CityView October 2025 by CityView Magazine

CITYVIEW MAGAZINE’S

FOOD, WINE & ART

OCTOBER 9, 2025 • 6 PM - 9 PM AT THE CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN

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

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:

Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Cool Spring Downtown District

Fayetteville State University Fine Arts

Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex

Tarheel Quilters Guild

The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival

UMOJA

PERFORMANCES BY:

Black Note Collective

Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers

Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Cumberland Choral Arts / Cross Creek Chorale

Dance Theatre of Fayetteville

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra

Gilbert Theater

Sweet Tea Shakespeare

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

ARTS & CULTURE

Where Your Children Come First

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LOCAL JOURNALISM NEEDS

OCTOBER 2025

Publisher Kyle Villemain

Magazine Editor Valeria Cloës

Editorial Assistant Maydha Devarajan

Contributing Editor Katie Kosma

Director of Operation & Sales Talmadge Rogers

Administration & Operations Coordinator Caitlin Malson

Social Media Manager Grace McFadden

Graphic Designer Annette Winter

Sales Team Leader

Dawn Denham

Photographers

Israel Anta

James Throssel

Michaelah Reynolds

Paul Wolverton

Tony Wooten

Contributing Writers

Bill Horner III

Jami McLaughlin

Claire Mullen

Trey Nemec

Diane Parfitt

Teri Saylor

Tim White

Claudia Zamora

Distribution

Jennifer Baker

Wayne Robinson

On the cover: With starring roles on Broadway and in The Residence on Netflix, Molly Griggs is having a big year.

Photo by Michaelah Reynolds, contributed by Perennial Entertainment

12 A breakout year

‘Kismet’ brought Molly Griggs, a Cape Fear Regional Theatre alum, to Fayetteville. Acting talent is taking her everywhere else, including a hit Netflix series and on Broadway.

18 A new beat

New music programs and a state-of-the-art recording studio give Fayetteville children new opportunities.

26 Ringing the bell

After receiving treatment for breast cancer at Cape Fear Valley Health, Nyoshi Bizzell is leading a full life.

34 Coming soon to a theatre near you

Fayetteville rocks the stage with music, drama and more this 2025-2026 season.

36 2025 Cumberland County Fair

Take a photographic journey through this year's fair, which brought the community together with rides, classic fair food and exhibits.

Molly Griggs in her dressing room at New York City’s Booth Theatre.

Photo by Michaelah Reynolds, contributed by Perennial Entertainment

advisor.morganstanley.com/cardinal-point-east-group

EDITOR'S TAKE

A ‘perfect incubator’

BY VALERIA CLOËS

One of my favorite editions of CityView Magazine is back: “The Arts & Culture Issue.” Being in Fayetteville makes putting this month’s magazine together a joy, thanks to its prominent arts scene.

The city breeds talent, nurturing a long list of upand-coming, as well as renowned and award-winning performers like J. Cole, Brian Tyree Henry, Bill Curtis, Elizabeth McRae, Julianne Moore, J. Harrison Ghee, Affion Crockett, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Morray, Victoria “Porkchop” Parker, Diamond Essence White, Darius Jordan Lee, Deon’te Goodman, Molly Griggs and many others.

CityView ’s October issue showcases Fayetteville as a perfect incubator for the arts, highlighting a Cape Fear Theatre alum who is having a breakout year, a new youth program in the Orange Street School’s Music Lab, and previews the rest of the 2025-2026 music, drama and arts season.

Our cover story for this edition of the “Arts & Culture” magazine shines a light on Molly Griggs, an actress who performed at Cape Fear Regional Theatre from 2001 to 2012. Griggs is having an outstanding year, with starring roles in Netflix’s comedy miniseries

The Residence and on Broadway in John Proctor is the Villain, which has received seven Tony Awards nominations. We spoke to Griggs about the importance of her training at Cape Fear Regional Theatre and what she hopes for the future of her career.

The historic Orange Street School received a major $1.45 million renovation earlier this year, and part of that renovation added a state-of-the-art recording studio and Music Lab. On Aug. 23, the school debuted its new Youth Music Workshop series, which started with a basic drumming class.

Cape Fear Valley Health shares the story in a sponsored feature of a Capitol Encore Academy 8thgrade teacher and cancer survivor, Nyoshi Bizzell, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She overcame her Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis thanks to treatment at Cape Fear Valley Health’s facilities and her family’s support.

In case you need an updated list of the 2025-2026 performing arts season, we’ve got one for you nestled in these pages. And we bring you a photo gallery of this year’s Cumberland County Fair.

This month, our columnists explore what arts and culture mean to them: The first explores how Fayetteville can continue to become a grand arts mecca for North Carolina. Another shares a trickor-treat tale about manners during Halloween. Our bilingual columnist explores the art of listening over a cafecito — or coffee — in Latino culture and previews a bilingual storytelling event at the Spring Lake Community Library. The last recommends five books about travel and the art of living, with a special emphasis on a new book by United States Army Captain Dylan Nigh, Fool’s Gear: A Completely Devastating Thing I’ll Probably Do Again

Our October To-Do List is sure to keep you entertained this month with events at Cape Fear Botanical Garden, the Crown Complex, Methodist University, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, and so many other places.

Among those is our annual Food, Wine & ART event, presented by Cape Fear Valley Health, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Experience the magic of theater, dance, music and art at our highly anticipated event — make sure to snag a ticket before they sell out.

Were you at Fayetteville Next Advisory Commission’s 2nd Annual Adult Field Day on Aug. 23? We may have spotted you for this month’s Seen @ the Scene.

As an avid arts and culture enthusiast, I’m proud to find myself in a city that treasures the arts. I hope you are, too.

Thank you for reading!

Valeria Cloës

Magazine Editor

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

Molly Griggs performs at Cape Fear Regional Theatre in February 2010. Photo contributed by Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Becoming a grand arts mecca

BY TIM WHITE

Shortly after I landed in Fayetteville all those years ago, I discovered the city’s arts scene. I loved it.

I saw splendid plays at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, great local exhibits at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/ Cumberland County — one of the pioneers in downtown’s renaissance and the force that created Fourth Friday — and a few years later, got to see terrific films at the cheery, cozy Cameo Art House Theatre (yet another pioneer).

Exciting gallery displays, including national touring shows, were regular features at the Fayetteville Museum of Art. And some world-class talent regularly performed at venues within the Crown Complex — my all-time favorite was the night Elton John mesmerized his audience with a soaring solo performance in 2000 that was a tuneup for a national tour.

Today, that arts scene is even better, thanks to the visionary decision to create Festival Park, the arrival of more theater groups, and our two universities bringing arts and artists to the community and giving them space to shine.

There’s a lot to celebrate, as we talk about the arts scene.

And sadly, there’s also too much to mourn.

The Fayetteville Museum of Art, beset by financial challenges, closed its doors for good 15 years ago. It was a dreadful loss for the community, a cultural hole that’s never been filled. The museum had a good collection of its own, and it also attracted touring exhibits of renowned

artists. I still have a vivid memory of the last exhibition I saw there, a wonderful collection of Ansel Adams photographs that was touring the country.

And then there were all those musical performances at the Crown Theatre, which was already old and shabby by the time I arrived, back in 1999, but great music always transcends its venue. But it can’t do that when shabbiness descends into dangerous deterioration, which is where the old theater is today.

