happier @home Safe, reliable, and customizable in-home CARE for all people
a new kind of in-home CARE At ameriCARE HomeCare, our caregivers help seniors, those recovering from surgery, and individuals managing chronic illness thrive in the comfort of their own home.
stay CONNECTED
stay FLEXIBLE
stay ACTIVE
stay ON TRACK
With ameriCARE HomeCare,
Our caregivers focus on helping
Find new ways to keep
Get help with transportation
your family and your care team can stay up to date on
our clients better maintain their daily routines while
your mind and body healthy with our team of
to and from medical appointments, and have
your progress in real time so you can make the best decisions for your wellbeing.
managing limited mobility, chronic illness or pain, or while recovering from surgery.
trained, compassionate, and creative caregivers.
someone on-hand to advocate for your needs and keep track of your care instructions.
(910) 518-9293 | www.americareinfo.com/fayetteville/
MEET PAUL WOOLVERTON SENIOR REPORTER, CITYVIEW WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO? Years ago, I got real-life lessons in why I made the right choice to go into journalism. I covered the town board in Burgaw in Pender County, and later the town board of aldermen in Wrightsville Beach, for the Wilmington newspaper. Their meetings usually generated several news bits — no more than five-paragraph news briefs — of individual items that the elected officials took actions on or talked about. At the next town council meetings, residents sometimes showed up with the newspaper clippings of the items I wrote to demand explanations. Whether the topic is big or small, a good news organization is the eyes and ears of a community that helps the everyday people keep the people in power held into account for what they do. It's what I do. And I love doing it.
WHY IS CITYVIEW IMPORTANT? CityView is a new watchdog to put the power of knowledge into the hands of the people of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
WHAT VALUE DOES CITYVIEW PROVIDE TO ITS USERS? CityView brings the people of Fayetteville and Cumberland County interesting stories and important information about Fayetteville and Cumberland County that they can't get anywhere else.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PRODUCING USEFUL CONTENT FOR CITYVIEW READERS? I am looking forward to writing and producing the stories that will help make Fayetteville and Cumberland County a better place.
WHY IS SUPPORTING THE CITYVIEW NEWS FUND IMPORTANT? The local news industry had a strong business model for more than two centuries to pay the cost of producing quality local journalism that kept the people accurately informed, and kept the people in power accountable. In the past 20 years, the internet destroyed that business model. But the need for solid local journalism remains, especially in this age of social media rumors and misinformation. CityView is building a new way to keep local journalism not just alive, but thriving.
When you support the CityView News Fund you are supporting … the people of Fayetteville, the people of Hope Mills and Spring Lake, the people of Cumberland County. The people need and want to know the stories of their community. You are making that happen.
CityView News Fund
CLICK TO DONATE!
CityView WWW.CITYVIEWNC.COM
JANUARY 2024
NEW YEAR NEW YOU
Meet local gem Wilma Lytton
A transformational mommy makeover
A rosy dream on Broadway
SPECIAL INSERT: THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL DIRECTORY
CHRISTMAS TOUR Over 70 Years of
Over 70 Years of Homebuilding Excellence
Two Neighborhoods, Ten Homes
home &
Quality & Luxury
FAIRFIELD FARMS 633 W. Summerchase Dr
TURNBERRY
Across from the new Aquatic Center
3 G E N E R AT I O NS O F HO ME BUI L DI N G
When Thursday, Nov. 30 from 5-7 PM Friday, Dec. 1 from 5-7 PM Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 AM - 5 PM Thursday, Dec. 7 from 5-7 PM Friday, Dec. 8 from 5-7 PM Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 AM - 5 PM Our Christmas Home Tour is in two of our neighborhoods, the first two weekends in December on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We are offering interest buydowns starting as low as 4.5% buydown for the 10 move-in ready models during this Christmas Parade of Homes Tour.
Where
You are invited to celebrate the season with the Floyd Christmas Open House. Come see the exquisitely, decorated homes and all of our latest features. Pick up your gift from under our tree and enjoy a glass of eggnog while sharing holiday food, fun, and cheer with us.
and directions. re ce ive s, as we ll as th e persona l,
H o m e b uye rs ch o o se F loyd
Pro p efor r tieinformation s b e cause o f th e qu a lity Scan
an d atte ntio n to d e tail ea ch h om e
Main Phone: 910-978-8086
o n e - o n- o n e exp e rie n ce th ey get . N o fam ily b usin e ss is m ore co nscie ntio us an d co n cern ed ab o ut th e ir h o m e b uye rs .
Main Email: DavidRayEvans@gmail.com
901 Arsenal Ave. Fayetteville, NC
JANUARY 2024 10
18
Make swimming safer The time is now to enroll into swimming lessons or a refresher course to make sure that when summer comes, you can be equipped with the skills to have the best summer yet.
20
A Fayetteville gem After the death of her husband in 1995, Wilma Lytton pivoted to become a successful, and beloved, apartment landlord.
24
Insurance & Financial Professional Profiles On the cover: Morgan Jones works as an Exercise Physiologist and Fitness Instructor at Cape Fear Valley HealthPlex. CityView takes a look at local offerings from Cape Fear Valley HealthPlex, Bill Crisp Senior Center, G.B. Myers Recreation Center and Fayetteville-Cumberland County Parks & Recreation. Photo by Tony Wooten.
COLUMNS
26
A transformational makeover Dr. Leif Nordberg at Cape Fear Valley Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery gives Patricia Bilal a mommy makover.
29
Taking stock When it comes to living the military life, there is plenty to be thankful for.
30
Downtown peace and harmony Patsy Crawford and her son added their artistic touch to the downtown atmosphere by painting a mural on the side of The Sweet Palette bakery.
34
Living a rosy dream Former CFRT performer Tabitha Lawing is making her Broadway debut.
38
The winter blues Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, happens during certain seasons of the year — most often fall or winter.
2024-2025
SCHOOL DIRECTORY
Editor's Take: Bill Horner III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Someday You'll Thank Me: Mary Zahran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Family Matters: Claire Mullen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The To-Do List: Your go-to spot for local events . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Seen @ the Scene: A look at who was out and about . . . . . . 44 The Last Word: Tony Chavonne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
2 January 2024
SPECIAL INSERT The 2024-2025 School Directory will help you find the best education for your child in Cumberland County.
Photos courtesy of Cumberland County Schools
Good Reads: Diane Parfitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
YOUR GUIDE TO FINDING THE BEST EDUCATION FOR YOUR CHILD IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY BROUGHT TO YOU BY
CityView
CityViewNC.com | 3
COMING IN FEBRUARY
CityView PUBLISHER
Tony Chavonne
tony@chavonne.net EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Bill Horner III
bhorner@cityviewnc.com MANAGING EDITOR
Maydha Devarajan
mdevarajan@cityviewnc.com
The
Heart & Soul Issue
Minority Owned Business Professional Profiles
SAVE THE DATE APRIL 18, 2024
PR ESENTS CIT Y V IEW M AGA ZINE’S
NIGHT OUT Sip. Shop. Sample. Repeat! At this annual springtime event, presented by Cape Fear Valley Health, attendees will find vendors for shopping, as well as entertainment, free samples, food and wine.
COPY EDITOR GENERAL MANAGER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER PHOTOGRAPHERS
Valeria Cloës Ashlee Cleveland Rhonda Smith Raven Scott Cindy Burnham
Sabreena Czarnecki CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Tony Wooten Zach Horner
Gary Mangum
Jami McLaughlin
Claire Mullen
Diane Parfitt
Teri Saylor
Mary Zahran
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Annette Winter
SALES TEAM LEADER
Kayti Gutierrez
sales@cityviewnc.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE DISTRIBUTION
Emily Hyde Jennifer Baker Wayne Robinson
Sponsorship opportunities and vendor Proceeds benefitting CEED – space available. us& Development for pricing. The Center for EconomicContact Empowerment 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.
4 January 2024 BROUGHT TO YOU BY
EDITOR’S TAKE
We know how to calculate cost. As a New Year arrives, let’s get good at calculating value, too. BY BILL HORNER III, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
I
t was the calculus of the question, rather than the math, that derailed me. What’s the maximum dollar value, the query read, that I’d be willing to spend on emergency medical services for my dog? I eyed the form at our veterinarian’s office while dropping off Atticus to be boarded before a recent trip. We’d boarded him there many times before and I’d always signed one waiver or contract or another before leaving him behind, but this was new: a box encircled by a yellow highlighter, featuring a bold dollar sign and a blank space. “What about this?” I asked, pointing to it. “Oh,” the kind staff member replied. “That’s just in case we can’t reach you and Atticus really needs something.” She paused a beat. “I mean, we’ll try really hard to get ahold of you … ” “What should I put down?” I asked, instantly recognizing my stall tactic had the unintended consequence of essentially asking her to tell me how much Atticus’ life was worth. She didn’t — couldn’t — answer. I fared little better. I scribbled “$500” in the box. Guilt immediately washed over me. This was Atticus we were talking about. Why didn’t I write down $1,000? $5,000? Leave a blank check? My mind did somersaults, briefly considering requesting a surgical procedure price list while simultaneously mulling over the $140 we paid every seven weeks to have our mini goldendoodle groomed and his teeth brushed — as if those maintenance costs justified a higher number. Atticus obviously wasn’t some add-on in my life, like an excursion on a Caribbean cruise or agreeing to a deal to tack on a movie channel to your cable TV service. He’s a dog, and an incredible one — unquestionably the smartest, most devoted pet we’ve had. Of course he’s family. I can’t walk anywhere in the house without him at my heels. How can you put a price on his steadfastness, his loyalty, his warmth, his morning romps into our bedroom and leaps onto the bed the second he hears us stirring? You can’t. So perhaps there’s no “right” answer for that “I’ll pay up to $____” question, but pondering it begged another one: Why is it so easy to calculate the cost of something, but not the true value? Seems to me we’re just not practiced enough at it — meaning we too seldom take time to be introspective, to reflect not just on what we love but why we love it, and how much those things truly mean to us. To be more than thankful. To be ready, at the drop of a hat, to articulate all the things — small, large, otherwise — in which we take delicious delight. Reinforcement, though, has taught us to value urgency over priority, activity over transformation, entertainment over
Bill Horner III and Atticus. Contributed photo
enlightenment. The noise of tribalism, angst and rage drown out the calling of the best of our contemplations. We get stuck, as author Stephen Covey liked to warn, “in the thick of thin things.” We keep score in bizarre ways, valuing the petty and taking for granted the valuable. We don’t put first things first because maybe we can’t properly articulate what’s really first in our own lives. We can do better. As a new year begins, I’m going to take more cues from Atticus. Upon our return home, I picked him up at the kennel. He loaded so much excitement and unbridled enthusiasm into his 32 pounds that his slobbery, joyful greeting nearly knocked me off my feet. I was overwhelmed. What a great practice, I thought: Let’s find more ways to wag our tails this year at what’s most meaningful, and resolve to bark less.
Bill Bill Horner III is the executive editor of CityView. Contact him at bhorner@ cityviewnc.com. CityViewNC.com | 5
SOMEDAY YOU'LL THANK ME
‘How interesting’: New Year’s thoughts on peculiar warning labels
T
BY MARY ZAHRAN
he word “interesting” is the perfect word to use during awkward moments. When someone shares extremely personal information or says something so preposterous that I have no appropriate response, I always smile and say, “How interesting.” I have discovered that this word comes in handy on almost every occasion. As we begin a new year and make our usual resolutions for the next 12 months, I plan to look for interesting things to help me with my own resolution: To live more mindfully in the moment and to take note of what is happening around me. Before you conclude that I long to become a Zen master (or, in my case, a Zen mistress), I must confess that I simply want to be more aware of what goes on around me, much of which has gone unnoticed by me for most of my life. I will begin my year of enhanced awareness with some observations about interesting warning labels. This is a particularly fascinating topic to me because it ranges from one end of the consumer spectrum to the other. Apparently, we humans are so brainless or foolhardy that we need warnings on nearly every item we purchase, or disaster will ensue.
