An end of the summer scene of tubing at White Lake down east in Bladen County, NC (thanks to Gordon Clark).

Labor Day Weekend was later than usual on the calendar this year.  Even nicer to stretch a few more days into summer.  Beautiful weather and balmy temperatures made any outdoor activity a delight.  Now we start a downhill “plunge” into fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the holiday season.  Fasten your seat belts!

Today Around Davidson focuses on a new grandbaby for Ben and Rosemary Klein, news of Kathryn Withers performing in Charlotte, as well as a farewell but not good-bye to Sam Hay as he passes the Free Clinic doctor’s mantle to younger physicians.  Also have you wondered about these little blue pavement markers in town?  We have the answer. Read the full story

By KATHERINE JOHNSON
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson College students returning to campus last week found the usual signs of a new school year – textbook sales, the annual Cake Race, and the anxious yet beaming faces of new freshmen.  But this year, there was more: hand sanitizer dispensers, face masks, and cautionary emails from school officials about the threat of the H1N1 virus.

Just a week into the semester, it’s clear it’s not just a threat: As of Wednesday, 23 students had tested positive for Type A flu, and college officials said it’s likely most are the H1N1 virus. Most years, the college health center sees no flu cases this early in the semester. Read the full story

A variety of fund-raisers in September – from a Village Green parenting fair to CVS car washes to golf tournaments to an evening of theater – will help raise money for health care, parenting programs, Easter Seals, Davidson Community Players and the soon-to-be-opened Cornelius Animal Shelter. Find out more in our fund-raising calendar … Read the full story

Allison Cooke (Gordon Clark photo)

Gordon Clark, proprietor of the Davidson Village Inn and an occasional contributor to DavidsonNews.net, was at North Mecklenburg High School Tuesday to watch a bit of sports. He sent along this report.

Volleyball player Allison Cooke of Davidson and soccer players Patrick Harrow and twin brothers John and Will Krentz, also of Davidson, all played key roles Tuesday night leading their teams to victory at North Mecklenburg High in Huntersville. Read the full story

SOURCE: Cornelius Parks & Recreation
The 2009 NFL-Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick local competition is Saturday, Sept. 5 at 9 a.m. at Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry St., Cornelius. It’s open to boys and girls ages 8 to 15, and is hosted by the towns of Cornelius and Davidson in cooperation with the National Football League and Pepsi. Read the full story

Hundreds turn out for weekend event, raising money for Y outreach

Cyclists round a curve during Sunday's race. (Jason Lampton photo)

Leigh-Ann Mueller of Davidson was the women’s overall winner in Saturday’s Lake Norman YMCA Triathlon, a 750-meter swim, 17 mile bike ride and 5k run over local streets. Ms. Mueller, 38, beat runner-up Stephanie Hucko, 38, of Charlotte by just five seconds in the first day of the two-day fund-raising event, which was part of the North Carolina Triathlon Series.

Kevin Lisska of Charlotte won the men’s race, with both the fastest swim and the fastest 5k of the day. Read the full story

Davidson United Methodist Church press release

Has the blessing of adoption touched your family? Davidson United Methodist Church (DUMC) will host a new adoption support group beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the church, 233 S. Main St. The group will meet twice a month to offer education, fellowship, support, and family fun for those considering, in the process of, or already at home with their adopted children. Register and request childcare by calling the church office, 704-892-8277. For more information, contact Cheryl Mahoney at 704-895-8043.

From left, Ada Jenkins Center director Georgia Krueger, Dr. Craig White, Free Clinic of Our Towns manager Kay Newsome, past board chair John Adams, and Jason Baisden, president of the N.C. Association of Free Clinics pose with the accreditation certificate presented to Free Clinic of Our Towns Friday. (David Boraks photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Every Thursday night at Ada Jenkins Center on Davidson’s West Side, the Free Clinic of Our Towns sees 25 to 35 patients in need of basic medical care. Staffed by volunteers and operating on a shoestring budget, the clinic fills a crucial need among the uninsured or underinsured, who come with routine illnesses or chronic problems such as diabetes or heart disease.

But don’t get the idea this is a makeshift operation offering low-budget care. It turns out the Free Clinic of Our Towns actually measures up to the standards of private medical practices, according to the North Carolina Association of Free Clinics. On Friday, the association presented the clinic with a certificate for earning Level 3 accreditation – a report card saying it meets the association’s highest standards. Read the full story