AARP

AARP Chapter No. 2564 meets at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, at First Bank, 205 S.E. Broad Street, Southern Pines.

The speaker will be Dr. Jeffery W. White of Carolina Eye and Associates.

The AARP meets at the bank on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., with the exception of July and August.

Alston DAR

The Temperance Smith Alston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Pinehurst) met Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Country Club of North Carolina. Following lunch, Carolyn Coordes, NCSDAR Schools Chairman, presented a program emphasizing the uniqueness of each of the present DAR Approved Schools.

"For over 100 years, the DAR Approved Schools have been devoted to meeting the educational needs of the children, providing spiritual guidance and a secure home to thousands of children," said Coordes. "As early as 1903, the NSDAR established a Patriotic Education Committee, one of the three primary objectives adopted in the original Bylaws of the NSDAR. The values learned as children growing up in these special places give a strong foundation for positive and productive lives."

Today the NSDAR supports six schools. Each is owned and controlled by a private, nonprofit corporation in the state in which it is located:

Crossnore School Inc., in Crossnore was founded in 1913. Known as "Miracle Mountain," Crossnore provides a safe, stable, healing, living and learning experience for children from families in crisis. Children are housed in cottages across the beautiful 72-acre campus, have daily chores, and many hold part time jobs as well. A strong work program is in place to teach children the importance of work ethics and fulfilling responsibilities.

Tamassee DAR School, Inc., is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tamassee, S.C. Founded in 1919, Tamassee School provides a safe, healing environment for disadvantaged children who have experienced abuse of some kind. Each child is urged to develop his or her own special abilities to their fullest potential. Tamassee emphasizes faith in God, high morals, citizenship and patriotism as the foundation to academics, family life and social activities.

Kate Duncan Smith DAR School, Inc. was established in 1924. Its unique 240-acre campus is located high atop Gunter Mountain in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of NE Alabama. The young people of this plateau obtain a distinctive academic background, with emphasis placed on patriotic education throughout the K-12 curriculum. The DAR provides a Student Health Program for the students whose parents or guardians cannot afford health care.

Berry College Inc., in Mount Berry, Ga., was founded in 1902 by Martha Berry, a member of DAR who wanted to help the young people in the hills of northwest Georgia. Berry's three-fold mission was to educate the head, heart and hands. The college is noted nationally for its strength and quality as well as for its distinctive three-fold emphasis on rigorous academic preparation, meaningful work experience, and the importance of religion in life.

Hillside School Inc. in Marlborough, Mass., was founded in 1901 as a home/farm school for homeless boys grades 5 to 9. Hillside has remained steadfast in its purpose by helping boys realize their full potential, preparing them for their high school years through traditional values and educational skills.

Hindman Settlement School Inc. in Hindman, Ky., was founded in 1902 and was the first social settlement school in the U.S. Today, Hindman's programs reflect its continuing commitment to the goals and purposes of its founders. The major educational emphasis is its work with students with learning differences/dyslexia. An after-school tutoring program and Adult Learning Center provide additional educational instruction.

NSDAR members collect food and soup can labels, Box Tops for Education, clothing, and empty ink cartridges for the DAR Approved Schools. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership in NSDAR. See the chapter's Web page at http://ncdar.org/TemperanceSmithAlstonChapter.html for additional information.

College Club

The College Club will host Edward O. Welles, an award-winning journalist, at its next business and luncheon meeting Tuesday, April 1, at the Country Club of Whispering Pines.

Welles, whose works were featured in an article by Jim Dodson in The Pilot in December 2006, has written about entrepreneurship, human motivation, and work/life balance for over 25 years. He was a senior writer at Inc. , where he was a finalist for a National Magazine Award. His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Boston Glove, Audubon Magazine, National Geographic, and Fortune Small Business. He is a personal coach, specializing in working with midlife individuals who would like to deepen their lives and take on new challenges.

Members wishing to attend should send checks payable to The College Club and mailed to Ellen Matthews, 4 Fly Rod Lane, Whispering Pines, NC 28327 no later than March 25.

