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Mainstage series
Yesterday & Today:
Paulo Szot in Concert
The Interactive Beatles Experience
Family Fun Series
Comedy Series
Friday, February 23 • 7:00 pm
Friday, March 15 • 7:00 pm
Star of Disney’ s That’s S o Raven!
Schoolhouse Rock Live! Sunday, February 4 • 3:00 pm
Rondell Sheridan’s
“If You’re Over 40 and You Know It... Clap Your Hands!” Friday, April 5 • 7:00 pm
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172 MORRIS DRIVE Delightful 4 BR / 3 BA home in beautiful 7LW location. Home has been nicely updated to include remodeled kitchen, new flooring and has been freshly painted!
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1259 PEACE ROAD Completely remodeled 3 BR / 2 BA home with inground pool, working barn and large three-bay metal shop. Set on 5 acres in beautiful Moore County - this countryside paradise awaits!
PINEHURST • $395,000
CARTHAGE • $340,000
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138 LOVE THIRTY LANE Beautifully renovated 2 BR / 2 BA townhome in popular Lawn and Tennis. Hardwood flooring throughout main living areas and great inset wet bar in formal dining room.
TBD PEACE ROAD Beautiful, heavily wooded 25.07 acre parcel of land in the Moore County countryside!
45 RIDGELAND STREET Beautiful lot in gated community of Forest Creek. Lot has been cleared and is located on a quiet cul-de-sac offering tons of privacy.
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27 MCMICHAEL DRIVE Lovely 4 BR / 3.5 BA GOLF FRONT home situated on the 18th fairway of the Magnolia course in Pinewild CC. Fabulous open design with windows galore. A must see!
270 MCKENZIE ROAD W. UNIT 52 Charming 3 BR / 2.5 BA GOLF FRONT condo located on the 15th fairway of Pinehurst #3 in Phase II of Quail Hill. A must see!
125 HEARTHSTONE ROAD Attractive 4 BR / 3.5 BA GOLF FRONT home in popular Fairwood on 7. House has been extensively remodeled and beautifully updated throughout.
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29 PLANTATION DRIVE Stunning 4 BR / 3.5 BA brick home in popular Mid South Club. Layout is an incredibly open and bright design with spacious rooms. A must see!
Wonderful 4 BR / 3.5 BA Craftsman style home in the Ravensbrook community. Built in 2020, this beautiful home offers tons of space and nice finishes throughout!
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195 LAKE DORNOCH DRIVE Contemporary 3 BR / 3 Full BA, 2 Half BA home located in prestigious CCNC. Offers lots of space and light throughout with impressive Great room and cozy breakfast nook. A must see!
145 OTTER DRIVE Beautiful 4 BR / 3 BA two-story home in popular 7LW. Home has hardwood flooring throughout the main level with a spacious bonus room on upper level.
104 BUTTERFLY COURT Amazing 3 BR / 2 BA single-level WATERFRONT home! Details include open floorplan, spacious kitchen and oversized Carolina room with gorgeous panoramic water views!
Re/Max Prime Properties, 5 Chinquapin Rd., Pinehurst, NC 910-295-7100 • 800-214-9007
www.ThEGENTRYTEAM.COM • 910-295-7100 • Re/Max Prime Properties 5 Chinquapin Rd., Pinehurst, NC
February ���� FEATURES 65 Onward Poetry by Steve Cushman
76 Art at Heart
An invitation to Sandhills artists
66 A Day at the Races By Jenna Biter
82 Second Chance Manse By Deborah Salomon
Horsing around and around and around
74 A Walk on the Beach Fiction by Daniel Wallace
Rebirth of a historic landmark
91 February Almanac By Ashley Walshe
Cover Photograph by Tim Sayer Print this page by Denise Baker
DEPARTMENTS 13 Simple Life By Jim Dodson 16 PinePitch 21 Tea Leaf Astrologer By Zora Stellanova
23 The Omnivorous Reader By Anne Blythe
27 Bookshelf 31 Hometown By Bill Fields 32 Art of the State
By Liza Roberts
37 Pleasures of Life Dept.
By Jim Moriarty
41 42 44 46 51
In the Spirit By Tony Cross Focus on Food By Rose Shewey Crossroads By Audrey Moriarty Sandhills Photography Club Out of the Blue
By Deborah Salomon
53 Birdwatch By Susan Campbell 6 PineStraw
54 59 106 117 119 120
Naturalist By Todd Pusser Golftown Journal By Lee Pace Arts & Entertainment Calendar SandhillSeen Pine Needler By Mart Dickerson Southwords By Ashley Walshe The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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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.
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WEYMOUTH CENTER WELCOMES YOU TO CELEBRATE
M A G A Z I N E Volume 20, No. 2 David Woronoff, Publisher david@thepilot.com
Andie Stuart Rose, Creative Director andiesouthernpines@gmail.com Jim Moriarty, Editor jjmpinestraw@gmail.com Miranda Glyder, Graphic Designer miranda@pinestrawmag.com Alyssa Kennedy, Digital Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com
N
WITH N
MASTER STORYTELLER
MITCH CAPEL F EBR UARY 25 2P M FREE ADMISSION REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Emilee Phillips, Digital Content emilee@pinestrawmag.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jim Dodson, Deborah Salomon, Stephen E. Smith CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS John Gessner, Laura L. Gingerich, Diane McKay, Tim Sayer CONTRIBUTORS Jenna Biter, Anne Blythe, Keith Borshak, Tom Bryant, Susan Campbell, Bill Case, Wiley Cash Tony Cross, Brianna Rolfe Cunningham, Mart Dickerson, Bill Fields, Meridith Martens, Mary Novitsky, Lee Pace, Todd Pusser, Joyce Reehling, Scott Sheffield, Rose Shewey, Angie Tally, Kimberly Daniels Taws, Daniel Wallace, Ashley Walshe, Claudia Watson, Amberly Glitz Weber ADVERTISING SALES
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Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels III, David Woronoff In memoriam Frank Daniels Jr. 145 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387 www.pinestrawmag.com ©Copyright 2024 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
A Lifestyle Boutique Exclusive. Timeless. Chic.
Village of Pinehurst 910.295.3905 105 Cherokee Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374
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WHERE CREATING RELATIONSHIPS IS OUR BUSINESS. Joe and Katharine Phelps, Owners
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SIMPLE LIFE
Winter Dad, Summer Son How’s the weather? Depends on who you ask
By Jim Dodson
My son, Jack,
ILLUSTRATION BY GERRY O'NEILL
phoned the other afternoon as I was enjoying an ounce of something superbly aged and watching from my favorite wooden chair under the trees as winter birds fed. It was a clear but cold afternoon, the kind I like. This day was also special in another way as well. “Hey Dad,” he said. “How’s it going?” “Pretty well,” I said. “I finished the book today.” “Congratulations,” he said. “I know that’s a big relief. Can’t wait to read it.” “At this point you might be the only one,” I joked, pointing out that my editor at Simon & Schuster has probably given up on the book and forgotten my name. “Oh no,” he said. “It’ll be just fine. You always say that.” He was right about this. I’m naturally superstitious about completing books. They’re a little like children you spend years rearing, hoping you got things right, only to send them off into the wide world with gratitude and not a little worry. This was my 18th literary child, one I’d grown unusually close to over the years. Now this special child was about to leave me. The book, a true labor of love, is about a pilgrimage I took along the Great Wagon Road, which my Scottish, German and English ancestors took to North Carolina. Foolishly, I thought I’d travel the historic Colonial road from Philadelphia to Georgia in roughly three weeks and take a couple more years to write about the interesting people I met along with whatever I learned about America, or myself. In fact, it took nearly six years to complete the project, counting the two years off the road due to COVID. Even so, I The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
was pleased to have finished the book, though — as is almost always the case — I felt a bit sad that the experience was over. Its fate was almost out of my hands. So, I switched to our usual topic — the weather. “How’s the weather there?” I asked. “Great. Hot and sunny. Just the way I like it. How about there?” “Cold and clear. Maybe some snow on the weekend. Just the way I like it.” Jack laughed. “I always forget that. How much you love winter.” My only son is a journalist and documentary filmmaker living in Lima, Peru, where, as you read this, it’s late summer. Before that, he spent nearly four years living and working in Israel, enjoying the heat and people of that ancient, violently contested land. Fortunately, he left a short time before the latest unspeakably horrible war between Israel and the Hamas terrorists erupted, an event straight from the pages of the Old Testament. I knew he was worried about friends back in Israel and Gaza and wished he was back there helping to cover the war, where more than a dozen journalists have been killed. His mother, old man and big sister, however, were grateful that he wasn’t one of them. In a world that forever seems to be coming apart at the seams, for the moment at least, I was glad that he was in sunny and warm Peru, a place I almost cannot imagine, but must be quite beautiful. Jack is fluent in Spanish and Arabic, a true traveler of the world. Though I speak only English and enough French to get me in trouble whenever I visit France, he and I have many things in common — with one notable exception. Jack was born on a warm August morning in Maine. He thrives in the heat and is an authentic son of summer, a northern New Englander who digs tropical heat and desert landscapes. I was born on a cold, snowy morning in Washington, D.C., where my dad worked for the newspaper, a true-blue son of PineStraw 13
SIMPLE LIFE
winter who thrives in early evening darkness, bone-chilling winds and lots of snow, a Southerner who could happily reside in Lapland, wherever that is. (I just googled it. Lapland is in Northern Finland. One of its largest towns is Santa Claus Village. Count me in!) How upside down is that? On the other hand, perhaps we’re simply fated to be this way. The ancient Greeks claimed unborn souls choose the time and place of their birth. Jack clearly picked the hottest part of summer to make his appearance, like his mama, a mid-July baby. My mom was born in late January, traditionally the coldest part of winter. My birthday in February follows hers by just five days. She loved winter almost as much as I do. Jack’s big sister, Maggie, was born during a January blizzard. The morning we brought her home from the hospital, I had to slide down a steep, snowy hill with her in my arms in order to reach our cozy cottage on the coast, as the unplowed roads were all impassable due to the heavy snow. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. Though she resides in Los Angeles today, I think she loves good, snowy winters almost as much as her old man. Not surprisingly, we winter people are a relatively tiny tribe. A recent study of people in Britain determined that only 7 percent of its citizens claimed to be “winter people.” Then again, summer in Britain can sometimes feel like an endlessly cold and soggy winter day, one reason you find so many sun-burned Brits residing on the Costa de Sol and the Mediterranean at large. University of Pennsylvania psychologist and author Seth
Lin Hutaff’s
PineHurst reaLty GrouP 14 PineStraw
Gillihan studies the effect of weather on people’s moods. In his book, A Mindful Year, he notes that there is a positive link between someone’s birth and preferred season. “People who are born in the winter, their internal clock seems to be set to the length of days in the winter,” he told Metro.co.uk. The internal clock of so-called winter people, he adds, “is not as affected as someone who’s born in the summer, whose circadian rhythm (the body’s 24-hour ‘internal clock’) is expecting a longer light period.” Among other things, he aims to debunk popular misconceptions about the so-called “winter blues,” pointing out that seasonal affective disorder — SAD for short — affects only a small percentage of the populations, less than 3 percent in the UK. The idea that people who live in warm, sunny places are naturally happier than folks who reside in cold climates is challenged, he adds, by data that indicates Europe’s northernmost countries with the longest winters — Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden — rank among the continent’s seven happiest countries. In a few weeks, North Carolina winter will begin to slip away. The welcome winter snows of my childhood here seem fewer than ever. The good news is that, by February’s end, my garden will be springing back to life, heralding my second-favorite time of year. Winter will be coming on in Peru. I’m hoping my summerloving son will decide to come home to share its glorious return with me. PS Jim Dodson can be reached at jwdauthor@gmail.com.
If You Want to Know Pinehurst, 25 Chinquapin Rd. Pinehurst, NC 28374
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
4 Augusta Way, Pinehurst, NC 28374
5 Beds | 5 Baths | 6,345 square feet | $1,850,000 Absolutely breathtaking property with over two acres of private and tranquil settings. Charming Historic Estate, just one and one half miles from the historic Village of Pinehurst. Located off Donald Ross Drive, the “Parson’s Estate” is a rambling, all brick home set amidst beautiful gardens and waterfalls. Across the back of the home is an expansive patio overlooking the terraced stacked stone gardens leading to the private pond. Numerous updates include new windows throughout. The home’s interior is exquisite, special features abound in every room. Carved mill work and deep moldings grace the formal and casual rooms. Beautiful hardwood floors, Hunt room with handsome built-ins, custom wine cellar, gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry and the ensuite master bedroom with fireplace are a small part of what makes this home desirable to the most discerning of buyers. Pinehurst Membership transfer.
You Need to Know Lin. linhut af f@pinehurst.net | 910-528-6427
PinePitch Last Chamber Session And the Young Shall Lead Them The Carolina Philharmonic under the direction of Maestro David Michael Wolff will perform side-by-side with the Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Chorus in an inspiring evening of music on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m, at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. For more information go to www.carolinaphil.org.
The Great Room of the James Boyd house, 555 E. Connecticut Ave. in Southern Pines, is the venue for violinist Nicholas DiEugenio and pianist Mimi Solomon in the fourth and final installment of the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities’ Chamber Sessions series on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The couple, currently living in Chapel Hill, met while collaborating on the Beethoven Archduke Trio at the Kinhaven Music Festival in 2010. Tickets for the performance are $30. For more information go to www.weymouthcenter.org.
Honoring Black History Month Walk This Way Why wait until Valentine’s Day? Wander the sweet village streets of Pinehurst in the Wine & Chocolate Love Affair Wine Walk sipping, sampling, shopping and strolling on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Duneberry Resort Wear and Triangle Wine Co. or at www.eventbrite.com. For more information call (910) 687-0377.
16 PineStraw
Mitch Capel will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye when he hosts an afternoon of African American stories told by twotime Grammy awardwinner, author and inspirational speaker Willa Brigham and North Carolina Humanities Council Road Scholar Elisha “Mother” Minter on Sunday, Feb. 25, beginning at 2 p.m., at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555. E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Admission is free but registration is required. For more information or to register go to www.weymouthcenter.org. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Double Dose of Love Songs The “Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz” weekend begins on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. with a free concert by the Sandhills Community College Jazz Band, under the direction of Dr. Larry Arnold. Then, on Friday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m., two-time Grammynominated vocalist Jane Monheit headlines with The Christian Tamburr Trio. The event is co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Moore County which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding. Among the many events and programs the Arts Council hosts are exhibitions at the Campbell House Gallery, a chamber music series and AutumnFest, in partnership with Southern Pines Parks & Recreation. Both of the “Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz” concerts will be at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Tickets can be obtained through the Arts Council of Moore County, Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines or online at www.ticketmesandhills.com.
Author! Author! The Country Bookshop hosts Alan Gratz talking about his latest book, Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor, at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, on Monday, Feb. 19, from 6 – 7 p.m. Then, on Friday, Feb. 23, from 5 – 6 p.m., Steve Berry will discuss his new book, The Atlas Maneuver, at The Pilot building, 145 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. For information and tickets for either, or both, visit www.ticketmesandhills.com.
They’re Baaaack! The fifth annual Painted Ponies Art Walk kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 5th, when 16 artistically decorated ponies parade in place on the streets of Southern Pines. They’ll be outside the shops on Broad Street until the end of March, destined to go on the online auction block on Saturday, April 6, proceeds benefiting the Carolina Horse Park Foundation. For more information visit www.carolinahorsepark.com.
God Save Illinois Set in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties, sometime chorus girl Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap . . . until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie. The Imagine Youth Theater presents the teen edition of Chicago, on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, and again on Sunday, Feb. 18, in a 2 p.m. matinee. This popular musical written by Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb has been adapted to keep the razzle and dazzle while removing the R-rated content. For tickets and information go to www.ticketmesandhills.com. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 17
presents
Unleashed Potential: A Symphony of Rising Stars Saturday, February 3 • 7:30pm Experience the future of classical music with The Carolina Philharmonic’s “Unleashed Potential: A Symphony of Rising Stars.” This inspiring evening showcases the extraordinary talents of young artists. Be enchanted by the virtuoso performances of Hosanna Francis on the violin, Newnew Hong’s mesmerizing piano, Elijah McCormick’s captivating vocal artistry, and Zachary Strickland’s dual brilliance on piano and vocal. The Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra & Chorus, alongside The Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, provide a magnificent backdrop to these rising stars. A night of youthful energy and exceptional talent awaits.