We had, for a while, an exciting answer. The county was finally going to put an entertainment venue where the Crown Coliseum should have gone back in the 1990s — downtown. It was exciting to see the site preparation work begin, a loud and happy message that downtown’s mission as an arts and entertainment district was continuing to expand. Think about it: You could head downtown for an early dinner at a good restaurant, then walk a block or two to the Crown Event Center for a show. And after, you could walk back to another venue for drinks and a snack before heading home. It’s the kind of thing you can do in a good city, and Fayetteville was adding just the right touches to become that good city.

But it appears that things went awry with the event center project and costs were out of control. The county commissioners decided against taking firm control of the initiative and instead killed it in June, walking away with vague aspirations for renovating the old Crown Theatre instead. That’s not a good or satisfying answer. It’s not

The construction site of the Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Photo by Paul Woolverton

FAMILY MATTERS

A trick-or-treat tale

BY CLAIRE MULLEN

As any parents striving to raise decent human beings typically do, my husband and I have tried our best to instill the importance of good manners and basic etiquette in our two children. As soon as they began to string together multi-word phrases, we expected them to be able to say a simple “please” and “thank you.”

And because we know that it’s sometimes easy for a child to forget their manners in moments of overwhelming excitement, we started our son and daughter young on what has become an annual Mullen family Halloween tradition: a good ol’ parental lecture on the do’s and don’ts of trick-or-treating.

Do say “please.” Do say “thank you.” Don’t run ahead of other children. Don’t reach into the bowl unless it’s offered to you. Don’t take more than one piece of candy unless you have been given explicit permission. Don’t trample anyone’s flower beds. And above all else, whatever you do, do NOT so much as raise an eyebrow if a well-meaning grown-up hands you a mini box of raisins.

We decided that our son was old enough for his first manners practice sessions before his second Halloween, when he was one month shy of his second birthday. For several weeks leading up to the big day, he toddled around the house with his jack-o’-lantern bucket in hand and rehearsed saying his own version of “trick-or-treat,” earning him a piece of candy corn in his bucket, which he could eat right after he said “thank you.” By Oct. 31, I was confident that my son was armed with just enough politeness to give big boy trick-or-treating a whirl.

I dressed him in a size 2T pair of Wranglers, pulled his arms through the world’s smallest orange reflective vest, plopped a miniature yellow hard hat on his head, and squished his chubby feet into a tiny pair of ridiculous toddler work boots. As we walked down our driveway, I drilled him once more:

Me: “What do we say if we’d like a piece of candy?”

My son: “Pees!”

Me: “Yes, great job! OK, and what should you say after someone puts candy in your bucket?” My son: “Fank ew! Happy Hah-ween!”

Nailed it.

I watched my adorable little pint-sized

construction worker take his dad’s hand and toddle up the sidewalk of the first stop on his very first trick-or-treating experience. I stood back and readied the video on my phone to document what I just knew would be a proud parent moment, the culmination of our weeks of practice, after which I could pat myself on the back for raising such a polite, well-mannered young boy.

Just as a smiling elderly gentleman opened his front door with one hand and balanced a bowl of an assortment of every type of candy a child could possibly hope for in the other, my husband whispered a final reminder in our son’s ear, “OK, buddy! Don’t forget what you’re supposed to say!”

Our neighbor lowered his bowl down to toddler level to allow my son to view its contents. I zoomed my iPhone in to catch the exact moment when I just knew he would utter his adorable little “twick-or-tweat, pees.” Radio silence.

The man reached into the bowl and placed a little bag of Swedish Fish in my son’s extended hand. He knew what he was supposed to say next. We had practiced and practiced. I anxiously waited for him to remember his “thank you.” Instead, my little boy stood on that porch, looked from under the brim of his tiny plastic hard hat right into that sweet old man’s eyes, held the Swedish Fish back out to him at arm’s length in a dramatic display of rejection, and said exactly two words: “Want Skittle.”

Apparently, when my son had glanced down into the candy bowl before him and caught sight of a red square packet emblazoned with images of a rainbowed assortment of his absolute favorite confection amidst of a sea of Dum Dums, Tootsie Rolls and Swedish Fish, every word in the English language that he had learned in the first two years of his life suddenly left his little brain. Much like a ghost out of a haunted house on All Hallows’ Eve, everything we practiced flew out the window when he spotted his most-loved, special occasion treat. The offering of drastically inferior Swedish Fish, combined with the presence of Skittles just inches away, clouded his better judgment and forced him into no-nonsense mode. Tunnel vision took hold, and desperate times called for desperate measures. He simply said what he was thinking: “Want Skittle.”

My husband let out a nervous laugh and apologetically explained to our neighbor, “Sorry about that! He’s a first-timer.” As the patient man allowed our son to swap out the offensive gelatinous red fish in exchange for his beloved Skittles, my husband offered a final chance at redemption … “Buddy, now what do you say?” Thankfully, my son, still eyeing the object of his desire now secure in his pail, looked up just long enough to utter a sincere, “Fank ew!”

Before we ushered our insolent little construction worker off his front stoop, I sheepishly apologized to the older man once more, thanked him profusely and wished him a happy Halloween. Just when I wondered if he was thinking, “Kids these days!” or “Didn’t his parents teach him that beggars can’t be choosers?” or “Where were his manners?”, that sweet man let out a genuine belly laugh and exclaimed, “Sweet little children! Aren’t they just somethin’ else?”

When I’m old and gray, I hope I remember to show as much patience as that kind neighbor showed us that Halloween. That I bypass judging kids who take two candies instead of one, young children who are still learning and might forget how to say please, older children who may look a year or two too old for trick-or-treating, and, yes, even toddlers who might decide to vocalize their preference of Skittles over Swedish Fish. After all, I’m a 40-year-old woman who still loses her senses in the presence of Snickers bars and strawberry Twizzlers.

To all the grown-ups who remember how exciting it is to be a little kid trickor-treating on Halloween night and give a little extra grace in the spirit of fun and neighborliness, my family and I would like to say a heartfelt “fank ew.”

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

ENTERTAINMENT

A breakout year

‘Kismet’ brought Molly Griggs, a Cape Fear Regional Theatre alum, to Fayetteville. Acting talent is taking her everywhere else, including a hit Netflix series and on Broadway.

BY BILL HORNER III

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAELAH REYNOLDS, CONTRIBUTED BY PERENNIAL ENTERTAINMENT

EEven had her family never moved to Fayetteville, Molly Griggs still thinks she would have found her way to the stage.

An acting career may have been launched. Broadway may have beckoned. TV and film roles may have been proffered.

But what began after her father Ken’s 1999 assignment to Womack Army Medical Center — where he served as a radiologist — led Molly to a place that became like a second home and, eventually, a career launching pad: the city’s Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

“I feel like there’s some sort of special kismet that brought us to Fayetteville,” said Molly, who’ll soon turn 32, reflecting on the family’s move. “That theater in particular was just the perfect incubator for someone like me. I was able to really figure out who I was, and just be able to have the opportunity to do so many things.”

And a perfect incubator it was — today, her home is in Brooklyn, in New York City, where, between April and September, Molly was traveling to Manhattan to perform on Broadway. But that wasn’t the only standout role for Molly this year.

Molly Griggs plays the President's social secretary Lilly Schumacher in the popular Netflix series The Residence

Griggs opened Broadway's John Proctor Is the Villain on Monday, April 14, 2025.