Let’s begin with a warning you have undoubtedly seen if you have ever baked a frozen pizza: Remove the plastic wrap and the cardboard before you put the pizza in the oven. What is scary about these instructions is that someone at some point must have opened the box and stuck all the contents in the oven without removing everything but the pizza, which is the one item capable of being exposed to a temperature of 450 degrees for a short time without setting your kitchen on fire. What other reason would there be for putting this warning on the box? When consumers aren’t busy ignoring the warnings of pizza preparation, they seem to be occupied with the prospect of eating items that aren’t meant for human consumption. I refer, of course, to the tiny packets we find in shoe boxes. These packets, made of silica gel, are desiccants that absorb moisture so that your new footwear doesn’t develop mold or mildew. Some proud owner of a new pair of sneakers must have decided these packets would make a delicious snack or cup of tea, thus requiring the shoe industry to create labels advising their customers not to consume them. Sadly, we will never know how many would-be chefs had their dreams of culinary immortality dashed when they discovered this warning on their shoe boxes.
I think my favorite warning label of all is the one that comes on the box containing your new toaster. This warning not only has words informing you of certain dangers if you misuse your new appliance but also illustrations: Whatever you do, you must NOT use the toaster when you are in the shower! Who would ever think of doing such a thing? Did someone wake up one morning, look at the clock and discover that he or she had overslept and needed to find a shortcut for getting ready for work? Did this person decide that the obvious solution was to toast a bagel while taking a shower? It is frightening to imagine what catastrophe must have occurred to compel the manufacturer to issue such a warning, and with illustrations, no less. Perhaps my fascination with these kinds of warning labels and my resolution to be more mindful of living in the moment have a connection I am just now discovering. Perhaps it is a connection we should all learn to make so that we don’t do silly things like put frozen pizza wrapped in plastic in the oven, look at a desiccant packet and see the makings of a fabulous meal, or turn the bathtub into an alternative kitchen. On the other hand, there is such a thing as looking too closely at one’s surroundings. I am afraid if I am too aware of what is happening around me, I will eventually spot someone doing something with a product that will require me to contact a consumer agency which will create yet another “interesting” warning label. Apparently, we can’t have too many of those. Mary Zahran, who showers with a bar of soap and a washcloth instead of a pastry and a small kitchen appliance, can be reached at maryzahran@gmail.com.
6 January 2024
THELOCATION LOCATIONYOU YOUWILL WILLLOVE. LOVE. THE THEHOME HOMEOF OFYOUR YOURDREAMS. DREAMS. THE Nineteen communities Nineteen communities toto choose from the most choose from inin the most desirable areas featuring desirable areas featuring unique floor plans unique floor plans toto fitfit every lifestyle. Discover every lifestyle. Discover why the Fayetteville area why the Fayetteville area the perfect place is is the perfect place toto build your Dream Home. build your Dream Home. For area and community For area and community information, homebuyer information, homebuyer and broker incentives, and broker incentives, and availability, please and availability, please contact today! contact usus today! 910-415-9677 910-415-9677
DREAMFINDERSHOMES.COM DREAMFINDERSHOMES.COM
CityViewNC.com | 7
FAMILY MATTERS
New Year, new-ish me
“N
ew year, new you” has such a nice ring to it, and certainly makes a great theme for the inaugural issue of our magazine for 2024. I think a lot of us would agree that the end of the holiday season leaves us feeling in desperate need of some renewal in more ways than one. Many of us are recovering from weeks upon weeks of a few too many activities packed into already busy schedules, and maybe a few too many seasonal goody indulgences (for me, it’s the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes). Our houses may feel and look a little glum after the halls have been un-decked, and as winter has officially settled in, the cold temperatures and dark-by-5:30-p.m. days certainly don’t help to lift our spirits. And so, we counter the post-holiday blues with hopeful plans for ways to make this new year the best one yet, and we find ourselves improved from the year before. With the best of intentions, lots of us have resolved to go into 2024 full-force with the loftiest of goals: upholding extreme fitness or weight-loss regimens, decluttering and deep-cleaning every square inch of our homes, drinking 10 gallons of water a day, reading more, scrolling less, being more intentional and less spread-too-thin with our time … the lists go on and on. Over the years, I’ve learned through trial and error that I’m not a great New Year’s resolution maintainer. I’ve accepted this as fact, and rather than making myself a promise that I know will be an afterthought by springtime, I’ve sort of compromised and begun to treat my annual self-betterment plan more like a collection of gentle personal suggestions rather than an intimidating, ironclad list of vows. My Jan. 1 inner monologue usually goes a little something like this: “OK, Claire. Maybe instead of signing up for a half marathon that is a mere eight weeks away, you could start by showing your face in the gym you pay to be a member of at
8 January 2024
BY CLAIRE MULLEN
least once in January. It’s been a little while since they’ve seen you. Like, more than eight weeks. You don’t even have to sprint on the treadmill. A light jog would be fine. Or even a brisk walk. There are televisions, central air conditioning, and a defibrillator. You can even watch Food Network while you run-jog-walk. You’ve got this. Don’t forget your inhaler.” “Moving on. I know you are entertaining going vegan or starting to track your macros (whatever that means), but a great baby step might be throwing away your kids’ discarded Halloween candy. What candy? Oh, you know good and well, the candy that’s hiding in that bag behind your dresser … Not to mention, you have pork roast and cornbread slathered in butter in the oven, and blackeyed peas with bacon and collard greens simmering in ham hock-seasoned water on the stove. If you’re really serious about this, which I know you aren’t, you might want to ask your lucky and prosperous vegan friends for some alternate recipes.” “And the water drinking thing? I know you have one of those glorified portable water tanks with the quite daunting 500-milliliter, 2-hour increment hash marks emblazoned on the side in your Amazon cart and have been training for all that water-drinking by practicing crossing your legs and jiggling your foot, but before you go to the 3,500-mLin-14-hours extreme that that particular jug suggests, could you try replacing your third cup of coffee with a nice glass of H2O, for a grand total of 8 ounces (that’s 236.59 mL) of water in your 24-hour day?” “Now, next on this list of yours, you don’t have to tackle the entire house in January,
but perhaps you could at least purge the eight bins of newborn to toddler baby clothing that are collecting dust in your daughter’s closet? She is already 10 years old, after all. ‘What if she wants to save them for her daughter?’, you ask? Like I said, she is only 10 years old, after all. Fine, you can keep the white eyelet dress she wore for her brother’s baptism. And the mouse costume she wore for her first Halloween. OK, OK, and the daisy blouse and little denim shorts she wore for her first trip to the library, and the tiny sneakers she wore on her third trip to the park, and the OshKosh overalls she wore to the grocery store that one day, and the applesauce-stained T-shirt and Walmart gym shorts she wore on that one nothingreally-special day … OK, you know what? Let’s file purging the closet bins in the gentle personal suggestion box for 2025. It’s always good to have something to work toward. Yes, Claire, you’re right. New Year’s resolutions are hard. You’re welcome, Claire.” It’s not lost on me that 2024 is the last year in my current decade. These almost 39 years have taught me that while it’s great to greet it with enthusiasm and aspirations, it’s also OK to ease into the new year and give yourself some grace if you fall short of your “gentle personal suggestions.” That’s my approach to “new year, new me.” “New year, new-ish” me, if you will. Maybe in 2025 I’ll be a well-hydrated, 40-year-old vegan with a half-marathon medal hanging in the newly purged, perfectly organized closet of my spotless home. Maybe not. But one thing is for sure: no matter how many gentle personal suggestions I conquer, there will still be a rumpled grocery bag containing a handful of leftover-from-Halloween 2024 mini Twix and Snickers stashed behind my dresser. And that’s an ironclad vow. Claire Mullen can be reached at clairejlmullen @gmail.com.
Say “I Do” at Say Do” Garden at Cape Fear“I Botanical Cape Fear Botanical Garden g Beauuful Garden Seeng g Beauuful Peaceful and Innmate Garden Seeng eg Peaceful Gorgeousand Photography Innmate e Gorgeous Photography
Just some of the features that make Cape Fearof Botanical Garden Just some the features thatthe make area’s premiere wedding venue Cape Fear Botanical Garden the area’s premiere wedding venue 1 hour rehearsal 1 hour rehearsal Chiavari chairs included Chiavari chairs included d 60” round tables included 60”hour round tablesavailable included d 12 rentals de CFBG 12 hour rentals available Event Coordinator on site ee Use CFBGofEvent Coordinator site photos Garden for day-ofonevent Use of Garden foruse day-of event photos se Complimentary of Garden for s Complimentary use of Garden for engagement photo shoot engagement photo shoot
WE BE HONORED HONOREDTO TOBE BEPART PART WE WOULD WOULD BE OF WEDDINGCELEBRATION. CELEBRATION. OF YOUR YOUR WEDDING Call team at at910.486.0221 910.486.0221ororvisit visitcapefearbg.org capefearbg.org Call our our events events team to yourdream dreamwedding. wedding. to begin begin planning planning your
Photo Credit - George Joell 3 Photo Credit - George Joell 3
Follow Follow usus on:on:
536N.N.Eastern EasternBlvd.Blvd.Fayetteville, - 28304 536 Fayetteville, NCNC - 28304 Visitus usatatcapefearbg.org capefearbg.org call/text 910-486-0221 information. Visit oror call/text 910-486-0221 forfor information. CityViewNC.com | 9
COVER STORY
Put the fun into your fitness in 2024
Retired U.S. Army officer Steve Hayden walks his dog Elvis on the Cape Fear River Trail following his recent heart surgery.
10 January 2024
From running to pickleball, Fayetteville’s fitness scene includes a healthy serving of motivation to help you keep your healthy resolutions into the new year. BY TERI SAYLOR
A
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN
s the holidays fade into distant memories and the days slowly expand with more sunlight, it’s time to put away the electronic devices, get off the couch and into the big, beautiful outdoors and start moving. For many people the arrival of a New Year is a signal — a time to press the reset button on their health and fitness goals. That could mean raising the bar on a fitness routine or dusting off longabandoned equipment, like trekking poles, running shoes, bicycles or tennis racquets, and greeting the New Year with fresh eyes and a new resolve to get fit. Ben Fletcher recalls how his young daughter hated running until she discovered the nonprofit program Girls on the Run of Coastal Carolina, which is centered on “teaching critical life skills” in its “researchbased programs.” “Meeting in small teams, trained volunteer coaches inspire team members with and without disabilities to strengthen confidence and other important life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and physical activity,” according to Girls on the Run of Coastal Carolina’s website. Fletcher’s daughter fell in love with the sport and is now running 5K races. “The run club is her social gathering, and she’s doing great,” Fletcher said. “She has improved her running time by five minutes over last year.” Fletcher, 32, an exercise physiologist at HealthPlex of Cape Fear Valley Health, says one key to adopting a healthy lifestyle is finding an activity you enjoy, just as his daughter discovered running. He joined other HealthPlex exercise physiologists in a discussionl to share tips for kicking off a year of good health in 2024.
Safia Haq works as an exercise physiologist at Cape Fear Valley HealthPlex.
“Explore a new hobby or discover what you are passionate about, and do that,” Fletcher said. “If you like gardening, go outside and garden, and if hiking’s your thing, we have great places here in Fayetteville to hike.” Exercise physiologist Safia Haq, 25, advocates for physical activity, which leads to feeling good mentally, too. She has noticed young people are becoming more sedentary and worries that could set them on a journey to an inactive lifestyle as they grow up.
