Mooresville, Denver, Lincolnton, Statesville, Maiden, Shelby, Mount Holly, Hickory, Winston Salem, West Jefferson, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, Pilot Mountain, Mount Airy, and Southern Pines
PARTNER CARRIERS
Mike Griffin, CEO Mooresville
Kortney Houston Statesville
John Caldwell, VP Mooresville
Tonya Shook Hickory
Logan Canipe Lincolnton
Leon Brown, III Statesville
Leyda Martinez Denver
Shana Vielie Statesville
Lauren Yount Maiden
Melissa Armstrong Mooresville
Dennis Long Statesville
Barbi Dellinger Lincolnton
Rich Schrader Mount Holly
Success Stories
This month we celebrate ‘Women in Leadership’
Since my very first job at the age of 16, I have worked for and with a series of incredibly interesting, talented, entrepreneurial and supportive women. Whether I was scooping ice cream at a New England ski resort gift shop and ice cream parlor, or serving as an executive assistant to the CEO of a San Diego nonprofit foster care agency, or working side by side with a gifted journalist at a small-town newspaper, I’ve been most fortunate to learn from – and in some cases, be mentored by – a wealth of women leaders. This month’s issue celebrates just such women, across several professions and industries, and their success stories are just as varied as their talents.
You’ll learn about a mother-daughter team, the second and third generation to run their family-owned business after opening a branch in Huntersville during the COVID-19 pandemic. Joanie and Giovanna Antonacci have established Crown Waste & Recycling Systems here at the lake as a go-to business for residential and commercial customers.
Then there’s Dr. Lindsay Spears, a young dentist trying to find her way as the owner of her own practice in Statesville. Turns out that while she was a highly skilled practitioner, she knew next to nothing about owning a business and had to take a deep dive into finance, human relations and time management to make Carolina Crossroads Dental Care the practice it is today.
There’s also restaurant owner Tara Cottone, who decided to move on from being the top bar or general manager for other people’s establishments to building one of her own in the new Mill One destination in downtown Mooresville. Acqua Ragazza, offering authentic Italian cuisine in a highend social room environment, is her brainchild, and it’s become an in-demand lake area dining and entertainment option.
And read about Laura Anderson, president of Craft & Trade NC. Not only has she successfully established her own full-service design-build construction firm in Mooresville, but she’s been a supportive mentor of her gifted lead designer Allison LaMar, whom Anderson first hired as an intern.
These women in leadership stories are as varied as their skills. They are medical and mental health practitioners, employment and legal professionals, designers, builders and restaurateurs. Limited by neither industry nor locale, our Lake Norman area is all the richer for their talents. I hope you find something to take away from each of their experiences, and who knows, you may even become one of their clients and patrons. Their stories begin on Page 41.
Movers, Shakers, Style, Shopping, Trends, Happenings and More at Lake Norman
Enjoy the colorful return of the Carolina BalloonFest to Statesville this month.
A Decade of Dog Competition
Sheepdog Trials return to Rural Hill this month
Now in its 10th year, Historic Rural Hill’s Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival has secured itself as one of the Lake’s fall must-dos.
The two-day event, Nov. 2-3, is packed with returning favorites like the DockDogs competition, and new events including “Huntersville’s Next Top Dog Show,” with categories such as Fluffiest Coat, Curliest Tail, Silliest Name, and Best Trick.
The Sheepdog Trials feature a series of competitive events designed to test the dogs’ herding abilities, obedience and agility. Each day offers different activities; Saturday brings the United States Border Collie Handlers Association competition, and Sunday hosts the amateur competitions.
Spectators can expect to see dogs expertly maneuver through a series of obstacles, as they respond to their handlers’ commands with precision and speed that showcase their intelligence.
In addition to the trials, eventgoers will have the opportunity to meet the dogs and their handlers to learn about the history and training of sheepdogs.
“Catching a DockDogs competition is an absolute must,” says Historic Rural Hill’s Jasmyne Monroe. Considered the world’s premier canine aquatics competition, entries include Big Air, Extreme
by
The festival is also known for having some of the best local food and drink vendors for both humans and canines, including Roman’s All-Star Café, B’s Grill and Frios Gourmet Pops, and for the pups, it’s Yappy Hour Bakery, Hollywood Feed and more.
Plenty of pet vendors will be on site for all your furry friends’ needs including the local Carolina Border Collie Rescue, CMPD Animal Care and Good Karma Ranch.
Whether you’re a fan of competitive sports or just an animal lover, the event is family friendly and truly has something for everyone. Tickets also include access to the Amazing Maize Maze as well as the “pumpkin chucker” and kid’s games and crafts.
Historic Rural Hill, a private nonprofit working farm, historic site, educational facility, nature preserve and event site, is at 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. Ticket prices range from $6 to $28 and include the option to donate to CMPD Animal Care and Control and Rural Hill. Tickets are available at the gate day-of and in advance online at www. ruralhill.net/events. Huntersville’s Next Top Dog Show costs $5 per dog to register, contest starts at 2 p.m. Contestants can register at the ticket tent as you enter the festival.
Bek Mitchell-Kidd photography courtesy Lisa Margolis
Inset images below - Agility, personality and herding skills will all be on display at the annual Sheepdog Trials at Rural Hill.
Vertical, Speed Retrieve and The Iron Dog Challenge.
The wildly popular DockDogs competition will take place as part of next month’s Sheepdog Trials in Huntersville.
A Festive
Month Ahead
Where to celebrate around the lake
Tastes so good
An annual event favorite returns this month when the Town of Davidson presents “A Taste of Davidson” on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 5 to 10 p.m. This fall festival is a showcase to celebrate the flavors of the town and will feature food and beverage favorites from Davidson’s restaurants for a small fee, as well as music by Envision. Jetton Street between Clean Juice and Mine by Sandy will be blocked off to host the festival, and public parking will be available at the Circles @ 30. Contact Economic Development Director Kim Fleming at kfleming@townofdavidson.org with any questions about the event.
Speaking of festivals ...
Not to be outdone, the Town of Cornelius has a throwdown of its own this month. It’s that time again for the “2nd Friday Street Festival” on Oct. 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. It’s a town-sponsored event that offers live music, food trucks, craft breweries, local artisans and activities for kids such as face painting, a petting zoo and inflatables. Admission to the festival is free.
The event is held at the historic Oak Street Mill in downtown Cornelius. Free parking is available at nearby Cornelius Elementary and surrounding lots.
Downtown music series continues
If you find yourself in Huntersville mid-month, make sure to check out the town’s monthly installment of its downtown music series –LALACABOOSA. Held near the caboose at Veterans Park (at the intersection of Main Street and Maxwell Street), the concert is
compiled by Lori Helms
scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m., and will feature Heads Carolina playing “nothing but 90s Country.”
Admission to the concert is free, and a food truck and beverage vendor will be onsite for food and drink purchases. This month’s food truck will be Apostle Que, and beverages will be a selection from Huntersville’s Neoteric Brewing
Another reason to celebrate
A minivan donated to a local thrift store that supports veterans in need has found its new home. Kevin Popko, owner and proprietor of L.O.V. (Love Our Veterans) Thrift Store near Denver, says the wheelchair/scooter ramp-equipped minivan was donated by a woman whose WWII veteran father used it regularly before he passed away. Popko accepted applications from disabled local veterans and qualified veteran organizations to determine its new owner, and he recently handed over the keys to Julie Zacholl, executive director of Piedmont Veterans Assistance Council, another local veteran-focused organization that, among other services, provides free transportation to medical and dental appointments.
L.O.V. Thrift Store opened in the summer of 2022, and by the end of this year will have provided approximately $200,000 in support of about 50 local veterans in need through the sale of all manner of donated items.
The famous caboose at Veterans Park in Huntersville.
The 2nd Friday Street Festival in Cornelius has become a popular attraction over the years.
A wheelchair and scooter ramp-equipped van will help transport veterans to their medical and dental appointments.
Up, Up & Away!
At the Carolina BalloonFest in Statesville
by
Have you ever wanted to float in the sky and look down at breathtaking vistas of Lake Norman? Whether you want to book a flight or just enjoy the view from the ground, seeing dozens of spectacular, colorful hot air balloons is worth the short trek to Statesville. Mark your calendar for the 49th Carolina BalloonFest from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 and prepare for a day – or weekend – of fun and adventure. “This is one of the largest balloonfests on the East Coast,” says Executive Director Sam Parks. “The public can walk amongst these balloons as they are being inflated and launched. That’s unique to our balloonfest.”
