Time to Channel the Flannel
Today marks the arrival of the pumpkin spice equinox, aka the season when we're physically behind a desk but mentally three wrong turns into a corn maze. This fall newsletter drop accompanies a drop in temperatures, when you can actually wear the haul you've been saving for a day lower than 90 degrees.
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You Autumn Know
We're here to fill your calendar and menu all season long.
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WHAT TO DO: Festival and farm season is upon us, but worry not — we made a big list so you don't have to.
- FESTIVALS: Get your SO well-trained because you'll want all the IG poses during these events. Go big or gourd home.
- FARMS: If you're itching for a literal roll in the hay, here's where to do it, both within Moore County and within a short drive. Hayyy, y'all.
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WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK: Spice, spice baby. Nearly every coffee shop has some form of a pumpkin spice latte, but what other pumpkin treats can you find in Moore County? Prepare to bless your taste buds.
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FOR THE APPLE TO YOUR PIE: Because all those fall weddings can't be the only thing you're counting as a date, here are some places you and your boo can spend some quality time. Spam their Google calendar.
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No Putts About It
If you've been wondering if the Home of American Golf will ever get a miniature course with at least one water feature or a few giant boulders, here's your answer.
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A miniature golf course is being developed by Olmsted Village Company on the corner of Olmsted Boulevard and Central Park Avenue in Taylortown (near where N.C. 5 meets N.C. 211).
"It will be a great place for our community, and for everybody of all ages," said Nicole Dunstan, marketing director for Olmsted Village Company. "Everybody from kindergarten to 99 years old loves mini golf."
Just don't call it a Putt-Putt — no really, because that's trademarked. The course is being designed by Miniature Golf Solutions, a company owned by father-and-son team David and Matt Bailey that has created custom indoor and outdoor courses across the United States.
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Plans include a mix of old-school design (like water features and giant boulders) plus modern amenities. There will be 36 holes, and 18 of them will be ADA compliant. Renderings are not yet available but a selection from the company's portfolio is above.
Start sharpening those mini pencils now, because David is optimistic that the course could open this spring.
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SPONSORED BY ENCORE CENTER
I Ain't Worried 'Bout It Right Now
Friday-Sunday, Sept. 23-25: Keepin' dreams alive ... in 1955. Catch the crew of Encore Center at the Sunrise Theater for its last weekend production of Bye Bye Birdie. Directed by Rhonda Brocki and performed live by local actors, the hit musical follows teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie as he makes one last big publicity stunt before duty calls him to the U.S. Army.
Bonus: This show was produced in partnership with MALES of Distinction, a local organization that mentors kids ages 8-18.
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Don't Be Blue
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Rock your wagon wheel over to the Malcolm Blue Festival. Explore blacksmithing, honey making, handcrafted jewelry, soap, lotion, cheese and more. Kids can ride in a horse drawn wagon, on a pony and pet farm animals. Don’t hold your horses.
Here's Your Weekend Lineup:
Our fingers are cramping up from making all these lists, but you need another one for this weekend:
FRIDAY, SEPT. 23:
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Bring some cash to the Weymouth Center for the fall plant sale from the Weymouth Dirt Gardeners. Sure, you may have gone through 10 plants this year already but what's uno moss?
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Make way to the Fair Barn for the Sandhills Quilters Guild showcase. Shop, enter raffles and enjoy food trucks. Admission is $8. Sew you there.
- 5 p.m.: Join High Octane in downtown Aberdeen for Fourth Friday, with the Grill Me Up food truck and music from the Mystery Tour. Go fourth into the weekend.
- 7 p.m.: Bring your camp chair or blanket for an outdoor showing of Sing 2 at the Southern Pines Downtown Park. Tippy Toes!
- 6-9 p.m.: Camp out at Monarch Creative Arts and Community Center for a music / art festival, with interactive painting, a blown glass art class, Meat and Greek food truck and an open-air market. Get crafty.
- 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Step right up to the Sandhills Trolley Co. for a booze cruise and games aboard the Oktrolleyfest. Just for schnitzengiggles.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 24:
- 10-11:15 a.m.: Find some balance at Pilates and Lattes with a class from Thrive Pilates Studio and coffee from High Octane. Sip and sweat.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Support creatives at the Young Artist Arts & Crafts Show in Aberdeen. All of the art work is made by artists ages 10-17. Visit all the booths for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to the Workshop Tavern. Kick-art your day.
