Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - October 18, 2024 issue
The RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD team has been hard at work these past few months adding new restaurant options throughout the Town of Hope Mills. Based in Fayetteville, NC, RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD was founded in 2015 by partners Hector Ray and Greg West. Originally getting their start in
Source: N.C. Department of Commerce
Cumberland Hoke Harnett Sampson Robeson Bladen Moore
The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region. News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com.
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SUCCESS IS THE ABILITY TO GO FROM FAILURE TO FAILURE WITHOUT LOSING YOUR ENTHUSIASM.
WINSTON CHURCHILL
What is scary good business?
When our team got together last year to come up with our editorial calendar, we thought a nice theme for this month would be “Scary good business.” Of course, the month of October always invokes images of Halloween and being scared, thus the seasonal subject. But as I contemplated this more thoughtfully, it made me wonder, what really is scary good business?
First of all, if you have ever owned a business that you started and/or bought with your own money, you know that it is a bit scary. Not like Jason or Michael Myers scary, but something much more terrifying than that because it is real. That kind of scary is called failure.
In fact, according to Investopedia and Lending Tree, the failure rate for new businesses is high: FIRST YEAR: 23.2% of new businesses fail
YEARS:
of businesses fail
10 YEARS: 65.3% of businesses fail
15 YEARS:
Only 25% of new businesses make it to 15 years or more
Now, if you have invested all of your life savings into a business, those statistics are scary.
But here comes the good news part of the scary good business: Owning your own business is fun! Getting a business to the point where it makes you and others money is obviously important, but working hard to create something that helps bring value to others is extremely rewarding.
Of course there’s failure, lurking in the shadows, and it is scary. However, I think of a famous quote from Winston Churchill (I love me some Winston Churchill!), he had an exceptional use of the English language and one of my favorite quotes from him is, “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”
In business, you will have victories and defeats. You will have successes and you will have failures. The real question is can you maintain your enthusiasm between these two inevitables?
The first part of Churchill’s quote is often left off. It says, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal.” I don’t know about you, but when I read those words, I am encouraged and challenged; not resting on any past successes but reaching, learning, helping and being humble in the process.
Now that’s scary good business! We hope you enjoy this issue featuring stories from RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD, RTS Trade Tech Academy and one of the Journal’s scary-good successes, our upcoming Health Care Heroes event.
God bless you and yours!
Let’s hear it for our heroes
JUDGING WRAPS FOR SECOND ANNUAL HEALTH CARE HEROES AWARDS; TICKETS ON SALE NOW
The second annual Health Care Heroes event is just around the corner. At this time judging has concluded and all finalists have been notified. Judges did not have an easy job as over 60 well-deserving nominees were submitted for consideration.
“Recognizing those who impact our lives is a great opportunity to say, ‘Thank you.’ We are honored that our sponsors and supporters have made year two of Health Care Heroes possible,” remarked Greater Fayetteville Business Journal Publisher Marty Cayton.
Nominations were accepted for nine categories: Lifetime Achievement, Community Achievement, Health Care Executive, Innovation in Health Care, Physician, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant, Unsung Hero and Volunteer. Greater Fayetteville Business Journal opened up the nomination process to the community for this year’s Health Care Heroes awards in August. Our outside judging panel worked diligently to choose the finalists and ultimately the winners in each of the nine categories. Our judges were fair and objective. They disclosed any potential conflicts of
interest, and did their best to choose who they believed were the best finalists and winners for the awards.
2024 JUDGING PANEL
NAOMI BELGRAVE
Kidzcare Pediatrics
DAVID DRIES
DA Davidson, Dries Wealth Management
ANNA HALEY representative from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
GEORGE HENDRIX representative from Methodist University
CHRISTOPHER HOFFMAN representative from Cape Fear Botanical Garden
CHAKA JORDAN
Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
TARA LEDFORD
FirstHealth
SHANTAE LOCKHART
Kidzcare Pediatrics
DREW SMITH
Copiers Plus
GREG SWANSON
Methodist University
The finalists will be profiled in a special Health Care Heroes section in the Nov. 1 issue of the Business Journal, and the winners will be recognized at our Health Care Heroes Awards ceremony on Nov. 7 at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery. The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour. Cape Fear Botanical Garden will be serving beer and wine to guests. Dinner will be a buffet provided by Two Brothers Catering.
