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.
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JANUARY 13-19, 2016 UCW 11 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The military lifestyle can be a difficult one, as many in the Fayetteville community know. Pam Saulsby, a military kid herself and a former news anchor, saw some of the struggles military families face and decided to make a difference and create a tool for families: a children's book. The book stems from her own experiences with family members and the Vietnam War. "The book is called Ashley's High Five for Daddy and it is about military kids and post-traumatic stress. This story wanted to be in the world and I believed for a long time that the real question was a matter of when and how. The story has been in me since I was a child. I say that because I was impacted by the Vietnam War. I was young and I didn't understand what was happening. I saw men from the neighborhood return different than they left. I had an uncle, a captain, who fought in the Vietnam War and he had a mental breakdown. I was young and I couldn't process what was happening. I was also very shy so I didn't ever ask. So I saw the war on TV. I saw the men in the neighborhood, and my uncle and I didn't know how to react," Saulsby explained. Saulsby has worked to improve the community for years. Her passion began with broadcast journalism, which was her career for 30 years. "I worked as a reporter on the streets and an anchor behind the desk. It was fulfilling and rewarding. It was being part of helping to expose corruption, helping to make a difference and making people's lives better. It kept me fired up," she said. She has translated that same passion into her work as a writer. "I want to do more. This is not just a child's book. It is a tool to elevate the conversation on post-traumatic stress and what it does to children not just in the military, but also in the public in general," she explained. Post-traumatic stress is a difficult topic, especially with children. Nonetheless it is an important one to discuss. Children may not always speak up but that doesn't mean they haven't noticed. Saulsby recognizes this, but through her book she has sought to make the vital topic more approachable and easy to understand for everyone. She explains by saying, "I wanted a theme of love, care and tenderness throughout, though the story is about difficult topics. It focuses on a little girl in love with her dad. She is the sunshine of his life and she worships him. They have a tight relationship. This is how the girl notices the changes in her dad and how they are resolved. It's not scary, spooky or dark." Saulsby is planning to continue exploring the challenges that military families face. Military families are close to her heart and her own experiences give the insight needed to create truly touching and effective books. "I want this to be the first in a series about the life of a military child and life in the military. The first of the series revolves around the main character and her family. The first is about invisible wounds. The next might focus on the neighbor who returns with visible wounds or introduce a friend. Or when best friends leave because her family gets orders," she muses. Ashley's High Five for Daddy is available at http://pamsaulsby.com/ product/ashleys-high-five-for-daddy. Meet Pam Saulsby at the Gallery 208 opening at 208 Rowan Street on Jan. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Local Author Releases Children's Book by ERINN CRIDER PROFILES AND EVENTS ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910.484.6200. On Jan. 22, downtown Fayetteville stays open late for an exciting evening under the stars. It is an incredible time to explore all that downtown has to offer. It is a family friendly event that truly offers something for everyone. It's 4th Friday. The theme for the Downtown Alliance and local businesses in this month's 4th Friday is a Winter Wonderland. One of the most exciting spots in downtown Fayetteville for kids regardless of the day is Fascinate-U. This museum is designed specifically for children. The exhibits mimic real-life scenarios like grocery stores and newsrooms. Kids are encouraged to explore and play in the exhibits in order to learn about the world in a safe and fun way. On 4th Friday's the museum is open late and admission is free. There is also a fun and free craft project, this month it is paper plate snowmen. Fascinate-U Children's museum is open from 7 – 9 p.m. and is located at 116 Green St. For more information, call 829.9171 or visit www.fascinate-u.com. The Art's Council has supported art in the community since its inception in 1973. On Jan. 22, the new exhibit Romare Bearden: Beat of Different Drum opens. Bearden is a North Carolina artist who was born in Charlotte in 1911. Using collage, watercolor and ink, he focused on depicting African-American life. Many examples of his distinctive work are on display, including Li'l Dan, the Drummer Boy: A Civil War Story, the only children's book he wrote and illustrated. The exhibit runs until March 5 and includes lectures, performances and workshops. On Jan. 22, Fayetteville State University's drumline will perform at 7:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. Diedra Harris-Kelly, the co-director of the Romare Beard Foundation in New York, will also give a lecture. The Arts Council Galleries are located at 301 Hay St. and will be open from 7 until 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.theartscouncil. com. Cape Fear Studios, located at 148 Maxwell St., will also have a new public exhibit opening with 4th Friday. Cabin Fever is a non-juried exhibition open to all artists 18 or older that will run until Feb 22. This exhibit will show the recent works of local artists. A People's Choice award will be presented. On Jan. 22, Cape Fear Studios will be open from 6 - 8 p.m. for more information visit www.capefearstudios.com. Pressed- A Creative Space came to Fayetteville in 2011. Ashley Thompson is a military spouse and the owner of Pressed. Through her shop, she seeks to share her passion for design and to create a place for inspiration. She offers workshops as well as a curated selection of beautifully designed products. For 4th Friday she is hosting an Adult Coloring Party from 7-9 p.m. Bring coloring books, pens and pencils to participate in the fun and carefree expression of creativity at 120 Hay St. For more information, visit http://pressednc.com. Don't miss the exhibits and model train room at Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum, 325 Franklin St. Learn about the story of transportation from pre-history through the early 20th century from 6–9 p.m. Check out the newest exhibit, Punitive Expedition, too. It commemorates the centennial of the Punitive Expedition, which deployed Infantrymen from Fayetteville to maintain order on the U.S. border with Mexico. The Market House is open late, too. Come see the educational exhibit Floods of Fayetteville in the upstairs room from 6-10 p.m. This exhibit is in addition to the permanent exhibit, A View from the Square: A History of Downtown Fayetteville. The Ellington-White Contemporary Art Gallery, 113 Gillespie St. has big plans for 4th Friday, too. It marks the opening of the exhibit WE WEAR THE MASK: An Ode to Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, a contemporary exhibition featuring the art of Willis Bing Davis of Dayton, Ohio from 5-9 p.m. Find out more about 4th Friday at www.theartscouncil.com Celebrate the Arts at 4th Friday by ERINN CRIDER ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910.484.6200.