Limitless Magazine

LIMITLESS

MAY 2020

For adults 55+ who place no limits on living their best life!

Business After Retirement | Tai Chi for Health | Skin Cancer Awareness

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New Roles and Technology O

ne of my greatest pleasures in life is being a grandmother a.k.a. “maw-maw” to my 19-month-old grandson.

He’s full of energy, excitement and always looking for his next adventure! As we all adjust to this new normal that the COVID-19 virus has brought to our lives, my job title immediately expanded from Advertising Director for three major publications to Advertising/Daycare Director. My children are fortunate enough to still have their jobs; my son works for an essential business and my daughter-in-law is a nurse (Thank you Rachel!). The daycare is temporarily closed right now so I’m more than happy to care for my piece of preciousness when they need me.

With this new title, comes the responsibility of balancing play time with learning time.

So being the prepared maw-maw that I am, I downloaded every toddler learning app that I could find onto my iPad, sat down with my little munchkin and preceded to show him all the fun learning games I had found for him. Now, I’ve always considered myself somewhat computer savvy. I can figure out how to format 8

LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

a word document and have even created a few Excel worksheets. I know the difference between a pdf and jpg, which in the publishing world, pretty much covers everything I need to know. What I didn’t know, is that apparently babies now pop out of the womb knowing all of this and more! As I set little Einstein in front of my iPad, he began to press all the right buttons to make the correct letter balloons pop, knew exactly when to press the “next” button and even helped Mickey Mouse find all the tools he needed to complete whatever the task was at hand. When I called my son to tell him that his son was a genius, he just laughed and told me that all babies knew that stuff.

Really?

The other day Mac, my publisher, wanted to have a Zoom call with me and our editor Renee. Despite my request for a conference call instead (I need a haircut and haven’t worn makeup in six weeks), he said he wanted to

see our smiling faces.

So, I downloaded the link on my phone and made the Zoom call. I could clearly see and hear Mac and Renee nestled in their home offices discussing story ideas and their thoughts on the magazine layout.

Problem was, I couldn’t get my portion of the screen to work. They couldn’t hear me at all and instead of the live video, the screen was totally frozen just on my face, complete with no makeup and at least an inch of gray roots springing up from my slightly frizzy, somewhat oily hair. I’m not sure if this was the inspiration for our story on how “Zoom Has Gone BOOM (page 24), but hopefully it will help you (and me) stay more connected to our family, friends and co-workers during these days of separation and sheltering at home.

As for me, the next time Mac requests a Zoom call, I’ll just have my grandson set up the call for me while I’m styling my hair and doing my makeup. I hope you enjoy this issue whether you’re reading it online or holding it in your hands.

Stay safe and strong my friends!

LIMITLESS For adults 55+ who place no limits on living their best life!

Publisher MacAdam Smith Mac@LNCurrents.com

Advertising Director Sharon Simpson Sharon@LNCurrents.com

Advertising Sales Executives Carole Lambert Carole@LNCurrents.com Beth Packard Beth@LNCurrents.com Trisha Robinson Trisha@LNCurrents.com Madolyn Snow Madolynsnow@gmail.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 Aaron Garcia Bek Mitchell-Kidd Mia Roberson Jean Spangler

Contributing Photographers Trevor Burton Ken Noblezada

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May 2020

9

CONTENTS MAY, 2020 | vol. 1 | No. 2

About the Cover:

Lake Norman residents are looking forward to new adventures and travel after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Explorers & Adventures 14 Consider adding these authors to your bookshelves

16

16 Constance Saint Sing enjoys new business after retirement

In Every Issue 30 On the Scene in Lake Norman

36 Learn from local experts in LIMITLESS Learning

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

Helping Hands

Health + Happiness

24 Zoom app skyrockets in popularity

18 Joe Higgins brings Tai Chi to Lake

28 Safeguard yourself from online and

22 Protect yourself from skin cancer

for all ages

telemarketing scams

Non-profit Support » 27

In My Glass » 32

Norman for 15 years

Pet Rescue » 38

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10225 Hickorywood Hill Ave, Unit A Huntersville, NC 28078 484.769.7445 | www.LNCurrents.com

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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.

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explorers & ADVENTURES

He Who Does Not Read is No Better Than He Who Cannot Notable authors to consider adding to your shelves BY » Mickey Dunaway PHOTOGRAPHY BY » Ken Noblezada

14 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

I

mentioned in a recent blog post the book His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman as a new author whose work I enjoyed. That got me to thinking. Just who are my all-time favorite authors? I do this with this caveat: I almost always read for enjoyment, so there is not much room for non-fiction writers in my list of favorite authors.

I had a teacher in freshman lit at Auburn who told us, “Ladies and gentlemen, in

this class, there is no one right way to interpret Red Badge of Courage, which was the book we were reading at the time.

However, when exam time came around, I guess she changed her mind because there was one correct way—her way!

Since college, I have read what gives me pleasure.

I have been enlightened many times along the way, but that was seldom my purpose.

My experience through years in high schools from Alabama to Kentucky to Indiana to North Carolina is that most high school lit teachers unintentionally teach kids to hate to read at worst and to endure it at best. I still believe that.

Therefore, in overcoming my trauma-by-literatureteachers, I tend to shy away from the literary best sellers and the classics

by DWEM (Dead White European Males). I find my own set of authors whose works I read religiously.

