CityView November 2023

CityView WWW.CITYVIEWNC.COM

NOVEMBER 2023

Power Giving PWC PRESENTS THE 2023 CITYVIEW

OF

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS

PLUS Magda Baggett, Carl Pringle, Scott Cameron and Stacey Buckner will be honored at CityView’s Power of Giving Community Impact Awards presented by PWC on Nov. 14 at Segra Stadium.

News from the HomeFront GivingTuesday A step beyond pecan pie

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NOVEMBER 2023 24

‘Boots on the ground’ Stacey Buckner helps fellow veterans with her rigged up Jeep with aid and understanding.

12 Magda Baggett

Carl Pringle Jr.

World view Magda Baggett sees it as her mission to help others who may be less fortunate.

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Faith Leader Professional Profiles

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Mr. Positive Carl Pringle Jr. believes that food brings people together as a conversation starter, making connections and uplifting the soul. Stacey Buckner

Scott Cameron

On the cover: Four longtime community volunteers will be recognized with the CityView 2023 Power of Giving Community Impact Awards presented by the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. Their passion for giving back and working to improve the lives of their neighbors is evident in the years of hard work they have invested. Their stories begin on Page 11. Clockwise from top left, photography by Julia Wall, Tony Wooten, Raul Rubiera and Cindy Burnham

COLUMNS Editor's Take: Bobby Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Someday You'll Thank Me: Mary Zahran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 From the Homefront: Aria Spears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Good Reads: Diane Parfitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 The To-Do List: Your go-to spot for local events . . . . . . . . . . 40 Seen @ the Scene: A look at who was out and about . . . . . . 42

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Room to grow Neonatal physician Scott Cameron's had a vision to bring the Friendship House concept to Fayetteville.

GIVING GUIDE TO

2023/2024

A RESOURCE FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY

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Nuttin’ finer CityView found some ways to step up our pecan recipe game plan with these tempting combinations. Check out Cumberland Community Foundation's Guide to Giving, a keepsake registry of local nonprofit organizations. CCF’s GivingTuesday catalog will be open for donations from 9 a.m. Nov. 20 through 5 p.m. Nov. 29, 2023.

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CityViewNC.com | 3

CityView PUBLISHER Tony Chavonne tony@chavonne.net EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bill Horner bhorner@cityviewnc.com EDITOR Bobby Parker bparker@cityviewnc.com GENERAL MANAGER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Rhonda Smith Raven Scott Cindy Burnham Malgorzata Dittmar-Nishimura Raul Rubiera Julia Wall Tony Wooten

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jason Canady Jen Cooke Gary Mangum Jami McLaughlin Diane Parfitt Aria Spears Mary Zahran COPY EDITOR

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CCF will be matching $550,000 in gifts received CityView is published 12 times annually by CityView Media, LLC. Mailing Address: 2919 Breezewood Ave., Ste 300, Fayetteville, NC 28303 Phone: 910.423.6500 | Fax: 910.423.0096 Postage paid at Fayetteville, NC

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4 November 2023

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from CityView Media, LLC. Publication of an advertisement in CityView does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by CityView or CityView Media, LLC.

EDITOR’S TAKE

Seasons change, and so did I BY BOBBY PARKER | CITYVIEW MAGAZINE EDITOR

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ow I hate to see October go. Yes, I’m glad it’s November. And that I made it to the 11th month of the year mostly intact. But that opening reference was to a beautiful song with lyrics by Johnny Mercer and music by, of all people, Barry Manilow. The two musicians from different eras became friends, the story goes. When Mercer died in 1976, his widow gave the lyrics to Manilow, who wrote the music and released the recording in 1984. It was a Top 10 hit. I’m more a fan of the Nancy Wilson version of the song. ’Cause I’m just a big fan of anything Nancy Wilson. (Rosemary Clooney and Betty Buckley recorded their own renditions. Music ain’t what it used to be.) The song is about love and loss, and the reference to October is fitting in that autumn is a time of change. The falling leaves, of course, and the changing colors of nature; I write this as I overlook holly berries that are turning bright red. The crisp change of the weather and the early transition to night also let you know that summer has past and winter is not long away. To me, autumn — in particular, October — is a time for reflection. Time to get some fresh air and think about the things that are most important to you and the people you love. It’s a lead-up to the holiday season, which seems to always be a period of making up for 10 months of neglecting the friends and family you should not neglect and losing sight of what’s good and what you treasure most. As the holidays you celebrate approach, take time to take stock. November, too, will be gone before you know it. In this issue: • We at CityView recognize that the military community is a vital part of what makes Fayetteville a special place to live. Our community is enriched by the people who pass through — and those who choose to stay — because of their connections to Fort Liberty. Military families have to cope with the stress of frequent moves, risky deployments and finding connections to help them along life’s journey. CityView is committed to addressing those issues and reaching out to our military-connected neighbors. As part of the new HomeFront page on our website — cityviewnc. com/homefront/ — we have added two columnists with Fort Liberty connections who will write about issues that military families face. Columns by Aria Spears and Jaylin Kremer, who live at Fort Liberty with their active-duty spouses, will also appear in CityView magazine. See Aria’s debut on Page 8. If there is a topic you’d like for them to address, let us know at talk@cityviewnc.com.

HomeFront

Our mission is to provide a supportive space where military families stationed near Fort Liberty can find valuable resources, share experiences, and connect with others who understand the unique challenges of military life.

As part of the new HomeFront page on our website — cityviewnc.com/homefront/ — we have added two columnists with Fort Liberty connections who will write about issues that military families face. Columns by Aria Spears and Jaylin Kremer, who live at Fort Liberty with their active-duty spouses, will also appear in CityView magazine.

• Sometimes you feel like a nut, they say, and Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without pecan pie. Cindy Burnham’s photos of David Bass’ kitchen temptations will give you ideas about how to take pecan pie to the next level. Page 32

Bobby

Bobby Parker is editor of CityView. Contact him at bparker@cityviewnc.com. CityViewNC.com | 5

SOMEDAY YOU'LL THANK ME

Tips for hosting a perfect Thanksgiving dinner BY MARY ZAHRAN

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o be completely honest, I have no idea how to host a perfect Thanksgiving dinner. Like a perfect marriage or life on other planets, I have my doubts that a perfect Thanksgiving gathering even exists. The best advice I can offer about preparing for this holiday is not so much a list of things to do as a list of things to avoid doing. My first piece of advice is to ask yourself if you are truly up to the task of doing all the work that is required for this occasion. This is no time to be self-deluding about your skills in the kitchen or overly optimistic that somehow everything will work out if you just do your best. As every experienced chef knows, Thanksgiving is the Super Bowl of cooking and is not for amateurs or the faint of heart. How do I know this? Have you ever been to a grocery store the day before Thanksgiving? If you have, you have probably seen women (and some men) with a facial expression usually reserved for someone standing in front of a firing squad. Frightened and unsure of how they got themselves into this predicament, they clutch their shopping list like a life raft and usually leave the store with a cart overflowing with more food than they can possibly prepare in 24 hours. The time to begin preparing for Thanksgiving is several weeks before the holiday, not at 5:30 the day before, when your only turkey option is a bird weighing 30 pounds. If you truly do not want to host this dinner or do not think you can handle it, be honest with yourself and your family. They may be hesitant at first when you inform them that they can have either a pre-ordered Thanksgiving meal or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but they will eventually come around. Remind them that the last person they want to antagonize is the one in charge of the food. If you are one of those amazing cooks who really is up to the task, I offer you my congratulations for your courage and your determination to create an unforgettable day.

