Brenda Barger’s June 19 Around Davidson column described how Davidson resident Hans Deissel will be chaperoning a group of high school students (including Alex Gunn of Davidson) to a town in Rwanda to do volunteer work at a health clinic and school. The trip is sponsored by the Echo Foundation, which has a focus on humanitarian and educational concerns.

In the lead-up to the trip, which departs for Rwanda July 8, Davidson residents have responded to this story and are lending support to the trip. That includes the contribution of soccer supplies by Pat Millen, medical and traveling advice from Dr. Steve Justus, and a website promotion by Tammy Forthofer – all of Davidson. Read the full story

Hannah Barger finds her brother Jackson Barger is a real hair-puller.

Summer is officially here and for some parents, it may be “hair pulling” time! Our grandson, Jackson Barger (8 months), knows that as he gleefully grabs a handful of his four-year-old sister Hannah‘s hair every chance he gets. For parents, there are endless activities for children right now: church programs, mission trips, recreation leagues, day camps, lemonade stands and pool parties. Hard to keep up with everything – but one can always check DavidsonNews.net for the latest events on our local calendar.

Lots going on in town this month and this week we bring news of birthdays and anniversaries in the Shackelford, Collum and Crilly families; Father’s Day celebrations in Los Angeles for Kenn Latzer; graduation news from Sandy LaCorte, Isabelle Powell, Hillary Gruce and Taylor Rothrock; Steve Justus making a difference in Africa; a pink bird report and a Laura Grosch art spotting in Chapel Hill.
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Davidson United Methodist Church choir sings in Lourdes’ Église Sacré Coeur cathedral, during an evening mass for over 600 pilgrims. The choir later sang a concert for an audience of 800, which resulted in a standing ovation.

Choir members from Davidson United Methodist Church are full of memories after a 12-day tour of France last month. The group of 33 singers and 10 supporters left May 16 to share selections of sacred music while touring and performing in renowned churches and cathedrals.

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Betsy Seymour, with her hydrangeas.

Last Sunday’s bright sunshine was a perfect time for a stroll through the beautiful gardens at the Pine Road home of Betsy and Jody Seymour. Meanwhile, Around Davidson had a busy week catching up on trips to Africa by Alex Gunn and Hans Diessel with Echo Foundation, a return from Africa by Lemie and Norman Richards, new arrivals in the Michael and Galombeck families, a trip to New York City by the Bryants, Carol Barber‘s move to The Pines, and news of Blanche Harris‘ artistic talent.

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By BRENDA BARGER
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson College is a hotbed of talent, but last week it came to our attention just how much talent is being nurtured within the local ivied halls of learning. Meet rising senior Kelsey Formost (photo), who is “making the scene” this month as the lead in the dark comedy “The Scene” at Actor’s Theatre in Charlotte. The play also has another Davidson connection: the director is Davidson theater professor Ann Marie Costa.

“The Scene” is a comedy about dating, fame, fulfillment and obsession with pop culture. It runs through June 28 at Actor’s Theater of Charlotte, 650 E. Stonewall St. in Charlotte.

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It’s been six months since Stowe’s Exxon closed its doors so DavidsonNews.net decided it was time to check in on Wayne Stowe and his son-in-law, Jerry Cline. A stop at Cline Auto & Tire Inc. – Jerry’s shop now – on Route 115 north of Mt. Mourne is well worth your while if for no other reason than to see the shop’s upscale waiting room, complete with a wireless connection!

Meanwhile, Around Davidson this week continues with graduation news, highlighting Charlotte Ringle, Spencer Johnson and Russell Miller. Also learn of career changes for Ann Roper of the Davidson Housing Coalition, sandwich suppers at The Pines, and some thoughts and opinions on wasting water, charging ETJ residents for their own Fourth celebration and local vandals.

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May and June are the months for graduations and DavidsonNews.net ‘s Around Davidson is trying to catch up on as many as we can. Why not have your favorite graduate included by emailing us with an announcement and a photo? We would love to see you on the net!

Here’s the list of graduates celebrated in today’s column, in order of appearance: Brittany Hutchins, Adam Kicklighter, Scott Sherrill, David Steber, Philip Maier, Anna Causey and Rachel Rice. Plus, Around Davidson this week includes news about the Kenya delegation at DCPC, the remodeled Carnegie Guest House , Tyler Krentz ’s plans to volunteer in Sierra Leone, Sophia DiGioia ’s birthday dollars for dogs, Rob Moody ’s success with Eco-builders and how Sterling Martin III and Brooke Bagnall share ties to Chicago’s famous Second City improvisational theater company. Read the full story

Memorial Day is behind us and we can now slowly slip into those lazy routines. A trip to downtown Davidson often means a stop in the public library to check out a book, view the latest art from the elementary school or catch the latest local news. Doesn’t it seem that college students, doctors, teachers and shopkeepers look younger every year? Well how about an eighth grader sitting at the library desk checking out patron’s books last weekend?

Learn more about that youngster, plus read of a Hugh Casey tribute, the recent Dance Davidson weekend extravaganza, Kenyan connections for Davidson College Presbyterian Church, a new flag for Anne Currie , goodbyes for Pastor Mark Conforti , June Shabbat services for a local Jewish congregation, a nursing award for Beth Bleavins , and wedding bells for Laura McComb . Read the full story

In this special sports edition of “Around Davidson” we bring you news of a repeat win for Douglas Clark-Brown and David Osborn at the collegiate croquet championships, plus Lynn Brickels’ golf hole-in-one. Read the full story

As we think toward summer plans, the cry for many may be “Surf’s Up” but in the meantime the cry from area farmers is “Hay’s Down!” Pastures of tall fescue are ready for mowing which makes trips along rural roads of Mecklenburg and surrounding counties a beautiful scene of tractors cutting the tall grass, raking windrows and baling hay. Frequent showers are certainly welcome if only they would wait for the hay to be packed in those tidy round bales.

Rain, however, did wait for commencement activities to be completed Sunday at Davidson College. The late afternoon wind and rain gave weary graduates a delightful respite from toting boxes and belongings to waiting vehicles. Congratulations to all graduating seniors from Davidson College. We wish you the best in the future.

We bring news this week of this year’s two Sullivan award winners, Elizabeth Anne Henry and Susan Abbott, announced at graduation, plus special recognition for Dr. Ben Klein. In addition, this week’s column has tips on handling flamingos, updates on the Fagg family, a move for Rush and Erin Beam, and a few thoughts on political signs being nabbed from neighborhoods.

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