North State Journal — Vol. 1., Issue 33

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 33

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

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Matthew on the move

STATE

Brent Scurry of Lake City, S.C., works to install window shutters at an ocean front home in anticipation of Hurricane Matthew in Garden City Beach, S.C.

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In small business and in the military

North Carolina state of the economy

VOTE 2016

Touted as one of the fastest growing economies in the nation, N.C.‘s economy is well on the mend after years of a changing marketplace and struggle in rural areas.

In the second of North State Journal’s five part series, we ask North Carolinians on the front lines, unemployment lines, and some of leading decision-makers how it happened, where the jobs are, where we are going, and who could be left behind. This is how North Carolina works.

How we earn

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MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Anita Hudson, of Dunn, washes windows at Captain Stanley’s restaurant in Raleigh. Hudson has worked at the restaurant on and off for 25 years. “I love the Stanleys,” Hudson said. “They’ve been in my life since I was 10 and Verne helped me buy my first car.” Hudson’s 74-year-old mother also works at the restaurant three days a week.

By Jeff Moore North State Journal

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ALEIGH — North Carolina is one of the nation’s fastest-growing economies, with its GDP having grown more than 15 percent since 2013, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. However, it is changing. While military and agriculture are still critical to the state’s economic success, the state is now on the leading edge in industries such as aviation, pharmaceuticals and small business startups.

As the Great Recession peaked, N.C.’s unemployment rate was among the highest in the nation at 10.7 percent. Now it is one of the lowest at 4.6 percent, outpacing its Southeastern peers and the nation as a whole.

Gross domestic product (GDP) in the state, a measure of the state’s total economic output, is projected to reach $510 billion for fiscal year 2016, representing a gain of more than $100 billion since 2010.

In the last year, retail sales have climbed by more than $670 million according to the N.C. Department of Revenue, and applications for residential building permits have climbed nearly 15 percent over the same period.

Associated with that growth, of course, is job creation. Since September 2015, nearly 75,000 jobs were added in North Carolina.

North Carolina bests the unemployment national average, but the rates are hardly consistent from Murphy to Manteo. Counties like Wake, Buncombe, Dare and Henderson have the lowest rates, but according to the N.C. Department of Commerce, handful of counties, though, suffer with unemployment nearly twice the state average, such as Scotland County’s 8.8 percent, and Edgecombe County at 8.5 percent.

Recent developments, such as the CSX inter-modal hub coming to Rocky Mount and Sanderson Farms’ investments in Robeson County, may transform the economic fortunes of these impover-

CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

2nd Lt. Luke Klena, right, works with members of the fire support team to direct artillery fire during a live fire exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C. Camp LeJeune is home to 37,000 active duty marines and makes a $3.5 billion economic impact on the state of North Carolina.

See ECONOMY, page A2 EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

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IN SPORTS The MLB postseason is underway: matchups and bracket

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Robeson County’s rural revival, page 2A NC’s ‘energy ecosystem’ fueled expansion to Concord, page 2A “First Flight” to aviation industry giant, Murphy to Manteo, page 6A

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Family owned business adapts in uncertain economy

Semper Fi: Earning a living serving others

By Liz Moomey North State Journal

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

RALEIGH — Captain Stanley’s has been in business for 38 years, watching the economy rise and fall, neighboring restaurants thrive and diminish, and the climate alter for small businesses in North Carolina.

Heath Stanley, who is manager of the family owned restaurant, said one of the key aspects of their success is adapting to the market and its customers’ needs. One way is lowering prices when the economy is struggling, he said.

“One thing that is guaranteed in life is all people will eat, so the trick is to adjust your offerings accordingly to market conditions,” Stanley said. “You can offer less expensive items if things got really bad. There is always an opportunity to serve food.”

He also said Captain Stanley’s

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — There are men and women who make selfless choices every day, choosing to serve and protect their country so others don’t have to.

Others make the decision to enlist as a way to not only serve their country but also find a purpose.

“I was homeless when I joined the Marine Corps. I wanted to make something of myself so I joined and haven’t looked back,” said Sgt. Alfred Hunt.

“The Marines is a volunteer service right now. If I can do it, that’s the sacrifice of doing it so someone else doesn’t have to,” said Hunt. “We should volunteer for as long as we can until our volunteers run out.

This way you get men and women who want to do the job; who want to fight the good fight.”

See CAPTAIN, page A3

See MILITARY, page A3

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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North Carolina

Top industry trends: 2006 - 2016 manufacturing

education & healthcare

professional & business services

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Presidential Debate

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Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton ECONOMY from page A1

October 11 Gubernatorial Debate Gov. Pat McCrory and Attorney General Roy Cooper

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N.C. has 23rd largest economy in the world, between Taiwan and Sweden.

N.C. Senatorial Debate Sen. Richard Burr and Deborah Ross

October 18

ished areas.

Secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce John Skvarla spent this week traveling the state in recognition of Manufacturing Week. He points out that the state has more than 460,000 manufacturing jobs which account for more than $88 billion in annual production.

“Our economic development pipeline is chock-a-block full. It’s not tens, it’s not dozens; it’s hundreds of active projects,” said Skvarla. “Roughly 15,000 new jobs were created last year through our incentive programs. Near-

ly 7,500 were in tier 1 and tier 2 (most impoverished) counties.”

North Carolina’s recent focus on creating an environment to cultivate such entrepreneurial ventures — by lowering corporate and personal taxes as well as reducing regulations — has been recognized by the likes of Forbes, CNBC, Site Selection Magazine and more, deeming the Old North State one of the best business climates in the country.

The industries in which jobs are being created can make a big difference in the state’s per capita GDP, and the state enjoys a healthy miwx of goods-producing and service-oriented enterprises. At $49,025 in 2015, North Carolina’s per capita GDP is below the national aver-

age by more than $5,000, but recent trends in wage growth show the state closing this gap.

Brent Lane, director of the UNC Center for Competitive Economies at UNC-Chapel Hill, performed research for the N.C. General Assembly that found North Carolina has strung together 10 consecutive quarters of per capita income growth at or above the national average.

That trend may be poised to continue as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects North Carolina will add 500,000 jobs by 2024, outpacing population growth, with jobs paying more than $75,000 projected to grow faster than those paying less than $30,000.

Gubernatorial Debate Gov. Pat McCrory and Attorney General Roy Cooper

October 19

Manufacturing

Sanderson Farms’ arrival a lifeline to Robeson County

Presidential Debate

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton

WE STAND CORRECTED To report an error or a suspected error email corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

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“It went back the sincerity of this town, this county and the citizens.”

Greg Cummings on how St. Pauls landed Sanderson

ST. PAULS, N.C. — Greg Cummings has seen the Robeson County economy at perhaps its worst. Crippled by trade agreements that led to thousands of jobs heading out of the country and scores of buildings vacated, he said the county and its rural towns were among the hardest hit in the state, if not the entire country.

“This has been very personal to me,” said Cummings, Robeson County’s longtime economic director. “I was born and raised here and I’ve had some sleepless nights over this.”

The 2010 U.S. Census found that 33.1 percent of the 134,000-plus people in the county lived in poverty, the after effects of a decade of lost jobs.

“If you look at the total picture of Robeson County from 1996 up until really 2005, 2006, we lost over 8,000 jobs due to the textile industry moving to China and Mexico,” Cummings said.

Closing in on retirement, Cummings can sleep easy knowing Robeson County is getting a boost from incoming Sanderson Farms.

The nation’s third-largest poultry producer is building a chicken processing facility in St. Pauls and hatchery in Lumberton that will bring 1,100 jobs and a nearly $140 million commitment to a region gasping for jobs. It is set to open at the beginning of 2017.

St. Pauls town manager J.R. Steigerwald said the arrival of Sanderson Farms will “in one fell swoop” replace jobs lost when Carolina Mills closed plants in the early 2000s it had bought from Burlington Mills just a few years before.

Getting Sanderson Farms to come to the region took private property owners, local and county government, and state and federal entities teaming together. On top of providing a location for the St. Pauls plant and assurances the community could provide the needed workforce, the collaborative effort needed to supply water, sewer and natural gas suitable for industry. Combine that with the incentives

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

A bench gives off a positive message in downtown St. Pauls, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016. Robeson County, a minority-majority county, has been hit hard by a changing economy over the last two decades. Sanderson Farms, one of the largest poultry producers in the nation, is currently investing $139 million into the town of St. Pauls as they build a processing center and a hatchery that will create 1,100 much needed jobs. On the cover : Greg Cummings, Robeson County Economic Development Director and recently elected mayor of Pembroke

Robeson County was willing to offer — neighboring Cumberland County was reluctant to sweeten the pot — and Sanderson Farms found a home for its new plant.

The Sanderson Farms jobs coming to the region — which should impact five counties and beyond — will pay above median industrial rates and include Sanderson Farms paying 75 percent of health benefits and providing a retirement plan.

Cummings called Sanderson Farms “a friendly corporate citizen,” mentioning the company’s plans to further their commitment to the United Way. The company states on its website that $370,000 of the more $1.1 million in charitable donations it made in 2015 went back into the communities in which it operates via the United Way. Cummings said meetings and negotiations with Sanderson Farms made it clear the company was about more than just profits.

“When they come in, they’re coming in to be part of that community,” Cummings said.

Steigerwald said the addition of Sanderson Farms — which also has a plant in Kinston where employees al-

ready hired for the St. Pauls facility are being trained — adds to a corridor of food processing companies making North Carolina home.

“These jobs aren’t going overseas,” Steigerwald said, comparing it to lost textile jobs. “Americans eat a lot of this food.”

The trickle-down effect of Sanderson Farms should add more jobs in trucking and other related industries, and it could lead to more housing development in St. Pauls, Steigerwald said. He said it could provide St. Pauls with a 40 percent increase in its existing tax base, and Cummings added it could help “in a way where taxes decrease.”

Cummings said that seemed like an impossibility years ago when people in struggling towns would ask him when the local economy would turn around.

With his time as Robeson County’s economic director winding down, Cummings is just happy he’ll be leaving his position with the county in better shape than he found it.

“When I see people getting jobs — I see them in the Wal-Mart and they tell me they got a job — that’s all the thanks I need,” he said.

North Carolina is back in business, and business is good!

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North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

state of the economy

Technology

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of N.C. GDP is manufacturing.

of labor force is unionized, smallest in U.S.

of all businesses in N.C.are small businesses.

of N.C. businesses are women-owned.

N.C.’s ranking in Tax Foundation’s “Best Business Tax Climate” list — rising 33 places since 2013.

N.C.’s August 2016 unemployment rate.

Bobby Turner, of Raleigh, eats lunch at Captain Stanley’s restaurant.

He says that he comes to the restaurant because of the “good food and good-looking women.”

MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

2nd Lt. Luke Klena watches artillery fire during a training exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Camp Lejeune was established in the early 1940s and currently encompasses 156,000 acres in Onslow County

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CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

CAPTAIN from page A1 has added different menu items to attract a different age demographic. The restaurant has a declining senior citizen cliental.

“The baby boomers are coming of age,” Stanley said. “They have a different palette. They are more health conscious than the senior citizens. They are looking for more broiled and grilled items. We’ve definitely upped our offerings.”

Captain Stanley’s offers calabash seafood, which Stanley said helped the restaurant stay in business by offering something different.

“The backbone of our business is great value,” Stanley said. “It’s about offering good quality products at a good price, and the value is really unmatched anywhere.”

Helping small businesses thrive has been a talking point for presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. North Carolina is home to about 800,000 small businesses with 1.5 million people working for a small business.

Raleigh’s Briggs Hardware displays the cardboard cutouts of Clinton and Trump, and Lara Trump has spoke to customers and supporters of the Republican at the historic shop. Clinton grabbed a bite to eat post-rally with President Barack Obama at Charlotte’s Midwood Smokehouse. The campaigns have stopped at es-

MILITARY from page A1 tablishments across the state to eat, talk about their tax plans, and tour small businesses.

Trump has used his business as a way to show he is qualified to lead the country economically, and Clinton has shared stories about her dad running a small printing business.

Stanley does not believe a new president will bring about instant change, but said he would prefer tax cuts and less government regulation while acknowledging the impact of legislation may take several years. He added many economic changes are often delayed, so he struggles to know who to point the finger at when the economy is doing well or not.

“Being able to purchase intelligently and operate efficiently without a lot of waste helps you get to be stronger in market downturn and profitable in market upswings no matter what the political climate is,” Stanley said.

Some small businesses owners, though, have attempted to impact legislation on a more local level, like speaking out about gerrymandering, H.B. 2 and sidewalk ordinances.

According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, small businesses — defined as any business that employs less than 500 employees — comprise of about 98 percent of all North Carolina businesses. They also employ 46 percent of the state’s private workforce.

Presidential campaigns know small business owners could tip vote.

NC is home to 37,000 active duty Marines.

Hunt, 28, is a member of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, Weapons Company of the 81st Platoon at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and he is one of 37,000 active duty Marines in North Carolina.

“When you’re out there getting shot at with bombs going off, you are not thinking about yourself. You’re thinking about helping [a fellow Marine] out,” said Hunt. “It’s not a choice. It’s inswtant. When the time comes, you don’t have to think about it.”

The Armed Forces is North Carolina’s second largest economic driver, with Camp Lejeune alone making a $3.5 billion economic impact.

Hunt and fellow members of the 81st Platoon recently completed a three-day training and readiness event focusing on the 65-member platoon’s ability to hit targets and successfully complete assigned missions.

The training exercises require skill and coordination efforts from three firing agencies — the mortar platoon, artillery squad and air station.

The Fire Support Coordination Center listens for all transmissions. Communication is the key asset between the groups as motional units are tracked, reports are called in, distances to targets are judged, and plans are mapped. A Marine may only have 27 seconds for their shot to fire and land, and the efforts beforehand can make all the difference.

“It’s all done with maps. We can be in the middle of the forest and never see what we are shooting,” said 1st Lt. Michael Hanson. “If we are one degree off that can make a huge difference, which is why coordination and communication are key.”

Since 1941, Camp Lejeune has been the home of “Expeditionary Forces in Readiness” with a mission of maintaining combat-ready units for expeditionary deployment.

“I grew up mostly relying on myself; learning to only count on myself,” Hunt said. “The Marine Corps taught me that I can count on other people.”

NC helps power Swiss-based Alevo’s growth

By Emory Rakestraw For the North State Journal CONCORD, N.C. — In 2014, Swiss-based Alevo moved into 3.5-million square feet of manufacturing space in Concord. The first year revolved around turning a shell of a building — formerly occupied

by Phillip Morris — into a productive space for GridBank energy manufacturing, setting up equipment, and fine-tuning production into their second year.

Aside from the almost perfect space for future expansion, Alevo saw promise in North Carolina’s energy industry and Jeff Gates, the company’s vice president of sales, noted its energy ecosystem.

“There’s a huge number of energy professionals in the area, well educated, general workforce, and Parker Hannifin, who is our inverter supplier, is also in North Carolina,” Gates said. “Having that critical mass of complementary skill sets is almost like Silicon Valley to some degree. The more people you have like that, the more creative you can be and the more growth you’re going to see.”

North Carolina is a “Silicon Valley of energy” with 9.3 percent industry growth since 2010 and 39,000 currently employed.

From nuclear energy, cleantech, smart grid clusters and solar, North Carolina’s energy industry is as diverse as its landscape. In 2014, North Carolina ranked second in new solar capacity with 357 megawatts (MW). The state ranks second in growth in turbine manufacturing, third in fossil fuel power generation, and fifth in semiconductor and related device manufacturing.

With the lowest corporate income tax rate in the Southeast, notable research facilities (including RTI, one of the world’s leading institutes which employs 3,700), and three Tier 1 research universities, it’s not just Alevo that views North Carolina as a sort of ‘Silicon Valley of energy.’ Since 2010, there has been a 9.3 percent industry growth and 39,000 are currently employed.

Being only a short drive from America’s largest power holding company, Duke Energy, one might think Alevo would be the slightest bit intimidated. But the company’s two cutting-edge advantages — Alevo Analytics, a software management system that monitors energy output, and Alevolyte, their inorganic, lithium-ion battery that is nonflammable and has a 20-year life — not only show promise but almost guaranteed growth.

Currently, 200 employees occupy the massive, sometimes staggering, amount of space.

Alevo has only publicly announced two projects: an 8 MW / 4 MWh project in Lewes, Del., and a 10 MW / 3 MWh project in Rabbit HillGeorgetown, Texas.

For the future, Gates mentioned Concord facility only has one manufacturing line installed but can hold up to 20, with growth predicted in the next five years. Alevo’s impact on North Carolina and their contribution to the rapidly growing energy industry is still in the beginning stage.

Gates hopes to “increase job growth, we anticipate hiring additional workers as we expand the next two production lines” and mentioned expanding growth and business for partner Parker Hannifin.

