FROM THE EDITOR
The Saturday after Hurricane Helene crossed North Carolina, I spent the morning outside at home, picking up fallen branches and filling lawn bags with garden debris. A small chore I thought would take about 20 minutes took more than two hours. Grumbling, I came inside and hopped online, where I saw images of buildings and homes — even whole towns — in western North Carolina completely underwater. Shots of Asheville’s submerged River Arts District, where my family has visited several times in recent years, were particularly jarring. I was stunned, and quickly realized my wrecked Saturday morning was nothing compared to this.
Writing this now, nearly two weeks later, thousands are still without power, many roads remain closed and misinformation is spreading like wildfire. But there’s good news too, as the cleanup and rebuilding has begun, and some mountain towns came through relatively unscathed. The outpouring of support across this state has been extraordinary.
Along with stories about Queen City creatives, entrepreneurs and other local luminaries, many of you know us for our travel features — places to escape to once we close our laptops for the weekend. Western N.C. practically feels like our own backyard. So many of us hold dear places like Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock and Highlands, along with the rivers, trails
and smaller communities where we witnessed friends and family get married, whooped it up on a girls trip, celebrated birthdays and anniversaries.
By and large, SouthPark shares stories about the good things in life — mouthwatering food, beautiful homes, talented artists and gorgeous fashions. We recognize our jobs often seem easy compared with our journalism colleagues who cover newsier topics like local politics, contentious school-board meetings and crime.
But when a pandemic or natural disaster like Helene comes along, we can’t close our eyes to the suffering and devastation.
Here at home, life must go on. Our local restaurants, shops and service-oriented businesses still need our support as much as ever. Hardworking local entrepreneurs mark milestones that deserve to be celebrated. There is still philanthropic work to be done in our own community.
Still, we aren’t blind to the needs of our fellow North Carolinians. In the coming months — in this magazine, on our website and on our social-media channels — we’ll continue to share ways to help our neighbors in western N.C., whether featuring small businesses to support, sharing updates as venues reopen, or highlighting the greatest needs in this ever-evolving situation.
In ways big and small, we can help them rebuild, better than ever. SP
friendships run deep
former Eastern Airlines employees (page 81) 3–Erin McDermott’s new brickand-mortar shop (page 22) 4–On the bucket list: A Charlotte mom and daughter take on New Zealand (page 108)
November
BLVD.
22 | style
Erin McDermott Jewelry opens a brick-and-mortar store in Elizabeth.
26 | interiors
Stephanie Calderon blends natural elements with a modern design ethos in a Charlotte kitchen.
30 | wine
Holiday wine selections from local wine experts
34 | cuisine
Top chefs and bakers share Thanksgiving traditions and tips.
42 | outdoors
Paddle on: a guide to kayaking around Charlotte
46 | reading
Push-button stories at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
48 | around town
What’s new and coming soon in the Queen City
50 | happenings
November calendar of events
DEPARTMENTS
57 | books
Notable new releases
59 | authors
Reading roundup: The latest books from local authors
63 | simple life
A time to go inside
67 | southwords
A Southern transplant’s newfound passion for pie
69 | givers
Let’s hear it for the boys: Young Men’s Service League prepares teens for the future
73 | well + wise
How understanding our communication styles positively impacts relationships
115 | swirl
Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte
120 | gallery
From Charlotte with love: The Queen City shows up with hurricane relief
ABOUT THE COVER:
Natalie Jetton Zoog and Eva Zoog photographed at Carolina Beach by Richard Israel; styling by Whitley Adkins.
FEATURES
81 | Where friendships took flight by Sharon Smith photographs by Poprock Photography
Former Eastern Airlines employees give new meaning to “work friends.”
85 | International delights story and photographs by Matt Chandler
Celebrate family, culture and food at Alley 51, Charlotte’s newest global dining hub.
90 | Classic comfort by Cathy Martin photographs by Heather Ison
Sarah Andrews designs a Dilworth house with a family-friendly flow while respecting the home’s history.
PHOTO ESSAY
99 | The roads less traveled by Whitley Adkins photographs by Richard Israel
A nostalgia-filled journey to the Carolina coast.
TRAVEL
108 | Beauty and adventure by Andrea Cooper and Laurel Tobias
A Charlotte mother and daughter share contrasting itineraries for an epic getaway to New Zealand.
Hidden Gem
Make plans for the holiday tree lighting in the heart of SouthPark!
November 22, 2024
Join us at Piedmont Town Center for our Annual Tree Lighting event on Friday, November 22nd, from 6 to 9 PM! Celebrate the holiday season at this free, family-friendly event featuring holiday crafts, raffles and giveaways from our retailers, festive photo opportunities, train rides, hot cocoa, holiday cookies, face painting, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, including storytelling! Split Second Sound will be our DJ, and there will be roaming characters for added entertainment. Don’t miss out on all the festive fun!
FACIALS MASSAGES
BODY TREATMENTS
SAUNA + SALT ROOM
LeAnn Lambert Spa Owner
CAROLINA STRONG
We are heartbroken over the devastation experienced in our state, and we continue to be inspired and amazed at the acts of generosity happening every day.
Please join us as we continue to find ways to support relief efforts in western North Carolina.
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
Jay Ahuja, Michelle Boudin, Andrea Nordstrom Caughey, Matt Chandler, Andrea Cooper, Jim Dodson, J.J. Holshouser, Richard Israel, Juliet Lam Kuehnle, Amanda Lea, Jacqueline Pennington, Laurel Tobias
Contributing Photographers
Thompson Bertschy, Matt Chandler, Daniel Coston, Justin Driscoll, Heather Ison, Richard Israel, Amy Kolo, Tonya Price
Contributing Illustrator Gerry O’Neill
ADVERTISING
Jane Rodewald Sales Manager 704-621-9198 jane@southparkmagazine.com
Cindy Poovey Account Executive 704-497-2220 cindy@southparkmagazine.com
Scott Leonard Audience Development Specialist 704-996-6426
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Letters to the editorial staff: editor@southparkmagazine.com
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Owners
Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels III, David Woronoff in memoriam Frank Daniels Jr. David Woronoff President david@thepilot.com
Published by Old North State Magazines LLC. ©Copyright 2024. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Volume 28, Issue 11
CHARLOTTE’S FINEST
OPEN-AIR SHOPPING AND DINING DESTINATION
EXCLUSIVE BRANDS
ALICE + OLIVIA
J.MCLAUGHLIN
JENNI KAYNE
LA VIE STYLE HOUSE
LADIES OF LINEAGE NIC+ZOE
PETER MILLAR
RAG & BONE
RALPH LAUREN
TAYLOR RICHARDS & CONGER
VERONICA BEARD
WINDSOR JEWELERS
The Muppet Christmas Carol IN CONCERT
November 29 & 30 Ovens Auditorium
Majestic Brass & Organ
December 1 First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte
Cody Fry Christmas A HOLIDAY POPS SPECIAL
December 5 – 7 Knight Theater
Holiday Pops! FAMILY MATINEE
December 7 Knight Theater
Handel’s Messiah
December 13 – 15 Knight Theater
Dianne Reeves CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE
December 18 Knight Theater
Cirque de Noël
December 19 – 22 Knight Theater
by
Photo
Heather Ison Photography
blvd.
people, places, things
GREEN SCENE
Expect craft cocktails in a tropical setting at Folia, a garden-inspired cocktail bar now open in South End. The new outlet from Built on Hospitality (Goodyear House, Haymaker) leans into the botanical theme with “Perennials” like a jalapeño paloma and a Hemingway daiquiri along with “Annuals” — seasonal drinks like the RazBasil (vodka, basil-raspberry syrup, lemon and soda), left, and Folia & Flowers (gin, clarified lemon essence, rose syrup), right. With a drinks menu by cocktail guru Bob Peters, it’s bound to be good. Folia also offers beer, wine and zero-proof beverages to enjoy while snacking on spiced peanuts, nduja flatbread or striped bass crudo from a small food menu. Folia is open Mon.-Thur. from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. and Fri.-Sun. from noon-2 a.m. 1440 S. Tryon St., Ste. 102, foliaclt.com SP
COTTAGE CHARM
by Michelle Boudin |
shop in Elizabeth.
Erin McDermott always had a number in her head: the amount of revenue she wanted to hit in order to feel like a success. “I felt like if I got to the number, I’d feel differently, but I realized you still have to work hard,” says the Charlotte jewelry designer and entrepreneur.
While McDermott hit that number six years ago, she’s working harder than ever these days, having opened her first brick-and-mortar store. Erin McDermott Jewelry debuted at 344 N. Caswell Road in August.
“We call it the Cottage on Caswell,” the mother of three says of the 100-year-old Elizabeth house she bought and renovated. “My mind is always so full of clutter, so we designed the cottage to have a coastal feel — I wanted it to be calm and have a beachy feel with a great porch and lots of event space. I want it to be a place where you walk in and feel like you can take a deep breath.”
Business has been brisk, says McDermott, whose customers are drawn to her trendy earrings, bracelets and colorful beaded necklaces with whimsical names like Ice Cream Shop and Daydream Believer.
Running a brick-and-mortar studio requires a bigger staff, and McDermott is still adjusting to the growth after two decades of mostly working from home. “I’ve always bet on myself, so it’s a little bit challenging trying to grow the team, but I realize I can’t do it all.”
McDermott, 41, started her jewelry business while she was a college student at the University
Erin McDermott brings her thriving jewelry business under one roof in a new brick-and-mortar
photographs by Amy Kolo
of Virginia, beading necklaces and selling them to Charlottesville-area boutiques. She met her now-husband while they were both in school, and she went on to get a master’s degree in elementary education. She worked full time as a teacher while trying to turn her beading hobby into something bigger.
Her husband moved to Charlotte first, and she followed in 2009. Being brand new in town turned out to be beneficial for growing her business.
“When I moved here I didn’t know anyone. [My husband] would fly out for work, and that’s when I dove headfirst into doing the necklaces.” She began exploring the city, popping into boutiques and asking if anyone would carry her jewelry. “Not knowing anyplace in Charlotte was a good thing — I was going in blindly.”
Today, she smiles as she remembers the first store that said yes: Isabella Style in Eastover. “I went in with 15 necklaces, and they took them all. I also sold to Charlotte Yoga, and Jami Masters [School of Dance] was really sweet — all of her recital gifts are my jewelry, even to this day.”
As her family grew, so did the business. The couple moved to Myers Park in 2012, handling packing and order pickups out of their home. But McDermott soon realized she needed more space. She bought a condo for packaging and shipping, while most of the beading was still done at home.
She also wanted to be able to host girls
nights, birthday parties and corporate events. When the house on Caswell came up for sale, she jumped at the chance to create her studio.
“I love to meet people from different places that come in. I want everyone to feel welcome here. I don’t want anyone to feel like, I can’t afford that, or I’m in workout clothes. I always say, come as you are.”
Before opening the store, 95% of McDermott’s sales were from online purchases, but she expects that soon will change.
“Jewelry for me is a vehicle to be able to live this life that I always had in my mind. I thought the money would bring the happiness, but it’s not that.” Instead, it’s become more about making personal connections. “Someone came in [during] chemo, and she wanted statement earrings, or someone comes in and wants gifts for their grandchildren. I have loved seeing everyone who walks in the door.” SP
SOPHISTICATED & SERENE
Stephanie Calderon blends natural elements with a modern design ethos in a Charlotte kitchen. by Cathy Martin | photographs by Heather Ison
Lots of room for cooking and entertaining were key for this young couple from New York City when planning the kitchen renovation of their new south Charlotte home. They also sought an organic, modern design, blending earthy, natural elements with clean lines and a minimalist feel.
Stephanie Calderon, whose designs often channel a sophisticated, West Coast aesthetic, was a natural fit for the job.
“The couple prioritized ample storage and a space for entertaining guests,” says Calderon, principal designer at Stephanie Calderon Interiors. “Cooking is a significant part of their lifestyle, so a large countertop space was also essential.”
Designer Stephanie Calderon selected a green quartzite from Italy for the countertops, and a lighter quartzite from Brazil for the kitchen island. A custom plaster range hood and porcelain brick-like tile backsplash add texture.
A dry bar provides a nook for coffee by day and wine or cocktails at night.
THE DETAILS
DESIGNER: Stephanie Calderon Interiors
BUILDER: Trigg Builders
ARCHITECT: Pfahl Architects
COUNTERTOPS: Harkey Tile & Stone
TILE: Queen City Stone & Tile
To give the couple the additional space they desired, the kitchen was moved from the rear center of the home to a back corner bathed in natural light. “This relocation and expansion allowed for a larger, more functional kitchen to cater to the couple’s daily needs and their love for cooking,” Calderon says.
Shaker-style cabinets crafted from quarter-sawn oak add warmth, while panel-ready appliances and modern pulls create a sleek, cohesive aesthetic.
