Lake Norman CURRENTS September 2023

Stewart/Owen Dance

Saturday, September 23 | 2pm and 8pm

Contemporary Dance: Stewart/Owen Dance, the resident dance company of Asheville’s Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, is a contemporary dance company that works to cultivate the craft of storytelling through movement. Ticket Price $30-$50

Saturday, October 21 | 2pm and 8pm

Theatre: This family friendly multi-media adventure mixes classic story telling with projected illustrations to tell the story of Buck, the magnificent cross-bred offspring of a St. Bernard and Scottish Collie. Ticket Price $25-$35.

Trey McLaughlin & the Sounds of Zamar

November 4 at 8pm | November 5 at 4pm

Southern Gospel Choir: Trey McLaughlin & the Sounds

Of Zamar are known for their rich harmonies and beautiful blends. Transcending cultural boundaries, the group’s music is sung all over the world. Ticket Price $40-$60.

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PARTNER CARRIERS

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Kortney Houston Mooresville

Carrie Starnes Hickory

Michael Holdenrid, VP Mount Holly

Paul Renegar Statesville

Tonya Shook Hickory Logan Canipe Lincolnton

Leon Brown, III Statesville

Leyda Martinez Denver

Shana Vielie Statesville

Lauren Yount Maiden

Melissa Armstrong Mooresville

Dennis Long Statesville

Barbi Dellinger Lincolnton

Rich Schrader Mount Holly

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Tim Buri Mooresville

Moved By Art

September is here and it’s time for our annual arts issue. As I’m often with pen in hand or striking the keys, I’d like to think I’m an artist of sorts, creating with words what I cannot create with pastels or chisel or stringed instrument. I do, however, need an occasional “art fix,” which has driven me over the years to attempt to paint, to throw a pot, to play a guitar, to croon like Frank Sinatra and to mimic Marlon Brando in minor community theater roles. Writing short stories and mediocre poetry, however, seems to be my go-to pastime. When it comes to creating art, I like to think of myself as a fringe participant — a wannabe.

Sure, I visited the Louvre in Paris, the Rijkksmuseum and Van Gogh museums in Amsterdam, and the Borghese Gallery in Rome, where I stood ardently moved before the impossible masterpieces surrounding me. Although I savored those reverent moments, I felt like a poser, hardly worthy of an opinion. I know I’ll never be a renowned artist, so I do what I can: I wholeheartedly support the arts.

When I taught English at Mitchell Community College, I regularly purchased student paintings and 3-D art and, in addition to teaching my required curriculum, I taught creative writing to community residents through continuing education evening classes. I organized open mics for 10 years, encouraging student musicians, poets, storytellers, actors and art majors to share their abilities. I invited the community to participate as well. I gave it my best shot, reading my poetry, singing and strumming unconvincingly at those open mics to prove to my students they would survive, no matter how inspiring or uninspiring their effort. It wasn’t easy for them because I was asking them to reveal their humanity. Nevertheless, I occasionally persuaded even the shyest of students to take the mic, which resulted in a growing self-confidence within each of them, and further desire to define their muses.

At the same time, I regularly participated in poetry readings from Charlotte to Hickory, where I met some widely published and accomplished writers who were more than happy to give me feedback and suggestions for improving my writing skills. During my lifetime, I’ve made lopsided pottery, designed quirky T-shirts, enjoyed several film and television production classes and script writing classes in college. I attended dozens of rock concerts and assumed the role of middle-school drama coach. I once tried to keep up with an Irish folk dance group at a local fair, and I’ve occasionally volunteered in varying roles at several Lake Norman art-related institutions and venues. I had fun and I learned from each experience because, for me, art is engaging, cathartic and gratifying. Art inspires, challenges the imagination, evokes emotion and helps us understand ourselves and our purpose.

If you’re intent on absorbing a dose of creativity and expression, or you’re feeling the need to set free your inner Yo-Yo Ma or Michelangelo, there’s art for everyone around the lake; you don’t have to look far to find it. Grab a microphone, a paintbrush, a guitar, a script or a chisel and get going. Take in an exhibit or a lecture; you’ve nothing to lose. Check out your options, and you’ll discover a community of welcoming, creative and engaging people eager to share their ideas and talents.

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Mickey Dunaway

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Karel Bond Lucander

Allie Spencer

Contributing Photographers

Lisa Crates

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Contents

Lake Norman CURRENTS is a monthly publication available through direct-mail home delivery to the most affluent Lake Norman residents. It also is available at area Harris Teeter supermarkets, as well as various Chambers of Commerce, real estate offices and specialty businesses.

The entire contents of this publication are protected under copyright. Unauthorized use of any editorial or advertising content in any form is strictly prohibited. Lake Norman CURRENTS magazine is wholly owned by Oasis Magazines, Inc.

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

Editor’s Note: Each month we will feature one of the Best of the Lake Norman CURRENTS Award Winners and share a little more behind-the-scenes info with our readers!

Charles Mack Citizen Center

Instead of having to head to the big city just to the south of us, the Lake Norman region has come into its own as far as venues for concerts, theater, meetings, parties, even beautiful destination wedding settings. So, to earn the 2023 Best of the Lake Norman CURRENTS “Best Event Venue” award, the Charles Mack Citizen Center must truly be a stand-out facility.

Located in the heart of historic downtown Mooresville, the 62,000-square-foot Center has come to be known as the perfect space for any occasion on your calendar. It’s played host to innumerable special events — everything from corporate parties to weddings, from banquets to workshops — and the Center’s staff can customize the space to suit your event’s size. The multi-use facility is home to six large meeting halls and banquet rooms, and there are also a few outdoor courtyards for a change of scenery. It can support the smallest of affairs or an event as large as 600 guests.

And when your tastes change from social gatherings to catching a concert or other cultural performance, the Center’s Knox Auditorium has played host to local, regional and national talent. Officials with the Center say the beautifully appointed auditorium is thought to be one of Mooresville’s best-kept secrets.

compiled by Lori Helms photos courtesy Charles Mack Citizen Center

The Charles Mack Citizens Center is at 215 N. Main Street in downtown Mooresville. Learn more at www.cmccmooresville. com, or call 704-662-3334.

Each year, the courtyard at the Center is decked out for Christmas revelers to enjoy.

The Charles Mack Citizen Center sits prominently near the center of downtown historic Mooresville.

The Knox Auditorium attracts local, regional and national musical and theatrical talent.

CommunityINFO

A local “Starr” in design

At the recent 2023 Interior Design Society (IDS) Designer of the Year Awards in New York City, local designer Starr Miller of StarrMiller Interior Design collected two awards for her work. Miller won in the Space Designs category (living spaces $60,000+) and the Singular Spaces category (laundry rooms, closets and pantries). She also earned Runner Up in the new construction category. The Designer of the Year Awards recognizes excellence in residential interior design throughout North America.

Miller is an 11-time national IDS award winner and is the principal designer of StarrMiller Interior Designs – a firm that focuses on a client-collaborative, process-oriented approach to design. She is the only designer in the Charlotte region who has won the National Interior Design Society’s “Designer of the Year” award 10 times. [image available]

Permitting gets streamlined in Mooresville

Lake Norman area contractors, developers and designers with projects in Iredell County will now have a shorter trek to track down their project permits. As of Sept. 5, Mooresville’s Building Permitting & Inspections Department will be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the North Carolina State Building Codes through plan review, issuing of permits and inspections. This eliminates the need to travel to Statesville to pick up permits from the Iredell County Building Standards Division.

Attention ...

This new department is now housed in the One Mooresville Center (the former Mooresville Police Department headquarters) at 750 W. Iredell Avenue. The center is intended as a “one-stop shop” for residents and contractors, now that planning and community development, building permitting and inspections, and the Mooresville Fire Marshal Office are all in the same location.

Candidate slate is set for November

Change is definitely in the wind, at least as far as political leadership positions locally are considered. With the passing of the filing deadline for those seeking office in the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Mooresville, change is imminent for the mayoral seats in Huntersville and Mooresville, and thanks to the number of candidates throwing their hats in the ring (and incumbents pulling theirs out), there are sure to be shifts among those serving on the towns’ boards of commissioners as well.

Huntersville Mayor Melinda Bales and Mooresville Mayor Miles Atkins have both decided against running for another term. Atkins, after serving as mayor for six terms stretching back to 2011, made an about-face regarding his initial decision to run for a seventh time by announcing a change of plans in early July. While he won’t be in the political mix in Mooresville this November, he says he plans on “keeping an eye on opportunities to serve in 2024.” Bales has decided against a run for a second term in Huntersville, setting out to win the N.C. House District 98 seat next year. Huntersville’s mayoral candidates will be current commissioners Dan Boone and Derek Partee, as well as Christy Clark, who represented District 98 in 2019-2020.

