Esplanade Lifestyle - Northgate | Nov/Dec 2022

LIFESTYLE

FROM THE LIFESTYLE

SPOTLIGHT

FEATURED EVENT

PET FEATURE

SPOTLIGHT

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Sunshine Linzi Lifestyle Manager SLinzi@Evergreen-LM.com

Grace Jones Community Association Manager GJones@Evergreen-LM.com

TAYLOR MORRISON

Sean Robertson Community Sales Manager SRobertson@TaylorMorrison.com

Jessica Sinopoli Community Sales Manager JSinopoli@TalyorMorrison.com

MEMBER SERVICE

Esplanade@Evergreen-LM.com EsplanadeNorthgateLifestyle.com 866-325-0703

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

SALES GALLERY HOURS

Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday, 12 - 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, 1 - 6 p.m.

Letter From the Lifestyle Team

SUNSHINE LINZI YOUR LIFESTYLE MANAGER

Make it an Esplanade Season to Remember!

A big thank you to all our Members for making our recent events such a success! Your Lifestyle Team has endeavored to bring you more of the curated lifestyle experiences you enjoy as we enter the Season of Gratitude and Giving

As our boutique community continues to grow, so will the social life! 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. Before the hustle and bustle this Holiday Season, be sure to take some time to review your event calendar and plan which thoughtfully curated events you will attend.

Upcoming programs to celebrate with your neighbors include the Carolina Pottery Festival and Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker If you are looking for holiday inspiration, be sure to register for Native Stage and Design’s Fall Decorating Trends and Theory Design’s Holiday Centerpieces. Learn something new creating unique ornaments with Lisa’s Crafts and DIY your own soy candle with Tammy from Semi Colon Candles. Set aside time

for self-care and wellness by attending a Wine Tasting: All that Sparkles, Gobble Gobble Trivia Night, Jingle Mingle Bingo, and so much more!

Your dedicated team hosts Monthly Member Meetings so you can get the most out of the Esplanade Lifestyle here at Northgate. If you are new to the community, I strongly encourage you to attend the informative Esplanade 101 covering all the key topics for your Esplanade Lifestyle and HOA. Then relax with your Community Association Manager in Neighborhood News to get your latest community updates. And lastly, enjoy breakfast on us over Coffee and Conversation with yours truly to brainstorm ideas and discuss upcoming programming.

With the many opportunities to Make the Season Bright, I look forward to seeing you engage in the many social experiences!

Sunshine Linzi

YOUR LIFESTYLE MANAGER

We are pleased to introduce your Lifestyle Manager, Sunshine Linzi. Yes, Sunshine is her real name, and she is responsible for providing you with an inspired Lifestyle. Working with the Esplanade National Team, she carefully curates everything from Signature Events to a day trip on Charlotte’s Light Rail and everything in between. Sunshine’s goal is to provide unique experiences for our Members to enjoy and be there to support you in any way she can.

Being a Lifestyle Manager is Sunshine’s dream profession. She enjoys learning about people and their life stories – she’s never met a stranger! Sunshine is a North Carolina local who graduated Summa Cum Laude from UNC Greensboro’s Bryan School of Business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She comes to you as the former Director of Mad Science of Charlotte, a science after-school program for grades K-5. She is excited now to be serving your new community as it grows.

When Sunshine isn’t providing Northgate with unique opportunities, she can be found spending time with her family. Her husband Tom is a Senior Business Intelligence Analyst with Atrium Healthcare. Their son Jacob will be graduating from UNC Asheville in spring 2023 with a degree in Web Design. “We’re so proud of him. We laugh now because we knew after touring the campus, he’d choose his dad’s alma mater, and he did,” she states.

Their dogs are Ripley and Charlie. Ripley is an eight-year-old Husky/ Australian Shepherd mix and Charlie is a mischievous two-year-old Beagle mix. Both are avid hikers who conquered trails on Mt. Mitchell, Whitewater Falls, and Crowders Mountain this past year.

