Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Up & Coming Weekly · Pembroke, NC
Nearby: Pembroke, NCStudents will explore Lumbee history and culture through music, dance, storytelling, and visual art on Nov. 19, when the Lumbee Tribe Showcase returns this fall semester to Givens Performing Arts Center at 359 Prospect Rd. on the University of North Carolina at Pembroke campus. Organized by the arts center and the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the program will offer school performances at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Registration opened Sept. 8, according to event information provided by organizers. The showcase comes less than a year after the tribe received full federal recognition Dec. 18, 2025, becoming the 575th federally recognized tribe in the United States. The milestone followed generations of advocacy and brought renewed attention to the Lumbee people and their place in North Carolina history.
Mount Olive Tribune · Smithfield, NC
Nearby: Smithfield, NCFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [email protected] MOUNT OLIVE — The University of Mount Olive will celebrate 75 years of Christian higher education at its annual Founders Day event on Tuesday, November 17, at 11 AM in Southern Bank Auditorium. The celebration will feature special musical selections and recognition of employees for their years of dedicated service. In addition, the Founder’s Leadership Award, one of the University’s most prestigious honors, will be presented to a senior in memory of Dr. W. Burkette Raper, former president. The guest speaker will be Barbara Hinton, one of the University’s first students. Hinton, a pastor’s daughter from the Brogden community outside Smithfield, arrived in Mount Olive in September 1954. The denomination’s two-year school had just moved from Black Mountain to downtown Mount Olive, and she planned to study business.
Mount Olive Tribune · Mount Olive, NC
Nearby: Mount Olive, NCThe Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce organizes the annual Mount Olive Christmas Parade in downtown Mount Olive. This year, the parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. Each year, the chamber board of directors selects an individual to serve as the grand marshal. The chosen person is someone who went above and beyond and made a difference in the community. Mount Olive Chamber President Julie Beck stated, “This year, the task of choosing one person was next to impossible. We have three companies in our community celebrating milestone anniversaries, and we simply could not choose one person. For the first time ever, we will have three grand marshals. The three companies have been celebrating anniversaries all year long, and it seemed appropriate to recognize leaders from all three at the Mount Olive Christmas Parade.
Mount Olive Tribune · Mount Olive, NC
Nearby: Mount Olive, NCMOUNT OLIVE — Science moved outdoors on Friday, Oct. 23, when nearly 900 third graders from Wayne and Duplin counties gathered on the University of Mount Olive campus for the 9th Annual STEM on the Green. The young scientists came from nine schools. Carver, Spring Creek, Eastern Wayne, Northeast, and Rosewood represented Wayne County, while Duplin County sent students from North Duplin, Warsaw, Kenansville, and BF Grady. “STEM on the Green has grown into a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and community. What began as a bold initiative to bring science to life for local students has become one of our most impactful annual traditions, where learning leaps off the page and into real life,” said Dr. Sara Lahman, professor of biology and STEM outreach coordinator. More than 36 stations covered the lawn, each one a chance to build, test, investigate, and imagine.
Mount Olive Tribune · Mount Olive, NC
Nearby: Mount Olive, NCMOUNT OLIVE — Six University of Mount Olive students and alumni were among 5,816 FFA members to receive the prestigious American FFA Degree this year. It is the highest honor that the National FFA Organization awards, and fewer than 1% of members earn this recognition. Requirements for the degree include holding a State FFA Degree and maintaining active membership, completing at least three years of secondary agricultural education, operating an outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), completing 50 hours of community service, and maintaining a satisfactory scholastic record. Recipients receive the degree’s signature gold key and chain upon earning the American FFA Degree. For students working toward that goal, UMO sponsors travel expenses to the National FFA Convention. “The American FFA Degree is recognized throughout the agricultural industry as being bestowed upon students who excel in leadership, agricultural knowledge, and work ethic.
