December SouthPark 2024 by SouthParkMag

SouthPark is your home for the holidays

FREE RIDES IN SOUTHPARK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5,

FROM THE EDITOR

Holiday traditions are funny — quirky even, sometimes. Growing up, I remember my aunt and my mom making Japanese fruitcakes, our annual shopping trip to Raleigh, and driving out to my grandma’s country house on Christmas Eve. The food was as southern as it gets and always included my grandmother’s fried chicken. I vividly recall her well into her 80s, hunched over the frying pan — because she wouldn’t let anyone else make it. The night always ended with my cousins, all older boys, running around outside, likely after consuming too much sugar, and shooting off fireworks — a most bizarre holiday tradition in North Carolina, I admit, but that’s a story for another day.

At home, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, my mom and I baked — sugar cookies, cheese straws, seafoam candy and whatever crazy-complicated recipes I’d clipped from my mom’s stack of magazines that year. Let me tell you, Instagram has nothing on a vintage Southern Living cover laden with holiday cakes, cookies and pies bathed in

the soft glow of Christmas lights. I’ve never really had much of a sweet tooth, but those images were mesmerizing — I still dream about a meringue-topped baked “brownie” Alaska we never got to make.

When I got older, I’d have friends over and continue the baking tradition. The desserts never turned out quite like the photos. But eventually I realized that didn’t matter. It was really about spending time together with family and friends. The treats were consumed quickly, but the memories still linger.

Happy holidays, and cheers to 2025! SP

CATHY MARTIN

1–Writer Krisha Chachra and her friend, Verena Martin, in Mayakoba, Mexico (page 125)

2–Hair and makeup artist Adrienne McCann and model Carly Peck behind the scenes at our holiday style shoot (page 82)

3–A pastry from Community Matters Café (page 90)

4–The site of the St. Lloyd Presbyterian Cemetery off Colony Road, where a proposed restoration project will create a new community space (page 96)

5–An eggplant dish at DOZO. Learn how to make their okonomiyaki (Japanese cabbage pancake) on page 60.

6–Sitting down with Foxcroft Wine Co.’s Conrad Hunter (page 22)

The gift of a Woodhouse Spa gift card is just the thing to make their spirits bright this season

34 December

BLVD.

22 | southpark sit-down

Foxcroft Wine Co.’s Conrad Hunter changes his tune.

28 | getaways

Festive flings: A holiday escape is closer than it seems.

34 | arts

A glassblowing tradition in western North Carolina

38 | music

Queen City connections run deep for the Blue Dogs, who play Neighborhood Theatre this month.

42 | entertaining

A Charlotte entertaining pro shares tips for holiday hosting.

48 | design

Charlotte interior designers team up to help neighbors in need.

54 | style

Closet crush: Stephanie Wilson’s boho-chic style

60 | cuisine

Tale of the plate: DOZO’s Osaka-style cabbage pancake

66 | around town

What’s new and coming soon in the Queen City

68 | happenings

December calendar of events

DEPARTMENTS

75 | simple life Christmas wishes

79 | art of the state

Western N.C. sculptor Hoss Haley creates more intimate, personal work.

131 | swirl Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte

136 | gallery

A few of our favorite photos from 2024

SPECIAL SECTION

100 | Guide to Giving Local nonprofits to support this season

ABOUT THE COVER:

Celebrating the holidays in style at The Morehead Inn. Photograph by Olly Yung; styling by Whitley Adkins and Brooke Werhane. Additional credits in the feature starting on page 82.

FEATURES

82 | Sparkle & shine styling by Whitley Adkins and Brooke Werhane photographs by Olly Yung Style: The Morehead Inn provides a historic backdrop for a chic holiday staycation.

90 | Serving for good by Kathleen Purvis

Local food businesses find their mission in working with challenged populations.

96 | The story of St. Lloyd by Kerry Singe | photographs by Grant Baldwin In the heart of SouthPark, a once neglected piece of land has an important story to tell.

TRAVEL

121 | Check in & check out

After a busy season, de-stress with a trip to one of these direct-flight destinations where relaxation is the order of the day.

122 | Sun spot: Acqualina Resort by Michael J. Solender

125 | Pampered in paradise: Mayakoba by Krisha Chachra

128 | Low-key leisure: Bungalows Key Largo by Cathy Martin

121

Gift of Golf

1230 West Morehead St., Suite 308 Charlotte, NC 28208 704-523-6987

southparkmagazine.com

Ben Kinney Publisher publisher@southparkmagazine.com

Cathy Martin Editor cathy@southparkmagazine.com

Sharon Smith Assistant Editor sharon@southparkmagazine.com

Andie Rose Creative Director

Alyssa Kennedy Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com

Whitley Adkins Style Editor

Contributing Editors

David Mildenberg, Michael J. Solender

Contributing Writers

Krisha Chachra, Natalie Dick, Jim Dodson, Asha Ellison, Vanessa Infanzon, Kathleen Purvis, Liza Roberts, Joe Roddey, Kayleigh Ruller, Kerry Singe

Contributing Photographers

Grant Baldwin, Daniel Coston, Justin Driscoll, Richard Israel, Amy Kolodziej, Dustin Peck, Peter Taylor, Olly Yung

Contributing Illustrator Gerry O’Neill

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people, places, things

LET IT SNOW!

Charlotte rarely sees any of the white stuff these days, but The Charleston Place hotel in the Holy City treats guests to a nightly “snowfall” at Market Street Circle, through Dec. 31. It’s one of seven nearby destinations for a festive holiday escape featured on page 28. Here in Charlotte, get your snow fix this month with tubing hills at Truist Field and Ballantyne’s Backyard. For more holiday happenings around town, check out our calendar on page 68. SP

SOUTHPARK SIT-DOWN

CONRAD HUNTER

Changing his tune: The Charlotte native and longtime musician finds his true calling leading a thriving wine business.

by Natalie Dick | photographs by Richard Israel

Foxcroft Wine Co. is one of Charlotte’s hottest spots to grab a drink with friends or meet a client for happy hour. Founded in 2004, the cozy wine bar’s flagship location on Fairview Road buzzes nearly every night of the week. As a frequent customer, I thought I knew a thing or two about the place until I spent an afternoon with owner and founder Conrad Hunter.

High above the bar and scattered around the dimly lit restaurant hang portraits of legendary musicians. At first glance, you might not give them much thought. But there’s a story there — Hunter’s own story, of how a guy hell-bent on playing music for a living wound up at age 64 with an expanding wine bar and restaurant enterprise.

“An Australian friend of mine paints all the portraits. It’s a trend that started when he gave me the Elvis one as a good luck charm,” Hunter tells me as he points to a framed image of “The King” behind the bar. “Music got me early.”

MUSICAL BEGINNINGS

Hunter is offbeat (pun intended) and irreverent, and he refers to himself as a proud contrarian. It’s a trait he developed in his youth when he discovered he was much better at playing music than sports.

As an only child of two working parents, Hunter jokes he was practically raised by a retired neighbor he called “Nanny” who babysat him. He attributes his early music exposure and influences to his caretaker’s teen children.

“Like most middle-class families in the ’60s, my parents made me take piano lessons,” he explains. “I wanted to take guitar lessons, but my arms couldn’t reach around a guitar, so I had to wait a few years. As I got older, I played drums, guitar, anything I could get my hands on.”

“It’s interesting to look back on my

time at Berklee,” recalls Hunter, who attended the Boston performing-arts college for a year with dreams of becoming a musician. “Some of my classmates were (now) famous people like guitarist Steve Vai, singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, and musician Branford Marsalis.”

He started gigging with his first garage band at age 14. “We played all the biker bars in what is now LoSo,” he recalls. “Anytime the cops would show up, I got pushed out the back door because I was too young to be in there. As soon as they left, we’d pick up where we’d left off.”

A self-described nerd in high school, Hunter jokes, “No girls at West Mecklenburg wanted to talk to me, so music was the next best thing. I made good grades, but I thought going to college was a waste of my parents’ money.”

When his parents insisted, he agreed, with one stipulation: He wanted to go to Berklee, the acclaimed performing arts college in Boston. “They looked at the price tag and said no, try in-state for a year and if you don’t like it, you can transfer.”

He chose East Carolina University for its reputable music program. “Even though I placed first chair piano in the jazz orchestra as a freshman, my heart was set on Berklee.” Until he got there, and found Boston’s bitter cold winters and the college’s strict policies didn’t suit him. “I tend to buck authority. That’s why I like being

Left: House-made pastas at Foxcroft Wine Co. include the rigatoni, made with homemade sausage, tomato cream, tarragon and breadcrumbs.

Below: Garlic shrimp is seasoned with smoked paprika, olive oil and fresh oregano and served with grilled bread.

my own boss,” he says. To his parents’ delight, Hunter returned to ECU, changed his major to English with a minor in philosophy, and played in a band called The Tour.

“I moved back to Charlotte after graduation and tried working a real job for several months but said, this sucks, so I joined a band, went on the road and never looked back.”

A NEW PASSION

From the ’80s to late ’90s, Hunter’s professional life was frenetic. He played in multiple bands, including the Spongetones, worked as the road manager and sound engineer for the rock band Fetchin Bones, opened a recording studio (White Room Studios), and managed the nightly music lineup at The Artist’s Cafe, an open-kitchen brasserie located uptown.

“The Artist’s Cafe is when I was introduced to wine. When I wasn’t busy with music, I would hang out in wine shops and talk to wine people. I started to develop a working knowledge of my palate.” He still remembers the moment he became hooked. “It was

my birthday, and some friends bought me a bottle of Bordeaux from La Mission Haut-Brion.”

For the first time, Hunter realized music wasn’t his only passion. Burned out from long hours and low pay, he left the music industry to pursue his newfound infatuation as a wholesale wine distributor. Five years later, he teamed with Frank Redd, then-owner of The Wine Shop on Park Road, to open Foxcroft Wine Co.

“That seed laid dormant in me for a long time,” Hunter says. “At first, I just enjoyed drinking wine. But the more I learned about it, the more intrigued I became. When I’m interested in something, I tend to dive deep into it, try to absorb it and learn everything about it.”

A WINE BUSINESS IS BORN

Foxcroft Wine Co.’s opening as a retail wine shop in September 2004 was met with a lackluster response. Hunter was convinced the brand’s true potential was in making it a warm and inviting place where people could have a drink and a bite to eat, and stay for a while. In 2006, he bought out Redd’s share, expanded the space and hired a chef.

His hunch paid off. Today, Foxcroft Wine Co. has six locations, including four in Charlotte, with plans to expand to Atlanta and potentially Washington, D.C. Hunter is also co-owner of Foxcroft’s sister business, Dot Dot Dot, a cocktail lounge at Park Road Shopping Center.

“At the moment, we’re growing our management team. This year, we opened a commissary in the same complex where my recording studio was off Pressley Road, where we make all of our pasta and bread from scratch.”

The menu offers shareable plates and entrees designed to be paired with a glass of wine or a bottle selected from Foxcroft’s

The house-ground Angus burger is topped with grilled onion, truffle aioli, tomato, greens and cheddar or blue cheese.

extensive list. During our visit, we sampled the homemade rigatoni, garlic shrimp and a delicious house-ground burger. (As a frequent patron, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the truffle fries — one of my personal favorites.)

“You call yourself a loner,” I say to him, “yet you’ve been in dozens of bands and, as CEO of a thriving wine business, have some 200 employees in multiple states that follow your lead. How does that reconcile?”

Hunter responds with a musical reference to Neil Young’s song, “The Loner.” After a long pause, he continues, “Yeah, but I’m the keyboard player. Keyboardists are off to the side. They’re not the front guy.”

Translation: Hunter likes to fly under the radar, even as his wine enterprise flourishes. There is a distinct correlation between his love of wine and music. It strikes me that as both have evolved, Hunter has developed an even deeper appreciation of each.

“They’re all connected,” he agrees. “It’s about relationships. People always say this place is like Cheers, where everybody knows your name and they know what you drink. I’ve watched friendships develop at each location. I think that has value. It’s not transactional like so many other things these days.” SP

WATCH: Curious why live music isn’t featured in Hunter’s establishments? Scan the QR code to find out. Also, discover why he brought Mina, his wife of 32 years, to a graveyard on their second date.

TAKE FIVE

Favorite musician now: North Carolinian Ryan Adams. My team teases me for talking about him too much!

White or red? Both. I usually try to have one of each in the evening.

What are you most proud of? I’m proud of my kids (Lillian, 28, a human-resources administrator in Charlotte, and Wolfgang, 26, a comedian in Brooklyn). They might not think so because I’m a hard-ass, but I am. They both share my love of music.

Something few people know about you that would surprise them: I’m planning a Viking funeral. Seriously — it’s in my will. I want to be cast out on a boat that is set on fire while mourners drink my booze collection. It will probably take place at Loch Norman.

Do you have a favorite varietal? It changes over the years. I used to really like riesling. I like Brunello from Tuscany. I like pinot noir. I love Burgundy, but I can’t afford to drink it anymore because it’s gotten so expensive.

November 9 - December 31, 2024

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FESTIVE FLINGS

Charlotte, a holiday escape is closer than it seems. by Kayleigh

Ruller

There are famed winter escapes that we all know and love. Those bucket-list destinations around the country — and across the pond — might feel out of reach, requiring lots of advanced planning. But, there are several under-the-radar winter destinations closer to home, where the décor, dining and seasonal delights generate plenty of holiday spirit.

Last-minute shopping, campfire caroling and igloo cocktails await: This guide to seven Southeast hotel destinations — from a holiday spectacle in the heart of a buzzing city to a soft, firelit refuge nestled in the Carolina mountains — will help you find the seasonal rendezvous that’s right for you.

It’s a grand, regal holiday at THE CHARLESTON PLACE in Charleston, South Carolina. This luxe hotel in the heart of the city’s historic downtown transforms into a true holiday wonderland from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31. Garlands adorn the sweeping staircase, sugarplums glisten, illuminated trees line the halls and stars dangle from the centerpiece chandelier. The grand lobby’s holiday train traverses 300 feet of track — a marvel to witness, for kids and adults alike.

From weekend Nutcracker Tea at the Thoroughbred Club to the Snowflake March with ballerinas in the lobby, the holiday spirit is ever-present. Guests will also want to cozy up with a festive beverage in hand to watch the nightly “snowfall” in the hotel’s Market Street Circle, as a sheet of winter white blankets the brick-lined space.

This year, The Charleston Place’s expanded offerings include dedicated Santa times for those with special needs and pets, and a “Santa Hotline” phone booth for calling the North Pole. There’s also a holiday movie night at The Riviera Theater across the street, and a life-sized gingerbread house.

For last-minute holiday gifting, there’s an exciting lineup of highend retailers on the property for one-stop shopping, including BURU, Norton + Hodges, Over The Moon, Short Court and La Ligne.

It’s a woodsy, Great Smoky Mountains holiday at CATALOOCHEE RANCH in Maggie Valley. Situated on a mile-high, 700-acre property atop Fie Top Mountain, this casual-luxe resort is for anyone who is into feeling outdoorsy, artsy and cozy.

On Friday, December 20, Santa and Mrs. Claus host breakfast on the mountain. After a southern Appalachian-meets-European Alpine brunch at Switchback by the roaring fire, guests can take photos with the Clauses. The cost is $45 for adults, $35 for 11 and

The Charleston Place Cataloochee Ranch

under, and free for ages 3 and under. It’s open to both overnight guests and the public.

On the night before Christmas, there will be a few creatures stirring. In the afternoon on Christmas Eve, join Santa and Mrs. Claus around the fire as the dynamic duo share holiday stories and lead caroling before they head out on their busiest night of the year. At $40 a person, expect cozy campfire chats and lots of sweet treats.

With the resort nestled among the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cataloochee Ski Area, lucky guests might even enjoy some real snow on the ground.

It’s a buzzy, sophisticated holiday at the THOMPSON SAVANNAH in Savannah, Georgia. A few blocks from the city center, this chic riverfront hotel is clean, crisp and airy, offering 172 luxury guest rooms and 21 suites.

On Dec. 1, Thompson Savannah will host a Holiday Market, a curated lineup of more than 25 local businesses and crafters. Guests can grab photos with Santa at Bar by Fleeting and celebrate the grand opening of the lobby bar’s seasonal drink offerings.

The hotel is also home to Savannah’s tallest rooftop bar, Bar Julian. Through Dec. 30, this darling rooftop will host a series of holiday pop-ups and feature a private igloo for guests to dine, drink and toast the season. It’ll be a seasonal hot spot, with custom holiday portraits on Dec. 7, holiday hits bingo on the 12th, holiday karaoke on the 14th, and even a festive pajama party with a DJ on the 20th.

At the on-site Stevedore Bakery, visitors can decorate cookies, enjoy hot chocolate, and watch a classic holiday movie on the evening of Dec. 4. A prix fixe holiday dinner at Fleeting on Dec. 25 and 31 will showcase chef Victoria Shore’s elegant, locally-driven cuisine.

