A Community Designed for Living Well Community Designed Living AACommunity Designed for for Living WellWell At Penick Village, wellness isn’t just a program. It’s a philosophy built into every day. The newly opened
AtAt Penick Village, wellness isn’t isn’t ajust program. It’s a philosophy built intobuilt day.every The newly Penick Village, wellness aaccess program. It’s aindoor philosophy into day.fiopened The VanCamp Wellness Pavilion givesjust residents to a full-size pickleballevery court, state-of-the-art tnessnewly opened VanCamp Wellness Pavilion gives residents access to a full-size indoor pickleball court, state-of-the-art fitness VanCamp Wellness Pavilion designed gives residents access toand a full-size indoor pickleball equipment, and active programming to keep you moving engaged. From group fitness court, classes state-of-the-art equipment, and active programming designed to keep you moving and engaged. From group fitness classes equipment, and active programming to keep you moving and engaged. and guided meditation to quiet walks along ourdesigned scenic campus trails, there’s something for every interest From and group fitness c and guided meditation to quiet walks along our scenic campus trails, there’s something for every interest and and guided meditation to quiet walks along ourlearning scenicopportunities, campus trails, something ability level. Combined with chef-prepared dining, lifelong and there’s a full continuum of for every interest ability level. Combined with chef-prepared dining, lifelong learning opportunities, and a full continuum of
ability level. Combined with chef-prepared dining, care, Penick Village makes it easy to feel your best at every stagelifelong of life. learning opportunities, and a full continuum o care, Penick Village makes it easy to feel your best at every stage of life. See what’s possible anan entire community is invested in yourinwell-being. See what’s possiblewhen when entire community is invested your well-being. care, Penick Village makes it easy to feel your best at every stage of life.
See what’s possible when an entire community is invested in your well-being.
Ready to learn lifelife at Penick Village? Call (910) 692-0300, Ready learnmore moreabout about at Penick Village? Call (910) 692-0300, email info@penickvillage1964.org, penickvillage.org, or use email info@penickvillage1964.org, penickvillage.org, or use Ready to learn more about lifevisit at visit Penick Village? Call (910) 692-0300, the QR Code connect with team today. the QR Code totoconnect with ourour team today. email info@penickvillage1964.org, visit penickvillage.org, or use
the QR Code to connect with our team today.
INDE PE N DEN T L IVIN G | A SSISTED L IVIN G | SK IL L ED NUR SING
INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | SKILLED NURSING MEMORY SUPPORT CARE | SHORT & LONG TERM THERAPY SERVICES MEMORY SUPPORT CARE | SHORT & LONG TERM THERAPY SERVICES I N D E PE ND E NT L I V I NG | A SSI ST E D L I V I NG | SK IL L E D N U R S IN G MEMORY SUPPORT CARE | SHORT & LONG TERM THERAPY SERVICES
fitness classes t and of
THANKFUL We’re thankful for the gift of strength, For bodies made to heal, For stronger bones and better balance, And hope our hearts can feel. For standing tall with confidence, For fears that fade away, For living life with courage, And growing stronger every day. We’re thankful for our caring staff, For doctors who believe, For a community that welcomes us, And the trust we humbly receive.
I’m thankful for OsteoStrong, I’m getting stronger, have better balance and bone health. I’m Maureen B. and I am OSTEOSTRONG!
We’re grateful for each life we touch, For blessings great and small, And thank You, Lord, for guiding us, As we strive to serve them all. At OsteoStrong, our hearts are full, Our mission strong and true, Helping others age with hope, And giving thanks to You.
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
• Anyone with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis • Anyone resistant to pharmaceutical treatment • Deconditioned patients needing strength and balance training • Anyone with balance and fall risk • Individuals experiencing poor posture • Anyone in need of post-physical therapy strengthening
CALL TO SET UP YOUR FREE ASSESSMENT 910.692.6000 160 Turnberry Way, Pinehurst NC 28374 | pinehurst@osteostrong.me
Photograph by Matthew Gibson
Theatre Building | Village of Pinehurst | 90 Cherokee Rd., Suite 1C | Pinehurst, NC Monday - Saturday 6:30am to 6:00pm. Lunch 11:00am to 2:00pm
Steven J. Menendez Managing Director – Investments Senior PIM® Portfolio Manager
David H. Yoder, CFP® Senior Vice President –Investment Officer Senior Financial Advisor PIM® Portfolio Manager
It’s never too late for a second opinion. Chris T. Hunt CRPC™ First Vice President – Investment Officer Senior Financial Advisor
The financial advice you’ll receive comes with: - Personalized financial strategies with a broad range of investment choices - A Financial Advisor who takes the time to listen and understand your individual needs
Lauren H. Corum Client Associate
Call us today to start a conversation.
Vandi R. Norman Client Associate
Judson I. Bullard Registered Client Associate
110 Turnberry Way I Pinehurst, NC 28374 I 910-693-2430
www.MenendezYoderHunt.com
Investment and Insurance Products: Not FDIC Insured / No Bank Guarantee / May Lose Value Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2026 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. PM-02062028-5820001
November 2026
DEPARTMENTS 15 20 23 25 29 33 35 39 43 45 48 55 57 59 63 128 147 151 152
Simple Life By Jim Dodson PinePitch Tea Leaf Astrologer By Zora Stellanova The Omnivorous Reader By Jim Moriarty Bookshelf By Kimberly Daniels Taws Hometown By Bill Fields State of Mind By Tommy Tomlinson Crossroads By Kaye Gibbons Dissecting a Cocktail By Tony Cross Cork & Bottle By Janeen Driscoll Native Identity Out of the Blue By Deborah Salomon Birdwatch By Susan Campbell Sporting Life By Tom Bryant Golftown Journal By Lee Pace Arts & Entertainment Calendar Sandhill Seen PineNeedler By Mart Dickerson Southwords By Emilee Phillips
FEATURES 67 Dish Towel Poem by Terri Kirby Erikson
68 The Art of Frying a Turkey Be careful. Be very, very careful
By Warren Henry Lewis
72 Thanksgiving Reminiscences 76 Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen Fiction by O. Henry
80 Going South
The 1991 Tour Championship: Pinehurst’s pivotal event
By Bill Case
86 The Wild West Comes East
Design for community, utility and beauty
By Jenna Biter
95 November Almanac By Ashley Walshe
Cover Photograph by John Gessner Southern Pines Firefighters: Andrew Whitaker (kneeling) L-R: Eric Adams, Brody McGraw, Logan DeBerry, Jay Lacsina
6 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Southern Pines, Raleigh, NC and Ponte Vedra Beach, FL www.OpulenceOfSouthernPines.com | Serving the Carolinas & more for over 28 years.
910-692-2424 • PINEHURSTTOYOTA.COM 10760 HWY 15-501, SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28388
Browse Inventory, Get Pre-Approved, or Complete Paperwork CURBSIDE PICK-UP & DELIVERY AVAILABLE FOR YOUR NEW CAR!
Check out our Advantage Plan that is guaranteed with every purchase.
PINEHURST TOYOTA ADVANTAGE PLAN
At Pinehurst Toyota, we’re more than just a dealership. We’re a family. Every time you step onto our lot, our goal is to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your visit, whether you’re looking to purchase a new ride, secure financing for that vehicle, have your current auto serviced, or buy genuine Toyota parts. You can count on our staff to make you their number-one priority. Interested in joining the family? See dealer for complete details. *2 years No Cost Maintenance and 5 years Roadside Assistance provided by ToyotaCare. **Must present written offer or ad on exact same vehicle from our dealership. ***If within 72 hours of purchasing your new or pre-owned vehicle you are not completely satisfied, bring it back and exchange it for another vehicle at Pinehurst Toyota. Mileage driven must not exceed 200 miles.
LIFETIME LIMITED POWERTRAIN WARRANTY
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M A G A Z I N E Volume 22, No. 11 David Woronoff, Publisher david@thepilot.com
Andie Stuart Rose, Creative Director andiesouthernpines@gmail.com Jim Moriarty, Editor jjmpinestraw@gmail.com Keith Borshak, Senior Designer keith@thepilot.com Miranda Glyder, Senior Designer miranda@pinestrawmag.com Alyssa Kennedy, Digital Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com Emilee Phillips, Digital Content emilee@pinestrawmag.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Jim Dodson, Stephen E. Smith CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
John Gessner, Laura L. Gingerich, Diane McKay, Tim Sayer CONTRIBUTORS Jenna Biter, Anne Blythe, Tom Bryant, Susan Campbell, Bill Case, Tony Cross, Brianna Rolfe Cunningham, Mart Dickerson, Bill Fields, Mary Novitsky, Lee Pace, Gary Palmer, Todd Pusser, Joyce Reehling, Deborah Salomon, Scott Sheffield, Kimberly Daniels Taws, Tommy Tomlinson, Daniel Wallace, Ashley Walshe, Amberly Glitz Weber ADVERTISING SALES
Samantha Cunningham, Advertising Director 910.693.2505 Christy Phillips, Sales Manager 910.693.2498 Kathy Desmond, 910.693.2515 Terry Hartsell, 910.693.2513 Erika Leap, 910.693.2514 Ginny Trigg, 910.693.2481 ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGN
Mechelle Butler, Scott Yancey
PS
Henry Hogan, Finance Director 910.693.2497 Darlene Stark, Circulation Director 910.693.2488 Tonnie Nester, Distribution Specialist SUBSCRIPTIONS 910.693.2488 OWNERS
Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels III, David Woronoff In memoriam Frank Daniels Jr. 145 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387 www.pinestrawmag.com ©Copyright 2026 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. PineStraw magazine is published by The Pilot LLC
10 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Located in the Village of Pinehurst 910.295.3905 • 105 Cherokee Rd • Pinehurst, NC 28374
WWW.THEGENTRYTEAM.COM | 910.295.7100
WEST END • $6,485,000 113 JOSEPHS POINT
Stunning 1.58-acre Lake Auman estate with water views on three sides and spectacular sunsets, minutes from Pinehurst. Award-winning Home of the Year with exceptional craftsmanship and panoramic lake views. Wolf kitchen, luxurious owner’s suite, detached guest retreat, and resort-style indoor-outdoor living. Two private docks, outdoor kitchen, smart-home technology, and fully furnished. A truly one-of-a-kind lakefront retreat!
PINEHURST • $2,200,000
PINEHURST • $1,875,000
50 BROOKHAVEN ROAD
130 WOODENBRIDGE LANE
Rare Fairwoods #7 home overlooking the 4th green and 5th tee of Pinehurst No. 2, surrounded by mature trees and beautiful landscaping. Spacious 4-bedroom home with two fireplaces, gourmet kitchen, and luxurious primary suite with his-and-hers baths and closets. Three additional en-suite bedrooms provide exceptional space for family and guests. Screened patio, fire pit, oversized garage, office, abundant storage, and new roof in 2025.
Experience luxury golf-course living in The National Golf Club, overlooking the 3rd hole of the Jack Nicklaus-designed Pinehurst No. 9. This stunning custom home features panoramic golf views, soaring ceilings, elegant finishes, and two main-level primary suites. The spacious lower level offers additional living and entertaining areas, including a wet bar and wine cellar. Enjoy multiple outdoor living spaces, a three-car garage, and a transferable Pinehurst Country Club membership available. NT R
CO DER
ACT
UN
PINEHURST • $1,249,000
SOUTHERN PINES • $1,195,000
PINEHURST • $875,000
83 ABBOTSFORD DRIVE
34 PLANTATION DRIVE
9 LINTON COURT
Exceptional Pinewild golf-front home overlooking the 13th green with panoramic golf and water views. 4 bedrooms, 3 fireplaces, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, and luxurious main-level primary suite. Finished lower level with family room, office, fitness, and entertainment space. Beautifully designed for comfortable living and effortless entertaining. Transferable Pinewild membership available—luxury living in the heart of Pinehurst
Beautifully positioned along the 10th fairway of the Arnold Palmer-designed course in gated Mid-South Club, this exceptional Masters Properties home offers quality, comfort, and timeless appeal. The open floor plan features a stunning kitchen with double islands and ovens, spacious living areas, private bedroom suites, and a versatile flex room with full bath. Enjoy beautiful golf course views, abundant storage, an oversized two-car garage, and exceptional craftsmanship throughout.
Beautifully positioned in Pinewild Country Club, this custom-built, impeccably maintained home offers timeless craftsmanship and exceptional single-level living. Four bedrooms, soaring ceilings, custom cabinetry, elegant moldings, and a gourmet kitchen create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Oversized garage with golf cart storage plus heated/cooled workshop or storage space. Spacious screened porch overlooks professionally landscaped grounds.
PINEHURST • $845,000
PINEHURST • $730,000
PINEHURST •$712,000
39 DEVON DRIVE
220 SUGAR PINE DRIVE
86 PINEWILD DRIVE
Beautifully maintained Pinewild home with sweeping tee-to-green views of the 17th hole of the Magnolia Course. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, single-level living, soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, and abundant natural light. Open floor plan with remodeled fireplace, gourmet kitchen, and spacious primary suite with patio access. Private patio, mature landscaping, irrigation, and invisible fence complete the outdoor setting.
Golf cart ride to the Resort and Village of Pinehurst! This beautifully crafted 2019 Craftsman-style home offers an open-concept design, stylish finishes, and spacious living areas. Enjoy a chef’s kitchen, main-level primary suite, finished lower level with flexible living space, and a screened porch overlooking the backyard. A wonderful opportunity to enjoy the Pinehurst lifestyle in a prime location.
Beautifully maintained Pinewild Country Club home on a desirable corner lot, offering stylish updates and comfortable single-level living. Custom moldings, hardwood floors, a double-sided fireplace, and a bright Carolina room overlooking the Magnolia Course create an inviting atmosphere. Enjoy a private primary suite, spacious living areas, and a low-maintenance Trex deck for outdoor relaxation. Pinewild Country Club membership available for transfer!
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#1 in Moore County real estate for over 25 years!
SIMPLE LIFE
Something Old, Something to Renew Third Time Was the Charm
By Jim Dodson
Not long ago,
ILLUSTRATION BY GERRY O'NEILL
with family and close friends in attendance, my wife, Wendy, and I celebrated 25 years of marriage by renewing our wedding vows in our garden. Our original wedding took place in late June 2001, but we decided a day this past September was more appropriate for renewing our vows because ours was an autumn romance that led to a summer wedding three years later. As I noted back in July, the way we met and fell in love was something out of a madcap romantic comedy. Briefly, it involved three blind dates during a major October fundraiser weekend where I was the featured speaker, two of which were comic dating disasters followed by a third that transformed my life in the most unexpected and wonderful way. Her name was Wendy Anne Buynak, a gifted baker and beautiful mother of two small boys who was in the process of divorcing her husband. After a quiet afternoon first date to a local park, we decided to take our budding romance out of town and motored along New York’s beautiful Cayuga Lake on a beautiful November morning and lunched at a winery, where we met a minibus full of five young, married couples who invited us to join them on a tour of the Finger Lakes wine country. On a lark, trailing their bus, we joined them for three wineries in a row. At each stop, the couples toasted us and demanded to know more about our romance and my intentions. “I have a great idea! You guys should get married today,” one of the young wives blurted out, prompting cheers from her tipsy companions. “We’ll even find a minister!” We politely demurred, pointing out that we had a dinner The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
reservation at a legendary restaurant in Ithaca, but thanked them and wished them well. Also, a safe journey home. On the way to the restaurant, we passed an old-fashioned roadhouse called Glenwood Pines, set charmingly in the woods above the lake, and decided to stop for a cold longneck beer. We had such fun talking to the owners and playing shuffleboard bowling that we decided to skip the restaurant in favor of a cozy Glenwood Pines supper for two. At one point, Wendy wiped away a tear and I asked her if all was well. “I’ve never felt so happy,” she simply replied. A full harvest moon was shining and the owners told us about a great spot by the lake in Ithaca where they courted once upon a time. An hour or so later, we were doing what couples in love do by a beautiful lake under a full moon when a cop tapped gently on our steamed-up window with a flashlight. “Are you OK, ma’am?” he politely asked Wendy. “I’m fine, officer,” she replied. “We’re just talking about our children and what a lovely November day it’s been.” “She’s in danger of being proposed to very soon,” I chipped in. “In that case,” he said with a smile, “you folks have a nice evening — and great life together.” A few weeks later, we met once again at a historic inn in Williamstown, Massachusetts, for our official third date. I read Wendy a poem I’d written inspired by our wonderful day in wine country. • Three years later, on what would have been my parents’ 58th wedding anniversary, we got married on a rainy June afternoon in Maine, only Wendy’s parents, my widowed mom and two dear friends from Georgia in attendance, Susie and Rick Berta. Susie, who sang with a famous Atlanta chorale, did a beautiful version PineStraw 15
SIMPLE LIFE
of John Lennon’s “Grow Old with Me,” with its perfect lyric: Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be. We postponed our reception until early September 2001 — a lobster roast under the stars with an Irish fiddle band for 100 friends and family who were coming from everywhere. I was buying flowers for the party that clear, blue Tuesday morning, however, when the World Trade Center’s towers fell and America stood still in grief and disbelief. Since air travel was cancelled nationwide, we cancelled our lobster roast. Besides, the American Red Cross had reserved a thousand lobsters for a major fundraiser in New York. All the available local lobsters were spoken for. Two days later, however, something wonderful happened. Susie and Rick phoned to say they planned to drive all the way to Maine, wanting just to be with us at such a sad time for America. Their call opened a cosmic floodgate. The phone never stopped ringing with friends far and wide who wanted to do the same, including the lobster guy, who called to say the Red Cross fundraiser was postponed and he had several hundred lobsters on his hands that were already paid for. We could get them for a dollar apiece. The lobster bake was suddenly back on. Locals in town who’d planned to go away for the week also called to ask if they might come and bring friends and children. Naturally, we said yes. Instead of 100 guests, we had almost 200, including kids and dogs. Wendy’s amazing wedding cake vanished before I could
even get a taste. Because none of our guests except Rick and Susie had been at our wedding, we did a brief repeat of our wedding vows plus a blessing for the victims and families of 9/11. The music, the dancing and the tears went on until midnight. • This past September, as our grown children, new granddaughter, and a dozen or so close friends gathered in our front garden on a balmy evening, I marveled how quickly time had passed. Susie was there despite having suddenly lost Rick last January after 46 years of a extraordinary marriage. When I told her she wouldn’t have to sing “Grow Old with Me,” she laughed and said, “I’m not sure I could!” Her simple presence was the perfect gift. I surprised my bride of Irish heritage with a small, gold necklace featuring the Celtic symbol of eternity, and she surprised me by appearing in a gorgeous new wedding dress — an upgrade from the one that was ruined in the rain at our first wedding ceremony. Before Rev. Ginny Inman conducted her short but beautiful renewal of our vows, I told our gathered friends about our first three dates 26 years ago and read the poem I proposed with. They seemed to dig it. Maybe the third time really is the charm. This time, I finally got to taste Wendy’s marvelous wedding cake. PS Jim Dodson’s 17th book, The Road That Made America: A Modern Pilgrim Travels the Great Wagon Road, is available at The Country Bookshop
“I’ve spent 35 years learning Pinehurst. Let me help you find your place in it. If you’re thinking of buying or selling here, call me.” Lin.
30 SPRING VALLEY COURT – FAIRWOODS ON 7
12 FORTROSE CIRCLE – NATIONAL
GOLF FRONT on prestigious Pinehurst No 4. GOLF Signature membership. Chef kitchen, spacious rooms, Golf Simulator, and indoor putting green included Pinehurst CC Signature membership available for transfer at reduced rates. Immediate golf membership with NO WAIT TIME.
IMMEDIATE MEMBERSHIP GOLF WITH NO WAIT TIME. This exceptional home offers luxury living with breathtaking golf course views. LOCATION. Top area builder and designer collaborated to create an award-winning home. Pinehurst CC Signature membership available for transfer at reduced rates.
$1,595,000
$1,350,000
25 Chinquapin Rd. Pinehurst, NC 28374 | 910.528.6427 www.linhutaff.com | linhutafff@pinehurst.net
310 INVERRARY ROAD – FAIRWOODS ON 7 A must see stunning, state of the art, contemporary home that is absolute perfection. Each room flows with floor to ceiling windows, offering spectacular private views of Pinehurst’s world renowned #2 course includingthe 8th hole, 16th hole, 17th hole, and 18th hole. Lifetime roof.
50 MCCASKILL ROAD W. – OLD TOWN
12 VILLAGE LANE – OLD TOWN
“Blinkbonnie” was built by financier Simon B. Chapin, showcases early-1900s Old Town charm on over an acre.
Historic Old Town gem with thoughtfully updated features, open rooms, and easy flow on desirable VILLAGE LANE. The lower level offers 448 heated space, not counted in the square footage. Steps from the Historic Village of Pinehurst.
15 KILBRIDE DRIVE – PINEWILD CC
117 CHANTICLEER – FOREST CREEK
1 COLLETT LANE – PINEHURST
Value in Forest Creek. Elegant interior designed for comfortable everyday living and effortless entertaining. Pool. Lock-it and Leave-it. Nothing spared in either design or quality of materials.
Private cul-de-sac in Donald Ross area. Pool, screened porch, deck, golf cart access to Village and Pinehurst Courses. Great ‘’second home’’ for weekend golfers or year-round family home. Pinehurst Membership for transfer.
$2,500,000
Exceptional GOLF-FRONT living overlooking the 3rd hole of the Magnolia Course. Thoughtfully designed for gracious living and entertaining, the home combines classic architectural details with spacious, comfortable interiors and wonderful connections to the outdoors. Freshly painted throughout. Pinehurst Membership for transfer.
$2,495,000
$1,530,000
$995,000 – PENDING
$895,000
90 BRIDLE PATH CIRCLE
15 SHENECOSSETT DRIVE – PINEHURST NO. 6
31 JUNIPER CREEK BLVD – PINEHURST NO. 6
Charming and move-in ready! The private backyard oasis provides additional outdoor living space for comfort and versatility. This spacious home features an open layout, well-appointed kitchen, and bright living spaces.
Enjoy stunning golf course living in this beautifully positioned home with long views of the lush green and sweeping fairway. Designed to capture the view, expansive windows fill the space with natural light while offering a front-row seat to serene landscapes and ever-changing scenery. Freshly painted throughout.
Elegant custom brick home NEXT TO A PARK … in your back yard. Step outside to your own private retreat featuring a beautifully landscaped backyard with winding walking paths. Large workshop on lower lever with double door outside access.
$1,100,000
$749,000
$730,000
$695,000
2 INTERLACHON DRIVE – PINEHURST NO. 6
7 OVERCUP LANE- PINEHURST
65 LAKE SHORE DRIVE – PINEHURST
Pinehurst CC membership available for transfer at reduced rates. Located on desirable Interlachon Drive, a private cul-de-sec close to large pond. Great for walking.
All brick custom home on a spacious double lot, offering an exceptional combination of comfort, privacy, and outdoor living. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy a golf cart ride to the legendary courses and the Historic Village of Pinehurst. Pinehurst membership.
Great value! This thoughtfully designed home has an open-concept, soaring ceilings, solid-surface countertops, Carolina room, glassed porch, stone patio, beautiful stonework, and location across from Lake Pinehurst. Pinehurst membership.
$549,000
$517,000
$389,000
Your trust inspires our performance.
CHRISTIAN MCCARTHY LESLEY PACOS
SCARLETT ALLISON
LAURIE KORNEGAY
RACHEL HERNANDEZ
MELODY MCCLELLAND
JIM HURT
KEITH HARRIS
CHRISTINE BARRETT TRACY GIBSON
KATE SHINKWIN
MEREDITH MORSKI
ROSS LATON
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PEOPLE | PROPERTY | A HIGHER STANDARD
JOY DONAT
MAUREEN CLARK
ELIZABETH WEBSTER
PinePitch Some Good Luck on Friday the 13th For an intimate, story-driven concert experience, join the Chatham Rabbits at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. The band, led by the husband and wife duo Austin and Sarah McCombie, blends folk and traditional bluegrass with conversational banter. Ballad singer Murphy Campbell will be a special guest performer. For info and tickets go to www.sunrisetheater.com.
The Last First Time to, um, “extinguish” the fire and call in the dogs, the last First Friday of the 2026 season is Friday (Whoa, what are the odds?), Nov. 6, at the usual place — the grassy slope next to the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines — at the usual time, the fun starts at 5. Appropriately, the closing act is Fireside Collective, a hybrid bluegrass, folk, funk and classic rock band based in Asheville. Outside alcohol is verboten and, as for the dogs, leave all four-legged creatures at home. The cost is nada. For more info go to www.sunrisetheater.com. A little traveling music, please.
Weymouth Wonderland Grab a treat, a warm drink, visit with Santa, shop local artisans and vendors, tour the decked-out Boyd House and listen to some holiday tunes when the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities holds its holiday market beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. For more info go to www. weymouthcenter.org.
A Mouse King and a Sugar Plum Fairy Gary Taylor Dance presents the enchanting holiday ballet The Nutcracker, in BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, in three performances: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20; 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22. Come early to the Saturday matinee to meet some of Clara’s favorite characters in the lobby. For tickets and info go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.
20 PineStraw
Thank a Vet The Southern Pines Veterans Day parade is Saturday, Nov. 7, up and down Broad Street, from 10 a.m. to noon. Wave a flag and applaud all who served. Freedom comes at a cost. If you need additional information call (910) 692-7376 or visit www.southernpines.net. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
The Art of Place
Garden of Lights Beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, 3245 Airport Road, Pinehurst, will present its Garden of Lights. More than a million lights and illuminated displays will transform the pathways. The display lasts through Jan. 9. For information go to www.sandhills.edu/gardenevents.
The Arts Council of Moore County and the Southern Pines Garden Club are joining forces to host a luncheon/ fundraiser on Nov. 12 at the Country Club of North Carolina. Cost is $125 and proceeds support the arts, landscape stewardship, horticultural education and community beautification. Landscape architect Larry Best will be the honoree. “Tablescapes,” celebrating the unique landscapes of the Sandhills, will be created in the morning and available for viewing at 11 a.m. Luncheon begins at noon and will feature storyteller Mitch Capel along with a panel discussion with Ray Owen, Ashley Van Camp and Ben Owen III, led by Liza Roberts. For tickets visit www. southernpinesgardenclub.com or go to www.mooreart.org.
Ruth Pauley Speakers Tom Murphy, a retired Navy captain and former SEAL — whose career included command of the much-publicized SEAL Team Six — provides a rare look into military combat experience and its enduring effects on the mind, body and spirit, on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m., in BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. The program, “Beyond the Trident: A Navy SEAL’s Search through Trauma for Meaning in Life,” shares deep introspection into PTSD and recovery. The lecture is free, but tickets are required. For info and tickets go to www.ticketmesandhills.com or visit www.ruthpauley.org.
Flip the Switch Bring family and friends to the village of Pinehurst tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 4, at Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Beginning at 5 p.m. there will be music, food, holiday cheer and a jolly old elf. The lighting takes place at 6:30 p.m. For more information go to www.vopnc.org.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Tour de Force Take a wild ride through musical history with the Baxter Clement Variety Show benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills, on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For tickets and information go to www.sunrisetheater.com.
In the Mood The Sandhills Community College Jazz Band presents “Up and Down Broadway,” at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, in BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. The Union Pines High School Jazz Band is the opening act. Admission is free, but tickets are required. For those, and more info, go to www.ticketmesandhills.com. PS
PineStraw 21
Photograph by Matthew Gibson
AT LISI MARKET
Whiskey Wednesday Theatre Building | Village of Pinehurst | 90 Cherokee Rd. | Pinehurst, NC | Monday— Saturday 2-10pm
TEA LEAF ASTROLOGER
Scorpio (October 23 November 21)
Give them something they can’t unwrap anywhere else.
Know what’s sweeter than overseeing karmic justice? Redirecting that soul-piercing energy back to your own life. The first half of the month will bring opportunities for some tending and mending, especially when it comes to financial dealings and joint ventures (read: no bridge-burning required). And when Mercury and Venus station direct on Nov. 13, try letting things feel easy for a while. You deserve the break, darling.
Tea leaf “fortunes” for the rest of you: Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) Drink more water.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) Run your own race, darling.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) You’ll laugh about it later.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20) Wear thicker socks.
Aries (March 21 – April 19) Explore lumbar support.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Two words: candlelit dinner.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Honesty is a grace.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Try adjusting your lens.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
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Virgo (August 23 – September 22) There’s nothing to prove.
Libra (September 23 – October 22) You can’t fix what’s not broken. PS
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OMNIVOROUS READER
Golf’s Greatest A list of the unforgettables
By Jim Moriarty
If it’s possible to turn an intellectual
exercise into a quasi-coffee table book, Mike Purkey has done that just in time for the holidays with The Immortals of American Golf. It’s the latest in the “Immortals” series that includes boxing, motocross and, for all you Richard Petty fans out there, NASCAR.