“Our clients admired the natural beauty of marble but required the durability of quartzite, leading us to select a beautiful green quartzite perimeter slab from Italy and a quartzite island slab from Brazil.” The porcelain tile backsplash adds texture, while brass and black metals complement and coordinate with new black-framed windows.
A new pantry wall provides additional storage, along with a multifunctional dry bar for coffee and cocktails.
“We also included an appliance cabinet to the right of the range to maintain symmetry and provide additional storage,” Calderon says. “We always try and focus on function first, and the overall beauty second.” SP
PERFECT PAIRINGS
FOR THE HOLIDAY HOST
Palate-pleasing selections from Charlotte wine gurus by Jacqueline
Pennington
Preparing a meal for friends and family is gratifying during any season, but there is something special about fall entertaining. The air is cooler, a long braise in the oven is fair game, and hearty roasted vegetables like cabbage, winter squash and broccoli begin to grace our tables once again. Once you’ve decided on the decor and planned the menu, there is the ever-intimidating task of choosing the wine.
Whether you’re preparing a modest fall get-together paired with a budget-friendly bottle or a lavish Thanksgiving meal with a magnum of world-famous wine, we’ve got you covered. SouthPark reached out to local wine experts, and they were eager to share a range of options that will surely please your guests.
FOXCROFT WINE CO.
Andie McKinnon, assistant general manager and retail buyer
When it comes to fall entertaining, a light-bodied, high acid wine is a great place to start, according to McKinnon. “Wine with high acid tends to go really well with all different kinds of foods, especially salty and decadent foods. That acid helps cut
all the fat, and a light-bodied wine works because it’s palatable for everyone,” she explains. McKinnon recommends wines that are lesser-known but will have the same effect as something familiar, like a red Burgundy, Beaujolais or Sancerre.
Frappato from Sicily, Italy: “All Sicilian wines are delicious. Any Italian wine, honestly, is always great with food, but frappato is a really light-bodied, tart, floral style that’s kind of like pinot. So, if you like pinot but you’re adventurous, this is one of my favorite options.”
Barbera from Piedmont, Italy: “This is the most widely grown grape in this region in northern Italy. This is what people there drink every single day at their table. It goes with everything and is fruity and medium-bodied. It’s kind of like the girl next door.”
Sauvignon Blanc from Friuli-Venezia Giulia or Alto Adige: If you’re trying to impress your guests while striking a familiar note, McKinnon recommends these sauvignon blancs from Italy that are a little different in style and a bit richer. “They’ve got some more ripe stone fruit to them and are great with food because they have high acid.”
Personalized primary care.
BOND STREET WINES
Sam Bilski, manager and buyer
For holiday entertaining, Bilski also touches on a couple of high-acid options that stray from the usual picks. “Everybody likes to pop a chardonnay or pinot noir at the holiday dinner, but let’s do something a little different and have something that is a little challenging but is also a safe place to land,” he says.
Grenache/Garnacha from Spain: “I’ve always thought grenache, especially if you’re entertaining, is a great way to go. It’s universal. It pairs with a wide variety of flavors, especially with the sweeter, earthier notes in fall food. It also works in a cocktail setting. If you want to serve a red that makes everybody happy, it’s a great option.”
Jacquère from Jura, France: “This grape is like the perfect little mix between
chardonnay, chenin blanc and sauvignon blanc. The food pairing component of it is amazing. It has acidity, minerality and balance. Also, you’re getting a lot of really good value for money.”
PETIT PHILIPPE
Mark Meissner, owner
Meissner offers a perspective for those looking to lean into the classics and notes that if there’s any time to splurge on a wine, it’s for a holiday meal. These wines are iconic, and for good reason. If you have a wine connoisseur among your guests, these will surely impress.
Cabernet/Merlot blend from Bordeaux, France: “Autumn brings bigger proteins and richer foods that tend to be more intense and extracted. We will do better with fuller bodied reds and, for Old World (wines), that’ll be Bordeaux.”
Cabernet-based Bordeaux from the Left Bank “will be a little more muscular and tannic,” Meissner says. “For Right Bank Bordeaux, you’re looking at a little softer, more elegant red, which would be focused more on merlot.”
White wines from Alsace, France: “There are lots of options for Alsatian whites — principally … riesling, pinot gris, pinot blanc, auxerrois and field blends ... You’re looking for whites that might be spicier and may be a little less oriented around just citrus — one with some good acid, good high tone character, but with more complexity, more white flower and more spice.”
For these experts, these tips are only the beginning. A stop into any of these local shops will present an abundance of options. SP
SUPERLATIVE style
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.
Mary Jayne Wilson’s grandmother, Mary Ann Briley Emmons, aka “Sunshine,” at Thanksgiving
MEMORABLE MEALS
6 Charlotte chefs and bakers share Thanksgiving traditions and tips.
by Michael J. Solender
Autumn in Charlotte brings relief from summer’s steamy grip, as the leaves begin their annual show of vibrant colors ahead of the holiday season. For professional chefs across the Queen City, there’s often a dual emphasis on creating both memorable meals for patrons and for the dining table at home. SouthPark Magazine asked six Charlotte chefs and bakers for their take on the annual fall gratitude fest, from holiday memories to favorite dishes — plus some sage advice for the home chef.
Responses have been lightly edited for length.
MARY JAYNE WILSON, owner of Thoughtful Baking Company
Mary Jayne Wilson, a devout pie-maker, has been lucky to have family members host Thanksgiving over the last few years. “Because of the demands of my business for Thanksgiving pies, it is a treat to be able to show up and eat without cooking,” says Wilson, a Johnson & Wales graduate who launched her business in 2021. “Usually by the time the actual day of Thanksgiving hits, I am fully exhausted from making hundreds of pies for our customers.”
Wilson doesn’t escape without contributing, however. “I do usually try to bring rolls and desserts,” she says. “I am the gravy-maker in my family. I always make sure we have the loveliest rolls to sop up all that perfect gravy.”
One of her favorite family celebrations was a recent Thanksgiving with her late grandmother, who everyone called Sunshine. “She was such a special person that had a big impact on my life. Thanksgivings aren’t the same without her.”
ON THE MENU: Thoughtful Baking customers can look forward to a pie extravaganza at Thanksgiving, with favorites such as traditional pumpkin pie, turkey dinner pot pie, Dutch apple pie (vegan), maple pecan pie and others.
from
SHAI FARGIAN, executive chef and partner at Yafo Kitchen and executive chef at Calle Sol
Shai Fargian’s Thanksgiving meals are a mix of traditional, contemporary and ethnic. “We always have a roasted turkey, sweet potato casserole and pecan pie,” Fargian says. “One of my favorite things in that meal are sausage balls that our cousin makes. For the last couple of years, we made plantain and chorizo stuffing with the Cuban bread we use at Calle Sol. It was delicious and blended in well, as my wife’s family is Cuban.”
Fargian also enjoys Thanksgiving fare from Yafo and Calle Sol, which are part of FS Food Group. “I always bring home some shawarma spiced rotisserie turkey and pans of Yafo mac and cheese.”
His most important tip for home chefs? “Time your food [so it all is ready to serve at once],” Fargian says. “Use both the stovetop and oven, and make as much of the meal in advance as you can.”
ON THE MENU: Yafo Kitchen plans to offer a to-go menu including rotisserie turkey breast, Greek stuffing and mac and cheese at Thanksgiving. At Calle Sol, look for Peruvian turkey, sweet potato casserole and Cuban bread stuffing.
CARLOS NEVAREZ, chef at El Puro Cuban Restaurant
For Carlos Nevarez, Thanksgiving typically involves a visit to his brother’s farm in central Florida, north of Miami, where he grew up.
“Cooking during the holidays can be stressful,” says the Puerto Rico native. “My top tips for home chefs are to stay calm, don’t get overwhelmed and remember to cook from the heart.”
For Nevarez, cooking from the heart means traditional dishes
such as turkey alongside savory and sweet Puerto Rican dishes such as arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), alcapurrias (beef and plantain fritters) and coquito, a coconut-based version of eggnog.
ON THE MENU: While El Puro will be closed for Thanksgiving, the restaurant will host a special pre-holiday event on Thursday, Nov. 14 to mark its third anniversary. Chef Carlos will collaborate with chef Andres Kaifer of Customshop for a Cuban American tasting dinner.
HEATHER KING, executive chef at Steak 48
Because Thanksgiving is a “work” day at the restaurant, Heather King typically hosts her holiday meal — a small gathering of family and friends — the Sunday prior to the holiday. King is “queen” of the home kitchen and is squarely in charge of the main meal.
“My favorite Thanksgiving dish is green bean casserole,” says King, who has worked at Steak 48 since it debuted in Charlotte four years ago. “For me, it immediately evokes a childhood memory. Growing
Clockwise
left: Heather King, Carlos Nevarez, Shai Fargian
up, my grandmother was the one who always made it. Then it switched to my mom, and now it’s me. I’m not ashamed to admit just how much of it I can eat. Here’s a little pro tip for a delicious green bean casserole: Add a little bit of shredded white cheddar to it.”
For King, the Thanksgiving sentiment is as important as the meal.
“I can’t help but smile as I go through pictures from Thanksgiving each year,” she says. “Life gets so busy for everyone, so it’s [few and far] between that you’re together. I love those moments and cherish the memories made when we’re together.”
ON THE MENU: Steak 48 will be open noon-9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, serving its full menu plus a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, maple-glazed seared carrots and more.
JONATHAN SHULER, culinary director at Dilworth Tasting Room (DTR)
Thanksgiving is a traditional affair for Jonathan Shuler, the New York-born chef who has worked at DTR for the last five years. “Everyone brings something, and we eat together as a family” This year, Shuler will get a reprieve from making the big meal as he spends the holiday with his fiance’s family in Georgia. But he does plan to bring a beloved dessert — pumpkin cheesecake. Shuler cautions home chefs that Thanksgiving is not the time for experimentation. He is also an advocate for a technique known as dry brining, letting the turkey “marinate” several hours or overnight in a heavily seasoned dry rub of salt, sugar and spices. The result is a deeper flavor and a moister bird.
ON THE MENU: DTR will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
DOUGLAS AND KAITLIN ROSE, owners of Team Rose Bread
Thanksgiving means all hands on deck for Douglas and Kaitlin Rose, who run an artisan bread shop out of their home near SouthPark. That includes the couple’s four children, ages 8 to 14.
“We begin the day by baking around 1,200 cinnamon rolls for our customers,” Doug Rose says. “When pickups end at 10:30 a.m., we go on a neighborhood turkey trot with our kids and anyone else who wants to join.” That’s followed by a quick afternoon nap to recover from the morning bake, then Thanksgiving dinner at Doug’s parents’ house.
Rose, a traditionalist when it comes to the Thanksgiving meal, has strong opinions on side dishes for the table.
“Every stuffing should have a wild-card ingredient,” he says. “My mom puts water chestnuts in her stuffing (I love crunch!), and Kait’s family puts sausage in their stuffing (some German influence along with a side of sauerkraut).”
And Rose is unequivocal in his stance on cranberry sauce. “I don’t care how amazing your slow simmered, 100-year-old recipe, aromatic-infused cranberry sauce is, the canned, gelatinous variety will always be my first love.”
Always reflective during the season, Douglas recalls a particularly fond Thanksgiving memory from 2018, when the family lived in Italy. “We spent Thanksgiving that year at the goat farm of some dear friends we made while living there. Family and friends flew in to join us, and our Italian friends procured and cooked a turkey for us with some Italian-inspired sides. It was truly special.”
ON THE MENU: Team Rose Bread will offer fresh-baked, classic sourdough brioche cinnamon rolls for pickup Thanksgiving morning. SP
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
PADDLE ON
A local enthusiast’s guide to kayaking around Charlotte by Jay Ahuja
Decades ago, while visiting my younger brother in California, I paddled a sea kayak around Santa Catalina Island while Paul and his girlfriend went scuba diving. Just as they came up from their dive, I completed my circumnavigation and was immediately hooked on kayaking. Now, whenever we travel near water, we seek out places to rent kayaks, whether it’s on a lake, a river, the intracoastal waterway or an ocean. It’s quality time spent outdoors in nature and, depending on conditions, a decent workout.
A few years ago, my wife and I started searching for local kayaking spots with an eye toward someday owning our own boats. Most folks are fully aware of the U.S. National Whitewater Center and its flatwater kayaking options, but it turns out there are quite a few other places within a short drive.
