Little gifts mean a lot when counting Christmas bicycles under the tree! Learn about the Davidson connection to a special Christmas bike program.

This week it is back to Eastern Standard Time and short afternoons. Hard to get used to darkness so early in the evening. Now that November is here, we seem to be on a headlong plunge into the holidays.
But first, read on… to learn about how the Spokesgroup program provides Christmas smiles for children, Dan Kerr‘s Eagle project building beds for a Charlotte ministry, Bruce Smith the “Super Scout,” and John Batcha‘s prep work for a talk at the UN. Also this week, Ron Rash comes to town for DavidsonReads and reconnects with his high school track coach, while Marcia Webster receives an award.

Plus, find out about the new Tuesday edition of your favorite column!

Two Very Good Ideas for the Change in your Pocket:

1. Spokesgroup – Making a Difference One Bicycle at a Time

Hats off to Will Beard, son of Kim and Andy Beard of Davidson, who is president of Spokesgroup, a Charlotte based not-for-profit formed in 1994 to raise funds to purchase bicycles and helmets for the Salvation Army Christmas Bureau. You may have seen the December news networks featuring families spinning the annual Salvation Army “Wheel” to see if the wheel lands on “bicycle,” and the whoops of joy that ensue when it does. The Spokesgroup has been providing many of the bicycles and helmets for the needy youth over the years through the generosity of donors.

Will Beard receives the Spokesgroup NAILBA grant from Laurie Prevette of Equity Brokerage.

This year, Will received a $20,000 donation to expand The Spokesgroup programs for at-risk-students with the Boys and Girls Clubs and Right Moves for Youth. Laurie Prevette of Equity Brokerage presented the grant money from the NAILBA Charitable Foundation. (NAILBA stands for National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies – www.nailba.org) The grant, the largest to date, is in response to The Spokesgroup expansion of their program to make a difference with at risk students in the public school system. Both The Boys and Girls Clubs and Right Moves for Youth use the bikes as performance incentives for their club members who meet and exceed goals.

In light of the sagging economy and the increased support for at-risk-students, this grant is very timely. Will Beard is proud that 100% of each $70 donation to The Spokesgroup buys a bicycle and helmet for one needy or at risk child. What a wonderful way to bring a smile on Christmas morning or to provide an incentive gift for an at risk child. Why not consider a gift of $70 (or more) to The Spokesgroup and send your check to them at POBox 639, Davidson, NC 28036.

2. Mattresses for FAVAR Bunk Beds

Dan Kerr, youngest son of Sallie and Martin Kerr, is also making a difference in the non-profit FAVAR ministry of Charlotte.

Patrick Beck helps Dan Kerr (at right) build bunk beds.

FAVAR stands for Fathers Against Violence and Repeat offenders and offers a halfway house for previously incarcerated men and women. With the help of fellow scouts in Troop 58, Dan built 10 bunk beds at the FAVAR location in Charlotte (www.favarministries.org). The wood for these bunks was a generous donation from the Men’s Ministry of the Davidson United Methodist Church but Dan has the responsibility of raising $800 to purchase 10 new mattresses. He has raised more than half of this amount through pet sitting, mowing grass and the generosity of friends and family.

If you are interested in supporting Dan, a ninth grader at Cannon School, please contact him or a family member. Checks and cash can be sent to Dan at 258 Pat Stough Lane in Davidson, 28036, with “Davidson Troop 58″ in the memo line. Good luck to you, Dan, as you complete your project.

Troop 58’s exceptional adult leadership is encouraging a number of scouts to attain the rank of Eagle, the highest in Boy Scouting. Look for additional names in Around Davidson as these boys complete the requirements.

Popping the Question?

Members of Cub Scout Pack 58 know of Bruce Smith as "The Super Scout" for his leadership in popcorn sales.

And the question is: Have you bought your Boy Scout POPcorn yet? Kudos to Bruce Smith, the Popcorn “Super Scout” for Cub Scouts in Davidson. This pack of 75 scouts excels at popcorn sales, thanks to the devotion of dads like Bruce Smith who braved the chill on a recent Saturday to set up the sales booth and encouraged customers to part with their cash – for a good cause!

