It’s Memorial Day weekend across America and Race Weekend in Charlotte. In Davidson, the weekend will be marked by a music concert at St. Alban’s Friday, featuring “folk and Baroque” by the Wild Rose Ensemble. There will also be a gardening program at the library, a home finance seminar Thursday, a celebration of Bob Dylan at Summit Coffee, and a fundraiser for Jodi Helmer’s Grand Canyon hike. Plus, expect to see little dancers around town Sunday for Dance Davidson‘s sold out performance of “The Wizard of Oz.”

The local Memorial Day celebration will be at the Cornelius American Legion Post Saturday morning. And stock up for your weekend picnics at the Davidson Farmer’s Market and the Bradford Store.

Weekend of May 22-25

The Davidson Public Library will host a free program Thursday at 7 p.m. “Renovating Your Older Landscape” will be led by Liz Harris, retired program chair of Central Piedmont Community College’s horticulture and turf program. To register, call 704-892-8557.

North Mecklenburg Mayors’ “Resources for Residents” community education series continues Thursday, starting at 7 p.m. with a free session “Retaining the American Dream: Holding on to Your Home in Uncertain Financial Times.” The event will be held in the Cornelius Town Hall.

A dessert reception is planned for Thursday, starting at 7:30 p.m. in the home of Ann Pegelow Kaplan and Thomas Kaplan to raise money for Jodi Helmer’s fund-raising hike through the Grand Canyon on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Details in our May 17 news item.

Live folk/Americana music this weekend at Summit Coffee includes The Orsons Thursday, The Near Misses Friday and a Bob Dylan birthday tribute, hosted by Billy Jones, Saturday. Bands play on the back patio (or upstairs in the case of rain) from 8-11 p.m.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, located at 301 Caldwell Lane, will host The Wild Rose Ensemble Friday, starting at 7:30 p.m. This group from San Francisco performs a concert of Baroque and folk music from Italy, Eastern Europe, and the Celtic countries. (At right is group leader Shira Kammen, an expert on the fiddle and viola.) Admission: $15 general, $10 students and seniors (65+). Children under 10 free. Tickets available at the door. Details: 704-560-0101. The program will be followed by a wine and cheese reception with the artists.

Davidson’s brand new Farmers Market continues Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, with produce and other goods by area farmers and vendors. This weekend, the market will feature sweet red andwhite onions, turnips, new potatoes, beets and cabbage. Shoppers will be serenaded by the Lake Norman Jam. The market is located next to Town Hall. Details: www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org

The Bradford Store will host Writer’s Day Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Meet and greet local authors and bring in your books to be signed! Expected authors include Dar Draper (children’s books), Martha Cheves (recipe books), and Suzanne Cameron Linder (non-fiction writer on local topics). The Mother’s Day hail storm destroyed the farm’s broccoli and cabbage, but pick-your-own collards, lettuce, spinach and swiss chard is available, especially if you bring your own bag. Inside the store, Carolina strawberries and asparagus will be in stock, along with Florida sweet corn and much more.

The North Mecklenburg Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the American Legion Post 86 in Cornelius this year, starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. The event will feature a keynote speech by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Hoyal Kye, color guards from Hopewell High School ROTC cadets and American Legion Post 86, and the Mt. Zion Singers. Welcoming remarks by Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte and a wreath-laying by Davidson Mayor John Woods and Jeanny Dowdy, both of whom lost family members in Vietnam. The Cornelius Legion Post is located at 21215 Legion Street.

Dance Davidson will present “The Wizard of Oz” Sunday at the Duke Family Performance Hall in Davidson College. Shows are at 2 and 6 p.m., but both shows are sold out. The cast of 700 features Sara Burgess as the Wizard and the following other leads: For the 2 p.m. show, Clara Stroud will be Dorothy, Noelle Mouton dances the role of Glinda and Michelle Bussell plays the Wicked Witch of the West. At the 6 p.m. show, Holly Stuart will be Dorothy, Carly Deal plays Glinda and Macey Bowman dances as the Wicked Witch.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

• MONDAY, MAY 26 – Memorial Day holiday. Town Hall, banks, schools and public offices closed.
• TUESDAY, MAY 27, 6 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Town Board monthly work session. Agenda will include the 2008-9 budget and two public planning workshops on proposed developments: at 6 p.m., the N.C. 73/ Davidson-Concord Road area plan; and at 7:30 p.m., on the proposed Davidson IB Middle School/Community Center project on South Street. Check the town website for an agenda.
• TUESDAY, MAY 27, 7:30 p.m., Davidson College Presbyterian Church parlor, Main Street and Concord Road – “Understanding the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict,” a discussion about the on-going problems in the Middle East led by Professors Jonathan Berkey, of Davidson College, and Joyce Dalsheim, of UNC-Charlotte. Free. Information: 704-892-8554.
• WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2 p.m., Davidson Parks & Rec office, 416 Armour St. – Davidson Senior Scholars question and answer session on shoulder pain, with Dr. Rodney Stanley, Northside Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center. Free. Registration info: www.d-recs.org.
• MONDAY, JUNE 2, 7 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Davidson Planning Board meeting (rescheduled to this date). Preliminary agenda includes a vote on a recommendation on the N.C. 73/Davidson-Concord Road area plan.
• TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 7 p.m., Davidson United Methodist Congregation Care House – A new 8-week session of the Separation and Divorce Support Group begins, led by Mark and Gayle Olenik. All welcome, registration required. Call the church office, 704-892-8277.
• THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 7 p.m., Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St. – North Mecklenburg Mayors’ “Resources for Residents” community education series continues with a session on “Keeping Your Home Safe When You Are Away” Free. (Also June 12 at Huntersville Town Hall and June 26 at Cornelius Town Hall
• JUNE 19-21 and 26-28 – Davidson Community Players will perform “Little Women, the Musical” in matinee and evening shows at Davidson College.
• FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 1-5 p.m., Town Hall, 216 S. Main St. – Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) hosts a design workshop to begin working on Davidson’s train station area master plan. Details: Davidson planning department, 704-892-7592.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT Send listings and press releases to us at editor@davidsonnews.net. Don’t forget to include a contact phone number, in case we have questions.