Chris Hawkins (left) and Jeff McGonnell ran around the Green Saturday afternoon. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Updated 11:30 a.m. Sunday
At 11 a.m. Saturday morning, Jeff McGonnell pressed a button on his watch and set off on the first of nearly 600 or so laps around the Davidson Village Green in a run he’s calling “24 Hour Loopy for a Cause.” By around 3 p.m. he had gone 18 miles. By 5:30 a.m. Sunday, he was at 66 miles. When he finished up at 11 a.m. Sunday, he had 85 miles behind him. Read the full story

Ultramarathoner Jeff McGonnell of Davidson has made Batten’s Disease his cause, after coming to know two boys with the disease. On June 4-5, 2011, he’ll run laps around the Davidson Village Green for 24 hours to raise money and awareness for Batten Disease research. He talked to David Boraks of DavidsonNews.net about the event, which includes live music all day Saturday.

The event, sponsored by the Town of Davidson and BirdNest Music, is called “24 hour Loopy for a Cause.” Read the full story

Last June, a group of kayakers paddled a couple of hundred miles down the Catawba River to raise awareness of water quality along the river and raise money for The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. They’ll be back again this year, with a 225-mile trip that starts June 11, 2011, and they’re seeking fellow paddlers to join the expedition and sponsors to contribute. Read more in Health & Fitness, CLICK HERE »

Plan your kids’ activities with help from our 2011 Summer Camps listings, in The Guide. CLICK HERE »

Davidson IB Middle School was built about 60 years ago. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Updated Wednesday, 2:58 p.m.
By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Three organizations have formally expressed interest in leasing Davidson IB Middle School after Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools closes the building next month. The Town of Davidson, Lake Norman Christian School, and a group called The Guardian Alliance all submitted bids for the site, at 251 South St. Read the full story

Ashlynn, a resident of Barium Springs Home for Children, sings at Tuesday's fund-raising luncheon in Mooresville. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Nearly 500 people turned out for a lunch at The Cove church in Mooresville Tuesday, to hear about the work of the Barium Springs Home for Children, and to offer support.

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Click to download a flier and map of the West Branch Greenway with information about the May 21, 2011, opening.

The Town of Davidson, Mecklenburg County, and Davidson Lands Conservancy are inviting residents to Saturday’s grand opening of the new West Branch Greenway, which runs between River Ford Drive and Shearer Road in the River Run neighborhood.

The celebration runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the new greenway’s east end, off Shearer Road. Read the full story

From left, Rosie Molinary, Nancy Fairley and Keyne Cheshire were among the big award winners. (Bill Giduz photos)

Davidson College’s 2011 commencement Sunday included recognition for top students, retiring faculty and several Davidson residents. Rosie Molinary of Davidson was the community winner of this year’s Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, given annually for “outstanding spiritual qualities applied to daily living.” Meanwhile, professors Keyne Cheshire (classic) and Nancy Fairley (anthropology) won the college’s top teaching awards. Here’s a recap of all the day’s awards.

RELATED GRADUATION COVERAGE: “Ross tells Davidson grads: ‘do well, do good’”

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