College graduations are occurring every weekend and public schools are winding down as we all look forward to the lazy days of summer – if we can catch a break from mowing the grass. Almost daily rains are keeping folks busy, but how wonderful and green everything looks.

Speaking of the end of the school year, we have two notes today about recent honors for teachers: Nancy Gardner and Rich Richards. Around Davidson also visits with library volunteers and has news of an award for Jean Berg. Read the full story

Terry Laney was named the community recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award at Sunday's Davidson College commencement. (Bill Giduz photo)

One could not have asked for a nicer weekend for Davidson College commencement activities. Beautiful weather without the humidity that sometimes greets us in May. Congratulations to the 449 graduates, their families and friends. Congratulations as well to Brian Shaw and Julio Ramirez who received the Hunter Hamilton Love of Teaching Awards last Sunday. Well deserved!

Today Around Davidson focuses on two youth in town, Lea Goldstein and Ben Wyatt, who are helping others. We also have news of a new grandbaby for David and Margaret Stauffer and a recent cruise for Helga and Helmut Bracke and Judy Schuh. Read the full story

The Davidson College campus is sparkling this week after the refreshing rains of a few days ago. Commencement weekend is almost upon us and we welcome families of graduates from near and far to our delightful town. Just remember that parking will be at a premium through Sunday afternoon so be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and hike a bit.

Around Davidson has news today of mini-reunions celebrated by Jean Jackson at the beach and Rae Fangmeier right here in town. We also report on a new award-winning author, Lizzie Barteldt. Read the full story

Hope everyone had a good weekend and had a chance to celebrate, with Mom as the center of attention. Flower shops were busy and stores with floral departments were watching their supply dwindle by the hour as dads with children in tow were choosing beautiful bundles of fresh flowers to surprise Mom. Many families spent a good part of the weekend working in the yard knowing that rain was forecast this week. Gardens are looking gorgeous!

This week Around Davidson catches up with The Pines’ Annual Garden Party, gifts for Ada Jenkins Food Pantry from DUMC and letter carriers, community garden news and a note about Herb Jackson’s art. Read the full story

Wa-Hoo! No more chemistry for this student!

We welcome the much needed rain as well as having the North Carolina primary behind us. College students in town welcome the end of classes as we found noted on a car window yesterday. Children will no doubt welcome the chance to honor Mom this weekend since Sunday is Mother’s Day.

Around Davidson today makes note of a birthday for a well known resident, reports on the library’s book sale, reminds us about Saturday’s food drive, includes a Noteworthy Note and takes a minute to recount a few adventures from “a-broad!” Read the full story

Early morning sunshine on favorite Barger bovines watching the grass grow.

Hard to believe that April is two thirds gone! Busy weeks ahead for spring sports, gardening projects, Town Day, pool openings, graduations and much more. Don’t forget this weekend’s Art on the Green two-day festival in Davidson and next week’s Buzzkill basketball tournament and Summit Coffee fundraiser to help the UN Foundation’s Nothing but Nets campaign (April 23-28) to raise $10,000 to send mosquito bed nets to Sudan. Stop by Summit for more information.

Yesterday’s rain was so welcome making everything in Davidson just that much greener. Horses, cows, sheep and goats are loving the abundant grass in the pastures and finally the deer seem to have enough forage and give our shrubs and bedding plants a breather.

Around Davidson has news today of plants, beautiful blooms, books, movies and a golf benefit. Read the full story

White irises (Brenda Barger/DavidsonNews.net)

Glad to see tissues on sale everywhere: You need one in every pocket these days to combat runny eyes and drippy noses from all the pollen floating through our spring air. It is also a good idea to have one to swipe at the tiny worms that have invaded our porches and yards. Looks like next year will see a lot of anti-worm bands encircling our beautiful trees. At least they are not affecting the hydrangeas and iris which currently are showing us Mother Nature’s most splendid side.

Today Around Davidson reports on a family visit for Sonja Krummel, news of Baby Robyn Walters and a few Noteworthy Notes. Read the full story

National Grilled Cheese Day!

Hope everyone’s plants made it through last night’s cold snap. Mother Nature is definitely in charge and the Agricultural Extension Service is right on target when they keep telling us that the last frost date for our area is April 15. With a chilly morning and no warming until later this afternoon, it is perfect weather for a lunchtime soup and sandwich – which fits right in with today being National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day! ‘Nuff said!

Around Davidson is sharing news today of an honor for Karen Appleyard Carmody, a trip for the White family, news of Rusty Knox’s music and an invitation from the Davidson Lands Conservancy. Read the full story

Dyeing eggs never gets old!

Just when we thought we were through with sweaters and jackets, here comes a frost warning! Not unexpected but still a nuisance to have to cover tomato plants and drag pots of impatiens inside. It was nice however to have a cooler weekend for Easter activities. In addition to hunting eggs, we found families enjoying something new on our Town Green. Today we have a noteworthy note about that.

You no doubt know that your columnist is a pushover for horses and babies. No surprise that we have news today of some BIG horses and LITTLE children. Read the full story

Many families enjoy dyeing real eggs for Easter weekend fun!

Spring Break. Easter week. Lots of families are traveling – especially to the beach – but for the rest of us, it is a wonderful weekend to stay in town, relax in the hammock, take in the Farmer’s Market, attend church services and of course, dye Easter eggs. With four children and lots of “real” eggs to color, your columnist for years added Paas Easter egg kits to the shopping list. Finally another mother set me straight. A plastic cup, a teaspoon of vinegar, 8 ounces of warm water and food color made the brightest eggs of all.

To this day our family mixes glorious colors ranging from orange sunset to jungle green – all by mixing drops of food color into the vinegar/water mix. Directions can be found on the back of any McCormick food color/egg dye box. And a hint for the most beautiful eggs? Leave the last eggs in their color cups overnight. You will be amazed. Happy Egg Hunts to all our readers!

News for this first Thursday of April 2012 includes Cub Scouts earning their Arrow of Light, Girl Scouts completing requirements for their Gold Award and Betsy Hazelton’s special celebration. Read the full story