Limitless Magazine

LIMITLESS

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

September 2020

Exploring DuPont Forest

Personalized

pet portraits

Home

organization Christy Gepfert’s

balancing act

DIVORCE

AND FAMILY

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LIMITLESS

limitless letter

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

Publisher MacAdam Smith Mac@LNCurrents.com

Closet Collectors A few years ago, my husband and I downsized from a fairly large singlefamily home with a four-car garage to a twobedroom condo. It was just he and I and all that extra space was just more to clean, so I was more than ready to make the move. What I wasn’t ready for was going through box after box and realizing that apparently, we are “closet” collectors of useless stuff (please don’t tell my husband I called it that).

I was amazed at all the stuff we had collected through the years that in my husband’s words “will be worth something one day!” We’re talking valuables such as coin buckets from every casino we visited in Las Vegas back in1992. Then there’s the highly desirable can koozies from every

event we have attended throughout our 35 years of marriage. And let’s not forget the ball caps and plastic cups with logos from sporting events and concerts throughout the southeast. Apparently at one point, someone told my husband that those kids’ prizes you get in McDonald’s Happy Meals are worth something so we had a box full of them, and don’t even get me started on unopened cereal boxes and soda cans emblazoned with NASCAR team logos.

Advertising Director Sharon Simpson Sharon@LNCurrents.com

Downsizing can definitely be tough as you sort through what to keep and what to let go. The fun part is taking time to relive the memories packed up in all those boxes. I still love looking through my old year books and photo albums of vacations we took when the kids were little. These are the things I’ll keep and pass along to my grandkids to laugh over the hairdos and fashion statements we made back in the day. I’m not quite sure where the koozies and plastic cups actually wound up though.

Hopefully they made their way into the hands of another collector who is just waiting for them to “be worth something one day!”

This issue offers some great tips on how to get organized and purge the things you don’t need so you don’t wind up on an episode of the TV show “Hoarders,” including local nonprofits happy to take donations off your hands.

Here’s to all those boxed up memories from yesterday and the new ones you’ll make in the great days to come!

Advertising Sales Executives Carole Lambert Carole@LNCurrents.com Beth Packard Beth@LNCurrents.com Trisha Robinson Trisha@LNCurrents.com Kathy Wheeler Kathywheeler@charter.net Linda Wilson Lindalivingmagazine@gmail.com

Editor Renee Roberson Renee@LNCurrents.com

Event Coordinator Alison Smith Alison@LNCurrents.com

Social Media Specialist Lauren Platts social@lncurrents.com

Graphic Design & Production Kerrie Boys, idesign2inc

Contributing Writers Trevor Burton Karel Bond Lucander Bek Mitchell-Kidd Jean Spangler

Editorial Intern: Emily Thomas

Contributing Photographers Lisa Crates

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LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

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CONTENTS

About the Cover:

Take a ay trip to North Carolina’s DuPont Forest.

September, 2020 | vol. 1 | No. 6

Explorers & Adventures 12 N.C. author explores DuPont

In Every Issue

Forest history in new book

Health + Happiness

14 Christy Gepfert finds balance with

26 In My Glass-Reminiscing

about wine on a gloomy day in the City of Light

helping LKN residents

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Be Bold

28 Learn from local experts

in LIMITLESS Learning

20 Suzanne Fulton paints pet portraits

DuPont Forest » 12

with pizzazz

Pet Portraits » 20

16 Tips for decluttering and organizing your home

18 Learning about cholesterol levels •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Helping Hands 22 Donate unwanted items from your household with a purpose

Donate & Declutter » 22

Subscriptions are available for $30 per year.

Send us your name, address, phone number and a check made payable to LIMITLESS magazine at the address to the left and we’ll start your subscription with the next available issue.

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8

Limitless Magazine is a 9-times a year publication available through direct-mail home delivery to the most affluent Iredell County 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. Limitless Magazine magazine is wholly owned by Oasis Magazines, Inc.

LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

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Leave your mark on Lake Norman history

Purchase your personalized brick today Cain Center for the Arts is building a regional arts and community center for all of Lake Norman. With your help, this center can open in 2022 and will bring opportunities for all of the communities in the Lake Norman Region to come together and enjoy live music, plays, art, dance, festivals, conferences, and more. You can secure your piece of history by purchasing a personalized brick that will be permanently placed in the plaza or lobby.

