Harbingers of spring made a no doubt fleeting appearance in Davidson.

Hello Deep Freeze! The days of “…a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils,” such as found on Avinger Lane earlier this week will no doubt fall prey to the single-digit cold.  Good news, however: Spring is just over two months away.  Hooray!

News today from a Pinewood Derby winner in the Tyson household, “Waggy” sightings with Frances Bragg and Caroline Swartz,  and a report from our “Lady in Havana” Dulce Mange on what it is like to study in Castro’s country. 

IT’S PINEWOOD DERBY TIME

Any family with boys in scouting probably has a Pinewood Derby car or two or more on a  shelf. Fashioning cars from a small block of wood is always a wonderful winter activity.

Pinewood Derby winners for Pack 10: (l-r) Quinn Schneider, Daniel Tyson, and Will Cooker.

Congratulations to Bear Scout Daniel Tyson, son of Kathy and Boyd Tyson of River Run, who had the fastest car this year in Pack 10, which is based at Mt. Zion Church.  After placing second for two years, Daniel was thrilled to grab the first place trophy at the races held last Saturday, Jan. 10.  Webelo Scout Quinn Schneider placed second and Bear Scout Will Cooker came in third.

Hats off to all the scouts in Pack 10 for a great race day!

WHERE’S WAGGY?

Here’s an assignment for Around Davidson readers: Be the first to spot Waggy somewhere in Davidson.  DavidsonNews.net caught him “pawing” his way through a book at the Davidson Public library last Saturday.  He also has had numerous head pats from the Davidson Wildcat basketball team.

Frances Bragg introduces Waggy to Ethel the Donkey.

And most recently Waggy was photographed wagging his tail and trying to bray as he made friends with Ethel, the donkey!

What’s the deal with Waggy?  He is the mascot for a table of six energetic K/1 students in Teri Brooks’ multi-age classroom at Davidson Elementary School.  This small brown and black dog, with a tail just the right length for wagging, spends several days each week with a different student at the table.  During Waggy’s stay with a child, his adventures are recorded in a journal which also can include pictures and drawings. When Waggy or other table mascots return to class, their journal entries are shared with the other students in the class.

In the care of Frances Bragg, daughter of Alice and Benton Bragg, Waggy was introduced to farm life.

Where's Waldo Waggy? There's a hint of him in the left hand of Caroline Swartz.

Spending time with Caroline Swartz, daughter of Lesley and Gregg Swartz, Waggy found himself the center of attention at the Davidson/NCSU basketball game.

Rumor also has it that Waggy spent time at “Christmas in Davidson.” If you spot him or any other table mascots, be sure to let us know.  In the meantime, thanks to Teri Brooks for her creativity in the classroom.

OUR LADY IN HAVANA

December 20, 2008, was a wonderful homecoming for Dulce Mange as she returned to her home in Davidson for Christmas holidays following four months in Havana, Cuba.

Dulce Mange posed for a snapshot during a visit to Cienfuegos.

Dulce, the daughter of Steve and Pam Mange, traveled with three others from Presbyterian College to experience life in Cuba.  The Presbyterian College program is administrated in conjunction with the University of Havana.  The students live in a residence in the capital city taking some language classes at the University of Havana and other classes in private lecture rooms.  Dulce attended classes in Spanish, the history of politics and society of Cuba, Cuban-US Relations, Third World underdevelopment and an independent study on the theory of the Cuban Revolution.

Due to the embargo, Dulce had to fly in and out of Cancun, Mexico, to connect with Cuba.  While in the island country, her travels included trips to Santiago, Cienfuegos, Cruces, Trinidad and Playa de Giron (Bay of Pigs).  Her Spanish skills improved markedly during her four months.  Although it was a great educational and cultural experience for her, she found it hard to blend in and not be recognized immediately as a foreigner.  In addition, sporadic hot water and frequent power outages made her realize how spoiled we are in the U.S.

The colorful streets of Cuba.

Dulce came home with a huge new appreciation of freedoms we take for granted, such as freedom of speech and travel.  She learned to survive in a restricted place and to better understand life in a Communist country.  There is still much beauty in the architecture of the cities and in the rural open areas, but there is also much decay from lack of infrastructure monies and devastation from recent hurricanes.

Is Dulce eager to return?  Not at the moment – but she admits that it was a great experience and she is thankful she had the opportunity to participate in the program.

Send us your news

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