“The older you get, it’s increasingly difficult to break out of that sedentary pattern, and eventually it impacts both your physical and mental health,” she said. “Walking several times a week may improve your cardiovascular health, but the mental aspect of it is vastly underestimated.” Even the simple act of stepping outside and taking a short walk can boost your energy and your mood, she added. She points to mood-boosting body chemicals called endorphins, which are released during exercise and trigger positive feelings CityViewNC.com | 11
Bayard Clark Park and Nature Center are popular destinations for walking, hiking and mountain biking,” said James McMillan, assistant director of recreation for Fayetteville-Cumberland County Parks & Recreation. Fayetteville is also home to 20 recreation centers across the city. Sixteen are generalpurpose facilities and four others are dedicated to special populations including seniors and individuals with disabilities who participate in adaptive sports. “At the recreation centers, residents can use the equipment for free,” McMillan said. “Classes charge fees to pay the instructors.”
Jessica Wayment is an exercise physiologist at Cape Fear Valley HealthPlex.
Getting started For many people, getting off the couch is the hardest first step on the road to a healthier lifestyle. Exercise physiologist Jessica Wayment, 44, suggests creating an accountability plan, whether that means setting and keeping goals, or finding a partner to help you stay on track. You can rely on a friend, your spouse, or even your dog to help you stick to a healthy routine, she says. “I would say the first step is to just find somebody you are accountable to even if that person is yourself,” said Wayment, who works at the HealthPlex. “Keeping a lifestyle
12 January 2024
journal and doing a daily check-in are two ways to hold yourself accountable.” Even setting simple goals like exercising three times a week or walking 7,000 steps a day will help you stay on track. “And when you accomplish your first goals, set new ones, and hold yourself accountable for achieving those too,” she said. Some people feel they can’t afford to buy gym memberships or equipment, but adopting a healthy routine doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Fayetteville and Cumberland County offer residents free and low-cost parks and sports facilities. “The Cape Fear River Trail and J.
Boost your social life Pursuing fitness adventures in the new year can lead to a broader circle of friends and improve your social connections. Linda Mack, 67, a Fayetteville resident who retired after a long career as an office manager, missed the social aspects of her working life and sought activities to get out of her house. She had not exercised in many years, but proving it’s never too late to start, she ventured over to the brand-new Bill Crisp Senior Center last spring. “I remember it was on a Friday in May and the center was nice and quiet, and people were working out,” she said. “I had a feeling this was a place where I would feel comfortable.” By September, she was all in. Today, she not only participates in line dancing, aerobics, and chair yoga, but she has signed on as a volunteer and works at the front desk twice a week. Brian Gaskill, the 37-year-old assistant recreation supervisor at the Bill Crisp Senior Center and a certified personal trainer, loves helping the local senior citizen population stay fit and healthy. “I have found my passion working with our seniors,” he said as he led a tour of the facility. “I can see our folks becoming more social and upbeat, and as they learn how to use the exercise equipment properly, they start noticing positive changes in their bodies too,” he said. The Center, which serves residents over 55, features an indoor lap pool, and an equipment room, fully stocked with state-of-the-art fitness machines, including treadmills, exercise bikes, elliptical machines and weightlifting machines.
Above and right, Linda Mack not only participates in line dancing, aerobics, and chair yoga, but she volunteers and works at the front desk twice a week. Below, Brian Gaskill, the assistant recreation supervisor, speaks with Barbara Davis and Phil Darrow as they work out on treadmills at the Bill Crisp Senior Center.
CityViewNC.com | 13
And it’s a place to find kindred spirits and make new friends. “Some people have lost loved ones, and some are suffering from anxiety and depression and just need to get out of the house and be around other people,” Mack said. “I feel this can be that lifeline they need.” She says she understands how hard it can be for some individuals to start an exercise routine for fear of being embarrassed about working out with other people who may be more fit. “Here at the Bill Crisp Center, there’s something for everyone, no matter what level you’re on,” she said. “Most of the classes meet you where you are, so you don’t have to feel like you must keep up with everybody else and go home hurting.” She adds that the center can make a difference for those willing to give it a try and there’s no time like the present. “Don’t be afraid to explore new things or step out of your comfort zone,” she said. “Here, everyone helps you feel comfortable.”
Brian Gaskill
14 January 2024
It takes time On a warm December afternoon, the pickleball courts at the G.B. Myers Recreation Center are a hub of energy as players of all ages line up to take their turn in the center’s regular pickleball pick-up matches. On some days, you’ll find Monique Gilbert on the courts too, even though it took her several years to get started. As recreation supervisor at the G.B. Myers & Massey Hill Recreation Centers, Gilbert has always stood on the sidelines watching people enjoy playing pickleball, the massively popular sport that some call a cross between tennis and ping pong. One day, someone convinced her to lace up her sneakers, take up a paddle, and join the fun. The 53-year-old was hooked immediately and now plays every chance she gets, even during her lunch hour. She can’t believe it took her so long to start. “It’s a quick workout and it’s very relaxing,” she said. “You can play one game and you feel so much better. Because you’re so focused on the game, it takes your mind off of your stress.” While the game of pickleball can become a favorite sport within minutes of stepping onto a court, for some people, results come in baby steps and are hard to notice immediately. And
Top, Deborah Swinton uses weights to create resistance as she walks the pool length. Above left, Delores Hayes swims up to three days a week at the Bill Crisp Senior Center pool, above. CityViewNC.com | 15
Resolve to Save Money, Save Time and Conserve! Use PWC’s Online Account Manager/Mobile App - Monitor bills/usage history (power and water) so we can manage our use and adjust our habits to save. Use PWC’s Online Energy Resource Center - Do your own online home energy audit and calculate savings with heat pumps, appliances, EVs and more. Use PWC’s Drive-thru, Self Service Pay Station - It’s open 24/7/365. Know When/Where the Power’s Out - See PWC’s Electric Outage Map for all current outages. Take Advantage of Time-of-Use Rates - Shift power usage to Off-Peak hours (when PWC electric rates are 35% lower!) for big savings. Find PWC Incentive Programs - Lower our bills for years to come (by replacing incandescent lighting, HVAC system, water-wasting toilets, etc.) and get bill credits now. Change HVAC Filters Monthly - Efficient systems save money. Sign Up for Paperless Billing - Save trees and save time. Don’t Flush Wipes or Pour Grease Down the Drain - Prevent sewer line blockage, with wastewater back-up that could harm the environment and damage your home. Water on Alternate Days - Follow the year-round Odd-Even schedule for watering outdoors with automatic/unattended sprinklers. Visit our website for details on ways to achieve these resolutions!
that can be discouraging for those who seek faster rewards for their efforts. Tracking both your fitness activities will help you notice progress that might not be visible to the naked eye. Wayment suggests keeping a fitness journal on a notepad, a smartphone app or a watch will help you measure your progress and enable you to see your health improve in real-time. Tracking your steps and gradually adding more every day will give you a sense of accomplishment. Staying active will lead to healthier nutrition too, she added. “Start simple,” Wayment said. “Drink an extra glass of water instead of sweet tea at lunch once a week, then twice a week, and before you know it, you’re drinking water instead of sugary drinks every day.” Adding a few more vegetables into your diet every day and tracking what you eat will also lead to a more balanced diet and a sense of well-being. “By day 14, you may start noticing you have more energy, and you are sleeping better,” she said. Consistency is important, but it’s not the end of the world if you fall off the good health wagon. “If you slip into your old bad habits, give yourself some mercy. There’s always tomorrow to get back on track,” she said. “It takes constant work to build healthy habits,” Fletcher agrees. “Doing something is better than doing nothing,” he said. “You may start with a goal to run one lap and then work up to running one mile in a month. Then next month you make it to a mile and a half and slowly build on that base.” Before you know it, those healthy habits will rub off on your friends, acquaintances and even your loved ones. And those around you may start pursuing a healthier lifestyle too. Fletcher’s family is off to a running start this year, thanks to his daughter’s strides with Girls on the Run. Today, her newfound passion has rubbed off on her mom who is now in training so she can be part of a mother-and-daughter duo for an upcoming 5K. And both are getting there one lap at a time.
17691
Teri Saylor is a freelance writer in Raleigh.
16 January 2024
Jeff Briggs and Clarence Cardwell celebrate a win at pickleball at the G.B. Myers Recreation Center.
The pickleball courts at the G.B. Myers Recreation Center are a hub of energy as players of all ages line up to take their turn in the center’s regular pickleball pick-up matches.
CityViewNC.com | 17
FEATURE
Make swimming safer this summer
W
BY JAMI MCLAUGHLIN
ith the new year comes the chance to take up new activities — for you and your children. While summertime beckons with the chance to cannonball into a pool or run into the ocean, the most important part is knowing how to navigate a pulling tide and staying afloat. The time is now to enroll into swimming lessons or a refresher course to make sure that when summer comes, you can be equipped with the swimming and safety skills to have the best summer yet. This will help give children — or adults — the benefit of a lifelong skill and some great cardiovascular activity, and could also save lives in the process. Swim lessons can help prevent risks of drowning and provide confidence for your young swimmer so they know exactly what to do to get to safety. Here are a few local options in and around Fayetteville: Cape Fear Valley Healthplex The Healthplex offers year-round swim lessons for children ages 6 months to adults. Group lessons are offered in the following categories: Parents and Tots (ages 6 to 36 months), Preschool (ages 3-5), and Levels One through Four (ages 5 and older), and Adult. Lessons are offered to full-time members and each class is limited to four participants. The Healthplex is located at 1930 Skibo Road in Fayetteville. For more information, visit https://www.capefearvalley.com/ healthplex/aquatics.html. YMCA of the Sandhills The YMCA offers both private and group lessons at its Cameron and Fayetteville locations. Group lessons are eight sessions long and are for children 6 months old to adults. Private lessons are available for children
18 January 2024
3 years old to adults and are designed for individual instruction. There are member and non-member rates available for both private and group lessons. The Fayetteville branch is located at 2717 Fort Bragg Road and the Saleeby Family Branch is located at 107 Carletta Cagle Drive in Cameron. For more information or to register, visit https://ymcaofthesandhills. org/aquatics. Fayetteville/Cumberland County Parks and Recreation Programs through Fayetteville/ Cumberland County Parks and Recreation include swim camps throughout the summer for ages 5 to 17 at any of its four pools: Ronnie “Chase” Chalmers Pool at 1520 Slater Ave., Keith A. Bates Sr. Pool at 4945 Rosehill Road, Lake Rim Aquatic Center at 2265 Tar Kiln Drive and Westover Aquatic Center at 266 Bonanza Drive. Swim camps are focused on increasing skills in the water and two camps are offered per week, separated by age groups. For more information on when to register and when they take place, visit https://www.fcpr.us/ facilities/aquatics/aquatics-programs. Campbell University Aquatics Center Campbell University’s Swim School Program is for children ages 2 to 11 years old and meets for three weeks, offering six sessions. The Children’s Swimming Program also has a Waterbabies Program for children under 2 years old and the Aquatics Center also offers an Adult Swimming Program. Private swim lessons are also available. All lessons take place at the Nathan Johnson Aquatics Center at Campbell University in Buies Creek. For more information, visit https://www. campbell.edu/life/campus-recreation/ aquatics-center/.