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explorers & ADVENTURES

HAPPY TRAILS

New book by N.C. author chronicles the conservation of DuPont Forest BY » Karel Bond Lucander | PHOTOS COURTESY OF » Arcadia Publishing

D

anny Bernstein grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., with parents “who thought Central Park was a nature adventure,” but she has since strayed far from her city upbringing. In her early 20s, Bernstein began hiking with her husband, Lenny, and never looked back.

She has completed the Appalachian Trail, all the trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the South beyond 6000 peaks, the Mountainsto-Sea Trail across North Carolina and three Caminos de Santiago.

Now 73 and living in Asheville, N.C., this former software developer and university professor continues to travel 12 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

and hike. Leading hikes for Carolina Mountain Club, Friends of the Smokies and the Asheville Camino group, she is also author of five books, including two traditional hiking guides.

Detailing DuPont

For her latest book, DuPont Forest: A History, publishing this month, she hiked all the forest’s trails and interviewed more than 30 former DuPont employees, U.S. forest service workers, local legislators, mountain bikers, horse people and Brevard residents. Located in Henderson and Transylvania counties, DuPont Forest was officially established

in 1997 through a generous land sale from DuPont Corporation to the state of North Carolina.

“The book’s framework is before DuPont, during DuPont and after DuPont. It’s not a trail guidebook, but I include a few hikes as narrative,” she says.

Hailed by Hollywood

Her captivating story chronicles the area that she first hiked in 2001 and fell in love with, these woodlands in and around “The Land of the Waterfalls.”

Its waterfalls have been featured in movies like “The Hunger Games” and “The Last of the Mohicans.”

“It’s just 12,000 acres, yet it offers so much: Six waterfalls, five lakes, two cemeteries and artifacts from a historic summer camp,” she says.

The overriding question, Bernstein adds, is “How does this land become public? That’s what I’m fascinated about. It’s a story about people who sold the land to DuPont, which then almost gave it away to the state, and activists who saved three major waterfalls.

So now we have this forest, and it’s growing as we speak. Landowners are donating land. Not big amounts but adding to it like a puzzle. We, the public, aren’t going to use that land right away, but that’s how you protect land. It is reflective of the story of our national parks.”

Published by The History Press, DuPont Forest: A History is available through your local bookstore or Amazon. Her book launches Sept. 17 at Malaprop’s Bookstore/ Cafe in Asheville (828-2546734) if you are interested.

Take a Hike!

Just a few hours from Lake Norman, Danny Bernstein suggests hiking in Kitsuma Peak, Montreat or Moses Cone.

“There are so many great options, including Pisgah National Forest, which has hundreds of miles of trails but is a bit farther,” she says. But before you go anywhere, “invest in a good map, like a National Geographic map.”

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explorers & ADVENTURES

After years of working in the fitness and wellness industries in Lake Norman, Christy Gepfert opened Balanced Body Solutions in December 2017.

The Balancing

ACT

BY » Renee Roberson | PHOTOS COURTESY OF » Lisa Crates

Christy Gepfert finds purpose in working with older LKN residents

Gepfert works with client Joe Brown on a Pilates reformer.

14 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

O

n the home page of the Balanced Body Solutions website, you’ll find a photo of Christy Gepfert posing in a Wonder Woman costume beside a cardboard cutout of the female superhero. The image is fitting, because although Gepfert maintains a calming presence in person, she also has the ability to lead others in ways that challenge their physical and emotional well being.

She’s always had passion for staying active and helping others. Gepfert began working at the Lake Norman YMCA in 1997 and worked in a variety of positions coordinating and teaching classes before attending what is now the N.C. Massage School to

become a certified massage therapist. Then there’s the work she does teaching yoga and Pilates . . . She was also selected as one of this year’s 50 Most Influential Women in Mecklenburg County by the Mecklenburg Times.

In December 2017 she opened Balanced Body Solutions in Cornelius and immediately set out to create an innovative and calming space for therapy treatments, along with a separate conference room and workout studio. The wellness center offers massage therapy, salt halotherapy, red light therapy and an infrared sauna, as well as movement classes. For years she says she would see clients for massage and immediately get the sense they would

do well by adding yoga into their lifestyle, and with Balanced Body Solutions, she and her staff have the opportunity to provide clients with a variety of integrative services to help them feel their best.

