By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

When Davidson Commissioners meet Tuesday night to take the oath of office for a new term, it will be the first time since 1995 that Margo Williams isn’t in the picture. As she steps down after eight terms, her unwavering and Texas-accented pleas for thoughtful planning, preserving Davidson’s unique character, and ensuring affordable housing will be absent. Read the full story

Davidson Historical Society will present a program of music and history in downtown Davidson on Sunday, Sept. 11, with the sounds of Davidson Express and historical commentary by historian Tom Hanchett. Read the full story

Firefighters stayed on the road this week responding to small fires, a large tree limb that fell across Davidson-Concord Road late Tuesday night, 10 medical calls, and a number of other alarms. A small electrical fire in the basement last Friday sent smoke through the WDAV radio studios on North Main Street, but was out before firefighters arrived. Malfunctioning fire alarms on the Davidson College campus triggered a number of repeat trips to the Connor Eating House and faculty condominiums. A small kitchen fire in a Davidson College apartment was quickly contained, and a malfunctioning alarm in River Run was assessed by firefighters before the homeowner was advised to have the alarm system serviced.

More details on these stories, along with additional information on the large tree that fell across Davidson-Concord Road on Tuesday night and a tally of the week’s medical calls, may be found below. Read the full story

If you were out for a stroll on Main Street in downtown Davidson Sunday afternoon, you may have noticed a big change – a new look for The Soda Shop, at 104 S. Main St.  Bricks on the lower half of the beloved downtown eatery sported a fresh coat of teal blue paint, replacing the former “sand” yellow.

Deborah Caudle, who has owned the shop 18 years, said she decided to re-paint after an “inspiration” one day recently. Read the full story

The fuselage of the US Airways jet known as the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane passed through Davidson and Cornelius around 10:45 a.m. Friday on its way to a new home at Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte.

WATCH A VIDEO of the plane
passing through Davidson, CLICK HERE »

More than 80 people stood on the Exit 30 overpass in Davidson to catch a glimpse of the oversized load, while some stood on the highway shoulder and others stood on the Exit 28 bridge just 2 miles south.

The plane was transported on a nearly 150-foot long flatbed truck weighing 254,000 pounds. More than 15 feet wide, it took up two highway lanes.

RELATED LINK
June 9, 2011: “Update: Look for ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ jet on I-77 Fri.”

GALLERY: click on the first photo below to view additional images as a slideshow.
(Photos by Christina Ritchie Rogers)

Next Friday, June 10, is the last day of classes for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and the end of an era Davidson IB Middle School on South Street. As the school prepares to shut its doors, families, alumni, students and staff are planning one last “Walk to the Green” on Thursday, June 9. They’ll have a ceremony to remember the school and take note of its closing. Read the full story

Holocaust survivor Manfred Katz rendered listeners at Davidson College silent Wednesday night as shared the story of losing his family and other terrifying memories of the Nazi persecution and extermination of Jews in the 1940s. His talk helped an audience of local Jews, college students, educators and residents to observe Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust remembrance day.

The event, at the Davidson College Union 900 Room, coincided with a national effort led by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., to promote Yom HaShoah and Holocaust awareness. (The official observance of Yom HaShoah is May 1.) Read the full story

At last, spring break for area public schools is here with lots of happy smiles on Davidson youngsters as they relax and recharge their batteries before returning to school for a short few weeks until summer vacation.  Happy smiles as well this past week for members of Davidson College’s Phi Delta Theta fraternity as they inducted Nam Young Park – just 51 years late!

We have Nam’s story today in Around Davidson as well as news of Katie Farmer who is student teaching in Germany. Read the full story