LIMITLESS
For the Lake Norman area’s 55+ adults who place no limits on living their best lives!
January 2021
Culinary
Charleston
Staying active in
winter
Giving hope to others
retirement? Are you ready for
Special Advertising Feature Meet Jason Rindskopf, WMCP® and Derek Bostian, CFP® . They are ready to help you with your important retirement planning decisions.
Tax Savings Opportunities For The New Year
B
atman had Robin. Captain America had Bucky Barnes. Who is your retirement sidekick? Maybe it’s your spouse or a companion that you’re planning to travel the world with. The last person, we bet, that you want to have riding shotgun with you in retirement is Uncle Sam. Fortunately, with the passing of The Tax Cut and Jobs Act at the end of 2017, the SECURE Act at the end of 2019, and new tax legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic, new tax savings opportunities have presented themselves, and if you’re preparing for retirement, you should be aware. Before we jump in, we want to emphasize that this is a limited opportunity. The 2017 rules are scheduled to expire in 2025 (if they don’t disappear sooner under the new administration). Here are three of the biggest tax savings opportunities that may benefit your bottom line in 2021. 1. Take the Standard Deduction Later The tax rules nearly doubled the standard deduction and did away with many write- offs, removing the tax benefit of itemizing deductions for most taxpayers. An old accounting trick means you can still optimize your deductions under the new rules by “bunching” itemized deductions in a single year to get over the standard deduction and then taking the standard deduction the following year—potentially maximizing your tax savings multiple years in a row.
you’re 70½, allowing you to exclude up to $100,000 from your gross income (with certain restrictions). 3. Lower Your Taxable Income with a Roth Conversion A Roth conversion is a great way to permanently lower your taxable income in retirement by converting tax-deferred assets into tax-free assets and paying taxes on the conversion in an optimal tax year (like under today’s favorable tax brackets or if your retirement assets lost value this year). Unless you expect your taxes to be lower in future years, now may be an ideal opportunity for a Roth conversion. Is your current financial professional looking at your tax return? We use financial modeling software to show you exactly how your overall picture is affected by new tax rules and temporary updates. If you and your financial advisor aren’t combing through your tax return to find missed opportunities, email us at info@twowaterswealth.com to schedule your own discovery meeting to learn if these strategies may make sense for you. Your tax reduction partners, Derek Bostian, CFP® | Jason Rindskopf, WMCP® Two Waters Wealth Management | 704.275.2500
2. Give Money to Your Favorite Charity Right from Your IRA (New SECURE Act Opportunity) Even though the SECURE Act changed the age at which your RMDs must start from 70½ to 72, you still have the right to make Qualified Charitable Distributions directly from your IRA to a qualifying charity once Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Two Waters Wealth Management, LLC. Two Waters Wealth Management is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha. Advisory Alpha does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax professional prior to making decisions relative to these issues.
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LIMITLESS
limitless letter
For the Lake Norman area’s 55+ adults who place no limits on living their best lives!
Resolving to Document Important Details I’ve never been much for making New Year’s resolutions. I make all kinds of resolutions throughout the year, so why wait until New Year’s to make a formal announcement? Most of mine tend to lean towards diet and exercise anyway. A little less eating and a little more exercise seem to be my go-to resolutions right after every major holiday. If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that life is short and very unpredictable. I’ve watched as people I care about have unexpectedly gotten sick, been hospitalized and even moved on to a better place. It made me stop and think a little more about the preparations I’ve made in case the inevitable happens sooner than expected. Recently I’ve begun to document our financial life history. I want everything to be in writing and in one place so my family will know exactly who to contact and what to do in case I’m unable to do it. In this world full of passwords and logins, loved ones need to know how to access the information needed to make important
6
decisions concerning my future and theirs as well. This is something we all put off because it’s hard to think about, but we should consider it a blessing to those responsible for our care or those we leave behind. As we wrap up one crazy, unpredictable year and look forward to a new one filled with promise and the hope of getting back to “normal,” let’s make one resolution that not only looks out for our future, but for the future of those we love. Write it all down, keep it in a safe and secure place and tell someone you trust where it is. This issue of LIMITLESS focuses on “Resolutions for Retirement.” We’ve asked some top financial experts to answer the tough questions we all
