Archive for April, 2010
Fayetteville’s Sanctuary Community
Many people are not aware of Fayetteville’s new branding that was introduced in 2008. Fayetteville/Cumberland County was officially declared “America’s First Sanctuary Community for the military.” What does this mean? This means that our community will do anything for the military, to show our support, appreciation and gratitude towards those who serve our country. After all, Time Magazine, named Fayetteville/Cumberland County “America’s most pro-military town;” and we continue to live up to that reputation and take pride in our military supportive community. Keep an eye out for those blue Sanctuary stickers on windows of businesses who offer military discounts all over town!
Luigi’s Restaurant and Bar
One of my favorite restaurants in Fayetteville has to be Luigi’s. It has a neat atmosphere with inside and outdoor patio dining. Their food is to die for! The Chicken Florentine is outstanding. I just found out they also have free wine tasting every Thursday night where people can gather with friends, family and even network. It’s a great place to convene and enjoy some nice Italian cuisine.
FireAntz Hockey
The Fayetteville FireAntz hockey team just ended the season this month! I was never a hockey fan before I moved to Fayetteville, but I started to go to the FireAntz games while they played, October thru April, and became addicted. One of my favorite things to do to unwind after a long, hard day of work would be to head over to Crown Coliseum to watch some good competitive sport. You can always anticipate a fight to break out and the crowd goes wild! They offer military discounts off all tickets too, which is always a plus . Go FireAntz!
Miles of Outdoor Adventure
Few would argue that spring has to be the prettiest time of year in southeastern North Carolina. The weather is mild, the dogwoods and azaleas are in bloom and we all do our best to spend as much time as possible outdoors.
Whether you want a relaxing Saturday evening stroll, a location where you can revel in nature, or a place to train for your next big race, greater Fayetteville has many, many places to choose to spend quality time outdoors.
The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is situated on 79 acres of land where the Cape Fear and Cross Creek meet. The Garden offers many specialty gardens - including a child’s garden based on Gulliver’s Travels, a Hosta garden and a Camelia garden. In addition to the specialty gardens, miles of shaded walking trails lead through an urban forest to the Cape Fear River.
The Cape Fear River Trail is a 4-mile, 10-ft. wide paved trail for walkers, joggers, and non-motorized transportation. Interpretive signage discusses the diverse wildlife and plants throughout the trail - over 700 types of trees and plants, and 150 types of birds are found along the trail region. The Cape Fear River Trail is part of the East Coast Greenway, a series of nature trails within urban areas. It is being developed as an urban alternative to the Appalachian Trail.
Jambbas Ranch is great for parents and kids. When you walk through the gate, animals will greet you; and kids have an opportunity to feed the animals. As you travel further from the entrance area, walk along an estimated 1.5 mile loop - larger animals are found grazing in large enclosed areas - including gazelle, deer, buffalo and many others. Jambbas Ranch also offers a picturesque swinging bridge over a small lake.
The All American Trail is a 10 to 15-ft. wide unpaved pathway designed for use by hikers, runners and bicyclers. The trail (currently 11 miles long) follows the perimeter boundary of Fort Bragg through North Carolina’s Sandhills Region. The terrain is mixed with sections ranging from nearly flat to fairly hilly. Interpretive signage identifies and describes the unique plants and wildlife. There are more than 1,500 species of plants and trees, and over 400 species of wildlife - including the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker- along the trail.
These are just a few places where to enjoy the beauty of spring in southeastern North Carolina. For a complete list of things to see and do in greater Fayetteville, visit www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com
Visit Historic Churches Downtown!
There are several churches in our Historic Downtown district that are more than 100 years old and provide welcome doors to showcase their historical architecture including the following:
- Hay Street United Methodist Church had its first sanctuary dedicated in 1835 with its present day sanctuary built in 1908. Located at 320 Hay Street, the brick Gothic Revival-style church features rare “robing glass” windows, which is truly a sight.
- First Baptist Church at 201 Anderson Street was completed in 1910 and provides an example of Romanesque Revival architecture.
- Evans Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church at 301 North Cool Spring Street was built in 1893 and features Gothic-style architecture in a two story gabled front and interior woodwork.
- First Presbyterian at Bow Street was rebuilt in 1832 and features the only wooden truss roof of its kind in the state as well as whale oil chandeliers and an impressive spire.
