATION

healthprograms@faytechcc.edu • 910.486.3923 • faytechcc.edu

Celebrating

60

Visit us online

YEARS (910) 485-5865 2825 Raeford Road Fayetteville, NC 28303 webbcarpet.net

CARPET | HARDWOOD | LAMINATE | VINYL | TILE | AREA RUGS

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 37

OYE, ¿CÓMO VA?

PHOTO BY FRAN INNOCENTI ON UNSPL ASH

Learning to grow

BY CLAUDIA ZAMORA

“I’m not lacking work. What I’m lacking is time to study.”

I’ve heard that phrase so many times, it’s become part of me. And every time someone says it, I pause — because there’s truth behind it. Generations who gave everything just to survive, but never had the space to imagine something more.

Our people work hard. We know what exhaustion feels like deep in the bones. We rise early, stretch the days, the dollars, the dreams. But in the urgency to endure, we sometimes forget to grow. Studying is not a luxury. Learning is not a waste of time.

Asking questions, taking a class, and picking up a new skill, these too are acts of dignity.

I’ve seen women go back to school after raising children.

Men learning English after endless shifts. Young people enrolling quietly, almost secretly, because no one in their family has ever had that chance before. And they do it for themselves. But also, for those who come next. Because opening one door today might open many tomorrow.

Yes, work gives us dignity. But it can’t be the whole story.

We also deserve to grow, to choose, to find out what we’re made of.

That’s why moments like the back to school giveaway by Big Erv BBQ & 910 Sweets on Aug. 23 at 670 N. Reilly Road 38 | AUGUST 2025

matter so deeply. It’s not just about notebooks and pencils.

It’s about telling every child, every parent, every family: we believe in your future.

These gestures may be quiet, but they’re powerful. They remind us that yes, it’s hard. That time is scarce. But it’s still possible.

It’s never too late to rewrite the story. If you’re reading this and thinking, it’s too late to learn something new.

Let me tell you, from the bottom of my heart: You’re not alone. There’s always a class, a workshop, a conversation waiting to bring your hope back.

And if that space doesn’t exist yet, we can build it together. Because in the end, real transformation doesn’t come only from knowledge … It comes from the deep belief that something else is possible. And from knowing that others are walking beside you.

Claudia Zamora is an Argentinian writer, mental health and wellness coach, and director of the Sí! Spanish Immersion Institute at El Centro Hispano. She has lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, since 2011.

Get Everything You Need to Buy a Home Save time, money and hassle with our Home Buying Center.

•

Apply for a Verified Preapproval

•

Connect with an experienced real estate agent

•

Protect your rate with our rate-lock options

•

Get rate-drop assurance with our no-refi rate drop*

Visit: navyfederal.org/homebuying

Navy Federal is federally insured by NCUA.

*Terms and conditions apply. Loans subject to approval and eligibility requirements. Learn more at navyfederal.org/RateDrop. © 2025 Navy Federal NFCU 14434 (1-25)

Get CityView Magazine Choose between our two convenient and affordable subscription options.

Digital only – free

Home delivery only $1 per issue

Print & digital – $12/year

CityView CITYVIEWNC.COM | 39

Booking it back to school GOOD READS

BY DIANE PARFITT

2

1

3

As we get into August, it is met with mixed feelings by many children as they get ready for the new school year.

Sadness that summer vacation is almost over, along with some excitement, but a little uneasiness, too. It might be the first day of kindergarten for the little ones, going to a new school for middle school or high school students, or going off to college. All of these are fraught with mixed feelings, but there are some effective ways of dealing with it — for students and parents alike. Books can always help us with those feelings by showing us how others deal with these normal transitions.

4

1. On the First Day of Kindergarten by Tish Rabe (Author), Laura Hughes (Illustrator).

Ages 4–6 The first day of school is both exciting and scary for kids and their parents. This book is a delightful adaptation of The Twelve Days of Christmas and shows them just how much fun school is going to be. From the first day of kindergarten, when the kids get to ride the bus and meet new friends, through the 12 exciting firsts of kindergarten, both the kids and parents will be more than ready for that first day!

5

2. The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes (Author), Vanessa BrantleyNewton (Illustrator). Ages 4–6 He’s all ready for the first day and thinks he’s going to be the King of Kindergarten! When one confident little boy gets himself ready for the first day of school, he tells himself it’s going to be great, and it is. And now he can’t wait to come home and tell Mom and Dad what a super day he had. He really is the King of Kindergarten!

