December SouthPark 2023 by SouthParkMag

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FROM THE EDITOR

he funny thing about working for a magazine is the timeline. We start thinking about December in July, and our staff put the finishing touches on this issue before checking off our Thanksgiving grocery lists. We’re exploring topics like dry January, Valentine’s Day, Black History Month and spring gardening before Santa makes his first appearance at the mall. The dichotomy is particularly pronounced around the holidays. I might be editing a story about healthy habits and sticking to New Year’s resolutions (with a recipe for sweet potato casserole open in another browser), shut the laptop, and whip up a batch of eggnog or pumpkin pie. (Who am I kidding! my husband does all the cooking.) Planning ahead is a big part of what we do. And we want your help. What types of stories do you like most? Do you prefer recipes to make at home, or learning about that trendy new restaurant that just opened? More local history, or recent community news? With that in mind, we’ve put together a very short survey, and we hope you’ll share your feedback. Just scan the QR code to respond. EDITOR editor@southparkmagazine.com Happy holidays! SP

CATHY MARTIN

8 | SOUTHPARK

IN THIS ISSUE: 1 - Company is coming! A guest room designed by Marie Cloud (page 22) 2 - Warming up with a sip of whiskey at Oaklore Distilling (page 32) 3 – A dancer rehearses backstage at Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker (page 102)

This month’s holiday style feature by Whitley Adkins (page 114) was inspired by scenes from a bygone era. Can you spot the similarities?

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December BLVD.

22 | interiors Marie Cloud designs a cozy, stylish guest room inspired by boutique hotels.

26 | arts Charlotte collectors share their affection for exquisite artistry in a new exhibition at The Mint Museum.

32 | spirits Oaklore Distilling Co. readies for growth, while keeping community top of mind.

38 | cuisine Coquette combines modern French cuisine, exotic spices and southern flavors.

46 | cuisine Natasha Hunter’s eggplant Parmesan

50 | giving

Purposeful presents: Holiday gifts that give back

54 | design Furnished 2023: 10 designers create for a cause

62 | around town What’s new and coming soon in the Queen City

64 | happenings December calendar of events

SPECIAL SECTION 72 | gift guide A Mingle match: Gifts inspired by SouthPark Magazine’s holiday shopping event

DEPARTMENTS 83 | gardening Seeing green: What to plant for green foliage year-round

87 | art of the state Seagrove artist Ben Owen III continues a family legacy of making and sharing pottery.

93 | bookshelf Notable new releases

95 | simple life Let it snow: Remembrance of a Christmas miracle

139 | swirl Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte

152 | gallery A peppermint tradition in Lexington

ABOUT THE COVER: Charlotte Ballet performs Nutcracker at Belk Theater in December 2022. Photograph by Richard Israel. 12 | SOUTHPARK

38 83

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FEATURES 102 | Where magic happens by Sharon Smith | photographs by Richard Israel Behind the scenes at Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker

114 | Feeling festive styling by Whitley Adkins | photographs by Olly Yung hair and makeup by Josiah Reed Retro-inspired holiday style to celebrate the season

122 | Shopper’s delight

114 14 | SOUTHPARK

by Cathy Martin | photographs by Richard Israel Sonja Nichols bets big on brick-and-mortar retail with the debut of Southern Lion.

126 | Year in photos Images we loved from 2023

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1230 West Morehead St., Suite 308 Charlotte, NC 28208 704-523-6987 southparkmagazine.com _______________ Ben Kinney Publisher publisher@southparkmagazine.com Cathy Martin Editor editor@southparkmagazine.com Sharon Smith Assistant Editor sharon@southparkmagazine.com Andie Rose Creative Director Alyssa Kennedy Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com Miranda Glyder Graphic Designer Whitley Adkins Style Editor Contributing Editor David Mildenberg

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Contributing Writers Krisha Chachra, Jim Dodson, Asha Ellison, Ayn-Monique Klahre, Liza Roberts, Jennings Cool Roddey, Jay Sifford, Michael J. Solender Contributing Photographers Daniel Coston, Justin Driscoll, Richard Israel, Dustin and Susie Peck, Bert VanderVeen, Olly Yung Contributing Illustrator Gerry O’Neill _______________ ADVERTISING Jane Rodewald Sales Manager 704-621-9198 jane@southparkmagazine.com Cindy Poovey Account Executive 704-497-2220 cindy@southparkmagazine.com

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Mignonne Gavigan, a jewelry brand started by Charlotte native Maggie Gavigan in 2014, is best-known for its playful designs, statement earrings and embroidered and beaded scarf “necklaces” sold online and in fine department stores from Neiman Marcus to Saks Fifth Avenue. Headquartered in Charlotte, Diamonds Direct is one of the largest jewelry companies in the U.S., with 27 stores. Now, the two jewelry brands with Queen City ties are teaming up with a fine-jewelry collection handpicked by Gavigan. “The two brands are beautifully blended,” Gavigan says. “The design ethos of Mignonne Gavigan marries so well with the luxury and craftsmanship of Diamonds Direct. It’s the perfect next step to introduce fine jewelry to our customers.” The collection will be available at Diamonds Direct through the end of the year. diamondsdirect.com SP southparkmagazine.com | 21

blvd. | interiors

Boutique chic MARIE CLOUD DESIGNS A COZY, STYLISH GUEST ROOM INSPIRED BY INTIMATE HOTELS. by Cathy Martin | photographs by Amanda Anderson

nterior designer Marie Cloud sought to blend vintage and natural elements in her south Charlotte client’s guest room, while still creating a space that’s soft and contemporary. “The goal was to create a space that had a boutique-hotel vibe that felt very organic in its shapes and materials — but I also wanted it to feel lived-in and approachable,” says Cloud, founder and principal designer of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio. She started by covering the allwhite walls with a mocha-latte tone for a soothing foundation. A botanical-inspired black-and-white rug adds pattern and texture, while the wooden platform bed with a cane-inlay headboard brings in natural elements and a midcentury twist. Crushed velvet draperies in a lush cranberry tone provide a punch of color. Cloud fell in love with the rich pink hue in the geometric accent pillow and sourced the draperies to match. “Everything around it is very neutral — I think it allows for those colors to really pop,” the designer says. Knowing the space would be used for guests, Cloud wanted to leave the room as uncluttered as possible. “I wanted to keep every item very simple and intentionally placed,” from the vintage Bluetooth speaker on the bedside desk to the framed illustrations that are an

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ode to Black women and their hair. The works feature vintage hot combs and three popular hair-styling brands. “Both of the women that I met in the home — the homeowner and her sister — their hair was just always fabulous, every time,” Cloud says. “She’s African American. When her family comes in, there’s nothing like having some sort of artwork on the wall that feels reflective of you, but also takes you back down memory lane.” A last-minute change — swapping a pottery-based ceiling fixture with a tiered iron-and-glass pendant — provided just the right finishing touch. “I needed a funky, unexpected texture there,” Cloud says. After searching high and low, upon seeing the chandelier she knew instantly it would work perfectly. The warm, cozy space is sure to be a hit with guests this holiday season and beyond. SP

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blvd. | arts

Tobias Møhl (Danish, 1970–). Green Glassweaver Vessel, 2012, glass. Promised Gift of Lorne Lassiter and Gary Ferraro.

Eye for excellence CHARLOTTE COLLECTORS LORNE LASSITER AND GARY FERRARO SHARE THEIR APPRECIATION AND AFFECTION FOR EXQUISITE ARTISTRY IN CRAFT ACROSS CONTINENTS, AN EXHIBITION OPENING DEC. 9 AT THE MINT MUSEUM.

n 2012, Danish modernist glassmaker Tobias Mohl reached out to Charlotte craft collectors Lorne Lassiter and Gary Ferraro about a piece of his they’d acquired several years earlier. Mohl wanted to include the work, “Column Group,” an assemblage of nine handblown glass vessels mounted on a large rectangular pedestal, in a forthcoming exhibition at the Glasmuseet, a renowned glass art museum in Ebeltoft, Denmark. “We were thrilled to support Tobias with his request,” Ferraro says. “After having it packed up and shipped to Denmark, we spontaneously decided to surprise Tobias and travel to Denmark to attend the opening and reconnect with our friend.” Not only did Ferraro and Lassiter attend the exhibition opening to support their artist friend and his wife, but they also were treated to a “magical” seven-hour visit to their home and studio. Tobias then referred the couple to a new-to-them artist, which led to additions to their collection and fresh artistic adventures to explore. “This has been our experience with collecting through the 26 | SOUTHPARK

years,” Lassiter says. “Every thread you pull leads to another thread. You visit and you have lunch, and you look at work and then they say, well, you ought to go see this person over here. And that makes another fabulous connection.” Those deep connections will be on display at Mint Museum Uptown Dec. 9 - May 5 in Craft Across Continents – Contemporary Japanese and Western Objects: The Lassiter/Ferraro Collection. About 60 handcrafted objects including ceramics, glass, textiles and bamboo collected by Lassiter and Ferraro over the last several decades will be on view. Annie Carlano, senior curator of Craft, Design and Fashion at the Mint, curated the exhibition. “Right here in Charlotte, we have a world-class, museum-quality collection of objects that Lorne and Gary have been amassing over decades,” Carlano says. “What distinguishes their collection is this focus in part on ceramics and bamboo from Japan, and in particular, works by women. There have been very few women working in ceramics or bamboo in Japan until recently. Lorne

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blvd. | arts

Right: Sharif Bey (American, 1974–). Raptor and Sphere, 2021, vitreous china and mixed media. Promised Gift of Lorne Lassiter and Gary Ferraro.

Bottom: Honda Shoryu 本田聖流 (Japanese, 1951–). Shadow, 2005, bamboo and rattan. Promised Gift of Lorne Lassiter and Gary Ferraro.

Left: Rowland Ricketts III (American, 1971–). Untitled, Noren, 2006, indigo dyed hemp kibira, paste resist. Promised Gift of Lorne Lassiter and Gary Ferraro.

and Gary have sought them out because they understand how important that is to the history of Japanese art and how important it is to chronicle it.”

ongtime members and supporters of the Mint Museum, Lassiter and Ferraro were founding members of The Founders’ Circle, the former affiliate group for the Mint Museum of Craft & Design. Lassiter served as executive director of the group. The couple has fueled their passion for contemporary craft through extensive global travel and an affiliation with a group of Washington, D.C., and Renwick Gallery members. Many of these connections have served as mentors to the collectors. “We started traveling with them and going to shows and being

28 | SOUTHPARK

involved in the whole network of craft enthusiasts,” Ferraro says. “This is what really is the power of our experiences — being with people who loved the same type of art.” The couple allowed Carlano to select virtually any object from their collection for the exhibit. She chose items that both complemented and supplemented works within the Mint’s permanent craft collection. Of special note, Carlano encourages visitors to look for a diverse selection of bamboo works. “There are so many different patterns. It’s rare to see so many bamboo sculptures in one place.” Carlano also singles out two ceramic works by American artist Sharif Bey. “One hangs on the wall and ostensibly looks like a large necklace. The other work, inspired by African figures, is

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blvd. | arts Gary Ferraro and Lorne Lassiter with their dog, Kobe

a large head with impaled nails and ceramic shards. It’s also a vessel — it has a finial on top of the head, and it’s a container for healing power.” Tobias Mohl’s “Green Glassweaver Vessel,” a striking piece crafted in 2012, is featured as part of this special show. (His work “Column Group” was gifted to the Mint by Lassiter and Ferraro and is installed in the museum’s main exhibition gallery.) When asked what characteristics make for an excellent collector, Carlano doesn’t hesitate. “It is really the eye,” she says. “It’s the ability to see greatness that others don’t see. It’s an ability — usually based on a lot of looking and years of experience — to understand, and in the case of craft, to see a great object and appreciate how finely made it is. You’ve got to understand the technique. Gary and Lorne have this from years of self-education and mentoring. They collect from the heart. They have years and years of experience of looking at objects and a kind of self-awareness about who they are and what speaks to them.” A prominent theme of enjoying life through living with art is fully on display with this collection, not only in the objects showcased, but in the design and display of the exhibition. 30 | SOUTHPARK

“I wanted it to feel like you were in somebody’s home, not in a museum gallery,” says Carlano, who collaborated with Meghann Zekan, chief exhibition designer at The Mint Museum, in conceiving the design for the space. “As you enter the gallery, there’s a huge photo blowup of the Charlotte skyline as seen from the balcony of Gary and Lorne’s condo uptown. There is a lot of comfortable seating. We want to evoke a feeling for what it’s like to appreciate their collection in their space.” For Lassiter and Ferraro, the true joy gained from collecting these works is in the relationships built and shared experiences surrounding their acquisitions. “Our experience with Tobias, that’s a very common story for us,” Lassiter says. “It’s kind of our modus operandi. Whenever possible, we like to throw ourselves into the experience and see what happens.” Ferraro concurs. “We have this conversation often,” he says. “Should we focus, should we think more inclusively or intensely about being purposeful about buying within a certain genre and building out that kind of collection? And we always said, ‘Nope, don’t want to do that.’ We just kind of want to fly with our noses, go out and see the world and see what’s there and get involved that way.” SP

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blvd. | spirits

Spirit forward OAKLORE DISTILLING CO. READIES FOR GROWTH — WHILE KEEPING COMMUNITY TOP OF MIND.

onks have produced mead, ale, grappa and other alcoholic spirits for centuries. So it should come as no surprise that a Lutheran minister (and his good buddy) is making whiskey in Matthews. Matt Simpkins, co-pastor at Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, and his business partners Thomas Bogan and Travis Masters opened Oaklore Distilling Co. in September 2022 at the bustling intersection of Monroe Road and Matthews Township Parkway. The distillery makes and sells bourbon, rye, gin, vodka and rum out of the tiny 1,000-square-foot building that once housed a landscaping business. But Oaklore’s story began years earlier. When I sat down with Matt and Tom in late September — almost a year to the day since they opened their doors — two themes came up repeatedly: friendship and community. First, the friendship. Matt and Tom met six years ago at their kids’ bus stop in Matthews and discovered a shared interest in whiskey. The whiskey-making started as a hobby: They purchased pre-made distillate from local ABC stores (it’s illegal to make

32 | SOUTHPARK

your own whiskey without a permit in North Carolina) and began experimenting. “We figured out what our recipe was, what we really enjoyed,” says Tom, a former contractor with a biostatistics degree from UNC Chapel Hill who had previously dabbled with homebrewing beer. Around this time, Charlie Nelson, the co-founder of Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Tenn., was in the area showcasing some of his products. Matt and Tom went to meet him, and began peppering him with questions. Nelson, whose company was being acquired by Constellation Brands, a Fortune 500 company, invited the duo to meet his brother and business partner, Andy Nelson. Introductions to other heavyweights in the distilling world followed, including James Beard Award finalist Drew Kulsveen of Willett Distillery and John Hargrove of Bardstown Bourbon Co. in Kentucky. “We started meeting all these people that had this incredible history in the industry,” Matt says. “And one of the things that we realized was that they were interested in helping us.” Maybe it was Covid, Matt ponders, and the unexpected down-

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blvd. | spirits

Oaklore co-founders Matt Simpkins, left, and Thomas Bogan

time that came when the world shut down. “I remember making a call, and I said, ‘We will all wear hazmat suits. What do you want us to do? We just need to sit down with you and learn,’” he recalls. “They told us everything. They took us back behind the scenes. … That cut years off our learning time.”

