Lake Norman Woman Magazine April 2023

publis FROM THE her

WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE PET ADOPTION SITE, I spotted the tail-wagging goofball from across the parking lot. She was hard to miss after all, running around the enclosure greeting every man, woman, and child with her contagious enthusiasm and sloppy kisses. But as I listened to the would-be adopters comment on her, I was shocked to realize that no one wanted to take her home because of her breed, which is pit bull. at’s ok, because one sloppy kiss later I knew she belonged to me (and I to her). My funloving, spunky, and gushingly a ectionate gal has been my constant companion and best friend ever since.

anks to Angels to the Animals, mistreated, neglected, and abandoned pit bulls, other dog breeds, and other animals as well are receiving the medical care, attention, and ultimately, the loving family they deserve to not only survive, but thrive. Please join us on April 15th and help make a di erence in the lives of the hundreds of animals that Angels to the Animals saves every year right here in the Lake Norman area. w

WOMEN power

april CONTRIBUTORS

Amy Elder; Lindsay Martell; Michelle Peck; Sara Rubens; Katie Stankiewicz

PAWS FOR

Join us for the tag sale (donations needed!), food trucks, beautiful raffle items, and adoptable pets while helping us raise money needed to foster, adopt out, and provide vet & other care for our area’s neediest animals.

Saturday, April 15th 11am-4pm

2381 N. Hwy. 16, Denver Denver Wesleyan Church Grounds

For more information on the event or how to donate to the tag sale, email info@angelstotheanimals.org.

DANA JORDAN

DANA JORDAN PUBLISHER

THE CAUSE TAG SALE & PET ADOPTION

LIVE, LEARN, gro

Life takes practice! And though they don’t always come wrapped in a shiny red bow, the lessons we learn along the way are invaluable gifts that are worth sharing. Here are a few noteworthy examples featured in this issue:

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Running a business takes hard work, dedication, and passion. Whether you’re just starting out or have been running a business for years, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success. Check out

PAGE 12 where Shelly Quinn, branch manager and construction loan specialist at Silverton Mortgage in Huntersville, shows us how she zigs and zags in today’s constantly changing economic environment.

PAYING IT FORWARD

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Grab a cup o’ joe and check out PAGE 34 as we catch up with Gina Duckworth (director of operations, choreographer, and producer at Arts Unlimited Studio in Mooresville) in this month’s Co ee Talk. “It takes a village,” Gina smiles, “and we work with many area charities to help spread the importance of the immense bene ts of the arts.”

THE RARE

LOCAL

For Susan Wolff and Sandy Tabor-Gray, success isn’t something you have, it’s something you share. As champions of faith at The Mooresville Christian Mission, whose purpose is to reduce poverty in the community, they strive to serve a higher power and always with the goal of treating others with love, understanding, and compassion. Be sure to read their inspiring story on PAGE 40.

Meet this month’s Cover Girl, Charlene Dearing, a Lake Norman native and cofounder of The Dearing Team realty group. Having grown up in Cornelius, Charlene has some unique insights into our area. Skip on over to PAGE 28 as she shares her life and work strategies as well as her one-of-a-kind perspective on the Lake area. w

Taking Care of Business

IT’S A TRICKY BUSINESS.

Which in particular, you ask? ALL business is tricky … especially in today’s climate. Running a business takes hard work, dedication, and passion. Whether you’re just starting out or have been running a business for years, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success.

Take for example Shelly Quinn, branch manager and construction loan specialist at Silverton Mortgage in Huntersville. With all the ups and downs and constantly changing economic environments, Shelly must stay keenly alert and aware— always learning and growing with each curve in the road. w

Managing a Complicated Industry

“I have grown my branch over the years … managing six people and zigzagging through many market ups and downs—which are typical in the mortgage world. We are very regulated, and the markets control the interest rate swings. Keeping abreast of all the changes and fluidity of this industry is paramount. And organizational skills! It is important to stay organized at work and at home … it allows us to stay on top of things and avoid getting overwhelmed and consumed by it, especially since we are so deadline driven.”

Navigating Tricky Waters

“I love people and helping them navigate through what can be a confusing, albeit exciting, time. For example, when you experience significant change such as a job loss or promotion, marriage, birth of a child, divorce, empty nesting, or retirement – just to name a few – your mortgage might need to change as well. It may mean shortening the term of a mortgage to pay it off early; or it may mean using some of the equity for college tuition or a home repair/ improvement project. It may even mean staying the course you are on … bottom line is that I consider it an honor and a privilege to offer pertinent information and guide folks through these pivotal and meaningful stages of life.”

The Right Perspective

“A healthy life-work balance is essential for long-term happiness. Find a way to utilize every minute of every day. I have been lucky to have had some great managers who mentored me right from the start. They taught me skills that I still use to this day. I am inspired by my family to work as hard as I can so I can provide a great lifestyle for us all to enjoy together.”