In Cornelius, three-term Mayor Woody Washam is facing a contest against current town commissioner Denis Bilodeau, also in his third term on the town board. Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox is running unopposed for a fourth two-year term in November.

compiled by Lori Helms photograph courtesy Suzanne Meyer

Nominations are now being accepted for the Town of Davidson’s G. Jackson Burney Community Service Award, recognizing those who improve the Davidson community through unselfish service over a lifetime.

First awarded in 2004, the recognition honors Burney’s life as a supporter of several town initiatives, including his service as chair of both the Davidson Land Plan Committee and the

planning board. According to the town’s website, Burney “led a life dedicated to improving the quality of life for all around him.”

LangTree Live

ft.Too Much Silvia, 6:30 - 9p

LangTree Lake Norman / Mooresville, NC

2nd Fri Street Fest

ft. The Dropouts & The Goodnight Brothers Band, 6p - 10p

Oak Street Mill Cornelius

Live Under the Oaks

ft. House 11 Band, 6 - 8p

Birkdale Village / Huntersville, NC

Mike Goodwin (Comedian)

The Cain Center* - 7p Doors, 8p Show

21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius

The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra

at The Cain Center* Cornelius, 6p Doors, 7p Show

21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius

LangTree Live

ft. Chicago Rewired, 6:30 - 9p

LangTree Lake Norman / Mooresville, NC

Live Under the Oaks

ft. Jordan Minor Duo, 6 - 8p

Birkdale Village / Huntersville, NC

Praise in the Park

Smithville Park Cornelius, 5p Start

https://tonyarivens.com/praise-in-park-lkn-fest

*https://cainarts.org/performances

LKN Songwriters Showcase

The Cain Center* Cornelius, 7p Doors, 8p Show

21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius

Rock The Lot

ft. 3rd Rail, GhostFace Beer Lab, 5 - 8p

Downtown Mooresville (Super Sunday Funday)

LangTree Live

ft. Alex Key, 6:30 - 9p

LangTree Lake Norman / Mooresville, NC

Live Under the Oaks

ft. Joseph Gallo, 6 - 8p

Birkdale Village / Huntersville, NC

H’ville Hay Days 150th Celebration

food, fun for kids and live music 2p - 8p

Huntersville Athletic Park

Live Under the Oaks

ft. The Dropouts, 6 - 8p

Birkdale Village / Huntersville, NC

Tawba Walk

Live Bands, Food, Beer, Vendors, Kids Activities 2p - 8p

Downtown Cornelius

GhostFace Octoberfest

ft. Gump Fiction, 5p - 8p

at Beer Lab Downtown Mooresville

People HelpingPets

by Lori Helms

Endless viral social media posts. Inane (and sometimes dangerous) TikTok challenges. Too much time on a screen and not enough time off the grid. It’s something you find yourself asking too often ... what’s this world coming to?

Just when you’re about to lose hope in our society, our culture, in the next generation, along comes a glimmer of light and logic — courtesy of an 11-year-child. Thanks to Girl Scout Layla Sudol, there is now a gem of a project new to the Troutman Town Hall grounds that is filling such a stunningly obvious need, you feel silly asking her how she came up with the idea for a free “pet pantry.”

“We’ve seen that the food pantry (in town) is used a lot, and a lot of those people have pets, as well,” Sudol says. “So I figured if humans need food, then their pets also need food.”

Yeah, I mentioned you’d feel silly. That’s just in-your-face logic straight from the mind of a child.

“There’s no reason that pets should get any less than humans,” she says. “You can take something if you need it, you don’t have to leave anything. Or you can take stuff and leave stuff. It’s your choice.”

It was an idea that started at the beginning of last school year, and early last month, Sudol and her mother, Lindsay Shore, were on hand for the Troutman Pet Pantry ribbon cutting. It was the culmination of about 60 hours of work to design, build and stock the pantry for her Bronze Award project as an Individual Registered Girl (IGR), a way to participate in scouting separate from an organized

troop. As an IGR, she is the only troop member, taking on a project that would normally be completed — and funded — by a full troop in about 20 hours.

“Layla had to do everything herself,” her mom says, “from start to finish.” And there was a lot in between that start and finish, including a child’s introduction to how to deal with your municipal government, in order for the pet pantry to have a home on the grounds of Town Hall.

“Part of (the town’s) requirement was that she make a five-year commitment to upkeep the pantry,” says Shore. “She not only did this for her community, but now she is committed to five years of maintenance.” That maintenance will come with the backing of Lowe’s Home Improvement in Troutman, which originally donated the materials needed to build the pantry and will assist in what Sudol needs for its upkeep over the next five years.

She found more generous businesses in town ready to help out, including Sign Shop @ Black Tooth Metal that donated the pantry’s vinyl lettering, as well as Dragonfly Mission Thrift Store that has committed to donating monthly supplies (or whenever it’s needed) such as pet food, treats, beds, leashes and harnesses. Shore says other partnerships are still in the works.

Sudol graduated to the Cadet level with the completion of her Bronze award project, moving on to the Silver award level next as she approaches middle school. Just imagine what kind of light and logic she will come up with next.

photography courtesy Lindsay Shore

A new twist on the food pantry concept

Girl Scout Layla Sudol is the brains and the brawn behind the Troutman Pet Pantry, taking it from brainstorm to build-out.

Alisha Fennell, DVM Alycen Adams, DVM Tracey Ritzman, DVM DABVP

Fall in Love!

$695

These tracks lead to a Sesquicentennial Celebration

Mooresville

Arts lauds local heritage with two exhibits

by Tony Ricciardelli | photography by Lisa Crates

No matter the season, Mooresville Arts provides year-round, engaging exhibits, lectures and classes for all ages. Founded in 1955 and located in the downtown railroad depot, the non-profit maintains a full calendar of events — from photography shows to plein air venues — and offers quality art training and creative inspiration to seasoned artists, budding artists and those interested in exploring their fine arts options. The main gallery, which has recently been renovated, offers a welcoming, rustic atmosphere. Currently, Mooresville Arts has two exhibits on display through Thursday,

Illumination Sesquicentennial Anniversary Mooresville” 150 Challenge Group Exhibit winner, an acrylic painting by Janet Visser

Art patrons view entries in the Main Gallery

Sept. 21— the “150 Challenge Group Exhibit” and the “Emergence: Under 40 Juried Exhibit.”

The “150 Challenge Group Exhibit,” sponsored by the Mooresville Downtown Commission, celebrates Mooresville’s 150th anniversary. The theme requires artists to submit their interpretation of the town’s sesquicentennial and of the town of Mooresville as the two relate to one another, represented through several fine art media.

The “Emergence: Under 40 Juried Exhibit,” sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama, is a fine art multimedia exhibit aimed at a younger demographic. Twenty artists — Mooresville Arts members and non-members 16 to 39 years old — were selected by the Gallery Committee, the jurying committee for this opportunity.

A reception drawing more than 200 attendees was held Aug. 11 for participating artists. The event included an award presentation of the Judge’s Choice Awards selected and presented by Mooresville Mayor Miles Atkins, who chose a painting by Janet Visser (Denver, NC) titled “Illumination Sesquicentennial Anniversary Mooresville NC” as Best of Show winner for the 150 Challenge Group Exhibit.

Names were also drawn from the participating artists for the “Emergence: Under 40 Juried Exhibit,” with complimentary Mooresville Arts memberships presented to Jake Mikeal (Lenoir, NC) and Sara Simmons (Huntersville, NC).

The “Emergence: Under 40 Juried Exhibit” will also select a People’s Choice Award winner. Visitors to the gallery can cast their vote for their favorite piece until the conclusion of the exhibit on Thursday, Sept. 21.

Mooresville Arts Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 12 to 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information about Mooresville Arts including membership, exhibits, events, classes and purchasing available art, visit www.mooresvillearts.org or call 704. 663.6661.

Looking ahead, here is a list of future events and exhibits at Mooresville Arts:

• Mooresville Arts Gallery 41st Annual Artoberfest Judged Exhibit & Competition

The Annual Artoberfest runs Tuesday, Sept. 26 through Thursday, Nov. 9, with an artist reception scheduled for Friday, Sept. 29. The venue is a judged show and competition. All fine art entries including painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, clay, ceramics, glass, woodwork, fiber arts and sculpture will be on display.

• “Uncorked & Artsy” — Friday, Oct. 6, 6-9 p.m.

