The black, red and yellow flags are flying at Misty Meadows Farm off Providence Road in Weddington!
drumSTRONG '08 takes place Saturday and next Sunday.
Drumming will start at 1 p.m. Saturday and continue nonstop until 3 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine.
If you missed this fantastic event last year, mark your calendars because the music, rhythm and ambiance can't be beat. (Pardon the pun.)
It has been called a multicultural, musical charity event. The organization has registered with the Guinness World Records to set the record for the planet's longest continuous rhythm drum-a-thon.
The event is to promote cancer support, education and research. Local and national cancer resources are showcased and money is raised through pledging to sponsor hourly drumming. All proceeds are then donated. The event is professionally filmed and webcast.
Some camp overnight in the rolling pastures of Misty Meadows. Other come and go in the 24-hour period. Founder Scott Swimmer says, "It's a gathering to rhythm. The event brings finances and attention to eradicating cancer." He and son Mason are cancer survivors.
Local and celebrity artists will play music accompanied by the drum circle. There will also be a health fair and even belly dancers. drumSTRONG is appropriate for all ages.
Go in honor of someone, in memory of someone or go drum to celebrate your survivorship!
For ticket information and video of last year, visit www.drumstrong.org.
drumSTRONG is produced annually by DrumsForCures, a nonprofit.
A special fieldtrip
Noel Fludgate, a Weddington resident, took his special needs class to Panthers stadium earlier this month. Fludgate is an EC (exceptional children) teacher at Rocky River Elementary in Monroe.Two months ago when Fludgate took the kids to Discovery Place, they were elated to be in downtown Charlotte. So he knew a trip to Panthers stadium for an insider's view would be a great success. Fludgate's wife, Susan, made all the arrangements, including a tour by Panthers staff and a cameo appearance by their official mascot, Sir Purr. It was all free.
Three classes went along: Jenny Jystad's class, Andy Gianelli's class and Fludgate's. The children all have different challenges and range in age from 5 to 11 years old.
Some of the children had never been to Charlotte or seen tall buildings. When the stadium was in sight the kids cheered.
The children were led under the stadium, where Sir Purr entered on a scooter to the children's delight. Music played while he autographed pictures and shared hugs.
The tour continued to the visitor's locker room, press box, a large private suite and into the seating bowl. Students received T-shirts at the Team Store; one child even wore his four days! OUR TOWNS
Drop me a line
If you have something to share about Weddington, I'd love to hear from you. Sari Monaco
E-mail: smonaco@charlotteobserver.com
I welcome photos (make sure everyone is clearly identified left to right). Drop them in the mail or e-mail them as a JPEG file. Be sure to include a daytime phone number. Sari Monaco