A Special Note of Thanks

“Due to the competition in our industry, marketing and advertising are extremely important. Joining network groups and meeting people is a necessity. I will say that Lake Norman Woman Magazine has been a very valuable tool for me through the years – I extend my sincere thanks to the entire team!” w

Shelly Quinn, Branch Manager and Construction Loan Specialist at Silverton Mortgage in Huntersville

"Find a way to utilize every minute of every day."

Shelly Quinn SILVERTON MORTGAGE

LAKE NORMAN WOMAN'S

pet

pages! pet

PUPS ON THE LAKE SUBMITTED BY OUR WONDERFUL READERS OVER THE YEARS VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR OUR ANNUAL PET ISSUES

OH, HOW WE DO LOVE OUR PETS! They are our best friends, our confidantes, and yes, a treasured part of the family. They steal our hearts with their unconditional loyalty and love, so it’s actually fairly easy to treat them like the family members they truly are. After all the joy they bring to us, it only seems fair to show our pets how much they mean to the entire family by giving them our very best in return. In the following pages you will find some great area businesses devoted to our fur-babies as well as some pet-flavored tips and resourceful information on how to help our furry family members thrive.

Dr. Canine, Dr. Equine & Dr. Hedgehog!

Calling

HUMAN/ANIMAL CONNECTION

THE

has been evolving for 15,000 years. Over 90 million homes have pets; we need each other! Pets depend on owners for basic care, while owners’ needs are more complex. There are working relationships, protection, service, companionship, and now a therapeutic aspect.

Animal Assisted Therapy is an intentional therapeutic modality based on the interaction between patients, animals, and clinicians. Animals are trained and help communicate the client’s needs to the counselors even if the client is unable to. Dogs are the most common therapy animal. In 1860, Florence Nightingale observed the benefits dogs offered sick patients, and in 1930 Sigmund Freud observed and noted shifts in patients’ moods when his dog was present. In 1980, researchers started documenting the interaction between patients with depression, trauma, autism, and hyperactivity disorders. Imperative to the process is the underlying comfort or "relief feeling" patients experience with a dog.

Horses are the second most common therapy animal. Interactions with horses can be experienced through riding or ground-based sessions. Mental Health with Horses offers ground-based counseling. Riding and horsemanship are beneficial yet can obscure a horse’s natural and unbiased responses to the client’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It is this authentic interaction with the clients that unlocks the true impact of working with horses.

A variety of animals constitute therapeutic settings. Cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, even llamas and hedgehogs are being offered locally in animal assisted therapies. The overarching “goal” being to help alleviate symptoms from various challenges, which is achieved through the human/animal connection. Different animals have different effects but ultimately the results are similar—with several bio-medical and psychological effects.

Animal Assisted Therapy embodies the compassionate, straightforward soul of animals to empower and to

address behaviors, emotional blocks, mental anguish, and anxieties.

We should all continue to “Stomp the Stigma” around mental health, hold hard conversations, and seek alternative therapies. The possibilities are endless. Differing models are ever evolving with data being compiled to validate and reinforce subsequent benefits. w

Katie Stankiewicz is the CEO of Willow Equine and the executive director of Soul to Soles Connection. Katie brings the authentic healing power of horses to civilian and military clients through ground-based counseling and personal development. For more information, visit www.Willow-Equine.com or www.s2sConnection.org or call 704.237.0644.

“Those who teach the most about humanity aren’t always human.”

Donald L. Hicks

WRITER Katie Stankiewicz

LKNE XPERT

new pup time! give your

ADOPTION IS BY FAR THE BEST WAY to bring a dog into your family. Shelters are overcrowded, and the euthanasia rate is disturbing—to say the least! However, often when bringing your new fur-baby home, there are challenges for both human and canine. The dog may have been through some trauma or at least some challenges along the way. Remember to be patient … the 3/3/3 rule is a general guideline for the amount of time it takes for your adopted pup to adjust to his new surroundings. Every dog is unique and will adjust differently but the following information is good to keep in mind:

3 DAYS to Decompress:

In the first three days, your new pup may …

• Feel overwhelmed

• Be scared and unsure of what’s going on

• Not be comfortable enough to be “himself”

• Not want to eat or drink

• Hide under furniture

• Test boundaries

3 WEEKS to Learn Your Routine:

In three weeks, they will …

• Start to settle in

• Feel more comfortable

• Realize this could be their forever home

• Figure out their environment

• Get into a healthy routine

• Let their guard down and begin to show their true

3 MONTHS to Start to Feel at Home:

After three months, your pup will …

• Finally feel completely comfortable in his new environment

• Begin to build trust and create a true bond

• Gain a complete sense of security with his new

• Settle into a routine

the Real Estate Market— where do we stand?

