"Bleeding Pines of Turpentine" is a cultural theater production by Ray Owen that tells the story behind the hundreds of turpentine trees marked by v-shaped cuts that remain in the Weymouth area of Southern Pines. The performance was held at Old Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen.

Published on March 27, 2011

Joe Brady, of the Wake and Public Safety Pipes and Drums, begins the performance by playing the bagpipes.

Published on March 27, 2011

Despite the cold weather and lack of heat in the old church, visitors crowded into the pews for the performance.

Published on March 27, 2011

Neil Schwartzberg watches the performance. Afterward, Schwartzberg said he was moved by the story because it celebrates the natural beauty of the longleaf pines he enjoys seeing while riding on the Walthour-Moss Foundation in horse country.

Published on March 27, 2011

Choreographer and dancer Diana Turner-Forte dances before the audience.

Published on March 27, 2011

"Bleeding Pines" tells the story of the last stand of longleaf pine trees spared from the region's turpentine industry in the early twentieth century by Helen Boyd Dull.

Published on March 27, 2011

Visitors peer over the railing of the church's second story to watch the performance.

Published on March 27, 2011

"Bleeding Pines" also tells the story of the former slaves and their descendants how worked to make the cuts in the pines trees to drain the sap collected for turpentine, pitch and rosin.

Published on March 27, 2011

Diana Turner-Forte dances as composer and guitarist Ryan Book plays.

Published on March 27, 2011

Abigail Dowd addresses the audience as the "Siren of the Round Timber Tract," while photographs of local landscapes are projected behind her.

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Audience members listen as Dowd speaks.

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Rod Brower directs the Together-N-Unity Choir during the second act of "Bleeding Pines of Turpentine."

Published on March 27, 2011

A woman listens to the choir as the music fills the sanctuary.

Published on March 27, 2011

Mamie Gooch sings a solo during the performance.

Published on March 27, 2011

Old Bethesda Presbyterian Church became the center of worship for early Scottish settlers in 1788.

Published on March 27, 2011

As visitors leave the church, members of the Wake and District Public Safety Pipes and Drums perform.

Published on March 27, 2011

Mike Bishop of the Wake and District Public Safety Pipes and Drums plays the tenor drum outside the church.

Published on March 27, 2011

Dave Hamelin plays the bagpipes.

Published on March 27, 2011

One of Karen Walker's rooster prints sits on display during the "Fun with Alcohol Inks" class at the Artists League of the Sandhills in Aberdeen.

Published on March 27, 2011

Alcohol inks artist Karen Walker explains how the inks run together to students.

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First students drop their inks on the paper.

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Then they apply alcohol, creating patterns and textures for their compositions.

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Patti Friedman watches the colors run together after putting dots of ink on her paper.

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Patti Friedman watches the different colors of ink run together.

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Lulu Eichhorn holds the paper carefully as the ink and alcohol mix.

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Michele Gowan uses a cotton swap to mix the alcohol with ink.

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John Chappell talks about his experience meeting Mark Twain impersonator Hal Holbrook and developing his own routine after a group read of Twain's classic novel, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," at The Country Bookshop in downtown Southern Pines.

Published on March 27, 2011

Chappell explains the necessary props that help him become Mark Twain.

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Chappell applies his mustache...

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...and becomes Mark Twain.

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The audience listens and laughs at Twain's jokes and mannerisms.

Published on March 27, 2011

Mark Twain Look-Alike contestant Len Block listens intently as Chappell performs.

Published on March 27, 2011

Chappell performs a version of Twain's character, Huckleberry Finn.

Published on March 27, 2011

Denise Baker laughs with Irish visitors from Southern Pines' sister city Newry and Mourne as Chappell tells a story that includes an Irishman.

Published on March 27, 2011

David Woodruff was one of two winners of the Mark Twain Look-Alike Contest at The Country Bookshop.

Published on March 27, 2011