Editor's Notes: If disaster strikes keep Pop Tarts in your go bag

As a habit, I regularly check in with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center to see what’s on the horizon.

For instance, on Friday, the National Hurricane Center, together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, were tracking a weather event which may be important for the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

“A tropical wave located over the eastern tropical Atlantic continues to produce a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms,” forecasters reported. “Environmental conditions appear conducive for development of this system over the next few days, and a tropical depression could form during the early to middle part of next week while it moves westward at around 15 mph over the tropical Atlantic and approaches the Windward Islands.”

So far it seems unlikely that this event will have any impact on North Carolina. However, we’ve seen plenty similar storms become very dangerous - even life threatening.

Anytime something like this comes up, I start mentally preparing for a possible disaster.

Like the rest of Lumberton and Robeson County residents, I’ll continue watching the forecast until it becomes possible for the storm to cross our path. When that happens I make sure the car has a full tank of gas, make sure that we have several days’ worth of water stored and ensure that our pantry has an ample supply of Dinty Moore Stew and ramen noodles.

While I’m still a relative newcomer here, I’ve been through a few of hurricanes, at least enough to make sure my provisions here at the office are well stocked, too. Don’t tell my wife — or my doctor, but my provisions at the office include a box of Girl Scout Cookies, a box of strawberry Pop Tarts and a six pack of Diet Cherry Pepsi.

I’ve carefully prepared this list based on the number of natural disasters that I’ve lived through. While they’ve all been scary, the family and I have — in most cases — prepared for the worst.

As a child growing up in Colorado, I had similar feelings when a big snow storm would blow through – because it meant no school and days filled with sledding.

In 1982, when I was still a teen, Denver got walloped by a blizzard that froze the city solid for more than a week. Find pictures here: https://dpo.st/3A1CFGR.

I was in high school in 1980, when another disaster struck the country. Up in the Northwest, Mount St. Helens blew its top and sent ash to several states to the east. We saw a little ash fall where we lived out West, but otherwise it had little effect. My wife grew up in the Puget Sound area and remembers the disastrous impact of Mount St. Helens had to her and communities around there.

Even, 10 years after than, when I began working for a newspaper in central Washington, I remember cleaning ash out of photo and printing equipment from time to time.

As disasters go, though, I suppose the most frightening experience we had as a family was several tornadoes that blew through the area we lived in near Dayton, Ohio.

The first time it happened, my wife called me at work one day and said, “The tornado sirens are going off, what should we do.”

I said, “Take the kids and go to the basement.”

She did, the children actually had a great time making beds on the floor of our unfinished basement.

The storm passed and everyone was OK.

Several years later, another big storm known as a derecho blew through Ohio knocking down trees and power lines. We suffered more than a week during a very hot July with no power – and since we were on well water, that meant no running water.

My children still give me a hard time for running a hose down the hill so we could steal water from the chicken house, where I had built a rainwater collection system. Find a short video on that event: http://bit.ly/2c80bEt.

Another “disaster” struck when we lived in Boise, Idaho. I was working as an early morning editor and was the first into the office every morning. One day as I sat down in front of my computer to begin uploading stories, I felt a little dizzy. I brushed it off as being tired, but moments later I got a call by my environmental reporter.

“Dave,” he said in an almost panicked voice. “I think we just had an earthquake.” Indeed we did. It was small. A few people reported cracked foundations and broken dishes.

Through all these rather minor disasters, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of being prepared and remaining calm.

As I check the weather forecast every day, I’ll be looking for the big one. And in the meantime, I’ll keep my provisions of Pop Tarts and Diet Pepsi well stocked.

EDITOR'S NOTES: Context adds meaning to hike in the woods

The argument surrounding the Confederate soldier standing in front of the Robeson County Courthouse continues. 

So far pretty much everyone seems to agree that the statue needs to come down.

The question still remains on what to do with it once it is removed. As a relative newcomer to Robeson County, I don’t know that I can intelligently argue about the statue’s ultimate demise.

However, as the great, great, great-grandson of a Civil War soldier, I can understand the feelings stirred by what the monument stands for. 

David Kennard

My grandfather survived the war and eventually migrated to the West. I was reminded of grandpa Leonidas Hamlin Kennard Sr. during a walk in the woods I made not too long ago.

During my small trek I stumbled across a piece of history. Sitting on the banks of the Santee River about an hour’s drive from Charleston, South Carolina, is a Civil War site managed by the National Forest Service.

The site is quiet now, disturbed only by the gurgle of the slow moving water pushing along the shores and an occasional hoot owl somewhere in the thick grove of longleaf pines that surround the site. 

Battery Warren is a collection of earthen mounds that once concealed cannons and other guns used by Confederate forces to protect a railroad bridge that crossed the Santee.

There’s not much left of the structure now.

Tall pines and thick hardwood trees have grown up between many of the former structures, but it is still relatively easy to see the layout of the old fort.

