There's No Margarine for Error

With this new trend for aesthetic snacks. You’ve heard of charcuterie boards and even butter coffee. But have you heard of a butter board? Think various types of butter, plain or with toppings, served with breads, pretzels, veggies and whatever else you feel is dipping-appropriate. Maybe it's because we grew up re-using Country Crock tubs as lunch containers, but if there's one thing we like, it's a good spread. Feel free to send us an invite to your next butter brunch. 

FORWARD TO SOMEONE WORTH MELTING FOR
 

Local Masterpiece Celebrates Five Years

Kiln you believe ARTworks Vass is celebrating its fifth anniversary? The art gallery, studio and classroom has marked the occasion by more than doubling its square footage at 129 Main St., Vass, and installing pottery kilns for those who like to seize the clay. 

Starting Oct. 17, ARTworks will offer paint-your-own-pottery, beaded jewelry, needle felting, string art and more without an appointment. New pottery memberships come with 10 pounds of clay each month, plus studio time and use of the kiln.

"We've been thinking about this since day one," says owner Jean Skipper (above). "I'm fortunate to be surrounded by the kindest, most generous, funny, talented people that you can imagine. They're the secret sauce." 

Friday, Sept. 30, 5-8 p.m.:  P-art-y with the crew during Final Friday with door prizes every hour, sips and treats, live music, and the debut of the "New Show," a gallery of never-before-shown art by ARTworks Vass artists. There will be a ribbon cutting at 5:15 with the Moore County Chamber of Commerce.

• SWAYPERK: Browse the ARTworks website, then hit reply and tell us which class you want to try for a chance to win a $50 GC.

Everything is Better on a Stick

Tuesday, Sept. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 1: Test the limits of what can be deep fried at the Moore County Agricultural Fair. Now in its 75th year, this small-town carnival brings food vendors, rides, gospel singers and the biggest stars that backyard wrestling has to offer to the Carthage fairgrounds. Yes, really. Admission is $6 for ages 3 and up, but your elementary and middle school students might have brought home a coupon for free admission the first day. If not, score one on page A4 of last Sunday's Pilot. 

• Gates are open from 5-11 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 3-11 p.m. Saturday. Find it at 3699 U.S. 15-501, and bring $2 cash for parking. 

MORE TO PLAN FOR: 

• Tuesday, Sept. 27, 5 p.m.: The Small Town Social returns with a free meet-up at the Wine Cellar in downtown Southern Pines. All women looking to make new connections or expand their friend group are welcome to join. Catch up on the hot goss.
• Through Friday, Sept. 30: Dugan's Pub Pinehurst continues its annual Back Pack Food Drive. Drop off juice boxes and individually packed snacks Wednesday through Friday at 2 Market Square, Pinehurst. Be someone's snack pack.

SPONSORED BY BRADSHAW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Live Your Life Like It's Golden

Thursday, Sept. 29, 7-8:40 p.m.: Hear the story behind one of the most iconic voices of the Golden Age of Broadway when Klea Blackhurst brings "Everything the Traffic Will Allow" to Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Sandhills Community College. Klea delivers the songs and sass of the icon Ethel Merman in musical tributes including "I Got Rhythm" and "Everything's Coming Up Roses," while bringing a fresh perspective to her life as a great American folktale. Tickets range from $39-$69. Claim yours.
 

Breaking: This Fish Has a Lot of Teeth

Especially for the South. We can say that, because we're from here. Anywho, if you're someone who is online at all, you probably saw a photo of this piranha that was caught at Aberdeen Lake Park over the weekend. If only there were also a photo of quicksand, all our childhood fears would be represented. 

Lindsay and Chad Ray's Facebook photos have amassed more than 19k shares. The fish is currently in their freezer, presumably behind the steamable broccoli. 

The story in quotes, as told to The Pilot: 

• State Wildlife Officer Garrett A. Gooch: "This photo has been verified to be real and has not been altered in any way.”
• NC Wildlife Biologist Troy Thompson: "Someone had to assist in our piranha’s arrival. And if you are wondering about it getting here via flushing of a toilet, no."
• Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Director Adam Crocker: "Trust me, I have gone pretty far down the road of piranha research in the last day, and I can assure everyone that the Aberdeen Lake does not feed into the Amazon River and there has never been a population of piranhas in the U.S."

• But wait, there's more: Lindsay and Chad are not who caught the fish — it was a fellow fisherman, who let them keep it. If anyone knows who it is, tell him to swim into our DMs. 

Get the Boots (Not) With the Fur

Because while meteorologists can't determine Hurricane Ian's exact track, they can pretty much all agree that it gon' rain in North Carolina. How much? Like some other things that are often measured, the number of inches is up for debate — but at the very least, the weekend is likely to be a washout. We're craving a milkbread sandwich already.
 