Passion and Power: Beethoven’s Eroica & Dvorak’s Cello Concerto Saturday, March 23 • 7:30pm Join us for a night of “Passion and Power” as Maestro Wolff leads The Carolina Philharmonic in Beethoven’s epic “Eroica” symphony. Then sit back for Dvorak’s emotionally charged Cello Concerto, featuring the internationally acclaimed cellist, Taeguk Mun. his concert promises a stirring blend of symphonic grandeur and soulful cello melodies. Surrender to the allure of Passion and Power.
The Maestro’s Cup: The Carolina Philharmonic’s 9th Annual Golf Tournament Monday, March 25
This day-long event, held at the picturesque Holly Course at Pinewild, isn’t just about enjoying a game of golf; it’s about supporting the invaluable music education programs of The Carolina Philharmonic. Gather your clubs, join fellow music and golf enthusiasts, and make a difference with every swing in this fun-filled, inspiring day.
Make your reservations today!
www.carolinaphil.org
5 Market Square, Village of Pinehurst
910-687-0287
The Carolina Philharmonic is a 501(c)3 non-profit and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
TEA LEAF ASTROLOGER
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Let’s be honest: The foundation is crumbling. So, too, are the walls. That’s Pluto in Aquarius for you, and for the next 20 years, the planet of destruction, death and rebirth will shake us to our collective core. You were, quite literally, born to show us a new way forward. When the North Node of Destiny links up with Chiron (the wounded healer) on February 19, there’s no stopping you from sharing your weirdest, wildest imaginings out loud. Bring on the renaissance, space cake.
Tea leaf “fortunes” for the rest of you: Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
A box of chocolates, minus the gooey, pink nougat.
Aries (March 21 – April 19) Three words: milk of magnesia.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
There’s more than one way to peel an orange.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Try not to scare off the neighbors.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Apply rose water.
Leo (July 23 – August 22) Gentle pressure will suffice.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22) Soften the muscles in your face.
Libra (September 23 – October 22) What if there isn’t a wrong way?
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) Best not to skim the fine print.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
If you can’t laugh at yourself, there’s work to do yet.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) Tighten your bootstraps. PS
Zora Stellanova has been divining with tea leaves since Game of Thrones’ Starbucks cup mishap of 2019. While she’s not exactly a medium, she’s far from average. She lives in the N.C. foothills with her Sphynx cat, Lyla. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 21
OMNIVOROUS READER
Dicey Drama in Haiti Looking for treasure but finding trouble
By A nne Blythe
Given the political frac-
ture in this country and the intensified drumbeat of questions about the survival of democracy, it might seem daunting to tuck into Ben Fountain’s Devil Makes Three: A Novel.
The sheer size of the North Carolina native’s latest book — 531 pages — is intimidating enough. When you throw in that it’s a deep dive into life in Haiti immediately following the 1991 military coup that sent President Jean-Bertrande Aristide into exile, you might be tempted to put this novel about abusive power, excessive greed and dictatorship back on the shelf and save it for a less divisive time. Don’t do that. Instead, open Fountain’s work of fiction. Let the story pull you from a once blissful beachfront through streets littered with butchered corpses and the headless body of a mayor, to crumbling estates, voodoo priestesses and treasure hunts on the turquoise waters lapping against the former French slave colony fallen under the rule of an oppressive military regime. A political thriller and adventure-filled page-turner, Devil Makes Three explores a country in turmoil from different angles through four main characters in their 20s. Matt Amaker is a rootless American college dropout drawn to Haiti with unrealized ambitions after circulating through the Caribbean as a “dive gypsy.” Alix Variel, the ambitious and beguiling son of a prominent Haitian family, persuades Matt to come with him to Haiti to start a dive shop of their own catering to a wave of the expected tourism before the coup upended the counThe Art & Soul of the Sandhills
try’s dreams of democracy and prompted international trade embargoes. Despite the upheaval, Matt and Alix have not given up all hope on ScubaRave being a successful business, and turn their attention to hunting Conquistador treasure and artifacts in the under-explored ocean waters off Haiti. “Haiti has treasure,” Alix tells Matt while they are smoking a joint and pondering their future. One wreck he was aware of had as many as 12 cannon among the wreckage. If they were bronze, they could attract high-end collectors, deep-pocketed people who might pay as much as one Saudi oil prince had — $600,000 for a pair of cannon. “Why the hell are we messing with scuba,” Alix asked. “We should be hunting treasure all the time.” “Because it’s a really stupid business, that’s why,” Matt responded. “A few people make some money and everybody else loses their shirt. It’s like Vegas, the lottery, it’s mainly just luck. You happen to dig over here instead of a quarter mile over there, that’s the difference between a fortune and wasting your life. Screw that. It’s too random for me . . . Treasure is trouble.” That prognostication is a driving line of the novel, which also focuses on Audrey O’Donnell, a rookie CIA officer, a sharp and aspiring government agent also known as Shelly Graver who quickly finds herself involved in ethically questionable drug deals and agency-supported operations to keep Aristide out of power. All the while, she wrestles with the part of her job that calls for manipulating people, even as she’s romantically involved with Alix. Audrey’s belief that it is in Haiti’s best interest “to PineStraw 23
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integrate into the global economy, which last time she checked, was overwhelmingly trending toward the free market American model” puts her in direct opposition to Misha, Alix’s sister and a love interest of Matt’s. Misha returns to Haiti in the midst of researching and writing a thesis at Brown University with a working subtitle “Psychological Rupture in the Literature of the Black Atlantic.” Instead of going back to school while her homeland is in tumult, she goes to work at a public clinic where the CIA tries to mine the medical records of her patients to test their political loyalties. “The coup d’etat had unfolded as a kind of twisted affirmation of her still gestating dissertation,” Fountain writes. In a country where the minimum wage was $5 a day in the early ’90s, Misha wrestled with “the contradiction of the lived experience” in her homeland. “Once again Haiti was instructing the world, pushing ahead of the historical curve, and it was paying the price in blood and grief,” Fountain writes. “Why take to the streets if you are already free, as you’d been told every day of your life you were. Forget your slack stomach and aching back, your weary mind. Whatever else might be said or alleged of him, Aristide gave voice to, made visible, the contradiction of the lived experience of the country.” Despite their differences, Misha and Audrey come together to help save Matt and Alix from the throes of dangerous and
misguided adventures brought about by their attempts to “float up” bronze cannon. The men find themselves being arrested by soldiers on “conspiracy to commit terrorism charges” and are thrown in prison. Haiti’s top general, however, has a keen interest in scuba diving and treasure hunting, and springs Matt from prison on a working furlough to help find Christopher Columbus’ Santa Maria before the 500th anniversary of its sinking in December 1492. By making Haiti the focus of Devil Makes Three, Fountain is able to weave themes of power, politics, race, history, capitalism, globalism, voodoo and the legacy of plantation slavery throughout the novel using the characters’ dialogue as they down rum and tonics, smoke marijuana and feast on creole dishes. Whether it’s Fountain’s description of Port-au-Prince as a city with “a dull orange haze hanging over everything like a fulminating cloud of Cheetos dust” or his tightly knit storylines, this Dallas-based lawyer-turned-writer, born in Chapel Hill, raised in Elizabeth City and Cary, gives the reader a lot to digest. PS Anne Blythe has been a reporter in North Carolina for more than three decades covering city halls, higher education, the courts, crime, hurricanes, ice storms, droughts, floods, college sports, health care and many wonderful characters who make this state such an interesting place.
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BOOKSHELF
February Books
FICTION The Women, by Kristin Hannah Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, 20-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path. As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets — and becomes — one of the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America. After Annie, by Anna Quindlen When Annie Brown dies suddenly, her husband, her children and her closest friend are left to find a way forward without the woman who has been the lynchpin of all their lives. Bill is overwhelmed without his beloved wife, and Annemarie wrestles with the bad habits her best friend had helped her overcome. Ali, the eldest of Annie’s children, has to grow up overnight, to care for her younger brothers and even her father, and to puzzle out for herself many of the mysteries of adult life. Over the course of the next year what saves them all is Annie, ever-present in their minds, loving but not sentimental, caring but nobody’s fool, a voice in their heads that is funny and sharp and remarkably clear. The Atlas Maneuver, by Steve Barry In the waning months of World War II, Japan hid vast quantities of gold and other stolen valuables in booby-trapped The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
underground caches all across the Philippines. By 1947 some of that loot was recovered, not by treasure hunters, but by the United States government, which told no one about the find. Instead, those assets were stamped classified, shipped to Europe, and secretly assimilated into something called the Black Eagle Trust. Fast forward to the 21st century, when a retired Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, is in Switzerland doing a favor for a friend. What was supposed to be a simple operation turns violent, and Cotton is thrust into a war between the world’s oldest bank and the CIA, a battle that directly involves the Black Eagle Trust. He quickly discovers that everything hinges on a woman from his past, who suddenly reappears harboring a host of explosive secrets centering around bitcoin. Cotton has to act. But at what cost? NONFICTION Our Ancient Faith: Lincoln, Democracy, and the American Experiment, by Allen C. Guelzo Abraham Lincoln grappled with the greatest crisis of democracy that has ever confronted the United States. While many books have been written about his temperament, judgment and steady hand in guiding the country through the Civil War, we know less about Lincoln’s penetrating ideas and beliefs about democracy, which were every bit as important as his character in sustaining him through the crisis. Guelzo, one of America’s foremost experts on Lincoln, captures the president’s firmly held belief that democracy was the greatest political achievement in human history. He shows how Lincoln’s deep commitment to the balance between majority and minority rule enabled him to stand firm against secession while also committing the Union to reconciliation rather than recrimination in the aftermath of war. PineStraw 27
BOOKSHELF
CHILDREN’S BOOKS This Book Will Make You an Artist, by Ruth Millington Art can be intimidating, but fret no longer. With an insider’s look at 25 artists and creators including Hilma af Klint, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Claude Monet and Yayoi Kusama, plus DIY project starters, this book will make anyone both an artist and an art appreciator. (Ages 7-10). All of Those Babies, by Mylisa Larsen Pufflings, peeps, poults and colts, baby animals are just so darn cute. Celebrate those newborns and watch as they grow in this rhyming read-together perfect for young animal lovers. (Ages 3-6). Love, Escargot, by Dashka Slater Oooh la la! Escargot, the adorable French gastropod, is
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back for another adventure. Today is Snailentine’s Day, and Escargot is (slowly) on the way to a très bonne fête with canapés, crudités, dancing and beautiful cards to exchange with the one who makes you feel magnifique! Silly, fun and just a little French, Escargot is sure to be a giggle-inducing readtogether favorite. (Ages 3-6). Kin: Rooted in Hope, by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrations by Jeffrey Boston Weatherford North Carolina author Carole Boston Weatherford’s books have been awarded the Newbery Medal, Caldecott Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award. Now, Weatherford and her equally award-winning son have collaborated on this stunning collection of poems unfolding the narrative of their family over five generations. (Ages 10 and up). PS Compiled by Kimberly Daniels Taws and Angie Tally.
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HOMETOWN
Watching the River Run Leaving them one by one By Bill Fields
A work commitment kept
me from attending a reunion last fall for Pinecrest High School’s 1970s classes. I regretted missing the weekend, which, from the reports I got, was well organized and drew a big crowd. Having helped coordinate the 25th reunion for those of us who graduated in 1977, I can only imagine the effort required to hunt and gather 10 classes of folks and successfully pull off such a gathering.
From afar, though, spurred by the big reunion, I’ve been remembering those high school days and my classmates, recollections jogged by my copies of the Spectrum, Pinecrest’s annual, from my sophomore through senior years. Without even opening them, the yearbooks tell a story. The covers and page edges are smoke-damaged from a November 1984 late night electrical fire in the bedroom loft of an Aberdeen cottage I was renting, a blaze as swift as it was startling. My companion and I were grateful to get out safely after smelling smoke. It wasn’t the recommended way to get into the pages of The Sandhill Citizen, which ran a captioned photograph of firefighters on the scene in its next edition. That girlfriend and I didn’t go out long. We did see each other a few more times after the fire, which was a Christmas miracle, but she never returned to the apartment after it was repaired. High school, as the annuals remind me, was much less dramatic than that unusual evening, although it hardly seemed so then. Looking through those yearbooks is to remember the angst about a class in which you struggled or the answer from someone you had finally summoned the courage to ask out. But I was fortunate to not carry the burdens that weighed down some of my classmates. I came from a stable family, applied myself well — except when the going got tough in math — and had at The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
least a vague sense of what I wanted to do after Pinecrest. When I read the messages written to me in those yearbooks from students and teachers, penned in both Bic and Flair, there are mentions of “levelheadedness,” “determination,” “hard working” and “perseverance.” I still don’t really know what Andrew Edwards said, because he wrote his backward. At the time, being named “Most Dependable” along with Louise Thompson didn’t seem the flashiest of senior superlatives. I know I haven’t always lived up to that billing, although it is a good one to shoot for. (This column is being filed a day late, unless I’m receiving grace for New Year’s Day, but I’ve met many more deadlines than I’ve missed over decades of typing for a living — and since handwriting scripts on carbon paper for our closed-circuit TV news show senior year at Pinecrest.) Mostly, those mid-1970s yearbooks make me think of the people who are with me in those yellowing pages, classmates who have prospered or struggled, others who lost their lives in accidents or to illness, some a long time ago, some in late middle-age. Just last year, two of my Pinecrest golf teammates, two good men, Jim Mathews and Charles Reid, passed away. The theme of the 1977 Spectrum, I was reminded when rereading it recently, came from “Watching the River Run,” a beautiful 1973 song written by Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina. We teenagers probably didn’t appreciate the poignancy of “watching the river run/further and further from the things we’ve done/ Leaving them one by one.” Opposite the lyrics in my yearbook was a message from my late childhood friend Alvin Davis, who took the spread photograph that accompanied them, a wintertime waterscape in black and white, the sun bursting through trees and shining on the river’s surface. Alvin’s words dance through bare branches, memorable not so much for what they are but who said them as we were starting out, paddles in the water. PS Southern Pines native Bill Fields, who writes about golf and other things, moved north in 1986 but hasn’t lost his accent. PineStraw 31
A R T O F T H E S TAT E
Sculpture in Silk Kenny Nguyen’s unique medium weaves tradition with ingenuity
By Liza Roberts
“Every time I start a piece, I imagine
there’s a body underneath it,” says Quoctrung Kenny Nguyen, a former fashion designer who makes rippling, three-dimensional sculptures out of paint-soaked silk. “Instead, there’s this absence of a body, in sculptural form. I think it’s beautiful like that.” Torn into strips, dredged in paint and affixed to unstretched canvas, Nguyen’s silk segments fuse to become a malleable but sturdy material that he molds with his hands and pins in place. Every time he hangs a piece, he changes the pin placement — and with it the object’s shape, shadow and energy. Some have a “more architectural feel,” others are more organic. These works explore and illustrate Nguyen’s experience with reinvention, cultural displacement, isolation and identity. His chosen material — with its direct ties to the cultural history of his native Vietnam, where the fabric is revered and traditional “silk villages” keep ancient production techniques alive — is a key component. “Identity is changing all the time,” he says, “and the work keeps evolving, in a continuous transformation.” It all begins with the fabric in his hands. “Silk is already a transformation: from the silkworm, to the silk thread, to a piece of silk. So it’s holding a metaphor.” More than one: “People see silk as a very delicate thing,” he says, “but actually it’s one of the strongest fibers on earth.” Nguyen’s work has earned him solo exhibitions and dozens of awards, residencies, grants and fellowships all over the world. It began to take off commercially in a big way during the pandemic, when he began using Instagram to share images of his pieces, and after Los Angeles-based Saatchi Art named him a Rising Star of 2020, one of the 35 “best young artists to collect” under the age of 35 from around the world. He now has art consultants and galleries representing his work all over the country and in Europe, and has had to move his studio out of the garage of his
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family home and into a former textile mill to keep up with demand. He no longer works alone, with three assistants (all art students from UNC Charlotte) helping him with prep work, photography and studio management. His biggest challenge is no longer finding an audience; it’s managing the business. Nguyen couldn’t have imagined this kind of success when he immigrated here in 2010 from Ho Chi Minh City with his family. He was 19 and had a BFA in fashion design from the University of Architecture Ho Chi Minh City. But he couldn’t find a job and spoke no English. “It was just a culture shock. You can’t communicate with anybody. You feel so isolated. Homeless, in a way. I was struggling,” he says. Art called him. Nguyen enrolled at UNC Charlotte to study painting — Davidson artist Elizabeth Bradford was one of his teachers — and found himself yearning for a way to incorporate his own culture and passions into the work. In the end, the way those came together was a happy accident. During the summer of 2018, three years out of UNCC, Nguyen had just arrived at an artist’s residency in rural Vermont, where he planned to continue painting the “very flat, very traditional” types of The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
A R T O F T H E S TAT E
Encounter Series No.4, 2023, Hand-cut silk fabric, acrylic paint, canvas, mounted on wall, 84 x 65 in.
