The Lighting of the Trees
The Village of Pinehurst Christmas Tree Lighting celebration will take place on Friday, December 1, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The festivities will include hay rides through the Village center, musical entertainment and photo ops with Santa. The Christmas tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Please bring canned goods and non-perishable items for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. The fun takes place at Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Kirk Tours will provide free shuttle service from the Village Hall, 395 Magnolia Road. Info: (910) 295-1900.
If you miss Santa in Pinehurst on the 1st, be at the Depot in Historic Downtown Aberdeen Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 7, at 6 p.m. Santa is sure to make an appearance there, as well. For more information, call (910) 944-7275.
The Murphy Family Christmas Show
The Murphy Family will be back at the Sunrise Theater on Sunday, December 10, at 3 p.m. Expect to hear American popular standards, jazz, rock, and gospel-inspired Christmas arrangements as Paul Murphy and his family carry on a Pinehurst tradition that Paul and his father started decades ago. Cost: $18 general admission; $15 children 12 and under; and $22 VIP. Sunrise Theater, 250 NW Broad St., Southern Pines. For more information, call (910) 692-3611 or visit sunrisetheater.com.
Spiderella on the Shelf
Written and illustrated by Southern Pines residents, Romey Petite and Laurel Holden, Spiderella is the first book in a three-part series about Eleanor, the girl who could sew faster than any seamstress in the kingdom — thanks to the secrets she learned from her friends, the spiders. Trapped in an attic and forced by her boss, Minerva, to work without pay, Eleanor has three days to make all the costumes for a birthday ball being thrown for the moody young prince. With some help from the spiders and little bit of magic, Eleanor just might finish the costumes and manage her escape. Perfect for ages 7–10, Spiderella teaches young girls and boys to believe in their ideas and their own talents. Teased and misunderstood, Eleanor’s gifts take her soaring toward marvelous adventures. Spiderella is available at The Country Bookshop, 140 NW Broad Street, Southern Pines.
Homes for the Holidays
The Boyd House will be all dressed up for the Christmas Open House at Weymouth Center from Thursday, December 7, to Sunday, December 10. Take a walk through the 25 rooms and the stables decorated with live greenery artfully arranged by designers and community organizations. Enjoy complimentary refreshments and music in the Great Room. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the Weymouth Center Office, Campbell House, Country Bookshop, Lady Bedford’s Tea Parlour, Given Memorial Library and Eloise Trading Co. The Weymouth Center is located at 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For information and ticket prices, call (910) 692-6261 or visit www.weymouthcenter.org.
The Christmas Open House at the Shaw House will be Friday through Sunday, December 8, 9 and 10, from 1–4 p.m. Take a tour of the historic house, decorated as it would have been in the 1800s; and slip back in time with music, warm apple cider and homemade cookies. Peruse the Gift Shoppe for unique items and collectible treasures. Free admission. The Shaw House is located at 110 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines. For information, call (910) 692-2051 or www.moorehistory.com.
The Episcopal Day School Candlelight Tour of Homes invites you into five historic houses on Sunday, December 10, from 1–5:30 p.m. Each dwelling will be decked out in holiday finery, unique in spirit and character. Tickets are $20 in advance in the Episcopal Day School office (340 E. Massachusetts Ave., Southern Pines) or at The Given Library, The Estate of Things, Country Bookshop, Lady Bedford’s Tea Parlour, Thyme & Place, and Eloise. Tickets will be $25 on the day of the event. For more information, call (910) 692-3492.
There Once Was a Girl from Aberdeen…
Fire up the Google rhyming tool. Against the advice of the wisest legal minds in Moore County, PineStraw magazine is soliciting your finest, original, unpublished Valentine’s Day–themed limericks. The best of breed, after being subjected to the grueling, gimlet-eyed scrutiny of a Blue Ribbon committee (think Pabst), will appear either in the pages of the February edition or in the dumpster behind Chef Warren’s. We’ll rely on the good taste and discretion of the citizenry at large to keep both the libidinous and libelous content to an absolute minimum. Deadline for all submissions is January 1, though we feel certain we’ll be able to recognize the ones written late on the evening of December 31st. Email your best efforts to: pinestrawpitch@gmail.com.
11th Annual Reindeer Fun Run
A community event for everyone from serious runners to recreational walkers, families and pets. The 5k Reindeer Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, December 2 begins at 9:30 a.m. and curves through Aberdeen’s historic downtown neighborhoods with rolling hills and wide turns. The 12ks of Christmas Run beginning at 9 a.m. incorporates the 5k route along with a scenic tour of Bethesda and the Malcolm Blue Farm. Both courses finish on a sloping downhill toward downtown and the historic Union Station. For kids, the 1/2 Mile Egg Nog Jog & Kids Zone at 10:30 a.m. is a holiday must and fan favorite. All proceeds go to the Boys & Girls Club of the Sandhills. For more information, www.reindeerfunrun.com.
A Medieval Frolic
The lords and ladies of the Congregational Church of Pinehurst invite you to their 4th Annual Madrigal Dinner on Friday, December 8, or Saturday, December 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. You will be entertained by choristers, jokesters, dancers and raconteurs. The Peasant’s Repast will include homemade stew, vegetable soup, hearty breads and apple crisp. Costumes are welcome, but not required. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and are available at Given Outpost and The Country Bookshop, or from Nancy at (910) 695-6727. Advance purchase required. The festivities take place at the church, located at 895 Linden Road, Pinehurst. For more information, contact Anne at (910) 639-9096 or www.youarewelcomehere.org.
The Holiday Parades
Saturday, December 2, from 11 a.m.–12 p.m.: The Annual Southern Pines Holiday Parade features local marching bands, festive activities and an appearance from Santa Claus! The parade begins at Vermont Ave. and proceeds down the west side of Broad St. in the historic district of Downtown Southern Pines. For more information, call (910) 315-6508.
Saturday, December 9, from 11 a.m.–12 p.m.: The Aberdeen Christmas Parade will proceed through historic downtown Aberdeen. For more information, call (910) 944-7275.
Saturday, December 9, at 1 p.m.: Head over to Southern Pines for the delightful Christmas Carriage Parade. Members of the Moore County Driving Club decorate their horses and carriages for this annual ride through the historic district of downtown Southern Pines. For more information, call (910) 639-2359.
The Rooster’s Wife
Rounding out the season’s delights
are these stellar performances:
Sunday, Dec. 3: Celebrate the season with a very special evening of bluegrass performed by Joe Newberry, prize-winning guitarist, fiddler, banjo-player and singer; and the captivating April Verch, a champion fiddler and step dancer. $20.
Friday, Dec. 8: Keeping themselves in the best of company, Anthony da Costa and Kimber Ludiker are usually found on stage with Sarah Jarosz and Della Mae, respectively. Huge guitar and fiddle chops underpin great songs on this rare duo show. $10.
Sunday, Dec. 10: Jonathan Byrd and Corin Raymond tell stories with their guitar, mandolin and fascinating words. The poetry in their songs will open your mind and your heart to amazing possibilities. $20.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:46 at the Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen. Prices given above are advance sale. For more information, call (910) 944-7502 or visit www.theroosterswife.org for tickets.
