Lake Norman CURRENTS Magazine October 2023

Meet the CAMI Leadership Team

Sophie Fuller loves working at CAMI because of the patients, the team and the overall passion everyone has for providing great treatments for patients. At CAMI, she can combine her passion for all things aesthetics with her skill set helping patients achieve their aesthetics goals and help CAMI grow into a multilocation company.

One of her favorite consultations with patients is the Deep Erbium Resurfacing procedure. Its life changing!

Elizabeth Reilly is grateful that CAMI gave her the opportunity to learn so much in 2 ½ years. She enjoys making patients have a wonderful experience.

One of her favorite treatments to consult about is SmartLipo. She loves being able to educate the patients about the pros and cons of the procedure and talk about what results they can receive from this treatment.

Marissa Russo has been with CAMI for 3 years and specializes in neurotoxin, full face correction with dermal filler, laser resurfacing, and PRP injection. Aesthetics allows her to combine her knowledge of healthcare and passion for the beauty industry. Carolina Age Management Institute provides result driven, patient centered care.

Her favorite treatment is Dysport to smooth the skin, help lift the eyebrows while maintaining a very natural look.

Kelly Culicerto’s one and only job has been in the aesthetic industry. Dr. Giordano gave her chance right out of the aesthetics institute, and she’s been at CAMI for 4 years ever since. Kelly loves working at CAMI because of the environment. It is family owned and more intimate between everyone. Dr. Giordano isn’t just a boss, he is also a friend and has helped train, given advice and shaped her career.

Her favorite treatment is Sciton laser, always a trusty go-to. Once patients get on a medical grade product, aging isn’t so bad.

A special thanks to this amazing team of women for making CAMI’s clients feel comfortable and beautiful

Sophie Fuller Director of Sales

Elizabeth Reilly Lead Aesthetic Liaison

Marissa Russo FNP, Lead Provider

Kelly Culicerto Lead Medical Aesthetician

Mooresville, Denver, Lincolnton, Statesville, Maiden, Shelby, Mount Holly, Hickory, Winston Salem, West Jefferson, Wilkesboro, Yadkinville, Pilot Mountain, and Mount Airy

PARTNER CARRIERS

Mike Griffin, CEO Mooresville

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

With 14 locations… we have you covered!

Publisher

What the Heck Was That?

Ah, this is nice, I thought to myself. I had just settled into a comfortable booth at Summit Coffee in Mooresville with a delicious-looking iced coffee, some calming background music and a few minutes to do absolutely nothing before interviewing the owner of soon-toopen Fred & June’s Books on Main Street for our story this month.

And then ...

BANG!

Not cool. Whatever just happened on the other side of the wall from my booth brought me about an inch off the seat. Thank the coffee gods that there was a lid on my beverage. I looked around the shop to make sure I wasn’t the only one who just experienced a full-body flinch. Seeing the shocked expression of the woman in the booth across from me was proof I wasn’t alone. We exchanged a nervous smile and laugh, and both went back to what we were doing, which in my case was supposed to be absolutely nothing.

And then ...

BANG! BANG!

Thwack – thwack – thwack ... (pregnant pause) ...

BANG!

Okay, I’ll bite.

“What the heck was that?” I asked one of the baristas, who clearly was taking all of this in stride but also clearly wished it would stop immediately.

It was also at this point that, with the help of another barista, the woman in the booth across from me began taking pictures off the wall next to her before they ended up either in her lap or shattered on the table in front of her.

Apparently, there was a good bit of demo work going on in the space next to Summit. It had long sat dormant following the closure of J.J. Wasabi’s in the spring of 2020, and a new tenant was doing a little, um, remodeling before taking over the space.

The banging and bedlam subsided pretty much as suddenly as it began, but it got me thinking. It really was a

kind of background music to the continued resurgence and revitalization of Mooresville’s downtown district and all that it now offers.

I have a very clear memory of what the town’s Main Street looked like when I moved to the area more than 20 years ago. My husband and I had bought a home in Huntersville and wanted to get to know the area, so we headed north on Highway 115 to check things out. Of course, you can’t help but be charmed by the stretch through Davidson, with its appealing storefronts and beautifully maintained historic homes. We had heard that Mooresville was also a bedrock community of the Lake Norman area and had been so long before there was a lake, so on we went.

I have two clear memories of entering its downtown ... What beautiful old buildings, like stepping back in time!

Uh, where is everyone?

Lots of empty storefronts and very little activity or foot traffic. It was kind of jarring, and more than a little sad. But oh, how times have changed.

I’m pleased to report that Mooresville’s downtown is more than alive and well. It is absolutely thriving, and if you haven’t visited lately, you have no idea what you’re missing.

In buildings that have managed to maintain their historic facades and bones (including that of 124-year-old D.E. Turner & Co. Hardware), there are restaurants of every stripe, clothiers, jewelry stores, an art gallery, bars with live music, boutiques and bakeries, not to mention an entire former textile mill brought back to life as home to several more restaurants, shops and small businesses.

And yes, even a family-owned new and used bookstore that just opened its doors to an enthusiastic reception. Mooresville is celebrating its 150th birthday this year, so if that means tolerating a little background banging and thwack-thwack-thwacking over a cup of coffee as its revitalization rolls on, then so be it. Can’t wait to see what its 151st year will bring.

— LH

Lori Helms Editor Lori@LNCurrents.com

Advertising Director

Sharon Simpson Sharon@LNCurrents.com

Advertising Sales Executives

Beth Packard Beth@LNCurrents.com

Trisha Robinson Trisha@LNCurrents.com

Event Coordinator

Alison Smith Alison@LNCurrents.com

Social Media Specialist

Lauren Platts social@lncurrents.com

Design & Production idesign2, inc

Contributing Writers

Becky Aijala

Trevor Burton

Kathy Dicken

Mickey Dunaway

Allison Futterman

Vanessa Infanzon

Bek Mitchell-Kidd

Karel Bond Lucander

Abigail Smathers

Intern

Erin Settlemier

Contributing Photographers

Jon Beyerle

Lisa Crates

www.facebook.com/LNCurrents

Carole Lambert Carole@LNCurrents.com

MacAdam Smith Mac@LNCurrents.com

CH ARLIZE T H ERON NAVITIMER FOR THE JOURNEY

Contents

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.

Channel Markers

Movers, Shakers, Style, Shopping, Trends, Happenings and More at Lake Norman

Fred & June’s Book Store owner Stephen Hayes gets comfy at his new Mooresville shop.

Photography by Jon Beyerle

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!

Pure Barre Lake Norman –Birkdale

With so many fitness studios and exercise facilities in the area, it can be difficult to really differentiate yourself while still trying to appeal to a broad market. The tangibles are the obvious go-to – offer highend equipment, top-notch staff, an exercise concept that’s proven to show results.

What appear to have truly worked for Pure Barre Lake NormanBirkdale, however, are the intangibles the studio also offers – the comradery and connections that seem to grow organically and the sense of community that comes from that. All that adds up to why Pure Barre Lake Norman was voted “Best Place to Work Out” for our 2023 Best of Lake Norman CURRENTS Awards.

“One of the biggest things that I think people love is that it’s very welcoming and all inclusive,” says studio owner Katie Moscovitch about the vibe experienced by clients and staff alike. She’s enjoyed helping people make connections that they normally would not have experienced outside of the studio. “It’s such a neat thing to have that special community feel. ... It’s not intimidating; everyone is welcome to come as they are and do the best they can.”

For the uninitiated, a barre workout is a combination of yoga and Pilates that also incorporates a ballet barre in a group exercise

setting, to help tone and lift muscles through no-impact methods. Moscovitch says her classes offer everything from a cardio emphasis to stretching to functional weight-lifting. With room for about 25 students each, there are 40-50 class times per week, held almost every hour starting at 6 a.m. on weekdays.

“Everyone can get what they need,” she says. “We really have it all.” That includes the accommodations that her highly trained teaching staff can make for those dealing with injuries or limitations – and it doesn’t hurt that Moscovitch is a licensed physical therapist and can lend her experience to that mix.

Pure Barre Lake Norman definitely packs a lot into its small boutique fitness space, including a selection of high-end retail clothing. But what Moscovitch is most proud of is the studio’s 10-year history of bringing the proven barre fitness philosophy to our region, and the sense of community it’s engendered.

“We’re the best at what we do,” she says, “and all we do is barre.”

by Lori Helms photos courtesy Pure Barre Lake Norman

Pure Barre Lake Norman – Birkdale is at 16815 Cranlyn Road, Suite A in Huntersville. Learn more at www.purebarre.com or call 704.997.6041.

Above, studio owner Katie Moscovitch proudly displays her multiple awards. Far left and left, it’s the welcoming and inclusive staff and vibe that make Pure Barre Lake Norman-Birkdale an award-winning fitness destination.

High Flyin’

Sound

Airline veterans no strangers to rock ‘n’ roll

by Allison Futterman

As the band’s manager, Janet Ladd brings Speedbyrd to a variety of venues, including 202 North Main in Mooresville.

If you’ve ever heard the band Speedbyrd play the Lake Norman area, you would know how incredibly talented they are — and how great they sound. What you may not know is that the band is primarily comprised of current and retired airline pilots and flight attendants. The group was founded in the early 1980s by Howard Heda and a couple of other pilots. One day, Heda was working a flight with a new co-pilot, Eddie Jackson.

