The North Carolina Federation of Republican Women is gathering in Pinehurst this weekend for the statewide winter board meeting.

The two-day meeting opens this evening at the Carolina Hotel with a reception featuring Sue Everhart, chairwoman of the Georgia Republican Party.

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr will speak at the opening board meeting Saturday. After the business meeting, former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory will join the board for a luncheon featuring Everhart as keynote speaker. McCrory was the GOP candidate for governor in 2008.

Workshops on winning campaigns, elections board updates and how to increase membership will be held Saturday afternoon.

The federation provides an avenue of political involvement for women who share the Republican philosophy and is made up of local Republican Women's Clubs across the state. The North Carolina organization is affiliated with the National Federation of Republican Women, established in 1938 with organized chapters in all 50 states and more than 70,000 members. The NCFRW Web site is www.ncfrw.com.

LONG RANGE - Jeremy Rust has been employed as long-range planner to work with the Moore County Department of Planning and Community Development on development of a new countywide long range plan.

Planning Director Joey Raczkowski made the announcement at the February meeting of the planning board.

Rust, who lives with his family in Seven Lakes, holds a bachelor of arts degree in landscape architecture from the State University of New York and is a registered landscape architect. He has about nine years of experience as a consultant for both public and private entities in development of plans and policies for strategic and long range planning projects.

The Moore County Board of Commissioners allocated funds in the 2009-2010 budget to hire a long range planner.

PINEDENE - The Pinedene Republican Precinct will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at GOP headquarters.

County party Chairman Bob Levy has appointed Elizabeth Kelly as temporary chairwoman of the Pinedene Precinct. At the Feb. 25 meeting, new officers will be elected, in addition to delegates and alternates to the county convention.

Pinedene Republicans needing more information may call Joe Garrison, party secretary, at (910) 690-4511.

PRESIDENTS - Monday is Presidents' Day, but the observance will be more a retail sales promotional effort than a -holiday.

It is a federal holiday, and post offices will be closed Monday. However, it is not a state or county holiday, and state and county government offices and most municipal government offices will be open as usual. Banks will also be open.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.