January/February 2023 Pinehurst Living

World

12 Venue of Your Dreams

Yes, your wedding reception should look beautiful. But if you neglect everything that goes on behind the scenes, it could cost you.

16 Don’t Forget the Groom

We agree, weddings are mostly about the bride, but that doesn’t mean the groom can’t have his day in the sun, too.

18 Local Weddings

Celebrating local weddings throughout the year and the many vendors that make each wedding day unique and special.

32 Wedding Trends

For several years now couples have abandoned traditional big wedding customs in favor of the different and unique. That trend continues for 2023.

Photo by Jennifer B. Photography

Make Pinehurst Your Something Old.

After more than a century of historic moments, Pinehurst is the perfect choice for your dream wedding. Let our experts handle every detail — so you can enjoy every second.

– Groucho Marx

“I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.”

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From the Editor

My wife Heather and I had a morning wedding. I have no idea why we chose the morning versus the evening, but it may have had something to do with the availability of the church. We were married in Hartford, Connecticut, at St. Patrick–St. Anthony Parish, which is the oldest Catholic Church in the Nutmeg State. I wore an ascot tie and a jacket with tails. It seemed like the thing to do for a morning ceremony, and I have to say I felt pretty stylish.

Later, I would learn that the ascot tie emerged in early 19th century Britain and is named after a highbrow horserace called the Royal Ascot. Men were required to wear the tie and a tailcoat jacket, also known as a morning coat, to the race. Queen Anne hosted the first Royal Ascot in 1711 and the royal family has hosted the event ever since. Fashion, and being seen, were as much of a sport as the horse race, and that tradition lives on today.

The Gilded Age brought fashion to entirely new heights. Women’s dresses were incredibly elaborate and artistic, while stiff-postured men stuck to the ubiquitous white tie, white vest and black tail coat. That is, until the mid1860s when the Prince of Wales—the future King Edward VII—asked Savile Row tailor Henry Poole to make him an outfit for more casual dinners. Poole created a blue, tailless “smoking jacket” with matching pants. It was the first of its kind.

Several years later, American millionaire James Brown Potter, while visiting England, saw the Prince of Wales wearing the jacket and brought the fashion back to New York, where he lived in a small, exclusive enclave in the Hudson Valley called Tuxedo Park. Potter wore the jacket to the Tuxedo Club Autumn Ball in 1886 and a men’s formal wear revolution had begun.

The word tuxedo comes from the indigenous Lenape word p’tuxseepu , which means crooked river, having nothing to do with fashion. The popularity of the tuxedo has ebbed and flowed over the decades, just like the waters its named after, but the style has never gone away. The 1960s gave rise to some interesting alterations to the outfit, from frilled shirts to bold-colored ties, but, overall, the classic black tie, white shirt and tailless jacket remains the go-to formal wear for men. And really, would James Bond look better in anything else?

Today, men have license to mix the traditional with the modern, and they’re coming up with some fanastic trends in the process. I’ll be curious to see if the wooden bow tie has the same longevity as the tux.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Greg Girard greg@pinehurstlivingmagazine.com

PUBLISHER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Amanda Jakl amanda@pinehurstlivingmagazine.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Amanda Jakl amanda@pinehurstlivingmagazine.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Steve Jordan

COPY EDITOR

William C. Nelson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Robert Gable, Amelia Kirkland, Sundi McLaughlin, Melissa McPeake, Dolores Muller, Robert Nason, Ray Owen, Sassy Pellizzari, Helen Ross, Nicole Smith, Whitney Weston, Colon Wood

PHOTOGRAPHY

Amanda Jakl, Moore County Historical Association, Tufts Archives

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For many wedding couples, choosing where you want to hold the special day is how their wedding dreams begin. It is a foundational decision for any wedding plan, and typically all other preparations work off of the venue choice. Venue availability, however, can be limited and options book fast. Doing as much research online before you contact the venues can help tremendously, and can eliminate options from your list. To help you expedite the venue selection process, here are some key questions to start with before you make that reservation.

First and foremost, is your date available and how important is your wedding date? If you’re flexible and looking more for a particular season, then you’ll have more venues to choose from. If you have a specific date in mind, it’s worth contacting the venue at the start of your process to make sure that date is available. And remember, it’s advisable to only book the other vendors (flowers, photographer, music, etc.) after you have booked the location. Once you

Some venues require you to hire and work from their preferred vendor list. These vendors have been vetted and approved by the venue in order to maintain the venue’s standards, quality and integrity.

know your date, ask if the date can be held. Many venues will not hold dates and will require a signed contract and deposit.

OK, now that your date is set, let’s look at a list of questions you’ll need to ask when talking to the venue: How many people can the venue accommodate? Knowing this will narrow down the choices, according to the number of people you can and need to invite.

Does the venue have a Preferred Vendor List ? Some venues require you to hire and work from their preferred vendor list. These vendors have been vetted and approved by the venue in order to maintain the venue’s standards, quality and integrity. These are usually people and businesses that are already familiar with the venue and know what will work and what won’t.

Does the venue provide in-house catering or does it require an outside caterer? Some venues handle food and will provide menu and budget options. Some will allow an outside caterer. And some may allow you to bring your own food without a qualified caterer. Also, ask about the kitchen setup for your caterer. Is it a full kitchen or a prep kitchen?

Who handles beer, wine and liquor? This may be provided as an add-on by the venue, as part of your catering package, or you may be able to just BYOL it to the premises. There can also be legal questions about who can serve alcohol, so make sure those are clearly explained to you. And then make sure to ask if you’ll need a mobile bar, or whether there is a stationary bar on site.

THE VENUE OF YOUR DREAMS By MELISSA MCPEAKE , Owner, Village Pine Venue

THE VENUE OF YOUR DREAMS

What type of insurance and permits are necessary? Oftentimes, venues will require event insurance, ABC permits, town event permits, etc. These will protect both you and the venue, so make sure you discuss your options and what is required.

Parking and transportation. Most venues have limited parking areas and it may be necessary to provide a transportation service for your guests. You may also want to consider hiring a parking attendant or valet.

What is included in your venue package? No one wants to show up at their reception to discover there are no tables or chairs. Tables, chairs, decor, tableware, tablecloths, dance floor, all of these are necessary but may not be part of the venue’s package. Knowing what is included or what may be an additional expense will help with your budget allotment.

The timeline for the day is important. What hours do you have access to the venue? Is it available for a rehearsal? Is there a cutoff time for music? Is there a specific hour for last call? When do your vendors need to have their stuff cleaned up and out?

Is there a place to get ready the day of? Bridal suite, groom suite, wedding party suites, hair and makeup space … having a venue with these rooms available will simplify your day and provide a space to hang your dress, enjoy a snack and drink, relax between pictures and spend time with your wedding party.

Are there ceremony locations on site? Where are they located? What do those look like? What is the rain plan? Do you need additional seating for the service?

What is permitted in your decor and send-off plan? Are floating floral arrangements allowed? Can draping

be done from the rafters? Is glitter allowed? Are candles allowed? Can you use confetti or sparklers upon departure? Are fireworks allowed at the venue and does the town or county permit them?

Clean-up. No one wants an abundance of cleaning at the end of their reception, so what is the plan for this? Does the venue clean? Is there a cleaning fee? Does the trash need to be hauled off? Make sure both you and your vendors are aware of the rules and responsibilities.

Contract. Now that you’ve found the perfect location and all of your questions have been answered, make sure what you want, need and expect are included in the contract. Ask the following questions:

• How much is the venue and what does their a la carte menu look like?

