Led by Denise Baker & Baxter Clement, 6 students will be making the trip to Ireland this July.

Baxter Clement is the owner of Casino Guitar and a music teacher and role model to many of our musically inclined students.

Denise Baker got the ball rolling with Sister Cities (Southern Pines & Newry/Mourne) back in 2008 with a conversation with then Southern Pines mayor, Mike Haney. From that conversation Sister Cities has become a viable reality. 

Joining Denise & Baxter is Connaire McGreevy, a form counselor for Newry/Mourne and his fiancé Lisa Mac.

Connaire's Brewery in Mourne Mountain Brewery and he's been to Southern Pines 3 times and has collaborated with Southern Pines Brewery, who donated
beer for the event held last week as a fundraiser for the student's July trip to Ireland. The event was held and hosted at Baxter & Taylors downtown Southern Pines home.

The cultural exchange about this event and many others have included over 250 people from Southern Pines and Newry/Mourne.

Gabi is an honor student and a student of Latin. She speaks with John Tampa about her inspirations, passions and goals. Gabi will turn 13 later this month, and her eloquence, exceptional diction & focus come shining through.

Keegan Foyles is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the varsity lacrosse team, and talks about her lifelong passion for choral work. Keegan has performed as a vocalist since 2nd grade and most recently in the last two years has been seen performing at many local events. This summer Keegan will be spending 5 1/2 weeks at the Governors School in Winston Salem. http://www.ncgovschool.org/.

Both young ladies are immeasurably gifted, focused and inspiring to listen to.

John is the fire chief in Larchmont, N.Y. and is entering his 29th year. Kara has worked for a food broker for 27 years and together they are overseeing their youngest daughter, Natalie, age 18, moving on to college and her twin sisters, Oliva & Shawn (age 22) finding their way in the world and the work force.

Kara and John are now also new homeowners in Southern Pines in a 1915 landmark home that originally served the area as an eye clinic and is situated on Mass. Ave – walking distance to the downtown area.

Their story unfolds in an interview that covers the cultures of the North & South, stark remembrances of 9-11, the pace of life, new beginnings & their draw to Moore County and the beginning of their love affair with Southern Pines.

Listening to Kara and John is a great reminder of what we sometimes take for granted. Moore County is a great place to live.

Today Green Dreams Landscape stands as one of the most recognizable names in all things to do with outdoor living; garden, ground, irrigation, hardscape & new construction services for the homeowner or commercial business owner. Green Dreams Landscape was voted new business of the year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2012-2013 & was named one of the top 12 Landscape companies in the U.S. by Total Landscape Care Magazine.

http://www.greendreamslandscaping.com/, 910 944-9412.

Anthony Carruba recently purchased the iconic Champion Car Wash on Old U.S. 1 South in Southern Pines. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y. Anthony's story of an IBM career in both NYC and Fairfield, Ct. is one of a lifestyle change and a return to his Buffalo roots, where his family had been in the
automotive & paint business since 1952. Anthony's purchase of this retro car wash and business establishment becomes a great story of preserving and continuing part of the Moore County landscape that so many cherish.

910 692-5060

His journey to Moore County and Lewis's tenure as a Moore County native bring together some of the important elements of what makes Moore County such a great place to live and raise a family. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBMc9s8oDWE

This week's program explores many of the healing and holistic aspects of yoga practice. John and Julie Tampa, both seasoned yoga instructors, share
their enthusiasm for not only the physical benefits of yoga – increased strength, flexibility, and balance, but also the strengthening and healing
of the mind and emotions through breath work and meditation.

While John is a seasoned yoga studio instructor, he has found his passion in adaptive yoga for injuries and disabilities. He has worked with a wide
range of people, many of whom would not be able to take a traditional yoga class. Each person's practice is developed for his/her unique needs, goals,
and limitations in mind. He finds working with people on a one-to-one basis extremely rewarding because as his students heal and grow physically,
they also develop a more positive outlook on their lives. And each session also provides the opportunity for discussions about the depth teachings of
yoga as a way of being in the world.

The program also includes three very different people who have benefitted from private yoga instruction. Hayley Smith, a young, rising upper level
event horse rider shares her compelling story of recovery from a serious riding injury. She is now back into competition and performing at a higher
level than ever through her practice. Merilyn Goldschmid, a retired health care professional, has used the practice of yoga to foster her own emotional
healing and spiritual grounding. Since beginning her practice of yoga with John, she has entered into a yoga teacher training program in Charlotte,
with an eye toward using her practice in the healing arts one day. And host, Bill Sahadi has found private instruction beneficial after lower back
surgery a year and a half ago, and as a way to improve balance. The net result for Bill has been no lower back issues since the surgery.