Born and raised in Statesville, Parks has worked at the balloonfest for years. An experienced balloon pilot with three of his own balloons, his longest flight was 1,640 miles – 72 hours in the air – and he directs balloon events around the world. For six years he also ran the country’s largest balloonfest in Albuquerque, New Mexico, so he knows how to make this event special.
There’s something here for everyone. There will be morning and late afternoon mass balloon ascensions, sanctioned hot air balloon com-
petitions, live musical entertainment on two stages (cover bands for the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac), “Eat Street” with a variety of tasty food vendors, a wine and craft beer garden, a market village with 90 artisans and a kid’s zone with inflatables and an obstacle course. For the Friday and Saturday evening “balloon glows,” half of the balloons will light up like light bulbs each night; it’s quite a sight. There’s also the 3rd annual Balloon Chasers 5K and fun run on Sunday.
If you want to take a balloon flight, you must book reservations in advance on the website. Some of the best balloon pilots in the country – or in the world, for that matter – will be here.
“People have gotten engaged and married on these flights and celebrated other bucket list occasions,” he says. “You’ll never forget this and can look back with fond memories.”
The average flight is about one hour, and the distance depends on the wind speed. A chase vehicle will bring you back to the festival. If you’re not ready to fly so high, tethered rides are available as firstcome, first-served walk-ups.
Karel Bond Lucander | photography courtesy Carolina BalloonFest
No matter how you view the balloons, they are beautiful to behold.
An evening “balloon glow” at the Carolina BalloonFest in Statesville.
“It’s for those who don’t want to cut ties to the Earth,” he says. “Tied off to the ground, these balloons go up 50 to 100 feet, at a lower cost and altitude.”
This well-synchronized event has a team of people watching over every facet. There is a safety officer, a meteorologist and the BalloonMeister Mark Meyer with his staff of 30 to run the balloon side. A “rain or shine” event, the balloons won’t go up with high winds, rain or drizzle.
“The safety and wellbeing of our guests is the most important thing on our minds,” Parks says.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the National Balloon Rally Charities, Inc. DBA Carolina BalloonFest, has donated more than $1 million back to the local community over the past decade.
For details or to reserve a balloon ride, visit www.carolinaballoonfest.com, call 704.495.6735 or visit info@carolinaballoonfest.com. The festival is at 531 Old Airport Road, Statesville.
On Sept. 22, Music at St. Alban’s kicked off its 20th season at its home in St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Davidson with a performance by The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. The audience was treated to a new composition by composer and musician, Henry Lebedinsky, who created Music at St. Alban’s in 2005.
Also on hand was Barbara Krumdieck, who began as a founding board member and became the artistic director in 2010. Krumdieck is a professional baroque cellist, who has been playing since her teenage years and comes from a musical family. Her sister, conductor and internationally known recorder player, Frances Blaker, and Krumdieck are the founders of The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. It was a family affair at the season’s first performance, with Blaker conducting the first performance of the season.
With each new season, they seek to deliver a diverse exploration of music to their audiences. Although there’s a concentration on classical, they also include other styles, such as bluegrass, jazz or Celtic. The variety of music provides opportunities to professional level local players and those from outside areas to perform.
The musical events are designed to engage the audience. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, audience members are encouraged to remain after performances, for a “meet the artist” reception. And before six out of the season’s eight concerts, audiences can enjoy a pre-concert performance by young, talented musical artists.
Outreach is an important part of this music program, with its outreach endeavors including sending musicians to perform at Hinds’ Feet Farm, a facility providing services to those with brain injury, as well as La Escuelita, a bilingual preschool. Another way the program spreads the love of music and builds community is by enrichment events through Ada Jenkins Center’s after school program.
“I believe that music brings people together,” says Krumdieck. “People might be struggling with whatever it is in their lives, but they come together to listen to music, and it lightens their lives. You never know who you might be able to touch. I’ve had people say that ‘music has changed my life.’”
Under Krumdieck’s leadership, Music at St. Alban’s has grown to include consistently larger audiences, whose feedback is highly valued. The audience is surveyed at the end of each season, in order to best understand what they want in future performances.
“We listen,” says Krumdieck. The high-quality concerts are enjoyed and appreciated by the audiences. “When I talk with people after the concerts, they always say ‘this is my favorite concert,’” she says. “And it’s always the one they just heard.”
Which concert will be your favorite? Learn more about the music and this season’s schedule at www.musicatstalbansdavidson.org/.
Allison
| photograph courtesy Music at St. Alban’s
Members of The North Carolina Baroque Orchestra show their playful - rather than musical - sides.
Falling for pumpkins
Decorative Pumpkins - $12 and up 5. Fall Floral - $8 and up
Fall Pillows - $29 and up TRENDS + STYLE
Conquering Childhood Cancer
Devastating diagnosis leads to a mission to help others
by Allison Futterman
photographs courtesy Megan Miller
Megan Miller and her son, Luke, who is the subject of her newly published book, “Luke and the Lost Bell.”
Local mom, Megan Miller, has always found a way to use her talents and skills. An opera singer as well as a marketing maven, she realized she could combine the two as the marketing director of Opera Carolina. She maintained her own marketing business on the side, but in 2021, after seven great years with Opera Carolina, Miller decided to pursue her own business as a full-time venture. This was during the pandemic, so it was challenging.
As Miller was dealing with the many aspects of growing her business, her life — and that of her family’s — were unimaginably changed. Miller and her husband noticed a lump on their son Luke’s neck. This discovery led to search for answers, which included multiple doctor visits, antibiotics and tests. Then they got the news. Luke had cancer — specifically, advanced T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. He was three years old at the time.
Things moved quickly from that point. Luke was admitted to the hospital within hours. The next day, he received a chemotherapy port. The day after that, chemo was started.
The Millers saw Luke through chemo, plasma and platelet transfusions, and spinal taps. Luke’s cancer was in his lymph nodes, along with some areas of his kidneys and his lungs. But within the first year of treatment, he was in remission. Still, there was active treatment for more than two years. At the end of that time, Luke rang the bell that signified the end of treatment.
Miller is a skilled and natural storyteller who was able to explain Luke’s complicated medical journey to adults. But she realized that explaining it to kids wasn’t so easy. That led to her idea for a children’s book. And while there were other books out there for kids
“We needed more imagination than information,” says Miller.
about cancer, they were symptom-driven. She wanted to create a story that was creatively driven.
“We needed more imagination than information,” says Miller. The result: Luke and the Lost Bell. It’s a book for children and families going through their own cancer experience. But it’s also for readers not dealing with cancer — that’s because it’s an engaging, adventure book.
The book tells the story of the friendship between a child and Tootie the train. Through their teamwork, they face and overcome obstacles in their journey to help Tootie find his bell. This compelling story uses creative metaphors (rather than clinical language) to represent the different stages of treatment, along with the importance of support from loved ones and the larger community.
Miller included a section at the end that explains what Tootie is going through and offers tips to parents and families. She’s also partnered with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to include a QR code that takes readers to the foundation’s “toolkit.”
The goal is to get the book to clinics, hospitals and families around the country. To that end, the Miller family will be involved with fundraising events at Sycamore Brewing, Nina’s Boutique in Cornelius and The Neighborhood Café in Huntersville. Luke will be there signing books. The book is currently available online and will be coming soon to local bookstores.
Get your copy at www.lukeandthelostbell.com or www.marketingmezzo.com.
CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS » Protecting LKN Businesses with
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and with the ever-growing cyber threats, we want businesses to be pro-active.
Business disaster recovery plans should extend to cyber incidents. This includes how your business will perform essential functions if completely unable to access client records, carrier systems, phones, and any core operating system.
Businesses may often think about natural disasters when it comes to their business disaster recovery and continuity plans, but with the spike in cyber incidents and data breaches, these plans need to extend to technology and cyber incidents. Cyber incidents present a huge threat to businesses, which is why every business should develop and regularly update preparedness steps, such as implementing reliable data backup systems and ensuring that critical data can be quickly restored in the case of an outage.
Understand what your Cyber Liability policy offers and covers.
Along with these steps, understanding cyber liability insurance is a necessity. Preparation of such cyber events gives an opportunity to really learn and talk with your agent about what is covered under a cyber liability policy since policies can vary from carrier to carrier. It is a good idea to go over policy provisions, restrictions, requirements, coverages, deductibles, possible pre-claim assistance, and what to do in the event of a data breach and cyber liability claim.
(704) 875-3060 foglegroup.com
With 36 years of experience, Doug stays on top of cyber trends and can quote Cyber Liability to fit the needs of a business.
