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Month-Long Salute to the Military
Each May, Fayetteville and Cumberland county salutes soldiers, veterans and their families with a series of events titled “31 Day Salute.” As the first sanctuary community for members of the military, its no surprise that our community takes a month to show our enthusiastic appreciation, respect and support for those who served in the armed forces.
31 Day Salute incorporates a variety of events for 2011, including author visits, movie screenings, boat tours, special exhibits and scavenger hunts. Below, I have highlighted a few:
Fort Bragg Fair – from April 28 through May 15, one price gets you Unlimited carnival rides and entertainment. Live entertainment includes country, rock, pop, R&B and Christian music. Other live entertainment includes a Sea Lion show.
Admission is $12.00 Monday-Thursday and $17.00 Friday-Sunday. Tickets are discounted for Military/DoD Civilians, Children Ages 3-9, Handicapped and Senior Citizens. Special promotions are planned throughout the fair, including Customer Appreciation from 5-7 Monday –Thursday, when everyone gets in for $5. The Fort Bragg MWR website lists all admission prices and the entertainment schedule.
A Doctor Looks at War – Dr. Michael C. Hodges talks about his book, A Doctor Looks at War at the CC Public Library & Information Center HQ branch on Tuesday, May 10th at 7 pm. Dr. Hodges chronicles his experience in an army combat support hospital during the initial year of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He describes in detail the healthcare treatment of wounded soldiers as well as the Iraqi prisoners and civilians.
Thanks to Veterans Movie in the Camp – On Saturday, May 21, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum will host a Movie in the Camp. This year’s film is “Jumping Jacks,” starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. When The doors open at 6 pm, movie goers will walk into a camp-like atmosphere with 30 x 40 foot screen. Refreshments including soft drinks and candy bars will also be available for a nominal cost. Music and entertainment will be provided before the movie begins at dusk. Admission is $5, tickets are on sale starting May 1.
These are just a few of the special events that are part of our community’s 31 Day Salute to soldiers, veterans and their families. Please visit www.31daysalute.com for more information or follow 31 Day Salute on Facebook.
Geocaching, Anyone?
Last spring, the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau introduced a unique way to both promote the community to others and help locals get to know the community – better GPS Trail Trek, a geocaching tour of Cumberland County.
If you don’t know , geocaching is essentially a high-tech scavenger hunt, that requires a hand-held GPS unit.
We have placed a cache (treasure) at 10 locations throughout the county. We provide GPS coordinates that get the user in the area of each cache – and a clue helps locate the clue on the site. When a user finds a cache, geocachers sign in the log book, and can leave comments if they wish. Typically players will find a small trinket in the cache – and geocaching etiquette requires that if they take the trinket, they leave something else.
Both visitors and locals have been “trail trekking.”
Some of the comments:·
“Great trail and even a greater nature park next door…Found this one on June 12, 2010…I really am enjoying the Greater Fayetteville GPS Trail Trek…” Tony Garcia
“This one was my favorite, I have lived in Fayetteville for 28 years and never been to this site.” Somer Edwards
Travel writer Chris Gigley and his family became Trail Trekkers last summer and videotaped their experience.
Interested in giving it a try? You find a downloadable PDF with the coordinates and clues HERE. We hope you enjoy your trail trek!
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Putt-Putt added to Millstone Complex offerings
When I first moved to Hope Mills a few years ago, I saw that there were great parks and activities for families and young kids, but I wondered what was there for teens and young adults?
With the addition of Putt-Putt Golf & Games, the Millstone Complex now offers a number of things for teens, young adults and families.
Work started on the Millstone Complex in late 2008. The Millstone Theater opened in October of 2009. With stadium seating, cushioned rocking seats, a loyalty program (I have received about 10 free tickets in 1 year), reasonable concession prices a professional and courteous staff, the Millstone Theater has evolved into my favorite place to see a movie in the area.
In the year since the Millstone Theater opened, several new offerings compliment the theater nicely – Village Café & Coffee, which offers sandwiches, other light food and all the typical coffee house offerings; Ichiban Express with sushi and other delicious fresh food; and Tuttimelon , the brand’s first frozen yogurt franchise outside of California.
To nicely round out the offerings at the Millstone Complex, last week, Putt-Putt Golf & Games opened. Putt-Putt offers two 18-hole courses, a go-cart track, batting cages, indoor bumper cars and an array of arcade games. Since 1954, Putt-Putt Golf Courses have been designed to challenge serious putters; and the Hope Mills course follows this tradition. Try it for yourself.
An official grand opening is slated for December.
For more information on things to see and do in the region, go to www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com.
