DestinationFAY 2026-2027 by CityView Magazine

DestinationFAY

The Ultimate Guide to Fayetteville 2026-2027 and Cumberland County

Life happens. We’re here. From fevers and rashes to strep throat and flu, ailments can pop up at any time. When they do, we’re right here for you (and your kids).

SameDay Medical 6201 Raeford Road, Fayetteville 7 days a week 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Online appointment scheduling available.

Pediatric After Hours 556 Sandhurst Drive, Fayetteville Mon., Thurs. and Fri. from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Weekends from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (910) 920-2458

Health Pavilion North ExpressCare capefearvalley.com

6387 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville 7 days a week 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

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Highly Trained Dentists Family Block Appointments

Quality Dentistry at Your Convenience 1408 Skibo Road (Near Sam’s Club), Fayetteville, NC 28303 | 910.354.2680 www.dayandnightdental.com

PUBLISHER Kyle Villemain

SHOPPING: Live, Dine, Gather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matt Hennie

DINING: A Taste of Tradition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

MAGAZINE EDITOR Jason Beck

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT: Fayetteville's Ghost Tower Reappears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 FESTIVALS: A City Worth Celebrating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

DIRECTOR OF OPERATION & SALES Talmadge Rogers

SPORTS: Fun and Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

SALES TEAM LEADER Dawn Denham

RECREATION: Four Seasons of Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Caitlin Malson

EDUCATION: Inside Fayetteville’s Faith-Based Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 HIGHER EDUCATION: Fayetteville State Lands $10M Award to Build Defense-Focused AI Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 HEALTH: Welcome to North Carolina's Newest Medical School . . . . . . 42 MILITARY: An Army Brat Takes Command of Fayetteville’s Airborne Museum Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 MILITARY: How an Army Veteran Built a Transportation Business in Fayetteville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

DestinationFAY Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Dining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Higher Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

The Ultimate Guide to Fayetteville and Cumberland County 2026-2027

Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Cover illustration by Nicole Pajor Moore

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Beck Dorien Caldwell Rachael Santillan James Throssel Dasia Williams Matthew Wonderly Tony Wooten CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Morgan Casey Sunny Hubler Abraham Kenmore Sarah Munsch Teri Saylor Dasia Williams Paul Woolverton GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Nicole Pajor Moore Annette Winter

DestinationFAY is published 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. Publication of an advertisement in DestinationFAY does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by CityView or CityView Media, LLC. BROUGHT TO YOU BY

LOCAL BUSINESS AND NON-PROFIT DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

FROM THE EDITOR

Finding Fayetteville BY JASON BECK

here's a big misconception that there's nothing to do around here. That's why we produced the sixth annual edition of DestinationFAY. Much like the stacked attractions illustrated on the cover, peeling back layers reveals a vibrant community filled with eats, arts, entertainment, shopping, and opportunities to engage. This is the ultimate guide to the Greater Fayetteville area and Cumberland County. Our cover includes the most recognizable landmarks to guide your path as you explore everything the region has to offer. You’ll find the Airborne and Special Operations Museum, the downtown J. Cole Mural, the Market House, and the updated Cape Fear Regional Theatre. There’s the universal gathering space that is Festival Park, home to the city’s most popular events. This year’s magazine includes four original features. The first provides updates on the construction of the $87 million N.C. History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction. The massive structure taking shape near the site of Fayetteville’s old arsenal ties together the historic downtown and Haymont neighborhoods. It is one of several museums and historical sites within the city’s arts and cultural district. The second story examines independent restaurants that have stood the test of time. These include diners with three-generations of family ownership, steakhouses that host our greatest celebrations, and breakfast joints that have helped us greet the day for more than 50 years. The third piece examines faith-based schools and how these institutions are experiencing rapid growth as they juggle the importance of academics with preparing students for the challenges

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation hosted its 2025 Independence Day Concert & Fireworks at Festival Park. Photo by James Throssel

they will encounter in the real world. Our final story explores the success of the championship-winning Fayetteville Woodpeckers. Minor league sports clubs have several important goals, but the most important may be bringing the community together. But there’s even more. Our dining, shopping, worship, entertainment, recreation, and festival directories are designed to keep you informed about everything happening here. There’s enough information in these pages to fill your calendar for an entire year. Our higher education, medical, and

worship directories are resources to help you improve, thrive, and grow. DestinationFAY is also a guide to civic engagement. You’ll learn about Fayetteville’s mayor and city council, the Cumberland County commissioners, and Cumberland County Board of Education. Whether you are a Fayetteville native, are a member of the armed services who just moved here thanks to a permanent change of station, or are just passing through for the day, you’ll find what you need in these pages. Thank you for reading!

Team Fort Bragg defeats Team Fayetteville during the inaugural United Way Classic basketball game at the Crown Coliseum on June 12, 2026. Photo by Tony Wooten

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Rendering courtesy Jerry Truong with On 3 Build, LLC.

SHOPPING

Live, Dine, Gather Midtown at Coalition, taking shape in Fayetteville, aims to bring people together and build community. BY TERI SAYLOR

he Sun Asian Supermarket in Fayetteville, a staple for local families, chefs, and lovers of Asian cuisine for two decades, is expanding, and owner Linda Rojas could not be more excited. “We’ve definitely outgrown our space and are bursting at the seams,” she said. “I've seen it grow every year since we opened and I wanted it to continue to expand, but didn’t know how much more we could do with our current space.” In 2027, the supermarket, now occupying 6,000 square feet of space

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

at 404 Santa Fe Drive, will triple in size when it moves into Midtown East, a 32,000-square-foot development featuring restaurants, retail businesses, and corporate housing. It will be part of phase two of a larger complex known as Midtown at Coalition, where 312 new apartments will start leasing at the end of this summer. The Forge Food Hall, located within the development, will bring a unique, multicultural dining experience to the complex. Midtown at Coalition is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year,

with Midtown East following in 2027. Strategically situated at the intersection of Santa Fe Drive and the All-American Freeway, the new mixed-use development is convenient to Fort Bragg and other parts of Cumberland County. With the new supermarket, Rojas will be bringing an expanded selection of meats and seafood, but it’s the ability to offer shopping and dining experiences that makes her happy. “We’re planning to have a little Sun Market Café when you first walk in,” she said. “And we'll have a space where I'm

hoping to add some cooking classes and share recipes with our customers.” For Rojas, whose parents started the Sun Supermarket in 2006, the Midtown development is a sign of more good things to come. Until recently, Rojas had no way of knowing expansion was a possibility, so to serve more customers, she opened the SunLite Asian MiniMart at 8108 Cliffdale Road in 2025. “It's a different kind of setting, geared to a younger crowd,” she said. “We focus on a kind of convenience store setting with snacks and drinks and things like that.” The new Sun Supermarket and The Forge Food Hall will continue to elevate Fayetteville’s status as a foodie destination. Among the Forge vendors so far are Kusinera Filipino Cuisine, serving authentic Filipino comfort food, The Greek Goat Raleigh, specializing in fresh Mediterranean flavors, and Ichi-Kaku Ramen, offering handcrafted ramen bowls and Japanese street-style dishes. The two-story food hall will also feature a bar on the second floor. “Midtown is a new concept for Fayetteville, and it's something the city has needed for a long time,” said Catina Rhinehart, owner of Weber Bloom, a consulting firm that is assisting On 3 Build with developing and marketing the community. Rhinehart notes that On 3 Build is a local development company, which is significant, because the owners are investing in the community where they live. Midtown apartment residents will enjoy the Midtown Club, with amenities like dog walkers, a putting green, valet service, and the DoorDash food delivery service aligned with The Forge, Rhinehart adds. The new development’s location is within one of the city’s busiest growth corridors, surrounded by existing residential units and ongoing commercial expansion. Mixed-use developments are becoming increasingly popular in North Carolina cities, with developers focusing on projects that combine housing, restaurants, and social spaces into a central district. It’s another step forward for

Rendering courtesy Jerry Truong with On 3 Build, LLC.

Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s growth and development, said Robert van Geons, president and CEO of Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. “The new Midtown district bodes well for the future of our region,” van Geons said, touting Fayetteville’s cultural diversity. “We’re proud of our multicultural population, and the new development reinforces our strong ties to Fort Bragg,” he said. “I just think it's a great integration of almost every segment of our community in one block.” As Fayetteville continues to grow, with the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine and the ever-expanding Fort Bragg Army base, the new Midtown at Coalition helps cement the city’s reputation as a business, educational and cultural melting pot, said Kirk deViere, chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners. He appreciates that the growth the county is experiencing is communitydriven and the new Midtown development fits right in. “As we continue to expand our

Department of Defense, our medical sector, technology, and advanced manufacturing footprint, I think individuals who work here want to have a good quality of life,” deViere said. “Cumberland County can do more than just pop up hospitality venues like restaurants or apartment complexes; we can actually build communities.” He notes that Midtown is just the beginning and sees potential for Fayetteville to establish other multi-use communities. “What we’ve seen thus far has been tremendous, from the Asian food market as an anchor store, new apartment complex, food hall, and the amount of retail that has committed to going in there,” he said. “Developments like this can work because there is a demand and a need for them.” The proof is in the growth and popularity of the Sun Supermarket. Rojas attributes its success to the customer service she and her team strive to cultivate. “Our store is amazing, and I’ve seen it grow every year since we opened,” she said. “My parents treated customers like family, and I plan to keep it that way.” DestinationFAY 2026-2027

hard-to-find brands. 214 Owen Drive. 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday. 910-484-3161 Leclair’s General Store: Patrick Leclair opened this store in the heart of Haymount after leaving a career overseeing the decor of a national chain of high-end clothing stores. Leclair’s features coffee, wine, craft beer, specialty groceries, vintage decor, antiques, art, jewelry, and local goods. It’s worth a trip just to check out the way Leclair arranges everything. 1212 Fort novelty gifts, organic handmade soaps and bath products, artisan foods, and beverages, custom gift baskets, and muscadine slushies. 242-A Hay St. Call for hours. 910-818-2157

CLOTHING BOUTIQUES Epiphany Boutique: “We have cute clothes for any occasion,” said store clerk Nicole Oliver. 3710 Morganton Road, Suite 108. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday. 910-323-5591 Fabulous Finds Boutique: You’ll find trendy, affordable styles, jewelry, dresses, and shoes available in-store or online at fabfindsboutique.com. 310 Hay St. above Blue Moon Cafe. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday. 910-483-0733 Monkee's of Fayetteville features fashions, shoes, jewelry, and gift items. Photo by Tony Wooten

Shopping Destinations LOCAL SPECIALTY SHOPS Bell’s Seed Store: Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the store celebrated 100 years in business in 2019. Bell’s offers a variety of seasonal plants, from pansies and petunias to peppers and tomatoes, as well as lawn care essentials. Whenever it snows, Bell’s is a go-to for sleds, shovels, and ice melt. 230 E. Russell St. 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. 910-483-8400 Betty Kelly’s Gift Shop: This familyowned business has been a staple for four generations of brides looking for the perfect china pattern. The shop also offers home decor, invitations, and gifts, including scented candles, jewelry, and women’s clothing. The shop carries the McKenzie-Childs, Vietri, and Julie Vos lines. 1228 Fort Bragg Road. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. 910-484-4044 A Bit of Carolina: This specialty gift shop carries North Carolina-made and -themed goods and specializes in custom gift baskets. 306 Hay St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. MondayWednesday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 910-551-6537

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Blue Bike Antiques and Gifts: Blue Bike is home to local vendors offering antique and vintage items, furniture, and collectibles. 2608 Raeford Road. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 910-920-2146 Cursive: This store features a mixture of cottage shabby home furnishings, vintage finds, jewelry, greeting cards, home fragrances, handbags, and totes, decorations, and gifts. 223 Franklin St. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday. Fleishman’s Tiny Town: This family-owned business has offered children’s clothing, shoes, and toys for over 60 years. Tiny Town also has a baby registry and children’s furniture. 2800 Raeford Road, Suite 24B, Highland Centre. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 910-323-1991 Greg’s Pottery: The paint-your-own pottery studio, art gallery, and gift shop was founded by local artist Greg Hathaway and is now owned by his daughter, Kelly Hathaway. 122 Maxwell St. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. MondaySaturday. 910-483-8355 John Allen Shoes: This family-owned store sells a variety of shoes for all ages, including

Monkee’s of Fayetteville: Boutique designer fashions, shoes, jewelry, and gift items are featured. 322 Glensford Drive, Suite 106. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday. 910-867-6001

PET FOOD AND ACCESSORIES Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming: Besides dog grooming, grain-free pet food, gourmet dog treats, and dog accessories, toys, and gifts are sold. 1216 Fort Bragg Road. 9 a.m.5:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 910-860-1200

AREA SHOPPING CENTERS Cross Creek Mall: Fayetteville’s first enclosed mall opened in 1975 with five anchors: Belk, Sears, Thalhimer’s (now Macy’s), JCPenney, and Miller and Rhodes. Belk, JCPenney, and Macy’s remain, along with more than 100 other retail and dining options, including a food court. The newest anchor is the 45,000-square-foot stand-alone Rooms to Go furniture store. Between Skibo and Morganton roads. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. MondaySaturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday. 910-868-7668 Cross Pointe Center: This shopping area stays busy because of popular stores like T.J. Maxx, Ashley HomeStore, Shoe Carnival, and Ulta Beauty. Eateries include Nona Sushi and Cold Stone Creamery. 5075 Morganton Road. Check individual stores for hours. Eutaw Village: Fayetteville’s first shopping center, Eutaw Village was once home to The Capitol Department Store and Ballentine’s Cafeteria. Today, the center off Bragg

Boulevard has over 40 businesses and is anchored by Round-a-Bout Skating Center, The Day Spa Rejuvenation Center, Carlie C’s IGA grocery store, The Mill End Store fabric shop, Carolyn’s Hallmark Shop, and Dollar Tree. Adjacent Eutaw Village North has an N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles office. 2620 Bragg Blvd. Check individual stores for hours. Fayetteville Pavilion: Located across Skibo Road from Target and Home Depot, Fayetteville Pavilion is anchored by a Food Lion supermarket, PetSmart, Marshalls, Michaels, and Rack Room Shoes. 2061 Skibo Road. Check individual stores for hours. Freedom Town Center: Fayetteville’s newest shopping center features 50 acres of stores and restaurants, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, and First Watch. 22712 Freedom Parkway Drive. Check individual stores for hours. Marketfair Shopping Center: This open-air retail and dining complex features AMC MarketFair 15 theaters with reclining and heated seats, Planet Fitness, Lidl food store, and Rocket Fizz soda pop and candy store. 1916 Skibo Road. Check individual stores for hours. 910-829-1617

Bringing Your Home & Office To Life Lisa’s Custom Framing is well known for its creative designs, superior craftsmanship, excellent customer service, competitive pricing, and quick turnaround. The staff is experienced and skilled in all types of framing, including shadowboxes, needlework, awards, uniforms and more.

910.484.3585 • 1226 Ft. Bragg Road • www.lisascustomframing.com

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Antique Mall

Tallywood Shopping Center: Publix supermarket, Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant, and Great Clips are the centerpieces of one of Fayetteville’s oldest but recently renovated shopping centers. 3114 Raeford Road. Check individual stores for hours. Westwood Shopping Center: Westwood is anchored by a Food Lion supermarket and Sky Zone Trampoline Park. First Citizens Bank has a branch here. Other stores include The UPS Store, Board & Brush DIY Wood Sign Workshop, and the county’s largest ABC store. Westwood is at Morganton and South McPherson Church roads. Check individual stores for hours.