“Uncorked & Artsy” is an art walk and ticketed wine and beer tasting event held in downtown Mooresville. It is a partnership between the Mooresville Downtown Commission and Mooresville Arts. There is no charge to visitors for enjoying the art walk. A portion of the ticket sales from the wine and beer tasting are donated to Mooresville Arts. Artists and artisans are welcome to apply and are the only acceptable vendors for this event.

• “In Our Words” — A Member/Group’s Exhibit: Nov. 14 to Jan. 11, 2024

Twenty-six selected artists will create in their chosen fine art media a work inspired by an assigned word — one of each of 13 words being assigned to two artists. This exhibit will be on display in the Skylight Gallery.

• Featured Artist Exhibit: Nov. 14 to Jan. 11, 2024

The exhibit features several accomplished artists including painter and sculptor Veda Saravanan; illustrator, photographer, multidisciplinary artist, photographer, filmmaker, violist and actress Jinna Kim; illustrator, artist and photographer Cynthia Allison; fiber artist, printmaker and public artist Claire Kiester; watercolor artist Bill Hook.

“Painted Turtle Sculpture” an epoxy and wood sculpture by Mark Jones

“Mars Attacks” oil painting by Bryant Portwood in the Under 40 Juried Exhibit

“Downtown Band by the River” acrylic painting by Meredith Templeton in the Under 40 Juried Exhibit

“A Glimpse Into the Future” acrylic painting by Lynda Santoni

The enclosed porch of a 1940s bungalow is transformed into the homeowner’s personal “oasis” — all without having to demo a thing.

Before

‘Grand’

With a little help from Millennials?

by Lori Helms photography courtesy Heather Ison Photography

As a proud member of Generation X, I admit I am occasionally guilty of uttering the word “Millennial” more than once with a slight tinge of disdain. Even though I gave birth to one (who I’m certain is the exception, of course, to my perception of Millennials), I confess to sometimes griping about the generation that has turned long-held cultural and social customs upside down.

But they might be on to something here, at least as far as the design world is concerned, and they deserve some credit for a trend that started to take hold about four years ago when one nationally known designer coined the term for a particular style as “Grandmillennial.” And it’s a style one Lake Norman area designer leaned heavily on during a recent remodel.

Misty Molloy, founder of CoCreative Interiors, describes the Grandmillennial style as a bit of a Millennial rebellion against a sometime soulless modern design aesthetic that normally could be easily applied to them. Molloy says it “mashes together ‘grandma’ and ‘millenial’,” combining a touch of modern with more historical design concepts and vintage charm.

When Molloy’s client came to her with a 1940s bungalow that she wanted to preserve rather than tear down and replace it with a cookie-cutter McMansion like the properties surrounding her, Molloy was thrilled — particularly with the challenge of turning the home’s old back porch into her client’s “command center.” She needed a place to multitask, for crafting, for office work, even for her Peloton, and Molloy set to work to make it happen.

“It’s always a challenge with an older home to try to figure out how to make the best use of its existing spaces,” she says. But this home’s porch was fortunately a designer’s remodeling dream. “The good bones were there. I prefer personally not to gut things. I’m one of those no-demo kind of girls.”

Keeping some of the enclosed porch’s beautiful details was an easy call — the original tongue and groove ceiling, the beadboard walls, even the previously non-functioning Dutch door was brought back to life. These elements just needed some minor touch-ups and a fresh coat of paint (Sherwin Williams Alabaster for the walls and ceiling, Hinting Blue for the built-ins and Dutch door).

The home’s formal living room that leads into the remodeled enclosed porch received the same Grandmilliennial design treatment.

New to the room is luxury vinyl tile flooring to replace the vintage look of broken terracotta pieces, as well as the oversized, built-in desk and built-in bookshelves. The wall opposite the desk and its spacious windows letting in all that natural light is exposed brick, which also received the Alabaster paint treatment.

Combined with the Grandmillennial touches of a pink, blue and green color palette as well as a mix of textures and patterns, Molloy was able to turn the once dark and dated porch into the homeowner’s very own retreat, or “oasis” as her client calls it.

“It really has become her haven,” says Molloy.

Elements of Grandmillenial style:

• blue and white

• floral wallpaper

• skirted tables

• needlepoint pillows

• embroidered linens

• mixed patterns

• monograms

• ornate chandeliers

• collections (silver, china and crystal)

• pleated lampshades

• toile, chintz & plaid

• ruffles, pleats & fringe

— TheTurquoiseHome.com

Designer Misty Molloy used the comfortable, vintage charm of Grandmillennial decor to reimagine a once dark and dated enclosed porch area.

2. Console Table: $1799 3. Inlay Tray: $379 5. Orchid: $317 6. Velvet Pillow: $129

Tassel Stool: $960

Gourd Lamp: $529

Fall Festivals & Events 2023

So much to enjoy, so little time!

Top left, “Bella” by Suzanne Fulton; top right, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Cain Center for the Arts in October; bottom left, a fashion display at the Cain Center for the Arts; bottom right, pianist Lovell Bradford visits Music at St. Alban’s this fall.

CONCERTS

DAVIDSON’S CONCERTS ON THE GREEN

All concerts take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Green in Davidson in front of the public library. The concerts are free, and coolers and picnics are welcome, www.concertsonthegreen.com.

Gospelfest (Sunday, Sept. 10)

The Davidson College Symphony & Jazz Ensemble (Saturday, Sept. 30)

The Throwback Collaboration (Sunday, Oct. 8)

DAVIDSON’S CONCERTS @ THE CIRCLES

Concerts are held the first and third Saturday of the month through Oct. 14, on Jetton Street by Clean Juice (605 Jetton Street), from 5 to 9 p.m. An opening artist will perform first, followed by the headliner at 7 p.m.

80z Nation (Sept. 2)

Ryan Perry Band (Sept. 16)

Abbey Elmore Band (Oct. 7)

Envision (Oct. 14)

MUSIC AT ST. ALBAN’S

All concerts take place at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson, at 3 p.m., and will be proceeded by a free youth concert featuring local students on various instruments. General admission is $20, $15 for seniors, youth and students are admitted free. Tickets are available at the door for purchase at www.musicatstalbansdavidson.org.

Heartland Baroque (Sept. 24):

Bound by a passion for playing instrumental music of the 17th and 18th centuries, Heartland Baroque is an ensemble made up of respected early music specialists from all over the country. The group dives into the Baroque musical world with vigor, showing off the immediacy and technical brilliance, the vivacity and profundity, the lilt, complexity and spontaneity of its composers.

Lovell Bradford Jazz Ensemble (Oct. 22):

Renowned pianist Lovell Bradford will perform jazz hits with some of his favorite colleagues in the jazz world.

The Queens Chamber Players (Nov. 19):

Pianist Paul Nitsch brings his ensemble to perform Schubert’s glorious “Trout” quintet, with violin, viola, cello, bass and piano.

Show Your Stuff

Applications for the Davidson Fall Arts Festival are now available. The festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, and artists are encouraged to apply to display and sell their artwork between 4 and 8 p.m. Artists can find a registration form online at www. townofdavidson.org/fallartsfestival. Deadline to apply is Sunday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Kim Fleming, Economic Development Director, at kfleming@townofdavidson. org or 704.940.9622.

CAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Made possible by a founding gift from Ericka and Bill Cain and other local philanthropists, the Cain Center for the Arts is a source of creative expression for the people of the Lake Norman region. The center opened in early 2023 to offer the community opportunities for art education and performance.

The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra (Sept. 13):

Jeremy Davis and Clay Johnson, along with their big band, bring a high-energy show to the Cain Center for the Arts featuring original arrangements of favorites from Motown, country, folk and rock –sprinkled with the stories behind them. Ticket prices range from $35 to $55.

LKN Songwriters Showcase (Sept. 16):

Enjoy some of the best singer-songwriters of the Lake Norman area perform some of their original songs “in the round.” Performers include Paul Bradley Atkinson, Rusty Knox, Billy Jones, HC Oakes and Heidi Sidelinker. Ticket prices are $25.

Kathy Mattea (Oct. 6):

Two-time Grammy Award winner Kathy Mattea is an American country music and bluegrass singer, with more than 30 singles on the “Billboard” Hot Country Songs charts – including four that reached number one. Ticket prices range from $40 to $60.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (Oct. 14):

The oldest operating symphony orchestra in the Carolinas, the CSO offers a season of concerts, broadcasts, community events and educational programs. They return to the Cain Center for the Arts as part of their 2023-24 season. Tickets prices are $47 to $72. [image available]

Praise in the Park (Sept. 16):

This town-sponsored event includes Christian entertainment, local and national professional artists, inspirational vendors, food and more. Admission is free. 5-9 p.m. Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry Street, Cornelius. www.cornelius.org.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS

Amazing Maize Race (Sept. 16-Oct. 29):

Navigate the giant seven-acre corn maize featuring more than two miles of interconnecting paths. Take a hayride around the farm; enjoy local beer, wine and cider; play a round of cornhole, and more. Times and ticket prices vary. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. www.ruralhill.net.