Encounter Series No.12, 2023, Hand cut silk, acrylic, canvas mounted on wall, (Approx.) 75 x 60 x 5 in.
Cham (Encounter No.9), 2023, Hand cut silk, acrylic, canvas mounted on wall, 84 x 120 in. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 33
A R T O F T H E S TAT E
canvases he’d been creating until that point. He realized that in his rush to get out the door, he’d left a container with most of his colorful paints and brushes behind. In fact, he realized that he’d managed to bring only three materials with him: a bucket of white paint, skeins of silk and some canvas. “What can you do with that?” he wondered. He began ripping pieces of silk, dredging them in paint, affixing them to canvas, “and you know, it just happened.” Quickly, he decided he was on to something: “The material was speaking for itself.” Bits of transparent silk dripped off his canvases, letting light shine through. “I decided I didn’t want the frame anymore. I decided: Let’s sculpt it.” To get there, though, he knew he’d have to manipulate his silk in new ways. “Silk has such a value in the Vietnamese culture,” he says. “For me, to destroy a piece of silk, to cut it into pieces . . . that’s a big deal for me. I pushed myself to do that.” He hasn’t stopped. “The work is evolving in such an amazing way,” he said in late December. “I’ve just been in the studio nonstop, producing work.” Nguyen says that kind of work ethic has been crucial to his success. Some of it is rooted in his early years working in fashion while in school, some of it is hard-wired, and a lot of it is simply about his love of the work. “The more that I work with the materials, the more I realize how it works and the more capacity I have,” he says. He’s experimenting with largescale work, which can be challenging to mold in lasting sculptural forms, but not impossible. His largest works are now as many as 40 feet long, and he makes them in five or six different segments which he then sews together. “It’s not evolving in a straight line,” he says. “There are a lot of tests, and a lot of failures. Little accidents happen, unexpected things happen, and I pick up on that.” When he’s not working on commission for collectors with requests for particular dimensions or colors, Nguyen often goes right back to where he started, letting colors and shapes come to him intuitively, sometimes reworking old pieces that didn’t originally come together, pulling out paints he hasn’t used in a while, relying on instinct. His materials never stop inspiring his creativity. “It amazes me,” he says, “that the material, this silk, can hold a sculptural form.” PS Encounter Series No.5, 2023, Hand-cut silk fabric, acrylic paint, canvas, mounted on wall,72 x 120 in.
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This is an excerpt from Art of the State: Celebrating the Art of North Carolina, published by UNC Press.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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P L E A S U R E S O F L I F E D E P T.
Landing a Zinger
By Jim Moriarty
Butterflies of a
particularly glamorous variety usher in an early spring when the Judson Theatre Company presents Morgan Fairchild headlining Leonard Gershe’s play Butterflies Are Free at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium. There will be five performances beginning Thursday, March 7, and concluding with a Sunday matinee on March 10.
Fairchild’s credits in film and television in a career stretching from the 1960s to today are far too numerous to list here. Her resume includes nominations for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe. She starred last year in the Lifetime holiday movie Ladies of the 80s: A Diva Christmas. She is known for her work as Chandler’s (Matthew Perry) mom on Friends and as the character Jordan Roberts on Falcon Crest in the ’80s. She played the “cougar” stalking Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) on Two and a Half Men. Her film career began in 1967 at the age of 16 when she was asked if she wanted to be in a movie and found herself doubling for Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde, a film classic nominated for 10 Academy Awards. “I wasn’t exactly a stunt double or body double. Whenever they needed a long shot of Faye where you couldn’t be sure it was her, they put in a double. I ended up doing a lot of the driving scenes,” says Fairchild. “They drove us out to the middle of nowhere Texas. I have no idea what I’m doing. I said to somebody, The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
‘What do we do?’ And they said, ‘Why don’t you take a look at the set.’ So I start walking down this dirt road and I’m not seeing anything that looks like a set. I’m in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of open fields. I see this guy in silhouette coming toward me in the dawn, kind of hunched over and I said, ‘Excuse me, do you know where the set is?’ And he looks up and he smiles. It was Warren Beatty. And Warren Beatty at 28 with the sun coming up behind him is the most gorgeous man you’ve ever seen. Anyway, that was my introduction to movies. It was a great learning experience for a kid. It made me fall in love with movies.” As well-known as Fairchild is for her work on television and in film, she has managed to make room for live theater. “I started in the theater when I was 10, so I grew up in the theater before I got into any kind of television or film,” she says. “There’s just something about the feedback of a live audience — you’re out there and you’re all in it together.” In 2004-5 she did a national tour playing Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate. And last fall she played the role of Monette in Always a Bridesmaid at the New Theatre in Kansas City. “Morgan Fairchild is the ultimate pro as Monette,” wrote BroadwayWorld.com of her appearance. “It is a pleasure to see her.” In Butterflies Are Free, Fairchild plays the role of the overprotective mother Mrs. Baker. “Of course Morgan is so glamorous, which is one of the things that really suits her well to Mrs. Baker,” says Morgan Sills, Judson Theatre Company’s executive director, who will be directing the play, a first for him at Judson PineStraw 37
P L E A S U R E S O F L I F E D E P T.
though far from a career first. Previously, he directed shows at Millbrook Playhouse and the Shawnee Playhouse, both in Pennsylvania, and at the Artistree Music Theater Festival in Vermont. “The role of Mrs. Baker has always attracted these larger-than-life star ladies who can really, really act. Gloria Swanson. Ann Sothern. Eve Arden. So many different women have played this role. I can’t wait to see what Morgan brings to it because she knows how to land a zinger, but she also has the warmth and the heart and the technique as a stage actor to do it justice.” Judson’s artistic director, Daniel Haley, typically directs the company’s productions. This one is different because Sills knew the playwright, Leonard Gershe. While Butterflies Are Free is easily Gershe’s most successful play, enjoying a three-year run on Broadway (he also adapted it for the screen in the 1972 movie of the same name starring Goldie Hawn), his extraordinary career included bringing Cole Porter’s Silk Stockings to the screen, writing the second book for Destry Rides Again on Broadway and, along with his writing partner, Roger Edens, writing the screenplay for Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. “He was an excellent problem-solver,” says Sills. “He knew how to look at something and take it from where it was to where it needed to be.” It was Sills’ work on a show of his own about Edens that brought him and Gershe together. “Part of my primary research was to write everybody at MGM who was still alive to see if they
would talk to me. I saw Leonard’s email address in the AOL member directory, and so I wrote him,” says Sills. “We started emailing and talking on the phone. I visited his home in Beverly Hills. We went to Roger’s grave. Then he agreed to edit the script of the show I was writing. It was all of Roger’s songs, including the ones he and Leonard wrote for Funny Face.” Butterflies Are Free opens with a revelation and closes with the three primary characters arriving at their own personal revelations. Along the way it’s a witty, coming of age rom-com. “The play straddles two eras of playwriting,” says Sills. “There is sort of the old school, well-made play and these late ’60s newer ideas. The play is like Leonard’s still alive because so many of his values are in it. His sense of humor is very much in it. His warmth is in it. So, this is a full circle moment for me.” The performance schedule opens on Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m. at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. There is a Friday, March 8, evening performance at 8 p.m. On March 9, Saturday’s 2 p.m. matinee includes a post-show talk-back session with the actors. There is a second Saturday performance at 8 p.m. The run concludes with a matinee at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. Tickets can be purchased at judsontheatre. com or through ticketmesandhills.com. PS Jim Moriarty is the Editor of PineStraw and can be reached at jjmpinestraw@gmail.com.
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
IN THE SPIRIT
Dissecting a Cocktail Creating the Andie Rose By Tony Cross
Many years ago, while bartending, I was
PHOTOGRAPH BY TONY CROSS
befriended by PineStraw’s art director, Andie Rose, when she took the time to let me know she had enjoyed her cocktails that evening. A few months later, she asked me to design a cocktail for the magazine’s anniversary issue. A year after that I was invited by mutual friends to a birthday dinner they were hosting for Andie, and I was asked if I would like to create a cocktail in her honor. Of course I would. I knew that Andie has an affinity for old-fashioneds, so I wanted a drink that would be whiskey-forward. However, I wasn’t sure if the other guests would be receptive to a spirit-forward cocktail. I decided to create a sour and build the drink around Monkey Shoulder malt whiskey. Monkey Shoulder is a versatile Scotch whiskey, perfect even for those who usually shun Scotch. Her birthday falls in the first part of March, but it was still cold, so the combination of allspice, orgeat and Angostura enhanced the creaminess and winter spice notes from the whiskey.
Specifications
Directions
1 1/2 ounces Monkey Shoulder whiskey 1/2 ounce Rittenhouse Rye 1/8 ounce allspice dram 3/4 ounce orgeat 3/4 ounce lemon juice 1 organic egg white Angostura bitters
In a shaking tin, add all ingredients, except for the bitters. Seal tin and shake hard for 10 seconds. Add large cube (or sufficient amount) of ice and shake again for 10-15 seconds. Double-strain over a large rocks glass with large cube. Add three dashes of Angostura bitters over the cocktail. PS
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Tony Cross owns and operates Reverie Cocktails, a cocktail delivery service that delivers kegged cocktails for businesses to pour on tap — but once a bartender, always a bartender.
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42 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
FOCUS ON FOOD
A Missing Delight The case for mousse au chocolat
Story and Photograph by Rose Shewey
I recently came across a clip of Arnold Schwar-
zenegger making a protein shake. I watched with intrigue as he cracked a raw egg into his shake and, for good measure, threw in the shell, too! For extra calcium, he said. What a savage move! I know most people wouldn’t go near his concoction because of the raw egg in it, which prompted me to take a quick mental inventory of other foods we eat regularly, perhaps unwittingly, that call for glibbery whites and runny yolks.
On the top of my list: traditionally prepared ice cream, followed by tiramisu and mayonnaise (all of which can relatively easily be made egg free), and lastly, mousse au chocolat, which seems to have gone missing — it’s virtually absent from every dessert menu I have laid my eyes on recently. So, why is mousse au chocolat not as popular as it used to and deserves to be? Could it be the raw eggs? It stands to reason. Raw eggs have most certainly acquired a bad rap over the past couple of decades. On top of that, a large number of mousse au chocolat recipes in the U.S. call for whipped cream to be folded into the melted chocolate as opposed to peaky egg whites (in fact, the original recipe does not contain cream at all). The result is something between a chocolate ganache and chocolate pudding, at best — tasty, but nothing to write home about. It’s the glossy, whipped egg whites that create the unique frothy texture in mousse au chocolat, which is paradoxically rich and airy at the same time. So, this missing delight finds itself between a rock and a hard place; it’s either made poorly or, evidently, not at all. The decision is yours, of course. I have safely (but also cautiously) prepared and eaten raw eggs my whole life. Beyond that, I have experimented for over a decade with substituting plant-based whole food ingredients for animal-derived ones and have had great success with a lot of dishes. However, mousse au chocolat is not one of them. As much as I enjoy some avocado or aquafaba “mousse,” they are not a match for the centuries-old original; lacking in structure, like a cheap wine. So, if you have access to fresh, quality eggs, skip all the mousse imposters and make this confection just as people have for over 200 years, with satiny egg whites and creamy yolks for the most extraordinary results. The Art The & Soul Artof&the Soul Sandhills of the Sandhills
Mousse au Chocolat (Serves 4) 200 grams semi-sweet chocolate (12 percent sugar) 50 grams butter 200 milliliters heavy cream 3 eggs 30 grams granulated sugar In a double boiler, slowly melt chocolate and butter. Whip cream and set aside in the refrigerator. Separate eggs and beat egg whites (with clean beaters) until they form stiff peaks. In a separate bowl, beat egg yolks with sugar until the mixture turns light in color, stir in chocolatebutter mixture, and immediately fold in egg whites and whipped cream, using a spoon or spatula. Do not over-mix to avoid deflating the mousse, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with whipped cream and chocolate shavings or any toppings of your choice. PS German native Rose Shewey is a food stylist and food photographer. To see more of her work visit her website, suessholz.com.
PineStraw 43
CROSSROADS
History Finds a Home Taylortown museum preserves town’s heritage
By Audrey Moriarty
It took almost two
decades to get there, but in October of 2023, the Taylortown Museum celebrated its one-year anniversary. According to Nadine Moody, volunteer at the museum and a former Taylortown council member, the house where the museum is located — 8263 Main St., in Taylortown — was originally the home of Demus Taylor’s great-granddaughter, Margaret Mangum. Demus Taylor is the founder of Taylortown, and Margaret worked as a teacher at the Academy Heights School, where she taught Moody in third grade. The Mangum home was purchased roughly 20 years ago, when Ulysses Barrett was the town mayor. While the building was intended all along 44 PineStraw
to house a museum, bringing the plan to fruition took time. If the museum had a little trouble getting off the ground, the house was always busy, serving as a venue for various community events. In the interim a handful of dedicated volunteers decided to begin recording and preserving Taylortown’s history. The group consisted of various members of the community: Gail McKinnon, president of the Historical Society; Jef Moody, vice-president of the Historical Society; Wendy Martin, of the Beautification Committee; Nadine Moody (Jef’s wife); and several others. Inside the museum are exhibits of old tools, a display of images of the mayors of Taylortown, photos of local church dignitaries, information on the Academy Heights School, and a large “Welcome to Taylortown” banner, featuring Demus Taylor and some local historic sites. According to McKinnon one of the ongoing projects the volunteers have begun is an “obituary book” listing the names of spouses, siblings and children, helping community members fill out family trees. They are hoping to get more input from The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
CROSSROADS
family members of deceased residents to add to their book and family records. “What I wish we could do is to get each Black community to give us a brief history, because we all know each other and are related somehow,” says Nadine Moody. Gary Brown, another volunteer, is working on a gravesite webpage, identifying and documenting local graves. High on the list of the museum’s current needs is a computer to house the information they’re compiling. The hope is that visitors to the museum will one day be able to search the collection and family data base. Brown, with Martin’s help and donations from Food Lion and local churches, also operates a food bank every Tuesday at Johnny Boler Park in Taylortown. Recently the museum had a surprise visit from Paula Hall, Demus Taylor’s great-great-granddaughter. The museum is looking for more items to add to its exhibits, and hopes to get a few old canvas and leather carry bags and wood-shafted clubs — an homage to the work Taylortown residents, especially Demus
Taylor, did caddying at the Pinehurst Resort. They’re also in search of a closet or curio cabinet for displays. Nadine Moody says 99 percent of their current exhibits were donated by local citizens and businesses. Homewood Suites donated some tables and chairs after a recent renovation and the museum repurposed them, some for workspace, while others are attractively set with dishes and stemware. Current plans call for expanding the exhibition space to the upstairs portion of the house. “We are so excited,” says Nadine Moody. “We’re busting at the seams.” PS
“We are so excited. We’re busting at the seams.”
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The Taylortown Museum is open to the public on Wednesdays and the first Saturday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Thursdays for groups, by appointment. You can reach the Taylortown Museum at (910) 215-0744, or by calling the Town Hall at (910) 295-4010. Audrey Moriarty is the Library Services and Archives director for the village of Pinehurst.
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PineStraw 45
PHOTO CLUB
Sandhills Photography Club:
Open Competition
The Sandhills Photography Club meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the theater of the Hannah Marie Bradshaw Activities Center of The O'Neal School at 330 Airport Road in Pinehurst. Visit www.sandhillsphotoclub.org.