Coming next Sunday How we learn From kindergarten to college, the state of education in North Carolina

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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North Carolina state of the economy

VOTE 2016

Robert Morgan: WWII pilot

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Jones& Blount jonesandblount.com @JonesandBlount

First in flight: Kitty Hawk

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U.S. Air Force Cpt. Robert Morgan of Asheville piloted the Memphis Belle in World War II. The Memphis Belle was one of the first Boeing B-17 heavy bombers to complete 25 combat missions with her crew intact. Morgan and the Memphis Belle inspired two movies, in 1944 and 1990.

True to our roots: still in top flight

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Kitty Hawk, N.C., is the famed site of the first controlled power airplane flight by the Wright brothers at Kill Devil Hills, four miles south of the town, on Dec. 17, 1903.

The Wrights chose the area because its frequent winds and soft, sandy surfaces were suitable for their glider experiments.

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Lockheed Martin

By Emory Rakestraw North State Journal Home to “First in Flight,” the aviation industry took off in the Tar Heel State and continues today with more than 1,000 aviation-related companies and 88,400 industry jobs.

Many associate the start of North Carolina aviation with the Wright’s 1903 first flight, but it actually occurred outside of Murfreesboro in 1873 with America’s first documented plane, Henry Gatling’s hand-cranked monoplane. Luther Paul of Carteret County designed and built a twin-rotor helicopter, and in 1907, unmanned and tethered to the ground, the machine lifted itself between four and five feet making North Carolina home to the first vertical as well as horizontal heavier-than-air flight.

North Carolina’s aviation industry is more than the Wrights. Piedmont Airlines started in 1948

by Tom Davis of Winston-Salem and remained extremely successful, eventually being bought for $1.6 billion and merged with US Airways, creating the nation’s seventh largest air carrier.

Today, the aviation and aerospace industry ranges from manufacturers and suppliers to research and education. The 33,000-square-foot Spirit Aerosystems Composite Center of Excellence serves as a training center for the growing aerospace industry in North Carolina. NextGen Air Transportation is located on NC State’s campus, focusing on developing research to improve air traffic control and safety.

One of North Carolina’s key components for attracting and maintaining the industry revolves around state universities. From engineering, materials research and bioenergy, 50 programs within eight institutions utilize and prepare students for work within the aerospace field. Annually, 3,400 students graduate from North Carolina institutions with engineering related degrees.

North Carolina’s aerospace companies generate millions of dollars in manufacturing, cargo hubs, repair, maintenance, parts development and supply. Key industry leaders like GE Aircraft and HondaJet add cutting-edge advantages to the market and inspire other companies to invest and manufacture in the state. Low tax rates and a built-in workforce attract and maintain companies. North Carolina is second in the U.S for aerospace growth and ranks No. 1 in the Southeast for manufacturing.

North Carolina aviation and aerospace also extends to military and U.S defense. Cherry Point, located in Havelock, is the largest air base in the Marine Corps and home to the Fleet Readiness Center.

Today, the commercial and aviation industry has an annual $31 billion economic impact on the state. There are 72 public and more than 300 private airports, with 56 million passengers flying in and out of the state per year. If the runways of the 72 public airports were stretched through the state, it would span a two-lane highway from Murphy to Manteo.

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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From left, Democratic candidate Dan Blue III and Republican candidate Dale Folwell stand on stage before the N.C. Treasurer’s debate Sept. 27 at the Statesville Civic Center in Statesville, N.C.

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Airplane manufacturers in North Carolina 1. Curtiss-Wright Controls Shelby

5. HAECO Americas Greensboro

8. LORD Aerospace Cary

2. UTC Aerospace Systems Charlotte

6. Honda Aircraft Company Greensboro

9. GE Aircraft Engines Durham

3. C.R. Onsrud Troutman

7. Lockheed Martin a. Greensboro b. Pope Field c. Durham d. Morrisville e. Havelock

10. Honeywell Aerospace Rocky Mount

4. B/E Aerospace a. Winston-Salem b. Winston-Salem c. Winston-Salem

west Eblen Charities Partners with 2017 SoCon Tournament Buncombe County The basketball coaches in the Southern Conference are again partnering with Eblen Charities at the 2017 conference tournament, hosted in Asheville, to stop childhood hunger and provide food for those in need.

Local basketball teams are also contributing by collecting food donations.

45-acre fire burning on US Forest Service land Avery County Since Tuesday, a 45-acre fire has been burning in Elk River at the top of Little Pine Mountain. Firefighters have been on scene creating hand lines, but the fire is expected to grow in size, eventually reaching Tennessee. The cause of the fire remains unclear and is under investigation.

HCPress

Haywood County Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, two of the most skilled antique pickers in the business and hosts of the show ‘A merican Pickers,’ are asking for leads on valuable, unique and exceptional antiques to feature in episodes of their hit series. If you or someone you know has a good antique and a good backstory, call 855-oldrust.

Valle Crucis Country Fair to return Oct. 15 Watagua County On the third Saturday of each October, the Valle Crucis Country Fair returns to the grounds of Valle Crucis Conference Center. Surrounded by mountains and located in a meadow, the fair allows visitors to browse through handmade crafts, sip fresh cider, pick up seasonal produce and catch live entertainment. Now in its 38th year, the festival raised $40,000 for High Country charities last year.

The Mountaineer

HCPress

Candidates for Treasurer debate state finance

By Jeff Moore North State Journal

11. Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. Kinston

Asheville Citizen-Times

‘American Pickers’ looking for finds in Western North Carolina

Infographic by LAUREN ROSE

piedmont Moses H. Cone Hospital participates in trial for breast cancer survivors Guilford County October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Marilyn Dawn Lane, who completed treatment in July, is one of many women undergoing a trial of medication for breast cancer survivors. Moses H. Cone is the only hospital in the Triad participating. The trial determines whether a targeted medication and hormone therapy can help prevent cancer cells from returning.

Greensboro News and Record

Evacuees seek shelter in Asheboro Randolph County As of Thursday night, only 100 hotel rooms were still available in Asheboro. The city’s tourism board expects Asheboro to be at capacity through the weekend.

Many living on the coast or with vacation homes travel through the city to get to the beach, and have traveled back for shelter from Hurricane Matthew.

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Quilt of Valor honors veterans Cabarrus County On Oct. 1 at the 2016 Splash of Color Cabarrus Quilt and Fiber Show, several veterans were honored by being presented Quilts of Valor.

Hosted by Cabarrus Quilters Guild, veterans ranged from an infantry officer in the Vietnam War to U.S Coast Guard Service in World War II. Independent TribunE

Hollerin’ Contest Moved to November Cumberland County The first World Wide Hollerin’ Festival was scheduled to take place this weekend in Hope Mills, but has been moved to Nov. 5th due to Hurricane Matthew. The event includes music, food, and a unique National Hollerin’ Contest. Tickets are $3/person and 80% of proceeds go to Wags4Tags, a nonprofit that partners veterans suffering from PTSD with trained shelter dogs.

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Brody School of Medicine ranks in Top 5 Greenville Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University was ranked one of the top five medical schools in the country for its high percentage of graduates pursuing family medicine by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The Brody School of Medicine ranked fourth on this year’s list and was the only school in the Southeast to make the top five. The 2015-17 budget signed by the governor provided an additional $16 million in new funding to support medical education at the Brody School of Medicine.

Office of the Governor

advanced radiation therapy machine to date. It is able to treat cancer anywhere in the body with higher accuracy as well as higher doses, reducing the number of treatments patients require.

Kinston Free Press

City officials warn against payment scam Wilson Officials with the City of Wilson are warning residents against a Wilson Energy payment scam. Residents have been receiving calls demanding payment to avoid a power shutoff and discontinuation of electric service. The City of Wilson Energy Services have not been making these calls and the Wilson Police Department is investigating the reports.

Wilson Times

UNC Lenoir Health obtains linear accelerator Kinston The UNC Lenoir Health Care Cancer Center is one of the first facilities in Eastern North Carolina to install the Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerator.

The accelerator is the most

STATESVILLE, N.C. — State treasurer candidates Dan Blue, III (D) and Dale Folwell (R) faced off last week in a debate hosted by the N.C. Institute for Political Leadership.

Blue, a bond attorney, touted his private sector experience in the financial world, while Folwell pointed to his long history of solving complex issues in varied roles as a motorcycle mechanic and accountant, along with his multiple terms in the N.C. General Assembly.

With local journalists posing questions, the two candidates discussed issues such as management fees and even the controversial House Bill 2.

On the latter, Folwell said he regrets that the legislation, along with the city ordinance that necessitated it, ever came to pass, but played down its effects on the economy, or the role of state treasurer surrounding the issue.

“I am not aware of any bathroom issues at the treasurer’s office,” said Folwell.

Both advised they would seek to change the status quo in the treasurer’s office, but according to Blue those changes should be incremental, saying pension funds have adequate returns and funding levels. He would also seek to reduce fees paid to investment managers of the pension funds.

Citing his role in paying down a $2.7 billion unemployment debt to the federal government and building a more than $1 billion surplus as secretary of the Division of Employment Security, Folwell argued for making similar lasting changes as treasurer. He stated his top priorities were to reduce management fees by $100 million and tackle the unfunded health and pension plans.

Regarding the $30 billion liability facing the State Health

Plan, Blue acknowledged health care costs were out of control, but benefit levels associated with state employment were an important part of attracting the best talent to those positions. He also called on state employees to lead healthier lives in order to better control costs.

Folwell asserted the state should use the size and scope of its health plan to negotiate better terms with insurance providers, while also making a concerted effort to weed out waste fraud and abuse.

“It’s tragic that we have beginning teachers, beginning EMS workers, beginning patrol men and women who must work five days per month to pay the premiums of the family health plan in a system that has 800,000 employees.” lamented Folwell.

If unresolved, Folwell said as much as 20 percent of the state’s operating budget would be consumed by filling the gaps in pension and health plans over the next 15 years.

On the issue of debt, the candidates disagreed whether it should be paid down versus using its leverage to fund infrastructure priorities.

While Folwell favored paying down the debt to prepare for any future hard times, Blue questioned the wisdom of not taking advantage of a low interest rate environment to fund infrastructure.

“What is the cost of not making investments in our state?” asked Blue.

Folwell said such thinking is exactly what created the deficit problems he helped fix, pointing to Blue’s father, state Sen. Dan Blue, and other Democratic legislators who he said over the years left the state in a perilous financial position.

He closed by pledging to refuse compensation as treasurer if he did not keep his promises.

Blue closed with his belief that the state faces more opportunities than problems as long is it invests in long-term goals.

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North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

A6

north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Drew Elliot, opinion editor | Ray Nothstine, deputy opinion editor EDITORIALS | Drew Elliot

Politics and school choice in North Carolina Legislators who represent districts with high black populations have been the first to come around, and in some cases, they have been for school choice for years.

A very interesting thing happened last week in the aftermath of the debate between Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, a Republican, and his Democratic challenger, Linda Coleman.

The debate itself showed fairly down-the-line platform politics, including the issue of K-12 schools. Forest has been a champion for school choice; Coleman, a former district school teacher, says that public schools in North Carolina are “being dismantled.” She also proposed cutting the number of charter schools allowed to just 100.

Currently the maximum is set at 167; next year it rises to 180.

“Choice is good, but it’s not something we should have to pay for,” Coleman said.

Voters may have other ideas. Under pressure from school choice advocates, Coleman had to back off closing some 67 schools, saying she would only work to close those that are “low-performing.” (No word on whether she supports closing low-performing district schools, or whether that principle applies only to charters.)

Coleman said she wouldn’t close the other schools because “I am never in favor of people losing their jobs, never.” So in response to a concern about parents losing the ability to send students to schools they believe are best, she focused on the teachers and administrators rather than students and their parents.

The quote is illuminating because it seems to be an increasingly larger problem for elected Democrats and their allies — they genuinely believe that school systems exist to provide jobs for teachers, rather than to educate children. Teachers are the single most important input into a successful system of public education.

But students are the point of the system and its reason for being.

Advocates for district-only public schools are a dwindling group, and seem largely limited to Democrats who need to keep their traditional coalition together for electoral purposes. Democrats try to maintain the façade that support for anything other than district schools amounts to turning one’s back on public education. That isn’t flying with parents of school-aged children anymore.

In the debate, Forest said that school choice is “something that parents in North Carolina demand — but especially (something) parents of minority students absolutely demand.”

In a recent poll of North Carolina African Americans, the survey found that 59 percent favor school choice. Even more troubling for Democrats, that support dropped just 7 percentage points — still a majority — even when presented with a choice that described vouchers as scholarships that “take away” from public schools.

Considering all the issues affecting voters, it is more likely that elected Democrats will soften their opposition to school choice than that black voters will suddenly start voting Republican. Some politicians already have. State Sen. Ben Clark, a black legislator who represents rural Cumberland and Hoke counties, has said public funds should be used to support K-12 education “by all available means, whether in a traditional public school, public charter school or private school.” And Charlotte Rep. Kelly Alexander Jr. said that school choice resonates because “African American parents want and deserve quality educational choices for their children.”

Some legislators are listening to their constituents. Legislators who represent districts with high black populations have been the first to come around, and in some cases, they have been for school choice for years.

But statewide candidates, including Coleman, face a different electorate. If they shift on the issue, politically moderate and conservative district-school teachers, who on the margin may have been voting for Democrats due to their support for district schools, will no longer have that tie to the Democratic candidate.

Such is the fragile nature of coalition politics.

Letters Tech trust Isn’t it crazy that a hacker could kill diabetic patients by rigging their insulin pumps to overdose them?

Apparently not. Johnson & Johnson warned J&J Animas OneTouch Ping insulin pump users Monday of this possibility (“J&J warns diabetic patients Insulin pump vulnerable to hacking”).

I formerly believed this was the stuff of nightmares and horror movies, but Big Brother is truly coming to get us now. While technology has advanced society and made the world a better place, it also threatens mass destruction.

There are 114,000 compromised J&J Animas OneTouch Ping insulin pumps in use today. If all of these pumps were hacked and their users were killed, the number dead would be 38 times the number dead from the 9/11 terror attacks.

However, this pump was designed with good intent. Its wireless remote control was meant to increase convenience by allowing a patient to dose insulin without reaching for the pump. But how much are you willing to pay for convenience?

It’s unlikely that patients would be attacked because of the proximity required to hack the wireless signals of the pumps, but stranger things have happened. How can J&J continue to “urge patients to stay on the product”?

We need to start thinking through the consequences of creating new technology before realizing, eight years after its inception, that it could harm many users. Technology can do good, but it is not to be messed with.

So, how willing are you to trust technology?

Mary Grady Bell Raleigh

BE IN TOUCH Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 819 W. Hargett St. Raleigh, N.C. 27603. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

visual VOICES

EDITORIALS | Ray Nothstine

The backlash against the backlash It’s hard to gauge whether a silent majority might emerge from the rubble of confusion about gender norms.

In 1942, Sir Arthur Harris, head of the Royal Air Force, declared, “The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everybody else, and nobody was going to bomb them.” By the end of World War II, around the clock bombing from Allied forces completely decimated Germany.

Like war, sometimes politics lends itself to overconfidence and self-destruction.

North Carolina progressives have hitched their political wagon to H.B. 2. For good reason, with little else to run on, cultural shifts offer them a massive advantage on LGBT issues.

Eschewing compromise, the victory strut gains momentum with every announcement over any boycott or economic threat against the state.

Facts regarding H.B. 2 are subservient against the narrative of standing against “hate” and “oppression.” The incessant cry is “just stop the bigotry!”

The worst news for proponents of H.B. 2 came when the NCAA and ACC announced the removal of some high-profile and popular championship and playoff games from North Carolina. The NCAA has played games in Cuba and China, but North Carolina has a much more important lesson to learn. However, a small reverse ripple in the tidal wave of backlash

against H.B. 2 emerged from the ranks of collegiate athletics itself.

Oklahoma Wesleyan University and College of the Ozarks in Missouri announced they were withdrawing from the NIAI cross-country championship after the council of presidents held a contentious 11-9 vote to pull the event from Charlotte. Two schools outside of North Carolina defended the state against the prevailing narrative of bigotry.

“Shocking as it may sound to my presidential peers, Oklahoma Wesleyan University actually agrees with the state of North Carolina,” declared school President Everett Piper. “We, too, think that women should be granted the privacy of having their own toilets.” Everett continued in a reasoned defense of his position that uplifted the dignity of the female and an explanation of the proper interpretation of Title IX law.

Shaped by Christian worldviews, the vocal schools added only a murmur amid the noise, but as Russian novelist Aleksander Solzhenitsyn once noted, “One word of truth shall outweigh the whole world.”

It’s too early to say if speaking some basic truths about human sexuality and anatomy will cause more to stand up and suggest a few

things might be going wrong in the world today.

