When the frilly Easter dresses and suits start showing up on the racks at Walmart, I know it’s getting close to that time of year: Passover.

Yeah, I know the holidays don’t have anything to do with each other, but because they tend to happen around the same time, it’s a good reminder for me to start getting everything ready. (After all, it’s not like I’m going to see a big display of matzoh to ring the bell.)

Passover is a huge deal in Judaism. Huge. Even the most secular Jews tend to observe it in some fashion or another.

Still a little fuzzy on what Passover is? Well, here’s the really short version: Remember in The Ten Commandments and Charlton Heston smeared lamb blood on the doorways when that spooky green mist was coming?

Well, he did that so the 10th plague — the one Pharaoh brought on himself — would “pass over” the homes of the devout and, you know, not have their firstborn killed. Passover. Get it?

It’s a celebration of freedom from slavery — because building pyramids sucks — and the Jews’ mass exodus from Egypt.

And we celebrate it by having the worst meal ever.

At my house, we start preparing for Pesach (Passover) several weeks out. Everything must be cleaned, scrubbed and sanitized. That bacon that’s been hiding in my fridge? (Shhh!) Gone. It’s that big of a deal. No cheating.

Also gone during Pesach is bread. But not just bread — anything made from the grains wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt. It’s called “chametz” and it’s a serious no-no.

But get this, it’s not as simple as just not eating chametz — technically we’re not even supposed to own it, possess it, or feed it to our pets. In addition, all the utensils that have ever been used to prepare the chametz have to go too. That knife you used to cut your sandwich? The spoon you stirred the oatmeal with? Gotta go, man.

If your pets do eat grain — and duh, I feed my dogs Purina, not steak — they have to go too.

So, what do we do with the now-forbidden food, pets and kitchen utensils?

Well, we’re Jews — we sell them.

Kind of. Because face it, it’s just not practical to basically buy all new kitchen stuff each year (and no one wants my dogs, they bark. A lot.)

To solve this problem, we draw up a contract with an obliging gentile (non-Jew) who then “owns” the offending items until the holiday is over at which point we “buy” them back.

I know, I know …

Where was I? Oh, that’s right, “worst meal ever.”

Let me tell you about the seder …

A seder plate is, well, it’s just a plate, but most families have a special one that’s intracately decorated and is divided into six segments: Maror, Charoset, Karpas, Z’roa, Chazeret and Beizah.

Also on the table is, of course, matzoh — and wine. A lot of wine.

A seder is a dinner, but it’s also very ritualized: It starts of with a blessing over wine in honor of the holiday. You drink the glass (yes, the glass — not a sip) and then a second glass is poured.

You can see real quick where this night is going.

After the first blessing (and the wine) you wash your hands in preparation for the first story and dish on the seder plate — Karpas.

Karpas is parsley that you dip in salt water and eat. It’s not great. The parsley symbolizes the “lowly origins of the Jewish people” with the salt water representing the tears shed from slavery.

Then we break one of the pieces of matzoh and tell the Maggid — “The Story.”

Basically, whoever is hosting, or the rabbi, gives a retelling of the Exodus from Egypt and the first Pesach starting off with a little audience participation by having the youngest person there asking the Four Questions.

If you’re lucky, they won’t sing it …

Either way, at the end of the maggid, there’s another blessing and — you guessed it — more wine.

This goes on for several hours. Tell a story, eat something weird off the sedar plate, sing a song, say a blessing, drink wine. (At every seder I’ve ever attended, everyone was completely sloshed by the end of the night.)

The seder is concluded with the traditional toast “Next year in Jerusalem!” and everyone stumbles home.

But wait, you’re not done yet. See Pesach isn’t just about the seder — that’s only one part. The holiday goes on for another week, ending this year at sundown on April 20.

At which point I’ll have to remember to “buy” all my kitchen utensils back. And my dogs …

Happy Passover!

MORVEN – HOLLA! proudly commences its 20th Anniversary with the 9th Annual ‘Our Giving Tree’ HOLLA! 5K and Afternoon Literary Escape Fundraiser on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 229 East Main Street, Morven, NC. This signature event brings together fitness, storytelling, and purpose, raising vital support for HOLLA!’s ongoing literacy and youth development programs.

The morning begins with a professionally timed and measured 5K in Morven, NC. Open to runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels, the race promotes wellness, fun, and community spirit. Awards will be given to the largest team and top finishers in each age group. As part of the 5K experience, families and spectators can also enjoy a special story-time session with acclaimed storyteller Tyris Jones.

5K Details:

• Registration: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.

• Race Start: 9:00 a.m.

• Entry Fees: $20 per person | $200 per team (minimum of 10 members)

•Register:https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Morven/Holla5K

An Afternoon of Stories & Celebration will begin at 3:00 p.m. for adults 18+ are invited to An Afternoon Literary Escape, a vibrant literary gathering celebrating the power of storytelling. Guests will enjoy live readings, local author engagement, and featured works from youth participants in the 2024 Little Flower AI Winter Literacy Camp hosted by HOLLA!.

The event includes hors d’oeuvres by Designed by Me Catering and desserts from HOLLA!’s Jr. Chef Academy.

Literary Escape Details:

• Time: 3:00 PM

• Cost: $20 per person

• Registration Deadline: May 5, 2025

• Tickets & Sponsorships: https://givebutter.com/VMu1Mn

“Excitement continues to build, and this news reinforces what we knew all along – race fans are delighted to have NASCAR back at Rockingham Speedway,” said Track Enterprises President, Bob Sargent, the official event promoter of NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway. “Wow! When’s the last time a NASCAR Xfinity Series race was sold out of grandstand tickets? We want to thank the entire community, and the thousands of fans that have spoken with their support, to show the world NASCAR is back at The Rock.”

