Bladen’s Perry

retires as director

PEMBROKE — Jim Perry, a Bladen County native, has retired as executive director from the Lumber River Council of Governments, which works to support community development.

Perry, the third director to hold the office, served at the helm of the agency for 31 years. Under his direction, the LRCOG grew from an agency with eight employees and a budget of $900,000 to 25 employees and a budget of $9 million. Membership in the LRCOG has increased from four counties and 15 municipalities to five counties and 31 municipalities during Perry’s tenure.

Lu Mil Vineyard

to hoe free event

ELIZABETHTOWN — Lu Mil Vineyard will hold free grape picking Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. at 438 Suggs-Taylor Road until all the grapes are gone.

Because of the abundance of wet weather, there have been an abundance of muscadine grapes. People need to bring their own buckets and containers.

Library to hold

free job classes

FAYETTEVILLE — Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center will offer free classes on the next two Fridays at 10 a.m. at Headquarters Library to educate job seekers on how to find job opportunities online, prepare resumes, research prospective employers and interview successfully.

The following classes will be offered on the following dates: Finding Insider Information on Employment Prospects on Friday, and Acing the Interview on Oct. 5.

To register, visit www.cumberland.lib.nc.us or call 910-483-7727, Ext. 202.

3-day hors show

set for Sept. 28

LUMBERTON — The North Carolina Horse Council will host a three-day horse show, “Cowboy Up,” at the Southeastern NC Cultural Events Center starting on Friday at 6 p.m. and ending Sunday at 3 p.m.

The event will feature competitive barrel racing, roping and ranch sorting; a “cowboy church” service; and demonstrations from Jerry King’s Training.

Temporary stalls will be set up in a covered outdoor space at the center and can be rented for the weekend for $50. To reserve, call Sammy Jenkins at 919-201-3606.

More information can be found at southernhorsefestival.com.