“We had never met before,” he says. “We introduced ourselves and talked music anytime we could during the flight.”

“I said, I hear you have a band. I play guitar and keyboards,” says Jackson. “He came to my house to hear me play.” Jackson was so good that Heda asked him to join the band right then and there. The band was called Speedbyrd, named after the old Piedmont airlines logo. For years they played around the Charlotte area. Eventually, the other members left the band and Heda and Jackson were the only ones left. They spent some time in Nashville, where they went by the name Jackson-Howard. It was there they cut an album, titled “Loves a Trip,” which included several songs that made it to the top 10 on the independent charts.

After taking some time off to concentrate on work, Speedbyrd started playing gigs again and has added new members along the way.

Speedbyrd members

Howard Heda: rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals

Eddie Jackson: lead guitar, keyboard and vocals

Shannon Stamper Fanelli: vocals

Kelly Ison: drums

Jeff Canipe: bass guitar

Mark Robinson: steel guitar

David Nelson: keyboard

Owen Brown: bass guitar, lead guitar

Chris Fanelli: sound technician

Janet Ladd: Manager

Able to skillfully cover the work of Steely Dan, The Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Doobie Brothers, they also rock the house with original songs from their album. In addition to the title song, “Loves A Trip,” some other cuts from the album include “Now That It’s Too Late,” “The Second Time Around” and “Sleazy Motel.”

Speedbyrd acquired a manager in 2019, when their paths crossed with Janet Ladd, a working flight attendant. She was co-chairing a charity fundraiser at the Trump National Golf Club in Mooresville, benefiting the Children’s Hope Alliance. The band had generously offered to play in order to help the cause. The night was successful, and Ladd and the band just clicked.

“They said, ‘We’ve never had a manager before’,” says Ladd, “and they asked if I’d be willing to step in and do it.” She’s never looked back. “I consider it a privilege to manage and promote such an outstanding group of talented musicians.”

The band has performed at a variety of venues. They frequently play at 202 North Main in Mooresville, where they’re a popular attraction. They’re also available for private gigs and fundraisers.

Need some Speedbyrd at your next event? Contact Janet Ladd at macladd3@gmail.com.

photography courtesy Janet Ladd

Read Any Good Books Lately?

“We just love the town.”

That’s the simple answer Stephen Hayes gives when asked why he and his wife, Morgan, decided to make the leap into the world of small business ownership and land on downtown Mooresville’s historic Main Street.

The Hayes family (including their six-year-old son, Spencer) has recently opened Fred & June’s Books, carrying a mix of used and new titles in a cozy, welcoming setting – the only one of its kind in town. The name of the store is a tribute to his family’s generational love of reading.

And nowhere will that love of reading be more on display than in the size of the store’s used book collection. It’s about 6,000 titles strong, with about 3,500 of them coming directly from Stephen’s personal collection he spent years building. But he’s not in mourning about surrendering them. On the contrary, he’s rather philosophical about it.

“It’s alright,” he says, “because now they’ll get to be in other people’s

Bet you’ll find one at Fred & June’s in Mooresville

by Lori Helms

photography by Jon Beyerle

hands.” Stephen is a firm believer that a book’s price tag should not be the reason it’s out of reach for some consumers. “It’s an accessibility thing. A new book can cost $28, so not everyone can have that sort of access. We want everyone to feel like they can shop here.”

The shop will also carry about 1,000 new books to begin with, ultimately filling out to around a total of 10,000 new and used titles on hand when they’re running at full capacity. The new titles will of course include some best sellers, but Stephen says he will also carry selections based on feedback from his customers.

It’s that support of and connection with community that the Hayes family plans to pursue, and another reason they picked their Main Street storefront.

“One hundred percent of what we want to do is build up the community of downtown Mooresville,” he says, adding that he hopes to develop partnerships with neighboring businesses like Summit Coffee and CynTucci’s Bakery. Participation in the town’s “social

district” – allowing shoppers to purchase adult beverages from other places and roam among the district’s retailers during certain hours – is part of their business plan.

“The social district aspect is key for us, as we’re going to be open later than most bookstores would be,” Stephen says. Closing time will be 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. on weekends. His thinking is to give folks an option as to something to do downtown in the evening that doesn’t involve just going out to eat or to a bar.

Speaking of options, plans for the store will ultimately include space for community events or book signings, as well as a fully outfitted space for kids that will feature Montessori-type shelving (where book titles face out) and a custom-built puppet theater for when reading might not be on your child’s agenda.

Left, the bookstore has settled into one of downtown Mooresville’s historic buildings. Below, a final moment of quiet reading before owner Stephen Hayes opens the doors to his family’s new shop.

Visit Fred & June’s Books at 248 N. Main Street, Mooresville and follow them on Facebook as they settle into their new space.

CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS » Protecting LKN Residents with

For Cyber Security Awareness Month, we want to shine some light on cyber risks. As the world becomes more digital, small businesses, family homes, and individuals are more vulnerable to cyber risks with increasing frequency and severity. If your business retains your client’s personal identifiable information, shares or stores data, or simply has an email address, you are vulnerable to cyberattacks and should consider purchasing a Cyber Liability policy. As individuals and families store more information and access more data online, Home Cyber Protection coverage becomes necessary.

FACT: More than 90% of cyberattacks on a business originate through emails. | FACT: In a single day alone, a cyberattack is launched every 39 seconds.

Business Owners: A cyberattack or data breach may look like ransomware, supply chain attacks, or a cybercriminal breaching your IT infrastructure and stealing your customers’ Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account information, and/or health records.

Homeowners: Cybercriminals are frequently targeting homes and individual devices via emails, text messages, and outdated and unpatched Wi-Fi routers through deceiving links, malicious malware, weak passwords, and lack of firmware. Between our smart home devices, cell phones, tablets, and smart watches, our homes often have many different devices connected to our WiFi. Each smart home device you own is a potential entry point to your network and a hacker could gain access to all sorts of personal information (email, social media accounts, bank accounts) through one vulnerable device. Are cyberattacks costly? Yes. In 2023, the global average cost of a data breach has reached a record high of $4.45 million. The average cost of a personal cyberattack is $5,300.

Cyber Liability insurance for businesses and Home Cyber Protection coverage for individuals can aid in covering the costs arising from the loss obtained through these devastating data breaches and cybersecurity issues.

(704) 875-3060 foglegroup.com

Doug Fogle Vice President

With 35 years of insurance experience, Cyber Liability is one of Doug Fogle’s key areas, along with restaurants, bars, and breweries.

Flavors of fall

All of these items can be purchased at: Historic Downtown Mooresville 112 S Main St. | juelerye.com 704.728.9880 Facebook and Instagram @juelerye

1. Morganite, Diamonds & Pearls Necklace - $5900

2. Joie De Vivre 36 x 48 Painting - $3100

3. Handblown Martini Glass - $90

4. Olive and Fig Candle - $48

5. Handblown Lamp - $970

6. Martini Clutch - $205

7. Handblown Pumpkin - $74

Stormy Weather?

Not a problem at Tempo Golf

by Lori Helms

photography courtesy Tempo Golf

Life definitely changes when you have a child.

That’s not really a news flash to anyone, but it can be a defining realization for a couple with a normally active lifestyle – one that included their time on the links together.

“Golf was always one of his favorite things,” says Kristen Wilson about her husband, Matt, “and we used to golf together.” But introduce a young one to that mix and all bets are off. Regular tee times give way to regular (hopefully) nap times, changing your swing to fix your slice gives way to changing diapers to fix, well, all kinds of (ahem) things.

So how was the Huntersville couple going to fix what ailed them –still finding time for a favorite pastime?

It was a trip back home to Minnesota to visit family that planted the seed of an idea that would lead them to founding Tempo Golf in Huntersville – an indoor golf concept that makes it possible to play a full 18 holes in a fraction of the time, no matter the weather.

Looking for something to do in an area of the country they essentially left in search of a milder climate, they came across an indoor golf facility in Minnesota that meant they could easily play a round in just a few hours, thanks to the wonders of modern technology. Returning home to Huntersville, Matt’s penchant for ingenuity had been piqued, and the search was on for a way to replicate what they experienced “up north” for Lake Norman area golfers.

“Matt has ideas all the time,” Kristen says, “and he loves to be active.” Combining his gift of creativity with his need for activity turned out to be just the right formula, and the foundations of Tempo Golf were the result. The Wilsons determined there was definitely a need in the area for golf enthusiasts tired of being foiled by foul weather or too few hours in the day. They found just the right space on Statesville Road in Huntersville near the Goodwill Industries store, and thanks to Matt’s experience in the audio-visual field and his innate ability to fabricate whatever his mind could dream up, the Wilsons built four golfing “bays” themselves, outfitted them with the latest equipment and projection technology, threw in an augmented reality putting green complete with games, and Tempo Golf was born. The business held its grand opening earlier this summer.

Can’t afford the airfare and greens fees to play Pebble Beach Golf Links in California? No problem. Not a fan of jet lag even though the siren song of St. Andrews’ Old Course in Scotland is calling? There’s a solution. Book a time with Tempo Golf to play a simulated version of each course – or nearly 500 others across the globe, for that matter – for a fraction of the cost and time, right from your figurative backyard.

