Nothing in moderation for North Carolina weather!  We dug out our long-sleeved shirts and hooded fleece jackets for the weekend, which has given way to milder temperatures and rain showers until we see the sun again this weekend.  So it goes with September in the Piedmont. But how delightful to turn off the air conditioning and enjoy the fresh air, even if it is filled with that annoying pollen.

No weather worries today for the Stewart, Williams and Fittipaldi-DaCruz families as Around Davidson reports on a special birthday, an upcoming wedding and a remarkable young race car driver. Read the full story

Pedal-power provided by Rebecca Clark on the occasion of "King Gordon's" birthday!

At last we can expect a weekend of cooler temperatures with the chance to pull a sweater from the closet shelf.  It seems a long time since we even thought about long sleeves!  But before the fall chill hit Davidson, we caught Gordon Clark celebrating a birthday in high style – riding in the Village Inn’s pedicab with his wife, Rebecca, pedaling.  Hats off to this energetic couple who own and run the inn.

Around Davidson has news today of Cynthia and Bill Lawing’s summer travels as well as a note about tomorrow’s Musical Interlude.  We also took time to visit with Kevin Childress about his photography and talk to Sybil and Don Kay about their move to The Pines. Read the full story

Beautiful fall weather was a perfect backdrop for last weekend’s many sports activities. It also made us pause as we remembered the crystal clear skies of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania 10 years ago, and the lives lost on that terrifying morning of 9/11/01.  In our area, there were many services of remembrance last Sunday reflecting on the 10th anniversary of that terrible event.

On a lighter note, Around Davidson visits today with a new puppy in the Regen household and a new baby in the Manning family.  We also take time to hear more about the Isle of Arran from Ian and June Robb. Read the full story

At last, fall is in the air and pro football is beginning.  It’s a busy week, with political debating last evening and President Obama speaking tonight, just before the activities leading up to the New Orleans Saints-Green Bay Packers game at 8:30 p.m.

But if politics and football are not for you, why not settle down with a good book?  Today Around Davidson visits with local authors Amanda Emery and Elisabeth Davis.  We also have notes of a few other books of authors connected to Davidson.  Lastly, we have news of a recent family reunion at the Copeland House. Read the full story

When attending community events of any kind in Davidson, from the Davidson Farmer’s Market to Concerts on the Green, do you ever look around you and ask, “Who are all these people?”  Years ago, this was the time of year when the town held its Newcomers Picnic and new residents were introduced on the steps of the Davidson College Presbyterian Church.  What fond memories your correspondent has of Gene and Joy McIver speaking a few words of welcome as we were recognized having moved to Davidson just two months earlier.  We all knew each other then.

Now, one has to work hard just to get to know a fraction of newcomers.  So, corralled with 355 others on The Green this past Saturday (to help set a world record for most people bouncing paddle balls), I “corralled” three different families to tell me about themselves:  the Hermans, Doutts and Johnsons.  There are also a few personal notes about paddle-balling.

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Welcome September!  Nice to have fall lurking just around the corner. In the meantime, Happy Labor Day to each of our readers.  Enjoy this three-day weekend with neighborhood picnics and a chance to catch up with the summer travels of friends.

Around Davidson introduces you today to two new faces in town:  Robert Alexander and Kelly Nicholson.  We also report on a recent honor for Chuck Dillman and give you an inside glimpse on a talented musical group – Sunday Union.  In addition we have a little Chair Talk in a Noteworthy Note. Read the full story

Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam ...

Hard to believe September begins in two days and Labor Day weekend is almost upon us.  Won’t it be nice to leave the 90+ degree days behind and pull a sweater out of the closet?  Today Around Davidson reports on some couples who DID pull sweaters out of their closets for their travels this summer to the northwestern United States including the Cains, Millers, Stebers and Mases.  We also have a report from Jeff Hassel on those huts on the lawn at Davidson United Methodist Church, and a project to bring new stoves to families in rural Guatemala. Read the full story

PAWS-ing to read to Brooklyn (owned by Sarah Black of Huntersville) is Skye Fells-Yampolsky and her mom, Anne

Today is the first day of school for CMS students.  Some moms and dads are shedding tears as their little ones embark on new adventures, but most parents are breathing a sigh of relief that summer is over and they have time to relax over an extra cup of coffee without interruption!  Preschoolers are also ready to socialize and practice reading skills – just like three year old Skye Fell-Yampolsky who loves to read to PAWS-to-Read golden retriever, Brooklyn, at our public library.

For some families in Davidson, their “little ones” are beginning college after summers spent working or traveling.  Around Davidson catches up with the Molinek family after travels to India and Nepal, while two of the Farson children, Kelsey and Grace,  have many tales and photos from their travels.  We also have a noteworthy note about a free concert this Sunday featuring Clara Gerdes. Read the full story