In this year’s look back at the year that was in Davidson, we’ve taken a cue from readers in compiling our list of the year’s top stories. In 2009, the most-read stories on DavidsonNews.net ranged from Davidson College basketball player Stephen Curry’s decision to go pro and the death of former Wildcats’ star Mike Maloy to the Hough High name controversy and the October fire that destroyed a home in River Run. Meanwhile, the town added a bit of culture – a new movie theater and a public art sculpture. The past year brought mailboxes to the McConnell neighborhood and changes downtown. And the community came to the rescue of the financially-troubled Davidson Cornelius Day Care, one of the only area day cares to take children regardless of their ability to pay. We’ve also tossed in a few staff picks for big stories as well. Read on for our list.
Coach Bob McKillop (left) with Stephen Curry at April 23 press conference. (Tim Cowie photo)
Steph chooses NBA
Stephen Curry, the Davidson Wildcat junior who helped lead his team to the Elite 8 of the NCAA basketball tournament in 2008, announced at a spring press conference at Baker Sports Complex that he would skip his senior year and follow a lifelong dream to play as a professional in the National Basketball Association. As the season began, he mailed a postcard to Davidson fans thanking them and inviting them to continue following him. By winter, he was beginning to feel at home in the colors of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. And on Dec. 19, he had his best night so far, scoring 27 points against the Washington Wizards. (Alas, the Wizards won that one, as have most of the Warriors’ opponents; the team has one of the worst records in the NBA.)
April 23, 2009, David Boraks and Laurie Dennis, “Steph Curry leaving Davidson to go pro.”
April 23, 2009, David Boraks, “Curry finally ‘at peace’ after a tough few weeks.”
Oct. 9, 2009, David Boraks, “Steph to fans: Thanks and stick with me.”
All coverage of Stephen Curry under the Stephen Curry tag, CLICK HERE>
Mike Maloy (15) was an All American at Davidson. (Davidson Sports Information photo)
Mike Maloy dies in Vienna
Mr. Maloy was a New York City native who in the late 1960s became an All-American basketball star at Davidson College – and one of the first African American players on the team. In February, he died at age 59 after a professional career in Europe. Mr. Maloy apparently died of the flu at his home in Vienna, where he worked as a teacher and coach at the American International School – and as a popular local blues musician.
Feb. 4, 2009, David Boraks, “Former Wildcat star Maloy dies in Vienna.”
Flames shoot from a home on Craggy Meadows Court, in River Run, as firefighters battle the blaze from a ladder. (David Boraks photo)
Fire destroys River Run home
A fire that authorities said probably started in a chimney flue sent flames into the night sky and destroyed a home in the River Run neighborhood on Oct. 27. Robin Johnson and his children, who had stayed up later than usual, heard a “whoosh” and discovered the fire in the attic and were able to flee. In the following days, neighbors came to the rescue. The owners of a home for sale across the street took the property off the market and offered it to the Johnsons while they rebuild. And Davidson United Methodist Church church members donated furnishings.
Oct. 27, 2009, David Boraks, “Evening Blaze destroys home in River Run.” Story and photos.
Oct. 28, 2009, David Boraks, “Officials: River Run house fire started in flue.”
Nov. 26, 2009, Brenda Barger, Around Davidson column, “Thankful for surviving a house fire.” Checking back in with the Johnsons a month later.
Davidson Mayor John Woods (left), Dr. Tom Clark (center) and Davidson College President Tom Ross formally opened the Cats on Main Shop in September. (Bill Giduz photo)
Goodbye gnomes, hello Cats on Main
The run-down north end of Main Street downtown has long been a concern of town officials and citizens. After the closing of the Tom Clark Museum, which housed the collectible gnome figurines of Davidson sculptor Tom Clark, many wondered if the block of shops would ever come back to life. In June, Davidson College announced an agreement with Mr. Clark and his Cairn Studios to take over the former museum for Cats on Main, a Davidson Wildcats spirit wear and souvenir shop. The shop opened in August, before students returned to school, and Dr. Clark cut a ribbon at a ceremony in September. In December, the college won Design Review Board approval for plans to renovate other storefronts in the block as well.