Last August, Track Enterprises announced it reached an agreement with Rockingham Speedway ownership to bring the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series East back to the venerable Richmond County speedway Easter Weekend.

The Xfinity Series was a regular player at the historic venue from 1982-2004 and features a cast of winners who went on to be some of the sport’s most respected names including David Pearson, Sam Ard, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Harry Gant, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte and Jamie McMurray.

Martin was an indomitable force at Rockingham in Xfinity Series competition throughout his career having collected 11 wins in 25 starts, including four straight during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. McMurray matched Martin’s four-peat by recording four wins in a row from 2002-2004.

This weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series entry list is dotted with the names with some of the sport’s most recognizable drivers including defending series champion Justin Allgaier, Brandon Jones and 12-time Xfinity Series race winner Austin Hill. Jones will also contest Friday’s Black’s Tire 200.

Tickets remain available for the Black’s Tire 200.

The Craftsman Truck Series raced at Rockingham twice from 2012-2013 with Kahne and last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series winner Kyle Larson collecting the victories for late team owner Steve Turner and Turner Motorsports.

Matt Crafton, a 25-year Truck Series veteran, is the only current series regular to have competed at the high-banked, D-shaped oval when the division last raced there 12 years ago.

Separate from Larson, current NASCAR Cup Series competitors Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace were all part of the field when the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last tested its mettle at Rockingham over a decade ago.

-Camping OPENS- NOON (Gates A and E)

THUNDERFEST in downtown Rockingham, 4:00pm - 9:00pm

FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2025

-Camping Check In opens (GATE A)- 8:00 a.m.

-Fan Midway Open - 9:30 a.m.

-Grandstand / Suites Gates Open - 10:00 a.m.

-CRAFTSMAN Truck Series driver autograph session Fan Zone 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

-NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Practice - 12:30 p.m.

-NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Qualifying - 1:30 p.m.

-HERM & SCHRADER at the DJ Booth in the Fan Zone 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

-NASCAR XFINITY Series Practice - 3:05 p.m.

-NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Prerace 4:30 p.m.

-Black’s Tire 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race - 5:00 p.m.

- Camping Check in closes- 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2025

-Camping Check In opens (GATE A)- 8:00 a.m.

-Fan Midway Open - 9:00 a.m.

-Grandstand Gates Open - 9:00 a.m.

-ARCA Practice / Qualifying - 9:30 a.m. -10 a.m.

-NASCAR XFINITY Series Autograph Session- 10 a.m - 10:45 a.m. (Fan Zone)

- NASCAR XFINITY Series Qualifying - 11:30 a.m.

-ARCA Menards Series East 125 Race - 1:00 p.m.

-NC Education Lottery 250 pres. by Black’s Tire Xfinity Series Race - 4:00 p.m.

*Schedules subject to change

ROCKINGHAM — With NASCAR’s return just two sleeps away, ThunderFest is set to celebrate all things stock car racing before drivers hit the track at Rockingham Speedway.

The weekend kicks off with the Black’s Tire Craftsman Truck Series race at 5 p.m. Friday, April 18, followed by the Rockingham ARCA 150 at 1 p.m. and the N.C. Education Lottery 250 Xfinity Series race on Saturday.

ThunderFest is free and open to the public, featuring live music from The Marshall Tucker Band, FirstHealth’s Kids Zone, Beer Garden, food trucks and a variety of local vendors.

Race fans will also have the chance to meet some of their favorite drivers during a special meet-and-greet event. Scheduled to appear from the Craftsman Truck Series are Rajah Caruth, Bayley Currey, Kaden Honeycutt, Matt Mills, Connor Mosack and Andres Perez de Lara. Representing the Xfinity Series is Dean Thompson. From the ARCA Menards Series East, Zachary Tinkle and Austin Vaughn will be in attendance. NASCAR veterans and Herm & Schrader podcast hosts Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace are also set to join the festivities.

To prepare for this historic pre-race festivities, several downtown streets will close starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday. These include the intersection of Hancock and East Washington Street as well as North Lee Street beyond the drive-thru entrances of PNC and Truist banks. One lane of Washington Street will remain open to allow access to bank traffic.

ThunderFest has long been a Richmond County tradition, and this year it returns with purpose — back on track and right alongside NASCAR at the Rock.

RICHMOND COUNTY — While decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back centuries, the high cost of eggs may make it more difficult for some families this year. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find creative ways to keep the season special and create memories with loved ones.

With more than 140 years of experience, the Easter egg decorating experts at PAAS(r) are sharing some ideas and inspiration on fun things to do with your Easter decorating kit. These “egg-citing” alternatives to using traditional eggs can help keep those simple moments of connection and creativity alive:

Pretty in Plastic

Dyeing plastic eggs is an activity perfect for all ages with less stress and less mess since they don’t crack or break when dropped. Dyeable plastic eggs also typically come in packages of more than a traditional dozen, offering more opportunities for creativity. Another added bonus: You can decorate your home every year with the finished product since they don’t go bad. They are also perfect for DIY projects, such as making them into garland, hanging ornaments, place settings or gifts that can be used for years to come.

Baked Easter Decor

Instead of buying eggs, you can make your own baking soda dough eggs using 1/2 cup corn starch, 1 cup baking soda and 3/4 cup water. Combine the ingredients, roll into egg shapes and bake in the oven for 1 hour at 175 F then simply dye them as you would real eggs using your favorite PAAS egg decorating kit. Fun for all ages, these eggs can be turned into a variety of decor and mementos with kids taking the lead on mixing the dough batter and shaping the eggs before an adult helps with the baking.

Creative Kitchen Canvases

Coffee filters are good for more than just making coffee; they make perfect canvases for Easter decorating and naturally take dye. With 100-250 coffee filters per package, they’re a cost-effective way to maximize crafting opportunities and let creativity run wild. Once dyed and dried, you can turn the filters into flower centerpieces, papier mache eggs, artwork to frame and more.