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have on planning for our future. Hopefully their tips will get you started in the right direction or add new insights on topics you’ve never considered before. Whatever direction you take on the road to retirement, I encourage you to write it all down. Keep all of your important papers in one place. Be sure to include your logins and passwords to key websites that someone will need to access if you can’t. It’s a gift that your loved ones will appreciate as they take on your care or their future. Above all, make your number one resolution for 2021 to be kind to one another. It’s something we could all use a little more of and you can do it from the comfort of your home. One day soon, we’ll be venturing out and enjoying the company of those we love and care about. I don’t know about you, but this extroverted, party-lovin’ girl can’t wait! Happy New Year everyone,
Publisher MacAdam Smith Mac@LNCurrents.com
Advertising Director Sharon Simpson Sharon@LNCurrents.com
Advertising Sales Executives Kelsey Innes kelsey@limitlessmagonline.com Carole Lambert Carole@LNCurrents.com Beth Packard Beth@LNCurrents.com Trisha Robinson Trisha@LNCurrents.com Kathy Wheeler Kathywheeler@charter.net Linda Wilson Lindalivingmagazine@gmail.com
Editor Renee Roberson Renee@LNCurrents.com
Event Coordinator Alison Smith Alison@LNCurrents.com
Social Media Specialist Lauren Platts social@lncurrents.com
Graphic Design & Production Kerrie Boys, idesign2inc
Contributing Writers Trevor Burton Mickey Dunaway Bek Mitchell-Kidd Karel Bond Lucander Martin Rose
Contributing Photographer Lisa Crates
facebook/limitlessmag Limitlessmagonline.com
Drs. miChael Coleman anD miChael Foran Restoring the Quality of Life
The Choice is Clear
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CONTENTS
About the Cover:
Local experts share their tips for planning for retirement.
January, 2021 | vol. 1 | No. 10
Explorers & Adventures 10 Resolutions for retirement
In Every Issue 20 This Month in History 24 On the Scene 26 In My Glass –
Slightly North of Broad in Charleston
29 Limitless Learning –
Learn from the Experts
14 Tips for staying active in winter
22 Shelter from life’s storms at Hope House Foundation
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Health + Happiness 16 Cuisine during COVID-19 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Be Bold
20
18 The transformation of an outdated
14 » Keep Moving
Helping Hands
cottage to a modern lakeside retreat
18 » Lakeside Rightsize
26 » Chicken Out
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Limitless Magazine is a 9-times a year publication available through direct-mail home delivery to the most affluent Iredell County residents. It also is available at area Harris Teeter supermarkets, as well as various Chambers of Commerce, real estate offices and specialty businesses. The entire contents of this publication are protected under copyright. Unauthorized use of any editorial or advertising content in any form is strictly prohibited. Limitless Magazine magazine is wholly owned by Oasis Magazines, Inc.
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9
explorers & ADVENTURES
Experts share their best practices on planning for retirement.
Resolutions
for Retirement Make a plan to get your fiscal matters into shape for the New Year
A
s we grow older, our priorities and hopes for the future begin to either shift or come more clearly into focus. For some, organizing our finances becomes more important and for others, making sure our documents like wills and instructions for our care should we become ill are more top of mind. We reached out to area experts to help us sift through some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to planning for retirement.
Finances first
If you haven’t worked with a financial advisor in the past, you may want to seek one out when planning your next steps for retirement. There are many different types of financial advisors in our community, and they vary in what they specialize in. Compensation
BY » Renee Roberson
for financial advisors is also different across the board— some advisors operate on commission and others are more fee-based. Doing your research ahead of time can help you determine what your long-term strategies are. Are you looking for more help with estate planning, college planning, safe investment strategies, etc.? “Individuals are often compelled to pursue financial planning when they’re approaching important life events,” say Derek Bostian and Jason Rindskopf, financial planners and co-founders of Two Waters Wealth. “A new child, planning to pay for colleges or weddings, planning for retirement. Wherever you are on your financial journey, you’re almost always approaching your 'next' important milestone.” Two Waters Wealth also knows that retirement
10 LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021
planning can be a confusing, even overwhelming, process for many people. There is a lot of complexity and moving parts when it comes to the transition from work to retirement, so it’s understandable why so many people struggle with the process. One of the most important things to consider is that you find one who understands you, your personal situation and your goals. “They need to be experienced in retirement planning for people in your particular situation,” says Bob McIntosh, Managing Partner of McIntosh Law Firm. “You need someone who has been around, and most importantly, someone you trust. In the end, you are relying on what someone is saying without much in the way of guarantee or proven result, because you have not retired before.”