The Boathouse in McAdenville is Catawba Riverkeeper’s spot for kayaking and among my favorites. The center offers guided and self-guided options, full moon paddles and a spider lily tour — a paddle through the spring-blossoming flowers followed by a 1.5-
mile hike through Landsford Canal State Park in Catawba, South Carolina. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit’s efforts to preserve water quality, so it’s a good time and a great cause. LEARN MORE: Visit catawbariverkeeper.org
Cane Creek Park is our go-to kayaking spot, in part because it’s close to our Mint Hill home, but also because it has a good-sized lake that takes several hours to paddle all the way around and has very few motor boats, so it’s tranquil. It costs $4 to park and $20 for a two-hour rental. LEARN MORE: Visit unioncountync.gov
Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill offers two-hour rentals on Lake Haigler for $16 per person, and reservations are required. This may be the most beginner-friendly option. LEARN MORE: Visit ascgreenway.org
iKayak will deliver kayaks, paddles, dry bags, and life vests to Neck Road Boat Ramp on Mountain Island Lake in Huntersville for just $25 for the first hour and $5 each additional hour. This is another sizable lake and a terrific option for experienced kayakers
who do not have their own equipment. LEARN MORE: Visit ikayakcharlotte.com
Also at Mountain Island Lake in the Latta Nature Preserve, Quest Nature Center offers guided stargazing kayaking tours for ages 16 and up that cost $20 per person. The center also offers private group tours for groups of five or more. LEARN MORE: Call 980-314-1129
McDowell Nature Preserve on Lake Wylie is the oldest preserve in Mecklenburg County. In addition to 8 miles of hiking trails, the preserve offers guided kayaking tours. They fill up at least a month in advance, and reservations are required. LEARN MORE: Visit parkandrec.mecknc.gov/Activities/ paddling or call 980-314-1128
If you already have your own boat, nearby Riverwalk in Rock Hill offers a 2.75-mile trip that starts at Fort Mill Dam, includes a pair of Class I/II rapids and ends at River Park. LEARN MORE: Visit riverwalkcarolinas.com
This is by no means a comprehensive list of local kayaking options, and the “kayaking season” at each place varies, so be sure to call ahead or visit their websites. While Charlotte may be hours from the intracoastal and the ocean, there are plenty of opportunities, by day or night, to kayak our local rivers and lakes — so paddle on! SP
PUSH-BUTTON STORIES
A short-story dispenser at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library aims to build literacy and highlight the joy of reading.
by Michael J. Solender
Mere hours after Tony Tallent, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s associate director for library experiences, installed a new push-button short-story dispenser he observed the magical spell the slender steel-and-glass kiosk cast over patrons.
The “story ATM” was introduced last summer at the South County Regional Library. Developed and managed by the French global publishing house, Short Edition, the 3-foot tall machine provides short stories, poetry and fiction “on the fly” and free of charge.
The stories are dispensed at the touch of a button on a receipt-like piece of thermal paper about 2 inches wide and up to 18 inches long. No ink is used, as printing is performed by a heat-transfer process.
“One of our first users of the kiosk was a family from Austria that happened to be at the library that day,” Tallent recalls. “They had no idea what it was and had someone translating for them. They were thrilled when the story popped up. It was a joyous day.”
Stories are limited to 7,000 characters, roughly between 1,000 and 1,500 words. More than 300 story dispensers currently stand in airports, public transportation hubs, retail centers and other locations around the world. There are five kiosks across North Carolina, including the one in Charlotte.
The catalog includes more than 100,000 stories from genres like humor, magical realism, love and loss, young adult, nostalgia, romance, absurd, and modern love. Authors range from contest winners and emerging writers to renowned classical essayists such as Tennyson, Longfellow and L. Frank Baum. Stories are randomly dispensed, which adds to the surprise.
Marcellus “MT” Turner, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s CEO and chief librarian, became aware of the kiosks a few years ago when he held a similar role with the Seattle Public Library. After bringing a kiosk to Seattle, he saw it take off in popularity.
“People responded to having a story at their hands,” Turner says. “Before a program started in our big auditorium, we would put it at the front of the room and people would pick up a story and then they’d pass it around and share it with others. People would read them while they were waiting for a program. These are wonderful opportunities to get people reading.”
The kiosk was provided to the library system by the Principal Foundation as part of a financial-literacy program (the kiosk also dispenses “money chronicles” — fiction and creative nonfiction with a money theme). The nonprofit foundation supports communities where the Principal financial-services firm operates.
“Our goal is to have the kiosk travel throughout our library network,” Tallent says.
The kiosk was moved to SouthPark Regional Library last fall. Since its initial installation in August 2023, more than 2,000 stories have been dispensed.
Aspiring writers can submit unpublished tomes for consideration through Short Edition’s portal, accessed through a QR code displayed on the kiosk.
Turner says he’d love to add more dispensers, and hopes to have one at Imaginon with children’s story content, and at Charlotte Mecklenburg County’s main library when it reopens in 2026. “These are simply one more reason to visit the library.” SP
BY MICHAEL J. SOLENDER
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now open
Albertine, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from Joe and Katy Kindred, is now open Wed.-Sun. in uptown. Healthy fast-casual spot Sweetgreen debuted its first North Carolina location in uptown at One Independence Center. Asheville’s Chop Shop Butchery opened its second location at 2820 Selwyn Ave. in Myers Park.
The Ivey’s Hotel in uptown was named to the Michelin Guide’s 2024 list of outstanding hotels. It’s one of five North Carolina hotels awarded a Michelin Key.
Merchant & Trade set the standard for rooftop venues in Charlotte when it opened in 2017. Now, the 19th-floor bar and lounge at uptown’s Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel proves it’s still leading the way after unveiling a rainforest-inspired renovation with a softer, botanical aesthetic.
“Our vision was to enhance what was already a beloved spot by introducing design elements and experiences that align with the evolving preferences of our guests,” says Chris Baliles, director of restaurants, bars, and events at the Kimpton.
The faux “lawn” was replaced with wood flooring; new furnishings include rattan chairs, teak tables and neutral-toned sofas. Lush greenery and two new murals by Raleigh artist Gabriel Eng-Goetz add to the botanical vibe.
While the sprawling 4,500-square-foot space has a refreshed look, one thing hasn’t changed: the spectacular panoramic views of uptown and beyond.
Merchant & Trade is open 5 p.m.- midnight Tuesday-Friday, 2 p.m.-midnight on Saturday, and 2-10 p.m. on Sunday, with live DJs on the weekends. 303 Church St., merchantandtrade.com.
gone too soon
Girl Tribe closed its SouthPark store at Morrison. The South End store remains open. El Thrifty Social closed after five years at Optimist Hall. Indonesian restaurant Nusa closed at the Arboretum.
November HAPPENINGS
For more arts happenings this month, view our 2024 Fall Arts Preview online at southparkmagazine.com.
EVENTS + ACTIVITIES
Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival
Nov. 2-3
This annual event showcases the incredible skill and intelligence of sheepdogs as they compete in a variety of challenges. Look for dog adoptions, dog training demos, and food and drinks for sale. Tickets are $6-28. ruralhill.net
Verse & Vino
Nov. 7
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation’s annual gala features four best-selling authors: Essie Chambers, Emiko Jean, Edward Lee and Jessica Shattuck. Tickets include a cocktail hour, dinner, and book sales and signings. Tickets start at $200. foundation.cmiibrary.org
Sarah Silverman: Postmortem
Nov. 9
The former SNL writer, actress and twotime Emmy winner brings her latest stand-up
comedy show to Ovens Auditorium. Tickets start at $45. ticketmaster.com
Ally Tipoff
Nov. 10
This doubleheader at Spectrum Center features the South Carolina Gamecocks — the defending national champions — vs. the N.C. State Wolfpack and a rematch of last year’s game between Iowa and Virginia Tech. Ticket prices vary. ticketmaster.com
Tedeschi Trucks Band: Deuces Wild Tour
Nov. 12-13
This 12-piece powerhouse ensemble, led by the husband-and-wife duo of guitarist Derek Trucks and singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi, brings their roots rock music to Ovens Auditorium for two nights. ticketmaster.com
Southern Christmas Show
Nov. 14-24
It’s a holiday tradition in Charlotte and the largest Christmas show in North America, with hundreds of vendors under one roof at The Park Expo & Conference Center. Tickets start at $18 for adults. There’s a preview night Nov. 13. southernchristmasshow.com
Molly Tuttle
Nov. 14
The Grammy Award-winning folk/bluegrass/roots singer has been praised by Billboard for her “earthy-yet-angelic” vocals. She plays The Underground with special guest, Two Runner. General admission tickets are $48. livenation.com
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven x Beyoncé
Nov. 15-16
In this innovative musical fusion, Beyoncé’s songs are blended with Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. The night includes some of Bey’s biggest hits like “Crazy in Love,” “Single Ladies,” and “Texas Hold ’Em.” Knight Theater. charlottesymphony.org
The Secret Garden
Nov. 15-17
Based on the children’s classic by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this Queen City Concerts production of the Tony Awardwinning musical tells the story of orphan Mary Lennox, who goes to live with her uncle and his son at their dreary estate. Tickets start at $18; Booth Playhouse. blumenthalarts.org
Novant Health Charlotte Marathon
SouthPark Holiday Hop
Nov. 29-Dec. 31
To kick off the holiday shopping season, SouthPark Community Partners brings back the SouthPark Holiday Hop. Expect holiday-inspired public art installations, seasonal deals from merchants and restaurants, and special events. Starting November 15, ride around SouthPark for free using Skipper, a new microtransit service similar to Uber. Rides will be offered daily from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. southparkclt.org
Founder’s Vision: The Private Collection of Barbara Babcock Millhouse at Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem through Dec. 15
While the Reynolda House already boasts an impressive collection of more than 200 works of American art, this show presents additional works from founder Barbara Millhouse’s personal collection. Many of the 50-plus
Help on the Way: A Benefit for Western N.C. Hurrican Relief
Nov. 16 | 2 p.m.
Live music, a silent auction, food-truck fare and great beer are on tap at this fundraiser for the Western Carolina Emergency Network and western N.C. musicians at the Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing.
Novant Health Charlotte Marathon
Nov. 16
Runners can tackle the 26.2-mile course, or choose a half marathon, 5K or relay events. Start times begin at 7:20 a.m., but corrals open at 6:30 a.m on Tryon Street near Levine Avenue of the Arts. runsignup.com
Room to Bloom: Fall EnrichMINT Forum at Mint Museum Uptown
Nov. 20 | 9:30 a.m.
The kickoff of the Mint Museum Auxiliary’s Room to Bloom celebration honors former Vogue photography editor Ivan Shaw, now corporate photography director at Conde Nast and visuals editor for The World of Interiors. mintmuseumauxiliary.org
Some Like it Hot
Nov. 26-Dec. 1
Set in Chicago during Prohibition, this Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters on their heels, they catch a cross-country train and set out on a life-changing trip. Tickets start at $30; Belk Theater. blumenthalarts.org
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Nov. 27 I 5:45 p.m.
This year will be the 78th annual parade, which draws thousands of spectators to Tryon Street in uptown. It’s an impressive spectacle with high school marching bands, dance groups and performers. Free to attend, though reserved VIP seats are available for $35. novanthealththanksgivingparade.com
Charlotte Turkey Trot
Nov. 28
Billed as the largest running event in North Carolina, the races drew more than 10,000 participants last year. Races start at Symphony Park and range from an 8K to a 50-yard Tot Trot. Bring an unwrapped toy to support CMPD
works by Romare Bearden, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe and others are on view publicly for the first time, along with costumes and memorabilia. Millhouse gifted the home, her family’s former country estate, to the community in 1967.
Explorer’s Holiday Toy Drive. Adult registration starts at $30. cltturkeytrot.com
GALLERIES + MUSEUMS
Chance Encounters: Surrealism Then and Now through March 3, 2025
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the movement, which was founded in Paris in 1924, this exhibit showcases art from The Bechtler’s collection, including works by Jean Arp, Max Ernst, Joan Miró and others. bechtler.org
In a Wave: Holly Coulis and Clare Grill
Nov. 12-Dec. 31
This exhibition at SOCO Gallery features works by Athens-based artist Holly Coulis, known for her colorful abstract still lifes, and the delicate, layered compositions of New York artist Clare Grill. socogallery.com SP
Scan the QR code on your mobile device to stay updated on events at southparkmagazine.com.
Oscar Bluemner (1867–1938) Moonshine Fantasy, 1929, oil on panel
Yasuo Kuniyoshi (1889–1953) Still Life, 1928, oil on canvas
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Arts.orgSTARVING
Kurma Murrain graduated from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and is a published Colombian born American poet. Her works include the books Esta Soy and In the Prism of Your Soul as well as collaborative projects. For her most recent book Coffee, Love and The American Dream, which she published thanks to the Charlotte Is Creative HUG (mini-grant, Kurma was awarded Author of the Year by Queen City Awards in 2021.
Her poetry and writings have appeared in online magazines and international publications such as El Tiempo (Colombia), Label Me Latina/o, Iodine Poetry Journal, Qué Pasa Mi Gente, (United States), and Focus Magazine in China.
In 2021 Kurma was one of the faces of the Latin American Chamber Of Commerce of Charlotte’s #ChangeTheNarrative video campaign. In addition, she was a model in Irisol Gonzalez’s mural “Lavarse las Manos”. The mural hung in The Mint Museum for a year.