FRESH PRODUCE AND OUTDOOR MARKETS City Market at the Museum: Vendors offer 100% locally grown produce. 325 Franklin St. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. 910-433-1457 Dirtbag Ales: The market is open every Sunday seasonally at the popular brewery. It features locally grown produce, along with food trucks, live music, local vendors, and adult beverages. 5435 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; noon11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday; and closed Monday. 910-426-2537 Gillis Hill Road Produce: This farm is ninthgeneration family-owned. 2899 Gillis Hill Road. 910-308-9342 Pate’s Farm Market: The store features fresh produce, a butcher shop, bakery, a hot bar serving Southern favorites, and an intriguing pineapple-peeling machine. Adjacent is a nursery with thousands of flowers, shrubs,

2828 Raeford Road

Elegant customer service while you shop 910-988-7777 www.fayettevillepiccadillycircus.com DestinationFAY 2026-2027

here. 805 Hope Mills Road. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 910-424-6909 Sprouts Farmers Market: The store features fresh, natural, and organic foods, including fruits and vegetables, as well as a full-service deli and meat and seafood counters. 2810 Freedom Parkway Drive. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 910-748-5985 New Additions

LOCAL SPECIALTY SHOPS Yellow Crayons: This family-owned specialty print shop offers customized printing, graphic design and embroidery services. 214 Rowan St. Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. 910-227-3723

Greg's Pottery studio, art gallery, and gift shop. Photo by Tony Wooten

vegetable and spice plants, trees, and lawn décor. 6411 Raeford Road. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday. 910-426-1575

Turkish coffees and teas, and hard-to-find items. 5924 Cliffdale Road, Suite 104. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 910-864-1646

SPECIALTY FOOD STORES

Kinlaw’s Supermarket: This family-owned meat market offers beef, pork, chicken, seafood, and freshly ground hamburger. 1802 Sapona Road. 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. MondaySaturday; closed Sunday. 910-483-3437

Apple Crate Naturals You’ll find organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, whole-grain, allergy-sensitive foods, and teas, along with supplements and natural soaps. A bulk section offers trail mixes, dried fruits, grains, and herbs. A grind-your-own-peanut butter station features three kinds of nuts. 3983 Sycamore Dairy Rd 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Sunday. 910-426-7777

Pan Thai & Asian Market: Fresh produce and hard-to-find sauces and spices are sold

Bound & Vine: A store featuring a unique boutique wine inventory and curated book selection, regularly hosting live music and local authors alike.134 Person St. Tuesday 11 a.m.- 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.. Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Closed Monday. 472-2638731. Game On! Cards and Coffee: A trading card and board game shop serving coffee and hosting tournaments for local enthusiasts. Shop Hours. Monday-Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Cafe Hours. Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m-9 p.m. 3406 Raeford Rd. 910-229-2903. Market Square Pantry: A culinary forward, chef driven corner store and gift shop featuring specialty foods, fresh baked goods, books and an apothecary. Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.. Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Monday. (No phone number listed)

Compare Foods: This independently-owned supermarket offers fresh produce, meats, beer, and wine, and international products not found in other stores. Fayetteville location: 155 Bonanza Drive. 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 910-826-9820. Spring Lake Location: 1159 N Bragg Blvd. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. 910-920-2013. The Fresh Market: Fresh produce, meats, and seafood are featured, as well as a specialty cheese section, bakery, wine and beer, and ready-to-go meals. 230 Glensford Drive. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. 910-867-2588 Indian Food and Spices: Shop for fresh vegetables, spices, local specialty meats, sweets, and toiletries. 2417 Hope Mills Road. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 910-229-2263 Mediterranean Mart and Indian Foods: You’ll find Indian spices, pita bread, Greek and

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Jerry McDonald and Paco Gonzales, Yellow Crayons custom print shop co-founders. Photo by Tony Wooten

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Yuriesmi Castro delivers orders at Zorba's Gyro restaurant.

Karla Ramirez takes a reservation at Chris’s Steakhouse.

DINING

A Taste of Tradition

Longstanding establishments in Fayetteville buck the odds. BY SUNNY HUBLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN

wning a restaurant has never been an easy gig (if five seasons of The Bear taught us anything), but having one that can stand the test of time, outlasting changing tastes and economic hurdles, is especially impressive. It's a labor-intensive, sometimes thankless industry with notoriously thin margins and tough hours. And yet we love our cafes, eateries, diners, and dives so intensely because they bring our city to life, adding culture and community. The dining room of your favorite restaurant becomes an extension of your own dining room, a place where you can feel just as much at home.

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Part of what makes Fayetteville unique is the many area establishments that accomplished the nearly impossible— finding a way to not just survive but thrive, welcoming generations of families. For these independent restaurants, success has been built steadily, one meal and relationship at a time. Rainbow Restaurant is top of mind for many residents when it comes to legacy dining. Opened in 1938, the family-owned establishment has served Fayetteville for a staggering nine decades, moving from its original downtown location to Ramsey Street in the 1970s. Now in its third generation of family ownership,

the restaurant continues to dish out the same homestyle meals that made it a local fixture. Think from-scratch pancakes, chargrilled ribeye steaks, and a classic Sunday roast chicken and gravy. That same combination of tradition and personal connection runs through the stories of other longtime local favorites. Zorba’s Gyro opened in 1974, when founder Tommy Frangakis brought his Greek heritage and entrepreneurial spirit to Fayetteville. Today, the family business remains known for handmade gyros, authentic tzatziki, and cookedto-order breakfast offerings. Sammio’s Italian Restaurant, founded in 1993 by

Sam Frangos and his son Louis, likewise grew from a modest family venture into a beloved destination for Italian-American favorites. Lindy’s Restaurant has served Fayetteville since 1968, offering the kind of classic diner experience every city craves. With its familiar breakfast and lunch fare and neighborhood feel, Lindy’s represents a side of the city’s dining heritage where consistency, comfort, and a sense of familiarity are just as important as culinary innovation. Further down Raeford Road at Chris’s Steakhouse, history stretches back to 1963, when founder Chris Poulos established the restaurant. Greg Kalevas joined as an apprentice more than 40 years ago, learning alongside Poulos and his son Luke before becoming a partner and eventually taking ownership. Today, Kalevas runs the restaurant alongside his son Billy, bringing a second generation into the operation. Chris's approach remains rooted in the fundamentals established when the restaurant opened: beef hand-cut inhouse, fresh seafood, and dishes prepared over an open charcoal hearth. Lamb pops, inspired by the family’s Greek heritage, "bring a piece of Greg's story to every table." For Kalevas, however, the restaurant’s legacy is measured just as much in the people who walk through its doors as in what comes out of the kitchen. Guests return to celebrate anniversaries, graduations, promotions, and ordinary evenings that become family traditions. Children who once dined in booster seats now arrive with children of their own. Maintaining that experience takes work. Rising food costs and staffing

challenges require careful decisions, particularly when the goal is to preserve quality without compromising the value guests receive. "Heart, passion, and consistency are our foundation," Effie Kalevas, Greg's wife, said. "We've never cut corners ... Our loyal patrons have supported us for generations. We wouldn’t be here without them, and we never forget it." According to a Washington Post analysis of federal business-survival data, roughly 44% of restaurants and related establishments close within their first five years. Against that backdrop, the Fayetteville-area restaurants that have served customers for decades represent more than simple staying power; they've managed to defy the odds many times over. Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar has also followed a multigenerational path. Founded in Fayetteville in 1982 by Pete Parrous, the restaurant is now owned by Linda Higgins, Nicholas Parrous, Lia Ernst, and Nate Ernst. The family continues to balance the traditions that established Luigi’s with the changes necessary to keep the business moving forward. That evolution is reflected in its name. Once known as Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and Bar, the establishment became Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar as steaks and chops grew into a defining part of its identity. Yet the menu still honors its roots. Spaghetti with meat sauce, a recipe connected to the family’s earlier restaurant history in downtown Fayetteville, offers a taste of the past, while filet mignon and prime pork chop reflect the restaurant it has become. "There isn't a single secret to staying

in the restaurant business since 1982," Nate Ernst said. "If anything, it's the combination of tradition and a willingness to change. We have recipes and traditions that go back generations, and we protect them because they're part of who we are. At the same time, you can't operate a restaurant for more than four decades by refusing to evolve. The industry changes, the community changes, employees change, guests' expectations change, and we have to keep getting better." The family’s philosophy centers on preserving what works while continually improving the experience for guests and employees alike. Developing staff, maintaining consistency during busy service and adapting to changing expectations are ongoing responsibilities in an industry where even established businesses must keep earning their customers’ loyalty. On Hope Mills Road, Superior Bakery has carried its family legacy forward since 1956. Founded by Greek immigrant John S. Poulos, the bakery grew alongside his wife, Kay, before passing to their son Nicko, who operates the business today. Its history is a reminder that community institutions are not limited to dining rooms; sometimes, they take shape at the bakery counter, where pastries and other familiar treats become part of everyday routines and special celebrations. For the independent restaurants that have helped shape Fayetteville's dining landscape, the most meaningful measure of success is often not simply staying open, but continuing to give the community a reason to come back. As Ernst put it, it takes "tremendous effort. Maybe that's where grit — 'keep going when it gets hard' — means the most."

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up healthy homestyle cuisine in a casual environment. The dishes have been described as bold, exciting and cooked with love. From small plates to full meals, Agora Mediterranean Restaurant on Person Street is a delicious and nutritious choice. Menu items like hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel and kabobs are satisfying and flavorful.

From left Terry Winstead, David Bullard, John McAllister, and David Coffman meet at Zorba's Gyro for their regular fellowship where they solve the world's problems. Photo by Tony Wooten

Taste of the Town From traditional American fare to Asian cuisine and more, Fayetteville has something for everyone’s taste. BY TERI SAYLOR Known as one of the country’s most culturally diverse cities, Fayetteville serves up a melting pot of cultural delights from a variety of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and food trucks. If your sweet tooth needs satisfaction, or you have a hankering for a savory meal, you can find all that and more right here. Here are a few favorites: BURGERS & ‘DOGS A few years ago, the longtime popular food truck, R Burger added R Kitchen, a brickand-mortar restaurant near downtown Fayetteville. The mushroom and Swiss burger on a toasted white bun with a side of crispy fries is a top pick. Archway Burgers, Dogs and Beer in downtown Fayetteville lets customers build their own meals. Look for the little white order pads and pencils up front and check off your favorite condiments and toppings of all kinds — even fried green tomatoes and beer onions. Grab a craft beer and take a seat at one of the tables on the sidewalk or under the brick arch, a prime spot for people-watching. Hot Diggidy Dog on Roxie Avenue serves hot dogs so delicious you’ll jump for joy, as the name implies. The restaurant also makes melt-in-your-mouth Carolina-style burgers complete with mustard, chili, slaw, and onions. The strawberry shakes are the real deal. PIZZA, PIZZA! Elizabeth’s Pizza on Hope Mills Road is known for its consistency and friendly service, which keeps hungry customers coming back not just for its pizza, but also the

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authentic pasta dishes and salads. Chef and Pizzaiolo Nadia Minniti, owner of Gusto Napoletano Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria on Raeford Road, was named one of 10 U.S. Women in Pizza to Watch in 2024 by PMQ Pizza magazine. A certified VPN pizzaiolo (Vera Pizza Napoletana or true Neapolitan pizza maker), she opened Gusto Napoletano in 2019. If you measure the quality of a pizza by its crust, you can’t go wrong at Little Italy Pizzeria and Restaurant near Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Brooklyn Pizzeria on Ramsey Street where the crusts are neither too thick nor too thin and the toppings are perfectly fresh. A TASTE OF THE WORLD Fayetteville’s international food scene takes you around the globe, bite by bite. For soul-soothing pho, you can’t go wrong at Vietnam Kitchen in Westwood Shopping Center. Pile on fresh cilantro, basil, sprouts and jalapeno, and make your tastebuds happy. For Chinese takeout, the place to go is Hong Kong Kitchen, also in Westwood Shopping Center. Garden-fresh ingredients and generous portions turn one meal into two — or more. And you can’t beat those steamed dumplings. If sushi is what you’re craving, be sure to visit Nona Sushi Asia on Ramsey Street. The lobster and dragon rolls are the stuff of dreams. Hibachi dishes are also featured. The modern dining room is beautifully lit, setting the scene for making romantic memories. Taste of West Africa on Person Street serves

For Indian food, a perennial favorite is Bombay Bistro, located in Cliffdale Square. Chef Kelly Kishan is known for working his magic on legumes and vegetables, prepared to perfection in aromatic sauces, herbs and spices. The vegetarian saag tofu and curries are splendid, as are the tender tandoori chicken and korma dishes. And if you like it hot, go with the vindaloo. VEGAN BITES Vibe Gastropub is downtown Fayetteville’s go-to destination for creative vegan delights served in sophisticated boho surroundings. Ambery Edge, the owner and chef, also operates Authentique Cafe, a popular food truck. The Vegan Spot offers a variety of vegan meals, including classic American dishes such as burgers, fries, pizza and even a meatless meatball sub. The restaurant opened in January 2024 at Murchison Marketplace. FAMOUS “Q” Southern Coals on Raeford Road serves up some of the most authentic eastern-style pork barbecue, beef brisket and burnt ends in the state. You’ll also dig the Q at the stalwart Barbeque Hut, which has been serving up its famous crispy fried chicken wings, slaw and hushpuppies since 1965. No barbecue dinner is complete without a proper glass of sweet tea to wash it all down. Visit one—or both—of the restaurant’s two locations on Fort Bragg Road and Owen Drive. MEXICAN FOOD At El Cazador Mexican Restaurant, owner/ chef Agustin Alvarez offers all your Mexican favorites, from overstuffed beef burritos to shrimp, chicken and steak fajitas, to tacos, quesadillas and tamales. And while you’re there, don’t miss out on the great guacamole and margaritas. Distance is no reason to miss a meal at El Cazador. The restaurant has two convenient locations: Skibo Road and Good Middling Drive in western Cumberland County. DATE NIGHT & SPECIAL OCCASIONS Fayetteville is home to steak and seafood restaurants that are perfect dining choices for special occasions or when you want to treat yourself because, well, you deserve it. Luigi’s Italian Chophouse and Bar on North McPherson Church Road prides itself on its ribeye marsala. Chilean sea bass is another

winner. Luigi’s serves up a fine plate of pasta, too. Chris’s Steak & Seafood House on Raeford Road boasts exceptional meats, including the popular filet mignon. Kebabs, grilled salmon, and salads are also rave-worthy. Both Luigi’s and Chris’s restaurants offer stellar wine choices and a happening bar scene. BREAKFAST SPOTS Zorba’s Gyro on Raeford Road is the real deal. This Greek restaurant is not only known for its gyros and homemade baklava, but hungry customers love its hearty breakfast choices that are served up at bargain prices and inspire you to start your day with a smile on your face. Just down the street from Zorba’s you’ll find Lindy’s Restaurant, where friendly staff will make you feel like family and promise you won’t leave hungry. Come for breakfast and stay for lunch at this classic diner. The omelets and hamburger steak are standouts. SWEET TREATS Superior Bakery on Hope Mills Road is famous as a bakery wonderland. You might be tempted to stay all day, sampling the fresh breads, doughnuts, Greek baked goods and Southern-inspired cakes. It’s a feast for the senses. If German sweets are your jam, be sure to hit up Max & Moritz in Cliffdale Square where apple strudel, Black Forest cake and Linzer cookies are specialties. Craving a cupcake? At The Sweet Palette downtown, choose from dozens of varieties, from key lime to red velvet. And the colorful macarons taste as good as they look. COFFEE, TEA AND SMALL BITES Hay Street is home to a row of locally owned coffee shops where you can have a meeting, catch up on work or get your morning caffeine fix along with pastries and savory breakfast fare. Rude Awakening Coffee House opened in 1999 after saving the building that housed Brady’s Soda Shop and refurbishing it as an award-winning coffee shop on Hay Street. Rude Awakening offers a nearly endless variety of elixirs to get your day off to a wideawake start. If you keep a lookout, you might just spot Vagabond Café in your own neighborhood. Vagabond is a mobile espresso bar that moves around the Sandhills area and offers a brickand-mortar shop downtown on Hay Street. Winterbloom Tea offers all things tea-related. From curative teas to soothe your spirit and heal your body to tea cocktails crafted with the finest liquors, Winterbloom may just be one of the most unique tea houses you’ve ever visited, and it’s also on Hay Street.