Jeffrey Karp of Karp Financial Strategies agrees. He advises that your first meeting with a financial advisor should be “like a first date.” This is the time to get to know the advisor’s expertise, experience and philosophies. “Can you see yourself opening up to this person to share your dreams, hopes and expectations about life so that they can plan accordingly?” he asks. McIntosh also notes that a financial advisor is going to be familiar with challenges other clients have seen in retirement and can help you prepare for any contingencies of which you may be unaware. “The unknown is the enemy of your best retirement,” he says. At your first meeting with an advisor, you should expect patience, curiosity, and a well-defined process, say Bostian and Rindskopf.
And if your goal is to make meaningful progress in your financial life, it’s really never “too early” to talk with a financial advisor. They also believe the number one goal of retirement planning should be simple—to help ensure your ability to preserve your lifestyle and standard of living for the rest of your life, while removing as much risk as possible of running out of money in the process.
Estate planning
Another important item on your “to-do” list should be to get your will in order if you haven’t done so already. Attorney Kristen Forbes with Forbes Law Firm says hiring a specialized estate planning attorney can help you consider a myriad of possibilities for your estate plan that you might not have been aware of otherwise. “These can include the care of loved ones with special needs, the treatment of children and heirs within mixed families, business continuity protections, real estate and investment protections and specialized tax benefits, among others,” she says. “As an attorney who not only drafts estate planning documents such as wills,
trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney and healthcare directives, I also assist clients who need help administering a deceased loved one’s estate,” Forbes continues. “Often times these clients are coming to me because either their loved one had no documents or their loved one’s estate planning documents had deficiencies as it relates to special intricacies of the law.” Forbes notes that on the legal side of estate planning, it’s important to ensure that all of your documents are legally sound and meet all the requirements for your specific needs. A specialized and experienced estate planning attorney can ensure your documents avoid these potential issues, ensuring your wishes are fully executed.
Why you should consider a Living Trust
If you own a business, an investment property, a second home out of state, have a special needs dependent, or are a high wealth individual, establishing a Living Trust should be high on your list of retirement resolutions. A Living Trust is an estate plan that holds your
“Often times these clients are coming to me because either their loved one had no documents or their loved one’s estate planning documents had deficiencies as it relates to special intricacies of the law.” property during your lifetime and then disposes of it at your (or your spouse’s) death. It requires some management and familiarity with Trust and property management, says McIntosh. “Some common features of a Living Trust include providing for a spouse during their lifetime while securing inheritance for your children, providing specialized and instruction and legal protections for beneficiaries’ maintenance, education and financial needs, or protecting against a beneficiary’s poor spending habits,” says Forbes. Getting your affairs organized and in order may seem like a daunting task at first, but by seeking out experienced professionals you can check some of these items off your to-do list for 2021 and continue on with the business of enjoying life, knowing your future is secure and yourself and your loved ones taken care of.
What are Living Wills and Advanced Healthcare Directives? An Advanced Healthcare Directive is a legal document combining both a Living Will and a Healthcare Proxy (also known as a Healthcare Power of Attorney). Forbes says a Living Will allows you to express your personal wishes regarding life prolonging healthcare decisions in the event you are unable to make them yourself due to illness or injury. The Healthcare Proxy allows you to name a personal agent to make all manner of healthcare decisions on your behalf, should you be unable. Without an Advanced Healthcare Directive in place, medical providers and/or other family members will make decisions on your behalf that may or may not coincide with your desires.
LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021 11
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LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021 13
explorers & ADVENTURES
Staying Active
in Winter BY » Bek Mitchell-Kidd
Ways to keep your mind, body and spirit engaged in the colder months
I
t’s easy to want to hibernate in the winter, with the temperatures growing colder and the sun going down so early in the evening. Never fear though, because here in the Lake Norman area there are still plenty of ways to
bust boredom, keep your muscles moving and your mind strong. This abundance of activities is just one of the many things about the area that attracts residents who move here from other parts of the country.
14 LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021
Venture into the virtual
Many people have used the downtime created during the pandemic to learn some new skills. Nonprofits and other area organizations have also been intentional in creating
online learning experiences residents can take advantage of. Mooresville Public Library will be offering a virtual “Make It and Take It” craft project for teens and adults at the beginning of January that you can pick up make at home. The Charlotte-
Dive in and breathe deep
a little experimenting in the kitchen. You’d be surprised at what you’ll be able to add to your everyday lineup of meals and treats!