An informational plaque at the site explains that slaves built most of the structure that is named after Colonel Samuel Warren, a Revolutionary War hero, who once owned the land where the fort is located. Sitting in a remote part of the Francis Marion National Forest, my guess is the site is preserved in an environment very much like it was when soldiers lived and worked there more than 150 years ago.

The visible history of the area, although almost reclaimed by the forest, added significance to my Saturday afternoon hike.

As I’ve mentioned before, the journalist in me seeks historical context of people, places and things I write about. 

The context of this almost forgotten fort still intrigues me.

You’ll notice that most news stories that we write here in the paper contain some piece of history to them. Sometimes the history makes up the bulk of the story.

And, quite often, the history is the most important part of the story. For instance, you may recall a couple months ago, I launched a series of historical features titled “Our History.”

You can find the latest column on page 3A of today’s Robesonian. Together, with information about one of dozens of historical markers that dot our county, I’ve enjoyed learning about Robeson County’s history.

And similar to my find while hiking through the Francis Marion National Forest, I’ve found a collection of historical markers that point to Revolutionary War sites here in Robeson County. 

For instance, In northern Robeson County you can find two historical markers a few miles from each other. 

The Raft Swamp Marker, two miles south of Red Springs tells about a Tory victory in October 1781.

You can find more information about that here: https://bit.ly/3rv9nv4. “After the Tory victory at McPhaul’s Mill, the Whigs routed the Tories near here on Oct. 15, 1781, and broke their resistance in this area,” the marker reads. 

 Another marker, this one about 5 miles north of Red Springs, tells an abbreviated story about the battle of McPhaul’s Mill in September 1781. You can find more about that marker here: https://bit.ly/3EfWF8Q.

 The markers provide only a peek into the stories that played out there and without the context, they’d be meaningless.

You can find a map that includes all of Robeson County’s historical markers here: https://bit.ly/37hUIwG.

 I’ve researched about a fourth of them here in Robeson County, but it’s an ongoing process as I visit and learn the history of these locations.

 Likewise, visitors to Warren Battery have little idea what those strange mounds of dirt are along the high banks of the Santee River. Years ago however, they meant a lot.

The threat of advancing Union forces up the Santee kept the soldiers at the fort on their toes.

The toil of the slaves that built most of the structure will likely never be known, but a visit to the site will testify to the effort they made.

 As the great, great, great grandson of a Civil War soldier, I can appreciate better now the conditions that must have existed during that time period. That context added meaning to my short hike in the woods.

 You can see my latest discovery, a historical marker dedicated to Hector MacLean, one of Lumberton’s most outstanding leaders, on page 3A of today’s Robesonian.

Dillon Heath works with customers at the Headquarters Branch of the Cumberland County Public Library. (David Kennard/Greater Fayetteville Business Journal) 

Library grant to provide online access throughout community

By David Kennard

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Cumberland County Commissioners accepted a State Library of North Carolina (SLNC) grant in the amount of $95,846 that will be used to pay for two digital navigators at the Cumberland County Public Library.

Faith Phillips, the Cumberland County Public Library director, said the one full-time and one part-time position represents the next phase in a series of moves she hopes will provide community access to an ever growing digital world.

“At the library we’ve had a number of customers who need help with these types of items — and of course we help them, always — but oftentimes the library staff member is on the desk helping other people,” Phillips said.

The two digital navigator positions will provide the needed help both in the public library, but also throughout the community wherever digital access is needed.

“Navigators will go into the community and help people who cannot come to the library,” Phillips said. “Navigators will be able to instill in community members the skills and confidence needed to be successful in the digital sphere so they can have truly equitable access.”

The grant, which is part of the $1.6 million SLNC Adapts Library Services and Technology Act, is one of 45 grants doled out by the state library. The state library grants were made possible by funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Public Law 117-2 (ARPA).

According to information provided by the SLNC, the money was earmarked to “support local library projects that target high-need communities to address digital inclusion, expand digital network access, purchase internet-accessible devices, provide related technical support in response to the coronavirus, and support community needs.”

Locally, the two new positions will be used to connect “the last mile digital inclusion and navigation at the Cumberland County Public Library,” according to the commissioners’ agenda item.

Phillips said the grant will pay for the two new positions for one budget cycle, but she said she hopes to include the positions in the next fiscal year’s budget, planning of which begins in September.

Regarding boots-on-the-ground applications, the grant includes funding for 15 laptop computers that will be used at planned outreach events throughout the community.

Ideally, Phillips said she hopes to partner with local businesses to provide access in visible areas such as business parking lots, schools, community centers, public spaces, even laundromats or other places where people naturally gather.

According to Phillips, the recent acquisition of mobile hotspots represented the first phase of the library’s digital access plan. The library’s new navigators will provide the needed help for library customers searching an array of information such as seeking job information, resume coaching or even help with launching a business.

Looking forward, Phillips said she hopes to apply the “Bookmobile” model to remote internet access — which would include a mobile bus-like vehicle that can be set up on school campuses, veteran service centers or job fairs throughout the county.