Doug Fogle
Vice President
Dwellings
How We Live at the Lake
Fall
Swapping out dried arrangements with seasonal color is an easy way to decorate for fall. Photograph courtesy Wendy Yeakley.
is in the Air
Tips to bring that fall feel indoors
by Lori Helms
Did you feel that? You know what I’m talking about ... when you walked out of the house first thing the other morning and you were treated to that certain something in the air. Just a little bit of crispness, a slight “zing” touching any exposed skin that means it’s finally sweater weather. And it’s not just the temperature that’s shifted. It’s the sunlight as well. Rather than that bright, high-in-the-sky summer sun urging you to get up and get moving, you’re greeted with a slightly mellower glow, a little more of a tender nudge or comforting hug to get your day started. Fall is truly, and finally, here.
In case it isn’t obvious by now, this is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love everything about it, including the visual treat in the yellows, golds and reds our beautiful local trees and flowers provide. But I’m at a total loss as to how to bring those colors and that overall fall
feel in the air into my home, so I reached out to some of our favorite Lake Norman-area interior decorators and designers for a little help.
Their tips are so easy to implement – they don’t require expensive investments in individual pieces, nor do they include a herculean redecorating effort. In fact, there are likely items already in your home that can be “repurposed” in a different role. One trend this fall, according to award-winning Michelle McKoy of Michelle McKoy Designs, is bringing the look and feel of the outdoors inside.
“Using natural pieces such as pinecones and sticks not only gives the feeling of fall,” she says, “but it’s also budget-friendly.” She also recommends you avoid going overboard while decorating the house for fall. Simple pillows added to bedding or seating areas are an easy
A strategically placed pumpkin - or even one decorated with a peacock - creates beautiful fall vignettes. Photographs courtesy Lori Savio of Home, Heart & Soul.
tip-of-the-hat to the season. And to keep a space from looking cluttered, McKoy recommends you replace something that you currently have in a certain space with something that speaks to fall. It could be as simple as swapping out existing dried flower arrangements from summery greens, blues and purples to fall’s golds and reds.
“Pops of color such as yellow from a sunflower and orange from pumpkins and gourds can easily transform a space to the fall season,” McKoy says.
It’s an easy tip Wendy Yeakley, principal designer and owner of Homestyles Interior Design, uses in her home as well – and she goes a step further with the turn of each season.
“Choose a pretty ceramic vase and switch out the greenery seasonally,” she says. “I love fall branches like Bittersweet stems, either dried or silk. The day after Thanksgiving, I switch to winter greens with glitter. And spring is fabulous; cherry blossoms or forsythia. Summer is usually Bells of Ireland for a fresh green splash of color.”
Even arrangements such as this small bouquet of sunflowers can provide a large impact in a room.
Dried flowers are a popular decorating choice, such as the grand statement made with this generous arrangement of cat tails and vines. Photographs this page and next courtesy Michelle McKoy.
and budget-friendly,
Designer Lori Savio of Home, Heart & Soul in Cornelius enjoys working with her clients’ existing interior color palettes to work in fall pieces and color.
“The crisp air is always a sign the fall season is approaching,” Savio says, “and it’s a great starting point into the holiday season. Creating vignettes that coordinate with my client’s color schemes is how I like to add fall decor into their existing home. I love using pieces that are fall family favorites. It doesn’t need to be all about pumpkins. With the addition of texture and greenery and maybe a pheasant or two, I keep things personal and creative while offering a seamless transition into the holiday season.”
A small, velvet pumpkin curio on a counter or table top is a whimsical addition to any room.
Simple
seasonal throw pillows provide a nice touch.
A lone pop of orange shouts “Fall has arrived!”
with Horses Healing
by
Karel Bond Lucander photography courtesy Willow Equine
Simply spending time with a horse at Soul to Sole Connection helps traumatized veterans and first responders heal.
Soul to Sole Connection at Willow Equine farm in Mooresville is a special program that offers those who serve and protect an opportunity to reset and heal.
“There’s a stigma around mental health, especially in the military and first responder community,” says CEO and founder Katie Stankiewicz. “Emotions are seen as a weakness. They see such traumatic images and situations that they almost have to dehumanize themselves to perform.”
Stankiewicz, a certified equine specialist and leadership coach, along with her team of licensed therapists, provide free counseling to active military members, veterans, firefighters, police officers and their families. Every session includes a licensed therapist, equine specialist and horses. Walking alongside, brushing or sitting and observing beautiful and intuitive horses can work wonders. There is no riding or horsemanship. Just therapy at your own pace.
“Our office here is the farm – 50 acres, not four walls,” she says. “There’s a power that comes from being grounded and present with these huge animals. It’s not about doing or controlling or looking a specific way. It’s truly about being present with yourself – the hardest work anybody can ever do.”
Stankiewicz established Willow Equine in 2012 to help anyone seeking “counseling, personal growth and optimized leadership capabilities.” She discovered there was also a need for a dedicated program to support and uplift those in the military and who serve our communities – who struggle with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). So, she founded Soul to Sole Connection in 2017 and officially opened as a nonprofit in 2020.
“We hear the word ‘peace’ so often in terms of what this has done for our clients,” she says. “They say they feel human again and supported. When you heal the core trauma, that provides positive impact on all areas of their lives.”
The magic for Soul to Sole Connection happens at a picturesque 50acre farm. These peaceful pastures are home to llamas, puppies, cats, chickens and 18 magnificent horses, ranging from one month to 25 years old, with more on the way. New colt Hal (short for Hallelujah) just foaled in August. Clients might connect with Quarter Horses Zoe or Sawyer, Belgium Cody, Mustang Cherokee, Percheron Lucy and more. Each has its own personality and traits.
“The horses are going to bring out what you need the most,” she says. “At the farm, all your senses are engaged, and it can calm the nervous system and rewire the brain. We know it works because we see the changes and growth in our clients. People who have been through our program have said years of therapy did nothing and eight sessions here does so much. And once they are part of the Soul to Sole family, they are always welcome back.” For Stankiewicz, that means everything.
“The inspiration for this organization was truly fulfilling God’s plan,” she says. “This mission is so much larger than me or my staff and yet we are the ones blessed to bring the healing power of the horses to the forefront – to transform the intangible into an amazing experience for all.”
Katie Stankiewicz is the CEO and founder of Soul to Sole Connection at Willow Equine farm, where the gentle and intuitive natures of horses are key in the healing process.
Autumn Whispers
1. Softly Swaying 21 x 21 Acrylic Painting $1500
2. Mini Mondrian Cuff Bracelet $155
3. Houston Llew “Jack” Spiritile $179
4. Kimono Ceramic Sculpture $1000
5. Trees Lazy Susan $300
6. Mayzie Handblown Lamp $1050
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A Chihuly colored glass tree at the
Classy Glass
5 Pro Tips
• Buy Biltmore Estate tickets online and save at www.biltmore.com/landing/ ticket-options.
• Admission to Biltmore Estate is free for children younger than nine years old.
• View the Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier, a Chihuly installation inside the Biltmore Winery and part of Biltmore’s permanent collection since 2022.
• Complimentary wine tasting at the Biltmore Winery is included in your ticket.
• Learn the art of glassmaking and sign up for a class with the North Carolina Glass Center in Asheville’s River Arts District at www.ncglasscenter.org.
Biltmore Estate.
Photograph courtesy Nathaniel Willson.
A new Chihuly exhibit
shimmers
at the Biltmore Estate
Travis Tatham, Asheville native and director of events and guest experience development at Biltmore Estate, is always on the lookout for exciting ideas to bring to the largest privately owned home in America. In the early 2000s, Tatham became acquainted with world renowned Seattle-based multimedia contemporary artist Dale Chihuly’s work and was wowed by his talent. She envisioned an exhibit at Biltmore.
Tatham’s tenacity paid off with a Chihuly show at Biltmore in 2018 and again this year. “Chihuly at Biltmore” is at the Amherst at Deerpark®, Biltmore’s indoor exhibit hall, through Jan. 5, 2025.
“Our desire was to really showcase Dale’s work differently from what we had before, and show things we couldn’t show last time,” Tatham says. “His portfolio of work is so deep and so vast.”
Tours
In the late 1800s, George Vanderbilt commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design Biltmore House. The 250-room home was finished in 1895, after six years of construction. The house, a National Historic Landmark, was opened to the public in 1930 as a cultural destination. Whether you begin your tour with “Chihuly at Biltmore” or Biltmore House, leave enough time to savor the moments, Tatham says.
