An end of the summer scene of tubing at White Lake down east in Bladen County, NC (thanks to Gordon Clark).

Labor Day Weekend was later than usual on the calendar this year.  Even nicer to stretch a few more days into summer.  Beautiful weather and balmy temperatures made any outdoor activity a delight.  Now we start a downhill “plunge” into fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the holiday season.  Fasten your seat belts!

Today Around Davidson focuses on a new grandbaby for Ben and Rosemary Klein, news of Kathryn Withers performing in Charlotte, as well as a farewell but not good-bye to Sam Hay as he passes the Free Clinic doctor’s mantle to younger physicians.  Also have you wondered about these little blue pavement markers in town?  We have the answer. Read the full story

From left, Ada Jenkins Center director Georgia Krueger, Dr. Craig White, Free Clinic of Our Towns manager Kay Newsome, past board chair John Adams, and Jason Baisden, president of the N.C. Association of Free Clinics pose with the accreditation certificate presented to Free Clinic of Our Towns Friday. (David Boraks photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Every Thursday night at Ada Jenkins Center on Davidson’s West Side, the Free Clinic of Our Towns sees 25 to 35 patients in need of basic medical care. Staffed by volunteers and operating on a shoestring budget, the clinic fills a crucial need among the uninsured or underinsured, who come with routine illnesses or chronic problems such as diabetes or heart disease.

But don’t get the idea this is a makeshift operation offering low-budget care. It turns out the Free Clinic of Our Towns actually measures up to the standards of private medical practices, according to the North Carolina Association of Free Clinics. On Friday, the association presented the clinic with a certificate for earning Level 3 accreditation – a report card saying it meets the association’s highest standards. Read the full story

Five teams vied for the title of ice cream champ at Ben & Jerry's Monday.

Today’s Around Davidson is a guest column by Laurie Dennis.

Turning over the calendar page to the month of August is always a shock for school kids who suddenly realize the end of summer  is fast approaching.

For this week’s “Around Davidson” we keep summer firmly in focus, bringing news of ice cream and lemonade – the former in the form of a report on Monday’s contest at Ben & Jerry’s, the latter in the form of a lemonade stand on Lorimer Road run by Audrey and Drew Gibbs.

Read the full story

The Bragg family (from left) Carlton, Benton, Ben, Frank and Frances at their stall at Davidson Farmers Market.

Kids sell their produce at market, donate proceeds to Ada Jenkins Center

By MICHELE MILLER HOUCK

What started out as a fun summer project three years ago for the Braggs of Ramah Creek Farm has turned into a lesson in entrepreneurship and philanthropy for the whole family. Read the full story

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

United Way of Central Carolinas said Tuesday it will give $14.1 million to 197 programs across the Charlotte region in the fiscal year beginning July 1, a 35 percent decrease from this year. But in the Mooresville-Lake Norman area, grants were down about half as much, an average 17.8 percent, as the agency allocated $900,000 to help meet critical needs in the areas of education, income and health.

Read the full story

Updated 12:29 p.m., 1:30 p.m.

Non-profit groups in the Charlotte area are awaiting news today from the United Way of Central Carolinas about grants for 2009-2010. For some, the news could determine what programs continue, and what programs are shut. Read the full story

Jack Crouch was among the winners at last year's mountain bike fest at Fisher Farm.

From tonight’s sold-out opening of Davidson Community Players’ “West Side Story” to a pair of weekend fund-raisers to the Cowbell Challenge mountain bike festival at Fisher Farm Park, it’s shaping up to be an action-packed weekend in and around Davidson.

Amity & Bailey’s South Main Square block party Friday at 5 p.m. will support United Family Services and provide food and fun for the family. On Saturday, Ada Jenkins Center on Gamble Street hosts its “Fire” fund-raiser, with a morning 5k road race and all-day music and food. The event also includes local jugglers’ performing for World Juggling Day.

Details about those and other events in our Weekend Calendar, in The Guide, CLICK HERE>

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Non-profit and cultural organizations across the region are in the midst of a flurry of fund-raisers and appeals to make up budget shortfalls before their fiscal years end June 30 – and as they brace for more cuts from funding agencies and corporate donors.

Every weekend this spring has brought competing events – from benefit parties to 5K races to family fun days. Public radio stations WFAE-FM and WDAV-FM both are holding short on-air pledge drives this week in hopes of breaking even for the year.

Executives at Ada Jenkins Center and other local organizations are staging events or sending letters and emails and hoping for year-end cash infusions. And they’re biting their nails as they await 2009-10 funding announcements in the coming days. Read the full story