Community Interest

Portrait Fund Drive, for Aberdeen Rescure Squad, will be conducted for the next several weeks. Families in the service area may be contacted via mail or phone to make a donation. Each family that donates any amount will receive an 8 by 10 portrait. Proceeds benefit rescue equipment updates. Call 800-253-2638.

The Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15/501 (2 miles north of the Traffic Circle),is offering weekly Canasta on Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Call 947-2881 for information and to sign up.

The Moore County Department of Aging is sponsoring an AARP Driver Safety Program on Wednesday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Agriculture Building, Pinehurst Avenue in Carthage. This two-day class offers tips on compensating for age-related changes in driving ability. The fee is $10. Class size is limited. To register, call 947-2881.

Our State Symbols at Weymouth Woods - Most folks know that the northern cardinal is our state bird, but did you know that we have many other state symbols, including a state insect and state reptile? Join a ranger to learn about these and other symbols, as well as our state's toast, motto and nicknames. The program will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 1, in the auditorium at Weymouth Woods.

Eggcellent Eggventure, free Easter egg hunt, Monday, April 2, from 5 to 6 p.m. at Hillcrest Park, Carthage. For kids as old as 6. Badge making, face painting, tattoos, necklace making, and refreshments. The egg hunt will begin at 5:45 p.m., with 4,000 eggs filled with toys and candy. The Easter Bunny will be there, along with two bicycles and three Easter baskets to give away.

The Moore County Tax Department will be present forone-on-one questions and answers regarding the recent reevaluation process, 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 5. Please call 215-0900 forfurther information, or stop by the Moore County Senior Enrichment Center at 8040 U.S. 15/501 for a calendar and a tour.

The Friends of the Postmaster's House and Aberdeen Florist and Garden Center will sponsor their Second Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, April 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will be held at the Postmaster's House located at 204 East South St. in downtown Aberdeen.For information, contact Sharon Hogan at 944-9483, or Eldiweiss Lockey at 944-1461.

Barbecue Lunch and Dinner to benefit cancer patient, Brenda Blake Maness, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 14. Eat in or take out. Plate $6. Blue Horizon Band will play 4-6 p.m. Auction starts at 6 p.m. Eagle Springs Fire Dept., N.C. 211, Eagle Springs.

Pet Responsibility Celebration Day - A celebration focused on pet ownership 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 14. Enjoypet-related demonstrations (sheepherding, frisbee dogs, agility, pointing, etc), presentations (choosing the right pet, pet health, etc.),multiple pet-related booths, plus the area's largest gathering of adoptable dogs and cats. Live music and food. S.E. Broad Street, downtown Robbins. Call 910-949-9953 for more info.

By volunteering to teach an adult to read and write, you can open a world of opportunity for some who might be otherwise limited. On Wednesday, April 18, Volunteer Orientation will be held at Moore County Literacy Council (MCLC) from 1 to 2 p.m. Please call 692-5954 to make a reservation. On April 25, May 2, 9, and 16, the Moore County Literacy Council (MCLC) will hold a Tutor Training Workshop at 575 South East Broad St. in Southern Pines from 1 to 4 p.m. Please register by the week prior to the session by calling 692-5954 or by e-mail, pammclc-@nc.rr.com.

Business Network International: Free tips on increasing your business through positive word-of-mouth marketing. BNI is an exclusive business-to-business referral network with meetings at various times and locations. Visit www.bni.com and/or call (910) 585-2400 for more info.

There is a great need for volunteer patient visitors and clerical help at Community Home Care and Hospice. The experience is life-changing and requires only a few hours a month. Contact Jamie Allen at 692-9122.

Education

The Moore County Extension and Community Association offers Heritage Craft Classes each month at the Moore County Agriculture Center in Carthage. Call 947-3188 or visit 707 Pinehurst Avenue to register.

Effective Teacher Training, each Wednesday through May 9, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Designed for current or prospective teachers, substitutes, and assistants who wish to enhance their instructional skills and gain knowledge of policies and legal issues affecting teachers in the public schools. Call Sandhills Community College Continuing Education Division at 695-3766 to register.

Health

Prancing Horse, a therapeutic riding program for children with physical or emotional challenges, needs volunteers to serve as horseback riding assistants.No experience required, volunteers will be trained. Info: 947-6395.

Master Lee Holbrook, Tai-Chi Instructor, will be at Fox Hollow Assisted Living and Memory Care every other Thursday at 1 p.m. in the activity room. The Tai-Chi classes offered at Fox Hollow are in a sitting position so all seniors can participate. This is free and open to the public. 190 Fox Hollow Road, Pinehurst (off Morganton Rd.) Contact Elizabeth at 695-0011.

Homeschoolers "Movin' on Mondays" at Rassie Wicker Park.A two-mile naturehikethrough protected habitat area. (All ages.)Meet at playgroundevery other Monday, 1:15 p.m. Information, email moore_homeschooler-@yahoogroups.com

Library Programs

County Libraries

- Bookmobile: Services are scheduled throughout the county.

- Card Catalog: The card catalog for the county library is available online at www.srlslibraries.com.