Kristen says it takes about an hour or so for one person to play 18 holes at Tempo Golf. At $48 per hour Monday through Thursday, you can make a reservation for your group (there is no limit to a group size but she recommends capping it at four people) and experience a more laid-back and casual version of the game.

“You don’t need collars, you don’t need anything special,” she says. “You can come and be super serious, or you can be super relaxed.” And you can enjoy some super savings by booking a tee time on “Tempo Tuesdays” when the hourly rates are half-price.

“We intended to gear it toward folks who already like golf,” Kristen says, “however, we made sure the software we chose, the environment that we built, that it would work for anyone.” And it’s not just for playing a full round or enjoying putting games with friends. Thanks to the data feedback available in each bay, players can learn more about such things as their swing speed, where the club made contact with the ball, the distance achieved and the ball placement on the course.

When your group needs a break from the links, Tempo Golf also offers a bar area with beer, wine and snacks. If you’re really hungry, the Wilsons work with Rocky’s Pizza across Statesville Road, who will waive the delivery fee on your order.

Kristen and Matt have added league play to their offerings as well as the availability of lessons with local golf instructors and a monthly simulator clinic. Tempo Golf can also host corporate events, fundraisers, birthday parties or other such celebrations.

Inside one of four high-tech golf bays at Tempo Golf.

Learn how to read the green on Tempo Golf’s augmented reality putting surface.

At the of It Heart Before

Updating a home’s gathering spaces

by Lori Helms

photography by Lisa Crates

Host just one dinner party or one Sunday brunch, and the cliché that the kitchen is the heart of the home comes vividly to life. All that time you spent making sure every inch of your dining area was free of dust/ pet hair/child paraphernalia, all that effort to fluff every sofa cushion and throw pillow, all the strategy employed in where to seat whom – it all gets thrown to the wind the moment the first guests arrive.

Where does everyone end up? Yep, you guessed it – gathered at any available kitchen seating space or leaning against any island or countertop area where they can rest an elbow, backside or drink. Your guests want to be where you are, and chances are you’re in the kitch-

en. And as much as I never really want my guests to see “how the sausage is made” when it comes to preparing their meal, I’ve come to enjoy the company and moral support as I pull the madness together into something edible. Or, at least put on a good show.

Today’s kitchens have a much larger and open footprint from the kitchens of not too long ago to accommodate modern family and entertaining habits, so what does an owner of an older home do to bring their late 1990s space up to today’s more crowd-friendly trend? A good start is to contact an experienced interior designer like Lori Savio.

Touches of wood bring depth and warmth to a modern farmhouse-style kitchen remodel.

“I like the fact that this is all very textural,” she says, “from the wood detail and the distressed backsplash in the kitchen to the fireplace surround and herringbone on the shiplap, just all of that.”

Savio, the owner of Home, Heart & Soul in Cornelius and an interior designer with a particular skill set in remodeling space for homeowners moving to the “next stage” of their lives, was brought on board by a family who owns a second home in the Langtree area of Mooresville’s Lake Norman waterfront to update their kitchen and adjoining living space. The home was built in a more traditional fashion – a two-story foyer that leads to a comfortable living area, but the kitchen immediately to the left was segregated from that airy space by a not-so-gathering-friendly wall and stretch of bar-height counter that essentially kept anyone in the kitchen hostage from what was going on around the rest of the main floor.

“The kitchen was closed off,” Savio says, “so we blew out all the walls and took everything back to the drywall. We reconfigured everything.” She’s not kidding. With the services of contractor Jason Silverthorn of SRG Home Solutions, the entire footprint of the kitchen changed, which included moving appliances (which meant a plumbing and electrical undertaking), adding an island, making a bar area where a peninsula-style fireplace once stood and expanding storage overall.

Savio says that with white kitchens still being the go-to look, she wanted to provide some contrast to soften it. Bringing in warm wood accents was the perfect solution and she employed that beautifully,

everywhere from the trim work on the range hood to the detail on the island base to the addition of wood ceiling beams. And to break up what could have been an expanse of more white space at the kitchen backsplash, she used a subway tile with a roughened, exposed edge to give that stretch some depth. She glammed up the kitchen a bit as well, by choosing matte brass hardware for the cabinetry and some gold touches for the island barstools.

And the upgrades didn’t stop with the kitchen. Savio moved her designing eye to the living area, adding a fireplace with a porcelain patterned surround and wooden mantle to replace the one she pulled from the kitchen, as well as a wall of herringbone shiplap.

“I like the fact that this is all very textural,” she says, “from the wood detail and the distressed backsplash in the kitchen to the fireplace surround and herringbone on the shiplap, just all of that.” She says it was important to not only bring the kitchen and living area up to date, but for this space to be welcoming and relaxing – as a home away from home should always be.

“They have a big family, so they wanted a space where everyone can gather and be comfortable,” says Savio.

Mission accomplished.

The herringbone-patterned shiplap wall (above left) and the touches of brass and crystal to glam it all up bring a deep textural feel to the living area.

Pitch Perfect Lake Norman Duo

In a lot of ways, they couldn’t be more different. He’s from Long Island and needs a little bit of city nearby; she grew up on a farm in Concord — a neighbor of the Avett family (of Avett Brothers fame) — and still values country living.

But a few years ago, their paths crossed in Lake Norman, and they soon came together as the country duo of Walter Finley and April Dawn, now two-time winners of the Carolina Country Music Association’s (CCMA’s) Best Duo, and winner of this year’s award for Country Tour of the Year. In 2022, they were named U.S. Vocal Duo of the Year by the International Singer-Songwriter’s Association (ISSA).

How they actually met “depends on which one of us is telling the story,” says Finley, laughing. But it happened when he was performing, and Dawn helped him play the requests he didn’t know.

Both come from musical families as distinct as they are from each other. Finley has opera star grandparents, and an uncle who played with Tommy Dorsey. His mom bought him a guitar as a kid, partly to keep him out of trouble in their neighborhood known as “Little Brooklyn.” Then, suffering from asthma, he spent hours playing in his room. He remembers making up his first song at the age of 14 and being hooked.

“Since then, I can’t stop trying to write songs. It’s just something I do,” he says — his rule being, keep it positive and stay true to yourself. Instead of writing another version of a whisky song, Finley chooses to take a different track.

“I’d rather let people know, you’re not alone in life, someone knows how you feel,” he says.

Dawn’s folks both taught music at Spirit Square in Charlotte — her father, bluegrass fiddle; her mother, rhythm guitar.

“I can remember taking naps in Mom’s guitar case waiting for class to be over,” she says. Dawn has been playing and singing since she was five, and feels there’s a responsibility to “put music out there that encourages people and makes them feel good.”

Now, they’re writing songs together, including an upcoming release called “Lean-to,” their vision of home. A new album is in the works, and they’ll be headed out on the road again to network and expand their fan base, which grew like crazy during their locally famous BYO Boat series at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just when people were in need of places to go without fear of the virus, they performed, week after week, from a dock on Lake Norman to a floating audience. Safe and distanced, 50-100 boats showed up every Wednesday, along with thousands tuning in on Facebook. Eventually, they moved to Lake Lure and rode out the rest of the pandemic.

“We had people from Lake Norman drive all the way up there to see us,” says Finley. But now they’re back, and happily so.

“Lake Norman is like the two of us put together,” says Dawn. And it’s home.

See the Walter Finley Duo Oct. 7 performance to benefit Purple Heart Homes at Southern Distilling Company in Statesville. For upcoming dates and new releases, visit www.walterfinley.com or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms and streaming services.

Walter Finley and April Dawn Come Home

The multiple award-winning country music partners have returned to their Lake Norman stomping grounds.

by Becky Aijala photography by Lisa Crates

Autumn Essentials for your home

1. Decorative Pumpkins - $19 and up

2. Abacus Taper Stand Set/3 - $264

3. Fall Wreaths - $75 and up

4. Charcuterie Boards - $80 and up 5. Luminara Candles - $35 and up

6. Tabletop Essentials - $8 and up

7. Bronze Turkey Centerpiece - $179

Mountain Color

4 Don’t-Miss Activities in Virginia’s Blue Ridge

In the fall, North Carolinians are fascinated with nature’s colorful display along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just across the state border, Roanoke in Virginia’s Blue Ridge blends our craving for outdoor adventure with the comforts of city living. After hiking the Appalachian Trail or driving through the mountains, the city provides the amenities — a hot meal and a warm bed — to complete a perfect day.

Colorful accommodations

Many historic buildings in downtown Roanoke have been transformed into funky places to stay, shop and dine. Fire Station One, a boutique hotel with seven uniquely decorated rooms, is in former Fire Station No. 1, built in 1907. On the first floor, Stock Café, with a Nordic and Scandinavian-inspired menu, offers small plates, entrees and Smørrebrød, a traditional Danish sandwich.

Another boutique hotel, The Liberty Trust, was built in 1910 to house First National Bank. Enjoy a cocktail and appetizer at The

Vault, the hotel’s lobby restaurant. Imagine customers waiting in line to see a bank teller, where the area now is a bar. One of the original bank vaults may be reserved for small dinner parties.

Shades of art and history

The Virginia Transportation Museum in downtown Roanoke features three sections — Auto Gallery, Aviation Gallery and Outdoor Railyard — with historical information and interactive activities at each exhibit. Model T Roadster, Piedmont Motor Car, Plymouth, Studebaker and many more are on display. Watch a brief film about the history of Norfolk and Western Railway before seeing more than 10 locomotives and getting inside the cab of a 1966 diesel locomotive. Learn about women in flight, Tuskegee Airmen and other pilots who made significant contributions during the early years of aviation.

