Esplanade Lifestyle - Northgate | Jan/Feb 2023

LIFESTYLE

MEMBER

Letter From the Lifestyle Team

SUNSHINE LINZI YOUR LIFESTYLE MANAGER

Happy New Year!

Cheers to a new year, new beginnings and new neighbors! A brand-new year is a time for reinvention for many. And, 2023 isn’t any different. With the start of a new year, you can take the time to reflect on the past and move forward with renewed intentions for the next 365 days ahead. This year, as you prepare to usher in your New Year’s resolutions and toast the night away at a fabulous New Year’s Eve party, remember to share a few new year wishes with your friends and loved ones. Who knows, your positive vibes and well wishes could make all the difference!

Our gorgeous boutique community continues to grow! Please know that as soon as you go under contract with Taylor Morrison on this property, you are invited to participate in all Lifestyle events and activities. The Lifestyle Program is tailored to your interests, so do not hesitate to reach out to us with your comments and suggestions for our events in the future.

There are new and exciting events on the horizon! Join us for Brunch & Punch with 9Round Fitness of Matthews, A New Year,

New Home with Theory Design, Thrive Yoga’s Chair Fitness, an evening of Chocolate and Wine Pairing with JF Chocolat, and an educational guided tour with Sea Life Aquarium of Charlotte, and so much more! Check out your calendar of events and sign up to attend.

We encourage all newly closed Members to join us for Esplanade 101, as it is the key to your Lifestyle here at Northgate. We also invite all Members to join us for Neighborhood News, a community update with your dedicated team, and Coffee and Conversation with your Lifestyle Manager and team to discuss your Resort Lifestyle!

Best wishes for the New Year and here’s to 2023 bringing many exciting opportunities to join inspiring events!

Stasia Hope Voorhees

YOUR REGIONAL LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR

We are pleased to formally introduce you to Stasia Voorhees, your Regional Lifestyle Director of the Esplanade Brand. Stasia is currently providing onsite Lifestyle support to all twelve Esplanade communities located in Florida. That portfolio continues to expand and evolve as the Esplanade Brand reaches new heights nationwide! In addition to providing strategic Lifestyle programming support to all local Lifestyle teams, Stasia has played a pivotal role in providing day-to-day operations support at the communities. Whether that’s showing up ready to set up and break down an onsite event or taking on the daily responsibilities of a local Lifestyle Manager during times of staff transition, Stasia is truly an irreplaceable member of our team and is always ready to step in at a moment’s notice.

After earning her Associates of Arts Degree from St. Petersburg College, and her Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology, Stasia began her career as a teacher and taught early childhood education, ages 3-6 years old. After learning about the Lifestyle Manager role, she decided to make a career transition, and was an acting Lifestyle Manager for five years before her well-deserved promotion to Regional Lifestyle Director.

Born and raised in Safety Harbor, Florida, Stasia is the oldest of three, with two younger brothers, Brandon and Mitchel. She is also the proud aunt of Santi and Colton. In 2017 she married her husband Kelly, and the pair celebrated their 5-year wedding anniversary in February of this year! Kelly and Stasia met in their hometown but eventually relocated to Sarasota, where they met some of their most cherished, lifelong friends!

Stasia currently shares a loving home with her husband, her dog Yoshi (who will be celebrating a 9th birthday this year) and her beloved, almost threeyear-old son Benjamin. “He is truly the most amazing thing to ever happen to me. He has taught me so much about love and life and I am so fortunate to be his mommy,” Stasia shares.

As a family, some of their favorite things to do together are play outside where Benny loves to swing on his special red swing, watch football, go on adventures and spend time with family and friends. Stasia’s side of the family are also Disney lovers and self-proclaimed (rightfully so!) Disney park experts, and have created many wonderful memories at the Walt Disney World Resort together with annual family trips.

Stasia comes from a very sport centric family, with a special affinity for football. “I am a huge Miami Dolphins fan and Tampa Bay Lightning fan - Go Fins and Bolts!” Stasia and her husband also really enjoy traveling.

Stasia’s schedule keeps her on the road and adventuring across the state of Florida, but if you happen to see her around your community, she’d love to meet you in person. Thank you Stasia, for all that you do for our teams – we could not do it without you!

Punch & Brunch

Monday,

January 9

11 a.m. | Sales Gallery

Start National Bloody Mary Day off right with a 30-minute kickboxing session hosted by 9Round Matthews. Then celebrate your WIN by enjoying a light brunch and a signature Bloody Mary with your Lifestyle Team.

