We’re Just Crazy About

NormieRevisited Does a mysterious creature dwell in the lake? by Renee Roberson

It’s been a while since we’ve mentioned “Normie” here in CURRENTS, but for anyone new to the area who hasn’t heard the stories, there have long been sightings of mysterious creatures in different areas of Lake Norman. Author Chuck McShane discussed the origin of these stories in his book “A History of Lake Norman: Fish Camps to Ferraris”, and resident Matt Myers became intrigued enough to create a website, LakeNormanMonster. com, designed for people to share their own stories.

“I’ve heard fish stories since I moved here in 2001,” says Myers. “A friend and coworker of mine bought a boat not too long after we moved. After spending some time on the boat fishing and boating, my interest peaked in these fish tales . . . I spent the time putting together a small site for people to submit their own monster fish stories. It was just for fun to start with. However, it’s taken on a life of its own and grown over the years.”

So just who is Normie? Rumors have abounded for years among locals that there are “catfish the size of Volkswagens” near the dam at Cowans Ford, while others have seen a creature resembling an alligator swimming through the lake. Other speculate there could be large exotic fish jumping through the water as the source of some of these sightings. Fisherman have reported a large creature eating their fish before they could reel the catch in.

The work Myers did gathering and cataloguing these sightings led to the website catching the eye of experts and television producers.

“Shortly after the site started gaining popularity, I was contacted by a Swedish gentleman by the name of Jan-Ove Sundberg,” says Myers. “Jan was the Expedition Leader of GUST – the Global Underwater Search Team. He’ s been featured twice on The Learning Channel – most popularly in “Loch Ness: The Search for the Truth.” Jan took quite an interest in Lake Norman. He was even kind enough to write an exclusive introduction for the website back when it was in its infancy. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago, but his experience in the field of cryptozoology and his advice was an inspiration to keep the site going.”

In 2014, the TV show “America’s Monsters” featured the Lake Norman Monster in an episode titled “Champ & Normie” segment that also included Lake Champlain. Myers and many other Lake Norman community members and leaders were featured in the segment, which is now available for viewing on Amazon Prime.

“I worked on a documentary film crew for a couple of years about 15 years ago, so I was accustomed to the setup and lights and cameras, but it was an entirely different experience being in front of the camera,” says Myers. “The crew was great. I had a lot of input into the content and info (except they called Charlotte the capital of N.C… I’ll give them a pass. It was a Canadian crew).”

The research into the folklore of Normie has also spanned two books, Lake Norman Monster: A Decade of Sightings, written by Myers and a children’s picture book, Normie the Lake Norman Monster, written by his wife Amy.

Visit LakeNormanMonster.com to read more about the sightings around the lake, and keep your own eyes open next time you’re out on the water!

Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue has rescued more than 4,500 boxers since 2003.

Pups with

Personality

by Grace Kennedy | photos courtesy of Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue

Blue ridge BOxer reScue findS fOrever HOMeS fOr tHOuSandS Of dOgS

Becky Cooke fell in love with her first boxer dog 25 years ago. When her beloved Natasha passed away and Cooke began looking for another boxer, she couldn’t believe how many boxers were homeless in the area around Hickory, where she lives. Determined to save as many boxers as she could, Cooke co-founded Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue in 2003 with her friend and Lake Norman area resident Jennifer Teague.

“We were the only volunteers in the beginning and our first two rescued boxers were appropriately named Uno and Deuce,” says Cooke. “It was amazing how receptive other boxer fanciers were in our area with their willingness to join our mission, and we grew to over 20 volunteers in a matter of a few months. We currently have over 70 active volunteers in our organization.”

Based in Hickory, Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue (BRBR) finds, fosters, and coordinates adoptions for boxers throughout North and South Carolina and parts of Virginia. All of their rescue dogs live in homes with foster families, who learn about their personalities and temperaments, get them crate and house trained, and help match them with the right adoptive families.

The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization provides initial medical care and ensures that all the boxers are vaccinated, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and treated for any injury or illness. Whether surrendered by their owners or rescued from a high-kill shelter, these boxers are looking for families who will appreciate the loyalty, energy, and intelligence the breed is known for.

“Boxers are the ‘clowns’ of the dog world,” says Cooke. “They are comical, devoted, and can come with a stubborn streak. They are perpetual puppies, even into old age!”

Having rescued more than 4,500 boxers since 2003, BRBR has plenty of success stories that keep them motivated to save more lives. Rocco was one of 11 dogs seized from a hoarding situation in South Carolina. He had never had any human contact and was so scared he would not come out of his crate by himself and would cower in the bushes when taken outside.

It took him several weeks to begin trusting his foster family, but he slowly learned to play with toys, and eventually with other dogs. He started showing excitement when he saw his foster family and learned to love playing in the backyard.

Thanks to BRBR, Rocco transformed from a dog who was ready to bolt at any moment and constantly afraid with his ears pinned back, into a loving, perky-eared happy boy who is living his best life with his forever family who loves him dearly.

You can be the next success story for Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue by adopting, fostering, or donating, all of which you can do by visiting blueridgeboxerrescue.com. Keep your eye out for adoption fairs and events in the Lake Norman area, too!

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