Roanoke’s Taubman Museum of Art offers free admission to visitors. Permanent collections in five galleries include works by glass artists Jon

by Vanessa Infanzon photography courtesy Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Kuhn and Lino Tagliapietra. Swoon, a 20-year retrospective of contemporary artist Caledonia “Swoon” Curry’s work, will be exhibited Nov. 10 through March 10, 2024. A guided tour through specific exhibits in the museum is available weekdays at 1 p.m., for a fee.

Brilliant menus

Chef Nathan Sloan launched bloom|restaurant & wine-bar in 2019. The open kitchen serves a curated menu of seasonal small plates and craft cocktails. Each dish, an artistic presentation, arrives one at a time. Reservations are recommended.

Husband and wife team, John and Lindsey Bernard, own Bernard’s Gastropub & Eatery, a family-friendly establishment with a large menu. Adventurous eaters and those who like simple foods will find something to enjoy. From oysters and bourbon glazed salmon to burgers and butterscotch banana pudding, diners will love the quiet vibe at Bernard’s.

For breakfast and lighter fare, the options are endless as you walk through downtown. Try Benny Marconi’s for pizza, Bread Craft for pastries, Ernie’s or Scrambled for a traditional breakfast and Hollywood’s Restaurant and Bakery for sandwiches on homemade bread from local bakery On The Rise.

Contrasting views

Bike, drive or hike to overviews throughout Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Many hiking trails are on the Appalachian Trail, offering various levels of difficulty and length. Jefferson National Forest’s Dragon’s Tooth Trail is a challenging 4.6 miles, out and back, to a rock formation. Tinker Ridge, an 8-mile roundtrip hike, leads to Hay Rock Overlook, with views of Roanoke Valley. Take the scenic drive: Routes 43, 116, 221 and 311 provide opportunities to stop at country stores in small towns and view lakes and mountain peaks.

We all dream of a good night’s sleep, but for many in our area that starts with needing a bed.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to building and delivering handmade, fully furnished beds to children in need.

Nationwide it’s estimated that childhood “bedlessness” – unfortunately, this is a word that has entered our lexicon – affects nearly three percent of the population. With 326 chapters across the country helping those in need, the Lake Norman-area SHP is run by husband-and-wife team, Connie and Dave Byers.

Since launching in 2019, the South Iredell Chapter has built and delivered almost 800 beds, with a goal to provide 1,000 by the end of the year.

Requests for beds for 2024 are already at 500. SHP receives requests via their website but also through community organization partners including Pharos Parenting, I-CARE, Inc. /Head Start, Iredell County and Mooresville school districts, Guardian ad Litem, Hope of Mooresville, FeedNC, The Christian Mission and United Faith Alliance.

The chapter is made up entirely of volunteers, and all donations stay in the Lake Norman community to serve kids ages 3-17. All funds are used to build and deliver fully furnished beds. Other expenses and needs include tools, lumber and hardware for “Build Days,” and new mattresses, bedding and pillows for deliveries.

“All the beds we supply are new,” says Dave. “We not only build the bed components, but we deliver and assemble the beds in the homes of the children and provide the new bed frame along with a new mattress, new sheets, new pillow and new comforter or quilt.”

Good Night, Sleep Tight

Making it possible for local children in need

by Bek Mitchell-Kidd

You do not need any experience to participate in a Build Day; the builds and deliveries provide a great community involvement opportunity for families, corporate team building and even service projects.

The Build Days are open to volunteers 12 years of age and older (ages 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian), and are typically held over a Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To host a successful Build Day, Connie and Dave need a minimum of 30 volunteers. After the Build Day, the delivery is very special.

“A family we assisted was a mother leaving a shelter and moving into her apartment with her four daughters,” Dave says, describing a particularly moving day. “Two of the girls had been diagnosed with cancer. One of the girls was having surgery two days after we placed the beds. If these beds had not been placed, she would have come home from the hospital and would have had to sleep on the floor. She was very grateful and asked her mother to let us know how good it was to sleep in her own bed.”

SHP delivers beds almost weekly throughout southern Iredell County and northern Mecklenburg County. The delivery teams require six to eight volunteers, and there is always the need for more help.

“I have the privilege of contacting and working with the families who request beds,” Connie says. “I hear the heartfelt stories of both hardship and triumph, and of course on delivery days get to see the smiles and sometimes get hugs from the grateful children and parents.”

Interested in volunteering or donating? Learn more at www.

photography courtesy Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Left, volunteers work on one of many beds to be donated to a family in need. Below, Dave and Connie Byers lead the South Iredell Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace; bottom, two kids that will sleep well on their new beds.

shpbeds.org and select the “NC-S Iredell Co.” chapter. Build Days usually take place at Lighthouse Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 246 Blume Road, Mooresville.

Silver

Bronze

New Diabetes Research

Type 2 is preventable through lifestyle changes

By Dr. Emmanuel Quaye – WellcomeMD Mooresville

You or someone you’re close to may be diabetic or pre-diabetic. This disease represents a massive public health policy problem that all of us will continue to confront for the indefinite future. But recently there’s been some hopeful news in treatment and, especially, prevention.

Most physicians I know share a keen interest in diabetes. That’s because of the prevalence and seriousness of this disease and the fact that adult-onset (or Type 2) diabetes is completely preventable for most, usually without surgical intervention or drugs. And sometimes it can be reversed, if diagnosed and dealt with early on.

How prevalent? More than one in 10 Americans is diabetic, according to the CDC. A four-alarm warning: about half of adults 45 and older are pre-diabetic, meaning that they are at high risk for developing the disease. One in six adult respondents to a survey in the Mooresville area, where I practice, said they had been diagnosed with diabetes; the incidence around Charlotte is similar if not higher.

How serious? Diabetes often leads to heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney failure, and it’s deadly: diabetes is the seventh-ranked cause of death in the U.S.

But my take-home message is far less grim. You can prevent Type 2 diabetes with lifestyle changes, and adopting them can be more effective and longer-lasting with the aid of a health coach or nutritionist.

“Work with a trained lifestyle coach, who will help you take small, manageable steps that fit in your schedule and your life,” the CDC advises.

Losing even a small amount of weight (five percent in some studies),

improving your nutrition and getting more physically active can prevent or delay diabetes, even for those at high risk, and helps keep those other diabetes-associated diseases away from your life. These are achievable measures. You don’t have to pump iron or run a marathon.

There’s more sunshine. Just a few weeks ago, an important overview of the recent research on adult-onset diabetes remission was published in the Journal of Endocrinology. (“Remission” means you’re no longer diabetic — you’ve beaten it, if you’re careful.) The three kinds of treatment examined in this study were bariatric surgery, drug therapies and lifestyle changes. The first strategy, major surgery, can be highly effective, if subsequent lifestyle changes are adopted. It is also, the report noted, very expensive, and it is “an invasive procedure that can cause serious acute complications, including death. For these reasons, it can be applied to a small portion of the diabetic population and is not a measure applicable on a large scale.”

Then there’s the new class of weight-loss drugs — so far, very expensive — called semaglutides. They are increasingly prescribed for diabetes control. Early results suggest they are comparatively safe and can often be highly effective in reversing diabetes and inducing weight loss, but for most of us, only if we keep taking them for the rest of our lives. The report questions whether this can even be called “remission.”

Finally, there’s remission through weight loss, via diet and exercise. This works well in many cases, the overview says, but “significant and sustained weight loss is necessary,” to get rid of diabetes. That’s the tough part, of course, and diabetes can return if the weight doesn’t stay off.

No mystery, then, where this research conversation leads, whether you’re non-diabetic, pre-diabetic or a diabetic.

Women in Business

From financial planning to educators, employment services, real estate professionals, interior designers, retail and hospitality experts and more, these women have so much to offer. We know you’ll be inspired to support them once you read their stories.

In 2016, my journey in the financial industry began with a simple goal: to have a positive impact on people’s financial lives. Now as a Certified Personal Retirement Specialist™, my mission revolves around transforming the evolving landscape of retirement planning into a clear and attainable goal for every client I serve.

The joy I find in my work stems from the satisfaction of guiding individuals through the intricate process of piecing together their retirement plans. Each component — savings, investments, social security timing, tax strategies, risk management, Medicare choices and legacy planning — plays a vital role in maintaining their financial health.

With every retirement plan I develop, I am increasingly inspired. The gratification of witnessing the relief and confidence in my clients’ expressions as they see their financial puzzle come together fuels my passion to continuously learn, evolve and refine my expertise in this dynamic field.

I am currently enrolled in the Certified Financial Divorce Analyst (CFDA) program which will allow me to help more people navigate complex financial situations. “Gray divorce,” which refers to divorces that occur among couples over the age of 50, has increased significantly over the years. This phenomenon brings unique financial considerations, as long-term financial plans, retirement accounts and property distribution often come into play.