Bands, Brews & BBQ Festival (Sept. 16):

Mooresville celebrates its 150th birthday this year, and this festival is just one among several events commemorating the milestone. Enjoy a cool brew, live music and good food. The festival features North Carolina craft beer, food tastings and some of the best local music from across the region. Main Street, downtown Mooresville. Free admission. 4-9 p.m. www.mooresvillenc150.com.

Creative Showcase (Sept. 9):

The artists and artisans of Bailey’s Glen and The Forest in Cornelius will host a showcase of original artworks on display and for sale at the clubhouse at Bailey’s Glen (12100 Meetinghouse Drive, Cornelius). Rooms in the clubhouse and the pool area will be filled with original creations in media such as paintings, pottery, fabric, paper, wood and ceramic. More than 30 exhibitors will participate. The exhibit will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Contact Kat Martin at myauntkat@aol.com for more details.

Festival of Food Trucks (Sept. 2 & Oct. 7):

Visit downtown Mooresville for food trucks, live music and shopping. 5-8:30 p.m., entry is free. North Main Street, Mooresville. www.downtownmooresville.com.

Field of Honor 9.11 Memorial (Sept. 1- 13):

Posted in perfect rows and columns, the stars and stripes fly in tribute to the victims of 9/11. Flags will be posted at Veterans Park and Town Center lawn for all to pause and remember. Veterans Park, 100 Main Street, Huntersville. www.huntersville.org.

Metrolina Native American Association 2023 Pow Wow (Sept. 23-24):

Making a comeback post-COVID, the public is invited to this showcase of Indigenous culture, featuring Native American vendors, dancers, singers, competitions and food. General admission is $10, or $5 for seniors and children ages 6-10, those younger than 6 are admitted free. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. www.metrolinanatives.com.

Murray’s Mill Harvest Folk Festival (Sept. 23-24):

This 39th annual event celebrates Catawba County’s agricultural heritage with an array of exhibits, craftsmen and activities, antique cars, tractors and farm machinery, and traditional food preparations such as molasses making. Bluegrass, Country and Gospel comprise the impressive band schedule, including the Cockman Family hosting musicians and audience in the Murray’s Mill Amphitheater. Included in the ticket price ($5 at the gate) is a tour of the mill, where original French burr millstones grind away producing bags of flour and cornmeal. 1489 Murrays Mill Road, Catawba.

‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival (Sept. 30):

This festival includes two stages of live music, more than 100 local artists and vendors, craft breweries, food trucks, street art, games, giveaways, a kid zone and more. Admission is free. 2-8 p.m. Old Town Cornelius, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius. www.oldtowncornelius.com.

Below, a wooden bowl by Cornelius resident Bill Rockwood; right, downtown Mooresville will host several festivals this fall; bottom right, celebrate Catawba County’s agricultural heritage at the Murray’s Mill Harvest Folk Festival this month.

Downtown Mooresville Uncorked & Artsy (Oct. 6):

Local and regional artists display their works along Broad and Main streets. Live music, light appetizers and in-tandem specials in businesses and out on the sidewalks. The tasting portion of the event is $25 per person and includes all tastings and a souvenir glass. The art and live music portions are free to attend. 6-9 p.m. Downtown Mooresville. www.downtownmooresville.com.

Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace (Sept. 30-Nov. 19):

History comes alive with non-stop, day-long, immersive and interactive entertainment. The open-air artisan market is filled with arts and crafts, games and rides, jousting knights on horseback, falconry, mermaids, fairies, dragons, feasting and more. Free parking. No pets. Ticket prices vary and are limited. Organizers suggest reserving your date in advance. Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville. www.carolina.renfestinfo.com.

All American Dog Show (Oct. 1):

Sign-up your pooch for the chance to win in a number of categories, including “Best Kisser” and “Best Puppy Dog Eyes,” while the whole family enjoys vendor booths, concessions and children’s activities. Free to attend. 2-5 p.m. Robbins Park, 17728 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius. www.cornelius.org.

Davidson Fall Arts Festival (Oct. 21):

Enjoy an evening art crawl featuring area artists and craft vendors, live music, an interactive art area and more. 4-7 p.m. Free. Downtown Davidson. www.downtowndavidson.org.

Celebrate Fall in Cornelius

Join Lori Savio of Home Heart & Soul and Christine Rinkert with Luna’s Boutique for a transition into fall “pARTy” on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. The celebration will showcase fall art, décor, apparel and jewelry, as well as original works by local artists. There will also be acoustic music by Joe Higgins, signature cocktails and a selection of savories. Home Heart & Soul is at 20901 Catawba Avenue in Cornelius.

Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival (Nov. 4 – 5):

Experience the National Border Collie Shepherding Championships, featuring Carolina Dock Dogs, Canine Agility Club competitions and more. This event also includes N.C. beer and wine, historic craft and cooking demonstrations, food vendors, shopping and a Pumpkin Chunkin’. Free for children 4 and younger. Tickets start at $8 for ages 5-12; $11 for 13 and older. Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. www.ruralhill.net.

Paddockpalooza at Hinds’ Feet Farm (Sept. 30):

Hinds’ Feet Farm, a non-profit serving individuals with brain injury, hosts Paddockpalooza for a second year. The event is a premiere arti-

san market to showcase the beautiful 32-acre farm and raise awareness of brain injuries. An open-air market located in Huntersville exhibiting premiere artisans and shops, while enjoying tasty treats from local food trucks. Live music by Joe McCourt. Admission and parking are free. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hinds’ Feet Farm is at 14625 Black Farms Road, Huntersville. www.hindsfeetfarm.org.

Piedmont Craftsmen Fair (Nov. 18-19):

Quality craftsmanship and excellent design have always been the hallmarks of the fair. Held annually since 1963 by Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc., the fair showcases the handwork of more than 100 fine artisans from across the country. Exhibitors include craft artists working in clay, wood, glass, fibers, leather, metal, photography, printmaking and mixed media creating one-of-a-kind works that can be functional as well as beautiful. Held at the Benton Convention Center, 301 W. 5th Street, Winston-Salem. www.piedmontcraftsmen.org.

GALLERIES

CAIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Mud at the Mill (Sept. 12 – Nov. 11):

The gallery showcases functional, sculptural and experimental work that utilizes clay as the primary material. The show is open to all, from students to established artists, to celebrate a variety of uses and techniques. The center is at 21348 Catawba Avenue in Cornelius. www.cainarts.org.

MOORESVILLE ARTS

45th Artoberfest Judged Show & Competition (Sept. 26 – Nov. 9):

One of Mooresville Arts largest events of the year, Artoberfest showcases art from local artists competing for top honors and Best of Show. This year’s show is judged by Charlotte native Sybil Godwin, owner of Shain Gallery, who cultivates relationships with artists and clients locally and across the country. She is an avid art collector. Mooresville Arts is a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to provide art and art appreciation for members and the general public. Mooresville Arts Depot is at 103 W. Center Ave., Mooresville. www.mooresvillearts.org.

The Art of Compassion

Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory will host “The Art of Compassion,” a symposium showcasing how the power of storytelling, art and entertainment can be harnessed to promote education as well as encouragement, support and love for others. Introduced in 2022, this series was created to make Catawba County and surrounding communities a better place to live, work and raise families. This gathering of artists, writers, musicians and entertainers that spans 15 events through the months of September and October will feature a performance by comedian Anjelah Johnson-Reyes on Friday, Sept. 15. She uses her wit and wisdom to break down stereotypes and will challenge the audience to let go of self-importance, self-righteousness and cultural superiority. www.theartofcompassion.net.

Hough High School senior, Wendy Rojas, cashiers after school and on weekends at a local supermarket, where she quietly and politely performs her job. She’s independent, respectful and dependable. In addition to her job and her classes, she is a Teacher Cadet, mentoring freshmen as they become acclimated to high school, and a member of the Spanish Honor Society and a participant in the school’s Bilingual Leadership Program, working with students whose first language is Spanish. As she looks forward to graduating next spring, Rojas is enrolled in the Dual Enrollment Program at Central Piedmont Community College, having already completed sociology and biology courses there. She aspires to be both an interpreter and a nurse, dedicating her life toward improving the lives of others.

