Wedding trends for the upcoming season
the Cover page 10 page 16
MacAdam Smith Publisher
mac@oasisluxuryhomes.com (484) 769-7445
Sharon Simpson
Advertising Director sharon@lncurrents.com (704) 677-9159
Lori Helms Editor Lori@LNCurrents.com
Sue Wales
Advertising Representative sue.hickorymag@gmail.com (224) 223-9941
By Lori Helms
t’s almost impossible to roll into March and not think about a couple of things right off the top –spring is just around the corner, and not to be overlooked, St. Patrick’s Day brings us the chance to “get your green on” and celebrate the luck of the Irish for a day (or weekend, or however long your liver is lucky enough to hold out).
I don’t really consider myself to be a lucky person. I’m kind of that pragmatic realist who was taught to just lower your shoulder, do the work and create the “luck” necessary for a satisfying and comfortable life. By and large, it’s been a pretty good formula. Although there was this one very lucky time when I won a pontoon boat during a poker run on Lake Norman for a charity event. It was Father’s
Day weekend and I’d forgotten to get my husband a gift, so, yeah, but that’s a story for another time ...
Good or bad luck, for better or worse, is everywhere. So, when you’ve had the unfortunate luck to have an injury or mobility issues strike, you’re in luck that the professionals at Biokinetics Rehab in Hickory are available to provide individualized therapeutics to not just figure out what the issue is, but exactly why you have pain and how to treat it. Owner Dr. Jeff Smith has a decades-long career in providing just such care and has a highly qualified staff providing everything from personal training to massage therapy to trigger point dry needling to kinesiotaping. Read more about what Dr. Smith and his team at Biokinetics Rehab can do for you on Page 10.
And for those especially lucky enough to be looking forward to wedding nuptials in the not-too-distant future (and even for those unlucky enough to be paying for them), we’ve got some great tips from local bridal industry experts on just what the trends are this year for everything from scheduling the big day to menus, attire and accessories. You can find their tips beginning on Page 16.
Here’s hoping you enjoy March, and that you can revel in the fact that spring will be here before we know it. With just a wee bit of Irish luck, Punxsutawney Phil may even be proved wrong, and we’ll show winter the door a little early.
— LH
Lori Helms Editor lori@lncurrents.com
By Kathy Wheeler | Photos by Shane Greene Photography
If rehabilitation is in your future due to injury, surgery, mobility issues or pain, you want the fastest solution possible with lasting results. Biokinetics Rehabilitation’s owner, Dr. Jeff Smith, DSci, PT, OCS, is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapy Specialist with a 30-year career dedicated to improving the lives of his clients. The secret to his success is he identifies and treats the root cause of clients’ problems, rather than just treating their symptoms. His approach incorporates proven scientific treatments to normalize movement patterns, educate clients through training and repetition, and restore proper mechanics.
“My mission is to help clients not just exist but thrive and live their best lives,” says Dr. Smith. His extensive training spans athletic performance, biomechanics and physical therapy, allowing him to address complex conditions and optimize recovery. His academic background and certifications underscore his commitment to excellence. A graduate of the University of Toledo with degrees in Human Performance and Athletic Training, he completed graduate studies in Biomechanics at Georgia State University and earned a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from North Georgia College.
Above: Dr Jeff Smith provides long-term wellness by effectively determining and treating the root cause of a patients’ dysfunction.
Right: Patients receive constant one-on-one attention from Board Certified physical therapist Dr Jeff Smith.
Dr. Smith continued his education at the University of Maryland School of Medicine with an advanced Doctor of Science degree in Physical Therapy, graduating with highest honors. He is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Functional Strength Coach, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and is certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Functional Movement Screen and Dry Needling.
Pain is not just a problem — it’s a request for change.
“At Biokinetics Rehab, we don’t stop at determining what is wrong; we delve deeper to uncover why it’s wrong,” says Dr. Smith. “Instead of relying solely on images or tests for a medical diagnosis, we evaluate how you perform daily activities and identify impairments or compensations contributing to dysfunction.
“We have developed lifelong relationships with our clients.