What sets A4 Wealth

Advisors apart is the dedication to nurturing client relationships that extend beyond finances, encompassing their well-being

and helping them live their best lives. We operate as fiduciaries, placing clients’ needs ahead of our own. Our robust network of strategic alliances includes CPAs, CFA analysts and estate planning attorneys, along with other local professionals that enrich our comprehensive service. Furthermore, our investment options go beyond the ordinary stock/bond portfolio and include alternative investment options in sectors like infrastructure, real estate, private credit, structured notes

and green energy. I like to look beyond financial aspects, as I’m driven to understand my clients’ aspirations, values and life goals. Being able to have that understanding allows me to craft personalized strategies that not only secure their financial future but also empower them to lead fulfilling lives. As a fiduciary, it’s my commitment to ensure that every decision I make aligns with our clients’ best interests, fostering a strong sense of trust and partnership. The passion for

understanding and enhancing my clients’ lives is at the core of what I do.

The journey that began in 2016 has evolved into a compelling narrative of building connections, understanding unique stories and collaboratively crafting brighter, more secure retirement futures. Each day presents new challenges, but the fulfilling knowledge that I’ve played a role in helping others achieve their retirement goals keeps me motivated and dedicated.

Shauntae Funkhouser, CPRS™ Investment Advisor Representative, A4 Wealth Advisors LLC

Ambassador Christian School is a high school seeking to provide a “best of both worlds” option for families wanting the faith-based, values-driven culture of small Christian schools and the amenities and extra-curriculars of large public schools. In the past, Lake Norman families have had to choose one or the other, but Ambassador will have the economy of scale to offer both.

This generation is the most lost, confused, anxious, depressed and lonely generation on record and we believe the answer is found in the hope and meaning of the Christian faith. Many parents are dissatisfied with the direction of public schools, and alternatives are limited. Private schools are full, charter schools have tremendous waiting lists and homeschooling is not an option for some families. Ambassador will fill a gap in the education space and address a deep need in the teenage population.

The relational emphasis of the school will be its priority as we commit to creating an environment to support our students’ sense of belonging, worth, and purpose. We believe in fun, spontaneity, and building traditions. We work hard, play hard, and aim to create a place where students and staff want to be.

The ability for students to distinguish themselves beyond test scores will set us apart, as even Christian schools tend to use the same metrics of success as secular schools. Contrary to the current paradigm that points everyone to college, we want to provide opportunities for kids to explore a variety of paths. A series of aptitude tests will help identify student strengths

and our programs will support a range of their interests. Our desire is to foster a well-rounded student and student body by creating course requirements that encourage exploration across all disciplines. With opportunities to engage at any level, we’ll offer a full sports program for the physically gifted, an arts concentration for those whose genius is in creative expression, rigorous academics for those who shine brightest in the classroom and an industrial

arts center for those who like to build, make and do and will ultimately run the businesses that keep society going.

Most schools have embraced academics, arts, and athletics, but few have recognized the tremendous value of the skilled trades. The Workmanship Center, planned for our final phase, will restore honor to the trades while exposing students to the lucrative and gratifying careers available within them. We look forward to

inviting the community into the Workmanship Center, opening high school classes to qualified students from public, charter, private and home schools and hosting adult education classes on weekends and evenings.

We have purchased an 80,000 square foot building on over 28 acres in Huntersville and will open Fall of 2024. Our first parent interest meetings are on Oct. 23 and 24 at Joe Gibbs Racing, and enrollment will open Oct. 25.

Nicole Bryan and Melissa Gibbs Founders, Ambassador Christian School

Great Design 4 U is a full-service interior design company equipped to help you from conception to completion. The company’s professionals work with busy people in and around the Lake Norman area who have great taste, just not a lot of time or energy to spend stressing about creating a beautiful home. After one good working session, Great Design 4 U clients are on their way to a beautiful home with a well-tailored plan.

Whether you need window treatments, paint consultation, new furniture, or a full renovation or new construction, their knowledgeable, educated and experienced professionals have provided beautiful interiors for clients for more than a decade. And in the last year, they have extended their products and services to the commercial sector, while also repositioning their offerings to meet clients’ requirements more fully.

As a young child, Manager and Lead Interior Designer Anna Stowe discovered her love for architecture and design, so it was only fitting for her to follow this career path. She is a graduate of High Point University with a bachelor’s degree in interior design, and regularly takes continuing education courses to stay current with the latest products, trends and practices in the design and building industry. In addition, Stowe and her fellow professionals take care to only recommend contractors that meet their high standards.

Stowe says the company strives to support its female employees by providing a supportive environment to help them feel empowered to expand their knowledge and their confidence in their work.

By creating opportunities for growth, employees can become more well-rounded in both the design world as well as in life’s real world. And for their female clients, Great Design 4 U enjoys working with women who want their individual spaces, such as a working woman’s office space,

whether it’s in a home office or commercial environment. By guiding their space into something they love, she hopes to empower women through that space with a stress-free and beautiful environment.

Great Design 4 U strives to take the stress out of the design

process. Stowe says its goal from start to finish is to help you make informed decisions about your space with guidance from their professionals. The company’s top priority is that when the project is finished, you enjoyed the experience and love the result.

Anna Stowe

Manager and Lead Interior Designer, Great Design 4 U

We embarked on this journey to bring The Agency brand and real estate brokerage services to Charlotte about six months ago, and from that moment, there was no turning back. We recognized a pressing need in the Charlotte real estate market for something fresh, modern and unique to elevate the existing complacency. Drawing from our experience as agents at other luxury firms, we seized the opportunity to redefine the real estate landscape for clients and agents alike, building a team of 20 dedicated agents serving the greater Charlotte area. A grand opening event is on the horizon for this spring, which will mark our official introduction to the community, and within the next 12 months, we will open our Lake Norman office.

Departing from the conventional brokerage model, The Agency embraces a collaborative and innovative approach to the real estate industry. When it comes to our local office and team, we hold ourselves to a standard of excellence. We equip them with the resources needed to compete at the highest echelons of the real estate industry and offer their clients a remarkably smooth and efficient real estate experience.

Understanding our clients’ needs is at the heart of our real estate philosophy. It’s not just about the number of bedrooms or the square footage; it’s about understanding their lifestyle, their aspirations and the unique features that will make a house their home. Whether it’s the proximity to top-rated schools, access to recreational activities

or a vibrant community, we’re dedicated to finding properties that align with their specific desires. Our ultimate goal is helping our clients achieve their real estate goals and fostering lasting relationships built on trust, integrity and exceptional service. We firmly believe that these qualities distinguish us in the eyes of our clients.

Every woman who becomes a part of our firm receives continuous mentorship and coaching from both of us. We

are deeply committed to sharing our extensive knowledge of the real estate industry and the dynamics of running a successful business. Our goal is to not only shape them into outstanding real estate agents but also empower them to become resilient and determined individuals, fostering their growth as strong and accomplished women. For both of us, balancing the responsibilities of running a new real estate brokerage while being a working mom

has been a remarkable journey. Leadership, from our view, is about setting a strong example for our team and our children. It’s about demonstrating that with determination and passion, you can excel in both your professional and personal life. We’ve learned to prioritize tasks efficiently, delegate responsibilities and maximize productivity during work hours. This way, we can truly be present for our children, friends or family when spending time with them.

Abigail Hines Miller & Erika Mendoza Managing Partners, The Agency Charlotte

In just the last 18 months, Dina Barone and Avery Wager have seen a good bit of growth in their careers with High Tide Hospitality, the parent company of The Waterman Fish Bar LKN in Cornelius. Barone and Wager both started as servers when the restaurant opened in the spring of 2022. Wager then moved into bartending briefly before working her way up to become full-time service manager for this popular dining spot. Barone is on a similar trajectory and is transitioning into the management field.

Barone and Wager are now responsible for delivering on the customer service promise they believe sets The Waterman Fish Bar and its sister restaurants apart from the rest. They take great pride in ensuring their customers understand where their food is sourced from (hint: 100% domestic), and the fact that The Waterman is a complete from-scratch kitchen means guests

know exactly what’s in their meal.

They are joined by Indira Holder, the restaurant’s general manager. She’s been with High Tide Hospitality since 2020, and thanks to her industrious attitude and unrelenting curiosity, she has grown into a leadership position and is now the youngest general manager in the company.

Having been with the restaurant since its beginnings, Barone and Wager have a bit of advice to offer those wanting to move their careers forward.

“Do what it is that feeds your soul,” says Barone, “and inspire others to achieve what they truly love to do on a daily basis.” It’s a sentiment Wager shares, offering her own words of encouragement.

“Don’t doubt or count yourself out for anything,” she says. “If you are confident and know what you are capable of and what you can accomplish and overcome, no one can stop you.”

Kinndy Rodriguez Principal Accountant, JMC Legacy

JMC Legacy Group Accounting and Tax provides a range of financial services, including accounting, tax preparation, tax resolution and tax planning. Whether you’re a small business owner or an individual looking to plan for your financial future, JMC Legacy Group is here to help.

Our team is dedicated to providing top-notch support and exceeding expectations. With a focus on customer satisfaction, we strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are equipped with the necessary skills and experience to deliver exceptional results.

When it comes to work life balance and leadership, we become your strategic partner, always looking for a solution that will allow you to focus on generating profit while we take care of your financial books. We would be honored to lighten some of the load off your shoulders and focus on what really matters — growing your business and generating profits.

