Perfect recipe for fall = orange leaves and blue sky
Hard to sit at the computer keyboard and type a little news when the crystal clear blue sky beckons me to come and sit on a porch rocker soaking up the fall sunshine. Mother Nature certainly knows how to dazzle us with vibrant fall color as found in this maple tree near The Pines Retirement Community.
This past weekend was picture perfect for purple cars, turbine pumpkins, visiting authors and post office landscaping. Around Davidson has news today of these events plus an anniversary trip for Hans and Karen Diessel and a Chili Cook-Off win for Franklin Kernes.
These creative pumpkins can be found in June Kimmel’s yard
HOW ABOUT THESE PUMPKINS?
Spotted in June Kimmel’s yard, these “permanent” pumpkins come from discarded turbines found in a roadside trash pile. Christopher Kimmel, June’s son, brought the turbines home, sprayed them orange, fashioned a stem from wire and created the perfect fall decoration for their home on Dogwood Lane. What a grand idea!
News from the other Kimmel children, we hear that Ben continues to live in Durham, Stephen is enjoying life and work with Varian in Salt Lake City while Charity stays closer to home in River Hills, SC. Charity has just published her first book called “Secret of Day.” Available on Amazon.com and Kindle, this young adult book’s theme stems from Charity’s work with Charlotte land use planning and tells the story of a youngster who wants to save a “little piece of land” from developers. Congratulations to you, Charity.
Just a few of the cars attracting attention at the 16th Annual Woody Party
PURPLE CARS AND MORE
Tom and Pat Cotter filled their yard with vehicles of all kinds this past Saturday as they hosted their 16th Annual Woody Party at their Westmoreland Farm home. Tom likes to affectionately call it “The Best Car Party in the United States” and invites friends, family and fellow car geeks to enjoy beer, BBQ and fellowship while checking out Cobras, Ferraris, Woodys, Barn Finds, muscle cars and even his younger brother’s “ELF,” an eco-mobility vehicle (www.organictransit.com) that goes anywhere a bike goes!
How to be seen on the road? Drive a purple car!
Admission to the party was with a case of canned goods for Ada Jenkins. Nice way to benefit our local food pantry while giving car geeks an afternoon of pure pleasure!
We also note that Tom is running his last NYC Marathon soon and, as in past years, is selling his “body parts” to raise money for the event. Always thinking “outside the box,” Tom has just completed another book called “Rockin’ Garages.” In addition to promoting his Gibson Mill project in Concord, he is considering themes for more books. We have to wonder if this fella ever sleeps?
Daniel Griffeth’s Eagle Project is addressing landscaping at our post office
POST OFFICE PLANTINGS
Wow! Thanks, Daniel Griffeth. For his Eagle project in Davidson’s Troop 58, Daniel, son of Linda and Joe Griffeth, is landscaping the south side of our post office and soon will place a flag disposal box near the building’s doors. So far, so good with Daniel’s digging in the dirt. The crepe myrtles and lilies look grand and were chosen due to low maintenance and drought resistance. The last work day for this project is this Saturday, October 24 – but Daniel will be on site more often to weed and water. This is one very visible Eagle project and we applaud Daniel for choosing to improve an area much neglected over the years. (And a note to post office patrons: Funding for this project is solely the responsibility of Daniel Griffeth. No town or postal monies are involved.)
Enjoying time at Main Street Books were Debra Dean (l) and Susan Walker
DEBRA DEAN VISITS
Successful author, Debra Dean, flew in from Miami to spend time in North Carolina and came to Davidson this past Sunday to speak to a group of book club members at Main Street Books. Many are familiar with Debra’s novel, The Madonnas of Leningrad. She spoke a bit about this book but focused mainly on her new novel, The Mirrored World. Debra also has written a book of short stories called Confessions of a Falling Woman. Delightful to visit with, this author grew up in Seattle, worked in New York theater for ten years and then began to write. Debra lives in Miami and currently teaches Creative Writing at Florida International University.
Thanks to area resident Susan Walker, president of the Charlotte Chapter of the Women’s National Book Association, for making this Sunday afternoon event possible.
GALLONS OF GREAT CHILI
Franklin Kernes is the #1 best chili cooker in Mooresville!
Next time you visit PostNet at Davidson Commons, be sure to ask for an order of chili to go with your packaging or paper needs. Employee Franklin Kernes is not only the creative graphic artist for the store but also the prize winning chili chef!
Franklin and his brother, Colin Kernes, cooked eight gallons of their favorite chili recipe, packed it up in big containers and drove to Mooresville Town Square two Saturdays ago on October 13. There they set up shop with some 30 other competitors providing samples of their chili for a panel of judges as well as a large audience on hand for the live music, corn hole tournament, Bud beer tent and Kids Zone – all a part of the Mooresville Great Chili Cook-Off festival held from 4-8 p.m. to benefit local charities.
When the chili was gone and the festival soon ending, the winners were announced. Franklin and Colin not only won first prize for the Best Chili but also earned the People’s Choice Award. Rewarded with a check for $1,000 and large gift bags, these two happy cooks were all smiles! Around Davidson has not been allowed to see the recipe (which is probably best kept a secret) but we are thrilled to have a prize winning Chili Cook in our midst. Future contests for these two young men? Nothing at present but stay tuned. Hooray for Franklin, Colin and good chili!
Hans and Karen Diessel celebrated their 40th anniversary with a trip to Mackinac Island.
HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY FOR THE DIESSELS
Congratulations to Hans and Karen Diessel who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Mackinac Island early in October. They returned for their anniversary to Northern Michigan, where 40 years ago they married at Karen’s home place in Harrisville, near Lake Huron. As 40 years ago, sunshine brightened the Indian summer foliage and provided a perfect backdrop for the celebration. It was wonderful to spend the October 6 anniversary weekend on quaint Mackinac Island, where no cars are allowed and all public transportation is by horse carriages. What a nice trip down Memory Lane for Hans and Karen.
Mackinac Island
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Have news for Around Davidson? Write to Brenda Barger at hbbarger@gmail.com.
