August has the heat of summer bearing down upon the Sandhills reminding us to keep our skin and eyes in good health as well as to keep a sense of adventure by recognizing aviation, golf and national parks.

This month, we’ll introduce you to the pilot behind the Carthage airfield, two long-time caddies at Pinehurst Resort, legendary broadcaster and author John Derr and Suzanne Lafollette Black who keeps her American Indian heritage close in mind and heart. We also go back to school with some ’third age’ students at Sandhills Community College, step back in time with the reenactment of the Revolutionary War battle at House in the Horseshoe, shop with some consigning women and beat these dog days with a visit to the Pooch Park in the Pines. Until next month…

MIRA Foundation USA, Inc, a 501 c 3 not for profit corporation established in 2008, provides guide dogs to children as young as 11 years of age. Its the only organization in the United States to provide dogs to this age group.

On October 30, MIRA USA will hold its second annual Miles for MIRA 5K Fun Run and Dog Walk in Downtown Southern Pines. This event is for the benefit of MIRA USA and welcomes serious runners, children in strollers, walkers, joggers and dogs on leashes. Bring your family and friends to this community event – children …
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As of June 2010 there are two new Medicare supplement plans M and N. But it’s the Plan N that is quickly filling a void in the senior insurance market.

Plan N is becoming one of the most attractive products primarily because of its affordability. It requires clients to share the cost of their Medicare Part B doctors’ office and emergency room visits – a familiar feature to Medicare Advantage plan members.

But, unlike a Medicare Advantage Plan, Plan N has no network restrictions, doesn’t require referrals and has lower out-of-pocket cost-sharing. These features make it more appealing …
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The gavel was passed at the regular Tuesday night meeting of the Toastmasters Club of the Sandhills. Outgoing president Paul Barnes, seen at right, passed the gavel of honor to the new club president, Laura Snyder. Toastmasters International operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills. The Sandhills club meets the first three Tuesdays of each month at Sandhills Community College in Van Dusen Hall Room 102 in Pinehurst, and all are welcome and invited to attend. July is Freedom from Fear of Speaking in Public, so look for …
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Sarah Daffron, 60, of Greensboro took home the Ms. North Carolina Senior America title on Tuesday evening at the 2010 pageant held in Owens Auditorium on the campus of Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst. Daffron was one of eight contestants vying for the title. Her evening gown was long and black with strings of pearls draped down in the back. Her clogging talent seemed to steal the show. Daffron will move on to compete in the Senior America national pageant in Atlantic City this October.

Pinehurst poet Malaika King Albrecht hosted a reading and signing of her new book of poetry, Lessons in Forgetting, Saturday evening at Weymouth Center in Southern Pines. She was introduced by her 13-year-old daughter Amani, whose intereaction with Albrecht’s mother during the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was a catalyst for the poetry collection. She shared a handful of poems with emotion and humor. Albrecht was also very kind to thank OutreachNC for our article in the April issue of our magazine; however, it was our honor to meet Malaika, share her poerty with our readers and call her a friend. Click …
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Seven new, bright blue OutreachNC racks now reside around the county to provide more places where you can pick up your FREE copy of our latest issue of the magazine. Look for them in Southern Pines at the Post Office, Moore Registry, May Street Market and Ice Cream Parlour; in Pinehurst at the Moore County Airport; in Carthage at Mac’s Breakfast Anytime; and in Vass at the Post Office.

Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter Vince Gill greeted the press before Saturday evening's benefit concert.

On Saturday, May 29, when singer/songwriter Vince Gill took the stage at the Pinehurst Village Arboretum, he introduced the song, “What you give away,” saying it would be a good theme for the reasoning behind being there for the concert, The First Tee of the Sandhills. The lyrics ring true and seemed to strike a chord with those in attendence.

“After you’ve counted everything you saved

Do you ever hit your knees and pray?

You know there’s gonna be a judgment day

So what will you say?

No matter what …
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by Carrie Frye – Staff Writer

Bill Shore pruning in the Weymouth Center rose garden.

Although growing roses might be considered to be a contrary undertaking, it’s hard to deny the sheer beauty that lies in a single flower. Each rose with its color bears a meaning and with its fragrance can touch the senses and grow into our memories. Blooming splendor can only describe the Weymouth Center’s rose gardens as peak season came into its glory this spring. Bill Shore, 86, a long-time resident of Southern Pines, is known simply as “The Rose Man.” The sight and sweet …
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by Jennifer George – Staff Writer

When the plastic handle of my jack-o-lantern broke, my 7-year-old dreams of a bucket full of candy at Halloween were dashed. Out to the work bench he went. My father returned and proudly handed the repaired jack-o-lantern to me saying, “I can fix anything but a broken heart.” A hero was born.

So now my 87 year old father, who was raised during the Great Depression and flew B-17 Bombers in World War II, continues to teach me lessons about growing up and growing old. His favorite line, borrowed from Mae West, is “Growing …
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OutreachNC magazine photographer Mollie Tobias held a “Write your Cinderella story” contest.

Write your Cinderella story winner Laquana Quick shares her answer to the question “What is the biggest obstacle that you have overcome in your life and what choices did you make that allowed you to succeed?”

My Cinderella story is that I am going to graduate with my class this June. My obstacle has always been school. Math, reading, and paying attention were my problems as an EC student. I never wanted to do my work because it was just too hard and frustrating.

Ninth grade …
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