Linden Garden Club

The Linden Garden Club of Pinewild met Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Pinewild Country Club. Guest speaker Bill Howell, of Wilmington, gave an informative presentation on growing and caring for camellias. A well-known grower and expert, Howell brought a wide variety of beautiful camellia flowers from his own garden for the members to enjoy.

President Jeanne Leone presided over the business meeting. Secretary Martha Romero presented the minutes of the previous meeting, and Treasurer Nona Burrell updated the financial report to the membership. Jane Waldemar, vice president and program chairman, announced the program for the March 20 meeting will be a discussion of the care and disease prevention of trees native to the area and commonly used in landscapes.

The guest speaker is Bruce Olin, an arborist, of Olin Tree Service. Members are reminded to contact Dawn Munday to make their reservations for this informative program and optional luncheon.

SCWC

Sandhills Christian Women's Connection hosts its monthly luncheon on Thursday, March 20. "Spice of Life" is this month's theme.

Nick Caterino of Caterino's Bakery will demonstrate some easy dressings to make to add a zing to a meal. "Caterino's is well known for their great food and we are looking forward to learning a little from Nick," said Beverly Harper, SCWC feature chair.

A local favorite, Margaret Hightower, will once again perform for members.

The guest speaker is Margaret Scaglione of Murphy. Her Italian husband taught every member of the family Italian cooking, and the only spice in life was oregano, she says.

All Sandhills women and their guests are welcome to attend the luncheon held at the National Golf Club in Pinehurst from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Call Joan at 673-5146 or Anne at 215-0074 to make reservations.

"Be sure to let us know if you will be taking advantage of our free nursery," says a spokesman.

The cost of the luncheon is $13, all-inclusive. A courtesy call is requested no later than Tuesday, March 18.

Seven Lakes Kiwanis

On March 1, the Seven Lakes Kiwanis heard from one of its own members, Jim Koslowski.

Koslowski is retired from Pepsico where he was a senior vice president and procurement officer. He talked extensively about the rising power of China.

China has a poulation of 1.3 billion people, about four times the size of the USA. That population is about 90 percent literate, and is gradually leaving the farm or rural life for the centers of manufacturing and commerce. China's GNP is growing at a rate of 11 percent per year, and currently produces 33 percent of the world's steel. The rate of change in China is dramatic and shows no sign of slowing down, says Koslowski.

Seven Lakes Kiwanis meets each Tuesday at the Seven lakes Country Club at noon.

Civil War Round Table

The March 20 meeting of the Rufus Barringer Civil War Roundtable will feature retired pediatric cardiologist Matt Farina who will deliver a presentation titled "Doctor Hunter Holmes McGuire and the Wounding and Death of General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson."

Jackson was fatally wounded in May 1862 at Chancellorsville, an event that changed the military fortunes of the Confederacy. McGuire, Jackson's personal physician, kept a medical record of what was done to help save the General's life. and Matt Farina will provide a modern medical appraisal of those efforts.

This is a 'can't miss' event for anyone interested in Stonewall Jackson or Civil War medicine," says a spokesman.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Southern Pines Civic Club, 105 S. Ashe Street. Visitors are welcomed. Call 694-4934 for information.

Garden Society

Donna Hefton, owner of "Birdie's on Broad Street" shop for all things avian, will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Sandhills Garden Society, Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m. in the Southern Pines Civic Club at the corner of East Pennsylvania and Ashe.

Hefton will emphasize what she refers to as "birdscaping" in yards and getting water to birds during the drought.

Holly Branch

The Holly Branch of the Pinehurst Garden Club met Sunday, Feb. 24, at the home of Peggy Schirmer.

After a business meeting, members welcomed the guest, Jan Leitschuh.

Leitschuh spoke about "edible landscaping," identifying many fruits and vegetables easily incorporated in gardens. They would add color as well as food to the table. Suggestions for maintenance were offered.

A question-and-answer session followed with concerns of member gardeners.

The speaker is also a published author. Her book, "The Ordinary Adventures," chronicles her adventures hiking the Appalachian Trail.