By Lois Holt

Special to The Pilot

Members of the English-Speaking Union, Sandhills Branch, are looking forward to a special treat when they gather at the Country Club of North Carolina on Wednesday evening, Dec. 5.

Moving from their traditional dinner format, they will be celebrating the season with dinner, dancing and a visit from St. Nick himself.

Members and guests are invited to come and settle back as they are entertained by Paul Murphy and his gifted daughter, Anna Murphy.

Paul Murphy is a regular performer at the Carolina Hotel as well as other local venues. He is a former music teacher and is currently a minister. He is the son of the late Bob Murphy, who is remembered in this area as being an outstanding musician.

A Latin American beat will mark Anna Murphy's vocals as she performs a selection of songs in Spanish and Portuguese. She has also studied violin, dance, piano and guitar.

Her father's expertise is in classical and jazz clarinet as well as playing the piano and tenor saxophone.

The Murphys are a musical family and produce "all types of music," according to Paul Murphy, including country and western.

Evening events will also include a raffle and a "one-of-a-kind" auction.

Select items range from a long weekend (three nights, four days) in Washington, D.C., to a pontoon cruise on Lake Pinehurst with light refreshments.

Of added interest is the opportunity to bid on a classic car ride in a 1937 Lincoln Zephyr coupe and a spin around the Sandhills in a 2002 Birkin S3 replica of the 1967 Lotus Super Seven.

For the truly romantic, there's a "House and Garden" carriage ride for two. Local horsewoman Linda Kennard will drive a pair of horses along sandy private roads for a view of equestrian estates and the beautiful countryside. A tour of her private carriage collection and refreshments will follow.

In keeping with E-SU's mission to support education and scholarship, Santa will be coming down the chimney with an "empty" bag. And he will be asking the "Elves" present to "give," rather than to "get."

With a hearty holiday "Ho, Ho, Ho!" he's hoping to gather gifts of cash. The donations will go into a new fund to award gift certificates to each honor student and teacher recognized at the regular meetings. The money raised will be used to purchase a book from The Country Bookshop, a community supporter and endorser of E-SU's premier purpose.

"Come in your festive finest, bring a wallet with cash for teachers and students, and your jolly self to this special event," says a spokesman.

For more information, contact Hope Price at (910) 692-7727 or Hopewp @AOL.com.