Pointing Breeds

The Sandhills Pointing Breeds Club will hold its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the club grounds located at 3280 Jackson Springs Road, Jackson Springs.

The SPBC is open to anyone interested in the pointing dog breeds. Dog ownership is not required.

For more information about the club, contact Kathy Apffel at eapffel@earthlink.net or at (910) 235-0636.

Brown Backers

The Cleveland Browns Backers of the Sandhills will meet at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at The Bell Tree, 155 NE Broad St., Southern Pines, when the Browns meet the San Diego Chargers.

For information, call Fred Zimmerman at (910) 295-6480.

For further information, visit www.brownsbackersofthesandhills.com.

Computer Club

The Computer Club of Seven Lakes meets Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. in the game room at Seven Lakes North.

Lori Williams, director of community education and outreach at Sandhills Community College, will discuss Facebook and Twitter and what it means to "tweet."

Seven Lakes Kiwanis

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Seven Lakes Kiwanis went to the dogs, or to be more accurate, the dogs came to Kiwanis.

Kathy Constantino, who has two registered therapy dogs, visited Kiwanis, bringing with her Abby, a blonde Labrador retriever.

Abby has completed all the necessary training and is a completely accredited therapy dog as required by Therapy Dog International and also the Delta Society, both organizations that train and establish rules for therapy dogs.

An insurance program insures the dogs for $1,000,000, which allows the dogs to participate in all kinds of therapy where considered appropriate.

The dogs are kept active visiting schools, nursing homes and hospitals, and will be involved in a brand new FirstHealth Hospice Program.

Seven Lakes Kiwanis meets every Tuesday at noon at the Seven Lakes Country Club.

Toastmasters

Toastmasters Club of the Sandhills celebrated the 85th birthday of Toastmasters International at its meeting on Oct. 20.

Eighty-five years ago, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley held the first official Toastmasters meeting in the basement of a YMCA in Santa Ana, Calif. The organization started as a small group of people dedicated to teaching after-dinner speeches to young men. It has evolved into a worldwide leader in communication and leadership development.

Members of the local club include Paul Barnes, Martha Butler, Taylor Clement, Leslie Deane, Jessica Florit, Steven King, Earl McMillan, Michaela Meisel, Christine Menear, Robin Moore, Rene Nichols, Chris Norkus, Joan Smith, Laura Snyder, Jack Spillan, Crystal Taylor and Ellen Thomas.

Locally, Toastmasters Club of the Sandhills (TCOTS), which meets at 102 Van Dusen Hall at Sandhills Community College on the first three Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m., celebrated with birthday cake.

For more information on the local club, visit www.freetoasthost.us or contact Leslie Deane at (910) 715-2421 or ldeane@firsthealth.org

Aberdeen H and G

The Aberdeen Home and Garden Club held its November meeting at the home of Frances Marks on Bethesda Road, with 18 members present.

Dene Moon, program chairman, presented Robert Farrell III, a native of Aberdeen and currently mayor pro tem, who gave an informative program on the history of Aberdeen from its beginnings in 1893 to present.

He also informed members of recent pending annexations and brought the group up to date on population growth, town's departments and personnel. He displayed his postcard collection of historic Aberdeen landmarks.

President Jenny Veasey called the business meeting to order. Elease Goodwin reported that her committee had planted pansies in the garden at the post office.

The Garden Club award plaques for outstanding yards were placed at the home of Jim and Mona Kahl on Shelton Drive, Diane Medlin on North Poplar, Perry Benoit on Glendale Drive and Mike Goodwin on Devonshire Trail.

Plans were finalized for the annual Christmas luncheon.

College Computer Club

The guest speaker for the Thursday, Dec. 3, meeting of the Sandhills Community College Computer Club will be Sandy Berger. She is a nationally respected computer authority, journalist, media guest speaker and author, with a widely followed weekly column appearing here in The Pilot.