Purkey hails from Gastonia, where he broke into the newspaper business about a thousand years ago as a teenager answering phones in the sports department. I can say that because I’ve known Mike for almost that long. We worked opposite sides of the street as competitors and comrades for most of our careers in golf, he for Golf magazine and me for Golf Digest/Golf World. He also did time at the Charlotte Observer, was one of the founding editors of Global Golf Post and worked for the ill-fated Saudi-backed experiment, LIV Golf, for three years. And I can say without fear of exaggeration that Purkey was always among the best of us. The book doesn’t tip the traditional coffee table scales at the weight of, say, the Wannamaker Trophy — the silver PGA Championship swag that winners typically have to powerlift at the prize giving — but it’s beautifully displayed with fine art selections and Purkey’s insightful writing. As golf exercises are wont to do, this one is broken into the traditional set of 18 (players, of course, not holes) and follows more or less in chronological order, with the customary amount of overlap, since the game has been fortunate enough to be graced with more than one immortal at a time. Quibble about his selections if you will; of the 18 American players he picks and makes the case for, there isn’t one that you would throw out without thinking long and hard about it. And in the off chance you want to discard a name or two, he offers a group of honorable mentions you can draft from to fill the slots. I won’t pretend to be a golf historian — many of my colleagues know much more about the history of the game and of its great champions than I do — which is another reason I found Purkey’s list of immortals so engaging. I learned something I didn’t know, or had forgotten, about almost all of them. The book begins with Walter Hagen, and Purkey finds a classic quote from the great Charles Price to pull off the perfect portrait. “He (Hagen) was supremely confident, and he knew the virtue of the grand gesture. Bumptious, sparkling, with wiseThe Art & Soul of the Sandhills
cracks, dressed in bandbox clothes, Hagen played the game with the aplomb of a man who held the mortgage on the club.” Hagen is followed by his two rivals of the 1920s, Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones. Purkey quotes Sarazen: “I’d never seen my name in print before,” he said. “I’d look at it and look at it. Eugenio Saraceni. It looked to me like a violin player, not a golfer. So, I changed it to Gene Sarazen, because there was no such name in the whole world, not even in Afghanistan.” If Sarazen had the “shot heard round the world” in the 1935 Masters (then the Augusta National Invitation Tournament), Jones had the “impregnable quadrilateral” comprised of the U.S. and British Amateurs and the U.S. and British Opens — the Grand Slam — in 1930. The Emperor Jones was greeted with his second ticker tape parade in New York City and retired from competitive golf. The first of the great female players Purkey lists is the incomparable Babe Didrikson Zaharias, perhaps the finest true athlete ever to play the game. The Babe won two golds (in the hurdles and javelin, setting world records in both) and a silver (in high jump, though she actually tied for first) in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. As an aside, I once visited the neighborhood where Babe grew up in Port Arthur, Texas. The hedges separating the yards — her training ground for the hurdles — were still there. The other two women Purkey includes in his list of 18 are Mickey Wright and Nancy Lopez. You certainly can’t carp about the woman who possessed one of the greatest golf swings ever, Wright, or the woman who won five LPGA tournaments in a row in 1978 as a 21-year-old rookie. In fact, I’d argue (and if you have a list, aren’t you supposed to argue?) that somehow or other room needs to be made for another woman, Kathy Whitworth. All she did was win 88 times. But, of course, to make room for Whit, you’d need to oust one of the guys. No easy task. After Jones, Purkey turns to the triumvirate that proved 1912 was one of the greatest years in the history of the game. That PineStraw 25
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was the year Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead were all born. And, like George Hamilton says in Doc Hollywood (exactly 35 years ago if you’re into anniversaries), you’d have to be a “bovine, clodpated, citified moron” not to list them among the immortals. In one of the great successions of all time, The Big Three — Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus — join the list just as Nelson, Hogan and Snead are exiting the stage. The oft overlooked name of that generation is Billy Casper, but Purkey is quick to include the man who won 51 PGA Tour events and enlists Johnny Miller to defend the choice. “There should never have been just the Big Three,” said Johnny Miller, himself a Hall of Fame player. “It should have been the Big Four. That was an absolute crime.” North Carolinian Raymond Floyd serves as the bridge from Nicklaus to Tom Watson, the five-time Champion Golfer of the Year. The immortals who began in golf with wooden drivers and finished in the era of titanium include Payne Stewart and Phil Mickelson. And, of course, Tiger Woods is the book’s finishing hole. The criteria Purkey describes to make the list are, almost by definition, gossamer. “The questions that must be asked where immortality is concerned are: Were they the best at their craft in their own era? Did they have a particular accomplishment — or multiple — that separates them from the rest? Were they significantly influential or did they make a singular difference in the game? Was their entire body of work broad and deep? Is there something distinctive about them that people have always remembered or will remember?” says Purkey. The whole point is that there is nothing cut or dried about any of it. It’s an amusing exercise, like trying to imagine how Tiger Woods would fare in a match against Bobby Jones. And, of course, time marches on. What are we to do with, say, Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler? I suppose we’ll have to wait for the next edition. PS Jim Moriarty is the editor of PineStraw. He can be reached at jjmpinestraw@gmail.com
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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PineStraw 27
BOOKSHELF
November Books
FICTION The Unfinished Work: A Novel of Abraham Lincoln, by Jeff Shaara “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” — The Gettysburg Address, 1863. Shaara, who is renowned for his body of work exploring the conflicts and personalities surrounding key moments in American history, turns his attention to Abraham Lincoln, one of the most consequential figures during one of the most critical points in American history. Beginning with Lincoln’s election as president in 1860, through his time in the Oval Office, Shaara reveals the complexities behind the man who refused to let the deep divisions and conflicting emotions permanently sunder the country itself. Peregrine Hill, by Nina de Gramont At the dawn of the 20th century, widow Isabelle Bishop still believes in love, but she knows only money can save her. After losing her husband and three of her children in a shipwreck, she has one chance to rescue all that remains of her family — her daughter Mariah and her elderly mother. When Isabelle captures the attention of John Whitten, one of New York’s wealthiest men, she dares to hope that fortune might finally favor her. But Whitten’s interest is not in Isabelle — it’s in 18-year-old Mariah, still reeling from a romantic but disastrous scandal. When Whitten discovers the secret mother and daughter have tried to keep buried, he uses it to his advantage, threatening to expose them unless Mariah accepts his proposal. For the sake of their survival, Isabelle makes a devil’s bargain: She will urge her daughter into a marriage she knows could destroy her. Mariah quickly realizes her husband’s home is a gilded cage. Finding an unexpected ally in her ambitious maid, Hetty, she dares to imagine a life beyond her constricted world. Together, they risk everything to claim a measure of power and self-determination in a world that attempts to deny them both. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
NONFICTION Going the Distance: Stallone, Philly, and the Story of Rocky, by Mike Sielski Armed with his intimate knowledge of Philadelphia’s texture, culture and history, Sielski delivers the definitive account of the film’s making, the factors that drove Sylvester Stallone to write and star in it, and its everlasting emotional connection to Philadelphia. Stripping away the myths about Rocky, it traces how and why it came to be made, and reveals fresh details and anecdotes that will surprise even the film’s biggest fans. Through extensive research and exclusive insights from some of the movie’s legendary collaborators — including producer Irwin Winkler and composer Bill Conti — Sielski tells Rocky’s story in a completely new way, showing Stallone’s rise from an aimless kid to an ambitious artist, one who was willing to do whatever he had to do to succeed in Hollywood. This is more than a book about a movie on its 50th anniversary, it’s a fascinating ride all its own. The Nuremberg Women: The Untold Story of the Eight Women Who Brought the Nazis to Justice, by Natalie Livingstone In November 1945, the eyes of the world turned to Nuremberg, Germany. Humanity was seeking not only the truth about Nazi crimes but also a vision of what justice might look like in their aftermath. The trials are traditionally associated with a roll call of famous men, but they were only part of the story. Not only were there women involved in the trial in every role — as journalists, researchers, lawyers, interpreters, court reporters, witnesses, artists and even defendants — but they were pivotal in the trial’s outcome. The Nuremberg Women tells the story of eight women: a brilliant American lawyer; three pioneering journalists; an iconoclastic artist; a beautiful refugee aristocrat; a dauntless survivor of Auschwitz; and a young Russian translator. They demonstrate that the trial was remarkable not because it was perfect but because, against all odds, it happened. Thanks to these women and many others, justice was served. PineStraw 29
BOOKSHELF
CHILDREN’S BOOKS Berry and the Mushrooms, by Dev Petty Nature is all about balance — and in winter, it’s time to rest. But when a strange blue moon rises in the sky, it brings out the cutest, weirdest mushrooms the forest has ever seen! Their aggressively adorable chatter wakes hibernating bears Glen and Berry. While Glen worries these peculiar plants and the “mushmoon” that summoned them are a sign nature is out of whack, Berry adopts the vivacious newcomers as pets. With the mushrooms’ motivations murky at best, will they mean the end of Glen and Berry’s friendship — and, possibly, the end of Glen and Berry? (Ages 4 – 8.) The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe, by Karen Foxlee Lavender Wolfe’s world is small: her mother, the pockets they pick together, and the wharf where they scrape by day to day. But when Lavender is left waiting on the harbor steps, she is swept aboard the Good Marchioness — a magical pirate ship unlike any other. The ship’s cook, Big Agatha, insists Lavender has been abandoned. Worse, she says Lavender has magic. Now renamed Hans Whitby and recruited as a kitchen rat, Lavender finds herself among a crew of extraordinary children, a captain with a wing instead of an arm, a ghost-fetcher, a mysterious shell that was once a boy, and a curse that threatens to turn everyone aboard into sand. To break the curse, the crew must recover a stolen treasure before time runs out. As Lavender is drawn deeper into the ship’s secrets, she begins to wonder whether she has truly been stolen — or whether she has finally found where she belongs. (Ages 8 – 12.) Compiled by Kimberly Daniels Taws, manager of The Country Bookshop
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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HOMETOWN
Pointers from a Pro A treatise on the art of writing
By Bill Fields
During college in the
late 1970s, not long after I’d begun spending afternoons typing at The Daily Tar Heel offices instead of studying at the library, a fellow student journalist recommended a book: On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction, by William Zinsser. After saving a few dollars by forgoing a meat-and-three supper at the Porthole, I purchased a copy of the slender volume, 150 pages including the index, at the UNC campus bookstore. That paperback — its yellow cover smoke-stained from a fire that sent me fleeing from an Aberdeen cottage in 1984, and its thin spine splitting — has survived the decades and multiple moves along the Eastern Seaboard. I still pull On Writing Well off my bookshelf every so often and am reminded what a good primer it is each time I reread Zinsser’s advice, including passages I highlighted as a young man: “Clear thinking becomes clear writing.” “Notice the decisions that other writers make in their choice of words and be finicky about the ones that you select from the vast supply. The race in writing is not to the swift but to the original.” “If your nails are weak, your house will collapse. If your verbs are weak and your syntax is rickety, your sentences will fall apart.” “The good writer of prose must be part poet, always listening to what he writes.” Using examples of writing, good and bad, Zinsser stresses simplicity. “Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon.” On Writing Well was first published in 1976, and these days, every time I hear a football analyst say a receiver is “out in space” or a political reporter refer to something happening “in real time,” it’s clear the book is needed now more than ever. Bill Zinsser wrote his book — of which there have been many editions selling more than 1.5 million copies — to complement The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
The Elements of Style. His how-to took what he later called the “pointers and admonitions” of Strunk and White and showed how to apply them to various forms of nonfiction. On Writing Well grew out of a nonfiction writing course Zinsser taught at Yale University after a long career as a newspaper and magazine writer. “At the end of class, Bill would return our papers from the previous week, each illuminated with his editing suggestions and provocative marginalia,” Mark Singer, a former student, recalled in The New Yorker. “I still wince at his dead-on appraisal of my travel piece: ‘You’ll notice that I stopped marking this halfway through. What you’ve written is interesting only to you.’” As an aspiring sportswriter I pored over Zinsser’s chapter about the genre, delighted that he cited Red Smith, whose brilliance I was just discovering, as a writer who “avoided the exhausted synonyms” and strived for “freshness elsewhere in the construction of a sentence.” Zinsser quoted Smith writing that a quarterback was “scraped off the turf like apple butter” and “a luncheonette on 53rd Street that has long since vanished in a cloud of bicarbonate.” Zinsser had plenty of game too, and like his fellow New Yorker, the more widely known writer Roger Angell, wrote well for a long time. When he was in his late 80s, his vision dimmed by glaucoma, Zinsser won a National Magazine Award for a series of online essays for The American Scholar. “Today no magazine cover would be wide enough for Rockwell,” Zinsser wrote in one column, “Thanksgiving Day Repainted.” “He would need a Chinese scroll to accommodate the disparate crowd assembled to eat turkey or some dietetically certified substitute: single moms, single dads, partners, companions, halfbrothers, half-sisters, stepchildren, ex-spouses, live-ins, live-outs, in-laws, outlaws, and dogs of rarefied lineage. Only an artist from a post-Rockwell school of painting could hope to catch the overlapping fluidities of the modern American tribe.” PS Bill Fields’ memoir A Quick Nine Before Dark is available at The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines and other places books are sold. PineStraw 33
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STATE OF MIND
Hurricane Watch The storms that bring us together
By Tommy Tomlinson
There’s always a
ILLUSTRATION BY GARY PALMER
moment late in the fall when I wake up groggy and wonder if my hurricane bag is packed. I don’t have a hurricane bag anymore. But I did have one for years. Part of my job when I was at the Charlotte Observer was to head out to the coast when a hurricane was coming in. It is such a strange feeling to be the only car heading down one side of the highway when thousands are fleeing in the opposite direction. The contents of the hurricane bag: toilet paper, of course; a portable radio; extra batteries; bottled water; food with a shelf life (peanut butter, soda crackers, canned peaches, Chef Boyardee); maps; Swiss Army knife; raincoat; bug spray; first aid kit. We had a guide that we printed out and took with us. Get to a safe place and stay there until the hurricane moves through. Don’t drive into a puddle if you don’t know how deep it is. (A colleague of ours once drowned a rental car.) Look out for critters. Hurricanes cause floods, and floods flush all sorts of animals out into the open. I discovered that was true when I covered Hurricane Floyd back in 1999. I was somewhere outside of New Bern, driving through a neighborhood. I saw a family cleaning up their flooded house and pulled over to talk to them. Their yard was knee-deep in water. I started wading across and noticed a clump of debris floating by. As it got closer, I could see it wasn’t debris. It was a flotilla of fire ants. I backpedaled pretty fast, considering how deep the water was. The water is often the biggest problem when a hurricane The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
comes through, more than the wind. One time — I think it was Hurricane Bonnie in 1998 — I checked into a hotel in Havelock as the storm rolled in from the coast. It was a mom-and-pop place, two stories tall. They gave me a second-floor room and I grumbled about it as I hauled my luggage and gear up the steps. The storm came through during the night. The next morning I went downstairs to find that every room on the first floor had flooded. Another time — Hurricane Fran in 1996, maybe — I stayed in a room with a sliding glass door that led out onto a balcony. When the hurricane hit, that door warped and wobbled like a rubber sheet. I crouched on the far side of the bed for hours, expecting the glass to shatter. It never did. I always wondered if the folks who made those doors prepared them for something like that. Every time a hurricane strikes, it leaves shattered lives behind. Floyd alone led to the deaths of 52 people in North Carolina and caused more than $3 billion in damage. My job as a reporter covering those storms was to tell the stories of the people who lived through them the best I could. I always tried to remember that I was one of the lucky ones. In a few days I’d be going back to my warm, dry home. The folks I was talking to may have just lost theirs. What struck me the most about covering hurricanes is how people look out for one another. “Look for the helpers,” Mister Rogers said, and that’s never truer than after a storm. When roads are flooded, folks with canoes and johnboats get stranded people out and supplies in. When power lines are down, people empty their freezers and fire up their grills to feed the neighborhood. PineStraw 35
STATE OF MIND
A storm tends to flatten the fences that separate us. When we’re wet and hungry, we’re all the same. I have been far away and covered even bigger storms. I spent a week south of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and most days I would prefer not to think about that. And of course, the storms keep coming. Hurricane Helene was two years ago, but Asheville and the surrounding mountain towns are still recovering. Not three months after I came to work for the Observer in 1989, Hurricane Hugo came right up I-77 and slammed into Charlotte in the middle of the night. I was living just south of the border in Lancaster, South Carolina. Nobody expected the hurricane to make it that far inland. I fell asleep not sure if it was coming. I woke up to the sound of my front door being blown open. I lived in an old duplex, and the door was not quite square in the frame. I’d slam it shut and the wind would blast it open again. At some point I realized I needed something heavy to brace against it. I grabbed the old Royal typewriter my mom and dad gave me when I was 12. I jammed it against the bottom of the door and it held. I was grateful for my mom and dad, and grateful for being a writer. For the next several hours I watched the pecan tree outside my bedroom window being bent to its limits. The wind was like a claw hammer trying to pry loose a stubborn nail. Finally, it let go. I stepped into my front yard and saw my neighbors stumbling out of their houses. None of us said anything for a while. That’s the thing, the quiet just on the other side of a hurricane. Assessing the damage, helping the needy: That comes later. But first you’re just stunned by nature’s power, your world forever changed. PS Tommy Tomlinson is the author of two books, The Elephant in the Room and Dogland. He was a longtime columnist for the Charlotte Observer and has written for Esquire, The Atlantic, ESPN the Magazine and many other publications. His online newsletter is called The Writing Shed. He lives in Charlotte with his wife, Alix Felsing.
36 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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CROSSROADS
California Dreamin’ But you can check out anytime you like
By Kaye Gibbons
Thirty-five or so years ago my husband,
Michael, and I started thinking about moving to California. Or rather, he started thinking, and I started worrying. I didn’t know if I’d be able to write out there. I wondered and worried pretty much nonstop until I was able to ask Eudora Welty what she thought about it.
Whenever I was in Jackson, Mississippi, the owner of the Lemuria bookstore would drive me to her house along with a bottle of bourbon and a large bag of M&Ms. I knew whatever she told me would be remarkable and right, and it was. I was sitting on the living room sofa. She was in her chair in the corner. We chatted for a minute, and then I told her that Michael and I were thinking about moving. If I left North Carolina and lived somewhere else, like California, I asked her, would I still be a Southern writer? She leaned forward and said, “If your cat has her kittens in the oven, would you call them muffins?” I always tried to sound intelligent around her, but I said, “Huh?” She said it again, slowly, “If your cat has her kittens in the oven, would you call them muffins? Think about it.” And I did, a great deal, after I got over the stroke it caused. What she meant, I decided, was that I carry the will and the desire and the need to write inside of me, within. Whatever circumstances or external factors happened to be outside and around me, things without, didn’t matter as much. It sounded to me pretty much like I could move to New Jersey or Alaska or
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Antarctica and still be a Southern writer. So after some planning and preparation, we packed up and left. I remember when the move was because I was writing Charms for the Easy Life and had to ship boxes of notes and things like Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters records and tapes of old radio shows that I was scared would get lost or damaged in transit. We’d bought a house without seeing it in person, and so I had no idea what the neighborhood was like until we got there. It was in Marin County, north of San Francisco, in the San Geronimo Valley. The neighborhood, turns out, was just us. You got to the house by driving through a mile of massive redwoods, like the ones in The Petrified Forest, the Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis movie. I remember standing in the front yard of this house that was also made of redwood — dark, with heavy doors with black iron trim — and telling the Realtor that this was all a little scary. Maybe we’d made a mistake. Thinking, I suppose, that it’d impress us, she told us that the actor Klaus Kinski, of Nosferatu the Vampyre, lived a couple of miles away. There were no flat green lawns with white painted houses or sandy hills like those you drive through on the way from Raleigh to Pinehurst. There was no flat white sandy beach or gentle waters and tidepools for our girls to play in. The nearest shoreline was all rugged cliffs and crashing waves. There wasn’t a Harris Teeter, no Crabtree or Kmart. In Raleigh, when Michael used to get home from work, I’d often run up to Crabtree and walk around Sears to change gears and relax. I’d stop at the candy counters on the way out. Then I’d go home and cook supper. After everything was done, and the girls were in bed, I’d sit on the couch with Michael and read what I’d written that day. Out there, we grocery-shopped at places I felt like I had to change clothes to go to. I remember not knowing how to clean the house with the redwood floor-to-ceiling everywhere without Clorox
PineStraw 39
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CROSSROADS
Clean-Up and Windex. I couldn’t tell if the floor was clean by looking at it. Maybe I was lazy and didn’t try hard enough to thrive outside the South, but I just didn’t like it there. I was like a plant that’s set in the wrong window and keeps bending toward the sun. I didn’t adjust to my new surroundings or to anything without. Within was unchanged and wanted to go home. I don’t remember exactly how long I was there, but it was probably no more than five, maybe six months. It certainly wasn’t long enough to be able to test Miss Welty’s cat-in-the-oven theory. I didn’t write a word in the redwoods. The South Miss Welty was referencing when she spoke to me that day lives, for the most part, in my memory, and thank God for it. The Raleigh I live and write in today has moved on past the days when you wouldn’t have been shocked to hear a story about so-and-so’s backwoods country cousin whose cat had her kittens in the oven. Writing about my childhood, growing up in Nash County, I’ve had the privilege to be able to bring back to life a family who lived down the road from me. They lived in a lopsided shotgun house on the Tar River, perilously close to the water. They had a lot of ringwormylooking children. They’d boarded up the house and were mainly living in the yard. A girl on the bus told me that they’d broken all the plates and were eating off records. A boy, she said, had been seen eating cornbread off a 45. They also had heating and storage issues, of course, and often left the oven door open. I didn’t hear that a cat had had her kittens in it, but I did hear that some squirrels or opossums or something like that were living in it. I love that there was a possibility of kittens being born in an oven, and that the oven was Southern, like the interior place where my memories are kept, safe with my need and desire to write. PS Kaye Gibbons is a novelist and a member of the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame. She’s currently working on a memoir.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 41
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42 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
DISSECTING A COCKTAIL
Caramel Apple Sour Story and Photograph by Tony Cross
*(Pomegranate Caramel)
American apple brandy dates
250 grams dark brown sugar 7 grams cinnamon sticks 5 whole cloves 2 whole star anise pods 1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped 1 gram salt 360 grams POM pomegranate juice 200 grams sweetened condensed milk In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, vanilla seeds and pod, salt and 60 grams of the pomegranate juice. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium high heat, and boil for 6 minutes, stirring constantly to keep any of the ingredients from scorching. Remove the pot from the heat, and slowly add the remaining pomegranate juice, stirring to combine. Add the condensed milk and mix thoroughly. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, discarding solids. Transfer to an airtight container and reserve in the refrigerator.
back to the 1600s, when Colonists planted orchards to harvest “spitter” apples for hard cider. Later, they would leave the barrels of alcohol outside overnight to freeze — a method, known as “jacking” that allowed them to separate the alcohol from the ice remaining in the barrels, producing a strong spirit they called “applejack.” Today’s applejack is a blend of apple brandy and neutral grain spirits, while apple brandy is distilled entirely from fermented apples. The caramel apple sour comes from the holiday cocktail book of a Chicago bar, The Aviary. According to the authors, the book’s drinks are good “for every party, event, dinner, or game day that you host between Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl. These cocktails are custom created to be accessible, delicious and a bit ambitious.” The Aviary is known for having cocktails that require a Ph.D. in all things culinary as a prerequisite, but don’t let the instructions for this drink scare you — this is a very easy cocktail to create. PS Tony Cross is an on-again, off-again bartender who founded and runs Reverie Cocktails, a kegged cocktail distribution company that has been represented everywhere from dive bars to baseball stadiums.
Specifications 2 ounces apple brandy 1 1/4 ounce pomegranate caramel* 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice 3/4 ounce egg white 1 lemon peel
Execution Place two cubes of hibiscus ice** into a medium rocks glass. Combine all ingredients (except lemon peel) in a cocktail shaker. Dry shake until frothy. Add ice and shake again vigorously until chilled and diluted, then strain into the rocks glass over ice. Express the lemon peel over the glass. Discard the peel.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
**(Hibiscus Ice) 285 grams water 83 grams sugar 10 grams dried hibiscus flowers or hibiscus tea 1 small pinch salt 86 grams POM pomegranate juice 45 grams ruby port wine 35 grams lemon juice 1 gram rosewater Combine the water, sugar, hibiscus and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat, cover and allow to steep for 1 hour. Strain the mixture using a mesh strainer, discarding solids. Add the remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Fill a 1 1/4-inch square ice mold with the mixture. Freeze into cubes until completely solid. PS
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CORK & BOTTLE
Gearing Up Wines for the holidays
By Janeen Driscoll
It’s holiday season and time to get
your pre-game on, before the party really begins. Think wine is on the decline? Don’t listen to everything you hear. People are choosing quality over quantity as we round out 2026, but value is yours for the taking. Don’t be surprised if some unexpected gifts fill your holiday stocking as producers push exceptional inventory before the end of the year. Here are a few ideas and trends to get your juices flowing.
Bless Your Heart
Tailgating at Blessing of the Hounds? Bedazzle my new boots. Spain and Italy are delivering high-quality sparkling wine without the sticker shock of the real French thing. Skip the orange juice in favor of the Campo Viejo Cava Brut and/or the Cantina Castelnuovo Del Garda Blanc de Blancs, which will easily cut
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
through the fat of a warm country ham biscuit on a cold morning. We recommend you don’t go heavy here, given the all-day celebration about to unfold. A winter white among friends? Try the Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier blend. It’s a perpetual favorite and easy on the budget.
Proud to be an American
Thanksgiving is our holiday, after all. The tariff wars give you a terrific reason to explore the U.S., from sea to shining sea. Whether roasted, smoked or deep-fried, your turkey will pair perfectly with a pinot noir — we love Sonoma’s Hartford Court’s Land’s Edge. It won’t overpower Grandma’s gravy and hits the right notes on side dishes. Need to drown your post-Thanksgiving sorrows in leftover mashed potatoes? While it’s getting a worse rap than marshmallows on sweet potatoes, Napa’s own Rombauer Chardonnay is the butter and cream you crave.
Man Up
Girls love football too, but you’re going to need a brawny bottle to foil the beer-drinking crowd at game time. GSM is that delectable combination of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre that unearthed luscious Châteauneuf-du-Pape and gave way to a more modern Paso Robles and Washington State trend. These are PineStraw 45
CORK & BOTTLE
the secret power wines that go well with crockpot roasts, steaks on the grill and brisket sliders. Full of juicy fruit with a backbone stronger than the Seahawks defense, it will impress everyone during bowl season. The Domaine Lafage Tessellae Old Vines is a good place to start.
Vary the Varietal
Connect with Kristina Hielscher Member Service Specialist, NMLS# 1657459
910.864.2232 Ext. 8653 KristinaH@FortBraggFCU.org 107 Brucewood Road Southern Pines, NC 28387
Shop local & handmade at Downtown Southern Pines’ own pottery studio and gallery
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If you’re gifting a grocery store cabernet on your way to the holiday party, you’re cheating. It’s the perfect excuse to go tiptoeing through the wine aisle and test a few unknown labels that spark your fancy. Let your creative juices flow with a bottle they’d die to try. Wines from Greece are rising in popularity, especially the mineral-driven white assyrtiko and the bolder mandilaria reds (man-dee-LAR-ea-ah). We blind-tasted the Seiradi Cuvee Premno and it was an immediate hit among men who love their wine inky and impressive. Or, you can pick an Italian — but make sure the bottle neck carries the premier DOCG label, if you’re gifting it to the boss. Spain’s Barambán, a blend of garnacha and tempranillo, is also a great choice, as feisty as it is smooth.
Cheers and Toasts
French Champagne production is down, which could cause availability to decrease and prices to increase before the year is over. If tiny bubbles are what you crave after the mistletoe, buy them early. I love Veuve Clicquot for the back story (veuve means “widow” — take it from there), but Moët and others offer reasonable price points if you’re ready to shop. Since most restaurants and bars offer a variety of sparkling wine choices by the glass during the holiday season, it’s a good time to sip and savor. Wine is bottled poetry, a famed writer once penned. Taste test and let the magic inspire your next toast. Janeen Driscoll and her husband, Patrick McKee, own Cork Community Spirits, a craft cocktail and wine bar in downtown Southern Pines.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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PineStraw 47
IDENTITY NATIVE
48 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
In honor of National Native American Heritage Month the Arts Council of Moore County will
showcase the works of four local Native American artists, Karina McMillan, Marcus Dunn, Shantonia Chavis-Bullard and Betty Mangum, in an exhibit titled “Native Identity,” opening on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Campbell House Galleries, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, and running through Saturday, Dec. 19. McMillan, Chavis-Bullard and Mangum all share Lumbee Tribe heritage, while Dunn is Tuscarora. “It’s been kind of on our radar for a long time,” says Kate Curtin, the programs and gallery director. “I grew up in the Northeast, and the artistry, the traditions were everywhere.” Here’s a chance to explore a few of them.
KARINA MCMILLAN “When the artist Karina McMillan was growing up in rural Robeson County, she spent long days outside in the woods and in the surrounding fields of cotton, soybean and tobacco near her house, and long hours with her family, steeped in the culture of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Never far from her side were the ballpoint pens and paper she used to draw all of it, and all of them,” wrote Liza Roberts in the May edition of PineStraw. Those pens have propelled McMillan’s art to extraordinary heights. “I am especially drawn to the possibilities of ballpoint pen as a medium. What is often viewed as an ordinary, everyday tool becomes a way to create intricate, intentional compositions built through layers of line, texture and detail,” says McMillan. “My work explores identity, memory and cultural continuity through the lens of my experience as a Lumbee artist. Through drawing, printmaking, painting and mixed media, I create visual narratives that reflect the connections between personal history, Indigenous heritage and the stories carried across generations.” “Karina McMillan’s work is extraordinary,” says Sara Segerlin, director of the Gregg Museum of Art & Design at N.C. State University. “Her paintings carry a power that goes far beyond color or technique. She brings forward portraits of resilience, memory, pain and strength, stories that refuse to be forgotten.”
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
MARCUS DUNN An art professor at Richmond Community College in Hamlet, Marcus Dunn has exhibited his work at the SCAD Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia (where he earned an MFA), and the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum of Contemporary Native Arts in Sante Fe, New Mexico, to name just two. He is the 2022 South Arts Southern Prize recipient for North Carolina and is an alumnus of the Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture. Dunn is also an active participant in the United Kahtenuaka Longhouse, with a focus on language and traditional song and dance practices honoring his native Tuscarora heritage. Through his art, Dunn has spent years scouring archives for photographs of boarding schools and related forms of assimilationist educational practices, transforming such images into richly textured impressionist paintings, giving presence to the lives transformed by the boarding school system. “The most dramatic formal aspect of a Dunn painting is that it has a swift one-pass-of-thebrush feel,” writes Stephen Knudson in ARTPULSE. “This way of painting leaves holes in objects and figures. It is just enough, and it is the language of something forming and of something disappearing — the primary thesis of this work.”
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 51
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
SHANTONIA KAI CHAVIS-BULLARD
BETTY MANGUM Now in her late 80s, Betty Mangum grew up on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where her father was the dean of students when it was still known as Pembroke State College. She took up painting after attending a “paint ‘n sip” class given by Jane Castinelli at Elliott’s on Linden just eight years ago. “Mind you, my drawing is not good at all, but I love slapping paint on a canvas,” says Mangum. Her preferred medium is oil paint. “I tried acrylic, but it dries too fast. I make a lot of mistakes. Oil you can go back and rework it lots of times,” she says. “I’m a big picture person. I’m not a small detail person. That doesn’t seem to be my personality. I just have a folksy style.” Mangum is drawn to both water scenes and faces as subjects. “I don’t seem to have a wide variety of things that I enjoy painting, but water I find very soothing, and people’s faces I find very interesting,” she says. Though she came to painting late in life, Mangum was always a lover of the arts, particularly music and theater. “I’m just kind of drawn to beautiful things,” she says. “I’m Lumbee Indian. I like colors. If you’ve looked at Indian regalia or have been around Indian people, they mostly are colorful personalities and wear a lot of color. The regalia is always very bright. Nothing subdued about it. I tend to paint kind of loudly.”
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
“Art grounds me,” says Shantonia Kai Chavis-Bullard. “As a Lumbee artist, my work connects deeply with my community and reflects my personal interpretation of the world.” A retired art teacher with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Chavis-Bullard works mainly in acrylic but also enjoys batik, pastels and ceramics. “Acrylics are my favorite because they allow me to build layers, experiment with texture and work intuitively as ideas develop,” she says. “My work explores themes of memory, identity, spirituality, womanhood, healing and the emotional landscapes we carry within us. As a Lumbee artist, I am inspired by my culture, family history and the strength of Native women, as well as by my Christian faith and personal experiences. Rather than creating traditional portraits, I use symbolic figures and expressive environments to tell stories that invite viewers to find pieces of their own journeys reflected in the work. I paint the unseen — those quiet places where memory, spirit and emotion shape who we become.” PS
PineStraw 53
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54 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
OUT OF THE BLUE
There’s Always Chocolate Nothing else even comes close
By Deborah Salomon
November:
Gateway to “the holidays,” a warm, happy time of family togetherness, good will to all. Except the world faces a mess. Santa is overdrawn at the bank, and the flotilla of Christmas toys hasn’t arrived from China. So, beyond the religious significance, let’s think of something cheery. It may not be tinsel and colored lights, the must-have electronic gadget or the trendiest cowboy boots. How about a whole-family gift like an SUV or a trip to DisneyWorld? Forget it. Hiring Santa’s sleigh would be cheaper. My unlikely suggestion is chocolate. Everybody loves chocolate despite its unpopular color. Solid brown as opposed to brown print/plaid found on sofas, rugs, sweaters, dresses, ties doesn’t pop. Black may be elegant, but brown’s a drag. Even high-fashion TV news anchors wouldn’t chance a chocolate-brown suit. Yet the joy of chocolate overwhelms any negative. Picture little Halloween ghosts picking through the candy basket for Hershey Kisses and Miniatures. Easter means brown eggs and bunnies. Chemistry may play a part. Chocolate triggers the release of endorphins, the “happy hormones.” Americans, however, seem to prefer heavily sweetened/diluted “milk” chocolate. Law regulates percentage of cacao present in some products. Watch out for “chocolatey” on cookie labels . . . not a good sign. Depending on the source, cacao beans have been identified in Spain and South America from 3-to-5,000 B.C., mainly as a beverage. Weather and disease decimated a recent cocoa harvest in Ghana, the major African producer of the cocoa plant, precipitating a worldwide shortage, hence price increases. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
I adore chocolate. This adoration evolved from deprivation. My mother disallowed “candy’’ because I was a problem eater. I love dairy products but wouldn’t drink milk. She wouldn’t count chocolate pudding as milk. So, at about age 7, I approached her with a treaty: one square Hershey’s for one glass of milk. My absolute favorite, however, was the Good Humor (white truck, jingling bells) bittersweet chocolate sundae cup, scooped up with a little wooden “spoon.’’ As an adult I discovered dark, “bittersweet” chocolate bars, preferably imported. Now, in old age, every evening I put one square under my tongue and let it melt . . . slowly. Never two, just one. I once purchased a Toblerone bar the size of a baseball bat at the Zurich airport. Many decades ago I added a “blackout” sour cream chocolate layer cake to my baking repertoire . . . indescribable. I’m working on chocolate cheesecake. A European friend taught me to put a square of top-quality imported chocolate in a warmed cup and pour steaming black coffee over it. Stir until the chocolate begins to melt. Sip slowly; scrape up remnants with a spoon. So grown-up. So addictive, but that’s another story. I am not advocating an unhealthy diet. How could anything so pleasurable be unhealthy, in moderation, during challenging times? I remember World War II, when “care” packages sent to troops contained Hershey bars, not broccoli. Even now, after a distressing day I know chocolate is waiting should I need it. So why not add chocolate to Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Kwanzaa? At Hanukkah children are traditionally showered with gold foil-covered chocolate coins. I’m not suggesting chocolate will ever replace pumpkin pie or peppermint, turkey stuffing or cranberry sauce. But remember — when discouragement happens, there’s always chocolate. PS Deborah Salomon is a contributing writer for PineStraw and The Pilot. She may be reached at debsalomon@nc.rr.com. PineStraw 55
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
BIRDWATCH
A Familiar Call Northern bobwhite on the rebound
By Susan Campbell
For some of those fortunate enough to
live in open piney woods or adjacent to large farm fields, the whistled call of the bobwhite quail may be a familiar sound. As with so many of our bird species, this once prolific songster has diminished across the Piedmont and Sandhills of North Carolina. Bobwhites measure between 8 and 11 inches beak to tail and have very cryptic brown, black and white markings, which make them very difficult to see in the grassy habitats they call home. The male has a bright white eye stripe and throat and is the one who announces his territory through a repeated “bob-white” call. The female is not only smaller but is drabber with an eye stripe and throat that are a buffy color. This stout bird is well adapted to foraging at ground level for insects, berries and soft vegetation with its short sharp bill, strong legs, and feet with sharp claws. Bobwhite males attract a mate using their loud repetitive calls in the spring. The female will reply with a four-syllable whistle of its own. Following breeding, the pair create a domed nest concealed in tall grasses, and the hen lays up to 20 pure white eggs. There is a period of approximately 25 days of incubation before the young hatch. Hens will renest if the eggs are eaten or destroyed. Upon hatching, the chicks will immediately follow their parents, learning how to hunt bugs and which shoots are the most nutritious. As a group they are referred to as a covey. They will stay together through the winter and may join with other families to form coveys of 30 or more birds. When alarmed at an early age, the young will scatter and freeze to avoid predators. Once they can The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
fly, they will take to the air in a blur of wings if they are startled by a potential predator. Quail were a very popular game bird throughout North Carolina until the 1980s, when a decline in their numbers made them much harder to find. A combination of factors is believed to be responsible. Not only have open woodlands and agricultural fields with hedgerows become scarcer, but ground predators such as foxes, coyotes, raccoons and free-roaming cats have increased. Also, the timing of rainfall can significantly affect breeding productivity. Too much rain too early may inundate nests and result in abandonment. Dry conditions just after chicks hatch may result in insufficient food. Currently, quail season runs from late November through early April. Hunters may well find coveys in the forests and fields of state game lands such as the Sandhills Game Lands. They also can be found on Fish and Wildlife Service refuge lands in the coastal plain. The vast acreage of longleaf pine on Fort Bragg supports quail as well. It requires a well-trained bird dog and a good deal of patience. Active quail management in parts of the Piedmont and Sandhills over the past couple of decades has paid off. Opening up forested habitat, using prescribed burning as well as replanting undesirable vegetation with quality cover plants are two of the best strategies to help boost the population. Efforts in the Sandhills by biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and at Fort Bragg, along with assistance from local Quail Unlimited chapters, are resulting in gradual increases in northern bobwhite. If the trend continues, before much longer the whistled call of the bobwhite will be more frequent. PS Susan Campbell would love to receive your wildlife sightings and photos. She can be contacted by email at susan@ncaves.com. PineStraw 57
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
SPORTING LIFE
Memories on the Wing By Tom Bryant
“Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them.” — George Eliot
So it’s hot. July in North Carolina. What
do you expect? I opened all the car doors on the 4Runner, cranked it while leaning inside and turned the air conditioner to full blast. Linda, my bride, was standing at the arbor door giving me encouragement while I tried to get the Runner habitable. “You be careful, and say hey to Bubba.” She went back inside and closed the door to the heat. It was a mixed blessing kind of trip. Even though I looked forward to seeing Bubba, I kinda really didn’t want to. The word from the old-timers and outdoor geezer friends had gotten to me. He was in a bad way, one that didn’t seem to be promising. Bubba had moved to a retirement/healthcare village, leaving his wonderful home, and when I heard that he had put his favorite place in the world up for sale, I knew that things were not right. I made plans to visit. I couldn’t get him on the phone for some reason, so we communicated by text, and I told him I was coming and to get ready ’cause he was gonna buy me lunch. It’s about a two hour ride up to Bubba’s new place, and since I was in no hurry I kinda meandered along. Random thoughts about our friendship bubbled in my brain, one reflection leading to another. We met many years ago, and part of our first conversation had something to do with duck hunting versus Canada goose hunting. I remember Bubba was pro goose, and I was heavy in favor of the ducks. “After all,” I said as we closed our argument, pro and con, “there aren’t any geese around here. You gotta go to Maryland to find any numbers and to the coast maybe to even catch sight of one.” In those days that statement was true, before the geese figured out that migrating was a waste of time. Why expend all that energy when you can live and prosper in one spot? Now they’re grazing the greens on about every golf course in North Carolina. “I’m gonna invite you to a goose hunt next season,” he The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
responded, “and I’m sure you’ll change your mind.” He did, and I did. We made our first trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, hunting with Bill Meyers on his Plimhimmon plantation, and I was hooked on Canada goose hunting. I pulled up to the check-in gate at the retirement village a little before 11 a.m. and asked the attendant how to get to his villa. “Take a left turn after three streets. He’s in number 312. It’ll be on your right.” The place had the same fresh ambience of an expensive country club. Lush plantings surrounded miniature lily ponds, and oak and maple trees were in abundance. Sidewalks curved around the surroundings with benches spotted here and there. The atmosphere was lavishly luxurious in an understated way, but as I drove through, slowing for the inevitable speed bumps, up the little hill to turn and find Bubba, I wondered if he was happy here. The front door of the villa was open with a glass see-through storm door slightly ajar. I eased through the door. “Hey Bubba. You in there?” A weak voice responded, not like him at all. “Come on in, Coot. I’ve been waiting on you to get here.” I hoped that I didn’t visibly show how shocked I was at seeing my thin, longtime friend supine on the couch. “Coot, sometimes you really piss me off,” he said. “You never change.” “Bubba, you know that’s not true. Remember the folks at Duke removed half my innards. I’m walking around now several pounds lighter.” He laughed and coughed and said, “Look in the fridge in the kitchen and pour us a glass of wine. We got some catching up to do before lunch.” I poured us two glasses out of an open bottle of red wine and went back to the living room. The couch was on one wall, on the opposite were shelves with several mounts of game Bubba had gotten over the years. “Yeah, Judson brought those from home to kind of make this place a little more habitable.” “I don’t remember seeing that ptarmigan before,” I replied. The bird was half in its winter color and half in summer. A beautiful specimen. “I got that on my last winter trip to Canada.” We sat silently, neither of us knowing what to say. I broke the silence. “Bubba, you don’t look too good. What’s up?” “I had to move over here. I kept falling down at home, and PineStraw 59
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
SPORTING LIFE
now the docs here are trying to fix it. Not having much success. Hell, let’s go eat. The restaurant is down the road a piece. You’ll have to help me.” It was a chore. Not physically, but mentally. To see my good friend in such debilitating health was a shock. I helped him get in the car and then on the walk to the dining room. He used his cane on one side, and I held his arm on the other. Lunch was short, and so was the conversation. I don’t remember what we had or said, but we were glad when it was over. Back at his house, we poured another glass of wine. I asked, “Bubba, you sure it’s OK for you to be drinking this stuff?” “What’s it gonna hurt?” he said, laughing. “I tell you what, Coot, if this is it, and realistically, I think I’m on the way out, I’ve had a great ride. I’ve been getting rid of things, sold most of my guns, and have given all the rest of the household stuff to the kids. They’re helping me with the bride, you know.” Bubba’s bride of many years was having her own health problems, and the children were taking turns looking after her. “I want you to have my swan. Remember? You were with me at Currituck when I got my first one. We were hunting with Old Man Woodrow. You got that redhead duck you had mounted, I recall. We ate that first swan. The swan I want you to have, I got in Montana. It’s hanging over the fireplace at home.” When I hesitated he said, “Coot, we’ve been friends for a long time, and by taking the swan, every time you look at it,
you’ll recollect some good adventures. It’ll be a way for me to be around a little longer.” He died three weeks later. I didn’t get to see him again. I heard he had moved back to his beloved home, set up a hospital bed in his study overlooking the wood duck pond, hired a couple of round-the-clock nurses, and spent his last days there. Right before he passed on, I called him and got his voicemail. I can’t recall the message I left. What can you say to a good friend who’s dying? It turns out Bubba had the last word after all, because he left a message on my phone a few days later. “Hey Coot, got a few folks in here. Not prepared for a lengthy conversation. Hope all is well. Maybe tomorrow we’ll get up together and have us a little bit of a leisurely chat. Take care of yourself, bud.” We never had that leisurely chat, but now that swan hangs over the door leading to the roost, so every time I walk under it, I can remember the good times and one of my best friends. Bubba’s ashes have been sprinkled on a ranch in Montana, one of his favorite hunting locations. Out of the multitude, he was one of the rarest. He walked to his own drummer. No apologies or excuses given. He’s missed. PS Tom Bryant, a Southern Pines resident, is a lifelong outdoorsman and PineStraw’s Sporting Life columnist.
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GOLFTOWN JOURNAL
Whisper Campaign Freshening up a Maples classic
By Lee Pace
Flashback to 1959: The baby boom-
ers are entering adolescence. The Korean War is finished, Vietnam yet to come. Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states. Frank Sinatra wins his first Grammy Award for best album with Come Dance With Me. Art Wall wins the Masters and Billy Casper the U.S. Open. Closer to home, a long-hitting teenager with a blond crew cut wins the North and South Amateur on Pinehurst No. 2 — Jack Nicklaus would turn pro the following year. And it had been more than 30 years since a new golf course opened in the Sandhills. A.B. Hardee changed all that when he opened a sparkling new residential, golf and country club community around a series of lakes just northeast of Pinehurst. He hired Ellis Maples, son of the former Pinehurst greenkeeper Frank Maples, to design the golf course, and called it the Country Club of Whispering Pines. “Whispering Pines was one of the most renowned courses in its time,” said Woody Davis, whose Pinehurst-based golf manageThe Art & Soul of the Sandhills
ment company owned the facility in the early 2000s. “It’s nearly 50 years old, and there’s a lot of history here. But a lot of people don’t know we’re here. It’s a true jewel. It’s a hidden secret.” Kelly Miller had just moved to Southern Pines in the mid1980s after marrying Peggy Ann Bell and going to work in management at the Bell family’s Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club (and later the family would acquire Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club and Southern Pines Golf Club). Whispering Pines was one course on a rota of venues that a group of up to 16 golfers would play regularly, the group including Warren “Bullet” Bell and noted area club pros like Harvie Ward and Andy Page. “I have fond memories of Whispering Pines,” Miller says. “It has great corridors. The routing is really good. I have always been intrigued in the lineage to Pine Needles and Mid Pines because Ellis as a young man worked on the construction of both those courses.” Hardee, a developer from Lexington, N.C., was intrigued in the mid-1950s with the lake-studded area between roads that are now U.S. 15-501 leading to Pinehurst and U.S. 1 going to Southern Pines. The cornerstone to this section was Thagards Pond, which at some 6 miles in circumference was more of a lake than pond. Hardee envisioned a community of lakeside homes, water sports and picnic facilities along with a golf and country club. It would PineStraw 63
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
GOLFTOWN JOURNAL
be a self-contained town, complete with sewer, fire and police. His construction crews worked around an ancient cemetery, and he lowered the lake 6 feet to remove stumps and logs as a safety measure for boaters. The lake was stocked with nearly 20,000 warm-weather trout. Playing on the area’s beacon as a golf resort, Hardee built three buildings of villas for out-of-town guests. The club opened for golfers in 1959. “It’s a perfect haven for retiring people, within easy driving distance of resort centers in Southern Pines and Pinehurst, and military facilities at Fort Bragg,” Hardee proclaimed. Donald Ross, the famous golf architect who had designed seven Sandhills area courses (Pinehurst Nos. 1-4, Pine Needles, Mid Pines and Southern Pines Country Club) had been dead for a decade, so Hardee went to the next best thing in the Carolinas architecture business. Ellis Maples as a teenager worked for his father in building and maintaining the first four courses at Pinehurst Country Club, and later he worked in the golf shop at Pinehurst and as assistant greenkeeper at Mid Pines and Pine Needles. Maples supervised the construction of the last Ross design, Raleigh Country Club, in the late-1940s, and in 1953 decided against becoming a golf professional and focused on architecture. His career over three decades before his death in 1984 included Grandfather Golf & Country Club and the Country Club of North Carolina (Dogwood Course), two of the finest courses in the state. “Dad and I were pretty much alike in a couple of ways,” says Dan Maples, Ellis’ son and himself a noted golf architect. “We both belong to the Donald Ross school, which includes designing courses for all golfers. That’s more difficult to accomplish today than in Dad’s day because we now have to deal with environmental issues.” Miller never forgot playing at Whispering Pines back in the day, and in 2025, the opportunity arose for Miller and business partner Haresh Tharani to form a management concern called Rolling Pines LLC that purchased Whispering Pines (as well as Foxfire Country Club to
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
the west of Pinehurst). Their first move was to hire golf architect Kyle Franz to renovate the Pines Course (the original layout at Whispering Pines), and it opened in late September. “When I first saw the course, I saw loads of incredible potential,” Franz says. “It’s a really cool piece of land and a really cool golf course. The bones were there. It just needed freshening up. It’s on a great, sandy site with excellent drainage. I could not be any prouder of how it’s turned out.” Franz first came to the Sandhills in 2010 to work on the construction crew for Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw on their restoration of Pinehurst No. 2. He soon met Miller, and over the next decade handled restorations at Mid Pines, Pine Needles and Southern Pines, each a golf course designed by Ross. In his research on Ross, Franz learned much about the Maples family. “I have a huge fascination with their family and Frank Maples’ influence on Ross and Ellis,” Franz says. “All the press
in the mid-1900s went to Dick Wilson and Robert Trent Jones, but in my mind, Ellis was the best architect operating during that period. This routing feels like a Ross routing. He worked for Ross for 25 years, so some of Ross rubbed off on him. The routing is Ross-like, the green pads feel very Ross-like.” At Whispering Pines, Franz rebuilt all the greens and bunkers, and adjusted some fairway widths and angles. The greens have been planted with MiniVerde Bermuda, the same grass used on the parent company’s other three courses. “If we did a blindfold test and took people out on our four courses here and did not tell them who designed them or any of the details, a bunch of people would say Whispering Pines is their favorite of the four,” Franz says. “Ellis’ work deserves more attention and credit.” PS Lee Pace has written about the Pinehurst experience for more than three decades from his home in Chapel Hill. Write him at leepace7@ gmail.com and follow him @LeePaceTweet.
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PineStraw 65
A MODERN DINING EXPERIENCE MEETS OLD WORLD TRADITION
IT STARTS
Here.
Villaggio Ristorante is a local staple known to residents and visitors of the Village of Pinehurst. Its traditional Italian cuisine ranges from antipasti to tiramisu, and its exceptional level of service is revered by all who’ve dined here.
November 2026
Dish Towel One of my parents’ dish towels hangs on the handle of our stove. It is aqua-blue, covered with red and yellow poppies. How many of their dishes this towel must have buffed, plus silverware, glasses, cookpots and pans. For decades Mom washed them and Dad did the drying. But after he died, she stood alone at their sink, letting the water grow cold — soap suds like glaciers slipping into the sea. Six months a widow and she, too, was gone, leaving a lone bowl in the drainer, a single spoon, a fresh dish towel draped just so on a ring. — Terri Kirby Erickson Terri Kirby Erickson is the author of eight collections of award-winning poetry, including The Light That Follows Us Home.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 67
The of Frying a Turkey Be careful. Be very, very careful. By Warren Henry Lewis • Photograph by John Gessner
68 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Warren Lewis surrounded by Southern Pines firefighters Andrew Whitaker (kneeling), L-R: Eric Adams, Brody McGraw, Logan DeBerry, Jay Lacsina
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 69
T
here’s a particular sound the Sandhills makes in late November: the low roar of a propane burner in a distant driveway, bringing oil up to temperature in a pot big enough to defend the castle ramparts. By the third week of the month it’s a neighborhood chorus, with cul-de-sacs across the county contributing versions of their own. Frying a turkey has become as regionally native as barbecue, even though the technique arrived from Louisiana by way of tailgate parking lots and word of mouth. It earned its place here on merit: crisp skin, meat that stays moist, a bird that’s done in under an hour instead of half a day tying up the oven. It also remains, by a wide margin, the most dangerous thing most people do to their food all year — worse than egg salad in the heat of summer on a picnic. The U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association both flag turkey fryers every autumn, and the failures follow a short, repeatable list. Get the process right and it’s no more hazardous than a grill. Skip a step and you’re explaining to your insurance adjuster why there’s a scorch mark up the side of the garage. The oil, not the bird, is what matters most. Frying works by immersion in oil held around 350 degrees — hot enough that the exterior sets almost instantly, sealing moisture in rather than letting it render out over hours. That’s the whole appeal. It’s also the whole risk: A few gallons of oil at 350 degrees is a few gallons of oil that will ignite on contact with an open flame if it spills, and it spills for one reason more than any other — too much oil in the pot, displaced by too much turkey. Measure your oil level before you ever turn on the burner. Set the bird in the empty pot, cover it with water until submerged, pull the turkey out, and mark the waterline — that’s your fill line. Think Archimedes and the bathtub. Dump the water, dry the pot completely, and fill to that mark with oil, no higher. Skipping this step and eyeballing it is how oil ends up on the ground, on flame, and on the side of a house. The second potential failure is moisture. A wet or partially frozen turkey dropped into hot oil turns instantly to steam, and steam expanding inside oil doesn’t simmer — it explodes outward. This is not good. Thaw
70 PineStraw
the bird completely, days in advance, and pat it dry inside and out immediately before frying. Maybe even twice. No standing water in the cavity. No ice crystals in the joints. If you’ve brined it, dry it again after — thoroughly, longer than feels necessary. Where you fry matters as much as how. Outdoors only, on a flat surface, well clear of the house, the garage, the deck, and anything with a roofline — the NFPA’s standard is 10 feet minimum, and farther is better. Not on a wooden deck. Not under an overhang, however far it seems. Level ground keeps the pot from tipping; a fryer set up on grass or gravel that gives even slightly under the stand’s legs is a recipe for disaster. Lower the turkey into the oil slowly, and stay at the pot the entire time it cooks — this isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it appliance. Kick back in a lawn chair but keep your eyes open. Unlike with BBQ ya’ really gotta pay attention, so maybe reconsider that second beer. It’s only an hour or so. A turkey fryer left unattended, even for the few minutes it takes to answer the door, is the single most common thread running through the incident reports. Keep kids and pets well back from the whole operation — oil that’s already hot stays hot for a long time after the flame is out. Have a plan for what goes wrong before you need it. Grease fires don’t respond to water — water on burning oil throws flaming oil into the air, which is how a contained fire becomes an unconfined one. Keep a Class K or ABCrated extinguisher within reach, and know that smothering — a metal lid, baking soda in quantity — works when an extinguisher doesn’t. I’m a big fan of fire blankets. We have them in our kitchen, and keep ’em in our cars as well. Keep the propane tank and hose connection away from the burner itself. Check for leaks with soapy water before lighting, not after. Done with attention to these few points, a fried turkey is worth the trouble: skin the color of an old saddle, meat that hasn’t spent four hours drying out in a 325-degree oven. Pull it at 165 degrees in the breast, 175 in the thigh, let it rest 20 minutes under foil before anyone touches it with a knife. The Sandhills didn’t invent this method, but by the sound of more than a few driveways in late November, it’s adopted it as its own.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Basic Wet Brine for a Fryer Turkey A brine does two things worth doing — it seasons the meat all the way through, not just the surface, and it helps the bird hold on to moisture during the fast, hot cooking a fryer puts it through. Scale this up proportionally for a bird larger than 14 pounds, and give yourself two days, one to brine, one to dry. 1 gallon water, plus more to top off 1 cup kosher salt 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons black peppercorns 4 bay leaves 1 head garlic, halved crosswise 1 orange, quartered A handful of fresh thyme
Instructions Bring half the water to a simmer in a large pot with the salt, sugar, peppercorns and bay leaves. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve completely, then remove from the heat and add the garlic, orange and thyme. Let it cool to room temperature — don’t brine with warm liquid. Combine the cooled brine with the remaining cold water in a container large enough to hold the turkey fully submerged — a clean cooler works well for a whole bird. Add ice as needed to bring the temperature down and keep it there. Submerge the turkey breast-side down. Weight it if it floats. Refrigerate, or keep the cooler packed with ice, for 12 - 18 hours. Longer than 24 and the texture turns spongy rather than juicy. Lift the turkey out, discard the brine, and rinse the bird under cold water to clear off surface salt. Then — and this is the step that matters for a fryer — dry it completely, inside and out, and let it sit uncovered on a rack in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight before frying. A brined bird holds extra surface moisture, which is exactly the hazard discussed above. It has to be gone before the turkey goes anywhere near the oil.
***
I’m from the Northeast and typically November was cold enough (32-40 degrees) to leave the turkey in the brine outside. Down here, you’ll have to make gobs of space in the refrigerator.
Having sold Chef Warren’s, Warren Henry Lewis is now channeling his creativity toward writing. A knitting novella is in the works.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 71
Thanksgiving Reminiscences
The call went out. Send us your wild, your sweet, your huddled histories of Thanksgivings gone by yearning to be shared. Here are a few, from minor disasters to major memories. Now it’s time to make some more.
When I was growing up in Winnetka, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, my family traveled every year to our farm in Tryon, North Carolina, for Thanksgiving. In 1965, after the holiday weekend, we flew back to Chicago from Asheville. We were already seated when a group of gentlemen boarded the plane, walked by us and sat a few rows behind us. My father recognized one of the gentlemen — describing him as a great man who would change the history of our country — and encouraged me to go talk to him. Never shy, even at the awkward age of 12, I approached the gentleman and introduced myself: “My name is Marilyn Barrett, and my father says you are a great man and I need to meet you.” He looked up at me, smiled a brilliant smile, heartily shook my hand, and said something to the effect of, “Thank your father for me.” We talked a bit and when I asked him for his autograph, he pulled a pen from his suit pocket and signed the only paper I had with me: my ticket jacket for Delta Airlines Flight 750, from Asheville to Chicago-O’Hare, stamped November 28, 1965. He wrote, “Best Wishes, Martin Luther King, Jr.”
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— Marilyn Barrett
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It comes in the fall with the possibility of experiencing beautiful fall foliage, if conditions have been right. To me, Thanksgiving is a color, or a few colors: golds, reds, browns, orange, tan. I love the beautiful gold presented by the gingko tree at the corner of East Massachusetts Avenue and South East Broad Street in Southern Pines, and if you look into the woods you’ll see the lovely tans presented by American beech trees. All these colors are a part of what Thanksgiving is to me. Of course, there is the food — usually too much food — and home-cooked is the best. There has been only one Thanksgiving that didn’t work out so well for me, and it was my own fault. Every year, somehow, when I fix my plate to eat, I think I have to eat a good portion of EVERYTHING. Mistake! One year, at my late mother’s home, I ate too much. Oh, the pain! I spent much of that day trying to recover. I can laugh about it now, and Thanksgiving remains my favorite holiday. Food, family, friends and if we’re lucky, beautiful fall weather.
— Linda Pearson
I’m not a baker, but in 2018, I found what looked like a foolproof recipe for a spiced pound cake with buttermilk glaze. It was the first Thanksgiving my parents hosted in North Carolina after years of chilly, sometimes snow-covered Thanksgivings in Pennsylvania. I had just gotten married that May and, feeling like I was officially entering adulthood, I was determined to contribute. I got a store-bought spiced pound cake and placed it on a decorative plate, which meant I only needed to make the fouringredient glaze. My first attempt turned into something resembling cement. I blamed the butter and my lack of patience for maybe not whisking enough. I threw it out and headed to my parents’ house for attempt No. 2. I double- and triple-checked the ingredients because I didn’t want to mess up my first Thanksgiving contribution as an “adult.” I carefully measured 2 cups of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of buttermilk. Same result, glue! I had a bright idea to put it over high heat, add some water and declared it good enough. At least I was able to drizzle it over the pound cake, only to discover after a bite or two that the glaze — now room temperature — was completely inedible. That Thanksgiving, I learned an important lesson. Buttermilk and buttermilk pancake mix are not the same thing. For Thanksgivings to come, I’ll stick to my Pinterest board veggie platters.
— Erika Leap The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
“Wait, Jesus, hold that thought.” My now-husband and I had just started dating. My momma took a little while to love him as I did. He would come for homemade suppers quite often. The night that the ice was broken was a hot dog and hamburger supper night. We all came together, joined hands, prayed over our prepared food and family. Now, my momma, being Southern, could make cole slaw that would make you stop in your tracks. You can put it on a hot dog, a burger, eat it as a side. After supper, he told Momma, “That’s the best cole slaw I’ve ever had!” That was all it took, one compliment, and she loved him forever. I could walk in her house first, and she’d want to hug him first. I was never mad, I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow. After that, no matter the dish, there was cole slaw — spaghetti and meatballs, we had cole slaw; chicken and dumplings, cole slaw; we could make a sandwich, there was cole slaw! Everyone knew that was my husband’s cole slaw, made just for him. After years of this routine, on a Thanksgiving, we gathered at the table, joined hands, and my brother began to bless our well-prepared meal. We all sat quietly with heads bowed. Suddenly Momma raised her head and said, “Wait, Jesus, hold that thought.” She shot up from her chair and said, “I forgot the COLE SLAW!” We all looked at one another and a slow laugh began. Momma had just told Jesus to hold that thought, in the middle of prayer, to make cole slaw. My momma has since gone home to our Lord. I’ve done my best to replicate her cole slaw, but it will never be good enough to tell Jesus to “hold that thought.”
— Sonya Valk PineStraw 73
Grandma was an identical twin, but only “Grandma Aunt Jacky” is still living. Throughout nine decades together, the twins’ shared DNA kept them close, so Dad was close with his cousins, and Thanksgivings have always involved extended family referred to as aunt and uncle, who are actually first cousins once removed. My parents sometimes hosted Thanksgiving when I was young. Other times, we’d travel through the crisp Pennsylvania fall weather. I’d shower and pull on something fancy just to change into sweatpants for two-hand-touch after an hourlong car ride. The logistics never made any sense. It was often a full game with knit hats marking the corners of a lopsided field. At worst, it was a couple of the youngest and three adults tossing a pigskin. Dad was always one of them, and still is. He has a sense of duty to tradition. It’s why we always made the drive, and why I still do, up from the Carolinas. With the last points scored, I’d go inside, change back into my holiday best, more rumpled than before, and sit down to a feast a day’s drive north with aunts, uncles and first cousins once removed. Logistics be damned.
— Jenna Biter
My Thanksgiving story is pretty mundane, compared to most people’s. Except for my sister, who lives up North, all the family is gone now. Even cousins are gone, except for a small handful who are scattered throughout the country; who knows where. Thanksgivings for me over the last 10 years have consisted of photographing the Moore County Hounds’ annual Blessing of the Hounds — Opening Meet. Afterward, I race home to get the pictures ready for The Pilot, and then prepare a meal for a horse friend who comes over and who is even less of a cook than I am. But I wing it, and we are both fine with the food; after all, it’s the coming together to share the meal on that day that matters. But if I reminisce, which I tend to do even more now as time passes, Thanksgiving in my family was shared with the aunts and uncles who would travel down from Jersey to be with us, as we would travel up there to visit for Christmas every year. In the very early days in the 1960s, the cousins came too, and it was a great time to see and be with family again. My mother always cooked all the traditional foods and desserts, and it would be way more than we could eat, with loads of leftovers. But now I savor as many of those memories as I can, holding them in my mind and in my heart.
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Getting off a long flight from Mumbai to Sydney, Darling Husband and I were greeted by our old friends Zena and Paul, who whisked us off to their home outside the city. It was November 2005. The next night they surprised us with a Thanksgiving dinner, which they had researched as they do not celebrate this very American holiday in Oz. Turkey, a bold attempt at dressing, and green beans, along with a lovely Australian wine to round it out. No dinner was ever more thoughtfully put together for two displaced Yanks. The sheer joy of being in their lovely home was cause enough for giving thanks, but Zena and Paul produced a feast for two weary travelers to bring both cultures together. It was a time to be truly grateful for life, good food so lovingly prepared, and friends on the other side of the world we so seldom saw. Not a Thanksgiving goes by that I don’t think of them and how they rekindled the meaning of coming together in gratitude for friendship and living a blessed life. And since DH’s passing, these memories warm my soul.
— Joyce Reehling
After my mother died, my father wanted to take on the Thanksgiving meal. His children (myself and husband, sister, and brother and wife) returned home each year to share the special occasion. Dad was a good cook and the meals were simple — only two side dishes even for holiday feasts. One year he decided to put the frozen turkey out on the front porch overnight to thaw for cooking the next day. When he woke up early in the morning to check on it, he discovered that a wild animal had feasted on it during the night. It might have been the neighbor’s cat! After we all had a good laugh, Dad found a turkey loaf in the freezer and continued cooking the mashed potatoes and gravy and a green bean casserole. Sometimes good memories can come from bad times.
— Diana Staley
— Diane McKay
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Thanksgiving Recipe — Main Course (Taken from the cookbook Joy of Heavenly Cooking) Select 18 lbs. (or more) of Blessings Stuff with Gratitude Season with Kindred Broth Roast with the Warmth of Humor Baste with the Oil of Kind Words Serve on a Platter of Goodwill Carve some Savory Memories Pass the Gravy of Compliments Ladle lavishly with Love Taste the Flavor of Fellowship Enjoy a Hearty Feast of Grace All from the hand of God
— Sandra Fischer
Fry Thanksgivings were always filled with family, friends, food (so much food) and fun. The day probably started with the men off to “hunt”; one never saw any game come back but lots of happy smiles. Women in the kitchen! Us kids had a ball on the farm and were into every building and barn all over the place. I don’t remember a big turkey, but more of a big ham, lots of chicken, roast beef and every veggie one could think of, from potatoes to squash, along with all the relishes, pickles and molded salads from the latest recipe in the paper. Two long freezers in the hallway were topped with pound cake (the all-time favorite), chocolate cake, fresh coconut cake, caramel cake and a neglected fruit cake. Oh, and what pies! Every fruit that one can imagine, to pecan, chocolate cream, lemon meringue, and pumpkin and sweet potato! All topped off with Grannie’s sugar cookies! The Amazing Grace Farm is still known for its love of family, friends, fun and food.
— Glenda Kirby
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
My family tends to be creatures of habit without really meaning to be, just comfortably leaning into what’s already there and not questioning what has been. To me, this gentle compliance is most prominent on Thanksgiving. Once on a phone call, my brother simply stated, “There’re just little traditions, that’s all,” but I swear it’s more than that because our beats and actions feel so intentionally woven into the day. Sometimes that table is quiet, everyone taking the day to just be after a year of moving, and working, and adjusting to the needs of others. Other years it’s loud with stories of the aunts that feel like the worn pages of a favorite book, or making up songs with our forks and a random toy whistle. But no matter what, the overall day remains the same. Nonna arriving late, annoyed and mumbling, “The pie’s not good, that damn oven.” A game on the TV no one watches but stays on anyway. Promising we won’t fill up on cheese before dinner like last year. My sister and I whispering inside jokes across the table. A cat nudging your ankle for scraps. Vibrant paper crowns. Ma’s smile. Warmth, consistent warmth.
— Victoria Landers
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Fiction by O. Henry Illustration by Keith Borshak
T
here is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Bless the day. It is the one day that is purely American. Yes, a day of celebration, exclusively American. And now for the story which is to prove to you that we have traditions that are becoming older at a much rapider rate than those of England are — thanks to our git-up and enterprise. Stuffy Pete took his seat on the third bench to the right as you enter Union Square from the east, at the walk opposite the fountain. Every Thanksgiving Day for nine years he had taken his seat there promptly at 1 o’clock. For every time he had done so things had happened to him — Charles Dickensy things that swelled his waistcoat above his heart, and equally on the other side.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
But today Stuffy Pete’s appearance at the annual trysting place seemed to have been rather the result of habit than of the yearly hunger which, as the philanthropists seem to think, afflicts the poor at such extended intervals. Certainly Pete was not hungry. He had just come from a feast that had left him of his powers barely those of respiration and locomotion. His eyes were like two pale gooseberries firmly imbedded in a swollen and gravy-smeared mask of putty. His breath came in short wheezes; a senatorial roll of adipose tissue denied a fashionable set to his upturned coat collar. Buttons that had been sewed upon his clothes by kind Salvation fingers a week before flew like popcorn, strewing the earth around him. Ragged he was, with a split shirt front open to the wishbone; but the November breeze, carrying fine snowflakes, brought him only a grateful coolness. For Stuffy Pete was overcharged with the caloric produced by a super-bountiful dinner, beginning with oysters and ending with plum pudding, and including (it seemed to him) all the roast turkey and baked potatoes and chicken
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salad and squash pie and ice cream in the world. Wherefore he sat, gorged, and gazed upon the world with after-dinner contempt. The meal had been an unexpected one. He was passing a red brick mansion near the beginning of Fifth Avenue, in which lived two old ladies of ancient family and a reverence for traditions. They even denied the existence of New York, and believed that Thanksgiving Day was declared solely for Washington Square. One of their traditional habits was to station a servant at the postern gate with orders to admit the first hungry wayfarer that came along after the hour of noon had struck, and banquet him to a finish. Stuffy Pete happened to pass by on his way to the park, and the seneschals gathered him in and upheld the custom of the castle. After Stuffy Pete had gazed straight before him for ten minutes he was conscious of a desire for a more varied field of vision. With a tremendous effort he moved his head slowly to the left. And then his eyes bulged out fearfully, and his breath ceased, and the rough-shod ends of his short legs wriggled and rustled on the gravel. For the Old Gentleman was coming across Fourth Avenue toward his bench. Every Thanksgiving Day for nine years the Old Gentleman had come there and found Stuffy Pete on his bench. That was a thing that the Old Gentleman was trying to make a tradition of. Every Thanksgiving Day for nine years he had found Stuffy there, and had led him to a restaurant and watched him eat a big dinner. They do those things in England unconsciously. But this is a young country, and nine years is not so bad. The Old Gentleman was a staunch American patriot, and considered himself a pioneer in American tradition. In order to become picturesque we must keep on doing one thing for a long time without ever letting it get away from us. Something like collecting the weekly dimes in industrial insurance. Or cleaning the streets. The Old Gentleman moved, straight and stately, toward the Institution that he was rearing. Truly, the annual feeding of Stuffy Pete was nothing national in its character, such as the Magna Carta or jam for breakfast was in England. But it was a step. It was almost feudal. It showed, at least, that a Custom was not impossible to New Y — ahem! — America.
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The Old Gentleman was thin and tall and sixty. He was dressed all in black, and wore the old-fashioned kind of glasses that won’t stay on your nose. His hair was whiter and thinner than it had been last year, and he seemed to make more use of his big, knobby cane with the crooked handle. As his established benefactor came up Stuffy wheezed and shuddered like some woman’s over-fat pug when a street dog bristles up at him. He would have flown, but all the skill of SantosDumont could not have separated him from his bench. Well had the myrmidons of the two old ladies done their work. “Good morning,” said the Old Gentleman. “I am glad to perceive that the vicissitudes of another year have spared you to move in health about the beautiful world. For that blessing alone this day of thanksgiving is well proclaimed to each of us. If you will come with me, my man, I will provide you with a dinner that should make your physical being accord with the mental.” That is what the Old Gentleman said every time. Every Thanksgiving Day for nine years. The words themselves almost formed an Institution. Nothing could be compared with them except the Declaration of Independence. Always before they had been music in Stuffy’s ears. But now he looked up at the Old Gentleman’s face with tearful agony in his own. The fine snow almost sizzled when it fell upon his perspiring brow. But the Old Gentleman shivered a little and turned his back to the wind. Stuffy had always wondered why the Old Gentleman spoke his speech rather sadly. He did not know that it was because he was wishing every time that he had a son to succeed him. A son who would come there after he was gone — a son who would stand proud and strong before some subsequent Stuffy, and say: “In memory of my father.” Then it would be an Institution. But the Old Gentleman had no relatives. He lived in rented rooms in one of the decayed old family brownstone mansions in one of the quiet streets east of the park. In the winter he raised fuchsias in a little conservatory the size of a steamer trunk. In the spring he walked in the Easter parade. In the summer he lived at a farmhouse in the New Jersey hills, and sat in a wicker armchair, speaking of a butterfly, the ornithoptera amphrisius, that he hoped to find some day. In the autumn he fed Stuffy a dinner. These were the Old Gentleman’s occupations. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Stuffy Pete looked up at him for a half minute, stewing and helpless in his own self-pity. The Old Gentleman’s eyes were bright with the giving-pleasure. His face was getting more lined each year, but his little black necktie was in as jaunty a bow as ever, and the linen was beautiful and white, and his gray mustache was curled carefully at the ends. And then Stuffy made a noise that sounded like peas bubbling in a pot. Speech was intended; and as the Old Gentleman had heard the sounds nine times before, he rightly construed them into Stuffy’s old formula of acceptance. “Thankee, sir. I’ll go with ye, and much obliged. I’m very hungry, sir.” The coma of repletion had not prevented from entering Stuffy’s mind the conviction that he was the basis of an Institution. His Thanksgiving appetite was not his own; it belonged by all the sacred rights of established custom, if not, by the actual Statute of Limitations, to this kind old gentleman who had preempted it. True, America is free; but in order to establish tradition some one must be a repetend — a repeating decimal. The heroes are not all heroes of steel and gold. See one here that wielded only weapons of iron, badly silvered, and tin. The Old Gentleman led his annual protégé southward to the restaurant, and to the table where the feat had always occurred. They were recognized. “Here comes de old guy,” said a waiter, “dat blows dat same bum to a meal every Thanksgiving.” The Old Gentleman sat across the table glowing like a smoked pearl at his cornerstone of future ancient Tradition. The waiters heaped the table with holiday food — and Stuffy, with a sigh that was mistaken for hunger’s expression, raised a knife and fork and carved for himself a crown of imperishable bay. No more valiant hero ever fought his way through the ranks of an enemy. Turkey, chops, soups, vegetables, pies, disappeared before him as fast as they could be served. Gorged nearly to the uttermost when he entered the restaurant, the smell of food had almost caused him to lose his honor as a gentleman, but he rallied like a true knight. He saw the look of beneficent happiness on the The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Old Gentleman’s face — a happier look than ever the fuchsias and the ornithoptera amphrisius had ever brought to it — and he had not the heart to see it wane. In an hour Stuffy leaned back with a battle won. “Thankee kindly, sir,” he puffed like a leaky steam pipe; “thankee kindly for a hearty meal.” Then he arose heavily with glazed eyes and started toward the kitchen. A waiter turned him about like a top, and pointed him toward the door. The Old Gentleman carefully counted out $1.30 in silver change, leaving three nickels for the waiter. They parted as they did each year at the door, the Old Gentleman going south, Stuffy north. Around the first corner Stuffy turned, and stood for one minute. Then he seemed to puff out his rags as an owl puffs out his feathers, and fell to the sidewalk like a sunstricken horse. When the ambulance came the young surgeon and the driver cursed softly at his weight. There was no smell of whiskey to justify a transfer to the patrol wagon, so Stuffy and his two dinners went to the hospital. There they stretched him on a bed and began to test him for strange diseases, with the hope of getting a chance at some problem with the bare steel. And lo! an hour later another ambulance brought the Old Gentleman. And they laid him on another bed and spoke of appendicitis, for he looked good for the bill. But pretty soon one of the young doctors met one of the young nurses whose eyes he liked, and stopped to chat with her about the cases. “That nice old gentleman over there, now,” he said, “you wouldn’t think that was a case of almost starvation. Proud old family, I guess. He told me he hadn’t eaten a thing for three days.” PS Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, O. Henry (William Sidney Porter, 1862-1910) published “Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen” in 1907 in the collection The Trimmed Lamp and Other Stories. It has been lightly edited for a 21st century audience. PineStraw 79
Painting by Linda Hartough
The 1991 Tour Championship: Pinehurst’s pivotal event By Bill Case
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GOING
O
n Sept. 9, 2020, the United States Golf Association issued a groundbreaking announcement naming Pinehurst Course No. 2 as its first anchor site for the U.S. Open. The Open would be contested on No. 2 in 2029, ’35, ’41 and ’47 in addition to the already scheduled 2024 championship. Pinehurst owner, Bob Dedman Jr., expressed profound gratification with the singular honor. “Eight U.S. Opens in less than 50 years is a real testament to our partnership” said Dedman. “As players have often said, ‘It’s not just what you win, but where you win that matters.’”
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
S O U T H
For the Pinehurst Resort and Course No. 2 to achieve such recognition would have seemed like a pipe dream 40 years before. Following a decade of ill-fated management decisions by the resort’s then-owner, Diamondhead Corporation, the floundering company’s assets had been placed under the control of a consortium of its creditor-banks in 1980. And those lenders, looking to find a liquid buyer to take the resort’s assets off their books, were understandably loath to pour fresh money into Pinehurst. As annual losses exceeded $1,000,000, the banks grew increasingly desperate to find a buyer. Most of the major hotel chains kicked the tires but shied away, concluding the propPineStraw 81
erty was ruined beyond redemption. The lone exception was Dallas-based ClubCorp, which operated over 140 clubs — city as well as golf and country clubs — throughout America. The company’s charismatic owner and founder, Robert Dedman Sr., was intrigued with Pinehurst. “It was a logical fit,” he said. “We were already into golf in a big way, and we knew more about managing golf than other companies.” Dedman Sr. also viewed Pinehurst’s tradition and history as major pluses. “It had held a PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup,” he said. “Course No. 2 was one of the best in the world. It had Donald Ross and all the magic that goes along with that.” However, he had no interest in acquiring the Carolina Hotel (then the Pinehurst Hotel) as part of the transaction. When the banks’ representative insisted it be included, Dedman reluctantly agreed. ClubCorp bought the resort in its entirety in 1984. Three years later, looking to hire a new president to oversee and upgrade the resort’s operations, Dedman hired 36-year-old Pat Corso. Prior to his arrival in Pinehurst (where he first managed the Holly Inn), the Logansport, Indiana, native had spent his adult life working in the hospitality industry in Michigan — famously beginning as a singing waiter. Never had he dealt with a property in such dire condition as Pinehurst. “The entire infrastructure, inside and out, was in bad shape,” remembers Corso. “The ice bin floor in the kitchen fell through and a worker with it. A section of the porte-cochere at the Carolina’s front entrance collapsed. The hotel rooms had shag carpeting from the ’70s that had to go. All the windowpanes were rotting off.” The golf courses also needed work. Longtime director of golf course maintenance Bob Farren says that when he joined the greenkeeping staff in 1982, the courses were in “horrible condition.” ClubCorp promptly began the long and expensive task of rehabbing the resort, inside and out. Despite his relative inexperience in the golf business, Corso quickly sensed that for Pinehurst to regain its lost stature it needed to bring important tournaments back to Course No. 2. “Everyone working at the resort knew No. 2 was our greatest asset,” he says, “and staging big events on it was the way to put the
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course, and Pinehurst itself, back on the map.” How big? Why not aim at the pinnacle — the U.S. Open? “We realized that obtaining the Open would be an incredible challenge, but whether we achieved that goal or not, we believed that by trying, a lot of good things would happen along the way.” First, Dedman Sr. needed to be convinced that luring major championships to Course No. 2 was a financially worthwhile objective. Diamondhead had staged an annual PGA Tour tournament on Course No. 2 from 1973 to 1982 (successively the World Open Golf Championship, the Colgate Hall of Fame Classic, and the Hall of Fame Tournament). Attendance had gradually declined, Colgate ended its sponsorship, and the event was unceremoniously terminated. Hosting a tournament would involve upfront costs and lost revenue. “I would say Bob Sr. was initially skeptical,” says Corso, “but he was a boss who really trusted his people. His management philosophy was, ‘The less I do, the better we do.’ Once he gave the go-ahead, Bob became an enthusiastic backer.” Pinehurst’s director of golf in 1987 was Mike Sanders, a prominent PGA pro who shared Corso’s vision. He was able to arrange for Pinehurst to host two prestigious, though admittedly low-key, tournaments on No. 2: the 1988 PGA Club Professional Championship, and the 1989 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Both Corso and Sanders considered those tournaments to be good preliminary steps toward the ultimate goal. Shortly after the tournaments were announced, Sanders resigned from the resort to focus on a new golf development, Pinehurst National (much later, Pinehurst Course No. 9). With the PGA Club Pro Championship looming, Corso needed a new and experienced director of golf, and fast. He reached out to a fellow Hoosier, Don Padgett II, the 39-year-old director of golf at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. A ClubCorp sister club, Firestone hosted the NEC World Series of Golf in ’87 and had been the site of three PGA Championships. Padgett wasn’t ready to leave Firestone but did have a recommendation. “What you need is someone like my dad,” he said. The elder Don Padgett, then 62, was known throughout the golf industry. He was president of the PGA of America in ’77 and ’78. The list of golf contacts in his Rolodex (a thing back then) was voluminous. Corso was taken by surprise. “I’ve heard so much about your dad for so many years,” he said. “I thought he must be dead.” Given the importance of the hire, Corso sought advice from LPGA great Peggy Kirk Bell. He drove over to Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, found Peggy in the lobby, and asked her opinion. “You could not make a better choice,” she said. “Mrs. Bell’s endorsement made a young guy making a big decision confident he was heading down the right path,” says Corso. When it was offered, Don II urged his father to take the position but it took some doing — the elder Padgett had recently accepted a club position out West. Eventually on board, however, Padgett promptly established collegial relationships with both Corso and Dedman Sr. “My dad and Bob Dedman Sr. were kindred spirits,” says Padgett II. “Both of them came from almost nothing.” The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TUFTS ARCHIVES, PINEHURST, NC
Craig Stadler
When Padgett arrived on the scene, he took Corso under his wing. “The fact that meaningful people like Padge believed in me meant everything,” says Corso. “We went to all the big tournaments together. He introduced me to everyone he thought I needed to know. He’d station us around the putting green, or the clubhouse or by the big oak tree at Augusta — places he figured we would be most likely to encounter decision-makers. For a golf guy, Padge possessed immense political skills.” During these forays, Padgett also made an effort to connect with those tour players having a past history with No. 2. Many had fond memories of playing the course in the Hall of Fame tournaments, the North & South Amateur, or collegiately. When the PGA Club Professional Championship arrived in October 1988, Padgett and Corso gladhanded most of the 360 club pros in attendance. A significant number were Padge’s longtime friends. “We made sure the pros, whether they played well or not, had a great experience,” says Corso. “The thought was they would go home and spread the word to their members that Pinehurst was back.” Staging the event in the fall showed off No. 2 in optimum condition. The greens, recently planted with a new strain of Penncross bentgrass, were at their firmest that time of year, much more so than in July or August when the course was closed because of heat stress to the greens. Corso, Padgett and maintenance head Brad Kocher were aware that No. 2’s greens would never provide the firm, fast, putting surfaces the USGA would require for a U.S. Open in June. Pinehurst’s quest for ideal putting surfaces had been ongoing since at least 1922, when Donald Ross, hoping to replace the resort’s sand greens with turf, experimented unsuccessfully with various mixtures of fertilizer and Bermudagrass on the Holly Inn’s lawn. “I am more or less puzzled,” Leonard Tufts wrote Ross in 1929, “why good putting greens are possible at Augusta Country Club and not here? There isn’t much difference in the temperatures.” The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
The hunt for growable grass continued. Finally, in 1934, Ross and greenkeeper Frank Maples found a strain of Bermuda hardy enough to withstand winter weather. Combining that grass with a new irrigation system led to No. 2 sporting grass putting surfaces when the club hosted the 1936 PGA Championship in November. Bermuda was Pinehurst’s grass of choice for No. 2’s greens until 1972, when Diamondhead converted them to bent prior to the first World Open. But as Ross had learned a half century before, Pinehurst’s climate — located in what turf scientists referred to as an agronomic transition zone — was far from ideal for growing the types of grass then available. It was a Goldilocks dilemma: Pinehurst was too hot for bent and too cold for Bermuda. The resort had yet to discover grass that was “just right.” It was no surprise that No. 2’s greens were in noticeably iffy condition when Pinehurst hosted the U.S. Women’s Amateur in July 1989. Following the event, P.J. Boatwright, the USGA’s executive director of rules and competitions and the man who was responsible for setting the conditions of play in a U.S. Open, remarked that Course No. 2 would never host the Open. In his judgment, the Women’s Amateur proved bentgrass wouldn’t work at Pinehurst and that Bermudagrass in June would never offer surfaces fast enough for an Open. Adding to the sting of his remarks was that P.J. was a Pinehurst alum, having previously served as the Carolinas Golf Association executive director. While Boatwright oversaw rules and competitions, in 1980 the USGA had appointed a boyish-looking, bow tie-wearing David Fay as the organization’s overall executive director. Fay was determined to take the U.S. Open to publicly accessible venues beyond iconic Pebble Beach, the only such course to host the championship. Fay was open to considering venues like No. 2, Bethpage Black, Erin Hills and others. He also believed that the championship should go to every section of the country, even if one of those places was in the North Carolina Sandhills, far from major metropolitan areas and even farther from the blue blood clubs the USGA was so accustomed to in the Northeast. “They called what I was proposing ‘Fay’s Folly,’” says Fay. “I felt that if my concept didn’t work out, my job could be on the line.” Nonetheless, the possibility that the USGA might eventually consider Course No. 2 for a future Open was music to the ears of Pinehurst’s execs. They just weren’t sure how to go about making that happen. In the fall of 1990, an unanticipated breakthrough occurred when Don Padgett received a telephone call from an old friend, PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman. As a member of the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council, Padge had played a significant role in Beman’s initial hiring as commissioner. The PineStraw 83
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The Tour Championship featured all of 1991’s major champions: the wee Welshman Ian Woosnam (Masters), sartorially splendent Payne Stewart (U.S. Open), urbane Australian Ian Baker-Finch (Open Championship) and sensational young bomber John Daly (PGA). Stars like Fred Couples, Nick Price and leading money winner Corey Pavin also made the field. Longer shots Craig Stadler and lefthander Russ Cochran qualified in the bottom third of the field of 30. Cochran had won that year’s Western Open, but former Masters champion Stadler had gone winless in America for seven years. For Corso, Pinehurst demonstrated a magical quality during the championship. “It had something to do with starting on Halloween, the crisp weather, and big-time golf returning to No. 2,” says Corso. “Also, the cooler weather was perfect for our bentgrass greens.” David Fay rarely attended PGA Tour events. But given his interest in staging majors on publicly accessible courses, he was not going to miss this one. “I was very interested to see how the course would play for the Tour Championship,” he says. “I was interested to see if people would get romantic about the course. I was anxious to see if time had passed it by.” Thursday’s first round resulted in a four-way tie at the top, which included Daly and Baker-Finch along with Stadler and Cochran all shooting nifty 68s. Stadler, nicknamed the Walrus, bunked in at Pine Needles, where he reunited with collegiate golf buddy and former Tour player Pat McGowan. “Bonnie (Pat’s wife) and I had a great time with Craig and his wife. Mrs. Bell (Pat’s mother-in-law) was there too,” says McGowan. “We ate lots of barbecue. The fact that Stads was playing well made it especially fun.” McGowan remembers that his friend complained about having trouble hitting his 3-wood and turned to a 1-iron instead. “I handed him a Founders Club 3-wood of mine, and he hit a few with it,” says McGowan. “He liked the club and stuck it in his bag.” In the second round, Stadler and Cochran shot 68 again. They were joined at the top of the leaderboard by Nick Price and Paul Azinger. As temperatures dropped during round three, the scores went up. Despite shooting one-over-par 72s, Stadler and Cochran remained tied at the top. Cochran advised the press that he “hated” the prevailing chilly weather, that he’d rather play in the rain. When the Walrus was asked his strategy for dealing with the cold, he pithily answered, “I’ll put my sweater on.” Stadler and Cochran were paired together in the fourth round’s final grouping. They were still tied for the lead on the 18th, where Stadler faced a 5-foot putt to force a playoff. To his relief, he rolled it in. “I made a good putt on 18, and that was more of a surprise than anything,” he said. The playoff commenced in a drizzle on the par-5 16th, where both players made birdies with Stadler The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PHOTOGRAPH FROM PAT CORSO