• Is the venue within your budget?

• What extras are included and what must you provide?

• What is the deposit amount?

• What is the payment plan?

• What is the security deposit and what does it cover?

Also, be sure to have the funds ready and available before speaking with venues. Many venues will not hold dates and will require a signed contract and deposit once you’ve made your decision.

Most venues will not let you cancel, either, or they won’t let you cancel without a cancellation fee. Make sure the cancellation process and fees are clearly stated in the contract.

Whew, we know, it’s a lot. Hopefully, though, these guidelines will assist you in making this a streamlined, stress-free process, and help make the venue of your dreams a wedding success! PL

Join the Association

C. Cups Cupcakery Cruise Planners Smiles in the Pines Together As One Pinehurst Resort Designs by Lady Vye Pines Insurance Group Village Pine Venue HollyPop Tricia Michael Photography Johnson Florist

Jennifer Lee Calligraphy Hollyfield Design, Inc. Karma Spa Lounge & Beauty Bar Pinehurst Living Magazine Elliott’s Catering Co.

Kirk Tours & Limousine Carolina DanceWorks

Maggie’s Farm Vision Events

Genuine Hospitality Catering Co. Ward Productions

Jennifer B. Photography

Jack Hadden Floral & Event Story Focused Media Star of the Pines Wealth Management

Second Act Florals

Sandhills Strings

The Fair Barn

Kaitlyn Blake Photography Be Our Guest Travel Co.

Photo credit Jennifer B. Photography

DON'T FORGET THE GROOM By

WOOD, Stylist, The Gentlemen's Corner

COLON

You’ve popped the question, you’ve set the date, you’ve chosen the venue. Now it’s time to look the part. While the ladies have always had near limitless choices, the men seem to be a bit more subdued. But that’s changing! Whether you’re opting for a formal affair that calls for a tuxedo or a more casual setting where a blazer would suffice, make sure you do it in style. Yes, that even applies to jeans. Here are a few points to make your special day special:

It’s not one-size-fits-all

Just rent a tux, right? Sorry, but groom’s outfit requires a little more thought than that. There are some standards you must meet as the second most significant guest at the wedding. There is also a small learning curve if you don’t regularly wear a suit to work and aren’t familiar with the newest trends in men’s fashion. Find someone who can measure you correctly to ensure the best fit, whether you are renting or buying (I always suggest starting local). Select a suit shape based on your frame, not on what’s in style. A slim-fit suit will not work on a bigger frame, just as a traditional suit isn’t ideal for a tall, lanky body. A well-fitted, well-tailored suit will make any body shape look good. The “trend” will come in the colors, the shirt and the accessories.

Memorable,

not flashy

Unless you’ve already discussed it with your bride, aim to be memorable, but avoid the flash. Stay clear of bright colors unless this was agreed upon. If you’ll be wearing a suit, grays are still on trend, but rich blues and deep greens are starting to pop up. Natural fabrics are still very on trend. Avoid polyester, as it looks tacky and is incredibly uncomfortable, which will undoubtedly show in photos. If you want something a little more daring, try an understated plaid, tweed, a doublebreasted suit (an ’80s favorite) or even velvet. Again, though, neutral colors preferred. Ideally, the groom should stand out from his groomsmen. So, make

sure you either are in a different color or fabric suit or have an accessory that differentiates you.

It’s the little things

Now that you’ve chosen your suit or tuxedo, it’s time to choose the accessories. You can be a little more bold with some more than others. Pick a patterned pocket square, or choose a tie with an interesting texture. Even the tie pin can have some flair.

It never hurts to allow some of your accessories to mirror your bride’s as well. For example, if your bride is wearing blue earrings, wear blue cufflinks or a blue tie pin. Socks can be a little more silly since they won’t be as visible. Consider a personalized pair for the big day. Belts can offer a way to add texture without much fuss. Neckwear can be a traditional tie, but choose an unusual knot like the Eldredge knot or the Trinity knot, to stand out a bit. Bow ties are another classic choice, but choose an unusual material. Wood and feather bow ties are now available and look really fun.

Make your own tradition

While the bride has “something new, something borrowed, something blue,” the groom doesn’t seem to have anything fun, rhyming or not. How about starting your own tradition? Ask the oldest

person from each side of the family— grandfather, uncle, cousin—to give you a pair of cufflinks for you to wear in the wedding. Wear one from each set to represent the joining of two families. Make sure to ask in person, though, this isn’t time for an email or a text. The family members will be greatly honored to be included in the big day; plus you get two great sets of cufflinks and a tradition to pass on.

Don’t re-invent the wheel

While there should be something fun and unexpected in your wedding planning, reinventing style terms for your invitations shouldn’t be one of them. (Think New York Beach Attire, Cocktails in the Rain or Southern Formal.) Let’s be honest, no one knows what those terms mean so you’re more likely to get guests who show up looking out of place. If you want to avoid your guests looking like they took a style page from Cheech and Chong, tell the guys what you want them to wear. Either use specific language—a tux, a suit and tie, a sport coat and jeans—or use the classic terms that are easy to Google, like white tie, black tie, black tie optional, semiformal or cocktail. It will be less confusing for everyone and your guests can focus on celebrating you and not feeling out of place because of their wardrobe. PL

LOCAL WEDDING CELEBRATIONS

April 23, 2022

Kay & Thomas

Photographer: Tricia Michael Photography

Venue: Soiree on South

Hair & Makeup: Sunshine Beauty and Bliss

Caterer: Genuine Hospitality Catering

Florist: Jack Hadden Floral

Dessert: The Bakehouse

Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal

Bridemaids Attire: David’s Bridal

Invitations: Shutterfly

Favors: Etsy

June 4, 2022

Danielle & Alston

Photographer: Jennifer B. Photography

Venue: Little River

Hair: Fallon McNeil

Makeup: Anna Rowland

Caterer: Fore All Occasions

Florist: Hillside Florist

Cake: Elisha’s Edible Addictions

Planner: Demi & Missy

Music: DJ Trae

Photo by Jennifer B. Photography

June 18, 2022

Julie & Jake

Photographer: Kaitlyn Blake Photography

Ceremony: Sacred Heart Church

Hair: Kayla Beauty

Makeup: Priscilla Beauty

Caterer & Cake: Elliott’s on Linden

Florist: Hollyfield Design

Bridal Gown: Martina Liana Bridal

Jewelry: Olive & Piper Jewelry

Videography: Single Story Film

Photo:

July 23, 2022

Chynna & Elijah

Photographer: Whitney Duggins Photography

Venue: Fair Barn

Hair: Carly Lambert West

Makeup: Lexie Allred

Caterer: The House of Odell and Luella

Florist: Jack Hadden Floral

Planner: The Gathering Co.

Bar: Johnny’s Bartending / The Bar Czar

Rentals: Ward Productions

Officiant: Curtis Barbery DJ: The Pefect Beat

September 24, 2022

Bailey & Barrett

Photographer: Jennifer B. Photography

Venue: Forest Creek Country Club

Hair & Makeup: Donna Lee

Cake: C. Cups Cupcakery

Planner: Brooks & Reid

Florist: Jack Hadden Floral

Dress: Gilded Bridal

Livestream: LoveStream Music: The Perfect Beat Officiant: Scott Marx

A Healthier Bubbly

By Sassy Pellizzari

It’s January, the unofficial month of the bubbles!

