Mike Super Magic & Illusion Saturday, October 5 | 7:30pm
Blues Saturday, November 23 | 7:30pm
Messina Folk Rock Friday, October 25 | 7:30pm
Tillis
Country Christmas Thursday, December 19 | 7pm
Jim
Deana Carter Country
Larry McCray
Pam
Acoustic Trio
Happy birthday, dear readers!
At a time when we can quite easily define what might divide us (hint: it’s an election year) and when we might struggle to find some common ground among us, there is one thing we can all celebrate. We are fortunate to be citizens of this great American experiment we call a constitutional republic – it’s made yet another trip around the sun as of Independence Day and we should consider ourselves fortunate to have gone along for the ride. Our country is far from perfect, but it affords us the freedoms that billions of people around the globe could only hope to enjoy.
We don’t want to be ingrates, so we’re celebrating some of our freedoms in this month’s edition, and we didn’t have to look very hard to find ways to do just that. We’re a prosperous nation of entrepreneurs and hard workers, and we found a place that caters to the distinctly different needs of those types in a coworking setting. Not everyone can afford a stand-alone office or function effectively hunkered over their laptop in a noisy coffee shop. Six Work in Cornelius (this month’s feature on Page 24) may be just the answer for those needing an occasional desk, meeting room or group setting to work on their freedom to thrive.
As Americans, it’s true we have the tendency to work hard, but we can play hard, too. In our “Game On” story (Page 28), we check in with the boys of the summer collegiate wood bat league. The Mooresville Spinners are looking for yet another championship baseball season, and we invite you to celebrate their freedom to play (and our freedom to watch them do that with $1 beers) at Moor Park through July. The freedom to have fun doesn’t end there. In our “Weekend Getaway” piece (Page 44), we celebrate your freedom to roam beyond Lake Norman, to find the “glamping” experience that fits your vacationing personality.
When your time working, playing or traveling out of town is over, it’s time to celebrate your freedom to relax. After all, the summer won’t last forever, but a local designer has found a way to help her clients hang on to that laid back, beachy vibe in their Cornelius waterfront townhome. In this month’s “Dwellings” feature (Page 33), you’ll find a boatload of interior design ideas to bring the aesthetic of the lake or the ocean inside to enjoy year-round.
So, let’s celebrate our good fortune and freedoms as Americans. Here’s wishing you a happy 248th birthday, my friends! Y’all don’t look a day over 247!
Movers, Shakers, Style, Shopping, Trends, Happenings and More at Lake Norman
Get your feast on at locally participating dining spots during
“Queens Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week” this month.
Folks Making
Waves
Lake Norman is loaded with local talent
Hear ‘Roary’ roar!
Lake Norman-area school mascots Ella Eason and Trey Nichols emerged as the star performers at the second annual School Mascot Dance-Off, held recently during the Mooresville Day Festival.
Mascots from Langtree Charter Academy, Lake Norman High School, Mooresville High School and Pine Lake Preparatory School participated in the contest, but it was reigning champion Eason of Pine Lake Prep who grabbed the top spot again, followed closely on her heels by Mooresville High’s Nichols, who took a well-deserved second place.
“The competition upped their game, but Roary returned with some fierce moves to claim the Best Mascot title for a second consecutive year,” said Kristen Sutek, Community Relations Manager at Pine Lake Prep. “The lion is ‘the king of the jungle,’ and ours is also Queen of the Sprinkler, the Floss, and the Running Man.”
compiled by Lori Helms
New leadership at Pomodoro’s
After 16 years as part of the Pomodoro’s team, starting as a line cook and becoming co-owner, Michael “Natty” Berridge has assumed full ownership of the restaurant at 168-A Norman Station Boulevard in Mooresville. Berridge brought in Erin Beale as general manager in April. Beale previously worked at Pomodoro’s for eight years, as server and assistant manager, before departing in 2021 to pursue other opportunities. She returns to the Italian American café as its general manager and eager to partner with Berridge toward the restaurant’s future.
“I believe in this place,” Beale says. “I know what this place can be.” Berridge and Beale have worked together at Pomodoro’s and other local restaurants, creating a strong professional relationship as well as a trusting friendship. The duo believe that dynamic will help bring Pomodoro’s into 2025 and beyond amid the region’s growing restaurant industry.
New owner Michael Berridge (left) and General Manager Erin Beale are now at the helm at Pomodoro’s in Mooresville.
Trey Nichols, and right, Pine Lake Prep mascot Ella Eason, celebrate their wins with Mooresville Town Commissioner Gary West in the re cent School Mascot Dance-Off.
“This is a hard business. It’s not for the faint of heart,” said Beale. “This place is important to Natty and I want him to succeed. I’m
Award-winning local author
Congratulations to Davidson author Lisa Williams Kline, whose 2023 novel Ladies’ Day, about mother-daughter relationships, women’s friendships and golf, tied for first place in the regional fiction category in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. In addition, her novel Between the Sky and the Sea, about survivors of the 1838 wreck of the Pulaski, was also named a finalist in the romance category.
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is the largest international book awards program for independent publishers and self-published authors and are judged by leaders of the indie book publishing in-
dustry, including many with long careers at major publishing houses. Independent book publishing companies are independent of the major conglomerates dominating the book publishing industry. Indies include small presses, larger independent publishers, university presses, e-book publishers and self-published authors. Kline’s books were published by small presses — Ladies’ Day by CamCat Books and Between the Sky and the Sea by Dragonblade Publishing.
Brush with celebrity
On July 27, celebrity housewives Sonya Morgan (Real Housewives of New York City) and Dolores Catania (Real Housewives of New Jersey) will appear at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center in downtown Mooresville.