Each person also discusses how their practice of yoga has impacted their personal lives for the better.feeling more grounded and centered, even in
the midst of stressful situations. Yoga is an ancient path that leads to healing and integrated wholeness.

Clifford Sumrall has been in the education and business field since the late 1960's. He has taught at the high school and college level, and through the
Sumrall Program – 2005-2014, has written "Think on Your Feet, Creating an Environment through Organized Public Speaking". 

Dr. Betty Wells Brown has a PhD in Reading Education and 45 years of teaching experience at the grade school & college level. Betty was just recently voted to serve on the Board of Education in Moore County. Although she is currently a retired professor at UNC – Pembroke, Betty still teaches part time and sees herself, in her new role as a member of the Board of Education, as someone who can give back, mentor and oversee. Her professional experience is exceptional and her resume's list of accomplishments are numerous and impressive.

Dr.Tom Leach is a retired Dean of the College of Arts & Science at UNC – Pembroke. His 32 years of experience in the educational field and his perspective lends a very well rounded voice to their conversation.

Moore County is growing. Our demographics are changing. Our school system has become a very strong focal point and part of the lifeblood of our community.

Where: The Fair Barn 

The Moore County Home Builder's Association are gearing up for their 13th Spring Home & Garden Expo the weekend of March 3rd at the Fair Barn.

MCHBA President, Daniel Bureau, Expo Chairperson, Lisa Elliot, & BB&T lender Jarod Gouty discuss the upcoming event, the sponsors, the seminars, the trends in building and the importance that this trade organization brings to the buyer, selling or remodeling public.

Follow the show on Facebook: Moore County Home Builders.

Along with Fore Properties real estate broker, Jen Di Mayo, who represents a different demographic of the young military families moving into Moore
County over the last 10 years, they speak about their reflections and observations of the many changes Moore County has undergone since the 90's.

Mike is best known as a loyal, honest and straightforward plumbing contractor who has thousands of house calls under his belt with Moore County
residents.

Residing in Whispering Pines over the past 20 years, Mike is starting up a new company more consistent with his revamped lifestyle..LAWN BASICS,
www.facebook.com/lawnbasics 910-783-5189.

Jen Di Mayo can be reached at 386 747-5767,  www.foreproperties.com

www.templeshows.com/youthprograms/SummerPrograms.php

P.O. Box 1391 – Sanford, N.C. 27331

919 774-4155

The Temple Theatre continues to be a center for the Arts in our area producing top quality Broadway shows, musicals & comedy events in nearby
downtown Sanford, N.C.

As we roll into 2017, they are not taking their foot off the pedal at this venerable, historic & intimate theatre, originally built as a Vaudeville
venue in 1925. From the architecture to the outstanding acoustics the Temple Theatre offers the very best of "national regional theatre" at
striking values.

Peggy Taphorn, the Producing Artistic Director is about to celebrate her 10th year with the Temple Theatre.

She is dynamic, passionate and completely focused on delivering the very best quality of entertainment for a family on any budget. Peggy fills us in
on all the upcoming events, ticket sales, and a peek into the 2017 season. 

Education director Great Zandstra is as passionate about the Temple Academy as Peggy is about the total realm of what the Temple Theatre has become. The Academy coincides with the school year and offers students of all ages and skill levels classes in Acting, Voice, Dance & Tap. Their year round contribution to students all over Lee & Moore County also include their Summer Camp Program, Student Matinees & their School Tours*

Against the backdrop of trimmed down school budgets, the Temple Theatre offers this viable and valuable alternative.

In that vein, please share this letter from the Temple Theatre to Moore County parents, teachers and administrators.

Greetings Moore County Educators!

