Sandhills ECA

A service organization, the ECA Sandhills Club has been active the past several months in supporting teenagers who are pregnant, with necessary baby items; as well as collecting snacks for donation to the aged who are homebound.

In addition, the club has also participated in timely programs concerning healthful eating and healthy lifestyle: Farm to Table, and Exercise for Women as We Age. Recently, the Moore County ECA donated money for two scholarships to the culinary department of Sandhills Community College. Delegates from the club attended a luncheon there, together with the Newcomers Club.

At the next meeting, a speaker will demonstrate how a rug is hooked, beginning with the design, and continuing through the finished product. For any further information on this club, which meets once a month on Mondays, call membership chairman Bunny Sinclair at (910) 295-6818.

Kiwanis of the Pines

Members of the Kiwanis of the Pines volunteered at the Stoneybrook Horse Park, helping park cars.

Club member George Drengler gave a talk on his trip through the Panama Canal. Drengler wanted to see the progress of the new canal that is being built by the Panamanians for larger cargo ships. He gave a brief history of the Suez and Panama canals.

Achievement Day

The Moore County Extension and Community Association commemorated its 99th year during its Achievement Day Luncheon on April 12, presenting "A Celebration of Our Past Accomplishments and A Tribute to Those Who Helped Achieve Them."

At the luncheon, roses were presented to honor the eight former county council presidents attending. > Past agent Karen Wicker and current agent Agnes Evans highlighted the accomplishments of the past 50 years, mentioning extraordinary volunteer hours and financial contributions made to local communities.

Karyn Ring, of Jackson Springs, was honored as Club Woman of the Year for her work organizing charitable outreach. Vickie McElveen, of RBC Centura Bank, of Carthage, presented an award for community service to the Eureka Club; Pat Jackson, of First Bank, of Southern Pines, recognized the Sandhills Club for its work in heritage skills and family heritage; Joyce Frye, of Carolina Farm Credit, presented an award for leadership skills and marketing to the Eureka Club; Walter Mann, on behalf of the Farm Bureau of Carthage, presented an award for profitable and sustainable agriculture to the Sandhills Club; Gail Oldham, of BB&T, of Carthage, acknowledged the Eureka Club for its work in home, food and environmental safety.

Entertainment was provided by Clara Bryson Bernicken with her skit "Late for the Meeting." Patricia Burke, county council president, concluded her remarks noting that at next year's centennial celebration, the discussion will focus on the next hundred years.

Seven Lakes Kiwanis

On April 12, Seven Lakes Kiwanis welcomed Pete Dotto as its speaker. Dotto is president of the Greater Seven Lakes Community Council. Since Seven Lakes is not an incorporated body, the council was formed in 2009, and has been accredited by the Moore County Commissioners as the official representative of the Seven Lakes area.

The council has met with the commissioners twice. The subjects discussed in those meetings were to explain and clarify the organization and purpose of the council, zoning for future building and developments and to discuss the supply of adequate and quality water for the area. These meetings have been met with a positive response and, so far, have been worthwhile. Future meetings will discuss the issues of annexation, incorporation, fire districts and the preservation of wildlife in the area.

As new issues or concerns arise, the council will bring those items to the proper governmental agency.

Seven Lakes Kiwanis meets every Tuesday at noon at the Seven Lakes CC. We love visitors!

Woodlake Women

The April meeting of the Woodlake Women's Club was held on April 14, in the historic Oates House. The meeting was called to order by current president Pat Bickoff. Donna McClary led the group in an opening prayer.

The tables looked lovely with spring flowers arranged by Pat Hruska and Barb McCleneghen. A big "thank you" went out to Joan Nestvogel for the planning she did for this club's bus trip to Biltmore Estate.

Barb Schmidt gave the treasurer's report, and copies of last month's minutes were left on all the tables. Mary Lancaster reported on the sunshine committee and read many notes from recipients of the club's acts of friendship. Mary Ellen Mangus read the list of birthdays from April and May.

Pat Hruska reminded everyone that the Spring Fling "At The Hop" will be May 6.