Her love story, which happens during a global pandemic, is in the archives of the Mint Museum, the Levine Museum, and UNC Charlotte.
Kurma’s personal story was featured during the I Am Queen Charlotte week and the coffee table book with the same name. She also performed her cumbia dance at the Belk and the Knight Theatre while her story was being told.
Kurma was added to the César Chávez Liderazgo Hall of Fame by the National Council for Leadership during the Annual César Chávez Contemplation Breakfast and is an inductee of Who’s Who in Black Charlotte.
She has been painted and photographed by the most renown artists in Charlotte, such as Eva Crawford, Jeff Cravotta, Gregory Thielker, Julio Gonzalez, and John Mejía among others.
NOVEMBER BOOKS
Notable new releases compiled by Sally Brewster
Time of the Child by Niall Williams
Dr. Jack Troy was born and raised in Faha, Ireland, but his responsibilities for the sick and his care for the dying mean he has always been set apart from the town. His eldest daughter, Ronnie, has grown up in her father’s shadow and remains there, having missed one chance at love — and passed up another offer of marriage from an unsuitable man. But in the Advent season of 1962, as the town readies itself for Christmas, Ronnie and Dr. Troy’s lives are turned upside down when a baby is left in their care. As the winter passes, their lives and the understanding of their family and their role in their community are changed forever.
The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami
“Truth is not found in fixed stillness, but in ceaseless change/ movement. Isn’t this the quintessential core of what stories are all about?” writes Haruki Murakami in the afterword to The City and Its Uncertain Walls. The long-awaited new novel from Murakami revisits a town his readers will remember, a place where a dream reader reviews dreams and where our shadows become untethered from ourselves. A love story, a quest, an ode to books and to the libraries that house them, and a parable for these strange postpandemic times, The City and Its Uncertain Walls is a singular and towering achievement by one of modern literature’s most important writers.
The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri
Family secrets come to light as a young woman fights to save herself and others in a Nazi-run baby factory — a real-life Handmaid’s Tale — during World War II. In a sleepy German village, Allina’s life is idyllic: She works at the bookshop with her uncle, makes strudel with her aunt, and spends the weekends with her friends and fiance. But it’s 1939, and on one fateful night, her life changes forever. The Sunflower House is a meticulously-researched debut historical novel set at Hochland Home, part of the notorious Lebensborn Program in Nazi Germany. Women of “pure” blood resided there for the sole purpose of perpetuating the Aryan population, giving birth to thousands of babies. With her life on the line, Allina is forced to work as a nurse in Hochland Home. Her Jewish identity must remain a secret in
order for her to survive, but when she discovers the neglect occurring within the home, she is determined not only to save herself but also the children in her care.
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
As Indigenous scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth — its abundance of sweet, juicy berries — to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution ensures its own survival. As Kimmerer explains, “Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency.”
Water,
Water by Billy Collins
In this collection of 60 new poems, Billy Collins writes with more intimacy than ever before about the beauties and ironies of everyday experience. A poem is best, he feels, when it begins in clarity but ends with a whiff of mystery. In Water, Water, Collins combines his vigilant attention and respect for the peripheral to create moments of delight, while revealing more about himself as a poet than we’ve ever encountered. Common and uncommon events are captured here with equal fascination, be it a cat leaning to drink from a swimming pool, a nurse calling a name in a waiting room, or an astronaut reciting Emily Dickinson from outer space. With his trademark lyrical informality, Collins asks us to slow down and glimpse the elevated in the ordinary, the odd in the familiar. SP
Sally Brewster is the proprietor of Park Road Books, 4139 Park Rd., parkroadbooks.com.
READING ROUNDUP
New and noteworthy books from Queen City authors
by J.J. Holshouser
Charlotte minister and social justice advocate Greg Jarrell has written a groundbreaking book, Our Trespasses, that examines how urban renewal in the 1960s led to the destruction of Charlotte’s vibrant — and predominantly Black — Brooklyn neighborhood. He describes the movement, which displaced more than 1,000 families, as a “haunted” history, and one that must be reckoned with. In the book, subtitled “White Churches and the Taking of American Neighborhoods,” Jarrell traces the story of Abram and Annie North, both born enslaved, who purchased a home on East 2nd Street in Charlotte’s Brooklyn neighborhood following the Civil War. Yet in 1963, the home was razed, and today, the site of the Norths’ home stands tucked beneath a corner of First Baptist Church. Through extensive research and dozens of interviews, Jarrell uncovers the story of how First Baptist Church came to acquire its current location and explores how issues of race, religion, geography and policy have shaped Charlotte. Jarrell spent six years working on Our Trespasses. In addition to telling the history of the Brooklyn neighborhood, he examines the responsibilities people of today — especially white Christians — bear toward those who were harmed by urban renewal efforts. “Learning history,” he writes, “cannot be only about empathy for those harmed. The drive for awareness is merely amusement unless we know ourselves on the bulldozer, in the council chambers, casting the vote we wish we hadn’t cast, exploiting tenants, drawing redlining maps, singing our conquest songs and reading our conquest stories… And, knowing ourselves and our institutions, to act. To write new songs… to give back the ill-gotten gain… to confront the legacies within us that made those things part of our faith, part of our witness in the world.”
Longtime Charlottean Cheslie Kryst seemed to have it all. She was an accomplished attorney and pageant queen who became a correspondent on the entertainment news show Extra But behind the scenes, Kryst battled depression, and in January 2022, she died by suicide at the age of 30. By the Time You Read This is the manuscript Kryst was about to publish before her tragic death. In it, she describes the highs of her professional life — passing the bar exam, winning the Miss USA pageant — as well as the heartbreak, betrayal and persistent depression she dealt with in her personal life. In the second half of the book, Kryst’s mother, April Simpkins, picks up the story, sharing what she experienced in the aftermath of her daughter’s suicide. Simpkins published the book to share insight into how depression and mental illness can impact families. Proceeds will benefit the Cheslie C. Kryst Memorial Fund for Mental Health.
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In Fire and Bones, bestselling author and part-time Charlotte resident Kathy Reichs brings back forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan in a thriller set in Washington, D.C. When Tempe is summoned to the nation’s capital to analyze the victims of a deadly fire, she begins to uncover the mysterious history of the building where the fire took place. As she digs deeper, a second deadly arson attack claims another victim, and Tempe finds herself in the crosshairs of danger. Fire and Bones is the 23rd book in Reichs’ series, which is based on her experience as an international expert in forensic anthropology.
Mental-health counselor Diane Reid Lyon has worked with neurodivergent children and their families for more than 30 years. The term “neurodivergent” is used to describe individuals whose brains process, learn or behave differently from what is considered typical and includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Lyon, who has a private practice in Matthews, recently published Caring for Yourself, Caring for your Neurodivergent Child. In her book, she provides practical advice on diagnosis and school management, tips to help parents recognize and cope with their own emotions as they come to terms with their child’s diagnosis, and ways to incorporate self-care to avoid burnout.
Charlotte author Maya Myers released a new children’s book in April featuring the return of her beloved character Dot. In Not Perfect, Dot feels like her efforts to achieve keep falling flat. Her cupcakes look funny, her soccer kicks miss the goal, and she never measures up to the accomplishments of her friends and family. It takes a tricky school assignment to help Dot learn important lessons about persistence and embracing imperfections. Not Perfect, illustrated by Hyewon Yum, is designed for children ages 4 to 8 and was named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.
In Start with the Art, Charlotte designer Natalie Papier teams with writer Stephanie Sisco to show how favorite pieces of art can serve as inspiration for decorating. Papier, star of the Magnolia Network television series Artfully Designed, explains that art is everywhere, whether it’s an heirloom object, a painting, a fun collection or a textile. Her book features visual guides and practical advice to help readers build from their inspiration to incorporate textures, colors and furnishings that make spaces feel uniquely their own. SP
THE SACRED MONTH
A time to go inside by
Jim Dodson
Long ago, I decided that November is the most sacred month.
To my way of thinking, on so many levels, no other holds as much mystery, beauty and spiritual meaning as the eleventh month of the calendar.
The landscape gardener in me is always relieved when the weather turns sharply cooler and there’s an end to the constant fever of pruning and weeding, plus fretting over plants struggling from the heat and drought of a summer that seems to grow more punishing each year.
Once the leaves are gathered up, and everything is cut back and mulched for the winter, not only does my planning “mind” kick in with what’s to be done for next year, but the beautifully bare contours of the earth around me become a living symbol — and annual reminder — of life’s bittersweet circularity and the relative brevity of our journey through it.
The hilly old neighborhood where we reside is called Starmount Forest for good reason, owing to the mammoth oaks and sprawling maples that kindly shelter us with shade in summer and stand like druid guardians throughout the year, season after season. Beginning this month, the skies become clearer and the nighttime stars glimmer like diamonds on black velvet through their bare and mighty arms, hence the neighborhood’s name: a “mount” where the “stars” shine at night.
Of course, there is risk living among such monarchs of the forest. Every now and then, one of these elderly giants drops a large limb or,
worse, topples over, proving their own mortality, sometimes taking out part of a house or a garage, or just blocking the street until work crews arrive with chainsaws. As far as I know, no one has ever been seriously injured or killed by our neighborhood trees, though the growing intensity of summer storms seems to elevate the danger. Lately, some neighborhood newcomers, prefiguring catastrophe, have taken to cutting down their largest oaks as an extra measure of security in a world where, as actuaries and sages agree, there really is no guaranteed thing. In the meantime, the rest of us have made something of a Faustian bargain with these soulful giants for the privilege of living among them. We care for them and (sometimes) they don’t fall on us.
Speaking of “soul,” no month spiritually embodies it better than November.
All Souls’ Day, also called the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, comes on the second day of the eleventh month, a day of prayer and remembrance observed by Christians for centuries. The day before All Souls’ is All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day or the Feast of All Saints, a celebration in honor of all the saints of the church, whether they are known or unknown. Every four years, the first Tuesday that follows the first Monday of November is our national Election Day, a day considered sacred by citizens who believe in the right to vote their conscience and tend the garden of democracy. Congress established this curious weekday of voting in 1845 on the theory that, since a majority of Americans were
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(at that moment) farmers or residents of rural communities, their harvests would generally have been completed, with severe winter weather yet to arrive that could impede travel. Tuesday was also chosen so that voters could attend church on Sunday and have a full day to travel to and from their polling place on Monday, arriving home on Wednesday, just in time for traditional market day across America.
Like daylight saving time (which, by the way, ends Sunday, Nov. 3) some critics believe “Tuesday voting” is a relic of a bygone time, requiring modern voters to balance a busy workday with the sacred obligation of voting. For what it’s worth, I tend to fall into the camp that advocates a newly established voting “holiday weekend” that would begin with the first Friday that follows the first Thursday of November, allowing three full days to exercise one’s civic obligation, throw a nice neighborhood cookout and mow the lawn for the last time.
While we’re in the spirit of reforming the calendar, would someone please ditch daylight saving time, a genuine relic of the past that totally wrecks the human body’s natural circadian rhythms? Farmers had it right: Rise with the sun and go to bed when it sets.
Next up in November’s parade of sacred moments is Veterans Day, which arrives on the 11th, a federal holiday that honors military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, established in the aftermath of World War I with the signing of the Armistice with Germany that went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day at the urging of major U.S. military organizations.
November’s gentler sunlight — at least here in the Northern Hemisphere — feels like a benediction falling across the leafless landscape, quite fitting for a month where we go “inside” literally and figuratively to celebrate the bounty of living on Earth. In the Celtic mind, late autumn is the time of the “inner harvest,” when gratitude and memory yield their own kind of fertility.
“Correspondingly, when it is autumn in your life, the things that happened in the past, the experiences that were sown in the clay of your heart, almost unknown to you, now yield their fruit,” wrote the late Irish poet John O’Donohue.
First celebrated in 1621, Thanksgiving was decreed “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” on Nov. 26, 1789, by George Washington. Then it was proclaimed a national holiday on the last Thursday of November by Abe Lincoln. During the Great Depression in 1939, it was moved to the third Thursday of the month by Franklin Roosevelt to extend Christmas shopping days. Finally, in 1941, the fourth Thursday of November was established as the federal holiday.
But for most folks, the observance of Thanksgiving embodies, I suspect, many of the things we hold sacred in life: The gathering of families, memories of loved ones, lots of laughter, good food, and friendly debates over football and politics.
I give extra thanks for Thanksgiving each year, especially the day after when those who hold bargain-hunting on “Black Friday” a sacred ritual thankfully disappear and I am free to enjoy my favorite “loaded” turkey sandwich and take a nice long afternoon nap by the fire to celebrate my favorite holiday. SP
Jim Dodson is a writer in Greensboro.