June 10, 2009, David Boraks, “Goodbye gnomes, hello Wildcat spirit shop”
Sept. 26, 2009, Bill Giduz and David Boraks, “Dr. Tom Clark helps christen new Cats on Main shop”
Dec. 16, 2009, Alex Gregor, “Board approves face lift for N. Main storefronts”
Andy Dunnill speaks in front of his "A Bouquet for Davidson" (David Boraks photo)
A Bouquet for Davidson
Davidson in 2009 became one of the smallest towns in the state to introduce a public art program. After 2 years of planning, and the appointment of a citizen-led public art commission, the town in April dedicated “A Bouquet for Davidson” by British-American artist Andy Dunnill on the plaza in front of the Davidson post office. The 4-ton, 15-foot creation, made of found objects and topped by a large bell-shaped figure, has drawn a mixture of admiration and puzzlement. Said Davidson College professor and sculptor Cort Savage: “This sculpture has transformed a once-anonymous area in front of the post office into an amazing, rich and phenomenal space filled with personality.” At the dedication, children and adults climbed all over the sculpture. Within days, liability-sensitive town officials had issued a warning asking viewers to stay off it. Meanwhile, the town also began work on a second public art project near the library.
April 16, 2009, David Boraks, “Audio: Installing Andy Dunnill’s ‘Bouquet for Davidson’”
April 26, 2009, David Boraks, “Sculpture dedicated, amid admiration and puzzlement”
April 29, 2009, David Boraks, “Insurer says: Please don’t climb on the sculpture.”
See all our coverage of the public art commission and public art in town in the Public Art category.
Now playing: Our Town Cinemas
Our Town Cinemas chief Curtis Fainn (left) and marketing director Jan Black sit in one of the four screening rooms. (David Boraks photo)
Over the summer, rumors began to circulate around town that a developer was planning to put a movie theater in Sadler Square shopping center off Griffith Street, next to the Egg @ Davidson and Healthy Home Market. It was an idea that seemed too good to be true for local film fans. But in August, it became official: movie theater veteran Curtis Fainn and other investors planned a 4-screen, first-run theater in former storefronts. The new Our Town Cinemas opened on Christmas Day, showing “The Princess and the Frog,” “Invictus,” “It’s Complicated” and “Sherlock Holmes.” Mr. Fainn said he was pleased with ticket sales in his first week. He expects to change at least one film every week, he said. Meanwhile, Our Town Cinemas is planning a film society and also is marketing itself for private parties and special events.
Aug. 19, 2009, “It’s official: 4-screen cinema coming to Sadler Sq.”
Dec. 24, 2009, “Our Town Cinemas to open Christmas Day.”
Read our previous coverage of Our Town Cinemas, CLICK HERE>
Community unites to save day care
Kids at Davidson-Cornelius Day Care get a music lesson last spring from Liz Hickey, Kindermusik instructor from Davidson United Methodist Church. Click photo to see our May 29 audio slide show about that program. (David Boraks photo)
For 40 years, Davidson-Cornelius Day Care on Gamble Street on Davidson’s West Side has provided weekday care, meals and other services for pre-school children from a diverse mix of working families – some of whom are unable to pay. In August, the well-loved community institution announced it was about to run out of money, the victim of falling enrollment amid the weak economy and state funding cuts. Board members, town officials from Davidson and Cornelius and other concerned citizens mounted an all-out campaign to save the center, raising more than $100,000 by year’s end. The center now has a new director, enrollment is up, and advisers are helping it develop a new business plan to adapt to the changing funding and economic climate. “The financial situation has stabilized over the past four months,” said John Venzon, the center’s interim chief financial officer. “The original goal was met after about 2½ weeks of intensive effort, and the community has just kept going. The outpouring of support has been outstanding.” We were thankful to have Davidson writer Michele Miller Houck helping us follow the story this fall. Read her coverage below.