THERE IS SO MUCH BUZZ AROUND WHAT IS happening in the real estate market these days. Is it still a good time to sell? Should I wait to buy until interest rates drop? My rst response is that the best time to make a move is when you are ready.

e Charlotte Region MLS service, known as Canopy MLS, shows the market has declined as the interest rate increased. In January Iredell County home sales were down from 273 homes sold in January 2022 to only 171 homes sold in 2023. Pending contracts dropped 6.4% and new listings are up 14.7%. Inventory is now at a two months’ supply. However, even at this level home prices are still increasing. Both the median sales price ($390,000) and the average sales price ($453,664) increased 8.3 % and 2.4% year-over-year respectively while the average list price declined 3.3 percent to $465,168. Additionally, days on the market increased dramatically; homes are averaging 59 days on the market compared to 27 days on the market in January 2022.

What this means is that buyers waiting for that “crash” are still waiting.  ere is good news for buyers. We have increased inventory. Less competition and multiple o ers. Plus, although all homes are sold “as is” in North Carolina, sellers are agreeing to more repairs. When working with an experienced REALTOR® a buyer will nd they do more than just show you homes. A REALTOR® works with lenders, inspectors, transaction coordinators, and many other vendors to help negotiate and navigate you through every step of the process.

We are seeing educated sellers that are pricing their homes according to recent comparable homes with the understanding that the market has reverted away from a sellers’ market. So, waiting 60 days to sell a home is understood to be normal. I have also seen an increase in sellers taking more time to prepare their home to sell. ey are making repairs and sprucing up more before they go to market. A talented REALTOR® knowledgeable in the local area will help price the home competitively and help prepare the home to sell. Staging, prelisting inspections, open houses, and professional photography are all important details to discuss before you choose an agent.

Karen Moravus of Fairway Mortgages says the best thing any homebuyer can do in any housing market is to rst reach out to an experienced mortgage specialist to have an honest conversation about their nancing goals and how the loan could be structured to meet those needs before they begin their home search. is preliminary step will not only allow the homebuyer to see realistic nancing numbers for their desired price point, but it will allow them to reevaluate their plans if the initial payment goal does not align with the reality of the market and the speci cs of the homebuyer’s overall nancial pro le. w

Repeatedly rated as a top agent in the area, Michelle Peck is the owner of Opulence Group Real Estate, a boutique real estate rm that is dedicated to giving great service to the Lake Norman area real estate market. Connect with Michelle and her team at 704.761.8453 or via ndlakenormanproperties.com.

Michelle Peck

LKNE XPERT

d healthWeight Loss

BY: Rajal Patel, MD WellcomeMD, Mooresville

THE PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS who say they want to lose weight according to a recent Gallup poll is now up to 55 percent. And women are much more likely than men to say they want to lose weight, with three in ve expressing that desire. Despite the well wishes, we have gotten heavier in the past ve years, self-reporting an average weight increase of 5 pounds since the poll was last conducted in 2016.

It’s no surprise weight loss is top of mind for so many of us. Federal data says more than 40 percent of American adults are obese; another 30 percent are overweight. Obesity is linked to a couple of hundred diseases, including cancers, heart ailments, and kidney disease.

It's hard to nd reliable information on how many of us succeed in following through on those weight-loss goals, but there's unanimous agreement that it's far fewer than half. What have we gured out about how to keep our promises about weight loss and improve the odds that favor a longer and healthier life?

e medical journal Family Practice published a study just before Christmas that nails part of the problem: often, weight-loss advice from the family doctor is generic and ine ective. e ndings were that we general practitioners often "lack

(704) 842-3675

knowledge and con dence when giving advice for weight loss”; “mostly give generic advice, which patients report as unhelpful"; and “speci c weight-loss recommendations were rarely evidencebased." More guidance is needed for the family doctors giving weight-loss guidance, the study concluded.

And then, you may have heard about a couple of new obesity drugs originally developed for diabetics. ey're e ective for weight loss, and that's gratifying. ey come with a long list of potential side-e ects, some merely unpleasant, some much worse. And you have to take them for the rest of your life.

Zhaoping Li, a professor of medicine and chief of the division of clinical nutrition at the University of California at Los Angeles, told a reporter that the new drugs are useful tools but by no means e Answer. “I don’t want people to lose their attention on the fundamental issue — we really need to help each individual have the best lifestyle for their bodies and themselves,” Li said.

at's where you and your family doctor can have a really useful conversation about what we're eating and how we're moving, and set reasonable goals for improvement. Maybe that's already happening for you, and bravo!

150 Fairview Rd, Ste 325, Mooresville

The path to long-term wellbeing is deeply personal.

For example, your genetics profile holds valuable information about your best approach to optimal diet, fitness, and disease prevention. We use the most advanced lab tests and focuses on lifestyle, stressors, and environmental exposures to avoid, treat or reverse health issues.

Our goal is preventative care, with a personalized wellness plan for members. I see half the number of patients that most concierge physicians do...which means I always have time for you.

Discover the power of a personal relationship with your primary care physician.