Tier 1, 1st Place: Fish Dive By Hank Hu
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46 PineStraw
Tier 1, 2nd Place: Chapel on a Hill By Steve Long
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PHOTO CLUB
Tier 2, 2nd Place: Free Flying By Diane McKay
Tier 2, 1st Place: Lotus Reflections By Susan Bailey
Tier 2, 2nd Honorable Mention: Tiny Landscape By Dee Williams
Tier 2, 3rd Place: Golden Child By Shari Dutton
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PineStraw 47
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OUT OF THE BLUE
Holiday Mother Lode With an extra day to celebrate
By Deborah Salomon
Every so
ILLUSTRATION BY MIRANDA GLYDER
often I, as the saying goes, “wax philosophical.” The most likely result is a criticism of some innovation that captures the minds of techies. You know, the ones who stand in line all night to purchase the latest iPhone that promises everything south of openheart surgery. This time, the trigger was February, which owns far and away more holidays than any other month. Americans start by hounding a groundhog, continue to boozy Mardi Gras, somber Ash Wednesday, Chinese New Year, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day (formerly Lincoln and Washington’s birthdays). February has been designated American Heart Month as well as Black History Month, although Martin Luther King Day is Jan. 15, his birthday. Each observance has a story which, in days gone by, grade-schoolers would research in an encyclopedia, perhaps for a “project.” Now they push a few buttons, skim the results, copy, paste and move on to something else. I doubt cherry pie or the Gettysburg Address would be part of a combined Presidents Day experience. More likely a long ski weekend which, I’ve heard, suggested its creation. I’m thinking Washington and Lincoln deserve their own days, as might FDR, JFK. Otherwise, the new holiday on the third Monday of the month includes all presidents, some less than celebratory. Obviously, holidays are promoted for commercial gain. In cities with significant Chinese populations, an eight-course New Year’s Chinese restaurant extravaganza makes our Thanksgiving repast The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
look like Pop-Tarts. The candy/greeting card/ floral industries thrive on Valentine’s Day, despite the untimely death by decapitation of its patron saint. I understand how Heart Month plays off Valentine’s Day symbols. However, a typical Valentine’s dinner will include a well-marbled steak, potatoes dripping butter and, for dessert, a hardly healthy heart-shaped cheesecake. At best, holidays give texture to a society while preserving its heritage. To my knowledge, neither AI nor a 3-D printer has replicated any of the above. Commercial or not, holidays serve a greater purpose. At best, they bring people together, even blot out horrors. Somewhere in Ukraine, world-famous hand-painted Easter eggs will surface in March. For 21 years I lived in Vermont, where Blacks make up about 1 percent of the population. Every February the university hosted a soul food dinner, its menu prepared by volunteers. Tickets sold out in a day. Participants, Black and white, came from all over the state to eat chitlins, fried chicken, greens, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, “shiny” beans and peach cobbler. I attended to write a story but had a fantastic time remembering Southern preparations with 20 inches of snow on the ground and temps in the single digits. February even has a quirky conclusion. Because 2024 is a leap year, this shortest month at 28 days will boast 29, enabling people born that day to have a once-in-four-years celebration. Because the way things are going, who knows where the world will be next time leap year rolls around? PS Deborah Salomon is a contributing writer for PineStraw and The Pilot. She can be reached at debsalomon@nc.rr.com. PineStraw 51
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52 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
B I R D WA T C H
A Rare Winter Visitor Keep an eye out for the snow bunting
By Susan Campbell
No bird in North America conjures up an im-
age of midwinter like the snow bunting. These open country birds of the North are well adapted to cold and snow, as their name implies. The species is migratory and so may be found in the northern half of the U.S. in winter. Individuals are not at all a common sight this far south. However, they may show up here and there during the colder months. So, it is good to be aware — and know what to look for.
Snow buntings breed in rocky areas on the tundra during the late spring and summer. They nest in crevices between rocks, using moss and down to create a soft cup. In the fall, when temperatures plummet and the days shorten, these birds take off in a southerly direction for more hospitable locations. Typically, they show up in weedy fields and along lakeshores, but they can also be found at the coast on sandy beaches. These birds typically have more white plumage in the summer — especially the males. This is the result of feather wear (not different feathers) during the cooler months after a post-breeding-season molt. Males are white with black backs, wingtips and tail tips. Females are grayish but even they have white bellies and flanks. In winter, their plumage contains brownish hues such that they blend in well with the vegetation, as well as the sand or soil in their preThe Art & Soul of the Sandhills
ferred feeding habitat. They are truly birds of the ground and so are rarely seen perched in trees or on wires. In flight, they are quite distinctive year-round with large white wing patches and white rumps. And if traveling with others, they will produce an array of odd, loud noises: They may rattle, buzz and/or twitter. Single snow buntings may be easily overlooked. They do not tend to flush until the last second. Between the fact that they are so well camouflaged and that they tend to be silent, they are often missed even at close range. Furthermore, they are not typically found at feeding stations, preferring larger natural areas to backyards. Although there have been no reports of these special little birds sighted in central North Carolina yet this season, there has been a flock of up to two dozen on the Outer Banks this winter. They have been observed feeding on the seeds of sea oats and other dune grasses since early December on the south side of Oregon Inlet. If you happen to be out that way in the next several weeks, you may be able to find them. Flocks may move around frequently, leapfrogging over one another as they search for their next meal. Simply stroll the dunes watching for movement around the vegetation, and be sure to listen for their raspy calls. The group sticks together by frequently vocalizing. Keep an ear out and you may be rewarded with a glimpse of this rare winter visitor. PS Susan Campbell would love to hear from you. Feel free to send questions or wildlife observations to susan@ncaves.com. PineStraw 53
NAT U R A L I S T
Tale of the Whitetail The adaptable deer among us
Story and Photographs by Todd Pusser
This past November, on a bright, sunny morning, I made a
drive from Eagle Springs up to Raleigh. Just a quarter-mile into the journey, I spied a young doe lying motionless on her side, just off the shoulder of the road, a victim of a collision with an automobile from the previous night. “That’s a pity,” I said to myself, not giving it much more thought. Roadkill is an all-too-common sight these days.
Turning onto N.C. 211, I spotted another deer, this time a small buck, crumpled into a lifeless heap, its head lying just a few yards off the edge of the pavement, it too the victim of a car strike. A pair of black vultures stood nearby, cautiously eyeing a prospective meal. Fifteen miles down the road, this time along U.S. 15-501 just north of Carthage, I spied yet another road-killed deer. Then another. Along U.S. 1, between Sanford and Cary, I counted four more. Later, driving back to Eagle Springs in the early evening, I counted another three, bringing the total to 11 dead deer for the day, all victims of hit and runs. November is the peak of the white-tailed deer breeding season in this part of the state, and the large ungulates are on the move during most hours of the day, especially so once the sun goes down. Still, the volume of carnage seemed unusually high. It was not that many years ago when seeing a white-tailed deer anywhere in the Sandhills was a rare treat. In fact, the only time I recall seeing any deer as a kid was when my parents made their annual holiday shopping trip to Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville. Our route took us through the rural backroads of what is now Fort Liberty. From the back seat, I would strain my eyes looking up ahead, into the darkness, for the distinctive eyeshine of deer reflected in the high beams of our old Toyota Corolla. It was practically a given to find one or two standing along the shoulder of the road eating grass at some point during the drive, right in the heart of the military installation. While deer were certainly around my hometown of Eagle Springs throughout the 1970s and ’80s, they were elusive and rarely seen by anyone other than hunters. Those roaming about the landscape tended to favor denser patches of forests bordering creeks and farm fields. As a preteen, I recall being enthralled with the taxidermy mount of a large 8-point buck taken by a family friend during the fall hunting season along Drowning Creek, not far from our house, its large, symmetrical antlers appearing much too big for its head. It was not until my college days of the early 1990s that I really began to notice a signifi-
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 55
NAT U R A L I S T
cant increase in the number of deer, not just in the Sandhills but throughout the state. During the occasional weekend drive from Chapel Hill to Eagle Springs for a home-cooked meal, I regularly saw deer dash across the road, day and night, especially along the edge of Jordan Lake. Today, white-tailed deer are ubiquitous, roaming across North Carolina from the Outer Banks to our westernmost mountains, in numbers exceeding those seen by this country’s first European colonists. Not long after my Raleigh outing, I ventured out under a bright moon, to drive the 4 miles of road bordering my childhood home. This stretch of asphalt traverses a series of large open fields, patches of longleaf pine forest, and the occasional manicured yard. Rolling down the window to savor the unseasonably mild air, I set about the task of trying to accomplish my goal for the evening, which was to simply count the number of deer I could see in the 15 minutes it took to slowly drive the road. With no other cars out, I could easily stop and scan the fields and forests with my new thermal imaging scope. This high-tech piece of kit is able to detect the heat emitted by warm-blooded animals, allowing me to see in the dark. Pulling up to my first stop, I raised the scope to my eye and turned it on. Instantly, I could see a large herd of deer grazing about 100 yards away, their distinctive bodies glowing like living
56 PineStraw
Christmas tree lights scattered about the field. A quick count produced 18 deer. A quarter-mile down the road, I counted another eight. Then five more. By the time my informal survey was over, I had tallied a remarkable 53 deer, likely exceeding the total number of deer I had seen throughout the entirety of my childhood. With the number of dead deer that litter our highways today, or that rummage through backyard gardens and local fairways, it might be hard to imagine that just a century ago, whitetails were wiped out of many areas of the East Coast (North Carolina included) by uncontrolled hunting. That they have bounced back in such a relatively short period of time is remarkable. The reasons for this are complicated and well beyond the scope of this short column. Suffice to say, white-tailed deer are among the few species that have readily adapted to a human-dominated landscape and are viewed by many as beacons of the American wilderness and by others as long-legged nuisances. Pulling back into the driveway, I hop out of my car and start walking to the front door. A rustling of leaves in the turkey oaks bordering the yard catches my attention. Raising the thermal scope up to my eye, I see a doe bounding off into the forest in a series of high arching leaps, tail held high. PS Naturalist and photographer Todd Pusser grew up in Eagle Springs. He works to document the extraordinary diversity of life both near and far. His images can be found at www.ToddPusser.com.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 57
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
G O L F T OW N J O U R NA L
Golden Age, Take III Pinehurst adds to its allure
USGA Golf House Pinehurst By Lee Pace
Some old-timers believe the “golden
COPYRIGHT USGA/CHRIS KEANE
age” of Pinehurst ran from Donald Ross’ final arrival at his routing for the No. 2 course in 1935, through Ben Hogan’s watershed win in the North & South Open in 1940, the Americans’ easy win in the 1951 Ryder Cup, and up to the end of the ownership era of the Tufts family in 1970.
A strong argument can made that the quarter-century from the PGA Tour’s return to Pinehurst in 1991, Payne Stewart’s brushstroke in 1999, three Women’s Opens at Pine Needles and the Coore & Crenshaw-led renaissance of No. 2 in 2010-11 comprised a golden age of its own. And how about the last decade? A trifecta of those golden ages, for sure. Competitors, officials, writers and spectators who visited for the 2014 U.S. Open and will return this June will surely be stunned at the explosion in innovation in the Sandhills golf and hospitality worlds. Here are 10 of the big stories of the decade. USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst — Renowned amateur Billy Joe Patton organized a petition in the early 1960s for the USGA to bring the U.S. Amateur to Pinehurst No. 2 (which did happen in 1962). Thus fell the first domino in more than a dozen USGA The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
competitions at the resort and in the Sandhills. So it’s no wonder that Mike Davis, the USGA CEO from 2010-21, should say in 2020, “There is no better place for the USGA to plant new roots than the Home of American Golf.” Construction on Golf House Pinehurst, the USGA’s 30,000-square-foot research and test center, began in the summer of 2022 on a 6-acre site just to the west of the Pinehurst clubhouse, and more than 65 USGA staffers were working in the building by the end of 2023. World Golf Hall of Fame — There was Cooperstown for baseball, Canton for football and Springfield for basketball. But there was no hall of fame for golf. Pinehurst officials in the early 1970s attempted to rectify that with the construction of the World Golf Hall of Fame, which opened in 1973 on land near course No. 2 with an induction ceremony that included Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. The concept didn’t survive in Pinehurst at the time and the shrine moved to Florida, but the USGA announced in 2022 it had purchased the Hall of Fame and its assets and would integrate them into its new Golf House Pinehurst. The new facility will open later this spring. Pinehurst No. 4 — Pinehurst owner Robert Dedman Jr. and club officials believed after the bold restoration of course No. 2 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2010-11 that the adjacent No. 4 course should undergo a similar conversion geared toward more fidelity toward Pinehurst’s past in terms of visuals, playability and maintenance. They hired architect Gil Hanse and PineStraw 59
G O L F T OW N J O U R NA L
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design partner Jim Wagner for the job, the course closing in October 2017 and reopening 11 months later. The result was a course that morphed from its svelte Augusta persona into an unkempt Scottish presentation — spot on with what Donald Ross might have conceived in 1919, when the course first opened.
Book your tee time online and save. Our online booking engine allows you to see all available tee times, rates and player types. It’s quick, fast and convenient. Bring a friend and experience the reinvigorated and refreshed Pines Course. Our friendly staff would love to have you. See you soon!
The Cradle
BOOK NOW!
Check our website or contact the pro shop for the Super Winter Membership Special.
The Cradle — Alternative golf. Small golf. Hit-and-giggle golf. The 21st century has seen a groundswell of niches geared toward enjoying golf without the time sink or skill level required for an 18-hole round. While building No. 4 in 2017, Hanse and Wagner took 10 acres of ground to the south of the clubhouse and crafted a nine-hole course with holes ranging from 56 to 127 yards long. The course is so named as it’s positioned on ground where in 1898 some of the first crude holes were routed in what was to become known as the “Cradle of American Golf.” Southern Pines Golf Club — Kyle Franz was a self-professed “golf architecture geek” when he came to Pinehurst in 2010 to work on the Coore & Crenshaw team on the No. 2 restoration. In his spare time, he scouted the area for other classic venues that might benefit from less grass and chemicals and more sandy and wispy wire grass. He cracked a grand slam with his work on Mid Pines (1921 Donald Ross course, renovated in 2013) and more recently with his reawakening of Southern Pines Golf Club (1912 Ross, renovated in 2022). “When in the Pinehurst area, head
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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PINEHURST RESORT
2 Clubhouse Blvd • Whispering Pines, NC 28327 910-949-3000 • countryclubofwhisperingpines.com
G O L F T OW N J O U R NA L
straight for this beauty — you will leave more invigorated than when you arrived,” says Ran Morrissett, also a local architecture buff. Woodlake Country Club — There was just one Donald Ross at Pinehurst in the early 1900s. But there were lots of Maples — among them Frank, who was Ross’ right-hand man, and Ellis, who was Frank’s son and learned golf course construction as a teenager. One of Ellis’ Sandhills golf projects was Woodlake Country Club, which opened in 1971 and was routed around Lake Surf as part of a residential community. The course went fallow when its owner ran into problems precipitated by the 2007-08 financial crisis, but a new ownership group hired Kris Spence to revive it beginning in 2021. Woodlake is open to limited play now with a grand opening in the spring. “This is a resurrection,” Spence says. “We’re bringing this back from the dead. It’s probably one of the most satisfying things I have done.” Pinehurst No. 10 — How much golf is enough? You never know at Pinehurst. Dedman weaved the former Pinehurst National into his collection in 2014 and anointed the Jack Nicklaus-designed course as Pinehurst No. 9, then stood pat for a decade. Now in the post-COVID glow of the golf industry explosion in general and the robust demand among members and the traveling public for Pinehurst’s existing nine courses, Dedman believed in 2022 it was time to pull the trigger for a new course on land the resort has owned several miles south. Designer Tom Doak had a slot in his schedule and jumped on the job, with the course opening in April. “We’ve got a really cool piece of land,” Doak says. “This ground has more variety and a different feeling to it than any of the other courses at the resort.” Eating, Drinking, Making Merry — And just where are all these golfers flocking to the Sandhills going to fuel up and rest up? Pinehurst Resort has added to its inventory the last decade with an innovative reinvention of an old steam plant The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
INVEST IN YOUR SMILE – YOU’RE WORTH IT! Experience the Highest Quality Dental Care In a friendly, caring environment! New patients always welcome!