A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT The partners searched across Charlotte for a location for their distillery but were ultimately drawn back to Matthews, where they worked and raised their families. “This has always been about community,” says Matt, a Nashville native who arrived in Charlotte in 1989 when his father, a pilot for Piedmont Airlines, moved here for work. “It guides what we do — it’s about story,” he says. It’s at the heart of the business, he says — and it inspired the name. “Those oak staves,” he explains, “all of those barrels are made of oak. Every one of those trees has a story that it tells,” Matt says. “We also think that when you gather around and you have a drink with folks and you get to know them, your collective story is better than your singular story.” Tom’s construction experience was invaluable when it was time to upfit the small wooden structure sitting on a half-acre less than a mile from downtown Matthews. The partners spent eight months converting the space to a tasting room and retail space with a 250-square-foot distillery. Though the building is small, there’s ample outdoor seating, including a large outdoor fireplace for cooler nights. Couples and families, even members of Matt’s congregation, 34 | SOUTHPARK

come to Oaklore to unwind after work and on weekends. There’s a resident food truck, and the tiny bar offers whiskey flights; batched cocktails with names like Pomegranate Punch and the Oak Fashioned; and a handful of made-to-order cocktails. Oaklore is child- and dog-friendly, with slushies, sodas and other nonalcoholic options available. “It’s more of a mature atmosphere,” Tom says. “It’s not a nightlife, college scene.” Before long, the partners realized they were already outgrowing their new space. A slate of changes to state laws regulating the craft-distilling industry boosted business. In 2020, North Carolina began allowing distilleries to sell unlimited bottles on-site. (The previous law allowed only five bottles per person per year.) For the first time, Sunday sales were allowed, and distilleries could serve mixed drinks by the glass. Overnight, the idea of operating a distillery changed from a hobby to a viable business opportunity. “You were able to market yourself and be able to sell product and make money in order to build and grow,” Tom says. This changing environment drew Jack Shute, a 20-year veteran of the spirits industry, to the state in 2021. Spying opportunity amid the rapidly changing industry, Shute had plans to start his own whiskey brand in the state. After a mutual friend introduced him to Tom, they soon realized their skills and experience complemented each other. Jack joined Oaklore earlier this year as head of sales and commercial operations. “The culture that these guys have built in such a young com-

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blvd. | spirits pany, and the team around them [is remarkable],” Jack says. They are easygoing, but sharp.”

A GROWING VISION With growth in mind, the partners — Derrick Land and Sarper Beyazyurek round out the ownership team — have acquired another 3 acres adjacent to the existing location. Last month, Oaklore’s Four Grain Bourbon and North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey — made with North Carolina grains — hit shelves in select ABC stores in Mecklenburg, Union, Wake and Cumberland counties. The products will be available statewide in 2024. Online ordering from Oaklore’s website is scheduled to begin this month. Plans are also underway for a much larger facility playfully called Whiskey Wonderland, with more indoor and outdoor space, a courtyard, and expanded food and retail offerings — perhaps even a gravity-powered track for rolling barrels similar to Woodford Reserve’s at its Kentucky distillery. The larger space will allow Oaklore to accommodate more guests but also to consolidate production in one place. (Currently, rum gin and vodka are handcrafted in the Matthews distillery. Aged whiskies are created on sister stills in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, then processed in Matthews.)

GIVING BACK While the partners have big plans for expansion, a community focus is still at the heart of the business. About three times a year, Oaklore invites a local nonprofit to select their own single barrel bourbon as part of its Angel Barrel program. Proceeds from sales go back to the organization. “We said early on we wanted to be about the community, and we wanted to create something where we could interact specifically with particular organizations in the area that do great things,” Matt says. The first beneficiary was the Matthews Mavericks, a soccer program that covers registration, training and uniform costs for kids who can’t otherwise afford to play. Other nonprofit partners have included Second Harvest Food Bank and Autism Strong. “The vision continues to expand,” Matt says. “It is daunting, it is overwhelming, it brings a challenge, but it’s a lot of fun. As we continue to see that vision grow, things keep falling into place. The stars keep aligning — it’s wild how it works.” SP Oaklore Distilling is at 11136 Monroe Rd. in Matthews. oakloredistilling.com

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blvd. | cuisine

French twist FIRST LOOK: COQUETTE

by Krisha Chachra | photographs by Justin Driscoll

Mushroom Tart with raclette fondue, truffle vinaigrette and harissa

rue to its name, Charlotte’s new uptown restaurant Coquette — which in French means playful, coy woman — flirts with combining modern French cuisine, exotic spices and southern flavors. Mornings at Coquette begin with delightful pastries, quiches and coffees. By afternoon, the patisserie introduces charcuterie, cheeses and sandwiches. Once the cocktails and 38 | SOUTHPARK

wine start flowing, the restaurant transforms from a classic French café to an upscale dining experience featuring mussels, oysters, coq au vin and duck-fat fried chicken, showcasing ingredients from all over the world. Open since late August, Coquette is another feather in the cap of Mother Earth Group, created by Jill Marcus, which also operates nearby Mariposa

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blvd. | cuisine

Foie Gras French Toast with apple butter, sweet potato, pistachio and sherry-maple syrup 40 | SOUTHPARK

at the Mint Museum, vegan eatery Fern and catering company Something Classic. Located in the heart of Charlotte’s business district, Coquette’s décor turns heads with a blend of Parisian and French country design elements. The interior stands out with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble tables, elegant chandeliers, rustic stonework and colorful wallpaper that gives the illusion of stained glass you might find inside European cathedrals. Executive Chef Cristian Medrano — who originally is from Peru but worked in Florida restaurants before landing prestigious appointments with two Michelin-starred kitchens in Washington D.C. — presents classic French food in a reimagined way. Take for instance the Foie Gras French Toast, a perfect blend of southern comfort food served with sherry maple syrup, sweet potato and melt-in-your-mouth, fatty foie gras dusted with Middle Eastern spices. The Jardiniere de Thon Crudo (Tuna Crudo) is a nod to Medrano’s Peruvian roots, with pomegranate consommé poured tableside and accompanied by lime salt, serrano oil

INTERIOR PHOTO COURTESY PLAID PENGUIN

Executive Chef Cristian Medrano

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blvd. | cuisine

Coq au Vin Blanc (roasted chicken with mushrooms, vegetables, bacon, Riesling and lemon confit)

and sesame sprinkled over delicate tuna cubes. Pomegranate seeds burst in your mouth adding texture, sweetness and a new flavor to what could be a one-note dish. Make sure to lap up the peppery gravy with bread ends after hollowing out the Smoked Bone Marrow complete with bacon peppercorn jam. The dinner menu also features a delightful trio of hors d’oeuvres — Croissant au Escargot, Potato Beignets and Gougère au Truffe. For something lighter, the vegetable crudité comes with homemade “Franch” (a French spin on ranch dressing). “I think sharing this craft with other chefs, mentoring them and introducing each other to new ingredients is like a ‘job journey,’” Medrano says. “My team and I are taking this journey together to experiment with new dishes and elevate the delicious food scene in Charlotte.” Medrano and his team test new menu items every few weeks. Next on the horizon is duck a l’orange, he says. A balance of creative freedom and collaboration drew him to Marcus, who believes “combining different people and cultures in one space to talk food unites us all.” Marcus, a former tennis star at Davidson College, fell in love with travel and exploring new flavors while studying abroad in Brittany, France. She gives Medrano and his team room to stretch their imaginations. That vision plays out in a signature dish served at both lunch and dinner: the Moules au Beurre de Vadouvan Fume (mussels with French curry butter). Mussels are soaked in the spicy butter, which is first smoked over an edible charcoal. Toulouse sausage — along with a dusting of garlic — is added to the dish, which is served with a petite baguette on the side. “I’ve seen customers pick up the bowl and drink the broth down,” server Kelly Rosario says. “It’s that good.” 42 | SOUTHPARK

Madame le Brun

Warm Moravian cookies

and even Warmer Welcomes From the glow of gas lanterns to sweet Moravian sugarcake warmed by firelight, Winston-Salem oﬀers a whole new way to experience the joy of this season. Join costumed interpreters on a candlelit tour through 260-year-old homes festooned with original decorations. Enjoy cocoa and carols under a million twinkle lights. Or feast your eyes — and soul — on sweet Moravian delicacies you can only find here. So grab your keys. Reserve your favorite hotel. And give yourself the gift of Winston-Salem for the holidays.

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Historic Homes Tours and Holiday Experiences

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blvd. | cuisine

Moules au Beurre De Vadouvan Fume (mussels with Vadouvan butter, Toulouse sausage and fennel)

When it comes to drinks (other than broth), General Manager Patrick Denetre notes that while pairing a nice wine with your meal is typically French, guests shouldn’t overlook Coquette’s craft cocktail menu. Try the Madame Le Brun with Courvoisier, lemon, lavender syrup and lichi. Or the gin-based Classic 75 with lemon juice, simple syrup and Champagne. Finally, to complement your classic crème brulee for dessert, order a spiced espresso martini or a dulce de leche martini with vanilla vodka and espresso liquor. After a few sips, and a full meal at Coquette, you might feel a little flirty yourself. SP Coquette is open for lunch Tues.-Fri., dinner Tues.-Sat. and weekend brunch Sat.-Sun. The patisserie and café is open Tues.-Sat. 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Coquette offers a monthly wine class hosted by sommelier Fabien Boudart, who shares stories about the history of the wine, tasting notes and recipes. Tickets can be purchased online for $45 per person and include light fare and charcuterie. 400 South Tyron St., coquetteclt.com Salade de Melon et Jambon de Parme (sliced cured ham, melon, yogurt, date molasses) 44 | SOUTHPARK

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blvd. | cuisine

TALE OF THE PLATE:

Momma’s

Eggplant Parmesan CHEF NATASHA HUNTER

by Asha Ellison | photographs by Justin Driscoll

he love that grows through cooking for others is sometimes invisible to the eye but never to the soul. To plan and prepare a satisfying dish, delectable dessert or even someone’s favorite snack requires thoughtfulness, intentionality and care. It also takes one of the most precious commodities in the world — time. Cooking for others is an effort that shows how much the cook or baker cares for those on the receiving end of their gifts. It’s how some people build community, and how others find home. Chef Natasha Hunter knows this personally. When the regional kitchen manager for Charlotte’s five Rhino Market locations moved to the Queen City with her family from upstate New York at age 10, she saw firsthand how her mother used her cooking talents to feed neighbors and establish bonds. “One of my early memories in the South is my mom making her eggplant Parmesan for the kids in the neighborhood,” Hunter says. “[They] would come over to eat, not even knowing what they were eating — they just knew they loved it.” Cooking, also a talent of Hunter’s father, eventually became a passion of hers and led her to earn a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University in Miami. “Now, I’m the cook in my family,” Hunter says. “I cook for all the major family functions, from reunions and baby showers to the holidays.” It’s a labor Hunter loves because it brings people together, just like her mom’s eggplant Parmesan. “My mom’s eggplant Parmesan sticks with me today because my friends still talk about it — they all have had it, and they love it. It makes people put down their phones, moves them away from their computers and brings them together — even if for a little while.” If you’re looking to bring a hearty, warm and filling dish to the table this holiday season, Hunter invites you to revel in the comfort of her momma’s eggplant Parmesan. 46 | SOUTHPARK

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blvd. | cuisine

Momma’s Eggplant Parmesan serves 4-6 Cook time: 45 minutes

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons black pepper 2 teaspoons crushed red peppers 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1 cup flour 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 2-3 cups marinara sauce 3-4 fresh mozzarella balls 3-4 medium eggplants 1 cup chiffonade basil 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 3-4 large eggs oil for frying Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a pan on the stovetop with oil for frying. Peel the eggplants and cut them into 1/4-inch rounds. For the dredge, assemble three small to medium bowls. In one bowl, scramble the eggs. In the second bowl, combine breadcrumbs with 1 teaspoon of each of the dry seasonings. In the third bowl, combine the flour and the remainder of the seasonings. Slice the mozzarella balls into thin circles. Turn the burner to medium-high heat to prepare for frying. Fry the eggplant on both sides until golden brown and place on a paper towel or cooling rack to drain. While frying the eggplant, grease a 9x9 baking dish. Layer the fried eggplant similar to a lasagna in the baking dish, starting with sauce on the bottom followed by eggplant, a blend of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and basil. Finish with sauce, and set aside some of the cheese for the top. Place the layered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and top the dish with remaining cheese. Return the dish to the oven and bake until the cheese is golden brown. Remove from the oven, let rest for at least 10 minutes and enjoy! SP Note: The photographs here reflect a variation of the dish.

48 | SOUTHPARK

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blvd. | giving

Twenty Two West

Purposeful presents HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK by Jennings Cool Roddey

50 | SOUTHPARK

Here are a few other local businesses that give back to worthy causes: BELLA TUNNO The modern, personality-filled baby accessories brand sells safe, practical and clever products with a powerful purpose behind them: to eradicate hunger. For every teether, bib or other product sold, one meal is donated to a child. When goods are sold in the U.S., Bella Tunno partners with Feeding America; when sold outside the country, the organization partners with The Global FoodBanking Network. “The goal is to keep the meals that we are donating as close to where the product is sold,” says Michelle Tunno Buelow, founder of Bella Tunno. “The need exists everywhere. … No county in the U.S. is void of need.” Since its founding in 2005, the organization has donated 10.9 million meals. Bestsellers include the silicone Wonder Bibs and Happy Teethers, which come in various colors with whimsical sayings like “Sweet cheeks,” “Mini man,” and “Itty bitty boss babe.” Products are sold online and inmore than 3,000 retailers across the U.S. and Canada, including Charlotte-area stores: Eliza B’s, Paper Skyscraper, The Social Shop, Shower Me With Love, Toy Mania, Moxie Mercantile and Urbane South. bellatunno.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANGELA ZION PHOTOGRAPHY

he lights are strung, hot cocoa in hand, and Santa will be here soon. As you make your wish lists and checklists, consider gifts that are more than just tokens of affection. Many local businesses sell goods — from jewelry to bourbon — that give back to the community. One local business owner who understands that ethos is Erin Breeden, founder of Blue Tide Creative, a public relations, content and branding firm. “I’ve always wanted Blue Tide Creative to have some sort of charitable arm — because you can’t call yourself a Head Mermaid if you don’t give back to the ocean and ecosystem you love so much,” Breeden says. This summer, her firm launched an e-commerce shop selling jewelry, T-shirts and hoodies, with 20% of sales donated to charities focused on conservation, sustainability and ocean protection, the first being the North Carolina Coastal Federation. The current collection, Ocean Gold, is inspired by the large amount of gold particles in the ocean that cannot be mined. Drew Peck, Breeden’s husband, thoughtfully designed the apparel’s graphics with the idea that there is gold in every wave, and handmade the earrings and gift boxes using vintage National Geographic articles. “Launching our merchandise line is our way to give back,” Breeden says.

Giving Through the Seasons of Life Giving back is important to you – especially during the season of giving. You can make an even greater charitable impact by partnering with your local community foundation. A donor advised fund at Foundation For The Carolinas makes giving to your favorite nonprofits easy and effective, and can help you maximize the impact of every dollar you give. Contact us at philanthropy@fftc.org to get started.

www.fftc.org | 704.998.6412 | philanthropy@fftc.org

blvd. | giving Empowering women and families who have undergone trauma and injustice is the mission behind BraveWorks, a local nonprofit and shop. “We bridge the gap from pain to purpose,” says Beth Bell, executive director. BraveWorks’ program is segmented into four main components: heal, train, connect and compensate. “It is a holistic model where we heal both the head and the heart,” Bell says. “We are teaching skills, but it is much much deeper than that.” Bell and her team teach the women and families in BraveWorks’ program to make accessories, apparel and home goods, providing them with supplemental income. BraveWorks also offers mentoring to help the women achieve their goals, with the intention of graduating within three to six months. Gifts, home decor, jewelry, handbags and apparel made by the artisans at BraveWorks can be purchased online or at its Dilworth store. braveworks.org, 1717 Cleveland Ave.

