Fourteen-year-old high school freshman Malia Ellington of Cornelius went out with a pack of runners and then pulled away to win the Town Day Spartan 5K road race on the Davidson greenway and streets Saturday. The event kicked off a day of fun and music on Town Day 2012 in downtown Davidson.

Find more about the race, including full results, in SPORTS»

MOORESVILLE – A trio of designers took home awards Tuesday night in Our Towns Habitat for Humanity’s second annual ReStore Restyle design challenge at the Mooresville ReStore. The fundraiser required designers to decorate a 10×10 themed room using items from the Mooresville and Cornelius Habitat ReStores. Photos and a list of winners in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

The 2012 Pawz Too Run 5K, 10K and dog festival brought dozens of dogs and dog lovers to the Davidson Village Green Saturday. See a story and photos on our PETS & ANIMALS page»

Dozens of seniors enjoyed a sunny day at Jetton Park on Tuesday for the annual north Mecklenburg Senior Fun and Fitness Day. See story and photos on our YOUNG AT HEART» page.

Ben Orroth tries his hand at a pottery wheel with the aid of Davidson potter Melissa Reddick (left) during Friday's April Is for Arts Gallery Crawl on Main Street Davidson. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Main Street was busier than usual Friday night and not because of an influx of youngsters swarming the Village Green. Hundreds of art aficionados strolled along Main Street and South Main Street for the annual April Is for Arts Gallery Crawl. The evening also brought folks downtown for music at Summit Coffee, ice cream, and other treats.

Downtown manager Kim Fleming (left) and Ben & Jerry's manager Karen Toney at Friday's Gallery Crawl. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

A crowd gathered outside Summit Coffee as the crawl began. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Teens who met up downtown Friday night included, from left, Sylvie Stanback, Madeleine Wright, Mary Iris Gray, and Emma Boraks (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

First-grader Jacob Batycki ensured his spot in today's news coverage of Artfest by affixing our favorite bumper magnet to his home-made coffee-can drums. He's the son of Lenny and Annette Batycki, who supplied the photo.

Davidson Elementary School held its annual Artfest art and music celebration on Thursday night, featuring the creations of students. Hundreds of friends and family members roamed the art-covered hallways, sat for musical performances in the gym and bid in a silent auction on items ranging from family photo sessions to arts and crafts.

See more photos below.

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Gordon Clark (left), Clan Cameron, and Ian Robb, Clan MacFarlane, posed in downtown Davidson Friday. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

A kilted Gordon Clark greeted kilted Ian Robb in the lobby of the Wells Fargo at midday Friday with a handshake and two words, “Clan Cameron.”

“Clan MacFarlane,” replied Mr. Robb.

The two men were dressed proudly in the tartans of their Scottish families to celebrate National Tartan Day, which believe it or not is a Congressionally-proclaimed national holiday.
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Peter Snyder, 6, of Pine Road, found a pet on the Village Green over the weekend. The Davidson Elementary first grader adopted the worm, named him Samuel, and put him in a jar with leaves. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

“Hey, what is the deal with all of the little green worms falling from above?” Davidson resident Sara Rubens asks.

They’re canker worms, and depending on whom you ask they’re either cute pets, or awful pests. The eggs hatch and worms begin dangling every year as the foliage begins to appear, which this year seems to be a bit earlier than usual.
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