subject Beman wanted to discuss was whether Pinehurst would be interested in hosting the Nabisco Tour Championship the following October. The Tour Championship was first conceived by Beman in 1987 as a means of extending the tour’s golf season and bringing it to an exciting conclusion. Only the season’s top 30 money winners qualified for the event, and the $3 million purse was the highest on tour. The first four Tour Championships were contested from ’87 to ’90 at revered venues: Oak Hill, Pebble Beach, Harbour Town and Houston Champions. A shrewd negotiator, initially Beman wanted Pinehurst to pay a site fee of $500,000 and hold the championship in early October — high season for golf vacationers in Pinehurst. Padgett refrained from making any commitment to Beman. He reported the call to Corso and asked him what he wanted to do. Corso turned the question around. “What do you want to do?” And though hosting the championship would represent another giant step for the resort and No. 2, Padgett replied, “Let’s play hard to get.” So they did. Like many current and former players, Beman had a sentimental Pat Corso and Don Padgett side when it came to Pinehurst. During his collegiate years at the University of Maryland, he and his golf teammates made frequent trips to the Sandhills, and he became a huge fan of Course No. 2. A two-time U.S. Amateur champion and four-time winner on the PGA Tour, Beman had competed on the course both as an amateur in the North & South, and as a professional in the World Open. Believing No. 2 was being unfairly “overlooked,” Beman was eager to return the Donald Ross masterpiece to the limelight. Since the Tour already had a relationship with ClubCorp through its tournaments at Firestone and Don Padgett II, the relationship with the resort was something of a known commodity. Beman dropped his demand for a site fee and agreed to move the tournament’s starting date to Oct. 31 — Halloween. Beman knew there would likely be “several guys qualifying who, like me, had played No. 2 collegiately or at Hall of Fame tournaments. I knew they’d appreciate the chance to compete on the course again and would work hard to make the field.” He was right about that. Chip Beck, reared in Fayetteville and a two-time winner of the Donald Ross Junior Invitational on Course No. 2, was “thrilled out of my mind” to be playing No. 2 after qualifying 16th on the money list. Wake Forest alumni Lanny Wadkins and Billy Andrade qualified 12th and 14th, respectively. In his time at Wake, Andrade and his Demon Deacon teammates frequently drove from Winston-Salem to play No. 2. “It was just enough warmer in Pinehurst to be good for golf, and it was beautiful,” says Andrade, who had also won the 1986 North & South Amateur.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TUFTS ARCHIVES, PINEHURST, NC
argument that the USGA should “Go west!” smashing a terrific second shot onto the green in ’99. Alarm bells began clanging for the with McGowan’s 3-wood. Pinehurst delegation. Then committee chair On the 190-yard par-3 17th, Stadler struck Reg Murphy, destined to be a future USGA a brilliant 5-iron that spun to a stop 6 feet president, stepped in and cut Mastalir off. from the hole. Cochran’s shot came up well “No!” said Murphy with authority. “The ’99 short of the green. “Somebody was jumping Open is going south!” around in the bleachers right when I took “When Reg said that,” Corso recalls, “the it back,” the frustrated southpaw said. He air went out of my lungs. I knew ‘south’ meant recovered well to within 4 feet of the cup, Pinehurst.” Still a bit in disbelief at what he’d but Stadler sealed the deal by holing his just heard, Corso glanced over at his director birdie putt. The record prize of $360,000 of golf. “When I saw Padge smile and nod his catapulted him to second on the money list head, I knew that we were going to get the behind Pavin. Open at long last.” The jubilant Stadler celebrated by treatThere was more discussion, of course. The ing McGowan and the Pine Needles contincommittee sought assurance that No. 2’s greens gent to $300 worth of Chinese food. “$300 would be changed out, and that course superbought a lot of Chinese food in 1991,” says intendent Brad Kocher would partner with McGowan with a smile. the USGA’s agronomist in the process. The Just about everyone associated with the Deane Beman and Craig Stadler Pinehurst representatives immediately agreed. tournament was happy. Padgett had been Kocher already had a new type of creeping concerned that No. 2 might not pose a bentgrass in mind. Joseph Dutch was busy at Penn State develstiff enough challenge for the current crop of PGA stalwarts, oping a new strain (Penn G-2), which was being hailed as wellbut Stadler’s winning total of 5-under-par 279 demonstrated suited for Pinehurst. With that understanding, the committee otherwise. “Where has this been all my life?” said Baker-Finch. approved No. 2 as the prospective site for the 1999 U.S. Open. “You could play a U.S. Open here, without rough, without doing anything.” Beman quickly requested that Pinehurst host the Tour The USGA formally announced its selection the following year at Baltusrol Golf Club’s U.S. Open. Championship again in 1992. In 1992, Pinehurst hosted its second Tour Championship. Paul David Fay gushed praise for everything he’d witnessed at the championship: the smooth logistics, the large crowds, the support Azinger won with a score of 276. The course was “as tough as any I’ve seen,” said Azinger. In ’94, No. 2 was the site for the U.S. of the event from distant North Carolina companies, and the Senior Open. By then, Corso had established a new entity to opmagical atmosphere of the town and Course No. 2. As a baseball erate tournaments for Pinehurst. It included Jon Wagner, formerly aficionado, he likened the ambience of No. 2 to baseball cathefrom the PGA Tour; Reg Jones, who later joined the USGA; drals like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. If Fay had harbored and Tom Pashley, now Pinehurst’s president. No. 2’s greens were reservations about Pinehurst and No. 2 as a U.S. Open site, the converted to Penn G-2 bentgrass in time for the ’99 Open. (The Tour Championship had dispelled them — except for the condistrain had been initially planted on the greens of Pinehurst’s new tion of the greens. No. 8, opened in 1996.) Kocher had the new greens in spectacuThe tournament was a hit in the press, too. Corso rememlar condition for Payne Stewart’s final putt, the most legendary bers the eloquent and heartfelt praise both the town and moment in Pinehurst’s incredible golf history. course received on television and in print from golf writers Bob Dedman Sr. and Don “Padge” Padgett were in attenRon Green Sr., Tim Rosaforte and Jaime Diaz, as well as dance. Both savored what they had wrought, but neither lived broadcaster Jack Whitaker. “Whether it was the church bells pealing, the legacy of Donald Ross, or the quaint New England to see Pinehurst’s second Open in 2005. Corso would retire from the presidency in 2004, moving on to other ventures. Don town the Tufts built,” says Corso, “their pieces captured Padgett II succeeded his father at the resort, and together with Pinehurst’s unique atmosphere.” Bob Dedman Jr. further shepherded Pinehurst into its remarkRiding the wave of the Tour Championship and the golf able renaissance, including one more revamping of the greens world’s rediscovered affection for Pinehurst, the resort’s bid to to Champion Ultradwarf Bermuda. After a century of efforts, obtain a U.S. Open was gaining steam. It seemed that goal was Pinehurst finally discovered a grass that was “just right.” within reach in June of 1992 when the USGA’s Championship The younger “Padge” is the first to acknowledge what the Tour Committee invited the resort to send a delegation to a meeting in Championship meant. “It brought Course No. 2 back into the Pebble Beach at that year’s Open. The committee was considercenter of big-time golf,” he says. “The ’99 Open would never have ing Course No. 2 as a potential venue for the 1999 U.S. Open. happened without the Tour Championship.” PS The moment Dedman Sr., Corso and Padgett thought might never come to pass was suddenly at hand. Pinehurst resident Bill Case is PineStraw’s history man. He can be Corso recalls that early on in the meeting, M.J. Mastalir, reached at billcasewrites@gmail.com. a committee member from Colorado, made an impassioned The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Design for community, utility and beauty By Jenna Biter • Photographs by John Gessner
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late blue doors open into a rancher that’s full. Four kids ages 9 to 13 pad through the halls, and friends gather in the kitchen on Soup Sundays and Muffins and Mimosas. Dogs and cats lounge on the deck. Several are permanent members of the family; the rest are visitors. More than a hundred puppies and kittens have sheltered with the Quinlans since they moved into the buff brick house eight years ago. “We foster animals, and it’s really fun,” Sarah Quinlan says. “The kids get really involved in their care.” When the family of six moved into the 4,000-square-foot house near Reservoir Park, Quinlan intentionally remodeled the space to accommodate all the traffic and love of a young family, without sacrificing beauty. “There are a lot of people out there who think when they have young kids it’s not the time to invest in making their house nice,” she says. “And to me, it’s the opposite.” Quinlan values community, utility and beauty in her approach to interior design. That’s true whether she’s designing for her family or her clients. Quinlan launched her home-staging and interior design firm,
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The Bold Buffalo, a year ago. “It has a distinctly Western style,” says Quinlan, who grew up in Butte, a small town in wide-open Montana. She still misses home, so she brings home to her through interior design. The aesthetic has been well received in the Sandhills, so she leans in. “Some of the color palette is the Ralph Lauren hunting lodge vibe that people who are into horses really like,” says Quinlan. The mount of an axis deer hangs over the fireplace. A neutral palette complements wood, leather, wool and stone, all served up in generous portions. Quinlan likes maximalism and the oversized. She also likes a good deal. “Literally everything in the house is thrifted,” she says. She shopped Facebook Marketplace and thrift stores around town. Part of that decision was necessity. To achieve her vision on the family’s single military income, Quinlan had to do it on a budget. “My husband jokes that I play Price Is Right anytime anyone walks in because as soon as they’re like, ‘Oh, I like your couch,’ I’m like, ‘Guess how much I paid for it?’” Quinlan says. A steal of a half-moon leather sofa is a main feature in the yawning, 1,500-square-foot living/dining/kitchen space that wasn’t always so open. The space was originally sectioned off into four rooms, but Quinlan had the walls demolished.
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“People could not see it,” she says, guessing at why the house sat on the market for two years before the Quinlans moved in. They replaced red front doors with the slate blue and totally remade the foyer. She heightened the drama by dousing the space in black and accenting it with floral wallpaper. A dramatic seascape sails across one wall. When it comes to art, Quinlan’s philosophy is buy big; if it’s not big, hang it in a space where it looks big; more is better; and buy original when possible. One of her favorite pieces is the 19th-century Danish original she purchased for less than $500 on Facebook Marketplace. As for family photos, she prefers a candid shot to a staged portrait that lacks personality. “If I can’t tell what your favorite animal is or where you’ve gone on vacation by walking through your house, then it’s not doing its job of telling a story,” says Quinlan. She designed the kitchen so dishes could be put away by a 4-year-old, and the iron-legged barstools under the island’s overhang were an intentional choice. “I know
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kids are going to sit there kicking their feet on the barstools, and I know foster puppies love to chew the legs of everything,” Quinlan says. “I make very specific decisions on materials and on things being dual purpose so that we can gather and have community here.” Quinlan has filled the gap of extended family back home with military family and neighborhood community. Local kids check books in and out of the Quinlans’ library with a stamp. Military friends come over multiple times per month for recurring events. Every year, they host a comedian in their outdoor living space with at least 50 guests comfortably in attendance. “I’ve seen a lot of people that have comfortable homes, and I’ve seen a lot of people that have beautiful homes,” Quinlan says. She aims to deliver both. PS Discover Sarah Quinlan’s services and portfolio at theboldbuffalo.com. Jenna Biter is a writer and military wife in the Sandhills. She can be reached at jennabiter@protonmail.com.
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A L M A N A C
November By Ashley Walshe
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ovember says come to the table, come hungry, come as you are. The collards are slow cooking with onion. Aromatics sizzle on the stovetop. Outside, chickadees and titmice chatter in the underbrush. Come as you are. Through the window, a swirl of crimson leaves takes flight, stripping the maple of its autumn color. You study the tree’s thin, ascending branches; its nakedness; its graceful surrender. Your face and shoulders soften. Who are we beneath the surface, beneath the armor, beneath our own resistance? The cornbread is ready. Company arrives with casserole and pie. The children arrive as invited, sneaking cookies from the countertop before bounding back outside. Hands keep busy. Place settings and chairs are rearranged. An old guitar is being tuned on the front porch. The kitchen is a whir of movement and chatter. Through the window, the children shuffle leaves into crimson landing pads. A wren blasts his brassy song through the neighboring forest. At last, let us gather at the table with our joys and our sorrows. The heaviness of our losses. The grace of our endless blessings. Look around. Take in the beauty of these hands — all they have built and held and tended; all they have released. Study these eyes, the laugh and worry lines, the wisdom and the innocence. Are we not just like the trees, shaped, too, by wind and sun? Surrendering to life’s seasons in our own perfect timing? May we be gentle with each other. May we seek the simple wisdom of the earth and her children. May we nourish ourselves completely.
November Scavenger Hunt A buck moth on a bright autumn day. Vagrant rufous hummingbird. Red, orange, yellow and burgundy leaves. Snapdragons. A bark-stripped tree from a white-tailed buck. White-throated sparrows. Chimney smoke. Flowering witch hazel. Wood ducks on the water.
Songs of Thanks The trees offer their leaves back to the earth that holds them. Can you hear the soil humming songs of thanks? And what of the caterpillars? Luna moths spin their silk cocoons among leaf litter, where woolly bears lie frozen until the return of spring. Firefly larvae tuck themselves beneath the thick, damp duff. Frogs, toads, turtles, snakes and salamanders nestle beneath its safety, too. Spring herself will give thanks for this humble offering; this blanket of darkness; this quiet, maternal embrace. You’re welcome, the trees sing back. And thank you.
It was one of those early November mornings that are as beautiful as any in spring. There was gold everywhere, drifts of it on the elm tree, flakes of gold under our feet, gold dust on the hedges, liquid gold in the refracted falling light. — Elizabeth Goudge, The Dean’s Watch
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As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can make a positive impact on our community. Many local organizations are working tirelessly to improve the quality of life in Moore County, and they depend on the generosity of people like you. In the following pages, you’ll find PineStraw Magazine’s Guide to Giving, which features a curated selection of charitable organizations in our area that rely on the generosity of community members. We encourage you to get involved - whether through donation, volunteering or spreading the word. Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a role in advancing their important work and creating a stronger, more vibrant community for all of us. • U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum • Arts Council of Moore County • Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills • C.A.R.E. Group, Inc. • Caring Hearts for Canines • Companion Animal Clinic Foundation • Family Promise of Moore County • Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra • Friend to Friend • The Foundation of FirstHealth • Life Care Pregnancy Center • Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills • Mira Foundation • Moore County Community Foundation • Moore Free & Charitable Clinic
• Penick Village Foundation • P.E.O. International • Prancing Horse • Samaritan Colony • Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge • Sandhills Children’s Center • Sandhills Coalition • Sandhills Community College Foundation • Special Olympics • Surgical Wings • Tambra Place • Three Rivers Land Trust • United Way of Moore County • Wesley Pines Retirement Community • Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities
Guide to Giving is made possible thanks to the generosity of our local business sponsors, who are committed to supporting these vital causes. 96 PineStraw
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Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation Their legacy deserves to endure. You can help ensure it does. Behind every artifact is a Soldier’s story. Behind every story is a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and service that deserves to be carried forward. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation supports the U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum in preserving and sharing the history of America’s Airborne and Special Operations Soldiers. Your generosity helps connect visitors with the people behind the history and ensures future generations understand the cost of the freedoms we enjoy.
Give by December 31, 2026, and your impact could double. Thanks to the Pritzker Military Foundation, eligible gifts to the Legacy Fund will be matched
dollar for dollar through December 31. Firsttime donors and supporters who have not donated within the past three years qualify for this matching opportunity.
100 Bragg Blvd. Fayetteville, NC 28301 910.643.2778 www.asomf.org
A $50 gift becomes $100. A $100 gift becomes $200. Every eligible dollar goes twice as far to support the mission.
Your gift helps us: • Preserve historic artifacts and the stories they carry. • Support educational programs that connect visitors with Airborne and Special Operations history. • Support exhibits that honor Soldiers’ service and sacrifice. This Giving Tuesday and throughout the giving season, help carry their legacy forward. Honor their service. Preserve their stories. Make your impact count.
How to Give: Donate at www.asomf.org/donate/. You can also support the Foundation by attending fundraising events, shopping at the Museum Store, or volunteering. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Arts Council of Moore County Mission
Founded in 1973, the Arts Council of Moore County (ACMC) inspires and strengthens our community through the arts. ACMC is an official partner of the NC Arts Council and our county’s designated agency for regional arts.
Programs
Activities include programs for 15,000+ students, exhibits for 550+ local and national artists, concerts by world-class musicians, support for area artists, and scholarships for talented children. Other programs include Artours to destinations of cultural interest, Autumnfest in partnership with the Town of Southern Pines, support for area arts organizations with grants, and an online arts directory. Many of ACMC’s programs are free and open to the public.
Campbell House
Become a Member
ACMC would not exist without the support of its members. Membership benefits include early access and reduced pricing to ticketed events, subscription to the ACMC program guide and e-newsletter and free art receptions. Learn more: mooreart.org/join-now
Year End Gift
Help us reach thousands of children in Moore County schools, showcase regional artists, present amazing galleries and concerts and award scholarships through a charitable donation.
482 E. Connecticut Ave. Southern Pines, NC 910-692-2787 MooreArt.org
Donate by: Gifts of Cash Gifts of Appreciated Stocks & Bonds DAF IRA Rollover Gifts
Our art gallery and offices are at Campbell House, one of our region’s most significant landmarks, located in a picturesque 14-acre park in Southern Pines. For more than 100 years, Campbell House has been a beacon of culture, enhancing and influencing civic life.
How to Give: Visit mooreart.org/waystogive
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Family Promise of Moore County Mission
Stabilization Program
To provide shelter, food, and opportunity to help families experiencing homelessness or financial insecurity achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.
Continued case management services after a family exits shelter into their own place. This program reduces the risk of a family’s re-entry into homelessness.
Prevention Program
Who We Serve
Families experiencing homelessness or financial insecurity.
Helping Families that are at imminent risk of homelessness and includes case management to determine solutions.
Shelter Program
Diversion Program
For families experiencing homelessness. We can shelter 4 families at a time, that consists of a mother with minor children. Each family is provided with a bedroom with private bathroom for their family. The kitchen, dining, inside and outside play areas and TV room are common areas that the families share. Families will work with Case Manager for a plan to achieve sustainability including job searches, childcare and saving for their eventual move.
Shelter/Offices: 400 Saunders Blvd Aberdeen, NC 28315 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1173, Aberdeen, NC 28315 910.944.7149 contactus@fpofmc.org
Helping Families that we are unable to bring into shelter. This program includes case management to determine solutions.
Upcoming Events
Our annual fundraiser, Harvest the Promise, is held on the second Thursday of October every year. The scheduled date of the next Harvest the Promise is October 14, 2027.
How to Give: fpofmc.org or Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1173, Aberdeen, NC 28315 This page made possible by Emerald Painting The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra Mission The mission of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is to educate, entertain, and inspire the citizens of the Fayetteville, North Carolina region as the leading musical resource. Who We Serve The FSO serves Fayetteville and surrounding cities in Cumberland County by providing highquality concerts and performance opportunities. Upcoming Events 11/14 Dirk Meyer conducts Brahms 1 12/12 Messiah with Cumberland Choral Arts 1/23 Duo Shen conducts Dvorak 8 Fundraising Goal This year, the FSO welcomes four conductors to the stage, auditioning to become the next Music Director of the Symphony. Our support will allow us to complete this comprehensive search, select the best candidate to lead the FSO,
and maintain the high-quality programming you expect from our concerts. Volunteer Visit fayettevillesymphony.org/volunteer to learn about volunteer opportunities and join our volunteer email list. Contact Find us online at FayettevilleSymphony.org and on Facebook and Instagram @faysymphony. For questions and more information, please email info@fayettevillesymphony.org or call (910) 433-4690.
214 Burgess Street, Fayetteville NC 28301 910.433.4690 fayettevillesymphony.org
How to Give The FSO accepts donations of all kinds and sizes. Visit our website or email edirector@fayettevillesymphony.org for more information about how your gift can support the future of live music in Fayetteville.
How to Give: Visit fayettevillesymphony.org or email edirector@fayettevillesymphony.org
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Moore County Community Foundation Our Mission
The Moore County Community Foundation transforms collective generosity into a permanent source of community support. Founded in 1991, MCCF works to increase philanthropic giving and establish endowments in the community. MCCF is part of the North Carolina Community Foundation network and is led by a local volunteer advisory board that understands community needs.
Our Grantmaking
Each year, MCCF’s advisory board uses dollars from its endowment funds to make grants to eligible local organizations, including nonprofits, local governments, schools and churches.
2026 Awards Given
The Moore County Community Foundation awarded $115,450 in grants to local nonprofit organizations from its community grantmaking fund and other board-advised funds: • American Red Cross for emergency support for Moore County families in crisis • The Arc of Moore County for Support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities • Arts Council of Moore County for PAMS Program & ACMC Youth Theatre • Autism Society of North Carolina for Autism Resource Specialists in Moore County • Blue Star Families Greater Fayetteville Region Chapter for Blue Star Families Community Coffee – Moore County • The CARE Group Inc., to support adult and family success • Caring Hearts for Canines for spay and neuter program • Family Promise of Moore County for family and rental assistance • Friend to Friend for Financial Stability for Successful Outcomes • Girls on the Run Sandhills to support program expansion • Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills, Inc. for Moore County Repair 2027 • Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc., to support Moore County residents in need of legal services • Made4Me, Inc. for Making Abilities Possible • Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills, Inc., for Wheels for Meals • Moore Buddies Mentoring for school suspension alternative
• Moore Free & Charitable Clinic for general operating support • North Carolina Symphony for Education Concert for Moore County Students • Northern Moore Family Resource Center for HOPE Academy Preschool Food Program • Our Saviour Lutheran Church of Southern Pines for Matthew 25 Ministry • Partners for Children & Families for Essentials Care Pantry • Pretty in Pink Foundation to eliminate financial barriers to breast cancer treatment in Moore County • Sandhills Children’s Center for Safe Kitchen, Healthy Children Project • Sandhills Guardian Foundation for general operating support • Sandhills Machine Inc. for US Basketball Games (States vs States) • Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care for Backpack Pals • Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. for No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town! NC-Sandhills • Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities for Weymouth Equestrians 2026-27 Season
info@nccommunityfoundation.org 919-828-4387; 800-532-1349 nccommunityfoundation.org/moore
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About The North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation transforms the collective generosity of our donors into a permanent source of community support, with a focus on the state’s rural areas. NCCF partners with donors and a network of affiliates to sustain over 1,300 endowments totaling over $600 million in assets. Nearly $360 million has been awarded as grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students, creating stronger communities for generations to come.
Community Connection
Number of grants to Moore County organizations:
27
Grants in Moore County in 2026:
$115,450
How to Help: Visit our website nccommunityfoundation.org/moore
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Penick Village Philanthropy Mission As a faith-based nonprofit organization, Penick Village’s mission is to cultivate a friendly and safe community where residents have the freedom to focus on their wellness and relationships while living to life’s fullest potential. Philanthropy at Penick Village supports the ongoing care, programs, and services that make Penick Village a sanctuary of warmth and vitality for residents, staff, and the broader community. Volunteer Join a group of community and resident volunteers who support the “family” way of life unique to Penick Village. Bring entertainment, fellowship, small gifts, or homemade craft items to our residents, or help raise funds for worthy projects that benefit our residents campus-wide. Visit us online to find more information and sign up www.penickvillage.org/about-us/ volunteer-opportunities
Benevolent Assistance At Penick Village, we dedicate ourselves to cultivating connections and securing resources that ensure Penick Village continues to thrive as a place of compassion, vibrancy, and growth. How to Give Your secure online donation to Penick Village Philanthropy helps provide care, support, and opportunities that transform lives. Give today and be a part of our mission to create a brighter future. To learn more about giving opportunities visit us online at www.penickvillage.org/philanthropy
500 E. Rhode Island Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387 910.692.0363 philanthropy@penickvillage.org
ENROLL FOR SPRING SEMESTER 2026!
REGISTER TODA
Registration Starts: Spring Classes Start:
How to Give: Visit www.penickvillage.org/foundation
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Sandhills Community College Foundation, Inc. Did You Know?
Our Mission
The mission of the Sandhills Community College Foundation is to support the excellence of the college’s programs and to guarantee that all Sandhills students are able to pursue their course of study regardless of financial circumstances.
Who We Serve
We serve the faculty, staff, and students of Sandhills Community College. The Foundation ensures that donated funds are invested wisely and used in ways that contribute to the ongoing excellence of Sandhills Community College and its students.
3395 Airport Rd Pinehurst, NC 28374 910.695.3712 www.sandhills.edu 501(c)3 Tax ID #56-0946799
• A graduating class of Sandhills students increases its lifetime earnings by $162.6 million. • Sandhills Community College students see an average 41% increase in income two years after graduating, and entering the workforce with a two-year degree - the highest in NC. • A graduating class of Sandhills students creates over $750 million in added income and societal savings in NC (such as reduced crime, lower unemployment, better public health). • In every Sandhills graduating class, lives are changed forever, often for generations to come.
MAKE A GIFT:
Sandhills Community College Foundation, Inc. 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374 910.695.3712
AY:
NOV. 5 : JAN. 12
Jennifer Dail • dailj@sandhills.edu Senior Director of Development
How to Give: Mail a check to SCC Foundation • 3395 Airport Rd. Pinehurst, NC 28374
ENROLL FOR SPRING SEMESTER 2027!
REGISTER TODAY: Registration Starts: NOV. 4 Spring Classes Start: JAN. 11
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Wesley Pines Retirement Community Mission Statement The mission of The United Methodist Retirement Homes, Inc. a faith-based, nonprofit, life plan organization is to provide a lifestyle of wellness and overall enrichment, with access to long-term care for a diverse population of senior adults. Our Vision The United Methodist Retirement Homes, Inc. will be the provider of choice for retirement living and continuing care services in North Carolina.
How to Give Wesley Pines is supported by The United Methodist Retirement Homes foundation and provides funds to update amenities, build new residences, award scholarships for employees, and support benevolent care for residents who can no longer fully pay for their care. Contact 919-384-3000 to learn more.
1000 Wesley Pines Rd, Lumberton, NC 28358 (910) 738-9691 wesleypines.org
What’s lies ahead Located on a picturesque 49-acre campus, Wesley Pines has expanded to include private suites, an enlarged activity space, a new therapy suite and expanded dining options. Project will be completed in 2027.
Interested in learning more about Wesley Pines Retirement Community, contact Kimberly Walters marketing director at 910-272-3006 or kimberlyw@umrh.org.
104 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities
Home of the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame Mission Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities provides a place of inclusivity by offering literary and cultural experiences that inspire and enrich the lives of our community.
Horses Benefit Kids, Hounds on the Grounds, Author Talks and Book Signings, Writers-inResidence, Women of Weymouth, James Boyd Book Club, Song Circle Jam, Katharine Boyd Writers Circle.
Vision Weymouth will provide a facility and grounds to enrich our diverse community based upon its history while developing sustainable sources of revenue.
Get Involved at Weymouth Center! Join one of our volunteer groups — Dirt Gardeners, Weymouth Equestrians, or Women of Weymouth — or support one of our many events. We’re always grateful for helping hands!
Who We Serve Moore County community and surrounding areas, visit us online to find more information and sign up at weymouthcenter.org.
Did you know? • We have 10 horses at the historic barn. They eat 21 bales of hay a week. • We hosted over 150 writers in 2026. • We welcomed 900 people for our America 250, Drums of Liberty event. • We are a member of the American Horticultural Society’s Garden Network.
Programs Concerts on the Lawn, Peachgrass Festival, Weymouth Wonderland, Poetry by the Pond,
A WELCOME PLACE
555 E Connecticut Ave Southern Pines, NC 28387 910-692-6261 weymouthcenter.org Boyd House open: Thursday – Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm *closed for private events
How to Give: weymouthcenter.org The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Three Rivers Land Trust Our Mission For over 30 years, the mission of Three Rivers Land Trust has been to work thoughtfully and selectively with property owners to conserve natural areas, rural landscapes, family farms, scenic rivers, and historic places within North Carolina’s central Piedmont and Sandhills. To date, they’ve conserved over 50,000 acres of land in North Carolina.
