This dog can fly! Read more about Harley below.

Hope our readers had a wonderful weekend despite the high temperatures and high humidity. Summer is here and the heat is definitely on.  Soon there will be news of summer travel, but for today let’s catch up on recent graduations for  Caitlin Boon, Gretchen Wells and Jonathan Sekerak.  We also announce the arrival of Tess Blackburn and offer a wonderful story about a dog named Harley.

Reese Blackburn is thrilled to have a new sister, Tess.

CRADLE ROLL – BABY TESS IS HERE

Congratulations to Davidson town planner Lauren Blackburn and husband Clint Blackburn of Charlotte, who welcomed a beautiful baby daughter last Wednesday, June 17.  Tennessee Anderson Blackburn (Tess) weighed 7 lbs 12 oz and stretched to 20 3/4 inches.  Eager to welcome his sister home was big brother, Reese, 3.

Lauren’s mother is in town from Arkansas to help with the new baby.  Also in town to lend a  hand are Clint’s parents and sister, all from Oklahoma.  Best wishes to the whole family.

MEET HARLEY – FROM RESCUE DOG TO CHAMPION

Not long ago Emma Boraks posted a video interview with dog trainer Diana Woods on the Kidspage of this website.  Diana raises her flat coated retrievers for agility competitions, which include clearing jumps, tipping seesaws, weaving in and out of poles and running through fabric tunnels.

Now we want to introduce our readers to Harley, another agility competitor, but mixed breed, who has qualified for a national event this November in Scottsdale, Ariz., governed by the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA).  The USDAA allows pure and mixed breeds to compete in what is called the “Cynosport World Championships.”

Kristen and James Davis pose with Harley and her awards

Harley, a German Shepherd/Boxer mix, is a rescue dog adopted by James and Kristen Davis in December 2005.  (James is the son of Steve and Elisabeth Davis of Cornelius.  Kristen is the daughter of Bob and Debbie Hogan, also of Cornelius.)  This young couple also has two horses, two cats and even a miniature donkey on their property in Monroe.  In 2007 Kristen and James noticed how much Harley enjoyed jumping the cavalletti (or dressage fencing) set up for their horses. Thinking they might be able to direct Harley’s boundless energy into a specific routine, they inquired about training and soon started an agility program at Dog Haven Dogs (doghavendogs.com) under trainer Deb Knowles.

It turns out Harley is a natural for this type of competition, which entails running a course within a time limit.  (Check out Harley’s exploits in this video on YouTube.  Her personality really shines in this short clip.) Harley attended her first agility trial in November 2007 and has continued to win honors since then.  She won a first place last month in Fletcher, N.C., and another at Southeast Regionals this month in Perry, Ga.  Both Kristen and James run with Harley during her events and both are hoping to see what their delightful dog can do against national and international competition in November in Arizona.  Her energy coupled with her agility make for a winning combination in our view.  Best of luck, Harley, and kudos to you, James and Kristen, for taking man’s best friend from rescue dog to “classy canine!”

NEW DEGREES Caitlin Boon

Caitlin Boon

Congratulations to Caitlin Boon, daughter of Rolf and Joan Boon of Davidson, who received her doctorate in Food Science from the University of Massachusetts last month.  In addition to her parents and her husband, Tomas Carbonell, Esq., attending the ceremony were her grandmother, Linda McAuley, aunts Georgette McAuley, Fenna Corry, Marchiena Davis and her sister-in-law, Augustina Carbonell, and Dr. Ruben and Augustina Carbonell. While studying at UMass, Caitlin received a Fulbright Scholarship to City University London where she earned a Masters in Food Policy, which she used to help the UMass faculty establish their own Food Policy Program.  After finishing the work for her PhD, last August, Caitlin accepted a position at the Institute of Medicine (IOM) within the National Academies in Washington, DC.  She is director of the IOM’s Food Forum and serves as a program officer for a project developing strategies to reduce sodium intake by the American public.

Tomas Carbonell and Caitlin Boon at her graduation.

Caitlin is thrilled to be working with experts in the field to improve food safety and nutrition.  She still credits her love of science, to her family and the excellent teachers she had at Davidson Elementary, Alexander Junior High, Davidson International Baccalaureate School, and North Mecklenburg High School’s IB Program — in particular, Heather Smith and Greg Wike who took her entire 4th grade class to Space Camp in 1990. Also, her involvement in the NC 4-H program was an important influence in her career choice. Caitlin and her husband, Tomas, live in Washington, D.C., near Capitol Hill. Both are volunteering in a tutoring program for high school students through the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, hoping to help influence young students in the way they were once helped by caring teachers, 4-H leaders, church family members and their own families. Congratulations to you, Caitlin, and your family.  We are glad you are keeping us up to date on your accomplishments.

Jonathan Sekerak

Drinking Carolina Blue water in his Carolina Blue robe is Jonathan Sekerak.

Jonathan Sekerak, son of Chris and Marion Sekerak of Davidson, graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill last month with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, Advertising sequence.  A regular on the Dean’s List, Jonathan also found time in his last semester to intern at the Durham ad agency, McKinney, and worked on accounts such as Travelocity, NASDAQ and Gold’s Gym.  He was selected for the UNC “Ad Team” which came in second place at the regionals in Charlotte as part of the National Student Advertising Competition.  In addition, Jonathan was a member of the Chinese Conversation Club and Ad Club – not to mention various intramural sports. Jonathan’s plans for the future include staying in Chapel Hill to work and save money for the immediate future.  Later this summer he hopes to visit friends in England and Scotland and perhaps in 2010 travel to China to complete mastery of the language.  Good luck and congratulations on your degree.

A note about Jonathan’s sister, Erin, who graduated in 2007 from the University of Georgia with a degree in English:  She is staying in “Hot”lanta, working, enjoying life and looking at options for the future.  Wonderful to be young and unencumbered.

Gretchen Wells

Gretchen Cable Wells (r) is joined by her mother, Nancy Cable and her sister, Katie, at her graduation from Denison University

How nice to catch up with Nancy Cable and Jon Wells and their daughters, Gretchen and Katie.  Through B.G. Jones, a close friend of Nancy’s mother, Jane Cable of Naples, Fla., we learned that Gretchen received a B.A. in Theatre last month from Denison University in Granville, Ohio.  Gretchen is working this summer in Children’s Theatre in Charlottesville, Va., a perfect location close to her sister, Katie, who is pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Virginia and also close to her mother who works there.  (Katie received a degree in History from Bowdoin College in 2007.)

Since Nancy Cable was Director of Admissions for Davidson College from 1992-2005, Gretchen and Katie grew up here.  Nancy left Davidson to take a position with U.Va., first with the School of Engineering and now as Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs for the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) there. Nice to catch up with the family.  Congratulations to you, Gretchen.  We remember how much you loved theater while in our town.

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