Learning from others

Many of Gepfert’s clients would probably agree with the superhero label, because over the years, she’s found a calling with working with older residents in the Lake Norman community.

“I started having a passion for seniors at the YMCA,” she says. “I had one woman in my class who could be a little cranky—the music was always too loud, or I was moving too fast—and I became determined

to win her over.”

Gepfert, who is in her early 50s herself, believes she gets a lot more out of working with groups of older residents in the community than they get from her.

“They’ve weathered other storms,” she says. “If you invest time and listening to what they are saying, there is so much value there. They are very loyal.”

The love of working with this age group had led to her coordinating the OWLS program offered to the community through the Lake Norman YMCA. The outreach program, which stands for Older, Wiser, Living Strong, takes movement classes out into the community via churches and recreation centers and is in a less intimidating setting than an actual gym.

A change in plans . . .

With gyms and workout facilities being closed during Governor Cooper’s orders during the pandemic, Gepfert had to find creative ways to help her clients so they could still stay mentally and physically active. (She estimates the majority of her clientele are in their 50s, 60s and 70s).

“We started walking one on one and then walking two on two,” she says of efforts to exercise outdoors with enough space between one another. “And then we added weights. I exercised in people’s driveways.”

Currently, Gepfert is helping lead seven different

Balanced Body Solutions features a workout studio where Gepfert can work one-on-one with clients when necessary.

outdoor classes in Smithville Park, utilizing instructors from the Lake Norman YMCA and the OWLS program, which has been paused since the pandemic.

“It’s a neat little community,” she says. “We have sort of stuck through this pandemic together.”

To learn more, visit balancedbodysolutions.com.

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health + HAPPINESS

Clear the Clutter,

Clear the Mind

Organize your way to a well-lived life

D

o you have too much stuff ? Too many clothes, old bills, a tiny spoon collection, tickets to things you don’t remember attending—or has the junk drawer become truly impossible to open?

Do you just need to get organized or is it time to declutter?

Joanna Clausen, owner of NEST Organizing, says, “‘Stuff ’ itself isn’t inherently bad.” The difference is when the items around you start to dictate how you live your life. If you’re always late because you can’t find what you need, or if you feel stressed by the things around you—that’s when you need to act.

Set a goal and timeline

Clausen recommends not setting a goal that’s too big at first. Don’t tell yourself you’re

going to get the entire house organized in one sitting. Give yourself small, attainable goals, such as organizing a junk drawer one day, so you feel successful and confident throughout the process.

Duplication is clutter

Kim Wilhelm, owner of File the Pile, has three steps to begin the decluttering process: sort, declutter, and find a home.

Start with a manageable task. “First, sort similar items together, putting ‘like with like.’ Using pens as an example, collect all the pens in your house and group them together.

Then, toss the ones that don’t work or don’t bring you joy,” says Wilhelm.

Save, shred and recycle

There are categories within how to declutter,

16 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

and the scariest one for many people is paper.

Wilhelm’s approach to sorting papers is similar to organizing any item, she recommends starting with grouping alike documents into piles of save, shred and recycle.

“There are standard guidelines for how long to keep various financial documents,” says Wilhelm.

She also brings an additional level of expertise to tackling this job—not only does she hail from a financial background, but she is a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, which has its own code of ethics ensuring her clients’ privacy and confidentiality.

Once you have a methodology in place like an ‘action box,’ it becomes easier to make decisions and avoid a pile up; put folders

BY » Bek Mitchell-Kidd

in an “action box” labeled “keep” (irreplaceable/ hard to replace documents), “long-term and shortterm” papers (tax returns), and immediate actionrequired (current bills).

Voice the value

It’s hard to say goodbye.

But sometimes taking a minute to reflect on what the item represented will give you the freedom to let it go.

Wilhelm provides clients with questions to help guide decisions on items such as memories and memorabilia. An example question is, “Would I want to burden my family with this item in my absence?”

If the answer is ‘no,’ then it is an easier decision to donate the item.

To learn more, visit nestorganizing.com and filethepile.org.