We are a women-led company dedicated to mentoring womenled businesses and helping one understand the meaning behind the numbers. Our passion is to motivate and empower women entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and succeed in their ventures

249 Williamson Road, Suite 200, Mooresville 980.432.9664

kinndy@jmclegacygroup.com

www.jmclegacygroup.com

Just a quick look around Nina’s Boutique in Cornelius, and it’s immediately clear why it’s selection of fun, trendy, multi-generational clothing and accessories is so popular with the Lake Norman crowd. But the attraction goes a little deeper than that, thanks to the attention owner Elizabeth Lavan and her team pay to their clients.

“We specialize in full customer service,” she says, “paying special attention to each client’s needs and wants.” Lavan is particularly focused on, as she says, helping her customers feel “fabulous in their own skin.” It is such an integral part of her business model that she often is a guest speaker at local events that help small businesses perfect their own customer service.

And Lavan’s community support doesn’t stop there – Nina’s regularly gives to local causes, while 50 percent of their accessories proceeds are donated to charitable organizations.

21714 Catawba Avenue, Unit A-6, Cornelius 704.237.4091

ninasboutiquelkn@gmail.com

Elizabeth Lavan Owner, Nina’s Boutique

Group, Inc.

Dina Barone Service Manager Avery Wager Service Manager

Indira Holder General Manager

The Waterman Fish Bar LKN

Massage

After a successful career in education that culminated in a move into administration and operations, Kristy Serdinsky found that the pace of the work and no longer enjoying the fulfillment of working directly with children had put her work-life balance out of kilter.

“I loved the people I worked with, and I was proud of what I did,” she says, “however, I needed a change.” Having always wanted to be a business owner and after doing her research, she decided on taking the leap to franchise ownership. Her Massage Heights Jetton Village location in Cornelius opening mid-2016, helping her clients achieve their wellness goals in an affordable yet upscale setting.

Six years later, she was given the opportunity to purchase the NC Massage School on North Main Street – an opportunity Serdinsky jumped at to blend her love of education with massage therapy. Last month, she celebrated one year as owner of NC Massage School, and she’s already

NC Massage School

20525 N. Main Street, Cornelius 704.896.2636

www.ncmassageschool.com

With the real estate market being down from last year, Beth Preston continues to thrive, helping her clients buy and sell homes. She is on track to have the highest sales volume in her 16 years as a Realtor and she believes that is because she puts her clients dreams and goals first.

“My clients know that I am there for them for whatever they need,” says Preston. “These relationships are what matters to me most in my business, and I strive to be there for my clients long beyond the closing table. I enjoy celebrating my clients with fun events and social gatherings several times a year to stay connected.”

Preston has been a Realtor in the Lake Norman area since 2007 and offers full-service real estate

had 25 licensed massage therapists graduate.

With therapists highly trained in multiple massage modalities, Massage Heights’ staff can customize treatments specific to each client’s needs whether it’s to promote relaxation, relieve pain or reduce muscle tension.

In addition to promoting body wellness, Serdinsky and her businesses are involved in several community events, ranging from providing chair massages for nurses and teachers at appreciation events to promoting breast cancer and Alzheimer’s awareness to participating in toy and food drives.

When she’s not working, she takes care of her own wellness through regular exercise and a healthy diet. “My quality of work-life balance really is about maintaining positive physical and mental health habits to allow me to be a better mother, wife, friend and leader of two small businesses.”

services, from explaining the initial buying/selling process along with assisting the process all the way to closing contracts and beyond.

“My real estate experience includes luxury properties, new construction homes, first time home buyers, move up buyers, investment properties, foreclosures, relocations and short sales,” she says. “I believe in continual professional development, and through this I am able to ensure my clients are served at the highest level.”

Community service is a high priority for both Preston and Lake Norman Realty. She is an officer on the board of directors and volunteers for The Evening Exchange Club of Lake Norman, which supports veterans, youth, community service and the prevention of child abuse.

Kristy Serdinsky

Owner, Massage Heights and NC Massage School

Beth Preston Realtor® with Lake Norman Realty

Whether you’re a marathon runner, a weekend warrior or someone merely hoping to make a meaningful change in your skin, there is something for everyone at Icebox Cryotherapy Lake Norman. Just ask the woman who became such a believer in the process that she researched the best way to bring it to the area and opened her own franchise in Huntersville’s Birkdale Village last year.

“I discovered cryotherapy a few years ago and fell in love with how good it made me feel,” says Chloe Slattery, owner of Icebox Cryotherapy Lake Norman. “We offer whole body cryotherapy, localized cryotherapy, compression and red-light therapies, as well as cryofacials and body treatments. Our treatments are

designed to be quick and effective to get you feeling and looking your best.”

Aside from cryotherapy’s rejuvenating outcomes, Chloe is particularly proud of the exceptional training Icebox provides her team members to bring such services to her growing clientele. Her staff follows up after the first treatment and will periodically check in after that to make sure their clients are reaching their wellness goals.

Chloe has learned a great deal as a business owner, and that includes lessons in leadership and work-life balance. She regularly blocks certain days and times for her family (which includes two young daughters), and tries not to take work calls after 4 p.m. As her business grows, she says, Icebox Cryotherapy hopes to become more heavily involved in community charity and fundraising events.

With more than 25 years of experience in retail sales, Candace Bongiovanni is no stranger to the fashion world. This passion for fashion led Bongiovanni to open CoCo Couture in 2016. Since its opening, it has been run with the same core principles Bongiovanni dreamed about.

“I had one goal in mind — to provide our clients with not only exquisite yet affordable clothing,” she says, “but superb customer service.” The staff makes sure every client feels confident and empowered. “We want them to be smiling from ear to ear.”

CoCo Couture has been a big success for Bongiovanni, allowing her to explore another interest of hers — muscle cars. She started her own classic car dealership, Carolina Classic Cars, in 2021.

“It truly is the best life ever,” she says.

19818 North Cove Road, Suite B, Cornelius 704.896.8044

www.thecococouture.com

Candace Bongiovanni , Owner CoCo Couture & Carolina Classic Cars

Chloe Slattery

Owner, Icebox Cryotherapy Lake Norman

Lake Norman Realty is an independent, local and family-owned firm, with a team of 150 brokers and staff. This year marks its 45th year of excellence, with a customer satisfaction rating of more than 99%. With seven offices conveniently located throughout the Lake Norman region, Lake Norman Realty offers a full spectrum of residential and commercial services, relocation, long-term and vacation rentals, property management, mortgages and insurance.

Broker and Realtor Debbie Monroe has been the top agent at Lake Norman Realty for most of her 36 years with the company, and she enjoys working with both buyers and sellers and their myriad wants and needs.

“I have seen all types of market conditions,” she says, “and have learned to adjust when needed.” As a result of her attentiveness, Monroe regularly receives numerous

referrals from her previous clients. As new agents join Lake Norman Realty in its Cornelius office, Monroe says she has enjoyed mentoring them, and takes great pride in watching them succeed. A bit of wisdom she passes on is that being a full-time Realtor can be a challenge, but having a supportive network of family and friends is an essential element.

Community involvement has always been a vital part of Lake Norman Realty’s identity, as the company believes it’s important to give back to the community. Monroe is very involved in the North Mecklenburg Exchange Club, Cornelius Early Scholars and the Smithville Revitalization Project. She has also volunteered for years with Boy Scout Troop 72 at Bethel Church in Cornelius and at many local schools.

When asked why her clients return to her, she said, “Because they know experience counts.”, which is also Monroe’s tagline.

Not many people would have waded into opening a business close on the heels of the 2008 recession, but that didn’t intimidate Jamie Ottinger, owner of Express Employment Professionals in Mooresville. Following a stint with Express Personnel in Hickory, Ottinger opened the Mooresville office in 2009 with two staff members – and that gamble has paid off.

Today, Jamie has four recruiters, one being her Branch Manager, Megan Ager, who has a 14-year tenure.

“We are known as the area’s premier staffing provider,” she says. “Through our distinctive

competence in matching the right employee with the right company, we strive to help as many people as possible with successful workforce placement.”

And it’s not just that initial placement that Ottinger and her team consider a success. It’s what gets paid forward by building long term partnerships through their staffing services.

“There is nothing more satisfying than seeing an associate who we placed as a machine operator in 2018 walk through our doors with an update that their career journey has taken them to a production manager position who is giving us an order for contract associates for his employer,” says Ottinger.

105 Singleton Rd. Unit 104 Mooresville

Jamie Ottinger

Owner/Manager of Express Employment Professionals

Debbie Monroe Broker/Realtor®, Lake Norman Realty

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

Everyone has stories in themtake the time to recall and relish memories by writing them down, if only for yourself.

Got a ‘Security Stack’?

Device advice for all ages

by Becky Aijala

Jay Harrill, who wasn’t sure what he wanted to do back in his college days, decided to try some computer courses — spoiler alert, it went really well — and he’s now worked in IT for more than 25 years. His own company, JH3 Technology Solutions, a managed services provider out of Mooresville, celebrated 14 years in business last month, to glowing reviews and testimonials along the way.

With the help of one tech, and the “dozens of people working in the background” at partner-companies 24/7, Harrill keeps systems running smoothly and safely for his clients, ranging in size from a one-person operation to companies with 20-25 computers and two servers.

In addition to the usual “security stack” (layers of protection that include monitoring software, security software, firewall and security training) that IT companies may provide, “we like to educate people,” says Harrill. “That’s part of our security stack, as far as we’re concerned — education.”