Repurposed Treasure from Nature

Kids often love to hunt for fun-shaped and colorful rocks when exploring outdoors or collect seashells while on vacation or taking a walk on the beach. Now, rather than storing them in a “treasure box” or throwing them back outside, they can be creatively decorated for Easter using paint, stickers, glitter, accessories and other add-ons. Some seashells can even be dyed. Using rocks and shells of all shapes and sizes is a cost-effective, low-waste alternative that allows children to use their imaginations for creative play once they’re done decorating.

For more tips and ideas to make Easter “eggstra” special this year, visit paaseastereggs.com.

Sustainable Tips to Avoid Egg Waste

If you plan to keep the tradition of dyeing eggs alive this year, you can take steps to avoid food waste once you’re done decorating. Consider these sustainable tips from the experts at PAAS:

* Make Deviled Eggs: As long as you refrigerate the eggs shortly after dyeing them, you can use them to make deviled eggs - an Easter brunch staple - for your family meal.

* Create Centerpieces: Dyed eggs can be used to make a beautiful centerpiece for your family dinner. Simply spread them over your table runner around other decor, fill a glass bowl or jar with the eggs or place them within a floral arrangement to add pops of color to the table.

* Serve a Salad: Eating the eggs saves you from food waste, and eggs can be used in a variety of salads, including egg salad, potato salad or chef’s salad, to add a boost of protein and flavor.

* Start a Compost Pile: If you don’t plan to eat the eggs once you’re done decorating, you can create a compost pile near your garden. Hard-boiled eggshells are a rich source of calcium and other essential nutrients plants need.

SANFORD —The Lady Scots softball team beat the Lee County Yellow Jackets by a score of 14-1 (five inning mercy rule) on Monday night at Lee County High School. Scotland improves to 16-1 (11-0 in conference games) on the season with their 15th consecutive victory while the Yellow Jackets fall to 4-12 (2-9 against conference opponents) with their fourth straight loss. Scotland won both regular season games against Lee County, having taken the first matchup in Laurinburg back on March 21 in a 10-0 final.

The Scots scored three runs in the top of the first inning, one in the second, two in the third and eight in the fourth. Lee County got their run in the bottom of the fifth.

Scotland outhit the Yellow Jackets 12-3 in the game. Lee County committed four errors while the Scots committed two.

Kinsey Hamilton went 3-4 batting with two RBIs and two runs scored while Addison Johnson also went 3-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Dawson Blue went 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Avery Stutts pitched all five innings and allowed just one unearned run while striking out 10 batters. She threw 93 pitches (61 strikes) to the 23 batters she faced.

The Scots will have a quick turnaround and head to Freedom Christian Academy for a meeting with the Patriots on Tuesday night. The game will start at 6:30 p.m.

SAU softball loses twice at home to Bluefield

The Knights dropped two home contests to the Rams on Monday afternoon, losing the first game 10-1 and the second contest (nine innings) 10-8. St. Andrews falls to 3-35 (0-24 in conference games) on the season with the two losses (22 straight overall) while Bluefield improves to 12-22 (3-17 against conference opponents) with the two wins (four straight overall).

In the first game, the Rams got five runs in the top of the first, one in the second, two in the third and two in the fourth. The Knights got their lone run in the bottom of the third. Bluefield outhit St. Andrews in the game 10-4 while the Knights also committed four errors.

Brianna Sloan went 2-2 batting with a run scored while Tess Ruschman went 1-2 with the team’s lone RBI. Valentina Jara also added a hit and went 1-3.

In the second contest, Bluefield got three runs in the first, two in the third, one in the seventh, two in the eighth and two in the ninth. St. Andrews got two in the fourth, four in the sixth and two in the eighth. The Rams outhit the Knights 14-7.

Riley Neilson went 2-3 batting and led the team in RBIs with three. Ruschman went 2-5 with two runs scored.

St. Andrews will stay at home for a doubleheader on Wednesday against Truett McConnell. The games will start at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

For the past five years, I’ve become enamored with skincare, including protecting my skin from harmful UV rays. I used to think that the best products were manufactured in the United States and that a heftier price tag meant a higher quality product, but boy, was I wrong.

While trying out different skincare products, I was introduced to the world of Korean and French skincare — by far some of the best on the market. It didn’t break the bank, and both the quality and consistency were out of this world. Before trying Korean sunscreen, I associated sunblock with sticky, heavy goop that left the most disgusting white cast. But Korean sunscreens feel like a lightweight gel and basically vanish on the skin, which was a match made in heaven for me.

So for the last couple of years, I’ve been purchasing Korean sunscreen and enjoying every moment of it, I’ve even gotten friends and family to try it out for themselves. Besides the sunscreen feeling like nothing on the skin, it contains more filters compared to the ones made in the United States. Here’s something alarming: the FDA hasn’t approved any additional sunscreen filters since 1996. And as we know, our planet isn’t necessarily getting any healthier.

Sunscreen is labeled/considered a drug in the United States because the product claims to block UV rays, preventing cancer. That classification leads to sunscreen being regulated, meaning new ingredients or filters introduced to block harmful rays have to undergo various rounds of testing and approval.

It’s essentially a double-edged sword. The FDA has a history of asking companies to provide paperwork to show evidence of filters being effective, but the manufacturers have failed to provide them. Still, the FDA is limiting American public health by restricting access to newer, innovative and more effective ingredients already being used internationally.

One of the primary rules of skincare is to wear sunscreen to prevent both cancer and aging. For the record, I do not fear aging! I want to age with grace, but I also would rather not get any form of skin cancer. Given how often our skin is exposed to these harmful rays, it’s vital to wear sunscreen every single day. Even when you’re lounging around at home, you still make contact with the sun through your windows—plus the rays we’re exposed to through our devices, such as cellphones and computers. I feel like I sound like someone’s mother, but I take skincare seriously.