Who doesn’t ring in the new year with sparkles in your décor and your glass? Then, throughout January, whether you’ve chosen to go dry or just be your awesome self, bubbles are aplenty. So, if you want to take a break from that seltzer water from time to time, the healthiest option to stock up on is sparkling wine with no added sugar, Pas Dose.

I am referring to the dosage for sparkling wines, the process in which Champagne and sparkling wines are produced and have been for decades.

The amount of sugar in sparkling wine occurs after the harvesting, the grape selection, the fermentation and the aging process. Immediately before the bubbly is bottled, a tiny amount of “dosage” or sweet wine is added to the bottle. At this point, all the sugar in the wine has been converted to alcohol, so the sparkling wine is extremely dry. How much dosage is added determines how sweet the final product will be.

Some producers choose not to add any dosage or sugar to the final product, and that is known as “pas dose” or “dosage zero,” so look for this noted on the label.

The labels on the bottle can be deceiving. “Extra dry,” for example, is actually not super dry but more middle of the road. Here are the official definitions of the sweetness categories that you’ll find on the label, as described by the Comité Champagne, which is the official Champagne wine committee:

Pas dose, Dosage Zero or Brut Nature: zero dosage and 0 –3 grams of sugar per liter (extremely dry)

Extra brut: 0 – 6 grams of sugar per liter (very dry)

Brut: less than 12 g of sugar per liter (dry)

Extra Dry: 12–17 g of sugar per liter (medium dry)

Sec: 17–32 g of sugar per liter (medium sweet)

Demi sec: 32– 60g of sugar per liter (sweet)

Doux: over 50 g of sugar per liter (very sweet)

Champagne is a sparkling wine. Its geographical location and time-consuming winemaking method are what delivers the unique complexity found only in Champagne.

You can also find great sparkling wines that are just as pleasurable as Champagne but for a fraction of the price. You could choose a bubbly that follows the

same production guidelines as Champagne, but is not specifically from the Champagne region. There are many high quality wines made in Italy (Franciacorta, Prosecco) and Spain (Cava).

One example of a small production pas dose sparkling wine from Northern Italy is Peri Talento 46, which follows the champenoise method: it demands second fermentation in the bottle, an all-manual process, blanc de blanc 100 percent chardonnay grapes, 46 months of aging, and it also has a vintage (no mixed harvests). A Peri vintage would cost approximately $35, which is about half the price of an anonymous, novintage Champagne.

Perhaps you just want something easy, crisp and bubbly to make never-ending bellinis or mimosas at brunch. For this I recommend prosecco, which is a sparkling wine made in the Veneto region of Italy. Prosecco DOC is made with glera grapes using the Charmat tank method and prices start at under $10.

Although there can be a wide spectrum of dryness in prosecco, most are a bit sweeter than the champenoise methods. The common difference in taste between Champagne and prosecco is that Champagne generally has flavors of peach, citrus, white cherry, toast and almond. Prosecco has more green apple, pear, honeydew melon, honeysuckle and cream. While Champagne and champenoise methods can be paired throughout a meal, prosecco, in my opinion, is more suitable in mixed drinks.

You may have been celebrating holidays for the last three months of 2022, however you do not need to suffer through impossible resolutions. Make healthy choices, do everything in moderation and drink wines that are naturally produced with no added sugar, like Peri Pas Dose.

Let’s ring in 2023 with all the fun of the bubbles and none of the guilt.

Life Under Pines

The Dress

By Sundi McLaughlin

Late one night, on the eve of my third wedding anniversary, I adopted a bizarre ritual of trying on my wedding dress. Ladies, as you can imagine, the idea is rife with disappointment and despair. As most women know, the months leading up to a wedding are when one starves themselves just to fit into that beautiful dress, take a twirl on the dance floor, get some photos taken and then, poof—that beautiful gown you spent weeks or months searching for is zipped into a bag or put into a cryogenic freezer never to be seen again.

As my backside seems to grow larger by the birthday, I now think of my wedding dress as a kind of lovely doily—pretty, yet outdated and absolutely pointless. My loving husband, being in the military, has been absent for about 15 of our 23 anniversaries, leaving only one witness to my bizarre ritual, my faithful dog, God rest his soul.

This year as I unzip the garment bag, I marvel at my beautiful gown. The hand beading glides along the bodice, while the train is heavily loaded with embroidered flowers and pearls. As I struggle with the weight of the gown and pull up the straps I carefully inspect myself in the mirror. Unfortunately, this year the dress will not be zipping up. It zips as far as my waist and comes to a tragic halt. My weight gain and the subsequent impossibility of the dress zipping is not entirely my fault, although I am sure the threecookies-a-night house rule doesn’t help the situation.

Twenty-three years and two months ago, before I was married, something tragically wonderful happened! I was struck down with pneumonia and pleurisy. This wonderfully nasty combo caused me to lose a significant amount of weight prior to the “big day.” The weight loss turned my waist into a stack of dimes. I look at my wedding photos now and marvel at the waif looking back at me. (Men, you will struggle to understand why a young, betrothed woman would be thrilled over a debilitating illness which would cause such weight loss, and for that I do not have time here to explain.)

Such is the insanity of beauty standards in the western world. Alas, two decades later, as I struggle to move in the billowing white dress I liken myself to a 10-pound ham in a 5-pound sack, just as Chick-fil-A and the Lord intended.

The rest of my anniversary tradition alters slightly according to location and job. Years ago, when I worked as a deputy on the 4:00 p.m. to midnight shift, I would come home alone from work (my man was deployed), take off my unsightly polyester police uniform and put on my tiara, wedding gown and shoes. I would pop open a beer and watch Conan O’Brien.

Afterward, I would cue up Shania Twain’s “From this Moment” on the sound system and dance with my dog while he balanced on his back legs, eventually getting caught up in the train of the dress. I exhausted myself and the dog. Once, I dragged myself

around the house looking at all of the things which hold such fond memories, like our wedding photos and the bizarre wedding gifts I still have and no idea what to do with.

For instance, a salt and pepper shaker set—the pepper being a rooster and the salt a cat (let that marinate). The plastic green faux marble desk clock which was missing the the 12, 2, and 5—for what reason, I can’t explain. The scary vase with a screaming woman’s face surrounded by white daisies etched in the glass has a special place in my dreams, but the taxidermy squirrel wearing a jaunty little hat might be the most disturbing of all. (We lived in Florida at the time, if that clears anything up). I think her name was Irma.

Then there are the sentimental things I don’t know what to do with, but can’t seem to part with, like our wedding invitation responses and the congratulatory wedding cards our guests took the time to write. These things I keep and move with us wherever we go. After traveling down memory lane, and drinking too much, I usually collapse into bed half-tipsy, completely depressed and, yes, still wearing the gown.

This year, however, I strode out of the bedroom with my dress half zipped up, my veil with the pearl-encrusted tiara listing to the right, and noticed something very peculiar. My husband was sitting on the couch stone-still staring at me as if I had gone completely mad. It was then I realized he had never been present for one of these perfectly normal (as my therapist calls it) annual events. I shrugged off his look of concern and asked him if he

would like to dance while cueing Shania. As he shakily got to his feet, eyeing me like a doctor would a psychiatric patient, he asked, “Are you all right?”

“Of course I am, I was just reminiscing about our wedding and wondered if you would like to spin me around the dance floor.”

With a worried look he slowly walked toward his deranged patient and reluctantly obliged. After a few laughs, a few turns, and one too many dips I swept back into the closet and zipped the beautiful gown back into its garment bag for another year. From the living room my husband yelled, “You looked beautiful, just how I remembered.”

