Congress is on recess for the month of August, and the Southern Pines meeting will be one of Coble's final appearances before he takes a weeklong vacation starting Sunday. He will deliver an address Saturday for the Sedalia Founders Day celebration.

On his return from vacation, Coble will speak to the Greater Greensboro GOP Women at an event planned Sunday, Aug. 27, at Starmount Country Club.

Coble, a Greensboro Republican, represents the 6th District, which includes Moore County.

DEMOCRATS -- The Moore County Democratic Executive Committee has elected Linda Caliri Cloud as secretary, succeeding Tonia Camina, who recently resigned.

Meeting Monday night at party headquarters in Carthage, the committee elected Mary Alice Wicker to serve out Ginny Prescott's term on the State Democratic Executive Committee. Wicker was also appointed chair of the Finance Committee.

VOTING -- The November general election is closer than you think.

In one month, the Moore County Board of Elections will begin mailing absentee ballots in response to voter requests.

Elections Director Glenda Clendenin said her office has already received a number of written requests for absentee ballots. The county will begin mailing absentee ballots Sept. 18.

The pre-election schedule calls for the registration books to close after Friday, Oct. 13, and for one-stop absentee voting to begin Thursday, Oct. 19. One-stop voting will end Saturday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m.

Work has begun on ballot design and Clendenin has reviewed the first proof. The candidates have already had an opportunity to examine the proposed ballot to determine such details as correct spellings. It is the State Board of Elections that designs the ballot and authorizes final approval.

EASTWOOD -- The Board of Elections, chaired by Mary Pope, is meeting at noon today by teleconference to handle routine business.

Among the items on the agenda is a change in polling place for Eastwood Precinct. The Eastwood Fire Station is the regular polling place, but because of building renovations there, the board must move operations. It is expected that the polling place will be moved to the fellowship hall of Culdee Presbyterian Church across the road from the fire station. The move is to be temporary.

Florence Gilkeson can be reached at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.