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Still Hungry? Here are more tasty choices: Circa 1800: Billed as the place for “locally focused New Southern cuisine,” this restaurant serves up classic regional delights, including its signature Boudin Balls and Fayetteville Hot Buns. 108 Person St. 910-568-4725 Blue Moon Café: After more than 15 years, Blue Moon Café has earned the right to be called a Hay Street institution. 310 Hay St. 910-860-4700 J.K.’s Deli & Family Restaurant: Whether you crave comfort food for breakfast, lunch or dinner, J.K.’s serves your favorites. This restaurant has been family-owned and -operated since 1984. 125 Owen Drive. 910-485-3711 Latitude 35 Bar & Grill: Craving an island vibe? Latitude 35 offers a laid-back scene and food to match. Enjoy Key West Shrimp Bites or Key Largo Kabobs while dreaming of your tropical escape. 1217 Hay St. 910-485-4777 Pan: You can’t beat a good sandwich any time of day. Drop in at Pan to grab your favorite or just be surprised. You never know what the special invention of the day might be, and the only thing for sure is that it will be delicious. 105 Hay St. 910-491-3105 Peaden’s Seafood & Catering: A longtime favorite, Peaden’s serves up a taste of the coast to tickle your vacation vibe. Try Calabash-style seafood, Southern fried chicken, and eastern North Carolina barbecue. 1600 McArthur Road. 910-488-1972 Uptown’s Chicken & Waffles: Chef Judy Cage-McLean, who competed on the Food Network show “Chopped,” prepares her signature Southern pairings. She also offers catering and personal chef services. Ramada Plaza, 1707 Owen Drive. 910-676-8039 Vicky’s Famous Biscuits & Chicken: This popular spot features biscuits stuffed with country ham, pork chops, sausage, chicken or steak. Breakfast and lunch only. 128 Grove St. 910-491-2681

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Chris’s Steakhouse's October drink specials are displayed at the bar. Photo by Tony Wooten

From A to Z (Antonella’s To Zorba’s)

Where To Find Them

Antonella’s Italian Ristorante: 300 Hay St. 910-486-0046 Archway Burgers, Dogs and Beer: 113 Person St. 910-758-9449 Bees & Boards: 225 Green St. 910-263-8754 Bombay Bistro: 5945 Cliffdale Road, Suite 1101. 910-487-0020 Brooklyn Pizzeria: 4411 Ramsey St. 910-491-4585 Bounty Farmhouse Kitchen & Tap: 4150 Sycamore Dairy Road. 910-867-9223 Chris’s Steak & Seafood House: 2620 Raeford Road. 910-485-4242, 910-4854-2948 El Cazador: 1904 Skibo Road, 910-864-0700; 2800 Gillespie St., Suite 102. (Airport Plaza), 910-480-0084; 7835 Good Middling Drive, Suite 100. 910-758-8026 Elizabeth’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant: 2468 Hope Mills Road. 910-424-2848. 1800 Skibo Road #154. 910-487-0588. Haymount Truck Stop: 100 Broadfoot Ave. 472-210-3250 Hong Kong Restaurant: 169 Westwood Shopping Center. 910-867-6464 Hot Diggidy Dog: 106 Roxie Ave. 910-426-1300 Lindy’s Restaurant: 3001 Raeford Road. 910-485-6247 Little Italy Pizzeria and Restaurant: 1400 Walter Reed Road, Suite 130. 910-867-8700 Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar: 528 N. McPherson Church Road. 910-864-1810 Max & Moritz: 5945 Cliffdale Road, Suite 1104. 910-826-8400 Miller’s Brew: 1401 Morganton Road. 910-500-3098 Nona Sushi Asia: 4411 Ramsey St., Suite 112. 910-920-2400 North South Brewing: 304 Williams St. 472-202-1512 R Kitchen: 1006 Person St. 910-527-1467. Also, R Burger food truck: Rotating locations in the region; see the Facebook page to find the truck. Southern Coals: 3319-C Raeford Road. 910-745-7675 Superior Bakery: 2433 Hope Mills Road. 910-424-4242 Tandoori Bites: 1916 Skibo Road. 910-339-2222 The Barbeque Hut: 2802 Fort Bragg Road, 910-485-5390; and 2965 Owen Drive, 910-484-1975 The Hive of Hope Mills: 3414 Bullard Street St., Hope Mills. 833-573-3705 The Sweet Palette: 101 Person St. 910-489-7342 The Vegan Spot: 3421 Murchison Road, Suite A. 910-500-3027 316 Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill: 316 Owen Dr. 910-481-0530 Vietnam Kitchen: 400 Westwood Shopping Center. 910-500-9011 Zorba’s Gyro: 2919 Raeford Road. 910-484-1010 Rude Awakening: 227 Hay St. 910-223-7833 Vagabond Café: 108 Hay St., Suite 1B. 910-500-3009 Winterbloom Tea: 238 Hay St. 910-491-3536

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The ghost tower in Arsenal Park marked where the northwest tower of the Fayetteville Arsenal once stood. Photo by Tony Wooten

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Fayetteville’s Ghost Tower Reappears The city landmark is being moved to a more visible site as construction continues of the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction. The $87 million project is to open in early 2028. BY PAUL WOOLVERTON

n May 2026, workers attached a crane to Fayetteville’s 35-foot Ghost Tower. They lifted it from the remnants of the city’s Civil War Confederate arsenal and gingerly moved it to a temporary spot about 480 feet south. The steel structure had perched above the old arsenal’s northwest corner since Fayetteville sculptor David McCune and his metal fabrication company built it in 1992, The Fayetteville Observer reported over the years.

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It’s being moved for the construction of the $87 million NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction—described on the project’s website as “The Museum of the Future.” Construction of the History Center followed its 2022 groundbreaking ceremony in Arsenal Park on the grounds of the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex in Fayetteville’s Haymount neighborhood The tower is being moved because

its original location was too close to the History Center’s main building, spokesman Marc Barnes said. The final location will also make the tower more visible, the History Center’s website said. Construction is expected to wrap by the end of 2027, and a grand opening is planned for early 2028, Barnes said. The History Center is being paid for with money from the state legislature, Cumberland County, the City of Fayetteville, and private donations.

A rendering of the Civil War exhibit area in the museum building of the North Carolina Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction being built in Fayetteville. A rendering of the the antebellum exhibit area.

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Fayetteville's Ghost Tower is placed at a temporary location on May 22, 2026, during construction of the NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction. The tower will eventually be placed on the stonework on the lower-left of the picture. That stonework is the foundation of a corner tower of a former arsenal that the United States built in the 1800s, and that the Confederate states used from to manufacture weapons for the Civil War. Photo by Dorien Caldwell

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A rendering of the emancipation exhibit area at the North Carolina Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction.

The NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation & Reconstruction has been promoted as more than a museum. Barnes listed two main goals: Teaching the history as understood by peer-reviewed, university- and Smithsonian-level historians. Gathering stories from across North Carolina from the descendants of families who lived here during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction times. “The history and the family stories will be combined to give a true picture of the time before, during, and after the American Civil War through the experiences of an entire state,” Barnes said. Besides the rise of the 60,000-squarefoot museum building along the Martin Luther King Jr. Freeway, the most visible sign of the project may be the relocation of the Ghost Tower. When it was erected, the tower stood over the foundation of one of the arsenal’s original four towers, and matched the original’s octagonal footprint and shape. The structure

was designed to provide Arsenal Park visitors an idea of what the towers looked like. The United States government built the arsenal prior to the Civil War to defend the nation following the British invasion in the War of 1812, historians say. After the Civil War got underway in spring 1861, a militia seized the arsenal and from then to 1865 it produced weapons for the South’s rebellion. Union forces led by Gen. William T. Sherman destroyed the arsenal in 1865. In the 1980s, construction of the Central Business District Loop—which now is the MLK Jr. Freeway—sliced through most of the old arsenal grounds to speed traffic past downtown Fayetteville, according to aerial photography from 1982 and a 3D model of the arsenal created by Dorien Caldwell, the History Center’s director of design development. Whatever was left of the arsenal’s main building, which was in the middle, and the remains of the buildings and walls of the north, south and east

sides are long gone. The brick and stone foundations of the western wall and buildings remain. They show the outlines of the arsenal’s engine house, some manufacturing shops, and the northwest and southwest corner towers. In 1992, the newly installed Ghost Tower at the northwest tower’s foundation became a landmark that drivers noted as they passed the CBD Loop’s Hay Street interchange. Over the decades, trees grew tall between the tower and the freeway, obscuring the tower from view. Now the trees have been cut down. By the time that the History Center construction finishes in 2027, the Ghost Tower should travel a few more feet and reach its final destination over the foundation of the arsenal’s southwest corner. The tower will be closer to the MLK Jr. Freeway and more prominent than it was through most of its tenure in Arsenal Park. Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com. DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Poerty, art, music, and dancing filled Fesitval Park duiring the 2026 Juneteenth Jubilee. Photo by Tony Wooten

FESTIVALS

A City Worth Celebrating Fayetteville’s festivals have remained a colorful reflection of its history, heritage, and hometown pride. BY TERI SAYLOR

ith their colorful regalia and sparkling embellishments flashing in the sunlight, Native American dancers of all ages, looking like works of art, made their grand entry into a sacred arena as the sounds of singing and drumming rang out. Fayetteville is a city of festivals, and there is even a park named for them. Festival Park is where locals and visitors alike go to celebrate the city’s many special events. But that’s not all—across

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Cumberland County, from the center of Fayetteville’s downtown to the Botanical Gardens, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, Stedman, and beyond, celebrations are the spice of life.

45th Annual Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, April 23-25, 2027 www.thedogwoodfestival.com/

One of Fayetteville’s crown jewels is its annual Dogwood Festival, now gearing up for its 45th annual celebration April 23-25, 2027. Executive Director Kaylynn

Suarez promises it will be epic. “We’ll have our Kid Zone, midway rides and games, concerts, and over 150 vendors selling arts, crafts, and food,” she said. “It will be a plethora of local art and talent.” In addition to the traditional activities, the 2027 Dogwood Festival will usher in some new features. “We’ll have our first-ever teen zone, and we’re creating an area geared towards our 50-plus senior community,” she said. “It will be set up like an art-in-

the-park, a quiet refuge where they can enjoy live art and poetry.” The Dogwood Festival has expanded from its humble beginnings as an annual spring event to an extravaganza that attracts as many as 200,000 people of all ages from up and down the East Coast, Suarez says. It’s the culmination of a yearlong effort showcasing events like Fourth of July at Festival Park, the Fall Dogwood Festival, the Dogwood Nights street dance series, the Classic Car Show, Uncle Carl’s BBQ Showdown, Battle for the Main Stage, and the Miss Dogwood Volunteer Pageant. Next February, the Dogwood at Dirtbag concert series will kick off the festival season. “The series will feature local bands performing at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom to support musicians,” Suarez said. For Suarez, the glittering festival means more than bright lights, fast rides, and tasty food. It’s about bringing the community together, working with volunteers and helping families make memories.

Fayetteville Pride Festival, June 26, 2027 fayettevillepride.org/

In June, Fayetteville Pride celebrates its 10th anniversary and hosts its eighth festival at the Crown Expo Center. Executive Director Krystal Maddox says excitement is already building. “Entertainment has always been a major part of the Fayetteville Pride experience,” she said. “Over the years, we have showcased incredible local performers, drag queens, drag kings, and other entertainers.” It’s a festival that keeps on giving all year long, she said. Fayetteville PRIDE holds regular cookouts, drag brunches, and parties, including its annual Masquerade Ball. The festival’s story began on a summer evening in 2018 at the small park on Green Street in downtown Fayetteville. About 1,500 people came together to celebrate Pride, community, and equality. The following year, the festival grew into an all-day celebration at Festival Park, adding a stage show and doubling attendance.

Festival Park was its home until 2025, when the summer heat moved it to the Crown Expo Center and a cooler indoor environment. “Our 2026 festival was our most successful festival day ever with approximately 120 vendors filling the Crown Expo Center and one of the largest stage shows in Fayetteville Pride history,” Maddox said, promising the 2027 festival will be bigger and better than ever. “The festival has always been a familyfriendly celebration where people of all ages can come together in a welcoming environment,” Maddox said. “Each year, the people who come out to celebrate their strength and endurance make the festival special.”

49th International Folk Festival, September 2027 www.wearethearts.com/iff

The 2026 International Folk Festival showcased a major change, moving from a Saturday-Sunday format to a supercharged kickoff at Fayetteville’s Fourth Friday event, where shops and restaurants on Hay Street got into the spirit. The festivities ended on Saturday night. Partnering with Raleigh-based El Centro Hispano, opening night fun included a Fiesta en la Calle on Hay Street for Hispanic Heritage Month. Live music, dancing, and performances lit up the night. Hosted by the Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County, the IFF is a festival people have looked forward to since 1978 when Martha Duell and Mildred Evans launched it to celebrate Cumberland County’s cultural diversity. From the Around the World 5K in Botanical Park to the food, art, music and dancing in Festival Park, the IFF offers something for everyone, says Miles McKeller-Smith, public relations director. But the highlight of the festival is the annual Parade of Nations, a colorful extravaganza of sight and sound featuring performers from across the globe. It’s a day when approximately 30 nations come together as one community to enjoy vibrant art, dance, music and delicious food.

“Seeing how much the vendors, the participants, and the performers enjoy the festival makes for a really good day, filled with a lot of smiles and dancing,” McKeller-Smith said. The festival takes place on the last weekend in September. The 2027 International Folk Festival is still in its planning stages, so visit the Arts Council’s website and follow social media for updates.