“This is crucial in ensuring equal access to the digital world,” Phillips said. “While providing access to technology like hotspots and computers as well as the internet. It’s crucial for our community, but that access means nothing if a community member does not know how to access the digital ecosystem.”

Editor’s Notes: Climate change or not, it’s hot out there

By David Kennard
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Anyone who has spent time outside during the summer understands that it can get hot, really hot — which is good for business for sellers of sunscreen, sunglasses, sandals and sun hats.

As the high heat of August continues to cook our part of the world, entrepreneurs are dreaming up ideas on how to make a buck from climate change.

David Kennard

We had a chance last week to visit with Karen Goble, director of continuing medical education for Southern Regional, Area Health Education Centers.

You can find Scott Nunn’s story on page 3 of this edition of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.

According to Karen Goble, director of continuing medical education for Southern Regional, Area Health Education Centers, our region “already experiences health and community challenges posed by increasing heat and storms.”

“We have the highest incidence of heat-related illness in North Carolina,” Goble told us. “Health care workers, employee health staff, and all in the region need to consider how we adapt, such as providing counseling for persons taking commonly prescribed medications that increase risk for heat related illness.”

Stick with me for a minute; this is not another news piece promoting the idea of global warming. That said, we are experiencing a trend that seems to support the idea of climate change, at least in the short term. 

And regardless of your stance on the subject, Goble and others are focusing on the practicality of increased numbers of people showing up in hospitals and doctors offices with health issues related to the heat.

In Nunn’s story, you’ll find information about the Sandhills Climate and Health Symposium 2021. There Goble will speak on the subject of health concerns related to climate factors.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has stolen the spotlight in the last year, but it’s not the only health threat out there — hurricanes, for instance, continue to plague the Southeast year after year.

Health experts, government leaders and even regular folks like me and you usually have time to prepare for the destructive forces of these big storms.

But, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention our region “is especially vulnerable to extreme heat and wildfires. However certain populations, such as farmworkers and diabetics, face a high risk of spending too much time in the sun — which .

According to Nunn’s story, the subject of heat effects on the human body will be addressed at the Sandhills Climate and Health Symposium 2021, set for Aug. 13 at the Southern Regional Area Health Education Center (SR-AHEC), 1601 Owen Drive, Fayetteville.

Years ago, I spent a couple of summers running the aquatics program at a Boy Scout camp in southern Colorado. For five weeks in a row I’d wake up everyday, shave and apply zinc oxide (white stuff) to my nose. 

On my staff of lifeguards and sailing instructors was a young man named Randy, who had a girlfriend named Kim back home. Each day as the lakefront staff began their daily tasks, Randy would get one of the guys to reapply a thick coating of zinc oxide to his back, spelling out the name, “Kim” — you know, so when he took his shirt off he’d have a sun tattoo spelling out his girl’s name.

Time passed, and not too surprisingly, Randy and Kim went their separate ways, leaving Randy with a large sun tattoo of this young woman’s name still on his back. The day after the breakup Randy said he had come up with a solution. For the last couple of weeks Randy skipped the zinc oxide application and let Kim burn.

So, climate change or not, Kim or not, we feel the heat of summer every year. And anyone who spends any amount of time working outdoors understands the power of the sun’s heat. That and other climate-related issues is what the upcoming symposium will address.

“It will be important to consider preventative measures for those working outdoors — such as in construction or farmworkers — and engaged in outdoor sports activities,” Goble said.

The takeaway from the symposium is that our region and others must prepare for the rising number of people with conditions caused by environmental hazards.

David Kennard is the executive editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. Contact him at 910-240-9697, Ext. 104.

Cumberland County has sold the Cedar Creek Business Park, according to an announcement today. (File photo)

Cumberland County seals deal with SkyREM on Cedar Creek Business Center

By David Kennard

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

SkyREM LLC has closed on the purchase of Cumberland County’s Cedar Creek Industrial Park, which includes about 360 acres in Fayetteville.

The $3,559,600 deal represents a major milestone for Cumberland County, with 100 percent of the park in private-sector hands, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (FCDEC).

“When our county invested in this park, the goal was to attract private-sector investment and create jobs for our citizens,” said County Commission Chairman Charles Evans. “Considering the company’s aggressive construction timeline, our community is well-positioned to compete for and win transformative economic development projects.” 

Tuesday’s sale was the “first of two proposed acquisitions by the company,” according to a prepared statement from FCDEC.

Earlier this year, Cumberland County Board of Commissioners approved the sale of a 159-acre tract in the Cumberland Industrial Center. As a condition of the sale, SkyREM agreed to construct a new industrial product within three years of purchase, with the potential for upwards of 1.6 million square feet of Class A industrial space, adding much needed inventory. 

With an industrial vacancy rate of 5.1 percent, the demand for available, quality industrial space is higher than it has been at any time in the last 15 years according to data from CoStar Analytics, 2021. 