With all of that in mind, here are my baker’s dozen of favorite authors.

Thirteen.

Henning Mankell writes wonderfully deep and dark Kurt Wallander mysteries set in and around the southern Swedish town of Ystad, such that you can see the landscapes and feel Wallander’s internal battles with good and evil.

Twelve.

I don’t usually read hoping to be moved and changed by what I read. I read for pleasure. But that is not true for William Barclay’s commentaries on the Bible.

Barclay was a Scottish theologian and minister

in the Church of Scotland.

His insights into the history behind scriptures and their meanings for modern mankind are as fresh as when he first published them.

Eleven.

Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch is a detective’s detective fighting the good fight in L.A. Great character.

Very complicated cop.

Ten.

Len Deighton is the spymaster of the cold war tales. Better than John le Carré, in my estimation.

No James Bond shootouts here. Double agents and double-dealing in East Berlin make Deighton’s works most readable.

Nine.

James D. McDonald’s Travis McGee novels paved the way for every other modern American private detective story. McGee lives on a houseboat named the Busted Flush—a lush boat that he won in a poker game. He only ever has enough money to buy groceries, pay the slip fees for his boat, and stake him in the next card game, and that is the way he wants it.

Need more money? Solve a mystery of lost money or goods and get half the value as a salvage fee.

Eight.

Dennis Lehane earned his writing chops on the HBO series, The Wire.

These days he brings Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood to life as a character as much as the people who live there.

Seven.

England’s Bernard

Cornwell brings the historical novel to life with remarkable detail and guts and glory from the Vikings and Saxons to the Napoleonic Wars to America’s Revolution. Want to learn history and enjoy yourself at the same time?

Cornwell is your author!

Six.

Read Mila 18, and you will agree that Leon Uris belongs in this group. I started my journey with Uris with Trinity, the story of Ireland, and its troubles. But don’t miss Exodus or the Haj.

Five.

Nelson DeMille brings the unique talent of infusing subtle humor into his characters even as they fight for their lives. His Charm School is the best U.S. and Soviet spy novel ever written. Hands down.

Four.

Robert Parker is the preeminent author of the understated private eye. His style of simple, yet complex language, has never been equaled. His Spenser and Jesse Stone characters are icons of the genre.

No one is yet his equal.

Three.

Shelby Foote’s threevolume history of the Civil War is the best pure history you will ever read. Want to understand the War? You must read Shelby Foote.

But before you begin, seek a YouTube video so you will have his Southern accent firmly implanted in your head as you read.

Two.

James Lee Burke is surpassed as the best

Southern writer of our time only by Pat Conroy. There is no one better whose wordchoice in his writing will stir every one of your senses. He is the unmatched master today of the descriptive written word. Read any of his works for his command of the English language, and you will weep the next time you read the drivel that passes as literature.

One.

Pat Conroy is the South.

Southerners need to read him to understand our land and our culture. NonSoutherners—especially those residing on our sacred soil—should read him if you are ever to know why we redneck hillbillies act the way we do and are so damn proud of it!

The following are far from also-rans. They all came close to making the list.

I could easily argue for each one. Ann Cleeves, Ian Fleming, Ken Bruen, Harper Lee, Agatha Christie, Harlan Coben, Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, Craig Johnson, Daniel Silva, and Lee Child.

Until next time, wherever you find yourself on life’s remarkable journey, remember these words from Winston Churchill after the English had defeated the Germans in Africa after many German victories in Europe: Now, this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Mickey Dunaway is a Cornelius resident, retired college professor and author of “Angry Heavens: Struggles of a Confederate Surgeon.”

LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020 15

explorers & ADVENTURES

Statement

Piece Constance Saint Sing’s

BY » Bek Mitchell-Kidd PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of » Constance Saint Sing

Jewelry Business Shines After Retirement 16 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

M

ooresville resident Constance Saint Sing would give the early bird a run for its money.

Up well before sunrise most days, she can be found hard at work as head designer of her jewelry line, Styles By Constance.

The new venture started when, after decades of working in sales for some of the nation’s biggest brands, Saint Sing retired to spend more time with her family, learn new skills and meet new people.

She volunteered with Iredell County Guardian Ad Litem as an advocate for children, took photography classes, and then, the class that changed it all— jewelry making at Mooresville’s Ain’t Miss Bead Haven.

Inspired, Saint Sing first made

jewelry for herself, and then started fulfilling requests from friends and family.

“When I would show my earrings to friends, they would often suggest that I should make enough to sell,” she says.

Saint Sing says she was also motivated by what she was not finding in stores.

“So many products in the shops were only metals, with no color. I like to add color with beautiful semi-precious stones.”

Color your fashion

Styles By Constance is now a bustling online business

with the tag line ‘Color Your Fashion.’ She finds most people shop by color.

“Customers often have a particular color they need for an outfit, so I try to have a large variety of color.”

The company experiences a high demand for necklace and earring sets, something Saint Sing says is a bit of rarity in stores these days.

Custom is also key with her regularly adjusting necklace lengths to get the perfect fit for each client. Plans to add a coordinating bracelet line is also in the works.

She says her creative process starts with the

gemstone. “Its beauty is where I want the focus to be.

