The Moore County Board of Social Services has lost no time opening its search for a new director.

At a meeting earlier this month, the board appointed Associate Director Peggy Morris to act as interim director until a successor to Beth Duncan is hired.

"We need a person with a lot of experience," said Gladerine Dean, chairwoman of the social services panel. "The board has been used to everyone going through Beth for all our work, and we need a really good person."

Dean said the board is working through Dee Ann Purvis in the county personnel office and with state officials in advertising for applicants. Ads have already been placed in CountyLines, the monthly publication of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.

Dean said the state is helping by screening applications, to be narrowed to the most appropriate prospects, whose names and resumes will then be turned over to the local board for review, interviews and selection.

She expects the board to make a decision by February.

Duncan has resigned in order to accept a similar position in her native county, Randolph. She has been employed by Moore County for 17 years, 13 of which were served as director.

FILM DELAY -- Production of the film "Shelly's Diary" has been delayed, according to the latest report from the N.C. Film Office.

Filming is to resume in January. Courtroom scenes are to be filmed in the historic Moore County Courthouse in downtown Carthage either in January or February.

The Seagrove-based company, w2 Entertainment, received permission to use the former courtroom from the Board of Commissioners more than a year ago. The company has also hired several local persons as extras for the courtroom scenes.

The film tells the story of two young women who move to an Appalachian Mountain community and become involved in a murder. Filming has been under way earlier this year at locations in southwestern Virginia.

ANOTHER -- The film company has also announced plans for another production, this time the nationally televised show "Crazy Things." The company says a film and television production studio is under construction in Seagrove.

Production is to begin in February, and the show will air in the spring.

Timothy D. Walker, who directs "Shelly's Diary," will again direct this production.

The company is accepting applications from contestants and is also looking for actors and crew members, including intern positions for high school and college students.

Letters and resums should be addressed to TAT Productions, attention Erica Needham, studio manager, P.O. Box 555, Seagrove N.C. 27341. Deadline is Jan. 17.

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