How To Volunteer Subscribe to their newsletter at TRLT.org to receive updates on exciting volunteer opportunities! Whether it’s outdoor cleanups at Low Water Bridge, serving as a Trail Angel for the Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike, or helping out with the Uwharrie Archery Challenge, there are tons of ways to support local conservation while having a great time!
Fundraising Goals The End of Year Giving fundraising goal is $250,000. With these funds, TRLT will continue to expand public lands, save family farms, protects local waters and wildlife habitat, and conserve important national defense lands.
An easy and fun way to give is to attend one of TRLT’s many annual events! All proceeds from events go directly back into funding local conservation projects. To see upcoming events, visit TRLT.org!
204 E. Innes St., Suite 120 Salisbury, NC 28144 704.647.0302 TRLT.org
How To Give
How to Give: Visit TRLT.org/giving or send a check to Three Rivers Land Trust 204 E. Innes St., Ste. 120, Salisbury, NC 28144 This page made possible by CoolSweats
A Lifestyle Boutique Exclusive. Timeless. Chic. Village of Pinehurst • 910.295.3905 105 Cherokee Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374
106 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills Building Great Futures, One Child At A Time For over 25 years the Boys & Girls Club of Sandhills’ mission has been to inspire, enable, and educate young people from all backgrounds and circumstances to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. We invite you to help us provide great futures for Moore County youth by sponsoring a child, donating, sponsoring events, or volunteering. Your investment in the club provides lifechanging experiences for more than 1,200 children annually in Moore County. Boys & Girls Club provides year-round programming and access after school and in the summer to Academics & Career, Sports & Recreation, Life Skills & Wellness, Arts & Creativity, and Leadership & Service. We are committed to increasing the number of children and youth that we serve, thus making a greater impact. With your support, this is not a possibility, but a certainty that will allow us to serve more kids, more often, and with a greater impact.
Services A trained and caring staff implements proven youth development strategies and creates a stable, supportive environment for children and teens aged 6 to 18. Specially designed programs concentrate on developing job readiness, study skills, leadership, selfesteem, good health, and social responsibility among the Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills members. During the school year, all four units are open after school from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., when research has shown children to be most vulnerable. Our Sandhills Community College Unit is also open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for K through 5th-grade children of faculty members and students attending evening classes Tuesday and Thursday. In addition, during the summer, all Moore County Units open their doors to young people from 7:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
160 Memorial Park Ct Southern Pines, NC 28388 910.692.0777 sandhillsbgc.org
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Come for a tour and learn how you can get involved through tutoring, mentoring, and providing needed supplies. Contact Catherine Niebauer at cniebauer@ sandshillsbgc.org or 910-692-7777 x2221
How to Give: www.sandhillsbgc.org • Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills PO Box 1761, Southern Pines, NC 28388 This page made possible by Elite Roofing
“Customer Satisfaction One Job at a Time”
ONE VISION. COMPLETE EXTERIOR SOLUTIONS.
Elite Roofing and A&E Gutter Systems & Gutter Cleaning are a dynamic duo raising the standard. Fully Licensed & Insured | Serving Moore County and Surrounding Areas
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Tony Inglese Jr. info@eliteroofingnc.com (910) 757-0505 Visit Our Showroom At 301 Fields Dr. Aberdeen, NC
& Gutter Cleaning Tim Allred & Tony Inglese Jr. sales@aeguttersystems.com (910) 949-3805 Call or stop by for Free Estimates 3193 Vass-Carthage Rd. Carthage NC
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The CARE Group, Inc. Our Mission Equip, empower, and encourage individuals through education, mentoring, and enrichment opportunities.
Digital Literacy Classes We provide learn-at-your-own pace online or small-group, in-person sessions to master essential computer skills, from basic device usage to advanced software and internet literacy.
Our Vision A community in which adults and youth are thriving and have promising futures. Mentoring Programs Our Mentoring Programs offer a positive, caring adult who works one-on-one with a child at risk of failing or dropping out of school helping them develop critical life skills, set goals and do better in school. Citizenship Program We provide a curriculum that focuses on the civics and language skills necessary for students to pass the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) Naturalization Test and Interview.
Tutoring for Low Literacy Adults We improve the reading and writing skills of over 100 low literacy adults each year. We offer one-on-one tutoring for all levels in English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), and Digital Literacy.
P.O. Box 1966 Southern Pines NC 28388 910.692.5954 thecaregroupinc.org/donate
Volunteer With Us We are always looking to match adult volunteers who are willing to give their time, energy, and compassion to a Moore County youth or adult learner for at least one year. For Mentoring: contact Nancy Bryant - nancy@mcliteracy.org For Tutoring: contact Judith Douglas - judith@mcliteracy.org
How to Give: thecaregroupinc.org/donate • The CARE Group, Inc., P.O. Box 1966, Southern Pines NC 28388 This page made possible by McDonald’s and Pinehurst Coins
Your Locally Owned McDonald’s
The nation's largest distributor of modern certified coins and precious metals.
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108 PineStraw
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Caring Hearts for Canines Our Mission The mission of Caring Hearts for Canines is to rescue and rehome dogs at risk of being euthanized in high kill shelters and to educate the public in order to decrease the proliferation of these unwanted dogs and works to educate the public through community outreach about the issues of spaying and neutering, vaccinating, heartworm prevention and proper care and maintenance of their canine companions. CHFC primarily serves the area of Moore County, founded in 2014 by Jennifer Chopping in an effort to save dogs from high kill shelters that would otherwise be euthanized. Volunteer • Kennel Care – feed, clean, and walk dogs • Staffing Events – manning tables and dogs • Transporting Dogs – picking up shelter dogs
and transporting them to out-of-state partners • Running with Dogs: exercising high energy dogs a couple of times a week • Fostering For more information on fostering and volunteering, email caringheartscanine@gmail.com How to Help Check out our Amazon and Chewy Wishlists!
PO Box 1219 Southern Pines, NC 28388 caringheartscanine@gmail.com caringheartsforcanines.com
Use your Birthday to have a Facebook birthday fundraiser or Dog Food Drive to help the pups! Donate on Social Media! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads!
How to Give: caringheartsforcanines.com • Caring Hearts for Canines, PO Box 1219, Southern Pines, NC 28388 This page made possible by Nature’s Own & MGL Hardscapes
Proud Supporter of Caring Hearts for Canines
Moore County’s Premier Hardscape and Decorative Concrete Professionals
Shop for organic produce/products and a large variety of health products. Visit “The Kitchen” for a fresh healthy breakfast or lunch.
Open M-F 9-6 and Sat. 9-5
195 Bell Ave, Southern Pines 910-692-3811 The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
For more information, please call Gary Lewis 910-947-2093 c 910-690-5039 gary@mglhardscapes.com PineStraw 109
Companion Animal Clinic Foundation On a Mission to End the Pet Overpopulation Crisis
Community-Powered
Since 1995, the Companion Animal Clinic Foundation has worked to reduce unwanted litters and eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable dogs and cats in central North Carolina by enabling affordable spay and neuter surgeries at the Sandhills Spay Neuter Veterinary Clinic in Vass.
As an all-volunteer organization that receives no government support, we depend on the generosity of community members who believe in our mission. The endowment is a way to build lasting financial support so future Foundation board members can continue funding the work that makes a difference for animals, their families, and our community.
Investing in Our Future
Help Us Build a Lasting Legacy
Our mission is too important to leave to chance.The CACF Endowment Fund is designed to help sustain our commitment to the community for years to come. By investing contributions for growth, the fund will help provide ongoing support for essential needs, including providing spay/neuter grants and the upkeep of our building and equipment.
Together, we can strengthen access to affordable spay and neuter services, reduce unwanted litters, and move our community closer to a future where adoptable dogs and cats no longer face euthanasia because of overpopulation.
Kate Holmes, Board President (910) 315-5459 info@companionanimalclinic.org companionanimalclinic.org
How to Give/Help: Visit www.companionanimalclinic.org/donate to learn more about supporting our work and the CACF Endowment Fund.
This page made possible by Audrey Wiggins
110 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Friend to Friend Mission
How to Give
Who We Serve
You can also support survivors by donating needed items from our wish list or hosting a collection drive with your family, workplace, church, civic group, or community organization.
101 Monroe St A Carthage, NC 910.947.3333 friendtofriend.me
For an especially meaningful gift, consider purchasing a From Heart to Table cookbook. It makes a great hostess gift this holiday season! Visit www.friendtofriend.me/cookbooks. yourself or as a gift.
24/7 CRISIS LINE (910) 947-3333
Friend to Friend helps survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking rebuild their lives. Through safety, advocacy, counseling, housing, and compassionate support, we help survivors move from crisis toward healing, stability, and hope. Friend to Friend serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking throughout Moore County. All services are provided free of charge, regardless of age, gender, income, or religious affiliation. From the first call for help through the journey toward long-term stability, survivors have access to a safe place, a caring advocate, and the support they need to determine what comes next.
Did You Know?
Your gift helps make safety, healing, and hope possible. Give online at friendtofriend.me or mail a check payable to Friend to Friend to P.O. Box 1508, Carthage, NC 28327.
Upcoming Events
Annual Benefit Luncheon | January 26, 2027
Friend to Friend has served Moore County for more than 35 years. Each year, we help approximately 1,500 survivors and their families through crisis intervention, safe shelter, advocacy, counseling, court support, housing assistance, and more.
Join us for our largest annual fundraiser and help us remind survivors that There is Hope. RSVP required. How to Give: friendtofriend.me/donate
This page made possible by Lorenz & Creed
Proud supporter of Friend to Friend www.LorenzCreedLaw.com www.LorenzCreedLaw.com
• Divorce/Family• Law Divorce/Family Law • Personal Injury• Personal Injury • Wrongful Death• Wrongful Death d Michelle Laura Stinnett Creed Margaret Michelle Stinnett (Mia) Lorenz Margaret (Mia) Lorenz • Collaborative Law • Collaborative Law w Attorney Attorney at Law at Law Attorney Attorney at Law at Law at Law Margaret (Mia) Lorenz Laura Creed Attorney Michelle Stinnett Shelby Winters Zotto Camille Pappas • Real Estate Closings • Real Estate Closings Attorney at Law Attorney at Law Attorney at Law Attorney at Law Attorney at Law • Probate/Estate• Probate/Estate • Divorce/Family Law • Collaborative Law • Wills, Trusts • Wills, Trusts • Wills, Trusts Fax: 910-695-0557 Fax: 910-695-0557 • Personal Injury • Real Estate Closings • Elder Law • Elder Law • Elder Law • Wrongful Death • Probate/Estate • Business Law N. Bennett Street, 230Suite N. Bennett 2, Street, Suite 2, • Business Law • Business Law uthern Pines, N.C. Southern 28387 Pines, N.C. 28387
10-695-8688 910-695-8688
910-695-8688 • Fax: 910-695-0557 • 230 N. Bennett Street, Suite 2 • Southern Pines, N.C. 28387 • www.LorenzCreedLaw.com
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Life Care Pregnancy Center Our Mission Life Care Pregnancy Center is a Christ-centered ministry that upholds the sanctity of human life by offering compassionate care, Christian direction, and practical support to individuals and families facing pregnancy decisions. Our Services Free and Confidential • Pregnancy testing & limited ultrasounds • Coaching & education (English & Spanish) • Men’s ministry & family support • Community referrals & material resources • Pregnancy options education • Healing after abortion or pregnancy loss • Adoption referrals • Mobile Women’s Unit • Licensed Counseling
Get Involved Join us in offering hope and a future: • Pray for our clients and staff • Volunteer to serve moms, dads, and babies • Provide diapers, wipes, or baby clothing • Give to sustain our mission using the QR code below and help launch Mobi, our upcoming mobile clinic bringing care directly into communities.
402 Monroe St. Carthage, NC 28327 910.947.6199 friendsoflcpc.org
How to Help: Visit www.friendsofLCPC.org or mail your gift to Life Care Pregnancy Center • PO Box 519, Carthage, NC 28327 This page made possibly by Fore Properties & Hughes Supply
@hughespinehurst Bill Sahadi, CRS Broker/Owner 910-638-0888
Jen Dimayo, MRP 386-747-5767
Sarah Eichel 912-661-6761
Victoria Riddle 910-639-9046
Rose Ward 717-887-1548
Stephanie Lemke 910-885-2421
Winnie Tung 910-920-8886
David Ward 910-638-5399
Pete Garner 910-695-9412
David Wilson 910-690-6446
1140 Old US Hwy 1 South Southern Pines, NC 28387 910 692-4211 www.foreproperties.com
112 PineStraw
300 McCaskill Road E, Pinehurst 910-295-5541
hughessupplypinehurst.com The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills Mission Statement
Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills strives to address food insecurity and provide human connection for Moore County, NC residents as a result of being homebound and unable to secure a nutritious meal.
How It Works
Through our network of 120 volunteer drivers, our organization delivers nutritious midday meals Monday through Friday, including weekday holidays to homebound residents of Moore County. We offer both self-pay and sponsorship programs so we can help homebound adults in need, regardless of age or ability to pay.
New Programs for 2026
We are excited to now collaborate with the First Health Care Suite to provide short term meals to individuals discharged and recovering from their hospital stay. Additionally, with support from MOW America, PetSmart Charities, and Feeding America, we now offer our homebound clients pet food and help with veterinary care.
Fundraising Goals
Our organization has several people in need of meal sponsorships. As a 501c3 organization not supported by government funding, we constantly search for donors and sponsors to help! Just $1500 will sponsor 1 person for an entire year of meals. Monday-Friday, including weekday holidays! Please visit www.mealsonwheelsofthesandhills.com/donate or call 910-704-9810 for more information.
1975 Juniper Lake Road, A1 West End, NC 27376 910.704.9810 mealsonwheelsofthesandhills.com
Volunteer Opportunities
Our organization is based on volunteerism to deliver meals, hope, and love each weekday, including holidays. We are thankful to currently have over 120 volunteers and a volunteer driver wait list! However, if you’re interested in sharing other talents to help us with fundraising, clerical, and event booths, please complete an application at our website www.mealsonwheelsofthesandhills.com/volunteer
How to Give: mealsonwheelsofthesandhills.com • Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills • 1975 Juniper Lake Rd Unit A1, West End, NC, 27376 This page made possible by Autowerks
HERE FOR YOU IN EVERY SEASON, BECAUSE BEING THERE STARTS WITH GETTING THERE. COMPLETE SERVICE & REPAIRS
SPECIALIZING IN DIAGNOSTICS
Family owned & operated since 1990 • Fiduciary-level care • Trusted European technicians Schedule your routine maintenance today. Reduce breakdowns, worry and the cost of ownership. Military Discounts
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Minutes from the Traffic Circle PineStraw 113
Mira Foundation USA Mission Mira Foundation USA provides highly trained guide dogs, free of charge, to eligible blind American children ages 11-17. Through guide dog placement, intensive training, family support and educational outreach, they help young people gain greater freedom, responsibility and opportunity during some of their most formative years.
began providing direct services in 2010, creating a legacy that continues today from the home office right here in Southern Pines.
History Mira Foundation USA was co-founded in 2008 by Southern Pines residents Robert “Bob” and Elaine Baillie and Guy Bouvier. After Bob unexpectedly lost his sight, he received a guide dog from Mira Canada and experienced firsthand how dramatically a guide dog could change daily life. When he learned that children in the United States had very limited access to guide dogs, he set out to change that. Mira USA
Fundraising Goals It costs approximately $70,000 to prepare, place and support one child with a Mira guide dog. That investment includes everything, from evaluation through guide dog school, and continued support after the child returns home with their guide dog. Every gift helps move another qualified child closer to the opportunity to be able to work with a guide dog. Donations of every size help make this program possible.
Upcoming Events 1. Annual Gala on March 6, 2027 2. Annual Mira Music Fest: Tunes Tacos & Tequila on September 18, 2027. View the events page at miraevents.org for more information.
510 NW Broad Street Southern Pines, NC 28387 910-691-0438 info@mirausa.org www.mirausa.org Bonnie Archibald, Associate Director bonnie@mirausa.org
How to Give: mirausa.org/get-involved/donate/ This page made possible by Spectrum Eye Center
Thank you for supporting M I RA Foundation
Let’s Talk About Vision Impairment
Vision impairment can affect people of all ages, from children to older adults. Globally, an estimated 2.2 billion people live with a vision impairment or blindness, and nearly half of those cases could have been prevented or are still unaddressed. Many vision problems develop gradually, making them difficult to notice in everyday life. Regular eye exams can catch changes before symptoms become obvious, and early detection is essential to protecting your vision. Join us in welcoming Dr. Anthony Fioravanti to our practice! Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today!
SpectrumEyeCenter
Wm. Scott Athans, OD Michele P. Keel, OD Keith P. Poindexter, OD Anthony Fioravanti, OD
114 PineStraw
910.692.3937 • myspectrumeyes.com 160 Fox Hollow Court, Pinehurst (off Morganton Rd, beside Turnberry Wood)
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Moore Free & Charitable Clinic Mission Statement
Moore Free & Charitable Clinic’s mission is to provide a primary care medical home and oral health service for low income uninsured residents of Moore County, North Carolina, giving access to consistent health care, dental care and prescription medications for disabling chronic diseases. Our organization’s goal is to provide access to compassionate, quality primary health care and other services to the nearly 14,000 uninsured adults in Moore County. By doing so, the overall health of our community will be improved at the population level. The burden on local hospital emergency departments is mitigated when uninsured residents have a better, more costeffective alternative for routine care. Communities benefit socially and economically when medical insecurity is reduced. Moore Free & Charitable Clinic’s strategic priorities are to: 1) Increase community outreach and education about the services offered by Moore Free & Charitable Clinic, including its recently launched dental clinic for the uninsured,
2) Strengthen fundraising efforts to increase available resources to sustain its mission, and 3) Increase services to include expanded behavioral health counseling, physical therapy and optometry.
Events
Each year, Moore Free & Charitable Clinic hosts a fundraiser called the Hearts and Hands Brunch that falls near Valentine’s Day. In the fall, the major fundraising event is Dining in the Pines™, which features special dining experiences called Chef Tables, held at local fine dining restaurants.
211 Trimble Plant Road, Suite C Southern Pines, NC 28387 MooreFreeCare.org 910.246.5333
Volunteer
Moore Free & Charitable Clinic can always use clinical volunteers, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals, dentists, registered nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy techs. Opportunities are also available for clerical positions, such as reception, enrollment and eligibility, filing and other office jobs. Please contact Tony Price at 910-246-5333 Ext 207.
How to Give: MooreFreeCare.org • Moore Free & Charitable Clinic and mailed to: 211 Trimble Plant Rd., Suite C, Southern Pines, NC 28387 This page made possible by First Bank
SERVICE AS GENUINE AS
CAROLINA
HOSPITALITY
Business banking built on real relationships — with the authority to move forward when decisions matter most.
Visit our local branch: 205 S.E. Broad St. Southern Pines, NC
localfirstbank.com
Member FDIC | Picture: Whether it’s Eastern whole hog. Lexington-style, or Carolina Gold: three traditions, one Carolina barbecue heritage.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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P.E.O. International Mission
Women of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life.
introduced to and invited by current members of a local chapter. Women 17 years and older who acknowledge a belief in God are eligible for membership in the P.E.O. Sisterhood. P.E.O. does not discriminate against any woman based on race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, national origin, sexual orientation, age or abilities.
Vision
Fundraising Goals
Supporting women’s educational goals by offering scholarships, grants, awards, low-interest loans, and stewardship
Who We Serve
Women supporting women, for over 150 years. Not a trend or a movement, just who they are and have been for more than a century. dependable support for these needs throughout the year.
Did You Know?
P.E.O. International owns and supports Cottey College, an independent liberal arts and sciences college for women in Missouri, dedicated to empowering women through education and leadership.
peointernational.org
Local P.E.O. chapters raise funds to support women through educational opportunities, including the STAR Scholarship for high school seniors, the Program for Continuing Education (PCE) grants for women returning to school, and low-interest loans through the Educational Loan Fund. These programs help women overcome financial barriers, continue their education, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Memberships
P.E.O. membership begins at the local chapter. Women can become members after being Interested, Learn More: peointernational.org This page made possible by Dr. Rebecca Fronheiser
Don’t Sleep on your Benefits If you’ve been putting off treatment for sleep apnea, this may be the perfect time to explore another option. Many insurance benefits reset at the end of the year. Depending on your coverage, you may have benefits for a custom oral appliance. Comfortable. Quiet. Travel-friendly. A custom oral appliance is an effective CPAP alternative for many patients. Schedule your consultation before December 3rd, 2026 and start the new year sleeping better.
910.518.8010 | vistadp.com 11220 US-15 501 Hwy. Aberdeen, NC
116 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Prancing Horse Mission Statement
The mission of Prancing Horse is to provide a safe environment for therapeutic horsemanship.
Services
Since 1984, Prancing Horse has been providing equine assisted activities and therapies to persons with disabilities in Moore and surrounding counties. A sound, reliable herd of horses in their second careers, thoroughly trained volunteers, and credentialed therapeutic riding instructors have been transformative in the lives of our participants and their families. Through adaptive riding and other equine assisted activities, riders with physical disabilities improve their gait, mobility, and core strength. Participants with emotional and intellectual disabilities find that time with horses improves their social skills, confidence, and ability to problem solve and make decisions. Prancing Horse has the privilege of providing active duty and veterans a safe environment for
sessions in natural horsemanship that allow for peaceful and authentic emotional regulation.
Events
Key fundraising events include our Barn Dance in the Spring and the Prancing Horse Farm Tour in October.
Fundraising
Your contributions are managed responsibly and ethically allocated to serve community members of the Sandhills.
PO Box 327 Southern Pines, NC 28388 910.281.3223 prancing-horse.org
When You Partner With Prancing Horse • You may give a student their first steps. • You nourish a horse in their second career. • You provide a wonderfully nurturing opportunity for volunteers and a safe, secure environment for participants to gain confidence, independence, engagement skills and much more.
How to Give: This page made possible by Terry Riney Agency and Elliotts on Linden
Support Prancing Horse Serving children and adults with a wide range of cognitive,physical and emotional challenges for over 40 years.
905 Linen Road, Pinehurst NC 28374 910.215.0775 | elliottsonlinden.com The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Samaritan Colony Mission Statement
Samaritan Colony provides coordinated care and ongoing support to underserved people who suffer from addiction.
Services
For 50 years, Samaritan Colony has helped underserved men and their families who are struggling with the disease of addiction. At Samaritan Colony, no one is ever turned away due to a lack of funds. If someone is willing to make the necessary lifestyle changes to live a life of recovery, our team will work to make treatment available.
SECU Women’s Recovery Center
In February 2026, we celebrated the opening of our new 14-bed treatment facility for women. The SECU Women’s Recovery Center is licensed by the State of North Carolina and provides the same evidence-based residential treatment, combining 12-step facilitation and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Fundraising
Tax-deductible gifts are welcomed and appreciated for our general operating fund or to support the expansion of our recovery homes in Moore County. Treatment scholarships are a popular and unique way for individuals to donate. This type of gift is ideal for anyone looking to honor a special person in their life by establishing a scholarship in their name.
Volunteer Opportunities
136 Samaritan Colony Rockingham, NC 28374 samaritancolony.org
We welcome volunteers looking to help with fundraising and events. We also welcome recovery community members to share their experiences, strengths, and hope. Contact Nikki Wells at 910-895-3243 or jwells@samaritiancolony.org
How to Donate
Gifts of stock or financial securities can be made through Charles Schwab, Southern Pines Branch, 10840 US 15-501 Hwy, Unit D, Southern Pines, NC 28387
How to Give: samaritancolony.org • Samaritan Colony, 136 Samaritan Dr., Rockingham, NC 28374 This page made possible by Hughes Supply
Make your Bathroom Shine For over 40 years, we have been serving the local community of contractors, homeowners and designers. Our highly skilled associates are dedicated to providing you the highest level of service and give expert assistance in building or remodeling your dream home.
300 McCaskill Road E, Pinehurst, NC 28374 | 910.295.5541 | hughessupplypinehurst.com 118 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Sandhills Children’s Center Our Mission
Our mission is to provide services of the highest quality for children with and without special developmental needs, ages birth through five.
Visit: www.sandhillschildrenscenter.org/ fundraising-events or call 910.692.3323.
30th Annual Festival Of Trees
We work in partnership with families to serve typically developing children as well as children with special needs, ages birth through five.
The Carolina Hotel - Pinehurst Premier Gala Nov. 17. (ticket sales close Nov. 12) Festival of Trees Nov. 18-21, 2026 Admission by Monetary Donation Open 10 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily • festivaloftrees.org
How To Help
Did You Know?
Who We Serve
Dreammakers is our monthly giving program, providing dependable year-round support specifically for the specialized education, therapies, and care that help children at Sandhills Children’s Center thrive. Every monthly gift helps build brighter futures.
Events & Volunteering
Participation, sponsorship, and volunteer opportunities for our fundraisers are available and appreciated throughout the year: Kelly Cup Golf Championship (March), Backyard Bocce Bash (May), Clays for Kids (October), Festival of Trees (November)
1280 Central Drive Southern Pines, NC 28387 910.692.3323 sandhillschildrenscenter.org
• Sandhills Children’s Center is 1 out of less than 20 developmental day centers that are communitybased in North Carolina. • We are a 5-Star facility which is the highest rating that a day-care can receive. • Enhanced staff-to-child ratios. • Sandhills Children’s Center provides onsite therapies (physical, speech, occupational…) for children as determined through their IEP. • Preschool lead teachers are certified with NC Teaching Licensure. • All staff are certified in CPR/First Aid and IT-SIDS.
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Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care Email
development@sandhillscoalition.org
local children and seniors, while Winter Warmth helps eligible neighbors access heating fuel, coats, and blankets.
Mission
Fundraising Goals
The Coalition’s mission is to alleviate hunger and ease financial strain for struggling households in Moore County. Through practical assistance and community support, we help neighbors meet essential needs and find greater stability.
Who We Serve
We serve Moore County residents facing food insecurity and financial hardship, including families with children, older adults on fixed incomes, and working households struggling to cover basic expenses. With service locations in Southern Pines and Robbins, the Coalition connects neighbors with support close to home.
Upcoming Events
Our seasonal programs offer opportunities to support neighbors throughout the holidays and winter. A Coalition Christmas connects community sponsors with
Our fundraising priorities are keeping food available, helping households manage essential bills, and supporting neighbors through the winter. Flexible financial gifts allow us to respond to individual circumstances, whether a family needs groceries, help keeping the lights on, or heating fuel during cold weather. Monthly giving provides dependable support for these needs throughout the year.
1500 W. Indiana Avenue Southern Pines, NC 28387 910.693.1600 116 S. Middleton St. Robbins, NC 27325 910.690.8719 sandhillscoalition.org
Volunteer
Volunteers help keep the Coalition’s services and resale shops running. Opportunities include sorting donations, preparing food boxes, assisting in the warehouse, and supporting seasonal programs. Individuals, families, businesses, churches, and community groups are welcome. Children may volunteer alongside adults in the warehouse, and group or weekend opportunities can be arranged with advance planning.
How to Give: Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care • 1500 W. Indiana Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387 • sandhillscoalition.org This page made possible by Hear Carolina
Hear for the Holidays Giveaway Hear Carolina is giving back this holiday season. One lucky winner will be selected to receive a new pair of ReSound hearing aids. How to Enter: Nominate via hearcarolina.com, hearcarolina. com, Facebook or In-person Offer ends 12.31.2026 Give yourself or another the Gift of Hearing, because every Ho Ho Ho deserves to be heard.
1902 N Sandhills Blvd, Ste K • Aberdeen, NC 910.692.6422 • SandhillsHearing.com
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Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge Our Mission Bringing wholeness to the hopeless. Adult & Teen Challenge Sandhills, NC is a residential faith-based, long-term rehabilitation program for men and women struggling with life-controlling addictions. How it Works An ideal place for recovery, Sandhills Teen Challenge is located on 31 tranquil acres in the heart of Moore County, and is a 9-month residential program. Sandhills Teen Challenge provides food, clothing, a warm bed, academic materials, etc., which are necessary to ensure the student receives the spiritual, emotional, vocational, and academic training required to help him overcome the problems which led to his addiction.
Core Values • Biblical foundation • Accountability • Stewardship • Integrity • Commitment • Discipleship Upcoming Events Dibianca Golf Classic: November 2, 2026 Christmas Banquets: December 17, 18 & 19 (Pinehurst Fair Barn)
P.O. Box 1701 Southern Pines, NC 28388 910.947.2944 sandhillstc.org
Learn more about these events and more at sandhillstc.org/events/
How to Give: www.sandhillstc.org • Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge, P.O. Box 1701, Southern Pines, NC 28388 This page made possible by Hughes Supply
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Special Olympics Mission
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
3. SONC State Competition - Fall Tournament (November 12-14, 2026) in Charlotte 4. SONC State Competition - Summer Tournament (TBA) in Raleigh
Fundraising Goals
Special Olympics Moore County is currently raising money for uniforms for spring sports. The current uniforms are older and need to be replaced and they need uniforms for new athletes who join. Funds raised also go to support travel to the state competitions and Who We Serve toward the end of year banquet to recognize athletes Children and adults with intellectual disabilities in and coaches. Moore County. Athletes are never charged any fee to participate. Funds are raised for uniforms and Volunteer hard costs, coaches are volunteers and they partner At Special Olympics Moore County, there is a place with the community for practice venues. for everyone. Sports-minded individuals can help by coaching or assisting at practice or events. Local Upcoming Events business people can utilize their talents as part of our 1. Local Spring Games (April 30, 2027) - track and Games Management Team. Students can devote their field events at Pinecrest High School. passion to a competition and retirees can support in 2. Training and team sports competitions a multitude of roles out in the field or in the office. in tennis, At the end of the day, all volunteers have one thing golf, flag football, bocce, basketball, swimming, in common, pride in knowing they are making a bowling, track and field and more. difference in the lives of Special Olympics athletes.