Unfortunately, many schools violate their own conscience and agree to go along because they’re scared of losing federal funds.

The demands and decrees of those who suppose they know better come from powerful people. It’s hard to gauge whether a silent majority might emerge from the rubble of confusion about gender norms. Former vice president Spiro Agnew once observed that, “America’s silent majority is bewildered by irrational protest.” One thing is certain; we do tremendous damage to human dignity and freedom when we cast aside long-established universal truths.

Two relatively small schools, though, have decided to chip away at what has been deemed the popular and right way of thinking in today’s culture. But what happens if others do so too?

Often times, the incessant clamoring and shouting against something deemed unpopular occurs because it might in fact be the right way after all. The backlash against the backlash has no megaphone, but it still can be heard, and could grow stronger.

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

Guest Opinion | GARLAND TUCKER

A7 ANTHONY LESTER

Supreme Court needs to get its stature back ome 50 years ago, Dean Erwin Griswold had a message for the S graduating foreign students at Harvard

Madeline Gray | North State Journal

America’s religious moorings I It is critically important that the West, including the United States, never lose the moorings of our modern society to our religious heritage.

n his Sept. 11 column (“A deeper public theology is needed”), Samuel Son raised an interesting — and important— point. He correctly tied America’s founding to its religious foundation and identified the current yearning for a “theological guide to the whole political process.”

Political correctness has so gripped modern thinking that many Americans are reluctant to recognize the Judeo-Christian basis of the American republic — and indeed, of Western civilization.

We need to be reminded of these roots and to resist the current notion that would remove any mention of religion from the public square in the name of separation of church and state, of political correctness, or of moral relativity. There are numerous expressions of this tie between religion and Western civilization, but I would cite two examples of forthright proclamation of these truths – one historical and one modern — as instructive reminders.

On Oct. 15, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated the equestrian statue in Washington of a Methodist bishop, Francis Asbury. Coolidge, the last American president to write his own speeches, spoke movingly of our common religious heritage. He identified the two competing theories of government in the world — one based on truth and righteousness and the other on force. Coolidge then explained, “Our government rests upon religion. It is from that source that we derive our reverence for truth and justice, for equality and liberty, and for the rights of mankind.

Unless the people believe in these principles they cannot believe in our government.”

Coolidge noted that the American Revolution and the resulting republic emerged out of a religious revival, “The Great Awakening.” He discerned a direct link between the work of clerics like Asbury, who brought “the gospel to the people, to bear witness to the truth and to follow it where so ever it might lead,” and the founding and development of a free political society in America.” He concluded, “The government of a country never gets ahead of the religion of a country. There is no way by which we can substitute the authority of law for the virtue of man.”

When Coolidge spoke these words in 1925, there

was no question in the minds of his hearers that the religious foundation of America was Judeo-Christian.

In recent times, however, there has been a movement to decouple individual freedom and democracy from its Judeo-Christian foundation. In the name of political correctness, many Americans are reluctant to recognize this link or to make any mention of American exceptionalism. Similarly, many Americans today relegate any understanding of truth and righteousness to meaningless moral relativity.

It is interesting — and noteworthy — that my second example comes not from America but Great Britain. In his Christmas message of 2015, Prime Minister David Cameron spoke openly and gratefully of Britain as “a Christian country” and noted the manifestations of this heritage in the form of the humanitarian work of “thousands of doctors, nurses, caregivers, and volunteers who… serve the vulnerable” in the U.K. and around the world. In closing, Cameron then made this important link: “I believe we should also reflect on the fact that it is because of these important religious roots and Christian values that Britain has been a successful home to people of all faiths and none.”

It is indeed the very bedrock values of Christianity that have enabled the United States — and the West in general — to develop tolerant political societies in which rights are respected and protected. Millions of refugees from other societies, which are based on non-Christian religious foundations, have sought and found refuge in the West. It is critically important that the West, including the United States, never lose the moorings of our modern society to our religious heritage. It is these Christian foundational values which, in Cameron’s words, make us a “successful home to people of all faiths and none.”

In order to preserve this exceptionalism and to continue to be a welcoming home for all comers, the U.S. and other western societies must assimilate these immigrants — whether of different faiths or no faith at all — into our common values and heritage, which are broadly based on the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Garland S. Tucker III is a Raleigh businessman, historian, and author.

Grading Government The Washington D.C. group Cato Institute awarded North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory an “A” rating for fiscal policy in 2016. Five other governors received “A” ratings for decreasing spending and taxes. Ten governors received an “F” rating. The “Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors” is released every two years. The Cato Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace. Below are comments on McCrory from Chip Edwards, director of tax policy at the Cato Institute: Governor Pat McCrory came into office promising major tax reforms and he has delivered. In 2013 he signed legislation to replace individual income tax rates of 6.0, 7.0, and 7.75 percent with a single rate of 5.8 percent. That rate was then reduced to 5.75 percent. The reform also eliminated the personal exemption and expanded the standard deduction. The 2013 law also cut the corporate income tax rate from 6.9 to 4.0 percent today, with a scheduled fall to 3.0 percent in 2017. The estate tax was repealed, and the sales tax base was expanded to cover more services.

In 2015, McCrory approved a further cut in the individual income tax rate

Gov. Pat McCrory answers questions during the Triangle Business Journal’s Power Breakfast.

CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

from 5.75 to 5.5 percent, combined with an increase in the standard deduction.

The 2015 law partly offset the revenue loss from income tax reductions with a broadening of the sales tax base. In 2016, McCrory approved another increase in the standard deduction.

McCrory has a good record on spending. The general fund budget will be just 8 percent higher in 2017 than it was when he took office in 2013. North Carolina retains the highest ratings on its debt from all three major creditrating agencies.

Law School. He urged us to put to good use what we had learned about federalism and the Bill of Rights. We muttered among ourselves about “American imperialism,” but the dean was right. Some of us did put to good use American ideas about free speech, equality and due process of law. In the marketplace of ideas, the United States held sway.

That’s no longer the case. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court’s influence abroad is weak. It has become politically polarized between Republican and Democrat appointees, and the Republican majority has usually rejected any reference to foreign jurisprudence in interpreting the Bill of Rights.

Conservative-majority rulings have cut back on affirmative action to remedy past discrimination. They have interpreted the First Amendment to strike down limits on campaign finance in the name of a warped concept of what freedom of speech means. They have upheld the death penalty (abolished across Europe) and failed to support sensible measures to tackle the appalling problems of gun crime.

There have been occasional instances in which the Supreme Court has mustered a liberal majority to overturn a precedent treating gay sex as a crime, to recognize equal marriage rights for same-sex couples and to uphold President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform. But again and again, the court’s work has been marred by a lack of collegiality, exemplified by the late Justice Antonin Scalia’s brand of judicial sarcasm and by a literal and restrictive interpretation of the Bill of Rights based on the “original intent” of the founding fathers.

A liberal majority would mean an end to the twilight of the court and the restoration of its rightful place as a beacon illuminating the free world.

These days, the Supreme Court’s decisions are rarely cited abroad in courts that respect the rule of law. That is true even in discrimination and equal-pay cases because U.S. constitutional law remains backward, focused on purpose and intent rather than on impact and outcome.

The Supreme Court is at the crossroads.

Its future and its influence depend on the outcome of this presidential election.

If Hillary Clinton wins, she will appoint Scalia’s replacement and, for the first time in decades, there will be a liberal majority on the court. If Donald Trump wins, at best there will be more of the same.

Justices Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer are internationally minded. They reject so-called “exceptionalism” (a euphemism for isolationism) and are willing to open their windows to the wider world. In that they are supported by Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor. An appointment by a President Clinton to fill the court’s vacancy, and other vacancies as they occur, would be of great significance outside, as well as within, the United States.

The nature of the judicial process is not revolutionary. Changes made by a liberal majority would not be dramatic but incremental. The court would gradually reconnect with the wider world. That would be good news for those who seek to protect women’s rights to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, to ensure racial justice in the courts and prisons, to safeguard the environment against pollution and global warming, and to abolish the death penalty. Such a court would also promote individual liberty vis-àvis excessive governmental interference in the interests of “national security” through ill treatment of detainees and arbitrary detentions without trial.

A liberal majority would mean an end to the twilight of the U.S. Supreme Court and the restoration of its rightful place as a beacon illuminating the free world. It would mean a return to the days when the court was collegial and its landmark rulings radiated abroad.

At a time when the political system in the United States (and the United Kingdom) has been disfigured by populism and demagoguery, the Supreme Court could once more provide a moral compass for lawmakers and judges at home and abroad.

That is why the outcome of this presidential election matters so much to people like me — people who are friends and admirers of the United States and remain optimistic about its future.

Anthony Lester is a British constitutional and human rights lawyer and a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords.

North State Journal for Sunday, May 8, 2016

A8

the Sunday NEWS BRIEFING

NEWS IN IMAGES

Matthew marches up the coast leaving many in the dark Wilmington North Carolina may have dodged the worst of Hurricane Matthew, but the coastal regions still took heavy rain and faces possible flooding.

Gov. Pat McCrory issued a state of emergency Friday for 66 counties, as the hurricane blasted up the coast. McCrory also requested a federal disaster declaration in anticipation of damages, which was approved Friday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Almost 1.1 million homes and businesses were without power Friday afternoon as Hurricane Matthew churned through Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina, electric companies said. Matthew, the first major hurricane threatening a direct hit on the United States in more than 10 years, lashed Florida with heavy rain and wind, after killing more than 800 people in Haiti as it marched north through the Caribbean.

On Thursday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill that legalized concealed carry of firearms by law-abiding citizens in the state without a concealed carry license during mandatory evacuations.

Manufacturing Week recognizes the state’s 10,387 manufacturers Sanford, N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory declared Oct. 3-7 as North Carolina Manufacturing Week as a tribute to one of the state’s economic resources.

Manufacturing grew 2.7 percent in 2015 and now employs more than 461,000 North Carolinians.

“North Carolina’s manufacturing economy leads the Southeast in employment and is respected around the world for its innovation, quality and productivity,” said McCrory.

“From aircraft components and home furnishings to food products and life-saving medication, we are a state with companies and people making things the world needs.”

McCrory and Commerce Secretary John Skvarla spent the week visiting manufacturing facilities across the state, ending on Friday at Mertek Solutions in Sanford.

J&J warns diabetic patients Insulin pump vulnerable to hacking New Brunsick, N.J. Johnson & Johnson told patients it has learned of a security vulnerability in one of its insulin pumps that a hacker could exploit to overdose diabetic patients with insulin, though the risk is low.

Medical device experts said they believe it was the first time a manufacturer had issued such a warning to patients about a cyber vulnerability.

J&J executives say they know of no examples of attempted hacking attacks on the device, the J&J Animas OneTouch Ping insulin pump. The company is nonetheless warning customers and providing advice on how to fix the problem. J&J’s letter said if patients were concerned, they could take several steps to thwart potential attacks, including discontinuing use of a wireless remote control and programming the pump to limit the maximum insulin dose.

Obama signs Tillis’ eugenics bill into law Washington, D.C. On Friday, President Obama signed S. 1698, N.C. Sen. Thom Tillis’ eugenics bill into law, which will help protect living eugenics victims receiving compensation payments by excluding their payments from being used in determining eligibility for, or the amount of, federal safety net programs such as Medicaid. Without this law, eugenics victims who receive compensation payments could have had their federal safety net benefits reduced or their eligibility eliminated altogether.

KEVIN LAMARQUE | REUTERS

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Democratic U.S. vice presidential nominee Donna Martinez, center, moderates as Justice Bob Edmunds, far right, speaks Senator Tim Kaine (L) and Republican during the Federalist Society of Raleigh’s U.S. vice presidential nominee Governor Judicial Candidates Forum.

Mike Pence.

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

First lady Michelle Obama takes the stage during a campaign event for Hillary Clinton at NC State Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh.

Elections hit home stretch with national and state debates set for this week

By Donna King and Liz Moomey North State Journal RALEIGH — The nation’s presidential candidates are preparing for the second of three debates Sunday night, which will be held as a town hall. Republican nominee Donald Trump faced criticism after the first debate, with pundits saying he struggled to stay on message. Earlier this week, Trump’s running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, was determined by polls to have won the vice presidential debate with 48 percent support, compared with Democrat Tim Kaine’s 42 percent.

On Tuesday night, 50 million Americans tuned in to see Pence and Kaine in the only debate between the two in what most were saying was fairly substantive event, covering the differences between the candidates on foreign policy, immigration and abortion, among other topics.

Pence focused on Clinton’s email scandal and decisions she made as secretary of state, painting her as untrustworthy with bad judgment. Kaine worked to make the vice presidential debate all about Trump, calling the Republican presidential nominee a danger to U.S. national security and someone who denigrates women and minorities, and appears to pay little in federal taxes.

Kaine, who was ribbed early in the general election campaign for his “dad” image after he was tapped by Clinton for his likability, interrupted Pence or the moderator at least 70 times, according to the political news and statistical analysis website fivethirtyeight. com.

According to an Ohio focus group run by Republican pollster Frank Luntz, Pence’s calm, controlled demeanor struck a strong contrast to Kaine’s interruptions and passionate focus on messaging.

The debate comes as the Clinton campaign called in first lady Michelle Obama to tour college campuses. Called “the closer” during the 2012 election, Michelle Obama draws enthusiastic crowds of younger, diverse voters.

She appeared at NC State on Tuesday, urging students to get out and vote.

“Do you want Hillary Clinton to be your president or her opponent?” Obama asked.

“It’s not enough to come to the rally. Get a selfie.”

President Barack Obama is scheduled to

JONATHAN ERNST | REUTERS

Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton greet one another as they take the stage for their first debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, Sept. 26.

campaign for Clinton Tuesday in Greensboro.

Obama lost North Carolina in 2012, and the state has been known as a swing state with Clinton and Trump leading at various times in the polls and stumping frequently.

Sunday’s debate kicks off a week of them in the Old North State. On Tuesday Republican Gov. Pat McCrory will take on his Democratic challenger Attorney General Roy Cooper (D), and on Thursday Senator Richard Burr (R) will debate challenger Deborah Ross (D).

The debates come as a voter fraud scandal rocked the State Board of Elections this week. In a story released by the right-leaning Civitias Institute, an NCSBE employee was recorded in two separate meetings in Pasquotank County advising citizens, elections officials and staff, and party activists during voter education seminars on voting laws. Dr. E. Lee Cooley’s presentation lasted for approximately 70 minutes, during which she communicated to the audience more than nine times that it was legal to vote someone else’s absentee by-mail ballot. State law forbids voting for someone else’s ballot.

“It is unlawful for anyone to vote another

person’s ballot,” said the NCSBE in a statement. “Assistance must be requested by a voter and rendered in person. The agency is in communication with outside investigators to ensure public confidence in its review.”

Cooley has been placed on paid investigatory leave while the agency conducts a thorough review.

“We take seriously every allegation of voter misconduct,” said Kim Westbrook Strach, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “Providing accurate information about elections to the public is at the heart of what we do. We are working diligently to determine what happened, why it happened and to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

The scandal comes as North Carolina voters plan to head to the polls and absentee ballots are already heading out to voters. Early voting in the state begins Oct. 20 and ends Nov. 5.

The State Board of Elections says county boards of elections offices across North Carolina have scheduled more than 42,400 total hours of early voting for the 2016 general election, a 16 percent increase over 2012.

H.B. 2: How much has North Carolina lost?

Boycotts to date are 0.1 percent of the total state economy and a boycott backlash seems to be gearing up

By Donna King North State Journal RALEIGH — The cancellations and dollar figures kept adding up through the summer and capturing headlines and air time: a concert here, a job expansion there, a sternly worded corporate letter and lots of threats. House Bill 2 is the law that set the first statewide anti-discrimination policy but also said that individuals in government buildings must use the multistalled restrooms of the gender listed their birth certificate.

It triggered outcry among those who said it was discriminatory against the 0.5 percent of North Carolinians who are transgender, along with any visitors to the state who are. Supporters of the law called it common sense, saying it protected the privacy of girls and women in publicly owned facilities like school locker rooms. It primarily caused headaches for N.C.‘s business developers when corporations and organizations canceled activities in the state saying the law ran counter to their inclusion principles.

What did the boycotts mean for N.C.‘s bottom line? While the publicity generated by the controversy was immeasurable, the actual impact on the economy has been relatively small, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Com merce.

The losses from H.B. 2 boycotts have added up to about half a billion dollars for N.C. With a state GDP of more than

$500 billion, the impact of those losses is approximately 0.1 percent of the state’s economy.

The loss of the 2017 All Star game in Charlotte and decisions by the NCAA and the ACC to move championships out the state were the biggest hits to date, costing the state about $180 million. But there were smaller losses, too. This week the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) announced it would be relocating it’s World Series event from Kinston, in protest of H.B. 2, an event that has earned the small town $350,000 each of the last two years.