SPONSORED BY SANDHILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Fit Check: Back to College Edition

My shirt has a pine cone, my bracelets are local and the bags under my eyes are Gucci. Rush to register for Sandhills Community College's Fall Semester Eight-Week Session beginning Oct.12. Earn full class credits in half the time with in-person, online and hybrid classes in automotive, communications, English, psychology, sociology and more.

• Need a plan for little Joey and JJ? Sign up for the new Boys & Girls Club after-school and evening drop-in programs offered on campus. Homework assistance and dinner provided. Learn more.

SPONSORED BY FORTE FITNESS

Let's Get Physical

Friday, Sept. 30, 6-8:30 p.m.: Grab your neon leggings and Aqua Net, then add this to your Trapper Keeper: Forte Fitness' seventh annual dance party for breast cancer research and awareness, DANCE*FIT for the Cure. All proceeds from this 80s-themed event will benefit Beacon Bragg, a charity founded by a pair of military spouses to connect those fighting the disease with care and services. 

• Admission is $30 advance, $40 at the door. VIP tix are already sold out.
• The event includes music and dancing plus drinks and snacks for purchase from Pine Scone Cafe, Spoon Lickers Catering, Clean Juice, Off the Rail Nutrition and Grill Me Up food truck. Bring cash for raffles and for drink tickets (there'll be wine, champs and Reverie Cocktails). 

SPONSORED BY VISION 4 MOORE

Won't You Please, Please Please Help Me

Friday, Sept. 30, 6-9 p.m.: With tickets to see The Return, a Beatles tribute band that delivers the full Beatlemania experience. Beer, wine and food trucks will be on site at Cooper Ford in Carthage. Unless you plan to twist and shout all night, don't forget a chair. The concert benefits Moore Free Care & Charitable Clinic. You know I need someone.

• Tickets are $27/ advance, $32/door. Students (13-17 with ID) are $12 and children under 12 are free. 

SPONSORED BY WEYMOUTH CENTER FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES

Baby, You're So Classic

Sunday, Oct. 2, 2-4 p.m.: Tune into the melody of classical music with Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities' Classical Music Sunday featuring Matt Palmer. He's won many awards for playing classical guitar, including one from Guitar International magazine. Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for not-yet members. Stay classy.
 

Let Your Conchas Be Your Guide

... All the way to Habañero's Taqueria, which has added a tienda and bakery to its restaurant on Morganton Road. Owner Javier Alvarez said he decided to make better use of the space he was already renting by opening San Judas Tienda Mexicana in mid-September.

The store also has a baked goods case filled with sweet breads, conchas, cheesy jalapeño bread and more (displayed by Maria Garcia, above). You'll also find various candies, sodas, spices, tamale corn husks, piñatas and even pottery pieces in the back. 

• Find San Judas Tienda Mexicana at 207 W. Morganton Road. It will have the same hours as the restaurant, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 

SPONSORED BY PINEHURST RESORT

Spice Up Your Daily Rotini

If you're looking to skip another after-school trip through the dinner drive-thru line, scampi over to Villaggio Ristorante for a few courses in fine Italian dining. A rosette created with pasta made fresh and in-house daily, some crispy duck in black cherry brandy sauce, an oversized slice of tiramisu and a rich espresso martini will make any old Tuesday feel like it's a Friday night. Get more weeknight inspo on the restaurant's new Instagram account.
 

SPONSORED BY SOUTHERN PINES BREWING CO.

Eight Looking for Nothing but a Good Time

Saturday, Oct. 15, 1-9 p.m.: Join Southern Pines Brewing Co. for its eighth anniversary party at its OG location, 565 Air Tool Drive in Southern Pines. See bands Whiskey Pines, Lonesome Prospectors and Dangermuffin perform on the outdoor stage and enjoy food trucks, bouncy houses, face painting and more in the parking lot throughout the day. All ages are welcome but you must have an ID to drink. BYO Chair.

• Purchase a general admission ticket for $10, or cover admission, two beer tickets and a special silicone pint for $30.  It don't get better than this.

• Wednesday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m.: Southern Pines Growler Co. hosts Tails, Ales and Trivia — organized by the Downtown Aberdeen Dog Fair to benefit the Mira Foundation. Paws for a drink.
• Saturday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m.: Red's Corner hosts Oktoberfest, with a costume contest, pumpkins and flowers for purchase and live music. A $35 ticket gets you a pint and a sample from each truck. A $10 kids ticket includes a tasting, a cookie and a root beer. It's Prostin' respectfully.

You say goodbye, I say hello — to Melissa C. You've scored a four-pack of tickets to this Friday's concert by The Return, a Beatles tribute band, brought to you by Vision 4 Moore to benefit Moore Free Care & Charitable Clinic. Reply to confirm and we'll hook you up. 

Oh and congrats, Bethany D. You've earned a spot on the upcoming Prancing Horse Farm Tour by identifying the photobomb in the McLendon Hills farm listed by McDevitt Town and Country Properties. Trot into our DMs to claim.

Keep Churning, Y'all

Your homework: Tell us what butter makes better.