We offer same-day appointments, superb 90-minute annual physical exams, a “waitless” waiting room, no-rush appointments with our physicians and a health and fitness coach. Members have 24-hour, seven-day access to me, including my cell phone number.

Do you need a new healthcare advocate? Please give us a call at (704) 842-3675 for a tour of our membership medical practice and a free consultation or visit wellcomemd.com/what-we-do.

Mooresville

Rajal Patel, MD WellcomeMD,

SO JUST TELL ME: DO WE REALLY NEED MORE ADVICE ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS? WELL, I THINK I KNOW YOUR ANSWER, BUT HEAR ME OUT. I'M A LOCAL FAMILY DOCTOR AND I LIKE TO THROW MY WEIGHT ADVICE AROUND! SOME OF IT MAY SOUND JUST A BIT CONTRARIAN.

My Toddler Isn’t Talking … what should I do?

TODDLERS ARE GROWING AND CHANGING QUICKLY AND WE, AS PARENTS, are eager for our children to learn to walk, talk, and play. Many parents worry that their toddler isn’t meeting developmental milestones related to communication. Knowing and understanding developmental milestones for your child can be helpful when trying to gauge if your toddler is “on track” or if they could use some help from a professional. Some developmental milestones to keep in mind related to toddlers include the following:

If you are worried that your toddler isn’t meeting communication milestones, it is important to schedule an evaluation with a speechlanguage pathologist to determine if your child would benefit from speech and language therapy. A speech language pathologist will conduct an evaluation that includes a parent interview as well as standardized and informal measures completed through play. Following an evaluation, a speech-language pathologist can make specific recommendations for your child based on the results. In the meantime, parents can help improve their toddler’s language development at home too!

Here are 5 tips to get you started:

1 Talk, talk, talk to your child! Narrate your day by telling your child what you are doing (“Mommy is washing dishes”) and what you see in the environment (“That’s a big truck”).

2 Read and sing to your child each day. During book reading, have your child point to pictures you name or tell you what they see. Don’t forget to use action words and descriptors in addition to nouns. When singing songs, have your child try to fill in a missing word as you pause and give an expectant look during familiar songs (“Twinkle twinkle little….”).

The most important thing to remember is to have fun and engage with your child. Children learn best through play so don’t be afraid to get on the floor and be silly. Play is the key to learning!

3 Bring your child’s attention to your mouth as you are teaching your toddler new words during play. For example, you can point to your lips as you say a word or hold the toy near your mouth as you say the word.

4 Engage in play with your child every day and model simple words and phrases during play (“up up up!” “Wee!” “My pig”).

5 Expand your child’s language by adding one more word to your child’s utterance. For example, if your child says “up,” you can model “Momma up.”

By 2 years of age, your child should:

Use at least 50 single words.

Name and point to pictures in books and items in their environment. Combine two or more words to form short phrases such as “momma up.”

Ask and understand simple questions such as “What’s that?” and “Where’s your shoe?”

Identify a few body parts.

Follow 1-2 step directions.

Amy Elder, MA, CCC-SLP is a SpeechLanguage Pathologist with LKN SpeechLanguage Pathology. She has over 17 years of experience as a pediatric SLP. You can learn more about her and her team at www.lkn-slp.com.

LKNE XPERT

“You become. It takes a long me. That’s why it doesn’t happen oen to people who break easy, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefuy kept.”

The Velveteen Rabbit

bloomi’

awese!

BLOOMING IS THE BEAUTIFUL and natural process of becoming—and in this world of hope, pain, loss, and gain perhaps we need a reminder to stay in bloom, to learn, grow … and become! Meet Charlene Dearing, co-founder and team leader of The Dearing Team who, with more than her share of some pretty sharp thorns, continues to blossom in her career, her marriage, and her community.

“I grew up right here in Cornelius,” she smiles. “It’s amazing to see how much has changed over the years. I remember when there were barely any shops and restaurants … mostly there were just fields around the whole town where folks would gather for festivals. I used to feed baby cows and chickens on the farm where Birkdale Village now sits.”

With her love for home, Charlene didn’t go far for college, attending NC State University in Raleigh. She then went to school for radiology at Presbyterian Hospital and on to Cabarrus College of Health Sciences where she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management and medical imaging. Charlene would spend many years in hospitals and operating rooms and found it rewarding, yet emotionally taxing.

“My experience in radiology and work in the healthcare eld taught me empathy, how to think quickly in any situation, and to stay calm under pressure. It also gave me the experience of meeting new people

on a daily basis. You never knew who your next patient would be or what their story was. Certain situations weighed heavily on me, however. I was one of the rst people to see if someone had a tumor, cancer, or other life-threatening condition, so it was quite inevitable that my thoughts would often be consumed with work.”