“All of Biltmore Estate is just an opportunity to create a very special memory with your friends and family,” Tatham says. “Take time, slow down. It starts at the front gate. Soak it all in.”
by Vanessa Infanzon
“Playing with Fire,” a 12-minute film about Dale Chihuly and his art, sets the stage for the guest experience. If you’re not familiar with his work, it will give you a peek into his technique and an appreciation for how Chihuly’s ingenuity paved the way for other glass artists.
Icicle chandeliers, baskets on pedestals, a ceiling filled with more than 1,000 glass sculptures and the Ikebana Series — Chihuly’s work on paper — draw your eye to color, light, shape and texture. Each room captivates your imagination, luring you in for a closer look.
Estate life
With 8,000 acres made up of walking paths, gardens, restaurants, wine tastings, shops, tours and more, guests can be entertained without leaving the Biltmore property. The Inn on Biltmore Estate, featured in Hallmark Channel’s “A Biltmore Christmas,” and the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate are walkable to the Antler Hill Village Green and Winery by paved paths through fields.
From small bites and casual meals to fine dining, Biltmore Estate has options for romantic dinners, family-friendly meals and graband-go. The Winery features special events such as the Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting, which pairs the property’s wines with tasty treats from French Broad Chocolates.
Biltmore celebrates the holidays with a 35-foot Christmas tree from a local farm, special activities and Candlelight Christmas Evenings beginning in November.
Below, the Biltmore Estate at sunset. Inset, a fiery Chihuly glass arrangement displayed outdoors. Photos courtesy The Biltmore Company and Nathaniel Willson.
A Christmas
Experience
Volunteer project brings ‘magic’ to many
by
It all started with an idea and a Facebook post.
On Christmas night in 2021, Melissa Cuff said she was looking at her tree and checking social media when she saw a post from a mom who didn’t have a Christmas meal and asked if anyone had leftovers to share.
“That broke my heart,” she says. “I went to sleep, and when I woke up, I felt like I had been struck by lightning. I started typing out this whole plan. I felt so inspired and shared it in a local Mom Facebook group.”
Cuff’s idea was to help parents in need create magical holiday moments for their families with the help of the community. She
outlined her thoughts on the types of donations she would need like matching Christmas pajamas, upcycled Christmas trees and decorations, ingredients for Christmas cookies and meals for Christmas morning and Christmas dinner. She shared her post and went to bed. The next morning, she was flooded with comments, likes and people reaching out to help. The Merry Magic Project was born.
Through that Facebook post she met her co-founders, fellow Cornelius resident Natalie Zito and Ashley Wolf of Mooresville. The three of them jumped on a Zoom call and got to work. The following Christmas, they were able to help 10 families in need that were selected through an application process. One family was living paycheck to paycheck with five children at home, another mom had Stage 4 cancer and was about to go through surgery. Each family at-
Volunteers with the Merry Magic Project and the generous donations collected for families in need at Christmas.
tended the Merry Magic Experience event that November where they were able to take home a Christmas tree, decorations, pajamas and a tote bag full of goodies to make the holidays special.
This year, the Merry Magic Experience event will take place Sunday, Nov. 17, at Magnolia Woods in Huntersville. The goal is to help 15 local families. Cuff said they specifically want to help the families of the law enforcement officers who were killed while serving an arrest warrant in Charlotte this past April. They have partnered with local organizations like LKN Realty to sponsor Santa’s visit, the Women’s Adventure Group to help wrap and label gifts, LKN Exchange Group and the Davidson United Methodist Women’s Group.
To make the magic happen, they are collecting donations of new or gently used holiday decorations, toys in new or excellent condition and gifts a child would give to their adult loved ones. Donations can be dropped off at the Homewood Suites in Davidson from Oct. 21 to Oct. 24 and from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
For a self-proclaimed Christmas fanatic like Cuff, the holidays have become even more special since she started the Merry Magic Project.
“It makes it all worth it when you really feel like you are making a difference and helping people,” she says.
Learn more on the website https://sites.google.com/view/themerrymagicproject/home, or follow them on social media at www.facebook.com/TheMerryMagicProject or on Instagram @themerrymagicproject.
Merry Magic Project volunteers Evelyn Butcher (left) and Melissa Thiede man the welcome table at a recent “Experience.”
Business Expo 2024
Women in Leadership
From financial planning to educators, employment services, real estate professionals, interior designers, retail and hospitality experts and more, these women have so much to offer. We know you’ll be inspired to support them once you read their stories.
After experiencing first-hand the limitations of traditional medicine in my own journey with an autoimmune disorder, fatigue, pain, neurological issues and microbiome dysfunction, I realized many others are facing similar challenges. My healing journey has provided me with a deep understanding of the complex issues that women encounter when symptoms seem overwhelming and the path to recovery feels distant.
This realization led to the creation of Renew Specialty Group, where we are dedicated to helping others overcome the same challenges I faced. Practicing alongside my husband, who is our men’s health specialist, has been an added bonus, allowing us to provide comprehensive care for both women and men. Our goal is to empower our patients to take control of their health because no one should have to suffer. We believe everyone deserves the chance to live a long, healthy and happy life.
Our anti-aging and weight loss programs have recently been revamped to now include a weight loss maintenance program, which most clinics do not offer but is crucial to maintaining results. This includes a low dose of semaglutide to not only maintain weight loss but also to offer other health benefits such as lower inflammation, lower A1C, reduced cardiovascular risk, reduced cognitive decline, better glycemic control, increased metabolism and protective effects in kidney and respiratory health. We also work with patients suffering from weight loss resistance, helping them address the root cause of
weight struggles and achieve their health goals.
Here at Renew, we practice proactive instead of reactive medicine. Proactive medicine typically keeps patients healthy and prevents future disease states. This is unlike reactive medicine, which often addresses direct medical problems such as diabetes, arthritis and obesity in the acute state, all of which could have been prevented with proactive and preventative care.
Renew is a medical practice that combines traditional and natural approaches to achieve
better outcomes for patients without resorting to surgery or toxic medication. Unlike the modern medical model that emphasizes high patient volumes and quick visits for financial gain, Renew is dedicated to putting patients first and delivering results. Our model focuses on natural and non-invasive, non-surgical options for patients, which significantly reduce pain levels, improve mobility and enhance quality of life.
Community involvement and philanthropy are at the heart of Renew’s mission. We
actively engage with our local church and are committed to supporting communities both near and far. We proudly donate a portion of our earnings to churches in Namibia, Nicaragua, and our hometown of Mooresville. Additionally, we contribute to Convoy of Hope, which provides disaster relief, and Priority One, an organization dedicated to global education. Our efforts reflect our commitment to making a positive impact both locally and globally.
Dr. Coral Kirscher, DNP,FNP-C Renew Specialty Group
At woman-owned and operated Carolina Crossroads Dental Care in Statesville, patients are offered a broad range of services. Dr. Lindsay Spears’ comprehensive practice provides everything from preventive care such as cleanings and exams, to restorative treatments such as fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges and root canal therapy. She also offers services for partials and dentures, as well as orthodontic options, implant restorations, teeth whitening, and emergency dental exams and treatment.
Spears graduated dental school in 2013 and says she never planned to own a business, but after working for a few years as an associate dentist in the public health field, she found she wasn’t quite settled in that environment.
“A good friend of mine knew a dentist who was seeking the right person to take over his practice so that he could retire,” she says. “My friend connected us, and I had the opportunity to meet the staff, and we clicked immediately. Thankfully, the previous doctor and I have similar philosophies about patient care and God ironed out the details for me to purchase the practice in 2015.”
Buying the practice was only half the battle, she says. While she excelled at patient-centered dental care, it was another thing entirely to realize she knew next to nothing about running a business. She credits the wonderful women on her staff for helping her quickly pick up on what was required to run a business day-to-day.
“I buried my head in
continuing education on finance, business, human relations and time management so I could be the best possible owner and boss that I could be,” says Dr. Spears. “I’ll be honest, some patients didn’t like that I was female, some didn’t like that I was much younger than the previous dentist, some didn’t even like that I had tattoos. This was challenging for me and my team, but they were my greatest cheerleaders.”
She’s come a long way since 2015. In addition to being a
forensic odontology consultant and teaching forensic dentistry at UNC Adams School of Dentistry, she is now an Iredell County Medical Examiner. This allows her to work closely with other medical examiners, law enforcement and funeral homes. Dr. Spears also participates in medical mission trips, and this month will mark her sixth mission, this time to Ivory Coast in West Africa to perform free dental treatments and share the gospel.
