CityView Magazine

It's a scene fitting of a Dickens novel: at dusk, townspeople are invited to gath- er in front of The Arts Council building and follow behind the carriage of Queen Victoria as she makes her way, led by bagpipes and the Cape Fear Scottish Clan, to the Market House. Once there, Queen Victoria steps onto the balcony and makes her Christmas proclamation before lighting up downtown and ring- ing the Market House bells. "It's really quite moving," Parfitt said. cape fear v alley heal th express care feel better faster. ExpressCare can treat minor emergencies, such as: • Fever, earache, sore throat • Flu-like symptoms, colds and upper respiratory infections • Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea • Simple or suspected bone fractures • Strains and sprains • Cuts that may need stitches • Rashes and minor allergic reactions • Painful or burning urination Of course, when in doubt about the seriousness of an illness or injury, please call 911 or go to the closest emergency department. EXPRESSCARE 3 convenient locations : open 7 days a week HIGHSMITH-RAINEY EXPRESSCARE 150 ROBESON STREET Downtown Fayetteville 7 days a week: 7 am - 11 pm (910) 615-1220 CAPE FEAR VALLEY EXPRESSCARE 1638 OWEN DRIVE Located inside the former Cape Fear Valley Children's Emergency Department 7 days a week: 9 am - 7 pm (910) 615-4372 HEALTH PAVILION NORTH EXPRESSCARE 6387 RAMSEY STREET Ramsey Street & Andrews Road 7 days a week: 9 am - 7 pm (910) 615-3879 "It's a very emotional thing to see eve- ryone come together walking behind Queen Victoria. It's about finding the good in people and appealing to our bet- ter nature." Don't tell the kids, but like most things The Arts Council have a hand in, it's also educational. Sew charming This year, Cruse has also led the charge to revive Victorian fashion. For the past few months, Cruse and her com- mittee members have held workshops on Victorian sewing techniques as a lead- up to the annual costume contest. "The aim wasn't to teach people to sew, but to teach them to sew like Victorians," she said. They've also held more informal ses- sions on putting together period-perfect garb on the cheap. "If you have some extra sheets," "you can gather Cruse noted, them into a waistband and make work-day clothes." Other suggestions include re- purposing an everyday shower cap as a whimsical mop cap, tying tulle across a wide-brimmed straw hat for a chin- strapped bonnet or throwing a knitted shawl over a simple dress. "It doesn't have to be fancy," Cruse said. Creativity is king — or rather, queen — when it comes to costuming. In an effort to encourage more peo- ple to participate and get involved, the costume contest entry fees have been waived in all four age-appropriate cat- egories, as well as the character-specific grouping. This year, the historically accurate category is the only one with entry fees, which translate into cash prizes for the 46 | November/December • 2011

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