I’ll place wire strategically to be certain the best qualities of the stone are visible,” says Saint Sing. She travels the east coast and beyond to select semi-precious stones with some of her favorites coming from Naples, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A team effort

If you’ve been thinking about starting your own business Saint Sing recommends making sure your spouse is on board.

“My husband has been wonderful about this new

business venture,” she says.

“He built some display stands for my first show and was happy to help with the set up. And, our three daughters are earring models for the business.”

Lake Norman locals for more than 30 years, when Saint Sing isn’t making jewelry, you’ll find her and husband Edwin cruising the lake on their pontoon boat.

Learn more: Styles By Constance is available online: facebook.com/ stylesbyconstance and stylesbyconstance.com

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LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020 17

health + HAPPINESS

The Tao of Joe

Huntersville resident has brought Tai Chi to Lake Norman area for 15 years BY » Aaron Garcia | PHOTOGRAPHY BY » Ken Noblezada

18 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

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“Use it or lose it, the more you do, the more your balance is going to improve.”

I

f Joe Higgins has learned anything about himself during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that he can actually exist without teaching Tai Chi. Well, sort of. The 75-year old admitted he’s held some open-air, “distant” one-onone classes with a few of his

advanced students since social distancing guidelines took effect. He’s also worked with the Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture (PARC) department to put together a video for its Motivational Monday series highlighting a few Tai Chi basics.

So, he hasn’t exactly tied

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health + HAPPINESS off the teaching. But give him credit—he’s led as many as four classes per week for local groups like the towns of Huntersville and Cornelius since moving to the area in 2005.

For a man that loves the “stillness in movement” that Tai Chi has brought to his life over the past 20 years, outright stopping during this forced sabbatical hasn’t come naturally.

Finding balance

Joe Higgins first discovered Tai Chi in 2000 and now teaches it all across Lake Norman.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art in which students perform memorized sets of movements called forms. More meditative than combative, the moves are slow, precise and calming. It’s believed by many to have impressive health benefits, and practitioners boast improvements in blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and more.

Higgins first discovered Tai Chi in 2000 after 30 years practicing yoga.

He’d been an early adapter of the discipline as a 19-year-old college student in the mid-sixties. Following his retirement as a college counselor,

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Higgins studied under the teachings of Dr. Paul Lam, who founded the Tai Chi for Health Institute.

he attended a Tai Chi class when it was offered a few doors down from his gig at a pottery store. He was attracted to Tai Chi’s movement-based approach to meditation. Many of the beliefs were similar to yoga’s, making it “a natural fit” for him, he says.

Higgins studied the teachings of famed instructor Dr. Paul Lam, who founded the Tai Chi for Health Institute.

The benefit that seems to resonate the most with his students, says Higgins, is balance. As we age and become less active, he explains, our muscles become weaker, which impacts our ability to steady ourselves. Many make the mistake of meeting their newfound wobbliness by avoiding activity, he says.

“Now, you do less exercising and get cautious about how you walk,” says Higgins, “so your balance gets even worse.”

Use it or lose it

Instead, finding a low-risk, low-impact activity like Tai Chi can help, says Higgins.

“Use it or lose it,” he says. “The more you do, the more (your balance is) going to improve.”

So, yes, he can slow down on the teaching for now, but he doesn’t want to lose it. When this is over, Higgins says he hopes to get back to what does feel natural—helping others by teaching Tai Chi. “You have faith that it’s going to start up again.”

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health + HAPPINESS

It’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month Know how to detect and protect ARTICLE PROVIDED BY: » Naomi Simon, MD and Scott Paviol, MD Board Certified Dermatologists

I

f someone said you could save your life by taking a look at your skin, would you do it?

As dermatologists, it’s something we encourage everyone to do.

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Some experts say as many as 30 to 40 percent of all light-skinned Americans will develop at least one skin cancer by age 65. But people of all colors, including those with brown and black skin, get skin cancer. Our Lake Norman community is especially vulnerable with our temperate climate and outdoor lifestyle.

As the largest organ of the body, our skin sees a lot of sunlight during its lifetime.

Over the years, the effects of sun damage cause the epidermis to crack and thin out and destroy collagen and elastin in the dermis, leading to wrinkles and bruising.

Brown “sun spots” may also 22 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

appear on areas exposed to the most sun. And with DNA mutations from UV damage, skin cancers can form. It is important to note, however: even if you never sunburn, you can still get skin cancer.

The good news is that all skin cancers are visible, and when caught early, are highly treatable.

Examining your skin is key to identifying changes in your skin. Use a mirror to look at your back and other areas you may not typically see. The American Academy of Dermatology website, AAD.org, has excellent information and videos about how to do a “selfcheck” and noting lesions and changes on your skin.

If you have a history of sun exposure, tanning bed use, sunburns as a child (or adult), a history of previous skin cancers, or numerous moles, it is critical to check your skin regularly at home

for any new or changing skin growths. You should see a dermatologist if you have any new moles over age 40, any moles that are changing shape, size, color, border, symmetry, or itching or bleeding, or any new growths that scab, bleed, or “never seem to heal.” Your dermatologist may recommend that you get regular skin cancer screenings if you are at high risk for developing skin cancer. Ask your doctor questions and have a real discussion about your skincare. Dermatologists can recognize, remove, and biopsy areas as necessary, and they can also recommend the best ways to prevent further sun damage.