Christmas in Americas Hometown
Special happenings are planned throughout the day, including:
* Victorian ornament workshop
* Professional chefs creating gingerbread houses
* a “Tuba Christmas” performed at Hay Street Methodist Church
* Carriage Rides
An Adventure for the cautious (and everyone else, too.)
When ZipQuest planned their media day a few weeks ago, they invited a travel writer I know and have worked with in the past, Mary Gallagher. Mary invited me out to meet her at ZipQuest and have lunch with her after her tour. When I arrived, the Zip Quest folks were kind enough to ask me if I wanted to go on the 2-1/2 hour tour with Mary. I excitedly said yes, I’d love it. After I said yes, I started to have second thoughts. If you know me, you know that “daredevil” or “adventure seeker” are not descriptions associated with me.Ground school was interesting. This is where on, on a short zip line that allows you to touch the ground, you try out different maneuvers you will need on course. My natural clumsiness shined –it took me several tries to get some of the maneuvers correct. But I got clearance to go out on the course.
As we approached the first ladder to go out on the tour, our two guides attached us to the course in two places. They explained from this point on – we will be connected to the course at all times. Throughout the trip, I could see their strict protocol in place. As they moved us from one part of the course to another – a guide would disconnect one of our attachments and reattach it at the next point. The second connection was only undone and moved after the first was fully connected. While I’m sure it is tedious for the guides, as a visitor I felt completely safe.
When, on the first zip, one guide zipped to the next platform to help us with our landings – I felt a knot in my stomach and thought “what did I get myself into.” They asked for volunteers to go first, and I couldn’t do it. I did agree to go second. My first landing was clumsy, to say the least. The guide caught me more than helped me. However, the Zip was exhilarating; and I couldn’t wait to do it again.
By the third zipline, I couldn’t see the landing platform, and I didn’t care –I was confident in my ability to land comfortably. At the close of the tour, I had traveled across 8 ziplines (one longer than a football field), three bridges, three spiral staircases and stood on 16 platforms high up in the trees. From my perspective, one of the great things about ZipQuest , is that non-adventurous folks like me can go on a major adventure and feel completely secure.
ZipQuest is located in northern Fayetteville at Carvers Falls , a virtually untouched 55 acre area of forest with an amazing waterfall. The waterfall is said to be the largest in the eastern Carolinas.
ZipQuest is just one of the fun things to do in our community. For more ourdoor and adventure ideas, check out our All American Adventure Driving Tour. To learn more about this or other fun things in greater Fayetteville, connect with the CVB via one of the outlets below.
Stedman, Eastover and Wade
Its been quite a while since my last blog about the municipalities of Cumberland County. Back in April, I decided it would be interesting to research and write short pieces about each of the municipalities in Cumberland County. In my research, I’ve found that each of our municipalities has its own assets – and I’m happy to share them here.
Stedman
The town of Stedman was settled in 1841 when John Culbreth Blocker built a stagecoach house and post office on land that he had purchased. The town was incorporated in 1917.
Today, the 1.4-square mile town has a population of 664. It is named for Civil War Major Charles Manly Stedman. Stedman was raised in Fayetteville; and served in the Civil War as a private in the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry during the Civil War. Stedman was the Lt. Governor of North Carolina from 1885 to 1889 and served in the US House of Representatives from 1910 to 1930. He was the last Civil War veteran to serve in the US Congress and is interred at Cross Creek Cemetery in Fayetteville.
If you are visiting Stedman, consider stopping at the Stedman Soda Shop for breakfast or lunch. Great food and great atmosphere! If you are into trains and historical stations, be sure to check out the Stedman Library, which is housed in a circa 1890 Cape Fear & Yadkin Valley train depot.In season,
Stedman offers a number of farms for fresh produce
1. Bullard Farms - watermelons, 2280 Stedman Cedar Creek Road, Stedman, NC 28391. Phone: 910-303-3795. July 8th thru August 15th
2. Bunce Brothers Farm, Inc - strawberries, restrooms, handicapped accessible. 6267 Blake Road, Stedman, NC 28391-8656. Phone: (910) 483-500. Open: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm. Also, the following prepicked vegetables are available in season: pumpkins, greens, tomatoes, watermelons, and cantaloupes.
3. Stedman Blueberries – Blueberries, 5991 Sidney Bullard Road, Stedman, NC 28391. Phone: (910) 531-3110. Open: Monday to Friday 6 am to 6 pm. June 20 thru July 30
Eastover
Cumberland County’s youngest town, Eastover, was incorporated in 2007. The 4.1 square mile town has 1,376 residents. However, Eastover Township was formed by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1865.
In my research, I found that Eastover has some interesting historical tidbits about the schools in its community.In 1919, Eastover opened the first accredited high school in Cumberland County. Shortly thereafter, the Eastover school district extended the school term from 6 to 8 months. The school was considered one of the best in the county.