Dr. Spears enjoys mentoring other women, whether they
be dental students, young dentists just getting started or experienced dentists wanting to start a business of their own. She allows pre-dental students to shadow her at her office and strives to be open to questions and thoughtful in her answers.
“I help other women dentists by coaching them through the process of finding a practice, getting a business loan, managing employees, helping them gain beneficial connections and sometimes, just lending an ear.”
Not many people would have waded into opening a business close on the heels of the 2008 recession, but that didn’t intimidate Jamie Ottinger, owner of Express Employment Professionals in Mooresville. Following a stint with Express Personnel in Hickory, Ottinger opened the Mooresville office in 2009 with two staff members, and her investment and dedication has paid off.
Now 15 years later, Express
Employment Professionals is known as the area’s premier staffing provider thanks to its distinctive competence in matching the right employee with the right company. Whether a job seeker wants a part-time opportunity or is on the heels of a career change, the company strives to generate the best contract-to-hire or direct hire opportunity through its many client-company connections.
Ottinger is still working with one of her first employees, Megan Ager (pictured leftfacing), who is now her Branch
Manager and manages three additional recruiters. One of those recruiters is newly promoted Office Services Employment Specialist Reagan Fallon (pictured right-facing). While the company has placed many manager-level and executive-level candidates over the years, Ottinger says this year she added a seasoned Executive Search Recruiter, David Krippene, who just recently placed a Quality Manager at a $100,000 salary. “When we search for professional candidates, we’re looking for more than
just a list of abilities,” she says. “We’re evaluating leadership skills, personal strengths and background experiences. So, by the time an employer is ready to meet the top candidates in our area, they aren’t interviewing for qualifications. They’ll be ready to select one of our candidates who best fits their team.”
Ottinger says her company’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the workplace and into the vast number of community and philanthropy groups with which she is involved. Several times a year, she and her staff collect food and clothing items for distribution to the Mooresville Christian Mission as well as engage with FeedNC at their fundraising events. Ottinger is closely involved with The Able and Ready Exchange Club of Mooresville, in which club members are talented special needs individuals she assists with other community leaders to mentor and participate in various fundraising projects. She is also on the board of directors for Pharos Parenting, which serves Iredell County families to build positive parenting skills through targeted education, in-home coaching and supportive intervention programs.
With an emphasis on achieving that perfect employeecompany match as well as her commitment to community involvement, it’s clear that Ottinger has a passion for her “calling.” But what does she define as true success? Watching Express Associates whom she has placed become successful in their own right over time is at the top of that list.
“There is nothing more satisfying than seeing an associate who we placed as a machine operator in 2018, walk through our doors with an update that their career journey has taken them to a production manager position who is giving us an order for contract associates for his employer,” she says.
Miranda Mills and Danielle Feller joined forces to create a family law and estate planning firm. Drawing from their personal experiences, Mills and Feller understand firsthand the emotional turmoil and practical challenges that accompany family law and estate planning matters. Feller’s experience with her own father’s estate administration has equipped her with the knowledge and empathy to guide clients through the often-complex process of estate settlement or litigation. Mills’ experience fighting for custody of her own stepson in a custody battle has honed her skills as a tenacious advocate in family court, providing clients with unwavering support during difficult times. Together, they are committed to providing personalized legal services that alleviate stress, protect loved ones and ensure a smooth transition during life’s most challenging moments.
“We are compassionate attorneys who truly care about our clients,” the partners say. “We provide quality representation to a select number of clients to allow us to offer personal attention to each one.” They say their law firm distinguishes itself through a personalized approach to client representation, prioritizing building strong relationships with their clients so they can truly understand each client’s unique needs and goals. Their team of experienced attorneys is dedicated to providing exceptional legal counsel, combined with a commitment to ethical practices and transparent communication. This personalized approach, coupled with Mills’ and Feller’s deep knowledge of the law, enables them to deliver effective and
efficient solutions that exceed their clients’ expectations.
In the past year, the firm has expanded by opening a second office in Charlotte, as well as by investing heavily in their team by adding more highly skilled legal staff and attorneys. This growth has allowed them to broaden their practice areas, adding business law to their comprehensive suite of services.
Their commitment to excellence is matched by their philanthropic work and community involvement. Their
Daly Mills Family Law & Estate Planning
firm participates in the Susan G. Komen Triangle Race for the cure and has donated funds to the Woodland Heights Middle School soccer team in Mooresville. Feller has spoken at local assisted living facilities regarding estate planning, and Mills has spoken at the Second Saturday Divorce Workshop in Cornelius. They are also dedicated to mentoring women starting their own businesses.
“It is important to support and empower women entrepreneurs, and we offer guidance and advice based
on our own experience,” they say. “Expanding into business law helps women navigate the legal complexities of starting a business, such as entity selection, contract drafting and intellectual property protection. Additionally, we can provide personal insights into balancing the demands of owning a business with family life, drawing on our expertise in family law and estate planning. Our goal is to equip women with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in their business ventures.”
Miranda J. Mills, Managing Partner and Danielle R. Feller, Partner
Not many businesses can say that the COVID-19 pandemic that brought such havoc to everyday life just a few short years ago was actually beneficial to their success, but family-owned Crown Waste & Recycling Systems can make that claim.
“It helped us,” says Giovanna
Antonacci. “We started during the pandemic and the business took off.” The summer of 2020 is when the company’s North Carolina division started operations, but it has its roots in Queens, New York, where it was established by her grandparents in 1958 and then assumed by her father in 2004. Joanie Antonacci, and her daughter Giovanna, as well as her siblings Nicholas and
Christopher Antonacci, are now the third generation to run the show.
“We got into the Charlotte market at a perfect time,” she says, especially when they realized the sheer volume of construction occurring in this market and understood that the need for roll off, front and rear load trucks would be strong. “We couldn’t be more blessed at
the way this company has been succeeding thus far,” she says.
Crown Waste & Recycling is a woman-owned business offering commercial and residential roll off dumpsters, residential trash and recycling removal, and commercial front load trash and recycling services. But above all, Giovanna is proud of the personalized services they offer. She provides every client with their salesperson’s mobile phone number so they can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We know our customers’ needs, and we tend to them ... We want to make sure they’re 100% satisfied with every service,” she says. Describing herself as a “people person,” Giovanna enjoys not only getting to know her clients and their business, but also becoming involved in the community –especially when it comes to promoting recycling initiatives.
She confesses that achieving such a level of success and quality customer service requires an incredible amount of effort – very long days and often seven-day work weeks – but she and her mother would encourage any women to just “do it” if they want to start a business. Giovanna and her mother find some sense of balance between work and play by trying to have a planned event or some down time to look forward to as a reward for the hours and days they put in to make Crown Waste the success that it is.
“In the beginning, it’s rough,” she says, “but with hard work and passion, you can do anything.”
Ihave been a psychotherapist for 20 years, but in early 2021 I had a client who flew to another state to try Cereset. He had been “stuck” despite all of our work together using traditional talk therapy methods. When he returned from his Cereset experience, he was noticeably different. I was intrigued and spent the next couple months diving into the research on this modality. In late spring of 2021, I flew to Cereset headquarters in Arizona to try it out for myself. I knew then that someone needed to bring this wonderful technology to the Charlotte area, so I signed the paperwork and began transitioning out of talk therapy to using Cereset.
There is no other modality that can do what Cereset does. Most people have heard of biofeedback or neurofeedback which only works on 10 brain frequencies at a time, requires the client to concentrate and attempts to change the brain from the outside in. In contrast, Cereset works on 48,000 frequencies at a time while the client relaxes in a zero gravity chair, many times sleeping during the session. Instead of manipulating the brain to change in ways it might not want to, Cereset helps the brain recognize where it is out of balance and allows it to change in ways that it wants to.
I have several clients that made bold career moves after gaining more vision and clarity through Cereset. Leaving your comfort zone is not easy, and I have had to do that at least twice in my career. I have encouraged other women to take that leap of faith, believing that there is something better
on the other side. I like to think I played some small role in changing the trajectory of their path and I offer continued support through coaching and Cereset sessions.
When it comes to life-work balance, I believe I was better at balancing things when I had children at home, but now that I
am an empty nester and I get to do something I am passionate about every day, it is hard to reign it in. That said, I build several self-care practices into my daily routine, and I recently implemented a mandatory week off every quarter to recharge.
I believe Cereset is a critical piece of the pie when it comes
to wellness. However, it is only a piece. Diet, exercise, community and spiritual practices all work together to determine healthy outcomes. I would encourage anyone to try Cereset while not neglecting all of these other habits in their lives so that they can be the best version of themselves.