James Leach Aquatic & Recreation Center in Raeford One of the newest offerings with a stateof-the-art indoor pool in the region is at the James Leach Aquatic Center. The center will begin its registration for its February swim lessons on Jan. 8 It is located at 5215 Fayetteville Road in Raeford. For more information including registering for swim lessons, visit https:// www.cogran.io/index.html?hokecounty#/ events. Tucker Indoor Pool on Fort Liberty Private swim lessons are available for DOD ID card holders and those 4 years old and up on Fort Liberty at the Tucker Indoor Pool, since the Tolson Indoor Pool is temporarily closed. Parents with DOD cards must register their children under 10 years old. Group swim lessons are available and evaluations must be completed before registration to place children in their needed level. Lessons are based on ability from the basics for learning to swim to advanced instruction. Registration is first come, first served until spots are filled. The Tucker Indoor Pool is located on Tullidge Way on post. For more information, visit https://liberty.armymwr. com/programs/aquatics. Private Instructors Numerous private instructors fill up their summer schedules quickly, including well-known names in this area, like Nicole Burkhart, who also specializes in ISR. ISR stands for “Infant Swimming Resources,” and Burkhart offers one-on-one lessons with children as young as six months. Swimming is a fun way to stay active and cool in the summertime. And attending swim lessons will help you make a splash with your children, while also prioritizing water safety.
N E W Y E A R N E W YO U D I R E C TO RY
THIS IS WHERE YOU GO ALL OUT
You are faster here. You are stronger here. And you get more results here. Here you have the coaches, community, and group energy coming together to push you forward every class. With scientifically designed full-body workouts and technology to track your results and prove you’re improving.
THIS IS WHERE
You are faster here. You are stronger here. And you ge coming together to push you forward every class.
With scientifically designed full-body workouts and tech
BOOK A FREE* WORKOUT TODAY AT ORANGETHEORY.COM
BOOK A FREE* WORKOUT TODAY AT OR
Orangetheory Fitness Fayetteville Fayetteville, NC 1800 Skibo Rd. | Fayetteville, NC28314 28303|| 910-818-5473 910-818-5473
Orangetheory Fitness Fayetteville 1800 Skibo Rd. | Fayetteville, NC 28314 | 910-818-5473
*Offer limited to first-time visitors to Orangetheory Fitness and local residents only. Certain restrictions apply. At participating studios only. See studio for details. Orangetheory® and other Orangetheory® marks are registered trademarks of OTF IP Holder, LLC. © Copyright 2022 OTF IP Holder, LLC and its affiliates
*Offer limited to first-time visitors to Orangetheory Fitness and local resident details. Orangetheory® and other Orangetheory® marks are registered trad © Copyright 2022 OTF IP Holder, LLC and its affiliates
Am azin g Socia
l Med ia Supp ort
We e Raf kly fles
y Bod s l l u F nt me s s e Ass
Co
mp
let
Co ach es
p g Ap
nin Trai
eN
Unl im Cam ited B o pS ess ot ion s
utr
itio
n
3039 Boone Trail Ext. Suite 100 Fayetteville, NC 28304 910-889-1155 https://boonetrailfitbodybootcamp.com/Fitness www.facebook.com/FitBodyBooneTrail/ CityViewNC.com | 19
Wilma Lytton is the sole owner and landlord of eight apartments on Stedman Street in Fayetteville.
20 January 2024
FEATURE
The old-school way works for this 94-year-old Fayetteville gem After the death of her husband in 1995, Wilma Lytton pivoted to become a successful, and beloved, apartment landlord
S
BY GARY MANGUM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CINDY BURNHAM
he may be old school, but don’t call her old. Wilma Lytton is 94 years old. And still going strong. She is the sole owner and landlord of eight apartments on Stedman Street in Fayetteville. Wilma is a one-woman operation, though she didn’t used to be. Wilma and her husband Jack Lytton worked together building houses in 1951. She kept the books, and he designed and built the houses. After Jack died in 1995, Wilma had to run the properties herself. She doesn’t use an agency to run her property: She still collects rent from her tenants and makes sure everything is in working order in her apartments. And she knows who to call to fix things with Jack gone — just don’t expect her to call on a cell phone. She owns one but rarely uses it. You also won’t find a computer in her home. “I refuse to go to the computer, which makes my daughter (Lee Lytton) mad,” Wilma said. The beginning with Jack She hasn’t always been alone. She and her husband Jack married in 1951 and moved from Cheraw, South Carolina, to Fayetteville. Jack was an architect who designed and built houses, Wilma said. “We were not big builders,” she said. “When we first started out, all of us didn’t seem to have any money to build those big homes.” Wilma said Jack built a lot of homes in subdivisions such as Montclair and Evergreen. She said he also built all but three of the original houses in the Wickliffe community off Morganton Road. In fact,
they lived in about 20 homes Jack built over the years, mostly in the Haymount area, Wilma said. About five years ago, she moved into one of the apartments she owns. “I heard him say one time that he had built over 300 [houses],” she said. “I don’t know how many [he built]. We were not big builders like Riddle or Floyd.” J.P. Riddle and Sonny Floyd, two of the largest builders in Fayetteville in the mid-20th century, are popular names in local commercial and residential construction.
Being a good landlord goes back to treating people like family, Wilma said, where her tenants can call on her in times of need — even if that means getting in her car and driving to meet them. She and Jack made quite a team for 44 years before Jack died from heart disease in 1995, two months shy of his 75th birthday. The roles were clear: Wilma was the bookkeeper and Jack was the handyman. “I always kept the books. I know how to balance a set of books,” Wilma said. “Jack was very good at knowing how to do things [how to build] and liked doing them. I’m not good with a hammer. “In fact, I used to say, ‘Jack, you need to look at this,’” Wilma remembered. “And [he would say], ‘Nope, that’s your job.’”
She still keeps the books longhand to this day instead of on the computer to stay in practice. Wilma, like her husband, is precise. “Jack would call the figures out to me and I would write them down, and he would figure up what he had to have [to build a building],” Wilma said. “When he drew plans, he drew with a pencil and a board and a t-square, not like they do now with computers. He was a very exacting person. He didn’t use a calculator. He used a slide rule.” Jack also built apartments around Fayetteville and they began renting them in 1972, Wilma said. She said they had 45 apartments at one time, but she oversees eight now. Jack’s death and its aftermath Jack was always dedicated to his craft. Once, in the mid-1980s, Wilma finally convinced Jack to see a doctor after he dealt with prolonged health issues and had a heart attack in the late 1970s. The blockage in his heart was so extreme the doctors ended up doing seven bypasses. “The doctor came in and said, “You need an operation, Jack,’” Wilma said. He told doctors he would finish building a house that he was halfway done with at the time, and come back later for the procedure. “The doctor said, ‘Jack, anybody I know in your shape is in the cemetery.’ And Jack said, ‘Well I think I’ll stay then,’” Wilma recounted. Jack ended up finishing that house and lived about 10 more years after the surgery, Wilma said. But when Jack died, he was in the process of building another house for the two to live in. After his death, Wilma was dedicated to getting the house done. CityViewNC.com | 21
A fellow builder, Bert Atwood, who had worked for Jack for about five years in the 1960s before founding his own company, helped her finish it even though he was retired. True to his word, Bert helped Wilma finish the house, which she then sold, and turned her attention to the apartments. “Most of our money in his [Jack’s] later years came from rent,” Wilma said. “You don’t pay social security on that. So I needed to work. I wasn’t a multi-millionaire.” Starting over At 64 years old, she had to adapt with her longtime partner gone. “I had always helped him. A house is made up of thousands of decisions, not just one, and I didn’t always think of everything,” she said. “I had never been faced with having to make every decision that you need to make in a house. It made a big difference.” She followed her husband’s philosophy in running the apartments: Do it right the first time and there won’t be any issues with the building. “I enjoy seeing things get done,” Wilma said. “I can’t see something that can’t be done better. You can always improve on most anything in life. If you make a mess, you can un-mess it.” It also helps that Wilma has had few problems with the tenants, many of whom have lived in the apartments for decades. She hasn’t had a vacancy for about two and a half years. They are lovely people, she said. Wilma said she has been fortunate over the years to only have had to ask one tenant to leave “because they just weren’t suitable.”
continued. “She goes out of her way to support each and every person that she allows to rent her places.” Wilma has not only helped Tyler, but her students as well, by buying Tyler school supplies for her students for Christmas. “Even when I call her at 3 a.m. in the morning because I’m late for school and I got locked out, she’s always the first one to come over,” Tyler said. “She’s got a heart of gold.” Another tenant Wilma helped during a hard time was Lana Peoples, who has lived in her apartment for six years and whose husband Ron Peoples Sr. and son, Ron Peoples Jr., died within three months of each other four years ago. Ron Jr. was a banker in Greenville, North Carolina, who moved back in with his parents for health reasons. “It’s a pleasure to be here,” Lana said. “She’s a great inspiration to everyone with her vitality and her great sense of humor. “When we moved here, he (Ron Sr.) said, ‘I think I’m going to live here the rest of my life.’ Which he did. She was so caring and still is so caring about all of her people.” Being a good landlord goes back to treating people like family, Wilma said, where her tenants can call on her in times of need — even if that means getting in her car and driving to meet them. “You can call on any of them and they can call on me for anything that we could possibly do,” Wilma said. On many days, she can be seen working in the yard, planting flowers or trimming hedges. One concession she has made for her age is no longer mowing the lawn at the request of her son John Lytton
On many days, Lytton can be seen working in the yard, planting flowers or trimming hedges. One concession she has made for her age is no longer mowing the lawn at the request of her son John Lytton and daughter Lee Lytton, who are both retired. (Though Wilma says she still thinks she could.) “They were family as far as we [Jack and Wilma] were concerned,” she said. Past tenants have even helped her work on the yard and other work that needed to be done on the property. “I try to keep them happy,” Wilma said. “If they have a complaint, it’s always legitimate: They’re not complaining people.” Like family Her tenants say she’s much more than reasonable. Marie Grice, who with her husband Ricky have rented from Wilma for the last five years, said that Wilma is kind, loving and impressive. “She treats everyone like family. We feel like she is family,” Marie said. “She feels like a second mother to us, actually. That’s how close we feel like we are to her.” One tenant, Tyler Sutherland, elementary school teacher at Howard Hall, has rented twice from Wilma in the past six years. “She has known me through the best of times and the hardest of times,” said Tyler, who left Fayetteville before returning when she took a job as an elementary school teacher. “When I moved back, she was the first person I called. I begged her, said, ‘You’ve got to let me come back.’” “She’s the most delightful person that I’ve ever met,” Tyler
22 January 2024
and daughter Lee Lytton, who are both retired. (Though Wilma says she still thinks she could.) Tyler certainly thinks she could, too: Wilma, in her 90s, can be found gardening in her yard, pulling weeds, and pulling trash cans. Tyler said she does it all. “She doesn’t miss a beat,” Tyler said. “She’s a Fayetteville gem and always will be. Everyone wants to live here and they definitely don’t want to leave.” After talking to Wilma for just a few minutes, her quick wit and humor quickly come through. “I’m very fortunate in that I have excellent health,” she said, then added with a chuckle. “My mind doesn’t work as well as it used to but I can still think a little.” Running an apartment complex hasn’t been that hard, even at her age, she said, especially since her tenants treat the property with care and have stayed for the long run. “That makes all the difference in the world,” Wilma said. It all goes back to that old-school attitude. “Jack and I just always tried to do [whatever’s] the right thing to do,” Wilma said. “I just try to treat everybody like I would like to be treated myself and I look on them as friends. And I love them all.”
Lytton shows her late husband Jack's transit, which he used during his career to survey lots for homes built in subdivisions such as Montclair and Evergreen.
