DavidsonNews.net

Can it be almost the end of November?  This Sunday marks the first in Advent, when homemade wreaths will decorate our tables and Advent calendars will adorn walls.  What fond memories we have of searching for the number matching the date and prying open the tiny window to reveal a glimpse of nature, a toy or Bible verse.

The Hess family of Davidson has a connection to children in Nepal.

This week, as we gather with family and friends for turkey and dressing, it is appropriate to reflect on the things for which we are thankful.  Today Around Davidson tells of the blessing of good teachers like Rosemary Klein, of a new baby for the Butlers, and of the Hess family’s commitment to orphans in Nepal. In addition you will find a update on Garnet McAllister’s birthday, comments and a new book on Wildcat Basketball - all to “chew on” with your Thanksgiving dinner.

And check back on Thursday - we’ll offer more to be thankful for on Turkey Day.

TEACHER OF NOTE: ROSEMARY KLEIN

Rosemary Klein has taught at Cornelius and Davidson Elementary Schools and now “hangs her math hat” at Bailey Middle School.  No surprise to students, parents, family or friends that she has been named one of the three 2008 North Carolina Finalists for the National Science Foundation’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Rosemary Klein

That long title, put simply, tells us that she is being lauded for her contribution in the classroom and will be recognized at an awards reception in December.  This is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of math and science.  Rosemary now finds herself in competition to be selected a state winner who will then receive $10,000 and a week in Washington for recognition events.

Around Davidson congratulates Rosemary on this award and hopes that the committee, on behalf of the White House and the National Science Foundation, chooses her for national recognition.  Rosemary is married to Ben Klein, Professor of Mathematics at Davidson College, so we bet that discussions of mathematical proportions are pretty commonplace in their Davidson home.

CRADLE ROLL - STELLA RUTH BUTLER

Congratulations to Emma and Chris Butler who welcomed a new baby girl on Oct. 24.  Born at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, baby Stella Ruth Butler weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. and stretched to 18 1/2 inches.

And baby makes five: Claudia (2) and Lucas (5) with brand new Stella Ruth and proud parents Emma and Chris Butler.

Big brother Lucas (5) and big sister Claudia (2) are delighted (most of the time) to have a new baby sister.  On hand to help the family are maternal grandparents, Armando and Jean Coello of Barre, Vt., who have been in town since the middle of October.  The baby’s paternal grandparents, Steve and Raquel Butler, live in Winston-Salem so are close by to visit the new addition.

This Thursday when the Butler family gathers for Thanksgiving, they will introduce Stella to her doting aunts, uncles and cousins and no doubt offer thanks for this beautiful new addition to the household.

KEEPING UP WITH THE HESSES

Peter Hess, an economics professor at Davidson College, is on sabbatical this year, and he and his wife, Boo, have been on the go.  With sons, Jamie and Joey, grown and out of college, Boo and Peter now have the freedom to travel.

This summer found the Hesses in Maine for six weeks enjoying the beautiful cool weather for hiking, checking out the local seafood and visiting friends who now call Maine home.  They spent enjoyable time with former Davidson residents, Florence (Wooster) Weeks in Southwest Harbor and Ann and Bob Williams in Centre Lovell. Returning to Davidson in September they managed a few weeks escape to their home on the water in Davis, NC, before packing suitcases for a month in Nepal, their third trip to that country.

Puja, a resident of Papa's House in Nepal, enjoys time with Boo and Peter Hess.

Flying first from JFK to Hong Kong and then another flight to Katmandu, Boo and Peter arrived in Nepal a bit weary but ready to settle into their lodging in Dhapasi, some 30 minutes from the airport, where Peter’s brother, Mike, is living in Papa’s House.

Around Davidson has featured Mike Hess before and his story never fails to astonish us. Mike left Florida four years ago to relocate in Nepal in an attempt to make a difference in the lives of orphaned children.  He now runs “Papa’s House” in Dhapasi for 24 boys and 45 girls with another home in Narti for 45 Kalmari girls rescued from servitude after being sold by their families. Peter and Boo take care of the administrative duties for Mike and their efforts have resulted in an awareness of the need for assistance by international foundations.  In addition, many in our community support Mike’s work in Nepal through financial contributions including recent donations which funded the purchase of two milk cows and their calves for the home in Narti.