TTHE LIFE OF PIE
A Southern transplant’s newfound passion for pastry by
Andrea Nordstrom Caughey
en years ago, my default restaurant order was a grilled chicken salad, dressing on the side. I hadn’t touched a burger in nearly 20 years and was proud to be a recovered cheese abuser. Living in Del Mar, California, sustenance was achingly healthy, that’s for sure. But indulgent or even a wee bit naughty? Not so much.
Today, after trading the West for the South (Davidson, North Carolina) our local pie company is a “Favorite” on my iPhone. And while I don’t bake many pies at home, they have become my gift of choice for so many people and for so many reasons.
There’s nothing like chocolate chess to celebrate a graduation. Or coconut cream for a knee replacement. Wild blueber ry says, “I’m sorry,” and any sort of apple crumble will quickly melt away the stress of a client presentation. Truth.
Tracing the roots of my present pie obsession is complex, a latent craving that had been oozing to break free, just like the warm, sweet-sour filling of a cherry tart.
Because my postwar mother was not much of a baker, preferring Mrs. Smith’s frosty, turnkey gems, my main inspiration for pies came from Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show. Aunt Bee’s contagious belly laugh as she whisked an ap ple-laden extravagance fresh from the oven is a magical memory of childhood.
Years later, while home from college one summer and newly inspired with all things creative (picture candles, macrame and tie-dye), I secretly attempted to make a cherry pie as a gift for my parents. Using fruit I had personally harvested during a Door County, Wisconsin, road trip, I attempted to hide my rolling, mixing and pouring shenanigans under our basement pingpong table. While it didn’t go well, it marked the start of a slow roll into continued and persistent baking attempts throughout adulthood, forging an endless stream of confections I bastardized in hundreds of ways.
often meant tracking down the lone passionate baker hidden in a cloud of flour within a dying strip mall in lieu of the James Beard pastry chef finalist.
I also learned that pie is a great leveler, stirring up connections, conversations and long-forgotten family memories like that cherished 1940s-era soiled and shredded cookbook hauled out ahead of holiday gatherings.
Example: While savoring a key-lime masterpiece at the legendary Beverly Hills Peninsula Club Bar, I found myself sharing serving suggestions and etiquette with former Pittsburgh Steeler and bon vivant Terry Bradshaw. Unbeknownst to his fan base, Bradshaw is an unabashed pie connoisseur, skilled in the nuanced art of pretending to “clean up” the edge of a slice while actually scooping out clandestine filling.
One last cautionary note to my fellow pie nation: Like artificial intelligence, pies have been known to commandeer the psyche of their patrons. My husband should know. One Christmas, he received a yearlong Marie Callender’s “Pie of the Month” gift card from his mother. Around July, he remembered the gift, but by then I had quietly purchased and consumed all 12 pies single-handedly, rationalizing them as fuel for a busy PR practice.
Now, when we travel, finding a great pie shop is a must — whether near a local blueberry patch in the Midwest or along the shores of a New England beach town, where pies morph into full-blown fish-chicken-beef entrees, too.
A few final musings on pie: Don’t discount the subtle glory of hand pies, tarts and galettes. Most pies benefit exponentially from whipped cream and ice cream. Consider carefully if you are a crumble or crust person. Pies are not crisps, brown Betties, cobblers or buckles. Pies are always a breakfast food —and often lunch and dinner, too. SP
As with many pie aficionados, my enthusiasm began to shift from baking them to simply buying the best I could find. That
Andrea Nordstrom Caughey is a writer in Davidson, a small-town junkie and a connoisseur of pie.
LET ’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS
Young Men’s Service League prepares teens for the future while strengthening bonds to last a lifetime.
by Amanda Lea
The Young Men’s Service League (YMSL) has a clear and powerful mission: bringing mothers and their teen sons together to serve their communities while fostering leadership skills. The national program is based on three pillars — service, learning and leadership — preparing young men to become compassionate, confident leaders through philanthropy, practical life lessons and leadership roles.
The nonprofit was founded in Texas in 2001 by Pam Rosener and has since grown to over 170 chapters nationwide. Kathy Cater, founder of the Charlotte chapter, was inspired to bring YMSL to her community after learning about it from her sister-in-law in Atlanta. “She continually shared her love for the organization and the time spent with her sons serving others,” Cater says. Eager to replicate this experience in her own community, Cater discussed the idea with other moms at one of her son’s basketball games. Within weeks, the idea took off.
The Charlotte chapter began in 2023 and operates in and around south Charlotte. The local chapter currently includes high-schoolers from Charlotte Latin, Myers Park, Providence and
Providence Day schools. The organization has quickly become a powerful engine for local community service, Cater says. In the Charlotte chapter’s first year, 240 members contributed more than 3,100 volunteer hours at 22 local nonprofits, including Aldersgate Living, Alexander Youth Network, Common Heart, Nourish Up, Roof Above and Ronald McDonald House.
Amy Andrews has been involved in the Charlotte chapter of YMSL since day one. Her son, Ethan, is a senior in the program. “He’s always had a heart for service, but it’s not always easy to find opportunities that work with his interests and our family’s schedule,” Andrews says. “YMSL makes it easy to find organizations for Ethan to work with. It’s really a plug-and-play framework that pairs perfectly with their availability and interests.”
While the community-service component of YMSL is valuable, the program’s focus on leadership and life skills sets it apart. Meetings follow the national YMSL curriculum, incorporating lessons in responsibility, respect, integrity and community. Through workshops and guest speakers, the young men learn practical skills, such as changing a tire and basic self-defense, as well as how to
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manage relationships and prepare for college. “It’s about equipping them for life,” Andrews explains. “They’re learning how to be responsible, empathetic leaders.”
Cater has seen firsthand the transformation in her son and others. “At the beginning, many of the boys were nervous about speaking in front of their peers,” Cater says. “But after a year of volunteering and leading meetings, their confidence has skyrocketed. They’re starting to realize the difference they’re making and the bonds they’re creating, and it’s been incredible to witness their growth.”
YMSL has become a bridge between mothers and their sons during a phase of life where distance is natural, Cater says. “It spans that gap a bit. When you serve together, you grow together. The most rewarding part has been watching these young men discover what they’re capable of — and the conversations we can share along the way.”
For Andrews and Ethan, YMSL has become a chance for connection, growth and reflection.
The car rides to and from service events often provide the space for deeper discussion,” Andrews adds. “We talk about what we saw, how we felt, and how we can continue making a difference.”
Joyti Dhillon, a YMSL Charlotte chapter mom, says she has been excited to see her son’s confidence transform through volunteering. “At first, he was hesitant to approach people when we were fundraising, but by the end of the day, he was easily striking up conversations,” Dhillon says. “It’s a skill that will serve him well in college and beyond.”
Dhillon says she has also seen a trickle-down effect on her third-grade son. “He sees what his brothers are doing and learning through YMSL,” Dhillon says. “He already wants to follow in their footsteps.”
In addition to the young men’s meetings, there’s space for the moms to connect, too. “The women’s meetings we have throughout the year are a chance to sit in community together and discuss topics relevant to raising teen boys,” Andrews shares. “We’re also able to hear from our community partners and learn how we can best support them.”
Cater is excited to see the Charlotte chapter continue to thrive as the young men and their moms become more engaged with the community and with one another. “Our calendar this year has even more depth and variety than last year, so we know we will continue to flourish,” Cater says. “Within the next two years we will have four full classes, with 30 young men in each class, and a total of more than 240 moms and sons.”
For those looking to join YMSL, the chapter will open enrollment in spring 2025 — though spaces fill up fast. “We encourage others to start new chapters to continue to grow the reach of the organization,” Cater says. SP
Learn more about the Charlotte chapter of The Young Men’s Service League at chapters.ymsl.org/chapter/charlotte
November 9 - December 31, 2024
There’s a sweet spot for communicating effectively, a way of speaking that falls between being passive and being aggressive, and is also not passive-aggressive. For a lot of us, this sweet spot can feel quite uncomfortable if we aren’t used to relating in this way.
Passive communication tends to come from a place of people-pleasing and not wanting to rock the boat. This style of relating is about keeping the peace. It is common for a passive communicator to be either very unaware of their own needs or in the habit of overriding them in order to meet the needs of others. A passive communicator can sometimes feel like a doormat, easily taken advantage of and dismissed by others who are used to them being a “yes” person or not vocalizing opinions or desires.
Aggressive communication is much more demanding and often overbearing. This person tends to steamroll, dominate, and insist on being heard and getting their way. They prioritize their needs and wishes and dismiss those of others. Aggressive communication can include louder speaking volume and intimidating body language.
Passive-aggressive communicators might have awareness of their needs and opinions, but they don’t know how to effectively relay those to others. This style comes across as manipulative or gaslighting, with a heavy dose of silent treatment or snide comments. Our communication styles are often influenced and formed from our early relationships and attachments. Was it safe for us to express our needs and emotions when we were young? Was healthy communication modeled for us? Were we validated or
SAY WHAT?
How understanding our communication styles positively impacts our relationships
by Juliet Lam Kuehnle
invalidated? Was our emotional intelligence supported so that we learned to identify what we were feeling?
We also express ourselves differently based on different dynamics and relationships. For example, the people we’re closest with tend to receive more of our aggressive or passive-aggressive styles. Our mood and self-esteem also influence our ability to communicate directly and assertively. We aren’t expected to be assertive 100% of the time (I’m a therapist, and you can ask my mom if I’m always assertive with her … spoiler alert: of course not!). The good news, though, is that we can always practice new communication styles and return to a previous experience and seek repair.
Assertiveness is a balance of being aware of our needs and respecting those of others. It isn’t accusatory, demanding or confusing but clear, direct and with ownership. Assertiveness includes a lot of “I language” (e.g. “When you leave the dirty dishes in the sink, I feel disrespected and undervalued”). With assertiveness, there is room for both parties’ opinions and desires (e.g. “I’m in the mood for Indian food tonight. Does that work for you?” or “I really don’t feel like going to that restaurant, let’s brainstorm other options”).
Practicing assertiveness starts with getting clear on what is important to us so that we have confidence in relaying our opinions, feelings, wants and needs. Then, we have to learn to trust that we can tolerate the other person’s response, knowing it’s out of our control, and knowing that they have the agency to practice their own assertiveness, as well.
Juliet recently spoke with David Sanchez, therapist and founder of Charlotte Counseling Associates. Below are excerpts from their interview, lightly edited.
You see many intersections of stigma in the population your practice works with (i.e. men, addiction, misunderstanding of problematic sexual behaviors).
I’m most interested in the person underneath the behavior than the behavior or getting caught up in labels. We talk about how the problem developed and where the client wants to go. It might be something you did, but not who you are.
Having a nonjudgmental space is such an antidote for shame. Do you see patterns in the clients you work with?
Many of our male clients have an anxious attachment and don’t want to be rejected or abandoned. “Nice guys” don’t know how to ask for their needs or get these needs met. Maybe they’ve tried to be a hero or a “good boy” and didn’t want to ask for anything. So they may turn to maladaptive coping to soothe their nervous systems. They often need to learn new skills.
You run a men’s assertiveness group. How does this align with your own journey?
A lot of the things I do are because there’s a need but also because I can relate. One thing I’m in recovery for is being a “nice
guy.” I can relate to not having boundaries and being a people pleaser. It’s a process to learn boundaries and assertiveness. In our groups, I teach these skills and we role play. It’s not about being perfect, it’s just knowing you can use these skills. And if you don’t use them, you can process why to learn what was keeping you from doing it.
How do you explain to others that it’s OK to seek support?
I myself didn’t get therapy for a long time because I believed that if I did that there was something wrong with me, and I worried the therapist would judge me. If you want to think of it as coaching, that can help. Just like you get a coach at the gym or a financial planner, this is someone else who can help you and you’ll start seeing the benefits in how it supports your work life, relationships and your ability to breathe again. I’ve gone to therapy consistently for the past eight years. It’s a safe place to be myself. There’s something about getting that special attention. A lot of times people have the answers — they just need the space to help process and draw conclusions. SP
Juliet Kuehnle is the owner and a therapist at Sun Counseling and Wellness. The full interview of her conversation with David Sanchez is on Instagram @YepIGoToTherapy or wherever you stream podcasts.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, IS IMPORTANT TO US.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, IS IMPORTANT TO US.
FA Wealth Advisors
FA Wealth Advisors FAWEALTHADVISORS@NM.COM fawealthadvisors.nm.com 704-442-4472 6235 Carnegie Blvd Charlotte, NC 28211
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At FA Wealth Advisors, we ensure that you are well positioned for the future while living the best version of your life today. Led by Scott Fligel and Rick Allen, our multi-generational team is ready to help you achieve the things that matter most.
At Wealth Advisors, we ensure that you are well positioned for the future while living the best version of your life today. Led by Scott Fligel and Rick Allen, our multi-generational team is ready to help you achieve the things that matter most.