Ready to rinse away 2020? We are, too. We’re not suggesting you do a lap across the lake in these temps, but consider diving into a water aerobics class or maybe finally take those swim lesson indoors. Lowimpact exercise is a great way to lower stress and find yourself in the deep-end of feeling great in any weather.
Join a club
Places to try: Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatics, Lake Norman YMCA and Lowe’s YMCA. Take a deep breath and find time for you in a yoga studio. No matter if you’re new to the poses or a downward dog master, yoga is a great way to warm up in winter. Try Gotta Yoga, which often has classes specializing in age 55+ needs. Plus, many gyms and studios are offering virtual classes if you prefer working out from home (and without the pressure of an audience). Pure Barre Lake Norman is a great low-impact option for any age with virtual and in-studio classes.
Get cooking
Mecklenburg Library, with branches in Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, also offer regular virtual book clubs and classes and conversational groups for foreign languages. Check their website for the most up-to-date offerings. Have you considered signing up for a SkillPop class? The platform features live classes on wreathmaking and
watercolors, stock market investing and Instagram 101. You’ll impress yourself and the grandkids with your new skills in no time. Many of the class instructors are from Charlotte or Lake Norman locals, and offer a world of knowledge you can learn from in your living room. Checkout the current line-up of one-off classes at: www.skillpop.com/classes.
Whether you’re the one yelling at Gordon Ramsay or if you have trouble boiling water, refining your culinary skills is a great way to connect and stay motivated in chillier seasons. Check out the Birkdale location of Williams Sonoma. At the time of publication all classes are still virtual but include instruction from the Beverage Academy and Baking School. Or check out a new cookbook from the library or one of the independently-owned bookstores in town and do
While your Daisy Scout days may be behind you— there are plenty of clubs around Lake Norman with opportunities to connect with people of all ages. The Golden Boys and Girls Club is specifically focused on ages 55+ and offers everything from a simple breakfast with new friends to groups that go fishing and hunting, photography, wine tasting and walking. Do an internet search for The Golden Boys and Girls Club of Lake Norman to find the contacts for the chapter closest to you.
Volunteer your time
One of the greatest things you can give is your time. And, having someone count on you to show-up can feel very empowering. Education, kids, sailing, art—what’s your passion? Chances are there’s an organization that needs your time and experience. Love animals? Try Cornelius Animal Shelter, Piedmont Animal Rescue, Lake Norman Humane, or Carolina Raptor Center. Consider also looking into donating your time to Angels and Sparrows Soup Kitchen and Lydia’s Loft who focus on clothing, feeding and caring for all members of the Lake Norman community. History, art, or kids more your thing? Reach out to Huntersville Historic Society, Van Every Smith Galleries, Mooresville Arts, or Discovery Place Kids to learn more about their volunteer programs.
LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021 15
health + HAPPINESS
Cuisine During COVID-19
Dining out or dining in safely on a road trip
M
eals provide a health and safety challenge for those traveling by car these days. This second of a two-part series offers tips for enjoying restaurant food
BY » Martin Rose
safely and preparing your own meals for a road trip. Huntersville registered dietitian nutritionist Melissa Herrmann Dierks is a seasoned road-tripper. This summer she traveled with her 12-year-old son to
16 LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021
New Hampshire, staying in a private vintage cabin. “My son is active so we needed a place that could keep him busy. Our cabin was on a little private beach in a cove,” Herrmann recalls. “We did not want to share
an A/C system or air with anyone and ate plenty of restaurant take-out on park benches and picnic tables.” Eating inside of restaurants is deemed high-risk by health officials during COVID since you have to
Photos Courtesy of Melissa Herrmann
When traveling, opt to sample the local cuisine via takeout.
take your mask off while eating, and the heating and cooling system circulates air from all of the other diners. Ordering takeout
and eating in the car or a safe outdoor location allows travelers to enjoy regional cuisine while staying safe. “There are so many delicious, regional foods that you may not want to miss out on,” Herrmann says. “Local BBQ, seafood, lobster rolls, ethnic foods and more can’t be missed when traveling. It is possible to order take-away food safely by following the advice of health officials like wearing masks, observing social distancing and paying with credit card. “High end or low end, restaurants are surviving on take out, so they don’t look at you funny when you walk into a high-end place asking for food to go,” she adds. Snack, drink and meal options that you bring from home or buy at your destination will vary based
on access to a refrigerator or microwave and how
Don’t forget paper plates, bowls, napkins and flatware for eating both your packed items and restaurant takeout.
long items need to stay cold in your cooler. Many grocery stores
offer online ordering and curbside pickup, providing a safe option for buying groceries at your destination. Don’t forget paper plates, bowls, napkins and flatware for eating both your packed items and restaurant takeout. It’s always good to have some healthy options available when you travel, so that if you come in from a long day hungry you have better options than fast food or a vending machine. Herrmann suggests that you travel with the book 2020 Calorie King Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter to make healthy fast food and restaurant food choices.
Melissa Herrmann Dierks RDN, LDN, CDCES is a Huntersville Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over 30 years of experience and owner of Eat Smart Nutrition Co. For more tips, you can contact Melissa at 704.779.2100.
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LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021 17
be BOLD
A Nest for aSwan The transformation of an outdated cottage to a modern lakeside retreat
AFTER
BY: » Renee Roberson PHOTOGRAPHY BY: » Wes Stearnes
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER Top: Taking the roof of the house allowed Pippin to raise the ceilings throughout the entire home. Right: The original kitchen and living space. Bottom: The home was transformed into a modern lakeside retreat. 18 LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021
I
f you’ll recall from your history of Lake Norman, most of the original properties built were meant to be simple lakefront cottages. This was the case for a home in Denver that Jennifer Beaman Pippin, award-winning residential designer and founder of Pippin Home Designs, helped transform from a dated exterior and interior
to what she now affectionately calls “The Swan.” The home was situated for optimal water views, but Pippin says it lacked curb appeal. It featured low ceilings and porch roofs, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, limited storage and a shallow lakeside covered porch. It also didn’t contain a laundry room.
AFTER
BEFORE
Top: The new design features a larger lakeside covered porch. Left: The addition of a fourth bedroom added a bunk design for kids. Right: The original home design featured low ceilings and porch roofs.
The wish list
Because the clients plan to use the property as a vacation home they could potentially retire in, they didn’t want to add a lot of square footage with the renovations. They did desire a completely new look for the exterior of the home to enhance the curb appeal, expansion of the lake views, and increasing the ceiling heights inside the living spaces. They also wanted to add an additional bedroom, a more functional kitchen, four full bathrooms (including one with access to the lake), a new laundry room, more storage and a larger lakeside covered porch.
The transformation
Pippin says the biggest change required taking the roof off the house in order to raise the ceilings throughout the entire home. “We designed a cathedral ceiling running front to back through the main living spaces and out into the expanded covered porch on the lake side and the street side, by turning the direction of the original gable and raising the roof pitch, as well. The bulk of the original footprint and room locations remained the same, to help offset the cost of removing the roof and keep the overall square footage low,� she says.
The main living areas were also expanded towards the street side and the lake side, to provide larger rooms. The kitchen was completely renovated and expanded, along with enhancing the lake views with all new larger windows and doors that were added into the home. The expansions to the home required that both the septic system and the well had be relocated to allow room for the addition of the new fourth bedroom and bathroom, the new master bathroom and closets, and the expanded porches on both sides of the home. Lake life was made much easier with the fourth bed-
room featuring a bunk room design welcoming for kids. One of the existing renovated bathrooms had an exterior door added to it, for the lake access use. This new exterior door in the bathroom had a refurbished stained-glass window incorporated into it, that they had saved from an old church, which was sentimental to the clients. The result was a transformation into a steamlined, contemporary lakeside retreat with all the modern amenities, lake views and indoor and outdoor living that will be perfect for vacations, and eventually a place to nest in retirement.
LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021 19
this month IN HISTORY
Inaugurations BY » Mickey Dunaway
G
oing forward, I am going to have the pleasure in future issues of LIMITLESS to explore each month in history. With endless possibilities, I decided to start with a little “U.S. History Lesson” for the month
1-1-1735
Paul Revere was born in Boston. He made a living as a silversmith and a revolutionary.
1-1-1863
President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, granting freedom to slaves held in the “rebellious states.” Perhaps now is a good and proper time to recommit to Lincoln’s view of an all-inclusive Union.
1-8-1935
Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. And the world of music has never been the same.
1-10-1933
The Holocaust began. Say a prayer for all the victims, survivors, and their families on this day. 20 LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021
and Other History Lessons from January
of January, having just completed our national election. I listed the events by the day of the month. I certainly could have chosen other events, but these spoke to me for one reason or another. The comments in italics following the event are my own editorializing.
1-11-1973
Designated-hitter rule adopted by Baseball’s American League. I wonder. Isn’t it about time to return to the purity of the game?
1-13-1969
The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine album released in U.S. Aahh…The Beatles. Now that was ROCK AND ROLL!
1-15-1929
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born. Visit his memorial in Atlanta sometime. It is a short drive.
1-20-1986
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first observed. Let’s try to make it more than a holiday.
1-21-1977
President Jimmy Carter pardoned Vietnam draft evaders. Unpopular at the time, it was quickly accepted as a well and proper means of healing the country after Vietnam.
1-23-1968
USS Pueblo seized by North Koreans. And 53 years later, the regime remains as enigmatic and daft as ever.
1-26-1942
First American forces in Europe during WWII went ashore in Northern Ireland. Now, there is a factoid I did not know!
1-27-1880
Thomas Edison received a patent for the electric incandescent lamp, 1880. I think I still like the warmth of his bulb over the LED.
January was a popular month for states to enter the Union. January 2, 1788 » Georgia January 3, 1959 » Alaska January 4, 1896 » Utah January 6, 1912 » New Mexico January 9, 1788 » Connecticut January 26, 1837 » Michigan January 29, 1861 » Kansas These January-admitted states should remind us just how wonderful and varied is this thing we call a Union. January is also an excellent month to throw away all notions and ideas and philosophies that one group of our citizens is somehow more capable or worthy than another. Such beliefs did not make us great, and they certainly are not seeds that will grow greatness in our future. I have often thought of how interesting it is that, as adults, almost everything we talk about at the supper table relates to history, social studies, or civics and how poorly I learned their
lessons back when. You may call the evening meal supper, as we do in the South, or dinner, as the rest of the country refers to it. Regardless, I trust that this pandemic—and its commensurate quarantine—has convinced us all of the immense value contained in the simple act of breaking bread together at whatever we call the evening meal. Until next month, I leave you with a quote to ponder, Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy, January 20, 1961, in his inaugural address
Musician Elvis Presley was born on Jan. 8, 1935.
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helping HANDS
Shelter from
Life’s Storms Hope House Foundation of Huntersville BY: » Karel Bond Lucander
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: » Lisa Crates
“T
he pandemic has made the community more aware of what transition feels like. We have all had our lives deeply impacted by closed businesses, scarcity of items, lack of resources and frustration and loss. These are the very things our families experienced every day, pre-pandemic,” says Debbie O’Handley, executive director of Hope
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House. In 2004, when Dr. Lee Beth Lindquist founded Hope House in Huntersville, there was no place in the area for women to live when they were suddenly faced with a broken financial safety net. The dream to help them was realized in 2010 with a renovated building that could accommodate up to 12 people. Since then, 288 women suffering from homelessness have found tempo-
Top left: A sign that hangs in Hope House in Huntersville. Right: Hope House partners with other community organizations to offer women educational and job resources. Bottom: Hope House Executive Director Debbie O'Handley.
rary shelter here. Most have lost their jobs, lost their financial partners or developed health issues. Hope House offers them a six-month respite, where they can regroup to pull themselves up and continue on. “Our guests come to us in complete despair and hopelessness,” she says. “We come alongside of them and say, ‘I’m here for you to loan you my hope until you find yours again.’”
It only takes one person
After O’Handley moved to the area, she began volunteering at Hope House. With a background as a social worker helping women and children in crisis, she believes this is the perfect place for her to be of service. “All it takes is for one person to be the hope for another. I get the privilege of seeing that happen every day at the Hope House,” she says. O’Handley gets up to 100 calls a month from women seeking help. They must apply, pass a background check and be willing to make life changes—in exchange for wrap-around services that support and lift the whole family. “Our guests work hard to overcome difficult circumstances. They are mentored through many community organizations,” she says.
Moving the needle
Hope House partners with the Ada Jenkins Center and Johnson C. Smith University to offer these women educational and job resources, help them
develop skills for employment and equip them with knowledge to manage money effectively. Many have also received help with life skills, such as parenting, and can take part in Bible study, art classes and exercise programs. “It’s really a team collaboration that moves the needle from hopelessness to hope filled,” she says. “Every woman who leaves Hope House leaves here employed and in stable housing. We do this with a 100-percent success rate!” And as the need continues to grow, more hope is being built. Adjacent to Hope House, three additional cottages will soon be ready to help renew other families. “At a time when we all feel particularly divided, we can join together to provide hope and inspire each other,” she says. Hope House Foundation For information, visit hopehousefoundation.org.
?
How You Can Help To volunteer at Hope House, complete an application on their website or contact Jessie Perkins at jperkins@ hopehousefoundation.org. Their wish list is on their website or contact Jen Grenier at jgrenier@ hopehousefundation.org. “We call our clothing donations ‘Hope Couture,’ and the ladies can shop for clothes, bags and jewelry as if they were in a boutique!” says Debbie O’Handley.
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Dream It. Plan It. Pursue It.SM
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Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021 23
on the scene
EVENT INFO ROUNDUP A portrait of a Roman soldier at the "True Likeness" exhibit currently on display at the Van/Every Smith Galleries at Davidson College.
Open Track Nights (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Looking to walk off some of that holiday overindulgence, or just get out and enjoy some fresh air? Walk or jog on a lit 400-meter rubberized track with marked lanes. Free. 6-8 p.m. Bailey Road Park Track, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius, www.cornelius.org.
Carolina Raptor Center (Wednesday-Sunday)
Talk a walk on The Raptor Trail, a 3/4 mile- walking trail that features more than 30 birds of prey on display. Check the website for open times. Purchase tickets in advance to reserve your spot on the trail. $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, teachers and military, $8 for students, children 3 and under free. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, carolinaraptorcenter.org
True Likeness (Limited appointments Jan. 7-8)
Portraits serve as expressions of identity, popular taste, social standing, and as documents of who, when and where. Representing one’s self in the best light or seeing others in understandable terms are motives behind why we record images of each other, whether for rituals, documentation of events, art making, or as 24 LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021
expressions of status. True Likeness presents an exhibition of contemporary portraits from diverse makers in a variety of media, including video, photography, painting, collage, installation, sculpture, printmaking and drawing. Artists, some familiar, others more on the fringe of the art world, hail from all over the United States. Their own identities, and those presented through their works, provide a snapshot of who we are as a country. Visit the exhibit page for the link to make an appointment. Free. Van Every/Smith Galleries, Davidson College, 315 N. Main Street, Davidson, www. davidsoncollegeartgalleries.org/dcag-exhibitions/true-likeness/ We’re looking for your stories! Our March issue will feature “Hobbies and Collectors.” Do you have a fun hobby you’d like to share with other readers, such as collecting musical instruments, coins, or restoring cars? Have you found a unique item while antiquing that has an interesting history? E-mail Editor Renee Roberson at Renee@LNCurrents.com with the details for your chance to be featured.
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in my GLASS
Keeping Abreast of
Chicken
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A delicious Charleston tale with a Lake Norman Twist
The fried chicken with apple salad at Slightly North of Broad.
Charleston, S.C. is only a 3 1/2-hour drive from the Lake Norman area.
O
Photo by Trevor Burton
BY » Trevor Burton
ne the many, very many, joys of living at the lake is the proximity to mountains, beaches, vineyards—and Charleston, S.C. Charleston, to me, means dining. And I’m a creature of habit when it comes to dining there. One “must” on my list is Slightly North Of Broad (SNOB) on East Bay Street. And, being more specific, included in the “must” is a plate of fried chicken. My wife, Mary Ellen, and I have lived at the lake for
LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021 27
Prosecco is often thought of as simply an aperitif wine and not taken very seriously.
over a quarter of a century and fried chicken has been threaded into my DNA. There are many reasons that drive us to visit the city of Charleston. Fried chicken is high on the list. We were dining at SNOB with a couple of friends— very ardent southern friends. I ordered a dish of fried chicken and apple salad. I was immediately derided for the choice. In our friends’ view the dish, with its salad portion, was insufficiently southern. Fortunately, in the realm of mirth, the fried chicken had the last laugh. It was right on target and perfectly prepared. Then, it comes to wine. And there I’m right at home. Fried chicken is traditionally paired with a cola, lemonade, or sweet tea. In my mind, the best pairing is a sparkling wine. There’s a lot of oil, salt, and fat in fried chicken—I’m always expecting the dietary police to come rushing through the door. But that’s what makes the dish so delicious. Sparkling wine has lots of acidity effervescence, and complementary flavors. It cuts through all of fried chicken’s components, cleansing and refreshing your palate with every sip. SNOB has a perfect choice. I went for a half
Photo by Trevor Burton
Balderdash!
While dining at Slightly North of Broad, Burton ran into Jon Spencer, Executive Chef at Epic Chophouse in Mooresville (where French Onion soup is showcased on the menu).
bottle of an Italian sparkling wine, a Brüt Prosecco. Prosecco is often thought of as simply an aperitif wine and not taken very seriously. Balderdash! Brüt means the wine is dry. This wine was exactly the choice for my wonderful fried chicken. Even with our southern friends’ disdain, I was in culinary heaven. Then came the Lake Norman twist. As we were leaving, someone called out my name. It was Jon Spencer, the Executive Chef at Epic Chophouse in Mooresville. He and a companion had
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eaten lunch at the same restaurant. The planets were in alignment. Limitless’ sister magazine, Lake Norman CURRENTS, had just published an article I had written about Spencer’s onion soup. He was enthralled about the article and I’m enthralled by his soup. So, we had a hearty onion soup discussion for quite some time—it’s not often you get to do that. Spencer and his companion had no plans for dinner. Mary Ellen and I had a reservation at another of our Charleston favorites,
Hall’s Chophouse on King Street. We called to see if we could change our reservation from two people to four. The restaurant was fully booked for the evening, but I dropped Spencer’s name and we were able to squeeze in two extra people—his reputation had, deservedly, spread from Lake Norman down to Charleston. The four of us were treated like royalty. Spencer was taken on a tour of the facility and the kitchen. And then we dined on some of the best New York strip steaks one could find—along with some spectacular wines to accompany them. My wife and are regulars at Hall’s; sharing the spotlight with Jon Spencer simply augmented the credibility we already had. I’ll take all of that I can. So, a great lunch and a great dinner in a city that we enjoy so much. Getting back to my original theme, we are so lucky to live in the Lake Norman area. There is so much, so close. And, as evidenced by our Lake Norman twist, we are also lucky to have Epic Chophouse and Jon Spencer. I enthusiastically recommend his onion soup; along with all of his other goodies.
limitless learning
True Wealth – New Beginnings
R
emember the Etch-A-Sketch game we played as kids? You draw a picture on a screen and with a few shakes of the toy, the picture would be gone? I would guess that more than a few people want to shake away the picture of 2020 and all its emotional/ physical challenges. Well, why not? Let’s take a minute, shake away last year and embrace the blank screen of 2021. What does your new picture look like? How do you go racing into this new year with optimism and enthusiasm? Here are a few ideas to help you get the year started off right… 1. Write your goals down. This is not a not a new concept, but most people never do it. •Get connected to your financial self (spouse/ significant other) to create better conversations about money. • Create cash flow comfort by analyzing income vs. expenses more completely. • Unexpected events- make sure you can truly handle the financial burden. 2. Value your most important asset—Time. This is a truly non-renewable resource. Use your newly found appreciation of how we use our time and the frailty of life. Is this the year you add the activity goals that have been missing? Charitable work, time with family or even more time for self? 3. Consider repositioning your investment focus to companies/sectors that will benefit from the economy moving out of COVID vs. those that won
because of COVID. Include continuing technology changes or an aging population as investment themes. 4. It appears that 2021 will not be a year of rising interest rates. How are you proactively adjusting overall income flow, while managing any potential extra risk? 5. The financial industry added a new type of authorized person, “Trusted Contact,” to help account information flow to people you designate. Have you added this communication support to your accounts? Make a plan to review your estate documents/accounts for beneficiary, financial/healthcare powers of attorney and other key person updates. Circumstances change but many times our legal documents do not. Make 2021 a year of opportunity and achievement for you and your family. To quote Albert Einstein“In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.” Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC.
Jeffrey Karp, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® founder of Karp Financial Strategies and is a registered representative of LPL Financial. More information and his blog, Permission GrantedSM can be found at www.karpfinancial.com. LimitlessMagOnline.com | January 2021 29
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