Juneteenth Jubilee, June 18, 2027 visitdowntownfayetteville.com/juneteenthjubilee-2026/

Demonstrating there’s strength in numbers, Fayetteville’s Juneteenth Jubilee has expanded into a multiday celebration across neighboring communities, with the main event on June 18, 2027, in Festival Park “Our partners in Spring Lake and Hope Mills have created their own Juneteenth programming and last year, we wanted to make sure each one had its day,” said Ashanti Bennett, executive director of the Cool Spring Downtown District, which hosts the annual Juneteenth Jubilee, now in its sixth year. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the emancipation of enslaved people, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. “Juneteenth is an opportunity to bring together a large segment of our population to celebrate joy, history, and resilience,” Bennett said. The Juneteenth Jubilee showcases both established performing artists and rising stars on the festival’s main stage, bringing in more than 17,000 people from all over the region and beyond. Festival planners strive to incorporate activities for people of all ages and involve area organizations including the Arts Council of Fayetteville and Cumberland County and Fayetteville State University. The event also includes local health and wellness services, civic organizations and other service providers. “If you like food and art and music, and you want to meet your neighbors and the area’s small businesses and services, then come on out,” Bennett said. “It’s free and that’s the best part of all.” DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Crowds enjoy the food and beverage vendors at the April 2026 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. Photo by Tony Wooten

Lumbee Homecoming: the largest Native American cultural celebration in the Southeast features pageants, a parade, music, entertainment and vendors. www.lumbee.org/lumbeehomecoming

Greek Festival: Experience Greek culture with pastries, food, dance and more. www.faygreekchurch.com/ greekfestival Oktoberfest: At Fort Liberty’s Iron Mike Conference Center bragg.armymwr.com/calendar

July

November

OTHER AREA FESTIVALS June

Fourth of July Celebrations: Fayetteville: Independence Day Concert with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra www.fayettevillesymphony.org/ Fort Bragg: Fort Bragg’s Red, White, and Boom Fest bragg.armymwr.com/calendar Hope Mills: Independence Day Parade www.townofhopemills.com/349/ Independence-Day-Celebration

September Running Water Powwow: www.facebookcom/groups/ 2908067639495353

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Holly Day Fair: The Junior League’s holiday event at the Crown Expo Center the first weekend in November features more than 150 vendors. facebook.com/ hollydayfair A Dickens Holiday: the Christmastime event in downtown Fayetteville in late November celebrates Victorian holidays. www.adickensholiday.com Hope Mills: Festive Christmas parade and an appearance from jolly old St. Nicholas townofhopemills.com/350/ Christmas-in-Hope-Mills.

January/February MLK Parade: Events honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in downtown Fayetteville. www.mlkmemorialpark.org

March Rumba on the Lumber Festival: In downtown Lumberton in early March. Chili cookoff, beer garden, craft vendors, food trucks, live music, kids zone and running event. rumbaonthelumber.com

May All-American Week: Hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, this event is open to the public and honors veterans and active-duty service members. Ceremony, running and other athletic events. 82ndairborneassociation. org/aaw.html.

ART THRIVES

301 HAY STREET FAYETTEVILLE, NC

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VISIT THE ARTS CENTER

Discover a dynamic world of art from local, national, and global creators.

See our larger-than-life public art displayed throughout Downtown Fayetteville and beyond!

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FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THE FOURTH WEEKEND IN SEPTEMBER EVERY YEAR

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The crowd at Segra Stadium was treated to bonus baseball this season, as the team made its first playoff appearance since 2019. As a thank you for sticking out the hard times, season ticket holders received playoff tickets at no additional cost. Photo by Jason Beck

SPORTS

Fun and Fundamentals

The city’s championship baseball organization mixes fun with developing the next Major League stars. BY JASON BECK

ichelle Skinner, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers’ general manager, has a trio of goals to meet: entertain casual fans, field a competitive team, and develop players for the club’s big-league parent, the Houston Astros. By all accounts, the city’s minor league club succeeds at all three. Fayetteville leads Astros affiliates in season ticket sales and brings thousands of visitors to Hay Street’s Segra Stadium yearly. In 2026, the Woodpeckers won the city’s first Carolina League championship since a team called the

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Highlanders did so 70 years prior. And since the team’s announced move here in 2017, more than 75 former players have advanced to Major League Baseball rosters. Skinner juggles those objectives seamlessly. Hired three seasons ago, she was named a finalist for MiLB’s Class-A Executive of the Year in 2026. It’s a tough job, considering her objectives are often conflicting. “How do you make sure you are hitting all three of those needs? Baseball has to be the focal point,” Skinner said. “That's what people are ultimately here for. But we have to make sure the entertainment value and

activities match for the fans who may not care about baseball as much. Once you get to the championship, the baseball fans come out. People were hanging on every pitch and locked into what was going on. During the season it may be more social and people aren’t watching every play or situation on the field.”

Champs at Last The Peckers’ 2026 title run was magical. Three weeks into the season, Fayetteville was ranked 119th out of the 120 minor league clubs in the nation. By summer’s end, the team had a 13-game win streak and a home playoff berth.

“The last few weeks of the season, they really just turned it on,” Skinner said. “They were having fun, and it was fun to watch. They would get behind and come back and win … they were all working together and bought in.” There was plenty of buy-in from the community, too. The championship was clinched at home in front of a robust audience. “It was amazing,” Skinner said. “I was so impressed with how much Fayetteville showed up. You never know on a Tuesday night, but it was awesome.” For every championship, there’s equal frustration. The Woodpeckers are a Single-A baseball team, which means the best players are either diamonds in the rough or exceptional talent moving quickly through the ranks. Losses, errors, strange managerial decisions, and player transactions are part of the game. “It’s our staff’s job to make sure we are educating the casual fan who doesn’t understand why the manager is leaving a pitcher in a little longer than we would like,” Skinner said. “It is all about development at our level, so we celebrate

when people move up. As frustrating as that can be, it is still positive for their career. “It’s impressive in a short span to have so many guys make it to the big leagues. It gives us something to look forward to when we say, ‘Hey, I remember when I saw that guy play.’” Franchise graduates include 2022 World Series MVP Jeremy Peña and four-time All-Star Yordan Alvarez.

Focus on Fun In 2025, the team was purchased by Diamond Baseball Holdings, a management group funded by a private equity firm that owns 49 MiLB clubs around the country. The change in ownership provides more resources and an imperative for fan engagement. “We have the green light,” Skinner said. “They want live music at every game or a DJ, and different characters and mascots. They are pushing us. We are family entertainment and think outside the box about different ways we can engage different people in different markets and have fun.

“That's where DBH has an advantage as a collective; we've got 49 teams now that are all sharing ideas and best practices.” Win or lose, Skinner is always beaming. That’s because her favorite part of the job isn’t hoisting championship trophies or watching her former players in the World Series—it’s bringing together a couple thousand people from all walks of life to Downtown Fayetteville 66 nights a year. “It’s about the connectivity to the community—people come in and see people they haven’t seen in a while,” Skinner said. “It’s a social space outside. You can enjoy downtown, enjoy the ballpark, and hang out with people whether you like baseball or not. “People support the team and come out and are invested in how we are doing, but we’ve had a few not-so-great years on the field, and the people are still there and they still come in with a smile on their face. After the game, I always try to be at the gate to thank everyone for coming. People are still smiling when they leave.”

The team swarms pitcher Brandon Cassedy after his strikeout to close the championship series. Photo courtesy Fayetteville Woodpeckers

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SPORTS

Home Game Thrills For sports lovers, Fayetteville is the place to be with professional baseball, hockey and soccer teams providing year-round excitement. FAYETTEVILLE LIBERTY Fayetteville’s professional basketball team competing in the The Basketball League completed its inaugural season at the Crown Complex. The Liberty were named Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year for 2026. The team has held combines and other events since its founding on Dec. 12, 2024. To keep up with Fayetteville Liberty, and purchase tickets visit faylibertync.com. 910-727-5550

FAYETTEVILLE WOODPECKERS The Fayetteville Woodpeckers is the city’s Minor League Baseball team and the Single-A Affiliate of the Houston Astros. The team won the 2026 Carolina League championship. Its regular season spans from April to September with home games at Segra Stadium. To see the rest of the 2026 season schedule and to purchase tickets, visit milb.com/ fayetteville. 910-339-1989

FAYETTEVILLE MARKSMEN The Fayetteville Marksmen, Fayetteville’s longest-running professional team, has been playing in one form or another since 2002 and competes in the Southern Professional Hockey League. The Marksmen play 28 regular-season home games from October to April at the Crown Coliseum. The complete 2026-27 game schedule will be released later in the year. Tickets can be purchased on game day at the Crown Coliseum box office. For fans interested in season tickets, visit marksmenhockey.com/season-tickets/. 910-321-0123

FAYETTEVILLE FURY The Fayetteville Fury is the city’s professional indoor soccer team with men’s and women’s squads — both with the same name. Fayetteville Fury is a member of the National Indoor Soccer League, the United Premier Soccer League in the Mid-Atlantic Conference,the USL W League and US Club Soccer. Stay updated on the website and social media for current season schedules.

Fans enjoy a Fayetteville Woodpeckers baseball game. Photo by Tony Wooten

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To see the team schedule or to purchase tickets, visit the team’s website at fayettevillefury.com/home. Contact Fayetteville Fury on Instagram at @fayettevillefury.

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RECREATION

Four Seasons of Fun A guide to many of the seasonal activities offered by Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation. BY SARAH MUNSCH

hroughout the year, FayettevilleCumberland Parks and Recreation (FCPR) offers many programs, events, and recreational opportunities for youth, adults, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. With sports programs, camps, coin shows, and holiday lights, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Age requirements, fees, and deadlines may vary by activity, but FCPR strives to provide affordable recreation opportunities for Fayetteville and Cumberland County Residents and beyond. “We strive to provide activities for people from all walks of life,” Special Events Coordinator Brian Christopher said.

SPRING Spring events include: baseball, softball, indoor soccer, track, and Buddy Sports baseball. The adult sport for the season is softball. Senior intramural softball is also available. The Courts at Glenville Lake features 11 tennis courts and four pickleball courts. They offer seasonal and yearround tennis and pickleball lessons, camps, leagues, tournaments, and youth and adult instruction programs. During the spring, the Kiwanis Recreation Center offers several programs such as a semi-annual coin show, community yard sale, and Bingo Bonanza.

SUMMER With the kids out of school and the weather warming up, many families are looking for something to fill their days with fun. Throughout the county, FCPR pools and splash pads open on Memorial Day and close on Labor Day. Another aquatic option offered is swim camp and Swim League. In addition to aquatics, there are other sports such as summer basketball and

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summer volleyball. For individuals with disabilities, the Dorothy D. Gilmore Recreation Center offers the Buddy Sports program. This year’s Buddy Sports summer activity is indoor soccer. Various one-week sports camps also take place including football camp, baseball camp, softball camp, basketball camp, soccer camp, volleyball camp, and cheer camp. There are also several general summer day camps for children who completed Kindergarten up to 12 years old, consisting of activities, crafts, games, and a visit to an FCPR pool each week. Other camps include summer playground camp, adaptive summer camp, and counselor in training camp. There are also cultural arts camps such as full-day acting camp, behind the lens camp, half-day Lil’ Picasso art camp, mixed up art camp, and masterpiece art camp. There are also a few nature programs including: Outdoor Adventure Week and Growing Up Wild days at Clark Park, and Tiny Trailblazers and Summer Adventures at Lake Rim Park. FCPR’s signature summer special event is the Independence Day Fireworks and Concert on July 4, at Festival Park.

FALL In the fall, there are several athletic programs including football, soccer, cheerleading, fall baseball, fall softball, volleyball, and wrestling. The Buddy Sports activity for the fall is flag football. Adult sports include softball and volleyball. Free sports-adjacent programs include a junior scorekeeper program and junior official program. The Junior Official Program has three parts. Level 100 focuses on life-skills training involving decision making, conflict resolution, team building, customer service, and communication. Level 200 centers on

athletic officiating philosophies, rule enforcement, exams, mechanics, and film review. Level 300 covers on-thefield/court practicum exercises with live scrimmages. Upon completion of all three levels, graduates have the opportunity to officiate youth games in the FCPR program and earn money. FCPR also offers a Learning Enrichment and Play (L.E.A.P) afterschool program which operates on school days for children in grades K-8 and is broken down into times for snacks, free play, and a study period when children complete homework and/ or play quiet activities. For teacher workdays, a day camp is available. This camp provides a safe and entertaining atmosphere for children in grades K-8, where they will play games, work on arts and crafts, and engage in other fun activities.

WINTER Winter is a quieter time for FCPR with only three athletics opportunities: football, wrestling, and Buddy Sports basketball. The adult sport for the season is basketball. Christmas in the Park, FCPR’s annual holiday light display held at Arnette Park, is a free drive-through experience featuring illuminated displays, seasonal decorations, and themed sections. While this highlights many of FCPR’s signature programs and events, each recreation center and facility also offers its own site-specific programming tailored to the needs and interests of the local community. Opportunities may include cultural arts, fitness and wellness classes, youth and senior programs, educational workshops, and seasonal or holiday activities. For complete program details, registration dates, facility information, and updates, visit fcpr.us or call your local recreation center.

Kids cool off at the splash pad at Kiwanis Recreation Center. Throughout the county, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation pools and splash pads open on Memorial Day and close on Labor Day. Photo by Tony Wooten

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The main entrance to Fayetteville Christian School in Fayetteville, where students receive academic instruction within a Christian educational environment.

EDUCATION

Inside Fayetteville’s Faith-Based Schools Three Fayetteville private schools explain how their academics, admissions, and student development differ from public education. STORY AND PHOTOS BY DASIA WILLIAMS

nside Fayetteville Christian School, the familiar features of classrooms share space with reminders of its mission to provide a Christ-centered education that emphasizes academic achievement, spiritual growth, and Christian character. Mathematics textbooks line shelves, a student-built electrical circuit demonstrates scientific concepts, and colorful bulletin boards encourage students to practice problem-solving, recognize patterns, and apply what they learn. Above one classroom's windows, a message connects mathematics with something beyond numbers: Math may not teach students how to add love or subtract hate, it reads, but it offers hope that every problem has a solution. Elsewhere, Bible verses appear above

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classroom maps and on hallway walls, their messages woven into spaces where students study many of the same core subjects taught in traditional public schools. Northwood Temple Academy takes a similar approach, requiring high school students to complete Bible coursework alongside conventional academic subjects. At St. Ann Catholic School, students follow a curriculum based on North Carolina's academic standards, with Catholic theology incorporated into the school day. According to the North Carolina Department of Administration's Division of Non-Public Education, Cumberland County had 41 private schools listed as open as of October 2026. Private school enrollment in the county increased from

5,970 students in the 2023-24 school year to 6,251 in 2025-26, a 4.7% increase over two years. Statewide, enrollment in religious private schools grew from 93,219 students to 102,604 during the same period, an increase of about 10%. Across Fayetteville, faith-based private schools offer different approaches to curriculum, admissions, student conduct, and development, reflecting how religious beliefs shape the educational experience beyond the classroom.