January 31, 2017

I am contacting you on behalf of the Temple Theatre in Sanford regarding a special opportunity for schools in our region. For many years, we have been proud to offer low cost student tickets to our mainstage productions, but for the past three years, we have also produced a show that travels to local schools. These productions are created specifically for young audiences, feature professional actors and production staff, and have had an
overwhelmingly positive response from schools in Lee, Moore, Chatham, and Harnett counties. Once again this season, we have commissioned a new work which addresses topics suggested by local educators, such as bullying, toxic friendships, social media misuse, and individuality. This year's play,
Flutterby, is a seriocomic piece that challenges audience members to examine the effect our words can have on other people and encourages understanding and acceptance of those who may seem different. This year's tour will visit local organizations between February 27 and March 24 and is available any time of the day or evening. The performance lasts approximately 50 minutes and is following by a brief question and answer with the cast, making the entire event just under one hour, to fit easily in the school day. And since this production was designed to travel, we can perform in any space that you wish. We have performed past shows in mobile classroom units, full auditoriums, and everything in between. All we need in an open space and access to two electrical outlets. And while bringing the production to your organization does remove the hassles of buses and permission slips, nearly every school has felt the strain of budgetary cuts, especially for arts-based programming. But in keeping with our goal of making quality, live theatre accessible to all students in our region, we have secured generous donations from Moen and Central Electric Company. These grants allow us to request only $400 for the first performance at any location and just $200 for additional performances. And in the case that these fees are still cost-prohibitive, we have several need-based, partial scholarships available. We would love the opportunity to bring this program to as many students in central North Carolina as possible, so please feel free to contact me at educationdirector@templshows.com or 919-774-4512 ex 228 with any questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you soon and sincerely hope we will be able to assist your organization in this project.

Sincerely, Greta Marie Zandstra

Director of Education Temple Theatre

Nicholl Lee – Fore Properties Real Estate Broker – 910 574-1932

John Murphy – C Thru Windows (& pressure washers) – 910 315-6692

Victoria Lopez – Advanced Cleaning – 910 315-3867

Phil Joines – contractor – 910 528-1958

With spring around the corner it's not too early to start your market planning to get your house in shape.

These 4 panel guests offer great advice and first-hand experience to help you better prep your home.

Topics discussed include:

Landscaping

Pressure Washing

Window Washing

Regular vs. Deep Cleaning

Grout, Lighting, Mortar

The Psychology of the Front Door

Handling Odors

Photography

The show's premise comes from a shared experience with a real estate client that the Hernandez's and host Bill Sahadi had a shared experience with. Two other brokers, who were also involved with the same client, were not in attendance.

From the ashes of and the ripples from this toxic situation, our guests, led by John Tampa, are able to move thru the process, identification and
remediation of these situations that grab us as we move thru our jobs, our lives and our personal relationships.

Identifying these relationships, in the hopes we can all move through them more quickly and more effectively, is our reason for providing this forum to others

Just prior to her spring name change to TOTAL FLOORING & FINISHES, Francy gives us an in depth discussion on all types of flooring, from soup to nuts, and discusses finishes, pricing & renovation considerations.

Beyond flooring the Showroom is a myriad of decorative & cosmetic selections to cover you from floor to ceiling.

Her conviction and her knowledge is self-evident.

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Total-Design-Solutions-Inc-291254004795/?fref=ts

Website: http://www.tdsinteriordesign.com

E Mail: totaldesignsolutions@hotmail.com

Three challenges MCS faces in the coming year:

Depletion of the district's fund balance.

• Ideal fund balance level: $4 to $5 million
• Examples of the use of fund balance include extending state-mandated raises and benefits to locally funded employees, fluctuations in utility and fuel costs, appropriations to charter schools, emergency one-time allocations, and unforeseen shortfalls in county and state appropriations.
• State budget is typically set several months after the district and the county set their budgets which can result in unforeseen shortfalls.
• The fund balance has been depleted since its peak in 2012, meaning it has no "reserve" funds to offset costs due to state-mandated pupil- teacher ratios or any other needs.
• Allocations to charter schools have nearly doubled since 2012-2013 to $1.2 million.

Ongoing need for capital maintenance and improvements (all of which are locally funded).

• Examples include new boilers, windows, roofs, technology needs, security and alarms systems, etc.
• MCS currently receives $1.5 million in annual funding from lottery and county appropriation; at this pace, it would take 50 years to complete 20 years' worth of needed repairs and upgrades.
• Based on current age and condition of buildings and equipment, $72 million would be needed over the next 20 years.

State-mandated class-size reductions in kindergarten through 3rd grade.

• Based on current assessments, MCS would have to add 36 additional teachers to accommodate new state-mandated pupil-teacher ratios at a cost of $2 million. No funding was provided by the state to meet these mandates.
• Needed space for new classrooms to comply with the new mandate would result in 12 to 20 new modular units at $40,000 per unit.
• Unintended consequences could include larger pupil teacher ratios in grades 4 and higher as positions are shifted to lower grades and/or cuts in art, music and physical education programs to offset budget impact.

STAY CONNECTED BY:

FACEBOOK – 
http://www.facebook.com/parentsformoore/

E – MAIL – 
ParentsForMoorePublicEducation@gmail.com

MCS Board of Education Agendas & Videos:
http://www.ncmcs.org/BoESchedule

KARIN KENT – 910 639-2284