It’s an English countryside, cottage-core holiday at HIGHLANDER MOUNTAIN HOUSE in Highlands. This quaint 18-room inn has an inherently festive aura — the rustic stone fireplace with a crackling fire, the communal living room-style seating, the swaths of highly curated books, vintage photos and art that fill the space. With its historic character and charm, it’s refreshingly anti-minimalist. It’s also in one of North Carolina’s most picturesque mountain towns, not yet overrun with tourism.

Thompson Savannah

Highlander Mountain House

Noelle

Over the holidays, this 100-year-old home is decked in tasteful garlands and wreaths. Waking up to the complimentary pastries and coffee feels a bit like waking up on Christmas morning, especially if snow has made its way to this mountain enclave.

The Ruffed Grouse, the on-site restaurant, is akin to an English countryside tavern, offering splendid, seasonal dishes. Throughout December, they’ll offer a complimentary wassail drink to diners and guests checking in to the inn. Weekends in December, The tavern also will offer a comforting “Sunday Roast.” And during daytime hours on Dec. 26, Boxing Day, they’ll serve complimentary pints for guests and neighbors to keep the Christmas cheer going. The bar is a warm, cozy spot for an early evening toast or late nightcap.

It’s a honky tonk, art-deco holiday at NOELLE in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Originally built in 1930, Noelle is a 224-room luxury hotel with an urban-meets-art-deco feel in historic Printers Alley.

Noelle’s holiday pop-up, Hidden-ville, can be found in the hotel’s speakeasy, Hidden Bar. This Whoville-inspired takeover inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas brings a playful feel to the Christmas holiday. Through the beginning of the year, Hidden-ville will be a decked-out, whimsical, immersive experience featuring festive cocktails, Whoville-themed activities and bar bites.

Don’t miss the annual tree lighting in Noelle’s Trade Room, where members of the Noel family — the property’s original hoteliers — join guests to share family traditions and the hotel’s rich history while enjoying complimentary beverages and holiday treats. And if you’re into a simple, cozy croissant and latte, the hotel’s Drug Store Coffee will do the trick.

The Holiday Glow Package through Dec 31 includes up to 20% off room rates, a $100 dining credit and a handcrafted Noelle candle.

It’s a chic, midcentury holiday at THE DURHAM HOTEL in Durham. This six-story, midcentury boutique hotel is friendly, modern and comfortable, conveniently situated downtown in the Bull City. The in-house coffee bar is a local’s hidden gem for specialty brews.

On Dec. 11, the hotel will host a holiday market with dozens of local vendors, festive drinks and lots of goodies to explore.

Keep an eye out for Santa up on the rooftop (literally) on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa will arrive from the North Pole via Santas Just Like Me, a local organization that provides North Carolina families with the option to visit with a Santa of color. This free event is open to the public along with hotel guests.

It’s an Alpine chateau holiday at HOTEL DOMESTIQUE in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. This escape just outside of Greenville is driven by local hospitality. The hotel has a bed-and-breakfast feel with only 13 rooms, each with a distinctive flair. With sweeping windows overlooking the mountains, you might be convinced you’re in a remote part of northern Europe with the lush green hills and away-from-the-city feel.

Guests are treated to local coffee, snacks and fruit-infused water at all hours, and the turndown service with bedside macarons is a nice touch, too. The infrared sauna and the ice bath in the hotel’s on-site gym go the extra mile — do both and you’ll be living the Nordic life in no time.

While the holiday happenings aren’t in-your-face here, the chateau design, upscale Restaurant 17, grand lobby Christmas tree and overarching hygge feel is quite worth the under two-hour drive. SP

The Durham Hotel

Hotel Domestique

GLASS ACT

Western North Carolina’s glassblowing tradition by Vanessa Infanzon

The glassblower holds a metal rod and tweezers to demonstrate how to shape the gather — the molten glass — from the furnace at the North Carolina Glass Center in Asheville’s River Arts District (RAD). Prior to Hurricane Helene, the center regularly offered classes such as this one, a 30-minute “Make Your Own” experience led by a glass artist where visitors make an ornament, cup, paperweight or other small object. The classes — which are expected to resume this month — typically sell out on weekends, according to Candace Reilly, executive director of the center since 2023.

The North Carolina Glass Center was founded as a nonprofit in 2015 by Rick Eckerd (whose father founded the former Eckerd pharmacy chain) and Tom Oreck (of Oreck Corporation, the manufacturer of vacuum cleaners and air purifiers). Both still serve on the organization’s board of directors. The center is in the process of opening a second location, a 5,500-square-foot studio in Black Mountain. Eventually, the new center will house a hot shop, flame shop, kiln room for glass casting and cold shop for finishing work.

Todd Phillips, a glassblowing hobbyist and former owner of Quoizel Lighting in Charleston, South Carolina, donated the building in Black Mountain to the North Carolina Glass Center. “He really wanted to see us succeed,” Reilly says. “Black Mountain will serve as our primary location for our artists to rent studio

equipment. We’ll be able to expand our advanced workshops. We will have visiting artists come in and teach skills that our artists have been wanting to learn at a low cost.”

At both centers, guests will be able to visit the gallery and shop for glass art such as bowls, cups, jewelry, pendant lights and wall sculptures representing the work of more than 70 artists. When the Black Mountain center is fully open, more community classes will be offered at the RAD location.

A GLASSBLOWING LEGACY

Since the 1960s, glass artists have flocked to western North Carolina because of support from places such as the North Carolina Glass Center, which is funded by corporate sponsorships, grants, donations and revenue from product sales and classes. Artists can rent studio space and collaborate with other glassblowers. “Western North Carolina is a goldmine of glass artists,” Reilly says. “I don’t think you’ll find another area in the United States that has as many glass artists per capita. Young and old glass artists continue to move here for all the rich resources.”

Some of the recent growth may be attributed to Biltmore Estate’s partnership with multimedia contemporary artist Dale Chihuly and the 2018 exhibit, Chihuly at Biltmore. The connection

Chihuly at Biltmore

to Chihuly was a natural one: The Seattle-based artist studied under Harvey K. Littleton, known as the father of studio glass, who retired to western North Carolina in the 1970s. “Dale Chihuly came out a number of times and worked with Harvey and other artists in this area,” Reilly explains.

The public popularity of the first exhibit prompted a second one: Chihuly at Biltmore is on display through Feb. 2 in Biltmore’s indoor exhibit hall, Amherst at Deerpark. “Playing with Fire,” a 12-minute film about Chihuly and his art, lays the groundwork for what’s ahead: Chihuly’s iconic works, Chandeliers, Drawings, Mille Fiori, Neon and Towers are arranged throughout several rooms. Highlights include pedestal works and large-scale installations, from the spiky Icicle Chandeliers and Towers to the immersive Persian Ceiling. A visual timeline reviews significant moments in Chihuly’s career, including co-founding Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, in 1971, and designing and installing 14 Chandeliers over canals and piazzas for his 1996 exhibit, Chihuly Over Venice

Ahead of this exhibition, the North Carolina Glass Center introduced Biltmore staff to the glass-artist community in western North Carolina. It’s led to a deeper recognition of how special this area is to the craft. Biltmore purchased works from local artists to be sold in shops around Biltmore Estate. “They did research and

got to know the artists,” Reilly says. “There’s a better appreciation for the history and tradition here.” SP

IF YOU’RE GOING: Chihuly at Biltmore in Asheville is on view through Feb. 2. For ticket information visit biltmore.com. The North Carolina Glass Center is located at 140-C Roberts St., Asheville. At press time, the center was gearing up for its annual Winter Market, scheduled to run through Dec. 23. Glass Center hours may be limited while hurricane cleanup continues — call or check online before planning a visit. For more information, visit ncglasscenter.org.

Chihuly at Biltmore

N.C. Glass Center

THE GOOD ROAD

Queen City connections run deep for the Blue Dogs, who play at Neighborhood Theatre this month. by Joe Roddey | photographs by Olly Yung

When guitarist Bobby Houck, upright bassist Hank Futch and the rest of the Blue Dogs take the stage in NoDa’s Neighborhood Theatre on Dec. 13, it will mark the 37th straight year these friends have entertained Queen City fans. With their unique mix of country, rock and Americana-inspired originals and covers, the Blue Dogs have brought friends and families together across the Carolinas and beyond — but Charlotte is where the group blossomed into one of the region’s most enduring and appreciated bands. For the Blue Dogs and their followers, every show feels like a reunion.

Bobby and Hank met in 1973 as 8-year-old Cub Scouts in Florence, South Carolina, but they didn’t see much of each other for nearly a decade. “Hank went on to become an Eagle Scout, while I didn’t even make it to fourth grade Webelos,” Bobby explains in the same down-home storytelling style that’s a unique feature of their performances. The future Blue Dog front men attended different schools but reconnected in high school through mutual friends.

During that time apart, Bobby fell in love with music when his older sister Jackie drove him and his brothers to school. “She was the driver, so she chose the music,” Bobby recalls. “Every morn-

ing and every afternoon, I would listen to artists like Neil Young, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor and the Eagles on the 8-track player in Jackie’s car.” Bobby’s mom, who played piano, was the only musician in the family until he started playing drums in seventh grade and guitar in high school.

Hank, on the other hand, was born into a family of accomplished music-makers and entertainers. His father, known in Lowcountry music circles simply as Poppa Futch, carried his guitar with him wherever he went and often teamed with his lifelong friend, Mag Greenthaler. With visible emotion, Hank recalls his father’s approach to the bluegrass and gospel country songs he loved to play. “Those two would play anywhere, anytime and for anybody because they loved seeing what music did to people. It was much more than playing music to Poppa Futch.”

Bobby also wells up recalling Poppa Futch, “I remember him teaching me how to string a guitar over the phone. He was my second Daddy.” As soon as Hank and his brother Hal were old enough, they learned to harmonize with Poppa Futch. The Futches eventually began playing together as the Black Creek Boys.

“Playing was just something we always did when people got together,” Hank says. “If there was a gathering of good friends or

family, you could count on good food, good stories and good music.”

On Christmas Day 1980, at an annual holiday party in Florence, Poppa Futch invited Bobby to play with them. Forty-four years later, Bobby and Hank are still playing together.

“The first people you need to be able to entertain are your close friends — that’s where it starts,” Bobby says, recalling the early days playing with Hank. “Every party Hank and I went to in Florence would end up with Hank on his stand-up bass, me on the guitar and everyone singing along.”

For anyone who has attended a Blue Dogs show, this probably sounds familiar. Prior to taking the stage at Neighborhood Theatre, you’ll no doubt find Hank and Bobby mixing with their people right up until they walk on stage and pick up their instruments.

While Bobby now lives in Charleston, The Blue Dogs’ Queen City connections run deep. Bobby attended Davidson College and taught seventh-grade English at Charlotte Latin School from 1989-92. Blue Dogs drummer Greg Walker, who joined the band in 1993, grew up in Charlotte and attended nearly every high school in town. Current lead guitarist Dan Hood lives in the Queen City and has been in the band for over a decade. Hank resides in Rock Hill, but his catering and entertainment business, Hank You Very Futch, serves the greater Charlotte area.

In 1989, the Blue Dogs played their very first gig in the Queen City at the Double Door Inn and were honored to be one of the last acts to take the stage at the legendary music venue before its doors closed in January 2017.

Since that first Charlotte show, the Blue Dogs have released 11

albums and have performed with the likes of Willie Nelson, Hootie & the Blowfish, Widespread Panic and Train. To some old schoolers, they are best known for their early recordings featuring covers of fan favorites “If I Had a Boat,” “Homegrown Tomatoes,” and “Rain King.” Others lean on their albums of all-original songs — For the Record, Letters from Round O, and Halos and Good Buys — made during 1996-2006 when the band played full time.

Thanks to the Covid-induced shutdown, the band was able to get back in the studio and released their first album in 16 years, Big Dreamers, in 2022. “This South Carolina band is first class all the way,” wrote John Apice in a review for Americana Highways “The band has arrangements that are well-thought-out confections in a genre of music that can’t help but get hands clapping, knees pumping and grins spreading.”

When I ask Bobby and Hank the secret to their remarkable decades-long run together, they both offer the same explanation: friendship. “My friendship with Hank always made it easy,” Bobby says. “Both of us really enjoy being around big groups, and on stage or not, we like to be with friends.”

Hank agrees: “We may be more selective in our schedule now, but we still play for the same reason we did for our friends in high school. We met three generations of the same family at a recent gig in Charleston. That’s pretty special.”

With no plans to stop, along with recent work on a new album with founding Blue Dog member and Charlotte resident Buck Bradberry, the Blue Dogs seem poised to make their 40th anniversary and beyond. SP

Clockwise: Guitarist Bobby Houck, drummer Greg Walker and upright bassist Hank Futch at Neighborhood Theatre in 2023

VILLAGE life

The Village on Morehead has ushered in sophisticated retirement living in the Queen City. Surrounded by the heritage neighborhoods of Eastover, Myers Park and Dilworth – its impeccable finishes, Aspenwood service detail, dining and resort-style amenities make it the premier urban address. Impressive, spacious residential floor plans, floor to ceiling windows, expansive terraces allow a new level of indoor-outdoor living. Spaces designed for entertaining, fitness, relaxation and a dedicated team provide a secure, lock and leave lifestyle for members.

Our approach to customized living continues by partnering with an accredited home care provider that serves you in the comfort of your residence. Making things easy, private and reliable when you need on-site health and wellness services. From personal care to therapy – nursing to companionship services, you can rely on a care plan that ﬁts with your needs and schedule.

GREAT GATHERINGS

DeeDee Dalrymple helps reluctant hosts find joy in entertaining and take the stress out of having guests in our homes.

by Cathy Martin

Tis the season for holiday gatherings — and when it comes to hosting, few people know more than Charlotte’s own DeeDee Dalrymple. A former communications executive and civic leader, since 2017 DeeDee has made a name for herself as a veritable expert on all things entertaining through workshops and speaking engagements across the Southeast. She also authored a nearly 400-page guide to hosting, Effortless Entertaining, which is now in its fourth printing. The book is filled with tips, recipes and menus for various occasions, along with plenty of pep talk and inspiration for the anxious host.

With topics ranging from etiquette to organizing your pantry, the guide also includes guidance on how to navigate sticky situations like

DeeDee Dalrymple

BECKY MCGRATH TEAM LEIGH C. CORSO

LUCY BUTLER GROUP

CAY CRAIG

CHRISTIE HANSEN

LAURIE HALT TEAM

JOE HUNEYCUTT

CHIP JETTON

HEATHER MONTGOMERY

KALIE KOIVISTO

MARY HOLLAND THE HUNEYCUTT TEAM

LINDA HENLEY

SARA ROCHE TEAM

LINDSAY REDFERN

CINDI HASTINGS TEAM

TREY SULLIVAN

LISA WARREN

JOHN OGBURN

TUCK TEAM

LISA RUPP

HEATHER WOLKING

JANE’S EGGNOG

Serves 10

Making homemade eggnog is a Dalrymple holiday tradition. “We make a lot of eggnog from scratch using Ed’s mother’s recipe,” DeeDee says, recalling memories of her husband and his brother adding “just one more bit” of brandy and teaching their adult children the recipe. “It is a big deal to learn how to make Jane’s eggnog … a cherished family tradition.”

INGREDIENTS

12 eggs

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 pint+ whiskey

1/2 pint+ brandy

1/2 pint+ rum

1 quart whipping cream

1 quart half-and-half

DIRECTIONS

1. Separate eggs, with yolks going into a large mixing bowl and whites going into the bowl of a stand mixer.

2. Add sugar to yolks and mix with an immersion blender. Slowly add whiskey, brandy and rum into yolks and sugar. Mix with immersion blender until creamy.

3. Add 1 quart whipping cream (not whipped), and mix.

4. Whip egg whites in stand mixer until stiff. Gently fold whipped egg whites into egg yolk mixture. The mixture will be slightly lumpy.

5. Add half-and-half, and stir.

6. Serve in silver or pewter cups or old-fashioned glasses. Top with nutmeg. Enjoy!

NOTE: Eggnog will keep for 2–3 days in the refrigerator or freezer. It won’t freeze — too much alcohol!

awkward silences, tense conversation topics and uninvited guests.

Hosting large gatherings comes naturally to DeeDee, a Fayetteville native whose Lebanese mother hosted lots of big, boisterous meals with extended family. She’s equally comfortable speaking to large groups — her engagements typically range from 100-200 people — and she’s shared her wisdom with nearly 4,000 women across the Southeast. In 2025, she hopes to launch a second volume of Effortless Entertaining, filled with additional menus, recipes, style points and resources shared in her e-newsletter, The Dish.

Comments were edited for length.

You have said that now more than ever, gathering in our homes is vital to connecting with each other. What do you mean by that?

The table is where we gather, where friendships are deepened. It always has been. Recently my sister and I were visiting my daughter and her new baby in their bungalow on The Plaza. My sister commented on their beautiful dining room. It occurred to me that older homes usually had big dining rooms and small bathrooms. That spoke to me. There was greater importance placed on gathering versus grooming!

