Southern Pines Civic

The Southern Pines Civic Club, located at the intersection of Ashe and Pennsylvannia, held its first meeting on Monday, Oct. 6 for the new year 2003-04. The meeting was presided over by President Blanche Woodruff. Following lunch, the business and forthcoming activities were outlined for its members and guests, topped off with a most informative presentation by Beverly Love, coordinator and contact for the Moore County Vision Resource Center, located at the Aberdeen Fire Department. This is a “brand new” service for the extended needs of any individual and/or family members dealing with the incumbrances of loss of any significant degree of vision. Through Beverly’s tireless efforts, this center can guide of procure needful items that can assist a vision impaired person to be more independent in their daily lives. This service has been open since May 2003, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Some of the unique items available are: talking books, magazines, and newspapers – via a telephone; free service for emergency numbers; talking watches, clocks, and calenders; stencils for check writing — just to name a few. A “support group” is being organized, but numerous group activities are already taking place out in our community.

Of special note for the fall calender is the Civic Club’s annual Luncheon and Card Party which will be held on Saturday, Nov 15 at 11:30 a.m. at Belle Meade Retirement Resort. This event benefits the Southern Pines Civic Club House Preservation Fund. Since this is the 97th year of its existence, many upgrades have become a necessity. Thus, the primary goal of its members is celebrating and maintaining the Club House, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Be a part of this endeavor by supporting and attending this affair on Nov 15. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased by contacting Isabella Lucas at 692-5381- be sure to include your friend or guest. Door prizes, individual favors and table prizes will be awarded.

Other upcoming events include: Monday, Nov 3 at 1 p.m.: Charlotte Gantz – “Remembering Kathryn Hepburn” and Monday Dec 1 at 12 p.m.: Luncheon and “The Pinestones.”

College Club

Rusty Harris-Bishop will be the featured speaker at the Nov. 4 luncheon sponsored by The College Club at noon at Whispering Pines Country Club.

Harris-Bishop is the regional sustainability planner in the Fort Bragg Environmental Sustainment Office. A graduate of N.C. State, he has a master’s degree in environmental management from the University of San Francisco. He has worked for the U.S. Navy, the U.S. EPA, and the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources in a variety of engineering and environmental arenas prior to coming to Fort Bragg. His job at Fort Bragg is to develop a regional partnership, “Sustainable Sandhills,” that promotes sustainability in environmental, economic and social equality issues. His talk will explain sustainability and why communities surrounding Fort Bragg are involved in developing a regional approach. He will also show audience members how they can become involved in making the Sandhills a model region for sustainability for the State of North Carolina, the southeast — and the nation.

The College Club welcomes all women who have earned a degree from a four-year college to become members. The club features both social and educational programs and regular groups that meet each month to discuss various subjects. Scholarships are given each year to deserving young women in the Sandhills. Anyone interested in attending this luncheon should call Arleen Rutkofske at 295-9778.

Foxfire Garden Club

Seven Lakes resident, Marisa Back, presented a program on “The Savage World of Carnivorous Plants” for members of the Foxfire Garden Club in Foxfire’s Town Hall on Monday, Oct. 13.

When she moved to the Sandhills, Back learned soon that gardening here was totally different from gardening in Ohio. She enrolled in classes at Sandhills Community College, as well as the Master Gardener Volunteer Class.

In the process, her interest in carnivorous plants was stimulated, and she has become an expert in this field. She exhibited several specimens of these beautiful plants, all of which were chosen from the Carnivorous Plant Bog she created in her yard. Her yard has been certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

Floral designer Carl Klabbatz will be the guest speaker at the Garden Club’s November meeting, demonstrating holiday arrangements for the home. As part of its ongoing Village beautification projects, in early November members of the Garden Club, directed by Chairwoman Sharon Thingstad, will replace the summer flowers throughout the Village with pansies.

Marine Corps League

All Marines, former Marines, active and reserve , and U.S. Navy Corpsmen who served with the FMF, are invited to the monthly meeting of the Marine Corps League held at the American Legion Post #72, 211 East Main St., Aberdeen.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday each month at 7:30 p.m. The next meeting is Nov.12.

For information call 215-8748 or 692-2749.

Page Book Club

Jody Scott entertained members of the Walter Hines Page Book Club with excerpts from his upcoming book, “Women in the Wilderness,” at the Oct. 9 meeting of the club at the Holiday Inn.

The book is awaiting publication; it deals with the mystic, Johannes Kelpius, and a metal bowl in a museum in Philadelphia. It includes references from the book of Isaiah.

Eighteen members were in attendance. Dene Moon was hostess and Kim Auman, program chairman.

Books were exchanged. The club will meet at noon on Nov. 20 at the Holiday Inn with Cos Barnes, hostess, and Sue Buffkin and Mary Edman, program chairmen.

Newcomers

Pinehurst Newcomers Marathon Bridge No. 48 results are:

1. Jack and Diane McCarthy, 2. Art and Mary Lumkes, 3. Bobby and Jan Love.

More bridge players are needed to fill group No. 52. All levels of bridge are welcome.

There are six couples in each group, and they play once a month with one of the other couples. When all couples have played each other, the group is finished.

There is a fee of $11 per couple, and the top three finishers get cash prizes. To join, or if you have questions, please call Fran and Jim Mellios at 215-0738.