Fayetteville Living in North Carolina, military connections in a patriotic community with attractions for families and all ages

Patriot’s paradise. Operation Celebrate Freedom is a massive celebration honoring our nation’s birthday. Held every July 4th at Fort Bragg, near Fayetteville, the event includes topnotch performers, displays of skill and patriotism, and a rockin’ good time.
Fayetteville Area CVB • www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com

Lucky #13 awaits. Anderson Creek Golf Club is rated 4½ stars by Golf Digest and with good reason. Play a round and remember all that’s great about golf in the Carolina Sandhills – rolling emerald fairways lined with longleaf pines, natural areas highlighted with love grass and perfectly manicured course conditions.
Anderson Creek Club • www.AndersonCreekClub.com

Fayetteville, NC

patriotic community
with attractions for families
and all aGES

inding and visiting Fayetteville is easy. Just off I-95, this “Community of History, Heroes, and a Hometown Feeling” is nestled between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. But, there’s much to entertain visitors and locals close to home.

Military enthusiasts will recognize it as the home of Fort Bragg, home to the Army’s Airborne, and indeed, there is a strong patriotic feel to this area, which is also proud of its designation as the fourth most diverse city in the United States.

Fayetteville has enjoyed an international feel since its earliest beginnings, when it was settled in 1739 by Scottish immigrants. The town’s namesake, Major General Lafayette, briefly visited and applauded the efforts of this newly named city in 1825 and was treated to a hero’s welcome. And since then, residents have acknowledged those who served in the military as heroes throughout war and peace.