While the security training is designed to keep companies’ data safe, he has some great tips for individuals as well. According to an FBI “Elder Fraud Annual Report,” senior citizens lost $1.7 billion as victims of online crime in 2021, and the U.S. has seen a 400% increase in internet crime toward this age group in the past five years.

Harrill doesn’t hesitate to use his mom’s questions (and those of a couple of her friends) as examples, though “it isn’t age specific,” he says. Anyone can fall victim if they are too quick to reply, click or call. Here are a few common scenarios:

Computer Screen – You’re happily browsing when a pop-up appears, telling you that your computer has been infected. Do you call the 800 number given?

“Never call the number,” he says, “it’s fake.” If you call the number, they may ask for remote access to your computer in order to steal information. “Never give someone you don’t know remote access to your computer,” he says. When you try to close the pop-up, there won’t be an “x” to click. Just restart your computer and the pop-up will be gone.

Email – By now, most of us would notice if the sender address or subject line included misspellings or random use of upper and lower case, and simply delete the email. But what if it seems to be from a legitimate contact? Be wary if a close friend or business contact gives you a new destination for money you already send on a regular basis. A hacker may be behind the request, which is being hidden from the supposed sender. Always text or call your contact to be sure the actual request was really from them.

Links via text or email – Don’t reply to or open links from unknown texts or emails. Simply delete them.

Texts or emails that tell you a service you never had has expired –Simply delete.

Texts or emails that ask for your credit card information – Delete.

“If you’re ever in doubt, just delete it. If it’s really that important, the person will call you back. They’ll get in touch with you another way. Don’t reply to that email, don’t click any link in that email,” says Harrill.

photo by Lisa Crates

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

Write Now

by Mickey Dunaway

I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.

- Anne Frank

Reflect backward with me for just a few minutes.

It is your junior year in high school. It is early October. When the second period bell rings in three minutes you must be in your desk in the front row, middle desk. Perfectly placed. Your 11th grade English teacher, Mrs. Graem R. Copp, will see you whenever you are tempted to glance left or right. Cheating is not your modus operandi, but ADHD is — especially when you put off your homework.

The bell rings, and Mrs. Copp begins writing the day’s assignment on the board.

“Write a two-page essay …” Those four words bring fear to your young soul about what is next. Mrs. Copp finishes writing, and when you finally look up, you are panicked as the day’s assignment is: “Write a two-page essay on the topic: The significance of Rev. Cotton Mather’s sermon, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.’”

Mrs. Copp adds verbally, “You will be graded on grammar, spelling, punctuation and creativity. Your essay is due in 45 minutes as you leave class.”

At this point, your anxiety reaches volcano stage as you realize reading Cotton Mather’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was your weekend homework assignment that you put off to go to the Homecoming Dance. You suddenly feel a strange kinship to Rev. Mather’s sinners.

This is not writing. Writing is a wonderful thing. What a shame that we all did lots of creative writing in grammar school and almost none in secondary school? Let’s see if I can help you purge your soul of your fear of writing. I have one abiding principle and four suggestions about writing to get you started.

Abiding principle: Writing should be fun. For me, it is a competition — can I get my message across in as few words as possible and have it perfectly understood? That is still the goal of my columns for this magazine, as I am limited to a word count of about 600-700 words. I find it fun to meet that goal.

Suggestion 1: Don’t worry about grammar, spelling or punctuation. Write what you hear in your head. Most of the time, you will be about 80-90 percent correct.

Suggestion 2: Don’t fret over coming up with a topic. Your life is filled with hundreds of stories of success, humor, drama and even tragedy. Let those stories pollinate your creativity.

The story below is about meeting my wife for the first time 56 years ago.

She was the cutest cutie I had ever seen. Shiny dark black hair in a pixie cut. One could get lost in her dark brown eyes, surrounded by the longest natural lashes I had ever seen. She was elfin in every way, except she had the biggest laugh I had ever heard from a Southern female. It came deep from her South Alabama country roots. No genteel tee-heehee from this cutie who stood before me. I was smitten with that face and that laugh that weakened me at my knees. We were married 18 months later at Spanish Fort Baptist Church on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Reading these words to her a few weeks ago brought out that smile that slayed me back in the summer of 1967.

Suggestion 3: Read what you have written out loud to yourself. If it doesn’t sound right, you know it and can revise. Most modern word processing programs will read what you have written back to you in many different accents. Personally, I prefer Aussie female.

Suggestion 4: Publish what you write. I don’t mean with a high-falutin’ New York publisher, but to your spouse, children or grandchildren by mail, email or text. Just do it. And keep a copy for yourself. Once comfortable, put your favorite story on Facebook for your friends.

Abe Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was 267 words long and delivered in two minutes, and is still memorized by schoolchildren today. Funny. I can’t seem to remember who speechified for two hours before President Lincoln. We are not Abraham Lincolns, but to have our stories written for our families in our own words is pretty noble all the same.

Do Your Beneficiary Designations Reflect Your Wishes?

Beneficiary designations are a great way to avoid probate and pass property directly to others upon death. Beneficiary designations are used to distribute retirement/brokerage accounts and life insurance proceeds. It’s important to review your beneficiary designations to ensure they reflect your wishes and the interests of the intended recipients. Otherwise, your beneficiary designations could have unintended consequences. A will only governs the property passing through probate. A trust only governs the property being held by the trust. A beneficiary designation dictates how property is distributed regardless of the wishes expressed in your will or trust.

Naming a Minor as Your Beneficiary

When a minor child inherits property outside of a trust or a custodial account, the Court will appoint a guardian to manage the minor’s inherited property until 18 years of age. At age 18, the child receives their inheritance outright. Think about an 18-yearold receiving a large unrestricted inheritance. Naming a trust as a primary or contingent beneficiary may be in the best interest of the minor child.

Beneficiary is Recipient of Government Benefits

Recipients of needs-based government benefits such as Social Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid receiving even a small inheritance that is not protected by a properly designed trust can place these benefits at risk. An inheritance could result in the loss of valuable health care benefits. Rather than disinheriting a loved one receiving government benefits, a specially designed trust can protect the government benefits and the inheritance.

Outdated Beneficiary Designations

It’s vital to review your beneficiary designations whenever you experience a major life change, such as divorce, marriage or the birth of a child. Don’t overlook beneficiary designations on employer sponsored life insurance and retirement accounts. An outdated beneficiary designation can result in leaving property to an ex-spouse, a person with special needs, a minor, a spendthrift adult or your estate. A retirement account passing to an estate will be subject to hefty taxes and is available to creditors.

Consult with an Attorney

Beneficiary designations can work great – the money is transferred to the intended recipient quickly, without court interference and protected from creditors. Sometimes beneficiary designations can work to the disadvantage of the intended recipient. It’s important to work with an experienced attorney to ensure your beneficiary designations reflect your wishes and overall estate plan.

Louise Paglen is an Estate Planning, Elder Law and Special Needs Attorney with The McIntosh Law Firm,

P.C. Contact her at 704.892.1699 or visit www. McIntoshLawFirm.com.

Dine + Wine

Eating, drinking, cooking and fun

Photography by Lisa Crates

Quiche by chef Bob Montbleau is just one of many delicacies to enjoy at French Market Cafe & Gourmet Shop in Cornelius.

Drops

in the ocean

In a sea of Chardonnay wines, the search for sublime nuggets pays off

First, a little context.

Skip back in time to our bicentennial year, 1976. The location is Paris, France. I’ll set the scene. There was a blind wine tasting — the “Judgement of Paris” — with a panel of French wine “experts.” It featured the best white wines of Burgundy against Chardonnay wines from the vinous backwater of California. California’s Cabernet Sauvignon wines were matched against the best judged wines of Bordeaux. The original intent of the tasting was to demonstrate that France was at the epicenter of the fine wine world, especially compared to these newcomers from California. Few of the experts doubted that anything could be finer than the product of vines of Burgundy and Bordeaux.

Oh, what a surprise. The experts came to the conclusion that the best white wine in the blind tasting was a Chardonnay from Chateau Montelena in the Napa Valley, and the best judged red wine was from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, also from Napa Valley. Sacre bleu! There must have been some error in the process. The experts agreed that these results should never leave that tasting room.

A problem for the French experts was that in the room had been a journalist from Time magazine. He recognized that this was a great story and he definitely wanted it broadcast to the world — under his name, of course. And so was launched the California wine story that we have today.

That, to me, presents a problem. The Judgement of Paris “legitimized” wines made from the Chardonnay grape, and it created a bandwagon that lots of winemakers jumped on. The result was a sea of Chardonnay wines that contained some so-so wines and a few sublime stars. It pays to go searching for the stars.

Even though they were bested by the Judgement of Paris, Burgundy is a great place to begin searching. By law, white wines from Burgundy are 100 percent Chardonnay. Once again, I have a little story. Back in the day, in Brussels I was having lunch with one of my clients. She ordered a bottle of Burgundy wine. All of a sudden talk of business strategy was out the window. The wine became the center of attention. It was a white Burgundy wine from Burgundy’s Saint Aubin region. It checked all the sublimity boxes. Since that lunch, I’ve selected one of these wines any time I run across them.

Looking for a Chardonnay from Burgundy, I go for value. You can find value wines from the two southern sub-regions of Burgundy; Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais. Great wines but less expensive than the more famous regions. A good example would be a wine that I had lunch with a little while back.

