Sam Spencer Jr. and Sam Spencer IV at the Electoral College meeting in Raleigh.

As the year draws to a close, we offer a few glimpses of life in our small town this December. First, a bit of young wisdom at the crosswalk near Davidson Elementary School. Then, a visit to the holiday light show everyone’s talking about: The James Family Christmas off Shearers Road. Also, a recap of Sam Spencer IV’s trip to Raleigh as a member of the Electoral College, and listening to a Celtic jam session at one of the many parties we attended this holiday season. Read the full story

John Douglas Barberie, 91, a longtime resident of The Pines at Davidson and formerly of Peoria, Ill., died Friday, Dec. 26, 2008. A memorial service is planned Friday, Jan. 2, at 11 a.m. in the chapel at Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St.
Read the full story

Daniel Joseph Cleary Jr. of Mooresville died on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, Christmas eve, at age 92. He was the husband of Anne Griffith and had strong Davidson ties. Read his obituary on the Charlotte Observer website.

A visitation for friends and family will be today (Sunday, Dec 28) from 4-7 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 E. Plaza Drive, Mooresville. The Mass of Christian Burial will at St. Therese Catholic Church, 217 Brawley School Rd., Mooresville, on Monday at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Mimosa Cemetery, Davidson.

Children’s Arts Project, in the Cornelius Arts Center behind the police station in Cornelius, will begin its winter session Jan. 5, with classes for pre-school and elementary-aged kids. Register online or call 704-896-8823 to reserve a spot. The project offers “jump start” classes for kids 18-28 months, with a grownup; “Mad Science” for 3rd to 5th graders; pre-school classes for 2 to 5 year olds; “Kids ‘n Clay” for 3rd to 5th graders; “Extreme Construction” for K-3rd graders; and lots more. www.childrensartsproject.org.

Thomas Boyd and HAMMERS coordinator Zach Jakob in the front room of Boyd’s house.

By BILL GIDUZ
On behalf of Davidson Housing Coalition

Christmas came two weeks early for 62-year-old Thomas Boyd, in the form of construction elves scurrying around his Church Street house in Huntersville. Up to 30 employees of Saussy Burbank and JCB Urban Construction spent several days recently conducting badly needed structural repairs.

Mr. Boyd and his late wife, Nancy, lived in the house for more than 30 years after inheriting it from relatives. “It just seemed like it got harder and harder to keep up,” said Mr. Boyd, who retired two years ago after 27 years with Piedmont Natural Gas. “Lately I’ve been bad worried about finding someone to fix it, and where I’d get the money.”

A relative suggested he contact HAMMERS, an arm of Davidson Housing Coalition that makes emergency repairs on the homes of low-income homeowners to help them retain their dwellings. Read the full story

An old motel is demolished on the site of the planned Augustalee mixed-use development Monday. (Cornelius Bromont LLC photo)By DAVID BORAKS

DavidsonNews.net

Developers of the proposed half-billion dollar Augustalee mixed-use development off Highway 21 in Cornelius have begun clearing the site, even as key elements of their development plan await government approvals. Over the past few days, construction firm Whiting-Turner and volunteer firefighters with Cornelius-Lemley Fire and Rescue burned and demolished an old motel on the site, which had long been a safety hazard. Read the full story

Cornelius town officials, animal advocates, donors and others involved in the animal shelter project toss symbolic shovelfuls of dirt Saturday to mark the start of work. (David Boraks photo)

Site work has begun on the planned $500,000-plus Cornelius Animal Shelter, which town officials say could open by mid-2009. The town and animal advocates broke ground on the facility Saturday, Dec. 13, after more than a year of planning and fund-raising.

“A lot of people said this day would never come,” Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte said at Saturday morning’s ground-breaking at the shelter site, at the end of Meridian Street, off Catawba Avenue. The town currently operates a makeshift shelter there, but it’s inadequate, and animal advocates have been pushing for a permanent facility for years. Read the full story

Lisa Marie Hunter Hinson of Davidson died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at her residence. She was 49. She was the sister of Janice H. Banks of Davidson. A memorial service is planned Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m. at St. Martins Episcopal Church in Charlotte. The family will receive friends following the service. Read the full story