“We are so excited to be welcoming back the healthcare community for this event. Last year, we were overwhelmed with the stories of kindness, achievements and sacrifice we received for nominees. This year was no different and I am honored to be able to MC the event for the
second year in a row,” shared Greater Fayetteville Business Journal Editor Faith Hatton.
Health Care Heroes honors individuals and organizations that are making an impact on the quality of health care in Fayetteville. Whether they are companies, doctors, nurses, specialists or managers, join us in recognizing those who embody the word “hero” and demonstrate their excellence in helping others.
“We have an amazing healthcare community throughout the Fayetteville MSA and we are glad to be able to celebrate you all with this event”
Tickets are available for purchase at $75 each. Attendees will enjoy a cocktail hour, dinner and the ceremony. Dress code is business professional.
To secure your seat at the event go to fayettevillehcheroes.com
GFBJ would like to express our gratitude to our sponsors for helping us host this event and recognize these local heroes.
— Faith Hatton, Editor, GFBJ
From BUSINESSES, page 1
The RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD team is bringing their expertise to local businesses owners in Hope Mills, NC, after being contracted for five business construction projects that are either recently completed, in progress or just getting started.
THOSE PROJECTS INCLUDE:
Little Caesars coming to 3459 N. Main St. Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade Fayetteville coming to 2957 Town Center Drive Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers now open at 2860 Hope Mills Road Culver’s of Hope Mills located at 3320 S Peak Drive Dirtbag Plaza coming soon to 5435 Corporation Drive
These projects include “ground up” construction projects which include standalone facilities built from scratch and “tenant upfit” projects which require the complete renovation of an already constructed space to match the vision of a franchise or business owner.
Both types of builds are specialties of RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD who have already made an impact in Fayetteville by handling the construction of businesses such as Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls, CycleBar, Poki Bowl, multiple Take 5 Oil Change locations and more. To date, the firm has put their skills to use with 19 different franchises. With a reputation for timely and quality work, local business owners are taking notice.
“We either bid on every project or were asked to bid by the owners and the franchisees. Every bit of this work came to us through our marketing efforts,” shared Co- Founder Greg West. “For the projects in Hope Mills, four out of five of them are
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® opened its second location in the Fayetteville area on Sept. 25.
RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD was chosen to construct Freddy’s newest prototype restaurant located at 2860 Hope Mills Road. This new model was the first in a new generation of buildings for the franchise.
through local owners which is a good testament to the businesses here and local ownership.”
RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD was able to celebrate their recently finished 4,714 -square-foot Culver’s location with an official ribbon cutting ceremony held on on Monday, Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. The Culver’s crew broke ground on their spot in March of 2024. Back then, the timeline suggested that the building would be ready for business by winter of 2024, but RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD was able to complete the project ahead of schedule.
“It takes twice as long to get a project started as it does to build it. This [Culver’s] was over a year in planning, and it takes six months to build it. On these projects, the building actually goes fast, it’s the permitting and the plans and all of that takes a long time,” shared West.
“Just for example, the zoning inspection happened, and they come and they look at simple things. They count the plants. They check, ‘Do the
plants match what was on the plan?’ When I first started, I thought ‘Oh gosh, that's ridiculous,’ but the city wants to keep the look of the city nice, so that was part of the planning,” shared Co-Founder Hector Ray.
With the Culver’s project wrapped, RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD is ready to get started on their next project in the area, recently announced Dirtbag Plaza. According to a social media post from Dirtbag Ales, this new addition to the Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom campus will include 320 paved parking spaces and will feature businesses like The BBQ Lab. According to West, RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD will be constructing the 14,000 square-foot shell building which will be turned into a retail strip center. Once the building is complete, they will also be working on the upfits for future tenants.
Construction on Dirtbag Plaza began in September, and the team is thankful to the Town of Hope Mills for being excellent partners during construction of all their projects in the area.