CityViewNC.com | 23
P R O FE S S I O N A L P R O FI L E S
Insurance & Financial Service Professionals For life’s most critical moments — and for that all-important peace of mind in the meantime — turn to the outstanding and experienced Fayetteville insurance and finacial service professionals profiled on the following pages. CityView will be profiling minority owned business professionals in our February issue. Call us at 910-423-6500 or email sales@ cityviewnc.com to reserve your spot in this special promotional section.
CityView Callahan & Rice Insurance Group Callahan & Rice Insurance Group has served the Fayetteville community for more than 50 years. The agency was started by Thurston Callahan in 1966. Mark W. Rice assumed management responsibilities in 1997 and purchased the company a few years later. Mark Rice, president/CEO and his son-in-law, Landon Bentham, director of sales and marketing, work together with a team of nine other professional agents to provide quality insurance and risk management to business owners and individuals. Landon joined the agency in 2015. Mark and Landon are both very committed to helping people understand and navigate insurance coverage options.
Landon T. Bentham, TRA, MBA, Director of Sales and Marketing and Mark W. Rice, LUTCF, CBIA, CIC, CAWC, President/CEO
Mark has served as Chairman of the board of directors for the Independent Insurance Agents of N.C. He also participates as a board member of Fayetteville Area Operation InAsMuch and the Home Builders Association of Fayetteville. Landon is currently serving on the board of directors for the Independent Insurance Agents of N.C.
910-484-6171 | callahanrice.com 129 Franklin Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Landon and his wife, Emma, have two children, Sawyer and Mary Austin, and Mark “Pop” and his wife, Mary “Sugar,” are proud to be their grandparents. They are all active members of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, and their family loves music. Mark is a soloist and a percussionist. Landon is a soloist and plays the guitar. Both Mark and Landon enjoy playing golf and working on construction projects.
24 January 2024
S P EC I A L P R O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N
P R O FE S S I O N A L P R O FI L E S
Hurley Insurance Group
Mark Hurley
Adam Hurley
Daniel Hurley
Brad Hurley
The Hurley Insurance Group prides itself in taking exceptional care of its customers since 1986. Hurley Insurance Group is an independent agency and offers full-service insurance services to support and protect what’s most important to you and yours. Founder Mark Hurley, his brother Brad, and Mark’s sons, Adam and Daniel, are all Fayetteville natives. Their love of their
Tommy Hodge
Landon West
community runs deep, which is why they pride themselves on offering outstanding customer service at three locations. Positive customer service and quick response times are their mottos. With a combined 275 years of experience in the insurance industry, the Hurley Insurance Group team is well-equipped to provide tailored insurance options best suited for your needs.
134 N McPherson Church Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28303 910-868-3500
1653 Owen Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 910-221-3500
3109 N Main St, Ste 101 Hope Mills, NC 28348 910-425-5900
www.hurleyinsurancegroup.com
Olde Fayetteville Insurance and Financial Services Olde Fayetteville Insurance and Financial Services is committed today to the same unwavering standards of integrity upon which the business was founded in 1955 by Bill Hurley. In 1994, Dennis M. Walters joined the life insurance business, and the agency expanded to include business insurance, health insurance and employee benefits. In 2008, Dennis’ son-in-law Ty Ross joined the agency and daughter Paige Ross came aboard in 2010. As a family, they are invested in this community; they live and work here. They are passionate about assisting people in making the best insurance decisions for their families. Their core values are based on the principles of excellent customer service and a “customer-first” approach. When you call their office, you reach a real, live person who is ready to help you. The caring staff at Olde Fayetteville Insurance is always willing to help navigate all your insurance needs. Today, whether helping a company improve its group health choices, such as shortterm disability, vision and dental insurance, or sitting down with a client to discuss life insurance options, they treat your needs as their highest priority. When you are faced with having to deal with another insurance company, they will help with claim processing and communication with insurance carriers — you are not alone. They represent 40 different companies as an independent agency today, and they are growing. They are celebrating 66 years as a reputable company in Fayetteville and are looking forward to carrying on the tradition for at least another 68 years!
910-483-6210 | 1308 Fort Bragg Rd Ste 201 Fayetteville NC 28305 | www.oldefayettevilleinsurance.com S P EC I A L P R O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N
CityViewNC.com | 25
HEALTH
A transformational makeover BY JAMI MCLAUGHLIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN Patricia Bilal
26 January 2024
F
or hairdresser Patricia Bilal, years of repetitive movements — including lifting a hair dryer and cutting hair — had taken a toll on her body. At age 56, Bilal also was spending hours of her day on her feet. “The process of shampooing, standing up with my arms raised and constantly doing the same thing started to hurt,” she said. The pain began across her shoulders and started to radiate through her neck. “As I got older, being heavy in the chest creates pain,” Bilal said. “I knew I wanted a breast reduction. I needed it. I was starting to develop bad pain across my shoulders.” As a tall woman at 5’10” and with a triple-D bra cup size, Bilal said her need for plastic surgery was not as much for cosmetic purposes as it was to prevent pain. Her insurance company approved the reduction without issue and referred her to Leif Nordberg, MD, at Cape Fear Valley Plastic Surgery. But when she went in to meet the doctor for her consultation, she ended up deciding to do a little more. “I also wanted to lose weight and when I did, I had excess skin around my belly area,” Bilal said. “I thought I could look into a tummy tuck as well, and Dr. Nordberg said I was a great candidate for the mommy makeover.” She ended up having a “mommy makeover” in April, which included a breast reduction and lift along with a tummy tuck. “The mommy makeover is a comprehensive procedure that can include a tummy tuck, liposuction and a breast lift with implants,” Nordberg said. “In Patricia’s case, she was having a breast reduction, which insurance covered for her.” Nordberg said Bilal was a particularly good candidate for the mommy makeover because she was healthy and at an ideal weight for the surgery. “She had a good anatomy with the appropriate skin excess that she needed for the abdominal work. It all came together,” Nordberg said. One of his most popular procedures, the mommy makeover combines breastwork such as breast augmentation or implants along with abdominal contouring. “It’s really common especially after women have children or have lost a significant amount of weight,” Nordberg said.
Available in Navy, Brown and Burgundy
All Leather Wing Recliners
1690
Starting at $
HOMEMAKERS FURNITURE & INTERIORS Since 1945
MADE IN USA
611 West Russell Street • 484-7161 www.homemakersfurniturenc.com
Patricia Bilal said she knew that she had found the right physician after meeting Dr. Nordberg in person and reading his reviews online. CityViewNC.com | 27
Dr. Leif Nordberg
He said the benefit of doing everything at the same time is in the results. “It is a whole body transformation,” Nordberg said. Bilal said she knew that she had found the right physician after meeting him in person and reading his reviews online. “From the moment I met Dr. Nordberg and his staff, I knew he was good. He has an amazing bedside manner and I felt so safe every step of the way,” Bilal said, which confirmed the positive reviews she had read of Dr. Norberg and his staff. “It was solidified when I started reading about him online.” After her surgery, she said that she took two months off from work to recover and was again glad she had found a local surgeon for the aftercare. “Recovery was much better than I expected. I was able to get by with overthe-counter Tylenol and even though I was slow,” Bilal said. “By the 4th week, I was able
28 January 2024
to walk normally.” Little by little, she started to get up more out of the recliner she rested in for the first few weeks and started to incorporate more exercise back into her routine before she went back to work full time. “It is important to have these procedures done locally because of the aftercare,” Nordberg said. “Our office is here to make sure you properly heal and we are available for that extra care.” For Bilal, she said most of her friends cannot believe she did not go out of town or even out of the country for the procedure. “I got it all done here and I couldn’t be more pleased,” Bilal said. “I knew that I could count on the staff to answer my questions and see me if I needed them. I had several follow-up visits and they were fantastic each time.” As far as how she looks now, Bilal said her chest finally goes with her body. “I’m very pleased with my results. I have
a pair of full leather pants and I look so fabulous in them now,” Bilal said. She said shopping for clothes is easier and less expensive. “I used to have to buy really expensive bras and now I no longer have that tightness across my chest when I am wearing buttondown shirts,” Bilal said. Nordberg said that is why mommy makeovers are so popular. “It helps our patients feel like themselves again,” Nordberg said. For Bilal, it has been a game-changer for her and she no longer experiences pain. She said she gets compliments daily. “I’m thankful every day,” Bilal said. “I get a lot of compliments from clients who have known me for years and I tell them all that Dr. Nordberg is a gem in Fayetteville.” For initial consultations and appointments, call 910-829-6588. Cape Fear Valley Plastic Surgery is located at 1841 Quiet Cove in Fayetteville.
HOMEFRONT
Taking stock The New Year is a good time to take stock of things, and when it comes to living the military life, there is plenty to be thankful for. Here are a few things I’m thankful for this year — what would you add? BY ARIA SPEARS
You can reinvent yourself at every duty station We all know moving every one, two, three or four years is tough — yes. With every move, however, comes an opportunity to take stock of how you’ve been living and reinvent yourself. Bad attitude at the last installation? Not enjoying how you showed up in your workplace or family? With every new duty station is a fresh start. New is hard, but new is also, well, new. You can decide which attitude you want to energize your days, what new habits you want to take up and which old mindsets you want to leave behind with your PCS donation pile. It’s up to you. You learn to appreciate true friendships Whether you draw them out with celebrations and parties, or simply give a swift nod and exit, military families are experts at goodbyes. After enough goodbyes, you usually tend to choose one of two options as you move. The first tempting option: stop trying in relationships. Or the second, perhaps better option: dig deep and keep your heart open. It takes courage and grit to stay open to friendships when you know your time is short. But if you’ve made a true friend or two along the way, you know it is worth it. You meet a lot of people in military life. But true friendship takes mutual energy and effort — and that’s what makes them truly special. You get opportunities to befriend all kinds of people Speaking of meeting people, you can get to know people from all over the country and world through military life. Civilian families might have the benefit of stability over time, but military life offers variety,
which in itself is a gift. Host a holiday party, and you could end up with people around your table from different states or even countries, wildly different backgrounds and an array of differing perspectives on life. Even though you may come from completely different worlds, your day-to-day life in the military creates common ground. In today’s environment, that is a true gift. You can access mental health care Some duty station care may be more difficult to manage than others, but in general, it is amazing to have health insurance that covers a lot — including mental health care! When it comes to life’s changes and challenges, being able to access mental health care is a huge asset. Whether telehealth or in-person, the opportunity to get a professional’s insights into your life and health can make a world of difference. You become a local in a variety of places You know you’re a military family if you’ve got Polish pottery in the kitchen, a German stein in the cupboard and at least one family photo in Hawaii or another well-loved destination. Maybe this doesn’t describe every military family, but it’s representative of the fact that military people benefit from a variety of different experiences. While family and friends may work in the same cities year after year, military families become nearly local place after place. Need recommendations for your next vacation? Chances are, people in a spouse social media group or in your unit have been there, done that. Ask away, and they’ll have stories — and hopefully photos — to share. Military life is mobile, and military families know how to get the most out of where they live.