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The right dentist can make all the difference.
Shop local & handmade at Downtown Southern Pines’ own pottery studio and gallery
Mon-Sat Mon-Sat S t 10 tto o5 www.ravenpottery.com
2 6 0 W. Pe n n s y l v a n i a Av e • S o u t h e r n P i n e s , N C • 3 3 6 - 4 6 5 -1 7 76 PineStraw 61
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ON ANY NEW ICON GOLF CART Whether it's managing tasks around your property, transporting clients in style, or enjoying a sunset drive in your neighborhood, our custom-built ICON golf carts are up to the task. Purchase any new ICON Golf Cart in stock and receive $1000 off MSRP. . Discover Your Dream Golf Cart with ICON! Visit us at www.icongolfcartsnorthcarolina.com to explore our wide range in Aberdeen, Cary, and Pinehurst, NC. From custom builds to shipped-in carts, we have the perfect solution for you across the U.S.A. Experience the ICON difference today! *Must present this ad at the time of purchase to redeem offer. 0% interest available for 2 years, 0$ down whether in stock or not. Offers can not be combined with any other discount See dealership for details.
the
WINE in PINES
The Junior League of Moore County celebrates Women in Wine at the 2024 Wine in the Pines charity event. Tasting of 10 curated wines Hors D’oeuvres Commemorative wine glass Live music
PRESENTED BY THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MOORE COUNTY
SATURDAY, MARCH 2 The Fair Barn | 6 - 10 PM
Wine Pull Silent Auction 50/50 Raffle
SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Open seating $75 and VIP reserved tables available for $800 and $1,000
jlmcnc.org/wine-in-the-pines.html
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G O L F T OW N J O U R NA L
PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN GESSNER
into a micro-brewery and barbecue restaurant, and the restoration of two century-old hotel properties — all in the village of Pinehurst.
the fall of 2019 with all of the interior spaces completely renovated, leaving only about 15 percent of the hotel’s framing in place. The North & South Bar offers nearly 100 styles of bourbons, whiskeys, ryes and Scotch.
The Manor
The Magnolia Inn is the second oldest boarding establishment in Pinehurst and opened in 1896 as a four-story building, and in the early 1900s was used for overflow from the Carolina Hotel. The Magnolia has been through a number of ownership changes over a century-plus and was brought into the Pinehurst Resort fold in 2021. The inn has been refurbished, and its Villaggio Ristorante & Bar is one of the town’s most popular restaurants with pasta dishes ranging from carbonara to Bolognese to primavera prepared fresh, in-house daily. The Manor Inn opened in 1925 and like the Magnolia has gone through a number of iterations. Pinehurst bought it in 1990 and used it as a “budget-minded” option in its portfolio. Resort officials decided in 2018 to renovate it into an upscale, boutiquestyle property geared toward smaller golf groups. It reopened in
Continuing its theme of keeping one foot in the past and one eye on the future, Pinehurst in 2018 took a 7,000-square-foot steam plant and converted it into a restaurant and micro-brewery. The Pinehurst Brewing Company buzzes every night with locals and resort guests queuing up for its 1895 Lager (named, of course, for the founding year of the resort), and pork, brisket and chicken smoked out back on oak and hickory. We’ll find out in June if Rory and Rickie have enough sense to order the Blackberry Habanero on the side. PS Golf writer Lee Pace has written about golf in the Sandhills for four decades and has authored books on the history of Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles, Mid Pines and Forest Creek. Write him at leepace7@gmail.com.
Foxfire Golf Club
BOOK ONLINE NOW FOR YOUR BEST RATE THE RED FOX COURSE
THE GREY FOX COURSE
The member’s favorite, this Pinehurst golf course offers wide manicured fairways and large elevated fast rolling greens. Fairway bunkers are strategically placed to grab the wayward shot and there is no lack of sand guarding the greens.
Widely considered the most challenging course, the Grey Fox features hilly terrain, several doglegs and towering pines. Golfers must avoid the sand and position the ball on the proper side of the fairway so that they get the best approach angle to the small greens.
MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE STARTING AT $199/MONTH For more information please contact: The Pro Shop.
Foxfire Golf and Country Club • 9 Foxfire Blvd • Pinehurst, NC 27281-9763 • 910 295-5555
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Scan for Tee Time Booking
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BABYFACE BOSSMAN & THE CREW, 1991 BRICKWORK
STONEWORK
FIREPLACES
OUTDOOR LIVING
910-944-0878
www.howellsmasonry.com 10327 Hwy 211 • Aberdeen, NC 28315
February ���� Onward Here we are again on the back porch. Bluebirds eating mealworms from the feeder while the brown-chested nuthatch takes its time with the sunflower seeds. Lili, the pup, is at my feet, and the sun, my God, this sun feels so good on a February afternoon. There’s coffee and a friend’s new book of poetry. Can you hear the saxophone from the jazz man practicing next door? A sparrow flies over lands a foot away on the edge of the table, looks at me, as if to say what more do you want?
— Steve Cushman
Steve Cushman is the author of three novels, including Portisville, winner of the 2004 Novello Literary Award. His poetry collection, How Birds Fly, won the 2018 Lena Shull Book Award and his latest volume, The Last Time, was published by Unicorn Press in 2023.
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Horsing around and around and around
I
By Jenna Biter
•
Photographs by Tim Sayer
t’s a brisk winter morning. A cloudless blue sky hangs over Pinehurst. Happy sunshine beams down, tricking villagers into leaving their coats inside while they shuffle out to fetch the paper. Just down Beulah Hill Road, in the shadow of Pinehurst’s famed golf courses, horse trainers at the harness track know better. They climb into jackets, pull on gloves and hike up neck gaiters, then slide into their two-wheeled jog carts behind the rears of standardbred horses. From dawn until a little before noon, sometimes a little after, the trainers rotate through
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
the barns filled with horses, driving them around and around the tracks at the historic harness racing training facility. Roland “Polie” Mallar and his second trainer, Billy Cole, are two of them. Both men drive laps in red carts, reclined with their legs straight out and gloved hands ready at the lines. Ruddy, wind-whipped cheeks sneak out from beneath a neck warmer. Mallar is ahead, wearing a relaxed but stony look of concentration, track pants and a faded ball cap. He’s never been one for protective headgear. Following closely behind, Cole sports the same composed
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Roland “Polie” Mallar
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Billy Cole
stare, but out from under a cream helmet and with a shield of black facial scruff. Mallar grew up in Maine in the shadow of his grandfather — the original Roland nicknamed Polie — who trained harness racers. When Polie the younger was still in high school, he already owned horses and ran them in summer fairs. Cole, on the other hand, grew up in Wagram, where he still lives, and knew nothing about horses until 1985. That changed when a friend who worked at the harness track offered to teach him, hoping to fill a job opening at the training ground. “I’ve been here ever since,” Cole says. “Here” is the Pinehurst Harness Track, the oldest continuously operating horse track in North Carolina. It was built as an amenity for resort guests in 1915, converted to a winter training center for breaking standardbreds in the late 1920s, and bought by the village of Pinehurst in 1992 so the proving ground wouldn’t be steamrolled and developed into something more commercial but far less utilitarian and picturesque. That same year, the equestrian training center was added to the National Register of Historic Places. For the past seven or eight years, Cole has worked at the The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
harness track with Mallar, owner of the eponymous Polie Mallar Stable, who has been wintering horses at the facility for something around three decades. “We were here one year, and then we went to Florida one year,” Mallar says, remembering a brief stint at Spring Garden Ranch, a 148-acre training track half an hour from a different, faster kind of racetrack — the Daytona International Speedway. “I liked it here in Pinehurst better,” he adds, despite, or maybe even because of, the smaller sprawl and harsher winter weather. The Moore County training center sits on 111 acres and has three tracks. The first is a half-mile clay oval surrounded by a second oval, a 5/8-mile sand border good for strengthening a horse’s leg muscles. Tucked down a short dirt road, the third track is a 1-mile clay loop used for going fast and qualifying for big harness races up north. There are no palm trees trackside in Pinehurst, a good thing in Mallar’s view. Pinehurst’s winter chill is a training aid. “When you leave here to go north and race in the spring, you’re not going into 75- or 80-degree weather,” Mallar says. North American harness races run in four-season regions like the Midwest and Northeast and are also popular in Canada. PineStraw 69
Tracy Cormier
Tracy Cormier, owner of the Pinehurst Track Restaurant, a legendary local institution serving breakfast and lunch in the unassuming white-block building looking out at the track, was married to Quebecois horseman Real “CoCo” Cormier. “He started when he was a kid in Canada,” Cormier says of her late husband of 36 years. “He just loved horses. It was a big French Canadian group of guys, very famous drivers, and they just kept it going. “Then he came to Pinehurst and just loved it.” At first, CoCo spent summers at big-purse races in New York and winters training in Pinehurst at the harness track. Then in the ’90s, he, Tracy and their daughter, Danielle, permanently moved to the Sandhills. That’s when the Cormiers bought the restaurant. For 27 years, Tracy has run the more-than-a-century-old eatery that attracts mostly golfers visiting from across the country and around the globe in search of a good meal and a little local color. After snarfing down a stack of famous blueberry pancakes and draining a mug of black coffee, din-
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ers pay in cash, then leave to play golf. Outside, they’re greeted by the clomp clomp clomping of hooves. That rhythmic sound is how Scott Freeman, the harness track’s superintendent, or “Track Man,” has been diagnosing surface conditions and prescribing daily maintenance during his five years on the job. “The racetrack talks to me,” Freeman says. “If horses are going by and it sounds like they’re knocking on the door, the surface is too hard. That hurts bone. If they go by and it sounds like a washing machine, that means the surface is too loose. That hurts soft tissue. It causes a horse to strain more. “So it’s a fine balance,” he adds. “What it’s got to sound like is a kitten wearing sneakers.” Year after year, between October and May, trainers like Mallar, second trainers like Cole, and grooms and groundskeepers hurry in and out of barns, helping to prepare young horses for their racing debut. There’s a quiet busyness to it all. People dressed in sun-faded knock-arounds are always moving something — water buckets, hoses, bags of feed — to somewhere while others brush down sweaty-backed horses after their morning miles. A russet-colored farm dog wanders out of one barn and into another, probably off on his morning rounds. An oddly welcoming smell of manure pervades the entire scene. Not all the horses who train at Pinehurst are yearlings (horses between the ages of 1 and 2 years old) but most are. Here in the slow and easy South, the babies can acclimate to The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
distractions — tractors, observers and other plucky young horses — one at a time. “Right now, it’s mostly teaching them manners,” Mallar says. “It’s teaching them to go straight. You got to teach them to go straight before you can teach them to go fast.” This year, Mallar has 13 horses to train, all of which are standardbreds, the only breed that competes in North American harness racing. The breed’s lineage traces back to a thoroughbred stallion named Messenger who was imported to Philadelphia from England in 1788. Descendants of Messenger’s greatgreat-grandson Hambletonian 10 dominate the breed. To this day, standardbreds still resemble thoroughbreds, although they are longer, lower and sturdier. “Some of these top thoroughbreds, they race four or five times a year, and they think that’s a lot,” Mallar says. Some standardbreds can race every week. Thoroughbreds race full tilt, at a gallop with a jockey on their backs, while standardbreds race at a trot or pace, pulling drivers behind them in speedy carts called sulkies. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Scott Freeman
Trotters move like other horse breeds, with a diagonal gait. Their opposite front and hind legs strike the ground simultaneously. Pacers can trot, but when pushed for speed in second gear, they shift into a lateral gait. Their same-side legs move in tandem: front right with back right and front left with back left. Standardbred horses are among only a handful of animals, including giraffes and camels, that naturally pace. Regardless of their preferred gait, standardbred yearlings require a solid winter of training to be race-ready come springtime. “When the horses first get here, most of them, they’ve never had a harness on. They’ve never had a bridle on,” Cole says. “First thing I usually do, I just start brushing them down, let them get used to me.” The trainers slowly introduce young horses to harness and bridle, leg loops called hopples, to help them keep gait, and the jog cart. At that point, they drive each horse around the track daily. Between Mallar and Cole, they exercise all 13 horses throughout a morning, 3 to 3 1/2 miles each. On this winter morning, a velvety, chocolate-colored horse from Mallar’s barn tosses its head and darts in the other direction when it comes face-to-face with a tractor grating the 1/2-mile clay track. Quietly Cole, still recumbent in the jog cart, flicks his steady, experienced hands and somehow transfers his composure down the lines. He pulls the horse into the central grass field, then turns it back to face its fear. “Most of the time, if they are scared of the tractor, I get them out The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
and around it to get used to it,” Cole says. “Sooner or later that tractor is going to be out there and coming, and you’ll have nowhere to go and be in trouble.” The next time around, Cole’s horse makes a successful lap, even when faced with the big, scary John Deere. “Once I get a foundation under them, I’d say anywhere between 100 and 250 jog miles, then I’ll start rushing them up a little bit for something like an 1/8th of a mile, teaching them how to step,” Mallar says. “Then we’ll have them pass each other, get them used to other horses moving around. “I won’t really start putting a watch on them until I get to times between 2:40 and 2:45,” he says. “Then I’ll start dropping them.” After roughly half a year of training, the now-2-year-olds run in the Spring Matinee, the harness track’s annual exhibition races that introduce the horses to competition in front of a crowd before they ship north to gambling hotspots, such as the Poconos, Yonkers and harness racing’s mecca, the Meadowlands, in New Jersey. If owners and trainers are lucky, their horses will relish the competition, just like Mallar’s 4-year-old Ken Hanover, who set a track record in the Little Brown Jug in Delaware, Ohio, last year, one of harness racing’s Triple Crown events. That’s because good things come around at the harness track . . . and around, and around. PS Jenna Biter is a writer and military wife in the Sandhills. She can be reached at jennabiter@protonmail.com. PineStraw 73
Fiction by Daniel Wallace We went out in the morning for one last walk together on the beach. I took his hand to steady him, to steady both of us, really. Knees are the first to go, they say, but the rest was not far behind. It was early, almost no one was there, and if you turned away from the rickety beach houses and sad hotels you could pretend you were on a deserted island. “Isaac,” I said, jostling his hand to get his attention. “Do you remember you told me once that when you were a kid you always wanted to live on a deserted island because you thought that meant it was just chockfull of desserts?” The sun was rising behind a sheet of thin clouds, but a ray slipped through and made our morning shadows. Even his face — the dried crevassed creases like a rain-starved plain — brightened into a darkness. “Remember, honey?” He was looking down at his bare feet for some reason, but I knew he had heard me and was thinking about it, trying so hard. There was always a lag now between a question and an answer, like the delay on a long-distance call. For 50 years he was the sharpest tack I ever knew. Now he needed me just to find his shoes in the morning, to explain to him the subtle differences between a fork and a spoon, to double-lock the doors at bedtime so he couldn’t escape into the night. It had become too much for me. Rather, he had become too much for me. “I don’t remember that,” he said. “It was nothing,” I said, giving his hand a little squeeze. “Just funny is all.” “It does sound like something a kid would say, though.” He looked at me and smiled, friendly but guarded, as if we’d been talking just for the last few minutes instead of the last 50 years. “And I was never a good speller. I let other people do the spelling for me.” “You hired the best spellers in the business.” “That’s right.” Now a laugh from him, and a laugh from me. I wanted to tell him how happy it made me that he’d kept his sense of humor, but then he would ask what I meant. Tell me about the things I’ve
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lost. So I didn’t say anything and just listened to our laughter carried away by the wind. The water lapped at our ankles and so I led us a little ways away from the surf for more solid ground. Everything in the world conspired to knock you over. He kept staring at his feet. They looked like blue-veined sea creatures, the kind that lived miles beneath the water, the kind that sometimes washed ashore and made you wonder how such a thing could ever even be in the world. And why. “I could live in this town,” he said, “if it weren’t for the earthquakes and fires and floods, and pestilences.” “You do live here, silly.” “Well, then, wish me luck!” “Oh, you’ve always been lucky.” He snuck a shy glance at me. Tentative, searching. “And you. You live here too?” “I do,” I said. “But we don’t live together.” “No. Not anymore. Not like we used to. But I’ll be there so often you’ll think we did.” He nodded, as if this were an acceptable answer. We kept walking, and he looked down again and for some reason it irritated me. “Why in the world do you keep looking at your feet?” “My feet?” No pause this time. His fog was lifting. “Ha! I’m not looking at my feet. I’m looking for a shark’s tooth. I’ve been hoping to find a shark’s tooth every time I come to the beach for, I don’t know, 65 years? But I never have.” “Oh.” I didn’t know that, for some reason. “Another regret?” “No, no,” he said. “No. I’m glad I’ve never found one. Hoping is better. You know, because when you do find it — presto-changeo! — you’re hopeless.” “Then you just have to hope for other things.” “Like what?” He was right. The list of things to hope for was getting shorter, almost every day. A woman in an unfortunate bathing suit, a sunburned man with a beach chair on his back, two boys running into the surf The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
screaming like Maori warriors attacking the whole ocean, a jogger and her snow-white poodle. Life was coming back to life. We had not walked far, but I didn’t know how much farther we should. Going out was the easy part, but then we’d have to go back and that was so much harder. My hip was throbbing already. I wish we had a limo following behind us at just a bit of a distance so that we could get into it when we wanted to. With a limo driver named Norman. That was something to hope for, I suppose. “I don’t think there’s a God,” he said out of nowhere, “but if there were all I would want from him or her is just a little direction. Hints. Like, Warm, warmer, warmer – you’re burning up! Or, say you’re about to quit your job and he says, Cold! Cold! Just that, a couple of words. That would be nice, right?” “That would be ideal,” I said. He stopped and turned to me and took both of my hands in his, and if you were looking at us from a distance you’d swear this old man was about to propose. “That place looks like an elementary school with a shitty cafeteria,” he said. “I tried to get you a room in the Taj Mahal, but they were full up.” “Don’t be a bitch,” he said. “Don’t be a real bitch.” He loved that word now. I don’t know why. I had to just let it go. “Do you have a cigarette?” “Cold,” I said, shaking my head. “Really cold. You quit in 1995.” “I never quit, I just stopped. I have pursued second-hand smoke for years.” He winked at me. This man. We kept walking. I untwined my fingers from his to brush the hair from my face and it freaked him out, and he pulled my arm down until he found my hand again and held it like a vise. “Marriage vows should be different than they are, I was thinking,” he said. His voice rose a bit and shook. “Not until death do us part. Just until the other loses his mind. Only then may you leave.” These moments of perfect clarity, of understanding, they astonished me and made me sadder than almost anything else. “I am not leaving you.” “One of us is leaving the other. And it’s not me.” The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
No, I thought, a thought that was truer than I wanted it to be: It’s you, it’s definitely you. I didn’t say it. But there were so many things I couldn’t say anymore. I listened to the static of the frosted, frothy waves instead. He stopped and turned to the horizon, where there was nothing to see except the place where everything disappeared. “I want a Viking funeral. Set me on a wooden raft, float me out to sea.” “But you’re not dying, Richard. Not. Dying.” Sometimes he drove me insane. “You were a kind of Viking, though. Brave, strong, a good breadwinner, but also plundering and burning stuff down.” “Plundering,” he said, and shook his head, as if it were a riddle he couldn’t figure out. “Are you sure? I don’t remember any plundering, Sara. Not a bit of it. I’m sorry.” And then just like that we found ourselves stuck calf-deep in the stealthy rising tide. We couldn’t move for a second. He gripped my hand and he looked at me with such helplessness, his eyes as scared and wild as a child’s. Then the ocean disappeared, and we were free. I felt the sun starting to burn. It was time. I led him back to the dunes where we’d left his shoes, but they weren’t there. I scanned the beach. All the dunes looked the same now, graves for ancient mariners with the sea oats waving in the wind. “I can’t find your shoes,” I said. “You can’t find my shoes? That’s new.” “It’s just, I thought they were right here. But maybe they’re up the beach a little.” “Maybe,” he said. “Maybe not.” His eyes were swimming, all the maybes and maybe-nots bouncing around in his brain. “I guess this means we can’t go now,” he said, grinning at me like a little boy, my lifelong conspirator, my partner in crime. But that’s not what it meant. I saw them down the way. PS Daniel Wallace is the author of six novels. His memoir, This Isn’t Going to End Well, was published by Algonquin Books in April, 2023. He is the J. Ross MacDonald Distinguished Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his alma mater. PineStraw 75
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An invitation to Sandhills artists to get creative never goes unanswered. Here are a few special valentines from their imaginations.