My husband, Ed, and I enjoy going out to dinner, however we prefer dinner at home with family and friends. I have discovered that others want to enjoy dinner at home too, but they opt to go out because it feels easier. The intimacy and richness in conversation is not the same, though. At home we mingle before dinner in small groups, and at the table we linger and engage in meaningful conversation. We get to know each other at a deeper level. When we invite family and friends into our homes, we truly are inviting them into our hearts, and we are giving them the opportunity to share their hearts. We make lasting memories.

Why is it important for people to learn how to “be a good host”?

The phrase “good host” runs the risk of connoting the need to measure up, do something well, and do it the way you think others expect you to do it. I’d rather help people enjoy being a host — in whatever way they want to be. Some want to entertain formally, some more casually; some want to cook, others prefer to have dinner catered; some love to set a creative table and others want an easy “paint by numbers” solution. The “good hosts” are relaxed and having a wonderful time being with their guests. They are entertaining in a way that suits their home and style. Above all, they are not trying to keep up with Suzy Q down the street or everyone posting on Instagram. Those posts are great thought starters or for ideas. We must “not try to be who we see” on Instagram or anywhere else.

Why do you think people get so stressed out when hosting?

The two biggest things I encounter are “performance mode” and feeling compelled to do things we don’t enjoy.

When the host gets in performance mode instead of gift-giving mode, they think too much of the impression they are going to make instead of the gift of hospitality they are giving. Giving a gift focuses on others. Performance focuses on ourselves. When I speak to groups, I always say, “If you don’t remember anything else I say, please remember this: Dinner with friends is not a

HOLIDAY HOSTING TIPS

CREATE TRADITIONS

Lots of family time is most important for the Dalrymples, but they also have a “friend” tradition that’s more than 30 years strong: “Every year we decorate gingerbread houses, have dinner, do limbo, have a raucous steal-the-gift exchange and we dance! It is hard to capture how fun and even sacred this tradition is for our families.”

GET ORGANIZED

“Start your Christmas note either in a party-planning journal or in the Notes function or app on your laptop, iPad or phone. I do this for every dinner party and every holiday. Each year, I copy and paste this into a new note that I edit. I don’t have to reinvent the wheel — I just modify! As I go, I add my grocery list to this note.”

AMARETTO CHEESECAKE

Serves 12

This popular Christmas Eve dessert in the Dalrymple household also freezes well. Recipe by Jack Bowden.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE CRUST:

1 package + 4 crackers cinnamon graham crackers, or approx. half a 14.4-ounce box

1 stick butter, melted

1/4 cup sugar

FOR THE FILLING:

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice, about one large lime

performance — it’s a gift of hospitality.” Giving a gift is fun — performing, not so much!

The second issue I encounter is people feeling they need to do things they dislike. For example, many feel if they are having guests for dinner they must cook, even if they don’t like to cook. Not so! Your guests are excited to be in your home and be together. They don’t care if you cook or not.

What’s a common misconception people have about entertaining?

Often the host feels every guest is going to be judging everything in their home, from the décor to how the table is set to how the meal tastes, and the list goes on and on. Your guests are so honored and excited to be invited, they simply aren’t judging you. They are grateful to be included and excited to be with each other. Stop worrying about what everyone is going to think. You’re giving your guests a gift. Enjoy your guests! SP

To learn more, visit myeffortlessentertaining.com or follow @effortlessentertaining on Instagram and Facebook.

1 pinch salt 4 eggs

FOR THE TOPPING:

1 pint sour cream

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

DIRECTIONS

MAKE THE CRUST:

1. Using a food processor, finely crumble crackers. Mix with melted butter and sugar.

2. Line bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan with the crust.

3. Place in the refrigerator.

MAKE THE FILLING:

1. In a mixer, combine cream cheese and sugar.

2. Add lime juice, salt and eggs, adding eggs one at a time. Pour into crust.

3. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until set and it begins to brown.

4. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 minutes.

MAKE THE TOPPING:

1. Combine sour cream, sugar and almond extract. Spread on top of cheesecake.

2. Return to the oven for 10 minutes.

3. Place cheesecake directly into refrigerator from oven, uncovered for 4-5 hrs.

4. Cover and chill.

NOTES:

• Recipe may be prepared 4-5 days in advance. Keep covered and chilled.

• Remove from refrigerator approx. 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.

• When baking, place a sheet pan under the springform pan, as butter can leak from the pan.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Charlotte interior designers team up to support Furnish For Good’s mission of helping families in need. by Cathy Martin | photographs by Dustin Peck

When Furnished, the annual fundraising event for Furnish For Good, kicked off at Slate Interiors on Oct. 10, the nonprofit coincidentally marked another major milestone: its 1,000th furniture delivery to Charlotteans in need. Started in 2019 as a grassroots effort to provide gently used furnishings to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness, Furnish For Good served 620 clients in its last fiscal year, including 236 children. Averaging five deliveries per week, more than 12,000 pieces of furniture moved through FFG’s South End warehouse and into the homes of families in need. Money raised during Furnished — the nonprofit’s sole fund-

Natalie Papier’s art-filled retro lounge was the top vote-getter

raising event — goes directly to operating costs and will allow the organization to add more paid staff in anticipation of serving even more families in the year ahead. This year’s event raised more than $280,000.

“Affordable housing is a challenge to find for so many of our neighbors in Charlotte, and accessing safe shelter when in transition can be particularly difficult,” says Meredith Marks, director of development at Furnish For Good. “As Charlotte continues to grow, and the economy proves more difficult for many, the difficulty of finding housing and furnishing that housing becomes a paramount concern to living a safe life.”

Furnished pits top Charlotte interior designers against each other in a friendly design competition. This year, four designers and one collaborative team created vignettes, and the public was invited to vote on their favorite design and bid on the furnishings and decor in a silent auction.

Meredith Beregovski of Georgia Street Design

Ashley DeLapp of Ashley DeLapp Interior Design

Natalie Papier’s retro lounge design took top honors.

“It was such a privilege to be a returning participant of Furnished and to be a small part of the amazing work Furnished For Good does throughout our community,” says Papier, lead designer at Home Ec. “I was incredibly honored to ‘win,’ although we all felt like winners in the end with all the money raised!”

“Furnish For Good is so grateful to our fabulous designers, donors, volunteers, corporate sponsors, friends, family and founders who helped us reach our fifth year of Furnished,” Marks says. “The wide-ranging impact we are having serving our Charlotte neighbors in need is a testament to so many in the FFG family and community. We are eternally thankful to all who have helped us reach this milestone.” SP

SouthPark Magazine was the 2024 media sponsor for Furnished.

Lisa Sherry of Lisa Sherry Interieurs

The fifth vignette was created by a team led by Furnished veterans and FFG volunteers Donna Werner and Carrie Yorker.

CLOSET CRUSH:

STEPHANIE WILSON

by Whitley Adkins | photographs by Amy Kolo

Michigan native Stephanie Wilson moved to Charlotte in 2016 for a marketing job, but she found much more. “I would have never met my husband, Ben,” she says, if she hadn’t moved to the Queen City. With a background in apparel merchandising, Wilson is now store manager at East 8th Vintage, a consignment shop which she describes as “an eclectic vintage paradise” in historic Elizabeth. She also co-owns Soulshine Soiree, a picnic popup company she and her business partner, Porter McCollum, started during the pandemic. Soulshine Soiree creates custom picnics with bohemian decor, grazing boards, flowers, board games and more. With a passion for all things vintage, earth-toned and oneof-a-kind, Wilson says her biggest style inspiration comes from travel — in particular, family trips taken through the years. “I’ve been to every state in the U.S. with my parents, and my favorite memories are my trips with my parents.”

Comments have been edited for length and clarity.

THIS OR THAT

Boot or bolo: A boot. I wear boots in the summer.

Patterned pants or dress: How do I answer that one? I can’t have enough print.

Tassel or embroidery: Embroidery.

Statement necklace or statement earring: Statement earring.

Orange or brown: Stop. You can’t do that to me! Anything desert-colored.

Spring or fall: Fall.

Dressing for Spain or for the mountains: Even following a trip to Barcelona that exceeded all expectations, I’m going to go with the mountains. My engagement photos (above) were taken in the mountains of Maggie Valley.

Leather or lace: We had to edit my leather collection for the sake of this photo shoot.

STYLE

Personal style: A lot of people have described me as boho chic. My style is definitely derived from my love of vintage as well as places that I’ve traveled that I feel connected with, namely the desert and the slow mountain life. Music is a huge influence on my style as well. I’ve been collecting vinyl records since I was 13.

Style icons: It’s cliche, but Stevie Nicks, queen of the boho style. She played this spring at the Lovin’ Life Festival, and I saw her on the front row, in the rain. I cried. It was an indescribable experience. Also Debbie Harry, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Bridgitte Bardot, Farrah Fawcett and Twiggy.

Family influence: My mom and I are completely on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to style, but growing up and watching her go to big parties and galas I was just amazed by the dresses and the jewelry. Formula for getting dressed: I do [have one], but it comes naturally. I always have something vintage, a staple, something that makes me feel girly and something that makes me feel tough. My style formula also includes dressing down a more dressy or formal piece by adding a chunky belt or tooled leather bag. Likewise, when I am

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wearing a more casual look, I like to dress it up by adding statement earrings and a wrist-full of bangles.

Education and professional background: I have a degree in textile and apparel studies from Western Michigan University, with an emphasis on merchandising. After graduating, I ran a boutique in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was a buyer. It was hard for me to separate my likes from the customer’s, but it was a great way to sharpen my skills. I also started my own jewelry line, and I built rustic furniture. For many years, I was the visual manager for Anthropologie in Birmingham, Michigan. I had my own personal wardrobe-consulting business in Detroit.

SHOPPING

Where she shops: East 8th Vintage — not just because I work there; it literally is my favorite store. Over half of the items in my closet are from there. Also Poshmark, Free People, StashPad, Ivy & Leo and Julie’s Boutique — they have great statement dresses. The customer service is what has brought me back — they will go out of their way for you.

Favorite brands and designers: I’m not a designer label gal, but there are a couple of smaller clothing lines out of Australia that I love: Chasing Unicorns and Nine Lives Bazaar. They are upscale but lesser known — the items are often made from salvaged materials. Also Spell and The Gypsy Collective, For Love & Lemons and Alice McCall.

THE CLOSET

The design: When my husband Ben and I were looking for houses, one of my non-negotiables was a fourth bedroom that would be my closet. Ben and my dad helped build my shelving units. I wear mainly dresses, so I knew I wanted those to be the focal point and easy to reach. I sit in there, hang out in there, I do yoga in there, read books. It is my serenity spot. It is essentially my she-shed, but it is a closet.

Wardrobe staples: I have a pair of vintage earrings that I found at a flea market in Denver that I wear pretty much every single day. They are mixed metal, so they go with everything. I have a pair of vintage blue Frye boots — if I’m stuck, I put them on my feet and they just work.

Favorite items: Besides my Frye boots, my embroidered and beaded vintage handbags. An orange lace and tulle dress I wore for my engagement photos. Also, a signed Van Morrison guitar that was a Christmas gift from my parents years ago. My mannequin, Stevie, that I got from Anthropologie when I worked there. She gives me inspiration. Sometimes I put outfits on her that are more aspirational than I would tend to put on myself, but then once I see it on Stevie, I will go for it. SP

TALE OF THE PLATE:

OKONOMIYAKI

A make-at-home version of DOZO’s Osaka-style cabbage pancake.

by Asha Ellison | photographs by Justin Driscoll

Great food doesn’t have to be predictable. Boundaries are meant to be pushed, flavors are meant to be fused, and it’s OK to sometimes break from tradition. In fact, in the heart of Charlotte, that kind of thinking is celebrated. And it’s why chefs Perry Saito and John Gamble are building a partnership at the intersection of Japanese and American cultures to bring something new to the city’s dining scene.

“We want to stand out,” says Saito, a fourth-generation restaurateur and chef who learned his craft from his family growing up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “Japanese culture is massive, and no one else is doing what we’re doing in the city. People know sushi and ramen, but do they know DOZO?”

DOZO, a small 12-seat restaurant in Wesley Heights that opened this fall, is the second brainchild and joint business endeavor of Saito and Gamble. In 2021, the partners launched Katsu Kart Sando Shop, a food truck serving comfort-food sandwiches on Japanese milk bread. It’s also a way for the two Carolina chefs to introduce Charlotte to the best of Japanese cuisine — like okonomiyaki, or a savory Japanese cabbage pancake.

Similar to the partners’ friendship, okonomiyaki is approachable

and dependable. In Japan, the dish takes different forms with a variety of toppings and regional styles. The ingredients — often items one already has on hand — are intended to play off each other — as Saito and Gamble do in business, based on their experiences and education.

Gamble, a Charlotte native whose desire to become a chef grew after winning a state high-school cooking championship, is passionate about customer service. “It’s a casual experience, but it’s still important that everyone has a really good time,” he says. “We’re not exactly a traditional Japanese restaurant — we get to come up with different things and play off our strengths,” adds the East Mecklenburg alum who graduated from Culinary Institute of America with a degree in Japanese food and culture. “But it’s still [Perry’s] culture, so I defer to him on a lot of things.”

So, what else makes the okonomiyaki at DOZO stand out?

“Ours is the style popular in Osaka,” says Saito. “We serve it with braised sliced pork belly and local North Carolina shrimp, with a base of chopped cabbage, green onion and minced beni shoga, a type of Japanese pickled ginger brined in umezu, a vinegar made from fermented plums.”

Together, Gamble and Saito have created a space where tradition meets innovation. DOZO offers a unique dining experience, where guests can savor delicious food and witness the chemistry between the two chefs. Their shared vision and complementary skills have made DOZO a must-visit destination for food lovers in Charlotte.

DŌZO OSAKA-STYLE OKONOMIYAKI

Yields 2-3 pancakes

In Japanese, the term okonomi translates to “how you like it,” and this culinary canvas encourages customization, something Saito and Gamble believe makes the dish ideal for every palate. While the chefs make their own stocks and sauces at DŌZO, for this recipe they suggest alternative ingredients found at most Asian grocery stores to make it friendlier for the home cook. “But if it’s still intimidating,” Gamble adds, “please, come to DŌZO. We’d be happy to make it for you.”

ASIAN MARKET SHOPPING LIST:

HonDashi bonito soup stock powder

Otafuku okonomiyaki sauce

Kewpie Japanese mayo

Furikake rice seasoning (we use the Nori Goma version)

Beni Shoga (red pickled ginger)

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE BATTER: 1 cup flour

1 tablespoon minced pickled beni shoga (or other pickled ginger)

3 strips sliced pork belly cut about 2-3 inches long (we braise ours for several hours before slicing thin for the pancake; thick-cut bacon can be used instead)

4 large peeled, deveined and butterflied shrimp

2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil

DIRECTIONS

MAKING THE BATTER:

1. In a medium bowl, sift dry ingredients together.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and mix in the rest of the wet ingredients.

3. Mix wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until lumps are mostly mixed in; do not overmix to ensure fluffier pancakes.

4. Pour batter into a separate container and store in the refrigerator. Allow to rest for at least 20 minutes or up to two days.

COOKING THE PANCAKES:

1. In a medium bowl, mix vegetables with batter until thoroughly combined and vegetables are evenly distributed.

2. Heat an 8-inch nonstick or cast iron skillet with a good amount of oil over medium heat.

3. Pour about 1/3 of the mix into the hot pan and place strips of pork belly in diagonal lines around the top of the pancake. Fill in the empty spaces with butterflied shrimp.

4. Cook over medium heat about 3 to 4 minutes until edges begin to brown and the pancake slides around easily in the pan.

5. After about 4 minutes, once all edges are browned, using a spatula as a guide, carefully and quickly flip the pancake making sure all the proteins stay in place.

6. Once flipped, press the edges down with a spatula so the cabbage and batter fill in the cracks and hold together. Continue cooking at medium heat until all batter has set.

7. Use a toothpick or a cake tester to check for doneness.

TO FINISH:

1. Brush on okonomiyaki sauce.

2. Cut into 6-8 pizza-like slices.

3. Drizzle on Japanese Kewpie mayo.

4. Garnish with more sliced green onion and Japanese furikake

5. DŌZO! Enjoy!

CHEF’S NOTE: Feel free to switch up the toppings and vegetable ingredients, okonomi! SP

Chefs Perry Saito and John Gamble

Sharon Torrealba is your friendly go-to contact for questions, estimates, and customer support. Born in Charlotte and raised in Medellin, Colombia, she brings a global perspective to this diverse company. Sharon has specialized in business and sales management since 2019, gaining valuable insights into homeowner’s needs and market trends. From the moment you reach out for an estimate, she’s here to ensure you have a smooth and positive experience.

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eat + drink

Cheat’s Cheesesteaks opened its second location in South End at 2137 Hawkins St.  Platform Sports Bar debuted in LoSo, boasting the area’s largest rooftop, multiple large-screen TVs and more than 11,000 square feet of space for more than 350 guests.  Oshen opened at Colony Place, serving sushi, crudo, hibachi dishes and more.  Village Tavern closed its SouthPark location after 35 years.