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Just remember that the word “unforgettable” has many different meanings. I can recall some “unforgettable” Thanksgivings that stretch all the way back to my childhood. Perhaps these memories will serve as tips for helping you create the perfect holiday feast. At the very least, they can provide some interesting conversation starters with your guests. I remember several Thanksgivings when one of my cousins, who was a ketchup lover, decided that every single item on his plate required this special condiment. If you have never seen mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie slathered with ketchup, consider yourself lucky. I have seen this horrifying spectacle, and my psyche is forever scarred. A good host or hostess will hide the ketchup and lie about having any in case someone asks for it. After you have finished hiding the ketchup, make sure you put everything in a safe place so your pets do not begin their Thanksgiving feast early. These creatures become amazingly creative and nimble when they smell something delicious. We were the owners of the most trustworthy dog on earth — or so we thought — until she stood up at the kitchen counter and devoured an entire pumpkin pie before we

could stop her. To make matters worse, she did this right after most grocery stores had closed early for the holiday. My final tip about hosting Thanksgiving dinner has nothing to do with food. It has everything to do with the seating arrangements of your guests. As we all know, family gatherings can be a joy or a disaster, depending on where people sit and what they discuss. Conversations about sports, politics, and unresolved family issues can begin with friendly banter and end with screaming matches. Keep this possibility in mind when you assign seats. People are probably less likely to yell at each other across a room and in front of little children and grandparents. When the day ends, you want everyone — yourself included — to feel a sense of gratitude for being able to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends. You do not want to close the door after the last guest leaves and say to yourself, “Thank heavens that’s over!”

Mary Zahran, who puts ketchup only on french fries, can be reached at maryzahran@gmail.com.

Go beyond the expected. MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED LEADERSHIP

CityViewNC.com | 7

FROM THE HOMEFRONT

Moving is daunting, but there are benefits BY ARIA SPEARS

‘Packing Queen / young and sweet / just survi-iving …’

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Aria Spears is a writer, communications professional and civic leadership enthusiast. With a master's degree in nonprofit and civic leadership, Aria can be found exploring cities, persuading people to join local civic boards and sharing her book The Community Mapping Journal. When it comes to active-duty military family life, she believes that joy makes us strong.

CityView’s HomeFront initiative has added two columnists who will write regularly about issues Fort Liberty military families face. If there's a topic you’d like our columnists address, let us know at talk@cityviewnc.com. 8 November 2023

ong parodies have been my saving grace during this PCS (Permanent Change of Station). My spouse and I moved three times in the past year due to circumstances beyond our control. We also had our first baby about eight weeks ago. The past 12 months has been chaotic, to say the least. One of our moves was in the same town — from our rental house to an apartment, when the landlords wanted to move back in. The next move was halfway across the country from Missouri to South Carolina. The last move was from South Carolina to North Carolina. Yesterday, I realized I’ve lived in 18 different homes throughout my life. I had never counted them before. The angst and grief I felt when moving suddenly began to make more sense. Each move typically brings on the same cycle: Denial. Anger. Anxiety. Acceptance. This most recent PCS from S.C. to N.C. was no different. We had lived in Columbia for just under six months. During this time, we had had our first baby and enjoyed the first few sweet weeks of being a family of three. We lived in a studio apartment in an area called Forest Acres. The apartment complex shared an address with retail shops selling cookies, fresh juice, South Carolina fare and more. It was surrounded by tall, old pines. My days were spent working from the studio, lounging on the one couch in our living room while gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window-door to the pool below. And after the baby was born, she would join me there as I learned to care for and feed her. Columbia will always represent a very specific snapshot of time in my life: The time I became a parent to our girl.

People had welcomed us with open arms. We attended the ballet, walked the Saturday open-air market, enjoyed a piano festival, hiked a national park. It was hard to leave a city we had come to really appreciate. My usual grief-and-leaving cycle burst out in full force: denial, anger, anxiety … While packing up boxes once again, I tried to think of the benefits of moving so frequently. After finally realizing the grief of these moves, it became easier to remain positive while accepting the challenges. I began to list the benefits: • With every move comes a fresh start. I can reset habits, shed old ones and start new ones. And keep the good ones. • Each move has helped clarify what it is that helps me thrive. I know exactly what I need to set in place in North Carolina to help me thrive and I can execute on it quickly. • We have had regular opportunities to declutter our stuff and think about what things actually matter to us. • We have met so many amazing people along the way. People who make it hard to say goodbye. • We’ve learned how to delegate responsibilities between us better and have definitely gotten better in our communication while stressed. We still have conflict, but we’re generally better at talking through things in more productive ways. As I continued packing box after box, I continued to reflect. Change is daunting sometimes, but it’s also exciting. After so much change over so many years, I have become much more adept at tolerating ambiguity. I can handle uncertainty, waiting and not knowing. I am confident in my ability to figure out a way to thrive in a new place. Some days I still cry, longing for roots and stability. For a faith community that knows my story and strengths. For friends close by who can stop by for dinner. But even with the tears, I have become better at starting fresh the next day. I’ve become better at putting one foot in front of the other until it gets better. I’m 18 homes in and nowhere close to stopping, it seems. That’s OK. With a deep breath, a good night’s sleep, and a few new song parodies, I think I can make it.

Count on us to keep your life in motion. Take our free joint pain assessment at CentralCarolinaHosp.com/Joint

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Have your donations amplified on Cumberland Community Foundation’s GivingTuesday catalog will be open for donations from 9:00 a.m. November 20 through 5:00 p.m. November 29, 2023. During that time, CCF will be matching $550,000 in gifts received – so this is a great way to have your donation amplified! These 79 organizations meet Cumberland Community Foundation's criteria for matching funds. 82nd Airborne Division Association, Inc.

Connections of Cumberland County, Inc.

Fayetteville Police Foundation

North Carolina Immigration Law & Justice Center

Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation

Cool Spring Downtown District, Inc.

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

Operation Blessings of Fayetteville, Inc

ALMS HOUSE, Inc

Cross Creek Cycling Club (C4)

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Scholarship Endowment of Cumberland Community Foundation

Cumberland Choral Arts

Fayetteville Technical Community College Foundation, Inc.

Operation Engage, Inc

Cumberland County Council on Older Adults

Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Inc.

Partnership for Children of Cumberland County, Inc.

Cumberland County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association

First Tee – Sandhills

Rape Crisis at The Phoenix Center

Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library, Inc.

The Rick Herrema Foundation, Inc.

Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County

Cumberland HealthNET

Friendship Community Gardens, Inc.

Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center

Balm In Gilead Family Counseling Ministries, Inc.

Cumberland Residential and Employment Services & Training, Inc. (CREST)

The Gilbert Theater

The Salvation Army of the Sandhills

Greater Life of Fayetteville, Inc. (GLOF)

Sandhills Family Heritage Association

American Red Cross - Sandhills Chapter Armed Services YMCA of Fort Liberty

Better Health of Cumberland County, Inc. Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County, Inc. Cape Fear Botanical Garden Cape Fear Regional Theatre at Fayetteville, Inc. Cape Fear Studios and Gallery Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, Inc. The CARE Clinic

D.C. Watson Foundation, Inc.

Groundswell Pictures, Inc.

The School of Hope

Falcon Children’s Home and Family Services, Inc.

Heritage Square Historical Society of North Carolina, Inc.

Special Olympics Cumberland County

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum

His Outreach Worldwide, Inc.

Fayetteville Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Scholarship Endowment of Cumberland Community Foundation

Lafayette Society

Summertime Kids Endowment of Cumberland Community Foundation

Employment Source, Inc. DBA ServiceSource, Inc.

Carolina Collaborative Community Care (4C)

Fayetteville Animal Protection Society, Inc.

Carolina College of Biblical Studies

Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc.

