Waiting for a bus in the McConnell neighborhood on the first day of school at Davidson Elementary were, l-r: Ryan Beach-Verhey (K), Gabe Wagner (1st grade), Luke Mabry (3rd), Colby Wagner (3rd), Rhett Mabry (1st), Shea Wagner (2nd) and Kate Lobpries (1st).

Rain, Glorious Rain! Finally we are getting enough to really soak the ground. Area gardens, lawns, soybeans, pastures, ponds and lakes say thank you for every drop! Let’s hope this week’s moisture makes a real dent in our serious drought conditions. At least the downpours waited Monday until Davidson youngsters boarded those big yellow buses and began their first day of Charlotte-Mecklenburg public school. So much excitement for kindergartners like Ryan Beach-Verhey who couldn’t wait to ride the bus, find his classroom, carry his cafeteria tray and be in Big School at last!

Besides bus riding, we have lots of other travels about to report on this week – see below for news of trips to Rwanda (Alex Gunn), the Adriatic (the Hoffman family), Yankee Stadium and even Summit Coffee (the Wehrung family). Also find out what Martha Stewart has been doing in Kannapolis, what Davidson personality is an interstate eating expert and how Woodlawn School will be honoring a local veteran.

Allison Wehrung and her dad, Dave, enjoyed a Saturday morning bike ride along Davidson's greenway with dog Baxter freeloading as usual!

Laboring for lattes

Labor Day weekend coming up makes us all think of cooler weather and getting outside for long walks or bicycle rides on our town’s bikeways and greenways.

The Wehrung family enjoys riding from their River Run home to Davidson on Saturday mornings to check out the Farmer’s Market and relax over a latte at Summit. Even their dog, Baxter, thinks a ride into town is “hot stuff” – especially since he doesn’t have to break a sweat from his cushioned place in the cycle tote.

Summer Trips near and far

Return from “Footsteps in Rwanda”

DavidsonNews.net was delighted to talk to Alex Gunn and hear his comments about the two week trip he and more than a dozen others made to the heart of Africa. Flying from the US to Brussels, the group had a direct flight to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. This group was a part of Echo Foundation and included its founder, Stephanie Ansaldo, as well as Davidson resident Hans Diessel.

Alex and Patrick - best friends during Alex's weeks in Rwanda.

A highlight for Alex was the first day when they met with the American ambassador in Kigali before traveling to Rwinkwavu to be introduced to the K-6 school children there at opening ceremonies. Alex developed an immediate friendship with a young student named Patrick who spoke good English and the group formed an immediate camaraderie with the children who played soccer. Soccer fields were dirt, goals were three sticks propped together and balls were dozens of plastic bags tied with twine. Alex had collected new soccer balls, two pumps and ball bag to take to Rwinkwavu. What a wonderful gift for the village.

Members of the group volunteered varnishing walls and painting blackboards in the school buildings. They also visited the “Partners in Health” (PIH) hospital and were most impressed by meeting and talking to Michael Rich who is in charge of PIH in Rwanda. So many Rwandans go barefoot that worms become a problem, causing the group to think about collecting shoes for distribution to young people on a future summer trip.

Rwandan youngsters can create soccer balls from plastic bags and a piece of twine.

Alex recounted eating many noontime meals of beans and rice, enjoying the Rwandan tea and coffee and learning so much so quickly about a different culture.

Now Alex, vice president of his senior class, is in the midst of challenging assignments as he completes his final year at North Mecklenburg High School in the International Baccalaureate program. His time in Rwanda has sharpened his desire to pursue a career in medicine and consider internships with Partners in Health in Rwanda. This trip has also sharpened Alex’s desire to return another summer – only this time with duffel bags filled perhaps with shoes instead of soccer balls.

Cruising the Adriatic

Ken and Shelly Hoffman and their sons, Hayden and Christian, had a wonderful cruise this summer. They left on July 25 flying to Venice, Italy, where they boarded the “Splendor of the Seas” to spend a week visiting ports in the Adriatic. They made stops in the Greek ports of Athens, Mykonos, Katakolon, and Corfu as well as Split, Croatia.

Enjoying their visit to the island of Mykonos were Hayden (l) and Christian Hoffman.

Hayden and Christian particularly loved the history of the various ancient villages and ruins. The weather was hot which made afternoon swims on the beaches of Mykonos, Katakolon and Corfu especially refreshing. In Split, they found a lively beach right in the city center complete with entertainment choices ranging from trampolines to cliffs for daring high dives.

