What a cow!!

Almost 80 degrees today! If this is winter, we are not complaining but if you listen to the Farmer’s Almanac, when March comes “in like a lamb,” watch out – it is likely to go “out as a lion.” In the meantime, when one is not talking about GOP primaries, Daytona racing or Davidson Wildcats playing in the Southern Conference Tournament, then the most likely topics of conversation are rising prices at the pump and the grocery costs. With live cattle prices too high to even consider feeding out a steer, we had to smile as we caught up with the Chick Fil-A cow this week. Maybe he is onto something with “Eat Mor Chikin.”

Today Around Davidson has a definite flavor of France with a few suggestions about livestock, poultry, eating out and aging. In addition we go to “market” and introduce you to two new faces in Marketing. Read the full story

An early touch of spring!

Hope each of you has recovered from Sunday night’s Oscar ceremonies and are ready for “Leap Day” tomorrow. Apparently there will be a number of special sales concentrating on the number “29,” such as hotel rooms for $29 and $29 store coupons. Be sure to watch the newspaper ads and the Internet promotions. We all could use gas for $2.29 a gallon … but it looks like that won’t happen for a while.

For today, however, while thinking about Leap Year, you can join in the observation of National Pancake Day by visiting IHOP for a free short stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes. All IHOP asks in return is a voluntary donation to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This is the 7^th year IHOP has served free pancakes on Feb. 29 raising almost $8 million dollars for charities.

Around Davidson today visits with a few pink flamingos, brings news from our Acting Postmistress Sheri Cole, hears from Sylvia Schnople about her five weeks in Bali, and reminds gardeners about spring planting. Read the full story

Winter camellia blooms are a joy to behold!

Have you noticed that the sun is setting later each evening? What a delight to sit outside these pretty afternoons and enjoy a bit of Mother Nature as the sun drops in the sky. Hope you have noticed the beautiful camellias which have been blooming all winter providing a colorful touch of beauty to our landscaping. A quick check of the calendar indicates that Daylight Savings Time kicks back in on March 11! That is just three weeks away. Can’t wait!

Around Davidson has news today of Pink Flamingos, Evelyn Denham honors, Notes from Nepal and Friday events to add to your calendar. Read the full story

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.

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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