In what’s being billed as a great idea for a girls’ night out, the women will share with the audience all the drama, gossip and real stories that make this popular franchise one of the most watched and most loved television marvels. Guests will enjoy deep dives into their personal lives, businesses and how fame has changed their lives forever. Each evening will end with an interactive question and answer session. The show begins at 6 p.m., at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center (161 S. Magnolia Street).
Tickets are available at www.ourtownstage.com or by calling the box office at 704.799.4220.
Davidson author Lisa Williams Kline
Charlotte Restaurant Week returns this month
A Prix Fixe Feast
Get ready for another round of Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week, when it runs July 19-28. This gastronomical celebration debuted in 2008 and has been delighting local diners ever since with the chance to try out new places and tastes through three-course, prix fixe menus. Depending on the restaurant, prices could range from $30 to $50 per person.
compiled by Lori Helms
The event’s organizers say it’s a great way to try out new dining concepts while helping boost the bottom line of our local businesses and supporting them in what is a very competitive market and industry. Here are the Lake Norman-area participants as of press time:
Hunter House & Gardens | Circa 1913 13811 S. Old Statesville Road, Huntersville 704.891.1913 | www.hhgevents.com
Kabuto Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar at Lake Norman 16516 Northcross Drive, Huntersville 704.655.0077 | www.kabutolakenorman.com
Latitudes Island Bar and Grill 2495 South N.C. Highway 16, Denver 704.966.1434 | www.latitudesnc.com
Peninsula Prime 19918 North Cove Road, Cornelius 704.655.2727 | www.peninsulaprimelkn.com
Red Rocks Café Birkdale Village 8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville 704.892.9999 | www.redrockscafe.com
The Waterman Fish Bar LKN 9615 Bailey Road, Cornelius 704.237.3247 | www. watermanclt.com
These are just the local restaurants participating in this month’s event. Organizers say the 10-day feast – occurring each January and July – includes more than 100 restaurants across Cabarrus, Catawba, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Stanly, Union and York (S.C.) counties. Queen’s Feast specials are available during dinner only unless otherwise noted on an individual restaurant’s menu page, and reservations are strongly recommended. Learn more about Queen’s Feast, including the most current list of participating restaurants, at charlotterestaurantweek.iheart.com
A Change of Place
Long-time Cornelius mainstay makes move westward
by Lori Helms | photography courtesy White House Gardens
“Denver’s not the sleepy little town it was,” says Chris Smiley, and he should know. As a long-time Lake Norman denizen and owner of the popular White House Gardens outdoor décor business he established about 30 years ago, he’s seen a great deal of change to our region across the decades.
But now, instead of watching change happen from his former perch on West Catawba Avenue in Cornelius, it suddenly became front and center in his professional life. White House Gardens has pulled up stakes, hauled itself across the lake and settled in its new home in partnership with The Red Barn Marketplace indoor décor outlet in Denver.
“The property that I had was leased for a number of years,” he says about his former location, “and I knew it was coming up for development.” For better or worse, West Catawba Avenue has been in a years-long process of widening and development, so it was no surprise to him that eventually change was coming for his business as well. No one looks forward to the challenges of moving, but Smiley says had he known how beneficial the move would actually be, he would have done it a few years ago.
“I’m rejuvenated, my staff has been rejuvenated,” he says, adding that the Denver community has been more than welcoming. His partnership with The Red Barn Marketplace is thanks to his long-time connection with the owners, Jake and Laura Seagel. And with plans for their location on N.C. Highway 16 to expand its literal footprint
with more display space and parking, Smiley says he is planning expansion for White House Gardens’ product line as well.
The company is already the largest provider of outdoor garden fountains within about a 400-mile radius, but Smiley says he plans to offer even more fountains, pottery and statuary items to his clients. With the Charlotte market making up a decent part of his traditionally very loyal customer base, he says the move to Denver has made it even easier for shoppers outside of the Lake Norman area to access him. He thinks it’s the comfortable, laid-back vibe he’s created – a non-commissioned sales staff not pressing for immediate commitments – that keeps folks coming back, even after they’ve moved out of the area.
“So many people don’t give the consumer enough credit,” says Smiley. “They try to sell them something ... we try to let the consumer buy something.” And he applies that same customer-first philosophy to why he’s managed to be so successful across three decades that included a significant recession and a worldwide pandemic.
“It’s so simple, it’s not a complicated recipe,” he says. “Just have the product and have the service. You have to take care of the service.”
Freedom to Thrive
Find a better way to work at Six Work
A pair of longtime Cornelius residents — who also happen to be twin brothers — launched Six Work earlier this year to fill the coworking office space gap they were personally experiencing in the lake region.
“The brothers felt Lake Norman was lacking coworking options and just wanted a really cool and comfortable place to work and build community among local entrepreneurs and professionals,” says Jeanette Crump, Six Work’s Director of Operations. “Like many others, they were tired of working from home or noisy coffee shops.” And the cool starts with the name – why Six Work?
“In math terms, six is the first ‘perfect number’ and it also symbolizes a lot of positivity, such as completion, harmony, happiness, symmetry and balance,” she says. “Of course, we also like the concept of six degrees of separation, as it relates to networking.”
For the uninitiated, coworking is when employees from several different businesses share an office space. It’s considered a smart solution, as it offers convenience and cost savings for anyone who doesn’t want to work at home but also doesn’t have a budget for their own office lease.
by Bek Mitchell-Kidd photography by Jon Beyerle
Cool and comfortable work spaces for local entrepreneurs and business professionals are the mainstay at Six Work in Cornelius.
Six Work has set up shop in Cornelius’ Kenton Place, anchoring the space to everything from daycare and dry cleaning to a pub and a gym, not to mention free parking. There are a mix of membership options including “Dedicated Desk,” “Flex” and even a “Day Pass.” Private offices are limited but tend to be the most desirable. The dedicated desks are very popular given their high privacy walls, but they are not completely closed off so they can accommodate collaboration and networking opportunities.
