Dyeing eggs never gets old!

Just when we thought we were through with sweaters and jackets, here comes a frost warning!  Not unexpected but still a nuisance to have to cover tomato plants and drag pots of impatiens inside.  It was nice however to have a cooler weekend for Easter activities.  In addition to hunting eggs, we found families enjoying something new on our Town Green.  Today we have a noteworthy note about that.

You no doubt know that your columnist is a pushover for horses and babies.  No surprise that we have news today of some BIG horses and LITTLE children.

Dad Scott, Mom Kim and big brother, Ben, are happy to announce the arrival of Caroline Mae Ortmayer

CRADLE ROLL – CAROLINE MAE ORTMAYER

Welcome to the world, Caroline Mae Ortmayer.  Caroline is the second child and first daughter of Scott and Kim Ortmayer of Huntersville.  Baby Caroline was born in Charlotte weighing 9 lbs. 15 oz. and stretching to 23 inches.  She is named after her maternal great grandmother, Caroline Uehlein of Lorain, Ohio, and her late paternal great grandmother, Nellie Mae Jones.

Eager to have his sister at home is big brother Ben Ortmayer, who turns two this month.  Mom Kim is a nurse at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.  Dad Scott is a pilot with Comair.  Proud grandparents are Lou and Carolyn Ortmayer of Davidson.  Aunt Carrie Uehlein lives in Huntersville so she can check on the new arrival often.

Uncle Owen Ortmayer (Scott’s younger brother) lives in south Charlotte and is delighted to have a new niece who will be on hand with her family and grandparents when he marries Amanda Fite of Charlotte later this spring.  Happy, busy days for the Ortmayer family.

Grandpa Bill Jackson was happy to share this photo of 10 month old granddaughter, Beatrice

HELLO BEATRICE

Proud Grandpa Bill Jackson of Davidson sent along a wonderful photo of Beatrice Murat Chadbourne.  This young lady is now 10 months old and the apple of the Bill and Grandma Judith Jackson’ eye.  Beatrice’s parents are Seth and Elizabeth Jackson Chadbourne of New York City.

Needless to say, Bill and Judith wish that their granddaughter lived closer but the family will be visiting in town after Easter.  Also planning to spend time in Davidson is “Uncle” Andrew Jackson of Union Grove, N.C.

Caroline Kompanik, held by mom Heather, had a fancy dress and matching socks

EGGS A-PLENTY

Best friends Della Scott Michael (l) and Libby Thwaites were ready to hunt eggs.

A beautiful Easter Sunday brought lots of youngsters in some pretty fancy clothes to an Easter egg hunt on the front lawn of the Davidson College Presbyterian Church (DCPC).  Bright colored plastic eggs (sorry! Not the real kind…) were on the grass and in the bushes for the elementary age children to hunt between early and late worship times on Sunday morning.

Della Scott Michael and Libby Thwaites joined forces to hunt for eggs.  These young ladies have been best friends since they met as infants in the nursery at DCPC.  Della Scott (5) is the daughter of Autumn and Jeff Michael and attends the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at the church.  Libby, daughter of Maggie and Jan Thwaites, is in kindergarten this year but she and Della Scott still find lots of time to hang out together.

Getting ready to find eggs on the church lawn

Six month old Caroline Kompanik was wearing a new Easter dress and practicing smiling for the camera while in her mother’s arms.  Caroline is the daughter of Ryan and Heather Carroll Kompanik and granddaughter of Felix and Carol Carroll of Davidson.

Just before they took off across the front lawn of the church, we caught a delightful group of young people posing for the clicking cameras of proud parents.

BLUE RIBBON WINNERS

The winning eight horse hitch of Hunter Construction Group

Everyone recognizes the Budweiser Clydesdale horses parading around with their beer wagon but in our area we also recognize the Hunter Construction Group’s black Clydesdale horses with their sporty green wagon parading in our very own North Mecklenburg Christmas parade.  (See Around Davidson, Dec. 7, 2010)

The winning cart class entry with the Hunter Clydesdale "Mick" and manager Chip Lawrence

Hunter Construction is owned by brothers, West and Jason Hunter, both North Mecklenburg High School graduates.  The horses are mainly the hobby of Jason Hunter and his wife, Krista (also a NMHS grad).  They have owned the horses for the past five years.  Trained and managed by Chip Lawrence, the horses perform as a team at state and national events.  Catching up with the Hunter family, we learned that their horses competed in two events in the 2011 World Clydesdale Show held in Madison, Wisc., last October.  Out of 10 competitors in the Open Eight Horse Hitch, the Hunters took home a first place trophy.  They repeated their first place showing among 30 entries in a second class for carts pulled by a single Clydesdale – their very own “Mick.” Interesting to note that Jason and Krista attended an earlier World Show as observers and at that point decided to enter the “Clydesdale world.”  Krista writes, “We are all very proud to be part of this process and it is amazing to have come so far in such a short period of time!”

The Hunter horses usually compete in two to three shows a year.  Jason Hunter usually assists driver Chip in the eight horse hitch.  The Hunter family and all who help with the horses are relative newcomers to the show circuit but now can say they have bragging rights until the next World Show which will take place in 2015 in Canada.

The Hunter hitch plans to participate in the North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade next December so be sure to watch for this prize winning team of black Clydesdales with Hunter family members riding along in the shiny green wagon.

NOTEWORTHY NOTES

Grandma Cecilia Aymond didn't need a push!

SWINGING INTO ACTION

Dad Greg Fallon was on hand to push daughter, Macy

This is a real whodunit. Who is the creative talent who tossed the rope over the water oak on The Green next to the library and placed a wood seat at the end of the rope?  This new addition to The Green is a swinging success for young and old.  Recently Around Davidson caught Macy Fallon in action with her Dad Greg providing “push power.”  Mom Rebecca Fallon was not available for the photo but Grandma Cecilia Aymond visiting from Dallas, Texas, got right into the swing of things.  Oh, what a wonderful addition to The Green.  Thanks to the person who knows that simple things can sometimes be the best!

CHAIRS?        

There used to be six Adirondack chairs gracing our Green.  Now there are none.  Town Manager Leamon Brice has no idea what happened to them but we hope that he can persuade the town to put some nickels together and provide us with new ones.  They were a favorite of library patrons.

GOT BRICK?

We love our library brick patio but wonder if the Town can supply a book cross referencing the bricks and the donors.  Since it is difficult to find a particular brick, an identifying booklet kept in the library would be helpful.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

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