6

7

40 | AUGUST 2025

3. You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) by Taraji P. Henson (Author), Paul Kellam (Illustrator). Ages 4–8 Going back to school can be just as scary as the first day of school. When Lil TJ starts back to school, quirky and a little bit different than the others in her class, she suddenly comes face-to-face with those differences. Standing out like that is not what she wants to do, especially after one of her classmates starts teasing her in front of all the other kids. TJ is horrified until she remembers the special words of wisdom her Grandma Patsy taught her — “embrace

what is unique about you and look for friendship over bullying.” It all boils down to being a good friend to others, and they will be good to you.

4. Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl.

Ages 12 and up Here is a good novel for middle and high school kids — a murder mystery, no less! It features a clever but different teenager who finds herself at a new school again. It doesn’t help that her itinerant dad can’t stay in one town for long, so she is always the “new kid.” Blue van Meer is now facing her senior year in yet another high school in a quiet North Carolina town. When she starts at the elite St. Gallway School, she finds some friends in an eccentric clique known as the Bluebloods.

The group is also close friends with the equally eccentric film studies teacher Hannah Schneider. When Schneider suddenly dies, apparently by suicide, Blue wants to know more.

With visual aids by the author and chapters based on great literary books, Pessl has written a clever murder mystery that will appeal to teenagers and even older readers who enjoy all types of literature.

5. Heat by Mike Lupica.

Ages 9–12 Sports can be a way for many kids to find a place for themselves in a new setting. Michael Arroyo has an amazing pitching arm for a 12-year-old. He is orphaned when his father dies after having led the family’s escape from Cuba. With his 17-year-old brother Carlos, they try to dodge the Social Services’ agents and take care of themselves alone. Then someone wonders how a 12-yearold boy can pitch like Michael, and it becomes harder for him to stay in the shadows. With no family and no birth certificate, Michael fears he and Carlos will be discovered and even sent back to Cuba. Then he discovers that family can come in many different ways and that love

and caring can appear in the most unexpected places.

6. Captain Courage and the Fear-Squishing Shoes by Stacey Marshall, Illustrated

by Andy Catling. Ages 6–9 Being new to a school can be scary for anyone, and Katie is no exception.

When she enters the new 3rd-grade classroom for the first time and sees all the kids who are excited to be there, she is overwhelmed by the butterflies in her tummy. Even with all the fun things they do in the classroom, Katie feels herself shrinking with fear. That is until an amazing superhero shows up with his amazing, fear-squishing shoes!

7. Posted by John David Anderson. Ages 10–12 When their middle school bans cell phones, Frost and his three best friends figure out a way to

communicate — they leave sticky notes all around school for each other. As the other kids catch on, notes appear everywhere! That’s when the kids learn that words aren’t just words; they can be kind gifts or they can be cruel weapons. When a new girl arrives at school, she reaches out to Frost and his friends, but he doesn’t want to add another friend to his circle. The sticky-note war escalates, and the pressure mounts for the other kids to choose sides. Will Frost realize what he has done before it is too late?

Diane Parfitt owns City Center Gallery & Books in downtown Fayetteville. She can be reached at citycentergallerybooks@gmail.com.

Keep Drains Clean, Save the Scene!

(910) 433-1613 www.fayettevillenc.gov/stormwater CITYVIEWNC.COM | 41

Aug. 16 Crochet Class at Your Library!

U.S. Army MWR Ft. Bragg Throckmorton Library R. Miller Street, BLDG 1-3346, Fort Bragg bragg.armymwr.com

Aug. 17 Runners line up as the countdown begins for the Juneteenth Celebration 5K. Photo by James Throssel

AU G U S T 2 0 2 5

THE TO-DO LIST Here are just some of the things happening in and around Fayetteville this month. Scan the code with your phone for more events, additional information and to post your event on our website. Events are subject to change. Check before attending.

Aug. 12

Aug. 15

Nature Story Time: Water J. Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center 631 Sherman Drive fayettevillenc.gov/Parks-andRecreation

Rock’n On The River: ZZ Top Notch with Dalton Davis Band Deep Creek Grill 1122 Person St. distinctlyfayettevillenc.com

Aug. 12

Aug. 15

Hummingbirds in NC: A Banding Demonstration and Expert Q&A Cape Fear Botanical Garden 536 N. Eastern Blvd. capefearbg.org

One Sip Too Many: A Murder Mystery North South Brewing Company 305 Williams St. distinctlyfayettevillenc.com

Aug. 14

Aug. 16

Woodpeckers Baseball: First Responders Night Segra Stadium 460 Hay St. milb.com/fayetteville

Downtown Rodeo: Festival Park Edition Festival Park 335 Ray Ave. 226thewarehousenc.com

Aug. 15

Aug. 16

Fayetteville After Five: Nicholas Vernon + Chris Nelson Band Festival Park 335 Ray Ave. distinctlyfayettevillenc.com