Child Advocacy Center, Inc.

Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch

CityView News Fund

Fayetteville/Cumberland County Continuum of Care on Homelessness

Communities in Schools of Cumberland County Communities United for Youth Development Community Concerts of Fayetteville, Inc.

Fayetteville/Cumberland Crime Stoppers, Inc. Fayetteville Family Life Center, Inc.

Stanton Hospitality House, Inc.

Massey Hill Heritage Preservation Project

Sustainable Sandhills

Methodist University

Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Inc.

Miller’s Crew Inc.

United Way of Cumberland County

Moore Street Foundation

Vision Resource Center

Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex Foundation, Inc. Myrover-Reese Fellowship Homes, Inc.

Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County Endowment of Cumberland Community Foundation

NC History Center on the Civil War, Emancipation, & Reconstruction Foundation

Youth For Christ - Fayetteville, Inc.

YMCA of the Sandhills, Inc.

To learn more and donate online, visit www.cumberlandcf.org/giving-tuesday 10 November 2023

2023 POWER OF GIVING COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS

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Magda Baggett

Carl Pringle Jr.

Stacey Buckner

tacey Buckner drives her tricked-out Jeep into homeless encampments to offer a hot shower, a change of clothes, a meal, and, most important, a bit of camaraderie for military veterans struggling through life. For Carl Pringle Jr., it’s a “Party in the Park” when he puts his grilling skills to good use to feed his neighbors and share his message of positivity. Food always brings people together and gets conversations started, he says. Scott Cameron says the experience of living with roommates with disabilities has made him a better doctor because he has more empathy. “It allows you to look at life differently and leads to better understanding.” For Magda Baggett, it was years of relocations with her soldier husband that shaped her world view while taking the lead to bring the military community together. From welcoming international students to exploring distant cultures, she has pursued a lifetime of learning. These four are the recipients of the 2023 Power of Giving Community Impact Awards, presented for the past four years by CityView magazine in recognition of Fayetteville residents who have given selflessly and worked behind the scenes to improve the lives of their neighbors. This year’s presenting sponsor is the Fayetteville Public Works Commission. The winners will be honored at a luncheon on Nov. 14 at Segra Stadium. Nominations were judged by a panel of volunteers themselves: Renarta Clanton Moyd, communications manager with Cumberland County Schools; Sharon Moyer, community engagement administrator with Partnership for Children of Cumberland County; and Jeffery Womble, university ombuds with Fayetteville State University. Congratulations to those who will receive the awards, and thanks for all you do to make our community a better place.

Power Giving PWC PRESENTS THE 2023 CITYVIEW

Scott Cameron

Join us as we recognize our award winners at CityView’s Power of Giving Community Impact Awards luncheon presented by PWC. Tickets are available at cityviewnc.com. Presenting Sponsor

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COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS

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2023 POWER OF GIVING COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS Magda Baggett will be honored at CityView’s Power of Giving Community Impact Awards presented by PWC. Tickets are available at cityviewnc.com.

World view

Combining volunteer work with her love of travel, military wife Magda Baggett sees it as her mission to help others who may be less fortunate. From welcoming international students to exploring distant cultures, she has pursued a lifetime of learning.

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BY GARY MANGUM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA WALL

he grew up helping others in Puerto Rico. As she puts it, she was “born into volunteering.” Her father was a member of the Rotary Club; her mother instilled in her the concepts of generosity and improving the lives of others. Later, as a military wife, she took those skills learned as a child to other parts of the world as she pursued her love of travel. For that combination of volunteerism, curiosity and exploration, Magda Baggett will be recognized as one of four winners of the fourth annual CityView magazine Power of Giving Community Impact Awards. The awards recognize Fayetteville residents who give selflessly and work behind the scenes to improve the lives of others. “I’m definitely honored,” says Baggett, who is 78. “You do things not for the credit but for the good feeling that you get when you

12 November 2023

do things for others. … You don’t look for credit. It was nice that somebody thought of it.” Carolyn Justice-Hinson, communications officer with the Public Works Commission, works with Baggett in Rotary International, one of the largest service organizations in the world. “Magda is not just a volunteer. She truly cares about people and helping others,” says Justice-Hinson, who nominated Baggett for the award. “Over her lifetime, she has significantly impacted the lives of so many because she cares deeply about people and is willing to step up and lead.” Baggett was with friends at the beach and missed two phone calls to give her the news that she won. When her husband, Dave, told her “they’re looking for you,” she answered the next call. “I started to cry,” she says of hearing the news. “It was the best thing because my friends were there.”

Fayetteville is home Magda and Dave were married 10 days after graduating from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, and they have been married for 56 years. They have four sons — Scott, Terry, Chris and Russell — and seven grandchildren, ranging in age from 14 to 22. Their sons were born in different parts of the world as the family followed Dave’s military career. He was stationed at Fort Bragg — now Fort Liberty — with their longest stretch in Fayetteville from 1981 to 1988 and returned in 1994 when Dave, also 78, retired from the military as a colonel. His last post was in Germany, and they returned to Fayetteville because “it’s home.” Dave then began a second career as a physician assistant, graduating from Methodist University in 2000 and retiring from his civilian job in 2022. When the last of the boys left home, Baggett returned to work in human resources. “We moved a lot,” she says. “He went to Vietnam twice, so that created a lot of independence on my part and that of the kids because he was gone a lot.”

thecareclinic.org/get-involved

Basic Medical Care Dental Extractions Laboratory Tests Pharmacy Services Referrals to Specialists Diagnostic Testing

910-485-0555 Remember us During Giving Tuesday!

Helping in the community Baggett became a volunteer for Better Health of Cumberland County, serving multiple terms on its board of directors and as president in 1998-99. “Magda is the type of board member to jump in and be hands on whenever needed,” says Amy Navejas, who was executive director of Better Heath and worked with Magda for five years. “She is a doer in every sense. She is willing to put the sweat equity and hard work to make things happen and ensure clients who are in need receive the support that they deserve.” Baggett was then a social worker at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center for seven years, a job that included “a lot of counseling, a lot of helping the families or the wounded or the injured or the sick.” “Magda is genuine in her love of people and in her belief that through service, positive change can be effected,” says Sue Hunter, who was Baggett’s supervisor at the hospital. “Magda is an open-minded, nonjudgmental person who loves people no matter their circumstances, background or ethnicity.” Hunter says Baggett worked with doctors, nurses and therapists to achieve CityViewNC.com | 13

the best outcome for patients during and after hospitalization. Baggett also was a sought-after volunteer for projects such as developing an employee wellness program, Hunter says, noting she volunteered with the Child Advocacy Commission. In 2001, she became director of international programs at Methodist University. Under her watch, international student enrollment grew, Justice-Hinson noted in her nomination. Methodist has been recognized as the most diverse university in North Carolina. Baggett joined the Fayetteville Rotary Club in 1998 and became the second woman to be district governor of Rotary District 7730, leading about 2,500 Rotarians in 15 counties from 2010 to 2011. The beginning Baggett attended Catholic school when growing up in Puerto Rico. “The nuns promoted working with the poor a lot, working with the missions, things like that,” she says. “If nothing else, donating your pennies. I think that started it, but what really got me into it, my father (Antonio

Dave and Magda Baggett

Grillo) was a Rotary, and I saw how he and my mother (Lolita) did a lot of work for the community.” Among other projects, they made baskets for new mothers and Christmas baskets for children. She also was influenced by an aunt who was a social worker. After marrying a soldier, the family lived