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health + HAPPINESS

THE LOWDOWN BY: » Renee Roberson

on Cholesterol

C

holesterol. It’s a word we hear often, especially the older we get. It can be the focal point of every annual physical and it affects our lifestyle and the way we eat. With September being National Cholesterol Education Month, we thought it would be a good time to offer a refresher on what exactly cholesterol is and how we can ensure we keep our levels in a healthy range.

What is cholesterol?

Let’s start off with a brief description on what cholesterol is. Our livers actually produce this waxy substance, and the rest is comprised of saturated fats found in foods derived from animals, such as beef, poultry and dairy. Tropical oils such as coconut and palm oil also cause production of more cholesterol.

“Good” and “Bad” cholesterol Because cholesterol circulates in our blood, too much of the “bad”

type (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein) can lead to fatty build-ups within our arteries, putting our bodies at a higher risk for strokes and heart attacks.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered “good” cholesterol because it carries LDL away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it can be broken down and passed through the body.

Health professionals also take into consideration the levels of triglycerides (the most common type of fat) in the body. High triglycerides levels combined with high LDLs and low HDLs also put us at more risk for the fatty build-up in our artery walls.

Managing cholesterol

Maintaining an active lifestyle, avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol consumption are all ways to naturally keep cholesterol levels healthy.

As mentioned above, foods that contain LDLs include animal fats, so eat them in moderation. Other fats to avoid include trans fats, which are unsaturated fats that have been modified

18 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

What do my levels mean and how can I stay healthy?

by a process called hydrogenation—margarines and shortenings are found in this category. Check your food labels carefully, because any foods that list “partially hydrogenated oils” are actually trans fats. Foods that contain the “good” HDLs include olives, olive oil, avocados, tree nuts and foods with omega-3 fats such as salmon and other fish oils.

What about eggs?

For years eggs got a bad rap for negatively impacting cholesterol levels, but researchers have found in recent years that it was likely the foods eaten with eggs (such as sausage, bacon, ham or cooking eggs in butter) that contributed to the bad LDLs. According to the Mayo Clinic, most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk for heart disease. If you still like eggs but want to reduce your levels of cholesterol, opt for eggs whites instead, as they contain no cholesterol and only protein.

In some cases, prescription medication may be necessary to help

reduce cholesterol. Once you’ve had your cholesterol levels checked, consult your physician to determine whether medication or simply dietary and lifestyle changes are required.

Level Up! LDL (“Bad” cholesterol) – Levels of 190 or more are considered high HDL (“Good” cholesterol) – In this case, the higher the levels, the healthier your HDL Triglycerides (form in which fat exists in your body) – Less than 150 are normal, 150-199 is mildly high, 200-499 is very high Your total blood cholesterol score consists of a measure of the three components above. Good is 200 mg/dL, borderline to moderately elevated is 200-239 mg/dL, and 240 mg/dL or above is considered high.

Source: WebMd.com

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be BOLD

Eicher Photo by Keith

AImpression Lasting W Suzanne Fulton finds joy in creating pet portraits for others BY: » Jean Spangler PET PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF : » Suzanne Fulton 20 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

hen Cornelius resident Suzanne Fulton retired as a public relations consultant and freelance writer, she rediscovered her childhood passion for painting. Three years ago, she took a course in pastels painting landscapes.

Then, Fulton decided that she would translate her childhood love of drawing animals into pet portraits.

Her first subject was her 13-year-old beloved hound dog “Buddy.” When she finished his portrait, she posted it on Facebook and that started a stream of friends and others who also wanted to memorialize or capture

the distinct personality of their pets in a portrait. Today, you can view her work on her Facebook page, “Pet Portraits by Suzanne Fulton.”

Part of the family

As pet owners know, pets are more than just animals, they are part of the family.

For many people, pets have become even more important during the pandemic as they offer companionship and unconditional love during the good days and the not-so-good days we all experience. As many people

are more at home with their pets than ever, this may be a good time to consider having a portrait drawn of your pet.

As a former pet owner of several dogs and cats, I have portraits of all my pets throughout my house. I decided to have each of my pets drawn when they were fairly young. According to Fulton, many people wait until their pet is older to get a portrait done. That’s why she recommends having a portrait done before they start having health issues.