A breakout year

The epochal day was March 20: Netflix’s comedy miniseries The Residence, a romp of a whodunnit set within the White House, dropped on the streaming platform that Thursday; later that evening, the dramatic stage play John Proctor is the Villain, a one-act revisionist consideration of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, premiered at The Booth Theater on Broadway.

Molly had starring turns in each.

In her character Lilly Schumacher’s first scene in The Residence, her emphatic, defining line is: “I was everywhere.”

For Molly the actor — whose first appearances at Cape Fear Regional Theatre were in plays such as Honk! and The Music Man — the line has proven apropos. The spring and summer found her both on televisions globally via Netflix and live on stage in theater’s Great White Way epicenter. “Everywhere” could also describe her acting range: her performances in those roles demonstrate the skills she’s developed, beginning with her Cape Fear Regional Theatre debut in 2001 and honed through her 2018 Broadway debut in a revival of Hello, Dolly!, which coincided that year with a role in a handful of episodes of HBO’s Emmywinning satirical drama Succession

On The Residence, Molly’s Lilly Schumacher is the scheming, pushy and entitled presidential social secretary with sights on reinventing the White House. (Among

other things, but no spoilers here.) And in John Proctor is the Villain, Molly portrays Bailey Gallagher, a freshto-the-job guidance counselor at a rural north Georgia high school. Her character works as a mediator between school administration and a group of students reading the book (theater-speak for the stage play’s full script) of The Crucible, the partly fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials set beginning in 1692 Massachusetts. Molly’s own evolution as Miss Gallagher, from cautious to principled advocate to hero, is crucial to the story, set during 2018’s #MeToo movement.

Exposure like that isn’t always rocket fuel for an actor’s career. Even so, The Residence, which in its first week received nearly two billion viewing minutes, according to The Hollywood Reporter, continues streaming on Netflix. John Proctor received seven Tony Awards nominations and ended its massively successful run on Sept. 7, but may get a big-screen treatment: Universal Studios picked up the film rights, with Tina Fey and Marc Platt set to produce and Tony-nominated creator Kimberly Belflower to pen the screenplay, reports The Hollywood Reporter. Play lead Sadie Sink of Stranger Things fame, who earned a Tony nomination for her performance as social outcast Shelby Holcomb, is set to star in the film version.

As for Molly? With two major roles and accolades for both, her breakout 2025 looks to be just a coming attraction.

Griggs with the cast of John Proctor is the Villain at New York City’s Booth Theatre.

Cape Fear beginnings

"Everywhere" began somewhere, and Molly’s not shy in revealing that, for her, that somewhere was Fayetteville.

Ken and Lindsay Griggs moved Molly and her siblings here from San Antonio after Ken got that assignment to Womack. In addition to being a skilled medical officer, Ken also loved the theater — which meant he and the Griggs family became staples there, on stage and off.

Aside from opportunities to perform, Molly credits Cape Fear Regional Theatre, where she performed until 2012, for giving her “the reps” — repetitions, the focused cycles of practice of the things that develop and shape an actor’s skills — so valuable to an actor, and for exposure to career performers.

“We did four or five plays a year, and that’s a lot of plays, even for a professional actor,” she said. “And so I was able to meet people and work with people who were professional actors, as well as so many amazing actors in the community who had other jobs as well, but were also very talented.”

The quality of Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s production “was really high,” she said, considering Fayetteville wasn’t Atlanta or Los Angeles or New York. “It didn’t have the kind of infrastructure as those big cities did,” she added, “but I feel like we were able to put together really awesome, high-quality plays.”

It was while attending Terry Sanford High School that Molly began seriously contemplating making acting her career. She sought insights and advice from out-of-town actors and directors who worked at Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Supportive parents — she beams when speaking about her family — helped. Graduation, more training, an acting degree from Carnegie Mellon University, supporting roles in several television series and Broadway and off-Broadway appearances followed.

Now, as her profile grows, she’s

Griggs wore a silver beaded Cucculelli Shaheen dress for the opening night of Broadway's

John Proctor Is the Villain

described Fayetteville on theater podcasts as “special and strange” and “amazing.” She speaks about the city’s unique mix of diversity, transient military population and people who’ve “lived there forever” with fondness, thankful that as a military kid she found community there and at Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

A former artistic director at Cape Fear Regional Theatre remembers Molly as the rare young performer whose stage presence inexorably destined her for a career as an actor.

Tom Quaintance, the producing artistic director for the Virginia Stage Company — a professional theater organization in the Hampton Roads region — directed Molly in Hairspray, his first show after joining Cape Fear Regional Theatre.

“Molly was a high school senior, I think — maybe a junior — at the time,” he remembered. “I taught high school theatre for 13 years, and Molly was one of the very few kids I ever worked with that I thought, ‘Yeah — this is what this young person should do for a profession.’”

Tom’s assessment wasn’t just based on Molly’s immense talent, he said, or her “second to none” work ethic, or the talents and commitment of her parents.

“This is an actor whose love for what she is doing shines on stage,” he said. “Her Without Love” — where Molly’s “nerdy” character, Penny Pingleton, through song, unlocks her passion — ”was breathtaking.”

“She’s also funny,” he said, “really, really funny. I think that has a lot to do with the family she grew up in and around. I love that whole bunch. Ken and I went on to work together many times … and Lindsay's wholehearted support for the theater and the people who make it — those two built a home where it makes sense that all their kids have a great sense of humor and a love for the arts.

“They are all dear friends and I can’t wait to see where Molly's career will take her next,” Quaintance said.

More roles beckon

With John Proctor ’s run ending, Molly and her husband, the writer-director Sam French (parents to Izzy, a rescue dog), have looked forward to a break — particularly after the eight performances per week the play required. During its run, Molly had Mondays off, but matinee shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays proved more taxing, she said, than five 14-hour days in film or TV production with weekends off.

Her “free” time hasn’t been that free: not knowing for certain what’s next, Molly’s typical week has also featured two or three (or more) auditions.

“I’m still at a point in my career where I mostly just have to take what’s offered, and so I’m auditioning for everything,” she said. “And of course, I’ll have conversations with my reps about what sorts of things we think would be good as a next step, and we can put more energy toward those projects.”

She thought she’d focus more on television after her appearance on The Residence; a high-profile guest appearance on a long-running TV drama comes early this month. She’s hesitant to get more specific until it airs, a cautionary practice not uncommon in the industry; she also has “other things percolating” that could pop at any time.

“But you know, sometimes things come up, like the play, for instance — it was something that came across that was a surprise,” Molly said. “… (It) was so special and meaningful to me, and then they wanted me to do it. So I was like, ‘Of course, I’ll do it.’ So I kind of am just going where the wind is taking me and throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks.”

Molly prefers characters with an arc who experience transformation. And her authenticity — in person and on stage — and sense of gratitude are endearing. That’s evident to those who’ve worked with her, says Autumn Angelettie, the assistant director of John Proctor, who vividly remembers Molly’s audition for the play.

“The second she walked in, there was just a wonderful glow and radiating smile to her that felt very much in

Griggs prefers characters with an arc who experience transformation.

alignment with the Miss Gallagher character,” Angelettie said. “There's this sort of smiling, Southern, smalltown quality that I think totally comes from the region. That just comes very naturally to Molly, being from North Carolina.”