Fayetteville Christian School: 'Think, Live, and Lead' For Lauri Ake, elementary principal at Fayetteville Christian School, the difference between religious and traditional public education is not

necessarily found in the subjects students study but in the perspective teachers bring to those lessons. "We use a mixture of Christian curriculum providers as well as secular curriculum," Ake said. "We teach math— math is math. It is really more on the onus of the classroom teacher to bring in the biblical worldview." At Fayetteville Christian, conventional subjects such as mathematics, science, literature, and history are taught within a broader Christian mission. Ake said teachers are expected to incorporate a biblical perspective where appropriate, rather than replace traditional academic instruction with religious lessons. In kindergarten, students learn foundational reading and math skills, including letter sounds, sight words, counting, addition, and subtraction. Religious instruction introduces a Bible story and verse each week, with students learning to apply those lessons to everyday life. First graders build on those skills through reading, spelling, mathematics,

and introductory science and social studies. Bible lessons focus on familiar biblical figures and events, while science instruction includes topics such as plants, animals, the human body, and what the school describes as God's creation. By second grade, students study multiplication, fractions, measurement, citizenship, government, economics, and geography. The curriculum explicitly incorporates a biblical worldview into mathematics and social studies, including discussions of how mathematical knowledge can be applied to real-life problems. In third grade, students study multiplication, fractions, geometry, space, biology, and earth sciences. Reading and writing instruction incorporates biblical themes, while Bible lessons focus on the life of Jesus and the apostles in the early church. The school serves students from prekindergarten through 12th grade and emphasizes a partnership with parents in reinforcing its educational philosophy. "Our Christian mission is the first

priority, and then all of that flows from that Christian mission," Ake said. "We want to train students to think, live and lead as Christians based upon a biblical worldview to raise up the next generation of servant leaders." Ake said the goal is for students to see their faith as part of their everyday lives rather than something separate from their academic or professional ambitions. "We want to come alongside and partner with a family to do that so that they don't view their life as like in two spheres, a secular sphere and a biblical sphere," she said. "Our goal is that all of the world is the Lord's, and so we want that to be naturally integrated into a child's education." She said that philosophy is intended to follow students into adulthood, whether they pursue law, military service, teaching, parenthood, or another path. "Whatever the Lord gives them, their strengths and weaknesses, and where he calls them to be faithful, they can be a representative or an ambassador of Christ," Ake said.

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That expectation also shapes admissions. According to the school's published criteria, students and at least one parent or legal guardian living in the household must profess Christian faith, agree with its Statement of Faith, and regularly attend a Christian church. Applicants are generally expected to maintain at least a C average and have no significant unresolved disciplinary issues. Ake said the school wants parents and teachers to reinforce similar beliefs and expectations as children develop. "Parents want all adults that have great influence on their children's lives to be speaking the same language about their faith and belief," she said. Classroom size is another consideration. Elementary classes generally have about 18 to 20 students, while middle and high school classes may have up to 24, according to Ake. She said those numbers allow teachers to build relationships with students and communicate closely with families. "We don't want to be so big that a child's a number," Ake said. "The more adults in the building that know a child by name and really know them, the better social and academic outcomes." Ake said those relationships are part of the school's effort to support students academically and spiritually while maintaining a welcoming environment for families. "We're trying to pour into their lives and help them see who God has created them to be and come alongside to support that," she said. Ake also described Fayetteville Christian as a school that seeks to serve families from different financial backgrounds. "There's a misunderstanding that private Christian schools are only for the financially affluent," she said. "I would call us a blue-collar Christian private school." The school relies primarily on tuition rather than financial support from an affiliated church. Ake said North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship program, which provides state-funded tuition assistance to eligible families attending participating private schools, has helped broaden access. Still, receiving scholarship assistance

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does not guarantee admission, and families must meet the school's enrollment requirements.

Northwood Temple Academy: 'God Doesn't Leave Us' At Northwood Temple Academy, the relationship between academics and religion is outlined in the expectations displayed on classroom walls. A posted list of student outcomes begins with conventional academic goals, including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history. It also emphasizes intellectual inquiry, an appreciation for literature and the arts, and an understanding of other cultures. Other expectations are explicitly religious, calling on students to understand and defend a Christian worldview, develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, and apply biblical teachings in their daily lives. All students participate in daily Bible classes and weekly chapel services, which provide opportunities for worship and reflection. Northwood also incorporates community outreach projects and charitable activities throughout the school year, emphasizing responsibility, compassion, and service as part of its religious education. For Head of School Renee McLamb, those expectations reflect the academy's approach to preparing students academically while helping them develop a sense of identity and purpose rooted in Christianity. "We're going to begin everything with God," McLamb said. Northwood teaches conventional academic subjects while integrating biblical teachings into classroom instruction. McLamb said students may study topics such as evolutionary theory alongside biblical creation teachings, reflecting the academy's approach to examining academic concepts through its religious beliefs. "We're going to read the classics," McLamb said. "The AP, we're going to teach it like an AP course is to be taught, but we are going to give them the flip side." McLamb said the academy wants students to encounter academic material while learning to evaluate ideas against

biblical teachings. For McLamb, academic instruction is also connected to helping students recognize their individual abilities and future responsibilities. "God's got a call on every kid in the school," she said. "Identity, we hit it hard. You have a purpose." High school students must complete four Bible credits as part of the academy's graduation requirements. The school also offers honors and Advanced Placement courses and opportunities to earn college credit through Fayetteville Technical Community College. Those academic opportunities are not exclusive to private education. Cumberland County Schools also offers advanced coursework and college-credit pathways, but Northwood's curriculum incorporates religious instruction as part of its established educational mission. The academy's admissions approach differs from Fayetteville Christian's. McLamb described Northwood as a "missional" school, meaning students and parents are not required to profess Christian faith to enroll. Instead, the academy expects families to understand that its instruction, expectations, and daily activities reflect Christian beliefs. "The question becomes, will you be comfortable with us?" McLamb said. Northwood also considers students' academic and behavioral needs during admissions. McLamb acknowledged that the school cannot accommodate every student, particularly when specialized educational services exceed its available resources. Elementary classrooms generally have a maximum of about 22 students, while high school classes may have up to 25, according to McLamb. Although Northwood does not require students or parents to profess Christian faith, McLamb said families must be comfortable with the academy's religious teachings and behavioral expectations. The school considers applicants' disciplinary histories and whether it can meet their educational needs. McLamb said the academy's approach to misconduct also emphasizes accountability and the possibility of restoration, including a program through which some expelled students

Northwood Temple Academy in Fayetteville serves students from preschool through 12th grade, incorporating daily Bible classes and weekly chapel services alongside traditional academic instruction.

may seek readmission. Students participating in the restoration process may work with a mentor, often a teacher, and complete expectations involving written reflections, church participation, and letters documenting their progress. School administrators then determine whether readmission is appropriate. "God doesn't leave us there," McLamb said, explaining that the program reflects the Christian principles of repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. The process does not guarantee a student's return. McLamb recalled one student who successfully returned, graduated as salutatorian, and later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The restoration program offers one example of how Northwood's religious philosophy extends beyond academic instruction into its approach to student discipline and personal development.

St. Ann Catholic School: 'Small but Mighty' At St. Ann Catholic School in downtown Fayetteville, religious education takes a different form. The coeducational school serves approximately 140 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade and follows a curriculum developed

through the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh. St. Ann follows academic standards aligned with North Carolina's requirements while incorporating Catholic theology and religious formation. Students study core academic subjects alongside Spanish, art, music, physical education, and theology. In a phone interview, St. Ann Catholic School Principal Lee Pittman said the school emphasizes academic instruction, service, and the development of virtues such as responsibility and consideration for others. Service projects are part of the school experience, reinforcing lessons about helping others and contributing to the community. The school's emphasis on Catholic virtues also shapes its approach to student conduct. St. Ann's discipline policies connect expectations for student behavior with religious teachings about respect for others. Classroom misconduct can result in corrective measures and parent communication, while more serious violations may lead to suspension or expulsion. Pittman described St. Ann using an expression frequently repeated by the school's pastor: "Small but mighty." With approximately 140 students, St. Ann operates on a smaller scale than many traditional public schools. Pittman

said families often express interest in the school because of its classroom environment, structured routines, approach to discipline, and emphasis on Catholic education. But enrollment is not limited to Catholic families. Pittman said one of the biggest misconceptions about St. Ann is that students must be Catholic to attend. Approximately 65% of its students are Catholic, while the remaining 35% come from other religious backgrounds. The school accepts applications throughout the year through a rolling admissions process that includes an application and an interview with the principal. Families do not have to identify as Catholic, but they should understand that Catholic theology, religious practices, and the school's expectations are part of the educational experience. For St. Ann, that means teaching the same foundational academic subjects students encounter in traditional public schools while incorporating Catholic beliefs, virtues, and service into their education. It is a different expression of the philosophy shared by all three schools: Faith is not treated as something separate from learning, but as part of how students are taught to understand the world. DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Sambit Bhattacharya (left), Ganesh Bora, and Burcu Adivar are co-principal investigators with Fayetteville State University’s $10 million defense-focused artificial intelligence research project. Photo courtesy Fayetteville State University.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Fayetteville State Lands $10M Award to Build Defense-Focused AI Program FSU will use the five-year award to expand AI research, launch a doctoral program, and strengthen defense research near Fort Bragg. BY DASIA WILLIAMS

ayetteville State University has received $10 million to build an artificial intelligence research program that university leaders said could position the school as a greater resource for the defense industry around Fort Bragg—and expand the university’s growing research capacity. The federal funding is the largest single research award in the school’s history.

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The five-year award from the U.S. Defense Department’s Research and Education Program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions, would provide FSU with $2 million annually to establish an interdisciplinary research program focused on applied artificial intelligence for defense systems, contested logistics, and biomanufacturing.

The project would also lay the groundwork for a new doctoral program in applied AI for defense systems, hire two research faculty members, and provide research opportunities for at least five graduate students and five undergraduate students each year, with the potential to involve more. For FSU, however, the ambitions extend beyond a single grant or research project.

In 2025, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education designated FSU a Research University for the first time, recognizing the university’s growing research activity. The new federal grant comes with research-capacity deliverables over its five-year period, and Sambit Bhattacharya, a professor of computer science and co-principal investigator on the project, said the award provides another opportunity for FSU to continue expanding its research capacity. “We will propel ourselves in that direction,” Bhattacharya said. Bhattacharya already has experience conducting defense-related AI research. He has worked with the XVIII Airborne Corps on artificial intelligence research addressing operational needs at Fort Bragg, a project supported by state funds from NCInnovation. He also has spent about a decade participating in fellowships with Navy, Army, and intelligence community research laboratories, according to Bhattacharya. Ganesh Bora, the project’s principal investigator and FSU’s associate vice chancellor for research and innovation, said university leaders knew they would be entering a competitive field when they pursued the federal funding. The funding opportunity identified six areas of defense-related research: applied AI, biomanufacturing, logistics, hypersonics, quantum research, and scaled directed energy. FSU was one of only five projects selected nationally for funding. “We took a chance,” Bora said. Part of FSU’s strategy was to build its proposal around several areas where faculty members had expertise and existing or pending research funding. “We thought we have expertise in bio, expertise in logistics, so we thought that we should go for it,” Bora said. The result was a proposal combining applied AI, biomanufacturing, and logistics. “At the end of the day, it was very competitive,” Bora said. The $10 million far surpasses FSU’s previous record for a single research grant—a $2 million National Science Foundation award during the 2025-26 academic year.

Sambit Bhattacharya, a Fayetteville State University professor of computer science and co-principal investigator on the university’s $10 million research project, discusses artificial intelligence research. Photo courtesy Fayetteville State University

“This is kind of a very big feat to our faculty in the university,” Bora said. “This is the largest research grant the university has ever received.” Eventually, he said, defense and civilian leaders could “bank on FSU” for expertise in areas covered by the project, including AI models, synthetic data, and technologies that could be used to identify damaged equipment on a battlefield. “The impact of the university in the community as a defense expert on AI,” Bora said, is among the project’s goals. Work on the five-year project is expected to begin once FSU finalizes its contract with the Defense Department. Fayetteville State University Sambit Bhattacharya, a Fayetteville State University professor of computer science and co-principal investigator on the university’s $10 million research project, discusses artificial intelligence research.

A First-of-Its-Kind Applied AI Degree At the center of the project is something FSU does not currently have: a doctoral program built around applying artificial intelligence to real-world defense problems.

Bhattacharya emphasized the distinction between studying artificial intelligence itself and developing AI that can be put to work. “It is not a Ph.D. in AI as such,” Bhattacharya said. “It’s a Ph.D. in applied AI, which is kind of unique.” The emphasis, he said, is on developing technology with an end user in mind rather than conducting research that stops in the laboratory. “We want to build AI software, mainly software, but there could be other things, too, and put it in the hands of the user,” Bhattacharya said. “The user is the most important thing here. It is user-facing, and user-oriented.” That research could include large language models, computer vision, robotics, and other forms of what Bhattacharya described as “physical AI.” AI is already changing how people write, code, communicate, and perform other digital tasks, he said. Bhattacharya said he expected a similar transformation to eventually occur in the physical world through robotics. “Pretty soon, robotics is going to have its own boom, just like ChatGPT and, let’s say, Claude had its own boom,” Bhattacharya said. DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Burcu Adivar, a Fayetteville State University professor and associate dean in the College of Business and Economics, is a co-principal investigator on the university’s $10 million defense-focused artificial intelligence research project. Photo courtesy Fayetteville State University

Computer vision would allow AI to see and analyze visual information, while physical AI could incorporate robotics and other technology that interacts with the world around it. Those technologies, along with large language models and other AI systems, could become part of both FSU’s research and the proposed doctoral program. The doctoral program is not ready to enroll students yet. Bhattacharya said FSU already developed a draft curriculum as part of its grant proposal, but establishing the program will require several layers of approval. The proposal would move through departmental, college, university, and UNC System review before ultimately requiring approval through the university’s accrediting process. The curriculum could also change along the way depending on faculty expertise and availability, he said. Students, however, will not necessarily have to wait for the Ph.D. program to be established to participate in the research. Bora said FSU can begin recruiting student researchers once the university signs its contract for the federal award. “We may not have the Ph.D. program approved, but we can recruit a student,” Bora said. “They can start working.” The project is expected to support

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at least five graduate students and five undergraduate students each year, with the potential to involve more, according to Bhattacharya. Burcu Adivar, a Fayetteville State University professor and associate dean in the College of Business and Economics, is a co-principal investigator on the university’s $10 million defensefocused artificial intelligence research project.

From Battlefield Logistics to Hurricane Response One of the project’s central research areas—contested logistics—can sound abstract. Burcu Adivar, a professor and associate dean in FSU’s College of Business and Economics and another co-principal investigator, offered a more concrete example of the kinds of problems researchers hope artificial intelligence can help solve. Imagine U.S. troops moving along a planned route when a bridge ahead of them is bombed and suddenly becomes unusable. During conflicts decades ago, Adivar said, information about the destroyed bridge could take 30 to 40 minutes to reach a joint forces command. From there, military leaders would still need to determine how troops or supplies should be rerouted. AI, combined with newer sensors

and other technologies, could dramatically shorten that process by rapidly processing information about changing conditions and identifying an alternative route. “Now with AI and with these new technologies, new sensors, it will take seconds,” Adivar said. That ability to analyze changing conditions and make logistical decisions quickly illustrates one way FSU researchers envision applying AI to defense systems. But Adivar said the same underlying technology could have uses far beyond the battlefield. She pointed to the devastation of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina in 2024 as another example. After the disaster, Adivar said, a pilot contacted her and asked whether she could analyze telecommunications data to help determine where people were located at the time of the storm. “Yes, sure, we can do that, but it would take at least a week,” Adivar recalled responding. Research developed through the new program could eventually allow AI agents to perform that type of analysis much faster, she said. “Now, with this study, these research outputs, we can create AI agents that can do it in minutes,” Adivar said. The information could then be used to more quickly assess where people are and what assistance they need after a disaster. “AI can help us to do better needs assessment, and we can provide a very, very quick response to save those lives,” Adivar said. Bhattacharya has already worked on another North Carolina application of AI: predicting storm surge from hurricanes. Through previous Department of Homeland Security-funded research, Bhattacharya said he worked with the Renaissance Computing Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill to develop AI-based storm surge predictors. The research examines factors such as a hurricane’s intensity and direction to anticipate how high water could rise along the coast. The goal is to give emergency officials better information before a storm hits,

FAYETTEVILLE’S INDEPENDENT NEW SOURCE Ganesh Bora, Fayetteville State University’s associate vice chancellor for research and innovation, is the principal investigator for the university’s $10 million defense-focused artificial intelligence research project. Photo courtesy Fayetteville State University

particularly when deciding where evacuations are most necessary. “You cannot evacuate everyone, apparently,” Bhattacharya said. “So that’s a huge—it would be a huge effort.” He described the research as “building resilience towards hurricane disasters even before they happen.” Ganesh Bora, Fayetteville State University’s associate vice chancellor for research and innovation, is the principal investigator for the university’s $10 million defense-focused artificial intelligence research project.