You cultivate serious resourcefulness Speaking of making the most of things, military families can’t help but become both nimble and resourceful. Families face challenges in finding childcare, rebuilding support systems, navigating spouse underemployment and more. That means military families are seriously adept at problem-solving, finding the right resources and, generally, making it happen. Families do need more systemic, reliable support in these areas. But even as they wait for these changes, military families — especially spouses — work hard to forge a life they love. And the resourcefulness they cultivate will serve them long beyond service. You can rely on seasoned spouses and families One unmatched military resource to be thankful for? Seasoned spouses and families. Your unit can help establish connections with seasoned families right away. Seasoned spouses and military families know how to navigate the complex, changing military world of paperwork, acronyms, traditions and more. They’ve persevered through deployments, separations, moves and goodbyes … Their dedication often remains under-appreciated at a systemic level, but many are willing to share their experiences with those just beginning the journey. Not sure what to wear to a ball? Don’t know how to find a primary care provider? Feel overwhelmed by PCSing? Seasoned spouses are often a text message or phone call away. My philosophy for facing military life is simple: joy makes us strong. The more we can cultivate realistic but content gratitude and intentional joy, the stronger we’ll be in facing these challenges — together. What’s on your gratitude list this year? Aria Spears writes for CityView’s HomeFront initiative. She’s a writer, communications professional and civic leadership enthusiast. With a master’s degree in nonprofit and civic leadership, Aria can be found exploring cities, persuading people to join local civic boards and sharing her book The Community Mapping Journal. When it comes to active-duty military family life, she believes that joy makes us strong. CityViewNC.com | 29
FEATURE
Patsy Crawford and her son Adam Crawford added their artistic touch to the downtown atmosphere by painting a mural on the side of The Sweet Palette bakery. Patsy hopes the mural will draw more visitors to businesses on Person Street.
Downtown peace and harmony: The new “Lady Muriel” mural
Y
BY ARIA SPEARS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN
ou may have noticed a colorful addition to Market Square when driving or walking around downtown Fayetteville: A new mural entitled “Lady Muriel” brightens the side of The Sweet Palette building at 101 Person St. Patsy Crawford is the mural designer
30 January 2024
and owner of the Person Street building that houses her bakery business, The Sweet Palette, as well as Blanc Coffee Roasters, owned by Anette Blanc. The mural is located on the western side of the building facing the intersection of Market Square and Green Street. Looming tall over the square stands a woman adorned in pastel
and ribbons, standing in contrast to a goldand-flower halo. In her left hand, she holds an iridescent bubble. “I looked up what Muriel meant, and it meant ‘sparkling and bright,’” Patsy said. “And I thought that was perfect because [the mural] is brightening up this corner on Market Street.”
Looming tall over the square stands a woman adorned in pastel and ribbons, standing in contrast to a gold-and-flower halo. In her left hand, she holds an iridescent bubble.
CityViewNC.com | 31
Patsy painted the yellow ribbon emerging from "Lady Muriel's" dress. “We’ve loved seeing the new murals around town, and we wanted to be part of that,” Patsy said about her hopes for the mural.
The name “Muriel” is also the name of a goddess who was said to “promote peace and harmony,” Patsy added. After much deliberation and help from her sister and the community, Patsy knew this was the right name for her mural. “Lady Muriel” has been a long time in the making. Patsy envisioned the art piece long before she and two of her three sons, Jeremy and Adam Crawford, began painting it in October 2023. About five or six years ago, she wondered how they might spruce up the large wall facing Market Square. Facing downtown restrictions on exterior-facing walls, she wasn’t sure how it would be possible. In 2019, the Cool Springs District
32 January 2024
initiated the Capitol Encore mural entitled “Captain of Your Fate” at 110 Old St. This colorful mural painted by Dare Coulter extends 143 feet and features children, birds and other creatures. Seeing this mural inspired Patsy to consider whether her own mural might now be a possibility. “If you go to Asheville, Charlotte and other cities, you see a lot of murals around town,” Adam said. “When you come to Fayetteville, you don’t see a lot of that … We thought it would be great to put some more artwork downtown.” Patsy studied fashion illustration in her earlier years, so she knew she could design a mural utilizing this unique skill set.
The final design is inspired by one of Patsy’s favorite artists, Alphonse Mucha, the preeminent Czech painter and illustrator of the late 1800s, who specialized in Parisian Art Nouveau. Mucha’s style often featured long, slender, haloed women in pastel colors, sometimes serving as models for biscuits, beauty products and other ad posters. In 2022, Patsy started the mural approval process with the city and started sketching design ideas inspired by Mucha’s work. Since the mural would be featured outside of Patsy’s bakery, initially, she envisioned the woman carrying a tray of delectable sweets. These sweets were later changed to bubbles for an effervescent touch. Patsy received a mini grant through the
Adam, who is also the partner and manager of The Sweet Palette, did the prep work to power wash the wall and prepare for painting. He spray painted iridescent bubbles that float away from "Lady Muriel" at the top left corner of the mural.
Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County during their 2023 fall cycle. Along with a few painting supplies, this grant helped fund the rental fees for a lift to ensure both speed and safety throughout the preparation and painting process. The mini grants are intended to build capacity for artists, nonprofits, and municipal groups in Cumberland County. “Mini Grants support one-time cultural arts events with a focus on growing the local arts economy, engaging new and innovative programming, and providing support to diverse artistic mediums to Cumberland County,” the Arts Council 2023-2024 Mini Grant Program Guidelines state. Painting for the “Lady Muriel” piece
began in October and took approximately three and a half weeks. Adam, partner and manager of The Sweet Palette, did the prep work to power wash the wall and prepare for painting. His handiwork also included painting the luminous bubbles depicted in the mural. Jeremy, who works as a freelance artist, flew in for a week from Florida to assist in the mural’s creation with both drawing and painting. The three Crawfords worked day and night to bring Patsy’s vision to life. It was nice to meet so many people while they worked from the lift, Patsy said, as many passersby would stop to talk from the sidewalk. After a few finishing touches, the
Crawfords declared the mural complete in the middle of November. Where once downtown patrons saw a nondescript, blank wall, now looms a colorful, joyful reminder of peace and harmony. “We’ve loved seeing the new murals around town, and we wanted to be part of that,” Patsy said about her hopes for the mural. According to the Cool Spring Downtown District, including this mural, there are now 33 parks, landmarks and art featured in the Fayetteville downtown area. The addition of “Lady Muriel” is one more thoughtful detail that helps Fayetteville feel like home. CityViewNC.com | 33
The cast of Days of Wine and Roses: (l-r) Olivia Hernandez, Nicole Ferguson, Sharon Catherine Brown, Bill English, Byron Jennings, Steven Booth, Kelli O’Hara, Addie Manthey, Brian d’Arcy James, Tabitha Lawing, Tony Carlin, David Jennings, Kelcey Watson and David Manis.
Living a rosy dream FEATURE
Former Cape Fear Regional Theater performer making Broadway debut this January at age 10 BY ZACH HORNER | CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
34 January 2024
T
abitha Lawing isn’t old enough to drink alcohol. In fact, she won’t be for 11 more years. She will, however, take part in the first Broadway production of a story that highlights alcoholism and how it takes its toll on a relationship when “Days of Wine and Roses: the Musical” opens for previews in New York City on Jan. 6. Last summer, Tabitha performed in the Cape Fear Regional Theatre summer camp production of “The Adventure of Our Lives, So Far!” While that was Fayetteville’s introduction to Tabitha on stage, it was far from the first time she’s been in the spotlight. And over 16 weeks in early 2024, she will be in the biggest spotlight of her young life portraying Lila, the daughter of the couple who’s the focus of the story in “Days of Wine and Roses.”
“I probably need more time,” Tabitha said, speaking over Zoom from the Upper West Side on a Sunday morning in December, sitting next to her mother Sarah. “But I feel pretty ready.” How she got ready to play a pivotal role on a Broadway show is a story in and of itself. Always been a performer The Lawings live in Watkinsville, Georgia, but the family originated in North Carolina — Sarah from Fayetteville and her husband Matthew from Gaston County. Born in Georgia, Tabitha loved to perform growing up. “We’ve always thought she had the potential to be on Broadway,” Sarah says. “We always thought this could be her future, we just never thought it would be this soon.” Tabitha says she called herself “Hollywood T” when she was younger, playing out various characters in her home, as many children do. One of her favorites was a school teacher named “Ms. Tooty.” “I would make them sit down and [I would] play teacher for them,” Tabitha says of her performances for her parents. That interest in performing grew as she got older, and by age 6, Tabitha says, she’d already set her sights on Broadway. Her first audition was for a touring performance of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” While she didn’t get the part, she says, “I just fell in love with it and wanted to do more.” Her most recent role was in an opera version of Stephen King’s “The Shining” this past fall at The Atlanta Opera. She played one of the Grady girls — the iconic young girls that appear to be twins in baby blue dresses, who Danny Torrance sees while riding his tricycle in the Overlook Hotel. While she didn’t sing an opera part, she says, she got to sing a lullaby and enjoyed the experience. “It was weird,” Tabitha says. “I loved being creepy though. I really loved hearing the other big opera singers.” It was during productions of “The Shining” that Tabitha and her parents first got connected to Broadway. She had done auditions and even had callbacks for roles in some touring shows, but the first taste of Broadway she got was through an agent showcase this fall. Because of her role in “The Shining,” Sarah says, Tabitha had to send in a solo and monologue on tape, and it drew the attention of several agents. They
Feel safer in 2024! Video Doorbells Security Cameras Keyless Door Locks Security Systems & Cameras Monitored Smoke & CO detectors
Residential & Commercial
910.483.1196 | HolmesSecurity.net
Locally owned & operated since 1908. We have Eastern NC's only UL-listed, 5-diamond central monitoring station with 24/7/365 superior service.
Tabitha Lawing will take part in the first Broadway production of a story that highlights alcoholism and how it takes its toll on a relationship when “Days of Wine and Roses: the Musical” opens for previews in New York City on Jan. 6. CityViewNC.com | 35
While Tabitha is funny in real life, Sarah said, she has a knack for booking dramatic roles. Both “The Shining” and “Days of Wine and Roses” deal with heavy subject matter, something Sarah and her husband have approached by keeping channels of communication open with Tabitha. eventually signed with CESD Talent Agency a day after “The Shining” closed. The next day, Tabitha’s agent sent an audition request for “Days.” “The very first audition was for ‘Days of Wine and Roses,’” Tabitha says, “and I booked it.’ ‘Out of a misty dream’ The second stanza of the poem the story’s title originates from states: “They are not long, the days of wine and roses: Out of a misty dream/Our path emerges for a while, then closes within a dream.” You could say that Tabitha’s casting story came out of a dream. Sarah and Tabitha flew back to Georgia after the callback audition for “Days of Wine and Roses,” left the airport and were about 10 minutes from home when Tabitha’s agent gave them a call and shared the news: Tabitha landed the role. “I could see her in the rearview mirror and she was stunned,” Sarah said. “I
36 January 2024
immediately burst out in tears because the emotions are so overwhelming.” First produced as an episode of an anthology TV series in 1958, “Days of Wine and Roses” gained critical recognition as a film in 1962, when actors Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick brought the story of a couple (Joe Clay and Kirsten Arnesen) who fall in love, get married, have a baby, and along the way fall deeper and deeper into alcohol addiction. The movie received five Oscar nominations, with the title theme winning the 1963 Academy Award for Best Song. In 2018, the film was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” The story is a dramatic one, with several scenes showcasing the toll alcoholism takes on both the people who suffer from addiction and those around them. Characters are strapped down in hospital beds, leave their families to drink the night away in a shoddy motel, and tear apart a
greenhouse looking for a hidden bottle of booze. It doesn’t end on a happy note, with one of the leads recovering and sober while the other still yearns for a daily dose of drink. Brian d’Arcy James and Kelli O’Hara play the lead roles in this production, which first debuted off-Broadway last year. James has four Tony Award nominations (Broadway’s version of the Oscars) and appeared in the Oscar-winning film “Spotlight” in 2015, while O’Hara is a seven-time Tony nominee and winner for her performance as Anna Leonowens in a 2015 production of “The King and I.” The musical differs from the film in some ways, with one of those being the role of the couple’s child. Called Debbie in the movie, the daughter’s role, now called “Lila,” expands from a bit part in the film to a more substantial role in the play. Sarah said it’s one of three singing roles, along with those of the parents, and has a pivotal “heart-wrenching” scene where Lila writes letters back and forth with her mother. Tabitha says that Lila is a “smart girl” who is “more mature than her parents.” While Tabitha is funny in real life, Sarah said, she has a knack for booking dramatic roles. Both “The Shining” and “Days of Wine and Roses” deal with heavy subject matter, something Sarah and her husband have approached by keeping channels of communication open with Tabitha. She cited a quote by TV icon Fred Rogers of “Mr. Rogers” fame — “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.’ “I’ve really held onto that, that we really tried to be open with our kids about the hard things in life,” Sarah said. “Both [roles] deal with some pretty heavy psychological kind of stuff. We’ve always tried to keep the communication channels open, like if there’s anything you see that bothers you, please ask.” Sarah also cited the reputations of James and O’Hara as comforting. “Trust is a big part of it, trust in the process and trust in the professionalism of this world class team,” Sarah said. “Knowing the reputations of Kelli O’Hara and Brian d’Arcy James and their reputations for being kind and gracious and having kids of their own has put me at ease.”