And there it is—my heart exploding with love and gratitude, and I was reminded for the millionth time how lucky I am, even though I am (ahem) bigger on the outside, my insides are still the same.

I still feel like the young lady who had no idea what to expect, no clue what the future might hold, but I knew I would have my man and he would have me, and now 23 years later here we are, still together, happy (as long as there are no home projects looming) and relatively healthy. Life is not perfect and although we still have no idea what our future holds, he will have me, such as I am, and I’ve got him, come what may, right here under the pines ….

PL

Sundi McLaughlin is a proud military wife and small-business owner of Mockingbird on Broad in Southern Pines.

Timothy Pearson, MD, FAAD Thomas Knackstedt, MD, FAAD, FACMS

Heather Kitchens, PA-C

Elena Avila, PA-C

WEDDING TRENDS

Since 2020, couples have abandoned traditional, big wedding customs and expectations in favor of their own unique wedding plans. Here are a few trends we’ll be seeing in 2023:

Bows, bows and more bows Bows are popping up all over the wedding scene, as both fashion and form this year. They have an undeniable girlish, flirtatious charm, but bows also call to mind a refined elegance. Bows come in a variety of colors, textures and sizes. Bows can be incorporated into your wedding wardrobe in a variety of ways, from enormous statement pieces to delicate embellishments. Put them on your shoes, clothes, hair, cake, table decor and, of course, your dress.

Smaller bouquets

It’s simple to become overwhelmed by the chaos of wedding planning and select a lovely bouquet that requires both arms to lift. It doesn’t have to be that way. Smaller bouquets can

undoubtedly give a striking impression, and in 2023 we’ll see a lot more of these. Consider the advantages: They are simpler to carry and use for celebrations, they don’t cover your face in pictures and your maid of honor won’t need to engage in a rigorous exercise regimen to be able to hold it during the ceremony.

Mismatched bridesmaid

dresses

Leave the identical dresses at the bridal store. Brides are now asking bridesmaids to follow a color palette, or similar color dresses, but allow the wearer to choose the cut of the dress. Not everyone wants to wear a strapless mini dress! Not only will your attendants look better (since they chose something that flatters them), but the photos will turn out better because they’ll be comfortable in their attire, which should show in their smiling faces.

Alternative wedding party attendants

If we’re throwing away the identical dresses, let’s throw away the whole maid of honor/best man tradition, too. Who

says you can’t have flower men and flower grandmas or a best woman and man of honor? As more couples include their siblings and closest friends from the other gender in their big day, the phrase “bridal parties” is being replaced by “wedding parties.” There’s no reason a bride’s brother can’t support her with her bridesmaids if he’s her best friend. And why can’t a girl who is a groom’s best friend attend the bachelor party? Weddings are about celebrating with the people closest to you, no matter their role or gender.

Go west, or east, or anywhere

By NICOLE SMITH, Vision Events PL

Dwindling are the days of huge 200+ guest weddings. Brides and grooms are opting for destination weddings where only close friends and family are invited. Tropical destinations are always popular, but with the euro finally more on par with the dollar, we’ll probably see more over-the-pond getaways in 2023. One more bonus to an overseas soiree: You’re that much closer to your honeymoon.

PL PICK THE PINES of

CORSET

SUZI

BRIDE CHILLA CANDLE $28.50, Jack Hadden

WEDDING

BECK

WINE

SUACE PAN BRUSH $15, Lavender ReStyle Market

ANDRÉE

GOLF KIT $22.50, Lily Rose

RELAX, GIRL CANDLE $25, Lily Rose

ZUM CANDLES AND BODY SCRUB prices vary, Bump & Baby

HANGOVER KIT $15, Lily Rose

BLACK LEATHER BACKPACK $138.50, Bump & Baby

POKER SET $82, Lily Rose

BOTTLE OPENER AND TOPPER $25, Lily Rose

ANDRÉE JARDIN DISH SOAP check store for details, Lavender Restyle Market

JARDIN DISH SOAP check store for details, Lavender Restyle Market

Lily-of-the-Valley

The Queen’s Flower

By Dolores Muller

Lily-of-the-Valley was Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite flower and was featured in many of the floral displays at Buckingham palace. At the queen’s coronation in 1953 her bouquet included all white flowers, comprising orchids from Wales, stephanotis from Scotland, carnations from Northern Ireland and lily-of-the-valley from England. It had a special place in the monarch’s heart given that it symbolized trustworthiness. It was also in Kate Middleton’s bridal bouquet when she married in 2010. It is the national flower of Finland and on the 1st of May in France, La Fête du Muguet, lily-of-the-valley is given to loved ones as a symbol of good luck and happiness. French perfume makers from Estée Lauder to Dior have use its unique scent in their perfumes.

For me, this flower brings back fond memories of visits to my grandparents’ house. In their yard, was a beautiful lilac bush and beneath it a carpet of these diminutive plants with tiny white bell-shaped flowers dangling from the stems. Just the thought of it brings to mind the intoxicating scent these tiny flowers emit. Legend has it that the small white flowers actually formed from Eve’s tears as she left the Garden of Eden.

Lily-of-the-valley is a woodland plant that makes a wonderful ground cover. It can be called by other names such as Maybelles, Our Lady’s Tears, or the French name muguet. The botanical name is Convallaria majalis. It does well in zones 2–7, is low maintenance and is seldom bothered by deer. This herbaceous woodland perennial will form extensive colonies by spreading its rhizomes under

the ground. Its name would make you think it is a lily, but actually it belongs to the asparagus family. It grows 6 to 12 inches tall and each plant has two to three elliptic green leaves with a flowering stem rising from the center of each leaf clump, to which are attached five to 10 tiny bell-shaped flowers. It likes full to partial shade and soil that is moist and moderately acid with plentiful amounts of humus.

The single underground rhizome of this plant, which are also known as pips, can be divided at any time after flowering. November and December are the ideal time for division or to plant lily-of-the-valley. In no time at all you will have a carpet of the white beautifully scented flowers.

A note of caution: This sweet little plant is poisonous, not by touching it but if ingested, so it is wise to be careful with the plant around children and pets. PL

The Old Scotch Graveyard

Story by Ray Owen Images courtesy of Moore County Historical Association

Afew miles out from Carthage on the old Stage Road is a curious burying ground that has been prominent in local history for over two centuries. Known as the Old Scotch Graveyard, it is set atop a high ridge off State Road 1261 near the junction of State Road 1210. In this ancient place you sense a world not often remembered, its roots reaching back to the Highland Scot settlers who began populating the section in the mid-1700s.

The early Highlanders brought their dead here for burial from across the region. The property was once known as Widow Bethune’s Hill and later the Old Barrett Place. The headstone for Peter Bethune (ca. 1746-1805) is probably the oldest among approximately 65 markers. His kinsman, John Bethune, was the first minister of any denomination to serve in what are now Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond and Robeson Counties.

Rev. Bethune came over around 1773, writing back to his homeland, encouraging others to join him and “become owners of the soil upon which they lived and labored and take their place among the landed Carolina gentry.” At the time, rapid changes in the economic, political and social systems had resulted in widespread poverty in Scotland.

With encouragement from Bethune and others, shiploads of Highlanders moved up the Cape Fear River into the Sandhills, ultimately comprising a third of the population. They clustered together, forming the strongest cultural presence due to their ties of kinship and custom. Their settlements dotted the woodlands where they engaged in subsistence farming and bleeding longleaf pines of their resin for the tar, pitch and turpentine industry—their major cash crop.