- St. John’s Episcopal Church at 302 Green Street features Gothic architecture with 10 pyramidal spires and stained glass windows made in Munich.
These are only a few examples of the gorgeous churches downtown, active on Sundays and during the week. You can also plan a historic church tour customized for you at www.visitfayettevillenc.com through our Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Eat Down the Street, Downtown!
Now that the 3/50 Project, encouraging residents to “save their local economy three stores at a time,” is catching on in Fayetteville, know that we are not just talking about retail shops (although we love those too!). It is any type of brick and mortar building including restaurants and founder Cinda Baxter of Minneapolis, Minnesota has a new initiative called “Eat Down the Street,” which is all about committing to eat in a local independently owned restaurant every week. And Downtown Fayetteville has something for even the pickiest of eaters from appetizers and entrees to salads and desserts so it is the perfect place to support your community and find new haunts in the process!
One of our newest additions to the district as of April 16 is Lidos, The Euro Spot, located at 102 Person Street specializing in European and Russian cuisine. The restaurant will also offer dancing and live music along with the signature dishes such as Russian goulash and Hungarian chicken paprikash. Almost next door is Circa 1800, which most residents in Fayetteville have marked their new favorite. Located at 108 Person Street, the filet tips are the house special and their bananas foster is a fantastic way to end a great meal.
A little further up downtown, McDuff’s Tea Room located at 114 Gillespie Street specializes in gourmet salads and sandwiches to pair along with scrumptious desserts and the finest of tea. They also serve an Afternoon Tea (reservations only) Tuesday through Saturday at 3 p.m. For those wanting an Italian flair, Pierro’s Italian Bistro located at 217 Hay Street serves up only the best grilled and pasta specialties, pizzas and Italian classics in town.
For more casual dining, Hamburger Heaven located at 132 Person Street offers wings, salads and hamburgers including their Carolina Favorite Burger, which has slaw, chili and onions for those who still need to try some local flavor. Dock’s at the Capitol located at 126 Hay Street has an extensive menu of sandwiches, appetizers and house specialties up in the Sports Bar along with entertainment and games downstairs.
Another couple of options for casual dining are Beef O’ Brady’s located at 229 Hay Street and Subway at the Depot located at 472 Hay Street. Both are great if you want a quick sandwich and Beef O’ Brady’s even has trivia nights and is a fun place to watch all of the games on big screen televisions.
Another new restaurant in the district is Fresh Café, which is marketed as Downtown Fayetteville’s premier organic and natural food restaurant. Located at 212 Hay Street, they serve fresh salads, sandwiches and quiches and also host an acoustic open mic night on Thursdays.
For those who are looking for a good brew to pair with their entrees, the Blue Moon Café located at 310 Hay Street has seasonal menus, patio seating and a large selection of craft beers. Also, Huske Hardware House and Brewery located at 405 Hay Street is gaining recognition in this area as a regional supplier of custom crafted brewed beers. They also have a large pub menu and an active night life with music and entertainment. Next door, Wet Willie’s, a restaurant and bar with a variety of daiquiris, will be opening later this year.
Of course, they say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For a quick cup of coffee and a delicious croissant, try Rude Awakening Coffee House located at 227 Hay Street. A trip there is guaranteed to give you that needed caffeinated jolt in the morning to start the day! If you have a bit more time, sit down at Horne’s Deli located at 124 Hay Street. Breakfast items include eggs Benedict, omelets, hash browns, bacon and so on. Both places also serve lunch too.
Desserts are a specialty downtown. Not only do all of the restaurants have great options, but we have four stores specifically catering to those with that proverbial sweet tooth. Seek out Baskets of Blessings for delicious concoctions of fudge at 136 Person Street along with truffles and other candy goodies. The Cupcake Gallery, located at 107 Person Street, hosts a generous array of cupcakes with old favorites and daily surprises. If you are a new customer, make sure to get a dozen so you can try it all! Just Desserts, located at 314 Hay Street, is the place to order your special occasion cake including weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. They also offer baked goods from scratch made cookies to pie and everything in between. Another place to satisfy that chocolate craving is The Chocolate Lady located at 318 Hay Street. Your eyes will grow wide at the sight of the counters carrying a variety of chocolate dipped items and specialty gourmet treats all for the taking.