A desire to help others and impressive problem-solving skills came in handy when Charlene met her husband, Josh. Not only did a career change to real estate await her, but a business and marriage that would blossom into a partnership extraordinaire were also on the horizon. “I’m inspired by my husband,” she says lovingly. “He

WRITER Leslie Ogle PHOTOGRAPHER Chelsea Bren

Josh & Charlene Dearing THE DEARING TEAM REAL ESTATE

believed in us to get started in real estate and had a vision and trust that together we would be successful. We literally both left our jobs, got married, and started full-time in real estate all in one month! We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Josh. He’s very passionate about what we do, and he inspires me every day.”

Also one of the rare, original Lake Norman natives, Josh adds to the homegrown appeal of e Dearing Team. Spending their entire lives and careers in this area gives this dynamic duo a unique perspective and insight into the North and South Carolina real estate markets. “We love showing people Lake Norman and Charlotte and being able to give them a real ‘home-town tour.’ Since we are from here, we’re able to give our out-of-town clients a one-of-a-kind experience and really show them everything we love about our area—from parks, restaurants, and events, to taking them on a boat ride with all our favorite spots along the way.”

Carrying a passion that is refreshingly authentic, Charlene’s goal is to guide her clients and build relationships. Not only is she a go-to source for local knowledge, but she is a true friend outside of the actual real estate transaction itself. “I am so blessed,” she gratefully acknowledges, “to work with such an amazing team. We all pride ourselves on taking the time to get to know our clients on a personal level. My clients are like family to me as is my team at work. I’m inspired by them every day. We learn from each other, and it is so rewarding to see them grow and thrive and make a name for themselves in this business.”

Regarding the aforementioned thorns that Charlene has endured, she has also learned to remove them, or at least live with them in a healthy fashion—

using them to build the resilience she learned from her mother and grandmother. She was just 22 years old when her mom passed away, leaving her to take care of her grandmother who had become ill. Charlene and her grandmother were very close which made the decision to put her in a nursing home all the more di cult.

“My dad also taught me a lot about not giving up and being resilient,” she re ects. “I like problem-solving and coming up with creative solutions, and I get that from Dad. I was never allowed to say, ‘I can’t.’ Instead, he taught me to say, ‘I think I can’ and to solve things on my own. In fact, before I could have a car, I was taught how to rebuild an engine and take care of an automobile. at instilled con dence in me … that I can do whatever I set my mind to. You may fail but you’ll fail forward.”

Charlene and Josh do hope to have children one day but meanwhile three dogs have their hearts: Lincoln, the Great Dane who thinks he’s a Chihuahua; Gracie Blu, a silver lab who runs the show; and Oakleigh, a Great Dane/lab mix who they rescued while in Charlotte on a listing.

e passionate and empathetic nature that is indicative of Charlene does not end with her work. She,

Josh, and the entire Dearing Team want to make a di erence and give back to the community that they love so much. “We’re constantly looking for ways to help partner with local charities and support nonpro t groups,” she says.

Hosting multiple events throughout the year, their Halloween party is one of their favorites, with all monies raised going to a di erent charity in the community each year. ey also coordinate a toy and coat drive at Christmastime.

“I’m determined to make each day a positive one and to make a di erence in some way,” Charlene concludes. “Not every day will go perfectly or according to plan, but I’ve learned that’s ok. It’s what you choose to do with your time that really matters and how you take what you learned today and use that tomorrow.” w

My clients are le famy to me as is my team at work. I’m inspired by them every day."

CHARLENE & GRACIE BLU

women move ON THE

Iredell Health System is pleased to announce VIOLA EATON as the new Director of Accounting.

Viola has worked in the accounting department at Iredell Health System for more than 11 years and has over 23 years of accounting experience. She received her Bachelor of Arts in accounting and finance from Lenoir-Rhyne University and later earned her Master of Business Administration in accounting and global leadership.

DANIELLE KNOX, owner and lead designer of Danielle Knox Interiors in Davidson, recently received two first place "Excellence in Design" awards from the American Society of Interior Designers of the Carolinas. As an active allied member, Danielle maintains an ever-growing reputation for outstanding design while encouraging her clients to step outside of the box where exceptional spaces can evolve. "The highest level of gratification for me comes from the look on my clients' faces when their space is transformed beyond what they could have ever imagined."

LIZ MILLER has joined Anytime Fitness Mooresville at 858-A Brawley School Road as a Certified Personal Trainer. Having had Hashimoto’s disease and maintaining a 60pound weight loss, Liz can empathize with many of her clients’ challenges. She is dedicated to helping them transform their lives physically, emotionally, and mentally—giving them the tools and confidence needed to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

LAUREN PRICE was recently promoted to Executive Sales Account Manager with 3M Medical Solutions Division (U.S. Subsidiary, Medical Markets Center) where she handles and oversees the Ambulatory Surgery Centers in North Carolina and Tennessee. She and her 8-year-old daughter, Larkin, live in Davidson.

