Issuu

OCTOBER 2026

SERVING LAKE NORMAN

Lake Norman Legends

Ghostly tales, hidden history and one mysterious monster

The Midlife Checkup

What four local doctors want you to know

Hometown Charm

Plan a fall getaway to Aiken, South Carolina

Choosing A Private School Get to know seven Lake Norman schools

Get Ready For Family Gatherings

ISH M A

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D rs . m iChael C oleman anD m iChael F oran Through the Generations...

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LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

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FROM WHERE I SIT

The magazine by and for the people who call Lake Norman home

Publisher

Welcome To October Hot take: October is the best month. After months of sweating through a North Carolina summer, that first hint of cooler air feels like an enormous exhale. By October, stepping outside no longer feels like walking into a bowl of soup. I can open the windows without sending the air conditioner into shock and wear actual clothes instead of whatever will keep me from melting. The best holidays are just ahead, and there are fall festivals, football games and pumpkin patches. And oh my goodness, the mums, the crunchy leaves under your feet, the apple cider doughnuts and, of course, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING. And then there’s the spooky stuff. Haunted hayrides, scary movies and all the creepy fun that comes with Halloween—that’s my happy place. When we were little, my sister and I were frequent visitors to our local Blockbuster. We had a weekly tradition of renting both a horror movie and a comedy because apparently we enjoyed being terrified—but not so terrified that we couldn’t sleep. It was my favorite way to spend a Friday night. Be kind, rewind, friends. Give me a bowl of popcorn, a movie that sends me hiding under the blanket and a comedy to bring me back out. That’s still my idea of a perfect Friday night. Saturday afternoons were for making things: Shrinky Dinks, ribbon barrettes, friendship bracelets and God’s eyes—those colorful yarn-wrapped creations made with two crossed popsicle sticks. My sister and I were always working on something. Apparently, the fall-weekend formula hasn’t changed much. I still love a movie night, and I still find myself reaching for a new craft project. One year, I took up knitting and, despite my best efforts, produced exactly one Barbie-sized scarf. Then I tried The Woobles. I own several kits. I have completed exactly none of them.

MacAdam Smith Mac@LNCurrents.com

Advertising Sales Executives

Carole Lambert Carole@LNCurrents.com

My latest obsession is diamond art “painting”—yes, I realize I’m several years late to the party. I’m still not entirely sure why it’s called painting, although I suppose arranging thousands of tiny diamonds by color qualifies. It reminds me of needlepoint or the latch-hook rug kits I used to do with my Grandma, except instead of pulling yarn through a canvas, you place tiny, sparkly resin pieces onto a coded pattern.

Beth Packard bethlncurrents@gmail.com

Whatever the case, I’m hooked. No pun intended.

Emily Klinedinst klinedinst.emily@gmail.com

It just makes me ridiculously happy, and I’m not even a little ashamed to admit it. Did I spend a recent Saturday cozied up in my living room, carefully placing a billion tiny resin dots? One thousand percent. And I loved every minute. There’s something calming about focusing on one tiny section at a time and watching the picture slowly come together. For a little while, my brain quiets down. I’m not thinking about deadlines, laundry, emails or the list of things I need to do next. I’m just finding the right color and placing the next little diamond where it belongs. I highly recommend it. Do I have any idea what I’m going to do with all these finished pieces? Absolutely not. I’m apparently building a personal gallery of sparkly artwork no one asked for. But I don’t care. The finished product isn’t really the point. The calm I feel while creating it is the point— and I’m good with that. Maybe that’s part of what so many of us love about fall. We get cozy. We gather around fires. We make soup. We watch movies under blankets. We decorate, bake and craft. None of it is particularly complicated, but it feels warm, safe and joyful. Happy October, friends. I hope you find something this month that makes you ridiculously happy.

Lauren, Editor CurrentsLauren@gmail.com

Jeff Hamm jeff@lknreal.com

Event Coordinator Alison Smith Alison@LNCurrents.com

Design & Production Kerrie Boys idesign2inc

Contributing Writers Katherine Tedder Vanessa Infanzon Michelle Boudin Liz Rothaus Bertrand Mickey Dunaway Barbara Patz Kathy Dicken Lauren Platts

www.facebook.com/LNCurrents 17039 Kenton Drive, Suite 200 P, Cornelius, NC 28031 6

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Contents

About the Cover: Pumpkins, gourds and colorful mums capture everything we love about October—a season filled with cooler days, cozy traditions and the warm, unmistakable colors of fall.

CHANNEL MARKERS

Movers, shakers and more at the lake

Entertainment on Deck

Making Waves – More Than a Four-Star Rating

LIMITLESS

A section for LKN residents 55+

Fall events are finally here

A Moment in Time – Down a Sandy Dirt Road Memories of family, resilience and growing up country

Meet Tennessee commit Kaden Craft

Limitless Learning – When Should You Hire a Civil Litigation Attorney? Knowing when a disagreement requires legal guidance

FEATURES 24

Book Corner – Twice

A thought-provoking story about love, regret and second chances

Weekend Getaway – Hometown Charm

Discover Aiken’s walkable downtown, equestrian traditions and Southern hospitality

Fighting Hunger at Home

Lake Norman Legends (Or Are They?)

Lake Norman’s Best Spotlight

18 HEALTH & WELLNESS For body and mind

The Midlife Checkup

What four local doctors want you to know

How FeedNC is meeting a growing need in our community

Ghostly tales, hidden history and one mysterious monster

Meet the people behind Famous Toastery–Mooresville Commons, voted Best Breakfast

DINE + WINE

Eating, drinking, cooking and fun

Tasty Bits – Thai Peanut Chicken

Wine Time – Five Wines for the Fall Pantry

SPECIAL SECTION 37

Choosing a Private School

Get to know seven local schools helping students thrive

Lake Norman CURRENTS is a monthly publication available through direct-mail home delivery to the most affluent Lake Norman residents. It also is available at area Harris Teeter supermarkets, as well as various Chambers of Commerce, real estate offices and specialty businesses. The entire contents of this publication are protected under copyright. Unauthorized use of any editorial or advertising content in any form is strictly prohibited. Lake Norman CURRENTS magazine is wholly owned by Oasis Magazines, Inc.

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

A cozy slow-cooker dinner with almost no effort

Perfect bottles for cozier nights and richer meals

Mission Statement: Lake Norman CURRENTS magazine will embody the character, the voice and the spirit of its readers, its leaders and its advertisers. It will connect the people of Lake Norman through inspiring, entertaining and informative content, photography and design; all of which capture the elements of a well-lived life on and around the community known as Lake Norman.

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

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New Homes in Mooresville from the $400’s

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LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

SCAN TO EXPLORE

Sales: ECH Brokerage LP. License #C33712. Construction: EHC Homes, LP, Empire Homes (NC: 85275; SC: 123509). Pricing effective date of publication and subject to change without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity.

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

Channel Markers

Movers, Shakers, Style, Shopping, Trends, Happenings and More at Lake Norman Knights return to the field as the Carolina Renaissance Festival brings jousting, entertainment and medieval fun to Huntersville this fall.

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

CHANNEL MARKERS - events

OCTOBER!

Fall Events Are Finally Here

CAROLINA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 3–Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Travel back in time as the village of Fairhaven comes alive with jousting knights, falconry, mermaids, music, dancing, games, rides and more than 140 arts and crafts shops. The festival is open rain or shine at 16445 Poplar Tent Road in Huntersville. Tickets are date-specific and may sell out, so advance purchase is recommended. Parking is free. For more information, visit carolina.renfestinfo. com or call 704-896-5555.

ARTS & ACOUSTICS Friday, Oct. 9, 6–9 p.m. Spend an evening strolling through Downtown Mooresville while enjoying live music, local art, shopping and refreshments. Artists will create, display and sell their work inside and outside participating businesses along Broad and Main streets, while musicians perform throughout downtown. Presented by the Mooresville Downtown Commission in partnership with Mooresville Arts, 158 on Main and Waves Entertainment. No tickets are required. For more information, visit downtownmooresville.com or call 704-662-3336.

LAKETOBERFEST MUSIC & BREW FESTIVAL Saturday, Oct. 10, 3–8 p.m. Celebrate fall at Bailey Road Park in Cornelius with live music, local craft breweries, food trucks, vendors and activities for the whole family. Admission and parking are free, with proceeds from the event benefiting Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists. Bailey Road Park is located at 11536 Bailey Road in Cornelius. For more information, visit cornelius.org or call 704-892-6031.

E.P.I.C. STUDIOS CAROLINA BALLOONFEST Friday–Sunday, Oct. 16–18 Watch the Statesville sky fill with color during a weekend of hot-air balloon competitions, mass ascensions and evening balloon glows. The family-friendly festival also features live entertainment, a Kids Zone, food vendors and a wine garden. Balloon activities are weather-dependent, and advance tickets are available online. Children ages 6 and younger receive free admission. For the complete schedule, parking information and tickets, visit carolinaballoonfest.com or call 704-4956735.