The boys also met new friends from countries all over the world on board the ship. Youth activities in the evenings provided by the cruise ship were made to order for “hanging out” with other teens. At the end of the cruise, the Hoffmans spent an additional few days touring in Venice before returning to the States.

Ball Park Trip

It was an early morning roll call for 50 baseball enthusiasts as they gathered to board a chartered bus taking them on a baseball tour. Sponsored by Davidson Parks and Recreation Department, the trip promised ball games in Washington, D.C., New York and Boston. Helping with the coordination were Parks and Rec personnel, Steve Fraher and his wife, Terri, and Harold Voelker who accompanied the group.

Ready for baseball are (l-r): Judy and Merle Schuh, with John and Caroline Plyler.

First stop was the brand new Nationals’ Stadium in Washington where the team played the NY Mets. Next they arrived at Yankee Stadium to see the home team play the Kansas City Royals. Third stop was at famed Fenway Park where the Boston Red Sox played the Toronto Blue Jays. Sorry to report that the home team lost each game but the group marveled at the new stadium in D.C., found the soon-to-be demolished Yankee Stadium quite shabby and loved the Boston experience best of all.

In Boston the group was able to tour the historic part of Boston and tour Fenway Park – even trying out the seats on the Green Monster. Last stop for the tour was Cooperstown, NY, and a chance to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. It was a fast paced five days with lots of miles watching baseball movies on the bus but all had a wonderful time. Davidson residents on the tour included Judy and Merle Schuh, Caroline and John Plyler, Andrew, Robert and William Hirata, and Mariel Hamer and Lawrence Helmandollar.

Martha Puts Kannapolis on the Map!

Food and garden guru Martha Stewart recently visited the North Carolina Research Campus as guest of campus founder David H. Murdock.

Davidson resident Leah Chester-Davis (l) met recently with Martha Stewart and NC State's Tara Vogelien (r) in Kannapolis.

One of the gardening editors for Stewart’s magazine, Andrew Beckman, has subscribed to the NC Cooperative Extension’s “Successful Gardener” newsletter for the past few years, using it as a resource. Leah Chester-Davis, who created the newsletter and served as its editor for the past ten years, met with Stewart and asked her to autograph a copy. Leah found Martha to be unpretentious and gracious. Leah also noted that, in her trademark “Martha style,” Ms. Stewart brought Mr. Murdock a beautiful basket of eggs (from her own chickens) tied up in an elegant silk ribbon!

Leah is a Davidson resident and works for NC State University. She recently relocated to the new NC Research Campus at Kannapolis where she directs communications and community outreach for NC State University’s Program for Value-Added and Alternative Agriculture. Tara Vogelien, also shown in the photo at right, is Director of Business and Research Administration for NC State University’s Fruit and Vegetable Science Institute. Our readers can pick up a copy of Extension’s Successful Gardener newsletter at local garden centers or visit www.successfulgardener.org.

A Well Known Author Who Likes to Eat

Well known Davidsonian and TV personality (Book Watch each Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on UNC-TV), D.G. Martin let us know that his new second edition of “Interstate Eateries” is off the press. A wonderful little volume to keep under the seat of your car when traveling in North Carolina. It has recommendations for 100 “down home” restaurants along our interstate highways – with directions to reach the front door of each one. Ask for a copy at Main Street Books or just wait until October 16 at 3:30 p.m. when D.G. will be the featured speaker at the Combined Book Clubs of Davidson Annual Tea to be held in the Davidson Room of The Pines. At that time you can hear D.G. speak and have him autograph your personal copy.

Noteworthy Notes

Woodlawn School emphasizes community service and encourages its students to have annual community service projects. Thus it comes as no surprise that the school searched for a local person to honor. On September 5 at 2:30 p.m., the school will dedicate Woods Hall, the new Upper School building, to honor James Baker Woods III who gave his life in service to his country in Vietnam in 1966.

This is particularly meaningful to our community since Jimmy Woods graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1958 and Davidson College in 1962. Jimmy was the son of the late Dr. James Baker Woods Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth. Dr. Woods was the town doctor for decades and Elizabeth was the original “Around Davidson” writer. Jimmy was also the brother of our Mayor, John Woods, and town resident Lacy Woods Dick.

We commend Woodlawn School for this decision to honor Jimmy Woods. What a nice occasion it will be on Friday, September 5. This event is free and open to the public.

Send us your news

Have news for Brenda? Write to her at hbarger@bellsouth.net