Regardless of your “skin history,” make a commitment now to protect yourself. Some simple things you can do include: · Apply sunscreen (SPF of 30 or higher) 30 minutes before going outdoors.

· Limit exposed skin by wearing wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves, and pants. · Avoid peak sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. · Wear sunglasses that block UV rays. · Seek shade whenever possible.

With one person dying every hour from the disease, the statistics for melanoma are staggering. Isn’t it worth taking a few minutes every day to improve your odds?

Learn more: Mooresville Dermatology Center 128 Medical Park Road, Suite 201 Mooresville, NC 28117 Phone: 704.235.1827 MooresvilleDermCenter.com Mooresville Dermatology Center is committed to the education detection and treatment of skin cancers and has detected and treated over 6000 skin cancers in the Lake Norman region in just three years.

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helping HANDS

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BOOM! 24 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

Popular video and conferencing app takes off during pandemic

W

BY » Jean Spangler

hen the world seemed to stop on a dime in March with various states ordering “shelter-in-place” pandemic orders, we all faced a new normal as we scrambled to figure out how to keep our daily activities and businesses flowing in new and innovative ways. Schools had to quickly configure how to have interactive classes.

Business owners and employees had to collaborate without going into offices.

Zoom takes off

Zoom, a web-based video conferencing tool developed by a young engineer Eric Yuan, went online in January 2013 with approximately one million users. When the pandemic hit, the Zoom app literally took off like a rocket as word spread of how effective it was in bringing people together for all sorts of purposes. Recently, more than 3,423,000 people worldwide downloaded the app in one single day. Users now number in the millions.

The many uses of Zoom

My first experience with Zoom was a morning class I was taking on US Trade Policy.

I am not the most technical person, so I was leery of my ability to understand the process of logging on. The app requires a “host” for each meeting and our host made it a simple, “one, two three…” step process by simply sending a link to the meeting and a Meeting ID and password. In a matter of minutes, the faces of my fellow classmates appeared in squares (a little like the

“Brady Bunch” intro if you’re old enough to remember). Some people selected their own virtual backgrounds. One person chose to be superimposed against a photo of planet Earth and appeared to be floating in space. Others chose vacation pictures from the Grand Canyon or the Caribbean as their backgrounds. I decided not to test my technical skills so my background was a rather bland shot of my living room where I set up my computer. One classmate also just sat in her easy chair with her small dog resting comfortably around her shoulders. Others I’ve heard have used every imaginable background—scenes from a horror movie, cartoon characters, or pictures of their favorite movie star. Your background can be as creative as you want it to be.

I also belong to a group composed of single women over 50 that has monthly gatherings.

Because we are single and the organization was started as a way for women living alone to not feel so isolated, we used Zoom for a virtual “happy hour.” Once again, we had a host who set up the time and emailed the simple instructions. At the designated time our group came alive on screen one by one—each of us hoisting a glass of wine or beverage of choice. It was just like our normal gatherings with everyone sharing the highs and lows each of us is experiencing during this unprecedented time in history, as well as happy news about new grandchildren and the never-ending quest for toilet paper.

Zoom has also become a lifeline for famous artists who are performing for free on the LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020 25

helping HANDS app. Now, you can find art, music and even Broadway plays on Zoom. Even my 2-year-old granddaughter who loves her preschool has benefited from Zoom, as my son sent me a video of her shaking African maracas in a Zoom-music class led by her preschool teacher.

Keeping people connected

Churches, normally accustomed to gatherings seven days a week, have found Zoom to continue to connect to their congregations. According to Rev. Dr. John Ryan, Associate Pastor at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, he has hosted up to four Zoom meetings going on at the same time.

“I’m very proud of how quickly we were able to keep church connections and our numerous Faith Formation

groups going using Zoom,” he says. “It is pretty easy to use and our church members in their 80s are able to virtually connect to their friends and faith formation groups during this time of social isolation. This app has been a great tool to allow members to continue their relationships and feel less isolated. Even if someone does not have a video camera, they can still connect to Zoom meetings via a phone call.”

Zoom is being used so people can watch and ask questions at Town Hall meetings or on the pandemic. For instance, the Davidson Town Board is using Zoom for their meetings as are other municipalities. Realtors and lawyers are trying to continue their businesses by using Zoom to complete deals and transactions.

Nonprofits are becoming even more dependent upon Zoom. I sit on the Davidson Housing Coalition Board and we have used Zoom to continue our meetings that are crucial in times when people are facing job loss and trying to pay rents.

Now, if there is a downside to Zoom it’s that there is no excuse for not attending a meeting. After all, what are you doing to say, “The dog ate my computer?” There’s no saying “I’ll be out of town, or I’m on vacation.”

You must also pay attention to how you position yourself on screen. Although you are only seen from the waist up, it’s my understanding that there have been some embarrassing moments when someone has forgotten this, only to show fellow Zoomers their underwear. Understanding where the mute

button is also important when you’re not speaking as it’s been noted that kids can come into the room and say something like, “I’ve got to go potty.”

In these days where we often feel isolated, Zoom can bring any group together. It just takes one person to “host” and set up the Meeting ID and password.

As I understand it, Zoom is free with a Basic Plan that comes with unlimited meetings that include three or more people and sessions that don’t last more than 40 minutes. Other plans range from $14.99 month.

Editor’s Note: Zoom had issues with security in early March.