- Dial-a-Story: The Robbins Library is host to the Dial-a-Story program. Stories are available from a machine by phone for young children. Dial 948-3322 for a new story every day.

- The Moore County Library is located at 101 Saunders St. in Carthage. For information about the library or its programs, call 947-5335.

- Storytime: Preschool storytime is each Monday at 10:30 a.m.

- Page Library is located in Aberdeen at 101 N. Poplar and Main Streets. The branch is open Monday-Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. Call 944-1200 for info.

- The Pinebluff Library is located at 305 E. Baltimore and Currant. The branch is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Info: 281-3004.

- The Robbins Area Library is located at 161 E. Magnolia off Middleton behind Tar Heel Drug. This branch is open Tuesday to Saturday with evening hours on Tuesday. Call 948-4000 for info. Storytimes for preschoolers are held Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.

- The Vass Library is located on Seaboard Street near the Vass Post Office. Hours: Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Storytime: 3rd Thursday of the month, 10:30 a.m. For information, call 245-2200.

Given Memorial Library

Given Memorial Library is located in downtown Pinehurst. 295-6022.

The Given Book Shop at Olmsted Village is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds go to the library/archives.

Southern Pines Library

The Southern Pines Public Library at 170 W. Connecticut Ave. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m. All programs are free. Catalog and other information are available at www.sppl.net or call 692-8235.

- Make 2007 a Year of "Moore" Exploration. Moore County Area Libraries have joined together and selected four "focus" books on the theme of Exploration for community reads and events throughout the year. Call 692-8235 or visit www.sppl.net.

- War Zone, World War II Off NC Outer Banks, A Forum for Adults. 3-4 p.m. Sunday, April 15.

- Tax Assistance: A.A.R.P.-trained volunteers are available at the library to assist middle and low-income seniors in filing their tax returns. There is no charge for this service. Help is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tuesdays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sandhills Community College

Katharine L. Boyd Library is located on the Sandhills Community College campus at 3395 Airport Road. The library is open from 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. For information, call 695-3819 or go to www.sandhills.edu and follow the library link.

Red Cross

The American Red Cross, Moore County Chapter, 244 SW Broad Street, Southern Pines. For more information call 692-8571. Donors must be 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks (56 days). Donor Counselor: 866-562-7156.

Blood Drives

O Positive, O Negative, A Neg-ative, and B Negative remain at EMERGENCY status. The overall inventory remains at CRITICAL status.

Thursday, March 29, 1:30 to 6 p.m., Penick Village, East Rhode Island Ave. Ext., Southern Pines. Call 692-8571 for appointment.

Wednesday, April 4, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sandhills Community College, Blue Hall. No appointment needed.

Thursday, April 5, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Moore County Employees, Methodist Men's Club, Carthage Women's Club, at the Agriculture Building, 707 Pinehurst Ave., Carthage. Call 947-6362 for an appointment.

Health and Safety Classes

Call 692-8571 for more information and registration for:

- Adult CPR with AED, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturdays, April 14, 28, May 5, 19, and June 16, 30. $35

- Infant/Child CPR, 1 to 3 p.m., Saturdays, April 14, 28, May 5, 19, and June 16, 30. $30

- First Aid Basics, 3 to 5 p.m., Saturdays, April 14, 28, May 5, 19, and June 16, 30. $30

- Recertification Course, Adult CPR with AED, Infant/Child CPR, First Aid Basics, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursdays, April 12, 26, May 3, 24, and June 7, 21. Participants must have previously completed a regular ARC course to recertify in any of these courses: Adult CPR, Infant/Child CPR, AED and First Aid. $25.

- CPR/First Aid Instructor Trainer Class -- 20 hr. course held over three days, 6-10 p.m., June 20; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., June 22 and 23. Course fee $150.

Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous of Moore County has information available on its Web site: www.sandhillsaa.org or call (800)496-1742.

The Moore County Alzheimer's Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, U.S. 1, Aberdeen. Info: (336) 877-9332, (800) 888-6671, or 692-0232.

The Sandhills monthly Alzheimer's Support Group meets at Elmcroft, 101 Brucewood Rd., Southern Pines, on the second Wednesday of each month at noon. Info: 695-1277.

A.R.E. -- A Search for God study group meets Monday, 7 to 9 p.m. Call 695-7055 for more information or e-mail Joyof_Art@msn.com.

Local cancer support group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in The Family Life Center of Beaver Creek Baptist Church, 2280 Nicholson Rd., Cameron. Call 775-2544 or 499-9632.

Christian Support for Caregivers meets at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at The Village Chapel, Pinehurst. Call 295-6003 for info.

Co-dependents Anonymous meets each Monday from 7-8 p.m. at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Conference Room C. The meeting is non-smoking. Call Jill at 235-0545 for more information.

The Compassionate Friends of the Sandhills, grief support group for parents and families who have experienced the death of a child, will meet the third Monday of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, Pinehurst. For information contact Cindy Shepherd at 295-2755 or visit www.compassionate friends.org.

A Course in Miracles, a spiritual self-development course self-studygroup. Like minds come together to inspire each other for personal growth in daily life. Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., at Pinebrook Apartments, 401 W. Illinois Ave., near Lob Steer. Call 692-1812 for information.

