Shaping up to be a wonderful weekend for Town Day, Mother’s Day and Graduation Day at Chapel Hill as well as other academic institutions in our state. (Nice that Davidson College is waiting a week for a May 15 commencement.)
News today includes an opera note from local vocalist Mary Kathryn Withers, a musical note from Rachel Dyl and a Noteworthy Note about confections. Of course we promised not to include any more Royal Wedding news but just had to hear from Jane Shoemaker about her “royal adventure” in London. You will smile when you read it!
Rachel Dyl at the piano
RACHEL DYL IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Hats off to 15-year-old Rachel Dyl! Rachel, the daughter of Sherry and Stan Dyl of Davidson, is a freshman at Cannon School where her sister, Shelby, is a senior. She became interested in helping less fortunate children after attending mission trips last summer with Davidson United Methodist Church (DUMC). Hearing about Charlotte’s “A Child’s Place” from a family friend who works there, Rachel decided that she could make a difference helping homeless children there. She learned that $50 could purchase school uniforms while $100 could secure a dentist or doctor’s appointment.
Starting out with a first fundraiser selling Valentine’s Day cards at Cannon School last February, Rachel was able to send $600 to “A Child’s Place.” Wanting to have three fundraisers each year, Rachel decided on a second for 2011 by hosting a May 1 concert in her home to raise money. A concert was a natural fit for Rachel since she loves music and plays the piano and violin.
Musicians playing for a cause: (l-r) Cameron Cook, Rachel Dyl, Madison Heaton, Julia Farrell, Aidan Smith and Chase Loomer on piano.
Organizing the musicians from Cannon School and from the DUMC youth band to perform, Rachel sent out invitations and held rehearsals. There were approximately 40 people in attendance, including her piano teacher Cynthia Lawing from Davidson College. They played all types of music: classical piano, violin and cello, jazz on saxophone, show tunes and more modern pieces. The musicians even performed a Beatles medley as a group. Performers included Rachel, Cameron Cook who plays saxophone and piano and will attend UNC Chapel Hill on a music scholarship this fall, Madelyn Hurley, a vocalist who plays guitar will also study music at Chapel Hill this fall, Aidan Smith (vocals), Lane and Julia Farrell (vocalists), Tom Aumuller (Cello), Thomas Harr (Violin), Madison Heaton (vocals), and Chase Loomer (piano and vocals).
The end result of this wonderful afternoon of music in the Dyl’s home was a donation of over $2,000 to “A Child’s Place.” Congratulations to Rachel for making a difference … and she already has ideas to get Cannon School students involved next fall preparing snack bags with personal notes for the homeless children. As soon as she turns 16, she wants to work at camps held for homeless children and would love to run a soccer clinic.
Jane practicing her "royal" wave
JANE’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
Oh my! Oh my! When Jane Shoemaker is involved, you had better fasten your seat belt! Twenty-eight years ago when Jane was a London based foreign correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer/Knight Ridder newspapers, she was at St. Mary’s Hospital in Paddington covering newborn Prince William as he was carried to a waiting car by Charles and Diana.
Hearing that Prince William, now 28, was engaged to Kate Middleton and the wedding would be April 29, 2011, Jane said to herself, “I was there when he got born, and I will be there when he gets married!”
So last fall, she secured a “Holiday Let” (vacation rental) on Charing Cross Road nearby to Foyles (famous book store), booked a ticket and flew across the pond on Sunday, April 24. With perfect springtime (warm even) weather, a few days free to enjoy the city all over again and to see the trees being delivered to Westminster Abbey, Jane made sure to scout out the parade route for the Royal Wedding on Friday, the 29th, and secure a proper spot. Her requirements were simple: Great view with convenient loo!
Rising at 5:15 a.m. on the appointed day, Jane left her flat and arrived at her spot by 6 a.m., finding herself even at that hour in the second viewing row at the end of the Mall where it turns and goes into the Horse Guards. Now for the wait. In Jane’s words, “You wouldn’t believe how quickly the time passed with all the activity on the Mall and all the foolishness.”
The colorful royal band complete with daggers on their belts!
Jane was in a perfect spot to view all the cars and carriages bringing guests to the wedding. With loud speakers overhead, the throngs on the parade route could hear every word of the wedding ceremony and sing along with all the hymns. Loud and long cheers erupted when Will and Kate were declared man and wife. Then pageantry slipped into high gear as only the Brits know how to do when the couple left the church and proceeded in their open carriage to Buckingham Palace accompanied by prancing horses, bright red foot soldiers, marching bands and royalty in more polished carriages with bright sunshine overhead! Jane mentioned she just wishes she could have “bottled the joy of the occasion” and brought it home to North Carolina.
When the last of the parade passed Jane’s spot, she joined the tens of thousands walking in orderly rows down the Mall to the Palace. Ready with her camera when the couple appeared on the balcony, five foot tall Jane was eclipsed in a heartbeat by waving hands, waving flags and a thousand cameras held high. Not the least bit deterred, Jane did bring home a few photos to share but most of all, she came home with a suitcase full of memories of the absolute JOY of the day – and one memento of the wonderful occasion: a bone china Will-Kate commemorative thimble! Jane, if we had to send someone along to represent us, we are glad it was YOU!
Mary Kathryn Withers
FRONT AND CENTER FOR MARY KATHRYN WITHERS
How delightful to hear that Mary Kathryn Withers, daughter of Melissa and the late Rutledge Withers, has landed a main stage role with Opera Carolina in next week’s production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, “HMS Pinafore.” Most of us have known Kathryn and her sister, Sarah, who have lived in Davidson since birth. We have known of Kathryn’s beautiful voice for years and applaud her success now with Opera Carolina.
Professionally she is known by her full name, Mary Kathryn – somehow fitting since that is what her late Daddy always called her. With three years experience in the chorus and community performances with Opera Carolina, she now is thrilled to be cast as Cousin Hebe in “HMS Pinafore.” Remarking that the show is “absolutely hilarious,” Mary Kathryn hopes that many from Davidson will travel to Charlotte for one of the three productions: Thursday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 14 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. The show is a loveable, light hearted classic suitable for the entire family.
How nice to be in the audience in Belk Theater next week and cheer for a “hometown gal!” (To catch up on Mary Kathryn’s other accomplishments, her bio is attached-PDF)
NOTEWORTHY NOTE
You no doubt have seen the news item seeking cakes for Town Day’s Cake Walk sponsored by Davidson Elementary School. No time to make one of your own? Why not pick one up at the store and donate it to the school. (Memories of last year when my granddaughter stood on the winning number and chose a dozen frosted sugar cookies from a local grocery store. Grandma had her eye on an elegant cake but Hannah proudly marched off with a plastic carton of white cookies with red frosting!) Bottom line is: Anything sweet will do. Drop your confection off on the Town Green between 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. this Saturday, May 7.
Send us your news
Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbarger@bellsouth.net.