We educate them on triggers so they can seek treatment even before pain manifests. By addressing the root cause of dysfunction, we help prevent injuries and provide the tools needed to maintain long-term wellness,” he says.
Many rehab facilities treat you with a group of therapists who must familiarize themselves with your problems each time you visit. Biokinetics Rehab values individualized care. Each client receives one-on-one attention from the same therapist throughout their recovery. Private treatment rooms and open gym options accommodate clients’ preferences, and all sessions include tailored exercise programs for sustainable improvement.
As an out-of-network provider, Dr. Smith bypasses insurance limitations, allowing him to prioritize the quality and duration of care. Clients can typically secure an appointment within 24-48 hours, avoiding long wait times. And as a direct access practitioner, Dr. Smith can see patients without requiring a referral from their physician, further saving money and time.
“Biokinetics Rehab offers Annual Wellness visits. This is an opportunity for a person to have a comprehensive evaluation of their functional status, overall strength and motion of each body part, and a standardized assessment of any desired activities or uncovered deficits.”
While Dr. Smith is board-certified in Orthopedics, the practice addresses a wide range of conditions, including TMJ dysfunction, balance issues, deconditioning and neurological deficits. Additionally, Biokinetics Rehab offers Annual Wellness visits. This is an opportunity for a person to have a comprehensive evaluation of their functional status, overall strength and motion of each body part, and a standardized assessment of any desired activities or uncovered deficits. Also, to foster accountability, patients can continue with Wellness Maintenance visits on a monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly basis to ensure compliance with their prescribed exercise routines.
Dr. Smith has developed “Sports Performance” and “ACL Injury Prevention” programs which provide a practical, scientifically based and fully comprehensive approach to reach peak
Left:Proper form is emphasized throughout the session to allow patients to develop a strong foundation for enhancing injury resistance and maximizing recovery.
Below: Personal trainer Warren McAlpine utilizes a holistic approach to develop workout programs useful in the pursuit of higher performance for his clients.
performance. These programs will assist in gaining insight to improve speed, strength and power while focusing on utilizing proper form and techniques to increase injury resistance. The approach is to build a solid athletic foundation while staying focused on the individual goal of the athlete.
In addition to state-of-the-art gym equipment and a personalized plan using multiple therapies and recovery methods, you will receive great care at Biokinetics Rehab. The goal is to not only help you recover but also build a strong foundation to prevent future injuries. The holistic wellness therapies available to clients are:
• Manual Therapy
• Trigger Point Dry Needling
• Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
• Tissue and Muscle Flossing
• Cupping Therapy
•Kinesiotaping
Attention to detail and providing appropriate motivational cueing to help a client unlock their full potential is the focus for personal trainer Brian Williams.
Extensive training and experience enables massage therapist Renee’ Barnette to provide therapeutic bodywork to bring improved health and whole body well-being.
A strong emphasis on developing functional, accessible, and manageable fitness programs is the goal of personal trainer Mandy Bottke.
Biokinetics Rehab also has a licensed massage therapist and certified personal trainers providing individualized and small group sessions in a private gym area, enabling the client to have personalized attention without waiting on equipment or feeling pressured during their exercise activities.
Mandy Bottke is also a nutrition coach and corrective exercise coach who teaches functional movement and sustainable nutrition skills to help her clients live their life to their full potential.
Brian Williams brings years of one-on-one and group training experience and truly believes in the transformational power of fitness while tailoring programs that cater to individual needs and goals.
Warren McAlpine is a former athlete and two-time state champion powerlifter who provides theoretical expertise and hard-earned empirical experience to improve athletic and strength performance.
Renee Barnette is a licensed massage therapist with an expansive background of training and years of experience in massage and bodywork therapy, which allows her to focus on each individual and their specific needs to improve health and whole-body well-being.
Biokinetics Rehab promotes that “Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.” Their mission is to provide personalized care that empowers clients to regain control over their bodies and lives. By focusing on education, prevention and individualized treatment, they help patients achieve lasting wellness and independence.
Whether recovering from an injury, seeking to prevent one or striving for peak performance, Biokinetics Rehab offers the expertise and support you need to thrive.