Friday, February 17

10:30 a.m. | $33 Per Person 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord

Travel through 10 breathtaking creature encounter zones. Then join expert guides to discover how they care for over 5,000 creatures. This 20-minute interactive guided tour immerses you in their world of feeding and caring for creatures and discovering how they create an ocean in the heart of the greater Charlotte area.

FEATURING JF CHOCOLAT Chocolate & Wine Pairing

Wednesday, February 15

5:30 - 7 p.m. | Malta Model | $30 Per Person

Join us in celebrating Valentine’s Day with JF Chocolat, an acclaimed chocolatier supplying handcrafted chocolate confections focused on flavor, quality ingredients, and a sophisticated presentation using modern techniques. The evening will include six courses of chocolate and wine pairings.

Furry Friends Meet

LOVED

Mika

BY CISSY MANSON

Mika is a one and a half year old Bichon-Poo. Her apricot coat has the most adorable splash of white on her chest and she’s one of the softest dogs you’ll ever pet. Mika loves people and other pets!

Her favorite thing to do is go to doggy daycare and play with her furry friends. She is joyful, friendly, and becomes a jumping bean when she meets new and old friends. If you see her in the neighborhood or at the Northgate Bark Park, be sure to pet her!

FEATURE YOUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBER

Contact your Lifestyle Manager to be featured in the next edition of the Lifestyle Magazine. Answer a few questions about your furry, feathery, or scaly friend and share a couple pictures. Don’t have a furry family of your own, but know a community Member who does? Nominate them to be the next Featured Furry Friend. Contact the Member to suggest the feature or your Lifestyle Manager to nominate anonymously.

Exclusive Concierge Offerings

Part of the Esplanade Lifestyle is rolling out the red carpet and giving our Members VIP access to exclusive offers and services! We are excited to build and foster relationships with local organizations and businesses to offer special rates for our community. If you know of one that would like to partner with Esplanade at Northgate, please contact your Lifestyle Manager.

PET SERVICES

CAMP BOW WOW

10% off all services (including grooming) and 5% off all products. Members are given the Wag Bag when they go under contract. 704-708-9663

campbowwow.com/matthews

HOUNDS TOWN USA

15% OFF Saturday Daycare only. Good at Indian Trail location. Members are given discount card at closing. 704-218-2100

houndstownusa.com

DRY CLEANING

COLLINS CLEANERS

VALET SERVICE

Esplanade Members receive FREE pickup and delivery service directly to their door. Services include dry cleaning, linens, laundry, alterations, shoes, and household items. Stop by the Sales Gallery for the sign-up sheet with the schedule and pricing list or sign up on their website. 704-398-1525 collinscleaners.com

HOME SERVICES

QUANTUM SECURITY AND INNOVATIONS

Esplanade Members can choose from three EXCLUSIVE packages: Sonos Home Theater Package, Sonos Package, or Alula Security Package. Members who purchase an exclusive package will also receive a 10% discount on any additional purchase. To view QSI’s state-of-theart systems, visit the Model Homes or stop by the Sales Gallery for a brochure detailing these packages. 704-534-2468

Recent Events

Cooking & Cocktail Series GRILLIN’ & CHILLIN’

An excitingly delicious event thoroughly enjoyed by all! This summertime tasting experience demonstrated how to prepare and grill the perfect steak paired with a charred corn and black bean salad. Then Members elevated their mixology skills learning to create a refreshing Sangria and a Classic Smoked Old Fashioned. Juan Yucra told us, “Last week, we chose Morton’s Steak House to celebrate Teresa’s birthday with our sons. I can tell you that tonight’s steak was better than what we had at Morton’s that night. It’s hard to believe such a great tasting steak can come from using simple ingredients with a grilling technique anyone can learn.”

Carolina Pottery FESTIVAL

Breast Cancer AWARENESS

Tony & Sheila Johnson

The Members of our community are truly what make this a wonderful place to live. In each edition, we will spotlight a Member, couple or family to showcase the amazing people that call our community home. If you would like to be featured or want to nominate another Member, please contact your Lifestyle Manager.

The Johnsons have lived in North Carolina for around 19 years. They met in 2005 at Crown Point Elementary where they both worked. When asked how they met, Sheila chuckled as she told us, “Tony wooed me by bringing me a bowl of grits each morning before school started. Putting sugar in grits must be a Cleveland thing where he’s from because I’m from New York and we don’t put sugar in our grits. But the grits worked because we got married in 2009!”

