Davidson students will host their third annual community “Dinner at Davidson” this Saturday, Feb. 25, as part of a month of activities to support and raise money for The Davidson Trust – the college’s financial aid program that helps students graduate without loans.

The dinner runs 6-9 p.m. in the Lilly Family Gallery of the Chambers Building on campus. It includes a gourmet meal created by the student-run cooking club PS, as well as entertainment by student musical and poetry groups. President Carol Quillen will make remarks, along with student speakers.  Read the full story

Today is Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, when Catholics and Protestants worldwide celebrate a last day of feasting before the customary fasting of Lent, which begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. This day also is referred to as Shrove Tuesday.  There will be wonderful parties from Rio’s Brazilian Carnival to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parades.  Even our own Davidson United Methodist Church will have a Shrove Tuesday service presented by the Family Ministries Team to include gospel songs, spirituals and choruses in the Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m.

In keeping with Lent, Around Davidson has a note about Shrove Tuesday doughnuts from Minerva Bullock, complete with recipe.  We also have news of this Friday’s Jazz and Artist benefit to be held at Homewood Suites and a thought about bike lanes, turn lanes and safety.  And since the groundhog saw his shadow on Feb. 2, it is only fitting that winter dealt us a tiny taste of “the white stuff” two days ago. But you had to savor the moment because in a blink, the snow/ice mixture was gone! Read the full story

The Lake Norman-Cornelius Kiwanis Club on March 3 will host a pancake breakfast and silent auction to benefit the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson. The event begins at 8 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Huntersville, 119 N. Old Statesville Rd., and runs until noon.

In addition to the pancakes and sausages, the event will feature a flag-raising ceremony by local Boy Scouts, a 9:30 a.m. visit from Chubby the Checkers mascot, singing Fireman Jim at 10 a.m. and other performances, as well as a silent auction.

WANT TO GO?

Tickets are $7 for adults, and $4 for children over 5 years of age.  To reserve tickets, contact Pat Jackson at 704-661-9255 or pat@mastertitleagency.com; or email Jamie Warner at jrwarner3@gmail.com.

The Cornelius / Lake Norman Lions Club last week awarded prizes to Woodlawn School student artists Peyton Kelly, Ella Kiley and Libby Dy, who won first, second and third place in the Lions’ annual Peace Poster Contest. Read the full story

Davidson College’s Environmental Action Coalition hosts the 8th annual Green Ball this Friday night, Feb. 17, a night of contra dancing, fun and fundraising for Davidson Lands Conservancy

The dance is 7:30-11 p.m. at Davidson College’s Chambers Hall, Lilly Family Gallery. Tickets are $8 for students, $10 general admission, $12 at the door. Read the full story

Silliness aside, the Davidson Ben & Jerry’s announced that its 2012 spring Free Cone Day will be Tuesday, April 3, from noon-8 p.m. Mark the date. The shop is at 202 S. Main St., Davidson.

They’ll have some new flavors in the lineup, including Chocolate Nougat Crunch, Banana Peanut Butter, Blueberry Vanilla Graham, Raspberry Fudge Chunk, and a new Vanilla Greek frozen yogurt.

This year’s Free Cone Day will seek donations for Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC). The center began in Davidson in 1980 as the Advisory Council to Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and in 1983 received their first grant from the US Department of Education to provide services to parents and families of children with disabilities.  Today, ECAC has multiple programs and services designed for parents and families of children with and without disabilities, their educators and schools.  ECAC outgrew several downtown Davidson locations and in 1999 moved to their present location on Beaty Street, next door to Ingersoll-Rand.

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The United Way of Central Carolinas said Tuesday it raised $20.9 million in its 2011 campaign, topping its $20.5 million goal. The organization, which helps fund nonprofits throughout the region, said it was the first time in four years that donations have increased over the previous year. Read the full story

Cornelius resident Chris Jones has been named Rotary District Governor for the 2012-13 year. A member of the Lake Norman-Huntersville Rotary Club, Mr. Jones was nominated for the position by a committee of past district governors and rotary club presidents, and will begin serving this July.

“I’m very excited, honored and privileged to serve as district governor for next year,” Mr. Jones said. Read the full story