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

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delightful details DELIGHTFUL DETAILS: ONE-OF-A-KIND BATHROOM RETREATS DESIGNED WITH COLOR AND PERSONALITY For Lori Savio of Home, Heart & Soul, a bathroom is never just a bathroom. It’s a chance to bring beauty, function, and personality into a space people use every day. That was especially true in two neighboring home projects for a mother and daughter. While their tastes share a joyful spirit and love of color, Lori approached each bathroom individually, creating spaces that feel connected yet entirely their own. In one bathroom, a hand-painted mural by local artist Dale Barattini McLin is the focal point. Delicate branches, leafy greens, tropical plants, and a graceful blue heron bring the vanity area to life with movement and imagination. Paired with bright turquoise cabinetry, warm brass accents, softly glowing sconces, and beautiful tile, the room feels like a one-of-a-kind escape. The second bathroom tells its story through pattern and softness. Lush botanical wallpaper adds color to the walls, while a blush vanity, pale blue tile, brass fixtures, and a painted ceiling create a playfully polished space. In the shower, custom tile, soft blue accents, and detailed pattern work carry that same thoughtful energy into every corner. Together, the two bathrooms showcase how much possibility can live in a practical space. With Lori’s intentional eye, color becomes more than decoration. It becomes a way to create rooms that feel joyful, personal, and impossible to duplicate.

20901 Catawba Ave. 704-458-6464 Lori@homeheartandsoul.com homeheartandsoul.com www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

CHANNEL MARKERS - making waves

More Than a 4-Star Rating

Meet Kaden Craft, Lake Norman High School’s four-star quarterback committed to Tennessee. by Katherine Tedder | photo courtesy of the Lake Norman High School yearbook team

In September 2024, the starting quarterback at Lake Norman High School went down with an injury early in the third game of the season. Kaden Craft, a freshman still finding his footing on the high school varsity football team, came in without warning, midgame, and led a major comeback.

He credits that mix for the competitiveness and instincts he still relies on at quarterback. His love of football came from home.

“After that, I took off,” Craft says.

The work started young, and it started at home.

There was no script for that moment—no coach’s plan that had a freshman stepping in and changing the trajectory of a season. But that single afternoon set the tone for what followed. Craft, who has already committed to the Tennessee Volunteers as part of the 2028 class, is a four-star recruit and a dual-threat quarterback, equally dangerous throwing the ball and running it.

“It really was just me and my dad working hard, whether it was getting a workout in the morning or getting more field time after practice,” he says.

What doesn’t show up in the rankings is the young man underneath it all. Off the field, he’s just a regular high school student, showing up to class, doing homework and studying for tests like everyone else. He’s down-to-earth, polite and easy to talk to. Before any of the fame, he was just a kid who played everything— wrestling, track, BMX, basketball, football, whatever was in season. 22

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

“My dad was a big inspiration,” Craft says. “I was raised around sports, and I just fell in love with being a quarterback.”

There wasn’t a training staff or a recruiting profile yet—just early mornings and extra reps when nobody was watching. Track ended up being part of that foundation, too. “I was not all that fast, and when I started track at eight years old, my speed took off from there,” he says. “That was a huge factor in my overall athleticism.” That early work came with setbacks most people never hear about. Growth plate issues sidelined him for stretches of middle school,

along with hip injuries tied to growing so fast during track season. “That’s a lot of development you’re missing out on,” he says. He kept training anyway, and what started as mornings with his dad eventually grew into regular sessions with trainers three times a week during the offseason, on top of playing basketball and running track. The attention that followed that freshman-year performance hasn’t changed how he approaches the work. “Nothing is guaranteed,” he says. “A lot of five-stars think they can settle down because they get the hype, but you’ve got to keep working like you’re unranked. My mindset is just to not change.” He talks about growth off the field the same way he talks about it on the field. “Everyone’s looking at you, so you have to be a leader off the field, too,” he says. “Try to be nice to everyone and build relationships with them.” For all the individual attention that comes with being a four-star quarterback, Craft doesn’t talk about the game like it’s his alone to win. “You can’t do it without the other guys on the field,” he says. “It starts up front, and then you’ve got the running backs and receivers.

It’s one of the best team sports out there because you literally need all 11 to do their job.” It’s a small thing to say out loud, but it says a lot about how he sees his own role—not as the headline, but as one piece of something bigger. He measures success by improvement, not rankings. “If you won nine games last year, let’s win 12 this year,” he says. “Being a part of the program and having a positive impact, that’s a big part of being successful.” That sense of impact reaches beyond his own team. Craft says he doesn’t take lightly how many younger kids are watching him. “It’s crazy to think about, because this was always the dream growing up,” he says. “Outside of football, you also have to be a leader, because there are so many kids I know look up to me, and I want to be that good example.” The next step is college, but the goal has always been bigger. “Pro has always been the goal,” Craft says. “College is almost like pro now, but yeah, pro is the goal.” One thing is certain for this Lake Norman High School junior: He’s not done making waves.

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

WEEKEND GETAWAY

The Willcox reflects the elegance of Aiken’s Gilded Age. Since 1898, The Willcox has offered accommodations and dining in the heart of Aiken.

Friends enjoy outdoor dining in downtown Aiken.

Hometown

Charm

Aiken draws guests in with its walkable downtown, horse races and Southern hospitality. by Vanessa Infanzon | photos courtesy of Visit Aiken SC.

Beneath a canopy of live oaks, this South Carolina town’s history comes alive on the Historic Trolley Tour of Aiken. As the trolley winds through tree-lined streets, the guide shares stories of a place that began more than two centuries ago as a trading post. In 1833, William Aiken Sr., president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company, brought the first train to Aiken, a stop between Charleston and Hamburg, South Carolina. Aiken, located just 2.5 hours from the Lake Norman area, was incorporated in 1835. After the Civil War, equestrian sports attracted Northern families such as the Astors, Vanderbilts and Whitneys, who formed the “Winter Colony.” Many of their homes are included on the city’s trolley tour. Visitors flock to the area for its thriving downtown, with hotels, restaurants, festivals, historic sites, polo matches and horse races. 24

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

DOWNTOWN

The Willcox, built during the town’s famed Winter Colony days, offers luxury accommodations in one of its 23 refreshed rooms. On Thursday nights, a local quartet plays jazz from 7–9 p.m. in the hotel lobby. Brunch, accompanied by live music, is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The Alley is a focal point in downtown Aiken, with live music, special events and activities planned throughout the year. Diners sitting outside can enjoy the fountain, public art and Amp the Alley concerts on Thursday nights from April through October. Dine at Chef Chad Jajczyk’s Prime Steakhouse for its elevated menu featuring seasonal sides, craft cocktails and a reserve menu with cuts from Turkey Creek Cattle Co. Whiskey Alley, another of Jajczyk’s

The Aiken Steeplechase Association hosts two steeplechase racing events each year.

concepts, changes its menu daily, but diners can always count on crispy Brussels sprouts, the Royale cheeseburger and fish and chips. Indulge in coffee and pastries from cafes such as Bottom Line Bakery, La Parisienne French Restaurant and Bakery, and New Moon Café. Grab lunch at Park Avenue Oyster Bar, Rhumba or Tailgate Tavern in The Alley. Wander through boutique shops and find whimsical holiday gifts and home décor at the Aiken Center for the Arts, Equine Divine, True Aiken, White Rose Eclectics Boutique and many more.

STEEPLECHASE

The steeplechase originated in Ireland in 1752, when Edmund Blake and Cornelius O’Callaghan raced across the countryside from St. John’s Church in Buttevant to St. Mary’s Church in Doneraile. By the early 1800s, racetracks were being established throughout England.

The Blessing of the Hounds kicks off the hunting season.

In 1930, steeplechasing was on the minds of three prominent horsemen—Temple Gwathmey, Thomas Hitchcock and Harry Worchester Smith—who founded the Aiken Steeplechase Association. Today, the nonprofit hosts both fall and spring steeplechases, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the region to watch nationally recognized jockeys compete for the purse. Horses race on turf and jump over hurdles known as national fences. The 33rd Aiken Fall Steeplechase will feature six races on Oct. 31, with eight to 10 horses expected in each. Gates open at 9 a.m., and the first race begins at 1 p.m. Tickets may be reserved online or by phone, with packages ranging from general admission to hospitality tents and VIP experiences. The family-friendly event will feature Halloween costume, dog costume and hat contests; corgi races; children’s stick horse races; and live music. The Village of Shops opens at 10 a.m. with vendors offering merchandise ranging from local artisan creations to international brands. During the event, five charities will each be awarded $5,000 to support a project initiative. The Aiken Spring Steeplechase is scheduled for March 20, 2027. Aiken Steeplechase 2020 Richland Avenue East Aiken, South Carolina 29801 803-648-9641 aikensteeplechase.com

Women’s polo tournaments are held throughout the year in Aiken.

Aiken in the Fall

Oct. 2–3 — Southern Strings Festival, Bruce’s Field Oct. 16–18 — Unity Weekend, various locations Oct. 16–25 — Western Carolina State Fair, Aiken Fairgrounds Oct. 31 — Aiken Fall Steeplechase Nov. 26 — Blessing of the Hounds, Hitchcock Woods Dec. 4–5 — Annual Christmas Craft Show, H. Odell Weeks Activities Center

For more information, visit visitaikensc.com.

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

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Health +Wellness For Body & Mind

Making your health a priority in midlife can have lasting benefits for the years ahead.