Creative Connection. Are you an out-of-the-box artist looking for a home? Come join the group Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m. Contact Joy, 695-7055, Joyof_Art@ msn.com.

Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Support Group, for Pinehurst and surrounding areas, will meet on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Conference Center 2. More info: vscofield@aol.com or call Vicky Scofield at 910-687-0066.

National Depression - Manic Depression Support Group meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital Outpatient Center in the Doctor's Conference Room, off Page Rd. Info: 215-1582.

Parents of Amazing Children (PAC), is a parent support group for parents of children with special needs, a program of the Family Support Network of the Sandhills. Contact Christine Garton: 910-692-6123 ext. 15 or email coordinator@fsnsandhills.org .

The Elmcroft Alzheimer's Support Lunch Group meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month at Elmcroft of Southern Pines Assisted Living and Alzheimer's Care, 115 Brucewood Road, Southern Pines. Care available with advance notice. Call 695-1277 for more information.

A support group for family members of those serving in the military or who have been deployed meets monthly at First Baptist Church, Southern Pines. Childcare is provided. Call 235-4465 for info. or 692-8750 for childcare reservations.

Fibromyalgia Support Group meets once a month on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital Outpatient Conference Room in Pinehurst. Information: 281-3175.

All girls ages 5-17 are invited to join Girl Scouts. Adults, age 18 and older, are needed as volunteers. Membership dues are $10 annually. Contact the Moore County Girl Scout office at 692-6156 or www.pinesofcarolina.org.

Home-schooling and looking for connection with other home-schoolers? Moore Homeschoolers Network meets Thursdays. For more information: www.moorehomeschoolers.net or contact Wendy at 295-4334.

Whether you breastfeed your baby six days, six weeks or six months, you'll find La Leche League meeting supportive and informative. LLL of Star meetsthe fourth Thursday of the month at 10:30 a.m. For directions to the meeting or more information, call Rebecca at 910-948-1002.

Mothers of Moore, a support group for mothers of children from birth to 5 years, holds monthly meetings for moms and weekly playgroups for children. Call Jessica at 295-7566 or Suzanne at 235-9266 or visit our website at www.mothersofmoore.com

Sandhills Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is a program for mothers of children ages birth to five years. MOPS meets the first and third Wednesday of each month during the school year at Christ Community Church in Southern Pines. Information can be found at www.SandhillsMOPS.com or by emailing SandhillsMOPS@yahoo .com OR call the church at 695-1234.

The Mothers of Twins Club meets every second and fourth Wednesdays at 3 p.m. at Pinebluff Methodist Church. Info: 281-4444 or by e-mail unctwinmom@yahoo. com.

National Alliance on Mental Illness - Moore County (NAMI-MC) meetings are usually held on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Conference Center, Room A, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, at Page Road and N.C. 211. Info: 295-1053.

Overeaters Anonymous meets Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, U.S. 1, Aberdeen, and Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Aberdeen Community Center, 504 Wilder Ave. Info: Aileen 295-1840.

Panic and anxiety program for overcoming fears, anxiety, agoraphobia; achieving control, positive self-image and constructive thinking. Learn how attitudes and current thoughts affect panic and anxiety. Group now forming. Programs to be held in Southern Pines, Mondays from 12 to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Call 732-940-9658.

Parents of Amazing Children, P*A*C, is a support group for parents of children with special needs. For more info: call Christine Garton at 692-6123, ext. 15, or go to our Web site, www.fsnsandhills.org

Recovery Inc., a mental health, self-help program, meets each Wednes-day evening at 7 p.m. at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church. Free meetings to face emotional problems, symptoms and fears. Info: 692-4606.

A Recovery Program for struggling addicts is held nightly at Beaver Creek Family Life Center, 2280 Nicholson Road, Cameron, at 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 6 p.m. Sundays. Call 919-499-9632 for more details.

The Sandhills Ostomy Support Group meets thefirst Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. in the First Health Conference Center at Moore Regional Hospital. Non-members are welcome to attend. For information call 695-1554 or 295-2819.

Sandhills Post-Polio Health Group meets the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. in the First Health Conference Center. Polio survivors, their caregivers and others are welcome. Info: 715-5266.

Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA) is a spiritual program based on the principles and traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.Local group starting on Mondays at 8:00 p.m.Confidentiality assured. Call 684-5263.

Set Free, a 12-step program, meets at Calvary Chapel of the Sandhills, 201 W. South St., Aberdeen, Sundays at 7 p.m. Set Free is a fellowship of those who are recovering from behaviors that have affected their lives. Info: 944-2477.

Sexual Assault Support Group - Friend to Friend, the domestic violence and rape crisis center in Moore County is forming a weekly support group for survivors of sexual assault. No charge. Info: 947-3333.

Boles Funeral Home and Crematory hosts a luncheon for widows or widowers on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Days Inn, Southern Pines, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $7. Reservations: 692-6262.

W.O.W. Women of Wisdom -- A women's spiritual, self-discovery support group, using yoga, movement, breathing, creativity, journaling, study and visualization. Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Call 692-5593.