Davidson Parks & Rec offers gingerbread house workshops for kids and adults.

The town’s Parks & Recreation department is offering a pair of gingerbread-house workshops over the next two weeks – one for adults on Dec. 11 and another for kids on Dec. 18.

Also below, news from local restaurants, including Flatiron Kitchen, Midtown Sundries, Campania and Lake Norman Cottage.

MAKE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Time to make a gingerbread house for the holidays. Join Davidson Parks & Recreation for one of two house-making programs over the next two Saturdays. The classes will be at Sanctuary of Davidson, 108 S. Main St.

A workshop for teens and adults is scheduled Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The Candy Land House workshop for kids ages 5 and up will be Saturday, Dec. 18, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Pre-registration is required. Register at www.d-Recs.org ^[1] or call the office at 704 892-3349.

RESTAURANT NOTES

• Lakeside Midtown Sundries to close its doors ^[2] – the longtime Lake Norman restaurant closed Wednesday amid a drop in business and financial troubles. Joe Marusak reports.
• Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse ^[3] in Davidson will be offering a special menu on New Year’s Eve. Chef Tim Groody is still developing his menu, but the restaurant has started taking reservations. The price will be $45 per person or $80 per couple. The restaurant will be reservation only that night (Friday, Dec. 31), with no walk-ins, according to manager Chris Mallery. Call 704-237-3359 or stop in at 215 S. Main St. in the Stowe’s Corner building.
• Campania Cafe & Trattoria ^[4] on South Main Street has started taking reservations online. In our experience, reservations aren’t always needed, but if you have a larger party, or you’re dining on a night with big events around town, you don’t want to be disappointed. Go to Campania’s reservations page for details. ^[5]
• Have you heard yet about Il Bosco? It’s a new Italian restaurant opening early in 2011 in the former Bucci’s Ristorante space on Depot Street in downtown Davidson. A longtime Charlotte restaurateur and other investors bought the business last month. Read more in our Dec. 1 news item, “Il Bosco to replace Bucci’s Ristorante” ^[6]
• Lake Norman Cottage ^[7] at 200-A North Habour Place, off I-77 Exit 30 is having one more in a series of “Breakfast with Santa” gatherings this Sunday, Dec. 12. The event includes a picture with Santa, a water “sleigh” ride, breakfast, arts & crafts and a mimosa. Price $20 per child, $25 per adult. Call for reservations: 704-237-3629.

TAKE OUT TUESDAYS

Davidson Elementary School’s PTO continues its series of “Take Out Tuesdays” fund-raisers at local restaurants over the next two weeks. Order takeout or dine in, and the PTO gets a portion of the proceeds. Be sure to wear your Davidson Elementary spirit wear. Here’s the remaining schedule:

Dec. 14, 5-8 p.m., Donato’s Pizza ^[8], 610 Jetton St., Davidson.

Dec. 21, 5-8 p.m., Chili’s Grill & Bar, 16632 Statesville Road, Huntersville, off I-77 Exit 25.

SEND DINING NEWS items to editor@davidsonnews.net. ^[9]