Pine Pitch

Walkin’ and Waggin’
Animal advocates, take note! Do your part to raise funds and awareness for homeless dogs and cats in Moore County by participating in the second annual Walking and Wagging Dog Walk-a-Thon, to be held Saturday, Sept. 20, at Cannon Park, off N.C. 211 and Rattlesnake Trail, Pinehurst. Along with the 3K dog walk, the day's events also include a dog costume and talent contest, music and a pick-a-prize auction. An adoption station will be set up for those interested in making homeless animals their pets. Arts and crafts, face painting and photography booths will be set up for kids to enjoy. The Animal Health Center will be on hand to administer low-cost rabies shots and microchips. Event admission is free, but a $15 registration fee will apply for those wishing to participate in the walk-a-thon. The first 100 registered walkers will receive T-shirts and goody bags. Dog “packs,” are considered to be groups of five or more, and will receive a discounted registration fee. Food and ice cream will be available for purchase. All proceeds will benefit Moore Humane Society. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk-a-thon begins at 10 a.m. For more information or pre-registration rules, call 947-2631, or visit www.moorehumane.org. Wear your walking shoes, and we'll see-ya there for a fun-filled day of festivities that support a doggone good cause!

The Great White Russian
Pianist Olga Kern has captivated fans across the world with her passionate artistry and stage presence. The striking young Russian will bring her talents to the Sunrise Theater at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22. Born into a family of musicians, Kern began studying piano at the age of five, and was educated by well-known teachers at leading music schools in Italy. She has appeared in recitals and as a soloist on five continents and was the winner of the prestigious Gold Medal at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the first woman to have achieved this distinction in more than 30 years. For additional information on the Classical Concert Series hosted by the The Arts Council of Moore County, call 692-4356.

A Tea Party Fit for a Mad Hatter and His Friends
From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, a tableau from the famous Alice in Wonderland tea party will come to life at Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities, on Connecticut Avenue, Southern Pines. Several well-known literary characters will be on hand to welcome guests of all ages, including — Harry Potter, the Cat in the Hat, Tigger and more. Alice will be greeting all guests at the door with homemade treats made by the Women of Weymouth. There will also be book readings by two local authors, Barbara Cole and Marjory Hopkins. Pianist Lydia Gill will entertain with familiar storybook songs. Children are encouraged to dress up as favorite book characters, though it's not required. The party is for children between the ages of 3-12 years, but anyone young at heart is welcome. For more information, call 692-6261.

Mystery in Aberdeen
Was it Marilyn Monroe with the knife in the ballroom, or was it James Dean with the rope in the conservatory? The Inn at the Bryant House B&B in Aberdeen combines notable names from the 1960s and the the ever-popular Parker Brothers board game, Clue, to bring us the “Sixties Stars Murder Mystery Dinner,” at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26. Once participants register, expect to receive a packet by mail containing details about the setup, along with a list of suspects, witnesses and authorities. Mix and mingle with other celebrities to access clues and solve the evening’s whodunnit. “It’s a good way to get out of your box,” says Inn owner Matt Baker. “We always have a load of fun.” Baker notes that audience participation is key to making the evening’s event interesting. Prizes will be awarded for best-dressed and best character. Cost is $35. The Inn at the Bryant House is located at 214 N. Poplar St., Aberdeen. For more information, call 944-3300.

Rooster’s Wife Finale
The days of summer are waning and so is the delightful Rooster’s Wife’s “Summer on the Porch” music series. Here’s the lineup for sweet September:
On Sunday, Sept. 7, acoustic singer/songwriter Noah Paley will open for jazz vocalist Martha Bassett. In 1999, Paley picked up his guitar and began writing songs after a nearly two decade-long hiatus. His music has been compared to James Taylor and has been grouped with songwriters like Doc Watson, Alison Krauss and Nickel Creek.
Since her work on the Sony Classics film “JUNEBUG” and a plethora of festival appearances, Bassett has steadily increased her profile with fans. She and her band, EPK, have opened for Lyle Lovett, and played at Merlefest. If you are wondering what Bassett and her band sound like, they have been described as “think Hank Williams meets Peggy Lee meets k.d. lang.”
On Sunday, Sept. 21, local Stoney Creek will open for the bluegrass group, The Circuit Riders. Stoney Creek, comprised of Shane Bufmeyer, his two sons, Erik and Jake, and ethereal voiced Courtney Voss, has become a Sandhills favorite, with gigs at the Sunrise Theater, Merlefest, the Lee County Fair, Springfest and the Malcolm Blue Festival. One of their most recent performances was at The 2008 Piney Awards.
The Circuit Riders have been around since 2006, and have most recently been featured in the June issue of “Bluegrass Unlimited” magazine. Their album, “Let the Ride Begin,” made the Roots Music Report, and was ranked as high as 13th on the bluegrass chart.
The gates open at 5:30 p.m. at The Postmaster’s House, on South Street, Aberdeen. Admission is $9, children under 12 are FREE. For information, call 944-7502 or visit www.theroosterswife.org.