07-1016 © 2024 Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability Insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include: Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), a federal savings bank. Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI. Members of FA Wealth Advisors use FA Wealth Advisors as a marketing name for doing business as representatives of NM. FA Wealth Advisors is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. To view detailed disclosures regarding individual representatives, view their information at fawealthadvisors.nm.com.
07-1016 © 2024 Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability Insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include: Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), a federal savings bank. Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI. Members of FA Wealth Advisors use FA Wealth Advisors as a marketing name for doing business as representatives of NM. FA Wealth Advisors is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. To view detailed disclosures regarding individual representatives, view their information at fawealthadvisors.nm.com. FA
HIGHLAND FOREST BY PETERS CUSTOM HOMES
A showcase of design + detail
Stepping into Peters Custom Homes’ Highland Forest estate, the most difficult decision might be what to see first. The incredible 20,000+-square-foot home — nestled on 3 private, wooded acres in south Charlotte — features three inviting levels (five bedrooms, eight baths) with a range of stunning spaces designed for entertaining, relaxing, working and everyday luxurious living. Then there’s the outside: a spacious retreat that includes an infinity-edge pool, a roomy covered porch and outdoor kitchen, tree-lined pebble pathways with a covered trellis, plus a regulation-sized basketball court with a 1,400-square-foot guest house perched above.
“For this project, we had the freedom to create something that truly showcased our abilities,” says Nicholas Peters, Peters Custom Homes president and general contractor. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand the incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail that Peters Custom Homes is capable of and incorporates into all of our homes.”
Highland Forest was designed by Emerald & Oak, a full-service interior and design studio led by Miriam Peters, Nicholas’ wife. Her award-winning, signature style is reflected throughout, a perfect blend of modern, sophisticated aesthetics with top-tier functionality.
Unique spaces cater to luxurious living, each thoughtfully planned. “Great design gives the impression of being entirely intuitive, as if every detail has naturally fallen into place,” Miriam says. “Each one, no matter how small, serves a clear purpose, and the end result is a beautiful and functional home.”
THE MAIN LEVEL
A wide glass-arched front entrance welcomes you to Highland Forest, where herringbone wood floors provide warmth and interest throughout the open, sunlit spaces. A sprawling staircase with a continuous handrail beckons you to the second floor.
But first, the chic living and dining rooms await, separated by a glass wine wall. Clean lines, interesting textures, earthy browns, rich blacks and soothing neutrals ooze serenity and calm. Modern, whimsical light fixtures provide pops of glamour. Large glass windows welcome the outside in.
A stunning gourmet kitchen is equipped with high-end appliances, custom cabinetry and a massive center island. For those who
enjoy entertaining and relaxing in a more informal setting, the main level also includes a card room, bar and rec room, where you’ll find a 12-foot masonry fireplace for cozy nights. There is a black marble fireplace in the sleek home office too, a bold space boasting moody hues and a snakeskin ceiling. Pets, don’t despair, there’s a place for you, complete with a water-filling station, storage for pet supplies and a comfy hideout to rest. Nearby, the laundry room, drop zone and sleek scullery ensure efficiency for everyday tasks. Finally, the main level includes an elegant primary suite, a sanctuary of style and restfulness in relaxing neutrals. Two spacious walk-in closets, custom-built makeup and dressing areas, and a dreamy bathroom stocked with quality, high-end fixtures provide a luxurious retreat.
LOWER LEVEL
Venture downstairs and you’ll discover a recreational paradise. Like to bowl? You can do that in a regulation-sized, two-lane bowling alley. Prefer ping pong, pool or arcade games? You can do that,
too. In the simulation room, practice 100+ sports (from golf to beer pong), or enjoy a show in the state-of-the-art home theater that comfortably fits 16.
Stay in shape with a cardio and weight-training gym, then soothe those sore muscles in your very own spa. An infrared sauna, steam shower, indoor pool and zen room with massage tables promise relaxation and rejuvenation.
UPPER LEVEL
Upstairs, four bedrooms, each with private en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets, ensure plenty of privacy, space and storage. A light-filled loft offers a quiet place for reading, studying or working from home. Doing laundry is ultra convenient, with a dedicated space on this level also.
THE PETERS DIFFERENCE
With over 15 years of experience in luxury real estate and design, Nicholas and
Miriam Peters bring unparalleled expertise, imaginative vision and innovative solutions to every project.
Building a custom home with Peters Custom Homes is a turnkey experience, thanks to established, exclusive vendor relationships that allow the builder to store and supply an incredible array of materials and home furnishings — from cabinetry to flooring to light fixtures. “We can have clients move in with literally only their cars and clothing,” Nicholas says. “We can take care of everything else.”
Those strategic partnerships, along with the Peters’ skilled leadership and talented design team, minimize stress, maximize savings and ensure a timely, efficient homebuilding process for clients from start to finish. It’s a process on full display at Highland Forest. “The collaboration between us and the vendors we use exemplifies the power of teamwork and the collective effort required to bring a project of this magnitude to fruition,” Nicholas says. “Together, we’ve created a truly extraordinary home that showcases the best of design and craftsmanship.”
WHERE FRIENDSHIPS TOOK FLIGHT
On the first Tuesday of each month, a group of retirees from Eastern Airlines still gets together — 35 years after their Charlotte office shutdown.
by Sharon Smith | photographs by Tonya Russ Price, Poprock Photography
Truett Taylor held a winning raffle ticket. He and his wife, Lyda, received one as they walked in the door at this year’s Eastern Airlines retirees picnic in south Charlotte at Davie Park. It wasn’t a big prize, just a canister of cookies, but it’s all part of the fun.
This group loves a raffle, though the prizes are nothing to write home about. There’s no hiding the good-natured eye rolls, playful side-glances and sly smiles across the table. Announcer and retiree Miriam Martin pokes fun at the prizes, too. Laughter abounds.
After all, they’ve been holding raffles for a long time. Not just at the annual picnics, which traditionally draw Eastern retirees from across the region, but also at local monthly meetings where they catch up over dinner and announcements at Park Place Restaurant.
“It’s sort of like family, you know,” says Taylor, whose Eastern career started at the reservations desk and ended at
the rate desk decades later. “Some of us traveled together. Some of us went to church together. Some of us played golf together,” he explains.
Many of them met at work in the 1960s, when they were in their 20s. Eastern was one of the big four national airlines and one of Charlotte’s largest employers, with a hub on Fairview Road near Park South Drive.
It’s where Emily Wilson met her husband, Benjamin, who passed away several years ago. “We had two boys and we would switch shifts,” Wilson says. “I would work an a.m. morning shift, and he would work an afternoon shift. And sometimes we switched the children in the parking lot at work!” she shakes her head with a grin, remembering how they made it work as young parents all those years ago.
Now in their 70s and 80s, some retirees use a walker. They crack jokes at the door about getting the closest parking space or being dropped off.
Yet the energy they bring to the room is palpable. People half their age would be lucky to attend a “work” party with this much easy camaraderie.
Anne Tyner and organizer Miriam Martin
Judy Kelly, a 25-year veteran of Eastern, still speaks with pride about being a reservations agent at “the best airline in Charlotte.” She describes how they wrote reservations on cards and filed them by hand, and how passengers could show up at the airport and book a flight minutes before takeoff.
“We worked a lot of crazy hours,” Kelly says, recalling the 24-7 nature of the office. “We worked real busy times and we worked slack times, so we had time to get to know each other. We were there when people got married. We were there when they had their children,” she adds, explaining how friendships were cultivated.
Their work culture back then is unlike most today. At Eastern, they had longevity. They spent 20, 25, 30 years working together. Then came the shock of losing their jobs when the airline went bankrupt and the Charlotte office shuttered in 1989 amid union strikes.
“Everybody went bananas,” Kelly says. “We had EMTs there because people were fainting and falling out.”
Wilna Eury, who organizes the gatherings along with Miriam Martin, says initially, they hoped Eastern management and the unions would find a solution. Some colleagues transferred briefly
Organizer Wilna Eury checks people in at the raffle table.
Writer Sharon Smith catches up with longtime family friend Truett Taylor.
to remaining Eastern offices around the country; others took jobs in Charlotte’s emerging business and banking sectors — back then, that included companies like NCNB, First Union and Duke Power.
In January 1991, Eastern flew its last flight. Eury says that same year, the Charlotte crew held their first picnic. Small groups started meeting for lunch, which eventually led to monthly dinner gatherings.
“We do it to see the happiness it brings everyone,” Eury says. “Back in the ’60s through ’80s, when you were hired you were assigned to a team, and you stayed with them. They became your family. You shared the deaths of your parents, weddings, births of babies, and at times the death of a fellow employee.”
They’ve done life together. For many in this group, that also includes unthinkable tragedy.
At this year’s picnic, they marked the 50th anniversary of the worst plane crash in Charlotte history. On September 11, 1974, as the morning crew started their day, Eastern Airlines Flight 212 went down 3 miles from the airport runway, claiming 72 souls. Only 10 people survived the fiery crash, which was blamed on pilot error.
Employees from the Charlotte office rushed to the scene like first responders. They were heroes without training and unprepared for what they saw. Others worked around the clock to help in the office.
None of them had a choice about working that day, or getting laid off years later. They’ve been retired from Eastern longer than they ever worked there. Still, they choose to be friends and spend time together.
“To come back and be here with your best friends, it’s wonderful,” Kelly says, as she expresses appreciation for Wilna and Miriam’s effort to keep the get-togethers going.
To paraphrase the old Eastern slogan, if you ask anyone in this group, those two have earned their wings. SP
International delights
Celebrate family, culture and food at Alley 51, Charlotte’s newest global dining destination
story and photographs by Matt Chandler
Take an international trip without leaving the city, as the local food scene expands with the opening of Alley 51, an Asian food court in Pineville.
Charlotte’s food-hall trend has blossomed since Optimist Hall opened near uptown five years ago. The debut of Alley 51 follows recent openings of Urban District Market in NoDa and Monarch Market in uptown. Soon after its launch in May, we explored what Alley 51 had to offer.
Alley 51 is adjacent to Super G International Market, a grocery-store chain with three locations in North Carolina, including Charlotte, Pineville and Greensboro. The food court bustles with atmosphere — from colorful murals to open kitchens where you can watch your food being made and an entire section dedicated to kids, with fun arcade games and play zones. You’ll find authentic street food from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and
Vietnam at more than a dozen restaurants. Tenants include Saigon Café (Vietnamese fare), Yume (ramen and sushi) and Honey Cow Desserts.
The indoor food court can be accessed through a separate entrance off to the side of the main grocery store — just look for the marquee-style letters and a big, illuminated arrow. There’s a patio in the back with another vibrant mural and picnic tables in a familyfriendly environment.
Before dinner, we sat at the bar at Itaewon, a Korean bar and restaurant, and enjoyed a couple of cocktails: a lychee martini garnished with fruit, and Itaewon’s spin on a mango margarita. Both were intriguing, flavorful and madeto-order. Cheers!
Next, we headed to MUKJA , a Korean street food stall, where we tried the OG Kimbap. This flavorful sushi-style
roll, enough to be shared by two or enjoyed as an entrée, is packed with carrots, spinach, egg, ham, crab and radish. At Quicitop, a Chinese street-food stall, we tried the Braised Pork Roasted Cold Noodles, made with egg and enoki mushrooms.
Continuing our food tour, we tried bao buns from Honey Buns II: a BBQ Pork Bun with a rich, savory center and a sweet-and-tangy Teriyaki Chicken Bun. Both were filling, and watching the chefs make and steam buns behind the glass added to the experience. We didn’t feel like customers; it felt more like meeting new friends.
“This is our second location, but our story has much deeper roots,” says Carolyn Quach, general manager at the family-owned restaurant. “Our journey began in 1961 in Taiwan,” she says. “In 2012, we took
a leap of faith and opened our first U.S. location [on Independence Boulevard] in Charlotte. It was a big step, but one filled with hope and pride in continuing our family’s legacy,” she continues. “Every steamed bun, every bowl of noodles, carries decades of tradition, love and hard work — now shared with a whole new community in Charlotte and Pineville.”
Her menu recommendation: If you try one thing at Honey Bun II, Carolyn says go with the Hong Kong-style BBQ Pork Bun or a Vietnamesestyle Jumbo Pork Bun — both rich and satisfying, and made with recipes that have been in their family for generations.
Lastly, for dessert, we sampled doughnuts from Mochinut, which specializes in unique flavors like matcha, churro and choco-banana. Each confection — think doughnut holes strung together to make one tear-apart doughnut — tasted as delightful as it looked through the display counter.
We opted for strawberry, s’mores and peanut butter — the spongy texture was unlike any doughnut we had ever tried. Mochinut also serves Korean corn dogs and boba tea drinks.