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

HEALTH + WELLNESS - stay informed

The Midlife

Checkup

What Four Local Doctors Want You to Know by Michelle Boudin

Dr. Amy Voci

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

Dr. Denzil Harris

Dr. Astrid Jain

Dr. Craig Anthony

“Your 60-year-old self is going to thank your 40-year-old self for starting this medicine now.” They don’t call it a midlife crisis for nothing. But your health doesn’t actually have to become a crisis—especially if you take preventive measures. We sat down with four area doctors to get their advice on what we should all be doing to live our best, healthiest lives in the prime of our lives. It turns out that both men and women tend to ignore their health in midlife—but for very different reasons. “I think the hardest thing for women in midlife is that we’re so busy,” says Dr. Amy Voci, a breast surgical oncologist who recently left Levine Cancer Institute to start her own practice. “By that point, we’re juggling many things and wearing lots of different hats, whether it’s family, kids or a career. Taking a moment to pause and take care of yourself is not always a priority for women.” Dr. Astrid Jain, an OB-GYN who has practiced in Charlotte for three decades and recently started Womanhood Charlotte, a menopause education program, agrees. Women, she says, tend to be the ones managing health care for the whole family—scheduling appointments for their children and partners—while often forgetting to schedule their own. Her baseline recommendation for every woman in midlife is a gynecology visit and a primary care visit every year, at minimum. “I think you’d be surprised how many women don’t do one of those,” she says, emphasizing that it shouldn’t be one or the other. “We call the general practitioner the captain of the ship,” Jain explains. “Even if you have a host of medical issues and an endocrinologist who manages your diabetes and a cardiologist who manages your heart disease, patients often forget that primary care is supposed to be coordinating everything.” While a specialist may be focused on one particular condition, a primary care provider can oversee the full picture, review medications and supplements and identify possible interactions or unnecessary treatments. Men are just as guilty of neglecting their health, but often for a different reason: They simply stop going to the doctor. “A lot of men, after they get their pediatric examinations finished and turn 18, don’t go back to the doctor unless they get injured or sick,” says Dr. Craig Anthony, a family medicine physician with Novant Health in Mooresville. Often, he says, the first time he sees a man is because his wife finally insisted. His advice is simple: Get an annual physical, no matter what. Know your numbers. During an annual exam, Anthony checks blood pressure, weight and body mass index, along with baseline bloodwork that may include cholesterol, a metabolic panel, thyroid function and screening for prediabetes. High blood pressure, he notes, often has no symptoms. When patients resist treating it, he reminds them, “Your 60-year-old self is going to thank your 40-year-old self for starting this medicine now.” Heart disease deserves its own conversation, says Dr. Denzil Harris, a Huntersville-based cardiologist with Novant Health. Atherosclerosis,

the artery disease behind most heart attacks and strokes, can begin developing during the teenage years, but midlife is when the risk becomes serious enough to address. That’s why formal cardiac risk screening should begin at age 40 for both men and women, he says. A calculation known as the ASCVD risk score considers factors such as age, sex, cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking status to place patients into low-, intermediate- or high-risk categories. Anyone in the intermediate range should ask whether additional testing, such as an advanced lipid panel or inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, may be appropriate. “I think the most useful thing patients can do is ensure they get a formal evaluation of risk at 40,” Harris says. Screenings that shift with age. For men, conversations about prostate cancer screening typically begin between ages 45 and 50, depending on individual risk factors. Screening may begin with a baseline prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test—not necessarily the dreaded physical exam many men fear, which Anthony says is no longer a routine part of screening. Colorectal cancer screening now begins at age 45 for both men and women. While colonoscopy remains one option, at-home stool tests may be available for some lower-risk patients. Men in their 40s and 50s also frequently ask about low testosterone, which can cause fatigue and low libido. Anthony notes that those symptoms can overlap with anxiety or depression, so he screens for those conditions as well. For women, breast health deserves more than a once-a-year thought, Voci says. Annual mammograms save lives, but screening isn’t necessarily one-size-fits-all. Risk-assessment tools such as the Tyrer-Cuzick model consider family history, breast density, age and other factors to identify women who may need additional screening. Women whose results show a lifetime breast cancer risk above 20% may benefit from an MRI in addition to a mammogram. Genetic testing is also worth discussing for women diagnosed with cancer at a young age or those with a strong family history of breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer. Voci flags bone density as another under-the-radar concern. Declining estrogen levels in midlife can quietly contribute to bone loss. Depending on a woman’s age and individual risk factors, a doctor may recommend a DEXA scan to measure bone density. “Estrogen helps maintain bone density, and as you naturally have decreased levels of estrogen, your bone density can decrease,” Voci says. “Knowing whether you should take vitamin D supplements or focus on bone-density-building exercises, like weight training, can be helpful.” Jain adds her own list of easy-to-forget basics: a tetanus booster every 10 years, the two-dose shingles vaccine series beginning at age 50 and www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

HEALTH + WELLNESS - stay informed

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pneumococcal vaccination beginning at 50. She also recommends regular dental, skin and eye exams and encourages women to pay attention to changes in their menstrual cycles, sleep and mood, which may signal the transition into perimenopause or menopause. The common thread. In addition to screenings and recommended tests, every doctor circled back to the same three things: Move your body, eat well and manage stress. Harris suggests aiming for roughly 150 minutes of exercise each week, combining cardiovascular activity with resistance training. Both he and Anthony recommend a Mediterranean-style diet rich in lean protein, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, while limiting salt and added sugar.

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Voci and Jain say women should place a greater emphasis on strength training and adequate protein intake as they age. All four doctors also mentioned stress as an overlooked risk factor. “We underestimate the effect stress has on us,” Voci says, pointing to poor sleep and elevated cortisol as quiet contributors to inflammation. “The big thing that we talk about in Womanhood is that as women get older, we need to shift both our diet and our exercise,” Jain adds. “I’ll have women come in complaining of weight gain, and many of them say it’s happening even though they haven’t done anything different. That’s the thing—we need to do something different as we age. Strength training is the bare necessity for women in midlife.” The bottom line from all four doctors? Midlife doesn’t have to become a crisis. The key is being proactive enough to prevent one.

Don’t just survive,

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Therapy for Individuals, Couples, Families, Children & Adolescents.

Phone: 704-360-3049 (Call or Text) Fax: 704-973-9588 Email: info@lknthrive.com OFFICE LOCATIONS: 311 Williamson Rd, Suite 103 and 203 Mooresville, NC 28117 ••• 7905 Village Center North Sherrills Ford, NC 28673 ••• 1270 25th St. Pl. SE, Suite 3 Hickory, NC 28602

www.lknthrive.com

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

FEATURE

Fighting Hunger at Home by Liz Rothaus Bertrand | photos courtesy of FeedNC

People know Lake Norman for its beautiful homes, lakeside living and thriving business community, so it may come as a surprise to learn how many people in the area are affected by hunger and food insecurity. “I think there’s an assumption that we don’t have the need but there is a need and a lot of it is people that work,” says Angela Kline, CEO of FeedNC, a non-profit organization based in Mooresville that serves community members within portions of Iredell, Rowan, Cabarrus and northern Mecklenburg counties. October is National Tackling Hunger Month. To learn more, LNC spoke to Kline about the area’s growing needs, the innovative ways FeedNC engages with the community, and how you can get involved in the fight against hunger.

The need is real Take Iredell County, for example, where the latest census data shows about 10% of people are living at or below the federal poverty level. That’s already significant, but the need is even greater when you add the number of people struggling to make ends meet (a figure known as ALICE— Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). “Those are people that are working but their car breaks down or they

happen to go to the urgent care, they’re going to not be able to eat,” Kline says. When you combine those stats, the percentage of people in Iredell County at risk for food insecurity jumps to 34% (source: United Way’s 2024 ALICE Report). And FeedNC’s own member data bears that out, as well, with 57% of respondents to a July 2026 survey saying someone in the household was working and 35% were actively seeking a job. Eligibility applications submitted to FeedNC in 2025 also show the stark realities of hunger in our community. When asked about the last 30 days, • 6 in 10 households/families reported someone had skipped a meal or eaten less because there wasn’t enough food. • 20% responded that they had gone a day without eating. • 10% of respondents said that they had gone without eating for three or more days. • 18% said their children had been hungry and the family could not afford more food. “These aren’t abstract statistics…” Kline says. “They represent local parents and families making really hard choices.”

Volunteers help prepare meals in the kitchen at Donoghue’s Open Door. FeedNC also has a workforce development program that includes culinary training.

Donoghue’s Open Door is free and open to the public. It serves breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday.

Enjoying breakfast at Donoghue’s Open Door.

About 700 households per week shop at the Grassroots Grocery.