910-491-0721 1617 Roxie Ave. “I truly cannot express my gratitude for the Stanton Hospitality House, and all they did for me in such a time of need. Being pregnant with twins, I knew the likelihood that my boys would spend time in the NICU and I was stressed as to how I was going to manage as we lived almost an hour from the hospital. Luckily once I had them and learned that they would be in the NICU for some time, a social worker in the hospital informed me about the Stanton hospitality house. Being in such proximity to the hospital, I was able to spend even more time with my boys and get them home even faster. I had everything I could possibly need inside the house and the staff were so kind and caring. It felt like home and felt safe. Both things I needed during such a stressful time. I can’t say enough about my experience, and I am truly glad to share my experience in hopes that many other families will know about it and be able to use it in their time of need as well.” – Jaclyn Alexander

14 November 2023

in England, Germany, Hawaii, and other places around the U.S. “Everywhere we went, there was a need for help for somebody,” she says. “So I hooked up as soon as we were married with Army community services, and they help military families, so I became a volunteer if we were in a post long enough.” Three times, she became director of volunteers on a military post. “I’m a hands-on person. I like to get my hands dirty,” she says. “I guess you can say I’m a control freak. I like to be in charge. Actually, somebody needs to be there, and many people don’t raise their hands.” International vision As director of international programs at Methodist University, Baggett had the best of both worlds — helping others and traveling to foreign countries. She was intrigued by “the travels that it promised and, at the same time, learning about the cultures of these students who were coming to Methodist.” Baggett enjoys helping international students adjust to life in America. “I love to have students who come in as freshmen, and they’re a little lost in America. And you introduce them to a Walmart, … and they go, ‘Wow.’ The first Russians I took to Walmart almost died and went to heaven. It’s (something) that we take for granted. “They start as freshmen or even seniors sometimes, but they’re quiet and they don’t have any speaking skills and they’re not sure what career field they’re going to go in. You see them grow, and it’s just great.”

In her time at Methodist, Baggett visited 20 countries to recruit international students. “That was eye-opening and life-changing and fun,” she says of the travel. In Colombia, she was an interpreter with an organization that provides plastic surgery for children with cleft lips. In Nepal, Baggett distributed pencils from a 50-pound box to students. “That was the best gift we gave those kids. This was one of those eBay things where I guess there were leftover pencils that had the wrong imprint on them or something. … Instead of saying ‘Coca-Cola,’ it may have said ‘Coco-Cola,’ or instead of ‘Nike,’ maybe ‘Nika.’ They didn’t know the difference. They just had a good pencil. It was so gratifying to see smiling faces.” She returned to Puerto Rico in 2017 after it was devastated by Hurricane Marie. “I hate to ask for money. But I did, and I ended up recruiting friends who recruited others, and I ended up with $35,000 in a week. I was able to provide 2,000 solar lights because they didn't have electricity for months.” She also helped provide water purifying straws and hand-cranked radios. In her travels, Baggett has been to India seven times. “The colors are just amazing. I love the fabrics and the people — the women, how they dress and paint themselves.” She’s not alone Magda is not alone in all her volunteer work. Dave is usually on hand to help out. “It’s day-in and day-out,” Dave says. “If you back in the back of the van in the driveway, it is full of stuff that we’re taking to the Boys and Girls Homes at Lake Waccamaw — lamps, clothing and toys.” He followed his wife as a district governor for Rotary International. Most of their volunteer time is spent now on the local level, not internationally. Baggett says she hopes to be helping others as long as she stays healthy. “My great-grandmother Magdelena lasted until she was 110, so I guess I’ll be lugging along until the end,” she says. “I always said that 85 was enough, but I don’t know. I’m getting there, and I’m still around. So as long as I’m productive; I just want to stay productive.”

November 28, 2023

GIVING TUESDAY Serenading the Sandhills Since 1991

GIVE THE GIFT OF SONG!

Donate to Fayetteville’s Community Chorus Your gifts made to the Cumberland Community Foundation for CUMBERLAND CHORAL ARTS will be AMPLIFIED during the GIVING TUESDAY campaign.

Thank you for supporting CCA and the Campbellton Youth Chorus See our entry on p.9 of the Guide to GIVING Directory

NOW REGISTERING FOR SPRING 2024 CLASSES – CLASSES BEGIN JAN. 16 910-678-8400 admissions@faytechcc.edu www.faytechcc.edu

See it. Land it.

CityViewNC.com | 15

2023 POWER OF GIVING COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS

Carl Pringle Jr. will be honored at CityView’s Power of Giving Community Impact Awards presented by PWC. Tickets are available at cityviewnc.com.

Mr. Positive

Carl Pringle Jr. believes that food brings people together as a conversation starter, making connections and uplifting the soul. His community cookouts have made ‘Uncle Carl’ a much loved figure in the neighborhood. BY JASON CANADY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONY WOOTEN

16 November 2023

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arl Pringle Jr. was born and raised in Washington, D.C. A tough childhood in rough neighborhoods left an impression on his soul. He knew life could be better somewhere, anywhere else. So in 1993, he moved his family to Fayetteville to give his children the chance he never had. “I wanted to give my sons a better life than what I had up there. I have family who lives here. After my grandmother passed, they said, ‘Why don’t you move the boys here, find them a job and see something different than what you saw growing up?’” Pringle moved to Fayetteville and got a job at Goodyear. Years later, he retired from the tire factory and went on disability, and today he enjoys helping raise his grandchildren. He cherishes his role as “Pop Pop” and wears it well. But for many of his friends and neighbors in Fayetteville, he has earned the moniker “Uncle Carl,” and he loves that too. During the day, Pringle volunteers at the local elementary school as a “school angel,” lending a helping hand to teachers and giving them an extra set of eyes. It also gives him a chance to spread his message of positivity to the students. After the last bell rings, Uncle Carl helps teachers with the car rider pick-up line. You might have seen him wave and wish you and your child well. He’s the one with a deep, thundering voice and tightly trimmed white beard. Positive change Back when Pringle lived in Washington, he was a part of a nonprofit group called PBMC, or Positive Black Men Coalition. “Their thing was to bring people together by hosting parties for business. I loved the concept of positivity but didn’t want to limit myself to just parties. I just wanted to push positive,” says Pringle. He brought that vision to Fayetteville with the creation of “Party in the Park.” Pringle put his grill skills to good use by feeding his neighbors. He viewed it as a chance to connect the community and bring positive change. He says food always brings people together and gets conversations started. Smoke from his grill is a deep call to the soul to come home. The food brings everyone together.

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Off-Peak Hours AM Peak Hours

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6-10 AM Weekdays

Beginning November 1, through March 31, PWC’s Time-of-Use billing for electricity follows the winter schedule. Winter Peak Hours are during the morning on weekdays from 6:00 am – 10:00 am. To save big on your energy bills: •

Conserve all the power you can during Peak Hours.

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Adjust your routine to do things like laundry, running your dishwasher, etc. during Off-Peak Hours, when electricity is billed at 35% lower rates!

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CityViewNC.com | 17

“I started with one event and really enjoyed it. It started out slow, and I was trying to get my name out there. I hired a DJ and set up games for adults and children like kickball and brought a football for the kids to throw. I was looking for something to bring the kids together.” Pringle said he began to partner with motorcycle clubs looking to bring the community together. “Suddenly, I had 300 people at my next event,” says Pringle.

Carl Pringle spends time with his grandchildren, Kadyn Harris and Khali Pringle, on the playground at Ponderosa Elementary School.

