The clock is ticking in Robbins, and its face glows brightly in the evening as the hours go by.

Recently, Mayor Theron Bell, Clock Committee Chairwoman Peggy Hussey and other residents gathered at the "downtown L" to dedicate this symbol of new life on the main streets of the northern Moore County town.

"The clock looks great," Bell said a few days later. "I drove by tonight, and the clock face was a glowing welcome to the town of Robbins."

Bricks around the base bear the names of contributors who put up the money for the new town clock. It is on the corner across from the Village Theatre, where a new nonprofit foundation expects to begin its restoration as a performing arts center in this end of the county.

Official IRS notification of tax-exempt status for the Robbins Village Theater Foundation arrived in the mail last week. Its announcement brought a round of applause at last Thursday's Main Street meeting in the Town Hall.

The Rural Center is processing a budget amendment that will use $75,000 of the remaining STEP grant for a targeted grant to the foundation so they can buy the old theater.

Recycled Regatta: This Saturday will see the return of the Recycled Regatta on Bear Creek. The second annual Recycled Regatta means making fun out of floatable junk, according to Mark Garner, of Foothills Outdoors.

"Instead of throwing your garbage away, use it to build a boat you can ride in and race on Bear Creek," Garner says. "There will be materials available to build your boat at the Regatta, but you're encouraged to bring your creative craft with you."

It all takes place at the N.C. 705 canoe access below the bridge where many Bear Creek events happen. After the race, canoes and kayaks will also be available for some paddling fun, Garner says.

Regatta classes are: grades kindergarten-second, third-fifth, sixth-eighth, ninth-12th and an open division for adults. There will be prizes for fastest time, most functional, most creative and, as before, the infamous Titanic Award.

"That's the one you don't want to win," he says.

Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.