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How to Give: Mail a check made out to Special Olympics Moore County to 210 Rattlesnake Trail, Pinehurst, NC 28374 This page made possible by Caviness & Cates
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We’re more than just contractors – we’re your friendly, reliable neighbors dedicated to turning your home into a tail-wagging masterpiece. Whether it’s a cozy kitchen update, a spa-like bathroom renovation, or a full-home glow-up, we use the best materials and care to craft spaces thatfit your lifestyle perfectly.
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Surgical Wings, Inc.
Empowering Volunteer Surgical Teams Around the World Mission Reimburse travel costs for healthcare professionals who volunteer their time and expertise in underserved communities. As a 501 (c)(3) non-profit Surgical Wings is supported by the generosity of philanthropic donors, we enable care to reach those who need it most – no matter the distance. Vision Surgical Wings aims to make a lasting impact by supplying reimbursement of travel costs to healthcare professionals who volunteer their time and expertise in underserved communities, who offer life-changing surgical care, expertise, and community support, free of charge to those who need it most.
SCAN TO VISIT THE SURGICAL WINGS WEBSITE!
Goals Cover plane tickets for nurses and surgical team members, to improve patient outcomes, foster hope, and build healthier communities working alongside local medical and nursing staff.
www.surgicalwings.org PO Box 1606 Southern Pines, NC 28388
How to Help Become a donor today and sponsor a nurse or surgical team in their efforts. Visit our website and give to Surgical Wings! How Your Support Makes a Difference Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and decrease the surgical teams’ travel costs so that they can provide professional operating room personnel and give care to surgical patients most in need. Your generous donation will fund our mission to bring care to the patients in need.
How to Help: Become a donor today and help a nurse or a team go to a population in need by supporting Surgical Wings via the website at surgicalwings.org
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TambraPlace Mission To provide a safe, nurturing, social learning environment of homeless and at risk youth.
P.O Box 4324 Pinehurst NC 28374 ywthmoore@gmail.com tambraplace.org
Who We Serve Homeless Youth and Youth Aging out of Foster Care 18-24 Upcoming Events Adopt A Youth Christmas and Outreach Sponsorships Various Community Fundraisers Fundraising Goals Christinehaven- Raise the Roof Building fund for new young women build: groundbreaking late 2026. Programs Kelly House, Stonehouse, Christinehavencoming soon, Outreach assistance
How to Give: Text TAMBRAPLACE-73256 to donate or online https://onrealm.org/YoungWomensTran/give/YWT This page made possible by WhitLauter
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United Way of Moore County Mission Statement
United Way of Moore County’s mission is to empower families to thrive by building pathways to lasting stability. Since 1968, United Way has worked to advance the common good, and today it focuses that work on financial stability for residents living in poverty and for ALICE households: those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are the folks who form the backbone of Moore County, yet still struggle to afford to live in the community they serve. By bringing together local partners, donors, and volunteers, United Way helps families cover the basics, build savings, and move forward. United Way also connects residents to local health and human services through 2-1-1 Information and Referral. When our neighbors are stable, all of Moore County thrives. Please give where you live!
Partners
United Way of Moore County partners with and funds 16 local charitable organizations and 19 programs: American Red Cross, The Arc of Moore County, Bethany House, Bethesda, Inc., Boy Scouts
of America, The C.A.R.E. Group, Friend to Friend, Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills, Moore County 4-H, Moore Montessori Community School Healthy Child Learning Trail, Northern Moore Family Resource Center, Partners for Children & Families, Sandhills Children’s Center, Sandhills Coalition for Human Care, Southern Pines Land & Housing Trust, and Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities (Weymouth Equestrians).
Fundraising
227 W Pennsylvania Avenue Southern Pines, NC 28387 910.692.2413 unitedwaymoore.com
United Way of Moore County offers many ways to give, including workplace campaigns, corporate giving, sponsorships, legacy giving, and individual gifts. On November 15th, United Way kicks off its holiday raffle for a 3 Day/2 Night Package for two at Pinehurst Resort. The stay includes accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily, and one round of golf per day, including play on the famed Pinehurst No. 2 course! Learn about all the ways to give and get your raffle tickets at UnitedWayMoore.com.
GIVE MOORE LOCAL: Mail your contribution to PO Box 207, Southern Pines, NC 28388 or text GIVELOCAL to 26989 This page made possible by Duke Energy
We’re focused on a smarter energy future. For a better today. For a better tomorrow. For all. We’re committed to building a stronger, more resilient grid to meet the growing need in our communities for reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. DUKE-ENERGY.COM/TOMORROW
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holiday greetings P H OT O C O N T E S T
Share your favorite holiday photo for a chance to win a luxurious aesthetics & laser experience valued at $850! Whether it’s family, friends, furry companions, or a holiday moment worth sharing, we want to see your favorite photos.
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To add or delete an event, email us at pinestraw.calendar@gmail.com
Although conscientious effort is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, all events are subject to change and errors can occur! Please call to verify times, costs, status and location before planning or attending any events.
part in meaningful hands-on activities that help make a difference. Adults are welcome. Space is limited, and registration is required. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: mhoward@sppl.net.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
LITTLE LEARNERS IN THE PARK. 10 - 11 a.m. Kids ages 5 and under can join a morning of outdoor fun, stories, activities, sensory play and more. Memorial Park, 210 Memorial Park Court, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
POP UP IN THE PINES. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wander through stalls of talented makers, savor delicious bites and soak in the kind of community spirit that feels like an old-fashioned block party. Druther’s, 490 S.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.popupinthepines.com. WRITING GROUP. 3 p.m. Are you interested in creating fiction, nonfiction, poetry or comics? Come to the Sunday Afternoon Writing Group. Connect with other writers and artists, chat about your craft, and get feedback about your work. All levels welcome. Info: lholden@sppl.net.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 QUILTS OF VALOR. 12 - 4 p.m. Quilts of Valor meets the first Monday of each month to create lap quilts made especially for veterans. If you sew, bring your machine. If you don’t sew, you can iron or cut out fabrics for new designs. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 KIDS DAY OUT. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Kids in grades K - 6 can hang out with the recreation team for a day of games, adventures, crafts and fun. Bring your own lunch and snack. Cost is $42 for residents and $58 for non-residents. Recreation Center, 160 Memorial Park Court, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376 or www.southernpines.net. CURIOUS KIDS. 2 - 3 p.m. For ages 7 - 10 who like to build, test, mix and figure things out through hands-on, open-ended activities that spark curiosity and problem-solving. This month we will have a leaf collector challenge. Caregivers, plan to assist as needed. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 IMMERSIVE FIELD TRIP. 9 - 11 a.m. Join a behind-the-scenes look at the Sandhills Coalition and the work it does to support our community. Learn more about its mission, discover local needs and resources, and take
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WOMEN OF WEYMOUTH. 11 a.m. This month’s meeting will be a holiday fashion show by Monkee’s of the Pines. The Great Room, Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 SENIOR DAY TRIP. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults 55 and older can join Southern Pines Parks and Recreation to travel to the Fort Dobbs State Historic Site. Cost is $18 for residents and $25 for non-residents. Info: (910) 692-7376 or www.southernpines.net. TREE PLANTING. 3 - 5 p.m. America’s 250th celebration continues with planting new serviceberry trees on the Sandhills Community College campus. Following the plantings, the 82nd Airborne Chorus will perform. Free event. Stone Hall, 3395 Airport Road, Southern Pines. Info: www.sandhills.edu/gardenevents.
TREE PLANTING November 6
Sandhills Community College campus.
FIRST FRIDAY. 5 p.m. Enjoy a performance from Fireside Collective during First Friday. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.
the library to socialize and get creative. Geared toward ages 3 - 10. This month will be “Celebrate America 250!” Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.
OPENING RECEPTION. 6 - 8 p.m. The Arts Council’s exhibit, “Native Identity,” showcases art by local Native American artists. The exhibit is on display through Dec. 19. Arts Council Galleries at Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.mooreart.org.
PARADE. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Bring the whole family to the Veterans Day parade to support our troops and veterans. Downtown Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376 or www.southernpines.net.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Over 80 crafters will be selling everything from woodwork, ceramics, jewelry, artwork, skincare products and more. Food available for purchase. Free and open to the public. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. KID’S SATURDAY. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Families are invited to a monthly themed craft event at
STORYTIME. 10:15 a.m. Saturday Storytime is our once-a-month program for children from birth to age 5. Join in for stories, songs, rhymes and smiles where caregivers and young children can interact and explore the fun of language and early literacy. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net. YOUTH TEA PARTY. 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Kids ages 5 - 12 are invited to dress as their favorite character for tea, snacks, games, crafts, and photo opportunities with a superhero and princess. Each participating child may bring one
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR accompanying adult free of charge. Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. PURSE BINGO. 5:30 - 10:30 p.m. The Academy of Moore County PTO hosts purse bingo where participants will play 20 rounds of bingo for high-end handbags filled with donations. Fair Barn, 200 Beulah Hill Road S., Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. CHORUS. 7 p.m. The Golf Capital Chorus presents its annual show, C’mon Get Happy! This is a family friendly night with classic feel-good songs. BPAC, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com or www.golfcapitalchorus.org. MUSICAL. 7 - 9 p.m. Imagine Youth Theatre Jr. presents Matilda the Musical, Jr. There will be an additional performance Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. Southern Pines Land and Housing Trust auditorium, 1250 W. New York Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 WELLNESS SUMMIT. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Carolinas for Care is hosting a day of panels, breathwork, yoga, food and resource booths for veterans, families and the community. The panels explore how psychedelic-assisted therapy can support veterans and their families. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-psychedelics-wellness-summit-tickets-2001395816764.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AUTHOR CONVERSATION. 2 p.m. Susan Beckham Zurenda talks about her new book, No Way Out But Through. The Great Room, Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.
merse attendees in the world of water drop photography. Guests are welcome. Sandhills Horticultural Garden Ball Visitors Center, 3245 Airport Road, Southern Pines. Info: www.sandhillsphotoclub.org.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 CORRESPONDENCE CLUB. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Children in elementary school and their families can practice the basics of letter writing while getting into the holiday spirit. Write letters to Santa and holiday cards to send to someone special. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. SPEAKER SERIES. 7 - 8:30 p.m. The Ruth Pauley Speakers event presents Capt. Tom Murphy (USN, Ret.) with “Beyond the Trident: A Navy SEAL’s Search Through Trauma for Meaning in Life.” Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 GARDEN TOUR. 10 a.m. Join docents for a walk through the gardens highlighting the trees and plants that show off their various shades of red, orange, yellow and brown. Free, but registration is requested. Limit of 15 people. Ball Visitors Center, 3245 Airport Road, Southern Pines. Info: www.sandhills.edu/gardenevents. PRESENTATION. 11 a.m. In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, Dr. Lisa Huggins Oxendine will present “Art that Endures, Preserving American Indian Culture.” This event is free and open to Moore County residents over the age of 50. Light refreshments will be served. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. Reservations: (910) 947-4483.
SILENT BOOK CLUB. 3:30 - 5 p.m. Ages 11 – 17 can bring a book and settle in for a cozy reading meetup. Whether you’re a homeschooler, need a quiet place to read for school, or simply enjoy reading with others, you’re welcome to attend. After reading for an hour, there will be a group discussion about what you’ve read. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net.
POETRY READING CLUB. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older can bring a favorite poem or one of their own to share with friends. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
JAZZ CONCERT. 6 p.m. The Sandhills Community College Jazz Band presents “Up and Down Broadway.” The Union Pines High School jazz band will open the evening. Free admission, but tickets are required. Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.
LECTURE. 5:30 p.m. Ellen Burke will give a lecture about the artists and artworks that supported the American Revolution. Arts Council Galleries at Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.mooreart.org.
PHOTO CLUB. 7 p.m. The Sandhills Photo Club’s monthly meeting presents “Fun with Water Drops — The Art of Capturing Refraction,” by Emilie Talpin, who will im-
LIVE MUSIC. 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a performance from Chatham Rabbits and special guest Murphy Campbell. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.
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HOT GLASS, COLD BEER. 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a live glassblowing demo, music and a food truck. Cost is a $5 suggested donation. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.StarworksNC.org.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 CRAFT DAYS. Children and families can come by the library for a drop-in craft day to work on a fun, hands-on craft at their own pace. Crafts are designed for children in grades K - 5 and their families. This is a self-guided activity, so caregivers should plan to assist as needed. While supplies last. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. BOOK SWAP. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Join a community book swap. Bring up to 10 gently used books (in good condition and fairly current) to trade or just stop by to browse and discover something new. Books for all ages are welcome. Books cannot be returned, but those left behind will find a new home in the SPPL’s Little Free Libraries. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net. CROCHET. 12 p.m. Ages 10 - 17 can join Crocheting with Kendra. In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn how to create a crochet chain with guidance from instructor Kendra Robinson. Registration required. Each session is limited to five participants. There will be a second session at 1 p.m. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info and registration: kbroughey@sppl.net. FELT WORKSHOP. 12 - 4 p.m. Participants will create felted wool wallets and eyeglass cases. Arts Council Galleries at Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. BROADWAY. 3 p.m. Enjoy “The Best of Broadway,” a production that celebrates some of the most memorable and enduring music written for American musical theater. There will be another performance at 7 p.m. Lee Auditorium, Pinecrest High School, 250 Voit Gilmore Lane, Southern Pines. Info: www.sandhillsrep.org.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 STEAM. 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Elementary-aged children and their caregivers are invited to learn about topics in science, technology, engineering, art and math, and to participate in STEAM projects and activities. This month explore engineering with guests from the Planning Department. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16 CRYPTID CLUB. 3 p.m. This is for kids ages 8 - 12 who are curious about mysterious creatures and the stories behind them. Investigate famous cryptids, uncover their mysteries, and create your own cryptid field guide. Topics will change for each meeting. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave.,
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910-692-0855 • www.WindridgeGardens.com Fall Hours: Wed.-Sat. 10AM-5PM and Sun. 1PM-5PM
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. CLASSICAL CONCERT SERIES. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. The Arts Council of Moore County presents soprano and pianist Chelsea Guo. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 BINGO. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to play 10 games of bingo. Cost is $4 for residents and $6 for non-residents. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. JAMES BOYD BOOK CLUB. 2 p.m. This month the club will discuss Daughters of Green Mountain Gap, by Teri M. Brown. Free admission, but registration is required. The Great Room, Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org. HEALTH TALK. 6 - 7 p.m. Join Jane Haladay to learn more about the health and vitality of native foods. The talk is free, with registration. The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 SENIOR DAY TRIP. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Adults 55 and older can join Southern Pines Parks and Recreation to travel to Beaver Creek Crossings. Cost is $9 for residents and $13 for non-residents. Info: (910) 692-7376 or www.southernpines.net. LITTLE LEARNERS IN THE PARK. 10 - 11 a.m. Kids ages 5 and under can join a morning of outdoor fun, stories, activities, sensory play and more. Sandhurst Park, 145 S. Bethesda Road, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. ACTION HOUR IN THE GYM. 11:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Kids ages 2 - 12 can enjoy open play in the gym. Recreation Center, 160 Memorial Park Ct., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. WOMEN OF THE PINES. 11:30 a.m. This month’s meeting features speaker Sandy Gernhart, the coordinator of Taylortown Food Project, a nonprofit organization that provides monthly grocery gift cards and non-perishable food to low-income senior couples. Info: www.womenofthepines.org. BOOK CHAT AND CHILL. 5:30 p.m. Join a book chat and chill night, a relaxed evening of bookish conversation, great company and plenty of literary inspiration. Bring a book to chat about or one to swap. Food and drinks will be available
for purchase. The Wine Cellar, 241 N.E. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: mhoward@sppl.net. VARIETY SHOW. 7 p.m. Enjoy the Baxter Clement Variety Show with BGCS. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 LUNCH N’ LEARN. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Rita Menzies and Jennifer White present “Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railroad.” Cost is $30 per person, which includes a lunch, drink and dessert by chef Katrina. Sandhills Woman’s Exchange, 15 Azalea Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-4677 or www.sandhillswe.org. TED TALK. 1 p.m. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Eric Michael Hernandez’s TEDx Talk will be screened along with Courage, a live-action short drama written, directed and starring Hernandez. This event is free and open to Moore County residents over the age of 50. Light refreshments will be served. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. Reservations: (910) 947-4483. CREATIVITY CLUB. 3:45 p.m. Creativity Club at the fire station is a monthly program. Activities are designed for kids in grades K
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR - 5, but are adaptable to other ages and abilities. Caregiver participation is required. This month make “I Spy” magnets. Fire Station 82, 7850 N.C. 22, Carthage. Info: www. southernpines.net/FormCenter/Library-11/ Creativity-Club-Registration-117. CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE. 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be archivist Alison Thurman, discussing North Carolina’s history in the Civil War. Meeting starts at 7 p.m. Open to the public. Civic Club, corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Ashe Street, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 2460452 or mafarina@aol.com. CLASSICAL GUITAR SERIES. 7 - 8:30 p.m. Dr. Adam Kossler, American guitarist, performs in the McPherson Theater at BPAC, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. MUSIC PROGRAM. 7 - 9 p.m. Join Voices of the Pines, a youth vocal ensemble, for an enchanting evening of music, storytelling and merriment. Southern Pines Land and Housing Trust library, 1250 W. New York Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 SPARK STORYTIME. 10 a.m. Join a special, once-a-month story time at Fire Station 82. Ages birth to 5 are welcome. Fire Station 82, 7850
N.C. 22, Carthage. Info: www.sppl.net. SENIOR SHOW AND TELL. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Take a trip down memory lane and share a piece of your past with others. Share memories, celebrate stories and make new friends. If you’d like to present an item or story, please register in advance by calling the library or visiting the website. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: mhoward@sppl.net. PIES & PLANTS SALE. 11 a.m. Get holiday ready at Sandhills Community College’s Pies & Plants sale, a festive collaboration between the landscape gardening and culinary and pastry arts programs. There will be beautiful plants and delicious treats. Little Hall, 395 Wilbur Blvd., Pinehurst. Info: www.sandhills.edu/gardenevents. MOONLIGHT HIKE. 5:15 p.m. All ages can discover nature by moonlight. Bring a flashlight. Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve, 1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376 or www.southernpines.net. COMEDY SHOW. 7 - 8 p.m. Jen Kober performs in the McPherson Theater at BPAC, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. NUTCRACKER. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Gary Taylor Dance presents The Nutcracker. There will be
additional performances on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22, both at 2 p.m. Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. LIVE TRIBUTE. 8 p.m. A Farewell to Kings RUSH live tribute concert. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 TURKEY TROT. Runners can trek through the beautiful streets and residential neighborhoods of Pinehurst. Village Arboretum, 375 Magnolia Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org. HOLIDAY MARKET. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Each year Starworks’ glass artists proudly craft thousands of hand-blown ornaments, snowmen and other stunning holiday decor. Enjoy the dazzling display and take home a unique piece. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.StarworksNC.org. MUSIC MEETUP. 2 - 4 p.m. Join a music meetup and listening lounge at the library. Special guests from Three Count Records will facilitate a casual conversation about vinyl and music. Bring a favorite vinyl album to share or swap, if you’d like. For older teens and adults. No registration required. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.
MORE THAN a class room
At Fellowship Christian Academy, we focus on social and academic excellence, building strong character, and preparing students for a bright future in Christ.
PreK2-8th Grade www.fcacarthage.com 1265 Hulsey Rd., Carthage, NC 910.861.0544
132 PineStraw
We accept the NC Opportunity Scholarship for students K-8.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
NOVEMBER CALENDAR DANCE. 6:30 p.m. Join the fun Carolina Pines Dance Club to dance swing, shag, ballroom, Latin and line dances. There is a lesson at 7 p.m. and dancing is from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Info: (910) 331-9965 or carolinapinesdance@gmail.com.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30
LIVE MUSIC. 7 p.m. Jupiter Coyote performs. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.
CRYPTID CLUB. 3 p.m. This is for kids ages 8 - 12 who are curious about mysterious creatures and the stories behind them. Investigate famous cryptids, uncover their mysteries, and create your own cryptid field guide. Topics will change for each meeting. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
UPCOMING EVENTS
KIDS DAY OUT. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Kids in grades K - 6 can hang out with the recreation team for a day of games, adventures, crafts and fun. Bring your own lunch and snack. Cost is $42 for residents and $58 for non-residents. Recreation Center, 160 Memorial Park Ct., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376 or www.southernpines.net.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 GARDEN OF LIGHTS. 5 - 10 p.m. This holiday season, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens will have the inaugural Sandhills Garden of Lights. More than a million lights, illuminated displays and interactive experiences will transform the gardens into a festive destination. There will be colorful pathways and larger-than-life displays. The lights will be on display through Jan. 9. Info: www.sandhills.edu/gardenevents.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 TREE LIGHTING. 5 - 7:30 p.m. Gather family and friends for an evening filled with festive music, holiday cheer, delicious food and, of course, a special visit from Santa. The lighting of the tree will be at 6:30 p.m. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 HOLIDAY MARKET. 10 a.m. Enjoy a day of shopping, entertainment and holiday cheer. Pop Up in the Pines hosts the holiday market at Weymouth Wonderland. Tour the Boyd House decorated for the holidays, buy holiday decor, grab a treat and a warm drink, visit Santa, shop local vendors and artisans, enjoy food trucks and listen to the sound of the holidays from local
PIES & PLANTS SALE November 20
Sandhills Community College – Little Hall
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Open at 11:00am daily
910-483-4296
2800 Raeford Rd Fayetteville, NC
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130 SW Broad Street Southern Pines 910-684-0330 www.embersbbq.com
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR performers. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.
1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. FITNESS MEMBERSHIP. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Adults 55 and older can use a variety of equipment such as treadmills, free weights, stationary bikes and more. Cost for a sixmonth membership is $18 for residents and $26 for non-residents. The fitness room is open Monday through Friday. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 HIGHLAND HOLIDAYS. 7 p.m. Highland Holidays returns with its full Scottish Christmas stage production. Step into an evening of bagpipes, fiddle, Highland dance, festive songs and stories that celebrate the spirit of Scotland and the joy of Christmas. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.highlandechoes.com.
WEEKLY EVENTS MONDAYS CHAIR YOGA. 9 - 10 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Help offset body aches encountered with desk work. This is an accessible yoga class for bodies not able to easily get up from or down to the floor. Do standing or sitting in a chair. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
TURKEY TROT November 21
Sandhills Community College campus.
JIGSAW PUZZLES. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Adults 55 and older can enjoy puzzle fun with friends or solo. Free of charge. Puzzles can be done Monday through Friday. Douglass Community Center,
INDOOR WALKING. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older can get an indoor walking membership in the climate-controlled gym. Membership can be used Monday through Friday. Cost for a six-month membership is $18 for residents and $26 for non-residents. Southern Pines Recreation Center, 160 Memorial Park Ct., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. SENIOR FITNESS. 11 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to a TruFit gym class to improve strength, mobility and flexibility. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. RESTORATIVE YOGA. 12 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Practice gentle movements that may help alleviate pain and improve circulation and general well-being. Bring your own mat.
Unitarian Universalism
Living our faith by building just community, dismantling systemic inequities, honoring interdependence, and turning values into action.
FINE CABINETRY AND COUNTERTOPS
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Sandhills Meets every Sunday at 10 AM at 1320 Rays Bridge Road, Whispering Pines.
MAIN LOCATION 3910 Ellison Street Hope Mills, NC 28348
ABERDEEN SHOWROOM 105 Parkway Drive, Suite C Aberdeen, NC, 28315
(910)703-8760 • capefearcabinets.com
134 PineStraw
1st Sunday of every month is pot luck breakfast.
All are Welcome. Welcome.
www.uucsandhills.org www.facebook.com/uucsandhills
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
NOVEMBER CALENDAR Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. BRIDGE. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy games of bridge with friends. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. ACTIVE LIVING. 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to join a 12-week program that teaches sedentary people the skills necessary to overcome barriers to becoming physically active. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
TUESDAYS VIRTUAL SPINNING CLASS. 8:30 - 9 a.m. Adults 18 and older can do a 30-minute stationary bike workout that is fun and effective. Limit of seven people per class. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. INTERVAL WALKING. 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Adults 18 and older can do interval training alternating between periods of brisk and slow walking. Free of charge. No class on the second Tuesday of the month. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
PLAYFUL LEARNING. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Come for a drop-in, open playtime for ages 0 - 3 years to interact with other children and have educational playtime. Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-3642. BABY RHYMES. 10:15 a.m. Baby Rhymes is specially designed for the youngest learners (birth - 2) and their caregivers. Repetition and comforting movements make this story time perfect for early development and brain growth. There will be a duplicate session at 10:45 a.m. An active library card is required. Dates this month are Nov. 3, 10 and 17. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. GAME DAY. 12 - 4 p.m. Fun, fellowship, games and activities. For adults 55 and older. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. CHESS. 1:30 - 5 p.m. Join a chess group, whether you’re an experienced player or a beginner. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. TABLE TENNIS. 3 - 5 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to enjoy free games of table tennis while making new friends. The second Tuesday of the month games will be played on that Thursday instead. Douglass Community Center,
JIGSAW PUZZLES Mondays
An Independent, Interdenominational An Independent, AnAn Independent, Independent, Interdenominational Church Interdenominational Interdenominational Church Church Church
Unifying All Christians through Unifying All Unifying Unifying AllAll through theChristians Word of God Christians through Christians through the Word of God theWord Word God the ofof God
TheThe Village Chapel Village Chapel
The Chapel TheVillage Village Chapel Three Distinct Services 2nd & 4th Wednesday the month Three Distinctof Services AmericanThree Heritage Girls and Trail Life 8:00am DistinctServices Services 8:00am Three Distinct Troop 1898 meet at Heritage Hall.
8:00am Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist Wednesday - Nov 4 - 6 pm
8:00am
HolyEucharist Eucharist Holy
First Wednesday Fellowship Meal 9:30am Sunday Nov. 9:30am 15 - 4 p.m. 9:30am Handel’s Messiah Community Sing-a-long Family Service 9:30am with Children’s Sermon Wednesday - Nov 25 - 5 pm Thanksgiving Eve Service with Children’s Sermon withChildren’s Children’s Sermon with 11:00am Sermon Three Distinct Sunday Services 8:00 am - Holy Eucharist Traditional Worship 11:00am 11:00am 11:00am 9:30 am Available - Family Service Nursery During All Services
Family Service Family Service Family Service
Traditional Worship with Children’s Sermon Traditional Worship Traditional Worship
11:00 am - Traditional Worship 10 Azalea Road •Pinehurst, NC •During 910.295.6003 Nursery Available During Services Nursery Available During AllAll Services Nursery Available All Services Nursery Available During All Services www.tvcpinehurst.com facebook.com/tvcpinehurst 10 10 Azalea NC••910.295.6003 910.295.6003 Azalea Road•Pinehurst, •Pinehurst, 10 Azalea RoadRoad •Pinehurst, NC • NC 910.295.6003 www.tvcpinehurst.com www.tvcpinehurst.com www.tvcpinehurst.com facebook.com/tvcpinehurst facebook.com/tvcpinehurst
facebook.com/tvcpinehurst
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR WEDNESDAYS
to 24 months. Moore County Library, 101 W. Saunders St., Carthage. Info: (910) 947-5335.
INTERVAL WALKING. 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Adults 18 and older can do interval training alternating between periods of brisk and slow walking. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. CHAIR AEROBICS. 10 - 11 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Put on your boogie shoes and jam. Get fit to dance, partying up a sweat to great music through the ages. Stand and chair dance to an energizing, low-impact aerobic workout. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
INTERVAL WALKING Wednesday 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. LINE DANCE. 4:45 p.m. Put on your dancing shoes and line dance. This is for beginners and is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.
BRAIN BOOST. 10 - 11 a.m. Test your memory while creating new brain connections. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. KNITTING. 10 - 11 a.m. Enjoy knitting with other people or learn how to knit. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. BABY STORYTIME. 10 - 11 a.m. Have fun developing the foundation for your baby’s later reading with stories, songs and play. Open to parents and caregivers of infants from newborn
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SENIOR FITNESS. 11 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to a TruFit gym class to improve strength, mobility and flexibility. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. PIANO. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join Flint Long to play piano or just listen. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. LINE DANCING. 12 - 1 p.m. Looking for new ways to get your daily exercise in and care for yourself? Try line dancing. For adults 55 and older. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. CHAIR VOLLEYBALL. 1 - 2 p.m. For adults
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LEARN AND PLAY. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Come for an open play date with your toddler or preschooler. There will be developmental toys and puzzles as well as early literacy tips on display for parents to incorporate into daily activities. Dates this month are Nov. 4, 18 and 25. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.