“Virtual membership” is a popular option, too – Six Work has many members who take advantage of this membership primarily for the mail service. If you work from home and do not want to have your home address listed, Six Work offers a professional address for your business correspondence.
There are also large meeting rooms which are available to non-members, which companies rent out as a conference room for a few hours or a full day to conduct team meetings and training. There’s a receptionist on staff weekdays, and just like with most hotels, members use an application on their phone to access the space.
“There is a ‘wow’ factor when anyone walks into our office,” Crump says. “We have vibrant colors, eye-catching art, an open floor plan and large windows everywhere, providing an endless supply of natural light and really cool seating areas to choose from.”
Several of the Six Work members are entrepreneurs and lead their own company.
“They previously worked at home, but wanted a more professional place to work,” she says. “One member said he is so much more productive now that he works here. Another member was working in an office with no windows, and he said his overall happiness was immediately increased, now that he sits next to a large window.” She adds that networking is another perk of coworking.
“Sometimes, networking is the thing you didn’t know you needed the most,” Crump says. “We already have members in marketing, PR, social media and bookkeeping – imagine how many entrepreneurs would love to run a few quick questions by one of them. Entrepreneurship can be so overwhelming. Having access to others can help you level up, stay motivated or provide advice while grabbing some coffee.” And what’s better than not having to be the one to start the pot of coffee?
“We’re amenity-rich,” she says. “We have an unlimited free coffee bar (which includes lattes, cappuccinos and iced coffees) and we also offer energy drinks, snacks, water – all free for members. ... We aren’t ‘corporate’ or stuffy. Our goal is to be professional yet comfortable. We are your neighborhood coworking office, there is no strict dress code. Members should feel comfortable here, like they’re at a friend’s house.”
Join Six Work online or drop by to take a tour. A “Summer Freedom Pass” is available at a discounted rate. Six Work is at 17039 Kenton Drive, Suite 200 in Cornelius. Contact them at info@sixwork.com or call 704.703.2069.
The variety of Six Work workspaces range from individual cubicles to private offices.
Play Ball!
The heat is on for local collegiate wood bat league
There aren’t many sights and sounds that scream “Summer’s here!” more than a lit-up ballfield and the solid crack of a wooden bat hitting a fastball destined for the fences. If it’s July, it’s time to catch the Mooresville Spinners in action at Moor Park in the heart of the downtown area.
The Spinners are a summer college baseball team in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League. They’ve been playing their intense, twomonth long summer league schedule at Moor Park since 2014, and General Manager Phillip Loftin says this year, the heat is on to best their ‘three-peat’ championship record.
“There’s a lot of pressure this year,” Loftin says, “because nobody has every ‘four-peated’ before.” Luckily for Loftin, he is free to recruit players from anywhere in the country to build that championship team. He says while he does prefer to stock his team with several local college players, he’s had some from every corner of the country.
“We’re trying to win every year,” he says with a sly grin, “so I don’t care where they’re from.”
They are deep into their season that started May 30 and winds up at the end of July, playing about five to six games every week. As of press time, they were just one game back from their rivals, the Statesville Owls, but there is still a lot of baseball to play. And they get to play it against some rather colorfully named teams. There’s the Carolina Disco Turkeys out of the Winston-Salem area, the Uwharrie Wampus Cats in Albemarle and the tamer titled team just next door in Huntersville, the Lake Norman Copperheads.
Loftin says since the team was established in 2014, he’s had about nine players who were either drafted or signed a pro contract with
by Lori Helms photography by Jon Beyerle
Moor Park is home for the Mooresville Spinners of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League. They’re in the running for another championship summer season.
Major League Baseball, include three college players last year who signed as free agents: Jeremiah Boyd joined the Arizona Diamondbacks, Hale Sims went to the New York Mets and Mario Zabala went to the “other” coast to play for the Los Angeles Angels.
Whether their time with the Spinners was just one season or they were able to play throughout their college career, no doubt the players will remember their hard-core fan club, the Lintheads. They can be seen at Moor Park sporting their Spinners-green T-shirts and partaking of dollar beers on Thursday nights. Whether part of the fan club or not, spectators can enjoy an affordable, family-friendly atmosphere, with general admission tickets going for only $6.00. Tickets go on sale at the gate one hour prior to the game. You can also pick up a season ticket for just $120 – which is a steal if you plan to attend the more than 40 games on the calendar.
Check out the Spinners schedule or learn more about the league at www.mooresvillespinners.com, or follow them on their several social media platforms.
Could AJ Camp. a freshman out of Wake Forest, be the next Mooresville Spinner to make it to the “Big Show?”
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
Freda Sobon Mooresville
John Caldwell, VP Mooresville
Paul Renegar Statesville
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
Dwellings
How We Live at the Lake
Photography by Lisa Crates
A pub height dining table gives guests a view of the marina and lake from this Cornelius townhome.
From this townhome’s banquette and textured wallpaper ceiling (above) to its light and airy living and sleeping spaces, the colors and vibe of life on the water surround you.
Easy &
Breezy
Just like a summer’s day on the water
by Lori Helms | photography by Lisa Crates
It’s summer on Lake Norman, and while it’s understanding to wish summer could last more than a few months, we all know what happens when the calendar flips to fall and the leaves start to change. So what better way to keep that easy and breezy summer vibe to your day through the chillier months than by bringing the season’s colors and sensations indoors?
That’s what Lori Savio’s clients decided to do with their second home on the waterfront in Cornelius. For the summer, they actually retreat north, but Savio says when they come back around the beginning of September each year to escape the eventual New York winters, summer just keeps going when your interior reflects a nice, soft lake feel to it.