Getting ready to go Sarah and Tabitha are living on the Upper West Side, but they’ll move closer to the Studio 54 theater between Broadway and 8th Avenue before the show goes live. The venue itself has a storied history, as both the home of “The Johnny Carson Show” and later the iconic nightclub for disco fever. Now it’s a theater and will serve as Tabitha’s office, so to speak, for 16 weeks starting on Jan. 6. During the show’s run, she will be taking online classes through Laurel Springs School, an all-online private school, and meeting with a tutor. Sarah will be living with her and supporting her throughout. For four months not only will Tabitha be working a full-time job performing in America’s Mecca of theater, but she’ll be in school like other kids her age. It will just look a little different because she’s regularly in the presence of show business stardom. Rehearsals haven’t been at the theater yet, but instead at a space named after Latvian dance legend Mikhail Baryshnikov, who has made a few appearances. “He just keeps walking by,” Tabitha says. Sarah has been working remotely while Tabitha has been in rehearsals, and will occasionally see show biz stars over her shoulder in the background of Zoom calls. Recently, “Gray’s Anatomy” star Sandra Oh was in the building. Many of Tabitha’s family, including her maternal grandmother and Fayetteville resident Carol Lloyd, will be in attendance on opening night and the days afterward, but a special guest and one of Tabitha’s key teachers will meet her in person for the first time. Alex Kidder, Tabitha’s voice teacher, is based in London and once gave Sarah some key guidance. “She laid it all out very plainly,” Sarah said. “She said, ‘With Tabitha, it’s not about the talent. It’s [about] does she want to take this next big step.’ If [she does] take this next step, she thought it was very likely that she would book a show. I really think back to what she said a lot because she laid it all out a lot.” And on that first night, Jan. 6, Kidder will be there to meet her student for the first time in person and see her perform alongside Tony winners and nominees, in a production based on a culturally-significant film, mere months after starring on the Cape Fear Regional Theater stage. Talk about a misty dream.
PRECINCT WORKERS NEEDED The Cumberland County, North Carolina Board of Elections is recruiting workers for 2023-2025. Individuals are needed to serve as precinct officials for the following dates: October 10, 2023; November 7, 2023; March 5, 2024; April 23, 2024; May 14, 2024 and November 5, 2024 Earn up to $190.00 for each election worked. To apply or request information visit ElectionReady.net or call 910-678-7733.
See it. Degree it.
Enriching lives. Reimagining futures. Your next chapter starts here. Mechatronics Engineering Associate Degree Questions about Mechatronics? Darius Wilkins – wilkinsd@faytechcc.edu
SPRING CLASSES BEGIN JAN. 16 – APPLY TODAY!
910-678-8400 admissions@faytechcc.edu www.faytechcc.edu f t
CityViewNC.com | 37
FEATURE
The winter blues Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression. It happens during certain seasons of the year — most often fall or winter. BY ZACH HORNER
I
t’s not the “most wonderful time of the year” for everyone. When the holidays roll around, you’re bound to hear the phrase “Seasonal Affective Disorder” to describe how someone feels. Maybe they’re lethargic and tired, or just not in their normal mood. In reality, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a clinical condition, a type of depression that the National Institute of Mental Health estimates affect millions of Americans, many of whom may not know that they have it. But that may not be the only reason folks
feel different, more tired, less excited about festivities during the holiday season. A 2023 survey from the American Psychological Association found that nearly 9 in 10 adults report that various concerns cause them stress this time of year, and a 2014 survey from the National Alliance on Mental Illness reported that 64% of people with a diagnosed mental illness say the holidays make their conditions worse. While it may be easy to conflate the appropriately-acronymed SAD and the so-called “holiday blues,” they are distinctly separate issues.
Those who have SAD will likely need clinical treatment that may include counseling or medication. But the steps to addressing holiday-related depression may also be helpful.
38 January 2024
SAD in December The NIMH states that SAD is a “type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern.” Symptoms normally last four to five months out of the year and include persistent sadness or hopelessness, loss of interest in hobbies and activities, decreased energy, changes in sleep, and even suicidal thoughts. While the origins of SAD in individuals can be hard to know, Mark Gronski, the director of counseling services at Methodist University and a licensed clinical social worker, said one of the keys to diagnosing SAD is patterns. “These things happen over a defined period of time in the fall and winter months,” Gronski said. “Those symptoms, you’re seeing those symptoms in fall and winter months, and usually it subsides. You see this recurrent pattern. It is more clinical in nature.” Dr. Michael Shapiro, the director of behavioral health at Southern Regional AHEC in Fayetteville, cites the changes that occur in the body during that time of year as the instigating factor for SAD. “(SAD is) more of a biological reaction to having changes in the length of the day,” he said. “It offsets your circadian rhythm.” According to NIMH, studies have found that people with diagnosed SAD have reduced levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Sunlight has been found to stimulate serotonin activity, which helps improve an individual’s mood. Additionally, those with SAD usually have higher levels of melatonin, meaning they are more likely to sleep longer and have more fatigue. Essentially, if you have clinicallydiagnosed SAD, nature is working against you by shortening the day and providing less sunlight. Additionally, as Dr. Shapiro pointed out, the cold weather usually keeps people from exercise, another avenue for serotonin stimulation. Holiday Blues Gronski said that, in his nearly 20 years of mental health practice, he has only seen a couple clients with diagnosed SAD. However, general depression and anxiety is more common in the winter months. Some of that, surveys find, comes from the added stressors in the holiday season.
Mark Gronski said that, in his nearly 20 years of mental health practice, he has only seen a couple clients with diagnosed SAD. However, general depression and anxiety is more common in the winter months. 6 in 10 said it led to too much pressure and slightly less than 6 in 10 said the holidays caused unrealistic expectations. Gronski said he doesn’t see holidayrelated stress much in Methodist students, usually because they’re off-campus by the time Christmas and New Year’s Day rolls around. However, for international students who maybe can’t go home, it is something he has worked with. “It can impact people regardless of where you are in age,” he said.
The 2023 APA survey found that 2 in 5 U.S. adults saw their stress increase in the holiday season compared to other times of the year. Causes of stress include finances, finding the right gifts, and missing family or loved ones during the holidays. Households earning less than $50,000 a year were more likely to experience stress during the holidays than those making more than $100,000 annually, perhaps a reflection of the financial pull. Dr. Shapiro stated that he has found those with low economic status are more likely to experience holiday stress, particularly “in the days of social media” when people share photos of their children opening toys and presents that others may not be able to afford. “Christmas is the most pressure on people to look happy,” he said. “There’s a lot of pressure. You have to be grateful and joyful, but a lot of people don’t have a lot to be grateful or joyful. It’s having to give the appearance that you’re happy and cheerful. Then you throw on that a lot of financial pressures.’ The 2014 NAMI survey of people with diagnosed mental health conditions highlights the impact of pressure. Nearly 7 in 10 respondents said the holidays contributed to financial strain, while around
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Mark Gronski
Addressing SAD and Holiday Blues Both Gronski and Dr. Shapiro said one of the keys to addressing the “holiday blues” in individuals is trying to take that pressure off. “Don’t put yourself under pressure to have the perfect meal or the perfect holiday or the perfect joyful day,” Dr. Shapiro said. “If you put that kind of pressure on yourself, you’re doomed to fail. If you’re late getting the Jell-O mold, everyone will be fine with it.” Gronski added: “Being mindful of giving yourself a little bit of self-compassion in those moments of stress. Oftentimes we can go down that road and be very critical of ourselves, which adds to more of those negative kinds of thoughts and feeling down
and hopeless. What’s really important, during times of high stress, is to practice self-compassion.” Other suggestions they gave included putting yourself on a routine schedule that includes time outside and in physical activity, when possible, and using self-care practices. Friends and family of individuals with holiday depression can also help. “The presence of someone else is always healing,” Dr. Shapiro said. “If it’s an elderly person, it doesn’t matter if you bring presents or cakes, if you bring you or others, just your presence is going to lighten their mood and make things look better. People don’t really care about presents, they want company. If you know people in that position, be deliberate in showing that support and going to listen and visiting.” Those who have SAD will likely need clinical treatment that may include counseling or medication. But the steps to addressing holiday-related depression may also be helpful. “It’s really important that you are creating that schedule and routine in going outside and being as active as you can,” Gronski said. “Those kinds of things to stay active and have a routine are really important.”
Causes of stress during the holiday season Nearly nine in 10 U.S. adults say something causes them stress . . . 89% during the holiday season The 10 Most Commonly Reported Sources of Holiday Stress Spending too much or not having enough money to spend . . . . . . . . 58% Finding the right gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40% Missing family or loved ones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38% Having too much to do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32% Feeling pressure to make the holidays special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30% Food- or alcohol-related issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25% Not being able to spend time/be with family or loved ones . . . . . . . . 25% Experiencing or anticipating family conflict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22% Feeling left out or excluded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20% Traveling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19% © 2023 American Psychological Association
CityViewNC.com | 39
I
love this time of year when I can begin looking forward to the new books coming out in the new year. Some are books that came out at the end of the last year, but they are new to me and may be new to you. Others are highly anticipated books by authors that we have read and loved in the past and we can’t wait to read them. I find myself returning to some of my favorite authors or subjects when I pick new books to read. Also, best seller lists are a great place to search for a new book for yourself or to suggest for your book club. And lucky for you, the CityView editors have asked me to use my column this month to help you find that book! Whether you read a lot or are looking for just the right book to start reading, here are some good suggestions to consider.
GOOD READS
2024 IS HERE! Out with the old and in with the new … books! BY DIANE PARFITT
1. THE HEAVEN & EARTH
1 2
3
4
5
6
GROCERY STORE by James McBride One of the best books of 2023, McBride’s newest book came out later in the year and is now on every list of must-read books. This murder mystery centers around the discovery of human skeletal remains at a new construction site called Chicken Hill. Previously a run-down neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived together and shared dreams of a new life, the residents here shared deeply held secrets. As the secrets are revealed, McBride shows that even in difficult times, it is the love shared within a community that sustains us all.
2. THE WOMEN by Kristin
Hannah Nursing school is hard, but when 20-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears that “women can be heroes, too,” she is inspired to give it a try. It’s 1965, her brother is drafted and is shipped out to Vietnam, and Frankie decides to join the Army Nurse Corps and follow her brother. Although this is the story of one woman who goes to war, it is the story of all the other women who took up the challenge and played a vital role in Vietnam during one of America’s most difficult times. This was my era and the story of some of my nursing school classmates who joined the military and went to Vietnam.