A first generation American, Rojas is the oldest of three children who fully understands the plight facing immigrants, as her parents, who

as a Way of Life Helping Others

High school senior Wendy Rojas believes in volunteerism

by Tony Ricciardelli

& Resource Center

emigrated from Mexico, work diligently to overcome the challenges that come with a language barrier.

“Family is important,” says Rojas, “I do whatever I can to help out at home.” That help involves tutoring her younger sister who is learning to read as well as assisting her parents with the day-to-day responsibilities of managing a household.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rojas selflessly volunteered her summer hours, assisting the Angels & Sparrows Community Table & Resource Center staff with contactless food distribution: packing bags and boxes, and placing them in patron’s vehicles in an outdoor effort to continue providing nutritious meals to those who needed them most during a frightening and difficult time. Additionally, she has donated her time in the Angels & Sparrows kitchen, chopping

photography courtesy Angels & Sparrows Community Table

vegetables and assisting in food preparation that served a daily patronage of 100 or more.

Angels & Sparrows Executive Director Jessika Tucker knows the Rojas family well and is impressed with their daughter’s involvement.

“As a first-generation American, Wendy admirably bears the weight of seeking to honor the sacrifices her parents have made,” Tucker says. “She is persistent in her pursuit of the American dream by dedicating herself to her studies, participating in the Angels & Sparrows Pathway program

and working a part-time job. I could not be prouder of her efforts and progress.”

The Pathway Program is a two-generation approach, offering parents much-needed education while their children receive tutoring. This past summer, Rojas volunteered in the Angels & Sparrows Brown Bag Program, working with other students receiving, sorting and packaging lunches for school-age children — about 280 meals per weekday — who would normally receive lunch during the school year.”

“I’m grateful for Angels & Sparrows being a part of my life,” she says. “And my parents appreciate the roles they’ve given to me during the past three years. I’m part of a noble effort to feed those in need, and that’s very rewarding.”

This fall, Rojas will assume a paid position at the Angels & Sparrows Resource Center, working as a site coordinator for the Pathways program.

“

I’m part of a noble effort to feed those in need, and that’s very rewarding.”

Don’t-Miss Activities in ‘Museum City’

Charming Georgia town boasts museums, historical landmarks and outdoor adventure

by Vanessa Infanzon | photography courtesy Only in Cartersville Bartow

An hour northwest of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta is Cartersville, a small town in Bartow County, Georgia with unique restaurants, public art installments, parks and historic sites. Add in the museums (two are Smithsonian Affiliate Museums), and you’re in for an enjoyable long weekend.

Barnsley Resort

Forty minutes from downtown Cartersville is a 3,000-acre resort with a 55-room inn, five- and six-bedroom cottages, gardens, restaurants and outdoor activities. Designed by American landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing in the 1800s, the property was inspired by an English village with a 10-acre lake and miles of hiking trails. Plan for overnight accommodations or enjoy the resort’s 18-

hole golf course, horseback riding and Beretta Shooting Grounds for the day. www.barnsleyresort.com

BBQ & Brews Presents Downtown Alive!

Plan your getaway during this downtown festival. From noon to 8 p.m., on Oct. 21, Cartersville is filled with food and craft vendors, beer trailers, a kids play area and live music. www.downtowncartersville.org/events

Booth Western Art Museum

This Smithsonian Affiliate Museum showcases permanent and rotating exhibits representing modern western art, including three Andy Warhol originals. The Outdoor Sculpture and Museum Highlights

The recently opened Savoy Automobile Museum.

Ruins on the grounds of the Barnsley Resort.

The Booth Western Art Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum (one of two in Cartersville). Tours provide an in-depth view into the art on display. Museum guests can participate in West Fest, Oct. 26-28, featuring historical reenactments, train rides, mechanical calf roping and more. The first West Fest After-Party, a ticketed event, is planned for Oct. 28. Guests will enjoy live music and food trucks on the Museum South Lawn. www.boothmuseum.org

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

At one time, this land was the largest Native American settlement in Etowah Valley. Stand on top of Mound A where the chief resided and imagine a busy village below with men and women working and trading. Watch the short video before heading out to the nature trail and mounds. www.gastateparks.org/EtowahIndianMounds

Red Top Mountain State Park

With 12,000 acres to explore, including boat rentals, camp sites, cottages, hiking and yurts, Red Top offers options for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Seven trails of different lengths and difficulty levels loop around the park’s lake and through the forest. The Lakeside Trail is a paved .75-mile loop. An All-Terrain Georgia Action Track Chair for wheelchair users is available for free through the Aimee Copeland Foundation. www.gastateparks.org/ RedTopMountain

Savoy Automobile Museum

Since 2021, Savoy has been exhibiting about five dozen cars in a state-of-the-art facility in Cartersville. View permanent and rotating displays of automobiles, trucks and racecars from the early 20th century to the present. Through Dec. 3, Forged By Fuller, a retrospective exhibit of Bryan Fuller’s custom motorcycles, is on display. www.savoymuseum.org

Dine Out

Allatoona Dam Food Truck Park

The owners of A. Dam Food Truck Park have a sense of humor and a vision for this casual outdoor venue. Look for a variety of food trucks, picnic tables and a beer garden.

Ate Track Bar & Grill for bowls, salads, sandwiches and tacos inside a bar rocking retro art, posters and items filling every inch of the walls and ceilings.

Largos’ mid-century modern décor, combined with a 10-foot painting of Einstein by Atlantabased artist Steve Penley, sets the stage for an intimate dining experience. A varied menu of chicken, fish and steaks may be paired with a curated list of beer, wine and craft cocktails.

Maine Street Coastal Cuisine’s fish and seafood are delivered throughout the week, sourced locally when possible. Fish and chips, trout, and shrimp and grits are popular menu items. A wine and food pairing event is held every third Wednesday.

Warren’s Breakfast and Grill in Hoschton, is a local place for home cooking on your way to or from Cartersville. Menu items such as country fried steak, meatloaf, pork chops and prime rib rotate onto the lunch and dinner menus.

For more information, check out www.visitcartersvillega.org.

FOGLE TIP FOR YOUR HOME :

One way we suggest keeping track of your possessions and their value is to create a home inventory list. It is important to routinely take inventory of your valuable personal items to help you have a more productive conversation with your insurance agent to make sure that you have adequate coverage on your Homeowners policy. Taking photos or videos of the items with brief identifying information, time stamp, receipt, or appraisal, when available, is a great way to catalog your items and will help in the event there is a claim for a covered loss. Don’t worry, if you are not sure of the best way to keep track of a home inventory, there are apps and technologies out there to help make this task easier!

Items such as jewelry, fine arts, musical instruments, antiques, sports equipment, silverware and chinaware, guns, furs, collectibles, as well as family heirlooms can be scheduled on your Homeowners policy. Scheduling your valuables will ensure you get the full appraised value of the item after a covered loss.

Memories that many of our items hold can never be replaced, but protecting your pieces through insurance can ease the monetary loss. Now is a great time to contact your agent to set up a time to review your policy and inventory and make any changes needed.

Kim Coleman works to service clients in Personal Lines and tailor their coverage options to fit their needs.

Kim Coleman Personal Lines Account Manager

Handmade Crafts

Tell a Story

KF Studios spotlights locally made folk art

by Karel Lucander | photographs courtesy of KF Studios

“People can buy a gift that has a story behind it,” says artist Kristen Feighery, owner of KF Studios Handmade Marketplace in Davidson. “You give it to someone, and it becomes their story, too. Things carved, painted or created by human hands. Here, anyone can buy something handmade at every price point.”

KF Studios, which opened in May, carries the work of 40-plus artists, most of whom are local. Feighery’s high-quality handmade assortment includes jewelry, pottery, paintings and prints, sculptures, baskets, “Normie” dolls (the mythological Lake Norman monster), wooden iPhone amplifiers and cards. Artists represented include Bonnie Boardman, Kathy Botts, Pam Brunschwyler, Jen Cashel, Jane Copeland, Leah Jancic, Donna Leonhardt, Juli and Dewain Rice and Susan Richards. “I love being surrounded by their work every day,” she says. Visual merchandiser Maria Hamm stages the interior.

Feighery, a gifted, self-taught “modern folk artist,” grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of Mouthcard, Kentucky.

“All the men in my family were coal miners and their wives were mountain women,” she says. “My grandmother was an amazing quilter and another, who passed away at 100, taught me to play the banjo. My art

is very influenced by what I saw and how I grew up.” Her beautiful, colorful art is in shops throughout the country, including Virginia, Minnesota and California, as well as Oak Island and the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Her signature reproduction “message prints,” which often begin as commissioned pieces, combine paintings with poignant quotations. Always exploring new mediums, her latest creations include dolls and candlestick holders.