Savio, of Home, Heart & Soul design center in Cornelius, says she has worked with these clients over the last few years to transform their townhome
into a tranquil lakefront retreat. Lake Norman may have emptied of its summertime hustle and bustle by the time her clients return to Cornelius each fall, but when you bring the look and feel of summer indoors, it’s always 75 and sunny.
“They wanted a lake feel, but they also love Kiawah Island,” Savio says of her clients’ preferences. “So they love that whole coastal and lakefront appeal. They said they just wanted it to be very comfortable and they wanted it to function for them and their family.” And Savio says it begins – and ends – with the blue hues and comforts of a livable, waterfront home. She incorporated lots of high-performance fabrics and rugs that will withstand lots of visitors, as the homeowners love to entertain.
“It’s a perfect retreat that they come to,” Savior says, “to spend the winters away from New York.”
Got Toys? Make Sure Your Motorized Toys
you are working on growing your toy collection with a personal watercraft, motorcycle, golf cart, ATV, or RV, it is important these pricey toys have coverage in case of an accident. Have fun and stay protected!
While some Homeowners and Auto policies may extend a certain type and level of additional coverage, most do not provide automatic coverage for all motorized toys. Standalone policies may be necessary to ensure comprehensive protection.
How Much Does It Cost to Insure Motorized Toys? What you pay for motorized toy insurance can vary greatly, depending on factors like:
• The type of vehicle you would like to insure
• Engine size
• How often it is used
• The locations where it is used
• Loss history or the likelihood of a claim
• The company you insure it through
• Whether a carrier offers coverage as an endorsement to your home or auto policy or a standalone policy With these details in mind, call your agent to see what coverages you have and what additional coverage or separate policies you may need to insure your motorized toy.
The kitchen features white cabinetry, lightly veined quartz countertops, and a blue and white glass tile backsplash evoking ocean waves.
“Savio has brought the light and airy feel of the waterfront indoors ...”
It’s been a transition in phases – it began a few years ago with the living/dining space and entry, then progressed to the kitchen (complete with a textured wallpaper ceiling), then moved on to an upstairs guest bedroom. Savio is now working on a design for the primary bedroom and another guest room. Regardless of the space, Savio has brought the light and airy feel of the waterfront indoors, using lots of creamy white walls and trim work in conjunction with the blues and greens that resonate everywhere from the kitchen glass tile backsplash to artwork to lighting fixtures.
In the kitchen, Savio designed a banquette that can seat at least eight people. Add in the island barstools, and it’s her clients’ favorite area to gather.
“They love to cook,” she says, “so there is room for everyone to be in the kitchen.” In addition, she added a raised, pub-height table and chairs in the dining area to make the most of the view of the marina and lake. There’s also a cocktail table made by East Bay Woodworks in Mooresville, with a royal blue resin running through it to coordinate with a huge piece of art over the sofa. Add all this to a revamped bar area near the kitchen and a great patio for grilling and entertaining, and it’s always summer at this Lake Norman townhome.
“It’s a very livable house,” Savio says. “It’s a wonderful second home for sure.”
The home features a small wet bar with mosaic tile tucked under the stairs and an entry cubby to keep things organized.
Little Acts of Kindness
Local
nonprofit helps bring the smiles
by Allie Spencer |
Little Smiles NC, a local nonprofit organization, is hosting one of its signature fundraising and toy drive events at the end of this month.
“Christmas in July” will be held at Lost Worlds Brewing in Cornelius on Saturday, July 29, from 3 to 6 p.m., and the group’s volunteers hope the Lake Norman community will join them as they work to bring smiles to little faces.
The organization helps uplift children facing difficult times such as illness, homelessness, displacement and other trauma with little acts of kindness — a new toy, a hospital room makeover or a pizza party. They work closely with nurses, social workers, law enforcement and other community partners to give children within the local community services, items and experiences that support them. All of the donations and funds raised go to organizations serving North Carolina such as Levine Children’s Hospital, Hope House, Cool Kids Clubhouse, Ronald McDonald House and Neighborhood C.A.R.E. center.
At Christmas in July, attendees have the opportunity to bring a smile to area pediatric patients and kids in need through toy donations, fundraising, raffles and a silent auction. Tim Boone, President of Little Smiles NC, says that the toys donated at the event will be used to restock their storage unit in Cornelius that they call “Smiles R Us.”
“It’s a toy store, basically,” says Boone. “We’ll get a call from nurses or caregivers, and they can come shop, take toys for a child or a family, or hundreds of kids at one time.”
Little Smiles NC also has an online portal where liaisons from local
organizations can make a request for a child, anything from a specific toy to a birthday party. Little Smiles NC then fulfills the request with donations from the community.
“I monitor the portal and get an alert when a request comes in from the nurses,” says Boone. “I get a request for an iPad for a kid with a spinal cord injury and it knocks me out. I take a break and fill it right away. It reminds me what we are doing and why we do it.”
At last year’s Christmas in July event, Little Smiles NC raised $3,000 and collected 250 toys, and is hoping to build on that success. In 2023, the organization impacted more than 6,000 children and they are on track to reach even more in 2024 with the help of the local community, sponsors and businesses.
This will be the third year Lost World Brewing has partnered with Little Smiles NC to host this family- and pet-friendly event which will include photos with Santa, a food truck, face painting, crafts, raffles and a silent auction. Attendees can bring an unwrapped toy, or donate at the event through the Little Smiles NC Amazon wish list or Give Lively page. If you are unable to attend but would still like to get involved, check the group’s website for volunteer opportunities and ways to donate directly.
photography courtesy Little Smiles NC
Little Smiles NC board members and friends - and Santa, of course -
by Bek Mitchell-Kidd | photography courtesy Mooresville Graded School District
At five years old, the kindergarteners at South Elementary School in Mooresville have achieved a goal that many can only dream of ... they are published authors.
