Winter Concert

The Moore Philharmonic Orchestra will hold its eighth annual winter -concert at the Sunrise Theater Sunday Dec. 9, at 3:30 p.m.

The theater is located at 250 N.W. Broad St. in downtown Southern Pines.

No tickets are required, but -tax-deductible donations are always -welcome.

Proceeds will support a scholarship fund benefiting Moore County music students and will help cover operating and general expenses for the orchestra.

For more information, visit the Moore Philharmonic Orchestra website at www.mporchestra.com.

Aberdeen Parade

The Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Department will sponsor the sixth -annual Christmas parade at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, in historic downtown Aberdeen.

Floats, bands, antique cars, -emergency vehicles, -horses, clowns, elected officials, youth sports teams and many more entries will participate in the parade.

Of course, Santa Claus will also participate in the parade.

The parade is part of "Christmas in Aberdeen: A Hometown Holiday Tradition." As part of the event, local merchants are encouraged to decorate their stores; entertainers will be -performing in historic downtown Aberdeen; children can visit with Santa or make a craft; and people of all ages are invited to watch the parade.

This event is sponsored by the town of Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Department, the Police Department, the Public Works Department, the Fire Department, the Planning Department and the Downtown Merchants.

Fund Drive

There will be a Project Santa Fund Drive Saturday, Dec. 8, beginning at 11 a.m. Helmets, bikes and donations will be accepted.

"Get a free hot dog and drink," says a spokesman.

For information, call Sharon at (910) 639-4048.

'Christmas in Bennett'

The Tri-County Ruritans are sponsoring "Christmas in Bennett," on Saturday, Dec. 8.

There will be hamburgers, hot dogs, coffee, hot chocolate and drinks that go on sale at 2 p.m. There will be crafts and other vendors, with the parade at 4 p.m., followed by the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

For more information, call Debbie Hussey at (336) 581-3677.

Open House

On Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site will host a Colonial Christmas event.

The historic home will be decorated for the Christmas season and open for visitors. Colonial-era re-enactors will be on-site, attired in period dress and demonstrating various 18th century crafts and skills complete with musket and cannon firing throughout the day.

Visitors can enjoy period music and finger food with light refreshments.

The House will remain decorated until after the first of the year.

The House in the Horseshoe was built in 1772 and was the home of Philip Alston, a spirited Revolutionary leader. The house was also the site of a 1781 Revolutionary War militia skirmish between the owner, Whig Col. Philip Alston, and the Tory Col. David Fanning. The house still bears the many bullet holes it endured from the battle.

The House in the Horseshoe was also the home of another Patriot and four-time governor of North Carolina, Benjamin Williams.

Admission is free; -however, -donations are accepted

The House in the Horseshoe is located 16 miles west of Sanford off N.C. 42 and 10 miles north of Carthage on the Carbonton-Carthage Road.

For more information, call (910) 947-2051 or visit www.nchistoricsites.org/ horsesho/horsesho.htm.

'Evening of 12s'

Get in the holiday spirit at the Campbell House Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 12 minutes after 5 p.m. for a special "Evening of the 12s."

There will be 12 serving tables, with food from local establishments, holiday music, and 12 serving "elves."

Elliott's on Linden, Ironwood Cafe, Laurie Rich Catering, Pete and Peg Productions, Sly Fox, Southern Prime, Stu 'n Lou and Texas Roadhouse are the participating establishments.

The cost of the event is $50 per guest.

For more information on the Evening of 12s, call the Arts Council of Moore County at (910) 692-2787.

The Campbell House is located at 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines.

Senior Center

The Moore County Senior Center announces more holiday events. The center is located north of the Pinehurst Traffic Circle on U.S. 15-501.

For information or to reserve a seat, call (910) 215-0900.

Holiday Concert

New Horizons Band Holiday Concert will be held Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 3 to 4 p.m.

The New Horizons Band is composed of musicians age 50-plus, who have either never played an instrument before or who have not played in years.

Holiday Dancing

A holiday performance by tap dance ensemble Alive and Clickin', along with musical guest Tom Bernett, will be held Friday, Dec. 14, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Shaw House Open

The Moore County Historical Association sponsors an open house at the Shaw House, the Garner House and Sanders Cabin Friday, Dec. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Christmas open houses are free to the -public, and give visitors an -opportunity to see how settlers and -residents decorated their homes for Christmas in the 1700s and 1800s.