“They've got their arms open they've been very accommodating as far as working and making things happen. They’re not bending or breaking rules, but if we need to get an inspection a certain time of a day to keep things going to meet our end date, they've been very accommodating with those,” shared Ray.
With their next project already underway, the RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD team said they will be committed to utilizing local companies
when possible.
“When we do a job, we try to keep the local guys here doing it for one reason, they know the local jurisdictions. They know because they've got a working relationship with the inspectors. They know the nuances for everything so it helps keep money in the community,” shared Ray.
Overall, the team at RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD are proud to continue serving the community and see the impact they have on the landscape of an area.
“It’s neat to see somebody’s dream come to reality and to help make it tangible. In March there was nothing here, we brought a hundred truckloads of dirt in and here we are,” shared West. “And to ride around and say ‘We built that,’ that’s kind of cool.”
Moving forward, RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD is working to expand their footprint with pending licenses in six states including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. They are also proud to be one of 80 contractors nationally that have been chosen to join the Retail Contractors Association.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD
PHOTO PULLED FROM: GRANT-MURRAY REAL ESTATE Dirtbag Plaza, the latest project for RAYWEST DESIGNBUILD will be a 14,000 square-foot shell building. Construction began in September and the space is expected to bring multiple businesses to Hope Mills.
ACHIEVERS
Dogwood Festival selects executive director
The Board of Directors of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival announces JIM LONG JR. as the Dogwood Festival’s Executive Director.
Calling Fayetteville home, Long is an Army Veteran with extensive knowledge in project management, stakeholder engagement and the entertainment industry.
Long most recently has been involved in race series and race track events promotion throughout the Southeast.
“The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Board of Directors is pleased to announce Jim Long Jr. as our new Executive Director. Mr. Long’s proven business acumen will be an incredible asset to the stability and future of the Festival. Moreover, it is our hope that with the hiring of Mr. Long, alongside the unbelievable success of this year’s Dogwood Festival, that we will be able to build and develop a truly memorable Dogwood Festival experience for the community in 2025,” said Chairman of the Board R. Andrew Porter in a press release.
Long is excited to hit the ground running stating in a press release: “The Dogwood Festival is a significant part of our community. Not only does the community look forward to the Festival each year, but the region looks forward to visiting downtown Fayetteville to experience a premier event. I am honored to be selected to serve my community in such a way. I would also like to thank the past directors, board members, volunteers and marketing partners for their dedication and hard work in keeping the Dogwood Festival strong for over 40 years.”
Long’s first day as Executive Director was Oct. 1, 2024 and he plans to begin community engagement initiatives immediately.
Carolina College of Biblical Studies appoints director of institutional advancement
Carolina College of Biblical Studies (CCBS) is pleased to announce JEREMY HALL as its new director of institutional advancement. Hall brings extensive experience in banking, financial advising and leadership roles in sales and business development.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeremy,” said CCBS President Dr. Bill Korver in a press release. “His exper-
What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.
Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.
To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”
tise and commitment to our mission will be key as we continue to grow.”
Hall earned a B.B.A in Trust Management and an M.B.A. in Finance from Campbell University, while also dedicating time to ministry at local churches. His distinctive background equips him to effectively lead the college’s advancement.
“My goal is to strengthen our outreach and development efforts by building strong connections with donors, partners and alumni,” said Hall in a press release.
Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce announces return of Karsie Lowe as President
The Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the election of KARSIE LOWE as its new President. Karsie Lowe is well-known within the community for her extensive experience and dedication to the Chamber, having previously served in the same role.
Lowe has also previously served as Vice President to the Chamber where she gained valuable insights and connections that will be instrumental in driving the Hope Mills Chamber towards a prosperous future. Her leadership skills and comprehensive understanding of local business needs are expected to bring fresh momentum to the Chamber's initiatives.
"Lowe's return as President comes at a crucial time when innovative leadership is needed to propel the Chamber forward," said Le'Keshia
Glover-Drayton, Executive Director of the Hope Mills Chamber. "Her proven track record and relentless commitment to our community make her the ideal leader to guide us in this new phase."
The Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working under Karsie Lowe's leadership to enhance business opportunities and community engagement in the area.
Beasley Media Group announces Mac Edwards as Regional VP for Fayetteville and Charlotte markets
Beasley Media Group is pleased to announce the unveiling of the new role of Regional Vice Presidents across the company. These individuals will be responsible for overseeing multiple markets on a regional basis across the country.
Under the new leadership structure, Cluster and Market Managers will report directly to the Regional Vice President responsible for overseeing their market.
Included in these promotions is MAC EDWARDS who will be returning to the Fayetteville area as Regional Vice President of the Charlotte and Fayetteville markets.
With a 25 year history with Beasley Media Group, Edwards got his start in the Fayetteville market in 1991 by establishing country station WKML 95.7. After managing WKML for several years, Edwards moved to Detroit in late 2016 to oversee operations there as vice president and market manager of Beasley Media Group - Detroit.
In 2022, Edwards relocated to Charlotte, his current market, where he serves as Vice President
& Market Manager of Beasley Media Group - Charlotte. There, he oversees six radio stations including FOX Sports-Charlotte, WKQC-FM ( K104.7 FM) and WNKS-FM (Kiss 95.1 FM).
Now as Regional VP, Edwards will be dividing his time between Charlotte and Fayetteville.
“I will maintain being market manager for Charlotte, and it has me overseeing Fayetteville, and it means that I'll be making regular trips to Fayetteville again, which I'm excited about,” said Edwards. “I’ll be getting re-acclimated to the stations and our big brands here.”
Edwards began his new position as Regional VP in September, and shared that he is excited to get to work.
Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County awards $17,420 in first quarter of Mini Grant funding
The Arts Council of Fayetteville | Cumberland County is pleased to announce the distribution of $17,420 in funding during the first quarter Mini Grant cycle. This grant program is designed to build capacity for Cumberland County artists by supporting one-time arts events with a focus on growing the local arts economy, engaging new or innovative programming and providing support to diverse artistic mediums.
"These nine talented artists represent the diverse creativity thriving in our area, from music and literature to photography and cultural engagement,” expressed Michael Curtis Houck, the Arts Council’s Director of Grants and Allocations, in a press release. “By investing in these projects, we're not just funding art—we're investing in the cultural fabric of Fayetteville. Each of these initiatives promises to enrich our community, bringing new experiences and perspectives to residents and visitors alike.”
The next Mini Grant cycle is currently open with applications due on Nov. 1. For more information about the Arts Council grants programs, visit theartscouncil.com/grants or email Michael Houck, Director of Grants and Allocations, at michaelh@theartscouncil.com.
Hall
Lowe
Edwards
Long Jr.
Homebuilding Excellence
Two Neighborhoods, Ten Homes
FAIRFIELD FARMS
CHRISTMAS home
CHRISTMAS TOUR home
Two Neighborhoods, Ten Homes
Fayetteville, NC
You are invited to celebrate the season with the Floyd Christmas Open House. Come see the exquisitely, decorated homes and all of our latest features. Pick up your gift from under our tree and enjoy a glass of eggnog while sharing holiday food, fun, and cheer with us. CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Lennox Haymount
Our Christmas Home Tour is in two of our neighborhoods, the first two weekends in December on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Discover timeless luxury at Floyd Properties’ NEWEST neighborhood; Lennox of Haymount. Our executive townhomes showcase exquisite finishes and superior construction, redefining high standards. Centrally located in desirable Haymount, our 70 years of home-building expertise ensures a residence that stands the test of time. Welcome to a legacy of refined living.
Discover timeless luxury at Floyd Properties’ NEWEST neighborhood; Lennox of Haymount. Our executive townhomes showcase exquisite finishes and superior construction, redefining high standards. Centrally located in desirable Haymount, our 70 years of home-building expertise ensures a residence that stands the test of time. Welcome to a legacy of refined living.
We are offering interest buydowns starting as low as 4.5% buydown for the 10 move-in ready models during this Christmas Parade of Homes Tour.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, When Where Scan for and directions.