She noted Molly’s “gorgeous, effortless instinct and immediate connectivity to Miss Gallagher” that other actors considered for the part couldn’t replicate.

“Molly came into the role with a deep, intrinsic understanding of the character on the very, very first day,” Angelettie said. But her spirit also helped shape the culture of the company, something Angelettie described as “very joyous” and generous.

“And I think a lot of that has to do with Molly leading by example, and allowing that gratitude and that openness to learning from her peers, regardless of whether they were older or younger than her, to permeate into the culture of the company,” she said. “And I think that kindness was palpable and contagious, for sure.”

“She’s an incredible talent,” said Angelettie, who took pains to express her “adoration and admiration” for Molly. “So it would be no surprise to me if she is continuously and consistently booked from this show onward for the rest of her life.”

That’d be plenty fine with Molly.

“It’s like I just genuinely do want to be doing everything [as an actor],” she said. “And I know that’s not possible, but I’m going to try my hardest.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A new beat

In the historic Orange Street School, new music programs and a state-of-the-art recording studio give Fayetteville children new opportunities

BY TREY NEMEC | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN

OOn a tree-lined street, nestled away from busy roads and the hustle of downtown Fayetteville, an imposing brick building stands tall. Through the tall metal picket fence, you can see lush green grass covering the ground. In late August, a small flower bed shows off some of its last blooms of the summer season — a sure sign that the weather will soon turn cold as autumn settles in a little more. Through the heavy white door and down a welcoming hallway, a large, open room full of windows greets you. You’ve just stepped inside a piece of history, but one that’s marching to the beat of a new drum.

The Orange Street School was first opened in 1915

to serve as a school for Black students in Fayetteville. For years, the school nurtured its students’ minds, becoming E.E. Smith High School’s first home. When the school shuttered its doors in 1953, it was used as offices and storage before being abandoned and falling into disrepair.

Now, 110 years after the Orange Street School welcomed its first class, and following a $1.45 million renovation process that began in 2021, these halls of local history are open again. This time, though, following the building’s new beginning as a community center in late February, the space will host more than math and science classes.

Seventeen-year-old Josiah Walker attends the Basic Drumming: Finding Your Beat workshop with instructor Brandon Jones.

Professional musician Brandon Jones taught the inaugural workshop on Aug. 23 of the Orange Street School Music Lab's Youth Music Program.

A new Youth Music Workshop series and state-of-theart music production studio — a partnership between the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department and the Sandhills Jazz Society, with funding from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County — is putting music into the hands of Cumberland County students.

Finding your beat

In that bright, window-filled room, 17-year-old Josiah Walker sat upright in a black folding chair on Aug. 23, drumming on a practice pad that was placed on top of an orange 5-gallon bucket. His drumsticks rolled on the foam surface, filling the echoey room with short bursts of rhythm.

His Saturday morning was spent attending the first installment of the new Youth Music Workshop series, titled “Basic Drumming: Finding Your Beat.” Sitting across from Walker, Brandon Jones, a professional musician and the instructor of the workshop, offered encouraging words and pointers while they waited for more students to arrive. With six students in total shuffling in — some teens,

some so small that their feet didn’t touch the floor while sitting behind their makeshift drums — Jones led the group of budding musicians through 45 minutes of drumming. Starting with the most basic beats and moving on to more complex measures, the student’s once chaotic individual sounds became a synchronized corps of staccato taps. With some students never having tried drumming, the workshop acted as an introduction to rhythm and how music can bring people together.

From Jones’s perspective, drumming teaches teamwork. Much like in athletics, students in a drum line learn how to work together to achieve a common goal. Aside from creating music together, Jones believes that new programs like these offer more than just something to do on a Saturday in August.

“This can be an outlet for kids to get away and focus on something positive that they can hold on to and take with them for the rest of their lives,” Jones told CityView. “This is another alternative for kids or youth or anyone to get involved in their community and be a part of something that’s going to help them grow as a person, as a musician or whatever they desire to be.”

Jones, members of the Sandhills Jazz Society, student participants and their family members pose for a photo during the Basic Drumming: Finding Your Beat workshop.

Participants of the beginner-friendly drumming workshop learn proper hand techniques, basic drum patterns and how to play in time.

Tyshica Smith-Tucker, youth development and cultural arts program coordinator for the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department, saw a need for more music programming in the community, and she set out to fill in the gap. She wrote a grant for the Youth Music Workshop series, and secured funding for that grant through the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. Smith-Tucker said these music workshops, which will happen once a month for the next six months, aim to expose kids to new activities.

“The whole purpose of this is to get students acclimated to something they may not know about,” SmithTucker said to the room of students and parents. She explained that beyond the free workshops, the

Gabriel Swinney of the Sandhills Jazz Society records students as they play drums in the studio of the Orange Street Music Lab.

Left, Jones makes an adjustment to a drum as Cayden Outen prepares to play.

Orange Street School will continue to be filled with music by hosting more in-depth music classes in the future, providing an opportunity for deeper musical understanding to the Fayetteville youth.

The real deal

After the sound of drumsticks clicking and practice pads had faded, students and their parents were ushered up the wooden staircase of the building and into a new space — the Orange Street School’s brand new music production studio.

The music studio, which features a massive screen mounted to the wall, playback speakers, an audio mixing board and vocal and instrumental recording rooms, will offer students an opportunity to not only make music, but learn the technical skills to produce and record it.

Ron Martin, a member of the Sandhills Jazz Society, said as early as 2019 he began working with Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Director Michael Gibson to establish a music studio space. Martin told CityView that he thinks the music studio will make a big impact on the community. He said it will provide important opportunities for children who are tech-minded or those who don’t find enjoyment in sports or other activities.

Martin, along with the help of other local music gurus like Ja’Paul Whitehurst and Gabriel Swinney, was able to fully design the music studio, from layout to equipment, to best suit the needs of students. Access to the studio and its equipment, along with the guiding knowledge of these local leaders, will allow students to flourish in their musical talents when the school begins offering piano, voice and other classes in the near future.

“I think it’s going to be really beneficial to those kids that can’t play basketball, football or baseball,” Martin said, explaining with a smile that it’s important for kids to have diverse options for activities.

Sandhills Jazz Society members Tina Turner, Gabriel Swinney, volunteer Ja'Paul Whitehurst and member Ron Martin during the Basic Drumming: Finding Your Beat workshop on Saturday, Aug. 23.

A community heartbeat

Inside the studio, students who attended the Saturday morning workshop took turns playing on a real, professional-grade drum kit while their beats were recorded on the studio’s new equipment. With a little extra instruction from Jones, students who began the day being taught how to properly hold drumsticks played beats you could hear as the backing to nearly any song on the radio.

“I just like that I can express myself freely,” Walker said, smiling as he explained why he loves the drums. “It’s like free space.” The 17-year-old, who also plays drums at his church and serves as a section leader for the band at Gray’s Creek High School, said that he sees professional drum sets on social media often and having the opportunity to play one “was crazy.” He told CityView that he hopes to attend North Carolina State University and play in their band.

Jones, with an uplifting and excited tone in his voice, told students that drums are integral in the band. They keep the beat. They set the pace.

“Drums are a heartbeat,” Jones said, the students joining together in the beat on their practice pads. “That’s rhythm. That’s life.”

With the strong foundation of partnerships and musical expertise of local leaders breathing new life into the community, the new music programs and studio at The Orange Street School are set to become a new heartbeat for budding creatives in Fayetteville.

