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/1426958
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NOVEMBER 10-16, 2021 UCW 11 EVENT Thanksgiving spread planned for Bragg's single soldiers by EMILY SUSSMAN Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) has a long history of supporting soldiers wherever they land when they are far from friends and family. Developed in 1989 by the U.S Army Community and Family Sup- port Center (USACFSC) and major army commands the programs are geared towards engaging and involv- ing single soldiers. e program aims to tend to their recreational needs and improve their overall quality of life. e Fort Bragg BOSS program is home away-from-home to over twenty-nine thousand single and unaccompanied soldiers at Fort Bragg and this includes soldiers who are single-parents. "BOSS offers recreational and leisure events, volunteer and community service opportunities, and life-skill ac- tivities that are geared towards provid- ing lifelong knowledge," said Staff Sgt. Jakoby Mallory, president of Fort Bragg BOSS. For the ninth year running the an- nual BOSS anksgiving will provide single and unaccompanied soldiers a traditional anksgiving buffet spread, entertainment and a running raffle for prizes. "We hope that single soldiers in attendance benefit from knowing they are not alone during the holiday season," Mallory said. "We are aware this may be a very difficult time for soldiers who are unable to be with their families and love[d] ones, but the Fort Bragg community is their home away from home." Sgt. Henry Harper, 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade is opting to spend the holiday with others and will be attending the BOSS anksgiving event. is will be the first BOSS event that Harper has attended. "To me, it sounds like a great op- portunity for single soldiers to get a free meal while interacting with other single soldiers. Even though we are unable to go home, it's reassuring knowing that we won't spend the holiday alone," Harper said. e installation sees the care of the soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg as a key priority. "We (Fort Bragg) want families and loved ones to know that their soldier will be taken care of by the Fort Bragg community and it's leaders," explained Fort Bragg spokeswoman, Sharilyn Wells. "is event is just one way to ensure that single and unaccompanied soldiers know that they are a big and important part of our community. We are fortunate enough to have organiza- tions volunteer their support, provide a free, home-cooked meal, entertain- ment and donate their time to ensure the morale and welfare of our soldiers." is year's event is being supported by donations from the Fort Bragg Fed- eral Credit Union, Geico Military and the Gary Sinise Foundation. e BOSS anksgiving event will be held at the Iron Mike Conference Cen- ter on Fort Bragg, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. e event is free and for any BOSS service member. ose interested in attending should contact the Fort Bragg BOSS program at 910-396-7751. For more information on Fort Bragg's BOSS program and their upcoming events visit www.facebook.com/fort- bragg- boss. EMILY SUSSMAN, Editor. COMMENTS? editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. e Better Opportunities for single solders program hosts its anksgiving meal at the Iron Mike Center, Nov. 14, 2018. e Garrison command staff officers and NCO's serve the enlisted solders turkey, dressing and all the trimmings. (Photo courtesy of Fort Bragg Command Information) Spaghetti dinner keeps father's legacy alive by KATHLEEN RAMSEY "It's been a big part of our lives," Linda Higgins said of the 62nd annual Spaghetti Dinner for the Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Higgins is one the current owners of Lu- igi's Italian Chophouse and Bar. Her father, Peter Parrous, the original owner and founder of Lu- igi's, started the dinner in 1958 as a way to fundraise for his church. e first year they sold around 4,000 plates and it was a dine-in experience. "Over the years, it grew and grew," said Higgins. "it really became an event that brought the church members together. It brings the community together." is year, she said they expect around 8,500 plates to be sold. Each year, they have to predict the number of patrons that will come but they have been sur- prised before, selling more than 10,000 plates one year. "It has been such a huge com- munity-supported event," ex- plained Higgins. Higgins feels like this year is more important than ever for uni- ty in the community after having to cancel the event last year due to COVID-19. For Higgins, it's a tradition her father began and a way to con- tinue to honor him. When growing up, Higgins remembered her father prepping for the dinner for three or four days. Today, her family does the same, spending days preparing for the event. "It's been a big part of our lives. It's wonderful to keep up his legacy." It takes 4,000 pounds of dry spaghetti, 900 gallons of tomato sauce, and over 100 volunteers to bring this delicious fundraising dinner to a reality, according to the church's website. Higgins said they will be keep- ing in mind COVID-19 restric- tions during the event. e dinner will be hosted on Nov. 17 from 10 a.m.– 8 p.m. e plates will be sold for $8 each and assorted Greek pastries such as Baklava, Kouradbiedes, Koulourakia and more will be for sale. Folks interested in feeding large groups can order meals in quanties of ten, 15, 20, 40, 50, 100 and 150 on the preorder form. Hungry participants can also preoreder their meals by visiting https://www.faygreekchurch. com/2021spaghetti. KATHLEEN RAMSEY,Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upand- comingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Above: Members of the Sts Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church prepare meals for the churches annual spaghetti inner fundraiser. Below: An event logo for the annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. (Photo and image courtesy of Sts Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church)