What is that on the end of my line? (That's 2 1/2 year old Jackson Barger.)

Always glad to see a week of rainy weather – unless you need to cut hay! The pastures have never looked better but if one needs four days of hot sunshine and dry wind, the forecast looks a bit grim.

So instead of thinking hay, Around Davidson turns to news of Lori Reynolds’ Indy 500 trip, and Girl Scout honors for Troop 363 and Troop 1760. There is also news from the Ken Armstrong family and an honor for Stephanie Schauder – plus a first fish photo from our Memorial Day album (see left).

RACING AT INDY

When your husband works for Penske Racing, a trip to the Indianapolis 500 is no big deal. Just ask Lori Reynolds, receptionist at The Pines whose husband, Harry, is an employee of Penske Racing. Lori has attended many Indy 500 races and this year had her parents, Barb and Michael Dubick of Baden, Pa., to join her in the stands while her husband had the air jack responsibility of the crew for the #6 car of Ryan Briscoe.

Indy 500 (Penske Racing photo/Steve Swope)

Penske had three cars in the “open wheel” race and Harry is purchaser of parts for each. Sorry to report that his No. 6 car crashed on the 139th lap and finished 24th. The other Penske cars (No. 12 car driven by Will Power and No. 3 – pole car – with Helio Castroneves at the wheel) finished 8th and 9th respectively.

What an interesting getaway weekend for Lori. She was there for it all from Jack Nicholson starting the race to the horrifying crash on the last lap.

GIRL SCOUTS MAKING NEWS

Troop 1760 gold winners (l-r) Julie, Morgan and Kate

Gold Award for Three in Troop 1760
Congratulations to Morgan Evans, Julie Kinser and Kate Sherrill of Girl Scout Troop 1760 who received their Girl Scout Gold Awards on May 15. The award ceremony was held at Queens University.

The Gold Award is the highest award that a Girl Scout may earn. For many, the leadership and organizational skills learned plus the sense of community and commitment set the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship. Each girl earning this award completes a special project showing the skills and citizenship outlined above.

Morgan Evans is the daughter of Jack and Patty Evans of Davidson. Her project benefited the “Make a Splash Foundation” at the Johnston YMCA and Swim MAC. This foundation teaches lower income children how to swim. Morgan promoted the program and collected swim supplies for the foundation.

Julie Kinser, the daughter of Scott and Ellen Kinser of Cornelius, developed a program called “Dancing Feet” to address childhood obesity, self esteem and body image issues. She created “dance tubs” so that younger scouts would have all the props and dance supplies needed to use when earning their age appropriate project badges. Julie also created DVD’s to teach dance steps.

Kate Sherrill created a computer database to track volunteer and donor information for the Lake Norman Free Clinic. The daughter of William and Jennifer Sherrill of Davidson, she also helped develop a newsletter template so the clinic can share inf0rmation and needs with others in the community.

Congratulations to these young ladies for their hard work and commitment to scouting. Kudos as well to their scout leaders, Bonita Beeken and Jennifer Sherrill.

Girl Scout Troop 363

Bronze Awards for Trop 363

Girl Scout leaders Karen Fesperman, Leigh Maples and Tina Piephoff took their junior troop to Charlotte this week to celebrate earning their Bronze Award. The troop toured Spirit Square, took the self-guided Public Art tour and visited the 42nd floor executive board room of Wachovia/Wells Fargo (where, according to Karen, they sat and debated the merits of homework.)

The evening ended with dinner at King’s Kitchen, a new non-profit restaurant started by Chef Jim Noble to provide employment for workers trying to get back on their feet and raise money for local food pantries. Since the Scout troop was celebrating a year that included many service projects, it seemed fitting for them to dine at a restaurant with a community service mission.

Earning the Bronze Award, the highest award for Junior Scouts, these 4th and 5th graders chose the Davidson-Cornelius Day Care Center for their community service project. They collected toys and books for the center and helped with the recent 5K charity dash.

Thanks to the energy and commitment of leaders Karen Fesperman, Leigh Maples and Tina Piephoff. Scouts in the troop earning their Bronze award include Nell Alexander, Samantha Eden, Rebecca Fesperman, Rachel Figard, Lindy Heyl, Laura Maples, Nora Matthews, Ronan O’Donoghue, Sarah Piephoff, Halynna Snyder, Rachel Neal, Emily Rhew, Claire Stutzman, and Kristin Van Epps.

Cannon grad Katie Armstrong is surrounded by her sister, Rachel, and her brother, Nick

KATIE ARMSTRONG GRADUATES

Katie Armstrong is headed to ASU! The daughter of Ken and Belinda Armstrong, Katie graduated from Cannon School last month and is excited about starting college as Appalachian State University where she may focus on Art Education in the university’s teaching program. Her love of art comes naturally from her mother who has taught Upper School art at Cannon for the past ten years and currently is the Fine Arts Chairman at the school.

This summer Katie will be busy life-guarding at The Swimming Hole in Davidson as well as working at the NOMAD Fitness and Aquatic Center in Huntersville. She enjoys swimming and loves outdoor activities with her younger sister, Rachel (a rising 11th grader), and younger brother, Nick (a rising 9th grader).

NYC WELCOMES BELINDA ARMSTRONG and STEPHANIE SCHAUDER

"A Different World" by Stephanie Schauder

Next week Belinda Armstrong will see her years of art education and creative achievement recognized as she stands on the stage of Carnegie Hall to receive a national gold medal through The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Belinda’s honor comes from her role as instructor and mentor to rising Cannon senior, Stephanie Schauder, daughter of Nancy Astle and the late Craig Schauder.

Stephanie will join Belinda on the stage and receive a national gold medal as well for her drawing entitled “A Different World,” which is one of only 500 gold medals awarded and the first for Cannon School. Her art, depicting world hunger with two emaciated bodies huddled together, will hang for the month of June in the gallery of the World Financial Center. After that the drawing will go on tour with Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. See Cannon’s article here.

Congratulations to Belinda and to her student, Stephanie. Can’t wait to see the gold medals!

Melissa helps Henry Jung "throw a pot" in a summer class

WANT TO THROW A POT?

Just a note about summertime fun with Melissa Reddick who is eager to teach young and old how to fashion a hunk of clay into a pot. Students will learn how to throw pots on the pottery wheel and create many original pieces.

Melissa has a strong background in art education and offers classes in her studio just behind her home on Concord Road. Call Melissa for more information704.896.6988 or access the registration form here.

Send us your news

Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbarger@bellsouth.net.