FUTURE READY.

&

FTCC Forward: Short-Term Workforce Development Grant Program

• Provides financial assistance for NC resident students who enroll in noncredit, short-term workforce training programs

• Scholarship covers tuition, books or other (which varies by class) not to exceed $750

• For important eligibility requirements, please visit www.faytechcc.edu/corporate-continuing-education/ scholarships/ftccforward/.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Trey Nemec is a reporter for CityView. He is a Fayetteville State University alumnus, and holds a bachelor's degree in communication and media studies.

HEALTH

Ringing the bell

After receiving treatment for breast cancer at Cape Fear Valley Health, Nyoshi Bizzell is leading a full life

BY TERI SAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN

IIt was New Year’s Eve in 2024, a day that signaled the end of a tough year. Bizzell had spent six months fighting cancer and, on this day, had taken her young daughter Aureon and friends skating. She had lost track of time until she got a call from hospital staff reminding her that she was late for her final radiation treatment.

“So, I gathered up my daughter and all her friends and we went to the cancer center together,” she said.

At the same time, her teenage son Jaden was out with his friends. He knew his mother would be ringing a bell that day, signaling the end of her treatment, and his entire group trooped over to the hospital to watch.

“I remember looking around and seeing the hospital lobby full of kids,” Bizzell recalled. She counted eight boys and girls gathered there to cheer her on.

”It was great because those kids had seen the journey I was on,” she said. “They saw me with the drainage tubes hanging off me, and they saw me go through chemo and lose my hair, so to have them there at my last and final treatment and see me ring the bell was one of those things that closed a chapter for all of us.”

Bizzell, 41, is an 8th-grade English language arts teacher at The Capitol Encore Academy in downtown Fayetteville. She is a single mom to Aureon, her 11-year-old daughter,

Nyoshi Bizzell, an art teacher at The Capitol Encore Academy in Fayetteville, reflects on the importance of breast cancer awareness.

rang her first bell — signifying the end of her chemo — on Oct. 15, 2024, about five months after her diagnosis.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bizzell experienced other physical changes, too. She lost her eyebrows and body hair. Her skin developed dark

Mike Prevatte, Cape Fear Amateur Radio Society (CFARS) member, notes who he contacted with the handheld ham radio and responds back during a February amateur radio club competition.

Saylor is a freelance writer based in Raleigh. SPONSORED CONTENT

Teri

Real Estate

Buying a home is a momentous occasion, whether it’s for a starter home, a dream home or something in between. The men and women featured here have extensive knowledge of our local market and have proven experience in helping guide you through the often-complicated process of finding and closing on a property. Or if you are in the market to sell, they can help you find the right buyer. Whether you are looking to buy or sell for your family, for investment purposes or for commercial use, these are your go-to experts!

CityView will be profiling women in business in its March issue. Call us at 910-423-6500 or email sales@cityviewnc.com to reserve your spot in this special promotional section.

CityView

Heather

J. Edwards

COLDWELL BANKER ADVANTAGE

Heather Edwards is a Fayetteville area native and is passionate about helping others with all their real estate needs — from buying and selling homes, farms or land — to finding the perfect investment properties. Heather serves on a team with Coldwell Banker Advantage in Fayetteville and she is known for her market knowledge and commitment to providing exceptional service. Her dedication has won her top-producer honors and very satisfied clients. Heather is married with 3 beautiful children. When not working, Heather enjoys spending time traveling, church activities and going for long walks. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, land, an estate or investment property, Heather’s expertise and market knowledge make her the ideal agent in helping you in your real estate journey.

910-214-4616

heatherjacksonedwards@gmail.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.

Grant-Murray Real Estate

Real Estate has become Fayetteville’s go-to full-service commercial real estate firm. We specialize in brokerage, leasing, tenant representation, site selection and comprehensive property management throughout Cumberland County and the metro area, covering office, retail and industrial markets.

At Grant-Murray, our tiered expertise delivers results at every scale:

• Grant-Murray Real Estate leads the commercial market with a deep agent network, unmatched listings and a proven track record in closed transactions. grantmurrayre.com

• Grant-Murray Property Management, headed by a seasoned team, ensures your commercial assets perform optimally — maintained, tenant-focused and investment-ready. grantmurraypm.com

• Grant-Murray Homes, launched in 2018, brings the same tenacity to the residential arena, expertly guiding military families, investors and first-time buyers toward seamless, value-driven outcomes. grantmurrayhomes.com

What sets us apart is local dedication. As a family-owned, community-focused firm with deep roots in Fayetteville, we understand the local market like no other. Whether you’re expanding your business footprint or finding your next home, we invest in your vision — and your future.

Discover the difference that decades of experience, personalized service and unwavering integrity can make.

910-829-1617

150 N. McPherson Church Road, Suite A, Fayetteville, NC 28303

grantmurrayre.com

Founded in January 2011 by Patrick Murray and Neil Grant, Grant-Murray

Soula Bantsolas

JNB PROPERTIES — COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

Soula Bantsolas grew up in a military family in Fayetteville, N.C., attended the Westover Schools and earned a communications degree from UNC. Her passion for helping people began with a career in the nonprofit industry and evolved into helping people achieve their real estate goals. Soula started her real estate career in the residential market and then joined the firm started by her father, JNB Commercial Properties. At JNB, she enjoys guiding clients through buying and selling homes while also offering a range of commercial real estate services, including sales, leasing, and property management. Known for her attentive client care, tenacious work ethic and exceptional communication, Soula is dedicated to providing reliable, professional service throughout every transaction.

910-583-4483 911 Bragg Blvd. Fayetteville, NC 28301 jnbcommercial.com

Atlas Real Estate Partners

Home is where stories begin, and at Atlas Real Estate Partners, it’s an honor to be part of yours. As the leader of our firm, I, Amanda Smith, bring not only years of experience but also a genuine love for people and the community that raised me.

Our agents are the heartbeat of Atlas — agents who are neighbors, friends and professionals dedicated to helping you make one of life’s most important moves with confidence and care. We don’t just sell homes; we build relationships that last well beyond the closing table.

Every client who walks through our doors becomes part of our Atlas family. We lead with heart, put people before sales, and pour our expertise into making sure you feel guided and supported every step of the way.

At the end of the day, real estate isn’t about property. It’s about people, and that’s where we shine.

Judy Capps TOWNSEND REAL ESTATE

With over 20 years of dedicated service at Townsend Real Estate, Judy Capps is a seasoned professional in the Fayetteville real estate market. Growing up in the Fayetteville area and having relocated multiple times herself, Judy brings a personal touch and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with moving to a new city. Her extensive experience in marketing and selling homes throughout Fayetteville and its surrounding communities has earned her a reputation for excellence. Whether you’re looking to sell your property or find your dream home, Judy’s expertise and local knowledge make her your ideal partner in navigating the real estate market.

