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Will You Answer the Caw?

That's the voice of the bald eagle. Like a certain Christmas bell we can't mention here for copyright reasons, you'll hear it if you have the spirit. It compels you to rip off the sleeves of that Old Navy flag T-shirt, slap on a galaxy of star-shaped tan-too stickers and show Dan, the president of your HOA, how YOU define "festive paraphernalia." LET'S DO THIS.

SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL ATHLETIC VILLAGE

Exercise Your Freedom on 77 Acres

Friday, 5-7 p.m.: Join in an all-outdoors Freedom Friday Happy Hour at the NAV with wine, soda and Southern Pines Brewing Co. beer.

Challenge the squad to a free game of volleyball, human foosball, archery or spear throwing — or test your climbing, jumping, swinging and balancing abilities via obstacles on the expansive trail system.

When playtime is over, fold out a blanket on the NAV's beach, sink your toes in the sand, fire up a few of the sparklers you bought at the roadside tent and raise a can to the guy who just used his freedom to singe his sideburns.

Seen One Firework? You've Seen 'Em All.

OK, all the normal stuff has been canceled, but we've rounded up a few things people are doing to make it feel like a holiday.

AROUND TOWN:

Saturday, 9 a.m.: The Moore County Republican Women are coordinating a vehicle parade through Pinehurst. Anyone who wants to join in can meet at 9 a.m. at Village Hall. Here's the route.

Saturday, 2-4 p.m.: The Frederick Douglass Foundation of NC will host a 2020 Freedom and Unity Rally, featuring several speakers, at the Southern Pines Downtown Park.

Oh, and Walker Station resident Kate Thompson tells us the neighborhood is organizing it's first July Fourth parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, complete with an adult kazoo band led by an Uncle Sam lookalike. "Trust me, they'll be plenty of room on the sidewalks for spectators," she says. The neighborhood is at 2060 Midland Road.

ELSEWHERE:

:: See a drive-in movie: Trade the leather recliners and 3D glasses for double features Friday-Sunday at Badin Road Drive-In theater in Albemarle. The first starts as soon as it's dark. Check out the lineup.

:: Feed the animals: Aloha Safari Rescue Zoo will be open Friday and Saturday — check your feed bags for a ticket to win prizes, or pick up some patriotic pieces by animal artists. Nom nom.

:: Elevate your drive-thru experience: Because nothing says freedom like a Krispy Kreme burger, head to the N.C. State Fairgrounds in Raleigh and get your fix of fried goodness through your car window from noon to 8 p.m., Friday-Sunday. Menu here.

:: Pick up some nightcrawlers: Slip on your star-spangled pair of country jeans and hit the banks of any public water for the state's Free Fishing Day on July 4. No license required.

:: Get a show at a giant strawberry: The Berry Patch in Ellerbe, a Richmond County town about a 40-minute drive from Southern Pines that's home to — yes — the world's largest strawberry, is sponsoring a July 4 fireworks display put on by the Ellerbe Fire Department. Homemade ice cream will be served after the show. More info here.

No Grilling, Just Chilling

If your skills on the Coleman have been immortalized by melted vinyl siding, here's a few recommendations of where to eat Saturday.

:: Pinehurst Brewing Co.: Get your fill of barbecue and beer from 11-11, and don't miss the return of Picknick’n — a 4.7 percent strawberry kolsch that is brewed with 1000 pounds of fresh berries.

:: Take advantage of Pinehurst's new outdoor seating at Drum & Quill, beginning at 10 a.m., and Dugan's Pub, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

:: The Leadmine: Serving brown butter strawberry shortcake (and everything else you love) from 5-10 p.m., with seats available inside and on the courtyard.

:: Lynette's Bakery and Cafe: Newly installed outdoor seating is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with plenty of patriotic desserts on the menu.

:: Elliotts on Linden: Snag a seat on the expanded patio from 5:30-9 p.m.

:: Enjoy the fruit of amber waves of grain from 10-6 at Southern Pines Growler Co.; noon to 10 p.m. at Southern Pines Brewing Co. and noon to midnight at Hatchet Brewing Co. (Bonus: Hatchet hosts a lobster truck and axe throwing from 1-7 p.m. Sunday).

These Colors Don't Run, But You Should

Friday, 7 a.m.: Rock your red, white and blue at a Pure Barre popup, open to everyone.

