Kiwanis of the Pines

Ed Cottrell recently spoke to the Kiwanis of the Pines about his experience at the Moore County Airport during its open house this past summer.

The 90-year-old wanted to parachute from a small plane. He jumped in tandem with a professional jump instructor, Mike Elliot.

Cottrell also had time to reflect on his lost friends from the war.

He plans on doing another jump on his 91st birthday. Cottrell also participated in a book written by a Pinecrest High School graduate last year, giving an account of his experiences in World War II.

AARP

The Moore County Chapter No. 2564 of AARP held its Jan. 15 meeting in the board room of First Bank on Broad Street in Southern Pines.

Mike and Arnie Emery and Ursula Clifford served refreshments to the group.

Tammy Williams, who heads the Sleep Therapy Program at Sandhills Community College, was introduced by Mike Emery. She offered a program on interpretation of dreams, and the effect of medications and aging on dreaming.

The meeting was called to order by President Gladerine Dean, who made several announcements. Dues for 2013 were collected by Ursula Clifford, substituting for Treasurer Beth Huber. Members who have not paid need to get their dues in as soon as possible.

The Feb. 19 featured speaker will be Terri Prost, director of the Moore County Enrichment Center. She will be speaking on the activities and offerings of the center.

The membership of the chapter brought snacks and school supplies, which were delivered to the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Pines.

At the next meeting, members are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Moore County Coalition for Human Care.

The Moore County Chapter of AARP meets the third Tuesday of every month at First Bank on Broad Street in Southern Pines. Dues are $5 per year and membership is available to all.

More information can be obtained by calling Gladerine Dean at (910) 692-5664.

Sandhills Rotary

The featured speaker at the Sandhills Rotary Club's breakfast meeting on Jan. 16 was Steve Borden, director of the Moore County Airport.

Borden is a graduate of Embry-Riddle University and a 20-year Air Force veteran who has been involved in aviation since he learned to fly at the age of 15.

Many improvements have been planned for the airport, some because of the upcoming 2014 back-to-back U.S. Open golf tournaments, but many to meet long-range needs.

Many of these improvements are already being implemented, all with the goal of safety and comfort of those who use the airport for sport, travel or business.

Runways are being extended, grass taxiways are being paved, approach lights are being upgraded, and obstructions such as trees and a pole near the runway are being removed.

The interior of the terminal is also being redesigned to make better use of space and to improve customer service.

The Sandhills Rotary Club meets for breakfast every Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. at the Carolina Hotel. Visiting Rotarians and interested visitors are always welcome, according to a spokesman.

Linden Garden Club

Members of the Linden Garden Club of Pinewild learned that "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" at their Jan. 17 meeting in the Pinewild clubhouse.

David Pike, president of Witherspoon Rose Culture in Durham, was the presenter of the day. Witherspoon Rose Culture has been a family-run business for six decades, and Pike was honored to be one of the judges in the World Rose Trials in the Netherlands.

His presentation, "Growing Roses in the Sandhills," and slide show covered bed preparation, planting, choice and maintenance of roses, including pest control and fertilizing.

President Kathryn Talton conducted the monthly business meeting, and reports were given by the board members and chairpersons. She also announced the establishment of a new website created by members Sandy Garratt and Janet Farrell containing all pertinent information regarding the club and its activities.

The site can be accessed at http://lindengardenclub.com.

The program for the Thursday, Feb. 21 meeting to be held at the Pinewild clubhouse will be "A Gardener's Guide to Skin and Eye Care," presented by a skin professional from Carolina Eye Associates. Members are asked to notify Janet Farrell by phone or email by Friday, Feb. 15, for a reservation with or without lunch. Lunch reservations must be canceled by Sunday, Feb. 17.

Women's Special Event

The Pinehurst Country Club Women's Special Event will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the St. Andrews Room at Pinehurst Golf Resort.

The featured speaker is Steve Drinkwater, who has worked in the entertainment industry for many years. After graduating from the University of Sound Arts, he began his career with the Film, Video and Audio Post Production Company. He helped to build the fleet of production trucks and studios for ESPN in Bristol, Conn. He later became vice president of the company in Hollywood.