Don’t forget the California grapes of the Judgement. Chateau Montelena, of course, but these wines may be on the expensive side. A wine that I particularly like is from the Grgich Hills winery. Its winemaker performed superbly in Paris. It’s readily available and at a more acceptable price.

The Judgement of Paris put California wines on the world map of wine. The rest is delicious history. It also launched wines from the Chardonnay grape. And, as I alluded to, this created a situation of a sea of wine containing some tasty drops in the ocean. The challenge is to find the drops. When you find them, they’re well worth the effort. Go exploring. You’ll be more than glad you did. Start with some of the Chardonnays that performed so well in Paris. And go searching for wines from the Burgundy region of France. The rewards are plentiful and definitely well worth the effort.

by Trevor Burton photography by Trevor Burton

My luncheon companion, a wine from Burgundy’s sub-region, Mâconnais.

‘Open & Fun’

Enjoy the vibe at The Wine Cottage

by Karel Bond Lucander photography courtesy

The Wine Cottage

Kick back, enjoy a glass of wine and a light bite at The Wine Cottage while watching the waves roll in on Lake Norman. With five comfy rooms inside, and a large outdoor patio, this family-friendly destination feels like you might be chilling at home.

“The Wine Cottage is like your own personal ‘Cheers,’ where everyone becomes part of our family,” says Theresa Vitanza, who manages the cottage. “Our amazing staff is friendly and welcoming to everyone who walks through our doors.”

Nestled within North Harbor’s Davidson Landing at Exit 30, spectacular lake views and an “everybody knows your name” vibe sets The Wine Cottage apart. But this magical place even sparked two couples, who met here and became fast friends, to become its new co-owners this spring. Larry and Erin Johnson of Mooresville and James and Mindy Bright of Huntersville all share a passion for The Wine Cottage. Originally opened in 2010, the Brights discovered it in 2011 and it quickly became their home-away-from-home.

“Almost every single life event we have had since moving to Charlotte has been at The Wine Cottage,” Mindy says. “Major birthdays, gender reveal for our daughter and just about every holiday and weekend.”

“It’s a very open and fun place where people feel comfortable to meet new people and become lifelong friends,” says James. “It’s also

a place you can go and enjoy a rare bottle of wine or beer at grocery store prices.” For the Johnsons, who first patronized it in 2016 when they moved to the area and rented a boat slip at North Harbor marina, The Wine Cottage became their happy home port.

“We have spent many, many wonderful hours enjoying friends and fellowship here,” Erin says.

At The Wine Cottage, you can sample wines by the glass or by the bottle. They feature select wines from around the world, and you can request specific wines you have had or are looking to try. They also offer a large selection of beers, non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails made from vodka-based wine. Pair your drinks with delicious meat, cheese and fruit charcuterie boards, hummus, olives, trail mix, crackers and desserts of the week, such as peach cups and chocolate cake with caramel sauce, for a light meal. While you’re here, you can also shop for wine, beer and charming Lake Norman-centric gifts.

The Wine Cottage features live musical performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and special wine seminars twice monthly on Thursdays. Watch also for special upcoming wine tastings, Art Mondays and Taste of Tuesday Club. For something different, consider booking a private Murder Mystery Dinner at The Wine Cottage.

If you’re looking for a new adventure, head there now and celebrate life at the lake.

The staff at The Wine Cottage are (front row, from left) Maddie Klinger, Maggie Lape, (back row, from left) Molly Klinger, Theresa Vitanza and Lisa Grossman.

The owners of The Wine Cottage are (from left) Larry Johnson, Erin Johnson, James Bright and Mindy Bright.

by

Simple Creamy Baked Boursin and Tomato Pasta

Sweet cherry tomatoes are even more brilliant when baked with creamy Boursin cheese, a few spices and tossed with pasta. Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, and you have a delicious and super easy home cooked meal in 30 minutes.

This recipe is so darn good that it went viral on TikTok. Some have made it with feta cheese instead, but I love using creamy Boursin cheese. It gives this dish Alfredo vibes, without adding any heavy cream. The cherry tomatoes burst with juiciness after roasting in the oven, and combine with yummy, melted Boursin cheese to make the perfect sauce for your favorite pasta.

This is just the right recipe for those busy nights when you want to serve the family a home cooked meal, but don’t want to think too hard about it.

Servings: 8

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of The Tasty Bits food blog. For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits.

Ingredients:

Pure Pasta Simplicity

2 pints (4 cups) cherry tomatoes

1 shallot, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 teaspoons salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

4 Tbsp. olive oil

2 packages (150g) Boursin Herb and Garlic cheese

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 pound (500g) dry pasta (such as rotini or trumpets)

2 Tbsp. fresh basil

Sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a 9” x 13” baking dish, toss tomatoes with the olive oil, shallots, garlic, salt and pepper. Push tomato mixture to the sides of the baking dish and add a Boursin cheese round to the middle of the dish on opposite ends. Top everything with a little extra olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the tomatoes and cheese are soft and starting to brown slightly.

While the tomatoes and cheese are roasting in the oven, boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, but reserve about one cup of the pasta water.

When the tomatoes and cheese are finished cooking, remove from the oven and break up the cheese and tomatoes with a spoon to create a creamy sauce. Stir in the pasta and fresh basil. Stir well to coat pasta. If the mixture seems too thick, add pasta water gradually until desired consistency is achieved. Garnish with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and extra fresh basil leaves.

Notes:

If you are cooking for two, you can easily halve this recipe and make it in an 8” x 12” baking dish.

Make this dish even more hearty by roasting additional vegetables with the tomatoes and Boursin cheese. Spinach, chopped bell peppers or zucchini make tasty additions.

Kathy Dicken photography by Kathy Dicken

From France

with Love

Delicious fare with a European flare

by Abigail Smathers photography by Lisa Crates

Since 2018, Kathy Montbleau and her husband, Bob, have been serving up some of Lake Norman’s best soups, salads, sandwiches and snacks at French Market Cafe & Gourmet Shop. Tucked away in the Shops on the Green shopping center in Cornelius, this cozy little spot offers guests a place to eat, shop and bask in the rustic but dainty mise en scène of the French countryside. But quaint as it may seem, there’s much more to French Market Cafe than meets the eye.

Home to classically trained chef Bob Montbleau, French Market Cafe is the culmination of decades of culinary experience. Bob’s expertise spans more than 45 years, and seemingly runs in his blood. Coming from a long lineage of talented chefs, he was instilled with a passion for cooking at a very young age. From practicing as a home cook, to graduating from the Culinary Institute of America and working at five-star resorts all over the globe, Bob is no stranger to delighting patrons with his cooking.

Combined with the stylings of his wife — a visionary designer and strategist — French Market Cafe boasts not only an impressive menu, but a unique experience that guests won’t find anywhere else. The venue is carefully curated down to every last detail, creating an immersive and delightful atmosphere that’s perfect for making connections.

“Younger people often haven’t had proper tea, while older people haven’t had a place to enjoy it in a long time,” says Kathy. “Our tearoom is the only one in the area, so it’s a special place for people to connect, whether they’re trying something new or reconnecting with an old part of themselves.”

Things never grow stale at the tearoom. Each month, it’s transformed into a new scene, complete with floor-to-ceiling decorations, themed bites and limited-time offerings. For the month of October, Kathy

Owners Bob and Kathy Montbleau offer a delightful selection of delectibles at their Cornelius cafe and gourmet shop, including afternoon tea.

Caption copy goes here.

has planned two events: a month-long Oktoberfest seasonal menu, and a Halloween-themed Spooktacular Tea Party to be held Sunday, Oct. 29 (tickets required).

According to a glowing review by Destination Tea, an authority on and directory for the US’ best tea establishments, French Market Cafe is rich with “thoughtful touches.” From the in memorium tea set displays to the infuser cradles and even the croutons, love can be felt in every inch of the little cafe.

In addition to the restaurant and tearoom, French Market Cafe also offers a wide selection of goods for purchase. These include fine beverages, chocolates, European delicacies and local specialties. The Montbleaus place high importance on selling only the freshest, highest-quality items, such as handmade jams, old-fashioned candies, and of course, premium loose-leaf teas.

“We import things from all over the world – our butter comes all the way from Belgium – but we also source a lot of local goods from small and women-owned businesses,” Kathy says. “We want to support others just like they’ve supported us.”

For the sweets lover, French Market Cafe serves some of the best desserts and pastries in the country, even landing them the title of “Best Bakery” in the Best of Lake Norman CURRENTS Awards of 2023. Bob’s carrot cake recipe is so highly prized, in fact, that not even his wife knows what it is.

At the end of the day, the real shining star of French Market Cafe is the lovely couple who runs it. The passion and pride that they have for their work is unparalleled, and seemingly unending as well.

“I just like to make people happy with food. I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they come here to eat,” says Kathy. “When you’ve been doing this as long as we have, it’s in your blood. You just keep doing it – you can’t stop. We’ll keep doing this until we physically can’t anymore.”

Whether you want to celebrate, to try new things, to remember or to make new memories, French Market Cafe & Gourmet Shop is your destination.

French Market Cafe & Gourmet Shop is at 20920 Torrence Chapel Road, #B1 in Cornelius. Learn more at www.frenchmarketcafeandtearoom.com or call 704.641.2201. Reservations are recommended.