Thursday, Nov. 30
Main Phone: 910-978-8086 Main Email: DavidRayEvans@gmail.com
TECHNOLOGY
Brain injury solutions
U.S. ARMY MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND MILITARY MEDICAL DEVELOPERS GATHER TO TEST NEW BRAIN INJURY DEVICES
Team members with the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity joined dozens of U.S. Army medics at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, to assess the progress of several traumatic brain injury detection devices as part of a Soldier touchpoint on Sept. 19, 2024.
The Soldiers provided feedback on two brain trauma assessment devices currently under development at USAMMDA under the management of the Warfighter Readiness, Performance, and Brain Health Project Management Office and stakeholders with the North Carolina Center for Optimizing Military Performance. The event, which included combat casualty assessment lanes inside Fort Liberty’s Iron Mike Conference Center, was designed to assess the progress of TBI Field Assessment Device program and inform future program development. Feedback from prospective end users – U.S. Army medics, medical officers and combat troops – is a vital step in development programs, according to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dana Bal, a product manager with WRPBH.
“These types of end-user interfaces are vital to what we do in the WRPBH PMO,” said Bal. “The information we gather – both from our own observations as advanced developers and from the critiques we get from the medics and medical officers actually using the device – is incredibly important to how we approach the development process.”
During the touchpoint, volunteer Soldiers from multiple units assigned to the U.S. Army’s largest base conducted TBI assessments on role player casualties to determine the effectiveness of the devices in a simulated real-world environment. The event was designed to gauge the effectiveness of the TBI assessment devices to detect possible brain trauma outside a clinical environment, like those found at U.S. Army Role 1 and Role 2 care facilities. The Soldiers provided feedback about the devices’ ease of use, design features and overall fitness for use in austere, remote environments.
“These development programs can last years, starting with iden-
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alba Sepulveda, a treatment noncommissioned officer with the 82nd Airborne Division, uses an intercranial hemorrhage assessment device during a Soldier touchpoint event at Fort Liberty, N.C.
tifying a capability gap or unmet treatment need, through design, modifications and FDA approval, and finally, fielding products to U.S. military medical providers and units, including through sustainment of these capabilities,” said Bal. “With the need for rugged, reliable, user-friendly devices to aid in assessing possible TBIs, we are focusing more and more on how to meet the current and future needs of military medical providers and hearing feedback from subject matter experts helps refine our approach.”
Traumatic brain injuries, caused by exposure to concussive events like roadside bombs and indirect fire, are a significant threat to frontline service members. There have been more than 505,000 traumatic brain injuries reported within the Department of Defense since 2000, ranging from mild to severe. Many TBIs are not accompanied by exterior signs of injury yet can have both short and long-term health effects. In TBI cases, identifying internal injuries, like intracranial hemorrhage or other non-visible brain damage, is a vital first step to ensure injured are treated adequately across the continuum of care.
The WRPBH TBI assessment programs are designed to develop devices that are rugged, deployable, cost-effective and user-friendly in the hands of medical providers as close to the point-of-injury as
possible. This allows the providers to shape treatment decisions before, during and after medevac post-injury, according to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Procter, senior enlisted advisor for USAMMDA’s Soldier Medical Devices PMO.
“TBIs can be very hard to recognize immediately after a concussive event because there [are] usually no visible signs of injury,” said Procter, a medic with nearly 20 years of experience and multiple deployments across the globe. “Medics and first responders usually focus on outward signs of injury – bleeding, burns, airways, broken bones, things that are immediately apparent after injury – to stabilize a patient before medevac. Because determining the severity of TBIs requires specialized screenings and imaging devices, it’s tough to accurately diagnose the severity and type of brain injury in a field environment. But what we are doing now, what the WRPBH team is focusing on, will hopefully give future medics and first responders a way to recognize TBIs and assess their severity before evacuation decisions are even arranged.”
During recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, wounded service members were usually less than an hour from higher echelons of care due to the availability and proximity to the front lines of evacuation aircraft and vehicles. The “Golden Hour” roughly described the min-
utes immediately after a wound occurred and indicated the amount of time medical providers had to assess a casualty, stabilize them and arrange for evacuation. But during future conflicts, with logistics and evacuation capabilities limited by distance and austerity found in regions like the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, the Golden Hour may not be a feasible amount of time to move injured and wounded to higher care facilities. To answer the TBI treatment challenges presented by possible future conflicts in remote locations, the USAMMDA team works each day to develop new capabilities and improve tested treatments to meet the needs of tomorrow’s Warfighters, said Procter.
“Our Joint Force medical providers have had a very robust logistics capability the past quarter century, and our ability to save and preserve lives has been unmatched by any period in history. What we recognize, however, is that our current treatments for injuries are very much tied to our ability to move casualties rapidly from point-of-injury to more advanced facilities further from the front lines,” said Procter. “The TBI assessment programs we’re currently developing will hopefully go a long way to maximizing ground commanders’ evacuation options, limit unneeded evacuations, shorten the time from injury to the start of treatment and help keep Warfighters in the fight.”
USAMMDA develops, delivers and fields critical drugs, vaccines, biologics, devices and medical support equipment to protect and preserve the lives of Warfighters across the globe.
The process takes promising technology from the Department of Defense, industry and academia to U.S. Forces, from the testing required for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval or licensing to fielding and sustainment of the finished product.
Article written by: T. T. Parish, USAMMDA
Disclaimer: The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
PHOTO BY CAMERON PARKS, U.S. ARMY MEDICAL MATERIEL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
Nighttime Could Be the Right Time to Save. With
PWC’s Super Off-Peak Rate
Optional Whole Business rate features substantially lower rates for electricity used during Super Off-Peak Hours, 9:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. daily, all year long. Business customers who sign up for this option pay a slightly higher basic facility charge and Peak rate, while benefiting from much lower rates during the nighttime hours. Your business may be able to lower your electric bills with this rate plan. Some of the ways you can save money with this plan include doing things like:
• Charging fleet-managed EVs, or providing managed EV charging for multi business/residential units, during Super-Off Peak hours
• Performing power-hungry tasks or running large machinery/ non-essential equipment between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
For more information, visit: FayPWC.com and click on the TOU Rates for Business in the business section of the website. Or call 910-483-1382 to speak with a PWC representative and learn
Halloween happenings
THE FAYETTEVILLE AREA IS GEARING UP FOR A SPOOKY HALLOWEEN SEASON WITH PLENTY OF EVENTS TO ATTEND AND ENJOY!
Every October, Fayetteville, NC transforms into a spooky hub of Halloween festivities, inviting both locals and visitors to embrace the eerie enchantment of the season. The city’s rich history is intertwined with captivating legends and ghostly tales of spirits that refuse to rest, particularly those involving its haunted historic homes and old taverns. Keep reading to see what seasonal delights are in store for the Halloween season!
Halloween at the BOO-tanical
Garden
The Cape Fear Botanical Garden becomes an interactive landscape with carved jack-o-lanterns, twinkling lights and candy stations galore! On Oct. 25, the garden is offering an enchanting evening where famous artists emerge from the
shadows to delight with a night of creative wonder for all ages. Wander through the garden and encounter a Boo Crew dressed as iconic painters and sculptors who have stepped out of their masterpieces, ready to share spooky stories, hands-on art activities and festive fun. It’s a celebration of creativity and imagination like no other—where history and art collide in a thrilling Halloween adventure.
Learn more: www.capefearbg.org
Zombie Walk and Prom
A favorite among residents and visitors alike, the streets of downtown Fayetteville come alive with ghoulishly creative costumes and expertly applied zombie makeup on Oct. 22 as part of Cool Spring Downtown District’s Fourth Friday lineup. The family-friendly event features live performances, local vendors, a costume competition, art displays and more. The walk begins at 6 p.m. with events going until 10 p.m.
Learn more: www.visitdowntownfayetteville.com
Stoney Point Trail of Terror promises a spine-chilling experience. Traverse a terrifying indoor trail filled with creepy creatures and spine-tingling scares, all while supporting the local fire department. The Trail of Terror is open every Friday and Saturday evening in October, with a final date scheduled for Oct. 31.