The app developer recently announced that steps had been taken to further ensure security and privacy, but to learn more, go to Zoom.com.

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26 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

by Stanley Martin Homes

Supporting Existing Nonprofits BY » By Jean Spangler

Davidson Community Foundation Launched By Citizen-Driven Initiative

L

aunched on April 10, Davidson Community Foundation (DCF) is set to become a major influence in supporting the community’s emergency needs and long-term transformative projects impacting key issues of racial and socioeconomic diversity, inclusion, affordable housing, and neighborhood preservation.

Founded by Davidson residents Ellen Donaldson and Dave Cable, both longtime community non-profit leaders, the pair developed the idea for DCF from their work on the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Group, part of the Town of Davidson’s comprehensive planning process.

“DCF is not new non-prof-

it,” says Donaldson, “but an initiative that will support efforts and funding for existing non-profits, houses of worship and other organizations. The Foundation greatly expands Davidson’s philanthropic capacity and the ability to mobilize quickly in times of crisis, like the one we are experiencing with COVID-19.”

DCF is powered by Foundation For The Carolinas and established as a field of interest fund. This structure enables DCF to efficiently catalyze and leverage energy and commitment of residents, non-profit agencies, houses of worship, the Town of Davidson and Davidson College for the betterment of Davidson.

“DCF is solidly built on

guiding principles of transparency, accountability, bias toward action, diversity, inclusion and social justice,” says Cable. “Because DCF’s overhead expenses are minimal, 99 cents of every dollar raised will go directly to the community through grants to local non-profits,” he adds.

“DCF is now fundraising to address the urgent needs of those suffering from the impact of COVID-19 crisis. The funding will assist organizations responding to members in dire need of assistance.”

Donaldson and Cable were expected to award the first round of grants in late April.

“The citizens of Davidson always step up to the plate when there is need, and

there is no greater need than what we are facing now,” says Donaldson.

“Longer-term, our commitment is to harness visionary leadership and engage citizens to raise awareness of community needs and the transformative projects to address them.”

To learn more about Davidson Community Foundation, contact Ellen Donaldson at ellengdonaldson@gmail.com or Dave Cable at dcable@ springsidepartners.com.

To donate online visit www.fftc.org/Davidson.

Make checks payable to Foundation of the Carolinas: ATTN: Davidson Community Foundation, 220 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.

?

LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020 27

helping HANDS

Getting Personal BY » Mia Roberson

Protect yourself from becoming a victim of cybercrime

T

echnology can be a wonderful and convenient thing, but it can also bring its share of headaches. Cybercrimes have undergone a major spike in today’s world.

With this spike, its important to know what you can do to protect yourself, as tax season in particular provides a target-rich environment for potential hackers. Below are three scams you should be mindful of.

Telephone-related scams One of the more common types of scams involves

28 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

people disguising themselves as telemarketers and government employees. These scams can cover a wide variety of things. The most common ones are scammers claiming to be with the IRS, saying that they have an arrest warrant against you. The IRS scammers are normally after credit card numbers and social security numbers.

You may get a voice mail or call that says something like “We found that there was a fraud and misconduct on your taxes which you are hiding from federal government.” However, the IRS is very old-fashioned and prefers to contact people

by snail mail in most cases.

They will never ask you for banking account information over the phone. If you receive a message or call from someone claiming to be the IRS, do not return their call. Instead, you can call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to see if they have legitimate business with you.

Another type of phone scam is people posing as telemarketers. These are harder to avoid because they’re nearly indistinguishable from real telemarketers.

A good way to avoid these is to install an app like RoboKiller on your phone (this applies to cell phones only)

to filter out the scammers from the legitimate callers.

You can try this app out for free. Again, if the person on the other end of the phone is asking you to provide bank account, credit card or social security information for any reason, be wary.

Email scams

There are several scams that happen via email. One involves the victim receiving an email informing them of a business opportunity, normally one that would allow them to work from home.

They have a catch, however.

These scams ask for money before they give you more

info. Once they have your money, they stop contact.

The best way to avoid these is to use a spam filter on your email and be skeptical if an opportunity seems too good to be true.

Another email scam comes in the form of an attachment in an email. Once opened, the attachment starts scanning through your computer in search of personal information. Spyware logs information for as long as it is on a computer.

To avoid this scam, you should always check the ending of attachments. If it ends in .exe, then don’t open it.

A legitimate PDF will never have a .exe ending, so that’s an easy way to tell if it’s safe.

Website scams

Many scams happen on websites. A common one involves dating websites.

People create catfish profiles to try to lure someone in, then they may start asking for money, such as for a plane ticket to meet up.

The best way to avoid this

is to never send credit card info or your home address to someone you met online.

If someone starts asking for money for things shortly after connecting, then you

should be a little suspicious.

Some websites offer cheap alternatives to prescription drugs. While cheaper, they often aren’t legitimate. The scammers behind these are usually after credit card or insurance information. The main way to avoid this scam is to check every offer you find online, especially if it looks too enticing.

All the scams that are floating around the internet can get the better of us. By stopping for a minute when you come across something suspicious, and questioning anyone who contacts you via phone or online, you can save yourself a lot of trouble and possibly prevent fraud or identity theft.

Find more helpful information at www.usa.gov/ identity-theft.