SARA RUBENS is owner of Seed to Sanctuary Kitchen Garden design, install, coaching, and maintenance. “After going through an intensive certification program that taught me the critical elements needed to enjoy the beauty and bounty of a successful kitchen garden,” she says, “ I became passionate to help others create their own nurturing and restorative space right outside their door.”

Gifted Travel Network (GTN) announces the company’s 10-year anniversary with the celebration culminating at their gala event on October 11 in Mooresville. The female-owned luxury travel host agency has grown to a team of almost 30 staff members, more than 300 advisors across the country, and strong partnerships with countless travel companies worldwide.

CONNECT WITH US!

Whether you are a woman on the move, new businesses in the area, or are willing to contribute your opinion, follow us on Facebook or e-mail leslie@lakenormanwoman.com.

JEN COCHRANE, MEREDITH CALLOWAY, SANDY SABURN, AND VANESSA MCGOVERN.

The Cherry On Top

Directing, choreography, and creating bonds with her students became Gina’s passion. “I just love watching a child grow from their experience in the performing arts,” she smiles. They gain so many life skills … and I learn so much from the kids! The most challenging part for myself, and for many art educators, is convincing the communities of the immense benefits of the arts. It creates well-rounded individuals and sets so many other things in motion—it’s a wonderful, and necessary, endeavor to support.”

Sharing a Cup of Kindness

Partnering with local organizations and non-profits for each show allows Gina and her team to give back to the community on many different levels. “It takes a village and we are family so it is a great way for the cast and crew to be more involved in local community projects. We work with many area charities including but not limited to The Lake Norman Humane Society, FeedNC, Mooresville Kindness Closet, and The Give Back Boutique.”

A sit-down chat with GINA

Community

Our First Cup

Gina Duckworth is no stranger to the arts. Dancing since she was 4 years old, she spent most of her afternoons in the local dance studio. As she got older, the theatre and performing arts began to pique her interest. “I had always loved the art of theatre,” Gina shares, “so as I got older, I started performing as often as I could. Eventually this led to opening my own dance studio in Huntington, West Virginia, at the age of 22. For 11 years, we built an amazing team of instructors with my mother helping to run things as office manager.”

Letting Things Percolate

Gina and husband Rob have been married for over 26 years and have two grown children, Jake and Camryn. While the busyness of life does not allow for much downtime, Gina has her perspectives in order. “I am really trying to concentrate on being present and listening,” she says determinedly. “It’s not easy sometimes when you’re caught up in the day-to-day duties and activities, but I have learned to enjoy the simple time with my family whenever I can. Life seems to go by faster and get busier each year so it’s important to prioritize … make moments count!”

WRITER Leslie Ogle PHOTOGRAPHER Chelsea Bren

Gina Duckworth is director of operations, choreographer, and producer at Arts Unlimited Studio, an immersive arts venue and studio space that lends itself to the local artists in Mooresville and the surrounding areas. She is also board chair of the Mooresville Community Children’s eatre. Connect with Gina at info@ artsunlimitedstudios.com or visit www.artsunlimitedstudios.com.

DUCKWORTH at Mooresville

Children's Theatre

Gina Duckworth MOORESVILLE COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S THEATRE

Michelle Kash, Gina Duckworth, Jenna Tyrell, Julia King, Jackie Flewell, Lisa Altieri, Janis Durgjn, Lisa DeVore

Life seems to go by faster and get busier each year so it’s important to prioritize make moments count!”

MCCT BOARD OF DIRECTORS: (L TO R)

Interested in growing herbs but not sure where to start?

I ALWAYS TELL BEGINNING GARDENERS TO START with growing herbs! Herbs are one of the most forgiving and giving plants in the garden and in our growing zone (7B) you can grow and harvest them all year long! Let’s say goodbye to wilty, expensive grocery store herbs and hello to your own fresh herb garden! There are five major herb families. Once you understand their needs, gardening suddenly shifts from impossible to possible!

Parsley, dill, fennel, and cilantro are some favorites.

Dill will grow nearly three feet and often attracts the swallowtail butterfly.

Cilantro grows best from seed but is not tolerant of hot weather nor does it like to be transplanted.

In this family, we have onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives.

Chives are perhaps the simplest plant to grow and can be started from seed or grown successfully from a nursery transplant.

Garlic will require at least six months in your garden (it’s best to plant garlic in the early fall)

Shallots and green onions will thrive in most conditions in your garden and take up minimal space.

This family includes almost 90% of the herbs we enjoy in our kitchen, from basil to rosemary and oregano, not to mention sage, lavender, thyme, and every kind of mint.

Basil is the easiest of the mint plant family to start from seed.

Mint can be cut time and again with its continuous harvest spurring on more growth. Thyme and oregano are often the easiest to grow and keep alive through the year while sage and rosemary can be a little more temperamental.

This family contains a lot of medicinal herbs as well as flowers.

Stevia, a natural sweetener, and a favorite tea: chamomile.

This family also includes many gorgeous flowers such as marigolds, cosmos, zinnias, and coneflower.