Appraise This, Please
“Antiques Roadshow” comes to the Sandhills!  Well, — at least a local version of it anyway. Leland Little Auction and Estate Sales Ltd. and Comfort Services Inc. Heating and Air Conditioning are jointly sponsoring an Appraisal Fair to benefit the Moore County Historical Association, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Shaw House Grounds, Southern Pines. Estate and collectible experts from around the state will offer verbal appraisals of your valuables. Pre-registration is being held at any area FirstBank location and at the gate on the day of the event. Cost is $25 per three items, and tickets are $35 per three items and can be purchased at the door. If you are unable to attend, MCHA could still use your support! Send donations to Moore County Historical Association, P.O. Box 324, Southern Pines, NC 28388. For more information, call 692-2051, or visit www.moorehistory.com.

Swing Time!
To kick off their 2008-2009 season, Moore OnStage comes to the Sunrise Theater to revive one of the most popular female vocal groups of all time — the Andrews sisters — the singing trio from the 1940s, who sold over 90 million records, nine of which turned gold. “Sisters of Swing: The Story of the Andrews Sisters” follows the sisters, LaVerne, Patty and Maxene from their early days on the road, through their rise as recording stars, to entertaining American GIs overseas. As you watch their story unfold, you are sure to enjoy more than 20 of their hit songs, including “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” reminding you of the days when Swing ruled the radio waves. Adult tickets are $20, and children are $12. For reservation info, call 692-7118.

The Charm of the Sandhills Woman’s Exchange
The historic Sandhills Woman’s Exchange in Pinehurst is part of the oldest operating woman’s movement in the nation. Founded in Philadelphia in 1832, with 19 of the original 73 chapters still functioning in the U.S., the Exchange's simple mission remains: “Women Helping Women Help Themselves.” This area was a natural place for the organization to take root because farm wives seldom got to town or had extra money to spare, yet produced household items and unique crafts they could make at home for extra income. Learning to make jams and jellies, knit goods, crocheted gifts and handmade rugs was central to the local Woman’s Exchange when it first opened in 1922 on the porch of the Way House on PeeDee Road, Knollwood. In 1924, James W. Tufts, founder of Pinehurst, offered a cabin in Pinehurst free of rent to the ladies, and the shop opened with 125 consigners. Locally made crafts are still the soul of the Exchange, but its popular lunch room is an experience not to be missed, featuring homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts including the famous lemon meringue pie and hummingbird cake. Visit the historic log cabin’s sales room from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cabin is located on Azalea Road, Pinehurst. For more information, call 295-4677.

September Six

6 great things to do this month...

1. GO to a Parent Teacher Association meeting at your child’s school. PTA sponsors events, meetings and fundraisers to improve school conditions and build a better bridge between students/teachers and parents. For more information, contact the administrator’s office at your child’s school.

2. GIVE a donation to an area high school athletic booster club. With high school sports starting ip again, these groups depend on equipment and other things needed to give their team a winning edge.

3. DONATE unwanted clothing items to the Sandhills Moore Coalition for Human Care. When doing your “fall swap” of clothes, with winter on the doorstep, now is the time to pass along those delightful winter clothes that still have life in them. You can make someone happy and warm! The Coalition is located at 1117 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. 693-1600.

4. SPICE up your fall wardrobe with jackets, bold accessories and neutral colors from The Faded Rose, located in the heart of Pinehurst Village, where you’re guaranteed to find the latest fall fashions. Pictured is a fur jacket by County Clothing, a necklace by Simon Sebag, and a purse by the ever-so-popular Mary Frances.

5. VOLUNTEER your time for Moore Alliance Nourishing Neighbor Amen! (MANNA!). MANNA! is an ecumenical and community effort to feed the hungry of Moore County, and has served over 20,000 lunches in the past two years. Over 150 volunteers from 10 churches, three community groups and two schools, work together to serve hot and cold lunches five days a week at five different locations. The service currently has 20 preparation groups, but is looking for more helping hands as they hope to begin serving anywhere from six to 10 more sites. Gather your friends and begin a group of your own or volunteer individually by calling John Roberts, Operations Director, at 235-5271.

6. TAKE a walk on the wild side — a Sunday morning stroll through Weymouth Woods, where you will enjoy over five miles of beautiful trails and gorgeous scenery. The Southern Pines Reservoir Park is another great getaway, where you’ll walk the entire two-mile trail before you know it. Weymouth Woods hours are currently 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. The Southern Pines Reservoir Park is open from sunrise to sunset.