Plan It. Providing proactive solutions, personalized strategies, and inspired insight that is forwardthinking, comprehensive, and considerate of your financial personality and risk comfort zone.

704.658.1929 www.karpfinancial.com

Dream It. Plan It. Pursue It.SM

139 W. McNeely Ave, Mooresville, NC

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020 29

on the scene Photo courtesy of North Carolina Brewers & Music Festival

EVENT INFO ROUNDUP ????????????????????????

Virtual Art on the Green (Through May 8) The Town of Davidson had to cancel its annual Arts on the Green Event in April, but because they still want to celebrate artists in the community, the town came up with a back-up plan that will now run April 24-May 8. Visit the link http://townofdavidson. org/1272/VIRTUAL-Art-on-theGreen and enjoy a special digital showcase highlighting artists and their works of art.

Looking for way to grow some fresh produce? The Cornelius Community Garden has a few garden boxes still available to rent. Photo courtesy of Cornelius PARC.

k n a Th You!

Cornelius Community Garden Cornelius PARC partners with the Smithville CommUnity Coalition and neighborhood volunteers to provide the

Cornelius Community Garden, 20708 Catawba Ave. The garden has a few 4’ x 8’ garden boxes still available for rent.

The fee is $50 ($25 may be refundable) and includes the raised bed, topsoil, access to tools, water and three growing seasons. You provide your own plants, seeds and labor! If you are interested, email Debby at debbyredding20@gmail.com or call her at 980.289.6880.

Call to Artists-Ice House Reimagined The Huntersville Public Art Commission (HPAC) has collaborated with the Old Huntersville Historical Society (OHHS) to seek request for

Maple Leaf HealthCare would like to take this opportunity during this unprecedented Covid-19 season to THANK YOU the residents of Iredell County. We have felt your love through all the; prayers, flowers, pizza, cards, hand sanitizers, masks, cupcakes and the outside serenading to our Life Engagement residents with which you have blessed us! You have brought us such love, joy and cheer at a time when we all need to be lifted.

Call Debi Early for information. (704) 871-0705

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30 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

Photo courtesy of Historic Rural Hill

Rescheduled Events That Were Canceled During COVID-19 Loch Norman Highland Games (Aug. 15-16, 2020) Experience all the fun with activities and performances such as highland dancing, bagpipe bands, highland athletics, Scottish merchants and haggis. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, www.lochnorman.com.

Scottish bagpipes at Loch Norman Highland Games. proposals from qualified artists to commission a permanent public art display located at Veterans Park in the heart of downtown Huntersville. This project will utilize the remnants of what were the Huntersville Icehouse’s (Davidson Ice & Fuel and McCauley & Sons Ice) in a creative and reflective design capturing the embodiment of what the Huntersville Icehouse represented to the citizens of Huntersville. This project, in partnership with the Old

Huntersville Historical Society, is funded by a $5000 grant provided by Electricities of North Carolina. The HPAC/OHHS will virtually review submitted ideas with a final decision made at the HPAC June 10, 2020 meeting at 6:30 p.m. (pending the COVID-19 stay-at-home order is lifted). Applicants will be updated if the meeting date is postponed. The target installation date is by Dec. 31, 2020. Learn more at www.huntersville.org.

The Lake Norman Hospice Regatta Party (Aug. 14) Plan for a fun evening of charitable giving, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, music, dancing and a live silent auction. 6:30 p.m. The Peninsula Club, Cornelius, www.hpccr.org The Lake Norman Hospice Regatta (Sept. 12-13) Sailing is open to competitive and non-competitive sailors with the anticipation of sailing for fun, competition, or in honor of a loved one.

Lake Norman Yacht Club,

Mooresville, www.lnyc.org.

Party at the Paddock (TBD) Hinds Feet Farms’ newest fundraiser was originally planned to coincide with the Kentucky Derby.The staff has since decided to re-organize this event as a virtual silent auction online fundraiser. Check their website for updates. Hinds Feet Farm, 14625 Black Farms Road, Huntersville,www.hindsfeetfarm.org.

Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race (Oct. 17, 2020) Celebrate the culture, traditions and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Enjoy dancing and sharing traditional meals.

Ramsey Creek Park, 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius, www. charlottedragonboat.com.

North Carolina Brewers & Music Festival (May 7-8, 2021) Enjoy live bands and more types of North Carolina-brewed beer than you can count. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, www.ruralhill.net.

Pursue It. Helping you embrace your financial possibilities to pursue the lifestyle you desire now and throughout your lifetime filled with treasured moments and memories.

704.658.1929 www.karpfinancial.com

Dream It. Plan It. Pursue It.SM

139 W. McNeely Ave, Mooresville, NC

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020 31

in my GLASS

My Take on

Take-Out

32 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

While meals are still wonderful, the dining experience is not the same BY » Trevor Burton PHOTOGRAPHY BY » Trevor Burton

I

n general, we all are so fortunate to live in the Lake Norman area. But, more specifically, we all are so fortunate to live in the center of such a wonderful dining environment.

Excellent food, excellent preparation, a casual and comfortable atmosphere and many wonderful wine lists to go along with it. And, then, along came a spoilsport, COVID-19, to temporarily take away everything we normally enjoy and love.

Taking away has led to take-out.

My wife and dining partner, Mary Ellen, and I have certainly taken to take-out. First, I don’t want to give up the great dishes that we have at our disposal.

