The Pines Connector

This page is dedicated to a new idea a spark that is evolving… If you would like to be apart of this growing idea… please email us at OurPinesTimes@gmail.com

🌲 The Pines Connector: Creating Community Through Conversations

The Pines Connector is a new community initiative from ThePinesTimes.com spearheaded by a local Leadership Coaches—designed to bring together people from all walks of life for meaningful, in-person connection. In a world full of distractions, we invite you to be present, put down your phone, and engage in real conversations with others who are curious, open-minded, and eager to connect.

Upcoming Event(s):

✨ Create Your Shot of Joy This Holiday Season ✨

Feeling distant from loved ones? Join Life & Performance Coach Veronica Karaman for a transformational workshop designed to help you reconnect, heal, and rediscover joy in your relationships.

Creating Shots of Joy
📅 Sunday, Nov. 23 | 2–5 PM
📍 The Village Chapel Care Cottage, Pinehurst
Enjoy uplifting coaching, practical tools, and light refreshments as you learn how to turn emotional distance into genuine connection — just in time for the holidays.

🎟️ $79 | Space is limited!
Register today at https://www.truechampionacademy.com/speaking

Meet Our Facilitators on upcoming Events and Programs

KATHY STODDARD TORREY

Kathy Stoddard Torrey has been helping individuals and organizations achieve success by creating positive relationships for about 20 years. She provides leadership and interpersonal communication seminars internationally to leaders in a variety of industries and to companies such as Deutsche Bank and GE Aviation. Kathy is also a keynote speaker who has written a book, Elevate Your Emotional Intelligence: A Parable that Reveals the Path to Better Relationships and a Happier Life.

Kathy is a certified Life Coach and Systems Coach. She has a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Kathy lives in Pinehurst, NC. She is Grandma to five grandchildren and enjoys kayaking, walking, and watching sci-fi movies. 

ROSE YOUNG – Educator, Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Community Leader


Rose Young’s journey spans classrooms, concert halls, and communities across the globe. Rose spent 35 years teaching music, drama, computer science, and musical theater through the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). Her career took her and her family overseas for two decades, where she taught across all four branches of the U.S. military, immersed herself in Okinawa’s Blue Zone culture, and even performed for ten years in the Pfalz theater Opera House in Germany. After teaching more than 10,000 students, Rose retired to Moore County, North Carolina, where her passion for education and community blossomed into entrepreneurship. She founded Imagine Moore Events, specializing in business and community gatherings, and launched More Biz Spots, offering flexible office and meeting spaces for professionals. She also hosts the Imagine Moore Podcast, writing a custom jingle for every guest while spotlighting the stories of local leaders and entrepreneurs. Active in service, Rose is the incoming President of Kiwanis of the Sandhills, Corporate Sponsorship Manager at the Weymouth Center for Arts & Humanities, and a dedicated voice for buying local.

KATHERINE KRUPKA , ND, CPCC, CHPC
Energy Coach. Wellness Consultant. Interfaith Minister.

Katherine Krupka began her career in international leadership, serving at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow during the collapse of the Soviet Union and later directing large-scale programs across Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. A traditional naturopathic doctor and certified coach, she has spent the past 20 years helping individuals, teams, and organizations unlock clarity, confidence, and purpose. Katherine facilitates group development, coaches leaders to bring out their best in both life and work, and is a seasoned public speaker who helps others communicate with presence and ease. Known for blending depth with warmth, she creates spaces where people connect, grow, and discover new possibilities together.

Maria I. Carlton, MSHA, SHRM-SCP, CMC

Maria I. Carlton is an executive coach, certified Human Resources Professional, and entrepreneur with more than 40 years of experience in healthcare and people-focused sectors. Born in Havana, Cuba, Maria immigrated to the United States as a child and developed a lifelong passion for learning and growth. She holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Maria’s expertise lies in goal setting, problem solving, and leadership development. She specializes in helping leaders, individuals, and organizations discover balance, joy, meaning, and purpose in their work. By blending practical strategies with compassion and vision, she empowers her clients to thrive personally and professionally.