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

How FeedNC helps and builds community

FeedNC, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, originally started as a soup kitchen in the basement of the First Baptist Church of Mooresville. Thanks to community support and a recent capital campaign, it has grown to include a full slate of programs that ensure member dignity and help build community connections. Its new 26,000-square-foot facility, which opened three years ago, includes features like a grocery store, a free restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, a garden where fresh fruit and vegetables are grown onsite and a hygiene hub with showers and washing machines available for homeless neighbors. Partnerships with grocery stores and local restaurants help make everything possible. FeedNC uses rescued food — surplus that would otherwise be discarded — to operate many of its programs. Additional in-kind donations and items purchased at minimal cost from Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina help stock resources too. In 2025, the organization collected 1.7 million pounds of rescued food and in-kind donations. And Mimi’s Garden, a gift to FeedNC from the Earnhardt family and The Dale Jr. Foundation along with Unilever, produced more than 1,200 pounds of food for the community. Kline says the organization’s offerings reflect the services members have told them are most needed. That includes the creation of Grassroots Grocery, a place that looks and feels like a small grocery store. Each week approximately 700 households schedule their visits and shop there. “One of the cool things, I think, about FeedNC is that it’s not a food pantry — that you are actually going in and shopping,” Kline says. “So, if you are here with a child, they don’t think you’re going to a food bank, they’re going to Grassroots Grocery.” Eligibility is based on household income and residence within FeedNC’s designated service-area ZIP codes. The program is meant to be supplemental, providing about 70% of the need for a family of four. FeedNC also operates Donoghue’s Open Door, a breakfast and lunch restaurant available to everyone at no charge. “Anyone can come in and we really do want everyone to come in,” Kline says. “We would love folks to come in here for a work meeting, and have a cup of coffee or join us for lunch. Because we really do believe that having all members of the community… it’s really connecting people here.” FeedNC has other seasonal programs too, such as food truck-delivered frozen meals for seniors at Cascade Garden Apartments during the spring and fall. When school is out, the truck makes weekly neighborhood stops with fresh options for the Children’s Summer Lunch Program.

veteran families with free fresh produce, also operates about twice a month between April and early November. Throughout the year, there are workforce development programs to help members build new skills as well as a variety of educational programs for kids to learn about nutrition, cooking and more. Nothing could happen without the help of volunteers. Kline calls them FeedNC’s “secret sauce.” Each day about 70 people come in to help, some of whom also qualify for grocery assistance. Volunteers sort food in the warehouse, take meal orders, help cook or wash dishes in the restaurant, work in the garden, pick up food from partners, help with special events and more. With rising food and energy costs, alongside changes to federal medical and food assistance programs, Kline says the need will continue to grow. “We are trying to anticipate how families are going to be impacted, but we stand ready,” she says. “We’re working to make sure that we can help everyone in need.” Want to get involved? Here are ways you can help this fall. Go to feednc.org for full details. Volunteer: Open to individuals age 11 and up, corporate teams, and students looking for community service hours. Support the 3rd annual FeedNC Cup: On October 30, rivals Lake Norman High School and Mooresville High School will battle it out on the football field. Leading up to the big game, both schools will host food drives, Oct. 20 - 30, with students and faculty competing to collect the most non-perishable food to support FeedNC. Help these schools fight hunger! Donate to the fall food drive, kicking off Nov. 16, or host your own anytime: Find a list of most-needed everyday items on the website. Donate Thanksgiving turkeys or Christmas hams: FeedNC needs 12-14 pound turkeys or 9-10 pound hams for families to select while grocery shopping (one per family). Support the Winter Wonderland: Donate toys, gift cards or volunteer at this special event on Dec. 19. Make Blessing Bags: Put together a care package for someone in need. Make a cash donation: Thanks to rescued food and volunteer power, Kline says every dollar donated is actually worth about three.

A special Veteran’s Farmers Market, designed to respectfully serve www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

FEATURE

Lake Norman

Legends

(Or Are They?)

by Michelle Boudin

Davidson, North Carolina, looks like a postcard—brick sidewalks, a college green and a Main Street built for slow afternoons. But according to Rachel Workman, owner of Ghosts of Davidson and vice president of the Davidson Historical Society, the town’s charming surface hides some genuinely creepy history. “It’s true stories, and it’s history, but it’s more of the macabre side of history,” Workman says of the tours she leads through downtown. She backs up every tale with old newspapers, photographs and firsthand accounts. “Whether it’s haunted, that’s kind of left up to you,” she says. “But I do show evidence.” The most infamous legend centers on the Chambers Building, the grand, columned centerpiece of the Davidson College campus. The story traces back to Davidson’s short-lived medical school, which operated in town from the late 19th century until 1907. At the time, students had no formal way to obtain cadavers for study. “It was BYOB,” Workman says—bring your own body. As the story goes, a group of desperate students dug up the body of 34

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

a recently buried 17-year-old girl and hid her in the attic of the Chambers Building, planning to move her to the medical school the next morning. When the girl’s father discovered the disturbed grave, he demanded that the NC Medical College and Students campus be searched. Panicking, the students allegedly stuffed her remains down one of the building’s four hollow columns, which students normally used to stash contraband alcohol and cigarettes. Workman didn’t simply take the legend at face value. While digging through old records, she found a 1914 Davidsonian article about a student named Walter Demos, who had himself lowered by rope into one of the columns on a dare—and came back up holding a skull. The Charlotte Observer picked up the story that same week.

Decades later, in 1949, Demos mailed the skull back to a fraternity brother in Davidson along with a letter recounting exactly how he had found it. The Observer ran a follow-up story, complete with a photo of the skull. Workman even matched that photo to the same fraternity’s 1950 yearbook page. The skull’s trail goes cold sometime in the 1990s, when a fraternity president wrote in the Charlotte attorney Howard Arbuckle holds yearbook that someone had sto- “Ichabod,” the skull at the center of Davidson College’s “cadaver in the column” legend. len it. Its whereabouts remain Photo by Dumbell, courtesy of The Charlotte Observer unknown. Not every Davidson ghost story involves a body. Workman also points to the former Icehouse downtown, now home to the restaurant Fontana Divino, which staff members have long described as haunted—including sightings of a “full-body apparition” near the restrooms. Her research led her to the property’s origins as part of a plantation owned by the Johnston family, once the second-largest enslavers in Mecklenburg County.

According to Davidson College’s archives, Davidson was a Continental Army officer who trained alongside George Washington’s troops at Valley Forge before returning home to lead North Carolina militia against Lord Cornwallis. On February 1, 1781, he was stationed with roughly 500 militiamen at Cowan’s Ford on the Catawba River, attempting to stop the British from crossing. As Davidson rode to the riverbank to rally his troops, he was shot through the chest and killed within minutes. His men scattered after hearing that he had fallen. Fellow officers recovered his body that evening and buried him at Hopewell Presbyterian Church north of Charlotte. Davidson College was named in his General William Lee Davidson honor in 1837, and his sword and pistols remain in its archives. Nearly two centuries after his death, Duke Energy dammed the Catawba River to create Lake Norman, leaving the site of Davidson’s final battle—like so much of the area’s history—just below the surface. That same water is also home to the region’s best-known mythical figure: Normie, the Lake Norman Monster. Matt Myers, who has operated LakeNormanMonster.com since May 2002, has logged more than 150 eyewitness reports from boaters, swimmers and paddleboarders. Descriptions vary wildly—from long, snake-like bodies and creatures with multiple humps or large fins to something resembling an alligator—with estimated lengths ranging from 10 to 20 feet or more. Recent reports include a Sherrills Ford resident who photographed what she believed was Normie heading toward shore in January 2024 and a north-shore witness near Mooresville who captured a dark, fast-moving shape on camera later that year. Myers is careful about the conclusions he draws. “I don’t claim that there is an undiscovered species living in Lake Norman,” he says, noting that the lake’s genuinely large catfish could explain plenty of the sightings. “But I also don’t automatically dismiss people who report seeing something unusual.”

A historical marker honors General William Lee Davidson, who was killed at the Battle of Cowan’s Ford in 1781.

“I get where the negative vibes here are coming from,” she says. Even Lake Norman carries a darker piece of local history. The site of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Cowan’s Ford—where General William Lee Davidson, the town’s namesake, was killed—was submerged when the lake was created in the 1960s.

What started as a hobby website has since grown into a local legend. Normie has inspired a children’s book, an annual Finding Normie scavenger hunt in downtown Mooresville and an official Legends & Lore historical marker. As Myers puts it, “You don’t have to believe there’s a monster in Lake Norman to enjoy Normie.”

Normie, the Lake Norman Monster

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

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Grace Covenant Academy is Christ-centered school partnerin families to equip students with ex education and effective integrat There are many benefits to enrolling your child in a private school--from small class sizes to stimulating and personalized academic environments. Read on to learn how some of our area’s private schools are changing the face of education and how you can get involved. Biblical truth.

It's woven into everythin Choosing a Private School at Davidson Day

Learn more. Call for a personal tour.

Preschool – 12th Grade

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9:1 Student - Teacher Ratio

Over 50% of f with advanced

704.237.5229 2026-2027 SCHOOL ADMISSION

GROWING IN FAITH, WISDOM, AND EXCELLENCE. 980-455-0922 - Call for a tour today!

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1431 Mecklenburg Hwy. Mooresville, NC

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PRESCHOOL • Year-Round Program For 2, 3 & 4yr Olds • Monday-Friday | 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM • $285 Per Week • Christ-Centered Learning Environment LOWER SCHOOL • K-4th Grade | Biblical Foundation • NC Opportunity Scholarship Available www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026 • Before Care: 7:00-8:00 AM • Extended Care: 2:30-6:00 PM

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Lake Norman Christian School

Known, Loved and Challenged

t Lake Norman Christian School, students are prepared not only for college and careers, but also for lives shaped by faith, purpose and service. Serving approximately 275 students from preschool through grade 12, LKNC provides a college preparatory education in a safe, nurturing environment grounded in the Christian faith. Its vision is to prepare graduates for eternal citizenship in the Kingdom of God and unselfish service to humanity through a highly effective, Christ-centered academic program. The school’s motto captures that commitment simply: Teaching Truth—Transforming Lives—Serving Others. A Close-Knit Community: At LKNC, faculty and staff often talk about creating a school where students are “known, loved and challenged.” Small class sizes and a low studentto-teacher ratio allow teachers to know their students personally, differentiate instruction and provide the individual support each child needs. That sense of community is paired with high expectations.

Teachers encourage students to grow academically while helping them discover their gifts, develop confidence and understand who God has created them to be. Families are also valued as important partners throughout each student’s educational journey. A Biblical worldview is not treated as an additional subject at LKNC. Instead, it is integrated throughout the educational experience. The school seeks to give graduates strong academic foundations and prepare them for their next steps while nurturing a faith that will guide them throughout their lives. Learning Beyond the Classroom: Students can participate in athletics, fine arts, drama, student leadership, service opportunities, clubs, field trips and educational travel. These experiences give students additional ways to build relationships, discover their interests and gifts, and develop as leaders. LKNC believes some of the most meaningful learning happens beyond the walls of a traditional classroom. Experiential learning and educational travel opportunities help students connect

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

academic lessons to the wider world while encouraging curiosity, independence and service to others. Flexible Learning Opportunities: The Lake Norman Christian Virtual Academy offers a flexible K–12 Christian education option for families seeking an alternative to a traditional on-campus schedule. Virtual Academy students can remain connected to the larger LKNC community through activities, electives, events and other shared experiences. Tuition for the Virtual Academy is $8,000, and eligible families may use North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship funds toward the cost. Looking Ahead: As Lake Norman Christian School continues to grow, it is investing in the future of its campus and programs. Plans include expanded opportunities in academics, athletics, fine arts and student life, supporting the school’s commitment to educating the whole student. School leaders see this as an exciting season for LKNC—one that builds on its close-knit community while creating new

possibilities for current and future students. Admission and Tuition: Families begin the admissions process by completing an online application and submitting the required documentation. Depending on the student and grade level, the process may also include a review of academic records, a student assessment, a family interview and a campus visit. Prospective families are encouraged to tour the school and experience the LKNC community firsthand. Applications for the 2027–28 school year open to the general public October 1, 2026. Annual tuition for the 2026–27 school year is $12,000 for grades K–5, $13,000 for grades 6–8 and $14,000 for grades 9–12. Lake Norman Christian School participates in the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program, which can significantly reduce the cost of private Christian education for qualifying families.

4101 Stumptown Rd Huntersville, NC 28078 704-987-9811 lknc.org

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Cannon School

A Relationship-Driven Journey of Growth

t Cannon School, relationships are at the heart of learning. Established in 1969, the independent, coeducational college preparatory school serves students from junior kindergarten through grade 12 in a community where each student is known, supported and challenged to grow. Cannon’s mission is to nurture relationships at the heart of learning and engage the learner in a journey of growth. Its vision is a world of wholehearted and adaptive contributors— students prepared to participate meaningfully in their communities and respond confidently to an ever-changing world.

Adaptive Expertise: Central to Cannon’s approach is Adaptive Expertise, which teaches students to apply what they know when facing new questions, challenges and opportunities. Rather than simply mastering familiar procedures, students learn to transfer knowledge, test ideas, and adjust their thinking when a familiar approach no longer fits. Throughout their time at Cannon, students develop six Adaptive Expertise Essentials: Scholarship, Adaptability, Creativity, Resilience, Reflection and Communication. These skills are practiced across grade levels through cross-curricular experiences, makerspace projects, Advanced Placement and Advanced Topics

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

courses, Capstone projects, and experiential learning. Relational Teaching: Cannon’s teachers intentionally cultivate the ABCs of Relational Teaching: Autonomy, Belonging and Competence. The goal is to create a school experience where students feel known and supported while also developing independence, confidence and a genuine sense of belonging. Beyond the Classroom: Students have opportunities to explore arts, athletics, robotics, esports, service learning, global travel, and leadership programs. These experiences extend learning beyond the classroom, helping students discover new

interests, build relationships, practice leadership and contribute meaningfully to their communities. The enrollment application process varies by grade and includes a customized checklist for each applicant. Tuition for the 2026–27 school year ranges from $21,450 for Junior Kindergarten to $32,070 for Upper School. First-round applications are due January 15, 2027, with decisions released March 1. 5801 Poplar Tent Road Concord, NC 28027 704-786-8171 www.cannonschool.org

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Davidson Day School

Leading with C.O.R.E. Values

its C.O.R.E. values: t Davidson Day School, education is most powerful Courage: Students face challenges with integrity, speak when it is personal, up for what is right and step purposeful and rooted in boldly into new experiences. community. The Ownership: Students take independent school serves responsibility for their learning, students from early childhood their actions and the impact they through grade 12, providing an individualized experience where have on their community. Resilience: Students persevere each student is known, through adversity with supported and inspired to resourcefulness, learning from achieve their best. With an 8:1 student-to-faculty setbacks and growing stronger. Empathy: Students seek ratio and an average class size to understand others with of 14, Davidson Day creates an environment where teachers can compassion and commit themselves to kindness and build meaningful relationships with students and support their service. Academic Journey: Academic individual growth. excellence begins in Early The school’s mission— Childhood, where play-based “Together, we empower students to embrace challenge, learning helps students develop live with character, and lead with foundational skills. In Lower purpose”—comes to life through School, hands-on learning

opportunities to work alongside strengthens literacy, math and one another and serve the critical thinking. Middle School students are challenged to think surrounding community. independently while developing Through these experiences, they develop collaboration and confidence and character. communication skills they can In Upper School, rigorous carry into both their local and coursework—including 26 global communities. Advanced Placement courses and three Diploma Distinctions— The admissions process prepares students for success in includes a tour, application, interview, transcripts, teacher college and beyond. recommendations and an Beyond the Classroom: assessment. Annual tuition Athletics, arts and community ranges from $22,590 for Early engagement are integral to Childhood to $26,910 for Upper a Davidson Day education. School. Student-athletes consistently earn team state championships and individual state titles, while 750 Jetton Street Davidson, NC 28036 the school’s arts programs provide opportunities to cultivate 704-237-5200 davidsonday.org creativity and self-expression. Facebook: DavidsonDaySchool Community engagement Instagram: @DavidsonDaySchool reaches across every division, giving students meaningful

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

PRIVATE SCHOOLS — SPECIAL ADVERTSING SECTION

Woodlawn School Curiosity With Purpose

ission and learning. Woodlawn School seeks to produce independent, lifelong learners who are responsible, contributing members of a diverse global society. Serving more than 270 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, the school offers intentionally sized classes where every student is known by name and taught as an individual. Learning takes place throughout its 61-acre campus, indoors and outside. Students ask meaningful questions, test their own answers and

apply what they learn within the community, allowing high achievement and genuine curiosity to grow together. Beyond the classroom. Middle and Upper School students can participate in soccer, volleyball, cross country, track and field, basketball, tennis and swimming. Clubs, electives and student-led activities provide additional opportunities to explore interests and develop leadership skills. Woodlawn Upper School students earn a Pathway of

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

Purpose. Exploration begins in 9th grade through the Pathfinder experience. Over four years, students build depth in Global Community, Business + Entrepreneurship; Fine + Performing Arts, STEM, or Global Online Academy. Students go beyond standard graduation requirements through coursework, internships, mentorship, and Senior Capstone. The Pathway then appears on their diploma, a record of what they chose to build. Every Upper School course is offered at the Honors or AP level. Blazers

graduate ready to think critically, lead confidently, and make a real impact. Enrollment and tuition. The application process includes an online application, campus visits and a full-day classroom shadowing experience. Annual tuition ranges from $20,125 for Pre-K and junior kindergarten to $25,950 for grades 9–12. 135 Woodlawn School Loop Mooresville, NC 28115 704-895-8653 woodlawnschool.org

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Grace Covenant Academy

Learning Through a Biblical Worldview

or more than 25 years, Grace Covenant Academy has educated children in the Lake Norman area through a Christ-centered partnership with families. A ministry of Grace Covenant Church, the school is located on the church’s Cornelius campus and serves students from age 3 through grade 12. GCA’s vision is for students and staff to live out God’s plans for their lives by fulfilling His purposes, using their Godgiven talents and abilities, and following the callings He has placed upon them. The school approaches learning through a Biblical worldview, integrating Christ into every subject. Its goal is to provide students with an excellent education and an

effective understanding of Biblical truth in an environment where they are cared for and known. Individualized Attention: With a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio and a total enrollment of approximately 330 students, individualized attention is a hallmark of the GCA experience. Small classes allow teachers to build meaningful relationships with students and respond to their individual academic needs. A Growing High School Program: GCA’s high school program offers most core subject classes in person with GCA teachers, along with select electives such as band, voice, art and physical education. The school also partners

with Liberty University Online Academy to provide customized math courses and upper-grade electives. This hybrid approach allows GCA to create a student-tailored schedule, accommodate accelerated learning and offer dual-enrollment opportunities for juniors and seniors. Beyond the Classroom: GCA’s athletic programs continue to grow. Middle school students can participate in soccer, basketball, crosscountry, baseball, flag football, track, volleyball and cheerleading. High school athletics begin this year with cross-country, along with opportunities in volleyball and soccer. Students can also explore their interests and build relationships

through a variety of quarterly after-school clubs. Online applications are now available for the 2027–28 school year for students age 3 through grade 12. The application process includes an educational assessment, a shadow day for students entering first grade and above, and a family interview. Tuition for the 2026–27 school year ranges from $3,560 for a three-day program for the youngest students to $11,300 for middle and high school students. 17301 Statesville Road Cornelius, NC 28031 704-892-5601 gracecovenantacademy.org academy@gracecovenant.org

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

PRIVATE SCHOOLS — SPECIAL ADVERTSING SECTION

Trinity Christian Academy

Faith at the Foundation

ission and learning. With a mission “to equip students to know Christ and to make Him known,” Trinity Christian Academy provides a faithcentered education for children ages 2 through fourth grade. The school maintains an average student-to-teacher ratio of 9-to-1. Each classroom is led by a teacher committed to providing an excellent Christian education through a biblically integrated curriculum. Beyond the classroom. K-4 students participate in enrichment courses in Spanish, art, physical education,

music and STEM, with each subject taught from a biblical worldview. Every Wednesday, K-4 parents, students and staff gather for worship and praise services in the chapel. While the school does not currently offer extracurricular activities, plans are underway to introduce interest clubs in the spring. Enrollment and tuition. Families interested in Trinity Christian Academy begin the application process by contacting the school and scheduling a tour. During the visit, parents receive an information packet. Once an

application is submitted, the school reviews it to determine whether TCA can serve the student well. Families who receive an enrollment offer then complete an enrollment packet to secure their child’s place. Annual tuition is $9,000 for kindergarten and $9,500 for students in first through fourth grades. Preschool tuition is $285 per week. The school expects enrollment to grow as additional applications are completed.

