Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1045613
16 UCW OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 6, 2018 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM EVENTS On Saturday, Nov. 10, the Hope Mills Area Cham- ber of Commerce will hold its Annual Chili Cook- Off. Once part of Ole Mill Days, this year, the Hope Mills Chamber decided to partner with Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market, WKML, Heroes Homecoming and e Lone Survivor Foun- dation to make this event even better. "We wanted to change the venue because of the date, mainly," said Hope Mills Chamber President Jessica Seagroves. "Last year, it was so hot we were sunburnt when we left Ole Mill Days! We wanted more 'chili appropriate' weather. October in North Carolina? It's still 90 degrees outside sometimes. "We wanted to partner with Dirtbag Ales to add a fun change to the chili cook-off. is is our second year serving on the Heroes Homecoming commit- tee, and I felt that if we were able to get everyone together for this event, it would be a better event for the veterans and our community." Locals who have not been to a Hope Mills Area Chamber Chili Cook-Off in the past are missing out. Chili enthusiasts from all over the area bring their best dishes for a chance to win one of eight cash prizes. ere are hot and mild categories, which will have three different winners for each category. ere will also be a veteran's choice winner and a people's choice winner. Not only will there be cash prizes for the best chilis, a cornhole tournament has been added as well. Teams can pre-register or register the day of. ere will be a cash prize awarded to the winner. e cornhole tournament starts at 2 p.m. e event is scheduled to coincide with Veterans Day. A tent to include live music, food and swag bags will be set up for veterans. Veterans eat free at the event, and there will be several veteran-focused groups in attendance that exist to serve our military community better. "We wanted to find a way to make this more for the members of our community, and a vast major- ity of those are veterans," Seagroves explained. "We wanted to show our support of the men and women who have gone above and beyond for our commu- nity. I really love Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market and how much they support the veterans. at made it a natural transition to partner with Lone Survivor Foundation for the chili cook-off and to focus on the veterans in our community. It all came together to make a great event." is event is ideal for the entire family. In addi- tion to the Chili Cook-Off, cornhole tournament and various vendors, there will be a bounce house for chil- dren as well as face painting, live music and local food trucks. Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market also includes a dog park and a playground. If you would like to submit a chili for the event, email the Hope Mills Chamber at hmacc@ hopemillschamber.org or call 910-423-4314. e cost to register is $15. All entries are welcome. Vendor spots are still available as well. Tickets will be available the day of the event and are offered at several levels. It's $10 to taste each chill or $5 for one bowl of chili. e $20 VIP bands include chili tasting, a bowl of chili and specialty beverage. Veteran bands are free and include chili, food and drink in the VIP tent. Additional beverages (non-alcoholic) are one dollar. e event runs from 1-5 p.m. and will take place at 5435 Corporation Dr. in Hope Mills. Call 910-423- 4314 or email hmacc@hopemillschamber.com for more information. Hope Mills Chamber Chili Cook-Off has a new home by CASEY SHAFFER CASEY SHAFFER Contrib- uting Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomingweekly. com. 910-484-6200. Paul ompson, owner of Paul's Place, is multifaceted. In addition to being an entrepreneur, he is a veteran, a musician, a comedian and now a producer. He's bringing these passions together Nov. 10 for "A Patriotic Din- ner eatre" at VFW 670. "I am (a retired Army first sergeant), and I was at VFW 670 for a wake," said ompson. "I looked at the facility and thought it would be a great place to put on a show. I talked to the com- mander and decided to do something to help get (VFW 670) back on its feet. I got a great chef – a young lady who is starting her catering service – and got together some good enter- tainment." Not only is ompson helping to organize the event, he is also the master of ceremonies for the evening. "I am an amateur comedian," ompson said. "I have been on comedy stages at Myrtle Beach. I will do some comedy and introduce people. I host a lot of events at Paul's Place, but this is my first show that I have produced." Lee Jean Music, Richard Garey from "Mark Twain Himself," and Elvis and Neil Diamond tribute artist Bobby J. will share the stage. Lee Jean is a former "American Idol" competitor. "He placed in the top eight in season 15 of the show in 2012," said ompson. "He's good." Jean is known for covering song from the folk, soul and pop genres. "I went to high school with Richard Garey," ompson said. "He owns a theater in Missouri where he does a lot of Mark Twain, including his play 'Mark Twain Himself.'" Garey has entertained audiences in the United States, Canada and Bermuda for more than 30 years. He has committed more that seven hours of original Twain writing and letters to memory and interacts with the audience as Twain to provide an engaging experience. Garey said that while no two shows are exactly alike, all of his shows are 100 percent Twain. Garey credits his high school English teacher/ drama coach for inspiring his acting career. "If you can hold the interest of high school sophomores for nine months, you can rivet just about any audience for 90 minutes." "Making people happy," said Bobby J. "at's my reason for doing my tribute to Elvis." As a performer, J. said he has performed all over the continent "from New Jersey to Venezuela." He's performed with Bobby Rydell and been featured on the "Today" show as well. He loves creating an energy with the audience no matter where he performs; it's what keeps him returning to the stage. "I take pride in duplicat- ing the voice and the moves that made Elvis famous," J. said. "I am constantly working on my craft." ompson said the audience can expect to see both of J.'s impersonations – a set featuring a Neil Diamond imper- sonation and another featuring Elvis. e evening's menu features a choice of two meats – a ribeye roast or herb-crusted pork loin – and includes two vegetables and dessert. "I've tried the food," said ompson. "It is delicious. is event is a sit-down dinner. And it will be a family- friendly show." ompson added that if the event is a success, VFW 670 has invited him to produce dinner theaters there quarterly. Dinner is at 6 p.m. e show starts at 7 p.m. and will be at VFW 670 at 3928 Doc Bennett Rd. Tickets cost $30 per person or $50 per couple. Call 910-476-9524 or visit Paul's Place at 719 Star- ling St. in Fayetteville for tickets and information. Local veteran hosts 'A Patriotic Dinner Theatre' at VFW 670 by STEPHANIE CRIDER STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate Publisher. COMMENTS? Editor@upand- comingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Lee Jean Richard Garey Bobby J.