From Fort Bragg to Big Tech The expertise FSU hopes to develop through the project is aimed at the defense sector, but university researchers say students trained through it would not be limited to military careers. Bora said the combination of artificial intelligence, logistics, and biomanufacturing could prepare students to become part of what he described as a “high-level intellectual workforce.” “As a result of going through this program and taking advantage of this opportunity, students will become part of the workforce, a high-level intellectual workforce,” Bora said. The defense connection is an obvious one. Bora said students coming through the proposed program should be prepared to enter a sector that increasingly relies on advanced research

and technical expertise. But he sees a much broader range of possibilities. “They’ll have an easy path to be in the defense sector, but their background in AI, biomanufacturing and logistics can take them anywhere,” Bora said. That could include private industry or eventually academia, where some graduates could return to universities as professors, he said. “The bottom line is there’ll be a very strong technically capable workforce,” Bora said. Bhattacharya pointed to technology companies as another potential destination. He said doctoral-level expertise is increasingly valuable for research and leadership positions involving artificial intelligence, including jobs outside traditional technology companies. “Our students will be very capable of joining big tech companies with very high salaries and high impact,” Bhattacharya said. Banking and other industries also employ Ph.D.-level researchers for in-house research and development, he said. For FSU, that means a research program conceived around defense needs could ultimately produce graduates whose expertise extends well beyond them—from Fort Bragg and the broader defense sector to technology companies, private industry, and university classrooms.

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The Quad at Methodist University in Fayetteville. Photo courtesy Methodist University

HIGHER EDUCATION

Local College Campuses From HBCU pride to technical training, local colleges offer an array of continuing education pathways. FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY “Bronco pride” reigns at Fayetteville State University (FSU), a historically Black university founded in 1867 and a proud member of the University of North Carolina System—making it the state's second-oldest public institution of higher learning. FSU is home to more than 7,200 students. FSU offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in high-demand fields including computer science and cybersecurity, business, nursing, criminal justice, and social work. Under the leadership of Chancellor Darrell T. Allison, the university is in an era of rapid growth—expanding residential capacity, building a state-of-the-art College of Education, and developing a first-of-its-kind Health and Wellness Center. Beyond campus, FSU anchors the

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revitalization of the Murchison Road corridor through Bronco Midtown, its innovative partnership with the City of Fayetteville to drive economic development and community investment. Contact: 910-672-1111 or uncfsu.edu

FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) represents the first stop for those wishing to pursue education for advancement to the next chapter in life, whether that involves continued education at the four-year college/university, shortterm studies for new skills to enhance job performance or pursue a new career, or for opportunities to pursue interesting hobbies. FTCC offers students a broad range of programs leading to the award of associate

degrees, diplomas and certificates. “Community colleges have played a significant role in increasing educational attainment, improving lifetime earnings, and powering the nation’s economic growth,” said Mark Sorrells, the fifth president to serve FTCC. “FTCC represents the starting place where students can begin their educational journeys to shape their future, offering a variety of pathways to achieve success.” Study programs include many areas falling under the category of healthcare, plus law enforcement, firefighter training, emergency management and other public safety fields; cybersecurity, computer programming, digital media technology and other computer technology fields; supply-chain management, accounting, hospitality management and other business fields; engineering; welding, carpentry, plumbing and other skilled trades;

university offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees to approximately 2,000 students from across the U.S. and more than 50 countries. In addition, the new Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine opened in July 2026, which will have an impact on healthcare in Southeastern N.C. for generations to come. • MU has 20 NCAA sports programs (and nearly 80 team and individual national championships). • MU was named one of 10 “Must Watch” Universities in North America by Higher Ed Digest.

The Wall of Honor mural across from Fayetteville State University. Photo by Tony Wooten Contact: 910-678-8400 or faytechcc.edu

and media and fine arts, as well as university transfer options. Founded in 1961, FTCC is the third-largest community college in the state, with the Fayetteville campus at 2201 Hull Road, a 10-acre satellite campus in Spring Lake, and a location at Fort Bragg Training and Education Center (BTEC).

METHODIST UNIVERSITY As Cumberland County’s only independent, four-year institution of higher education, Methodist University offers more than 80 areas of study on its 600-acre North Fayetteville campus, plus online degrees. The

• MU was twice named the most diverse university in North Carolina by Niche Rankings and gives more than $25 million in scholarships every year. Nearly all (97%) students receive financial aid. With hundreds of graduates, students, and staff serving in the military, MU receives Military Friendly Gold Ranking and Best for Vets Gold Rankings annually. On-campus and online programs are designed for busy/ working adults, active military, veterans and their families. Contact: 910-630-7000 or methodist.edu

#1 Ranked K-12 Private School in the Fayetteville Area!

Schedule a tour today! 3200 CLIFFDALE ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303 910.868.5131

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The newly established Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine. Photo courtesy Methodist University

HEALTH

Welcome to North Carolina’s Newest Medical School The inaugural class of the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine began in July. BY MORGAN CASEY

orth Carolina’s newest medical school is officially up and running. The Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine’s inaugural class of 64 students began classes in July. Over the next four years in the school’s five-story building at 3518 Village Drive, students will become the southeastern region’s future doctors.

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The medical school is a partnership between the private Methodist University and Cape Fear Valley Health, a private, not-for-profit health care system serving Cumberland and five other counties in southeastern North Carolina. The pair hopes its students will alleviate the physician shortages plaguing this predominantly rural, medically underserved part of the state.

Whether wearing their white doctor’s coats or green scrubs, the medical students are already using their knowledge to serve the community. In September, they taught Fayetteville’s elderly residents about fall risks and prevention at a community health fair. “Our goal is not simply to produce knowledgeable physicians,” Dr. Hershey Bell, the founding dean of Methodist

Hershey Bell, founding dean of the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine. Photo by Tony Wooten

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Rhea Sachdeva, a member of the first class of students at Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, receives her coat during the inaugural White Coat Ceremony on September 11, 2026. The ceremony is a tradition in medical education that symbolizes the commitment associated with caring for patients. Photo courtesy the School of Medicine

University’s College of Medicine, said during the school’s ribbon-cutting ceremony over the summer. “Our goal is to forge physicians of competence, character, compassion, and courage.”

Forging the Region’s Future Doctors North Carolina has seen a boom in medical schools in recent years, with new ones opening and old ones expanding. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is developing another medical school in partnership with Novant Health and other local health systems. “There are really good candidates being turned away from medical school because there just aren't enough seats, and there aren't enough medical schools,” Methodist University’s President Stanley

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Wearden told CityView in the summer of 2026. “So there are plenty of great students out there for all of us.” Bell has been working with Cape Fear Valley Health and other community members to build the medical school since the health system’s former CEO, Michael Nagowski, came to him with the idea in 2019. Bell told CityView that opening the medical school is the greatest moment of his more than 30year career. More than 1,500 students from across the country applied to join the school’s inaugural class. The 64 admitted represent 15 states, including North Carolina. Bell said the admitted students believed in the school’s mission of delivering high-quality health care to rural and underserved populations

in southeastern North Carolina. The school’s evolving curriculum reinforces that commitment. Bell said students’ community service projects will shape the curriculum so the future doctors know how to meet patients’ needs. “We listen to the students,” Bell said. “We listen to their sense of the community. We listen to our community partners.” Many counties in eastern North Carolina are among the least healthy in the state and face disproportionate rates of diabetes and death by heart disease. Most lack the physicians to improve health outcomes; nearly every county east of Interstate 95 is considered a health professional shortage area by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Where a doctor trains can predict where they’ll practice, according to the American Medical Association. Thirty-nine percent of North Carolina’s medical school graduates remain in the state to practice, according to 2015 research from UNC-Chapel Hill’s Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. That percentage increases when graduates also stay in-state for residency; nearly 65% of physicians who complete both medical school and residency in North Carolina stay in the state to practice, the research showed. Through its partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health, Bell said Methodist University’s medical students will have access to about 75 residency positions annually across the health system’s more than 150 locations in Cumberland and surrounding counties. More could become available as the health system determines what specialties the community needs, CEO Daniel Weatherly told CityView this summer. Over 55% of Cape Fear Valley Health’s residents and fellows have stayed on to practice with the health system since it began offering the programs in 2017, Weatherly said.

Community-Backed The medical school’s building, located behind the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, cost more than $65 million to build and outfit with technology like

virtual anatomy and simulation labs. Funding for the school has come from a mix of community members, nonprofits, and government entities. The Golden LEAF Foundation, a North Carolina-based nonprofit, gave $8 million to help build the school. The N.C. General Assembly gave the Cape Fear Valley Medical Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the health system, $15 million to help establish the school in its longoverdue state budget passed in June. The Cumberland Community Foundation, a county-focused nonprofit, gave $1 million for the school’s start-up costs. “Years from now, people won't remember the square footage of the building or the specifics of the technology,” Bell said during the school’s summer ribbon-cutting ceremony. “But they'll remember the physician who sat beside them after a devastating diagnosis, the physician who listened, the physician who stayed late, the physician who cared,” he said, “and that's the purpose of this building, and that's why today matters.” Every member of the school’s first two classes will receive $40,000 as part of the Cape Fear Valley Health Scholarship. Donations from retired local physicians Dr. Rakesh and Vinita Gupta and the Duke Endowment Fund, a private foundation based in Charlotte, established additional scholarships. The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners provided a $1 million endowment for county residents who commit to practicing in the region post-graduation. Cumberland County stands to benefit financially from the new medical school. The school is expected to bring more than 830 permanent jobs, $9.6 million in annual tax revenue, and $72 million in annual spending to the county. “This school represents hope. Hope for those who need care. Hope for students pursuing their dreams. Hope for a healthier, stronger region,” said Kirk deViere, chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, at the school’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Our children will grow up in a county where becoming a doctor no longer requires leaving home.”

Daniel Weatherly, chief executive officer of the Cape Fear Valley Health System.Photo by Rachael Santillan

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pulmonology, orthopedics, vascular surgery, a mild traumatic brain injury clinic, pain management, internal medicine, services for substance abuse, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, preventive medicine, physical therapy-occupational therapy care and pharmacy, gastroenterology, allergy care, physiatry, podiatry, optometry, physical exams, and refractive eye surgery.

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Photo contributed by Cape Fear Valley Health

HEALTH

Here’s to Your Health Local hospital systems offer specialized care for civilians and service members alike. Cape Fear Valley Health System Cape Fear Valley Health, which has eight hospitals in the region, continues to expand its health care services. In the past year, it has opened a 100-bed expansion project at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, grown to over 80 associated outpatient clinics, and continues in partnership with Methodist University to open the state’s newest medical school. Overall, the system has more than 1,000 beds and sees more than 1 million patients annually. The private, not-for-profit health system has more than 8,000 employees and 1,300 providers on its medical staff. Its main campus is Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Other facilities include HighsmithRainey Specialty Hospital, Cape Fear Valley Rehabilitation Center, Behavioral Health Care, Bladen County Hospital, Hoke Hospital, Health Pavilion North, Health Pavilion Hoke, Betsy Johnson Hospital, and Central Harnett Hospital. Since Cape Fear Valley Medical Center opened in 1956, it has grown to become North Carolina’s eighth-largest hospital. It specializes in cardiac care, cancer treatment, and surgical services as well as neuroscience, pediatrics, rehabilitation, orthopedics and more.

hundreds of providers, FirstHealth combines advanced expertise and technology patients expect from larger health systems with a distinctly personal approach to care. FirstHealth is nationally recognized for quality, safety, and patient satisfaction. FirstHealth hospitals and programs consistently earn top distinctions for patient outcomes, clinical excellence, and patient experience. In Fayetteville, FirstHealth offers convenient access to high-quality primary and specialty care close to home, including orthopaedics and spine, women’s care, gynecologic oncology, interventional pain medicine, ENT, neurology and weight management services, along with primary and convenient care locations designed to meet the needs of busy families. Across the region, FirstHealth provides a comprehensive range of specialty and subspecialty care and technologies, including cardiothoracic surgery, interventional cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics and spine, oncology, neonatology, behavioral services and bariatric surgery. By combining nationally recognized care with a commitment to personal service, FirstHealth remains dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

For more information, call 910-615-4000.

For more information, visit firsthealth.org.

FirstHealth of the Carolinas

Womack Army Medical Center

FirstHealth of the Carolinas is a nationally recognized, community-based health care system serving 15 counties across the midCarolinas. With more than 6,600 employees and a network that includes four hospitals and

Womack Army Medical Center offers a number of health care services, including cardiology, hematology-oncology, obstetrics-gynecology, inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services,

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Other health care resources available are the Fayetteville Rehabilitation Center, Fort Bragg Intrepid Spirit Center, Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center and Womack Health and Support Center. The on-post clinics include Byars, Clark, Joel Pediatric, Womack Pediatric, Robinson Health Clinic and Womack Family Medicine Residency Clinic. The two primary care clinics for family members and retirees are Hope Mills Medical Home and Linden Oaks Medical Home. The emergency department also encompasses a Fast Track Clinic, open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. For more information, call 910-907-6000 or visit https://womack.tricare.mil/.

Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Health Care System The Fayetteville VA Medical Center and Fayetteville VA Health Care Center are part of the Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Health Care System, one of the fastest-growing veteran health care systems in the nation, with an enrollment of more than 95,000 veterans across southeastern North Carolina. The system includes one medical center in Fayetteville; two health care centers in Fayetteville and Wilmington; nine community-based outpatient clinics in outlying counties; a jointly funded Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense Rehabilitation Center; a jointly funded Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense Acute Care Dialysis Center located at Womack Army Medical Center in Fayetteville; and a VA dental clinic located on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. In Cumberland County, veterans can receive care at one of several VA facilities that provide primary care, women’s health services, mental health care, pharmacy services, surgery, imaging services, and medical and specialty services. Health care services offered at the Ramsey Street and Raeford Road locations include cardiology; dermatology; neurology; gastrointestinal, pulmonary, gynecological, urological and orthopedic care; and general surgery. The Fayetteville VA Dialysis Center, at 2301 Robeson St., provides kidney care. For more information, call the Fayetteville VA Medical Center on Ramsey Street at 910-488-2120.