Julie Martin, Owner Cereset Davidson
Tara Cottone, owner of Acqua Ragazza in Mooresville, is no stranger to the hospitality industry. Across about 25 years, her work experience started at McDonalds at the age of 14, then extended to corporate
restaurants and the fast-paced Miami Beach bar scene, and for the decade prior to her opening Acqua Ragazza in June 2023, she was always someone else’s top-notch bar or general manager. And then, she says, “COVID happened.”
“While the country shut down, I reflected on what to do next,” Cottone says. “I have always wanted to open my own restaurant. After experiencing the effects that a pandemic had on the economy, I decided if there was ever a time to
take a huge risk, it was now. ... While I scoped out places in Charlotte, I didn’t find a spot I truly fell in love with. I had been visiting my favorite restaurants in Mooresville for a few years, and while my good friend was looking for a rental property, we stumbled across the brand-new Mill One building, and I knew it had to be there!”
Cottone says she was the first one to sign a lease for space in Mill One, and she set off on the extremely drawn-out process of creating a restaurant out of a shell of a space. In all, she says it took almost two years, thanks to supply chain issues and all the labor challenges inherent in the construction industry. She settled on the name Acqua Ragazza – the literal meaning of which is “water girl/woman” – to pay homage to her new Lake Norman home.
“We offer authentic Italian cuisine with a social room environment, and we do it with perfectly balanced craft cocktails for a mature palate,” says Cottone. “My goal was to create an atmosphere suitable for the mature crowd, for the young at heart, and we have done just that.”
It’s not just Cottone’s passion for good food, cocktails and ambiance that has made her such a success. That passion extends to her hiring practices as well.
“One of my greatest strengths is the ability to read people and anticipate others’ needs,” she says. “When someone applies with my company, they either have ‘it’ too, or they don’t. That helps me choose the right people to bring on board to the team, ultimately trickling their abilities down onto the customer, who then has an excellent experience with us.”
704.360.1015
www.AcquaRagazza.com acquaragazzalkn@gmail.com
Tara Cottone, Owner Acqua Ragazza
Arthur Ashe said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
Adversity is universal, and my path to becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner is deeply rooted in personal experience and a desire to help others who struggle. After 12 years in Trauma ICU care where I witnessed profound human resilience, I transitioned to Psychiatry at Atrium, shaped by my own challenges, including the loss of a sister in 2008.
Great Design 4 U is a full-service interior design business specializing in refresh renovations for both residential and commercial clients. Manager and Lead Designer Anna Stowe says her company’s expertise lies in transforming spaces with tailored design solutions that breathe new life into interiors. Whether updating a home or revitalizing a commercial environment, they are dedicated to creating stylish, functional and impactful spaces that reflect their clients’ vision and needs.
Since launching her business in 2008, Stowe says she has been able to expand their offerings to include a broader range of products and services, enhancing their ability to meet any client’s needs. Part of that expansion included a recent trip to Milan, Italy, for the Salone del Mobile – a prestigious event that allowed her to source exclusive, high-quality products and stay at the forefront of design trends.
In 2023, we expanded to Raleigh, receiving positive feedback from therapists and primary care providers that their clients feel heard. We use evidence-based strategies to eliminate panic attacks, decrease irritability, optimize focus, improve sobriety, lessen social anxiety and resolve depression. Our clients are successful in sleeping better, feeling better and enjoying life again.
Common Ground Psychiatry is the right choice for clients who are anxious or unsure about their options, wish to start taking medication (or maybe less medication) or want a prescriber they can better connect with. I believe peace is just around the corner and would be honored to care for you or your loved one.
Motivated by conversations with colleagues who encouraged me to leverage my personal story, as well as a perfectly timed Elevation Church sermon about “turning pain into purpose,” I pivoted from hospital work in 2019 and founded Common Ground Psychiatry. Supported by my husband Christian and inspired by my role as a mother of three (ages 17, 12 and 4), I’ve developed an approach that resonates with clients, including teens and college students who engage meaningfully and see real results.
“What sets our company apart in the interior design industry is our unwavering professionalism, attentive listening and strong relationships with top contractors and vendors,” says Stowe. “We are dedicated to creating spaces that are not only visually stunning but also highly functional, ensuring that our clients not only admire their new environments but also enjoy seamless, practical solutions tailored to their needs.”
But it’s not just her individual clients’ desires to which she pays such close attention. She is also deeply gratified by her design work with senior living facilities.
“We’ve had the privilege of creating warm, welcoming environments for seniors during a pivotal time in their lives,” she says. “While the transition to a senior living community can be challenging for many, our goal has been to craft spaces that foster comfort, connection, and a sense of belonging.”
Erin Klender, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Common Ground Psychiatry
Anna Stowe, Manager and Lead Designer Great Design 4 U
Specializing in remodeling and custom home building, Craft & Trade NC is a full-service design-build construction firm.
Led by President Laura Anderson and her husband (and general contractor) Trey Douglas, the firm offers a process that makes remodeling and custom home building easy, transparent and fun for their clients. At a project’s outset, Anderson says her team has in-depth conversations with their clients about areas of the project that feel most important to them, so that the final design reflects their needs.
“We work as vertically as possible with all design, architecture, costing, cabinet design and sourcing done in-house so that we can control the process and ensure that the project is built to our standards,” says Anderson. “Our build team and design team work hand-in-hand from day one on every single project, so that once we start to build we can move smoothly and quickly through the
construction phase.”
Beyond Craft & Trade’s intense dedication to their clients’ needs, Anderson says she places great importance on empowering and encouraging other women in the workplace. She says her mentorship of lead designer Allison LaMar, whom she initially hired as an intern, is just one example of that commitment.
“Throughout my career I’ve mentored many women through leadership positions and have tried to show them that they are capable of more than they realize,” she says. “Allie is a great example of a young, successful woman and the voice of a new generation stepping into a leadership role. We gave her ownership over major responsibilities one step at a time, creating the building blocks for becoming the designer she is today. She has earned the respect of everyone we work with and is one of the leading voices in our company.”
Laura Anderson, President and Allison LaMar Craft & Trade NC
Limitless
For the area’s 55+ adults who place no limits on living their best lives!
Everyone remembers favorite teachers, but what traits made them great teachers? Mickey Dunaway has some ideas on Page 54.
A Dozen Traits of Great Teachers
by Mickey Dunaway
This column is aimed at parents and grandparents of students and how to judge if your school is giving your student(s) everything they need and deserve to succeed. I spent 19 years observing teachers in public schools. I kept a running list of great teachers in my head. The list changed as I observed new teachers but stayed at 10 or 12. And, no, I will not divulge the list, but I will tell you their secrets!
I believe parents should unequivocally know the traits of great teachers — not just good, typical, ordinary teachers, but great teachers. I will go a step further in saying every child deserves a great teacher.
I bet you can remember your great teachers. If he or she is still alive, send them a note. If not, send a prayer of thanks to the Almighty on their behalf.
Great teachers come in all personalities and different teaching styles. I hired some who were great on their first day out of university. Others I taught, and they learned to be great on the job and were great until they retired. They all had that unmeasurable “something.”
All great (not just good) teachers ...
... love all kids. Smart kids. Not so smart kids. College-bound kids. Kids who will get their hands dirty laying bricks. Pretty kids. Ugly kids. Smelly kids. Cologne kids.
... can teach all kids. A great teacher is like a great coach (actually, they are the same thing). They get stuff out of kids that the kids had no idea they could do. And, usually, they work the kids’ asses off in the process.
... don’t teach subjects. They teach kids. Big difference. The best math teachers (and there are several on my list) actually love kids more than they do math.
... know their subject matter. They learned it at the kitchen table last night if they did not learn what they would teach tomorrow in college. But, when they stand before their kids tomorrow, they are experts.
We (schools) can, whenever and wherever we choose, successfully teach all children whose schooling is of interest to us. We already know more than we need to know in order to do that. Whether or not we do it must finally depend on how we feel about the fact we haven’t so far. ~ Dr. Ron Edmonds
... are tough. Kids like tough. No player has ever returned to a coach once they graduated and said, “Geez Coach, we didn’t practice too hard or win many games, but, man, we had a great time.” Hell no! They go back to that coach or English teacher who gave them fits and they say, “Ms. S, Coach D, I did not realize back then why you were so hard, but I do now and I just want to say, ‘Thank you.’”
... see into the future. Great teachers know what skills kindergarteners will need to succeed in the fourth grade, and they teach to that vision every day. The sixth grade teacher sees what will be required in the ninth grade, and he prepares his kids accordingly.