SkyREM, a privately funded real estate company with offices in Philadelphia and New York City, “is actively acquiring throughout the East Coast,” according to information made available to the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.

The sale marks the “third significant investment” in Cumberland County, according to the FCDEC. Other acquisitions include property off 107 Tom Starling Road. (927,000 square feet) in 2018 and 880 Technology Drive (182,000 square feet) earlier this year. 

“SkyREM is excited to invest further in the Cumberland County market,” said Alex Dembitzer, SkyREM founder. “We currently own and manage approximately 1.2 million square feet in Fayetteville and look forward to rapidly developing multiple state-of-the-art, best-in-class manufacturing, distribution and logistics facilities.”

Tuesday’s acquired property is located in the much desired land with easy access to Interstate 95, which, according to the company, puts 80 percent of the country’s population within one day or less.

Marketing to manufacturing and light industrial companies, SkyREM pointed to Cumberland County and Fayetteville as ideal locations. Tuesday’s announcement included language touting benefits that included existing “road and utility infrastructure,” and the ability for “creating multiple ready-to-build sites within minutes of I-95.” Additionally, Tuesday’s statement pointed to a new Campbell’s Soup Distribution Center located within the Cedar Creek Industrial Park. 

“We would like to thank Robert Van Geons, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, and the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation for giving SkyREM the opportunity to further invest in the Fayetteville market and look forward to working alongside the local government bringing new businesses, and more importantly, new jobs to the area,” Dembitzer said.

Likewise, Van Geons offered praise to Cumberland County officials.

“We would like to congratulate the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on the completion of this sale, which would not have been possible without the dedicated work of County Attorney Rick Moorefield and County Manager Amy Cannon,” Van Geons said. “We are grateful to the City of Fayetteville for supporting utility extensions and our marketing efforts, as well as the North Carolina Department of Transportation and South River Electric Membership Corporation who provided funding for road and electrical improvements. This is an exciting project for Fayetteville and Cumberland County, and we look forward to our continued collaboration with SkyREM.”

Fayetteville Technical Community College has filled its current courses training CDL drivers, a trend seen regionally and across the country. (Photo published with permission from FTCC)

Demand for truck drivers fosters creative responses

By David Kennard

Truck drivers are in short supply according to sources keeping an eye on the commercial transportation industry.

Fleet Advantage, with headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, released information Thursday, showing that the trucking industry nationwide is anticipating a shortage of 100,000 drivers by 2023.

That’s a number that will no doubt impact buyers and sellers alike — especially with the holiday shopping season approaching.

Cumberland County and its host of distribution centers may feel the impact more than most areas, but the region is certainly not alone in its concern over the kink in the American supply chain.

According to a CNN report on Thursday, “US ports, railroads, trucks, delivery services, warehouses and the many people who run them — is overwhelmed.”

Of course, the silver lining, if there is one, is that demand for consumer goods is an indicator of a recovering economy. Walking the line between supply and demand is business as usual for manufacturers, but the common thread between sellers and buyers often includes the transportation factor.

While qualified drivers are in short supply, educators and transportation industry officials are working on the solution.

Locally, Fayetteville Technical Community College’s trucking program is full to capacity. The college has a steady demand for training thanks to its relationship with Fort Bragg. 

“Transitioning service members do enroll in our CDL program,” said Catherine Pritchard, from the school’s Office of Marketing & Public Relations. “We are also a registered CSP (Career Skills Program) through SFL Tap (Soldier for Life – Transition Assistance Program) at Fort Bragg.”

The industry has also seen a push for non-traditional employees — women as drivers and the plethora of other jobs in the supply chain.

“Facing a decades-old struggle to retain drivers—and a pandemic that’s cranked up demand for shipping—fleets long staffed by mostly male drivers are now looking to get more women behind the wheel,” according to a prepared statement from Fleet Advantage. “With the trucking industry anticipating a shortage…recruitment efforts directed at women are becoming increasingly common.”. 

That’s a trend FTCC is seeing as well. 

“There are 12 people in [the] class, all male at this time, but we've had women come through,” Pritchard said.

Around the country, other creative options are playing out as well.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, Centerline Drivers, a recruiting firm in Burbank, Calif., specializes in placing truck drivers in high demand areas, even if it means flying them across the country. 

"Our team looked around and found we had drivers available locally and came up with the idea to fly them [to a remote region of the upper Midwest], put them up and have them work until the job was done," said Shane Keller, Centerline's managing director of recruitment. "The drivers were dedicated to that company, and for six weeks moved the products the company needed to move."

A large airtanker makes a water drop on the Summit Trail Fire in Washington. (Photos used with permission from the Colville Agency, BIA National Interagency Fire Center.)

Western states fires spark Air Quality Alert in Fayetteville area — WITH VIDEO

By David Kennard

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Fires burning in the West have sparked an An Air Quality Alert for residents and businesses that have employees working outside throughout the Greater Fayetteville area.