Recently, the FDA banned the filters used in my favorite sunscreens by Round Lab, Beauty of Joseon and more, causing these companies to reformulate their products to enter the American market without having to face any consequences. I also had a favorite sunscreen from Down Under, called Ultra Violette, and I was over the moon when it finally entered the American market at Sephora. But it turns out that most of the filters I cared for were stripped away to meet FDA guidelines.

In 2021, the FDA pledged to update some sunscreen regulations that would improve UVA protection, but they have yet to follow through. While the U.S. does carry some effective sunscreens like EltaMD and SkinCeuticals, they’re pricier compared to the affordable options that Korean and European sunscreens offer.

I think the biggest issue here is that public health is at stake when it comes to potentially developing skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States, with nearly one in five Americans developing it during their lifetime. Although I have to give credit where credit is due — yes, American sunscreen is developing, but I wish the FDA had more of an open mind when it comes to improving filters. Only 35% of American sunscreens are considered efficient enough to protect against harmful rays. And I’m also a firm believer that good sunscreen should be easily accessible to everyone. It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to protect the largest organ on our bodies.

At the end of the day, everyone deserves access to sunscreen that works without having to decode ingredients or drop $40 every few weeks. It shouldn’t be this hard to protect our skin, especially when we know how crucial it is. I’m hopeful that one day the U.S. will catch up and give us options that are not only affordable and accessible but effective. Until then, I’ll keep side-eyeing my TSA liquid limits and stocking up on my favorites whenever I can during my travels.

Skincare is self-care, but it’s also healthcare.

April 1

At 8:37 a.m., Deputy Clyde Smith responded to Wiregrass Road following a report of an individual fleeing in a vehicle and in possession of a firearm. The combined value of the vehicle and firearm was estimated at $10,150. The suspect, identified as Karon Harrington, was arrested, closing the case.

At 1:58 p.m., Deputy Jerry Bell responded to Airport Road following a report of disorderly conduct. The suspect, identified as Daniel Wayne Young was yelling profanities at another individual in the middle of the road. Young was arrested, closing the case.

April 5

At 5:04 a.m., Deputy Arlie Gunn responded to Hamer Mill Road following a report of a suspect attempting to enter a residence. The case is closed by means other than arrest.

At 4:32 p.m., Deputy Kevin Viana responded to Fifth Street following a report of vandalism of a mailbox, valued at $100. The case is closed by means other than arrest.

April 6

At 3:44 p.m., Deputy Dalton Radford responded to Freeman Mill Road following a report of misdemeanor larceny, valued at $750. The case is active.

At 11:04 p.m., Deputy Kevin Viana responded to Little Street following a report of larceny of a motor vehicle. The case is closed by means other than arrest.

April 11

Detective Brandon Bowers responded to Aleo Second Avenue following a report of a suspect who was intoxicated and in possession of a firearm valued at $200. The case was closed by means other than arrest.

April 13

At 10:52 p.m., Deputy Clifton Craft responded to Broadway Street following a report of misdemeanor larceny and financial card theft, valued at $417. The case is inactive.

At 12:23, Deputy Michael Sale responded to Ingram Road following a report of a suspect damaging a vehicle, valued at $500. The case is closed by means other than arrest.

At 12:32 p.m., Deputy Richard Spivey responded to Middle Street following a report of a suspect stealing an individual’s vehicle registration plate. The case is active.

April 14

At 3:34 a.m., Detective Brandon Bowers responded to Eason Drive following a report of an individual breaking into a church building. The suspect, identified as Kenneth McDonald was arrested, closing the case.

ROCKINGHAM — The VFW Post 4203-Rockingham brought families together once again for its annual children’s Easter party, a community favorite filled with excitement, laughter and activities such as the highly anticipated Easter egg hunt.

“My children have been coming here for 30 years, so now it’s really great for me to give back after my children grown and I can still be a part of this 30 years later. I’ve been bringing my children here and it’s a great community event to bring us all together with our Easter bunny,” said Robin Roberts, VFW Auxiliary President.

Children enjoyed a festive hot dog lunch accompanied by sweets like a bunny cake and candy, followed by a variety of activities tailored for them. The Easter egg hunt was divided into age-specific sections, and a dance competition brought extra energy to the celebration. Families also had the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Easter bunny.

Roberts credited Quartermaster Vernon Labore for organizing the day’s festivities and his continued efforts with children’s events. “he’s the one all behind the kids events.”

Beyond the fun and games, the event also served as a testament to the strong volunteer spirit behind the Post’s programs.

“We have Beta Club kids, REaCH kids here. I have a lot of volunteers and we make it happen and it’s good to see everybody/the community supporting the VFW and always supporting our events, especially for the kids,” said Roberts.

Labore emphasized that the event is about creating joy and memories for the children.

“To get along and have fun with each other. We let them go, do whatever they want as long as they do it safely,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Post is already preparing for its next major event.

“On June 28 we’ll have our annual Kids Jam, which he is a spearhead for that. That’s our big event with the jumpy houses, bringing all the municipalities together and we look forward to that and all our kids events,” Roberts added.

The VFW also continues its support for deployed service members.

“We’re also doing our care packages. Our unit got moved again to Kuwait, so we’re waiting on their APO address so we can send those out and that would be hopefully in the next six weeks. We’ll make a big announcement about that so the community, the churches and all the organizations can come down here and help put the packages together, make ‘thank you’ cards and give back to our soldiers that are deployed,” Roberts said.

Those interested in lending a hand are encouraged to get involved.

“Anybody is always welcome to come help here. All they have to do is come to the Post and if we have an event coming up and they want to volunteer, all they have to do is come to the Post and let us know and we’ll give them the information,” said Roberts.