DRIVE TIME

Spanish luxury fashion retailer Balenciaga opened its first North Carolina location at SouthPark Mall. The 3,961-square-foot store was designed with a “raw” stripped-down aesthetic incorporating materials such as smoked glass, raw concrete and steel. Balenciaga sells men’s and women’s ready-to-wear clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry and accessories.

Driving enthusiasts, take note: Ten Tenths Motor Club is expected to debut in April adjacent to Charlotte Motor Speedway. A joint venture between Speedway Motorsports and Rick Hendrick, the club will feature a lighted road course, off-road driving trails, clubhouse, event venue, cigar lounge, bourbon bar and more. “Our vision for Ten Tenths is to create an experiential destination that can be enjoyed by everyone from professional race car drivers to high-performance driving enthusiasts and car collectors,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, in a news release.

Platform Sports Bar

December HAPPENINGS

EVENTS + ACTIVITIES

Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery weekends through Dec. 22

New this year, OMB has two locations for market-goers to get festive — the longtime LoSo brewery, or OMB’s new offshoot in Ballantyne. Warm up by the fire, shop local, and sip seasonal beer or hot cocoa at this annual market. ombbeer.com

Holidays at the Garden through Dec. 29

Walk among thousands of twinkling lights, make s’mores, shop and enjoy a warm beverage at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont. New this year: an adult speakeasy, Santa visits and trackless train rides for the kids. Ticket prices vary. dsbg.org/visit

Light the Knights Festival at Truist Field through January 3

The annual tradition features a light show, market, ice-skating on an NHL-size rink and snow tubing on a 10-lane, 150-foot hill on the baseball field. General admission is $12; an all-activities pass with ice skating and snow tubing is $40. milb.com

Kacey Musgraves: Deeper Well World Tour

Dec. 5

The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter comes to Spectrum Center following the release of her fifth album. ticketmaster.com

Phillips Place Holiday Celebration & Shopping Stroll

Dec. 5 I 4 - 7 p.m.

Get in the holiday spirit by snapping photos with Santa and listening to carolers. Shoppers will also find discounts and offers, in-store experiences, and seasonal treats. phillipsplacecharlotte.com

Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll

Dec. 5-7

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

Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

Dec. 5-29 | 5:30-10 p.m.

Expect new holiday scenes this year as more than a million lights transform Ballantyne’s Backyard. There’s also a snow tube slide, children’s activities, food trucks, shops and special performances on select nights. Tickets start at $15. ncholidaylights.com

Charlotte Invitational

Dec. 6

Four top tennis stars are lined up to play this inaugural exhibition event at Spectrum Center: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Frances Tiafoe and Sloane Stephens vs. Madison Keys. Tickets start at $52. ticketmaster.com

2024 ACC Football Championship Game and Fan Fest

Dec. 6-7

The festivities start with a two-day Fan Fest at Romare Bearden Park. On game day, kickoff at Bank of America Stadium is slated for 8 p.m. ticketmaster.com

Charlotte Ballet presents Nutcracker

Dec. 6-22

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

Jazzy: Gantt Golden Gala

Dec. 7

This black-tie affair at the Charlotte Convention Center is the culmination of the Gantt’s 50th anniversary celebration and its mission to share excellence in the art and culture of African Americans and the African diaspora. ganttcenter.org

Winter Holiday Market

Dec. 7 I 3-8 p.m.

Shop the holiday market at Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and take in the scenic surroundings. Fifty vendors will feature locally-made goods. Parking is $5 per vehicle for members, $15 for non-members. ascgreenway.org

Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

TIFFANY & CO.

REEDS JEWELERS

BLUE NILE

FINK’S JEWELERS

TIFFANY & CO. REEDS JEWELERS

BLUE NILE

DAVID YURMAN

FINK’S JEWELERS

DAVID YURMAN

We Believe - Santa 5K Trail Race and Dog Jog

Dec. 7

Bring your pup and wear something festive for this holiday-themed trail race. Awards will be handed out to the top finishers and for best costume. Preregistration is $37; day of sign-ups are $42. whitewater.org

Mistletoe Market at Camp North End

Dec. 7, 14 and 21 | 3-8 p.m.

Grab a mug of cocoa (or a cocktail), shop for gifts and seasonal items curated by Vintage Charlotte, and enjoy cozy fire pits, igloos and live music. Bring your four-legged friend for the annual Reindog Parade on the 14th. Note: Ice-skating is open daily through Jan. 5 (tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children 5 and under). camp.nc

Noel & Maria: A Jazz Celebration of the Holidays

Dec. 14

Local favorites Noel Freidline and Maria Howell reinterpret Christmas classics and contemporary holiday favorites. The show includes special guests along with their own all-star band. Tickets start at $39.50. Booth Playhouse. blumenthalarts.org

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s The Lost Christmas Eve

Dec. 14

Expect pyrotechnics, lasers and a high-energy performance from the multi-platinum rock band in this holiday show marking its 20th anniversary. Through donating at least $1 from each ticket sold, the band is on track this season to reach $20 million given to charity. Spectrum Center. livenation.com

Gingerbread Lane at The Ballantyne

Dec. 15-28

Stroll among dozens of holiday gingerbread displays while sipping cocoa and other seasonal drinks from the gingerbread hut. Donations benefit Levine Children’s Hospital. Plan ahead and make a reservation for afternoon holiday tea (Thursdays-Sundays) — $70 for adults and $45 per child; slots fill quickly. theballantynehotel.com

Jumpman Invitational

Dec. 17-18

This basketball showcase at Spectrum Center highlights men’s and women’s teams from four of the original Jordan Brandsponsored programs: Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and UNC Chapel Hill. Ticket prices vary. charlottesports.org

’Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil

Dec. 20-Jan. 4

This show based on the beloved poem

features thrilling acrobatics and a soundtrack with reinvented holiday classics. Tickets start at $54.50. Ovens Auditorium. boplex.com/ events

A Charlie Brown Christmas at Middle C Jazz

Dec. 21-22

Experience the spirit of The Vince Guaraldi Trio’s holiday classic: The Sean Mason Trio and Tyra Scott will play the classic multi-platinum album in its entirety, along with other jazzy holiday favorites. middlecjazz.com

Chanukah Celebration at Symphony Park

Dec. 25 | 4:30 p.m.

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a grand menorah lighting, doughnuts and latkes, music, and family-friendly entertainment. chabadnc.org

ELF The Musical

Dec. 26-29

This funny, modern Christmas classic tells the story of Buddy, a young orphan who grows up among Santa’s elves in the North Pole. When Buddy embarks on a mission to find his father in New York City, he helps others discover the meaning of Christmas. Tickets start at $35, Belk Theater. blumenthalarts.org

Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story Dec. 27-29

Blume Studios debuted this fall at the newly minted Iron District near uptown. The creative hub at the former Charlotte Pipe and Foundry is the newest venture from Blumenthal Arts.

“What we’re attempting to do here is entirely new and different for Blumenthal Arts,” said President and CEO Tom Gabbard at the studio’s September opening. “We have a great history of bringing great shows to our theaters, and that will continue. But now we have the opportunity to branch off in new directions, to spur creativity in our community in new ways.”

A 32,000-square-foot warehouse will house art installations, interactive exhibits, a bar and a gift shop. The opening experience, SPACE EXPLORERS: THE INFINITE , takes participants on a virtual-reality trip aboard the International Space Station, with 360-degree videos of astronauts in action and spectacular views of the Earth below. THE INFINITE runs through Jan. 5. Tickets start at $44.95 for adults and $29.95 for children.

Now in its 12th year, this annual holiday show is a contemporary twist on the classic, with aerial performances by local and national dance and circus artists, plus students from Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center. carolinecalouche.org/clarastrip

The Avett Brothers

Dec. 31

It’s a tradition. Ring in the New Year at Bojangles Coliseum with the homegrown band led by brothers Scott and Seth Avett. ticketmaster.com

MUSEUMS + GALLERIES

Robert Motherwell: Signs of Mystery through Dec. 31

See several works by abstract expressionist painter, printmaker and writer Robert Motherwell, who is widely known for his sweeping, gestural artwork. jeraldmelberg.com

Ties That Bind: Portraits by Mitchell Kearney of Artists at McColl Center 1999–2008 through Jan. 18

As McColl Center celebrates its 25th anniversary, this exhibition showcases Kearney’s documentation of the historic building’s transformation and of the artists who shaped the center’s legacy. mccollcenter.org

Coined in the South through April 27

This biennial exhibition aims to show the diversity and creative spirit of the Southern arts community. Out of nearly 1,500 works submitted, 49 emerging artists who work or live in the South were chosen for this juried exhibit. Mint Museum Uptown. mintmuseum.org SP

Scan the QR code on your mobile device to stay updated on events at southparkmagazine.com.

SOUTHPARK GIFT GUIDE: HOLIDAY HITS

The holidays are in full swing, and we’ve rounded up ideas for everyone on your list. From sparkly jewels to soothing self-care, these gifts are sure to be a hit.

At Bedside Manor, luxury, comfort and style go hand in hand. Wrap yourself or someone you love in the warm embrace of a Sheepy Fleece robe, a comfortingly soft “everyday, everyway, everyone” robe, now in a shorter length and machine washable. Multiple colors. Specialty Shops SouthPark, 6401 Carnegie Blvd. bedsidemanor.com

Treat your feet with Bedside Manor’s ultra-soft Sheepskin slippers adorned with sparkling rhinestones. Made with a sturdy rubber sole for indoor or outdoor wear, these plush slippers are the perfect complement to any outfit. Specialty Shops SouthPark, 6401 Carnegie Blvd. bedsidemanor.com

For the foodie in your life: book a culinary journey at Counter- — where boundary-pushing storytelling and cuisines are orchestrated by the wild mind of James Beard Foundation finalist Chef Sam Hart. Use promo code “SOUTHPARK” for $15 off each ticket. 2001 W. Morehead Street, Suite D. counterclt.com

Add some sparkle with Diamonds Direct’s 14K yellow gold, flexible bangle bracelet, featuring 0.36 carats of diamonds. Looks great alone or stacked. 4521 Sharon Road, #101. diamondsdirect.com

Put a ring on it: Fink’s Jewelers’ 14K, white-gold, three-row ring from its elegant and graceful Sabel Collection features round sapphires and .53 cttw round white diamonds. SouthPark Mall & Birkdale Village, 4400 Sharon Road. finks.com

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for links to these gift ideas.

When it comes to adventure travel gear, Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel from Great Outdoor Provision Co. makes packing, schlepping and access easier. Plus, it comes with a lifetime guarantee. Park Road Shopping Center, 4275 Park Road. greatoutdoorprovision.com

Preparing fresh seafood is a breeze with Toadfish’s Coastal Kitchen Collection tool set from Great Outdoor Provision Co. Thoughtfully designed and eco-friendly, it combines the most innovative seafood tools into one set, making it a great gift to take to your next shellfish soirée. Park Road Shopping Center, 4275 Park Road. greatoutdoorprovision.com

Timeless and elegant, Kirsten Dexter’s Barcelona pendant evokes memories of classic architectural ironwork in the Spanish city. Made of 14K gold and diamonds, it can be worn on its own or as the feature piece in a layered look. kirstendexter.com

Celebrate the beauty of nature with the GeoCUBE Iconic Nature necklace from the Mint Museum Store. Handcrafted from cracked rock crystal and sparkling Swarovski crystals, this necklace combines elegant color with soothing rock crystals. store.mintmuseum.org

A double hit: music and memories. The Samsung Music Frame at Queen City Audio Video & Appliances is a customizable speaker that plays your favorite music while framing your favorite printed 8" x 10" or 8" x 8" photo or artwork. Stream music from your smart device or 2024 Samsung TV. 10 convenient locations. queencityonline.com

The ultimate statement evening jacket, the Alessia pearl-trim sequin jacket at Veronica Beard features opulent pearl and rhinestone embellishments along the edges, cuffs and pockets. Pair with the matching Perry pearl-trim sequin skirt for a chic, classic outfit that stands out at every party this season. Phillips Place, 6800 Phillips Place Court. veronicabeard.com

Never go out of style with the Polo Bear wool-cashmere sweater, the coziest and most iconic holiday sweater from Ralph Lauren Phillips Place, 6800 Phillips Place Court. ralphlauren.com

Give the gift of relaxation from Woodhouse Spa SouthPark. Purchase a $500 gift card in-spa and take home a luxurious throw as a complimentary gift. Offer does not apply to online gift card purchases; valid Dec. 3-Dec. 31 while supplies last. 4625 Piedmont Row Drive, Suite 125. southpark.woodhousespas.com

CHRISTMAS WISHES

Peace on Earth, and pickup trucks

Jim Dodson

most of the grocery shopping, regularly gives blood and platelets, and somehow keeps up with the secret adventures of our far-flung children. Someone is always asking her to do something — volunteer to make pies for church suppers or donate 10 dozen exquisite hand-painted cookies for a charity fundraiser. Family, friends and neighbors routinely turn to her for advice on a range of subjects, and then there’s her egg-headed husband who can never figure out where he left his car keys, eyeglasses, lucky golf cap or favorite pens. Somehow, she can find these vital items within seconds — just one of her many superpowers.

She was right about that, too. We are de-stuffing our house right and left these days. But an old dude’s perpetual dream of owning a

Wendy is the most organized, generous, and busiest person I know.

Then there was her sweet mom, Miss Jan, who resided at a lovely assisted-care facility in town but spent every weekend at our house. With her dementia growing more apparent by the month, Wendy’s focus on her mom’s comfort and needs ramped up dramatically. Daily visits and doctor appointments filled her calendar, which also included lunches at Jan’s favorite restaurants and bringing her mom clean clothes and delicious dinners every evening, even as Jan’s appetite began to ebb.

No wonder she fantasized about a quiet night alone at a nice hotel. Soon, it was middle autumn and life was speeding up dramatically. Wendy was busy baking for the larger crowds at the weekend farmers market where she sells her spectacular baked goods, and I was finishing revisions of my book on the Great Wagon Road, scheduled for a spring publication, and starting a new Substack column.

More importantly, Miss Jan’s condition was worsening by the week. Her physician advised us that she would probably be gone by Christmas.

Early on the morning of Nov. 1, the eve of All Saints’ Day, Jan quietly passed away. Suddenly, what either of us wanted for Christmas was completely irrelevant.

Losing a beloved parent puts life in a different perspective. In Jan’s case, her quiet passing brought an end to suffering from an insidious disease that cruelly robs its victims of speech and memory. What’s left is a hole in the heart that can never be filled.

Jan’s passing also reminded us that we’re at a stage of life where material things no longer hold much magic. There’s really nothing more we need or want. Except more time with each other.

For Dame Wendy, the simple pleasure of the holiday is finding the perfect live Christmas tree, putting on holiday music, cooking for family and friends, and doing small things that make the season feel special. Last year, she gave me a sensational pair of wool socks and a nifty garden shovel. I gave her a nice, fuzzy sweater and tickets to a concert, along with a jumbo box of Milk Duds, her favorite forbidden pleasure.

This year, I plan to give my amazingly busy wife two nights at a luxury hotel a few miles from our house, where she can put her feet up, drink very good wine, eat Milk Duds to her heart’s content and maybe find peace and joy in doing absolutely nothing. Miss Jan would wholeheartedly approve.

As for me, well, forget the Chevy pickup truck for now. But I figure the wheelbarrow is a cinch to show up beneath the tree. SP Jim Dodson is a writer in Greensboro.

Wishing Everyone

A JOYOUS

HOLIDAY SEASON

AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Let Boxwood Consign Your Most Beautiful Items Schedule an In Home Visit...We Make It Easy!

Call 336-781-3111 or Email photos to Info@boxwoodantiquemarket.com

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SCALING IT DOWN

Hoss Haley, a western North Carolina sculptor known for giant steel pieces, creates more intimate, personal work.

by Liza Roberts

Hoss Haley’s steel sculptures stand like elegant typography on the landscape: giant sans-serif letters, semicolons, exclamation points. Linear, spherical, bold and approachable, many top 6 feet and are meticulously crafted of Corten steel, a weathering steel with a distinct rusted patina. The Spruce Pine artist ships it in from Alabama 10,000 pounds at a time, hauls it into his studio with a bridge crane, then mashes it in presses he made himself out of parts collected from a scrap yard.

That’s the art Haley’s widely known for — large, public pieces that form focal points in prominent places like downtown Charlotte, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Spruce Pine’s Penland School of Craft and North Carolina State University. He’s in the permanent collections of museums including the Mint Museum, Asheville Art Museum and the North Carolina Museum of Art, where his striking “Union 060719” welcomes visitors at the entrance.

But Haley’s new work is quieter. More of an homage to nature than to power, he’s making white steel branches and trunks that lie tumbled or stand sawn, no longer alive but reaching, ghostly and elegant. They are a record of nature, he says, not an interpretation.

