Time to wish June good-bye and may this also be good-bye to the heat for a while.  Plants, grass, animals and people need a break from the relentless hot, dry days.  Hope July brings some freshening showers and a few days in the ’80s!  Can’t wait – but in the meantime we bring news of a new fountain at The Pines that is perfect for dunking your head – if you are six!

In addition, Around Davidson today catches up with a graduation for Darla Beam, a road trip for Tom Cotter and his son, Brian, and a 50th wedding anniversary for Tom and Joanne Ratchford.

Darla Beam

A DEGREE FROM WFU

Congratulations to Darla Christina Beam who graduated from Wake Forest University on May 17 with a Master of Science in Accountancy (MSA) from the School of Business.  Her degree focused on Tax Consulting.

Darla is the daughter of Alex and Daisy Beam of Mooresville (and formerly of Davidson) and granddaughter of the Eugene Alexander and the late Edith Oehler Alexander of Mooresville and the late Sam and Dorothy London Beam of Davidson.  (Many in town will remember Darla and her older siblings:  Travis, Sam and Michele, all of whom attended Davidson Elementary School.)

While at WFU, Darla was active in the Graduate Accounting Club, Intramural Outdoor & Indoor Soccer, and the Avodah Christian Business Student Organization.  She received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina State University in May 2009 with both a B.S. in Accounting and  B.S. in Business Management-Finance.  Darla now hopes to travel and do short-term international missions before going to work at a CPA firm.

Tom and Brian (r) Cotter pose with their 1939 Ford Woody

ROAD TRIP FOR FATHER AND SON

Brian Cotter just finished his freshman year at Wake Forest University last month when he joined his dad, Tom, in their 1939 Ford Woody for three weeks of father-son travels to the west coast and back.  As Tom commented, “It was a terrific father-and-son event that I would suggest to anyone with a rapidly growing child. Personally I think the trip will become more important to Brian 20 years from now than it is today.”

The Cotters covered 8,493 miles traversing 21 states.  They also visited Vancouver, British Columbia, where they stayed across the street from the Olympic Torch site.  (Both are eager to spend more time in this beautiful city.)

The Woody averaged 23 miles-per-gallon which Tom thought was pretty good considering that the car is neither light nor aerodynamic.  Average speed was probably a little over 70 mph with stops taking a bit longer than usual while they answered questions about the year of their Woody, were the parts original and how much restoration.  (Actually Tom purchased the Woody in 1969 and it has been a part of three generations of Cotters.)

Tom and Brian camped and hiked a portion of the Grand Canyon, toured Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monument.  In addition they visited many of Tom’s vintage racing friends and were able to see Jay Leno’s well known garage as well as have lunch with the car enthusiast.

The journey home from Portland, OR, found them sloshing through six days of rain bringing Tom and Brian to compare the window and door leaking Woody to a covered wagon.  Did this dampen their spirits?  Not one bit.  Just ask them.  And certainly Pat Cotter was delighted to have her family home once more on June 14 – dirty laundry and all.

June 18, 1960 at the DCPC and now. Happy 50th Anniversary, Tom and Joanne

THE RATCHFORDS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS

Congratulations to Joanne and Tom Ratchford who celebrated fifty years of marriage on June 18.  The Reverend Sam Newell married them on that date in 1960 at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church (DCPC) with a reception following at the Carnegie Guest House on the Davidson College campus.  (Joanne is the daughter of the late James and Ruby Causey of Davidson.)

To celebrate their five decades together, Tom and Joanne hosted a dinner for their immediate family at the Carnegie Guest House on Saturday, June 19.  Three of their four children and all seven grandchildren were present for the occasion.  Joanne’s sister, Ruth Causey Deaton, and her husband, Ed, came from Reidsville.  The next day, following the baptism of their youngest grandchild, Nathaniel Ratchford, at the 11 o’clock worship service at DCPC, Tom and Joanne welcomed friends and neighbors for lunch at their College Drive home.

Tom, a Davidson College grad, met Joanne (a UNC-G – then Women’s College grad) when both were graduate students at the University of Virginia.  Joanne needed a ride home to Davidson and Tom had an empty seat in his car headed for his home in Mt. Holly.  Three years later they married and living in Alexandria, VA, raised three sons and a daughter:  Joseph Thomas Ratchford, Jr., James Ratchford,  David Andrew Ratchford, and Laura Ratchford.

We are glad that Tom and Joanne chose Davidson and the family homeplace as their “retirement” home and congratulate them on this most noteworthy occasion!

Marcia Adams proudly shows the new fountain to her son, Mark, his wife, Linda, and their sons, Damon (l) and Ryan

KEEPING COOL WHILE REMEMBERING CHUCK ADAMS

Just over two years ago, The Pines welcomed residents to the new Villas constructed adjacent to the cottages at the retirement community.  Charles C. (better known as Chuck) Adams and his wife, Marcia, moved from their home in River Hills, SC, and chose a ground floor villa unit.  Marcia had grown up in DeKalb, IL, home to Northern Illinois University, and wanted to locate in a college town.  Their three children live some distance away in Ohio, New Hampshire and Connecticut.

The couple loved The Pines but regrettably after 14 months, Chuck passed away.  In his memory, Marcia had a fountain, whose design she chose, placed in the open space between the two villa buildings so that everyone who gathers in the gazebo can be refreshed with the sound of the flowing water.  A plaque nearby commemorates the gift.

Charles C. Adams Plaque

Marcia hoped that the fountain would be “up and running” for last weekend’s arrival of her son, Mark, his wife, Linda, and their two sons, Ryan (10) and Damon (6 1/2). Mark and Linda will spend a week here while their sons attend LEGO camp on the Davidson College campus.  They will also visit with Davidson resident and Davidson College Biology professor Malcolm Campbell and his family since Mark roomed with Malcolm during his two years at Davidson before transferring to Rhode Island to finish his college degree.

Just in time, the fountain was finished and the water turned on last Friday.  Friends and neighbors in the villas toasted the new courtyard addition with wine and cheese on Saturday.  Sunday afternoon Mark Adams and his family arrived.  When the North Carolina heat hit Marcia’s grandsons, they headed right for the fountain and found it perfect for keeping heads cool!  Not sure how many of the residents will try their approach but certainly anyone who stops at the gazebo will feel the calming, cooling effect of the water and fondly remember the life of Charles C. Adams.

(Just a note to our readers:  Does Marcia look familiar to you?  She should as she is a member of the Outreach Singers of Davidson United Methodist Church under the direction of Louise Lake. This active group is well known in our area.)

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Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbarger@bellsouth.net.