The biggest thing to keep in mind about the 3/50 Project is for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here and if you spend it online, nothing comes home. Join us in supporting our local cafes, coffee shops, bistros and restaurants in Downtown Fayetteville and remember you can always walk downtown to burn some of the calories off!
Get Hip and Organic Downtown!
Fayetteville Farmer’s Market
It’s officially spring and what better way to get healthy and ready for summer than to buy organic produce and local honey or grow your own vegetables and herbs in your own garden.
Long awaited since last fall, the official season opener for the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market was Saturday, Apr. 10. Twice a week, farmers and local growers bring their wares including fresh eggs, in-season vegetables and fruit, herbs transplants, homemade soaps, local honey and flowers. It is Fayetteville’s only 100% locally grown farmers market and it is fantastic.
On Wednesdays, you can find the Farmer’s Market behind the AIT and Prince Charles Hotel on Maiden Lane, just west of the Cumberland County Main Library from 3 to 7 p.m. And on Saturdays, the booths are set up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cumberland County parking lot, off of Gillespie Street in front of the court house.
Find out more at www.thefayettevillefarmersmarket.com.
Fayetteville Community Garden
Also, if you are interested in growing your own produce, the Fayetteville Community Garden, located between Vanstory and Mann Streets off of Old Wilmington Road in Downtown Fayetteville, has plots available for individuals to adopt for a mere $25 a year.
With a groundbreaking in 2008, the Fayetteville Community Garden offers 120 plots ready for those willing to grow fresh healthy food and flowers. Among the landscape, the garden has a community pavilion, gardener’s sheds, playgrounds, arbors and trellises as well as fruit trees and orchards. A second potting shed will be constructed this year and a gazebo will also add to the general landscape with funds donated by the Junior League of Fayetteville.
The project originated as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization by helping preserve green space and is located in the area slated for redevelopment in the downtown area. The Fayetteville Metropolitan Housing Authority received a $20 million Hope VI grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to allow for Fayetteville to replace the current public housing with a mix of homes and apartments for families with various incomes. The Fayetteville Community Garden sits within that area and reminds us all that it is hip to be organic.
For more information or to reserve a plot, call the Sandhills Area Land Trust (SALT) at 910-483-9028.
Free Concerts Highlight Dogwood Festival
The Fayetteville region’s annual party that celebrates spring’s arrival – the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival - will be rocking throughout the weekend of April 23-25th. Great acts are scheduled for the stage at Festival Park, including country superstar Joe Nichols, Gin Blossoms and Soul Asylum. The full enterainment schedule is below. Needless to say - WE CAN’T WAIT!
Friday, April 23rd
6:40 pm / Opening Remarks, National Anthem
7:00 pm / Dakota Rain
9:00 pm / Joe Nichols presented by Bud Light & WKML 95.7
fireworks immediately follow the show
Saturday, April 24th
1:00 pm / On Tap
3:00 pm/ Still Rockin’ Presented by Huske Hardware House & 96.5 The Drive
7:00 pm/ Soul Asylum
9:00 pm/ Gin Blossoms
Sunday, April 25th
1:00 pm/ Chris Hurst
3:00 pm/ Hot Sauce
In addition to free concerts, the 2010 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival will feature:
- Classic Car Show
- Full carnival in downtown Fayetteville (Friday – Sunday)
- Kidstuff area that includes free anchored attraction – Pirates of the Sky.
- Street fair all day Saturday and Sunday, with crafts, food, entertainment and more.
- “Not Your Ordinary Dog Show.”
- YMCA “Run for your Hero” 5K and 10K runs.
- Much more! For the full schedule of events, go to www.FayDogwoodFestival.com.
Fayetteville Ambassador Program
When I moved to Fayetteville a little over a year ago, I wanted to
learn everything that I could about my new home, so I completely
immersed myself in community activities. There are so many organizations that
I knew I could become a part of, volunteer with, socialize with etc. I
soon stumbled across the Fayetteville Area Ambassador Program that is
run by the Convention and Visitors Bureau. My background is in
Hospitality and Tourism Management, so I was automatically drawn to
this program. It consisted of a 4 hour class where I learned pretty
much ALL about what Fayetteville has to offer, and at the end of the
class everyone took an open book test and was then certified!