... trust and talk to their colleagues. Great teachers don’t just hope this year’s kids are prepared, they talk to last year’s teacher and make sure they know precisely what will be required this year. The great ones do it religiously.
... come to class prepared to answer “why.” They know the “how” and “why” of a subject area when they will teach that knowledge. They have a blueprint, literally. Great teachers give kids the right tools when they need them to build new learning.
... never give busy work. Great teachers never give them busy work. Never. Too much to do in too little time. Busy work is immoral. And that includes homework for the sake of homework.
... always make connections to the real world. Great teachers connect content to the world the students are in or about to enter. When a kid asks, “Why do I have to learn this stuff?” the teacher knows why and answers in real-world terms the kid can understand.
... begin teaching when the bell rings. And they rarely have discipline problems because the kids know if it is important to the teacher, it becomes essential to the kids, too.
... have very few classroom rules. They may not even have them posted. But the kids know them. They have three or four rules covering everything, and because the kids know and understand them, they behave. Not all the time — they are kids, after all!
We are entering the “Season of Giving.” For most that brings to mind Black Friday shopping, wrapped gifts both practical and fanciful, time with family and lots of food. Perhaps for some, year-end charitable giving, and for others, monetary gifting to family, is part of an estate tax planning strategy.
This coming year there will be lots of noise about the federal gift and estate tax exemptions because they are scheduled to reset on Jan. 1, 2026. The current allowance of $13.61 million per individual will be reduced back to similar allowances prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 — roughly $7 million per individual — unless Congress acts first.
Fortunately, the annual gift tax exclusion is not scheduled to change any time soon. An individual is allowed to gift another individual up to $18,000, and the number of gifts is unlimited. IRS reporting is not necessary, and it will not impact a person’s lifetime federal gift or estate tax exemptions.
For decades, annual gifting has seemingly been a simple way to reduce a future taxable estate or simply provide support to family members. Please keep in mind that gifting can also have unintended consequences. For instance, depending on your circumstances, gifting may not be the best strategy for Medicaid eligibility planning.
A relatively small percentage of people will be impacted by the federal gift and estate tax exemptions reset. However, if your assets equal $7 million as an individual or $14 million for a married couple, you should consider meeting with a team of professionals to discuss your options. The team might include an experienced estate planning attorney, a tax advisor and a financial planner. Together they can help you decide the best course of action that will allow you to take advantage of the current exemption amounts before they reset.
There is simply not enough space on this page for a complete discussion of the myriad possible issues and estate planning opportunities impacted by these gifting taxes. Reach out to a local estate planning attorney to help you figure out what best suits your situation.
Dine + Wine
Eating, drinking, cooking and fun
Just one of many delights available at LKN Cheesecakery of Denver.
A Little
Nostalgia
Comfort food in Paris – or the ‘City of Delight’
by Trevor Burton
I must have mentioned in our hotel reservation that we were celebrating our anniversary. When we got to our room there was a bottle of chilled Champagne and a bowl of fresh fruit, along with a very nice welcoming note. A great way to start our long weekend and a great place to come back to in the evening.
It was a Saturday evening. My wife, Mary Ellen, and I opted for dinner within a short walking distance from the hotel. A neighbor had been in the city a couple of weeks before and recommended a restaurant, Chez Monsieur. A good recommendation.
It fitted our criteria to be local, non-touristy, traditional Parisian comfort food – quintessentially French cuisine with a small but very good wine list. We went for dishes and wines that are seldom seen outside of France. I had no other way to start our dining in Paris than with an onion soup – a sweet version. It was excellent, one more notch on my world-wide study of onion soup. Then I chose a pintade, a guinea-hen, on a bed of mushrooms. Mary Ellen settled on a sautéed chicken. We accompanied the food with a wine that’s seldom seen on this side of the pond, a Savennières. It’s a white wine, usually dry, produced from the Chenin Blanc grape. This was definitely an exercise in Parisian comfort food and wine. Actually, the wine list was one of the attractions that drew us to Chez Monsieur. It’s broad and has interesting selections. Chez Monsieur calls it their “little weakness.”
So, now we come to Sunday. On Sundays, Paris shifts into a much lower gear. Traffic is less; much less. It’s a great day to take a long stroll and soak in some of the city. So, that’s what we did. It was a stroll with a defined target, Sunday lunch. We walked a couple of blocks to Place de la Madelaine, on down to Place de la Concorde, through the Jardin des Tuileries to the Louvre, across the river to Île
de la Cité and, soon to be re-opened, Notre Dame. Then across a bridge to one of our favorite haunts, Île Saint-Louis.
Normally there are hordes of tourists at the cathedral. Thankfully, tourists mostly overlook the quaint Île Saint-Louis. This small island is like an oasis from the rush of the city on most days. On Sunday, it’s almost deserted. It’s almost as if someone dropped a small French village into the center of Paris. Much of Paris has modernized over the years, but the Île Saint-Louis seems to be frozen in the 17th century. It is remarkably the same as it was centuries ago. It features everything you would want in a neighborhood: markets, bakeries, fromageries and, most important for us, small restaurants.
Our stroll had worked up our appetite for a long Sunday lunch. We followed our instincts. We stopped in at a long-time favorite of ours, the Auberge de la Reine Blanche. This was Paris at its best. We were the only Anglos in the place, surrounded by Parisian families out for their own Sunday lunches. A warm and cozy experience that demanded, once again, French comfort food. In our case it was a Coq au Vin.
A delightful long, languid lunch. Coq in French means “rooster” –tough birds that benefit from slow braising. Today, Coq au Vin may be made with any poultry, most commonly chicken. Recipes call for red wine for braising, bacon, button mushrooms, onions and garlic. Definitely comfort food: criteria well and truly met.
After the long lunch, we took a short Métro ride back to our hotel and that bottle of Champagne. A great way to spend the beginning of a long weekend in Paris. I comfortably recommend it. You should try it, sometime.
photographs by Trevor Burton
Simple, comfort food at La Reine Blanche.
Welcome To Fall
by Kathy Dicken
photography by Kathy Dicken
Chunky Apple Cinnamon Muffins
You will love these apple cinnamon muffins that have fresh apple chunks baked into them and a cinnamon sugar topping, keeping them perfectly moist and packed with apple flavor. Another reason to love these muffins is their gorgeous bakery-style domed tops. Here are a few techniques to help “lift” these and all your muffins into large, domed tops.
• Let it rest: let batter rest for 15 minutes before scooping into the muffin tin.
• Fill every other cup: cook 6 muffins at a time in a 12-cup muffin tin, to allow each muffin room to expand its lovely domed top.
• Start at a high temperature: bake muffins at 425 degrees for 7 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 degrees for the remainder of the baking time.
• Fill it up: use muffin liners, and fully fill each muffin well, and mound more on top. Trust me, it works.
That’s it – so grab some sweet and juicy apples, and welcome fall with these beautiful Chunky Apple Cinnamon Muffins!
Servings: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 23 minutes
Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of The Tasty Bits food blog. For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits.
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 large egg
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup diced apples, cut into half-inch chunks
Cinnamon Sugar Topping
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Peel and dice an apple into halfinch chunks. You want 1 cup of diced apples. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Stir with a spoon to combine and set aside.
In a larger mixing bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients and the apple chunks, mixing just until combined. Cover the bowl with a towel and allow the batter to rest for 15 minutes.
For bakery style muffin tops, line a 12-count muffin pan with 6 muffin liners, only filling every other muffin well with batter. Fully fill each muffin liner, and mound more on top. This is how you get the domed top! Bake muffins for 7 minutes at 425ºF initially. Then, while muffins remain in the oven, turn the temperature down to 350ºF and bake for an additional 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove muffins from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing. Once the muffins are cool, mix up the cinnamon sugar topping. Melt butter in the microwave and use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter on top of the muffins, then roll the top of each muffin in a bowl of cinnamon sugar. Enjoy!
Years in the Making
LKN Cheesecakery brings decadent delights to Denver
by Tony Ricciardelli | photographs courtesy LKN Cheesecakery
Cheesecake. Smooth, sweet, velvety, rich, worthy of experiencing the myriad available choices. Contrary to customary practice, delving into the world of cheesecake need not be limited to special occasions or infrequent visits to one’s favorite restaurant. The good news for Lake Norman cheesecakers is that the urge for the decadent treat can be satisfied locally at any time. And why not? Especially when in our midst there’s a consummate cheesecake provider — a cheesecake alchemist of sorts — working her cheesecake magic.