Second, and this is vitally important, we want to be sure to support all our restaurants as we go through the misery that this virus has brought to our lives. But I miss the whole environment.

I miss sitting down with Lupita and Sergio and talking about our families at Mestizo in Davidson.

I miss talking to Jimmy Hermann about Italian wines at Il Bosco, also in Davidson. I miss sharing a glass of wine and talking about his paintings with Pasquale Caruso at his restaurant in Mooresville. I miss everyone.

A few days ago, we ordered take-out from Mestizo. We have a couple of go-to items there, a fajita for Mary Ellen and a burrito for me. Keeping with the Latin theme, when we dine at the restaurant, I usually have a glass or two of Carmenère from Chile with my burrito.

Bringing home the dishes, I had to forgo two out of the three things I like about Mestizo— food, wine and atmosphere. I had to settle for just the food.

We decided to have our lunch on our patio, overlooking the lake. I had to come up with a wine to replace my Carmenère—I LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020 33

in my GLASS I miss the whole environment.

I miss sitting down with Lupita and Sergio and talking about our families at Mestizo in Davidson.

I miss talking to Jimmy Hermann about Italian wines at Il Bosco, also in Davidson.

I miss sharing a glass of wine and talking about his paintings with Pasquale Caruso at his restaurant in Mooresville.

I miss everyone. didn’t have any in our wine cellar. I decided we needed a treat. So I brought up a bottle of Zinfandel made by our friend, Michael Talty, in Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma.

Fate looked after us. I had overlooked one of his wines.

I didn’t know that I still had a bottle of 10-year-old wine.

It brought back memories.

Zinfandel has a reputation of not aging well—and that you should drink them fast before all that snazzy fresh fruit fades into oblivion.

Poppycock. I remember sitting with Talty, at the end of a long day, in his winery and putting this myth to the test. We sipped on several of his library wines that were, at least, 10 years old. It was a tasty delight. The wines had mostly retained their vibrant and spicy flavors. But they had, in my mind, improved since their release. They had softened, mellowed out and taken on additional and deeper layers of complexity and flavors. With our

forgotten bottle of wine, we were definitely in for that treat we needed so badly.

This was a memorable meal. A beautiful spring afternoon overlooking the lake, two of our favorite dishes paired with a glass of memorable wine and some Latin music playing in the background. But, superb as it was, I missed being at Mestizo. I missed the contemporary Mexican art on the walls. I missed the hustle and bustle of

For more information visit:

the place, I missed Lupita and Sergio and the rest of the family. I miss all of our restaurants and the people that make them so welcoming.

COVID-19 has been a tragedy for our nation. It has robbed us of so many and so much. We’ll get by it and, when we do, we’ll appreciate, so much more, things that we have taken for granted in the past.

Among many, many other things, I’ll drink to that.

www.mooresvillelknexchange.org 34 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

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limitless learning

When is the Right Time to Consider a 55+ Community?

W

hile making life decisions, including when to move, is an individual choice, I have found most people considering a change to this lifestyle are somewhere between retirement and needing assisted living.

The RightSizing Dilemma The biggest stumbling block to adopting an Active Adult Living Community Lifestyle is often the daunting task of moving. Many folks a this stage of their lives reside in the family home where for years they raised their family and accumulated stuff to show for it. It’s the stuff that is the issue and the family discussion goes something like this: • What should we keep?

• What will the kids want? (Very little, in truth ) • What gets donated and where?

• Is any of this worth money?

• How do we sell stuff? Yard Sale, Facebook Marketplace, Craig’s List?

• And the overwhelming problem of, where do we start?

This one factor, in my opinion, delays folks from moving to the next chapter of their lives between three and five years. Like most things, moving only gets harder the older we get.

To enjoy an Active Adult Lifestyle, you need to embrace it while you can still be active, which in turn will keep you active longer. In fact, Wellness, Freedom, and Friendships are the 3 Pillars this lifestyle is built on.

I haven’t had anyone tell me they wished they had waited longer to move to an Active Adult Community; only lamenting that they hadn’t done it sooner. Don’t be like them. You’ve spent a lifetime looking forward to enjoying the rewards of your retirement. Don’t wait! Enjoy them now!

Karen Spell, Broker, SRES, J.D., 55+ Community Expert Helen Adams Realty 321-279-1384 kspell@helenadamsrealty.com PurplePineappleRE-NC.com

36 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

True Wealth – Funding the Possibilities

M

y True Wealth philosophy is founded on the “Dream It” gene, but the pragmatist side of most of us, asks, “How do we pay for it?” The reality is that the road to “limitless” adventures is paved with dollars and sense.

The main question, then, when exploring your possibilities is, “How do I replace my income to maintain my lifestyle?”

This is a fair question with multiple potential answers.

Strategies can include retirement accounts, pensions (not as prevalent today), and potentially inheritance as conceivable options. Social security is another resource. This is where having a good sense of where you currently stand financially is essential. The natural tendency is to want to get the government payout as soon as possible, which is technically age 62, but is that the best decision for you?

Here are a few factors to consider: Life expectancy: Longevity is a guess. Look to your family history for guidance. Benefits taken early are reduced. Benefits delayed are increased.

Retirement Income Needs: Can you afford to wait? Delay of your benefit after normal retirement increases gross monthly benefit by approximately 8%. Taking benefits at age 62 reduces benefits up to 70%. What other resources are available to you?