Local National Weather Service officials issued the alert for Cumberland, Hoke, Sampson and Scotland counties, including the cities of Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Hope Mills, Clinton, Camp Mackall, Laurinburg, Raeford, Wagram and Roseboro.

The alert will remain in effect until midnight Thursday, according to NWS information released Thursday.

According to weather officials, the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources in Raleigh has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for fine particulates. The Code Orange alert means concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.

Workers and residents who are sensitive to poor air quality — especially those with heart or lung disease, such as asthma — are encouraged to limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. In a statement released to local media on Thursday, Environmental Resources officials said children, active people and older adults should also limit time spent outdoors.

“Wildfires continue to burn actively across 13 states where 78 large fires and complexes have burned 1,346,736 acres,” according to a statement released Wednesday by the National Interagency Fire Center. “More than 20,700 wildland firefighters and support personnel are assigned to incidents. New large fires [on Wednesday] were reported in California, Montana and Wyoming.”

Ray Goza installs ceiling tiles at Fayetteville Regional Airport earlier this month. (David Kennard/Greater Fayetteville Business Journal)

Jobless rate data shows slight uptick locally

By David Kennard

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Cumberland County’s unemployment rate increased slightly in May, according to figures just released by North Carolina’s Department of Commerce.

The unemployment rate of 6.4 percent of the county’s labor force remains far lower than May 2020 when it was 16.9 percent at the height of COVID-19 disruptions.

“Historically, the end of the school year and start of summer have often seen a small pull back in employment,” said Robert Van Geons, President and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC). “With hundreds of good jobs immediately available in Cumberland County, we’re optimistic that our overall employment trend will continue improving over the next few months. For those looking to reenter the workforce, there is no better time than now.”

Van Geons also said Cumberland County’s .2 percent increase is in keeping with, or less than neighboring counties.

Robeson County recorded the highest unemployment rate among Cumberland County’s closest neighbors, but generally the trend has continued to improve in recent months.

Harnett County rose just slightly from 4.7 percent in April to 4.9 percent in May. Likewise, Hoke County’s jobless rate jumped from 5.8 percent in April to 6.1 percent in May.

Moore County went from 4.1 percent to 4.2 percent during the same period, and Robeson County went from 6.5 percent in April to 6.8 percent in May.

Sampson County posted the best results among Cumberland County’s closest neighbors, showing a jobless rate of 4.1 percent in May, up from April’s 3.8 percent.

North Carolina’s statewide average showed a very small increase from 4.4 percent in April to 4.5 percent in May.

From a big picture point of view, 92 out of 100 North Carolina counties saw their unemployment rate stay the same or go up, according to Van Geons. “So we appear  consistent with most of the state.”

Most economists generally consider a state of full employment to be anything less than an unemployment rate of 3 percent, due to frictional unemployment, which occurs as workers are in the process of moving from one job to another.

The period between April and May also saw a slight decrease in Cumberland County’s labor force from 125,987 to 124,640 — a loss of 1,347 workers.

Data released Wednesday also showed that the Fayetteville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) saw a labor force decrease from 145,824 in April to 144,306 in May — a loss of 1,518 workers. That compares to the Raleigh MSA that saw the labor force decline by 3,431 workers — 724,944 in April to 721,513 in May, according to the Department of Commerce data.

Editor's Notes: Farm fresh food available locally

By David Kennard

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

I don’t like snakes. I’ve tried to like them, really I have. 

My earliest run-ins with snakes involve my grandmother’s garden, a magical place where my brother, sisters and I would spend several hours a day during our summer visits.

My grandmother, Dorothy, lived in a small town in central Kansas. That’s right, Dorothy, from Kansas. She had a scarecrow in her very large garden, but no tin man or lion — certainly no flying monkeys or munchkins; unless you count us kids.

David Kennard

I always grow a little nostalgic when I start seeing farmers markets pop up. 

Have a look on page 11 of this edition of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. Michael Futch’s story is part one of a two-part series on the District Summer Market at Festival Park. Watch for the followup story in the July 23 edition by Jami McLaughlin.

There is absolutely no substitute for farm fresh fruits and vegetables. And despite ad campaigns touting “farm fresh” or “organic” goods, I know what farm fresh means because I’ve eaten straight from my grandmother’s garden. I’ve picked cherries and shucked corn after pulling it from the stalk.

Like so many towns across the Midwest, wheat, soybeans and silage kept the local economy going. While farmers worked the fields, their wives and young children kept the gardens at home producing more exotic treats, such as peas, beans, sweet corn, cabbage, tomatoes and — easily my favorite, asparagus.

The small supermarket on the town square relied on fresh vegetables from the backyard gardens of the folks living nearby. In fact, when grandma would take us with her to do her shopping, it seemed like we often brought more groceries in than we’d take out.