Aug. 21, 2009, David Boraks, “Financial woes threaten Davidson-Cornelius Day Care”
Sept. 24, 2009, Michele Miller Houck, “Well-loved day care’s quiet slide into difficulty”
Dec. 18, 2009, Michele Miller Houck, “Day care counts blessings as donations top $100k”
See all our coverage of the Davidson-Cornelius Day Care, CLICK HERE>
High School name: W.A. Hough (rhymes with ‘tough’)
William Amos Hough, Jr., in 1966, during his tenure as principal of North Mecklenburg High School.
As the new high school in Cornelius neared completion this fall, a committee of citizens and community leaders met to come up with a name. After soliciting community input, they recommended naming the school for the late William A. Hough, a respected former principal who guided North Mecklenburg High School through racial integration in the 1960s. Committee member and Davidson Mayor John Woods said: “This is a decision that honors the history of our community and honors a man who had a tremendous impact on generations of students.” The school board endorsed the name Nov. 10.
After the vote, opposition emerged. Opponents worried the name might be mispronounced (“ho,” slang for whore) or otherwise subject their children to ridicule (“huff” could be jargon for a type of teen substance abuse). After she was elected Nov. 3, the area’s new school board representative Rhonda Lennon took up their concerns and called for a board re-vote.
On Dec. 8, the school board listened to speakers on both sides, then voted without discussion to keep the Hough name. Among the speakers was sixth grader Meg Houck of Davidson, who tried to put things into perspective: “It seems to me that people are spending a lot of time yelling at each other about something that should be over and done with. How does that help make our schools better places for us to learn?”
See all our coverage, letters and commentaries at the Hough High tag.
Dec. 9, 2009, Laurie Dennis, “Hough name stays put on new high school.”
See more memories of school year gone by in Laurie Dennis’s 2009 School Year in Review.
McConnell neighborhood president John Griffen holds a sign proclaiming his affection for Davidson's postmaster. With him are mailbox committee members Larae Todd (with his dog, Radjah) and Lotta Griffen.
Mailboxes for McConnell
The past two decades have seen the expansion of new subdivisions in Davidson, and with that have come homeowners’ association rules. In the McConnell neighborhood, a longstanding rule prevented residents from putting up mailboxes and receiving home mail delivery. McConnell residents have argued back and forth over the years about the restriction. Some complained the requirement that they use post office boxes caused them to miss bills and other mail. Others argued that it was bad for the environment (all those cars driving to the post office). Others said putting up mailboxes would clutter the streetscape and raise security concerns. In March, after 98 percent of McConnell’s 202 households responded to the petition campaign, 82 percent voted in favor of curbside mail delivery.
Nov. 25, 2008, Laurie Dennis, “McConnell residents reconsider ban on mailboxes.”
March 17, 2009, Laurie Dennis, “McConnell says yes to mailboxes.”
Security camera images show ATM robbery on Main Street Dec. 18. (SOURCE: Wachovia Bank, via Davidson Police Department)
Police news: Armed robberies
Another innovation – for better or for worse – came to Davidson this year: regular local police and fire reports. We initiated weekly “Police Blotter” and “Fire Calls” columns on DavidsonNews.net, with news about what our public safety officers are up to. The news has ranged from the hilarious (like the 6-foot foam tidal wave that set off fire alarms at a college fraternity house) to the “can’t-believe-it-happened here” (armed robberies of a woman in the Food Lion parking lot and an ATM user on Main Street). It also has been useful, as in where are the speed and stop-sign traps this week, or is your neighborhood in the midst of a rash of break-ins? Some readers have joshed your editor about his role in bringing crime to Davidson. But really: Would you rather not know?
Dec. 18, 2009, David Boraks, “Man robbed while using ATM on Main Street.”
Dec. 18, 2009, David Boraks, “Security camera catches ATM robbery in progress.”
Sept. 14, 2009, David Boraks, “Knife-wielding man robs woman in Food Lion lot”
Sept. 19, 2009, David Boraks, “Police nab suspect in Food Lion parking lot robbery”
Re-read the weekly Police Blotter columns, CLICK HERE>
See a list of all our weekly Fire Calls, CLICK HERE>
Stowe's Corner after a December storm. (David Boraks photo)
Stowe’s Corner opens; more changes ahead?