“Just as recently as three weeks ago, the mayor of Charlotte had the opportunity to have a constructive dialogue with the state of North Carolina to right the ship,” said Kinston’s Mayor

B.J. Murphy at a Monday press conference. “However Mayor Roberts chose politics over policy. Mayor Roberts chose politics over people. And Mayor Roberts chose politics over Kinston’s youth.”

H.B. 2 opponents and others say the lost revenue is actually higher than is reportable because there is not a way to account for losing projects and events where N.C. could have been in the running but now isn’t. Others say the entire issue was politicized because of the hotly contested state gubernatorial election and the importance of N.C.‘s battleground status in the race for the White House.

As the boycotts of the state among collegiate sports associations grows, so too is the backlash by some member schools, as well as local politicians, for what they deem the unnecessary politicization of college sports.

This week National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), announced it would relocate the 2016 Cross Country College Championships from Charlotte in protest of H.B. 2.

The decision, however, did not sit well with at least two member schools.

According to reports, the presidents of Oklahoma Wesleyan University and Missouri’s College of the Ozarks are opting to withdraw their schools’ teams from the competition rather than participate in the political protest.

“How can we claim to be an organization that supports women if our leadership is so willing to deny female athletes the right to have their own bathrooms, showers, toilet and lavatory?” asked Oklahoma Wesleyan University President Everett Piper rhetorically at a press conference. “The NAIA’s disregard for such basic rights is sobering.”

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2016

college football

the Sunday Sideline report 1. UNCC, Florida Atlantic tentatively moved to Sunday (noon E.T.) because of Hurricane Matthew concerns.

2. Cardinals handle 49ers in ugly 33-21 win, Chip Kelly opens door for starting Colin Kaepernick after fourth loss of year.

3. Cam Newton expected to miss “Monday Night Football” matchup between Panthers and Buccaneers with concussion.

4. Florida-LSU postpone matchup in Gainesville indefinitely, no makeup scheduled.

5. UCF-Tulane scheduled for Saturday in Orlando moved to Nov. 5 as a result of concerns over Hurricane Matthew.

@extrabaggs: Peavy said Bum was calm in a crazy dugout after Gillaspie HR. Bum simply walked up and said, “Conor, I appreciate the hell out of that.”

Jeremy Brevard | USA TODAY SPORTS images

North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Austin Proehl (7) catches a pass while being defended by Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Ryan Lewis (38) during the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Carolina defeated Pitt 37-36.

SPORTS

college football

@darrenrovell: Baltimore restaurant @JimmysSeafood is offering a $1,000 reward & 24 crabcakes to anyone who turns beer throwing Blue Jays fan into police.

mlb

Norman fined $10K for bow/arrow celebration

tennis

Sharapova suspension reduced to 15 months Women’s tennis star Maria Sharapova, recently suspended for two years, had her suspension reduced on appeal to 15 months. “I am counting the days until I can return to the court,” Sharapova said. “In so many ways, I feel like something I love was taken away from me and it will feel really good to have it back. Tennis is my passion, and I have missed it.” She is eligible to return beginning in April 2017. nba

Top pick Simmons has surgery on foot 76ers guard Ben Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, underwent successful foot surgery this week. Simmons, according to the team, suffered a Jones fracture on the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.

He suffered the injury after landing on a teammate’s foot during a scrimmage.

Simmons is expected to miss six to weight weeks as a result.

Proehl has raised his game to become one of quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s favorite targets, setting career highs for catches in each of the past two games

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal

@richarddeitsch: Joe Buck’s broadcasting career nearly ended because of an addiction to hair plugs [he tells SI].

Redskins cornerback Josh Norman was fined $10,000 by the NFL for a celebration during Washington’s win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 of the regular season.

Norman, after making an interception in the fourth quarter, pretended to shoot a bow and arrow. He was flagged for the celrbation and now ill pay with his wallet.

Route to success a familial one for UNC WR Proehl

DERIK HAMILTON | USA TODAY SPORTS images

A helmet rests on the field while the Charlotte 49ers warm up prior to a game against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field.

49ers remain plagued by poor quarterback play Charlotte is 0-9 in Conference USA games

By Tyler Everett North State Journal harlotte 49ers coach Brad Lambert’s team is now C 0-9 all-time in Conference USA,

and subpar quarterback play has been a big factor. His frustration and disappointment were evident following Saturday night’s 52-17 loss to Old Dominion.

“Well, nothing went very well tonight,” Lambert said to open his postgame press conference. “Obviously I didn’t have them ready to play. We have to go back and look at everything we’re doing.”

He added that he planned to evaluate every position during the week of practice leading up to Charlotte’s trip to Florida Atlantic on Saturday. One of the players

he was asked about in particular after the ODU loss was redshirt junior quarterback Kevin Olsen.

Considering Lambert’s initial assessment of Olsen’s play last Saturday — “Not very good, nobody was very good” — and the coach’s insistence that every position will be looked at, the quarterback situation is worth keeping a close eye on moving forward.

Lambert offered little clarity on the matter at Tuesday’s press conference, saying only that he would assess his players during practice this week. But he did promise that those practices would have a different feel.

“We’ve changed the way we’re going to practice,” Lambert said.

“We’ve changed some things we’re going to do schematically.”

Olsen, now 21, was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school in 2013. He was See CHARLOTTE, page B8

CHAPEL HILL — It wasn’t just postgame coach hyperbole last week when Larry Fedora punctuated a dramatic win against Pittsburgh by proclaiming wide receiver Austin Proehl as the best route-runner on the North Carolina football team.

The kid really is.

That’s because he’s been running those routes ever since he really was a kid.

We’re not talking about your typical backyard “go long and I’ll hit you” kind routes, either. As the son of long-time NFL receiver Ricky Proehl, the budding Tar Heel star spent his formative years learning and catching passes from some of the best in the business.

“Ever since I was That list of passers includes Super Bowl champions and a Heisman Trophy winner. a freshman in “I have pictures of me in like ‘97 maybe, high school I’ve I had a Bears jersey on and one of those plastic helmets little kids get for Christmas been a ball boy and I’m out there running routes,” said for the Panthers Proehl, who was about four years old at the time. “[Dad] kept throwing me balls. and I always Some of them hit me in the face. I kept try- caught up Cam ing to catch them.”

[Newton] and As he got older and more proficient at bringing passes in, the quality of Proehl’s Derek Anderson practice partners also improved. before games and “I’ve always had balls thrown to me from my dad, from Kurt Warner, guys like training camp.” that, just throwing balls to me, messing Austin Proehl around with me,” Proehl said. “Ever since I was a freshman in high school I’ve been See PROEHL, page B8

inside

Anthony Gruppuso | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

The Major League Baseball postseason is in full swing, with the Giants and Blue Jays winning their respective Wild-Card games to set up four potentially outstanding divisional matchups. The Cubs are coming off their best regular season in ages and primed for a World Series run. The Giants can’t be stopped in even years. Will the Red Sox win one for Papi? We preview all the glorious October baseball. B4-B5.

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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NS J beyond the box score

10.09.16

POTENT QUOTABLES

Trending

Joel Embiid: 2014 NBA Draft first-round pick of Philadelphia 76ers finally made his debut for the team, scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds in 13 minutes of preseason action.

Tiger Woods: Tiger returned to the PGA Tour officially on Friday, entering the Safeway Open. Friend Jesper Parnevik said Woods was “flushing everything” in practice rounds.

Martin St. Louis: The Tampa Bay Lightning announced they would retire the No. 26 jersey of their franchise leader in points and assists.

Daniel Murphy: The Washington Nationals outfielder was expected to play for the Nats in the NLDS against the Dodgers and was batting fourth in Friday’s lineup.

Dan Bailey: The Cowboys kicker suffered a back injury in the last week, causing Dallas to try out both Robbie Gould and Kai Forbath as potential backups.

Pittsburgh Penguins: The NHL champions visited Barack Obama at the White House, giving the President “a nice bookend” to his two terms, as the team last stopped by in the fall of 2009.

Johnny Manziel: Former Browns quarterback was reinstated by the NFL after serving a fourgame suspension and became a free agent eligible to be signed.

RYDER CUP

America smashed Europe in the 2016 Ryder Cup, winning 17-11 behind a brilliant 3.5-point effort from modern American hero Patrick Reed. The win gave way to a champagne-filled celebration and some pretty spectacular photos, including the now-iconic image of Rickie Fowler, alone and unconcerned amongst a makeout session.

Winslow Townson | USA TODAY SPORTS

“Man, I know. I can’t even go to the grocery store without getting yelled at ... then why’d you draft me baby?”

Rob Gronkowski talking about concerned fantasy football owners

mlb

Rob Schumacher | USA TODAY SPORTS images

0.50 Postseason road ERA for North Carolina (Hickory) native and San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, who brought it that low by absolutely destroying the Mets with a complete game effort in CitiField on Wednesday night. Bumgarner and the Giants won 1-0 to eliminate the Mets.

nhl

19 Age of Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid when he was named youngest captain in NHL history Wednesday despite having just 45 games of NHL experience.

He supplants current Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog, who was 20 days older when the Avalanche gave him the “C.” McDavid was the first overall pick in the 2015 draft.

mlb

nfl

via @dunkindonuts/twitter

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was honored this week in the form of a “10,000-Donute Salute,” courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts. Ortiz has received several tributes in the wake of his retirement, including a note from Tom Brady on Facebook.

ACC BASEBALL

Winslow Townson | USA TODAY SPORTS images

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is reinstated following his four-game Deflategate suspension. But Bill Belichick isn’t interested in talking about it, only saying the Pats are “focused on Cleveland” to nine Bradyrelated questions during a presser.

The ACC will expand its baseball championship from 10 to 12 teams and feature a new format with four threeteam pools feeding into a four-team single elimination bracket beginning in 2017.

MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Photos: Amy Guip

October 11-16 Seats start at $25(+taxes & fees )

Good Seats!

REMAIN

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

B3

nascar

AMBER SEARLS | USA TODAY SPORTS images

Xfinity Series driver Austin Dillon (2) crosses the start line during the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond International Raceway.

Austin Dillon carrying NASCAR torch

for Richard Childress, North Carolina If you look at the names in the top 12, most people wouldn’t predict us moving on. I like that. I have confidence that we’re going to. I want to upset all those big names and keep going through.

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal oming into 2016, Austin Dillon had put together two C mediocre seasons after a ton of hype in the No. 3 car. This year, all that build up finally paid off with his first Chase berth.

During those first two years, Dillon had just nine top-10 finishes and two top-five results. In this season alone, he’s compiled 11 top 10s and four top fives. He used that consistency to advance to the second round of the Chase with a top 10 at Dover last Sunday.

After racing at his home track in Charlotte, Dillon heads to Kansas with a shot at a championship still alive. The North State Journal spoke to Dillon about his season, being a Panthers fan and being the lone driver from North Carolina remaining in the Chase.

NSJ: Are you the underdog in the Chase at this point?

Well, we have the least odds in Vegas right now, I just heard that. I don’t know. I think so. I like this role because it puts the pressure on the guys that I guess are projected to make it to the next round, whatever projections mean. Because in racing I’ve learned real quick that it’s not like any other sport, I guess, because You just never know what can happen in a race and you never know what the outcomes, there is so much that goes into every little piece and part of these cars.

NSJ: Are people overlooking your team?

North State Journal: What has this season been like for you to this point?

Austin Dillon: It’s been really good, man. A lot different from any other season I’ve been through to this point. Really enjoying going deep into the Chase.

We’re in a great spot right now.

NSJ: What changed from last season to flip the switch for this team?

I’m not really sure what exactly flipped the switch, but we made changes during the middle of last year with [crew chief] Slugger [Labbe] coming on. We’ve shown speed and did a really good job of doing the things we should do.

That’s finishing races and having speed in our cars and we’ve done all that at the right times.

NSJ: How frustrating were the first two seasons for you?

It was very frustrating the last two years, and it’s really rewarding to be in the position we’re in.

I think that’s what builds you as a driver. I’m in a good spot going into this and learned how to take defeat a little bit. I feel confident in what we have going on this year and those two seasons prior to this prepared me for this moment.

I hope they are. [Laughs] I really hope they are.

Austin Dillon Age: 26 Hometown: Lewisville, N.C. Team: Richard Childress Racing Sprint Cup Races: 114 Top 10 Finished: 20 Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year (2010), Camping World Truck Series Champion (2011), Nationwide ROY (2012) Nationwide Champion (2013)

NSJ: Being the only driver from N.C. left, how important is it for you to keep that banner flying?

It’s really special to me. There’s only a couple of us left with myself, Ty [Dillon], Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Blaney. With this area being the hub of NASCAR, you want to keep the N.C. drivers

Mike DiNovo | USA TODAY SPORTS images

relevant. Getting a chance to do that on the Chase stage is important for our sport.

NSJ: You’ve averaged a seventh-place finish in 2016 at the next three tracks. How good do you feel about your chances in the second round?

I feel really good about my chances moving forward. This is the best round for my team and for us as a program. These are places where I’ve run really well at, so we’ve just got to go do our job and accomplish what we know we can do. Then bring that solid effort to the next round.

NSJ: As a big Panthers fan, what are your thoughts on the season thus far?

Ah man, it’s been nuts. Obviously not really pretty so far, but I have faith. It’s a new group of defensive backs and the offensive line has had their struggles. But I have faith in [Ron] Rivera and [Dave] Gettleman that they have

a plan in mind to turn things around.

NSJ: I know Graham Gano gave you his Super Bowl cleats earlier this year at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Where do you have them now?

Oh yeah, they are in my house right now! I don’t have a shadow box for them yet, but I will. That’s some of the coolest memorabilia I have. It was really cool of him to give me those. I’m really proud of them.

NSJ: How has your mentality changed from the regular season to the Chase?

Well, our goal all season was to get into the Chase. Now it’s simply to win a championship. The main goal is to make it as far as we can in the Chase. Heading into the second round, we’ve given ourselves an opportunity to accomplish everything we set out to do this season.

NSJ: What do you think it meant to Richard Childress Racing for you to advance?

I think it definitely was uplifting for RCR in general. I had multiple guys come up to me in the shop this week telling me how proud they were and proud to be a part of RCR. They feel like we are doing a good job of putting the effort behind everything right now and really taking advantage of this opportunity that we have. It’s a great opportunity. Right now we are tied for first in the points. We haven’t been there all year long and this is just a great opportunity for the whole company in general.

NSJ: Is there any added pressure for you as the only RCR driver remaining in the postseason?

Well, [Ryan] Newman was able to do it a couple of years ago by himself and get all the way to Homestead and finish second in points.

That was impressive. So RCR obviously knows how to do it with one car, and they’ve given me a lot of support from all the teams. I hope we can back it up and get to Homestead with a shot.

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

B4

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

2016 MLB playoffs PREVIEW

B5

N.C. native Bumgarner dominates in postseason again

Game 1 (CLE 5-BOS 4) Oct 6, 8:08 pm (TBS)

Game 1 (@WAS) Oct 7, 5:38 pm (FS1)

By Jerry Beach Reuters/TSX

Game 2 (@CLE) Oct 7, 4:08 pm (TBS)

Game 2 (@WAS) Oct 8, 4:08 pm (FS1)

EW YORK — If the Chicago Cubs are going to end the longN est title drought in sports, they first

Game 3 (@BOS) Oct 9, 4:08 pm (TBS)

Game 3 (@LAD) Oct 10, Time TBD (FS1)

Game 4* (@BOS) Oct 10 Time TBD (TBS)

Game 4* (@LAD) Oct 11 Time TBD (FS1)

Game 5* (@BOS) Oct 12 Time TBD (TBS)

Game 5* (@LAD) Oct 13 Time TBD (FS1)

*If necessary

*If necessary

Game 1 (TOR 10-TEX 1) Oct 6, 4:38 pm (TBS)

KEVIN JAIRAJ | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

A plane flies over Globe Life Park in Arlington before the Texas Rangers play against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the 2016 ALDS playoff.

Game 2 (@CHC) Oct 8, 8:08 pm (MLBN)

Game 3 (@TOR) Oct 9, 7:38 pm (TBS)

Game 3 (@SF) Oct 10 Time TBD (FS1)

Game 4* (@TOR) Oct 10 Time TBD (TBS)

Game 4* (@SF) Oct 11 Time TBD (FS1)

Game 5* (@TEX) Oct 12 Time TBD (TBS)

Game 5* (@CHC) Oct 13 Time TBD (FS1)

*If necessary

*If necessary

NICK TURCHIARO | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

Baltimore Orioles left fielder Hyun Soo Kim (25) catches a fly ball as a fan throws a beverage on the field during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rookies Seager, Turner battle for National League supremacy

ANTHONY GRUPPUSO | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia (27) reacts during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants in the NL Wild Card Game.