Geocaching and Letterboxing Adventure J. Bayard Clark Park & Nature Center 631 Sherman Drive fayettevillenc.gov/Parks-andRecreation

42 | AUGUST 2025

Woodpeckers Baseball: Sesame Street Family Day Segra Stadium, 460 Hay St. milb.com/fayetteville

Aug. 20 Women’s Wine & Golf U.S. MWR Ft. Bragg Stryker Golf Course Bragg Boulevard, BLDG K-1219, Fort Bragg bragg.armymwr.com

Aug. 22 4th Friday: The Nerd Market & District Vibe Cool Spring Downtown District Downtown Fayetteville visitdowntownfayetteville.com

Aug. 22 Back to School Movie Night Lake Rim Recreation Center 1455 Hoke Loop Road fayettevillenc.gov/Parks-andRecreation

Aug. 23 Fayetteville Next: 2nd Annual Adult Field Day RHF Rick’s Place 5572 Shenandoah Drive fayettevillenc.gov

Aug. 29 Woodpeckers Baseball: Fireworks Extravaganza V Segra Stadium, 460 Hay St. milb.com/fayetteville

Aug. 30 Adult Workshop: Framed Flower Art Cape Fear Botanical Garden 536 N. Eastern Blvd. capefearbg.org

Cumberland County

FAIR FAIR

2025

August 29 - September 7, 2025 Friday

8/29 Saturday

8/30 Sunday

8/31

Monday

9/01

Tuesday

9/02

FREE ADMISSION for Military and First Responders with Valid ID $6.00 admission for kids 3-12 All Others: $11.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older $11.00 Admission for Adults and Children 3 Years of Age and Older

Faith and Family Day Presented by HIS Radio $5.00 off by presenting your church bulletin at the Box Office $6.00 admission for kids 3-12 All others: $11.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older Sensory Friendly Time 1-3 PM limited rides with no music and no lights (regular fair operations will resume after 3pm) $11.00 admission for adults and children 3 years of age and older A Day of Giving Benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank Bring in 6 (six) non-perishable food items per person for a free admission ticket to the Cumberland County Fair 4-H & FFA Day - free admission for card holders School Kids & Personnel Day - $3.00 admission with school ID $6.00 Admission for Adults & Children 3 Years of Age & Older Adult Karaoke Contest

BOGO Night (Buy One, Get One) Wednesday Admission BOGO Unlimited Ride Wristbands BOGO Hotdogs & Corn Dogs at B & B Concessions BOGO Funnel Cakes & Fried Oreos at B & B Concessions BOGO Hula Hoop Contest

9/03

Thursday

9/04 Friday

9/05 Saturday

9/06 Sunday

9/07

$3.00 Thursday - Entrance Fee is $3.00 Unlimited Ride Wristbands can still be purchased separately Kids Karaoke Contest Senior Night All Seniors 65 and older get free entry into the fair

$11.00 Admission for Adults and Children 3 Years of Age and Older $11.00 Admission for Adults and Children 3 Years of Age and Older

Buzz on Over to the Cumberland County Fair FAIR OPENING HOURS Friday, August 29.............................5 PM Saturday, August 30.......................1 PM Sunday, August 31............................1 PM

Monday, September 1....................1 PM (Sensory-friendly time from 1 PM-3 PM)

Tuesday, September 2................5 PM

Wednesday, September 3........5 PM Thursday, September 4..............5 PM

Friday, September 5......................5 PM Saturday, September 6................1 PM Sunday, September 7....................1 PM

Faith and Family Day Presented by HIS Radio $5.00 off by presenting your church bulletin at the Box Office $6.00 admission for kids 3-12 All others: $11.00 admission for all individuals 13 and older

Ride Wristbands are available on the Midway - $32.00 per person.

Individual Ride Tickets are available. cumberlandcountyfair.org

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 43

Fireworks light up Festival Park as the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and special guest Guy Unger Band close out the night.

SEEN @ THE SCENE 2025 Independence Day Concert and Fireworks Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation hosted its annual Independence Day Concert & Fireworks in partnership with Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and Fayetteville Public Works Commission at 7:30 p.m. July 4 at Festival Park.

Photography by James Throssel Want CityView at your event for Seen @ the Scene?

Email us at cmalson@cityviewnc.com.

Jamal Greene and Meme Greene

Seated just steps from the stage, a couple soaks in the sounds of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.

44 | AUGUST 2025

Roxis Duque and Fernando Duque

Victor Blinkov and Suzie Nemec

Fireworks fill the sky as Festival Park’s lawn overflows with families and friends.