Sheila is a busy local middle school teacher and Tony is with NHE Property Management and Maintenance of Charlotte. They’re both looking forward to retirement to do more of the activities they enjoy. Tent camping is at the top of their list of favorites followed by bicycling and white-water rafting! Both enjoy playing tennis and are excited about the prospect of learning the game of Pickleball when the courts open!

The Johnsons put a lot of thought into the purchase of their new home. Tony knew what he was looking for in a community and Sheila knew what she was looking for in a home. They knew they were looking for the resort-style living they found at Esplanade at Northgate! Tony tells us, “When we met Sunshine, Sean, and Jessica at the Sales Gallery our choice was clear. We loved the area, we liked the people, and we were both excited to see the large variety of activities already planned for the community.”

Lifestyle is thrilled the Johnsons chose Esplanade at Northgate as their new community! We’re looking forward to seeing Tony and Sheila excel in the game of Pickleball and represent our community in future tournaments.

YOU COULD BE IN THE Spotlight NEXT!

The Members of our community are truly what make this a wonderful place to live. In each Lifestyle Magazine issue, we will spotlight a Member, couple or family to showcase the amazing Members we have living in Esplanade at Northgate. If you would like to be featured, please answer the questions below and send some fun photos to your Lifestyle Manager.

1. What are your names and why did you choose Esplanade?

2. Are you a full-time Member? If not, where else do you spend your time?

3. What Lifestyle programs are you most interested in? Also, tell us your hobbies.

4. Tell us about your family/pets and your current or past professions.

5. What is the best advice you've ever received or given?

6. Where is the most exciting place you've traveled to and what made it so memorable?

7. Tell us something about yourself that may surprise people.

Upcoming Events

All activities and events are subject to change. For full details, please visit EsplanadeNorthgateLifestyle.com/events.

YAPPY HOURS

Wednesdays, January 4 & February 1 | 4:30 p.m. Bark Park

Meet up with your furry friends to enjoy these dogtastic social events. January’s theme is B.Y.O.D. for some pup cups and a romp around the Community Bark Park. February’s theme is Pints and Puppy Kisses! Bring your pups for some sweet treats and puppy smooches. Feel free to bring your favorite beverages and favorite toys to play fetch!

PUNCH AND BRUNCH

Monday, January 9 | 11 a.m.

Sales Gallery

Start National Bloody Mary Day off right with a 30-minute kickboxing session hosted by 9Round Fitness - Matthews. Then celebrate your WIN by enjoying a light brunch and a signature Bloody Mary with your Lifestyle Team.

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY: ALL THAT SPARKLES

Wednesday, January 11 | 5 p.m.

Sales Gallery

For this tasting, we’ll talk bubbles and fizz – of course paired with the most wonderful holiday bites! When it comes to sparkling wine, Champagne isn’t the only bubbly that sparkles. Bring your favorite sparkling wine like Cava, Prosecco, and Crémant, among others, to taste and share with your neighbors.

MONDAY MANIA CARD GAME NIGHT

Monday, January 16 | 5 p.m. Sales Gallery

Join us for an evening of learning new board games. Bring your own games with approximate play times of 20-30 minutes for 4-6 players and challenge another neighbor to a board game showdown! Some recommended games are Exploding Kittens, Codenames, Mysterium, Uno (new editions), Spontaneous, and We’re Not Really Strangers.

NEW YEAR, NEW HOME WITH THEORY DESIGN

Wednesday, January 18 | 5 p.m. Sales Gallery

In 2023, it’s all about peaceful, calming, well-edited interiors. Experts with Theory Design (the same interior designers of Northgate’s Model Homes) will show Members how to turn their homes into retreat-like havens. Whether you are designing an entire home, or refreshing a room, the demonstration will incorporate soothing color palettes and natural materials with an emphasis on maximizing your space to minimize stress in your new home for the new year.

CANDLE MAKING WITH SEMI COLON SOY CANDLES

Monday, January 30 | 5 p.m.

Sales Gallery

Get cozy this winter in this candle making workshop with Tammy from Semi Colon Soy Candles! Choose from a variety of seasonal scents (or keep it unscented), and an assortment of dried flowers and decorative elements to make your very own soy candle. Workshop runtime is 90 minutes, and it is recommended to wear clothing you won’t mind getting crafty in. All materials are provided.

Upcoming Events

All activities and events are subject to change. For full details, please visit EsplanadeNorthgateLifestyle.com/events.

