A complicated $3.7 million deal for the 243-acre former Abersham development was completed two weeks ago, allowing Mecklenburg County to take over the site for open space and a future public park.  Davidson Lands Conservancy and other nature lovers and supporters of open space preservation are wasting no time to begin celebrating the deal. They’ll offer a “sneak peek” of the future park on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2-4 p.m., when the conservancy hosts its annual meeting and a nature festival at the site, off Grey and Shearer roads in northeast Davidson. Read the full story in REAL ESTATE & HOME.

Family and friends have set up a fund at Fifth Third Bank in Davidson to raise money for 2-year-old Emma Rae Thompson, who was burned in a house fire Monday in Statesville. Read the full story

Campers enjoyed a bonfire at Fisher Farm Park Saturday at the Davidson Lands Conservancy's campout. (Davidson Lands Conservancy)

More than 75 people enjoyed a day of family fun – from nature hikes to skits to readings around a campfire – during the Davidson Lands Conservancy’s ‘Saturday in the Park’ family campout at Fisher Farm Park, off Shearers Road.

Activities started in the afternoon with a nature hike led by David Grant, Professor Emeritus of Biology at Davidson College. Prof. Grant led adults and children through the meadows and streams of Fisher Farm, talking about the spiders than inhabit this 200-acre preserve on the east side of Davidson. Campers got to see a “Writing Spider” (so named because legend has it if this type of spider writes your name in its web, your death is imminent) wrap up a grasshopper that got caught up in its web. Read the full story

Erin Cobb

Erin Cobb, the 28-year-old woman shot by her ex-husband outside her east Davidson home Sept. 24, is recovering and in physical therapy at a hospital in Charlotte. Meanwhile, her Charlotte banking coworkers have organized a happy hour Wednesday afternoon at a Charlotte pub to help raise money for her expenses. Read the full story

A heron surveys a calm Davidson Pond in Roosevelt Wilson Park at sunset Sunday, Oct. 9. Our photographer suggested the title "The Mayor of Roosevelt Wilson Park." (Jay Wilson photo)

A two-year effort by volunteers from the local chapter of the National Wildlife Federation has helped reel in an honor for our area: certification as a Community Wildlife Habitat. The effort included numerous educational programs and certification of 330 back yards, 10 businesses, 11 schools, 10 parks and one church as Wildlife Habitat sites. Read the full story

North Mecklenburg Woman’s Club
Enjoy seeing different holiday decorations? Then you will love “Over the Tabletop – 2011 Holidays.” This year more than 25 area designers, shops and florists will take “fork on the left, knife on the right” to a whole new level at The Peninsula Club in Cornelius on Nov. 11. Read the full story