‘Everything Sauce’ is born Pringle was making a grilling sauce for his cookouts, but he never imagined that would lead him to start his own business. “In D.C., we had a sauce called ‘Mumbo Sauce.’ I was looking through my cabinets and trying to make Mumbo Sauce and didn’t have all the ingredients. So, I mixed a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. I took it to the park and people liked it. It stuck.” Mumbo, which is sometimes called “Mambo Sauce,” is tangy and savory. A popular sauce in the Black communities of Washington, the reddish-orange condiment is like barbecue sauce and leaves a thick, glaze-like texture on anything you put it on. It’s sweet and sour with a little kick that gives food some zing. Pringle calls his sauce Mumbo, which is sometimes called “The Everything Sauce,” but it’s also called “Flip Flop Sauce.” Why Flip Flop? As his cookout guests raved about his sauce, many asked, “Mr. Carl, what are you gonna call it?” Pringle looked down at his feet to think, saw the flip-flops he was wearing, and thought, ‘It’s so good, you could put it on a flip-flop and eat it.” “That was the initial thought behind the name ‘Flip Flop Sauce,’” says Pringle. As the sauce gained a following, Pringle streamlined his initial thought to, “It’s sweet on the front, with a kick of heat on the back. Then, they flip and they flop.” He says the sauce was created to put smiles on people’s faces. It worked. And many encouraged him to market it. Friends connected Pringle with Bob Fletcher, known for his popular Bob’s Smokin’ Southern BBQ Sauce. Fletcher took Pringle to lunch to discuss his business prospects.

18 November 2023

“I want to help you start your sauce. I’ll walk you through it. I like what you’re doing in the community,” Pringle says Fletcher told him. “I call him my sauce mentor,” Pringle says. Today, Flip Flop Sauce is sold at Food Lion stores and Kinlaw’s Supermarket, among other stores. Community comes calling When Pringle was injured at work, he was forced to retire. The unexpected life twist sent him into a mental spiral; he battled depression and feelings of inadequacy because he couldn’t provide for his family. Pringle felt less than a man. “I lost my drive,” he says. The man of boundless positivity was himself struggling to find purpose. Then, some of the people whose lives he had touched reached out to him. The community came calling. “Because I started those events, people started calling me,” Pringle says. Pringle at first refused because he could not give back financially. “No, Uncle Carl. We want to know if you’d come out and help grill?” he was told. They didn’t want money; they wanted Uncle Carl. They wanted him to grill, and that he could do. Suddenly, Pringle found his direction. “The grill gave me a purpose,” says Pringle. “I realized if I can’t do anything else, I can feed you.” Along with good barbecue, he serves encouragement too. “If I feed you, I can talk to you. I tell everyone, ‘You woke up today; everything else is extra.’” Pringle says people often complain about what they “don’t see” in their community. “You may not see much positive in the community. You may not see someone doing something positive in your community. If you don’t see it, be it!” says Pringle. “By feeding the community, I made connections. I can go anywhere in this city and see I’ve made a connection with somebody. These connections carry over to my sons and to my grandkids. Building these relationships overflows to others.” Pringle’s core message? Go be the change you want to see in your community.

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CityViewNC.com | 19

S

2023 POWER OF GIVING COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS

Scott Cameron will be honored at CityView’s Power of Giving Community Impact Awards presented by PWC. Tickets are available at cityviewnc.com.

Room to grow

Neonatal physician Scott Cameron came to better understand the challenges faced by young adults with disabilities as a resident of Friendship House while in divinity school. He was a leader in bringing the concept to Fayetteville, and his vision didn’t end there. BY JAMI MCLAUGHLIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAUL RUBIERA

20 November 2023

cott Cameron calls himself a messenger. The local neonatal physician was a leader in bringing Friendship House — a residential facility for young adults with disabilities and medical students — and Friendship Gardens — which provides sustainable food resources — to Fayetteville. He gives credit to the community and his partners. “The ideas just connected somehow, and the community backed it all,” Cameron says. Friendship House, which is now in its fifth year, is at capacity with 24 residents. Ten of them are residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities, most of them with either Down's syndrome or autism. The other 14 are students in medical programs at local colleges and universities or are affiliated with Cape Fear Valley Health. Cameron is one of four community advocates who will be recognized with CityView’s Power of Giving Community Impact Awards for 2023. Cameron’s story connects his medical career and his mission trips, both of which influenced his desire to make a difference in the community. A Fayetteville native, Cameron, 53, graduated from Terry Sanford High School. He attended Duke University and went to medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His residency was in pediatrics, and he served a fellowship in neonatology at Johns Hopkins University before joining Cape Fear Valley Health’s neonatal intensive care unit in 2005. His love for mission work was inspired by joining Highland Presbyterian Church, the home church of his wife, Avery. They started attending the annual Presbyterian Pilgrimage weekends at Camp Dixie. “It was a full watershed weekend of faith and deciding what was next. And what was next was the Prescription for Renewal,” Cameron says. Participation in the global medical mission begins at the Billy Graham retreat in Asheville. Members of Cameron’s family were doing shortterm mission work when they received news that a spot was open for a monthlong mission in Kenya. “It was right after my wife’s father died, and we took the whole family for a month. We loved it so much we went back for a second time the next summer,” Cameron says. It was then that his story took a turn with a medical problem of his own. He had been experiencing abdominal issues for almost 10 years without a proper diagnosis. On the way to Amsterdam through connecting flights, his stomach began to expand. “I looked like I was 32 weeks pregnant. Here we

were en route to help others, and I needed the help,” Cameron says. The family pressed through an eight-hour flight to Nairobi and a four-hour drive to the TenWek Mission Hospital in Kenya. It was there, as Cameron lay hospitalized, that doctors found the solution. Cameron ended up losing two and a half feet of his colon in the process of treatment. “It was something that elderly women get in the United States, but in Kenya, they see it commonly in adult men. They were able to diagnose me right away, and a surgeon I had met the previous summer was able to correct it. Prayer and sharing faith were part of the hospital care,” Cameron remembers. Divine intervention A month later, Cameron was back home. A bedside conversation at the hospital led him to decide to pursue a master’s at Duke Divinity School. “I was going to school full time and working part time at that point, but it was through that experience that we found out about the Friendship House in Durham,” Cameron says. Cameron was spending two or three nights a week in Durham while Avery was in Fayetteville with their three children, Wallace, Glenn and Hugh. One night, she ran across a housing deal that paired seminary students with adults with disabilities called the Friendship House. “It was a new concept and only $450 plus utilities. It was perfect,” Cameron says. What made Friendship House different was that it required seminary students to become roommates with someone with a disability. Cameron was open to the prospect, but at the Friendship House’s icebreaker, where residents met their roommates for the first time, he walked in and immediately started looking about the room, diagnosing people. “It’s what we do (as physicians),” he said. “But that’s when Alex, my future roommate, introduced himself.” Cameron recalls Alex, who had Down’s syndrome, being full of joy, telling the physician how enthused he was that they were going to be roommates. “It was then that I realized that I had spent years telling parents about unmet expectations as a physician, and all of the people I’m diagnosing in the room are

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Members Sale

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Monday, Nov. 13 12 - 6 p.m.

General Public Sales Friday, Nov. 17 12-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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Sunday, Nov. 19 2 - 5 p.m.

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Headquarters Library • 300 Maiden Lane CityViewNC.com | 21

Scott Cameron meets with a Friendship House resident at The Grange, where a farmers market is staged in summer.