Since KF Studios is situated between Ben & Jerry’s and The Pickled Peach, Kristen enjoys B&J’s vanilla milkshakes and often orders The Pickled Peach’s kid’s peanut butter and banana sandwich for lunch. “It’s the best,” she says.

KF Studios isn’t her first foray into retail. From 2009 to 2017, she sold her paintings and taught art classes at the Sanctuary of Davidson and then at The Casual Creative in Davidson.

“I couldn’t have found these three spaces on my own if I tried,” she says. “It’s God’s timing, God’s provision. And this town has been so good to me.”

Recently, the town of Davidson commissioned Feighery to paint a large wall mural for the new Town Hall. In her distinct, whimsical style, she depicts Main Street

shops and townspeople, including Mayor Rusty Knox, Davidson College athletes, The Village Store owner Megan Blackwell, and she and her family — husband, Kevin; daughters, Lilly and Molly, and her 1966 black Ford pickup.

DavidsonArtsFallFestival!

Don’t miss the Davidson Fall Arts Festival on Oct. 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. Kristen Feighery organized this annual event in 2013 to showcase fellow artists’ wares and keep businesses buzzing after hours. The event stretches along South Main Street from The Crazy Pig to the town green. There will be 40 artists selling their creations on the sidewalk and live music. Visit www.townofdavidson.org to learn more.

Kristen Feighery and her KF Studios Handmade Marketplace in Davidson.

HARDWORKING Habitat Crew

Building more than houses in Lake Norman

by Karel Bond Lucander |

With the growth of the Lake Norman area comes the challenge to provide affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity Charlotte Region and its stellar team of volunteers play an important role in meeting that challenge.

Meet four dedicated volunteers who work together to construct Habitat Charlotte Region houses in north Charlotte and Lake Norman. Rain or shine, John Dezervos, Steve Hoye, Tom Kusek and Charlie Blubaugh meet up at a Habitat homebuilding site two to three days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. They do whatever is asked of them while sharing a little fellowship. Currently, they’re part of a crew building five Habitat homes in Mooresville. They frame, hang drywall, install flooring and kitchen cabinets, put up roof trusses – everything but specialized tasks saved for licensed tradesmen.

“The construction world was something I might have gotten into 30 years ago, but I didn’t,” says Dezervos, who lives in Mooresville. “I’m trying it in Chapter 2.” Retiring from a technology career at Bank of America, he showed up onsite May 1, 2018 – the day after his last day in the office. Also a woodworking artisan for decades, Habitat taps into John’s skills while he sweats and socializes.

“The people who come out regularly are a fantastic group,” he says.

Hoye, another core volunteer and Mooresville resident, began working with Habitat on Saturdays in 2009. But when this sales and marketing manager retired in 2021, he ramped up his routine.

“It’s a joy to go out each week and get together with the guys,” he says. “Building houses is a concrete accomplishment, and everyone has their areas of expertise.”

Tom Kusek had volunteered in the metro Detroit area Habitat program before relocating with his family to Troutman in 2016. This huge fan of Habitat knew that after he retired as global accounts manager for Nefab Packaging in 2021, that was the organization he would devote his time to. He also looks forward to working alongside the others.

“Our goal is to get these houses done,” he says. “And while we’re doing that, we’ve also cultivated a friendship.”

Cornelius resident Blubaugh began working with Habitat Charlotte Region on Saturdays. When he retired in 2020, this former steel mill engineering manager multiplied his Habitat hours.

“I discovered the regular volunteers are just amazing,” he says. “Engineers, bankers, IT people. Everyone has a special skill – and we all have a similar passion to help the community through Habitat. Nobody lets anything go that they wouldn’t accept in their own house.”

From October 2 to 6, Blubaugh, Kusek, Hoye and Dezervos will be among the appointed crew leaders for a special Habitat homebuilding initiative: the 2023 “Carter Work Project.” Every year, Habitat for Humanity chooses a different location for this global project, so it is a big deal for Habitat Charlotte Region. More than 800 Habitat volunteers from throughout the world will work each day to construct 20-plus homes in a new Habitat neighborhood, the Meadows at Plato Price in west Charlotte. These four Lake Norman Habitat volunteers all look forward to meeting international volunteers and being a part of this incredible experience.

photography by Lisa Crates

Habitat volunteers -- building a family’s future home Below: Habitat Charlotte Region volunteers known as the “weekday crew” are a team of skilled volunteers, many retired, contributing their time to build affordable Habitat homes.

Limitless

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

Harken back to the timeless feel and sound of vinyl with columnist Mickey Dunaway and his “Music My Way.”

Tunes

Music My Way

by Mickey Dunaway

and vinyl are the way to go

As I write this for the September issue in early August, the “beyhive” is buzzing in Charlotte with Beyonce coming to town. And the rest of the U.S. is just as fanatical with the “Swiftees” obsessed with Taylor Swift. I recently read that Taylor Swift’s earnings from her The Eras Tour are greater than the gross national product of several small countries. I am not a fan of either except when I am in the presence of my granddaughters.

A few years ago, I thought it would be interesting to categorize my favorite forms of music, musicians and musical groups. Eventually, I developed several categories: Blues, Gospel, Classical, Country, Folk, Island Music—Hawai’ian and Caribbean, Jazz, Rock and Pop. Being in my early 70s, my list limits some modern candidates and adds candidates from back when.

Counting Down the Baker’s Dozen of Music My Way No. 6 (artists six through 13, I grouped together): The Blind Boys of Alabama, Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen, Jim Croce, Bob Dylan, Meryl Haggard, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (IZ), and Willie Nelson.

No. 5: Dolly Parton. All one needs to say is “Dolly,” and everyone knows who you are referring to.

No. 4: Kris Kristofferson – one of the best lyricists in all of music.

No. 3: Hank Williams, Sr. The King of Country Royalty credited by almost every other country singer and rocker as the “best of the best.”

No. 2: Mark Knopfler – a rock storyteller, guitarist, composer. He founded Dire Straits. Their first hit was “Money for Nothing.”

No. 1: The Band – rock group royalty. The best collection of musicians and songwriters of any group.

If you don’t immediately recognize The Band, they got their first significant recognition at Woodstock. A major hit (at least in the South) was “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” Other hits included “Ophelia,” “The Weight,” “Acadian Driftwood,” “The Shape I’m In” and “Stage Fright.”

photography by Mickey Dunaway

As I was writing this column, Robbie Robertson, founder of The Band, passed away on Aug. 9, in Los Angeles. He was 80 years old. The Band’s most notable hit was “The Weight.” You can watch “The Weight” played and sung simultaneously by musicians across the world, on YouTube.

Martin Scorsese’s film, The Last Waltz, documented the final performance of The Band, with a cast of notable musical legends participating in the concert such as Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Ronnie Hawkins, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Pinetop Perkins, The Staples Singers, Ringo Starr, Stephen Stills, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood and Neil Young.

These rock royals demonstrated the influence of The Band in the rock and roll world. If you have not seen The Last Waltz, do yourself a favor and sit down with an adult beverage and let yourself be moved.

My purpose for Music My Way was to whet your appetite for music your way. Suppose you decide to return to the musical days of your youth. In that case, you will need a good turntable, a decent stereo

receiver and a set of speakers that can do justice to your vinyl.

As I write this, I am listening to The Band’s Last Waltz on a pair of Polk T-15 bookshelf speakers (non-Bluetooth) that were $100 for the pair. I have wired them to a receiver by Onkyo for $244. Note that this is not a home theater receiver that has seven channels. This is a stereo with only two speakers, but those bookshelf speakers are perfect for my study. I paid $500 for my Pro-Ject turntable because it was the most essential part of the system and was designed to get the most from my vinyl and not do damage. However, there are other acceptable turntables around $250.

Another option is a Bluetooth turntable and Bluetooth bookshelf speakers for around $150 — a good deal. However, Bluetooth always loses detail in its transmission, but this is still an excellent way to get started.

A sunroom, a home office, a den or even a bedroom can be immediately enhanced by a return to your past — musically with the right equipment.

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything. — Plato

THE GARDENS OF STATESVILLE CARDINAL VILLAGE

Planning for People Living with Dementia — Don’t Wait!

Planning for individuals with dementia is important to ensure their future well-being and to ease the burden on caregivers and loved ones. Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, cognition and daily functioning, making it crucial to have a comprehensive estate plan in place. Here are the keys to advance planning to help individuals and their families navigate this challenging journey.