CHOCOLATE & WINE PAIRING

Wednesday, February 15 | 5:30 – 7 p.m.

Malta Model | $30 Per Person

Join us in celebrating Valentine’s Day with JF Chocolat, an acclaimed chocolatier supplying handcrafted chocolate confections focused on flavor, quality ingredients, and a sophisticated presentation. The evening will include six courses of chocolate and wine pairings.

SEA LIFE AQUARIUM

Friday, February 17 | 10:30 a.m. | $33 Per Person

8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027

Travel through 10 breathtaking creature encounter zones. This 20-minute interactive guided tour immerses you in the world of feeding and caring for creatures and discovering how they create an ocean in the heart of the Greater Charlotte Area.

WALK 4 MILE CREEK GREENWAY

Monday, February 20 | 2 p.m.

Squirrel Lake Park | 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews

This Greenway begins at a long wooden boardwalk that passes through a mixed Loblolly and Shortleaf Pine Forest. The 2.26-mile (one way) greenway links downtown Matthews with Squirrel Lake Park and connect neighborhoods from E. John Street to S. Trade Street. It’s an asphalt trail with boardwalk. Meet your Lifestyle Team in the parking lot of Squirrel Lake Park.

Monthly Member Meetings

THIRSTY THURSDAY TRIVIA NIGHT

Thursday, February 23 | 5 p.m. Sales Gallery

Join us for a fun trivia night in our Sales Gallery! Included in your $15 ticket is trivia fun hosted by a trivia pro, light bite snacks, water and lemonade. Members are invited to bring their own spirited beverages to enjoy. Space is limited to the first 25 registered attendees. Advanced registration is required.

ESPLANADE 101

Tuesdays, January 10 & February 7

10 a.m. | Sales Gallery

New Members can meet with the CAM and Lifestyle Manager to briefly discuss HOA and Lifestyle topics outlined in your Member Handbook. Come with your questions!

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

Tuesdays, January 17 & February 21

10 a.m. | Sales Gallery

Meet with your Community Association Manager in a relaxed and social setting to discuss the latest news surrounding the neighborhood.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION

Tuesdays, January 31 & February 28

9:30 a.m. | Lifestyle Den

Join your Lifestyle Manager for a relaxing and informative meeting. Find out what’s happening on the social scene. Bring your questions and suggestions.

Interest Groups & Social Clubs

Doing more of what makes us happy is called the key to life by many. Share your passion and take the first step by creating a club or group today!

Meet fellow Members with similar interests by creating or joining an Interest Group or Club! Any Member wishing to develop one should contact the Lifestyle Manager to receive information and an application. The Lifestyle Manager will then help to facilitate promotion of activities developed by the Members. Depending on the group size and activity, the Sales Gallery may be a suitable space for your gatherings. Contact your Lifestyle Manager for help in coordinating.

1. DEVELOP: Create the name and purpose of your club. Review guidelines. 2. SUBMIT APPLICATION: Let us know! We'll help schedule your meeting place and time. 3. GET LISTED: Once approved, your new club will be listed on the website and in the Lifestyle Magazine.

Strawberry Sugar Scrub

This easy DIY sugar scrub makes a great self-care gift this Valentine’s Day. The recipe makes two eight-ounce jars.

DIRECTIONS 1. Add the freeze-dried strawberries to your food processor bowl and blitz them until it becomes a fine powder. Set it aside. 2. Add cane-sugar, room temperature coconut oil and vanilla extract to your mixing bowl. 3. Mix the contents of your bowl with a spoon until combined, then add the freeze-dried strawberry powder until all ingredients are combined. 4. Spoon into your glass jars and it’s ready to use!

Fitness Classes

THRIVE YOGA PRESENTS CHAIR FITNESS

Sunday, January 15 | 10 a.m.

Presley Model Sunroom

This class is designed to increase muscle strength, range of movement, and mobility in all joints. The use of a chair helps with the standing and balancing movement exercises. The fitness class is structured for everyone to improve daily living.

THRIVE YOGA PRESENTS CARDIO STRENGTH & FITNESS

Thursday, February 9 | 10 a.m.

Presley Model Sunroom

This class is designed to assist in everyday life. The class focuses on improving cardio conditioning and building a body capable of doing real-life activities in real-life positions. We will use hand weights, medicine balls, stability balls, resistance bands, and kickboxing moves.

Upcoming Culinary Events

REGIONAL FAVORITES POTLUCK DINNER

Saturday, February 4 | 5 p.m.