Marital Status: Claiming decisions should be considered both individually and as a couple to maximize income for both life expectancies.

Be sure you have established your account with Social Security at www.ssa.gov and know your benefits. Calculators are available to help you understand the dollar options. Choose wisely because you don’t get a second chance.

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Securities and Advisory Services provided through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC.

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

Delight-Sizing: An Inspiring Perspective

Skin Cancer Self-Checks Simplified

ow that you’ve made the decision to simplify your surroundings, or have chosen to move to a smaller home, it may feel as if you are sacrificing or settling in some ways. Instead, consider how less space is a way you can enjoy your home even more. We call it ‘delight-sizing.’

First, decide to keep what brings you joy, if it’s a necessary item, or if it can be released for someone else to enjoy.

Next, you’ll consider ways to make the most of every nook and cranny you have available for smart storage solutions and multipurpose.

For instance, consider these clever ideas: • Under a stairway, cabinets or drawers can be a built-in for shoes, clothing or sports equipment.

• The landing under a u-shaped stair can be a fun grandkid hang-out, or access to a hidden wine cellar.

• Areas between wall studs can become niches to hold family photos, artwork, and books if they’re deep enough.

• An old armoire or big TV cabinet can become a Drop Zone storage cubby, a linen closet, or a china cabinet.

• Turn a closet into a small home office.

• Choose a cabinet in the kitchen for a pullout pet feeding station, and add hidden storage in the toe kick areas.

• Add a two-foot bump-out in a room for additional seating or sleeping space with storage underneath.

• Need a part time guest bedroom? Place a murphy bed in your home office or sewing room.

What you will find is through delight-sizing, you will see how simplifying can be very gratifying too.

n these unusual times, many people want to keep as much distance as possible between themselves and a doctor’s office, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your health. Fortunately, a simple monthly self-check can go a long way toward the early detection of a highly treatable disease—skin cancer.

The first thing to look for is anything new or different. Moles or growths that increase in size, change texture or color; spots that itch, hurt or bleed; and sores that don’t heal for more than three weeks might be signals that something is amiss.

When examining existing marks for potential melanoma, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests people look for the ABCDE warning signs. A is asymmetry – look for moles whose size, shape, or color vary from one side to the other. B refers to borders – be wary of irregular or ill-defined borders. C signifies color – particularly varied colors within the same mole or sections that are red, white, gray, or blue. Size does matter when it comes to melanoma, which is why D stands for diameter. Spots that are larger than a pencil eraser are of particular concern and should be checked by a dermatologist. Finally, E refers to evolution. Marks that evolve or change over time may be sending a signal. Most importantly, scan your entire body from head to toes, and use a mirror (or significant other) for hard-to-see places like your back.

For detailed instructions on how to perform a selfexam, visit www.dermgroupnc.com/self-exam.

If you find something that raises concerns, Dermatology Group of the Carolinas in Huntersville can help. Our board-certified dermatologists are offering virtual visits for the duration of the Stay-at-Home order and would love to see you in person once normalcy returns.

N

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.

I

Your Skin. Our Experts.

What are the odds areOur happy your hands are dry and chapped?

Yourwe Skin.

Experts.

Pretty good. That means you’ve been following the CDC guidelines about hand-washing.

704-784-5901 Let us help soften the impact with these dry skin tips: 9735 Kincey Avenue, Suite 102, ✓ Wet hands, then vigorously lather with soap for at least 20 seconds, then rinse with warm (instead of hot) water Huntersville, NC 28078 ✓ Use moisturizing soap, if possible ✓ Pat dry with a clean towelwww.dermgroupnc.com - do not scrub your hands ✓ Immediately moisturize with a cream-based moisturizer or 100% petrolatum like Vaseline

LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020 If you follow these tips and still have dry, cracked skin, call us for an appointment with our Board Certified Dermatologists – now in Huntersville!

37

A PET FOR YOU! LaDonna Mabe Email: happytailsrescueinc@yahoo.com Tel: 704.507.5307 or 828.238.5766 https://happytailsrescueinc.wixsite.com/happy-tails-rescue Happy Tails Rescue, Inc. is a North Carolina 501c3 nonprofit organization out of Maiden, N.C.

These adorable animals are looking for their forever homes . . .

Visit Happy Tails Rescue website for a full list of adoptable pets.

Gypsy

Gypsy is a female 3-year-old German Shepherd/Pug mix. She is spayed, microchipped and current on all vaccines and heartworm prevention. She is crate and house trained, friendly with other dogs, and loves to give kisses and cuddles.

Bullet

Bullet is a 4-year-old Jack Russell/Australian Shepherd mix. He is currently being house trained, is crate trained and friendly with other dogs. He is a sweet boy who really just wants to be loved.

Speckles

Speckles is a 4-5-year-old female English Pointer/Dalmation mix. She is house and crate trained and dog, cat and child-friendly. If you’re looking for the perfect low-key companion, this is your girl.

Dory

Dory is a female 3.5-year-old Boxer/Bull mix. She has been spayed, microchipped and is current on all vaccines and heartworm prevention. She was abandoned by her family when they moved, and is very sweet and smart. She is crate and housetrained and good with other dogs, but would be best in a home with no cats.

38 LimitlessMagOnline.com | May 2020

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