250 athletes will compete, bringing talent and tourism dollars to the region Read the full story

It’s reunion weekend at Davidson College so expect a lot of extra people milling on the campus, browsing in the shops and trying to stay cool.  A few of these high 90s days makes one think about staying inside.  Perhaps this is a perfect time to reserve tickets for the upcoming production of “Ragtime” in the wonderfully air conditioned Duke Performance Hall.

Today we visit with two members of the “Ragtime” cast, Timothe Bittle and Nyra Brannan.  We also have news of travels to China by Sondra Rudy and Ginger Stell and a note about Mary Thornberry’s retirement. Read the full story

Bailey Middle School Wednesday night hosts a silent auction of student artwork and plans to donate some of the proceeds to a CMS school in need of funding assistance. Also in this column, Davidson IB students and staff plan a ceremonial last walk to the Village Green, and area students are recognized for academic performance. North Mecklenburg High School student Raul Gonzalez receives a Broad scholarship, five area students are National Merit Scholarship winners, Cannon has 13 National Spanish Exam medal winners, and Davidson Day School recognizes department award winners. Read the full story

No more deer when Connie (left), Steve and Jean put this scarecrow to work!

Memorial Day is the traditional “Kick-off” to summer even though the calendar still reads spring.  No doubt about it, with the heat and humidity, we know that summertime has arrived and our gardens are looking good!  Just check out the Community Garden at the corner of Potts and Catawba to see what the hard work of Connie and Eddie Beach as well as Steve Gunn and Jean Harris and others can achieve.  “Tend some, Take some, Share some” is their motto.  We applaud these couples for their commitment as well as others who offer help with planting, weeding and harvesting.  Read more about this garden below.

In addition, today’s Around Davidson has a fond farewell to the Swallow family (sort of) plus news of three prestigious organ scholarships for Emma Haupt, Chase Loomer and Joe Setzer. Read the full story

W.A. Hough High JROTC students (from left) Brianna Henry, Josh Hiller and Tyler Dykes demonstrate the proper way to fold and American flag. (Christina Ritchie Rogers / DavidsonNews.net)

Bailey Middle School hosted its second annual Memorial Day ceremony Friday in the school gym, which included music from the school’s eighth-grade band, a lesson on the history of Memorial Day and proper flag folding from W.A. Hough High School JROTC members, and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sung by Cornelius resident Master Sgt. Gabriel Fierro.

Also at the ceremony, students were recognized for their work in the Memorial Day essay writing contest and art contest. Congratulations to the following students:

ESSAY WINNERS
1st Place
6th grade – Victoria Tran
7th grade – Addie McBryde
8th grade- Brittany Van Pelt

2nd Place
6th grade- Kendall Hlewicki
8th grade- Emily Norris

3rd Place – tie
6th graders Austin Sheets, Madison Hedrick and Victor Miranda

ART WINNERS
1st Place
6th grade – Parker Philbrook
7th grade – tie between Arlee Belch and Addie McBryde

2nd Place
6th grade Christopher Pennella

3rd Place
6th grade – Ryan Carlett

JROTC students salute during the Pledge of Allegiance. (Christina Ritchie Rogers / DavidsonNews.net)

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
DavidsonNews.net

In spite of additional reductions in state funding this year, Community School of Davidson Executive Director Joy Warner does not anticipate any reductions in force or payroll for her staff, she told parents at a “State of the School” address Thursday.

“The single most important thing that may keep our teachers from having to take another pay cut is the fact that we exceeded our fundraising goal for the year,” Ms. Warner said. Read the full story

Happy Memorial Weekend to all our readers.  We’re still working on graduation stories, but for today we have some other news items of interest to residents of Davidson and beyond.  There is news of a new baby in the Gibietis home, surprise birthday parties for Malcolm Partin and Harriet Martin, a golf visit from Tom Kazee and a party to celebrate a returning Airman First Class Matt Hilton, on leave from duties in Afghanistan. Read the full story

Davidson IB Middle School this week was named a Magnet School of Excellence for the third year running. Also in this column, Cannon and Davidson Day schools celebrate their 2011 commencement ceremonies, Davidson Day sixth-grader Ciara Carbone designs a new logo for the Ada Jenkins center, and Bailey Middle School plans a Memorial Day celebration. Read the full story