Kim Greene, owner of LKN Cheesecakery in Denver and originally from Binghamton, New York, has no formal culinary training. Green says the love of baking runs in her family. She started out baking cookies and treats for her family, friends and on special occasions. After marrying her husband Trey, a Denver native, Greene began
baking cakes from her home kitchen, learning and improving her baking and decorating skills by referring to online videos.
“I made my first cheesecake six years ago, and it wasn’t pretty,” says Greene. With a $100 budget, Greene began baking small, customized cakes before she ventured into creating personalized cheesecakes. Her first shop was in downtown Conover, where she says she was “winging it,” spending countless hours and unwavering effort to bring the business up to speed, offering cheesecakes, custom cakes and cookies. “It was nerve wracking,” says Greene. “I once spent three days on the premises without ever going home.”
The Conover store relocated to Denver this past July, serving only cheesecake. The menu has grown to more than 200 recipes including
The menu has grown to more than 200 recipes including tailored recipes for customers wanting to venture beyond traditional choices.
tailored recipes for customers wanting to venture beyond traditional choices. Requests such as cucumber-lime cheesecake, jalapeno cheesecake, cotton candy cheesecake and sweet potato pie cheesecake are a few of the more interesting custom creations. Daily items may include Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Crème Brulé Cheesecake, Turtle Cheesecake Jars and Cheesecake-filled Canoli.
Greene says her Denver business is doing well and has more than 12,000 online followers. In addition to the Denver location, LKN Cheesecakery has a Lincolnton storefront with a nearby 3,000-square-foot kitchen and two food trucks. The company has 35 employees. While the Lincolnton kitchen supplies cheesecakes to the storefront and Greene’s food trucks, the cheesecakes made at the Denver location are all hand-made.
“You won’t see standing floor mixers at the Denver location,” says Greene. “All of these cheesecakes are individually created by hand, which sets us apart from the others.” The cheesecakes featured at LKN Cheesecakery are eye-catching and enticing.
“I was never artistic,” says Greene. “I learned how to decorate on my own.” Despite Green’s self-taught methods, her artistic flair is impres-
sive and detailed, rivaling that of formally trained bakers and pastry chefs. The company produces about 13,000 cheesecakes per year, not including bites, cupcake cheesecakes and sheet pans.
LKN Cheesecakery takes its cheesecakes beyond Denver in its two food trucks, traveling to food and culture festivals from Charlotte to Augusta, Georgia. Other venues include participating in the Prohibition Hotrod & Moonshine Festival in Wilkes County, where Green introduced her Bailey’s Cheesecake and Bourbon Pecan Pie Cheesecake. Conversely, Greene says people have traveled from beyond Winston-Salem, from South Carolina and Alabama to the Denver store to quell their cheesecake cravings.
While the staff at LKN Cheesecakery takes pride in their product, they also take pride in giving back to the community, working with local organizations such as Denver’s Cigars, Bourbon & Benefactors, donating desserts to raise funds for battered children. Other endeavors include supporting the March of Dimes Chef Auction and donating dollars and product to local school fundraisers.
LKN Cheesecakery offers a delight for the eyes and the tastebuds, and with their food trucks, they bring those delights to festivals around the Southeast.
‘The Place to Be’
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Since opening its original location in a Charlotte neighborhood in 2004 and growing to add two more spots in the city, the owners of Foxcroft Wine Co. have extended their reach into the Lake Norman area with its latest location at Birkdale Village in Huntersville. It’s an exciting expansion for the bottle shop brand, says Marketing Manager MK Reid.
“This is just the place to be,” she says about their newest spot and what drew their attention to north of the city. Foxcroft Wine Co. recently opened in the space once occupied by Brixx Wood Fired Pizza and has enjoyed an enthusiastic response from wine lovers – and wine learners – ever since. “It’s always packed,” she says.
So, what’s drawing everyone in? Reid says it’s a mix of the sheer amount of wine available by the glass (about 40 options on any given day) and the “very wine-forward restaurant,” as she describes it. All the dishes were designed by their chefs with wine in mind.
“Everything is made from scratch in-house, and we source from local whenever we can,” says Reid. Describing it as “elevated comfort food,” she says Foxcroft Wine Co.’s highly wine-savvy staff can recommend the best wines to accompany the restaurant’s creative dishes.
“It can be overwhelming when you walk in and see all this wine,” she says, “but our staff is really well trained, they know the wine list well and will be able to recommend a pairing.” To the uninitiated, that can seem like a tall order, but servers are very much at home helping you find something to go with one of their house-made pastas, flat breads or meat or seafood main dishes.
And for patrons who want to venture a bit afield of just a glass with a meal, Foxcroft Wine Co. offers monthly wine dinner events where
the decisions are made for you — and you just might learn something in the process. Reid says the chef will create a full menu based on a particular theme or wine region, which includes four courses as well as dessert. There are two wines available for each course, and a wine expert is brought in to speak about the particular wines being sampled.
“The energy is really fun,” she says. “People are there to learn but they’re also there to drink and have a good time.”
Take it up another notch by attending one of Foxcroft Wine Co.’s master classes. Held in the bottle shop’s private room which can hold about 30 people, Reid says it’s a bit of a more in-depth instruction and tasting, and not as food-heavy as the wine dinners.
“It’s more about diving into the wine,” she says, “and what are these regions we’re tasting from.”
For a lighter take on wine options, you could also try one of their cleverly named flights that include three 2-oz. tastes. From “Bring on the Bubbles” to “Blended Beauties,” there is something for everyone across more than a dozen flights. And if you don’t see exactly what you want, or maybe you just want to reach outside of your comfort zone, Reid says you can always rely on their staff to find something for you.
“Talk to the staff,” she says. “They will meet you where you’re at ... they can get you there.”
Lori Helms photography courtesy Foxcroft Wine Co.
Foxcroft Wine Co. settles in at the lake
With at least 40 wines available by the glass and a “wine-forward” menu, Foxcroft Wine Co. at Birkdale Village has become an instant hit.
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LAKENORMAN’SBEST
The Kilted Buffalo
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With fall in the air and the college and professional football seasons in full swing, what better time to remind folks about what many of our readers have absolutely confirmed? For the ideal spot to catch a Carolina Panthers win (hey, a girl can dream) or watch your favorite ACC or SEC match-up, our Lake Norman’s Best Readers Choice Award winner The Kilted Buffalo is hands-down the perfect place.
And lucky for you, there are two locations around the lake to choose from – Birkdale Village in Huntersville and Mooresville’s LangTree Lake Norman shopping area. Owner Shawn Shrader first brought his sports-centric bar and men’s contemporary barber shop concept (yes, you read that correctly) to the area in 2010, and it’s been scoring big-time ever since – opening his second Lake Norman location at LangTree in 2014 and venturing into a third place in Charlotte’s Plaza-Midwood neighborhood in late 2021.
“Being a great sports bar is not only offering somebody a place to watch sports,” says Shrader. “We also have a full ‘adult’ game room,” complete with shuffleboard, indoor cornhole, ping pong, billiards and darts. “And it’s where guys can come in to get a haircut and have a beer while they’re waiting,” he says. “It’s a good quality hair cut at a fair price, where you can have a beer, socialize and talk sports.”
It’s clearly a concept that’s working. Shrader says he offers the full complement of NFL and college game day viewing packages on several screens, including some games that are only available on streaming services. The variety of games available to watch pairs well
READERS CHOICE AWARDS
with his beer selection, featuring several Lake Norman-area breweries with which he partners throughout the year for different events.
“We’ve become good friends with most of the local breweries, as we’re all small business owners,” he says. “We support them in their endeavors, as well as them supporting us.”
While The Kilted Buffalo does not offer a food menu, Shrader says patrons at both Lake Norman locations watching a Sunday 1 p.m. game are served free food at half-time. Calling it a “good will” offering, he’ll have Jet’s Pizza delivered at his Birkdale location, or at LangTree, it’s either Jet’s Pizza or something from B’s Grill – a popular lake-area food truck. The truck can also be found there during Thursday night games for individual purchases.
But beyond the obvious – a seemingly endless selection of games to watch, a bar with lots of craft beer and full bar options, and free halftime food – Shrader says it’s his employees who truly set The Kilted Buffalo apart from other nearby sports bars.
“I’ve got a great long-term staff – I’ve had that at all of my locations,” he says. “I assure you, I wouldn’t be where I am today without great local talent.”
Lori Helms photography courtesy The Kilted Buffalo
The Kilted Buffalo sports bar is a favorite watering hole and “adult game room” for Lake Norman-area football fans.
