Welcome to our show two new guests from a local non-profit that may be new to many of our listeners. BARB SUMMERS is the President and BARBARA KEATING is the Vice President of the Sandhills Woman’s Exchange in the Village of Pinehurst.

• You should know a little about the history of our 1810 log cabin on Azalea Road. The SWE started in 1922 in the cabin we proudly occupy today. So we are in our 98th year…and looking forward to a big celebration in 2022 when we are 100 years old. Originally located at Ray’s Grist Mill, about 2 miles from Pinehurst, after the Civil War it was bought by the Archibald McKenzie family and used as their kitchen. In 1895, James W. Tufts started Pinehurst and was charmed by the cabin. He built a new kitchen for the McKenzie family and moved the cabin log by log to its current location. The cabin was initially a museum, then home of ‘Uncle’ Jerry Mitchell, then a residence for Tom Cotton and his brother, both free slaves. With encouragement from Mrs. Tufts, who was a member, Mr. Tufts gave the cabin to the SWE. In 1924, Mrs. Charles Crocker donated the necessary funds to enlarge the building for purposes of the Exchange. When funds allowed, it was enlarged and modernized to be one of the oldest structures in Pinehurst today.

• We are a member of the Federation of Woman’s Exchanges, the oldest continuously operating woman’s charitable organization in the U.S. Prior to the Covid 19 outbreak in March, there were only 20 Exchanges operating in the U.S. Sadly, four of those have had to close completely in the past few months…they were in Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. We are proud to still be among the 16 Exchanges remaining….thanks to the hard work of our Board, volunteers and guests.

• Our mission statement is ‘Helping others help themselves.’ It began way back when a woman in the country on a farm needed a way to supplement her family’s income. By using her skills to make quilts, pottery, dolls, and baked goods, she was able to bring them to the Exchange to sell. Today our Gift Shop features the wares of 25 Artisans who retain 60% of their sales; the cabin keeps 40% for sustainability. We hope our listeners will ‘Shop Local’ at the Cabin.

15 Azalea Road – P.O. Box 215 – Pinehurst, N.C. 28370
910 295-4677 – Across from the Village Chapel
www.sandhillswe.org

Artistic Director, Greta Zandstra is back to talk about the Encore Center’s new December production – Christmas, FL. Along with Greta is actress Morgan Piner. This one woman show is featured on Friday & Saturday evening, Dec. 11th & 12th at 9 p.m., along with a 4 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 13th. Seating is limited to 25 guests per show. All Social distancing guidelines to be observed. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased at www.EncoreCenter.net or by calling the box office at 910 725-0603.