DavidsonNews.net's David Boraks moderated Tuesday's forum for Town Board candidates: Kristin Coupal (at podium); and, from left, Jim Fuller, Rodney Graham, Brian Jenest, Mickey Pettus, Laurie Venson and Connie Wessner

What a busy week for Davidson.  A large, enthusiastic crowd of students, alums, special guests, faculty, staff and friends gathered Tuesday afternoon in Belk Arena on the Davidson College campus to celebrate the inauguration of the 18^th President, Carol Quillen.  A short time later, another large crowd gathered in the sanctuary of St. Alban’s to hear our candidates for Mayor and Town Board present their “platforms” and answer questions from moderator, David Boraks.  An informed voter is the best voter – so be sure to attend upcoming candidate forums or carefully read interviews posted on DavidsonNews.net.

Today’s Around Davidson bypasses voting issues and reports on a college mini-reunion for Anna Chao Pai, travels with Lemie and Norman Richards and belated birthday greetings for Louise Martin.

Anna Chao Pai (2nd from right) welcomed Sweet Briar classmates for a visit: (l-r) Mary Landon Brugh, Judith Ruffin Anderson, and Aileen Laing

A MINI SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE REUNION

October is a good time for many academic institutions to hold reunions.  Anna Chao Pai of The Pines had her very own mini-reunion this week when three Sweet Briar College classmates came for a visit.  Driving together from Virginia were Aileen Laing from Amosville, Mary Landon Brugh from Clifford and Judith Ruffin Anderson from Winchester. These ladies are all members of the Class of ‘57 at the women’s college in Virginia and had a marvelous time picking up where they last left off.  What fun to drop in on them for a quick photo-op.

Lemie and Norman Richards enjoyed an August vacation in Switzerland

ALPINE TRAVELS

Always eager to be outdoors walking or hiking, it was a perfect match for Lemie and Norman Richards to sign on with a two week Roads Scholar (formerly Elder Hostel) trip to Switzerland. The trip, called “From Jungfrau to Matterhorn,” found the Richards flying into Zurich and traveling by bus to the Lauterbrunnen Valley near Interlaken.  They then proceeded by cog railway to the car-free Alpine village of Wengen, overlooked by the Jungfrau, which was their headquarters for the first week.  A small hotel was perfect lodging for their group of 20.  They spent one “city” day in Interlaken taking a ride on the lake and visiting a cave but otherwise hiked daily with picnic lunches in the countryside surrounding Wengen – always walking or traveling by gondolas or cog railways.

Alpenhorns are a favorite sound for tourists in the Swiss Alps.

The second week the group moved to another car-free town called Bettmeralp, with views of the Matterhorn. Again the Richards stayed in a small hotel which provided breakfast and dinner and frequent picnic lunches for the hikes.  They toured the area around Zermatt and the Matterhorn, still covered with snow, and hiked one day through a vineyard giving them opportunity to taste the local Wallis wine.

Expert local guides hiked with the group to give them an appreciation of the history, geology, flora and fauna of the area.  Lemie and Norman noted that the weather was warm and sunny and the scenery, which included many cows bells and Alpenhorn melodies, reminded them daily of “Heidi.”  Both found the scenery a highlight from the high snowy peaks to the bright window box blooms.  Needless to say, they had a wonderful trip.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOUISE MARTIN

Happy 90th Birthday to Louise Martin who holds the flowers from the top of her birthday cake!

We love to talk about the “clean living” at The Pines, which seems to lead to longevity!  A fine example is Louise Martin, who moved here with her husband, the late Bill Martin, almost nine years ago and celebrated her 90^th birthday on September 28.  The Martins came from Oviedo, Fla., to be closer to their daughter, Anne, who lives in River Run with her husband, Skip Hendrix. The Hendrix’s children, Jeff and Amy, are grown and have families of their own.  Jeff Hendrix lives in River Run with his two children, while Amy and her husband, Don Stiel, and their two children live in Mooresville. The Martin’s son, George Martin, and his wife, Paula, live now in Wharton, Texas, while their grown sons, John and Mark, both live in Oviedo.

To celebrate her 90^th, this very youthful mother, grandmother and great grandmother was honored with a dinner at the River Run Country Club on Oct. 1.  There were five tables of 10, a mixture of family and friends resulting in much merriment and fellowship.  Louise was thrilled to have a beautiful birthday cake specially prepared by the River Run chef who preserved the very top of the confection for Louise in a vase of chocolate cookie crumbs.  It was a delightful evening filled with wonderful memories as all her family members were here to celebrate with her.

It is fascinating to visit with Louise and hear about her childhood growing up in Oviedo when it was a small town in the midst of orange groves.  Her father was in the citrus business primarily raising oranges but also branching out into lime orchards and row crops of celery.  When she married Bill, they joined her dad in Oviedo.  Like any agriculture venture, one is dependent on Mother Nature and after enduring killing winter freezes in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the family sold the land to developers as population in the Orlando area mushroomed.  Louise says former dirt roads in Oviedo are now eight lane highways.

As a Davidsonian, Louise enjoys church, music, gardening, and committee work at The Pines – but most of all being with family.  Her apartment at The Pines is full of mementos from pitchers and plates she hand painted to the Bonsai Norfolk Pine, named “Junior,” (see it behind her in the photo) which she has owned for 50 years. It remains in its original pot and has been carefully pruned and tended for all these decades.  She laughs when she recalls how the movers so carefully packed and wrapped it for the trip from Florida to North Carolina.  Talk about a green thumb!

Although belated, we send every good birthday wish your way, Louise.  Happy 90^th!!

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