Today, residents are proud of Fayetteville’s remarkable attributes – international in vision, traditionally Southern, diverse, history-filled and attractive to businesses, retirees and vacationing families. Of course there are dozens of reasons to visit Fort Bragg – museums, monuments, parachuting soldiers and so much more. In downtown Fayetteville, there are also attractions particularly for children, including Fascinate-U, a museum where children can operate a store, be on TV, dress as U.S. soldiers, and practice dentistry. Fun, Fun, Fun at Hope Mill is one of the largest family amusement centers in NC, featuring 125 games and rides. Jambbas Ranch provides an up-close look at buffaloes, llamas, elk, and lots of domestic and exotic creatures. Zipquest Waterfall & Treetop Adventure features a 2½ hour treetop canopy tour including exhilarating zips past a two-story waterfall. The new geocaching trail is great fun. TrailTrek offers adventure for all ages and helps participants learn about the area. For folks searching for a bit of nostalgia, check out the Cameo Theatre. Restored to 1920s splendor, this intimate downtown theater shows classic, independent and foreign films. Recently, the CAMEO Art House Theatre was recognized nationally in the official program book of the Sundance Film Festival. The Arts Center is another fine choice to visit. Formerly the old site of a United States Post Office and a public library, this building now houses the Arts Council. The Arts Council Galleries feature local and regional artists and host numerous free art events for the community and visitors alike, such as monthly Fourth Friday & Market Days events, the annual International Folk Festival in September, A Dickens Holiday during the holiday season, and other visual art exhibitions. Other arts venues worth a visit include Cape Fear Studios, City Center Gallery & Books, The Fayetteville State University Art Gallery and Gallery 208. Mallett-Rogers House was built about 1830 and restored in 1986, and features exhibits, paintings, sculpture and mixed-media works by Methodist University art faculty and students. It was originally built for Charles Peter Mallett, a textile mill owner whose father served in the Revolutionary War and acquired the property as early as 1767. Golfers can indulge their passion in the Fayetteville area with several outstanding golf courses and practice facilities. Additionally, they are very near to the world-famous Pinehurst area, giving every golfer an opportunity to play a variety of courses. The Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau can provide information on 750+ miles of themed driving trails, including these: the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens on the All-American Adventure trail, Fayetteville Museum of Art on the Patri-Arts & Gardens trail; or perhaps witnessing a parachute jump at Fort Bragg on the Patriots: Past & Present trail. Pre-planned routes with maps, addresses and descriptions provide images of locations. Known throughout its history for its cultural diversity and military presence, today the Fayetteville area stands testament to its proud past. Many structures have been painstakingly preserved to reflect this history in nine designated historic districts. Health care is excellent, with Cape Fear Valley Health Services providing state-of-the-art care in a number of fields including heart, orthopedics, cancer, and many more. Gary and Mary Steimle are childhood sweethearts, originally from Cincinnati. He served in the Army for 25 years, retiring as director of personnel, XVIII Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg. She served as a Dept. of the Army civilian for 26 years, retiring in 2007. Fort Bragg was their last assignment, and offered great opportunities for the family, including good colleges for their children, and career opportunities for them. The couple found Anderson Creek Club through a friend who is a golf course rating official. They purchased a homesite within two weeks. In fact, Mr. Steimle has been so impressed that he’s chair of the POA Advisory Board, and works with the real estate team as their military marketing specialist. “There are folks living here from 40 states and Puerto Rico, plus three countries. It’s a diverse, friendly group.” “We are both very active in the community, through clubs and volunteer organizations,” he explained. “Our POA group establishes activities, including picnics, Fourth of July celebrations, and volunteer groups, including an annual run which has brought the local high school more than $12,000 in donations.” There are wine tasting clubs, a baby boomers group, and a convertible club (he owns a Lexus SC430). Mary Steimle is in a book club and is a member of the Anderson Creek Club-Woman’s Club, which is a federated club of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of North Carolina. The club participates in community activities to benefit local area food banks, education, arts in schools, etc. Their lives are very full. In Fayetteville, they enjoy visiting the Cameo Theatre, as well as a variety of restaurants, including Café 121 in Sanford (great prime rib with deep-fried green beans), and Scrub Oaks in Fayetteville, which serves a superb filet mignon. The town and area have everything the Steimles need to enjoy an active retirement. The grandchildren live in Raleigh and visit often. “They love the neighborhood and the pool,” she said. Vietnam Vets in Fayetteville, NC Fayetteville, NC has an unparalleled place in the history of the Vietnam War and its veterans. During the war, more than 200,000 soldiers underwent basic combat training at Fort Bragg. The community presently has both a considerable population of native-born Vietnamese and one of the highest concentrations of Vietnam veterans in the United States. Many current residents lived in the area during the 1960s and experienced the opposition to the war, which led to an undesirable reputation for the city. Countless additional generations of residents have grown up hearing the stories from that time. “Fayetteville has a long standing history with Vietnam and the Vietnam War. I don’t think there is another city in this country that is tied more to that period of time than our city,” said Mayor Chavonne. “Heroes Homecoming is a perfect way to show the nation how far Fayetteville has come in the past half century, at the same time it will allow us to continue to grow as a community and learn from the beliefs and assumptions of the past.” In a continuing effort to finally put the city’s stigma associated with that unpopular war to rest and create healing among the Vietnam veteran community, the Heroes Homecoming will celebrate the city’s history and cultural diversity, while promoting an atmosphere of appreciation between Fayetteville and Vietnam, and giving thanks to those who fought for us in that conflict. The series of events, featuring various celebrations, discussions and exhibits, will provide for a long overdue opportunity for dialogue among Vietnam veterans, native-born Vietnamese and Fayetteville residents about their experiences from that period of time and how to move forward and grow from lessons learned. Fayetteville has changed dramatically in the past 50 years and is now quick to proclaim its position as America’s First Military Sanctuary Community that exhibits desirable American values. In 2008, Time magazine recognized Fayetteville as America’s most pro-military community and in 2009, Newsmax magazine listed Fayetteville as one of the top 25 cities and towns that best express our national values. The city is also home to the North Carolina Veterans Park, a place of honor for all of the state’s veterans, which will officially open and be dedicated on July 4th 2011. The Heroes Homecoming is not the only way Fayetteville/Cumberland County is honoring veterans in 2011. The city will dedicate the entire month of May to honor soldiers, vets and their families who have put it all on the line to defend our country with the 3rd annual 31 Day Salute, formally 31 Days of Glory. 31 Day Salute is a month-long celebration of performances, ceremonies, exhibits and activities where we invite the world to do what we do every day — show our enthusiastic appreciation, respect and support for those who serve and have served in our armed forces. Put on by the entire community, 31 Day Salute is for anyone who wants to experience our military heritage and honor our brethren in the services — past and present. Related Reading 36 Hours in Fayetteville, NC Katherine Pettit has worked as a writer, magazine editor, printer and public relations consultant. The Columbia resident has published more than 250 articles in magazines and newspapers. Her writing explores a variety of subjects including travel, lifestyles, business and management.