NAMI Moore County has organized "Pathway to Awareness Weekend" for Sept. 30 Oct. 1. Organizers hope to enlighten the community about brain disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The weekend begins on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. with an appearance by Patty Duke, actress and author of "A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness." Duke suffered from a serious but treatable brain disorder called bipolar. Her discussion will illuminate her harrowing story and her long road to recovery.

The lecture is free and open to the public and is part of the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series. It is co-sponsored by the Sandhills Community College Founda-tion.

Sunday's events will showcase the community's growing involvement and caring. From 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Patty Duke will be available at Pinehurst Village Assembly Hall to conduct a book-signing that is open to the public at no charge.

Beginning early Sunday morning the group will recreate artist Vincent Van Gogh's "Irises," painted while he was institutionalized due to a brain disorder.

The commemorative display, known as the "Celebration of Courage" will be open to the public at the meadow next to Pinehurst Village Hall.

For more information on the event, contact the Moore County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 910-295-1053.