Davidson Farmers Market vendors, volunteers and customers gathered around a newly planted tree at the market Saturday morning to remember market co-founder Carol Mayes, who died one year ago.

The ceremony, just before market opened, dedicated the tree, which the Town of Davidson planted in her honor. Read the full story

Hot Stone Grill has opened at Kenton Place in Cornelius, bringing a dining concept you probably haven’t seen before: tabletop cooking on, well, hot stones. “It’s natural, it’s healthy, it’s tasty,” says owner Henry Lentzy. Read the full story in FOOD & DINING»

Charlotte’s newest downtown attraction, the 7th Street Public Market, opened its doors on Tuesday morning, Dec. 6, with a ceremony that celebrated both local food and its potential as a catalyst for small businesses. Some market organizers – including executive director Christy Shi and chair Dan Murrey – have Davidson ties. See the story in FOOD & DINING»

Davidson resident Jan Blodgett’s Sweet Potato Crème Cake was the crowd favorite Saturday in a bake-off at the Davidson Farmer’s Market that featured recipes inspired by “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett. The event was organized by ReadDavidson, which chose “The Help as this year’s townwide read. Read the full story

Memorial Day is the traditional “Kick-off” to summer even though the calendar still reads spring.  No doubt about it, with the heat and humidity, we know that summertime has arrived and our gardens are looking good!  Just check out the Community Garden at the corner of Potts and Catawba to see what the hard work of Connie and Eddie Beach as well as Steve Gunn and Jean Harris and others can achieve.  “Tend some, Take some, Share some” is their motto.  We applaud these couples for their commitment as well as others who offer help with planting, weeding and harvesting.  Read more about this garden below.

In addition, today’s Around Davidson has a fond farewell to the Swallow family (sort of) plus news of three prestigious organ scholarships for Emma Haupt, Chase Loomer and Joe Setzer. Read the full story

Updated Saturday, April 23
Davidson Farmer’s Market announced Friday that Courtney Spear has been hired as market manager. She takes over from Mary Jane Leach, who is stepping down from the job as she moves away from Davidson.

Ms. Spear is a Davidson resident and volunteer at the market, where among other things she has served on the marketing committee. She also worked previously as executive director and meeting planner for a non-profit association management company.

Read the full story

Davidson’s recent adoption of new rules allowing up to four hens in local backyards may have you thinking about joining the trend.  This Saturday, Jan. 8, Greg and Jennifer Coleman on Virginia Road will offer a free how-to workshop, based on their experience raising chickens in Davidson and former homes in Raleigh and Austin, Texas. In Food & Dining, CLICK HERE>

Also in Food & Dining today:

Food writer and Davidson grad Nikki Sawyer Moore offers a recipe:  “Cure for post-holiday blues: Peppermint profiteroles.”

Saturday morning’s pre-Thanksgiving Davidson Farmer’s Market drew a big crowd. Lines at some vendors were 15 minutes long as shoppers stocked up on holiday produce, meats, and gifts. Market managers said more than 500 people attended – a big crowd for any Saturday, let alone a fall market.  The market is now on its winter schedule, running every other week. The next market is Saturday, Dec. 4, downtown next to Town Hall.