Brittany Tomlin, a teacher at South Elementary School for 17 years, and Karen Estevez, with the Mooresville Graded School District for three years, combined their dual-immersion language classes to create the book, “Community Helpers.”
The students wrote and illustrated the book as part of their kindergarten research project, and it features a variety of local heroes
including members of Mooresville Fire-Rescue and the Mooresville Police Department, as well as South Elementary School nurse, Ms. Lehe. During the process, the teachers discussed with their students what it means to be an author and all the steps that go into publishing a book.
“The beauty of this project is that students get to experience the process of writing a book step-by-step,” says Estevez, “from brainstorming ideas to writing several drafts and illustrating their writing. By the time they finish their final draft, they are excited and proud of their writing, especially because they are doing it in two languages.”
A glance at the cover and contents of “Community Helpers,” written and illustrated by kindergartners in the dual immersion program at Mooresville’s South Elementary School.
Initially the students focused their attention on firefighters and police officers, but Tomlin and Estevez say as the students continued their research, their ideas expanded on who is a community helper. They added nurses, doctors, construction workers, garbage collectors, postal workers and childcare providers. Estevez is proud of the students’ expanded scope, as well as their ability to write in two languages.
“Since the beginning of the school year, we constantly expose kids to literature and books,” she says. “By the time we begin this project, they enjoy reading and listening to books. But this is a major jump, because students are not reading a book that someone else wrote –this is something that they did themselves and their names are on the book as the authors.” Chelsie Mosness, a parent of a student in the dual immersion program, agrees with Estevez about what these students were able to accomplish.
“Abi reads it before bed at night. She loved it,” says Mosness. “I think she enjoyed her topic but also learning from her friends. She carries it around with her. She is super proud of herself and her friends.” Maria Figuera also has a child in the dual immersion program and says her daughter had a similar experience.
“Lucia loved the book, and she was super proud that she was able to participate in it. She keeps reading it very often,” Figuera says. “She also loves seeing her friends’ pages, their pictures and what they say. It’s a good way to remember each one of them and she can recall her favorite ones.”
Once the book was complete, Tomlin and Estevez hosted a mini publishing party and invited some of the community helpers featured in the book, which really helped put the book in perspective for the students. Estevez recommends the process to her peers – the writing kits are free to teachers and can be ordered online.
“The process is hard work, and it is not something you can do in a few days; however, the outcome is so worth it,” she says. “Not only do students learn about the topic they researched, but parents get to purchase a copy of the book and have it as a keepsake for years to come.”
Want to help? The book is published by Studentreasures, and some parents donated books for students whose parents were not able to purchase one. The books are still available if you’d like to donate a copy to one of the deserving students who didn’t receive one. Visit Tomlin’s website at https://portal.studentreasures.com/ordercopies/8339956 and the book will be shipped to the school. The teachers will make sure to give them to the students when they return in August.
Glamourous + Camping = Glamping
Or, how to spend time in nature without giving up home comforts
A blinged-out tent from Smoky Mountain Glamping in Waynesville. Photo courtesy NC Smokies.
Flowertown Charm Off-Grid Treehouse in Canton. Photo courtesy NC Smokies.
by Vanessa Infanzon
Charlotte resident Shenelle Robinson didn’t camp as a kid, but when her children had the opportunity to do so with a group, she jumped in with both feet (and a sleeping bag). After camping with her family, Robinson knew they would enjoy the experience more with amenities such as bedding, electricity and restrooms with showers.
Glamping, a play on the words “glamourous” and “camping,” started in the 20th century when elaborate tents were designed for vacationers in remote destinations. The concept became particularly popular during the recent pandemic when people sought refuge outside. Glamping has grown to include cabins, luxurious tents, yurts, restored buses and train cars, treehouses and any accommodation getting people closer to nature but still providing the comforts (and sometimes a bit of luxury) of the indoors.
In 2022, Robinson opened Metro Glamping (serving North and South Carolina as well as southern Virginia), a mobile glamping business for first-time campers, various groups and wellness enthusiasts. She and her husband wanted to make camping available to more people.
“People like me, who didn’t grow up camp-
ing but see it as something interesting, don’t know where to start,” Robinson says. “We can bring the inside to the outside.”
Next steps
A glamping vacation is unlike staying in a hotel, but that’s why people are flocking to mountaintop yurts and riverside treehouses.
“The experience is very different and it’s very unique, and that’s the whole point of why people enjoy it,” says Matt Bare, founder of The Glamping Collective in Clyde (about 20 miles west of Asheville). “Understand what you’re signing up for and align your expectations accordingly.”
Bare suggests considering the amenities offered, such as bedding, electricity, bathroom location and Wi-Fi, before choosing a glamping accommodation. Some sites offer privacy while others are closer to other glampers. The setting is important: Do you want a campground, waterfront, mountain view or wooded area? Depending on your itinerary, proximity to breweries, coffee shops, grocery stores and restaurants may play a part in deciding what works best.
“When you think about your trip, how close to activities do you want to be?” Bare says.
“Do you want to go glamping and stay there the whole time, or do you want to go into town and do different activities?”