Making them is also a different process. Instead of pounding the repurposed roofing metal he uses for these works with massive machines, he fastens it together by hand, painstakingly, with thousands of individual rivets. He likens the process to

“I’m delving deeper into working alone, but also working towards work, instead of working towards deadlines.”

quilting, to his grandmother’s own Depression-era quilts.

“I want to make sure I define the years I have left in the way that I want them,” says Haley, who is in his early 60s. That was true before Hurricane Helene hit his community so hard, before he and everyone around him found themselves without water or power for weeks on end. Before he found himself helping his neighbors, turning a welder into a generator to power his refrigerator, or clearing miles of local roads of fallen trees with his chainsaw.

After that, Haley looked at his tumbled white branches and saw something new. A premonition, perhaps, of what was to come. **

If his process has changed lately, what drives it hasn’t. Haley has always invented his own way of working and made his own tools to create his art. To fabricate his larger works, he had to figure out how to turn 5-foot-square sheets of weathering steel into a malleable artistic medium. He then had to take these rectilinear, 90-degree parallel planes and collide and combine them in unexpected and often sudden curves.

“It’s the tension that I find kind of juicy,” he says. That place — where man meets material, where straight and curved lines abut and diverge — has fascinated Haley since he was a boy. His family’s 3,000-acre wheat and cattle farm in Kansas offered wide-open vistas and a curving horizon, broken by a strict geometry of fencing and property lines. Also on the farm was a sizable metalworking shop, where Haley learned to weld and make things — including machines; including art.

Today, after about 25 years in North Carolina, his work remains rooted in that past. “It’s an ongoing conversation between myself and the machines and the material and my worldview, and goes all the way back to the fact that I grew up on that farm in western Kansas,” says Haley. “It’s all in there. It’s part of this big stew.”

The stew is constantly evolving. “I’m transitioning a little bit at my age,” he says. “I’m less interested in the public art scale.”

One reason is the extensive time involved in making a massive work; another is the satisfaction he’s taking in creating on his own, without the four or five assistants needed to create his larger-scale pieces. As for a third, “I’m delving deeper into working alone, but also working towards work, instead of working towards deadlines,” he says. “I’ve always had a show or installation coming up. Now I’m trying to respond to what’s driving ideas in the studio, ideas that aren’t being forced by outside pressures. That’s a huge luxury, and one I’m enjoying. But it’s a little scary making work you don’t have a destination for.”

“Scary” doesn’t seem to daunt Haley. He’s doubling down on his fresh direction with the construction of a new studio on his property, a “clean space” for drawing and other less messy forms of art. Among the projects he’s planning there is the creation of a “drawing machine,” which he describes as “a way to take myself out of the equation, a way to bring a random component into the process, and then I’m in dialogue with that.” With a drawing utensil gripped by a mechanical arm, the machine he envisions would take its directions from nature. The weight of a bird on the various perches of a feeder, for instance, would move the pen or pencil up or down, left or right.

Separating himself from the physical act of making art, metaphorically and literally, is something Haley has explored for a long

time. He believes the word “craft” is most useful as a verb, and he’s careful to keep it that way, “in service to the idea” rather than the point of it all. “So that if I decide to leave [the mark of] a weld, or take that [mark] away, that decision is based on where I’m trying to go with the work, not that I’m trying to show you some aspect of my ability to make crap,” he says.

It’s been a long time since Haley had to convince anyone of his ability to make art, “crap” or anything else. Some have compared Haley’s work with that of the celebrated, recently deceased Richard Serra, who also made massive, moving works of Corten steel. Haley credits Serra’s work with inspiring him to consider the power of mass and volume in his work. “Serra taught me that sculpture could go beyond the visual experience,” Haley says. “You could actually feel its presence.”

While that’s undoubtedly true in Haley’s large works, it is refined and distilled in his smaller ones. Perhaps that is due in part to the inspiration that’s fueling them. “I’ve found myself back in that place where I can forget to stop for lunch,” he says. “As an artist, there’s a reality: Oftentimes, art is just work. It might be inspired work, but a lot of days, you’ve got to get up, go to the studio, got to make it happen. So this has been fascinating to me, to be in that kind of a fresh place

The Morehead Inn provides a historic backdrop for a chic holiday staycation.

Angelina, this page: Renata Gasparian velvet dress, $518; 1970s Napier necklace, $190, The Pearl Pagoda; Diana cuff, $165, and Florence ring, $75, both from Primaura.

Carly, opposite page: Alysi trousers, $484, ThirtyOne Jane; Dollie cardigan, $495, Alice + Olivia; Gigi earrings, $195, Thirty-One Jane; Virginia ring, $125, Primaura

Ginori 1735 dessert plate, bread plate and espresso cup, $340-$445, and Gorham 4-piece sterling silver tea set, $3,500, all from Elizabeth Bruns; Matouk Wave cocktail napkins, 6/$115, Isabella; glass cloche, $54, vintage brass centerpiece, $148, and antique candle holders, 2/$72, all from Perch Interiors.

styling + production: Whitley Adkins

photography: Olly Yung

interiors styling: Brooke Werhane

hair + makeup: Adrienne McCann

models: Carly Peck, represented by Directions USA Model & Artist Management , and Angelina Russo , represented by Marilyn’s Agency

photography assistant: Alvin Hall

set assistants: Mercy Clark, Sydney Gallagher, Pressley Jonas

On location at The Morehead Inn . Assorted pastries and desserts provided by Chez Marie

Thelma sweater, $950, and Louise knit skirt, $750, both from Daniel Gonzalez; earrings, $52, Hong Kong Vintage; 1960s givre glass stone bracelet, $155, The Pearl Pagoda; 1960s La Regale purse, $35, Stash Pad Vintage; mink jacket, $17,995, Douglas Furs; shoes, stylist’s own. Matouk Gisele guest towel, $124, and Anika teal napkins, set of 4 for $108, both from Isabella; amber wine glass, $24, The Pearl Pagoda.

Hunter Bell

Angelina skirt, $395, and Hunter Bell Libby top, $450, both from Thirty-One Jane; velvet handbag, $598, Veronica Beard; Virginia ring, $125, Primaura; vintage earrings, $64, Hong Kong Vintage; shoes, stylist’s own.

Spruce Tree of Life pillow, $175/pair, Meera block-print pillow, $90, and Tasara throw, $280, all from Isabella.

ABOUT THE VENUE:

Designed in 1917 by London-born architect William Peeps, The Morehead Inn at 1122 E. Morehead St. was a private residence until 1980. Charles Campbell “C.C.” Coddington, a New Jersey native who became the exclusive Buick distributor for the Carolinas, and his wife, Thomasville native Marjorie Lyon Coddington, were the home’s original owners. Following Marjorie’s death in 1925, C.C. — by then one of the city’s wealthiest men — left the Dilworth home and moved to the Duke Mansion. Peeps is also known for designing uptown landmarks such as Latta Arcade, Ivey’s Department Store and Ratcliffe’s Flowers. In 1984, the two-story clapboard home, built in the colonial revival style with a distinctive, green-tiled roof, was converted to a bed-and-breakfast. Today, the 12-room inn is owned by former city councilman Billy Maddalon. — Cathy Martin

Angelina: Montaldo’s Lurex two-piece set, $248, Hong Kong Vintage; earrings, $125, Primaura. Carly: 1960s Nadine dress, $98, Stash Pad Vintage; earrings, $125, and ring, $145, both from Primaura. Ginori 1735 dessert plate, $400, Elizabeth Bruns; silver ice bucket, $50, The Pearl Pagoda; Temple green lampshade, $130, Isabella.

Angelina: Pria top, $895, Alice + Olivia; Malina skirt, $370, The Pearl Pagoda; Margot earrings, $145, Primaura; vintage chain-strap purse, $148, Hong Kong Vintage.

Carly: ruffled blouse, $68, Hong Kong Vintage; silk/cotton sash, $125, Daniel Gonzalez; earrings, $145, Primaura.

Handwoven wool rugs, The Mill USA (price upon request); papiermache bowls, $3584, and antique map decorative box, $47, both from Perch Interiors; marble tray, $175, Isabella; vintage necklaces in box, $99-190, The Pearl Pagoda; vintage ram’s head pendant necklace, $148, and black beaded necklace, $64, both from Hong Kong Vintage; medallion necklace, $235, Primaura.

Carly: Samsoe Samsoe dress, $270, ThirtyOne Jane; Dollie cardigan, $495, Alice + Olivia; vintage chainstrap purse, $148, Hong Kong Vintage; Anais earrings, $125, and Virginia ring, $125, Primaura; shoes, stylist’s own.

Angelina: Perry pearl trim sequin skirt, $598, and Alessia pearl trim sequin jacket, $998, both from Veronica Beard; satin pouch, $72, Hong Kong Vintage; Camille earrings, $115, Primaura.

Champagne glass, $24, The Pearl Pagoda; tissue box, $130, Isabella; vintage mirrored tray, $35, Perch Interiors. SP

It’s in your cupcake from Cakeable Charlotte’s bakery, spread on your turkey and ham on rye at Community Matters Café, and chopped into your pecan chicken salad at Cherubs Café in downtown Belmont. It’s even stirred into the soup of the day at the Community Culinary School of Charlotte.

All of these places serve food that tastes good. But they’re also places that serve food that does good. As the Charlotte-area restaurant scene continues to explode with local flavor and talent, one success story is in what food businesses can do for people who have barriers to employment, from histories of addiction or felony convictions to birth defects that make it next to impossible to find work.

“They’re still seen as unemployable, unfortunately,” says Kerri

Massey, CEO of Holy Angels in Belmont, a residential program for people born with issues from Down’s Syndrome to intellectual and physical disabilities. Holy Angels now has five businesses, including two restaurants and a candy shop, that employ people who’ve grown up with them.

“There’s not much meaningful work out there.”

CHOOSING CHARITY

Being the executive chef of a nonprofit restaurant and coffeehouse that doubles as an addiction-recovery training program isn’t exactly what Chayil (pronounced Kyle) Johnson was planning to do when he came to Charlotte to study food entrepreneurship at Johnson & Wales University.

Chayil Johnson, executive chef at Community Matters Cafe

PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER TAYLOR

Food businesses find their mission in working with challenged populations.

by Kathleen Purvis

A native of New Orleans and LaPlace, Louisiana, Johnson, 27, was raised doing volunteer work, though. His parents both worked in financial fields, and his mother homeschooled Chayil and his five siblings, always making sure they gave time to nonprofit programs.

Growing up in New Orleans, Johnson fell in love with the culinary arts. In Charlotte, however, he was drawn to do something more than just cook.

“I realized my passion was being with and helping people.”

Johnson’s grandfather, who had suffered trauma serving in Germany during World War II, was an alcoholic: “He died in a casino with a glass of bourbon in his hand,” he says.

In 2019, when Johnson heard Charlotte Rescue Mission, a recovery program for those with alcohol or drug addictions, was

opening a nonprofit restaurant, Community Matters Cafe, he was struck by the possibilities.

“‘What if something like this was around for my grandfather?’,” he thought.

He was working at The Asbury at the Dunhill Hotel when he heard Community Matters needed a line cook to work with former addicts in a six-month program of culinary training and restaurant service.

It meant a big pay cut, though. Johnson talked to his father, a financial planner, who told him his professional advice was not to do it. But as his father, he said, he was proud of Johnson for wanting to try.

Within a year, after the pandemic shut down restaurants and

Cakeable Cafe Charlotte

Community Matters Cafe

Community Matters stayed in business by taking on catering and delivering prepared meals, Johnson was running the kitchen as the executive chef.

Working with people who are in recovery is different from working in high-end kitchens, where being under pressure is a part of breaking people down to build them up, he says. His attitude: “Let’s just build them.”

“Anything I teach, I have to hold myself to,” he says. That means keeping his temper in check and not letting pressure get to him. He allows no cussing in the kitchen, focusing on teaching students how to control their stress even when things go wrong.

“I have to be more mindful of how I lead them than of the food itself. My background is fine dining, but a lot of my students were homeless or haven’t ever even boiled water. It’s holding on to the mission of this place, which is helping them build life skills.”

After six months in the restaurant program, students leave to go out into the world, either returning to their old jobs or using their training to find new jobs. If they want to come back to Community Matters — and some have — they have to wait 2 1/2 years. That’s deliberate, to help students transition from thinking of themselves as being in recovery to being a skilled person out in the world.

Community Matters, for both its mission and its food, has built a devoted following. On weekdays, there’s often a wait for a table. There are regulars who eat there so often, Johnson points them out by reciting their orders. Former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt turns up often, and Johnson has spotted the CEOs of Charlotte’s five biggest nonprofits, who come by all the time.

Johnson’s favorite moment: when one customer left a $10,000 check as a tip.

“It gives (the students) a sense of self-worth,” he says of the customer support. “You can’t fabricate that.”

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

The story of Holy Angels is well-known in this area: Started by an Irish Catholic order, the Sisters of Mercy, who came to Belmont in 1892, it originally had a day care for the children of textile workers. In 1955, a woman who worked in a local mill came to the sisters with her daughter, born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The sisters took in the child, named Maria, and raised her.

Word spread and soon, more families arrived with children born with severe defects. The sisters started a home for them, Holy Angels, and date its anniversary as Dec. 20, 1955 – Maria’s birthday. Maria lived there until she died in 2010 at the age of 54.

In the 1950s, it was common for families to be told to institutionalize disabled babies at places like Holy Angels, where they weren’t expected to live to adulthood. But by the 1990s, the treatment of birth defects was changing, and children who’d been given no expectations were exceeding them, living into adulthood.

In 1996, with a population of young adults, Holy Angels opened Cherubs Café to give them meaningful work. For the first 10 years, Kerri Massey says, it didn’t make any money, breaking even and getting by with support from the Holy Angels Foundation.

But as Belmont became a popular local destination, it caught on. They added the Cotton Candy Factory next door, making custom creations (for the June opening of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, the factory made 1,000 bags of cotton candy clouds with little airplanes, as favors for visitors). Now there’s a second café, Spruced Goose Station in McAdenville; an art gallery, Bliss Gallery; and a home-goods boutique, Market on Main, with decorative items made by Holy Angels residents.

It’s not always easy to manage their population’s unique needs, Massey says: Their alumni can’t work eight-hour days, or they’d lose some of their federal aid, like Medicaid, so scheduling can be tricky. They also have to have twice as many regular workers, so the Holy Angels workers get plenty of coaching.

Cakeable Cafe Charlotte

And now, many people who came to Holy Angels as babies are living long enough to reach retirement.

“What does life look like for them?” Massey muses. “Our model started with children. We’re learning to pivot and shift.” For instance, a woman named Lorraine, whose family brought her to Belmont from New York as an infant, is now in her 60s. She was a staple as a cook at Cherubs for years, but now does easier work at Spruced Goose, “doing whatever Lorraine wants to do,” Massey says. (She loves chopping broccoli for the popular broccoli salad.)

Almost all of the culinary programs around Charlotte focus on training and life-skills development, from Community Culinary School, which trains people who have all kinds of barriers to employment, to Cakeable, which offers 3- to 6-month bakery and café internships. The simple act of selling food to the public is about more than profit.

“I found my success doing that,” says Chayil Johnson. “I’d love to win a James Beard [Award], but when I see them, still sober and living life stronger? There’s no award like that.” SP

Manolo Becantur, pictured here at his Central Avenue bakery, focuses on hiring people with employment barriers at his new coffee shop, Higher Grounds by Manolo’s.

Bitty & Beau’s

PURPOSE OVER PROFIT

Local programs where your food dollars get put to a purpose.

Community Culinary School of Charlotte, 9315 Monroe Road in the Greylyn Business Park

After starting in a single room in 1997, CCS now operates a culinary school for 20 students at a time, providing culinary training and job placement, and operates a café, bakery and catering with boxed lunches. The program now has 1,140 graduates, many working in kitchens all over Charlotte. Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays.

Higher Grounds by Manolo’s, 1501 Queens Road

The coffee shop with baked goods, gelatos and a few Latin American savory dishes like empanadas is operated by Manolo Betancur of Manolo’s Bakery on Central Avenue. It’s a quiet spot to work or meet friends on the grounds of Myers Park United Methodist Church. Betancur focuses on hiring people who have employment barriers, including immigrants, histories of incarceration, minorities and people with disabilities. Profits are used for community efforts on affordable housing and food insecurity. Hours: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. TuesdaySunday; closed Mondays.

Cakeable Charlotte Café, 401 N. Tryon St.

Cakeable operates a bakery that makes wholesale and some

special orders as part of a workplace development program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The uptown café offers baked goods, merchandise and coffee drinks. Hours: 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. weekdays.

Community Matters Café, 821 W. 1st St.

Operated by the Charlotte Rescue Mission as a job and life-skills training program for people in recovery, Community Matters has a coffee bar and bakery counter, as well as a full menu for breakfast and lunch. Hours: 7 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays.

