(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

"Ducks on a Pond" by Teri, fiona and Norah Morgan got the nod as Most Creative cake

The annual Cake Walk at Davidson Town Day on the Village Green is all about the cakes.  For one dollar, contestants march to music in a circle on numbered fabric squares. When the music stops, a number is drawn, and the person on that square gets to pick a cake. But the real competition may be among those who create the cakes for the Davidson Elementary School fundraiser. Read the full story

Courtney Sanchez mans the new Hot Diggitee Dogz cart on Main Street Davidson. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Our Town Cinemas in Davidson is adding more local food to its menu, for movie-goers who want to dine while watching their favorite flicks. Also, Flatiron Kitchen has hired a catering manager and is pushing its services for business meetings, family and church events, fund-raisers and weddings. Meanwhile, food and wine-related events are on the calendar at Wooden Stone Gallery in Davidson. We have news about hot dogs: Hot Diggitee Dogz new lunchtime cart on Main Street in Davidson and Brians Dog House Grill in Huntersville. Read the full story

Asparagus, mushroom and goat cheese salad, made by Liz Weindruch. (Liz Weindruch / DavidsonNews.net)

By LIZ WEINDRUCH
DavidsonNews.net

Don’t think of this as just one recipe – think of it as a launchpad for ideas using a fresh and healthy combination of spring flavors.  RECIPE BELOW: Asparagus, mushroom and goat cheese salad. Read the full story

Herr Fresh Flowers has spring bouquets. Here, Jefferson Herr helps a customer at the April 9 market. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Davidson Farmer’s Market is back this Saturday, May 7, just a day before Mother’s Day, and coinciding with Davidson Town Day on the Village Green. Strawberries are expected to be in abundance, as are other ideas for honoring the mothers in your life. Read the full story

Chef Tia Bazzelle of Mert's Heart & Soul restaurant in downtown Charlotte adds the sauce to her barbecue entry in the Ada Jenkins "Fire" BBQ festival and fund-raiser in Davidson April 30. It won best set-up. She said it was a family recipe for "southern low-country" style barbecue. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

Several competitors walked away with awards Saturday, April 30, in the Ada Jenkins Center’s third annual “Fire” barbecue festival. Ten Ten Bar-B-Que was the People’s Choice, voted by those who attended the event. Competitors also faced the scrutiny of area mayors and businesspeople, who judged the day’s other winners. Read the full story