She is also the author of the forthcoming book Don’t Kill the Joy: How Fun at Work Creates Teams That Thrive and Results That Last (Fall 2025). Beyond her professional pursuits, Maria enjoys writing, traveling, and reading. She lives with her husband in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and is a proud grandmother of six.

Facilitated Table Discussion Topics

Kathy Torrey:

1. The Stories We Tell: Discovering the Power of Personal Narratives

2. Connection Through Curiosity: The Art of Asking Better Questions

3. The Compass Within: Values That Guide Everyday Decisions

4. The Art of Appreciation: Using Gratitude to Create a Positive Mindset

Rose Young Topics:

1. “Adventures Abroad: How Living in Other Cultures Changes Us”
I’ve spent 20 years overseas—Okinawa’s Blue Zone, German opera houses, travel across Europe. This topic opens the door for people to share travel stories, lessons learned from different cultures, and how those experiences shaped their outlook on life.
2. “The Soundtrack of Our Lives: Music that Brings Us Together”
As a music educator, performer, and sound healer, I can frame this around the universal power of music. Invite people to share the songs, concerts, or performers that shaped their lives or bring them comfort. It creates instant emotional connection.
3. “Community Roots: Why Local Matters”
With Imagine Moore Events, Moore Biz Spots, and my Kiwanis leadership, I’m deeply invested in local community building. This topic encourages conversation around favorite local businesses, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support each other right here in Moore County.
4. “The Art of Resilience: What Keeps Us Going”
My personal story, 45 years of marriage, career pivots, moving continents, and starting new businesses shows a certain amount of persistence. This topic gives people space to share how they’ve weathered challenges, found joy in unexpected places, and built resilience in their own lives.

Katherine Krupka Topics:

Living Our Stories: How to Share and Listen to Create Connection

We all have stories worth telling — and listening to someone else’s story can change the way we see our own. Come explore how we can share and listen with intention to create instant connection and a stronger sense of community.

Everyday Leadership: Small Choices That Make a Big Difference in Life and Work

Leadership isn’t about titles or positions — it’s about the daily choices we make that inspire, influence, and ripple outward. Discover how small, simple actions can bring out the best in others and leave a lasting impact.

Improv for Life: Why Saying “Yes, And…” Changes Everything

What if two little words could make every conversation lighter, more creative, and more fun? In this playful session, you’ll try simple improv tools that spark laughter, build confidence, and strengthen your everyday interactions.

Journeys That Change Us: What Travel Teaches About Life at Home

Travel has a way of opening our eyes — not just to new places, but to new ways of living. Together we’ll share the lessons journeys leave behind and explore how they help us see our everyday lives with fresh perspective.

Secrets of Holistic Living: Simple Practices for Energy, Balance, and Calm

You don’t need a retreat to feel centered. Discover quick, powerful practices to restore calm and energy — and explore together the simple rituals each of us use to stay balanced and well.

Maria Carlton

Focus Forward: From Overwhelm to Achievement It’s easy to feel paralyzed by competing priorities and constant demands. How do you
move from a state of overwhelm to one of intentional action and achievement? Expect to discuss common barriers to productivity, share real-world tactics that help restore control, and walk away with simple frameworks to prioritize effectively.

Thriving in the Gray Zone: Adapting and Succeeding Through Change Uncertainty is the new normal. Learn how you can prepare to embrace uncertainty and
share experiences that highlight the value of flexibility and emotional agility.

The Confidence Code: Rewriting Your Inner Narrative
Confidence is a skill that can be built and strengthened. Together, we’ll uncover common self-limiting narratives and practice language shifts that reinforce confidence. Expect candid conversation, personal reflection, and practical strategies for showing up with greater presence, courage, and influence.

The Art of Connection: From Conversations to Collaboration
Connection starts with conversation. Trust, active listening skills, and authenticity are keys to good communication. We will discuss how good communication can transform everyday interactions into opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.