Wild cards were tale of two closers The MLB Wild Card games saw to different outcomes for closers.

Rising stars from North Carolina have carved out roles as the best rookies in MLB on opposite sides of the country.

In three appearances in winner-take-all postseason games, he has not allowed a run in 23 innings — a shutout in the 2014 NL wild-card game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, five innings for the save in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals.

By Roger Rubin Reuters/The Sports XChange EW YORK — Two nights.

Two superior closers. Two N losses.

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal orey Seager grew up in North Carolina and was a C first-round pick out of Northwest

Cabarrus. Trea Turner blossomed into a first-round pick when he left Lake Worth, Fla. to play at NC State. This season, both have risen to stardom as the top two rookies in the National League.

In the NL Division Series, they will clash on the postseason stage for the first time. Turner has a total of 100 games under his belt at the MLB level with the Nationals and none have come in the playoffs. While Seager played in five playoff games last season for the Dodgers, this year has a completely different feel.

“It’s one of those things where you have to go through it to understand it, and now I know what to expect,” Seager told Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. “The veterans try to help, and looking back, their advice was good to hear at the time, but it really isn’t much help.

“I mean, I was still getting used to being in the big leagues, then you’re thrown in there and it’s not overwhelming, but in the playoffs, you’re even more uncertain what to do, what to expect. Honestly, right now I’m just more comfortable, and that will be the biggest difference.”

Seager’s first full year at the MLB level has him in more than just consideration for the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Jonah Keri of CBS Sports called him winning the award “one of the biggest runaways in the history of the award.” Then again, had Turner spent the entire season playing for the Nats, this might be closer.

In 157 games, Seager boasts a clip of .308/.365/.512 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI. On a team packed with superstars, the Charlotte native leads the team in slugging percentage, on-base percent-

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates with center fielder Rajai Davis (20) the 5-4 victory against the Boston Red Sox in Game of the ALDS.

Game 1 (@CHC) Oct 7, 9:15 pm (FS1)

Game 2 (@TEX) Oct 7, 1:08 pm (TBS)

Between them, Seager and Turner combined to win three of the six NL Rookie of the Month awards, with Seager taking it in June and Turner winning in both August and September.

DAVID RICHARD | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

Brad mills | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

Washington Nationals center fielder Trea Turner (7) in the on deck circle against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Nationals Park.

Cory Seager Los Angeles Dodgers SS

Trea Turner Washington Nationals OF

age, doubles (40) and hits (193) for the NL West Champions.

As the No. 3 batter in the loaded lineup, Seager is prepared to lead the team yet again in October.

“No, you want to be in there, you want to be in the big spots, in those moments,” he said. “You’re grateful they put you in there. You want to be the guy that helps the team win.”

Turner may not have the service time of Seager, but he’s been no less impressive to close out the season. After earning the moniker of “Burner Turner” at NC State, the speedster stole 33 bases in just 73 games to prove his ridiculous abilities translate to the MLB level.

Just how good is Turner? He’s already getting praise from teammate and 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper.

“Aw, man, it’s a lot of fun,” Harper said. “He brings that ener-

gy, brings that fire that you want.

A kid that can really come up here and enjoy the game, have his fun and it really just shows his speed.”

Let’s temper that whole “kid” thing though, Bryce. Turner’s only eight months younger than the face of the Nationals.

But Turner is so much more than just a set of wheels for the Nats. He’s hitting .342/.370/.567 in 307 at bats with 13 homers and an absurd eight triples. Chicks dig the long ball, but Turner’s eight three-baggers have him tied for sixth in the MLB this season — no other player has done so in less than 107 games.

Those numbers also put Turner in rarefied air in MLB history.

Only three other players — Bobby Bonds, Rickey Henderson and Davy Lopes — have ever totaled 10 homers and 30 stolen bases in less than 100 games in a single season.

“He’s a combination of speed

and power which is rare these days,” Washington manager Dusty Baker said. “You don’t know if he’s going to top one, bunt one, get a walk, steal and the opposition doesn’t know either, so they’re going to try to get ahead of him.”

Between them, Seager and Turner combined to win three of the six NL Rookie of the Month awards, with Seager taking it in June and Turner winning in both August and September. Starting this weekend, both will be asked to help carry their respective teams for yet another month all the way to a championship.

It’s still early in both of their young careers, but both Turner and Seager are already catalysts for their teams heading into the postseason. And while there’s no N.C. franchise in the MLB, there is clear talent coming from the state and a rooting interest for any baseball fan.

And it was two very different stories as closers were the story of the 2016 wild-card round.

No one is going second-guess New York Mets manager Terry Collins about using closer Jeurys Familia in a ninth-inning tie Wednesday night. It was the right thing to do even though the righty gave up the three-run homer to Conor Gillaspie that sent the San Francisco Giants to a 3-0 National League wildcard victory at Citi Field and to a meeting with the Chicago Cubs in the NL Division Series.

Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter was second guessed all day after he didn’t use his biggest weapon — closer Zach Britton — in what became a 5-2, 11-inning loss to the Blue Jays in the American League wild-card game on Tuesday night in Toronto.

Britton was the best closer in the American League, but Showalter didn’t want to use him until the Orioles had a lead, a lead they never got. Ubaldo Jimenez pitched the 11th and surrendered Edwin Encarnacion’s walk-off, three-run shot.

The feeling here is that Showalter made the wrong decision, though it was a tougher one because the Orioles were the visiting team. Still, right decision or wrong, it didn’t work out for either Showalter or Collins.

Britton didn’t get his shot. Familia, likewise probably the best reliever in his league, got his shot and failed.

In the final analysis, the staggering Giants ended up advancing because of another phenomenal postseason performance by Madison Bumgarner: a four-hit shutout. At 8-3 with one save and a 1.94 ERA in 15 playoff appearances (13 starts), the lefty is one of the game’s most impressive postseason pitchers.

will have to derail baseball’s evenyear dynasty — the San Francisco Giants.

Conor Gillaspie broke a scoreless tie with a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday night, and Madison Bumgarner continued his postseason brilliance by throwing a four-hit shutout as the Giants beat the defending National League champion New York Mets 3-0 in the NL wild-card game at Citi Field.

The Giants, who won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014, advance to the National League Division Series against the Cubs, who are seeking their first championship since 1908. Game 1 is scheduled for Friday night at Wrigley Field.

The Giants have won their last six win-or-go-home games dating back to the 2012 NLDS. Bumgarner allowed two walks while striking out six and throwing 120 pitches, 79 for strikes. He has allowed one run in his past 30 postseason innings dating back to the start of the 2014 World Series.

In three appearances in winnertake-all postseason games, he has not allowed a run in 23 innings — a shutout in the 2014 NL wildcard game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, five innings for the save in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series against the Kansas City Royals, and then his gem Wednesday.

Even so, Bumgarner was one batter away from being lifted in the top of the ninth. Brandon Crawford led off with a double against losing pitcher Jeurys Familia. After Angel Pagan struck out, Joe Panik worked a walk to bring up Gillaspie, who was in the lineup because Eduardo Nunez has a hamstring injury.

With Jarrett Parker on deck to hit for Bumgarner, Gillaspie homered well beyond the right field

DAN HAMILTON | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) visits the pitchers mound during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League wild card playoff baseball game at Rogers Centre.

And the surging Mets? They got seven innings of brilliant two-hit shutout ball from Noah Syndergaard but are done after their top players all season — Familia, and also Yoenis Cespedes — didn’t come through.

Cespedes was flagging late in the season. He finished with a .280 average, 30 homers and 86 RBIs. Over the final 18 games of the season, though, he hit .203 with one homer and eight RBIs. On Wednesday night, Cespedes was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Twice he came up with a runner on base but didn’t even advance him. With one on and one out in the fourth, he struck out on a Bumgarner pitch in the dirt. With one on and one out in the sixth, he fanned on a terrible swing at a pitch up and out of the strike zone.

Collins took nothing away from Bumgarner, but said he was surprised Cespedes didn’t deliver. "[Cespedes is] a great talent — I thought we needed him tonight, that we needed him bad and that he was ready for it,” Collins said. “He was all fired up, and you know the old adage: good pitching beats good hitting. Tonight, [Bumgarner] was

The feeling here is that Showalter made the wrong decision, though it was a tougher one because the Orioles were the visiting team. Still, right decision or wrong, it didn’t work out for either Showalter or Collins.

better.”

For Familia, this is a second straight disappointing October ending after a great season.

He saved 43 games in 2015 but blew three saves in the five-game World Series loss to the Royals.

He set a franchise record with 51 saves this season and allowed only one home run, and then he gave up the home run that ended the Mets’ season.

“For me, that was in the past. I was just trying to be like always,” Familia said of his World Series struggles. “I was trying to make quality pitches and trying to be too perfect. When [Gillaspie] hit that ball, it took my heart. That

was it. That was the game.”

Collins said he is going to “be careful” but will address the October shortcomings with Familia.

“In any circumstances like that, the first thought is you let your teammates down when all you did all year long was pick them up,” Collins said. “But in the postseason, when you give it up and you lose, it can be really hard on you.”

Collins might have made it even more difficult for Familia in this game by working him so hard during the regular season.

The manager admitted as much, and it is the place where he could get second-guessed.

Familia appeared in 78 games, more than any other closer in baseball. In the second half of September, he had an ERA that was a run higher than it was for the first 23 weeks of the season, and he converted just three of his final five saves. He had just three blown saves in his first 51 opportunities.

“He was the guy I wanted out there in the ninth inning,” Collins said. “We’ll try to do a better job to make sure he’s a little more rested going into the postseason.”

fence. Third base coach Roberto Kelly was so excited, he was twothirds of the way down the third base line when he exchanged high fives with Gillaspie.

Bumgarner then set the Mets down in order in the ninth. He slapped his left hand into his glove as center fielder Denard Span caught the final out.

Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning but didn’t factor into the decision despite seven scoreless innings. Syndergaard allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out 10.

Neither team got a runner past first base until T.J. Rivera led off the fifth with a double. However, he got caught in a rundown between second and third on Rene Rivera’s one-out grounder.

The Giants got a runner to second in the sixth, when Span broke up Syndergaard’s no-hitter with a two-out single. Span stole second, and Brandon Belt followed with a long fly to center, but Curtis Granderson made the catch as he crashed into the wall. Syndergaard raised his arms as the sellout crowd of 44,747 roared.

The Giants loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, via a single and two walks (one intentional) off Addison Reed, but Hunter Pence struck out.

The Mets got a runner to second with two outs in the eighth, when pinch hitter Ty Kelly singled and advanced on a Jose Reyes groundout before Asdrubal Cabrera lined back to Bumgarner.

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

B6 nba

Batum goes the dynamite Nicolas Batum, in year one of his new contract, will look to lead the Hornets to the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

By Brian Geisinger North State Journal the early hours of free agency, back on July I1,nNBA the Charlotte Hornets made

the marquee signing of the offseason’s first day, inking small forward Nicolas Batum to a fiveyear, $120 million deal. It may seem kind of crazy, considering the dollar amount, but this was a below market value contract in the first offseason of the league’s new television deal, which created an abundance of cap space ($94.1 million per team). Batum could’ve asked for an additional $32 million, which would’ve been the full max. However, Batum was exiting the best season of his career, and really enjoyed his time in Charlotte playing for the Hornets under coach Steve Clifford.

With all of that added money, though, comes an increase in expected performance. Charlotte just made Batum one of the richest men in the NBA (he has a top30 salary this season). Is he ready to give the Hornets a return on their investment? If last season is any indication, the answer is yes.

The French Connection During the 2015-16 season, Batum led the Hornets in assist percentage. When he was on the floor, Batum assisted on 26.9 percent of his teammates made field goals — a number that’s comparable with former All-Star point guard Derrick Rose (25.5 percent). Batum finished tied for 20th in the NBA in assists per game (5.8), and was one of only three forwards — along with Draymond Green and LeBron James — to hit this benchmark.

He’s somewhat turnover prone, but Batum’s an elite playmaker, who can run an offense, and set up his teammates. Charlotte’s true shooting percentage, which weighs three point and free throw accuracy into its equation,

dropped 3.1 percent when Batum hit the bench last season, according to the league’s player tracking data.

Batum, who was one of a dozen players to record multiple triple-doubles last season, displayed fantastic chemistry with Kemba Walker, the franchise’s point guard. For Walker, it’s no coincidence that in his first season of playing alongside a secondary creator he had by far the best shooting performance of his career: 42.7 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and 55.4 true shooting percentage.

Charlotte’s offense wasn’t solely reliant upon Kemba to create everything. He could move off of the ball, and hunt spot-up jumpers. He shot 43.2 percent on catch-and-shoot threes in 2015-16, which ranked 12th in the NBA. His shooting percentage on 3-pointers increased when he received the ball from Batum.

According to the NBA’s tracking data, Walker shot 43.8 percent from deep when Batum was the passer. He also made a career-high 182 threes last season, and Batum assisted on 57 of those buckets — more than anyone else on the team.

The chemistry cut both ways, too. Batum shot a solid 34.8 percent from beyond the arc, but that number rose to 37.3 percent when Kemba was the passer. Batum and Walker played 1,970 minutes together a season ago — the second most of any two-man pairing on the team — and in that time Charlotte was 5.2 points per 100 possessions better than their opponents. The Cleveland Cavaliers, champions of the league a season ago, had a team net rating of plus5.8 points per 100 possessions.

Now with Jeremy Lin gone to Brooklyn, they’ll need Batum’s scoring (14.9 points), passing and creation skills more than ever before. This is what the Hornets paid for.

JEROME MIRON | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) drives to the basket past Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center.

A swarming defense

Hornets Projected Starting 5 PG: Kemba Walker 20.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.2 apg 43% FG / 85% FT / 37% 3PT SG: Nicholas Batum 14.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.8 apg 43% FG / 85% FT / 35% 3PT F: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 12.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 6.4 apg 54% FG / 69% FT / 42% 3PT F: Marvin Williams 11.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.4 apg 45% FG /83% FT / 40% 3PT C: Cody Zeller 20.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.2 apg 53% FG / 75% FT / 0.1% 3PT

The Hornets ranked ninth in the NBA last season in offensive efficiency (105.1 point per 100 possessions). Without Lin, Courtney Lee and Al Jefferson, though, they’re a candidate to regress on that side of the court, which means they’ll need to rely heavily upon their defense. Fortunately, Clifford is a wizard when it comes to designing a top-10 defense, and Charlotte also happens to have a roster with several plus-defenders, including Batum.

The Frenchmen isn’t exactly a stopper, but he’s 6-8, long and aggressive on that end of the floor.

He’s a fantastic two-way player. After missing 75 games last season due to a shoulder injury, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is back, and that’s good news for the Hornets. He isn’t the shooter that the now-departed Lee is, but MKG is one of the best perimeter defender in the league — up there with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Batum and MKG could pair as perhaps the best defensive wing duo in the NBA. Their defensive prowess will allow Clifford to stash Kemba on the weakest perimeter option their opponents trot out, while Batum and MKG wreck havoc elsewhere.

On defense, the NBA is all about being about to switch. The more guys on the floor you can

have that are able to check multiple positions, the better. This is what Cleveland used to thwart the Golden State Warriors in the Finals in June. It’s not easy to attain. But with Batum, MKG and Marvin Williams at power forward, Charlotte has three good defender who are all similar in size — all three players are between 6-7 and 6-9. They’re athletic and good communicators, which could make them a menace to game plan around once this season gets going.

What’s next on the docket?

Some concerns exist that Batum’s performance would decline after receiving a lavish contract.

But he’s a serious competitor who has found a home and a role suiting of his talents in Charlotte.

He’s still just 27 years old, and it was important that the Hornets re-signed their first major unrestricted free agent of the Rich Cho era, especially after dealing their 2014 first round pick to Noah Vonleh to Portland (along with Gerald Henderson) in exchange for the ubiquitous Batum.

Aside from Kemba Walker staying healthy, the second most important piece for Charlotte to return to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2002 is Batum playing to the best of his abilities

nhl

Hurricanes eye postseason in Peters’ third season Few coaches survive after missing playoffs three straight years

R

ALEIGH — To a man, Carolina Hurricanes players, coaches and staff all say it’s time for the team to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Coach Bill Peters, armed with a two-year contract extension that will kick in next season, has asserted his team is deeper and more talented — and therefore up to the task.

“I know we haven’t made the playoffs, but Bill’s goals are similar to ours,” general man“It’s a ager Ron team that Francis said was very back in July close to the when he gave the new playoffs last Peters contract. “We year, and think we’re right there, that was we want appealing to and to get in the me coming playoffs and we want to in as a free have success agent.” around here, and we think he’ll be a big Lee Stempniak part of that moving forward.”

