Summer rainbow in Davidson
Summertime and the “living is easy!” Children are involved in summer camps and programs while parents plan cool late afternoon activities and meals that involve little time in front of the stove. Recently thunder has halted many suppertime dips in the lake or swimming pools but the refreshing showers are welcome.
Dani Angell shared a beautiful photo from a few days ago saying, “We were driving home tonight and saw this amazing view of a rainbow over the Community School of Davidson (certainly a pot of gold in education). I know Davidson has had its share of rainbows, but I always find them breath-taking!” Thanks, Dani, for sharing.
Today Around Davidson shares notes from summer programs at DUMC and DCPC, a visit for Barb Dillman, a trip for Barbara Bentley and a Noteworthy Note about Election Day (yes, it is today!).
Justin (l), Olivia and Joseph Wertich spent almost two weeks with Grandma Barb Dillman in Davidson
BUSY DAYS AT THE DILLMANS
We know that Barb Dillman is taking a long nap after seeing her grandchildren returned to their Dad in Kansas City yesterday. Justin (10), Joseph (8) and Olivia (7) spent 12 days visiting Barb and Chuck Dillman at their home in the New Neighborhood. It turns out that fees for unaccompanied children on the airlines are so expensive that it is easier to buy your own ticket and fly with them. Thus Barb flew round trip to Kansas City twice to accompany these three delightful youngsters.
Barb froze dinners ahead of time so activities would not be hampered by meal preparation. The children visited many attractions in our area in addition to spending much time at The Swimming Hole. The boys enjoyed walking mornings with Chuck on his rounds to Summit Coffee and the Davidson track. The Dillmans did an excellent job planning excursions which included tubing on the lake and paddling in Lake Davidson. Bet Joe, Justin and Olivia can’t wait to return!
Teen helpers getting ready for a Bouncy Time following the last day of VBS at DCPC
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT DCPC
Beach Galloway was a wonderful helper to the class of rising third graders (top one)
The Davidson College Presbyterian Church (DCPC) held Vacation Bible School (VBS) last week for more than 125 children – and it seemed like close to 125 volunteers! The four mornings (Monday through Thursday) were carefully planned by co-chairs Heather Smith and Terry Bentley. Activities included rotations through a variety of stations for crafts, missions, storytelling, recreation, music and more. The theme was “Water for Life – Living Waters of the World and Clean Water for All” and was the focus for the Bible verses taught each day.
Maggie Thwaites, co-chair of crafts, visited with her daughter, Libby
A highlight for VBS was a picnic with free play following Thursday’s closing program. Bounce House and More of Lake Norman donated three dry inflatables on the church’s front lawn providing more than an hour for all the children to enjoy additional time together.
MAKING MUSIC AT DUMC
The Davidson United Methodist Church(DUMC) held their annual Music Camp last week, July 9-12, as well. The theme was “Ride the Rhythm Rails Across America.” Ninety-four children ranging from rising Kindergarten through rising sixth grade participated in the Monday-Thursday program at the church which culminated with a rousing musical program on the final morning.
Rising Kindergarteners playing Native American Drums
Patty Gruce was the “conductor” for the camp assisted by 30 other adults and youth. This is the 9thyear Patty has held a summer music camp with the first in 2004. One day the campers “rode the rails” to The South where they learned to sing spirituals, dance “The Ring Shout” and strum painted washboards. Another day they traveled to The Southwest and learned some Country/Western style songs, square danced, and decorated train whistles and caps. Additional days found the group visiting The Plains to learn about Native Indians and on the final morning, practicing the hula in Hawaii.
Jack Hurley (Davidson resident) demonstrating how to play the dulcimer he made.
Interesting to note that one of the high school youth assistants, Emma Flaherty of Davidson, was a participant in the original “Ride the Rhythm Rails Across America” in 2005. She still has her train whistle she painted and decorated those many years ago and is now helping this year’s participants paint their own.
Novice nuns with alms bowls seen in Mandalay
TOURING BURMA
Isolated from the world in the recent past, Burma (now known as Myanmar) is welcoming tourists. Davidson resident Barbara Bentley signed on with Overseas Adventure Travel and visited this intriguing country last March with a group of 15 others and a marvelous guide from a local tribe.
Bagan, the ancient capital, built by kings and wealthy Burmese in the 10th to 13th century with Barbara in the foreground.
Flying first to Bangkok for an overnight after long hours in flight, Barbara proceeded the next morning to Rangoon (also called Yangon) where the group met its guide for the two weeks of touring. You have to smile when you realize that the time zone in Myanmar is 30 minutes different from Thailand. With local currency (chat) in hand, the group was ready to purchase snacks on the street, meals in restaurants or souvenirs from the local shops. In Rangoon they visited the Shwedagon Pagoda before continuing to Bagan, Mandalay, Kalaw and Inle Lake.
Fisherman on Inle Lake in the Shan State
The March weather was hot but Barbara did not mind and found the accommodations always air conditioned and very upscale. (In Rangoon they stayed in the same hotel Hillary Clinton had used while visiting Myanmar.) Barbara commented that agriculture is the mainstay of the country but that tourism is increasing. She experienced some hazy days due to farmers burning their rice fields, rode in boats, utilized taxis that were carts pulled by oxen, particularly enjoyed her time in Bagan, the ancient capitol featuring more than 200 temples, stupas and pagodas, and thought that Mandalay and Lake Inle were very interesting.
A Kayan woman in the Shan state
The main reason for visiting Burma was to learn more about the homeland of Aung San Suu Kyi. Barbara and her late husband, Joel, had gotten to know Aung during the decades they lived in Oxford, England, while Joel was teaching with the Department of Defense Overseas School System. They were fortunate enough to dine with Aung and her family in Oxford in 1988 just before Aung returned to Burma to care for her ailing mother. Barbara had followed the story of this Nobel laureate, her house arrest in Burma and her drive for democracy in her home country. Since Aung, released finally from house arrest in 2010, was in the midst of campaigning in Burma while Barbara was touring there. Barbara did not get to speak to her but was delighted to know more about the country Aung now calls home.
Barbara remarked that her visit to Myanmar was truly like “stepping back in time,” but she feels that the current leadership of this country is much more open to reform and expects tourism to increase markedly. Quite a fascinating trip for Barbara and we thank her for sharing it with us.
NOTEWORTHY NOTES
ELECTION DAY? YOU BET!
Yes, if you are a registered Democrat or Republican in Davidson (or unaffiliated and indicated Republican or Democrat as your preference in the May 2012 election), you may show up at the Davidson Town Hall (Precinct #206) or Hopewell Baptist Church (Precinct #127) today to cast your run-off vote in today’s election.
Democrats have one race. You must indicate your choice for a Commissioner of Labor. Republicans have a more complicated ballot with six races to indicate their choice for US House of Representatives, NC Lt Governor, NC Commissioner of Insurance, NC Secretary of State, NC Superintendent of Public Instruction and NC State Senate (District 41).
Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Be sure to vote. The poll workers may not be too overloaded with visitors and would welcome your participation in our democratic process!
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Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbbarger@gmail.com.