Eastover’s hallmark special event, Eastover Heritage Day – celebrates the heritage of this tight-knit community. The day starts with a parade, and it seems the entire community is their either watching or in the parade. Afterwards at the Eastover ballpark, festivities have included hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, a bake sale, crafts, farm exhibits, a car show and raffles, as well as children’s activities. Musical. Proceeds, according to organizers, provide recreational opportunities for all ages in the Eastover community. The special event is sponsored by the Eastover Civic Club.
Wade
Wade, a 1.3-square mile town of 486 residents, was settled around the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad and named for NG Wade. Mr. Wade was a local business man who sold crossties to the railroad. Wade was originally chartered in 1869, but that charter was abandoned. The town was again charted on March 8, 1913.
Wade was originally 1 square mile. In 1990, tracts of land were annexed, taking the town to its current size.
One of the region’s oldest churches and cemeteries, Old Bluff Church, is located in Wade. Organized in 1758, Old Bluff Presbyterian Church is one of oldest Presbyterian churches in Cumberland County. This church along with Long Street Presbyterian and Barbecue Presbyterian Churches provided the Scottish population of the Upper Cape Fear Valley with longtime formal congregations. The adjacent cemetery is one of the oldest in the county. Many early Scottish settler and merchant families are buried there: including Colonel Alexander McAllister (a leading county patriot in the American Revolution), Farquhard Campbell and David Marshall (Carbine) Williams (invented the semi-automatic M1 Carbine rifle used in World War II). The present Greek Revival structure was built in 1858. Additionally, Old Bluff Church is one of the community’s significant Civil War sites. Confederate troops gathered on the grounds prior to the Battle of Averasboro.
Explore further
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Cumberland County , I encourage you to visit one or more of our Cultural Heritage Trails. The trails are grouped into themes – such as Scottish or African American History, Architecture, Civil War and Military History. You can chose one trail and explore the theme that is of interest to you. Either download the trail’s .pdf (which provides turn by turn directions) or stop by the Visitor Center at 245 Person Street to pick up a Cultural Heritage Trails guide, and you are on your way. Additionally Each tour offers an audio historical narrative that you can download and listen to prior or during your visit.
If you are looking for a fun, engaging, family friendly way to explore our history, consider Trail Trek, our geocaching trail. 10 sites throughout the community have caches “treasures.” You find the sites and the caches using GPS coordinates and clues we have provided. It’s a high-tech scavenger hunt that is educational and FUN. Enjoy!
Falcon, Godwin & Linden - Northeastern Cumberland County
As I mentioned in my last blog, at the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau we represent all municipalities in Cumberland County, and I will spend some time writing about each one. I’ve certainly discovered some things I did not know.
FALCON
Falcon is in the northern part of Cumberland County. In the 2000 census, Falcon had a population of 328 and included 84 households
.Falcon is known as the birthplace of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. In January 1911, at the Octagon Tabernacle in Falcon, a formal agreement was signed merging two denominations to form the Pentecostal Holiness Church.The Octagon Tabernacle was built in 1898 by Julius A. Culbreth as a location for prayer meetings. (Culbreth was also the founder of the town of Falcon.) Built with wood uprooted from a tornado, the tabernacle was built with its unique shape because it reminded Culbreth of tents that were used during revivals.
The Octagon Tabernacle stands today on West Street in Falcon. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Falcon is also home to the Falcon Children’s Home, a ministry of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. For 100 years, the Falcon Children’s Home has cared for children from the southeastern United States who need out of home placement for many reasons. Their annual homecoming event, which typically welcomes 600 visitors, is July 24-25, 2010.
GODWIN
According to the 2000 census, Godwin is our smallest municipality in Cumberland County. The entire town sits on .2 square miles of land north of Fayetteville and its population is 112.
Godwin is home to the Godwin Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1904 this church is an offshoot of the Old Bluff Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1758. The church offers a friendship garden that is open to the public.
David “Carbine” Williams, the inventor of the M1 Carbine rifle, was born in Godwin. He is buried in the cemetery at Old Bluff church in nearby Wade.
Rhodes Pond, located just outside Godwin, offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Cumberland County. The NC Natural Heritage Program designated the 461-acre blackwater lake as regionally significant because of the breadth of wildlife and plants on the site. These include cypresses, alligators, game fish, river frogs, little blue herons, great blue herons and egrets.
Additionally, the fishing is said to be incredible. Although I do not fish, I found many sites that fishing rave about the fishing at Rhodes Pond. In fact, NC Angler has a current forum devoted to Rhodes Pond. Check out the link to learn more.
LINDEN
Linden is the second-smallest municipality in Cumberland County. It encompasses 1/2 -mile of land and 127 residents.