By giving Peters a contract through the 2018-19 season, Francis has entrusted his rebuilding efforts to a third-year NHL coach still looking to crack the postseason for the first time. And that third year is a tipping point for many NHL bench bosses.

In recent history, most coaches who have received more than a three-year grace period to make the playoffs have come from expansion franchises: Ron Wilson in Anaheim, Barry Trotz in Nash-

CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Noah Hanifin (5) and goalie Jeremy Helvig (50) take part in a drill.

ville, Terry Crisp in Tampa Bay, Rick Bowness in Ottawa.

One of the few who went to an established NHL team and made it to Year 4 without reaching the postseason just happens to be the greatest player of all time, Wayne Gretzky. His four-year run with the Phoenix (now Arizona) Coyotes from 2005 to 2009 ended when Gretzky, also a part owner, resigned after the team filed for bankruptcy.

Francis — who has Gretzky-like credibility given his Hall of Fame playing career and am-

bassadorship of the game — and Peters are both in their first go at their current positions, and the duo is undoubtedly linked to the franchise’s attempted reboot.

Through two years of their collaboration, Peters has integrated the young stockpile of players Francis has assembled seamlessly. The 50-year-old coach guided Carolina to a 15-point improvement in the standings in 2015-16 (from 71 in his first year to 86 last season), all while coaching one of the NHL’s youngest, most inexperienced teams.

Francis tweaked that during the offseason, adding veterans Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell to bolster the team’s bottom six forwards, and signing Lee Stempniak to add more scoring punch at even strength and on the power play. Throw in Teuvo Teravainen, still 22 and brought to Carolina in the same deal that landed Bickell, and top prospect Sebastian Aho, and Peters is correct in feeling he has more size and skill.

“Unreal. … It’s going to be really good. It’s exciting,” Peters said

of the upcoming season, which opens with a six-game road trip starting in Winnipeg Oct. 13.

“We’ve got a deeper team, a more skilled team and a tough task to get off to a good start. We know what our challenges are. We’ve got to address them from now to the end of the preseason and be ready to start when we get into Winnipeg.”

The optimism coming from Peters and Francis has trickled down to the room, with the returning players hoping the team takes another step forward to snap a seven-year playoff drought.

“Even the results show we’re heading in the right direction,” forward Andrej Nestrasil said of the team’s 15-point improvement last season. “I feel like we have a good enough team to make the playoffs this year. We have a bunch of new guys that I think are a great addition to this team.”

Stempniak, one of those “new guys,” was drawn to the team because of it’s combination of youth and potential.

“It’s a team that was very close to the playoffs last year, and that was appealing to me coming as a free agent,” Stempniak said.

“Hopefully we can collectively make the difference and be in the playoffs this year. We have the ability to do that.”

The GM, coaches and players — both new and old — expect to make that leap.

“Quite frankly, as a group we’ve got to realize we didn’t make the playoffs last year,” assistant coach Steve Smith said.

“We did a lot of good things, but we didn’t make the playoffs and that is certainly our end goal.”

If they don’t, Peters and Francis would enter a playoff-less realm explored by few coach-GM tandems. Or they won’t.

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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Week 5

FANTASY FOOTBALL PICKS Fantasy Football Start/Sit Each week we’ll provide two start and two sit options from each position for the upcoming week in fantasy. To be clear: if you own Aaron Rodgers or Antonio Brown, you should start them. These recommendations should never supersede the obvious.

Quarterback

START

SIT

Carson Wentz | Eagles (at Lions)

Matt Ryan | Falcons (at Broncos)

Even though he’s a rookie and he’s due to come back down to earth, you can’t sit him this week. The Lions hemorrhage points to fantasy quarterbacks and Wentz has looked poised and composed in his first three games.

Brian Hoyer | Bears (at Colts)

The fantasy MVP for the first quarter of the season just had a 500-yard game.

But the Broncos defense is deadly and allowing just over 12 points per game to fantasy quarterbacks.

Tyrod Taylor | Bills (at Rams)

Hoyer might not be a good QB, but he’s a human being with an arm and a starting job against a very questionable Colts defense. He’ll consistently get over 15 points with a smidge of upside.

Buffalo’s played well in back-to-back games, but Taylor is up against an outstanding Rams defense and he’ll be missing his best weapon in Sammy Watkins. The Rams have a beasty pass rush and secondary..

START

SIT Theo Riddick | Lions (vs. Eagles)

This hinges on Latavius Murray’s status. But if Murray ends up not being able to play against San Diego, Washington could easily lead Oakland in carries and end up with a really nice day overall.

Terrance West | Ravens (vs. Raiders)

Philly’s defense is the biggest reason the Eagles are 3-0 to start the season, and they’ve shut down opposing running backs. Riddick is a nice pass-catcher but he’s not great at running between the tackles.

Jay Ajayi Dolphins (vs. Titans)

The Ravens cut Justin Forsett this week, which means West, could be prepped for another strong week after an impressive Week 4. The Redskins give up the second-most points to opposing running backs.

You might be tempted to gamble on Ajayi if Arian Foster is out, but be careful. The Dolphins offensive line is bad, weather could be sloppy (or the game could be moved) and the Titans snuff out opposing backs.

START

SIT Stefon Diggs | Vikings (vs. Texans)

This game will be more of a shootout than the Monday night affair against Minnesota. Green Bay gives up points to opposing wideouts and will focus on Odell Beckham. Shepard will benefit greatly and should bounce back.

Low-scoring defensive battle could, and the Texans secondary is defense is stout, even without J.J. Watt. The defense will limit Sam Bradford’s ability to put up numbers.

DeAndre Hopkins | Texans (at Vikings)

Travis Benjamin | Chargers (at Raiders)

This is only applicable for smaller leagues or teams where you’re loaded at wide receiver. Hopkins was a firstround pick for many people, but he’s going against a difficult defense.

Another shootout could happen here with a pair of high-powered offenses.

Benjamin will benefit from Philip Rivers being able to move the ball against a questionable Raiders secondary.

START

SIT Eric Ebron | Lions (vs. Eagles)

Finally back to playing after missing a few games, Ertz should be a favorite for Carson Wentz in this matchup against a Lions defense that gives up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends.

Philly doesn’t give up many points to opposing tight ends so the matchup already isn’t ideal for Ebron here.

Detroit’s offense can put up points, but he’s injured and a risky play to utilize at this point.

DST

START Steelers (vs. Jets) Pittsburgh’s defense is quietly playing well this season. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not quietly playing very poorly, and has nine picks in his last two games.

Nine picks! He needs a new name.

Ryan Sixpickpatrick maybe.

Steelers (-7) vs. Jets Over/under 48 THE PICK: The Ryan Fitzpatrick interception count is now up to nine ... in the last two weeks. Darrelle Revis is a shell of himself.

Steelers roll big.

Dolphins (-3.5) vs. Titans Over/under 43 THE PICK: Miami can’t pass block for Ryan Tannehill and is banged up in the backfield.

Weather is a factor and the Titans are better than you think. Potential upset.

Vikings (-7) vs. Texans Over/under 40.5 THE PICK: Minnesota has the best defense in football but Houston’s D is pretty strong as well. Low-scoring game that stays close late.

THE PICK: The return of Tom Brady to the Patriots huddle is going to mean an inspired, angry offense. Expect things to get ugly for Cleveland in this one.

Lions (+3) vs. Eagles Over/under 46 THE PICK: Philly is undefeated and the Lions don’t look good. But this is a rookie quarterback on the road in Carson Wentz who has to slow down sometime. Points at home, please.

Colts (-4.5) vs. Bears Over/under 48 THE PICK: Betting on Brian Hoyer for the second-straight week isn’t an easy proposition. But the Colts are super soft and shouldn’t be a five-point favorite against anyone.

THE PICK: The ultimate test here for Matt Ryan and this high-flying offense against a top-tier defense. The line is falling and it would be a surprise if Denver won by a full touchdown.

Raiders (-3.5) vs. Chargers Over/under 51 THE PICK: Shootout city between two divisional rivals playing pickup on a baseball field. Give us the points in a game that will come down to a late possession. The Chargers have to get lucky sometime right?

Rams (-2.5) vs. Bills Over/under 39.5 THE PICK: Los Angeles has the defense rolling and Jeff Fisher is in first place in the NFC West somehow. Nice matchup for them against Buffalo here that should mean they get to 4-1.

Cowboys (+1) vs. Bengals Over/under 45

tight end

Zach Ertz | Eagles (at Lions)

THE PICK: Washington is on a roll with twostraight wins, but Baltimore has played well at home and will walk away with this one.

Broncos (-4.5) vs. Falcons Over/under 47

wide receiver

Sterling Shepard | Giants (at Packers)

Ravens (-3.5) vs. Redskins Over/under 45.5

Browns (+10.5) vs. Patriots Over/under 46.5

running back

DeAndre Washington | Raiders (vs. Chargers)

NFL Lines

SIT Jets (at Steelers) The Jets have plenty of talent but the Steelers look downright unstoppable on offense right now. Darrelle Revis can’t contain Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger is getting the ball out too quick.

THE PICK: Quietly Ezekiel Elliott is leading the NFL in rushing and has looked spectacular the last few weeks. Cincy is a test, but we like the Cowboys to win here.

Dak Prescott winning this game would really drum up a QB controversy in Dallas.

Packers (-7) vs. Giants Over/under 48 THE PICK: Back to back road games in primetime against tough NFC North opponents for the Giants is brutal. But the Packers defense won’t present the same test as Minnesota and we could see a fun shootout in this game. The Giants will keep it close enough to stay within the seven.

Panthers (-4.5) vs. Buccaneers Over/under 46 THE PICK: Cam Newton isn’t expected to play for the Panthers after suffering a concussion last week, but the real concern should be at cornerback. Carolina has to slow down Mike Evans and Jameis Winston.

Panthers win but it’s a close one.

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North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

nfl

Panthers prep for Monday night matchup without Cam for opposing quarterbacks in the post-Norman era. And here comes another big challenge, literally, in the 6-5, 231-pound Evans, who leads the Bucs with 26 catches for 360 yards and three touchdowns. Norman limited Evans to nine catches on 25 targets for 144 yards in three meetings.

• Panthers TE Greg Olsen vs. Bucs LB Kwon Alexander. Olsen leads NFL tight ends with 335 receiving yards and has had a ton of success against Tampa in his career. However, Alexander leads the Bucs with 38 tackles and in two games last season, Alexander and company limited Olsen to just a pair of receptions in each contest.

By NSJ Staff hen the Panthers first looked at the “Monday W Night Football” game against the

Buccaneers on the calendar, they probably didn’t do so expecting it to be a “must-win” situation without their starting quarterback.

But here they are, heading into Monday night’s divisional showdown with the Bucs, sitting at 1-3 and facing the likelihood of Cam Newton missing the game.

The Charlotte Observer reports Newton, along with multiple starters, will miss Monday night’s game after suffering a concussion against the Falcons in Week 3’s loss in Atlanta. Left tackle Michael Oher will probably miss the game as well, also dealing with a concussion.

Carolina’s losses aren’t all terrible: the Vikings and Broncos both look like fantastic football teams and potentially the toptwo defenses in the NFL. The Falcons’offense is for real, although giving up 500 yards to Matt Ryan and 300 yards to Julio Jones is sub-optimal.

The Panthers secondary will get another similarly strong test Monday, with second-year quarterback Jameis Winston and third-year wideout Mike Evans capable of lighting up a scoreboard with the deep ball.

Keys to the game The answer to the question of what is wrong with the Panthers begins with their defense. It is debatable how direct of an effect the loss of All-Pro CB Josh Norman is making, but the fact is Carolina

Player spotlight

JASON GETZ | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is shown on the sideline in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33.

isn’t generating consistent pressure and the overwhelmed coverage unit is getting torched. That includes allowing 78 percent completions over the past six quarters.

Winston continues to struggle with turnovers as he has eight touchdown passes to go with his eight interceptions, but he also has a super-sized receiving corps that will stress Carolina’s secondary. He may not replicate the 503 yards Atlanta’s Ryan dropped on the Panthers last week, but Winston must exploit Carolina’s glaring weakness, especially with Doug Martin likely to be sidelined

again by a hamstring injury.

The Panthers will probably be without Newton, who remains in the concussion protocol, but backup Derek Anderson is plenty familiar with Tampa Bay, having led Carolina to a pair of victories over the Bucs in 2014. The Panthers have had their own issues with a sputtering ground game with Jonathan Stewart also missing the past two games due to a hamstring injury. With his status highly uncertain, Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker would again combine to replace Stewart if he is unable to go. Tam-

PROEHL from page B1 a ball boy for the Panthers and I always caught up Cam [Newton] and Derek Anderson before games and training camp. That goes back to hard work.”

As much as that preparation helped Proehl grow into a standout at Charlotte’s Providence High, where he earned Shrine Bowl recognition by catching 89 passes for 1,190 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, it took awhile for his college career to gain traction.

He made meaningful contributions during his first two seasons at UNC, including his first touchdown last year against Illinois. But with the likes of Quinshad Davis, Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins and Bug Howard playing ahead of him, his opportunities were somewhat limited.

That has changed this fall.

Although everyone but Davis among the Tar Heels’ deep, talented receiving corps is back, Proehl has raised his game to become one of quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s favorite targets. He caught a career-high five passes for 82 yards two weeks ago in a win against James Madison, then topped that with seven grabs for 99 yards and a touchdown in the come-from-behind 37-36 victory against Pitt.

Last Saturday, Proehl earned his first career start and contributed four receptions, including a key 44-yarder to help set up a touchdown in UNC’s 37-35 upset of Florida State in Tallahassee.

“In the Proehl family, we’re all late bloomers,” his father said. “I was a late bloomer, he was a late bloomer, my youngest [Blake] who is going to East Carolina is too. The thing with Austin is that he’s worked hard in the weight room. He’s always had the speed and been a confident kid, but now he’s got the strength and it’s made a difference. He just needed an opportunity.

“There were times when he was frustrated. He wanted to contribute and feel a part of helping Carolina win games. The last three weeks, from a mindset standpoint, have helped him a great deal because now he knows truly he can play and play at a high level.”

He ranks second on the team with 15 receptions heading into Saturday’s ACC showdown with Florida State in Tallahassee.

“We all know what he’s capable of and I’m glad I can get him the rock,” Trubisky said of Proehl.

“He’s been making a lot of plays for this offense. He’s a great player, a great teammate, he’s doing his job. When he steps on the field, he gives us great effort and that’s what it’s all about. That’s

pa Bay ranks 31st in points allowed, but has held opponents to an average of 3.3 yards per carry.

The main problem has been the lack of turnovers as the Bucs enter minus-9 in that department.

Carolina desperately wants to get its power ground game back untracked as the passing game is clearly not ready to shoulder the load.

Matchups to watch • Panthers CB James Bradberry vs. Bucs WR Mike Evans.

Bradberry, a rookie out of Samford, has been a popular target

CHARLOTTE from page B1

bob DONNAN | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES

North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with wide receiver Austin Proehl (7) and quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels defeated the James Madison Dukes 56-28.

what I want to see as a quarterback in my receivers, that I can depend on those guys when I throw it their way, they’re going to come down with it.”

Proehl did just that on one of the biggest plays of UNC’s comeback from 13 points down in the final seven minutes against Pitt.

His 13-yard conversion on fourth-and-six from the Panthers’ 40 helped extend a drive that saw the Tar Heels go 63 yards on 17 plays for the winning touchdown with just two seconds left on the Kenan Stadium clock. It was the kind of clutch catch — at the end of a precise route — for which his father became famous during a 17-year pro career that included Super Bowl appearances with the Panthers, St. Louis Rams and Indianapolis Colts.

His father was the consummate possession receiver, who caught 669 passes in the NFL for 8,878 yards and 54 touchdowns.

“That guy can run routes,” UNC coach Larry Fedora said of the younger Proehl. “That’s probably a credit to his dad and the years of experience growing up as a football rat. He’s got great hands, he can make all the catches and he made some crucial catches for us [Saturday].”

Although Proehl gets most of his coaching these days from Fedora and wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer, he still leans on his father for advice and constructive criticism. He often gets texts from him after games with comments about his performance.

These days, there’s more advice than criticism. But it hasn’t always been that way.

“Sometimes with kids, they’ve

been around it, their dad played in the NFL, they think they can just go out and make it,” Ricky Proehl said. “You need to tell them it’s just not that easy. I was hard on him early on. I know that hurt his feelings. But then once it clicked for him, now it’s just about coaching and teaching -- not just as a dad, but as a coach who understands what he’s doing.”

Because of that knowledge, the elder Proehl is realistic enough to know that Austin still has work left to do in order to earn a shot at playing professionally.

But if the son succeeds at getting to where his father once excelled, there might come a day in which he becomes better known for being the star receiver whose father who once played in the NFL than for being Ricky’s little boy.