I grew up in Denver, Colorado, and our annual pilgrimage to Kansas usually began right after school was out for the summer. My parents would point the Rambler station wagon east and we’d set out across the plains, usually arriving as the sun was going down. 

Grandma would get us up early the next morning to help her in the garden. We’d put on aprons and set out down the rows to pull weeds and pick out whatever was ripe.

That poor scarecrow guarding the patch of corn always made me feel a little sad. His faded overalls and tattered shirt got more faded and more tattered every summer.

I must have been in middle school when I saw the snakes in Grandma’s garden for the first time. Growing up in suburban Denver, I hadn’t had a lot of experience with snakes. But I’d seen enough television shows to know to stay away from them.

It took me quite a while to figure out that Grandma’s snakes weren’t real snakes at all. After my first squawk, grandma quickly walked over to reassure me that these were “Scare Snakes.”

She said they helped the scarecrow keep the birds away.

Upon closer inspection, I saw that her snakes were just rubber toys that you can buy at any toy store, and some were just pieces of fabric that she’d crafted that kind of looked like snakes. I’m not sure if they worked on birds, but they definitely worked on young boys.

After we’d collected enough food, or complained enough, Grandma would shoo us back up to the house to wash up before helping her with dinner.

My favorite: Soup of all kinds, cherry pie and of course, asparagus.

Years later, my wife and I have had gardens of different kinds and I’ve learned that small gardens are much better — for me anyway — than anything close to my grandmother’s.

For the last couple of years, I’ve had container gardens — mostly growing tomatoes, but I’ve experimented with sweetcorn and green beans and various other things.

Unfortunately I’ve never been able to duplicate my grandmother’s asparagus plants. I’m not giving up, though. Perhaps I’ll wander down to the farmers market in search of some farm fresh food.

David Kennard is the executive editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.

Cape Fear Botanical Gardens board members celebrate the event by conducting a traditional mortgage burning at the center. (Photo by David Kennard/Greater Fayetteville Business Journal)

Botanical Garden honors Huffs for many contributions

By David Kennard

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

The Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s orangery now carries a new name: “The Ralph & Linda Huff Orangery.”

The Huffs were instrumental in raising funds to pay off the existing mortgage on the center, which serves as a gathering place, event venue or for its traditional use — a refuge for citrus trees during cold weather.

On Thursday, it served as the backdrop for a mortgage burning with about a hundred donors and guests looking on.

“Paying off the mortgage on this world-class building is a milestone worthy of a celebration and we are extremely grateful for your generous support,” said Keith Tilghman, president of the executive board at the botanical garden.

Susie McFadyen, vice president of development, pointed to the many gifts of time, work and money to see the project to completion.

“Linda and Ralph have been generous in sharing their success, and their altruism is reflected throughout our community.” McFayden said. “As we neared the end of the Campaign of Natural Growth, the Huffs stepped forward, offering to not only provide the funds needed to complete the campaign, but also to provide a gift significant enough that the care and maintenance of the orangery and the gardens that surround it would be provided for many years to come.”

“Therefore, I am so very pleased to announce that, from this day forward, this beautiful room in which we all stand will be known as the Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery,” McFayden said. “Linda, Ralph, we are all forever grateful for this latest example of your benevolence.”

McFayden said many others provided or helped raise funds to finish the project at the gardens.

Bill Pollitt, vice president of the executive board, pointed to others, connected to the fund-raising effort. Joan Allen and Harvey Wright were the two co-chairs of the Campaign for Natural Growth. Jay Wyatt also stood up to represent his mother, Dot Wyatt, “who not only served as the honorary chair of the campaign, but who also served for so many years as a volunteer and ambassador for the garden,” Pollitt said.

Pollitt asked Jennifer Sullivan to also step forward as well. 

“I am now giving the $3.1 million note and deed of trust from BB&T to Joan (Allen) and Harvey (Wright) and Jay (Wyatt) and Jennifer (Sullivan) and Keith (Tilghman) so that they can burn it, afterwhich, Jay and Charlene Wyatt will offer a toast for the occasion.”

Once the crowd moved to the Orangery Terrace where a fire pit stood waiting, those holding pages of the bank documents ceremoniously placed the pages into the fire.

Earlier, Tilghman explained the significance of the ceremony.

“Paying off the mortgage on this world-class building is a milestone worthy of celebration and we are extremely grateful for your generous support,” Tilghman said. “Being debt-free represents another new beginning. As we look to the future, we acknowledge our next important campaign is to grow our endowment. Average annual payout from the Garden’s endowments at Cumberland Community Foundation is a little over $100,000.”

Tilghaman said that to maintain the garden as a vibrant community resource, a payout of $200,000 to $250,000 annually is needed.

“We must now grow our endowment by an additional $2.5 million to $3.8 million to ensure that Cape Fear Botanical Garden will be a healthy, vibrant part of our community for many years to come,” he said.

About Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Cape Fear Botanical Garden was founded in 1989 on 80 acres located between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek. The gardens feature many blooming ornamental plants, camellia, daylillies and shade gardens, as well as a butterfly stroll and Children’s Garden.

