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

It is always fun to come up with just the right gift for your loved ones. Anna and I had the best time shopping for cool local gifts to give our family & friends this past Christmas. There was one gift in particular that we wanted to hold onto because of its fun factor…

Going over my list this week (& checking it twice) I realized that with all the Christmas and New Year's celebrations ahead that I needed to go see Tad at Uncorked to stock up on a holiday selection of wine & champagne.  Located off Linden Road beside Elliotts in Pinehurst, Uncorked offers customers the opportunity to sample wines before you buy.  Too long of a "to do" list?  Uncorked even does home delivery within the Sandhills.  Here are some more facts sandhillsDig.com has learned about Uncorked:

• Over 200 wines & 100 different beers to choose from
• They can special order any wine
• 90% of their wine & beer labels you won't find anywhere else in the Sandhills

Check out these upcoming events at Uncorked:

Last Minute Shoppers (Free tasting) - Saturday Dec. 19th - Noon to 4pm - All wines will be 10% off, 15% off all case purchases.  Santa says you may mix and match.  Call 910.295.3663 for the details.

Christmas is my favorite time of year.  And going to the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Southern Pines really got me excited about all the wonderful blessings we have right here in our community.  On this overcast and cool December morning, one particular child in the parade reminded me of the enthusiasm and joy we all should have this time of year and always.  He simply shouted, "Merry Christmas Everyone!"  He probably yelled those words 50 plus times that day as his float carried him and others up and down Broad Street, probably not fully knowing that his example of enthusiasm is what helps to make a community like ours so great. 

Want to find out more about our local community, visit sandhillsDig.com!

We couldn’t help but to tell you about one of Nina’s doggie friends who is in need of a very special home. Meet Popcorn…

Popcorn is a beautiful black lab mix discovered by Moore Co. resident Cassie Willis when she was visiting the Sandhills Cinema 10 for a movie. After 4 attempts, Popcorn was captured and brought in. Popcorn is already house trained, loves to walk on a leash (we wish she could teach Nina…) but is painfully shy and needs to find a cat-free home with a family who can give her lots of love and special care. We were so enchanted by Popcorn’s story and hope that her story will continue on with a new home.

If you don't visit Popcorn this weekend at the Animal Center of Moore County, she will be co-hosting the Top Hat & Tails event this Monday, December 7th at the Fair Barn in Pinehurst.  The festivities begin at 5:30pm with heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer, a silent auction & an adoptable pet parade! This is a benefit for Animal Advocates of Moore County.  For event info & tickets please call Sue at 910.245.7446 or Maureen at 910.295.7587.

So if you’ve got room in your heart and your inn this Christmas season… go and rescue Popcorn.

Wow. Thanksgiving has come and gone…as well as the leftovers. All the fried turkey, stuffing, collards, casseroles and pies have finally disappeared. As I write, I’m reminded that the next few weeks leading up to Christmas always seems to get busier and busier. Therefore, I’m going to get ahead of the game this year starting with my dinner reservations. For instance, we are headed to the Village of Pinehurst Tree Lighting this Friday evening and want to enjoy a delicious dinner with friends afterwards. Where should we go?

Browse our local restaurant guide and make your holiday reservations ahead of time!

Join many locals and visitors alike this Friday evening, December 4, for the 2009 Village of Pinehurst Christmas Tree Lighting and Festivities. Entertainment starts at 5:30pm with caroling followed by the lighting of the village tree. Plus, we hear that Santa will be visiting from the North Pole. Bring your friends and family for this annual Pinehurst tradition!

For more info on local events, visit our calendar at sandhillsDig.com!

With the holiday season fast approaching, we have a number of local events that are worth getting on your personal calendars.  sandhillsDig.com will bring you the Wednesday What's Up each and every week through the end of 2009 to keep you connected to the best in our community.  Here we go... 

Wednesday, November 18th

• Aldena Frye Storewide Sale
• Downtown Aberdeen Sidewalk Sale
• Denker's Drive for the Sandhills/Moore Coalition
• Pinecrest Soccer vs. Green Hope in the Semifinals of the 4A State Championship

Thursday, November 19th

sandhillsDig.com is shopping at Denker Dry Goods in Downtown Southern Pines this week. Not only are fab new items beckoning (scarves, Glam dresses, Michael Kors, jeans & jewelry), Denker’s is doing something pretty darn cool and offering a nice discount to customers who bring in much-needed items for the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care.  So start your Christmas shopping at Denker’s – and you’ll end up with gifts that give...and give some more.

Here are the details:

Denker's Drive for the Sandhills/Moore Coalition
November 16th-21st
• Bring in 6 can goods or items to Denker's from the Coalition shopping list (see below) and receive 25% OFF one item of your choice
• Bring in 2 new packages of children's socks or underwear to Denker's and receive 25% OFF one item of your choice
• Bring in 1 Blanket or Full or Double set of sheets to Denker's and receive 25%OFF one item
• Bring in all 3 categories above and receive 25% OFF THREE ITEMS of your choice!

Head over to the Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort for 2 more days of events, trees, fundraising and Christmas cheer to benefit the Sandhills Children’s Center children with disabilities.

Saturday, November 14 10:00am - 10:00pm Admission by any $ donation at the Door
9:00am Breakfast with Santa Event
Cardinal Ballroom, $30 per person in advance at 910-692-3323

7:00 - 10:00pm Festival of Trees Finale Event - A Salute to the Designers
Sponsored by Surgery Center of Pinehurst
Desserts from area bakers, Entertainment by House Call and Cash Bar!
All silent auction bidding ends during Finale

Sunday, November 15
10:00am - 3:00pm Admission by any $ donation at the Door
Family Day Event sponsored by Southern Pines Women's Health Center
10:00am - 2:00pm Visit with Santa

3:30 - 6:30pm Auction Item Pickup

www.festivaloftrees.org

Which tree at this year's festival is your favorite?  Tell us at sandhillsDig.com. 
For more info on upcoming events in the Sandhills, visit our calendar!