Interments in the Old Scotch Graveyard scatter across the distance with a few polished stones marking new arrivals.

Traveling the uneven field, the mix of leaning slabs seem animated in back-and-forth or side-to-side movement, as the sinking stones of pioneers yield their outposts. With few exceptions, everyone was buried to face the rising sun, since they believed at the end of days they would rise to greet Jesus, who would come from the east to meet them.

Many of the graves are unmarked and headstones are broken. The ones you can read bear names and dates representing families still prominent in the region, such as Black, King, McIver, McDonald and Nunnery. Over time the elements have worked against the ridge, carving into the mound. Through a thicket down one side the hill, erosion has uncovered red sandstone a few feet lower in the level of the earth, revealing the material likely used for the headstones.

For the Highlanders, Sandhills life marked a new beginning but for us today, their hardships are nearly unimaginable. They had left behind civilization, however rocky, for an untamed wilderness where they suffered hunger, internal rebellion, extreme weather and clashes with native people. They spent lonely nights isolated in tiny cabins built in woods populated with wolves, wildcats and snakes. Typhoid, yellow fever and malaria were commonplace and often resulted in death.

John MacRae was a Highland poet who settled near the Old Scotch Graveyard just before the American Revolution. He wrote a poem for his daughter called “Lullaby” where he says, “At last we’re arrived on America’s shores in the shade of the forest forever unfailing. When winter departs and the warmth returns, nuts and apples and the sugar will grow.” But other lines are fearful: “We are all like Indians sure enough. Under the darkness of the trees, not one of us will survive.”

They had come to a brave new world, yet they held onto views of death and dying rooted in the pre-Christian beliefs of

Approximately 65 markers are scattered throughout the Old Scotch Graveyard near Carthage. The Moore County Historical Association recently took over maintaining the site in order to preserve it.

Celtic society. For them, various omens preceded death, the “away-going” that would come for us all. Among the signs were ghost lights, called the will o’ the wisp, unexpected knocks at the door in sets of threes, a cock crowing more than usual, and the continuous howling of dogs. Birds tapping at the window and the cry of screech owls were also foreboding.

When death arrived, all the mirrors covered and clocks were stopped, and doors were kept ajar to set the spirit free. The body would be washed and dressed, and the eyes were closed and generally kept shut by means of coins placed upon them. If the bed they died on had bird feathers they would be placed on the floor in the belief that feathers stopped the dead from finding rest. The daily work routine was discontinued, such days of idleness being known as “dead days.”

People regularly viewed the remains and sat by them for at least two sunrises and often three if there was an intervening Sabbath. Neither burials or marriages were conducted before

a proper funeral was conducted. The origins of a protracted wake were practical. A corpse was watched until the first indication of decay, the absolute proof of death. This was no light matter because there were many supposed instances of a dead person reviving in their coffin or even in the ground.

This very thing reportedly happened in the family of Reverend Colin Lindsay, Bethesda Presbyterian Church’s first pastor in what is now Aberdeen. According to some accounts, his mother lapsed into a coma and was pronounced dead. After her funeral, grave robbers exhumed her coffin to steal her wedding ring, but she sat up in her coffin, frightening the robbers away. When she returned home in her grave cloths, her husband rejoiced and Reverend Lindsay was apparently born a few years later.

There was a prevalent belief in the importance of a “good” death. This was anyone who died in combat or service to others, something seen as worthy of honor and dignity. And while most don’t choose

the point of their earthly departure, to die away from home was undesirable.

Despite a sense of loss for the Highlanders death wasn’t something to be sad about. Someone’s passing was time of celebration because life was seen as a temporary gift to be appreciated. The focus of their grief and mourning revolved around happy memories. At times, outsiders saw this as a sign of disrespect and it was little wonder that an observant Englishman once declared that

a Scottish funeral was “merrier than an English wedding.”

Today, the Moore County Historical Association has been working with the Jordan Lumber Company and Spencer Land Trust to obtain the property with the help of Bill Edsel and Kaye Davis Brown. One of the oldest and most esteemed groups of its kind, the Association will preserve the cemetery and Jordan Lumber has donated $20,000 to help defray costs and will maintain a clear-cut border as a firebreak. PL

Life's Short, Play Golf

By Robert Gable

Life is a mixture of fun times and difficult times. Being able to see the humor in trying times helps us to get through the rough patches. Rick Reilly is a writer who excels at weaving humor into his stories. His writing brings to mind the observation: Things are a mess, but all is well. So Help Me Golf is the latest book offering his humorous take on our current times.

While he was writing a column for Sports Illustrated, the National Sports Media Association named Reilly the “National Sportswriter of the Year” 11 times. There he perfected the art of lacing serious observations with quirky humor. In this current book he includes roughly 80 stories that he’s always wanted to tell about golf. He calls it his valentine to golf. He admits he first hated golf, but now he’s absorbed by it—it has become his life’s passion. These stories come from “saving string,” as they say in the newspaper business. Each story is between 700 and 1,000 words, drawn from 40 years of true golf stories he’s accumulated. Each one showcases his unique way of describing a person or place with just the right turn of phrase.

Reilly also finds golf inspiring, as he relates in the story “The Six-Foot Golf Course.” During the Vietnam War, Colonel George Hall was shot down and thrown in the infamous prison dubbed the Hanoi Hilton. An avid golfer, he decided to play an imaginary round of golf every day while imprisoned. He walked back and forth, took swings, and talked to people, all in the inhuman conditions of a cold, dark, seven-by-six-foot isolation cell. After 7 years, four months, and 18 days he was released and went home to Hattiesburg, Mississippi—some 70 pounds lighter and suffering from numerous injuries—where he greeted all the people who unwittingly helped him through the ordeal. Golf kept him alive and kept him sane.

There are so many stories here, you can just pick up the book and start to read at any point. Reilly tells it to you straight—he will tell you what he thinks, and why he thinks that way. For instance, he explains why Tiger Woods is the best player he’s ever seen, while Jack Nicklaus is the greatest player he’s ever seen. And don’t say to him, “Look what poor Tiger’s been through.” All unforced errors. Golf skills? No golfer has more talent. Life skills? That’s another story.

So Help Me Golf: Why We Love the Game

By Rick Reilly 258 pages, Hachette Book Group

/ $29.00

Why does he love golf so much? Well, “where else can you play a sport and enjoy a burgerdog?” (A burgerdog is a tasty hamburger on a hot dog bun—don’t knock it until you try it.) Tennis? Every court is the same, except for grass versus clay. Golf has different courses, different landscapes and different local traditions, ensuring that no two courses are ever the same. The people? He’s played with presidents and celebrities and everyday average people and learned something from them all. He relates 30 things you might not know about Jack Nicklaus in “The Greatest Player Who Ever Lived and If You Don’t Agree Get Your Own Book.” He has fun at his own expense when he explains how he invented “Top Golf” (see page 272 of his 1997 novel Missing Links), but unfortunately for him, he didn’t patent it. Top Golf got the gold mine, he got the shaft.

Reilly mixes in candid reflections at the start of each main chapter, going back in his mind to his youth to confront the issues he had with his father. He learned how to tell funny stories to defuse the difficult times he had at home. This is his 15th book, though now he’s concentrating on writing screenplays—no more Sports Illustrated back page.

For Reilly, “Golf isn’t about what score you shoot, it’s about all the stories you hear and the people you meet and in the most beautiful settings. Golf is still the best way to spend time with your friends.” He’s thankful his first impression of golf was wrong, and he comes to a sentimental ending to the book, saying, “You start to see the end. I want to tell people how fun my life was, and how great they made it. I want to thank them. Most of them were connected to golf and I realize how deeply woven golf is into my whole life.”

PL

Robert Gable worked in book publishing for 18 years before going into the golf industry. He lived and worked in Pinehurst for five years and still misses it. He currently lives in Queens and works as an assistant golf pro at Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, New York.

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Lights Out

By amelia kirkland

Recently, Moore County was subjected to several days of darkness. I don’t mean figurative darkness, but actual darkness, the kind that comes from no electricity.

I don’t know about you, but this caused me to S-L-O-W down. Having conveniences such as Wi-Fi, functioning clothes and dish washers, and LIGHTS suddenly ripped away from your grasp leads to a new consciousness. Suddenly, even the smallest of tasks had to be planned; the lightspeed pace of life had to be slowed and we had to make do with a lot less.

But is this a bad thing? Certainly, the forced blackout was bad, but a reflection on our circumstances and what we can learn from them is not. I saw on Facebook that a friend had finished a book that she’d been reading for a long time—and really enjoyed! I saw evidence of neighbors helping neighbors, a true coming-together as a community, reminiscent of the early days of the pandemic.

During crises, people tend to band together instead of driving each other apart. How can we retain that sense of calm, community, continuity, and love now that the lights are back on?

There are three principles—in fact old adages—that may be helpful here:

1. Practice Gratitude

2. Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You

3. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Let’s tackle gratitude first. Coming off the holiday season, you wouldn’t think this to be too difficult. Sometimes, however, we get so caught up in the accoutrements of Christmas that it becomes a chore rather than a joy.

One way to combat the anticlimax of the new year is to practice gratitude. I like to reserve five minutes daily, for quiet time to reflect on the things I am grateful for. I can be grateful for an umbrella on a rainy day or a beautiful sunset. I like to remind myself to be thankful for a hot cup of coffee and the smile of a coworker. After all, it’s the simple pleasures that make up a beautiful life.

Gratitude is a mindset as well as a practice. If you are a “glass half empty” kind of thinker, I challenge you to look at what’s going right in your life, rather than what’s going wrong.

If you practice this as often as possible, I truly believe that your outlook will soften, the corners of your mouth will turn skyward, and you’ll find a sense of peace and calm that can be difficult to cultivate in today’s world.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s the Golden Rule that we learned in kindergarten or maybe at Sunday school. When we’ve heard things a million times, it’s easy to disregard the message, but don’t bypass this one so easily. A scarcity mindset leads to discontentment and eventually bitterness. Why not turn things around by doing for others? During the county-wide power outage, we saw people helping one another left and right. How hard is it to bring that generosity forward into the new year?

Paying it forward is a popular notion. This involves paying for the order of the person behind you in the drive-thru. Other generous acts include letting a car in front of you at the traffic circle, holding the door for someone or simply offering a friendly smile. The possibilities are endless when it comes to doing right by your fellow man.

Don’t sweat the small stuff (and it’s all small stuff) is the title of a book from the late 1990s. The “cheerful little book,” as Amazon calls it, tells us that while there is a plethora of worries to occupy our consciousness, we mustn’t miss the opportunity to stop and smell the roses.

Recent scientific research shows that stress is just as detrimental to health as an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise. It’s as bad as smoking! In our fast-paced world, it’s very easy to get tunnel vision and see every opportunity as a “must-do,” which leads to us thinking ALL the stuff is big and scary and worthy of sweat.

Here’s the thing I’ve learned in my 50+ years of life. It will all be OK. Our world is flawed and there will always be some degree of suffering. But a little faith goes a long way. Once we accept that life will bring challenges and throw us curveballs, we are free to take life as it comes and not sweat the small stuff. None of us are perfect. Despite the highlight reels we see of people’s lives on social media and the cultural expectation to make it all look easy, it’s quite OK to leave the dishes in the sink, the dog hair on the floor and the mail on the dining table. It will all be OK. As my mother likes to say, “This too shall pass.”

PL

Amelia Kirkland has been an advocate for good health for more than 30 years. She is the founder of The Helpful Plate (thehelpfulplate.com), a company committed to empowering people to lead fulfilling, healthy lives. She is an avid cyclist, runner and student of Pilates.

A Shoe for Every Occasion

by Whitney Weston

“N

o hoof, no horse” is an old equestrian adage that is relevant to this day. Horses are 1,200 or more pound creatures who balance all that weight on four small hoof surfaces. Like our human nails, they grow continuously and need to be trimmed. Imagine if you walked on your fingernails as a human: You would need strong and well-maintained nails, otherwise your nailbeds would become sore quickly! Horses’ hooves vary greatly in strength, shape and size. There are many things to consider as a horse owner in order to keep our charges happy, healthy and limp-free.

Find an experienced farrier

Not just any old nail file will do. Every four to six weeks, your professional farrier will need to assess the balance and angles of your horse’s hooves, trim and potentially put shoes on. If a horse’s hoof is trimmed or shod incorrectly, there are dire and painful consequences for your horse. Farriers with experience typically have years of schooling, training and apprenticeship before they are ready to strike out on their own.

To shoe or not to shoe?

That is the question, but we are lucky in the Sandhills to have

“going barefoot” as an option. Since we don’t have the typical slick mud and rocks that other areas do, many horses with a naturally strong hoof can forgo the traditional shoeing process. They still need to be trimmed but can skip nailing shoes on the soles of the hoof. That being said, many horses have weak hoof walls (imagine if you have weak fingernails) that may crumble with the impact of the horse merely walking. In that case, shoes will be needed even if a horse is not in heavy work. Often, horses need just front shoes and can go barefoot behind. Horses' front legs support 55 to 65 percent of their bodyweight, so most of the concussion from movement is taken up by the front hooves, causing them to break down faster.

Is it painful?

The image of a strong arm with a hammer piercing nails into feet is an intense one for those new to horses. But, just like our human fingernails, the excess hoof wall can be trimmed away with no pain. There is, however, a small margin for error if the nail goes in at the wrong angle, which can certainly be painful for the horse. This is another reason why we choose skilled and experienced farriers only. If your horse is nervous, ill behaved or dancing around during this process, that can also cause nails to

go into the sensitive areas. It it important for horse owners to work with their horses to stand quietly on the ground in order to minimize danger to both the horse and farrier.

Cold vs. hot shoeing

Horse shoes come in basic shapes and sizes, which are then shaped by the farrier to fit each hoof. With cold shoeing, no heat is used in shaping the shoe. Hot shoeing is a longer and more involved process using a hot forge. Once the shoe has been heated, it is hammered into a customized shape to fit each individual horse’s hoof, which have great variation.

Types of shoes

There are many types and shapes of horse shoes that may assist a horse’s soundness and healing from an injury, or help with traction depending on the type of sport the horse competes in. A bar shoe has an added piece of metal that supports the heel of the horse. This looks like a more oval shape instead of the traditional horse shoe shape. This has traditionally been used to support the horse’s tendons that run down the back of each leg to avoid hyperextension. A horse might benefit from this type of therapeutic shoe if there is a tendon injury.

For some horses with naturally thin soles, shoes don’t provide enough support. If we were to wear thin sandals on rocks, it is likely we could still feel the rocks and that could cause bruises to form. The same goes for horses. Some have a naturally thick sole, but for those that could use support, there

are a variety of options, from leather inserts to rubber pourin materials that create a cushion between the hoof and the ground with each step.

While shoes help with hoof health and comfort, they can also create a more slippery surface for the horse to walk on, especially on concrete or ice or in muddy conditions. Slipping and sliding can lead to injury. Some opt for welding borium onto the bottom of the shoe to act as a permanent “cleat” for grip to slippery surfaces. In horse sports that involve high speeds in sometimes muddy conditions, like Eventing, small holes are drilled into each horseshoe. The rider can then screw in metal “studs” that provide traction for the horse to gallop and compete, then can be unscrewed afterwards.

Shoeing is an art and a science. The takeaway should be that all horses have individual needs, and your farrier will work with you to find the right solution for your horse. Just like any other equine professional you work with, your farrier should be patient with you and your horse, and help educate you on what is best in your particular situation. Needs can change, and horses are finicky creatures.

Whitney Weston is a professional horse trainer with more than 30 years of riding experience and competing at the international level of eventing for 15 years. She trains out of her Southern Pines farm through Valkyrie Sporthorses, and runs Southern Pines Riding Academy.

JANUARY 12 - HEALTHY LIVING

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 9 - TECHNOLOGY

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

150 Cherokee Rd, Pinehurst, NC | 910.295.6022 vopnc.org/our-government/library-home

Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 6: 00 p.m. Friday 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Photo

Catherine Leigh Photography

A Win-Win Tour Schedule for 2023

by Helen Ross

The views from the Plantation Course at Kapalua are second to none. You’ll see palm trees swaying rhythmically in the breeze, the peaks of Moloka’i in the distance and—if you’re lucky—the magnificent sight of the occasional whale breaching the blue-green water. Oh, and there’s some pretty good golf being played there the first week in January as the PGA Tour returns to competition in 2023.

All of these are good reasons to tune in to the primetime telecast of the Sentry Tournament of Champions as we sit in front of our fireplaces to ward off the chill back here in North Carolina.

The event has always had an all-star vibe as it brings together the Tournament winners from the previous calendar year. Starting this year, though, the top 30 from last season’s final FedExCup points list are also included as Kapalua ushers in a new era of competition for the Tour.

In 2023, there will be 17 events that will feature the top players in the Tour’s Player Impact Program (PIP) competing against one another for eye-popping purses of $20 million or more. The top players are also committed to play in three other events of their choosing during the FedExCup season.

And the first elevated event is the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

There are a total of 12 elevated Tour events, including The

Players and the three that comprise the FedExCup Playoffs (FedEx St. Jude Championship, BMW Championship and Tour Championship). Bringing the elite list to 17 are the four majors.

It’s a win-win for the fans and the Tour. The changes enhance the product the Tour has carefully nurtured over the last five decades and they were endorsed by its members in a series of players-only meetings over the summer.

Tour members are independent contractors and, as such, they get to set their own schedules. By committing to play in the elevated series of 17 events, as well as the three other Tournaments that a player picks, fans are now guaranteed to see the game’s best square off on a much more regular basis.

Jay Monahan, commissioner of the PGA Tour, called it an “extraordinary and unprecedented commitment, a testament to who these guys are and what they believe in.”

Previously, the only times you could really expect to see the top players tee it up on the same course were at the major championships and The Players. Rory McIlroy, who won an unprecedented third FedExCup in August, knew something had to change.

“I think if you’re trying to sell a product to TV and to sponsors and to try to get as many eyeballs on professional golf as possible, you need to at least let people know what they’re

tuning in for,” McIlroy said. “When I tune in to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, I expect to see Tom Brady throw a football. When I tune in to a Formula 1 race, I expect to see Lewis Hamilton in a car.”

Obviously, some will see these changes as being made in response to the upstart LIV Golf circuit, but to be honest, I don’t want to give that organization, funded by the Saudis, any more publicity than it has already gotten. But McIlroy cares about the integrity of the game and its history and legacy, and the solidarity displayed by the Tour’s top players shows there are many like-minded individuals.

“The reason we’re trying to do this is we’re trying to build a Tour for the future, young, ambitious players that want to be the best players in the game,” he said. “If you want to be the best player in the game, the PGA Tour is where you want to be because it is a pure meritocracy. …

“That’s as simple as it is. Everyone has the same opportunity. Everyone starts the week at even par. ... But everyone has the same opportunity at the start of every week to make something of themselves and to compete, and that’s the beautiful thing about this Tour.”

Golf fans in the Carolinas have two of the elevated events within easy driving distance. One is the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, which hosted the highly successful Presidents Cup in September, and the other is the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, just four hours south of Pinehurst.

The other elevated events are the Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, Memorial Tournament, WM Phoenix Open, World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play and Travelers Championship.

At one point, there will be seven elevated events in a 10-week span that begins in Phoenix and ends in Hilton Head. That’s good for the fans but so much golf in a compact stretch can be draining for the players. As a result, the Tour is allowing players to opt out of one event outside of the majors this season. Next year when the Tour moves to a calendar-year schedule, there will be an opportunity for more separation in the schedule.

So where does that leave the PGA Tour’s longest running event in North Carolina?

Well, I think the Wyndham Championship will take on even more importance given the changes to the Playoffs that advance only 70 players into the first event rather than 125. And just 50 go on to the BMW Championship, so I believe even more quality players will head to Sedgefield Country Club in hopes of improving their chances to win the FedExCup.

And that’s another win-win for golf fans and Tour golfers in North Carolina. PL

Helen Ross is a freelance golf writer who spent 20 years working for the PGA Tour and 18 more at the Greensboro News & Record. A UNC-Chapel Hill graduate, she has won multiple awards from the Golf Writers Association of America.

www.visioneventsnc.com | nicole@visioneventsnc.com 919.292.0012

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dates and times subject to change. Check directly with event organizers before making plans.

JANUARY

1.3.2023

Cezanne: Portraits of a Life

Sunrise Theater | Sunrise Theater | 250 NW Broad St. | So. Pines

Cost: $15 | 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Contact: sunrisetheater.com

1.6–2.15.2023

Art Show: Cloth, Canvas & Clay

Cambell House | 482 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines

Cost: FREE | 10:00 a.m. Contact: 910.692.2787 | mooreart.org

1.12.2023

Gathering at Given: Healthy Living

Given Memorial Library | 150 Cherokee Road | Pinehurst

Cost: FREE | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Contact: vopnc.org/our-government/library-home 1.17.2023

James Boyd Book Club

Weymouth Center | 555 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines

Cost: FREE but registration required | 2:00 p.m. Contact: 910.692.6261 | weymouthcenter.org

1.21.2023

Hounds on the Grounds - Moore County Hounds Meet Weymouth Center | 555 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines

Cost: FREE | Check website for times Contact: 910.692.6261 | weymouthcenter.org

1.21.2023

The Storytellers - Movie Music with Behind the Scenes Interviews

Owens Auditorium| 3395 Airport Road | Pinehurst

Cost: See website | 7:30 p.m. Contact: 910.687.0287 | carolinaphil.com

1.25.2023

Writers-in-Residence Reading with Kelly Mustian

Weymouth Center | 555 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines

Cost: FREE but registration required | 5:30 p.m. Contact: 910.692.6261 | weymouthcenter.org

1.28.2023

Standup Comedian Joe DeVito

Owens Auditorium| 3395 Airport Road | Pinehurst

Cost: See website | 7:00 p.m. Contact: 910.687.0287 | sandhillsbpac.com

1.29.2023

Confessions of a Former Bully

Owens Auditorium| 3395 Airport Road | Pinehurst Cost: See website | 3:00 p.m. Contact: 910.687.0287 | sandhillsbpac.com