“I like to work from the owner’s photographs of their pet,” she says, “because the pet is more comfortable with their owner than with a stranger. I find that the personality of a pet is captured in the pet’s eyes and nose, so I work very hard to capture the distinctive attributes of each animal.”

A rewarding passion

Fulton says her retirement passion has become very rewarding, especially when she sees the reaction of pet owners when she delivers a portrait.

Rich Pragel of Cornelius surprised his wife with a framed portrait of their three dogs at Christmas.

“My wife was surprised and overjoyed,” says Pragel.

“She could not believe that Suzanne was able to get all three dogs into the same portrait.”

Another client, Ann Anderson, asked Suzanne to paint two of her horses. “I adore my horses and Suzanne captured their eyes and features so well,” says Anderson.

“Looking at that portrait almost every day brings me great joy.”

“I’ve found my passion in

drawing pet portraits,” says Fulton. “I truly enjoy trying to capture the personality of someone’s pet. It’s as important as drawing a portrait of a child.”

If you have a pet you want to memorialize through a commissioned portrait, contact Suzanne at Suzanne.t.fulton@gmail.com or call 703.328.8578.

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helping HANDS

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Don’t ditch your unwanted items, donate them!

22 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

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CARDINAL VILLAGE • 1 and 2 Bedroom w/single car garage • Full Kitchen w/ applicances including washer & dryer • Weekly housekeeping

• Lunch & Dinner served daily • Electricity, Cable, internet and Life Line Alert sysytem included • Pet Friendly

2147 Davie Ave., Statesville Schedule a tour today by calling: 704.878.0123 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020 23

Where the OLD is the Where the Where the new NEW OLD is the OLD is the

If you’re a collector, inventor, antique lover or just love the unique and different ...

new NEW new NEW

We’ve got what you’re looking for.

Ellie’s Diner NOW OPEN

Ellie’s Diner NOW OPEN

Come visit the largest Ellie’s NOW OPEN Come visit the Diner largest antique mall in the South antique mall in the South Come visit theFeet largest 88,000 Square • Over 625 Booths 88,000 Square Feet • Over 625 Booths antique mall in the Comfortably air conditioned Comfortably air conditioned South

88,000 Square Feet • Over 625 Booths Comfortably air conditioned 325 McGill Ave. NW 325 McGill Ave. NW Concord, NC 28026 Concord, NC 28026 704-787-9351 704-787-9351 www.depotgibsonmill.com www.depotgibsonmill.com 10-7• Sunday 1-6 Mon-Sat 10-7• SundayMon-Sat 1-6

Come visit the largest antique mall in the South 325 McGill Ave. NW Concord, NC 28026 Ellie’s Diner on site 88,000 square 704-787-9351 feet with over 725 booths www.depotgibsonmill.com Comfortably air conditioned Mon-Sat 10-7• Sunday 1-6

325 McGill Ave. NW | Concord, NC 28026 704-787-9351 | www.depotgibsonmill.com Mon-Sat 10-7 • Sunday 1-6 24 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

helping HANDS house, consider donating to these local nonprofit consignment shops.

Lydia’s Loft is a completely volunteer-staffed establishment located in Huntersville, operating on a mission to “provide clothing free of charge to those in need.” “The Loft” serves as a place where people within the community can donate any of their unneeded clothes. These donations can then be reused by others who may not have the financial means to purchase their own necessary everyday clothing items.

To learn more about donating clothing to this organization, visit their website at www. fbc-h.org/lydias-loft.

The Christian Mission – The Give Back Boutique is a high-fashion consignment shop located in Mooresville, dedicated to “bringing local families and individuals out of poverty and into self-sufficiency.”

This consignment boutique accepts clothing donations as well as monetary contributions, and 100 percent of the profits collected benefit Lake Norman individuals and families through the Mooresville/Lake Norman Christian Mission.

To learn more about donating to The Give Back Boutique or signing up to become a volunteer, visit their website at www. mooresvillelakenormanchristianmission.org/ the-give-back-boutique.

The Salvation Army Family Store welcomes

all kinds of shoppers, from college students on a budget, to bargain hunters, to people who cannot afford to buy higher ticket items at mainstream retail stores.