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22 November 2023

having the time of their lives,” Cameron said. “They are smiling.” He thought the concept of Friendship House was something needed in Fayetteville. Instead of seminary students, however, it could be medical students who are paired with tenants with disabilities. Cameron and Tara Hinton, who worked at Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation and has a daughter with autism, visited Friendship House in Durham. “After seven hours traveling to see it, touring it and asking all of the questions, Scott, Avery and I started sketching out the idea to bring it to Fayetteville literally on napkins at a restaurant. We knew we could do this,” says Hinton, who now is director of regional philanthropy at ServiceSource. Cameron and Hinton started the groundwork to set up a nonprofit organization and get their plans on paper before presenting the idea to ServiceSource, which works with adults with disabilities to create inclusive communities. “It went from a pie-in-the-sky idea to starting the fundraising for the reality,” Cameron says. He graduated from Duke Divinity in 2016 and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 2017. By then, Friendship House was in full swing. Fundraising campaigns at Highland Presbyterian and Cape Fear Regional Theatre and a chef’s auction and other engagements helped them quickly spread the word. They raised the $1.3 million they needed in less than nine months. According to Hinton, there are now a dozen other Friendship Houses focused on health care and medical students as mentors. “The best part about all of this is that our residents are there as resident mentors and friends, not caretakers, and our disabled friends are learning to live on their own, maximizing their interdependence,” Hinton says. Cameron says the experience of living with roommates with disabilities has made him a better doctor because he has more empathy. “It allows you to look at life differently and leads to better understanding,” Cameron said. Five years after its opening, Friendship House can celebrate success with local gatherings, new friendships, and even the marriage of two residents. Cameron officiated the wedding.

‘He loves this city’ Fayetteville native Amanda Christianson, who with Cameron helped develop the concept for Friendship Community Gardens, says the work he does outside the public eye is what makes him deserving of the Community Impact Award. “He likes to do most of his work in the shadows,” Christianson says, “quietly twirling away behind the scenes for the pure satisfaction of serving his Lord and his community.” “He loves his city, he loves his community and he loves people. You would think that with his occupation in the NICU that he would rightly figure he was giving his pound of flesh to our community already. But going away to Duke Divinity School and being at that Friendship House changed him,” says Christianson. The idea behind the garden is to provide people in the community a way to supplement their diets with fresh, organic food and offer recreation for young families with children. She said as a physician, Cameron was keenly aware of the bad health effects of processed food. Friendship Gardens teaches children about where food comes from and also helps feed residents of the Savoy Heights and Arsenal Heights neighborhoods, located not far from Highland Presbyterian Church. The garden has more than 50 raised beds. “We wanted to be a part of the neighborhood, and gardening was a good way to get to know our neighbors,” says Christianson. “It’s also something everyone can do regardless of experience or ability level.” The garden has a weekly farmers market in the summer with live music, concessions such as hamburgers and hot dogs, and fresh produce. Cameron says plans for a Friendship House 2.0 are in the works, with cottages to accommodate friends with disabilities who are ready to live together in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment. “What I think is interesting is when folks in the community take a need like affordable housing for young adults with disabilities and health care professional students and form the Friendship House. Or create sustainable food options for neighbors from two different socioeconomic backgrounds with the Friendship Community Gardens,” Cameron says. “It creates space for all to flourish.” CityViewNC.com | 23

2023 POWER OF GIVING COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS

Stacey Buckner will be honored at CityView’s Power of Giving Community Impact Awards presented by PWC. Tickets are available at cityviewnc.com.

‘Boots on the ground’ A survivor of traumatic brain injury, Stacey Buckner has rigged up an RV-style kitchen with shower and laundry equipment in tow and drives her Jeep into homeless camps to help fellow veterans. Their most important need, she says, is having someone to talk with.

M

BY JEN COOKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CINDY BURNHAM

ilitary veterans know Stacey Buckner’s tricked-out Jeep when they see it coming. Since 2015, Buckner, a veteran herself, has been going to homeless encampments on Friday nights to offer a hot shower, a change of clothes, a portable RV clothes washer, a meal and food for later. And then she brings a listening ear and a bit of camaraderie. Buckner will be recognized for her service as one of four winners of CityView’s Power of Giving Community Impact Awards for 2023. The award follows her recognition in July as a CNN Hero, an award that also pays tribute to community service.

24 November 2023

“I share this with the people who help with our mission,” says Buckner, who started Off-Road Outreach in 2015. “I couldn’t do it by myself, and I’m a huge advocate for boots on the ground.” Buckner was nominated for the award by a high school friend from 30 years ago, Krystyn Stern, who says she has seen Buckner take off her own shoes to give to a veteran in need. “Stacey is one of the most selfless people I know. She works tirelessly to help our homeless and at-risk veterans in the community,” Stern says in her nomination. “Her dedication to our nation’s heroes is unmatched. She is truly the hands and feet of Jesus.” In 2015, Buckner arrived at the Fayetteville Veterans Affairs

Medical Center in bad shape. She had a traumatic brain injury, had to use a wheelchair, told she was paralyzed, and her speech was also damaged. She says she has "recovered miraculously from (her) devastating disabilities," but that it was during that time she realized how difficult it is for veterans to find "meaningful employment." She also saw how other veterans were being treated for multiple other health problems as well. Later in 2015, Buckner got a job through the N.C. Department of Health & Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation Division and started working with other veterans. That led to opening Off-Road Outreach. From 2015 to September 2023, they have had fiscal partners in the community, most recently ServiceSource of the Veterans Affairs Department, a community resource for adults with disabilities. Filling the gaps “With my (traumatic brain injury), according to science, I should be dead, but God’s glory said, ‘Nope,’” Buckner says. “I saw a gap in services for homeless vets and did something about it.” To ensure that veterans receive help when they need it most, Buckner’s outreach agency — which gained nonprofit status on Sept. 11 of this year — responds 24/7 whenever its volunteers can. “For many of her vets, Stacey is the only family they have. They love her and light up when they see her coming,” Stern says. Buckner is certainly revered in the veterans community in Fayetteville. Army veteran Joyette Cole met Buckner after Cole had been in a major accident and had several surgeries. She needed services the VA did not provide. Because she had no transportation and she and others in her senior apartment complex needed food, Buckner would take them fresh produce through the Veggies for Vets program. Cole has become a liaison for other veterans in the community. When she is riding a city bus, she looks for veterans and tells them about the help Buckner can provide, then passes Buckner’s phone number to them. “She doesn’t mind, and she makes life a lot easier,” Cole says. “Veterans don’t trust a lot of people, but she’s made life a lot easier, and that’s hard to find these days.”

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CityViewNC.com | 25

Cole speaks in awe of just how much Buckner does for veterans. “She’s a ball of energy, like an Energizer Bunny angel,” Cole says with a laugh. Though Buckner does much of the work herself, part of the reason Off-Road Outreach volunteers are so available is the Community Ambassador Program, in which participants have to volunteer 90 hours before they can raise money on their own or use the branding. Of about 30 current volunteers, about a third are ambassadors. The others volunteer for everything from picking up fliers at the printer to delivering sleeping bags at 11 p.m. “Homelessness isn’t 9-to-5, but I do have to balance my love for them with family,” Buckner says.

Local veterans know Stacey Buckner’s tricked-out Jeep. Off-Road Outreach provides bagged lunches, snacks, bottles of water, hygiene kits and other supplies for homeless veterans.