Fennel leaves can be harvested almost as soon as they begin to grow but the bulb is harvested once it reaches about the size of a tennis ball.

All the plants in this family will start to spread out and produce flavorful leaves and must be harvested often.

Plants in the Apiaceae family prefer cool weather and perform best in typical spring and fall conditions under 75 degrees.

In our climate onions and chives will remain green through winter and when temperatures warm up, they are the first to start growing again.

Bay Laurel is a beautiful and fragrant herb; most soup or stew recipes will call for a bay leaf.

The laurel family also includes the avocado and cinnamon plants.

Sara Rubens is the owner of Seed to Sanctuary Kitchen Garden design, install, coaching, and maintenance. Connect with her at www.seedtosanctuary.com or follow her on IG @seedtosanctuary.

LAMIACEAE mint family

LAURACEAE laurel family

ASTERACEAE daisy family

APIACEAE carrot family

AMARYLLIDACEAE allium family

THE DEARING TEAM PROMISE

We will always find a way. We create innovative opportunities and deliver solutions. We don’t sit and wait. We take initiative and follow up, follow through and follow back. We are relentless and accountable. We stick to our promises.

We love what we do and we have fun doing it. We stay positive and energetic no matter what comes our way. We have a drive to help others which keeps us motivated to constantly learn and evolve. We believe every person and every interaction matters.

It’s more than just the transaction; it’s about forming lasting relationships. Our clients mean everything to us and we respond to them with honesty, patience and empathy throughout the entire process.

Stacking Is your deck safe? Deck— the

ACCORDING TO THE North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA), there’s been an increase in the number of decks that have collapsed and in most cases, says the association, simple upkeep could have prevented these incidents. Before you have your next barbeque or family gathering, consider these deck safety inspection tips—

Check railings and balusters by firmly grasping and wiggling them to make sure they’re secure. Also double-check whether they meet local codes (most call for a railing at least 3 feet high with balusters spaced no wider than 4 inches apart).

Pressure wash your deck with a solution of one part bleach (use only oxygenated bleach for cedar decks), three to five parts water, and laundry soap.

Look for loose connections between support posts and the deck’s beams. NADRA recommends posts should be 6 inches square or larger and no taller than 14 feet.

A ledger board is a weight-bearing board that connects the deck to your house. Make sure, says NADRA, that “it’s attached with ½-inch stainless- or galvanized-steel lag screws and through bolts, rather than nails, which can pop out. Check for a widened gap between the house and the ledger, which may signal that the bolts need tightening.”

Check for split or decaying wood. Insert a flathead screwdriver into any cracks and if you can insert it more than a quarter inch, that could indicate rot. Also, if the wood feels spongy or breaks off without splintering, replacement boards may be necessary. Look for holes which may indicate wood-boring insects.

be

FOR SANDY TABOR-GRAY AND SUSAN WOLFF, success isn’t something you have, it’s something you share. As champions of faith at e Mooresville Christian Mission, whose purpose is to reduce poverty in the community, they strive to serve a higher power and always with the goal of treating others with love, understanding, and compassion.

Serving as development director, Susan credits her family with inspiring her to pursue a Christian-focused career—full of empathy, hope, and care. “My inspiration comes from the passion I have in making a di erence in someone’s life,” she continues. “From a young age, I was taught to ‘do the right thing’ and to have a servant heart.”

Her desire to give aid to those in need has been an undercurrent in her life. Believing strongly that everyone deserves the basics of food, housing, and medical care, Susan’s drive and passion is fueled by this mindset—

light!

that we all have a humanitarian obligation to help one another.

Sandy’s path is a little di erent, but just as impassioned. She serves as a peer support specialist in the substance use support program at the Mission, a position she nds great solace in. Having been in long-term recovery from substance use herself, she is also the mother of a son who died of a drug overdose in 2013.  “Nothing prepared me for the journey our lives took with my son, Michael, and his battle with addiction,” Sandy shares. “As a person in longterm recovery, I thought he would nd and stay on the road of recovery as I have.

experiences led Sandy to her calling where she’s able to guide individuals and their families to the support they need … she encourages them to hold on to hope—no matter what. “ ere is a way out,” she optimistically professes. “ ere is a way to recover from this seemingly hopeless disease.”

“Our wonderful team here gives me hope and inspiration each day that what we do is making a di erence,” Sandy smiles. “We all have a high level of compassion and will go to great lengths to help someone.”

IN

e morning I found him is forever etched in my mind … my breathing still stops, my heart still broken in pieces; but I know he is with me, and he did not die in vain.”

Susan’s family has also been touched by the ravages of addiction. Her son struggled with drugs and has been sober for more than twelve years now. “It taught me that out of our darkest times come our biggest blessings,” she says. “He is now married and owns his own business ... God had a plan for him, and we are grateful.”

Both women have always loved giving back and reaching out to others, and they share that passion and desire with the entire team at the Mission.