The Pilot’s EventCalendar Calendar The Pilot’sOnline Online Event
www.thepilot.com/calendar
www.thepilot.com/calendar
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
NOVEMBER CALENDAR 55 and older. Get fit while having fun. Free to participate. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. BRIDGE. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy games of bridge with friends. All materials included. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. DANCE. 2 - 2:30 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Instructor Maria Amaya will introduce dance fitness in a class designed for anyone who wants to gently and gradually increase cardio function, mobility and balance and have fun at the same time. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. LINE DANCING. 2 p.m. The town of Vass will host line dancing for seniors every other Wednesday. Cost is $5 per session. Vass Town Hall, 140 S. Alma St., Vass. Info: www.townofvassnc.gov. BIG KID STORYTIME. 3:30 p.m. This is an after-school program for children grades K - 2 who enjoy activities, crafts, stories and making new friends. Dates this month are Nov. 4 and 18. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info:
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(910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. TAI CHI. 6:30 p.m. Learn tai chi. There is no age limit, and the classes are open to the public. Cost is $10 per class. Seven Lakes West Community Center, 556 Longleaf Drive, Seven Lakes. Info: (910) 400-5646.
THURSDAYS VIRTUAL SPINNING CLASS. 8:30 - 9 a.m. Adults 18 and older can do a 30-minute stationary bike workout that is fun and effective. Limit of seven people per class. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. MOORE COUNTY FARMERS MARKET. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The year-round market features “producer only” vendors within a 50-mile radius providing fresh, local and seasonal produce, fruits, pasture meats, eggs, potting plants, cut flowers and local honey. Crafts, baked goods, jams and jellies are also available. Market is located at the Armory Sports Complex, 604 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines. GIVEN STORY TIME. 10 a.m. Bring your preschooler to enjoy stories, songs and activities. Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-3642. BALANCE AND FLEXIBILITY. 10 - 11 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to enjoy a class to help reduce the risk of taking a tumble and increase their ability to recover if they do. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. MUSIC AND MOTION. 10:15 and 10:45 a.m. Does your toddler like to move and groove? Join Music and Motion to get those wiggles out and work on gross and fine motor skills. For 2 - 5 year olds. An active library card is required. Dates this month are Nov. 5, 12 and 19. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W.
Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. GENTLE YOGA. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to unwind, recharge and find peace in your week. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. MAHJONG. 1 - 3 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Mahjong involves skill, strategy, calculation and luck. Requires four players. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. IMPROVERS LINE DANCE. 3 - 5:30 p.m. Put on your dancing shoes and line dance. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. LITTLE U. 3:45 p.m. Little U is a preschool program for children ages 3 1/2 - 5. There are stories, songs, rhymes and activities that explore the world of books, language and literacy. Little U is a fun and interactive program designed to help preschoolers develop early literacy skills in preparation for kindergarten and beyond. Dates this month are Nov. 5, 12 and 19. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.
FRIDAYS AEROBIC DANCE. 9 - 10 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy a low-to-moderate impact class with energizing music for an overall cardio and strength workout. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. JAM SESSION. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Do you like to play an instrument, sing or just listen to music? Join a music jam session. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Tree Trimming/Thinning Deadwood • Risk Reduction Removals • Shrub Shaping Complete Yard Clean up Call/text Jake Fowler 910.850.2008 OnehealthytreeService.com
• Top dress blue and grey stone driveways • Driveway repair and new construction • Install gravel patio and walkways • Bobcat service: grading and light clearing
Keith Kelly
910.690.6225
PineStraw 137
NOVEMBER CALENDAR TAP CLASS. 10 - 11:30 a.m. For adults 55 and older. All levels welcome. Cost for six-month membership: $18/resident; $26/non-resident. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. SENIOR FITNESS. 11:30 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to a TruFit gym class to improve strength, mobility and flexibility. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
Solution:
S H E D H I G H E S P Y N O V O O L E O H A U T E O V E R O I L S A R E A S P A W N B E R M U D A S L Y R O D T A S S E L E G O D A L I A G O S T A L E S I N A I B R A P I N K S P A T S F E E T I R T H R A G M M A I N E I R E E T N A U G A G A L A X Y T L C E W E L I R A B A H A M A S B A S I C B O O S L A S T A D O B O B U N K M I T E G O B I A R E A A L E S
Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
SATURDAYS FARMERS MARKET. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Browse local vendors and enjoy live music. This weekly market will continue through November 21. Downtown Southern Pines, 156 S.E. Broad St., Southern Pines. PS
QIGONG. 1 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Classes consist of chair and standing movements that can help soothe achy feet, tight hips, lower back pain and ease restrictions in mobility. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
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BRIDGE. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy games of bridge with friends. All materials included. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
from page 151
DRUM CIRCLE. 2 - 3 p.m. Adults 18 and older can feel the rhythm, find their groove and connect through the beat. No experience necessary.
Arts & Culture
300 Works. 30 Artists. Endless Inspiration. Featuring artists from the Sanford Brush & Palette Club
JOIN US FOR
NOVEMBER EVENTS Max Brallier at The Country Bookshop! Nov. 4 at 5 p.m.
Matilda the Musical Jr.
Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. | Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. Southern Pines Land & Housing Trust Auditorium
Hours: Thursday - Sunday, 11 - 4:00 PM and Special Events Location: 507 N. Steele Street, Ste. 211, (in the historic Mann Center), Sanford, NC 27330
138 PineStraw
Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Sunrise Theater
Dr. Adam Kossler — Classical Guitar Series Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
McPherson Theater at Bradshaw Performing Arts Center (BPAC)
Up and Down Broadway
Jen Kober — Comedy
Owens Auditorium at BPAC
McPherson Theater at Bradshaw Performing Arts Center (BPAC)
Cpt. Tom Murphy (USN Ret.) — Beyond the Trident — Ruth Pauley Speakers
The Nutcracker presented by Gary Taylor Dance
Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.
From paintings and pottery to notecards, journals, sculptures and one-of-a-kind treasures… there’s something for everyone to discover.
Chelsea Guo - Soprano & Piano
Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. | Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.
Owens Auditorium at BPAC
Owens Auditorium at BPAC
Buy tickets & see more events at ticketMEsandhills.com CREATE YOUR OWN EVENTS: INFO@TICKETMESANDHILLS.COM
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
COLLECTORS CHOICE PREVIEW NIGHT Thursday, November 5 • 5:00-7:30
Our annual Collectors Choice night is by invitation only and is our most exciting event of the year. This is a lovely reception held prior to the public opening of the exhibit. Exquisite food and a special cocktail based on our theme are served to our guests. Admission is $125 per couple and $100 may be applied to the price of any painting (or can be counted as a donation if you don’t make a purchase). Please join us that evening and have first choice to purchase a truly unique piece of art and help support the Artists League. Call for an invitation to our Roaring 20’s Art and All That Jazz event celebrating the spectacular private opening reception of our fall exhibit.
ANNUAL FALL EXHIBIT AND SALE Opening Reception and Weekend: Friday, November 6 • 5:00-7:00
Please join us on Friday, November 6, from 5:00-7:00 for the public opening reception of the Artists League’s 32nd Annual Art Exhibit & Sale. The opening weekend continues on Saturday, November 7, from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m. Join us for cookies and punch and meet the artists as they paint in their studios throughout the weekend. The exhibit and sale will remain open through Friday, December 18th.
910-944-3979 129 Exchange Street in Aberdeen, NC artistleague.org artistleague@windstream.net
Gallery Hours: Mon - Sat 12-3pm
Gallery • Studios • Classes
Ask Us About Becoming a Member
Arts & Culture
19TH ANNUAL
Celebration of Seagrove Potters Show & Studio Tour
40+ Potters
Nov 21 & 22, 2026 Show at the Historic Lucks Cannery & Driving Tour at Participating Studios
Tickets to Gala & Live Auction:
DiscoverSeagrove.com
BEYOND THE TRIDENT
A Navy SEAL’s Search Through Trauma for Meaning in Life
CPT. TOM MURPHY (USN RET.) Tuesday, November 10, 2026 • 7pm
Embark on an extraordinary journey through the life of this U.S. Navy SEAL as he transcends the depths of trauma to explore the essence of life. From the adrenaline-fueled world of SEAL operations to the introspective depths of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Murphy provides a rare glimpse into the dual nature of the military combat experience. Drawing upon the metaphor of a three-legged stool representing mind, body, and spirit, Murphy delves into the enduring impacts of trauma on each facet of our existence.
Owens Auditorium at BPAC | Free Admission | Tickets Required Tickets available at TicketMeSandhills.com
140 PineStraw
For the complete 2026-27 schedule, see ruthpauley.org
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Arts & Culture
Community Congregational Concerts
Echoes of Time, Whispers of Winter Cross Creek Chorale - an elite chamber choir Curtis Kinzey, Director; Dr. Jae Won Kim, Piano
Sunday, November 22 at 4 PM
DECEMBER 3-20 Admission complimentary - Donations appreciated
SPONSORED BY:
communitycongregational.org/concerts 141 North Bennett St. • Southern Pines
Holiday Market Explore thousands of hand crafted glass ornaments, snowmen, trees, trees, and so much more!
Opens Nov 21 at 9am
Sales continue Mon-Sat while supplies supplies last last
Shop Online Starting Nov 23
Starworks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Proceeds support educational arts programming throughout the year.
100 Russell Drive, Star, NC 27356 StarworksNC.org 910-428-9001 The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 141
From Our ATTIRE
S M
Partners CATERING+CAKES+DINING
SEW MOORE S M
Stop by the new boutique bridal shop in Southern Pines. Here to help you shine bright on your special day!
BRIDAL
SEW MOORE BRIDAL
SOUTHERN Q CATERING Culinary Masterpieces, Tailored to Your Event’s Needs
Pik the Pig to
Cater Your Gig!
Delectable BBQ, Seafood, and Comforting Southern Cuisine
Check out our website to book your appointment
southernqandseafoodcatering.com (910) 603-0005 southernqcatering2015@gmail.com
CREATION & CARE
200 N Bennett St, Southern Pines (910) 638-8957 • shilohcourtbridal.com
sewmoore.com
CATERING+CAKES+DINING
Private Venue Rental Also Available 194 Gilliam-Mcconnell Rd. Carthage pik-n-pig.com/catering 910-947-7591
SPECIALTY VENDORS + RESOURCES
let Ironwood host your next event!
private & semi private options
special occasions, group dinners, rehearsals, weddings & more!
BRING YOUR OWN BAR
2176 Midland Rd - 910.255.0000
Save Your Bouquet byobars_pinehurst
ironwoodpinehurst.com
MODERN FLORAL PRESERVATION
SPECIALTY VENDORS + RESOURCES
B. Parker Collection
DAY SPAS+ESTHETICIANS
Save Your Bouquet Save Your Bouquet
FLORAL PRESERVATION MODERN MODERN FLORAL PRESERVATION
Beverly Parker, designer
Katie specializes in transforming your cherished flowers into Katie specializes in timeless, handcrafted keepsakes. transforming your cherished Serving Southern Pines, NC, and customers across the nation. flowers into timeless, Flowers can be dropped off locally or shipped from any state. handcrafted keepsakes.
Handcrafted Custom Jewelry Exclusively at Made & Found Marketplace 206 N. Sandhills Blvd. Aberdeen, NC bparkercollection@aol.com
EMPOWERING Katie specializes in transforming your cherished flowers into Learnkeepsakes. more at pinepressedflowers.com timeless,your handcrafted Katie specializes in transforming cherished flowers into women with BOLD, Weddings Memorials Special Events timeless, handcrafted keepsakes. Serving Southern Pines, NC, and customers across the nation. regenerative aesthetics Serving Southern Pines, NC, and customers across the nation. Flowers can be dropped off locally or shipped from any state. Flowers can be dropped off locally or shipped from any state.100 Pavilion Way Suite C Learn more at pinepressedflowers.com 910-684-8456 - Memorials - Special Events Learnpinepressedflowers.com more at Weddings pinepressedflowers.com syringeandsass.com Weddings - Memorials - Special Events Weddings - Memorials - Special Events
From Our
Partners
DAY SPAS+ESTHETICIANS
VENUE
Duncraig Manor An elegant English-style Tudor historic estate, offering four acres of unparalleled sophistication in a storybook setting.
TRADITION & EXCELLENCE IN A VENUE LIKE NO OTHER 910.295.0166 . thefairbarn.org 155 East Pennsylvania Ave. Southern Pines, NC 28387 910.725.0588 retrostudiobar.com
duncraigmanornc.com 910-684-8468
VENUE Here, your love story is written into History. A SETTING AS TIMELESS AS YOUR STORY.
IT STARTS
Types of Events: Anniveraries Birthdays Classes (Taught) Community Group Meetings Corporate Events Fundraising Events Graduation Reunions Showers Weddings
Here.
PINEHURST.COM/WEDDINGS
www.magnoliacottageeventsandvenue.com magnoliacottagebellridge@gmail.com • 919-770-5614 1480 Joel Road, Carthage, NC
TRANSPORTATION
Your Wedding. Perfectly Chauffeured.
www.pinehurstchauffeured.com
910-498-1000
555 E. Connecticut Ave. Southern Pines, NC www.weymouthcenter.org (910) 692-6261 weddings@weymouthcenter.org
Moore County Wedding Inspiration Awaits!
Scan to Explore the Full 2026 Bride & Groom Magazine! Real Weddings | Expert Advice | Local Inspiration
TRAVEL AGENCY
Your Vacation. Our Expertise. Custom vacations designed with you in mind.
Highlighting 2026 Best of The Pines First Place Winners
Five-Time Winner of Best of the Pines www.BeOurGuestTravelCompany.com Info@BeOurGuestTravelCompany.com
919-267-3443 CAR DEALERSHIP CAR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY • FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY
VETERINARIAN PRACTICE
They take care of you. Let us take care of them.
We provide an unprecedented level of routine, urgent, and emergency care. We offer a full range of comprehensive surgical and dental care. Michael C. Rowland, Jr. • Brett Smith Yauger
Best Personal Injury Attorney Best Criminal Law Attorney Best Family Attorney
(910) 947–2244 CooperFord.Net 144 PineStraw
Carthage Location 107 Monroe Street, P.O. Box 39 Carthage, NC 28327 910-722-9717
Asheboro Location 236 North Cox Street, P.O. Box 4608 Asheboro, NC 27203 336-691-2876
bestofthepines.com
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Reproductive Services Dental Care Ultrasound Services Pet Wellness Medical Services 325 Yadkin Road, Southern Pines 910.692.4201 • longleafanimalhospital.com The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Highlighting 2026 Best of The Pines First Place Winners DOG TRAINING • PET BOARDING
OUTDOOR SEATING BAR OR RESTAURANT FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Eleven Years Running, Thanks to Our Pack!
CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE
DISCOVER WHY WE’RE VOTED #1 CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
Our complete care recovery plans go far beyond backaches! Boarding Daycare
Grooming Training
Five Star Service • Luxury Suites Webcams • Enrichment Activities & Customized Care from our Paw-some Staff
1495 Montrose Rd., Raeford • 1 mile from Carolina Horse Park fivepointspetresort.com • 910-904-5787 US Hwy 1 North, Vass • Beside Spay/Neuter Clinic fivepointspetresort.com • 910-692-2275
REAL ESTATE AGENT
Photo by Joseph Hill
Enjoy our award winning outdoor music venue and handpicked gourmet food trucks. Stay in the loop Open Daily 11-9 6 food trucks every day! on Red’s social 910.639.5202 901 SW Broad Street Southern Pines, NC redscornersp.com
MASSAGE • FACIAL & SKINCARE SERVICES
315 PAGE ROAD #11, PINEHURST 9 1 0 . 2 9 5 .1 2 1 5 PINEHURSTCHIRO.COM JAPANESE/HIBACHI RESTAURANT
SUSHI, ASIAN CUISINE – AND –
HIBACHI
150 N Bennett St, • Southern Pines (910) 528-8329 establishment # 378
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
bestofthepines.com
MONDAY - FRIDAY LUNCH 11AM - 2:30PM MONDAY - THURSDAY DINNER 3PM - 9PM FRIDAY DINNER 3PM - 10PM SATURDAY 3PM - 10PM SUNDAY 11AM - 9PM ALL DINNER 190 BRUCEWOOD RD | SOUTHERN PINES | 910-246-2106 VISIT DOORDASH.COM FOR MENU PineStraw 145
Highlighting 2026 Best of The Pines First Place Winners CHINESE RESTAURANT
HEATING & AIR COMPANY
Roofing CompAny
4 SEASONS. 10 YEARS. 1 NUMBER ONE. “Customer Satisfaction One Job At A Time”
SUSHI, CHINESE, THAI, VIETNAMESE, HIBACHI 10820 US Highway 15-501 Southern Pines Open every day Dine in or takeout (910) 684-8403 MICRO-BAKERY
Best Roofing Company 10 Consecutive Years
THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING CUSTOMERS! 132 Westgate Dr. West End, NC 27376
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM AT 301 FIELDS DR. - ABERDEEN, NC
910.235.0606
910-757-0505
ANTIQUE STORE
THRIFT SHOP PLACE TO GIVE YOUR TIME OR MONEY - community
YES, YOU DESERVE THIS.
THE BEE’S KNEES Baked Fresh Cookies Daily Ice Cream Sandwiches Catering
The Pines Only Mobile Bakery Tues.-Fri. 11am-8pm • Select Saturdays 910-528-8293 • cookiesnmoorenc@gmail.com Follow us at @cookiesandmoorenc
146 PineStraw
CURATED & ANTIQUES
YOU DESERVE NICE THINGS 125 NC HWY 73 WEST END, NC (910) 420-8970
What if What if What your if helping helping your helping your neighbor was What if helping neighbor was What if helping neighbor waswas What if helping your neighbor this simple? your neighbor this simple?was your neighbor was this simple? simple? this this simple? this simple?
SANDHILLS SANDHILLS
SANDHILLS
COALITION COALITION COALITION
Give today. Give today. today. Give Help alleviate Help alleviate hunger hunger and and Help alleviate hunger and ease financial strain ease financial strain for for our our ease financial strain for our Moore County Moore County neighbors. neighbors.
Moore County neighbors. sandhillscoalition.org sandhillscoalition.org
bestofthepines.com
sandhillscoalition.org The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
SandhillSeen Sunrise Theater Charity Gala Friday, September 4, 2026 Photographs by Diane McKay Baxter & Taylor Clement
Alex & Becky Podlogar, Frank Daniels
John & Evelyn Dempsey
Ed & Michelle Guerra
Carole McFarland, Dale Erickson
Brian & Jane Deaton
John & Jo Williams
Liz Malon, Elizabeth Oettinger
Heather Thomas, Julia Lattarulo, Angela Vecchione
Carol & Sandy Stewart
Melanie & Kevin Johnson
Anthony & Dixie Parks
Myrtis & Jean Morrison
Parker Lake, Kara Scouten
Patrick & MJ Pizzella
Natasha & Tim Russell, Tom Boynton, Lora Smith
Qianna Jones, Shannon Butler
Burt Ozment, Ro Kachel
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 147
SandhillSeen
West Southern Pines Civic Club Cultural Arts Festival Saturday, September 26, 2026 Photographs by Diane McKay
EOC Step Dance Team
Jason & Christy Kennedy
Kim Wade, Rossi Volley, Maria Lee
FCCLA Group of Pinecrest High School
Larry Ross
Charlene Ross
OLinda Watkins-McSurely
Carolyn Penland, Matthhew Walden, Dorothy Brower
Argomo & Furillo Walden
Tashana Wade
SandhillSeen
Weymouth Center Jazz Concert Sunday, September 20, 2026 Photographs by Frank Daniels IV Dan and Viv Collins
Rachel Van Camp, Marshall Smith
Sarah Hanahan, Sarah Watts
148 PineStraw
Rhu Smith, Kate Tuomala
Sarah & Michael Crawford
Melanie Miller, Shannon Butler
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
SandhillSeen
Opening Reception - Into the Woods Artist League of the Sandhills Friday, September 4, 2026 Photographs by Diane McKay Ian Scott, Elizabeth Hayward
Cindy Edgar, Jane Maloy
Horse Community Supporters
David & Cathy Carter, Wade & Ceci Liner, Katie Pfeiffer, Mary Phillips
Barbara Eldredge-Everett, Brenda Bassin, Valerie Knutsen
David & Beth Ybarra, Kim & John Adams, Yvonne Daniels
Don & Jane Harnum
Jess Lively, Angie Tally, Michelle Root
Tom & Sharyn Cruce
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Lynn Goldhammer, Terry Marquez, Mildred Segarra
Vanessa Grebe
Richard & Anne Agnew, Sue & Frank Avent
PineStraw 149
Pine ServiceS
Vintage Watches Wanted ROLEX & TUDOR Omega, Hamilton Breitling Patek Philippe, Panerai, Seiko
MILITARY COLLECTIBLES & GUNS
910-693-3790 (o) 910-315-5132 (c)
819 Hope Mills Road Fayetteville Ed Hicks 910.977.5656
Serving the Sandhills region since 1994 Specializing in Shingle Roofs Colored Metal Roof Systems Custom Copperwork TPO & EPDM Flat Roof Systems Authentic & Synthetic Slate & Shake Roofing
Residential - Commercial
Pilot-Diver Chronographs Military Watches Buying one Watch or Collection
Ed Hicks Vintage Watch Collector
910.425.7000 or 910.977.5656 www.battlefieldmuseum.org www.warpathmilitaria.com
AFTER
We specialize in custom Bathroom Remodels Free Estimates BEFORE
BEFORE
2809 E Indiana Ave, Aberdeen, NC 28315 CreedGarnerRoofing@hotmail.com www.CreedGarnerRoofing.com
Currently working in Seven Lakes, Foxfire/McLendon and Pinehurst areas! Serving all of NC 704 743-3582 • Premierhds.com Kris@Premierhds.com
SandhillS RenovationS llC Plumbing with Pride since 1965
Tired of running out of hot water? We’ve got your solution! Gas • Plumbing • Remodeling • Water Heaters Drain Cleaning • Water Sewer Discounts for Veterans, Military, & Teachers 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE | 910-295-0152 MENTION THIS AD FOR
25 OFF Any Repair
$
‘Every day service... Every day reliability’ ANY SIZE RELOCATIONS LOCAL OR CROSS-STATE DELICATE / BURDENING ITEMS PACKING & CAR HAULING STORAGE UNITS
OTHER SERVICES
Jacob 910-528-6916
150 PineStraw
HOME REARRANGING JUNK REMOVAL GARAGE CLEANOUTS Jakob theeverydaymovers.com 910-986-7772
Remodeling • Windows Door • Siding • Sunrooms Screen Porches • Decks Termite Damage Repair
Large & Small Jobs
Call for All Your Home Needs!
910.639.5626
Free Estimates & Fully Insured
THE BEST SERVICE FOR A FAIR PRICE DONE THE FAIR WAY
•Residential & Commercial •Water Line Repairs •Drain Cleaning
•Installation & Upgrades •Tankless Water Heaters •Sewer Inspections
15+ yrs. Experience • Unlimited Licensed Jon Snyder • West End, NC 27376 • 910.986.5572 The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Cruise!Cruise! Let's November PineNeedler Let’s Across 1 Outbuilding 5 Lofty 9 Catch a glimpse 13 De __ (from the beginning) 14 Fake butter 15 ____ couture 16 Concluded 17 Lubricates 18 Regions 19 The _______ triangle 21 Chess piece 23 Cagy 24 Pole 25 Mortarboard embellishment 29 Self 30 Painter of melting clocks 32 Past 33 Moldy 36 Moses’ mountain 37 Undergarment 38 Little girl’s color 39 Quarrels 40 “He swept her off her ___” 41 Scrap 42 American state 43 Merriment 44 Anger 45 Bunsen burner 46 Back to school mo. 47 Star system 49 What a nurse gives, for short 50 Female sheep 53 Italian currency 55 Tropical destination
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Elementary Sounds of disapproval Endure Philippine dish with marinated chicken or pork Berth Tiny spider Mongolian desert Region Beers
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39 Half man, half goat 40 Newton cookie filler 42 Tijuana's country 43 "____Ado About No 46 Most northern Ame 48 Defense excuse 49 Steak choice (Hyph 50 Electronic commun 51 Squander 52 ____Park, Co 54 Swedish rock band ____mater 56 57 Pouch
24 Pole 67 Region 25 Mortarboard embellishment 68 Beers 29 Self 30 Painter of melting clocks DOWN 32 Past 33 Moldy Sudoku:1 Stuck up people 36 Moses' mountain Fill in the grid so every row,2 Shanty every column and every 3x33 All 37 Undergarment contain the numbers 1-9.4 Residence hall color 38 Little girl'sbox Quarrels 39 5 African folk medicine Puzzle answers on page 138 “He swept herherofffellow her ___” 40suggestions 6 Book by Homer Mart Dickerson lives in Southern Pines and welcomes from Scrap 41 7 Hair stuff puzzle masters. She can be reached at martaroonie@gmail.com. American state 42 8 Med. building 43 Merriment 9 Makes money The Art & Soul of the Sandhills 44 Anger 10 Take legal action group 45 Bunsen burner 11 School
Hubbub 58 PineStraw 151 59 Bawl 61 Possessive pronoun
SOUTHWORDS
Kin and Kindred It’s all relative
Like most kids with an inseparable
best friend, I dreamed of my chosen sister somehow becoming my real sister. One Thanksgiving it almost happened . . . or so we thought.
With a nod to the holidays, Zoé and I were like mashed potatoes and gravy. Growing up we did everything together. Our parents swapped us out every weekend, her house, then mine, then hers. Looking back, it may have been as much for their convenience as ours, but never mind — we were together. Living in a small town came with perks; everyone was nearby. One year, a close friend of my father’s invited my family over for a Thanksgiving lunch potluck. I was around 13 and would’ve preferred hanging out with my own friends, though Johnny’s house was always a favorite of mine. It was down the road from our house, kind of a country cottage straight out of a children’s storybook complete with chickens running amok, an outdoor kitchen just for fun, and lush landscaping because everything he planted grew. I spent a good bit of time there as a kid, mostly because Johnny couldn’t possibly harvest all the ever-ripening crops from his gardens fast enough, and an extra pair of hands was always welcome. I’m sure those gardens account for my endless love of fresh cucumbers, straight off the vine. That Thanksgiving we arrived with a dish in hand to add to the array of folding tables covered with fresh Southern foods set up on Johnny’s lawn. There were a lot of people I didn’t recognize, and my folks began mingling right away. Out of nowhere a girl ran up behind me and grabbed my arm as if she was ready to yank me out of the way to get to a Black Friday deal — you
152 PineStraw
know, pre-internet. I spun around before my fight-orflight kicked in and it was Zoé. My Zoé. “OH MY GOD ARE WE ACTUALLY RELATED? I KNEW IT!” she exclaimed. Before I realized what was happening, Zoé’s grandmother materialized right beside her. What were the odds we both got invited to the same cookout and had no idea that the other would be there? Zero. The potluck was actually a family reunion, and Zoé had made the leap to genealogical hyperspace. Her grandma — we call her Nini —was explaining how she was distantly related to Johnny. We were too busy giggling to fully understand what cousin was removed from what other cousin to make the lineage make sense. It didn’t need to, because in those parts you usually just said you were kin to someone and that was that. I think it was my father who burst Zoé’s (and my) bubble, explaining how we were no relation at all, we were just the friends who made the invite list. Johnny was amused. Zoé had never been to his cottage before that day, at least not that she could remember. In a way, I had more of a claim on Johnny than she did. Lunch was served and, naturally, Zoé and I took our seats next to each other, plotting ways to become real sisters — or cousins-in-law (we weren’t picky). To the dismay of our 13-year-old selves, we didn’t end up marrying brothers or finding some other loophole to link our family trees, but we are still best friends. And her son is going to call me Aunt Em — as soon as he learns how to talk. We’re family, no matter how you slice it. PS Emilee Phillips is PineStraw’s director of social media and digital content. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
ILLUSTRATION BY MIRANDA GLYDER
By Emilee Phillips
Reach for your goals. Pursue your dreams. Reach forwhat your makes goals. Pursue your dreams. Rediscover you, you. Rediscover what makes you, you. At St. Joseph of the Pines, joining our Life Plan Community means living fully—with purpose, connection and joy. Whether music, fitness or connecting with friends is your passion, we At St. Joseph of the Pines, joining our Life Plan Community means living fully—with purpose, celebrate every part of your journey and encourage you to grow, contribute and thrive! connection and joy. Whether music, fitness or connecting with friends is your passion, we celebrate every part of your journey and encourage you to grow, contribute and thrive!
Scan the code or call 910-246-1023 to schedule your personal visit with St. Joseph of the Pines in Southern Pines today! Scan the code or call 910-246-1023 to schedule your personal visit with St. Joseph of the Pines in Southern Pines today!
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