A few summer blooms last through the fall

How glorious is October. Time to put on a sweater, rake leaves, ride bikes, visit yard sales, count the geese flying overhead and savor the aroma of wood fires burning brightly in fireplaces. The last bright flowers of fall will soon be past and the trees bare of leaves. This is a favorite time of year for many of us.

Around Davidson had a chance recently to check on Karen Toney’s surprise visitor, a Hess grandbaby visit and a word about books from Susan Walker, Tom Cotter and ReadDavidson. Continue Reading

Batter Up at Turner Field

It is the last Thursday in September and Around Davidson is going to take a day away from our town to report on the harrowing tales of the Boys of Summer as the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox do battle for a bit of Wild Card glory in baseball. Yes, the results will be posted by press time tomorrow and the diehard Bosox and “Tomahawk Chop” fans will either be smiling or waiting yet again for glory in the New Year!

Why baseball? Complimentary tickets to Tuesday evening’s game at Turner Field in Atlanta for the Woodmansees and Bargers. Time for a road trip and notes from those miles of Interstate and an evening of baseball. Continue Reading

Enough rain? Think sunshine and beautiful Bermuda beaches!

Well, we wanted rain. We needed rain. Everything is emerald green now so maybe a day of sunshine would be in order. Wonder if any of our readers were at the Panthers game this past Sunday and received a good bath compliments of Mother Nature. Talk about a downpour!

Sunny skies prevailed for Steedman and Cissi Lyles in Bermuda and rain did not dampen the Davidson birthday celebration for Julius Melton. We report on these two families today in Around Davidson and also have notes about landscaping at our Davidson Post Office, Read Davidson and a weekend concert at Summit. Continue Reading

A burst of fall color for your garden

Tomorrow is the first day of fall. Hooray! Summer is a wonderful time of relaxation but just speaking the word “fall” brings visions of bright leaves, carved pumpkins and candy corn – not to mention a respite from 90 degree days. Every garden shop has a bountiful display of mums and Halloween decorations. Welcome fall!

Around Davidson has notes about two artists, Sophie Ratcliff and Anna Wittstruck, news of the Mabry family’s summer in Maine and a report on three journalists who gathered in Davidson, Rita Simpson, Dot Jackson and Pat Gubbins. Continue Reading

Nothing in moderation for North Carolina weather! We dug out our long-sleeved shirts and hooded fleece jackets for the weekend, which has given way to milder temperatures and rain showers until we see the sun again this weekend. So it goes with September in the Piedmont. But how delightful to turn off the air conditioning and enjoy the fresh air, even if it is filled with that annoying pollen.

No weather worries today for the Stewart, Williams and Fittipaldi-DaCruz families as Around Davidson reports on a special birthday, an upcoming wedding and a remarkable young race car driver. Continue Reading

Pedal-power provided by Rebecca Clark on the occasion of "King Gordon's" birthday!

At last we can expect a weekend of cooler temperatures with the chance to pull a sweater from the closet shelf. It seems a long time since we even thought about long sleeves! But before the fall chill hit Davidson, we caught Gordon Clark celebrating a birthday in high style – riding in the Village Inn’s pedicab with his wife, Rebecca, pedaling. Hats off to this energetic couple who own and run the inn.

Around Davidson has news today of Cynthia and Bill Lawing’s summer travels as well as a note about tomorrow’s Musical Interlude. We also took time to visit with Kevin Childress about his photography and talk to Sybil and Don Kay about their move to The Pines. Continue Reading

Beautiful fall weather was a perfect backdrop for last weekend’s many sports activities. It also made us pause as we remembered the crystal clear skies of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania 10 years ago, and the lives lost on that terrifying morning of 9/11/01. In our area, there were many services of remembrance last Sunday reflecting on the 10th anniversary of that terrible event.

On a lighter note, Around Davidson visits today with a new puppy in the Regen household and a new baby in the Manning family. We also take time to hear more about the Isle of Arran from Ian and June Robb. Continue Reading

At last, fall is in the air and pro football is beginning. It’s a busy week, with political debating last evening and President Obama speaking tonight, just before the activities leading up to the New Orleans Saints-Green Bay Packers game at 8:30 p.m.

But if politics and football are not for you, why not settle down with a good book? Today Around Davidson visits with local authors Amanda Emery and Elisabeth Davis. We also have notes of a few other books of authors connected to Davidson. Lastly, we have news of a recent family reunion at the Copeland House. Continue Reading

When attending community events of any kind in Davidson, from the Davidson Farmer’s Market to Concerts on the Green, do you ever look around you and ask, “Who are all these people?” Years ago, this was the time of year when the town held its Newcomers Picnic and new residents were introduced on the steps of the Davidson College Presbyterian Church. What fond memories your correspondent has of Gene and Joy McIver speaking a few words of welcome as we were recognized having moved to Davidson just two months earlier. We all knew each other then.

Now, one has to work hard just to get to know a fraction of newcomers. So, corralled with 355 others on The Green this past Saturday (to help set a world record for most people bouncing paddle balls), I “corralled” three different families to tell me about themselves: the Hermans, Doutts and Johnsons. There are also a few personal notes about paddle-balling.

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Welcome September! Nice to have fall lurking just around the corner. In the meantime, Happy Labor Day to each of our readers. Enjoy this three-day weekend with neighborhood picnics and a chance to catch up with the summer travels of friends.

Around Davidson introduces you today to two new faces in town: Robert Alexander and Kelly Nicholson. We also report on a recent honor for Chuck Dillman and give you an inside glimpse on a talented musical group – Sunday Union. In addition we have a little Chair Talk in a Noteworthy Note. Continue Reading