The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is upon us! Thus far things are running smoothly for Charlotte and surrounding areas. The Labor Day holiday certainly helps, with fewer people at work, and we know that many who work in downtown Charlotte will work from home. Exciting times for our area.

Around Davidson visits today with Natasha Rath Marcus who has tickets for President Obama’s speech this week and looks in on Skipper Brake, who had a BIG birthday. We also take time to talk to Michael Flake and hear about his You Tube video. Our Noteworthy Note includes a wonderful end of summer photo! Continue Reading

Butterflies love late summer blooms

August bids us good-bye tomorrow and Labor Day weekend is upon us. A three-day weekend combined with the onslaught of visitors for the Democratic National Convention will keep our area roads and restaurants busy. Pools will be closing and we will have to say farewell to the summer of 2012. Lots of leaves already are falling and bright autumn foliage greets us in yards and along the highways, signaling fall.

Around Davidson talks to Peter and Boo Hess about their summer and has a report from Amelia Slagle and friends running the roads of Oregon. There is a tidbit about a Boo-Hoo Breakfast and also a few Noteworthy Notes worthy of your attention. Continue Reading

Can you hear the collective sigh of relief from parents as children are back at their school desks for the 2012-2013 year? Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools are anticipating more than 140,000 students. Lots of children crossing streets, boarding buses and riding bicycles which serve as a reminder to us all to be extra careful when we are behind the wheel.

Today Around Davidson reports on a visit with David Wilgus. There is also news of Emmily Cowie’s recent trip to England. A few Noteworthy Notes are added as well.
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Hello Freshmen! This is the day that the new students arrive on the Davidson College campus and prepare to tackle academia. First there will be lots of orientation information for them and for their parents. Then the parents head for home and college life begins. What an exciting time!

Around Davidson visited with one of these eager college freshmen, Molly Goode, and then took time to interview another eager young “freshman,” Hannah Mae Stevens, who will begin kindergarten at Davidson Elementary next week.

There is also news today of the dedication of the Sterling Martin Nature Trail last Saturday plus a Noteworthy Note about an upcoming program at The Pines featuring Dick Cole and Carol Cook. Continue Reading

Frequent rains produce marvelous mushrooms!

This is the last week of freedom before Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools open their doors for a new academic year. The yellow buses are already practicing their routes, football games are already being played, and sports teams are honing their skills daily. Cooler temperatures and welcome rain make for a wonderful transition week from vacation to homework! And Mother Nature is making use of the soggy ground to provide a bountiful crop of “designer” mushrooms.

Around Davidson today spent some time at The Pines interviewing J. and Martha Honeywell and Ruth Harms who are fairly recent “newcomers” to the retirement community. We think you will enjoy knowing them. Continue Reading

Have you noticed how your mailbox is blooming with Presidential mail already? And the election is still two and one half months away. Autographed photos of the candidates and their families complete with a reminder that your monetary contribution is needed have to bring a smile…especially since the mailings are addressed to you regardless of your party affiliation. Guess the good news is that election materials are providing much needed revenue for our financially ailing United States Post Office.

Around Davidson visits today with John Wacker to hear about his Eagle project, travels to Europe with Pam and Steve Mange and reports on an honor for Karen Hopper Wruck. There is also a reminder about Rusty Knox’s Concert on The Green this Sunday evening. Continue Reading

On Motorbikes – Emma, Shelley and Tilly take a rest break while riding motorbikes around Penghu.

Summer is winding down and thoughts are turning to school supplies and lunch box treats. Some of Davidson young people have had interesting summer school adventures and today we highlight Rachel Mazur’s weeks at Oxford University as well as Emma and Tilly Boraks’s month in Taiwan. There is also a note about the Community Garden’s produce numbers. Continue Reading

Tommy and Ann Davis visited with Mayor John Woods (right).

My goodness! After this weekend what will we do with our time when there is no Olympic water polo to watch? Think we had enough time to absorb all the finer strategies of the game or gawk at the underwater images of the women’s bathing suits? Bet most of us will not care if we ever see any more footage of water polo or beach volleyball … but gotta hand it to the Brits. The games have been fun for those attending. And just one last factoid: If you scramble the letters in Gabby Douglas’ last name, you get “USA Gold!” How ‘bout that.

Around Davidson has news today of a BIG birthday for Bob Manning, a cruise for Jane and Michael Todd, a few notes about Tuesday’s National Night Out picnic, and a Noteworthy Note about our town’s two hour parking. Continue Reading

Hardly seems possible that Around Davidson is halfway through its fifth year on DavidsonNews.net. Most weeks find your correspondent scratching for news from citizens of Davidson and surrounding towns but once in a while, someone sends me an item that evolves into a special stand-alone column like today.

Around Davidson takes time this first Tuesday in August to introduce our readers to Robin Huggins who has a heartfelt story to tell about his visits to Raeford’s Barber Shop over the past decade. Robin’s email not only resulted in a meeting with this Mooresville resident but also a chance to report on barbering on South Main Street in Davidson. Continue Reading

Oops! What happened to July? Must have been too involved watching the Olympics to know that August crept in yesterday. In a few short weeks the freshmen class will be arriving at Davidson College and the new Book Store will have its doors open.

Today Around Davidson checks with Mike Kessler about the College Store, has a trip report from the Barkemeyers and marvelous wedding news from Matthew Nelson and Pamela Love. Continue Reading