A native of Dunkirk, New York, Jodi Ohl is a bestselling author and award-winning mixed media artist known for the distinctive texture and bold color combinations of her often whimsical or abstract compositions. She now resides in Aberdeen, N.C.
Julie Borshak is a native of Moore County. Her unique designs utilize vintage North Carolina-made furniture that is deconstructed and reimaged along with custom-designed stamping and hand stitching. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Cara Mathis is a
The sister team of Dominique Wilbur and Natalia Voitek curate elegant fine art stationary, bespoke calligraphy and art in their shop Thoughtfully Yours in Pinehurst, N.C., where the New Jersey natives now live.
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self-taught pen-andink line artist drawn to vintage illustrations and architectural sketch work. A resident of Pinehurst, N.C., she teaches plein air drawing through the Parks and Recreation department.
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Captivated by the elegance of horses and the serene beauty of the natural world, Larissa Ann grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in Vass with her husband and rescue dog. Last year she was the artist-in-residence at the Carolina International CCI & Horse Trial.
Before retiring to her home studio in Whispering Pines, Denise Baker taught art at Sandhills Community College for 25 years. She continues the labor-intensive art of printmaking, including creating valentines every year for her family and friends.
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STORY OF A HOUSE
Second Chance Manse Rebirth of a historic landmark By Deborah Salomon Color Photography by John Gessner Black & White Photography by Caroline Deese
Y
oung family. Old house. The result: spectacular. Consider this — the mansion was a wreck, with broken windows and busted walls, its 6,000 square feet strewn with trash and dusty furnishings. The most recent inhabitants were squatters, human and critter. Creepy. A deep, dark money pit. Most house-hobbyists would run, not walk, in the other direction. Not Abby and Trey Brothers, she from Mount Airy, he from Albemarle. Abby, a nurse, and Trey, military personnel, were living in Baltimore, preparing a move. “It was sheer coincidence,” Abby recalls. “I was looking on Zillow for
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places near Fort Bragg (now Liberty). I found Cameron and zoomed out to Moore County. This was the first house listed. It was the ugliest pretty house I’d ever seen.” Trey continues: “I saw her face light up, and I knew it was all over.” That face lights up still at the memory. “It was the same feeling as when I knew I wanted to marry Trey,” says Abby. “You just know.” That was 2017. Since then, they have begun to fill the six bedrooms with the arrival of William, 3, and Eloise, 8 months. But first, a job as much period restoration as renovation, which sets this historic property apart from those with classic exteriors
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and magazine interiors. Its rooms have the ability to propel you back in time — but the trip is made in air-conditioned comfort.
I
n the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in what became Aberdeen, Page was the name that opened doors. Allison Francis (Frank) Page, one of 10 children, saw the Sandhills as a source of naval supplies, mostly logging and turpentine. He bought land, diversified into railroads and commercial buildings, prospered, and in addition to establishing the town of Aberdeen, he and wife Catherine produced eight offspring. Several gained prominence in government, clergy and banking. Frank Page died in 1899, after building homes for most of his
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children on Page Hill. Fourteen years after her father’s death, daughter Frances Page Wilder and her husband, lawyer Thomas Wilder, commissioned popular architect J.M. McMichael, who had designed the local Methodist church, to build a brick homestead outside the compound for their family of nine. The Great Depression changed everything. The unoccupied house stood vacant for decades, smothered by vines and shrubs. Had it been clapboard rather than brick, story over. A developer saw the house, which he christened Willow Oak Manor, as a venue for weddings. His plans proved financially impractical. The house appeared doomed. However, beyond the shambles its aura captivated Abby and Trey. Their plan: obtain a Fannie Mae government loan and do the work themselves. Abby had helped her dad on mission trips, and Trey gained experience working construction. How-to videos and YouTube provided the rest. “Whatever required a permit we let the contractor do,” Abby says. Which left ripping out 60 tons of plaster in the summer heat. And so much more. Moving day, after nine months of sweat equity, came in May 2019.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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t the outset, they decided to leave the layout mostly intact and keep flooring, paneling, door and window frames dark and wall colors quiet — pale olive, khaki, beige, ochre, grey. Fronting the house, a porch with veranda proportions previews the spaciousness within, enhanced by tall windows and 12-foot ceilings. Opposite the front door, the split staircase ornately carved and illuminated by a Phantom of the Opera-worthy chandelier elicits gasps, immediately delivering ancestral elegance, as does the triple-wide entrance hall with a parlor on one side and a study equipped with bookcases — previously kitchen cupboards — on the other. In the parlor, a settee found in the house suggests the affluent 1920s, as do a massive wardrobe and side tables in the foyer, several dressers and the dining room buffet. Other furnishings lean modern-comfy, practical for a family raising children. Unfortunately, chimneys had to be capped off. “We had an issue with bats,” Trey says. Antiquity earns a bye in the main-floor master suite, where an adjoining sunporch has been converted to a spa bathroom; the glass wall wraps around a long bench facing three shower heads. Upstairs, each child has a bed-playroom the size of master suites elsewhere. Narrow stairs lead to what was a sleeping porch, now a sitting room. Also on the third level is a small maid’s room and bath with original tub, sink and a stairway that leads directly to the kitchen, perfect for guests desiring privacy.
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
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Ah, the kitchen, no place for old-timey anything. “I knew what I wanted — big, the open concept,” Abby says. It required removing walls to create one room from three. Now, the dining room, dominated by her grandmother’s table, is part of the kitchen. Another wall was added, creating a laundry room and pantry. New floors were required but no pricy granite, soapstone or marble countertops. Instead, Trey poured 3,000 pounds of concrete, creating a sturdy textured surface. Outside, what was once overgrown brush has been cleared for a kiddie playground. A porte-cochère recalls times when guests arrived in elegant motor cars, long before the manor’s neighbors included businesses and tract housing. Funny how life turns out. Abby grew up in what she calls a little brick rancher. “I never wanted to live in another brick house,” she says. Trey shared a bathroom with three sisters. Now, he has four choices. With grit and determination, Abby and Trey Brothers rescued a landmark from the wrecking ball. Besides, Trey adds, “The house is a good conversation piece.” Like the time Abby found the initials MFP scrawled on a wall. “A lady and her granddaughter rang the bell. She said she had lived here. I asked her if she knew who MFP was,” Abby explains. “That’s me, Mary Frances Poe!” the lady exclaimed. “I stayed in the back bedroom.” Mission accomplished, except for one detail. So far, Abby notes, no ghosts. PS
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A L M A N A C
February
I know him, February’s thrush, And loud at eve he valentines On sprays that paw the naked bush Where soon will sprout the thorns and bines. — George Meredith, “The Thrush in February,” c.1885
Outside the (Chocolate) Box
F
ebruary wakes us gently. Deep in our late-winter slumber, we dream of wild violets and dandelions; the return of hummingbirds; the green and quivering kiss of spring. Swaddled in ancient stillness, our hearts ache for warm earth and fragrant blossoms; snap peas and crimson clover; chorus frogs and velvet-soft grass. February knows. Still, we mustn’t be ripped from this rich and fertile darkness. We mustn’t be startled, forced or rushed. As the pink breath of dawn illuminates a leafless kingdom, a barred owl pierces the silence with a rousing incantation. Within our womb-like chrysalis, we shift and wriggle, reaching for our wild longings, tilting our face toward the beckoning sun. Prayers for patience on her tongue, the wise one lets us sleep, stroking our hair as we flit between worlds. Soon, the cardinal will sing of bloodroot, crocus and flowering quince. Soon, a mourning cloak will flutter among the bleak and frigid landscape. As we drift toward this vernal threshold, February invites us to linger. She knows that our souls require deep rest. She trusts our natural rhythm. She softly guides a sunbeam to our winter-weary bones. The bluebird scouts a nesting site. The red fox grooms her kits. As sure as the daffodils rise
from naked earth, we will open our eyes, awakened by the quickening pulse of our inner spring.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
There are flowers, and there is fruit. But if you’re looking to dazzle your greenthumbed sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, consider gifting a fruit tree, which ultimately offers both. Apple, fig, persimmon, pear and plum are among the recommended fruit bearers for our state. Choose cultivars that thrive in the particular soil and climate you’re working with, plant it with a kiss, then let the tree enchant the gardener year after year.
Year of the Dragon The Chinese (Lunar) New Year is celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 10. Get ready for the Year of the Wood Dragon, the last of which delivered Beatlemania and the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964. If ever you’ve heard “The Great Race” fable — that is, how the Jade Emperor determined the sequence of the 12 animals associated with the Chinese calendar — then perhaps you recall the honorable qualities of the dragon (fifth sign of the zodiac), who stopped to help the creatures of the Earth rather than easefully crossing the finish line first. Those born under the Year of the Wood Dragon are the wayshowers. They’re here to dream up a better world, and have the vigor and drive to roll up their sleeves and get the job done. PS
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Highlighting the 2023 Best of the Pines First Place Winners ITED UN
TES STA P
Special Advertising Section
OSTAL S
Thank you to everyone for voting us your favorite Bakery. Sandhills first choice for fresh baked desserts, from scratch, each and every day!
We specialize in custom cakes and cupcakes for weddings, birthdays, and special occasions. Open Mon-Saturday 11am- 5pm
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bestofthepines.com
A Community Staple Excels
The best Italian dishes and pizza in Moore County
For the past 44 years, Vito’s has been offering the best Italian pizza and dishes in Moore County, providing the region with a taste of hospitality that mirrors that found in Southern Italy. In addition to the delicious Italian food, Vito’s grows many of their own vegetables in a garden out back and has an extensive wine collection in a temperature controlled cellar in Southern Pines. A family establishment through and through, the Gironda family welcomes regulars and brand new visitors to the restaurant with open arms and full plates.
Voted Best Interior/Exterior Painting
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www.vitosnc.com
Established 1980
Family Owned & Operated
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Thank You For Your Votes and Support for 38 Years and Counting!
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Serving Moore County for Over 10 Years!
Thank you
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bestofthepines.com
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VISIT OUR SHOWROOM AT 301 FIELDS DR. - ABERDEEN, NC
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Village of Pinehurst RENTALS, LLC
Best Property Management Firm as voted by Moore County Two years in a row
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US IN OUR FIRST YEAR OF BUSINESS!
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bestofthepines.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! HOUSE WASHING WINDOW CLEANING GUTTER CLEANING ROOF CLEANING DRIVEWAY CLEANING
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3801 US-1 BUS, Vass, NC 28394 • Mailing: PO BOX 4211, Pinehurst, NC 28374
My Gym is a children’s fitness center that caters to children as young as 4 months old up to 10 years old. Choose from our Mommy and Me classes, Ninja classes, Gymnastics and even Dance! But that’s not all!
KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY
We offer amazing Birthday Parties, Parents’ Night Out, and Camps throughout the year! Check out our website for all the details! www.mygym.com/sandhills @mygymsandhills 262A Pinehurst Ave • Southern Pines • (910)725-0254
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5 Reasons to
3 Ways To Support the Coalition DONATE MONEY
DONATE GOODS
Your contribution helps the Coalition to:
VOLUNTEER
Feed the Hungry by delivering food boxes and fresh produce to seniors in need and food pick up for clients living with food insecurity. Prevent Homelessness by providing rental assistance and information on affordable housing options Keep People Warm in the winter by providing blankets and comforters and assistance with gas and electric bills to prevent disconnection of utility services. Offer A Fresh Start through job counseling, work uniforms and shoes for clients starting a new job. Provide for our Neighbors in need by offering clothing, linens, and basic household items. Provide for our Neighbors in need by offering clothing, linens, and basic household items.
1500 W. Indiana Avenue Southern Pines, NC 28387 (910) 693-1600 www.sandhillscoalition.org
Let us Light up your Life Thanks for Voting us Best Electrician! We appreciate everyone’s support.
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bestofthepines.com
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Still
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Thanks Fur All The Support!
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ENTER TO WIN A HUGE PRIZE PACKAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS!
