Pink and white dogwoods. Crepe myrtles. Fragrant magnolia blossoms. And miles of sunny lawns. Framed in a profusion of garden colors, many of Fayetteville's homes are also architecturally striking and offer amenities for the equestrian, the golfer, the swimmer, the tennis player and the gardener.

Cumberland County has a stable economic base that the number of households with an annual income of $50,000 or more is rising-but the median home price is nearly 20% below the national average. Not surprising, more than 60% of the areas residents are homeowners.

But in Cumberland County community life is about more than beautiful meandering landscapes abundant with trees and old homes steeped in history. You'll see plant managers serving as Little League Coaches, soldiers singing in our church choirs, prominent family physicians leading "the wave" at a Swamp Dogs game, and the employees of the Public Works Commission participating in fundraising to help local non-profit agencies.

These are just some of our hometown heroes. They make Fayetteville a special place, by imbuing it with community pride.