OAKLORE DISTILLING Oaklore Distilling, a distillery, tasting room and bottle shop in Matthews, launched a unique program in early 2022 for Charlotte-area nonprofits with a local impact called The Oaklore Angel Barrel Program (read more about Oaklore on page

HUMANE SOCIETY OF CHARLOTTE For all those aniBraveworks Bella Tunno mal-loving friends and family members, the Humane 32). How it works: Organizations pick a Society of Charlotte sells T-shirts, mugs and barrel. The distillery covers the cost of its other swag that goes toward its mission of creation, sells the bottles and gives the supporting the animals in their care. Be on proceeds back to the organization. “It’s fun the lookout for new styles; the nonprofit because people [from the organization] mixes up the designs throughout the year, come in and they get a cool bourbon with incorporating holiday and seasonal themes the tasting experience,” says co-owner so there is something for every animal Matt Simpkins. “Then they get to tell their person. Click the “merchandise” tab at community about it, and their community humanesocietyofcharlotte.org, or visit bonfire. comes in to support them, and those funds com/store/swag-to-support-the-animals/. go into the local community.” Oaklore partnered with three organizations in 2023, MOXIE MERCANTILE with three more planned in 2024. The most Moxie Mercantile is a woman-owned recent bottle on the shelf benefits Autism lifestyle boutique selling a mix of vintage Strong, and next up is Claire’s Army, which and modern goods. With several locations supports families fighting childhood cancer. in the Charlotte area, it is a one-stop shop “We’ve been trying to keep our head in for unique gifts, some of which have a charthe right direction, and that means serving itable component. The shop sells products the people around us the best we can,” from thoughtful brands such as Bella Tunno 52 | SOUTHPARK

Simpkins says. oakloredistilling.com, 11136 Monroe Rd., Matthews

TURNING POINT Occasionally, the most valuable presents come from previously owned items, especially when they contribute to a charitable cause. Turning Point aims to fight abuse and assault through shelter, advocacy, prevention and social change. Through its three Second Chance Boutiques, which are located in Monroe, Indian Trail and Waxhaw, the organization acquires vital funding for its many programs. The stores accept gently used clothing, accessories, home décor, miscellaneous housewares and furniture for resale at an affordable price. Every dollar made at the boutiques returns to the organization, which directly goes back to supporting Turning Point’s mission. turningpoint.org

TWENTY TWO WEST Twenty Two West is part of an address where Mary Hamby grew up. But it is also the name of her business, an artisan jewelry and home décor shop and online store. Twenty Two West sells several products that not only look cute but benefit Foster Village Charlotte, a nonprofit that helps foster families and children in the Charlotte area. Four times a year, Hamby and her team also cook meals for 12 foster families. “There are so many reasons why I absolutely love being a part of Foster Village,” Hamby says. “But my favorite is how it allows me to use my art and my love of cooking to come alongside families in my community who are doing such important work and getting to be a part of myself by supporting them.” The store’s It’s Good to Be Home Key Ring is available to purchase online through April 1. The Safety Pin House can be hung in your home, pinned to a purse, hung as an ornament or added to a keyring. Both are reminders that you can help advocate for children to have a safe place to call home, and 100% of sales go to Foster Village Charlotte. twentytwowest.com, 2613 Tuckaseegee Rd. SP

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY BRAVEWORKS AND BELLA TUNNO

BRAVEWORKS

(see above); Conscious Step, a sock brand that gives back to 17 different charitable organizations; Ink+Alloy, an accessory brand that gives a portion of sales to transforming the lives of orphaned girls through education; and Fawn & Foster, a baby essentials brand that donates 50% of profits to help children in foster care. moxiemercantile.com

AS SEEN IN

Forbes, Fortune & Entrepreneur CHARLOT TE/GREENSBORO L AW

RESPONSIVE, RESULTS-DRIVEN TAX EXPERTISE Emphasizing effectiveness and efficiency, Culp Elliott & Carpenter, P.L.L.C. provides unmatched transactional and tax law expertise paired with client-centered representation.

uccessful individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners deserve cutting-edge tax advice and guidance—and that’s what they get at Charlotte-based Culp Elliott & Carpenter, P.L.L.C. Founded in 1982, the experienced law firm provides innovative and effective tax, legal, and financial solutions backed by more than four decades of experience. “We believe in developing lifelong relationships with our clients. As their mosttrusted advisor, we strive to add value to their companies

and lives,” says W. Curtis Elliott Jr., partner. That’s why the firm’s tenured partners, attorneys, and certified public accountants work hard to help family-owned, entrepreneurial businesses minimize their income and estate tax liabilities. “Taxes can drastically cut profit margins and threaten a business’s viability,” says Elliott. “The estate tax burden alone can be formidable for those transitioning a family business from one generation to the next.” “But we like to say it’s a voluntary tax,” adds tax and

real estate partner John “Jody” Carpenter. “Most people don’t like paying taxes. When business owners want to avoid heavy estate and income taxes, they choose Culp Elliott & Carpenter. We’ll structure the ownership of their entities and assets to legally preserve and protect their wealth.”

Client-Centered Solutions

At Culp Elliott & Carpenter, tax experts provide clientcentered solutions paired with dedicated service. It’s one reason many clients have been with the firm for over 35 years, says Elliott. “We get to know our clients and develop long-term, personal relationships that let us understand their goals and objectives,” he explains. With a curated team that upholds the firm’s high standard of integrity and client confidentiality, the practice serves a diverse range of transactional, tax controversy, and estate planning clients across all 50 states.

“

We believe in developing lifelong relationships with our clients. As their most-trusted advisor, we strive to add value to their companies and lives.

“

W. Curtis Elliott Jr. and John “Jody” Carpenter

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“I enjoy tackling tough problems for clients and helping them solve their tax challenges in the best manner possible,” Elliott says. From complicated commercial transactions to complex tax scenarios, the Culp Elliott & Carpenter team stands far above the competition— especially when negotiating fair and reasonable settlements with the IRS and state taxing departments. “Most tax lawyers don’t want to see the inside of a courtroom, but we thrive on providing vigorous trial representation in the U.S. Tax Court on large, complex cases,” says Elliott, who leads the firm’s tax controversy and litigation efforts. An expert in 1031 exchanges, partnership tax strategies, Qualified Opportunity Zones, and other complex real estate tax issues, Carpenter spearheads Culp Elliott & Carpenter’s commercial real estate practice, where clients receive transactional representation and sophisticated tax advice. The firm also achieves significant efficiencies with computerized document drafting systems. “I’ve enjoyed practicing alongside my partners for more than three decades, and that’s something most attorneys can’t say,” Carpenter says. “But it’s a testament to our strength. And we’ll continue leveraging that experience for every client, every day.”

blvd. | interiors

54 | SOUTHPARK

blvd. | interiors

Winner: Kristine Franz of Kristine Design

Inspired spaces FURNISHED 2023: 10 DESIGNERS CREATE FOR A CAUSE photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck

southparkmagazine.com | 55

blvd. | interiors

First runner-up: Kim Moore and Nancy Targgart of Cashion Hill Design

rom dreamy children’s spaces to a retro game room and a ladies’ lounge, 10 talented Charlotte designers brought plenty of creativity and passion to last month’s annual Furnished fundraiser for Furnish For Good. The local nonprofit provides gently used and new furnishings, kitchen and bath essentials, and other household items to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Over three months, the designers volunteered their time, taking turns creating vignettes at FFG’s South End location. The vignettes were photographed by Dustin and Susie Peck, then the public was invited to vote on their favorite

Alexis Warren Designs

Second runner-up: Angie Persson of Swell Decor 56 | SOUTHPARK

It takes a lot of good people to do a lot of good. Thank you to our sponsors for your incredible support of FURNISHED 2023! PRESENTING SPONSOR

MEDIA SPONSOR

HOPE SPONSOR

DIGNITY SPONSORS

POSSIBILITY SPONSORS

EMPOWERMENT SPONSORS Ally K&L Gates Miller Baskerville Team of Helen Adams Realty Moore & VanAllen

FRIEND SPONSORS

Mullinix Mortgage Shelco, LLC Welton & McNorrill (Brandon Lawn Real Estate)

Anna Castilow Corcoran HM Properties Custom Polymers Isabella Lending Tree

Lilac Realty Pace Development Group Inc. Pursley Dixon Architecture, Inc Tiny Gods

FRIENDS AND FAMILY SPONSORS Beth Avery Kitty & William Bray Jim & Libby Christian Meg Dewey Mary & Rob Engel

Lesley & David Faulkner Amy & Jeff Foley Tom Franz Elizabeth Grasty Aubrey & Brandon Grier

Jennifer Haahs Emily Harry Mary Henderson Ellen & Warren Holland Maggie & Tim Morton

furnishforgood.org

Anders Persson Haley Poole Genie & Chris Scheurer Mason Smith Lisa Taggert

blvd. | interiors designs in exchange for a small donation. Featured items — furniture, accent items and artwork donated by the designers — were displayed at Slate Interiors, which hosted the kickoff party attended by more than 175 people, then sold in an online auction. The event raised $207,000 to help support operations and future initiatives for Furnish For Good, which has served more than 1,500 people since its inception in 2019. Kristine Franz of Kristine Design had this year’s winning design, with Cashion Hill Design as first runner-up and Swell Décor as second runner-up. Franz’s design was inspired by a client who was drawn to a particular shade of blue. While Franz was working on the design, she was dealt a personal tragedy — her father lost his battle with cancer. “He

Ashley Ross of Muse Noire Interiors

Priscilla Baez of MPB Design Co.

Sacita Brito of Sacita Interiors

58 | SOUTHPARK

ALLEN TATE SOUTHPARK

CHARLOTTE | $2,449,000 601 Cherokee Road Frank Turner | 704.516.9628

CHARLOTTE | $215,000 2620 Park Road Lauren Campbell | 704.579.8333

FORT MILL | $1,985,000 823 Harvest Pointe Drive Jean Benham | 704.363.2938

CHARLOTTE | $499,900 4442 Mullens Ford Road Glenda Gravatt | 704.421.2302

A HOWARD HANNA PARTNER

blvd. | interiors

Donna Werner of DW Design

Cate Gutter of CWG Design

Tiffany Brown of Brown Builders Design

taught me the importance of being a part of a community, helping others and having fun,” Kristine says. “The love and support I received from all the people involved with this event was overwhelming. I felt my dad’s presence with me every step of the way.” While she was grateful her design was named the winner, “It wasn’t a competition to me,” she says. “It was about raising awareness and money for a need in our community that FFG serves.” SP — Cathy Martin SouthPark Magazine was the 2023 media sponsor for Furnished.

60 | SOUTHPARK

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blvd. | around town

Barley and Burger at Monarch Market

Pha Khao Lao at Monarch Market

Eat + drink

Ralph’s Coffee Truck

season in the courtyard outside the new Ralph Lauren store at Phillips Place. The truck serves specialty blends of coffee and espresso (roasted by La Colombe) and pastries, with outdoor seating available.  Monarch Market, a new uptown food hall at One Independence Center, opened with a full-service sushi restaurant, three cocktail bars and six food stalls, with three more food stalls expected to open soon. monarchmarketclt.com  Summit Coffee opened two new cafes in Ballantyne (13743 Conlan Cir., Ste. 101) and in Eastover, in the former Buttercup location (343 Providence Rd.).  Room Service, a boutique cocktail lounge from the team behind Black Moth Bars, is open at Camp North End. Craft beverages, plus sandwiches and shareable small bites by Ben Ramos, are on the menu. Tues.-Sun. camp.nc  Volo Ristorante in Myers Park is now open for lunch.

Shop +

Aritzia at SouthPark Mall 62 | SOUTHPARK

Aritzia, a women’s boutique selling clothing, accessories and shoes, opened at SouthPark Mall.  Two new tenants are coming to the former Earth Fare location at Morrison shopping center in 2024: Ann Sacks will open a 13,100-square-foot tile and stone showroom, and Magnolia Laine Bridal will open its first Charlotte boutique.  Carrboro-based Fleet Feet opened at 1027 Providence Rd. in Myers Park.  Oakworth Capital Bank opened its central Carolinas office at 6000 Fairview Rd., Suite 125. SP

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY PLAID PENGUIN, PHILLIPS PLACE AND ARITZIA

Ralph’s Coffee Truck is open through the holiday

A gourmet takeaway boutique in Cotswold Village Offering casseroles, fresh entrees and sides, layer cakes, pies, cookies, fresh baked breads, ice cream, sorbet, and appetizers – all made in-house, along with beer and wine. We have indoor and year-round outdoor seating for guests to enjoy an appetizer and a bottle of wine.

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Cotswold Shopping Center (next to Y2 Yoga) | 274 S. Sharon Amity Road Open seven days a week Mon-Sat from 10 am-7 pm; Sunday from 11 am-5 pm

980-298-6608 | cltbutlerspantry.com | @thebutlerspantryclt

blvd. | calendar

December HAPPENINGS Gingerbread Lane and Holiday Tea at The Ballantyne

Light the Knights Festival at Truist Field through January The annual tradition features a light show, market, ice-skating on an NHL-size rink, and snow tubing on the 10-lane, 150-foot hill. General admission is $10; an all-activities pass with ice skating and snow tubing is $40. milb.com Weihnachtsmarkt at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery weekends through Dec. 17 Warm up by the fire, shop from local vendors, and sip Gluhwein, seasonal beer or hot cocoa at this annual Christmas Market. ombbeer.com Mistletoe Market at Camp North End Dec. 2, 9 and 16 Grab a mug of cocoa (or a cocktail), shop for gifts and seasonal items curated by Vintage Charlotte, and enjoy cozy fire pits, igloos, live music and — new this year — ice skating. Bring your four-legged friend for the annual Reindog Parade on Dec. 9. camp.nc 2023 ACC Football Championship Game and Fan Fest Dec. 1-2 The festivities start with a two-day Fan Fest at Romare Bearden Park. On game day, gates open at Bank of America Stadium at 6 p.m. with kickoff at 8 p.m. ticketmaster.com Taste of NC Dec. 7 | 6-8 p.m. 64 | SOUTHPARK

Sample North Carolina wines from more than a dozen vineyards with bites by local chefs at Mint Museum Randolph. Tickets are $50. ncwinegrowers.com Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll Dec. 7-9 | 5 - 9 p.m. The self-guided porch crawl returns with live music, food and beverage tastings, and plenty of holiday cheer. Purchase an upgraded ticket to tour the interiors of three homes in the Victorian-era neighborhood. Tickets are $30-$60. fourthwardclt.org SouthPark Holiday Hop Dec. 7-10 Local artists will team with SouthPark businesses this holiday season, creating festive window displays amid a variety of neighborhood pop-up events. southparkclt.org Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular Dec. 8-30 | 5:30 - 10 p.m. Over a million lights and holiday displays, including dozens of oversized snow globes, will be on view in Ballantyne’s Backyard, along with children’s activities, food trucks, shops, live ballerinas and other performers on select nights. Tickets start at $10. ncholidaylights.com Rosanne Cash Dec 8 With 15 albums and four Grammy Awards to her name, Cash is one of only a handful of women to be elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. At the Gambrell

Center at Queens University of Charlotte. Tickets are $50-$75. etix.com

Need a Little Christmas Dec. 8-21 Tickets for this new Radio City Music Hallstyle show at Central Piedmont Community College start at $49 for adults; $40 for seniors and military; and $31 for children 4-12. needalittlechristmas.com Charlotte Ballet presents Nutcracker Dec. 8-23 Glittering snowfall, dancing sweets and toy soldiers: Charlotte’s Ballet’s annual production of Nutcracker at Belk Theater is a holiday tradition. Tickets start at $30. charlotteballet.org We Believe Santa 5K and Dog Jog at the Whitewater Center Dec. 9 Bring your pup and wear your favorite festive attire for this holiday-themed trail race. Awards will be given for the top finishers in various categories and the best costume. Preregistration (before Dec. 7) is $37; day of sign-ups are $42. whitewater.org Gingerbread Lane and Holiday Tea at The Ballantyne Dec. 11-24 | 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. On Sundays in December, the Ballantyne hotel offers a special holiday tea with sweets, savory treats and live music. Adults are $70; children 12 and under are $35. While you’re there, view holiday gingerbread displays from novice to professional bakers while sipping

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE BALLANTYNE

EVENTS + ACTIVITIES

A Z A L E A A Z A L E A

Winnie Simmons REALTOR®/BROKER

704.576.9225 wsimmons@dickensmitchener.com

blvd. | calendar

Holiday road SOME OF THE STATE’S TOP HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS ARE JUST A SHORT DRIVE AWAY. HERE ARE A FEW FAVORITES.

BELMONT

Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, through Dec. 23 | 5-10 p.m. Tues.-Sun. The annual family-friendly walking tour returns with glittering lights, sparkling fountains, food trucks and s’mores by the fire. On Dec. 5, celebrate Krampusnacht with a parade through the garden. New this year: Adult date nights (child-free events) on Dec. 6 and Dec. 19. Purchase timed tickets online: $25 for adults, $23 for seniors 60 and up, $15 for children 2-12.

CARY

MCADENVILLE Christmas Town USA Dec. 1-26 | 5:30-10 p.m. Load up the car and take in thousands of twinkling lights along the 1.3-mile route through McAdenville, a former mill village that goes all out at the holidays. The celebration begins Dec. 1 with a tree-lighting ceremony; the traditional Yule Log Ceremony takes place Dec. 14 with a small parade followed by a festival with music and an appearance by Santa himself.

North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, through Jan. 14 The festival of lights returns for its eighth year, with 40 new silk displays crafted by Chinese artisans and live performances nightly at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Purchase Twilight tickets for early entry, or choose the VIP Tour Experience to learn how the lanterns are made and about the history of lantern festivals throughout China. Tickets start at $15.

ASHEVILLE

Christmas at Old Salem, through Dec. 30 Choose from several ways to enjoy the charming historic district and gardens: See how the holidays were celebrated in days gone by on Salem Saturdays (10 a.m.-4 p.m Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23). Joy of Christmas Evening Tours are offered Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 16. No matter when you visit, don’t forget to stop by the Winkler Bakery to pick up sugar cakes, Moravian cookies and other treats. Tickets for Salem Saturdays are $35 for adults; evening tours are $60. Nearby: Festival of Lights at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons (through Jan. 1) and Holidays at Reynolda.

Christmas at Biltmore, through Jan. 7 From the 55-foot Norway spruce on the front lawn to the thousands of twinkling lights, fresh greenery and florals throughout the home, the beloved destination will be decked out in yuletide finery. Choose from a daytime tour of the 250-room estate or the Candlelight Christmas Evenings. It’s also the last chance to check out Italian Renaissance Alive, the immersive exhibit highlighting Italian culture, architecture and literature spanning the 14th to 17th centuries. Nearby: Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum (through Dec. 31), National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn (through Jan. 2).

hot cocoa and other seasonal beverages from a lifesize gingerbread hut. theballantynehotel.com Gather and Give Luncheon with Good Friends Charlotte Dec. 14 Last year’s annual fundraiser supported more than 2,200 families in need. Attendance is free for current members; tickets for other guests are $75. goodfriendscharlotte.org

Noel & Maria: Home Again for the Holidays Dec. 16 Local favorites Noel Freidline and Maria Howell reinterpret Christmas classics and contemporary holiday favorites in a cabaret setting. The show includes special guest artists along with their own all-star band. Tickets from $39.50, Booth Playhouse. blumenthalarts.org

Mistletoe Market at Camp North End 66 | SOUTHPARK

Double Door Inn 50th Anniversary Reunion Party Dec. 17 On what would have been the music venue’s 50th anniversary, Neighborhood Theatre celebrates

Charlotte’s once-famous “Home of the Blues” (and all music genres) with The Spongetones, Lenny Federal Band and Shana Blake Band. Tickets are $10. neighborhoodtheatre.com/events Jumpman Invitational at Spectrum Center Dec. 19-20 This basketball showcase highlights men’s and women’s teams from four of the original Jordan Brand-sponsored programs: Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and UNC Chapel Hill. Ticket prices vary. charlottesports.org

The Hip Hop Nutcracker Dec. 26-27 This contemporary dance spectacle is a reimagined version of the classic, mixing hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. Tickets from $24.50, Knight Theater. blumenthalarts.org Beetlejuice Dec. 26-31 Based on Tim Burton’s beloved film, this hilarious musical tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose life changes when she meets

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY BILTMORE AND CAMP NORTH END

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blvd. | calendar

Under Contract

For Sale FOXCROFT

2430 Lemon Tree Lane, Charlotte

Susan May Broker | Realtor ® 704.650.7432

HISTORIC DISTRICT

506 S. Church Street, Monroe

$2,995,000 – One acre lot, 4BR, 3.2BA, 4 fireplaces, stone patios. Prepped for renovation.

$525,000 – Neo-Classical Revival built in 1874. Exquisite details, 4BR/3BA, tin ceilings.

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Under Contract Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

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4637 Emory Lane, Charlotte

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a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. Tickets from $35, Belk Theater. blumenthalarts.org

MUSEUMS + GALLERIES

hmproperties.com

Aviary by Hunt Slonem through Jan. 8 The New York-based artist best-known for painting bunnies, butterflies and tropical birds is inspired by nature, and his 60 exotic pet birds. tfa-advisory.com

Give the Gift of Local Original Art

Midnight by Brian Rochefort though Jan. 3 The exhibition at SOCO Gallery features 17 ceramic vessels by the Los Angeles-based mixed-media sculptor, inspired by landscapes and natural phenomena throughout Latin America. socogallery.com Beyond the Red Carpet Dec. 1 - Feb. 17 More than 150 custom, iconic awards by trophy-maker Society Awards — based in South End — will be on view at the Mint Museum, from the MTV Moon Person Award to trophies from Dancing With The Stars, Billboard and the American Music Awards. mintmuseum.org Craft Across Continents at the Mint Museum Dec. 9 - May 5 More than 50 contemporary objects by artists from around the world will be on view, including glass, ceramics, textiles and more. From the private collection of Lorne Lassiter and Gary Ferraro. mintmuseum.org

Artist Operated Gallery

68 | SOUTHPARK

300 S. Sharon Amity Road Cotswold Village Shopping Center 704-635-0226 carolinafineart.com

Scan the QR code on your mobile device to view our online events calendar — updated weekly — at southparkmagazine.com.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESYCAROLINA HOLIDAY LIGHT SPECTACULAR

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blvd. | calendar AROUND THE STATE

Winter Show at Greenhill Center Greensboro. Dec. 3 – Feb. 17

Want to visit?

Great Service, Great Gifts, Great Wrap 4310 Sharon Rd. Suite X25, Charlotte, NC (704) 366-4523 | paulsimonco.com

70 | SOUTHPARK

The Winter Show debuts Saturday, Dec. 2 with a Collector’s Choice preview event from 7-10 p.m. Tickets for nonmembers are $140. The free public opening of the exhibition is Dec. 3. A ticketed ArtTaste event with art-inspired food and beverage pairings takes place Feb. 7. The gallery, located inside the Greensboro Cultural Center in downtown Greensboro, is open Tues.-Sat.; check the website for hours. greenhillnc.org SP

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY GREENHILL CENTER

Celebrating North Carolina artists: The GreenHill Center for NC Art in Greensboro was established 50 years ago to present and promote contemporary artists living and working in the Tar Heel state. This month, the center kicks off its 44th annual Winter Show, its largest annual event, Nellie Ashford, Hurry, Hurry, Hurry Home. featuring more than 70 works Mixed media collage and acrylic paint on canvas. for sale by both emerging and established artists. The works represent a variety of mediums, from painting, printmaking and photography to sculpture, glass and metal. This year’s show includes several artists from the Charlotte region, including Nellie Ashford, Chad Cartwright, Laurie Smithwick and Michele Morrice. “Each year, GreenHill pumps hundreds of thousands of dollars into the creative economy of North Carolina and helps professional and emerging artists CHD:WCK!, “Someone You Love”, 2023, acrylic on canvas. develop their businesses through exhibitions, especially our Winter Show,” says Leigh Dyer, GreenHill’s executive director. “This year we’re thrilled that Winter Show is our largest and most varied exhibition since prior to the pandemic, featuring the work of 75 artists from every region of the state.” This year, the gallery is raffling off a signed print from Charlotte native Romare Bearden. “Stomp Time (Solo Jazz Player)” is a lithograph from the artist’s 1979 Jazz Series valued at $7,000. Tickets are $50, and the drawing will be held on Feb. 7.

2024

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blvd. | gift guide

CLT Find

A MINGLE MATCH:

Holiday gifts to make everyone happy Boem

Dogwood Smocking Company

Canyon & Coast

The Craftsman Beverage Co.

e got a head start on gift giving this year, thanks to our holiday pop-up, Mingle at The Union. Check out our Mingle partners — all local retailers and artisans — for some wonderful ways to please everyone on your list this season. Create a handbag as unique as the one you’re giving it to with an Ahdorned bag from boho-chic boutique Boem. Swap out the straps to match your mood, your outfit or just for the fun of it. shopboem.com Canyon & Coast’s curated home décor features elements of the desert and the sea, reflecting its founders’ Arizona roots and

72 | SOUTHPARK

Hourglass Woodworks

Carolina homes. The Range luxury candle — filled with fragrant notes of Nordic fir, birch sap and balsam — will transport you to a snowy cabin nestled in the pines. canyonandcoastco.com Many know Caroline Simas for her studio workshops and creative retreats, but she also offers a colorful array of gifts, hand-painted goods, original art, ornaments and more. Stuff a stocking with her beautiful bookmarks and signature stationery. carolinesimas.com Discover one-of-a-kind, thoughtful gifts at CLT Find, a womenowned gift shop specializing in Queen City-made goods, from T-shirts to tea towels. For the Swifties on your list, find a full lineup of Taylor Swift gifts created by local artists. cltfind.com

CANYON & COAST PHOTO BY FINN RAUEN; DOGWOOD PHOTO BY EMMALOO PHOTOGRAPHY

Caroline Simas

CELEBRATING

BECKY MCGRATH TEAM

CAY CRAIG

CHRIS T. BLACK

CHRISTIE HANSEN

LINDSAY REDFERN

LUCY BUTLER

LINDA HENLEY

LISA RUPP

LEIGH C. CORSO

THE HUNEYCUTT TEAM

SARA ROCHE TEAM

MELISSA COLLINS

CHIP JETTON

LISA WARREN

HEATHER MONTGOMERY

HEATHER WOLKING

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blvd. | gift guide

Molly Grantham

Leenie Rae

Primm’s

Jen Gerena Design Midwest to South

Gates & Friends

Surprise your holiday guests with handcrafted drinks this year. The husband-and-wife team behind The Craftsman Beverage Co. produces flavorings for cocktails, mocktails, teas and more — all made from scratch using natural ingredients. We sampled the Holiday Blend at Mingle, a spiced cranberry flavor that pairs perfectly with any spirit, prosecco or nonalcoholic beverage. craftsmansyrups.com Dogwood Smocking Company offers classic children’s clothing with a touch of Southern charm. Coordinate sets for siblings, or celebrate new arrivals, special occasions and the moments between with timeless, traditional outfits. dogwoodsmockingco.com Gates & Friends founder Ashleigh Sullivan is on a mission to provide sustainable-yet-affordable clothing for little ones. Named after her son Gates, each item in the collection meets certain requirements, like organic, American-made or woman-owned and -operated. gatesandfriends.com Serve your charcuterie this holiday season on a beautiful, handmade wooden board from Hourglass Woodworks. Artist Michael Hodgin creates serving trays, cutting boards, clocks and other home accessories that serve as functional pieces of art. @hourglasswoodworks Custom-made menswear by J. Hilburn will transform your man’s wardrobe into one that not only fits his body, but his personality

74 | SOUTHPARK

J. Hilburn

The Nomadic Jeweler

and lifestyle, too. Personal stylists get the process started, helping you select staples for every occasion. michelemelville.jhilburn.com Your present will stand out under the tree with gorgeous handpainted wrapping papers and gift tags from Jen Gerena Design. Every purchase of her paper designs gives back, with a percentage donated to One Tree Planted, a nonprofit dedicated to global reforestation. jengerenadesign.com Kirsten Dexter’s fine jewelry tells a story, with classic and contemporary styles inspired by cities around the world. The Kiawah Palms earrings caught our eye, reminding us of sunny days and swaying palms on the South Carolina coast. kirstendexter.com Arlene Cook turned her passion for women’s fashion into a business seven years ago, opening Leenie Rae boutique. In addition to quality, contemporary brands like MOTHER, Xirena and Stateside, the store carries jewelry, shoes and accessories like this Clare V. Belle bag, a leather clutch with crossbody strap. leenierae.com Midwest to South’s handmade wood and acrylic earrings add a pop of color and distinguish your style. From floral dangle drops to vintage vibes, each pair is unique. @midwesttosouth For the moms in your life, pick up a copy of local news anchor Molly Grantham’s newly released book, Practice Makes … Progress. The third book is the last installment in Grantham’s series about juggling motherhood and her journalism career. mollygrantham.com

MOLLY GRANTHAM PHOTO BY LOGAN DAY PRODUCTIONS; MIDWEST TO SOUTH PHOTO BY MAYNARD PHOTOGRAPHY

Kirsten Dexter

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southparkmagazine.com | 75

blvd. | gift guide Never forget your jewelry again, with permanent, custom-fit bracelets, anklets and necklaces from The Nomadic Jeweler. Or choose from a new line of removable jewelry, sized according to your measurements for an ideal fit. thenomadicjeweler.com

The Social Shop

Once an outdoor pop-up, The Pearl Pagoda has an established Park Road shop and a loyal following for its easy-to-wear women’s apparel, thoughtfully curated global brands and distinctive home décor. thepearlpagoda.com

Ruxton Mercantile

Foodies will appreciate the 40-plus gourmet oils and vinegars from Pour Olive, sourced from around the world and bottled straight from the tap in-store. A flavorful pairing or gift basket makes a perfect hostess gift. pouroliveoil.com Elevate your everyday wear at women’s boutique Primm’s. Its Ava lace V-neck sweater features scalloped, romantic lace and a unique squared-back neckline. primmsstyle.com Better Homes & Gardens recently named The Rooted Nest’s fall wreath as one worth splurging on. Its holiday wreath is a stunner too, with festive greens, a brass bell set and seafoam velvety ribbon. therootednest.com Stay cozy by the fire with cheerful blankets from Ruxton Mercantile or take them with you, thanks to a handy leather strap. Stock up on a full range of gift-worthy goods at this Myers Park modern-day general store. ruxtonmercantileclt.com

Pour Olive Sweet’s Elderberry

The Rooted Nest Uniquities

Abstract leather art from Stone & Strap makes a oneof-a-kind gift. Native Charlottean Annaliese Anderson repurposes leather straps and turns them into art, jewelry and accessories. stoneandstrap.com Stay healthy this holiday season with organic immune support and beverage boosters from Sweet’s Elderberry. Led by a team of Queen City moms, this family-owned business uses clean, locally sourced ingredients in every product. sweetselderberry.com

Wilders

You’ll find something to dress her in from head to toe at Uniquities. Start Christmas morning off right with these snuggly pajamas we spotted at the South End shop. uniquities.com A Wilders Wagyu subscription box will satisfy the meat lovers on your list. Raised in eastern North Carolina, Wagyu beef boasts a rich, unforgettable flavor. wilders.com 76 | SOUTHPARK

The Pearl Pagoda

UNIQUITIES PHOTO BY THREE REGION NC PHOTOGRAPHY

Make someone merry with The Social Shop’s range of fun gift items, women’s apparel and accessories. This soft sweatshirt and colorful Christmas tree earrings put us in the holiday spirit. @thesocialshopclt

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101832 Providence Rd, Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28277

19924 Jetton Rd, Suite 103 Cornelius, NC 28031

Call for an appointment ( 70 4 ) 5 41 -1 2 0 0 | A SACH A R LOT T E. CO M

blvd. | gift guide

Take the stress out of the holidays Let’s face it, the holidays are a wonderful time, but they come with stress, too. Self-care and a helping hand can make all the difference. So can an inspiring home project to look forward to in the new year.

California Closets Go from cluttered to calm in 2024 with a custom-designed storage space. California Closets offers personalized closets and storage solutions for every room based on your style, needs and budget. Get started with a complimentary consultation and save 10% on a custom project through the end of the year. californiaclosets.com Palestra Boutique Spa Enjoy luxurious massages, facials, body treatments and more at this SouthPark spa. The 90-minute Hydrafacial is at the top of our list. Use code “Holiday75” and get a 75-minute customized massage or facial for the price of a 60-minute one (through Jan. 31). palestraboutiquespa.com

The Butler’s Pantry Let someone else cook for the holidays. Chef Andrew King makes gourmet dishes to go at his Cotswold shop, including creamy casseroles, fresh entrees and sides, appetizers, scratch-made breads, and an assortment of decadent desserts. Jingle Bell casserole makes a yummy Christmas morning feast. Call 980-298-6608 to order. cltbutlerspantry.com SP

SIP OF THE

SEASON THE PERFECT ROSÉ FOR YOUR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

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FOXCROFT WINE CO., BOND STREET WINES, & WINE.COM

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YOUR ESTATE AWAITS

Occupancy Fall 2023 Enjoy the luxury of low maintenance living in the heart of Eastover. Tour the nearly completed residences. A Collection of 32 Residences Starting from the Low $2M with Completion this Fall

WATCH THE LATEST CONSTRUCTION UPDATE SALES GALLERY 119 Cherokee Road 704.705.8181 | TheRegentatEastover.com

Home and community information, including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities, are subject to change, prior sale or withdrawal at any time without notice or obligation. Drawings, photographs, renderings, video, scale models, square footages, floor plans, elevations, features, colors and sizes are approximate for presentation purposes only and may vary from the homes as built. Home prices refer to the base price of the house and do not include options or premiums, unless otherwise indicated for a specific home. Nothing on our website should be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

|gardening

Seeing green WHAT TO PLANT FOR GREEN FOLIAGE YEAR-ROUND by Jay Sifford

Left: ‘All Gold’ Shore Juniper creates a lively carpet that knits together a diverse collection of conifers. Top right: A weeping form of Norway spruce, along with the bluish-green foliage of ‘Firewitch’ dianthus, creates a vignette in the corner of this garden. Bottom right: Green-leafed Japanese maples can welcome spring with style.

olor is something we crave. It can be moody, cheerful, exhilarating or thought-provoking. Green, in its many shades, is I believe the most necessary color. It can be calming, permissive, optimistic, fresh — even envious. It speaks of nature, which is the best reason for incorporating it into our gardens. So many times, however, we default to “dark green.” Dark green is useful, but too much of it can be monotonous and uninspiring. In garden design, dark green gives the eye a place to rest between pops of color, and it recedes, making a small space feel larger. Additionally, dark green makes the perfect

backdrop for most any color flower, especially red, its complementary color on the color wheel. In winter, we crave green more than any other time of year. So how can we incorporate green in our gardens year-round and still keep it fresh and intentional? The answer lies in purposefully varying tints, shades and tones of green in order to create a unique garden space that speaks of your individuality all 12 months of the year. Evergreens include hollies, conifers such as pines, and anything that holds its green foliage through the winter. These trees and shrubs take center stage during the colder months, then politely form southparkmagazine.com | 83

Give the Gift that Keeps on Giving THREE LEGENDARY ARTISTS A YEAR and BEFORE & AFTER SHOW COCKTAIL PARTIES WITH YOUR FRIENDS GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC + JOIN US FOR OUR 18TH YEAR Sandra Levine Theater at Queens University Inquire about our exclusive club membership tonda@musicwithfriends.com 704-607-3937

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SMOKEY ROBINSON 2012

ARETHA FRANKLIN 2012

|gardening a backdrop for flowering plants that take the stage during the warmer months. Year-round, they provide a structural backbone in the garden. Without that structure, a garden can appear haphazard and without interest, rather like someone scattered a mixture of seeds or raided the markdown rack at the big-box store. Easily sourced evergreens in varying shades of green can add some spice to your year-round garden. Employing lime green or chartreuse evergreens is a sure-fire way to breathe new life into a tired garden, especially when placed in front of dark green foliage. Low-growing conifers such as ‘All Gold’ shore juniper or ‘Limeglow’ horizontal juniper create a colorful and textural carpet. Such placement pulls the eye to a specific, desired place, and can knit together an eclectic collection of specimen plants. ‘Florida Sunshine’ illicium, a cultivar of a native shrub, can introduce the illusion of sunlight into a shady corner of the garden. ‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum sports the same hue but prospers in full sun rather than in the shade. My experience with this Ligustrum, however, shows that sections of the plant frequently revert to dark green as it matures. ‘Everillo’ Carex is a grass relative that sports year-round chartreuse foliage. It is approximately the same size and can be used in place of the over-planted liriope. All of these plants make a strong winter statement when days and gardens can become dreary. Evergreens that lean toward bluish hues are extremely valuable in the landscape for a variety of reasons. Blue is the complementary color to orange on the color wheel. Why is this important? Many of our city’s homes are clad with brick that contains some degree of orange. Blue also politely livens up gray wooden cladding or stone walls. In gardens aglow with lively hues of red, orange and pink, blue serves the purpose of calming things down, thereby creating balance. Useful evergreen conifers that sport bluish tones include the low-growing Blue Rug juniper, the larger Grey Owl juniper, deodar cedars ranging from the smaller ‘Prostrate Beauty’ and ‘Feelin’ Blue’ to the larger ‘Patti Faye,’ and various forms of the Blue Atlas Cedar. ‘Blue Zinger’ Carex repeats this color in grass-like form, as does the low-growing carpet-like perennial dianthus. Certain green conifers, such as many of the arborvitaes and some junipers, can take on a bronzy cast in winter. This shift in color, caused by low temperatures, can add seasonal color to the garden from unexpected sources. Dark green conifers have been maligned as boring. Making informed choices in your planting scheme can emphasize texture and form, creating excitement rather than more of the expected in the arena of this hue. Consider plants such as Thunderhead black pine or weeping forms of Norway spruce. Don’t forget about some of the newer hollies such as ‘Acadiana’, ‘Robin’ and ‘Oakland’ that are adorned with red or orange berries during the colder months. These newer hollies hold their pyramidal shape better than the older ‘Nellie Stevens’ and require little to no pruning if sized appropriately for the space. Finally, save some room for luscious tones of green for spring. Many of the green-leafed Japanese maples with reticulated or two-toned veined foliage announce spring in a dramatic way. Look for Japanese maples in the Ghost series, or ‘Peaches and Cream.’ Additionally, nothing says “spring” to me more than the unfurling new fronds of ostrich ferns. Putting some of these plants to work in your garden will break the chains of boredom and the expected, and will turn your neighbors “green” with envy. SP

Top: The grass-like ‘Everillo’ Carex brightens up a shade garden. Middle: Bluish conifers complement orange in both garden plants and architecture. Bottom: Nothing says “spring” like emerging ostrich ferns. southparkmagazine.com | 85

DEC. 27-28 • OVENS AUDITORIUM BlumenthalArts.org • 704.372.1000 Group Sales: 704.348.5752

|art of the state

Earthen vessels FROM SEAGROVE TO THE WORLD BEYOND, BEN OWEN III CONTINUES A FAMILY LEGACY OF MAKING AND SHARING POTTERY. by Liza Roberts

he work of Ben Owen III is earthen and practical, but also brightly hued and sculptural. It fits in a hand for morning coffee, but it’s also the lofty centerpiece of elegant spaces across the world. From the Sun Valley Resort in Idaho to the Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo to The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary, where his sculptural vessels fill spotlit niches and his handmade plates grace every table, Owen’s art provides beauty and function. Pottery is one of the oldest human inventions, going back to pre-Neolithic times. Earth into clay, clay into pots, pots into fire, vessels out. Also unchanged: all hands on deck to get it done. It takes a team to keep a wood-fired kiln’s flames stoked and blazing 24 hours a day for days on end. Like farmers raising a barn, potters fire a kiln together because they need each other. It’s what they do. Owen was born to this life, born with Seagrove clay beneath his feet. His father and grandfather, Ben Owen Sr. and Ben Owen Jr., built the foundations for Seagrove’s modern pottery community; before them, as early as the late 1700s, their forefathers arrived from England, making and selling clay vessels to early settlers. Owen III works today on the same site his grandfather did. “He was a great teacher and a great mentor for me,” Owen says, “showing me the fundamentals, building all those skills.” Starting at the age of 9, Owen went out to his grandfather’s studio every day to make pots. During these sessions, his grandfather taught Owen technique and aesthetics as well as principles: how important it was to challenge oneself, to learn from mistakes, to greet change with enthusiasm, to eschew mediocrity. To “never sell his seconds.” “I’m continually trying to find ways to refine the technique and my process,” Owen says. “How can I make the piece even better than I did last time?” That commitment has taken his work not only all over the world but has paved the way for its inclusion in museum collections including the Smithsonian Museum southparkmagazine.com | 87

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|art of the state

of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The Mint Museum here in Charlotte, and in private collections. His work, in its various manifestations, has a timelessness about it, even when glazed in crystalline turquoise or lilypad green. “I’m always experimenting,” he says. “A lot of people know us for our red glaze, but in recent years, I’ve been making glazes from nature. Recreating things I’ve seen hiking with my son… looking at textures, lichen on a stone, moss on a tree. It’s interesting to think, Could I make a glaze that would create that effect?” Some of Owen’s pieces are finished in electric or gas-fired kilns, others in his wood-fired groundhog kiln. To witness Owen firing this kiln — a gourdshaped, 30-foot-long structure dug partway down into the earth, hence the

name — is to witness a multiday, group massive effort, only accomplished a few times a year. One recent morning at his studio in Seagrove, Owen was busy completing a 5-foot-tall, 400-pound, bottle-shaped vessel for the Amanyara resort in Turks & Caicos, one of nine large pieces commissioned by the property. The fire in the kiln had been going for twelve hours, and it would be another 36 before it was done. Owen slid a few slats of wood into a slot in the side of the chamber, turning to laugh at a joke from his friend Stan Simmons, a fellow potter there to help keep the fire going at temperatures reaching 2,350 degrees Fahrenheit. Another potter, Fred Johnston, was also on hand. Both men had pots of their own in the kiln. They waited. “It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,” he said, gesturing to his kiln, explaining how he fits 400 pots inside. Part of it is tactical: some glazes do well high up, some pots need to be closer to the fire. Some of it is logistical. “Right now,” Owen says, watching flames shoot out of a blowhole-like chimney pipe, “Right now it’s heating up fast. Right now, there’s more fuel than there is oxygen.” Potters can’t always predict what will emerge from the fire, what that day’s particular combination of clay and heat, minerals and weather will produce. “Colors, or finishes on pots, are almost like sunsets,” Owen says. “Each day, it’s a little different, and depending on what’s present — just as the clouds, or the temperature, the atmosphere all affect the sunset, our glazes can react the same way. We learn to accept that. We try to control these things to the best of our ability, but we have to remind ourselves that our materials are constantly changing. And sometimes it can be a nice surprise.” A few steps from this kiln, in the late 1990s, southparkmagazine.com | 89

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|art of the state Owen built his own studio, right behind the one where his grandfather taught him. The newer spot is spacious, with separate workstations for different kinds of clay. There are pots in various stages of completion, one already 4 feet tall. When it’s complete, this pot will be glazed an earthy blue, weigh about 250 pounds, and stand in the entry of a home in Greensboro. “In an era of instant gratification, where people can go to the big box stores or a mall for most of their daily needs, we can offer something different,” Owen says. “Especially when they can meet the maker, learn a little bit more about the process, and what makes a potter tick, and their particular style, and why they use that technique. The work becomes part of the fellowship.” Owen pictures his blue vessel in place, mentions the conversations he’s had with the collectors who’ve commissioned the piece. He welcomes the chance to work closely with the people who collect his work — some of whom were also collectors of his grandfather’s work — and to get to know them, just as he does with visitors to his region and his studio. The role of ambassador is another he embraces. “When you can find a way to develop a relationship with an individual customer or just people coming out to visit the area,” he says, “that gives us a springboard to tell people more about what the past has done, and what we’ve been able to build on over the last several generations.”

He’s happy to go farther back, too, 280 or 300 million years or so, back to when the region was covered in the volcanic ash that gave birth to the clay he loves, and he’s happy to bring it back home to now, and to his legacy. “I just count my blessings that we’ve been able to support our family through the making of earthen vessels,” he says. “Really, the end product is how it is received by the people who use it.” SP

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December books

|bookshelf

NOTABLE NEW RELEASES compiled by Sally Brewster

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J. D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead — very dead — on the hotel’s tea room floor. When Detective Stark, Molly’s old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to know: Who killed J. D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new maid-intraining? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems? As the high-profile death threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer’s identity. But that key is buried deep in her past.

Maid, she never could have imagined what was to come. Handpicked by President Barack Obama as one of the best books of 2019, it was called “an eye-opening journey into the lives of the working poor” (People). Later, it was adapted into a hit series that was Netflix’s fourth mostwatched show in 2021, garnering three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Stephanie’s escape out of poverty and abuse in search of a better life inspired millions. Maid was a story about a housekeeper, but it was also a story about a woman with a dream. In Class, Land takes us with her as she finishes college and pursues her writing career. Facing barriers at every turn, including a byzantine loan system, not having enough money for food, and navigating the judgments of professors and fellow students who didn’t understand the demands of attending college while under the poverty line, Land finds a way to survive once again, finally graduating in her mid-thirties. Class paints an intimate and heartbreaking portrait of motherhood as it converges and often conflicts with personal desire and professional ambition.

The Future by Naomi Alderman When Martha Einkorn fled her father’s isolated compound in Oregon, she never expected to find herself working for a powerful social-media mogul hell-bent on controlling everything. Now, she’s surrounded by mega-rich companies designing private weather, predictive analytics and covert weaponry, while spouting technological prophecy. Martha may have left the cult, but if the apocalyptic warnings in her father’s fox and rabbit sermon — once a parable to her — are starting to come true, how much future is actually left? Across the world, in a mall in Singapore, Lai Zhen, an internet-famous survivalist, flees from an assassin. She’s cornered, desperate and, worst of all, might die without ever knowing what’s going on. Suddenly, a remarkable piece of software appears on her phone telling her exactly how to escape. Who made it? What is it really for? And if those behind it can save her from danger, what do they want from her, and what else do they know about the future? Martha and Zhen’s worlds are about to collide. While a few billionaires assured of their own safety lead the world to destruction, Martha’s relentless drive and Zhen’s insatiable curiosity could lead to something beautiful or the cataclysmic end of civilization.

Day: A Novel by Michael Cunningham April 5, 2019: In a cozy brownstone in Brooklyn, the veneer of domestic bliss is beginning to crack. Dan and Isabel, troubled husband and wife, are both a little bit in love with Isabel’s younger brother, Robbie, the wayward soul of the family who still lives in the attic loft. Robbie, trying to get over his most recent boyfriend, has created a glamorous avatar online. He now has to move out of the house — and his departure threatens to break the family apart. Meanwhile Nathan, age 10, is taking his first uncertain steps toward independence, while Violet, 5, does her best not to notice the growing rift between her parents. April 5, 2020: As the world goes into lockdown, the brownstone is feeling more like a prison. Violet is terrified of leaving the windows open, obsessed with keeping her family safe, while Nathan attempts to skirt her rules. Isabel and Dan communicate mostly in veiled jabs and frustrated sighs. And Robbie is stranded in Iceland, alone in a mountain cabin with nothing but his thoughts — and his secret Instagram life — for company. April 5, 2021: Emerging from the worst of the crisis, the family reckons with a new, very different reality, with what they’ve learned, what they’ve lost, and how they might go on.

Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education by Stephanie Land When Stephanie Land set out to write her memoir

Sally Brewster is the proprietor of Park Road Books. 4139 Park Rd., parkroadbooks.com. southparkmagazine.com | 93

Let it snow

|simple life

REMEMBRANCE OF A SMALL CHRISTMAS MIRACLE by Jim Dodson

Not long after we moved to Greensboro in January 1960, it snowed there, too. My dad took me to Western Auto and bought me a Flexible Flyer sled. Our hilly neighborhood street got blocked off and briefly turned into a miniature Olympic bobsled run. In those days, long before global warming was a concern, it seemed to snow at least two or three times every winter across North Carolina’s Piedmont. This fact was confirmed at my recent 50th high school reunion, where the shared memory of several deep snows during the 1960s and ’70s seemed to be a popular topic of discussion. “I remember how exciting it was to go to bed when a snowstorm was predicted,” remembered my friend, Cindy. “Waking up to find it had snowed and school was canceled was like Christmas morning all over again.” It was during those years that I made a silent vow to someday live in snow country. This idea was probably put into my head by my English teacher, Miss Elizabeth Smith, who gave me the Collected Poems of Robert Frost for winning the city’s O.Henry Award for short-story writing. The poet’s very name said winter and whispered to me like a siren call from Homer. Whose woods these are I think I know / His house is in the village though / He will not see me stopping here / To watch his woods fill up with snow. Someday, I told myself, that fellow will be me. After six years in Atlanta covering crime, politics and social mayhem for the oldest Sunday magazine in the nation, I turned down a job as a reporter in Washington, D.C., that for years I yearned for and took a job as the first senior writer for Yankee Magazine, moving to a bend of the Green River outside of

ILLUSTRATION BY GERRY O�NEILL

t’s December and, without fail, I’m thinking about snow. Thanks to Bing Crosby and Irving Berlin’s Oscar-winning song from the 1942 musical film Holiday Inn, the idea of a “White Christmas” is deeply ingrained in the psyche of anyone who loves the holidays. I’m no different. I dig everything about Christmas, from the ancient story of a savior’s birth to the faux snow of sappy Hallmark holiday movies. But my love affair with the white stuff goes much deeper than that. My first taste of snow came in South Carolina in 1959, where my dad worked for a year at a small-town newspaper after he’d lost his own weekly newspaper in Mississippi. Shortly before Christmas, a freak snowstorm shut down the entire town for a couple of days. My mother, who grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of western Maryland where it snowed heavily every winter, allowed my brother and me to take a large antique serving tray to the nearby golf course, where we would slide down the hill, along with every kid in town. All through town, snowballs flew through the air and snow angels spread their wings. The snow barely lasted a day, but it was nothing short of magical to this wide-eyed kid of 6. Better yet, we spent that New Year (and many thereafter) in snowy Cumberland, among my mother’s people, a wintry clan of big, blond, German aunts and uncles who seemed to celebrate the snowy season with roaring fires and lively gatherings. I remember going outside during a rowdy family New Year’s Eve party just to stand in the kneedeep snow outside my Aunt Fanny’s house, marveling at the beauty and still silence of the falling flakes.

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The Learning Society

Unlocking the Secrets of Happiness with

DAN BUETTNER February 27, 2024 7:00 p.m. Queens University of Charlotte

National Geographic writer, renowned explorer, award-winning journalist, and author of “Blue Zones”

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|simple life Brattleboro, Vt. The snow was already falling when I got there in late November 1983, taking possession of a tidy two-room cabin heated only by a wood stove. I promptly got myself a retriever pup from the Windham County Humane Society and spent a glorious winter reading every poem, philosopher and piece of literature I could lay hands on. Walking with my dog in the blue dusk of an arctic evening, I came to love the brilliance of the winter stars and finally got to see the Northern lights. It was the most solitary and wonderful winter of my life. No surprise, I suppose, that my first wife and I eventually built a post-and-beam house on a forested hilltop near the coast of Maine, where we raised our babies to be outdoor adventurers, especially in winter when the deep snows came. My daughter, Maggie, was born at dawn after an overnight blizzard. I remember driving home to feed the dogs at our cottage on Bailey Island as the sun came out, illuminating a world made pure and peaceful by blankets of snow. I’d never been happier. On particularly clear and frigid nights, I would put on my red wool Elmer Fudd jacket and tote a large bag of sorghum pellets though the knee-deep snow to the edge of the forest where a family of whitetail deer and other forest creatures could often be seen feeding in the moonlight. That became the source of many bedtime stories I made up for my young adventurers. They still mention those silly winter tales to this day. One year, however, there was no snow on the ground right up to Christmas Eve. Our church decided to hold its evening service in the Settlemeyer family’s barn. Maggie and her brother Jack played a sheep and a cow, respectively, in the annual Christmas pageant and I was asked to bring along my guitar and play “Silent Night” to conclude the service. A large crowd in parkas and snowsuits turned out to fill the barn, shivering among the sheep pens as the ancient story of a savior’s birth was retold. At one point, Maggie asked with a whisper if I thought it might snow that night. I assured her it probably would because Santa needed snow for his sleigh. The candles were lit and I played the beloved Christmas hymn first performed in Austria on Christmas Eve 1818 in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. Since that time, the hymn has been translated into 300 languages. That night, as we all huddled together with the barn door firmly shut against a sharp northern wind, a Christmas miracle of sorts took place outside. When the doors opened and we all filed out, pausing to exchange hugs and wish each other “Merry Christmas,” someone suddenly cried with a voice of pure childlike wonder: “Oh, look . . . it’s snowing!” Indeed it was — big, dreamy flakes floating down as if on cue from either Bing Crosby or Heaven itself, like an answered prayer. Whichever it was, by the time we reached our wooded hilltop, the world was pure white and the night was very silent indeed. We woke to two feet of fresh snow the next morning. No Christmas since has come without remembering that magical Christmas Eve. And that’s why I still hold out hope for snow every December. SP Jim Dodson is a New York Times bestselling author in Greensboro.

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Happy Holidays from Team Pensiero-DeFazio! Cynthia is proud to be a multi award-winning and Top Producing Agent. She takes pride in caring for her clients as though they were her own family, which is why 98% of her business comes from referrals. Making a move in the New Year? Let’s connect!

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Cynthia Pensiero-Defazio M. 980.253.4549 | cynthia.pensierodefazio@compass.com cynthiapensierodefazio.com Compass is a licensed real estate broker under the name “Compass South Carolina, LLC" in South Carolina and under the name “Compass” in North Carolina and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

Wishing you health and happiness this holiday season. We are beyond grateful for our families, friends, and clients. Cheers to the New Year! Tracey Cook M. 704.236.1135 tracey.cook@compass.com

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Compass is a licensed real estate broker under the name “Compass South Carolina, LLC" in South Carolina and under the name “Compass” in North Carolina and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

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Where magic happens FOR 16 DAYS IN DECEMBER, NUTCRACKER TAKES CENTER STAGE IN UPTOWN. WHILE IT’S A KNOWN CLASSIC, THE AUDIENCE RARELY GETS TO SEE THE TRUE WONDER THAT TAKES PLACE BEFORE THE CURTAIN RISES. by Sharon Smith | photographs by Richard Israel

ot a creature is stirring — not even a Mouse King as the lights go down in Belk Theater. It’s all quiet, until that familiar music starts and we see the beginnings of a party with family and friends on a snowy Christmas Eve. The stage is set for young Clara Stahlbaum to take the audience through a series of enchanted dreams with toy soldiers, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Nutcracker Prince, who bravely battles and defeats the Mouse King and his army. The timeless classic, composed by Tchaikovsky in 1891, is the most performed ballet of the modern era. Yet, for the 160 dancers who are part of Charlotte Ballet’s presentation this year, there’s a newness each night.

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James Kopecky, right, as Herr Drosselmeyer, is in his ninth season with Charlotte Ballet.

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“Being in a theater as large as the Belk always gives me goose bumps,” says James Kopecky, a veteran Charlotte Ballet dancer now in his ninth season. He’s played nearly every role in too many productions to count, he adds jokingly. While little changes are made to the show each year, it’s the music that keeps it fresh for this dancer. “Tchaikovsky’s music is iconic,” Kopecky says. ”I’ve learned to listen to the complexities and overlays he put in the music. While I’m dancing, it invigorates the steps into something new for me.” There are a lot of new faces, too. Charlotte Ballet has eight new dancers following a slew of retirements from seasoned veterans. The Belk crowd is a new audience in a new city for several of them. “I’ve been doing the same choreography for many years, so learning a new version is exciting,” Samantha Riester says about this Nutcracker choreographed by Jean-Pierre

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Bonnefoux. “I’m eager to hear the full orchestration. Plus, being in a more traditional version … adds a classic and timeless touch that I’m loving.” There are 20 professional dancers in the company. As soon as they wrapped on the fall presentation of Breaking Boundaries, it was on to Nutcracker with rehearsals starting the first week of November, 9-to-5, five days a week. The cast includes 113 academy students (ages 9-18) and 26 dancers from the pre-professional division. Sophie Mercure directs the Academy cast, managing schedules and leading rehearsals. The Academy’s schedule is quite different based on the need to accommodate students.

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Academy students Elyn Jenkins (blue dress) and Phoebe Gray (red dress) on stage as Clara’s Friends in 2022. This year, both are cast in the lead role of Clara, along with Lola Boothe.

160 Dancers 132 Costumes 23 Scenic backdrops 1 Flying Balloon Boat 143 Hand Props 378 Lighting Fixtures 160 Lighting Cues

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Auditions take place before Labor Day, and rehearsals start by mid-September, weekends only. Mercure says the students learn a great sense of teamwork and dependability being part of a professional production. And that seven-day workweek isn’t lost on her. “I feel an immense amount of pride in the way these kids dedicate their efforts, their time and love of dance to this production.” This year, the lead role of Clara is played by three dancers, all of whom previously played Clara’s Friends. Mercure says by splitting the role, the dancers are well-rested and have a healthy experience. “At our first Clara rehearsal together, all

13-year-old Grayson Rolfe plays Fritz, Clara’s younger brother, for the first time this year. He was cast as a Party Boy and Soldier last year.

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three girls were a quick study after spending last year watching and learning on the side for fun.” There are so many moving parts, literally and figuratively. With five major scene changes, a live orchestra, a production and costume team constantly moving, and dozens of cue calls — there’s always adrenaline backstage. Artistic Director Alejandro Cerrudo says the ballet taps into something enduring, too — a “reminder that within each of us lies the capacity to dream, to create and to find solace in the transformative power of art.” Sometimes when something is so familiar, we forget just how special it is. Don’t let that be the case with Nutcracker. Delight in the spectacle, the tradition and the knowledge that this kind of magic doesn’t just happen. Take it from a seasoned veteran — the snow scene still gets Kopecky everytime. SP Want to go? Charlotte Ballet presents Nutcracker from Dec. 8-23 at Belk Theater. blumenthalarts.org

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Victoria Beckham dress, $1,290, and Rosantica bag, $1,095, both from Showroom; earrings, $8,200, Surya and the Moon; necklace with turquoise and pink sapphire, $7,875, Campbell + Charlotte Right arm: Stone inlay cocktail ring, $9,000, and cocktail ring with chrysoprase and tsavorite, $5,000, both Campbell + Charlotte Left arm: ribbed cocktail ring with rainbow moonstone and diamond, $5,730, cabochon cuff bracelet with rainbow moonstone and diamond $16,000, cuff bracelet with turquoise and pink sapphire, $9,670, all from Campbell + Charlotte; 18K yellow gold with mother of pearl ring from the Roberto Coin Venetian Princess Collection, $7,200, Fink’s Jewelers; gold sapphire and diamond bracelet, $10,999, and gold ruby diamond and sapphire bracelet, $7,999, both Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry ON TABLE: Vintage Holiday Photos provided by @ClassicMyersPark In cup and saucer: pearl and onyx earrings, $999, Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry Cocktail ring with turquoise and pink sapphire, $4,850, pendant necklace with malachite and diamond, $4,610, pendant necklace with black mother of pearl and pink sapphire, $5,670, all Campbell + Charlotte. In silver box: yellow sapphire earrings in 18K gold, $2,600, Surya and the Moon Sheffield silver-plate tray, $365, Imperial Blue by Mottahedeh tea cup and saucer, $165, silver-plate box with beaded lid, $30, Santa with train and stocking by Karen Didion, $93, all from John Dabbs Ltd.; match strike, $180, Abode Home; flowerpot portable lamp, $315, and aperitif glasses $140/ set of 6, both from Elizabeth Bruns; holiday tea towel, $19, and red gingham pie plate, $22, both from The Buttercup; vintage animal mugs, $235/set of four, B.D. Jeffries

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Feeling festive styling + production: Whitley Adkins photography: Olly Yung interiors styling: Brooke Werhane Maples hair + makeup: Josiah Reed model: Hannah Morgan with Marilyn’s Agency photography assistant: Alvin Hall styling assistant: Whitney Douglas arrangements: Shelly St. Laurent with Foxglove Fine Flowers

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St. John by Marie Gray vintage dress and sunglasses, stylist’s own; shoes, $58, Hong Kong Vintage; Mikimoto convertible 18K white gold pearl necklace, $14,000, Fink’s Jewelers; earrings in 18K gold with white sapphires, $2,800, Surya and the Moon; DeMellier purse, $610, Showroom. 1965 Porsche 356C Cabriolet courtesy Dr. Phillip Greene; presents wrapped by Jen Gerena Design 116 | SOUTHPARK

Red lace dress, $248 and mink stole, $150, both from Hong Kong Vintage; 18K gold earrings with white sapphires, $2,600, Surya and the Moon; vintage Tiffany dogwood collar, $22,999, and ancient Roman coin replica necklace in 18K yellow gold with gold, ruby and diamond, $10,999, both Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry Right arm: Gold, ruby, diamond and sapphire bracelet, $7,999, Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry Left hand: The Crew pink sapphire and diamond stacking ring, $2,630, and Evolve bubble ring with emeralds, $7,720, both Campbell + Charlotte; gold, sapphire and diamond bracelet, $10,999, Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry Tabletop: Mottahedeh Imperial Blue plate, $110, Lastra Evergreen by Vietri dinner plate, $58, Cuthbertson Christmas tree dinner plate, $35, Robert Haviland & Lexington chocolate buffet plate $165, fish wine opener, $55, candy cane table runner, $34, and holly placemats and napkins, $75/set of 4, all from John Dabbs Ltd.; pear salt and pepper shakers, $93, marble and gold salt and pepper bowls, $70/set of 2, blue and white ball ornaments, $26, all from Elizabeth Bruns; vintage Santa cocktail napkins, $85 each, M&D Threads; amber hand-blown glasses, $22/set of 2, House of Nomad; set of colorful knives, $110, green stemless wine glass, $37, Champagne coupe, $45/set of 2, all from The Buttercup; blue and white vase, $248, Abode Home; animal napkin, $28, and feather napkin ring, $38, both from B.D. Jeffries Saxophonist Zach Wheeler is a Charlotte-based professional musician who performs with Menastree, House of Funk and Of Good Nature, or with his punk band Y’all’re.

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Evening gown, $1,025, tygerianlace.net; onyx and gold earrings, $1,099, Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry; Circa-1960 English Sheffield sterling silver tea set, $3,299, Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry; Santa punch bowl, $57, The Buttercup; leopard ice bucket, $205, Abode Home; red and green acrylic serving set, $45, and plaid handle tart slicer, $45, both Elizabeth Bruns; geo bowl, $149, House of Nomad

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Gold paisley blouse, $60, ivory knickers, $64, and Judith Leiber belt, $138, all Hong Kong Vintage; vintage shoes, stylist’s own; emerald bubble hoop earrings, $6,810, Campbell + Charlotte Blue and white ball ornament, $26, Elizabeth Bruns; assorted glass ornaments, price upon request, Paper Twist; felt holly and peppermints, $6/each, and sequin spray, $19/each, both from The Buttercup; presents wrapped by Jen Gerena Design

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Silk georgette dress, $850, Daniel Gonzalez Designs; YSL pumps, $112, Hong Kong Vintage; 18K white gold diamond scroll bracelet, $29,450, 18K white gold half ring, $17,150, 18K white gold cross and chain, $7,200, all from the Sabel Collection at Fink’s Jewelers; art deco earrings, $42, CLTCH; gloves, stylist’s own On white glove: 18K yellow gold bangle from the Roberto Coin Venetian Princess Collection, $7,150, Fink’s Jewelers Green water glasses, $150/set of 6, Abode Home; cocktail napkin, $98, M&D Threads; Lastra Evergreen by Vietri dinner plate, $58, John Dabbs Ltd. SP

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Shopper’s delight SONJA NICHOLS BETS BIG ON BRICK-AND-MORTAR RETAIL WITH THE DEBUT OF SOUTHERN LION. by Cathy Martin photographs by Richard Israel

alking into Southern Lion’s temporary pop-up shop on a late October morning, I expect to find a few dozen vendors with makeshift displays — folding tables, portable racks and the like. But this is no ordinary pop-up. There are gobs of holiday gifts and décor. A massive Vera Bradley store-within-a-store. Children’s and baby clothing, pet products, and gourmet snacks galore. Tidy displays of luxurious soaps and lotions. Furniture (and more furniture). A fully landscaped pond, with twinkling Christmas lights reflecting off the surface. Owner and president Sonja Nichols greets me for a tour, smartly dressed wearing comfortable black sneakers for traversing the 55,000-square-foot showroom, the upper level of a former Sears department store at Carolina Place Mall in Pineville. Nichols debuted the concept for Southern Lion soon after Blacklion Gifts & Home Furnishings Marketplace — the popular multivendor shopping venue just a mile away on Park Road — shocked longtime customers last year by announcing plans to close after 27 years. Building on the foundation of that iconic retailer with a loyal following (Nichols among them), she’s looking to create in Southern Lion a similar shopping experience in an even larger venue with more bells and whistles.

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“WE JUST CAN’T LET THIS DIE.”

Last summer, news of Blacklion’s impending closure hadn’t yet made its way to Nichols, a civic and philanthropic leader whose previous roles include president of Good Friends Charlotte and board chair of the Women’s Impact Fund, and who currently serves on the UNC System Board of Governors. Nichols can’t explain what inspired her to do it (“God put it in my spirit,” she says), but she and her daughter paid a visit to Blacklion and struck up a conversation with general manager Maureen Rudolph and a few of the merchants. She casually asked if the owners might be interested in selling. “And they were like, So you heard — the Blacklion already sold,” Nichols recalls. Elisabeth Emory, the daughter of Blacklion owners Bob and Nita Emory, planned to move the Blacklion concept to Chicago. The building had come under new ownership, with a new slate of tenants soon to be announced. The merchants were in a tailspin, according to Nichols, with no idea what they were going to do next. We just can’t let this die, Nichols thought. She called Joan Zimmerman, a close friend. Zimmerman’s family ran Southern Shows and founded the Southern Christmas Show back in 1968. Zimmerman enthusiastically supported the idea of a new venue to house Blacklion’s loyal merchants. “When Sonja shared what she was

thinking ... my response, as I recall, was: Sounds like a perfect fit. If I were younger I’d do it myself,” Zimmerman says. Nichols sprung into action. Since the Blacklion name wasn’t for sale, she had to devise a new moniker. “What I came up with was my favorite two things to do: The Southern Christmas Show and the Blacklion. So I merged the names.” Nichols first considered the vacant Toys “R” Us building in Pineville but realized it was too small. She found another option nearby: At 85,000 square feet, the ground floor of the former Sears at Carolina Place had ample room for the 90% of former Blacklion merchants that committed to join Southern Lion, and then some. Plans to open in March, soon after Blacklion’s January closure, were pushed back due to construction delays. Nichols had planned to use the upstairs of the store for storage until she figured out what to do with the space. Then it hit her — why not create a temporary shopping experience while carpenters hammer away downstairs? With tape measures and rolls of blue masking tape in hand, Nichols and her crew set about dividing the upstairs space so the merchants could get back to business. Southern Lion’s Pop-up Shop Up Top opened in September with 65 merchants.

LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER

One of those merchants is Patsy Barnett, who ran her home southparkmagazine.com | 123

Sonja Nichols and her son, Rich Nichols

décor business, Barnett’s Custom Designs, out of Blacklion for 28 years. “She has put a lot of thought into all of this,” Barnett notes, adding that Nichols has been able to apply her expertise learned from previous roles at Southern Lion. “And naturally, with Bob’s assistance, that’s been a great help.” That’s Bob Emory, the former Blacklion owner, who, along with Zimmerman, serves as a consultant for Southern Lion. “I think he thought he was going to be able to retire,” Nichols laughs. While Nichols has experience leading large organizations, retail is new territory for her. “I’m your nonprofit person,” she says. “But I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, so I know how to run stuff,” says Nichols, whose grandparents owned nightclubs and grocery stores in San Francisco. She’s also learning from vendors like Barnett, many of whom were part of Blacklion for years, even decades. “The beauty of this is, these are all small business owners, and they are serious about their business,” Nichols says. “They understand how to source materials, they understand budgeting, they understand how to run their business. The only thing I really need to do is to provide a wonderful space for them to operate out of,” Nichols says, comparing Southern Lion to a business incubator. Those small businesses include The Raggedy Rooster, one of Blacklion’s largest merchants, and Carolina Bags, with its selection of Carolina-made bath products, sweets and snacks by Piedmont Pennies, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, Dewey’s and others. There’s 124 | SOUTHPARK

a Christian bookstore selling devotionals, T-shirts and more. “There are no more Christian bookstores in the city,” Nichols says. “It’s one of our top spaces in terms of volume.” Nichols has taken the merchants’ feedback to heart in designing Southern Lion’s permanent home. Features like walls for sound barriers and electrical outlets for each vignette — unavailable at Blacklion — are being integrated into the new space. She’s also watching as the merchants come up with fresh ideas on their own. R&B Vintage sells home decor and custom faux floral arrangements. The owners’ daughter, Sofie, a high school student, began accompanying them on purchasing trips. She now has her own business at Southern Lion, Belle Vie, that caters to Gen Z with graphic tees, funky earrings, floral tumblers and more.

THE ANTI-AMAZON

“Blacklion was famous for having those unique things that you just couldn’t get anywhere else,” Nichols says. Southern Lion plans to continue in that tradition. “We had a leather-covered toolkit … Who needs that?” Nichols says. “But that was one of the first things we sold.” Blacklion fans will still find many of their favorites, including Christopher Radko ornaments. But with roughly 17,000 additional square feet, Southern Lion will be able to accommodate even more merchants. When the new permanent space opens in the spring, shoppers can expect a café selling prepared foods along with a

meeting room for about 100 guests. A “man cave” with recliners and TVs tuned to ESPN (already a popular feature in the upstairs pop-up) will also feature items for sale like cigar humidors, a leather-covered Coleman cooler and collegiate decor, such as a wooden end table with a lighted, inset 3-D replica of the UNC’s Dean E. Smith Center or Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. It’s one of Southern Lion’s bestsellers to date, Nichols says. One thing you won’t find at Southern Lion: online sales. The headaches of shipping and returns aren’t worth it, Nichols says. “I want to be the anti-Amazon. I want people to be able to come in, touch the pillows. ... You can’t get this experience online — you can’t do it.” Zimmerman agrees. “I believe people will always have a desire to touch, taste, smell, kick the tires — be with real people; ask questions of real people. I also believe if you have what people want, treat them well, and have good products at affordable prices they will respond. Think about it — when was the last time you and a group of friends got together and had fun shopping online?” Once the main store is open, Nichols is considering a few different ideas for the upper level, including estate sales or a permanent expo for home remodelers. Combined, Nichols believes it will be the largest 100% Black-owned retail store in the Southeast.

“A COMPLETE FAITH WALK.”

Nichols is unfazed by media reports about dying malls and slowing

sales of brick-and-mortar retail, including recent reports of Carolina Place owner Brookfield Properties defaulting on a $149 million loan tied to the 32-year-old mall. “The mall has been altogether lovely to me,” Nichols says. She’s even discussed bringing the Southern Lion concept to malls in other cities. “I feel like this is my lane, because this is something I love to do,” says Nichols, who goes to work every day. What she didn’t expect was that her son, Rich Nichols, the oldest of her three children, would decide to join her in the business. Rich, 32, had moved home to Charlotte during the pandemic after earning an MBA at UCLA and working for Deloitte and Georgia Pacific. Early on, Nichols started bringing him in on business meetings; he’s now Southern Lion’s vice president of finance. “This is a complete faith walk,” Nichols says, gesturing across the vast showroom as we wrap up our tour. Her investors, which include her husband, Richard (“I absolutely, positively could not have done any of this without my soulmate and love of my life,” Nichols says), have poured more than $5 million into the venture, Nichols says. “What I’m doing right here is the riskiest thing in my entire life,” she adds. But Nichols clearly believes in the vision, one that’s affirmed by former Blacklion customers strolling the aisles, along with plenty of new shoppers discovering Southern Lion for the first time. “Nowhere did I ever imagine this, at no time. I couldn’t have planned it, but it is my most fun thing to do.” SP

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2023

the year in photos

F JULY

The artful garden Serenity Garden photographed by Dustin and Susie Peck 126 | SOUTHPARK

rom backyard gardens that inspire to backstage at the opera, inside art studios and amazing closets, one of our goals here at SouthPark is to show you parts of the city you might not otherwise get to see. We’re able to do that through cherished relationships with many of the city’s top photographers. We consider ourselves lucky to work with some of the best. On these pages, we look back at some of our favorite images from the previous year.

JANUARY Behind the curtain

Backstage at Opera Carolina’s production of Tosca photographed by Richard Israel

FEBRUARY Labor of love

Chef Alyssa Wilen and Andrew Wilen photographed by Richard Israel

JANUARY

The buddy system Haand pottery photographed by Mallory Cash southparkmagazine.com | 127

MARCH Back roads

Andrew Rodrigues, photographed at The Gullah Museum in Georgetown, S.C., by Richard Israel

APRIL

Marvelous menagerie Myers Park home photographed by Heather Ison

FEBRUARY

Day out in Concord Havana Carolina photographed by Justin Driscoll 128 | SOUTHPARK

APRIL

Make it mod Slate Interiors photographed by Olly Yung

APRIL

Story of a garden Eve and Pete Pappas’ shade garden photographed by Richard Israel

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MAY

Beguiling beauties Orchids at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens photographed by Peter Taylor

NOVEMBER

Glamour and grandeur The Greenbrier photographed by Mira Adwell

JULY

Guide to MoRA New Zealand Cafe photographed by Justin Driscoll

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JUNE

Closet crush Bob Tapp’s closet photographed by Amy Kolo

JUNE

Make a splash Summer style photographed by Richard Israel

MAY

Down to a fine art Home design by Anna Davis photographed by Dustin and Susie Peck southparkmagazine.com | 131

MAY

Sentimental still life Artist Chris Clamp photographed by Peter Taylor

SEPTEMBER The IT List

Sabina Schlumberger photographed by Kori Hoffman

SEPTEMBER Retro rewind

Steve and Jane Syzdek’s south Charlotte home photographed by Dustin and Susie Peck

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travel | weekend away

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT

Southern sanctuary THE OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT — ON THE HEELS OF A $150 MILLION RENOVATION — IS A SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE EXUDING CASUAL LUXURY WITH A RICH HISTORY. by Michael J. Solender

urning off U.S. Route 220, aka Sam Snead Highway, in western Virginia, onto the long, sloping drive leading to the Omni Homestead Resort, my memory triggers back to the first time I’d made that same turn nearly 30 years ago. I lived in Richmond at the time, and one of my coworkers grew up in Virginia’s tiny Bath County, the Homestead’s residence since 1766. She often raved about the majestic resort nestled at the foot of the surrounding Allegheny Mountains. Describing the spectacular natural beauty there, she spun tales of storied rounds of golf at some of the finest mountain courses in Virginia. The promise of meandering mountain streams, restorative hot springs and the joy of simply taking residence in

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travel | weekend away

a well-positioned rocking chair on the resort’s expansive front porch awaited. At her urging, I took a long weekend at the Homestead with my wife. We enjoyed lazy mornings with lush breakfast buffets, trail hikes, late-day golf outings and some serious kicking back. Returning three decades later to find the warm hospitality, serene environs, pristine golf, and postcard-worthy vistas even better than I recalled is a surprise and revelation. A recently completed $150 million renovation and top-to-bottom property refresh extending from the public spaces throughout every guest room has cemented Homestead’s position as one of the southeast’s premier resorts. It’s the blend of casual and relaxed luxury alongside history, tradition and legacy — more than two dozen U.S. presidents have stayed here — that make this Grand Dame noteworthy. With origins predating the American Revolution, the Homestead was established as an 18-room wooden hotel built by Capt. Thomas Bullitt, the leader of a small militia and surveying team scouting this area during the French and Indian War. Its moniker is meant to honor the homesteaders who built the resort and bathhouses surrounding the natural mineral springs, all part of a colonial land grant received from then Col. George Washington. 134 | SOUTHPARK

A MOUNTAIN OF RECREATION More than 250 years later, a growing slate of recreational experiences stand ready for visitors to enjoy. Golf’s siren calls at the fabled William Flynn-designed Cascades course. It’s a top draw for many, as the 100-year-old classic is Virginia’s top-rated course, according to golf.com. Our group caddied up — a must for help reading the tricky mountain greens — and set out for a walk among the pin oaks and scrubby pines. Hawks, deer, squirrels and the occasional wild turkey were the only sentient beings I spied until we made the turn after nine holes. It’s mind-clearing and rare to be out on a course where no homes or development interfere with the clean, tree-lined fairways. I was glad to have played a practice round the day before at the more forgiving Old Course. The course boasts the oldest first tee in continuous use in America dating back to 1892. A bit less biting but no less visually arresting than the Cascades, the Old Course plays shorter than its big brother yet shares design provenance with Flynn, a master craftsman from a bygone era. Our 25th president, William McKinley, was the first to tee it up here, proclaiming, “Golf is a game that requires careful study,

travel | weekend away

which I intend to pursue …” It’s not known if those words were uttered before or after he lost several balls into the woods. Post-round libations are always in order, and Rubino’s proved a fine diversion for me to settle my wagers after the Cascades round. There’s elevated pub fare served on the patio overlooking the finishing holes. For me, an Arnold Palmer accompanied by ultra crispy Fish and Chips went down easy and soothed the sting from my losing bets.