Check out these glamping options in North Carolina:
Buffalo Creek Vacations: Retrofitted train cabooses to overnight accommodations with bathrooms, beds and kitchens in Clyde. www. buffalocreekvacationsnc.com/caboose-rentals
Concord Treehouse: a one-bedroom cabin, is elevated in the trees on a 20-acre farm estate in Concord. www.hostunusual.com/property/ concord-treehouse
Flowertown Charm Off-Grid Treehouse: a one-bedroom studio, built on 23 acres of woodlands in Canton (like Clyde, also just west of Asheville). www.flowertowncharmoffgrid.com
Getaway Asheboro: brings the tiny house concept to glamping. Hike and fish on the property and visit the North Carolina Zoo in nearby Asheboro. www.getaway.house/charlotte-raleigh
The Glamping Collective: features geo domes and glass cabins with hot tubs, king-size beds and private decks overlooking the mountains in Clyde. www.theglampingcollective.com
Hendersonville Tree House: sets the scene for a romantic getaway with a hot tub and floor-toceiling windows overlooking the woods. www. airbnb.com/rooms/574398309589736679
Metro Glamping: makes it easy to camp in your backyard or off-site by setting up a campsite with all the comforts of home in the Charlotte area. www.metroglamping.com
The Original Yurt: combines a cabin and tent experience within a round yurt, accommodating up to six guests in Mount Pleasant. www. skyridgeyurts.com/the-original-yurt
Smoky Mountain Glamping: treats guests to a queen-size mattress inside a canvas tent after a day exploring nature in Waynesville. smokymountainglampingnc.com
Treehouse Cabins: provide mountain top views from rustic accommodations fitted with an outdoor jacuzzi, deck and gas fireplace in Hot Springs. www.hotspringstreehousecabinsnc.com
Vines & Goats Glamping: luxury geo dome with a hot tub and fire pit is next door to Banner Elk Winery. www.vinesandgoats.com
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Campground: offers cabins in a family-friendly environment with activities and playgrounds onsite and access to local attractions in Asheboro. www. asheborojellystone.com
Glamping options abound, from The Glamping Collective in Clyde (far left and above) to Getaway Asheboro (right).
Limitless
For the area’s 55+ adults who place no limits on living their best lives!
The rivers and lakes of the South are liquid solace to us all.
Independence! Declare Your
Lake Norman is not the only liquid solace
by Mickey Dunaway
These days, and for as long as I can remember, any time I pass a body of water large enough to hold a few bass or bream, I am spiritually drawn to it. Driving to my cardiologist’s office in Concord on Highway 73, I pass by two beautiful ponds just sitting out front between the house and the road. Except for my Honda’s electronic safety systems that keep me between the lines, I would have already pulled into the driveway and inquired about fishing in those ponds. After all, big fish live in small bodies of water.
More likely than not, I developed my attachment to water growing up in southwest Alabama, where a rite of passage in the Dunaway family from toddler to contributing family member came with a fishing pole,
Scenery along the North Edisto River, Orangeburg, SC
The river has greaT wisdom and whispers iTs secreTs To The hearTs of men.
- Mark Twain
to overcoming the fear of baiting a bream-hook, taking the fish off the hook and flipping him into the ice chest with our lunch and snacks and drinks.
I have written about the river of my youth before. The MississippiAlabama state line is paralleled for much of its length by one of nature’s wonders — a blackwater river. The Escatawpa River, whose name was taken from the Choctaw word “Uski-a-Tapà” (a place where cane is cut), is a natural wonder.
The river is relatively narrow, but the water flows constantly, carving out deep holes on the inside bends filled with limbs and fish. The crystal white sandbars on the outside bends occur where the current has pushed up alluvial sand from the time the river was merely a current in the Gulf of Mexico.
Blackwater rivers are found primarily in the Amazon and the Southern United States, where rivers tend to flow through forests, picking up tannin from the leaves of oak trees. This tannin stains
the water a dark brownish red in the deep holes but is clear where it washes up on white sand bars.
“So,” you ask, “are there blackwater rivers in North and South Carolina?”
Absolutely. And many are found with state park facilities, including canoe rentals where a river widens just right for swimming, canoeing and fishing. But don’t just take my word for it, see for yourself. There are online videos to show you the wonders of South Carolina’s Edisto, one of the longest blackwater rivers in the country, and the Lumber River State Park, home to one of North Carolina’s premier blackwater rivers.
Instead of fighting boats, wakes, skiers and traffic, opt for canoes, paddles and peacefulness. This Fourth of July, declare your personal independence and discover the natural wonder of a blackwater river within easy driving distance at a North Carolina or South Carolina locale near you.
Do You Need a New Will if Lake Norman is Your ‘Funkytown?’
“Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc., topped the Billboard Hot 100 the summer I turned, well, old enough to enjoy disco music. It blared over and over again all day long from the speakers of the community center at our campground on Gaston Lake where my family often vacationed. It is one of my songs of summer. Verse 1 goes like this …
“Gotta make a move to a town that’s right for me; Town to keep me movin’, keep me groovin’ with some energy.”
If you have moved to one of the many wonderful communities around Lake Norman and are wondering if it’s time to get a new set of estate planning documents, the answer is, it depends. Do your out-of-state documents meet the state’s basic requirements? If yes, then your estate planning documents may be valid in North Carolina under the U.S. Constitution’s “Full Faith and Credit Clause” (Article IV, Section 1). However, since the out-ofstate documents are based on the state law where and when they were drafted, they may not meet your needs now that you have relocated to North Carolina.
Estate planning documents are, in large part, designed to ease the stress and uncertainty during life’s toughest circumstances. Having documents that comply with North Carolina law will help avoid delay or confusion with the North Carolina courts as well as financial institutions or hospitals. For this reason alone, it is always
a good idea to have your estate planning documents reviewed and updated by an experienced, local estate planning attorney. Often, reviewing documents that are more than five years old uncovers the need for changes in beneficiary circumstances, or even change in your own personal wishes or goals. The estate plan review gives you the opportunity to address these changes with new or amended documents.
Then you can keep“movin’ and groovin’,” confident in knowing that you and your family are prepared for challenges that may come your way, all while enjoying the best life has to offer at Lake Norman.