With a huge increase in demand for their services, the Mission has found expansion is an inevitable necessity. “We would like to shine a light on as many people as we can in our community,” Susan explains, “thus our need to expand. We have the property and a groundbreaking event is scheduled for this spring, but we need to raise another $3 million—therefore, we humbly ask folks to visit www.ourchristianmission.org for more details on how they can help.”

When asked what drives them, Susan and Sandy don’t hesitate and almost speak in unison: “To be the light for all people. To give them a listening ear, a smile, and encouragement. In these challenging times we live in today, we all need that … spread the love.” w

ose heart-wrenching

THE

(L TO R) Sandy Tabor-Gray, Executive Director Amy LaCount, & Susan Wolff

Sandy Tabor-Gray & Susan Wolff THE MOORESVILLE CHRISTIAN MISSION

THESE CHALLENGING TIMES WE LIVE IN TODAY, WE ALL NEED THAT … SPREAD THE LOVE.

We know how busy life can get—kids, work, family, friends … sometimes just getting dinner on the table is a Herculean feat! So in an effort to save our readers some time, effort, and money here are a few tips, tricks, and hacks that might come in handy in your busy world!

It’s a bit hairy!

As much as we adore our furry family members, the amount of hair discharged from these cute little critters can be daunting … and everywhere! To easily remove pet hair from furniture, bedding, clothes, etc. use dryer sheets, or just don a pair of rubber gloves and rub your hands over hairy surfaces; you’ll be surprised how much hair clings to the gloves.

For scratches that aren’t behind the ears. If you have claw marks on wooden furniture, you can cover them up by rubbing a walnut over the scratches. e natural oils in walnuts seep into the wood— covering up blemishes in the process.

TIPS, & HACKS

Basket Cases

Remove one panel of a basket for a tidy litter box area. Not only does it conceal the litter box itself but all that kitty litter over ow is contained within the basket as well. To get your cat adjusted to using a box inside the basket, leave the top open for a couple days.

For an easy clean-up

If your dog has an accident on the carpet and you don’t have any carpet cleaner on hand, just pour some baking soda over the spot, let it sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum. Baking soda is also a great deodorizer.

Avoid a Cat-astrophe!

Cats love houseplants, and often this can lead to broken pots and dug-up plants and dirt. Outsmart your kitty by placing orange peels either on or around the pot. Cats detest citrus so it’s a great deterrent for a mischievous plant-loving cat.

–RALPH WALDO EMERSON

—JANE GOODALL

You cannot a your fe th a dog… or a cat, and not know perfely we that anals have personaes and mds and feengs.”

BETTER ME …

MIND body spirit

By mixing the ingredients of attitude and action, we can change the flavor of our own lives. Learn to nurture your body and soul to lead a more balanced life.

HOW TO love THE

NOW

AND BLOOM LARGE!

MINDFULNESS IS DEFINED AS “THE PRACTICE OF MAINTAINING A nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.” This practice, which dates back to the BC days in a lot of religions around the world, is preached by many to be the secret to living happily and healthily. However, it has also proven to be quite elusive and difficult to master.

Here are a few things you can do to refocus and become more present on a daily basis:

BE AWARE OF YOUR ACTIONS. Speak to people with forethought and intent; be cognizant of not only what you say but how you say it.

KEEP YOUR FOCUS PURPOSEFUL.

If something needs your attention, make a conscious e ort to dwell on that and that alone, but only for a speci c period of time in solution-based thought. Once you have a plan of resolution, move on.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO DO NOTHING. Take time each day to just be still—sit outside and listen to nature; try to clear your mind and just breathe.

LET GO OF JUDGMENTS AND NEGATIVE EMOTIONS. Once you become present in the moment, you may begin to notice things you hadn’t before, such as others’ circumstances, needs, and nuances. Take this opportunity to really

hear the person talking to you and appreciate it for what it is with no judgments, no rebuttal.

PRACTICE LETTING GO OF THE PAST. is can be di cult but it only breeds negative energy. e past is over and you cannot change it … let it go!

AVOID GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THE FUTURE.

It’s perfectly ne to plan for your future but when those thoughts become all-consuming and turn to worry, you are not being in the present moment.

RECOGNIZE IT’S NOT ALL ROSEBUDS AND BUTTERFLIES. It is important to embrace negative feelings as well. We are human after all, and we must recognize and appreciate what is not-so-pleasant at times. But negativity begets negativity, so it’s important to search for the positives in all situations.

A Personal Injury Trial Attorney With More Than 30 Years Of

ATTORNEY WILLIAM T. CORBETT, JR., has more than 30 years of experience, and he has tried more than 200 jury trials. He has secured outstanding results for his clients in out-of-court negotiations and at trial. To find out how we can help you, we encourage you to contact our office for a free consultation.

We represent clients in Mooresville, Statesville and throughout Iredell County and the surrounding areas.