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Margaret Britten is the new executive director of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation. Photo courtesy Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation

MILITARY

An Army Brat Takes Command of Fayetteville’s Airborne Museum Foundation The new executive director of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation talks fundraising, renovations, and a new virtual reality experience. BY ABRAHAM KENMORE

argaret Britten assumed the role of executive director of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation on July 1. She will lead the independent nonprofit foundation that supports the Army-run museum in Fayetteville. Britten has spent her entire career in veteran advocacy organizations. She comes to the foundation after seven years working for Team Red, White & Blue, where she was the senior director of advancement. Before that, she served as the communication director for United Service Organizations of North Carolina. She moved to North Carolina in 2016 from Virginia and has called the Fort

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Bragg community home for many years. “I grew up as a military brat. My dad was in the Army, and I think I moved 10 times before middle school, which is pretty wild,” said Britten. “He was also in Third Group Special Forces as a captain when I was about five years old, so we were stationed here at Fort Bragg. It’s nice that I’ve kind of come back full circle.” Britten spoke with CityView a few weeks into her new role as the museum prepares for a major renovation. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Do you remember the first time you went into the museum?

Yes, I do, actually. So when I moved here, I think it was in 2021, after my husband and I had our son, we came into the museum with him. And it was the first time that I had been in here, though my husband had been. And it was just amazing—an amazing experience. Having that connection to my family and being able to see what that was like for them; I loved being in the plane that they jumped out of and just honoring that history of Green Berets. My dad served in South America for a lot of the time. There’s some artifacts in there that were really related to his service, and it was just like an amazing, kind of overwhelming feeling to be experiencing that and seeing it firsthand.

You’re coming in after [former Executive Director] Renee Lane had a very eventful seven years, and obviously right in the middle of a major renovation project for the foundation and the museum. As you’re hitting the ground, what are your top priorities for the foundation? First of all, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share some thanks for Renee Lane. She did an amazing job. She raised $8 million for the capital campaign and really helped professionalize the foundation, bringing it to the next level. So I hope that following her footsteps, I can take us to yet another level. My goal is to help modernize the foundation and really grow the impact that we have in the community. So what you guys will be seeing from us is an increase in communications; that’s my

background. I’m very excited to dive in there. But also just an increase in what we do in the community and how we engage our service member community as well, and the local Fayetteville community. What does the foundation reaching out into the community look like in your mind? The more people that come into the museum, the better it is for the foundation and for the museum. We want people to be in here learning about the stories of our airborne and special operations service members and their great history. We’re going to be kicking things off with an event on 9/11. It is a remembrance ceremony. As you probably know and the community

knows, we have our field of honor where individuals can purchase a flag to honor a service member, a fallen service member, anybody who served. And so we’ll also be unveiling our field of honor at that moment and just bringing the community together to recognize that anniversary. This community, the Airborne Special Ops community, carried those wars for 20 years after those attacks, and so it is very impactful for the people we serve here. So we also have a focus exhibit around 9/11 and the [Global War on Terror]. So we’re just going to bring people out, just get them in the museum again, show them what’s going on. We want to have pop-up events here and there. Because what’s good for the community is good for the foundation and the museum.

The immersive Douglas C-47 Skytrain walkthrough exhibit at the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum captures the cramped, high-stakes interior where World War II paratroopers prepared for combat jumps. Photo by Matthew Wonderly

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The Iron Mike Statue is located outside the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum. Photo by Tony Wooten

What specifically drew you to the space of veteran services and that area of nonprofit work? When I went to college, my parents were still stationed in Germany. So I went to the United States by myself. I went to Syracuse University, and funnily enough, I kind of struggled. I had been around military people my entire career, and I struggled to connect with my civilian new peers at college. So I found myself in the Student Veterans Club. More or less, the Student Veterans Club folks adopted me. They took me under their wing, and I just really had somebody that I could connect with. And so from there, I made some connections, and I really found a love for supporting that veteran and military community that I had lived in my whole life. Every step of my career, I just continued down that path of supporting that community, and now I’m even more excited to be the executive director. Tell me a little bit about your fundraising priorities and what your

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focus is on that front. Right away, our number one priority is that on July 31, we are hitting the end of our Pritzker Grant matching period [which began August 1, 2025]. So up until July 31st, every donation up to $50,000 will be matched. So if someone donates $2, it becomes $4 for us. We currently have $30,000 raised, which is amazing. It has to be all new donors or people who have not donated in three years. So it is a challenge, but an exciting one. But number two priority is I’m actively looking to find companies, local businesses—military veteran ones—that we can partner with and help bring some spirit to the foundation. And then after that, we will always be fundraising for our capital campaign because that allows the museum to renovate, update, do more, and keep this museum fresh for our community. Talk me through what your timeline is and what your focus is in terms of this major work on the museum. We have designs for new exhibits, and

right now we are in the process of finding a fabricator to implement the changes in the museum. That means we will be updating our World War II side, and it will probably be three phases. So we’re starting with World War II. We’re going to be having a trench World War I exhibit leading into the start of the Airborne. There’s going to be a lot of exciting stuff. Our lobby is going to be a lot more interactive. But you know these are long games for us, so we’re hoping to be done with the first [phase] by 2028. We will continue fundraising from the foundation side to support the future phases as well. Looking at all this work that’s going to happen at the museum, what do you think is going to be the biggest challenge for the first year as executive director? I think for me the biggest challenge will definitely be working through these renovations. That is new to me. But we have a lot of support here with our board and our museum colleagues to work through it. You know, we will

Flags fill the Field of Honor at the U.S. Airborne and Special Operations Museum on September 11, 2023. Photo by Tony Wooten

have an active construction site, which will probably be a little bit tough for us to figure out what that looks like for our visitors and museum-goers. The second most challenging thing I think for me will be really activating this community around this mission. My personal belief is that people have not always come back into their community the same way we did before COVID, and we really want to encourage people to come out again and be part of our community. That’s a challenge I’m willing to accept, and we’re excited to kick it off on 9/11. Which organizations are already partnering with the museum, and which would you like to build relationships with? Right now we’re already working with the Cool Spring Downtown District; they support our field of honor, so I’m getting to know them. I’ve been meeting with the Woodpeckers, who are our next-door neighbors here in Fayetteville at Segra Stadium. A lot of the board members are

very well connected and helping connect me with the city. So those are just a few that are already existing, but I think moving forward, I’d really like to establish more support with local businesses. You know, what’s good for the museum is also good for our local businesses because we want to bring more visitors to Fayetteville and have more people in and about downtown to support the local economy. Is there a group of people that you would like to see coming to the museum more, or a particular group you want to kind of reach out to more as visitors, not just sponsors or partners? As a military spouse, I really would like to see our military community come out more. I think that our spouses and people who live on post and our active duty families don’t always know about the museum if they’re not going out downtown. Our community has a lot to offer, and our museum has a lot to offer. I think for families, it really helps you

understand maybe what your service member has gone through. We are about to launch a VR [virtual reality] experience to figure out what a day in the life is like when your spouse has a jump day. So I think that’s going to be really exciting for families to experience that. So, if anything, I would say I really hope that our military community will come out and experience the museum, learn more about their history, and learn more about their stories. I would just like to invite everybody in the Fayetteville community to come out to the museum on September 11th. You know this—9/11 is a very impactful moment for this community. We did fight those wars for 20 years following, especially our airborne and special operations carried it. So coming out to the museum, seeing the focus exhibit, being part of the community, seeing the field of honor — we just want everybody to get out there and kind of be re-energized around these upcoming renovations, what we’re doing, and remembering those who served. DestinationFAY 2026-2027

U.S. Army veteran Tauheed “Ty”Wood is the owner and operator of Shuttle Buddy, a Fayetteville-based transportation service taking customers to and from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

MILITARY

How an Army Veteran Built a Transportation Business in Fayetteville Tauheed “Ty” Wood served in the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and used his mission-planning skills to create a local transportation business. BY SARAH MUNSCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN

f you don’t want to pay airport parking prices and want affordable, safe, and reliable transportation between Fayetteville and RaleighDurham International Airport (RDU), Shuttle Buddy is the solution for you. Owned and operated by U.S. Army veteran Tauheed “Ty” Wood, Shuttle Buddy has been in operation for nearly two years. Wood took the skills he learned in the Army and used them to build Shuttle Buddy from the ground up. He also received inspiration from his grandfather, Reginald E. Wood Sr., who

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spent 28 years as a sergeant major in the Army. Wood said that his grandfather, who passed away in December, was his biggest support system. “Everything I touched, everything that I ever put my mind to, he was always so surprised,” Wood said. “Every time he turned around, I’m overcoming, I’m conquering something new.”

Army Career Wood joined the Army in March 2009 at the age of 19. He spent the first five years of his military career as a signal

operations support specialist before attending flight school and earning his wings as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot and Army warrant officer. After one year serving as a Black Hawk pilot, he completed a highly competitive selection and interview process, and his chain of command selected him to transition to the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter community. During his military career, Wood completed two deployments to Afghanistan. His first deployment was from 2011 to 2012 during which he

served as an enlisted soldier. His second deployment took place in 2021 during the final stages of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. As a member of the 1st Attack Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Wood and his unit played a critical role in the closure of Bagram Airfield, 25 miles north of Kabul, Afghanistan, in July 2021 when it was handed back over to the Afghan National Security and Defense Force. The unit later supported evacuation operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul in August 2021 during the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. For his actions during these operations, Wood was awarded the Air Medal with a “V” device for Valor, an honor recognizing acts of heroism during combat operations. After 14 years of service to the nation, he concluded his military career in May 2023 and was honorably discharged as a chief warrant officer three.

The Beginning of Shuttle Buddy

The First Year

One day, when Wood and his son were at RDU, they decided to park in Premiere parking, which offers hourly or daily ground-level, covered parking close to the terminals. Upon returning from their trip, not only were they tired and didn’t want to drive home, but they also had a $250 parking bill. “‘There must be a better way,’” Wood recalled thinking. When Wood got home, he locked himself in his house for three days and began planning. He thought about new transportation infrastructure possibilities and started laying the groundwork for Shuttle Buddy. He considered the business structure and how to make it accessible and reliable for potential customers. “After those three days, I came out of my cocoon and I had a company,” Wood said. “I took my military training, the way we used to mission plan in the Army, and I just put my head down, and went into my mission planning self, and went to work.”

During the first year of business, Wood focused on building a reputation in the community. He made connections with different organizations, including the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) office on Fort Bragg, Fayetteville State University, and the Fayetteville Liberty basketball team. He also spoke with Fayetteville City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Derrick Thompson, who directed him to the Chamber of Commerce. Shuttle Buddy started in 2024 with a single bus. Quickly, Wood realized he needed another to accommodate the demand. After buying the second bus, the first one’s engine failed, and Wood and his son rebuilt the engine themselves. Rhonda Quador, a community education director at Psychiatric Medical Care, took her first trip with Shuttle Buddy in August 2024 after she was stranded at the airport when the ride she planned fell through at the last minute.

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Shuttle Buddy has 11 vehicles, including buses, transit vans, Mercedes Sprinter vans, a large international bus, and fuel trucks.

Since then, she has been utilizing Shuttle Buddy every time she travels for work, up to three times a month. “If I’m going to RDU, I will never use a rideshare service or even personally drive,” Quador said. “It makes my job so much easier. I can not say enough great things about Shuttle Buddy.”

Current Expansions Shuttle Buddy has come a long way since the beginning and it is approaching its two-year anniversary on July 28. It now has 11 vehicles, including buses, transit vans, Mercedes Sprinter vans, a large international bus, and fuel trucks. There are plans to expand to 16 vehicles by late August 2026. The staff will also be expanded later this year. At first, Wood did nearly all of the booking, driving, and mechanic work himself. He now has a full office staff, including his mother and son, and 10 drivers who work under him. He is

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planning on doubling the number of drivers employed by Shuttle Buddy by September 2026. “There were tough times when we were pulling change out of the cupholders to fuel the vehicles,” Wood said. “It’s a huge blessing to be able to say that we are understaffed and overbooked at the moment. I am eternally grateful for the support of the community.”

Cost and Booking Information Unlike standard ride-share services, Shuttle Buddy doesn’t pick up customers from their residences; instead, rides departing from Fayetteville leave from the office location at 5419 Raeford Road. Shuttle Buddy allows one carryon and one checked bag. Any extra bags require a $10 fee. Shuttle Buddy allows pets to ride for a $25 fee. Service animals ride for free. The standard adult rate for a one-way ride is $60, the

military and student rate is $49.50, and the rate for children ages 3 through 14 is $30. “I’m saving my company 40% by booking with Shuttle Buddy,” Quador said. “I love that I can sleep, listen to a podcast, or watch TV on the way to the airport. And when I return, I don’t have to worry about having a dead car battery or if I lost my credit card and can’t get out of the garage. I think of this as almost like an insurance policy in making sure my trip is good.” For customers planning on booking with Shuttle Buddy, there are three ways to plan your ride. The easiest and most recommended way is to visit goshuttlebuddy.com and navigate to the “Buy Tickets” tab. The other ways to book are by calling 910-936-3784 or visiting the office during business hours at 5419 Raeford Road in Fayetteville. For more information, email info@ goshuttlebuddy.com.

GRADUATIONS

RECEPTIONS

WEDDINGS

BABY SHOWERS

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DestinationFAY 2026-2027

Various religious denominations celebrated Easter with a Sunrise Service at Cross Creek Park on April 17, 2022. Photo by Tony Wooten

FAITH

Places of Worship

Fayetteville’s rich religious landscape offers something for every faith and community.

ayetteville, and Cumberland County at large, is home to a plethora of houses of worship with distinct architectural styles, services, and languages, representing the faiths practiced by its congregants. The Hindu Bhavan of Fayetteville gives offerings of nuts and holy basil water (prasad) to the deities during a pooja; Beth Israel Congregation welcomes visitors

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

with a menorah at the entrance and offers loaner kippahs to wear during prayer; St. John’s Episcopal Church catches eyes with its white exterior and multiple spires; Holy Trinity Episcopal Church guides congregants’ attention to the center of the worship space with its labyrinth tiles; Haymount United Methodist Church sneaks in light through the mesmerizing stained glass windows; First

Presbyterian Church reminds downtown Fayetteville of the time with its looming bell tower; and St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church's powerful organs sing with the churchgoers in the pews. Whether you’re Protestant, Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Unitarian, or other, you’ll find the perfect place of worship for you .