Roberts offered a warm message to the community: “We hope everyone has a safe Easter. Remember the reason for the season. We always try to incorporate the pledge and the prayer and God being first and kids having a great time.”

HAMLET — The Hamlet Senior Center hosted its annual Easter parade last Friday, giving members the chance to decorate Easter hats and show off their passion for fashion.

Seniors modeled their creations during a fashion show inside the center. Afterward, they stepped outside to showcase their hats to passing drivers, who responded with honks of appreciation.

The event wrapped up with an Easter lunch.

KNOXVILLE, TN —The St. Andrews Knights baseball team dropped two of three games on the road against Johnson University over Saturday and Sunday at Russell Morgan Field. The Knights lost both games of Saturday’s doubleheader in 6-5 and 15-0 finals before rebounding to take Sunday’s series finale by a score of 17-3 (eight innings). St. Andrews now stands at 21-16 (10-13 in conference games) on the season after the series while the Royals are 29-11 (18-6 against conference opponents).

In Saturday’s first game, Johnson scored two runs in the bottom of the second, three in the third and one in the ninth. The Knights got two runs in the top of the fourth, two more in the fifth and one in the eighth. The Royals had 11 hits to nine for St. Andrews.

Jesse Osborne went 2-4 batting and led the team in RBIs with two. Garrett Hamby, Aiden Wilson and Bryson Bebber added one RBI apiece. Noah Sorrells (5.2 innings) and Donald Gorgei (2.2 innings) split the pitching duties.

In the second contest, the Royals jumped out with five runs in the bottom of the first, four in the fourth, four in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Johnson outhit the Knights 11-4 in the game.

Wilson, Isaiah Martin, Alfredo Jimenez Jr. and Bebber had one hit each. The team did not draw any walks but had two batters hit by pitches (Brodie Lewis and Luke Drzemiecki).

In the Knights’ win on Sunday, the Royals got the first run of the contest in the bottom of the first and added two more in the fifth. St. Andrews got six across in the top of the third, three in the fourth, three in the fifth, two in the sixth and three in the seventh. The Knights outhit the Royals 17-8 while Johnson committed five errors in the game.

Martin went 2-4 batting with five RBIs (team high), three runs scored and drew a walk. Cesar Morillo went 2-6 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Tyler Barfield (six innings) and Bryton Williams (one inning) split the pitching duties.

St. Andrews will return home on Tuesday afternoon for a doubleheader against Mid Atlantic Christian University. The games at Clark Field are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

FLORENCE, S.C. — To say Friday’s series opener against Francis Marion didn’t go well for the UNC Pembroke baseball team would be an understatement. More broadly, that statement could have been applied to the last couple of weeks too, with the Braves having lost five straight and eight of their last nine.

But UNCP flipped the series to its favor Saturday with a pair of one-run victories, winning 4-3 and 6-5 to earn a series win against the Patriots.

“Last night, we just got teetotal mollywhopped by them, from right out of the gate, they commanded the game from the first pitch to the last pitch,” UNCP coach Paul O’Neil said. “So for us to be able to win two games today, I’m proud of our team, I’m proud of the gumption that they have, as far as having the will to want to succeed. So I couldn’t be more pleased with their effort today.”

Francis Marion (32-11, 19-8 Conference Carolinas) scored 11 runs in the first inning in Friday’s 18-11 win; the Braves (23-18, 11-13 CC) came back with a three-RBI performance from Blake Hinson in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, then used a go-ahead hit from Isaias Villarreal as part of a two-run eighth inning to win the series finale. UNCP right-hander Seth Willis got the save in both games.

“This weekend was huge,” Villarreal said. “Coming out Friday, we battled that whole day Friday, but coming out with the energy that we had Saturday, it was much needed. It was a streak that we needed at the end of the season to get us going into the final (two) series.”

UNCP had been swept in its previous two Conference Carolinas series against Emmanuel and Belmont Abbey, and also lost a midweek nonconference tilt Tuesday against Wingate.

“You’ve just got to keep going,” Hinson said. “When you face adversity, you’ve just got to keep going, that’s all you can do. You can’t make excuses, just keep going.”

The slump-busting wins for UNCP came against a Francis Marion team that entered the series as the 23rd-ranked team nationally in Division II, coached by longtime UNCP assistant Jeff Jefferson in his first season.

“I think Jeff is doing a fabulous job at Francis Marion; I knew he would,” O’Neil said. “He’s turned around that program in seven months, eight months. He’s got them nationally ranked right now; he’s doing a tremendous job. They should give him a raise at Francis Marion.”

UNCP continues to play its home games away from Pembroke due to ongoing renovations at Sammy Cox Field. After playing Francis Marion at CarolinaBank Field in Florence, the Braves returned there Tuesday to host Catawba in a nonconference game; the result was unavailable at press time. UNCP will host Erskine for a three-game conference series beginning Friday in Cary.

Game Two

The doubleheader opener turned on the talents of Hinson, a New Bern senior who has made an impact on the field over all four years he’s been in the Braves program. Hinson notched two hits and drove in three of the Braves’ four runs.

This included the go-ahead hit in the fourth inning on a single up the middle to drive in Morgan Padgett and Villarreal for a 4-3 advantage.

“They were giving me the middle of the field; the second baseman was playing in the four-hole and the shortstop was over, so they gave me the middle of the field, so my approach was just to get on top of something and get up the middle and just run for it,” Hinson said.

Hinson also drove in a run in the second inning as part of a two-run frame for UNCP that cut a 3-0 FMU lead to 3-2. After Ramses Cordova singled to drive in Padgett, who had two hits and two runs for the Braves, Hinson’s hit brought home Ashton Donathan.