The gardens have hosted many special occasions such as weddings, business and military functions. Find more information at https://www.capefearbg.org/about-us/ .

Holiday drivers keep a watch on gas prices. David Kennard/Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Holiday drivers calculate price of gas during long weekend

By David Kennard

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Most gas stations around the region have returned to normal supply levels, although drivers may find some stations operating at limited capacity or with only one grade of gasoline.

Still, drivers looking to get out of town for the Memorial Day holiday shouldn’t be too worried about supplies; it’s the price of gas that might get you.

According to gasprices.aaa.com, drivers will find the gasoline in the Fayetteville area averaging $2.88 per gallon. Compare that to other locations around the state:

Raleigh $2.94.
Wilmington: $2.87
Charlotte: $2.87
Asheville: $2.953

Officials at AAA said after a week of price spikes around the country, most stations have begun to hold steady at a little more than $3 per gallon.

Travelers planning long drives over the weekend will find that the Southeast leads the nation with average lower prices following the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline. Drivers out West are seeing average prices in the mid-$3 per gallon range. California remains the leader in high prices, where gasoline is selling for an average of $4.17 per gallon.

“AAA expects 37 million Americans to travel, mostly by car and plane, for the Memorial Day holiday weekend,” said Jeanette McGee, AAA spokesperson. “That is a 60% increase over last year’s holiday and a strong indication that summer travel is going to be largely popular. With the increase in travel demand, gas prices are going to be expensive no matter where you fill up, so plan ahead.”

Calculating gasoline into your travel plans may be a determining factor on where you can afford to go. Assuming you’re going to be paying around $3 per gallon and you're driving the family Suburban getting 22 miles per gallon (highway), here’s a look at the cost of getting to some regional destinations and back.

Asheboro, $22.80
Wilmington, $24.67
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, $29.50
Wright Brothers monument, $64.36
Raleigh, $20.11
Uwharrie camping, $21.45
Devils Gut Kayaking, $40.23
Charlotte, $37.55
Battleship North Carolina, $23.87

The price of gasoline that drivers see at the pump depends loosely on supply and demand but also on industry fluctuations, according to AAA officials.

On Thursday AAA stated that new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), showed total domestic refinery utilization increased slightly to 86.3 percent last week, while total domestic supply decreased by 2 million bbl to 234.2 million bbl and demand increased from 8.8 million b/d to 9.2 million b/d. 

With the gasoline distribution system continuing to recover from the attack and grappling with a shortage of gasoline tanker drivers, higher refinery utilization rates will ensure refined products, including gasoline, continue to flow where they are most needed. 

“As demand and supply move in sync, the national average is expected to continue stabilizing through the weekend,” according to a prepared statement from AAA. “However, we could see some fluctuation … with the lead up to Memorial Day Weekend, during which AAA forecasts 34 million Americans to take road trips.”

Editor's Notes: Find great tools from creative people inside

By David Kennard
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Thank you for picking up this second edition of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. 

Our team here in Fayetteville has put in some long hours to bring you a mix of stories, all related to local business and industry. It’s my hope that you find the content interesting, helpful and engaging.

We had a great response to the inaugural edition that was distributed at select locations throughout the area, so much so that even our surplus copies are beginning to run low.

David Kennard

“Not to worry,” as my entrepreneurial father in law liked to say. 

You may remember Caractacus Potts from the classic film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” My wife’s father came from that same mold. He loved a challenge, and regardless of the obstacle, eventually he’d find a solution.

With that in mind, if you missed the inaugural edition of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, you can find all the stories — as well as an electronic edition — online at bizfayetteville.com.

By the time you read this, our team is already hard at work on the June 25 edition. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

As you flip through this edition, you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss a few things.

First, you’ll want to thumb over to page 15 to find the story about Yoniara Montoya and her Yo! Shee Vegan food truck here in Fayetteville.

While many of us were busy hoarding toilet paper, Montoya was busy turning her passion into a unique business. Sure, you can sample many of her creations from her mobile restaurant, but you can find even more ideas, recipes and blog posts at yosheevegan.com.

Look, I like meat as much as the next guy, but some of these vegan creations are truly amazing.

With your tummy full, you’re going to want to learn more about the Fort Bragg Clay Target Center. Find that story page 23.

This is a little-known community asset that is going gangbusters, and is becoming even more popular with the corporate crowd looking for team building fun.

Take off your jacket, put on your safety glasses and earplugs and fire off a few shells not too far away from the artillery fire we’ve all come to know and love here in Fayetteville.

Don’t have a shotgun? Don’t worry, the pro shop has you covered. Call ahead to make sure there’s room for you or your group, bring some extra cash for the shells and snacks, then go destroy some clay pigeons.

A few of other things you’ll want to find in this edition are the “Biz Leads” on page 21, “The List” on page 22 and the “Achievers” column on page 6. These are designed to be usable features that provide information on things happening around here.

