Rename the airport, as columnist Paul Dunn recently suggested on this page? Not in my book.

But then, I'm not a person who craves change, unless faced with convincing evidence. If a name change is needed, then my vote goes to Knollwood, a name with history on its side.

When the county decided on "Moore County Airport" a number of years ago, the object was to assert the county's ownership. Earlier it was known as the Pinehurst/Southern Pines Airport.

Admittedly, the airport does have historic and economic ties to Pinehurst. The Tufts family, founders of what became Pinehurst, also established the airport and named it Knollwood. That was back in the days when the runways were unpaved and aviation was more hobby than business.

But the fact remains that the airport is not located, nor has it ever been, in Pinehurst. Southern Pines might be able to claim the location, but Whispering Pines is actually closer than any other municipality.

At one time, the answering machine message at the airport welcomed callers to "the Moore County Airport in Pinehurst, North Carolina." That always inspired me to respond with "Come again? Where?" Then I would realize it was a machine. A real human being answers the phone out there most of the time these days.

It's not that I have anything against Pinehurst. It's the principle of the thing.

Do Moore County residents realize that many folks don't recognize the names of any community here except Pinehurst? The people of Pinehurst no doubt argue that that's the way it ought to be.

After all, Pinehurst is world famous as the home of golf in America. The wealthiest people live in Pinehurst, property in Pinehurst carries the highest assessed value and once the village annexes Pinewild, it will become the largest municipality in the county.

Pinehurst is easily in a position to outrank the county. With the Pinewild annexation, the village limits will be extended a few miles up N.C. 211, inching closer to West End.

If I remember correctly, the village still has a legal right to extend its extraterritorial jurisdiction within two miles of its boundaries. In that case, the proposed Pine Forest subdivision, if approved, may well be subject to annexation in years to come.

When a resident of the area asked that question at a community meeting on Pine Forest last year, everybody laughed and thought the woman was joking. But driving along N.C. 211 not too long ago, I was struck by the proximity of the Pinewild entrance to West Pine School, which is close to the Pine Forest tract.

With careful planning and the tightest zoning ordinance in the county, the village has retained its ambience and mystique. I wonder how many people remember the controversy generated by the local legislation granting two-mile ETJ rights to Southern Pines, Pinehurst and Aberdeen. Opponents were mostly people living close to Pinehurst who did not want the restrictive zoning ordinance applying to their property. It got hot and heavy there for a while.

The name Pinehurst carries such prestige that businesses in Aberdeen and Southern Pines eagerly embrace it, tricking visitors into thinking they are doing business in the famous resort village. Sandhills Community College has had a Pinehurst address for years, though the campus is in Southern Pines.

Friends at Scotia Village, the retirement community where I live in Laurinburg, often ask questions about my work. They really like Moore County and frequently come here for cultural opportunities, medical appointments and shopping.

When they ask about my job "in Pinehurst," I gently correct them and explain that The Pilot office is in Southern Pines. The response is usually a dismissive wave of the hand with a casual "Pinehurst, Southern Pines, whatever. It's all the same."

And occasionally someone will add: "I can't tell whether I'm in Aberdeen, Southern Pines or Pinehurst."

Anyway, if change is needed - and I'm still not convinced, - my vote goes to Knollwood.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.