Regrettably sales ended Nov. 3 but there are still packages of unsold popcorn to be had. Contact Bruce at 704-896-2871 for more information or to secure one of those last boxes or tins of this great tasting popcorn.

Good Luck, John Batcha!

It isn’t every day you have an invitation to speak at the United Nations! This Saturday, John Batcha of The Pines, will be doing just that. He travels to New York Friday with his wife, Dottie and his son, Tim (of Peachtree City, GA) to catch a good night’s sleep before his 15 minute presentation on hunger programs as a representative of Rotary International.

John Batcha practiced his UN presentation before a Pines audience.

Rotary International and the UN work together on many projects. One day each year they gather to review progress with reports from various panels. John is a tireless advocate of sowing seeds to fight hunger through his Seed Programs, Inc (www.seedquest.org/spi), a non profit 501(C)3 humanitarian organization that solicits donations of good quality vegetable seed and makes it available in multilingual garden packets at low cost through the world. Since 1998 SPI has distributed over 10 million packets to more than 60 countries on five continents. John’s son, Tim, does all the financial accounting pro bono for Seed Quest. Eighty five percent of the seed shipped out is done through faith based groups. A remarkable organization for sure.

At the UN, before an audience of 1300, John will make his presentation. A UN representative will speak for the same period of time and then the two will entertain questions for an additional 15 minutes.

Kudos to you, John, for the work you and Rotary International are doing to promote garden crops to supplement diets that are often meager and unbalanced. John hopes that his speech will encourage financial support for Seed Programs, Inc., through gifts from foundations, corporations or individuals. Rotarians such as John rely on the old adage, “Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.” For more information, access the website listed above or contact John at The Pines.

DavidsonReads brings Author Ron Rash to Town

“One Foot in Eden” by North Carolina native Ron Rash was this year’s DavidsonReads selection.

Rosie Chapman introduced DavidsonREADS author Ron Rash (at right), who found his high school track coach, Wayne Epley, in the audience.

Lectures and book discussions have been offered by Davidson Parks and Recreation Department all fall. One special event was the author’s visit to Davidson on October 24 and 25. Following an introduction by Rosie Chapman, Ron Rash spoke at the Davidson Public Library to an enthusiastic crowd on the evening of the 24th and then held a book signing at Main Street Books on the 25th. On hand to support him at each activity was Wayne Epley of Davidson who was Ron Rash’s track coach when he was a student at Crest High School in Rutherford County. Small world!

Ron Rash has won numerous awards for his poetry and fiction. His most recent book, “Serena,” has received much critical acclaim. “One Foot in Eden” was his first novel and well received for its beauty of language. He is currently teaching at Western Carolina. Many thanks to Davidson Parks and Rec for bringing this author to town.

Marcia Webster Receives Community Builder Award 2008

Hats off to Marcia Webster who was honored on October 23 as the recipient of this year’s 2008 Community Builder Award.

Marcia Webster and her son, Duncan Armfield.

Marcia is a longtime member of the Lake Norman YMCA striving to build relationships in our community and also is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Davidson Housing Coalition (DHC). In August 2002 she was named the first Executive Director of DHC, a position she holds to this day. Much of her work consists of advocating for DHC and affordable housing in Davidson. The press release stated in part: “Marcia has consistently worked harder and smarter in our community to cement the relationships, ideas and efforts that improve the quality of life for all.”

On hand at North Harbor Cafe for the celebration were Marcia’s husband, Evan Webster and her son, Duncan Armfield and his wife, Joy, from Matthews. As part of her award, Marcia will choose a scholarship child to attend day camp next summer at our Lake Norman YMCA. How nice to be recognized for hard work. Congratulations to you, Marcia, and all your family.

Send us your news … and stay tuned for more!

Have news for Brenda? Write to her at hbarger@bellsouth.net. And stay tuned – we will unveil a new Tuesday edition of Around Davidson on Nov. 11. Expect to read about baby girls for the Helfrich and Gottlieb families, and about wedding bells ringing for Sarah Rice and Dave Demarest.