Phillip Hazel casting in the creek in Litchfield, S.C.

Ah, it’s a sure sign summer is over when the yellow school buses rumble through town on their appointed routes to our area’s public schools.  Happy first day of school to all our young people.

A wonderful glimpse of a “final summer fling” comes from DavidsonNews.net reader Stephanie Glaser who shared this photo of her son, Phillip Hazel, “flinging” a net in a South Carolina creek.  Wonderful summertime memories!

Today Around Davidson has news of Lory Morrow’s new assignment with a non-profit school leadership group, along with family notes from Helga and Helmut Bracke about a new grandbaby and a surprise birthday party.  In addition, there are a few follow-up comments about travel in Africa.

A NEW ASSIGNMENT FOR LORY MORROW

Dr. Lory Morrow is now serving as Director of School Leadership for the New York-based New Leaders for New Schools.

Dr. Lory Morrow

This is a national non-profit that recruits, trains and supports urban school principals. New Leaders has 10 national city partnerships, with Charlotte  the latest city to join.

Lory former was executive director with the CMS North Learning Community office, and she was also an elementary principal and assistant principal, literacy facilitator and teacher.  Well known in Davidson for her work earlier at Davidson Elementary, Lory and her husband, Jerry, live in Cornelius.

LOTS TO CELEBRATE WITH THE BRACKES

Helga and Helmut with granddaughter, Luna Lucia.

Happy news for Helga and Helmut Bracke as they became proud grandparents April 6 when their son, Michael Bracke, and his wife, Mila, welcomed a wonderful baby daughter, Luna Lucia Bracke.  Baby Luna lives in Yacolt, Wash., but Helga and Helmut were able to visit for a few weeks at the end of May.  They report that Luna is a beautiful addition to the family!

The Brackes other son, Robert, was in town recently with his wife, Theresa.  They traveled here from Longmont, Colo., for a birthday party celebrating Mom Helga Bracke’s 70th birthday.

Birthday flowers for Helga who stands with her son, Robert, daughter-in-law, Theresa, and husband, Helmut.

With the help of Judy and Merle Schuh, Helmut planned a surprise dinner on Aug. 1, a few days before the actual birthday of Aug. 5.

Good friends Robert and Theresa Bracke, Nick and Marlene Grasberger,  Karla and Hugo Bleuler, John and Rosemarie Monahan, Helen Herlocker,  Dick and Ethel Fowler and Betty and George Guzynsky kept the party a complete secret.  Helga was not only surprised but delighted!

Happy Birthday to you, Helga!

A COMMON THREAD

Last week’s report on the beauty of the landscape and wildlife in Africa drew a number of responses.  It seems that travel to the sub-Saharan countries makes a permanent impact.  One reader who spent time in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, sent a quote:  “We are African not because we are born in Africa but because Africa is born in us.”  Two readers are traveling to South Africa this fall.  Another is headed for Senegal in September and would like to know if anyone has been there and can offer tips.  Let us know.

Allan White was in Tanzania a few years ago and sent photos, one of which we thought readers would enjoy.  What a wonderful opportunity for a good camera and hundreds of animals nearby.  Thank you, Allan, for sharing.

Send us your news

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