Cherubs Café, 23 N. Main St., Belmont

The counter-service café offers a full breakfast and lunch menu, plus desserts and ice cream. In addition, Holy Angels also operates the Spruced Goose, a café and coffee house at 118 Wesleyan Drive in McAdenville, the Cotton Candy Factory at 21 N. Main St., and the Market on Main at 124 N. Main St. in Belmont. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Bitty & Beau’s, 1930 Camden Road

The national chain of coffee roasters and coffee shops employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also has North Carolina locations in Winston-Salem and Wilmington. Hours: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.

Bitty & Beau’s

THE STORY OF ST. LLOYD

In the heart of SouthPark, a once neglected piece of land has an important story to tell. A new vision plan aims to create a peaceful sanctuary to honor its history.

by Kerry Singe | photographs by Grant Baldwin | renderings courtesy LandDesign

Wayne Johnson visits the wooded site off Colony Road an average of three or four times a week. Sometimes, he picks up branches that have fallen or removes weeds and debris on the ground. Lately, the 71-year-old has been carrying heavy rocks, one by one, and placing them to mark pathways.

Often, Johnson simply sits on a bench underneath the tree canopy and marvels at the beauty around him.

“Can you feel it?” he asks one September day. “The peace. You can just feel the spirit of what this place is about.”

The place Johnson is referring to is the former home of St. Lloyd Presbyterian Church, an African American congregation, and its cemetery, which sit on the northwestern corner of Colony and Sharon roads. The congregation moved to Grier Heights in the 1920s before the church closed in 1966. With the original building

gone and the cemetery’s lack of headstones, traces of the congregation faded as SouthPark grew up around it into a bustling residential and urban center.

Now, thanks to an extraordinary effort by the private developer who bought the site and the congregation’s dedicated descendants, the history of the church and its congregation will be preserved and celebrated.

This summer, a company began clearing dead and decaying trees from the site. More gravesites have been identified. And plans have been drawn up to create a space that will honor the land’s history and provide a public space for the community to gather in and enjoy.

If all goes as hoped, a public park with reflective spheres, natural play areas, a bell tower and an interactive historical exhibit will start taking shape next year.

“It’s a different type of project than what we typically do in Charlotte. It’s such an important story to tell,” says Shaun Tooley, a partner and landscape architect with LandDesign, the firm hired to develop a vision plan for the property. “This can be a really engaged park. It’s a hidden gem, and all we’re doing is polishing it up.”

FORGOTTEN HISTORY

Three years after slavery was abolished in the U.S., a group of African American members of Sharon Presbyterian Church asked the church elders if they could build a house of worship for colored people. The church agreed, and the Catawba Presbytery, an allBlack presbytery formed in the Carolinas during Reconstruction, bought 1 acre of land in what was called Sharon Township for $25.

The congregation included many of the tenant farmers and

sharecroppers who worked on the large cotton farms that were prevalent in the years following the Civil War. The church also served as a school for Black children, until the land was sold to former North Carolina Gov. Cameron Morrison and his wife Sarah in 1926.

In 2004, Grubb Properties bought three parcels of property to build high-rise apartments. One parcel was marked as a cemetery. While it is illegal to destroy a cemetery, the remains can be removed and reburied elsewhere. But Chief Executive Officer Clay Grubb was determined to preserve the site, and he reached out to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission, which studied the area and designated it a Historic Landmark.

The site was left largely untouched for years. Then two years ago, Johnson, a descendant of church members, reached out to Grubb.

Clockwise from top left: St. Lloyd Presbyterian Church, est. 1867; a marker on the cemetery site; renderings of the proposed vision plan include preserving a large oak tree (1) and an overlook deck (2) with sculptures by artist Monique Luck.

In what Johnson describes as an easy meeting of the minds, the men agreed to work together, and in 2023, the St. Lloyd Presbyterian Cemetery Foundation was created, with the goal of caring for the cemeteries on Colony Road and in Grier Heights. Grubb donated the SouthPark cemetery site, 2.1 acres of land, to the foundation.

NEW BEGINNINGS

In October, Tooley presented a vision plan to the foundation’s board that provides suggestions for preserving and protecting the existing gravesites and older trees, celebrating the site’s historical and cultural significance, educating the public about the history in an interactive way, enhancing the area’s natural beauty, and providing a sanctuary and respite for visitors.

Johnson, who serves as the foundation’s vice president and vice chairman, says he is thrilled with what Tooley has designed.

Multiple entrances are proposed, including a main entrance off Colony Road that may feature a bell tower and a functional bell

that chimes. There also are plans to build seating around what is being called the heritage tree, the largest hardwood oak on the site. Johnson wants the site to evoke the feeling of going back in time to the 1800s.

“This is where our story begins after enslavement,” Johnson says. “When you take a seat and listen while looking around, it will take you to another place.”

Plans call for a wooden overlook deck and a low stone wall with 18 to 24 inches of stacked stone to mark the boundary of the 184 gravesites that have been identified. The plan recommends incorporating some of the natural items already available into a play area, such as tree-slice stepping stones or using a reclaimed hollow tree stump as a play tunnel. Artist Monique Luck, working with Tooley, has proposed the installation of reflecting spheres, which she describes as polished stainless steel, freestanding sculptures that act like floating balls quietly reflecting the space.

“The concept is seeds of growth, and the artwork is inspired by the idea of seeds planted from the ancestors and the forward momentum of community,” Luck says.

Top left: Writer Kerry Singe speaks with Wayne Johnson at the St. Lloyd site. Below: a proposed entrance near Colony Road and Governor Morrison Street.

Grubb, who serves as president and chairman of the foundation board, is pleased to see progress. Once the board approves the LandDesign vision plan, the foundation will need to raise money to build the park. Mecklenburg County, in its most recent budget, committed $33,000 to be shared by the SouthPark and Grier Heights sites.

“It is wonderful to have descendants of the cemetery on the board to honor their ancestors and help restore its glory,” Grubb says. “I am excited to turn this space into a much greater asset for the community.”

GREATER CONNECTIONS

The proposed park also fits in well with larger plans for SouthPark, as outlined in the SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan put together by SouthPark Community Partners (SCP), a nonprofit group that promotes SouthPark’s economic, cultural and residential development. SouthPark Community Partners helped pay for the LandDesign study and is supporting the foundation’s work.

“Everyone who spends time in SouthPark should have the

opportunity to learn about the St. Lloyd congregation and to honor the memory of the people who are buried there,” says Adam Rhew, president and CEO of SCP. “Public spaces are where our community comes together, and that is exactly what’s happening with the coalition of people who are uniting behind this project. The space will be a natural sanctuary that is beautiful, peaceful and inspiring.”

Johnson believes in the site’s potential for healing and bringing the community together, something he says is already happening. For example, Johnson says that since he’s been working on the land, curious neighbors from the nearby apartment complex have stopped to talk with him and a few have joined in the clean up. One neighbor asked if it would be OK to add rose bushes and planted Mister Lincoln roses.

“This project has sparked conversations,” Johnson says. “We’re creating a place for the community to come and enjoy so they can live in harmony.

“We did this with a little faith, and now my faith has grown,” Johnson says of preserving and honoring his ancestors. “They ain’t seen nothing yet.” SP

Clockwise from top left: The cemetery site today; a rendering of new decking amid existing trees; Wayne Johnson; a proposed “nature play” area for the site.

Make an Even Greater Impact

Giving back is important to you — especially during the season of giving.

Wherever your charitable passions and priorities lie, you can make an even greater impact by giving through Foundation For The Carolinas.

Your generosity is amplified by our grantmaking experience, investment expertise and deep knowledge of local needs and nonprofits. We make it easy for you to make more good possible — for the causes you value and the community you call home.

TO GIVING GUIDE

This season, SouthPark Magazine salutes the nonprofits that work tirelessly to improve the lives of so many in the Charlotte region.

In the following pages, you’ll find a range of organizations that need your help. As you consider year-end charitable donations and holiday gifts to honor someone special, keep these important nonprofits in mind. Your generosity, time and awareness can help make a difference.

The SouthPark Guide to Giving is made possible by sponsors from our local business community.

Safe Alliance

Where hope and healing begin

Safe Alliance provides hope and healing to those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault in Mecklenburg County.

In the United States, three women are killed every day by an intimate partner. One in three women will be impacted by sexual assault or domestic violence during their lifetime. And one in 10 children will be sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday.

In fiscal year 2024, Safe Alliance served nearly 19,000 individuals, providing emergency shelter, legal support, counseling, crisis intervention, case management and education to those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. The organization is also the administrative lead for The Umbrella Center — Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s first family-justice center — scheduled to open in 2026.

Safe Alliance’s Greater Charlotte Hope Line is a free, confidential hotline for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as well as parents in need of support. This year, it answered almost 8,000 calls.

The Clyde & Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter, a 40,000-square-foot, 80-bed facility, served 842 survivors this year, including 359 children. The shelter offers state-ofthe-art security and supportive services, such as counseling, life skills and career planning, and children’s programs.

Free legal support, counseling and advocacy is provided through Safe Alliance’s Sexual Trauma Resource Center and Victim Assistance Court Program.

Donations of everyday necessities such as full-sized hygiene items support shelter guests. Monetary donations allow Safe Alliance’s life-saving resources to remain free of charge.

• A gift of $50 provides support for six greater Charlotte Hope Line callers.

• A $250 contribution affords eight hours of pro bono legal representation. Visit the website to learn about volunteer needs and become an advocate for hope and healing.♡

sarah-kate.pease@safealliance.org

Samaritan’s Feet

Giving shoes. Giving hope.

Samaritan’s Feet serves and inspires hope in individuals by providing shoes as the foundation to a spiritual and healthy life.

Its shoe distribution initiatives in the United States and around the world bring a life-changing message of hope, love and compassion to children, adults and seniors.

At Samaritan’s Feet, each pair of shoes gives H.O.P.E.

Health – Shoes protect feet from contaminated soil and foot-borne disease.

Opportunity – Shoes provide stability and the chance for a better future.

Peace – Shoes make communities stronger, allowing people to unite and come together.

Education – Shoes allow children to go to school and be confident in the classroom.

Globally, 1.5 billion people are infected with foot-borne diseases that could be prevented with proper footwear. For students in the United States, shoes and socks are one of the top five items needed. Slips and falls are the leading cause of injury and death in seniors.

Samaritan’s Feet envisions a world with zero shoeless people. In 2024, the nonprofit served its 11 millionth recipient and distributed over 1 million pairs of shoes. In response to Hurricane Helene, it donated 100,000 pairs of shoes to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee and is working with Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools to distribute new athletic shoes to elementary schoolchildren. Its impact stretches around the globe, with work in more than 625 cities and 112 countries.

Next year, Samaritan’s Feet hopes to distribute 1.2 million shoes. To help, volunteer at a shoe distribution event or at its Charlotte headquarters or donate financially. Your gifts of time and funds provide hope and healing to those in need ♡

samaritansfeet.org

4808 Chesapeake Drive Charlotte, NC 28216

866.833.7463

info@samaritansfeet.org

Arts & Science Council

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) is a cultural catalyst for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, driving economic growth, fostering community retention, and promoting inclusion through the arts and culture.

In 1958, ASC was founded to support the arts in Mecklenburg County, raising $68,000 for eight local arts organizations. Today, ASC’s impact is profound, investing in over 200 local organizations. Through vital city and county partnerships, ASC has invested over $6.8 million in local artists, nonprofits and cultural programs, impacting 66,000+ students through arts education initiatives and supporting over 1,100 creative individuals.

Serving as a resource hub, lead advocate and funder, ASC works to foster a sustainable and engaged community enriched through cultural experiences. Partnerships with corporations, schools, government agencies and neighborhoods help culture come alive through meaningful encounters in arts, science and history. ASC’s Public Art projects welcome visitors to the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and add to the beauty of Charlotte’s greenways, libraries and parks. Its Cultural Leadership Training program develops emerging leaders, volunteers and board candidates for local organizations. ASC’s Culture Blocks’ programming connects neighborhoods, providing community-requested and focused events, classes and workshops.

Your contributions directly support:

• local artists, nonprofits and cultural organizations

• fund grants for both emerging and established artists

• provide educational programs for thousands of students

• ensure that diverse voices and underserved communities have access to arts and culture.

ASC’s greatest needs are increased funding to expand its community outreach and sustain the creative ecosystem that drives economic growth and builds a more inclusive and vibrant region. Your gift to ASC makes this possible.♡

erin.wilson@artsandscience.org

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte

Keeping families close

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte provides comfort and care to families of sick or injured children who are receiving treatment at Charlotte-area medical facilities.

During short-term or extended hospital stays, the 28-bedroom RMHC House offers a home-away-from-home for families to rest, eat and support one another as they cope with their children’s medical needs. Additionally, the RMHC Family Room at Hemby Children’s Hospital provides respite for families just steps away from their child’s bedside, and the Happy Wheels Hospital Cart program gives care items to families at area children’s hospitals. Families are never asked to pay for their stay at the House or for any items.

Since opening its doors in 2011, RMHC of Greater Charlotte has served over 14,000 families of sick or injured children. In 2024, at least 6,000 families will be helped, with nearly 18,000 meals and 8,000 nights provided through its programs.

This holiday season, RMHC of Greater Charlotte needs toys, games and other gifts to fill its Family Holiday Shop. Visit the website to learn about volunteer opportunities and wish list items. Help provide the comforts of home that families need when caring for an ill or injured child.♡

A modern mercantile, wine bar and gift shop, offering USA made and locally crafted goods.

rmhclt.org

1613 East Morehead Street Charlotte, NC 28207

704.335.1191

kristin@rmhclt.org

GenOne Charlotte

GenOne partners with talented first-generation students from underserved communities, helping them successfully navigate into and through college. Applying for college is a daunting process, and for first-generation students, the task can be even tougher. To make matters worse, high school counselors in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools juggle a hefty 400:1 student-to-counselor ratio.

Founded in 2016 by two former CMS teachers, GenOne provides a comprehensive pathway of support from middle school through college graduation, helping students graduate with minimal debt and greater career and economic mobility opportunities.

Each year, GenOne selects a talented group of rising eighth graders attending Title I schools, with a goal of having them “scholarship-ready” by senior year. Support ranges from standardized testing assistance to college applications and scholarship searches to career planning. Outside of school, field trips, after-school programs and mentors cultivate social and emotional growth. Throughout college, GenOne offers college persistence and workforce development programs, ensuring scholars graduate and gain employment.

More than 275 scholars partner with GenOne; by December 2026, the nonprofit hopes to serve 450+. Monthly contributions provide sustainable revenue that allows GenOne to grow its programming. Your gifts help make affordable college education a reality ♡

genoneclt.org

3800 Shamrock Drive

Charlotte, NC 28215

genone@genoneclt.org

UrbanPromise

Reach a child, raise a leader, restore community

UrbanPromise provides Charlotte’s low-income children and youth with the academic, spiritual and social development necessary to become Christian leaders determined to restore their communities.

Founded in 2013, the nonprofit serves over 650 under-resourced and underserved students at four Charlotte sites. It takes youth on a 20-year leadership journey, from ages 5 to 25, starting with out-of-school academic and social programs and camps for elementary and middle school students. During high school, students work as StreetLeaders and mentor K-8 students. StreetLeaders receive leadership training, mental health counseling, tutoring, college and career access prep, and mentoring. Alumni receive support and guidance throughout college and as they graduate.

UrbanPromise’s model of reaching a child, raising a leader and restoring community has proven successful. In its first 10 classes, every senior StreetLeader graduated high school and received college acceptance. Currently, 83% of its 187 StreetLeader alumni are enrolled in college or have graduated.

Donations to UrbanPromise support its programming costs, which range from $107 a week per student to $163 a week for each StreetLeader. Visit the website to learn how to get involved and help students transform their communities.♡

info@urbanpromisecharlotte.org

The Go Jen Go Foundation

Support for those facing the financial burden of breast cancer

The Go Jen Go Foundation provides critical financial assistance and family support to breast cancer patients during diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

The nonprofit was founded in 2009 by Jen Pagani and her husband Joe, after Jen began her battle with stage III breast cancer. During her treatment, she was surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends. But she met other breast cancer patients who struggled to meet their basic needs and expenses.

The additional financial burden of a cancer diagnosis can be significant and an unexpected strain for patients. Go Jen Go currently provides financial assistance for up to 100 local families each month, helping pay for housing, utilities, transportation, groceries and other necessities.

In addition to financial support, Go Jen Go’s Mood Williams Camp Scholarship Fund sent 18 grantees’ children to camp this summer. Operation Spread the Joy, Go Jen Go’s holiday program, provides gifts to families it supports, helping make their holidays a little brighter.

Jen lost her battle with breast cancer in 2014, but her legacy continues. Financial donations ensure Go Jen Go can help families when they need it most, allowing them to focus on their fight against breast cancer.♡

gojengo.org

7804 Fairview Road, #217 Charlotte, NC 28226

704.774.6700

jenb@gojengo.org

One financial professional and one plan to grow with you, no matter what your future looks like. You deserve the assurance that you’ve found the right guide for your journey. 6115 Park South Drive, Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28210

PHONE: (704) 756-8482

Dress for Success Charlotte

For 24 years, Dress for Success Charlotte has helped unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence by providing no-fee programs, development tools and professional attire to thrive in work and in life.