Learn more: www.undeadfd.com
Zombie Hayride & Haunted House Trail by Black Ops Paintball
Gear up for an adrenaline-pumping experience like no other! Safeguard your vehicle against relentless waves of zombies as you unleash glowing ammo from your mounted turret. Brace yourself for an exhilarating ride through thick woods
and past eerie abandoned buildings, where unexpected thrills await at every turn.
Secure your adventure by reserving your spots at least 24 hours in advance. Don’t miss out on the pre-booking advantage – tickets will be priced $10 higher at the door, excluding Haunted House-only tickets.
Afterwards, prepare to have your socks scared off like never before! Get ready for an electrifying adventure that guarantees an adrenaline rush, featuring both an immersive outdoor trail and heart-pounding indoor experiences. Are you daring enough to step inside and face the unknown? Openings are available on Oct. 18-19 and 25-26.
Join in on the fun at Cape Fear Botanical Garden on Oct. 25 as the space transforms to become an interactive landscape with carved jack-o-lanterns, twinkling lights and candy stations galore!
GRAPHIC ACQUIRED FROM SMITH + NEPHEW
Newly released in June of 2024, the CORIOGRAPH Pre Operative Planning and Modeling Services was released exclusively for the CORI Surgical System. This system is used as a personalized solution for surgeons and patients across partial and total knee arthroplasty procedures.
Expanding with technology
FIRSTHEALTH EXPANDS ROBOTIC KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY OPTIONS AT MOORE REGIONAL
FirstHealth of the Carolinas has expanded robotic knee replacement surgery options for its patients at Moore Regional Hospital.
Pinehurst Surgical Clinic Orthopaedic Surgeon David Casey, M.D., now offers robotic total knee replacement surgery using the CORI Surgical System at Moore Regional.
Casey notes that a number of new technologies, such as robotics, have changed the way joint replacement surgeries are done.
“No technology is a substitute for a skilled and experienced surgeon, and our orthopaedic department uses an evidence-based approach to develop the best surgical plan for each individual patient,” Casey said in a press release. “For many knee replacement patients, this includes robotics.”
Robotic knee replacement surgery allows the surgeon to enhance the precision and maximize the individualization of the surgery. Tracking devices placed around the knee joint communicate with the robot for the surgeon and the robot to
coordinate control of the surgical tools together.
These tools prevent deviation outside the alignment of the surgeon’s plan. The robotic tools allow the
“
Roboticassisted knee replacement surgery has the capacity to allow more precision in surgeries, and in turn enhance patient outcomes and recovery times.”
— David Casey M.D., Orthopaedic Surgeon, Pinehurst Surgical Clinic
surgeon to assess the stability and alignment of the knee and make any necessary adjustments before the surgery is complete.
“These cutting-edge technologies are true game-changers in joint replacement,” added Casey in a press release.“Robotic-assisted knee replacement surgery has the capacity to allow more precision in surgeries, and in turn enhance patient outcomes and recovery times.”
Joint replacement surgery at FirstHealth is usually done with spinal anesthesia and a nerve block around the joint, which is preferred over general anesthesia when possible. This new robotic technology, combined with these anesthesia techniques, helps provide patients with:
Quicker, smoother recoveries
Reduced need for narcotics
The ability to regain function faster
Customized surgical plans tailored to each individual patient
“We know that some of the biggest concerns for patients considering knee replacement are fears of the procedure itself and recovery time. Our comprehensive joint replacement program addresses both concerns,” Casey said in a press release. “Our main goals in performing joint replacements are to help people optimize their quality of life and reduce their pain. Our comprehensive program helps us to achieve those goals and get patients home sooner. The best operation is the one that fixes your problem and lasts your lifetime.”
Moore Regional offers patients multiple options for robotic joint replacement surgery. Pinehurst Surgical Clinic Orthopaedic Surgeons John R. Moore, IV, M.D., and Ward S. Oakley, Jr., M.D., also perform total knee replacements using the ROSA® Knee System.
Paving the way
RTS TRADE TECH ACADEMY PROVIDES HANDS-ON LEARNING AND PRACTICAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN CORE TRADE INDUSTRIES
The Road to Success Trade Tech Academy (RTS) is charting the way for North Carolina youth to access stable, in-demand, high paying jobs in the state.