2024 VALENTINE’S
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www.thepilot.com/promotions
Feb 4 Schoolhouse Rock Live! - Family Fun Series Owens Auditorium
Feb 9 Heart ‘n Soul of Jazz 2024 Owens Auditorium
Feb 19 Alan Gratz! Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor Sunrise Theater
Feb 23 Steve Berry - The Atlas Maneuver The Pilot
Nominate a Young Professional in Moore County!
Honoring outstanding professionals under the age of 40 who excel in their industry, are leaders in their company, and are committed to both professional excellence and our community. Brought to You By
You can find a comprehensive list of regularly updated events from Cameo Art House Theatre on TicketMeSandhills.com 910.693.2510 info@ticketmesandHills.com
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
FORTH HEFFNER
www.thepilot.com/promotions See nomination website for more details.
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february ����
To add an event, email us at pinestraw.calendar@gmail.com
arts & entertainment 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.
02.11
TECH HELP SESSIONS. SPPL offers one-on-one Technology Help Sessions. A library staff member will sit with you to assist with accessing eBooks, learning how to use a new device, navigating a computer, and to answer any other basic technology questions. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. To make an appointment come into the library or visit www.sppl.net. PHOTO HISTORY. 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. The historical association will host an exhibit, “Southern Pines Then and Now,” featuring photographs taken 100 years ago and what the same area looks like today. Free admission. Water Department, 180 S.W. Broad St., Southern Pines.
FEBRUARY EVENTS Friday, February 2 LUNCH BUNCH. 11:30 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to dine on different cuisines each month as you visit different restaurants in the area. Carpool with friends or meet at the restaurant. Dining locations will be chosen the week before. Info: (910) 692-7376. Saturday, February 3 KIDS’ SATURDAY. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Families are invited to a monthly themed craft event to socialize and get creative. Geared toward ages 3 - 10. Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-3642 or www.vopnc.org. WINE WALK. We have more local chocolatiers than ever creating tasty bites paired with wines from Triangle Wine Co. and Sandhills Winery in Seven Lakes. It is sure to be a sweet treat. Tickets can be purchased at Duneberry Resort Wear and Triangle Wine Co. or www.eventbrite.com. Info: (910) 687-0377. FARMING DISCUSSION. 3 p.m. Join us for “Sustainable Farming: The People and Practices that Care for the Land.” Savanah Laur of the Moore County Cooperative Extension Office will moderate a panel discussion with local farmers, including Lee Brown and Linda Nunez from LB’s Farm, Jennifer Donovan from Shady Maple Farm, and Kelly McCaskill from Revolution Farms. Southern
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Intro to Spinning Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net. SHAG SOCIETY DANCE. 7 - 10 p.m. Kick off the holiday season by dancing with DJ Chigger Wood playing your favorite tunes. Cash bar available, and you may bring snacks for your table. A 50/50 drawing will be held. Annual membership is $5 and entry fee is $10 for each social or come as a guest for $15 (ages 21 and over). Down Memory Lane, 161 Dawkins St., Aberdeen. Info: (919) 622-2829. ORCHESTRA. 7:30 p.m. An inspiring evening of music as The Philharmonic performs side by side with the CP Youth Orchestra & Chorus at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.carolinaphil.org. PAINTED PONIES. The 5th Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk takes place in Southern Pines until the end of March. The 16 Painted Ponies will line Broad Street for all to enjoy and then be auctioned off during a live online auction on Saturday, April 6. Take a selfie with your favorite pony and use #PaintedPoniesCHP to share our herd with friends and family. Info: www.carolinahorsepark.com. Sunday, February 4 CHAMBER SESSIONS. 2 p.m. The Great Room is the venue for violinist Nicholas
DiEugenio and pianist Mimi Solomon in the last Weymouth’s Chamber Sessions. Tickets start at $30; kids 12 and under are free; student tickets are available. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www. weymouthcenter.org. 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. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: lholden@sppl.net. FAMILY FUN SERIES. 3 - 4:15 p.m. Enjoy the musical Schoolhouse Rock Live! Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. Tuesday, February 6 BRAIN FITNESS. 10 - 11 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to enjoy short relaxation and brain enhancement exercises, ending with a mindfulness practice. Eve Gaskell will be the instructor. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. TEEN ZINE CLUB. 4:30 p.m. Teen Zine Club is our new meeting space for creative teens in grades 6 - 12. From creative writing to The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
CA L E N DA R storytelling to drawing and more, come by and see what other teen artists are doing. We will be working on a spring zine issue to showcase our work. Bring your friends. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net or email kbroughey@sppl.net. Thursday, February 8 HEART AND SOUL OF JAZZ. 6:30 p.m. The Sandhills Community College Band performs loves songs for all ages. Vocalist Jane Monheit will headline on Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Arts Council of Moore County and Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. Friday, February 9 VALENTINE’S LUNCH. 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to join Southern Pines Parks and Recreation to celebrate Valentine’s Day by eating out at Whispering Woods Cafe or Pik N Pig. Don’t forget to wear red. Cost is $4 for residents and $6 for non-residents. Info: (910) 692-7376. Saturday, February 10 CRAFT DAYS. Children and their families can come by the library for Drop-in Craft Days and work on crafts and coloring at their own pace. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. CASINO NIGHT. 6 - 10 p.m. The Women of the Pines sponsor their annual Casino Night. There will be casino games, silent auctions, music, dancing, a buffet dinner and dessert bar. Fair Barn, 200 Beulah Hill Road S., Pinehurst. Tickets are $75 per person. Info and tickets: www.womenofthepines.org. Sunday, February 11 INTRO TO SPINNING. 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Join fiber artist Catherine Hampson for “Introduction to Spinning.” Learn the history, key terms and types of spinning, and observe a demonstration of how to use a drop spindle and 3-D printed spinning wheel. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net. Monday, February 12 PHOTO CLUB. 7 p.m. Sandhills Photography Club monthly meeting will be a competition. The theme is “Shapes and Patterns.” Guests are welcome. Sandhills Horticultural Gardens Visitors Center, 3245 Airport Road, Southern Pines. Info: www.sandhillsphotoclub.org. Tuesday, February 13 AARP TALK. 12 - 12:30 p.m. Adults 55
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
and older are invited to join AARP for a fraud talk. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. TEEN CRAFT NIGHT. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Teens and tweens, join us to make a fun Valentine craft. Space is limited, so please arrive on time to ensure your spot. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: kbroughey@sppl.net. Thursday, February 15 BRUNCH. 10 - 11:45 a.m. Join us for “Love Is . . . ,” a relaxing and uplifting morning with a brunch buffet, musical selections, a spring fashion show by Lisa’s Boutique, and inspirational speakers. Sponsored by Sandhills Christian Women’s Connection. Cost is $24 (cash or check payable to SCWC). Country Club of Whispering Pines, 2 Clubhouse Blvd., Whispering Pines. Reservations: (910) 2154568 or email patsyrpeele@gmail.com. READ BETWEEN THE PINES. 5 p.m. Do you love reading and discussing amazing books? If so, join SPPL’s evening book club for adults, Read Between the Pines. Copies of the book are available at the library to check out while supplies last. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: mhoward@sppl.net. CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE. 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Andrew Diemer, local history educator and historian, with a presentation on “Battle of Bristoe Station.” Meeting starts at 7 p.m. Open to the public. Civic Club, corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Ashe Street, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 246-0452 or mafarina@aol.com. Saturday, February 17 YOUTH THEATER. 7:30 p.m. The Imagine Youth Theater presents Chicago, the teen edition. There will be another performance Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www. ticketmesandhills.com. Sunday, February 18 INTRO TO LIBBY. 2:30 p.m. Did you know you can get free eBooks, audiobooks and magazines using the Libby app and your library card? Come to our “Introduction to Libby” program to learn all about using Libby. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: msilva@sppl.net. Monday, February 19 BOOK EVENT. 6 - 7 p.m. The Country Bookshop will host Alan Gratz as he presents his new book, Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor.
Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. Tuesday, February 20 BRAIN FITNESS. 10 - 11 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to enjoy short relaxation and brain enhancement exercises, ending with a mindfulness practice. Eve Gaskell will be the instructor. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. 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 nonresidents. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. TEEN ZINE CLUB. 4:30 p.m. Teen Zine Club is our new meeting space for creative teens in grades 6 - 12. From creative writing to storytelling to drawing and more, come by and see what other teen artists are doing. We will be working on a spring zine issue to showcase our work. Bring your friends. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net or email kbroughey@sppl.net. Wednesday, February 21 SENIOR EXCURSION. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to explore collection galleries that span more than 5,000 years, from antiquity to the present, and provide countless cultural experiences for the people of our state and beyond. Lunch at The Pit in Raleigh. Cost is $14 for residents and $20 for non-residents. Info: (910) 692-7376. WHITEHALL BOOK CLUB. 2 p.m. SPPL’s book club for adults meets to discuss this month’s book. The book club is open to the public. Whitehall Property, 490 Pee Dee Road, Southern Pines. Info: mmiller@sppl.net. Thursday, February 22 BOOK CLUB. 2 p.m. The James Boyd Book Club meets for this month’s book, Blood Done Sign My Name, by Timothy Tyson. Dr. Tyson will be in attendance at the meeting. Free admission, registration required. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org. Friday, February 23 BOOK EVENT. 5 - 6 p.m. Author Steve Berry will speak about his latest book, The Atlas Maneuver. The Pilot building, 145 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. MOONLIGHT HIKE. 6 p.m. All ages are welcome to discover nature by moonlight. PineStraw 107
CA L E N DA R
THE COOKIES EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT
A special treat for someone sweet Located at Red’s Corner Tuesday-Friday 11am-8pm Some select Saturdays
Place Special Orders Ahead by Calling or Texting 760-271-3879 801 SW Broad Street in Southern Pines
108 PineStraw
Listen to the sounds of the night as you walk the trail. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Don’t forget to bring a flashlight. Free of charge. Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, 1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines. MAINSTAGE SERIES. 7 - 8:15 p.m. BPAC presents Paulo Szot in concert. Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. Sunday, February 25 AFRICAN AMERICAN STORIES. 2 p.m. Mitch Capel will host an afternoon of African American stories told by two-time Grammy award-winner, author and inspirational speaker Willa Brigham, and North Carolina Humanities Council Road Scholar Elisha “Mother” Minter as Weymouth celebrates Black History Month. Free admission, registration required. Donations accepted. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org. STEAM. 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Elementaryaged 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 have hands-on fun building with candy. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or kbroughey@sppl.net. Monday, February 26 WOMEN OF WEYMOUTH. 9:30 a.m. The Women of Weymouth meeting will feature speaker Ellen Burke, who gives art appreciation lectures at the Arts Council of Moore County and for local organizations, as well as teaches art lessons to children and adults in a variety of mediums. Free admission, registration required. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org. Tuesday, February 27 MUSICIANS’ JAM SESSION. 6 - 9 p.m. Bring your own instrument and beverage or just come and enjoy the music. Attendees must have the COVID vaccination. Free admission, registration required. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.
Thursday, February 29 WELLNESS EDUCATION CLASSES. 10 - 11:30 a.m. Join Eve Gaskell for different educational topics all involving information that will improve the overall mind, body, and spirit. For ages 18 and older. Free of charge. Douglass
Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. DOUGLASS CENTER BOOK CLUB. 10:30 a.m. Multiple copies of the selected book are available for checkout at the library. The Douglass Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: mmiller@sppl.net. MEDICAL MINUTES. 1 - 2 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to learn about different topics each month beneficial to educating our senior community. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, March 7 BOOK EVENT. 5 - 6 p.m. Author Meagan Church will speak about her latest book, The Girls We Sent Away. The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com. THEATRE SHOW. 7 p.m. Morgan Fairchild will headline Butterflies Are Free, a Judson Theatre Company production. There will be more performances on March 8 at 2 p.m., March 9 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and March 10 at 3 p.m. Info: www.judsontheatre.com or www.ticketmesandhills.com. Thursday, March 14 HORSE SHOW. The Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International CCI and HT takes place. Free to spectators. Watch the top horses and riders in the world compete. Enjoy our vendor village and food court every day with a Kids Zone on March 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Info: www.carolinahorsepark.com. WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays WORKSPACES. 7 a.m. - 3p.m. The Given Tufts Bookshop has a new pop-in co-workspace open on Mondays and Thursdays in the upstairs conference room. Bookshop floor and private meeting room by reservation only. Info: www.giventuftsfoundation.com. WORKOUTS. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to get their workout on. Open Monday through Friday. Cost for six months: $15/resident; $30/nonresident. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. 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 and down to the floor. Do standing or sitting in a chair. Douglass Community
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
CA L E N DA R Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. STRENGTH AND BALANCE WORKOUT. 11 - 11:45 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to enjoy a brisk workout that focuses on balance and strength. Free of charge. 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 well-being. Bring your own mat. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. GAME ON. 1 p.m. For adults 55 and older. You and your friends are invited to come out and play various games such as corn hole, badminton, table tennis, shuffleboard, trivia games and more. Each week enjoy a different activity to keep you moving and thinking. Compete with friends and make new ones all for free. 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. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. Tuesdays SLOW FLOW YOGA. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Adults 18 and older can join Brian O’Grady to learn how mindfulness can change your life. Bring your own yoga mat. Cost is $6 for residents and $9 for non-residents. Train House, 482 E. Connecticut 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 play. Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-3642. HATHA YOGA. 10 - 11 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Increase your flexibility, balance, stability and muscle tone while learning the basic principles of alignment and breathing. You may gain strength, improve circulation and reduce chronic pain as we practice gentle yoga postures and mindfulness. Douglass
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Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. 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 Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. HEALING YOGA. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older can try an entry-level class, for a mind and body workout that fuses dance moves with gentle aerobics, tai chi and yoga. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. GAME DAY. 12 p.m. Enjoy bid whist and other cool games all in the company of great friends. For adults 55 and older. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. CHESS. 1:30 - 5 p.m. Come join a Chess
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CA L E N DA R group, whether you have been playing for a while or you have never played. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. Highway 15-501, West End. 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. Highway 15501, West End. Wednesdays CHAIR YOGA. 10 - 11 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 and down to the floor. Do standing or sitting in a chair. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. 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. Highway. 15501, West End. KNITTING. 10 - 11 a.m. Learn how to knit or just come enjoy knitting with other people. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. Highway 15501, West End. LEARN AND PLAY. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Come in for an open play date with your toddler or preschooler where there will be developmental toys and puzzles as well as early literacy tips on display for parents and caregivers to incorporate into their daily activities. Dates this month are Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. PIANO. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join Flint Long to either play piano or just listen. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. Highway 15-501, West End. JEWELRY MAKING. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Come with friends to create fun designs and memories. Supplies are on site. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. SLOW AND STRETCHY. 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Adults 55 and older can flow through yoga poses slowly and intentionally, moving breath to movement, stretching everything from your head to your toes. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. LINE DANCING. 12 - 1 p.m. Looking for new ways to get your daily exercise in and care
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Piano 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 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. 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 you to dance fitness in this class designed for anyone who wants to gently and gradually increase their 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. SOUND BATH. 3 - 4 p.m. Adults 55 and older can enjoy the rhythm and vibration of this medicine drum sound bath as we move our body and mind into deep rest mode. Your body will be refreshed and your mind clear and quiet. A unique and ancient healing arts practice. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.
LIBRARY PROGRAM. 3:30 p.m. At The Library After School (ATLAS) is an after-school program for kindergarteners through second graders who enjoy activities, crafts, stories and meeting new friends. Dates this month are Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. TAI CHI. 6:30 p.m. Come 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. YOGA. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Grab your yoga mat and head to Hatchet for a yoga session with Brady. Session cost is $10. Hatchet Brewing Company, 490 S.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.hatchetbrewing.com. Thursdays WORKSPACES. 7 a.m. - 3p.m. The Given Tufts Bookshop has a new pop-in co-workspace open on Mondays and Thursdays in the upstairs conference room. Bookshop floor and private meeting room by reservation only. Info: www.giventuftsfoundation.com. 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 that will help reduce the risk of taking a tumble and increase your ability to recover. 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. and 3:30 p.m. Does your toddler like to move and groove? Join us for Music and Motion to get those wiggles out and work on gross and fine motor skills. For ages 2 - 5. An active library card is required. Dates this month are Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. CROCHET CLUB. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to come with The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
CA L E N DA R friends to create fun designs and memories. Supplies are on site. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. STRETCH, STRENGTH, BALANCE. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older can enjoy exercises that will improve your overall quality of life. Exercises can be performed standing or seated. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. ADAPTIVE YOGA. 12 - 1 p.m. Adults 55 and older can enjoy yoga that meets you where you are. Create a sense of balance and ease by slowly increasing your range of motion and mobility while maintaining your natural abilities. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. CHESS AND MAHJONG. 1 p.m. For adults 55 and older. All levels welcome. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. MEDITATION. 1 - 2 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to connect with nature and with yourself in this 30-minute meditation. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. CABIN TOURS. 1 - 4 p.m. The Moore County Historical Association’s Shaw House grounds, cabins, and gift shop are open for tours and visits. The restored tobacco barn features the history of children’s roles in the industry. Docents are ready to host you and the cabins are open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Shaw House, 110 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-2051 or www.moorehistory.com. IMPROVERS LINE DANCE. 3 - 5:30 p.m.
