Davidson College’s studio art faculty will open an exhibit of new work with a reception Thursday at the Belk Visual Art Center, North Main and Griffith streets. We have a preview of the show, and of a exhibit by visiting British artist Ewan Gibbs titled “America.” Details in The Guide.

The “Craaazzy Kayak Trip Water Basin Tour” finished its trip from the Catawba River headwaters to Blythe Landing in Cornelius Saturday, encouraging donations to the Catawba River Keeper Foundation. The group raised almost $2,000 in pledges and received a $1,500 challenge bonus from the N.C. Conservation Network. Volunteers along the route donated supplies and support.

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By KAREN CIMINO WILSON
DavidsonNews.net

Hundreds of future William A. Hough High School students, their parents and siblings crowded in front of the new $57.6 million high school Saturday, excited to tour the modern campus for the first time.

Students marched to the celebration behind the newly formed Hough High Marching Husky Band, from nearby Bailey Middle School, where many incoming freshmen attended last year. The day included a festival in the school’s new football stadium. Hough’s Parent Teacher Student Association organized and paid for the event through donations and corporate sponsorship. Read the full story

Last week Around Davidson took a look at the history of  The Hub on North Main Street – a local gathering spot for students and townspeople in the 1960′s.  Davidson resident Andy Beard emailed that he was one of Ralph Quackenbush’s “grill meisters” when a student at Davidson College.  Several evenings each week Andy cooked cheeseburgers as well as grilled ham and cheese sandwiches.  Great memories. Also, Bob Manning passed along his memory of how Ralph answered the phone at work.  “When Ralph answered the phone, he’d very slowly say: ‘The … Hub.’ Apparently no one could understand him if he said it at regular speed, when it came out as something like ‘Dhhuuubb.’  Anyone would have had the same problem, but Ralph’s solution was just to say it carefully, and not to rename the place.”

Last week’s history lesson about Ralph’s business mentioned Archer’s Gulf station as one of two town “filling stations” allowing anyone, regardless of race or creed, to use its restrooms.  Archer’s is now on South Main and worth sharing its rich history with our readers.  In addition we have news of the Beaches beachin’ in Mexico,  a new grandbaby for Lacy Dick, and an exhibition tonight for a show by local artists and gardener Blanche McAlister Harris. Read the full story

Hard to believe that January 2010 is almost over. Next Monday we usher in February and of course Valentine’s Day. Fellas, you better start thinking right now about how to honor your sweetheart! On another note, this weekend brings us the 50th anniversary of Bubble-Wrap. What an occasion that is!

Today’s Around Davidson checks in on Tom Marshburn’s visit to Davidson College, visits with Kate Merrill of Merrill-Jennings Galleries of South Main Street. We also have some fun church sign sightings from Jean and Dick Berg. Lastly there is a note about the Saturday program with featuring ragtime pianist Ethan Uslan at St. Alban’s.

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A couple of hundred people showed up for Thursday night’s opening reception for the “2009 Studio Art Faculty Exhibition” at Davidson College’s Belk Visual Art Center. The event kicked off a new season of art events at galleries in and around Davidson.

See our schedule below, plus items about other shows, opportunities for artists and more photos. Read the full story

Today’s Around Davidson is a guest column by Laurie Dennis.

Davidson offers a little bit of everything for kids on break from the classroom this summer. From theme camps to sports activities to scouting adventures. What interesting stories teachers will get to hear when they ask that traditional first day of school question, “What did you do for your summer vacation?”

We present three possible answers this week: the girls at Fashion Design Camp have combined learning and crafts into fanciful duds, Cameron Montague and his basketball teammates have played their way to the top of the AAU, and Cub Pack 58 is experiencing a new summer program of family events.

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If you’ve been to the post office in the past week or so, you may have noticed workers sprucing up the plaza out front, just off Main Street. The landscaping is preparing the plaza for installation of the first town-commissioned public art piece, a playful 15-foot metal sculpture titled “Bouquet for Davidson” by British-born artist Andy Dunnill. The sculpture is to be dedicated in a ceremony during Art on the Green Saturday, April 25, at 11 a.m. Read the full story