The new technical education program, administrators say, exists to fill a gap for youth who don’t follow a traditional student route going into higher education. So far the program has been a success, celebrating its first graduating class in September of 2024.
The program centers on providing vital certifications for individuals looking to find a spot in trades industries like electrical, plumbing, construction, carpentry, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling (HVAC). RTS also offers personalized support and guidance, promoting apprenticeships and career placement assistance.
RTS PROGRAM OFFERINGS INCLUDE:
Core: Foundational skills in construction core techniques, including framing and structural integrity, essential for residential and commercial projects.
Electrical: Skills in master wiring, circuitry and troubleshooting for residential, commercial and industrial projects.
Plumbing: Skills in pipefitting, fixture installation and system maintenance for diverse plumbing settings.
HVAC: Skills in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems for residential and commercial applications.
OSHA10: A certification required by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Through it, workers gain expertise in workplace safety regulations and protocols for any industry.
Carpentry: Skills in carpentry expertise for crafting and completing wooden structures in both residential and commercial environments.
OSHA10 and Core three-credit prerequisite to all trades:
Attaining hands-on experience and practical training through apprenticeship opportunities available in various trades, providing valuable industry exposure and mentorship.
RTS runs through the Maggie’s Outreach Community Economic Development Center (MOCEDC) in Raeford at 117 W. Elwood Ave. and is a partnership with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Ophelia Ray, Founder and CEO of the MOCEDC, said she selected the current RTS programs because she saw great needs and employment opportunities in the trades. Ray has sat in on the Lumber River Workforce Development Board, a part of the Lumber River Council of Governments.
...They can obtain credentialing, even if they didn't go to college, and that would allow them to build careers.... ”
— Ophelia Ray, Founder/CEO, MOCEDC “
“I had some conversations with various employers and looked at the construction and economic development that's going on in our area,” Ray said. “Within that, I saw a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities being developed in the plumbing, electrical and HVAC spaces. But the workforce is depleted.”
A portion of the workforce in these trades, Ray said, is on their way to retirement, and the supply of workers is shallow.
“Even our young people have not considered these jobs,” Ray added. “They can obtain credentialing, even if they didn't go to college, and that would allow them to build careers. These are careers that are lucrative and sustainable.”
Ray said the need for RTS started in 2023 due to these opportunities and demand.
“We have the opportunity as the center grows to build upon the trades that we currently have to offer,” she added.
The first class of the program graduated in September after starting in January. Ray said the students, all under the age of 30, are excited to get into the field. One of them, she noted, has a spouse who is a realtor. The student’s goal is to train in plumbing and assist her in her real estate ven-
ture. Another is a worker who wants to labor in the electrical field, and the other two are both hoping to become HVAC technicians.
As Ray reflects on the future of RTS, she said she wants to ensure the program becomes even more accessible to prospective workers in the trades.
“I would like to ensure that more individuals are eligible to enroll and they end up in classes, making sure that we are successful in workforce development and job readiness training, and ensure that we are able to provide work opportunities and bring on more partners,” Ray said. More opportunities through new partnerships, she added, would contribute to the growth of RTS.
“As we move forward, we want to develop more credentials as far as educating students in the language of construction,” Ray said. The next step, she added, is to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in students. “We want to make sure they have the professional development to become self-sustainable and entrepreneurial.”
Lastly, Ray also wants the program to help students find an alternative path that does not take them through a four-year academic institution, but that ultimately provides the same level of opportunity and stability.
“I am currently reaching out throughout juvenile prevention for youth, for students who have dropped out of school that are not enrolled in the school system,” she said. “If the opportunity is here to pull that population of youth, that’s part of our plan. We want to integrate that population that would otherwise not get into an employment sector because they may not have had their high school diploma.”
Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to contact RTS
PHOTO PROVIDED BY RTS
RTS graduated its first class of students in a ceremony held on Sept. 19 after starting the program in January. The graduates, all under age 30 are ready to put their new skills to use.
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