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Someone to care Buckner points out there are multiple entities in the Fayetteville area that provide support to feed and clothe the homeless. What makes Off-Road Outreach unique is the mobile unit that enables her to go to the need plus “providing wrap-around support to get them off the streets.” “We feed you today and come back next Friday and talk about your goals from the week before and how to reach them.” She and several peer support specialists also talk with veterans who just need a listening ear and someone to care. “I offer fellowship, and what is driving me is God,” she says. “But that doesn’t mean it has to be a part of the conversation unless they want that.” Knowing Buckner and seeing her every couple of weeks when she delivers fresh produce gives Cole comfort and boosts her spirit. “It makes me still want to be here,” she says. When Buckner rolls up to a homeless camp in her Jeep, she has a full refrigerator and freezer, a stove and an oven available. After providing a good meal, she gets the shower component to unfold, complete with a propane heater and a pump that plugs in for water pressure. She offers a set of clean clothing, and then the veterans can wash their own clothing and hang it out to dry. The outreach also focuses on suicide prevention and awareness services. “Anytime people gather, based on statistics, just being social saves a life. ‘You have to connect to protect,’” she says,

quoting a U.S. Department of Defense catchphrase. Buckner knows firsthand how crucial connecting with other people is. Even if someone connects with her only every couple of years, she’s reminded that they care. In her outreach, she goes through 10 contacts per week to connect with people she knows. Off-Road Outreach also hosts the Adventure Therapy program. Buckner has taken about 100 veterans to camp, canoe and kayak, skydive, and enjoy a bonfire. “We intentionally mimic combat adrenaline but in a positive way,” Buckner says. Outings are posted on Off-Road’s website, and veterans can sign up there. Additionally, the agency plans to give about 100 families of at-risk veterans a full Thanksgiving meal in November. Other local agencies have referred those families to Off-Road Outreach. For Buckner, success is not about the raw numbers. The reality is that some homeless veterans likely won’t ever get off the streets because of medical or mental health issues. But they still need someone to talk with, she says. “I can’t quantify just being there for someone,” she says. “It’s about connecting on a humanity level.” For those veterans who are trying to get off the streets, the outreach is working on “The Big Tiny Project,” which will include several tiny houses with access to wraparound services including mental health support, a garden and a food pantry. Off-Road Outreach can always use volunteers, including for its gardens; in-kind donations such as cold-weather clothing and survival gear; and food, including refrigerated or frozen goods. Learn more about its services at offroadoutreach.com. The agency also is seeking financial donations, with its next big goal of raising $50,000 to purchase a recreational vehicle to provide “greater mobile impact.” Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/ stacey-buckner-offroad-outreach. “I try to tell people that, no matter their circumstances, giving is inclusive,” Buckner says. “You can make a difference just by speaking kind words. ... We are there whenever a veteran has a need, whatever it is.”

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Visit www.fayacademy.org for more information.

CityViewNC.com | 27

P R O FE S S I O N A L P R O FI L E S

Faith Leaders Like the saints before them, the faith leaders on the following pages inspire, comfort and teach. We salute those who dedicate their lives to helping others find the light. CityView will be profiling attorneys in our December issue. Call us at (910) 423-6500 or email sales@cityviewnc.com to reserve your spot in this special promotional section.

CityView Jeff Shaver FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH First Presbyterian Church — located in downtown Fayetteville — welcomed the Rev. Jeff Shaver, a New Mexico native, as its new associate pastor in September. Speaking about his experience, Jeff beams with enthusiasm. “While I appreciate the rich history and tradition of First Prez, at the end of the day, I’m here because of their love for people.” The vibrant community has made his transition seamless. A young adult community is growing under his contribution. Jeff carries with him a vision that blends the historic richness of the church with a willingness to explore new horizons. He aims to help further the reputation of First Presbyterian as a place of healing and genuine welcome. “While First Presbyterian is rooted in history,” Jeff notes, “it’s also open to experimenting with new things.” His focus is on adapting and innovating to meet the evolving needs of the community. In a world where people may feel estranged from the church, Jeff aims to help create a sanctuary of warmth and acceptance. First Presbyterian aspires to be a haven for those who feel disconnected or disillusioned by the conventional church experience. Jeff envisions a vibrant and inclusive community where individuals can find solace and spiritual nourishment.

910-483-0121 | www.firstprez.com 102 Ann St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

28 November 2023

S P EC I A L P R O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

P R O FE S S I O N A L P R O FI L E S

Pastor Blake Benge SNYDER MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Blake Benge, who leads Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, has a rich heritage and a profound commitment to his faith and community. Born and raised in Dothan, Alabama, his early life was framed by the presence of Army Rotary Wing aviation students from Fort Rucker overhead. While he did not serve in the military, his deep respect for those who do fuels his desire to make Snyder a safe and supportive place for troops. With 28 years of marriage to Beverly and a daughter, Ashton, living in northeast Alabama, Blake’s personal life is rooted in strong family bonds. His educational journey took him through Mississippi College for a bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations and Samford University for a master’s of divinity. He furthered his studies at New Orleans Baptist Seminary and Princeton Seminary. Blake’s pastoral career has taken him to various cities, including Jackson, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; and Pensacola, Florida. In November 2022, he moved to Fayetteville, taking the helm as Snyder’s seventh pastor in its nearly 75-year history. Beyond borders, Blake’s service has reached numerous countries, from Finland to Haiti and many others in between. He’s a man of diverse interests, finding joy in cycling and annually sharing the excitement of the Tour de France with Beverly. Blake’s fascination with communication spans theater and cinema to the realms of politics, comedy, music, and advertising. His core mission is to share the truth of Scripture through engaging and helpful preaching, all while maintaining a strong focus on organizational health and growth. Blake’s deep hope lies in being part of Fayetteville and Snyder Baptist, a multigenerational church offering both traditional and modern services of exceptional quality. His unwavering belief is that people are created to be part of something greater, leading lives of meaning. The Apostle Paul’s words, “We are His workmanship created for good works in Christ Jesus,” are a guiding principle. Blake is committed to Snyder’s legacy, ensuring that the church continues to serve generations, helping everyone in Fayetteville discover God, develop faith, and display Christlike love in attitudes and actions.

910-484-3191 | 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28305 | www.snydermbc.com S P EC I A L P R O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

CityViewNC.com | 29

P R O FE S S I O N A L P R O FI L E S

Lead Pastor Christopher Fletcher MANNA CHURCH Christopher Fletcher is the lead pastor of Manna Church in Fayetteville/ Ft. Bragg - a staff on which he has served since 1999. Christopher and his wife, Rachel, were married in 2004 and had four children — Jaedon, Brooklyn, Norah and Iris. Christopher took the long route to a degree in piano performance after studying pre-law at Campbell University in Buies Creek for the first three of his eight-year undergraduate “tour.” He received his bachelor’s in music in 2007 after receiving Campbell’s Presidential Scholarship and lettering in varsity soccer. Upon graduation from Campbell, Christopher was Manna Church’s worship pastor. In 2018, Christopher completed his Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Manna University and had published and presented papers at the American Biblical Board of Higher Education. In 2021, Christopher and Michael, his father, completed the leadership transition at Manna Church’s Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg locations. Christopher enjoys sports of all kinds (a Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Cardinals, but mostly Manchester United fan) and coaches at his boyhood soccer club: the Villareal Force. Christopher has completed three iron-man triathlons, raced in the 2010 HalfMax National Triathlon Championship, and has a 50K ultramarathon finish to his credit.

910-867-9151 5117 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, NC 28314 www.manna.church

His passion is to see people walk into their God-given purpose and plant Manna Churches along the Military Highway.

Professional Profiles December

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CityView 30 November 2023

S P EC I A L P R O M OT I O N A L S ECT I O N

MORE THAN BREAKFAST While we serve breakfast to upwards of 100 souls each day, we offer life changing opportunities to the Inasmuch Family. The Living Hope Program at The Lodge provides life skill classes, group and individual counseling, and we are in the process of adding trauma recovery to our list of services so that Christ can fully restore hope for a brighter future.

Inasmuch.

WHERE DO THE BROKEN, HURTING, AND HOMELESS IN FAYETTEVILLE TURN?