As president of Computer Living Corp, a computer consulting and training company, Berger applies her unique ability to explain in easy-to-understand language how to use and enjoy today's technology.

Berger plans to talk about topics to help members make decisions for Christmas gifts.

The meeting will be held in Van Dusen Hall on the Sandhills Community College Campus, beginning at 3:30 p.m. and ending promptly at 4:30 p.m.

Refreshments are available and a door prize is given.

Kennel Club

The Moore County Kennel Club will be holding its annual December holiday party Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Weymouth Center in Southern Pines.

To make reservations, contact Penny Freeman at (910) 695-9985.

The planned event starts with cocktails at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, and it is BYOB with mixers supplied by the club.

The outstanding canines (and owners) of the year, those earning their championships and titles, will be honored during the party.

Any questions about the club may be directed to president Nick Lynn at (910) 947-1748 or publicity chair Nona Burrell at (910) 295-3909.

The club's Web site is www.moorecokc.org.

S.P. Civic Club

A festive Christmas luncheon Monday, Dec. 7, at the Southern Pines Civic Club features a special treat, with Joan Hart leading a "Let's Do Christmas" crafts workshop.

The catered luncheon starts at noon, followed by Hart's workshop. Reservations are required by calling (910) 692-5015, no later than Dec. 4. The luncheon is $10. Payment can be made at the door.

This year, the Civic Club board of directors is encouraging everyone to donate money to help the hard-pressed Southern Pines area Food Bank that is running short of food to help the many needy residents who have lost their jobs. A collection will be taken up at the Dec. 7 meeting, earmarking funds to feed the town's own needy residents.

The Civic Club is at the corner of North Ashe Street and East Pennsylvania Avenue

Those interested in membership may call (910) 692-3821.

SCWC

The Sandhills Christian Women's Connection meets for its monthly luncheon Thursday, Dec. 10, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the National Golf Club.

This luncheon will feature guest speaker Ernie Parker-Wood, from Charlotte. She is a 77-year-old retired teacher, is newly married and has traveled extensively, even living in Russia for a period. She uses an embroidery sampler to show how threads may be perfect on top and imperfect underneath, just like our lives.

Miss Moore County, Charity Haskins, will perform.

Call Joan at (910) 673-5146 or Anne at (910) 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, Dec. 8.

Men's Fellowship

The Sandhills Men's Fellowship will have its annual Christmas breakfast program Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Pinehurst Member's Club.

Spouses, friends and neighbors are welcome to this special event. This will be the last breakfast until February.

This program will present Charlie Johnson. Johnson is a retired New York City policeman and local electrician, who has been featured in several local musicals and theatrical events. He will provide a program of Christmas favorites and some surprises.

Please join us at 7:45 a.m. for a social get-together followed by breakfast at 8 a.m.

For more information, call Tom Stewart at (910) 295-9775.

Whispers

The Whispers Fall Arts and Crafts Festival chairman, Sandy Armstrong, and her committee recently presented a well-attended event at the Country Club of Whispering Pines.

Talented vendors displayed their crafts and artwork along with an assortment of homemade baked goods to delight the many shoppers. A hot buffet and special luncheon menu and beverages were served by the CCWP staff.

The next upcoming Whispers event is "Christmas in the Pines." Beth Cunningham and her committee, Judith Sams, Arlene Jenkins, Pat Linss and Marilyn Navarro, have planned a brunch and house tour to be held Sunday, Dec. 6.

Brunch will be served in the CCWP dining room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the house tour will be open from noon to 4 p.m. The cost for the brunch and tour is $16 and $10 for the tour only. The five local homes featured on the tour are beautifully holiday decorated and open their doors to display Christmas collections and family memorabilia.

Tickets for the event are available at the office of Whispering Pines Properties, The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, and at the Country Club of Whispering Pines, or contact Judith at (910) 949-3357 or Arlene at (910) 949-3364.

Maps and tickets for the tour will be available at the CCWP that day.