On Jan. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the local chapter of the English-Speaking Union (E-SU) will hold a wine-tasting party at the Sandhills Winery in Seven Lakes.

This event is planned to introduce area residents to the exciting programs the E-SU offers each year. The mission of the E-SU is to promote education, scholarship and understanding in Moore County Schools.

To accomplish this goal, members provide opportunities for hundreds of middle school students to participate in debate programs, and for high school students, to compete in a Shakespeare competition that can lead to an all-expenses-paid trip to the national finals. Funding to support these exciting programs comes from E-SU members, who attend world-class dinner presentations at the Country Club of North Carolina.

Recent programs have included presentations by the Hon. Corinne Dettmeijer, a judge at the District Court of The Hague, who spoke on "Trafficking in Human Beings," and author Kevin Duffus, who spoke on "Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks."

In the months ahead, outstanding speakers such as Graham Anthony will headline the events. In April, Anthony who will speak on "The Triumph That Turned to Tragedy," marking the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

It is through these presentations that members support education programs in Moore County.

"You are invited to attend the wine-tasting on Jan. 10 to learn more about joining E-SU and its mission," says a spokesman.

For additional information, call Martha O'Connor at (910) 235-0635.