sandhillsDig.com - Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Southern Pines - Golf, Events, Restaurants, Shops, Concerts

Vikings Head Football Coach Ryan Riggan and Offensive Coordinator Drew Anker bring us this week's Wednesday What's Up from Woodrow Wilhoit Stadium at Union Pines High School in Cameron. 

Coach Riggan and his 2010 Viking squad travel to Pinecrest High School this Friday night to take on Coach Chris Metzger's Patriot team in the annual "Battle of the Pines."  School officials expect that over 5,000 fans will pack John Williams Stadium for the much ancipated matchup between these county rivals. 

Today started with a realization that a haircut was long overdue.  Anna very sweetly suggested that I go see Ashley at Studio Elite Hair Gallery in downtown Aberdeen.  After a good time catching up with Ashley while she gave me a stylish and much-needed cut, she suggested that I check out Aberdeen Cafe for lunch.  That's all it took.  I walked a few doors down and ordered a sandwich.

After being welcomed by the friendly staff at Aberdeen Cafe, I chose a seat near the front door looking out onto the sidewalk.  I went with the Carolina Chicken Salad, which the cafe is famous for, on toasted wheat bread.  The tender chicken is mixed with apples, raisins, celery and pecans and garnished with lettuce and tomatoes.  My meal was top notch as was the service and the atmosphere.  I always enjoy downtown Aberdeen and local business seems to be really popping.  

Co-chairs Tim Copper and Rob McVay want the Sandhills to know about the 2010 Backyard Bocce Bash to benefit the Sandhills Children's Center.  Team spots are still available so put together a team of four to compete for great prizes and local bragging rights.

Laurie Holden and Wendy Dodson, on behalf of the Moore Co. Literacy Council, bring us this week's Wednesday What's Up from The Wine Cellar and Tasting Room in downtown Southern Pines.  They want you to know about the MCLC's upcoming "Sip for Success" wine tasting and auction fundraiser.  Here's the dig:

One of our favorite family outings is taking a drive on a pretty weekend afternoon.  This past Saturday, we drove out towards Whispering Pines and saw the progress being made on the new Food Lion on Hwy 22 that will open later this year.  It is located behind the Subway/Domino's Pizza development and it looks like there will be space for other shops and businesses as well.  

Also, just down the road if you take the Whispering Pines exit on the roundabout (instead of the Carthage exit to get to the Food Lion) you will also see the site of the new Harris Teeter! It says it is opening in 2011, but looks like there is still a long way to go!

I had to get out of the heat and decided to go shopping in the sandhillsDig.com Classifieds (Dig Classifieds is like our local version of Craigslist).  Here's what I saw...

This beautiful Drexel desk & chair would definitely inspire some creative work.  It is in great shape, so I think all it needs is a bright pillow in the chair!  Check out the listing here.

I also found a gorgeous home on Dig Classifieds that this desk would look perfect in...check out the listing AND the great view of the 10th hole at National Golf Club. 

The Sunrise Theater's Annual Blues Concert and Crawl is back!  Here's the dig:

We've been in the house for a few years now and still hadn't replaced the rotted window box (actually we just took it down and left it blank for a year...).  I searched local stores as well as the internet (Lowes, Frontgate...you name it) and couldn't find a window box long enough to fit our extra-long space.  A reliable source recommended we give Randy Cranford, of Cranford's Quality Home Repairs, a call.  

Randy was able to custom-build a simple window box exactly the way I specified AND he had it done in time for a special baby shower we were throwing for a friend.  

I was talking to Randy about what other types of services he provides and as it turns out, he also does any small home repairs. Basically, if you have a "honey do" list at your house, he's the man for the job.  I almost didn't want to write this post if it meant sharing what a great find this is - but then I reminded myself that this is why we have sandhillsDig.com.  To share the great stories and people we have right here in the Sandhills -- people who make this place special.

So...if you have any Randy Cranford's in your life, speak up.  Let us tell more stories like this.

A beautiful new window box (see how long it is!)

Adding plants...always the most fun part....

We recently hosted a baby shower for a dear friend. It was a huge success but I couldn't have done it without the help of friends, family and a few key Sandhills businesses.

First of all, if you ever are meaning to get things done at home, there is nothing like hosting a party to help overcome some procrastinated projects. Tanya at Renee's Fabrics & Accessories on Main St. in downtown Aberdeen turned some fabric I'd been saving into some beautiful pillows for my living room sofa in record time. 

Next, I made some pom poms to add some festive flair.  Thanks to my friend Ginger who writes the Happy House Blog, I read a tutorial she found and posted on how to make and hang these tissue paper balls.

We had a fun lunch the other day at The Bakehouse in downtown Aberdeen and wanted to share our great experience...

Wes had the "Golfer's Burger" which I will definitely try next time (either that or their famous "Barcelona Burger") but it was 90 degrees out and I needed something a little cooler so I had the Mediterranean salad which was hearty enough for lunch, but still on the lighter side. If we smelled like garlic after lunch, it was because we inhaled some bread with a yummy garlic dipping sauce that they bring out to your table. It is so popular, they even sell the dipping sauce for you to take home - the perfect thing to go with a fresh loaf of bakery bread.