3. DAY by Michael Cunningham Just released, this new book by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Hours” follows a family on April 5 in 2019, 2020 and 2021 — before, during and after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although we never read
40 January 2024
the words “Covid” or “pandemic” in Cunningham’s book, it is the shadow that hovers over all that is going on with this family. We can easily relate to how this world-wide crisis affected us as we follow this one family. We see them cope with normal everyday situations compounded by the specter of disease and death hanging over them.
4. THE FURY by Alex Michaelides If you read Michaelides’ bestseller “The Silent Patient,” you know he can write a thriller that will keep you up at night to finish it. His new book follows a reclusive ex-movie star and her famous friends who take a fateful trip to a private Greek island. Their holiday is soon interrupted by a murder. Did one of them do it? “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” may give you some indication of the plot and the ending. You’ll have to read it to find out.
5. THE HEIRESS by Rachel
Hawkins “There’s nothing as good as the rich gone bad.” This quote, which I found in a description of the book, really got my attention. And when I found out it’s set in North Carolina, that cinched it. Abducted as a child, Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore (yes, that is her name after being married and widowed four times before she dies) grows up to acquire a huge estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she basically rules her hometown. Her adopted son, Camden, shuns the family estate and his inheritance to settle in Colorado. Ten years later, he and his wife are pulled back to North Carolina to handle some estate issues. Soon, stories and rumors emerge over the McTavish
“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive.” — James Baldwin
Corporate & Industry Training Enhance your skills & prepare for advancement! • Day and evening classes • High-quality training at an affordable cost • Customized training for local employers wanting to upgrade the skills of their employees TRAINING AREAS: • Automotive • Aviation • Building and Construction • Lineworker Basic Training • Communications • Industrial Training • NC Dept of Insurance Code Courses
history. Will the legacy of Ruby bring some closure for Camden, or stir up more difficulty for him and his wife, who has her own secrets?
CORPORATE & CONTINUING EDUCATION
6. THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE
(910) 678-8432 or industrytraining@faytechcc.edu Learn more at www.faytechcc.edu/corporate-industry-training/
FIRM by John Grisham How many of us read “The Firm” when it came out in 1991? And saw the Tom Cruise movie a few years later? Now we can read the follow-up that Grisham just released. In it, we find out what became of the main characters, Mitch and Abby McDeere, who brought down the Memphis law firm involved in criminal activities. They now find themselves in the midst of a sinister plot that threatens not only Mitch and his colleagues, but his family and friends. What a great way to come full circle with a story we all loved. As you start the new year, it’s a great time to find some new books and curl up on the couch by the fire and read. So, let’s get started. Happy New Book Year!
Diane Parfitt is a retired pediatric nurse and former assistant professor of nursing education. She owns City Center Gallery & Books in downtown Fayetteville. She can be reached at citycentergallerybooks@gmail.com CityViewNC.com | 41
THE TO-DO LIST
Here are just some of the things happening in and around Fayetteville this month. For more events and additional information, visit www.cityviewnc.com/calendar. Email cityview@cityviewnc.com to share your event with us!
JAN. 2
Making Snow Folk Art Challenge Hope Mills Community Library 3411 Golfview Road, Hope Mills distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JAN. 3
Knit & Crochet Club Bordeaux Community Library 3711 Village Drive, Fayetteville distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JAN. 6
A Girl to Remember Runway Extravaganza Crown Complex 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville eventbrite.com
JAN. 6
Come See the Trains! Fascinate-U Children’s Museum 116 Green St., Fayetteville distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JAN. 6
Fayetteville Marksmen vs Macon (Disney Night) Crown Coliseum 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville crowncomplexnc.com
JAN. 12
Fly-fishing Basics: Understanding and Selecting Fly-fishing Equipment John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center 7489 Raeford Road, Fayetteville distinctlyfayettevillenc.com
JAN. 13
Latin Fusion Night The Church Entertainment Lounge 2606 Raeford Road, Suite A, Fayetteville facebook.com/ ChurchEntertainmentLounge
JAN. 13
Sip & Soap by SkinLove Essentials Black Canvas 805 Elm St., Fayetteville eventbrite.com
42 January 2024
JAN. 18
Fayetteville Chamber Coffee Club Segra Stadium 460 Hay St., Fayetteville faybiz.com
JAN. 20
Women’s Basketball vs. Greensboro College Methodist University 5400 Ramsey St., Fayetteville mumonarchs.com
JAN. 20
Air Supply Crown Coliseum 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville crowncomplexnc.com
JAN. 20
A Strings Serenade Fayetteville Symphony Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 400 Campbell Ave., Fayetteville fayettevillesymphony.org
JAN. 20
Sweet Currency Extravaganza Sweet Factory 2733 Freedom Pkwy Drive, Fayetteville
JAN. 21
Fayetteville Marksmen vs. Birmingham - Salute to Service Crown Coliseum 2733 Freedom Pkwy Drive, Fayetteville crowncomplexnc.com
JAN. 25 – FEB. 18
Cinderella Cape Fear Regional Theatre 1209 Hay St., Fayetteville cfrt.org/cinderella
JAN. 26
Comedy at the Cameo Cameo Art House Theatre 225 Hay St., Fayetteville cameoarthouse.com
COMMUNITY CONCERTS THE 88TH SEASON
Even T he Nights Are Better ROLLIN ON THE RIVER THE BEST OF TINA SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2024
AND THERE’S MORE TO COME. WATCH FOR OUR 5TH SHOW! Tickets available now at: TICKETMASTER.COM, The Crown Box Office and Fort Liberty Leisure Travel Services. For info call 910-303-3996.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! CFRT.org | 910.323.4233 CityViewNC.com | 43
SEEN @ THE SCENE
>> FIND MORE EVENT PHOTOS AT CITYVIEWNC.COM
Fort Liberty Tree Lighting PHOTOS BY SABREENA CZARNECKI
Fort Liberty kicked off its holiday festivities with its Christmas Tree Lighting event on Nov. 30.
The 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus
Clarence and Samuel Northrup
Adriana, Jennifer, front row Rayden and Roman Hanke
Reagan, Seth and Remington Eldred
44 January 2024
Salem, Brighton, Henley and Kelli Osborne
Elijah Spears, Trey Spears and Secily Torres
Christine, Mateo and Bryan Harrison
J.R. Furniture Always Has the Lowest Price! www.jrfurnitureonline.com
May the new year be filled with health and happiness for your family.
910.483.1331 | 545 R amsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301 | www.JerniganWarren.com CityViewNC.com | 45
>> FIND MORE EVENT PHOTOS AT CITYVIEWNC.COM
SEEN @ THE SCENE
A Dickens Holiday PHOTOS BY SABREENA CZARNECKI
The 24th annual installment of "A Dickens Holiday" in downtown Fayetteville on Nov. 24 drew thousands of people with a holiday shopping market, a gingerbread house contest and horse-drawn carriages.
Jacob Woody, Emma Fehlauer, Rhonda Whaley, Tanisha Johnson. Front row Cadence Hoag and Isaac Woody Blake and Adelyn Jones, llama Sebastian and Rachael Lillich
Charles and Karen White
Andy Kotz, Trent Palmer, Ed McCloud, Donnie Stafford and Art Bisbee
46 January 2024
Violet, Justin, Lorelai and Courtney Burr
Gary Skillestad, Alexis Skillestad, Deshawn Lewis and Timothy Ward
THE LAST WORD
We are in this together
F
BY TONY CHAVONNE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN
or the past two years, CityView has been covering local government news for Fayetteville and Cumberland County. During that time, we have fought the fight to ensure that local government meetings and actions are open to the public and that residents are informed. Just recently, we witnessed the most recent attempt by local government to keep citizens in the dark on important issues facing our community when the Fayetteville City Council voted to move forward with a settlement agreement with the former Police Chief Gina Hawkins. This settlement agreement item was not on the published agenda and was only added at the beginning of the meeting, so residents were not aware of the possibility that $200,000 of their tax dollars would be used in this manner. Our news reporters were initially denied information about the total cost of the settlement or access to the settlement agreement itself. That answer did not stand that night, just like a similar attempt against transparency did not stand at our first City Council meeting two years ago when our reporter was denied access to the public meeting. And that type of approach by local governments will never stand as long as CityView is here working to serve you and every Cumberland County resident. Our CityView news team were the only reporters at the meeting. As a result of their efforts, thousands of people read about the lack of transparency by their local government and the details of the settlement in their free CityView Today digital newsletter. We are building on a legacy of outstanding talent — people you know and trust like Bill Kirby Jr., Greg Barnes, Earl Vaughan Jr., Paul Woolverton, and the vision and grit of our founding editor, Lorry Williams. They are joined by other committed journalists we have added — Bill Horner III, Maydha Devarajan, Evey Weisblat, Lexi Solomon and Valeria Cloës. They are cut from the same cloth and share CityView’s commitment to serve as watchdog over local government. Each morning over 35,000 residents awaken to the important news of the day, reports of the family members and friends we have lost, and insights on people’s lives that can only come from decades of reporting experience and a love for our community and the people who live here.
Joanne and Tony Chavonne
I willingly donate my time and energy to our belief that informed people build a better community and thank each of you who have supported our efforts. Every dollar you donate is used for additional news coverage in our community. Your financial support allows us to ensure that public trust and our democracy are protected. As you plan your own ways to support what’s important in the Cumberland County region, consider making a donation to the CityView News Fund. No amount is too small, and every gift is greatly appreciated. With your support, we can build an even better community. Best wishes for a prosperous new year!
CityViewNC.com | 47
Want top Fayetteville area headlines directly in your inbox?
Scan the code or subscribe at www.cityviewnc.com
What subscribers are saying “I am tremendously impressed with the daily news updates...fantastic job. Thank you so much for filling a void that was sorely missing. Thank you.” – Tim Hinton “I love the CityView Today news! This is what Fayetteville has been needing. It’s great to wake up and read the most current happenings.”
“A great product! Nice to have a reliable and unbiased news source in Fayetteville again.”
– Cindy McCormick
– Mike Lynch
Our daily newsletters reach 35,000+ readers. Want to see your business in CityView TODAY? When the news is delivered, let your business be the first thing readers see. Cost-effective options are available on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
Email sales@cityviewnc.com for more information.
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 • 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
• 2020-2021 Guide to the Flu
• Asthma Symptoms & Treatment
• School, Sports, & Camp Physicals
• Breastfeeding Support
Jose Buenaseda, MD, FAAP Leamor Buenaseda, MD, FAAP Sreelekha Sashidhar, MD, FAAP Christine Arnold, CPNP-PC Amy Miller, PA-C Melanie Pitts, DNP, NP-C Danielle Trigg, CPNP-PC Cinthia Follrod, CPNP-PC Meaghan Hodges, CPNP-PC Rachelle Olson, FNPC
4005 Fayetteville Road Raeford, NC 28376 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2035 Valleygate Dr., Suite 101 Fayetteville, NC 28304 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6415 Brookstone Lane, Suite 101 Fayetteville, NC 28314 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
910.848.KIDS (5437)
910.677.0007
910.306.KIDS (5437)
Brookstone office only 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturdays for sick/urgent appointments, established patients only.
Mommy Makeovers
and more
“
I love it.
I wish I had done it earlier.”
At 40, Eva Pi of Fayetteville was unhappy with the body motherhood had given her – so she received a mommy makeover from Leif Nordberg, MD. Dr. Nordberg performed a tummy tuck, lifted her breasts, and finished with some liposuction. After surgery, she’s thrilled with the results.
Cape Fear Valley Plastic Surgery offers surgical and non-surgical procedures to help you look as youthful on the outside as you feel on the inside. 1841 Quiet Cove, Fayetteville | (910) 323-2626
www.cfvplasticsurgery.com
Leif Nordberg, MD