Ruby Murray will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement honor and Carl Pringle with the Humanitarian Award at the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Human Relations Community Recognition awards luncheon scheduled for 11 a.m. on Feb. 15 at Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
Others being honored are Warren Johnson with the Youth Award; Donna Pelham with the Educator Award; Tiffany Campbell with the Individual Award; the 82nd Airborne Division Equal Opportunity Office with the Military Award; Raul Wallace of Divine Call Ministries with the Religious Award; and Healing Hurting Families with the Organization Award. The awards, according to the FCHR, are given annually for those promoting positive human relations in the city and county.
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Former N.C. Sen. Kirk deViere is far and away the leading candidate in fundraising for his bid to become a Dist. 2 Cumberland County commissioner, according to a CityView Today report, with more than $10,000. No other candidate is anywhere close, which tells some of us the 53-year-old deViere is serious about being a voice in leading this county, just as deViere was as a state senator representing Cumberland County.
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Three of seven Cumberland County Commissioners failed to show up for the board’s Monday morning meeting. They were Jimmy Keefe, Jeannette Council and Veronica Jones. They didn’t participate remotely, either, according to the county. Granted, there are times when a commissioner can’t attend for illness or other personal reasons. But as a rule of thumb, if you are going to serve as a commissioner or even a city council member or a school board member, be there.
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Elyse Craver, who is back on the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners after 37 years, wants more neighborhood town halls for residents, and that’s a commissioner with a sound idea.
Kenjuana McCray, the Hope Mills mayor pro tem, said she wants to see art exhibits throughout the town, and that’s a commissioner with a sound idea.
Well, here’s one for the government books in Hope Mills. Longtime Town Board Commissioner Jerry Legge was supposed to update fellow commissioners Monday about the town’s Appearance Committee. He didn’t, CityView Today reported, because Legge said he was not aware of being a member of the Appearance Committee.
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There is good news for this city that 286 men and women are serving as sworn municipal officers, according to the Fayetteville Police Department. The not-so-good news is there are 62 vacancies, according to FPD Chief Kemberle Braden.
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Old Man Winter, if I may, is draining the heating oil lines for my furnace like a ShamWow.
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“She is personable, imaginative, intelligent and is motivated by a deep sense of personal pride as well as genuine concern for the welfare of scholars, staff, families and our community,” Cristen Frazier, instructional coach at John Griffin Middle School, said in a news release about Tinna Mapp, who is the recipient of the Extra Mile Award from Cumberland County Schools. “Ms. Tinna Mapp is the unsung hero at John Griffin.”
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“Mr. Collier’s commitment to Pine Forest High School is incredible,” Lonnie Cox, assistant principal and athletic director, said in a news release about Keith Collier, who has been honored with the Committed Community Support Award for Collier’s nearly three decades of fundraising efforts. “He goes above and beyond to not only support our athletic program but also to build a bridge of communication and trust between the school and the surrounding community. He genuinely loves Pine Forest High School, its students and staff, and the community as a whole.”
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“Thank you for always capturing the essence and beauty of the story,” Larry Keen, retired president of Fayetteville Technical Community College, wrote in an email about my Feb. 1 column about the 125th Anniversary Greater Fayetteville Chamber Awards held Jan. 31 at The Carolina Barn in Spring Lake, and where Keen was honored by the chamber with the prestigious Realtor’s Cup. Just a journalist with a notepad and a pen, Mr. Keen, and an eye on the community.
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“Bill, thank you for the wonderful piece on Tryon Lancaster,” Andrew Ziegler, a retired professor at Methodist University, wrote in an email about my Feb. 8 remembrance of the late and longtime Cumberland County Schools educator, who also worked at Methodist University after retiring from the school system. “I knew him while he was at Methodist College. He and Bill Lowdermilk were tremendous ambassadors for the college.”
William Lowdermilk worked in community relations at the university from 1963-1995. He died July 18, 2005. Tryon Lancaster died at age 89 on Jan. 23.
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Sad to learn about the passing of Hillman Godwin, 76, the longtime Fayetteville resident you just couldn’t help but like because of his laid-back and goodly ways. He was one of those good guys who took life as it came with little complaint. Hillman Godwin was a genuine man, and all who called him friend will tell you so.
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“Great Stories Told Here” is the mantra of Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and “Cinderella” is the latest Tony-nominated musical being told, with performances scheduled through Feb. 25 at the playhouse, circa 1962, on Haymount Hill. Visit info@cfrt.org or call 910-323-4233 for your seat in the audience.
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The Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County has been approved for a $20,000 Grants for Arts Projects from the National Endowment for the Arts. “I would like to thank Michael Houck of our staff for seeking out this funding and I am thrilled that the NEA has once again recognized the great work of the Arts Council,” Bob Pinson, chief executive officer for the Arts Council, said in a news release. “We believe that the Regional Residential Artist Program is a giant step forward in promoting the individual creativity of the artists in our region.”
The grant will support a new Regional Residential Artist Program, according to the Arts Council, which is the first residency opportunity offered through the Arts Council. “The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to The Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County, which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector and local community,” Maria Rosario Jackson, chairwoman of the NEA, said in the release. “We are pleased to be able to support this community and help create an environment where all people have the opportunity to live artful lives.”
Next: No parole for Sept. 23, 1997
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