Learn more about us on page 13 of your Guide to Giving or at www.faoiam.org

JOIN THE COMPASSION MOVEMENT

CityViewNC.com | 31

FEATURE

Nuttin’ finer Pecan pie is a distinctly Southern specialty, especially as autumn’s leaves turn to brilliant colors and there’s at least a nip in the air. We found some ways to step up our game plan with these tempting combinations. BY BOBBY PARKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CINDY BURNHAM

Mama’s Pecan Pie, Pecan Pie Cake, Derby Bars, Pecan Pie Cheesecake and Pecan Pie Cookies, all prepared by David Bass.

32 November 2023

C

ome on; admit it. You tell yourself every Thanksgiving that this is the year you’re going to skip the turkey and dressing and green-bean casserole and go straight for the desserts. Why waste the calories on mashed potatoes and gravy when you know you’ve got to save room for the pecan pie? Topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, it’s a sweet Southern tradition that says “fall” with every syrupy bite. The pecans are a toasty, crunchy comfort as autumn’s chill takes hold. Pecan pie is simple and satisfying, just like Mama used to bake. Unless you want to get complicated. We took to our search engine and found some stepped-up recipes adding layers of goodness and some tasty combinations to the traditional pecan dessert lineup. Pecan pie as a filling between the layers of a moist and buttery cake. Pecan pie as a topping on a creamy cheesecake. Pecan pie with chocolate drizzles on a toasted cookie. And a layer of pecan pie spread over a crust that’s cut into bars smaller than a slice of pie but big enough to satisfy your sweet cravings. So pull on up to the dessert buffet and sample a little of everything. But do save room for the turkey and dressing; it’s Thanksgiving, after all. As Grandma would say, during the post-dessert cleanup as she took a bite of pan-fried cornbread: “Got to get the sweet taste out of my mouth.” PECAN PIE CHEESECAKE Double your pleasure with this luscious combo of two all-time favorites, from thekitchn.com.

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Follow your favorite cheesecake recipe, or follow your neighbors to your favorite bakery for a shortcut you need not feel guilty about. For the pecan pie topping: • 1½ cups whole pecans • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • ½ cup heavy cream • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract CityViewNC.com | 33

Instructions: Coarsely chop about 1 cup of the toasted pecans; leave the remaining ½ cup whole. Place 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking frequently, until the butter is completely melted and the mixture is completely smooth and bubbling all over, 6 to 8 minutes. Whisk in ½ cup heavy cream until completely combined and bubbling again. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped and whole pecans and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Set aside to cool to room temperature, 30 to 45 minutes. Take the cheesecake out of the refrigerator and unmold it. You can serve the cake right from the bottom of the springform pan or use a large off-set spatula to gently unstick the crust from the pan and transfer it to a serving platter. Spoon the pecan pie topping over the cheesecake before slicing. PECAN PIE CAKE Yellow layer cake with a pecan pie filling combines another of your two favorites. Vanilla icing (homemade — or not) adds a classic finish. Recipe by Holly Nilsson at spendwithpennies.com. For the cake: • 2 cups chopped pecans • ¾ cup butter, softened • 2 cups white sugar • 5 eggs, separated • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract • 1 cup milk • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1½ teaspoons baking soda • 1 cup pecans, chopped • ⅓ cup caramel sauce • ⅓ cup light cream For the filling: • ½ cup packed brown sugar • ⅓ cup cornstarch • ¾ cup dark corn syrup • 2 egg yolks • 1 egg • 1½ cups light cream • 2 tablespoons butter • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

34 November 2023

Other: • 2 cups heavy cream • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar • additional pecans for decorating optional • cream for serving Cake instructions: Preheat oven to 350°. Grease three 9-inch pans and sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly among them. Place 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a 1 cup measuring cup and top to 1 cup with milk. Set aside. With a mixer on medium, cream together 3/4 cup butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat the egg yolks and vanilla. In a medium bowl, combine flour and baking soda. Beat flour mixture into butter mixture alternating with soured milk. With the mixer on medium-high, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold egg whites and 1 cup chopped pecans into the butter mixture just until completely combined.

Divide batter among the 3 prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for 18-23 minutes, or just until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake. Cool in the pan 5 minutes. Remove from pans onto cooling racks lined with parchment paper. Combine caramel sauce and light cream. Brush over each of the warm cakes twice. Cool completely. Filling (can be made a day ahead): Combine ½ cup brown sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, egg, light cream and corn syrup in a large saucepan. Stir continuously over medium heat until mixture boils. Let boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Let cool in the pan for about 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Cool completely. Assembly: Place one cake layer on a plate with pecans facing up. Top with half of the cooled filling. Repeat layers and finally top with the last cake.

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Whip cream and powdered sugar on medium high until stiff peaks form. Frost cake with whipped cream and top with additional pecans if desired. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. To serve, slice the cake and drizzle each slice with about 2 tablespoons fresh cream before serving.

DERBY BARS

PECAN PIE COOKIES They’re pecan pie on the go on your postdinner walk to burn some calories. Or to take to the couch for a cozy nap. Recipe by Holly Nilsson at spendwithpennies.com. Ingredients: • 1 prepared single-pie crust, homemade or from the dairy section • 2 tablespoons butter, melted • ½ cup pecans chopped • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar • ¼ cup corn syrup • 2 eggs • ⅛ teaspoon salt • ¼ cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips for decorating Instructions: Preheat oven to 400°. Combine butter, pecans, brown sugar, corn syrup, salt and eggs. While constantly stirring, cook on the stovetop over mediumlow heat just until thickened. (You don’t want it dry, just slightly thickened, about the consistency of pudding.) Remove from heat and set aside. Unroll dough and using a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out circles. Gently fold about ¼ PECAN PIE COOKIES

36 November 2023

inch up on the edges. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the pecan mixture into each circle. Place on a parchment-lined pan and bake 8 minutes or until filling is just set. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Place chocolate chips in a small plastic bag. Microwave about 15 seconds or until mostly melted. Snip off a tiny corner of the baggie and drizzle chocolate over the cookies. Cool until set. DERBY BARS TV chef Paula Deen says this recipe’s name comes from the fact that she first made these handheld treats for a Kentucky Derby party. Recipe from Paula Deen magazine.

Ingredients: • 2 cups all-purpose flour • ½ cup granulated sugar • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ cup butter, cut into tablespoons • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar • 1 cup dark corn syrup • ½ cup butter, melted • 4 large eggs • 2 tablespoons bourbon • 2 cups chopped pecans • 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels Instructions: Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, letting excess extend over sides of pan; spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Press mixture firmly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly browned. In same large bowl, whisk together brown sugar and next 4 ingredients until combined. Stir in pecans and chocolate; pour over prepared crust. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Let cool completely. Using excess foil as handles, remove from pan before cutting into bars. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Where Your Children Come First

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

Pediatric Services We Provide

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

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Jose Buenaseda, MD, FAAP Leamor Buenaseda, MD, FAAP Sreelekha Sashidhar, MD, FAAP Christine Arnold, CPNP-PC Amy Miller, PA-C Melanie Pitts, DNP, NP-C Danielle Trigg, CPNP-PC Cinthia Follrod, CPNP-PC Meaghan Hodges, CPNP-PC Rachelle Olson, FNPC

4005 Fayetteville Road Raeford, NC 28376 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2035 Valleygate Dr., Suite 101 Fayetteville, NC 28304 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

6415 Brookstone Lane, Suite 101 Fayetteville, NC 28314 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

910.848.KIDS (5437)

910.677.0007

910.306.KIDS (5437)

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

Your health, our specialty. Primary and Specialty Care

Seeking healthcare for your family? Cape Fear Valley Health is committed to your family’s health, offering a wide scope of services. When health challenges arise, know where to go to get the treatment you need.

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Located in Cumberland, Hoke, Bladen and Harnett Counties

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