“He’s a very good player, and if we’re going to win games, we need people like Blake to play at a high level for us,” O’Neil said. “And it was nice to see him come through. He’s a good player, but more than him being a good player, he is a quality human being.”

Two UNCP relievers accounted for five scoreless innings to get the Braves’ victory across the finish line. Rhett James (3-2) earned the win after allowing just one hit with two strikeouts in two innings before Willis got his first save of the day with a hitless, three-inning, seven-strikeout performance.

“I had all my pitches working, the fastball and the changeup was working all day and then surprise them with the curveball or the cutter, and it all seemed to work pretty fair,” Willis said. “And I was just commanding the zone today effectively.”

Noah Stout homered in the top of the second to drive in all three of the Patriots’ runs.

Euson Rijnaldo (9-2) went the distance on the mound for FMU, allowing four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. Caleb Oakley and Stout recorded the Patriots’ only two hits.

Game Three

The nightcap was tied at 4-4 going into the bottom of the eighth before UNCP struck for its outcome-settling runs. Will Hood’s one-out double set the stage for Villarreal, who beat the shift with a single to the right side to drive in Hood for a 5-4 lead.

“It wouldn’t have started without (Hood) getting on base, making something happen,” Villarreal said. “And then I was looking to get the ball in play, find a hole and put our team ahead.”

Ramses Cordova then extended the lead later in the frame with an RBI single to left field to score Landon Lucas.

That set the stage for Willis, who had thrown 33 pitches three hours earlier but was ready and willing to go for another save.

“Seth was like ‘hey, I’m good, I’ve got one more bullet in the gun.’ I said let’s fire it,” O’Neil said. “We were going to fire it — if we were up by one, he was going in the game. I wasn’t going home with a bullet in my gun. … He’s had a great year for us. He’s been our main guy at the end of the games for us. He’s been extremely valuable, and another very high-character individual.”

Will Dorrell hit a line-drive home run to right field to lead off the ninth, but Willis struck out the next three batters to complete the 6-5 victory. Willis’ eighth save of the season marked the first time in his career he’s gotten two saves in the same day.

Jonathon Jacobs pitched 5 2/3 innings for UNCP, allowing six hits and three earned runs with four strikeouts to earn a no-decision.

“I thought Jon did everything Jon could do, he gave us 5 2/3 and he came out with the lead,” O’Neil said. “He was at 102 pitches when I took him out. … Of course we gave up the lead right after that, but we were fortunate to get it back. I thought Jon threw the ball good and gave us a chance to win.”

Landon Lucas (3-2) threw 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing one hit with four strikeouts, earning the win and setting the stage for Willis.

Jacobs and Madden each allowed one hit through three scoreless innings to start the game before Francis Marion took a 3-0 lead in the fourth with a two-RBI single by Jimmy Koza and another run scored on a Braves error.

UNCP answered with a four-run fourth to take a 4-3 lead. After a Hood RBI single got the Braves on the scoreboard, an popped-up bunt by Villarreal fell in for a hit to lead the bases; Jake Bradley scored on a wild pitch, before an RBI groundout by Lucas brought home Hood and a sacrifice fly by Ramses Cordova plated Villarreal.

Will Dorrell’s RBI single for FMU in the sixth tied the score at 4-4, but the Patriots stranded two in the inning as the Braves avoided further damage.

Hood had three hits and scored twice and Villarreal and Cordova each had two hits for UNCP.

Stout and Dorrell each had two hits for Francis Marion. Madden earned a no decision, pitching into the fourth and allowing three runs; Daniel Barcena (3-2) pitched the final five innings and took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

HAMLET — The Hamlet City Council honored Patrick Hogan during its April meeting for earning his water treatment operator certification, a significant achievement that highlights his dedication to his role.

The certification was presented by Robert Brown, director of Public Works, who detailed the rigorous process required to attain it.

“When we hire an employee at the water treatment plant, they have to be at the plant for six months of 40 hours a week to even be eligible to take the state exam,” Brown said. “At the time, they have to attend a week-long school for that certification level. Then, they have to go to Raleigh and take an exam.”

Brown continued by praising Hogan’s efforts and recounting a moment after the test.

“As Patrick may say, if he speaks, it’s a little more than what you think of when you take the exam. He came back and he told us ‘I don’t think I passed,’ and so far, out of most people that come back and have said that, they’re the ones that did pass,” Brown said. “It’s the ones that come back and say ‘Oh, I’ve got this’ that they get the condolence letter from the state, but Patrick has been a big boost to what we’re doing at the water treatment plant.”

Hogan responded with appreciation for the recognition and emphasized how much he has learned since entering the field.

“Thank you Robert Brown for those kind words. Very much correct, a lot more to the test than you would think and it covers a wide variety of water,” Hogan said. “On that note, a lot more goes into your tap water than you would think. For the longest time, I thought you turned the handle and the water comes out on the other side of it, that is not the case.”

He concluded by thanking those who supported him throughout the process. “I’d like to thank Benita Mullis for the opportunity to prove myself worthy of this job and thank you to the city of Hamlet. Thank you.”

In other business, the council voted against purchasing the commercial building at 52 West Main Street, which had been offered to the city by the property owner.

“The owner of this parcel pictured right here next to our opera house is interested in selling a commercial business building adjacent to the opera house— not the entire parcel, but just that part highlighted in the red,” said Assistant City Manager Mackenzie Webb. “It’s about 1,500 square feet. It’s zoned B2, general business on our main street. We estimate the cost of the building to be about $35,000 with closing.”

Mayor Pro-Tem Abbie Covington raised concerns about existing sewer issues tied to the property. Webb confirmed that repairs would cost approximately $2,400 and noted potential for future use, possibly mirroring the Lakeside venue model in which the city leases out property it owns.

“There’s currently a utility issue that has an estimated cost of about $2,400 to fix,” Webb said. “If the council were to wish to purchase the parcel, the city could have the similar approach with Lakeside venue in which the city owns it and leases it out to a potential business.”