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Take advantage of live music, activities and food while learning about Monarch butterflies, insects and birds at the Village Arboretum during the free Flutterby Festival. Take wing.
- 4-6 p.m.: Sip, snack and stroll through downtown Pinehurst and watch artists at work during the Open Palettes Art Walk. Brush up.
- 5-10 p.m.: Rustle up some grub at the Carthage Firefighter's Association's food truck rodeo with live music, craft beer and plenty of menu choices. Yeehaw.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 24-SUNDAY, SEPT. 25:
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Saddle up for Carolina Polocrosse's Eastern Zone Polocrosse Championships at the Pinehurst Harness Track. Food trucks will be on site, and tailgating is encouraged. It's the mane event.
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We're Lobbying for a Wild Night In
If you've been following renovations at Pinehurst Resort, you can probably smell the fresh paint and freshly mowed greens. Following the modernization of the Carolina Hotel lobby, renovated rooms are the latest to make their debut.
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SPONSORED BY PINEHURST RESORT
Renovations are top to bottom, from upholstered beds you don't have to make to tiled, walk-in showers that don't come with children screaming for snacks outside the door. We're taking the upgrades as a sign to treat ourselves to a "work retreat" or hook our guests up with the multi-star-rated experience that is not our home.
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What else is in the works? The Carolina Hotel's coffee shop is set to reopen later this month with freshly baked and brewed treats and grab-and-go options, and the nearby terrace will be heating things up with cozy fire pits and soft seating. Take a photo tour and see more amenities here.
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SPONSORED BY EMBERS BBQ
If You're Looking for a Side Piece
Sauce it up at Embers BBQ. A brioche bun filled with pulled pork, pulled chicken or brisket deserves a main spot on your plate, but a good meal is nothing without sides. Choose from menu options like sweet potato fries, mac 'n cheese or a southern favorite: fried okra. If that's not enough to get fired up about, you can enjoy daily specials as well. Meat us there.
MORE FOR YOUR PLATE:
- Register for O'Donnell's Pub's Annual Southern Pines Chili Cookoff. You must prepare 10 gallons of your best chili. Proceeds benefit Special Forces Chapter 62. See the rules and register here.
- Saturday, Sept. 24, 2-4 p.m.: Join The Wine Cellar for their collaboration with NCOyster365. Pair oysters with your favorite wine onsite. Shucks.
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SPONSORED BY SCOTLAND COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
It's Getting Scot in Here
Saturday, Oct. 1: ... So put on your plaid clothes. The field is heating up for the 2022 Scotland County Highland Games, where you can watch men and women fuel up on meat pies before seeing who can throw heavy things the farthest. Sounds like Uncle Rico's last barbecue, but these are sanctioned athletes. Here's what else is going down:
- Bagpipes and drumming competitions
- Sheepdog demos
- Music from Celtic fiddlers, Scottish harpists and fusion bands
- Highland Dancing
- Food vendors with Scottish and American favorites
The games are held at the NC Rural Heritage Center in Laurinburg. Kilt me up, buttercup.
SPONSORED BY MIRA FOUNDATION
Gettin' Down On The Farm
Sunday, Oct. 9, Noon to 7:30 p.m.: Join the Mira Foundation for Farm Fest, an outdoor music festival at Rubicon Farm. Listen to a variety of artists while enjoying beer, cider and wine, and snacks. Proceeds support service dogs for visually impaired children. Tickets are $20 in advance/ $25 at the door. See you there, country boys and girls.
Carve Out Some Fun
Oct. 2, 3-5 p.m.: Join us for a Pumpkin Carving Party at Red's Corner. We will also have a carving contest for: Most Original, Most Aesthetic, Scariest, Silliest Face, Best Stencil and Best Freehand. Each category has the chance to win $20 to spend onsite. Your $12 ticket gets you a pumpkin and carving supplies; bring your kid for a $5 add-on. They'll get a mini pumpkin and supplies to paint it. Hit the road, jack...-o-lantern.
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Goodbye, Gourd-geous
Your homework: Tell us what category you're going to win in our pumpkin carving contest.
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