Leah B. Trowbridge is an Estate Planning and Small Business Succession Planning Attorney with The McIntosh Law Firm, P.C., in Davidson. Contact her at 704.892.1699 or www.mcintoshlawfirm.com/ attorneys/leah-b-trowbridge/.
John Powderly, MD Neel Gandhi, MD Sherene Banawan, PA-C
Dine + Wine
Eating, drinking, cooking and fun
Kanpai brings high-end sushi and Asian fusion dishes to Denver.
America’s
Grape
Zinfandel’s enigmatic journey
by
First, some context. I’m not talking about the ubiquitous White Zinfandel — posing as a rosé wine. On some wine menus, White Zinfandel is in a category called “Blush wines.” I avoid this category at all costs by a maneuver called the “Blush rush.” When I’m talking about Zinfandel, I’m talking about a grape that produces a deep, complex, red wine.
We have the Gold Rush and poor Italian immigrants who are partially responsible for this grape. Italian subsistence farmers needed some wine for meals. They were too impoverished to afford expensive trellising for grapes, so they went with a vine that favored bush-type growth. Zinfandel had recently made a home in California and filled the bush description. Thank you, Italian farmers.
Now for the enigma, which is impossible to discuss without acknowledging Mike Grgich. Grgich was a main player in the “Paris Judgement” of 1976. France’s most prestigious wines were compared in a blind tasting to their counterparts from California. Famous French wine folk, not knowing what they were drinking, declared as the best white wine the Chardonnay 1973 by the Californian winery Chateau Montelena. Grgich was Chateau Montelena’s chief winemaker. Later, he founded Grgich Hills Estate.
Grgich was an immigrant from Croatia who found his way to California. He had his suspicions about Zinfandel vines. He noticed that they seemed like familiar old friends, wines tasting just like the vino his father fermented back in the old country. He is quoted as saying, “Looking at the vines, I wondered, am I in California or Croatia?”
Grgich was not the only one to notice. In 1967, Austin Goshen, a plant pathologist (yes, people do that) at UC Davis, observed that Primitivo in the Puglia region of Italy closely resembled Zinfandel. Following an axis directly across the Adriatic Sea to the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, Goshen discovered Plavac Mali, an indigenous vari-
ety that shared characteristics with both Zinfandel and Primitivo. A type of DNA profiling (yes, people do that) revealed a high probability that Zinfandel and Primitivo were one.
Compelled by these findings, an American wine historian, Leon Adams, contacted Mike Grgich, who continued to advocate that Zinfandel hailed from Croatia and could be Plavac Mali or a close relative. In 1983, Adams traveled to Croatia and reported that the leaves of the two varieties were “identical” and Plavac Mali wine “could easily be accepted as Zinfandel.”
Enter Dr. Carole Meredith, a grape geneticist (yes, people do that) at UC Davis. She was a leading pioneer of DNA profiling to establish interrelatedness and ancestry of wine grapes. She began working with two Croatian scientists, Dr. Ivan Pejić and Dr. Edi Maletić. The three of them went on an exploration quest.
Their exploration led them to a vineyard. It was a mess. Many vine stalks were intertwined and easy to confuse. However, these three explorers carefully collected new samples from a specimen identified as Crljenak Kaštelanski, a relative of Plavac Mali. Pronounced Tserl-yeeehnak Kashh-tell-ann-skee, it translates to “the red from Kaštela.” On Dec. 18, 2001, testing results were announced. Dr. Meredith wrote in an email, “We have a match for Zinfandel. Quite convincingly, finally!” In a press release in 2002, she announced, “Zinfandel comes from Croatia. Crljenak Kaštelanski, Primitivo and Zinfandel grapes are a perfect DNA match.” Mystery solved.
After much research, “America’s grape” is from Croatia. Zinfandel has prospered in California. It is established all over the state and in other states, also. From humble beginnings it has enjoyed tremendous success. It truly has become “America’s Grape.” Thank you, Mike and the other players, and thank you, poor Italian farmers. You’ve done us a tremendous favor. Try a deep, complex, red wine from the Zinfandel grape. Your palate will be well pleased.
Trevor Burton photography by Trevor Burton
The culmination of an incredible journey
Summer Pleasure Simple
by Kathy Dicken photography by Kathy Dicken
Simple Southern Tomato Pie
If you are not familiar with Southern Tomato Pie, then you are in for a treat. This quintessential southern dish highlights the perfect combination of juicy tomatoes and spring onions with a decadent custard of eggs and cheese ... simple summer pleasures all in one pie.
This dish makes a perfect meal paired with a side salad, and is really best when you can find those juicy heirloom tomatoes, but any ripe tomato will do. You probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
There are many renditions of this traditional Southern dish, many of which include a ton of shredded cheese, but I prefer this preparation that just uses 1/2 cup of Parmesan and 1/2 cup of shredded sharp cheddar, allowing those tasty tomato flavors to shine, instead of just the cheese. But you do you, I know extra cheese is sometimes what you need. Enjoy!
Servings: 6
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Kathy
lives in Huntersville and is
author of The Tasty
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 refrigerated pie crust
3 medium heirloom tomatoes
3-4 spring onions, chopped
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1/2 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. While the oven preheats, cut tomatoes in half and scoop the seeds out of each tomato half with a small spoon. Then slice tomatoes into 1/4-inch slices and place on a layer of paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt, and cover with another layer of paper towels and press down lightly to absorb moisture. Let stand for 20 minutes.
Next, roll out refrigerated pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish, crimp the edges and poke crust all over with a fork. Bake crust for 8-10 minutes or until beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. While crust bakes, sauté chopped green onions in 1 tablespoon of butter for 2-3 minutes.
