You mean you call that snow??

Today is Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, when Catholics and Protestants worldwide celebrate a last day of feasting before the customary fasting of Lent, which begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. This day also is referred to as Shrove Tuesday. There will be wonderful parties from Rio’s Brazilian Carnival to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parades. Even our own Davidson United Methodist Church will have a Shrove Tuesday service presented by the Family Ministries Team to include gospel songs, spirituals and choruses in the Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m.

In keeping with Lent, Around Davidson has a note about Shrove Tuesday doughnuts from Minerva Bullock, complete with recipe. We also have news of this Friday’s Jazz and Artist benefit to be held at Homewood Suites and a thought about bike lanes, turn lanes and safety. And since the groundhog saw his shadow on Feb. 2, it is only fitting that winter dealt us a tiny taste of “the white stuff” two days ago. But you had to savor the moment because in a blink, the snow/ice mixture was gone! Read the full story

With Valentine’s behind us, we now have President’s Day weekend to look forward to. And don’t forget that next Tuesday marks the celebration of Mardi Gras followed by Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Thus far winter has been a delightful mix of cold nights and many warm sunny days but we all know to watch out for March!

Today Around Davidson takes note of celebrations among our residents. We have grandbaby news from Herb Jackson and Laura Grosch, engagement news from Brad Hudson as well as Ann Roberts and meaningful community service from Stephan Snyder. Read the full story

Ah, love is in the air and credit cards are being swiped at record speed in florist shops, candy emporiums and gift shops of all kinds for that certain special Valentine. If your credit line at Tiffany’s is maxed out, do not dismay. Rent a romantic movie at the public library or pick up a rose at the Exxon while getting gas. Valentine’s Day is such fun and today Around Davidson caught up with some shoppers, merchants and recipients of Valentine gifts, from students to adults including Heather and Bruce Smith, Jeanne Stone, George Lyles, Richard Ruffner and more. Read the full story

OMG! Pinky and Veronica remind us Valentine's Day is almost here!

Okay, fellas, this is your last weekend before Valentine’s Day to figure out the perfect something for your sweetheart! We couldn’t get much conversation from Veronica and Pinky about their “wish list” as they lounged on a front porch in town. Also no luck stopping John Elliott as he dashed in and out of the post office sending boxes of Davidson Chocolate Co. chocolates to lucky recipients who remain unnamed. We would love to hear about your most unique Valentine remembrances so send us an email and photo if you have one.

Today Around Davidson has a note about Steve Langley’s Paddle Ball record, a Spokes update, an engagement announcement for Lillian Smith and a visit with Terry and Ric Erkes. Read the full story

Joann Rautenberg and Dick Cole (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

We love to read about Cynthia Lawing’s Musical Interlude Programs which occur monthly at Tyler-Tallman Hall on the Davidson College campus. Not everyone can attend the noontime concerts, so Around Davidson decided to bring you today an interlude of music you can listen to at any time: Recordings of two special pianists from The Pines at Davidson retirement community. We know how much talent resides at The Pines, but for today we’re focusing on two home grown folks who love to play the piano: Dick Cole and Joann Rautenberg. We hope you will enjoy getting to know each of them and their music.

Read the full story

Ground Hog Day! Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? Late breaking news tells us he did, so we can expect six more weeks of winter. And by the way, where IS winter? Old timers tell us to beware the blasts of March. We will see – but in the meantime we can all handle the reduced number of kilowatt hours on our meters!

Today we have news of Formula One racing in New Jersey, half marathon success in Hawaii and music notes for your calendar. Read the full story

"Monk" was a star helping court jester Rodney Saunders, a Davidson junior theater major from Wilmington, Del.

Whoops! What happened to January? It certainly felt like April for most of the month but we are not hearing many complaints. Indeed the bright sunny skies of last weekend were perfect to sneak-a-peek at the annual children’s theatre production at Davidson College as well as perfect weather to catch up with feathered friends at the Coleman home. Davidson’s honey bees are not much in evidence at this time of year but the college campus is a small beehive of activity you need to know about. Read the full story

Warm sunny days bring bright pansy faces!

Wow! Two days of warm sunny weather at the end of January! How nice to see gym shorts and t-shirts all around town. But be mindful of Mother Nature. She will be sure to send us a few more wintry blasts to make use of Christmas mittens and scarves.

Holiday gatherings make us remember how much we cherish time spent with families. Today Around Davidson focuses on Davidsonians June Robb and Karen Myers who as adults found new family members. We also highlight two younger Davidsonians, Jason McRee and Kate Barger, who have come “home to roost.” Read the full story

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was in rare form this past weekend! (Bill Giduz photo)

What a great weekend! A little rain did not deter fans from cheering the Davidson College Wildcats to yet another basketball win or stop enthusiastic crowds from cheering the college’s opera workshop production of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.” And we still have football on our radar as the Patriots and Giants prepare for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on February 5. Despite dreary, soggy days, January still has a lot to offer.

Yes, indeed. January also has daily reminders on the web, in print and on television that we need to get in shape. Our New Year’s resolutions ought to include exercise, exercise, and exercise so today Around Davidson visits SNAP Fitness to check out their SILVER SNEAKERS program. We also include news from the Davidson Garden Club and two catch-up notes on Fli-Backs and One by One Costa Rica plus a bicycle request. Read the full story

John Kimbirl and granddaughter, Meghan, love their Wildcats!

Just noticed that next Monday, January 23, is Chinese New Year. Davidson College’s popular annual celebration, complete with fireworks, is scheduled Saturday, Jan. 28. Watch DavidsonNews.net for the details.

Speaking of catching action, we noticed two very special Wildcat Enthusiasts at a recent basketball game. Sporting very carefully applied face paint were John Kimbirl of Davidson and his granddaughter, Meghan. Nine year old Meghan is the daughter of Peggy and John’s son, Brad Kimbirl and his wife, Jill, who live in Belmont. When asked if she would like to be a cheerleader, Meghan emphatically says “NO”. She wants to be the Davidson Mascot!

Around Davidson has some more news today of Maggie Sellers and other budding musicians in our area. In addition we report on weddings and births in Janet Makee’s family and a Boy Scout Troop 58 trip to Ft. Sumter and the Yorktown. There are also notes about musical events and snow in Seattle. Read the full story