Fayetteville Publishing was represented by Gary Greene, Managing Director of Cribb, Greene & Cope, a newspaper brokerage, appraisal, and consulting firm with offices in Virginia, Montana, and Missouri. The Observer, which is marking its 200th anniversary this year as North Carolina’s oldest newspaper, had been the largest independently owned newspaper in North Carolina and one of the largest remaining in the South. “There’s a lot of emotion and local pride involved, but our company aligns well with other GateHouse properties.” “It’s a good strategic fit,” Broadwell said. and publisher of The Observer and a fourth-generation member of the ownership family, called it a difficult decision taken after extensive discussions over the past year among the family and board members. Staff writer Rodger Mullen can be reached at 91.GateHouse Media has bought The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer and its related businesses, ending 93 years of local ownership by the family of the late Ashton Wilson Lilly.Īnnouncing the sale to staff members, Charles Broadwell, president of Fayetteville Publishing Co. Cost includes heavy hors d’ouevres and two drinks. “We love our artists.” ‘Home is Where the HeArt Is’Īdmission $35 in advance, $40 at the door.
“Just to see how that wonderful, creative collection of people came together to support such a beautiful mission, it amazes me every day,” she said. “The proceeds from the auction helps to meet the basic needs of children, and the most basic need is to have housing.”īennett said she is grateful to the artists who offered their talents to help Connections. “We operate on a very small budget, but we have a huge impact on the community,” she said. “It’s extremely important that we work toward stabilizing this population of children.”īennett said initiatives like the art auction are very important to Connections’ mission. “A child can’t thrive in their school or community if they are homeless or facing homelessness,” Bennett said. From its founding in July 2014 through May 2018, Connections has served 727 women and 909 children, according to a press release. It collaborates with other agencies to connect clients with the community resources they need to become self-sufficient and offers a space where clients can send in applications, use e-mail and access other services.Ĭonnections was founded as a result of research on homelessness by the Women’s Giving Circle of Cumberland County. They can also enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks as they check out the art work.Ĭonnections of Cumberland County is a nonprofit organization that works to help women and children who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. Guests will be able to bid on the items, with proceeds going toward Connections programs. Last year, 54 local and regional artists donated more than 80 works of art, with similar numbers expected this year. All were donated by local artists, including Jeane Player, Lee McMillan, Catherine Cole and Greg King. The silent and live auction will feature oils, pastels, baskets, jewelry and other items. “The revenues brought in by the auction go toward alleviating conditions that impact the stability of children.” “We work with a lot of single women with children who are at risk of homelessness every day because of poverty,” said Crystal Bennett, executive director of Connections of Cumberland County. The pieces will go a long way toward funding Connections of Cumberland County’s efforts to help homeless women and children.Ĭonnections is hosting the auction Thursday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The art that will be featured in the “Home is Where the HeArt Is” auction Thursday isn’t just to be hung on a wall or placed on a shelf. The “Home is Where the HeArt Is” auction will be held Thursday at Studio 215.