Pay special attention to the “Achievers” column; this is a list that is supplied primarily by readers like you. We are always looking for folks in your organization that are making moves, receiving accolades or doing other things that you’re proud of. You can send your news items to me at editor@bizfayetteville.com.

Now, on to the next edition…

Coming in the next edition, you’ll find the return of the popular economic indicators that we’ve compiled. 

As I’ve been pugging in the numbers for many of the charts and other graphics you’ll find on page 3 of the June 25 paper, I discovered how very telling things have been over the last year. 

For instance, you’ll see that the unemployment rate remained relatively steady -- well except for the whole March-to-April anomaly that sent our local workforce and employers reeling.

I should qualify the use of the word “steady.” With most economists considering full employment as anywhere between 4 percent and 6 percent, you can see that we’ve performed pretty well — even throttled by COVID-19. Of course we’ll have a much better idea once the state’s Department of Commerce releases its May jobless report in late June.

Watch for us to break that story online at bizfayetteville.com on June 30. You also can track us on Twitter at @bizfayetteville.

Speaking of economic indicators, you can really pay little attention to the gas prices listed in the chart coming on June 25, because, well, does anyone have any idea on what we’re going to pay at the pump? The only real data you’ll find there is how the average gas price has changed over the last year, but even that trend shows fluctuation that makes it hard to plan around.

Back in the 1970s, when gas became scarce and I traded in my Chevy Nova for a Toyota Corolla to save money on both gas and repairs, my father-in-law invented something “very clever” to save money on a simple car repair. 

When his windshield wipers failed to wipe, instead of shelling out big bucks to replace the motor, he used some nylon string and shoulder power to yank on the wiper before it fwapped back into position.

Caractacus Potts would have been proud.

David Kennard is the Executive Editor of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal. Contact him at davidk@bizfayetteville.com or 910-240-9697, ext. 104.

Randy Fiveash, former director of the Connecticut Office Of Tourism, accepted an offer to run the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau as interim director.

Randy Fiveash tapped to lead visitors bureau; Former Connecticut Tourism chief named interim director

By David Kennard

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

In April, when Randy Fiveash retired after 13 years as director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism, he had planned to slow down and, maybe teach a class or two on the college level — after all, he’s been working in the tourism industry for more than four decades.

It didn’t work out that way.

“I was retired for about 20 minutes,” he said.

That’s not far off.

When Randy’s wife, Shari Fiveash, accepted the position of president and chief executive officer at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, he was happy to follow her along to North Carolina.

During an interview with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal in May, Shari Fayetteville said that during her husband’s various career moves she was happy to follow him and find suitable positions that fit her skills.

She said when she accepted the offer to come to Fayetteville, she and Randy found their traditional roles reversed. Little did they know at the time that now-retired Randy would find a niche of his own here in Fayetteville.

Within days of their arrival, city and county officials tapped Randy to dive back into the tourism industry, this time on the county level.

“I’m enjoying it,” he said. “This is what I’ve been doing for 40 years.”

Fiveash replaces John Meroski, who left the position in March 2020.

His official title is Interim Director, a position he said has no end date.

In his new role, Fiveash said he’s got a long list of things to review at the bureau.

“There are alot of things we need to dig into and review,” Fiveash said. “There is a great need to be more community active.”

According to a 2020 audit report made available by Cumberland County, the visitors bureau “provides services to promote the development and expansion of travel and tourism.”

Fiveash said he has received support and direction from the county — which provides the bulk of the bureau’s budget — and the bureau’s board of directions.

The 11 members on the board also direct much of the focus for the bureau.

“We are taking a real look and understanding of what the Convention and Visitors Bureau does,” Fiveash said.

He said he’s already made some subtle changes within the CVB office to help the staff operate smoother.

Additionally, he said he wanted to perform some internal audits to make sure the bureau has its focus in the right place.

“I believe in research based marketing,” Fiveash said.

The bureau is involved in many local events, but Fiveash said “If the research isn’t there, [we] shouldn’t be allowed to do it.”

He said the bureau is looking “through the lens of ‘Can you measure it?’” 

With that in mind, Fiveash said his office is looking very carefully to ensure current programs, events and contracts with vendors measure up.

Randy Fiveash has an office inside the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau just off the square in downtown Fayetteville.

From there it’s a 15 minute walk to Shari Fiveash’s office on Ray Street near Segra Stadium.

Shari Fiveash joined the chamber as it’s president and CEO in March.

While the couple works near each other, there is no doubt that their paths are going to cross professionally.

Shari Fiveash recently summed up the professional relationship saying, “The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau works to bring people to Fayetteville. It’s the chamber’s job to help businesses once they are here.”

Randy Fiveash acknowledged that while he and his new team have a lot on their to-do list, he’s confident that the bureau will remain a relevant tool for the Fayetteville area.

When asked about his dream of teaching, he said simply, “I’ll get to it.”