Jane Cox, Gingerbread chairwoman, announced that there would be a silent auction. The event will be held at the Oates House dining room on May 11 from 3 to 5 p.m.There will be light refreshments and a wine -tasting, while bidding on the candles and related lighting items from Party Lights. The products were donated by Patti Sheffield, with all the proceeds going to the Gingerbread Fund.

Donna McClary, former principal at Vass/Lakeview Elementary School, read the Dr. Seuss book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" Donations were being accepted to defer costs of donating a copy of the book to each promoted fifth-grader at the school. The books are presented in a duffel bag made by the Woodlake Craft Club.

Lois Frazelle, of the Woodlake Birders, pointed out that the hummingbirds are back, and members need to put out feeders.

Pam Jones gave everyone a last chance to buy tickets to Belk Charity Sale, which was April 16. The funds earned will be donated to the Cypress Creek Fire and Rescue.

A committee to pick the Woodlake Volunteer of the Year has asked for suggestions from the members and their families, so that they can honor the people who make this community such a great place to live.

The nominating committee has chosen the following slate of officers for the 2011-2012 year: Mary Lancaster, president; Karen Hill, vice president; Elena Watson, secretary; and Barb Schmidt, treasurer. The new officers were confirmed by a show of hands.

The final treat of the day was a presentation by Gail Mortensen-Frazer, whose topic was "Remnant of History: American Colonial From Sheep to Shawl." She showed clothing from the 18th century and explained how expensive it was and how hard they worked to make just a simple garment. Many items were passed on in wills and innovation was called for to make even a button.

The Spring Fling will take the place of the May meeting and the last meeting of the season will be June 10.

Toastmasters

"Nougatocity," defined as a fleeting state of accomplishment that makes you realize how unbelievably unmotivated you normally are, was the word of the day at the meeting on April 19. John Ambrosio, of Seven Lakes, wordmaster, found the invented word and its definition on the inside of a Snickers bar wrapper. Toastmasters try to use the word of the day as they speak during the meeting.

Speakers for the evening included Monica Alva, of Aberdeen, Richard Moore, of Southern Pines, and Leslie Deane, of Pinehurst. Impromptu, or Table Topic speakers, included Christine Menear and Steven King, of Pinehurst, and Laura Snyder and Aubrey Arnoczy, of Whispering Pines. Deane was awarded "Best Speaker," and Menear won "Best Table Topic Speaker."

Toastmasters Club of the Sandhills helps people improve all types of public speaking skills, including sales presentations, storytelling, book promotions, teaching and entertaining. The club meets the first three Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m. in room 125 of the Wellard building at Sandhills Community College.

For more information, visit http://tcots.freetoasthost.us.

Whispers

"Fun in the Garden: Ask the Gardener" is the subject of Master Gardener Carolyn Langston for the Whispers luncheon on May 11, at the Country Club of Whispering Pines.

Master Gardeners volunteer a minimum of 40 hours each year. Activities include involvement in the public school gardens, Farm2Table and the Pinehurst Greenway and Arboretum.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. with a social hour and lunch at noon. The menu is garden salad with cheese tidbits, with a choice of raspberry vinaigrette or ranch dressing, whole grain rolls, cherry cobbler with ice cream and a beverage station.

For reservations, send a check for $15 made out to Whispers to Jean Duncan, 5 Highland Drive, Whispering Pines, NC 28327. The deadline is Friday, May 6. For information, call Barbara Saul at (910) 949-3046.

Women's Special Events

The speaker for the May 4 Women's Special Event at the Pinehurst Member's Club will be Robert "Bob" Baillie, founder of MIRA USA. Baillie became blind following heart surgery. It was when he was looking into a guide dog for himself that he learned that children in the U.S. under the age of 16 were not able to get guide dogs. He located MIRA CANADA, an organization that trains and gives dogs to children between the ages of 11 and 16, then founded MIRA USA, which is located in Aberdeen, in 2008.

Baillie will appear with his guide dog, Devon, to share his story as well as those of children needing guide dogs.

The event begins with wine or juice at noon, followed by luncheon at 12:30 p.m. The program begins after lunch. Members and their guests may make a reservation by calling the club at (910) 235-8100, extension 1.

"Anyone who attends the luncheon can donate their old cell phones that day, which will generate funds for MIRA," says a spokesman.

Valet parking is available.