910-988-3967

www.judycapps.com judycappsrealtor@yahoo.com

910-779-0076 | homewithatlas.com

Madison Sealy Elke Simson

Joan Slaysman

Amanda Smith

Charles Hales

Catherine Downey

Perry Olive

Dawn Gibson

Ana Paro

CITYVIEW MAGAZINE’S

FOOD, WINE & ART

OCTOBER 9, 2025 • 6 PM - 9 PM AT THE CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDEN

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

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:

Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Cool Spring Downtown District

Fayetteville State University Fine Arts

Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex

Tarheel Quilters Guild

The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival

UMOJA

PERFORMANCES BY:

Black Note Collective

Cape Fear Ballroom Dancers

Cape Fear Regional Theatre

Cumberland Choral Arts / Cross Creek Chorale

Dance Theatre of Fayetteville

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra

Gilbert Theater

Sweet Tea Shakespeare

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Coming soon to a theatre near you

Fayetteville rocks the stage with music, drama and more this 2025-2026 season

BY JAMI MCLAUGHLIN

WWhether you are looking to laugh, dance or be entertained, Fayetteville has great seasons ahead and even comedy nights on stage with local to national performers. Between our theatres, dance studios and musical venues, there is much to look forward to this year.

Performances are subject to change — please check before attending.

ON STAGE

The Cape Fear Regional Theatre stages musicals, dramas and comedies, and has educational programs for children and adults throughout the year. The 2025-26 season: Little Shop of Horrors in October/November; The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in December (for the 34th year!); Disney’s High School Musical in January/February; Driving Miss Daisy in March/April; Crowns in May. There are also special events during productions, military appreciation nights and teacher appreciation nights.

For more information, visit the Cape Fear Regional Theatre’s website at cfrt.org or call the box office at 910-323-4234. The theatre is temporarily located at the ballroom in the GoodHomes Bordeaux at 1707 Owen Drive (the former Holiday Inn Bordeaux).

The Gilbert Theater at 116 Green St., above Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, entertains audiences in a black-box theater with productions ranging from quirky to serious. The 2025-26 season’s shows: a reprise of A Christmas Story, Nov. 21–Dec. 7; The Revolutionists, Jan. 30–Feb. 15; On Golden Pond, March 20–April 5; and Rent, May 15–31. All productions showcase local talent. 910-678-7186 or gilberttheater.com.

“We chose shows that we thought audiences would like to come and see,” said Matt Lamb, artistic director of the Gilbert Theater. “We want the community to take a look and know that there is something for everyone at the Gilbert Theater.”

Sweet Tea Shakespeare traditionally intertwines live music into their stage productions. Performance locations vary and are announced as the show approaches. This season’s upcoming shows include The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Nov. 6–9, 13–16 and 20–23; Behold, Dec. 4–6; Sense and Sensibility based on the book by Jane Austen, Jan. 22–25 and 29, Feb. 1; Romeo and JuliLIT, Feb. 12–14 (for adult audiences only); Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, Apr. 16–19 and 23–26; Three Musketeers based on the book by Alexandre Dumas, June 11–14, 18–21 and 25–28.

CONCERTS

Celebrating their 90th season this year, Community Concerts brings artists you love to the Crown Theatre. Last year, the season featured Billy Ocean, Kansas and ZZ Top. For information on the 2025-26 season, call 910-323-1991 or go to community-concerts.com.

The Crown Complex hosts musical acts and stage shows, as well as sports, trade shows and more. Venues include the Crown Coliseum, a theatre, an arena, an expo hall and a ballroom. Upcoming shows include Nurse John, Oct. 11; Grace & Glory Tour: Crowder, Oct. 12; Clint Black: Back on the Blacktop Tour, Oct. 16; Katt Williams, Nov. 14; the Fayetteville Fishing Expo from Jan. 30–Feb. 1, and many more. For more shows, call 910-438-4100 or visit crowncomplexnc.com

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is located at 301 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville. Photo by Tony Wooten

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra brings the best performers from across the state to performance venues from Seabrook Auditorium at Fayetteville State University to the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church on Green Street. The lineup includes season concerts, community concerts and student concerts. It also presents Symphony on Tap, a musical series with free admission at local breweries.

The 2025-26 season includes Jubilate Deo, Oct. 11; Coffee Cantata, a comedic piece for voice and strings that tells the story of a girl and her father arguing over love, life and caffeine Nov. 22; The Road to America 250 concert by American composers in St. John’s Episcopal Church, Jan. 17; A Night on the Town featuring Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Feb. 28; and John Williams and His Influences concert, April 18 in Huff Concert Hall.

Single tickets range from $7 for children to $36 for adult general admission. Discount ticket pricing is available for seniors, Cumberland County Schools employees, military and college students.

There are also Symphony on Tap events which bring different ensembles to various areas of town like Dirtbag Ales, James Creek Cider House, Haymount Truck Stop and District House of Taps. For more information or future performance times, call 910-433-4690 or visit fayettevillesymphony.org.

Fayetteville State University brings musical acts, national artists and more to Seabrook Auditorium. 910672-1724 or uncfsu.edu/about-fsu/community/seabrook

STAND-UP COMEDY

Paddy’s Irish Pub, 2606 Raeford Road, Suite B, has comedy shows on Thursdays. paddysirishpub.com

The Locals Comedy holds shows at various locations in and around Fayetteville. Shows are announced on Facebook. facebook.com/TheLocalsComedy

DANCE

There are two options for The Nutcracker this Christmas season with the Charlotte Blume School of Dance and the Dance Theatre of Fayetteville.

The 56th annual performance of The Nutcracker by the Charlotte Blume School of Dance, home of the North Carolina State Ballet, will take place on Dec. 13 and 14 at the Crown Auditorium. Performances for Cumberland County Schools will take place Dec. 5 and 8 and area private schools and homeschool groups will be on Dec. 12. More information can be found on their social media page at facebook.com/charlotteblumeschoolofdance.

The Nutcracker will also be performed by the Dance Theatre of Fayetteville on Dec. 5–7 at Methodist University. For more information on the Dance Theatre of Fayetteville, which has united dancers for more than two decades, visit dancetheatreoffayetteville.org.

GALLERIES

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

is a nonprofit organization that serves as a link between artists and cultural organizations and provides grants to local artists. The organization’s Art Center Gallery hosts free exhibits throughout the year. The Arts Council is at 301 Hay St. in downtown Fayetteville. 910-323-1776 or theartscouncil.com

The Art Gallery at Fayetteville Technical Community College displays exhibitions each semester that feature the artwork of students, faculty and outside artists. Exhibitions are free and open to the public, and they run year-round. The gallery is in the foyer of the Paul H. Thompson Library at 2221 Hull Road. 910-678-0092

Cape Fear Studios offers art lessons and hosts a community of artists in residence. The nonprofit organization is in downtown Fayetteville. It includes a retail gallery and a main gallery that exhibit artworks in an array of media by local, national, and international artists. The exhibits are free and open to the public. The studio is at 148 Maxwell St., 910-433-2986 or capefearstudios.com

Rosenthal Art Gallery, in the Rosenthal Building on the campus of Fayetteville State University, is part of the university’s Department of Performing and Fine Arts. It hosts exhibits of works by students, staff and internationally known artists throughout the year. 910-672-1057

MUSEUMS

U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum has exhibits on the past, present and future of the Army’s airborne and special operations forces. It is owned and operated by the Army. The museum, which also hosts special programs and guest speakers thanks to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation, is located at 100 Bragg Blvd. Admission is free and open to the public. 910-643-2778 or asomf.org

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, in the heart of downtown Fayetteville at 116 Green St., is a hands-on interactive museum created to educate as well as provide hours of fun for children up to 12. The museum offers family memberships, art classes, and children’s birthday packages. 910-829-9171 or fascinate-u.com

Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex features exhibits bringing the Cape Fear region’s diverse history to life with living-history programs, tours, special events, interactive programs, and demonstrations. The Poe House, a restored 1897 home, and Arsenal Park, the remains of an ordnance factory from the Civil War era, make up the historical complex at 801 Arsenal Ave. 910-500-4240 or museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jami McLaughlin is a freelance writer for CityView. She can be reached at 910-391-4870.