Sales Gallery

A Member Sharing Potluck Dinner! Bring a dish that celebrates “where you’re from.” Enjoy great food and company sharing your origin story with your neighbors in the community.

SIMPLE SOUP & RECIPE EXCHANGE

Saturday, January 14 | 12 p.m.

Sales Gallery

Join Lifestyle in sharing your favorite soup recipe. Bring a crockpot up to the Sales Gallery to share with your neighbors. Nothing beats a warm bowl of delicious hearty soup on a cold winter day! Take home containers, bowls and spoons provided.

Around Town

Looking for things to do this winter? Northgate is uniquely situated to access Monroe to Charlotte and everything in between! Check out these interesting events in the area!

BLOWING ROCK WINTERFEST

January 26 - 29

Blowing Rock | blowingrockwinterfest.com

WinterFest is a lively winter festival in the gorgeous mountains of North Carolina! This year features the polar bear plunge, a charity chili challenge cook-off, wine tastings, ice carvings, and so much more! Cheers to winter!

NC RARE & VINTAGE BEER

Saturday, January 28

Durham | ncrarebeer.com

The NC Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting was created to celebrate beer culture by recreating the excitement of trying a new beer that you have never or would never get to try outside of living near the brewery. Beers are poured by 50-55 different brewery representatives in an intimate environment, allowing attendants the opportunity to learn what makes these beers special and meet the personalities behind them. Participating breweries bring between 1 and 4 beers each lending to a panoply of varying styles that is sure to please every kind of beer connoisseur.

WINE ABOUT WINTER

Friday, February 3 | 5 - 9 p.m.

Downtown Salisbury | downtownsalisburync.com Tour the wines of Rowan County, North Carolina and beyond right here in Downtown Salisbury. Enjoy this event as a night out with friends or make it a date night! Participating shops and restaurants in Downtown Salisbury will each be assigned a specific wine. Ticket holders will travel from place to place to sample wines.

QUEEN CITY BREWERS FESTIVAL

Saturday, February 11 | 1 - 4 p.m. Grady Cole Center, Charlotte | qcbrewfest.com

The annual Queen City Brewers Festival in Charlotte is a gathering of hopheads and microbrewers that spotlights the craft beer industry while supporting an important community program. The sudssoaked event features 50 exclusively Charlotte-area breweries and cideries along with hand-picked restaurants, snack exhibitors and sponsors. Cheers!

UNCORKED: CHARLOTTE WINE FESTIVAL

Saturday, February 11 | 5 - 9 p.m. Discovery Place Science

The Uncorked Wine Festival is coming back to Charlotte! Join us at Discovery Place Science and enjoy over 100 wines and champagnes from across the globe plus favorite local food trucks, full afterhours access to the museum and more! Bring your thirst and your curiosity and come get Uncorked here in Charlotte! For more information and tickets, search “Uncorked: Charlotte Wine Fest” on Facebook!

CHARLOTTE ODDITIES & CURIOSITIES EXPO

February 18 - 19 | 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Charlotte Convention Center

The Oddities & Curiosities Expo showcases hand selected vendors, dealers, artists and small businesses from all over the country with all things peculiar. You’ll find items such as: taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, haunting inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities and much more. They truly have something weird for everyone at their shows. For more information and tickets, search “Charlotte Oddities & Curiosities Expo” on Facebook!

Benefits of a Fresh Air Workout

Did you know fresh air can aid the body in digesting food more effectively and simultaneously strengthens the immune system? As your lungs dilate from increased levels of oxygen, the body will release airborne toxins when exhaling. The American Heart Association recommends adults get 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity. Commit to fit this year and get active!

STEVEN’S CREEK NATURE PRESERVE WALK

Friday, January 6 | 2 p.m. 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227

Start the year off right with your neighbors enjoying the outdoors and fresh air at this nature walk.

Classroom Central Supply Drive

Please consider donating school supplies from Sunday, January 1 - Tuesday, February 28.

Classroom Central of Charlotte envisions a world where every child has the supplies they need to learn, and every teacher feels valued and supported. Classroom Central provides essential school supplies, plus additional resources including hands-on learning materials, incentives, a Lending Library and prepared lesson plans. Founded in 2002, Classroom Central now serves more than 127,000 students and their teachers in nearly 200 schools across 6 districts. Learn more about this amazing organization at classroomcentral.org

Members are invited to bring to the Sales Gallery the nine most needed supplies below or shop their online store: secure.qgiv.com/ event/9stc2022/store

EsplanadeNorthgateLifestyle.com