Places of Worship in Cumberland County Abney Chapel, 2996 Rosehill Road; 910-488-7525

Haymount Presbyterian Church, 2760 Rosehill Road; 910-822-1083

Refuge Church, 1268 Ireland Drive; 910-912-4697

Arran Lake Baptist Church, 1130 Bingham Drive; 910-424-7211

Haymount United Methodist Church, 1700 Fort Bragg Road; 910-484-0181

River House Church, 3901 Raeford Road; 910-835-5867

Baywood Church, 1830 Baywood Road; 910-483-2916

Highland Presbyterian Church, 111 Highland Ave.; 910-485-2147

Saint Andrew Kim, 1401 Valencia Drive; 910-630-2316

Beauty Spot Missionary Baptist Church, 7572 Raeford Road; 910-868-9151

New Birth Ministries Worship Center, 2510 Brody Drive; (910) 568-5472

St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 121 Lofton Drive; 910-603-3014

Berean Baptist Church, 517 Glensford Drive; 910-868-5156

Hindu Bhavan of Fayetteville, 907 Cedar Creek Road; 910-824-7289, 224-875-8310

St. Ann Catholic Church, 357 N. Cool Spring St.; 910-483-3216

Beth Israel Congregation and Community Center, 2204 Morganton Road; 910-484-6462

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1601 Raeford Road; 910-484-2134

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1000 Andrews Road; 910-488-1797

Hood Memorial AME Zion Church, 2801 Rosehill Road; 910-822-1014

St. James Lutheran Church, 1424 Morganton Road; 910-484-8052

Immanuel Baptist Church, 219 Hull Road; 910-484-1257

St. John’s Episcopal Church, 302 Green St.; 910-483-7405

Islamic Center of Fayetteville, 2415 Rosehill Road; 910-920-9990

St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, 509 Ramsey St.; 910-323-0161

Fayetteville Korean Baptist Church, 6873 Cliffdale Road; 910-867-5118

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 202 Hope Mills Road; 910-425-0401

Cedar Falls Baptist Church, 6181 Ramsey St.; 910-488-5810

Korean Bethel Presbyterian Church, 901 Bunce Road; 910-864-5739, 910-864-5739

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 806 Arsenal Ave.; 910-484-1531

The Church at Cedar Creek, 4010 Cedar Creek Road; 910-483-6895

Lafayette Baptist Church, 501 Hope Mills Road; 910-425-1306

Church of the Open Door, 4445 Cliffdale Road; 910-864-3237

Lake Lynn Baptist Church, 3363 Gillespie St.; 910-425-1464

College Heights Presbyterian Church, 1801 Seabrook Road; 910-323-2018

Lebanon Baptist Church, 3329 Beard Road; 910-483-1988

Chua Khanh Hy Buddhist Temple, 5113 Camden Road; 678-925-2202

Lewis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 5422 Raeford Road; 910-424-2344

Cornerstone Baptist Church, 3000 Scotty Hill Road; 910-867-1166

MacPherson Presbyterian Church, 3525 Cliffdale Road; 910-867-2113

Covenant Love, 420 Dunn Road; 910-323-1515

Main Post Chapel, Building 1-1510 Sedgwick and Merriweather Road, Fort Liberty; 910-396-1121

Camp Ground United Methodist Church, 4625 Campground Road; 910-867-9436 Cape Fear Baptist Church, 100 Indian Drive; 910-323-5556 Cape Fear Baptist Church, 6401 Butler Nursery Road; 910-644-0005 Carroll Memorial Baptist Church, 2220 Camden Road; 910-423-8814

Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, 430 S. McPherson Church Road; 910-864-4031

St. Nicholas Eastern Orthodox Church, 735 Southern Ave.; 910-484-7771 St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2844 Village Drive; 910-323-2410 St. Paul’s in the Pines Episcopal Church, 1800 St. Paul Ave.; 910-485-7098 Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 614 Oakridge Ave.; 910-484-2010 Second Missionary Baptist Church, 22 Old Wilmington Road; 910-483-5925 Shekinah Faith Temple, 2060 Goins Drive; 910-339-9337 Simon Temple AME Zion Church, 5760 Yadkin Road; 910-867-1182

Manna Church, 5117 Cliffdale Road; 910-867-9151

Smith Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, 519 Boundary Lane; 910-483-4437

Epicenter Church, 2512 Fort Bragg Road; 910-485-8855

Masjid Omar Ibn Sayyid, 2700 Murchison Road; 910-488-7322

Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Westmont Drive; 910-484-3191

Evans Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 301 N. Cool Spring St.; 910-483-2862

Massey Hill Baptist Church, 1027 Southern Ave.; 910-323-0808

Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2601 Lone Pine Drive; 910-484-5397

Mattock Memorial AME Zion Church, 444 Gillespie St.; 910-485-4231

Temple Baptist Church, 3159 Sanderosa Road; 910-483-7620

Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 16 Johnson St.; 910-868-2770

Trinity Baptist Church, 433 Southland Drive; 910-488-2668

Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 1027 Old Wilmington Road; 910-323-9302

Trinity Full Gospel Non-Denominational Church, 6120 Ramsey Street; 910-822-0057

Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 1217 Murchison Road; 910-483-8486

Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 213 Randolph Ave.

New Beginnings Christian Church, 940 S.Reilly Road; 910-867-8692

Village Baptist Church, 906 S. McPherson Church Road; 910-678-7178

Northwood Temple Church, 4250 Ramsey St.; 910-488-7474

Walstone Memorial Baptist Church, 260 Walstone Road; 910-488-6311

Peace Presbyterian Church, 3203 Ramsey St.; 910-488-3211

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2505 Village Drive; 910-485-8128

Fayetteville Community Church, 2010 Middle River Loop; 910-323-5313 Faymont Baptist Church, 3663 Cumberland Road; 910-425-7108 First Baptist Church, 201 Anderson St.; 910-483-0477 First Baptist Church, 302 Moore St.; 910-483-6505 First Presbyterian Church, 102 Ann St.; 910-483-0121 Grace United Methodist Church, 2005 Ireland Drive; 910-424-0894 Hay Street United Methodist Church, 320 Hay St.; 910-483-2343

Ramsey Street Baptist Church, 4704 Ramsey St.; 910-488-8344

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

GOVERNMENT

Cumberland County

Kirk deViere

Veronica B. Jones

Pavan Patel

AT A GLANCE Cumberland is the sixth-largest county of North Carolina’s 100 counties. The population was estimated to be 341,048 as of July 1, 2025. • It is home to nine municipalities: Fayetteville, Eastover, Falcon, Godwin, Hope Mills, Linden, Spring Lake, Stedman, and Wade. • It was named after the Duke of Cumberland, Prince William Augustus, the British commander who defeated the Highland Scots at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

COMMISSIONER MEETINGS Commissioners meet at 9 a.m. on the first Monday of the month and 6:45 p.m. on the third Monday. They also have agenda session meetings, where matters are discussed in more detail, on the Thursday prior to the third Monday. They frequently schedule additional meetings. Their schedule and agenda materials are available via the county’s website. Watch meetings on YouTube (youtube.com/Cumberland County NC).

Glenn Adams

Henry Tyson

Jeannette Council

Clarence Grier

serve four-year terms. Two members are elected from District 1, three members are elected from District 2 and two members are elected from the At-Large District. The terms are staggered, and the members elect the chair and vice chair annually. Four seats are up for reelection in November 2026: The two District 1 seats and the two At-Large District seats.

COMMISSIONERS Kirk deViere, District 2, chair, 910-678-7771, kdeviere@cumberlandcountync.gov Veronica B. Jones, at-large, vice chair, 910-678-7771, vjones@ cumberlandcountync.gov. (Jones is up for reelection in November 2026.) Glenn Adams, District 1, 910-678-7771, gadams@cumberlandcountync.gov. (Adams is up for reelection in November 2026. He is unopposed.) Jeannette Council, District 1, 910-678-7771, jcouncil@cumberlandcountync.gov (Council did not run for election. Sheila Cuffee is unopposed in the November 2026 election.)

Commissioner meetings are open to the public. They are held in the Judge E. Maurice Braswell Cumberland County Courthouse, 117 Dick St.

W. Marshall Faircloth, at-large, 910-678-7771, wmfaircloth@ cumberlandcountync.gov. (Faircloth lost his reelection and will leave office in December 2026.)

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Pavan Patel, District 2, 910-678-7771, ppatel@cumberlandcountync.gov

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has seven members. They

Henry Tyson, District 2, 910-678-7771, htyson@cumberlandcountync.gov

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

W. Marshall Faircloth

Johnathan Morgan The candidates for the two at-large seats in the November 2026 election are Democrats Veronica Jones and Charles Evans, and Republicans Greg West and Ron Ross. The winners take office in December.

OTHER LEADERS County Manager Clarence Grier, county manager, 910-678-7771, cgrier@cumberlandcountync.gov Sheriff Johnathan Morgan, 910-323-1500, ccsoservices@ccsonc.org. (Morgan lost the primary election in March. After the November general election, he will be replaced by Democrat Troy McDuffie or Republican LaRue Windham.)

CUMBERLAND COUNTY GOVERNMENT 117 Dick St., Fayetteville, NC 28301 Phone: 910-678-7771 cumberlandcountync.gov

GOVERNMENT

City of Fayetteville

Mitch Colvin

Derrick Thompson

Stephon Ferguson

Malik Davis

Antonio Jones

D.J. Haire

Lynne Greene

Brenda McNair

Shaun McMillan

Deno Hondros

FAYETTEVILLE CITY COUNCIL The Fayetteville City Council includes nine council members and the mayor. Council members are elected to represent nine districts with two-year terms. The mayor is elected at large. All the seats are up for election in November 2027. The mayor acts as the official head of city government and presides at council meetings. The mayor is a voting member who appoints council members to committees and liaison positions.

Doug Hewett

The Fayetteville City Council typically holds regular meetings every second and fourth Monday of the month, and work sessions on the first Monday. The meetings are open to the public and can be attended in person or watched live on FayTV, located on the city’s website and Channel 7 of Spectrum Cable.

AT A GLANCE

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

• Fayetteville is the sixth-largest city in North Carolina with a population of about 209,000 people. It is the county seat of Cumberland County.

Mayor Mitch Colvin, 910-433-1992, mitchcolvin@fayettevillenc.gov

• It is home to Fort Bragg, the largest military installation by population in the nation.

Malik Davis, District 2, 910-973-0256, malikdavis@fayettevillenc.gov

• In 1783, Fayetteville was named after French Gen. Marquis de Lafayette, remembered for fighting for America in the Revolutionary War.

Mayor Pro Tem Derrick Thompson, District 6, 910-433-1992, DerrickThompson@FayettevilleNC.gov Stephon Ferguson, District 1, 910-433-1992, stephonferguson@fayettevillenc.gov

Antonio Jones, District 3, 910-433-1992, antoniojones@fayettevillenc.gov D.J. Haire, District 4, 910-433-1992, djhaire@fayettevillenc.gov Lynne Greene, District 5, 910-605-1647, lynnegreene@fayettevillenc.gov Brenda McNair, District 7, 910-433-1992, brendamcnair@fayettevillenc.gov Shaun McMillian, District 8, 910-433-1992, courtneybanksmclaugh@fayettevillenc.gov Deno Hondros, District 9, 910-433-1992, denohondros@fayettevillenc.gov Doug Hewett, City Manager, 910-433-1990, doughewett@fayettevillenc.gov

CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE 433 Hay St., Fayettevlle, NC 28301 Phone: 910-433-1329 fayettevillenc.gov/City-Council/City-Council-Members

DestinationFAY 2026-2027

GOVERNMENT

Cumberland County Schools

Deanna Jones

Vacant

Mary Hales

Delores Bell

Jackie Warner

Susan Williams

Terra Jordan

Jacquelyn Brown

Greg West

Eric C. Bracy

AT A GLANCE

LEADERSHIP

• Cumberland County Schools is the fifthlargest public school district in North Carolina, with 47,177 students reported in January 2026.

The Board of Education has nine nonpartisan seats. Six members are elected by district, and three are elected at large. Each member serves a four-year, staggered term. In November 2026, three at-large seats, including one that was vacant, were up for election. Regular board meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.

• Cumberland County Schools includes 48 elementary schools, 17 middle schools, 17 high schools, and two virtual schools. (Reflects the closure of Manchester and J.W. Coon elementary schools ahead of the 2026–27 school year.)

Deanna Jones, District 2, 910-678-2312, deannajonesboe@ccs.k12.nc.us Vacant, At-Large Seat Mary Hales, District 1, 910-678-2312, maryhalesboe@ccs.k12.nc.us Delores Bell, District 3, 910-678-2312, deloresbellboe@ccs.k12.nc.us Jackie Warner, District 4, 910-678-2312, jackiewarnerboe@ccs.k12.nc.us

CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS

Susan Williams, District 5, 910-678-2312, susanwilliamsboe@ccs.k12.nc.us

2465 Gillespie St., Fayettevlle, NC 28306 Phone: 910-678-2300 ccs.k12.nc.us/o/ccs/page/meet-the-board

Jacquelyn Brown, Vice Chair, At-Large, 910-678-2312, jacquelynbrownboe@ccs.k12.nc.us

Terra Jordan, District 6, 910-678-2312, terrajordanboe@ccs.k12.nc.us

Greg West, At-Large, 910-678-2312, gregwestboe@ccs.k12.nc.us Eric C. Bracy, Superintendent, 910-678-2300, ccssuperintendent@ccs.k12.nc.us

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

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Real readers. Real impact. When local news does its job, residents show up. CityView connects Fayetteville to the decisions that shape their neighborhoods.

Because of the article, I became aware of the City Council meeting… The reporter ‘reports’ and does not editorialize.” A North Fayetteville resident who read a CityView article, showed up to a City Council meeting, and spoke. Local reporting gave them the information they needed to act.

SUPPORTING THE NEWS FOUNDATION OF GREATER FAYETTEVILLE FUNDS THE LOCAL REPORTING THAT KEEPS OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGED AND INFORMED.

Keep local news free for your neighbors.

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A 5 01(C)(3) C O M M I T T E D T O L O C A L N E W S C O V E R A G E

LOCAL BUSINESS & NON-PROFIT DIRECTORY

We Service All Brands of Machines Beginner to Advanced Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery Classes Over 7,000 Bolts of 100% Cotton Fabrics

CITY CENTER GALLERY & BOOKS 112 Hay Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 910-678-8899

One of the Largest Quilt Stores on the East Coast Kids Sewing Classes & Summer Camps

910.630.3912

7076 Ramsey Street www.lovingstitches.net l f

citycentergallerybooks@gmail.com www.citycentergallery.com

AWESOME ART & BODACIOUS BOOKS

Serenading the Sandhills Since 1991

2026-2027 SEASON Information Auditions Tickets

info@cumberlandchoralarts.org 910-303-0463

Come to LISTEN! Join to SING! Experience the JOY! Donate to Fayetteville’s Community Chorus

Cumberland Choral Arts Symphonic Choir, Cross Creek Chorale, Fayetteville Youth Chorus DestinationFAY 2026-2027

GIVING YOU GIVING YOU MORE REASONS MORE REASONS

Smmililee ttoo S

Serving Servingthe thecommunity community since1985 1985 since

910-500-6970 910-500-6970

In-Office In-OfficeSedation Sedation Pediatric PediatricDentists Dentists General GeneralDentists Dentists

Multiple locations: Multiple locations: Fayetteville Pauls Fayetteville St. St. Pauls Raeford Hope Mills Raeford Hope Mills Eastover Laurinburg Eastover Laurinburg

MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT FROM ANYWHERE. The New Online Account Manager And Mobile App Can Make Things Easier.

Where Your Children Come First

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

Pediatric Services We Provide

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

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

• Well Child Visits

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Urinalysis

• Sick Child Visits

• Vaccines & Immunizations

• Strep and Mono Screen

• Vaccine & Immunization Schedule

• ADHD Testing & Treatment

• Vision and Hearing Tests

• 2026-2207 Guide to the Flu

• Asthma Symptoms & Treatment

• School, Sports, & Camp Physicals

• Breastfeeding Support

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

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

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

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

910.848.KIDS (5437)

910.677.0007

910.306.KIDS (5437)

910.500.KIDS (5437)

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