Bring your appetite, your friends and family. You’re in for an experience that will leave you planning your next visit. So, what will you try first? SP
Classic comfort
Sarah Andrews designs a Dilworth house with a family-friendly flow while respecting the home’s history.
by Cathy Martin | photographs by Heather Ison
Over the years, the charming 1940s-era Dilworth home had been through a series of renovations, but the piecemeal approach had left the kitchen — the heart of the home — choppy and enclosed. The kitchen cabinets lacked ample storage and were beginning to fall apart, and the stove hood didn’t function well, leading to a few pesky visits from the fire department. There wasn’t a drop zone to keep coats and backpacks tidy, and an uncovered wooden deck — in full sun and exposed to the elements — was rarely used.
After seven years in the home, the family of four decided it was time for change. Following the lead of friends who had worked with Traditions Interiors, the homeowners connected with Sarah Andrews, lead designer at the home boutique at Park Road Shopping Center.
“Sarah and I have similar taste, but I lacked confidence and experience in putting things together,” the homeowner says. “She was able to help me put my ideas together and make decisions for a cohesive look.”
Before joining Traditions 16 years ago, Andrews worked for local architect Lindsay Daniel. So after the homeowners had engaged builder Montgomery Homes and architect Meyer Greeson Paullin Benson, the designer was able to jump right in to fine-tune plans and help select finishes.
In the dining room, an existing crystal chandelier and a vintage rug are paired with a new pedestal table and retro chairs with a cane inlay for a mix of old and new.
“In terms of aesthetic, I wanted it to be calm, peaceful, traditional — but with some modern lines,” the homeowner says. At the top of the punch list was the kitchen.
“The L-shaped kitchen that had been cobbled together over time didn’t really make a lot of sense,” Andrews says. To make it more open and functional, a column was removed to create space for a large island. With no room for a pantry, a larder cabinet was designed to maximize storage and house small appliances and pantry goods. “It’s really the workhorse piece of the kitchen,” Andrews says. “It looks like a piece of furniture.”
From the open kitchen and family room, new sliding doors create a seamless flow to a screened porch, blurring the lines
Removing a clunky column in the kitchen created an open space for a large island with quartzite countertops. Accessories are from Traditions, and the custom hood is by Mudwerk.
A mudroom was added for a much-needed drop zone for backpacks, coats and parcels.
In the living room, which doubles as a home office, open shelves were replaced with new cabinets to house a printer and other office supplies. The draperies are a botanical-inspired Pierre Frey fabric.
between indoors and out. To keep the family room bright, the porch was designed with three large skylights. With a fireplace, outdoor kitchen and dining area, the porch has become a three-season room and a comfortable spot for the family to enjoy al fresco meals.
“Now with the roof and retractable screens we can enjoy the feeling of being outdoors even if it is raining or the mosquitos are out,” the homeowner says.
A new mudroom — the primary entry from the driveway — provides a convenient spot for jackets, bags, mail and packages, and has become the preferred hangout for the family’s golden retriever. Cabinets and lockers keep personal belongings tidy and out of sight; a durable checkered floor camouflages dirt and debris tracked in from outside.
Structurally, the living and dining rooms were left mostly unchanged. In the living room, open display
A trio of skylights in the new screened porch keep adjacent interior rooms bright. The sofa, chairs and dining table are from Traditions; the lanterns are from Hudson Valley Lighting.
shelves were replaced with closed cabinets so the room functions as both a workspace and a sitting room.
“The house was built in 1942, so I wanted to honor the history of the home while also updating it with today’s conveniences,” says the homeowner. By incorporating natural fibers, texture and a design that’s not too feminine or masculine, Andrews created a space that’s classic, livable and inviting.
“Everybody’s been to that house where you’re afraid to touch anything or to sit on something,” the designer says. “That’s not how I want my guests to feel, or my family.” And in this case, her clients shared the same sentiment.
“I think the biggest compliment you can get is, ‘I feel so comfortable in your house,’” Andrews says. SP
“A daring
show” – New York Times
Southern/Modern is generously presented in Charlotte by Wells Fargo and the Dowd Foundation. Individual sponsorship is kindly provided by Julie Boldt and Dhruv Yadav, Lucy and Hooper Hardison, Posey and Mark Mealy, and Rocky and Curtis Trenkelbach. Grant support for this exhibition has been generously provided by the Henry Luce Foundation, the Terra Foundation for American Art, the Andrew Wyeth Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Betsy and Alfred Brand Fund at The Mint Museum. The Mint Museum is supported, in part, by the North Carolina Arts Council. IMAGE: Will Henry Stevens (1881–1949). Untitled (detail), 1944, pastel on paper. The Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC. Gift of the Janet Stevens McDowell Trust. 2006.12.5
The roads less traveled
A nostalgia-filled journey to the coast by Whitley Adkins | photographs by Richard Israel
“In the train station, it made me think we were in an old place. There was a captain in the back. I thought he was controlling the train and showing the train where to go.” — Eva, 7
Acouple of years ago, photographer Richard Israel and I set out toward the Carolina coast on a different kind of trip — one where the journey itself was the destination. With so many roads to travel and so many stories waiting to be told, this summer we set out on the back roads once again, this time accompanied by my adventure-loving friend, Natalie Jetton Zoog, and her precocious 7-year-old daughter, Eva. Our ultimate destination: Carolina Beach and its iconic boardwalk. Here’s what we saw along the way.
Our chosen route takes us to the southeastern outskirts of Charlotte, where we exit Interstate 485 at Matthews and follow US 74 East down through Pageland and Jefferson, South Carolina. When we reach McBee, we make our first stop at a picturesque old railroad station that’s now the McBee Depot Library and Train Museum. Built in 1915 as a depot for both passengers and freight, the station closed in 1971 and, after being purchased by the town, was restored in the 1980s. It’s here where we learn of Eva’s affinity for books and reading as she and Natalie sit on the floor for storytime.
We leave the library in anticipation of Tony’s Ice Cream at McLeod Farms, a fifth-generation family-owned roadside market that’s been around since its first peach crop in 1916. Natalie and Eva enjoy cookies ’n cream ice cream as we stroll through the store, admiring the fresh peaches and other produce, and out back to the fields as the midday summer sun bears down upon us. Leaving McBee, as we make our way down S.C. Highway 151 toward Bennettsville, I’m captivated by a rusty gas-station sign advertising vintage prices, a smaller “One-Hour Photo” sign
“I was thinking there were maybe ghosts inside. There was a Christmas tree inside — [I imagined] when the owners left their house they left their Christmas tree in there, so the ghosts could have Christmas. I imagined the ghosts were chatting in the attic. If someone came into the house, the ghosts would hide, or they would probably laugh if a person walked through… I think the ghosts were having fun.” — Eva
and, off in the distance surrounded by an overgrown field, what appears to be an outhouse labeled “The Thinking House.” All of us equally mesmerized, we make our way through the tall grass for a closer look.
Another 20 minutes down the road, we reach a quiet town named Society Hill. The first settlement in Darlington County, Society Hill was once known as the intellectual center of this Pee Dee River region. Across the street, three men gather around a tractor-trailer as a service attendant named Jason changes a tire.
We say goodbye to our new “friends,” and continue on to Bennettsville, where we are sidetracked again by the sight of a beautiful, abandoned brick home on West Main Street. If walls could talk, what stories would they tell?
Our curiosities only partially satisfied, we continue downtown to The Oyster, a vintage and antique shop owned by Melissa Mallette, where I nab a 1970s gold smoked mirror with brass flamed corners for my bathroom and Eva finds a stuffed walrus.
“There were glass and lamps and an old clock. It made me think of an old house and the old song that goes, the mouse ran up the clock, hickory dickory dock! I saw the mice running up and down the clock in my mind.” — Eva
“We parked at a little church, then we got back in the car and we saw more rainbows. I think it is good luck because God was giving good luck… I was spinning under the rainbow getting good luck.” — Eva
We follow Melissa around the corner to Liberty Street, where her friend, Marco Watson, welcomes us into the barber shop where he is cutting hair for a young boy. Eva joins another boy who is waiting for a game of checkers.
Crossing the Bennettsville border into Blenheim, a brief rainshower begins and ends. Eva giddily calls out to her mom as she spots a double rainbow. We make a U-turn to get a closer look, and, by chance, our first opportunity to safely pull off of the road is in a church parking lot. We look up to the skies as Eva twirls under the rainbow.
As night falls, we arrive at my cousin’s family beach home in Windy Hill Beach, just north of Myrtle Beach. Thirsty and longing to celebrate our arrival, we leave our belongings at the house and walk down the street for a nightcap and a bite to eat. At local dive bar The Knot , Clay, a patron from Alabama who lives parttime in Windy Hill, joins Natalie for a game of pool.
The next day, we continue our journey to historic Southport, North Carolina, for Eva’s first ferry ride to Carolina Beach and its iconic boardwalk. But first, we make a stop in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina. Nicknamed “The Black Pearl,” from the 1930s to the 1970s Atlantic Beach was one of the most popular destinations on the East Coast for Black families. Its hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, shops and pavilion were a bustling attraction. Today, we try to envision what the old beach motels, clubs and an empty skating rink were like during livelier times.
Arriving in Southport , we stroll along the boardwalk and through town. While the area was inhabited by Native Americans for hundreds of years, Spanish and English explorers
arrived in the 16th century and the town was populated in the 1700s. Aboard the ferry, we watch seagulls soar through the viewfinder and meet Bruce Pennington, who has worked for the North Carolina ferry division for 20 years. A retiree from Virginia, he shares with us his favorite part of the job is people-watching. His favorite passenger, perhaps, was a lady who “would do the hula hoop on the front deck” as she traveled to work every morning from Carolina Beach to Southport.
Carolina Beach Boardwalk dates to 1887 and has survived a fire in 1940 and damage from Hurricane Hazel in 1954. With bumper cars, a merry-go-round, ferris wheel and more, the amusement park is a popular draw for families.
On our way back home, we stop to take a closer look at an antique shop in a crumbling pink building adorned with patriotic banners and an American flag in the unincorporated community of Supply.
Here on the back roads, we awakened our senses and our souls. SP
“I will tell all my friends about the journey. It was stopping in old places from a very, very long time ago, different from the things I see in Charlotte… I am a young person who got to experience things only older people have experienced.” — Eva
“I wanted to go in there, but it was closed. I saw old library books and old drinking glasses … I used my imagination to see people talking about the books that they read … I wanted to create a story in my own head of what it must have been like there in the past.” — Eva
BEAUTY & ADVENTURE
You’ve heard New Zealand is a destination for movie-worthy scenery. No wonder: Thirty percent of the country is national parks. (They aren’t crowded, either.) The country has half the population of North Carolina — and 24 million sheep. What’s the best way to experience the beauty of the Land of the Long White Cloud?
A Charlotte mother and daughter share their contrasting ideas. by Andrea Cooper and Laurel Tobias
WHALE-WATCHING, WINERIES, MÃORI CULTURE AND CULINARY DELIGHTS
by Andrea Cooper
If skydiving, glacier hiking and bungee jumping aren’t your ideal vacation, why board a 14-hour flight to New Zealand, a mecca for adventure travel?
The island nation, known as Aotearoa in the indigenous Mãori language, holds other pleasures. While visiting our daughter and son-in-law, who spent a year touring New Zealand in a campervan, we found it’s one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, with unusual animals and unreal views. Kiwis — the nickname for New Zealanders in honor of the flightless native bird — are polite and hospitable. The country boasts a fascinating Mãori culture and a winemaking tradition to enjoy at day’s end.
Most international visitors fly into Auckland, home to a third of
New Zealand’s population. The city has a cosmopolitan vibe in a waterfront setting with shops and restaurants near the Hauraki Gulf. Get a panoramic view by ascending Mount Eden, a dormant volcano whose summit overlooks the city. At the 200-acre Auckland Domain park, take in outdoor sculptures and native plants, including the spiraled silver fern often featured in Kiwi designs.
The Auckland Museum is an essential introduction to the country, particularly to Mãori (say Mau-dee) culture. One standout among the taonga, or treasures, is the carved Mãori guest house. During the Mãori cultural experience, performed twice daily, indigenous artists tell stories and share the haka, a mesmerizing ceremonial dance.
You can swap learning for culinary pursuits and hop the 40-minute ferry to Waiheke Island, then rent a car, bike or e-bike to explore restaurants and wineries. Our tour started with a morning tasting overlooking the water at Mudbrick followed by lunch at Batch Winery, where the fare ranged from pumpkin gnocchi to
New Zealand lamb. Afterward, we tooled around rolling hills and marveled at the colorful mosaics, reminiscent of Gaudí’s designs in Barcelona, at the restaurant and winery Casita Miro.
To reach our family on New Zealand’s South Island, we opted for the Northern Explorer train from Auckland to Wellington, followed by a ferry excursion the next morning. The daylong journey took us past sweeping farmland, river valleys and a volcano cone which doubled as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movies. But it was the ferry excursion we’d do again tomorrow. Lush island mountains rose from the azure water, terns winged their way through the morning, and dramatic low clouds looked sculpted in the sky.