980-455-0922 - Call for a tour today!

www.tcamooresville.com

1431 Mecklenburg Hwy. Mooresville, NC

1431 Mecklenburg Highway Mooresville, NC 28115 980-455-0922 contact@tcamooresville.com

Through small class sizes, individualized attention and a

2026-2027 SCHOOL ADMISSION

GROWING IN FAITH, WISDOM, AND EXCELLENCE.

curriculum rooted in biblical truth, Trinity Christian Academy seeks to support each child academically and spiritually while creating a strong,closeknit community for students and their families.

LEARN MORE AND ENROLL TODAY!

PRESCHOOL • Year-Round Program For 2, 3 & 4yr Olds • Monday-Friday | 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM • $285 Per Week • Christ-Centered Learning Environment LOWER SCHOOL • K-4th Grade | Biblical Foundation • NC Opportunity Scholarship Available • Before Care: 7:00-8:00 AM • Extended Care: 2:30-6:00 PM

At TCA, we’re cultivating Christ-centered students through academic excellence and biblical truth. 44

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION —

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

3 Oaks Academy

Learning at Their Level

ission and learning. 3 Oaks Academy creates an inquiry-based, student-centered environment designed to develop critical thinkers while honoring each student’s interests and educational needs. Serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade, the school uses learning levels rather than placing students solely by age or grade, allowing them to progress when they are ready. Learning groups are capped at 10 students, giving educators

the flexibility to provide individualized support and appropriate challenges. The Lake Norman campus can accommodate approximately 70 students while maintaining the school’s small-group model. Beyond the classroom. Students can explore robotics, coding, 3D printing and design, digital art, science, outdoor and environmental learning, and project-based electives. Offerings evolve throughout the year based on students’ interests and opportunities within the community.

Enrollment and tuition. Families begin the application process by contacting the school to schedule a tour. During the visit, representatives learn about the student’s strengths, interests, needs and goals while giving families the opportunity to experience the 3 Oaks model. If the school is a good fit, families complete an application and provide academic records. Open enrollment will continue throughout the school’s founding year in North Carolina.

Annual tuition for 2026–2027 is $11,100 for K–12. A three-day Homeschool Hybrid option is available to qualifying students for $9,050 per year. Through small learning groups, individualized instruction and experiences beyond the traditional classroom, 3 Oaks Academy seeks to foster curiosity, independence and a lifelong love of learning. 8057 Island Point Road Sherrills Ford, NC 28673 828-423-2684 3oaksacademy.com

K-12 | Opening for the 2026–27 school year Learn Without Limits REAL LEARNING. REAL PURPOSE. A BRIGHTER TOMORROW.

We provide a student-centered, research-informed learning environment where curiosity is encouraged, strengths are recognized, and every student is known, supported, and empowered to design their own path. Let 3 Oaks Academy help discover your student’s path. Accepting New Enrollments.

Join Our Founding Class!

www.3oaksacademy.com | 828-423-2684 8057 Island Point Rd , Sherrills Ford, NC 28673 www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

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Limitless

For the area’s 55+ adults who place no limits on living their best lives!

Objects from our past have a way of bringing back the people, places and stories that shaped us.

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

LIMITLESS - moment in time

Down a Sandy Dirt Road by Mickey Dunaway

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

“... we left that sandy dirt road, but not its memories, which are still strong today.”

If you have read any of my columns recently, you know that I have been completely absorbed by the search for the ancestry of the Dunaways of northwest Florida and southeast Alabama. Working with ChatGPT to transcribe written journals and oral interviews, I uncovered a truth for anyone seeking a family’s past: A family’s ancestry must be interpreted and presented as verifiable facts—the family archive. And then there is the family story—the memories, interviews, journals and letters that add meaning to the strictly historical archive.

When I first wrote about those years, I didn’t know whether Mother and Daddy owned or rented the house. My ancestry research finally answered that question: Over several years and moves, we were renters, then owners.

Now, let’s get to the story of that sandy dirt road and see if there are truths for the reader in its telling.

I remember how cold it was in the winter, with no insulation in the walls or ceiling. We put our jeans on a chair in front of the space heater in the living room and jumped into them when they were only a few degrees from bursting into flames. Once in those jeans, it was several minutes before you sat down and put on your shoes.

If our dirt road had a name, I never knew it. Recently, I learned its name, but knowing it somehow diminishes my memories of when it was best left nameless.

I don’t recall whether we had another space heater in the house. I do remember we didn’t have a working inside bathroom. That was a significant addition a year or so later.

It was not an Emmylou Harris red-dirt road. Our dirt road was distinct because it was nothing special. Unpaved. Rarely muddy, since it was fashioned from the primordial sandy bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

What seems quaint and so redneck now seemed perfectly normal back on that sandy dirt road.

Our road was seldom scraped by a motor grader, maybe because it was so sandy. Perhaps because we were on a short side road off Highway 98. Not much going on to complain about. And truth be told, the few folks who lived on our dirt road were country people who accepted their place in life with few complaints. Perhaps our dirt road’s anonymity was its most important trait, and no one wanted to disturb a condition that country people still cherish so much. My earliest memories of it are fuzzy at best. I know we lived in a tiny shotgun house whose front faced the sandy road and whose back faced U.S. 98, several hundred yards away down the briar-infested sagebrush hill. I remember the large family fish fries as a preschool urchin. But the seminal event that places my memory in that red-shingled house with the tin roof was the Thanksgiving when Daddy was shot in his right arm in a hunting accident by a cousin climbing a fence with a loaded shotgun. I can pinpoint the accident and my age because we soon moved to Brewton, where relatives supported us while Daddy recuperated, and I attended first grade at W.S. Neal. Granddaddy ran a little store on the same property as his house and sold candy and Cokes to Neal’s students as they came and went from school. I was too young to understand the misfortune Mother and Daddy must have experienced during that year. I was living in Granddaddy’s house, and every day on the way home from school, he would sneak me a candy bar! At some point between first and second grade, we moved back to our sandy dirt road and the red-shingled shotgun house with the tin roof.

Our house sat across the road from the farmhouse of Granny and Granddaddy McAdams. Or, as I called them, Granny and Granddaddy Mac. They were not blood kin, but they might as well have been. They treated me like I was one of them. I picked up pecans for spending money at the County Fair, and Granny Mac was always there for me with a leftover biscuit, just waiting for me to poke a hole in the side, fill it with syrup and wolf it down with a glass of cold raw milk. About a hundred yards up the road lived my Aunt Doobie (or maybe Dubie) and my Uncle Elmo McAdams. Her given name was Gloria, Daddy’s youngest sister, but I only ever knew her as Aunt Doobie. Elmo got home from work every day about 5:00. I knew I was always welcome for supper, and I often ate my first supper at Aunt Doobie’s house, only to eat again when Daddy got home around 6:00. My double supper was the worst-kept secret on our sandy dirt road. Across the sandy road and behind Granddaddy Mac’s house were woods where, not yet in middle school, I learned to hunt squirrels and rabbits with my first shotgun—a .410-gauge single barrel. A rite of passage for country folk. Sweet little gun. Wish I still had it. Before I started high school, we left that sandy dirt road, but not its memories, which are still strong today. These days, that sandy dirt road is a memory and maybe a metaphor, too. Back then, it was as natural as life could be for a country boy. Life was boundless. Times were frequently tough. Fortunately for me, my family—biological and adoptive—made sure I never knew it. www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

LIMITLESS - learning

When Should You Hire a Civil Litigation Attorney? Most disagreements do not belong in the courtroom. Many can be resolved through communication, negotiation, or other alternatives to litigation. But there are times when a dispute becomes legally significant—and knowing when to seek advice can make all the difference. As a civil litigation attorney, I often tell clients that you do not have to wait until you are sued to call a lawyer. If communication has broken down, the other party has sent a demand letter, or an attorney has become involved, it is worth understanding your rights and potential exposure before responding. The facts also matter. Litigation is decided by evidence, not simply by who feels wronged. As such, you should always preserve contracts, invoices, photographs, emails, text messages and other records that may help establish what happened. An attorney can help identify which information is important and how it may affect your position. The financial stakes are another consideration. Before accepting a payment, agreeing to a loss, or signing a release, understand the potential consequences. A conversation with an attorney early in a dispute may help you avoid a costly mistake. Timing can be just as important. Legal claims and defenses may be subject to statutes of limitation, contractual deadlines,

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026

or other requirements. Waiting too long can limit your options. You should also seek legal advice before signing documents that could affect your rights. And if you receive a summons, complaint, subpoena, or notice of hearing, do not ignore it. Court documents often require action within a specific timeframe. Hiring an Attorney Does Not Automatically Mean Going to Court. A civil litigation attorney can often help resolve a dispute before a lawsuit is filed. An attorney can evaluate the situation, negotiate with the other side, and help you determine the best path forward. The right time to seek legal counsel is often when a disagreement becomes legally significant—before it becomes legally urgent.