“I know he was the best at what he did -- route running, third downs, making big plays when his team needed a big play to be made,” Austin Proehl said. “To be able to have him in my ear all the time, some people don’t like it but I love it because I want to get to where he was at one time.

“I don’t have big hands and I’m not a big guy obviously. Those things like route running and catching every ball that’s thrown to me, I take pride in because those are opportunities to make a name for myself.”

Not that he has a problem with being mentioned in the same breath with dear old dad.

“A lot of people ask me if it bothers me and it doesn’t,” Proehl said. “He’s earned that respect and I love being his son. I love being associated with that.”

expected to lift a passing attack that was anemic a year ago, when three quarterbacks who saw significant action combined to throw 23 interceptions and just 12 touchdowns. But with the exception of Charlotte’s 47-14 win over Elon, the 49ers have struggled to move the ball. Charlotte has totaled just 20 first-half points in its four losses, and a quick look at Olsen’s numbers helps explain the slow starts.

Olsen has done a nice job avoiding interceptions, throwing just three through five games.

His biggest problems have been his inaccuracy and inability to push the ball down the field. The 49ers are unlikely to end their C-USA losing streak with their top passer completing just 51.6 percent of his passes and averaging 4.9 yards per attempt.

Against ODU, Olsen finished 14of-31 passing for 145 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

His top backup is speedy redshirt sophomore Hasaan Klugh, who entered Saturday’s game with his team down 38-10 early in the third quarter. Klugh ran the offense for four series, finishing 4-of-5 passing for 31 yards.

He also rushed six times for 40 yards. On the 49ers’ final possession, which covered 94 yards in 11 plays, he showed off his athletic ability with a 25-yard scramble on 3rd-and-16, later capping the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.

“You always have to be careful in the fourth quarter,” Lambert said of Klugh’s performance against ODU. “You’re playing against their 2’s and 3’s. I like what Hasaan can do. He can always make some plays with his feet. We’re going to look at every position.”

Klugh has now played in four of his team’s five games, but he has not yet taken any meaningful snaps. His passing numbers on the year – he has completed 18-of-27 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions – are solid. He has also shown an ability to make plays on the ground, with 106 yards on 13 carries, albeit mostly against backups.

Another intriguing player at Lambert’s disposal is quarterback-turned-running back Matt Johnson, a punishing runner who has found success on keepers out of the wildcat formation.

A backfield featuring Johnson – who has 25 carries for 126 yards on the season — and Klugh is unlikely to be the every-down solution to Charlotte’s offensive woes, but in small doses, it could create issues for defenses.

Bucs TE Cameron Brate — As Austin Seferian-Jenkins slid down the depth chart and then off the roster following a DUI, Brate has quietly emerged as a reliable target for Winston. He is third on the team with 16 catches for 159 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including 10-113-2 combined over the past two weeks.

Fast facts Tampa Bay’s Gerald McCoy leads all NFL defensive tackles with 28 sacks since 2012. ... Panthers QB Derek Anderson completed 49 of 74 passes for 507 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in leading two victories over Tampa Bay in Cam Newton’s place in 2014.

The Sports XChange and Reuters contributed to this report.

Up ahead for the 49ers are three matchups against porous defenses. Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Marshall have each allowed at least 36 points per game. Should Olsen and the offense continue to sputter, one would have to think it will be time to see whether Klugh can provide a spark.

Quick hits, powerful message Following the ODU game, Charlotte linebacker Nick Cook gave a thoughtful answer when asked about the pregame “Circle of Unity.” The gesture was a response to recent unrest in Charlotte and nationwide.

“I thought it was a good idea that showed that there is a lot more to life than just football,” Cook said. “Everybody stops playing the game at some point.

It was nice to show the city, and show everybody here that was watching, that we can come together, all just as one.”

Feeding Phillips One of the bright spots in the loss to the Monarchs was running back Kalif Phillips. The second-team all-conference selection in 2015 had his second long touchdown in as many weeks.

He followed up his 66-yard TD run against Temple by turning a short pass over the middle into a 42-yard score just before halftime. Phillips ran 16 times for 57 yards against Old Dominion and added 52 yards receiving on two catches.

“The nice thing is I feel really good about Kalif right now,” Lambert said. “He’s playing at a pretty high level. We have to continue to give him the ball. He needs to touch the ball as many times as we can get it to him.”

Cause for concern With Hurricane Matthew bearing down on the East Coast, Florida Governor Rick Scott on Wednesday asked President Obama to declare a “pre-landfall” emergency. Thousands began fleeing southeast Florida before Thursday morning, and 1.5 million people statewide were under orders to evacuate.

More than 500,000 people were without power by Friday afternoon. Florida Atlantic, which is located in Boca Raton, canceled its classes and closed its offices from Wednesday at 3 p.m. through Sunday. The university announced late in the week the agme between UNCC and Florida Atlantic would be postponed until Sunday at noon ET. That time is tentative, based on the state seeing how things shook out following Matthew making its way past the state.

“Pembroke Day is an event that showcases our university, the town of Pembroke, as well as our local business and community partners.”

— Jodi Phelps, UNC Pembroke See page C3

the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND

unplugged | Rocky Mount Mills

NS J SUNDAY

10.9.16

playlist October 15 Saturday Night Lights Mill Spring From carnival-style entertainment to Carolinainspired festivals, attendees can enjoy the popular “Saturday Night Lights” event series at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) has something for the entire family. The event includes free activities like face painting, busker performances, live bands and rides on a handpainted Venetian carousel.

The night is coupled with a grand prix horse show jumping competition held in the George Morris Arena. tryon.com

October 14-15 Historic Mount Airy Ghost Tours Mount Airy An exciting 90-minute, lanternlit walking tour through Mount Airy’s streets to learn about its historic past. You will hear about 13 of their “less-mortal” friends and some of Mount Airy’s “final” resting places. Tour begins at the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History on 301 N. Main Street. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring your camera. Prepaid reservations are required. hauntedmayberry.com

October 14-16 Charlotte Contemporary Charlotte photos by Madeline Gray | north state journal

Brewer Erin Flora, right, of Nashville, pours beer while Lee Rose, left, of Wilson, cleans a mash tank at Sweet Taters Brewery at the Rocky Mount Mills complex on Thursday.

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

II

n an Eastern North Carolina town that once played host to an old cotton mill, there’s something else spinning.

The community at Rocky Mount Mills is crafting their own story with big ideas.

“There is a lot of momentum here right now. This is the right time to build and explore this area in a different way making this space a vibrant and active part of the community,” said Evan Covington Chavez, development manager of the Rocky Mount Mills.

This community was established on the grounds of the second-oldest cotton mill in North Carolina. The original wood beams, brick and vast windows overlooking the Tar River provide a historic feel in a place where you can discover, build, and create.

“A lot of what we are doing is providing a place where people can create and tell their own story. We’re helping Rocky Mount find its momentum and resurSee mills, page C6

inside

31st Annual International Festival of Raleigh Raleigh Austin Baker, of Rocky Mount, cleans kegs before they are refilled with beer at Koi Pond Brewing Company at the Rocky Mount Mills complex.

“We use Eastern North Carolina crops in our beer.

Sweet potatoes are the number one produce from Nash County so we use several potato varieties in some of our beers.”

frolic

Blue Ribbon days are coming. The N.C. State Fair begins on October 13 — get ready with our preview that includes a visit with a Century Farm Family.

See page C4

Charlotte Contemporary is an exciting new addition to the vibrant Charlotte arts scene, featuring more than one hundred of the nation’s top contemporary artists offering their latest work in ceramics, glass, wood, metal, mixed-media, wearable art, jewelry, fashion accessories, and contemporary art furniture.

Many artists will be available onsite during the show, to speak with attendees about their work.

A special exhibit, sponsored by the Founders’ Circle, will showcase rare works of art — lectures and fashion shows will run throughout the weekend. charlottecontemporary.com

— Erin Flora, brewmaster at Sweet Taters Brewpub

More than 62 cultural groups represented with food from around the world, non-stop stage performances, world beer tasting, bands, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations and dance lessons from around the world, coffee from around the world, art, cultural booths and bazaars all on display in downtown Raleigh. internationalfocusnc.org

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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necessities sensibility

history marked

Fall’s big color trends are ripe for the picking

October 11, 1896

By Jennifer Wood North State Journal One minute you’re lounging in the sublime awesomeness of Memorial Day with the promise of a long, hot summer stretched out before you ... and bam — just like that Labor Day is in your rearview mirror and fall has closed in all around.

Well get ready for an agriculturally inspired season.

According to the coveted Pantone Color Report if you’re looking for the hues of fall, look no further than your backyard. Fall fashion has long been anchored by earth tones and now we’re digging in for a garden palette of hues.

First up to the vegetable patch for the warmer shades.

Warm and inviting Mustard seed and Kale take center stage in separates, but Olive is everywhere from accessories to outerwear.

Off to the orchard for brights that are staying with us through fall Tangerine orange and Citrine yellow mix it up in accessories, but they really shine in the cashmere sweater options on the rack.

Soft shades from the flower garden Blue hydrangea and Rose taupe mean you can hang on to those softer choices in fall and the brighter baby blue that hydrangea has evolved into paired with camel makes for a certain stand out. Rose taupe will be a happy remainder for those that must have pink in their lives.

Cheers!

They’ve washed it all down with Claret because this burgundy hue remains the most important jewel tone for the season. Pair it with an earthy Flax overcoat for chillier days — this particular shade of Warm taupe is showing up as an accent and a head-to-toe outfit.

The temps have dipped and it is time for boots and hot toddies and the colors this season range from soothing and quiet to bright and brave — pull on that extra layer and enjoy!

the Pea Island Lifesavers, led

by Richard Etheridge, rescued the survivors of the schooner E. S. Newman. The United States Lifesaving Service (USLS) established 18 stations along the Outer Banks in the late 1870s and early 1880s.

October 14, 1927

Charles Lindbergh landed at Lindley Field in Greensboro to celebrate its opening. In the 1920s Greensboro businessmen touted their city as the site for a major airport, since it was the mid-point between northern cities and those in the South.

October 15, 1954,

Hurricane Hazel made landfall at Long Beach. The storm’s arrival in North Carolina occurred on a full moon high tide, maximizing impact of the storm surge on the barrier beaches. Devastation was widespread but nowhere was the impact more severe than on what’s now Oak Island, where a 17-foot storm surge swept away 352 of the island’s 357 structures. The dramatic surge was, and remains, singular in North Carolina’s recorded history.

Information courtesy of N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

turn the page The North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame will induct three new members in a ceremony at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines on October 16. The new inductees, Clyde Edgerton, Margaret Maron, and Carl Sandburg will be welcomed in a ceremony at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines. We turned to our friends at City Lights Bookstore in Sylva for a suggestion by each of these revered authors so you can familiarize yourself with their work.

“Raney”

by Clyde Edgerton

“Long Upon the Land”

by Margaret Maron

“The Complete Poems of Carl Sandburg”

by Carl Sandburg

just a pinch October in the

This may not be the month you think of as the time to tiptoe through the tulips, but a little planning in the fall will go a long way once the warm days of spring break through.

3 bulbs to lift now and store in a cool, dry place in your basement: dahlia, begonia tubers, and gladiolus 3 bulbs to plant now and look forward to: daffodil, tulips, and allium

the plate Four-cheese Macaroni Au Gratin from Wisteria Southern Gastropub, Morganton “Our menu changes all the time based on ingredients that are available from local farmers, but our mac is the one constant. So many people love it that we keep it on. When we started we had more of a meat-and-three-type menu, and over the past four years we’ve evolved from that. We do a lot of curing and fermenting, and we make all our own bread and pastries. I learned how to make charcuterie, and went to Italy to learn some cooking there, but the menu is rooted in Appalachian cooking and I try to stay true to that.”

—Obie Ferguson, Co-Owner/Chef

courtesy of Thomas Strong Photography

the recipe Start to finish: 30 minutes Serves: 4

Reggiano, American cheese, and 2 cups cheddar.

3 cups heavy cream ½ pound macaroni, cooked al dente 1 cup shredded fontina ½ cup shredded Parmigiano Reggiano 4 slices American cheese 3 cups shredded Cabot extrasharp white cheddar ½ cup leftover cornbread crumbs (or bread crumbs)

Stir with a wooden spoon while tossing in a sautéing motion.

Set an oven rack about 4 inches from the broiler, and preheat broiler. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, reduce cream by a fourth. Lower heat to medium, and stir in macaroni.

And add fontina, Parmigiano

Transfer mixture to an 8-cup baking dish, and distribute cornbread crumbs and remaining cheddar evenly on top.

Place under the broiler. Watch it carefully, as you will need to rotate the dish to create an even crust. This will take 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the strength of your broiler.

Remove from oven and season with fresh cracked black pepper.

Serve immediately.

on the line with Pat Adams, barbecue judge

By Jennifer Wood North State Journal

Andrew Kelly | Reuters

A model presents a creation from the Serena Williams Signature Statement Fall Collection at New York Fashion Week.

voices

Contributors to this section this week include: Laura Ashley Lamm Alison Miller

tell us

Know a North Carolina story that needs telling?

Drop us a line at features@nsjonline.com.

hen you hear that someone is a barbecue judge in North W Carolina if you are like me you want to know — how they became one and what are they looking for in good barbecue.

Talk with Pat Adams for a few minutes and her graciousness will make you forget the interview is about her. “My husband was a farmer and we had pigs.” Said Adams of her entrée into judging the ‘cue. “He was always involved with the Pork Council and it was just a natural transition for me because where he went I went.”

Adams is a widow now and her dedication and passion for the distinctly North Carolina act of cooking a pig is going strong as she travels across the state sampling pork perfection.

On October 1 Adams’ travels found her in Raleigh judging the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship during the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival. “When you get to Raleigh you’re getting the best of the best.” Adams said on the teams competing.

It is of note that Pat Adams is the only female judge for the championship, but it is not noticeable. The lure of N.C. barbecue is an equal opportunity enticement and Adams went through the same training process as her fellow male judges in order to become certified by the N.C. Pork Council to judge their contests.

The judges must go through a training and apprenticeship process. The apprenticeship involves shadowing a current judge until they sign off on your eligibility to evaluate barbecue at this level.

N. C. Pork Council trained judges use a uniform scoring system every time they step to the plate. First they determine that the hog was cooked properly and then scores are awarded in six categories: Appearance (is the pig still intact from turning? has it been cut unnecessarily?)

Brownness (is the meat golden brown, dark, or burned?), Skin Crispness (is the skin crisp, not burnt, does it have a good texture?), Moisture (is the meat moist and tender, not dry or

Eamon queeney | north state journal

Barbecue judge Pat Adams, of Snow Hill, takes a bite during the Whole Hog Barbecue Championship as part of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Wide Open Bluegrass Festival in downtown Raleigh on Oct. 1.

tough?), Meat and Sauce Taste (does it taste hot and spicy, mild, pleasing?), and finally Completeness — an overall score that records the condition of the site, including cleanliness of the cook, and the cooker. On the scoring range and judging process, “Good judges … if you look at their score sheets they will almost always be the same or within a few figures of one

another,” Adams said.

Adams takes her position of passing judgement on barbecue seriously because she knows the chefs take their gastronomic art form seriously. “You have to remember that these cooks could be doing something else besides staying up all night cooking a pig so someone can judge it,” said Adams. “Barbecue is like a religion in our state.”

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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gather Pembroke Days | Pembroke

Eamon queeney | north state journal

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

C

onnecting with businesses, meeting new people, and engaging in conversations were part of the time honored tradition of bringing a community together with its college students. This week, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and the Town of Pembroke partnered for the 27th annual Pembroke Day. “We look forward to this event each year,” said Jodi Phelps, director of university communications and marketing.

“Pembroke Day is an event that showcases our university, the town of Pembroke, as well as our local business and community partners.”

Beginning in 1989, the event has continued to grow and thrive over the decades. Nearly 180 vendors, including 46 student clubs and organizations participated. Information booths, food vendors, crafts and promotional giveaways were a part of the day-long event.

The College’s Student Health Services coordinated a health fair which provided free health screenings. Several area health agencies had representatives on campus to answer questions and provide information on a variety of topics.

“The longevity and popularity of this event signifies the deep commitment of our university to the community,” Phelps said.

“We use this event to strengthen and grow the relationship,” she added.

Speaking with the local newspaper, The

Robesonian, student Blake Carney valued the experiences gained during this college and community tradition.

“I love Pembroke Day,” said Carney, a senior UNCP business major and member of Spectrum, the university’s LGBT+ support group. “There are a lot of free things given away, and there is an opportunity for all of us to learn about our community.”

Not only was the day about learning, but also witnessing the talents of fellow students.