1.31.2023

Musicians’ Circle Jam Session Weymouth Center | 555 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines

Cost: FREE but registration required | 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Contact: 910.692.6261 | weymouthcenter.org

FEBRUARY

2.3.2023

La Fiesta Latin Jazz Quintet - Fiesta in Sound McPherson Theater at BPAC | 3395 Airport Road | Pinehurst Cost: See website | 7:00 p.m. Contact: 910.687.0287 | sandhillsbpac.com

2.6.2023

Henckel & Hong on piano Sunrise Theater | 250 NW Broad St. | So. Pines Cost: See website | 7:30 p.m. Contact: 910.692.2787 | mooreart.org

2.9.2023

Gathering at Given: Technology Given Memorial Library | 150 Cherokee Road | Pinehurst Cost: FREE | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Contact: vopnc.org/our-government/library-home

2.11.2023

Chocolate Festival Pinehurst United Methodist Church | 4111 Airport Road | Pinehurst Cost: Free | 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Contact: 910-215-4559 | pinehurstumc.org

2.18.2023

Broadway Serenade

Owens Auditorium| 3395 Airport Road | Pinehurst Cost: See website | 7:30 p.m. Contact: 910.687.0287 | carolinaphil.com

2.19.2023

Arts & Humanities Lecture Series: The Lumbee Tribe (part 1) Weymouth Center | 555 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines Cost: $15-20 | 2:00 p.m. Contact: 910.692.6261 | weymouthcenter.org

2.20.2023

Women of Weymouth Monthly Meeting

Weymouth Center | 555 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines Cost: FREE | 9:30 a.m. Contact: 910.692.6261 | weymouthcenter.org

2.21.2023

James Boyd Book Club Weymouth Center | 555 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines Cost: FREE but registration required | 2:00 p.m. Contact: 910.692.6261 | weymouthcenter.org

2.23.2023

Flower Arranging Using Natural Materials with Maggie Smith Sandhills Woman’s Exchange | 15 Azalea Road | Pinehurst Cost: Register by phone | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Contact: 910.295.4677 | sandhillswe.org

2.28.2023

Musicians’ Circle Jam Session Weymouth Center | 555 E. Connecticut Ave. | So. Pines Cost: FREE but registration required | 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Contact: 910.692.6261 | weymouthcenter.org

October 19

Sandhills Sightings

Dedication of the Vivian & Ralph Jacobson Learning Terrace and the Jacobson Fellows Lecture - The History and Art of Sourdough Sandhills Community College Pinehurst

November 1

with Dolores Muller

Top, from left: Guest speaker, Chef Martin Brunner; Vivian Jacobson with Marcey & Fred Katzman / Bottom, from left: Carol Gemson and Liz Stern; Kathy & Gary Evans and Dr. John Dempsey; and Jerry & Elaine Schwartz with Chef Angela Webb.

Top, from left: Liz Skvarla, Tom Hollemen and Kacky Johnson; Claire Sullivan, Kathy Wright, Galen Miller and Franceska Aaron / Bottom, from left: John & Linda Sapp, Vicky Windell and Sally Bold Frick; Mary & Charlie Meier; guest speaker, author Craig Johnson; and Susan Taylor and Bill Schran.

English Speaking Union Country Club of North Carolina Pinehurst

Sandhills Sightings

Collector's Choice – Paris Nights Artists League of the Sandhills Aberdeen November 3

Changing Destinies Ministry Centennial Celebration

Fair Barn Pinehurst November 13

Top, from left: Carolina Philharmonic Junior orchestra; President Kym Nixon with John & Katie Roscoe / Bottom, from left: Angie Leach, Katie Kessler, Michelle Murphy, Gail Deal and Joy Gaffney; Guest speaker Gala McKoy Wilkins and husband Carl; Kathy Newcomb, Mary Beth Jones & Mila Baker; and Adam & Whitney Franco.

Top, from left: Pam Griner and Mary Duffy; Bill & Ellen Brode, Jean Murphy, Catherine Church and Ann Humphrey / Bottom, from left: Enjoying the buffet; a sample of the artwork; and Mary Ann Welsch and Kim Adams.

2022

Master Gardener Graduation Luncheon

Moore County Senior Enrichment Center West End November 15

26th Annual Sandhills Children's Center Festival of Trees Carolina Hotel Pinehurst November 16–20

Top, from left: Jeff & Sandra Pretty; Johanna Oakley & the Seedlings Garden Club bee tree; Horst & Diana Brandt with Catherine & Mark Garrett / Bottom, from left: Santa visits the Festival; Jenni Abbott, Elizabeth Stamas and Angie Shelton; and Christmas trees in the lobby.

Top, from left: Barb Cohen, Bruce Fensley and Darie Davis; 2022 Master Gardener Volunteer graduates / Bottom, from left: Newly certified Master Gardeners with Agricultural Extension Agent Savanah Laur; Cheryl Stuckey and Stephanie Boyle; and the Master Gardener writing committee: Claudia Watson, Larry Allen, Betty Dew, Barb Cohen, Ruth Stolting and Dolores Muller (John Bowman, not shown).

Sandhills Sightings

Candlelight, Carols and Cocktails

Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities

Southern Pines December 2

Breakfast with Santa Sandhills Woman’s Exchange Pinehurst

December 3

Top, from left: Santa with Cav Peterson; Rob & Rita Menzies with JoJo, Eddie, Zachary, Shane, Trevor & Jennifer White / Bottom, from left: Giulinna, Krystie, Barrett & Greg DeMichele; Ryan, Nancy & Caroline Oakley; Heather & Riverlynn Laflamme; and Dylan, Tucker, Billie Claire & Gigi.

Top, from left: Kay & Bo Bozarth; Eric & Carol Weiss; Katie Wyatt, Holmes Hall, Marianna Grasso and Stephanie Ferguson / Bottom, from left: Glenda Kirby, Sarah Prestipino and Valerie Mountcastle; Margie Wilder and Stan Atwater; and Weymouth Center lit up for the holidays.

Top Hat and Tails

Animal Advocates of Moore County Fundraiser Homewood Suites Pinehurst December 9

Shaw House Christmas Open House Southern Pines December 10

Top, from left: Dorothy Shankle, Hugh Shepard & Carla Butler; Carley & Nia Sutton with John & Brittany Cannon / Bottom, from left: Beverly Offutt; John, Cliss, Aleisha & Thatcher Butler; and George Talley, aka Charles C. Shaw.

Top, from left: Frances Freeman, Bella and Barbara Shepherd, president & operations director; Dale & Andrea Schmidt with Giuseppe Portfilio; Linda Guerra and Maureen Tkacz / Bottom, from left: Jan Standing and Terri Welborn; Janine Schrodder with Rena; and Rick & Elena Somers and Alex Brags.

Union House

Southern Pines, circa 1908. A reunion of the Blue and Gray Civil War veterans at Captain Clark’s Opera House. The Opera House was located at the corner of Bennett Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. It was the nucleus of the town’s social events for nearly 20 years. The establishment was so popular that Captain Clark was consistently renovating, with the house eventually reaching 90 feet in depth, showcasing a large stage with wings and an orchestra pit. In 1908, Southern Pines was selected to host one of the first conventions of the Blues and the Grays since the Civil War.

We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.

– Abraham Lincoln

photograph courtesy of Moore County Historical Association

BEFORE AFTER