Refreshments, live Christmas music, -demonstrations and tours are all offered by the volunteers.

The houses are located on the corner of Broad Street and Morganton Road in Southern Pines.

"Now is a good time to visit the MCHA's gift shop in the Shaw House," says a spokesman.

Collections of special soaps with -custom-designed packaging may be -purchased for Christmas gifts. There are also note cards, a collection of books about Moore County history, and -historic photograph reproductions that may be purchased at the gift shop.

For more information, call (910) 692-2051 or visit www.moorehistory.com.

Decking the Farm

The Malcolm Blue Historical Society Christmas "Open House and Decking the Farm" will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"Come deck the Malcolm Blue Farm with holly, pine boughs and wreaths," says a spokesman. "It's an interactive open house where the visitors -participate in making the decorations and adorning the native cedar, weaving grapevine wreaths, tying bows of holly and pine, and turning pine cones into bird feeders. Relax inside stringing popcorn by the fire while listening to local musicians."

There will be Brunswick stew, -cornbread, an old-fashioned candy buffet and hot cider. Monetary donations to the farm are encouraged.

The farm is located at 1177 Bethesda Road, Aberdeen.

'Sounds and Snow'

The Sandhills Community College Music Department invites the public to a free Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. in Owens Auditorium.

"The Seasons of Sounds and Snow: >A Holiday Celebration" will feature the SCC Choir, the SCC Guitar Ensemble, faculty and friends.

Under the direction of Jennifer Thomas and accompanied by Christopher Colon, the SCC Choir and guest instrumentalists will present a set of traditional and not-so-traditional songs and carols honoring the musical sounds of Christmas.

The choir will also invite the audience to a winter wonderland of snow -featuring works by Edward Elgar and George Winston. >Also performing will be SCC student Shauntel Gaines.

The >SCC Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of Ryan Book, as well as -student and faculty soloists will -perform several traditional Christmas selections.

Guest musicians flautist June Gunter, violinist Emily Braun and baritone Rick Smith will perform. The afternoon will culminate with the entire ensemble playing a special arrangement of "Silent Night" by Daniel Kantor. > >

Holiday Shoppe

The Holiday Shoppe Christmas and Art Craft Show will be held at the National Guard Armory in Southern Pines from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.

Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children (under 5 admitted free).

Tag Sale

There will be an indoor tag sale to benefit The Haven-Friends for Life from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Little Toy Shop, 230 SW Broad St., Southern Pines.

"We will also be accepting donations for the Haven such as towels, newspapers and pet food," says a spokesman.

Young Eagles Fly-In

The Young Eagles Fly-In will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 (rain date Dec. 9).

There will be free plane rides for all children ages 8-17 at the Moore County Airport. A parent or guardian must give permission.

The event is sponsored by the Experimental Airplane Association No. 1220, Moore County Airport, Pinecrest High School AFROTC and Boy Scout Troop No. 810

For information, contact Jim Murray at (910) 638-5774.

STARS Productions

STARS Charter School's theater education department presents "A Christmas Carol" at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at Pinecrest High School's auditorium.

Admission for adults is $5, children are $3, and STARS students are free.

Contact the school for ticket information

On Thursday, Dec. 13, the students will present "Holiday Winter Scenes" at 6 p.m. at The O'Neal School's activity center. Admission is free.

Funday Extravaganza

On Sunday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cup of Flow Coffee and Things will be hosting an assortment of fun activities open to the entire family.

Starting at 11 a.m., psychic medium Dana Preshous, of Southern Pines, will be holding a one-hour group reading. Live music will start at noon with Stuart McNair, Laura Thurston and Ella Patrick.

Patrick will also be painting -throughout the day, and raffling off the painting at the end of event. She will also have a showcase of other art for sale as well.

Cup of Flow is located at 115 NE Broad St., Southern Pines.

They will be offering an assortment of espresso drinks as well as mimosas, wine and beer at the event.

Food will also be available from The Lunch Box That Rocks.

A donation to cover the artists' expenses is welcomed at the door.

For more information, visit Facebook.com/CupOfFlow or call (910) 693-1999.

Holiday Open House

Westmoore Pottery will hold its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop will be -decorated for the -holidays, refreshments will be served, and -special Christmas -pottery will be offered for sale.

The kiln unloaded that morning will contain plates, bowls, and small dishes with Christmas motifs.

Westmoore Pottery is located at 4622 Busbee Road, near Seagrove.