Call them today to begin your journey to living — not just existing — your best life!
The region’s experts share what’s up and coming
By Lori Helms
As a bride many moons ago, and as a mother who within the last few years had to plan a wedding, I thought I was pretty familiar with all things nuptial. Find a venue with an open Saturday sometime in the next decade – check. Select a caterer or restaurant for a Friday wedding party-only rehearsal dinner – check. Spend the equivalent of a small European country’s GDP on a cake no one will eat and flowers that will die in a few days – check. All matters of course for a ritual that has evolved over thousands of years to what I thought I understood as par for the course.
But it was a recent conversation with Chris Boukedes and Tara Creedon of Bouk Management in the Lake Norman area that brought me up to speed quickly on what I thought I knew – but clearly didn’t – about all things trending in the bridal industry. Bouk Management, among other things, offers its extensive venue and catering services and expertise to local brides, and Creedon tells me that one of the recent and significant changes to wedding traditions comes to us courtesy of the pandemic we’d all rather forget.
“One of the latest trends was born out of COVID,” says Creedon, describing what couples went through when having to reschedule the big day thanks to closed venues, restricted travel and all the other insults the pandemic hurled our way. “It started a push for weddings on Fridays. ... It’s a little less expensive to do a rehearsal dinner on Thursday and rent a venue on Friday.” She says it allows for Saturday and Sunday as a kind of decompression time for the wedding party to relax and enjoy the company of friends and family, and it gives wedding venue owners and catering companies an added revenue source for nights that would normally go unscheduled.
“I love it as a venue owner,” Boukedes says, “because normally you only have 52 Saturdays. Now, in my mind, I have 104.” Creedon says there have also been changing trends in catering, as
operators are now easily able to offer menus that accommodate a variety of dietary needs (such as gluten-free) and food allergies. She says there is also a move away from full bars to a small menu of specialty cocktails, and the shunning of an elaborate (and expensive) wedding cake for a smaller cake for the cutting ceremony paired with mini-desserts or dessert stations.
But it’s not just venues and menus seeing a change in how the big day is planned. Meredith Summey at The Laboratory Mill wedding site in Lincolnton says there’s also a shift in the way the venue is decorated with silk flowers instead of real florals. Not only are silk arrangements more affordable, there isn’t the challenge of figuring out what to do with them after the wedding.
“More brides are choosing to rent silk flowers for the big day, and once the celebration is over, they simply return them,” Summey says. “Silk flowers can provide the same stunning look without the need to throw out a bunch of flowers.” They’re not likely to fully replace the use of the real thing, but either way – silk or genuine –Summey doesn’t think you can go wrong. “Ultimately, any way you choose to celebrate the union of two people is beautiful,” she says.
And nothing accentuates the beauty of the bride more than just the right jewelry. Dalton Powell, owner of Oz’s Jewelers in Hickory, says he’s seeing new trends in bridal day “bling” as well.
“The biggest trend that we are seeing in not only bridal jewelry but also wedding day jewelry is a push toward sustainability in the bridal space,” says Powell. “This is seen in various ways — from a push toward vintage and estate pieces to an increased interest in our selection of lab-grown diamonds that are 100% carbonneutral.” As an example, Powell shared with us an image (above) of an estate engagement ring from the early 1930s featuring an old-fashioned European-cut diamond.
“The biggest trend that we are seeing in bridal jewelry is a push toward sustainability
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue ... but what about something lakeside? The folks at Visit Lake Norman believe that while certain bridal trends will ebb and flow, the chance to celebrate with family and friends near Lake Norman’s beautiful waters will never go out of style.
“The allure of a waterfront wedding remains timeless, with couples drawn to scenic views and versatile venues,” says Cyndi Bartley, Director of Operations & Marketing at Visit Lake Norman. “As multi-day celebrations and destination weddings rise in popular ity, Lake Norman offers the perfect backdrop — complete with charming hotels, short-term rentals and thoughtful touches like our complimentary branded wedding bags for guests in Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville.”