Drinkwater ended his career as senior vice president, working for Stephen J. Cannell and Steven Bocho, where he was given the opportunity to build their complete high definition video, film, graphics and audio post production company. A question-and-answer session follows.

The event starts with wine and juice at noon, followed by luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Members and their guests may make reservations by calling (910) 235-8100, extension 1. Complimentary valet parking is available.

Pinehurst Rotary

The Rotary Club of Pinehurst met on Tuesday of this week at Dugan's Pub in the village of Pinehurst.

With President Don Sweeting presiding, the club recited the "Pledge of Allegiance" and joined together in The Rotary Prayer.

Sgt. at Arms Ed Carey led the club in the singing of "God Bless America," announced guests, and welcomed past district governors Henry Brown and Tony Baker.

The club meeting was well-attended and club members showed their enthusiasm by donating "Happy Dollars" in order to celebrate meaningful events in their lives.

The speaker for Tuesday's meeting, State Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, was the guest of Rotarian J. Carleton Cole, fire chief for the village of Pinehurst.

Cole introduced Goodwin, pointing out that he is not only our elected insurance commissioner, but also wears the hat of State Fire Marshal.

Goodwin is a Hamlet native, a Morehead Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill, and obtained his law degree from the UNC School of Law.

Prior to becoming insurance commissioner, Goodwin was a state representative from Richmond County. He and his wife, Melanie, now reside in the Raleigh area with their two children.

Goodwin gave an overview of the Insurance Commissioner's Office and its responsibilities.

He fielded a number of questions from members before wrapping up his informative talk.

The Rotary Club of Pinehurst meets each Tuesday at noon for lunch. Dugan's Restaurant is the present site for the January meetings. The Rotary Club's motto is "Service Above Self," and the Pinehurst Club has several annual fundraisers which benefit local charities and international causes that relate to literacy, medical needs, clean water and the global eradication of polio. To learn more about Rotary, visit the website at www.pinehurstrotary.org.

Jackson Springs

Community Club

Jackson Springs Community Club will hold its regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. at the clubhouse on 447 Mill Road, Jackson Springs.

The guest speaker is Steve Bouser, opinion page editor of The Pilot and author of "Death of a Pinehurst Princess."

This meeting is open to the public. For dinner reservations and questions, call Betty McConnell at (910) 673-3320.

Seven Seas Club

The Seven Seas Club, located in Sanford, meets at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 2, at the VFW located on Webb Street, which is off Hawkins Avenue in Sanford.

The organization is made up of current and former U.S. Naval personnel.

The guest speaker is Col. Jerry Schwartz, U.S. Army ret. There is a cost of $7, which covers breakfast.

"This is an invitation for current and former U.S. Naval and Coast Guard personnel to attend," says Gary W. Gilliam, president.

Contact Gilliam at (919) 770-5193 for more information.

S.P. Civic Club

The Southern Pines Civic Club will meet Monday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m. in the historic clubhouse located at 105 S. Ashe St.

David Mathias will give a program on "Women in the Civil War."

Hostesses are Lucinda Boyd and Dorothy Shankle. Elaine Sills will provide the raffle gift.

Grace Snelgrove, program chair, will present her collection of English tea cups for the "Show-Off Table."

Denise Williams, of Blackrock Winery, provided an outstanding program about wine production at the January meeting, including a wine tasting. Jeanne Crowell presented a wonderful display of quilting creations, materials and tools.

Linda Gibbs and Grace Snelgrove were the hostesses. Table decorations included miniature bird houses to remind members to think of the birds during the cold weather.

The Book Club, coordinated by Barbara Colona, meets on the fourth Monday of each month in the Board Room. Members are to bring a bag lunch and a beverage and dessert will be provided. Books being currently will be shared and discussed.

A Valentine's Card/Games Party Luncheon is set for Saturday, Feb. 9, at noon with registration at 11 a.m. The cost is $20 per person with proceeds benefiting the Preservation Fund. Door prizes will be included. Call Carol Misegades, ways and means chair, at (910) 695-0822 to make reservations.

For information, call Betty Hamlin, membership chairman, at (910) 246-0769 or Blanche Woodruff, president, at (910) 695-1023.