CityView Magazine

Cit yV iewN C.co m | 29 photographer Cindy Burnham and her husband, videographer Rick Allen. In tow is the couple's Golden Retriever rescue, Sir Edward atcher – grinning from ear-to-ear. It's a modern-day Norman Rockwell painting come to life. Act 3: The Grand Finale Bo is waiting in her driveway, thanks to Darlene, who persuaded her friend to go outside under the pretense of taking her to see a large cross fashioned from flowers at a local church. One by one, the vehicles drive by, windows rolled down, to shout out birthday salutations. Neighbors Tiffany and Andrew Pennink join the parade, on bicycles and pulling a child carrier containing young son Brooks and daughter Stella. Dr. Jo Ann Chavis Lowery – a retired educator and counselor, artist and singer – is wearing one of the Native American-print masks that she sews for healthcare professionals. Carole Goforth, who has served on the CFRT Board for some 35 years, comes running with a large balloon and an oversized homemade card. Mary Kate Burke, CFRT artistic director, is waiting in the wings – to deliver a bouquet of Bo's favorite yellow roses. e crowd bursts into song, wishing Bo a "Happy Birthday," as she offers back "air hugs" and jokes, "Y'all must not have had anything else to do today." A few seconds pass by, as another voice – gospel singer Sherry Carter – fills the air, and the crowd joins in: "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me … And so it goes. Not a dry eye in the crowd. A grand celebration for the Grande Dame of Fayetteville theater. In a pandemic – amid the stillness of a neighborhood with dramatically blue skies overhead and sunshine filtering through the towering pines and oaks and flowering dogwoods. "God set the stage," says Darlene. "It was like we were in heaven," Bo marvels, "the skies were so blue." She adds in inimitable Bo style, "I thought getting older was supposed to be a bad thing, but everything about this is good." The birthday parade is becoming one of the go-to ways to celebrate while adhering to social distancing guidelines. But Olivia Burkhart's parade in honor of her milestone 10th birthday on March 25 was one of the earliest. "Her village came around her today and knocked her socks off with a birthday parade complete with posters, banners and cards," Olivia's mother, Nicole Burkhart, wrote in a social media post. "Thank you to all who participated in making her day special despite some unforeseen circumstances. We feel loved!" Call 910.223.7833 (RUDE) to order 227 Hay Street, Downtown Fayetteville www.rudeawakening.net Rude Awakening � � � CURBSIDE PICKUP � � � DON'T MISS OUT ON ANY UPCOMING ISSUES! JUNE Outdoors • Day Trips JULY America • Military Cars AUGUST Back to School Family • Parenting

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