Sunshine is a lover of all animals and animal welfare. “You can always find relatable conversation by asking people about their pets,” she shares. She volunteers each spring at the local Carolina Waterfowl Rescue to help feed baby songbirds. She fosters through three rescues in Charlotte and her favorite part of fostering is keeping in touch as they grow with their forever families.

Sunshine and Tom are adventurers! 2019 found them in England with a week in Cambridge to tour colleges and punt the River CAM, then they were off to London for a weekend of sightseeing including a day at the Tower of England. When COVID restrictions were lifted, their spring travels took them to Maine to ocean kayak on Camden Harbor then a boat ride to the famous Cabbage Island Lobster Bake. Next, they were off to Boulder, CO in late summer to hike the Flat Irons and visit Rocky Mountain National Park.

As Esplanade at Northgate grows, Sunshine is excited to meet each new Member! She is looking forward to planning your future events and hearing your suggestions on exciting places and activities you would like to attend around the Greater Charlotte Region.

Friendsgiving

It is time to gobble

you wobble with gratitude! The Lifestyle Team cordially invites Members to

first annual Friendsgiving celebration. Gather with your neighbors with grateful hearts for an evening of friendship, food, and entertainment.

PET SERVICES

CAMP BOW WOW

for all future visits.

704-708-9663

8635 Crown Crescent Ct Charlotte, NC 28227 campbowwow.com/matthews

Furry Friends

Meet Max

LOVED BY SHEILA & TONY JOHNSON

A sweet and lovable Great Dane, when Max isn’t playing his favorite game of fetch, you can find him chewing on one of his treasured stuffed animals. When Tony brought puppy Max home to Sheila, he described Max to her as a “miniature” version of the breed. However, as Max grew larger and then even larger, there was no hiding the fact that he was growing into a gentle giant. Like most dogs, Max loves attention and believes himself to be a small lap dog. At any moment, he will plop one or both of his front legs on your lap and stand there calmly so you can rub his legs. Max is one year and eight months old! His special talent is “talking” by yawning to let you know what he needs. Max anxiously awaits the opening of our Bark Park to play his favorite game of fetch. We hope to see all our Furry Friends at next month’s Yappy Hour!

FEATURE YOUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBER

Contact your Lifestyle Manager, Sunshine Linzi at SLinzi@EvergreenLM.com, 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.

Lifestyle Manager.

PET SERVICES

HOUNDS TOWN USA

15% off Saturday’s fully interactive daycare at the Indian Trail location only. Members are given a signed discount card from Hounds Town location at closing. Member’s dog must pass a scheduled, no-cost temperament evaluation.

704-218-2100

2613 Hayes Road Monroe, NC 28110 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

Donna & David Hiza

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.

Donna and David met as teenagers at a rec center dance and have been dancing together ever since. When asked what caught their eye about each other, David told us, “It was her first smile with those double dimples, and I’ve been smitten ever since.” Donna told us, “He was persistent, and his persistence won me over.”

When searching for a new home, they found exactly what they were looking for with Esplanade at Northgate. They needed a community located conveniently for visits from their two sons, Tim and Allen, with amenities for resort-style living, and a Lifestyle Manager to curate memorable experiences.

Naturally, dancing is the Hizas favorite activity. Married 55 years, they’ve taken Shag, Line, Ballroom, and Country-Western classes together. Always up for a new activity, Donna is excited to learn pickleball and bocce ball and David would like to learn new board games, card games, and attend cooking classes.

A fun fact about Donna is her passion for boxing. She laces up her gloves to jab, cross, hook, and uppercut! Her sons recently gifted her a new set of gloves because she wore out her first set in less than a year. If there’s one thing everyone should experience once in their life, David recommends taking a cruise. He explained it’s an affordable way to enjoy a great vacation with sight-seeing, great food, games, and entertainment.

The Lifestyle Team is thrilled the Hizas chose Esplanade at Northgate as their new community! We cannot wait to see these two dancing the night away at our first 2023 Signature Event.

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.

What are your names and why did you choose Esplanade?

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

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

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

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

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

Tell us something about yourself that may surprise people.