Ted Mitchell, Litigation Attorney The McIntosh Law Firm, P.C. 704-892-1699 https://www.mcintoshlawfirm. com/attorneys/ted-f-mitchell/

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www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

LIMITLESS - book corner

Twice

by Mitch Albom A Thought-Provoking Story About Love, Regret and Second Chances Reviewed by Barbara Patz

What if you could go back and do something over? Would you make a different choice? Say something differently? Take a chance you missed the first time? That question is at the heart of Mitch Albom’s Twice, a thoughtful story about love, regret and the choices that shape our lives.

feelings for her—and his uncertainty about hers for him—drive many of his decisions. Again and again, Alfie is forced to confront the difference between getting another chance and actually getting the outcome he wants. That distinction is one of the novel’s greatest strengths.

The novel opens in Nassau, Bahamas, where casino detective Vincent LaPorta is questioning Alfie Logan, an aging and visibly unwell man who has just accomplished something seemingly impossible: winning three consecutive roulette bets and walking away with $2 million.

Alfie may have the ability to revisit moments, but he cannot endlessly rewrite his life. Choosing one path can make another permanently unreachable. Every second chance comes with a consequence, and sometimes correcting one mistake simply creates another.

LaPorta suspects fraud. Alfie insists he didn’t cheat.

The premise could easily become complicated, but Albom keeps the writing warm, accessible and straightforward. There is also a gentle spiritual element to the story, something longtime readers of Albom will recognize, as he considers questions about fate, choice, love and what makes a life meaningful.

Instead of offering a confession, Alfie produces a worn composition book labeled “For the Boss, to Be Read Upon My Death.” Inside is the story of his life and an unusual ability he inherited from his mother. By saying the word “Twice,” Alfie can return to a specific moment in his life and live it again differently. There is, however, an important catch: He must accept the consequences of his second try—for better or worse. It’s an intriguing premise, particularly because Albom explores a temptation most of us can understand. Who hasn’t wished at some point that they could take back something they said, make a different decision or get another chance at a moment they regret? At first, Alfie uses his ability in relatively simple ways, correcting awkward conversations, fixing mistakes and revisiting romantic missteps. But as the story progresses, the consequences become more complicated. At the center of it all is Alfie’s relationship with Gianna Rule. His 52

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Alfie is an appealing character precisely because he is imperfect. Given an extraordinary ability, he still makes very human decisions. He wants to fix things. He wants to hold onto the people he loves. And sometimes he discovers that having more control over his life doesn’t necessarily make his choices any easier. That is ultimately what makes Twice more than a story about going back in time. It asks readers to consider whether being able to undo our mistakes would really make our lives better—or whether those mistakes, regrets and missed opportunities are part of what makes a life our own. For readers who enjoy Albom’s blend of storytelling, emotion and gentle reflection, Twice offers plenty to think about. And it may leave you wondering: If you could have one moment to do over, which one would you choose?

Independent Living, Assisted Living & Memory Care

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2147 Davie Ave., Statesville Nestled off of Davie Avenue, minutes from Historic Downtown Statesville, and convenient to both I-77 & I-40. www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

Living Well Your local resource for health and wellness services near you Audiology

PHC – Lake Norman Ears, Nose & Throat Megan Mathis-Webb, AuD Susie Riggs, AuD Kathryn Curtis, AuD 140 Gateway Blvd. Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9638

Cardiology

PHC Cardiovascular Specialists Jips Zachariah, MD PHC Heart & Vascular Naveed Rajper, MD

Family Medicine

PHC – Nabors Family Medicine Emily Nabors, MD

142 Professional Park Drive Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-696-2083

PHC – Lake Norman Family Medicine Timothy A. Barker, MD Bruce L. Seaton, DO Amanda H. Bailey, DO Kyle Babinski, DO Bilal Khan, DO Sherard Spangler, PA

359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1829

357 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-7328

Dermatology

PHC – Sailview Family Medicine Tiana Losinski, MD Alexander Watson, DNP

PHC – Mooresville Dermatology Center Naomi Simon, MD Kristin Prochaska, PA-C Gina Noble, PA-C Julia Parsons, PA-C Susan Stevens, RN, BSN

128 Medical Park Road, Suite 201 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1827 PHC- Lake Norman Dermatology Joel Sugarman, MD FAAD Allison Hanley, PA-C Melissa Moser, PA-C Betsy Benton, PA-C 140 Leaning Oak Drive, Suite 101 Mooresville, NC 28117 704-658-9730

PHC – Wolfe Dermatology Steven F. Wolfe, MD Molly Small, PA-C Monica Lordi, PA-C

114 Gateway Blvd., Unit D Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-663-2085

Riva Dermatology “Imagine your skin at its Best!”

General Dermatology for the Family, Botox, Fillers, Laser/IPL & more

Kerry Shafran, MD, FAAD Lindsay Jayson, MPAS, PA-C Erin Dice, MPAS, PA-C Ashley Noone, MPAP, PA-C Nikki Leahy, MSBS, PA-C Mari Klos, CMA, LME

704-896-8837 Cornelius, Mooresville, Denver www.Rivaderm.com

Ears, Nose and Throat

PHC – Lake Norman Ears, Nose, & Throat Keith Meetze, MD Thomas Warren, MD Herb Wettreich, MD Fred New, Jr., ANP 140 Gateway Blvd. Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9638

Endocrinology

206 Joe V. Knox Ave. Suite J Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-360-4801

PHC – Fairview Family Medicine Golnar Lashgari, MD Erica Vollano, FNP-BC

146 Medical Park Road, Suite 210 Mooresville, NC 28117 •704-235-0300

PHC - Troutman Family Medicine Amrish C. Patel, MD Janeal Bowers, FNP Kimberly Whiton, FNP Jeanne Pierce, PA-C 154 S Main Troutman, NC 28166 • 704-528-9903

PHC - Bellingham Family Medicine Daniel Bellingham, MD Dwight Bellingham, MD Stephanie Taylor, PA-C Kelsey McLelland, PA-C Haley Gosnell, PA-C

118 Kirkman Court, Troutman, NC 28166 705 Gaither Road, Statesville, NC 28677 704-871-1155

Gastroenterology PHC – Gastroenterology Brandon Marion, MD Nick Jones, FNP

359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-878-2021

PHC –Comprehensive Digestive Care Center Vivek Trivedi, MD Venu Gangireddy, MD Tiedre Palmer, FNP-C

359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-878-2021

PHC- Gastroenterology Laila Menon, MD Gabrielle Miller, PA-C

170 Medical Park Road, Floor 3 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9506

PHC- Endocrinology Elaine Sunderlin, MD Emylee Brown, PA-C

170 Medical Park Road, Floor 3 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9506 54

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Internal Medicine

Oncology

170 Medical Park Rd., Suite 201 Mooresville, NC 28115 • 704-663-5056

46 Medical Park Rd, Suite 212 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-659-7850

PHC – Fox Internal Medicine Jessica Fox, DO Stephanie Michel, PA-C

PHC – Internal Medicine & Weight Management Manish G. Patel, MD Julie Abney, PA Andrea Brock, PA-C Brittania Corbitt, NP-C

128 Medical Park Road, Suite 101 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-658-1001

PHC – Lake Norman Internal Medicine John C. Gatlin, MD Swathi Talla, MD 548 Williamson Road, Suite 6 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-660-5520

Mental Health Services

Southern Oncology Specialists William Mitchell, MD Poras Patel, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery

PHC – Piedmont Bone & Joint Brett L. Feldman, MD Alex Seldomridge III, MD Travis Eason, MD Julie Glener, MD Kim Lefreniere, PA-C

359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1829

Orthopedic Surgery – Spine PHC – Piedmont Bone & Joint Alex Seldomridge, III, MD

359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1838

PHC-Mastor Mental Health Jason E. Mastor, MD Brooke Gostomski, PA-C Kristin C. Brown, PA-C Megan I. Flott, PA-C

Pain Management

Neurology

Physical Medicine & Rehab

206 Joe V. Knox Ave. Suite F Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-662-6500

PHC – Neurology & Sleep Medicine Dharmen S. Shah, MD 359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-873-1100

PHC – Lake Norman Neurology Andrew J. Braunstein, DO Ryan Conrad, MD Craig D. DuBois, MD Roderick Elias, MD

124 Professional Park Dr, Ste A Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-662-3077

PHC – Lake Norman Neurology Andrew J. Braunstein, DO Ryan Conrad, MD Craig D. DuBois, MD Roderick Elias, MD

9735 Kincey Avenue, Ste 203 Huntersville, NC 28078 • 704-766-9050

Obstetrics/Gynecology PHC – Lake Norman OB/GYN James Al-Hussaini, MD Laura Arigo, MD Grant Miller, MD James Wilson, MD Nicole S. Wellbaum, MD Naila Rashida Frye, MD Benjamin Hinkel, MD Alyssa Clay, DNP, FNP-C Brooke Mauney, WHNP-BC

131 Medical Park Road, Suite 102 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-663-1282

PHC – Pain & Spine Center Harsh Govil, MD, MPH Nathan Barkley, FNP-C Samuel Sackenheim, NP-C

359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1829

PHC - Spine & Sports Medicine John Lesher, MD, MPH 170 Medical Park Road, Suite 302 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9506

PULMONOLOGY PHC –Pulmonology Enrique Ordaz MD Jose Perez MD Ahmed Elnaggar, MD Vishal Patel, MD

170 Medical Park Road, Suite 201, Mooresville NC 28117 • 704-838-8240

Rheumatology

PHC – Rheumatology Sean M. Fahey, MD Dijana Christianson, DO Janice Clayton, FNP-C

128 Medical Park Road, Suite 101 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-658-1001

Dine + Wine Eating, drinking, cooking and fun

From versatile fall wines to a cozy slow-cooker meal, this month’s recipes and recommendations bring the flavors of the season to the table.

