Robyn Oldham, dressed in blue at center, sat surrounded by friends and family to celebrate her Nov. 30 birthday.

Time to put away the turkey platter and get out the holiday decorations. The first window of the “Advent calendar” can be opened today, reminding us that only a few short weeks remain before Christmas.  Davidson will begin its holiday celebration this weekend with many festivities throughout the town on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.   What a wonderful time to get in the holiday mood strolling from one end of our village to the other.

Today, however, we back up the calendar for news of Wendy Yang and Brandon Bailey’s wedding in late October.  Also we congratulate Robyn Oldham on a last day of November birthday.  Noteworthy notes include a reminder to visit with David Kaylor this week at the College Uni0n and not to forget the Horticulture Club’s Poinsettia Sale this Saturday at North Mecklenburg High School.

NOVEMBER GOES OUT WITH A BIRTHDAY FOR ROBYN!

Birthdays that fall near holidays are good reason to continue celebrating for days and days.  Robyn Oldham‘s birthday is Nov. 30 which meant this past weekend was a non-stop party.

Celebrating Robyn Oldham's birthday were her daughters, Harriet Kessler (l) and Margo Williams.

Robyn’s Davidson daughters, Harriet Kessler and Margo Williams, and their families plus relatives from Texas and good Davidson friends, Jon Guttman and Lewis Deaton, gathered for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.  Wanting everyone to be seated at a single table, Harriet arranged for the festive meal for 18 people to be held at the Alumni House on the Davidson College campus.  Everyone brought a dish and had a wonderful time.

On Friday evening, Robyn’s granddaughter, Kristi Kessler Walters, and her husband, Jerry, entertained the family with an early “Nana” Oldham birthday party at their Charlotte home.  The following day, Kristi and her cousin, Robin Moncrief from Boca Raton, Fla., invited Robyn to join them for a movie outing to Birkdale and enjoyed “The Blind Side” about the life of football player Michael Oher.

Sunday was all about church and a “day of rest” before Robyn continued with a birthday party yesterday – on her real “birthday!”  How appropriate that she turned a “young 88″ just like the sum of the keys on the piano she plays so well.  Passing out birthday cupcakes to her friends during lunch yesterday at The Pines were her daughters, Harriet Kessler and Margo Williams.  Quite a weekend of partying and celebrating.  Happy Birthday, Robyn!

A FALL WEDDING FOR WENDY AND BRANDON

Have you ever poked your head in the South Main shop Amity and Bailey?  If not, plan to drop by soon and meet the owners, Wendy Yang and Brandon Bailey.  This energetic young couple stays busy and this fall was no exception.

Wendy and Brandon left mid-September to spend two weeks in New York City to work on costume design for Nitemare Haunted House – a job Wendy has been doing for the past six years.  (Nitemare has been rated the No. 1 Haunted House in the country.)  It is a huge extravaganza.  Wendy and Brandon were responsible for 100 costumes for the house this year.  Check out more information on this event at http://hauntedhousenyc.com

A Lake Norman wedding for Wendy Yang and Brandon Bailey.

Following the opening of the Haunted House and their return to North Carolina, there were just a few days for last minute planning before Wendy and Brandon got married.  (Brandon grew up mostly in Washington, D.C., as a military youngster.  Wendy was also a “military kid” but grew up mostly in Hong Kong.)  The Oct. 3 ceremony was on the shore of Lake Norman, near their home off Brawley School Road. The wedding reception was held in their backyard.  They did practically everything themselves, from the flowers (purchased at Davidson Farmer’s Market), to the desserts and music.  Wendy even made her own wedding dress.  Friends and family from as far away as China, Italy and Uruguay traveled to Mooresville to join in the celebration.

Honeymoon travel took the newlyweds to Southeast Asia for 15 days.  Their journey started in Shanghai and continued to Cambodia where they visited the temple complex of Angkor Wat. A highlight for Brandon was a motorbike trip from Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, to Siem Riep near Angkor Wat.  It was quite an experience to see the countryside “up close and personal” while they rode together on one bike.  Returning to China, they spent time in Beijing touring the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the historic back alley “hutong” neighborhoods.

Honeymooning in Shanghai

Their shop, Amity and Bailey Trading Co., is in South Main Square, near Campania Cafe.  Store hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m.  to 7 p.m.  They do not take items on consignment but if you bring something in to “sell,” they will offer you a fair value credit toward purchases in the store.  You do not, however, have to have an item to trade.  You can visit and browse through their unique collection including clothing, jewelry, purses, and much more.

The entire family will want to stroll down South Main to their store during “Christmas in Davidson” when parents can make icicle ornaments with their children.  Nice holiday idea!

Congratulations Wendy and Brandon.  So glad you have settled in our area.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

Wood Turning by David Kaylor

David Kaylor will be visiting his old hometown of  Davidson this week for his annual woodturning demonstration, exhibit and sale, to be held Dec. 1-2 on the lower floor of the Davidson College Union.  Coming from his new home in Black Mountian, David will bring a sampling of his beautiful woodturned items for sale.  But as he mentioned, even if you are not Christmas shopping, do stop by to say hello and find out about life in the NC mountains.

Poinsettia Sale

The North Mecklenburg Horticulture Club will hold their Annual Holiday Poinsettia Sale this Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9-noon at North Mecklenburg High School. Items for sale will include red, white, pink and burgundy poinsettias as well as Paperwhites and Amaryllis in pots.  All poinsettias are wrapped in foil by the students and tied with a big bow.  This is a nice way to decorate your home while supporting the horticulture students.

Send us your news

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