Still, council members questioned the feasibility.

“I just don’t see how it would be an asset for the city to own that property for us to have to keep up and be a responsibility to us,” said council member Oscar Sellers.

City Manager John Terziu added that current leaseholders would need to vacate before repairs could be made, which complicates immediate plans for the building.

“Once the utility issues were resolved, it would be re-rented,” Terziu said, noting the property would likely be more suitable for private ownership.

Mayor Pro-Tem Covington echoed that concern.

“I think if we had a clean shot at it, it might be something worth considering,” she said. “But if we’ve got a current occupant who has not indicated that they’re interested in giving up their lease and we can’t do the repairs without the occupant vacating the premises, I think we’d just be hang strong if we bought it.”

Covington made a motion to forgo the purchase, which was unanimously approved by the council.

RICHMOND COUNTY — In addition to the daffodils and dogwoods blooming, there’s a subtle but equally welcome sign of spring in the garden and landscape: emerging fern fiddleheads. In a range of modest colors, pale green to reddish-brown, new fern fronds begin to unfurl as the weather gently warms, adding an elegant backdrop to the riot of color of spring blooms, equally attractive in their own quiet way. These are not the same ferns found in hanging pots across front porches every summer. These are “hardy” ferns which are grown in the landscape. If you haven’t explored introducing ferns to your garden, now may be a good time to consider adding these fabulous plants to your landscape!

What is a fern?

As an overall group of plants, ferns are ancient – at least 359 million years old, possibly older. They are “vascular plants”, which is a fancy way of saying they have roots, stems and leaves and specialized tissues that move water and nutrients throughout the plant. Prior to the evolution of vascular plants there were mosses and similar plants which did not have those structures. Ferns have stems with small “leaflets” running up the stem, which together make up the overall frond, or leaf, of the plant. Different ferns have different growth habits: some spread over the soil, with fronds creating a low ground cover, while others may be a bunch of fronds together in a cluster. A big difference between ferns and later evolving vascular plants is their basic reproductive system. Ferns do not produce flowers and seeds for reproduction, and instead have spores on the underside of leaflets. The spores are dispersed by wind and rain to grow new plants. Some ferns are also able to reproduce “vegetatively” – that is, asexually, by producing small, clonal replicas of the plant which drop off and grow a new plant adjacent to the parent, or by growing a new plant from an underground rhizome (a type of underground stem structure). As some of the first plants to evolve on land, most ferns prefer moist and shady sites, however there are some species adapted to drier environments.

Native ferns of the Sandhills

The Sandhills have a number of beautiful ferns that thrive in our region. On a recent Richmond Roots Garden Club hike at the Weymouth Nature Center in Southern Pines, we noticed Netted Chain fern (NCF) growing in the swampy areas along the creek. If there’s a low, wet area in your yard where other plants struggle, Netted Chain fern could be a problem solver for a difficult spot, although it can also be grown in well amended garden soil if kept consistently moist. A deciduous plant, the leaves die back in the fall, with fronds emerging in early spring. NCF is a spreading fern, and makes a lovely low growing ground cover when happy.

Christmas fern is a native evergreen clumping fern often found on flood plains, forest floors, or stream sides. It would perform well in speckled shade in garden soil supplemented with organic

matter that receives some irrigation during period of droughts. The name comes from the shape of the individual leaflet, which is shaped like a (Christmas) stocking!

Cinnamon fern is a striking fern to add to a woodland garden. The large fronds – which can be up to two to four feet long – are green through the summer before turning yellow in fall and dying out. The name comes from the stiff, spore-bearing fronds which unfurl during the early spring, which are a distinctive brownish-red color against the green leaves. A wonderful element in the garden border!

Bracken fern is one of the most noticeable native ferns we have in our region. In well-managed longleaf forests, you may see broad swaths of the forest floor covered in the dark green fern during the summer. The fronds die back in the winter, then re-emerge in the spring. Due to it’s spreading, though non-aggressive, nature, it makes an excellent ground cover in a dry, natural area under pine trees.

One more special fern to keep your eye out for: the Cut-leaf Grape Fern. This adorable, small, evergreen fern is found in bottom-lands and deciduous woodlands in our region. The infertile fronds are green to blue-green in color with a wavy leaf margin. The fertile fronds come straight up through the leaves and are covered in small round spores resembling tiny grape clusters, hence the name. Should you find one in your garden or landscape, you’ll want to make it a highlight of your garden!

All these native ferns need soil well augmented with rotted leaves or other organic matter. Best to leave off the compost though – these natives are adapted to low nutrient soils.

The NC Native Plant Society has a list of ferns native to NC and their preferred environment. There are several nurseries which source native ferns; remember, plants should never be harvested from nature, as most of the time they do not survive removal and transplanting to a new site. For more information about utilizing native plants in your garden, contact NC Cooperative Extension, Richmond County Center, at 910-997-8255, visit our website, Richmond.ces.ncsu.edu, and follow us on Facebook: NC Cooperative Extension, Richmond County.

RICHMOND COUNTY — On April 1, the Sandhills Rod and Gun Club was packed wall to wall with hungry attendees ready to taste and judge dozens of dishes neatly organized into meat, vegetation/fruit, and dessert categories for the 23rd annual Wild Foods Cook-off. From rabbit salad to venison tamales, plates were piled high with a variety of dishes all comprised of wild ingredients.

In total, there were 26 dishes entered, and only three would be declared winner of each category. After the tasting, attendees voted on their favorite dish in each category and then an overall Grand Champion. There were 14 dishes entered in the meat category, three in the vegetation and fruit category and finally, nine dessert dishes.

Noah Blake’s deer stew with mashed potatoes swept the competition by taking home both first place in the meat category and Grand Champion.

