CityView Magazine

editors��� corner Easter and Aspirations I say it every year because every year it���s true: Rebekah Sanderlin, senior editor There are few places in the world as pretty as Fayetteville in April. The natural world seems to use the space of a few short weeks to show off her finery, announcing to any and all that spring is finally here. I���d love to say more about the city���s plant life, but my gardening knowledge is woefully lacking. My two thumbs are anything but green. I���ve even managed to kill a cactus. This issue, however might just save me from myself. Michael Jaenicke, an accomplished gardener, tells us how to get our gardens going on page 15. He makes it sound easy enough for even me to be tempted to get my hands in the dirt again. Of course, the star of Fayetteville���s spring each year is the dogwood tree, a symbol of our city and North Carolina���s state flower. The dogwood also takes center stage, literally, during Fayetteville���s premier annual festival, The Dogwood Festival, which will be held April 26 ���28. You can read more about the Festival on pages 43���55. Each year the entire city comes together for a few days of play, and for merchants like those at Cape Fear Music Center, playing is both work and, well, play. You can read more about them on page 27. It���s a wonderful time to be in Fayetteville and to celebrate all the glory of spring. F ayetteville chefs have their own riff on grits, and I sampled the various grit platters like it was my job. Oh wait, it is. What a fun assignment - join us on page 20 to get the nitty gritty on this southern staple. Being a Texas gal at heart, I���d like to experiment with some shrimp and jalape��o grits. Be sure to try out our easy Shrimp and Grits recipe on p. 23 and start your own tradition. Speaking of traditions, have you ever wondered how those melodic strains ring out hymns from the bell towers across town? Bryan Mims has the answers and more in the feature story on p. 37. Enjoy Seen at the Scene photos on page 58. I was fortunate that our family calendars aligned, a rarity these days, and my husband was able to attend the Partnership for Children���s Soiree event with me. 8 | April ��� 2013 Kelly Twedell, features editor

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