Our ferry threaded through Queen Charlotte (yes, that Queen Charlotte) Sound to the Picton port, where a coastal train sped us past black-sand beaches to one of our favorite places, Kaikõura. About two hours north of Christchurch, Kaikõura is known for wildlife.
We searched for sperm whales with Whale Watch Kaikõura. Everyone on board cheered when the crew spotted mist from a whale’s blowhole. We steered toward him, his back arching gracefully from the water, the mist catching light in rainbow hues. He lingered for about 20 minutes then dove, his tail rising high as a finale. Not
Previous page: Dark Sky Reserve at Lake Tekapo. This page: Paragliding at Wanaka
long after, we happened on dozens of dusky, common and bottlenose dolphins. Some leapt into the air and belly flopped to stun fish below and grab dinner.
Back on land, we didn’t need an organized tour to find a colony of New Zealand fur seals along the craggy shoreline. They lumbered on the rocks and splashed in the water, undisturbed by our presence. That night we dined at Black Rabbit Pizza, where toppings include wild rabbit loin, venison, roasted goat and kangaroo.
Some outdoorsy travelers might be tempted to skip Christchurch. We were glad we visited its Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, where inhabitants range from cute wallabies (an invasive pest in the wild) to Sebastopol geese, whose ruffled feathers make them look like they got caught in a dryer. Other attractions include the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Quake City, an exhibition from Canterbury Museum featuring survivors’ stories from the devastating 2010–2011 earthquakes.
Four hours west of Christchurch, we immersed ourselves in natural beauty. The 6-mile Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is a highlight that’s attainable with a modest level of fitness. You’ll hike alongside a river and cross swinging bridges past stunning snow-capped mountains. The journey concludes with a spectacular glacial lake and Mount Cook before you.
Lake Tekapo, roughly an hour away, is the place to encounter the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve. The two-hour Dark Sky Project tour positions guests at the apex of Mount John, where a guide uses hand-held lasers to introduce the stars in the Southern hemisphere. Telescopes reveal the Jewel Box Nebula, Southern Cross and Alpha Centauri.
The easygoing resort town of Wãnaka, about two hours further south, feels like a New Zealand version of Asheville. Stroll around Lake Wãnaka with views of Roys Peak and photograph the famed Wãnaka Willow sprouting from the lake. Then spend the afternoon at the lake-to-plate restaurant Hook. You’ll get a fishing rod, bait and coaching on how to snag Chinook salmon in stocked ponds. The staff will prepare your catch, a sashimi or hotsmoked extravaganza that in our case fed four.
Once in Wãnaka, you’ll be close to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital. But even for us sedentary types, it turns out a country more than 8,000 miles from home can be more accessible and compelling than expected.
IF YOU’RE GOING: Reaching New Zealand’s scenic spots will be much easier if you rent a car. Public transportation is limited in New Zealand. If you’re apprehensive about driving on the left side of the road, Kiwi Experience is among the companies offering small group tours. We found Airbnbs and motels available near all the places we visited.
Charlotte writer Andrea Cooper has written for National Geographic Traveler, The New York Times and other publications.
Doubtful Sound in Fjordland
A kea, a large parrot native to New Zealand
View of Mount Cook from the Hooker Valley Trail
BACKPACKING, PARAGLIDING, CAVES AND CAMPERVANS
by Laurel Tobias
Kia ora – hello there, adventurous human. New Zealand is your place. My husband and I have been lucky to spend the last year here, and it’s been an ideal destination for our adrenaline cravings. We have paraglided next to the Southern Alps, floated past glow worms in an underground river, trekked several beloved Great Walks and skied beautiful snowy mountains, all in the span of several months. Most of these outdoorsy activities peak in spring through early autumn, which runs from November through March.
For an extended stay, I recommend renting a campervan. Campervans, about the size of an American SUV, typically sleep two to four people and let you wake up in a different place every day. Choose a “self-contained” one with a toilet, and you’ll gain access to free campsites throughout the country. We bought our van and have traveled for months in it.
Now you’re ready to experience one of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks. These backpacking trips range from 20 to 50 miles and immerse you in the stunning scenery that lured filmmakers for The Lord of the Rings. Our favorite Great Walks include Tongariro Northern Circuit on the North Island and Milford Track on the South Island.
At Tongariro, you’ll hike around Mount Ngauruhoe, an active vol-
cano, and over the top of a mountain pass through strange volcanic formations. The landscape is dry but dotted with bright blue-green ponds and lakes that shine against the dark volcanic rock. Don’t touch the water: These lakes are tapu, or sacred. If you don’t have four days for the full circuit, single-day treks are possible.
To get to Milford on the South Island, you can take the ferry across Cook Strait with your van. It’s a long drive afterward — almost 13 hours from the ferry. Alternatively, you can fly into Queenstown and rent a campervan there for a much shorter 2 ½-hour drive to Lake Te Anau, the starting point for the Milford trek.
Near New Zealand’s southwestern coast in Fiordland National Park, Milford is nicknamed the finest walk in the world. Lush green mountains flank both sides of the valley and waterfalls roar all around you, if you’re lucky and get a good rain. The walk peaks (literally) on day three, where you summit McKinnon Pass and reach dramatic 360-degree alpine views. This hike is well worth the trip in rain, shine, wind and hail.
The Great Walks attract hikers from all over the world. Along with incredible views, we met fun quirky characters who kept us entertained, and travel buddies who quickly turned into (we hope) lifelong friends. Among our favorites were a group of Kiwi men in their 50s, each carrying a liter of whiskey for the journey.
The good news is, on these hikes, there’s no need to haul a tent: New Zealand’s Department of Conservation maintains nearly 1,000
View of the author’s campervan at night
huts to book for overnight lodging. The biggest ones sleep 50 or more, and all have stoves for preparing meals. Rangers share the history of the area, updates on the weather and what to expect on the track. Many Great Walks are not a loop, but you can arrange for a service to deliver your vehicle at the end.
Some other favorite New Zealand adventures are far above the ground. Paragliding is offered near the resort towns of Wãnaka and Queenstown. My husband and I opted for Wãnaka. Attached to our guides, we ran off a cliff together as our banana-shaped parachutes caught the wind and soared above the gorgeous Matukituki Valley and Lake Wãnaka within sight of Aspiring National Park. Pro tip: If your guide asks whether you want a “crazy” trip, say yes to dip and weave through the air.
If paragliding isn’t enough to get you going, try a rafting excursion more than 250 feet under ground. Local companies offer guided tubing through the glowworm caves in Waitomo on the North Island. Climb into a wetsuit and boots, jump into the cave opening with your tube, and float past thousands of tiny insects native to New Zealand with their distinctive turquoise glow. Crawling over rocks in the dark is part of the rush. On some trips, you can even jump off a subterranean waterfall.
If you’re keen on traveling during the summer (aka New Zealand winter), you’re still in luck. The skiing is thrilling, and both Cardrona and Treble Cone on the South Island offer options for skiers of all kinds, including newbies like me.
And there’s so much more to do: Canyoning, which combines rock climbing, swimming and rappelling. Heli-skiing, where you’re brought to a mountaintop by helicopter to ski your way down. Bungee jumping in the land where it began commercially. Biking across the South Island from the mountains to the coast. And of course, surfing next to dolphins in beautiful bays around the country.
No matter which activities you choose, on a New Zealand adventure, you’ll live life outside. That’s what makes it so magical.
IF YOU’RE GOING: Huts and transportation for the Great Walks must be booked months in advance. Book at the New Zealand Department of Conservation website. SP
Charlotte native Laurel Tobias is a child and adolescent therapist in Durham. See more of her New Zealand adventures on Instagram @hikin.and.goofin.
Poor Knights Islands Waitomo
TIFFANY & CO.
REEDS JEWELERS
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swirl
A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas
Southpark Magazine
25th anniversary celebration
Legion Brewing SouthPark
September 18
Writers, photographers, staff (past and present) and friends of the magazine gathered to celebrate this milestone anniversary, share favorite stories and toast to the next 25 years!
photographs by Daniel Coston
Neil and Jane McLean
Krisha Chachra and Cathy Martin
Alyssa and Reuben Kennedy
Sharon Smith and Whitley Adkins
Richard Israel and Olly Yung Tonya Price, Kim Nixon and Nikki Wolfe
Edward and Juliet Kuehnle
Natalie Dick and Pete Chepul
Ben Kinney, Cindy and Brian Poovey
Sam, Sarah and Scott Fligel
Taste of Hope
benefiting American Cancer Society
Westin Hotel
September 14
This year’s gala sparkled from beginning to end, with live and silent auctions, fine dining, and plenty of dancing. The evening raised more than $343,000 for cancer research.
photographs by Daniel Coston
Debbie and Ron Hitzel, Chef David Burke, Joyce Caron-Mercier
George and Veronica Getz
Noah Gully and Sydney Greer
Shruti Brockway, Qamar Noor-Crocket, Amanda Keaton
BBQ & Blue Jeans
benefiting Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center September 7
The signature fundraiser went back to its roots at the home of Liz and Walker Simmons, the original hosts. Patrons marked 20 years of Pat’s Place while enjoying barbecue and music by Heidi and the River Down. photographs by Daniel Coston
Dorothy Kronemer and Tom Crawford
Claudia and Josh Vazquez
Andrew Oliver, Liz Simmons, Lori Avery and Walker Simmons
Matt and Elizabeth Magan
Sam and Emily Zimmern
Ryan and Natalie Huie Jay and Carrie Galloway
Hospitality House annual fall luncheon
Carmel Country Club
September 12
parties and galas
Elevation Charlotte was honored for its community service, and emcee Kristen Miranda interviewed those whose medical journey was made easier with help from Hospitality House.
photographs by Daniel Coston
Natalie Hutchinson and Mai Maye
Callie Farrell, Emily Muller, Rod and Kathy Elrod
Julia Venegas Riney and Toya Patterson
Angie Bush and Kristen Miranda
Healthy Living in January 2025:
A special section saluting health and wellness professionals dedicated to helping others lead robust, active lives. It will accompany Business North Carolina’s and SouthPark’s annual listing of the region’s Top Doctors, one of our most popular features and a valuable resource.
Contact Jane Rodewald 704-621-9198 or Cindy Poovey 704-497-2220 today. Deadline: November 26, 2024
Visit us online at southparkmagazine.com/advertise.
Tapas & Testimonials
benefiting International House of Charlotte Revelry at Camp North End
September 20
At a night celebrating the Queen City’s international culture, guests enjoyed global cuisine and entertainment while learning how immigrant neighbors receive help through the nonprofit. photographs by Daniel Coston
A NEW CHAPTER: STARTING
A SPECIAL SECTION HIGHLIGHTING SENIOR LIVING IN OUR JANUARY 2025 ISSUE.
Contact Jane Rodewald 704-621-9198 or Cindy Poovey 704-497-2220 today. Deadline: November 26, 2024 Visit us online at southparkmagazine.com/advertise.
Tesho and Taylor Akindele
Stephane Brico and Mica Gadhia
Elizabeth and Evan Zipperer
Andrew Bullock and Jamie Larsen
Terry and Nicole Ayers
School, Carolina Farm Trust, Suffolk Punch Brewing SouthPark, Carnegie Private Wealth, SouthPark Community Partners, Your Farms Your Table
FROM CHARLOTTE WITH LOVE
The giving hasn’t stopped since late September, when Hurricane Helene caused devastating floods across six states, including a large swath of our beloved western North Carolina.
by Sharon Smith
This time of year the mountains are always on my mind. Even as peak season winds down, I’m no less eager to see the fall leaves, apple orchards and roadside stands in person.
The mountains are still calling. But it’s different now. And so is our response.
The helpers, the doers, the givers, the planners and the kind souls among us are answering the call with each grassroots effort to collect bottled water and diapers. Charlotte is sending its love in a big way.
At South Meck High School, students and staff filled a truck with 30,000 pounds of supplies in three days. In SouthPark, Suffolk Punch Brewing collected essential supplies. Boutiques like Sloan and Taylor Richards & Conger doubled as collection sites. SouthPark After 5 took in donations at a concert. Carnegie Private Wealth started a drive for clients and employees. Y2 Yoga
in Cotswold and Dilworth collected tarps, blankets and more. Carolina Farm Trust prepared and distributed 1,500 meals a day to hurricane victims stranded in remote areas. Chef Sam Diminich and his team (Restaurant Constance, Your Farms Your Table) served up hot meals on the spot at Burial Brewing in Asheville and quickly partnered with World Central Kitchen to provide thousands of fresh meals to hard-hit towns like Boone, Linville, Fleetwood and more. There are so many ways to help — and so many good Samaritans — it’s hard to keep track.
You’re doing good, Charlotte. We’ll keep SouthPark Magazine’s online disaster relief webpage updated, as new giving and volunteer opportunities arise. SP
For more information scan:
Clockwise from top left: South Mecklenburg High