Linden was incorporated in 1914.
From its founding, Linden was and continues to be an agricultural community. This agricultural heritage is displayed every April when Indian Ridge Farms holds the community’s Annual Corn Planting Day. At this event, teams of horses, mules and oxen break, plow and plan the land. Food is cooked on a campfire and a wood stove; and horse-drawn farm equipment is on display. Interpreters dress in early 20th century attire. Visitors are welcome to take part in all of the activities.
Thanks to Facebook, I learned just today that the Linden Orchards is opening up for blueberry picking on June 15th. They are located at 777 Lane Road in Linden. Call 919-889-8523 for more information.
Its been very interesting to learn more about Cumberland County! In the final blog on Cumberland County municipalities, I will write about Eastover, Stedman & Wade. Anything you’d like me to know about any of our municipalities that I’ve missed? I’d love for your to share with me.
Fun Stuff in Hope Mills
As I mentioned in my last blog, at the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau we represent all municipalities in Cumberland County, and I will spend some time writing about each one.
As I start my blog on Hope Mills, I must offer a disclaimer .. I live in Hope Mills, and I love it there.Hope Mills is located south and west of Fayetteville. I live in the heart of Hope Mills, near the Town Hall and 12 miles from downtown Fayetteville.
There are lots of other family-fun activities in Hope Mills. Just like its sister property at Omni Plaza, Fun, Fun, Fun on Cumberland Road offers a video arcade with tickets and prizes. Additionally, Cumberland Road Fun Fun Fun offers laser tag (great for all ages), miniature golf and batting cages. An array of specials and packages are available for individuals and groups.
The Millstone Theaters brought first-run movies to Hope Mills last fall. With the cushy rocking seats, good prices on concessions and valued customer cards, I rarely venture out of Hope Mills when I want to see a first run movie. According to the Fayetteville Observer, sometime this year Putt-Putt Golf will open a new course adjacent to Millstone Theaters , with batting cages and go-karts fall of 2010. When I drove by just yesterday, I saw the Putt-Putt sign was in place on the property.One of my favorite FREE summertime activities in Hope Mills.
Big T’s at Hope Mills Lake offers a family friendly “movie on the lawn” every Saturday night, and they provide free popcorn. (The popcorn is a big selling point in my family.) I understand the movies start this Saturday, May 29th.
Big T’s is known for its snow cones (especially among kid-dom) - I’m not sure how many flavors they have - but it’s a lot. Ever hear of cake batter or cheesecake snow cones? You can get both there; the smallest size is only a $1. As you can guess, they stay pretty busy through the summer months.
Hope Mills Park offers a great place to spend the afternoon with your family, watch a softball game, or get some exercise. Three playgrounds dot the large park, as do at least three baseball/softball diamonds. Additionally, a walking/jogging trail circles the park, the library and town hall. Nearly a mile long ,the paved trail is a great place to stretch your legs.
If you visit Hope Mills, don’t forget to take a jaunt down Trade Street. Three businesses I’ve spent a lot of time in are Trade Street Café (read the reviews!) which has a great, economical breakfast; Sandhills Music Center from which we’ve purchased, rented and repaired our budding musicians’ musical instruments; and Trade Street Brews, a great coffee house that offers live music a few times a month.I’ve touched on a few things to see and do in Hope Mills. I know there are many more. If you are interested in learning more about Hope Mills I’ve provided some links below.
History of Hope Mills
History of Hope Mills Lake
Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce
Want to learn more about Fayetteville and the surrounding municipalities? www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com
Fayetteville After Five
Fayetteville After Five is coming up this Thursday and is something I always look forward to on every third Thursday of the month. I take my family downtown to Festival Park and enjoy a free live concert performed by local or regional bands. It’s really great for all ages! I like to take some fold out chairs, grab a couple hot dogs for the kids and relax with some good quality family fun for the evening! It’s just a wonderful place to convene with the community, so if you haven’t been to a Fayetteville After Five yet, your next chance is this Thursday May 20th!
Dogwood Festival - Food, fun, and hugs
I’ve had a big, cheesy grin on my face since the weekend of April 23 -25 - can’t help it - the Dogwood Festival did it to me. What a blast! Concerts by Joe Nichols, Soul Asylum, and Gin Blossoms.
And the food - wow. There was a long strip to choose from (I called it “Calorie-ville). They had everything from funnel cakes topped with chocolate and strawberries to good ol’ southern bar-b-que! (Best food coma I’ve enjoyed, that’s for sure).
But the most amazing things you couldn’t see, feel, or touch. It was the Fayetteville love and hospitality. How wonderful it felt to be a part of such a close knit community. Honestly, it seemed as though the entire town came out from their houses and went straight downtown to Festival Park to celebrate the Dogwood!