No matter the situation or the reason for shopping at the Family Store, goods and clothing that are donated here provide support to individuals within the community who face the greatest needs. All of the sales made “directly fund local, life-giving programs” provided by The Salvation Army.

To learn more about donating to The Salvation Army or to find a local Family Store to shop at, visit their website at www. salvationarmycarolinas.org/ locations/my-family-store.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore has been serving the Charlotte region for more than 20 years, accepting donations of new and gently used furniture, appliances, home decor, home improvement and building materials.

These donations are sold at a fragment of retail prices, at which point the proceeds are redirected to help with fundraising efforts for Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to the generous donations over the years, the Charlotte region ReStores have raised enough money to help build and repair over 200 homes spanning from Pineville to Statesville.

To learn more about donating furniture, home decor, appliances, etc. to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, visit their website at www.cltregionrestore.org.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE NOW...

Kinsley is a 55 and over community from the low $200s featuring smartly designed main-level living homes in a tranquil and maintenancefree community with spacious common areas.

Just minutes from the beautiful Lake Norman with nearby shopping and dining, you will enjoy the convenient location and easy living in a brand-new Stanley Martin home at Kinsley.

Call 704.800.3156 to schedule a virtual or private tour today!

Selling offsite from Stratford at 4027 Chelsea Dr., Denver, NC 28037 Prices, features and incentives are subject to change without notice. See a Neighborhood Sales Manager for details. ŠStanley Martin Companies, LLC | 08/2020 | A-6944

LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020 25

in my GLASS

Pouring in the The Rain Wine and classic bistro fare on a gloomy and rainy day in Paris

P

aris is a great city to go exploring French wines and some great cuisine to go along with it.

There are some 45,000 restaurants in the city. The issue is which ones to pick. Many years ago, business took me frequently to the City of Light and I accumulated several favorites. I had one main criterion, a restaurant had to be “real Paris”—few, if any, tourists. Recently, my wife, Mary Ellen, and I spent a longish weekend revisiting a few of those memories..

One that has been on our list for many years is the Bistrot d’À Côté Flaubert.

This establishment checks all our dining boxes. It is casual and comfortable and focuses on the highest quality. Le Bistrot d’à Côté Flaubert was the first bistro that was opened by Paris’ famous chef,

BY » Trevor Burton | PHOTOGRAPHY BY » Trevor Burton

Michel Rostang. It is located in an old épicerie, or spice shop, which is right next door, (hence the name “d’à Côté”) to Rostang’s Michelin starred, haute cuisine restaurant, Maison Rostang.

The two establishments share the same kitchen.

On one side superb haute cuisine, on the other side bistro food with the same emphasis on quality ingredients and preparation.

We visited for lunch on a chilly, rainy, winter’s day— there’s something special sitting in a cozy restaurant with a glass of good wine and a great lunch, looking out at the rain. People wander in and the steam from their overcoats fills the room. It’s very comforting.

Once we were seated, the Maitre d’hôtel presented us with a small blackboard with that day’s special dishes.

An easy choice, one of the specials was a Civet de Biche

by Michel Rostang—basically

26 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

a venison stew. Nearly all French venison comes from farmed deer. It has a lower fat and cholesterol content than beef, pork or lamb, a healthy alternative. And it had the “stamp” of Michel Rostang. We were hooked.

So, on to the wine for lunch. France is one of largest wine producers in the world. Some wines make it to the United States, others are rarely seen on our side of the pond. In Paris, we head for the rarely seen bunch. The Civet de Biche demanded a wine with some depth and some oomph.

We headed in the direction of Saint-Joseph in France’s northern Rhône region.

This wine is made from the Syrah grape—French wines are mostly named for where they’re from, not what grape they’re made from.

This wine is a great example of the difference between “New World” and “Old World” wines. That

bright fruitiness that you find in a California Syrah or Australian Shiraz is nowhere to be found. Saint-Joseph is loaded with fruitiness but its leading characteristic is from the granite hills the grapevines call home. It’s a truly great wine and was a perfect to the venison dish.

This couldn’t have been more perfect. A rainy day in Paris, a steamy, cozy bistro with superb quality “comfort food” and a bottle of a favorite wine. Nice.

