Main St. holly bush

By ELISABETH DAVIS

When I told a friend I would be filling in for Brenda Barger while she had some R&R this week, he said, “No one fills in for Brenda. You may temporarily write her column, but like Ted Williams or Churchill, there’s only one Brenda.” So true. Now for some news!

Wintry weather made a cameo appearance in North Carolina this week, with snow in the mountains and chilly temperatures here in the Piedmont. Even so, the shrubs unaffected by the canker worm invasion of late displayed their abundant berries and flowers, as seen in the photo of this rather spectacular Main Street shrub.

Davidson has activities galore this weekend, including a Saturday morning book signing at Main St. Books for “One Town, Many Voices: A History of Davidson, North Carolina.” Around Davidson has news today of family Easter gatherings near and far, a pastor whose ministry includes canines, and an upcoming concert.

Nora and Lucy Chadwin, granddaughters of Carol Barber, in their Easter dresses

SPRING GETAWAYS

Easter week is a time of celebrations and family gatherings, and we share news of some of these. Carol Barber, a long-time Davidson resident now at The Pines, visited daughter Alleen Barber and family in Kew Gardens, N.Y., for her Easter break.

Carol says, “There were lots of Easter egg hunts for my twin 5-year-old granddaughters, Nora and Lucy. At the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, there was a mad dash by dozens of children hunting for both candy-filled eggs and a few eggs containing more significant treasures. Lucy found one which contained four tickets to a NY Mets game in May.”

Highlights included a somewhat windy visit to the top of the Empire State Building and a lunch with Alleen and her colleagues at Newsday, where she works in the Opinions Department. After a whirlwind trip, Carol reports she returned “happy but weary.” What fun!

Michael and Mark Muchane at Edisto Beach

Sun, waves, sand, and family time make the perfect getaway. Mur Muchane and his family headed south to Edisto Beach, S.C., over the Easter break, where they loved the “old-timey” feel of this un-commercialized area. Mur, Mary, and sons Michael and Mark found the drive down through the low country “the perfect prelude and postlude,” as Mur puts it, to the “downtime” of peaceful Edisto. Sounds like a wonderful respite from hectic schedules. Michael, a 9th grader at Woodlawn School, and Mark, a 2nd grader at Davidson Elementary, chased waves and generally had a great time. Mur says his family will definitely travel back to the area for its peaceful beauty.

Mikayla and Noah Chartier at Gettysburg National Military Park

Tim and Tanya Chartier, their children Noah and Mikayla, and Tim’s parents Jan and Myron Chartier traveled north to Gettysburg, Pa., for a multi-generational living history lesson.

Meeting up with aunts Mel and MaryJo, the group toured the Gettysburg National Military Park and the local Utz potato chip factory. Tanya says the trip originally began as a chance to accompany Tim as he performed math and mime shows and gave lectures, but the enrichment of touring battlefields now has both children excited about local history events, such as Latta Plantation’s Civil War Camp.

The Chartiers also report a successful — and extended — taste-testing of the delicious Utz chips. The family made the northbound trip again this past weekend for a sad occasion, however: the death of Tanya’s uncle, John A. Hoyt, former president of the United States Humane Society. As Tanya movingly puts it, “Family time is invaluable whether we gather to grieve or grow.”

OLD DOGS, NEW HOMES

Rev. Ann Gibert and Cabot, her Landseer Newfoundland

Brutus, the Great Dane/Mastiff mix, loved hugs; Katrina, the Lab/bull terrier, lost her home in a hurricane; Daisy, the cocker mix, cuddled. All these dogs and more have known the hospitality of Ann and James Gibert (formerly of Davidson), who now reside in Huntersville.

Parishioners at Huntersville United Methodist Church know the Rev. Ann Gibert as their Minister of Congregational Care, but few know that her nurturing extends to four-leggeds in need as well. As Ann tells it, her own beloved — and huge — “panda dog” Cabot inspired her to help homeless pets, which she does through Angels among Us Animal Sanctuary, a network of foster care and transport. After an animal rescue nursed Cabot, an elderly Landseer Newfoundland, through considerable medical problems so he could have a future, Ann decided to “pay it forward” by fostering. She now specializes in fostering older, low-energy dogs who need a place to stay while they find a family to own. A dog stays no more than three months, and help with vet bills is available. The joyful benefits are obvious. If you are interested in information about fostering or the Sanctuary, contact Ann at prchrmom@yahoo.com.

And that lovable giant, Cabot, now 10 years old? “He goes on mission trips with me,” says Ann. She says Cabot seems to seek out people in need: the elderly, the frail, the frightened. His large, dignified presence — all 100 pounds of him — creates peace. Besides, who could resist hugging a panda dog?

CHOIR CONCERT

Al Sudduth wants to remind us that the North Mecklenburg Community Chorus will soon be presenting “Bella Notte – a Musical Celebration of Italy – American Style” at Huntersville United Methodist Church, May 18-20, 2012. The evening of entertainment will feature Italian-inspired music, a dance floor for the adventurous, a silent auction, and coffee and dessert. For further information, visit the chorus website at www.NMCChorus.org or call 704-644-7368.