Friday, 5:30 p.m.: Sweat through a Workhorse Fitness & Yoga's family friendly parking-lot circuit, Red White Burpees & Beer. Kids are free with an adult registration, as are two drink tickets from Hatchet Brewing Co.

Saturday, 9:30 a.m.: Tune in to a live, free and family friendly DANCE*FIT class streamed direct from Lake Tillery from Forte Fitness owner Brandi Martin. Sign up on MINDBODY.

Saturday, noon: Join Hot Asana for Freedom Flow at Southern Pines Brewing Co. Your $10 fee includes a Duck Hook so you can chug while holding chair pose.

Wherever Ryan goes, majestic creatures and rainbows appear. Someone tell him labor and delivery is no place for a unicorn.

Meet a Doc Who'll Go Overboard for You

Dr. Ryan Nance may spend his free time swimming with tiger sharks in Wilmington and piloting a sailboat in the Bahamas, but he won't judge you on the severity of your latest dry spell. As the newest provider at Pinehurst Surgical Clinic's Women's Comprehensive Health team, Ryan just wants to take a deep dive into your medical history — and help you decide how to treat any issues that might surface.

"When patients know they’re not just another chart, not just another lab value, you really get to know them and are able to take really good care of them," he says. "It's really about trying to figure out what works best for each individual patient."

At Pinehurst Surgical, Ryan will focus on everything from family planning to minimally invasive surgery. Read more and schedule an appointment here.

Local Spots Reopen, Add Outdoor Seats

Ashten's Restaurant and Chef Warren's kept their dining rooms closed after the governor's Phase 2 announcement in May, but the downtown Southern Pines spots are gearing up to reopen with limited seats. Here's what you can expect.

:: ASHTEN'S RESTAURANT

Ashten's will reopen for dining on Monday, but seating will be limited to six tables the restaurant has installed on the sidewalk — so make sure to get your reservations in. The indoor dining room won't reopen until ongoing renovations are complete.

Meanwhile, the in-house market will remain open, along with their takeout service. See what changes are in the works (and the prohibition-era mural that was unearthed during renovations) in our story here.

:: CHEF WARREN'S

Chef Warren's will begin welcoming guests for in-house and al fresco dining on July 17 after four months of operating as a market. They'll be closing up shop tomorrow, July 3, to give their staff a break and prepare for re-opening.

Seating will be limited to four tables on the sidewalk adjacent to the restaurant, and six tables inside to maintain half of the building's capacity.

Here's Something to Toast in 2020

OK, so there's a pandemic, a toilet paper shortage and rumored massive insects. But 2020 also marks the 26th year that Lucretia Pinnock and Pinnock Real Estate have been working to serve and support everyone from first-time homeowners to experienced investors, and local heroes who work to keep us all safe.

Help them celebrate the anniversary by letting them help you find your next dream property. Browse listings here.

Let Your Arm Candy Do the Storytelling

R.Riveter's Heirloom Bag program, that turns uniforms, duffle bags, blankets or other keepsakes into one-of-a-kind, meaningful fashion statements, is back and is here to stay — featuring in-person ordering as well as an online system that lets customers start the process from wherever they are.

To order online, take a brief style survey and send in photos of your memento, and R.Riveter's team will get to work on a plan for a personalized work of art.
If you'd rather have an in-person consultation, you can schedule it here.

SWAYSCRIBER PERK: We know every bag has a story and we want to hear yours. Reply and tell us what you would have a bag made from and why — we'll pick one of you to have an Heirloom Whittle made on us.

Disclaimer: Entrants into previous contests are welcome to enter again. Winner must be comfortable with sharing their story with R.Riveter and The Sway, and with being photographed.

Professional Hype Man / Woman

Are you a cheerleader by nature? You'd probably make a great coach, too. Sandhills Community College is looking for someone who is passionate about helping support first-year college students on their paths to success. The right person will be able to build trusting relationships, and talk up SCC to potential students. Learn more and apply.

'Gram Guru

Want to take your food photography skills beyond your Sunday brunch IG story? Elliotts on Linden is looking for a network-savvy social media wizard to assist with content creation and comment moderation on their social media platforms. Applicants must have relevant experience, a good sense of humor and an appetite.

Email inquiries to marketing@elliottsonlinden.com.

Let Freedom Ring.

No homework until next Thursday, when we return to your inbox.