Early diagnosis and documentation: Early diagnosis is crucial for effective advance planning. Individuals should seek medical attention as soon as they notice any cognitive changes. Once diagnosed, documenting medical information is essential, including medications, allergies and contact details of healthcare providers.

Power of Attorney and legal representation: Appointing a trusted family member or friend as an Attorney in Fact under a Durable Power of Attorney is essential so someone can make financial and legal decisions on behalf of the person with dementia when they are no longer able. Consult with an attorney familiar with elder law or estate planning to ensure that all necessary legal documents, such as a will or trust, living will and advance healthcare directive, are in place.

Creating a comprehensive care plan: Developing a detailed care plan addresses the specific needs of individuals with dementia. This plan should encompass healthcare preferences, daily routines, safety measures and contingency plans for various stages of the disease.

Long-term care options: Research and evaluate different long-term care options, such as home care, assisted living facilities and memory care

centers. Consider the person’s preferences, financial resources and level of care required when making this plan.

Financial planning: Dementia care can be financially demanding. Engage in financial planning early on to understand the costs involved and explore options for funding long-term care, including insurance policies, government assistance and personal savings.

Communicate and educate: Open communication among family members, caregivers and medical professionals ensures everyone is on the same page regarding the person’s care and preferences. Additionally, educating family members and caregivers about dementia and its progression will help them provide better support and empathy.

Estate planning: Review and update the person’s estate plan, including wills and beneficiary designations, to reflect their current wishes and ensure a smooth transition of assets.

Planning for those with dementia can be a challenging process, but it is vital to ensure the best possible care and support for individuals with the condition. Early diagnosis, legal documentation, comprehensive care planning and financial preparation are key components to consider. By taking these steps, individuals and their families can navigate the complexities of dementia with greater confidence and compassion, ultimately improving the quality of life for all involved.

Bob McIntosh, Attorney and Managing Partner The McIntosh Law Firm, P.C. www.McIntoshLawFirm.com

Living Well

Your local resource for health and wellness services near you

Audiology

PHC – Lake Norman Ear, Nose & Throat

Megan Mathis-Webb, AuD

Susie Riggs, AuD

Del L. Hawk, Au.D

140 Gateway Blvd. Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9638

Cardiology

PHC – Heart & Vascular

Jips Zachariah, MD

Naveed Rajper, MD

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

Dermatology

PHC – Mooresville Dermatology

Center

Naomi Simon, MD

Sarah Carlock, MD

Kristin Prochaska, PA-C

Gina Noble, PA-C

Heather Hollandsworth, FNP

Susan Stevens, RN, BSN

128 Medical Park Road, Suite 201 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1827

PHC – Wolfe Dermatology

Steven F. Wolfe, MD

Molly Small, PA-C

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

Riva Dermatology

“Imagine your skin at its Best!”

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

Kerry Shafran, MD, FAAD

Lindsay Jayson, MPAS, PA-C

Erin Dice, MPAS, PA-C

Ashley Noone, MPAP, PA-C

Nikki Leahy, MSBS, PA-C

Mari Klos, CMA, LME 704-896-8837

Cornelius, Mooresville, Denver www.Rivaderm.com

Ears, Nose and Throat

PHC – Lake Norman Ear, Nose, & Throat

Keith Meetze, MD

Thomas Warren, MD

Herb Wettreich, MD

Fred New, Jr., ANP

140 Gateway Blvd. Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9638

Endocrinology

PHC- Endocrinology

Elaine Sunderlin, MD

170 Medical Park Road, Floor 3

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9506

Family Medicine

PHC – Nabors Family Medicine

Emily Nabors, MD

142 Professional Park Drive

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-696-2083

PHC – Lake Norman Family Medicine

Timothy A. Barker, MD

Heather C. Kompanik, MD

Bruce L. Seaton, DO

Amanda H. Bailey, DO

Kyle Babinski, DO

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

PHC – Sailview Family Medicine

Tiana Losinski, MD

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

PHC – Fairview Family Medicine

Golnar Lashgari, MD

Jennifer Scharbius, MD

150 Fairview Road, Suite 210 Mooresville, NC 28117 •704-235-0300

PHC - Troutman Family Medicine

Amrish C. Patel, MD

Janeal Bowers, FNP

Kimberly Whiton, FNP

Kelly Buchholz, FNP

154 S Main Troutman, NC 28166 • 704-528-9903

Gastroenterology

PHC – Gastroenterology

Brandon Marion, MD

April Lockman, NP

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

PHC –Comprehensive Digestive Care Center

Vivek Trivedi, MD

Tiedre Palmer, FNP-C

359 Williamson Road

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-878-2021

PHC- Gastroenterology

Laila Menon, MD

Gabrielle Miller, NP

170 Medical Park Road, Floor 3

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-664-9506

Internal Medicine

PHC – Fox Internal Medicine

Jessica Fox, DO

Jacqueline Swope, FNP

435 East Statesville Avenue

Mooresville, NC 28115 • 704-663-5056

PHC – Internal Medicine & Weight Management

Manish G. Patel, MD

Julie Abney, PA

Andrea Brock, PA-C

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

PHC – Lake Norman Internal Medicine

John C. Gatlin, MD

LuAnne V. Gatlin, MD 548 Williamson Road, Suite 6 Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-660-5520

Mental Health Services

PHC-Mastor Mental Health

Jason E. Mastor, MD

Kristin C. Brown, PA-C

Megan I. Flott, PA-C

Diana J. Remenar, PA-C

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

Neurology

PHC – Neurology & Sleep Medicine

Dharmen S. Shah, MD 359 Williamson Road Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-873-1100

PHC – Lake Norman Neurology

Andrew J. Braunstein, DO

Ryan Conrad, MD

Craig D. DuBois, MD

Douglas Jeffery, MD

Roderick Elias, MD

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

PHC – Lake Norman Neurology

Andrew J. Braunstein, DO

Ryan Conrad, MD

Craig D. DuBois, MD

Douglas Jeffery, MD

Roderick Elias, MD

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

Obstetrics/Gynecology

PHC – Lake Norman OB/GYN

James Al-Hussaini, MD

Laura Arigo, MD

Katie Collins, DO

Grant Miller, MD

James Wilson, MD

Nicole S. Wellbaum, MD

NailaRashida Frye, MD

Coral Bruss, ANP-C

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

Oncology

Southern Oncology Specialists

William Mitchell, MD

Poras Patel, MD

46 Medical Park Rd, Suite 212

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-659-7850

Orthopaedic Surgery

PHC – Piedmont Bone & Joint

Scott Brandon, MD

Brett L. Feldman, MD

Alex Seldomridge III, MD

Kim Lefreniere, PA-C

359 Williamson Road

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1829

Orthopedic Surgery – Spine

PHC – Piedmont Bone & Joint

Alex Seldomridge, III, MD

359 Williamson Road

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1838

Pain Managment

PHC – Pain & Spine Center

Harsh Govil, MD, MPH

James Murphy, MD

April Hatfield, FNP-C

359 Williamson Road

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-235-1829

PULMONOLOGY

PHC –Pulmonology

Enrique Ordaz MD

Jose Perez MD

Ahmed Elnaggar, MD

Vishal Patel, MD

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

Rheumatology

PHC – Rheumatology

Sean M. Fahey, MD

Dijana Christianson, DO

128 Medical Park Road, Suite 101

Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704-658-1001

Dine + Wine

Pinot Noir

Wines high on my list – nuanced and elegant

by

Back in the day, my wife, Mary Ellen, and I spent lots of time in the Burgundy wine region of France. With just one small exception, red wines of this region are made from the Pinot Noir grape. Burgundy may be the best example of the contribution of different soils and climates — terroir — to the wine that it produces. In Burgundy, individual villages and vineyards produce different variations of wines that are recognized and governed by the French government. Terroir at work. This may be the world’s epitome of Pinot Noir production. Burgundies rank as one of my favorite wines, although prices can be eye-watering and, these days, a little out of my personal range.

Let me share a story — I get goose bumps whenever I think of it. We had struck up a friendship with a winemaker from the northern part of Burgundy. I was working in France at the time, so whenever I went there, I would call him and get some wine delivered to Paris. That was when you could bring wine onto an airplane. His wine came home with me, ending up in our cellar.

Our friend was a large man, large in girth and personality. We would meet and taste wine in his huge wine cellar — always in the cellar, never in his smallish house. One day we stopped by and were met by his son-in-law. Upon asking about the winemaker, the son-inlaw shook his head and invited us, for the first time, into the house. Seated on the couch, next to his wife, was the winemaker. Gone was that huge figure. He was gaunt, much less than half the man he used to be. We were introduced as, “Your Americans are here to see you.”

