January 12, 2010–Pinehurst, NC— The inaugural Dancing with the Sandhills Stars fundraiser enthralled over 400 attendees and raised over $100,000 for Communities In Schools and Moore Buddies, the two major mentoring programs in Moore County. The event was held at the Pine Needles Resort on January 9, 2010.

After months of hard work, 19 dance couples competed at the event in front of a sold out crowd of 350 guests and an additional 50 volunteers. The dancers were notable local politicians, business owners, athletes and artists including Moore County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Susan Purser, Senator Harris Blake, Southern Pines Mayor Mike Haney, Moore County United Way Executive Director Linda Pearson, STAR 102.5FM radio celebrities Kristen Palmer and Rich Rushford and well-know musician Baxter Clement dancing with his wife Taylor.

Pine Needles Director of Golf Pat McGowan and local community leader Cathy Smith won the championship. Their high-energy dance to Donna Summer’s disco anthem “I Will Survive” sent the crowd cheering for more. Smith and McGowan won by generating the most “votes”. Each vote was sold for $10.

Three additional couples rounded out the top four vote winners. Interior designer Susie Leader and Retired Air Force Colonel Nelson Neil jitterbugged to “Do You Love Me”. Political advocate George Little and his wife Wanda showed the crowd how a Southern Shag dance is really done and Dr. Susan Purser and Senator Harris Blake elegantly waltzed across the stage.

“The real winners tonight are the kids of Moore County,” said Chrisy Connelly, Executive Director of Moore Buddies, “The funds raised this evening will go to help the students who need it the most; those students who can benefit from the support of a caring adult mentor.” Emcee, noted author and Pinestraw Magazine Managing Editor Jim Dodson, kept the crowd and dancers on their toes with his witty introductions of each dance couple. Color commentary was provided by three “judges”, former Red Sox Manager Grady Little, Sandhills Community College President Dr. John Dempsey and Managing Editor of The Pilot Steve Bouser.

The audience clapped, sang along and voted for each couple while watching a broad variety of dance routines including waltzes, swing, shag, hip hop, jive, disco, modern, jazz, lindy, hustle, two-step and jitterbug. Dancers received complimentary choreography and lessons from Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Pinehurst. No matter where the audience was seated they had a prime view of the dancers from either the large raised stage or from one of two enormous Trinitron screens showing each couple as they performed. “There wasn’t a bad seat in the house,” said Tom Cruce Communities In Schools Board Member.

When Susie Leader and Nelson Neil hit the dance floor Saturday, Jan. 9, for the “Dancing with the Sandhills Stars” fundraiser, they will be bringing years of experience at rocking their socks off — and they say they aren’t done yet. Leader and Neil, along with 40 other Moore County celebrities, will put on their dancing shoes to benefit Communities In Schools of Moore County and Moore Buddies, the two major student mentoring programs in Moore County. “Dancing with the Sandhills Stars,” a benefit patterned after the popular TV show, will take place at the Pine Needles Hospitality Center. Each competing couple will gather votes leading up to the event with all proceeds benefiting the two local nonprofit mentoring programs. Neil, nicknamed “Silver Fox Nelson,” likes a challenge. A retired Air Force colonel, he flew 33 planes in three wars with two tours of duty in Vietnam. One of his greatest undertakings was flying a big twin engine airplane and landing a U.S. scientific survey team on the ice near the North Pole, plus resupplying and removing the team. Meanwhile, at a close distance, a Russian survey team was doing the same thing. An 11-handicap, the charming and witty Neil says he loves competing on the dance floor and the golf course. A talented interior designer and an expert who knows the power of attention to details, “Sassy Chasse Susie” (a name given to her by her husband) is everybody’s favorite cheerleader in any of the multiple activities she pursues. She tackles any task or assignment with the vigor of a new adventure. She is an ardent gardener, and, she says, loves her husband, her children and grandchildren, animals, skiing, tennis, golf, long walks and dancing. Leader says that over 50 years ago she and her partner, “Silver Fox Nelson,” were the generation that started the rock ‘n’ roll revolution, and they are still rocking and rolling. Wanda and George Little are very capable of handling any contest, including “Dancing with the Sandhills Stars.” A native of Pinehurst, George Little could write the insider’s guide to politics, as he truly understands the game and the process. With that wellspring of knowledge also comes a thorough understanding of the value of education, honed through many years on the Sandhills Community College Board of Trustees. Grace and a good sense of humor are admirable qualities for anyone, and Wanda Little has an abundance of both, as well as a background in education. As a fourth-grade teacher and an assistant principal from Charlotte, she was nominated two times to the “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.” With less than 2 percent of all teachers nominated twice, this is evidence of her high standard of achievement and the respect paid to her by her peers. In true Southern form, the Littles will be shaking up the ballroom with their shag dancing. Among the couples competing against the Littles and the team of Leader and Neil are Janeen Driscoll and Paul Harkness, along with Eve Avery and Jim Byrd. Avery, owner of the stylish Eve Avery Clothing Boutique in Southern Pines, feels very strongly about supporting the area’s businesses and organizations. Avery says that she is thrilled to be giving back to the community once again by participating in Dancing with the Sandhills Stars. Avery’s dance partner, Jim “The Byrdman” Byrd, Moore County executive for Crescent State Bank, is known for his keen attention to detail, expertise in finance and agility on the football field. Byrd is certain to have a well thought out game plan for this competition. He has been in training for this dance contest for a long time and actually has won one before. Never mind, he says, that it was in elementary school and involved a hula hoop. He wonders if that will help his chances with this competition. Currently in charge of communications and public relations for Pinehurst Resort, Janeen Driscoll would rather readers know her as a passionate Steelers fan from Pittsburgh, Pa. — with black and gold in her blood. She has lived in Southern Pines for the past seven years and has actively promoted her community not only in her own profession, but as a board member for several local nonprofit organizations. A gymnast and cheerleader in her younger years, she has no dancing experience but feels her job in public relations has given her quick feet in any situation, including this one. Driscoll’s partner, Paul Harkness, is a jeweler and co-owner of Hawkins and Harkness Fine Jewelry in Southern Pines. Harkness recognizes gems of great quality, among them his wife, Kat, who is a ballerina, graduate gemologist and appraiser. They have lived in the area for 26 years, and they have three children as well as two grandchildren. He likes kicking back, so to speak, with a local group playing drums. Communities In Schools (CIS) provides in-school one-on-one mentoring for at-risk students in Moore County. Similarly, Moore Buddies uses mentoring as an intervention tool for youth who are at risk of not reaching their full potential for various reasons. Both organizations share the common goal of helping a child succeed through a relationship with a caring adult. For a complete listing of the participating dancers and their profiles, or to purchase tickets and cast a vote, visit www.sandhillsstars.com. For information, call (910) 295-1072.