2025 Cumberland County Fair

The 2025 Cumberland County Fair, held Aug. 29 to Sept. 7 at the Crown Complex, brought the community together with rides, classic fair food and exhibits highlighting local agriculture and crafts. This year’s fair featured themed days like Faith and Family, Sensory-Friendly Monday and the Day of Giving, while live entertainment, contests and special admission deals ensured fun for all ages in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. Photography by Israel Anta

OYE, ¿CÓMO VA?

Cafecito and community: the art of listening

BY CLAUDIA ZAMORA

There is something almost sacred about the pause for coffee. It’s not just a hot drink or a daily routine. It’s a small ritual of connection. An invitation to look into each other’s eyes, to share words … or simply to share silence.

In our Latino communities, coffee is rarely about caffeine. It’s about the soul. Because what we seek is not energy for the body, but warmth for the heart.

I have seen how a cup of coffee can become a bridge: between strangers who start to laugh, between generations who exchange stories, between people who find in that moment their only network of support.

We live in times when everyone speaks, but few truly listen. Times full of quick replies but lacking in long embraces. Times when screens light up but connections grow dim.

That’s why returning to the simple gesture of sharing a coffee feels almost like a tender act of rebellion. It’s telling the other person, “I’m here for you. I have time to listen.” And it’s also telling yourself, “I deserve to pause, to stop and be heard.”

The art of listening is not about giving advice. It’s about being there, wholeheartedly. Holding someone’s gaze. Resisting the rush to respond. Cradling another’s silence, even when we don’t fully understand it.

I’ve witnessed how a brief conversation, with two cups on the table, can smooth the wrinkled soul of someone who arrived heavy with burdens. I’ve learned that often we don’t seek solutions, we seek a calm ear, a heart that’s available.

Community is not woven through grand speeches or distant promises. It’s woven through simple gestures,

repeated with tenderness: “How are you, really?”, “Do you want me to listen?”, “Shall we have a coffee?”

Although coffee does not cure anxiety or erase traumas, it can plant something invaluable: the certainty that we are not alone. The certainty that someone sees us, hears us, calls us by name.

Aside from listening over coffee, there’s ample opportunity in our community to listen and share space in other ways: Families in Spring Lake are invited to the Imagination Library Bilingual Storytime from 10–11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Spring Lake Community Library, located 101 Laketree Blvd. This free event for children ages 0–5 and their families features a bilingual story in English and Spanish, fun movement, music activities and crafts. A wonderful way to spark early learning, celebrate culture and enjoy time together.

However you choose to connect, this space, this column, also longs to be a shared cup of coffee. A place to rest together. To talk about what matters, without hurry. To listen to each other in what is said … and also in what is unspoken.

Because in a world that never stops shouting, listening remains one of the most beautiful and profound acts of love.

Claudia Zamora is an Argentinian author, mental health and wellness coach, and passionate community advocate. Since 2011, she has made Fayetteville, North Carolina, her home, uplifting the Hispanic community.

PHOTO BY FRANK LEUDERALBERT ON UNSPLASH

Travel and the art of living

BY DIANE PARFITT

Fall is my favorite season in Fayetteville. The weather is usually pleasant as it starts getting cooler and the leaves change to the beautiful yellows and reds. It is a great time to travel, whether by car, plane, train or motorcycle! And if traveling is not in your plans right now, there are many wonderful books about traveling.

There are basically three types of travel books. One type includes the travel guides and pictorial coffee table books of trips taken. Another type includes novels about fictional journeys of discovery or questing, often tied to one or more themes like The Odyssey by Homer or, in more contemporary literature, The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The third type is nonfiction travelogues about real trips undertaken for exploration, adventure or self-discovery. Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck and A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson are two popular examples.

As a local bookstore, we at City Center Gallery & Books love encouraging people to read real books, and we also want to promote promising new authors. One of our staff, Liz, discovered one such author when a young writer and United States Army Captain named Dylan Nigh dropped off his book for us to review. She read a bit of it, was excited about the story, and quickly gave it to me to review. When my husband Hank (the English major in the group) read it, he was equally excited about it, and our “journey” with this new author began.

the unknown around every bend. With every breathtaking sight and narrowly avoided disaster comes heartbreak and healing, a journey both internal and physical, relatable to anyone who has felt the highs and lows of life.

Dylan’s book is more than just a travel log or a journey of self-discovery. Even though it is nonfiction, it reads like a novel in the best tradition of storytelling. Anyone who enjoys a well-written book, whatever their interest, will enjoy Fool’s Gear. Recently I asked Dylan some questions for this column to give you a little taste of his book and the journey that inspired it.

Diane: What made you decide to drive across the country on your motorcycle?

Dylan: I had the time after six months of military training, needed to shake things up, and was missing home.

Diane: Did you have a set itinerary and schedule?

Dylan: I had a few set days based on hotel reservations but otherwise slept outside or at whatever place had vacancy. This gave me plenty of flexibility.

Diane: Did you plan to write a book when you began your journey?

Dylan: Not originally, but the more people suggested it the more it started to make sense.

Diane: Was there one incident or one person that really stands out in your memory?

Dylan: Rock climbing the inside of grain silos in Oklahoma City was definitely a standout.

Dylan’s book is about his trip from Wilmington, North Carolina, to San Diego, California, on a 650 Triumph motorcycle. Feeling the need for a visit with family and old friends after his divorce, Dylan heads out for the West Coast at the beginning of winter — not exactly the best time of year to spend long hours in the saddle. However, and luckily for readers, it led to Fool’s Gear: A Completely Devastating Thing I’ll Probably Do Again. This is nonfiction adventure writing at its best. Prose that conveys the pains and pleasures of riding astride a V6 engine, the sharp edge of the crisp winter air, and the thrill of

Diane: You begin each chapter with a thoroughly intriguing and thought-provoking literary quote. Where did that idea come from?

Dylan: I’ve always been an avid reader and lover of quotes, so they tended to just pop into mind when I thought of the next step in my journey.

Diane: Name two or three of your favorite authors.

Dylan: Definitely Steinbeck, Twain and Tolkien.

Diane: The subtitle of your book suggests that another trip and book might be in the works. Any plans yet?

Dylan: I’ll just say I’d love to see the northeast and Canada on the back of a bike.

Here are some other nonfiction books about journeys that are sure to hold your interest.

1. River-Horse: The Logbook of a Boat Across America by William Least Heat-Moon

Not satisfied with just driving across America, William Least Heat-Moon decided to travel from New York City to the Oregon coast — in a boat! Filled with humor and humanity, Heat-Moon introduces us to parts of America viewed from rivers, a view most of us have never had.

2. Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon

Heat-Moon’s memoir chronicles his journey through the nation’s lesser-known small towns, revealing authentic American experiences through his encounters, adventures and reflections along remote backroads.

3. Passage to Juneau by Jonathan Raban

This is Raban’s story of his solo 1,000-mile adventure sailing a 35-foot boat from Seattle to Juneau. Along the way, he mixes in some thoughts on art, philosophy, history, Indigenous culture and sailing, while sharing insights about personal loss.

4. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

Not only do men set out on adventures of discovery, but so do women! Elizabeth Gilbert journeys around the world after her divorce and finds not only peace and happiness but also a deeper understanding of herself and the world around her.

So, you can travel on foot, by horse or carriage, in a car or on a motorcycle, or by boat or train, or just pick up one of these books and take the journey of a lifetime from your own chair!

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

OCTOBER 2025

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.

Oct. 13

The Eras Day Camp Fascinate-U Children’s Museum 116 Green St. fascinate-u.doubleknot.com

Oct. 14

Flourish: Women’s Health & Wellness Fair presented by Cape Fear Valley Health Cape Fear Botanical Garden 536 N. Eastern Blvd. capefearbg.org

Oct. 16

Clint Black: Back on the Blacktop Tour

Crown Theatre, Crown Complex 1960 Coliseum Drive crowncomplexnc.com

Oct. 16

Oct. 9

Cape Fear Valley Health presents CityView's Food, Wine & A RT

Cape Fear Botanical Garden 536 N. Eastern Blvd. capefearbg.org

Oct. 10

Fort Bragg USO — Imagination Library Storytime

2843 Normandy Drive, First Floor, Wing L, Fort Bragg unitedway-cc.org

Oct. 10

FTCC Softball vs. Brunswick CC JP Riddle Stadium

Fayetteville Technical Community College

2823 Legion Road faytechcc.edu

Oct. 11

Football vs. Livingstone — Homecoming

Luther Nick Jeralds Football Stadium

Fayetteville State University 1401 Murchison Road fsubroncos.com

Oct. 11

Jubilate Deo

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra First Presbyterian Church 102 Ann St. fayettevillesymphony.org

Oct. 11

Nurse John: The Short Staffed Tour

Crown Theatre

Crown Complex 1960 Coliseum Drive crowncomplexnc.com

Oct. 11

North Carolina Grape Festival Lu Mil Vineyard

438 Suggs-Taylor Road, Elizabethtown lumilvineyard.com

Oct. 12

Grace and Glory Tour with Crowder

Crown Coliseum

Crown Complex

1960 Coliseum Drive crowncomplexnc.com

FTCC Foundation Bluegrass & BBQ Dinner and Auction Highland Country Club 1105 Highland Country Club Drive faytechcc.edu

Oct. 18

Myrover-Reese Recovery Homes

3rd Annual Golf Tournament

Gates Four Golf and Country Club 6775 Irongate Drive chamber.faybiz.com

Oct. 18

Knoxville vs. Fayetteville Marksmen — Opening Night

Crown Coliseum

1960 Coliseum Drive marksmenhockey.com

Oct. 18–19

Fayetteville Fan Fest 2025

Crown Expo

Crown Complex

1960 Coliseum Drive crowncomplexnc.com

Oct. 18

MU Men’s Soccer vs. Greensboro Duggins Soccer Stadium

Methodist University 5400 Ramsey St. methodist.edu

CityView's Food, Wine, and ART event, Oct. 10, 2024. Photo by Tony Wooten

Oct. 20

Hocus Pocus Hullabaloo K-5th grade Camp

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum 116 Green St. fascinate-u.doubleknot.com

Oct. 23

2025 Greater Carolina Rock n’ Boil

Greater Fayetteville Chamber Segra Stadium 460 Hay St. chamber.faybiz.com

Oct. 23–26

Halloween at the BOOtanical Garden

Cape Fear Botanical Garden 536 N. Eastern Blvd. capefearbg.org

Oct. 23–Nov. 16

Little Shop of Horrors

Cape Fear Regional Theatre 1707 Owen Drive cfrt.org

Oct. 23

FTCC Volleyball vs. USC-Union

Horace Sisk Gymnasium

Fayetteville Technical Community College 2114 Hull Road faytechcc.edu

Oct. 24

4th Friday: Zombie Walk

Cool Spring Downtown District Downtown Fayetteville visitdowntownfayetteville.com

Oct. 24

WIDU Quartet Night

Crown Theatre

Crown Complex

1960 Coliseum Drive crowncomplexnc.com

Oct. 25

Nosferatu Movie Night

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra

Dirtbag Ales

5435 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills fayettevillesymphony.org

2022 Zombie Walk.

Photo by Tony Wooten

SEEN @ THE SCENE

2nd Annual Adult Field Day

Fayetteville Next Advisory Commission hosted its 2nd Annual Adult Field Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Rick Herrema Foundation Rick's Place, located at 5572 Shenandoah Drive. Photography by James Throssel.

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

Teams compete in a lively game of tug-of-war.

Julio Arias

Teams get ready to face off in a game of tug-of-war.

Desmond Ashford

L'queitah Miller and Ashley Wyatt

Brittany Odom

Bionca Bright and Alex Cooper

Fontashia Johnson and Demetrius Forbes

Amber Little

Fred Lowe

Adult Field Day participants test their flexibility in the limbo, cheered on by fellow teams.

Open the Door to Your Home’s Equity

Dreaming

•

flexibility—Fixed-Rate Equity Loan¹ or Home Equity Line of Credit options² savings—$0 application and origination fees, and $0 closing costs on a

opportunities—pay for a large expense or consolidate high-interest debt

fees, credit reports, flood determinations, property valuations (including appraisals, if required), title searches, lender’s title insurance, recording, mortgage transfer taxes, and government charges. For loan amounts of up to $250,000, closing costs that members may pay typically range between $300 and $2,000. The member is responsible for escrow payments and/or prepaid costs, if required, including property taxes and assessments, homeowners’ and flood insurance premiums, association fees/dues and assessments, and prepaid interest. You must carry homeowners’ insurance on the property that secures this plan. All loans subject to approval. Offer is subject to change or cancellation without notice. 2Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) are variable-rate lines. Rates are as low as 7.750% APR and 8.750% for Interest-Only Home Equity Lines of Credit and are based on an evaluation of credit history, CLTV (combined loan-to-value) ratio, line amount, and occupancy, so your rate may differ. HELOC has a minimum APR of 3.99% and a maximum APR of 18%. Members who choose to proceed with an Interest-Only

COMING IN NOVEMBER

November heralds the season of thanks and giving.

Our November issue is dedicated to those who give and will highlight worthy ways to make a difference

• CityView is teaming up with Cumberland Community Foundation to bring you the annual Guide to Giving , a keepsake registry of local charitable organizations and information on how your gifts of any size can make our community a better place.

• Our November issue will celebrate and uplift grassroots generosity and giving back as a community value.

• This year, CCF’s GivingTuesday campaign runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 2, 2025. During this time, Cumberland Community Foundation will amplify your gifts with matching funds provided by CCF and generous matching donors. Visit cumberlandcf.org Nov. 24 – Dec. 2, 2025 to make your GivingTuesday gifts and amplify your impact.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

Despite no family history of breast cancer, Felicia became one of those women.

“I had to fight hard. I had to fight long. But we got through it. The team was amazing!”

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women in the United States, next to skin cancer. It can strike anyone with breast tissue, men and women, of any age or background.

From mammograms and biopsies to surgery and treatment, the breast care team is here to guide you through every step. Early detection is your best tool. Stay up-to-date with your yearly mammograms and contact your doctor if you notice any changes. Learn more at capefearvalley.com/breastcare.