Recent Events

Sliders, Sips & Suds MEMBER WELCOME

Members enjoyed welcoming and greeting each other at our first Lifestyle Member Welcome! We fired up the Lifestyle grill for everyone to enjoy delicious sliders with fixings, sides, and refreshments for a relaxed social event.

COASTER SETS

Members joined us for an afternoon of learning something new! Each crafter created a set of coasters for their new homes using highly pigmented inks in an alcohol base. Then each coaster is topped off with a glossy resin coating to protect for usage.

Introduction to MAHJONG

Members are offered introductory classes in various topics each month. Christlayn told Lifestyle she has wanted to learn Mahjong for quite some time. With some beginner’s luck, she won with a naturally concealed Mahjong!

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, Sunshine Linzi at SLinzi@Evergreen-LM.com, 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.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. LeGrand Center, Shelby Bus Departs Sales Gallery at 9 a.m.

The Carolina Pottery Festival has over one hundred of the finest

and ceramic artists! Just in time for holiday shopping, Members can find functional, artistic, creative handmade clay pottery items! Artists display their works of functional, artistic, jewelry, cooking dishes, Christmas ornaments, sculptures, vases and so much more!

Begins at 1 p.m.

Gallery at 12 p.m.

Person

Charlotte Ballet, in partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, invites senior adults to experience a full working dress rehearsal of The Nutcracker. Members will experience an exclusive peek into the rehearsal process; including, hearing from artists and watching the stage crew prep for the performance. Meet your Lifestyle Manager at the Sales Gallery Parking lot for a chartered departure to this exciting holiday event!

CHARLOTTE

Upcoming Events

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

PATRIOTIC DOOR WREATH

Thursday, November 3 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery

Celebrate all your red, white, and blue holidays with this Patriotic Bandana Wreath! Just in time to hang on your front door for Veterans Day, join Lisa’s Crafts as she takes you through the simple steps of making your very own door wreath.

THE CAROLINA POTTERY FESTIVAL

Saturday, November 5 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Meet at Sales Gallery Parking Lot for Chartered Departure

The festival has over one hundred of the finest potters and ceramic artists! Just in time for holiday shopping, Members can find functional, artistic, creative handmade clay pottery items! Artists display their works of functional, artistic, jewelry, cooking dishes, Christmas ornaments, sculptures, vases and so much more!

YAPPY HOURS

First Wednesdays: November 2 & December 7 | 5 p.m. Sales Gallery Lanai

Meet up with your furry friends to enjoy a “dogtastic” social event. November’s theme is K-9s & Cocktails! Cool weather is finally here and what a great time of year to get outside with your dog. There’ll be a featured cocktail and pup cups too! In December, ‘Tis the Season to be jolly and have a “furlalalala” time with your doggie! Feel free to bring your favorite beverages and your favorite toy to play fetch!

WINE TASTING: ALL THAT SPARKLES

Friday, November 11 | 6 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.

MEMBER FRIENDSGIVING

Wednesday, November 16 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery

It’s time to gobble gobble ‘till you wobble with gratitude! Lifestyle cordially invites Members to Northgate’s first annual Friendsgiving celebration. Gather with your neighbors with grateful hearts for an evening of friendship, entertainment and food.

GOBBLE GOBBLE TRIVIA

Monday, November 21 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery

Join your neighbors for an evening of Thanksgiving Trivia. Put on your stretch pants and get ready to gobble down some questions!

CANDLE MAKING WITH SEMICOLON CANDLES

Monday, November 28 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery

Get cozy this fall in this candle making workshop with Tammy from Semi Colon 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.

SEASHELL CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

Thursday, December 8 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery

Just in time to trim your tree, join Lisa’s Crafts as she takes you through the steps to decoupage your very own set of seashell ornaments. We recommend you wear clothing you won’t mind getting crafty in. All materials provided.

Upcoming Events

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

LADIES LUNCH BUNCH

Monday, December 5 | 12 p.m.

Athenian Grill | 614 Indian Trail Road South, Indian Trail

Ladies Lunch theme for December is Ugly Sweaters at Athenian Grill in Indian Trail. Ugly sweaters are optional, but there will be a prize for the best! Meet your fellow Northgate ladies on location.