Le Bistrot d’à Côté Flaubert 10 Rue Gustave Flaubert Paris 75017 bistrotflaubert.com

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Meet the Newest Member of Our Cosmetic Family.

We are excited to introduce our new aesthetician, Laetitia Cloete. Laetitia brings years of experience and a holistic background to enhance our practice and patient service. Call us to schedule your consultation!

Introducing Licensed Aesthetician Laetitia Cloete.

10% Off All Aesthetician Services Through October 31, 2020!

MooresvilleDermCenter.com MDCCosmetics.com

Disclaimer: Treatments purchased with this special must be completed by October 31, 2020.

Offer valid for aesthetician services only and may not be combined with other offers.

For the Health of Your Skin.

Summer sun exposure can leave your skin at a heightened risk for skin cancer, premature aging, brown spots and more. Now is a good time to schedule your annual skin check and discuss the latest medical and cosmetic dermatology options to keep your skin healthy for seasons to come.

Naomi Simon, MD Board Certified Dermatologist Kristin Prochaska, PA-C Gina Noble, PA-C Justin Loucks, PA-C

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limitless learning

Seven Steps to Downsizing

“R

ightsizing” (or downsizing) often seems like a daunting task, but when approached systematically it can be quite cathartic. Try these tips for an organized approach:

• Select the things you love the most and share the rest with loved ones or donate.

• Space Planning is a reminder of why you want to downsize—everything has its place and it fits in its space.

• Start Small—Taking that first step may seem daunting, but small steps will get you closer to your overall goals • Set a Date & Timer—Make an appointment with yourself and honor that time as sacred, letting nothing interfere with your work. Don’t go past the allotted time. This will make it easier to keep your next appointment with yourself!

• Sort—Designate areas for keeping, selling, donating and trashing.

• Share—It’s often important to share with those close to you the stories of things that have special meaning. This can make it easier to let go of the item.

• ”S”elebrate your accomplishments! Now you are well on the way to successful downsizing.

As you are working to rightsize/downsize, you may realize what a huge undertaking it can be.

Transition Tamers specializes in just this thing and would welcome the opportunity to advise you further or to assist with any organizing or moving services you may require.

Transition Tamers 704.237.4262 info@transitiontamers.com 28 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

True Wealth – Risking Less for More

I

sn’t it interesting that the transition into retirement puts a lot of focus on having “less” of things — a smaller house, less material stuff, and a less busy schedule? The one main exception is that no one really wants “less” money.

When it comes to Right Sizing your investment portfolio for retirement, consider shifting the focus from size to risk. Risk tolerance and appropriateness become even more critical due to changing objectives and shorter time horizons.

The textbook defines risk tolerance as the degree of variability you as an investor are willing to withstand.

In simpler terms, the sleep-at-night factor. However, as an investor, if you knew that what went down will probably come back up, would you worry? On the flipside, do you worry when your investments are going up that they may go back down?

Overall asset allocation addresses risk between stocks (equities) and bonds. Focusing specifically on equity investments, do most investors really understand what they are invested in? Would knowledge help with risk analysis? The short answer is yes.

Individual companies can be analyzed based on products, operational management team, cash flow management, intrinsic value, along with other important data points. Could the variable of investment returns for one company become more predictable than for the stock market as a whole?

Connecting these dots, when it comes to managing risk, investors may want to consider that their equity investments in the ‘stock market’ are actually in a market of individual stocks where professional risk analysis can help make sleeping at night easier.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC

Jeffrey Karp, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® founder of Karp Financial Strategies and is a registered representative of LPL Financial. More information and his blog, Permission GrantedSM can be found at www.karpfinancial.com.

Home is Where Passions Live

W

When it comes to ‘right sizing’ your life and home, it’s important to consider what you are most passionate about, from your most prized possessions and collections to your personal passions. Do you have more than one passion?

Rank your hobbies and interests in order of importance to you. Take your passions into consideration from the beginning of the designing stages.

Do you have a favorite collection or a hobby that needs its own space? Does it require a separate room, a part of a room or dedicated space, or can the collection be dispersed throughout the home? Will your special room need to be a separate structure or attached to your home? Will you require built-ins, or hidden storage? The type of collection or hobby you have will dictate the type of space that will be required to function adequately for you. Make sure to plan for optimizing the organization of these items to enhance your enjoyment of them.