To contact agement.com or visit www.boukmanagement.com. Learn more about The Laboratory Mill calling 704.240.4718 or visit www.thelaboratorymill.com. To see everything that sparkles at www.ozzsjewelers.com or call 828.328.5565. To learn more about what 704.987.3300 or visit www.lakenormanweddings.org.
We all know they will fill up fast.
The Hickory area offers a huge variety of summer camps for kids of all ages and interests. Now’s the time to reserve their place in camp and avoid the dreaded “I’m bored!”.
FIND YOUR FUN. FIND YOUR Y. SUMMERS ARE FOR SMILES!
At Y day camp, your kids will make new friends and have tons of fun as they explore new adventures each day.
Camp locations across
and
For a better us®
Wk 1 - 06/02 - 06/06
Wk 2 - 06/09 - 06/13
Wk 3 - 06/16 - 06/20
Wk 4 - 06/23 - 06/27 Wk 5 - 07/07 - 07/11 Wk 6 - 07/14 - 07/18 Wk 7 - 07/21 - 07/25 Wk 8 - 07/28 - 08/01
Have a blast exploring the “National Days” and learn about how and why they are celebrated!
Ages 5-12 Years Old (Must have completed kindergarten)
Campers will enjoy 12 weeks of activities, including crafts, outdoor games, cooking, 4-H, Master Gardening, swimming & more in the safe and nurturing environment that Sipe’s Orchard Home has provided for over 80 years!
WEEKLY CAMP FEES:
$30 Registration Fee (non-refundable)
$10 Reservation Fee Per Child (non-refundable)
$130 Per week for the 1st child
$125 Per week for the 2nd child
Note: Reservation fee will be deducted from weekly fee and is non-refundable if children do not attend. Second child discount only applies if both children attend traditional camp.
We provide breakfast, lunch and snack each day at no additional cost for all summer campers.
Registration begins in March! Check our website for details!
Note: Traditional camp registration and reservation fees also apply. Second child discount only applies if both children attend ACE camp. SPACE IS LIMITED! ONLY AVAILABLE ON CERTAIN WEEKS! Visit our website to check availability & to register! ACE campers will go on off-campus adventures 4 days of the week, participating in community service projects, and learning about the environment.
child
$145 Per Week 2nd child
Greek-inspired meatballs will get you there
By Kathy Dicken
Photograph courtesy Kathy Dicken
Servings: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Looking to jazz up your standard meatball recipe? Give these Greekinspired lamb meatballs with creamy Green Goddess dip a try. They’re super simple to whip up and can be baked in the oven in under 15 minutes. Pair them with rice or orzo, avocado and cucumber, and you’ve got yourself a winning meal.
These meatballs take a detour from the classic Italian version by using lamb along with some tasty Greek herbs and spices that really bring out that rich, earthy flavor. If you’re hesitant about trying lamb, trust me — it’s a fantastic change from beef and has so much more flavor.
Green Goddess dressing makes a terrific sauce to pair with the meat. It’s creamy with a delightful herb kick, making it the perfect partner for the lamb’s rich and robust flavor. Besides using it as a sauce, Green Goddess functions wonderfully as a salad dressing.
To serve, spread the Green Goddess sauce on plates. Add the rice, meatballs, avocado, cucumber and greens. A light drizzle of fresh lemon juice will enhance the flavors just before serving. These meatballs also make a great appetizer — just serve on a platter with the Green Goddess sauce. Enjoy!
1 lb. ground lamb
1 small red onion, finely chopped
3 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons parsley, finely chopped
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 small lemon zest, grated
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 tsp. mint (optional)
Green Goddess Dip
3/4 cup fresh flatleaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup basil pesto
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 medium green onions, chopped
2 drained canned anchovy fillets
Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of the food blog, The Tasty Bits. For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine all of the meatball ingredients together in a large bowl. Use a large fork or your hands to combine well. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes. Roll the mixture into 12 large meatballs and place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Bake meatballs on the highest rack for 7 minutes. Then flip the balls on the other side and bake for another 7 minutes until browned and cooked through (or until reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees).
While meatballs are baking, add all dip ingredients to a small food processor and blend for about 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a bowl, add salt and pepper to taste, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Note: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
