N.C. Agriculture Commission-er Steve Troxler will be the keynote speaker for the 23rd annual Farm-City Week banquet on Monday, Nov. 27.

The observance is sponsored jointly by the Cooper-ative Extension Advisory Coun-cil and the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to bring rural and urban residents together during the harvest season. The banquet is traditionally held in late November, near Thanksgiving.

Cooperative Extension Director Craven Hudson says entertainment will be provided by Out of Bounds (Golf Capital Chorus Barbershop Quartet), and Jordan's Catering Company will provide the meal.

As always, a highlight will be distribution of door prizes donated by local farmers and businesses.

Helping to sponsor the banquet this year are three poultry companies.

The banquet will be held in the Agriculture Center, 707 Pine-hurst Ave., Carthage, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at Greene's Hardware and Supply in Robbins, Mac's Breakfast Anytime in Carthage, the Chamber of Commerce office in Southern Pines and the Cooperative Extension Office in Carthage.

Tickets are $8 per person, and checks should be written payable to Cooperative Extension Advisory Council.

EWING -- Participants in the Moore County Summit 3 took time Wednesday to pay tribute to Bob Ewing.

Ewing, a former county commissioner, died Oct. 24 at age 86. He served the community in a variety of capacities during his more than 50 years in Moore County. He was also a former mayor of Southern Pines.

He was remembered for his leadership role in establishment of Sandhills Community College, in developing county building opportunities and in strengthening the Republican Party in Moore County.

County Commissioner Tim Lea asked everyone attending the Summit to observe a minute of silent prayer as a tribute to Ewing.

"Bob was a mentor to me. He was almost a surrogate father," Lea said.

The third Summit was held at Pine Needles.

VETERANS -- The Moore County Veterans Service Office will move into the Senior Enrichment Center when renovations are complete on the Blue's Crossing building.

That is expected in January.

Veterans Service Officer George Hunt told the Board of Commissioners at a Nov. 6 meeting that he and his staff are excited at the prospect of having more office space for confidential interviews with clients.

The center will also provide needed space for filing and other office needs.

Hunt said the veterans' program annually brings more than $23 million into Moore County.

EDWARDS -- Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards has not dropped his interest in another run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Edwards was Sen. John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 election, but in recent months attention has been focused on other frontrunners for the 2008 nomination.

At the top of the list is Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, followed by Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

The Under the Dome column in the Thursday edition of The News & Observer of Raleigh led with a lengthy item about Edwards' appearance on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Tuesday night.

Dome says Edwards hinted that he is close to entering the 2008 presidential race but stopped short of making an official announcement.

Edwards grew up in Robbins and graduated from North Moore High School. His parents still live there.

Edwards has been making the rounds of television and radio talk shows and late night shows, including "Good Morning America," "The Charlie Rose Show," "Hannity & Colmes" and NPR's "Fresh Air."

Tonight, he will be on the CBS "Late Show with David Letterman" and next Wednes-day he is scheduled for an appearance on Martha's Stewart's syndicated program.

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