The organization has supported more than 12,000 unemployed and underemployed women in our community in moving toward independence through job acquisition, retention and professional clothing programs. In advancing employment opportunities for women, one-on-one coaching opportunities, skills-based job-training programs and a new entrepreneurship program allow the organization to meet the evolving needs of the community. Next year, Dress for Success Charlotte will celebrate its 25th year by investing in a forever home in one of the city’s Opportunity Corridors, expanding services that advance women’s economic independence.

Access to high-quality clothing is an essential component of the confidence needed to interview for and secure a living-wage job. Women interviewing qualify for up to two full outfits, and those who secure jobs receive five additional workplace outfits — with shoes, jewelry, handbags and undergarments included at no cost. All clothing and accessories are secured through donations. Visit the website to learn more about most-needed items and how you can help a woman put her best foot forward in her job search.♡

charlotte.dressforsuccess.org

704.525.7706

charlotte@dressforsuccess.org

Nourish Up

Lifting our community through food

Two long-standing nonprofits with a rich history of fighting hunger in Charlotte, Loaves & Fishes and Friendship Trays, joined forces with a new name, Nourish Up. Lifting our community through food, Nourish Up provides groceries to neighbors in need in Charlotte through the largest network of food pantries in North Carolina and as the primary Meals on Wheels program in Mecklenburg County.

In 2023, Nourish Up fed more than 137,000 people — enough to fill Bank of America Stadium nearly two times. The numbers are even greater in 2024, increasing by approximately 40%. To meet the growing demand, Nourish Up moved into its new Hunger Hub in April, offering an on-site client-choice pantry with more fresh food storage. In 2025, the last component of the Hunger Hub, a Meals on Wheels kitchen, will enable the team to prepare its own meals using fresh fruits and vegetables and ingredients from the warehouse. Please consider donations of food, money or time to Nourish Up. A priority list of foods is available on the website, and volunteers are needed every day to pack, sort, and deliver groceries and meals. Help nourish our neighbors in need.♡

Baby Bundles

Clothing newborns with love

Baby Bundles provides a bundle of clothing and essential baby items to families living in financial need in the Charlotte area, helping to foster a more positive start for their newborn baby. Since 2010, the organization and its 18 community partners have distributed over 16,000 bundles, which include clothing, blankets, developmental toys and books, to families living at or below the federal poverty line.

What began as 75 bundles distributed in 2011 has grown to more than 3,000 annually today. Every bundle provides much-needed support to local families, giving both resources and hope to families as they welcome their new baby. In 2024, Baby Bundles distributed $1,050,000 worth of goods back into the local community. For every $1 cash donation, Baby Bundles can source $8 worth of goods to include in bundles.

Join Baby Bundles in its mission to build a stronger, more caring community for the youngest members of our city and those that care for them. Whether you’re interested in donating or volunteering, your involvement with Baby Bundles is a meaningful step toward building a brighter future for Charlotte’s children and strengthening the community with care and love.♡

babybundlesnc.org PO Box 12303 Charlotte, NC 28220

janefreeman@babybundles.org

Effortless pieces to wear to coffee, fundraisers, and everything in between.

Allegro Foundation

A champion for children with disabilities

Allegro Foundation combines movement instruction with educational and medical expertise, creating new techniques to teach children living with disabilities and enhance their quality of life.

For more than 32 years, Allegro has taught over 11,000 of North and South Carolina’s underserved children living with disabilities and children at risk, providing medical, social and emotional benefits. The nonprofit conducts free weekly movement education classes for children with disabilities at many Charlotte-Mecklenburg and York County schools, teaching vital academic and social skills, while also strengthening bodies. This school year, it celebrates an exciting milestone, offering the most programs in its history.

Allegro’s greatest need is monetary donations. Every gift supports Allegro’s movement education programs for children living with disabilities. Currently, there are over 17,000 children living with disabilities in these districts, yet Allegro can only serve 800 at its current funding level.

Charlotte native and Allegro’s founder Pat Farmer welcomes visitors to witness firsthand the important work Allegro is doing in the Charlotte region. Your support has the power to change the lives of hundreds of children living with disabilities in our community. Join Allegro in being a champion and making a difference.♡

pfallegro@aol.com

Carolina Breast Friends

Until there’s a cure, there’s care.

Carolina Breast Friends provides a positive environment where breast cancer survivors and thrivers can access resources, education and fellowship at any stage of their journey.

When Kristy Adams-Ebel was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32, she needed the support of fellow survivors — a community that could empower each other with shared knowledge and advocacy. In 2003, she established Carolina Breast Friends, meeting with survivors anywhere they could find space. In 2011, five years after Kristy lost her battle with breast cancer, her vision for a gathering place became a reality with The Pink House on East Morehead Street.

In 2024, Carolina Breast Friends will provide more than 500 new survivors and thrivers with services and support programs, such as wellness sessions and mentoring. Its Pink House provides wigs, head coverings, bras and prostheses, along with chemo comfort care products. Additionally, resources to support individuals affected by breast cancer are offered through day retreats, caregivers’ programs and a video library.

Donations allow Carolina Breast Friends to offer its services free of charge. Its greatest need is for additional funding to expand its outreach to those in underserved communities. Your gift helps ensure no one faces breast cancer alone.♡

carolinabreastfriends.org 1607 East Morehead Street Charlotte, NC 28207

704.370.7773

cbf@carolinabreastfriends.org

Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need

Love your neighbor

Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need (BFHNIN) provides food assistance for families who attend or work in one of the 11 Ballantyne-area public schools. All families are identified by the school counselors and social workers. One in five students in these schools qualify for free/reduced school breakfast and lunch.

When the pandemic shut down schools, local mom Heather McAfee was concerned for the children who depend on school meals. She found a community that was willing and energized to give, establishing BFHNIN.

The nonprofit provides bags of food, grocery gift cards, encouraging notes and a resource guide during Thanksgiving, winter holidays, spring break and summer to families facing food insecurity. A food pantry at Community House Middle School stays stocked with nonperishable food.

Since its inception, BFHNIN has provided support to over 13,000 people and distributed over 4,400 bags of groceries and more than $350,000 grocery gift cards.

Financial donations allow BFHNIN to purchase food for the pantry or gift cards for use during school breaks, when children can’t get school meals. Nonperishable food donations ensure the pantry remains full. Join BFHNIN to support neighbors in need.♡

ballantynefamilies.org

contact@ballantynefamilies.org

Foster Village Charlotte

Community beyond the system

Foster Village Charlotte creates connections with dignity for children and families experiencing foster care by meeting urgent needs, providing educational and emotional support, and advocating as a collective community voice for children.

Since its inception, the nonprofit has provided over 1,200 welcome packs filled with quality essentials for foster and kinship families and more than 500 no-cost sensory tools to help children during transitions and crises. Foster Village Charlotte leads caregiver support groups, workshops, one-on-one sessions with licensed therapists, and educational training to offer emotional and peer-driven support. It also offers reunification support through the Connection Cottage, a private space for supervised family visits, birthday parties and reunions.

Foster Village Charlotte is committed to meeting the needs of every child and family that requests its services. To do this, monthly supporters are needed. Consistent monetary donations support overall program costs, allowing Foster Village Charlotte to provide comprehensive assistance to caregivers during vulnerable, unpredictable times. Visit the website to learn about volunteer opportunities and how to support families during their foster care journey. Your time and resources give children experiencing foster care and the families caring for them the village of support they need to thrive.♡

fostervillagecharlotte.org

980.237.0261

engage@fostervillagecharlotte.org

When supporting Enderly, know that our

TreesCharlotte

Founded in 2012, TreesCharlotte works to grow, diversify and steward the city’s iconic urban forest. Educating the city’s residents about the importance of a strong tree canopy and how to plant and care for trees is also part of TreesCharlotte’s mission. Besides their beauty, trees lower urban heat, remove pollutants from the air, protect from stormwater runoff, improve lung and heart health, lower stress, mitigate climate change, and increase property values. Trees make Charlotte a greener, healthier and more vibrant city.

Known for its incredible tree canopy, Charlotte’s trees are disappearing — the casualty of development, storms, age and disease. Through tree plantings and tree adoptions, TreesCharlotte has added more than 60,500 trees to the community’s landscape, and 6,000 more will be added during this current planting season.

Donations are needed to sustain TreesCharlotte’s mission. Each new tree requires a $450 investment by TreesCharlotte, which includes purchasing, planting, tree care and watering for one year to ensure it is established.

Help by giving financially or volunteering your time. This holiday season, consider the gift of trees by honoring a loved one in the TreeGift program and support Charlotte’s green legacy.♡

704.999.0671

info@treescharlotte.org

Charlotte’s incredible tree canopy is disappearing. Fortunately, we can all help protect the Queen City’s trees. Start today by taking a simple pledge at CharlotteWithoutTrees.org.

Women’s Impact Fund

A women’s giving circle committed to growing female philanthropists

Women’s Impact Fund strengthens communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education and engagement.

Inspired by an article on women philanthropists in Seattle, Claire Tate and Mary Lou Babb started the women’s giving circle in Charlotte in 2003. Since then, Women’s Impact Fund has grown to nearly 500 members and awarded more than $8.1 million in grants to over 100 nonprofit organizations in Mecklenburg County. In addition to grants, the organization hosts networking socials and educational events on community issues and philanthropy.

Women’s Impact Fund welcomes any woman who wants to join; no application or invitation is required. Members commit to either $1,300 or $600 a year and can join at any time. Why be a part of Women’s Impact Fund? Membership allows Charlotte women to build relationships with other philanthropic-inclined women, engage more deeply with local issues and increase their impact on the community. This diverse group brings women together, harnessing the power of collective giving. More memberships translate into larger, more powerful grants each year to nonprofit partners.

Visit the Women’s Impact Fund website to join or attend an upcoming event and discover the power of women giving together.♡

"Invested

in what matters"

isn't just a motto at Carnegie Private Wealth—it's the cornerstone of our mission.

We're driven by a dual passion: empowering our clients to pursue financial success and enriching the Charlotte community we call home.

Our expertise goes beyond the numbers, with a relentless focus on risk management that brings clarity to complex financial decisions, alleviates stress, and instills confidence in our clients.

Similarly, we’re proud to support visionary organizations like Women’s Impact Fund that share these same values, transform lives and strengthen our community. The thoughtful grants that Women’s Impact Fund members provide each year is truly inspiring and we’re humbled to play a small part in their vital work.

Learn more about Carnegie's deep-rooted community commitment at CarnegiePrivateWealth.com/Community-Commitment.

Together, we're investing in the future of Charlotte.

Jordan Raniszeski, Angie Ostendarp & Mary Ware Managing Partners, Carnegie Private Wealth

info@womensimpactfund.org

info@carnegiepw.com

She Built This City

United we spark

She Built This City provides industry-disruptive programming that sparks interest and builds pathways to lucrative careers in the skilled trades for youth, women and marginalized communities.

Through pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, community projects and builds, and critical home repairs for older adults, the nonprofit prepares participants with education, skills and on-the-job training to succeed in the construction industry — a field dominated by men.

With a focus on steady growth and workforce development, She Built This City has had a significant impact on the community. Since 2021, 300+ pre-apprentices have graduated. In 2023, the organization expanded to Greensboro, with its first cohort graduating in April. Its two-year apprenticeship program counts eight apprentices who completed 14 critical home repairs last year, and more than 800 youths have participated in programs. A 2024 Gold Anthem Award recognized She Built This City for its innovative work in the community. Donations fund programs that train and support youth, women and marginalized communities in the skilled trades and allow She Built This City to expand its reach. Supporters can donate, volunteer, mentor program participants or become industry partners. Be a part of empowering the next generation of skilled tradespeople ♡

Six locations to serve you, with a seventh location opening in 2025!

Visit usbank.com/book to schedule an appointment today.

shebuiltthiscity.org 920 Blairhill Road

Charlotte, NC 28217

info@shebuiltthiscity.org

usbank.com/communitypossible

U.S. Bank supports the small businesses and business development programs that build and sustain our community. Local businesses are proof that with vision and determination, we can create our own possibilities.

Independent Picture House

Since opening in June 2022, The Independent Picture House (IPH) has focused on educating, engaging and enabling the community through the power of film.

As Charlotte’s only nonprofit community cinema, IPH provides a welcoming space for local filmmakers and creatives to showcase their work, while offering diverse programming that encourages dialogue and discovery. Through affordable rental spaces, free community events, and partnerships with educational institutions such as UNC Charlotte and arts organizations such as Theatre Charlotte, IPH nurtures a thriving arts community that is accessible to all.

A recent expansion added a fourth auditorium, IPH’s largest theater. Along with exhibition of films, this new space can be used for poetry, theater, improv/comedy and live music performances or rented for private and public film screenings. A pre-function area can be used for educational offerings, community events and as a gathering space for patrons.

Tax-deductible monetary donations and annual memberships are vital to the success of IPH. Your year-end gift ensures IPH can continue offering unique films, enriching experiences and opportunities for filmmakers who shape the future of our culture. Help foster creativity and connection through the art of cinema by giving to IPH.♡

Bright Blessings

Since 2005, Bright Blessings has brought joy, care and hope to homeless and impoverished children by mobilizing community volunteers of all ages.

Through its core programs, Bless-A-Birthday, Bless-A-Baby, Gift of Literacy and Gift of Care, the volunteer-led organization has served more than 200,000 children, impacting more than 24,000 this year. Bright Blessings brings smiles to countless children with birthday celebrations. It also provides necessities like snacks and hygiene kits and supports new moms in need with supplies to care for their baby.

The nonprofit has partnerships with over 30 local agencies and school districts and serves children in Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Gaston and York counties. It operates solely on donations, so contributions of time and talent are critical. Volunteer on-site, put together program kits at your home, office, school or church, or host your own collection drive or fundraiser to help. An Amazon wish list on the Bright Blessings website makes giving convenient and easy. Most-needed items include toys for ages 1-18, full-size hygiene items and baby supplies. Start exploring the ways you can be the difference for kids in need.♡

brightblessingsusa.org 1150 Crews Road, Suite C Matthews, NC 28105

704.846.2329

tisha@brightblessingsusa.org

We're on a mission to shake up the tech world by redefining what computer science education can be, all while bringing more balance and inclusivity to the field. Our goal? To make sure no one gets left out and to inspire a new wave of innovation along the way! The Dottie Rose Foundation is setting the standard in computer science education and engaging for young women who might never have envisioned themselves as future tech leaders. Through innovative programs that build both skills and confidence, we're creating a pipeline for the next generation of female technologists. Empowering tomorrow's tech leaders – donate today and help make computer science education accessible to all.

Godley Glazer & Funk, PLLC is a full service family law and estate planning ﬁrm serving Iredell, Mecklenburg and the surrounding counties. They have been a supporter of the Dottie Rose Foundation since its inception and are passionate about ensuring young girls have opportunities in ﬁelds where they are under-represented. PHOTO

PHOTO CREDIT: REAL GRAIN STUDIO

After a wild election season and a little holiday frenzy, we could all use a breather. Decamp — and de-stress — with a trip to one of these direct-flight destinations that are all about relaxation.

Golf Course at Banyan Tree Mayakoba

Sun spot

ACQUALINA RESORT:

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA

Minutes after arriving under the domed, Mediterranean-style porte cochere at Acqualina Resort, my wife Harriet and I are already experiencing the regal guest treatment for which the boutique property is known. We are greeted by soothing tropical fountains, Italianate statuary and smiling staff who quickly disappear with our luggage in tow. Prosecco, Champagne or mineral water are on hand to toast our arrival.

We’re here on a four-day weekend, where time away from cell phones, email, household chores and work obligations are the order of the day. Sleeping late, some spa polishing, lots of beach time and a bit of culinary indulgence are on the agenda.

We’ve come to the right place. Earning the top spot among both U.S. hotels and resorts by U.S. News & World Report, Acqualina delivers a guest experience that anticipates and exceeds expectations at every turn.

A luxe Miami Beach resort sparkles with international vibes and indulgent amenities.

by Michael J. Solender

AMPLE ACCOMMODATIONS

There are 44 suites and 54 guest rooms, each with furnished balconies overlooking the Atlantic or the intracoastal waterway. Oversized floor plans are standard, and there’s plenty of room to spread across the lush property (which shares space with its sister, Acqualina residences) with four pools, an oceanfront lawn and umbrella-lined beach.

Our 14th-floor deluxe oceanfront suite would be better described as a large apartment, with a full kitchen, living and dining rooms, a grand bathroom and separate half-bath, walk-in closet, and a spacious balcony for gazing at the azure sea below. Cool white and neutral tones blend with angular light fixtures and framed botanical prints throughout, while handblown glass art adorns clean-lined curios and cabinets.