Through the rows of lawn chairs, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra takes center stage.

Stephen Davies, Donnie Bullock and Tammy Bullock

Emily Martin and Jeremiah Abad

Britney Quinn and Dejhah Metoyer

Flag fits, food trucks and cold beer.

Festival Park is in full summer swing for the Independence Concert and Fireworks.

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 45

Shoomee's Flower Farm

SEEN @ THE SCENE Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market Dirtbag Ales hosts their Farmers Market from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Sunday from March 16 to Nov. 16 this year at 5335 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills.

The July 13 Farmers Market included live music, vendors, food trucks and craft beer. Asalia's Sourdough Bakery was the vendor spotlight.

Photography by James Throssel Want CityView at your event for Seen @ the Scene? Email us at cmalson@cityviewnc.com.

Nicole Reid

46 | AUGUST 2025

Tiana Barnes, Lilly Barnes and Ja’Khilah Barnes Layken Barnes and her dog Sally Mae

Brittany McKelvey and John McKelvey

Viviana Hale and Vince Hale

Amanda Speights and Tim Speights

Local flavor on full display, fresh veggies overflowing at the Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market Doug Romanello

Michelle Vue and Shoua Her

CITYVIEWNC.COM | 47

LAND A DEGREE WITHOUT LANDING IN DEBT In-state tuition only $500 per semester through NC Promise Begin at uncfsu.edu

48 | AUGUST 2025

August awaits - Experience tt Garden Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Now through September 2025 “The Whimsical Naturalist” by Katie Crawford

The Whimsical Naturalist showcases original watercolor painnngs of naave plants and animals, with informaave descrippons highlighhng the East Coast's biodiversity. This colleccon raises awareness of the balance between nature and humanity. Kaae Crawford, a Virginia naave with a B.S. in Anthropology from James Madison University, has exhibited her work naaonally and published a children's book she both wrote and illustrated.

Don’t miss your chance to experience Kaae Crawford’s stunning work—this exhibit is open through Labor Day!

August 21, 2025 6 pm - 7:30 pm

August 15, 2025 - 5:30 pm - 9 pm

Sensaaonal Succulents

Farm & Folk Fest - A Homesteading Evening

Create a succulent dish garden in this fun and hands-on workshop! You’ll learn the process of seleccng succulents, arrully displaying them, and caring for them long-term.

This workshop will help you design a dish garden that brings vibrant, green life to your indoor space.

Gather with fellow growers, makers, and doers at Farm & Folk Fest—an evening of historical homesteading skills, live music, delicious local food, and hands-on experiences for all ages.

Live Folk String Band Mini Workshops & Demos: Vegetable Gardening, Farm Animal Know-How, Buuer Making, and more!

Historical Handcraas to Try & Watch: Quillng, Basket Weaving, Soap & Candle Making, Rope & Broom Craaing, and Natural Dyeing from Plants Plus: Herbal remedies & wild plant uses, Fermennng food (sauerkraut & pickles) Seed saving & heirloom gardening ps, Natural building materials & off-grid living displays, Evening Market, Picnic Space - Family-Friendly Fun

August 23, 2025 10 am - 12 pm

Nature Play Day Join us for an exhilaraang water-themed Nature Play Day that will inspire everyone with both the fun and the importance of clean water. Embrace the summer vibes with thrilling features like the slip and slide, sprinkler, sponge toss, and giant bubbles. Plus engage with science experiments, arts and craas, and water-themed play!

Save the Dates!

Heritage & Harvest Bourbon Showcase September 20, 2025

Women’s Health & Wellness Fair October 14, 2025

Halloween at the BOOtanical Garden October 23-26, 2025 Follow us on:

Cape Fear Botanical Garden - 536 N. Eastern Blvd. - Fayeeeville, NC 28301 - 910-486-0221 - capefearbg.org

“This heart attack changed my life.”

When sudden dizziness sent Kay Lovick to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Emergency Department, tests revealed she’d suffered a heart attack. What began as preparations for a cardiac catheterization quickly turned into an urgent triple-bypass surgery due to severe blockages in three arteries.

Post-surgery, Kay spent 15 days in the hospital, surrounded by unwavering support from her family and the compassionate care of the hospital staff—who supported both her and her family during that critical time.

“The staff at Cape Fear Valley really came through for me.”

Now home and walking daily, Kay is deeply grateful to her care team and the Wade community. She shares her story to raise awareness. Heart attack symptoms aren’t always obvious. For Kay, dizziness was the only sign.

If you think you’re having a heart attack, don’t wait— call 9-1-1 immediately!

Learn more about Kay’s story at capefearvalley.com/heart