It’s helped me get outisde of the house and do exciting things around
town with friends because of the knowledge I now had about the area. I
needed to find something other than work to make the time pass, since
my other half deployed for 12 months. It’s also a great way to meet
people because the program has monthly socials and activities.
I would highly encourage anyone moving to the area to take this course. You can greatly benefit from all of the knowledge you will acquire about Cumberland County events, attractions and activites. It will help for a smoother transition into this wonderful community!
Fun Facts About Greater Fayetteville
Even after having lived in Fayetteville and Cumberland County for 7 years, when I started with the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau almost 9 years ago, I still had lots to learn about this community. The greatest surprise? The wealth of noteworthy historical tidbits that have happened in and around Fayetteville. During my tenure, I’ve compiled this list – and I know there are many many more things to add. If you have comments, or suggestions on additions – please let me know!
DID YOU KNOW?
- Fayetteville was the first city named for The Marquis de Lafayette and the only one city he actually visited, in 1825. The carriage he used during his visit is on display at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory & Museum
- Babe Ruth hit his first home run as a professional baseball player in Fayetteville, on March 7, 1914.
- The Airborne & Special Operations Museum is the only place where you can see, hear and experience the comprehensive history of the U.S. Army airborne & special operations units.
- The Babe’s bat boy was Maurice Fleishman, who became a successful Fayetteville clothier and county commissioner.
- The state of NC ratified the NC Constitution in Fayetteville in 1789.
- Fayetteville missed being NC’s capitol by one vote!
- In 1839, the first cotton mill in present day Hope Mills, equipped with cotton spinning machinery, was constructed. The factory was known as “Rockfish Manufacturing Company” in “Rockfish Village”, and operated 3,000 spindles and 120 looms
- Jack McKeon, Manager of the Florida Marlins and the National League Manager of the Year for 2003, got his professional start managing the now-defunct Fayetteville Highlanders of the Carolina League.
- The University of North Carolina, America’s oldest public university, was chartered in Fayetteville in 1789
- Golfers Ray and Marlene Floyd grew up and honed their skills on Fayetteville courses
- Archibald “Moonlight” Graham, made infamous by the movie “Field of Dreams” was born and raised in Fayetteville
- 19th- century artist Elliott Daingerfield, known for painting “The Grand Canyon” grew up in Fayetteville.
- Methodist College is one of only 14 schools nationwide and the only Division III school to offer the PGA-sanctioned Professional Golf Management degree
- The Fayetteville Observer is the oldest newspaper in North Carolina.
- Saint Patrick Church is the first Catholic parish in North Carolina, organized in 1824.
- The second-oldest public university in North Carolina, Fayetteville State University (FSU) was founded as the Howard School in 1867. In 1877, the school became State Colored Normal School, making it the first and oldest state-supported institution to train African-American teachers.
- Famous African-American novelist Charles Chestnutt was one of the early leaders of FSU. Fayetteville was the setting for his novel for The House Behind the Cedars. Chestnutt also wrote “The Conjure Woman.”
- Carson McCullers wrote “Reflections in a Golden Eye” while living in Cool Spring Tavern on North Cool Spring Street.
- Falcon is the birthplace of the Pentecostal Holiness Church
- The Fayetteville area is home to 425 churches, mosques and synagogues.
- NASCAR fans at the Daytona International Speedway enjoy Larry’s Sausage, which is produced in Fayetteville.
- “Tin Originals” products are made in Fayetteville and shipped to stores worldwide.
- Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry is the second oldest military organization in the country. It was established August 23, 1793.
- Fayetteville native Joe Harris played with the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
- The Overhills estate, once owned by the Rockerfeller family, is now owned by the U.S. Army and is on Fort Bragg.
- Tim McLaurin, author of “The Acorn Plan,” “Cured by Fire,” and “Keeper of the Moon” grew up and lived in east Fayetteville. He died in 2002.
- The Fayetteville Symphony is the oldest community-supported orchestra in the state.
- Actress Julianne Moore was born at Womack Army Medical Center
- The Hardy Boyz wrestlers are from Cameron.
- Patsy Cline lived in Spring Lake in the late 1950’s. Click one of the links below to learn more about our community of history, heroes and a hometown feeling!
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