Cassie Sherman prepares for launch. (Lyndsey Keegan / DavidsonNews.net)

The Davidson Farmer’s Market on Saturday hosted its first watermelon seed spitting contest, and market-goers of all ages were invited to participate. Contestants purchased watermelon slices for $1 each and were allowed 3 ‘spits’ per slice. Prizes included Summit Coffee gift cards and Davidson Farmer’s Market t-shirts. See below for a list of the winners as well as photos from the event. Read the full story

John Herron with some of his company's produce. Many varieties grow on the plastic bag set-ups behind him. (KATIE LOVETT/DavidsonNews.net)

By KATIE LOVETT
DavidsonNews.net

LANDIS - Tucked away down the Rowan County back roads of Landis, N.C., lies the old, abandoned Linn Cotton Mill. Once a bustling textile production center, this space now serves as home to hundreds upon hundreds of  . . .  mushrooms?

The current tenant, Cottonmill Mushroom Farms, is churning out 500 pounds of oyster and shitake mushrooms each week under the guidance of founder and owner John Herron. In 2007, Mr. Herron adopted and transformed the dusty, humid mill basement into a climate-controlled production center.

“The first time I came, it was 100 degrees outside but just 80 degrees inside,” Mr. Herron said of his decision to set up shop in the old cotton mill in Landis, north of Kannapolis. That’s when he knew the space would be the perfect hub for his project. Read the full story

16625 Statesville Road
Huntersville (off I-77 Exit 25)
704-987-2201
Mondays to Thursdays, 5-10 p.m., Fridays 5-11 p.m., Saturdays 4-11 p.m. and Sundays 4-10 p.m.
www.meltingpot.com/charlotte-lake-norman/specials
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MeltingPotCharlotte?sk=info

White Chicken Chili

By LYNDSAY KIBILOSKI
DavidsonNews.net

Fall is my favorite time of year to cook and comfort food is usually what’s for dinner. A couple years ago I managed to procure this fantastic recipe for White Chicken Chili. I made it for the first time last year and it is now one of my favorite cold-weather recipes. It has an almost tex-mex flavor to it so I enjoy eating mine with tortilla chips. Read the full story

By LYNDSAY KIBILOSKI
DavidsonNews.net

I love to bake. I especially love to bake pies. When I was little, I remember sitting in the kitchen watching my mom cook while I waited to eat whatever “usually” wonderful concoction was being created. When I was finally old enough to use kitchen utensils on my own, I tried my hand at a few different things. Today I am happy to say I know my way around the kitchen fairly well. Mom gave me all of her recipes, most of which I use. There are a select few that will forever remain ignored in my recipe book as I just don’t think I will be able to bring myself to eat them. Pie, however, is something I never ignore. Read the full story

(Lori Michael photo)

BY LYNDSAY KIBILOSKI
DavidsonNews.net

When I was about 10 years old my mom started making homemade freezer jam. Ever since then the jam from the grocery store just doesn’t cut it. I share this with you along with the warning that once you start eating homemade jam you will never want to go back to store-bought again. So be sure to stock up!

The recipe is really easy and can be done with a variety of fruit, but so far my favorite is the strawberry jam. AND strawberries just happen to be in season and on sale right now. Read the full story

Rice Krispie Treat Easter Eggs

By LYNDSAY KIBILOSKI
DavidsonNews.net

In the DVR age I rarely watch commercials anymore, but every once in a while I’ll catch one or two. A couple of weeks ago I saw one showing a mother making Rice Krispie Treats with her children, but they were in the shape of eggs for Easter.

How cool is that, I thought, and decided to try it – and add my own little twist. Instead of plain Rice Krispies eggs, I thought it might be fun to incorporate a little color, as you would when dyeing regular eggs. Read the full story

Paczki (SOURCE: Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons)

Seen on a friend’s Facebook wall: “A proper paczki is NOT a stinkin’ donut. And the folks who try and pass them off here should be hung out to dry in a Polish neighborhood.”

Paczki, or sometimes paczke or pounchki, is pronounced PONECH-kee. A paczki is a sugary and fried Polish treat traditionally served on Fat Tuesday. It’s a big hit in Polish-American neighborhoods, particularly those in the Midwest. Read the full story

300 Mock Circle (near Ada Jenkins Center)
Davidson, NC

By LYNDSAY KIBILOSKI
DavidsonNews.net

Many of us enjoy good Asian food. Mix that with good drinks and good service and you have a good time ahead of you. Or so you would think. Turns out a visit to the restroom might send all those good feelings out the window – with the announcement of four little words.

Read the full story

Closed March 2011

Chocolate, wine, coffee, wi-fi
20700 N. Main St., 110
(Chair Factory shops)
Cornelius, NC

9905 Rose Common Drive, Ste. B
Huntersville, NC
(704) 947.5233
www.yoshisgrill.com

8625-C Lindholm Dr.
Huntersville, NC
704-895-4373
www.bajasoultaqueria.com
Monday-Thursday: 11am-11pm
Friday: 11am-12am
Saturday: 11:30am-12am
Sunday: 11:30am-11pm

14230 Reese Blvd.
Huntersville, NC
(704) 875-7272
www.salsaritas.com
Monday-Saturday: 11am-9pm
Sunday: 11am-8pm

8712 Lindholm Drive
Huntersville, NC
(704) 892-9999
www.redrockscafe.com
Monday-Thursday: 11am-12:30am
Friday-Saturday: 11am-1am
Sunday: 10:30am-12am