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

DINE + WINE - tasty bits

lU timate Thai Peanut Chicken

by Kathy Dicken photography by Kathy Dicken

Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken Skip the takeout and let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting with this ultra-creamy, Thai-inspired peanut chicken. Packed with tender chicken and colorful vegetables, this dish rivals your favorite neighborhood restaurant with almost no effort. The secret is the irresistible sauce: a rich blend of creamy peanut butter, coconut milk, spicy red curry paste and a bright splash of lime. It cooks to silky perfection while you go about your day. Simply add everything to the slow cooker, then come home to a vibrant, flavor-packed dinner that’s ready when you are. Enjoy! Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: Approximately 4 1/2–8 1/2 hours Servings: 5

Ingredients: 1 can unsweetened coconut milk 2 tablespoons fish sauce

Instructions: 1. Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, curry paste, peanut butter, brown sugar, lime juice and ginger to the slow cooker. Mix well. 2. Add the chicken, making sure it is completely coated in the sauce. Cover and cook on High for 4 hours or on Low for 6–8 hours. 3. Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.

3 tablespoons red curry paste 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons lime juice, from approximately 2 limes

4. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Add the carrots, bell pepper and spinach. Cover and cook on Low for another 30–40 minutes.

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken 2 cups shredded carrots, approximately 4 carrots 1 red bell pepper, julienned 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach For serving: Steamed rice or rice noodles Soy sauce Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of The Tasty Bits food blog. For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits. 56

Lime wedges

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5. Serve over steamed rice or rice noodles with a drizzle of soy sauce and a lime wedge.

wine time - DINE + WINE

Five Wines

for the Fall Pantry by Beth Anne Hickey, Advanced Sommelier (Court of Master Sommeliers), Editor of Vine Society Blog

By October, apples, pears, squash, mushrooms, beets and root vegetables have taken over the market. The Dutch oven is back out, the kitchen smells of butter and sage, and what’s in my glass as I cook has changed from the lighter summer fare as well. As a wine professional, these are five wines I keep around for cozy fall meals—and the bottles I reach for when I’m invited to dinner and don’t know exactly what will be on the table. Chenin Blanc is one of my favorite wines for fall. In France’s Loire Valley, it can range from bone-dry to gloriously sweet, but this time of year, I tend to reach for dry or slightly off-dry examples. With notes of orchard fruit, crisp acidity and sometimes delicious hints of ginger and saffron, it’s delightful with dishes featuring fall vegetables and roasted meats. Look for Vouvray, Savennières or Saumur Blanc. Fall is Riesling’s moment to shine—from bone-dry to dessert-sweet and everything in between. If pork is in the Dutch oven, Riesling is on my table. It’s a classic pairing for a reason. Or, if dinner is going in an Asian direction with all of those glorious spices, it is absolutely in my glass. An off-dry bottle brings just enough sweetness to complement roasted pork and vegetables or tame a little heat, while that wonderful acidity keeps everything fresh. Beaujolais gets plenty of attention for Nouveau each November, but there is far more to explore. Look for cru Beaujolais. A Fleurie served with chicken pot pie is a magical pairing—bright red fruit with enough acidity to cut through the creamy filling and buttery crust. Gamay also works well with mushrooms, beets, lentils and roast chicken, making it an easy red to have on hand when you aren’t quite sure what dinner will be. For something more brooding with darker fruit, look to Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent.

Mushrooms also have me reaching for Nebbiolo. Fall is white truffle season in Piedmont, where Nebbiolo has long shared the table with mushrooms, truffles and risotto. There is something about the grape’s perfume, acidity, tannin and savory character that works beautifully with those earthy fall flavors. Barolo and Barbaresco may be the best-known expressions, but on a weeknight, I reach for Langhe Nebbiolo—especially with roast beef or a pizza piled with seasonal mushrooms. Then there is Tokaji. Furmint’s naturally high acidity is the backbone of the wines of Tokaj, even in the gloriously sweet versions for which the region is famous. Tokaji Aszú brings flavors of orange peel, apricot, honey and five-spice, but it is that exhilarating acidity that keeps the sweetness from ever feeling heavy. I love it with a cheese plate or fall fruit desserts—and sometimes, when dinner is over, a small glass on its own is exactly enough. Fall cooking is one of my favorite reasons to get back into the kitchen: bringing home what looks good at the market, turning on the oven and having a few good bottles ready. Cheers to cozier nights, richer meals and delightful wines! Vine Society Wine Shop 117 Depot Street Davidson, NC 704-892-8044 info@vinesociety.com vinesociety.com www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

Dine Out &

Wine Down

275 N Main St, | Troutman, NC 28166

(704) 528-1204 www.pellegrinostrattoria.com

Authentic Tex-Mex Cuisine Now Available for Delivery

Live Music on our Patio on Thursday Nights! 9615 Bailey Rd. | Cornelius, NC 28031 704.237.4633 | www.chiliwillis.com

Lake Norman’s Finest Restaurants, Pubs and Wine Bars Now Accepting Holiday Private Event Bookings!

Host an event with us on any day Sunday-Thursday between November 15 & January 7th and earn EXTRA PERKS the earlier you book! $2000 Food & Beverage Minimum Required

Book 10/1 through 10/31: $150 gift card for the host, plus a champagne toast for guests Not too late!!! Book 11/1 through 11/30: $100 gift card for the host

scan for private events 9723 Sam Furr Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 704.997.6047 www.linkandpin.com

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Did you know there are 200+ wineries in North Carolina?

LAKE NORMAN’S BEST BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Where Everyone Knows Your Name Famous Toastery Mooresville was voted Best Breakfast in the 2026 Lake Norman’s Best Readers Choice Awards.

by Lauren Platts photography courtesy of Famous Toastery

The team at Famous Toastery offers customizable catering for gatherings and special events.

For Stacy White, running a restaurant has never been only about what arrives on the plate. It is about relationships—with the staff members working beside her and the guests who return often enough to feel like family. White’s path to restaurant ownership began long before the Mooresville location opened. She started serving at age 19 while putting herself through East Carolina University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She went on to teach middle and high school math for 30 years, continuing to serve on the side to supplement the income she and her husband earned as teachers while raising their blended family of five children. In 2012, her son—then working at Toast in Dilworth—connected her with a former eighth-grade math student who offered White a job. Her children were already part of the Toast family when the company began franchising in 2013. White and her husband signed on the following year and opened the Mooresville restaurant in 2015. The same determination that once kept White at school after hours and on weekends to help students succeed now shapes how she leads the restaurant. She works alongside her staff, whether that means serving, hosting, running food or bussing tables. “I will never ask them to do something I will not do,” she says. That example has helped create a team White describes as caring, observant and genuinely invested in its guests. Staff members often have a regular’s drink waiting before they sit down. They remember who recently moved to town, became engaged, welcomed a baby or spent time in the hospital. They have held infants so mothers could eat, assisted elderly guests and helped visitors find other local businesses. The restaurant’s motto, “Every server is your server,” reflects that 60

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shared responsibility. Communication keeps the team attentive without overwhelming guests, while personal connection turns a meal into something more memorable. “We are the ‘Cheers’ of breakfast, where everyone knows your name,” White says. That hospitality continues after regular operating hours. Famous Toastery hosts private sports banquets, milestone birthdays, office holiday parties, rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions. Guests have the restaurant to themselves, while White and her team help customize the menu, decorate the space and handle setup, service and cleanup. For the holidays, the restaurant also offers half and full pans of quiche and French toast casserole, along with a preorder Thanksgiving meal featuring turkey, traditional sides and desserts— all packaged with heating instructions. Whether serving breakfast or helping a family celebrate, White wants every guest to feel as though the restaurant has opened its doors just for them. “We are family,” she says. “Our guests are extended family; they mean the world to us.” Famous Toastery – Mooresville Commons 134 Mooresville Commons Way, Suite H Mooresville, NC 28117 704-696-8436

www.LNCurrents.com | OCTOBER 2026

Marrakech Collection

LAKE NORMAN CURRENTS | OCTOBER 2026