UNCP’s Music Department provided entertainment with performances by the Pembroke Singers, the Spirit of the Carolinas Marching Band, and the University Chorale. Miss UNCP Madison Davenport was an additional performer, along with the Lumbee Ambassadors and Southern Sun.

Members of the University of North Carolina Pembroke Marching Band perform during the 27th annual Pembroke Day on Campus, Wednesday.

Pembroke welcomes you Home of the Lumbee Tribe.

Home of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. pembrokenc.com

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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frolic! the state fair

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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october 13-23 | raleigh

The NC State Fair was born of a desire to improve North Carolina agriculture. In 1852 Dr. John F. Tompkins, an agricultural journal editor observed that the farmers throughout the state were using inconsistent methods and if brought together farmers from all over N.C. could really learn from one another. Tompkins organized a meeting of the state’s leaders in the field of farming in order to plan an annual State Fair that would help farmers develop more coherent and forward thinking agrarian systems. Through the years the fair has seen pauses for wars and location relocations within Raleigh before settling into its permanent home at the State Fairgrounds, but the reason for its existence remains the same — a celebration of North Carolina agriculture. This year a multitude of new attractions abound from deep fried jello to the excitement of riding the new State Fair Flyer — so grab your family and friends and plan your visit to the fair. ncstatefair.org

what’s new this year eat

ride

compete

see

We all have our favorite fair foods — from fried dough, candy apples, turkey legs to the barbecue sandwich you get from that one specific service organization every year — everyone comes to the fairgrounds with their palate checklist. In the weeks leading up to the fair there is always the opportunity to add to that list with the release of the new fair foods and this year is no different — you can almost hear people salivating across the state. So far the new food list for 2016 includes: deep fried jell-o, fried bacon pimento cheeseburger egg roll, N.C. lump crab meat hushpuppies, deep fried Cuban rolls, and Caramel Apple Crisp as the fair featured Howling Cow ice cream flavor.

Get those tickets and get in line — the fair has new rides for all ages and scream tolerance levels.

The first ride is also a service, the State Fair Flyer will help you take a load off and allow for an amazing view of the entire property. You can ride the flyer one way from the west end, known as the “Orville Terminus” near the Scott Building down to Gate 8 to the “Wilbur Terminus,” or take a round-trip spin.

For the young or young-at-heart you can park yourself by the Big Slide for a visit with the State Fair mascot Casey the Cardinal, he’ll be there daily to share in the fun.

If you’re looking for more heartpounding adventure then check out the Powers Parthenon Wheel, the Street Fighter 360, or the Sea Ray.

The race for blue ribbons is fierce at the State Fair and there are several new contests this year adding to the normal complement of competition that ranges from graphic design, livestock, to sugar cube building. New competitions include: a pre-apprentice/ pre-engineering mobile robotics contest, a Cavy costume contest, a Choral Competition featuring middle and high school choirs, and a Coffee Competition open to licensed N.C. coffee roasters.

Head to the Flower & Garden Show to see the new layout. The grounds committee has been hard at work on a complete overhaul of the site that provides a verdant respite during the run. Bonus: just a stone’s throw over at the Pfizer Heritage Circle is a new Blacksmith’s shop built with vintage barn lumber donated by Commissioner Troxler.

Shop at “The Nest,” located in the Expo Center for official State Fair merchandise — that way you’ll have a memento come mid-February when you’re missing all the deep fried N.C agricultural goodness.

Catch the new laser light show scheduled to run nightly over the pond

by Heritage Circle at Gate 8.

The “Homegrown Music Fest” is a series of 117 concerts running throughout the fair giving attendees a chance to truly take in North Carolina music — from the Youth Choral Competition that kicks things off on Oct. 13, The Embers featuring Craig Woolard on Oct. 17, Superchunk on Oct. 19, to saxophonist Maceo Parker on Oct. 23 — with a wide variety of acts there’s something for everyone.

Photos by Eamon queeney | north state journal

Quincy Adams, 8th generation family farmer, poses for a photograph were he makes wine at Adams Winery & Vineyards south of Raleigh on Friday.

A North Carolina Century Farm Family growing America’s first grape

By Jennifer Wood North State Journal

A look at all the styles of wine on the shelves at Adams Winery & Vineyards south of Raleigh.

O

ver four centuries ago Sir Walter Raleigh described the muscadine as being, ”On the sand and on the green soil, on the hills as on the plains, as well as on every little shrub ... also climbing towards the tops of tall cedars ... in all the world the like abundance is not to be found.”

Step onto the land at Adams Vineyards and talk with Quincy Adams about his family farm and winery and you will learn his passion for this distinctly North Carolina grape runs just as deep.

“The muscadine is what grows best here, this is the perfect climate for this wonderful grape. The vinifera — those are your merlots, cabernets, chardonnays, they don’t like our part of the climate down here. It gets too hot and gets too dry,” said eighth generation farmer, Quincy Adams.

In the decade since his father made the decision to transition the family farm to growing muscadine grapes, the family has buried their patriarch and learned to grow and harvest this crop and turn it into wine without a map.

“There were no recipes.” said Quincy when he talks about his learning curve into the world of winemaking. “Dad left behind a few notes, but it was the fastest, most intense on the job training you can imagine.”

What began as a trial by fire without recipes quickly blossomed into an award winning vineyard and winery. “We’ve won over 60 medals, a best in show a couple of times, and multiple gold medals.” Joyce Adams pipes up clearly proud of the hard work they’ve all put in, especially her son.

If you don’t drink wine

you can choose one of the Adams’ other products for sale in the tasting room. Joyce makes a variety of jams and jellies available for purchase. In order to sell them here in the store she had to become certified through a course in food preservation and canning at NC State, “It was a difficult course … it had been a long time since I’d been in school” said Joyce.

The Adams’ farm has been a working farm since the 1700’s, and during the N.C. State Fair, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services will honor the legacy of the Adams’ along with families from across the state at a reunion. “I am proud that

the Century Farm program has continued to grow,” said Commissioner Troxler. “It isn’t easy to keep a farm in the same family for 100 years or more, particularly when our state’s growing population puts greater development pressure on open land. Every time I sign a certificate for a new Century Farm, I am reminded of the dedication and perseverance of these families in the face of many challenges.”

As for the Adams and their place on the land they’ve held onto for over two centuries in Wake County, “we’ve been here for over 250 years,” said Quincy Adams. “The plan is to keep it going as long as we can.”

The N.C. State Fair Thursday, October 13 — Sunday, October 23 Opening Day: October 13, 3:00 p.m.- Midnight *Ticket Booth and Exhibit Halls close at 9:45 Thursday - Saturday hours for the run of the event: October 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22 8:00 a.m.- Midnight *Ticket Booth and Exhibit Halls close at 9:45 Sunday-Wednesday hours: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. *Ticket Booth and Exhibit Halls close at 9:45

illustration by cece pascual

Have lunch at the fair and get your admission for free.

Visit Gate 9 off of Trinity Road, or Gate 1 off of Hillsborough Street at 11:30 a.m. weekdays and buy a lunch card for $9 (Cash sales only, ATMs are available on-site) Go grab lunch and return your lunch card to the same gate by 1:30 p.m. and receive a refund on admission. Lunch break from work plus Fried Dough equals a good day!

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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Rocky Mount Mills Operations Manager Tim Bailey looks out of the mill over to Panther Island on Thursday, October 6, 2016. When the mill closed down in 1996, Bailey along with a small crew continued to take care of the facilities so that they didn’t fall into complete disrepair. photos by Madeline Gray | north state journal

mills from page C1 gence,” said Chavez.

The site was purchased in 2007 by Capital Broadcasting and in 2014 the vision began for a new realm of possibilities. Rocky Mount Mills is a carefully sculpted community spanning 80-acres that includes a brewery incubator, office spaces, outdoor spaces for music, games or hopping on the Tar River Paddle Trail, and new village homes for rent. Apartments at the Mills are in the future plan.

Brewmasters Erin Flora and Eric Ghiloni found a place and a space in the brewery incubators at the Mills to craft their own stories as they each created the next great craft beers.

“Start-up breweries are notoriously expensive to operate. The Rocky Mount Mills incubators was an opportunity that presented itself and was the best fit for our plan,” said Erin Flora, brewmaster at Sweet Taters Brewpub.

“We use Eastern North Carolina crops in our beer,” she added. “Sweet potatoes are the number one produce from Nash County so we use several potato varieties in some of our beers.”

Sweet Taters offers guests a variety of taps including Golden Belle, an American pale ale, and Evangeline’s Lemon Tart, a fruit beer. Nibbles included everything from the classic buffalo chicken flatbreads to smoked pulled pork sliders to the famous Herbivore’s Delight sandwich.

In the incubator next door, you’ll find more local brews from Koi Pond Brewing Company.

“I knew I wanted to get into the brewing industry — it’s something that I love. The Mills gave us the place to craft what we do and that’s giving customers a good product, a solid brand, and a good location,” said Ghiloni, brewmaster at Koi Pond.

“We are Rocky Mount’s first craft brewery offering 25-26 varieties of beer that we rotate through.

We’ve never sold a keg. Every drop of beer we’ve made has been sold right here,” he added.

At Koi Pond, beer drinkers will find Double Dragon Imperial IPA, Rising Sun Mocha Java Stout, Voodoo Wit and Falls Road Golden Kolsch to name a few.

Cobwebs cover parts of a hydro generator at Rocky Mount Mills on Thursday, October 6, 2016. The generators were originally installed in 1904 and as renovations on the mill continue, the plan is to repair the generators so that they are functional again.

To further assist brew makers, the Rocky Mount Mills has partnered with Nash Community College which offers innovators the opportunity to earn a Brewing, Distillation and Fermentation Degree.

“When you look around Eastern North Carolina, craft breweries are on the rise. Students are able to learn not only the brewing skills needed, but also the business side of this entrepreneur tract. We’re teaching them the science of brewing as well as the business components to market, advertise, and manage sales,” said Dr. Trent Mohrbutter, vice president for instruction and chief academic officer.

Students gain a full associate’s degree in applied science in two years and can find a space in the brewery incubators at the Mills to begin their business.

“We want students to do more than just mix ingredients together. We want them to have a career in craft brewing,” added Mohrbutter.

Between Nash Community College and the Rocky Mount Mills, people can craft their business, their story, their future. They can find a place to join their neighbors, grab a cold beer, and see the next great chapter in their community unfold.

of Rocky Mount Twice recognized as an All-American City, Rocky Mount guarantees to make you feel right at home with a wide variety of restaurants, downtown living, and recreational activities.

Rocky Mount has entered the craft brew scene with a splash with the exciting Rocky Mount Mills Project.

Come explore the Rocky Mount Mills, home to two new craft brewers and a restaurant next to the historically renovated Mill Village. Pair one of our local brewers with music festivals, parades, the farmers’ market, barbecue cook-offs, picnicking, museums, or our beautiful Park System, and your stay in Rocky Mount will be complete.

Rocky Mount has been featured on UNC TV’s North Carolina Weekend show as a NC destination, and was recently recognized with Great Main Street In-the-Making & National Main Street America Accreditation awards.

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT DOWNTOWNROCKYMOUNT.COM

Please scan this QR Code to view the UNC TV edition on Rocky Mount.

Rocky Mount Downtown Development is a part of the City of Rocky Mount

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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TAKE NOTICE new hampshire

randolph

THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE JUDICIAL BRANCH NH CIRCUIT COURT

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 338

9th Circuit – Family Division – Manchester, 35 Amherst St. Manchester NH 03101-1801 Telephone: 1-855-212-1234, TTY/ TDD Relay: (800) 735-2964, http:// www.courts.state.nh.us CITATION FOR PUBLICATION Case Name: In the Matter of Stephanie Medina and Hector Medina Case Number: 656-2016-DM00334 On April 05, 2016, Stephanie Media of Manchester, NH filed in this Court a Petition for Divorce with requests concerning: The original pleading is available for inspection at the office of the Clerk at the above Family Division location.

UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT, EACH PARTY IS RESTRAINED FROM SELLING, TRANSFERRING, ENCUMBERING, HYPOTHECATING, CONCEALING OR IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER DISPOSING OF ANY PROPERTY, REAL OR PERSONAL, BELONGING TO EITHER OR BOTH PARTIES EXCEPT (1) BY WRITTEN AGREEMENT OF BOTH PARTIES, OR (2) FOR REASONABLE AND NECESSARY LIVING EXPENSES OR (3) IN THE ORDINARY AND USUAL CAUSE OF BUSINESS. The Court has entered the following Order(s): Hector Medina shall file a written Appearance Form with the Clerk of the Family Division at the above location on or before November 23, 2016 or be found in DEFAULT. Hector Medina shall also file by December 23, 2016 a Response to the Petition and by October 08, 2016 deliver a copy to the Petitioner’s Attorney or the Petitioner, if unrepresented. Failure to do so will result in issuance of Orders in this matter, which may affect you without your input.

BY ORDER OF THE COURT, Mary A. Barton, Clerk of Court, September 23, 2016

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Rhonda L. Needham to F. Spencer Cosby, Jr., Trustee(s), dated the 7th day of April, 2004, and recorded in Book 1863, Page 1517, in Randolph County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on October 18, 2016 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 32 of Ulah Forest, Map 4, as shown on plat recorded in Plat Book 43, Page 67, Randolph County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 888 Tall Pine Street, Asheboro, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any

way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee.

If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1191289 (FC.FAY)

wake NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 16 SP 268 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Peter Y. Kemp, (Peter Y. Kemp, deceased)(Heirs of Peter Y. Kemp: Anthony Kemp, Tracy Kemp and Unknown Heirs of Peter Y. Kemp) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Peter Y. Kemp) to Fidelity National Title Ins of NY, Trustee(s), dated the 11th day of August, 2010, and recorded in Book 014036, Page 01315, in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the Salisbury Street entrance in the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on October 17, 2016 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that parcel of land in Wake County, State of North Carolina, being known and designated as Lot 64, Section 4, Deerfield Park, filed in Plat Book 1979, Page 716 and being more fully described in Deed Book 9214, Page 1127 dated 12/04/2001, Wake County Records, State of North Carolina.

Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 5604 Deerborn Drive, Apex, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in NCGS §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1).

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or

warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Case No: 1172405 (FC.FAY)

explore State Farmers Market | Raleigh

By Jennifer Wood North State Journal

T

he State Farmers Market in Raleigh hosts celebratory days throughout the year to celebrate North Carolina’s various vegetables and fruits. On Thursday, October 6 the pumpkin took center stage as competitors vied for prizes in the 31st annual decorated pumpkin contest.

The divisions were divided into age groups and the competition was fierce. Using the pumpkin as their palette entrants were required to employ a gourd that was free from decay, bruises, and damage. Judges paced the line looking for use of color, how the artists integrated the pumpkin’s shape into the design, and creative use of paint or other artistic medium within the work.

If you weren’t in the mood for fall before you arrived at the contest you were when you left. The decorated pumpkins among the corn stalks and agricultural explosion of the season for sale at the farmers market make it easy to embrace autumn.

Right: Pat Ayscue, of Willow Springs, displays white gourds along with pumpkins during the decorated pumpkin contest at the North Carolina State Farmers Market in Raleigh on Thursday.

photos by Madeline Gray | north state journal

Congratulations to the winners:

Mabel Ramsey, almost 2, of Austin, Texas, marvels at a pumpkin while visiting her grandmother in Raleigh during the decorated pumpkin contest at the North Carolina State Farmers Market.

8 years and under

9 to 15 years

16 and over

1st - Lili King “Rapunzel’s Tower” Raleigh, NC

1st - Camille Worthington “Candy Bowl” Cary, NC

1st - Betty Triplett “All Natural Pumpkin” Apex, NC

2nd - Cadence Bezgela “Bubblegum Machine” Dunn, NC

2nd - Andrew Mullis “Ellie the Elephant” Raleigh, NC

3rd - Charlotte Ritchie “Elsa Pumpkin” Fuquay Varina, NC

3rd - Emma Grace WhitleyAnderson “Gladys the Chicken” Clayton, NC

2nd - Ericka Worthington “Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte” Cary, NC

4th - Grace Christian Academy (1st grade classes) “Happy Hungry Harvest Caterpillar” Raleigh, NC

4th - Kaden Fish “Kevin the Minion” Apex, NC

3rd - Hazel “Salad Bowl Pumpkin” Raleigh, NC 4th - Tara Bynum “Home w/ Heart-shaped Pumpkin” Garner, NC

C8

North State Journal for Sunday, October 9, 2016

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The N.C. State Fair is 163 years old and perfectly placed in its current location.

There was a time when this celebration of agriculture, agribusiness, arts, crafts and culture was held near what is now the Raleigh Rose Garden. The fair moved to its present location in 1928 where the North Carolina State Fair Commercial & Education Buildings and Dorton Arena, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.