CHARLOTTE BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER

Friday, December 9 | 1 p.m.

Belk Theater

Charlotte Ballet, in partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, invites adults 55+ to experience a full working dress rehearsal of The Nutcracker. Members will experience an exclusive peek into the rehearsal process, including hearing from artists and watching the stage crew prep for the performance. Meet your Lifestyle Manager at the Sales Gallery parking lot at 12 p.m. for a chartered departure to this exciting holiday event!

THIRSTY THURSDAY: TINSEL & ‘TINIS

Thursday, December 22 | 6 p.m.

Sales Gallery

Let’s get festive with holiday cocktails! Wear your favorite holiday apparel such as ugly sweaters, jingle bell hat and elf ears and join your neighbors to taste and share your favorite holiday drinks. Light bites provided.

Monthly Member Meetings

JINGLE & MINGLE BINGO

Monday, December 19 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery

Santa Claus is coming to town, and you’ll inevitably need a break from your Christmas preparations. Bring your excitement for games to enjoy an evening of Jingle & Mingle BINGO! How to play: 1) Each Member receives a bingo card and coordinating marker stamp; 2) As you Jingle & Mingle, mark each box as you “find the Member” that fits the corresponding trait on your bingo card; 3) First player to get bingo wins their choice of a spa gift basket or a tabletop bocce ball game.

ESPLANADE 101

Tuesdays, November 8 & December 6 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, November 15 & December 20 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

Wednesdays, November 30 & December 21 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.

Eggnog Protein Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

ounces almond milk (or cashew)

Plain greek yogurt

1 frozen banana

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

teaspoon ground cinnamon

teaspoon ground nutmeg

teaspoon cloves

teaspoon almond extract

Add coconut whipped cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend on high until creamy and frothy. Serve immediately.

DIY Peppermint Bath Bomb

INGREDIENTS

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup citric acid

1/2 cup cornstarch

3 tablespoons Epsom salt

2 teaspoons sweet almond oil

3/4 teaspoon water

15-20 drops peppermint oil

Food coloring (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch and Epsom salt. In a small bowl combine almond oil, water, essential oil, and food coloring. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture. Mix with a whisk until fully combined.

2. The secret to making your own bath bombs in the shape of a ball is to use a plastic ornament from your local craft store that snaps in two. Firmly press half the bath bomb mixture into one side, then press mixture into the other half with a little extra above the rim. Press both sides together firmly. Let the balls set for two hours before removing the plastic ornament ball, then set on a towel to dry overnight.

Diabetic Health: The Power of Walking

November is American Diabetes Month. The CDC estimates that over 37 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and 96 million people aged 18 years or older have prediabetes (26 million of those people are 65+). Persons with prediabetes are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. However, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through a structured lifestyle change program that promotes weight loss, healthy eating, and increased physical activity.

Making a few changes in your lifestyle now may help you avoid the serious health complications of diabetes in the future, such as nerve, kidney and heart damage. It’s never too late to start. Did you know one of the best ways to decrease your risk of diabetes is walking? Spending 30 minutes of brisk walking, five times each week is a great way to increase your physical activity. You can even break the 30 minutes down into 10-minute sessions three times a day.

GUIDED WALK

Monday, November 7 | 2 p.m. Steven’s Creek Nature Preserve | 15700 Thompson Road Mint Hill

Join your fellow Members for a guided walk around the nature preserve. Please register by Friday, November 4.

Upcoming Culinary Events

NATIONAL BROWNIE DAY

Friday, December 16 | 1 p.m.

Sales Gallery

It’s a Northgate Brownie Bake-Off! This day originated in the Palmer House pastry kitchen in 1893 for the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair. Bertha Palmer, President of the Board of Lady Managers, charged Pastry Chef Joseph Sehl to create something new and ta-dah the first brownie was made! Details and official rules will be sent via email.

HOLIDAY COOKIE EXCHANGE

Saturday, December 3 | 2 p.m.