COMFORTS BEYOND HOME

In a hospitality world where luxury is often a commodity, a true luxe barometer is found in the service and surprise factor — Acqualina delivers both.

On our first night, we returned from dinner to find fresh-cut flowers in the bathroom, a nifty microfiber cleaning cloth underneath my reading glasses, and my unwieldy phone-charger cord tamed by an Acqualinabranded Velcro mini-strap.

High touch is accompanied by high tech at Acqualina, with an app-loaded iPad in each room. There are dozens of global daily newspapers (even The Charlotte Observer!) and magazines to peruse, guided daily meditations and yoga instruction (for use with the in-room yoga mats), and a Bedside Reading app, which puts dozens of bestsellers at the touch of a button. If you prefer hardcovers, you’ll find plenty of those as well.

Pampering was on our menu, and we were greeted at the spa — rated Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide — with detoxifying green juice, then guided to the Royal Suite, an expansive private treatment room with soft classical music playing in the background. Guests find a European day spa feel here, with wellness offerings including Ayurvedic massage, body wraps, nail treatments, and HydraFacial and collagen-sculpting facials. After our treatments, we lounged in the suite’s steam shower, nibbled on fresh-baked cookies, and enjoyed a glass of bubbly, because — why not?

Il Mulino of New York

DINING

Old school meets New World at Il Mulino of New York, an outpost of the top-ranked NYC flagship serving traditional Italian cuisine. Tableside service begins with aged Parmesan straight off the wheel, lightly fried zucchini chips in a spicy garlic oil, tomato-topped bruschetta and warm focaccia. Next, we shared a half-order of wild mushroom risotto, followed by Dover sole, expertly filleted tableside, and shrimp scampi.

Avra Miami is the newest addition to Acqualina’s dining roster, with an upscale Greek taverna feel and an open kitchen dishing out beautiful whole grilled fish, bountiful salads, Prime steaks, lamb and organic chicken. Avra delivers great food and people-watching with a high-energy vibe.

We ended our trip with dinner at Ke-Uh, an izakaya-style

OUT AND ABOUT

Miami and Miami Beach are 24/7 hot spots with world-class attractions. Should you wish to venture past the resort, here are a few options.

• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: This 1920s-era former estate and gardens of American industrialist James Deering is an Italian Renaissance-style marvel.

• South Beach Art Deco Walking Tour: The official tour led by the Miami Design Preservation League tells the backstory of this historic neighborhood, highlighting top landmarks and their curious past. Stop for lunch afterward at the News Café for their signature mahi mahi fish tacos and ice cold beer.

• Little Havana Food & Cultural Tour: Led by Miami Culinary Tours, this fun walk through the heart of Miami’s fabled Cuban neighborhood includes cocktails, authentic Cuban coffee and pastries, and a visit to a cigar factory.

• Perez Art Museum Miami: This contemporary museum in the heart of downtown serves as the artistic and cultural pulse of the city and is a fine place to get lost in for an afternoon.

(Japanese “tapas”) eatery with sushi, sashimi, rolls and small plates that’s a fun, casual place to unwind after a day in the sun. Shareables include salmon crispy rice (toasted sushi rice pads topped with salmon tartare), vegetable-stuffed gyoza dumplings, shrimp tempura rolls, sweet and spicy shrimp, and Korean baby back ribs. Of course, a couple of cold Sapporo beers made it all the better.

Acqualina boasts an industry-leading return rate, and it’s easy to see why. While our long weekend getaway got away from us all too soon, we’ll almost certainly be back.

GETTING THERE: There are multiple nonstop flights (about 2 hours) from CLT to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Acqualina Resort is about a 30-minute drive south of the airport, and transportation can be arranged through Limo Miami.

Deluxe One Bedroom Suite Living Room

Avra Miami

Pampered in paradise

An expansive resort on the Riviera Maya emphasizes relaxation over sightseeing. by

Krisha Chachra

MAYAKOBA: PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO

If luxury can come in the form of lagoons, pristine pools and beaches, then it is no wonder that Mayakoba — a private resort along the Riviera Maya on the eastern coast of Mexico — attracts visitors looking to indulge in comfort and lounge in leisure. The gated community just north of Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean Sea consists of private residences, four distinct hotels and El Camaleón — an award-winning, Greg Norman-designed golf course that has hosted numerous LIV Golf and PGA Tour events, including the PGA’s first tournament in Latin America.

Plan to visit Mayakoba if you’re prepared to stay put on the cushy campus. Unlike Cancun, the overhyped spring-break destination about an hour north, a visit to Mayakoba isn’t about

sightseeing, cave tours or crazy nightlife. Instead, be prepared to pamper yourself in paradise during the day and turn in early for a restful sleep at night.

Imbibe and indulge as little or as much as you want — there’s an optional all-inclusive package if you desire the food and tequila to flow freely. Mayakoba has more than 30 culinary experiences across four hotels that are open to anyone staying on property. Though the restaurants do their best to accommodate walk-ins, it’s a good idea to make reservations ahead of time, especially if you hope to experience a signature dining event such as Ixchel, a romantic international fusion dinner served on a boat while you drift among the resort’s canals. The 595-acre property — mainly nature reserves — is easy to navigate using on-call shuttles and water taxis, trans-

Fairmont Lagoons

porting guests from hotels to restaurants and beaches. With a simple phone call, a concierge delivers umbrellas to your door when it is raining or lops the top off of a fresh coconut and hands it to you with a straw while you’re lounging poolside.

The hardest choice you’ll have to make in Mayakoba is which beach to visit from day to day — and which location to choose as your home base. The four hotels — Andaz, Fairmont, Rosewood and Banyan Tree — represent recognizable brands and vary in price and room size. Each offers its own spin on luxury and ambience, with lagoon waterways that allow for easy transit between venues.

Fairmont is the most family-friendly hotel, boasting the biggest pool with a waterslide and the largest beachfront on Mayakoba. Enjoy the swings at Ki’ Beach Bar or grab a quick lunch at Brisas, an all-day cafe by the ocean. Hitch a ride to El Pueblito, a replicated town plaza on property with traditional architecture, retail shops, quick-service restaurants and a mission-style chapel. Fairmont’s Willow Stream Spa overlooks the vast mangrove forest — book a treatment inspired by ancient Mayan culture. In the evening, pre-game at Hix Bar in the hotel lobby before heading downstairs to Tauro, an American steakhouse with an in-house, dry-aging meat room and a martini bar.

Andaz, a Hyatt-branded hotel, showcases wildlife and tribal murals reflecting Mayan culture by local artist Senkoe. The recently renovated hotel has a kids club, two pools and a beach club where you can rent paddleboards or try kitesurfing. Andaz also has a “curator” program, where visitors can take classes and taste authentic Mexican and Mayan flavors. Naum Wellness & Spa offers a couples suite overlooking the Mayakoba lagoons.

Of all the hotels on property, Banyan Tree is the dreamiest. The openair lobby floats above the converging canals surrounding a live Banyan tree that lights up in the evening, reflecting soft, flickering lights like fireflies in

Naum Wellness & Spa

El Pueblito Town Square

the water below. Dine at Cello overlooking the tree, or sample tequila at La Copa before heading to Saffron, a Thai-inspired restaurant with water views. The boat dining experience, Ixchel, launches from here. Owned by a Singapore-based company, Banyan Tree’s Asian influences are evident in the décor and the resort’s spa, which offers ancient therapies (both Mexican and Asian) under tranquil, Balinese-style pavilions. The spa’s signature Rainforest hydrothermal experience includes a rain shower, full body scrub and massage. Or simply relax in the comfort of your room — each of the 162 villas has a private pool and a pillow menu, where you can choose from a range of soft and squishy options to suit your preference.

Of the four hotels, Rosewood is the most exclusive, where, depending on the season, nightly room rates can top $2,000. Each of the 129 suites features private butler service, plunge pools and

lagoon-side docks for water taxi pickup. Dine with your toes in the sand at Aqui Me Quedo, a beachside restaurant serving ceviche, tacos and other Mexican fare. Or try an al fresco, communal dining experience at La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen, where guests share traditional Mexican cuisine prepared over an open flame, with seasonal ingredients hand-picked from the restaurant’s garden.

At Rosewood, even the relaxation is opulent: Sense, a Rosewood Spa, is situated on its own private island. End the evening at Zapote Bar, a cocktail destination ranked No. 11 on North America’s 50 Best Bars list, where handcrafted drinks are accompanied by live music from local musicians.

GETTING THERE: Mayakoba is a 35-minute drive from Cancun International Airport, a three-hour nonstop flight via American Airlines from CLT.

Banyan Tree

Beachfront pool suite

Punta Bonita pool and beach at Rosewood

Low-key leisure

Take it easy at a picture-perfect, all-inclusive resort in the Florida Keys.

by Cathy Martin

BUNGALOWS KEY LARGO: KEY LARGO, FLORIDA

Driving south from Miami, past the Southern Glades approaching the Florida Keys, congestion slowly gives way to calm. U.S. 1, known from here to Key West as the Overseas Highway, is dotted with sandal outlets, strip malls and mom-and-pop seafood joints. But tucked in a densely landscaped area just off the side of the road, a thatched-roof building under gently swaying palms — the gated entrance to Bungalows Key Largo — teases a different kind of vacation.

Bungalows is an all-inclusive resort just over an hour’s drive from Miami International Airport. After checking in and being shuttled to my room via a turquoise golf cart with a cabana-striped canopy, I walk down to the Sunset Tiki Bar, which seems like as good a place as any to jumpstart this vacation.

Feeling pale, frazzled after traversing the Miami airport to catch my Uber, and overdressed in joggers and a denim jacket among the sunburned, swimsuit-clad patrons, I order a margarita.

“Want a little Grand Marnier float with that?” asks the friendly bartender. Indeed, I do.

EASY BREEZY

Honeymooners, babymooners, girlfriends and couples of all ages are among the guests at this picturesque property, where 135 individual bungalows nestled among the palms line meticulously manicured, sandy pathways. They’re all here for the same reason: To steal away from the hustle and bustle and simply take it easy for a precious few days.

Bungalows makes that easy, with minimal diversions, calming views and a peaceful, unpretentious vibe. Sleep in or start each day with morning yoga, then choose which beach or pool to lounge by.

For a quieter setting, stretch out in a hammock at Coconut Beach, or head to the Zen pool tucked amid tropical plants and lined with private cabanas. For a livelier scene, settle into a chaise by the infinity pool, with ocean views and proximity to the tiki bar with live music and blender drinks flowing.

There are bikes for cruising around the 11.5-acre property, and

Tranquility Beach

paddleboards and water trikes to hop on at your leisure. You can kayak around Pelican Key, a nearby island inhabited by pelicans, spoonbills, great white herons and other native sea birds. The Zen Garden Spa offers massages, facials and body treatments, with amenities including a Himalayan salt room and eucalyptus steam room. For something a little more adventurous, daily boat trips and fishing charters can be reserved for an additional fee.

BUNGALOW LIFE

The bungalows, including 31 beachfront units, are spacious and airy, with front porches and large enclosed decks and patios that offer more privacy. Each 900-square-foot bungalow — basically a self-contained suite — has an outdoor rain shower and private soaking tub, indoor sitting area, and a generous bathroom and changing area.

The neutral décor is tasteful, modern and comfortable, and the porches draped with bougainvillea make a picture-perfect backdrop. Units are immaculately maintained, with a turndown service that surprises with a different sweet treat each night of your stay.

DRINK + DINE

In addition to the tiki bar, there are three restaurants at Bungalows, each with a distinct menu and vibe.

Fish Tales is the main dining hub, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating. There’s a bountiful breakfast buffet, with a Bloody Mary bar and mimosa station, as well as an a la carte menu with omelets, frittatas, pancakes, fresh smoothies and more.

Sea Señor boasts a splendid setting right on the beach with views of Sunset Cove. The menu of Mexican-inspired fare ranges from familiar favorites like nachos, shrimp tostadas and chicken enchiladas to unique specialties like the roasted beet carpaccio with quinoa and black beans.

But for guests with a penchant for fine dining, Bogie & Bacall’s is a must for dinner in an upscale atmosphere with top-notch service. Dinner at Bogie’s is an upcharge ($300 per couple) for guests staying three nights or less, and it’s well worth the added expense. Steakhouse favorites prevail here, from prime cuts of beef to lobster thermidor and chicken Provencal. Appetizers like the wagyu

Zen Garden Spa

Waterfront Beach Bungalow

Bogie & Bacall’s

carpaccio — razor-thin slices with peppery arugula, shaved Parmesan and a shallot-caper vinaigrette — plus entrees like a fresh grilled halibut and delicate desserts set this venue apart.

Even if you aren’t dining at Bogie’s, make sure to pay a visit to the adjacent Hemingway Bar. Inspired by the legendary author, this cozy cocktail bar with Art Deco vibes is a hidden gem, with a small selection of appetizers and expertly crafted cocktails on a second-floor perch with terrific water views.

SAVOR THE SUNSET

While Bungalows’ all-inclusive status provides access to all meals, drinks including top-shelf liquors, and on-site activities, there are add-ons, such as the spa treatments, to personalize your stay. One excursion that will truly enhance a visit to Bungalows is the Sunset Cruise aboard the resort’s custom 55foot catamaran. This 1.5-hour, small-group experience starts with prosecco (or another libation of your choice) and hors d’oeuvres and ends with the never-gets-old spectacle of the evening sun slipping beneath the horizon.

GOOD TO KNOW: While Bungalows is an all-inclusive resort, tipping is at your discretion. Be prepared to spend an extra $50100 per couple per night, depending on meals and activities.

GETTING THERE: There are plenty of nonstop flights from CLT to Miami International Airport, with a flight time of just over two hours. The drive from the airport to Bungalows is about an hour and 20 minutes. SP

Sunset Cruise

Garden Bungalows

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

CSO Gala

benefiting Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Belk Theater and Urban Garden

October 9

Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green returned to the Queen City for an evening filled with music and fun. Sphinx Virtuosi closed out the evening. photographs by Daniel Coston

Anne O’Byrne and David Fisk

Tom Fisher and Felipe Gonzalez Edmiston

Grace Nystrum and Edwin Gil

Francisco and Jeannette Alvarado

Linda Farthing Terry Russell and Marjorie Serralles-Russell

Elizabeth Connor Stewart and Sean Stewart

David Fisk, Christopher and Rosemary Warren-Green, Aram Kim Bryan

Maribeth Baker and Joshua Bottoms

Furnished

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

benefiting Furnish For Good

Slate Interiors

October 10

Furnished celebrated five years with a friendly competition among local interior designers. Patrons bid on items from each vignette and voted for their favorite design. photographs by Daniel Coston

Bridgette Coogan and Robin Bellefuil

Rod Hernandez, Lisa Sherry, Hope Rodgers and Maryn Washer

Nara Skipper, Meredith Beregovski and Nina Chase Genie Scheurer, David Harker and Debbie Frail

Dawn Fellers, Mari Wood and Mary Russell

Priscilla Chapman and Maggie Morton

Maddie Papier and Natalie Papier

Jennifer Adams and Meredith Marks

Pam and Rich Falter

Christina Fix and Jill Miller

Donna Werner and Diane Pierce

Sarah Fligel, Sharon Smith, Cathy Martin

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

My Breast Friend’s Wedding

benefiting Go Jen Go Hyatt Centric Charlotte SouthPark

October 24

More than 150 ladies dressed up in wedding attire and said “I do” to making a difference. This fun-filled ladies’ networking event raised more than $42,000 to help breast cancer patients. photographs by Carolina Flow Photography

Ultimate Power Lunch

benefiting Dress For Success Charlotte The Revelry North End

September 24

Lots of impact moments were shared at this packed luncheon for DFS. Linda Kirby from Boingo Graphics was honored for her years of community service. photographs by Daniel Coston

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon

benefiting UNCF

Charlotte Convention Center

September 28

Women from across Charlotte gathered for this annual event, which draws inspiration from the life of Maya Angelou. This year’s luncheon honored the work of Ruth E. Carter, Lynette Bell and Peggy Harris. photographs by Daniel Coston

benefiting Arts Empowerment Project Mint Museum Uptown

October 16

This year’s Shine gala celebrated arts and philanthropy in our community. Chef Jim Noble, singer Anthony Hamilton and Truist Bank were honored for their contributions to Charlotte. photographs by Daniel Coston

Lisa Sido and Loretta Evivie

Dr. Tehara Bryant and Miranda Solomon

Mary and Herman Thomas

Crystal Whaley, Laura Bynum and Bonika Wilson

Monique Douglas and David Klingel Noi Vong and Irina Toshkova Howard and Angie Bush

Dr. Kim Blanding, Natalie Frazier Allen, Whitley Adkins

Tiffany Jones-Boyd, Peggy Harris, Janelle Alston Collins, Dr. Kelley Howard Rouse

Anissa and Jermaine Blackmon

YEAR IN PHOTOS

A look back on some of our most memorable images from the last year, from beautiful ballerinas to gorgeous gardens to perfect plates. Thanks for following along with us at SouthPark Magazine, and cheers to 2025!