BPW

The Business and Professional Women (BPW) of the Sandhills meets Thursday, Nov. 20, at 5:30 p.m. at Rhetts on Pennsylvania in Southern Pines. Dinner begins at 6 p.m.

The guest speaker is Gary Barnum of the Moore County Airport.

Contact Sandra Olbon at 603-4804 for a reservation.

Browns Backers

The Cleveland Browns Backers of the Sandhills, a club made up of loyal Cleveland Browns football fans living in the Sandhills area, will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, when the Browns play the Houston Texans. The local chapter meets at Easys Sports Bar and Grill, 211A Central Park Drive, Olmsted Village shopping center next to Nina's restaurant.

For information, call Fred Zimmerman at 295-6480, or visit www.brownsbackersofthesandhills.com.

College Club

The College Club will hold its December luncheon at National Golf Club Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 11:30 a.m.

Because of the holiday season the usual featured speaker will be replaced by entertainment from the Note-a-Belles, a singing group of women from the Sandhills who have been in existence for 17 years. Their program will consist of a variety of carols and sacred and humorous songs.

The College Club has been in operation for 20 years. The requirement for membership is a degree from a four-year institution.The College Club members expand their knowledge through various speakers, programs, and interest groups, as well as providing two scholarships at the end of the year.

These two scholarships will go to either an academically proficient female high-school graduate entering a four-year accredited college or university for the first time, or to a deserving woman who is seeking to further her education at a four-year institution.

The club has six yearly luncheons with speakers or entertainment included. The dates and times of the luncheon meetings, as well as the location and price of the luncheons are published at least two weeks prior to each event.

For further information, contact Katharine Bozarth, vice president and membership chairman at (910) 255-6286.

Kiwanis of Sandhills

Kiwanis member Bill Clement introduced guest speaker Kim Madrigal, executive director of the Boys' and Girls' Club, who gave a presentation on the after-school youth programs the club provides to the community.

The club offers help with education, employment, and with social and emotional issues. The club has a homework assistance program, provides a meal, and helps create a positive self-identity and helps instill a moral compass.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club, call Susan Holmes at (910) 255-0131.

Radio Society

The Moore County Amateur Radio Society will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, on the lower level of the Moore County Emergency Operations Center, Carthage. The meeting will include election of officers for 2009, details regarding finalizing the technician licensing class being offered and discussion of club activities for 2009.

"Everyone with an interest in amateur radio is welcome to attend," says a spokesman.

For further information, contact James Johnson at (910) 400-3019.

SCWC

Sandhills Christian Women's Connection holds it monthly luncheon Thursday, Nov. 20.

Items will be available for silent auction to benefit the missionaries of Stonecroft Ministries and Village Missions.

"We welcome all ladies to come and participate in donating and bidding on items, said Sherry Brown, chair of SCWC. Crafts, gifts, holiday decorations, gift baskets and baked goods are just a sample of what we will have to offer."

SCWC will meet at an earlier time, 11:30 a.m., to allow more time for the auction. Those donating items should have them to National by 11 a.m. so they may be displayed.

Bill Fifield of Pinehurst will serenade the group during the auction. The guest speaker is Ann Noe Womble, of Sanford.

All Sandhills women and their guests are welcome to attend the luncheon held at the National Golf Club in Pinehurst from 11:30 a.m. 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 Brown.

The cost of this month's luncheon is $13, all inclusive.

Seven Lakes Kiwanis

On Oct. 21, Mary Ann Myers, a State Farm Fraud Investigator, delivered an interesting talk on the world of insurance fraud to the Seven Lakes Kiwanis Club.

Myers enumerated several types of fraud that have happened involving automobile insurance and homeowners insurance.

It was interesting to hear all of the ingenious and imaginative ways that people have utilized to defraud the insurance companies.

The Seven Lakes Kiwanis Club meets each Tuesday at noon at the Seven Lakes Country Club. Visitors are always welcome.

SNHS

The Sandhills Natural History Society meets Monday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at Weymouth Woods Visitors' Center Auditorium.

Becky and Randy Westbrook, an invasive species prevention specialist, will dicuss invasive plants and the efforts of the U.S. Geological Survey to address them.

Call (910) 692-2167 for directions.

Whispers

The Whispers fall arts and crafts festival, recently held at the Country Club of Whispering Pines, was a "successful" event, according to a spokesman.

Festival hostess Linda Brunning and her committee, Joan Terzigni, Carol Carrara, Corine Balderis, Sandy Armstrong, and Hope Dugenske arranged for over 30 vendors, who brought handmade and creative merchandise.

The bake sale goodies and special luncheon menu served in the club's grill room added to the festivities.

"Christmas in the Pines" will be presented Sunday, Dec. 7. There will be a mimosa brunch in the main dining room of the CCWP from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The home tour follows from noon to 4 p.m.

Tickets for the brunch and tour are $16 per person. The tour only is $10. Children may attend for $11.

They are available at Whispering Pines Properties, 1 Country Club Blvd., the Grill Room at CCWP and The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines.

Contact Joan Bruno at 949-4172 for more details.