During their four weeks in Nepal, Peter helped with chores around the orphanage while Boo befriended the children and took care of simple tasks such as seeing that each had a winter coat or sweater.  They were able to travel to Narti, a 12 hour ride by car from Katmandu, and also spend a few days in Pokhara, a scenic spot catering to tourists wanting to scale the nearby peaks in the Annapurna Range.

Asked to think of a highlight of the trip, the Hesses spoke of their travel to Narti and their interaction with the Kalmari girls who are thriving in the security of their “new home.”  It is always amazing to think what one person, such as Mike Hess, can accomplish making a difference in the lives of the children of Nepal - one youngster at a time.

AN INTERESTING UPDATE

Remember two weeks ago when we congratulated Garnet McAllister on her 100th birthday?  To add to the excitement of this accomplishment, Garnet was surprised with a packet of mail from Nigeria.  Her grandniece, Jill Sneeden, teaches fifth grade in the American school in Abuja and asked her 20 students to send cards with birthday wishes from Africa.  In addition the students wrote letters asking for comment and advice on subjects ranging from “How to combat teasing?” to “What did you do without airplanes when you were growing up?”  The children considered 100 years enough experience to answer any question.  One students asked about punishment for not doing homework.  That resulted in detention, Garnet replied, but then added when in first grade, the punishment was “standing in the corner!”

Garnet’s daughter, Alice Garbrick, has written to the fifth graders, penning her mother’s responses to most of the questions.  What a delightful postscript to a wonderful birthday.

SOUNDING OFF

Pots Holes or Pavement

We know that DOT is struggling financially but we are also struggling with a myriad of bumps and bruises trying to avoid the ever deteriorating road bed of Griffith Street.  Yes, we should count our blessings that we have a road at all but we surely would feel richly blessed if some new pavement showed up before Christmas!

Doggone it!

Scrolling through the activities for Christmas in Davidson failed to show which evening the “Doggie Fashion Show” would take place.  A call to Davidson Parks and Rec shared the howlingly bad news.  No “Decorate Your Dog for Christmas” this year!  Seems there are so many groups wanting stage time for set intervals - and that no one could predict the time needed for 25-50 dogs (and even one cat last year!) to parade with their owners across the front porch of the library - that the dogs were deleted.

The very first Doggie Fashion Show was held in 1988 at the Main Street patio of the Post Office with Shaw (Big Daddy) Smith presiding.  That year three elementary age boys even appeared as an entry - two under the sheet with ears and tail and the third holding the collar and leash.  It was perfect small town Davidson.  This has always been the “signature dish” for Christmas in Davidson.  Sure hate to see it disappear.  Maybe it is time to reconsider for 2009!

Noteworthy Notes

We keep hearing about Public Art in Davidson.  Now is the time to get involved with a workshop and discussion presented by Wooden Stone. Next Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 4-8 p.m., there will be time to offer your input on stone panels to be part of a stone bench for public use in front of the Wooden Stone gallery on South Main Street.  Artist Dean Reganess of Coralatavii Stone Carving will be on hand to hear your ideas and have samples of previous work to help spark suggestions.

"Taking the Shot" is due out in mid-December.

How about those Cats!  And the 2008 season!  Want to relive the Cinderella story?  Michael Kruse, a Davidson College grad in 2000, has written a book about the 2008 Wildcat team - a story of hope, trust and togetherness called ”Taking the Shot.” It will be available mid December just in time for finding a place under the Christmas tree for the sports enthusiast in your family.

Hard to do justice to Michael or the book by trying to explain here what it is about.  But you can read excerpts (and order the book!) at the following link: http://butlerbooks.com/tashdabamo.html

Send us your news

Have news for Brenda? Write to her at hbarger@bellsouth.net.

Filed under: Around Davidson, Davidson people