For the vegetation and fruit category, Jake Sharpe won first place with his creative Poke Salad Green Rice.

Last but not least, Patricia McCormick took home first prize in the dessert category with her homemade persimmon pudding.

With a full belly, attendees are able to sit back and listen to the educational portion of the event. This year our presenter was Erin Barnes, who serves as Richmond County’s 4-H Agent. Barnes demonstrated with the attendees on how to tie various knots and how each knot serves a specific purpose or use.

If you have any questions about the Wild Food Cook-off please contact the Richmond County Extension office at 910-997-8255.

HAMLET — Aussem Hussien’s education plans quickly changed when he heard how easy it would be for him to transfer with his associate degree from Richmond Community College to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

“While I was a full-time online student at RichmondCC pursuing my associate degree in Human Services Technology with a focus on Addiction and Recovery Studies, I had a conversation with my advisor about my future plans,” Hussien said. “At the time, I only intended to earn my associate degree. After that, I was going to apply for my Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor license and begin working in a treatment facility. However, my advisor informed me about the UNCW PathWays co-admission program.”

PathWays is a seamless transfer option for students enrolled at RichmondCC to complete their degree at UNCW. Students who qualify for the program receive guaranteed admission to UNCW before they graduate from RichmondCC. They also receive dedicated advising assistance from both RichmondCC and the UNCW, and access to special webinars, events, and newsletters.

That conversation completely changed Hussein’s perspective. Once he learned that he could easily transfer to a university after earning his associate degree and have junior status, he decided to look into the opportunity.

“I explored the information on RichmondCC’s website and found that UNCW offered a fully online Bachelor of Social Work program that aligned perfectly with my goals,” Hussien said. “The transition from RichmondCC to UNCW was smooth thanks to the great support I received from both schools.”

Hussien earned an Associate in Applied Science in Human Services Technology with a concentration in Addiction and Recovery Studies from RichmondCC in July 2023. Nearly a year later, Hussien earned another degree in Human Services but this time with a focus on Social Services.

Hussien is on the path to graduate from UNCW in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work.

“Just like my experience at RichmondCC, the online format allows me to continue working full-time while also being a full-time student,” Hussien said. “It’s helped me maintain a healthy balance between my career, education and personal life.”

Just a few months after graduating from RichmondCC, Hussien began as a care manager at Insight Human Services, a treatment services center. In this position, he assists justice-involved individuals as they navigate systems of care and support.

Hussien plans to also pursue a master’s degree in Social Work and earn the credentials to become a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. “I’m passionate about helping individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges, and I want to be fully equipped to support them in meaningful ways,” Hussien said.

Hussien said starting at RichmondCC gave him the tools and support he needed to be successful.

“The faculty and staff at RichmondCC offered a strong academic foundation along with valuable resources like tutoring in writing and math, career exploration services, advising and counseling. With their help, I was able to earn two associate degrees, start a fulfilling career, and prepare to continue my education at a four-year university,” Hussien said.

PathWays is one of 11 coadmissions programs that RichmondCC has to offer students. The others are:

• UNC- Chapel Hill (C-STEP)

• East Carolina University (Pirate Promise)

• NC State University (C3)

• NC A&T State University (Aggie Plus Program)

• UNC-Pembroke (BraveStep)

• Gardner-Webb University (Bulldog Bound)

• Lees-McRae University (GAP)

• Pfeiffer University (Pfeiffer Pact)

• Wingate University (Gateway Scholarship)

To learn more, contact the Career & Transfer Advising Center at (910) 410-1700 or visit the Scotland County or Hamlet Campus. RichmondCC is now registering students for the 2025-2026 Academic Year, which means students can schedule classes for the 2025 fall semester, 2026 spring and summer semesters. Apply for free online at www.richmondcc.edu/admissions to get started.

ROCKINGHAM — Raider Stadium is getting a major upgrade this summer, with a series of improvements focused on enhancing the fan experience, modernizing the facility, and creating new opportunities for students at Richmond Senior High School.

One of the most notable changes is a new Jumbotron, approved by the Richmond County Board of Education at its April 8 meeting. Installation is scheduled to begin after this year’s graduation ceremony and is expected to be completed by June 20, district officials said.

Many upgrades are already underway and are expected to be completed by the start of next football season. New lighting around the concourse will improve visibility during evening events, and handrails are being added in the stands to improve safety and accessibility for all guests. Additional improvements include updated restrooms, upgraded Wi-Fi, and enhanced security camera systems — all designed to improve comfort, accessibility, and safety throughout the stadium, they said.

The video board will bring new energy to football games at Raider Stadium, featuring player and student highlights, recognition, and key moments that energize the crowd. Students will take the lead on creating the content, including game features, school messages, and entertainment. It’s a hands-on opportunity that puts students in control of how the stadium experience looks and feels. The screen will also be used for events like graduation, homecoming, movie nights, and other celebrations throughout the year, they said.

“There’s nothing like a Friday night in Raider Stadium, and these upgrades are only going to make it better. We’re doing all we can to make this stadium a complete family attraction,” said Head Football Coach Brad Denson. “From the new video board to the improved fan areas, it’s a big step forward — and I’m looking forward to seeing the community come out, pack the stands, and enjoy everything that’s coming.”

These enhancements have been made possible thanks to generous community support, with additional sponsorship opportunities still available for those who want to be part of bringing the Jumbotron to life. Businesses and community members can contact Athletic Director James Johnson or Coach Denson at 910-997-9812 to learn more about available options.

“This is an investment in the future of Raider Stadium,” said Board of Education Chairman Cory Satterfield. “It supports our students, our athletic programs, and our community by making the space more welcoming, more functional, and better equipped for the years ahead. The Board is proud to support these improvements, and we’re grateful to everyone who’s helping bring them to life.”