The eyes in his gaunt face lit up. They shone brightly. He tried to get up from the couch, but his legs failed him and he fell back, next to his wife. I’ll never forget the joy on his face and our introduction as “his Americans.” Maybe that’s why I have a soft spot for wines from Burgundy.

I’ve followed Pinot Noir wines all around the world. I’m particularly fascinated by wines from the Russian River Valley region of California. They exhibit that nuanced complexity of Pinot Noir but have a little spiciness to go along with it — terroir at work again. Elsewhere in California there are some great Pinot Noirs in the southern part of the state, close to Santa Barbara. These wines were the “star” of the cult classic movie, “Sideways.”

Here’s another little story. A number of years ago, in search for a perfect wine, a man named Richard Sanford researched 100 years of weather reports from the Burgundy region of France. Then he drove around the Santa Barbara area with a wand-like agricultural thermometer outside of his 1959 Mercedes diesel sedan. He was searching to find a place cool enough for Pinot Noir. He found his spot. Rocky soil, miocene deposits and marine deposits formed 25 to 35 million years ago. The rest is Pinot Noir history.

Another Pinot Noir international star is the Willamette Valley region, just south of Portland, Oregon. That’s pronounced, Will-AM-ette— locals are very picky about how you pronounce the name. This has turned out to be just the place to make Pinot Noir wines. So much so that some very prestigious winemakers from Burgundy have moved operations into the area. What greater tribute of wine and terroir could you ask for?

Pinot Noir is a wonderful grape and produces some wonderful wines, nuanced and elegant. It’s well worth your time to explore these fabulous wines. Your taste buds will thank you.

Trevor Burton photography courtesy Trevor Burton

The Russian River Valley adds its own stamp to Pinot Noir.

Lots of lasting but poignant memories with this Pinot Noir.

Art Meets Flour

Cookie artisan Lisa Kreider creates custom edibles

Lisa Black Kreider’s masterpiece cookies are almost too beautiful to eat. But if temptation wins out, you’ll find they taste as good as they look.

“I came up with a recipe that’s a soft and tender vanilla cream cookie instead of a crunchy, crumbly sugar cookie,” says Kreider, owner of Little Farmhouse Baking Co. “I remember my mom making them at Christmas time when I was little, so I knew I had the recipe right when it brought back memories. My icing is also a softer version of royal.”

She decorated her first cookie in 2017 and officially opened Little Farmhouse Baking Co. in 2019 — not the typical path for someone who studied math at Appalachian State. But after running numbers

all day for a couple of large corporations, this statistician traded analyzing figures for oven mitts. Yet, before she made that shift, she became a stay-at-home mom to three boys.

“I found I didn’t have a sense of self,” she says, “but finding something I’m good at, that I’m proud of, has made such a positive impact.”

With no training in baking or decorating cookies, she began watching Instagram reels. After learning the basics of flower work and other 3D effects, she discovered an untapped talent.

“Turns out, I had a knack for it,” she says. “I’ve watched many videos of other cookiers, but mostly I just wing it until I get it right. My

by Karel Lucander | photography courtesy of Little Farmhouse Baking Co.

Not your mom’s sugar cookies ... Lisa Kreider’s creations are endless.

favorite is watercolor painting cookies. It’s such a cool technique.”

Kreider will work her magic for all occasions. While her boys are in school, she averages about five to eight dozen custom cookies per week, with Christmas orders ramping up to 1,500-plus. She can replicate images customers provide or create something from scratch, sketching details to incorporate. She will even provide a mockup for wedding orders. There is no minimum cookie order; she can make one cookie or dozens. The cost varies from about $50 to $85 per dozen, depending on the size, colors and amount of detail required. She says she thrives on “a smidgen of stress” to meet deadlines.

“I do my best work after midnight in my pjs.” A cottage baker, she works from her home kitchen. “Cottage bakers are held to the same standards as any other bakery,” she adds. “The state comes out and inspects my home, my process and tests my products. I’ve always passed with flying colors.”

This accomplished cookie artist holds special events for those who want to learn.

“I usually do one for Halloween and for Christmas,” says Lisa. “I also started teaching classes last year. Some people come to really learn a craft but most just want a fun night out.” When the Huntersville rec center first offered her class, the 25-person session sold out in 10 minutes. “Now, I rent the room from them and host my own adult-only classes there.”

When you order her cookies, you’re in for another treat when you pick them up on Black Farms Road in Huntersville. Lisa, whose maiden name is Black, grew up with her sisters, Amanda and Valerie, as the sixth generation of those who first settled here. Her great-great-grandfather, James Meek Black, established their 400-acre farm in 1823. She is now caretaker of the original 1823 homestead. They have the only Bicentennial Farm in Mecklenburg County, now 25 acres. Lisa, her husband, Josh; and sons, Spencer, Dillon and Lucas, live here in a home her dad built. Once a working farm, their picturesque “little slice of paradise” is now a hobby farm with 40 cows and a Ritz Cracker-eating pet donkey, Jack, that Lisa rescued.

To learn more, visit www.LittleFarmhouseBakingCo.com, or find Kreider on Facebook @LittleFarmhouseBakingCo, Instagram @ LittleFarmhouseBakingCo, or text or call 704-728-2849.

Parking Lot Tennis &

Cold suds and fun at Boondoggler’s Brewing Company

by Allie Spencer

Craft Beer

Just off Brawley School Road in Mooresville, there’s a new brewery with creatively named beers, a lineup of events each night and a passion for community. Boondoggler’s Brewing Company was opened in December 2022 by Kendra Bare and Sean Raymond. The couple met in early 2021 and spent that summer traveling around in their camper from the mountains to the beach, visiting breweries along the way, when the idea to open their own brewery started to, well, brew.

Bare, a registered nurse for 25 years and a North Carolina native, was coming off of a stressful few years working at a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Raymond, a Mooresville resident for the last seven years, had some experience in home brewing and was eager to create something of his own.

“We were both like, ‘What can we do that’s for us, that doesn’t put my life on the line every single day?’,” says Bare. They drew up their plans on paper, found an architect and the dream started to become a reality. After several months of delays due to permits and building materials not being available post-pandemic, they finally opened Boondoggler’s late last year.

Boondoggler’s has six of its own beers on tap which are brewed through an extract brewing process. This allows Bare and Raymond to buy the concentrated malt extract — the by-product of boiling grain — and skip the mashing process. They worked with an engineer in Raleigh who designed their all-in-one 5BBL EZ Brew System tanks.

A few current beers in their rotation include the crowd pleaser Bout Damn Time, an amber lager; the Citrus Mishop, a Norwegian pale ale; and Bare’s favorite, Blonde Hair Suzy, a blonde ale. Bare is responsible for naming all the beers, most of which have a story behind them. In addition to their beers brewed on-site, they have several options on tap from other breweries around the U.S.

“We try to pick beers that you can’t go into the grocery store and buy,” says Raymond.

The Boondoggler’s taproom is laid back, featuring a long bar with a wooden countertop and stone veneer, exposed ductwork, some lounge style seating surrounding an indoor fireplace, a few dogs (they are currently dog-friendly indoors) and a large outdoor patio. The first sign to greet patrons when they walk in the door is the “Pay it Forward” tally, an initiative that allows customers to buy a service member a beer. Raymond notes that there’s always a competition between Army and Navy (at press time Navy was winning by one beer).

Bare and Raymond both have family ties to the military and said their main fundraiser this year is benefitting Mission 22, an organization that supports veterans and their families, with a focus on mental health. Bare, who lost her brother to a drug overdose, says that loss, and many years working as a nurse, have made mental health an issue that is close to her heart.

“We didn’t get into business just for ourselves. We both love people. We are people people,” she says. “We want to be able to give back.”

The beer at Boondoggler’s is what attracts the people, but in listening to Bare and Raymond talk about their business, it’s clear they have created a community that keeps patrons coming back week after week. Customers can enjoy live entertainment on many nights, a rotating line up of food trucks, and just plain old good conversation with the owners and their staff.

“I was surprised by the amount of loyal customers who became close friends. That sense of community, especially here in Mooresville, is very strong,” says Bare. “People like to be social, people like to play parking lot tennis on Thursday nights, people like to play music bingo … yoga on Tuesdays. People like to incorporate things they love to do … with beer.”

photographs courtesy Boondoggler’s Brewing Company

Sidle up to Boondoggler’s long bar for a cold craft beer and make a friend or two, or order a beer flight to satisfy your curiosity.

Boondoggler’s Brewing Company is at 239 Singleton Road in Mooresville. Follow them on Facebook or visit www.boondogglersbrewing.com.

Boondoggler’s owners Kendra Bare and Sean Raymond