Brrrrr! The Lake Norman YMCA next Saturday hosts its inaugural Polar Bear Plunge for Community Support at the Lake Cornelius Waterfront. The Y aims to raise awareness of and support for YMCA-based programs, including Y-Readers, Adaptive Water Skiing, Summer Camp and OWLS. Read the full story

Emily Barger Hylton and Jordan Hylton organized The Spokes Group Atlanta this year, asking for donations in lieu of wedding gifts. (The Spokes Group photo)

Charlotte charity expands to Atlanta, with a Davidson connection

The Spokes Group, an 18-year-old Charlotte charity, annually gives away more than 1,500 bicycles and helmets to disadvantage children through the Salvation Army’s Christmas bureau. Five years ago, the organization expanded to Raleigh. And this year, the tradition expanded to Atlanta.

Like the original Charlotte Spokes Group in 1994, the Atlanta nonprofit has a Davidson connection. Read the full story

New Year’s Day will bring dozens of swimmers to Lake Norman for the 4th annual Polar Bear Plunge lake swim and party, a fund-raiser for child-abuse prevention.

This year may not present much of a challenge to local winter swimmers: The forecast calls for partly sunny skies and a high of 60 on New Year’s Day.

The plunge takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Point Lake & Golf Club, off Brawley School Road, Mooresville. The event includes music, spirits, prizes for best costumes and hats. The party continues from 4-11 p.m. at Lake Norman Tavern. Read the full story

Thanks to all the readers who have become paying subscribers so far during our 5th anniversary subscription drive. It’s hard to believe DavidsonNews.net has been around that long, and for many in town, it’s hard to imagine what life would be like here without it.

If you haven’t made your payment yet, please consider helping to support local news in and around Davidson with a voluntary monthly or annual payment. Read the full story

Santa listened to a child during Wednesday's holiday party at Davidson Cornelius Child Development Center. More photos below. (Tyler McFayden photo)

Santa and Mrs. Claus joined children and a stream of family, friends and supporters Wednesday night at the annual holiday party of the Davidson Cornelius Child Development Center, on Gamble Street.

Children snacked on holiday treats, decorated cookies, made holiday arts and crafts and sat in Santa’s lap. Lake Norman Kids for Kids volunteered, helping out with the activities.

Visitors were treated to songs and skits from each age group, from the youngest (the tadpoles) to the oldest (the frogs), and in the poliwogs in between. The older group, as part of the center’s Spanish immersion program, sang two songs in English and then two in Spanish. Read the full story

When you’re at the top of the heap, how do you inspire your team to climb even higher? How about a $1 million challenge? That’s how much a group of current and former Davidson College trustees are offering this week if alumni reach their 10th consecutive year as one of the top U.S. colleges or universities in alumni giving. Read the full story

Commissioner Margo Williams and her dog Gracie on the steps of her Concord Road home last week. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

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

Luminaria stretched the full length of Rollingdale Lane in River Run Saturday night. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Updated Dec. 15
From Naramore to North Main and Winged Oak to North Downing, thousands of luminaria lined the streets and sidewalks of Davidson Saturday night in the annual Noel for Neighbors fund-raiser for Davidson Housing Coalition. The candle-lit displays raised more than $16,500 for the organization, which provides affordable housing and home ownership education programs. Read the full story