The streetscape downtown continued to evolve in 2009, in at least one case bringing a major new look. Stowe’s Corner, a retail and office building, opened in on the site of the former Stowe’s Exxon at South Main and South streets. A medical management company, Baybridge Management, and a hair salon, Cocoon, were the first tenants. A clothing boutique (j.g. smith) is coming in January. At year’s end, developer David Stewart was still seeking tenants for empty spaces. That includes the ground floor restaurant site, though there have been some juicy rumors about a possible tenant in recent weeks. Meanwhile, more downtown changes could be ahead: Artisan Builders got permission to tear down its offices across South Main Street from Stowe’s Corner and replace it with a multi-story mixed-use building called Mooney’s Corner.
Read all our coverage of the Stowe’s Corner building under the Stowe building tag.
Aug. 20, 2009, David Boraks, “Design board OKs Main Street demolition, with conditions.”
Obituaries: Those who left us in 2009
News from the year gone by in and around Davidson includes the sad reports of those who left us. They included those who departed after long, fulfilled lives, leaving impressive legacies and long lists of accomplishments. And there were those whose accidental deaths snatched them away too soon. Read our review from Dec. 31.
Dec. 31, 2009, “Remembering those who left us in 2009.”
Also in the news this year
The past year has seen many other stories worthy of note, some which caught readers’ attention and some, despite their importance, which did not.
This year, we continued to closely follow the situation at the financially troubled MI-Connection cable system, which is owned by the towns of Davidson and Mooresville. There were some bright spots: The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors named the system its 2009 Community Broadband Project of the Year, citing the towns for refusing “to accept sub-standard broadband and cable service and decided to deliver better quality themselves.” The system also made some major changes, including bringing in a new top executive and reconstituting its board. The economy and competition from satellite and other providers have stalled the addition of new subscribers, though existing subscribers are buying more services. But in 2010, debt payments will become an issue for the towns. Will the system see the growth it needs to rebound? Or will the towns have to find a way to pump more cash into the system. (See all our coverage of MI-Connection this year, in our Cable TV category.)
Members of the 2009-11 Davidson Town Board, from left: Tim Dreffer, Mayor John Woods, Laurie Venzon, Margo Williams, Connie Wessner, and Brian Jenest. (Sarah Jenest photo)
On Nov. 3, Davidson voters re-elected three incumbents and two newcomers to the Town Board, whose major task in 2010 is likely to be dealing with the weak economy. The board also will be monitoring the health of MI-Connection and is expected to vote on whether to endorse a new vision for future growth, in a townwide Comprehensive Plan. That plan has been in development for more than a year, with the help of a consultant, the planning staff and more than 80 citizens on volunteer committees.
Davidson College-based public radio station WDAV-FM was in the news as general manger Benjamin K. Roe continued to build the station as a regional voice for local musical performance. The classical music station broadcast live performances from the region’s big summer music festivals – from Spoleto in Charleston to the Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina. At year’s end, the station announced a deal with National Public Radio to take over production of the weekly performance series “World of Opera.” (Other coverage of WDAV at the WDAV tag.)
East Rocky River Road roundabout. Click to see a slideshow.
Despite a tight budget, the town this summer and fall repaved many streets in need of repair. And our town got a small share of federal transportation stimulus funds (through the N.C. Department of Transportation) for two projects: the new roundabout at East Rocky River and Davidson-Concord roads and a section of greenway running through the River Run neighborhood. See all our coverage of roadwork under the Public Works category.
Other stories worthy of note:
Jan. 16, 2009, “After NY crash, Davidson family welcomes dad’s return.”
April 18, 2009, “South Main condo auction yields sales at ‘half price’”
Aug. 3, 2009, “Local CMS schools feel the pain of teacher cuts.”
Sept. 3, 2009, “As school year beings, flu spreads on campus”