Janet Kenworthy of The Rooster's Wife in downtown Aberdeen brings us this week's Wednesday What's Up to talk about the "Summer on the Porch" concert series where live music happens each Sunday through August 8th (except July 4th weekend) starting at 6pm.  Bring a chair, blanket and all your friends to enjoy local live music at it's finest. 

Check out who's playing this Sunday & beyond...

Bob Burwell of Robert's Golf Shop in Aberdeen brings us this week's Wednesday What's Up to talk about one of the most anticipated events ever in the Sandhills. 

It was a rainy Monday night and we decided to get out of the house and try out the newest restaurant in the Sandhills - Hickory Tavern. You've seen it up on the hill in the development along 15-501, next door to a sandhillsDig.com favorite, Pretty N' Bliss. 

When we arrived, we ran into our good friends Lorna & Mike Martin (you've heard Mike on MooreSportsRadio.com) and their precious daughter Mia.  They invited us to sit with them at one of the longest tables I've ever seen.  This giant table is first-come, first-serve seating and the cool thing is you end up sitting with other people - a perfect concept for here in the Sandhills. I'm thinking older couples, singles and people like us who otherwise would eat alone can now share a table with fun (and entertaining) people like little Mia!  Of course there are plenty of other seats too if this just isn't your thing.

Now, on to the dinner menu...there is a wide variety of food and I finally settled on the crab cakes which were great.  My favorite part was the side of sweet potato fries that came with it, drizzled with a delicious, warm honey-butter sauce. Wes had the shrimp and grits and the Martins were kind to let us take photos of their food too - check out that wood-plank grilled salmon.  Talk about tasty omega 3s.  Yum.

We have launched a new feature on sandhillsDig.com!  We now have CLASSIFIEDS...Yes, you can now list "your stuff" online locally in the Sandhills for FREE! 

Simply go to sandhillsDig.com and click CLASSIFIEDS.  Browse through the categories (over 100) and see what's been posted.  Buy and Sell...we all have things to sell (look in your closets, attic & garage) and other locals are looking to buy. 

Last week I went to almost every consignment and "junk" (aka treasure) store I could think of in search for a particular chair. I've got the fabric but just can't find the perfect chair.

I began my search at the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care's Sullivan Furniture Shop located on W. Pennsylvania Avenue in Southern Pines.  While I did not find what I was looking for, I did see this chair and ottoman that would be great to recover as well as a funky set of desk chairs.  The prices (especially if you are recovering the fabric) are unbeatable.  The chair was $30, the desk chairs were $10 each and I also spied some nice lamps also for only $10.  

Given on the Green is this Saturday night May 15th from 7pm to 10pm on the Village Green.  Experience fine food, spirits & entertainment in a setting modeled after "Table on the Green" in Central Park, New York City. 

Enjoy a "progressive style" evening amongst intimate lighting and beautiful tents. Plus each guest will be able to vote on the best tent, appetizer, entree & dessert as they walk through the historic Library & Archives grounds.

So, if you're like me, you've waited until the last minute to get a gift to show your appreciation for a very important woman in your life - your mother! Mother's Day is THIS SUNDAY, May 10th (not kidding!).  So here's what I'm considering...

Something cool from Swank in downtown Southern Pines.  I was recently checking out their fun Mother's Day Cards that have a homemade feel to them (but much better than if I'd actually made them myself)

I also spied some aprons that would be super cute for the moms...

And some hip and local art - you can spell out Mom, Home, Faith...and more!  Swank is also featuring a $5.00 OFF coupon on sandhillsDig.com so download yours here.

After a busy Saturday morning, we headed to downtown Aberdeen to run some errands and were lured in by the smell of...hot dogs.  The weather is finally warm which means the Dog Nation Grill is once again OPEN in its convenient location on the corner of Poplar and Maple in downtown Aberdeen.

*Dog Nation Grill has comfortable outdoor seating perfect for casual dining with family, friends & even your dog.

Before we could close the car door, Jimmy and his friendly staff welcomed us with menus.  They have a fun "hot dogs with an attitude" menu that includes our usual...the Sabrett Dogs (like what you'd get on the street corners of NYC) & handcut fries but also classic choices like the Big Chicago (biggest dog you've ever seen), the Pizza Dog and the DSF Brat.

The buzz about the upcoming Vince Gill concert in Pinehurst has been fueling enthusiasm from local residents and fans throughout North Carolina.

If you haven't already heard, Vince Gill and his band will perform a concert entitled "An Evening with Vince Gill" to benefit the The First Tee Sandhills at the Village Arboretum in the Village of Pinehurst, NC on Saturday May 29, 2010. 

Kick off Volunteer Week with a fun filled evening! The Hampton Inn & Suites will host this year's Sandhills/Moore Coalition Chinese Auction.  Here are the details: