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For the Lake Norman area’s 55+ adults who place no limits on living their best lives!
July 2021
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LIMITLESS
limitless letter
For the Lake Norman area’s 55+ adults who place no limits on living their best lives!
Publisher MacAdam Smith Mac@LNCurrents.com
Advertising Director Sharon Simpson Sharon@LNCurrents.com
Getting Out and About Again From the time I could talk, I’ve always been a social butterfly. I’m one of those people who has never met a stranger and I’m not afraid to strike up a conversation with the person behind me in the grocery line. I love people and I love being around people, so you can just imagine how much I enjoyed this past year of quarantine! So how does a severe extrovert like me get through a year of no touching, no hugging, no dancing, and absolutely no leaving the premises? You take to social media of course. Being one of the “old” folks, my SM of choice is Facebook. I can’t wait to get up in the mornings and scroll through to see what my friends and family are up to. I love seeing the fun pet photos, the cute baby photos, the words of inspiration and the funny memes that tend to make me smile or even (LOL). Occasionally, being the
proud grandmamma that I am, I’ll post a few dozen or so photos of my beautiful grandson, maybe a few of our dog, and sometimes my husband even makes the cut. I hate to say it, but I don’t know what I would have done over the last year if I didn’t have Facebook as a way to satisfy my social craving. But now quarantine is over, I’m all vaccinated up, and I’m finding my social “fix” in dinner parties, barbeques, church and civic activities, and my workout buddies at the gym. It’s so nice to hear someone say “you wanna meet for lunch tomorrow?” Sometimes I even sneak
a hug or a real handshake from those I’ve been away from for so long. It feels great to get out again, to look people in the eye, to speak to the person behind me in the grocery line without scaring them half to death, and to be a part of the community again. You may not be a super social butterfly like me, but I hope you’ll take advantage of all the great ways to get out and socialize again with your neighbors, your friends and certainly your family. We’ve all been through a tough time, so get out and take advantage of this Time. Just be sure to take plenty of photos and post them on Facebook because I’m dying to see what all of you are up to. Happy Socializing!
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 Jennifer Mitchell Sarah Quinn
Contributing Photographer Lisa Crates Photography
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CONTENTS
About the Cover:
Jeffrey Karp of Karp Financial Strategies at his office in Mooresville.
July, 2021 | vol. 2 | No.7
In Every Issue 18 In My Glass –
Mussels and Muscadet
20 This Month in History 26 On the Scene 28 Limitless Learning –
Learn from the Experts
30 A Pet for You
10 » Place to Escape
Cover photo by Lisa Crates.
Cover Story
Helping Hands
16 Karp Financial Strategies serves
14 A retired nurse partners with a
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
clients through empowerment
therapy dog
Explorers & Adventures
Special Advertising Feature
10 Charlotte couple enjoys weekends
21 Estate Planning with Robbins & Bentz
on Lake Norman
24 Five ways to step out and be social
22 Total Joint Vitality of Lake Norman
this summer
14 » Patient Pup
18 » Muscadet Mystery
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LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
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.
Helping Seniors and the People Who Love Them (704) 892-1699 The Historic Davidson Cotton Mill 209 Delburg Street, Suite 203 Davidson, NC 28036
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www.totaljointvitalitylkn.com | Josh Russ LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
9
explorers & ADVENTURES
A Weekend L
ake Norman attracts many visitors in addition to the people that live here year round. But for one Charlotte couple, Denise and Tom Atkins, the lake has become the perfect weekend escape from their everyday lives. Denise and Tom, ages 61 and 58 respectively, have lived in the Highland Creek neighborhood in north Charlotte for almost 27 years. Once their two sons had left their home, they started toying with the idea of what they could do in their “pre-retirement” years. For years they had spent weekends making day trips to Lake Norman, so they
10 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
toyed around with the idea of buying an investment property but weren’t sure what would fit in their budget. They stumbled across the perfect opportunity by chance in 2013. “One day Tom, who owns his own video production company, was up at Davidson Landing doing a site visit for a photo shoot,” says Denise. “He came across a condo that was in a foreclosure situation. We snatched it up!”
The perfect getaway
The two bedroom, two bath condo is the perfect size for Denise and Tom, friends and family who occasionally visit and their sons. The couple esti-
mate they spend nearly every weekend at the condo from March through October. Because they both work from home, they love having the chance to make the 20-minute trip to Davidson and get away from their “office.” Since purchasing the condo, they’ve made many new friends who also own properties in the Davidson Landing from as far away as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey. It’s a diverse community and they often meet new people while at the community pool or while taking walks around the grounds. They like that the location of their condo provides privacy when they
Retreat Charlotte couple enjoys lake life on the weekends
Denise and Tom’s two sons also enjoy their parents’ pre-retirement lake condo.
need it, but that the neighbors in the community look out for one another’s units during travels or the off season. The couple have a boat and spend a good amount of time on the water, along with some of their friends and neighbors from Davidson Landing. On Saturday mornings they like to bike into Davidson and shop at the farmers’ market. They love that North Harbor Club is a close dining option. During the pandemic, the condo became a respite for them, and they spent more time picnicking on the boat than pulling up at some of the lakefront restaurants with docks. Going out on the water with friends looked a little
Denise and Tom Atkins.
different, with Tom and Denise anchoring their boat beside friends rather than going back and forth on one another’s boats. They were grateful to have the place to continue going to when the world was turned upside down.
Lasting love for the lake
“We feel like we’re on vacation and it hasn’t gotten old in 8 years,” Denise says. “It gives us a senior living environment without living in a facility. We have so many friends who have boats like we do. It’s a good pre-retirement chapter. I don’t think we’ll ever get rid of that place. It’s been a great investment and it fits our lifestyle.” LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021 11
what’s BREWING?
Stinnes Helles Lager The Perfect Summer Beer!
Photo courtesy of Sherri Johnson
M
12 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
unich Helles style Lager finessed with delicate grainy malt notes and a whisper of the noble Mittelfruh hop. This beer received a gold medal in the N.C. Brewer’s Cup Competition. Available on tap and in 4-packs to go to take along on any summer adventure. Named after German racecar driver, Clara Stinnes, who became the first person to circumnavigate the world by car.
Where’s it brewing? 19700-D, One Norman Blvd Cornelius, NC 28031 lostworldsbeer.com (980) 689-2467
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Who needs an umbrella policy?
While everyone can benefit from the protection of a Personal Umbrella Policy those who have a high net worth or assets and/or have multiple personal policies with liability coverage should strongly consider purchasing an Umbrella policy. Also, if you enjoy hosting party’s where alcohol is served you absolutely need an Umbrella as most will cover in the event where one of your intoxicated guests leave your party and are involved in an accident. WHO/WHAT IS COVERED? When you get an Umbrella policy you will provide all of your personal policies to your agent for them to include as underlying policies. Exclusions will differ between insurance carriers, but the general rule of thumb is if it is covered on the underlying policy it will be covered on the Umbrella once the liability limits on the underlying policy have been exhausted. Most Umbrella policies will even pay for your defense if you are sued for a covered loss. WHAT IS THE TYPICAL COST OF AN UMBRELLA POLICY? A standard $1million Umbrella with 1 home and 2 vehicles covered costs $12 per month on average. Scan this QR Code with your smart phone’s camera to learn more about Umbrella Policies
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helping HANDS
A Unique
Partnership
Retired nurse and pet therapy dog offer companionship to area patients BY: » Jennifer Mitchell
PHOTOS COURTESY OF : » Debbi Wilkes
C
ornelius resident Debbi Wilkes worked for years as a primary care and home healthcare nurse before retiring last year, but her passion for caregiving was something she was not ready to give up. Wilkes noticed a special disposition in her best friend’s dog named Maggie, and that is when their unique partnership began—providing pet therapy to severely ill patients in the Lake Norman area.
A sweet disposition Maggie and Debbi Wilkes completed training through Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
14 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
“Maggie had the perfect disposition to be a therapy dog. She was well behaved, very loving and knew some simple commands,” explains Wilkes. “After completing obedience training
with Maggie, I applied to Alliance of Therapy Dogs where we both attended training sessions and worked with a member of the organization to receive our certification to be pet therapists.” Maggie, a half labrador and half greyhound mix, is now 13 years old. Wilkes explains they started out visiting Levine Dickson Hospice in Huntersville, meeting with patients weekly before expanding their visits to other care centers and hospitals in the area. During a typical visit, patients can pet Maggie and sometimes she is allowed to put her front paws up on a patient’s bed or chair to get even closer. “Patients respond to us in many ways. Sometimes they smile and sometimes they tear up when they pet Maggie,” says Wilkes. “We have been with patients who no longer speak or have communication difficulties. Some of those patients actually say a few words to Maggie or they tell me a bit about their own previous pets. It is amazing to see that happen!”
Important moments of comfort
Wilkes says she has been blessed with so many good things in her life but also has suffered great sorrow when losing her own daughter in 2010. Her daughter was an animal lover too and it was important for Wilkes to find a way to give back. “People and families deal with so much when they are ill or are in a nursing home. A few moments of comfort are so helpful.” Maggie and Wilkes go room to room, visiting with patients and spreading joy as they go. They usually spend about 5 to 10 minutes with each patient and Maggie will sit by a patient’s chair or bedside and somehow just knows when people need a little tender care or love. Wilkes says some patients even take pictures with Maggie to remember her caring face even after the visit. “Making people smile and giving a little bit of comfort and happiness makes it all worthwhile.” For more information about pet therapy and the certification process, visit Alliance of Therapy Dogs at therapydogs.com.
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cover STORY
Karp Financial Strategies
Serving clients through empowerment BY » Renee Roberson PHOTOGRAPHY BY » Lisa Crates
I
n his nearly 30 years working to help clients achieve their financial goals, Jeffrey Karp has become a believer in what is possible. His firm, Karp Financial Strategies, embraces the motto: Dream It. Plan It. Pursue It.® because he believes there is more to life than just paper wealth— there is also a “true wealth” that he defines by the people you meet and experiences you have in life. Sometimes it just takes the right person guiding you to chart out the best path to help you live your life to the fullest and 16 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
Jeffrey and MaryAnn Karp.
ensure your needs and wishes can be fulfilled well into retirement and beyond. As the son of a Certified Public Accountant, he grew up around a strong numbers-oriented thought process and an appreciation for the importance of financial security and money management. “My dad could add and subtract a column of numbers in his head and that is how my brother, sister, and I learned,” says Karp. “He also taught me the power and value of client relationships.”
Following advice from his high school guidance counselor, Karp put his math and analytical thought process to work studying towards becoming a metallurgical engineer. After earning his degree and initially beginning his career as a sales engineer, a life event many have experienced— unemployment, provided the opportunity to adjust career paths. Believing that unexpected turns of events bring opportunity and understanding his strengths in what he could bring to a new career, a little luck
placed him in front of an insurance agency manager who offered him a position. What piqued Karp’s interest was the planning and results of the financial services side of the business. He felt it checked all the boxes of his skills and interests in positively impacting people’s lives, plus it had the math and analytics that appealed to him.
Here to serve
Since starting Karp Financial Strategies in 1993, his firm has grown to serve a variety of clientele, from entrepreneurs to caregivers to the newly single and retired. He feels what sets him apart from others in his field is his focus on building relationships and being a trusted resource to guide and advise on a variety of fronts. He adopted the philosophy that people don’t care what you know until they know that you care, so he doesn’t “measure the clock” when his clients call to ask him questions. He measures the impact of it being a “productive” use of time for the client. Simply put, he believes that a person’s interest in money is almost always tied to their emotional state of mind and personal goals. In building trusting relationships, he focuses on learning what really matters to each client rather than just measuring “their balance sheet or net worth.” This focus on building a solid relationship begins in his very first meeting with prospective clients, where he asks in-depth questions about finances, goals, and emotions surrounding money. According to Karp, fluid communication and commitment on both sides are key elements to the longterm success of his client relationships. “I share my philosophy and look for them to share theirs,” Karp says. “I make sure we are all going to be open to listening to the possibilities and being willing to take the necessary action, as needed.” It’s really simple— do you feel like you’re on the right path
now? What do you think is going to change that path? Are you ready to take charge of your financial future?” Karp believes financial planning is much more than just numbers on a page—he encourages clients to think about the security they seek along with the true wealth they also hope to pursue in their day-to-day lives. He encourages people to shift their mindsets and way of thinking about money. Sure, it’s nice to plan for “someday,” but Karp’s core philosophy is that we should have the financial confidence to enjoy every day. Karp Financial Strategies prides itself in being a boutique firm supported by the leading-edge tools, technology, and resources that can help bring clients the best solutions to meet their specific needs. There are a number of solutions Karp considers to help clients achieve their desired financial goals. While they include individual, estate, retirement and business financial strategies, investments, annuities and insurance, recommendations are based on money being a tool for clients to enjoy life experiences all along their journey according to their lifestyle wants and desires now, as well as into retirement and beyond.
Permission Granted®
What Karp has found to be a driving force for his passion in serving clients is empowering them to embrace their own ability to say “yes” to the life they ultimately desire. He says he began noticing a pattern in which clients either didn’t know what was possible or didn’t believe it could be possible. The common factor in either case was a matter of education combined with encouraging clients not to limit their thinking simply because of where they were financially at that present time. “That’s where the ‘plan it’ part of a financial strategy is key,” says Karp, “and then helping people give themselves permission to dream a little is key, too.” This led him to create a blog called Permission Granted®, where
Jeffrey Karp founded his company in 1993.
he writes on topics such as money and emotions, a life well lived, being a boomer, and getting back to basics around financial planning, covering everything from the stock market to life insurance.
Rooted in community
With Karp Financial Strategies located in Mooresville, Karp and his wife of 30 years, MaryAnn, who also works as the firm’s client services manager, restored a 114-year-old historic home as both their residence and in-home offices. He also co-founded the Top of the Lake Rotary Club and has served on the Mooresville Historic Preservation Commission. Firmly rooted in the community, they believe in giving back to worthwhile causes whenever possible through a program called KarpKares. Each year, Karp Financial Strategies celebrates the holidays with clients and friends, and this includes selectively supporting organizations that include but are not limited to Loaves & Fishes, Make-A-Wish, Soles 4 Soles, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association. Karp Financial Strategies 139 West McNeely Ave., Mooresville 704.658.1929 www.karpfinancial.com
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LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021 17
in my GLASS
Mussels &
A plate of mussels in northern France.
M
uscadet wine has to rank as one of the world’s most misunderstood wines. Here’s what it isn’t. It’s nothing like a Moscato. If you’re expecting something like a Moscato, you’re in for a shock. Muscadet is a bone-dry, lightbodied white wine, not even a hint of sweetness. A Muscadine? Not even close. In fact, Muscadet is not a grape at all. Like almost all French wines, the 18 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
wine is named after where it’s from, not what’s in it. Muscadet is on the western end of the Loire River, close to the Atlantic Ocean. The wines are made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape—a refugee from the famous region of Burgundy. Here’s what I find interesting about the wine. Years ago, the world was a much larger place. People rarely left their region, rarely left their village. The upshot of this was that local foods and wines were all they had. Over
the years, foods and wine evolved to be compatible with each other. That’s what happened with Muscadet. Traditionally, the northwestern part of France depended on the ocean for sustenance. Fishing is still a large part of its economy. It’s home to some of the best seafood restaurants you can find. And Muscadet is a great complement to that cuisine. So, my wife Mary Ellen and I headed to Honfleur with food and wine in mind. With absolutely no scientific
Muscadet
These local cheeses paired perfectly with Muscadet.
While similar in name to other wines, this one stands out on its own BY » Trevor Burton PHOTOGRAPHY BY » Trevor Burton
evidence to back it up, I find that wines just taste better when you’re close to their home. No scientific evidence but a boatload of experiences. Honfleur has become somewhat of a tourist destination and tends to get a little crowded. There are several restaurants that cater to the tourist horde. We wanted no part of them, we had made a lunch reservation at a small, family-owned restaurant away from the main part of town. No surprise, Muscadet pairs wonderfully with seafood. We had our hearts set on some oysters but, unfortunately, we were there in a month containing no “R.” So we settled on a dish of mussels. Spectacular and about to get better. A word about the wine. Muscadets are lean and crisp; you can almost taste the ocean. Muscadet vineyards closer
to the sea receive more of this salty note due to salty sea breezes—very neat. The wine is an excellent seafood pairing wine due to its crisp, minerally, citrus-like taste and high acidity. The sub-region, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, is the largest and most important region for high quality Muscadet. It is common to see “sur lie” on a label. This is a process of aging wines on dead yeast particles, lees. This type of aging smooths out the wine. It produces a creamy texture and yeasty flavor and adds a hint of fruit to the wine. Back to lunch, A long, languid meal of exquisitely prepared mussels and a bottle of Sèvre et Maine, sur lie Muscadet. Just one more data point in my “wines just taste better when you’re close to their home” studies. And it did taste spectacular. Then, as I said, it got
better. We still had some wine left after lunch. I asked if we could get some local cheeses to go with it. We didn’t get just a plate of cheeses; we were served huge hunks of cheese to cut off as we desired. This was a food and wine home run. The dish of mussels was wonderful, and this was a perfect ending to lunch. I want to go back. Muscadet wines are definitely widely available around the lake. If you come across one on a wine list, give it a shot. Especially with some seafood. Back to my misunderstood comment—that means the wines are not too much in demand. That means they are great value wines. What could be better? A great wine that’s a great value and a wonderful companion for some seafood. LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021 19
this month IN HISTORY
July!
July is a month of memorable events. We celebrate July 4 nationwide, but you will find as you read a bit further that July 1-4 holds a most unique place in our history and not just because it is Independence Day. BY » Mickey Dunaway
July 1-3, 1863
The Battle of Gettysburg left 28,000 (37 percent) Confederate dead, wounded, and missing. 23,000 (26 percent) Union dead, wounded and missing.
July 4, 1775
The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was approved by the Continental Congress. It should be our duty as citizens to find a quiet place before every July 4 and read the Declaration of Independence, which is only 32 sentences long.
July 4, 1831
Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe died on the same day, hours apart. Below in my Historical Note, I mention how many events central to the success of our country occurred from July 1-4. These three Founding Fathers who died on this day speak even more to our country’s exceptional and unmatched nature.
July 4, 1863
Union Army captures Vicksburg, Miss.—last Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River.
July 7, 1898
The U.S. annexed Hawaii. In 1900 Congress made the Islands a U.S. territory. In our current time of moral reflection in our country, the despicable actions imposed on the people and this land of paradise often go unmentioned. Pacific Islander Lives Matter, too.
July 9, 1868
The 14th Amendment was ratified. The 14th Amendment means every citizen 20 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
is protected not just from the Federal government but also from the actions of every state and local government. Equal Protection is the foundation of Voting Rights, Civil Rights, and Title IX. Just note a few of the concerns we see being played out today.
July 10, 1509
John Calvin was born in Noyon, France, and became the founder of the Presbyterian Church. When I arrived in Charlotte back in 2005, it seemed like there was a Presbyterian Church on every block. In fact, there are 40 Presbyterian churches in the Charlotte Presbytery which includes surrounding counties. The Rev. Billy Graham was raised in the Presbyterian Church.
July 16, 1945
The experimental atomic bomb (Fat Boy) was set off in the New Mexico desert and gave off heat three times that of the sun’s center. The bombing of Hiroshima took place 3 weeks later and Nagasaki 3 days after that.
July 29, 1969
Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. I was a senior at Auburn at the time, and classes were canceled the next day so we could stay up late and watch the landing.
July 31, 1776
During the American Revolution, Francis Salvador, a South Carolinian, became the first Jew to die in the conflict. Salvador was the first Jewish citizen elected to office in Colonial America. He was voted a member of the South Carolina Provincial Congress in 1775 from Charleston.
Important Historical Note
Grant’s victory at Vicksburg prevented Confederate war material from being offloaded at Vicksburg bound for the eastern front and General Lee. His victory led to his promotion as Commander of Union forces. General Grant was a different kind of military leader. He knew that his most formidable resource was not weapons but the Union army’s size in the East compared to Confederates. Grant was often openly distraught at the tragic numbers of Union lives lost fighting against Lee, but he knew his tactic was necessary to win the war and unify the Union. With these events occurring on July 1-3 and July 4, we can see just how vital this short period was to our country. Had Grant lost Vicksburg and had Lee won at Gettysburg, Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia would have likely captured Washington, D.C., and sued for peace, establishing the Confederacy as a separate nation. When we celebrate patriotism openly and often during this remarkable month, I think it would do us all good regardless of our leanings to reflect on the following quote. The essence of America, that which really unites us, is not ethnicity or nationality, or religion. It is an idea, and what an idea it is — that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. -Condoleezza Rice, Former Secretary of State
Special Advertising Feature
Estate Planning Mistakes You Cannot Afford to Make
A
n estate plan is like a parachute. You only need it once, but when you do, it better work! When it comes to passing on your assets, you don’t need any estate plan, you need a good estate plan. Here are a few of the most common mistakes to avoid when it comes to estate planning: No Estate Plan or a Bad Estate Plan Courtrooms are full of legal cases that started when someone died without an estate plan or with a bad estate plan-just ask the heirs of Prince or Aretha Franklin. Too often people do not complete their estate plan before it is too late, or worse, they try to save money and do it themselves. It may be tempting to save money by using a fillin-the-blank form or online service to prepare your will, but wills and trusts are complicated legal documents that need to be drafted by an experienced estate planning attorney. Even an attorney who does not specialize in estate planning can make costly mistakes. Make sure your estate plan is prepared properly by an experienced estate planning attorney. Outdated Estate Plan Quite often people prepare an estate plan, put it a drawer, and forget about it. An estate plan can prove very problematic if you do not regularly update
it when there are changes in your assets, family situations or the law. In one famous case, actor Heath Ledger, had a will, but it left nothing to his minor daughter because it was prepared before she was born! We recommend you review your plan annually to make sure it is up to date and immediately amend it following events like divorce, deaths, births, and inheritances. Shortsighted Estate Plan Many people believe that a will is the only estate planning document they need. A will is a key aspect of all estate plans, but it has limitations, and it will not cover all of your assets: • A Will does not cover jointly owned assets. • A Will does not cover assets with beneficiary designations, such as 401ks, IRAs and life insurance policies. • A will requires your family to go through probate, which can be costly and time consuming. • A does not offer you any protection if you become incapacitated and are unable to make legal and financial decisions. Make sure you have the guidance of an experienced estate planning attorney to create an estate plan that (1) includes all of your assets, (2) includes valuable safeguards for your assets,
and (3) does not force your family to go to court when you die. Incomplete Estate Plan In addition to a will, your plan should include documents that will protect you and your assets if you become incapacitated. Every adult should have a financial power of attorney and a health care power of attorney. A financial power of attorney (called a Durable Power of Attorney) allows you to appoint the individuals who can manage your financial matters if you become incapacitated. A Health Care Power of Attorney allows you to name the person you want to make health care decisions for you if are unable to make them yourself. If you do not have these documents and you become incapacitated there is a very good chance a court will have to appoint guardians to act on your behalf. This is why these powers of attorney are an absolute must! Book an estate planning consultation with Attorney Christine Robbins at Robbins & Bentz, PLLC to discuss your estate plan or to have your current plan reviewed.
Robbins & Bentz, PLLC (704) 892-4098 www.robbinsbentz.com LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021 21
Special Advertising Feature
It’s Time to Live Again Total Joint Vitality of Lake Norman BY » Sarah Quinn
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or Josh Russ, the owner and founder of Total Joint Vitality of Lake Norman, treating chronic joint pain hits close to home. Russ’s father had struggled with issues in both of his knees for years. His father went through nine or 10 surgeries on both knees and even had to walk up staircases sideways due to his issues. As a Physician Assistant and an expert with joints, Russ wanted to help. After reading about a treatment called Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, Russ decided to give it a try. With the help of a friend who worked at a PRP company, he was able to treat his father. But it wasn’t until about three months later that Russ was able to realize the true success of this treatment when he got a call from his father. Russ recalls his father saying, “‘Hey Josh, I wanted to tell you that I was able to walk up and down the stairs to get all the stuff out of our attic space for Christmas. And I took about six or eight trips, and I didn’t have to walk upstairs sideways [and] I didn’t have to take a break.’” Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is concentrated from your own blood which contains healing factors, such as white blood cells and bioactive proteins, called growth factors and stem cell markers. These cells are vital for tissue regeneration and repair. Platelets, once thought of being responsible for only clotting, have been scientifically proven to be a reservoir of these vital healing components. The treatment works to help regenerate joints and greatly reduce discomfort for those who suffer with chronic joint pain. 22 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
After the good word spread around about the treatment’s success, Russ was soon seeing more and more patients with great results. “It just kind of exploded from there,” he says. Total Joint Vitality of Lake Norman now treats a wide range of issues using PRP therapy. Beyond treating chronic joint pain (like knee, hip, or shoulder issues), PRP therapy can help with acute joint pain (like tennis elbow or plantar fasciitis) and even cosmetic issues (like hair loss). As a native to Mooresville, Josh Russ does more than just treat joint pain, he aims to serve the greater community. Charging $3K, $5K or $8K for treatments is not sustainable to clients, so he aims to make treatments as affordable as possible. So, whether you are 75 or 35, if you have joint pain, Russ has a goal of offering an affordable solution. With a free consultation at Total Joint Vitality, you can start enjoying your life again and stay away from the surgeon’s knife. Russ says, “I want my patients to know that when they come to me, they’re coming to an expert. They can feel safe knowing that they’re going to be treated just like they’re my family.” Total Joint Vitality of Lake Norman 13420 Reese Blvd. W, Huntersville 704.659.2505 www.totaljointvitalitylkn.com
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photo by Jamie Cowles
explorers & ADVENTURES
Step Out & Be Social
5 Ways to Enjoy Summer at the Lake
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his time last year looked a lot different for all of us. Many restaurants were still only offering take out, public parks had restrictions, outdoor concerts and festivals were canceled . . . you get the idea. This summer is shaping up to be a lot different, with event calendars slowly starting to fill back up and some of our favorite Lake Norman area activities resuming. Here are five ways you can get out and be social with your friends and loved ones. Cruise the lake. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak and connect with nature. Spend an afternoon swimming at the Quarry at Carrigan Farms. Grab some friends and book a day on a pontoon boat or take a dinner cruise on the Catawba Queen at Queens Landing in Mooresville. Cool off at a brewery. Breweries were made for people who love to be social while sampling craft beer and other beverages. They also offer fun extracurricular activities for patrons, too. Attend a local trivia night, join a run club or attend a yoga session, play music Bingo and much more at many of the area breweries.
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COMPILED BY » Renee Roberson
See a play. Immerse yourself in a world created by some of the most talented actors in our region. Davidson Community Players will present “39 Steps,” running July 15-25 at the Armour Street Theatre, where a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she’s a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps” is hot on the man’s trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale. Go to a festival. Get your culture on with a variety of activities at the 2nd Friday Street Festival in Old Town Cornelius with live music performances, food trucks, artisan markets, brew crawls and much more. Make plans to attend the July 9 event from 6-10 p.m. Listen to live music. Whether you live in Huntersville, Mooresville, Cornelius or Davidson, there are plenty of places to vibe out to your favorite tune. We recommend “Live Under the Oaks” each Friday at Birkdale Village, “Concerts on the Green” in Davidson every other Sunday, “LangTree Lake Norman Live” in Mooresville on Thursdays and the “LaLaCaboosa Downtown Music Series” in Huntersville every other Thursday.
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on the scene
EVENT INFO ROUNDUP
Field of Flags (July 1-5)
The Exchange Club of Mooresville / Lake Norman will honor and celebrate our great nation and the sacrifice of so many. More than 600 American-made American Flags will be displayed on the front lawn of the Lowe’s YMCA. Everyone is invited to visit the Field, walk to rows of flags and show gratitude to those who make our Freedom possible. On July 3rd at 5 p.m., the organization will hold the Field of Flags Ceremony. This will include a bag pipe rendition of “Amazing Grace”, each branch’s service song, and attendance of local dignitaries. At 6:15, country singer Rockie Lynne, founder of Tribute to the Troops, will perform. The evening will conclude with the fireworks show at 9:15. Lowe’s YMCA, 170 Joe Knox Ave., Mooresville, www. mooresvillelknexchange.org.
4th of July at Birkdale Village (July 4)
Grab your red, white and blue crew and join others for a 4th of July celebration! Have the kiddos bring their bikes to decorate before the bike parade around Birkdale Commons Parkway. Following the bike parade, will be a block party in the Grove with magicians, special performers, face painters and more. Free. 10 a.m.-1 26 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
p.m. Birkdale Village, 8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville, www.birkdalevillage.com/ events/4th-of-july
4th of July in Downtown Davidson (July 4)
Residents are invited to celebrate our nation’s independence with a patriotic stroll along South Street to the town green and a concert on the green at 6 p.m. The parade will include a color guard, a fire engine, and lots of patriotic residents. There will be no fireworks at this event. Free. Downtown Davidson, www.ci.davidson. nc.us/865/4th-of-July.
Walk with a Doc (July 10)
Join Cornelius PARC and Novant Health’s Lakeside Family Physicians at Antiquity Greenway for the return of Walk with a Doc, a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. Free. 9 a.m. Antiquity Greenway, 180 N. Zion Avenue, Cornelius, cornelius. org/parc
Mooresville Arts 17th Annual Judged Photography Show and Competition (Through July 29)
Visit the gallery and the work of this year’s
winning photographs. Free. Tues.-Fri., noon-4 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mooresville Arts, 103 W Center Avenue, Mooresville, mooresvillearts.org.
Lake Norman State Parks: Trail Tails (July 15)
Learn all about Lake Norman State Parks hiking trails, wildlife and other fantastic resources with Park Ranger, Amy Shepherd. Free. 6 p.m. Mooresville Public Library, 413 N. Main Street, /www.mooresvillenc. gov/693/Events-Calendar
WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOUR STORIES AND EVENTS! Do you know of a community member age 55 and older with a heart for service, or someone focusing on a second career or new hobby since retirement? E-mail Editor Renee Roberson at Renee@LNCurrents.com.
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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 | July 2021 27
limitless learning
Naming a Trust as a Beneficiary of Your IRA
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eneficiary designations on IRA accounts are a great method for distributing assets upon your death. In many cases, but not all, there are benefits to naming a Trust as the beneficiary of your IRA or other tax qualified account.
• Planning for Second Marriages. Most IRA owners name their spouse as their primary beneficiary and their children as contingent beneficiaries. Upon the death of the IRA owner, the surviving spouse inherits the account and the option to update the beneficiary designations. The new owner of the inherited IRA can name anyone - a subsequent spouse, children of another marriage, friend, relative, or charity - as the new beneficiary of the inherited IRA account. By naming a Trust as the beneficiary, you can provide income for your spouse while also maintaining control over the naming of successor beneficiaries. • Asset Protection for your Beneficiaries. An individual who inherits an IRA has the right to withdraw all the assets in one lump sum, even if doing so is not in their best interest. There is no requirement that your beneficiary stretch out distributions to minimize income taxes or maximize tax-deferred growth. A trust beneficiary receives distributions only as directed by the Trust document. So, if you want to ensure that your loved one’s inheritance is protected from creditors, poor judgment, or romantic influences, designating a Trust as the beneficiary of your IRA may be advisable. • Protecting Benefits for those with Special Needs. A disabled individual who receives public benefits such as SSI or Medicaid risks losing those benefits when they inherit directly from an IRA. In these cases, it is almost always preferable to designate a properly drafted supplemental needs trust as the beneficiary of the IRA account rather than the disabled individual. 28 LimitlessMagOnline.com | July 2021
Naming the Trust as a beneficiary of your IRA account can have some benefits, but it can also be risky and is not recommended in all cases. Be sure to have your Trust reviewed by a qualified estate planning attorney before simply naming it as a beneficiary of your retirement account. Failure to seek legal advice could result in unintended and expensive consequences.
Louise Paglen, Attorney The McIntosh Law Firm, P.C. McIntoshLawFirm.com
True Wealth– Revisiting Your Plan
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his month’s issue highlights the many great opportunities to be social around Lake Norman. After a period of being secluded, chances are, your retirement lifestyle planning was put on hold too during the past 16 months. I suggest it is time to revisit your dreams, your plans, and get back on track with a mid-year review. Your financial plan supports your dreams, goals and desires which are emotional, yet also requires analytics to know the numbers are adding up. What you emotionally desire matters. To re-energize the process, here are a few ’feeling’ and “analytic” questions to get you started. • How did the emotional rollercoaster of last year affect what you (and/or partner) hoped to add to your experience bucket? • How concerned are you about living too long and running out of money? • Are you considering medical care that goes along with living longer? • Did your view of investment risk shift as a result of stock market fluctuations in value, on a shortterm basis? • Did you react to COVID with portfolio changes? Should you adjust again, using your updated goal review? Statistics reveal that the general stock market fluctuates 15 percent in any given year. That suggests that on a short-term basis, it does matter when you invest your money, especially if in a single lump sum. On a long-term basis, this has less impact as the S&P 500 has historically had greater average returns than either high quality fixed income or inflation. I mention inflation rates because of media emphasizing the skyrocketing increases in expenses which could impact your retirement lifestyle. Is this a temporary, short-term
bump, or is it going to be with us for a longer time? Just as important as stock market volatility potentially reducing your retirement lifestyle income is the risk of loss of purchasing power. Short-term events can temporarily halt our pursuit of life experiences with long-term inflation effects, ultimately causing you to outlive your money! As you have heard me say before, you can dream it and begin to pursue it, but in between, you need to plan for it. Regularly revisting your financial plan is how you get back on track. 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 | July 2021 29
a pet for YOU Happy Tails Rescue, Inc. 704.507.5307 or 828.238.5766 E-mail: happytailsrescueinc@yahoo.com https://happytailsrescueinc.wixsite.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HappyTailsRescueInc Happy Tails Rescue,Inc. is a small nonprofit 501c3 K9 rescue ran by a group of hard working volunteers. They are located in the North Carolina area. They do not have a shelter/facility but utilize foster homes to rovide the care and safety of our rescues. The adoption fee is $300 unless otherwise noted with approved adoption application which includes age appropriate shots, rabies, spay/neuter, micro chip, heart worm test (treated if positive) started on monthly prevention if negative. Dental if needed as well as any other medical necessities. Adoptees also come with goody bag of toys, treats, collar, leash, etc,, and one month (30 days) of free doggie health insurance. These animals are looking for their forever homes . . .
Winnie is $ 300 with approved adoption application which includes age appropriate shots, rabies, spay/neuter, micro chip, heartworm test (treated if positive) started on monthly prevention if negative. Dental if needed as well as any other medical necessities. She comes with goody bag of toys, treats, collar, leash, etc and one month (30 days) of free doggie health insurance.
Trike Trike is a special needs 7-month-old greyhound puppy mix who was born deaf. He was found injured and had to have his leg amputated but that does not slow him down at all! He is friendly with other dogs and house and crate training are in progress. Note: Puppies are a lot of work, so please be ready for the commitment before filling out an application.
Aruba Aruba is a 2-year-old female Great Pyrenees. She is shy at first and needs time to warm up to new people in a quiet home. She must be the only dog in the home. Potential adopters must have knowledge of the breed and willing to put in the work and patience to earn her trust. She is crate and house trained. She is not suitable for a townhome, condo or apartment living or in a home with children under the age of 7.
Everest Everest is a 1-year-old female Formosan Mountain dog/lab mix who is dog friendly, but selective. She is shy but strong willed and house and crate trained. She has received behavioral training and must have an adopter willing to continue the training for success.
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