Sales Gallery

Don’t judge a cookie by its sprinkles! Recipes can be long-time family traditions or classic cookies with a twist. Members are asked to bake a dozen of your favorite recipe that has meaning to you and your family to share with your neighbors. To eliminate repeat recipes, please email Lifestyle the type you will be baking along with a copy of your recipe to print and share. Light bites and goody bags for sharing will be provided.

Around Town

He’s making a list and checking it twice! Check out these wonderful experiences around the Greater Charlotte and North Carolina area this Holiday Season!

SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS SHOW

November 10 - 20 | See website for hours Park Expo & Conference Center | southernchristmasshow.com

Take a day to visit the 55th annual Southern Christmas Show! The Conference Center, located at 800 Briar Creek Road in Charlotte, is filled with charming shops, festive music, crafts and holiday décor, yummy food, local wines, Santa, and over 400 holiday merchants with gifts for all ages.

LIGHT THE KNIGHTS FESTIVAL

November 23 - January 6 | See website for hours

Truist Field, Charlotte | milb.com/charlotte-knights

The Light the Knights Festival takes the Queen City by (snow)storm as the Charlotte Knights install a regulation-size ice rink and snow tubing hill in the outfield for all to enjoy this year. The event also features holiday lights, live entertainment, holiday treats, shopping, Santa, and more. Sunday, December 11 is 55 & Over Day with $5 off tickets from 12 - 8 p.m.

HOLIDAYS AT THE GARDEN

November 25 - December 31 | 5 - 9 p.m.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | dsbg.org

Winter will glisten with dazzling lights, sparkling fountains, and holiday décor throughout the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden this season. Gather with family around the warmth of an outdoor fire while kids, young and old, delight in making s’mores. Grab a snack and warm beverage from local food trucks. Shop at the Garden Store for gifts for everyone on your list. Then take your picture in front of the Orchid Tree located outside the Great Hall.

12 DAYS OF GINGERBREAD

November 28 - January 2 | See website for hours Asheville’s Grove Park Inn | omnihotels.com

The official 2022 Gingerbread display begins November 28 through January 2. Guests not staying at the Resort are invited to view the display after 6 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: December 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and January 1.

WINTERFEST & TREE LIGHTING

Friday, December 2 | 6 - 9 p.m. Chestnut Square Park | charlotte.kidsoutandabout.com

Indian Trail’s first-ever Winter Fest will feature pictures with Santa, holiday inflatables, s’mores by an open fire, a sledding hill and community tree lighting!

HOLIDAY LIGHT SPECTACULAR

December 12 - 31 | 5 - 10 p.m. Daily Ballantyne’s Backyard | ncholidaylights.com

Guests can wander through an outdoor walking trail with more than a million lights shining in the night. Larger-than-life holiday installations and scenes also promise to enchant guests of all ages as they walk through the self-paced exhibit. See website for ticket and parking information. Ballantyne’s Backyard is located at 11611 N Community House Road in Charlotte.

Toys for Tots Drive

Please consider donating a new, unwrapped toy from Monday, November 14 - Monday, December 12.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during the holidays each year and distribute those toys as gifts to children in need. Charlotte volunteer, Staff Sergeant Bowen, S.D. is partnering with Esplanade at Northgate to bring your donated toys to local children in need this Christmas.

HIGHLIGHTING YOUR MOST RECENT CHARITABLE EFFORTS

We know that the Members of Esplanade are passionate about connecting with the local community through philanthropic opportunities and charitable giving. We would love to share the ways you are making our community a more positive place! E-mail your Lifestyle Manager, Sunshine Linzi at SLinzi@Evergreen-LM.com with stories and photos of your most recent charitable efforts!

10 Ways to Attract & Enjoy Birds this Fall

utumn brings dramatic changes in the bird life of any North American backyard. As many of the feathered residents that visit your yard during summer go south, migrants from regions to the north will pass through. Some will make brief stopovers while others will spend the winter.

can make the most of this seasonal avian passage by making some adjustments to your property that will attract greater numbers of different birds in the fall—and help them thrive.

nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2010/Attract-Fall-Birds to learn more about these simple steps to maximize the number and variety of birds living in your yard this autumn.