To make the filling, stir together shredded cheese, mayonnaise, basil, eggs, onions, salt and pepper. To assemble the pie, arrange 1/3 of the tomato slices into the baked pie shell in a slightly overlapping pattern. Next, gently scoop and spread 1/2 of the filling on top of the tomato layer. Follow with another layer of tomato slices, and then spread the remaining filling over the top of the tomatoes. Top with remaining sliced tomatoes.
Shield edges of pie with aluminum foil before baking for 3540 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Garnish with more fresh basil if desired.
Note:
Juicy tomatoes contain a lot of water, and don’t make for good pie making, thus I always scoop out the seeds & juice before slicing the tomatoes. And yes, the tomatoes will still retain their delicious flavor!
Dicken
the
Bits
From Sushi to Short Ribs
Kanpai Denver stakes its claim
by Lori Helms | photography courtesy Kanpei
Establishing a restaurant footing in Denver is not an easy proposition. It’s a bustling area that continues to grow, but its dining-out roots run deep. There are a limited number of patrons – and appetites – for whom restaurant competition is vying, and those appetites lean strong toward steak, sports bar and pub fare, with a little bit of pizza and Italian offerings thrown in for good measure. And “good” probably isn’t a fair assessment – there are great options on the west side of Lake Norman.
But as of late last year, there has been a bit of a newcomer to the restaurant scene. Kanpai Denver opened its doors in October 2023 and has been broadening Denver’s palette horizon ever since.
“We tried to appeal to the people who aren’t really sushi fanatics,” says Manager Haley Denton, herself a Denver native. “We have a diverse menu ... from meat and potatoes all the way to sashimi, nigiri and short ribs.”
Denton says they have introduced the tapas, or small plates, concept to the area, with larger parties enjoying the option of ordering several small plates to share. Not long after opening, they realized there was also a demand for hibachi-style meals, so those were brought on board, too. They abandoned their early foray into offering high-end
Wagyu beef entrees which proved a little too steep for many diners’ wallets, and they’ve never looked back.
“Our food is a higher quality hibachi than anything else around,” says Denton, “as far as how it’s made and how it tastes.” The hibachi menu is offered at lunch and dinner, as well as in senior or kid’s-sized portions.
In addition to his three business partners, Sokhun Moon is a familiar face to Lake Norman-area sushi lovers. For many years, his Sushi at the Lake in Cornelius was a mainstay in the Asian fusion market. Now Moon has brought his successful model to Denver, and it wasn’t soon enough when it comes to the diverse menu and aesthetics. The interior design for Kanpai’s rather intimate space is a more modern statement, with a variety of seating options that range from sushi bar to high top tables to booths and more traditional seating.
Don’t miss out on Martini Mondays, Tequila Tuesdays or Wine Wednesdays (half-priced house bottles). There is usually live music offered on Friday and Saturday nights, and reservations are highly recommended.
Kanpai Denver’s menu ranges from hibachi steak to Bento boxes to a wide variety of high-end sushi dishes.
A Welcoming Place
From its bar area (left) to the coziness of the converted home’s community spaces, King Canary Brewing Co. is a welcoming place.
King Canary Brewing’s paddle board club enjoys time on the lake every Tuesday evening.
Where craft beer and community go hand-in-hand
by Lori Helms
As part of Lake Norman’s thriving and ever-changing craft beer scene, six-year-old King Canary Brewing Co. has established itself as a bit of a bird of a different feather.
Not only is it unique for its waterfront access on a small Mooresville cove, but the brewery is also set in a renovated home rather than the more typical retail, industrial style setting one would find around our area. It was a concept that required a great deal of work to convert it into the cozy brewhouse, tap room and community space that it has become.
“The overall vibe of being in a house creates a little bit different energy,” says owner Andrea Gravina. “We love our little home. It’s a welcoming place.” And there are so many ways King Canary welcomes their faithful following as well as new friends to be found.
It starts with the brewery’s weekly paddleboard club. Gravina says it’s about 40-members strong, and they meet every Tuesday evening around 6 p.m. It’s not necessary to have your own board if you want to join in the fun – rentals are now available through Aloha Paddle LKN if needed for the casual trek out to a small island and back. On their return, paddlers can enjoy an adult beverage of their choice (wine, cider and prosecco are also on the menu) or non-alcoholic options such as kombucha or natural root beer. Paddlers will need that to wash down a tasty dinner from one of the several food trucks that make regular appearances. Offerings range from Mexican fare to gourmet grilled cheese to falafel to pizza to lobster rolls.
If paddleboarding isn’t your thing, how about Wednesday trivia nights, or music bingo on Thursdays or Friday night live acoustic music outside? No? Okay, how about this for a way to wind up your Mondays – care to try your hand at candle making, flower arranging, cookie decorating or learning to prepare sushi? Gravina offers weekly workshops through partnerships with local artists and other small businesses to quench your creative craving, not just your thirst. There is also a monthly beer dinner, featuring beer and food pairings in cooperation with Gravina’s longstanding “food truck friend,” Erik Crawford with Chop Chop Red Pot. It is typically a sold-out event.
King Canary’s event-laden calendar and sought-after community room that hosts all manner of private events – from baby showers to birthdays – are essential parts of Gravina’s original vision of what she wanted the brewery to be.
“That was our mission, to not just make it about the beer,” she says. “We pride ourselves on making good beer, but it’s a place you can come even if you’ve never had a sip. It’s a fun date night, it’s a fun girls hang out, it’s a fun place to come for a glass of wine. We try to make it feel like it’s a community space that feels welcome to everyone.”
photography by Lisa Crates
Bring your board, bring your dog or bring your friends - it’s about community at King Canary Brewing Co. in Mooresville.
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