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The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Put on your dancing shoes and line dance. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. Highway 15501, West End. LITTLE U. 3:30 p.m. Introducing Little U, Southern Pines Public Library’s new preschool program for children ages 3 1/2 - 5. Join us for 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 Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. SOUND BATH. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. All ages can enjoy the rhythm and vibration of this medicine drum sound bath as we move the body and mind into deep rest mode. Your body will be refreshed and your mind clear and quiet. A unique and ancient healing arts practice. Cost is $4 for residents and $6 for non-residents. Train House, 482 E Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. TRIVIA NIGHT. 7 - 9 p.m. Come enjoy a beer and some trivia. Hatchet Brewing Company, 490 S.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.hatchetbrewing.com. Fridays AEROBIC DANCE. 9 - 10 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy this 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? Come join a music jam session. This is a free program. Moore County Senior
Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. Highway 15501, West End. TAP CLASS. 10 - 11:30 a.m. For adults 55 and older. All levels welcome. Cost per class: $15/resident; $30/non-resident. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. QIGONG. 1 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Classes will consist of chair and standing movements that can help soothe achy feet, tight hips, lower back pain and ease mobility. 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. HOMESCHOOL HANGOUT. 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Homeschool Hangout is for homeschooling families in the area. Come to our open space to share ideas, triumphs, challenges, and questions while you get to know other families in the area. This is a drop-in program. Board games, coloring sheets and snacks will be provided. Dates this month are Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23. No registration is needed. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net. LINE DANCING. 3 - 4 p.m. For adults 55 and older. If you’re interested in learning dance moves and building confidence on the dance floor, this class is for you. Leave your inhibitions at the door and join in. Cost is: $36 for residents and $52 for non-residents per month. Cost is for a monthly membership. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. PS
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The Art of the Perfect Sandhills Wedding
2024
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Dr. Leah Hershman
Catering to all your wedding needs
Custom, all-inclusive packages on a historic 200-year-old farm.
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By Appointment Only •West End, NC
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The Art of the Perfect Sandhills Wedding
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WEDDINGS • PARTIES EVENTS Take a virtual tour on our website villagepinevenue.com
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Pick up a copy of the 2024 Bride & Groom at The Pilot’s office or online at pinestrawmag.com
Arts & Culture
910-944-3979
Gallery Hours: Monday - Saturday 12-3pm Gallery • Studios • Classes
129 Exchange Street in Aberdeen, NC artistleague@windstream.net • www.artistleague.org
Encore Center 160 E. New Hampshire Ave. Southern Pines, NC www.encorecenter.net
MAKE YOUR MARK
To advertise on PineStraw’s Arts & Culture page call 910-692-7271
Flora and Fauna Opening Reception Friday, February 2, 5:00 – 7:00
arts
& culture
The Artists League’s February, 2024 exhibit will represent all of the bounty and beauty of Mother Nature. The show will feature art that explores the themes of nature, wildlife, plants, trees, and flowers. This promises to be a beautiful and exciting exhibit, celebrating the diversity of the natural world. Please join us for the opening reception or stop in during the month. The artwork will be on display through Friday, February 23. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, noon to 3:00. Studio hours (34 studios with hundreds of paintings) are Monday through Friday, 10:00-3:00, Saturday, noon to 3:00.
CLASSES: Beginning Scratchboard - Emma Wilson - February 8, 10:00-2:30 $73 Intermediate Alcohol Ink - Pam Griner - February 14, 11:30-2:30 $46 Exploring Watercolors - Jean Smyth - February 15 & 16, 10:00-3:00 $101 Collaging Out of the Box - Sandy Stratil - February 22 & 23, 10:00-4:00 $125 Exploring Gouache - Christine Stackhouse - February 26, 12:30-3:30 $46 Fabulous Fibers: Meet-Cute! - Connie Genuardi - March 8, 10:30-3:30 $59 Advanced Alcohol Ink - Pam Griner - March 12, 11:30-2:30 $46 Reduction Block Printing - Lynn Goldhammer - March 19 & 20, 10:00-3:00 $106 Discovering Acrylics - Beth Ybarra - March 21 & 22, 10:00-2:00 $106 Watercolor on Rice Paper - Pat McMahon - March 26, 27, 10:00-12:00 $48 Gallery Hours: Monday - Saturday 12-3pm
Ask Us About Becoming a Member • 129 Exchange Street in Aberdeen, NC Visit our website for many more classes. www.artistleague.org • artistleague@windstream.net
114 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
A & Culture Arts rts & Culture
Paint Paint a a Bowl Bowl & & Fill Fill a a Bowl Bowl
Thursday, February 8 - 6:30 PM Thursday, February 8 - 6:30 PM
SCC SCC Jazz Jazz Band Band
Directed by Dr. Larry Arnold Directed by Dr. Larry Arnold Free concert - No ticket required Free concert - No ticket required Friday, February 9 - 7:30 PM Friday, February 9 - 7:30 PM Two-time Two-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Grammy-nominated vocalist
Jane Jane Monheit Monheit with with The The Christian Christian Tamburr Tamburr Trio Trio Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College 3395 Airport Road • Pinehurst, NC 3395 Airport Road • Pinehurst, NC Tickets: $29-$59 (No fees!) Tickets: $29-$59 (No fees!) Available at www.TicketMeSandhills.com Available at www.TicketMeSandhills.com or call the Arts Council at 910-692-ARTS (2787) or call the Arts Council at 910-692-ARTS (2787) Sponsors include: Katherine & Bryant Bozarth, Sponsors include: Katherine & Bryant Bozarth, Durant Holler, Linnea Lockwood & Richard Norland Durant Holler, Linnea Lockwood & Richard Norland
Visit The 9th of September in Southern Pines and paint a soup bowl Visit The 9th of September in Southern Pines and paint a soup bowl for Empty Bowls; a fundraising event to benefit Sandhills/Moore Coalition. for Empty Bowls; a fundraising event to benefit Sandhills/Moore Coalition. Empty Bowls, a community-wide event, takes place in March and Empty Bowls, a community-wide event, takes place in March and features a simple meal of soup, bread and dessert from area chefs. features a simple meal of soup, bread and dessert from area chefs. Attendees will receive a hand pained bowl from The 9th of September Attendees will receive a hand pained bowl from The 9th of September as a reminder of their neighbors in need. as a reminder of their neighbors in need.
$18.00 each includes bowl, paint, & firing $18.00 each includes bowl, paint, & firing Call ahead to ensure availability Call ahead to ensure availability Painted bowls will be donated to Sandhills Coalition Painted bowls will be donated to Sandhills Coalition The 9th of September The 9th of September 2160 Midland Rd, Southern Pines, NC 28387 2160 Midland Rd, Southern Pines, NC 28387 (910) 695-9063 (910) 695-9063
Share your creativity by painting a soup bowl for the Coalition! Share your creativity by painting a soup bowl for the Coalition!
For more information, For more information, visit www.sandhillscoalition.org or visit www.sandhillscoalition.org or call (910) 693-1600 ext. 207 call (910) 693-1600 ext. 207
Youth of the Year Leadership, Academics & Character
2
Leadership, Academics & Character
At At the the Boys Boys & & Girls Girls Club Club of of the the Sandhills, Sandhills, ALL ALL our our members strive to be the best, but ONLY ONE members strive to be the best, but ONLY ONE will will be be Youth Youth of of the the Year. Year.
25 Celebrating Celebrating
YEARS YEARS
For over 25 years, the Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills has provided For over 25 years, the Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills has provided a nurturing environment for young people in Moore County to learn, grow a nurturing environment for young people in Moore County to learn, grow and develop to their fullest potential. and develop to their fullest potential. Change the life of a child forever. Change the life of a child forever.
Donate Donate today! today!
sandhillsbgc.org/donate sandhillsbgc.org/donate
Ja’ Torian 2023 Youth of the Year Ja’ Torian 2023Roy Youth of the Year with Governor Cooper with Governor Roy Cooper
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Youth of the Year is sponsored in partnership with Forest Creek Golf Club. Youth of the Year is sponsored in partnership with Forest Creek Golf Club.
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Alan Gratz
February 19 at 6:00pm The Country Bookshop will host Alan Gratz, author of the NYT bestselling kids historical fiction novels, Refugee, Allies, and Two Degrees on Monday, February 19th at 6 pm at the historic Sunrise Theater as he presents his new book Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor. This event is appropriate for adults and for children age 8-14. Each Ticket includes a free copy of Heroes. General admission seating. Doors open at 5:30
Steve Berry
Hank Phillippi Ryan
February 23 at 5:00 PM
February 25 at 2:00 PM
The Atlas Maneuver
One Wrong Word
Meagan Church
The Girls We Sent Away March 7 at 5:00 PM
Conversation with Emily P. Freeman
How to Walk into a Room March 14 at 11:30 AM
at Country Club of North Carolina
140 NW Broad Street • Southern Pines, NC • 910.692.3211 www.thecountrybookshop.biz Text us for special orders. - 910.690.4454 116 PineStraw
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
SandhillSeen Arts Council of Moore County: “Tally Ho” Exhibit
Arts Council Campbell House Galleries Friday, January 5, 2024 Photographs by Diane McKay
Mary & John O’Malley
Vanessa Grebe. Tina & Tony Jenkins
Ray Owen, Jeanne Paine, Anne Tate, Chris Dunn
Sarah Baker, Rachael Rybicka
Moore County Hounds Hunt Club members
Shelly Saaf Talk, Paula Colt, Caitlin Regner
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
Naomi Johnson, Aisha Wilson
Kate & Jason Barnes
Sandra Florell, Paul Perks
Larissa Lycholaj, Shelly Turner, Amanda Delgado
Linda & Lenny Seifts
Franceska Aaron
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Before
bigoakunderbrushing@gmail.com 118 PineStraw
After
Serving the Sandhills region since 1994 The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
February PineNeedler Heteronyms! ACROSS 1. Gross (and illegal) pitch the bandage over the 8. “I ” 13. Bedroom furniture piece 14. Hound used to hunt rabbits 16. Swabs on a naval vessel 17. Accord Today 18. , I am using this 19. “For the machine to your testimony” 21. Long, long time 22. Coarse file (coercion) 24. Under 26. Set in place 27. Bridal path 29. “Dig in!” 30. Arabian princes 32. Alpine climber’s tool (2 wds) 34. Basswoods 36. Strike breaker 38. Fish sandwich fishes 39. Coy one him to the with no 42. “ camel” 46. King with a golden touch 47. “I” lid 49. Indian coin 50. Egg cells 51. Boho-like 54. Cropped photos? 55. Cotton fabric
57. Dictate 59. On, as a lamp 60. Cloisonnes 62. Empty boxes 64. Mark for misconduct 65. Less daunted 66. Star in Cygnus 67. Closet items DOWN 1. Follower of the Bushido code 2. Commonplace 3. Stalemate 4. Blouse, e.g. 5. Ticket info, maybe 6. Blew it 7. Save 8. Fairy godmothers’ gadgets 9. Crumb 10. Chemical compound 11. Part of some splits in bowling 12. Temporary routes 14. Inquisition target 15. Doesn’t own 20. Face-to-face exam 23. Hematologist’s study 25. Not so happy 28. “I will you this time but I don’t like your ” 31. Botch (hyph) 33. Ring bearer, maybe 35. Affirmative action
37. Doctor’s order that you’ll have to take lying down? (2 wds) 39. Foretold 40. High-protein snack 41. Campus military org. 43. Remove hair from 44. Poet, at a reading 45. Food judges, e.g. 46. “He after he wrecked his ”
48. Criminal organization in “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” 52. Go off script (hyph) 53. “Fiddler on the Roof” role 56. “Absolutely!” in church 58. Coll. major choice 61. “. . . he drove out of sight” 63. Persian, e.g.
Puzzle answers on page 111 Mart Dickerson lives in Southern Pines and welcomes suggestions from her fellow puzzle masters. She can be reached at martaroonie@gmail.com.
Sudoku:
Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3x3 box contain the numbers 1-9.
The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
PineStraw 119
SOUTHWORDS
Queen of Bath It’s a bit of a stretch, sure. But this dream tub sorta works
If you’re a bath person
like me — that is to say, someone who soaks ritualistically — then perhaps you’ve spent time imagining what life could be like if your tub was just a little wider; a little deeper; a little more picturesque.
An elegant garden tub aglow with flickering candles. A cast iron clawfoot laced with salt and rose petals. An hourglass drop-in complete with whirlpool jets. Such visions used to rule my mind. Now, having spent the last two years living in a 32-foot travel trailer with my husband and my canine shadow, my dream tub has but one requirement: I can bathe in it. Which brings me to my current situation. A standard bathtub holds about 70 gallons of water. Suffice it to say that our RV tub does not. Think farmhouse sink with bobsleigh undertones. Bigger than a breadbox, smaller than a storage tote. I’ll be honest. It took a while to see potential here. The tub’s fun-size dimensions combined with our 6-gallon hot water heater don’t exactly add up to a space for quiet contemplation and long, soulful soaks. Quick showers are fine. But when baths are your primary indulgence, you consider all your options. My first bath attempt was, frankly, valiant. I’m no bobsled pilot, but given my daily yoga practice, I was deftly able to navigate the tub’s shallow waters. A knees-to-chest pose, for instance, followed by seated pigeon, a gentle variation of boat pose and — after a bit of ocean breathing — a legs-up-the-wall inversion. Despite this series of postures, most of my body was not, in fact, wet. Still, half baths are better than no bath in my book. I lit a candle and resumed my lazy pigeon. All of this was fine. Really. But when the ankle-deep water began cooling with unholy swiftness, my efforts seemed altogether fruitless. “I wish we had more hot water,” I mumbled as the basin drained.
120 PineStraw
“We can try using the electric kettle next time,” my husband offered from the living space. “I’ll even be your bath butler.” I felt my lips explore the foreign words. “Bath butler.” I liked the sound of it. My bath butler has changed my life. Weekly, per my request or his proposal, I luxuriate in what I’ve taken to calling my Queen’s Bath — a modified version of a full bath, sure, but a yogi can dream. Pre-kettle, I add a swirl of Epsom salt into the finger-pour of steaming water, get the candle going, flip off the lights and climb in. If I fits, they say, I sits. By now, my bath butler has mastered water control. He knows that, after adding a kettle to my bath, it’s time to heat up the next one. Sensitive and compassionate, he keeps things strictly professional, a trait any honorable bath butler should possess. “How’s the temperature?” he might ask. Or, “May I bring you a beverage?” Most often, he simply pours and gives a courtly head bow. Role playing at its finest. Four kettles in, the water nearly hugs my waist. By kettle five, I’m beginning to feel like a Greek goddess. Kettle six? I could not ask for more. You don’t opt for camper life without sacrificing some modern comforts. Still, we have everything we need: clean, running water; electricity; full bellies and warm hearts. My butler is the bath bomb on top. If it’s true that gratitude is the quickest path to happiness, I think I’m already there. As for my husband? “I’m happy to bring you water,” he assures me. Although he insists on maintaining his professional butler pose, I pry. “What’s in it for you?” I ask. He pours the kettle, shrugs, then clears his throat. “I guess I like the view.” PS
Ashley Walshe is a former editor of O.Henry and a longtime contributor to PineStraw. She presently lives and bathes near the glittering waters of Lake James. The Art & Soul of the Sandhills
ILLUSTRATION BY HARRY BLAIR
By Ashley Walshe
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