Next up was a long soak in the Homestead’s newly restored mineral-laden Warm Springs Pools. There’s a centuries-old tradition of “taking the waters” in this part of Virginia, where geothermal mineral springs are sought out for their therapeutic properties. Fifteen minerals combined with water temperatures that hover around 100 degrees promote relaxation, boost circulation, soothe skin and reinvigorate the body. One host informed me the experience is meant to be “nourishment” for the body through its largest organ. Thomas Jefferson traveled from his home in Monticello to take the waters in these very pools, noting in an 1818 letter to his daughter, “The springs here are of the first merit…” After an hourlong soak in the men’s bathhouse, our group concurred with Jefferson — the experience was invigorating and first-rate. Horse lovers will find plenty to love at the Homestead’s comprehensive Equestrian Center. “There is a long tradition of equestrian activity in Bath County and at the Homestead,” says Mark Spadoni, managing director at the resort. “Our guests look forward to our scenic trails, supportive staff and extensive offerings which include carriage rides with two new draft horses we’ve acquired.” The center also hosts a 30-mile competitive ride and a pleasure ride annually. southparkmagazine.com | 135

travel | weekend away

HOLIDAYS AT THE HOMESTEAD During the holiday season, guests marvel at the giant Christmas tree in the Homestead lobby adorned with ornaments from years past, while families enjoy old-fashioned fun like s’mores by the fire, gingerbread-house decorating and bedtime stories for the kids with Santa’s elves. The Homestead is a 4.5-hour drive from Charlotte. For more information, visit omnihotels.com/hotels/ homestead-virginia.

DINE LIKE A VIRGINIAN

My experience at the Homestead’s Shooting Club was perhaps the most surprising aspect of my visit. Converting me, who’s never owned a gun or hunted pigeons — clay or otherwise — into an enthusiast is a tall order, yet my recent visit has me hooked. Tapping my inner sportsman was artfully done with the assistance of a true shooting Jedi. Patient, respectful and intensely observant, shooting club director David Judah is equally comfortable helping beginners and experts in the art of shooting skeet and trap. The facility is vast and offers challenging stations by the dozen to accommodate guests. My small group spent nearly three hours with Judah, who patiently guided us — keeping safety paramount — to a surprising proficiency. Several “killed” clays in, I found a rhythm and one I’ll want to work on going forward. 136 | SOUTHPARK

A great pleasure came delivered in a wine glass at dinner one evening. Virginia wines are having a moment, and the sommelier and kitchen staff at the Homestead team up to offer pairings highlighting the southeast’s finest vintners and varietals. A bold Michael Shaps cabernet franc paired nicely with my bone-in ribeye at Jefferson’s, the resort’s signature dining venue. The Charlottesville winemaker, I learned, has established himself as a leading figure in Virginia’s wine industry. There’s also a monthly Virginia Wine Experience dinner with a featured vintner. Guests explore the best wines of the Commonwealth over a relaxed paced, five-course meal built around the evening’s selections. After dinner, I headed over to Martha’s Market, the resort’s coffee and ice-cream shop, for a homemade frozen custard. I couldn’t help myself — after all, vacations are meant to spoil us a bit. Two scoops later — and with zero guilt — I firmly declared: Mission accomplished. SP

FAR F R O M O R D I NA RY, YET CLO S E TO EV ERYTHING. Built in 1915, the Duke Mansion has been home and host to leaders of the 20th century. Today the inn and meeting place is owned and operated as a nonprofit. When you choose the Duke Mansion, you help support and protect this community treasure. With proximity to uptown Charlotte and Charlotte Douglas International Airport and nestled in one of the Queen City’s most idyllic neighborhoods, the Duke Mansion is the perfect spot to meet, stay and relax. Stay the night in one of our twenty beautifully appointed guest rooms, featuring fine furnishings, luxurious linens, private bathrooms, and scenic views of our fountains, gardens and grounds. With unique event spaces and an exceptional on-site culinary team, the Duke Mansion is the perfect backdrop for any celebration.

400 Hermitage Road | Charlotte, NC 704.714-4400 | dukemansion.org The Duke Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a nonprofit supported by its patrons, donors and neighbors.

WILDERS WAGYU SUBSCRIPTION BOXES - 100% FULLBLOOD WAGYU BEEF ORDER YOURS ONLINE AT WWW.WILDERS.COM OR SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE OUR FULL HOLIDAY COLLECTION

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(919) 551-8102

114 W Main Street, Clayton, NC 27520

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

benefiting Carolina Breast Friends Sept. 22

Celebrating 20 years of the Pink House, supporters donned fine fedoras and flapper outfits for this year’s 1920s-inspired gala at Carmel Country Club. photographs by Daniel Coston

Cathy and Andy Dulin

Molly Grantham and Terrie Reeves

Ginger Seabrook and Sarah Cassidy

Richard Wells and Julie Horanski

Christine Lockett and Emily Hall

Charlton Alicea Tapp and Perry Swenson

Edwin Gil and Wesley Mancini

Sherry and Chris Ebel and Pam Phipps

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PHOTOS ONLINE

swirl

Roaring in Pink

Bobby Wildermuth, robertbobbyart.com

For 25 years Window & Door Pros has been serving Charlotte builders and homeowners with the finest selection of windows, doors, and architectural products.

Established 1996 Visit Our Showroom at 1141 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28205 704.344.1875 | Mike@WindowAndDoorPros.com WindowAndDoorPros.com

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Maya Angelou Women Who Lead luncheon benefiting UNCF Sept. 23

Everyone saves their best hat or fascinator for this annual luncheon honoring women who make a big community impact. Sharene Pierce and daughter

Laura Bynum and family

Natia Walker and Tay Bennett

Ebony Thomas and Sonja Nichols

photographs by Daniel Coston

Kelley Rouse, Janelle Alston Collins, Janice Dupre and Tiffany Jones-Boyd

Kendra Grant and Lucrecia Moore

Tiffany Jones-Boyd, Kelley Rouse,Tina Bonner-Henry and Janelle Alston Collins

Yvette and Anthony Norwood

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is now open in

Dilworth!

Come shop from over 90 local artisans. We specialize in customized gifts, made in Charlotte & the Carolinas. Let us curate something unique for everyone on your list. CLT Find Dilworth 1235-A East Blvd / Kenilworth Commons

919-815-7184

CLT Find Uptown 224 East 7th Street

| w w w. C LT F i n d . c o m

www.thoughtfulbakingco.com

QUICHE • HOLIDAY DESSERT • POT PIE

142 | SOUTHPARK

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Furnished

benefiting Furnish For Good Nov. 1

So much good design was on display at Slate Interiors during this annual fundraiser for FFG. Supporters got to see and bid on donated items procured by 10 local interior designers in the friendly design competition. Kristine Design took the top spot. Christopher and Tiffany Brown

Lisa and Brent Taggart

Robin Bellefuil and Kelsey Tennyson

Priscilla Baez and Parker Baez-Jackson

Jennifer and Taylor Adams

photographs by Daniel Coston

Sarah Gregg, Rachelle Atkins, Ice Young

Sharon Smith, Sarah Fligel, Cathy Martin

Mary Beth Hollett, Lesley Faulkner, Priscilla Chapman and Maggie Morton

Carolyn Tooles and Carrie Yorker

Cate Gutter, Chris and Shawn Belcher

Nancy Targgart and Kim Moore

Patricia and Steve Turner

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Give the gift of

CRAFTSMAN Are you looking to celebrate a special moment and raise a toast to someone dear? Allow us to assist in delivering a curated craft cocktail (or mocktail) kit to mark the occasion! Each kit comes carefully packaged in a custom box and a personalized note. Our gift boxes are tailor-made for every celebration!

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COMFORT &JOY HARD-TO-FIND SIZES AND WIDTHS

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144 | SOUTHPARK

the shoe market

Family-Owned, Full-Service, High-Quality Comfort Shoe Store 4624 West Market Street • Greensboro | 336.632.1188 | theshoemarketinc.com

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

NCTA League Championship

Barnes Tennis Center, San Diego Oct. 29

These Charlotte women are now USTA National Champions. They swept the finals for the 40+, 4.0 group level. The tennis team, which practices at the Queens Sports Complex, is a mixture of women from various clubs in the south Charlotte area. photographs courtesy Julie Grahl

Julie Grahl, Lisa Hill, Amy Guear, Diane Bach, Kim Diaz, Rosalyn Kartes, Karen Daniels-Lynch, Lauren Mulcahy, Heather Hiteshew, Shannon Horton

Holiday Glow Clean, handcrafted candles, soaps & self-care products to nourish your skin and spirit Perfect stocking stuffers, teacher & hostess gifts, or little luxuries for those you love

@deltaglowasheville deltaglowasheville.com

Find your

Signature Style Ready to redefine your fashion journey? Let’s work together so you can step out with confidence and elegance.

Team captains Rosalyn Kartes and Kim Diaz

Ashley Gray | Wardrobe Stylist @ashleygraystyle ashleypgray.com | apgray1@gmail.com

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DECEMBER 9, 2023–MAY 5, 2024 | THE MINT MUSEUM

Craft Across Continents — Contemporary Japanese and Western Objects: The Lassiter/Ferraro Collection is generously presented by the Mint Museum Auxiliary, with additional corporate sponsorship from Moore & Van Allen. Individual sponsorship is kindly provided by Rocky and Curtis Trenkelbach. The Mint Museum is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund and its generous donors. IMAGE: Honda Shōryū 本田聖流 (Japanese, 1951–). Shadow (detail), 2005, bamboo and rattan. Promised Gift of Lorne Lassiter and Gary Ferraro. PG2022.57.5 Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts | 500 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 | 704.337.2000 | mintmuseum.org | @themintmuseum

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A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Ultimate Power Lunch benefiting Dress for Success Charlotte Sept. 26

Many longtime and new supporters gathered at The Revelry for this DFS signature event, which also honored Joyce Russell for her community work. photographs by Daniel Coston

Erica Bryant and Joyce Russell

Arlena Hawthorne and Rukiya Kelly

Jennifer Andrew, Wendi Boddy and Kerry Barr O’Connor

Julie Wall-Burris and Micah Burris

Kristy Fercho and Brent Fatticci

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A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Charlotte Symphony Gala Sept. 20

Symphony patrons mingled at the Bank of America Urban Garden then headed to Belk Theater for a concert by renowned singer Renee Fleming. Maestro Christopher Warren-Green was also welcomed back for this special night of music. photographs by Daniel Coston Charles and Mary Bowman

Ruth and Trevor Runberg

Janet and Hugh McColl

Perrin and Lisa Dargan, Ulrike and Alex Miles

Charles Thomas and Saundra Porter Thomas

Drs. Yele Aluko and Shirley Houston-Aluko

Renée Fleming and Christopher Warren-Green

Anne O’Byrne and David Fisk

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A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Shine

benefiting Arts Empowerment Project Oct. 12 Malcolm Coley, Marcus Kiser, Jason Woodberry and Rubie BrittHeight were recognized for helping bring the arts to patrons of all ages during this gala at Mint Museum Uptown. Rubie Britt-Height, Natalie FrazierAllen, Marcus Kiser, Jason Woodberry

Malcomb Coley and Kobi Brinson

Warren and Liz Hollier

Kristi Cruise and Katie Weeks

photographs by Daniel Coston

Simone El Bey and Dr. Kim Nixon

Michael and Ann Tarwater

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Welcome to Bear Food! Where we only sell the most delicious hand-cooked peanuts and pecans in the country! Seriously, the best peanuts you’ll ever have.

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A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Jerseys & Jewels

benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte Oct. 7 It was all fun on the field at Bank of America Stadium as this annual fundraiser returned to the gridiron with plenty of music, dancing and support for families with sick and injured children. photographs by Daniel Coston.

Vince and Bre Statuto

Brad Anderson and Emily Hudgens Anderson

Stacey and Bradford Hubler

Susan and Joe Fisher

Tiffani and Delvon Jackson

Marnie Schneider and Denise Cubbedge

What you wear should reflect your unique style 7415 Waverly Walk Avenue, Suite F2-1B Charlotte, NC 28277 | 704-274-9008 Hours: M – F 10:30am – 6pm, Sat: 10am – 5pm, Sun: 12pm – 4pm

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SWEET TREATS A PEPPERMINT TRADITION IN LEXINGTON

by Ayn-Monique Klahre | photographs by Bert VanderVeen

ust an hour from here, the quiet town of Lexington has an outsize role in our holiday celebrations. It’s famously the longtime home of Red Bird peppermints, those melt-inyour mouth mints that graced many a Southern grandma’s candy bowl. The mints are made by parent company Piedmont Candy Co., which was founded by Edward Ebelein, a German immigrant, in 1890, in an industrial park just outside of town. And while you can find Red Bird mints everywhere from big-box stores to grocery stores, it might be most fun to encounter them at The Candy Factory on Lexington’s Main Street. Annette and Wynn Conrad own this specialty candy and antiques store. It opened in the 1970s and was originally owned by the Piedmont Candy’s Ebelein family. “I remember coming here as a teen, when I worked at a retail store down the street,” Annette says. “When we had our lunch or dinner break, we’d go to get ice cream 152 | SOUTHPARK

next door, then swing by The Candy Factory for a treat afterwards. Everyone in Lexington grew up taking their children here.” In 2018, as later generations of the Ebelein family were ready to wind down ownership of the store, they looked for a Lexington family to take over the shop. “They didn’t want to sell it to someone who didn’t have roots in the community,” says Annette. “It’s been such a joy to get to know children and then grandchildren, as people bring the next generation.” Today, The Candy Factory carries a mix of old-fashioned candies like Whatchamacallits, Mallo Cups, Zotz and Coconut Flags — and, of course, Red Bird peppermints. At Christmastime, people drive in from the surrounding counties to shop for gifts, Annette says. “It’s just a happy place!” Her husband Wynn agrees: “You can’t be sad when you’re here. When little kids start crying, I say, no crying in the candy store!” SP

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