Passions we’ve helped clients incorporate into their homes include: Airplanes Musician studio Sewing / quilting Wines Guitar collections Gardening Cooking Piano rooms Pet spaces Outdoor living Recording studio Art collections Green living Hunting & fishing Entertaining Artist’s studio Libraries Travel treasures Fitness / gyms Book nooks We call it Delight Sizing because a smaller home can still delight! Your home should reflect what brings you joy. Let your passions thrive inside and out for your everyday enjoyment.

Editor’s Note: Want to learn even more about Delight Sizing your home? Read Jenny’s Limitless Learning article from our May issue!

Jennifer B. Pippin, FAIBD, CPBD, is owner of Pippin Home Designs, an awardwinning custom residential design firm specializing in homes with views that are client-inspired for joyful living.

For more information: www.pippinhomedesigns.com.

Am I Making the Right Dental Care Decisions?

L

ife can be overwhelming at times and our oral health can get stuck in the backseat. Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve brushed or seen the dentist. It’s likely you have a missing tooth but don’t know what to do about it or if you can afford a replacement. Here are three questions to help you assess how well you’re doing at taking care of your oral health.

How often do you clean your teeth? As we get older and our teeth feel as out of shape as we do, we may start to see daily oral hygiene as less and less important, but it’s not! The last thing you want to do when you’re on vacation visiting your grandkids is to be experiencing tooth pain and have to go in for an emergency visit. Brush and floss every day to help keep cavities away.

Are you visiting the dentist every six months?

Routine dental visits are key for two main reasons.

The first is to give your teeth a little freshening up with a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tarter. The second reason is for prevention. During your 6-month appointment, your dentist should thoroughly examine your oral health and look for any potential problems.

Are you seeing a dentist who has your health and safety in mind? With the recent spread of COVID-19, our team at Carolina Crossroads is wearing protective gear such as face masks and sneeze shields. We also make our practice a safe space by screening patients before appointments, using hospital-grade disinfectants, offering hand sanitizer, regularly cleaning high-touch surface areas and practicing social distancing. We’ve even invested in Surgically Clean Air, a high-tech air purifying system.

Lindsay Spears, DDS, PLLC Carolina Crossroads Dental Care 1316 Davie Ave Ste B Statesville, NC 28677 704-873-2141 CarolinaCrossroads DentalCare.com

LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020 29

Considering the 55+ Community Lifestyle?

Did you know there are more than 59 Active Adult Communities in our area? I can help you find the one(s) that best meet your wants, needs, and budget for a new home saving you countless hours of research and stress. I am a 55+ Community Expert and a designated Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) in the Charlotte and Lake Norman Area.

Selling your home in a 55+ community?

I have lots of buyers. Call me for a complimentary market analysis of your homes value.

Put my knowledge, experience, and superior marketing plan to work for you to sell your home for the best price in the least amount of time.

Karen R. Spell | Broker/REALTOR®, J.D., SRES® 321-279-1384 | 55ActiveAdultLiving.com | 55ActiveAdultLiving@gmail.com Check out my website for videos, tips, blogs, and your guide to finding the perfect 55+ community!

We take Customer Satisfaction to the Highest Degree.

Control your Comfort and Energy Consumption ... all at once.

Call for a FREE Home Comfort Consultation 2865 Wilksboro HWY• Statesville, NC 30 LimitlessMagOnline.com | September 2020

(704) 876-6279

You might SEE LESS OF US,

because we want to

SEE MORE OF YOU. Our office strictly follows ADA and CDC guidelines and is equipped to care for you in the safest manner possible!

Despite the steps we’ve taken, if you’re still uncertain about leaving your home, we happily offer virtual consultations so we can assess your health needs from the comfort of your couch.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Hospital-grade disinfectants Pre-procedural peroxide rinses Temperature readings Spaced out appointments Hand sanitizer Social distancing Online forms Screening questions Clean waiting area Car check-ins Air purifiers Protective gear Face masks

CALL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STEPS WE'RE TAKING TO ENSURE YOUR HEALTH & SAFETY!

(704) 322-3288 | CarolinaCrossroadsDentalCare.com 1316 Davie Ave. Ste. B Statesville, NC 28677

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